[center]A collaboration of Phoenix Dawn and Alkaline [@Duoya][/center] [hr] Despite the presence of the robots, Jane was incredibly eager to begin training - Phoenix had even made her a special workout program! Jane pumped herself up, more and more enthused as Phoenix spoke of her future greatness. [color=a36209]"Yeah! Beware evildoers, Alkaline has a sixth sense when it comes to sniffing out crime!"[/color] [color=gold]"ARE YOU READY!?"[/color] [color=a36209]"I'M READY! I'M READY!! I'M-"[/color] Jane was cut off as Phoenix held his hand up, only a little shorter than his head, and Jane - who was previously bouncing up and down like a small dog about to be given a treat, immediately fell quiet and drooped slightly. It was kinda demeaning, but more so... It was difficult. Jane had a big distaste towards walls and high surfaces - it's why she doesn't have a bathtub in her room! Still, she had to do her best, no matter how difficult! She quickly extended herself as much as she could, but she didn't even make it 5 feet in the air before she felt herself reach her limit. She let out small whimpers as she tried to go even further, but soon collapsed into a puddle before reforming. [color=a36209]I don't think I can do it, Phoenix..."[/color] Phoenix felt the air immediately go quiet as he held out his hand and yet he stood as still as a statue, seriousness in his attitude. Phoenix noticed the lack of her enthusiasm and upturned his chin. [color=gold]"Do not believe for a moment that this is a jab Alkaline! We are going to completely destroy the greatest limitation you have! We are going to make you limitless! Now reach up! Reach towards the sky Alkaline! And touch my hand!"[/color] He then watched as she stretched how she seemed to be putting all of her jelly justice in this most difficult of tasks. He smiled, laughed even in encouragement as he flexed his muscles, fist pumping as she continued. [color=gold]"That's it Alkaline! Just a little more. Reach! REACH!"[/color] But as she sank so did his smile and spirit, but only for the briefest of moments. He noticed a few things as she tried to make her attempt, a few things that made him really try to think on the situation. [color=gold]"I don't believe that Alkaline. And you have to believe in me that believes in you. The Bible says that!"[/color] He would hold out his hand again. [color=gold]"You need to dig deep, feel it here."[/color] He tapped his perfect abs. [color=gold]"People can do extraordinary things and they dont even have powers. This is like doing a pull up, you get a good push, get momentum and you can make that climb!"[/color] Jane trembled slightly as if she was about to cry - it was really embarrassing she couldn't reach such a low height. As Phoenix talked, Jane listened to every word, latching onto them like a child latches onto a new toy. She had to try, even if it was impossible - She had to kick logic to the curb and do the impossible, no matter how difficult! [color=a36209]"You're right Phoenix! As long as I believe, I can do anything!"[/color] Jane tried several more times to reach up, and even tried to jump twice, both attempts failing horribly, until she finally got the perfect idea. She was jumping by willing her whole body upwards - and she could only raise a few inches that way. Instead, she had to think like she still had her old body. She needed force to push down and jump upwards. Pausing slightly, she prepared to jump up, before finally launching upwards somewhat more successfully. She had pushed with all of her force downwards which, alone, would have done very little to help her. However, as she did so, she also pushed it outwards, forming an almost pseudo garden hose - she used the propulsion from this to barely reach the palm of Pheonix's hand, before latching onto it and gripping as hard as she could. [color=a36209]"I DID IT! I'M ABLE TO JUMP A FEW FEET IN THE AIR! YAY!"[/color] As she celebrated, the pool that she had launched into the floor lost all form, turning into a stagnant puddle on the floor. Jane had lost roughly half of her body mass with that single jump, and she didn't see how she was going to reach back down and grab it without dripping off of the hand. Phoenix was impressed, she did manage to do it. But it wasn't the victory he was hoping for, considering she essentially ripped her legs off in the the attempt, or whatever the equivalent would be. He tried not to dwell on it. However it was hope, and hope moved mountains. [color=gold]"FANTASTIC ALKALINE! I knew you could do it!"[/color] He tried to give her a high five and there was that awkward silence as high five became fist bump became high five. It didn't matter, he just gooped her with his opposite hand and let her back down to collect herself. [color=gold]"Now we just need to figure out how to keep you together."[/color] He knew that little pieces ended up becoming little more than whatever she was. [color=gold]"This is good, great even! If you're able to get that kind of force, that means we can do something really cool."[/color] He kneeled to her level, and then sat down cross legged before fumbling around with his gi, twisting this way and that as he looked around. [color=gold]"Thankfully, I came prepared for this training session... now where is that- oh YEAH! KABLAAMS!"[/color] He pulled something out from his pants, and upon further inspection was holding three comics, all of them Batman Comics, or more specifically [i]Detective Comics[/i]. He fumbled through the pages a little bit before setting it down for both of them to read. [url=https://cdn.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Detective-Comics-964-7-600x923.jpg]A panel took a two page spread.[/url] he pointed to the page, particularly the monster. [color=gold]"See this Alkaline, that's what I think you can do! And that little jump just proved it!"[/color] Jane attempted to return the high five that Phoenix presented to her - unfortunately, she was feeling a little dizzy after losing so much fluid, and couldn't even form a proper limb to respond to the action. As Phoenix released her to the ground, Jane almost immediately reformed with her lost pieces, feeling energetic and ready to kick gravity's butt! As Phoenix played with his gi, Jane felt a rush of smugness come over her as she was complimented - that's right, she's awesome! It took her a solid three seconds before realizing that being conceded wasn't cute, and she immediately stopped - reminding herself that what she did was easily accomplished by normal people really took the wind out of her sail. As she slightly faltered at the thought, Phoenix pulled out three separate comic books, all of which being Batman related. As he flipped through the pages, he finally presented the panel he was searching for. Jane had to admit it- [color=a36209]"WHOA, that's badass!"[/color] Phoenix was laying on the praise and encouragement extra thick today, so Jane had to do her best to reciprocate - she had to be ready for anything, and put in all she can to make sure she succeeds! [color=a36209]"You really mean it!? Let's go again! Again!"[/color] As she yelled excitedly, Jane moved in a small circle, occasionally bouncing a few inches off the ground and reforming. [Color=gold]"Heck yeah that's badaaa-- butt!"[/color] Dawn tries not to curse. Set an example for the kids. [Color=gold]"Can you imagine all the cool stuff you'd be able to do!? Become anyone! Be anything! You might be the only person that could literally do that! So friggin RAD!"[/color] Dawn slid the comics aside, keeping the page open as he kneeled before her. He thought about how to phrase what he needed her to do, and her attitude was contagious. He was simply brimming with the excitement. Even his white eyes seemed to show emotion for a change. [Color=gold]"You got it! Let's try it! Do you remember how to flex a muscle?"[/color] he curled his impressive bicep to show her the vein popping. [Color=gold]"or however you thicken yourself up? I want you to try that! I want you to make a part of you [i]swole[/i]!"[/color] bro language. [Color=gold]"Use that portion and climb up atop yourself. Make a ladder, thickening pieces that the rest of you can slide up and upon."[/color] He stood again and raised out his hand. [Color=gold]"Give it a try! This is just the first steps to you being more awesome!"[/color] [color=a36209]"You're right! Anything is possible, as long as I believe in myself!"[/color] By now, all the screaming that the pair had done had probably drawn more than a little bit of attention, but Jane was completly oblivious to this. As Phoenix kneeled, he described the next steps of the workout that he wanted her to start. While Jane had a hard time understanding what exactly he had meant, she was able to get the basic gist of his plan. [color=a36209]"A ladder, a ladder... O-ok, I'll try my best![/color] Jane was a bit nervous at the risk of failure, but with a few final words of encouragement from Phoenix, she started quickly. She did as he suggested, forming a strong base that would take a long time to lose shape, mostly by making it far denser and lessening the viscosity. She felt fairly secure in what she was doing, until she was roughly six inches in the higher than where she would have normally been - it was at this point she fell, making a slight splat as her more viscous portions slammed against the gym floor. Afraid to disappoint, Jane quickly tried again, making about the same level of progress before, again, falling. After another three times of doing this, She eventually tried making a thicker, more square-like base, and she succeeded in getting becoming a foot and a half taller, albeit more pyramid shaped then before. [color=a36209]"This is a little weird Phoenix - I don't think I could stay like this for long... What should I do next?"[/color] He held up a hand in a stopping motion. [color=gold]"Good. Hold that. Being able to keep a shape is the next step."[/color] He said, his magnificently simple brain trying to process how she could do the things he was trying. It was a start, just forming a shape, but he had to consider that she couldn't completely solidify herself. If she could, she would have. [color=gold]"If maybe you try to hold it for long, you get better at it. Like practicing."[/color] He snapped his fingers, almost for himself as it was for her. [color=gold]"It took me years to be able to harness light the way I do. ONE THOUSAND HOURS of blood sweat and tears! You're already breaking your boundaries and it hasn't even been twenty minutes."[/color] He grinned, proudly. He raised his hand over her, his foot kind of pressing at the side of the mound she making, maybe as an attempt to give her something stable to boost on. He wasn't worried about getting goopy. [color=gold]"Try to see if you can reach. You have a strong base, try to reach up like a tentacle. Something you can thicken yourself onto and reach up."[/color] He made a face, scrunching up, mainly because he couldn't really explain it as well as he would like. Trying to consider the chemistry and physics that was happening was beyond him. But regardless effort seemed to be driving the girl forward and he knew that victory or defeat, this was a great start for it. Phoenix's hand was roughly the same distance it had been before - it only seemed less high since Jane herself was now a foot taller than she had been. What was once an impossible task was now simply a near impossible task! ..Or, at the very least, Jane was more likely to succeed this time. Quickly, she began to stretch with all of her might, doing her very best to reach Phoenix's outstretched hand. After several attempts, all of which being only a few inches short, Jane began to grow discouraged. She was ready to give in, stop trying - save it for another day. But then she realized- Phoenix would never do something like that! He'd push harder than other people thought possible if it meant upholding his ideals! Jane stretched as hard as she could, focusing every fiber in her gooey body at doing so. With a smacking sound, Jane realized that the upper portion of the pseudo-limb had ripped off, and smacked against Pheonix's hand before falling to the ground. Quickly, she reabsorbed the portion. [color=a36209]"W-wait Phoenix, I got it! I know how to reach it now!"[/color] It was a flash of brilliance that was very uncharacteristic of Jane - No, it was a flash of inspiration that had always embodied the literally Pint-sized girl! She reached up once again and, upon reaching her limit, made the tentacle as viscous as tar. Then, with unbecoming speed, launched it upwards, just as she had done when first reaching Phoenix's hand. With a sickening glop, the liquid connected to Phoenix's hand and, as quickly as she could, Jane made another limb and grabbed the dangling ropes of tar that hung from his hand. Reaching the hand was the hardest part - with almost total control of her body, pulling herself up was the easy part. [color=a36209]"YAY! I did it Phoenix! You were right, all I needed to do was try hard and believe in myself!"[/color] Remembering what Victory had taught her about personal space, Jane sloughed off of Phoenix, gently hitting the floor. She was incredibly tired, and despite not needing air, she was making a rasping noise as she took air inside of her body. An habit she had from her old body. Still, despite being exhausted, She remained perky and did her best to appear excited, jumping slightly and moving in circles around Phoenix. Phoenix had expected Jane to figure it out. She would know her better than he did how her goo worked. But again, Dawn's expectations were thoroughly dashed, as she thought outside the box. Launching herself she lowered the distance she would have to stretch between the two, and then use that as an anchor point. It was the same as grasping a branch, you can use it to pull yourself upon it. While she was still at that phase of getting all of herself off the ground, her speed at coming to the realization meant she had the capability all along and just never had the drive or reason to try it. No one expected her to be more than what she is. But Dawn was different. His imagination was always firing and thinking and dreaming, often about the capabilities of his friend. They all had so many things so many powers and abilities that he could never do. Dawn's face was a perfect image of ecstatic glee. Mouth open, thumbs up, even manly tears seemed to well up in his eyes and he applauded Jane on her efforts. [Color=gold]"You are an inspiration to slimes, gels, and puddings everywhere!"[/color] He even wiped his eyes as he croaked through. [color=gold]"To see a hero come into her own! To see the JUSTICE shine like the Lighthouse of Truth! Its- its- *sniff* So beautiful..."[/color] Considering she didn't have a face, moving around was probably the best way she could show her own emotions. It suited her personality. Dawn regain his composure. [color=gold]"I don't want anything to ruin this victory. This day of TWO VICTORIES!"[/color] He crossed his arms. [color=gold]"Thats enough for today Jane, just imagine what you can do tomorrow! And the day after that! And the day after that!"[/color] He then opened his eyes wide and put a fist into his open palm. [color=gold]"We should celebrate! Gasp! We should do research!"[/color] He leaned over, his face an expression of excitement. [color=gold]"Jane! Do you like movies!? Like animated movies? Like comic book animated movies!?"[/color] The past hour or so had been one of the most exhausting ever since Jane had gotten her new form. She felt sluggish, forming pseudolimbs was hard, and overall just felt very tired. Still, That was a good thing, right? It meant she was getting stronger! Phoenix's words motivated Jane to keep to it, but also made her worry for the days to come, as those were almost certainly going to be even more brutal. [color=a36209]"You got it - I'll keep training till I'm the coolest slime around!"[/color] It was the mention of a movie, however, that really sparked the interest that Jane was keeping in her gooey mass the whole time. [color=a36209]"A MOVIE!? I love movies! Live-action, animated, silent, musicals, you name it - I love all movies!"[/color] Jane hopped several times, excited for the coming event - watching movies, with THE Phoenix Dawn! This was going to be awesome! [color=a36209]When should we watch them?! Now?! Later today? Tomorrow?[/color] Dawn looked at his companions, Blizzkreig was with Yatzil fighting the machine and he wanted to supervise, but the robbit wouldn't last long. Dawn grinned. [color=gold]"We're almost done here it looks like, take a breather and grab some water and then'll head up. I barely broke a sweat with all this, so it's not like I need a shower."[/color] He laughed before he gave her a wave. [color=gold]"I'm going to get a better seat to watch this, join me if you want Alkaline!"[/color] He offered before going to get a good seat. //fights part of another collab// [hr] With it all said and done, the glory of what they witnessed still fresh in his veins he then thought back to how great the rest of the afternoon would be. [color=gold]"That was fun! Come Jane!"[/color] Even informally he had to make everything over the top. He crouched down and turned from her, his arms behind him, offering to carry the blob back to his room on Floor 31, if she could somehow goop up on him. If not, he could just grab her with his ability as he had done before. [color=gold]"Maybe afterwards, we should watch Deadpool 2! We get whats in the cinemas on channel 998! Talk about perks! What movies do you like Jane! I got a million of them!"[/color] Jane quickly seated herself close to Phoenix, choosing to drink some water later. It wasn't like she sweated anyways, so no need to replenish any fluids. The pair watched the ongoing fight, and Jane occasionally cheered for the pair that were fighting the robots. She had no intention of doing so, but it was nice to see that the others were having fun. [hr] Jane was hopping repeatedly, the feeling of adrenaline filling her body. The fights that took place were incredible, especially considering that those were people who Jane was working with. She knew for a fact she would not have been able to take out nearly as many robots as they had. As the pair made their way out of the gymnasium, Jane quickly crawled onto Phoenix at his signal - clinging onto others was incredibly easy for someone like her, to the point where she simply formed into a small sphere on his back. [color=a36209]"I'm fine with anything Phoenix! I want you to choose what we watch."[/color] Jane had never been the type to say what she really wanted - her bringing heavily discouraged her from trying to do so. Instead, satisfying others was what Jane had learned to get enjoyment from. She'd watch anything that Phoenix would suggest - the fact that he was one of her heroes was also a big reason for her indecisiveness. Phoenix barely noticed the wait, though his back felt wet and sticky... He looked over his shoulder when she mentioned that he should pick. He knew what she was like by now. All positives, all acceptance of others. It was a self-less way to live he knew, but it wasn't really living. He tried to ease her. [color=gold]"We're off the clock Jane. You can call me Rico!"[/color] He said happily. To be honest, he perferred to be called Phoenix, but he accepted that people preferred their normal mundane, old names. He hated to live in the past, but sometimes you had to be informal. He responded looking back. [color=gold]"Nah. I want to be surprised! And I want to know you better. We're more than partners, we're friends! And I want to do something nice for my friend. You help out everyone in the tower with nary a thank you. About time someone does something for you. We'll watch my movie, and then we watch yours. So come on, lay it on me. I doubt that I wouldn't enjoy it. I'm like you, I kind of dig everything! Except documentaries, most of them are kind of downers."[/color] He almost made the conversation about him. [color=gold]"But!-"[/color] It was the first time in recent memory that Dawn seemed to lose his composure. His head jerked back suddenly, as if embarassed to assume. [color=gold]"Unless you like them! I mean, maybe I'm just missing something and you can understand it better than I could!"[/color] It had been the first time in a long while that Jane had earnestly thought about what she had wanted to watch. It was obvious to see, but she lacked any hands, so manipulating the remote was far beyond her reach. She usually just helped out around the tower or spent her time by keeping an audio diary. Jane kept silent for several seconds, trying to figure out what the heck they could watch. She didn't remember many recent movies that have come out, and she'd be embarrassed she suggested a movie that was old news. It wasn't until the pair had reached Phoenix's door that Jane had nearly jumped, almost falling off of Phoenix's shoulders. [color=a36209]"I got it Phoenix, I got it!"[/color] She paused and corrected herself quickly, losing her enthusiasm only momentarily. [color=a36209]"I-I mean Rico. I know what I want to watch!"[/color] She was about to reach into her pocket when she realized that she didn't have any pockets anymore - or legs, for that matter. She had kept a photo of the dvd cover in her wallet since it was so cool. Not disheartened, Jane quickly pointed at Phoenix while bouncing. [color=a36209]"Let's watch the documentary they made about you! That would be awesome!"[/color] This would be awesome - watching a movie about a hero, with a hero! The same hero that was in the movie, to be exact. Phoenix made a raspberry sound at the suggestion. [color=gold]"Oh geez that?"[/color] He asked playfully. [color=gold]"They make me look like such a boy scout."[/color] Which is weird, because Dawn essentially was a boy scout. [color=gold]"I'll give you the full story. My childhood, they got all wrong. I was in the room with them talking into a mic and they edited the wrong part. So embarrassing."[/color] He sighed than laughed. [color=gold]"Well, the lady has spoken."[/color] He opened the door. [color=gold]"Are you old enough to drink-"[/color] [@Metronome] What they saw was the foulest of crimes. The most cruelest of cruel. The most evil of evil. Dawn's room was completely trashed. TV broken, his WWF action figures destroyed, booze smashed, but that pale in comparison to his DVD Blue Ray and Comic Book collections. Where once was organized shelves of the greatest pieces of art known to collective human kind, the entire shelving unit was overturned and toppled. Their contents scattered or ripped or burned, or charred into an unidentifiable mass. His room was for lack of a better word, destroyed. His whole world came crashing down. Seeing the hope and the fire leave his eyes. The Dawn fell to his knees. No greater act of villainy or pain has ever been shown upon him. The wealth of pain reverberated in a scream so full of anguish that men would weep, children would weep, DOGS would weep and howl as the emptiness of true unescapable loss befell them, as if the sun would set for 1000 pitch black nights. Throughout the tower, everyone would hear what the faintest glimpse of what hell must sound like. [center][img]https://vgy.me/TPfr41.gif[/img][/center]