Zoey Boey

How The Leaves Fall

Hello! I will try to get a post up soon! I know the deadline is tonight. I live in Texas, and we had a BIT of a cold snap. White apocalypse. My internet has been down for the last 9 days.

World of Light

@Dark Cloud Right, I forgot about that.

World of Light

@Dark Cloud you had 368 words there in your post. :P

I dunno how you guys count your words, but I use the aptly named wordcounter.net. Just a quick copy and paste in your browser easy peasy.

World of Light

Kasugano Sakura

Level 4: 19/40
Location: The Atomos--> Ganryu-Maru Talking to @DracoLunaris and @Lugubrious. A collab with Lugubrious.
Word Count: 4,376
Points Gained: 3
New EXP Balance--- Level 4: 22/40

Where Ranger’s report made the Abyssals wary, it left Sakura fired up. Just a few choice words seemed to get her blood flowing and send her toward the Atomos’ stern. It was there that she witness something that floored her, eliciting a sudden yell. Bella jumped in surprise at Sakura’s shout, causing her tail to jerk out of position and rob her of her seat. She hit the deck with a resounded smack but sat up again in an instant, thinking she was under attack and filled with adrenaline. Without meaning to she deployed a trio of defensive bombers, only for her to realize what was actually happening. Looking more than a little sheepish Bella recalled her bombers, then furiously worked to compose herself before Sakura could turn and see her embarrassment.

As it turned out, one of the people Sakura spotted -who Bella had yet to see- constituted not just an acquaintance but a rival. While the Water Princess knew only what the word meant in terms of definition, she could see how much this girl meant to Sakura just by how the street fighter talked and acted. She clearly wanted nothing more than to leap from the cargo bay and meet with her friend, but conscientious as ever she wanted the Abyssal’s permission. As if she needs the approval of the likes of us. Bella waved her off. “Of course, it sounds like she’s your friend. Have fun!” She found herself looking forward to watching the fight, eager to see what Sakura was made of as an onlooker, rather than a participant.

Sakura pumped her fist, oblivious of any prior embarrassment. "Yatta!" She said under her breath. Then she made an unsure hand gesture. "Friend? Eh..." She shrugged, smiling. "Maybe that’s not the right word. But we’re close. The closest two street fighters could be, really!" She exhaled. She turned to look at Rika and Junior, both of whom also wanted to watch the fight.

”It’s really bright out there. If you close the cargo bay doors after me, you can watch from the windows and I don’t think anyone will notice you. Especially if you keep abyssal weapon parts from view.” She said, really wanting everyone to see the fight. She had a good feeling about this.

"Okay, here I go! Wish me luck!”

“Good luck, Sakura!”

With that she turned and ran out the door. Out the ramp and onto the street. She raised her hands and her voice.

"Karin!" She shouted. "Karin Kanzuki!" Waving her arms in the air she tried to get the aristocratic fighter’s attention.

In a flurry of golden ringlets the sophisticate turned from her attendants to see a familiar face headed her way. She huffed, permitting herself a slight smile. “Oho...I thought I heard one of your excited wails just now. Overjoyed to see me, I’m sure. I suppose I’m not too displeased to see you again, either. If I was going to run into anyone, it would be you,” she gave a helpless shrug, as if resigned to a fate that drove her and Sakura together.

Sakura laughed, slowing to a stop a few feet away from Karin. "Pleased to see you again, too, Karin-san." Sakura kept her tail tucked behind her back and her ears flattened against her hair. It’s not that she was embarrassed, but...well, maybe it was that.

"I’m surprised you’re using a boat with the rest of the commoners. What? No helicopter or red carpet?" Sakura ribbed.

Her rival held one arm against her body, the elbow of the other propped on its wrist. “Please, a helicopter? Airships are in nowadays, and I do have one of those, although it is not suitable for honing my skills. Hmm…” She looked Sakura up and down. “Looks like I am not the only one adjusting to this world. But I have certainly not been slacking off. Have you lost weight…?” Her browns furrowed, her expression curious. “Or perhaps...redistributed it? Ohoho...”

Sakura’s cat ears stuck out straight at that last question, and Karin’s eyebrows went up accordingly. "Hey!"

She looked at her own bicep, flexing it. "...Well, yeah, it’s true. I have." She admitted. "But! I’m still strong enough to beat you in a fight." She stuck out her fist.

"What do you say, Karin-san?" Sakura challenged. "Wanna fight? Winner by knockout! And if yes, could you move like, fifteen feet back and to the right?" She looked from where Karin was standing to the angle of the windows on the ship to the Atomos. She wanted to make sure her friends could see. She had forgotten Ranger mentioned brawling was illegal in the town proper.

“Well now, if you’re so certain I would not testing the veracity of that rather audacious claim…” For the moment, however, Karin looked more interested in the top of her rival’s head. “Those are remarkably realistic. How did that happen…?” After a moment she reconsidered her priorities. “I suppose that can wait. Most of the rabble out there seldom even provides good practice, so the thought of a half-decent fight has me filled with vigor. That said, the city-state of Limsa Lominscuttle town forbids exchanging blows on its soil.” She turned and stepped onto the Ganryu-maru. “Boats, however, are another story. If a guard came along he wouldn’t have it, so we typically fight out at sea, but one match won’t hurt.” She beckoned to Sakura. “I’ll make it quick, don’t you worry~”

She was glad Karin didn’t pursue the topic of spirits too strongly. Sakura chuckled a little as Karin stepped onto the ship. It was, now that she had seen it, a cheeky ducking of a rule. "Right. I wouldn’t be surprised if you came up with that loophole yourself." Sakura commented. She jogged onto the boat, joining Karin. Once again she looked back to the nearby Atomos. She couldn’t quite see through the windows, but she waved at them anyway.

"As for the ears? I’ll tell you all about them after you wake up. And also, a whole bunch of other stuff." Sakura returned the taunting, having fun with the trash talk. Karin was one of the few people she knew that could dish it out as well as she could take it. As she did, she removed her fighting gloves, previously tied to her waist, and placed them around her fists. She clenched and unclenched her fingers, making sure they were secure.

The high schooler took her fighting stance, knees bouncing, full of excitement. She slapped the sides of her temples, hyping herself up. "Ready?" She asked.

“Hmph!” Karin flipped her hair, then assumed her own fighting stance. Her attendants remained on the docks to watch, silent and stately as ever, and the hidden Atomos denizens were hardly the only spectators. With the exception of the cat and the little girl, the other fighters remained behind to watch as well, along with some of their own onlookers. Ready to face her rival, Karin issued her ultimatum. “I’ll show you the divide in our class!”

"Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!" She responded in turn.

From the cabin of the Ganryu-maru, a horn sounded out. “Go!”

"Hadoken!" Sakura reacted to the start of the match as quick as she usually did. She summoned forth the blue energy in her palms, gathered it at her sides, and then flung it forward at high speed toward Karin. Her goal was to keep her opponent out as long as possible. Especially with her decreased physical strength. Karin would find herself having to navigate a zone of fire if she wanted to approach Sakura.

With her eyes on her opponent’s new weaponry, and her knowledge that Sakura always likes to start off with a bang, Karin began walking backward the moment the horn sounded out. A Hadoken flew her way, and after a couple precisely-measured backsteps the heiress jumped up and over the blue fireball. Options arrayed themselves before her like playing cards, each made and refined over the course of countless sparring matches. Sakura had good instincts--but they could be learned and exploited. And that, Karin knew, was why she would win. Her spacing ensured that she would fall just out of range of her opponent’s uppercut, and she did not throw out a kick that could extend her into the danger zone. Instead she prepared to land and deal with Sakura’s response.

Karin’s opponent was concentrating intensely, trying to feel out Karin’s gameplan. She caught Karin’s glance towards her guns. Sakura paused for a moment, considering her harness. She glanced over Karin’s shoulder at the bystanders.

”Uh, don’t worry about the guns.” She said. ”And also "take this!" She took a step forward and threw a heavy roundhouse at Karin’s face. She followed through with a spin.

It seemed as though Sakura knew the spacing well enough to not try an uppercut, but landing her empty jump left Karin the advantage she needed to act on the option she did choose. When her adversary went high with a heavy attack, Karin crouched down and sent up a heavy punch of her own. Sakura’s foot sailed overhead as the heiress’s fist landed a crush counter, popping the other girl into the air. A well-executed Ressenha sent her flying after Sakura to smack her back down with two sweeping overhead strikes. While the combo ended there, Karin moved after her as soon as she could, seeking to apply pressure on wakeup.

(Yep,) Sakura thought to herself, spiralling through the air. (That seems about right.)

"OOF!" Sakura landed hard on her back, her attempt to keep Karin out slapped down with ease. Her eyes widened as Karin approached quickly, and she had no power charged to do anything special or cool.

Sakura kipped up into a crouch and attempted to shoot a quick jab forward at Karin’s belly, looking to interrupt and get herself some room to breathe. But even as she did so she felt her punch be a little slower, a little weaker. And in a street fight, a little meant a lot.

Her jab and Karin’s traded, their gloves giving a noisy smack as they clashed, and the two were reset to neutral. Figuring that she should have expected her opponent to jab furiously on wakeup, Karin hopped backward twice as if retreating to safety, giving Sakura just the space she needed to start throwing more Hadokens. After all, Karin could boast of no projectiles, so keeping her at range stood out as a good option. As Kain landed, however, she willed her bunched muscles to spring herself forward again. She darted back at her foe with her specialty, the Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Seppo, hoping to catch Sakura mid-fireball but prepared with a number of follow-ups.

As much as Sakura wanted to use her fireballs given they were stronger than ever, she managed to resist the urge. Sakura had fallen for this trick one too many times. As Karin dashed forward her legs would be met with the bottom of Sakura’s foot. "Senpu!" Sakura followed it up with a spin and a rise into the air, that same foot rushed around and slammed into her chest. Afterward Sakura kept up the pressure, going forward with a series of jabs, elbows, and kicks.

Caught in her gambit, Karin mixed her grunt of pain with a smile of self-reproach. Sakura could only be expected to fall for such silly tricks for so long. She took her opponent’s hurricane kick full-force, only to find the power a little below what she’d come to expect. Her estimation from earlier may not have been off. Still, Sakura did not relent, slapping her a series of blows that forced Karin into a blockstring. Dutifully the heiress switched between high and low blocks as required, a few stray hits landing here and there but not leading to much, as she searched for the right opening.

“There!” Karin ducked to the side, allowing the force of her adversary’s kick to move past her, and grabbed hold. In one fluid motion she flipped Sakura over her shoulder and onto the ground with a crash. The weight of the girl’s rigging fell upon her as she hit the deck, prolonging her stay. After turning to face her Karin immediately noticed her rival’s cat tail, prominently visible among the ship parts. “What’s this?” She considered grabbing hold of it to perform a follow-up throw, but decided it would be in poor taste. Instead she backed off, giving Sakura a chance to get up. “This baggage of yours is a hindrance. Perhaps you thought you could defeat me with weighted clothing? No doubt the product of too much cartoon-watching.” She snickered, happy to talk some trash of her own.

Sakura silently agreed with Karin as she somewhat clumsily got to her feet, the rigging leaving some red imprints on her body. Normally she was loath to have an opponent go easy on her, but this case was an exception. Things weren’t looking good in the fight., As Sakura got back into a defensive position, she saw the dull red glow in Karin’s eyes. (There’s more on the line here...I have to pull through!)

Each hit Karin gave her hurt more than it usually did, and her own strikes were less powerful to boot. Not to mention Karin had been practicing more. This would already be a 50/50 chance of a win at best. Sakura exhaled, her disposition becoming more serious. She gave Karin a concerned look with a gravity that Karin was not in a position to understand. Explaining her cat tail wasn’t exactly a priority. She would do it after, Sakura decided.

"Haaadoken!" She reached to her side, gathering up a large blast of energy, and fired it at Karin’s feet. There, it detonated with enough force to send her into the air. A move Sakura had never pulled off before, breaking the usual routine of their fights.

Once again Karin darted forward, ready to use her projectile-invincible follow-up from her Seppo to crumple Sakura to the ground. She did not expect her opponent to aim at the ground, nor for the resulting blast to blow through her back strike. “Guh-gracious!” she exclaimed, thrown upward. Thought caught by surprise in that moment, she realized immediately that she should have anticipated such a twist. It was ultimately just another on top of Sakura’s vast pile of variant Hadokens. No matter--she couldn’t invent them faster than Karin could adapt. She steeled herself for her opponent’s combo, considering her next move.

Sakura couldn’t help but celebrate a little- it actually worked! She had always traded consistency for versatility, and this one was no different. This Hadoken had a long recovery, she drew her arms in and took a deep breath. Karin was still in the air. Sakura planted her foot in the ground and propelled herself backward, putting distance between the two of them. Once she was a safe distance away she began harrying Karin with fireballs once again. "Hadoken! Hadoken! Hadoken!" She said, sweat dripping down her forehead. Sakura held a figurative card in her back pocket, predicting Karin would jump in. She would throw the exact opposite of what she had just done- an upward travelling fireball to catch jump attacks.

Having expected a follow-up combo, Karin managed to right herself mid-air and land on her feet. When she looked back toward her opponent she found Sakura at a distance, unleashing a torrent of spirit fire. A look of irritation shadowed the heiress’ face, as if to say who do you take me for. She dropped her stance and began to sprint.

She ran in a wide arc around the edge of the ship, avoiding the entire volley of Hadokens with ease as she closed the distance. At the last leg she drew close enough to execute a Seppo, but rather than dash straight at Sakura she zigged to one side to avoid a counter, then zagged back. Her technique ended in Tenko to launch Sakura upward, and this time Karin did not plan to relent. Energy welled around her as she thrust her arms downward. “Kanzuki-Ryu Guren no Kata!” As Sakura came down she dashed forward with two punches to Sakura’s midsection, restanding her. A palm strike made her reel back, at which point Karin slid past her to strike her in the back with an elbow before spinning away to resume her stance.

Sakura had flinched, sending her fireball into the air with nothing to show for it. For her trouble she received a powerful combination of strikes that sent her up and down. Suddenly she was on her feet, and she raised her fists to defend herself but only received an elbow between her shoulder blades. Ouch. "Kuh!" She stumbled forward, whirling around to face Karin. Sakura grit her teeth, eyebrows arched. Was playing defensive a mistake? Sakura dashed forward and went for a grab. Her hands reached out for Karin’s wrist and shoulders and her leg began to wrap around the back of Karin’s knee.

Deftly Karin teched the throw, slipping from Sakura’s grasp. Her instincts were beginning to fail her, just as Karin planned. Whether it was something in her mind or her body weighing her down, the cat-eared street fighter seemed increasingly easy to read. Karin dashed backwards, then surged in again with another pair of punches. With her V-trigger activated she moved fast enough that only a fast jab could catch her, but even that couldn’t stop her now. Her fists hammer Sakura’s block before she hopped upward in a spinning ball. Using Guren Resshu she grabbed hold of her rival’s block and brought her knee down into her head, flooring her again. Karin cartwheeled off of her, back to a ready stance.

The hits were hard, but the knee was viscous. "Gaah!" Sakura’s eyes squeezed shut as her head was slammed onto the deck of the ship and Karin’s even harder knee. Sakura braced herself on the ground, and then exploded upward. Using an EX Shouoken she surged off the ground once, and then continued onward with a second uppercut. Both uppercuts however met nothing but Karin’s block. Her fist glided off Karin’s forearms and the force carried her up into the air. She was helpless. Only an amateur would let her defend herself after that move. "Shimatta!"

As she reached the height of her arc and began to fall downward, she made brief eye contact with Karin. She was frustrated and now, scared: it was written all over her face and in her movements. Sakura was never afraid to take a friendly loss, though. No, she was worried that she wasn’t good enough, and she couldn’t save her friend. She briefly imagined Karin as a little image in a glass ball.

Karin didn’t need to imagine what came next. She surged forward with an elbow strike into Sakura as she descended from her ill-fated uppercut, following by a palm strike and knee. “Hadorokushiki Hasha No Kata!” She seized Sakura’s wrist and span her with immense power, turning her into a blurred propeller mid-air. “Behold! The FINAL ATTACK!” So saying the heiress plowed her palm into her rival’s midsection, and the girl hurtled straight from the Ganryu-maru into the Atomos, bouncing off its side and onto the pier below.

The world was spinning, spinning, spinning, and then suddenly all the air was gone from her lungs. "UWAaah- ugh! She saw Karin grow smaller before she slammed into the Atomos. Sakura went a little limper and hit the dock. Coughing up saliva she briefly curled around her belly. Normally? That was pretty awesome. Not today, though.

In any other fight that would have signified the end, but Karin was far from finished. “Up!” she called as she stepped from one vessel onto the dock. “I know you have more fight in you than that! Prepare yourself!” One of her attendants reached out a cautioning arm, only to find it batted away.

Sakura got onto her hands and knees, her fingers curling into fists. Karin was right. She did have more fight in her than that. "Iku zo!" She shouted, rising to her feet. She pumped her fist and they began to glow with blue energy. Sakura Senpu increased the strength and speed of her melee attacks. That would help her compensate for her newfound lack of power, she thought. Sakura sprinted ahead to meet Karin.

She jumped, front-rolling forward and then bringing her heel down towards Karin. The heiress sidestepped out of the way of her opponent’s heavy attack, even while sped up, and delivered a passing backhand. With relative narrowness of the dock that left Sakura on the precipice of the edge between it and the Ganryu-maru, forced to keep herself from falling. Sakura’s arms waved frantically up and down, off balance. Karin helped out by lashing out with her own spinning heavy kick to her rival’s rigging, which sent her sprawling back onto the fishing boat’s deck. Her v-trigger remained active, but not for much longer. “That Senpu won’t do you any good if you don’t hit me, neko-kun!” she taunted before she zipped onto the boat again in another Guren Hosho.

Sakura rose to her feet just in time to block the oncoming series of palm strikes. She found an opportunity to slip in a jab of her own, catching Karin in the shoulder. "Shunpukyaku!" Her foot was brought around with blinding speed. She span around several times, her whirlwind kick glowing blue. On the final kick she launched Karin into the air and then leapt upwards to meet her there. She raised her fists over her head, her back arching, and then slammed Karin down onto the deck of the ship. Afterward she sailed over Karin’s prone form and then rolled to a stop, breathing heavily and turning to get her guard up.

She defended against Karin’s final Guren technique just in time, a Guren Sessho that pounded her high block with sweeping strikes. The heiress, bruised and annoyed by the other girl’s combo, immediately went low with light punch, light kick, and medium kick all into Sakura’s guard, before she switched gears with a spinning kick that struck overhead. Her foot into her opponent’s temple made her see stars, but a Seppo immediately canceled into a back strike caused her to crumple to her knees. Karin inhaled sharply, then unleashed a heavy spinning crescent kick.

Sakura had gone low to defend from the attacks, but gasped as her foot came slicing towards her head. It connected, and Sakura didn’t even see the follow up back attack that knocked the wind out of Sakura. "Uahh!" Sakura took a step back and then fell onto her knees, her hands hanging limply at her sides. The crescent kick floored her, sending her spinning onto the ground. "Ungh!" Sakura grunted in pain. She couldn’t take any more hits. This was her limit. She rose to her feet quickly, but blood leaked from her split lip. Ears and tail straight, Sakura approached Karin carefully. When she got in range, she tapped her own chest, withdrew a heart, and then thrust it toward Karin as fast as she could. A desperate move to get what she wanted.

The unexpected change in tactics made Karin pause, though she did not let her stance grow lax. She held firm as Sakura approached step by step, her guarded face drifting toward incredulity. At the critical moment her opponent moved like lightning, but Karin was ready. Time seemed to slow. Blue energy surrounded her as a brilliant white gleam shone from one eye, and she calmly stepped backward. When she lunged forward the friend heart popped like a bubble, and she planted her elbow square in Sakura’s guts.

"Oof- uh...oughhh..." Sakura doubled over, curling around the elbow. Shoulders slumping, she fell onto her knees, and then tipped over onto her back. Her eyes fluttered, barely conscious, chest rising and falling.

She stood over her opponent with a sneer as the other girl sagged down. “I would not have thought you’d attempt to deceive me, but it appears we have both learned some new tricks. Such an underhanded maneuver to pull out victory in a sparring match...was I wrong to think we were close?”

Sakura stirred, making eye contact with Karin. The idea of being thought of as dishonorable, a cheater, cut her to her core, and tears welled.

From the onlookers there came an increase in murmurs, but Karin ignored them. She let out a sigh, watching Sakura’s chest heave as the cat-eared fighter hyperventilated. “Ah, but you’re not quite done. I can see there’s some fight in you yet.” She took a step forward and leaned down to grab hold of her rival’s shirt and pull her up. “On your feet! Or is this another trick?” Sakura made eye contact, gritting her teeth, dazed. She was so close! Weakly Sakura reached to tap her chest again, and with a disdainful click of her tongue Karin thrust her palm into her opponent’s head and into the deck. Sakura was put down, laying flat on the deck. Her eyes rolled up into her head and fluttered shut with a soft sigh. Karin stood as her foe lay there, senseless, and her expression melted into one of pity. “A shame. You are not the Sakura I knew.”

A mixed bag of claps and cheers heralded her victory, although Karin found herself more distracted by a sudden commotion and rocking on board the airship her rival appeared from. “Well! I suppose we had better be off.” She turned and headed down the wharf, her attendants close behind. In short order the remaining spectators and fighters dispersed as well.

None noticed the albino woman crawling from the Atomos’ bay doors a few moments later, who plopped into the water and burst forth a moment later onto the Ganryu-maru’s deck. Tears were streaming down her face as she pulled herself to the fallen street fighter’s side, the snaking movement of her tail doing most of the work. “Sakura? Sakura!” Gingerly she shook her savior’s shoulder. “Mon cherie, please tell me you’re okay!”

Sakura didn’t respond, eyes still closed. Her shallow breathing confirmed her life, but little else.

Blood's Jewels (High Casual Fantasy Revolution)

The Inn

Dareen eyes widened, pursing her lips, as Fatima made her thoughts clear. That wasn't my fault, was it? Dareen thought. It was a little funny hearing such crude language come out of a Queen. Thom had elected to stay by her side, and she couldn't blame him. She had taken a liking to the kid, even though that was normally something she didn't do. Hopefully he wasn't planning on looking up to her.

He asked a question, and Jandar answered pretty succinctly. A practical response. "And, killing the heads of state alone doesn't get rid of the power structures they created to support them. If that makes any sense. Ruling a country requires more than just one person. If we're gonna do this, we gotta do it the right way." She added.

Nonetheless, things got quickly underway. Things were tense, but Faeril emerged from Saetan's entry into her mind unharmed, if worse for wear. Dareen exhaled.

Then, Saetan brought up what was keeping him here. Dareen scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, just genocide? Not a big deal." She said sarcastically, crossing her arms. "Rotten bitch." She murmered under her breath. The others seemed to think it was a necessary sacrifice. "Well-" Dareen sat up straight, glancing around at the others. "There's gotta be another way, right? Can't we trick her? Make her think the Black is still here?" She offered.

World of Light

Kasugano Sakura

Level 4: 16/40
Location: The Atomos. Talking to @DracoLunaris and @Lugubrious
Word Count: 1,882
Points Gained: 3
New EXP Balance--- Level 4: 19/40

Junior asked questions about Sakura's world. "It-it's like prime ministers and presidents and stuff. In most places, anyway." She answered. But Bowser Junior said Mario, which confirmed for Sakura that he was from a video game. Or rather, there was a video game in her world that took elements from his world. Strangely she found the idea quite irrelevant. It didn't really change anything. Maybe she could bring it up later during a casual conversation.

Sakura put her finger on her chin, thinking intensely at Junior's plan. "Okay, well, while we're fighting all the head honchos, they'll still have all their minions to help them. And what if the next biggest minion just takes their place? If we beat up the less big ones first we...that's, like, uh, good. Because, then they won't have any help. And we don't have to explain in the middle of the fight because-" She stopped for a moment.

"You think I'm super likable? You really mean it? Thanks, Junior-kun!" She held one hand behind her back and pushed the toes of her left foot bashfully into the floor. "Hm hm hm," She laughed, smiling shyly.

The conversation turned back onto the subject of spirits. Sakura deflated, blowing air through her lips. She even turned red as her own hypocrisy was pointed out. Blushing, she brought a hand up to her ears. "Well- that was- that was different!" She exclaimed. "I had to."

Sakura relented though, frowning. "Okay, okay... no. It wasn't really different." She rubbed the back of her head, feeling foolish. "You guys are right. I guess a spirit would be the best way to go." Sakura pouted a little, crossing her arms.
"J-just don't make it a habit. It feels weird. When I don't need to fight on the ocean anymore I'm gonna ask Peach-san to turn me back into the normal me." She declared.

"Also, Rika-san, yeah, call it off. Your muscles will be stronger later. But you're just hurting yourself now. This whole excercise thing was dumb. Junior's right. It'll take too long. I just- I just really like it. Sorry." Her cheeks were stinging red. Sakura plopped down on the bed next to Bella. "We could, uh, do it later. If you wanted." She added, not wanting to dampen Rika's spirits entirely.

Ranger showed up and Sakura quieted down. Nodding, she looked out the curtained window as the big ship arrived. But her ears literally perked up as Ranger said two magic words. "Fight club? Huh? Fight club?" She stood up and then sat back down, restraining herself.

"Well, I love fighting. But I'll probably hold off. I don't want to just leave you guys here while I go running away, y'know?" Sakura reasoned aloud. "Still, I'm just gonna take a look. I'll stay infront of the ship. Maybe find a spot to watch some street fights?" Sakura said hopefully.

She walked out of the bay doors of the Atomos, waving to Rika and Bella, even though she wasn't really going anywhere. "Hey, look, Junior-kun! It's that clown and that blue girl from earlier!" She pointed to them.

"Wow, look at that guy's long arms! That one looks really tough, and she- EHHHHHH!?" Sakura cut herself off with an incredulous shout.

"Th-th-th-th-th-" She slapped the sides of her heads. "That's Karin Kanzuki!" She crouched down, grabbed onto Junior's shoulder and began bouncing up and down. "That's Karin Kanzuki! I know her! That's my rival! That's my rival! I know her!" She smiled brightly, seeing a familiar face.

A Memory

Above the usual din of your average middle school, 15 year old Kasugano Sakura's voice cut higher and stronger than the rest. She was consuming the paltry meal infront of her with a voracious appetite. Chitose Kei grimaced at this gruesome display, sliding a little farther away from her best friend.

"Amnumunumnumnum" Sakura 'said.' "<Wow, this is good! You should try it, Kei!>"

"<I have tried it. Every Wednesday. For the last two years.>"Kei replied, picking at a piece of mystery meat with a pair of chopsticks.

"<Oh, right. Well, I've gotta keep my strength up. If I'm ever gonna meet and rub knuckles with Ryu-san, I'm gonna need to be super buff. That ki energy has to come from somewhere, you know?>" Sakura said between bites. She flexed her muscle, easily being the most muscular person in the entire school. It was something she had aged into over time. At that table her head looked big, her hands too large. One large portion of her hair stuck up significantly higher than the rest, in two unkempt diagonal spikes. An adorable person that could punch concrete into powder.

"<Seriously, Sakura. When are you gonna give the street fighting crap up? It's super dangerous. You're not even out of school yet. Couldn't you at least wait until after- Sakura?>"

Sakura had her head in her elbow, snoring.

"<Sakura!>" Kei chastised, shaking her friend awake. The girl blinked, shooting back up, before continuing to finish her meal.

"<Wha- don't just keep eating!>"

"<Huh?>"

"<You just fell asleep! How late did you stay up practicing last night?>" Kei leaned in, one thick eyebrow raising questioningly.

"<Oh, uh, I dunno.>" She replied with a shrug.

"<How do you not know?>"

"<I dunno!>" Sakura shrugged even higher, like Kei was making a ludicrous demand of her. She slurped hanging a noodle into her lips.

"<I feel like I'm going crazy.>" Kei's forehead donked onto the table.

"<Hey hey hey,>" Sakura placed a reassuring hand on her best friend's shoulder "<I'm the crazy one here, remember? You worry about yourself, and your grades, and your reasonable sleep schedules.>" Kei looked up and Sakura beamed.

Kei scoffed with a smirk. "<Ugh. Fine. Just don't ruin your- EH!?>" She looked surprised over Sakura's shoulders.

"<KASUGANO SAKURA!>" A bold, powerful, feminine voice silenced the entire cafeteria. Standing the open space was a girl with a striking, confident smile, full of gleaming white teeth. Her imposing stance and presence matched only by her intricate, beautiful golden hair. Around her finely manicured hands were two name brand fighting gloves. And behind her was 24 well dressed waiters in groups of 6, all of them wheeling tables into the open doors of the cafeteria. On each table was a silver dome covering a platter of food.

"<I...>" The girl put a hand to her chest. A reverential hush fell over the cafeteria. "<...Am Karin Kanzuki.>" She said her name quieter than she had shouted Sakura's, but with an infinite amount more power. Karin Kanzuki was a force to be reckoned with, and had rolled over her humble middle school like a typhoon, engulfing it completely in divine light. ...She was only a little older than Sakura.

She raised that same hand over her head, and snapped. Energy that looked like gold dust eminated from her finger tips.

"<Yes, Lady Karin!>" The waiters said in unison. Before Sakura a great feast was prepared. Lamb, lobster, the freshest seafood, the softest bread. Water taken directly from a nearby mountain spring. With expert timing and precision each meal was placed before her and unveiled with dramatic flair and timing.

"<Build up your vitality, and face me at full strength. Lest my victory be meaningless.>" Karin Kanzuki said, waving a hand over the display.

"<'Even unto your enemies, provide salt.' That is a proud custom of the Kanzuki house. Please, help yourself.>" She said with a superior smirk.

"<I don't really know what's going on, but okay.>" Sakura replied, reaching for a bowl of white rice. She recieved a smack on the back of the head from Kei for her trouble.

"<Don't eat it!>" Kei cried out, erupting from her seat. A forceful glare from Karin forced her back into sitting position.

"<Ow! Don't hit me!>" Sakura rubbed the back of her head.

"<Don't eat it!>" Kei repeated, quieter this time. "<Do you have any idea what it would mean for you to eat this food!?>"

"<I do.>" Sakura smiled confidently. "<She wants me to fight her, right?>"

Kei's mouth fell open, dumbfounded. That Sakura would ever dream of taking on the one and only-

"<This is not a fight, Sakura-san.>" Karin Kanzuki said coolly. "<Merely a battle to reaffirm my place as the absolute victor in all things. Even street fighting. Your name has caught my attention amongst all other commoners. I have heard rumor that you are seen by some fools as the youngest, most promising candidate in the martial art world. Obviously this is untrue. That position belongs to I, Karin Kanzuki. Thus, I have come to you so you may assist me in dispelling this falsehood.>"

She rose an eyebrow, the elegant, condescending smile never leaving her face. "<Please, do not make that mistake again.>" She span on her heel.

"<Now then. I shall be awaiting you in the gymnasium. Meet me there after school has ended. You may bring your other commoner friend with you as witness to your defeat, if you wish.>" With that she and her 24 servants vanished, leaving Sakura to her feast. The other students watched this display and their eyes fell on Sakura. The brunette girl, however, was just watching Karin leave with a dumb smile on her face.

"<'Even unto your enemies, provide salt.' So cool!>"

"<THAT'S NOT THE POINT!>" Kei shouted.

Sakura clenched her fists. "Okay, okay. Calm down, Junior-kun, calm down! I definitely have to meet up with Karin! Oh, man, I hope she doesn't make fun of my cat ears. Does she know about Galeem? No, she doesn't!" She touched her ears, her tail curling.

"The mighty Karin Kanzuki. Not even she could escape Galeem's power. She's gonna be pissed about that when she finds out." Sakura said to Junior. "Look, that's my friend! Do you see her? She's the one in red. With that beautiful blonde hair and condescending aura?"

She looked anxiously over her shoulder to Bella, Rika, and Ranger in the room. She sprinted at top speed, skidding to a stop infront of the door. Breathless with a wide grin on her face, she peeked her head into the room. "I just recognized one of my friends on that boat! I have to challenge her to a street fight and win! Please? I'll stay in view of the windows! Actually, please watch our fight, it'll be really cool!" Sakura said.

"Oh, man..." She laughed. "Only one small problem. I lost some of my physical strength when Arashio lended me her power. My friend, Karin Kanzuki, is already one of the toughest people I know. It'll basically be the equivalent of me falling behind on my training for months! And knowing her, she hasn't stopped training for a single second. Even in this world she's spent her time fighting, while I was off looking for Ryu-san!" She slapped her forehead.

"B-but," She pointed at the three of them. "If you three plus Junior cheer me on, I can still win anyway!" She clenched her fists excitedly.

Tales from the Spider-Verse: Spidroin

Clara Cabello

All right, let’s take it from the top, one more time…

What’s your name?
Clara Cabello.

How old are you?
19 years!

What do you look like?
Eh, somethin' like this.

Clara Cabello

( art work blatantly stolen from Anya Corazon, no relation)

My hair was actually brown before the incident. I like to think I'm pretty ripped- gotta nice figure, right? Well, I need to stay in shape for my work. I'm like, average height. 5'7 or somethin, I can't remember.

What did you do before the Recluse incident?
I ran away from home before my mother killed herself with her bad habits, and dragged me down with her. That was, uh, a while ago. She was a piece of human garbage, you know? Never met my dad but I wouldn't be surprised if I had run into him at some point without knowing it, haha.

So, what, I had to make do. Never did have a job or an education growin' up, I did what I had to do. No way was I going into the system. You'd be surprised how much work is out there for a quick little girl like me. I always was a good thief. I did that for a few years. Got beat up a few times- so what? I beat up a few people myself. Ran into some twerp. Little kid named Alejandra- all alone like me. Stupid little shitbag ain't nearly as good as it I am. Dunno why I stuck out my neck for her- but me and her run together now, I guess. That was a couple years ago.

...She's really the only family I got, I think. I ran pretty much by myself for a long time. I was, uh, a nobody.

Alejandra's smart. Too smart. Too smart to be out here all by herself like me- but whatever. Neither of us are changin'. Rather die than end up in the fuckin' system- both of us can tell you that. She's like 18 now or somethin'. She watches my back and I watch hers. She usually set up the plans, and I executed them. Me an' her made bank compared to when we were by ourselves. Lots of money in grand theft auto- I don't have a liscence but I'm a great driver. Alejandra taught me how to break in and hotwire 'em, though. She even got her hands on one of them credit card swiper thingies- I dunno how they work. Man you don't even know- we made a great team. Still do. By the way, I call her AJ. Her last name is Jonas, and the nickname AJ is like- a thing- so why not?

What happened after the incident?

Super Strength: 5

Agility: 50

Durability: 0

Regeneration: 0

Spider-Sense: 40

Mutation: 5 Palette Swap

So, yeah. When I think real hard, I can change the color of my skin and hair. It's pretty cool. Pretty much no one can identify me, now. I can get really specific with it, too, like giving myself tattoos.

When I'm not doing it on purpose, it can happen by itself. Mainly to my hair. AJ guesses that it has to do with my emotional state. So I dunno why my normal hair color is red?

---

I thought I was done for. I'd never felt so shitty- I was looking for an easy mark at ESU when boom, terror attack.

We weren't the only ones, either. All sorts of freaks like me were walkin' around town- and some of 'em had some nasty shit. Webs, though. AJ has been workin' on a way to make me have some web, too, but fake ones. Which is good, because that stuff comin' outta me sounds gross as fuck. God damn, she is so smart. I dunno what I'd dp without her. New York has no idea what's about to hit it.

One small problem. After the attack, AJ had to take me to the hospital. Not just like, a regular hospital. A black market hospital. Run by crooks. Normally, I got no problem with it. In this case? Yeah, not so much. The doctor took a sample of my blood, and he noticed the mutation. He said treating me was risky and dangerous and creepy because my body kept changin' color. Either way he used it a a fuckin' excuse to way way mark up the prices. We couldn't afford it. So now he's got us in his pocket and tryin' to screw over the both of us. Most of our cash is goin' to him. AJ's tryin' to invent new things to help us get the money. But I know what we really need to do is figure out a way to get rid of him.

But that's later. Right now I'm havin' a good time. Sure, I'm in debt, but that's just slowin' us down. Nothin' can stop us.

Do you believe in aliens?
What? No. Maybe? I dunno, I never really thought about it.

What are your goals for the future?

Get rid of our debt. Then? Take the big apple for all it's worth. People are gonna remember us.

You lived in New York for a while now, right? What do you think of the city?

It's my home. I was born here, and I'll die here. I know the streets like the back of my hand.

How much technology do you use on a daily basis?

I got a little flip phone- personally I don't really use much. That's more AJ's thing. She's got this little toolkit she tinkers with, they made my web shooters. We're gonna get her a laptop and a brand new phone and all that shit.

What do you like?

Money.

Alejandara. Uh, not necessarily in that order. This list ain't in order, it's more of a vague kind of- you get it.

Hot dudes. You know it.

Freedom! No one can keep me down or inside. I do my own thing.

Coming out on top. I like winning...like I said, this list ain't in order. I think I like winnin' more than anything else.

What do you dislike?
Poverty. I'm never gonna be broke again. Ever.

The system- the man, the god damn- society? Fuck it. It's stupid. I do what I want. Cops 'n all that shit can go fuck itself. 'Specially the cops- pigs.

Losing. I don't lose, okay? I win.

Heroine.

Do you think true evil exists?

Huh? I dunno? What kinda question is that?

What’s your favorite color?
Orange!

Theme Songs





Anything else to add?
Spiders, man. Wasn't my idea to go with the spider shirt, but AJ insisted it looked cool. Maybe she's right. Spiders are pretty badass.

What are your thoughts on these people?
Alejandra Jonas- She's my family. Like my little sister or somethin'. I...I mean, don't say this around her, but I'd do anything for her. Anything. I don't know what I'd do without her. Being by myself again...I don't think I could do that. She's gotta be the smartest dumbass I've ever met. She's taught me a lot, and hopefully I've done right by her so far. The two of us deserve more than we got, that's for sure. I'm gonna take it.

Alejandra Jonas

What’s your name?
Alejandra Jonas. You can just call me AJ.

How old are you?
I just turned eighteen.

What do you look like?
Here.

AJ

(this time I stole Barbara Rodriguez)

I like to wear coats. Cargo coats, with lots of pockets for lots of useful things. Dunno why women's clothing so rarely has pockets. Plus, cargo coats are easily reusable, durable, and help keep me warm. Underneath, just some t-shirts, jeans, sneakers, usual stuff. When I can, I put on black eyeliner and lipstick, cause I'm cool like that. My right nostril and ears are both pierced, I think it looks cool. Generally I like to wear a beanie of some kind too. My hair is black and it's chest length. I just wear it down. Sometimes I comb it?

What did you do before the Recluse incident?
Nobody knows this- not even Clara. I told her my parents are dead, but in reality they're still alive. Super rich, too. Thing is, I'm never going back. Never. No one would understand why if I told them. Why would I rather live on the streets with some random girl? Why would I ever do that? 'Cause they're assholes, thats why. They don't understand me at all, I don't even know if they understand human emotion. I was always a smart kid, and for some reason that meant they had the right to take my life away. Nothing I did was ever good enough for them. If my parents ever told me he loved me, I don't remember it. All my childhood was spent indoors, studying. Looking at books, all god damn day. I got sick of it. I was 16 when I ran away- I had been in college for 3 years already at that point. Can you believe that? 13 years old and already in college. I was depressed. I'm sure there's some kids out there who are so happy to be hardworking and dilligent, always getting their work done and being a doctor at 21. Then they get to retire as soulless sociopaths who's never made a meaningful connection in their life. Being a doctor, or a lawyer, getting a spouse, having two kids, retire, die. A cog in the machine. All they cared about was hoarding their money, and getting more money. No thanks. I wanted to live, really live. So I ran away. Never felt so free in my life. I was already forced to learn everything I needed too, anyway. To be honest, it was a bad idea. But I saw it as my only option. Now, I don't have any regrets.

I became a thief. I was on the streets for six months when I ran into Clara. I had gotten caught pick pocketing and these assholes were probably going to beat the shit out of me for fun. I probably deserved it- I was a really bad thief. I was all dirty, poor. If I went anywhere for help they would just drag me back to my parents. They don't live in Manhattan, but I figured it was the perfect city to get lost in and make a path for myself. Clara saved me, point blank. Not only from those guys by stabbing them in the kidneys with a pocket knife, but she really saved my life. If I hadn't met her I'd probably already be dead. One way or another.

Turns out she and I make a good team. A really good team. She's my best friend. Like an older sister. She taught me a lot, and I tried to teach her some things but she says its not really her area of expertise. I get it. Unlike me, she grew up poor. First person I ever met to see me as who I really was, and not as some kinda pet project or investment. For two years she and I worked the streets together, and we're building a life. She and I already had big ambitions. But that was before the Recluse Incident. That was what really changed our lives.

I feel bad about lying to Clara about my past. I guess I'm just afraid if I tell her the truth, she'll see me as some rich kid. A liar. And who could blame her? I've met rich kids. They suck. Most of 'em, anyway. I did have a couple friends I miss.

What happened after the incident?
Clara got superpowers. Just like in the comic books I read. Neither of us could believe it, but neither of us could deny that she could stand on the ceiling and catch a ball thrown at the back of her head without looking. After that, she started raking in the cash big time. I knew I was smart, but I had forgotten how smart I actually was. I don't mean to brag, but I'm basically a technological goddess. I'm joking, of course, but engineering 101 paid off. I mean I already knew everything they had to teach me, but that's besides the point. I'm pretty sure I started developing some world changing technology. Either way, I kept it to myself and it made Clara a force to be reckoned with on the streets. We're going to make money. BIG TIME.

Once we pay off that doctor, it'll all be good.

Do you believe in aliens?
No.

What are your goals for the future?
After making a boatload of money and getting free? I'm not sure. Maybe Clara and I could start making the world a better place, or something. Where kids can be kids and everyone isn't so damn selfish. I know that's ironic coming from someone like me. But seriously.. One thing I'm never going to do is become apart of the establishment. Society isn't going to break me. I'm not going to be some kind of philanthropist who came from nothing. I'm not going to be in some god damn magazine, person of the year nobel peace prize bullshit. I'm going to make real change. Change people aren't going to like, because that's the only kind of change that matters.

Maybe. I don't know. I'll step off my soapbox and admit that right now, all I want is for Clara and I to be happy. Maybe get a boyfriend or girlfriend or something? If Clara doesn't scare them off.

You lived in New York for a while now, right? What do you think of the city?
It's great. I've only been here for two years but anyone can get lost inside. I fled to New York City one person, and I'm going to emerge from it a changed woman.

How much technology do you use on a daily basis?
A lot. I spend most of my day on it. But unlike most people, I'm actually productive.

What do you like?
Clara Cabello, of course. Making money. Tech. Football is fun if I ever get the chance to play it. Ironically I probably spend more time researching and reading now then I did back in college, but the difference here is now I'm doing it for something, someone, I care about. Actually useful stuff that I'm going to use to forge my own destiny. Again, soapbox, sorry. Other than that, I like TV, video games, you know the usual stuff. Once we get financially secure I'm probably going to look a little more into hobbies than I am right now. Pizza is great, too. Bugs and animals are cool, too, particularly spiders.

What do you dislike?
Cops. Feeling trapped. I mean, just society in general is really screwed up right now, you know? I also don't like stupid people. Not like Clara. I mean, she's "stupid", but she's like, really smart in other ways. Like my mom is really smart, but she's stupid in every other way that matters. Most people are dumb like that. I don't like people that don't...get it. I also don't like people that look down on me. I also hate hot dogs, they're disgusting.

Do you think true evil exists?
Nah. But that doesn't mean people can't be soulless assholes, or deserve to die. But evil? Morality is subjective, I believe. But it still matters. I choose to believe that I am correct.

What’s your favorite color?
Pinky purply blue?

Theme song


Anything else to add?
I think I've said enough.

What are your thoughts on these people?
Clara Cabello: Like an older sister to me. Family is what one chooses, and I choose her.

Tales from the Spider-Verse: Spidroin

Clara Cabello

All right, let’s take it from the top, one more time…

What’s your name?
Clara Cabello.

How old are you?
19 years!

What do you look like?
Eh, somethin' like this.

Clara Cabello

( art work blatantly stolen from Anya Corazon, no relation)

My hair was actually brown before the incident. I like to think I'm pretty ripped- gotta nice figure, right? Well, I need to stay in shape for my work. I'm like, average height. 5'7 or somethin, I can't remember.

What did you do before the Recluse incident?
I ran away from home before my mother killed herself with her bad habits, and dragged me down with her. That was, uh, a while ago. She was a piece of human garbage, you know? Never met my dad but I wouldn't be surprised if I had run into him at some point without knowing it, haha.

So, what, I had to make do. Never did have a job or an education growin' up, I did what I had to do. No way was I going into the system. You'd be surprised how much work is out there for a quick little girl like me. I always was a good thief. I did that for a few years. Got beat up a few times- so what? I beat up a few people myself. Ran into some twerp. Little kid named Alejandra- all alone like me. Stupid little shitbag ain't nearly as good as it I am. Dunno why I stuck out my neck for her- but me and her run together now, I guess. That was a couple years ago.

...She's really the only family I got, I think. I ran pretty much by myself for a long time. I was, uh, a nobody.

Alejandra's smart. Too smart. Too smart to be out here all by herself like me- but whatever. Neither of us are changin'. Rather die than end up in the fuckin' system- both of us can tell you that. She's like 18 now or somethin'. She watches my back and I watch hers. She usually set up the plans, and I executed them. Me an' her made bank compared to when we were by ourselves. Lots of money in grand theft auto- I don't have a liscence but I'm a great driver. Alejandra taught me how to break in and hotwire 'em, though. She even got her hands on one of them credit card swiper thingies- I dunno how they work. Man you don't even know- we made a great team. Still do. By the way, I call her AJ. Her last name is Jonas, and the nickname AJ is like- a thing- so why not?

What happened after the incident?

Super Strength: 5

Agility: 50

Durability: 0

Regeneration: 0

Spider-Sense: 40

Mutation: 5 Palette Swap

So, yeah. When I think real hard, I can change the color of my skin and hair. It's pretty cool. Pretty much no one can identify me, now. I can get really specific with it, too, like giving myself tattoos.

When I'm not doing it on purpose, it can happen by itself. Mainly to my hair. AJ guesses that it has to do with my emotional state. So I dunno why my normal hair color is red?

---

I thought I was done for. I'd never felt so shitty- I was looking for an easy mark at ESU when boom, terror attack.

We weren't the only ones, either. All sorts of freaks like me were walkin' around town- and some of 'em had some nasty shit. Webs, though. AJ has been workin' on a way to make me have some web, too, but fake ones. Which is good, because that stuff comin' outta me sounds gross as fuck. God damn, she is so smart. I dunno what I'd dp without her. New York has no idea what's about to hit it.

One small problem. After the attack, AJ had to take me to the hospital. Not just like, a regular hospital. A black market hospital. Run by crooks. Normally, I got no problem with it. In this case? Yeah, not so much. The doctor took a sample of my blood, and he noticed the mutation. He said treating me was risky and dangerous and creepy because my body kept changin' color. Either way he used it a a fuckin' excuse to way way mark up the prices. We couldn't afford it. So now he's got us in his pocket and tryin' to screw over the both of us. Most of our cash is goin' to him. AJ's tryin' to invent new things to help us get the money. But I know what we really need to do is figure out a way to get rid of him.

But that's later. Right now I'm havin' a good time. Sure, I'm in debt, but that's just slowin' us down. Nothin' can stop us.

Do you believe in aliens?
What? No. Maybe? I dunno, I never really thought about it.

What are your goals for the future?

Get rid of our debt. Then? Take the big apple for all it's worth. People are gonna remember us.

You lived in New York for a while now, right? What do you think of the city?

It's my home. I was born here, and I'll die here. I know the streets like the back of my hand.

How much technology do you use on a daily basis?

I got a little flip phone- personally I don't really use much. That's more AJ's thing. She's got this little toolkit she tinkers with, they made my web shooters. We're gonna get her a laptop and a brand new phone and all that shit.

What do you like?

Money.

Alejandara. Uh, not necessarily in that order. This list ain't in order, it's more of a vague kind of- you get it.

Hot dudes. You know it.

Freedom! No one can keep me down or inside. I do my own thing.

Coming out on top. I like winning...like I said, this list ain't in order. I think I like winnin' more than anything else.

What do you dislike?
Poverty. I'm never gonna be broke again. Ever.

The system- the man, the god damn- society? Fuck it. It's stupid. I do what I want. Cops 'n all that shit can go fuck itself. 'Specially the cops- pigs.

Losing. I don't lose, okay? I win.

Heroine.

Do you think true evil exists?

Huh? I dunno? What kinda question is that?

What’s your favorite color?
Orange!

Theme Song



Anything else to add?
Spiders, man. Wasn't my idea to go with the spider shirt, but AJ insisted it looked cool. Maybe she's right. Spiders are pretty badass.

What are your thoughts on these people?
Alejandra Jonas- She's my family. Like my little sister or somethin'. I...I mean, don't say this around her, but I'd do anything for her. Anything. I don't know what I'd do without her. Being by myself again...I don't think I could do that. She's gotta be the smartest dumbass I've ever met. She's taught me a lot, and hopefully I've done right by her so far. The two of us deserve more than we got, that's for sure. I'm gonna take it.

Alejandra Jonas

What’s your name?
Alejandra Jonas. You can just call me AJ.

How old are you?
I just turned eighteen.

What do you look like?
Here.

AJ

(this time I stole Barbara Rodriguez)

I like to wear coats. Cargo coats, with lots of pockets for lots of useful things. Dunno why women's clothing so rarely has pockets. Plus, cargo coats are easily reusable, durable, and help keep me warm. Underneath, just some t-shirts, jeans, sneakers, usual stuff. When I can, I put on black eyeliner and lipstick, cause I'm cool like that. My right nostril and ears are both pierced, I think it looks cool. Generally I like to wear a beanie of some kind too. My hair is black and it's chest length. I just wear it down. Sometimes I comb it?

What did you do before the Recluse incident?
Nobody knows this- not even Clara. I told her my parents are dead, but in reality they're still alive. Super rich, too. Thing is, I'm never going back. Never. No one would understand why if I told them. Why would I rather live on the streets with some random girl? Why would I ever do that? 'Cause they're assholes, thats why. They don't understand me at all, I don't even know if they understand human emotion. I was always a smart kid, and for some reason that meant they had the right to take my life away. Nothing I did was ever good enough for them. If my parents ever told me he loved me, I don't remember it. All my childhood was spent indoors, studying. Looking at books, all god damn day. I got sick of it. I was 16 when I ran away- I had been in college for 3 years already at that point. Can you believe that? 13 years old and already in college. I was depressed. I'm sure there's some kids out there who are so happy to be hardworking and dilligent, always getting their work done and being a doctor at 21. Then they get to retire as soulless sociopaths who's never made a meaningful connection in their life. Being a doctor, or a lawyer, getting a spouse, having two kids, retire, die. A cog in the machine. All they cared about was hoarding their money, and getting more money. No thanks. I wanted to live, really live. So I ran away. Never felt so free in my life. I was already forced to learn everything I needed too, anyway. To be honest, it was a bad idea. But I saw it as my only option. Now, I don't have any regrets.

I became a thief. I was on the streets for six months when I ran into Clara. I had gotten caught pick pocketing and these assholes were probably going to beat the shit out of me for fun. I probably deserved it- I was a really bad thief. I was all dirty, poor. If I went anywhere for help they would just drag me back to my parents. They don't live in Manhattan, but I figured it was the perfect city to get lost in and make a path for myself. Clara saved me, point blank. Not only from those guys by stabbing them in the kidneys with a pocket knife, but she really saved my life. If I hadn't met her I'd probably already be dead. One way or another.

Turns out she and I make a good team. A really good team. She's my best friend. Like an older sister. She taught me a lot, and I tried to teach her some things but she says its not really her area of expertise. I get it. Unlike me, she grew up poor. First person I ever met to see me as who I really was, and not as some kinda pet project or investment. For two years she and I worked the streets together, and we're building a life. She and I already had big ambitions. But that was before the Recluse Incident. That was what really changed our lives.

I feel bad about lying to Clara about my past. I guess I'm just afraid if I tell her the truth, she'll see me as some rich kid. A liar. And who could blame her? I've met rich kids. They suck. Most of 'em, anyway. I did have a couple friends I miss.

What happened after the incident?
Clara got superpowers. Just like in the comic books I read. Neither of us could believe it, but neither of us could deny that she could stand on the ceiling and catch a ball thrown at the back of her head without looking. After that, she started raking in the cash big time. I knew I was smart, but I had forgotten how smart I actually was. I don't mean to brag, but I'm basically a technological goddess. I'm joking, of course, but engineering 101 paid off. I mean I already knew everything they had to teach me, but that's besides the point. I'm pretty sure I started developing some world changing technology. Either way, I kept it to myself and it made Clara a force to be reckoned with on the streets. We're going to make money. BIG TIME.

Once we pay off that doctor, it'll all be good.

Do you believe in aliens?
No.

What are your goals for the future?
After making a boatload of money and getting free? I'm not sure. Maybe Clara and I could start making the world a better place, or something. Where kids can be kids and everyone isn't so damn selfish. I know that's ironic coming from someone like me. But seriously.. One thing I'm never going to do is become apart of the establishment. Society isn't going to break me. I'm not going to be some kind of philanthropist who came from nothing. I'm not going to be in some god damn magazine, person of the year nobel peace prize bullshit. I'm going to make real change. Change people aren't going to like, because that's the only kind of change that matters.

Maybe. I don't know. I'll step off my soapbox and admit that right now, all I want is for Clara and I to be happy. Maybe get a boyfriend or girlfriend or something? If Clara doesn't scare them off.

You lived in New York for a while now, right? What do you think of the city?
It's great. I've only been here for two years but anyone can get lost inside. I fled to New York City one person, and I'm going to emerge from it a changed woman.

How much technology do you use on a daily basis?
A lot. I spend most of my day on it. But unlike most people, I'm actually productive.

What do you like?
Clara Cabello, of course. Making money. Tech. Football is fun if I ever get the chance to play it. Ironically I probably spend more time researching and reading now then I did back in college, but the difference here is now I'm doing it for something, someone, I care about. Actually useful stuff that I'm going to use to forge my own destiny. Again, soapbox, sorry. Other than that, I like TV, video games, you know the usual stuff. Once we get financially secure I'm probably going to look a little more into hobbies than I am right now. Pizza is great, too. Bugs and animals are cool, too, particularly spiders.

What do you dislike?
Cops. Feeling trapped. I mean, just society in general is really screwed up right now, you know? I also don't like stupid people. Not like Clara. I mean, she's "stupid", but she's like, really smart in other ways. Like my mom is really smart, but she's stupid in every other way that matters. Most people are dumb like that. I don't like people that don't...get it. I also don't like people that look down on me. I also hate hot dogs, they're disgusting.

Do you think true evil exists?
Nah. But that doesn't mean people can't be soulless assholes, or deserve to die. But evil? Morality is subjective, I believe. But it still matters. I choose to believe that I am correct.

What’s your favorite color?
Pinky purply blue?

Theme song


Anything else to add?
I think I've said enough.

What are your thoughts on these people?
Clara Cabello: Like an older sister to me. Family is what one chooses, and I choose her.

Hey there! The sisters Cabello are back up and running. Made some minor adjustments.

World of Light

Kasugano Sakura

Level 4: 14/40
Location: The Atomos. Talking to @DracoLunaris and @Lugubrious
Word Count: 1,142
Points Gained: 2
New EXP Balance--- Level 4: 16/40

Sakura raised one cheek as she listened to Junior explain his take on the politics of his world.

"This isn't fair! You're like, a prince. Where I'm from there's no more kings and queens. Except for this one really old lady Dudley keeps going on about." She crossed her arms and tried to think of ways of winning the debate. Suddenly, Junior summoned forth a Koopa to make his point. At first Sakura tried to look unconvinced but her face opened up as recognition flashed across her features.

(That's...that's a turtle guy! A Koopa! From Super Mario Brothers 3! What the heck!?)

The revelation had to be put aside temporarily. The Koopa gave a good example of a democracy. Sakura pointed at him and nodded. "Yeah, see! A union! You're like a different species of koopa!" She exclaimed. Things weren't looking good. Sakura really didn't want to lose the debate against this kid but she had no idea what she was talking about.

As Junior explained his plan, Sakura shook her head. "No-, no, I explained this all wrong. Look- the big problem the ship girls are having-" Sakura pointed over to Ranger, "Is that the Abyssals keep coming back to life. It's a war. So, when the ship girls, l-lose people," she stammered slightly. "And the Abyssals lose people, the Abyssals always come out on top." She swallowed dryly, made uncomfortable by talking about the loss of life. "S-so...it's like a really gross math problem."

She clenched her fists and shook them up and down, emphasing her point. "So, we, as in everybody here, plus all the other cool hero guys that you haven't even met yet, are gonna go around, beating up all the other Abyssals. All the other Ri-Class's and Water Princesses. And instead of killing them, we give them friend hearts. That way they won't come back to life on the enemy team! They'll be on our team instead. Because they'll all be nice like you two, Bella and Rika." She pointed at the two Abyssals in the room.

As she spoke, Sakura began gesticulating wildly. She was doing some kind of visual metaphor with her hands, taking various groups of invisible figures and moving them around infront of her. "Because you guys never had a chance to be anything other than mean. You were made to be mean, so if you get a chance to be nice of course you'll be nice because most things are nice if you give them a chance to be...nice! Most people are good, unless something else makes them bad. And if someone is bad but- usually- that's what second chances are for, and then they'll be good. And nice. And some people are really really bad, but that's when you get all the good people together and kick their ass!" She covered her mouth, looking at Junior.

"Uh, I meant butt. Sorry. The point is, it'll be a...what's the word...exponential. It'll be exponential growth. Even discounting everyone else, let's say it just started with me. I help Bella. Then Bella and I help two people. Then the four of us help four people. Now there's eight, who help eight more. Sixteen helps sixteen, which makes thiry-two. Thirty-two, sixty-four, one hundred and twenty eight, two hundred and fifty six...and then boom, there ya go!" She raised her hands in the air victoriously. Indicating the perfect simplicity of her plan.

"And everytime we do that, we gain one person on our team, and take away one person from their team. Normally I freaking hate math, but that sounds like a good equation to me. It combines two of my favorite things- making friends, and punching people." She punched the palm of her hand, holding the pose for a second with a confident look on her face.

Now onto the conversation about excercise. It wasn't going as well as Sakura had hoped. She wanted to be a physical education teacher, but it turned out teaching physical education was hard. The only person in the room that was interested was Rika. Ranger the actual teacher was probably having a good time watching Sakura flounder. And it was literally Rika's first topic of conversation she'd ever had that wasn't about warfare. So that didn't really count any points in Sakura's favor.

Bella was having a serious power up moment as she stood. "Yeah, you can do it! You can-" Oops. The Water Princess slid to the ground, not having made it the full ten seconds.

"H-how long was zat?"

Oh no. Sakura winced at the hope in her eyes, not wanting to crush it. "That was- that was six seconds. But-!"

“Six seconds!? How!? Zat felt like...like hours!”

"It'll get easier over time! Over time, over time. You're probably not gonna break ten seconds today. But tomorrow, you could!"

Sakura continued trying to explain the practical aspects of excercise, but she began to wonder if it was getting through.

Rika went to do a pull-up on the doorframe and the Street Fighter gasped. "Rika! Wow! You're really strong!" She clapped her hands together. But Junior pointed out something both of the enthusiastic girls hadn't thought about. Immediately Sakura deflated a litte, before Rika even had her blunder that was, admittedly, a little funny. But only because people falling over was inherently a little funny.

Junior and Bella began talking about absorbing a spirit to make life easier for Bella. "Okay, wait, that's just a shortcut. And shortcuts- oops." She lowered her raised leg as Junior pointed it out. "Shorcuts tend to backfire. There's no substitute for hard work." She declared.

"If you absorb a spirit- you might get better at walking, but what if you get worse at being a Water Princess? Or maybe you don't even get that much better at walking. If you do the practice, you get to keep all your current strengths, and then add new ones ontop of that!" Sakura said.

"Your body is your most important asset! You use it literally all the time, for everything. Why not make it better? There's no downside to excercise!" She pointed upward, waggling her finger intelligently. However she blushed for a moment, her eyes looking to the side.

She thought about how she was being held back a year in high school. She was absent all the time and then spent the last few weeks of spring trying to help the heroes of the world stop some evil robot guy from taking over the world. Apparently that didn't count for extra credit. It was clear to anyone watching her face that there was some downside she wasn't disclosing.

"Well...no downsides that are, uh...r-relevant to you guys." She mumbled. She hoped they wouldn't think about her last few sentences too much and focus on what she said earlier, about spirits and whatnot. Or maybe she could redirect the fact that, now that she thought about it, she recognized Junior's dad from a video game. But she wasn't sure how to segue into that.

《 H. E. R. O. 》

"Surely," Pandora responded absent-mindedly. When Powers disabled the computer, she snapped back into focus, her mind returning entirely to the present day. "Right. More poor sods." She whispered, eyeing the guards as they marched past. Her eyebrows furrowed for a moment, wondering what they could be protecting.

Regardless, she chuckled, having a funny idea. She jogged alongside the guards, but on the other side of the wall. She got ahead of them with a bit of matter manipulation, removing the latent air resistance infront of her. Listening to their location, she cut them off. She phased through the wall, but brought it with her. Grabbing the wall she pushed it ahead and then dragged it out. Suddenly the soldiers would the steel wall to their right surge ahead and reconnect with the wall to their left, blocking their way. It looked so smooth one might be convinced it was some kind of automatic function of the laboratory. They came to a stop, obviously no longer able to continue.

When suddenly, the wall behind them did the same thing. This caused alarmed shouts, but it was too late. They were sealed in a cube of steel. Like plaque clogging up an artery.

As a consequence, the server room had two extra openings where there hadn't been one before.

"You ever play a game of snooker?" She said, turning to Powers. "And at the beginning you have all the balls in that little triangle? And when you move the triangle around all the balls go with it and rattle around and bump into each other?" She chuckled. "It's kind of like that, but with people." She pointed to her makeshift imprisonment chamber.

She waved her hand around. "Oh, I can come back and let them out, later. It's no good if they all starve to death in there." She added dismissively. "Unless this whole laboratory explodes. Which tends to happen a lot in my experience. In which case they're fucked. But it's not like the concussions and broken bones you give people are just gonna go away, either. Non-lethal combat is a tricky business. Everyone's so fragile." Pandora said.

Brooke

Brooke crinkled her nose as what looked like thousands of bugs emerged from Rumi's clothes. "Eugh." She said, chuckling a little. "Still. That's uh, that's certainly something." She placed a hand on her hip, scratching her head. She watched as the serious Rumi prepared their boiler room with defenses and then shielded himself with chrome armor.

"Dang!" She bounced up and down, even more impressed. "That is so cool! I should have known you had cooler powers than 'ants-in-your-pants'." She smiled brightly. But her mouth soon turned into a thin grim line as Sir E. Brum scouted out some intel.

"Okay. The Black Baroness, huh? I'm ready." She said, voice steady. The closer they got to combat, the more sure of herself Brooke became. Compared to the nervous woman in the briefing room, this Brooke was prepared and projected confidence and authority.

"We can do this. Just keep your distance." She reached out and summoned forth a four feet high semi-circle around the door, topped with spikes. It was mostly clear, like dirty glass, for it's power source was the dingy lighting of the boiler room. "The armor is a good idea. Hope you don't mind if I copy it?"

Brooke pushed her glasses up on her nose and then rolled her shoulder. She took a single step on an invisible stair. Suddenly, there was a boot she slipped her shoe into. She ascended the single step and as she did, what looked like metallic armor encompassed her body. It started out as dirty glass but she willed it into looking like shiny steel. It was a suit of proper knight armor, heavy, durable, and in this case, air-tight. The helmet had a liftable visor. It was entirely cosmetic, however. The glass on the inside of her helm was like a one-way mirrior. She could see out of it, but no one could see in. Thus her helm was an imposing, faceless structure.

"I suppose one could say the situation has reached..." Her voice resonated deeply, echoing. "A boiling point? Hah!" She barked a hearty laugh.