(Any abuse or warping of the canon is likely. Any similar likenesses to names dropped here are coincidental!)
December 29th, 2003
"..a Nemesis plot to spoil the planned New Years celebration in Blyde Square was foiled today by a group of young aspiring heroes.", said the grainy image of a female reporter that was tucked away in the corner of a screen. The Today's Paragon News webcast was just there for background noise. Fanart of the newest, and final Airship Princess game was everywhere on the three monitors that made up Allison's desk.
"This brazen plan to replace most, if not all of the celebrants with robotic dopplegangers called "Automatons" would have come to pass had it not been for a mysterious girl who calls herself by the name of Overrider. Know everything in our exclusive at 11!"
In the center monitor, a cursor was slowly drawing and erasing a head upon an online whiteboard, over and over again. Allison's finger twitched over the mouse once she failed to draw a perfect circle for about the twentieth time. A huge "X" was slashed over the imperfect circle, and she lain back looking at the ceiling, which was adorned with an old promotional poster of "Airship Princess - The Legend Begins", creased with folds.
"The Sky In Your Grasp - January 1998!"
The smiling, large eyed image of Emika*, who would become the Airship Princess by the end of the game, could be seen from a low perspective, reaching down towards the witness. A perfect blue sky, with a scattering of white clouds was behind the anime heroine.
Allison remembered when that poster was fresh out of the magazine, before the move, and before the demands of a life that her father promised would be only as good as you work for.
She was not looking forward to the end of Winter Break.
There was a project due on the first day back, but it was something that would just have to wait until that fanart submission was finished. It was her last chance to get Belle, her creative brainchild, published - even if it was on the back pages of a fringe manga that was ending.
About an hour an a half later into the evening, she heard her fathers near monotone voice just outside her door, "She's never going to come out, I need to get back to work."
Allison quickly closed the several windows she was working on, leaving only the low resolution broadcast playing over the gentle hum of her computer.
That was when there was a gentle tapping on the door before Maria came in. She wasn't quite as dressed up as she was during the photoshoot, with hip hugging jeans, and a lavender t-shirt that had a black heart over her chest. Behind her, Alexei was putting out his cigarette.
"Hello honeybun. Good to see you again.", she smiled, stepping aside to allow Alexei into the dim room next to her. He waited until Allison had turned her chair around to look at him. Her father looked as grim faced as ever, but somehow his presence felt stronger during moments like these. The last time there was a 'room meeting' like this, was when Allison got her only 'D' in school.
Maybe they found out she was slacking off on her project, or..
"Your mother and I, have decided to let you know that we are separating."
- *localized to 'Eureka' for the North American release.
@Kyuu
"We'll be there for your graduation in the summer. We're not going to let this distract you, sweety. It's our promise to you that we'll stay a family until you're ready to go.."
Once her mother was finished with her usual sugarcoating, and before she could throw in the standard we both love you, Alexei needed to interject his warning - "Just be sure that you stay on track for your graduation date. Early, with Honors, Allison. We've already made plans."
Most of the rest of the conversation from her parents on that night was fuzzy, since then.
January 8th, 2004
She had the same numb expression locked on her face for a over a week now. She stared over the movie posters displayed in front of the Orion-Majestic theatre, a building that somehow survived the insanity of Paragon City for so many years. Yet, not too many of the early-evening shopping crowds seemed to be interested in the third-run movies at a decrepit facility.
Time to gather your thoughts, Allison. Why does it feel like you've been slowly dying since you moved here? If this isn't some kind of horrible nightmare, you need to straighten yourself out. You're going to be living alone in this warzone fairly soon.
A shiver ran over her body, her parents were somehow invaluable to the worldwide effort to protect the earth, though she never really saw them in action - aside from one time. The very day that the red lights dotted the whole city sky, and ended her normal life once the Rikti started dropping.
Just the thought of the day started to make her eyes moist, and she sat down by a close bus stop, taking a few minutes to try to calm her thoughts. Not to think of the lights, nor that first drone, nor witnessing what a plasma shot did to a normal, human civilian who happened to be her friend since fourth grade.
Calm. That would take a moment or so, and once she was halfway settled, she reached for her phone and tried to call someone.
"Rice? C'mon, pick up. Pick. Up!"
Once again, he didn't answer. It had been the same story since just before Christmas, and perhaps forever, right? She thought about firing off an angry text and deleting the number, but tried to rationalize. Of course - after what had happened over the past few years, time with certain people was precious.
Maybe he was spending time with family! Right?
Maybe he's dancing with some kind of pink skinned mutant chick at a techno nightclub, and completely blowing you off! You are through! The pet shop is a couple blocks away, why not invest in a CAT?
She slapped herself, and the voice was quiet again.
@Kyuu
January 9th, 2004
The alarm was the first thing he heard, and his eyes didn't open until he was standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom. His eyes were a little red, and he started to smear the shaving cream over blond stubble. This was one of the faces of the "New Wave", a touted "generation" of heroes and valuable go-getters that would replace all those lost in the recent Rikti War.
That's what it said on one of the articles taped to the mirror, complete with a photo of a young hero whose face matched the reflection staring at Maurice, who was also known as the Ultra Zero. Thankfully the press wasn't there for his all nighter on the dance floor, or his failed attempts at breakdancing, or the aggressive couch snuggling with the girl that he met over winter break.
"..'Rice, you got something in the fridge for breakfast, right?", and the sugary sweet female voice came from the pink skinned mutant girl who he had been dancing with all night at with. She lain up on the bed, holding the sheets to her curvaceous body, looking into the bathroom with solid white eyes. Maurice leaned into the sink and spat the toothpaste out.
- - -
He held her to his side on the ride in, a sleek late-model Crey Cruiser that self-drove down the streets of the Orion Beltway at Paragon Heights. A true automobile indeed, and secretly equipped with more than a few defense mechanisms, like a anti-carjacker flamethrower under the driver's side doors. Thankfully, it remained unused.
Under the seat, there was a case of Crey Comeback energy drinks, "..for the long nights, and even longer days!". It was warm in his bare hand, but with just a slight focus of power, a thin layer of frost started to glisten over the tall can. There was also a lifetime supply back home, on a few pallets in the garage where the second and third Cruisers were. A very generous sponsorship for sure.
This was the top of the world, the best time of his life.
- - -
Maurice and his companion stepped out of the car into the courtyard of the newly appropriated Academy Two, part of a massively funded four-facility operation to fill up the ranks of 'essentials' and 'responders'. Several high-school age students were gathering, walking, flying*, and teleporting* towards the doors, each had either a dark green, black, or blue uniform to show which division of the school they were under.
Even though the Academy wasn't aiming to have every student turn into a future Freedom Phalanx member, he press liked to shorten their description to a 'Hero School', and they were often in attendance just outside courtyard for much hyped exclusives. This was a trim and clean area tucked between one of Galaxy City's war walls and an impressive skyscraper, watched over by four lion statues facing away from the center.
It didn't take long for said press to swoop in, even though Maurice was in his dark blue uniform, and not his instantly recognizable costume that belonged to his Ultra Zero persona.
"Ultra Zero, what do you have to say about the recent drop of crime here in Galaxy City?"
"Who is this new girlfriend? Is she also a crimefighter?"
"Do you know anything about your sponsor, Crey, engaging in legally grey activities like information trading with unknown parties?"
He kept the tall pink girl on his arm close, "Not today, sorry.", then started past the row of Crey Cola machines lining the front of the school. She remained silent by his side.
That was when he saw a girl of petite stature backing away from the clusters of students dropping their money into the vending machines, with a 'Lemon Crey'd' soft drink in her hand. The back of the green skirt was what caught his eye, then leading up to the snug white shirt, golden tie and crescent wave of chocolate hair sweeping down the head of the someone he had not spoken to in a couple of weeks, before the break.
Before his memory could completely fill in the blanks, and before the moment of hesitation had passed, she was already turning away from him and heading for the door. Did she see him? He couldn't be sure. There were a few more moments before she disappeared inside the building, and still he did not say anything.
*against the rules on school grounds except under extenuating circumstances which did not include 'running late for class'.
@Kyuu
He wasn't sure that he cared, either.
Right from the start, Maurice told Allison that this was simply a date to break up some boredom, and more importantly..
". . don't think that this is just a game. I'm knee deep in some serious stuff, and I'm probably on the bad lists of half a dozen bad guy groups at this point."
She was still holding his hands when he was saying this, staring at him and hoping he would at least return some of the adoration she'd been giving him the past few weeks. Dating a hero was something that left her heart wanting to jump out of her throat, it somehow made Allison feel like she was doing something right if someone like Ultra Zero was paying attention to her. In fact, everything started to get better. Her class rank rose, and she started to reach out and talk to a few people, something that didn't happen since "Day Zero" of the Rikti Invasion. Now it was being let go, as he was withdrawing his hands.
"Once you go on the map - it's for keeps. It's not something I would wish on anyone."
That was three weeks ago, before Crey had signed him for several sponsorships for Christmas, and then he discovered the woman currently on his arm, who started to look concerned once she caught the eye contact between the both of them. The pink skinned companion spoke softly, to not draw attention from anyone but Maurice.
"If you have something you need to tell her, you should."
Maurice just shook his head, and started towards one of the elevators. Allison had been told ahead of time not to expect very much, and he'd thought her a stronger and a smarter person than to get bent out of shape over it.
- - -
It took a few moments to delete the number entry, and the picture next to it, hoping that it would be the last time she would have to see his face for a while. What a story he told her, and the very next time she sees him, there was another girl wrapped around him!
Once inside, the mundane looking entryway opened up into a massive staircase leading down to a glossy marble floor in a giant indoor auditorium. The school's circular emblem set in the middle, a pair of hands circling the Earth, over the words - "We carry the future.". Hardly anyone stopped to look at it, being the middle of the year - even the Freshmen had been here long enough for the awe of the campus. Yet, to Allison, it and the briefcase she was holding in her right hand was a reminder of how professional, and intimidating this environment was.
Surely, there were probably a dozen super-schools that could beat this one, produce better fighters, scientists, and engineers, but Academy Two gave off the impression that this was the best in Paragon City, and therefore - the world. The school itself made up the basements of at least two skyscrapers, and had five hundred students in each of the three divisions, Science, Engineering, and Metahuman.
Out of nowhere, the monotone female announcer started to speak.
"Congratulations, Allison Marasel. You have attained the top 100 rank in the Technology Body."
"At."
"98th."
"Out of 98."
@Kyuu
"It was just a hacker prank, Allison. They'll have the signboard fixed in no-time. So who cares if it happened with everyone watching? If that's the worst thing that happens to you today, consider yourself blessed."
The counselor had lain back, and propped his sneakers on the desk, behind him was a giant tank where several large goldfish swam slowly. He looked almost like a an old mad scientist, except this one cut his hair into a tight bowl cup. His feet were almost pushing over weighted placard on his desk, which would have placed it on Allison's lap.
This room was well decorated, but tiny, tucked away in a far hall deep inside the school grounds. It was almost like they wanted this place out of sight, and out of mind.
Still, the single visitor inside did little but wring her hands on the edge of her skirt, trying to figure out what to say, what might convince the counselor to give up some kind of advice that would just make all of her nightmares go away.
It didn't take much silence to force the counselor to continue with his closing lines.
"We've gone over that you might have stuff going on at home, with dating, worried about your future and . . ", he hesitated just minutely, just enough to get his feet off the desk. ". . you lost someone close to you on Day Zero. This is going to sound cold, but I'm going to tell you the single, most absolute truth in this."
"Bad things happen, and the secret lies in how you react to all of the misery being spread around. Nobody wants to broadcast it, but we're still at war. You need to get focused.", he was already opening his drawer and getting out a pen and paper.
"Okay. This will take care of the Creylex refill."
Allison was handed a prescription note, and looked up blankly at the counselor.
After she walked out the door, the counselor looked at his watch, and tried to figure out how to get everyone done before lunch, and at the same time fill his quota of Creylex antidepressant prescriptions given. A five figure bonus was at stake here!
He sighed and put his feet back up on the desk.
Allison looked to the seats lining the hall, there were only a handful of chairs, but they were all filled with despondent looking students. She threw the prescription slip into a trash can and walked away.
@Kyuu
"You're worthless!", said the attractive woman while she was pushing away a drab looking, trenchcoat clad young man with greased black hair hanging over half of his face. She immediately walked over to a group of similarly tall, attractive females of varying types and who were potentially superpowered.
The young man sighed and sat dejectedly on the park bench, unknowing and unaware of the sound of an oncoming object flying towards him at high speed.
CRASH. The Paragon Protector landed with such force to buckle the pavement in front of the depressed young man, and she was a sight to behold, dark blue and bright yellow uniform clinging tightly everywhere except her face, which was mostly undefined aside from a slightly upturned nose and the valleys over her eyes.
"S-Serenity Three One?"
Serenity stood silently, as she held a shining metal briefcase that was not shown before.
Then a second figure calmly floated to the ground, a handsome, blond man with a neatly kept goatee. The mix of cool blue markings on his sleek costume, and white boots would identify him as none other than...
"Ultra Zero?", the generally downcast individual said while brushing oily black hair away from his eyes long enough to look at the two powerful heroes.
"Nobody likes a sad sack. You need Crey Comeback!"
Ultra Zero took the case from Serenity, in a shot emphasizing the protector's well shaped torso. With the suitcase firmly in his hands, he extended it towards the young man, and opened it. A glowing light immediately washed over the soon to be recipient of the precious Crey Comeback energy drink.
A gratuitous view of the product lasted for a few long seconds as Ultra Zero and Serenity Three One looked on. The dark blue and yellow can was positively glowing for a few minutes until it was grasped, and opened. As soon as the sky blue liquid was being consumed, muscles started to bulge and grow on the rejected man.
"With Crey Comeback's proprietary mix of B-Vitamins, and powerful nutrients trusted by Paragon Protectors like Serenity, you can take it all on."
In another instant, black dyed hair, recolored, and rearranged into a more aggressive formation. Dark cargo pants morphed into faded jeans, and pale skin darkened into a sungrazed tone. Finally, the trenchoat was shed to reveal a form fitting tanktop shirt.
The newly remolded energy drink consumer started to approach the group of attractive women, who all seemed very receptive.
The commercial cut to a closeup of Serenity Three One's face, which was still positively unidentifiable aside from a slightly better definition of the lips.
She finally spoke. "Don't wait."
- - -
"What the crap?"
Allison's parents were both at work again, so the living room was all to herself, and even though they lived in the middle of Galaxy City, the TV felt like the only sound for miles.
Allison looked at the can of "Lemon Crey'd" she just bought five minutes ago on the way home, and slowly turning the can, she saw a familiar logo.
Also try CREY COMEBACK!
@Kyuu
(It's not going to be a perfect story by any measure, but it's about time I kick it out the door. Goal is once per week, with a new post between Friday to Sunday.)
December 24th, 2003
"I know you hate pictures, Allison, but you're going to need to stop being shy. The world won't stop for you if you just curl into a corner."
Alexei looked at Allison squarely in the eyes, trying to search for recognition from the girl that he called his daughter. For several months after they had moved to Paragon City, she had drawn back into herself, and became soft spoken to a fault.
"It won't hesitate to flatten you, over and over."
He let go of her shoulders and perched back on the velvet draped seat that was a part of the photo shoot. Allison, all of sixteen years old, did her best to put on a brave face, but her hazel eyes looked haunted. Her childhood was coming to an end soon and horrible things were over the horizon, according to her father at the very least.
She was already thinking about what she would do once she was back within the confines of her tiny room, the only sanctuary she had in this horribly changing world.
"Ooh, is mopeyhead ready yet? I'm all dolled up and good to go!", a deep, almost overly syrupy voice rang out - and from behind the backdrop came a tall woman wearing fancy lavender rimmed glasses, wearing a sparkling dress of the same color, and white elbow-length gloves.
Maria did a pirouette in front of her daughter and husband, then kneeling down to pick up a parasol that had been laying on the ground. She plopped down into Alexei's lap, almost spilling over onto Allison and startling her.
"Ugh. No. No! I told you to leave all of that at home!", Alexei was trying to push Maria off after he kept her from dumping everyone over their seats. Neither of them seemed aware that Allison was slowly scooting away from them both and taking out a flip up Gameboy to play. In the meantime the parents started to fight and squirm over who should sit where.
"Get off already, Mari! You're making this look ridiculous!"
"Mm, you won't even let me keep the cute umbrella. You've got to savor the moment!"
"Just for once I wanted a normal family picture, please!"
"We've got to be ourselves, muffin! I was just hoping you'd loosen up just once."
Maria finally slid off Alexei's lap, to sit in the middle - but suddenly grabbed both him and Allison around the shoulders, and pulled them tightly against her. Allison immediately found her chin pushed up by the soft, but firm fingers of a white glove to face towards the camera. Then her mother leaned towards her ear and started to whisper.
"Like I said, savor the moment, my cute little cupcake. You only get so many of them!", Maria smiled - and faced forward right before the picture was taken.