OUAT (Pacific Rim AU): Once Upon a Jaeger: Chapter 2

Summary: Liam and Killian Jones are Jaeger pilots of the Pegasus Endeavour. What happens when Liam dies from poisoning and Killian is left alone, unable to pilot and helpless to find his brother's murderer? Enter a certain feisty blonde, who bears a troubled past, but will she be the key to Killian's salvation?

Rated: Fiction T - English - Adventure/Romance - Killian Jones/Captain Hook, Emma S.

FF.NET: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10127521/2/Once-Upon-a-Jaeger

Also Available on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1184025/chapters/3249524

Author’s note: Really sorry for the long wait to update. Between working and studying has not left me much time to do what I really like – telling stories. This chapter will be shorter than the previous one and it contains my first fight scene. Do let me know how it goes.  And also a big THANK YOU for your wonderful feedback and support. You are the reason for me to keep writing. 

The Pegasus Endeavour waded deeper and deeper into the ocean. No sign of CrocClaw. Lightning was striking every now and then, followed by an almost deafening thunderous boom. Killian and Liam were piloting the Pegasus right in the middle of the storm. The Jaeger’s heavy mass was keeping them steady in the choppy tidal water sloshed against them.

“Hey, I can’t see the kaiju anywhere. Do you see it?” asked Killian. “No, me neither. Malcom, any sign of the bastard?” said Liam. 

“It’s moving towards you! And it’s fast. -400 meters…300 meters…”

“There’s no sign of it. That thing should be charging right at us now,” said Liam.

“Unless…It has learnt to adapt,” said Killian with a sickening realisation. Malcom was still counting down over the intercom “200 meters…100 meters…”

 

“It’s in the water! Prepare to brace for impact brother!” yelled Killian, just as CrocClaw leaped out of the water right in front of the Pegasus. Its long jaw opened, revealing two rows of carnivorous teeth as it sank them into the Pegasus’s left shoulder. Liam cried out in pain clutching his own left shoulder at the sudden ferocity. CrocClaw took advantage of the opportunity and slammed its full body weight onto the Pegasus, toppling the Jaeger, together with CrocClaw, teeth still sunk into the armour, into the water. 

Pegasus struggled to loosen CrocClaw’s grip over them with Liam still holding in the pain. Killian tapped his screen. The female intelligence voice came online [Initialising retractable blades]. Blades sliced out of the Jaeger’s right hand. Killian slammed his right hand to the right, the Pegasus mimicking Killian’s movements, and drove the blade into CrocClaw. To Killian’s shock, the blade was barely an inch deep into the monster. Its thick hide was acting as its protective shield. But CrocClaw released its grip on the Pegasus nevertheless. 

In full view now, the kaiju really lived up to its name as a Frankenstein version of a crocodile. CrocClaw had scally thick skin with blue glowing veins growing all along the body. It was the only thing that gave off light from the creature. Its yellowish teeth were big and resembled stones cavemen used to light up a fire. Up-close the kaiju looked massive, its size rivalling even the Pegasus. 

“We need to get back up above water. Its strength is underwater,” commanded Liam. Killian nodded and they stood back up. Rain was pouring heavily, blurring their visor screen vision. 

“Where is that bastard?” Liam tried scanning the waters but the storm was interfering with the accurate location. It didn’t help that CrocClaw was a fast swimmer. 

Out of the corner, Killian spotted a pair of yellow slit eyes heading towards the Pegasus left. The strong tidal waves camouflaging its body movements. “There! To your left!”

Pegasus Endeavour turned around as CrocClaw made another leap at the Jones’ brothers. Killian’s hand swung and clutched CrocClaw by the neck, temporarily immobilising the beast. [Pistol Initialised. Target acquired. Engage pistol with target]

“Now Liam!” Liam fired the high velocity pistol into CrocClaw while the monster was struggling in Killian’s grasp, trying desperately to claw its way out. 

The pistol was shot. All ten rounds of it. Into CrocClaw’s upper torso. Because of its heavy high velocity power, only a precious ten rounds fitted into the pistol, making it the Pegasus’s last resort weapon. Bright glowing blue blood spurted out CrocClaw, who was roaring ferociously. 

Liam began to yell in pain. “aarrghhh…what’s happening?” Killian could feel the sudden immense pain through the mind meld that almost incapacitated him as well. He turned to see Liam collapsed to the floor. 

Killian instinctively dropped CrocClaw and ran towards his brother. He took off Liam’s helmet. Liam was shivering. Killian could see black veined marks growing rapidly from his brother’s neck, moving onto his face. The robotic spine attached to the back of their suits kept the Drift intact. He could feel Liam’s presence slowly fading away. 

A searing pain course through Killian’s right arm as though his hand had been ripped off. For a moment he was afraid that he too had been affected by whatever his brother was experiencing. He dismissed the assumption as he saw CrocClaw, who was apparently not quite dead but bleeding a lot of blue goo, with the Pegasus’s arm in its jaws. 

“Malcom, we need backup,” yelled Killian over the intercom desperately. “Liam has been compromised. I don’t know what it is. I can see black veins on him. It’s growing fast. And CrocClaw is still alive.”

“I’m on it Killian,” responded Malcom. Commander Gold’s voice came through the intercom, “We’re deploying Crimson Typhoon over to finish the kaiju.” And the line went dead. 

“Hello? Commander? Hello? Malcom? Anyone? HELLO?” No response. CrocClaw was nowhere to be seen. Yet. They abandoned us when we needed them most. Killian cradled Liam in his arms. The black veins passed Liam’s lips moving to his nose. It was beginning to affect his breathing as he gasped for air. His brother could barely speak but the Drift was still up. 

“Get out of here Kil. While you still can,” pleaded Liam to Killian in their minds. Despite the pain, Liam’s eyes stared straight at Killian. “I can’t leave you Liam. I can’t,” responded Killian desperately, tears wielding in his eyes. “You’ll be okay.”

“We both know that I won’t make it out of here. But you still can. Tell Milah that I love her. Stay strong brother and keep fighting the good fight.” Killian could feel Liam’s emotions wash over him – pain, confused, regret, and love, for both Killian and Milah. Then, Killian felt an excruciating pain, as if someone forcefully tore his heart out from his body. Liam was gone. Killian knew it. Tears fell from Killian’s face. 

Liam was right. Killian had to stay strong and continue living for both of them. He vowed that he will seek vengeance upon his brother’s killer. Killian reluctantly let go of Liam and began the sequence to eject himself out of the Pegasus. 

Killian did not have much time left. CrocClaw was upon the Pegasus again, attempting a last ditch effort in destroying the Jaeger. [Escape Pod Sequence Initiated]. Killian stepped into his pilot position and was hoisted up into an escape pod. In the pod, a sleeping gas was induced to ensure minimal oxygen was used while the pilot was in the pod waiting for rescue. That was fine with Killian as he did not want to think or feel anymore. The gas took over and Killian fell into oblivion while the Pegasus Endeavour collapsed into the sea along with his brother. 

Author’s end note: So how did you find it? If you can’t quite imagine how the Pegasus Endeavour looks like, the rough mock up picture of the Jaeger is available on the blog ourfictionstation.blogspot.com. I basically modelled the Pegasus Endeavour to bear resemblance the Navy uniform. I used the Pacific Rim Jaeger design application to create the picture so the model is a rough mock up, not including the exact details written in the story due to the limited (but still awesome) choices provided by the app. As always please leave a review if you enjoyed it =)

 

OUAT & Pacific Rim Crossover: Once Upon a Jaeger - Chapter 1: A Hero's Journey

Summary: Liam and Killian Jones are Jaeger pilots of the Pegasus Endeavour. What happens when Liam dies from poisoning and Killian is left alone, unable to pilot and helpless to find his brother's murderer? Enter a certain feisty blonde, who bears a troubled past, but will she be the key to Killian's salvation?

Rated: Fiction T - English - Adventure/Romance - Killian Jones/Captain Hook, Emma S., Raleigh B., Mako M.

FF.NET: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10107241/1/Once-Upon-a-Jaeger


Also Available on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1184025

Author’s Note: The brilliant and awesome characters from Once Upon a Time and Pacific Rim do not belong to me but to the show’s excellent creators. This is my first time writing a serial (and crossover) FanFic so do let me know your thoughts on this. Comments and constructive criticisms are always welcomed! Don't forget to give your support follow/fav it if you like the story. Your support means the world. Enjoy =D

Sirens began to blare. And that could only mean one thing to Killian Jones – an incoming Kaiju. Immediately opening his eyes, almost leaping out of his bunker bed, Killian glanced at his alarm clock displaying 02:30. Kaijus sure know how to pick their time to make an entrance, Killian thought to himself.  The display screen on his desk came to life warning of the imminent Kaiju threat.

Codename: CrocClaw
Category: 3
 
The first of its kind. Killian breathed. He spun around expecting to find his brother and co-pilot Liam still fast asleep on the bed. That guy can sleep through the apocalypse for all I know. Except Liam wasn’t in bed. Killian quickly pulled on a shirt and strolled out to search for his brother.

Killian and Liam are Jaeger pilots for the Pacific Defense Corps. Killian considered job as a noble and daring task as the last line of defense against the Kaijus, godzilla-like monsters that emerged from the mysterious portal beneath the Pacific sea. The first monster that emerged laid waste to over 10 states before it was taken down by vigorous means of every weapon possible. More than 10 million people lost their lives on K-day, including Killian and Liam’s parents.

Surviving on their own in the foster system, Liam, being the elder of the two, had always taken to looking after Killian. In many ways, Liam was Killian’s brother, partial parent and his best friend. Times were hard during the K-era and more often than not, Killian and Liam found themselves either in a fight to defend what little food or money they had, or sprinting down the streets being chased by angry shop owners for shop lifting. As hard as those times were, owners of nothing with monsters appearing to crush buildings now and again, Killian never truly felt despair, for he had Liam by his side. It was the two of them against the world, and they could accomplish anything.

Killian, almost sprinting, searched the corridors one by one for his egg-head brother. Come on, Liam!! This is the first Kaiju that’s appeared in a few months. For a time, Kaijus had stopped their brutal waves of attack. Four months of silence, no activity from these monstrous beings. Some even started to bear the tiniest hope that the worse was finally over. While the others at the Corps were taking the rare opportunity to party away, Killian had always believed that this was the calm before the storm. A man of discipline, he and Liam constantly parried with one another in training, maintaining good form for the imminent battle ahead. Liam had occasionally poked fun at Killian for being so uptight and serious about things. “Brother, at the rate you’re going, the only girlfriend you’re gonna get is the Pegasus,” his brother’s words echoed in Killian’s head.

The Pegasus. Killian knew he had to get suited up for battle soon. But where was Liam? Killian hoped his brother wasn’t at the canteen downing a few drinks with the others. Now is not the time to get sloppy brother, remember good form. Killian then decided to head towards the hanger, hoping to meet Liam there. Just as he was about to take a right, a barrack door opened and Liam stepped out.
Killian was about to call out on his brother when he stopped himself short and hid behind the corridor’s corner. Wait. Isn’t that -? A feminine figure stepped out and Liam leaned in to give her a kiss and whispered something that made her smile. Now, Killian was sure that the woman was none other than Milah, the wife of the Commander Gold, defacto leader of the Pacific Defense Corps.

Commander Gold is a shrewd man with shoulder length brown hair streaked with grey. Under his command, the Pacific defense has never been breached since its inception. As brilliant as he is, Killian knew that Gold is not a simpleton and he certainly is not somebody who forgives for messing with his wife. Killian had witnessed Gold unforgiving nature as he almost choked his staff to death for preparing an inaccurate report of past Kaiju sightings.

Poor Malcom, Killian thought of that staff clutching his reddening neck gasping for air from Gold’s clutches. Killian had wanted to report the incident but Liam convinced him otherwise. “What do you think will happen if you do that, Kil?” Killian recalled Liam yelling in hush whispers that night in their bunker. “Gold’s got the higher-ups’ backing. He has one of the greatest defense track record in the region. Who’s word do you think they are going to take? Yours or Golds’?”

Killian had protested. “This isn’t right Liam. This is not what we do. We’re supposed to protect people.” Liam countered, “and how do you suppose we do that when Gold kicks us out of the Corps? This. Serving as Jaeger Pilots. This is the mission of our dreams. A mission that will bring peace, and glory to the Jones brothers. A hero’s journey. Just like we talked about when we were watching Jaegers take out those sons of bitches from the streets. Gold recruited us and for whatever reasons he may have had for hurting Malcom, I choose to believe in our Commander.”

Staring right into his brother’s eyes, Killian knew his brother had made up his mind and there was no persuading him otherwise. Liam was stubborn that way. Some hero’s journey. Sirens blared into his head with more urgency, jerking his thoughts back to reality, reminding him of the impending mission. No time to ponder. The monster awaits.

Killian raced ahead, mind still confused but determined. He saw Liam already suiting up. “Hey, where have you been Kil?” His brother asked. Killian did not answer and stepped in position to be suited up. Dark navy blue metal plates were fitted onto Killian, drilling in the pieces together. Liam glanced uncomfortably at him. Finally, two metal spine-like robotics were each fitted to their backs. The final helmet piece enabled data online function to go live in their circuitry suit. Once they were all set, the Jones brothers stepped into the control centre – their Jaeger’s head. Monitors surrounded them as they both took their places, Liam controlling the left hemisphere and likewise Killian on its right.

Liam tapped Killian on his shoulder. “Hey, err... before we do this...there’s something I want to tell you first”. For some reason, that statement made Killian seethed with anger. How dare he? Why did you lie to me?  But if there was one thing Killian knew as a Jaeger pilot, you cannot let your emotions get the best of you. So he took a deep breath and said, “I know about Milah.” Liam’s eyes widened with shock. He obviously wanted to say something but their comm-links just went live.

“Good morning, Jones brothers. How are we doing today?” came Malcom’s voice, trying to sound cheery as usual before the big fight. “We’re just fine,” replied Killian. “Securing the drop, Mr. Peterson?” came Commander Gold’s voice in the background. Malcom immediately stopped trying to make conversation and went back to business “Commander Gold on deck. Getting ready for the drop Sir.”

Killian shot his brother a look. Surprisingly, Liam didn’t seem to show the slightest hint of guilt or fear on his face even when the Commander came online. Liam glanced back at Killian and they both understood to keep quiet about it. It didn’t matter really. They were about to dive into each other’s thoughts soon enough. “Commencing the drop,” informed Malcom.

Gears that were holding the Jaeger’s head in place let it drop, along with the Jones brothers in it. The drop was fast but it had mechanisms holding it in place as to not let it crash. Killian always felt like the drop down from those theme park solero shot rides. The head was received and fitted perfectly with its body, forming the Pegasus Endeavour.

Towering over 312 feet tall, the Pegasus Endeavour was a Mark III Jaeger, which essentially was a giant robot piloted by two people built to kick some serious Kaiju ass. Up close, the Pegasus was truly a piece of work. Its dark navy blue shone in the night with gold colour shoulder blades and along its intersecting joints that draws focus towards its mechanical pistons, working together in unison with its pilots, like a one robot army ready for battle.

The Pegasus was rolled out into the sea like a giant tank. Malcom’s voice appeared again, “Beginning neural handshake now.” Killian and Liam jerked back slightly, taking in the neural handshake and begin operations in the Drift.

When the Jaeger programme found that it was not possible to use pilot a Jaeger single handedly, the Drift was designed to cater for a two pilot system where they mind melded with each other, sharing all their thoughts and memories with one another to pilot as one. To successfully drift together was no easy task, both candidates would need to fully accept each other’s strengths and flaws as well as memories, complementing each other like yin and yang. That also meant that the stronger the bond between the pilots, the better you fight. Which is also why most Jaeger pilots are related, either as siblings or life partners.

Another side-effect that resulted in the Drift was the ability to intimately know one another’s thoughts, feelings and emotions. While you can find strength and support in one another, you can also feel pain, not just emotionally but physical pain should a Kaiju strike your Jaeger. As an integrated system, the pain is almost instant as the Kaiju tries to take a bite of your hand. Pain in this scenario acts as a double-edge sword because it obviously hurts you but it can also make you react reflexively in battle. Killian had learnt to embrace the pain if it meant that you could drive a blade into the Kaiju faster than not realising the bastard had already bitten off a chunk of your armour without you feeling it at all.

“Hey, Kil? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Milah sooner,” came Liam’s telepathic thoughts.  “Why Liam? Why Milah? You personally gave me a lecture on the sort of person Gold is, what he is capable of and yet here you are sneaking around cheating with his wife!” Killian replied Liam’s thoughts in his head. “Brother, I’m sorry-” began Liam.

“You know I don’t tolerate bad form Liam. Especially infidelity. Uugh...I don’t even want to know what you did but I can’t because I’m stuck in your head. What were you thinking-”
 
“I’m in love with her.”
 
Killian’s mind froze. Love? Was it possible to drive someone like Liam, whom Killian had always considered him to be the hero, to bad form? But how? Wasn’t Milah suppose to love Gold since they married for god-knows-how-long? Isn’t that the vow you make when you chose to spend your entire life with the one?

“Come on, Kil, talk to me. I know what’s going on in your head,” urged Liam again telepathically.
Killian resumed their mind conversation. “So tell me why” 

“I love Milah, and she I. She stopped loving Gold a long time ago and now he’s having an affair with his co-pilot Belle French.”
 
Belle?? Killian’s mind whirled somemore as he knew his brother’s words rang truth. Belle didn’t strike him to be the sort of person stealing someone’s husband away and having a brazen affair.

“I don’t know what to think of it anymore. I need time to sort this out.” Killian let out a deep breath. “Let’s just focus on the battle at hand for now shall we?”

“Sounds good to me,” Liam said with a small smile.

From the Pegasus, they could see thunder clouds forming ahead above the ocean. Lightning began to strike. A storm was coming as the Pegasus Endeavour pressed on into battle.

Author’s note: So how did you find the first Chapter? Would you continue reading it? Because this is a crossover, the OUAT characters’ history and relationships have been changed to give readers more twist and turns. Hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I did writing it. =)

Pegasus Endeavour

Sherlock FanFic: The Private Blog of Mary Morstan

Summary: Mary's perspective on events - in a form of her very own private blog posts. [Spoilers for Sherlock Season 3]

Rated: Fiction T - English - Romance/Drama - Mary M., John W., Sherlock H. - Words: 1,533 - Status: Complete

FF.Net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10038211/1/The-Private-Blog-of-Mary-Morstan

Also available on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1144754

Author's Note: The brilliant characters from Sherlock do not belong to me but to the show’s awesome creators. I love the addition of Mary Morstan into Season 3 but it’s a pity we don’t get to hear her thoughts; partially the reason why I wanted to do this story to take a deeper look into Mary’s thoughts and feelings about her relationship with John and his/their relationship with Sherlock. So do let me know your thoughts on this. Comments and constructive criticisms are welcomed! Don't forget to give your support follow/fav it if you like the story. Your support means the world. Enjoy =D 

8 November
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
What have I gotten myself into? That was the first question I asked myself the moment I had to acknowledge that my fiancé’s best friend, Sherlock Holmes, is in fact alive. Yes, I am talking about the same man whom John has lived with for the past two years before Sherlock committed suicide to save John. This is the very same man who actually thinks it was funny to dress as a waiter, adopting an almost comedic French accent, to surprise John and announced that he was...well…not dead. Surprise! Well...I suppose it would have been a tad funny if not given the circumstances of what John has been through.

Why am I saying all this? Because I need to let it out somewhere. John’s blog obviously being my inspiration, I decided to set up a private blog of my own. =) No one knows about it, not even John. There are some things that I have to write it down and see it clearly for myself. Writing helps me to gather my thoughts together. I blog whenever he’s out with Sherlock, running around solving the unsolvable. It’s exciting really, wish I could more involved with their cases, but I’m afraid in doing so would give Sherlock more opportunities to deduce my true nature.

Coming back to Sherlock’s surprise I’m-not-dead announcement, I could see the look on John’s face. Oh poor John! That look of shock, anger and betrayal all wrapped in one. I know that look too well. I have seen it before on countless faces in my previous line of work…right before I pulled the…I can’t write this down just yet. It was something I chose to leave behind eons ago, and then I met John.

As I listened to Sherlock babble his way, showing off his grandest trick ever, how Sherlock Holmes fooled the world into believing he was dead, he was so eager to share with his best friend. Well, at least I think Sherlock considers John his best (if not only) friend. As a master of his intellect and skill, I was not surprised with Sherlock but I think he forgot one very important point, John is not like Sherlock. John doesn’t give a damn on the how but the why.

Having said that, I can somewhat relate to Sherlock’s predicament. He did it for his loved ones. He faked his own death so that his loved ones, namely John in particular, may live a normal life. I think in some ways Sherlock sees himself the way I see myself, a sociopath, a magnet for danger to the people closest to me. That was why I ran, why I chose the life of a clinic nurse; but as fate would have had it, danger seems to like finding a way back to me.

That was also why I find Sherlock so amusing. I cannot help but suppress a smirk, for John’s sake, because as much as John is angry with Sherlock, I know he misses the bastard. I mean, come on, the way John threw a hissy fit (sorry, John, but you did) because Sherlock didn’t clue him on being alive? Okay, I know it’s a serious no-no in most cases but John was actually jealous of other people knowing! Those two act as if they are practically married. Hmm…perhaps Mrs. Hudson had a point there…

Strangely enough, as I’m typing this down, I don’t feel like the third wheel in the relationship. I know John loves me dearly and I love him with all my heart. I also know that he cares for Sherlock deeply despite him trying in vain to convince me that he “does not shave for Sherlock Holmes”. I should probably get that made into a shirt for John Xp

The point that I’m trying to make is that I understand how important Sherlock is in John’s life. For all the habitual routine life John is currently leading as a clinic doctor, he misses the unpredictable and exhilarating life he was force to leave behind. I still carry that adventurous and devil-may-care attitude with me, but it is not a life that Mary Morstan can provide.

Besides, how could I resist not helping the great detective Sherlock Holmes? I think their bromance is so adorable when one attempts to ignore the other while the other, being gifted with all that deduction prowess at his fingertips, can’t even figure a way to win his best friend back. Sighs…What will they do without me?

P.S: The best thing that came out of this reunion? John finally shaved off his mustache! Thank goodness!

12 August
The Wedding
My wedding day has finally come and gone. With Sherlock around, you can always count on the unexpected happening. I honestly don’t know where to begin, so much has happened within the day that is enough to send anyone on a roller coaster ride – I really like it. It’s so much better than the typical event where people make a few speeches, hugs, cry their hearts out, don’t you think so? I’m sure John will disagree with me on most of these, but these are my picks of the top 3 best and worst moments of my wedding in no particular order.

Top 3 Best Moments

1. I’m pregnant. I can’t believe it even when I say it out loud. I’m pregnant with John’s child. We are having a baby.
2. Yes, granted that John’s ex-Major almost died at our wedding, my life would not be complete without the man I married, John Watson. He means everything to me. I saw John telling Mrs. Hudson the other day how I was the one who saved him from falling into his own abyss after Sherlock was gone, how I picked up the pieces and shoulder his burden together as we pulled through together. The truth is John rescued me from my own hell. As much as I wanted a simple care-free life, I could not fully embrace the living the life of Mary Morstan the clinic nurse. She was too boring! I chose not to look back on my past but I yearned for the adrenaline to course through my veins once more. I’m a junkie. I was about to give up the Morstan life, that is until I met John. My husband (still feels strangely good calling him that) has kept me grounded to reality and had me fallen so deeply in love with him and life all over again. He was the key that was missing in Mary Morstan’s once hollow life. He says that I’m the best thing that has ever happened to him. I agree. But John Watson is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
3. Aside from John, there is one other person that I’m thankful to have in our lives. Even if Sherlock won’t be able to read this, I am so grateful for the support he has been giving us. I know that he personally does not believe in “silly things” like marriage and children but the fact that he has made a vow to protect all three of us…that is something that you do not take lightly from Sherlock Holmes. For good or for bad, Sherlock will always be a part of this family.

Top 3 Worst Moments

1. Being pregnant is a joy but it’s my wedding and it’s one of those few that I’m ever going to savor really expensive wine. It tastes bloody awful! >(
2. That MayFly Man actually crashing our wedding to kill Major Shalto. I believed for a moment that the good Major was going to give up and take off the belt. Thank goodness nobody died.
3. “Mary, lots of love, poppet. Oodles of love and heaps of good wishes from Cam. Wish your family could have seen this.” This telegram message that Sherlock read out earlier somehow still bothers me. I checked with John and neither of us have any friends or relatives named Cam. And no one addresses me as poppet. Maybe I’m over imagining things with John’s previous abduction, the cryptic coded messages. What are the odds that it’s not Cam but C.A.M? I shudder to think at the possibility. No, it cannot be…

You’re thinking too much Mrs. Watson. Now log off and go back to preparing dinner.

13 September
Untitled
He has finally emerged. It has to end.

I hope John never has to find out what I am about to do.

I love you John.

Forgive me.

Credits: valeriabald @redbubble

Kamen Rider Gaim FanFiction: A to Z ~ Moments of Nuttiness ~

Summary: Hideyasu Jounouchi and Hase Ryouji, and the twenty-six moments that they shared.

Rated: Fiction K - English - Friendship/Romance - Words: 2,721 - Status: Complete 

FF.Net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9987546/1/A-to-Z-Moments-of-Nuttiness

Also available at AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1116933/chapters/2249768


Author's Note: The characters of Kamen Rider Gaim do not belong to me, but to their respective creators. Might deviate from canon as the series progresses. Spoilers for the entire series up to Episode 12. Enjoy~



Attachment

Hideyasu told everyone and anyone who would listen to him that he didn’t care for Hase-chan, and that he was only with the Raid Wild leader because he had what Hideyasu needed in his climb to the top; his own heart, however, was apparently one of those who wouldn’t listen, pounding anxiously in his chest as he sat by the hospital bed waiting for Hase-chan to please wake up.

Breath

As Jounouchi leaned into him to wipe away the cream that lingered on the corner of his mouth – ‘Mou, Hase-chan, you’re such a messy eater.’ – all Ryouji could think about was the Invitto leader’s breath against his lips, and wonder if Jounouchi would taste like the strawberry parfait he had just eaten.

Carefree

Contrary to popular belief, Jounouchi Hideyasu had indeed formed Team Invitto as a dance team – by the time their reputation had snowballed to what it was, Jounouchi was known more for his control of Inves and his games of manipulation and deceit rather than his dancing – and as Ryouji watched him flow to the rhythm of the music – loose-limbed, graceful and relaxed in the way that he never was in fights – he couldn’t help but think that the Invitto leader was absolutely beautiful with that carefree smile on his face.

Damsel

‘I can walk, Hase-chan, stop carrying me around; I am not a damsel in distress.’

Equal

When news of their betrayal spread, Ryouji knew that it was only a matter of time before other teams walked out on their alliance with Team Baron because Kaito – as strong and feared as he was – was not Jounouchi; the Invitto leader was ambitious and ruthless, and had no qualms about using people for his goals, but he also understood the need for mutual reliance – using the strength of others to make up for his own weakness, using his strength to compensate for the weakness of others – and the importance of having equal opportunities for all parties involved – an alliance worked best when everyone had something they wanted, and it could only be given to them by the person they allied themselves with; that was why Ryouji knew that as long as they both benefited from the partnership, Jounouchi was the best partner he could have.

Friend

Not many people knew, but Hase was actually a friend of Kouta’s – they had attended the same schools, had hung out with each other before the Yggdrasill Corporation had taken over and changed everything, and even after that, still called each other up with the occasional Inves battle challenge – so he was understandably concerned when Jounouchi entered the picture, especially when he spotted Hase sporting something pink – something that looked suspiciously like the Invitto leader’s scarf – peeking out just above the edges of his shirt collar; the Hase he knew would’ve killed himself before he ever wore pink, and Kouta didn’t really want to know about what Jounouchi had said – or, even worse, what Jounouchi had done – to convince the Raid Wild leader otherwise.

Gone

Hideyasu had learnt from a very young age that everyone always wanted something from him and when he couldn’t give it to them, they left – when he was no longer the cute doll his mother could play dress up with, she decided that travelling was more fun than the mundaneness of raising him and his father was much too busy for a son who had no interest in taking over the family business – so Hideyasu always talked in trade and bargain – a tit for a tat, an exchange of mutual benefits – and that was why he always had a reason – a new piece of information, a new tactic, a new Lock Seed – for Hase-chan whenever it was time for their meeting because if Hideyasu had nothing for him, Hase-chan would be gone; after all, Hase-chan really had no reason to hang out with him.

Heat

Unlike Ryouji who shoveled the his parfait into his mouth, Jounouchi tended to eat more slowly and delicately – though, in Jounouchi’s opinion, the way he ate his parfait was normal and it was Ryouji who clearly needed lessons in table manners – and sometimes, it made Ryouji want to snatch away the other leader’s ice-cream and devour it himself, especially on the really hot days when Jounouchi had to swirl his tongue around his spoon to catch the rapidly melting ice-cream, which made a different kind of heat pool in Ryouji’s gut.

Invincible

Their challenger had been defeated so soundly that even Ryouji was stunned, and as he caught Jounouchi’s eye – it was his advice that Ryouji had been following – he could see the other leader’s smugness written all over his triumphant smirk – ‘I told you we’d make a great team,’ Jounouchi mouthed, and for the first time, Ryouji truly believed; Invitto, Jounouchi had once told him, was Italian for ‘invincible’ – ‘Not just becoming stronger,’ Jounouchi had said, mesmerizing Ryouji with the hard glitter in his eyes, ‘but rising to the very top, becoming the very best, unstoppable, undefeated, invincible.’ – and for the first time, Ryouji hungered for it – with Jounouchi, he could not only become stronger, he could become invincible.

Jingle

Hideyasu had learnt very early on that he should never walk into an Inves battle with loose change in his pockets if he wanted to keep his money; Hase-chan had a penchant for grabbing him and swinging him around in their combo attacks, and it simply wasn’t worth the amount he lost even if the Inves had gotten distracted by the jingling of the coins rolling on the ground, which had given him and Hase-chan the split second advantage.

Knockout

Beat Rider Teams never formed alliances or partnerships because, in the end, there could only be one winner; Hideyasu was different – he had scoffed at them because sure they were friends, but they were still adversaries, and it was stupid to pretend otherwise – until he stood opposite Hase-chan in a knockout round and realized too late how deep he had gotten.

Lend

The members of Team Invitto stared at their leader, completely gob-smacked, as he entered their team hideout before their expressions melted into varying degrees of mischievous glee; much to Hideyasu’s immense annoyance, none of them believed a single word of his explanation when he said, ‘I coerced Hase-chan into lending me his jacket because it was his fault I got soaked to the skin, and it was freezing outside.’

Moon

‘Stop mooning over him like a love-sick puppy and ask him out already.’

Notes

Hideyasu was pulled from his dark thoughts when a parfait was pushed under his nose – banana and chocolate topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream – and even as he turned to Hase-chan questioningly – ‘I didn’t order this.’ – the Raid Wild leader just shrugged – ‘You looked like you needed it.’ – before unceremoniously digging into his own delicious dessert; banana and chocolate with added whipped cream – this was the parfait that Hideyasu often ordered when he felt upset and simply wanted to indulge himself, and clearly, he wasn’t the only one who had been taking notes during their meetings.

Ordinary

Everyone saw them, but nobody looked twice – here in the amusement park, both plucking at the humongous cotton candy the bespectacled young man held in his hand, both laughing as he tried to catch the popcorn that his partner tossed at him, they were an ordinary sight; they were not Jounouchi Hideyasu, leader of Team Invitto and Hase Ryouji, leader of Team Raid Wild – with people watching, whispering and wondering at why they were together and what their next move would be – they were not Armoured Rider Gridon and Armoured Rider Kurokage – where their mere presence would catch the eye of everyone within a ten meter radius and prompt a crowd to form in anticipation of the start of an Inves Game – here in the amusement park, they were just two ordinary young men caught between the playfulness of youth and the responsibilities of adulthood, two ordinary friends hanging out and having fun.

Parent

Like every parent out there, Hase Michiko worried about her son – while her other two kids were building families and careers, her youngest had always been less focused and less ambitious than his brother and sister – and it didn’t help that Ryouji, unlike most young men his age, was more interested in playing those childish games rather than getting together with a nice girl; then, she had secretly attended one of his battles and watched as even as he celebrated his victory with his teammates – it made her heart swell with pride to watch her Ryou-chan surrounded by his friends, all cheering him on and laughing with him – Ryouji’s eyes never left a figure that stood at the edge of the crowd, his eyes lingering even as the person walked away without so much as a backward glance – from her vantage point, Michiko could see that it was a young man who stuck out like a sore thumb because he was dressed so completely differently from everyone else at the battle – and it was then that Michiko knew: her Ryou-chan would never be interested in a nice girl, and well, at least she had her other two kids to give her grandchildren.

Question

Ryouji found it questionable as to whether Jounouchi actually needed his glasses – the one time Ryouji had stolen them, Jounouchi had nearly walked straight into a ditch, but then there were other times when Ryouji had, on a whim, stuck out his tongue at Jounouchi from a safe distance away and Jounouchi had called him out on it; Hideyasu was not about to tell Hase-chan that while he did actually need his glasses, his sight wasn’t that bad, and it was actually because Hase-chan had looked stunningly suited to his glasses – which the Raid Wild leader had playfully tried on after swiping it from Hideyasu – and that momentary distraction was the real reason Hideyasu had nearly walked into the ditch.

Reindeer

Maki of Team Raid Wild wondered who Ryouji thought he was fooling when he sent them a text message on Christmas Eve telling them that he would be skipping out on their team’s annual Christmas party because he had promised to, and Maki quoted, ‘work a part time job with Jounouchi’, so he was genuinely surprised when he stumbled upon the two leaders dressed as reindeers, holding signs, handing out fliers and looking extremely disgruntled with life in general.

Spear

With the tip of the bow pointed at his heart, Hideyasu looked up at Hase-chan, desperately searching his face – the blank mask – for a sign of the Hase-chan he knew – and Hideyasu knew that Hase-chan was in there somewhere because he now held the bow the way Kurokage would hold his spear – the way Hase-chan had held his spear – when he was ready to deliver the final blow; it was ironic that, of all people, it was Hideyasu who was trying to convince the Raid Wild leader to discard the Sigurd Armour, trying to convince him not to throw away everything else he treasured – his beliefs, his identity, his friends – simply because he wanted to come out on top.

Time

Most Beat Riders became Beat Riders because they held a grudge against the Yggdrasill Corporation – the loss of a family, the loss of freedom, the loss of life in general – and so it wasn’t a surprise that they wished turn back time; Ryouji, however, wasn’t one of them because if it weren’t for the Yggdrasill Corporation, Beat Rider Teams and Inves Games, he would never have met Jounouchi.

Undone

Everything he had worked for had unraveled before his very eyes – his Belt, his stage, his team, Jounouchi – and Ryouji could barely comprehend how he had lost everything – a single moment of recklessness, a single blow, everything, he had lost everything – and there was nothing he could do to get them back; even as the music blared – music, once inviting and exciting, now cruel and mocking – and as the sound of dance filled the air – once, it had been his dance, but now, it was Baron’s – all Ryouji could see were Jounouchi’s cold amber eyes – they hadn’t been that cold since the first time they had met – and Jounouchi’s all-knowing smirk – the other leader’s shields were up, up in the way they hadn’t been since they started spending time together, talking over parfaits and suffering through embarrassing part time jobs, and all the progress they had made towards something resembling a friendship had just gone poof in the wind; Ryouji had known Jounouchi, had even begun to befriend the Invitto leader, but the man standing before him was a complete stranger, not the person who he had come to see as his friend, not the partner he was beginning to fall in love with – and Ryouji just came undone.

Victory

They had won – barely – but limping through the carnage and charred fields, his entire body screaming with pain and his head aching from a headache because his glasses had cracked and he was seeing everything in double-vision, it felt hollow and nothing like victory; until a familiar pair of arms swept him up into a tight hold and Hideyasu found his nose pressed into blood crusted hair as Hase-chan buried his face in the curve of Hideyasu’s neck.

Waver

For a split second, Hideyasu turned away as his resolve wavered – contrary to popular belief, he had actually believed that his partnership with Hase-chan would last because they did have something good going, and he had come to accept Hase-chan for the long-haul when the Raid Wild leader had taken his word over Kaito’s; as much as he tried so hard to deny it, some part of him had trusted Hase-chan in the way that he hadn’t trusted anyone else in the game, which was why he had always included Hase-chan in his schemes even when he hadn’t needed to and why he had stuck it out when Hase-chan had put him through the most ridiculous training routines – but then, Hase-chan had been stupid enough to get his Belt broken – had forced Hideyasu to choose between Hase-chan and his own survival – and he wasn’t about to go up against Team Baron when he knew he would lose – because he wasn’t strong enough on his own; he had needed a partner, had needed Hase-chan – and Hideyasu made his choice; it was time for him to move on.

Xerox

‘Hase-chan, please tell me you didn’t just xerox 1000 copies of the wrong pamphlets; they’d deduct it from our, already, measly pay!’

Yet

Hideyasu was smart and Ryouji was strong, but they weren't considered to be threats; not yet anyway.

Zero

Ryouji never saw the point in staying up all night to count down to the new year – after all, it was just another tomorrow like all the other tomorrows he had woken up to, and he liked his sleep – but Jounouchi had insisted and Ryouji decided to humour the Invitto leader who had invited him out to watch the fireworks display; he was utterly glad that he did because even as loud voices screamed “zero”, all he could hear was the pounding of his heart as Jounouchi leaned in to kiss him fully on the lips.

Credits: Ice Chain @ Tumblr

Sherlock FanFic: 30 Moments ~ Mycroft Holmes and Greg Lestrade ~

Summary: 30 moments in the lives of Mycroft Holmes and DI Greg Lestrade (Mystrade).

Rated: Fiction K+ - English - Romance - Mycroft H., DI Lestrade, Sherlock H. - Words: 1,261 - Status: Complete 

FF.Net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9328125/1/30-Moments-Mycroft-Holmes-and-Greg-Lestrade

Also available at AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/817995


Author's Note: The characters of Sherlock (BBC) do not belong to me. The prompts were randomly selected from the list provided here - http://kathrineroid.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/100-themes-challenge-writing-prompts/


#01 – Introduction: He was “Sherlock’s older brother” and a nameless voice on the phone, and Greg was very tempted to slam the phone down on him because he really hadn’t needed another Sherlock-obsessed person in his life.

#02 – Complicated: Mycroft and Greg had had sex because they were attracted to each other before they decided to make it official because that attraction had evolved into emotional attachment, and they had both been willing to give it a try; Greg had no idea why everyone found that concept so hard to grasp.

#03 – Making History: Mycroft had a reputation for kidnapping people he wanted to meet; Greg returned the favour by kidnapping Mycroft and spiriting his bemused lover away from Whitehall to have lunch with him, sending Mycroft’s entire security team into a frenzy because he had done it right under their noses and succeeded.

#04 – 33%: Greg was amused – and slightly resigned – when Mycroft said that he took up 33% of his life, but was unusually flattered when he found out that, aside from Sherlock’s 50% - which included the people connected to Sherlock, so technically Greg could be counted as having a slice of that – everything, and everyone, else took up 1% or less.

#05 – Dead Wrong: Greg often wondered why he tried so hard to prove Mycroft wrong when his lover was even more likely to be right than his younger brother, but he just couldn’t help himself; Mycroft needed a reminder that he still made mistakes, that he was still human.

#06 – Excuses: It’s not that they were trying to make excuses for each other’s faults; it’s just that those faults paled in comparison to what they did love about each other, and they just accepted it.

#07 – Fork in the Road: Mycroft and Greg were never officially together, and they hadn’t realized how much they needed that solidarity until Mycroft met Greg, after a long absence, with Sherlock standing in between them, examining a corpse.

#08 – Everyday Magic: Gregory often teased Mycroft for being a “little miracle worker”, but Mycroft thought that it was a title more suitable for his lover; who spoke for the dead and gave closure to the living simply by dedicating himself to his job.

#09 – Challenged: Gregory was always arguing with him, playing the Devil’s Advocate even when Mycroft knew with absolute certainty that he was right; Mycroft loved him for it because it meant that even when being wrong meant huge repercussions, there was still somebody who would not hide the truth from him and who he did not have to hide the truth from.

#10 – Cold Embrace: ‘Gregory, you are not coming to bed in those wet clothes!’

#11 – Dangerous Territory: Sherlock learnt that his brother and Lestrade were in a serious relationship when Lestrade punched him for taunting Mycroft about his weight; Lestrade annoyingly maintained that he didn’t regret it even when Mycroft assured him that this was perfectly normal for the both of them.

#12 – Boundaries: Not that they would ever tell Sherlock, but technically, Mycroft and Greg were in a phone relationship with Sherlock in the middle long before they ever became lovers, and Greg found it to be an amusing, if disturbing, thought.

#13 – Unsettling Revelations: Loving Gregory wasn’t the epiphany that shook Mycroft’s world; it was the sudden thought of how utterly dignified Gregory would look when all his hair turned grey.

#14 – Shattered: Their respective jobs often left them worn, weary and utterly exhausted, and both hated for the other to see them when their faces were lined with stress and marred by fatigued; both never realized that the other thought them to be even more beautiful because this meant that they had survived another dangerous day.

#15 – Bitter Silence: Mycroft and Greg never fought; they just avoided each other, which was a whole lot worse.

#16 – The True You: It wasn’t that Mycroft didn’t care; it was that he cared too much, and it became a disadvantage when he needed to be clear-headed to save Gregory, but his heart was screaming that nobody could possibly survive after losing that much blood.

#17 – Pretense: Mycroft simply stood there in silence, allowing Gregory to handle the entire hostage situation, even though he really could’ve resolved the situation by himself.

#18 – Patience: Greg pretended to be long-suffering whenever he had to remind Mycroft that caring was not a disadvantage, but, in truth, it was something he utterly enjoyed, especially since Mycroft often wanted physical evidence.

#19 – Shadows: Mycroft worked in the shadows, so it was only appropriate that Greg did not fear them.

#20 – Summer Haze: Greg blamed it on the summer haze when he and Mycroft were nearly caught snogging in a dark corner of Buckingham Palace; at least, he consoled himself, neither of them had been naked the way Sherlock had been.

#21 – Change in the Weather: Having a lover who carried an umbrella with him all the time definitely came in handy, especially with London’s unpredictable weather.

#22 – Only Human: Mycroft clung on to Gregory like he wanted to disappear into his lover, all the while trying to escape the reality that he just destroyed an entire village – had made the decision to seal the village away from the rest of the world to contain the outbreak of a highly infectious and deadly virus – for the good of his nation.

#23 – Advantage: Greg often wondered why people thought that he would leave Mycroft; like anyone else could compare to having the most powerful man of Britain willingly making himself vulnerable because he loved Greg, and who Greg willingly surrendered to because he loved Mycroft just as much.

#24 – Breakfast: Mycroft wasn’t often home in the mornings, but Gregory would pop by with coffee and donuts – or whatever food Anthea prescribed for the day – when he was on the way to the station.

#25 – Falling: Mycroft found it hard to sit back and not swoop in with all his extensive resources when Gregory was in trouble, but he does it anyway because he has faith that Gregory can handle himself, and because Gregory would want no less of him.

#26 – Picking up the Pieces: Greg loved Mycroft because his lover understood that Greg didn’t need a savior or a knight in shining armour; he just needed someone to accept him after he had saved himself, even if he wasn’t quite as whole as he once was.

#27 – Possession: ‘The criminal has been caught, but, uh, Donovan, would you please bring me my keys? I’ve accidentally handcuffed myself to Mycroft Holmes.’

#28 – Twilight: Other people made breakfast in bed for their lovers; Greg tended to return home to a meal cooked by his lover because Mycroft had left for the office to handle another emergency that “couldn’t wait a few more hours until tomorrow”.

#29 – Friendship: Mycroft and Greg didn’t start as friends; they became friends only after they had become lovers.

#30 – Endings: Other lovers promised each other forever, Mycroft and Greg didn’t; they just enjoyed the time they had with each other because they understood that forever was an illogical fantasy, but today – everyday – was the reality they lived in.

 Credits: patatomato @ DeviantArt

Kamen Rider Gaim FanFic: The Baron's Battle

Summary: Kaito Kumon faces one of his toughest battles yet.

Rated: Fiction T - English - Fantasy/Suspense - Words: 2, 078 Status Complete

FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10010254/1/The-Baron-s-Battle

Also available on A03: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1130137

Author's Note: The characters in this story do not belong to me, but to the awesome producers of Kamen Rider Gaim. This is my first attempt at an action piece, and I have taken liberty in styling out how I would like the fight scene to play out… Enjoy…

_____________________________________________________________

“Another useless junk”

Kaito Kumon threw the black and white lock seed behind him. Team Baron’s  Armored Rider continues on, harvesting the strange and mysterious lock seeds from Helheim forest. He has been at it for more than two hours, and all he had worth keeping was a single Acorn lockseed. He should leave soon, dwelling too long in the mysterious forest might spell danger, even for a Armored Rider for him.

“Help me!”

Kaito turned. Was he imagining things? A child’s voice, in a place like this?

Another scream.

“Damn”, he thought. “The kid must have wandered in here through a tear.”

He ran, frantically searching for the source. This forest is too dangerous for any normal human, let alone a child. Another scream. There. He spotted a young girl in bright orange outfit, squatting in the middle of a forest clearing, hands protectively over her head. Surrounding the child was three Inves, their grey arms flailing threateningly, as they inch closer to the child.

“Mommy!”

Kaito cursed. He would not make it in time. There was still some distance between them. Grabbing his lance, Kaito aimed at the Inves and threw his weapon with all his strength.

Bam! The lance found its mark, piercing into an Inves’ side and knocking it sideways.

Kaito smiled, grateful for the augmented strength granted by his armor, and he pushed himself further to close the distance and hopefully be able to rescue the girl in time.

The group of Inves turned, momentarily distracted, noticing Kaito’s red and yellow figure for the first time.

He charged at them, shoulder tackling two Inves to the ground. Almost immediately the other two monster came at him, their grey hulking figure body slamming him to the ground. Kaito rolled on the forest floor. Dazed for a second, he quickly got on his feet and reached for his weapon, which was lying two feet away.

He turned his head at the girl and roared “Run!”

The young girl was startled by his appearance, had quickly got to her feet and hid herself behind a nearby tree.

At least she’ll be safe for now, Kaito thought. Now to clean up this mess. He needed to finish this battle quickly, else more Inves join the fight, he would be in deep trouble then.

The two Inves attacked simultaneously, clawed arms crashing into Kaito. Kaito could not defend in time, and was pushed back. Sparks flying off his armor from the impact. He grimaced in annoyance. Elementary Inves are individually weak, but their strength comes in numbers. And these Inves never appear alone.

Regaining his balance, Kaito faced them head-on. He butted the first Inves with the end of his lance, twisted his torso, and delivered a left hook, his punch sending it sprawling. A clawed arm appeared out of nowhere, missing his head by inches. Too close. Kaito reflexively jumped out of the way, spun his body and kicked the Inves in the face, pushing it off-balance unto the ground. Seizing this opportunity, Kaito jumped unto the Inves, slamming the back end of his lance to the creature’s face, knocking it senseless.

Do not underestimate these pests, he reminded himself.

He searched for the third Inves. Nowhere to be found. Could it have ran away?

He heard a monstrous screech above him. Kaito looked up, and swore. The third Inves had took flight and is now speeding towards him. Kaito frowned, he hates fighting against flying opponents, it puts him at a disadvantage. He readied himself, both hands gripping his lance in defensive position. At the Inves came rushing at him, Kaito swung his weapon like a bat, intending to swat the monster down. He missed. The Inves turned mid-air and charged at him again. Kaito tried to hit it, but his attacks were in vain, he simply did not have the reach.

He swore. He took a deep breath and planted his feet firmly on the ground. The Inves came again, moving with astonishing speed and slamming into him. But Kaito was ready, he braved the impact and took opportunity to smash the monster to the ground with his lance.

Not good enough. Soon after that the Inves is back in the air again.

The flying Inves turned its trajectory mid-air and came at him again. From the corner of his eye, Kaito saw the remaining two Inves rushing at him from different directions simultaneously.

“Enough of this”, Kaito growled.

He needs to strike hard and fast. This is his one chance to finish the fight.

Kaito reached for his belt, activating his finisher. “Come on! Banana squash!”

Kaito roared and drove his lance into the air-borne Inves, as a energy spear materializes by the tip of his lance, granting the Rider both enormous reach and power, piercing a hole through its gut. The Inves exploded. One down.

No time to pause. He immediately diverted his attention to the remaining Inves, who were coming hard and fast for him.

One foot forward, Kaito angled his body forward like an expert fencer, his muscles tense with controlled power. The Inves approaches, ten meters, eight, five, three - he lunged. Strike! Energy spear penetrating through the Inves’ thick shell and out from its back. Another explosion. Two down.

Without pausing , Kaito quickly reverse-turned his lance downwards and back, stabbing through the final Inves, whose sharp claws was inches away from tearing into Kaito’s unguarded back. Stunned at the sudden turn of events and knowing it’s doomed fate, the Inves shrieked and tried a last attempt for bring Kaito down.. But not before Kaito twisted and withdrew his lance from the Inves and gave the Inves a back kick, pushing the Inves back just before the inevitable explosion - Boom!

 

He sighed, exhaling deeply. The battle was over, time to bring the girl ho-

The girl screamed.

Almost instinctively Kaito leaped to his right, barely avoiding the powerful large claws aimed at his head. Kaito spun. An evolved Berserker Inves had joined the fray. Growling deeply, the green humanoid-tiger Inves splayed its clawed arms open in a threatening display of power, ready to pounce and attack.

Kaito barely had time to register his new foe before the tiger Inves came attacking again.  

They clashed. Claw meets lance. It’s fast. Powerful muscles granting the monster surprising sharp bursts in speed, sharp claws reaching for Kaito’s head. It’s intent is clear: Kill!

Kaito could barely fend off this new foe and was quickly forced back into a defensive position. Its rapid strikes did not allow Kaito any room for counter attacks. Despite its bulk from the heavy shell encasing its upper torso, its movements are just too swift for Kaito to keep up.

This will not do, he said to himself. Being on the defensive will get him nowhere. Offence is the best defence. The only way to bring it down is by overwhelming it with attacks and not allowing it any chance to attack.

But first, he needed to find an opportunity to attack. Trusting his armor to minimize most of the damage, Kaito lowered his defences. Seizing this opportunity, the tiger-Inves intensifies its attack, throwing rapid blow after rapid blow, each hitting its mark. Kaito grunted in pain. He was pushed back from the impact, and struggles to stay on his feet while holding his ground.

Kaito clenched his upper body, tucking his arms tight beside him, trying to minimize battle damage and hold firm his position, waiting for the opportunity to strike back.

After a relentless bashing, the Inves paused momentarily to regain its breath. There!

Kaito leaps at this opportunity and slams the butt of his lance into its side, followed by a sharp swing of his lance to its head, stunning it. Keeping his momentum, he delivered a knee strike to the monster’s gut. The Inves bends its body forward from the shock, its anger rising… Wham!!  A sharp elbow strike from Kaito to its neck knocked it off balance  and down to the ground.

Kaito quickly leaps back and put some distance between them. Both enemies were now struggling for breaths, the previous exchange had took its toll on them both.

I need to change tactics, Kaito thought. His foe is too fast and too dangerous in close quarters, and Kaito has already taken on too much damage. “I have the advantage in mid-range...” No time to think, here it comes again.

Kaito reflexively reached for the Mango lockseed by his waist. No, he told himself. Now is not the time. “I can win this.” He clenched his fists “I will show them my strength, I am Baron!” Lance in hand, he charged.

Kaito roared, charging with his lance aimed forward like a medieval knight in a joust. On the other side, the tiger Inves rushed, deadly claws ready to swipe and tear down his opponent. The Inves had the advantage in speed, and was almost certain to land the first blow. But Kaito had the upper hand when it comes to ranged attacks.

He scored a hit, barely. His attack had only grazed its side, his attack was not strong enough to penetrate the Inves tough armor. However his attack had stunned the Inves for a moment, and a moment was all he needed.

Kaito spun his lance, slamming the sharp end unto the Inves’ head. It tried to counter attack, raising its left claw for a deadly slash, but Kaito managed to parry the blow. He grabbed unto the Inves’ arm, stopping its momentum before it could deliver the attack. The Inves then tried to attack with its free right claw, but Kaito managed to deflect that strike as well. Both opponents were locked in arms, and were struggling to gain the upper hand. It is now a battle of strength and will; Kaito was superior when it comes to brute strength but he was worn down from his previous battle, and probably could not hold unto the fight for much longer… With both arms occupied, he did the only thing he could, he headbutted the Inves. He slammed his horned head into the Inves’ face with such force, the impact of the attack staggering them both.

The Inves was caught off-guard by the attack and left dazed. Kaito was first to get back on his feet, he took the opportunity and shot off a perfect round house kick to the Inves’ head. After taking in so much damage, the Inves is struggling to stay on its feet. Kaito realized he needs to keep the Inves occupied, lest it regains its momentum and turn the tide on him.

He picked his lance from the ground, drove it forward, straight through its abdomen. And he charged. Putting all his remaining strength behind his legs, he pushed, overwhelming the Inves using brute strength alone, driving the Inves backward and pinning the monster to a tree.

Effectively nailing the Inves to a tree, Kaito then pummeled the Inves, raining punches on his opponent, wearing it down until it was too weak to resist. Then, for the second time in a day, Kaito activated his finisher. “Banana au lait!”

An energy spear materialize inside the Inves, expanding the hole already present in its gut, effectively increasing the damage by a hundredfold. The Inves snarled and struggled to escape, but to no avail. Kaito continues to expand his energy spear, until he blew a hole through the Inves and tree. Kaito grimmed and withdrew his lance from his fallen foe, the resulting explosion rang through the forest, saluting his hard won victory. .

He won. It was a hard fight, but he won. However Kaito was still left unsatisfied. I still have ways to go if I want to get stronger. He sighed. But now his priority is to get the girl home, before more trouble comes their way.

He found the terrified child hiding behind a nearby tree. He picked up the still trembling girl in his arms, resting her against his strong arms.

“C’mon kid, let’s get you home”