//------------------------------//
// Chapter 61: Hearts 
// Story: Shy and Aggressive 
// by Johng117 
//------------------------------//

It was the afternoon Junior was looking at the screen of his phone. He had received a text recently from Sunset, requesting that he drop by the Friendship Club to pick up some homework for Mosura. Apparently she was going to be busy with something personal that she couldn't do it herself. So, Junior began to make his way down to the club room. He hadn't been anywhere near that room since he was given the boot. Just by walking down the hall leading there, he felt uneasiness in his stomach. The memory of distrust on the faces of those he was beginning to consider friends was seared into his mind. Not wanting to reopen old wounds, Junior continued onto his destination. He stopped as he found the door to the club room. With a deep breath, Junior opened the door. Inside, he found Sunset, along with Twilight, Fluttershy and Erika. Their attention was on him.


"Gojira," said Twilight in surprise.


"Glad to see you on time," said Sunset with a playful smile. Junior rolled his eyes with a snort.


"Very funny. You have it?" asked Junior.


"Yeah, it’s right here," said Sunset as she brought a few books over to the Transmutant, who placed them in his bag.


"Sorry about the trouble. She sounded pretty bad, but I have to be at home early," said Sunset.


"It's no problem. I've been meaning to check on her after school. What with her brother and all," said Junior. He looked around.


"Where are the others?" asked Junior.


"Angirasu hasn't been coming in lately. Rodan didn't show up to school today," answered Twilight. Junior hummed to himself.


"Alright. Well I'm gonna head out," said Junior as he walked out the door. Twilight was about to call out to him but fell silent.


Junior found himself leaving with a heavy sigh. It wasn't easy being in that room. While it was true that he was welcome to rejoin at any time, the Transmutant found himself reluctant to. His old wounds still hurt and he wasn't ready to forgive them.





Adagio Dazzle was blowing kisses to the fans that she had bewitched with her voice. Literally, bewitched. It was another day of praise, admiration, love, and attention. She felt like a Queen among her loyal subjects, who were at her very feet. She was the center of their universe, just as she wanted. This way, she'd never have to worry about becoming a distant memory in their minds. Instead of fizzling out, she'd glow brighter as an everlasting star. All was according to plan.


Adagio waved to her 'subjects' as they dejectedly watched her leave them behind. She made her way over to her locker, where she opened the door. She began to switch out books from her bag. The girl than bent over as she began to reach for a book that had fell.


"Do you serve fries with that shake?" asked a male voice. Adagio's eyes slightly widened. She immediately shot upright and turned. She found a boy that looked to be wearing rugged clothes, and a gold colored bandanna on his head. Adagio gave a forced laugh with a bit of an embarrassed look.


"Caught me by surprise. Usually I get the drop on people," said Adagio. Normally, she was the one making faces flush with flirting, but she was caught off guard. She wasn't even intentionally showing off her rear. Adagio began to recognize the student from her peers. Apparently this was someone that had a run in with Junior at a point. She didn't know the story, but she did remember the name. Spinner, she believed was his name.


"I bet. I imagine that you cause hearts to jump," said Spinner. Adagio smiled as she batted her eye lashes.


"Me? Well, I can't help my charm," said Adagio in a mock pout. Spinner chuckled as he looked the girl from the leg up to her chest. Though his eyes only locked on her breasts for half a second, Adagio felt a tinge of discomfort as she noticed the expression on his face. It wasn't like the expressions of most boys that looked at her, who looked as though their intelligence had been sapped. No, this was something else.


"Who could resist you? Those thick hips, those tits, and that luscious ass," said Spinner as he licked his lips. Adagio felt a chill in her spine as her lips tightened. Spinner was suddenly close in her personal space. 


"Uh... Thanks," said Adagio. The girl gasped as she found herself backed against her locker as Spinner had a hand placed on the locker by her, propping himself up as he looked at Adagio with lust in his eyes. Adagio began to feel nervous. This wasn't like any flirting she's done before. This was getting creepy.


"I know what you do is an act. You're actually just a thirsty little bitch," said Spinner as he ran a hand over her shoulder. While bearing a predatory smile, Spinner's hand wander over to Adagio's breast.


"Get off!" said Adagio with a glare as she forced Spinner away. She quickly grabbed her bag and rushed off, briefly looking back with an unnerved expression. She found Sonata and Aria to be coming by around a corner. Adagio quickly joined their side.


"Hey, ready to go?" asked Aria. She noticed the expression on her sister's face as she took the lead.


"Yeah, come on," said Adagio, almost urgently. Aria bore an odd and somewhat worried look.


"You OK?" asked Aria.


"Yeah, hurry up!" said Adagio. Spinner turned and watched her leave with a hardened expression.


"Fuckin' tease," spat Spinner as his eyes briefly flashed green.





Later, Junior found himself making his way to Mosura's apartment door. He began to knock. After several seconds, he knocked again. Still, no response.


"Mosu! It's Gojira!" called Junior. No answer was given. Junior sighed.


"Must be bad," said Junior as he began to knock harder. He then twisted the doorknob, only to find it fully twisted. His eyes were wide as he gently pushed the door opened and found an empty entrance. Junior began to grow concerned.


"She must've just left the door unlocked for Sunset," said Junior as he began to step inside. He closed the door and looked around. He found himself entering the living room, to be neat as can be. No one seemed to be around.


"Mosura?" called Junior as he walked around. He noticed white hairs to be caught to the couch, as though a pet had shed its fur. This was strange, considering that Junior wasn't aware of the Yasu siblings owning any pets. Junior continued his search in the hall, finding different doors. At least one of them had to be a bedroom. Junior made his way over to the nearest door, opening it and found a neat room. There was a laptop resting at a desk. Since Mosura wasn't here, he concluded that it was Battra's room. The Transmutant closed the door and made his way to the next door. He opened it, shocked to find a mess. Junior entered and found clothes scattered all over the floor and furniture. The mattress was hanging off of the bed. 


"The hell?" exclaimed Junior. As he searched, there was no sign of the girl. He then noticed a pair of pajamas looking to be shredded on the ground. He was about to reach for them, but he heard an odd clicking sound. Junior froze as he realized that the sound came from behind. Junior slowly turned and found a large, white furred multi-limbed creature on the wall. Junior gasped in shock as the creature looked at him with large blue insect eyes. It opened its sideways mouth and screeched. Junior cried out as the beast lunged for him off of the wall. He found himself pinned to the bed as the creature's antennae erected like animal ears. Junior grunted as he held the creature back as its long multi limbs held him. Junior kicked the creature off, causing it to fall to ground. Junior stood up panting as he got a better look at the beast. It appeared to be transitioning from a humanoid form to a more insectoid one. Junior's eyes widened as he saw remnants of torn pajamas to be caught to its limbs.


"Mosura! Mosu, it's me!" said Junior. The Transmutant screeched as it grew in size, beginning to knock dressers over. The moth creature stumbled as it hissed at Junior.


"You gotta change back! Come on!" said Junior urgently. He yelped as the moth rammed into him and pinned him under it. He noticed the abdomen bore a stinger, much to his horror as it hovered over him. Junior noticed the antennae on her head and reached for one. He began to gently rub his finger and thumb against it, causing the moth to stiffen. She then relaxed as a soft chirp came from her. 


"Thank God, that stopped you," said junior as he reached for the side of Mosura's head and stroked the fuzzy surface. The moth purred as she lied herself on top of Junior, who grunted from the weight on him.


"Good girl," strained Junior as the moth lied next to him, allowing Junior to continue stroking her head and antennae. Junior softly chuckled.


"Aw. Who's a good girl? Whooza booza," said Junior as the moth curled her legs in. She then grew still as her body began to morph and change. Her extra legs shrunk and her body restructured back into a humanoid form. Her fuzz shrunk and exoskeleton softened into mammalian flesh as her insides restructured an internal skeleton and organs returned to their original place. Junior slightly backed off as Mosura returned to her human form, lying naked on the ground. She was breathing softly as her eyes were closed shut. Junior quickly grabbed a blanket off her bed and draped it over her.


"Thank God," said Junior in relief. It was a good thing he came when he did. Who knows what Mosura would've done if left alone. And it was fortunate that he managed to calm her down. Junior stood up and began to back away but heard a crack as he stepped on something. His shoe and lower pant leg was covered in a slimy substance. Junior looked down and found a football sized object broken on the floor. He gagged in disgust as he backed away and gasped in shock as he found several speckled and cool colored eggs to be lying in a pile of clothes.


"Oh shit," said Junior as he looked at Mosura in alarm and down at an egg he stepped on. He gulped nervously as he knelt down and picked up the destroyed egg. He was expecting to find a smashed larva or maybe even a human fetus inside, both he would prefer not to step on. However, Junior found an empty shell filled with a slimy substance. Like greenish yolk. Relieved that he didn’t just indirectly kill a baby, Junior looked to the other eggs. He stood a lamp up and turned it on, removing the cover. One by one, Junior began to hold the eggs up to the light. With each egg, there were no signs of any embryos developing inside. But then again, these were insect eggs. Junior decided to assume these eggs weren't fertilized if the one he stepped on was empty of life.


"Aaah!!" Junior flinched as he heard a frightened scream from behind. He turned and found Mosura to be awake with a terrified look as she held her blanket over herself.


"What the hell happened?! Why am I naked?! What are you doing here?!" Cried Mosura as she stumbled up to her feet with her blanket wrapped over her body. Junior stood up calmly. He figured if he were to react in panic, it'd make the situation worse and may give Mosura the wrong idea. 


"Easy, Mosu. Let me explain," said Junior. Mosura gasped she pointed at the ground where the eggs lied.


"Wh-What are those?" stuttered Mosura.


"I'm just gonna make you some tea or something. Just get dressed," said Junior as he left the room. Mosura trembled as she stared at the eggs. She noticed white hairs to be on the ground.


In the kitchen, Junior had just finished brewing tea. He poured the tea into a mug and brought it over to a table as Mosura emerged, dressed in a fresh set of pajamas. Her expression was that of unease as she looked at Junior.


"Have a seat. I'll fill you in," said Junior. Reluctantly, Mosura sat down and took the mug. She took a sip of the hot tea, settling her rattled nerves.


"Sunset asked me to drop by to give you your homework for the day. Said she was busy," said Junior as he drew out his backpack and pulled out Mosura's textbooks and sat them on the table.


"I found your room a mess. You had transformed," said Junior. Mosura stared at her mug.


"Don't you remember? Like, anything?" asked Junior.


"It's starting to come back to me," said Mosura, softly. Her face bore panic.


"Those were eggs. They came from me, didn't they?" asked Mosura.


"I.... I assume so," said Junior, a bit hesitant.


"That's impossible! I'm still a virgin!" cried Mosura. Her face was red with shame as her expression bore a look of desperation. 


"I never- I-I..." Mosura was breathing quickly.


"Mosura, calm down! I believe you! Look, when I accidentally stepped on one, it turned out to be empty. Just some green crap that I assume is some kind of yolk," said Junior in reassurance.


"I held the other ones to the light. They didn't look like they had anything developing in them," said Junior. Mosura slightly began to relax.


"You sure?" asked Mosura in a hopeful tone.


"I'm sure. There might be an explanation for this. If you want, I can take them off your hands," said Junior.


"What are you gonna do with them?" asked Mosura.


"Well I'm certainly not gonna have them for breakfast," said Junior with a chuckle. He noticed the deadpanned look the girl was giving him.


"Sorry. I'm gonna have Amber look them over. Does it really matter though? I mean, they're not fertilized," said Junior.


"Well, it's just that... No, you're right. I'm just... I'm shaken," said Mosura. Junior sighed softly.


"And... I'm feeling horrible," said Mosura in a small tone. Junior raised a brow.


"About what?" asked Junior.


"When I woke up and found myself naked, with no memory of earlier, I panicked. And when I saw you in my room with me... I assumed the worse," said Mosura as she avoided eye contact with the boy.


"Oh..." said Junior as he looked off to the side. Mosura bit her lip in shame.


"I'm sorry. I-I just-"


"Nah. Don't worry about it. You didn't know what was going on. I'd probably think the same thing too if I were in your position," said Junior with a shrug.


"But it's horrible that I would think you'd do something like that. I just assumed. Like I did before," said Mosura, while muttering her last sentence to herself.


"Let's not dwell on it," said Junior as he stood up. "Do you need me to stick around a bit?"


"No. I think I'm fine. Thank you... for stopping me," said Mosura with a sniffle.


"Hey. You and the others did the same for me," said Junior with a soft smile.





Junior found himself kneeling next to Amber as she analyzed the eggs that Junior had taken. Her antennae hovered over them as her mandibles twitched. Thoughtful hums came from her. She then turned to face Junior.


"Yep. They're unfertilized," said Amber. Junior sighed.


"Phew. I figured. But that leaves the question. Why did she lay unfertilized eggs?" asked Junior.


"Well, Mosura's heritage comes from a special kind of species of moths. During a mating cycle, they find a mate to fertilize eggs of around six. But even without a mate, they are going to lay eggs anyway. Sort of like chickens," said Amber. Junior bore an odd and almost hesitant look.


"So... it's kind of a menstrual cycle too?" asked Junior.


"In a manner of speaking, yes," replied Amber. Junior shuddered, recalling stepping on one of the eggs.


"But this is troubling for her case. Transmutants are experiencing a hampered physical maturity with the inhibitor chips. Your friend could experience transformations more frequently during these cycles. And she could grow quite aggressive and have mood swings," said Amber.


"Sounds like every woman at least once a month," said Junior. He yelped as he felt a smack on his back, prompting him to turn and find Manda looking at him in disapproval as she walked passed him.


"Oh come on! I was just kidding!" said Junior in annoyance. "Jesus. Nobody can take a joke anymore."


"This is no laughing matter, Junior! She is more prone to transforming at random!" said Amber.


"OK, but what can I do? It's not like I can stay at her side all the time," said Junior.


"Didn't you mention that she was alone at home?" asked Amber.


"Well, yeah. But- Oh." Junior fell silent.


"Just have her stay at your house for a while. Until she can grow to be disciplined, she's not safe on her own," said Amber.


"Oy. That's heavy," said Junior as he scratched his head.


"OK. I'll check with her to see if she's OK with it. Oh and my mother," said Junior as he stood up. He looked at the eggs.


"Um... what should we do with these?" asked Junior.


"You can eat them if you want," said Amber as she tapped an egg with a front leg.


"Gross! You know how wrong that is?!" asked Junior incredulously.


"It's no different from eating chicken eggs," said Amber.






Meanwhile...


Sunset was walking down the street of town in silence. She brushed her hair out of her face as the wind blew against her. Her eyes looked down to her phone, where a conversation was visible. It was between herself and Flash Sentry. The last text was requesting that she meet him at the cafe. Sunset sighed to herself as she put her phone away. She hadn't spoken to Flash since they broke up. It had been hard on her, since it was so sudden and completely ludicrous. She almost didn't want to meet with her ex. However, Sunset knew she had to face him sooner or later. She couldn't avoid him forever. Otherwise, bitterness would continue to grow in her.


Sunset made her way into the cafe. While inside, she found Flash to be sitting at a booth all the way in the back. He waved to her. Sunset took a breath before she went over to join him. Sunset took a seat across from Flash, avoiding eye contact as she bore a neutral expression.


"Glad you could make it," said Flash with a friendly smile.


"Yeah," said Sunset in a dull tone. Flash looked to the side.


"So uh... how you been? Did you want something to-"


"Why did you ask me to come here?" asked Sunset, wanting to get this meeting over with. Flash sighed.


"Listen... I just wanted to apologize to you in person. I hadn't had the courage to do so until recently," said Flash.


"For what? For dumping me because I trusted a friend?" asked Sunset with venom in her tone. Flash looked down.


"Yeah," said Flash. "Listen, I know I was in the wrong."


"Oh, no foolin'? Because I was beginning to question if I was wrong for looking out for a friend. I thought that maybe my boyfriend would've been more logical about the situation," said Sunset, sarcastically.


"Sunset-"


"I don't want to hear excuses!" said Sunset angrily. She couldn't keep the anger and pain under wraps any longer. Just revisiting the whole thing opened up old wounds.


"I was faithful to you! I loved you! And you just dumped me?! Over Gojira?!" demanded Sunset.


"I know, I was an idiot," said Flash. "But he just kept getting between us!"


Sunset shook her head.


"I thought you learned the first time. It wasn't him. It was you who allowed your animosity towards him to get in the way of our relationship!" said Sunset.


"Why do you do this? What makes him so damn special that you always keep cutting him a break?!" asked Flash. He noticed that their yelling had drawn the attention of others in the cafe. Flash immediately fell silent as he looked away.


"Because he wasn't always like this," said Sunset in a softer tone. Flash raised a brow.


"I never spoke to him that much, but I remember that he was a shy kid. Tough, but kind," said Sunset with a solemn expression. Her mind wandering to her days as a freshmen.


"Did you know he used to write poems?" asked Sunset.


"I... never knew that," said Flash in surprise.


"He wrote one about me," said Sunset. Flash awkwardly nodded.


"Oh," said Flash while Sunset softly laughed.


"The other ones weren't very good. They were even depressing. But the one he wrote about me, it was really sweet," said Sunset.


"But he's completely different from that kid today. It broke my heart seeing that he pushed people away. And knowing what I never knew before, it hurts more," said Sunset as she stared at her hand. She recalled when she made contact with Junior after she started developing her abilities.


"I know what it's like to have no friends. For people to be afraid of you," said Sunset.


"Sunset..." said Flash softly.


"Unlike Gojira, I was a bully growing up. I intimidated other kids and played nasty tricks on them. All I had were peers that sucked up to me. But when someone stood up to me, I had no one," said Sunset. She shook her head.


"I know our situations are different. But I know that he needs others to be there for him," said Sunset. Flash sighed.


"I see. I guess I really didn't learn," said Flash.


"Sunset, there's no excuse for my behavior and what I did. You're right. And really, I'm sorry. Could you ever forgive me?" asked Flash. Sunset was silent for a second, but she nodded.


"Yeah." answered Sunset.


"And... could we start over? As just friends?" Asked Flash, hopeful. Sunset thought of it for a moment. She nodded.


"Friends," said Sunset.





Rarity was sitting on a couch with a sketchbook in hand. She was sketching lines of "fabrics" and how they wrapped and clung to the blank humanoid sketches on the page. She had notes written down by the drawing of what she had in mind for outfits she was designing. She then looked up from her sketchbook and towards Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who were sitting across.


"You want me to design what?" asked Rarity in confusion.


"Super hero costumes. You know, like Spider-Man, Wonder Woman. Er... preferably not a hero that shows off that much leg," said Rainbow in embarrassment. Rarity merely looked to Applejack, who shrugged.


"It's her idea. I thought ski masks would work just as well," said Applejack.


"Sure, if you want to look like a bank robber," deadpanned Rainbow.


"Hold on, you called me and said you wanted me to design something. Why costumes?" asked Rarity in confusion.


"Why not? Who hasn't dreamed about being a super hero and sporting a sick costume? We actually have super powers! Let's make that dream a reality!" said Rainbow.


"Rainbow, I design dresses! Not super hero costumes! Why should I waste my talents on a glorified cosplay?" asked Rarity indignantly.


"Hey don't go dissing cosplayers! I've seen awesome ones!" said Rainbow. Applejack sighed.


"Rarity, listen. The reason we're asking is because we think it'd be a good idea in the long run," said Applejack. "Today, Rodan changed."


"As in... he's acting different? Or the other change?" asked Rarity, growing concerned.


"The bad one," said Rainbow. "Remember that alert this morning?"


"That was him?!" asked Rarity incredulously. AJ and Rainbow nodded in confirmation.


"Is he OK?" asked Rarity.


"MONARCH almost took him. Mr. Takeshi was there to stop them. Seems like he's got more deals with those guys," said Rainbow. Rarity gave a sigh of relief.


"But something could happen like that to the others. And MONARCH ain't perfect. They're too tied up with red tape," said Applejack as she removed her hat.


"Plus there's the Purists and Adagio. Maybe it's time we start taking more of what Amber says, seriously," said Applejack. Rarity looked down in reluctance.


"Darling... that's a lot of responsibility. Even for a group of teenagers like us. What about our personal lives?" asked Rarity. 


"We've thought of that. Hiding our identities can help," said Applejack. Rainbow nodded eagerly.


"Yeah! All the best super heroes use their alter egos to keep their identities hidden to protect themselves and their loved ones!" said Rainbow as she showed Rarity her phone. Rarity found herself scrolling through a gallery of diverse looking super heroes. From tall to short, hyper muscular to thin, male and female, and ideally attractive. They're bodies were perfectly sculpted like Greecian Gods. What drew Rarity's attention the most were the costumes they wore. They were all sorts of colors and bright. Some were inspired by a certain theme of their character.


"My. These are certainly creative costumes," said Rarity with her interest growing.


"Yeah! And you know something? You get to design your own that you wear! Something that matches you and your power! You'll be, Diamond Girl!" said Rainbow with a wave of her hand. Applejack and Rarity gave her a deadpanned look. Rainbow shrugged.


"What? It's the only thing that I could think of that wasn't trademarked!" said Rainbow.


"Names aside, I'm sold!" said Rarity. Rainbow grinned.


"Sweet! I want my costume to have like armor with a lightning bolt on the chest! Oh! I also want a helmet that runs to the back and is-" Rainbow was silenced as Applejack covered her mouth.


"Just make sure them costumes are functional, Rarity. Like no big fancy headdresses or something that restrains a lot of movement. And make sure they hide our identity," said Applejack. Rarity nodded in response.


"Absolutely! I'll show you the sketches when I'm through. I'm actually getting excited!" said Rarity eagerly.






Later that evening...


Junior was helping carry Mosura's bags out of his mother's car. Miwa was conversing with Mosura as they approached the door.


"Just make yourself comfortable! Our home is yours," said Miwa kindly. She sighed to herself.


"I always wanted a daughter," said Miwa. Junior grunted in annoyance as Mosura bore an embarrassed look.


"Please, stop," said Junior.


"Aw don't be jealous. You're still my handsome boy~," cooed Miwa. Junior groaned as he rolled his eyes.


"Is it really OK for me to be here?" asked Mosura in reluctance.


"It's fine. Besides, we'll be looking after you in case another incident happens," said Junior as he sat Mosura's bags down in the living room. He went back outside to grab one last bag and shut the trunk. But he noticed Fluttershy to be standing out in the front.


"Goji?" called Fluttershy.


"Oh. Hey, Shy," greeted Junior. Fluttershy looked to the bag he carried and to the front door, where she saw Mosura inside.


"Oh. Mosura is staying over again?" asked Fluttershy.


"Yeah. Uh..." Junior scratched his head, concerned about bringing up the events from earlier.


"Is everything OK?" asked Fluttershy in worry. Junior was about to answer but thought against it. If MONARCH had yet to snatch Mosura from the shadows, it might have been best to not give too much info outside. He could assume that Koizumi and Inoue were likely hiding out somewhere, listening. 


"Oh yeah. Mom found out that Mosu was living on her own and offered her to stay over for a while," said Junior, telling a half-truth.


"I see," answered Fluttershy. The two were in an awkward silence.


"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow. G'night," said Junior as he turned to walk.


"Goji, wait!" said Fluttershy. Junior looked at her curiously. Fluttershy was unable to respond, for her words were stuck in her throat.


"I... um..." Fluttershy was beat red.


"Yeah?" asked Junior.


"Do you.... wanna go... with me..." Fluttershy muttered under her breath.


"Huh?" asked Junior in confusion.


"Wanna hang out tomorrow, dude?" asked Fluttershy with a forced smile. Though she intended it to be a date but was too embarrassed to say so properly. Then again, Rarity made a big deal about 'a gentleman should be the one to ask a lady on a date'. 


"Tomorrow? Sure," said Junior. Fluttershy perked up. Especially since the boy ignored her awkward way of requesting. 


"I mean, I'm not busy. Plus this weekend you girls have to see Amber. And I gotta see my dad," said Junior.


"After school? My house and a movie?" asked Fluttershy.


"I'll be there," said Junior with a smile. Fluttershy grinned.


"Great! It's a daaaa- uh... a dang good deal!" said Fluttershy with a blush. She began to walk back to her house with a shy smile and suppressed a giggle. She then yelped as she tripped over herself and fell in the grass. Junior bore a look of alarm.


"You OK?" asked Junior worriedly. Fluttershy immediately shot up with an embarrassed look and her hair in her face.


"I'm OK! I'm fine!" said Fluttershy as she stumbled into her home. She closed the door and held her chest as her heart raced.


"I need to prepare!" said Fluttershy as she drew out her phone and began to text.





From within the offices of GeneCo, Discord was fuming to himself as he sat at his desk. He was looking through the surveillance footage. As he scanned through it, he saw no signs of anyone coming in or out. He sighed in frustration. The vials that were put away that contained the Heracles serum were missing. No one was authorized to take or move them. They had to have been stolen. He looked to Genshiro across from him with a glare.


"Did you take them?" asked Discord.


"John, I was always with you in the lab," said Genshiro.


"Don't lie to me, Genshiro!" snapped Discord. "You were trying to find some way to reverse your daughter's current state! You-"


"John! Calm down!" shouted Genshiro. Discord began to settle down as he breathed heavily. Genshiro noticed his old friend trembling in his seat.


"It doesn't make sense. The footage showed nothing. Yet the serum vials are missing along with one of mice test subjects. Someone was here that night. And I can't help but think it was someone working for the government," said Discord.


"Why would the government want to steal the serum when they've hired us to inject it into a number of soldiers?" asked Genshiro incredulously. Discord seemed on edge with his behavior.


"So they can learn how to make it themselves. And maybe force us to stop by claiming it was their development from some government owned scientist. They want it all to themselves!" said Discord. He even looked around with a look of paranoia.


"They could be listening in now as we speak. I've worked too hard for man's destiny just for it all to be crushed by these damn bureaucrats!" said Discord angrily.


"John, you have to relax," said Genshiro as he stood up. "Remember, we still have the source."


"Yes. Yes, that's right. And I've been working on something bigger," chuckled Discord almost maniacally.


"What do you mean?" asked Genshiro.


"I can't say here, but let's just say our dreams of the perfect human may come to pass," said Discord.





It was the next day. Adagio was anxiously looking back and forth from the corner of the hallway. Her eyes darted from right to left as her eyes scanned the students that filled the hallway. She began to make her way over to her locker. As she opened it, she began to reach inside to replace her books. In her anxiousness, she accidentally dropped a book. She cursed under her breath. She briefly looked over her shoulders and began to bend her knees while keeping her back up straight. She grunted as she reached for her book without so much as bending over. This drew the attention of some passing students, who looked at her with odd looks. When Adagio got her book, she quickly shot back up with a sigh as she grabbed her bag.


"The hell was that?" asked a familiar voice. Adagio yelped with a start as she turned. She found Aria looking at her with a raised brow.


"Wha-What was what?" asked Adagio.


"You know what. You alright? You've been acting weird since last night," said Aria.


"I'm fine. I'm good," said Adagio as she looked off to the side.


"You expecting someone?" asked Aria.


"Not really," said Adagio. Aria sighed.


"Listen, Adagio. We need to talk about Sonata," said Aria.


"Uh huh. Let's walk and talk," said Adagio as she closed her locker and walked off. Aria sighed in annoyance.


"OK look. I found out that Sonata had changed classes," said Aria.


"Oh yeah? That's interesting," said Adagio.


"She switched around all of her classes!" said Aria. Adagio looked at her in confusion.


"Why would she do that?" asked Adagio.


"I don't know. She told me that she got switched out for some reason, but that story sounded like bullshit," said Aria as she adjusted her bag's strap.


"And you know something? I was looking through her schedule and began to ask around. Apparently, there are at least 2 students that have every class with her. And guess which one is relevant," said Aria.


"Just tell me," said Adagio in annoyance.


"Angirasu Riku," said Aria. Adagio raised a brow.


"Really?" asked Adagio.


"Adagio, you know that's a red flag," said Aria anxiously. "You know she's been crushing on him from the day she laid eyes on him. And no way in hell would the school let her switch around her classes. Some were a higher level than her original classes!"


"So wait, you're saying-" Adagio was cut off.


"She fucking did it. She used her power to get them to move her in those classes," said Aria. Adagio said nothing. Instead, she almost looked impressed.


"Not bad. She's a natural, for not taking that much training from bug girl," said Adagio. Aria groaned.


"Adagio, this is insane! She's fucking up her curriculum just to chase some guy!" said Aria. She then pointed an accusatory finger at her sister.


"And it's because of you!" said Aria. Adagio recoiled in shock. She placed a hand on her chest with an offended look.


"Wha- Me?!" demanded Adagio. The two stopped as they began to argue. This drew the attention of some students.


"You were the one fucking around! Everybody warned you! Now Sonata's got that stupid idea in her head!" said Aria.


"Hey, I'm not responsible for her! She's a big girl and she is capable of making her own decisions! What I do has nothing to do with what she's doing!" retorted Adagio.


"Don't give me that! You know she always looked up to you! She doesn't think about the shit she does!" said Aria. Adagio groaned in aggravation.


"Just let her! Why are you trying to run everything in her life? You're just like the others!" spat Adagio. Aria hardened her expression. Adagio scoffed. "What am I? Her keeper?"


"You- Are you kidding me?! How old are you?!" demanded Aria as she got in Adagio's space.


"That's our little sister! We have an obligation to look after her!" said Aria with a glare. The nerve of Adagio behaving so carelessly like a child was infuriating, especially with the stakes in play.


"She's just pursuing her man. No need for us to look out for her," retorted Adagio as she walked off. Aria scoffed.


"Adagio!" shouted Aria as Adagio left. She noticed the stares on her. Aria sent them a glare, prompting the other students to go about their business. She then noticed Sonata to be strolling by, cheerfully. Aria rushed to her.


"Sonata, we need to talk," said Aria. Her sister looked at her in surprise.


"'Bout what, Arie?" asked Sonata.


"I know you switched classes to be around Angirasu," said Aria. Sonata bore a neutral look.


"I don't know what you're talking about," said Sonata with a shrug. Aria sighed.


"Don't lie. I have you figured out!" said Aria. Sonata sighed heavily.


"OK! OK! I did switch my classes! I even used my powers to do it!" said Sonata in a whiny tone.


"Sonata, you shouldn't have done that! You're going to ruin yourself academically. And for what? For a guy's attention?" scoffed Aria. Sonata glared at her.


"Excuse me, he's the man of my dreams!" said Sonata indignantly. Aria rolled her eyes in response.


"Whatever. Look, just go and fix this. Do what you did to get your old classes back," said Aria as she began to walk off.


"No." Sonata spoke in defiance. Aria stopped in her tracks and turned.


"What?" questioned Aria.


"I don't wanna," said Sonata. Aria sighed in exasperation.


"It doesn't matter if you want to or not! You have to!" said Aria sternly. Sonata glared at her.


"Says you? No way! Just because I met someone special and you haven't doesn't mean you get to ruin it for me!" said Sonata. Aria hardened her face.


"How about you stop being so angsty and mean and bitter and just be supportive of me!" said Sonata.


"Watch it, Sonata! You're treading on thin ice with those insults," said Aria with a glare.


"Why? Cause it's true?!" yelled Sonata. Aria clenched her fist.


"You're such a witch, just like Mrs. Riku! You try to make everyone else unhappy because you're unhappy! I don't need that!" said Sonata. "Don't get in my way in my pursuit of love!"


Aria wanted to smack this girl stupid. Her urge grew with every word that left Sonata's mouth. But, Aria kept herself restrained.


"Oh yeah? Because it's starting to come off as an obsession rather than a simple crush," said Aria. "I've been trying to get Adagio to stop her crap as well. If you two keep it up, it's gonna blow up in your faces."


"You done nagging?" asked Sonata in a rather bitchy tone. As she left, Aria growled angrily.


"Is it the middle child's job to check her siblings?" asked Aria in annoyance.





Meanwhile, Rodan was walking through the hallway. His sight darted as some students passed. So far, no one seemed to acknowledge his presence. This was comforting, considering what had happened to him the previous day. He recalled how he woken up in his home, where he found the Guardians before him. They'd inform him that he was just moments away from being locked away in the Vault. He had transformed and stirred up a hornet's nest that brought MONARCH down on him. So far, his identity was kept under wraps, or so Gojira Senior had claimed. Rodan's memory was fuzzy on the details on how this was possible, since he was trying to process the shock of being told he kidnapped a woman while building a nest on a house. But if the general public, including his school, weren't aware of this fact, that was good enough for him. Rodan was beginning to understand how Junior felt when he experienced a transformation. He began to feel guilty by making light of it.


Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past. Rodan just had to keep a cool, leveled head. Just as Senior had told him. Stressing about transforming wasn't going to help him in anyway. Rodan proceeded to make his way through the hall for class. He ignored the stressful thoughts that plagued his mind, while focusing on some less stressful thoughts. Like how in the hell he was going to explain his absence to his teachers? Rodan already had to lie to his family that he came back home because he wasn't feeling well, which wasn't really a stretch. But he had to hide the fact that he was changing. Plus the boy would need to make up for the work that he missed. 


Interrupted from his dismayed thoughts once he spotted Eliza. With his mood lifting for seeing the girl, Rodan began to pick up his pace as he attempted to meet with the girl. Rodan called out to her. He received no response. Rodan figured that she didn't hear him. He called out to her again and Eliza looked his way with a startled look, but she quickly looked away. Confused, Rodan began to make his way over to where the girl was standing, while other students passed by.


"Hey, 'Liza!" greeted Rodan. Eliza gave him a forced smile as she held her note book and binder against her chest. She appeared to be avoiding eye contact with him.


"Hello. I-I haven't seen you at school, yesterday," said Eliza.


"Y-Yeah. I wasn't feeling good, so I stayed home. Ya missed me?" asked Rodan teasingly. Eliza looked away as she cleared her throat.


"Rodan. I..." Eliza gulped silently as she stared at the ground, unable to meet Rodan's eyes.


"What's up?" asked Rodan. He found himself mistaking her behavior as shyness. But he noticed that she seemed hesitant.


"Nothing. Never mind," said Eliza with a sigh. She began to walk off.


"I have to get to class," said Eliza as she left Rodan behind. The boy bore a confused but also concerned look as he watched Eliza leave.


"Uh. OK. See you at lunch?" asked Rodan, though Eliza didn't respond. Rodan felt his stomach sink, though he dismissed it as possibly Eliza not hearing him. The Transmutant adjusted his bag and began to make his way to his classroom as the first bell rung.


MONARCH Training Base - West Fillydelphia


Battra was sitting on a chair in a room. His head was bowed as a man stood behind him, holding hair clippers. He began to run the clippers over the back of Battra's head, with the buzzing filling the Transmutant's ears. His black hair was shaved from his head, littering the floor. During this, Battra found himself lost in his own thoughts. He was far from his home, and may be for a long while. He'd be fighting in a war that he had no intention of going into. It wasn't that he disagreed about the threat that the Revolutionaries posed, nor about the legitimacy of MONARCH as a military branch of Equestria. Rather, it was because he had no will nor the bravery to actively participate in risking his life to fight. This may seem moronic if not hypocritical, considering how Battra was a vigilante fighting another radical racial supremacy terrorist group not too long ago. He at least had a chance to choose his battles. When they began to get more risky, Battra abandoned that lifestyle. But now, his life was in the hands of generals and the Director. He was going to be expected follow any order, regardless of the outcome. He had no say. Not to mention that technically, Battra was a prisoner being bargained with to serve to walk away free. This formed a pit in Battra's stomach. As the barber held his head, Battra thought back to his little sister. He wondered how she was doing. He hoped that she was safe and that she would forgive him for being gone. But most of all, he prayed that he would see her again.


"All done, kid. Rinse off and head on to the field. Drill Sergeant is waiting for you rookies," said the barber as he cleaned his clippers. Battra gazed at himself in the mirror, seeing his newly shaved head with a sigh.


Later, Battra found himself standing in a green field among several other young men, dressed in grey shirts and grey camo jeans. The men immediately stiffened up as a voice shouted above. Battra saw a man that appeared to be in his forties to be walking to greet the recruits.


"Listen up, ladies! I am Drill Sergeant Caliber! When I address you, I expect your full attention! I want eye contact! I want those dick sucking lips sealed!" shouted the Drill Sergeant. A recruit snorted next to Battra. This drew Caliber's attention. He approached the recruit with a stern look.


"Is there something you find amusing, recruit?" questioned Caliber. The recruit began to stutter.


"I-I uh..."


"You remain silent when I am speaking, soldier! Drop and give me 30! NOW!" Caliber shouted as he forced the recruit down onto the ground. Battra kept his eyes forward, not wanting to invoke the man's wrath. But, his stomach tightened as Caliber stood up and faced the young man.


"Do you find anything amusing, recruit?" questioned Caliber.


"No sir," answered Battra.


"Speak up, recruit! On the ground! Give me 60!" shouted Caliber as he forced Battra onto the ground. Battra mentally groaned as he began to perform pushups.


'I gotta do double? Come on!' thought Battra as he grunted with each push up.


"You better get used to doing more work, mutant! I'm going to break you!" said Caliber. A couple of recruits whispered to each other as they focused on Battra.


"That goes for the rest of you sons of bitches! I will break your sheltered lives! When I'm through with you, you will go from pups to wolves! You will be fierce, killing machines! The Revolutionaries will piss and shit themselves when they see you!" shouted Caliber, snapping the men back to attention.


"As God as my witness, you will be among the best that MONARCH has to offer for Equestria!" shouted Caliber. Battra grunted as he continued his pushups.


Rodan was sitting at the familiar table in the lunch room, where Transmutants tended to sit. He sat with a bit of anxiousness as he looked at his phone. Meanwhile, Junior was sitting beside Fluttershy. He was leaning over her shoulder as they looked at her phone. 


"I was thinking of this one," said Fluttershy as she pointed at the screen on her phone


"The Magic Hammer?" asked Junior as he read the title.


"Yeah! I heard it was good!" said Fluttershy.


"Might be interesting. The fantasy setting has my attention" said Junior as he read the description of the film.


"So do you want to head home first or go to the theater immediately?" asked Fluttershy.


"I wanna head home and change. I doubt you'd want to sit next to me in the theater, smelling like B.O." chuckled Junior. Fluttershy smiled in response.


"Good idea. Anyway, I'll see you later tonight!" said Fluttershy as she left the lunch room. Rodan looked at Junior, curiously.


"What was that about?" asked Rodan.


"Shy invited me to go see a movie with her," answered Junior. Rodan smirked in response.


"No kidding?" said Rodan as Mosura took a seat at the table.


"What's going on, guys?" asked Mosura.


"Goji here has a date," said Rodan. Junior shot him an annoyed look, while Mosura bore a shocked look. Her body was stiff as her brain attempted to process what she was told. Her chest felt heavy as Mosura tried to keep herself from looking upset.


"It's not a date. I'm seeing a movie with her, that's all," said Junior.


"With who?" asked Mosura in a calm tone.


"Fluttershy," said Junior as he ate. Mosura clenched her teeth as she kept her lips sealed. Of course it was Fluttershy. Junior knew a handful number of girls, and only a few he was on speaking terms with, herself included. Plus the two were neighbors. One or the other was bound to ask the other out. This frustrated Mosura for having never thought of asking Junior to hang out herself first. 


"Ah who are you fooling? How often does a girl invite a dude to hangout where it's just the two of them?" asked Rodan. Junior sighed heavily.


"Here we go," muttered Junior to himself.


"Normally, the guy is the one that's supposed to make the first move. But I think you can be forgiven since you're shy yourself. But you gotta take advantage of your opportunity," said Rodan. Mosura's brow twitched in annoyance as Junior continued to eat.


"Now if you want to seal the deal, you gotta make a move! Buy her ticket, maybe some sweets, and hold her when she gets scared during the movie," said Rodan.


"We're seeing a fantasy movie, not a horror movie," deadpanned Junior.


"Eh. Regardless, you gotta make physical contact with your hands, via popcorn bucket," said Rodan. Mosura grunted under her breath as her brow twitched again.


"Your dating tips are tropes?" snorted Junior. Rodan nudged his shoulder.


"Hey! This is a classic action that sparks intimacy between partners! When you touch hands, your hearts are gonna race. In the dark theater, you'll hold her hand and lean with her. And you-"


"Stop it!" Mosura spoke, abruptly. Junior and Rodan both looked at her with quizzical looks as Mosura bore narrowed eyes. She then immediately wiped off her expression and blushed as she found herself in the spotlight.


"Y-You know better than to tease Gojira. Give the guy a break," said Mosura as she looked to the side.


"Uh... sorry?" responded Rodan. Though judging by Mosura's behavior, it was obvious that she was the one more upset compared to Junior. Rodan noticed Eliza to be walking out of the lunch room. He quickly got up from the table.


"Hey, I'll catch you guys later!" said Rodan as he rushed to the door. As he left, Junior and Mosura were left behind in an awkward silence. Junior cleared his throat.


"You good?" asked Junior.


"Mmhm! Oh yeah! I'm good! That's a strange thing to ask. Are you good? That must have been pretty annoying! Hey, you sure you two want to see a movie tonight? I mean it is a school night." said Mosura with a forced cheerful tone. Junior just stared at her for a couple of seconds.


"Right... I think it'll be fine, we're catching an early showing," replied Junior as he slowly ate. Mosura was mentally screaming in aggravation as she ate. Her face was flushing red hot from making herself look like a jealous fool which she was, but she couldn't let Junior know.


'Then again, he might be too dense to know I'm jealous,' thought Mosura in annoyance as she stared at Junior as he ate. Junior noticed her annoyed stare.


"Did I... piss you off or something?" asked Junior in confusion. Mosura sighed as she looked away.


Meanwhile, Rodan passed several students as he left the cafeteria. He found Eliza to be heading down the hall, rounding about to a corner. He soon found himself out in the quad, where Eliza was. He quickly pushed through the doors.


"Eliza!" called Rodan. Eliza stopped walking but didn't face him.


"Almost missed ya. You're a fast walker," said Rodan with a chuckle as he approached the girl. As he stood behind her, Eliza refused to face him.


"Uh... 'Liza? Something wrong?" asked Rodan. Eliza was silent.


"It's just that... you've been acting different today. Not your usual self. Did something happen?" asked Rodan. Eliza gave a soft exhale.


"Rodan... something's come up," said Eliza, still facing away from the boy. 


"What do you mean?" asked Rodan. Eliza didn't answer.


"Eliza, I need clarification so I can understand what's wrong," said Rodan as he placed a hand on Eliza's shoulder. The girl pulled away and faced him. Rodan retracted his arm as he saw the girl on the verge of tears.


"Just stay away from me!" said Eliza. Rodan felt his heart crushed in his very chest as he heard these words.


"B-But I thought... I thought you and I had something," said Rodan as his voice grew weak. "Did I do something wrong? Look, I can fix whatever's wrong! I can change!"


"Oh Rodan. I couldn't ask you to change, when there's nothing wrong with you. It's me that's the problem. I'm not who you think I am. You deserve much better than me," said Eliza with a sniffle. Before Rodan could respond, Eliza pulled him close and locked her lips with Rodan's. The kiss lasted for a few short seconds before Eliza released him and leaned into his ear.


"I'm sorry," whispered Eliza. She then took off running, leaving Rodan alone in the quad.


"Eliza," called Rodan weakly as the girl entered the school hall. His heart shattered as the one girl that he ever had the strongest feelings for left him behind. It was like a curse that Rodan had. Every girl that he had any interest in always left him on the spot. He thought Eliza was an answered prayer. Now, she didn't want to see him again. Rodan lowered his head in somber as he returned inside.



Later that day...



"She did that?" asked Junior incredulously. Junior was standing by his locker as Rodan stood by him.


"Yep. Straight to my face," said Rodan in a monotone voice.


"What did you do?" asked Junior.


"She insisted I did nothing wrong! Something about her not being who I thought she was," said Rodan. He shook his head.


"I'm sick of this man. I can never impress girls. I'm shot down faster than a duck during open season! Then the one girl that I finally manage to get to hang out with me, decides to not want to see me anymore!" said Rodan in frustration.


"Meanwhile, you and Aang have girls interested in you but you do nothing!" said Rodan.


"Rodan, you know me. No girl would ever touch me, even with a stick," said Junior. Rodan scoffed.


"Don't give me that! That was because you never interacted with anyone to get girls to notice you! You were always a dick!" said Rodan. Junior glared at him as he closed his locker.


"Don't go there with me," said Junior in a warning tone.


"You got lucky! If you never met Fluttershy the way you did, you'd still be sitting with me at the lunch table without any girls wanting anything to do with you!" said Rodan.


"Back off, Rodan! I sympathize with you about Eliza. But that shit doesn't give you an excuse to take it out on me," said Junior with a glare. Rodan shook his head as he felt the skin on his arm growing leathery.


"I didn't mean it, man. I'm just pissed. I thought she was gonna be the one," said Rodan. Junior sighed as he patted him on the shoulder.


"We've all been through that. Look, maybe she has stuff in her life that she wants to get in order. Maybe it really doesnt have anything to do with you," said Junior.


"I'd take her as she is. I don't care about the negatives," said Rodan.


"You can't force her to be with you if she's got a lot on her plate and wants to be alone. It could be bad for the both of you," said Junior. He looked at his phone and cursed under his breath.


"I gotta go. But listen-" Junior paused as he saw Rodan walking off. Junior sighed heavily.






Later...



Junior was running his hand across his dark hair. It stood from being recently washed during Junior's shower. He wore his sweater but with a fresh pair of jeans. As Junior stared at himself in the mirror, he began to feel a bit anxious.


"Why am I anxious?" asked Junior as he ruffled his hair. "We're just seeing a movie."

Junior left the bathroom. He was looking through his pockets, checking for his house key, his wallet and cell phone. All items were accounted for. As he entered the living room, Miwa and Mosura were at the kitchen table eating.


"You sure you don't want to eat before you go?" asked Miwa.


"Nah. We'll be late if I do. See you two, later." Junior walked out the door. Miwa was smiling with glee to herself.


'My little boy is really growing up!' thought Miwa. She then noticed the look of dejection on Mosura's face.


"Something wrong, dear?" asked Miwa. Mosura slowly ate as she lazily glanced at the woman.


"There's a lot wrong," said Mosura. Miwa rubbed the girl's shoulder in comfort.


"I get it. You're worried about your brother. Your transformation. And Junior can't catch a hint in regard to your feelings," said Miwa. Mosura lazily nodded.


"Yeah. Wait... No!" Mosura sprung up in alarm. Her race hot with a flush.


"I saw you snuggled up with him in bed the last time you were here," said Miwa as she took a sip of her water. Mosura's face turned beat red. She couldn't maintain eye contact with her host as she fumbled over her words.


"I-I- Oh, Mrs. Takeshi, I am so sorry! That was inappropriate of me!" said Mosura frantically.


"Relax, I'm not angry. I actually think it's funny. I can imagine Junior's embarrassment keeping him up," said Miwa with a chuckle. Mosura began to slightly relax but was still embarrassed.


"You trusted him that much to lay in his bed?" asked Miwa, incredulously. Mosura scratched her head.

"Well... I kind of knew he wouldn't do anything. I've always had a gift to perceive other people. I can 'sense' what they feel and their intentions. Goji's was to 'keep calm and sleep on'." Mosura gave a forced chuckle. Miwa bore a look of intrigue.


"Like a psychic?" asked Miwa eagerly.


"Yeah, exactly," said Mosura with a nod.


"Amazing! Can you tell what I'm thinking? Can you levitate stuff with your mind?" asked Miwa excitedly, much to Mosura's surprise.


"Uh... a bit," said Mosura awkwardly.


"A bit?" asked Miwa. Mosura sighed.


"Psychic abilities seem to be unique in my family. I've never met any other Transmutant who had it," said Mosura. She sighed.


"Not to mention that I rarely use it. It was hard enough to learn to suppress it to not hear everyone's thoughts. But I'm not used to using it. My brother is much better at it," said Mosura.


"Why don't you use it?" asked Miwa.


"I can't. It would've gave away the fact that I wasn't an ordinary human. I definitively can't now. I'm already a freak to the school. How would they react knowing that I can move objects with my mind and read their thoughts?" asked Mosura with a sad sigh. Miwa bore a soft expression.


"How does he do it? How does Gojira move forward when people like that push against him?" asked Mosura. Miwa sighed.


"He doesn't," said Miwa. Mosura looked at her incredulously.


"Let me enlighten you," said Miwa.


Meanwhile, Junior was standing at Fluttershy's door. The sun was setting and the sky was a vibrant orange tone. The Transmutant took a breath as he rung the doorbell. The door opened, revealing Posey, who greeted the boy with a smile.


"Gojira! Here for Fluttershy?" asked Posey with her usual soft tone, much like her daughter's.


"Yes, ma'am. Is she ready?" asked Junior, though feeling embarrassed. This was almost like one of those cliche' scenes in a teen romance movie. 


'This isnt a date, dumbass! Stop over thinking it!' thought Junior.


"She should be. Fluttershy, dear! Gojira is here!" called Posey. Junior heard footseps to be rapidly approaching from within the house. Fluttershy appeared as she was brushing strands of hair out of her face. 


Junior's face bore a light blush as he took in Fluttershy's appearance. Her hair was braided, resting over her shoulder and chest. She wore a white button up blouse with long sleeves. A pink skirt hugged her waistline and reached to her knees. She wore white knee high socks with ankle boots. Aside from being caught off guard by Fluttershy's beauty amplified through her outfit, Junior felt himself underdressed.


'It's not a date. It's not a date. It's not a date,' thought Junior with a gulp. Fluttershy greeted Junior with a smile.


"Ready to leave?" asked Fluttershy. Junior cleared his throat.


"Y-Yeah, let's go," stuttered Junior as the girl stepped outside.


"Have fun you two. And Gojira, be sure to bring Fluttershy home before 9. Otherwise I may have to hunt you down," said Posey with a wink. Junior felt a chill in his spine, despite Posey's sweet mannerisms.


"I'll do that..." said Junior. Fluttershy gave a forced laugh.


"Oh, mother!" said Fluttershy as she towed Junior along by his arm. As they were leaving their street, Junior and Fluttershy were walking alongside each other.


"You know my mother was kidding, r-right?" asked Fluttershy.


"I didn't say anything about her," said Junior as he cleared his throat. He glanced at the girl, taking in her appearance. A blush was burning his cheeks.


"You look good," said Junior as he looked off to the side. Fluttershy bore a pleased smile as her cheeks reddened. She noticed the scarf that she had made for Junior to be worn around his neck. This made Fluttershy feel joyful inside.


"I'm actually embarrassed. I dressed too casual," chuckled Junior.


"Don't worry about it. Let's hurry, or we'll be late!" said Fluttershy as she took Junior's hand and picked up her pace. Her heart was pounding as she held his hand. Soon, the two found themselves at the theater. As they waited in line, Junior was slipping a large winter mitten onto his reptilian hand. Fluttershy noticed this.


"Goji, I’m not embarrassed by your hand," said Fluttershy, giving Junior a soft look. Junior glanced at her and slipped the mitten on all the way.


"I know. I just rather not receive any stares," said Junior.


"Alright," said Fluttershy in understanding.





Aria was quickly walking through a neighborhood. The sun was setting further, resulting in a few stars to be visible in the sky. She looked at the GPS on her phone, finding that she had arrived at the location she desired. She took a breath before heading over to the house that was before her. She knocked on the door and awaited a response. Seconds later, the door opened and revealed Aiko Riku. Aiko bore an annoyed look as she recognized the girl and began to close the door.

"Wait!" Aria quickly stuck her foot in the door's path but winced in pain as it was squeezed in between the door frame and the door itself.


"I just wanna talk!" said Aria. Aiko sighed in exasperation as she opened the door. She furrowed her brows as she crossed her arms.


"What do you want?" asked Aiko in a cold tone.


"Listen, I know you aren't fans of us. And I know you and your son have some issues at the moment," said Aria. But as she said this, Aiko narrowed her eyes.


"But... I'm not here to lecture you about your family. Sonata's done something dumb because she likes Angirasu. Considering your job, I assume you know what she did," said Aria.


"Just get to the point," said Aiko, impatiently. 


"Alright, alright. I think it's in both of our interests to scratch each other's back. You help me keep Sonata in check, I'll help you with whatever concerning Aang. Hell, I'll even convince Sonata to back off if you want," said Aria. Aiko scoffed in response.


"Why the hell would I trust a family of lying, shifty, exhibitionist girls?" questioned Aiko. Aria was about to respond but went silent.


"Wait, you mean Adagio's an exhibitionist, right?" asked Aria, though more tongue in cheek.


"Let me get something straight," said Aiko with a glare, causing Aria to recoil.


"I don't care who you are. I don't trust any of you girls. And frankly, I disapprove of you," said Aiko.


"What did I do? I get Adagio and Sonata, but why me?" asked Aria incredulously.


"You're related to them and have bizarre power! Not to mention you're all celebrities. You don't actually care for him!" said Aiko. Aria scoffed.


"How would you know? You really come off as a paranoid lunatic!" argued Aria.


"Get away from this house. And stay the hell away from my son!" said Aiko


"Do you alienate all of his friends?" scoffed Aria as she stepped away from the house.


"Beat it! I better not catch you near here ever again!" shouted Aiko as she slammed the door. Aria sighed heavily as she walked away, briefly looking back at the house.


"I can't imagine what Aang's going through with that woman," said Aria a she continued walking.


Back in the house, Aiko sighed in frustration. As she stepped away from the closed door, she noticed that her sister was standing behind her. Her arms were crossed as she looked at her in disapproval.


"I can't believe what I just saw." Aiko scoffed at her sister's response and walked passed her.


"I don't want to hear it, Rei," said Aiko.


"Why are you chasing off Angirasu's friends?" demanded Rei.


"Friends?! That's nothing more than a rich brat that's using my son! What goes on between me and Angirasu had nothing to do with her or any of them!" said Aiko with a glare. Rei shook her head in disappointment.


"Unbelievable! You think you can disappear for years and come back and start trying to dictate everything about him?" demanded Rei.


"I am his mother! Until he's old enough and moves out to his own place, he's living under my rules! And my rules say that he's to stay away from those girls!" said Aiko. Rei threw her hands up in exasperation as she walked off.


"You always had your head up your own ass!" said Rei as she stopped in the hall. She and Aiko both glared at each other.


"You know, your paranoia and suspicions are getting the best of you. It reminds me of the people that think your son is going to eat them," said Rei. Aiko hardened her expression.


"How could you?" Aiko seethed as Rei walked away. The woman clenched her fists as she stood alone in the living room.





Junior and Fluttershy were walking out of the movie theater. The two made their way down the sidewalk.


"So... what did you think?" asked Junior.


"I liked it. It had some suspense and was pretty fun. Though the scenes with the villain Poelzig was pretty scary. Other than that, I enjoyed it. What about you?" asked Fluttershy. Junior groaned.


"Ugh. I hated it. The main characters were bland, the story had clichés that I've seen a thousand times. Why do they keep giving the lead actor roles? He can't act to save his life!" said Junior. He noticed Fluttershy staring at him. Junior cleared his throat, feeling he had spoiled the day.


"But... some of side characters were more interesting. The visual effects were on point and the movie was pretty creative with its setting," said Junior. He gave a forced laugh.


"Sorry about the rant there. I get pretty critical with movies," said Junior.


"Have you ever thought of becoming a film critic?” asked Fluttershy with a smile. Junior chuckled in embarrassment.


"Sorry," said Junior.


"No, I'm serious! I think you'd be good at it. Maybe you could critique novels and plays," said Fluttershy with an encouraging smile. Junior felt his cheeks grow warm. He avoided eye contact with the girl's vibrant eyes during this evening.


"Thanks. Anyway, let's head home before your mom decides to hunt me down," said Junior in a joking manner. Fluttershy gave a short giggle in response. The two walked shoulder to shoulder out in the cold. Fluttershy glanced at Junior, who looked on ahead. Fluttershy held her phone at her side, staring at the screen. On it was a text message from Rarity. The message read, 'cling to his arm in the cold, under the shimmering stars!'


Fluttershy hid her phone with a gulp. She quickly forced herself against Junior and locked her arm around his. Junior bore a confused and embarrassed look. Fluttershy fared no better.


"It's cold!" squeaked Fluttershy. Junior's heart raced in his chest.


"Want to wear my sweater?" asked Junior as he began to unizip his sweater. Fluttershy tightened her hold as she leaned her head against Junior's shoulder. 


"This is fine," said Fluttershy.


"OK," said Junior, rather awkwardly. His heart was pounding as the girl remained close to him. Their warmth from their bodies were shared, causing Junior's face to heat up.


"I had fun," said Fluttershy. Junior nodded.


"Me too," said Junior with a small smile.







Later That Night...



The Takeshi home was silent. Junior slept peacefully in his room, while Miwa snored in a mess of her blankets in her room. Out in the living room, Mosura lied on a mattress on her side. Her eyes were watery from the sadness she felt. She was unable to sleep, with her brother on her mind. She clutched her covers as she sniffled. She felt alone, with no family around. Mosura wiped her eyes and began to close them. After a few seconds, she drifted off to sleep.


"Mosura," a voice called. Mosura's eyes shot wide open. She sat up, looking around, expecting to find Junior. No one was present with her. Mosura began to lie back down.


"Mosura," the voice called again. Mosura shot back up, feeling her head. Her eyes began to water.


"Can you hear me?" asked the voice. The voice was heard like a whisper, but not in her ears. It was like information filled her mind.


'Battra?' thought Mosura as she held a hand against her head. After a couple seconds of silence, Mosura solemnly sighed. She had grown delusional and was hearing voices.


"I hear you, sis", said the voice. Mosura felt her heart jump in her chest. She held a hand against her head, concentrating.


'It's really you! But how?!' Thought Mosura, hoping her thoughts would be heard.


"I always was better at telepathy. But it's tough to contact you from where I am. It's taking a lot for me to keep us on a constant communication." Battra responded via telepathy. "How are you doing?"


'How am I doing?! I'm crying myself to sleep worrying about my brother!' thought Mosura angrily.


"Mosura-" Battra's voice interjected.


'That's not the worst part. I'm starting to change! I almost got exposed!' thought Mosura. Battra was silent. Mosura held in a sob.


'Battra, I'm too scared. I don't know how to handle this. And I'm worried i may hurt my friends,' thought Mosura in despair.


"I'm sorry, Mosu. I wish I was there. But you have to handle this yourself," said Battra.



'No! No, I can't!' thought Mosura in panic.



"Yes you can. You have to do this without me. Go to the Guardians if you have to," said Battra.



'But how can I if it draws attention from MONARCH?' thought Mosura.



"They already are focused on you not just because of me, but also because you had your inhibitor chip surgically removed. You need someone who understands the life of a Transmutant without inhibitors to help. I can't do anything," said Battra. Mosura sniffled.



'Can I see you?' asked Mosura.



"That's impossible. They're going to keep us on a strict training period for weeks," responded Battra softly. Mosura was silent as she shed more tears.



"Mosura, I need you to be strong," said Battra.



"I can't look after you anymore. We knew we'd eventually part ways for our own lives, but not this soon," said Battra as Mosura sniffled.



"You have to take charge. No matter how hard it gets, you have to push through. Make an effort to better yourself. Worrying about it won't solve anything, promise me you will," said Battra. Mosura nodded, despite that Battra wasn't physically present.



'OK. I promise,' thought Mosura.



"Goodnight sis, I love you," said Battra.



'I love you too,' thought Mosura sadly.



Meanwhile, miles away at the West Fillydelphia training base, the lights were off. Battra was lying in bed, along dozens of other recruits in the barracks. The barracks were cold and dark, with the occasional snore being the only sound inside. 



Battra had opened his eyes. He winced as his head spun. That telepathic communication had really taken a lot of him, but it was worth it, considering the state Mosura was in. He couldn't do much from where he was, but he certainly could give her some helpful advice. Although he hoped that his little sister would heed his words.