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??? ?x Lukas Richard Oberlin
He yanked me up by my chin from where I was kneeling on the ground.
He was cold and yet desperate as he spoke. “Well little hero, what is it that you desire so much? Why did you cause all of this?!” I could feel something digging into my heart when I didn't respond. He didn't seem to like my silence either, he raised his weapon higher ready to strike again.
I thought this may be the time he truly did it, the time my dear brother finally killed me. However, just as he was about to, a gun shot rang through the air…
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September 12, 2093, 14x –Jade
“Jade get up, we have work to do!” Jule was leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, annoyance written all over her face.
“uh.. no need to yell. What's the job about?” I got up from my desk, it was beyond messy papers and pens scattered all over. Conspiracy theories mixed with work reports.
“Nothing crazy but you're not gonna like it, you're supposed to deliver some info for a raid that Ignis is doing” Jule waved said papers in my face as she spoke.
“Ah fuck, why cant that old man just die already?! He's like a hundred years old!" I threw myself back so hard my chair almost tipped over, had Jule not caught it.
"Sorry to disappoint you but he's 48 so he isn't gonna die naturally any time soon. Also get up already, we have to be there in 20 minutes"
"Can't they just send an email!?" I complained as I got up, I had a feeling this day would only get worse
“Jade!” Jule was already at the front door hovering above the ground like some medieval ghost.
"Coming!-I'm coming!”
Before me was a massive five story building. It was Ignis's hero agency
His agency really does match his ego....
“Hello there, what brings you here?” It was one of Iginses sidekicks that spoke leaning down slightly to talk to me. Which really wasn't necessary, I'm not that short!
“The Public Safety Commission sent me to give documents to Ignis.” I answer showing her my ID, my voice sounding distorted coming out of my mask.
“Ah the PSC but sweety aren't you a little young to be working for them?”
‘She's pissing me off, can't we just–’ ‘No, we can't.’ Jule responded to my thought
“Just tell me where I need to go.” I sighed.
“Ah.. of course, just take the elevator up to the third floor and then it's the second door to the right”
“Thanks” I answered, already walking to the elevator.
Now standing in front of his office, I couldn't help but get anxious. My hand subconsciously moves to the burn scar on my right arm, a reminder of the first time I met this man.
“Morning Ignis, still looking as grumpy as ever!” I said in a high pitched voice, too high for my voice changer causing it to crack.
“And you still a brat it seems, do you have the documents I asked for?” His response was blunt, though he did look somewhat annoyed to see me. Good, causing this man annoyance is what I live for.
“Yeah, ‘got them right here!” I said handing him the documents Jule had given me earlier.
“ 'there anything else you need?”
“No, you can leave”
That was all I needed to hear, I turned to walk out “great, bye bye then!”
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‘ ‘You can leave now’ oh screw off, you're not my boss, I can do whatever I want!’ I thought to myself kicking some rocks as I walked down the sidewalk.
“So what's next on the list?” At that Jules appeared, falling into step with me.
“Nothing work related, at least not till tonight, though Maymay did invite you to eat lunch with them at noon, which is in half an hour since you slept in. Again"
“Really now? We should get going then, shouldn't we?” I was already half way up the fire-escape of a building nearby as I finished that sentence.
I've always loved running across rooftops, it's the closest I've ever gotten to flying, the closest I've gotten to being able to fly through the sky on my own freely like a bird.
“-be more careful!” Jule screamed from behind me though I couldn't really hear her over the wind that was clashing against my ears, nor did I really care what she had to say. I couldn't help the smile that creeped up on my face or the laugh that followed.
“Hey Jade!" A voice from behind me startled me out of my day dreaming, causing me to stumble off the rooftop.
“Fuck! That's it, I'm gonna die and it's all your fault!” I screamed just as someone caught me from behind, tugging my under their arm.
“Stop laughing at me you stupid bird!” I tried kicking him but couldn't reach him.
“pff… sorry ‘cant help it when you look like a fish caught on a hock.” The feather breaded into my hair was tugging towards its master as it recognised him.
“Oh shut up! Also let me go!” I struggled but his grip was tight.
“Na, don't feel like it. Soooo where are you off to kiddo?” he said, adjusting his grip on my waist.
“Maymay invited me to eat lunch with you guys, I was just on my way to the agency actually. I mean I would still be if it weren't for a certain bird, attempting to murder me!” I wiggled some more in his grip.
“oh come on you're just being dramatic now. Since you're already on the way to my agency I might as well just take you with me, why don't I?" I knew he smirked at his idea, I just knew it even though I couldn't see his face
"Please don't, I real—Ahhhhh” He didn't even let me finish speaking before taking off into the sky. This wasn't what I meant when I said I wanted to fly!
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“Maymay save me!” I called out as I ran into Ospreys agency.
“Oh come on, it wasn't that bad” Osprey walked through the agency's door laughing.
“What has Osprey done now?” Maymay walked over to us, with her usual kind smile.
“He totally tried do murder me!” I yell out, pointing at him accusingly.
“Oh poor thing, Now Osprey, why would you try to kill Jade?” Her voice dripped with sacasam. As she patted my head as if she was soothing child.
“I did not do that.” Osprey retorted, his voice still shaking with laughter.
“You so did, I almost fell off the rooftop because of you!”
“Really now? That does sound quite dangerous" Maymay smiled menacingly at Osprey. We both knew this meant something very bad for him and very fun for me.
“May, look I-I really didn't mean to, it-it was an accident. I caught him right after!” Osprey was slowly backing away from her; while Maymay smiled at him dangerously, walking towards him. It took all of me not to laugh at him.
“Hey, now why don't we all come down a bit? And get lunch, ’that sound good?” A colleague of theirs, whose name I couldn't be bothered to remember, stepped in. Tying to calm the situation
“Yeah lets get lunch, that's the reason I came here after all. Come on Maymay, you too Birdy!” I called out, already walking away.
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“-what do you mean you haven't gotten the shipment yet we– ugh…” all that followed were choking noises as I pulled my knife out of the side of his neck.
“Aw that's gross, now I've got his blood all over my shirt. I wanted to wear that again tomorrow."
I was talking out my phone to report back, when I heard voices approaching. “-do you really think we're at the right location?”
“Yes, for the hundredth it's the right place I checked!”
“But it's…–uiiii!”
That was all I heard before someone tackled me to the ground. My body reacted before I could think, my hand that was still holding the knife shot up, ready to stab who was on top of me although it stopt as soon as I recognised the person.
“Goddamnit Layla, do you wanna die or something? ’cause there are easier ways, that don't give me a heart attack" ‘this girl’Jule tone was so loving, I wanted to shake my head but that wasn't possible when you are pinned to the ground.
“But where would be the fun in that?” she said, smiling down at me.
“The ‘fun’ would be not dying” I retorted.
“-also Eric! Stop standing there like an idiot and get her off of me" I yelled at a person I couldn't see but knew was there.
"Layla get off of him and you kid–” He pointed his finger at my chest “-be more aware of your surroundings if it had been someone else you'd be dead by now.” With that she finally got off of me.
“Yeah, yeah got it mom-” I said, waving my hand dismissively. “-why are you guys even here?”
“Well, we were supposed to deal with a pesky hero that was getting too close to our hideout but it seems that's been taken care of.” He said pointing to the body behind me.
“Oh yeah that reminds me, you guys should leave. I have to report this or they'll send someone to check on me.”
“Aw really but I wanted you to come hang out with us!” Layla chimed in.
“You just wanna hang out with Jule don't you?” I asked in response.
“That's so not true. I like you too, I just prefer her!” I couldn't help but laugh at her pouting “-but really you guys haven't been over in like forever!”
“We’ll come over tomorrow, I promise but I really need to report back now. So you need to leave.” I said, opening the door revealing the dark night sky.
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September 13, 2093, 14x –Jade
“You guys are finally here!” Layla yelled, grabbing Jules hand, dragging her off somewhere.
“Oh isn't young love just so sweet.” A person said from the kitchen table
“Ew Arthur, that's gross” I scrunched up my nose.
“Oh come on now” He said, taking a sip of his tee.
“So Jade, how have you been?”
“Ive been good just lots of work to do, not that I don't like hanging out with you or anything but where are the others?” I really did like him, it was just hard to interact with him when he didn't remember anything, didn't remember me.
“You can't hear them?” He seemed surprised.
“Should I?” ‘Duh’ Oh fuck of jule go play with you girlfriend!
“Well they are screaming quite loudly.”
“Oh, it's probably my new hood. It has built-in noise filters, I didn't think they would work this well." I said happily before pulling my hood down.
“Can you hear them now?”
“-stubit mother–” “-Leave my mother–” next there was a sound that sounded like someone being thrown on the floor.
“Sure can, bye bye then!” I started walking over to where the voices were coming from.
“Have fun! Do tell them to quiet down please.”
“Will do!”
“Hi, did you guys–” I started speaking though my timing probably wasn't the best if the controller flying towards me was anything to go by.
“Traitors all of you! I'm never playing with you ever again!” Zayne stormed out of the room.
“So, what was that about?” I asked plopping myself down on the couch where Zayne had been sitting earlier, in between Eric and Finn.
“Oh just one of his usual tantrums he can't handle that I’m just better than him.” Eric answered me
“That's Zanye for ya. He's always been quite the drama queen hasn't he?” I leaned my head back, to look at the sealing.
“I think it's kind of cute, actually...” Finn muttered under his breath, ears twitching. I couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Cute, ‘you for real? That guy wasn't even cute as a baby.”
“Hey now that–” Finn tried to defend himself
“Wait, you've seen baby pictures of him?” Eric interjected.
“No, of course not, I was just guessing."
“Men I would have loved to see those. That'd be perfect blackmail” Eric was obviously joking however Finn didn't seem to catch on to that.
“Why would you need blackmail against our boss?” Finn hissed.
“Chill out men, I'm not planning anything.” Eric said annoyed.
“You better not be.” Finn may look nice but just like any cat he had a lot of bite in him.
“As loyal and stupid as ever I see.” I comment, this just served to piss him off even more.
“Well we can't all be traitors, can we?” That made me sit up straight, looking at him coldly I asked
“What's that supposed to mean?” His audacity, saying something like that to me! When all I've ever done was–
“Oh please, you're literally a hero, this conversation alone would probably be enough to get you charged for treason, let alone that chain around your heart. After all, shouldn't your loyalty belong to your master?” He spat the word out, it disgusted him. I disgusted him.
“Oh you mean to the PSC.” I say leaning back once again. My reaction was stupid from their perspective, truly so.
“Yeah obviously who else could I be referring to!” ‘Well wouldn't you like to know.’
“Obviously…yeah –Anyway, why don't we play another round?” I got up to pick up Zayne's controller from the floor.
“Bring it on kid!” “I'm gonna beat your ass”.
September 21, 2093, 14x –Jade
“Hello ma'am, what can I help with?” All I wanted to do was scream into the phone that it was my day off!
“Jade, we are planning a raid on Aerion but we still need more information. They need to be taken out before they get too big. You can handle it right?”
“Of course." My voice was as cheery as ever, however my fingers gripped my phone so tightly I was worried I might crush it.
“I will be expecting it soon then.” With that she hung up the phone.
“FUCK!” That punch definitely left an indent in my walls but I couldn't have cared less at that moment. I felt so helpless as I slid down the wall and started to cry. All my hard work– all my plans down the drain, I can't– there's no way, kill them, that's just not—
“What, what's going on?!” Jule called out as she ran over to me.
“They–They, they want to kill Aerion’s members” I choked out between sobs. Kill not arrest, I knew that for sure. Because while she had only said raid, they would use them as an example, as an example for what happened to people who opposed them.
“No…we can't– let me think there's got to be something we can do! We have to warn them; we can't help them do that.” She was right, we could if only I could leave it would distract them, I cant, oh but how I wish I could.
“What!? We can't leave, they'll hunt me down no matter where I am! I can't leave the country they'd know and it's not like I can just refuse the order either, they'd have me killed, they wouldn't want their secrets out. They never let me live if it weren't for them believing they have full control over me!”
“Shut up! I need to think.” It felt like hours before she spoke again.
“So… I've got an idea though it's gonna be hard and if we go through with this you're gonna have to leave everything behind.” Can't she just not be so damn cryptic for even one second!
“Yes, just spit it out already!”
“There is one way we can leave without anyone trying to hunt us down. The only way to do that would be to make them think you're dead” Her tone was matter a fact.
"they'd never believe it without a corpse, even if they do we still have nowhere to go. We can't join Aerion, you know that just as well as I do.” It didn't work. I had tried so many times.
“Yeah I know I've thought of that. First the corpse,-” Her tone was light again, she had always loved making plans. It was something she excelled at, compared to me at least. “-that's actually not a problem since you can make dopples. We can just use one of them, they don't need to move if they are just supposed to be a dead body.” She winked at that as if she told me to not tell her on for eating the last cookie. Not talked about my corpse. “Then secondly as for a place to stay that's quite simple in theory though we will have to trick some people and if they find out you're screwed. Now about how we are going to pull this of—”
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I was happily skipping down the hallway to my friends hide-out, humming a tune.
‘It's all gonna work out and I'm gonna be free. Jules plans sure are the best’
I thought to myself once I reached the door I swung it open stardeling my friend who jumped up, ready to fight. Though they relaxed as soon as they saw who was at the door, however the tension quickly returned as I spoke the simile not leaving my face
“I need you guys to kill me please!”
“What!?”
Arthur, calm as always, asked “Now why would you ask that?”
“ ‘cause I need you guys to kill me!” I repeated myself with even more enthusiasm
“And why would you need that?” he sounded more concerned now
“I need to fake my death and a suizide would just make the Bird even sadder than if I just died.” In truth I didn't want to make him sad at all, but it had to be done.
"Wouldn't it be suspicious if you are just suddenly killed by us, for all they know we have no connection at all.” Eric frowned, leaning forward in his seat.
“Considering the fact that the reason I'm doing this are orders to spy on you, no it wouldn't be” I couldn't help the sarcastic sound in my voice. This whole situation was just pissing me off.
“Orders to what now!?” Finn got ready to fight me once again. Like the idiot he was.
“Damn chill out man.” It clearly wasn't the right thing to say, since he started hissing at me.
“Dont jump to conclusions Finn. From what he said it sure didn't sound like he was here to kill us, did it?” Zean said, putting a hand on Finn's shoulder to calm him down. He may be hot-headed but he can get serious if need be.
“Now kid, tell us your plan.”
“So basically–”
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