[ Location: Frostwell Residence - Vivan's Bedroom ][ 1984 - Late Night ]
The house was quiet. My parents were asleep. The town of Hawkins was sleeping (except for Dustin, who was probably feeding chocolate to a baby Demogorgon).
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My head felt light—a side effect of the magical exertion earlier.
'One crisis managed. Dart is contained (for now). Will is... stabilized.'
I held up my hand.
'Metamorphmagus practice.'
I focused on my fingernails. 'Turn blue.'
They rippled and turned a deep navy.
'Turn into claws.'
They sharpened, elongating into wicked, black talons.
"Cool," I whispered, admiring my own handiwork. "I could definitely freak out a bully with this."
Ding!Ding!Ding!
The Chat Group interface exploded with notifications.
[ World Event Alert: World 7 (Naruto) - "The Chunin Exams" has begun. ][ World Event Alert: World 4 (Code Geass) - "The Day the Demon Was Born" has begun. ]
'Oh? It's happening. The Plot is kicking in for everyone.'
I sat up, turning my claws back into normal fingers (mostly; my pinky was still a bit pointy).
Vivan Frostwell: @Everyone Sounds like busy season. Who's dying?
Shikamaru Nara: Dying? I wish. I'm currently walking into a written exam. A written exam. Who decided ninjas need to take tests? It's a drag.
Lelouch vi Britannia: Tests? You complain about a test? I have just orchestrated the defeat of a Britannian military unit using nothing but a radio and a stolen Sutherland.
Shikamaru Nara: ...Good for you? Can you orchestrate a nap for me?
Lelouch vi Britannia: You lack ambition. With your strategic mind, you could conquer a nation. Instead, you complain about fatigue.
Shikamaru Nara: Conquering a nation sounds like a lot of paperwork. I just want to be a cloud.
'Lelouch just got his Geass. And Shikamaru is in the Ibiki Morino phase. I know exactly what's happening to them. But I can't say it. If I tell Lelouch I know about C.C. or his mother, he'll try to kill me through the screen. And Aizen... Aizen will get sus...he is the most dangerous one.'
Vivan Frostwell: @Lelouch vi Britannia "Orchestrated"? Sounds like you got an upgrade. Did you find a weapon?
Lelouch vi Britannia: Better. I have acquired... the Power of Kings. It compels absolute obedience or something like that.
Sosuke Aizen: "Absolute obedience"? Fascinating. Is it auditory? Visual? Does it work on the mind or the soul? Such a power would be... invaluable for a revolutionary.
'Look at him fishing for intel. Classic Aizen.'
Lelouch vi Britannia: It is... absolute. That is all you need to know. I am neither Brittanian nor Eleven. I am Zero. And I will destroy Britannia.
Esdeath: Destroying an empire? Finally, someone with a spine. If you need tips on interrogation or subjugation, call me. I have some new techniques involving liquid nitrogen.
Lelouch vi Britannia: I prefer chess. Not torture.
Esdeath: Boring.
Vivan Frostwell: @Shikamaru Nara Good luck on the test, Shika. Just remember, sometimes the answer isn't on the paper.
Shikamaru Nara: Yeah, yeah. I just have to survive this so I can sleep. But after this... the proctor said something about the "Forest of Death." The name is literally "Forest of Death." Who approves these curriculums?
Vivan Frostwell: Sounds cozy. Bring snacks. And maybe watch your back. Forests usually have... pests.
'Like Orochimaru. But I can't warn him directly about the Snake Sannin without explaining how I know a legendary terrorist. But he has plot with him , so yeah no problem'
Shikamaru Nara: Great. Pests. Just what I needed. More troublesome things.
Optimus Prime: War is upon you both. Do not lose sight of who you are in the conflict. Power is a tool, not a definition.
Lelouch vi Britannia: Power is the only truth, Machine. Those without power can't change anything. I will change the world.
Vivan Frostwell: Just check the fine print on that contract, Lelouch. Power usually comes with a price tag.
Lelouch vi Britannia: I am prepared to pay it. I do not make mistakes.
'Famous last words, Lulu. Famous last words.'
I grinned. It was funny watching them. Shikamaru, who just wanted to chill, was about to be thrust into a war. Lelouch, who wanted to save his sister, was about to become the world's greatest villain.
And me?
I looked out the window. The sky over Hawkins was swirling with clouds that looked too dark for 10 PM.
'I'm just trying to keep my friends from being eaten by a smoke monster.'
Lloyd Frontera (Admin): Boring! Less talk about "ideals" and "exams"! Lelouch, did you loot the Knightmare Frames you destroyed? The scrap metal value alone is immense!
Lelouch vi Britannia: I blew them up.
Lloyd Frontera (Admin): YOU WHAT?! WASTE! WASTE! You are banned from my shop for 24 hours! Think of the economy!
Vivan Frostwell: Lloyd, go build a bridge or something.
I closed the chat, chuckling.
My door creaked open.
"Vivan?"
My mom peeked in. "Who are you talking to? I heard voices."
I froze. My "claws" were gone, but my eyes were probably glowing a little from the mana usage.
"Just... practicing lines," I lied. "For the Drama Club. We're doing... Hamlet."
"Oh," she smiled. "That's nice, honey. Don't stay up too late. And... are you wearing eyeliner?"
I touched my face. The Metamorphmagus shift must have lingered around my eyes.
"It's... stage makeup. Method acting."
"Right. Goodnight, sweetie."
She closed the door.
I let out a breath. 'Close call. I need to be more careful.'
I walked to the window to close the curtains.
I looked down at the street.
A car drove by. A blue station wagon. Joyce Byers' car.
It was driving fast. Erratic.
And in the backseat... I saw a silhouette. Small. Huddled.
Will.
My Remote Viewing flared on instinct. I didn't mean to do it, but my mastery was so high now (90%) that it reacted to my focus.
My vision zoomed.
I was in the car.
Will was shivering. He was clutching his head.
"It's here," Will whispered. "It's everywhere."
"What is, baby?" Joyce asked, panic in her voice.
"The shadow," Will said. "It likes it cold."
My vision snapped back.
The car disappeared down the street.
'The Mind Flayer isn't just watching anymore,' I realized, the hair on my arms standing up. 'He's moving in.'
I grabbed my wand from the nightstand.
"Playtime is over," I whispered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patreon Updates:
Discount code : 03C64
Content: Read 20+ chapters ahead. + Access to All my fanfictions.
Link: https://www.patreon.com/c/kapa69
Support Goal:
200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter.
Please drop a Stone to support the story!