Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Many years ago

“I… I don’t believe it.” A woman with a unicorn horn murmured in awe, her armor secure on her body. She was traveling with 3 other party members, their boots and sandals crunching leaves and snapping sticks. “I know Papa said that this was a prophetic mission, but I didn’t know it’d be this… life changing, to say the least.” The giant spider hybrid beside her snorted, shaking his head. His giant spider legs were folded up against his back. He went right next to her.

“Gwen, hate to break it to ya, but we’re saving the entire multiverse. It’s gonna be life-changing .” He mocked with a smirk. A dragonfly hybrid smacked him upside the head with his staff, making the spider man yell out in pain before snarling at him. “The fuck was that for?!?!” He roared, as Gwen giggled in amusement. 

“Be nice, Aiden.” The dragonfly scolded, Aiden rolling his eyes. “Gwen is right. It is a little nerveracking. I personally never saw this coming. I thought my Dad was high the whole time.” He admitted, as he flitted forward a bit with his wings. They shone with shades of silver and gray, like the moon marking on his shoulder. “When they told me, I nearly needed a change of pants.”

“Oh give me a break, Aster!!” Aiden groaned, running to catch up to him. “Boreas! Tell him to shut up, for the love of God!” The wolf traveling with them lifted their head, and as they stepped through some trees, out came an adult with wolf ears and a tail. They giggled, pulling their hood up as they stopped ahead of the group.

“Be still, all of you. We’ve arrived.” They smiled softly, as the others joined them. Out in a clearing, there was a pedestal in the center, with a set of the moon phases burned into the ground. Above the one for full moon, there was a frozen moon depiction, above the waning crescent a moon ablaze, above the last quarter two identical moons diagonal from each other, and above the waning gibbous a shattered moon. Weeping, Rage, Family, and Longing. Each of their roles in play, like a game of chess. Boreas beamed as Aiden, Aster, and Guinevere gazed upon the sight in awe, each of them excited. Their mission was straight ahead!

“Moonlight scorching sacred ground, with a frosty glow, gravitational forces at play, with shattered power to bestow.” Guinevere smiled, clapping excitedly. Aiden blinked in a stupor, Aster’s emotions unseen under his mask. But they were all in agreement. They were only a few steps away from saving the entire multiverse. Aiden let out a toothy grin, and hopped down the side of the cliff. His spider leg, bigger than most of his body, plunged into the rock wall, sliding down it as the others followed behind.

“LET’S END THIS SHIT!!!”

Later that night….

40-year-old Harry Bunny was all smiles, as he fixed his vest. There was a knocking on the door, as the anthropomorphic rabbit came down the stairs, running to the door. “Coming!!” He cheerily confirmed, as he opened the door. Upon the sight that no one was there, he looked around, confused. “Hello?” The street was still, as the full moon shone above him. Rain gently danced on the ground, the lights of Butterfly Street making the view a tad misty and almost magical. He frowned, looking down to the ground. He paused in his steps, staring at the sight before him. He began to breathe heavily, his paw beginning to slide off the doorknob. The breathing grew quick and panicked, before it evolved into hyperventilating. “No… No… No… Not my sweet boy…. No… No… No….” He whimpered, kneeling to the ground to gingerly pick up the bloodied and smashed apart item before him.

The pieces of Aster’s black mask nearly cut his hands, stained with the slightly yellow blood the Dragonfly had. Tears began to tap the shattered mask, as Harry let out an anguished cry. “ASTER!!!!” He screamed at the top of his lungs, as the rain went from dancing to stomping. Thunder sounded in the rabbit’s ears, as he hugged Aster’s most prized possession to his chest. Sobs shook his whole body, as his first and second lieutenant came rushing to attend to him. Worry was etched into Donno and Ellie’s faces as they tried to ask him what was wrong, but the world was blurred and fuzzy around Harry. 

All he could think about was the death of the closest thing he had to a son.

Chapter Text

Present Day

Anime House

19 year old Kei Bakugou was always told they’d be the greatest.

It was in their nature as a Bakugou, with their powerful quirk and competitive nature. As a child, their determination and tenacity knew no bounds, and their parents were always notified that they were destined to be a force of nature. 

Foster parents, at least. 

Kei didn’t know until they were 16 that they were what was known as an ‘Imbalance’. Imbalances were seen as lesser than, parasites- feeding off those that thought they loved them. At least, that’s what all the kids in Kei’s school said. Kei hated those accusations, and it began to get them into fights. Fights got them slipping grades, slipping grades got them noticed by their camp counselors at Camp Morgan. Their new home after popping positive. 

Positive for not being really related to their family. 

Morgan tried to help best they could. Kei had to give them credit. They gave them children to care for - a little child of Ares and an accidental child of Cable. Little brothers. Kei gave them his heart, happy to have purpose. And it helped, for he was slowly going back to normal.

Then they burned the camp down. Balances destroyed their home. Kei was lucky to save his brothers, as they sobbed in his arms. Kei felt pure rage that day, to the point where he ignited flames himself. The counselors quickly put him out. 

Kei didn’t get why he did that. But weird things always happened to him. They got angry  easier, they were easy to instigate, and every so often they got so pissed that their chest burned and they turned into a child of the Human Torch instead of a child of Bakugou Katsuki and Kirishima Eijirou. But Imbalance powers varied, didn’t they? As much as Kei wanted to say he was, he wasn’t actually sure. But the unpredictability scared the counselors. They didn’t want another possible fire. So, to rebuild in a secure location, they scattered the kids. 

And that meant saying goodbye to his lil purposes.

Kei missed the boys. Alex and Maxwell, they were the reason he made himself better. And to be away from them… He didn’t like it. Not that the Anime House was bad.

Just…. Crowded.

“Kei?” Kei perked up at the knocking on his door, his spiky brown hair swaying a bit. His hair was flopped over on one side, and shaved on the other. He liked it in this punk style, as it still made him look more masculine to the naked eye, but still made people question what to call him. He had olive skin, that was slightly toned from training outside. He was shorter than most boys his age, but given he was transgender it wasn’t fair to compare his 5”4 to an average boy’s height. He wore a sleeveless red vest and a black shirt with a giant orange X across the chest, black cargo pants completing the look with his large boots. Meant for crushing fingers going for guitar picks in concerts, of course. His red eyes glanced over at the door, annoyance laced through his irises. The voice was one he was getting used to - Emmalee. She was the leader of the Anime House - the caretaker of all the kids. There were others helping her, of course, the lieutenants, but Emmalee handled mainly the managerial mess of it. Akuma Agatsuma was first lieutenant and ambassador, often helping with public appearances. Chisuke Okuda was the second lieutenant, and handled the training of the older kids. Some had powers or weapons, and he made sure they knew how to use them responsibly. 

Due to their other responsibilities, the Leaders, as they were often called, didn’t have that much time for the kids sometimes. So the Big Siblings came into play. They took care of the kids when the leaders couldn’t, and that was often. Unlike the leaders though, they weren’t a lick immortal. And even the leaders weren’t completely scott free. They weren’t immune to sickness or mortal ways of dying. They just couldn’t die of old age or age in the first place very much. Which was why some leaders were around since around the first Imbalances. 

There were 3 Big Siblings for each house, and Anime was no different. The Big Brother, the Big Sister, and the Big Sibling. One for each gender category. Kei wanted to be a Big Brother, but there was already one when he got there so he couldn’t. Not that Akuma’s cousin Homura didn’t do a good job. They just knew they would be better. 

Another knocking. It was light, but still sounded like a bouncing ball hitting the floor. “Kei?”

“Yeah?” Kei growled out a call, groaning from annoyance. What did this lady want?! They peeled off their bed, tossing their red phone onto it. Their black and orange combat boots made a rhythmic beat on the wood flooring, as they opened the door for the tall pale woman, who had her long black hair in a tight bun. She had light lavender eyes, and wore a black dress and a white apron. Kei still didn’t understand the symbol on it very well. It was a pair of identical crescent moons, connected by a circle. There was a ton of moon stuff in the Imbalance culture, Kei noticed. They even had a red moon on fire depicted on their abdomen, right on their slowly forming six pack. Just seemed to be a thing to connect them. Kei was starting to wonder if different colors meant different things. But that was probably just them trying to adjust. “What.”

“Just wanted to see if you wanted to join us for lunch. I know you’re not one for socializing unless it’s with Tsuyoshi or Raidon, but I figured I could make the offer.” Emmalee offered a kind smile, one that Kei couldn’t help but feel drawn to. It was warm and inviting, like a mother’s embrace. Which made sense - Emmalee was the daughter of Isabella from The Promised Neverland. The two of them had the same grin saturated in maternal love. Kei frowned, leaning on their doorframe. “Raidon and Tsuyoshi will be there of course.” 

“Hm. What’s for lunch?” Kei tried to not blush at the mention of Tsuyoshi Kiersten, the son of Jean and Mikasa from Attack on Titan. Tsuyoshi seemed to be the only one to get them, and they felt more connected to him than anyone in the house, even Raidon. Did they say anything to him? Hell no!! But they still loved being around him, and they didn’t want to ruin it. Ever. 

Raidon was something for a medical journal - literally. A Nomu made from quirk samples from My Hero Academia heroes Chargebolt and Shoto, his purpose from Dr. Garaki was to end the world. At least, that was the intent when he was sent to America. He was promptly sent the the Anime House with an uncontrollable quirk. Despite being self brutalized every time he felt strong emotion, Raidon was a sweet kid, and Kei adored him. Besides, adversity seemed to be the other thing in common between Imbalances. Not the greatest thing, but Kei appreciated those who were able to withstand conflict like that. It was one of the many valued skills in a soldier in any military branch - resilience, their foster father had called it. 

“We’re having udon. With homemade noodles.” Emmalee stood a bit straighter. “Does that interest you?” Hm. Kei did feel pretty hungry. Kei frowned, then closed their eyes with a shrug. Bonus points, he got to see his two favorite people. His only favorite people, at least.  

Yeah. Kei could eat.

“I’m down.”

Chapter Text

New York Memorial Hospital 

New York City, New York

In his 20 years of life, Connor Nichols had learned 5 lessons.

The first was after he lost his big brother Bradley. Bradley was his sole caretaker, and responsible for his well-being. Yeah sure, the two brothers were in a foster family that were more than capable of caring for the little demon hybrid, but Bradley wanted to do it himself. He wanted to take responsibility for the little brother their parents, Eyeless Jack and his wife Serenity, so graciously gave him. He was the one to change his diapers, or feed him. Connor loved his brother. The two  were very close. 

But all things come to an end, and Connor was nearing the age of 6. Bradley knew that meant he could go Feral any moment - he wanted to help him. He was a day away from becoming an adult, from turning 18, but he had to see their parents. 

That was how he learned his first lesson - that he had to learn everything to survive. 

After Bradley’s public execution made national news and he himself went Feral without support from the grief, Connor was kicked out of his foster home. He hitchhiked his way around, given the camp in Colorado was full. He was carted around the USA, with one goal in mind. 

To get to New York City. 

Connor made it to the Horror House at six, meeting his new Mama - Lyra Rogers, daughter of Ticci Toby. Lyra was a kind lady, feeding him once she got him inside and cleaning him up before he met the House Leader - a tall, pale-faced slender man named Simon Man, the son of the Slenderman. He was welcomed with open tendrils, signed in, and introduced to Isaac Richardson and Antonio Woods, the first and second lieutenants respectively. After them, he was returned to his Mama. A week later, he met his new Daddy, Lyra’s boyfriend Itsuki Kage. Connor loved his new family - just as much as he loved to learn. And his new family caught onto that. They gave him many books, especially ones on his favorite subject, anatomy . 

It got better as he told them he was fluent in Spanish and English, due to a ton of the books at his foster family’s old house being in Spanish. That broadened his books immensely, especially from Antonio, or Anti as he preferred. Thanks to a bad camp experience, Anti only could read Spanish and his first language was Spanish, so he had plenty of books that the young boy could read. Connor loved his parents, hanging out with the Artist of the house, Helena Otis, and playing with the other kids. 

Tragedy thought his life was too good.

Connor lost his father Itsuki at the age of 9, meeting his grandfather Kagekao that day too. Itsuki was framed for a crime he didn't do, and while his execution wasn't televised like Bradley's was, Connor still was shattered by the event. His Mama was hit the hardest. He tried to help her cheer up, but nothing he tried could bring her smile back - her real smile. 

Connor learned his second lesson - If he was to be something in the world, no one was going to listen. He had to be louder.

The third happened when he was 11. He was at school, where he met his first ever crush - Akuma Agatsuma, the child of Kamado Nezuko and Agatsuma Zenitsu. Like him, Akuma was a cannibal, due to the demonization leaving a lasting effect on Nezuko’s body and being passed down to him. They shared food, and bonded, Akuma studying with Connor often. 

One day, a balanced boy pushed Akuma into the sun, making him burn. Demons were weak to sunlight - it could kill them. Connor immediately left his Mama’s side to save Akuma while Lyra smacked the balanced boy’s hand to stop him. That simple tap got the police called on her and sent to a terrible organization called the Institute. Akuma was sent to the hospital to be given burn treatment. 

His third lesson? He had to keep himself honor bound. That way no one got the wrong idea about him. 

Lesson number 4 was in medical school. 18 year old Connor was trying to learn to be a surgeon, but with his cannibalism he was often scrutinized and mistreated. Connor was numb to it. After his mom was taken to the Institute, he stopped letting himself be a child, even more so than he was in his youth. Everything was studying and learning - not much time for play. He was teaching himself how to survive without his diet, using chocolate. He was getting better at it, but oftentimes all the grief and trauma he experienced made him feel like his muscles froze over. He chalked it up to it being a freeze response, but Simon told him something different - that he was a ‘Moon’. The Weeping One, to be exact. He was supposed to have ice powers and an emotional aura that made people burst into tears. He did have moments where he made the emotionless Helena cry, and when his eyes became blue. It was a shit ton to wrap his head around. He didn't like thinking about it. He didn't have time to. Or time to himself in general. 

Connor took a breath, as his fellow classmates followed him throughout the hospital with their doctor. “Now! You're going to go to another patient with a doctor, each of you. We will be testing your bedside manner.” The doctor directed. “Mr. Nichols, you're with Dr. Jefferson.” Connor nodded, heading to the doctor he was assigned to. Jefferson was reading his chart. 

“Nichols, Nichols… ah. Here you are.” He looked up at the tall adult, Connor blinking behind his mask. “So you're the Imbalance I'm in charge of.” 

“Yes sir.” Connor nodded, cupping his gray fingers around his mask. His supervisor for the day smiled a bit, leading the learning doctor away. “So who is our patient?”

“Ms. Eleanor Chiles, she's one of our older patients. You'll like her, don't worry.” Dr. Jefferson promised, as he opened the door to a patient’s ward. Connor ducked a bit to enter the room, noticing the old woman connected to machines and IVs. He was saddened, hurt panging his heart as the old woman awoke. She opened her wrinkled eyes and she smiled, as Connor came into her view. 

“You're a new one.” Ms. Eleanor noted, as Jefferson looked at the machines. Connor nodded, nervous to say the wrong thing. But he hid it under his stoicism. “Could you be a dear and ice my left knee please? It hurts so terribly bad.” 

“I'll have some ice fetched for you, ma’am-” Jefferson began. Connor had an idea, thinking about his trauma for a moment. He felt the marking on his right pectoral get colder, frozen air attempting to waft from the moon marking on his right pectoral through his scrubs. He felt his whole body drop to zero degrees. Then, Connor headed to the old woman’s knee, gently placing his hands on it. He heard Ms. Eleanor sigh with great relief, relaxing. “Oh- never mind-” Jefferson noted in surprise, then he cleared his throat. “Nichols - I thought your father was Eyeless Jack.” Connor sighed, as he let out a nod. 

“I am.” He admitted. “I've always been able to do this. Something is different with me.” Connor soon removed his hands, leaving a thin layer of ice. He turned off his powers. “There. That should do it.” He noted, backing away. Jefferson blinked in a stupor, then he began to write something in his chart.

“I’m not so sure..” Connor looked over in surprise. 

Fourth lesson - unless it was his family, all will doubt him. No matter what. 

Connor was given his fifth lesson recently, and it was one he hated - you can't save everyone. As the successful 20-year-old surgeon left his office to head home for the day, he let out an exhausted sigh. He pulled his blue mask down to hide his angled features, carrying his doctor bag as he headed down the hall. A man with soft serve chocolate ice cream skin and wild brown hair noticed him as he pushed a stretcher down the hall, giving him a toothy smile. “Hey Connor! Headed home?” He asked, pausing in his steps with Connor as he looked over. Connor hummed, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew the man well. He was a paramedic trying to become a surgeon. They were like brothers. 

Knowing what he knew about the moons, it wouldn't surprise him. 

“Hey Junior. I can't chat right now, if I want to indulge Jackson and come home on time.” Connor admitted to the son of Wolverine, the comics to be exact. James Howlett Jr and him were pretty good friends. Oftentimes if Connor was starving himself, Junior made him eat what he could or invited him to dinner at his house with his partner Theta Dakota, the son of Agent North Dakota. Due to the American laws, Theta and Junior couldn't marry as Imbalances. But they could live together and be fiancees. It was one of the many things Connor hoped to fix as a Moon, once everything was over. 

After everything, the two deserved it.

“Fair enough. You get home safe, alright? And hey!” Junior ran after Connor, grabbing his arm. The part he grabbed was where the gray melted into a golden tan skin tone - courtesy of his Navajo mother. “Eat. I don't care if you have a small bite of liver or something, but you need to eat. Got it?” Junior firmly ordered. Connor nodded, and Junior let go, walking away with the gurney. Connor took a breath, then headed out the hospital. 

You'd think as the surgeon that all Imbalances of age come to fix all of their body's problems he'd be living in a good house or something, right? But that wasn't the case. Connor lived in a motel, with not a ton of space for activities. It was fine when it was just him, but then his parents had other ideas. 

Connor unlocked the door, stepping into the motel room. A young boy with tanned skin, blue eyes, and fluffy brown hair sat in front of the TV, playing a video game. Connor couldn't tell which. Lots of games you had to rely on color to recognize them. In which Connor was also not as lucky. He had Tritanopia - blue and yellow color blindness. A lot of his vision was red, blue, and teal. He learned to live with it without glasses, but sometimes it was hard at work. 

“You're late.” The young boy growled. Connor looked up at the clock. He really needed to get a car. “You said 8, it's 8:30.” Connor took a breath, closing his eyes as he removed his mask. He blinked his blue eyes a bit, holding it tightly in his fingers. It was a perfect replica of his father's, his mask. The same man who introduced him to his new priorities when the police came with them. 

“I'm sorry. Without a car, there isn't much I can do.” He admitted, sitting down next to the young boy. 11-year-old Jackson Nichols gave him a razor sharp glare, shooting daggers. “I'm trying, Jackson. I'm new at this. I'm used to being on my own and I told you that with my job I wasn't going to be home on time a ton.”

“Everyone else's siblings and parents come on time!” His younger brother argued, pausing his game with a scowl. “If they can do it, so can you!” Connor went to argue back, but then he heard the tiny patter of little cannibal feet running into the room. He perked up with a toothy grin, as he went to greet her.

His fifth lesson.

“Connie!!” 9-year-old Ever Nichols ran right to her brother with a giant grin on her face, jumping into his open arms. Her long brown hair flowed behind her, and her own tan had more of a gray tint to it. Her little blue eyes sparkled like sapphires. Connor hugged her close, closing his eyes as he smiled softly. He could hear her little heart attempting to beat faster, so he let her relax in his arms. 

“Hey Jumping Bean. How are you feeling?” He asked softly. Ever put her head in the crook of his neck. 

“I'm oki. My heart's Oki too.” Ever had POTs, a condition that affected her heart that caused her seizures and fainting. With life saving medication and care, Connor could help her live a fulfilled life. 

Except he couldn't.

Due to being seen as parasites in the US, Imbalance children were only allowed lifesaving medical care at the age of 18. Checkups and the like were fine, but they weren't allowed surgery for problems or even medication. Ever, due to her condition, wasn't expected to even make it to her teens.  Connor kissed the top of Ever’s head, saddened. He hated to think about it, but he knew it was true.

Lesson Number 5 - Connor couldn't save everyone. 

“Connie? Are you okay?” Connor was snapped out of it, and he smiled, traveling the creaky wood flooring to Ever’s room. 

“Never better, Jumping Bean.” He lied with ease, nuzzling his baby sister close. 

These were the lessons Connor learned in his 20 years of life. 

And while he hated all of them, number 5 just had to be the worst of all.

Chapter Text

Survive.  

17-year-old Alex-B312 ran through the burning buildings, gripping his assault rifle tightly. He shot Grunts and Jackals in the face, using the butt of his rifle to smash Covenant faces in. He had to see this mission through. It was his whole purpose - his duty. He was to survive on this wasted planet - on Reach - and beat it into the Covenant scumbags that he wasn’t stuck with them, they were stuck with him . 

Survive.

Alex swung behind him, in the front of him - they came from everywhere, it seemed. Each time he exhausted his ammo, he just took the gun from one of the fallen enemies. He refused to fall - not after so long. He wasn’t going to die like the rest. Like Carter, like Emile, like Kat… Like Jorge. The memories of his fallen brothers and sister drove him to fight harder - like a true spartan. His wit made him as tricky as Odyssesus, but ruthless as Antinous, as he mowed down more and more Covenant. He let out a strained scream, as if he’d been fighting for a millenia, as he ran towards an Elite. Zealot Class.

SURVIVE.

Alex went for his neck, planning to suplex the vile beast. He was a head taller than the boy, but Alex didn’t plan for that to stop him. He was thrown off, so he went for a punch. The two were locked in hand in to hand, a match Alex intended to win - to overcome. He was so close- So close to his goal!! If only a bit further-

SURVIVE!

Alex felt the blade slice through his chest plate like butter, as he gasped in surprise. He could smell the melted metal and seared flesh as he looked down to find a plasma sword, coming from the Zealot behind him. Alex breathed heavily, trying to stay calm as smoke drifted from his torso. No. Not again. He can’t have-

“ Simulation failed .”  A robotic voice echoed, as the scene faded away in a flurry of pixels. Alex fell over, crumpling on the floor in pain. It was the same scarring, the same pain - at this rate his lung probably had a permanent hole. Would explain his breathing issues. Speaking of his issues, Alex grabbed the left side of his chest, struggling to catch his breath. He coughed, knowing the wound was going to cauterize but it took a second. “ Alert: Moon Down. Breathing difficulties detected. ” The robot voice - the AI running the room - chimed again, a siren and red lights going off in the room. Fuck. Now he really was in trouble, if he wasn’t already just from being in the Simulation Arena. His gauntlet began making noises too, trying to summon his attention. He knew who it was. He’d be in even more trouble if he didn’t answer, as much as he didn’t want to. Alex took a deep, pained breath, tapping the button to answer. 

Here goes.

“ALEX-B312!!! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT UNAUTHORIZED TRAINING IN THE SIMULATION ARENA?!” Alex shut his eyes as the worried yells of the Video Game House Leader sounding through the gauntlet, the volume a bit much at the moment. He blinked from fatigue, surely from exhaustion from training all night before and to… what time was it? Alex checked the gauntlet. 13:30. Huh. Time really did go by fast in the Sim Arena. Nonetheless, it was probably why his adrenaline wasn’t as strong at the moment. Usually he was faster at getting on his two feet. “ALEX?! ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!!”

“I’m here, Jason….” Alex mumbled, letting his head fall back a bit. “You said to not do it because I could get seriously hurt…” This was a conversation he and his surrogate father (who just so happened to also be Leader), Jason-117, often had. And unfortunately, it was usually like this. 

“OR KILLED!! ALEX-” Alex could hear the man was frustrated. All the son of Master Chief had wanted for Alex was for him to grow up alongside the children of the video game house, and be nurtured by the right people. But as soon as he was taught what the situation of their birth was, Alex was never fulfilled by life’s simple pleasures. He longed so desperately to be free, to be able to do as he wished without having to clear it with some government. This desire practically drove him into madness, and that’s when Jason-117 realized that he needed to give his boy more than nurturing care - he needed guidance, mentorship. When Alex was 8, Jason told him the story of his father, Noble Six of Halo: Reach. How he was the last man on a dying planet. Only he didn’t die in this world, when everything was disrupted. He lived to marry and have a son - him. Then before Alex’s birth, he died just like before, just not in that mission. Jason thought that if the great Lone Wolf was able to survive on Reach, maybe his only pup could too. 

That first attempt was why Alex had no vision on his right side. 

After that, Jason had ordered no more training with that mission, giving some other missions from the Reach game and some of his own father’s missions from the other Halo Games. Occasionally, if he succeeded, Jason granted him an ODST mission. But they didn’t give Alex the same burst of purpose as the mission to survive. For he believed in Jason’s theory - that if the Alpha could push through the loss of hope and freedom, so could he. So in secret, he’d go through constant sims of the mission, repeating again and again after each failure, no rest in his soul or heart. It was to the point that Alex had almost melded his life and memories to his father’s, a dangerous side effect of the simulator. One he kept neglecting. 

“ALEX!!” Jason’s voice snapped the black haired boy from his thoughts, as he moved his helmeted head towards the door. “GLADYS, OVERRIDE THE DOOR!!” The large white doors of the arena slid open, and through them a man in sage green armor with a golden face shield ran in, grabbing his helmet and ripping it off. Alex studied his surrogate father’s face, as his own helmet was taken to reveal his pale face, dark hair, and silver eyes for a second before an oxygen mask was slipped over his mouth and nose. Air rushed into his lungs, and Alex let out a gasp. “Hang in there, Alex, we got you-” Jason had slightly tanned skin, with light brown hair and a strange set of eyes. One eye was human, with a light blue iris. The other was a sapphire blue, with an iris of ice - and this one was more holographic. Jason-117 had a unique parentage. He was a Techno-Hybrid - a mix of flesh and AI. His mother, Cortana, had left behind remnants of her coding, which Halsey used to create two AI - one being Jason and the other his sister, Weapon. While Weapon became the new partner to Master Chief, Jason became an experiment not meant to be successful. He was put into a human host, in the form of a developing fetus, and grown. When he was born, Master Chief was tasked to take his new son to America, to live in the houses. And just like how the son of Zelda and Link, the leader of the house at the time Ezas, took him in, Jason adopted Alex as his own when police brought him to the house. Jason, in theory, could tank the hit that was quickly depriving Alex of oxygen - but it would hurt immensely. Jason didn’t exactly need oxygen or the like, due to how the AI changed the body to it’s needs, but he glitched instead of bleed. It was just as if not more painful than taking a hit from an energy sword. 

But Alex didn’t get his lack of self preservation from him. He had a different teacher to thank for that.

“Vitals are stabilizing.” Alex heard a helmeted woman report, sitting him up while Jason administered bio-foam. “He’s gonna be okay, Jay. He’s been okay before.” Her helmet was extremely different from Jason-117’s and Alex-B312’s, and she had a height and muscular physique that made both of them look small. She wore a sports bra in olive, black, and sand, with shorts to match. A red moon, faded and dull, settled on her rock hard, tanned abdomen, showing off her six pack. “Even if the move was stupid.” She looked over at the boy, and Alex felt fear settle in his chest rather than pain. Daisy Taggart was a sweet girl, but her looks and her parentage was something that made people either soil their trousers, freeze, panic, or all of the above. Her and her brother Sean were Rage Moons before the moon Alex would eventually call his teammate for the prophecy, the both of them more fitting to the role than any other being in Alex’s opinion. The Doomslayer had his own reputation, after all, and so did they. Alex wanted to be strong like her, and to not fall. Even if she told him many times before that living after the prophecy was not something he wanted. “....so did you win?”

“Daisy.” Jason-117 warned through grit teeth, checking Alex’s vitals himself while the boy regained his breath. Daisy looked over at the man she called older brother, and Alex could feel the innocent confusion radiating off her. 

“What? It’s a fair question-” She looked over at a paler man with white robotics, who just shook his head. She held her tongue, leaving the group in silence. The man went to Jason, kneeling beside him. He was smiling, but he held concern in those brown and blue eyes. Cas, the son of Chell and Wheatley, was another Techno-Hybrid, also using science. In a sense. His father Wheatley found a body that worked like a human’s and while his creation was successful, Cas was missing the key components he needed for survival. So in trade for his protection so that they were compliant with the law, his parents entrusted him to Gladys’s mother and the current head of Aperture Science, the emotionless GLaDOS. GLaDOS made sure he was ready for the world and that he could survive. When he was 5, Cas was sent to the house as Caroline, and grew into Cas. He and Jason-117 couldn’t make a more perfect coupling or team, and he was also the only other one who could help Jason keep his head screwed on in situations like this. Jason looked over at Cas, who only offered a smile. It was the best he could do without a voice, but Alex figured Cas had more to say. It probably just wouldn’t be relevant. Jason took a breath, closing his eyes and letting out an exasperated sigh.

“You’re right… like always.” He muttered, Cas looking away more satisfied. “Alright. Daisy, take Alex to the medbay. I have to take care of some things with Cas and Gladys.” Daisy nodded, scooping the injured boy into her arms and attaching the oxygen unit to her hip by her blaster holster, empty to keep weapons out of the hands of children. Alex let out a pained grunt, shutting his eyes for a second. 

“Yes sir.” She headed out the room, leaving Jason with his boyfriend and the Big Sister of the House. Alex looked at him, then looked away with a frown. He was close this time. Why couldn’t he see it? Why wouldn’t he just let him chase his desires? He didn’t want to end up another dead Moon on the roster. And he knew Jason didn’t want that either. So why the constant halting of his progress? He was going to beat this mission. He had to. It was in the cards- 

“So did you win?” Once more, Alex’s thoughts were interrupted, and he looked up at Daisy. Her helmet concealed her face, but Alex knew she was genuinely interested. At least she understood. She had her own training regiments using Doom game levels on Ultra Nightmare. She knew how he felt on the whole arrangement, and even brought him along - with easier difficulties, of course. Daisy wasn’t an idiot. He knew she wasn’t going to judge him. Alex looked at his hands, fiddling with the oxygen line as his eyes softly narrowed. He closed them with a small sigh.

“No…” He admitted in a quiet tone. Daisy looked back up, giving Alex’s right upper arm a soft squeeze. It was a bit muted because of his armor, but he could feel the comforting action a little.

“Aw, don’t worry dude. You’ll get it next time.” She promised. Alex smiled a bit, knowing she was just trying to help. He knew she was right. There was always next time. 

“Yeah,” Alex yawned, closing his eyes a bit as he leaned against Daisy’s chest. He used her breast like a pillow, allowing himself some rest after training for so long. He was exhausted… not like he was going to die anyways.

He could use the sleep.

“Next time.”

Chapter Text

Torreto Household

Los Angeles, CA, USA

16-year-old Hornet Witwicky was practicing his connection to technology, as his strange armor stretched over the wheel of his adoptive father's Dodge Challenger - the car he guided and used to help protect his family in the face of danger. He smiled as the connection became more stable, slowly becoming the car itself. This would be the closest Hornet would ever get to transforming. A Cybertronian could just scan this and they'd be one with the vehicle of their choice. But Hornet was different. He was part human, due to his father Sam. How it all worked he wasn't sure - it wasn't like his parents could explain, and the Torettos weren't even sure how it all came together. It didn't matter, and it never would. He was only a Witwicky by blood anyways. He was more Toretto than anything, really. They were his ride or die, his everything - they'd raised him from a tiny baby. Hornet was the name his parents gave him, but the nickname everyone gave him was Dodge Toretto, because he chose the car as his other half. 

Hornet had a bond with vehicles. He could control them, speak to them - they were his brethren. When he first met Optimus Prime when the Autobot leader was checking in for his fathers, Optimus explained it as his transformation cog trying to do what it was meant to - select a vehicle mode. Unfortunately, it couldn't though. Hornet was put through much mental and emotional pain during that time in his life. 

But his family lifted him right back up, for they built him his first Stinger Armor. Tech from Han and the Autobots, parts from Dom and other family members, carefully crafted by Tej’s hands. It helped him not only mentally, but also physically, for he stopped having transformation pains. Pains from his T-Cog trying to shape his fleshy body into what it wished. 

Pains Hornet would rather not have. 

So when it came time to give his armor the template it needed for his wheel feet - special skates in the Stinger Armor - Hornet of course picked his adoptive father's Challenger. Not only was it a perfect fit physically for the well built boy, but it would really settle him into the Toretto family, he felt. Each time he thought about it, the magenta markings on the balls of his ankles gave a soft glow, making him feel only happier and more connected to his family. 

These markings were unlike any birthmark Hornet ever encountered, and not just because of their rosy glow. They were completely identical, to the crater and exact spot on his ankle. If you took a photo of them separately, you'd think you took a photo of the same one by accident. Hornet adored his markings - they made him more unique, and added character to his bronze skin. While he wasn't tan, he also wasn't golden either. He was more of an in-between, looking as if it melted from his dark chocolate hair. The most striking thing about him was his neon blue eyes, due to the Energon and blood flowing through his hybrided veins. All of it tied into his tech and body, even if almost all of his Cybertronian genetics were internal. A perfect symphony of alien and human. 

Beep beep! Hornet looked at his armor, which had completely covered the wheel of the car. ‘ Link updated ’ the words in his bug-inspired helmet read, and he grinned, retracting the whole armor onto his legs. Perfect! Now if he wanted, he could use the attributes of the car to do some skating around the neighborhood or race his brother Brian down the street. Either option sounded like a good time to the Cyber-Human, as he slid out the vehicle and shut the door. He just had to grab his goggles before he asked Brian about joining him. 

He probably would. 

Hornet ran into the garage he called his room, poster after poster covering the walls. There were some human racers, such as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, and Cybertronian racers, like Blurr and Hot Shot. These were Hornet’s idols, people he strived to be like. He wanted nothing more than a life on the track, to make a name as an Imbalance. Unfortunately, his options were limited, and he didn’t know how he’d enter in the first place. He wasn’t fully a bot, so he couldn’t enter races like the Speedia 500 or Ibex Cup, and he wasn’t seen as human so he would have a harder time trying to even start at Formula 1 or Nascar. It was a tight fit. But Hornet had a hope that one day he’d meet people like him - other Cyber-Humans! Maybe they could make a race together. Hornet kept coining names in his head, like Cyber Cup or Cybertron 100. He liked playing around with the possibilities. The garage had room for a bed, which Hornet chose to have a yellow bed set and a stuffed bee on it, dresser, covered in photos, clothes, and standard teenage boy necessities like deodorant, and a toolbox to repair his armor from time to time. Hornet preferred to play video games in the house so he didn’t bother with a gaming set up. He had all he needed in the garage, afterall. 

Hornet grabbed his yellow and black goggles with the blue lenses from the top of his toolbox, fitting them under his spiked up hair. His armored boots made loud, metal thuds as he headed to a coat hanger, where his favorite brown leather jacket with the honeycomb and bumblebee decals hung. It was a gift from his uncles Mirage and Noah Diaz, to help him find his own road. They were great teachers, but he knew they wished they had gotten him instead. But it was with them that his family got muddled. His fathers were from the Bayverse side of Transformers media, and you’d think that because his uncles were live action as well that they were Bayverse then too, right? But that was actually a no. They were Knightverse, and had a different Bumblebee. One Hornet had yet to meet. Apparently there was a worry that the police would count him because he was live action. Whatever. Hornet knew they were just protecting him after Optimus lost his daughter. Funny enough, when he asked about his daughter Artemis, Optimus merely told him he would learn in time. But when was a good time then? A nice dinner? A family outing? Hornet wasn’t sure. He was only curious because according to Optimus they were really similar. 

Hornet wasn’t going to pry, though. 

Hornet began to leave the garage, sliding on his jacket to ask Brian if he wanted to hang out. A futuristic hovercar started pulling up to the house, making Hornet tilt his head. Weird. Hover cars weren’t a normal thing in his neighborhood, or just in general. Why was one coming to his house and stopping? Hornet shrugged, continuing to the house. Probably to see a friend. A man with peach skin, chin-length mushroom brown hair, eyes with the warmth of coffee, and a furred flight jacket and hip holster stepped out, a person in forest, navy, and crimson armor joining him. Hornet noticed the person looked like a Mandalorian, as they closed the door to the silver car. Maybe a convention was in town? Or they could be an actual Mandalorian. It was another occurrence not common to him. Not that he was going to judge, he just wasn’t sure what was going on. He noticed that the two adults spotted him, and began to walk over. Why were they walking over? Had he done something wrong? Oh, was this because he got a speeding ticket yesterday on his wheel feet? His dad had said that was taken care of! Great, this was the last thing he wanted. Hornet frowned, letting out an exasperated sigh. He just wanted to skate. At this point he was going to go without his brother.

“My dad’s inside the house helping my brother with homework.” He called the people, as they came closer to his house. “They told me the ticket was taken care of, sorry that doesn’t seem to be correct-”

“Ticket?” The man in the flight jacket raised an eyebrow in confusion. “No- We’re actually here to talk to you. You’re Hornet Witwicky, right?”

How did he know his name.

Hornet had a million questions now, but he needed to narrow them down. Fight or flight sparked in his chest, his spark-heart pulsing faster. He was ready to bolt or throw the first punch, whatever got him out of this first. His family had taught him plenty in evading trouble. “Yes- Who’s asking?” He warily challenged, raising an eyebrow. The man made an oh expression, nodding with his eyes closed.

“Right- I need to get better about that.” He admitted, motioning to himself. “My name is Space House Leader Ren Solo, and this,” He motioned to the person in armor. “Is Khaniath Stys, my second in command.” House leader? The houses were in New York. What were they doing on the other side of the country? Hornet relaxed, but only a little. What was going on? “We’ve come to talk to you and-”

“Hornet? What’s going on?” Hornet knew that voice. He looked up to see his adoptive father, Dominic Toretto, as he opened the door. The large man’s expression went from concerned to understanding, taking a breath. “Mr. Solo, Mx. Stys. Please, come in.” Hornet was surprised. His father knew the House Leaders? Ren smiled, as he continued up the stairs to the porch. “Can I get you anything to drink? A Corona, perhaps?”

“A Corona sounds great, Mr. Toretto, thank you. A water for Khaniath, however. They don’t drink.” Khaniath nodded in agreement to their boss, as they followed Ren inside. Dom looked over at Hornet, taking in his confused expression. He only motioned for him to follow, the young boy doing as told. His father was going to explain everything. That was reassuring, at the very least. Once inside, his father began to summon the many that made up their family, even making calls. Hornet understood, for he’d seen this done many times before.

It was time for a family meeting.

Chapter Text

Training Room

Anime House

BOOM!

Kei returned their arms to firing position, smirking at the ashes left on the floor from their poprock smacking the target. They loved the smell of gunpowder rising from the smoke and their blood, as they bled a little from using their quirk a bit much. Which was common, training being a constant activity they enjoyed partaking in. “Not bad. I could have better aim.”

“You always say that, and I never see it.” Kei turned to the voice behind him, and smiled softly as Tsuyoshi Kirsten headed over, with his own gear to train with. The maneuvering mechanics of their lover’s omni-directional mobility gear allowed him to fly over great distances, something Kei could do with their poprocks with ease. But this wasn’t a competition.

Not right now, at least.

“You never see it.” They pointed out, brushing small remnants of the poprocks off their baggy pants, black fabric with red zippers that jingled as the garment was patted down. “Perfection is in the eye of the beholder, or some shit like that.” Tsuyoshi offered a smirk, gently taking one of Kei’s hands. They felt their cheeks blossom with a pink tint, a small ember of recognition sparking in their ruby eyes as Tsuyoshi’s olive hand held their scarred one. His raven hair framed his long face, brown eyes meeting theirs. Tsuyoshi was only 2 inches taller than them, but it was tense moments that made them feel even smaller than 5”6. 

“Well, I’m beholding you right now, and I don’t see any flaws.” Tsuyoshi mused, studying their face. Kei blinked softly, keeping their mouth shut. They didn’t want to ruin this. Or for it to end. They were lost in his guiding touches, as his eyes roamed all over their facial features. “Not one.” Kei glanced at the ground, looking at their calloused palms to even see if they could catch a glimpse of what he was talking about. But they couldn’t find it - at least, not as easy as they used to. When they were younger, it was easy to bask in the light as people showered them in praise. But after losing Alex and Maxwell and moving from Utah… after being tested and taken from their family before then even- They were finding it harder to look at theirself in the mirror and say they were perfection personified. Kei sighed, pulling their hands away. 

“Yeah, that’s cause you can’t see anything past your horse face.” They spat, grabbing their arm wraps to tape their fingers for punching. “Face it, Tsuyoshi, I’m not perfect.” Kei headed to a bag, getting into a fighting stance. Tsuyoshi frowned, heading over as they threw a few punches at the bag and threw in some side kicks. They let out short bursts of breath, as Tsuyoshi grabbed their arm to make them stop. They gave him an annoyed scowl, as they paused in the middle of their set.

“Yeah, like I’m a moondamned saint.” Tsuyoshi sighed, lowering Kei’s arm and taking his other hand again. “Listen Kei, you need to stop listening to that negative voice in your brain. You’re more than perfect, you’re the child of the most powerful heroes of your world, only outmatched by Kouya’s dad.” He pointed out, smiling a small bit. “You just need to see it as you train and fight. I’ve seen it since you’ve come here - it’s as if you were born to be a warrior.” Tsuyoshi unraveled Kei’s fingers one by one, Kei watching him work. “You move so fluidly, even when you’re upset… like you’ve been fighting multiple different times in your life.” He mused, looking up at Kei. “It’s a marvel to watch, like a figure skater performing.” He gently let go. “Believe me, you’re more than perfect - you’re perfection himself.” Tsuyoshi let go, and left the training area, leaving Kei with their thoughts. Kei blinked in stupor, then shook the blush off their cheeks. Tsuyoshi was right. Why the hell was he listening to his anxiety? He was Kei Bakugou, the son of Katsuki Bakugou and Eijiro Bakugou!! His father was the top of his class, and the most powerful hero to come out of Japan next to his Uncle Deku in his prime!! He had the aura of a goddamn king!!

And Kei was no different.

Kei took a deep breath, then smirked as they got back in a stance. They felt a burning in their veins, as they swung a leg into the side of the punching bag. The kick unhooked it and sent it into the sky, Kei using their poprocks to follow suit. They sent a few hard punches into the bag, making it lift more into the sky as sweat beaded on their golden skin. Their body slowly heated up, starting from their abdomen as they continued to bring the hurt onto the punching bag. They couldn’t quite understand it, but it was like they were growing faster with each kick and each punch. 

Like Tsuyoshi had said - like they had done this before. 

Kei sent the punching bag back into the ground, beginning to harden their arms and direct them towards the punching bag. With a roar of effort, they directed everything they were feeling towards the bag - the rage, the passion, the determination - they wanted this bag to feel everything .

“DIE!!!” They screamed, as they fired what they thought was a poprock.

Instead, a gargantuan blast of fire sprouted from Kei’s palms, all the heat leaving their body in an instant. The bag was no more - all that was left was a crater in the gym floor, bamboo floor singed from the flames. Their palms stung a bit, as Kei’s eyes widened in straight surprise. What in the hell was that?! Not their quirk, that was for fucking sure!!

Unfortunately, Kei couldn’t think much on it at the moment as they dropped from the sky.

“FUCK-” Kei screamed, panic fueling their body. Shit!! They hadn’t thought about how they were supposed to get down! How they hell were they supposed to fix this?! Kei was trying to think, glancing at their hands then at the area around them. Wait- rockets used thrusts to help them on reentry, didn’t they? Could Kei try to summon that blast again and do the same? Quick! How did they do it? Kei tried again to channel their energy into their palms, but alas the fire they had felt had completely left their body. They kept trying, falling towards the crater the initial blast had left. As they kept getting close, Kei decided against the flames and quickly hardened their entire body, hitting the ground full speed. Poprocks were knocked off of them, scattering about the gym. As they cracked across the ground, the impact ignited them and they exploded, the combined force sending them into the wall with a loud grunt. They were still one complete rock, but thankfully this hit just got them stuck in the walls of the gym and therefore the house. Kei caught their breath, as to calm theirself down. They peeled theirself off the wall with a grunt as they turned off their hardening, groaning from the soreness now filling their 5”6 form. 

Kei looked at their hands, then at the destruction all around them as the sprinklers kicked on. Their hair went flat from the water, turning from a medium brown to almost black. They blinked a bit, then with a massive grin showed their sharp, shark-like fangs.

“That was fucking metal.” They mused, as Emmalee, Akuma, and Chisuke rushed to the gym in worry.

Chapter Text

Connor’s Room

Nichols Household

Connor looked at himself in the mirror, taking in his giant eyebags and pasty yet tanned skin. Despite having had fallen asleep, the young Navajo had not rested well. Instead, he had been tormented by horrible visions of the past, ones he could never stop grieving over.

He remembered it all so starkly well, like it had happened yesterday. Hell, he had the tape it was recorded on, one he never dared to play or show to his younger brother and sister. It was why he was terrified of the buzzing of electricity, a noise he was so acutely tuned to that he could hear it when it was deadly quiet like it was this afternoon since Ever was at preschool and Jackson was at elementary school. 

Don’t ever forget I love you Connie. I’ll love you forever.

Who even had the bright idea of televising the execution of Imbalances? That was a question Connor had no answer too, even now when it had been outlawed thanks to the humanitarian laws. He hated he had no answer to it, because that person was why there was footage out there of this horrible, terrible event. The one event that scarred him for life and made him start to abandon his childhood.

You’ll be okay, I promise. Just go to New York City. You have to get to New York City.

He had begged, begged for the guards not to force Connor to watch. Connor had been 6 years old, himself only just then 18, he didn’t want such an innocent soul witnessing such a horrific event. Connor couldn’t blame him, he knew it was for his protection. Not like those guards could offer much mercy anyways. Part of the execution laws was that the family that was available was forced to watch, especially siblings. His family had been no help either, his parents unable to offer much solace or comfort and his foster family abandoning Connor as soon as the poor dear went feral. 

Please don’t make Connie watch this, he’s only 6, please- PLEASE-

Connor jolted as the sound of electricity sounded through his head, clutching his heart as he hyperventilated. His blue eyes were wide, and brimming with tears as his lanky knees buckled. Water, he needed water - Connor stumbled out of the bathroom, as a cold began to overtake his heart. The ice filled his veins and capillaries, spreading into his throat and knees. Connor let out a short gasp, as he crumpled onto the ground and curled up. This wasn’t new to him - he had had this problem ever since he was little. Just it was only triggered when his memories of his brother’s death came up. Connor breathed quickly, trying to regulate himself and stop the slow freezing of his body. 

Why this always happened he never had a straight answer to. Part of him thought it was a medical condition, and that he had to be checked out. But every time he brought it up, the house leader of the Horror House, Simon Man, had always told him differently. “ You’re a Weeping Moon, Connor! This is just a part of the powers that comes with it. ”

Yeah right.

Now Connor was never really religious. Sure, when he moved to the Horror House he was raised by the scripture of the Moons, and was taught the lore and how to worship them, especially Hoshiko, their patron. But he never really believed , so to speak. So to be told he was some child of the prophecy was baffling to him. Amusing, perhaps as well, but mainly baffling. How sucked into a religion did one have to get in order to become so enraptured with a child’s bedtime story? Connor, once more and very frustratingly so, did not know. 

It still, either way, wasn’t an answer to his freezing from traumatic memories.

Connor dragged himself to the kitchen, rasping a bit as he hoisted himself onto the counter using his fists. He grunted in pain as the freezing continued to his face, as he reached for a glass. As his hand weakly planted palm down on the counter, it froze the whole island, his body suddenly freed from the icy torture. Connor’s eyes widened in surprise, his memories practically vanishing from his mind. No medical condition he’d ever studied ever done that.

“....Goddammit Simon.” He groaned, as he stood straighter to grab his phone. He needed answers.

And now. 

Connor dialed the Horror House number and waited, tapping his foot. On one hand, he was grateful for the distraction from his flashbacks, but on the other he was now annoyed and confused. They couldn’t actually be right, right?

Right?

“Horror House of New York City, my name is First Lieutenant Isaac Richardson, how may I help you?” Isaac sounded through the phone in his normal customer service voice. Connor took a deep breath, pinching his nose. By Hoshiko’s Light he didn’t have the goddamn time for this.

“Isaac, it’s Connor, I need to talk to Simon, it’s urgent.” He growled, ears pinning to his head. There was a short pause, then…

“Please hold.”

“Isaac don’t you fucking put me on hold-” Connor started, then he heard the theme for Friday the 13th playing on his phone. He had to take another breath. Okay. This was slightly annoying. He waited for a few minutes, then he heard a click. 

“Horror House, this is House Leader Simon Man-”

“Simon, it’s Connor.” Connie didn’t bother with waiting. “What did you say again about the powers of the Weeping Moon? What exactly I should be able to do?”

“Ah Connie! It’s been a while!” Simon’s voice changed to warm and welcoming. “How’ve you been-”

“ ANSWER THE QUESTION SIMON!! ” Connor’s face morphed into that of a eldritch being, his deer horns lengthening and his mouth stretching to the limits with his 2 tongues. His eyes went black and tar tears began pouring from them, as his feral side kicked in for a second. He quickly reverted back with another calming breath. “I mean, please stick to the topic. I’m in a hurry.” He tried to calmly request, pinching his nose again. “The question, Simon, couldja answer it?”

“Oh- Of course.” Simon cleared his throat. “I apologize. As it goes for Weeping Moon abilities when triggered, it’s cyrokinesis and emotional manipulation. To trigger it is to go into a state of grief- I have a whole book if you want.” Connor blinked a bit, then looked at the clock on the wall. His siblings wouldn’t be out of school for a bit.

He could pick up a book.

“I’ll be right there.”

It didn’t take long for Connor to walk to the Horror House, as his long legs made the journey short. He kept his horned head down and his mask on, as he headed right to the mahogany doors of his childhood. He gave a tentative knock, as the door opened. And he couldn’t believe who answered the door.

A short woman with pale skin and goggles smiled, her brown hair swaying in the breeze. She wore something straight out of a mechanic’s garage, and two hatchets hung on her hips. The woman smelled of spices and herbs from cooking for a million children, and she had wear and tear on her scarred and wrinkled skin. She waited in the doorway as the young surgeon stared, just in shock at who had greeted him. It wasn’t until she spoke that he was able to snap back into reality. “Connie… been a long time.” 

“Mama?”

Chapter Text

Simulation Arena

Video Game House 

Alex-B312 ran through the arena, firing at different members of the Covenant. He was in the Pillar of Autumn, running the first mission in Halo: Combat Evolved on Legendary difficulty. He was firing at different Elites and Grunts as they rushed him, reloading as swiftly as he could. He was close to finishing, just had to get to the escape pod. He ran through the halls, firing at different enemies as he looked around. The map showed on his HUD, so he could tell where he was going, along with his lack of shields this mission. He was going to be lucky if he made it out. It was going to be close. He fired at another alien, taking a breath.

It was almost too easy.

It didn’t have the same drive as the survival mission. Alex could beat this mission with his eyes closed, the difficulty didn’t faze him anymore. He grew bored, as he managed to complete a harrowing escape and get in the pod. He almost half expected for the next mission to play automatically. 

“ Simulation changed successfully. ” Alex raised an eyebrow, as the mission around him changed. There were people that he didn’t know fighting alongside him - a giant robot, a man in a blue helmet, and a small girl in… Praetor armor?

“You want to survive Alex?” Daisy’s voice sounded on the intercom. It was a more serious and grim, as different creatures that Alex had never seen before ravaged the battlefield and were decimated by Alex’s newfound teammates with ease. “You want true freedom? Fight for it. With everything you can.” Alex narrowed his eyes, as he began following the strange people into the fray. He fired at the purple beasts as they tried to eat him alive, getting swarmed on all directions. This wasn’t anything from any video game Alex had experienced before. It was too real, too specific - he was very lost. 

Alex shook his head as he slammed a beast into the ground, letting out a low grunt. Daisy was right. Freedom had to be achieved - fought for. He had to get past obstacles to achieve what he wanted!! 

He wanted freedom? He had to fight for it.

That familiar ache burst in his arm, and he growled in pain as he dropped his rifle. He watched the little girl let out a war cry as she burst into flame, tearing these demons left and right. That’s when it began to hit him. This was Daisy’s fight for freedom. Her failure to get what she craved.

He wouldn’t disappoint her.

Alex let out a roar of his own, as his own want and need drove his body into an adrenaline fueled punch into the ground. His silver moon marking lit up, as the silver coated his body like armor. He reached his hand out for his weapon, immediately summoning it into his grasp. Weird, but useful. What else could it do? As another wave rushed at him, Alex planted his feet and aimed his hand right at the group. It was as if someone was guiding him, as his fingers snatched the air before him. Like whips on a target, tendrils of moonlight wrapped themselves around the demons, stopping them in their tracks. Alex put his rifle on his back with a growl, as everything he ever desired came rushing back. 

A purpose.

Freedom.

Survival .

The tendrils tightened as Alex began to spin, using a move Daisy had unknowingly taught him as a kid. She would spin him onto his bed to get him to sleep, and it always ended in squeals of laughter and cuddles before he was tucked in. To understand that it could be applied filled him with a sense of knowing - that Daisy had been preparing him for this day his whole, short life. She didn’t want him dying too. 

At least not without a fight.

“EAT THIS, DEMONS!!” Alex screamed, releasing towards the sky and the mountain background. It allowed his teammates the ability to reach the podium in the center, and load in crystals, ending the simulation. As the environment faded away, Alex breathed heavily, extremely weakened by the amount of power he just exhausted. He looked at his arm, as Daisy and a large man ran in with her. He turned to them, recognizing the dogeared man. Sean Taggart, a former Video Game House Leader and Daisy’s older brother. Both of them had been Moons of Rage, like how Alex was a Moon of Longing. He breathed heavily, as he offered a weak smile. “How… How’d I do?” He asked. Daisy smiled sadly, then hugged Alex.

“I think you’re ready.” She admitted, looking at her brother. “Sean?” Sean took a breath, a lot more serious than his sister. She seemed nervous, hiding it behind a smile.

“I’ll talk to Jason.” He grunted, making Alex light up with hope. This had been a test. He passed.

He promptly passed out in Daisy’s arms, as the euphoria of his success filled his heart.

Alex woke up in his room, a splitting headache resting in his head. He let out a soft groan, prompting a shrill squeak in his ear. “Eddieee!! Alex’s awake!!” He could hear Star MacTavish chirp, as he opened his eyes to see one of Eddie’s siblings summon the Big Brother. Kids were surrounding him and watching him keenly, as if they had been waiting for him to wake up. Classic Eddie. He probably had trouble getting the kids to settle in the first place while Jason and Sean talked. 

“Star. Volume. Please.” Alex weakly requested, as Eddie came inside the room. He smiled a bit, crossing his burned arms. There had been a fire a good couple of years back, back when Alex was little. When getting kids out he had gotten stuck in the flames. Made him look fairly hostile like his father Ghost, but Eddie had a warm heart like his other father Soap.

“Okay munchkins, run along to Charlie.” He instructed, making the kids whine and groan in protest. “Alex doesn’t need a million squeakers.” Eddie watched the kids protest louder, then sighed. “Okay, how about this - why don’t you guys get Alex some water, yeah? I’m sure he needs one.” He tried. The kids immediately perked up, chattering like a troupe of parakeets.

“Guys let’s go!!” Gem, daughter of Geras, piped, as the little army scampered away with Zara, Stella, and Melody taking the rear to herd the kids to the kitchen. Eventually, it was just Eddie and Alex. Eddie sat beside him, picking up a wet cloth and putting it to Alex’s head. The heat helped a bit, as Alex relaxed.

“Sorry. Kids were being difficult so I let them help.” Eddie admitted, as he dabbed the cloth on Alex’s head. “Especially Star and Gem. They weren’t happy you got hurt.”

“I fainted, but okay.” Alex blinked a bit, before sitting up. Why was he here and not in a car on the way to the temple? “What did I miss?”

“Nothing much to be honest.” Eddie put the towel aside with a shrug. “Sean and Jason have been talking for hours now. They have the Longing Priest and Daisy with them.” He looked over. “I don’t know what you did, but they haven’t been sounding happy. At least Jason hasn’t.” Alex frowned, then looked away. “What did you do, anyways?”

“...what my dad did.” Alex admitted, looking over at his friend.

“Survive.”

Chapter Text

Anime House

Infirmary

“And you're positive you're unharmed?” Emmalee repeated, as Kei rolled their eyes. She hadn't stopped fussing over them for 3 hours now, as she checked over their bleeding arms from quirk overuse. “No bruising, no large injuries?”

“How many times do I gotta tell you this, Emmalee.” Kei snatched their arm back with a frown, before it was taken again by Akuma. The normally cheery demon hybrid was quiet as he began to wrap bandages around the bleeding scars. He seemed solemn, almost, as if he was worried about something. Kei wasn't sure what, but it was kinda starting to unnerve them. “I'm fine. What's not exactly fine is the fact I just summoned a fireball bigger than some of my Pop’s explosions!” Emmalee gave a nervous look to her lieutenants, who nodded in the same solemn worry. “Okay, what the fuck is up with all of you?! I just told you-”

“We heard what you said, Bakugou-kun.” Akuma tightened the bandages, illiciting a gasp and grunt from Kei as they grabbed their arm in pain. He gave them a scolding look, making them shut their mouth. Obviously they were being a dick, otherwise Akuma wouldn't had done that. “Ms. Emmalee will explain what that means if you reserve some patience.” Kei frowned. Patience, patience, patience. It was something Camp Morgan tried to drill into his head often. They always said that if he didn't have patience, he wasn't gonna get anywhere. Which was stupid!! His foster dad always told him to fight and work for what he wanted, faster the better!! At least, that was how Kei remembered it. Kei was slowly starting to rediscover his father's old lessons, as much as he hated it. His father did his best to guide him, and to teach him better. 

“You're a lot like me, Kay.” He would always say, as the two of them either made dinner together or sat on the couch watching YouTube. “I want you to be better than me, okay? So you don't face the same struggles as I did.” Kei liked the lessons over dinner better. He found that while he was cooking he just remembered stuff better - he was able to cool down. Good food just seemed to fix everything. And his father understood this. He taught him different ways to cook steaks, different pasta dishes, meal prep - the years his mother worked to bring in income while his father worked from home were the best in Kei’s opinion. 

He wished he was here rather in Utah. His father would have a lesson for this. 

“Kei.” Emmalee cleared her throat, making the young person look over. “I'm not sure how much you know about our religion… in terms of the Moons.” Kei went into thought. Ironically, the Moons was one of the best legends to come out of Imbalance culture - in his opinion. He'd read it constantly to Raidon and some other kids, who turned to it for hope. A silver lining. He knew it well as anyone in the Anime House.

“Uh, there's the Mother Moon, Lunell Sr, who married a werewolf and had 6 kids- Wraria or Silvia, Hoshiko, Starlita, Silk, Crater, and Lunell Jr. Oh!” Kei snapped their fingers and pointed at Emmalee. “Wraria is Rage, Hoshiko is Grief, the first twins are Family, and Crater and his twin were Paths but Lunell is now dead and so Crater is now Longing!” They grinned, as Emmalee nodded approvingly. 

“Very good.” She praised, sitting beside him. “What else do you remember?” Kei tried to think. What were they missing? Oh yeah! The hope part!

“That the moons each pick a kid to rep them every 20 years and one of these times their victory is gonna bring everyone home!” Kei smirked victoriously. Emmalee nodded more solemnly this time, confusing Kei. What was she so upset about? She was one of the most devout Moon Followers they knew!! “What's up with you?”

“Kei… you're one of those warriors.” Chisuke admitted. “You're the Moon of Everlasting Rage and War.” Kei's eyes widened. Wait, they were one of the prophetic warriors?! That was so… so…

“METAL!!!!” Kei cheered, pumping their fist into the sky. “Holy shit!!! I knew I was destined for something!!!” They gave a giant shark tooth grinned, as the House Leaders gave them a look mixed between horror, surprise, and anxiety. “Oh c'mon, don't give me that!! This is good!!”

“Bakugou-kun, this isn't something to be celebrating!!” Akuma scolded, crossing his arms. “You can get killed doing this, do you understand that?!” Kei rolled their eyes with a scoff and a smirk.

“Only issue for the bad guys is that Wraria put me up to bat!!” They argued with a grin. “We're gonna win because Wraria picked the best warrior for this operation!! Everyone’s goin home!!” Emmalee frowned as Kei hopped onto their feet. “I'll fucking carry this team, it'll be great!!” 

“Kei you can only succeed if everyone survives.” Emmalee stressed. Kei looked over at her. Did she not hear them?

“And I'll fucking carry them if I have to, I just said that, Lady.” They stressed back, still grinning. “Ain't nobody dying on my watch, not are we failing on my watch. Everything is gonna be fine .” 

“Kei, there's still a ton of factors that you're not considering-” Akuma began, before being stopped by Chisuke with a shake of his head.

“We told a child of Bakugou that they were chosen to be a prophetic warrior meant to fix the world.” He deadpanned, as Kei kept up their celebration with a cheer. “There's no way for them to listen to reason at this moment.” He looked over at Kei, who was now proudly checking out the birthmark on their stomach. “All we can hope is that Asha sets them straight.” Akuma sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exhaustion.

“Moons help us all….” He muttered, trailing his hand down to his chin. “I felt better when I figured Connor was the Weeping Moon.” 

“You're still on that?” Chisuke looked over at Akuma in surprise. “Akuma, you need to forget him. It can never happen between you two. He's a Moon, you're a Leader. Even more importantly, he's a Horror- you're the child of an Anime-”

“And Emmalee has a thing with Simon, you really think I'm concerned about that?!” The demon hissed, turning sharply to Chisuke. She took a breath, turning away and looking over at Kei as he lit up like a million fireworks. “Even if they succeed, legend states we'll remember alongside them. I want a life with him.” Akuma saddened, gripping the handle of her katana. “I want to be with him.” Chisuke saddened as he watched his friend hope for a life she could never have, then he sighed and walked away.

“Add this to the multitude of reasons I'm asexual.” He mumbled, as he left Akuma with his thoughts. Kei ran back over, snapping them out of it. 

“I can tell Tsuyoshi and Raidon, right?” They excitedly asked. Akuma sighed, then nodded. 

“Yes, you can go tell them.” He softly agreed, getting a whispered yes from the Moon Warrior. “Just don't get their hopes high!” He called after them, as Emmalee walked to him. “Yes, Ms. Emmalee?” He didn't need to turn to know she needed to talk.

“Simon has extended a formal invitation to see Dr. Nichols before he's sent to the temple.” She reported gently, making him look over. “I will never tell you whom to share affections with, Kumachan. I just request that you be careful.” Emmalee smiled as Akuma gave a nod and rushed off with a smile. 

She wanted him to be able to tell him.

Kei ran to Tsuyoshi’s room, where he was reading with Raidon and a newer addition to the house. Plucked from the street, Pochita was the son of Denji from Chainsaw Man, and already a troublemaker. He liked stealing food from the other kids, especially the younger ones. It was a habit both Kei and Tsuyoshi were trying to get him out of. His favorite target seemed to be a child of Aizawa and Present Mic named Terry, because sometimes they'd sleep at the table. 

Again, it was a work in progress.

“But the Moons, in their brilliance, had a plan. They decided to select an infant before they were born and bestowed their remaining power onto them.” Tsuyoshi read from the book, as Raidon and Pochita listened keenly. Some other kids had decided to join them, as they watched him read the book. “Wraria decided to select an infant of great power and rage, a warrior-”

“That is yours truly!!!” Kei made a flourish with their hands as they bowed with a smirk. “Guess who just fucking destroyed the gym floor with fire?!” Raidon and the other children gasped with delight, Tsuyoshi raising an eyebrow in skepticism. Kei understood why. This wasn't something to joke about. 

“Kei I swear to the Moons if you're about to fuck with a bunch of kids and myself I will beat your ass.” He stated firmly. Kei smirked, lifting their shirt to show off the marking. 

“Check it.” They encouraged, as Tsuyoshi got up and touched it. He hissed in pain, shaking his hand. “Apparently that means it's real because Emmalee did the same and her eyes nearly popped out of her skull.” 

“Pretty sure.” Tsuyoshi agreed, shaking his hand some more before putting it down. “Damn. Knew you were special, didn't expect this special.” He admitted as Kei laughed. 

“Ain't it great? Don't worry, I'll get us home.” Kei promised with a smirk. Tsuyoshi softly smiled, as the other kids excitedly gathered.

“I know you will.” He noted, as Pochita ran into their arms. Kei scooped him up with a proud grin, feeling closer to him. He couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

They finally had a purpose again.

Chapter Text

Horror House 

Dining Room 

“So… the legends are true.” Connor was still trying to process it all. The House Leaders and his adoptive mother Lyra Rogers sat at the table with him, Simon pouring him some more green tea. “I'm… is that why death is such a constant around me?” He asked softly, lifting his elf eared head. Lyra gave him a sad look. 

“Connie-” She began.

“ Sí , that is why.” Anti was very blunt and to the point. “ Mira , amigo , you were never going to have a normal life as soon as they started raining hell upon you. As soon as your hermano died, that was it, finito , childhood over.”

“Anti!!” Lyra scolded, as Anti gave her a glare. “I was gonna break it more gently to him!!”

“Gently isn't gonna work with him, Princesa !!” The Mexican American argued, tapping the table with his fingers. His voice was slightly muffled by a white mask, which had a smile drawn on it Bloody Painter style. He was much darker than Connor, the darkest person at the table. His mother's genetics had shown more clearly, making him only share blood with his father. Unfortunately, this didn't save him in St. Peter's Camp for the Unholy in North Dakota. That mask hid a large forced smile cut in his left cheek, which was a nasty mountain range on his cheek. Funnily enough, at least to Connor, he was still Christian after that whole ordeal. “Are we talking about the same niño ?! Connor doesn't do gently, never has!” Either way, despite his brash and harsh personality, Antonio Woods was the perfect second lieutenant.

And the perfect counter to the first lieutenant.

“As much as I hate to admit it, Antonio is correct.” Isaac Richardson admitted. The perfect pairing for the lieutenants, the son of Jane the Killer and the son of Jeff the Killer never quite agreed or got along. But despite that, they made the greatest team known in the house, and were the closest of friends. The two of them did it for the kids, of course, but Connor always wondered why they endured the other so much. Couldn't be just for the kids. “Connor came for answers, we might as well grant them straight.”

“ Gracias !!” Anti sighed exasperatedly, doing a hand motion of gratitude towards his frenemy. Isaac dipped his head as Simon sighed. 

“Both of you are correct, apologies Lyra.” Simon admitted, looking towards the distraught woman. “Connor prefers to be to the point. He's not quite the youngster you're used to.” Lyra saddened, and Connor knew it had to hurt. Afterall Lyra hadn't been around since he was 11. It had been 9 years since she saw him, and he was taller, more mature, and definitely more literate. Simon took over on the fatherly role best he could when she was taken to the Institute, but of course as Leader he wasn't there for everything. Anti picked up whatever slack he could, and taught Connor important skills he thought he'd need - fluency in Spanish, self defense with and without a blade, weapon maintenance - the more Connor looked at it, the more he realized Anti was trying to ensure his survival through this. And Isaac, with his cooking lessons, etiquette lessons, and dress code lessons, had been trying to help him for life after. 

They didn't want him to come home a broken soldier. 

“.... you've been trying to prepare me this whole time.” He mused to the lieutenants, who both nodded. “All the lessons… you wanted to prepare me.”

“We didn't want you ending up like the last Weeping Moon.” Anti admitted, resting his arms on the table. Connor tilted his head, Simon taking over to explain. 

“The last Weeping Moon was Jackson Todd, who was 16 when he went in. He was a son of Jason Todd, so the priest, Tome Priest Tsu, found it easy to mold him into the ever knowledgeable Moon they needed.” Simon admitted, folding his hands together. “Now Jackson’s father had a key part of his story - rising from the dead with the aid of the Lazarus Pit and Ra’s Al Ghul. He received some of the healing waters as a gift should he need a quick heal during battle. His Rage Moon, 8 year old Daisy Taggart, was instructed how to use it on his should he be unable to administer it on himself.” Connor’s eyes widened. Daisy was a Moon? The 1st Lt. Daisy Taggart? “Unfortunately, Daisy misunderstood the during battle part, and revived him after he and the others perished in the final battle. Almost immediately he had tried to end himself, but he went into his Moon Coma before he could act. Sweet Daisy and him were forever altered, mentally and physically.”

“And that’s something I can’t allow to happen to you, Connie.” Lyra finally spoke up in a sad tone, Connor looking over at his mother. “Jackson even today is in so much pain… I don’t want you in the same pain. I never wanted you in the same pain.” Connor saddened himself, his pointed ears drooping. “I always dreaded this day coming…”

“Mama…” Connor stretched a clawed hand to her, dwarfing her scarred, calloused hand. “You’re not going to lose me like that.” He promised gently, grasping her palm in his. He wasn’t always the best at bedside manner, but he figured he had to try and comfort her. He hated seeing her so sad, and so lost. It reminded him so much on how his big brother looked before he went to see their parents, his brown eyes listless and searching for an unknown solution. His smart, loving brother, who just wanted to save him from prosecution. 

And got prosecuted himself.

“I’m smart. I know my way around a basic combat scenario. I know plenty about the Moons thanks to what I was taught as a child.” He pointed out, running a clawed thumb over Lyra’s hand. “I know first aid. I will be okay.” Connor softly smiled. “And even if I don’t win this, I’ll be with Bradley either way. He’ll be with me. And he’s always protected me.” He noted, as Lyra nodded with tears in her eyes. “I got this.”

“He is ready, Lyra, you have to believe me if not him.” Simon mused, Lyra letting go of Connie’s hands. Their fingers trailed away, like a memory on repeat. As if every Weeping Moon started their journey like this, leaving their most beloved family or friends behind. The cutting and shredding of whatever safety net they had to attempt to grow wings. 

Wings with broken, hollow bones and ripped, mangled feathers. 

“...okay.” Lyra took a deep breath, resetting herself. “If he really is ready, then fine.” Anti placed a firm, gloved hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. Connor felt a sad smile tug on his cheeks. It comforted him that Anti would be with his mother throughout this whole ordeal. The two had always been close, but Anti knew when Lyra was with his father Itsuki he was to keep his distance. Afterall, those two were together. He wasn't going to do that to them. Shortly after Itsuki’s death he'd shown more support towards Lyra, keeping her spirits lifted. Eventually, the two were a pair of their own, but it took Anti attempting to join the US Army that made her push for that. Because she couldn't lose someone so close to her again. Not that Anti was even able to get past MEPs - too many unhealed injuries.

“Keep her safe, will ya?” Connor softly requested,  Anti looking over. “I know that's a given but just in case…” The Mexican-American took a breath, looking at the table. “I don't want her being alone.”

“...she won't ever be. Lo prometo, niño .” Anti promised, giving a firm nod. 

“And we'll be here to help should you survive.” Isaac promised too, lifting his head. Connor shook his head, eliciting a reaction of  shock and terror. He couldn't do this. Not forever. If he was to do this, he didn’t intend on coming back. If it meant a more secure chance, then he'd do it.

He didn’t want to suffer like Jackson Todd.

“I'm not planning on it.” He admitted, looking up. “If what you said is true…”

“I'm not putting myself through that.”

Chapter Text

Video Game House 

House Leader Office

“He's not ready.” Jason firmly stated with a tight growl, staring down the monstrous man before him. “I'm still dragging him away from that one Simulation, he's suicidal! He doesn't listen!” Jason held his face with a groan. “He's not ready, end of discussion.” The Son of Master Chief looked up as Sean Taggart slammed his palm into the desk. With the small pup strapped to him, he almost looked domesticated. Not Sean. Sean was born wild - born with fires of Hell for rage. Of course, the cute Cerberus Taggart kinda took away from that. 

“You're not permitted to decide that, 117.” Sean growled, removing his hand from the desk. “If the Moons say go, he goes. Just like Daisy. Just like me.” Remnants of the Rage Goddess flickered in Sean's ruby eyes, as he stood fully. When it came to height, Daisy and Sean were fairly close, but Sean practically dwarfed the current Video Game House Leader. Wasn't too hard to do, even. The Doomslayer genetics were strong. Jason was a bit nervous to see what the pups would grow into. 

Right, not the focus.

“I understand that, but Alex needs more time.” Jason argued, getting on his feet. “Time to learn and grow.” Sean narrowed his eyes. 

“That's a job for Silvo now. He's trained every Longing Moon perfectly, he's not stopping now.” Sean pointed out, playing with Cerbie a bit. “Hunter, Noah, Eris… even Aster. The millions of Longing Moons before him. They all were great because Silvo trained them.” Jason got up, slamming his own hand on the table. He's heard this spiel about the Rage Moon Priestess Ashanna. He wasn’t going to go through it with Silvo. 

“Then is he responsible for their deaths too?!?!” He snapped at Sean, making red flash in the Slayer's eyes. “Is he responsible for Longing dying each and every time?!?! For them begging for their bonds or their actual parents?!?! Is he responsible for that?!?!”

“DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING DISRESPECT WAY PRIEST SILVO-” Sean grabbed his stomach with a roar, breathing heavily. His fist, meant for Jason, now propped him on the desk, as he huffed and heaved. Cerbie looked up at his brother, as he caught his breath. “Mmgh.” Sean shut his eyes with a few breaths, as the doors to the office opened. Haruki, a past Family Moon, and Daisy ran in, having heard the commotion and getting worried. “Silvo… does his damndest… to keep each Moon alive.” Sean grunted, as he stood up more. Daisy gave her brother a look, and he detached the baby carrier from himself and handed Cerberus to his sister,  while Haruki helped Sean stand better. “But there are variables which we cannot control. Silvo cannot predict everything.”  Jason looked away, trying to fight the tears coming to his eyes. He didn’t want this day to come. He never wanted it to. “Not even if he wanted to. And besides, if needed, you’ll be there to help him when it comes time for him to face the Dreams Goddess.” Jason paused, looking up at Sean. He looked pissed off, but there was sympathy and sorrow resting in those rubies. His cropped ears were pinned, Daisy carefully watching her brother and Leader discuss everything. Jason rose from his seat, shaking from rage. His body began to glitch and fizzle, especially the ports where he had his electro-magnetic prosthetics attached to his right arm and left leg. He wasn’t injured or anything - just pissed to the point where his mother’s genetics were coming out plainly. “I understand you’re scared-”

“You understand nothing.” Jason snarled at him, getting out of his chair. A gaming chair, funny enough - it was quite comfortable. “See this arm? This leg?” He motioned to his fake body parts, Daisy now looking away. She knew where this was going, and she didn’t think he should bring it up. “You said the same thing about your sister just about 25 years ago. You said at 8 years old she was ready to take up the family business - to kill demons!! I lost my arm, leg, Leader, and my sister in one battle, Sean!!! Your sister would’ve died if I did not sacrifice my body for her!!!” His voice was becoming distorted and warped. “I’m not scared - this is far from it!! I’m doing my job - I’m protecting the children and residents of this house!!!” Sean looked away, partially ashamed. “Alex-B312, unless he shows progress, will not go to the temple!! Not under any circumstances!” Jason yelled, getting to the door as fast as he could. 

Alex had been listening on the other side, feeling better and wanting to tell Jason. The man he called Dad. The man that while he sometimes disobeyed him, still held in high regards. To hear he didn’t think he was ready… it hurt Alex something fierce. He backed away when he heard the door opening, becoming face to face with the glitchy leader. Jason’s face of rage fell, as he looked at Alex’s tearful one of hurt. “Alex you- you should be resting-” Jason went to lead him away but Alex drew away. Haruki came out from behind Jason, hands clasped together as Sean came over.

“Hello Alex. Heard you had a rough time in the Sim.” He softly greeted, stepping forward to the very upset Moon. “Cmon, let’s get you back in bed.” Haruki put his hand on Alex’s back, leading him away. Kids began to watch, some beginning to chatter from worry. 

Why is Alex sad?

Why is he crying?

Did something happen?

Did Jason get mad at him again?

Is Alex oki?

Alex hugged himself, tears bubbling up more. He began to choke, shaking a bit. “He… he doesn’t think I’m ready.” His voice got soft, as he rubbed his arm. “But I passed Daisy and Sean’s test- I did good.”

“You did.” Haruki agreed. “But unfortunately for Jason, when the Moons say go, it’s time to go.” Alex looked up at the redheaded Moon, as he dried his gray eyes. Haruki was wearing gloves, so his allergy wasn’t affected. “Go ahead and pack your stuff. Sean and I will get you to the temple. And be sure to tell someone you’re going. Silvo said you get an extra person to train you.” Alex blinked in surprise, before going into thought. Daisy needed to be here. The kids, especially Lydia, needed her. Jason wasn’t of the mind that Alex was even ready, he was against him even leaving. Cas would be busy with House Duties. So who did that leave?

“....Give me five to find out where she is.” He softly requested. Haruki nodded, leaving Alex to his thoughts. He headed out, running down the halls and looking in rooms. He knew exactly who to bring. It was right in his face.

“...sorry, you want me to what?” Gladys blinked at Alex’s request, Eddie busy wrestling kids in her place. He was getting dogpiled and squished, as he pleaded to the apathetic daughter of GLaDOS for help. “I hardly think I am qualified for such a duty. Furthermore I don’t think the priests will be pleased if you bring a techno-organic to their place of worship. They have been known in the past to be against the use of technology save for the Moons selected.”

“GLADYS HELP-”

“I know, but you’re my perfect candidate.” Alex urged her, shaking his hands before her. “You’ve monitored my times in the sims, you’re practically hardwired to my vitals to know when I need to stop - even if I don’t listen.” He admitted before she made the correction. “You’re not gonna try to coddle me. You know my limits.”

“GLADYS SERIOUSLY THEY’VE BROUGHT THE TAGGART PUPS INTO THIS I’M BEING MAULED BY PUPPY TEETH-” Gladys went into thought, putting her finger on her chin. Then, to Alex’s delight, the pale woman nodded. 

“Very well. I will pack my items and meet the prior Moons and you at the transport.” She mused, turning to watch Eddie scream and lose to a mob of small children swarming him. “After I rescue our burned friend.” Alex chuckled, crossing his arms.

“And when is that gonna be?” He teased. Gladys blinked, keeping her orange eye and optic trained on the scene. It was the closest she got to smiling. 

“After I finish proving to him that the children getting their hands on the Mountain Dew Code Red is not a ‘small matter’.” She recited, quoting with her fingers. Alex’s eyes widened, and he began to laugh. Why was he not surprised? Gladys, true to her mother, was always running some sort of study for college with the kids. Sometimes at Eddie or Charlie’s expense.  It was closest she would get to entertainment or joy.

“You’re evil, Gladys.” Glady’s white body plates fluttered. Her version of a chuckle.

“So I’ve been told.”

Chapter Text

St. Louis, MO

8:30pm

On the road

Hornet fiddled with his family cross, watching out the window. They had hardly stopped travelling, the jeep rumbling along the pavement. Ren and Khaniath had mainly switched around the driving, one adult sleeping while the other drove. Wasn’t too hard to keep up with. The only times they really stopped was for food and for gas. Hornet had to admit, the road trip was pretty fun. He never left home like this, so while it was nerve wracking it was also quite exhilarating. He had never seen stuff like this before - it was all shiny and new to his eyes. Got his cylinders pumping with excitement - or at least his lack of cylinders. 

“Hornet, are you well?” Hornet perked up, looking towards Khaniath. Khaniath never removed the helmet, he soon quickly learned. Apparently it was part of a religious thing, Mandalorians weren’t to remove their helmets in front of others according to Ren. He also said Khaniath sometimes took that to the extreme, but that it was understandable. When you’re stuck being an Imbalance in a world that doesn’t accept or understand you, you find you cling to what your parents do just to feel close. Hornet felt sorry for Khaniath. Maybe if they weren’t a million lightyears from their father, they’d probably would use the religion as a security blanket. 

Then again, Hornet did the same with racing. 

“Yeah, I’m good.” Hornet chirped, getting a nod. “Where are we right now?”

“St. Louis, in Missouri.” Khaniath reported, settling theirself more in the driver’s seat. “We might pause here so I can switch with Ren.” Hornet looked away, staring at the sage upholstery on the seat. His armor shifted and clicked next to him, as he had taken off. Felt nice to feel human for just a minute, even if he wasn’t. He almost thought Khaniath would understand, but Khaniath rarely spoke as it was. The Mandalorian had a weird quality to their voice, robotic and grating. “I'm hoping we travel quick enough for you to befriend someone so they train you.” Training? For the Moon stuff? He tilted his head.

“I thought the Priestess or whoever she is was handling that.” Hornet questioned, tilting his head. 

“She is.” Khaniath confirmed, not looking over. “But this cycle they're trying to trust the Moons more with their own tuition. Whoever they believe can improve their training, they've been welcoming them to the temple.” Their helmet tilted as they began to think. “They've only been doing it since the Cycle prior.” Hornet frowned, then went into thought. 

“Can you do it?” He then chirped. Khaniath chuckled, but quickly had a coughing fit. They cleared their throat, sheltering their armored neck. Hornet took notice of them fiddling something under the armor. 

“While I'm flattered, Little Moon, I would rather you pick a newfound friend or ally.” They admitted, rolling to a stop at the gas station. “My armor and weapons would be no knowledge of use.” Hornet frowned. “I've served my time against the Mad Goddess. I do not wish for the outcome to be different.” Khaniath dropped the subject, nudging Ren awake as he jolted a little.

“Oh shit- how long was I out?” The House Leader grunted, then he looked at the time. “Oh. A while.” He looked at Khaniath, seeming to understand what they wanted. “Go ahead Khannie. I'll fill up and take over.” Ren and Khaniath left the car, leaving Hornet to his thoughts. He didn't get it. Khaniath wasn't a Moon from what he had heard. So what did they mean by serving their time? Did they use to be one of her minions? Maybe he trained Artemis? Hornet sighed, running his hands through his curly brown locks. This was confusing as all hell. He was still trying to wrap his head around the whole thing. 

Hornet looked out the window, spotting a beautiful yellow and black Camaro pulling up. Ren and Khaniath greeted the owner in it warmly, - or rather Ren did the greeting and Khaniath just nodded. They began discussing something, Hornet looking around before he slipped out. He never tested it, but his armor had the ability to save different cars to inspire the car features inlaid in its plating. It was an exterior T-cog afterwall, that was one of its main functions and algorithms. Maybe they'll allow him to add this beauty to his collection. He grabbed his armor as he left the jeep, the armor sliding on like a second shell. Khaniath heard him and looked over, immediately striding to him.

“Hornet, return to the vehicle.” They instructed firmly. Hornet tilted his head in confusion. That seemed to be a common reaction from him to Khaniath. “Now.”

“I just wanted to see if I could add the car to my alt modes-” The young Cybertronian hybrid pleaded his case, as Khaniath began urgently pushing him to the car. What was he, royalty?! Why did he have to be hidden away? The owner of the Camaro, a pale man with curly brown hair, glanced at the commotion, and his eyes widened. He immediately headed back to his car, apologizing quickly. Ren tried to reassure him. Hornet couldn't catch what he said, but he seemed upset. “What's the big idea?!” Hornet protested, as Ren soon darted over with a stern look. He had to be in trouble. But for what?

“Next time, request permission before you leave the vehicle like that!! One word to that man and you would've been executed!!” Ren ordered. Hornet's eyes widened. That wasn't just any Camaro.

That had been his father.

You can't see your dads, kiddo.

How come, Papa Dom? Don't they love me?

Very much. But that is why you can't. Their world is too dangerous. 

Of course, when Hornet was older they learned the law in school. Imbalances meeting their parents before the age of 18 was extremely illegal and punishable by death. Apparently, the US government was concerned that if they allowed the children to stay with their parents, the children would overthrow them and the end of the world would be upon them. Completely false, of course, but this was only the tip of the iceberg. Hornet was well aware how profiled his people were. At least as much as he knew. He couldn’t wait till he was 18 and could see them whenever he could. Ren noticed how scared Hornet was, and sighed as the Camaro and the owner finished up their business and left. “I’m sorry for scaring you.” He apologized, letting Hornet out the car. “I just didn’t want you making the mistake many kids have made over the years.” Hornet looked away, saddened. “Please, just next time ask myself or Khaniath before you leave the car. Understood?”

“...yes sir.” Hornet softly confirmed, looking up at Ren. The Leader gave him a sad smile - an attempt at comforting the young Family Moon. He understood Ren was just doing his job, it was just a bad situation. 

“Yknow, there’s another Camaro over there.” He directed, pointing at a black and gray Camaro parked at the store, a man putting away his snacks for the road. “You can ask him.” Hornet smiled a small bit, then headed to the man with a nod. At least Ren listened. Dom probably would’ve put him in the car and drive away. Fair enough. Dom didn’t play with his or Brian’s safety like that. He counted his lucky stars just from being able to keep Brian because he was born in the continuity. Better than some other poor souls.

“Excuse me?” Hornet called to the man, who turned to him with a tilt of his head. “I’m a Transformer kid - I use special armor that logs alternate modes I can apply to myself as a medical tool. Could I scan your car?” To his surprise, the man smiled and stepped aside.

“Go ahead, Lil Program.” He motioned to the vehicle. “Happy to help.” Hornet grinned, powering on his arm scanner and running the ray over it. The man whistled. “Impressive.”

“Thanks!” He looked at the man. “My name’s Hornet! My dad’s Bumblebee and Sam Witwicky.” The man nodded, offering a hand to Hornet’s free one. 

“Elijea Tron - call me Eli.” The two shook hands. “Tron’s son.” Hornet tilted his head. Curious!

“How does that work?” Eli laughed.

“I could ask the same for you.” He teased. “But I’m a Techno-Hybrid. My mom had me here and my dad went back to the Grid. Because of my biology I’m also able to go in the digital world - the Grid. You?” Hornet smiled. He never talked like this before to another Imbalance - especially not one with similar origins to him. Robot or technological and human parents, at least. Sure, he talked to Ren and Khaniath but they were more interested in talking about Moon Stuff. It was tiring.

“I’m not too sure. I plan on asking my parents.” Hornet admitted. Eli nodded in understanding.

“I get it. All good.” He noticed Hornet finished. “Well, I guess I’ll see you round kid. Hope you get to meet your Dads.” He got in the car, Hornet smiling. “Stay running, got it?”

“Yes sir.” The two shared a fist bump. “Thanks! I hope we can talk again! This was nice!” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m a Moon - or whatever it is. So they’re taking me to the temple. Haven’t really interacted with other Imbalances.” He admitted. Eli went into thought, then beckoned for Hornet’s arm. Hornet handed the armored limb over, and Eli typed a number in.

“You ever need a pal, you just call.” Eli encouraged. “I’m usually running security for my Uncle Flynn’s Arcade. I’m not too busy half the time. I’m actually on a road trip back to Cali.” Hornet smiled. He was in California! He’d find him!

“Sounds good!! See you!!” Hornet waved as Eli pulled away, speeding off. Hornet grinned, his armor shedding back into his boots. He couldn’t believe it. He met a tech Imbalance like him! Maybe this whole Moon thing wasn’t too bad.

“Hornet, let’s get back on the road!” Hornet turned to Ren, who was waving him over. Hornet ran over. He’d log Eli’s number into his phone in the car.

“Coming!”

Chapter Text

Anime House

8:00AM

“I assume you've selected your trainer?” Kei looked over, to Emmalee in the doorway. She was more solemn - as if she had been sobbing for the past hours. Kei rolled their eyes. Of course they had. Not that they actually believed that they needed one. Kei was fairly confident in his own abilities. But to comply with the rules of the game, they did indeed select who was going to be training them. Kei settled a red sports bra into their duffel, turning away from the house leader.

“Sure did. Kouya was surprised when I asked him but his dad was the only one who could keep up with mine. I need someone fast.” Emmalee strode over, watching Kei pack. “Boom, done, easy.” Emmalee cleared her throat, watching Kei’s hands more. “You're gonna say somethin.” Kei deadpanned, remaining focused. 

“No I'm not.”

“Emmalee I know that tone, you're sayin somethin.” Kei argued, turning to the sad leader. It almost broke their heart to see her like this. How many times did she send a kid to their death? How many times was she forced to watch a mad goddess tear through child after child? At this rate, Kei didn’t see a cheery mother - they saw a general. A general who said to celebrate, the soldier got soda instead of whiskey because they were too young for alcohol. Kei took a breath, looking away from Emmalee. “What is it?”

“...may I suggest someone who commonly uses swords?” Emmalee softly noted. “Rage Moons, like their goddess, use a sword in their battle. While your quirk is powerful, it's good to have a fall back.” Kei looked back at her. Was she… strategizing? “You are not my first Rage Moon, Bakugou Kei. I know quite well what your future arsenal will be.” Right. Eternal life. The curse every leader was handed. Unable to die from age, sickness - maybe injuries. Either way, Emma had a couple years on her. She knew what Kei was getting into.

“...who do you have in mind?” They asked, tilting their head. Emmalee turned to Kei, hands before her with a Polaroid before she handed it to Kei. Kei knew this Polaroid. Hell, they were in love with him.  “Tsuyoshi?”

“Tsuyoshi is skilled in larger opponents and sword based combat, alongside your priestess Ashanna.” Emmalee noted. “On top of that, he will help you learn aerial maneuvers. For evasion. So you're safe.” Kei looked up from the photo. “He’s the best candidate.” Kei took a breath, pocketing the photo. To be honest, Tsuyoshi wasn’t their first choice. Someone had to stay behind to watch Raidon and Pochita, afterall. Especially true for Pochita, who only trusted Kei and Tsuyoshi.

Kei had found Pochita on the street, with only his name and Chainsaw Devil powers. It wasn’t hard to figure out who his parents were, or more so why he was left on the street. Not everyone was graced with the Houses or a camp - and even the camps were 50/50. You could go to a camp as great as Lil Arkham in New Jersey, or to one as horrible as St. Peter’s Home for the Unholy in North Dakota. Every camp had pros and cons to weigh, Kei knew that as well as any former Camper. He still remembered his screening after being taken to the Anime House, introduced to all the leaders. He especially remembered the look the Horror House’s Second Lieutenant gave him - one of knowing and sympathy. From the amount of clothes covering his body, Kei could tell he had been one of the unlucky ones. 

Which was why he immediately took Pochita home after finding him.

Taking Pochita to the house had been the easy part - the cleanup not so much. The only thing that helped in Kei’s favor was the Parental Bond they found when holding Pochita. It allowed them to give him a bath, cut off his matted hair, and get him in cozy clothes. He wouldn’t sleep in a bed but Kei soon quickly discovered he loved the dog bed in the child of Megumi’s room. They purchased one meant for humans, and that was it. Pochita was Kei’s kid. Of course, the next day Kei helped Pochita through the entering process so that he was logged into the House records, but since then Kei was responsible for the son of Denji’s care.

They were quickly discovering that that complicated things.

“...I can’t ask that of Tsu.” Kei sighed, returning the Polaroid. Emmalee took it with a tilt of her head. “Leaving Pochita is bad enough, but if I take Tsu he’s gonna freak out.” Emmalee smiled, now Kei raising an eyebrow. “What?”

“You do not think I planned for that?” She questioned, motioning for Kei to follow. Kei, hesitant, did as instructed, Emmalee leading them to a bedroom. Akuma was playing with Pochita, who was biting and wrestling Akuma into the ground best he could. Akuma was in demon form, reciprocating the play with a snarl. Kei’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’ve been slowly building a relationship. Of course, nothing can replace a bond from Silk and Starlita,” Emmaleee admitted, Kei softening as Pochita played like he did normally with them. It was reassuring to see Emmalee thought ahead. They really did underestimate her. Emmalee was more than just an souped up Mom - she was a caretaker. A woman put in charge of the safety and care of hundreds of children. Someone who had to think of every possible threat and wrench thrown in a plan and work around it or fix it. He was beginning to wonder if the crossbow in the office was her own - probably was. She was a warrior, a protector, a caregiver - a Leader. 

It was time they trusted her judgement.

“...okay.” Kei firmly nodded, looking at Emmalee. “So long as Akuma is okay to do it-”

“My other backup is Kouya Midoriya, along with Echo of Horror House and Melanie at the Playtime Daycare down the road.” She promised, Kei relaxing. “Melanie is the last possible housing but Echo has had experience in childcare and monster like children - ones with the same animalistic urges as Pochita.” Kei looked back at Pochita, smiling sadly. It sounded like Emmalee had it under control. Pochita, while probably would be scared, wasn’t going to be alone - and that was enough in Kei’s book. He didn’t need to worry about Raidon as much because he trusted the older siblings. Their boys, in their absence, were going to be safe and mostly happy. They just had to not fuck this up. “He will be well cared for and loved in your absence.” 

“....thanks Ms. Emmalee.” They softly thanked, feeling her pale olive hand caress their shoulder. Emmalee gave it a comforting squeeze. 

“Thank me by bringing us home, Mx. Bakugou.”

Kei bet their quirk they were gonna deliver.

Chapter Text

Nichols Residence

3:15PM

“I knew it!! I fucking knew it!!!” Connor perked up as he packed his bags, turning to see his younger brother Jackson in the doorway. He still had on his backpack, shoes barely untied, and a scowl rested on his face.

Shit.

“I knew you were gonna abandon us!! Just like those two monster fuckers!!!” Jackson roared, the preteen extremely pissed off. Unlike Ever and Connor, Jackson hadn’t gone feral - yet. Connor was hoping it meant his genetics were more… human.

A monster like him could hope.

“Jackson, I’m not abandoning you and Ever.” Connor firmly promised, turning to him fully. “I’m just getting ready for a… business trip. That’s it.” He hoped Jackson would buy the lie. It was the best way for him to get them to adjust smoothly, Jackson and Ever. The youngest Nichols most likely wasn’t far behind her brother. Jackson kept eyes on her like a hawk on a rabbit.

Jackson had been born around when Connor was 8, 2 years after Bradley died. A complete accident, as his parents had said, but the young boy was never so sure and believing of that. When he was 3, the twins Ever and Luna had been born, and hidden in the same cave as Jackson. The then toddler was left to care for the twins on his own, with minimal adult help. It was no wonder Ever had the health conditions she had today. Jackson always believed himself responsible for Ever and Luna, parentified at such a young age until he was 9 and brought to the House, then Connor. Connor tried everything to fix the damage - therapy, socialization, bonding - but Jackson wouldn’t have it. He got even worse after a year ago. Connor had let the twins go to a birthday, Jackson having homework. Next thing he knew, cops were at his door saying Luna caused a fire. Connor unfortunately had become desensitized to death - his siblings not so much. Jackson had gone quiet, Ever in her own state of mourning. It was then Connor decided to just let Jackson function how he was going to function. He didn’t want Connor’s help? Fine.

Of course, Connor tried to be the parent Bradley had been to him. It was hard with his doctor schedule. He was often late, to school pickups and dinner, and with her POTs half his attention was on Ever and her condition. Connor and Jackson were practically never on equal footing, save for a few moments Connor always used to tell himself he was doing a good job: Jackson wiggling into his bed for comfort after nightmares, Jackson rambling to him about the latest videogame he beat, Connor knew so much information about Xenomorphs and that brand of aliens that he just counted it as common knowledge. That year he had even gotten Jackson every Alien movie he could get his claws on. 

He really had fucked up this time, however.

“Okay, fine. Yes, I’m leaving.” Connor sighed, getting to Jackson’s height. “But I’m not abandoning. I’m a Weeping Moon - a prophetic warrior. And now it’s time for me to go and fix everything.” It felt false just leaving his mouth. “I’ll be back before you know it.” Jackson snarled, getting in a stance. Connor could spot Ever behind him, her eyes wide in fear and confusion. He motioned his head for her to go to her room, and she darted off. “I promise.”

“Liar, liar, LIAR!!!” Connor watched in horror as Jackson’s body made a sickening crack, forcing him on all fours with a screech Connor was all too familiar with. He tried to think of what could’ve lead to so much stress for this, as Jackson’s body grew thin and lanky. His ears pointed, a tail bursting from his pelvis like a chestburster. His canines extended, his torso and cheeks becoming gaunt, his mouth unhinging to make room for not one, not two, but three tongues. His eyes were taken over by an inky black coloring, as his claws extended and pierced the terrible carpet. After a few agonizing minutes, Jackson’s transformation was complete-

And he was in a feral episode.

“Shit-” Connor braced as Jackson lunged at him, going for his neck. He grabbed his arms and wrestled him to the ground, trying to keep his own beast at bay. “Jackson!! Calm down!!” He ordered, Jackson biting at him with a screech. “Cmon- I really don’t want to hurt you!! Jackson!!” Connor pinned him, looking up to see Ever’s wide eyes and shaking body. He could hear her heart beating double time. “I have him, Ever! Hide in your room and call Lyra!!” He ordered, Ever rushing off. “AND KEEP BREATHING!!” 

I don’t have time for this!! Connor tried to think of what calmed him down when he went feral, but unfortunately with the circumstances of how he went feral he wasn’t a good example. Half of him wanted to chance it - to call his dad and mom. WHAT THE HELL WAS HE THINKING?! WAS HE TRYING TO DIE?! Connor shook the thought from his head, pinning Jackson to the floor by his shoulders. No contacting his parents. No hurting Jackson unless necessary. He had to make that his goal. He tried to think back to his own Feral episode again. Back when he was six. Bradley had just been executed. He ate his whole adoptive family. 

Your honor, Connor Nichols pleads for insanity. He’s only 6, and he was being heavily abused alongside his brother who you so cruelly decided death on! He was not in the correct state of mind to make his own decisions and there were no protective measures. I would like to move toward House Arrest instead!

Thank the Moons for his appointed lawyer. 

Connor swallowed back his vomit. Nope, not far enough. He thought farther.

I WANT MY BROTHER!!

¡¡TU HERMANO ESTÁ MUERTO!! ¡¡ACÉPTALO, NOS OBEDECERÁS!!

NO!! I WANT BRADDIE BACK!! I NEED BRADDIE BACK!!!

Shit, was that really all he remembered?! Outside the eating?! How was that supposed to- Wait. Eating. That had sorta helped him in a way last time - he just ate the wrong people and was grieving. He needed food! Connor looked at the thrashing boy, then looked for a way to restrain him. His hoodie! He unzipped Jackson’s now large hoodie, tucking his arms in and using it as a swaddle as he ran to the kitchen. He dug into it, pulling some pieces he had extra of. The rest could be used while he was gone. “You wanna bite? Bite this.” He ordered, even if Jackson wasn’t in a listening mood. He slid it partway into Jackson’s mouth as he sunk his new teeth in, the newly formed wendy scarfing it down. Good… he was accepting it. “That’s it, eat up.” Connor encouraged, feeding Jackson the whole liver and then grabbing him a kidney. “Here, this one’s one of my favorites. Good job.” He praised, hoping Jackson could hear him. Much to his delight, Jackson began to relax and calm down, not fully transforming back but at least in a lucid enough state. “Sh…” 

“Mmgh-” Jackson soon was rearing his head away a bit. He had a bit of the lung still that Connor was currently feeding him, the surgeon wanted him to at least finish it.

“Just a bit more Jackson.” He encouraged more, prodding his lips as Jackson whimpered. His head probably hurt. His did too when he was lucid. “You went feral, this will help the headache.”

“My body hurts…” Jackson whined. Connor smiled sadly.

“Your bones stretched 3 times their normal size, you’re gonna be sore bud.” He admitted. “You gotta at least finish this lung though. When Lyra gets here I’ll ask her to make you some boiled brain soup or something.” Jackson wrinkled his nose in disgust.

“Gross, boiled? Isn’t there an equivalent for chicken noodle?” He protested. Connor chuckled. Yup, he was back.

“Liver noodle, yeah. Tastes similar in my opinion.” Connor noted, beginning to pet Jackson's head. “I'm sorry I have to leave. You have to understand that this is something I have to do. To bring us home.” Jackson looked at the ground, his brown eyes now having red sectoral heterochromia - his left eye with a small spot, his right with a larger one, nearly half. “I'm the Weeping Moon. From the story? I'm meant to bring us home.”

“....even Bradley?” He softly asked. Connor tilted his head. He knew?

“Yes, even him.” He agreed. “But how-”

“Went snooping in your room for an old mask to use for my family tree project and found the tape.” Jackson admitted. Connor stiffened. “Ended up watching it.” He looked up at his older brother. “You always told us about him. Didn't realize how brave he was.” Connor sighed, closing his eyes. “But I guess that's why you were able to watch Luna's huh?” Connor took a breath. The image of the executioner pouring tar on Luna's brain still haunted his dreams. Every death he had witnessed haunted him. Was just a price to pay.

“...yes.” Connor admitted, adjusting Jackson’s position on his lap. “Yes that's why.” He heard Lyra letting herself in. He had to go. “Listen. I have to move. Protect Ever. Be good for the house leaders. I'll make sure to write.” Jackson nodded, Connor rubbing his cheek clean of blood. “Maybe if everything goes to shit, I'll teach you how to use this feral side, okay?” Jackson grinned, wagging his new tail. 

“Kay, Con.” The brothers shared a hug, as Ever peeked out. “Ev cmon. Say bye.”

“Are we gonna see Connie again?” Ever whimpered, coming over. Before Connor could answer, Jackson hopped to action. 

“We will.” He looked at his brother, blinking softly. “Just one of his business trips. Right Con?” Connor smiled. 

“Just a business trip.”