KAIJU FIGHT #6

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #6

CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disaster, destruction of city, blood, gore, medical needles, toxic gas

▶ 001. SOMETHING IN THE SEA (KAGOSHIMA.)

It takes time to traverse the difficult terrain and fend off the corrupt wildlife but eventually, Redemption and Brimstone will arrive at the Ohsumi, where they will be sent coordinates to travel towards Sakurajima. There, they will find a very thin strip of land that forms a sandy and rocky path towards the island. They will be advised to wait until low tide when the path is easiest to cross.

Fortunately, as they wait, they will be largely undisturbed. The poison here is significantly more concentrated and any wildlife that lingers too long suffocates. For safety, Outsiders must continue wearing their protective suits to avoid the same fate.

Finally, the tide begins to recede and gives way to a rough and rocky path towards Sakurajima. The ground is hard and difficult to traverse; some parts are slippery with water. As they cross, a great tremor starts and the waters around them become turbulent. There isn't much to hold onto, but they're at high risk of falling into the sea especially when the land begins to rise.

When the tremors stop, there's a loud, hissing roar. The Outsiders will find themselves on the back of a giant turtle that is disguising itself as a small island. It appears this kaiju is the cause for the rift energy on this side of Japan.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Gigakame
HEIGHT: ???
WEIGHT: ???
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Kagoshima, Japan
ABILITIES: Breathes toxic gas, inner core is hot with magma, spits fire.
WEAKNESSES: Electricity, destroying and separating the turtle from its shell, filling the core with water.
EXTRA NOTES: This is a kaiju that has never been documented by LILITH before -- not much information can be provided. However, just like normal turtles, it uses its shell as a shield for defense and can be weakened if the shell is destroyed and torn from its body.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

The Outsiders will have to cut off all energy supplies to stop feeding the newly named Yamadenki and then defeat them.

Outsiders will be instructed to use water as their advantage as the creature uses fire and magma abilities. Electric attacks will weaken it, but the key is to tear off its shell from its body. Outsiders will be instructed to try this tactic, and after everyone's effort, the Gigakame will be defeated.

▶ 002. KAGOSHIMA AFTERMATH.

The Gigakame washes up on shore dead. The bizarre weather begins to normalize, but the poisonous miasma still lingers. Outsiders disembark to Kagoshima's base to depart and assist their other team mates.

Thanks to the clear weather, it's much easier to return to Kagoshima's research base. There, the researchers reveal they have a few emergency teleporters which are only allowed to be used during an emergency. Presumably, there are just enough to evacuate the researchers, but unfortunately, there are more Outsiders. The staff admit they probably won't have enough power to warp everyone safely; they guarantee that the first handful to go through will arrive in Tokyo with minimal issue, but the more they push their machines, the worse the side effects they'll suffer.

Redemption and Brimstone must decide who to send forward first to assist. Either way, everyone on both teams will be successfully teleported to Neo Tokyo, though those who have drawn the shorter straw (literally or figuratively) will suffer more sickness than those who teleported sooner rather than later.

▶ 003. SOMETHING IN THE SKY (TOKYO.)

While a huge sigh of relief sweeps the country when the kaiju in Kagoshima is defeated, there’s no actual time to relax. Outsiders will be ushered to go through the makeshift portals and/or are encouraged to find other means of arriving at the outskirts of Tokyo immediately. The Imugi has been spotted, and time cannot be wasted-- this is due to the influx of rift energy that is surrounding the city of Tokyo. While LILITH did complete the basic evacuation measures for the citizens of Neo Tokyo, there’s still an ominous air around the city and it’s not just from the rift poisoning, either. With small rifts cropping up here and there within the city, appearing and disappearing, the LILITH base is the most likely target for the Imugi.

While the hatchlings were moved to different facilities for safekeeping and monitoring, the Imugi seems largely uninterested in chasing them at present. The Imugi is resolved in its movements, and no amount of mimicking the hatchlings' vital readings can sway the Imugi off its intended path. As expected, within three hours of the initial fluctuations in rift energy, the Imugi appears at the emptied base. Similar to its behavior in Seoul, it sweeps over the base erratically, almost as if enraged. Its state is a direct mirror of how it appeared when avenging its mate, and it seems this is just the start.

Utilizing the insurmountable amount of rift energy it has built up around Tokyo, it eventually releases a deafening sound that causes the hatchlings to react, drawn to their mother. They make their way through the rifts, traveling through them at her beckoning, only to end up at the basement of the base. Just like that, the Imugi sinks its large claws through the roof of the structure and destroys not just the base, but also its young.

The energy produced by this creates a devastating explosion that destroys parts of the base and some of the surrounding area. While there were limited casualties due to the evacuation efforts, the area is now heavy with rift poisoning and the Imugi has every intention of destroying the city. It becomes clear that it did not desire to chase its young, but to use them to exact revenge.

▶ 004. TOKYO AFTERMATH.

The storms increase in intensity as the Imugi circles around the sky of Neo Tokyo. Fortunately, its ire still appears to be largely focused on the area around the base, and so the torrential downpour and lightning only seems to reach around this immediate area. LILITH tries to keep this space contained, attempting to work on stabilizing some of the rifts in order to cut off the Imugi’s potential escape routes. In the meantime, they will offer Outsiders as many resources as necessary to remain in the fight. They will send in supplies occasionally, including their specialized energy drinks and medical equipment. The new injections they drop off are able to heal light wounds and minor injuries, which can be administered quickly on the field. They anticipate this to be a long battle and advise Outsiders to pace themselves and work together.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: IMUGI ♀
HEIGHT: 1000 feet across, 30 feet high
WEIGHT: 2000kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Neo Tokyo, Japan
ABILITIES: Control over weather conditions, including summoning of heavy storms, lightning strikes and hurricanes. Can fly up to 1000 feet. By flying amongst the clouds, Imugi releases chemicals into the atmosphere that bring about acid rain. Armored scales, sharp teeth and claws.
WEAKNESSES: Piercing it in the gaps between its impenetrable scales. There is also a particularly weak spot under on it's neck that will deal significant damage if pierced.
EXTRA NOTES: From its initial appearance and behavior, specialists believe that this female Imugi confirmed to be the mother of the hatchlings. This appears to be the female counterpart to the kaiju in Seoul that was killed by the Outsiders after causing havoc on South Korea. Despite them both being the same type of kaiju, likely derived from the same rift, this kaiju seems slightly more agile and openly aggressive.

By the latter half of the battle, all Outsiders should be accounted for in the final fight.

As expected, the battle lasts for over half a day and with the rift energy dwindling, the Imugi appears to be weakened. In fact, the Imugi has shrunk down to its original size prior to Seoul. Feeling its life is at risk, it uses the last of its energy to flee to the foot of Mt. Fuji. Fortunately, it doesn’t make it to the summit, and the Outsiders will be able to make quick work in pursuing it. For those that require it, ground vehicles and planes will be provided accordingly. Let's make sure it doesn't get away!

Upon arrival, they will see the final battlefront isn’t nearly that dramatic. The Imugi is significantly weakened, barely staving off attacks. Instead, it seems to focus on consolidating energy into its core while thrashing about. Eventually, a killing blow will be delivered but even then, it doesn't die easily. Similar to its young that were sacrificed, it appears to be using its own body to summon a final rift. Unfortunately, it cannot be stopped. Outsiders will be advised to temporarily retreat, after seeing the destruction that its young can do. The Imugi's body glows, increasing in intensity as it continues to gather energy. This is the warning to retreat. Within a matter of minutes, it self destructs, and a new rift is seen in its place. All Outsiders and LILITH are safe. The researchers immediately alert the area to be closed off for inspection.

Upon preliminary examination of this rift, they find that not only did it level a good portion of Mt. Fuji, but the power from it is unparalleled. Unlike the rifts they’ve encountered in prior battles, including their most recent venture in Transylvania, they discover this rift cannot be closed. What could this mean?

▶ 005. RE-GROUP.

With parts of the base destroyed and Neo Tokyo undergoing cleanup from the aftermath of the battle, Outsiders will be advised to take a break in the underground bunkers between Mt. Fuji and the city outskirts. As part of Mr. Fuji was also destroyed, some of the bunkers aren’t accessible, but Outsiders will find it is an entire maze of a city beneath the surface. If one traverses far enough, they will find it even connects to the amusement park that they saved last year. Exploration aside, Outsiders will be provided medical assistance and anything else required, and LILITH staff that are on hand will remain devoted to getting things back on track.

In the meantime, Outsiders can utilize whatever supplies are available and use the rooms at the Kyoto base freely. Each room contains anywhere from 2-4 beds, and everyone will be encouraged not to be alone in case of another emergency, especially as the rift remains open at the base of Mt. Fuji. These rooms are set up like traditional houses rather than a flashy base, with sliding doors and tatami mats. Floor futons will be used instead of Western style beds. There is one communal and traditional bath house for all sexes to use, a makeshift medical area, and an underground market that have several restaurants... but the food options and quality of amenities are questionable. They are mostly run by gritty characters or A.I robots.

As the portal between Kyoto and Neo Tokyo is still active, for those who are still able to, they will be advised to assist in retrieving any Imugi parts that remain from the scuffle. While its main body is being contained and promptly dealt with by LILITH, there are parts and scales scattered around Neo Tokyo and the old base. All parts are to be bagged, marked, and returned to LILITH. It's hard to say just how much of LILITH's base was destroyed and Eiji Shiro along with Captain Yamakawa are evaluating the state of the base before sharing a detailed report of the destruction. Stay tuned until February 25th for a follow up post.

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our sixth kaiju battle, and it's a double whammy!

There are two kaiju to attack this time. Please read the instructions at each header about how to play. Remember, you only have to fill out your attack information once and we will RNG a HIT or MISS result two times per character.

It is highly likely that if your character did not pack certain belongings with them that they could be amongst the rubble of the base. The state of the base will be explained in a follow up post on February 25th, but fret not, you may assume whatever items are still in tact and operational and can be retrieved shortly. If you'd like for items to be perished and destroyed, be our guest!

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards February AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. SOMETHING IN THE SEA (KAGOSHIMA): Teams Redemption and Brimstone arrive at the Ohsumi to receive coordinates to Sakurajima, where they must wait until low tide to cross. The poison in the area is significantly concentrated; Outsiders are advised to wear their suits to avoid suffocating like the rest of the wildlife. Once they are able to cross, they discover that the land they are on is not an island, but a giant turtle kaiju responsible for the influx of rift energy on this side of Japan. Outsiders will be instructed to use water against the kaiju and try to separate the shell from the body.

2. KAGOSHIMA AFTERMATH: After defeating the Gigakame, Outsiders will be instructed to join their other teammates in Tokyo via emergency teleporters located at the Kagoshima research base. There is a limited amount of power to warp everyone safely, and Outsiders must decide who to send through the teleporter first. Eventually both teams will safely arrive in Neo Tokyo, but those who have gone through the teleporter later may suffer more side effects.

3. SOMETHING IN THE SKY (TOKYO): The Imugi has been spotted in Tokyo with a large influx of rift energy and has its sights set on destroying the LILITH base. Although the hatchlings were moved to different facilities, they are inevitably drawn to their mother and travel through rifts to the empty Tokyo base; however, instead of a reunion, the hatchlings sacrifice themselves and the ensuing explosion destroys parts of the base and the surrounding area.

4. TOKYO AFTERMATH: The rematch with the Imugi and the Outsiders begin, with LILITH working on stabilizing rifts to cut off the Imugi's escape and sending in supplies in the form of energy drinks and new medical equipment. The battle lasts for over half a day, with the Imugi attempting to escape to Mt. Fuji, weakened to the point where it can't reach the summit. Outsiders are advised to retreat as the Imugi self-destructs and creates a new rift, one that can't be closed.

5. RE-GROUP: With parts of the base destroyed, Outsiders will temporarily stay in the underground bunkers between Mt. Fuji and the city outskirts. While Outsiders are provided medical assistance and anything else required, LILITH staff that are on hand will remain devoted to getting things back on track. Outsiders are welcome to help themselves to the limited amenities and room with others; however, sharing is encouraged and the food options are questionable. As the portal between Kyoto and Neo Tokyo is still active, some Outsiders may be asked to assist in retrieving Imugi parts. At this time, Eiji Shiro and Captain Yamakawa will assess the damage on the base before sharing a detailed report at a later time.

code

Comments

yuji itadori / everlight

[eyescar]

 😭😭😭 ▶ 001. SOMETHING IN THE SKY (TOKYO.)

[ The explosion that rocks across Tokyo is enough to get Yuji's attention, because it's a painfully familiar sensation. He remembers waking up in Shibuya and seeing the giant hole left in the world thanks to Sukuna's work, the thousands of people that had died, all left on his shoulders with that smug, deep voice telling him to take a good look, and it makes nausea roll inside his stomach.

Yuji does what he can to make his way through the city, trying to work around the rifts, looking bereft, not sure how to handle the sudden boil of emotions inside of himself. It wasn't even that long ago that he was talking about what happened in Korea, and now for the same to happen in Tokyo...

Will they keep messing up? Will they be able to save anyone in this place? Anyone who comes up beside him will see him looking a mixture of miserable and determined, trying to gather himself as he moves. ]

We have to get back there as soon as possible.

 💪💪💪  ▶ 002. TOKYO AFTERMATH.

[ Yuji gathers what he can to make sure he's prepared for whatever might go down in Tokyo. A little bag filled with healing items - not for himself, but for anyone else he's going to come face to face with - but he ignores the energy drinks. The anger that burns inside of him is strong enough to keep him motivated, so the last thing that he needs is more energy when he's brimming with it.

During the fight, Yuji can only be described as something close to feral.

Back from his fight with Sukuna with more powers at his disposal, he rocks across the fight, constantly trying to get as close to the Imugi as he possibly can. As he leaps up, trying to grab hold of any part of the kaiju that he can get. When his fingers touch the kaiju, wherever it happens to be, little marks appear across its scales before they snap into a cut mark, though not all of them are effective.

Throughout the battle, if anyone looks like they need help, Yuji skids to a halt beside them and leans down, reaching to try and stem their wounds or grab one of the medical supplies from his bag. He's pretty bloody and messed up himself, but will casually shrug off any attempts to take care of him or make him deal with his own hurts. ]

It's fine, I can heal myself. Focus on you.

[ The explosion that comes later deafens him for a moment, hands over his ears, eyes closing as he feels it shake through him. His first instinct is to rush back over, but with LILITH cutting it off and stopping him from getting close, all he can do is stand there, looking... Numb.

Exhausted. He's so tired. ]

 🥱🥱🥱  ▶ 003. RE-GROUP.

[ In the bunker, Yuji is sat in a corner, looking bleak, small, and exhausted.

Despite the scrapes and wounds he seems to have, he takes no medical supplies, waving a hand - if anyone pokes or prods him, he rolls his eyes a little and focuses his cursed energy on healing one of his wounds in front of them, as if to prove a point. He's fine, he doesn't need healing, he doesn't need anyone to use their resources on him, he's just tired, and worn down, and doesn't know what to do to make any of this better.

The base was important to him; he thinks about all the photographs he had of his friends, the ones that are still here and the ones that have gone, thinks about the presents, the gifts he had been given, all the things that had made Neo Tokyo a home, and... He can't resist the urge to press his face into his knees and cry, just a little, tears rolling down his face as he tries to breathe out and focus on not falling apart.

A few weeks ago he was happy to be back here, his mission at home dealt with so he could focus on LILITH and the people of this world, but...

For this to be the first thing that happens since he came back? The first fight? It's an emotional weight he's struggling to deal with, no matter how far he's come and how much effort he's put into things. His heart is heavy, and he feels as if he can't move.

Eventually, someone gets him to make his way to one of the rooms, where he can be found with Choso, clinging to his brother; otherwise, he's teleporting between Neo Tokyo and Kyoto to help with the transfer of parts, doing what he can to get his mind off everything. ]

 🃏🃏🃏  ▶ 004. WILDCARD

[ Feel free to find Yuji somewhere else, or hit me up on plurk/discord to do something in particular! ]

oo3.

[gorb]

( It's a simple enough thing to drop wordlessly down beside Yuji. Geto doesn't even think about it, just eases into the space beside him within the span of a breath, suddenly present. The wall to his back and his legs crossed neatly in front of him, he lifts a singular arm to drape it as a steadying weight over the young boy's shoulders, squeezing tightly in as much comfort as he can muster.

It's a heavy thing. They've won, but at what cost? He's choosing not to think about the things that are now missing. But he can imagine the toll either way. )

Ah, Itadori.

( Voice soft, gentle. He won't tell him that things will be all right, nor will he apologise. But Geto will be here for him if he needs anything, so that must count for something. )

[eyescar]

[ There are people in this place that Yuji might try and hide how he is feeling, try and tuck his emotions aside, but... It feels a little bit stupid to try and pretend he's okay to someone like Geto, who absolutely understands. For all that, the other man had become darker, had become a curse user... Yuji knows enough to know that the path wasn't that simple, and if he was any kind of different person, he might have walked in Geto's shoes, too.

That strange empathy makes his whole heart ache. ]

Geto-san...

[ Unable to help himself, he twists a little and turns to hide his face against the other man, doing his best to hold back his tears despite the desperate, painful urge. ]

[gorb]

It's all right.

( Not the situation at large, but Yuji's upset. Geto tightens his arm the minute the boy turns, holding him close in a way that belies his years of terrified fatherhood. He cares about him, is the thing. No matter how hard he tried to keep himself separate from the rest of the sorcerers here, Yuji has steadily wormed his way under the walls Geto erected. He wants to help when he cries. He wants to do something to make it better.

But there isn't anything. And so all he can do is hold on. )

It's okay if you want to cry, Yuji. ( ! ) There's no shame in that. If it hurts, it hurts. I won't tell anyone.

[eyescar]

[ It's comfortable, in a way that Yuji knows but can't really describe.

He never really had parents; he had his grandfather, who was often more than enough, and he had his middle school friends, but he never had anything like this. He had no adult figure to take care of him beyond his grandpa's grousing, affectionate but never too far. Entering the world of Jujutsu Sorcery had opened Yuji up to that world, to the chance of having someone fill that void inside of him.

There's no way he would've expected Geto of all people to slip into that role, not after their first meeting, but...

Hearing his own name from the older man's mouth makes him wobble, and he breathes out. ]

It's okay. Everyone knows I cry a lot anyway.

[ Sniffle. ]

003

[rikugan]

Yuji.

[ sensei is here to check up on his tiny with a tub of ice cream in toll. (don't ask him where he got it.) plopping down on the edge of the bed unceremoniously, he offers up the cold treat to him, as he regards him with his usual light-hearted smile. ]

Eat this. It'll make you feel better. I got your favorite flavor. [ his little crybaby — he figured that the destruction of the base and all their personal effects would come as a blow to itadori, notably the photographs. even he can't help but feel a sting from that loss. ] How are you holding up?

[eyescar]

Ah, sensei...

[ Gojo's appearance doesn't really surprise him, and on instinct he's reaching up to take the ice cream, to look at it in his hand before a small smile settles on his face. There's something a little sad about it, Gojo always needing to take care of him, but...

At least he's still here. Yuji appreciates that more than he can say. ]

I think I'll feel better once we can look at the base.

[rikugan]

We can go take a look together later then. See what we can find.

[ he doesn't really care about recovering any of his own possessions (with the exception of the polaroids yuji gifted him for christmas), but he doesn't mind lending a hand to help his student scavenge for his things. after what yuji has been through and what he has achieved, he shouldn't have to cry anymore. ]

For now, we're all safe and sound, right?

[eyescar]

I think so.

[ Yuji hasn't gone out of his way to check on everyone just yet, he's been too tired, but... At least he knows Gojo is okay, and he can sense Raidou, Choso, Nanamin and Katsuki through their rings. That makes life a bit easier for him, even if his heart feels far too weighed down.

He plays with one of the rings now, hanging around his neck; the one that would've connected him with Megumi. ]

You didn't get hurt, did you?

002

[tokakujuho]

[ No matter how cheerful and upbeat on the outside; no matter how personable and friendly, in the end, most sorcerers are creatures of solitude. Perhaps it's consideration for their peers, the desire to keep everyone (except oneself) out of harm's way.

Perhaps it's the knowledge that when they die, they die alone.

It's during the absence of noise after the explosion that Nanami finds the boy, looking lost and bereft, as if a gust of wind could knock him over. There is, in Nanami's experience, rarely great cheer or celebration after big battles at home. Only exhaustion and numbness and a strange sense of loss, regardless of the outcome.

He takes the bag from Itadori, brushing away some of the grime and blood from the boy's cheek before slinging his right arm around the young sorcerer's shoulders to lead him away. ]

[eyescar]

[ He had been too optimistic.

Yuji had believed that, after killing Sukuna and coming back, things here would be easier. He'd be able to handle it all, and manage, somehow, even with all the horror and death this world had forced on them. He really thought he would be able to make a difference, do something good with his strength and his new abilities, but this...

It's another reminder of his failures.

Nanami's comforting weight is familiar, and he leans into it, letting himself be turned away from the desolation, leaning into that solid kindness. Sometimes it's easier to be alone, but that's never been Yuji's way, not when he's truly hurting, and he breathes out a soft little noise. ]

How are you, Nanamin?

[tokakujuho]

[ The world would never be a good place if people existed. And. Only people were capable of finding good and doing good even in the midst of horrors they could never imagine.

Nanami has always existed in the former, mild despair and gloom in the bottom of his tender heart. And. There are always people like his school friends and this remarkable boy who turn his gaze towards the bright and beautiful. Towards hope. It's not until years and years after that fateful day that Kento finally realises that he must play his part in protecting those built around hope. That if and only if there is enough sunshine, can he hope to find his own peace on sandy beaches near deep blue water. ]

A little bruised but nothing serious. Those injectors work quite well. And I'm glad we got the creature in the end. Those endless hours of training did pay off.

[ He ruffles Itadori's hair lightly, a tinge of affection in the motion, before dropping the hand back to the boy's shoulder. ]

How are you? Should we get you cleaned up?

[eyescar]

[ Yuji can't help the way that he wants to fret over Nanami, to take care of him, even if he knows he doesn't need to; his tracker ring kept him aware of where his mentor was at all times, and he knows that if anything had really gone wrong he would've known, but... Breathing out, he shakes his head.

It hurts, to try and stay strong, to be the one who keeps it together, to look at Nanami now, hurting and still echoing with his wounds, and not feel that kind of quiet grief.

Is it so bad a thing, to want to protect him, to take care of him, to make sure he's okay and that no harm comes to him? ]

I wish we could've done more, before...

[ Leaning into the touch, like a quiet cat, he sighs. ]

I'm really doing okay, promise. I don't need to be cleaned much at all.

▶ 001. (but might transition to ▶ 003. later)

[blastedass]

SHIT! [Katsuki twists his head around, every nerve raising on end at the sound. In a rush, memories pour into his mind. A rising ball of light and flame far off on a mountain, suddenly bursting and releasing a cloud of dust. Barreling their way until everything began to break apart. Buildings broke down, streets eroded away, people turned to dust, screams and crashes all around as everyone able fled for their lives. Shigaraki's decay consumed so much of the cit-

He snarls and rips the wheel to the side, cussing at the villain in his mind. He has other things to focus on, swinging his car around and stomping on the gas in a rush back to the street. Goddammit, dammit! After everything they did, everything he tried, to pull all attention away from the city, this city, their base, their fucking home! Spotting a figure on the side, Katsuki pulls up beside Yuji, popping the lock and bringing the car to a rumble beside him.

He recognizes the look on his best friend's face. Sorrow, shock, desperation, determination, resolve, pain... It hadn't been so long ago they'd experienced such feelings in Korea... Katsuki rolls down the window.]

Get in! I'll take you there!

[Yuji's probably capable of besting even the car with his speed and teleportation, but he should conserve his strength for when they arrive. Bakugo's fast enough in this to get them there.]

[eyescar]

[ Yuji feels a strange, intense bitterness inside of him, something that's achingly familiar now. Waking up after Shibuya, standing in front of Higuruma, seeing Megumi be taken, violence after violence, unable to be ignored. He's only one person, and he can carry all these burdens, all these different weights, but there's only so much any of them can take before they shatter into pieces.

Luckily, his soul is strong enough to push the pieces of himself together, even in the wake of all of this, more heartache and more hurt.

It's almost impossible to drag himself out of the strange, pulsing feeling of discomfort and intensity inside himself, even at his friend's shout. He shudders for a moment, the grief and pain pressing down on him, before he grits his teeth and turns his head, slipping away from the view and into the car beside his best friend. If anyone's going to be able to handle this with him, it's going to be Katsuki. ]

I could just -

[ But he bites his tongue.

Really... He wants to be with his friend right now anyway. ]

Let's go.

[blastedass]

[Only so much any of them can take. Katsuki mirrors the thought in his mind. For all he rages about the strength of heroes and refusing to give up, they are only human. He never saw All Might give up, and he refuses to be anything less than his idol, but... How much fucking suffering and pain should a person endure before they're allowed to throw in the towel and say "fuck it" to standing back up? No one owes the world anything. And vice versa.

Yuji's not someone he ever expects to see give up. No matter how broken, bloody, weak, or pained he is, the sorcerer will continue to rise each time, even if he has to jab his bones into the floor as makeshift crutches. His heart and soul will move even when his body can't. Katsuki doesn't want to let him ever get to that level of destruction though.

Red eyes watch as Yuji rounds the car and finally gets in, shaken a little from his daze, yet heavy under clouds of shock and despair. Once he's buckled in, Katsuki hits the gas and heads towards the battlefield. Other Outsiders are already converging, two gundam above and someone else bounding off rooftops. Tch... he's not gonna be among them this time, but he has to accept that. He made a promise to someone he cares about, and another one's sitting right beside him.]

I know. [Yuji could run, he could blitz, he could teleport. But... Katsuki's shoulder twitches, instinctively wanting to reach out and offer his hand to his friend, but his arm refuses to move, and he has to relinquish the desire to focus on his driving.] You remember when we first arrived? When that stupid AI bitch was forcing us to talk nicely to each other.

[Much to Katsuki's furious rage.]

Anyone who didn't comply got stuck in their rooms. I couldn't even blast my way out. [Megumi had to teleport the incensed hero via his shadows.] If those rooms could withstand my Quirk, they can withstand that.

004

[the_fourteenth]

[Everything since getting back from the imgui battle has been a blur, the weight of the consequences making it more difficult for Raidou to function properly. There is so much to be done - healing the injured has taken up most of his time, helping around the med bay. An exhausting task, but one Raidou does without hesitation, snapping at anyone with a simple and terse I'm fine to anyone who dares to suggest he takes a break.

He checks in on Yuji quietly and unobtrusively, by using his tracker ring. Sensing that he is with Choso; in Raidou's opinion, someone Yuji is much better off with right now. Raidou himself wants nothing more himself than to be alone, to disappear somewhere somewhere and cease existing for just a little while.

Yuji stops getting text replied from Raidou, and if he checks his tracker ring, it's turned off. Should Yuji check his room in the bunker, Raidou's backpack is gone, with nothing left behind but a greeting card propped up in the corner. It looks to be quite rumpled, getting crushed in the commotion of everything, but Yuji's name is neatly written on the front.

Inside is a valentine's card, the front featuring an adorable illustration of a pair of shiba inus. When he opens it, there are two notes on either side of the card. One side has a neatly-written note, and the other a different one written much more hastily.]

I will return. I am okay. Stay here at the base, with your brother. He needs you.

I just want to clear my head.

[The neater side was obviously written before the mission:]

Yuji,

To say the last year here has been difficult would be an understatement, but to face these challenges with you at my side makes it seem as if nothing is impossible. I cherish every moment we get to spend with one another, and I would gladly fight a hundred kaiju if it meant staying with you for just one more day.

I hesitate to call it an anniversary, as time for you has been muddled, thanks to LILITH. Their actions are another reminder of how precarious our situations are here, and that I need not wait for a momentous occasion to send a note about how much I care for you. Today is precious, as will be tomorrow, and every day that you remain here in Neo Tokyo. You're a beacon of light in this dark place, sunshine.

Love,
Johei

[The summoner connection does get weak over a long distance, should Yuji try to find Raidou that way, but if he searches hard enough, he'll be lead out into the forests surrounding the bunker. If he chooses to wait for Raidou to return, it will be several days until LILITH finally drags him back inside.]

[eyescar]

[ Yuji waits.

Here's the thing: he knows what it is to be alone after a tragedy, to need to be alone. He had seen the horrors of the world unfold in front of him, thrust into the deep end - he had literally died on his first mission. He can still remember how that felt, knowing that when he took control of his body again his heart would be gone, ripped out and left to drip miserably on the ground, watching Megumi's face...

But he'd been happy to die then, for the promise of a better future, for the promise of a better path for his friends.

It's not that simple here, is it?

People die here, and they don't come back, just like at home. If Yuji died here again, a third death, then that would be the final one. There would be no way for him to come back.

Waiting for Raidou to come back is hard, not because it's impatience that gets to him, but because he wants to go out there and comfort him, to try and ease some of those burdens, those hurts, those pains. He wants to do something to make this easier, better, but he doesn't know how, so he waits until his partner comes back from his isolation and just...

Hovers, briefly, for a moment.

After a while, he finds the other boy with his ring and goes to sit beside him, stretching his legs out with a long, slow sigh. ]

[the_fourteenth]

[It's a couple of days that Raidou is out there, LILITH dragging him back late in the evening of his second night out camping. No argument or resistance from him, he simply picks up his things, cleans up his campsite and goes along. He hadn't been running away, and planned to return the next morning. Raidou just needed time to gather himself together and get ready for whatever was next.

Once back at the bunker, he returns to his room, and sits. Trying to figure out what to do next. There was always much to do, and right now it all felt insurmountable in a way where he didn't even know where to start. Probably in the med bay, checking in those more severely injured Outsiders to see how they were, and go from there.

But before he can even get that far, Raidou turns his tracker ring back on, and stays where he's sat. Being gone for even this long makes him realize just how much time he spends with the other boy, with an absence like this feeling like far too long. Much like Yuji, it tore at Raidou to not go to him, wanting to comfort him as well, but he knew he was in no state to do so.

He smiles to himself just a little when he senses Yuji's on his way to his room. There Raidou sits properly, on his knees, back straight, facing away from the door. Just Yuji sitting down next to him, seeing him here, does wonders for calming his mind.

And in typical Raidou fashion, he opens with an apology.]

... Please forgive me if I worried you.

003

[saudadist]

[ Lucy hasn't gotten much sleep in the aftermath, but that's all the more reason Nyuu could force her way to the front. If Lucy won't rest, she'll just make her! Except this means she has to do some menial labor and retrieval of Imugi parts. A grisly task indeed, and one she regrets. A little. She's eager to take a break, though she still aims to be useful by bringing back water and rations for those taking breaks.

She stops as she spots Yuji. Hesitating. He looks so tired. ]

You're...Yuji-san?

[eyescar]

[ Lifting his head, he blinks up at her before he gives a little smile. ]

Yeah...?

[ Did she forget? Shaking his head, he pats the spot beside her. ]

Do you wanna take a break?

[saudadist]

[ He's Yuji, but something about him is...different. She can't place it. He seems more worn down despite the smile.

When was the last time he rested? Like really rested? ]

I was...actually going to ask if you could help me move some water bottles to the break area!

oo3. [time for the mean old man]

[zauneyete]

[ There's something to be said for how people cope with things like this. Perhaps he should have more sympathy for the way people were... upset about how things went down. Perhaps, if Silco were a kinder man, he would. Perhaps, if he considered that some people were happy to move on in this world, he would have felt a touch more sympathetic.

Not likely, but there was always the possibility.

As it is, Silco appears... relatively unchanged. Smoking and drinking just like always in the bunker. It's probably not the most pleasant of experiences to be around. Especially when someone is feeling bad, and there's that thick, wafting smell of too-foul smoke that cloys the senses. Unpleasant. Silco doesn't even do him the courtesy of asking after his health, or even offering him a drink from his flask, he only takes one look at the boy, looking down at him for once — Yuji is most certainly taller than him — and his lips peel back into a thin line. ]

Never lost everything before?

[ Because that had to be the reason, right? He was, perhaps, assuming, but the boy did look... beaten down. ]

SHUT UP SILCO ILY

[eyescar]

[ Yuji glances up at Silco, watching him for a moment.

It would be easy, to laugh it off, but he doesn't have the heart for it right now. It would be easy to shrug and say well, sure, he's just a kid, or something like it; but there's a bitterness inside of him, a coil of something black and dark and pained, and it comes from victory being ripped away from him. He had gone home and won, only to come back and feel as if he had lost everything.

Yuji might think Silco is cool, but he can also think he's an asshole at the same time.

Turning his head to the older man, utterly deadpan, Yuji speaks: ]

I watched my brother burn to death in front of me, actually.

HEHE I AM GLAD (´▽`ʃ💖ƪ)

[zauneyete]

[ There's a moment where something flashes across Silco's face. Maybe it's sympathy, maybe it's memory, but it's something, more indiscernible and more complicated than simple acceptance. He at him as he says it, notes the tone of voice. Silco blinked a single eye, the other staring at him with that same soft of violent hate he so often feels towards... almost everyone and everything.

His fingers twitch, almost ball into fists. He forces them to relax. ]

Well, better that, then to see what happens if they live.

[ It's an assholish thing to say, but there's a thread of something... true there. Something that Silco believes. ]

Tell me, then, if you have seen something so terrible, why this has shaken you, then?

[ In a voice that says, unfortunately, that he thinks he shouldn't be that upset. ]