GRUDGE BURST - Urban Fantasy Multi Protag Downward Spiral

Meanwhile, at the Ordinance Academy, Yamada the cockroach rests in his 'bed'.

His dorm is barren, only having a desk and a large mat on the floor that acts as a bed. His body lays flat, seeing as how he can only sleep with his legs facing down. The walls are a drab gray. The window is closed and covered. The room is pitch black.

It's the middle of the morning.

Two people stand at the side of his bed.

They look at him as he sleeps.

"...Do you think this is the only way he can sleep?" Asks Naoki.

"Well duh. He can't sleep on his side and if he slept on his back he wouldn't be able to get up." Responds Makoto.

Yamada snorts and slowly blinks open. He sees the shadowy visages of Naoki and Makoto.

"Wha- What? Who's there?"

"It's us dude." Responds Makoto.

"Rise and shine pal!" Says Naoki, walking over to the window. He opens the drapes and lets the light enter the room.

"GYAAAHHHHH CLOSE IT," hisses Yamada, frantically covering his eyes.

Naoki shuts the drapes immediately. "Guess he's not much of a morning person huh..."

"Why would you do that?" Asks Yamada, rubbing his eyes. "And my glasses... where are my glasses?"

"Seriously?" Asks Makoto. "You have the physicals of a cockroach but you still need your glasses?"

Yamada turns to the general sound of her voice and purses his mandibles. "I wouldn't be asking for them if I could see. Besides, Ms. Gretchen said she would tell me what was going on with me today. But I don't think it was supposed to be this early?"

"Well you'd think wrong my demented friend," says Naoki.

Yamada looks down, as the rest of his body droops.

"She summoned us to call you early," clarifies Makoto. "After she diagnoses you, we start the real training."

"Alright..." Says Yamada, scratching the back of his scalp.

Yamada situates himself by standing up, putting on his glasses, and tying a tie around his neck. Force of habit.

As the three of them walk out Yamada's door, the hallway clutters itself with groggily walking students. Most of them have woken up just recently. Among them is Akemi Kishimoto, bright and bubbly as ever. He greets several students, smiling at everyone, shooting finger guns while exchanging "Heys," and "Howdies!"

Another student walks the opposite way of him. This student has pitch black shaggy hair that went down to his neck. He's also wearing ripped jeans, and a hoodie underneath his uniform. He slouches as he walks. His eyes permeate a sense of tired apathy. No, something deeper. Cold, grey, dead eyes. He's grimacing. The closer Akemi comes towards him, the stiffer his body gets.

They both bump shoulders.

"Jackass." Mutters the shady student.

"PIECE OF SHIT." Barks Akemi, turning around. As Akemi awaits for the student to walk back towards him, the student couldn't be bothered and continues walking. Akemi huffs, adjusts his leather jacket and storms towards the direction he was originally walking in.

Yamada, stunned, opens his mouth. "What was that all about?"

Naoki shrugs and comments: "It's just a thing between them two. You'll understand later."

Yamada's mandibles quiver.

"You know," starts Yamada. "The more I start to warm up to Akemi and think he's a cool guy, the more he appears to be the most unhinged out of you three. I really hope that's just a coincidence."

"Yeah don't worry. He's just sensitive towards specific things," assures Makoto. "...Wait, most unhin- what the hell do you mean by that?"

.

.

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Within the medical office, Yamada sits on an exam table. Makoto and Naoki stand around, watching Ms. Gretchen and Kyouji hook wires and needles all over Yamada's body. The room is dimly lit, as usual. Several screens showing various statistics, lines of codes, and telegraphs of vitals blare the walls.

Kyouji, cross-referencing some texts, looks back and forth at the books before facing Yamada. "I hate to be the one to tell you this," starts Kyouji. "But... you're cursed."

Yamada blankly blinks. "Yeah?"

"Yeah...."

"I uh, I didn't know that," says Yamada. Everyone notes that its very hard to tell whether he's being genuine or sarcistic, but all mentally shrug it off.

"But what does that mean for me?" Asks the cockroach.

"Well, aside from the obvious," says Gretchen. "You're a human who's been transmogrofied to be a hybrid between human and cockroach. Hence why you still have fingers and why you still need glasses."

"If you were transformed to be an actual giant cockroach," cuts Kyouji off, "you'd either be a literal cockroach, or you would implode on the spot since bugs can only sustain themselves up to a certain size. Both scenarios are obviously bad."

"But I don't understand," says Yamada. "Why a cockroach? What did I do to them?"

Ms. Gretchen and Kyouji both look at each other.

Kyouji starts. "That's the thing. The cursing was someone else's doing (duh), and we don't know who did it but, the cockroach part... that was you."

Yamada, taken aback, feels his heart sink. "What? How? I don't know how to use magic?"

"We analyzed your body and traced the basic structure of the spell used on you," says Gretchen. "We could only find out how it works but basically, it transforms the person into the closest creature the person thinks themselves to be."

Yamada blinks and doesn't say a word. He stares at the ground. After a minute, he opens his mouth. "How can I go back to normal?"

Kyouji puts his hand on his chin. "Do you want the good news first, or the bad news."

"Does it matter?" Whimpers Yamada.

"I guess you're right. The good news is, there's a way to change you back."

Yamada's mandibles perk up.

"The bad news is, the people needed to conduct these types of things are few and far between."

"Can't the academy contact other campus' or sorcerers?" Asks Yamada.

"That's the thing..." Says Kyouji. "Right now, you're practically arrested into doing labor work for the school/government. I hate to be blunt, but even if someone from a different province had the necesarry skills to help you out, the government hates you right now. Either you get on their good side, or you figure something out on your own and continue to work for the academy. I don't know how else this can work."

Yamada stares at the wall. He clasps his hands together and rests his elbows on his knees. He says nothing.

Everyone also awkwardly keeps their mouths shut, unsure of what to say, much less if anything needed to be said.

Silence.

After a deafening pause, Yamada opens his mouth.

"So I just need to get on the government's good side?" He pauses, before continuing.

"Ok."

Yamada then turns to Naoki and responds.

"Yes. I can do that."

Naoki's grim expression inverts on itself. He smiles with newfound hope.

"With that out of the way," says Gretchen. "I think it'd be best if we actually taught you how to use your body. It'd be pointless if you went to missions just to get yourself killed. Stand up for me please."

Yamada does as he's told.

"See, since you're cursed and your body was forcefully transmogrified, it altered your brain to that of a sorcerer. And since your body turned into... that, it also had the benefit of permenently staining you with ki. Say, did Naoki hurt you while you were fighting him?"

"Yes," simply responds Yamada.

"And Naoki, how hard were you trying in the fight?"

Naoki scratches the back of his head. "Well, I won't lie, I only used ki to beat him up but I guess I was going my usual rate when it comes to missions. Except for the last blow, I intentionally loosened it up so that I wouldn't kick his head off."

The cockroach lets out an oversized bead of sweat.

"Precisely," comments Gretchen. "You already have ki coursing through you due to the transformation. Without it, you most likely would've died with the first few hits. So for now, though its coursing through you, I don't think you can actually control it yet. Tell me, when's the last time you physically exerted yourself to an extreme degree?"

Yamada ponders for a second before answering. "I would say it was when I was defending myself against Naoki, but now that I think about it, it was the day of the transformation. I was running late to work and I just missed the train. Just as I was about to give up, something inside me refused, and I started running on all fours (two arms were still tucked inside my suit).That's when the world slowly started skewing and I ran so fast I caught up to the train."

Gretchen snaps her fingers. "That's it. When your Ki activates it alters your body to a significant degree. As a sorcerer, you'll obviously need that. However, whether you're naturally adept to that is on you. Makoto here is a Magic specialist but she still needs some control of ki or else she just has the durability of a normal human. A basic way of thinking about Ki is like a multiplier of your strength. If you could bench car, with Ki you can now bench 10. If you could react to 12 frames a second naturally, now you can react to a bullet. Show us your basic strength by doing as many pushups as you can, right here, right now."

Yamada rubs his antenna. "Golly right now? Alright..."

Yamada gets on all sixes, and bends his elbows in, lowering his body. There's audible pops in his bones and a creaking noise to his muscles.

"Hhhhrrrggg....."

"(Even though its been a long time, I'm getting the flow of it)" Thinks Yamada to himself.

The cockroach audibly grunts each time he does a push up.

"GgggrrrAAAARRrrrgggg."

"(More damn it. I can do MORE.)"

With determination, Yamada grits his beak.

"GGGYYYYYYYYARRGGGHHH," he yells.

Yamada, profusely sweating, hisses out of breath and plops flat on the ground.

"So," says Yamada out of breath.

"Impressed?" He says, with newfound confidence.

Kyouji stares at him. "You did three."

Yamada pants before looking back up at him. "Yeah but for a beginner that's not bad, right?"

Naoki looks at Makoto in wide eyed disbelief; "Oh my fuck." He says.

Gretchen sighs. "You're going to have to work on that. Thankfully, since your mind is already tapped into the spiritual world as a side effect of the spell, training is going to be a lot easier. Naoki will help you with this but, training for the three types is quite simple. For Ki, the more you do something that concerns the material world, the stronger you get. Whether it be exercising, counting money, enjoying nature, etc. The more you appreciate or care for it, the stronger it affects your Ki."

"Counting money and enjoying nature? How does that make me tougher?" Asks Yamada.

Gretchen continues "Well Ki concerns the material world. Really caring for that money, the cost of things, how much you'll get, etc, is materialistic in nature. Though, gaining a technique that manipulates matter through Ki is already a feat in itself. As for nature, its another part of the material world. When you appreciate the material world (which includes grass and trees), and become one with it, you gain a better sense of the matter that makes you. And of course, exercising literally concerns breaking your body and making it stronger. All of these examples concern the physical world. And again, the three types are abstract, and are molded by the intent and interpretation of the user."

Kyouji chips in. "Magic as a system is very liberal. As long as it connects to the main concern of a person's mind, body, and spirit, it'll work out. Don't overthink it."

Naoki too, chips in. "Also since Ki is control over matter, it coats the body to the point where it affects clothes."

"I'm assuming that's why sorcerers rarely get naked when they're fighting right?" Asks Yamada

"Yep. Very handy. Unironically, noticing your opponent's clothes are starting to rip is a good tell that their ki is lowering. Oh fuck that reminds me," continues Naoki. "Last but not least, actually activating your techniques in general. We all start out fresh, poorly managing our Ki. Sure, we can coat ourselves with it, but whats the point if you already tire out after five minutes? So that's the thing: when it comes to Ki, Psychopower, and Magic, the more you use it, the better you get at using it."

"Like a muscle?"

"Yeah!" Continues Naoki. "Now I must make it clear that everyone starts out the same. There's no such thing as 'I have a big brain so I can use P(sycho)P(ower) more.' Or 'I have a bigger soul so I can use magic better.' That's dumb. All sorcerers start the same, and the more we figure ourselves out, the more we manage our skills." Naoki then pulls out a piece of detailed paper. "Think of our mind bodies and spirits as circles."

"...The circles are off-center" comments Makoto.

"I know, no need to remind me," says Naoki with an irked expression, before continuing. "As a newbie, actively coating yourself in Ki, PP, and Magic to protect your body, mind, and spirit (respectively), is exhausting, and your 'circle' gets shaved down really quickly."

"And if you use a technique on top of that? Oh man, say goodbye to that core."

Everyone looks at the picture and squints at it.

"They're supposed to be sparks..." Clarifies Naoki under his breath.

A collective "ohhhh" is let out by everyone in the room.

"But again, the more your body is used to using all these, the more it becomes second nature. And the more second nature, the more you just naturally have it on in the background. Much less, using skills becomes less expensive too. Sure it'll take a chunk, but the more experienced you are- no big deal. Case in point: Let's say this guy's a ki specialist. He's coating himself in every area and he just used a ki technique."

"Since he's experienced and its his bread and butter, he's fine. Now watch as he does an expensive PP move that he has no business of knowing or even attempting such a high caliber. Watch closely."

"The bottom breaks and-"

"Congratulations. He just lobotomized himself."

"Metaphorically?" Asks Yamada.

"No- literally. He's braindead. The very moment you run out of these levels, you revert back to human. But the very moment you bottom out so hard that it breaks your 'sphere', you just killed yourself. With PP you become braindead, with ki your body breaks itself, and with magic your soul is erased. And this is important because this is also how we kill rogue sorcerers and spirits."

"So aren't we just all killing ourselves?" Asks Yamada.

"That's right. We're all playing an elongated race of 'let me help you kill yourself first before I kill myself first."

"That's very dangerous," comments Yamada.

"YEAH. SO DON'T LOSE." Responds Naoki, getting up to the cockroach's face, making a silly face.

"Oh...ok?" Replies Yamada, weirded out. "Is there anything else that you need to tell me?"

"That's the basic gist of it." Explains Naoki. "When it comes to PP and Magic, its more or less the same concept. If you're passionate about something or you're overly concerned for yourself, it fuels magic. If you care too much about philosophy, or the concerns of the minds of others (and yourself), that affects PP. Keep in mind, you can even do both at the same time. Take for example, emotions. To me, emotions can be solely a PP concept since that's just a reaction of the brain. But let's say Akemi thinks that emotions concerns both Magic, since it relates to who a person is, and PP, since its a psychological effect. Both of those work, because techniques that use both at the same time do exist. For the last time, the system is entirely reliant on a person's intent and interpretation."

"I think I understand the basics of it. It's just a matter of practicing, right?"

"That's right. Now, let's go practice some working out. Again, there's no point in Ki being a multiplier of strength if you can barely do three pushups. Is there anything else you guys needed from him?" Asks Naoki towards Kyouji and Gretchen.

As Kyouji logs in the data in files, Gretchen answers. "For now, this should be everything we nee-"

The door of the medical office bursts open. Standing in the entrance is Akemi, cheerily smiling. "Hey guys!"

Yamada audibly gulps.

"Oh hey, its Akemi. What's up?" Asks Kyouji.

"Not much man, just running some errands for Mr. Mishima. You guys done with those files?"

Kyouji and Gretchen both look at each other. Gretchen answers; "Yes, we just finished them right now. But why so soon?" She takes a usb drive containing the data and hands it to Akemi.

Akemi trades it with the new documents. "Oh I don't know. You know how he is. Being busy and all that must mean he needs things done quickly I guess."

Both Kyouji and Gretchen take a look at the paper. Gretchen's eyes widen. Kyouji turns to Akemi. "Hey, no offense to you at all, but can you tell your sponsor something for me?"

"Of course! What is it?"

"Tell him he's a jackass that doesn't know what he's doing."

"I uhh...alrighty, sure."

Gretchen props up. "When does he need this done?"

"He didn't specify a day, but he said 'as soon as possible.'"

Everyone except Akemi groans.

"Well, I have to go back and report to him. Oh yeah by the way Yamada, Mr. Mishima wants to talk to you in about like three hours from now. See you guys around!"

Akemi saunters out of the room.

Yamada turns to Kyouji and Gretchen. "O...k. Wait, why were we all groaning?"

"The basic gist is," explains Kyouji. "It seems we can't start you all the way from scratch."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning we're gonna have to speedrun your training. Whatever you pick up quickly is what you're going to have to work with. You're going to have as many training wheels as we can possibly provide, because apparently this dumbass doesn't know what 'slow and steady' is." He slicks back his hair; the purple streak in his hair shines from the reflection of the light. "Not that I know it either but- its worse when he does it."

Yamada tilts his head. "How so?"

"Because when I do it, its a part of the process. But when he does it, its fucking stupid." Kyouji's body twitches, as if getting physically annoyed. "I don't know what he's trying to do, but I hate it. Not that we can do anything about it though so, we're just stuck getting you killed as quickly as possible."

"That doesn't sound...confident." Comments Yamada.

"Sorry, I was just being realistic."

Startled, Yamada looks at him wide-eyed. "WOW. OK."

Naoki clicks his tongue. "Well, no use in dicking around. We might as well start now. Let's go."

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Naoki, Makoto, and Yamada are in the gym section of the academy. A large, sprawling sector made of wooden floor and metal walls. Despite the appearance, its clear something's off with the making of the room, otherwise a sparring match would decimate the entire area. The three of them are at the corner with gym equipment. Yamada is on the bench press, while Naoki and Makoto stand right next to him. Naoki is wearing his tank top while Makoto wears her sleeveless gi.

"COME ON YAMADA!" Yells Naoki

"YOU JUST NEED TO DO ONE. JUST ONE. IT'S NOT THAT HARD I PROMISE." Encourages Makoto

"GGGRRRRRGGGHHHHHGHHH YOU GUYS AREN'T HELPING," gargles Yamada through gritting teeth.

Kicking his legs out and curling the lower half of his body, Yamada struggles to push the bar off of his chest. His brown face slowly turns into a reddish rust color.

Naoki sighs and picks up the barbell for Yamada. "Man...I hate to get all over you on this but, there's no weight on this bar dude. How are you this weak?"

Yamada pants. "I think you're forgetting that not everyone in society goes to the gym."

Makoto and Naoki look at each other confused. "Really?"

Yamada rolls his eyes. "Well I get for you two its different but *pant* yes. And I don't want to hear it. Not because I'm sensitive but I already know I'm useless. Seriously. How is it that on that day, I managed to not only catch up to a train, but I also pulled myself up. And now I can't even bring the damn bar back up!"

"Woah man, chill," says Naoki. "I get its frustrating but its not that deep. You're a special circumstance, remember? You were unconsciously tapping into ki when you did the train thing. You're doing this without ki. There's a clear difference." Naoki walks up to Yamada's head and playfully slaps his cheeks. "I get its frustrating but it's a process. To hell with whatever Mishima wants. Kyouji is right in the sense that it's all a process. Okay?"

Yamada, sternly looks away, before looking back at Naoki. "Okay."

"There we go!" Naoki slaps Yamada's back. Yamada gets launched forwards and rolls on the ground.

"...whoops."

"What the hell was that?" Asks Yamada.

"Sorry, yeah. Remember how we said that everyone eventually coats themselves with ki that it eventually blends into our everyday bodies? Yeah its really hard to turn it back off."

"But you slapped me in the face softly?"

"That's because I was paying attention."

"Well then what about now?"

"That's because I was not paying attention."

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A couple hours later, Yamada is accompanied with Akemi. They walk down the winding wooden halls before reaching a lone door. It's a pitch black wooden door with no screens.

"This is Yamada's office." Comments Akemi.

"Do you know what he wants?" Asks Yamada.

"I don't know, but I don't think it'll be all that bad. Just be yourself."

Yamada's mandibles tighten. "Alright."

Yamada opens the door.

He sees Yoshida Mishima sitting in his desk, writing some papers. There's a small, dim lamp on the desk that acts as the only source of light. The room is surprisingly cold, at least in contrast to the hall outside.

"Ah Yamada," says Mishima, not looking up. "Take a seat. This won't take long."

Yamada awkwardly squats over the chair. "You wanted to see me, Mr. Mishima?"

"I did actually. I'm going to hold a brief interview with you. The higher ups need this evaluation as a part of the process with your circumstance. Do you consent?"

"Ah I see. Well eh, I don't think I really have a choice here, heheh," nervously chuckles Yamada.

Mishima stops writing his pen and glances at Yamada. He doesn't laugh.

"...Yes." Says Yamada.

"Very well then. I just need you to be as honest as possible. There are no right or wrong answers, and you won't get reprimanded no matter what you say during the interview."

"I understand."

"Alright. For the first question, do you believe in Shinto legends or the Buddhist religion?"

"I...I was never really a religious person to begin with."

Mishima writes down a checkmark in the paper. He keeps his permanent frown.

Yamada continues. "I did the festivals when I was a kid but as an adult I never really had time to believe in those things. Even when I did pray, that was just a moment of weakness, not real devotion to a creed."

Mishima jots down a minor note to the checkmark. "Tell me, what do you think of your country?"

"I like it," casually says Yamada.

Mishima's body becomes looser and writes a checkmark.

"I mean, I think its ok overall. I like the culture but I don't think much about it."

Mishima's loose expression tightens. "What do you mean?"

"I just believe that I live here and that's that. I don't mind it all. I'm just used to it."

Mishima makes a slightly annoyed face as he crosses out the check he just made and puts it in a different box.

"How far will you go for your country?"

"I mean now that I'm working for the academy, I guess I'll go as far as I can." Yamada pauses. "You said I won't get reprimanded, right?"

"Correct."

Yamada tightens up. "Well, I hate to be blunt but... I don't have much motivation to save these people. It's the kind and right thing-"

"Citizens." Interrupts Mishima.

Yamada looks up. "Uh- y-yeah, citizens." He clarifies, slightly confused. "I understand its the right and kind thing to do. And I will do it. But that's partly because its my job."

"Then what motivates you to live, Yamada? I understand the circumstance present to you but, are you really working for the sake of prolonging your sentence? Why didn't you decide to just go with the execution if you're going to end up risking your life everyday from there on out?"

"So that's the thing-" Yamada pauses. "(Should I tell him about Naoki? No... I'll tell him the truth.)"

The cockroach stares at Mishima in the face. "I want to kill the person that did this to me."

Mishima looks at Yamada, before continuing to write a checkmark. "I see."

Yamada blinks. "You're... fine with that?"

"Vengeance is a natural response to these sorts of things. Since you were cursed by a rogue sorcerer, there's technically nothing that says you can't fulfill it. Obviously, your work takes precedence. But if it motivates you to become stronger, and you happen to find the sorcerer that did this to you, then good for you."

Yamada's shoulders lighten, as they droop a bit. Yet something churns within his stomach.

"What do you think of the government?"

"Essentially the same thing as the country answer. I understand you people are doing your hardest to help the citizens, and that's kind of it."

Mishima jots down a checkmark.

"A family of tourists and three Japanese citizens are in a diner. A spirit walks in and poses an immediate danger to all of them. Keep in mind you don't have to concern yourself with wiping the witnesses' memories, we would give you equipment for that. That aside, what would you do in that case?"

Yamada ponders for a bit before answering. "I suppose I would make sure the civilians are secured first, before fighting the spirit."

"Who do you save first."

"Wh-what? I mean, I suppose I would save the family first since that's more people."

Mishima immediately notes down a checkmark.

"Then I would save the other three," continues Yamada.

"Alright Yamada, that seems to be it for the interview."

The cockroach perks up. "Really? That was very brief."

"I said it wouldn't take long," comments Mishima. "Is there anything you would like to ask? If not, we can conclude it here, and you can continue with the rest of your day."

Yamada looks at the ground, pondering. He sits there for a moment, before opening his mouth. "Actually, I do have a question."

"Go on," says Mishima, continuing to write his paper.

"Did you have something to do with my transformation?"

The room gets cold. Mishima stops writing. Yamada stares at him. Mishima rests the pen on the table, before locking eyes with Yamada. He has a displeased face.

"What makes you ask that." Comments Mishima.

"I don't have a solid basis but... all these tests, and all these files you have on me. It seems a little weird, for a complete nobody like me, you know? I know this sounds silly, but I might as well ask. Even if its just to calm my mind."

Mishima continues to stare. "Do you run around accusing other people every day, just to make yourself feel better?"

Yamada doesn't say anything.

"Be honest, Yamada. Are you accusing me of cursing you?"

Yamada's heart sits still.

"I suppose in this case, I am."

Mishima interlocks his fingers. His eye twitches before finally responding. "Yes Yamada. I, the Secretary of Spiritual Defense would take time out of my day to break into a random office worker's house in the middle of the night, curse him, turn him into a cockroach, waste time conducting a trial, only to have him alive, and train him to be a sorcerer afterwards just because."

Yamada stands up, and lets out a big sigh of relief. "When you put it like that, I suppose that is kind of silly. But then I wonder, why do need all of that data?"

"I'm afraid that answer is classified, Yamada." Says Mishima with a stern voice.

Yamada looks down, before looking back up at Mishima, and bows. "I understand Mr. Mishima. Have a good day."

Mishima picks up his pen and continues writing the paper. "Call Akemi for me," says Mishima, still writing.

Yamada opens the door and leaves.

"He wants to talk to you." Says Yamada to Akemi.

Despite being difficult to tell what Yamada is thinking with a cockroach face.

Akemi could sense the cockroach's skewed emotions.

No one can see cockroaches cry.

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Up in the mountains of Utah, a vast ranch is being used. It is being occupied by a couple of terrorists, and CIA agents.

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Meanwhile, in the Kyoto province, a town hall meeting is being conducted. The mayor of Kyoto is present.

Five men all wearing tank tops wait outside the town hall.

"It's here, boss." Comments one of them.

The one wearing a bandana on his head grins. "It's show time."

.

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.

Evil, everywhere, all at once.

Ill intentions

Skewed perceptions

Yet young kindness lingers

Not too far away.