MVR Round 2 P2

R5

"I'm doing this." I said, as Merrow nodded at me grimly.

"You got this, Thomas."

I nodded at Deacon, who cracked his finger.

"What happens next will forever define who you are. This is the meaning of living your life, Thomas. Take that step and evolve as a warrior."

"And don't fuck it up!" Sammy chimed in, causing me to trip out the door.

"Sammy!" Merrow chastised, as Deacon walloped Remnant 4 over the head.

I looked at myself from the reflection.

I was dressed well. I had my hair combed and everything.

It was time.

For my first date with a girl.

Two hours later

"Whoa. Thomas. You really sped through that date my guy!" Sammy waved me over and put his arm around my neck.

I walked with Sammy dejectedly back to the house, as Sammy laughed.

"So, did you two hit it off? Huh?"

"Sammy." I said, my voice sombre.

"Whazzzup?"

"She left halfway through the dinner."

Sammy's face went horrified.

"Oh shi- I mean. Well, you did what you could, Thomas! I'm sure there are plenty of fish in the sea-"

"Sammy, I threw up at the table."

"Oh."

I sighed, as I opened the door. How was I going to face Merrow like this? After everything she had done for me. She had a heart to heart and everything.

"It's okay, Thomas! You're never too old for your first love! I was 16 when I had my first boyfriend."

Yeah, thanks Merrow. Thanks for telling a 25 year old man that as if 16 and 25 were the same age groups. Ugh. She helped prepare my outfit. My hair. Gave me inspirational speeches and everything. Now I had to go back to the house and tell her all her efforts were for nothing.

Sammy and I arrived at the door.

"Sammy... I'll be the one to tell her. Alright?"

Sammy's face paled.

"Y-Yeah. Good luck, bro. Just remember, you still have us. We'll be there for you the next time you fuck up a relationship!"

I turned to Sammy.

"What the hell dude..."

I unlocked the door and brought my hand up to the handle.

I swallowed hard.

Here goes nothing.

"THOMAS! Oh my god!" Merrow ripped the door open and crushed me in a hug.

"Thank goodness. I almost thought I lost you to some random girl!"

"Wh- What are you even saying?" I asked, unable to comprehend the situation.

Merrow suddenly realized what she was doing and pulled away.

"Ah, erm. Yeah. Sorry about your date."

She was totally not sorry at all!

Deacon was at the doorframe.

"What she meant was she was scared to death that she lost her little brother figure to another woman."

Merrow glared at Deacon, as Deacon quickly silenced himself.

"I, uh. Ahem. Well, now that you're back, I guess we could probably discuss some things about our next mission."

After that terrible series of events, we held our meeting first thing in the following morning.

Deacon put his hand on the table.

"You're going with Kanade and Sammy to Arman's high school. And you're going to convince him to come with us."

"Umm..." I slowly raised my hand.

"Yes, Thomas?" Merrow asked.

Stop treating me like a little kid!

"Two questions. How are we supposed to convince Arman to go back? Didn't Sammy try that and nearly get his ass kicked? Also how are we supposed to just go to a high school like this! We're grown adults man! Look at me! I have chest hairs like some old gramps!"

I lifted my shirt, as Skylar yelped.

"Jesus, Thomas! I do NOT want to have to see your disgusting chest first thing in the morning."

"My god. Aren't you supposed to be my older bro. What the hell is wrong with you, no wonder your date dipped. So loud and having a mental breakdown first thing in the morning." John muttered, leaning against the chair backwards.

That damn brat!

"We're going to talk to him. At the very least, get some more intel while we're at it." Deacon said, calmly.

"Also, don't worry about the age thing. When you guys arrive at his universe, the Remnant Normalization should handle the age difference from time displacement. You guys will age back to your teenage forms just fine."

Oh yeah. I forgot about that.

"Well, I guess. I guess that's cool." I muttered, fidgeting with my hands.

"Is something wrong, Thomas?" Merrow asked.

"It's just... I don't like going back to high school. I've had a really bad experience with it in the past. Don't really wanna do it again."

Sammy chuckled. "My guy, I'm going and I spent my high school bullied. Don't worry about it. The three of us will be popular as hell! We've been through it once already, after all."

Kanade frowned. "I'm actually more concerned with the fact that you're affiliating with us..."

I guess you can say this was one of those back to the past, high school do-overs you would see in cliche'd shows or movies. Unfortunately, like I always did, I started the journey off by throwing up all over the floor.

"Thomas! Oh god! The Shadow Travel killed him!" Sammy yelped, as Kanade put his hand on my back, soothing my nausea.

"Are you alright, Thomas?"

"Yeah. Whoa."

I looked up at a younger Kanade, his hair had gotten shorter, reaching his ears, but still very white. His face, the worry lines and permanent scowl all gone, replaced with an angelic tone. He looked... almost pretty like a girl.

"K- Kanade, you-"

Kanade tilted his head. "What's wrong?"

Was it wrong that I found my own brother hot? Would that be considered illegal?

I turned to Sammy, who scratched his head sheepishly. He didn't look much different. I guess since he always had the same childish face. Magenta streaks in his hair and brown eyes. He looked like your average delinquent.

Wait.

What about me?!

I held out my hand and summoned a rock from the ground, green and teal winds blowing around it like a mini-rasengan until the lump turned into a beautiful piece of quartz. I stared at my face from the reflection.

"Wow." I muttered, unimpressed.

I guess I should have known.

I was never attractive in college. Or high school.

And this stupid piece of quartz reminded me of it once more.

"Thomas, let's go to homeroom." Kanade said, helping me to my feet. We made our way into the building.

Kanade sure was resourceful. He knew exactly what to do and what to say. Even being our "guardian" and helping Merrow with the documents to get us "enrolled" just so we could play our part. I guess that was cool and all, but it definitely felt weird.

I looked at the school kids as they gave me double takes like I was the most hideous thing on Earth.

It didn't help that Sammy kept clinging onto me.

"Oh my god. It's been so long since I've been in this environment. It just goes downhill from here. I can't wait to experience high school all over again. The girls. The failing grades. The drugs."

"Uh, dude I don't think that's an accurate representation of high school at all." I muttered.

"This way." Kanade gestured to us, as we followed him down the hall.

"As long as we follow the signs, we should be oka-"

Kanade was interrupted as he suddenly bumped into somebody.

The girl yelped and dropped her books.

"Sorry!" Kanade said, as he knelt down and helped her pick it all up.

"Th- Thanks." The girl said, as she blushed.

What in the hell? My empath abilities were indicating that the girl was extremely nervous. But this nervousness was something else. Something unbelievable.

It was feelings of attraction.

The girl picked up all her books and bowed to Kanade.

"Thank you!" She said, as she quickly hurried off.

Sammy reached out and closed my mouth which was gaping open.

"Kanade, my guy." Sammy shook his head. "You're way too old for her."

Kanade tilted his head. "I'm sorry?"

That dense womanizer!

I had forgotten how boring homeroom was. It wasn't helping that Kanade ended up getting the spotlight.

"Dude, is that white hair natural? How did you get it to look like that?"

"Dude, have you considered modelling?"

"Can I see your abs?"

Both girls and guys were crowding around Kanade, while Sammy and I sat in the corner of the classroom near the back.

"You know, Thomas..." Sammy said.

"What?"

"This wasn't how I imagined my high school slice of life shounen real life anime would play out."

I sulked in my seat and buried my face in my arms.

Focus. We weren't here to get all giddy giddy in this place. We needed to find Arman and talk to him, convince him to get out of here. Then we were all set to leave and move forward with the plan to train and get stronger. Most of us got a head start already. I personally underwent massive development of my own over the eight years.

We needed Arman on our side.

No other way around it.

But...

"Yo, Sammy."

"Sup."

"Did you ever have a girl you liked? In high school?"

Sammy spread his arms out.

"Yeah."

I looked at my brother. "Seriously? What was she like?"

Sammy smiled. "She was cute. She had bangs and made my heart go poof every time I saw her. Every time she walked by me..."

Sammy held out his hand, and created a small black bird projection, that took flight from his palm.

"I felt like I could fly farther than I ever could."

I stared at Sammy. He had an expression that I never seen before. Almost like he was dreaming. Nostalgic. But a little sad. It was so out of place, from a guy who always had like, two personalities.

A beast, vicious, and dead inside.

Or a total party animal.

But this version of Sammy...

"Did you guys... ever hit it off?"

Sammy sighed and closed his fist. "Nope. It never happened."

"What happened?"

Sammy leaned back in his chair, his black and magenta bangs dancing on his forehead.

"I found out she had a boyfriend. Boyfriends. Plural. A ton of guys who she had dated in the past. Even banged too. That when I was supposed to confess to her, that day... well. I left. Because I was too insecure about myself."

We were silent for a few seconds.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up."

Sammy chuckled.

"I don't need your sympathy, Mister Five Star Vomit."

"Geh! Dammit, just when I was just starting to respect you, man!"

Sammy put his hand on the desk.

"I dunno, man. The thought of seeing her with a bunch of guys. Cuddling. And being lovey dove. Even if it was in the past. It hurt me. I thought I was special to her. I just couldn't bear with that weight. After all, I'm a huge loser. To a guy who never once held hands with a girl, she was the first. But in her point of view, I guess I was just another dude. That was what I thought. I loved her, but I also hated how she could so easily get with some random guy if she wanted to. Dozens of guys wanted to go out with her. If we ever broke up... it would be the end for me. No other girl in sight. But for her, she could have an endless supply of men to fill the void."

We watched as Kanade made eye contact with a girl and smiled. My empath powers were firing like crazy from her.

Power. Strength. Very few people are simply blessed with immense unparalleled power. Most need to work for it. And even so, they always need some kind of trigger.

Those were the words Deacon had taught me what seemed like an eternity ago.

I looked at Sammy again.

"Was that... the reason?"

Sammy smiled. "That I became this? I guess you could say so. It was one of the few. As powerful as this dreamboat is-"

Sammy put his hands to his face like a movie star. Cringe.

"I don't like being hurt. I'm actually really scared of it. That's why I decided to instead focus on becoming stronger and stronger. Finding happiness in power, instead of through love. There's more than one way to enjoy life. I guess for me, I enjoyed it by becoming the best."

"GAH!" I yelped, as I clutched the edge of my seat.

"Yo! Thomas, you good, man? I didn't mean to share my past!"

I glared at the desk. What was this rage? This intense rage?

"No, it's not from you... it's something els- AAAH!"

I clutched my head as the metal in the desk began to warp and bend.

"Yo, Thomas. Take deep breaths. What-"

Sammy and I stared out the window. Numerous monsters. Coming straight from the corner of the school. A portal. No one was noticing it. Except Sammy and I.

The bell had already rung for first period, as Kanade ran up to us.

"Do you see it? Abyssal Creatures. Let's go. If that portal is up, it means Arman must be there."

I nodded at Sammy.

"Let's go."

R4

"Hey, Sam? What did you call me here for?"

I looked at Leah. I had to tell her. Come on man. You've been dating her for two months now. Not once have I told her this.

I love you.

I just needed to say those three words.

"I..."

My mind flashed. To that day. When I had used Shadow Step in the shadows of Leah's house. Her ex had visited her house and tried to get back with her again. He talked about all the things they did together. And each memory that he brought up hurt my heart.

More and more.

"Sam?"

I looked at Leah's face. She was so cute. So pretty. Yet...

Those lips were touched by dozens of guys before me.

And I hated that.

So much.

"So that's the plan. Got it, Sammy? Sammy?"

I shook my head back into reality. "Whazzzupppp??"

Kanade gave me a look of exasperation. "At least try to listen whenever we come up with a plan. You're still somewhat exhausted from that Shadow Port to the Forbidden Realm, right? Try to avoid going above 10%. We fight off the creatures until the Cleaners arrive. Then we hold our fire. Hopefully Arman is with them. Absolutely no engaging."

"Loud and clear, Cap-nade!"

Thomas gave me an uncomfortable look. No doubt this dude had picked up my shitty past.

But past was the past, right?

Right?

Several creatures roared at us, as Thomas flew into the air, holding out his hands and generating two telekinetic spheres in each hand.

Kanade held out his hand as the creatures began to slow down, their energy being sucked away as Thomas threw his two Rasengan looking thingies at the them, each ball creating a powerful vortex which sucked all the enemies in the region in.

I held out my hand as well. Leah. Dammit. Dammit Thomas, why do you gotta make me remember something like that.

Fuck love.

Fuck getting my feelings hurt.

Right now, I'm unstoppable as hell, baby.

"5 percent." I said, as I summoned the head of Paragus, the Shadow Dragon of Fire from the palm of my hand, as it roared and chomped down on the enemies, disintegrating them into little pieces.

"That should be enough." Kanade said, as he landed next to me.

Thomas levitated next to us, as I heard the sound of something familiar.

Green darkness. Yeah.

A streak appeared, as a teenage girl, still in school uniform, zipped in and dispatched the rest of the creatures, her purple hair flying in the wind, followed by another guy who landed next to her.

He looked intimidating.

Black combat boots, military camo pants. Black tank top. Shredded tone.

He was wielding two large swords. One silver and one gold. And along his left forearm, were chains.

I recognized him all right.

The dude who fought with Decen and Icarus' power.

Remnant 1. Kingslayer. Arman Wan.

Samuel Mace.

We regarded our eldest brother, as Rei turned to us. Arman held her hand as he eyed us.

"I thought I told you that I'm not going anywhere. Leave us alone."

Kanade stepped forward.

"We can't do that. This entire multiverse is in danger. Please, listen to reason, Arman-"

"That's not my name." Mace muttered, as he glared at his younger brother.

"You made that very clear. You, the holiest of the Remnants. You made it so painfully obvious that Arman Wan was nothing but a sham. Now I've found a life with Rei, and you're trying to take that away?"

Thomas walked up to Kanade's side.

"That's not true, dude. We're not trying to take her away from you!"

Arman glared at Thomas.

"So you're suggesting I let you rip Rei away from her family to come along with your crazy plan to get everybody killed."

A bead of sweat rolled down Thomas' face.

"N- No! Look. We're your brothers, man. We've come a long way for each other. But right now, we need you. You're the strongest of us and you're spending your life here instead of being on the front lines!"

Rei looked at me, as I quickly yelped and looked away.

Arman took a deep breath.

"I've made my choice. I choose Rei. I choose Tsuyuki-sensei. To live with the Tsuyuki Dorm. That's my life now. I'm sorry."

I clenched my fist.

"Do you not see what you're doing? Mogul is going to tear us apart if we're divided! Once he slaughters us, he'll come for you."

Arman glanced at me.

"He can't find this universe. If anything, this is where I will stay."

"Even if it means letting trillions die at his hand? From the other universes? You're just gonna let Mogul rampage around while you play house?!"

Arman's glance turned into a dangerous glare.

"Choose your next few words wisely, Sammy Le. Lest you wish to have a repeat of the last time we had a similar conversation."

The air became tense, as Rei was quiet.