LATE MARCH. WEDNESDAY NIGHT
[8:00 pm. The RockIt]
The RockIt, a sprawling venue known for hosting diverse events. Tonight, it was transformed into a lively party scene—buffet tables lined with delicacies, an open bar overflowing with a variety of drinks, and a stage set for a live performance. It was an evening meant for people to unwind, socialize, and immerse themselves in the atmosphere… Or at least that was how it should be.
Amidst the vibrant crowd, a tense and unexpected scene unfolded in the center of the dance floor. All eyes fixated on the two figures, standing in unmistakable fighting stances, disrupting the otherwise festive ambiance.
One of them, with tawny-colored hair that matched his ringer shirt, had a bass guitar strapped over his right shoulder. Though he was in a fighting stance, his face expressed more confusion than focus, clearly unsure of the situation he was in.
SCOTT PILGRIM
23 YEARS OLD
STATUS: DOESN'T KNOW WHY HE'S FIGHTING
Scott Pilgrim: "So… Who the hell are you, anyway?"
Scott asked the other person in front of him, who seemed more determined to fight than he was.
The other person, a young man wearing a khaki military jacket with two chevrons on each shoulder over a red buttoned up shirt with black stripes and blue denim pants. His hair was over his left eye, which also seems to have dark eyeliner.
MATTHEW PATEL
24 YEARS OLD
STATUS: RAMONA'S 1ST EVIL EX
Matthew Patel: "My name is Matthew Patel… And I'm Ramona's FIRST evil ex-boyfriend"
He replied with a sinister smile, before charging towards Scott.
SCOTT PILGRIM
VS
MATTHEW PATEL
FIGHT!!!
Matthew sprinted towards Scott, his fist poised for a powerful right jab. Scott reacted on instinct, swinging his bass guitar in a wide, horizontal arc, aiming for Matthew's midsection. The crowd gasped, some even cheered, as the guitar clanged against Matthew's forearm, deflected by a well-timed block.
Using the momentum of Scott's attack to his advantage, Matthew spun on his heel, delivering a swift kick to Scott's side. The impact sent Scott stumbling backward, but he quickly regained his footing. With his confusion gone, replaced by determination, Scott dodged another punch and retaliated with a high kick, which Matthew managed to duck under smoothly.
Scott Pilgrim: "You're fighting me because of… Ramona?"
Scott managed to ask, breathless, as he avoided each of Matthew's blows.
Matthew Patel: "Yes! Didn't you get my email and letter explaining the situation?"
Matthew replied as he launched a series of quick, precise punches.
Scott Pilgrim: "I… skimmed them…?"
Matthew Patel: "I paid good money to deliver that letter as soon as I could! YOU'LL PAY!"
Matthew delivers a kick, aiming at Scott's head. Anticipating the move, Scott effortlessly bent backwards, narrowly evading the attack.
The dance floor pulsed with energy as the two combatants continued exchanging blows, the vibrant music and cheers of the crowd creating a surreal backdrop. Scott's movements seemed more casual and resourceful, keeping his calm and using his bass guitar as both a shield and weapon. Matthew, on the other hand, showed a more determined and forceful fighting style, each of his strikes executed with deadly precision.
However, the main focus tonight isn't on the two fighters dominating the dance floor. Instead, on the mezzanine level, a partial floor overlooking the chaos below, two friends sat at a table, positioned away from the railing. Unlike the rest of the crowd, who were engrossed in the chaotic spectacle below, these two seemed largely indifferent to the unfolding drama.
One of them, a young girl, was wearing a white shirt with long black sleeves that revealed her midriff, a black skirt that fell above her knees, jet-black boots that reached just below her knees adorned with silver buckles, and fishnet stockings.
HOLLIE HAWKES
26 YEARS OLD
STATUS: DIDN'T EVEN KNOW A FIGHT WAS HAPPENING
Hollie Hawkes: "So he has a girl home? That's new."
Hollie, leaning back in her chair with her arms and legs crossed, was speaking to another young woman. The second girl had brown hair tied up in a ponytail, with glasses perched on her nose. She wore a white tank top that exposed her shoulders and arms, her brown jacket hanging over the back of her seat. She paired her top with high-rise purple jeans and completed her look with hoop earrings on each ear and a wristband on her left wrist.
JULIE POWERS
22 YEARS OLD
STATUS: DIDN'T REALLY CARE A FIGHT WAS HAPPENING
Julie Powers: "I just can't believe he didn't tell me shit about it. Ugh~"
Julie groaned, her frustration clear in her voice.
Hollie Hawkes: "THAT'S what you're focused on?"
Hollie exclaimed, her tone completely focused on a different part in their conversation
Hollie Hawkes: "Not the part that he has a girl living in his house? I mean who even is she?"
Julie Powers: "I don't know. He never really told me yet. Ha…"
Julie pondered a bit before continuing.
Julie Powers: "Fuck… It's just… after all those lectures about not keeping se-"
Suddenly, she cuts herself off, feeling a shiver run down her spine and goosebumps rising on her skin. A wave of unease washed over her, as if something was wrong.
Hollie Hawkes: "You alright?"
Hollie noticed the sudden change in Julie's expression and placed a hand on her shoulder, showing a semblance of concern.
Julie Powers: "Yeah… yeah, I'm okay…"
Julie assured her, though her eyes darted around the room. The vibrant scene of people, colored lights, music and drinks seemed normal… Yet something felt off. Julie couldn't shake the vague, lingering feeling of unease as she scanned the building, trying to find the source of it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[Meanwhile just outside RockIt]
Outside, away from the vibrant chaos of the venue, the atmosphere was relatively peaceful. Despite the bustling of cars and pedestrians, it didn't feel as suffocating as being inside the building. Aside from the usual nightly sounds, it was quiet.
Boom! Bang!
Or at least, it should've been…
The sharp crack of a gunshot echoed from the alleyway beside the building. In the dim light, two figures were barely visible.
One lay on the ground, a young man, his white suit smeared with dirt as he struggled to sit up. His glasses were square and askew from his face, his hair was styled and combed back but currently disheveled. In his left hand, a sword rested against the pavement, held loosely between his fingers. He looked up to the imposing figure in front of him, though he wasn't trembling, his heart was racing.
UNKNOWN
AGE UNKNOWN
STATUS: UNKNOWN
'What the hell…' He thought as he stared at the other figure who stood before him.
The other figure position against the wall, his fist extended as if he had just struck it. He appeared to be catching his breath, his chest heaving. Despite his disheveled appearance, he looked quite normal. He wore a gray sweater that matched his hair, with its sleeves rolled up. A wristband wrapped around his right fist, and a black choker was tightly fastened around his neck.
CIFER POWERS
27 YEARS OLD
STATUS: ??????????
The figure pulled himself back as Cifer adjusted his stance to face him. The figure looked worried, frightened even, his pupils dilated, He gripped his sword with both hands aiming and aimed its tip at Cifer. He hadn't expected to be caught off guard, let along by something as seemingly feeble as a mere fist.
'No…' He thought. If anything, that attack was anything but feeble.
He glanced to his right, trying to absorb what had just happened, even though he couldn't believe it. The sound of a gunshot was audible, yet Cifer held no firearm. The sudden shift in mood wasn't something a normal person could evoke.
Gulp…
When he saw the wall beside him, he could only swallow hard. The sturdy brick wall, despite its dense and solid construction, was dented and cracked, a large spherical impact marring its surface.
???: "Shit… shit… shit…"
He returns his gaze to Cifer. Though he was shaking, he didn't back down, keeping his stand and maintaining a facade of confidence.
???: "Looks like there's more to you than I realize Powers. Haha."
He just lets out a sinister but fake laugh.
Cifer shifts his movement, as if he was about to attack. The figure flinched, preparing to defend himself, not taking his eyes off Cifer for even a moment. He intensified his focus on his target, he wanted to see how the attack would come.
But even with a clear line of sight—
Huh?
Cifer vanished from view in an instant.
The figure struggled to comprehend what had happened. No sound, no shadow, not even a blur of movement. Before he could even piece it together, his view was abruptly blocked.
A palm hovered inches from his face—a right hand, judging by the thumb's position. This time, he had no time to react, no chance, no warning. And then, just before he was struck, the sound finally came.
Boom! Bang!
The deafening report of a gunshot.
Then the figure felt his face grabbed, the grip was firm, but it wasn't painful. Instinctively, he dropped his sword and tried to reach for the hand on his face, but before he could even touch the skin on Cifer's hand, he felt like he was being dragged away.
Mmph! Mmmph!
His muffled cries were silenced as the hand clamped over his face. He felt the wind whip against his skin, cutting him like a sharp blade. The back of his head felt heavy, as if something was pressing him into Cifer's palm. He struggled, and tried to break free, before noticing that everything around him went completely silent—no cars, no footsteps, not even his own voice despite clearly feeling the vibrations in his throat. He had no idea what's happening, what Cifer was doing, the only thing he knew was that he could do nothing about it.
After only a few moments, his face felt cold, his head felt free and his feet was light, like he was floating. No, he was literally flying through the air as he was thrown.
Crash!
???: "Argh!"
He groaned, leaning his back on something, his head hurt as if he was hit by a speeding car. His glasses, still placed on his face, were bent and cracked, his clothes were disheveled, and his sword was gone.
???: "Urgh… Shit"
He muttered weakly to himself, struggling to push himself off of whatever he was leaning on, struggling as he felt stuck.
Clang… Clatter…
When he finally got himself off, he took the chance to look around as his eyes started adjusting to his surroundings. It was all still a blur, but he could make out a few lights and a moving silhouette. His ears were still ringing, and his head was thumping.
Urgh…
When he stood up, stumbling and groaning, he grabbed onto the object that was behind him as support. His palm felt a cold metal surface, a bit dented and damaged. When his vision came to, the first sight he saw was a fist coming at him.
???: "Fuck!"
He narrowly avoids it by pushing himself off to the side, stumbling as he tried to regain his balance. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears, and the pounding in his head slowly subsiding just enough to focus on his opponent.
Cifer's fist had smashed into what he saw was an empty car, leaving a deep dent and his arm stuck in the metal. The young man, with ragged breath, decided to take this chance to retaliate, adrenaline surging through his veins. He knew he had to act fast, and without a weapon it left him with no other choice.
He raised his hand towards Cifer, who was struggling to get his arm free from the vehicle.
???: "Eat this, Powers!"
Whoosh-Zzzt!
With a loud declaration, his palm glowed yellow and shot out a large beam of energy towards Cifer. The beam cut through the darkness of the night, its light illuminating the surroundings. Cifer, who focused on freeing his arm, failed to notice the oncoming attack.
Fwoosh! Boom!
The beam made contact with an unguarded Cifer, causing a small explosion of dust and debris.
Cough! Cough!
The young man coughed, fanning the smoke and dust away with his hands. He walked backwards despite his curiosity, knowing that a blast had landed but not wanting to risk getting closer to check. As he took another step back, he stopped in his tracks as he felt like something was behind him.
???: "Ah… crap"
He didn't even have to turn around, it was already something very cliché at this point.
???: "Hey, buddy. Can I just say-Huek!"
Before finishing his sentence, Cifer backhands him, sending him flying toward a metal dumpster with a resounding crash.
Crash! Clang! Clatter!
The young man groaned as he tried to push himself up, the dumpster lid clattering shut, and the metal sides dented. His body aches from the forceful impact, but he manages to force himself to his feet, leaning heavily on the side of the dumpster for support.
???: Okay… Ha… Timeout for a minute…"
He panted, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, wincing as he did. He looked up to see Cifer walking coldly towards him, his expression was as if he was looking down on someone insignificant.
Cifer's steps echoed ominously, each one felt like a hammer striking the young man's heart. His muscles tensed, and he could not tear his eyes away from Cifer. But it might have been because of that hyperfocus that he could notice when Cifer's skin shimmered momentarily.
Cifer stopped just a few feet away, his gaze focused somewhere else. Then, without giving the young man another glance, he vanished again—soundlessly and without a trace.
The young man tensed, thinking he was about to be attacked again. He kept his arms up in a defensive posture, bracing for the inevitable impact. He waited for it, the loud sound that comes before an attack, the sound of an incoming blow. He waited, and he waited, but nothing came.
HA~
The young man let out a sigh of relief when he confirmed Cifer had disappeared. He relaxed against the dumpster, catching his breath, thinking it was over for now.
???: "I'll get you back for this shame… Powers…"
Though utterly humiliated, he did not seem to have given up. This defeat was etched into his memory, and he wasn't going to let it slide. At the very least, he was sure he'd be better prepared the next time he initiated a fight with Cifer.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[Back at RockIt]
Not much had happened here, which was a cause for concern, even during that short time. Despite the obvious brawl in the middle of the dance floor, the audience remained unharmed. The two fighters were clearly aware of their surroundings and were keeping their fight contained.
However, it seemed others had joined the fray. Scott was dodging and parrying what looked like flaming energy balls being hurled at him by Matthew, reflecting some of them back by using his bass guitar like a bat.
Scott Pilgrim: "So like… you dated Ramona in middle school? Isn't that like… a bajillion years ago?"
Scott paused to roll forward, narrowly avoiding a fireball.
Scott Pilgrim: "Why even bother her after all this time?"
Matthew Patel: "To make Ramona realize I'm the only perfect pair for her, of course."
Matthew forms two balls of fire on each of his hands.
Matthew Patel: "Only she can be the perfect fit for a superior man that is I! And I will kill you to prove I'm the only one who can stand beside her. Hahaha!
With an evil laugh, he hurled two balls of fire towards Scott.
Scott managed to avoid one of the fireballs, strafing to his right and letting the mystical attack land behind him, igniting whatever it touched into flames.
Scott Pilgrim: "This. Is. Getting. Annoying!"
As Scott's annoyance grew, he used his bass as a weapon and swung it as hard as it could, completely deflecting the second fireball. Though since he never managed to control his strength, the attack went towards the audience.
Kimberly Pine: "Scott! You idiot!"
One of Scott's friends, Kimberly, immediately noticed the direction the ball of fire was heading towards and exclaimed.
KIMBERY PINE
23 YEARS OLD
STATUS: IS GETTING FRUSTRATED
Though she noticed, she could not do anything about it as she was in a fight of her own. She jumps back as another fireball was hurled towards her, avoiding it but destroying the terrain in front of her.
Kimberly Pine: "Damn it these bitches are annoying. Stephen! Get your ass over here!"
She grips her drumsticks, calling for another friend they have.
STEPHEN STILLS
22 YEARS OLD
STATUS: WANTS TO GO HOME
Stephen Stills: "Kind of busy here Kim! It isn't like there's only one of em!"
He yelled from the other side of the building, trying to land his fist on the enemy in front of him.
Both Kimberly and Stephen were engaged in their own fights, unable to help out Scott directly. They were each battling two identical opponents. The enemies were already fighting with synchronized movements, making them a formidable challenge. To make matters worse, they were also floating around, shooting fireballs much like Matthew was.
DEMON GIRLS
AGE: VERY OLD
STATUS: "GO! GO! MATTHEW GO!"
As Scott, Kimberly, and Stephen were too preoccupied with their fight, the stray shot that Scott had deflected earlier continued its trajectory toward the crowd of spectators. The audience, initially caught off guard, scrambled and managed to distance themselves from the threat. However, two girls, who weren't paying attention to the scuffle the entire time, failed to notice the incoming attack.
Kim, who was the first to notice it, widened her eyes in surprise when she recognized who the two girls were.
Kimberly Pine: "Damn it, Scott!"
Scott Pilgrim: "What? What did I do now?"
Scott glanced over just in time to see the fireball heading straight for the girls.
Scott Pilgrim: "Oh no! Julie!"
Scott yelled out, hoping to grab their attention as he ran around the dance floor.
Julie, one of the girls, heard Scott call out and turned her head in the direction of his voice. She immediately noticed the fireball streaking towards her, but she didn't really move out of the way. Beside her, Hollie mirrored Julie's calm, sitting still as the fiery projectile closed in.
Demon Girls: "Oh No~!"
The four demon girls paused their fight, their eyes widening in shock as they saw someone they could only see as familiar close in on danger.
And when the attack was about to strike Julie—
Boom!
A blur of motion cut through the chaos, speeding towards Julie and Hollie. It stopped in between them and the blast with a deafening sonic boom.
As the figure finally took shape from the blur, Julie gave a small smirk but immediately dismissed it, furrowing her eyebrows to look angry.
Cifer collided with the fireball, unharmed… mostly. The force of his sudden stop created a small concussive shockwave, enough to disperse the searing energy into harmless sparks that fizzled out in the air.
Cifer Powers: "What's happening here?"
CIFER POWERS
27 YEARS OLD
STATUS: DOTES ON HIS SISTER
Cifer stood there, his clothes in tatters, scanning the chaotic scene before turning to Julie.
Julie Powers: "You're late, any longer and my pretty face would've been ruined"
JULIE POWERS
22 YEARS OLD
STATUS: SHE'S AWARE OF IT
Julie exclaimed, her tone was a bit snarky. Though she wasn't really exaggerating as that attack would have probably been lethal.
Cifer Powers: "Sorry Jules. Got a bit tied up for a while"
Cifer said, giving her a worried look. He looked Julie up and down, making sure she was alright before shifting his gaze to her Hollie.
Cifer Powers: "You alright, Hollie?"
Hollie Hawkes: "I'm alright. But why do you look like shit?"
HOLLIE HAWKES
26 YEARS OLD
STATUS: SHE'S FOND OF CIFER
Hollie asked, noticing Cifer's clothes were in tatters, his body was bruised and burnt in some areas.
But before Cifer could even respond, Julie's anger erupted.
Julie Powers: "You better not be fighting again! I swear to God, first you hide things from me, now this!"
She crossed her arms, glaring at him. Everyone had their own way of showing concern; for Julie, she scolded him.
Cifer Powers: "Please cut me some slack this time. I really have a good excuse now. Haha…"
Cifer laughed nervously, not wanting Julie to stay mad at him.
Julie Powers: "You know what? I don't even care anymore."
She decided to dismiss everything for now, thinking there was still another thing they should focus on.
Julie Powers: "Just. Ugh. Get that… dollar-store emo kid out of here. He's ruining the party."
She points at Matthew, who had paused his fight on the dance floor and was observing the commotion from below.
Cifer Powers: "Emo kid? Hm?"
Cifer questioned, looking over the railing to see Scott holding his bass guitar like a weapon. Kim was holding a baseball bat from who-knows-where, and Stephen was down on the ground, looking exhausted but he seemed unharmed for the most part.
Among them was an unfamiliar figure for Cifer, a man with dark skin and very wicked looking eyes.
Ha…
Cifer sighed, finding it incredibly annoying.
Demon Girls: "Cifer! Cifer!"
Just as he was about to jump down from the top floor, he heard strangely familiar voices call out to him. The synchronized speech and sinister tone were unmistakable for him.
Cifer Powers: "Is that… Girls?"
Immediately recognizing their distinctive way of speaking, Cifer looked up and saw four identical girls floating overhead. Their wide smiles, revealing sharp teeth, gave them a fiendish appearance. Yet, despite their menacing look, Cifer's way of looking at them was warm and nostalgic.
Cifer Powers: "It's been so long, how are you guys?"
Cifer steps back from the railing as the four demon girls surround him.
Demon Girl 1: "We're working right now"
Demon Girl 2: "Very busy"
Demon Girl 3: "Busy. Busy"
Demon Girl 4: "But it's good to see you"
Demon Girls: "Hehehe"
Their snickers echoed around him, yet their demeanor was surprisingly casual.
Cifer Powers: "What are you guys doing here anyway? I thought you weren't allowed out without a host"
Cifer asked curiously while looking at one of the demon girls who was floating in front of him.
Demon Girl 1: "We actually have a host now"
Demon Girl 2: "He's right there! There!"
One of the demon girls pointed below towards the dance floor, where Matthew was impatiently tapping his foot on the ground, looking up at Cifer.
Demon Girl 3: "He's a good host"
Demon Girl 4: "You two should meet"
Cifer's eyes narrowed slightly, focusing his eyesight on Matthew.
Cifer Powers: "That guy huh…"
Cifer acknowledged Matthew's presence, though he couldn't tell what his expression was as it was blurry.
Cifer Powers: "But are you guys… fighting my friends?"
Cifer asked, albeit already knowing the answer.
Demon Girl 1: "Those are your friends?"
Demon Girl 2: "We didn't know"
Demon Girl 3: "We were only told to kill them"
Demon Girl 4: "Yeah, we kill them. Lord Matthew's orders"
The four of them tilt their heads, question marks practically floated above them as they pondered what to do now.
Cifer Powers: "Alright, can you girls just…"
Cifer takes a moment to think of a way to get them away.
Cifer Powers: "Can you girls do me a favor and just… safely get him home? I mean, just get him out of here please?"
He shrugged, unable to come up with a better idea. The demon girls exchanged glances and huddled together, their conversation hushed but animated.
Mhm.
After a quick minute of whispered deliberation, the demon girls nodded in agreement and dispersed, reforming their circle around Cifer.
Demon Girl 1: "Alright, we can do that."
Demon Girl 2: "But only because it's you."
Demon Girl 3: "We don't usually make exceptions."
Demon Girl 4: "This is a special case."
The demon girls agreed with Cifer's request, much to his relief.
Cifer Powers: "Ha… Thanks girls. I appreciate it."
Demon Girls: "Hehehe."
With their characteristic giggles, the demon girls swirled around Cifer in playful circles before drifting away.
Demon Girls: "Bye Cifer! We'll see you next time"
The four of them waved as they flew off back to their host.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[Meanwhile, at the same time at the dance floor]
Matthew Patel, seething with irritation, had to pause his fight after he saw his demon girls fly off. He glared up towards the mezzanine, where he saw the demon girls were conversing with someone he recognized but did not know personally.
Mattew Patel: "What are those girls doing…? Ugh, just as I was in a very crucial moment of my fight, they fly off."
He grumbled, his frustration evident as his foot tapped impatiently against the ground. His arms were crossed tightly, and his scowl deepened as his gaze remained fixated on Cifer, radiating his displeasure.
Scott Pilgrim: "Um… Should we keep fighting? Or are we done?"
Scott, who still held onto his broken bass guitar, asked curiously at Matthew.
Matthew Patel: "Take five for all I care. Ts, ts."
Matthew dismissed Scott with a wave of his hand, his gaze remaining fixed on the giggling demon girls. His irritation was palpable as he watched them look like they were enjoying themselves.
Scott Pilgrim: "Uhm… ok? I'll be going now I guess?"
Scott willingly leaves, walking away. However, he is stopped by Matthew himself.
Matthew Patel: "Where do you think you're going? We're not done with our business."
Scott Pilgrim: "But you told me to leave."
Matthew Patel: "I said take five, not go home. Ugh just… go drink a smoothie or something."
Matthew corrects Scott, his tone was frustrated and annoyed, finding Scott stupid.
Scott Pilgrim: "Oh sure, I guess?"
Scott, confused and clueless, slowly backs off and heads to a nearby bar. Matthew, who watched Scott slowly leave, after making sure Scott did not leave the venue, returned his gaze up towards his demon girls.
Matthew Patel: "So embarrassing…"
He mumbles, gripping his own sleeve tightly.
Meanwhile, right at the bar, Scott saw his two friends taking a break, prompting him to quicken his pace towards them.
Kimberly was leaning her elbow on the bar top, her expression bored. But as soon as she noticed Scott approaching, her expression went from boredom to sour.
Kimbery Pine: "Oh great. Here comes Mr. Hero. Great fight by the way."
Kimberly announces in a deadpan voice.
Scott Pilgrim: "Hey Kim, Stephen. Guy said to take five for now."
Kimberly Pine: "Taking five huh? I take it you just can't… beat him while he's distracted?"
Scott Pilgrim: "Do what now?"
Scott tilts his head as he sits on one of the stools next to Kimberly.
Kimberly Pine: "You know, use the distraction to your advantage? It really isn't that complicated."
Scott Pilgrim: "Huh… I didn't think of that"
Kimberly Pine: "Figures."
Kimberly rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
While Scott was ordering a drink, their other friend seemed to be having a crisis of his own beside Kimberly.
Stephen had his hands on his head, disheveling his already unkempt hair and muttering to himself.
Stephen Stills: "We couldn't even finish our song. Now people will think we suck AND we don't finish songs."
Kimberly Pine: "Relax, I doubt they actually care about us in the first place."
Kimberly tried to dismiss Stephen's pessimistic claim, but it only made things worse.
Stephen Stills: "Great, so now we're not just a bad band, we're also invisible. Perfect."
Kimberly Pine: "Meh. They'll probably forget this in about five minutes."
Stephen Stills: "Yeah, five minutes of thinking we're terrible. Ugh why does this have to happen now"
Stephen slumped forward, resting his forehead on the bar top, his voice muffled as he continued grumbling.
Stephen Stills: "We finally managed to get a show, and it turned into a disaster. Just our luck."
Stephen continued to spiral into pessimism, muttering under his breath about everything going wrong. Kimberly, halfheartedly tries to cheer him up, patting his back as he grumbles.
Scott Pilgrim: "Do I go for the usual… or try something new?"
Meanwhile, Scott, oblivious to the conversation, was in deep thought, completely focused on deciding what drink to order instead of the wellbeing of his friend.
Scott Pilgrim: "I guess I haven't really tried the berry blast one… but fruit punch sounds good too… ugh~"
He seemed to be struggling.
Ramona Flowers: "Here you are."
Just as Scott was about to make a decision, his attention was instantly captured by a familiar voice—the voice of someone he likes. Meanwhile, Stephen remained lost in his own pessimistic thoughts, oblivious to Ramona and everything else around him. Kimberly, on the other hand, stared at Ramona with a raised eyebrow, silently judging her as she approached.
RAMONA FLOWERS
24 YEARS OLD
STATUS: WASN'T WATCHING THE WHOLE FIGHT
Scott Pilgrim: "Oh hey, just in time. I was about to order a drink."
Ramona Flowers: "So, is the fight over, or what?"
Ramona asked, glancing between Scott and the scene around them, not knowing what happened midway through the scuffle.
Scott Pilgrim: "Pirate guy said we could take five."
Ramona Flowers: "And you just… did?"
Ramona's confusion was clear, showing the same expression Kim had a while ago.
Scott Pilgrim: "Y…es?"
Scott tilts his head to the side, unsure of how to actually answer Ramona.
Ramona Flowers: "Uhuh… So why not just—"
She finished her question by hitting her palm with her fist, signaling to just beat Matthew up now. But as usual, instead of catching on, Scott just stared at her, smiling dreamily, more focused on her presence than understanding her point.
Matthew Patel: "Mr. Pilgrim! It is time to restart our fight!"
Scott blinked, his goofy smile slowly fading as he got called back to reality. He glanced over his shoulder to see Matthew hadn't moved from his position in the middle of the dance floor, his arms crossed and his glare as sinister as ever.
Scott Pilgrim: "Oh, uh… I guess… I should go… fight… your ex again then… Haha…"
Scott awkwardly shuffled backward toward Matthew, his eyes lingering on Ramona as he clumsily strung together his words. He was clearly reluctant to leave her side, taking his time and trying to stretch out the moment just a little longer. Finally, with a nervous laugh, he reluctantly turned towards Matthew who was waiting impatiently.
Meanwhile, Kimberly, ignoring Ramona all together, squinted as her eyes caught sight of something that she could only describe as annoying flies.
Kimberly Pine: "Should we join in again? Ha…"
With a resigned sigh, Kimberly slid off the barstool, her gaze affixed towards the demon girls who were slowly making their way back to Matthew, giggling amongst themselves. A mild irritation flickered across her face as she watched them, already feeling annoyed.
She cast a glance at Stephen who was still lost in his own world of negativity, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.
Ugh~
Kimberly rolled her eyes, exasperated by his gloom, before reluctantly following behind Scott.
Matthew Patel: "Ok… Ahem. Mhm."
Matthew, as he took notice of Scott and his friend making their way towards him, decided to clear his throat a bit.
Matthew Patel: "Alright Pilgrim. I hope you managed to say your farewells."
Matthew dramatically flips his bangs as he speaks.
Scott Pilgrim: "Yeah, sure."
Kimberly Pine: "Look, are we doing this or not?"
Kimberly, who adorned a bat again, from who knows where, asked. Though it wasn't clear from her dull expression, he was getting tired of this already.
Matthew Patel: "Oh do not worry our red-head companion. For our battle has begun! Agai-Ah! Hey!"
His dramatic monologue was abruptly cut short as the four demon girls floating behind him suddenly grabbed his arms, lifting him off the ground.
Matthew Patel: "What are you girls doing!? You're embarrassing me!"
Matthew flailed his legs in midair, his bravado quickly turning into frustration as he struggled against their grip.
Matthew Patel: "I said release me this instant!"
Demon Girls: "We're sorry Lord Matthew. But we're doing a favor right now. Hehe"
The demon girls giggled as they explained, effortlessly keeping Matthew suspended in the air despite his struggles. Their playful tone only added to his frustration as his attempts at commanding them were met with failure.
Demon Girls: "Bye Cifer~ We'll see you soon~"
In perfect synchronization, the demon girls paused midair and turned their gazes toward the mezzanine, waving in unison. Matthew, noticing their shift in focus, followed their gaze, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the familiar they were addressing. His irritation spiked when he recognized the person waving back at them—the one he'd been told to avoid just yesterday.
Matthew Patel: "You… uh…"
He trailed off, his confidence faltering as he struggled to recall the person's name. his irritation momentarily switch over into cluelessness.
Matthew Patel: "You… that guy… from before…"
His frustration grew as he realized he couldn't remember something as simple as a name.
Matthew Patel: "It doesn't matter. I'll take care of you soon, mark my words."
Matthew set aside the name for now, his expression set in a scowl. He directed a threatening glare towards the person on the mezzanine, who could only tilt his head in confusion. His warning is overshadowed by the awkwardness of the situation he is currently in, making his declaration seem more comical than fearsome.
Matthew Patel: "MARK MY W—"
In the midst of Matthew's grand declaration and the demon girls' snickering amongst themselves, the group was suddenly enveloped by a swirling greenish glow. Before Matthew could finish his sentence, they vanished, leaving behind only the fading echo of his incomplete threat.
With the proclaimed "first evil ex" gone, a heavy silence settled over the dance floor. The crowd stood in stunned stillness, their eyes locked onto Scott. Then—
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Coins began to drop from where Matthew had vanished, the sound breaking the tension as they scattered across the floor.
Scott Pilgrim: "Sweet! Coins!"
Without hesitation, Scott crouched down, eagerly gathering the scattered coins. Meanwhile, Kimberly had already slipped away, not really interested in dealing with the aftermath.
As Scott counted his haul, the murmur of conversation slowly returned to the room. The crowd, who were initially interested in the scuffle, slowly resumed their conversations, some even began to drift toward the exits. The staff moved with tired expressions, cleaning up debris and extinguishing small fires. Despite the chaos of the battle, with mystical powers and flying demons, the onlookers seemed surprisingly unfazed, treating the entire spectacle as just another night out, save for a few hushed gossiping.
Ramona Flowers: "So, that's that, huh? How much did he leave?"
Ramona sauntered over to Scott, glancing down at him with her arms crossed as he eagerly counted the coins.
Scott Pilgrim: "Um… Aww, man… $2.10?!"
His excitement quickly faded as he finished counting the coins, clearly disappointed from the tone of his voice.
Scott Pilgrim: "That's not even enough for the subway back home!"
Ramona Flowers: "Ha… Dude, I'll lend you fifteen cents."
Ramona sighed, her expression flat and already bored. She offered loose change without much enthusiasm, already looking like she'd rather be anywhere else.
Scott Pilgrim: "Wicked! Now let's get out of here before everyone gets really mad at me…"
Scott rose to his feet, coins clinking as he slipped them into his pocket as he looked for the exit. Scanning the room for an escape, his eyes locked onto the door marked by a glaring red exit sign. Without a second thought, he grabbed Ramona's hand and bolted towards the door, weaving through the crowd as he made a break for it.
But just as Scott reached for the door handle, a strong grip tightened around his wrist.
Cifer Powers: "Hold on a second you two."
Well, they were never really leaving that easy after what just happened.
Cifer Powers: "Mind explaining what's going on?"
Cifer asked as he kept a firm hold on Scott.
Scott Pilgrim: "Haha… I… Will you believe me if I say I don't know?"
Scott nervously asked, cold sweat running through his forehead.
Ramona Flowers: "He really doesn't know anything. It's… ugh… it's complicated."
Ramona shot a weary glance at Cifer, clearly not in the mood to explain things at the moment, while firmly backing up Scott's claim.
Hm…
Cifer fixed Ramona with a scrutinizing look, weighing whether to press further given the gravity of the situation.
Cifer Powers: "Alright I'll let it go for now"
After a moment's hesitation, he chose to let it slide, his mind drifting to the conversation he'd had with her a few nights earlier.
Cifer Powers: "But I want an explanation from you two soon."
Ramona Flowers: "I'll try. Next time"
Cifer decided to give them the benefit of the doubt for now, compromising a discussion in the future.
Cifer Powers: "Go on, I'll take care of things here"
Cifer finally released Scott's wrist, allowing him to grasp the large door handle.
Scott Pilgrim: "Thanks, Cif!"
Ramona Flowers: "We'll be seeing you"
With that, Scott and Ramona slipped through the door, leaving Cifer to watch them go with a measured nod. As the door swung shut behind them, Cifer took a moment to assess his appearance. His clothes were tattered and barely covering him, so he turned back to the cleanup, planning to help… after looking for something new to wear.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[Minutes later…]
The RockIt was nearly deserted, with only a few staff members remaining to clean up the remnants of the chaos.
In the center of the room stood Cifer, wearing a dark blue jacket with the zipper halfway open, revealing his bare skin underneath. He clutched a clipboard, as expected, and was methodically assessing the damage that couldn't be repaired tonight, jotting down notes with a focused expression.
Cifer Powers: "Hm… Guess the stage could use some work…"
He mumbled as he wrote down what he saw, a burnt down stage.
Woah… Rrrrttt~
A familiar voice, accompanied by the distinctive sound of wheels rolling over tiled flooring, cut through the sound of other people cleaning, causing Cifer to pause and turn in the direction of the sound.
He spotted a short girl approaching him while looking around, her hair styled into two playful buns. She wore a red demon mask with menacing fangs that concealed her mouth, and her outfit was completely hidden inside an oversized robe. The robe's loose sleeves swayed gracefully as she glided across the smooth floor.
ROXANNE RICHTER
24 YEARS OLD
STATUS: WAS BORED SO SHE STOPPED BY
Roxanne Richter: "If I knew it was going to be THIS crazy, I should've come by earlier"
She exclaimed, her eyes scanning the scene with growing interest as she stepped up to stand in front of Cifer. Her voice showed a hint of curiosity as she took in the chaotic aftermath.
Cifer Powers: "If only you knew…"
Cifer replied, rubbing his tired eyes. His expression clearly reflected his exhaustion.
Roxanne Richter: "Well things seemed over anyway. I might as well wait for you to finish"
Cifer Powers: "You sure? Though we are almost done… I think… It's kinda late"
Roxanne Richter: "So? Hurry up then."
She sounded like she couldn't care less about it, giving a commanding tone at Cifer.
Cifer Powers: "Alright then… Haaah… Just sit somewhere… over there."
Cifer let out a weary yawn mid-sentence, gesturing toward the bar. Though the area was already cleared of customers, a lone staff member remained behind, cleaning the different glasses by hand.
Roxanne Richter: "Alright then… Wait. What's wrong with you?"
Noticing Cifer's gesture toward the bar, Roxanne turned and was about to make her way in that direction. But she suddenly noticed Cifer's tattered appearance, she stopped short and turned around. She took another incredulous look to make sure she wasn't mistaken.
Roxanne Richter: "You look like ass."
She remarked with a playful smirk, her tone carrying a hint of friendly teasing.
Cifer Powers: "It's this fucking guy…"
He muttered grumpily as he continued to jot down the visible damage around the building.
Cifer Powers: "Some asshole messed with me, and then everything else went south on their own."
Roxanne Richter: "So you got your butt kicked, huh? Heh, figures"
Roxanne teased with a scott, her tone light and mocking.
Cifer Powers: "Not even that, that guy first offered me a job or some shit."
He pauses as he crouches and looks at a sparking wire before continuing.
Cifer Powers: "Something about a League. I said I wasn't interested, and he suddenly attacked out of nowhere."
Roxanne listened intently, her fist clenching as she took in his words.
Cifer Powers: "And then suddenly some other guy was making a mess here. Shooting some kind of fireballs."
As Cifer spoke, Roxanne listened in silence, her gaze fixed on him. She bit her lower lip, her eyes partially obscured by shadow, and after a moment's hesitation, she finally spoke.
Roxanne Richter: "D-do you… do you know what… w-what they lo-look like…? At least…"
Her voice softened with each word, wavering slightly as she struggled to get the question out.
Cifer Powers: "The first guy aside, Mr. Mystical looked pretty… How should I say this…"
Cifer pauses, standing up and thoughtfully tapping his chin as he searched the right words.
Cifer Powers: "Emo…? I guess."
That was the best he could get. In the first place he never got a good view of Matthew, all he could remember was his hair.
Cifer Powers: "Yeah, he was also very dramatic."
He confirmed with a nod, adding another observation.
Roxanne Richter: "I… I see…"
She mumbled, her gaze dropping as she seemed lost in thought, her mind clearly racing.
Cifer Powers: "Rox? Roxie? You alright?"
Noticing her troubled expression, Cifer gently reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Cifer Powers: "Rox? What's wrong?"
He asked again, in a softer tone.
Roxanne Richter: "Ac-actually… I-I can't come home with you for tonight."
Roxanne took a hesitant step back, her eyes meeting Cifer's. What initially appeared to be concern quickly revealed deeper emotions—unease and anxiety.
Roxanne Richter: "I just… I just have something to take care of."
She said, trying to sound casual but her effort was half-hearted at best.
Cifer Powers: "You don't need my help?"
Cifer asked, his concern evident as he looked at her with genuine worry.
Roxanne Richter: "No, no. I-I'll be fine. Don't wait up"
Before Cifer could even respond, she spun around abruptly and glided away. In an instant, she became a black blur, vanishing swiftly from sight. For a moment, Cifer took notice of the uneasiness in Roxanne's expression, his gaze following her until she vanished from sight.
Ha…
He sighed and scratched his head, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. It seemed like everyone had been keeping him out of the loop tonight. While it slightly annoyed him, he knew he couldn't just force people to open up.
Cifer Powers: "Hope she'll be fine…"
Cifer could only offer her a quiet wish as he stared at the clipboard he was holding.
As he returned to his work, the usual efficiency was lacking. His thoughts kept drifting back to Roxanne's uneasy expression, one he had seen before. Even as he continued to asses the damages around him, his shoulders slumped under the weight of his concerns
'I thought she'd rely on me more…' Cifer reflected as he noted a broken pillar. A bit distracted by his feeling of being lacking as a friend.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[Somewhere a bit far from RockIt]
Rrrrttt~ Rrrrttt~
Roxanne soared across Toronto, effortlessly gliding and leaping from one rooftop to another. Her acrobatic skills turned the city skyline into her personal playground. With each graceful leap and deft maneuver, she showcased a level of expertise that was more than just being a professional.
Roxanne Richter: "Damn it… I hoped he wouldn't get involved…"
She muttered to herself, her voice muffled by the demon mask that caught the city's light.
Hm?
She suddenly halted, her eyes catching a black piece of paper that floated effortlessly, and unnaturally onto her hand. It wasn't an envelope or a note—just a stark, pure black sheet of paper. And when she turned it over, it had a "4" printed on it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[??? Years Ago. The University of Carolina in the Sky]
Somewhere in Carolina, there exists a prestigious university, floating up on the sky, tethered to the mountains by a giant chain, it was basically a large floating island. Standing on top of it was a university, complete with multiple buildings that house dorms, classrooms, offices, and other random rooms, it has yards for clubs and outside activities from sports to just hanging out. Even though it's a university it was complete with small restaurants, shopping areas, cafes, markets that aid in both students and faculty's needs. It was a university that is known to be both hard to get into and expensive.
Though it seems competition is scarce in this place unless you're fighting for top spot, students here are friendly with each other, and they seem happy all around. Though they still take studying seriously as grades still need to be maintained enough to be worthy of the school.
Among the many doors through the hallways was a private office, a space where teachers would speak privately to teachers. It was empty, only having a single table separating two chairs facing toward each other. It resembled an interrogation room.
Tap. Tap. Tap… Tap…
Inside, only the slow tapping of the pen was the ambiance. The professor set their pen down, closed the notebook, and leaned back on their chair. Their blouse creased with movement as they turned their attention to the student seated across from them.
PROFESSOR AMELIA HARTMAN
30 YEARS OLD
STATUS: FINE ARTS PROFESSOR
Professor Amelia Hartman: "So, this is the third test you've failed this semester"
Her voice, though firm, carried a gentle undertone, filling the small room as she addressed the student.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Listen… if this continues, we'll have no choice but to let you go…"
She addressed, leaning forward with her hands clasped together. Concern was evident in her eyes as she addressed the student.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "What's wrong? You weren't like this before... You were one of the aces in your major…"
Her voice softened as the concern shifted from her eyes to her tone, gradually losing its firmness
Professor Amelia Hartman: "I've also heard disturbing rumors these days. Students have been saying you've been… assaulting others…?"
The student slouched in her seat as the professor spoke, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a white loose shirt paired with matching white pants, the outfit broken only by a red belt at her waist. Her eyes were weary, with dark bags underneath them, but the redness hinted at more than just fatigue. A spiked bracelet encircled her wrist, giving a darker shade to her lightly colored attire.
Ha…
The student sighed, her head bowed as she cast a weary glance up at the teacher, her exhaustion evident in her eyes.
ROXANNE RICHTER
19 YEARS OLD
STATUS: EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED
Roxanne Richter: "It's… it's nothing… just a small set back…
She made an effort to appear fine, though her attempt was very obviously half-hearted.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "You are in your third year, Ms. Richter... We've already let you be in your first year, largely due to the fact you were one of our best students back then. But if you keep this up this year we will have no choice but to call your father"
Roxanne Richter: "NO! HE SHOULDN'T HEAR ABOUT THIS!"
Panic surged through her as soon as her father was mentioned. Roxanne raised her voice and slammed her foot against the table between her and the professor, the impact echoing in the empty office.
Roxanne Richter: "Ha… Just let me off and I'll try not… not failing the next one…"
She tried to steady herself, but her exhaustion was evident. It was clear she just wanted to get out of here
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Enough is enough. We are scheduling a meeting with your father and that is final."
With a resolute tone, the Professor, who has shown the most concern towards her compared to her other professors, firmly set the phone to her ear, ready to dial.
Roxanne Richter: "Fuck. Goddammit."
Roxanne could only mumble in frustration, she was not in the mood to deal with anything currently. She slumped in her seat, grumbling under her breath.
Knock. Knock.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Who is it? We're in the middle of something."
The knock interrupted her, and Professor Hartman paused her dialing, holding the phone against her chest.
???: "It's me, I got the files you asked for the other day"
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Ah it's you. Come in. I'll just be a moment."
Recognizing the voice, she waved the person inside and turned her attention back to the phone, resuming her call.
Creak…
???: "I heard banging from outside, everything alright in here?"
The door creaked open as the person entered.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Mhm, just dealing with another student. Hold on a second."
She gave a quick nod to the person, turning her full attention back to the phone as it began to ring.
???: "I'll just set these down here."
The person approached the desk and, standing directly beside the seated Roxanne, carefully sat down a stack of papers.
???: "Hm? Who's this?
The person glanced back at Roxanne, a hint of curiosity in their voice
Roxanne didn't even spare the student a glance, keeping her head down and choosing to stay silent.
???: "She in trouble, Prof?"
The person asked, turning towards the Professor.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "No just… wait…"
She halted mid sentence, setting the phone back down and turning her attention to the other student.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "You're on the guidance council. aren't you?"
The professor inquired, her curiosity piqued as she seemed to consider a new approach.
???: "I am. Are you… asking for her?"
The student asked, gesturing toward Roxanne, who remained withdrawn, as if he had guessed what the professor was contemplating.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Can you?"
The professor asked, her concern evident.
???: "I mean I can, but only if she's willing."
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Don't worry."
She assured the student before turning her focus back to Roxanne.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Ms. Richter?"
Hearing her name, Roxanne glanced up and directed her attention to Professor Hartman, though she remained silent and did not respond.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "Instead of calling your parents, I have decided to give you another chance"
Roxanne Richter: "Mhm… and…?"
She nodded, her voice soft but tinged with apprehension, clearly expecting a catch.
Professor Amelia Hartman: "This is one of our student guidance counselors. You'll be attending a few sessions with him after your classes."
Professor gestured toward the student, introducing him to Roxanne.
???: "Well, it's nice to meet you. Hope the feeling's mutual"
The student politely greets her, smiling and extending his hand for a handshake.
Roxanne glanced at the person beside her, who had perched themselves on the edge of the table. They had silky, long brown hair with streaks of gray all over, the sides tied up in a bun while the rest of their hair flowed behind their neck. Round glasses rested on the bridge of their nose, which they adjusted as they spoke. They wore an open red checkered shirt with rolled up sleeves over a plain white tee. To Roxanne, he seemed unremarkable, almost basic.
She remained silent as reached out to shake his hand. As she did, she noticed a distinctive band on their wrist. Embedded on the band was a single word: "Powers".
CIFER POWERS
22 YEARS OLD
STATUS: PART OF THE GUIDANCE COUNCIL