|| Codename Prometheus ||

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(let’s. make. reality. fictitious.)

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Tomoyo dressed in one of those white hospital gowns before she was led to a room where a scanner lay in wait for her. It looked like fancy technology that she’d never seen the likes before, except in sci-fi novels and manga. Seeing this left her gasping in surprise. How much money did they spend on this thing? Where could they possibly get the funds? And here Tomoyo was struggling to get by on ramen dinners for ninety-nine cents per cup and organizing her trash for garbage disposal every day. What other secrets did this organization hide?

“So, I just get into the scanner, and then you’ll be able to tell what kind of abilities that I have?” Tomoyo said a bit skeptically.

“That’s right,” Shirou said, before looking at the scanner proudly. “It’s technology that Rikyu developed himself. We really owe a lot to this little kid.”

“You made this?” Tomoyo said in awe towards the little boy.

“What matters is results,” Rikyu said. “It should work, but even I don’t make the most developed technology with a 100 percent success rate.”

“Well, don’t expect me to be impressed!” Tomoyo said with a huff. “After all, there’s an off chance that it couldn’t work.”

“We’ll see,” Rikyu said with a particular glint in his eye. Tomoyo paused. What was that little boy thinking of?

She stepped into the scanner and laid straight on her back. The scanner sensors rolled over her prone form. When she closed her eyes, her thoughts drifted to school. She’ll probably miss the assessments on English and differential equations by her sensei. How unfortunate. Tomoyo frowned. Then there was Kokoro-chan, who was left at the school oblivious to things that were going on. What if Tomoyo had to leave school forever? What would she do then/ What about her career and her desire to become an upstanding citizen and make those around her into upstanding citizens!? They needed! Without her, they’d…

Tomoyo sighed. They’d get along without her just fine. Kokoro could take up the reigns. Of course, Kokoro was much better than Tomoyo at soothing a crowd and drawing people to her. An aura of warmth surrounded her, her brilliant smiles could disarm an entire army, and her long silken brunette hair, peach smooth skin, and slender body drew eyes towards her. What did Tomoyo have against that? The students loved Kokoro.

While she was distracted by her thoughts, Tomoyo gasped when electricity surged throughout the scanner. It started to heat and smoke before the machine went haywire and eventually steamed out. IT was still smoking when Tomoyo got out of the scanner, to which Shirou escorted her out and put a hand on her back.

“YOur machine didn’t work,” Tomoyo said while sticking her tongue out at Rikyu, to which Rikyu gave her a cheeky grin.

“Ther was no fault in my machine. Rather, you just confirmed something interesting. Thank you.”

“Huh?” Tomoyo said as Rikyu left the scene, leaving her and Kazuo.

“By the way, Aburame-san,” Kazuo said with a grin on his face “Who was that beautiful girl with the long brown hair that you were thinking of?”

“You coukd…you could see my THOUGHTS?” Tomoyo said with flush, heat warming her cheeks and body. “That goddamn brat is seeking to humiliate me, isn’t he? Doesn’t he care about a girl’s feelings? What if I thought of something private or inappropriate; well, more importantly, who has the right to observe my thoughts without my permission!

“No, the machine didn’t do that,” Kazuo said. “But like, the electric current that was running through the machine shocked all of us in the room.”

“Oh,” Tomoyo said, a little put out. Was that her fault?

“Well,” Rikyu said. “You confirmed something for me, at least. That is all I needed.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me what it is?” Tomoyo asked.

“I find it prudent to tell you when it’s appropriate,” Rikyu said. “For some reason, I think you would abuse this power, much like you abuse your authority as Student Council President.”

“You…you have been spying on me too?” Tomoyo said as heat flushed her cheeks.

“That’s what I’ve deduced from your behavior and actions,” Rikyu said. “Still, I suppose that I could educate you more about your power if you prove yourself worthy. For now, we will keep you under strict observation.”

“Wait, I didn’t agree to this—” Tomoyo began, before cutting off. “Ow!”

Rikyu held up a syringe that he recently stabbed into Tomoyo a little harder than necessary. “Nanomachines in your bloodstream to suppress your powers for the time being. Or more accurately, it’s a Limiter. I can activate your powers any time I please, and I can give you an electric shock if you do something that I dislike.”

“Aren’t you abusing YOUR power, Mr. Captain?” Tomoyo said a bit sarcastically before Rikyu gave her a sharp-toothed grin.

“It shouldn’t be too painful,” Rikyu said in an offhanded manner. “Of course, you can’t backhand me or cause physical harm to me or my men will teach you a painful lesson in knowing your place.”

“You honestly think I would harm a little child?” Tomoyo said through gritted teeth. “Believe me, you tempt me, but I wouldn’t do that, no matter how much of a brat that child is.”

“That’s a relief to hear,” Rikyu said. “But unfortunately, the nanomachines still stay inside you.”

“Huh!” Tomoyo said with an injured sniff. “Those nanomachines sound like they would be handy in some of the students back at my school. Why am I the only one getting punished?”

“You know, shockingly, there are reasons why you are unpopular at your school,” Rikyu said with an unimpressed expression on his face.

“Oho?” Tomoyo said. “Tell me, tell me; why is that, ‘Kyu-chan’? I can’t imagine you being very popular either, you pint-sized midget!”

“I don’t need your validation or respect,” Rikyu said in a haughty tone. “I just need you to cooperate, which you’re purposely making things more difficult for me.”

“Did I hurt your feelings for calling you a midget? Grow up!”

Silence. Rikyu’s expression was carefully blank, while the men around him looked worried.

“Whatever, you’re not worth hitting,” Rikyu said. “Unfortunately, you’re an important asset, as disagreeable as you may be. But remember this, Tomoyo-san—I’m not chivalrous like Kazuo.”

Rikyu departed. Kazuo shook his head at Tomoyo.

“Did I…say something wrong…?” Tomoyo said, frowning a little. Perhaps she had gone too far, but Rikyu was dead set on not liking her.

“Well, you just were arguing with a nine-year-old boy,” Kazuo mused before Tomoyo clenched her hands into fists.

“He can handle himself, can’t he?” Tomoyo said with a sigh, though a crushing regret weighed upon her.

“Rikyu may not be like other kids,” Kazuo said while putting his hands behind his head. “But he’s still only a child. Remember that.”

“Why do you all follow him, anyway?” Tomoyo asked out of curiosity. “I mean, isn’t he too young to be a Captain or whatever?”

“Well, I’m afraid that you’re stuck with us for the time being,” Kazuo said while brushing his hands together. “Kyu-chan dedicated himself to keeping you safe.”

“Why all this effort for me,” Tomoyo said, suddenly trembling in anger. “I didn’t ask for any of this! Of being watched, of being protected like I’m some damsel in distress! I can take care of myself!”

“True, you might need total protection, but it’s good to take cautionary measures,” Kazuo said while frowning a little at Tomoyo. “You talk about damsels in distress, but shouldn’t you value your life a little more?”

“Hmph,” Tomoyo said, though her expression softened somewhat when she turned her back on them. “Listen, you’re all making me out to be the bad guy here. Everyone always does, don’t they? I just want…to be viewed as a normal girl, you know?”

“Tell you what,” Kazuo said with a grin. “Let’s head you right back to school.”

“School?” Tomoyo said before she put a hand to her face. “Right, school! I totally forgot! How are the students handling without me? Is Kokoro picking up the slack again? Damn it, I’m such a terrible friend…”

“Well, you may have people targetting you like those low-level goons earlier, but eventually it’s gonna be an outright brawl fest,” Kazuo said. “We gotta be careful Vigilant. But I think it should be safe to return you to school. However, I think that you’ll have me as your companion there as well. You’ll keep in touch with us.”

“Wait, none of this is over?” Tomoyo whined.

"Of course not," Kazuo said while putting his hands on his hips. For being so smart, she could lack common sense like Rikyu did sometimes. was that a factor for what they all were, or was this simply how their brains were wired? Kazuo wouldn't exactly call himself a genius, but he had at least enough common sense and know how that they were highly desirable; especially someone like Tomoyo, who military organizations would love to get their hands upon if they knew her secret...and what's even more, they had to keep Rikyu hidden under wraps so that other organizations don't try to hold him hostage or use him for their own nefarious ends. No, Kazuo definitely won't let that happen! Absolutely never! To think that his precious Kyu-chan is harmed in any way; no one would harm on a little adorable strand of his hair on his head before Kazuo dug them six feet under. "That's why you need our protection. You know, our organization is like...a superhero team of justice. Something like that."

"Oh, great," Tomoyo said, putting her hands on her hips. "Don't tell me that you[r'e one of those comic fanatics that spend their days daydreaming instead of, you know, producing actual results. There are plenty of daydreamers in my school; we don't need another one! Always talking about and reading the latest manga instead of studying for their careers! Those kinds of people irritate me! Don't they have any ambition?"

"You know, it's possible to balance out work and fun," Kazuo said with an easygoing grin to her. She seriously took herself and her opinions too seriously. What would happen if someone flipped her world upside down? He couldn't imagine her coping well with change or tumultuous events. She was too conservative for that kind of thing. "But in all seriousness, I'm here for your protection."

"Are you doing it because it's just your duty?" Tomoyo said with a frown while folding her arms across her chest. "Do you think that I'm a damsel in distress in need of saving? I hate those types of men, too."

"Hahaha," Kazuo said while winking at her. "I love a strong-minded woman. But in all seriousness, you should seriously consider loosening up a bit. I mean, the military is involved in your protection because you're very important."

"I'm really not someone so special," Tomoyo complained. "What about other people? I'm sure someone like Kokoro is more important than I am, isn't she? She's actually liked by other people, and respected. And as much of a brat as Rikyu is, he's got all these men underneath his command. How can I compete with that? Surely what I have isn't all that great, is it?"

Kazuo's grin turned into a frown. "You're more important than you realize, Tomoyo Aburame. Sure, your attitude could use a bit of fixing up, but I'm sure a little loving and tender care will take care of that--ouch!"

Tomoyo whipped him with her shinai. "Self-defense from perverts like you."

"I'm just joking," Kazuo said. "I wouldn't touch you without your permission, you know."

"Verbal harassment," Tomoyo said simply before Kazuo put his hands up.

"Well, I suppose you can say that," Kazuo said. "But I want to leave an impression in your mind that I'm a perfect gentleman, not a pervert. Still...you think there's no reason why no one would want you? Er, in the superpower sense. You have an A+ body and A+ face, but still, you need to work on your personality a little."

"My personality is perfectly fine!" Tomoyo shouted. "I don't need to change; other people need to change. that's why I'm trying to reform them, you see."

"Oh, Tomoyo-chan," Kazuo said while shaking his head. "You've got a lot to learn. But still, I like you better than girls like Kokoro-chan, your friend."

Tomoyo perked up. "Why is that?"

"Mm..." Kazuo said as he considered it. "She seems like a perfectly nice girl. I'm certain that she is. SHe will probably have a bunch of lovers to choose from. But she seems like the type of person who hasn't had any hardship in her life, at least nothing that truly and severely tested her. You know what it's like to go through such hardship, Tomoyo; and I think you'll come out a stronger woman for it. 'Course this doesn't excuse being abrasive and hitting other people, but if you want, you can spar with me anytime. You can take out your aggression and vent your frustration onto me so that others don't have to suffer for it."

"Aren't you just a charming gentleman," Tomoyo muttered under his breath. "But fine, since you're offering yourself so willingly to beat up by yours truly, I will take it."

"Seems like you've got a lot of pent-up anger within yourself, Tomoyo-chan," Kazuo said. "Why is that?"

Tomoyo huffed. "Wouldn't you like to know. A girls' gotta keep some secrets, doesn't' she? Or maybe I'm just a cold-hearted bitch that gets her jollies off of putting other people down. Are you like other people who assume that I'm a bully that doesn't care about others?"

"If you truly didn't care about others, you would've risked the other student's lives today," Kazuo said with a grin. "Kyu-chan may have had a soured opinion about you and how you treat others, but he can't begrudge you that.”