PLDF Chapter 1

"Chapter 1 - His Story/His Mentors"

Sub-Entry 001: "The Beginning of the End"
"...for next class, complete the chapter on tachyon harmonics and turn in your assignments on magnetic resonance within chrono-receptive fields."

A sigh and a polishing of the glasses.

"Mr. Dreemurr-Arcade?"

"Professor?"

"If you have a minute?"

"Oh no..."

"Young man, you always respond expecting the worst.  You really should have more confidence in yourself.  You are the top student in the class.

"Oh.  Um.  Sorry."

"Don't apologize.  You've done nothing wrong.  I wanted to see if you would be interested in additional credit.  Not that you need any but you seem to always appreciate extra challenges.

"Well, uh...thank you, sir.  I'm...just eager to learn all I can in this field." the goat hybrid rubbed the back of his head.

The professor handed over a book and  a folder.

"Return it before the semester is over and work with the material to the best of your ability.  I will then get back to you on how well you've worked with the material.

"Th-thank you, Professor.  I'd like to stay around to further discuss things but I'm afraid I just have too many responsibilities to tend to."

"You are quite an overachiever, aren't you?"

"Eheh...you have no idea."

Asriel Tobias Dreemurr-Arcade. Age: 25. I know I've said this before...but has it been so long?

Fur: still white as snow. Eyes...variable according to his emotions...to which of the seven virtues was resonating the strongest in him at any given time...otherwise dark copper red. Still had that tuft of hair in front that stuck upward more than a unicorn's horn. He had grown so much within the 15 years since he came to Miranda. To my relief...he did end up resembling Toriel. His horns finally grew in; curved backward. Quite impressive. They were an inconvinience at times but...actually, no. I'm getting ahead of myself.

He was dressed pretty nice. The sweater-vest over the white button up shirt with a collar complete with a necktie. Fancy dress pants. And of course the Delta Rune sandals.

He had been pulling double duty between his class schedule in college plus the additional curriculum he had with the Ultra Crew Institute. Plus he was about to start an internship to follow in my footsteps while assisting with getting the Institute For Future Technology off the ground with Dr. Brown.

Asriel gathered his materials and left the classroom and proceeded to leave campus back to his other obligations in Miranda City. I really thought it was too much to attend a local college and the Ultra Crew Institute in tandem. But he had shown he could handle it. He could multitask like a boss. I hadn't intended to make a prodigy out of him. But the environment we provided...he did it on his own.

When this whole adventure started, it was my story. When the second adventure began, it became our story. Now...in this third entry into Project Lost Dreemurr...this was his story.

He was on top of his game. He was strong, he was smart, he was fast, he was cunning. He had become greater than the sum of the parts that we had instilled in him. Truly there was nothing he couldn't handle.

"Oh my god, that's him!"

"He's so dreamy!"

Asriel turned a bit pink in the cheeks as he tried not to look behind him.

"Such a hottie!"

"And a genius!"

"He's so sensitive!  I saw him actually cry the other day!"

"Such a beautiful soul!"

"Eheh..." Asriel quickened his pace.

"I'm going to get him to ask me out!"

"Not if I get to him, first!"

"Step off, sister!"

"Uh-oh..." Asriel's eyes widened as he picked up the pace even more. "Not again...!"

By this time a pretty sizable crowd of girls of several races; from human to hybrid to gargoyle to lamia to harpy and more was now closing in on him.

And within moments.

"OHMANOHMANOHMANOHMAN...!" Asriel was now in a dead run being chased by a horde of screaming girls. Was this what it was like during the Beatles invasion decades ago?

Well. I guess it was kinda poetic that one of his greatest strengths...turned out to be his only crippling weakness.

We really should have taught him how to talk to girls.

Sub-Entry 002: "A Day in the Life of Asriel Dreemurr-Arcade"
I was taking it easy at that moment outside my shop, loung on a lawn chair. Despite hearing the approaching mob, I managed to keep my ear from cocking in that direction.

C'mon. You know who I am. I could give you a refresher course but this isn't my story. It's his story. Yeah, unintended Michael Jackson reference aside, I think after all I've been through these past 25 years, I've earned the right to rest on my laurels. Besides, you don't really want to focus on little ole' me, do you?

I non-chalant-ly sipped an Arnold Palmer (mix of ice tea and lemonade) with my sunglasses on.

At that moment Asriel ran straight for my shop and dove into the empty industrial trash can I had outside my shop and pulled the lid onto it.

A flurry of screaming girls charged by my shop and eventually dispursed when they had lost sight of Asriel.

"So.  How was your day of college, this time?"

I no longer had echoes of the past in the form of DeltaRune despite the parallels of their Asriel finally coming full circle with ours. Honestly...I found myself wondering if that dreamscape with Kris, Suzie, and Ralsei ever really happened.

I'm getting off track. Back to Goat Son.

A whimpering moan reverberated within the can.

"That good, huh?"

The can peeked open and I could see Asriel's eyes peer out, the lid resting on his curved horns.

"I've faced down so many missions and even come to the brink of death on some of them.  I've been through every kind of Hell and back.  But THIS?  This is just too much.  Every day.  It's the same thing."

I know we joked about it some 15 years ago, but...who knew. Violet was right all along. At this age...the kid still had trouble talking to girls.

And as if on cue, there was Violet, grinning like a loon, having watched the whole situation.

"Volt?  Am I...trash?"

"Well--"  I started.

"Yeah, kinda." Violet cut in.

Asriel moaned and shrunk down in the can, dropping the lid closed.

"I'm just going to go home and get a shower..."

And with that I saw the can lift up and a pair of sandal-clad feet stick out of the bottom as the whole thing waddled away.

That made me do a double-take. Did he just do a repeat performance of Dr. Alphys after Undyne slam-dunked her into a trash can back in the many, many other timelines I'd frequented after overhearing Alphys confess her feelings?

"Wh...when did he have time to cut holes in the bottom of...!" I stammered.

"Guess you'll be buying a new trash can, huh?"

"Shut up, Vi." I rubbed my temples.

Back at Scott and Callie's place...

Technically Asriel had moved out once he hit his college years. But he was always welcome to come back home.

"Er...son?   Is uh...that a new fashion statement of the modern generation?"

Scott O'Conner. He didn't look a day over 25. But that wasn't his fault. The Kabuki Quantum FIghter "Program" kept his physical age locked.

"No.  Just a rough day dealing with way too much popularity."

"I know that feeling, my Sunshine."

Callista Brighton-O'Conner. Scott's wife of a decade and a half of marriage. Unlike him, she showed her age. But still. She looked good for her age. Maybe her psychic powers were holding back the flood gates. But still. It wouldn't be long before her hair would start to grey.

Asriel climbed out of the trash can and quickly slipped inside.

"I'm going to have a shower.  I can't still around long.  I have a very long list of errands I promised the others I'd tend to.  Starting with Mitzi's Rock-Afire Pizza."

"It'll be okay, my little sunshine. Things can only get better, right?"

"Yeah...they certainly can't get--"

"Son, past experience encourages me to warn you...don't jinx it."

"Right.  Thanks, pop."

A nice long hot shower later...

"...."  Asriel sighed as he collapsed, on his back, on his bed.

"Just twenty minutes.  That's all I need."

A bit later...

Asriel's eyes fluttered open, hearing the Elec Man alarm clock.

"How long was I out...?"

He looked at the clock.

"Oh no I'm going to be late!" Asriel gasped as he hustled to toss off the lightweight clothes and put on proper attire. As soon as he was dressed he headed out the door, stopping only to bro-fist Scott and hug and kiss Callista.

Sub-Entry 003: "Mitzi"
"...where are they all coming from?" MItzi ducked into the kitchen's back room and caught her breath, pressing the empty server tray to her chest. "I'm drowning in business.  If this keeps up I'm going to collapse on my feet.  I can't believe I didn't schedule enough help today.  Why did I give Harmony, Sashay, Foxy, and Beach Bear the day off?"

At that the egg timer went off.

"Oh no...another one's up!"

Mitzi hurried to the oven, slipping on her oven mitts and pulled out the pizza and placed it on the tray. "Let's see...this was order number...?" She hustled to the counter.

The sound of the front entrance's doorbell immediately made her fear the worst.

"This is it...this is where I--"

"Sorry to keep you waiting, but it looks like you could use a hand."

"Asriel!" Mitzi's eyes began to fill with tears. "You came...!"

"Toss me an appron." Asriel said as his eyes turned neon red. "We got customers, you're shorthanded, and this looks like a challenge.  I am filled...with DETERMINATION!"

And with moments of slipping on the Rock-Afire Pizza appron and pinning a name badge to it.

"Welcome to Rock-Afire Pizza!  My name is Asriel, and I'm here to serve yooooou!" Asriel took off like a shot. With a pleasant smile, a song in his heart, and years of Mitizi teaching him to sing...

"Wow...he's like a dynamo...a one goat army!" Mitzi said to herself.

And so with the lunch rush coming and going...

"Whew.  I thought they'd never let up.  How you holding out, Azzy?"

"Still firing on all cylinders."

"Violet would joke to never use the word "firing" when talking about your star employee.  Even if you're only a part-timer."

"That's Aunt Vi for you."

A shared laugh.

"So.  College life?"

"College is college.  Learn a few things about advanced calculus, quantum physics, and chronology, get a meal on campus...not nearly as a good as what you and Hestia make, mind you--"

Mitzi blushed.

"...and run away from a mob of googly-eyed girls and hope they don't strip you naked, trying to get you to date them."

Mitzi withheld a chortle.

"Come on.  You're exaggerating."

"Mitzi.  Today I snuck home in Volt's trash can."

"Oh.  That's rough, Azzy."

"Am I...reallly that attractive?"

"Asriel!" Mitzi covered her mouth.

"I'm serious.  It's hard to tell if each of them is interested me only for my body, for my mind, or my reputation.  If I knew that becoming a prodigy had so many...challenges...no, that's not the word.  I love challenges.  I guess I mean...it seems like this is my weakness.  Being flirted with and chased after like this."

"Well is it a gender issue?  Do you--"

"No, nothing like that.  And really, I don't have those kind of feelings for anyone of my own gender.  But...females...I just don't get them when they want to be... ...more than friends."

"You're not alone in that, Azzy.  We girls somes feel the same way about guys.  And it's no longer a stereotype.  It's no longer a common archetype that girls don't get guys because of how they withhold their feelings while guys don't get girls because they're slave to emotions.

It's changed over the years. It's a much different world than when I was a kid. Even before my time girls were expected to play with dolls and become homemakers. Now days you make that assumption you're labled a sexist and mysoginist. Guys were expected to play baseball, roll in the dirt, and collect bugs and worms and torture their sisters with them. Now they're encouraged to be whoever they want to be. Even if that means dressing in drag and being stay-at-home fathers and such."

"Yeah...a bit more explanation than I was going for. Not that I don't appreciate the Mrs. Doubtfire reference, mind you.  But, really...  I meant more about the romance."

"Well, Asriel.  As someone who's STILL single and too shy to ask out Duke?  Yeah...I don't think anyone's figured those things out.  Man.  Woman.  We're never going to completely "get" each other...but as long as we're willing to try to unstand and be patient.  Take the good, take the bad, take it together..."

"The Facts of Life.  Yeah.  Violet showed me that old sitcom.  But I see what you mean."

"What is that you want out of romance?"

"I don't know...I keep thinking about the whole love-at-first-sight angle but...when I apply logic to it, it just seems implausible.  And when I try to feel with my heart I just find myself waiting at a bus stop for that one that's never going to come.  I'm not sure how to answer that question when I don't even know."

"Well.  Maybe it will just happen."

"I just hope it's not a Florence Nightingale situation.  I'd prefere to keep myself out of a hospital. Falling for a nurse or vice-versa just doesn't suit me."

"Yeah."

"I've been thinking about the word "soulmate" though..."

"You mean the belief that there's someone out there in the whole wide world that's meant for you and only you?  Someone who completes you.  Who's destined to love and cherish you forever and ever."

"Exactly.  But I'm pretty sure there isnt' another goat hybrid out there like me."

"You know...your soulmate might not even be the same species.  Are you...open to it being something else besides goat hybrid?"

".......I think...I think if it came down to it?  I would be.  For all I know...the one for me could even be...human."

"Interspecies romance.  Sounds like a good romance novel."

"Or a reason for Aunt Vi to start with the "furry" jokes."

"If she starts, I'll whap her over the head."

Laughter.

Sub Entry 004: "Reflections on the Past"
"Well.  The this talk was good for me.  Thanks, Mitzi.  It helps.  When I meet that one special person...I don't want it to be shallow.  I want us to be connected.  Who knows...maybe even destined."

Asriel really should be careful about bringing Lady Destiny into this. I just had a feeling that this would end in a lovely irony. So what was it about this situation that would make me think back to the Underground.

To be honest...I'd hadn't thought about the Underground in a very long time. The bottom line was...I was too afraid to find out if UTPR-3235's Asriel...if Frisk had managed to save him. After the whole fiasco that exploded into a seven-fold cross-rift all from Adonis' gambit to chain incite war among those other unstable timelines I disregarded.

In each of the other six, one of the Boss Monsters, and Alphys for some reason had absorbed six souls. And Adonis had brought them all together in one nexus. A seven-way "Mexican Standoff" as it were. All it would have taken was for one Boss Monster God to slay one of the others and take his human souls and become absolute. They'd have total control over the timeline and bend it to their own will.

With each of them thinking the same, it would all come down to who'd have the guts to pull the trigger and who'd be fastest on the draw. Who would cut down the others for the sake of their own timeline? The ultimate test of selfishness.

But it was our Asriel who rose to be a hero and diffused the whole thing. With seven of the Infinityverse's most powerful psychics--Bunnie, Master Splinter, Rachel "Raven" Roth, Dr. Callista Brighton, Professor Charles Xavier, Hadji from the Quest family, and April O'Neill of the most recent TMNT AU's--Asriel was able to astral project into the realm between realms where the Absolute God of Hyperdeath and the other six Boss Monster Gods had assembled. Where I was captured and held prisoner--restrained to Adonis' transdimensional rune.

As Frisk had done before, our Azzy reached out to each of their lost souls, metaphorically snipping the fuses on the lit sticks of dynamite. Each of them returned to their own realm. I had hope they'd resolve things and it would all work out for the best. As for Frisk at that moment...I left her to fulfill their destiny and save all the monsters as it was meant to be...and make sure Adonis didn't interfere.

In the end, defeated, I knew Adonis would come back again and again. He was determined to turn the infinityverse into pure chaos. So with no other options I called in a favor from a friend. I had W. D. Gaster emerge from the Core and drag Alloicious Adonis into it. Dark, Darker, Yet Darker. Even Adonis would finally have trouble escaping that if ever at all.

The story seemed like it would finally be back on track for a happy ending. I'd return home to Fontraile and be treated in the med bay. Asriel would visit. I felt so proud that as a hero, he had taken it to a whole other level. Saving not just the other Asriel's timeline but  six other timelines. All at the same time.

So...imagine how crushing it was for me that he made the choice...to have me use the Neurolizer and erase the memory of the greatest moment of his life. The truth had come out and I felt he'd be ready to finally return home to the Underground and see the Timeline I'd hid from him.

But...he wasn't ready. He could still see the pain and anxiety in my eyes. He could tell that I wasn't ready. So...at sixteen years of age, when the chance to learn it all was presented to him...Asriel declined. And sacrificed the most important day of his life since first being rescued and brought to Fontraile...just so I could have peace of mind and see his growth into adult years through. As much as I tried to convince myself...he hadn't come of age. He was still a teenager.

It pained me to take that away from him. But I think the truth was...he wanted me to rest. But more importantly...he wanted to rest, too. And he couldn't do that with all this weighing on him. Even if he felt great triumph, great happiness, and a sense of great accomplishment...he couldn't accept it. Not just yet. When he was ready, I'd restore that memory. When that day would come...I'd knew he'd be ready the moment he asked one and only one question. But as things were...it would never occur to him to ask a question that he wouldn't think of without knowing the truth I hid from him.

Little did I know...that day was coming sooner than I'd be prepared for.

Sub Entry 005: "Sally"
"Well, this has been fun--"  Asriel started as his Bracer beeped. "Huh?  Oh no.  I'm going to be late to meet up with Sally!  She'll NEVER let me hear the end of it if I'm not on time!"

"Yeah, she taught you better than that.  Better scoot if you're going to make it in time!"

Asriel hopped darted outside, tossing Mitzi the apron. He released his hover board from his ITEM inventory, and took off full tilt.

And so...

"You were almost late." Sally smirked smugly, knuckles to her hips.

"I wasn't about to leave Mitzi high and dry."

"You know Sarge would make taffy out of you for making excuses."

"I'm just one person!" Asriel sighed and turned around.

"One person who's not keeping up.  You want me to adjust your time frame so you can have a B-rank."

A moment of silence.

"Granting me pity because you think I can't cut it?  Or maybe you need a break against the new generation.  You are getting up there in years--"  Asriel's tone changed, his eyes hidden by shadow and a cocky grin opening up. A profile smile that was reminiscent of Haruhari "Rahura" Haruko.

"Oh no you didn't." Sally's look of amusement turned sly. She was being challenged.

"Don't let it go to your head because you subbed for me in that big OGPX race."

"Why, Sally.  You sound threatened by the future.  You know "SolarBlossom", the new OGPX champion has a nice ring to it."

"Sounds like the rookie's getting big for his britches.  You've forgotten who has the title of Terrain Master around here."

Asriel turned around and his eyes blended from yellow to orange to red, back to orange and then yellow again in a glowing cycle. He was feeling like dispensing justice to defend his honor from the playful disses he was getting, bravery from being ready to face his deep fear about still not measuring up to his peers, and of course...determination to put Sally in her place.

"Looks like we got a a hater trying to be a skater.  Maybe you want to put that title to the test?"

At that, Sally's look of grin of slyness turned into wide-eyed, 'not-really-crazy-but-you-need-to-back-off-and-respect-personal-space', over-exhaggerated grin of amusement as she leaned even closer. Like Undyne levels of scary.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but are you asking for a challeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenge?!?"

Asriel anime quick-changed into a white OGPX set of BioWare and OverTech, complete with Overdrive Sandals. The trim, chaser lights, and pseudo circuits filled with alternating neon green and neon yellow pulses. It was definitely paying homage to his old shirt. And yet...I couldn't deny the color scheme was the same as the murder-flower I stopped Asriel from becoming.

He immediately copied Sally's crazed expression, getting into her face just as much as she was getting into his.

As his helmet appeared in his grasp, he pulled of a new trick he'd only recently started mastering; actually retracting his horns. Apparently that was something no other Dreemurr could do but... I began to suspect it was an unexpected side-effect of becomming Hybrid some fifeteen years ago. Some unintended mutation that only he possessed.

Honestly. I'd never heard of a goat monster much less a regular goat that could retract its own horns. But then again...I could retract my claws and that was a trait of cats, not wolves...or most werewolf species.

Both of them pressed their foreheads together, like the box art for "Anger Management"--a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler, that Violet INSISTED on bringing to last movie night.

"IT'S ON!!!" They hollered in unison, not angry but both feeling a massive amount of testosterone and arrogance in their boiling blood.

Sally and Asriel took their track-runner positions.

"I'll do you a favor and spot you a 3 second head start."

"Feeing generous?  Because in 3 seconds I'll be three blocks ahead of you.  I guess you want to lose this rate."

"Well.  I guess if my generosity is going to waste, the deal's off the table, little goat."

"I feel so threatened coming from a squirrel."

"Every dig is just stoking the flames of my engines."

"You're gonna NEED stoking when my tail wind blows your fire out!  If you're not blinded by my solar streaks, first!"

"Sun light verses neon light is it?  Bring it!"

"It's brought!  Next green light, you'll be asking CIPHER for my GPS coordinates!"

And as soon as the light changed...the sound in the immediate area just vanished as the vaccuum of two blast waves--one pure white, the other true blue--spread outward, a ring of energy encircling each sphere, cut off by where the opposing ball of canceled the other out.

"Guess your old rig isn't ready to be traded in for a new model yet.  I was about to offer to spot you for something decent!" Asriel taunted as he matched speed with Sally.

"Oh, really?  So you didn't switch out those plug-ins for Kinneceleron Accelerator-30 chips because you were worried I might get off the starting line before you?"

"Just keeping up with the Joneses.  Stayin' ahead of the curve.  Speaking of which...!" Asriel drifted sharply taking the next intersection practically at a right angle.

"The funny thing about staying ahead of the pack is your tail wind makes it easier to stay on you like glue!"

"So now you HAVE to ride my light trails to keep that title, Terrain Master!"

"Don't think I'm just keeping it warm for you!  I play on hanging on to it a longer than you'll take to catch up to me!" Sally vaulted over multiple obstacles before going into an air-dash axle spin like she was zipping through invisible rings for show.

THe both of them zipped up and around a skyscraper in a double-helix.

"Brings back memories, don't it?"

"Listen to the sagely one taking me back to the past.  You know what they say about nostalgia--"

"Wow.  You didn't pull punches with the age joke, did ya, Azzy?"

"You're not complaining about the trash talk are you?"

"Maybe I just need to see if you can take what you dish out.  I'll let you take a nanosecond to pull the wedgie out of your diapers."

"Countering with an age joke?  That's not expected or anything."

Asriel reached the top of the building first and jumped off as his butterfly burner flame wings roared to life. Sally was right on his tail--practically in the literal sense.

The banter continued as they filled the city with white and blue light contrails in patterns like a 3-dimensional Etch-A-Sketch throughout the traffic matrix and through the skies with the most impressive skywriting the duo had ever pulled off.

As they neared the finish line in front of the dance club that Sally was booked at, they were neck and neck.

"Could be close.  Don't want to run out of steam now."

"Hey, who do you think you're talking to?"

"Just remember, kid.  Experience trumps youth."

"But at a certain age, it gets to be a tradeoff when the spirit is willing but even with amplified innate abilities, it becomes  a chore to do what used to be only natural!"

"Oh, I'm not even a quarter way to past my prime, little goat."

"A little goat with big horns, now.  Though honestly, they just get in the way when I have them deployed.  And you know what they say when you mess with the bull?"

"You try to use those things to edge out a "by-a-nose" victory, and I'm totally black-flagging you!  No room for cheaters in this sport!"

"Missing Sue Silo's company after all these years?  You know, it takes those who bend and break the rules to make those who don't that much better!"

"I am so running light rings around you when I cross that finish line." Sally's aura intensified.

"Soak up some sun!" Asriel taunted back,  his aura brightening in response to Sally's. Okay, he totally borrowed that one from Starfire. I wonder how long it's been since he even PLAYED Injustice 2?

Neck and neck and the finish line was coming up fast.

"This win is mine, Asriel!"

"The race ain't over until it's over!"

"Nice thought.  That a movie quote?"

"Nope.  Master Splinter." Asriel smirked as he took the moment to dash ahead--

"Oh, Azzy?  It's over."

As Asriel turned to retort, Sally's after image passed him by.

"No points for second place!" Sally spun out and and landed in a crouch, digging in her fingers as she skidded to a backwards stop.

"You just HAVE to show off don't you?" Asriel crossed the finish a millisecond later.

"Sounds like loser whining to me."

"You really think this marks the end of our competition, don't you?"

"I won fair and square."

"Now that sounds like someone backing AWAY from a challenge."

Sub-Entry 006: "Throw Down and Spin Up"
"You just don't know when to quit, do you?"

"Come now, Aunt Sally.  You of all people taught me quit is a dirty, four-letter word."

"Heh...I guess I taught you TOO well."

"Then you know what I'm challenging you to next?"

"You think you can turn the tables on D.J. Aelita?"

Asriel suddenly had a vinyl record spinning on the tip of his claw.

"You like finger flips?  How about sitting on this and rotating 900 degrees?"

"Careful.  That was a Violet level of risque.  And an old E.R.B. lyric at that."

"Swear jar's been retired since my first year of college tuition was paid.  And hey...just for giggles, I can double your order at no charge."

And now he was spinning two long-play records; one on each hand's index finger claw. His talent at slight-of-hand had certainly grown thanks to both Bunnie's martial arts and Marcel's...er...lessons at um...not-reputable five-finger-discounts.

Boy. There was a talent I hope he never wrote home about. But then again...you'd be surprised how many video and anime worlds required pickpocket skills to survive. What darling role models we had been to him; I say with utmost sarcasm but with seriousness? Not so much.

"Name your venue."

"Starlight Carnival Cafe.  Two D.J. Table sets; D.J. Hero two-player mode and E.R.B. hybrid rule set.  No bites, Euphoria allowed, expert difficulty, and keep it more PG and less 13."

"I couldn't have asked for better stipulations." Sally grinned, cracking her knuckles.

Both selected their vinyls from a collection of discographies of diverse artists. From Beastie Boys to Blondie to Daft Punk, to Young M.C. to Eminem to Cypress Hill, and so on. It wasn't a question of who had the better tracks in his or her arsenal or who had the best mash-up combination. It was who could spin them up better and who could put on the best show.

Both selected their lighting and effects, background graphics on the Jumbo-Tron monitor wall and their own personal touches. The stage was split down the middle like a Splat Fest venue.

Several rounds of back and forths with not just the groove in mind, but also technique, flair, who could stir up the best crowd reaction, who made the fewest flubs, and who could keep pace with the beat the best. And plenty more criteria beyond that. Sally brought in her whole crew including Team Acorn while Asriel put in some calls to several music studies majors from college and the panel was selected from a mix of both.

True to D.J. Hero style, the judging would happen in real time and whoever had the highest score at the end was declared winner.

"Alright you two.  Get your final verses out before we begin.  Words from the Champion?"

"I may have nothing but respect for my opponent, but when you compare our experience levels, D.J. Aelita knows a spud when she sees and hears one.  So, with all due respect,  Goat Son...don't get pissed, but you're gonna get dissed and dismisssed.  Straight up."

Some whoops and ooohs from the crowd.

"Savage burn!  Short but to the point.  D.J. Aelita's showin' no favor to blood or bud."

Asriel curled his lip into a cocky sneer. He was clearly amused.

"And from the challenger?"

"Now I'm not hatin' on the old school; an up-and-comer pays tribute to the ones that built this house we rock and rap in.  But they call it 15 minutes of fame for a reason, dawg.  And while this may be a savage burn, it's one that's earned.  I've been watching the clock and guess how long it's been?   Aunt Sally, you may have been the queen of the turntables back in the day, but progress is a war that don't stay in its place.  You get with it or get out da' wae.  And if you don't get out da wae, you must pay!  With your street cred!  A spud?  Naw.  D.J. Sol Aire CX4 don't shiv."

That earned some whoops and hollers and chants of "Da wae!  Da wae!  Dae wae!  Da wae!"

"Alright.  The stage is yours.  You know the deal, cross-fading and cross-cuts are allowed; if you really need to get make a comeback during your opponent's phase but keep it respectful and again, no diss tracks and no intentional distractions."

"Solid."

"Nova."

Everyone got in their places.

"Three...two...one!  Throw down and spin up!"

And a back and forth ride of dueling turn-tables in what became an epic multi-mashup of even more epic proportions.

By round 3, Sally did a little showing off on her own by zipping to Asriel's side of the stage and snatching a few quick scatches on his own turntable set and then back to her own set in the blink of an eye.

Seeing that it was too fast for the judges, she had risked a foul just to send a message.

"Oh so it's like that...?" Asriel took it in stride. "Well check THIS out!" He said as he suddenly flung his updated NX Switch Pro board up where it hovered over his head as a pair of virtual tables appeared on screen and a pair of hand grips deployed at each end. Asriel grabbed on and hung from his board, kicking his feet up and slipping out of his sandals, leaving them on each side of his mixer board before resuming his D.J.-ing by working the tables with his toes.

And then without warning his ears lifted up and started scratching up the virtual tables on his board.

In 15 years I had never known Asriel to show any muscular control over those floppy ears of his. This was the first time he he shown that he could control them like tails, and they that were surprisingly strong.

"Challenge accepted!" Sally hopped onto one of her turntables after adjusting her OGPX gravity controller on her belt, leaving her own Overdrive Sandals on the floor before doing her own take of Top Man's stop spin on one of her own tables.

Suddenly this became a contest less dependant on actual D.J. skill and more about putting on a show. But darned if the gimmicks and flash weren't augmenting both their scores in a major way.

It went back and forth with all kinds of crazy twists; from Asriel borrowing the Sonosarian genetic archetype (borrowed from Ben Ten-Thousand, no less) to transform temporarily and use both Wall of Sound and Sonic Doom to raise the volume on his own performance to Sally having RVG-Gamma transform and scratch auto-scratch his own tables in panther mode while she guided him with hololythic V.R. remote controls.

From there it went to Asriel using his Taiyoudamas as makeshift disco balls to refract and reflect the laser light show in impossible wire frame patterns to Sally having RVG Gamma transform back and add multiple tables to the point that Sally was speeding between each set and scratching them all in complex sequence in a blur of choreographed patterns.

Sally couldn't say it out loud by she was definitely thinking it. "Two losses this day, Goat Son."

Asriel could sense what she was thinking, countering with his own mental "You think so?  Then TOP THIS!"

Asriel suddenly back flipped onto his turntable mixer board, landing in a headstand with his horns retracting and his ears becoming his makeshift legs and feet  on the left turntable.

Sally's jaw dropped as Asriel crossed his arms while he remained in that headstand on the turntable, while his ears lifted him up while scratching up the record.

And the horn sounded.

With that the points were tabulated and combined with the crowd reactions and the judges' scores...

"We have a winner.  Our judges have uninimously selected...challenger Asriel Arcade, under the monicker D.J Sol Aire CX4!"

"I believe I just smoked you, Aunt Sal."

"Well.  A good sports knows when to concede defeat.  You may have a ways to catch up to me on the track, but I bow to the better D.J.  You earned it, Az."

"Well.  I hate to pull the plug on one heck on this rave for neon neophytes, but I promised Lupe I'd pay her a visit, so..." Asriel grinned slyly as he used his ears to spring himself off of the turntables and onto his feet before again quick-changing to his OGPX suit.

"You snooze, you lose; gotta cruise.  Juice and jam time!  Up.  Over.  And GONE."

And with that Goat Son burned contrails out of there.

"Kudos to you, Goat Son.  I am so proud of you right now." Sally grinned a cocky grin.

Sub-Entry 007:  "Lupe"
"Hi."

A simple hi.

"Howdy.  It's nice I finally have the time to come back here."

"The garden is waiting for you.  It's just as you left it."

"Thank you, Lupe."

Lupe Lycans. She hadn't changed in the slightest. The clothes and sandals and accessories were all the same, a little worn and faded but still as natural as the materials she had made them from. Even that wild hair style with the rope ponytail and the lightning bolt streaks in the sides was the same.

Like all Hybrids...how would you EVER tell that she had aged any?

Asriel immediately felt something rub up against his leg.

"Shi-Shi!  You came all this way to greet little old me?  You're such a dear." Asriel reached down and stroked his mane. Shi-Shi nuzzled and licked Asriel's hand.

"You're getting up there in age, my friend.  Are you well?"

Asriel could tell his lion friend was starting to show signs that he was leaving his prime behind. A sad thought but--

"H-hey!"

And then Asriel found himself mobbed by several smaller furry friends.

"You brought your pride with you!"

Sure enough, in recent times, Lupe had in fact brought Shi-Shi a mate. A lioness who would bear his children.

One thing was for sure...lion cubs had no shortage of energy.

"I'm a little green with envy, my friend.  You're making it easy to daydream about the possibility of fatherhood, some day."

Lupe could see it in his eyes for a moment...before seeing something else.

"It scares you, doesn't it?"

"My birth parents are a fading memory and...honestly, they only raised me for a short part of my life...a part that is like dust in the wind now.

The disturbing thing is...it no longer feels morbid to use that phrase. And that feels...not right. Like I'm becomming numb to something that I should still feel apalled by."

Lupe didn't have any advice for that.

"I'd like to think they did a good job bringing me into this world...but more credit goes to my adoptive parents.  They raised me for the back half of the life I've lived so far.  It's not presumptuous, I hope, to say they did a pretty good job.  Right?"

"You need not worry about being immodest.  Some pride is warranted.  But what you're really pondering is...if you'd be half of the parents they were raising you?"

Asriel nodded.

"And that's a worry you have despite still not found the love bug yet."

"A lot of girls are interested in me.  But for all the wrong reasons.  How can I worry about fatherhood when I've yet to meet the one that I can empathize with, right here?" Asriel thumped his chest.

"I am not the best person to give you advice on that.  But...if it is like nature, you'll find them as they find you.  Whoever they may be."

Asriel smirked. "I notice you're being non-binary in that advice."

"Just being fair.  Your preference, your choice."

"Am I ever glad Violet is not here to give her two cents and a lot of obscene LULZ."

That earned him an actual giggle. "That sentiment is mutual to all of us, Asriel.  Anyway...it sounds like you've had a lot to ponder."

Asriel nodded.

"Well, the best cure for an overactive mind is to give the body something to do.  Would you mind assisting me at the nature sanctuary for a bit?"

"Mind?  I'd insist.  I can always make time for you, Lupe.   While I have a lot on my plate, I should never be in any hurry to help my friends."

And off he went, following Lupe into the main office to get some things out of the way before leading him to the various geoscapes to tend to the feedings, cleanings, and health-care to the fauna of the nature facility.

A later stop to the geology center to assist with some unrefined gemstones and geodes; classifying, cleaning, and polishing them.

Some time at the ecology labs to assist with some environemental readings, data, and analysis.

With a final stop to the gardens and the botany labs to wrap everything up with a nice little bow.

And sure enough, Asriel had outdone himself before Lupe's very eyes. That gentle touch of his...that affinity toward truly understanding the nature of plants.

Yet another in the deck of cards for a jack of all trades.

His work was so inspiring it moved Lupe to happy tears.

Sub-Entry 008:  "Flower Child Forever"
"Your talent knows no bounds, Asriel.  You could become anything in the world." Lupe wiped her eyes.

"Violet says I may be the real version of that guy on an old TV show she used to watch...the Pretender, I think?  Pretty nifty thought that there could be geniuses among us with the capacity to taken on any and every possible career in existence, even if for only a temporary reprieve."

"Take Violet's fandom with a grain of salt.  Or so we've told you over and over."

"She also says I fit the criteria but she doesn't think I look like a "Jarod".  Oh well.  What's in a name?  A rose...by any other would smell just as sweet." Ariel sniffed the flower.

Asriel continued walking with Lupe through the gardens of Gaia's Navel.

"And here we are at my favorite spot." He looked upon the huge field of sunflowers.

"I've since made my peace with buttercups but..sunflowers will always be my favorite."

Asriel found a nice spot surrounded by his flowers of preference. A nice spot to lay down and rest for a bit; a place to chill, a place to look for shapes in clouds, and a place to soak up some sun.

Slipping off his sandals, and setting his jacket asside, he rolled up his sleeves and rested on his back.

"Happy days."

"Nature has a way of uncomplicating things, does it not?"

"Everything makes more sense and life becomes a lot clearer when you stop and smell the roses...or the sunflowers in this case."

"You have botany and horticulture in your blood, Asriel.   You'd be a natural druid."

"Even without a hybrid ability to empathize with flora, fauna, geology, and the elements?"

Lupe stifled a giggle as she sat down in the grass next to him.

"The powers are an extension of who I am but they don't define me as a druid; they're both tools and crutches."

"The real defining trait is what's in the heart and soul, with the mind to back it up.  You could dress in all natural clothing and rope sandals but that doesn't make you a druid any more than carrying an Elemental Staff or a Spirit Prism, right?"

"Wise beyond your years.  Being a druid is a way of life.  No...being a druid IS life, itself.  Embracing it.  Protecting it.  Nurturing it.  Communing with it."

"While I may do some of those things, I don't think it's my ultimate destiny." Asriel looked skyward. "Truth is...I don't know what that may be.  I feel like...I'm supposed to do something great...something that can measure up to writing the song that unites all the world, all of time, and all of reality."

"You haven't been talking to the Commander about that prophecy in San Dimas, have you?"

"Well...Volt is concerned about it.  He's been looking into their recent years since their epic concert, twenty-five years ago but..."

Asriel paused.

"I've come out here to just chillax and I'm already talking about work and his missions for S.T.C."

"You are still a member of S.T.C., correct?"

Asriel furrowed his brow. "It's more like...I've been on an extended hiatus since the Crossover Wars ended.  Funny thing is...I felt like I'd have more of a role to play but...really it was like Chaopolis lost interest in me and...Volt settled things with them once and for all."

Lupe maintained her silence. She knew the truth. We all did. It was the mercy he chose but he'd never remember that it was his choice. He'd never remember he'd even made one. His life just...faded to normal amidst Chaopolis' downfall but...really...

Goat Son was the REASON we ended Chapolis. He won the Crossover Wars and he saved Undertale.

"Asriel...peace is what all true warriors strive for."

"I know.  The irony of being a great warrior is the contradiction that you're always trying to put yourself out of a job.  But yeah...the equilibrium after what the UltraVerse suffered is well-deserved."

"It sounds like...you kind of miss the action."

"Miss it?  Hardly.  Despite how at ease I am as of late, disregarding college life, I'm definitely not without moments of steel sharpening steel.  This is just a reprieve in between double, triple, quadruple duty."

"Always the busy-bee." Lupe "smile-eyes" grinned in that anime fashion our world seemed to have on reflex. Maybe we were an anime world, in some other universe's point of view. Now that would be mind-blowing...someone watching our exploits on a video screen...........darn it, I'm getting meta again.

"My friend, do not put such overly high expectations of yourself.  Destiny is no more something that can be forced as it is something that you can ride like an escalator to a given end.  You need the balance.  Just like we have in nature."

"I suppose you're right.  No sense in worrying about it but...I do worry about it.   You know what they say about equilibrium prolonging itself..."

Lupe frowned. "I do.  What you're really saying is that at some point peaceful times will not last."

"Madam Fate will get over rage-quitting the game again.  She'll start a new one.  Maybe she'll try to find a new Black Knight." Asriel grit his teeth with a scowl.

Lupe reached over and plucked a sunflower that was less healthy than the others around it. She would take it back to her botany lab to give it special care and nurturing to get it back to health.

"Flowers are beautiful because their beauty doesn't last.  A tempory state to make the world around it that much better...until the next generation can sprout, bloom, and mature."

Asriel pondered that.

"I see what you're really saying.  And...it helps." Asriel was already drawing comparison's to Sonic's speech to Merlina during a different Black Knight story. While the intentions of using the Scabbard of Excalibur to make Camalot eternal...it was also an unnatural path to evil and darkness.

"I came here to be among the flowers, tend to the animals, and watch some clouds but...I just can't get my mind off of real talk.  And yet...I feel like I could keep talking about it all day."

Asriel's eyes were cyan. Patience was something he enwrapped himself in.

"Well.  I know you don't have all day.   You did give your word to your sensei."

"Oh yes!  That's right!  That's today!" Asriel pushed himself up and slipped on his sandals.

"I appreciate all the good advice, Lupe.  You have brought me peace of mind."

"Nature holds the cure for many things, my friend."

"Once a flower child, always a flower child." Asriel stepped around the flowers and back onto the path leading back.

Lupe stood up and accepted Asriel's embrace.

"Thank you, my friend and confidant."

"Gaia's Navel is always open to you."

"Having a life membership has its perks."

"Oh my!  You make such clever puns!" Lupe giggled again.

"There's that joy I like to see in you." Asriel smiled. He'd know Lupe to be a great empath but often had her moments of being meloncholic. Out of everyone, Lupe had always been his favorite shoulder to cry on when things were sad.

"Be off with you, now.  Mustn't keep your teacher waiting."

Asriel nodded and hurried off.

Sub-Entry 009: "Bunnie"
Dead silence for what seemed like eternity. And then...

"Hakkyoi!!"

A storm without warning. A hurricane of combat. Neither would hold ANYTHING back.

It started with unarmed combat. Hand to hand, foot to foot; all the blocks, dodges, ducks, and perries.

It was just the two of them. Bunnie had insisted this was a matter between student and teacher. And furthermore...there were things that were not meant for anyone but Rabbotou and those they chose as their disciples.

There was no coaching. There was no encouragement. There was no criticism. Just a fight demonstrating every last skill that had been taught and every skill that had been learned.

Both student and teacher had nothing to say; whether there was something to say...or nothing at all.

This was a final exam.

Asriel was the first to draw blood. There was no time for apology. And like it had been said before; nothing that couldn't be fixed with a later apology and a first aid kit. This was a battle being fought as if it WERE the real thing. As if it WERE life and death. There where no friendships, no personal feelings. All of that was left on the doorstep. There was nothing about this personal. There was no malice. And any injury went with the territory. This is what was expected.

Bunnie didn't even flinch let alone take a moment to wipe it away.

The fight continued, growing in intensity.

And then Bunnie reminded him of the second rule Zordon had imparted upon every Ranger team he chose;  never escalate a battle unless you are forced to.

And as the teacher, she had to force her student to do just that the moment she picked a weapon from where Megami had them standing by. Not a wooden shinai or kendou stick. No. This was a fully-bladed yari.

Asriel chose his weapon...no...weapons. Taking up twin katanas.

Bunnie did not question or criticize for numbers advantage or type. He had his reasoning and he knew fully well it didn't matter how many blades he weilded or how deadly they were. No matter what he selected...he would always be fighting on equal ground. No matter what he retalited with, Bunnie could adpat, compesate and of course counter to the fullest extent of its potential.

The sparks that flew every time metal struck metal would be considered viscious to the uniformed observer. In reality...it was just a byproduct of what was necessary.

Asriel bent way backward as Neo had done in the Matrix the moment he sensed the shuriken coming. He knew it wasn't meant to hit him. It was just a distraction that served a second purpose. A purpose, in which he allowed it to hit its target.

With that the lights went out as the blade struck the switch in the wall and the dojo was wrapped in total darkness.

The clashes continued, with both fighters now without sight as an advantage.

Asriel anticipted what came next as his weapons had managed to split her spear; cutting it in two pieces. But that only changed the dynamic of the fight. There was no advantage to be had. Bunnie would not miss a beat and the weapon would hold no sentimental value. It could easily be replaced.

Sure enough he anticipated correctly and was able to minimize his losses as he could only hold onto one blade from the next set of blocks. Again. Broken weapon verses two working weapons? No advantage.

It was at this time ther ewas a reminder that in this battle...rules were more of an understanding rather than something set in stone. So thinking outside of the box? Very encourged. After all...,in a real fight to the death, one shouldn't expect rules to be observed let alone upheld.

Asriel was the first to capitalize with a sudden and deliberate tell by igniting a Taiyoudama. The sudden reveal would not catch her off guard. But it would prompt her to adapt as quickly as he was. And his Taiyoudama was quickly countered with the rushing wave fist--that's right. The signature move of the Gouken style passed down to a pair of Street Fighters.

Only Bunnie didn't waste her breath with calling out the dreaded Hadouken attack. Just that it was enough to nullify the Taiyoudama.

And from there a mix of the "Shotoken" and the ronin samurai ways...and then the mix of taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu escalated the battle further. In that moment, Master took to the rafters for the high ground while the student remained on the floor. But not for long.

As one sailed toward the ground, the other jumped to the ceiing. In the moment they passed each other, both quickchanged into their ninja garb--Bunnie in black, Asriel in white. In Violet's words...as "Snake-Eyes vs. Storm-Shadow" as it got.

The flash of concealed blades confirmed that they had blocked each other's strikes before they had traded places.And this went back and forth, eventually segueing into them richochetting off the walls in opposite directions.

Various genjutsu illusious and mind-control methods to trick the senses and manipulate the senses or achieve sight beyond sight went back and forth; ultimately resulting in a stalemate and exhausting both of their chakra...or was it chi? Maybe it was furiyoku? Huh...I guess this is why I was never a student of Bunnie's ninja arts.

And then came the ninja moves that had become so mainstream in media, they were almost cliche.

Smoke bombs to cut visibility to the iconic Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone/Doppleganger). Even a few...abilities that were not so much out of the ninja handbook...but more so out of the Soul Reaper guide to kidou. Okay so Bunnie and I both were a little to blame for him learning this...and maybe for getting him more than a brief stint making substitute suou reaper appearances. I'm sure if you searched his person you'd find a combat pass similiar to a certain orange-haired ruffian in Karakura Town...

But it didn't end there. Bunnie expected him to come at her with everything he had. And he expected no less from her...even abilities which she had that he didn't. Because when it came to Bunnie teaching everything that SHE knew? That meant her chosen disciple had to learn how to take her down at full strength. Even when she used...

Asriel furrowed his brow, recognizing the configuration for Volt Tether and Aqua Needle. That's right. Even cybermorphing was not off the table.

"Hadou number 4.  BYAKURAI!" Asriel's fingers poked Bunnie in the chest moments before the electrical discharge.

Again. Completely fair move, despite coming out of the Soul Reaper's kidou tool kit. Destructive arts, now?

Bunnie's nanites were easy targets for that much electricity; forcing back her advantage.

It was obvious to the master that Asriel's sister, Chara--now a third-seat Soul Reaper in Squad 3--had been training Asriel as a substitute Soul Reaper. which mean despite not having any magic, Azzy most certainly proved he had a well-spring of spiritual pressure to draw upon.

Bunnie held her tongue as much as she wanted deliver compliments. But distractions were something that had no place in this dojo during this exam.

The moves became more mixed and diverse. From Asriel nailing Bunnie with a Question Mark Kick to Bunnie's unexpected slide across the ground on her back which lead into a high kick and combo-ed into a kick practically straight up as Asriel was launched by the assault.

Both were recovering near-instantly. Their endurance was nearly equal.

On and on the battle waged. Asriel managed to stun her with a surprise shiharidori out of nowhere which he immediately followed up by snapping her blade and using the stolen edge between his palms to strike, causing a hair-line slice to her shoulder. That was a move that Bunnie had practically invented long ago.

It seemed that besting one another would take yet another instance of escalating the battle.

How likely was it that both student and teacher should have the exact same idea at the exact same time.

Out came the Shodouphone...at the same time Asriel's own Shodouphone came out. Both unfolded in unison.

And thus became a back and forth scripting of Mojikara attacks. Counters and cancels kept both equally stalemated.

Asriel managed to take her by suprise by hauling out his own Sushi Chenjaa quicker than she could bring out her own.

A surge of pride crossed Bunnie's heart as she rushed to counter new origami avatar constructs of Asriel's own design. Certainly this resulted from his sessions of programming with Violet. Using her best friend's technique against her? Well played, Goat Son. Well played.

As the battle grew more intense, dodging stopped being a matter of simply moving out of the way and now resorting to what Vi called "Zwee Fighting"...or the use of shunpo and hienkyaku to practically teleport out of the way. It was looking more like a Z-Fighter battle. Not since Sigma's fight with a then-Maverick Zero had something been this brutal.

Both were fighting at titan level and now the dojo was starting to show plenty of scars from it.

Bunnie's next attack, a straight-up hadouken was quickly canceled by Asriel outthinking her with an actual Kamehameha wave.

Soon the bamboo floor was riddled with kunai and shuriken as the two drifted between the moves of a ninja and the moves of a samurai.

Asriel was most certainly worthy of becoming shinobi. In a way this was also his chunin exam in addition to several other tests...all at the same time in one big master test.

Azzy spiraled, his own take on M. Bison's Psycho Crusher or Dive Man's torpedo spin as Bunnie's arrows just barely skimmed the surface of his chest, arms, and back in mid-rotation.

Now he would follow up with Izuku "Deku" Midori's own use of "Full Cowling" while paying homage to Gran Torino's signature richochet jumping. It was honestly difficult for Bunnie to nail him down in this form...but not impossible.

Bunnie most certainly noticed that Asriel's movements were getting more and more fluid, more flowing like water. Certainly the mark of someone who had mastered kung-fu and other Xingese martial arts varients. His style was a mix of countless styles but each one practically had its own fingerprint which the Grand Master could pick out. Trini Kwan's mantis-style kung fu? Check. Liu Kang's sholin monk style? Present. Even Master Roshi's own unique turtle hermit style imparted onto Goku and Krillen. Totally there and being blended seamlessly into one another.

She had taught him well. But in her opinion? There was no such thing as too well. Even if that meant--

"!!!"

It was up to debate whether or not she saw it coming. But there he was right above her with a Taiyoudama wrapped around his fist.

KA-BOOOM!!!

Bunnie's eyes widened as all the air left her lungs...and then came the fall.

Then came the impact.

And what an impact.

As to who it surprised more? That, too could be debated.

Like a meteor strike, the floor had buckled under the mighty smash.

And for a time...she was out. Out like a light.

"....!"  Asriel was most certainly shocked but not about to show it.

The goat maintained his stance. Had he really done this?

His eyes did not waver. He was no longer naive. He would not be caught with his guard down.

He wanted to stop,  but the battle wasn't over until--

Sub-Entry 010: "The Student Has Surpassed the Master"
"...TOMARE...!"

Bunnie panted for a good while as she knelt in the crater.

"Sensei...I'm...I'm sorry, I--"

"No.  Do not apologize.  The damage to the dojo was unavoidable.  A temporary problem which I can have remedied easily.  My insurreance and financial affairs are well in hand."

"I...apologize if I took it too far."

Bunnie shook her head.

"I know...first aid kit and an apology.  Well.  Lesson well-learned.  I'll show proper restraint in the next lesson."

"Asriel-kun.  There will not be a next lesson."

Asriel looked aghast.

"Sensei...maybe I did cross some lines but...you don't have to dismiss me from the dojo."

"Asriel.  You misunderstand.  It is not that I am punishing you.  Quite the contrary."

"Then what?  I don't want you to stop teaching me over--"

"It is not that I refuse to teach you.  It is......that I have nothing left to teach you."

"...wha...what?"

Bunnie stood up.

"Asriel.   In the past you acknowledged that I taught you everything you know."

"Yes?"

"You also acknowledged that I did not teach you everything that I know."

"Are you saying...?"

"Now...I have.  You and Mitzi have a complete working knowledge of everything I've ever learned and you've shown the insight to continue beyond; learning new moves and techniques that I have yet to.  You've acquired wisdom and self-insight that rival my own.  You've shown judgement that is befitting a student of all of the Rabbotou Clan secrets--including the ones that are, by all means, forbidden.  But most of all, you have even developed your own styles, your own signature abilities and even invented your own jutsus."

"Master Bunnie...!"

"I was content that I could say that I was proud to be your equal."

"You mean my master?"

"Remember what Grand Master Splinter said long ago.  Do not become attached to the teacher.  Sensei denotes one as a teacher; that one has much to teach.  But that is a temporary state.   Xavier Charles-Hakase once had a thought that the greatest gift a teacher can receive is when their student surpasses them.

Asriel. That gift has been given. And I feel tremendous elation. My life's journey as a teacher is ending with you but now that we are at this epoch, we stand as fundamentally equals. But the truth is you have passed me by. I will still find other students to train in time; ones worthy of preserving my family's heritage...our legacy."

Bunnie took a deep breath and indicated she had one more thing to say.

"Now...it's your turn."

Asriel's eyes widened. It took only a moment for him to recover from the fact that Bunnie had directly quoted All-Might only to process what this meant. He understood what she was saying. Now...he had everything he needed to become the sensei. Now it was his turn to seek out someone worthy of being the next chosen. It was like the role of Hokage in the Hidden Leaf. Asriel may  yet have the ambition to become successor to the Rabbotou Clan, just as Naruto Uzumaki forged his destiny to become Hokage. But...he would have to wait until it was his time. Lady Tsunade and even Kakashi-sensei preceded him before he became Lord Seventh. For Asriel? Mitzi would be the next appointed once Bunnie's time was over.

However, Mitzi was still older than Bunnie so...it was a matter of time before Azzy was next.

"I...I don't know what to say."

"Then do not say anything."

"Hmm." Asriel nodded and reached down and helped Bunnie out of the crater.

"Thank you for understanding...Grand Master Dreemurr."

"Dreemurr...that name just feels like a relic from the past.  For a long time now, I've been Asriel Arcade...I haven't even bothered with the whole name.  I mean...my professors still call me Dreemurr-Arcade but...really, it's just felt cumbersome."

"Asriel..."

"I know.  It's not that I'm trying to forget...it's that...I've been fighting against it for a long time but...time makes fools of us all.  It...it really is hard not to let the past erode.  And if we forget our pasts, we're doomed to repeat our pasts.  But it's worse when you don't even recognize that you've been down that past before.  And the real stinger is if you allow your past to repeat, then you have no future."

"I regret that there is no wisdom I can offer.  Nature takes its course as it may.  Time is the cruelest opponent we have besides our own selves."

"Doubt is a hard one to overcome.  Even now." Azzy nodded.

"You are quite experienced enough, now to find your own answers and fight your own battles."

"But never too old to ask for a shoulder to lean on?"

Bunnie smiled.

"I think now...you truly understand me."

"It's...kinda surreal that I don't feel like Chara was the only one who understood me.  Now...I feel like...everyone has understood me more than I understood myself.  I'm just now waking up to that.  And I'm realizing...it's become easier to understand those around me than I thought myself capable of.  A lot of things have become so clear to me.  But..."

"But the road never ends and there will always be a fog out in front, preventing us from understanding everything.   With ever step we take, we will figure things out and understand a little more."

Asriel smiled.

"You are still young.  Be not in a hurry to reach your destination."

"It's all about the journey."

A silence ensued.

"The test is finished.  We should find find our centers.  We should--"

"Meditate?"

Bunnie smiled. "The student becomes the teacher."

Asriel closed his eyes for a moment. "I do believe I sense Grand Master Hamato Splinter-sensei in the garden.  Shall we join him?"

Bunnie's Sixth Sense was unique to her. But not to say that Goat Son couldn't learn a few things about his own inner mental and spirutual abilities. Or maybe he was trying to impress Violet with his own take on the Force...at least the telepathic side of it. Whatever the case was...I was just going to say, he learned how to interpret gut feelings pretty well.

"We shall."

And thus began the last tale to tell of our goat son.

Chapter 2

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