NOVEL WEB 5. Aurora Madness!
The best Auroras include car chases, lots of madness, and powerful Supers. This one is no exception. ENJOY!
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“Holy Damn! LOOK!”
Lots of students were gawking in awe.
In fact, the entrance to Legendary-U was filled with a sea of students, all of them looking at the sky with rapt attention. After all, the scene before them was literally magical.
So magical that it overshadowed the speakers blasting warnings…
< WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! >
< CLASS 7 AURORA DETECTED! >
< NORTHERN REACH! >
It was simply amazing.
Millions of colors now painted the sky.
Glowing tendrils of magic, shimmering like celestial curtains upon the mortal world. Green, purple, pink, and specs of rainbow lights seemingly forming a galaxy. It was breathtaking.
The beauty eclipsed all, the world freezing. No phone in sight. No quirk being used. No silly remarks either. Even the warnings quieted down, everyone relishing the moment.
Beautiful. Peaceful. Bigger than any of them.
But just as students were getting lost in the moment…
Squish! Squish! Squish! A wet, sticky and rhythmic sound suddenly echoed utterly shattering the mood. And as many turned around they had the shock of their lives.
A ghost?! No, it wasn’t just a ghost, but a bloody ghost?!
Jack came out, terrifying people.
Every step of his was leaving tiny blood puddles, his body entirely covered from head to toe in blood. But as the Aurora light fell on him, it became even worse. Spurt! Spurt! Spurt!
The Aurora basked him in pure chaotic Mana, and he felt it interact with his body. Healing, breaking, and especially rampaging! The teacher had been right, it really felt like hell!
His capillaries kept exploding and reforming, traumatizing many…
“Crap! There’s a monster! Stay away, everyone!!!”
“Call a Teacher! They need to catch it!”
“Don’t worry, you all! I got this!”
“DO NOT USE YOUR QUIRK!”
The last warning was quickly discarded as a nearby student targetted Jack. The man used his Quirk, tons of thorny vines spawning and rushing him! Yet, Jack just snorted.
“Idiot.”
He simply stood there, glaring at the approaching vines. A single thorn landing and he’d be badly injured, but he stayed calm, waiting for the Aurora to do its thing.
Soon, the myriads of lights befell the vines…
“ROOOOOOAAAARRRRRR!” As if coming alive, the vines actually roared?!
They then did a 180, engulfing their caster to devour him, the guy about to become a corpse! But luckily for the confused fool, a Speedster managed to tackle him at the very last second, saving his life.
“What happened?! My vines suddenly stopped answering. They just—”
“What don’t you understand in 'DO NOT USE YOUR QUIRK!'”
“You two, stop bickering! There’s still a mons—”
They were about to say monster but said monster had already fished a cell phone out and was typing at the speed of light. As it did, they felt like they were going crazy, until it spoke.
“Everyone, calm down, will you? I’m obviously human. Can't you see this handsome face?”
Jack reassured them and quickly turned toward the nearest road. The favor he had just texted for was so huge that anyone sane would have blocked him instantly, but not him!
From the entrance came a gray beast that was going way too fast!
SKRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
“Anyone for an Odyssey?”
As Sharky pulled up in his Honda Odyssey, many eyes bulged. Was this even a car?! Old, decrepit, but with a Turbo-mana Propulsion? Also, was that a Mana field generator?!
The picture was so odd that many almost forgot the main issue…
“Wait, driving?! There’s a Class 7 Aurora!”
“Yeah, can’t drive during those!”
“Guys, don't do it! Just don't!"
The duo knew. Of course, they knew. But it wouldn’t change anything. As soon as Jack hopped in the Honda, his mad driver of a friend stepped on the pedal with gusto!
“Get ready for— What the hell happened to you, Jack?! Never mind, just hold on!”
SKRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
The Honda Odyssey flew, leaving shellshocked bystanders behind. But they weren't the only ones freaking out. The Universal Screen on board was, too.
< Warning! Class 7 Aurora In Progress! Please Stop the Vehicle! >
< Warning! Class 7 Aurora In Progress! Please Stop the Vehicle! >
< Warning! Class 7 Aurora In Progress! Please Stop the Vehicle! >
…..
“Damn, you’re annoying! BITE!”
Seeing Sharky bite the whole thing off, Jack couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know we’ll both be in a lot of shit for this, right? It probably won’t just be a warning this time.”
“Warning, no warning. Who cares. Actually, watch this!”
He suddenly pressed a button, and everything changed. The windows and windshield turned black. Then, spikes appeared, giving the car a hedgehog look.
“Are you kidding me?! You made it armored?!”
“Hell yeah, and at a bargain, might I add!”
“Wait, what do you mean bargain?!”
“This is Prototype C, hehehe!”
Prototype?! Jack couldn't help but gulp.
Even now, he still remembered the last “prototype.” It had quickly gone from an amazing wonder of technology to an inferno mobilizing half the city’s firefighters.
“Relax, will you? Prototypes A explode, Prototypes B catch fire, Prototypes C are totally fine, most of the time anyway. Actually, hang on tight. There’s a reception!”
Reception? A few police cars, cops, and spike strips?! Was it because it was class 7? Cops weren't usually that fast. How should they even go about this? Jack couldn’t help but swear.
“Goddammit, they blocked the highway! Gotta turn around!”
“Hey, what do you mean turn around?”
“Now’s not the time to test the—”
“No backseat driving, Jack!”
Then Sharky accelerated.
The Honda’s motor roared into the night, its now blackish exterior giving it an apocalyptic look. Any second now, the figures in front would notice. They had to, right?
For the unsuspecting cops, the night was still a beautiful one…
“Hehe, we got lucky. We got the easiest job there is!”
“Yeah, I pity the fools on monster subjugation.”
“Blockade’s up. Weather’s nice. Perfect!”
Three police officers were enjoying their lives very much at the moment. All they had to do was block the highway off and relax. This spot was really the best.
It was pretty empty except for Legendary-U, and the students there would know better than to skirt the law to joyride during the Aurora. No, everything would be fine.
All they had to do was wait till it was over, and then…
“Guys, am I crazy, or is there a car incoming?!”
“What are you talking about? Why would—”
“Wait, there’s really one?!!”
Never had a police officer grabbed a megaphone that quickly. < Warning! Please Halt the Car! > < Warning! Please Halt the Car! > < Warning! Please Halt the Car! >
Except it had no effect whatsoever….
SKRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
It was already far too late...
The Honda Odyssey magnified before their eyes. The weird shape, the black coating, and the scary spikes adorning it. And that’s when they understood. This thing would roll them over!
“Move! Move! Move! Get out of the way! Call for backup! Hurry up and— YOU?!”
That’s when a shadow appeared, one of a young woman.
She had been so quiet that they had pretty much forgotten her existence. She was some bigwig from some guild sent to help them as punishment for insubordination.
Her green hair gave her an otherworldly charm, only intensified by her bright snake-like yellow eyes! But most importantly, she was powerfully standing in the way?!
“Run, lady! There’s a car coming, and it’s about to—”
“Snort. Toothless AWAKEN!
That’s when it happened. Her skin started to glow, especially her chest, revealing scale-like patterns?! A second later, a torrent of Mana escaped her heart, the cops all faltering.
Before their eyes, the Mana took the shape of… a gigantic lizard?! The creature blossomed to life, its evil eyes scanning them as it screeched! “SKREEEEEEE!!!!!”
The poor cops shat themselves…
“Dear god, she’s actually a summoner?!”
“Fuck, not now! What about the Aurora?!”
“This is Officer Ford, please send backup at Lege—”
The guy calling suddenly turned ashen as a gigantic lizard claw pierced his radio, a certain summoner girl giving him the scariest smile he had ever seen.
And yet, she was still in control?! Breaking a radio was all the lizard did before it refocused on the road, both Super and pet making a stand as they cackled.
And soon began the craziest game of chicken, a madman on each side!
“Bring it on, black beast! Let’s see who has the sturdiest scales…”
“Stop my Honda Odyssey? Try your best…”
“SKREEEEEEE!!!!!”
“SKREEEEEEE!!!!!”
“SKREEEEEEE!!!!!”
Any other day, Jack would have laughed at the car tires and the giant lizard sounding alike, but he was far too busy holding on. And as the collision was about to happen…
“Just kidding! No way we’re fighting this! LATER, DUMBASSES!”
Sharky suddenly slammed a button next to the dashboard. Instantly, there was the sound of an explosion, and a second later… BOING! BOING! The Honda Odyssey actually flew.
As if it had just activated cheat codes, it started bouncing wildly, and completely bypassed the blockade entirely, landing safely on the other side, leaving behind very confused cops.
Along with their safe landing, laughter resounded…
“Pfft— Did you see their faces?! Even the lizard looked like it had eaten a fly! Then there was that pretty lady. She’s way too hardworking. She seemed ready to die with us…”
But before Jack could comment, his cell phone vibrated.
< From "🤍BestSister🤍": Won’t make it home. At Luna’s. Love you!>
The message was short, especially short. Yet he understood all that was left unsaid. Even if she could have made it, she wouldn't have, not today. Hell, even Sharky by the side could guess as much.
“Let me guess. Lilly’s not coming home?”
“Nope. She’s not crazy like us…”
“Bet. We on the news yet?”
Jack quickly checked his phone. Pets rampaging, monsters breaching the wall, villains attacking, supers going insane, the usual. Nothing about a rogue Honda.
“Seems we’re clear—just regular Aurora stuff. Keep your eyes on the road, and we should be fine. Probably an hour before the highway's swarming with monsters."
"Roger that! Don't worry, I know the drill. Drive and get out ASAP!"
Then again, Class 7 was already special enough by itself.
Who in their right mind would chase down a Honda when 99% of the Quirks in the Northern Reach were going haywire, monsters included? Jack couldn't help but feel wistful.
“Remember long ago when this place was still called Canada?”
“Remember? Bro, were we even born then?”
“No matter. Can you picture it?”
Auroras that didn’t shut down half the city. Auroras that didn’t vomit chaotic Mana. Auroras that one could enjoy all night without dying. Then again, he absolutely needed this specific Aurora.
He’d use it, and he’d finally see—
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!”
Out of nowhere, a world-shattering screech came from behind them. Then, a second later, they could see a gigantic lizard running after them on the highway!
Ten or fifteen meters long.
A powerful tail flailing madly
Deadly claws ripping the asphalt out.
But more importantly, was its mad rider hurling insults…
“Hehe, think you can just drive away, fuckers? Think again!” The Super cackled from atop her summon, and even with the Aurora, she seemed in control.
How?! Was she an S-Ranker?! Probably not, right? Still, how were they supposed to escape this? There was only one thing left: to bluff! Jack hurriedly rolled down a window.
“Hey, listen, we really want to stop, but it’s a medical emergency! Just look at me...”
He lied through his teeth, but the lady froze as she saw his bloody state. For an instant, she even looked like she was about to fall off her lizard. Then, she actually slowed down.
That action of hers especially confused a certain lizard…
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE???”
“Better to save a life.”
She, who had been pursuing like crazy, was now showing a soft smile as she gently scratched her companion’s head. After all, she wanted to keep order, not screw people over.
The bloody kid in the window had looked innocent and badly injured. She had a cousin the same age as him that went to Legendary-U and— MOTHERFUCKERS!
Her whole body trembled. Going to a hospital?
The nearest healing center WAS Legendary-U, yet they had been driving away from it! It was at that moment she knew she had been played for a fool!
“GODDAMMIT! Never mind that, toothless! We’re catching them!”
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! ”
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! ”
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! ”
Just like that, the chase resumed.
In fact, the lizard’s screeches were so loud that a mischievous duo in a Honda Odyssey actually heard it even from a distance. Luckily, they were almost home.
< Exit 42 — 69th Avenue >
< Warning: Lower Level District!>
< Grimrock Prison Nearby. NO HITCHHIKERS!>
They took that exit faster than a bum of a father abandoned his family! Then they drove past a blockade there, too, the Honda Odyssey on fire once again.
Building after building passed before their eyes, and soon a shitty corner of a street was revealed. The place looked older than the world and smelled like it too.
Apartments from an era before Supers even…
“Enough gawking, time to get out! Good luck, brother! Activate ejection!” That was the last thing Jack heard before the car door exploded, and he was thrown out, along with his seat?!
The thing even turned to bubble wrap and… POP! POP! POP! cushioned his fall. He then hurriedly got up, disappearing in the night as a Honda and a giant lizard zoomed away.
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! ”
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! ”
“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! ”
As for the chase that resumed, it was INTENSE! But even then, a certain shark-like student was enjoying himself very much.
“Damn, I’m super popular today! Gotta do that more often. Now, now, better let them catch me eventually… just not yet! Let’s increase the pace a bit!”
Wildly turning the wheel, he felt alive. Every meter he covered was a meter farther from his friend. More importantly, he felt a rush overwhelm him as even more "friends" appeared.
Police chasers were showing one after the other, already locking unto him. Some even had rockets out, ready to push the firing button and explode his ass.
“Sir, chaser 1126-E here. Do we have permission to open fire?”
“Negative! The suspect hasn’t caused any damage yet!”
“Catch him alive and interrogate him!”
Sharky was very respectful for a criminal. Before turning every corner, he’d slow down a bit to make sure he didn’t hit anyone, and his pursuers closed the distance thanks to that.
But just as he was accelerating once more, it happened…
CRASH! A giant lizard suddenly fell from Heaven, right in the middle of the road?! The same girl from before had taken a shortcut and was now blocking the only way out.
As for activating the bouncing element? It was suicide.
The lizard’s legs were already bulging, the thing ready to jump as soon as the Honda did. As for what would win between the car and the lizard, that much was obvious.
With this, Sharky was trapped. He brought the car to a halt, relaxingly waiting, even as armed cops surrounded him from all sides.
“Get out of the vehicle! Hands in the air!”
“One wrong move, and we’ll shoot!”
“Don’t play with fire, boy!”
Cops shouted, Sharky slowly coming out, a grin plastered on his face. And as soon as they saw him smile, many tensed. Why wasn’t this guy freaking out?!
Yet, that didn’t matter to a certain girl.
“Toothless, watch him.”
She came down her lizard, the creature opening its deadly maw right above Sharky, ready to devour him in a split second. As for the summoner, she was already searching him.
“There’s an ID! Also, be careful. There’s one more in the car!”
Hearing this, a bunch of cops quickly approached the Honda, soon breaching it.
“Clear! Clear! Clear! The passenger seat’s missing, probably some kind of ejection device. Whoever was here’s gone! Boy, you better come clean. What were you planning to—”
That’s when the policeman froze. He had just seen the ID.
< Finn Valor, Legendary-U Student >
“Mother of god!”
Valor. A name bigger than the city they protected. Valor, a Super conglomerate that they absolutely couldn’t contend against. As soon as he saw it, the man asked to be sure.
“He didn’t cause any damage, right? Simply breached the no-driving directive? If that’s the case, cut him loose. As for you, mister Valor, enough driving for the night, understood?”
“Yes, boss! I won’t do it again tonight, I swear!”
Just like that, it was over?!
A bunch of cops were confused, until they too saw the ID. Yep, no point fighting this. Valors were very protective of their name. Bringing this kid in would mean endless lawsuits!
It wasn’t worth it for what was basically a misdemeanor. All were in agreement except for a certain lizard-using Super…
“Wait, we’re letting him go?! This bastard broke the law!”
“Sure did. He might do it again later, too. Nothing we can do about it. Didn’t you know? All are equal before the law, but some are more equal than others.”
The captain shrugged, already bringing the cops away and leaving a fuming summoner behind. At first she stomped her feet, but then realized something, showing a vicious grin.
“Actually, the hunt’s just starting! Hehehe….”
So what if this guy was a Valor? His bloody friend probably wasn’t!
The next instant, a claw shattered four tires and a cell phone. Then the crazy, powerful creature took in Jack’s scent, the duo darting away with Sharky turning pale.
This was bad! He collapsed with worry, his previous confidence gone. He couldn’t do anything to stop it. As for his Valor name? It was merely a paper tiger.
As a bastard son, if anything truly happened, the one disappearing would be HIM!
‘Please, Jack. Do your thing, then hide…’
All he could do was pray.
Would praying do anything? Debatable. But he wasn't the only one praying at that moment either.
At a rusty, decrepit door, a certain bloodied youngster couldn't stop shaking as he prayed. Every Aurora was a coin flip, but he had great hopes for this one. Please let it be alright.
Steadying his heart, Jack forcefully pushed the door open.
“I’m home…. Mom.”
Uttering those words took all he had. And then he waited, his heart about to explode in his chest. Seconds seemed to turn into eternities until the dark apartment lit up.
“Oh? You’re back! How was school!”
There she was. Her dark cascading hair, her eyes the color of stars, her smile brighter than life itself. She came over, a rice paddle in her hand, seemingly cooking.
There was so much he wanted to say, but he forced himself to smile.
“School was the best! I made lots of friends, and I even aced a Quiz. Then it got even better. A teacher taught me a new technique, and I had fun with Sharky!”
“Hehe, that’s amazing! I always knew you’d make some friends! Now, take a seat. Dinner’s already ready! Ah, but make sure you wash your hands!”
“Yes, mom. Right away, mom!”
He complied, even if it was useless.
Water flowed. A sink turned blood red. Then he went to the living room, drenching it all in blood. Yet, his mom happily hummed as she lovingly glanced his way.
And in that moment, she looked so beautiful.
“Hehe, I made your favorite. Curry!”
It wasn’t. He didn’t give a damn about the food. But he couldn't refuse her as she proudly dropped a dish on the table. It overflowed with steam and care.
And as he took a bite, tears came. So delicious! The taste of love. The taste of happiness. The taste of family. Even more important was her wide grin.
“Hehe, eat up lots! You gotta grow stronger if you wanna be like your dad! I heard they’ll let him come home soon. Isn’t that amazing?!”
“Of course, can’t wait…”
She was already twirling in happiness.
“We could watch a movie! Or what about some mini-golf? Kids your age like that! We can even stop by the arcade and get some plushies too! Your dad’s a claw machine god!”
He was. He really was. He’d win Leo like a real champ…
That’s when another burst happened. The Mana Backlash he was suffering from flared up once again, blood overflowing. His eyes, his nose, his skin, it was everywhere.
It stained the table, it stained the chair, it stained the floor, it stained everything. But he simply wiped his eyes, making sure he could still see her.
“Hehe, you’re excited too, right? But keep eating!”
“Yes, Mom. I’ll eat and grow stronger.”
As he resumed eating, so did she resume talking. He ate in silence, every cell in his body listening to her. How much had he missed that voice? More than the fucking world!
A moment with family, one that transcended time, but a moment about to shatter.
CRASH! SKRREEEEE! The front door exploded open, a maw full of sharp teeth appearing. Then, a slender silhouette rushed in, disrupting the happy scene.
DASH! Jack saw her magnify before his eyes. With her green hair flowing, she looked like a goddess of vengeance! Then, an instant later, her scaly hands were upon him.
He felt an incredible force hoister him up.
He felt a burning grasp on his throat.
He stopped breathing entirely.
He felt himself choke. At this rate, he’d die! Yet, as the predator-like yellow eyes glared at him, he only smiled sorrowfully. “So you’ve come for me? But I’m not done just yet.”
He struggled free from her grasp.
Normally, he wouldn’t be able to escape a Super. Her scaly arms contained far too much power. But he did as she froze, the current scene way too strange.
“Jack, come back to the table. We’re eating right now!”
“Sorry, Mom. I’ll eat lots, don’t worry…”
“Good! Tell me more about school!”
The family dinner resumed, with a shell-shocked Super in the corner. What was this?! Not once had the woman at the table glanced at her, and neither did she mind her bleeding son.
Jack ignored the strangeness and simply kept chattering as if nothing was out of the ordinary...
“We met a Malikor. He tried pranking us but failed. Should have seen his face!”
“There’s a scary-looking Gelatinous Cube that's actually super nice!”
“Medipods are the freaking best! Feels like a spa!”
“Auroras are super pretty!”
……
He kept talking. He kept bleeding.
At some point, the invading Super simply left.
He barely noticed, his eyes on his mother. She looked so radiant, her skin as white as snow, except for the black flames devouring it at times. Even back then, there had been signs.
Still, he was happy. And just like that, the night passed in a flash, and it became late.
“Ah, would you look at that! Already 11 pm?! Better get to bed, mister! It’s way too late for a kid your age. What would others say if they knew?!” She led him to his bedroom.
Two beds, one for him and one for his sister.
He settled in his, not minding the blood staining the sheets. She wanted him to sleep, so he would. But as she closed the light and wished him goodnight, he faltered.
“Mom. Can you stay? Just a bit…”
“Alright, my little prince!”
She lay next to him, her warmth invading his soul. He could feel her gentle touch as she ruffled his hair. Her mere presence was so calming. This was Paradise.
Even now, his skin was still bleeding, almost as much as his heart. Yet, he contently closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. All his barriers went down as he completely gave in.
He took it all in without hesitation.
He knew their time was limited. She wouldn’t be there in the morning. Her Quirk, Phantom, would only come alive during Auroras thanks to the wild Mana in the air.
Her real body was frozen elsewhere.
He'd have to somehow become a Super to save her, but that could wait for tomorrow. For now, he nestled himself in her embrace, forgetting the world itself.
So what if none of this was real? It felt fucking real! More. More. If only time could stop forever. His heart filled with love, and he slowly drifted to sleep, smiling.
And even as he did, his lips whispered by themselves. “Love you, Mom. Always….”
The scene was incredibly touching—at least to him. A certain scaly Super peeking through the window was already puking as she finally saw the thing’s real form.
Mother? This wasn’t a mother, but a bloody ghost! Sharp claws, eyes of darkness, a cursed being that nothing could stand against. And yet it acted so meekly with the boy?!
This was insane. This was crazy. She wanted nothing to do with it!
At first, she had felt pity for the kid, but now she just wanted out of there! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! She’d rather mess with the Valor family than this! This was crazy as hell!
As she fled, scared shitless, she didn't even realize the Aurora was ending, the world returning to its usual calmness. But little did it know the madness that was about to sweep it.
A slumbering madman had an insane plan...