The Vespidian
Arc 9 Twilight
Chapter 10 Interlude: Youko part 1
Sunshine’s forces boldly penetrated the darkened field around the castle. The ships attached their anchors to the floating landmass and the boarding party set forth, Sunshine at the lead with Neko-chan and Admiral Moon following closely behind. The entrance yawned open like a great maw, spiked portcullis jagged like teeth and the rolled out red carpet below their feet squishy as a tongue. It was in stark contrast to the once pearl white stone and glimmering rainbow gates that once stood here. They stood for a moment, staring up at the lofty heights of twisting and darkened spires. Sunshine scrunched up her face as though she had almost swallowed a fly.
Sunshine stepped first into the grand castle and then the world warped. Her wings spread instantly to beat back the falling sensation and yet she still plummeted into the abyss. After a long and lonely moment of silence that stretched out for what felt like days or perhaps even longer, a voice appeared.
“Youko, hey Youko, you are spacing out again! Earth to sleepy head.” Said a girl’s voice.
Sunshine squinted, opening her eyes to the blinding world. She stared about the classroom at the unfamiliar faces. There were three of them, all girls roughly sixteen or so. Youko… that name. She tried to move, but found that she could not. She tried to talk, but her mouth would not move. What was the meaning of this?
Her mouth moved, though she had not done it, “Awah, what I was taking a nap?”
“Class is over, remember you were going to show us that cool thing you were talking about earlier?” said the brown-headed girl with several freckles on her face with a large smile.
“Ah… oh yeah! It is so cool you guys, look, look check it out,” said Youko, lifting up her hand and concentrating for a moment.
A beautiful butterfly appeared in her palm. It had blue and black patterns that glistened and glowed in the sunshine. She made a few more and they fluttered around, landing on the girls’ hands that they outstretched while gasping in glee. Names started to come up in her mind. Cece was the brown-haired girl with a ponytail. Daisy was the blonde with long, straight hair. Jen was the girl with black hair that seemed to always be in her eyes.
“Oh my god that is soo cool!”
“So pretty!”
“They are soft too.”
Youko smiled, welling with pride over her newfound power. She had discovered it last night while she was daydreaming instead of doing her homework. That time she had made butterflies as well. She hadn’t even told her parents yet.
Her best friend Cece frowned, “Ah, Youko this means you are a Super, right?”
A strange feeling like a knot filled Youko’s throat, “I guess so. Why?”
“Are we still going to be friends?” she asked and the other two looked at her as they came to the same realization.
Youko gulped, “Why, why not?”
“If you become a Hero then we will know your secret identity.”
“Ah… then I just won’t use this power. We can just act like I am normal, right? Like nothing changed, right?”
“Eh, but you can be a hero, why turn that down? It is pretty cool, right?”
“Well, I guess… it is kinda scary though. I trust you. You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“““Nope.””” smiled the three.
“Thanks. Although, I don’t think butterflies will be much of a superpower.”
“Maybe you can do other stuff?” asked Cece.
Other things? But what? Youko thought and held her finger out. A bird materialized shining blue as it chirped and eyed the butterflies. It was a Blue Jay. She smiled as the other girls ooed and awed over the new thing, until it swooped down and devoured one of the butterflies. The rest promptly scattered, fading away into nothingness along with the bird.
“What happened?!” Cece looked around worried.
“I… I don’t know.” Youko wanted to cry butterflies were her favorite animal.
Why had the bird done that? It just moved on its own, like… like it was alive and it didn’t listen to her when she told it to stop. Or rather it had happened so fast she didn’t have a chance to tell it to stop.
***
Everything skipped, fading into darkness and then reemerging through the vale of fog. In a different place, at a different time. It was now that Sunshine realized what these were, her lost memories that had laid buried and forgotten deep inside of her mind.
Youko sat at the kitchen table, fidgeting. The checkered tablecloth reminded her of a chessboard. How was she going to tell her parents? Should she tell her parents? She bit her lip anxiously. She should, right? Being a hero was a big deal… but it was such a weak power would it really even matter? Would the Hero League even want her?
“What is wrong?” asked her father as he entered the room from the kitchen.
“N-nothing.”
“You can talk to me you know. Are you getting bullied?”
Youko shook her head adamantly, she was certainly not getting bullied.
“Something is on your mind… ah, it is your birthday next month, isn’t it? Did you have a present in mind?” he smiled at her.
She shook her head, “No.”
He got close and whispered, “It is that, isn’t it? Remember what will happen if you tell your mother about that.”
Terror and dread grasped her heart and she gulped down the tears as well the vomit that tried to come up. She shook her head even harder, “No. No father… not that.”
He frowned, “Then what is wrong? You know I love you.”
“I… I know.”
He sat across from her, eyeing her. She shivered as he lightly stroked his chin while observing her. He was always so good at telling when she lied. In truth THAT really was a problem, but not this problem. Of course, she could never tell her mother about that. She would be punished severely for even attempting it.
Thankfully her Mother walked into the room, drawing those hawk-like eyes away from her. She sat the large bowl of rice onto the table and went back for a moment, bringing over a plate with pork pot-stickers on it. She sat a bottle of soy sauce and another bottle of spicy mayonnaise next to it. Her father sat down the plates and the chopsticks, save on his, he used a fork.
Youko smiled at her mother and the short black, doll-like hair that she had. She liked that hair and was very pleased that she had inherited it rather than her father’s brown head. It didn’t take long for the food to be distributed. They clapped their hands together and said “Itadakimasu~”
Youko paused for a moment as she took up the chopsticks and picked at the crispy pork bun.
“Mom-” She started before feeling the cold gaze of her father.
“Yes? What is wrong Youko?”
“I- I um… I can make things.” She replied.
“Hmm, like what?” asked her father with a very surprised tone.
“Oh? Did you make something at school? What is it?” her mother asked with a sweet smile.
“I made butterflies and a blue jay.”
“Did you draw those in art class?”
“No. I made them.”
Her parents looked at one another, “What did you make them out of?”
What had they been made out of? “I don’t know.”
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“Do you have them? Maybe I know what it is?” asked her father.
Youko shook her head, “No, they disappeared. But I can make them again.”
“They disappeared?” asked her mother.
Youko put her hand out closing her eyes for a moment and imagining the wonderful wings of the butterfly and the vibrant colors. When she opened them it sat there on her finger, slowly flapping the wings. Both her Mother and Father stared at it in shock and dropped their respective utensils.
“Where did that come from?” asked father.
Mother got close, staring at it as it took flight and circled the room before landing on her finger. She gently pet it in wonder, “Amazing. Youko, where did you find this?”
“I made it. I- I can make other things too.” She said hesitantly.
Father had that assessing look in his eyes again as he leaned to one side. She pulled her plate to the side and imagined a full chessboard of pieces. She closed her eyes real tight and then when they opened there on the table, white and black facing one another in two rows. Her parent’s eyes gaped at this new sight.
“What- what is this?” they asked.
“I think I am a Super.”
“How wonderful,” said Mother, “We should take her over to the recruiter tomorrow and have her assessed.”
Father frowned, “Now hold on. I think we should wait a bit for that.”
“Why? They can train her to use her power properly.”
“But can we trust her with them? I have heard some rumors.”
“It can’t be that bad can it?”
“I don’t know, but what if they take her from us?”
“Well, regardless all Supers have to register.”
“What if we never see her again?” Father seemed fearful.
“They wouldn’t do that. At most, they would put her in a dorm at one of the stations and we could still visit her and vice versa. I think there is a Junior program, right?” said Mother thinking it over.
“There is but-”
“Isn’t it wonderful? She can make friends.”
“But I already have friends,” complained Youko.
Father’s eyes turned a little hard, “You didn’t tell anyone else about this did you?”
Youko bit her lip, “My friends, but they will keep it a secret.”
“Shit!” he cursed.
“Honey language.”
“It is fine, she is sixteen already. We don’t really have a choice then. Somebody is going to find out something eventually.”
“If it bothers you that much, then we can wait a little bit.”
He nodded, “We will take this slowly, no need to rush into anything.”
***
Time moved again to several months later. Youko had not ended up going to the Hero League and instead kept herself from using her power in the presence of those who did not know of it yet. But even with that precaution, they had still learned of her existence.
Youko idly sat on the couch watching an anime as colorful things shot all over the place on the screen.
“Prepare yourselves!” Declared Evil Queen Bambi.
The announcer went off on a tirade, “Our heroes have found themselves against a pole and a hard place! Will they make it in time to rescue Captain Venus from the Slores before they suck him dry?! What happened to Admiral Moon’s new Lamborghini?! Can Loli-chan escape the torturous tentacle trap, or will she succumb to the evils of the Skankubus!?”
Hmmhmm, happily hummed Youko watching as the show cut to break. She really liked this show. It was called the Moon Sailors and just got brought over from Japan. The dub was pretty good, but she didn’t know if the subbed version was better or not. As odd as that might sound since she was half Japanese, but that didn’t mean that she knew the language, her mom hardly ever spoke in it, though there was the occasional slip. Youko only knew little sprinklings here and there.
Loli-chan was her favorite character, mostly cause she was such a weirdo. It might also have had to do with how she was as flat chested as Youko was. Usually, she ended up getting jealous over how well proportioned the girls were, but not Loli-chan. It was like the character was made for her, she just connected, it was like they were synced or something. It also helped that she was super cute and her magical girl outfit was adorable.
The doorbell rang, interrupting her Saturday afternoon. Normally she would have been hanging out Cece and the others, but they were struggling with their homework. Youko yelled “Mom! Someone is at the door!”
There was no reply. Her face scrunched up a little as she pouted when the doorbell rang again. She grumbled and made her way to the door. She peered out the window beside the door. There was a very strange looking person standing there. Fishnet stockings covered the shapely thighs and a tight blue leotard canvased the main body. A melted mask concealed the face save the bright red lips and sapphire eyes.
This was a strange person indeed. She locked the door and said, “I don’t know what you are selling, but we don’t want any!”
She nodded to herself approvingly, that was what dad always said to shady door salesmen. The woman replied, “I am not selling anything. I am called Dreamer, I work with the Hero League and we have heard about you, Youko.”
She gulped, retreating several steps, “MOM! There is a weird lady here!”
“I am not weird, I am a Hero,” replied Dreamer through the door.
“No you are not, you look like a Skankubus!”
Mom came down the stairs, her hair still wet from a shower, “What is the matter? What is with all the yelling?”
“She says she is a Hero and knows my name.”
“That is right,” said the woman from the other side of the door, “We would like to recruit Youko. May I come in, so that we can discuss this in detail?”
Mom gave a glance down before she sighed and opened the door. Now that Dreamer was not quite so distorted by the window, her shining blue eyes and silken hair drew Youko’s attention. Blue just so happened to be her favorite color. She was still wearing a very skimpy outfit like a slutty magician or something. She followed them to the kitchen table where they sat down.
“What have you heard?” asked Mom.
Dreamer tapped her head thinking a few things over, “I believe your daughter is a Projector. As for what Rank, well we would have to give her an examination.”
“How did you learn about her?”
“There have been rumors in the area. It didn’t take long to piece them together.”
Mom frowned, “Does she have to be recruited?”
Dreamer arched her fingers in front of her and they wove together as she explained, “No, but she must be registered, so that we know who she is and what she is capable of. We would prefer there to not be any Vigilantes and it will help us against her should she turn Villain.”
“Youko is a good girl, she would never do anything bad.”
A slight smirk cramped Dreamer’s face for a moment before fading away, “I am sure. However, these are precautions that cannot be ignored. It is for the good of everyone in Bronson.”
“What eh… what exactly will I have to do?” asked Youko.
Dreamer pleasantly smiled, “Simple, you will come back with me and we will take a few tests to determine your aptitude.”
“I will go too.” Said Mom.
The woman nodded, “Of course it is only natural that her guardian come with her. While she takes the assessment tests we can talk more in depth, one on one. I will answer any questions that you might have.”
“These tests are not dangerous are they?” asked Mom.
Dreamer dismissively waved her hand, “Oh no. We have professional trainers who will help and guide her every step of the way.”
“I see. Youko do you want to do it?”
She was both excited and little scared. This was Super Hero stuff after all. People always talked about Supers, idolizing them and vilifying them. They would be nice, right? Hopefully, there were not any scary ones, like the Subhumans in the slums. Although, they didn’t really join the Hero League as far as Youko had heard. She nodded in acknowledgment.
“Well then, shall we go? My car is waiting outside,” said Dreamer.
Mom held Youko’s hand and they followed Dreamer. Things were somewhat blurred, mostly due to the excitement and the ride over went by before she even realized it. Unfortunately, they had been lied to. Sunshine knew what was about to happen, but she couldn’t stop it. Their destination had not been the Hero League at all. The surrounding warehouses were desolate, this place seemed to be devoid of human life, save the men in black suits and sunglasses that were waiting where they pulled up.
“This- This isn’t the Hero League?!” said Mom, clutching Youko.
“No, it certainly is not.” Replied Dreamer with an amused scoff, “Ah, this was too easy. The public is so trusting, it almost hurts really.”
“What, what do you want?” cried Youko.
“You,” grinned Dreamer.
She had a certain air about her, a look, a feeling that Youko recognized… it was the same that her father had during THOSE times. When he did things to her while Mom wasn’t around. Her mind swam with terror over what to do. She was a Super, so surely this was a situation where using her power was designed for. But what to make? Something that could defend her, like a knight in shining armor… well, that would certainly do, now wouldn’t it?
She cringed from the hand reaching for her and shut her eyes tight, letting her imagination go wild. It formed, her perfect white knight. Tall and virtuous, gallant and strong. However, before she could release it upon her adversary, assuming that it would even work properly, she felt a warm tap on her head and then Dreamer appeared before her.
She cowered behind the knight sending him to attack the invader. He didn’t fair well. Dreamer flicked him away and he crumpled up like a tin can. Youko ran, screaming in terror, but this place was strange. Despite her running at full speed she was not moving, it was almost like she was on a treadmill and the masked menace casually approached. Stride by stride she loomed ever closer.
“NO! Stay away!” Youko cried when she felt the hand touch her back and push into her. She squealed in pain as her heart froze from the hand grasping it inside of her. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t feel her legs or the ground as her eyes blurred.
“Ah yes, just what I was looking for. The core, that glowing ball of you,” said Dreamer, yanking at something that was deep inside of Youko.
She flopped down, dimly looking up at the large warm sphere that floated above Dreamer’s hand. It was beautiful, overflowing with prismatic colors and gentle feelings. The fiend licked it as her clawed fingers stabbed into it. Where they touched the colors died, soon the sphere started turning black and cracks formed on it.
“Wonderful! Such a delicious little lamb you are,” said Dreamer licking her lips, “I will be sure to relish, and savor breaking you and remolding your mind.”
Youko whimpered meekly as the vile woman caressed the orb, “Now my little pet. You will obey me completely. I am going to implant thoughts, orders, suggestions, memories, and certain cravings into you. Tell me, who am I?”
Things started flowing from her into the orb and when they did images and words appeared, Youko wobbled, feeling sick from the bombardment of voices.
“Who am I?” she repeated loudly so that it echoed.
A word seemed to be filling up all of Youko’s thoughts, pushing everything else out of the way. Her lips quivered as she said them, “M-Mistress Nightmare.”
“Yes pet, obedience is bliss. I reward my good, submissive pets.”
Pleasure burst through Youko as though a bubble filled with ecstasy popped, washing away what little protests of her inner voice remained. She writhed holding herself as the woman, as her Mistress smirked down at her.
“Good, feel it, crave it. Now when you hear my voice, you will be compelled to obey. Yes, you trust me and you will open yourself wholeheartedly to me. Now your training will take time and I will be sure to visit to layer on your conditioning frequently, personally… mmm very personally. Naturally, you won’t tell anyone of this or even remember this, unless you hear my voice.”
Youko’s strength quickly left her and she tilted finding it impossible to stay awake. Her eyes drifted into darkness. However, she heard one last thing before the abyss took her, “Now to deal with the Mother.”
Sunshine grit her teeth as she felt a hatred welling up from the very depths of her being. No, mere hate could not even come close to describing this burning rage, this utter loathing! This, this was the reason why she despised bimbos and slores so much. Those filthy, disgusting whores! They reminded her of Nightmare and the perverse, twisted and sick things that she had done to Sunshine and made her do. It made her remember all the times she was raped and abused.
Sunshine breathed deeply, and then exhaled after a long pause, shoving all of the dark emotions back down before they could be siphoned off and fed to Twilight-chan. Unfortunately, the stream of memories was not over yet. This had made her remember, it made her remember the terrible things that Youko had done. She squirmed realizing that she was powerless to stop it and that she was about to relive it once more.