love me do.

Misaka Mikoto hated quite a lot of things, but near the top of the list was feeling powerless. This manifested in a lot of ways; her nearly-automatic response of zapping someone who came too close; her abrasive attitude and tendency to make other people do the work in a conversation, her insistence on silly little acts of freedom…

So when she snapped her eyes open, staring at the ceiling of her little cottage with the feeling of burning skin and shattered bones still etched into her head, her first reaction was to scream.

It wasn’t in pain or in fear. No, it was pure rage at the fact that whatever had just happened - in fact, everything en route to and since she came to Benu - had been utterly beyond her control. She’d died. Died. Actually kicked the bucket, croaked, become an ex-Mikoto, hopped off the mortal coil, carked it.

And just like that, she’d come back. Nothing she’d done had mattered - if the distinct lack of fire outside the window was any indication, the world had fixed itself. Somehow. No explanation. Just another thing that happened.

She ran out of breath and kicked the covers back in a blind rage - school uniform again, just like the day she’d arrived - stepping outside with rage in her eyes.

"Nothing I ever do matters! Ever!" A bench was nearby, unfortunately for it - it ate her foot, rammed violently at the wood in an expression of anger at pretty much everything.

"Just a waste!" Kick. "Of!" Kick. "Time!"

And a wave of power blasted forth, surprising the source as much as any bystanders. For an instant, she looked like a novelty electrosphere; tendrils of electricity dancing outwards, scorching over the cobbles and making the smell of ozone fill the air.

And in the brief instant of silence that followed, Mikoto Misaka, now effectively a Level 2 esper, lifted her palms in front of herself.

And she regretted getting as lost in her thoughts as she did.

They'd only spoken once, despite their promise to meet again; really, Sayaka had been looking forward getting to know someone new, to see Benu from their eyes instead of her own.. but this world had different plans for them. A day to spend together exploring an unknown place turned into a time of terror; of engulfed flames. Though, if she had survived-- then Mikoto must have, too! She knew that if she had just returned to where they first met in the park, she'd be sitting there waiting.. but she never was. No matter how many times the puella magi went back to that same place, and looked in every place she could think of, Mikoto didn't come back.

Every single time, she felt her heart sink even deeper into her chest.. until that day, where she found herself heading toward the same place once more. Sayaka wasn't even friends with this girl, and yet.. she wanted to see her again. She couldn't believe that Mikoto had actually.. died.. and as her gaze nervously traveled to the bench where they first met, she expression immediately lit up; feeling utter joy for only a moment, until it dove down into something of complete confusion.

" Mikoto.. ?! "

Events of crimson fires left tales of heroic bravery among many of the towns people, stories sure to fill entire newspapers front to back with the details of their sacrifices and deeds of goodwill in the last moments of the world. Certain people would be praised, hailed as the all-important heroes and saviors of the nation. Not that much was saved, as everything inevitably reset in the end whether everyone died or didn’t die.

But what about those deaths? What about the flip-side of the events where tragedy struck and tore apart happiness in a great wave of life-stealing flames, leaving anyone without a hero to suffer a terrifying, painful death all alone? Or maybe they weren’t alone. Maybe they died along side someone they couldn’t protect, someone who couldn’t protect them; the village was sure to be filled with unspoken, dying heroes.

The failures of the crop. It was hard to count yourself heroic when the final goal wasn’t reached, even if she would protest otherwise.

“…” He scoffed. ”Heroes.”

In front of him stood a glass window attached to the wall of a very small comic book store. In the very center, a comic on display, cover shown off in a way that stole more attention than half the population would appreciate. On the glossy front page stood a hero, one with an unmistakable heroic stature, standing atop a burning building with a gorgeous lady in his obviously heroic arms and a crimson cape fluttering heroically behind him. It had to be the most stereotypical Western-styled comic he’d ever seen complete with all the terrible implications, but that wasn’t what he held as important.

The fact that everywhere he looked held reminders of his failed heroism was what stung him the most, like a bitter enemy ready to remind you of your imperfections any time you tried to reject them. It made him grumpy, admittedly, a little high strung and more on edge than usual. He slumped forward, brows furrowing towards the disappointment of himself reflected in the shop window and off the comic book’s sheen.

But that was wrong, wasn't it? After being put through hell and back, magical girls just like herself.. they could disappear without anyone noticing. Their deaths had no affect on the world around them; as if everything they had fought for, everything they tried to protect became meaningless in the end. Just like.. what so many people had gone through in this place. What was worse, she wondered? Being able to see what you remembered, or reliving the pain with no reminders at all?

It was another day where she was attempting to distract herself; walking along a snow covered street, searching for something she couldn't quite put her finger on. It had been a while.. since she had even spoken to another person, let alone allowed herself to; Sayaka still wasn't sure if she was completely recovered from her own personal tragedies, let alone the ones that came to be in the village. But certainly, she wasn't the only one feeling like this; and when she heard the voice of a stranger, that flickering thought came to life.  She couldn't help but reach out to the boy who seemed so distraught over something she knew so well.

" Hm.. you really think so, huh? That heroes only pretend like they're strong? " stopping in her tracks, blue eyes trailed from messy black hair to that of the window; mirroring the sights that he saw himself. " I guess you're right. But that only shows that they're human, you know? Even when someone doesn't want to.. it can get pretty hard to ignore, especially when we're scared. "

She never thought that she would hear herself say those words. After thinking of herself to be so selfish for even having emotions once before, she had already long realized how much of a fool she was. It wasn't possible to completely shut yourself off from the rest of the world, from the pain that tried to seep in; not letting those things happen would only slowly destroy you. 

" And anyway.. as long as you do what you think is right, that's what makes you heroic. -- ah! Sorry! I really shouldn't ramble about things like this.. " straightening her shoulders, the girl tilted her head up toward the older male, and as if she hadn't spoke from experience at all, a friendly smile suddenly flashed over her features. " I'm Sayaka, by the way! Do you have a name, mister justice? "

Until wandering eyes spotted a special blue-haired knight. " — What ? ” Her voice hushed as her hands fell to her side , the bread loose from her grasps and fell to the floor.  Was she seeing ..her ? Was it all a dream  ?  “ She was — ” So many questions begun to stir - such a phenomenon was hard to process , and she couldn’t find the words to describe what she was feeling. How dare they pose as her .

However, all the same.. what became of Mitakihara? What happened to her friends, her family-- all of the civilians that she fought for? The moments in the previous world she had been in should have been her last; yet now, she was alone in an unrecognizable village with no one by her side. Even though despair had destroyed every last bit of hope she had felt, chained her down and drowned her in a never-ending sea.. they were things that had happened in the past. There was no longer any point of grasping for the things that were no longer there. Somehow, she had been given a second chance.. could she really call it a miracle if she had truly lost everything she ever loved? Did she deserve this after all of the sins she had committed? Shoulders suddenly began to tremble, as hands rose; shielding herself with her arms as her travels suddenly came to a halt.  And it was then that she heard it, just before droplets of tears managed to escape down her cheeks.

" -- Hey! "

A voice so familar.. a voice that was always raised toward her. It couldn't have been.. 

".. ah..  "

Blue eyes widened, and Sayaka turned her head slowly; feeling her heart drop at the sights before her. Red, fiery hair was the first thing that caught her attention; but she already knew who this person was. Just like her.. just like her, they shouldn't have been there. Death had taken hold of the both of them; plunging them down together, never allowing them to come back.. but.. they were still there, in front of each other. Was Sayaka the only one who realized it?  She smiled, ever so gently.

" I guess you could say.. I'm just a wandering ghost, trying to find my way. " her smile was faint, but the depths of her eyes held everything she wanted to say. Everything she wanted to release. " But.. you're the same as me.. aren't you? "

Would she believe it? Could she, after everything? There was no point in denying anything further; even if it was just a trick of her own imagination, a cruel joke played by some higher power-- there had to be something here she could believe it. Something of her own.. that she could see again.

Though, with how many oddities that happened in her life, she doubted that anything would have been has complacent as she would've liked.

For characters who haven’t met mine yet, or those looking for AU introductions, send me one:

"Do you mind?"

"Excuse me, I think you dropped something."

"Do you have the time?"

"Hey! I’m walking here!"

"Can you spare a moment to talk about our lord and savior?"

"Can I use your bathroom?"

"Do you have a phone I could use?"

"Hey! Oh, sorry… thought you were someone else."

"Spare change?"

"Do I… know you from somewhere?"

"Are you lost?"

"Are you my mummy?"

"Quick, no time to explain! Run!"

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"Want to buy me a drink?"

"Watch where you’re going!"

Hearing the crackling of wood and screaming of people as they ran for their lives, she just stood there, tears dripping from her eyes as she watched the destruction happening outside. She couldn’t move, frozen with fear, her head spinning and dizzy as the hazy smoke began to fill the house where she stood. She would burn down soon enough with the house.

"Move!" Came a voice from a fellow resident who she didn’t notice. This broke her trance. He pushed pass her as he fled the building. She came back to the realization.

Her friends where still out there. She ran out the door, stumbling and tripping over her own two feet, eyes filled with tears and hurting from the bright flames. Falling out of the house she slowly got up and started to run away from the fire. But was there any point to this? Was there even a safe place for her to go? Was there a safe place for anyone?

No, no no no there must be somewhere! She began to panic even more. Why was this happening? The smoke started to catch up to her, making it hard for the girl to breathe. She started coughing and stumbling even more, falling down every now and then but she wouldn’t stop moving. She must find someone, anyone. She didn’t want to be alone, she didn’t want to die like this, didn’t want to die alone while her friends could be safe or suffering as well.

She couldn't put together how it started, or why-- disaster suddenly struck at all sides, and the familiar screams of civilians began to fill her ears one by one. Bright, horrifying flames engulfed her vision, and were destroying any sign of peace that this small town could have held. The way the smoke enveloped the sky, filled her lungs whilst bringing tears to her eyes-- it was almost as if she had been trapped in the maze of a witch. But somehow, Sayaka knew that this time, that was not the cause.

It was something much more; something far out of her grasp.

Perhaps she had been brought to Hell, after all. A world of punishment for the pain she had inflicted on everyone she cared for- but she could not bring herself to focus on that, or herself. Even if this was some sort of cruel joke for the way she had eventually ended her own life, in her heart she knew that these people around her were real, and were suffering. There was no possible way she could sit around and feel sorry for herself any longer. However, in the end, what could she do? Even if she could help others by finding less affected areas, the girl realized that the power she had would probably not be able to do anything in this situation. This wasn't something she could use force against.. but she had to do something.

Especially, when in the midst of all the panic, she felt a hand gently grip onto her.

Blue eyes turned, seeing the young albino like girl with tears streaming down her face-- Sayaka knew then that there was no more time for her to hesitate. She put on a strong front, despite the fear in her heart; giving herself belief that they could fight this. Her arms shot out, taking hold of the other in an attempt of support, and shielding her from the chaos that seemed to have no end. 

she can’t, for the life of her, recall much of anything before waking up in this strange house. certain things seem very off: the barren emptiness of her walls, but the house itself, especially.

and though her memory eludes her, sometimes when she sings an incantation—the one thing she can remember clearly—she sees faces. the faces of a man and a woman, crowned and dressed in regal clothing. their significance escapes her still, but their ethereal presence comforts her. however, many times she’s also seen the figure of a hooded woman, and though her outspread arms gesturing for an embrace seem welcoming, rapunzel only feels a sharp pain at the nape of her neck and dread.

now, it goes without saying that rapunzel is no stranger to isolation but she has no intention of familiarizing herself with it again. with a deep breath and a last glance of her room, she lowers herself off her window sill and begins making her way to the market. it’s time to paint her walls. again.

however, with all that hair trailing behind her, it’s only a matter of time before it attracts attention… or gets stepped on… ]

Oh. Well, maybe not everyone was so regular.

As far as she knew, spending time in the Benu square was something she did frequently- running errands, catching up with friends, and of course, eating! There were multiple places that provided the things she liked, but stopping in a small cafe to enjoy a slice of cake along with a warm cup of tea was something she couldn't help but indulge in on a regular basis. The taste was distant, yet comforting at the same time.. it was something she couldn't put her finger on, even though she must have been coming here for a while now. Still, those thoughts were unsuccessful in stopping her from continuing her day; stepping out of the shop and back into the warm sun, she held a box containing a yummy strawberry treat, thinking of where she could go next.. and completely disregarding the river of gold that suddenly found itself below her.

Of course, that was before she had tripped and gotten her feet tangled in it, effectively falling over right onto her face.

" Wahh-- ! "

With a loud THUD, Sayaka suddenly found herself on the ground; the bright sun blocked out by the ground underneath her nose. She groaned, but then felt heat rushing to her face; quickly scrambling back up onto her knees. How did she manage to do that?! And what had even caused her to fall.. ? She had no chance to register that, however; as she soon found that what she had spent her money on had been completely crushed because of her fall.. oh, great.

The place was the same as ever: unpredictable and ever changing. The layout was about the same, but the content different greatly. Some neighborhoods have switched places as if it was possible for the administrators to cut and paste whatever they see fit. Some stores were never the same, so even if the boy has lived here before, he was still discovering this place. What he enjoyed the most was observing the passersby. Both NPCs and residents were very colorful people, but it was easy to tell them apart. Most new residents were in a state of panic.

“Oof—” Was it maybe he was lost in thought or was his music playing too loud, but in a moment of inattention, someone managed to push him to the ground. It wasn’t anything important, but his accidental assailant seemed terribly apologetic.

“Mm… I’m okay.” The boy spoke intuitively, having not heard what the girl said to him exactly. As soon as he unclipped his earphones, he was ready to stand back up and dust his clothes.

" Thank goodness! I really am sorry about this.. " rather flustered, she went to offer the boy her hand, only to stop herself when he suddenly stood up on his own, which just caused the lightest bit of colour to come to her cheeks. She really was thankful that he was alright, but.. she couldn't help but continue to notice how calm all of his actions were. Even the way he smiled at her, casually mentioning that it was the third time that day-- wait, what?!

" H-huh?! Y-you've fallen over that many times already?! " well, that was concerning- and why was he being so relaxed about it?! " You.. a-are you sure you're not hurt anywhere? " And she thought she was clumsy...