#mighty writes

General premise: Monica Diaz is Twitch streamer with steadily growing fan base. Her tag is MiniMushroom and her aesthetic is cottage core. She loves all things magical and tiny, especially toadstool mushrooms, that’s the image most associated with her “brand.” She’s approached by a mysterious benefactor who has developed technology specifically for Monica to test and utilize for her streams. It’s called Byte-Syzed Tech and it connects to a user’s twitch stream and based on the user’s preferences, gives the audience the ability to change the user’s height. The one shot I wrote takes place during Monica’s first live use of Byte-Syzed tech on stream. If I were to develop this into a full story I’d probably go back a bit and start around when Monica is first approached about using Byte-Syzed tech then continue to follow Monica adjusting to using Byte-Syzed more often. How she deals with the size change on camera, off camera, how her social and personal life are affected, all that good stuff. I think it would like a slice of life feel good kinda story.

Characters:

- Monica - Main character and primary user of Byte-Syzed tech. Surprisingly enough, she’s actually a law school grad who probably would have put her degree to use if she didn’t accidentally gain a massive following on twitch. Funny how life works out. She stands at 6’4 and always was fascinated with the idea of being small (Basically, she’s a g/t nerd who doesn’t know what g/t is) so being gifted Byte-Syzed and being able to use it on stream is kinda a dream come true.

- Kim - Monica’s girlfriend, roommate, and stream moderator. Kim and Monica were high school sweethearts but drifted apart in college due to personal matters in Kim’s life including having to drop out of college. Kim and Monica rekindled their relationship a few years later and Kim cites Monica and her encouragement as a big reason why she’s been able to get her life back together. She’s currently back in college working on getting her degree in Mathematics.

- The Twitch Team- Moni hosts solo streams but also very often collabs with three of her online friends. Ariel (@Lifeisthebubbles), a Vtuber who is the only one Moni has met in person. Corey (@McDonuts) an NB asmrist on youtube who started streaming games for fun. And Phin (@UrguyPhin) Corey's bf and the competitive gamer of the four. All three of them were streaming with Monica when she first used Byte-Syzed and have since gotten used to pausing their games so an ever shrinking Monica can adjust her set up.

- The Benefactors- Keeping their (Plural, there are two of them) exact identity to myself for the time being, but basically they’re mad scientists with the best intentions. Their antics have garnered attention across the internet as they have created and gifted inventions to up and coming online creators that seem to defy all laws of physics. Anti Gravity chambers, a literal money tree, a mask the morphs the wearer’s face, and now the Byte-Syzed size changing tech. Despite their inventions going viral, their identities have remained hidden. So what is their deal? They’re just big fans of these creators and for lack of drawing skills have gifted them weird inventions instead. Nerds… Due to the nature of Byte-Syzed and the possible effects it can have on the human body, Monica and Kim remain in close contact with them.

How Byte-Syzed Works in Universe: This I wrote tons of notes about when I first thought of the idea. Byte-Syzed can be divided into three key components; The program, the arm band monitor, and the sync suit.

The Program is installed on the user’s computer and connects directly to the arm band monitor and sync suit. The program has user friendly set up that allows the user to input the direction of height change (Shrink or Grow), The minimum or maximum height change, How height change occurs (By views, chat commands, donations, etc.), and rate of height change (How much height is gained or lost with each instance of viewer interaction.) EX: If height is based on donations, the user can set it up so they lose 1 inch for every 10 dollars donated. They can set the minimum height to 6 inches, so once they’ve received enough donations that they have shrunk down to 6 inches, Byte-Syzed will hold at that height. More donations may come in after, but the height will remain at 6 inches for the duration of the stream.)

The Arm Band Monitor, is the device the physically changes the user’s height after connecting to the Byte-Syzed Program. It also monitors and display’s the user’s current height and vitals. All data collected from the arm band will then be saved and can be referenced later if the band is connected to the computer. The arm band must be kept on at all times during active use and active reset of Byte-Syzed. Active use is the time in which Byte-Syzed is being used in a stream and the user’s height is actively changing. Active reset refers to time after the stream has ended and the user is either set at their new current height or in the process of returning to their normal height. After a stream has ended the user will remain at their changed height until they press the reset button on the monitor. Once the reset button is active, the user will return to their normal height at 1.5 times the amount of time it took to change to their current changed height. EX: A user has finished a stream that was 4 hours. They hit the reset button which will return them to normal over the course of 6 hours. (4x1.5=6) This only applies for time Byte-Syzed was in use, not how long a size change occurred. EX: If the user’s stream was 4 hours, but they reached their minimum height in 3 hours, the reset function will account for the 4 hours the stream lasted. This is a safety procedure to reduce stress on the user’s body. Note: If the reset button is not pressed, the user will remain at their changed height for a period of 12 hours. After 12 hours, the reset function will kick in automatically.

The Synchronized Suit or Sync Suit is directly connected to the Byte-Syzed program and will grow and shrink with the user at the same rate as the user. Normal clothing can be worn above it but they will not change size with the user, only the sync suit. The sync suit Monica received came with the suit, shoes, and a headset with a built in microphone to keep audio input even over the course of her size changing. More sync suits are in the process of being designed and produced, with the goal of making sync suits that resemble everyday clothing like t shirts or skirts.

Fun Story Ideas:

- Origin story. How Monica met the benefactors and was gifted Byte-Syzed, her and Kim’s gripes about using it, actually going through with it and the pros and cons she noticed, the end of her first size changing stream and dealing with being tiny in her own room and her girlfriend’s hands. Etc etc

- Monica finished a late night stream using byte Syzed and forgets to press reset when she goes to sleep so instead of growing back over the course of the night she wakes up at her tiny size. After realizing her mistake she begins the growth process but now has to do it while attempting to do her regular day time activities.

- Monica is approached by a doll company to collaborate on a new doll based on her, only issue, their studio is several hours away and they want her to model at both her full height and at the height of the dolls. After some consideration Monica and Kim decide to take a road trip to the studio and use Byte Syzed at the studio under Kim’s careful supervision. What could go wrong?

- Months have passed and Kim and Monica have grown well adjusted to the major size difference between them after Monica finishes a byte syze stream, however curiosity has gotten the best of her and Kim wonders what it would be like to be the tiny one for a change.

Phin had just won the first round of Mario Party, and Ariel was livid.

“Oh come on! I HAD MORE STARS THAN YOU AT THE END!”

“I told you, those bonus stars come in clutch.”

“I demand a recount!“

“All's fair in love and war,” Moni began, “There’s always next-“

Cha-Ching

It was like the floor underneath her had given way. Like she had just barely caught herself from falling. Like that drop, she had long been anticipating crept up on her.

Moni looked up, things were significantly taller than they were a second ago. She looked at the camera. It was no longer at her eye level, it was several inches higher. Looking at the chat she could see the others staring at their screens in sheer awe. Even Ariel’s Vtuber emote changed to one with swirls her eyes should be, clearly confused.

Then came the automated message, “Anonymous donated 500 dollars,”

500 Dollars?

500 DOLLARS!!??

“Anonymous said, ‘This is taking too long! If she is actually shrinking, I wanna see it!!!!!”

Checking the height status on the screen, Moni was now 65 inches tall. That donation had shrunk her by more than 7 inches in less than a second. Moni stared directly into the camera silently. She was still taking in her new shrunken perspective.

Corey spoke up, “Holy shit… Moni, are you ok?”

“Y-yeah,” Moni broke out of her stupor and quickly put on a smile, “T-Thanks for the donation anon!”

Ariel’s avatar changed her expression to that of wide eyes, “Girl, your shirt!”

“What about it?”

“It’s falling off!”

Sure enough, the t-shirt Moni had worn above her sync suit had slipped off her shoulders entirely. She played with it for a moment, comparing it to her body. It looked like she had put on a shirt three times her normal shirt size.

“Yeah, I expected as much. I was told the Byte-Syzed program has difficulty shrinking clothes. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That's why I have this sync suit and headset, they’re guaranteed to shrink with me.”

“Damn.”

"Is this for real?"

“Monica, this is insane, you’re shrinking.”

“Isn't it cool?”

Moni then noticed that the sudden drastic change in height made the live feed look weird, she was just barely in frame.

“Hang on guys, let me fix the camera.”

Moni stood up from her chair, briefly taking in her new standing height before reaching for the webcam above her monitor. It was a bit more of a hassle than she anticipated. She wasn’t exactly used to her new height and the loose t-shirt around her waist wasn’t helping. It took her a moment but Moni finally was within reach of her camera when-

Cha-Ching

Her hand which was only a moment ago in reach of her webcam had grown shorter and barely out of range to reach, but if Moni leaned forward a bit more.

Cha-Ching

Cha-Ching Cha-Ching

Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching Cha-Ching

Monica fell back in surprise as the sudden rapid shrinking fit kicked in. Live on-stream people witnessed Moni go from 5’5 to 4’9 to 4’2 to 3’11 until she was no longer visible on camera.

Moni could hear her friends’ outcries as the automated donations went wild.

“OHMIGOSH!!”

“MONI!!

“HOLY SHIT GUYS COOL IT WITH THE DONATIONS! GIVE HER A BREATHER!”

That last comment from Phin seemed to quell the donation rush. Moni found herself sitting on the floor tangled up in the now giant t-shirt. When she finally freed herself from the shirt Moni stood up to compare her new height to everything else in the room.

“Oh. My. God,” Was all she could muster.

Her room was no longer just a few inches taller, her room was ginormous. Standing up, she wasn’t even at eye level with the tallest drawer in her desk. She checked the monitor around her arm, it read 3’1.

She was just over 3 feet tall. The reality of her situation was really starting to hit her now. She had shrunk, like really shrunk, and not by a few inches, by several feet. And it could still go further. The minimum height she set Byte-Syzed to was a mere 4 inches, she can be even smaller than she was now.

This was the coolest damn thing to ever happen to her!

“Moni,” The shout was from the other room, must have been Kimberly, “Do you need me to come in?”

“No thanks! I’ve got it!”

Monica was about to hoist herself up onto her chair but realized something. 3 feet was too small to sit in the chair and still be in frame but still too big to justify sitting on the table. She dashed over to her bed and grabbed one of her smaller pillows and tossed it on the seat before climbing up.

Coming back into frame she could see the relief and surprise on her friends' faces. Chat was still reeling and while going by fast she did catch a few funny comments.

OMG SHE'S A MUNCHKIN

IRL minimushroom

THANK YOU ANONS!!

That final comment turned Moni’s attention to the donation status.

“Jesus Christ! You guys donated 2700 dollars?! Thank you so much!”

“That’s what you’re concerned about?”

Moni continued as she sat on her desk to fix her camera, “I mean yeah, I was super worried I wasn’t going to make up my end of the charity goal this weekend. At this rate, I might reach the goal in an hour.”

“Sweetie, you just dropped to the size of a toddler, are you sure you’re up for more games?”

“Heck yeah,” Moni finished fixing her camera. It now pointed down in such a way that it could get Moni in frame while she’s still in her chair and when she inevitably shrinks small enough to need to sit on the desk itself, “Only thing I probably need to do is have Kim adjust maximum donation amounts, don’t want to use up the rest of my height too quickly.”

As if on cue Kim shouted from the next room, “Already on it!”

The four shouted back in unison, “Thanks, Kim!!”

“But which is which?” She muttered under her breathe. She had too much on her mind to remember which piece should make her grow and which piece would make her shrink. Lost in thought she didn’t realize how close she was to being found.

“I THINK I KNOW WHERE SHE WENT!”

“WELL WHAT ARE YOU DOING JUST STANDING THERE, LEAD THE WAY 8!”

Their shouts were too close to be coincidence, they were going to corner her any second now. With no better ideas she ate both pieces whole. She hoped they’d still have an affect on her and not cancel out.

“If it makes me grow bigger, I stand a fighting chance… and if it makes me grow smaller, I can hide until they give up the search..”

“Halt!” Came a shout from one side of the clearing, “By order of the queen!”

The guards had finally caught up and the mushroom was not having any sort of affect. In a panic, Alejandra tried running to the exit on the other side of the clearing only to run into another group of guards. Their pursuit pushed her back to the center of the maze until she was completely surrounded.

Two cards, the Ace of Hearts, clearly the leader, and the Ace of Spades, very clearly the executioner, stepped forward.

“Alejandra,” the Ace of Hearts began to read aloud from a large scroll, “You have been declared guilty of heinous crimes against our beloved Queen of Hearts including but not limited to conspiracy to cover up illegal white roses by painting them red, causing chaos in the courtroom, insulting her majesty, so on and so forth. By order of the Queen you shall lose your head effective immediately!”

The Ace of Hearts grabbed Alejandra before she could attempt any sort of escape while the Ace of Spades happily prepared his axe, lifting it above his head. Alejandra tried to fight back, doing everything in her power to free herself from the Ace’s grip, but she couldn’t get him to budge. A terrible feeling began in her, was this stress? Was it terror? She shut her eyes waiting for the axe to swing when she felt the Ace’s grip loosen. Suddenly, confused shouting began amongst the crowd.

“What’s this?”

“How dare she do such a thing!”

“This shall be added to your list of crimes I assure you.”

Alejandra opened her eyes to see that she was now nearly two feet taller than the soldiers, and still growing at a rapid pace. She realized that feeling wasn’t fear, at least not entirely, it was the mushroom finally taking affect. Looking down she could see the cards attempting to flee from her, trying not to be crushed under her feet. She felt herself stop growing and by then her head had grazed the clouds in the sky. As for the soldiers below?

“Hmm..” She bent down with a cocky grin, picking up the two Aces, “What was that you were saying?”

The Ace of Hearts wriggled in her hand, clearly terrified but doing his best not to convey it, “Y-You are breaking the rules! You shall put me down, make yourself an appropriate size, and properly face your execution!”

The Ace of Spades nodded in agreement.

“Why should I listen to you?” Alejandra tossed them aside and watched as they floated down like autumn leaves, “You’re nothing but a pack of cards.”

While several cards retreated, just as many tried fruitlessly to attack Alejandra. However at this size, even their weapons did nothings. Alejandra would simply brush them to the side with her foot, they weren’t a threat any longer.

Suddenly, a sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach made itself known. She knew that feeling, what it meant… She wouldn’t be this giant any longer, she was beginning to grow smaller. Afraid of what might happen if she found herself at her normal size amongst the aggravated guard she ran. Her first giant steps kicked up large clouds of dirt and dust that blinded the remaining perusing cards. As she stepped over the walls of the maze she felt herself getting smaller and smaller, faster and faster. Luckily she was able to escape the Queen’s domain by the time she returned to her normal size, but she didn’t stop shrinking. She kept running and running, shrinking and shrinking until she found herself seeking refuge under a towering tree root.

She took a moment to compose herself and check her surroundings. She assumed she was in a very dark wood of some kind, but something wasn’t right. The area didn’t look like she was in a forest filled with trees and plants and the fantastical creatures she expected from this place. No, it was more accurate to say that she found her self in a pitch black void with outlines of trees and grass extremely sparse and just barely visible to her eye. She had never been here before nor did she think she could navigate in such a massive space that was nothing but darkness. Instinctually she leaned her hand against the root she was hiding by and through she could barley see it, she most certainly felt it was there. She felt around the ground until she found what felt like a giant leaf. She did her best to fashion it like a tent or even a giant blanket. She felt comfortable resting there for the time seeing as she didn’t hear anything that sounded like the cards’ patrol.

“I-I’ll just wait here til dawn,” She said to no one in particular, “When the sun rises I’ll be able to see, and maybe find a way home then.”

“But there is no dawn here,” No one in particular replied.

Startled, Alejandra looked around for the source of the voice, finding nothing. That is until the no one began to laugh. Alejandra jerked her head up and noticed the moon, the only clearly visible thing in sight. Its beautiful crescent descended down and oriented itself into a large smile as the owner of the smile materialized in front of her, the Cheshire Cat. His fur seemed to glow in the darkness, it’s color overwhelming the space around them. Alejandra had encounter this mischievous cat earlier, but she was much bigger than him earlier and it was hard not to be intimidated by his wide grin now that that alone was significantly larger than her.

“What- What are you doing here?” Alejandra yelled, fearing her voice would not be heard unless she did.

The Cat looked down, finally acknowledging the girl with his eyes rather than his grin, “I noticed you found yourself at a dead end, thought I could lend a paw so to speak.”

“This isn’t a dead end. I was stuck in a dead end back the Queen’s maze, but this place is huge. In the morning I can look fo-“

The Cat cut her off, “But there is not morning in Tulgey Wood, and this is a dead end because you’ve stopped moving, but haven’t reached your end,” Then there was a pause, “Unless this is where you want to call your end?”

“I- no! I don’t want to spend of my life here! I want to wake up already! I… I WANT TO GO HOME.”

“Home? If you want to go home, and you go home by waking up… why haven’t you woken up already?”

That question stuck Alejandra like a ton of bricks. Why hasn’t she woken up? It wasn’t for a lack of trying. Was she just trapped in this dream for the foreseeable future? All she could muster was, “I don’t know…”

“I see, perhaps,” His spoke, grin unchanging, “I could help?”

“Help? Help how?“

“Isn’t it obvious? I can wake you up.”

“You can? Then please, wake me up!”

“I don’t think I should right now.”

“What?!” Alejandra wanted to scream so many thing at this troublesome cat but she felt like her lungs couldn’t continue for much longer, “You just told me I should wake up and now you refuse to help me?!”

“You see, Alice, my services come at a price. Are you satisfied with who you are right this second?”

“What does that have to do with your price?”

“That is the price, Are you satisfied with who you are right this second?”

Before she answered, Alejandra took a moment to ponder the question. Was this some weird trick? Had she some how changed as a person between now and when she first fell down? She didn’t hesitate a second longer, she was happy with who she was now and after everything she’s gone through, she’s ready to go home.

“Yes,” She said, “I am satisfied with who I am right this second.”

The Cat’s grin found a away to grow wider, “Very well,” He took a few steps closer to Alejandra who in response backed up until she back struck the root behind her and she could move no more. “You see Alice, in order to wake up, first you must fall asleep.”

As he said this, the tip of the Cat’s tail had lightly brushed Alejandra’s forehead. In that moment she felt a rush of clam and drowsiness overcome her body. She blinked a few time and found herself now laying on the ground which now felt as soft as her bed.

“Goodnight Alice.”

Then she drifted into a deep, deep slumber.

——————————————————

“Then what happened?!”

“Oye, not so loud, you’ll wake up the neighbors like that.”

“Sorry Mamá, but that can’t be how the story ends! That still doesn’t explain why Ale’s so small.”

“I’m getting that part.”

Ms. Sanchez had finished washing the last dish and took a seat at the kitchen counter next to her youngest son, Marcelo, “Now promise me, that you’ll finish your breakfast as I finish the story, Sí?”

Marco stabbed the last bit of his pancake and stuffed it in his mouth, turning to his mom with a proud smile, “Yes Mamá”

“Dios Mio” She muttered as she corrected her son’s table manners. “So when Alejandra woke up, she was back home in her bed but she brought a bit of magic back with her.”

Marcelo swallowed the last of his food and gasped, “The mushroom!”

“Well, yes and no. You see when the Cheshire Cat asked Ale about her being satisfied with who she was, she though he was asking if she felt like a good person. What he actually meant was her height, she was still a few inches tall after all.”

“So, he sent her back home, but at the same height she was at that moment?”

“Correct.“

“How did you and Papí react?”

“How did we react? Dios Mio, we were absolutely shocked, but Ale explained the whole story to us. Of course we wouldn’t have believed it if she wasn’t standing in our palm when she told us.”

“Mamá, will Ale ever grow back to normal?”

“Well, you’re just gonna have to ask your sister that.”

Marcelo nodded. He grabbed his plate and dashed to the kitchen sink placing his dish in the sink and trying very desperately to reach the handle to turn the water on. His mother, of course, turned it on for him, and he began cleaning his plate Mrs.Sanchez called out, “Oye Mijos, Marcelo already finished breakfast, if you don’t hurry you won’t have time to eat! Same thing applies to you Jośe!”

From upstairs she heard her oldest son, Juan Carlos, “Be down in a second, just waiting on Ale!”

Down the hall she could hear her husband, Jośe, accompanied by the sounds of haphazard typing, “Just finishing up this document, save me some pancakes!”

As Marcelo finished cleaning his dish and drying his hands, they could hear the cacophony of foot steps, Juan Carlos’ racing down the stairs and Jose’s rushing from the first floor office. It was only the first day of this school year, and already the familiar sounds of the family frantically getting their footing were falling into place. Mrs. Sanchez sighed, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m here,” With a stack full of documents barely in hand Jose took a seat at the table, “Did you save me any-“

“Pancakes?” Mrs. Sanchez handed Jose his breakfast before he finished his thought.

He leaned forward to give his wife a kiss, “Rosa, what would I do without you?”

“Make your own breakfast?” She quipped, “Don’t take too long. Marcelo needs to be dropped off in 40 minutes and your are not leaving without cleaning your plate.”

Jose looked up, his face already stuffed, nodding as of to say, I understand.

Rosario pinched the bridge of her nose, “Jose, small bites please. You’re even worse than Marcelo.”

Marcelo, who had been checking to make sure he had everything in his little backpack, chuckled with delight. It’s always fun when you get a win over a parent, even a minor one.

“Morning!” Entering the kitchen was Juan Carlos, but he wasn’t the one to greet them, “What’s for breakfast?”

Sitting on Juan Carlos’ shoulder was a small figure, barley 5 inches tall. Her hair was tied back with a bread tie to keep it in place. Despite the huge size difference between her and the everyone else in the kitchen, no one seemed to bat an eye at her presence. Makes sense, this is her family after all.

Juan Carlos took a seat at the table next to his father while letting the tiny girl climb down so she could take a seat on the table top itself.

“Oh look at you two,” Jose said nearly teary eyed as he cut his pancakes into more manageable bites, “Sophomores already… time flies. How’s the uniform Ale? Not too baggy, right?”

The tiny girl posed for her father, “It’s perfect dad. Not too baggy at all!”

Juan Carlos snickered, “Gee, it’s like it was tailor made for you.”

Mrs. Sanchez put down another plate of pancakes, this time for her son. She then addressed her smallest, “Ale, I made chocolate chip pancakes this morning but I know that it gets really messy. Would you like something else?”

With out hesitation Ale responded, “Can I have a slice of strawberry then?”

“I don’t know mi amor, the juice is just as messy as the chocolate chips…”

“Mama,” She pleaded, “I’m not a toddler, I can have strawberry without staining my clothes. Besides, dad just made me this uniform, you really think I’d be so reckless that I’d ruin it before making it to class.”

“Alright,” Rosario put her hands in the air as if surrendering, “One strawberry slice it is.”

While her mother rummaged through the fridge, Ale was greeted by her larger younger brother, “Ale!” He had his face pressed against the table.

Alejandra ran to the edge of the table, “Hey kiddo! Excited for your first day of 5th grade?” She playfully messed with his hair as she asked.

“Yup! Papi’s taking me this year! I’m super excited to see Justin and Danny again too!”

“Good, I’m glad.”

“Ale can I ask you something?”

Rosario passed by with Ale’s slice of strawberry, handing it to her on a napkin. To her, it was less of a strawberry slice and more of a strawberry steak. “Yeah of course, what’s up?” She replied before taking a bite of her sweet steak.

“Are you gonna grow back to your normal size?”

Ale was dumbfounded, What is he talking about? Ale’s eyes shifted until she found herself looking her mother’s way. She shot her a confused look while her mother responded with a suspicious grin. On a hunch Ale asked, “Did mom say anything about being bigger before?”

Marcelo nodded excitedly, “Yeah! She told me about how you followed the white rabbit and how the Cheshire Cat asked if you were ready to go home and-“

Above her, Juan Carlos nearly spat out his drink. She looked up to see him stifling his laughter. Ale rolled her eyes and held her hand up to Marcelo before taking another bite of her strawberry. That explains it, she thought. “Well Kiddo, I’m not sure if I can grow back, not without going back to Wonderland at least.”

“Oh…”

“But that’s ok,” She began, “I’ve been this small for years and I am satisfied with who I am. And I know Mom and Dad and even JC like me like this too. You’re ok with having a tiny older sister, right?”

“Of course! I love you no matter what Ale! I just feel bad that you can’t go back.”

Alejandra sighed before finishing off her strawberry. She wiped her lips with a piece of the napkin before returning to the edge of the table. She gestured for her brother to put out his hands. He did so and she stepped on before he brought her closer.

“Don’t feel bad kiddo, I’m just fine. Sure there are things I can’t really do at this size… but there’s so many cool things I can because I’m this size!”

“Like sneaking in my bag and coming with me to school?” Marcelo asked.

Jose interjected with a concerned tone as he took his plate to the sink, “Which is not happening again.”

Ale laughed, “Yes, like that. What I’m trying to say is that I’m not upset or sad I’m like this ok?“

“Promise?”

“Promise. I’m fine.” Ale leaned forward and gave Marcelo a boop on his nose which made him giggle.

“Alright, Macelito!” Jose bend down to meet his son at his height and place a hand on his shoulder, “We better get going, don’t want to be late on the first day. Say bye to your sister.

“Bye Ale!” Marcelo placed his sister back on the kitchen table. He grabbed his backpack and his father’s hand and headed for the door. “Bye Mama! Bye JC!”

“Have a good day!”

“¡Te Quiero Mucho!”

“See ya!”

When Ale heard the door shut, she turned her attention to her mother, who was putting away the dishes. “Mom,” Ale called, “We need to talk about this.”

“¿Que Pasa? You didn’t stain your uniform did you?”

“No, I mean we need to talk about this story you keep telling Marcelo.”

Rosa stopped what she was doing to take a seat at the table. She knew her daughter preferred to have conversations face to face as opposed to across the room. “What about it? It’s a fun little story, no harm in it right?”

“I mean, I guess? But don’t you think Marcelo is too old for it?”

“Yeah mom,” JC joined in as he washed his dish, “You should tell him she’s Tinker Bell’s lost cousin instead.”

“Not funny JC!”

“But he loves that story,” Their mother began to lament. “He always believed you were something out of a fairytale. You should hear him at school, ‘My sister has been to Wonderlnad you know!’ He takes such pride in it.”

“I get it, but maybe you should just tell him the actual story? I’m not magically shrunk I’m was just… born like this.”

.

..

…

“But where’s the fun in that?” She asked so plainly. Ale could only facepalm.

“I can’t win with you, can I?”

“Mija, I’m just teasing. It’s just, I love telling that’s they as much as Marcelo loves hearing it. But, you’re both growing up so fast. Giving up on the story feels like admitting you’re basically adults now.”

Ale put her hand on her mother’s, she gave her a sincere smile, “Mama, Marcelo’s 10. He’s not gonna move out and get a job just cause you slow down with your story telling.

“It’s not that simple it’s… well….” Mrs. Sanchez struggled to put her thoughts into words, after a moment she just settled for, “You’ll understand when you have kids of your own.”

Ah, mom’s classic conversation ender. Not a moment later, they heard a loud honk from outside. Ale didn’t have the best view of the window from where she stood, but she knew exactly what was outside.

“Bus is here,” JC gathered his things before walking up the table, “You ready to go Ale?”

“Yeah you have my bag right?” JC nodded and pointed to his backpack’s front pocket, “Then I’m good to go-hey!”

JC picked up his sister by the back of her shirt and placed her on his shoulder, “You got a good grip?” He asked.

“Yeah, but a warning would have been nice.”

“Juan Carlos, how many times have I told you to be careful with how you carry your sister?”

“Mom, she’s fine, we do this all the time.”

“Dios Mio, I hope you don’t do this kind of thing at school.”

“I don’t!”

Ale concurred, “He doesn’t.”

Mrs. Sanchez sighed before stretching out her arms, “Alright, give me a hug before you go.”

JC was pulled into his mother’s embrace, both of them being mindful of Alejandra who had to settle with hugging her mothers arm.

“¡Besos! I love you.”

“Love you too!”

“See you later mom!”

Finally free of his mother’s grip, JC made it out the front door and towards the bus. The door swung open and as JC stepped inside, the bus driver greeted them, “Morning, I’ve got both of you on with me, right?”

JC turned so that the bus driver could better see Ale, “Morning Patty!” She waved to ensure Patty could see.

The driver, Patty, nodded, “Good to see you. Careful finding your seats.” JC and Ale both gave her a thumbs up before making their way further down the bus. The bus was decently full, the Sanchez siblings knew they were one of the later stops. Ale always found it amusing seeing the other students turn their attention towards her and her brother as they boarded. She’s known most if not all of these kids her entire life, but seeing a tiny person casually riding on a human shoulder never seems not interesting. There were plenty of empty seats but Ale and JC were looking for someone in particular…there she is!

“Hattie!” Ale called out. Luckily her friend heard her small voice over the other students. Ale felt her brother walk straight for Hattie’s seat as soon as he made eye contact. When he made it to Hattie’s seat he held out his hand for Ale and she rode it until she made it into Hattie’s hands.

“Keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.” He said as he passed his sister off to another student.

“Oh please,” Hattie scoffed, “Ale is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”

JC smirked, “That’s nice and all, but I was actually talking to my sister.”

Ale laughed as Hattie feigned offense. JC then took his seat closer to his friends, leaving the girls alone for the remainder of the ride.

“Hey Hattie,” Ale greeted again, “What’s up?”

Hattie held her hand up to her face so that she and Ale would be properly facing one another, “Oh not much. What up with you?”

“Well, I had a funny thing happen with my little brother this morning.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, he asked about Wonderland again.”

In retrospect, Phoenix really didn’t think this through. He just wanted to see this “school” Miles would always disappear to. Maybe even learn something new and impress his bean friend with some cool facts of his own.

First sign this wasn’t the smartest plan, Miles’ backpack. It was an easy place to stowaway… in theory. Phoenix attempts to make a well hidden and comfortable space for himself were quickly shattered with the giant and hard books Miles kept in his bag. As a borrower, Phoenix had grown accustomed to claustrophobic spaces but this was still very unpleasant. Even if he wasn’t comfortable he was safe, as proven when Gregory stopped Miles before he left and place an envelope in the bag. It was the most tense Phoenix felt since… well since he was first spotted by a human. The moment quickly passed and nobody noticed a thing. Good.

In addition to the tight space Phoenix quickly had to adjust himself to how much the whole bag shook with Miles steps. Phoenix had to brace himself against one of the textbooks doing his best to keep it from crushing his foot any time it would bounce. Eventually there was stillness, and Phoenix felt peace for moment. Did this mean he was in a… what did Miles call it?A bust? Something like that. His peace was interrupted by the second sign this wasn’t the smartest plan, all the voices he heard. Voices he could only conclude were other beans. But this wasn’t like back at home where the most voices he would hear at any time was two, possibly three. No here there was more, he guessed at least a dozen, no two dozen… A HUNDRED DOZEN.

How much is a hundred dozen? Phoenix assumed it was a lot.

Phoenix thought about sneaking a peak outside but decided against it, he wasn’t going to risk being seen. He decided instead to spend the next twenty or so minutes reinforcing his hiding spot with whatever he could find so his ride wouldn’t be so bumpy going forward. His new renovations were put to the test when he felt the bag being lifted in the air. Miles must be on the move again, and sure enough the bag tremors began again. While not perfect, Phoenix’s reinforced nook was stable enough to keep him mostly in place.

“Morning Miles!”

“Good Morning!”

“Did you do the homework?”

“Don’t tell me we have a test today?”

“Oh I think I forgot my water bottle for gym!”

Oh great, there were more beans here. Miles said school was place to learn stuff, he never said anything about it being full of people! Too late to back out now. There was a ringing sound and then silence again.

Miles gently put his bag down (Something Phoenix was eternally grateful for) and took his seat. The teacher had her clipboard pulled out and started calling attendance.

“Diane Acosta?”

“Present!”

“Stewart Berry?”

“Gift!”

Some students stifled their giggles before the teacher continued, “Larry Butz?”

There were a few murmurs among the kids as the looked to Larry’s normal seat, empty. Miles sighed, “He’s not here today.”

“I see, thank you Miles.”

Attendance continued as normal until the bell rang once more. Today’s first period was P.E, not Miles’ favorite class but at least it’d be over and done with soon. As part of P.E. class he needed to wear the appropriate attire, his normal suit and tie had to be packed in a ziplock bag to change into later. He reached into his bag to to grab his change of clothes when his hand brushed against… something. He quickly looked in to see what exactly it was but only saw his books, his clothes, and the envelope with this month’s lunch money. Miles did want to investigate further but everyone had already left to the gym and he didn’t want to be late, less he be forced to run extra laps. Miles grabbed his clothes and ran to catch up with the rest of the class.

That was way too close. Phoenix really didn’t want Miles to know about this expedition of his. If Miles found out he be sure scold Phoenix later, something Phoenix really didn’t want to endure. He wanted to prove that his time spent with Miles didn’t dampen his borrower skills. This was just a normal borrowing as far as he was concerned, except he was going borrow bean knowledge instead of sugar cubes or bread crumbs. Miles will be so impressed when Phoenix tells him exactly how much a hundred dozen was.

Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaak

What was that?

Click

Was that the door?

“Alright, can’t keep Pauline waiting… eeny, meeny, miny…. EDGEY!”

Phoenix didn’t recognize the voice, certainly wasn’t Miles which made it that much scarier when head steps approach. He felt the rustling of the bag as sunlight pierced the shadows he hid in. His spot behind the books still hid Phoenix from who ever it was began rummaging through the contents. But this mystery bean was search with such disorder, everything was being tossed around, it was worse then the shaking Phoenix endured this morning. This definitely wasn’t Miles. Phoenix looked around for something to hide behind or under in case his spot was compromised but suddenly the shaking stopped.

“Cha-Ching!”

His curiosity go the best of him and Phoenix dared to peer up at the bean. He was some kid, maybe one of Miles’ schoolmates? He had spikey hair not unlike Phoenix’s own, just parted up rather than back. He eyes focused straight down with a huge smirk. Phoenix saw him reach for the envelope Miles had received from his father this morning.

“Jackpot! Pauline is going to be so impressed!”

But that’s Miles’ envelope! He wasn’t exactly sure why, but Gregory emphasized how important it was. This kid was- he was stealing! HE WAS STEALING FROM MILES!

“That’s not yours!” Phoenix immediately froze when he realized he caught the kid’s attention. He did not mean to say that out loud.

“The heck?” The kid put the envelope down and reached out for Phoenix. Phoenix’s instincts kicked in and he attempted to hide behind the textbooks but that could only protect him for so long. Unfortunately humans have an acute sense of object permanence and the kid quickly pulled everything out of the bag until he got a hold of Phoenix. Borrower rules typically encourage borrowers in this situation to stay still and pretend to be a doll or something but it was a little late for that. He did everything in his power to free himself from the kids grip. He only succeeded in getting the kid to tighten his grip instead.

“What are you? Some sort of lunch money protector?”

Lunch money? Is that what was in the envelope? “Y-you’re stealing from Miles! T-that’s a crime and you could be taken to court!”

The kid just laughed, “Oh man, you really do belong to Edgey. You talk just like him!”

That comment really set Phoenix off, he’d never be this confrontational, but this kid is really pushing his buttons, “I don’t belong to anyone! Miles is my friend and I’m not going to let you take something from him.”

“Sorry little dude,” The kid picked up the envelope with his free hand and waved it around as he spoke, “I really need this, sides Edgey won’t mind too much, his dad’s a lawyer and my mom said lawyers are loaded.”

Phoenix wasn’t sure what being loaded meant, but whatever it was it was no excuse, “But stealing is still stealing!“

“Look little dude, I need to meet with Pauline soon so I’m just gonna put you down and head out, ok?”

“But-“

“Larry?”

The two looked to the doorway to see Miles Edgeworth standing there. During P.E. one of Miles’ classmates tripped and scraped their knee pretty badly. Miles had volunteered to go back to the classroom to grab bandages. He wasn’t expecting to find anyone in class, but he did. There was Larry, who Miles was sure was marked absent, standing over his book bag, something… no, someone wringling in his hand.

“Phoenix!?”

Miles dashed over to try to get Phoenix back when Larry, out of pure instinct, raised Phoenix above his head.

“Larry put him down, now!”

“Relax Edgey, I was just about to,” Larry slowly lowered his hand to the desk and let Phoenix go, “See?”

Miles picked up on Phoenix’s gasps for air and brought himself down to his eye level, “Are you ok?”

“Y-yeah… I’m fine. He… He took your envelope.”

“What?” Miles turned around to see Larry attempting to sneak out while Miles was distracted with Phoenix, “Larry, did you take something from my bag?”

Larry turned around with one of his hands behind his back, “Nooooooooo.”

Miles only sighed, he wished this wasn’t typical Larry behavior, but alas here we are, “What’s behind your back?”

“Nothing!”

“Obejection,” Phoenix shouted from the table, “I witnessed you take Miles’ envelope. That’s what’s behind your back!”

“That’s not true! Edgey don’t listen to him.”

“I’m telling the truth!’

“Enough,” Miles put out a hand towards Larry, “May I please have my lunch money back.”

“Yeah! Give it back!”

Larry looked Miles in the eye, he wasn’t playing around. He briefly glanced at the little dude on the desk who had the same serious look in his eye, “Fine.”

Larry begrudgingly slammed the envelope into Miles’ open hand, “Thank you,” He quickly tucked the envelope back into his backpack. Now that that was settled he could focus on the elephant in the room. Miles held out his hand to Phoenix and he stepped on, hitching a ride up to Miles shoulder where he sat to be at eye level with Miles and Larry.

“Now,” Miles began again, “Apologize to Phoenix.”

“What?! But I didn’t do anything to the little dude!”

“You were holding him way too tightly as evidenced by his gasps for air when you let him go.”

“I didn’t ask to be grabbed either.”

Larry did look at least a little guilty with the points the two of them brought up, “Y-yeah, I did,” He looked up to look Phoenix in the eye, “Sorry little dude, I didn’t really think about that.”

When do you think about anything? Miles had half a mind to say that out loud, but he wasn’t about to start something.

“Larry, promise us you won’t tell anyone about Phoenix.”

“I promise.”

“Larry…” Miles repeated with a bit of ire. Larry Butz was probably the last person he’d want to know about Phoenix. Now that he has Miles had to make sure Larry took this promise seriously, a huge feat to be sure.

“I promise! Here, I’ll even shake on it,” Larry wiped his had against his shorts before extending it out to Miles. Miles eyed his hand with some suspicion but figured that this was Larry’s was of expressing his sincerity and firmly shook his hand. He was a bit surprised when Larry then extended his hand to his shoulder, to Phoenix. Phoenix was also taken a back, he didn’t realize that Larry wanted to shake hands with him too, even after telling on him. Phoenix leaned to the side to try to get a read on Larry’s face, who seemed to greet his gaze with a cheeky smile. He looked to Miles who gave a nod of reassurance. After a moment Phoenix extended both of his hands to shake Larry’s index finger.

“Great! We’re officially friends now, and friends keep secrets, right Edgey?”

“If you’re insinuating I don’t tell anyone you tried skipping school and stealing my money then,” Miles paused for a second. He wasn’t sure he wanted to give Larry a pass, but on the other hand Larry just promised to keep Phoenix a secret, “Fine. I’ll turn a blind eye, but just this once!”

“Ahh thank you Edgey!”

“What? But he-“

Miles cut Phoenix off, “I know, but good friends help each other. Like how Larry is going to help me take the first aid kit to the gym.”

“But Edgey! I was gonna hit the arcade with Pauline!”

“You mean the 6th grader?”

“Yeah, I told her I would pay for as many arcade tokens and pizza slices we wanted. Besides, you just promised you weren’t gonna tell!”

That explained his motive.

“I said I wouldn’t tell anyone you tried skipping, but you are going to tell Coach Irving that you ran late to school today.”

“Aww man!”

With Larry rummaging through the supply closet for the first aid kit, Miles turned his attention to Phoenix. He placed Phoenix back on the desk and once again met his eye level.

“What are you doing here? Were you in my bag this whole time?”

Phoenix looked away sheepishly, “Y-yeah. I just… I just wanted to see what school was like! And maybe learn something! Something I could tell you that you maybe didn’t know. I just..I wanted to impress you.”

“But you do impress me. You’re much more athletic and agile than I am. You have such creative solutions to any problem, you always think outside the box. And you’re always willing to listen… even if I do tend to ramble on.”

“I like it when you ramble, I love it when you teach me something new. I just wish that I could do the same for you.”

“Well… you told me about Larry. I didn’t notice when I fist came in, so thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Phoenix blushed just slightly, proud of his small victory. “About him… is he always like that?”

Miles looked to Larry, who had thrown a bunch of supplies on the ground in search for the first aid kit, then back to Phoenix, “Unfortunately. If it smells, it’s usually the Butz.”

“What?”

“Yes, Yes, I understand. Thank you again so much! And sorry again for the inconvenience.” Dr. Roscope closed the lab door with a sigh, took a breath, and faced his pupils with a smile.

Waiting anxiously behind the counter were his three assistants. First there was Finn McTesimal, a prodigy in his own right, barely out of high school and already having shown incredible promise. He was seated in a rolling chair with a worried face as he tugged on the ends of his still smoking scarf. Standing off to the side with her arms crossed was Minnie Ature. Her patience knew no end, made clear by her unperturbed expression. Surely, this ship would have sunk ages ago if she wasn’t around, something Mike was endless grateful for. Finally, seated next Finn, absentmindedly tapping a pencil against the desk was Lily Putian. Truly, the brains of their whole operation. It had been ages since he last encountered someone who could take his larger than life ideas and turn them in something tangible. He only wished Lily would push herself to think of outlandish ideas of her own, she could benefit from thinking outside the box so to speak.

All eyes turned to the doctor, “Well kids, I have -“

Before the words left his lips, the three finished for him, “Good news and bad news?”

“Ah, glad to see we are all on the same page. Great minds think alike and all that,” Dr. Roscope grabbed a stool and a chalkboard and dragged them in front of the counter as if setting up for a lecture, “Bad news, obviously being that our field test was a failure and I have just been ‘strongly urged’ that we cease any continuation of the project effective immediately.”

As to be expected there we groans of discontent and comments of disbelief. Dr. Roscope didn’t do anything to dissuade them from letting out their frustrations, they had every right to be upset.

Minnie, doing her best to remain level headed, raised her hand, “So, what’s the good news?”

The doctor clapped his hands together with content, “Thank you for asking! The good news is that the field test only caused minimal damage to the west building, only breaking that one window. And the resulting fire was quickly extinguished before anyone got hurt.”

“Well,” Lily spoke up half-heartedly, “That’s a relief.”

There was beat of quiet before Finn shot up from his seat, startling Lily, “Doctor, I’m so sorry! I really didn’t think a fire would break out.”

Dr. Roscope step forward, “There’s no need to apologize Finn. I don’t think any of us could have foreseen the wind blowing away your scarf the way that it did. It was an accident and as far as Freddy’s concerned, entirely my responsibility.”

Finn noticed the doctor give him a wink at that last statement and he sat back down with weary smile. Both Lily and Minnie comforted Finn as the doctor continued.

“Now that we have all that out of the way we can spend the rest of our afternoon together, that being,” He glanced down at his watch, “The next twenty or so minutes, brainstorming our next major project for the semester.”

Roscope began erasing the the chalkboard. Lily cringed as she witnessed all their research and impromptu notes they took such care not to smudge over the course of the semester be erased in an instant. When Roscope was done, any writing on the board was completely illegible but he didn’t bother erasing any of the smudges. With no concern for the mess still left on the board, the good doctor wrote in the top corner with large surprisingly visible letters, “Project Ideas.”

“Now remember, in this lab, there are no bad ideas,” He took a seat on the stool, leaning forward in anticipation, “Just uncreative ones that aren’t worth perusing. That being said, what are we thinking?”

There was a pause as Finn, Minnie, and Lily silently deliberated amongst themselves.

Finn spoke up first, “Well, maybe we can make something to help students who are running late make it to class on time?”

“Yes, that’s a problem, now what’s a solution?”

Minnie chimed in, “How about a better alarm clock?” Lily and the doctor chuckled.

The joke completely flew over Finn’s head, “Oh well, I was actually thinking more about student on campus who might have a long way to walk between classes?”

“In that case, we could create plan for a campus wide transportation system? Maybe we could use a tram-“

“That’s a good idea Lily, but perhaps we can push that idea bit more? How can we get students to their classes in an instant?”

“Doctor, are you talking about teleportation?”

.

..

…

“Yes! YES! Teleportation! BRILLIANT IDEA FIINN! Let me just right this down.”

“Hold it,” Lily interjected as Dr. Roscope sporadically scribbled on the chalkboard, “Teleportation? Is that a little to far outside the realm of possibility to be considered? How would that even work?”

“We could set teleportation stations around campus! Oh OH! Or we could make it like a phone app and you just input where you need to be and then your just there!”

“That’s a neat plan Finn, but I think what Lily was trying to get across was how would we even go about making teleportation technology. We’d be breaking quite a few laws of physics.”

“When will you girls understand? Your minds are capable of coming up with limitless possibilities that we can make real if we put our minds together. Stop limiting your thinking because of things as inconsequential as the laws of physics. Laws were made to be broken, damnit!”

“Sorry Doc,” Minnie merely shrugged, “Not saying it’s impossible, just saying it’s going to be really hard to break those kinds of laws. Besides teleportation’s probably not the wisest idea, Jeff Goldblum could tell you that much.”

“Hmm, you may be right. Probably shouldn’t risk a lawsuit…. Do you have any other ideas?”

Dr. Roscope specifically tuned his gaze to Minnie, she had the floor. Minnie had to think for moment. She wanted to propose something practical, but heaven forbid she suggest something “uncreative.”

“Flight.”

“Flight?” Finn Questioned.

Lily contested, “We already have planes.”

“Ok, let me rephrase then, personal flight.”

Lily and Finn eyed each other. Dr. Roscope could only smile, “Go on, Minnie.”

“Well, if we’re pitching crazy ideas then I’d like make personal flight possible. I’m not suggesting we sprout a pair of wings but-“

“Buuuuuut,” The doctor interrupted with that face Minnie knew all to well, “What if we had bones like a bird instead!?”

Finn’s eyes lit up, Minnie facepalmed, and Lily could only watch with concern as the doctor wrote out his idea on the board.

“Yes, if we could make a formula that could safely hollow out human bones, we could possibly achieve flight without the need for any mechanics! What a wonderfully inventive idea Minnie!”

“Thanks?” Could she really take credit when her idea was snubbed like that?

“Absolutely not,” Lily stood up from her seat and approached the board, “Dr. Roscope, with all due respect this doesn’t seem at all practical, let alone possible. I know you want us to think big but maybe there’s a way we can think big and with in the realm of possibility?”

Dr. Roscope was now face to face with Lily. He could see the determination in her eyes, “Did you have something in mind?”

“Yes, actually.”

“Then by all means,” The doctor placed the chalk in Lily’s hand and walked to the counter to join Minnie and Finn.

“Thank You.”

Lily took care to erased everything off the board, smudges included. She then spent the next few minutes proposing several project that could benefit the school. She had bullet points, pros and con lists, and even a few rough outlines, it was all very well thought out.

When she finished Dr. Roscope clapped and returned to the board to get a closer look at her work, “Very well done Lily. I believe all the projects you proposed would be really useful.”

Lily saw his face. He was smiling and studying her notes with genuine curiosity, but she could see it in his eyes.

“You do like any of them… do you?”

Only for a brief moment did Dr. Roscope attempt to fake surprise but he reigned himself to his fate. He let out a sigh, he was caught. He shook his head.

“Of course not. Why would you like anything I propose?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I- Doctor, the entire time I’ve been here it feels like nothing I suggest is meets your standards. I know you appreciate my work ethic and contributions when we actually have something to work on but why does it feel,” Lily paused, searching for her words, “Am I not good enough for you?”

“What? Lily, of course not! You’re here because I want you to be here. I ask for your opinions and ideas because I want to hear them-“

“Then why do you never seem to listen?”

“Lily I- You see the- What I want from-“

Dr. Roscope struggled to get his thoughts together. He continued to stammer for a bit while Finn, Minnie, and Lily exchanged concerned looks. Finally Dr. Roscope found his voice.

“A great scientist’s legacy lies in what they discover, what do they learn or create that changes the way each and everyone one on this planet perceives the world around them,”

Dr. Roscope strolled over to the stool and sat down. His face displayed the most… earnest expression any of them had seen since… well, ever.

He continued, “But a great teacher’s legacy lies in their students. You three are some of the most incredible, talented, and creative minds I’ve had the pleasure to call my students. I want you to know that I see myself in each of you. Every time you walk through that door I see pieces of my reflection come together and I can’t help but be proud. And call me a selfish man but years down the line when you’ve long since graduated, and I’m a crazy old fart, I hope you visit me from time to time. Regale me with tales of how you changed the world, and I’ll know my legacy’s secure.”

“Doc, you already are a crazy old fart.”

The doctor couldn’t help but laugh, Minnie’s quick wit strikes again, “I suppose my reputation does proceed me. But believe me when I say you get crazier with age.”

“Oh I believe it.”

“Ultimately my goal with this internship isn’t to make an impact on the world, it’s to make an impact on you. If we happen to change the world in the process, that’s even better,” Dr. Roscope once again turned his attention to Lily, “I’m sorry that I ever made you think you were not good enough. I just want you to think outside the box more. Don’t ask ‘Is it Possible?’ Ask ‘Can I make it possible?”

“Thanks”

*Beep* *Beep*

Dr. Roscope checked his watch, “Alright that’s time. I won’t keep you here longer than you need to be, I know you’ve all got rides to catch.”

Finn, Minnie, and Lilly gathered their things. After grabbing her bag Minnie put her hand on Lily’s shoulder (Which was admittedly a bit awkward considering the height difference but hey what can you do.)

“You’re doing great.”

Finn chimed in, “Yeah, we’re all lucky to have you here.”

“Thanks guys, that means a lot.”

Minnie and Finn stepped out of the room to head home but Lily found herself hesitant to leave just yet.

“Doctor?”

“Hmm? Yes, Lily?”

“I’m sorry for lashing out the way I did. That was uncalled for.”

“No, please don’t apologize. You have every right to speak your mind and if you ever need to talk to me about something like that again, I’ll be here. I’m also going to review your project ideas, see if maybe we can start one of them this week.”

Lily nodded and reach for the door knob before stopping herself again.

“A size encapsulator…”

“I’m sorry?”

“That’s my out of the box, if I could do the impossible, idea. I’d make a size encapsulator.”

“That is a revolutionary idea. Thank you, Lily. Get home safe!”

“Likewise.”

Feeling much better, Lily stepped outside and headed home.

—————————

The next day Minnie and Finn found themselves in the lab alone. Minnie had brought her sewing kit so to pass the time she began patching up Finn’s scarf while he watched with awe.

“Wow, I can barely see the seams! You’re really good at this.”

“Yeah well,” Minnie finished up her patch job and cut the thread with her teeth, “You pick up a thing or two working at a craft store”

Minnie handed the finished scarf back to Finn who happily wrapped around his neck. He studied the area Minnie had fixed with wonder.

“Can you teach me how sew like you?

But Minnie was distracted looking at the wall clock.

“It’s been twenty minutes.”

“Do you think they’re ok? I mean after yesterday…”

“Lily and Doc are fine. If there’s a problem, they are more than capable of talking it out. Let’s be really, do you think either of them would resort to avoiding the other?”

“You’re right. They’re probably running late.”

As if on cue, the door the lab burst open with dramatic vigor startling both Minnie and Finn. An extremely excited Dr. Roscope comes through.

“I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE HAVE OUR SEMESTER PROJECT AND,” Dr. Roscope gestures behind him to Lily who followed him inside. She has several papers up to her face, her eyes glued to it pages, “It’s all Lily’s idea.”

“Oh wow, that- that’s great,” Finn smiled, relived they seemed to be on good terms, “so which one is it?”

Dr. Roscope dashed up to the chalkboard erasing all the notes Lily wrote the day before, “None of these!”

“Doc, if it’s none of her suggestions from yesterday-“

“Ah but it was,” He turned to Lily, “Tell them.”

Lily was still rummaging through the papers, she hadn’t even looked up once. Minnie and Finn approached her to see what she was looking at. The caught glimpses of numbers and hand written formulas, what they added up to they had no clue.

“What is this?” Minnie asked.

Lily finally spoke up her voice slightly shaky, “I-I-I ran into in the hall a-and he ran some numbers and-“

“Numbers on what?” Finn asked.

Dr. Roscope answered, “A size encapsulator!”

“A what?!?”

“It’s just some rough estimates, but if these numbers are correct, which I’m positive they are it means that-“

Lily finally lowered the papers revealing the disbelief on her face, “It’s possible…”

“Wait, are we actually making a shrink ray!?” Finn was practically bouncing, he could barely hide his excitement.

“Are we?”

Minnie asked looking to the doctor for an answer but he didn’t have one. It was clear the doctor was looking to Lily for her answer.

Phoenix was an unusual borrower to say the least. The big thing about him was how comfortable he was about beans. Beans he trusted mind you, but beans none the less. Miles and Mia had always been so delicate and thoughtful around Phoenix. They always made sure they weren’t doing anything to make him uncomfortable, something Phoenix would always be grateful for.

That made adjusting to Maya that much harder. Maya’s not a bad person, just very… inconsiderate? That sounded a bit harsh but it’s not too far off. Mayas had a habit of grabbing Phoenix without warning or imposing her will on to Phoenix. Never out of malicious intent, she was just a hyperactive teenager.

So when he felt a chill run down his spine, he could only assume it was Maya. He looked up from the cases notes we was reviewing to see Maya staring daggers into his eyes. She was practically in a trance. How long had she been staring?

“Uh… Maya? What are you doing?”

Phoenix question seemed to snap Maya out of her daze, “Huh? Oh! Sorry Nick it’s just… your eyes.”

“My eyes?”

“Yeah, I just noticed they’re different colors.”

Oh that’s right, they are. Phoenix almost forgot about that. Not too surprising considering he didn’t have much access to reflected surfaces during his life. The last time he saw his own reflection was probably when Mia got him his suit and she pulled out her hand mirror so he could see it. Even then he more focused on the suit Mia made as opposed to his own eye color.

“Is that a borrower thing?”

“What? No, of course not. I just have… what’s it called,” Phoenix recalled Miles telling him the term years ago… “Oh, heterochromia, I have heterochromia.”

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“W-What are you talking about?” By the tone of her voice, you’d assume she was told Phoenix was gonna die in a few days. Had he pronounced it wrong? No, he was sure the term was heterochromia!

“You suffer from straight man disease, tragic.”

“Straight ma- I SAID HETEROCHROMIA NOT HETEROSEXUAL!”

“But I have just the cure,” Did she even hear a word Phoenix just said, “There’s a Steel Samurai marathon airing in a few minutes. We can watch it together and I can explain to you all the reasons why Magisteel is the best ship!”

Before Phoenix could protest, he was already scooped into Maya’s hand. Was this entire conversation just an elaborate set up? Just so she could get him to watch Steel Samurai with her? Or was she that good at coming up excuses on the spot?

Probably the latter and Phoenix can’t help but think he might be partially responsible for that.