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This has been a rough year for Kratos. For 13 years, he had been fuming to get back in the ring. His loss to Spawn had only stoked the fires of his hatred. His rage at the gods that put him in this city, unable to be quelled without a target. Once he got his wish, those fires were promptly dampened. His mind is abuzz as if two sides of himself are battling for dominance but centuries of contemplation made it an easy one to win. Though, perhaps that would not be the case if Calliope was not with him. She made the unruly aspect of himself strive to be better.
It was a strange having her here. His younger, more unruly self was delighted and yet Kratos couldn't help but be conflicted at her presence. He was happy to have her back in his life but he had made peace with her death millenia ago. In his heart, he had replaced the family that was taken from him by the gods with a new one. Faye, Atreus, even Mimir had all helped him move on and now a different set of gods had taken that family away. Was Calliope's presence meant to appease his roaring fury?
Doubtful.
They hadn't cared about him ever since dumping him into this world. And even with his new strength, it's not like he was any closer to finding them. Asura could attest to that. After months of trying, his rage had calmed. Taking care of Mithra was a better use of his time, anyway.
Kratos looked back at Samus' invitation.
He hadn't attended the holiday party in any of the years that he had been here but perhaps it wouldn't be so bad just this once. Calliope had been inquiring about the celebrations.
He still needed to get her a present.
"You going to the party?" Johnny said amidst the tavern's holiday buzz.
"Like hell I am. Ain't nothing to be thankful for in this godforsaken place"
"Well, you got to be part of that exclusive club, didn't ya?" The club that consisted of two megalomaniac narcissists, two world conquerors (though at least Omni-Man seemed to be trying to atone) and a girl with serious anger issues. Tenuously Samus and Superman as well.
"Well, I'll be going. Gojo's got plans so I promised I'd look after Mahito for him."
"That little upstart?" Also known as the punching bag of the ward. He seemed desperate to prove his worth against anyone and everyone, especially the losers. But he was too weak to pose a genuine threat. Last Spawn remembers, he was sent twinkling into the sky by that boy and Pikachu.
"Not like anything we do keeps him down for good anyway. Best to minimize the damage, right?"
"Right." Johnny waves down the bartender and pays his tab.
"Either way, merry Christmas, Al."
"You too." Al says as the door closes behind the Ghost Rider, the roar of his bike already echoing throughout the streets.
Al orders another drink.
"That's fucking bullshit!!" Shigaraki chucks his controller at the wall, fuming at the incompetence of his team mates. Were it not for the specially made gloves on his hands, it would have already long disintegrated from his grip. Although, sometimes they're not enough. He's just gotten far too powerful for his own good. It's a good thing he managed to steal a whole crate of the things. Fortunately, petty theft seems to fly under the radar of these so-called heroes.
Too many of them to do any real damage to society. Especially one that manages to regenerate from every attempt to destroy it. The heroes from his verse, he can handle with a bit of trouble. Even an All Might now back in his prime. It's their allies that are so infuriating. That anti-magic brat who can cut through anything. Satoru Gojo who has godmode enabled all the time to the point Shigaraki can't even touch him. Fucking Superman who is basically All Might on steroids!
All things considered, his first day in the city was fun and infuriating in equal measure.
He quickly found out there wasn't much else he can do but game.
Which is perfectly fine by him. Certainly better than that loser curse he offed.
It was only when he lazily checks his phone that he realizes he's been invited to some kind of party. A scoff escapes his mouth before he bins the message. That party would be super cringe, he just knows it. The food is never good at those sorts of conventions. Besides, him being there with a bunch of heroes would just be awkward. Not like he knows anyone that'll be there. At least anyone he'd probably like.
Closest thing to another villain in this ward is that giant lizard whose roars disturb his 4am naps.
Someone knocks on the door while he's searching for grabbing another controller. Part of him just wants to ignore it.
He finds Deku on the other side with a wrapped gift tucked under his arm and a tray of freshly made katsudon.
"Grab a controller" Shigaraki says with a smirk. He's not going to say no to free food. Just this once, he won't try to kill the boy.
"Pikaaa~"
"Doom Slayer, you can play with Pikachu later. Help us sort this out." Samus admonishes.
He gives Pikachu a pat on the head before getting back to work. They were all from the old guard. Some of the first inhabitants of Death City, after all. And say what you will about Wiz and Boomstick, but he's glad such a cute creature managed to catch their eyes. It reminded him of Daisy in a way. He wishes he'd been the one to find it but unfortunately it had imprinted onto Samus first.
Doom Slayer still visited the two of them at every opportunity.
"You've made all sorts of friends, huh buddy?"
"Chu!"
Doom Slayer was still trying to wrap his head around the boy known as Ash Ketchum. Pikachu wasn't weak. He just needed to be protected anytime he snuck aboard Samus' ship to help them fight. But Ash was able to draw out an entirely different kind of power from him. He's pretty sure if Blanka tried to face them together, their death battle would have a very different result.
Much like his and Chief's.
Still, the boy himself seemed awfully vulnerable. Maybe it would be best to commission some gear for him to wear. Would be too late as a Christmas present but better late than never.
"Alright, I'm trusting you two to handle things this time around" Samus says after everything is said and done. She tried to rope them into helping her every year but this time she had an adequate excuse to skip out and so by royal decree their help was mandatory.
"Yes, yes. I'm not even sure why that woman wanted you at her party so badly" Chief says.
"Well, taking care of her son's partner for all this time has made me 'honorary family' or something. Didn't think she'd go and see the princesses about it though. Make sure to handle things appropriately"
"As long as Godzilla doesn't show up, we'll be fine." If Godzilla was smaller, would he be cute? He'd still have that atomic breath of his but small things are generally cute.
Where is Simon?
That's the question that's been on Kyle's mind for the last few months. From what he's gathered, after a death battle both fighters appear in Death City and yet, somehow Simon the Digger has managed to elude its grasp. It's a damn shame. He was hoping to hang out with one of his favorite anime characters but it might be time to give up hope.
This party is his last hope.
After that, well he supposes managing to escape Death City is an accomplishment in and of itself.
Kyle looks up at the stars above. He wonders if that Green Lantern Ring is still with him. If so, he hopes it's done him some good so far.
Wile can't help but look on enviously at his inferior foe. A nice house for shelter. Loved ones that include him in their holidays. Fresh food to gnaw on. Wile may have beaten that feline but it's clear Tom Cat's gotten a far better deal out of life.
But it's his life. He learned early on that you can't change what your lot in life is. He can't be a rich, successful billionaire or a beloved housepet. He will always be a super genius chasing that infernal roadrunner.
A racket outside disrupts his musings but his annoyance is quickly quelled when he spots the cause of said racket. Roadrunner and his colleagues working quick to set up a party of their own. It warms his heart that they want to do such things for him despite the animosity they hold for each other.
Wile thinks he'll put some of those seeds his prey likes in the latest gadget of his. Followed up by a bomb or two.
Miles was not going to go to the party in Ward 25. Nothing against it specifically but Ward 7 is his home. Has been for years now. It's where most of his friends are and from the sounds of it, Deku's got his own plans anyway. Miles isn't sure what those plans are specifically but its probably just attending the party in Ward 9 with Asta. And if something happens, well Miles knows from experience just how tough the dude is.
Instead the plan was to get a bite to eat at the annual party before having a small get together at Vergil's.
Dinner, gifts, games.
Probably patrol even though Wally can handle it.
What more do you need?
He puts the gifts he's wrapped inside a bag and starts web-slinging across the city.
Godzilla's roar still shook Banner to his core. Bruce knows they can beat him but the issue is how much damage he can cause before doing so. The unending nature of this dimension they're in has probably benefited a being like Godzilla the most. A being whose whole point seems to begin and end with destruction. Everyone can walk off death but erasing the hurt is not so easy. He knows that all too well.
"Still keeping an eye on that overgrown lizard, doctor?" Namor walks into the compound like he owns the place. Bruce wouldn't be surprised if he had managed to buy it out.
"Well someone has to. Besides, this Archetype is awfully interesting" Namor sets down a plate of his signature clam chowder. "Thanks"
"Of course I understand why you have to do this. Especially since the creature is living in my domain." Aquaman might dispute that claim though technically both of their domains are back in Ward 6.
"Still, it can be beneficial to take a break even if just for the holidays."
"I know. I just get the feeling the moment I let my guard down something bad is going to happen" Bruce moves his gaze just to grab the clam chowder and yet his eyes widen in disbelief.
"Wait, where's Godzilla?"
"Are you serious? This is my first official year in Death City!"
"And still only 17" Yang says, failing to reassure her. "Bar won't accept you, Ruby."
"The age limit never stopped you" Ruby mumbles under her breath. Especially since if they're going by what's official, Ruby is technically the same age as her sister now. Only Weiss and Blake are actually at the legal drinking age.
"Look, we'll catch up later okay?"
"Sure."
"That's my sis." Yang says before disappearing into the tavern while Ruby takes a portal back to Ward 25.
Ruby loves her sister. She does but even after months of being in Death City, it's jarring to see her like this. Still the same reckless, party girl leaving her behind. Blissfully unaware of how the state of Remnant and the things Ruby has done.
Maybe, it's a blessing in disguise.
If Yang found out the true reason she was attending therapy, she'd probably swing too far in the other direction and get super overprotective.
She winds up at Maka and Soul's place.
"I thought you had plans" Maka says upon opening the door.
"Friends ended ditching me. Got room for one more?" Ruby sheepishly asks but she didn't need to be so concerned.
Maka gives her a warm smile and says "Of course, take a seat. Dinners almost ready."
"Of course. The more the merrier, right Soul?" That warmth completely dissipates at the sight of Blair in only a towel, resting her assets on Soul's head. Ruby can't help but get flustered at the flirtatious wink sent her way. Before Maka chases Blair off Soul's head, that is. Blair opts to settle beside her for the remainder of the night.
A mischievous idea pops into Ruby's mind. One that Blair is all for when she explains it.
So after dinner, they take some photos that may or may not be safe for work and attach them to a simple text.
'Hey. Looks like you're not the only one spending time with a sexy cat girl'
Ruby promptly turns her phone off for the remainder of the evening.
This isn't the first time Buffy's woken up in a strange dimension unfamiliar to her own. It is the first it's lasted this long though. With the exception of her stint in Heaven. And adjusting to her friends dragging her out of Heaven if we're counting that.
It's not a bad city.
For the most part, she just does what always has.
Be the Slayer.
It does get lonely though with no Willow or Dawn or Spike. Some people get lucky and get at least some friends or family to tag along. Some even get their whole worlds, able to pick their lives back up without missing a beat. On an unrelated note, Buffy now lives in a world where pokemon exist.
She has a Gallade now.
But besides him, there really isn't anyone she can easily connect with. At least not in Ward 25. Those two scythe girls are potential Slayers but they're both on the younger side. There's no bad blood between her and Blade but he's kind of awkward around her for some reason and he tends to go fight on his own anyway.
And that's kind of it.
Who knows?
Maybe she'll find some sort of connection at this party.
The usual Christmas bash was always an alright time at worst. Come together. Eat good food. Drink enough to give yourself alcohol poisoning and exchange gifts. Dante doesn't understand why some people have to be such sourpusses about it. Then again, he's always had Trish by his side.
"We're missing a few, aren't we?" Dante says after being fashionably late. Truth is he actually attended the one in Ward 3 first but figured he mighht as well see what Ward 25 has going on.
There always was but this time seemed especially apparent. Almost seemed like half the cast was missing.
"Not our fault, Wiz and Boomstick went so heavy on returners this time around. Probably all have their own plans set up." Dante shrugs his shoulders and makes his way over to Clive's spot at the dinner table.
"I'm surprised you're here at all. You missed a brilliant retelling of The Saint and the Sectary" Clive says, absentmindedly taking bites out of the pile of food he's put on his plate. It's almost as if he's trying to have a bit of everything unfamiliar to him.
"Shame I missed it." If they were able to do a whole play before he got here, maybe Dante's just late rather than fashionably so.
"Unhand me this instant!" Mahito's shrill voice cries out. The curse desperately trying to get of the Ghost Rider's chains.
"I'm not allowing you to transfigure the help" Johnny says coldly but seems content to keep Mahito restrained.
"Want to beat up Mahito again?" If he missed the entertainment, might as well make his own.
"Sure. Why not?" Clive puts his food to the side and joins his approach. If they had paid less attention to Mahito's whining and more to their surroundings, they would have noticed the plate fall off the table after a minor tremor.
"So this is where you grew up, Ash?"
"Yep. And where I met my buddy, Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!" Pallet Town was a quaint, little town, mostly dominated by farmland. It didn't give the impression of anything more than that. Humble beginnings for a humble trainer, Yugi supposed.
Tables had been set up in a large, open area with all kinds of food laid out. Yugi places his gift with the rest of them before following Ash into the crowd that seemed to be composed of the entire town.
"It's so nice to have Ash here for the holidays for once!"
"Yeah, it has been a while. Actually, when was the last time I even celebrated the holidays? I think the time I met Santa was the last time I did" Confusion riddles Ash's tone as if he genuinely hadn't realized he'd been skipping holidays.
"What was Santa Claus like?" Yugi asks more out of idle curiosity than anything else.
"Kinda matched up with what everyone says. Lives in the North Pole, makes presents for kids around the world, has a bunch of Jynx helpers."
"Jynx? Wait, you've been to the North Pole?" Yugi thought they were talking about a mall santa or something.
"I mean yeah. Haven't you?" A mighty roar disrupts any potential thought Yugi might have to continue the conversation. It came from inside the Ketchum household.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Samus yells and that's more than enough to cause them to run.
The first thing they see upon getting inside is Samus sitting down in resignation, a hand to her temple as if she's suffering from a migraine. She doesn't respond to their attempts to see if she is alright, instead continuing to glare at the tv screen before her. It shows the theater hall that was being used for Ward 25's Christmas dinner not destroyed or anything, which is what makes this so weird. It is only when the camera pans that Yugi realizes why this is such an issue.
With a simple turn, it reveals a destroyed street in shambles. Godzilla at the foreground but not deigning to make another move.
And standing triumphantly on top of him is Simon the Digger.