SUPER (but junior) GODS from the East [Chapter 13]
Title: SUPER (but junior) GODS from the East
Chapter: 13/16
Characters: DBSK, Super Junior, CSJH The Grace
Genre: mutant!AU, action/adventure, friendship
Rating: PG-13
Summary: In which all 18 boys have super powers, and are forced to learn to use them to defend themselves when a powerful enemy kidaps some of their own. Being a teenager has never been this hard.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters nor the concept of the powers. I also realise other writers may have had the same type of story before; please rest assured that I'm not trying to plagiarise your ideas!
A/N: this is a new mutant power series that I'm currently writing. I've also written a few related oneshots earlier.
I'm sorry for taking so long! Hope you guys like this chapter :D
Jaejoong winces slightly as he feels a hundred different thoughts whirling around in the minds of the rest as the short video replays again and again.
Changmin breaks the silence first. “Well, those are obviously the same three girls who attacked us the last time.”
“And like Yoochunnie guessed, they’re being controlled by someone - that guy, whoever he is.” Youngwoon points at the largest figure on the flat TV screen.
“But there’s four of them. I wonder who the last one is…” Kyuhyun muses with his cheek resting on his knuckles, elbow digging into the sofa arm.
Jungsu tears his gaze away from the screen and looks seriously at the dreamer. “Donghae-yah, do you have any idea who the man is?”
Donghae looks like he’s more fascinated by the projection of his dream than paying attention to the conversation, and snaps out of it when Siwon taps him on the shoulder. “I’m quite sure I’ve seen him before.”
He scrunches his face in an effort to remember. “Yeah, the night we were attacked…I had a dream of that man’s voice - the same voice as in this dream -” He gestures towards the TV. “- and he was the one ordering people to capture us.”
Donghee frowns. “You mean you heard what he said in this particular dream as well? What was it about?”
Donghae nibbles on his lip absently. “What was it now…he was disappointed in them for failing in their mission, I think. Something about…” All eyes are on him now, willing him to remember.
“…the consequences of failing again. He wasn’t shouting, but it felt like he was really angry on the inside.” He shivers slightly at the thought, and Hyukjae squeezes his hand comfortingly. “And then he made them feel pain like that.”
They look at the video again, where the girls are on the ground in apparent agony. “It looks like the three of them have severe mental trauma while the fourth one’s having a fit or something.” Yoochun feels terrible just saying it.
“Do you know what this man looks like?” The Director finally speaks up after listening to them. Donghae thinks as hard as he can and finally nods, albeit uncertainly. “Maybe then Jaejoong can try to get the image from you and show it to us.”
Jaejoong gets up and sits beside Donghae as they turn to face each other, and Jaejoong proceeds to do the same thing he did with Han Geng previously.
The face isn’t familiar to any of them, though there isn’t any real reason why it should be anyway, but the Director’s expression changes to become even grimmer than before. Jaejoong slumps back into the sofa tiredly and keeps his eyes on the Director.
“I know who he is.” Their eyes widen in surprise and he sighs.
“Many years ago, I heard rumours of a person who was able to inflict pain on others simply by willing it to happen. Of course, no one really believed that it was even possible, but I decided to try and meet him to see if it was indeed the case, and if I could help him in some way. He was reluctant to show me his power, but when I convinced him that I didn’t mean any harm to him, he did. However, he didn’t take kindly to the fact that I wanted to help him control his destructive power.”
The Director takes off his spectacles and wipes them slowly. “He believed that I was just trying to restrict him from his full potential, and that he was better off being free to use his power in any way he wished. I felt it was futile to try and persuade him further, so I left him, but did my best to keep a close eye on his activities - to make sure he didn’t abuse his power.”
“Thankfully, there weren’t any more reports linked to him about hurting people, and he progressed to become a rich businessman dealing in scientific products, such as the pharmaceutical industry. I never imagined that he would be collecting other gifted people - like I did-” He adds wryly, and some of them smile weakly. “- but apparently for some less…altruistic scheme of his. It seems he’s trying to investigate the genetic basis of the special powers people like you all have.”
The other fifteen boys immediately glance towards Yoochun, Ryeowook and Donghae, all of whom were experimented on.
“Why would he want to do that?” Kibum wonders aloud.
“Can’t you think of any reason why?” The Director looks around at them questioningly, as a teacher who believes in letting students think for themselves.
Heechul speaks up first. “Probably to find a way to artificially create more people with powers for his own army or something.”
“Or he might find a way to counter it and thus render our powers useless, like what happened to Jaejoongie.” Yunho suggests, remembering how hard Jaejoong had to work at getting them back.
“He could find out how to do gene modification in embryos for parents rich enough to pay for their children to have special abilities.” Kyuhyun adds darkly, though not everyone understands what he’s talking about exactly.
Siwon looks up from his clasped hands. “So…what are we going to do?” It’s not a question of whether they are going to do something about it, because the alternative is simply not permissible, and they all realise it and agree silently.
“Another rescue mission?” Ryeowook suggests tentatively.
“But how would we even find them?” Sungmin asks, because none of them know where the girls might be incarcerated.
“And I think going back to the experimentation facility wouldn’t be a good idea, because now that they saw how we broke in, they’d be prepared for a second attempt.” Jongwoon points out sombrely.
They descend into a dismal silence, unable to come up with a concrete plan.
--
Jungsu looks up at the stars from his comfortable position on the roof and sighs softly, a breeze picking up as it weaves threads of air around him. He hears the sound of someone landing behind him, and tilts his head backwards. “What are you doing here?”
“Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing.” Heechul raises an eyebrow elegantly.
Jungsu refocuses on the stars again. “Just thinking about what’s been happening to us lately.” Heechul treads carefully on the roof and lies down next to the other.
“A few weeks ago, all I was concerned about was my studies. And then suddenly four of us got kidnapped, and it’s been like a nightmare ever since.”
If Heechul was anyone else, he would say something sympathetic or encouraging, but because he knows that what they’re dealing with isn’t a joke or trifle that will simply go away, he doesn’t. “For you?”
Jungsu frowns. “Not just for me, but especially the younger ones. I feel like this is forcing them to grow up much faster than I want them to.”
“You mother them too much.” Heechul snorts. “They need to learn that life isn’t all about fun and games-”
“I know that! And they know that. It’s just…look at Donghae.” Jungsu interrupts, and Heechul falls silent. “When he first came to us he was this kid who couldn’t control what visions he saw, tried to use it for good and ended up being shunned by all his friends.”
“He really changed for the better after coming here and being surrounded by people who accept him for who he is. He was becoming more confident, and he was happy, and those damned scientists took him away and tortured him!” He shudders involuntarily. “They made him afraid of his own power.”
Heechul grimaces; he’s always had a soft spot for the young dreamer. “Weren’t you the one who said we need to fear using our powers? So that we don’t go overboard and abuse them just to achieve our own goals?”
“Yes, I did.” Jungsu says. “But there’s a difference between worrying about how you use your power and being afraid of the power itself.” Heechul agrees silently, as a person who’s never been afraid of his own destructive power.
“He’s definitely improved since returning from that place, though.” Heechul points out. “They’re all strong, these kids. And old fogies like us should get all the sleep we can.”
Jungsu chuckles, and they both stand up carefully on the roof tiles. “How did you get up here, anyway?” Jungsu inquires.
“I got Siwon to fly me up here.” Heechul shrugs, his tone indicating that it should be obvious.
“You bully him too much, you know that? I ought to leave you up here.” Jungsu chides teasingly, but extends a hand to his friend and they jump off the roof together.
--
“I’m a bad person.” Sungmin declares from his cross-legged position on his bed, and Donghee looks at him inquiringly. “You know how we’re supposed to think about how we can rescue those girls?”
Donghee nods, having an idea where this discussion is going. “Yup.”
“Well, I don’t… really feel like rescuing them.” Sungmin confesses.
“Why not?”
“It’s just that…I’m not doubting Donghae’s vision, alright? I believe they were forced to attack us and everything. But, it’s really hard to truly want to rescue them when all I keep thinking about is how I had to fight that girl, and how she threatened to blind Siwon.”
Donghee thinks back to how he had to fight against the light-wielding girl, remembers how she knocked Yunho out, and thinks he can understand where Sungmin is coming from. “I know. They still feel like the enemy.”
“Yes, that’s exactly it!” Sungmin looks relieved that Donghee knows what he means. “And even though I know they’re not really evil or anything, I just can’t help but feel like they’re on the opposing side. Like it’s not really my responsibility to help them. And you want to know what the worst part is?”
Donghee isn’t sure whether he does want to know, but is willing to listen to his best friend anyway.
“It’s that Siwon was the one who kind of said that we have to rescue them. Or at least, he took it for granted that we have to. And he’s the one who got injured by that girl, and was threatened by her as well. If anyone should have a grudge, it should be him, but he’s able to put that all aside. Why can’t I?”
He looks genuinely distressed, and Donghee racks his brains for something to say. “But you would do your best to save them when we come up with a plan, right?”
Sungmin wrinkles his forehead before nodding slowly. “I think so. Well, I’m not sure I would do my best per se, but I would try.”
“Then that’s what’s important, isn’t it?” Donghee smiles. “I don’t think doing the right thing even when you don’t want to makes you a bad person. If anything, I think it makes you better for putting aside your personal issues to do it anyway.”
Sungmin looks rather relieved. “I hope so.” He tilts his head to the side. “I do wish I really wanted to rescue them, though. I didn’t think I was the type to bear grudges.”
“Well, we can’t all be as forgiving as Siwon.” Donghee decides cheerfully. “Let’s just settle for doing the right thing.”
**
A/N: I think people have forgotten this story exists - all my fault for not posting more consistently :(
But as always, as long as you've read this, please do comment and tell me what you think! Positive comments and negative criticism is also welcome!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Chapter: 13/16
Characters: DBSK, Super Junior, CSJH The Grace
Genre: mutant!AU, action/adventure, friendship
Rating: PG-13
Summary: In which all 18 boys have super powers, and are forced to learn to use them to defend themselves when a powerful enemy kidaps some of their own. Being a teenager has never been this hard.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters nor the concept of the powers. I also realise other writers may have had the same type of story before; please rest assured that I'm not trying to plagiarise your ideas!
A/N: this is a new mutant power series that I'm currently writing. I've also written a few related oneshots earlier.
I'm sorry for taking so long! Hope you guys like this chapter :D
Jaejoong winces slightly as he feels a hundred different thoughts whirling around in the minds of the rest as the short video replays again and again.
Changmin breaks the silence first. “Well, those are obviously the same three girls who attacked us the last time.”
“And like Yoochunnie guessed, they’re being controlled by someone - that guy, whoever he is.” Youngwoon points at the largest figure on the flat TV screen.
“But there’s four of them. I wonder who the last one is…” Kyuhyun muses with his cheek resting on his knuckles, elbow digging into the sofa arm.
Jungsu tears his gaze away from the screen and looks seriously at the dreamer. “Donghae-yah, do you have any idea who the man is?”
Donghae looks like he’s more fascinated by the projection of his dream than paying attention to the conversation, and snaps out of it when Siwon taps him on the shoulder. “I’m quite sure I’ve seen him before.”
He scrunches his face in an effort to remember. “Yeah, the night we were attacked…I had a dream of that man’s voice - the same voice as in this dream -” He gestures towards the TV. “- and he was the one ordering people to capture us.”
Donghee frowns. “You mean you heard what he said in this particular dream as well? What was it about?”
Donghae nibbles on his lip absently. “What was it now…he was disappointed in them for failing in their mission, I think. Something about…” All eyes are on him now, willing him to remember.
“…the consequences of failing again. He wasn’t shouting, but it felt like he was really angry on the inside.” He shivers slightly at the thought, and Hyukjae squeezes his hand comfortingly. “And then he made them feel pain like that.”
They look at the video again, where the girls are on the ground in apparent agony. “It looks like the three of them have severe mental trauma while the fourth one’s having a fit or something.” Yoochun feels terrible just saying it.
“Do you know what this man looks like?” The Director finally speaks up after listening to them. Donghae thinks as hard as he can and finally nods, albeit uncertainly. “Maybe then Jaejoong can try to get the image from you and show it to us.”
Jaejoong gets up and sits beside Donghae as they turn to face each other, and Jaejoong proceeds to do the same thing he did with Han Geng previously.
The face isn’t familiar to any of them, though there isn’t any real reason why it should be anyway, but the Director’s expression changes to become even grimmer than before. Jaejoong slumps back into the sofa tiredly and keeps his eyes on the Director.
“I know who he is.” Their eyes widen in surprise and he sighs.
“Many years ago, I heard rumours of a person who was able to inflict pain on others simply by willing it to happen. Of course, no one really believed that it was even possible, but I decided to try and meet him to see if it was indeed the case, and if I could help him in some way. He was reluctant to show me his power, but when I convinced him that I didn’t mean any harm to him, he did. However, he didn’t take kindly to the fact that I wanted to help him control his destructive power.”
The Director takes off his spectacles and wipes them slowly. “He believed that I was just trying to restrict him from his full potential, and that he was better off being free to use his power in any way he wished. I felt it was futile to try and persuade him further, so I left him, but did my best to keep a close eye on his activities - to make sure he didn’t abuse his power.”
“Thankfully, there weren’t any more reports linked to him about hurting people, and he progressed to become a rich businessman dealing in scientific products, such as the pharmaceutical industry. I never imagined that he would be collecting other gifted people - like I did-” He adds wryly, and some of them smile weakly. “- but apparently for some less…altruistic scheme of his. It seems he’s trying to investigate the genetic basis of the special powers people like you all have.”
The other fifteen boys immediately glance towards Yoochun, Ryeowook and Donghae, all of whom were experimented on.
“Why would he want to do that?” Kibum wonders aloud.
“Can’t you think of any reason why?” The Director looks around at them questioningly, as a teacher who believes in letting students think for themselves.
Heechul speaks up first. “Probably to find a way to artificially create more people with powers for his own army or something.”
“Or he might find a way to counter it and thus render our powers useless, like what happened to Jaejoongie.” Yunho suggests, remembering how hard Jaejoong had to work at getting them back.
“He could find out how to do gene modification in embryos for parents rich enough to pay for their children to have special abilities.” Kyuhyun adds darkly, though not everyone understands what he’s talking about exactly.
Siwon looks up from his clasped hands. “So…what are we going to do?” It’s not a question of whether they are going to do something about it, because the alternative is simply not permissible, and they all realise it and agree silently.
“Another rescue mission?” Ryeowook suggests tentatively.
“But how would we even find them?” Sungmin asks, because none of them know where the girls might be incarcerated.
“And I think going back to the experimentation facility wouldn’t be a good idea, because now that they saw how we broke in, they’d be prepared for a second attempt.” Jongwoon points out sombrely.
They descend into a dismal silence, unable to come up with a concrete plan.
--
Jungsu looks up at the stars from his comfortable position on the roof and sighs softly, a breeze picking up as it weaves threads of air around him. He hears the sound of someone landing behind him, and tilts his head backwards. “What are you doing here?”
“Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing.” Heechul raises an eyebrow elegantly.
Jungsu refocuses on the stars again. “Just thinking about what’s been happening to us lately.” Heechul treads carefully on the roof and lies down next to the other.
“A few weeks ago, all I was concerned about was my studies. And then suddenly four of us got kidnapped, and it’s been like a nightmare ever since.”
If Heechul was anyone else, he would say something sympathetic or encouraging, but because he knows that what they’re dealing with isn’t a joke or trifle that will simply go away, he doesn’t. “For you?”
Jungsu frowns. “Not just for me, but especially the younger ones. I feel like this is forcing them to grow up much faster than I want them to.”
“You mother them too much.” Heechul snorts. “They need to learn that life isn’t all about fun and games-”
“I know that! And they know that. It’s just…look at Donghae.” Jungsu interrupts, and Heechul falls silent. “When he first came to us he was this kid who couldn’t control what visions he saw, tried to use it for good and ended up being shunned by all his friends.”
“He really changed for the better after coming here and being surrounded by people who accept him for who he is. He was becoming more confident, and he was happy, and those damned scientists took him away and tortured him!” He shudders involuntarily. “They made him afraid of his own power.”
Heechul grimaces; he’s always had a soft spot for the young dreamer. “Weren’t you the one who said we need to fear using our powers? So that we don’t go overboard and abuse them just to achieve our own goals?”
“Yes, I did.” Jungsu says. “But there’s a difference between worrying about how you use your power and being afraid of the power itself.” Heechul agrees silently, as a person who’s never been afraid of his own destructive power.
“He’s definitely improved since returning from that place, though.” Heechul points out. “They’re all strong, these kids. And old fogies like us should get all the sleep we can.”
Jungsu chuckles, and they both stand up carefully on the roof tiles. “How did you get up here, anyway?” Jungsu inquires.
“I got Siwon to fly me up here.” Heechul shrugs, his tone indicating that it should be obvious.
“You bully him too much, you know that? I ought to leave you up here.” Jungsu chides teasingly, but extends a hand to his friend and they jump off the roof together.
--
“I’m a bad person.” Sungmin declares from his cross-legged position on his bed, and Donghee looks at him inquiringly. “You know how we’re supposed to think about how we can rescue those girls?”
Donghee nods, having an idea where this discussion is going. “Yup.”
“Well, I don’t… really feel like rescuing them.” Sungmin confesses.
“Why not?”
“It’s just that…I’m not doubting Donghae’s vision, alright? I believe they were forced to attack us and everything. But, it’s really hard to truly want to rescue them when all I keep thinking about is how I had to fight that girl, and how she threatened to blind Siwon.”
Donghee thinks back to how he had to fight against the light-wielding girl, remembers how she knocked Yunho out, and thinks he can understand where Sungmin is coming from. “I know. They still feel like the enemy.”
“Yes, that’s exactly it!” Sungmin looks relieved that Donghee knows what he means. “And even though I know they’re not really evil or anything, I just can’t help but feel like they’re on the opposing side. Like it’s not really my responsibility to help them. And you want to know what the worst part is?”
Donghee isn’t sure whether he does want to know, but is willing to listen to his best friend anyway.
“It’s that Siwon was the one who kind of said that we have to rescue them. Or at least, he took it for granted that we have to. And he’s the one who got injured by that girl, and was threatened by her as well. If anyone should have a grudge, it should be him, but he’s able to put that all aside. Why can’t I?”
He looks genuinely distressed, and Donghee racks his brains for something to say. “But you would do your best to save them when we come up with a plan, right?”
Sungmin wrinkles his forehead before nodding slowly. “I think so. Well, I’m not sure I would do my best per se, but I would try.”
“Then that’s what’s important, isn’t it?” Donghee smiles. “I don’t think doing the right thing even when you don’t want to makes you a bad person. If anything, I think it makes you better for putting aside your personal issues to do it anyway.”
Sungmin looks rather relieved. “I hope so.” He tilts his head to the side. “I do wish I really wanted to rescue them, though. I didn’t think I was the type to bear grudges.”
“Well, we can’t all be as forgiving as Siwon.” Donghee decides cheerfully. “Let’s just settle for doing the right thing.”
**
A/N: I think people have forgotten this story exists - all my fault for not posting more consistently :(
But as always, as long as you've read this, please do comment and tell me what you think! Positive comments and negative criticism is also welcome!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!