[Fourze characters/Liveman family/anyone really/go wild]

[catcameback]

To switch, or not to switch?

Why is it called a Switch anyway? It's obviously a button.

To press, then, or not to press? That is the question.

Comments

[catcameback]

"Next time?" I hiss. Then I shake my head and pull the device closer, squinting at it. "I haven't used it even once, you fool."

More powerful. How powerful could I get? "And after that? What happens after that? What are you?"

[fanhate]

... Oh, that's interesting. But I can't say I didn't expect it, "I'm the most evolved form of life. Of course, that means I'm drained of all useless humanity, but since you didn't have any to start with I guess you'll reach that stage faster. It's almost a shame. Skipping the second act to reach the epilogue."

[catcameback]

I frown at him. "Is everything a show with you?"

I turn the switch over in my hand. I wonder what will happen if I press the button. I wonder if he's lying to me. He has no reason not to.

"Will you show me?"

[fanhate]

"That's your Switch now. They work differently for every user. I can't say what it will do for you, but mine looks a little like this." Cancer's waiting just inside my coat.

My last thought before returning to my real form is that sometimes it really is as easy as pushing the button.

[catcameback]

I take a step back when he pulls out... something. It's not like the one in my hand. Different color, different shape, different style.

The effect is just like Fourze attempted to explain it. Smoke and stars. But when it clears...

I circle him curiously, sniffing. Looks like a crab, doesn't smell like it. A shame, that part.

"And you switch back and forth? Just like that?" Maybe more similar to my absent true form than I thought.

[fanhate]

"At the Last One stage, your own body goes into stasis. You're using the form of the Zodiart. When you reach my level, you and the Switch are one - but you can choose to appear human again whenever you like." I demonstrate.

[catcameback]

I hold the Switch in front of myself, poised, thumb against the button.

This might be exactly what I was looking for. Exactly what I need. "How do I get to your level?"

[fanhate]

"To do that, the Switcher must lose the last traces of their humanity. But since you weren't human to begin with, it's possible you can reach the final stage at once." I incline my head towards his Switch, "Try it."

There's something to be said for unscripted theatre after all.

[catcameback]

"And if it doesn't work?" I muse. I should be more cautious. Better planning. Explore every option before making a move.

That didn't work last time. Last time, I decided after much contemplation that the best course of action was to act independently, to turn on every other Greeed. And that worked out for me... not at all.

Maybe there is something to be said for spontaneity.

I press the stupid button.

[fanhate]

My instant reaction is to press my Switch, simply because I don't know what I'm dealing with, and I'd rather do it in my own body than a pathetic human.

I can't really say what I was expecting when the smoke cleared. Not those claws, that's for sure.

[catcameback]

It feels, which is a far sight different from how it used to be. And the smoke and the glow from the supposed stars is different.

But then... My arms, my arms, with my claws. My own striped armor. There's something different. Odd spots and lines connecting them. But I could care less, because the power is unbelievable. Not full strength, not complete.

But close. Close enough.

I laugh. Spread my arms and twirl and laugh again.

And no dependence on Cell Medals. No fear that my Cores will be stolen. No stupid Medals at all. "This... This is wonderful!"

[fanhate]

Five out of twelve complete.

"You're satisfied ... Leo?" Some tiny part of me almost wants to be happy for him. I can remember how it felt, but I can recapture that every time I use the tiny Switch.

[catcameback]

I flex my fingers, and find the Switch is still in my hand.

No, it's changed again. It looks like his now.

I wish it were yellow.

Ah, well, beggars can't be choosers.

"Leo?" I press the Switch again, experimentally. More smoke, more glow, and my human visage is back. This is useful. So long as the Switch stays in my possession, anyway. "My name is Kazari."

[fanhate]

"That form of you relates to Leo, the constellation. There are twelve, one for each Horoscope. I'm Cancer, the crab, and you appear to be Leo," I explain.

I wondered how his existing abilities would affect his Horoscope form. So far, there's no visible difference, but I haven't seen him in action yet, "nice claws, by the way."

[catcameback]

My head rolls to one side as he explains, sort of. I vaguely know what he's talking about. Stars, obviously. The designs humans pretend exist in them. I wonder if that's what the spots mean.

"It still looks like my own true form." I explain. "Except for the... lines," I gesture vaguely where the lines in question were on the other body. "I'll accept it. Leo is appropriate." Like my Head Core. The lion.

"They have been dangerous." I admit proudly. "Perhaps they will be again."

[fanhate]

"So. What will you do now?" I can't see him enjoying a visit from a certain gentleman with red eyes, or agreeing to recruit other Horoscopes. But why does that matter? Once the power of a Horoscope has been unleashed, that's really all there is to do (hence no sorrow over the loss of Miss Sonoda.) It's as natural as a leaf falling daintily to ground.

[catcameback]

"Who knows?" I purr, holding the Switch up to examine it, turning it over and over. I look up at him again with a curious tilt of my head. "What do you do? You're a student, aren't you?"

[fanhate]

"Yeah. One more year to go." More's the pity, but I do enjoy rakugo and my other ... extracurricular activities, "my school was founded to find the twelve Horoscopes and encourage experimentation with the Cosmic Power. But I figured why stop at the school gates?"

[catcameback]

"Your school..." I muse. I wonder if Jou knows about this. I suppose I'll have to tell him now. I think the Switch is bound to me now, not like my Cores that could be used against me. "You think outside the box, then." I can relate. "Be cautious. It might catch you unawares in the end. Curiosity kills the cat, as they say."

[fanhate]

"But the crab?" I have a little more respect for this guy than for Hayami. Perhaps I'll take his advice, "what about the school? There are kids living in that house, right? Do they go to Amanogawa?"

[catcameback]

"My house?" It is. It's Jou's too, of course, and the other parents. But it's my territory, and mine to defend. I'm not sure any of the humans could do a satisfactory job. "Yes, there are students, and a teacher."

[fanhate]

"Then how can they know nothing about the Switches? Maybe they just didn't tell you." Dramatic irony?

[catcameback]

I raise an eyebrow at him, then scoff. "I didn't think to ask any of them." Why would I? I considered discussing it with Jou, and probably will now, but he's so... good, I wonder if he wouldn't try to make me destroy the Switch. I can't have that.

"And I'm still quite new," I admit with a shrug.

[fanhate]

"Ask the audience ... phone a friend. I wonder if they'll tell you what you want to hear?" I open my fan in a mock-contemplative pose, "maybe they have Switches of their own. You would still be more powerful than them, of course. You're the ultimate stage in evolution."

[catcameback]

Everything is just a show with him. It could be worse, I guess. Everything could be an experiment, like with Maki.

"I doubt it." About the Switches, that is. "They don't seem the type." The parents are all heroic, and the kids... "But maybe."