[#] Just a heads up, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 buck.
[#] Do you like the way I respond to comments? By including nickname and the website where the comment came from? Or do you think it's too much information and that I shouldn't mention the original website?
COMMENTS:
Alice Scarlett Knabel[fanfiction]:Hope you bring your gohan story here.
Avip:I plan to bring back Dragon Ball Isekai: Gohan Gamer. However, it would come after the return of Rusted Professor, and would compete with Naruto: Isekai Saiyan.
Your comments do influence my decisions, but the Ko-fi subscribers [especially Silver Flame and Golden Flame] have more weight in my decisions of which story to stop and which to return.
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[Marcus Carvalho]
The sun shines brightly, reflecting off the sidewalks of Santa Francisca. The bustle of the streets, the sound of cars, it all reminds me of the normal life I used to have. I walk aimlessly, hands in my pockets, eyes wandering through shop windows and the faces of the people passing by. The feeling of boredom consumes me.
After so much time running from mission to mission, this peace and tranquility feels strange, almost suffocating.
"And now, Marcus? What are you going to do with your life?" I murmur to myself, stopping in front of an electronics store.
Flat screens display news, ads, everything except something that really interests me. I shrug and move on.
It's been a week since the barbecue. Edith and I are fine, but the little bunny said she didn't want anything purely carnal with me. She thinks this would be harmful to her.
That day, I told her I understood and that I would leave her house to avoid drama, but Edith rejected the idea. The bunny said it would be better if I stayed at her house so she could keep an eye on me and prevent me from causing too much trouble.
Imagine that… 'me causing trouble?'
Thanks to the gold I sold, I have no financial worries, even though I haven't spent money on anything expensive or absurd.
"Although I did see a video on induction forging on the internet... that is pretty interesting," I grumble aloud as I walk through the streets of São Francisca.
Trying to find something interesting and with no incendiary risk to do, I change my direction and start slinking through blocks where the walls are covered in graffiti, the smell of trash in the air.
The tall buildings block part of the sunlight, creating elongated shadows that dance on the asphalt. The distant sound of sirens mixes with the constant noise of traffic. It's a chaotic scene, but somehow, comforting.
"Reminds me of Rio…" I murmur nostalgically.
I turn a corner and come across an old laundromat, the façade worn by time. In front, a black car with the hood open reveals a large and powerful engine. Leaning over it, an Anthro canine with golden short fur, drooping ears, and a focused expression as she fiddles with something inside the hood.
Curious and with nothing to do, I decide to approach her. When I'm just a few meters away, I hear her grumpy voice.
"Shit!" she mutters, her voice full of frustration.
With a mischievous grin, I sidle up next to her in silence and speak loudly.
"What's the problem?"
"FUCK!" The anthro screams in surprise, jumping and hitting her head on the car hood.
PACK!
I burst into loud laughter, the sound echoing off the dirty walls of the alley. The Anthro canine stares at me, eyes wide in surprise and a hint of anger. She rubs her head, the golden fur gleaming under the weak sunlight that reaches the alley.
"Ha-ha!" she laughs sarcastically. "You're lucky Grandma Toretto raised me not to hit males."
"Grandma Toretto?" I repeat the name, remembering it belonged to the Pitbull lady. "Are you Mercedes' granddaughter?"
The Pitbull's eyes widen, the surprise evident on her face. She stares at me, suspicion replacing her previous frustration.
[Image]
"How do you know my grandma?" the golden-furred anthro asks as she approaches me.
She's quite tall. Before, she had been hunched over the car, and I hadn't noticed how tall she was. Even for an anthro, she was tall, and her golden brown, short fur couldn't hide the width of her shoulders and the bulk of her muscles. If I were a normal human, I'd be terrified… but I just want to hug this canine anthro and pet her furry head.
'What can I do?' I think, smiling. 'I've always liked dogs.'
"Wake up, human," she says, raising her voice now annoyed. "Tell me how you know Mercedes Toretto."
'Don't boop her nose! Don't boop her nose! Don't boop her nose! Don't boop her nose! Don't boop her nose! Don't boop her nose!' I repeat mentally, using all my resilience not to treat her like a puppy.
Focusing on my mental mantra, I say the first thing that comes to mind to answer her about Grandma.
"I went to her store, and she gave me cookies."
The Pitbull stares at me, her eyes still shining with curiosity and suspicion. She tilts her head, her drooping ears swaying slightly.
"Grandma Toretto... gave you cookies?" she repeats, her voice heavy with disbelief.
I confirm with a nod, a smile forming on my lips.
"Yeah, she gave me cookies. And we talked a bit about sweet recipes and other things."
The canine anthro blinks, her surprised expression still on her face, but she quickly relaxes and sighs tiredly.
"Besides the cookies, you exchanged recipes with my grandma," the anthro says in a tired tone. "She must like you a lot, or..."
"If you treat me badly, will she punish you?" I ask with a mischievous smile.
The anthro turns to me with a furrowed brow, but she just sighs tiredly, proving I'm right.
Not wanting to annoy her further, I decide to be more cordial and extend my hand, a genuine smile on my face.
"My name is Marcus Carvalho," I say firmly. "And you are?"
The canine anthro stares at me for a moment, as if evaluating whether or not to trust me. Then, with a sigh, she extends her hand, shaking mine firmly but without trying to hurt me with her surprising strength.
"Dominika Toretto," she answers, her voice still heavy with frustration.
The name echoes in my mind, making me notice some patterns in our conversation... My subconscious makes some connections between this family and information from my life in other worlds... and suddenly, everything clicks.
Her car, that last name, the imposing presence. It's like I'm standing before the Anthro female version of Dominic Toretto from "Fast and Furious."
"Dominika Toretto…" I repeat, shocked by my discovery.
"Yeah," the anthro responds as if it were nothing. "You can call me Dom."
"No!" I exclaim instinctively.
Dominika stares at me with her ears perked at my declaration, waiting for an explanation.
"I mean…" I respond, trying to find the right words. "Dom... is... it's a name that brings back bad memories."
The canine anthro tilts her head, her eyes shining with curiosity.
'How do I explain that the name Dom reminds me of a bald muscular guy, with a deep voice?' I ask myself internally. 'How do I explain that I can't dissociate the name Dom from the image of Vin Diesel in the early 2000s?'
"Can I call you something else?" I ask, hopeful.
"No," Dominika answers in a dry tone, going back to sticking her face inside the hood.
"How about Dommy?" I suggest, hopeful.
Once again, the anthro stands too quickly, hitting her head.
PACK!
Dominika looks at me with a furrowed brow, but instead of telling me no again, she just sighs tiredly and goes back to working.
Curious about her work, I stick my head under the hood, the smell of oil and metal invading my nostrils. The engine is a tangle of parts that, to me, looks like an unsolvable puzzle.
"What's wrong with the car?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"Do you know anything about cars?" she asks, her voice full of hope.
"No," I reply honestly.
Dominika sighs, frustration evident on her face. She straightens up, her hands covered in grease, and looks at me with tired eyes.
"Then please, go away. You're just going to get in the way," she says, her voice full of frustration.
"If you don't let me help, I'm going to tell your grandmother that you're rude to males," I say, my voice laced with provocation.
Dominika's eyes widen, surprise written all over her face. She looks at me for a moment, as if evaluating whether I'm serious or not. Then, with a tired sigh, she relents.
"The engine's overheating, and I also noticed a loss of power during the last race." She steps back and points to a small crack in the engine. "As soon as I opened it, I saw that the engine block is cracked."
"And that's bad?" I ask, curious.
Dominika lets out a frustrated laugh, shaking her head, clearly noticing the childlike innocence in my question.
"If I fix the engine with a decent welder, it's going to cost me about five thousand dollars."
"Ouch!"
"And the chance of the engine performance being the same is almost zero," Dominika explains, staring at the engine like it's a family member in the ICU. "That's why I'm going to need to buy a new one," she concludes, the anthro's tone melancholic as she runs her hand over the engine.
"And you're frustrated because you're going to have to spend a lot more money than you expected?" I ask, curious.
"It's not just the money," the anthro responds, her voice breaking. "This car... it's been with me for a long time. I fixed it with my mom and dad, saved every penny to turn it into what it is today."
With teary eyes, she gently runs her hand over the bodywork, a tender touch, almost reverent.
"Changing the engine... it feels wrong. This car is more than just a vehicle... it's family."
Despite Dominika's melancholic tone, a smile forms on my face, realizing that Dominika Toretto doesn't just share the name and slight criminal history to the Vin Diesel character.
"Move over," I murmur to the anthro as I gesture for her to step away from the car.
Dominika tries to resist, but I push her aside effortlessly due to my surreal strength. Alone in front of the engine, I stare at the crack she pointed out.
"All I need to do is fix this, right?" I mutter aloud. "If a weld could fix it, maybe I have something even better," I finish speaking, invoking the window with my blessings.
[BLESSINGS]
God's Blessings: {OFF}
Elemental Blessings: {OFF}
Mortals Blessings: {OFF}
Lovers Blessings: {OFF}
[BLESSINGS]
Everything is turned off, so I don't risk accidentally destroying something. I quickly open the elemental blessings tab.
[Elemental Blessings]
Earth's Blessing – Steadfast Bastion {OFF}
Water's Blessing – Flowing Renewal {OFF}
Fire's Blessing – Blazing Transformation {OFF}
Air's Blessing – Swift Gale {OFF}
Ether's Blessing – Soul's Bond {OFF}
Light's Blessing – Radiance of Purity {OFF}
Darkness's Blessing – Veil of Secrets {OFF}
[Elemental Blessings]
"Marcus," Dominika says, trying to get my attention. "What are you going to do?"
Smiling without taking my eyes off the engine, I respond.
"Magic!"
[Elemental Blessings]
Earth's Blessing – Steadfast Bastion {ON}
Fire's Blessing – Blazing Transformation {ON}
[Elemental Blessings]
The ground beneath my feet starts to vibrate softly, a barely perceptible tremor, but one that makes the small stones around me bounce lightly. The air around me begins to ripple, the heat emanating from my body as if I were a living furnace.
"Marcus?" Dominika's voice sounds distant, but full of concern. "What's happening?"
I don't answer, my eyes still locked on the engine in front of me. The heat intensifies, but it's not uncomfortable. It's a comforting warmth, like the embrace of a loved one. The tremor in the ground grows, but it's still gentle, as if the earth itself is responding to my call.
"Why is ground's shaking,?" Dommy says, her voice curious and worried. "Damn it!"
Fully empowered by my blessings, I murmur the incantation.
"I call on fire with blazing might,
And earth that holds the mountain's height,
Their blessings carve with heat and weight,
The metal's soul, I cultivate."
As soon as I finish speaking, I extend my thumb, which begins to shine brightly. Carefully, I bring my hand to the crack in the engine and with a simple gesture, I pass my thumb over the mark, making it disappear as if it were just a stain on the metal.
"Done," I declare, as the elements around me settle. "Good as new."
Dominika pulls me away from the car and stares at my work, her eyes wide in surprise.
"The engine block..." Dominika begins, her voice trembling. "How did you do that?"
I shrug, a mischievous smile forming on my lips.
"No crack marks or welding patches," the anthro murmurs as she runs her hand over the smooth surface, the touch gentle, almost reverent. "This is impossible."
"Not for magic," I answer simply.
Dominika stares at me, her eyes shining with curiosity and disbelief. She opens her mouth to speak but closes it again, as if the words are stuck in her throat. Finally, she lets out a tired sigh and shakes her head.
"You can keep your secrets if you want," she says, her voice filled with resignation.
Before I can respond, she gets into the car, slamming the door with a dull thud. Dominika starts the car, the engine growling softly like an animal eager to race. She steps out of the vehicle, her eyes sparkling with emotion. She approaches me, her expression serious but her eyes filled with tears.
"Marcus…" begins the Anthro with a choked voice. "I don't know how to thank you. This… this is more than I could ever ask for."
I shrug, a genuine smile forming on my lips.
"It was nothing, Dommy. I just helped the granddaughter of a friend."
She shakes her head, tears streaming down her face.
"No, Marcus. You saved the car I built with my deceased parents… you saved an important memory of my family. And that, I will never forget."
Before I could say anything, I'm pulled into a tight hug.
"Whatever it is that you need, anytime, I'll be here. You're family, Marcus. And family helps each other, protects each other."
The moment would have been serious and touching if I wasn't struggling to not snuggle into her fur.
'SHE IS SO CUTE!' I scream mentally, almost losing control.
I pull myself out of Dommy's tight embrace, her body heat still present on mine. I take a step back, a genuine smile on my lips.
"It was a pleasure helping, Dommy. But now I need to continue my walk around the city."
She stares at me, her eyes glowing with gratitude and something more, something I can't quite identify.
"Marcus…" she starts, her voice heavy with hesitation.
She looks away, her drooping ears swaying slightly.
"I… I was thinking…" she continues, her voice trembling. "Would you like to go for a ride? With me?"
The question takes me by surprise. I look at Dominika, the golden-furred canine Anthro, her expression shy, almost vulnerable. She's tall, strong, imposing. But right now, she seems like a little insecure girl, waiting for an answer.
"A ride?" I repeat, my voice full of curiosity.
She nods, her eyes still averted.
"Yes, a ride. I… I would like to show you the city. And… and truly thank you."
"Of course, Dommy. I'd love to go for a walk with you."
She lifts her eyes, surprise spreading across her face. Then, a smile forms on her lips, a genuine smile, full of joy and relief, while her tail wags like a fan on full speed.
[Dominika Toretto]
I watch Marcus out of the corner of my eye, the human looking quite comfortable settled in the passenger seat of my car. A subtle smile escapes my lips. I did it.
'Oh my God, I can't believe he said yes!' I celebrate mentally. 'When I stuttered asking him to go for a ride, I thought I had ruined my chance, but no! He's here, with me iiiiiiiiih.'
From the moment I saw him, I knew there was something different about him. It's not just his looks, though he's ridiculously handsome. It's the way he moves, speaks, and interacts with the world. There's a sincerity and fearlessness in him that's rare to find in males.
I open my mouth wanting to strike up a conversation with Marcus, wanting to understand more about him, but something catches my attention from the corner of my vision.
In the alley next to an abandoned shoe store, a giant hyena Anthro is talking to a group of young people. Anthros and humans, all with anxious expressions on their faces.
The scene makes my blood boil with pure rage. I know too well what is going on. That Anthro is selling drugs to kids in broad daylight. I quickly stop the car on the sidewalk and get out, walking toward the dealer.
"Wait in the car!" I say to Marcus, my voice firm, not waiting for his response.
I walk with firm and furious steps, my eyes fixed on the hyena drug dealer. She laughs, oblivious to my presence.
She only realizes I'm there when I grab her by the shirt and slam her against the wall with a dull thud.
"What-?" She starts to protest, but I interrupt her.
"Shut up!" I snarl furiously, my gaze fixed on hers. "You, get out of here!" I shout to the kids. "And never mess around with drugs again."
They exchange frightened glances before scattering, running away from the alley. The hyena tries to break free, but I hold her firm against the wall, my body tense with rage.
I press the hyena harder against the wall, my anger pulsing through my veins.
"Who do you work for?" I demand, my voice echoing through the alley. "You can't sell drugs to kids in my neighbourhood, we have a deal with the gangs you cunt!"
The hyena laughs loudly, a harsh and mocking sound that sends chills down my spine.
"Those deals don't mean shit anymore, you dumb bitch." she mocks, her eyes glinting with malice. "Things have changed, a lot."
My eyes widen in shock.
'What does she mean by that?' I think, frantic.
But before I can ask more, Marcus steps forward. His smile is weirdly threatening as his green eyes glowing with a supernatural intensity.
"I would recognize that laugh anywhere," Marcus says, staring at the hyena.
His voice is calm, but filled with a dark promise. The hyena, who had been confident until now, starts to shake. Her eyes widen, the mocking smile disappearing.
"Y-you..." she stammers, fear evident in her voice. "It can't be…"
Marcus steps closer, his body tense, ready for action. The hyena tries to retreat, but I keep her firmly against the wall. Her body shakes, sweat dripping from her forehead.
"P-please let me go!" she begs me with a trembling voice. "I didn't know you were his friend, please forgive me, Dom."
Confused, I stay silent, holding the hyena in place while Marcus remains silent and continues to approach. The hyena begins to hyperventilate, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her eyes are wide with terror, her pupils dilated.
"No! No! No! No! No! No!" she repeats frantically, as if Marcus were a demon coming to get her soul.
Marcus stops right in front of her, his face inches from her. Curiously, he forces the hyena to kneel and look the human in the eyes. The hyena squeezes her eyes shut tightly, her body trembling as tears pour abundantly from her eyes.
"It was your last chance, huh Drika?" Marcus says as if it were nothing.
"NOOOOOO!" the hyena screams, staring at her executioner.
Marcus laughs, savoring the fear and desperation of the Anthro. Then, he grabs the hyena's chin and forces it toward her face.
"Don't worry," Marcus says with false tenderness. "Before deciding your punishment, we'll have a long conversation."