Ally

Two months have passed since the dinner at the Graysons' and the realization that Mark's powers had manifested.

Spring has given way to early summer, bringing longer days and the promise of freedom as the school year approaches its end.

In that time, much has changed. My control over cursed energy has improved significantly, now able to once more do the Reversed Curse Technique.

This is thanks in no small part to the scientific approach Eve and I developed during our regular study sessions - plus of course my life as Sukuna. It helped though understanding my power more in the scientific perspective rather than only through the lens of Jujutsu.

Though my RCT is only known to me - I have no desire to reveal its existence unless necessary.

Also, what began as a chemistry project partnership has evolved into something deeper - a friendship built on shared intelligence and mutual respect.

Mark, meanwhile, has been living a double life.

By day, he's still the perpetually late, somewhat awkward teenager I've come to genuinely care about.

By night, he's training with his father and, according to news reports, making his first appearances as a superhero under the name "Invincible."

The costume is almost exactly as I remember from the show and comics - blue and yellow - a small contrast to his father's white and red, designed to evoke his father's image while establishing his own identity.

I've maintained my cover as Megumi Fushiguro, reformed delinquent.

The probation check-ins with Ms. Chen continue, as do the community service hours under Mr. Washington's supervision. For two more months luckily - and then I'm finally free from the nonsense.

Uncle Kenji remains oblivious to my abilities, his long hospital shifts keeping him largely absent from my daily life.

But beneath this normalcy, I've been preparing. The abandoned construction site has become my regular training ground, a place to push the limits of my abilities without witnesses.

The Ten Shadows technique is becoming more accessible, allowing me to summon several shikigami besides the Divine Dogs - having tamed Nue and the Frog, a quick Dismantle was enough for both. 

Today, however, might mark a turning point in my carefully constructed existence.

Eve texted me this morning, asking to meet at her house after school. We need to talk about something important, the message read. Just you and me.

The tone was different from our usual exchanges - more serious, more deliberate. I've spent the day considering the possibilities. Is she finally doing what I think she's doing?

As I approach her house in the late afternoon sunshine, I find myself unusually tense.

I've grown accustomed to Eve's company, to our intellectual exchanges and scientific explorations.

The prospect of something unexpected disrupting that equilibrium is... unsettling.

She answers the door before I can knock, just as she did that first time. But today, her expression is different - determined but with an underlying nervousness that's uncharacteristic of her usual confidence.

"Thanks for coming," she says, leading me inside. "My parents are at a conference in Boston until Sunday. I thought we could use the privacy."

I follow her to the living room rather than the basement lab, another departure from our routine.

She gestures for me to sit on the couch while she takes the armchair opposite, her posture rigid with tension.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, keeping my tone neutral despite my growing concern.

Eve takes a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I've been thinking a lot about our conversations. About abilities and responsibility. About trust."

I nod, waiting for her to continue.

"You've been honest with me about your powers," she says carefully. "At least, as honest as you felt you could be. And I appreciate that. But I haven't been completely honest with you."

Here it comes, I think, maintaining a composed expression.

"I..." she begins, then stops, visibly steeling herself. "There's something I need to show you."

She stands, moving to the center of the room where there's open space. I watch, fascinated, as she closes her eyes in concentration.

A soft pink glow emanates from her hands, spreading to encompass her entire body.

Her casual clothes shimmer and transform, molecules rearranging themselves into the familiar pink and white costume with its distinctive atom symbol.

In seconds, Atom Eve stands before me, her expression a mixture of defiance and vulnerability.

"This is who I am," she says, her voice steady despite the tension evident in her body. "I'm Atom Eve."

I take a moment to absorb the sight, to appreciate the courage this revelation requires. I can see the subtle signs of her anxiety - the slight rigidity in her posture, the carefully controlled breathing, the way her eyes constantly assess my reaction.

She's forcing herself to appear calm, but beneath that facade, she's preparing for rejection.

"I suspected as much," I say finally, keeping my tone gentle. "The physics knowledge, your interest in my abilities, your disappearance during the explosion downtown. It made sense."

Her eyes widen slightly. "You knew?"

"I had a strong suspicion," I clarify. "But I respected your privacy. We all have our reasons for keeping secrets."

She transforms back to her civilian clothes, the pink glow fading as she sits down again, closer to me this time.

"I've haven't told anyone in a long time," she admits quietly. "Not voluntarily, at least."

I catch the implication in her words. "Someone found out?"

A shadow crosses her face. "Several times, actually. It... didn't go well."

I wait, giving her space to elaborate if she chooses.

"The first time was in middle school," she continues after a moment. "I thought I could trust my best friend. I showed her what I could do, thinking she'd think it was cool." Eve's voice hardens slightly.

"The next day, everyone knew. Kids avoided me, called me a freak. She told her parents, who called the school, who called some government agency. It was a mess."

"I'm sorry," I say, genuinely empathetic. "That must have been difficult."

"We had to move," she says matter-of-factly. "Change schools, start over. My parents were furious. They've always been... protective about my abilities. Worried about what might happen if the wrong people found out."

I nod, understanding dawning. "So at the museum..."

"I froze," she admits, shame coloring her voice. "It wasn't the danger - I've faced worse with the Teen Team. It was the situation. So unexpected, so public, with everyone I know watching.

I kept thinking about what happened before, about exposing myself, about the consequences." She looks down at her hands.

"I've never had to deal with something like that without warning, without backup, while also trying to protect my identity."

I recall her expression that day - not just fear of the gunmen, but fear of something deeper, more personal.

"It's hard to explain," she continues, "but there's this... panic that sets in. What if I use my powers and everyone sees?

What if I have to leave school again, leave my friends, start over somewhere new? What if this time they take me away for studies, or worse?"

She looks up, meeting my eyes directly. "I know it sounds selfish, but in that moment, I just... couldn't move."

"It's not selfish," I tell her. "It's human. We all have our traumas, our triggers."

"But you acted," she points out. "You risked exposure to save William."

I consider this. "Different circumstances, different past. My exposure risks probation violation, not government experimentation."

"Still," she insists, "it was brave."

I smile slightly. "Or just impulsive."

A small laugh escapes her, breaking some of the tension. "Maybe both."

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment before she speaks again.

"I'm telling you this because I understand your situation better than most. Having abilities that you need to hide, living with the constant fear of discovery." She hesitates, then adds,

"And because I want to offer you something."

"What's that?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"An introduction. To the Teen Team." She watches my reaction carefully. "You've expressed interest in the strategic advantages of hero connections. This would be a start."

The offer catches me by surprise, though I maintain a neutral expression. "That's... generous. But why would they be interested in meeting me?"

"Because I vouched for you," she says simply. "And because new powered individuals with unique abilities are always of interest."

I consider the implications. This is moving faster than I anticipated, but it aligns with my evolving strategy.

Direct contact with the hero community could provide valuable intelligence and potential allies for the coming conflict.

"When would this meeting take place?" I ask.

"Tomorrow evening," she replies. "At our headquarters. It would be informal - just a chance to meet, discuss abilities, maybe demonstrate what you can do in a controlled environment."

"Who would be there?"

"The core team - Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, Shrinking Ray." She pauses. "And possibly a new recruit they're considering."

Something in her tone catches my attention. "Anyone I know?"

She hesitates. "Mark. Apparently, Omni-Man is introducing him to various hero groups, getting him oriented to the community."

This is an unexpected development. Mark hasn't mentioned meeting other heroes, though we've had limited private conversations lately due to his and my training schedules.

"Does Mark know you're Atom Eve?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "No. And he doesn't know you'll be there either. This is... complicated territory."

"I can imagine," I say dryly. "Mark knows about my abilities to some extent, but not the full picture. And certainly not in a hero context."

"That's right," Eve nods. "He mentioned to the team that he has a friend with 'some kind of energy powers,' but he was pretty vague about the details.

I don't think he realizes just how significant your abilities actually are. Since they're in someways similar to mine - but in the more destructive sense."

More than she knows - with me now having reversed cursed technique, I can reverse my cutting ability to bind things together - a limited form of matter manipulation if one will.

"You don't have to decide right now," she assures me. "Think about it. Let me know by morning."

I nod, appreciating the consideration. "Thank you for trusting me with this," I say, gesturing to indicate her revelation. "I understand what that took."

Her expression softens. "I've been wanting to tell you for weeks. Every time we discussed your abilities, explored the science behind them... it felt wrong to hold back my own experience."

"Why now?" I ask, genuinely curious.

She seems to consider her answer carefully. "Because I think you're at a crossroads. Like I was once.

Figuring out what these powers mean for your future, who you want to be." She meets my gaze directly. "And because I think you might need allies for whatever's coming."

Her perceptiveness is unsettling. Has she sensed something about the impending crisis? Or is this simply intuition based on our conversations?

"What makes you think something's coming?" I ask, keeping my tone casual.

"Just a feeling," she says, but her eyes tell a different story. "Our world is pretty big and full of dangers. What if one day there is something beyond even the Guardians' capability?

The way you as well talk about power and responsibility, about strategic alliances. It's like you're preparing for something. Like you have the same feeling."

She has good instincts.

This is not bizarre case, since because of my capability of seeing the soul - thanks to my sealing in Yuji having given me such a perspective has allowed me to sense the spiritual conflict, and bloodlust clouding over the entire planet.

All sourcing from Omni-Man.

I offer a noncommittal shrug. "I like to be prepared. Old habits from my street days."

She doesn't look entirely convinced but doesn't press the issue. "Well, whatever your reasons, the offer stands. The Teen Team could use someone with your tactical mind and unique abilities."

The conversation shifts to lighter topics after that - our chemistry project (which received an A), upcoming final exams, summer plans.

But beneath the casual exchange, a new understanding has formed between us.

Eve has trusted me with her most guarded secret, and in doing so, opened a door to a world that could prove crucial to my survival strategy.

As I prepare to leave, Eve walks me to the door as usual. 

"Thank you," she says simply. "For not reacting the way others have."

"I understand keeping secrets," I tell her. "And I respect your trust."

She smiles, relief evident in her expression. "Text me your decision about tomorrow? No pressure either way."

"I will," I promise.

Walking home through the gathering twilight, I weigh my options carefully. Meeting the Teen Team presents both opportunities and risks.

On one hand, it would provide valuable connections to powered individuals who could become allies in the coming conflict.

On the other, it exposes me to greater scrutiny especially from Cecil. 

But in the end, this contemplation is not really fruitful since I had already decided to join them until I could turn them into my own group outside of Cecil's hands.

By the time I reach my apartment, my decision is made. I pull out my phone and send a simple text: "I'm in for tomorrow. Just tell me when and where."

Her response comes almost immediately: "Great! Meet me at my place at 7. And Megumi... thank you."

I smile slightly as I pocket my phone. The pieces are moving into position, the board taking shape for the game to come.

And now, it seems, I have my first true ally in this strange new world.

It's strange. In my normal first life I never had allies, I had my parents and that was it.

In this life as Megumi - finally having realised after looking at my soul carefully that we were one and the same - again I in the beginning had no true allies.

Surprisingly, the only time I had allies was in my life as Sukuna. Kenjaku for all her revolting schemes knew to never cross me and was even a valuable advisor.

And Uraume... The memories I have of her - of her useful presence - make me almost miss her.

Almost.

In the I suppose, the King of Curses has to build his court once more.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!

Yep, we finally got to the point where Megumi accepts that he is Sukuna.

Because that's the situation. He lived his first life, then lived as Sukuna, and now as Megumi.

His personality though is based on all his experiences.

Megumi is based on me, and I am quite philosophical - as many who read my fics have probably realised - so Sukuna's memories will alter his personality in the way he has more knowledge, but not his views,

since I have already considered Sukuna's philosophy a lot and find it flawed - in the sense he because of hatred denies himself the pleasure of love.

Since love is a pleasure that both forms and breaks the strongest of bonds because of how intoxicating it is.

His pride will be more apparent the more he regains his former power, since Sukuna's pride is not arrogance, but based on experience, on his own strength.

He is quite the strategic and wise fellow when against someone capable of going against him.

So yeah, I hope this cleared it all up and I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)