Dancing with Fate ~ Uzi x N (Murder Drones AU)

CHAPTER ONE: Determination

"We live in a world where power is the only thing that matters. It's as simple as that. No accumulation of wealth or assets will award you pleasantries in this life.

Just power.

And those without it are better off hoping a great deity above will pity them and grant them a swift death. Because the reality of the situation is that without power, you were dead from the minute you took your first breath of cruel air.

The weak are stomped underfoot by the strong, their lives a fleeting whisper in the cacophony of power.

Cries for mercy fall on deaf ears, drowned out by the relentless march of those who wield true influence. In our harsh reality, compassion is a luxury afforded only to those who can protect it with an iron fist. The game of power is unforgiving, and those who fail to adapt are destined to become mere footnotes in history...

IS THAT WHAT WE WANT?!?"

A deafening SLAM sent heads upward from mid-day daydreams, the girl presenting having slammed her hand against the chalkboard.

After composing herself, she continued with grace, "For centuries, we have cowered into submission from the ones above. Too afraid to speak up about the outrageousness of our treatment. Hiding underground will do us good no longer. From here on out I say ENOUGH! No more putting up with this... this bullshit!"

"Uzi, language," The man sitting at the desk interrupted apathetically. He didn't really care what came out of the teenagers' mouths, he was simply fulfilling his duty as a teacher. "All for a less-than-minimum-wage paycheck," He mumbled, turning back to his crossword puzzle.

Uzi rolled her eyes at the teacher's half-hearted reprimand, her passion undiminished. She turned back to her 'captive' audience, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Listen, we've got a chance here. A real chance to change things. But we need everyone on board. Are you with me?" Her eyes blazed with determination, scanning the room for any sign of solidarity.

Among her peers, a hand was raised. Uzi's excitement to answer a question was quickly stomped out when she saw who it was. Sighing, the teenager rubbed her face, "Question, Lizzy?"

Standing up, the blond whipped her ponytail to her left shoulder. One hand on her hip, the other hanging loosely by her side. She took a moment to speak up as she popped her bubble gum.

Lizzy's voice dripped with sarcasm as she addressed Uzi. "So, like, are we supposed to believe that you, of all people, are going to lead this... revolution?" She made air quotes with her fingers, eliciting a few snickers from her clique. "I mean, no offence, but you're not exactly Miss Popularity around here."

Uzi's face contorted into a borderline evil smirk as she responded, "Of course, I'd be leading it! After all, I've already come up with a plan..."

"Oh really? And what's this grand plan of yours?" Lizzy challenged.

"I say we storm the surface, take out the royal guards... then BLAST the royal family's faces with this sick. ass. RAILGUNN!"

Uzi pulled out a massive, futuristic-looking weapon from behind her back, its metal surface gleaming under the fluorescent classroom lights. The class gasped collectively, a mixture of awe and fear rippling through the room. Even Lizzy, for once, was at a loss for words, her bubblegum nearly falling out of her open mouth.

"Details for the plan can be smoothed out once I get an audience with Mr. Rosera," Uzi added.

The teacher sighed once again, "Uzi, the project was on cellular respiration and photosynthesis."

Uzi's face fell, her enthusiasm deflating like a punctured balloon. She glanced at her railgun, then back at the teacher, "Oh, and this magnetically amplified photon converted doesn't count?"

The teacher pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated. "Uzi, while your... enthusiasm is commendable, this isn't a physics class or a revolutionary planning session. Please stick to the assigned topic next time." He paused, then added with a hint of resignation, "And for the love of all that is holy, leave the weapons at home."

The class erupted into laughter, tension dissipating as quickly as it had built. Uzi, still clutching her railgun, looked around the room with a mixture of confusion and frustration. She opened her mouth to protest, but the bell rang, signalling the end of class and cutting off any further discussion.

Huffing, she grabbed her stuff from her desk and stomped out of the classroom.

Maneuvering around the underground was always a feat in itself. The streets constantly bustling with officers and crime activity. Getting stopped once or twice was a common occurrence, whether it be by a suspicious officer or a petty thief hoping to steal away the last of your lunch money.

Uzi, however, wasn't deterred by these everyday obstacles. She held a sense of privilege in the underground. Despite being born with no power to her existence, she at least held a shred of dignity within her name. Being a Doorman came with perks, after all, her father owned at least a third of the city at this point.

He had assisted in the signing of treaties with the royal family. This allowed the underground to gain access to food, water, and goods through weekly shipments from above.

Though some hated her father, he was well respected within the underground. This led to no one dare touching his daughter as she moved through the bustling crowds.

Uzi swiftly cut through an alleyway to get home faster, her book bag bouncing on her back. Emerging from the dark alleyway, she gazed up. Large multicoloured crystals came down to meet the tall rustic buildings halfway. Steam was emitted from the different city structures, funnelling its way up and out the vents in the stone cave.

Small amounts of light escaped through the cracks of the vents, reflecting off the crystals on the roof of the cave. Through this reflection was how the city maintained its day and night cycle. And though the light reached them the heat didn't, leading the small society to resort to different methods of heating.

Uzi had never seen the sun directly, having been trapped in the underground her whole life. The closest thing she ever got to it was the stories her father would tell her when she was little. Although he believed she didn't remember them, they stuck with her. Even throughout her moody teenage hormones, she recalled them vibrantly.

Stories of when he went to the surface and touched the sun.

The memory of those stories fueled her determination. She was set on one day touching the sun herself. This dream wasn't just for her but for everyone trapped in the shadowy depths of the earth, and all for what? Because they weren't born with enough fancy schmancy extravagant powers like the ones on the surface? Yeah, she called bullshit.

Uzi swore to herself that someday she would abolish the unfair systematic oppression that was power. Whether the people of the underground stood with her or not, they would someday be free.