Story this round brought to you by  BenSullicoot with  actinid5959
Minor Editing and small additions by  Cybeast



Mercury Chapter 4 - Good-Bye High School, and C’mon Comic-Con!!
Time had flown ever since Mercury started his very first day at high school and already made a friend with a Sullicoot named Ben, who ended up becoming his best friend. The two could hang out easily and their trust grew as they got closer and spent time with each other. But today was a very special occasion as the senior students were at their graduation receiving their diplomas one by one as their names were called.

Parents, guardians, siblings and other people who could be called family of the senior students were sat in the exterior of the football field. They all watched with pride and tears of joy as their loved ones got on stage to collect their diplomas. Larz Fangerson had come by that day in his massive truck to pick up his foster son once the day was over for a sweet and rewarding home time.

When the graduation ceremony was almost done, the principal gave their final speech for the current senior students; he wished them a wonderful future with pride in their voice, and a sense of accomplishment for how much they learned. Soon, the students cheered and threw their graduation caps into the air as they were now officially finished and making plans for the future as Summer vacation, whether to move onto college or university or even find a career.

Some time after the ending ceremony happened and everyone was getting ready to go home. Ben quickly approached both Mercury and Larz before the mouse and the wolf could get into the truck since he thought now was the time to ask his question. “Hey excuse me. Sorry if this is a bit sudden, but well… I actually wanna ask something I’ve been holding for some time.” He said to the mouse mainly, before pulling the VIP passes to the San Diego Comic-Con, causing Mercury to be a bit shocked. “H-how were you able to even get that?! It’s like, quite expensive!” The mouse said in shock, before his question was answered. “Well… My parents actually bought this some time before my birthday. Said that I can have some fun.” The Sullicoot answered, before he spoke again. “And actually, would you like to come with me Mercury?”

Mercury was in awe at this turn of events! Here he was seeing his best friend holding a VIP pass to a Comic-Con he wanted to go to… and he was actually being asked to come along with him! He was more than shocked, before he felt a hand gently nudging him as he looked up and saw his foster father giving a gentle nod. “Go ahead son. This actually could be a great opportunity for you to have a lot of fun.” Larz told him, before the mouse looked at the Sullicoot and nodded. Actually smiling quite widely a bit. “Y-yes! Yes I would love to come with you! T-this is just unbelievable! Thank you so much for this chance Ben!” He beamed with joy as he grabbed and shook his friend’s hands with his own… Though what Ben had to say would make the revelation even better.

“You’re welcome.” He said with a chuckle from seeing how happy the mouse is. Before speaking again. “And actually, I can bring two people with me. And since your dad’s pretty cool… Would it be alright for him to come with us as well?” Both the mouse and wolf were shocked, before Larz gave a chuckle before he answered. “You wanna invite me too eh? Well sure! I’d be happy to come with my son and his best friend. Right son?” He asked the mouse, ruffling his hair with a chuckle as he stopped and watched his foster son sorting it out. “Well… Since I’m actually in a good mood from being invited, I-I think that would be okay.” The mouse answered, blushing a little from the hair ruffling as Larz gave a hearty laugh.

“Thank you both!” Ben smiled before speaking again. “Just uh, one thing to ask… Do you both have a character that you want to cosplay as? I already know who I’m gonna go as.” The Sullicoot said as he smiled and thought about his cosplay of choice. Mercury was having a think before he answered. “Actually… I was thinking about someone from Kingdom Hearts, since we both like that franchise.” The mouse said, catching Ben’s attention. “So who were you thinking?” “King Mickey. Specifically his attire from Kingdom Hearts 2, complete with the Keyblade.” Mercury described to his friend. “That I can actually picture, but how are you even gonna make Kingdom Key D though? And with what materials too?” Ben asked after painting a mental picture in his head, before the mouse answered. “Let’s just say I have my own tools.” Okay then…” said Ben, a little confused, before asking the sumo wolf. “And what about you though Larz?” “I actually have someone in mind.” Larz said as both boys wondered before he spoke again. “Magnus from Spyro, especially the Reignited Trilogy remaster!” “Can I ask why him?” Ben asked, while Mercury thought about the reason before the wolf spoke again. “Well because he looks the part of a sumo, and I really do think he can be one! So what better than to go as him myself?” Larz said as he beamed with pride, before Ben nodded while Mercury apparently groaned to himself quietly… which nobody but him knew was a silent chuckle.

“Anyway. Since that’s our cosplay sorted out, I’m totally getting pumped for the Comic-Con! Better start making preparations, and as well as bringing our money to buy what we want there too.” Said the Sullicoot in his excitement, as he grabbed his things. “Thank you both for agreeing to come with me! You two are gonna enjoy it I swear! See you both soon! Bye!” As everyone waved goodbye for now, Ben started walking back home with all his things as both Larz and Mercury got into the truck and drove back to the dojo to start making plans for when they eventually head to the San Diego Comic-Con. And since they were both invited, they were getting quite excited for it... Though not as much as Mercury as he had one of the biggest smiles on his face! Since Claude was the co-leader of the dojo along with his father Larz, he was put in charge of the place while they were away. “Make sure that you keep the students in line and do each lesson because we have a tournament soon my son and I want to make sure that everyone gives it their all.” Claude gave a nod while he drank hot sake with his dad for the night. “Don’t worry, Sensei. I’ll keep the students in shape, you got nothing to worry about!” Larz pretty soon got sleepy and decided to hit the sack since they have to get up pretty early.

On the day of the trip to the San-Diego Comic Con, they couldn’t use the truck since it was a gas guzzler and no plane could hold Larz since he was a massive sumo wolf of epic proportions so they had to take the cross country train using Amtrak. They had the nicest luxuries since Larz had more than enough funds to use to spare them a nice compartment of their own. Not to mention since it was one of the speedy trains, it only took them 5 days to get where they needed to go before checking into the hotel that Ben had paid the reservation for the stay. Soon… The day of the San Diego Comic-Con weekend came as time spent making plans for the special event were made. And on the first day all 3 of attendees were in their cosplay of choices.

Ben was wearing a onesie of his favourite monster from Monsters Inc. and Monsters University covering his body, Sulley. As he also wore slippers based on the monster’s own feet on his feet and had a Monsters University jacket wrapped around his waist for when he wanted to put it on. Basically having two versions of the same character and being able to switch between them easily.

Larz had already used some fur dye to change his white fur into a reddish orange colour, as well as wearing fake dragon wings, horns and a tail in the appropriate places. He even had a necklace around his neck and loincloth which resembled a yokozuna’s rope, with the armour plates in front looking similar to the strips on the belt.

And last but not least, Mercury was in a complete replica of king Mickey’s iconic attire from the Kingdom Hearts series up until Kingdom Hearts 3. Every detail of it looked like the outfit was custom made in real life from the shirt, the gloves, the pants and even the shoes too. Plus, Mercury was also holding a perfect replica of the Kingdom Key D Keyblade that he made all by himself which was very impressive as the Sullicoot couldn’t help but stare at it! Not to mention to top it all off he used a voice synthesizer to have the same voice as Mickey. Didn’t take much since Mercury’s own voice never fully matured.

While Ben and the others would like to talk about their cosplays and especially how Mercury was able to create his Kingdom Key D replica (To which only he knew how), it was actually time for them to start exploring the Comic Con especially since Larz had them agree on meeting at a cafeteria for lunch. So off they all went in different directions, especially since they made sure they had a map each of the whole place so they didn’t get lost too.

Mercury already knew what he wanted to do and get out of the way, so he decided to head to the gaming section and look for the Square Enix booth where not only games were demonstrated and merchandise sold, but also where the developers and voice actors could be asked questions relating to their careers as well as having autographs signed. Not only that, but he did find a bit of confidence as he did give permission to have his photo taken while doing poses of King Mickey, but also asking for permission to take photos of cosplayers he thought were really cool as well.

Meanwhile with Ben, he was actually having a look around the entire Comic Con himself as he wanted to check out what merchandise was imported and sold legally he wanted to buy, what upcoming games he could try out, what current games he could buy, who the guest celebrities were and even what food he could even try since he actually have a bit of a fondness for some Japanese food and drinks like chicken streaks and ramune for example. To him, it was like being a kid in a huge candy store and he didn’t know what he wanted. Also due to his choice of cosplay, he garnered quite the attention from fellow cosplayers who wanted to take a picture of him, especially the Disney fans.

Larz was actually having quite a fun Comic Con experience, especially due to running into people who were fans that recognised him outside of the ring and was very happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures with him featured. Larz was also asked by the coordinators of Comic-Con to have an exhibition match with his rival since he was also there. It was nice to be recognised outside of the ring, but he was just very glad to have fun with his foster son and said foster son’s best friend as well. It was also pleasing to him as he did see people trying out sumo wrestling in practice rings, and even thought that he had a positive influence as he checked the time and remembered all 3 attendees would be meeting up at their cafeteria of choice for lunch.

Lunch time came and luckily all 3 of the attendees met up and started having lunch as they sat down at a table which was able to fit Larz especially. Both the wolf and mouse had different kinds of bento that suited their tastes, while the Sullicoot had brought a packed lunch box that was prepared for his parents before the Comic Con. “So are boys having fun so far? Been up to anything so far?” Larz asked them as he ate, being careful to not risk choking. “Actually… I am.” Mercury said as he ate like his foster father. “Never thought I’d get to experience something like this. And plus, I got to play some games, have my photo taken in cosplay and I even got to ask the Square Enix developers and voice actors some questions, and even got some pretty interesting answers.” He replied, actually sounding quite excited as he recalled what he had already done so far in the day.

“Yeah! I’ve actually been having some fun too actually!” Ben said as he started recalling details of his exploration. “I got to try some upcoming games, saw some pretty good art people were showing, and tried some delicious food that I want you guys to try too! Oh! And I even actually bought some things that caught my eye, and that I just couldn’t resist at all!” He said, pulling up a bag which contained some merchandise that he bought and was excited to unbox when he got him. “So far, just been amazing! Especially with you guys!”

The wolf chuckled as he eventually finished his bento lunch first, giving a small burp which the mouse waved away with his hand while the Sullicoot laughed a bit. “Sorry about that, can’t help myself there. Anyway, I actually had fun too. Even managed to run into some of my fans outside of the ring too.” Both Mercury and Ben were surprised, but let Larz continue on. “Though I’m actually really glad to even find out I’m having an influence when it comes to the sport itself, because I actually saw some people outside practicing sumo wrestling in the salt rings and they look like they’ve been practicing too. Maybe they may become fellow students at the dojo.” He chuckled as both his foster son and said foster son’s friend finished their lunches before they put their things away.

“You two ready to continue exploring the place?” The wolf asked, as both boys nodded. “Great then! I’m actually curious about the food you tried too Ben, would you like to lead the way for us?” Soon the Sullicoot nodded and stood up. “Sure! I swear you two are gonna love it!” He grabbed Mercury’s hand which shocked the mouse, as the Sullicoot started leading him with the wolf following behind them as they got back into cosplay and carried their things. But even for Mercury… Well it would be one of the best days that ever really had since being adopted by the sumo wolf.

Later that night at a room at the hotel they were staying at, Larz had managed to carry both boys along with everything they had brought with them, and bought at stores to the room as well, as they were both asleep. Placing them down on one of the king sized beds that Mercury and Ben agreed to share, since Larz would have the other one to himself due to his size. It was a little exhausting to him, but it was worth it once he finished sorting things out as he saw their sleeping faces as he made sure to take their cosplays off so they wouldn’t get ruined and tucked them in as well.

“Just really glad today was fun.” Mercury had retreated to his own bed since their hotel was a deluxe room with 3 beds since it was a very massive suite. Though Ben already had parents, Larz still thought of his foster son’s friend like another son. Especially since before the trip, he told his parents he would be watching over the Sullicoot for the weekend trip. Though soon even he undressed from his cosplay before brushing his teeth and getting ready for the night. Luckily his fur dye wouldn’t be able to stain anything so didn’t have to remove that, as he soon finished and walked over to his bed before laying in it.

Larz looked at both Mercury and Ben one more time, seeing them both asleep and out cold after they had used up their energy having fun with each other and Larz himself. “Really glad you came into his life Ben. You have no idea how grateful I am he made a good friend. Good night boys, and hope tomorrow is just like yesterday.” He said as he turned off the light, leaving the room in darkness as he closed his eyes, and soon fell asleep with a big smile on his face… As well as the hope of tomorrow being just as great or even better than yesterday, especially for his foster son Mercury. As soon, the college days would begin…both of those boys would have a lot to look forward to during those years.

Meanwhile outside the hotel a couple of suspicious guys in a black van were looking at the hotel window and called their boss. “Madam Bleek...target is on the 2nd floor of the hotel in the super suite...should we grab him?” The lady on the phone thinks for a bit. “No, leave him alone. But do not lose him, we’ll grab him when the time is right…” She looks at the drone feed in the room as the small mouse is sleeping. “Sleep little Mercury...for when the time comes, you’ll join Omni and we’ll be able to make the world our own. One way or another.”