Otherwise known as: Aquarius being a damn tease. (and not serious at all about it)

(A/N: apologies if things sound rushed)

Nobody POV

It was a bit difficult to convince Leo to come with Taurus to the 'facility' after school. That is, until Taurus mentioned that that where the three transfer students came from. Leo had agreed super quickly after that. (Taurus hadn't had a chance to ask him until school was out)

"So wait, you're living with them now?!" Leo exclaimed. "Geez, I think 'lucky' is an understatement." 

It turned out that both Capricorn and Aquarius lived in the facility because they had been kicked out at a young age due to the fact that they were 'child prodigies'. And based on how Aquarius literally was never paying attention in classes yet all his papers were 100%, Taurus was ready to believe it. 

"I guess..." Taurus said. "So will you come with me?" 

"Uh, heck yeah!" 

"Great." He turned, his face still poker-straight, and called, "He said yes. Let's go, guys." 

Gemini, Aquarius, and Virgo lept out from behind the wall and instantly teleported them to the facility. 

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"Woaaaaaaah... Is THIS where you're living?" Leo asked eagerly. "This is seriously swanky!" 

"Eh, my house is more elegant," Gemini argued. 

"Ursa! We brought him!" Aquarius called. They walked to a stop before Ursa. The other three were already waiting (though before they'd arrived Ursa had specifically told them to keep quiet as much as possible because she was feeling out of it that day)

"Who're you?" Leo asked. "The landlady?" 

"The landlady of sorts, though I like to call myself their babysitter," Ursa agreed. "Welcome, Leo. We'll cut right to the chase. Please press the button. It'll be easier if you don't struggle." 

Capricorn tossed the device to Leo. Before Leo pressed the button he paused and looked at Taurus. "Okay, you're my best friend. Tell me the truth, nothing shady is gonna happen if I press the button, right?" 

"No," Taurus reassured him. 

When Leo still paused Aries shouted, "Oh for goodness's sakes just press it!" and Capricorn shouted, "That's my own invention so of course it won't kill you or anything!" 

"Fine." Leo sighed and pressed the button. He yelped when the air started flashing. "What's going-woah." 

Hovering in the air was a flaming lion that radiated bravery. 

"Is that my new pet?!" Leo squealed. 

"No," Cancer said. "It's your ability." 

"My what now? Is this a superhero film or something?" 

"You have the ability to turn into that lion and make others around you feel braver," Ursa cut in. She proceeded to tell him the story of the zodiacs (which I will not repeat). When she finished Leo's eyes were wide and his jaw hung open slightly. 

"That's amazing! Wait, if all of you here have abilities, then..." He turned his starry-eyed stare on Taurus. "You must have one too! So that's why you're living here, and why there were suddenly three new ridiculously smart and good-looking students at our school! I'm guessing that also has a reason to do with why Aquarius wanted to meet privately with Taurus yesterday."

"Correct," Ursa said. "And now that we have affirmed that you are indeed the zodiac Leo, Aries, if you would...?" 

Aries walked to Leo. "I am the current leader of the zodiacs, Aries. Would you consider becoming the Leader of the zodiacs instead?" 

Leo blinked. "Oh, no, I couldn't do that, I'd feel guilty-" 

"Just take it," Aries said, sounding annoyed. "I've been in this position for over five years and it's exhausting. I feel like you'd be better off with it anyway." 

Leo hesitated for another moment, then a beaming smile split his face. "I'd be honored, Aries." 

Ursa clapped. "Great! That took a lot less time than I'd anticipated. One of the zodiacs can lead Leo to his new room. Taurus, please follow Capricorn to the Workshop. You are all on break, since I need a break from teenage hormones anyway." 

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(I'm going to do Taurus and Capricorn's time frame 'cause it's more interesting.)

"What kind of things do you make in the Workshop?" Taurus asked as he followed Capricorn through some winding halls. 

Capricorn waved a careless hand. "All kinds of things-from magical to custom weapons. The items created there are special because a lot of them have magical varieties. I was granted permission from the heavens to craft magical items, so might as well put it to use, right? Ah, here we are." 

They reached a large door. Capricorn pressed his fingers to the door and it swung open. "Special protection," he explained as they stepped in. "Only people who are with me or allowed entry can enter or they get knocked out on the spot. Anyway-" he stepped back and spread his arms, grinning. "Welcome to the Workshop. Or, as I like to call it, the highest level a garage can reach."

Taurus tilted his head up, absolutely awed. The Workshop certainly lived up to its name. It was absolutely spectacular. The walls were covered in what he assumed were all Capricorn's inventions, ranging from small guns to spears taller than he was. Several tables were scattered all over. One contained blades for weapons, another was scattered with metal, and another was filled with random machine parts-and those were just the ones closest. "How do you even move in here?" 

Capricorn waved a hand carelessly. "Telekinesis. Anyway, what's your preferred way to fight? For example, Aquarius prefers knives and his shield-thing-multiplier-bag that can hold anything without getting heavier. Cancer likes to wear spiked boots that have hidden knives-that kid can pack a painful kick, since he loves soccer so much. And Aries likes flashlight-like bars that can amplify her flames in a beam."

"Actually, I've never really... tried out weapons before," Taurus admitted, slightly embarrassed. "I studied martial arts from a master a couple years ago." 

Capricorn raised his eyebrows. "Cool. How's that going?" 

"I'm a master. I still visit my master there and now, though." 

His eyebrows rose a little more. "That's impressive. Guess it looks like we won't have to have Aries or Aquarius teach you that, then-they're the best at that kind of stuff. Okay, since you haven't figured out your 'medium', then..." Capricorn studied Taurus, circling him slowly. Finally he nodded. "Okay, then. If you end up mastering your two abilities I doubt you'll need weapons, but, if you want to, here are the ones I recommend based on your body shape and etc. You've got quick legs and hands that are still powerful, so knives would good. I wouldn't recommend anything heavy-stick to the lighter weapons. Heavy weapons usually slow people down, anyway. Hmm, you'd also be pretty good with the gun. Good eye for aiming, and with your reflexes that'll be good... you could also take a katana or something like, for middle-range combat." 

Capricorn waved a hand and all the knives, swords, and guns plus some extra floated down onto a nearby table, which he dumped its contents on another table hurriedly. "Here. I realize there are a lot weapons, but it's always good to prepare. While you're looking through them, I'm going to measure you for the full-body-armor clothes-basically clothes that act like armor, although warning, they can be broken through if taken too many hits. Working on that. Oh yeah, and when you're done we still have the gadgets like a smoke bomb or sleeping gas bomb, etc." 

"Okay." Frankly Taurus was a little bit overwhelmed as he brushed aside his bangs and started looking through the weapons. Capricorn snapped his fingers and a tape measure started measuring him. 

I can't tell when I'll be able to fully use or control my powers, Taurus mused. It doesn't matter how many weapons have, as long as I have a few useful ones that will be enough. 

His fingers brushed over a knife and he took that. "A knife," Capricorn said, nodding. "Not bad. Aquarius can teach you how to handle those without stabbing yourself. Oh, and I'd advise you to bring several of them if you want to use them-hence why Aquarius has a bag that multiply them." 

Okay. I'll keep that in mind. Now what else should I use...? Next Taurus picked up a black thin-spiked weapon. "That's one's good too," Capricorn called, finished with measuring him and working on the clothes. "Using for slashing, stabbing, or even as a spear." 

I've got two weapons. Paired with the full-body armor and whenever I can explore my abilities, I think I'm good. Just one more... Taurus's gaze caught on a silver gun. It was small and rather normal-looking. He picked it up. 

"Ooo, nice choice!" Capricorn said appreciatevly. "I don't usually make guns like that." 

Taurus frowned. "What's so special about this one?" 

"It's what I called the 'Flipside Gun,'" Capricorn explained. "That's because you can only use two types of bullets with it-the 'Light Bullet' and the 'Dark Bullet'. If you shoot someone with a Dark Bullet, they'll die instantly. No takebacks. If you shoot someone with a Light Bullet, they'll freeze immediately like they're in suspended animation. A halo with small wings will appear above them, then they'll disappear slowly and go back to where they came from." 

"I'll take this one too," Taurus said. "And that'll be all." 

Capricorn smiled. "No gadgets?" 

He shook his head. "It's okay. Thanks for the weapons, Capricorn." 

And he left. Capricorn stared after him before sighing and shaking his head, a smile twitching on his face. "He hasn't changed a bit... don't worry, Aquarius." 

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"You've got your weapons, right?" Ursa was doing a 'pre-test' for Taurus. "And you have a... knife, sword-of-sorts, and a gun. Not bad. I'll leave the knife to Aquarius, they aren't really my style. Here." She handed Taurus a gun. "We'll practice your aiming today. Don't use your Flipside Gun during practice." 

They were standing in an arena-type place with a line of targets in front of them. 

"All right. Don't be said if you don't hit the target on your first try, guns can be a little hard to master-" 

BANG! BANG! Before she could finish her sentence two bullets thudded dead center. Taurus had switched in one fluid motion to his left hand for the second bullet. "How's that?" 

Ursa looked at him, then at the targets. She gulped. So fast...! And dead center too! "I think we'll move right onto exploring your abilities. I'll call for Aquarius." 

Truly, a monster has arrived. 

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"Hey." 

Taurus turned around and waved slightly as Aquarius walked up. "Mr. Aquarius!" 

"I thought I told you drop the 'Mr.'," Aquarius said with an amused smile as he came to a stop before him. "Heard you aced shooting in two seconds." 

Aquarius noted with faint amusement as a faint blush colored Taurus's cheeks. "... They're exaggerating." 

"Sometimes I wonder how you can even see with your long bangs," Aquarius sighed. "Anyway. Would you like to start with knives or ice?" 

Taurus hesitated. "I'd like to start with ice." 

Aquarius nodded. "Okay. We already know your full and thereby best form is an ice spear. And I already know that you can-What?" He caught the way Taurus's mouthed frowned slightly at those words, even though his eyes and expression were hid. 

"I... actually don't know how I got the ice spear to show up yesterday," he confessed. "That was the first time I actually managed to create one like that. I think the sight of the man about to... kill you... spurred me to do it, but I can't do it now." 

"I'm touched," Aquarius said dryly. "Well, what else can you do?" 

"This." Not mere moment from speaking Taurus slammed a hand onto the ground and sharp jagged ice pillars shot from the ground, splitting the ground and missing Aquarius by a harrowing inch. 

Aquarius couldn't stop his jaw from falling a little. "How did you..." 

Taurus stood up. "I watched a video of practice that Gemini lent me. That was one of the things you did." 

He copied it after just watching it once, and without any proper practice too?! 

"Okay," Aquarius said slowly, trying to control his heart rate and breathing, "Anything else that isn't borrowed from someone else?" 

"I can... make it snow?" Taurus tried, snapping his fingers and causing a light flutter of snow to fall and then stop. "Oh, and I can also make three separate ice circles in the air around me and then shoot small ice spears from them." So saying ice took form of three spheres hovering around him before shooting three small ice spears that landed at the same spot in front of Aquarius. 

Needless to say, he was extremely impressed. "I'm starting to think you don't need any help," he said. "If you can copy the attacks of other people, or at least look at the attacks of other people and then modify it to fit your abilities, you'd end up being one dangerous person." 

"I don't want to be dangerous," Taurus said. "If I can use my powers for good I'd be happy." 

That surprised Aquarius for a minute before a soft smile tugged it way out. "You haven't changed," he murmured, too quietly for him to hear. "That's good," he said aloud. 

"I can do a lot more damage and efficiency if I use my electric power," Taurus said, frowning at his hands. "But I don't want to end up frying you." 

"Pisces would just heal me," Aquarius says dismissively. "Okay. Let's get down to business. I note that even though the length of the ice pillars are quite impressive, they're nowhere near as long as mine are. No offense, I've been training a little longer than you have." 

"None taken." Taurus let a wisp of a smile ghost his face. "I've also noticed that when I copy moves, they often end up slightly less powerful than the original." 

"That's a good price," Aquarius agreed. "Keeps people in the right mind. But with time you could build on that length. Try again." 

This time the ice pillars just out a few feet longer. 

"Good, good." Aquarius moves to where Taurus is standing. "Give me a minute." He feels Taurus tense up a little before forcibly relaxing as he touches his arm and smirks a little. He squeezed slightly up and down, feeling which muscles were stronger than others. "Okay. It see that your entire arm is pretty strong, but I would suggest to try and channel more power into your hand-all the way to your fingertips, because that's where all the power is being released." 

He smirked even more when Taurus didn't relax. "Relax, I don't bite." 

"S-sorry!" That was the first time he'd heard him stutter and he let a full-on smirk take over his face. "It's okay. Just think of what I told you and try again." Aquarius wisely moves out of the way. 

When Taurus tries again, they reach the same height as the ones Aquarius produces. He claps approvingly. "You're a fast learner. Good job. Now try doing ones at the length you'd like it to be. But before that..." He moved closer and brushed his bangs aside, revealing his golden eyes. "I really do think you should show your eyes more. They're beautiful." 

He's rewarded when Taurus flushed brightly and slapped his hand away, albeit not that hard. "S-stop that, Mr. Aquarius-!" 

Aquarius lifted his shoulder up and down in a sigh. "All right, all right." 

In the space of the next five minutes another ten separate ice pillars, varying in size and degree, had peppered the ground and Taurus was exhausted. He wiped sweat off his face. "I don't think I've done so many in such quick succession..." 

"That'll be all for today," Aquarius said, handing Taurus a towel. "Good work." 

"Thank you, Mr. Aquarius...and by the way, I'd like to say that I think your hair is beautiful as well." 

Aquarius is left by himself, the reminder of not calling him 'Mr.' hanging on his lips. He smiles. I guess that's what I get for being such a damn tease. Ahhh~! But he's so fun to tease... Nevertheless I should be more considerate. 

Yeah. I should... my oldest friend.

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Okay, how was that? That wasn't too bad was it? Warning for al the other zodiacs that haven't appeared yet this will happen every time another one shows up. Just a warning. 

Hope you enjoyed and have a nice day/night! 

-A.A.C.