Music Masters
is a web fiction series written by Hejin and published in December of 2017. It is currently ongoing.
The series revolves around a somewhat alternate timeline 2018 in which a subset of people, the eponymous Music Masters, can channel superpowers from the sound of music. It features actual real world songs from varied artists inlaid within the narrative itself, and supporting illustrations also by the writer.
The main plot centers around Michael Kay, a teenage dancer who has is enamored with 1970's disco music and soon discovers he is a Music Master. Along with his friends Kim, Aeris and Calvin, he finds himself targeted by the Music Master police organization Zero Beat, specifically for his use of music which has been a memory of tragedy for them since the year 1979.
Music Masters provides examples of:
- Acoustic License: All Music Masters having the shared ability to hear voices, sounds and their respective music clearly all at the same time.
- Action Girl: Kimberely Ramone in particular.
- After-Action Patch-Up: Michael being treated under the effect of Neil Diamond's Heart of Gold after being nearly killed by Ollie.
- The Anticipator: Rob Prototype in Semi-Sound being ambushed by Arashi Nagataki, just before he gets his hands on a new bass.
- An Ass-Kicking Christmas: Denny "attacking" Michael in order to fake his death during karaoke on Christmas.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: The first fight between Rob Prototype and Nami and Arashi Nagataki, until Arashi destroys his bass during a weak moment.
- The Ditz: Denny Girelli in particular.
- Elemental Powers: Michael Kay's go to song Canned Heat gives him the ability to emit and control friction-based heat, while Aeris Fairfield's go to song This Fragile Breath allows for her to emit and control electricity.
- Love at First Sight: Denny's first reaction to seeing Michael, falling in love with him because of his visual similarities to a Jackson 5-era Michael Jackson.
- Lovable Rogue: Calvin Altberg in particular.
- Musical Trigger: The basis of song effects. Most songs generate a super power in their first and later appearances, and any others are played in-universe to set the mood.
- Oblivious to Love: Michael in relation to Denny's love towards him.
- Protectorate: Michael to Rob after Arashi Nagataki destroys his Sykronized, twenty-year old bass guitar and leaves him severly weakened.
- Scary Teeth: Ayla Syntara in particular.
- Sore Loser: Nami Nagataki in particular.
- Violence Is Disturbing: Kim's reaction when Helia throws her brother's death in her face.
