#✰.` terra.┊earth quakes beneath the heart’s will.

[coruscantide-1]

right i forgot how messed up tags are on this broken site. alright take two.  character + general tags (1/3)

✰.` kairi.┊astraeus heartbeats in the dark ◟the purest of iridescent lights. ✰.` sora.┊you’re everyone’s hope ◟ease your oath & rest your head atlas. ✰.` riku.┊once lost you are found ◟dawn breaks over your burdened heart. ✰.` destiny trio.┊thinking of you ◟wherever you are. ✰.` namine.┊ghost wishes on the crests of waves. ✰.` roxas.┊hallowed light of a mirrored sunset. ✰.` xion.┊thread bare whispers of unspoken resolve. ✰.` lea ; axel.┊fanning flames that drip prominence. ✰.` aqua.┊absolute is the storm’s gentle rage. ✰.` terra.┊earth quakes beneath the heart’s will. ✰.` ventus.┊light shines through the hurricane. ✰.` character study.┊light blooms from within ◟refracted through a glass heart. ✰.` headcanon.┊how little the heart forgets ◟fragmented truths. ✰.` meta.┊behind the curtain ◟reveal the inner workings. ✰.` musings.┊words crafted within ◟bleeding out like a sunset. ✰.` music.┊fractured melodies swell inside ◟our hearts in tune. ✰.` likes.┊promise charms & the simple little things. ✰.` apparel.┊the sea blossoms forth & rains petals on the earth and sky. ✰.` aesthetics.┊ a single bright drop in the ocean leaves lucent echoes.

[atomic-taco-muffin]

The Lost Princess Chapter 80

Warnings: You already know

Rating: SFW

Not a second later, Sora felt the earth beneath his feet and you, Sora, and Kairi returned to the Keyblade Graveyard.

“You okay?” you asked. 

“I know I am,” Kairi said. 

“Yeah. Thanks, (Y/N),” Sora said. He looked around, seeing the rest of his friends safe and sound.

“It DID work,” he said.

“Of course!” Vanitas said. 

“Now point us back at those guys! I think they need a good pounding!” Celina said. You giggled and ran to give your siblings a hug. You all proceeded through the Badlands and returned to the wide, barren field. As the haze cleared, Ven saw...

“Terra!” he cried as he ran towards him. 

“Ven!” you and Aqua shouted. Ven grabbed Terra’s wrist. 

“Terra! We found you!” he said joyfully. You and Aqua caught up and looked into Terra's eyes.

“Terra, please say you're in there,” Aqua said. 

“Terra, it’s me, (Y/N). Remember? You used to babysit me when I was little,” you said. Terra’s eyes moved only slightly and Aqua pulled you and Ven away from him as the others caught up.

“What gives, Aqua?” Ven asked. 

“I know that you're not him,” Aqua said. Your and Ven’s eyes widened. “Now, let our friend go!”

Terra smiled and closed his eyes. You all watched as his hair turned white, steeling yourselves for another battle. He opened his yellow eyes: Terranort.

“He IS their thirteenth,” Mickey said as Terranort brimmed with the power of darkness.

“Today is the day you all lose,” he said.

“What?!” you and Aqua asked.

“Before you even face the thirteen, every last one of you will be torn heart from body. But fear not.” Terranort summoned his Keyblade. “The Chi-blade will still be forged.”

“We’re not gonna lose to you,” Celina said. Terranort, brimming with darkness, smirked before moving to strike. A large dust cloud erupted and Terranort's blade was caught on something. He struggled against it, trying to focus his eyes through the haze. They widened when they saw a familiar golden armor holding back his blade.

“Who are you?” Terranort asked. 

“Got you, Xehanort.” The Lingering Will, Terra's lost armor, pushed back against Xehanort's blade, igniting sparks from the grinding metal. Xehanort leaped back and you and the group took in what just occurred. Aqua and Ven recognized the armor.

“Terra?” Aqua asked. 

“That’s Terra?!” you asked. 

“This is impossible!” Terranort said. He gritted his teeth as the Lingering Will walked closer to him.

“How I've waited for this moment,” Lingering Will (LW) said. Terranort readied his blade once again and the Will transformed its Keyblade into a whip. It threw it forward, grabbing Terranort's Keyblade and tightening its grip. Terranort struggled against its pull before the Lingering Will swung him into the air. Terranort released the Keyblade from his hand and, spiraling in the air, aimed his body toward the Lingering Will. The armor reined in the whip and changed its Keyblade into a gigantic cannon. It clicked into place and spun, gathering energy, blasting Xehanort back with a giant beam. Terranort shouted but survived, summoning his Keyblade. The Will ran toward him, reverting its Keyblade again, and leaped up at Xehanort, attempting to strike, but was knocked back at every turn. It lurched forward with a physical punch, but Terranort leaped away in time. The Will pushed forth in the air, attacking again with its Keyblade as you and Ven watched.

“Terra!” the both of you cried. The two of you moved to help him, but Aqua held you both back.

“No!” she said. 

“But--” Ven started. She turned, directing your and Ven’s attention.

“Them first,” she said. Behind you all, a multitude of flying Heartless approached from the sky, while even more stormed in through the crevice you all left behind. You and the group steeled yourselves and the ground quaked, a great pool of darkness opening up from the center of the field, where a Demon Tide snaked its way through. Sora summoned his Keyblade as you, Celina, Aqua, and Ventus rushed ahead of him.

“We'll hold off the others,” you said. 

“Okay. We've got this!” Sora said. The Demon Tide whirled before you all as the valley was quickly overrun by Heartless, Nobodies and Negaverses. The swirling mass of Shadows used its ability to swim through the ground to fight against Sora, Rumi, Roxy, Yui, Vanitas, Donald, and Goofy. Though they managed to knock a great number of Shadows from the snake of an enemy, its size was not letting up. After a strong beating, it slammed into the center of the field, darkness pooling out in all directions, before the Demon Tide resurged as a glowing orange core from within equally orange tendrils. A large dark wind swirled around the orb becoming a tornado of Heartless as the tendril retreated into the ground. Spinning faster, the tornado swept over the land, striking you, Sora, and the others. After a couple successful strikes from the Keyblade, the whirlwind died down slowly and the core turned purple. The core then shot out of the whirlwind toward you and the group sinking into the ground. The Demon Tide released several more cores in succession in an attempt to strike down you and your team, with more bouncing out of the ground alone, to the point of almost overwhelming you all. Once the Demon Tide had exhausted its source of dark cores, the whirlwind returned to full power.

~Small Time Skip~

Seemingly from out of thin air, the core stretched into its snake-like form gathering even more Shadow Heartless and spinning at a faster, more enraged pace.

“Something's wrong,” Rumi said. 

“Look out!” Yui yelled. The Heartless in the air, acting of their own accord, were gradually pulled into the swirling storm of the Demon Tide. The snake-like mass burst forth and snatched up more Heartless and Nobodies that were on the ground, including a Rock Troll that was facing down Riku and Mickey. Multiple Demon Tides combined their efforts until the cyclone towered over you and the group, an endless cancerous darkness.

“What now?” Roxy asked.

“Sora?” Vanitas asked. The sight, while overwhelming and terrifying as it once was, filled Sora with determination.

“I'll stop it!” he said and rushed forward. 

“Sora!” you and the others said. A Demon Tide burst from the cyclone toward him, but he knocked the core away with his Keyblade and continued his assault. He leaped into the air just meters from more encroaching Demon Tides, almost reaching the cyclone, when a flash of light filled his vision as he raised his Keyblade. Sora shielded his eyes until they adjusted to the light, when he saw a boy with curly silver hair and a red scarf. The boy turned to face him, smiling kindly through his blue eyes.

“Need some help?” he asked. 

“Huh?” Sora asked. He was released from the light, landing back on the ground as a spectacle occured around you all. Keyblades from across time and space flew through the air, sailing over each and every one of you all. The Keyblades surrounded you and the other Spirits and suddenly your outfits had changed into what was known as the Goddess Form.

Yours:

Celina’s:

Rumi’s:

Roxy and Yui’s:

(the color is supposed to be orange but I couldn’t find an orange version)

“Woah...” you and the Spirits gasped. The Keyblades flew along a guided path past Sora, who gathered speed, before jumping atop the wave of blades. The wave wrapped around the cyclone, Sora riding past the rocky cliffs, until he sailed into the eye of the storm. Inside the massive maelstrom two Demon Tides slammed toward him, but they were quickly dispelled by five more Keyblades that spun around Sora.

“What is THIS?” he asked. The wave of Keyblades glowed in unison, and the five surrounding Sora assembled ahead, projecting the image of a five-pointed star. It shined brightly, dispersing into thousands of smaller stars, twinkling down on him. He held a hand over his heart, hearing their call.

“All right. Let's go!” he said. He sailed up to the pinnacle of the storm and let loose a power thousand-fold. Shining golden Keyblades of all shapes and sizes and colors belonging to this mysterious legion released into the maelstrom, fighting off the tide of Heartless in a seemingly endless wave. And with the help from you, the Spirits, and your Guardians, you were able to make the attack stronger.

“Now's our chance!” Sora said. They sailed further into the dark whirling mass to the enormous orange core and continued their assault, with the help from you and the Spirits. The core threw all it had toward them, but was unable to fight against the torrent of incalculable Keyblades and the storm grew weaker until the sky returned to view. The outer layers of the core sparkled in a dazzling explosion.

“We're almost finished!” Sora said. He cartwheeled in the air, holding out his hands as the same five-pointed star appeared before him.

“And...now!” he said. He brought his Keyblade back to release the final blow as stars and blades whirled around him. You, the Spirits, and the other guardians of light watched in awe from below, Donald leaping into the air in celebration and Kairi holding her hands over her heart. The swirling arrow of light gathered energy and Sora thrust his Keyblade forward in a gleaming shot, striking cleanly through the orb of darkness suspended above the ground. Electricity crackled around it as the core shrunk into itself before bursting in a fantastic explosion of light. Sora landed back on the ground, looking up at the sky, where the immense multitude of Keyblades spun in the air. They closed in on themselves into a golden orb, before releasing their light in a spherical shattering of sparkles. Sora smiled. 

“Sora!” you and Riku said. Sora turned at the sound of his friend's voices to see you and his friends rush over to him.

“Are you okay?” you asked. 

“Yeah. Nice outfit,” Sora replied. 

“Heh, thanks!” Ventus looked at you and the girls and Aqua noticed him looking, longer than he should.

“Ven!” she said. 

“Sorry! There’s pretty girls standing in front of me!” he said. 

“And you do realize that their fathers are standing right here?” Xemnas asked. 

“Now, I do!” 

“What WAS that?” Celina asked.

“Keyblade wielders...from long ago,” Aqua said. 

“It's the light of the past,” Vanitas said. Kairi and Axel marveled at the sight before Kairi saw a figure moving through the haze.

“Look!” she said. The figure carried a sword over his shoulder.

“Just send out the Big Bad,” Axel said. Riku was surprised to see...himself walking toward you all. He gritted his teeth at the sight of Repliku, who chuckled evilly, no longer wearing the cloak.

“You!” Riku said.

“The Organization's been using hearts. Ones Xehanort got to in the past and has influence over. So, that must be you from when Ansem had control of YOUR heart,” Mickey said. 

“You mean when the Negaverse had control,” Ansem corrected. 

“Yeah. How could I forget?” Riku said. Repliku started to laugh.

“I'd say that was our finest hour,” he smiled.

“Wrong. My hour of weakness,” Riku said.

“You sure?” Repliku raised the Soul Eater. “How about we find out?!”

“Get ready, Riku,” Ansem said. 

“Got it,” Riku replied. Repliku pulsed with darkness and a gigantic dark figure emerged from him, peering down at you all behind glowing yellow eyes. It towered over you all, reaching out with its big great arms, tongues of dark flame licking its entire body.

“A real test for the Mark of Mastery!” Repliku said. 

“What did you say?!” Riku asked. 

“We gotta make sure you're not blundering your way toward a second failure.” Xigbar appeared from within the darkness behind Repliku and smiled, Aqua and Ventus recognizing his face.

“Blundering? I'll have you know we failed with style, chief,” Roxy said. 

“At least you admit it. Well, if you guardians think you brought the goods, you'll have to prove it to the old guy one last time.” The bald head of Master Xehanort was clear from the towering figure of darkness. Xigbar turned, placing a hand on Repliku's shoulder.

“Kid, take it away,” he said. He walked back into the darkness and Repliku gave a small laugh before coursing with raw energy. The dark figure of Master Xehanort leering over you all covered you all with darkness as Demon Towers emerged, surrounding you all. Repliku faded away as the sky turned a deep purple.

“THIS again?” Vanitas asked. You and the others summoned your weapons and the first Demon Tower headed straight for Sora. He sliced through it as Shadows rained down from the purple clouds above. Riku struck one down as the Heartless numbers grew, splitting you and the group up. Riku found his back to Mickey's.

“This isn’t good,” Mickey said. Ventus struck down a Shadow from behind Aqua.

“Form up! Now!” Aqua said. You and the group formed a circle with the Shadows encroaching around them. Mickey assessed the situation as Donald struck a Heartless down behind him and more fell around you all. Sadness came to the king's face as he made his decision, raising his Star Cluster Keyblade high. Riku grasped Mickey's Keyblade much to his surprise. He looked up at Riku, who shook his head.

“If you try to use time magic against these numbers, you won't have enough strength for the final battle,” he said. As the Heartless horde grew thicker around them, Goofy knocked another back while Sora blocked an attacking one with his Keyblade. Ventus and Aqua showed signs of concern and Axel took one down with his Flame Liberator Keyblade. Mickey lowered the blade sadly and Celina took out another nearing Heartless.

“I'll try and break through. Everyone, get ready!” she said. She spun and defeated another Shadow.

“Alone? That's crazy! I'll help!” Vanitas said. 

“Me too!” you said. Kairi struck one down.

“Three is not better!” she said. Axel took one out.

“Yeah, splitting up's a bad idea!” he said. Knocking a few more away, he swung the Keyblade over his shoulder as more kept falling from the sky.

“There's way too many!” Goofy said. A large group of Shadows formed a squirming mass, rising up before you all.

“We're finished!” Donald panicked. Sora gritted his teeth as the mass of Shadows honed in on you all. Suddenly, the clouds parted as a light shot through the sky, landing amidst the horde of Heartless. You all shielded your eyes from the massive burst of light and wind, eliminating a large number of Heartless surrounding you all. Through the dying of the light, it made out a tall figure dressed in blue.

“Master Yen Sid!” you all said. The sorcerer facing the Heartless opened his eyes with a glare. Magic erupted from his fingertips and he closed his hands together. Raising them high, he shielded you and the group with massive walls of magic between you all and the Heartless, and summoned a massive tunnel to guide you and the others further through the Keyblade Graveyard.

“Go, my champions. I will hold them all here for as long as I can,” he said. 

“We're not gonna leave you behind!” Mickey said. Donald and Goofy exchanged a nod, rushing behind Yen Sid and raising their weapons.

“You guys go on!” Donald said. 

“Me and Donald will stay here. The two of us'll back up Master Yen Sid!” Goofy said.

“Donald...Goofy...” you and Sora said. 

“The two of you are 2 whole quarters by yourselves,” Donald smiled. 

“Don't worry. We'll catch up with ya in just a bit!” Goofy said. You and Sora swallowed your fear.

“Okay!” the two of you said. 

“We'll regroup later,” Mickey said. As the tunnel faded, Yen Sid sent out another wave of magic, reopening it again.

“Make haste!” he said. You and the others nodded to the sorcerer and ran through the tunnel.

To be continued...

[devenior]

“  ok hurt me back: when terra comes to save ven from eraqus :)  ”            —@darknessbled​,  from  HERE.

IT  ISN’T  WRONG  FOR  ERAQUS  to want to destroy him.     really.     after all,  it’s exactly as he’d said :    the χ — blade has no place in this or any world.    that doesn’t mean that ventus isn’t taken aback &  frightened  as his master turns his keyblade on him &——  

‘  VEN !!  ’

the crash of metal,  the bright ringing of an intercepted spell——  then terra is there.     terra.     terra,  the unshakable earth beneath his feet.     terra,  armor fading away in brilliant orbs of light that sparkle like the anger in his expression that’s turned on their teacher.

'  master,  have you gone  MAD ?!  '    oh,  he  is  angry.     ven is too blown away that terra is even  here  to register the way that his chest tightens,  the way that his hands shake while terra’s are steady.     master & pupil start to bicker,  & the guilt begins to gnaw at ventus at this point,  because terra & eraqus have always been so  CLOSE ...     if only he had never entered the picture.     if only he had never appeared in the land of departure,  tainted those hallowed halls with what he could become ...

‘  if  you  do  not  have  it  in  your  heart  to  obey,   then  you  will  have  to  share  ventus’  fate.  ’

no.     NO.     NO !!

again the clang of metal against metal makes ven’s ears  ring,  & he wants to cry out,  to beg them to  STOP,  that this fighting is not  worth  it  when the answer is so  PLAIN.     ERAQUS  IS  RIGHT !!

“  enough,  terra!     he’s  right!  ”

but he’s soundly dismissed by terra’s order to be  ‘  quiet!  ’.     the surety in his tone,  the absolute certainty that steadies that single word ... it’s enough to make ven absolutely  QUAKE  where he is kneeling.     terra  has  never  been  more  sure  than  he  is  now,   it seems,  & by the stars,  ventus is torn in two at the notion.     on one hand there is  ADMIRATION,  for no one has ever so blatantly risked their life for him!     but on the other there is ... fear.     fear of what is happening,  fear of their master,  fear of what terra is becoming right before his eyes as he’s lifted from the ground & held close enough to  SMELL  the darkness that’s wafting off of terra’s skin ...

... darkness that probably would not be there ... were it not for him.

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Lena the Totem-bearer

Lena stumbles across the totem by accident. She has her ear to the ground for any black market kryptonite sales, and she snipes it out from under another bidder. When she goes to verify its authenticity, she knows its a fake without even touching it. But even so... it captivates her.

In exchange for not spreading word his attempted deception through the community, the seller gifts the stone to her free of charge. Tests reveal that it belongs to the emerald family, and that it's old. Older than written history. It's edges are jagged and its chain is so rusted it nearly falls apart in her hands. The gem is flawed beyond value, but even so it shines like the most priceless of jewels.

Lena commissions a custom setting and chain for it. The silver base covers the rough edges and it hangs from a wide snake chain to rest against her sternum. And there it lives. She wears it every day for a week before it occurs to that she should shake it up. Swapping it out for a simple string of pearls makes her feel out of sorts the entire day.

After that, she simply doesn't bother with variety. Lena feels powerful wearing it-- confident, and self-assured. But correlation doesn't equal causation, and she thinks nothing of it. She also doesn't notice that her office plants slowly begin to recover from her lack of care-- when she does, its only because one of the spider plants has grown a tendril long enough to tickle the bare skin of her arm.

Lena assumes Jess has started watering them, and that coupled with a few weeks of sunny conditions must be the reason for the growth spurt. She trims it back, and doesn't give it a second thought.

The first thing that strikes her as odd is the day she meets Kara in the park for lunch. Kara runs late, and Lena waits on her back in the grass, basking in a rare moment of inactivity. Kara's eventual arrival is announced by the artificial shutter snap of a smartphone camera.

She cracks open one eye to squint up at her friend. "Seriously? You keep me waiting only to sneak a photo of me?"

Kara is utterly unapologetic. "What did you expect would happen when you decided to lay down in all those pretty flowers?"

"What?"

Lena props herself up on her elbows and scans the grass around her. Sure enough, the lawn around her is peppered with a variety of wildflowers: buttercups and daisies and bluebells all clustered around her.

"I-- didn't notice..."

She should have. And it's weird that she didn't. After that, it's like Lena's eyes are open for the first time. She finally notices that leaves seem greener when she brushes her fingers over them. Her office plants flower for the first time-- out of season. Jess confirms she hasn't touched any of the plants during her entire tenure.

((more under the cut))

But the fear doesn't set in for another two weeks. One Tuesday morning she wakes up with her heart in her throat. She feels queasy and nauseous and her skin feels like it's about to crawl off her bones. Everything is just wrong, wrong, wrong and she's nearly in tears by the time lunch rolls around.

Kara notices the moment their eyes meet at the designated cafe, but before she can say a word the world starts to shake. It feels like a train speeding by, rattling the utensils and glasses atop their metal bistro table. Then the thunder hits.

The grounds bucks violently beneath them, throwing Lena from her chair. Kara catches her  and holds her close. Lena clamps her hand over her mouth to keep from vomiting. She focuses on the sound of Kara's heartbeat and clutches her necklace in her free hand.

The second it stops, Lena feels better. Better than better. Her arms and legs feel light, as if she'd woken from the most restful nap of her life. It comes as such as a relief that she nearly laughs, even when she takes in the sight of the deep crevice that cracks the street open, exposing strata of pavement and dirt and rock, and swallows half a dozen cars just on their block.

That night, Lena buys an african violet from a flower stand and brings it home with her. With one hand on her pendant, she sits on her couch and stares at the plant sitting ignominously on her coffee table.

It's a young plant-- it's mostly leaves and a few tightly budded flowers. She stares and stares for over an hour before she bites the bullet and reaches for her phone.

"Preliminary Test Number 1. The date is Tuesday, June 3rd, time-- 1630hrs Pacific Standard. Subject is a potted African Violet, procured from Natalie's Flowers on 6th and East. Plant is comprised of six leaves-- green, ranging from one to two-and-a-half inches in size-- and two buds. Soil is dark, and--"

Lena reaches out to touch her fingers to the dirt filling the small terra cotta pot. In an instant, her tongue turns gritty, and she swallows with a dry throat.

"Soil is dry to the touch," she finishes, clearing her throat with a cough. "The buds are roughly pea-size and--"

Her voice fails her when the tightly budded flowers start to swell. Like a timelapse video the buds grow and then expand, revealing perfectly formed petals cast in a deep, gorgeous purple.

Lena shuts off her voice recorder without another word. She sits there, silently, staring at this beautiful traitor of natural order as though it could somehow explain its own existence to her.

It doesn't.

At a loss to do anything else, and unwilling to learn anything more, Lena goes to bed-- but not before moistening the soil of her troublesome new house guest.

"I think I caused the earthquake."

A week later, Lena invites Kara over to share a bottle of wine. The words fall out of her all too easily. She watches Kara's eyes widen, then crinkle in mirthful confusion when she realizes Lena isn't joking.

"Lena!" she chides, giggling. "Come on, don't do that to yourself."

"I'm not being--" Lena cuts herself off, knowing that denying melodrama would only confirm it. So instead, she climbs to her feet and starts walking to her guest room.

Kara pops up after her. "Lena, I didn't mean-- what's-- whoa."

She falls quiet at the sight of the garden that's bloomed in her spare room. That same small african violet she'd first brought home now spans over a dozen clay pots, and has been joined by peace lilies and ivies and succulents and orchids. The room bursts with life, and Lena can't help but feel a certain affection for them all.

"Lena...? Did you get tired of paying for flowers? Decided to start growing your own?"

Maybe it's the wine going to her head, or the trust she has in Kara, but Lena's answer is to simply extend her hand. The nearest tendril of ivy curls upwards, and tangles gently around her fingers.

"Ho-okay. Okay, that's-- that's new. That's new, right?"

Lena touches her pendant again. "Since I got this."

"Right. Okay. Okay, okay, so-- you've tested it? And-- wait. Plants. These are just plants. Plants don't cause earthquakes!"

And so Lena explains her distress that morning, how she'd been so close to losing her mind before the quake hit. How sweet the relief had been when it passed.

"It's like I knew it was coming, Kara. I didn't know what, until it was over. But I did."

Kara doesn't laugh. She chews her lip, and her gaze turns thoughtful. Then she sighs. "You need to tell Supergirl. She might have an idea where it came from-- or what it can do."

Lena gulps. "Okay."

"In the meantime-- don't wear it."

Explaining to Supergirl is different than explaining to Kara. Lena feels guilty and off-kilter-- she wonders if it's because the necklace sits in a velveteen box instead of around her neck.

"I've seen something like this before," Supergirl says finally. She's touched and examined the pendant-- the temperature and luminosity changes that Lena's recorded when she touches it don't happen Supergirl handles it. It remains dormant under the hero's touch, and Lena gets a little thrill in knowing it likes her better.

"You say you sensed the recent earthquake? Before it hit?"

Lena nods.

"Were you able to control the severity or path of the shockwave?"

"No. Nothing like that. This... it's something that happens. I didn't mean to do any of it."

Supergirl nods solemnly. "I have friends, who work with artifacts similar to these. I'd like to get their opinion on this."

"Don't take it." Lena's heart clenches in her chest, and she clutches the velvet box tightly.

A smile answers her. "I don't believe it's dangerous. I think I can bring my friends here, rather than taking it to them."

Lena sighs in relief. "Thank you." It's not an addiction, her connection to this necklace. It feels like an extension of herself, and the idea of parting with it makes her skin crawl. "And-- it's safe to wear?"

"I believe so. But if you sense another earthquake coming...?"

"Yes?"

"Do me a favor and warn Miss Danvers. She'll be able to get a warning to me."

Lena smiles. "That I can do."

Lena senses their the moment they land in National City. Not that she knows what it is when she feels it. One moment she's doing paperwork alone in her office, and the next, her pendant warms against her chest, filling her with the sense of another presence. It's almost as though someone is watching over her shoulder, but without the creepy vibe.

Supergirl's arrival on her balcony almost an hour later comes as no surprise.

"Do you have a moment, Miss Luthor? I have some friends very eager to meet you."

The flight is a short one, and as they near an empty helipad Lena spots three women waiting for them. The blonde in the middle is clearly the leader, exuding authority and capability simply in the way she carries herself. But it's the two to either side who catch Lena's eye.

Supergirl sets her down gently. Before Lena can get two steps towards their visitors she feels a tingle and a jolt and suddenly every one of her senses flares to life-- her vision turns white and her ears roar and her nose fills with the scent of the earth and the brush of soft flower petals caresses her skin.

In the pale landscape that spreads before her, two figures come into focus-- the two women who'd been waiting on the helipad. As soon as she recognizes them the rest of the world snaps back into place. Lena reflexively lifts her hand to her pendant, and feels it thrumming with warmth against her fingers.

Across the tarmac, the two women mirror her movements, touching their own necklaces with equal reverance. Lena echoes their soft, shared smile.

Their captain steps forward with a satisfied quirk of her eyebrow.

"Let’s talk."

[trashpandaorigins]

Flight of the Wood God Ch. 13

"It doesn't look that bad," Shuri tried to convince Rocket for the seventh time this morning. Groot hardly listened to their back and fourth. He was too busy examining the lab, a screen here, as strange gadget there. So much metal and technology, But it is good, made to help and thrive. They thought with a smile, holding a small rectangular box in their hands. Smooth against rough bark, blinking green lights. "Careful with that," Shuri cautioned.

"I am Groot," they reluctantly put it down and walked towards the large open windows, three times their own height. So much bustling energy, so many lives…But as much as Groot loved feeling the vibrant energy of this new and exciting world, they could not help but miss the peace of X. The peace they'd longed for for so long. They could not put aside the nagging question that made their leaves tremble, Where do we go next? Excitement, overwhelming. Freedom was terrifying.

"Where is you plan to go next?" Shuri asked, as thou she'd read their mind. Groot sighed, the lights of Wakanda shown spectacularly. Almost like the spores of the other Groots, they thought with a pang of sorrow.

"I am Groot." They admitted, she nodded.

"Well you are welcome to stay here as long as you like." But the wood god knew they couldn't stay, escaped Halfworld…chasing, chasing after us. They might come here, trepidation wound up their roots and through their bark. No! Must go before it's too late.

"I am Groot," Groot mumbled with regret. Rocket's ears perked upward from where he stood, inspecting a gun that Shuri had made lying on a table.

"Leave?! Why would we leave?!" Shuri looked between them anxiously,

"I am Groot," they tried to explain, hating it even as they spoke. The bustling streets of Wakanda filed out below out the large window of the lab.

"So what?!" Rocket cried, splaying his arms out, "let em' come! Have you seen all the weapons they got? They'll be fine!"

"I am Groot," doesn't matter if. It matters when. Scientists will come at we cannot put these people in danger. They helped us. We must leave for their own safety. Find somewhere we won't be tracked. Rocket's eyes shifted to the young woman, he stared down at his own two feet, considering.

"…and where would we even go?" He demanded incredulously.

"Otrino," Shuri answered. Both Groot and Rocket looked at her. "In the third quadrent. It's a nearly deserted place, home to only a few towns here and there. If people are after you, Otrino probably won't even be on their radar. It's not populated enough to make it on many planetary rosters. You'll be safe." Groot nodded, safety. Quiet. Green? Growing things? Flowers?

"I am Groot," they decided.

"Tsch," Rocket snorted, his ears flicking back in distain.

"We can give you a ship," Shuri offered, walking over to another data pad and pulling up the blueprint of a small vessel.

"What about weapons?" Rocket demanded.

"I have a few prototypes you are welcome to take," she commented offhand. Groot watched a sardonic grin cross the raccoonoid's face. Why so much pleasure in things that hurt others? Shuri outfitted them with the small ship, three guns of Rocket's choice and plenty of green leaves and soil for Groot. "It has been an honor to host you, wood god." She said as they readied themselves to board the ship. Groot nodded, sorrow aching at their soul.

"I am Groot," they bowed, holding out a large hand and growing from it a small white flower, they plucked it handing it Shuri who took it gently with awe. "You will always have friends here in Wakanda, should you ever need us." Groot nodded, thankful. Yes, love and trust and friendship….humans are still capable of good after all. Hope.

"A'right, we done here?" Rocket asked harshly, he didn't so much as glance at Shuri but boarded the small ship. Groot shook their head, doesn't know how to respond to kindness. Never knew kindness. The wood god nodded to the human once more, finally forcing themselves to leave, soil, sand and ground…. metal…smooth. No nutrients, they thought regretfully. Rocket punched in the coordinates Shuri had given them and Groot watched out the window as Wakanda and soon all of Terra became smaller and smaller. So many lives, so small, planets so small. They drifted on, leaping through the different quadrants as Groot tried desperately to root themselves down on the ship. The vessel was sleek, smooth, but still so foreign.

"There," Rocket pointed out the window as the Wakandan ship came to a gracefully slow speed. Groot peered out the window, frowning slightly. Orange and dusty….no green. They touched down with a rough landing, Groot fell forward, catching themselves and glared as Rocket was already picking up his gun and heading out. Groot held up their arm, momentarily blinded by the hot sun, but it's rays came down enveloping them, filling their leaves. Such warmth and light! They didn't even mind the lack of water. Only glad to feel the sunshine penetrate through his leaves and bark, filling them. Dry air, hard sand and rocks. Little soil but so much sun!

"Alright," Rocket sighed, looking around, "well it's been nice knowing you Groot." Groot looked down at the raccoonoid's words.

"I am Groot?"

"It's been nice knowing you," the small creature continued, he looked up at the flora colossus with red eyes, hurt and confused, bewildered, not knowing where to go but knowing he couldn't stay. Loneliness.

"I am Groot?" Rocket shrugged,

"Don't know where I'll go but trust me, it's better you don't follow."

"I am Groot?" Why? Don't want to be alone! You don't know how to live…you've never lived before. Protect. Protect.

"Just cuz," Rocket turned away, scanning the horizon as the wood god followed his head. Smoke ahead….strange structures puncturing the skyline. Rocket turned back to him briefly, nodding, his small mouth opening and closing, searching for something to say. "See yah," he settled on.

"I am Groot!" The wood god reached out, Rocket jumped back, gun out and aimed. The flora colossus halted, staring down the barrel of the weapon in breathless bewilderment. …..He'd hurt me? Even after all we've gond through? I….I protected him.

"Don't follow me!" Rocket snarled, his eyes narrowing.

"I am Groot!" Groot tried to explain, together. We put Lylla to rest together…we got free together…found Wakanda together…we go together. Protect together. Rocket would not be swayed, anger from an unknown source, resentment of himself. Needs to flee, needs to run. No…no need to run anymore! We can grow, grow together! Groot reached out their hand, winding wooden fingers around the metal gun and bent it, creeeek, the weapon bent beneath their hold.

"What the flark are you…." Groot wrenched it from Rocket's small hands, even though he held on tight. No more hurting. "Now you've done it!" The raccoonoid raged as the gun snapped in two under the wood god's might and fell to the ground. "Forget it, I'm outta here!" He cursed, hatred….anger…Groot's bark quaked with the weight of it. Rocket only shook his head and turned his back.

"I am Groot!" The flora colossus called, reaching out to him. There is love! There is hope, we can grow! Don't you see? Wakanda, Shuri, all is not Halfworld! All is not torture or hurt! But Rocket did not listen, he only waved a hand, checking his other two guns at his belt. "I am Groot!" This made him turn, his red eyes piercing Groot like the knives of the scientists, they flinched.

"Who the flark do you think you are?! I don't need you, you stupid hunk of bark! I don't care what you or anyone else thinks!" He shouted. "I stuck with you cuz you got the muscle but I don't need you no more! Dumb tree, why don't you go 'I am Groot' someone else?" He fumed, the wood god trembled, sending their roots down into the sand, trying to gain purchase. Trying to reach out for something greater then themselves just like how Rocket was reaching out now. Reaching, clawing, thrashing out…the only way he knew how.

"I am Groot!" But Rocket only bared his teeth and snarled, reaching for his second weapon as Groot tried to grow a vine out to him.

"I don't need you! I don't need anyone!" He turned back once more, storming away.

"I am Groot!" All living things need sunlight, earth, water and love to grow and thrive. Groot stumbled back as something hit their bark. They looked down, watching as their own tissue quickly expelled the bullet from their wooden chest.

Rocket's voice was twisted and fractured. "I'm leavin. And if you know what's good for you, you'll let me alone. I won't miss a second time."

Groot watched in helpless shock as the small creature walked away across the sand flats. How? Connections are deep, like roots, intermingling….how can they be so easily severed? So much pain of the heart. But he is not the only one who suffers the ruins of Halfworld…Groot thought, their own deep memory conjuring the needles and the fire and the hands of the scientists. Groot wondered in misery as they watched Rocket's tiny form disappear. You cannot protect someone who doesn't want to be protected, the terrible truth festered in their soul. Not even the suns brilliant rays seemed so welcoming anymore. They sat, thinking until the sun went down and the stars came out, sitting there alone on the dunes, the flora colossus had never felt more lonesome.