#Sorry Henny

[dailyanimatronics]

[ID: a drawing of avenger helen henny wearing the green tux sweater with a smile. one wing is on her chest. her hair is a blonde gradient. there's a filter over the drawing, and it's in soft tones. /end ID]

aannndd were back!

[stimtfil]

commission and sketch for this fic of my friend (henny, staig + trishia)

another her trilogy fics in series (staig, heikyman in bg)

my rusreal staig fic for birthday of my other bestie

[zlataisawsome]

I finally got my lazy ahh to do something 🤩

[sillycatsilly]

“ game on ! “ 👾💛

[cheezy-str33t]

nanuet part 2

[huffle-dork]

IF you are taking requests... could I get a sick Henny Schneeplestein/silent actor Schneeplestein. Maybe with the stomach flu. It can be a sickfic or a drawing. Which ever you'd prefer! Or both. 😄

(I’m working on some Henrik and Dr.jj related stuff! Mostly how Henny first found himself in this time! So this was before Dr. J meets Alt, and before Henrik meets Bro and Alt! Dr. J doesn’t know that magnificent exists either or the existence of magic- well except whatever the well brought Henrik to this time. so wahoo! Also I got a lot of sick fic requests for Henny so I just lumped a bunch together and then made it worse~ >:3c)

Dr. J had his phone pressed between his head and neck as he bent down next to the actor’s bedside. “Yes… Henrik is poorly again-“

“Again?” The surprised voice of Jackie echoed on the other line. “Damn… that’s been like what… 3 times already? It’s only been a few months since you found him, right?”

The good doctor frowned as he draped a cool wash cloth over Henrik’s forehead. The brunette’s eyelids fluttered and he mumbled something incoherent out in German but he seemed to relax some.

“I suppose the poor boy just has a weak immune system…” Of course, Jameson knew it was a bit more than that… Henrik came from a different time… he was more prone to sicknesses and Dr. J was still scrambling to get him records and vaccines and shots… but he wasn’t going to spill that out to Jackie. He didn’t know- and well… Jameson always kept his patients’ secrets.

“Poor guy…” Jackie sighed. “What do think it is?”

“I think it’s the flu this time unfortunately…” Jameson checked the actor’s pulse then temperature then frowned more. He was very warm… “I’m worried I might need to take him to hospital… but maybe if I’m early I can just take him to the urgent clinic…”

“I mean- how out of it is he?”

“…this morning he tried to make coffee and help me make breakfast for Alice… but he poured milk in the stainer and coffee grounds in her cereal.”

“… maybe urgent care is a good idea-“

Jameson gave a weak chuckle but then sighed, pushing Henrik’s damp hair away from his eyes. “I suppose… I’ll keep a close eye on him… if his temperature rises anymore I’ll take him straight away.”

“Sounds good, dude. Just- if it’ll cheer him up, tell him the kids miss him. They keep asking when they can see Uncle Henny and his puppets again!”

Dr. J smiled and nodded, “That would make him very happy… thank you, Jackie.”

“Anytime Jem! I’ll catch you later.”

Jameson hung up the phone then looked back to check up Henrik.

He was still so pale and thin… thick bags under his eyes and veins so stark they looked almost… purple. Especially around his wrists and neck. If Jameson didn’t know any better- he might could say they even glowed. But, that was impossible.

Henrik’s eyelids fluttered again and he finally opened them enough to see Jameson. He smiled dazedly, despite his fatigue.

“Oh… hullo doktor…” He muttered weakly.

Jameson smiled weakly. “Hello, Henrik. How are you feeling?” He signed to him.

Henrik looked up at the ceiling and knit his eyebrows together as if trying to think.

“Not… good- mmm weak and… and… wackelig-“ He pressed his eyes shut and bit back a whimper. “Is hot… and- my head is super hurting and my… Mein Magen…”

Damn the hardest part of Henrik being delirious was him switching to German… Jameson knew some but he had to rack his brain to remember. “Okay… shaky and- and your stomach hurts-“

Henrik nodded, “Ja.”

“Alright… anything I can get you?”

Henrik slowly shook his head. “I am… just tired I think… thank you, my friend.”

Jameson smiled and nodded, “of course, Henrik… if you need anything just shout and I’ll be there.”

————

It was only about an hour later when Jameson was startled from his paperwork, hearing screaming coming from Henrik’s room.

He raced down the hall and threw open the door- finding Henrik tossing and turning in the bed, sobbing out in German.

“nicht mehr! nicht mehr! Ich möchte nach Hause gehen!”

Jameson’s heart sank as he quickly walked in and then gently tried to rouse the actor awake. It took a second but slowly he started to quiet, breath coming out in shaky weak bursts. He struggled to open his eyes to look at Jameson. His irises were glazed with fever.

“Doktor…” He wheezes, “careful- Vorsicht mit den Saiten…” He gritted his teeth then gripped at his head. It was pounding so bad- it felt like his skull could break in half. “…hurts… s’hurts…!” He quietly sobbed, curling up in the bed.

The good doctor just watched Henrik thrash with worried eyes. He has no idea what to do…! He quickly went to take his temperature but… it wasn’t worse.

He hummed in thought then resigned to do what he did best. He found Henrik’s hand and started to lightly tap a steady rhythm as he pulled out his pocket watch. The actor’s tear filled eyes looked up and caught onto the sight of the watch almost instantly. He relaxed quickly… maybe too quickly. That was also concerning him. But, the least Jj could do was try to calm Henrik down.

“It’s okay Henrik… you are safe… just breathe with me and try to relax okay? I won’t let anything hurt you…”

———

The rest of the night went by in a flash. Always busy, the good doctor was. The nanny brought home Alice and they made dinner together. Alice helped him take in some soup to Henrik- but he didn’t seem all there. Jameson was just glad he ate… then Jj spent the night with his little one, reading her stories and sending her to bed. Shawn was out at a gig so- the house was quiet as the tired doctor flopped onto the couch and leaned his head back. He felt exhaustion weighing down on his limbs- and that force pulled on his eyelids before he could even fight it.

He woke up in a dark living room to the sound of a huge crash. Thunder. Jamie started awake and then fumbled for his phone- turning on the flashlight.

Caught in the light, like an animal caught in infrared was the ragged body of Henrik. Even his eyes seemed to glow green in the dark. The sight sent shivers down Jameson’s spine, especially as lightning crashed behind them, lighting him even more in an eerie glow.

He fumbled for the lights and then looked at the sick actor. “Henrik… what are you doing out of bed?”

Henrik didn’t answer. He was still in his sick clothes, hair ruffled from sleep, glasses missing, barefoot. He stared blankly at the doctor as if he couldn’t understand what he said.

Then, Jameson could just faintly hear a sound. It sounded like… static. Something Henrik wouldn’t be able to hear. He could hardly hear it himself over the distant sounds of rain and thunder.

He walked closer and spied something in Henrik’s tight grip. A… a phone- showing nothing but the offending static.

“Henrik- where did you get that? I… I hadn’t gotten you one-“

Again, the actor didn’t answer- but this time he pushed past Jameson, roughly clipping his shoulder. He staggered slightly but then continued on, despite his shaky limbs and ragged feverish breath. Jameson was thrown off guard and was about to shout out- just as Henrik threw open the door to the storm outside.

He walked out without even hesitating, shambling mindlessly through the rain.

Jameson’s feet moved quickly as he dove after him, pausing just briefly to guard his face from the harsh falling droplets. But then he’s roughly grabbing Henrik and struggling to get in the actor’s face, trying to get him to read his lips.

“Henrik! This- this is insane! You need to get inside right now!”

Henrik blinked sluggishly at the doctor then tried to move out of his grip. “Got… to… h-have… have to….” He’s mumbling, almost too quiet to hear.

Jameson lashes out, going to grab both sides of the taller man’s face so he can focus on him. His eyes burn with concerned anger. “No! Henrik please- wake up! You’re only going to make this worse!”

For a scary few seconds, Henrik’s expression remains blank and empty. But, slowly, that sickly glow seems to fade and his bright blue eyes gain some clarity.

“…d…doktor… Jackson…?” He slurs in confusion. Jameson slumps his shoulders slightly in relief. The actor pushes himself out of Jj’s grip to look around- noticing now where they are.

“We are… outside…” he breathes, as it confused. Then he looks up at the sky and laughs distantly, “it is… raining-“

He shivers and then shuts his eyes. “Mmm… it… fühlt sich gut an…” He sighs. Then, he starts to pitch forward, face and body suddenly falling limp- making Jameson scramble to catch him. They fall into a heap on the wet grass.

Henrik almost immediately starts to wheeze again as his head falls against Jameson’s legs, painful gasps of air coming from his throat. His face is scrunched up in pain. Jameson fumbles to feel his forehead- and even with the cooling rain he startles back from the burning warmth. Jameson frowns then sighs and starts to load up Henrik into his car. It was time to see Dr. Doom again…

Henrik briefly stirred and blearily looked out at Jameson as he was sat up and buckled in. “Doktor… juwel?“ He mumbled.

For a second, Jj smiled. He adopted Jackie’s nickname for him it seemed. “Yes, Henrik… I’m right here.”

Henrik reached out and Jameson was quick to find his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. Through, his fuzzy vision and soaked bangs, Henrik found Jameson’s eyes. He looked terrified, which sent a spike through the good doctor’s heart.

“Bitte, Juwel-lass nicht zu, dass er mich mitnimmt…”

His grip in Jameson’s hand then fell limp again as he slumped back against the window in the car. Jameson’s heart spiked- because he now knows that phrase too well… Henrik had mumbled it over and over in moments like these.

‘Please… don’t let him find me…’

The strange phone that Henrik held was left in the rain- the static flickering with green light.

[henrysfedora]

still can't stop thinking about curly haired henry, it has been brought up by others before a wee while ago and it hit me like a train.

i like thinking when he was still in sicily he was just a lil floofball, with loose curls and natural ringlets. it was so curly he just couldn't run his hands cleanly through it at all, and if he was desperate enough for help he had to get his mother or manfredo to help him out. much to his dismay, but it was better than anyone else doing it.

as he got older he got better at handling it by himself, mostly because he had no one else to, but also cause it being shorter and more styled made him look more put together in his mind. so having it recently cleaned with no styling product in it yet is only a sight for the people he loves the most. when he finally settles down a bit and stops being so uptight, it's like a little notion of trust.

it just sets up the cutest possible interactions you know. like the first time betty saw it after they got married. luca barging in before he could clay/pomade it. vito and joe seeing it for the first time the first night they stay over together. henry having a bad hair day as he heads to the falcon and eddie catches a glimpse of it under his hat.

[thechicken-queen]

Glamrock Helen henny

My first post sorry if blurry

#helenhenny #chuckecheese #animatronics

#secuitybreach

[agendabymooner]

newsflash ! pierre g. x ofc (singer!ofc)

“i ain’t interested in being a pretty name on your list.”

summary: somebody’s got to humble pierre gasly; enter ensley soleil, a musician who happens to be a friend of a friend of a friend. OR ensley has already written a line or two in songs about a boy like him, but pierre wants to prove to his crush that being ‘liked by pierregasly’ also means that he’ll pursue her like a man she never knew existed.

content warning: willne and rich brian appearance, middleman!lando, “liked by pierregasly” 🤓, use of explicit language, mentions of cheating/past relationship (unnamed ex)

note: talking to a guy so here’s a content hehe (also i noticed you guys liked the sebastian vettel one… good because i would have cried tbh. might update colour me your colour next, then i’m gonna try to update the daniel ricciardo wedding mini series).

masterlist

liked by pierregasly, wroetoshaw, brianimanuel

view 3102 more comments

willne you should come back to uk tbh 🙈 liked by ensoleil

ensoleil i’m quite happy here thx :)

user1 WELCOME BACK TO LONDON ENSLEY !!!!

user2 ok but that man fumbled real hard though 🚩

user3 that man bagged a baddie and cheated on her??? a shame smh

user4 “liked by pierregasly” 💀

user5 as a henny and f1 fan, wtf pierre

user6 pear noticed her post??? bruh. landonorris ain’t that your friend?

user7 how are henny and lando connected?

user6 ensley is friend’s with willne, who is lando’s friend. she’s made an appearance or two in a quadrant video before.

user7 ok but like she lucky tho

user8 she and many girls alright.

liked by willne, charles_leclerc, estebanocon

view 21039 other comments

user1 how far out*** OOOH YOU FUMBLED THIS ONE PIERRE

charles_leclerc i am so sorry for the chances that you will never have after messing up her lyrics

user2 the tote bag, the booktok and LANA DEL REY??? mans down bad fr liked by pierregasly

user3 you’re really working hard huh pierre 😭 liked by pierregasly

pierregasly take every shot you are given, am i not right? 👌

yukitsunoda0511 you’re working too hard pierre 👎

maxverstappen1 because you’re already her favourite 🤣 pierre isn’t even allowed to breathe in her direction

user4 it’s true; i was the glass of daiquiri whenever henny sent him a death glare. mans v persistent tho so mad respect to him

ensoleil you really won’t stop will you, you baguette? liked by pierregasly

pierregasly that’s the least stereotypical shit i’ve ever heard from you and you called me remy from ratatouille

ensoleil sorry 🤓 do u want me to kiss it better

pierregasly no 😊 a date would be really nice though

user5 NAW THIS MAN THINKS HE SLICK

[oddsconvert]

My brain: make friends! Send asks! Exist in more then just your blog!

Me: but what if I'm scared of friends!?!?!

Anyway, can I request Ronan catching Issak hurting Henley?

Flowers for author. 💐💐💐💐💐

Friends!!! It's official! No being scared! <3 I am so sorry for the delay with this but I hope this ticks your boxes! :D

---

“How do you sleep at night?”

Henley stirred awake, his world a blurred mess of throbbing pain. Crusted sleep clung to his lashes, he blinked fiercely to chase away the haze. He could only just about make out a hulking silhouette looming over him. When his vision finally sharpened, he instinctively clutched his scratty blanket closer to his heaving chest - his futile shield.

Cold dread flooded Henley as he saw Izaak, free of the chains that usually rattled with every twitch of a muscle. The chains that kept Henley safe and sound, out of harm's way. Far from Izaak’s reach.  Izaak's fists were clenched so hard his knuckles were white, his face contorted in a feral snarl. Panic squeezed Henley’s chest like a vice. He was a rabbit trapped in a fox's den. 

“Wha-?” Henley’s voice was a hoarse rasp. He’s half-convinced no sound left his lips at all. 

"Oh, did I interrupt your sweet dreams, Henny?" Izaak's voice was a low growl, sending shivers trickling down Henley's spine. That nickname. The way it dripped with mocking familiarity, but years of ingrained fear hid within it. It made all the hairs on Henley’s arms stand on edge. 

Izaak suddenly lunged forward. One massive hand clamped around Henley's throat, squeezing every last drop of air from his lungs. Henley's wrists burned in protest against his chains, straining as he fought for a sliver of slack, a desperate inch to reach his throat and fight Izaak off. "You," Izaak spat, barely containing his rage, "are the reason for my suffering. The cause of my anguish. Every scar on my body has your name written on it.."

Tears pressed from beneath Henley’s eyelids, and he shook his head furiously. Passionately. No. It’s not true. He’s not responsible for this. He didn’t land them here, he didn’t start all of this. This is all Izaak’s doing. This is the price he has to pay. 

“So answer the question,” Izaak demanded, now nearly crushing Henley’s windpipe as he choked and wheezed, “How the hell do you sleep at night? No. Scratch that shit. Better yet. How do you live with yourself? After what you’ve done to me?”

“I-Izaak, pleas-”

Izaak’s fist came at Henley with such speed it was like a cannonball. It connected with a sickening crunch as Henley felt his nose cave in, and hot-white pain erupted. The force of the blow sent him sprawling, the floor rose up to meet him with a jarring thud. He lay helpless. Cool blood dripped from his nose and pooled on his lips, he could taste the metallic tang. 

“You dare call me that again, and I’ll put you six feet under this fucking cement. Understand?” Izaak seethed through gritted teeth, with spit spraying and a vein pulsing from his temple. Izaak didn’t even give him the second to respond, Henley was still reeling and seeing stars. “I SAID, “DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!” he roared. 

“Yes!” Henley wailed miserably. Tears mingled with blood and dirt. He sniffed pathetically and whimpered as new pain flared through his obviously broken nose. He stayed glued to the floor. Too afraid to move, to even dare lift his head up. Henley didn’t see Izaak reaching for his long curls of hair and wrenching them in his fist. Yanking his head back, Henley’s Adam's apple bobbed against his collar as he gasped and gulped back the fear.

“‘Yes’, what?” Izaak whispered. It was hard to miss the element of enjoyment in his voice. It sounded like old times. Must feel like it to him too. 

But Henley immediately knew what he was looking for.

“Yes, sir!” Henley gasped out. There’s not a beat of hesitation. Izaak can say many things about Henley. A bad pet, he is not. 

Henley’s head smacked to the ground, his forehead banging against cold, unforgiving cement as Izaak threw him out of his hand. He’s on a warpath. He paced back and forth, contemplating what to do next. 

Izaak's foot then swung into Henley's gut. The air whooshed from Henley's lungs in a strangled scream that ripped free from his throat. The world lurched sideways, a wave of nausea crashing over him. Bile rose in his throat as pain lanced through his abdomen. Izaak unrolled Henley from his cocoon and straddled his hips, slamming his palm over Henley’s mouth, “Shut the fuck up! Don’t you dare make a sound.”

Henley obeyed. He forced himself to seal his lips, now sobbing silently and huffing through the pain. 

“You got us into this fucking mess. You deserve everything you’ve got coming to you. I’m going to make you wish you were never born-”

“I already do-” Henley croaked.

Izaak doesn’t hold back anymore. He unleashed a flurry of punches, raining blow after blow down on Henley. Henley’s already-battered body convulsed with each hit - he twisted and flailed in a desperate bid to shield himself from the onslaught. It was no use. Darkness cornered his vision, and ringing screeched in his ears. His entire body was slowly growing limp.

Henley squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the sweet relief of unconsciousness. He waited for the next punch. And waited. But it never came. Confused, Henley cracked open a swollen and purpling eye.

Izaak was no longer looking at him, and a flicker of raw terror replaced the unhinged rage that had plagued his eyes before. Henley groaned as he lifted his pounding head, and turned to follow Izaak’s petrified stare.

A shadow shifted at the top of the stairs, a tutting sound emanating from the darkness.

“What are you doing to my boy?” Ronan asked, cool as a cucumber on the surface, but fury bubbled below. The calm facade didn’t last. Ronan flew down the stairs, and pulled that oh so familiar remote from his pocket. In the blink of an eye, Izaak was a quivering, jittering wreck as his shock collar lit up and shocked him stiff. He collapsed from Henley’s body like a tonne of bricks. His screams pierced the sound barrier - his fingers scrabbled and ripped at the collar, kicking his legs and bucking his entire body. Ronan punched the button again, and again until the screaming stopped. It’s just silent gargles, with drool dribbling down the edge of Izaak’s blue lips. 

Ronan threw Henley a single, and quick look as he bolted past. It wasn't a look of reassurance, but a quick flicker up and down to acknowledge him. Reaching his locked cabinet, Ronan fumbled with the combination and finally, the cabinet swung open, and he snatched a vial and syringe, and a length of rope.

He wastes no time in racing over to where Izaak is heaving and panting on the floor, and stabbing the syringe in his neck. Izaak roared, a sound that curdled the blood, but it was cut short by a weak gasp as the muscle relaxant began to take hold.

“There, there. That should settle you down, big-un,” Ronan chuckled, patting Izaak on the chest.

“F-ffuc- fuckk y-yoou,” Izaak slurred, his eyes rolled like pinball machines in their sockets. Henley watches as all the tone in Izaak’s muscle depleted and he flopped lifelessly. Izaak lay sprawled on the floor, a pathetic mew escaping his lips as the muscle relaxant coursed through his veins. His previously violent thrashing had dissolved into a pathetic trembling, his limbs heavy and unresponsive.

Henley's cry echoed through the basement. Now that the threat was neutralised. "You didn't tie him tight enough, sir! He almost—!" His voice choked on the rising panic, his gaze locked on Izaak's slack form. “He was going to kill me.”

Ronan paid no mind to Henley, the shivering wreck that he was. Instead, he focused on yanking Izaak’s arms behind his back. With rough rope, he bound Izaak's wrists together with a vengeance, the knots pulled tight, drawing a choked gasp that did little to faze Ronan. Next, he secured Izaak's ankles with another length of rope, the slack yanked out until Izaak's legs were splayed uncomfortably wide. Finally, with a cruel twist, Ronan bound Izaak's ankles to his secured wrists, hog-tying him in a position that screamed discomfort. Izaak's gasps faded to choked moans as his body contorted in a way it wasn't meant to, forced into an arched bow.

Ronan left Izaak on the ground and approached Henley slowly. With a touch that could have been gentle or cruel, he cupped Henley's bruised and bloodied cheek. Henley flinched at the contact, a hiss escaping his lips. Ronan’s eyes flickered over the damage and he tsked, disappointed. Then his eyes met Henley’s and locked in. “Do you really think I’d let him break one of my favourite toys?”

“He - He got pretty close, master.” Henley snivelled. He flinched as Ronan’s arms moved, expecting another blow, but instead, his arms wrapped around Henley’s tiny frame in a sudden and suffocating embrace. Ronan’s grip was tight, possessive, leaving no wiggle room. Defeated, Henley sagged into the hug and rested his head on Ronan’s chest, letting his eyes flutter shut. It was always easier to give into this than brave the pain. Ronan began to stroke Henley’s hair, twirling it in his fingers. It wasn’t a gesture of genuine affection and Henley was never under the impression that it was. It was Ronan’s sense of ownership. Like Izaak’s claim was the bruises and scars. Ronan’s was more inside than out. For Henley, at least.

“Shh Shh. Come with me. I’ll get you patched up, little one”. Grunting with effort, Ronan hoisted Henley to his feet, a hand wrapped under his armpit to guide him up the creaking stairs.

Ronan turned at the very last step, leering at the sight of Izaak, bound and subdued. "That little temper tantrum of yours was cute, pet" he called down, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "But playtime's over. Now, you get to lie there, nice and quiet, and contemplate all the fun things I have planned for you when your little cocktail wears off. I want you to feel every second.”

----

Taglists!:

Henley taglist: @livelaughwhump @kira-the-whump-enthusiast @sorrowful-hyacinth

Ronan taglist: @kira-the-whump-enthusiast

Izaak taglist: @emmettland @kira-the-whump-enthusiast @sorrowful-hyacinth @whumpsoda

Drabble taglist (which I forgot existed and have recently rediscovered assdfghjkl so will be using from now on unless you would like off it <3 ): @whatwasmyprevioususername @whumpsday @sparrowsage @whumperfully @wolves-and-winters @canislycaon24 @happy-little-sadist @darkthingshappen @whumping-in-the-dark @vagabouund @turn-the-tables-on-them

[dailyanimatronics]

Can you please draw helen, mitzi, mini, and queenie hanging out at cheerleading practice/ doing cheerleader things i love them sm

[ID: a drawing of avenger helen henny and mitzi mozzarella. mitzi is sitting on a stool and wearing the same cheerleading outfit as helen. she's smiling with her eyes closed and holding her hands together in her lap. helen is standing, talking while putting mitzi's hair into a ponytail. the background is a muted magenta. /end ID]

can i offer... just mitzi and helen? :'D

[twinuchiha]

Kyosuke chuckled nervously, scratching at his cheek bashfully. “Yeah, I suppose so…” Was he really that much of a phenomenon?

“So, Sai… what do you think of Sasuke?” He asked lightly, leaning against the counter as he watched the other man. “Has he… changed a lot? Is he being more sociable, has any more… incidents happened?”

Was his mother hen side coming out? Yes. But he knew he couldn’t dump all his worries and concerns onto Sasuke. If he was anything like his own twin (and he seemed to be), he would just brush it off and act as if everything was fine to not worry him.

“I guess… I’m just a little worried about him, y’know? Is that fair?”

“Sasuke?” Kyosuke paused in his walk, looking over his shoulder in surprise and confusion. Didn’t Sasuke send him a letter that he wouldn’t be back for another while? What was he doing this close to the village then? //twinuchiha - for walking by Sasuke

"Yes? Did you need something?" Sasuke asked calmly, not recognizing what should have been familiar features-- for he had let go of his restless gaze for family After everything, now that he truly was the Last. Not to mention Sasuke's penchant in the last months of avoiding his reflection. Was he needed back for a mission? Or paperwork?

[thefluffyrailway-official]

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 -𝐩𝐭 𝟏- (𝐀𝐥𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 "𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡")

«How is she here...?»

«Why does she look like that...?»

«Wasn't she scrapped...?»

«What's going on...?»

That kind of thoughts tormented Henrietta's mind, as she stared at the curious blonde wooled coach with strange sheep-like legs.

She knew who she was at the moment she saw her. There was no doubts on it.

-Hannah...- She whispered.

The yellow coach recognized that voice, of course she would! It was her older sister! But still, no words came out of her mouh, just a little gasp as she tried to look back to Henrietta.

An awkward silence filled the air at the Steamworks.

Victor and Kevin approached at the reddish coach surreptitiously, waiting for someone to say something.

-Do you know her dear?- Toby asked in confusion.

After a few seconds, Henrietta finally answered trying to hide her cracking voice.

-O-Of course!- She smiled. -She's my younger sister... I've never thought I would be able to see her again after... Well...- The maroon-eyed explained while some tears ran through her furry grey face.

The brown tram engine smiled a bit, feeling kinda nervous and guilty about what happened to his sister in-law a few moments ago though. But he was still so glad to see Henrietta that happy for seeing her sister.

-Yeah... Same here sis...- Added Hannah forcing a smile while a slight growl came out of her throat.

-Are you okay Hannah? Have you gone too fast again?- Henrietta purred while she smiled at her sister.

-How did you know? Did i get better showing my troubles?- Hannah faked a laugh, trying to not sound mad at her sister, in which she was successful.

Henrietta answered with another fake laugh, knowing what she really meant.

-Aw Hannah. You and your jokes...-

Victor frowned, noticing something was wrong between the coach sisters. In what seemed to be the only one, as both the young crane and the tram responded with a small laugh.

-Well, there's no need to worry, we'll soon have her fixed up and looking good as new. Better than new.- He said.

-Oh... Thank you... -Hannah answered with a much kinder tone.

-------------------------------------------------------

-I'm glad to have you back Henrietta- Toby purred as they both left the Steamworks.

-Me too Toby- She whispered almost unable to hold back her tears.

-I'm sure Hannah has learn a lesson today. And next time she'll want to go a little slower- He smiled.

But no one answered...

Toby waited for his coach to answer, but there was no sound coming from her excepting the sound of her wheels...

-Don't you think so Hennie?- He asked looking (as he could) at her.

Again... No one answered...

-Henrietta? Is everything okay?- The cracking voice of her elderly guard, Lyra, caught the tram's attention.

-Mhm... Everything fine...- The she-coach sobbed.

Toby gasped in worry.

-Are... Are you crying?- He asked.

-No... No... You don't need to worry...- Henrietta said, again, trying to hold back her tears, which was impossible at this point...

-Then why are you like that?- Asked Lyra.

She just looked downtrying to find something convincent to tell them.

-It was Hannah. It's been so long since i didn't see her... And i think i've got a bit emotional... - She smiled.

Toby smiled in relief.

-Oh.. I thought something was wrong...- He said.

-Sorry for worrying you... I know i don't act like this very often...And it can still be a bit strange to you...- She sighed while a slight blush ran across her face.

-Hey, it's okay. I understand how you must feel. I would react the same or worse if I saw my siblings again.- Toby said in a comforting tone. -You missed her so much right?-

She nodded slowly.

-Yes... You don't know how much i did... - The reddish coach answered.

«But still, i will never forgive myself for what happened»

-------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, back at the Steamworks.

Victor and Kevin were trying to find out what exactly Hannah was. And if it was better to get a vet for her.

-Excuse me for asking but... Could you tell me what made you look like that?- The garnet engine asked.

Hannah looked at him.

-Hmm... I'm not sure...- She answered -I just lost consciousness one day, and when I came back I already looked like this. It was less than 20 years ago, though, I can barely remember...- The yellow coach looked down. She may not remember what changed her. But she remembered perfectly all of that hell she lived the last 4 years.

That lost look in her bright blue eyes...

That silence after saying each sentence...

There was no doubt. Something in her was surely wrong.

Victor wasn't sure if he should ask her what was wrong. His curiosity almost forced him to do it though.

-She looks a lot like a sheep boss! Maybe we can fix her like those animal doctors do with real sheep!- Kevin squeaked while he clumsilly approached to the lime-eyed engine.

Hannah giggled. Kevin wasn't the first one to think she was a sheep.

A bunch of beautiful memories filled the icy-eyed coach's mind. Making her calm down a bit.

-That won't be possible Kevin. We are not vets, and the steamworks are not made for healing animals i'm afraid.- Victor shook his head. While the golden crane looked down, kinda dissapointed.

Then, thanks to his creativity and small knowledge about animals, Kevin ran outside the steamworks, he stayed under a tree for a few minutes, while his driver seemed to be collecting some things.

Hannah and Victor looked at eachother in confusion.

«What is he doing now?» the garnet engine thought whle he tried to understand what the crane wanted to do.

-Perhaps if we put these branches around the broken leg and then bandage it, it might heal more easily. My driver told me he did the same thing when he broke his arm on a mountain ride.- He proposed holding a bunch of branches on his hook.

Victor was amazed. It can actually work! And if it does, could that mean that Hannah was a real animal?

In any case. They should start working on Hannah's broken leg, siding scratches and other wounds.

-------------------------------------------------------

-Finally at home. And which makes it better, we're here together. - Toby said with a smile while he laid down, flattering his wheels as much as his pistons allowed him

Again... Silence...Only the sound of crickets chirping outside the shed was heard that night.

The wooden tram engine looked at his partner with curiosity.

-...- Luckilly, the shadow that Henrietta's roof made covered all her face. Hiding her tears and expression of shock.

-Good night Hennie. I love you. - He chuckled innocently after leaning slightly towards his partner's side.

It was around half an hour later that Henrietta managed to fall asleep and try to forget.

But once you remember what torments you...

It will take a while to forget it again...

~Henrietta...~

That was the first thing the reddish coach heard and what made her wake up from her sweet dream.

A ghostly and grisly voice called her from... nowhere?

It was true that her vision was quite blurry as she just woke up... But there was no one else than Toby and herself in the shed.

Henrietta thought it was just her imagination because she was a bit tired... So she closed her eyes again...

~Henrietta...!~ She quickly opened her eyes as the voice intensified it's volume.

She looked at Toby, and tried to call him to ask if he could also hear that voice.

But no sound came out of her throat, no matter how hard she tried to make a sound or even scream his name. She felt like she suddenly became mute.

«What's going on...? Why can't i talk? Is this just a nightmare?? No... No... It can't be... I'm awake. Toby is here. It must be real!... But then...what is happenning to me?!» As more she thought about it, more desperate she felt. But it was impossible not to think about it.

She was hearing voices and couldn't make any sound... Everyone would worry about it and try to find an explanation in that situation.

~All this years... You forgot... All this years... You forgot...~ More voices chanted the same phrase, making the situation even more disturbing.

Henrietta began to pant, terrified and confused. She had not experienced anything like this before.

She didn't know what the voices meant. What did she forgot? A promise? Someone?

She tried to shake herself a bit to wake up her mate.

But she couldn't move...

Even tho she's kinda used to not being able to move, she couldn't believe this was happening.

Her breathing became increasingly, to the point of start hyperventilating.

~You abandoned me... You betrayed me... You condemned me... You made me lose EVERYTHING... ~ The voices grew louder and louder. Making it almost impossible to understand them. Tormenting the poor maroon-eyed coach, who couldn't do anything to stop those voices.

«No...No... Please stop!! I can't handle this! Not again!» She begged in her mind still trying to talk. at least a little bit.

Suddenly, the voices disappeared. And a glowing figure appeared in front of her.

~Sister...~ This voice was different to the others... It was calmer, much calmer.

Henrietta looked up to her, seeing Hannah on that pale-white shiny figure in front of her...

«Hannah...?» She thought in confusion while her breathing slowly came back to normal.

~Henrietta... It is your fault...~ The glowing Hannah said as she sat near her sister.

The reddish coach shook her head checking if she had heard correctly.

~It is your fault...~ Hannah repeated.

~No one deserves such a callous traitor...capable of abandoning her loved ones to go flirt with a stranger...~ She whispered.

Henrietta couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did her sister really think that about her?

Hannah could be impulsive and impatient. But she would never lie to her own sister.

So it must be true...

~Have that in mind... You're the worst sister anyone could have... I HATE YOU! and I will never forgive you for this!~ Hannah hissed as she got up and ran away, dissapearing in the shadows of the night.

At that point, again, it was impossible to the reddish to hide her feelings, she didn't even try, just closed her eyes and started crying all that she couldn't since she saw Hannah.

At least, she wasn't mute anymore...

But those creepy voices returned, calling her name in unison.

~Henrietta... Henrietta... ~

This time.. They sounded much deeper than before.

Suddenly, all those voices became one, one that the reddish coach knew perfectly.

-Henrietta!- Toby exclaimed in worry and fear, seeing that she didn't answer.

When she finally came to her senses, she responded with a simple gasp. Unable to process what had just happened.

-Hennie what happened?! Are you okay?? You're shaking too much.- He asked.

-She hates me...She hates me!!- The maroon-eyed coach cried. She was sure what she saw on that nightmare was true. And Hannah actually thinks that about her.

-What? Who hates you? - Toby was getting more and more confused with every word his mate said. If the poor guy was already bad at noticing the feelings of others even with explanations, without them he didn't have the slightest idea of ​​what to say or do.

-I... I don't understand what do you mean- He said.

-Hannah! She will never forgive what i did to her...- Henrietta flattered her wheels while she looked down.

-Hannah? Oh i knew something was wrong between you two...- Toby sighed. «Okay, okay, you must help her this time... What was that... What does she always say when you are nervous... » He tried to remember.

-It's okay. It's okay dear, just breath and calm down, you can do this. -

At the moment he knew that wasn't what he was meant to say.

-Huh?- Henrietta looked at him, kinda confused, but at least she wasn't crying anymore.

-Ah! Wait no! I-I mean... You don't need to worry!- He squeaked red with shame. -Oh dear Lady... How ridiculous... I'm the worst emotional support...- he sighed again. -Sorry darling. I just wanted to help... It looks like you are much better than me in that...-

Henrietta stared at him for a few seconds. Then she suddenly started laughing. Like if she forgot all what happened in the last 5 minutes.

-What is it now?- Asked Toby.

-Nothing nothing. It was... It was just so funny and cute how you tried to confort me- She giggled.

He smiled too when he saw her looking good again.

-Awh, no no, you are the cute one, specially when you smile- The tram engine giggled as he rubbed his side against her affectionately.

-I'm so sorry i didn't told you before... It was all so sudden that I wasn't able to process so many emotions at once...- Said Henrietta.

-Hey, it's fine, you don't need to tell me right now if you don't want to.- He purred while he closed his eyes.

She nodded slowly. She wanted to tell him, he needs to have some context if something like this happens again...

-------------------------------------------------------

-And... Ta-Da!!- Kevin squeaked while he took little leaps of emotion. -How do you feel?? Better??-

Hannah looked at her broken hoof, now surrounded by sticks and carefully bandaged.

-Yeah... Yeah, sort of. But i can't move it, and it still hurts...- She answered.

The garnet engine looked at the little golden crane. He could be amazing at healing engines. But it looks like Kevin is much better at healing animals.

-Ah don't worry. That's normal. The pain won't disappear inmediatly. And i think it's better to you not to move your leg. You need to rest. -He explained.

-I agree on that, the best way to heal an injury, both in animals and engines, is resting- Said Victor.

Hannah nodded while she placed her healthy hooves under her bright-golden thicc wool. Giving her a loaf-like shape.

-Do you need anything else?- He asked tenderly

-Don't worry, i'm fine.- She answered while placing her head on the floor as much as she could.

Victor nodded.

-If you need something, you just have to call us.- He said.

She nodded back.

-And since when do you know that much about medicine buddy?- The lime-eyed engine asked Kevin, in a whisper to not disturb Hannah's dreams.

The young crane just shrugged while he let out a little giggle.

The golden she-coach gazed at the two engines leaving that place, heading towards their sheds. Then, when she didn't see them anymore, she looked at the sky. A beautiful, starry night sky.

-We used to watch the stars together when we were newbuilts...- Hannah whispered to herself, while those shining spots were reflected in her bright blue eyes. -I hope someday she will forgive me...- She sighed.

-I'm sure she will Hannah. But you don't need to worry about that now. Tomorrow will be another day, and you two will be able to talk a bit more calmly- Her guard said while she patted her siding.

Hannah closed her eyes, right before a storm of memories invaded her mind once again...

But one in specific caught her attention.

~Hannah? Irene told me you were at the Steamworks, Are you okay?? What happened?!~ A much younger version of her sister was in front of her in that dream.

«Oh... Now I remember this... Heh. My first speed incident. How could i forget it? »

~Yeah, i'm fine sis. Just a bit sore hehe. But it was fun!~ The child-like Hannah giggled.

The reddish one frowned really upset.

~Don't you dare to worry me again like this!!~ She squeaked.

~Okay okaaay... Sorry Hennie i will be more careful next time. But just because i don't want to see you like this.~ The smile in her face... That was something everyone on their old railway agreed was characteristic of her. Maybe because she was very young and unexperienced, maybe because of her enthusiasm and optimism, she was always happy and full of energy. Unlike her older sisters, who were much more calm and a little shy.

But now... Where was that smile?

Another memory hit her right after asking that to herself.

~Where are we going Hannah? Is this really safe? I can't see!~ Said a little blue and yellow tram engine. He was wearing a white lily on one of his windows, and a blindfold was covering his eyes.

«Could... Could it be...» Hannah thought.

~Calm down Gorath. We're almost there.~ The Hannah of that memory still seemed to be the same happy and cheerful coach of the last memory.

But this time it was different...

When the driver made the tram engine stop, they all were in a beautiful lily field.

Both the driver and the fireman got out of Gorath's cabine to remove the blindfold.

He gasped while tears filled his bright golden eyes.

~It was Hannah's idea...~ Said his driver between sobs.

~You didn't think I was going to let you go without taking you where you always wanted to go, did you?~ She said.

~A lily field... Those flowers are my favourites...Oh thank you thank you THANK YOU!!! You're the best Hannah!!~ Gorath cried pure joy tears while he shaked backwards and forwards.

He was going to be sended to the scrapyard in a few days...Hannah thought he deserved to be happy just one last time.

Tears started to silently run out of Hannah's closed eyes. Right before the worst of all the memories hit her.

~Why does it have to hurt so much?! What is happening to me Oisin?! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!~ Another version of herself, a bit older this time, cried while visible blood came out of her eyes, nose and mouth.

Next to her, a copper-brown he-coach with pale cream spots around its sides, was trying to comfort her through all the pain she was feeling.

~Shh shh... It will worth it sweet lemon. It's okay.~ He said tenderly after giving her a comforting lick on her cheek.

~Please... Please just stay with me! If i will die don't want to do it alone!~ She cried again.

~You won't die Hannah, trust me, you won't die.~ Oisin giggled.

~But you will stay...will you?~ She sobbed before coughing more and more blood.

~I will sweetie, till the end of our lives, we will be together.~ He said.

«Oh Oisin... My love... If only the brakes on that engine hadn't failed that day...» Hannah sinked her face on her chest fur to hide her sobs.

That was surely going to be a long night for the sisters...

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝...

(AU inspo creds: @steam-beasts <3)

[megamindsecretlair]

I was wondering how you stay consistent with all the fics you be posting. Gurl give us the tea. You dropped like four back to back.

Lmfaooo, yall making me feel like im a fic addict 😭🤣🤣

See, what you do is meditate for 2 hours straight, praying on your muse to beam ideas and writing straight to your skull. Grab an acorn, a candle (your favorite scent), red twine, and a bottle of henny. And make a circle...lmfaooo jk jk.

TL;DR: my mind never shuts up 🫠 never turns off, never stops running, and that energy has to go somewhere, okay 😭

I wish I could take all the credit. I am the one writing it. But I have a close group of friends who let me vent out my ideas or give me ideas on how to improve. They listen to my nonsense, love yall so gd much 😗 @planetblaque @westside-rot @babybratzmaraj .

Other times, the ask is just so detailed, so rich, that it sparks some inspo and I get to writing. I am so in love with the creativity yall have on here. Completely blown away by these ideas you request!

It also helps that I went to film school and was taught how to think visually. You don't have to go to school for that, you just have to expand how you currently think about scenes.

Most times, as mentioned, my brain doesn't shut up. Even when I'm sleeping. There's this running commentary in my mind where I'm constantly turning over fics in my head. I think about scenes, I think about dialogue, I think about sex positions. Half the time, I'm scatterbrained irl because I'm too busy fucking in my head 🤣🤣

I write in my head, if that makes sense. I have these loose scenes in my head that I kind of play around with. I attack the scene from multiple angles trying to think of what sounds better.

Soo, when I sit down to write ive already done half the mental battle. I've already thought about the characters, the scenes, the motivations, the positions. It's just a matter of sitting down and writing it and it flows. I re-read my own writing all the time. But *way* after I've written it and moved on.

There's still moments where I have to pause and think about what comes next. Theres still times where I have to picture what tf is happening 🤣 or what's being said. Or what they're feeling at the moment.

Truth is, I just like to write. I've been writing since I was 11. It wasn't until I re-joined Tumblr at age 30 that I fell back in love with writing. I always loved it. But at a low point in my life, I felt hopeless that no one would ever want to read my writing. I thought I should've just quit altogether.

But by writing on here, I discovered that writing is for ME. If im having fun, then i know you will. I wont lie and say its not scary. I post overnight because I dont want the anxiety of seeing comments and reblogs trickle in 🤧 but the one rule I had for posting my writing, was to write for me. Write for the little girl who thought she couldnt. Write for the little weirdo who loves marvel and has anxiety and constantly feel like im being rejected. Thats who i write for. Thank God I didn't quit 😍🥹 I never would've met any of you. I never would've grown as a writer.

Being here with all of you, sharing my writing, seeing your reactions makes my fn day every day 😭 it's because of YOU that I felt confident enough to write a book.

I didn't get here by accident, I just write. And write often. And I read often. I learn from every single person that posts on here. I learn from all the feedback you give me.

My brain ought to do something useful since it doesn't know how to sit the fuck down 😩😩😩

Sorry this was long? Hope this helped? Feel free to ask more? Idkidk. Its still weird talking about myself. Thanks for this ask though 😗😗😗

[huffle-dork]

Long Live the King

Chapter 11: Returning Home

Read Fantasy Masks | Read Swapboys | Read the first FM adventure | Other Multiverse Adventures | Read on AO3

When the sun comes up the next day- it seems after doing their duties that everyone had fallen asleep at one point. For long enough for everyone to be awaken by the sound of something ruffling through their bags. That area is shrouded in shadows- so its hard to make out what the thing is. It looks like it could be humanoid... it turns as it hears people rising up and its pupils are reflective, slightly glowing in the dim light of the forest like some kind of animal.

Jackie wakes up first. He sees the creature and gasps, grabbing his swords which are nearby even when he sleeps. "Hey!" 

The shout wakes everyone else up. 

Marvin bolts upright and pulls some light from his amulet, shining it on the humanoid figure.

The creature jumps and scrambles back at the shout - then seems to hiss as the light hits it. 

Bro scrambles to sit up and grabs his sword, looking around frantically. 

Jackieboy grabs his knife- then sees who the light is hitting and snorts, going to roll over sleepily. "Ah itsjus' Alt-" 

It is Alt. He's been caught red-handed. He's holding a bit of food in his good hand, his mouth filled with half chewed food. He looks like a raccoon that got caught raiding a trash can. He swallows quickly, his face red, "...S-sorry i was really hungry- didn't wanna wake you-" 

"ALT!!" Henny yells in excitement and hurries over to hug him, "Oh you are awake and alright!! I am so relieved!" 

"Ahhh! Henny! ow- careful!" Alt squirms then weakly glitches out of the hug. He looks a bit faint after doing that but he does smile sheepishly at the others. 

Jackie relaxes. "Elders and Sisters, Alt, you scared us. Since when do your eyes glow like that?" 

"They're not really glowing, they're reflecting light," Marvin says. "Like a cat. Or some other nocturnal animal. I'm sure they did it before, we just didn't notice."

Alt grumbles as he finishes the last thing he stole, "They've done this since Mag turned me into a tiger for a month-" 

"It scares me at home too sometimes," Bro laughs. 

Alt pouts then he slowly laughs too, "Sometimes i look in the mirror and scare myself.”

Chase laughs. "We're glad that you're okay, Alt. So glad. But... really, you could have woken us up." 

Alt fidgets with his clothes- really missing his masks. He hadn't, being with the King but now- the eyes on him are a bit much. "...you all were sleeping so peacefully and after yesterday... i didn't expect you to wake up so soon..." 

"I'm a light sleeper," Jackie says. "It's the warrior training. You have to be ready for whenever." 

"And Jackie is loud enough to wake anyone up," Henrik adds jokingly. 

You need food for your recovery, don't you? Jameson asks. That would explain... this. He indicates the whole situation with the food bag. 

Alt looks to Jameson and smiles, "Uh yeah that- and also .... I was just really really hungry..." 

"How are you feeling?" Henrik asks. 

Alt looks back at Henrik and laughs, "still not the best but... at least I'm awake. It'll probably take a bit for my magic to get back up... and you know- my arm and chest still hurt." He then panics slightly and looks around, "Wait where are-?!" Alt spots a furry face pop up from where the King is still tied up and Mag glares at Alt and hisses- even if he can't hear it. Alt's eyes widen in surprise. "...holy shit.... i... i actually managed to do that???" 

The others follow Alt's gaze to Magnificent and Aneirin. "Y-yea... you don't remember?" Marvin asks. "I suppose you were really low on energy, after all... You said it was temporary." 

Alt shudders as he meets the King's eye and quickly looks away. He laughs, shaking his head, "Honestly? A-After seeing Jack I... kinda thought everything afterwards was a dream..." He grips at his bad arm gently and swallows. 

Henny sees the slight distress on Alt's face and goes to sit by him, lightly touching his knee. "Hey stürmisch... you did that for a good reason. You are not like him." 

Alt closes his eyes shut tightly for a second, but quickly opens them back up and nods. "Y-Yeah..." 

"The other me is right, Alt," Henrik whispers. "You are different."

Alt blinks at Henrik's whispers and then his face softens. He smiles, "... thanks. ...I need to hear that sometimes."

Aneirin opens one eye--he was sleeping just as soundly as the others--and glares at Alt. 

"Don't worry about him... too much," Chase says. "Marvin silenced him so he can't use commands. And I think it's hard to cast spells when you're tied up." 

Alt glances back at the King and can't help but shudder more. "... what can we do about the King...? The second we let him go h-he'll..." 

"We, um..." Jackie coughs. "I know this isn't really the honorable thing to do, but... we sort of decided to just leave him here." 

"... no no that's... that's good. Fuck him." Alt mutters, glaring at the King. "... He can stand to rot here for a bit." 

He'll get out eventually, Jameson says. So don't worry about J-A-C-K. He spells out the name. Clearly, he's not familiar enough with the true King to give him a name sign. 

"I think the Wyldwood is too afraid of him to do anything, honestly," Marvin mutters. 

"We'll be back for him," Chase says quietly. He looks uncertain about this course of action, but doesn't protest it. 

"Alt, how is your memory?" Dr. J asks quietly.

"Oh- it's back." Alt says simply. 

Jackieboy stops pretending to sleep and sits up, his hair all fluffed up wildly, "WHAT?! Just like that??" 

The fantasy guys laugh at how blunt Alt is.

Alt laughs then shrugs, "I dunno how- All I know that when I was with Jack... I wasn't confused about our world anymore." He hums in thought and looks up, "Maybe it's cuz I went through the King's mind- who already knew mine. And being there just... fixed the gaps. Or- maybe the Elders helped more than I thought, it just came slower." He shrugs again, "All I know is- I'm back. No more confusion- no more weird-ass knight talk."

"No, that would make sense, actually," Chase says. "In one of my dream conversations with Jack, he said that he learned how to use his enchanter powers to help people who are going through tough times. Like... help ease their heightened emotions, a-and treat the mind like how doctors treat the body. Sort of like what JJ does, actually, now that I think about it." He nods at JJ. 

JJ looks beyond flattered. He holds onto his watch- seeming to be comtemplating something. Henny brings him into a side hug.

"So while you were in there, Jack was able to finish what the Elders started, I suppose," Jackie sums up.

Alt smiles, "Yeah... that sounds about right. A joint effort." He looks at Aneirin with a neutral expression before turning to the others, "...He's gonna be a great King someday."

"I think so too," Chase agrees. 

Aneirin's expression twists into something ugly and he looks away from the others. Magnificent bares his fangs at the others.

"I suppose we have to bring Magnificent with us, if we're going to move," Marvin says.

Alt makes a face. "I mean... I'm sure I got some kind of spell to... I dunno- make a cage for him?" 

"Like we're bringing him to the vet?" Bro laughs. Alt laughs too. 

"Are we going to move?" Marvin asks the others.

"Well not right away," Chase says. "It's still fairly dark." 

"And yet, we're awake," Jackie points out. 

If we're all awake we might as well eat, Jameson says.

Henny brightens up and claps his hands together, "Yes! Let us eat! We can finally all enjoy a meal together like we wanted!!"

Jackie grins. "Alright, everyone gets their own food, then. Try not to touch the fruit unless you have to. And I don't think Alt should have any, given he had two in such a short time frame." 

Alt pouts at being told he can't have the fruit but then sighs, "Yeah- that's fair. Though... I'm okay, I think." 

"You know, it's strange, these fruits that the others cut into haven't wilted around the cuts at all," Chase mutters. "That's not normal." 

"We're in the Wyldwood, nothing is normal," Marvin says. "And Alt? If you don't have a spell like that, I do." 

"Why do you have a spell to carry cats in bags?" Henrik asks. 

Marvin picks up Draco. "Because when I first got a familiar I thought it would be helpful to carry him everywhere. Didn't realize that he would follow me wherever unless I ordered him not to. But that could be his fault, since he wanders around so much."

Alt grins and laughs, nodding to Marvin, "Brilliant. Maybe I should learn something like that for Glitches-" 

"She already gets in your backpack just fine, though-" Bro comments, getting to his feet. 

"...touché-" Alt giggles then slowly blushes, looking down at the food, "...I hope I left enough... I didn't try to eat too much."

"IIIII don't think you need to worry about that," Jackie says, pulling out two fruits--five fruits--ten fruits. 

When did you grab that much?! Jameson asks, surprised. 

Jackie shrugs. "I thought they would come in handy." 

Jackieboy bursts into laughter. "That was a smart move! Toss me one?" Henny and Dr. J giggle too. Bro shakes his head with a smile. 

Jackie grins and tosses Jackieboy one of the fruits. "I advise not eating it down to the pit, apparently that will make you feverish. And it looks like the fruit won't rot quickly so we don't have to worry about that."

Jackieboy grins and goes to spit his fruit in half, giving the other half to Bro. Henny soon does the same and shares some with Dr. J. 

"Is your Ghlishes alright, Alt?" Marvin asks. "You didn't leave her suddenly like last time, did you?"

Alt blinks at Marvin and then smiles. "She's okay. We prepared this time. She's being watched by some of our friends- same with Henny's dog." 

"Don't lie Alt! You can say that your booooyfriend is watching them!" Jackieboy shouts. 

Alt turns bright red, and then yells back at him. "I'm not lying! Jack was also helping! And Stacy too! Why don't you tease Chase about that huh?!" 

"Cuz he doesn't get as embarrassed as you!" Jackieboy grins.

Henrik rolls his eyes at Jackieboy's teasing. "That teasing attitude goes beyond worlds, it seems," he mutters. "Alt, they were all acting the same way about me and my partner Vsevna on our way here." 

"Oh yeaaaaa, Alt never met Vsevna!" Jackie gasps. "He never saw how red your face gets around him!" 

"See?" Henrik says. 

"Vsevna should have come with us," Chase says. "His expertise might've come in handy... and he would've cheered Henrik up right away." 

"See?" Henrik rolls his eyes.

Alt blinks and then brightens up, "Oh! I remember- they were teasing us both so much last time! you got together with your crush too?" He seems genuinely happy to hear Henrik say he has a partner. "If we can, I would love to meet him. And I won't tease ya- promise." He grins.

Henrik chuckles. "I think he would like you. He would at least be very interested in your ghlishing. But for now, we have to continue into the Wyldwood." 

"Alt doesn't know about that, I think," Jackie says. 

"Oh. Right." Chase nods. "We came into the Wyldwood to find you, but we also came here on a... quest, I guess. The Horned Elder One has guided us here. Apparently there's something that could help with..." He glances at Aneirin, still tied up. "I don't want to be too detailed right now, but it will help with the possession if we see it."

Alt tilts his head and then looks back at the King too. He frowns, then lowers his voice to a whisper, "... don't you think he'll try to stop you? You're right- he won't stay trapped there forever if we leave him. But... I think he'd also hunt you all down through the woods to find this place. If he knows this could lead to his downfall- he'll be hot on your trial the second he can be." He then thinks, "I mean... if the Horned Elder is helping... then maybe but... I don't know. Don't you guys think its too risky to go looking for this while the King is still in the Wyldwood? The only other way I can see that working is if we can somehow get him back to Suilthair but... I-I know how far away that is now..."

"It's very far," Marvin confirms. "Most magic doorways couldn't reach there. In fact, no doorways are supposed to, but we have seen the King summon large doorways across vast distances." 

Chase hesitates. "I... you have a point... But what? Are we supposed to drag him to our camp?" 

"I don't think the camp would be prepared for him," Jackie mutters. "We weren't expecting to keep prisoners there, much less prisoners who can influence people's minds." 

His range extends to all of Suilthair, if he gets even near the camp he would be able to change people's attitudes and such, Jameson says, making sure the King can't see his hands. 

"Ugh. It's difficult," Jackie says. "There are..." Henrik hesitates. "You can adjust the recipes for pain relief tonics to make tonics that will keep people asleep, or unable to move. But I do not have supplies for that with me. We would have to take him back to camp for that." 

Aneirin tilts his head, keeping his face still. He can't quite hear what they're saying with how they're all mumbling, but they're clearly discussing him. Hmm…

"No you're right we can't take him back to camp," Bro says gravelly, "We'd risk him getting the other phantoms..." 

Alt shudders at this thought. "Ugh- I should have tried to turn that fucker into a cat too-" Alt growls. "There's gotta be some kind of spell I can use... but I'm still kinda drained." 

"I know this sounds messed up but- what if we just like- break his legs?" Jackieboy suggests. 

"Jackie!" Dr. J gasps, horrified. 

"What?? Then he couldn't chase after you! He's still human... ish. Spirit piloting a human but- still human. Like Mag- if we broke his legs then-" 

"Dude, even if he's evil that's not cool-" Bro says, shaking his head. "Feel like that goes against- a hero oath or something. Plus- that's still someone's body. Jack would have to deal with that."

Marvin raises his eyebrows, looking like he's considering Jackieboy's suggestion. Chase leans over and punches him in the arm. "Ow! What the fuck?!" 

"Bro is right, we can't do that to Jack," Chase says. "It feels like... like we're getting close to that vision coming true. Which means that the spirit might be pushed out soon. And then Jack would be left with that." 

Not to mention that the King was physically fine in my vision, Jameson says. Changing that might prevent it from coming true. And I haven't seen any other way of defeating him. 

"We should not try to alter the future that way," Henny says with a nod to Jameson. "And... kindness gets repaid back. Even if that awful spirit does not deserve it... it is kind to Jack. Who needs that kindness." 

"yeah yeah-" Jackieboy grumbles. 

"So we're really just going to leave him," Jackie mutters. "Well. If there's anything we can do to delay him, we should do it." 

"What? Is leaving him tied to a tree and without any weapons not enough to delay him?" Henrik drawls. 

"I dunno... he's scarily powerful," Alt mutters, gripping his arm. "I have no doubt he can just- lightning himself free or something. I dunno why he hasn't yet in all honesty." 

"Oh!" Marvin suddenly perks up. "I forgot to mention this last night. But I searched the King's belongings while he was knocked out and I was tying him up. And look at this." He reaches into his bag and pulls out... a white mask in the shape of a cat's face. But not just any cat. One with stripes.

The other swaps gasp in delight at seeing the mask but it takes Alt a second to look. But, when he does his eyes widen and he goes to gently take the mask from Marvin. He feels tears in his eyes and he laughs, "...I... I thought he left it back in Suilthair...! I... I never thought I'd see it again..."

Marvin smiles a bit. "I'm surprised he took it with him as well. I can only guess that he wanted to be sure it wouldn't somehow find its way back to you." 

He loves to be in control, Jameson says. I agree, the only way he could have felt sure that you wouldn't see it was to keep it on him, out of sight. He chuckles silently. Of course, that was deflected to him. 

"As all his plans will be eventually," Henrik agrees. 

Alt runs his thumbs over the mask, smiling wetly. "Yeah I guess... It would have given me my memories back..." 

"As for why he hasn't, uh, 'lightning himself' free yet," Marvin continues. "Even his power, strange as it is, needs to recharge. He must be running low." 

Aneirin glares at Marvin as he says this--not willing to admit how right his guess is.

Alt pauses, feeling the weight of all the days stuck under their control fall on him again. He shuts his eyes and curls up, hugging the mask to his chest. 

"...Alt? Are you okay?" Dr. J asks. 

Alt nods, "Y-Yeah m'fine... just... n-need a minute..." 

Bro watches this and can already guess what his brother is feeling. He walks over then plops down next to Alt, opening his arm behind him. Alt is still for a moment before falling slightly against Bro- and the older brother wraps him up in a one armed hug.

The fantasy guys stay quiet, for their part. This feels like a private moment. Jameson is the first to speak. 

It's... difficult, he says. I know. But you have your friends, Alt. 

Jackie nods. "And us, if you need us."

Alt looks up with red-rimmed eyes and nods, "I know... it just... sucks. I lost days just... being the little thing they pushed around." He laughs bitterly, "...I was so excited to come back here and just... got dealt this shit..." 

Bro feels for Alt and leans his head against his, "... we had hoped things would be better when we got here... but it wasn't. And we didn't think Mag would know..." He looks angry as he glares at the King and Mag, "... but it wasn't fair what they did to you." 

"They will both get what they deserve, Alt," Henny says quietly. 

"We won't let our bastard get away with anything for much longer," Jackie promises. "And your bastard--well, he's a cat for now. Even if it's temporary, that's something he deserves." 

Alt laughs, "Yeah. It is." He glares at Mag, "I'd keep him trapped for a whole month if I could. Maybe longer." 

People like them never win in the end, Jameson says. I know it's hard to remember that. But it's true. And it's not your fault that you got pushed around like that. It's hard enough to resist the King on his own, much less combined with someone else. Trust me, I know. 

Marvin puts a hand on Jameson's shoulder supportively. With his other, he nudges Draco towards Alt. The cat looks at him, comically annoyed, but walks over as he suggested. Clearly, Marvin's picked up that fluffy cats are good for comfort. 

Alt listens to Jameson and looks at him sympathetically. He smiles sadly. "... it's the same way with Mag. A-At least... for me." He pulls up his sleeve to hide his purple marks on his wrist. Bro hugs Alt tighter. 

Speaking of Mag though- while everyone is distracted with Alt, Mag has pushed himself up and is studying the rope tying up Aneirin. He reaches up and tries to see if he can cut through. But, it's way too thick- and it seems like Mag gets scared of pulling out his claws. His tail flicks in annoyance as he curses Alt over and over in his head, angrily stomping around and then tearing at the ground to get out his anger.

Aneirin watches Mag try, curious. He nods, acknowledging his effort. Not thanking him. Totally not thanking him. He doesn't thank people. Not genuinely like this would be.

Mag snorts and watches the King for a second before nodding himself then plopping back to the ground, tail flicking in anger. Not much else he can do.

Alt blinks as Draco approaches him then smiles and offers him his hand to sniff. 

Draco sniffs Alt's hand, then curls up against him. 

"If you ask me... I think that Magnificent is a little afraid of you, Alt," Marvin says, keeping his voice too quiet for the temporarily-feline magician to hear. "I mean, look at what you can do when you set your mind to it. That thunderbird form of yours is powerful, and your normal form isn't too far behind, from my perspective. He wants to control you so that you won't turn against him. And he seems the type to turn fear into anger." 

Alt blinks in surprise and then chuckles, “…I always wondered if that might be the case…” 

Dr. J nods, “He is the type to act out in anger, especially when afraid. I think it might be one of the only emotions he can still feel.” 

Henrik raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure about all this, Marvin?" 

"No. But I am him, in some way, aren't I?" Marvin pauses, not wanting to share too much. "I don't think Magnificent would admit it to himself. But if I was him, that's how I would be feeling." 

“Even if he was Marvin once, you are not Magnificent.” Jackieboy says firmly to Marvin. “You’re nothing like him. Just like Alt is nothing like that fucking bastard King. And I would know.” He does smile a bit, though it is somewhat sad. “…you remind me of what he once was. When he was good.” 

Marvin blinks. “Hah. Thank you.” He smiles a little. “Glad to hear someone thinks I’m good.” 

Jackie glances at him. “Just because you were a bastard for a while doesn’t mean I never thought you weren’t good.” 

“You sure?” Henrik mutters. 

“This isn’t the time, Schneep.” 

“Alt was a bit of a bastard too- but he’s a good guy- even if he doesn’t believe it sometimes.” Jackie says with a smile. 

Alt flushes and looks away, hiding his face behind his mask without putting it on.

"Even if that's not true about Magnificent, I think you could be stronger than him, Alt," Chase says. "With practice, you know?"

Alt’s eyes burn with determination, gripping his hands into fists. “One day, I will be stronger than him. I’m gonna make sure I am.”

I believe in you, Alt, Jameson says, smiling. You’re very strong and determined.

Alt smiles, “…thanks.” 

Bro sighs and looks around at everyone, “So what’s the plan? We gotta find a way to make sure that bastard doesn’t follow you.” 

Alt thinks on this and then perks up and looks around for his bag. He pulls out a couple orange berries. “…the King told me these sap your energy… do you think we might be able to use them somehow…?” 

“…maybe?” Marvin says slowly. 

“That sounds good in idea, but I don’t think it’ll be easy,” Jackie adds. “He’s likely to bite our fingers off if we try feeding him.” 

Aneirin is glaring at them in a way that suggests he absolutely would.

“I don’t wanna get bitten by a mad king- pretty sure that’s how like- werewolves are made,” Jackieboy half jokes. “Nobody wants to become a were-bastard.” 

“Right-“ Alt chuckles, “Guess it wouldn’t be easy to make like- a sleep potion from unknown magic fruit-“ 

“We’ll try,” Chase says. “That sounds better than just waiting for him to follow.” 

“If we are going to do something like that, we should take care of Magnificent first,” Henrik says. “He seems protective of the King. Have you ever seen a cat honestly try to fight a person? Scratches everywhere.”

The swaps all glance at Magnificent, who’s staring at them with furious eyes and a lashing tail. 

“Oh! I think I can help!” Henny says, grabbing his recovered pocket watch, “Now that he is smaller- I think it will be easier for me to pause him! That way you can do the spell to get him trapped!”

Marvin grins. "If you think you can, you can try whenever you want." He grabs his amulet, its glow increasing. "I'll react as soon as you do." 

Henny grins and then gets to his feet. He heads over to Mag and then smirks, his eyes glowing teal. "Do not worry, Magnificent! This will not hurt a bit~" He then waves a hand over Mag. Mag tries to react but the spell catches him in mid rage, his mouth open in an almost comical yowl.

Marvin reacts quickly, flinging his magic at the frozen Magnificent. Light wraps around him, forming an outline of a box. It then solidifies into something that looks a lot like a modern cat carrier, just made of different materials. White canvas covers a wireframe box, with mesh windows on the sides and top to see inside. The bottom is solid wood with soft fabric on the inside, and there are two cloth handles. Marvin lets out a breath. “Glad I could remember the spell,” he says. 

Henny flips up his hand to un-pause Mag. Mag looks around the makeshift box and then starts yowling in anger, battering against the box. Once Henny sees that he starts to spell up again. "Mein gott- calm yourself, katzchen!" 

"Meanwhile... Maybe I could try something," Henrik says slowly. "Here, give me those fruit and berries. It will not change the problem of giving it to Aneirin, but at the very least, if we distill it, it might help. Water would be easier to give him than solid food."

Alt blinks and then grins, handing the berries to Henrik. "Here- lemme see if I got any spells saved that can help." He pats down his pockets and curses, "Right- fucking prick stole my things. Marvin, where's the King's shit? I think he has my phone-" 

“What was it, Alt? Oh yes.” Marvin moves back over to his bag and starts pulling stuff out. The King’s circlet, the seax, and a small bag on a string. “Here, check in there.” Marvin tosses the bag to Alt. If he checks inside, he’ll see a handful of coins and colorful stones, a square of white cloth, a signet ring—and his phone and the TRVLR. 

Alt catches the bag and grins, "Thanks dude." He looks inside and tilts his head at the white cloth. Wonder what that is? 

Jackie also leans close and looks into the King’s bag. “Oh, a royal signet ring. A lot of money. And a handkerchief—oh. I think that’s used for wiping blades.”

"Ah that makes sense," Alt mumbles to Jackie as he explains. He's gotta focus on the task at hand though. He brightens as he sees his phone. And then exclaims as he sees the TRVLR, holding it out. "Oh yes!! I was wondering where they fucking kept this!" 

Dr. J blinks, "Oh! The TRVLR!" 

"Yes! I was worried fucking Mag did something else to it!" Alt grins. He holds both devices out and powers them up. The phone takes a second but is able to turn on, even if its like at 30%. He can't do much with it here anyways- but, he saved a bunch of his spell pages on his camera roll which he quickly looks through, searching for a spell.

Marvin picks up the cat box and brings it over to the rest of the group. Draco looks at Mag inside and paws at the mesh. It’s almost like he’s teasing him. 

“Ooo, your devices!” Henrik says, leaning forward in interest. “That is your alphabet, yes? How strange. It is all so… regular. I hear that they are making devices for regular writing like that back in Alterde. Called, ah… pr-presses? Because they press in the letters?” 

"Oh! Like a printing press!" Henny says excitedly, "I know of those!"

"Oh right- guess a lot of materials are still handwritten here." Dr. J muses.

Alt grins, "Yeah- we actually have machines now that write for us. In a sense- They make everything all even looking." 

Indeed, everything is written still, Jameson says. It would be helpful to have something that could write for you. I would certainly love that. 

Marvin chuckles. "Yes, that would make everything easy, wouldn't it, Jair?" 

"Not to mention how expensive books are because of how long they take to make," Chase mutters. "I'd like to actually have one, one day." 

"Oh- If only we could find a book written in your language. I would gladly bring you one," Dr. J says with a smile, "Books are quite affordable in our world." 

"If only that memory spell made me and Alt fluent in Glasish," Bro snickers.

"I don't think your brain has room for all of that-" Jackieboy teases. Bro pushes him over and they both laugh. 

After a bit Alt finds what he's looking for and grins, getting to his feet. "Okay- I dunno how well this will work on the King. But, considering Mag is a cat- we can at least stop him from freaking out." He kneels down by the box and then meets Mag's eyes. He waves a hand over the box and whispers "Codail". 

Particles of blue-green magic fall into the box and after a quick sign for Henny to release the pause spell again, Mag falls over into a little ball, fast asleep. 

"ah- thank you Alt, I was getting sore." Henny says. 

"Sore?" Jackieboy raises an eyebrow. 

"Yes! Using magic for a long period is... sore on the mind?" Henny makes a thinking face. "I do not know how else to phrase it."

The guys look impressed as Alt makes Mag fall asleep. 

"That would be very helpful," Marvin says. "I wonder if I could learn a spell like that. And yes, Henny, I agree. Sore on the mind. Like holding up a weight for too long." 

Alt grins, "I don't see why not! It's just a simple word spell for me- but I dunno, s'probably different here."

Jackie is looking at the King thoughtfully. "You know... we know that he can sleep, since Chase sees Jack in dreams," he says slowly. "So I don't know if the spirit will be affected, but maybe the body will be..." Aneirin's eyes widen slightly but he tries to keep his worry hidden.

At Jackie's thought, Alt looks back the King with an unreadable expression. "... He did need to sleep." His expression darkens as he starts to stride over to the King. He knew Mag would be too strong to be affected by a spell like this normally- but... Jack's body was human. "...Marvin- you might need to drop the silence spell."

Marvin looks at Alt, expression serious. "Alright. You should work fast, then, because he's going to try to command you as soon as he can." Aneirin sits up straight, eyes sharp.

Alt nods and in a blink, he's glitched right in front of the King. He acts fast, putting a hand over the King's mouth as magic blooms bright on the other. He looks to Marvin and nods.

Jackie notices what Alt and Marvin are doing. He stiffens, grabbing his sword just in case. 

Marvin nods back. Glowing bits of white light flicker into vision in the area affected by the silence spell--and then as they disappear, sound rushes back. 

Aneirin is immediately trying to speak, his voice muffled by Alt. There's a faint hint of enchantment but without understanding the words it can't do much.

Alt's eyes glow bright blue as he pushes the King's head back and then does the sleep spell again, growling out, "Codail." Probably with more malice then he should use but- just being near the King made his blood boil.

Aneirin's eyes flash with hatred--and then they close and he slumps against the tree. For a split second, Alt swears he hears a whispered {good luck} before the King falls asleep entirely. 

The group pauses for a moment, tense, as Alt does this. And then when the King fall asleep they all breathe a collective sigh of relief and return to the conversation. Alt steps back from the King, breathing heavily for a second before he snorts and glitches back over to the others.

"Next time we see each other the visitors should plan to bring books," Henrik says. "I know there are lesson books for reading. I used them when learning Glasish back in home." 

"Oh that would be brilliant!" Dr. J says, clapping his hands together. 

”We could teach you English too!" Henny beams. 

"I would love to learn your language," Henrik gushes. "I think I am very good at learning them." 

Me too! Jameson says, grinning. Clearly I cannot speak it but I'd love to read it.

"English is complicated but! I think all of us would be good teachers!" Henny grins. 

Dr. J smiles kindly, "We could also teach you our version of handspeak- me and Henrik use it often." 

Henny nods, "The others learned for us too!" 

"I remember when Bro appeared he tried to speak in hands to us, but we didn't understand it," Jackie says, chuckling. "It looked very strange." 

"I thought it could be universal-" Bro says with slightly flushed cheeks. "Then again- hard to find anyone who knows it in our own world. Schools should really teach it more." 

“I agree, more people should learn handspeak," Chase continues. "I learned it because Amabel wasn't learning to talk quickly so I thought that maybe physical speaking would help. She still uses it sometimes even though she can be very talkative now." 

Dr. J smiles knowingly, "Ah... I was like that as a child. Maybe not in the same way- but I was non-verbal often. That's how I learned." 

"All of that sounds fun," Chase says, smiling. "Learning doesn't usually seem fun to me, maybe being from different worlds makes it more interesting."

Jackieboy grins at Chase, "Dude- same. Never thought I'd have as much fun learning here as I did. S'probably cuz its just so different!" 

Chase laughs. "Exactly. I didn't have nearly as much fun learning to read--no offense, Henrik." 

"None taken." Henrik shrugs.  

Alt seems almost- sad. Listening to the others talk about returning. ...he's not sure they can. Not if Mag would be doing everything he can to follow them. He can't risk something like this happening again... He gathers up the TRVLR and tries to check on its damages. 

The TRVLR's screen flickers oddly for a second, a couple purple pixels at first, then a handful of red ones. But then it clears up. 

WARNING 

Latency Detected 

This unit is having difficulty connecting to the universal database. This is for one or more of the following reasons: 

-A Ripple is happening 

-Current location is too far from unit's home universe -Current location does not have the technical capabilities of helping connection 

Please take this into account when jumping. 

It's the same latency warning from last time. Better be careful when tapping the universe you want to jump to. 

Alt's eyebrows knit together in worry at seeing the screen flickering a bit then sighs as it seems to clear up. He nods. At least now they know their own universe code now. He carefully scrolls to find their favorites. "...we should probably leave soon."

"...so- guess we're about to split up again then..." Bro says, trying to school his expression but his voice gives himself away. 

"Alt missed out on so many things though!" Henny says. 

Dr. J sighs, "Yes but... we have delayed our friends long enough. We can't be selfish... they need to get on this quest. They have a kingdom to save after all." 

"...I dunno how long the spell will last but... hopefully it'll give you guys some time." Alt mumbles.

"Thank you, Alt," Marvin says, smiling. "We really appreciate it." 

"It 'sucks' that you missed out on so much," Chase says. "I'm so sorry that you got stuck with those bastards." He gives a glance to the sleeping King. 

We'll find a way to come visit you! Jameson says. Or you can come back whenever you want. 

"I think that time goes faster in our world than yours," Henrik says. "So maybe by the time you want to return, we will have everything already sorted." 

Alt smiles sadly at them and nods, "Y-Yeah..." He looks down and lets his expression fall for a second. 

But, Bro notices. Bro comes over and pats Alt on the shoulder, "Hey... if the time thing is true- even if Mag tries to follow us again- this spirit will be gone! He'll be out of his depths again. I'm sure we can take him- or figure out a way to stop him entirely. We got time, baby bro... We can ask Blaise for some safe guards or- I dunno something. Magic can do lots of things, right?" 

Alt blinks at Bro and then slowly smiles. "...Yeah. You're right." He turns back to the others and smiles, "I gotta come back to meet this Vsenva guy anyways, right?" 

"Maybe next time we could bring Oliver!" Jackieboy grins. 

Alt blushes. 

"Vsevna would love to meet you, Alt," Henrik says. "And I would love to meet your partner as well. He sounds like a nice guy." 

"Make sure you all have your old clothes packed in your bags," Jackie says. "Is there anything else you want to bring?" 

"Oh! I'm wondering something, actually." Marvin hands them one of the fruits. "There's a seed in that. Maybe you can plant it and grow magic fruit in your world? Or maybe not. It's possible that it won't work outside of the Wyldwood." 

"If you try, you should probably keep it in a pot or something so that it doesn't grow out of control," Chase says. "Amabel has told me that people planting strange plants and letting them run wild can really affect the, uh... circle of life, I think it's called. The environment." 

Dr. J takes the fruit and then beams, "Oh! That will be a very fun experiment. Maybe we can take it to Alt's mentor- she might know how to help it grow!" 

"I'm sure it'll be helpful to have magical healing fruit if you can make it grow," Marvin says, grinning. "But do be careful. No overindulgence."

"Oh Oh! May we keep our masks??" Henny asks, holding his hedgehog one to his chest. "I do not want to take if you need them but! It is soooo cute!"

Jackie laughs. "Of course you guys can take the masks! Alt took his last time. Think of them as keepsakes." 

"Yay!" Henny says, hugging his mask. "When I look at it, I will think of all the great friends we made here!" 

"So... you're all going to leave now, then?" Chase asks. 

Don't forget the cat, Jameson adds.

"...we should..." Alt says, standing up. "You guys have a lot on your plate. And honestly... I'm tired." Alt laughs, "I'm not sure how much more adventuring I could take..." 

"We should really get you seen by a doctor, Alt," Dr. J says, "You're still very injured." 

"Yeah yeah..." Alt mutters, clearly not excited about that. 

Jackieboy stretches and gets to his feet. "Yeahhh we do have lives to get back to... and despite the peril- not a bad time." He smiles. "We'll all see each other again." 

Bro grins, "Definitely." He grabs the box with Mag and lugs it onto one of his shoulders. "We'll be back to see the kingdom how its supposed to be!" He gestures to the others- "Grab your bags, lads." 

The others do so and then stand in a semi circle, adjusting and double checking they have everything. 

"Motherfucker- bastards have my jacket-" Alt mutters, closing up his bag. 

"Eh- you have like 3 of those now, Alt," Bro laughs.

Alt makes a face. "That one was the softest though..." 

"I'm sure the others will get soft again with enough wearing in, Alt." Dr. J chuckles. 

"If we find your jacket, Alt, we'll keep it safe for you," Chase promises.

Alt chuckles, "Thanks, man." 

Henny looks back at the fantasy boys, "... can we all get a hug before we leave??" He asks, his expression pleading.

The guys all smile. "Of course!" Jackie laughs, and immediately goes in for the hug. Chase follows, then Jameson, then Henrik. Marvin lingers back for a moment before joining in. "I'm not much for hugs, but this is a special occasion," he says, grinning. 

Henny excitedly pulls as many of them in as he can. Jackieboy follows, then Dr. J. Alt also hesitates but then, Bro puts the box down long enough to scoop Alt and give everyone a big super hug. 

Everyone laughs. 

The swaps all step back and form their circle again. Bro picking up the box and the others all linking hands. Alt double checks the TRVLR, making sure its not lagging and on the right universe. He smiles and then looks back at the others. "Until next time, then. Good luck." 

The others all shout out goodbyes and cyas as Alt hits the jump button.

"Until next time!" Jackie shouts, waving. 

"We'll see you then!" Chase adds. 

Good luck to you too! Jameson says. 

"We will miss you!" Henrik adds. 

"Farewell." Marvin smiles. 

And then the visitors all disappear at once. 

The guys stare at the spot where they were for a moment, taking in their sudden absence. Until Draco starts pawing at Marvin's leg. 

"I think he wants us to move on," Chase says, noticing that. 

"Yea, I hear you, boy, don't be so impatient," Marvin says, looking down at him. 

We do need to move fast, though, Jameson says. Alt's magic cannot last for long if he's left this world. He looks pointedly at the King. 

"Yea." Jackie nods. "I guess we go on now." 

"To return to our own quest, then," Henrik says, nodding as well. 

Chase looks at the King. "We'll find a way," he says quietly. 

And with that, they continue on their trek through the Wyldwood, determined to find some way to save their kingdom.

◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈

The fall between worlds lingers for a little longer than usual. Alt feels the TRVLR in his hand get a little bit warmer, as the green stars in the Space In-Between flicker for a bit. And they all... jolt slightly. Like they're floating in a still water pond that suddenly ripples. And then, suddenly, they are back in their own world. Right where they left.

Alt's eyes widen as the change happens- Bro tightens his grip on him. But, then they're home. Right in the middle of the Brodys' living room. 

Alt gasps like he just broke the surface after being underwater. He looks down anxiously at the TRVLR, knitting his eyebrows together. 

Bro sighs and flops down onto their couch. "Ah! Home!!" 

"Don't get too comfy, Chase," Dr. J shakes his head, "After we all clean up and get dressed- we're taking Alt to the hospital." 

"Whattt! C'mon Jay!" Bro protests. 

"You said he broke his arm and his ribs! That needs proper treatment!" 

"It was partially healed by magic fruit!" 

"It should still be checked!!" 

Jackieboy rolls his eyes and looks around for a charger. "I'mma charge my phone and check in with everyone. You all start without me." 

Henny notices Alt stock still, still clutching the TRVLR. He walks over and places a hand on his shoulder. "Alt? Are you alright?" 

Alt startles slightly and then turns to smile at Henny, "Y-Yeah... Yeah. Fine." He pockets the device then grabs the box with Mag. "Immmm gonna get this dumped into the warehouse district before the spell breaks and Mag kills us!" 

Dr. J turns to him, "Alt! You better come back straight away because we'r-" 

"OKAYGOTTAGOBYE-" Alt says as he disappears into glitches. 

Dr. J watches him go and then sighs, rubbing his forehead. "You all are a handful..." 

"But ya love usss~" Jackieboy grins. 

JJ smiles and chuckles, "Unfortunately, Yes. I do." 

Alt deposits the box outside where he last knew Mag's warehouse to be. He almost wants to stop by to see the panthers but... not a good idea. He takes the time to take the TRVLR back out and study it.

 ... the transition was really really weird. He's never seen that before... he hopes its okay. As dangerous as these trips can be... he doesn't want to give up on them yet. But for now... Jay was right. He had a lot to recover from. He looks down at the sleeping form of his foe- kicks the box for good measure and flips it off as he heads back to his friends. 

[the-togepi-man]

I could never be in a cult. And I say that like, not because I think I am better than people who have been in a cult, but because I have such an athority problem. Like the second you think you're better than me or someone I care about I'm ready to get up in someone's face. Like oh YOU saw Space Jesus and only HE gives YOU messages? Sorry I saw HER too and SHE said you're robes are crusty. Oh haha this? This is Cool-Aid that DOESN'T kill people, try it henny