#anyways i think they should give him robot cat ears and tail

[cellyjubes]

my poor meow meow

catboy version below

[twistedtummies2]

The Mad Doctor of Night Raven (Commission)

Another commission; this is from the same person who created Tock Crockwork and Caelyum in past stories. This time, we introduce another OC of theirs: Xavier Madoc, based on The Mad Doctor from Epic Mickey. This is also my first time properly writing for Idia and Ortho! :D

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“You sure this is everything you need, me hearties?”

“Nya! It better be! Some of this is heavy!” You smirked as you adjusted the box of electronic equipment in your arms. You checked on your companions, who were carrying similar boxes. To your right strolled Grim, the fire-eared, trident-tailed, cat-like imp. He was carrying a very small box - fitting for his size - while yours was more medium sized. A box matching the size of yours was in the arms of your more human comrade: a tall, slender young man with long, fuschia-colored dreadlocks, dressed all in brown. “Thanks for the help, Cael,” you said to him gratefully. Caelyum De Macabre shrugged cheerily. “Don’t mention it!” he chuckled. “For one thing, helping you get this stuff was part of my job at the Mystery Shop. Sam prides himself on having everything; if I couldn’t find something like all this, he might dock my pay.” “Would he?” you blinked. “Probably not, but he MIGHT,” huffed Cael. “And as for carrying some of this…” His smile became more bashful. “...I owe you both. If it weren’t for you all...I might not have been able to reconcile with Mia.” “How is she, by the way?” you asked, tilting your head, then smirked teasingly. “Have you proposed yet?” “Well...um...yes and no?” chuckled Cael, pausing to flick a stray dreadlock out of his face before continuing. “We had a talk about that, actually, and...we decided it would be best to wait to get married till after I finished school.” “Well, as soon as you have your wedding, make sure you guys send me and Grim an invite!” Cael nodded to say he would, then both of you paused as you heard a sort of growly groan come from Grim. “Having trouble, Little Monster?” Cael asked, tilting his own head this time. “I wish people would stop calling me that,” grumbled the imp, and continued to march onward, tail flicking angrily behind him as the blue flames in his ears crackled faintly. “I’ve got it. The Great Grim won’t be defeated by a box!” He paused, blinked, then mumbled: “That’s something I didn’t think I’d say today…” Both yourself and Caelyum snickered.

“Why’d the otaku guy ask for all this, anyway?” Cael asked as the three of you continued on. “It’s for the science expo!” Grim said. “Science expo?” frowned Caelyum. “Idia’s final exam,” you nodded, and explained: “Crowley is holding a science expo here in a couple of weeks, and Idia has to create something for it for one of his classes.” “Well...cool, but why are YOU guys getting it?” “Because the thought of leaving his room multiple times to take multiple trips nearly made Idia have a heart attack,” you answered, dryly. Cael blinked...then sighed. “Yeah,” he muttered. “From what little I’ve seen of Shroud, that sounds about right.” “I hope he appreciates the help,” huffed Grim, and bounced the box of equipment in his little arms as he continued to march forward, moving ahead of you both. “It’s not easy hauling all this from the Mystery Shop all the way Igni-YIPE!” Grim let out a shrill yelp, and fell back onto his bunce; he’d bumped into something, which hit the floor with a crash. The box full of equipment fell to the ground. Yourself and Cael quickly but carefully put down your own boxes and hurried to gather the fallen items and inspect them swiftly, while Grim growled and rubbed his sore haunches. “Nothing’s damaged,” Cael sighed with relief. “Are you alright, Grim?” you asked. “No,” pouted Grim. “My dignity is wounded, and it’s hard keeping it intact as it is.” You smirked affectionately. “Oh my gosh!” exclaimed a new voice. “Are you okay?!” The three of you looked up to see a new figure rushing towards you all. The figure was a young man, dressed in the black-and-blue, informal, leather-jacket-clad dorm costume of Ignihyde. His skin was pale, and he had moppish hair, which had been dyed mint green with blue tips. His eyes were heterochromatic, and similarly colored: one was emerald, the other cobalt. He was somewhat gangly in build, yet handsome in features. “Nya...I’m not hurt, if that’s what you mean,” Grim muttered out, stumbling back onto his hindpaws and dusting off his fur. “I wasn’t talking to you!” the young man snapped, catching Grim off-guard...then knelt down to what Grim had bumped into. “Abe! Abe, are you okay?” The figured Grim had bumped into, you soon realized, was a robot. It was dressed like a porter, and - in contrast to the synthetic skin and almost fully human appearance of Ortho Shroud - had a decidedly mechanical, industrial look: all metal plates and gear-twisting joints. Its face was mask-like, with two yellow lamps for eyes. The robot shook its head with a whirring noise, as if to clear it, then the mute bot - it had no mouth - nodded to the young Ignihyde student. The mint-eyed boy sighed with relief, and smiled at the bot as if it were an old friend, patting its shoulder. Then, he glared at Grim almost childishly. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going?!” the lad snapped. “Me?!” snapped Grim, stomping one foot angrily, ear-fire flaring up. “Your stupid robot was the one who bumped into me!” The green-and-blue-haired youth gasped, looking deeply offended, and hugged Abe close. “Don’t listen to the mean little raccoon, Abe,” he crooned to the bot, stroking the back of its head like it was his child. “You’re perfect just the way you are.” “I AM NOT A RACCOON!” screamed Grim. “I don’t even LOOK like one; why does everyone keep calling me that?!” The student from Ignihyde was too busy fawning over his robot like it was a spoiled child to answer. The robot squirmed, its yellow eyes flickering; you got the feeling that if a machine had the power to blush, Abe would have been doing so from all the attention. Grim pouted and grumbled while yourself and Caelyum stepped closer to address the newcomer, who helped the robot to its feet. The machine called Abe clattered and clanked a bit as the young man pulled a screwdriver out of his pocket and began to check over the mechanical wonder’s form. “Buddy, I keep telling you, you have to make sure to look both ways,” whispered the young scientist. “Maybe some of your circuits need rewiring; it’s like your memory bank has a hole or two in it somewhere. Tch. My fault for using-” “Excuse me,” you spoke up. “Who are you?” The Ignihyde student looked to you...then smiled. “Oh, hey there!” he said, waving with the hand that held the screwdriver. “Name’s Xavier. Xavier Madoc, if you, ah, wanna get all formal and stuff, heh. I’m a, uh, first year here in the dorm. I was just taking my buddy Abe here for a tour around the campus!” He patted his robot’s back; Abe stumbled forward, and rubbed his arm, looking a little nervous as he nodded to you in greeting. Sensing the AI’s anxiety, you gave a disarming smile of your own and bowed your head in return. This seemed to make Abe perk up a bit. “Nice to meet you both,” you said. “Speak for yourself,” mumbled Grim. “Hey, not Abe’s fault you’re an imperfect specimen of biology,” frowned Xavier. Before either yourself or Grim could point out Abe was clearly not a perfect machine, either, Xavier’s eyes lit up with recognition as he noticed the other member of the party. “Oh, it’s you again! Kale, yeah?” “Cael,” De Macabre corrected, with a mild smile. “Is this your presentation for the science expo?” “Pffft! Oh-ho, yeah, like...c’mon. Making artificial life? That’s, like, SO twenty years ago,” Xavier snorted. “Nope! I’ve got somethin’ a whole lot bigger in mind! It’s gonna REALLY put me on the map!” “After how much all those parts cost you, I should hope so,” mumbled Caelyum. “Hold on, back up,” you said, giving a  “time out” gesture. “The two of you know each other?” “Only peripherally,” admitted the shopkeeper’s aid. “Just like you guys, I helped Xavier pick out some items for his project.”

“Cool,” you commented. “They work perfectly, by the way!” Xavier butted in, and then giddlily clapped his hands. “Ohhhh, this is gonna Rock. The. World. Like, if there was a world, and my new invention could hold it, it would just…” He made explosive noises as he mimed shaking something in his hands, then puffed them out with a long, whining “Aaaaaah!” noise. “...That would be it,” he declared, grinning from ear to ear. “Nothing is gonna top this one, nothing!” “Well, you seem pretty confident,” you chuckled. “Trust me, if there’s one thing I know...well, actually, I know, like, a lot of things, I guess?” Xavier frowned, turning his eyes heavenward as he counted on his fingers. “I mean, there’s, like mechanical engineering, alchemy, anatomy, welding, potion making, computer science...basically, yeah, if there’s one thing I can do, it’s how to make something awesome. With SCIENCE!” The last word was spoken with great melodrama, complete with Xavier lifting one hand theatrically, throwing his head back with pride and puffing out his chest arrogantly. Abe seemed to roll his eyes at his creator’s hammy attitude. “I wouldn’t get too cocky,” Cael said warningly, as he stepped back to lift his box up off the floor. “Yeah! Especially with all this to contend with,” Grim grinned a little smugly, picking his own box back up as well. Xavier frowned as he saw you lift the third and final box, now looking both curious and perhaps borderline suspicious. “Yeah, about that...what’s with all the toys?” he said, pointing to the box with a slight frown, as if the items within were beneath him. “Is there, like, a kid entering the expo, or are you cleaning out trash…?” You blinked, and the three in your party shared looks. The strange part about that comment was it didn’t sound like it was meant to be an insult. Xavier seriously seemed to see the tools in the boxes as inferior. “These are for Idia. Your dorm head,” you said, slowly. Xavier’s eyes widened, and so did his smile. “Oh! Oh, COOL! So, wait, holdupholdupholdup...you’re saying Idia Shroud - THE Idia Shroud - is gonna come outta his hideout and tussle with the muscle at the contest?” “That’s...one way of putting it, yep,” you answered unsteadily. “That’s TERRIFIC!” Xavier exclaimed, clapping his hands and bouncing on his heels with giddy delight. Abe tilted his head with curiosity, and Xavier, noticing the robot’s reaction, decided to explain. “When I beat Idia, that’ll be, like, the best thing ever!” Madoc told Abe. “I can finally show just how perfect and brilliant my machines are! Abe, it’s gonna be DA BOMB! HA HA HA!” Xavier cackled with almost unhinged delight, pumping his fists. Abe turned his lamplike eyes towards your group. You see what I have to put up with? he seemed to be saying. “Be wary,” Caelyum warned. “You shouldn’t underestimate Shroud: he’s dorm head for a reason. He literally made his own brother, you know; have you made anything that impressive before?” Xavier looked to Cael...and his smile fell. A sudden coldness came over his expression, and his eyes narrowed. “Are you saying my machines aren’t impressive?” he whispered, his voice lowering an octave. “No, I don’t think he’s saying that at all!” you interrupted, sensing the tension and wanting to cut it short. “Just...um...Idia’s not half bad either, you know.” Xavier smirked, but his eyes were still glittering like emerald daggers. “Hmph. He may be dorm head, but he’s got nothing on The Madoc,” Xavier boasted, jabbing a thumb at himself...then, his eyes brightened, and his whole being became exuberant once more. “Hey! Hey, you should totally come see the expo! All of you! That’d be great!” “Then we could see you win, huh?” you smirked right back, already sensing his thoughts. “Well...or see the others lose,” he said with a sinister laugh. “Your choice of how you wanna word it.” “Nya...that seems a jerky way to put it,” grumbled Grim, but no one paid attention to him. “Well, Crowley is probably gonna ask us to do something there anyways, with his track record,” you muttered. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw you there.” “Perfect,” smiled Xavier, then cocked his head innocently. “Uh...right, I, ah...yeah, just realized I never got who YOU were?” You gave your name quickly. “I’m Prefect of the Ramshackle Dorm,” you explained, and pointed to Grim. “This is Grim.” “Aww...nice that your dorm allows pets.” Grim looked like he was pondering the many ways he coil make life excruciatingly painful for Xavier Madoc. “Why do you say that?” Cael spoke up. “Does yours not?” “Honestly, I dunno,” shrugged Xavier. “I’ve never had a pet. Never wanted one, really.” He tapped Abe on the chest; the robot - who had been staring off at something on a wall - jumped at the clanking on his abdomen. “I just deal with machines,” he said. “Pets are so...fussy. And unpredictable. You have to feed them and clean up their mess...my machines are clean and easy to handle. A machine can’t leave you or get sick; if there’s a malfunction, just a touch of oil or a twist of a wrench, and it’s all fixed, usually! And, hey, if something breaks, I can just rebuild it!” Abe looked hurt. “Oh, not you, buddy,” Xavier chuckled, patting his metal shoulder. “You’re irreplaceable.” Abe seemed to smile, but since he had no visible lips, you couldn’t tell. “I think it’s a good thing to have pets,” Caelyum argued, then gave a joking smile. “Maybe you should buy a lab rat or something?” Xavier shuddered. “Right, and be around animals AND people? Thanks, I think I’ll pass.” “And you were teasing Idia about leaving HIS hideout?” Grim taunted. Xavier glared at him. “I’m not scared of people,” he protested. “I just...don’t like crowds. I don’t like most people, either.” “You seem to be chatting easily with us,” you observed. “Well...yeah, but…no offense, I’m not gonna be inviting you to my lab anytime soon,” Xavier smiled weakly. “I like my privacy, that’s all.” You weren’t quite sure how to respond to that. “Speaking of,” Xavier went on, without waiting to see if you WOULD respond, “I gotta get back to work: I’ve gotta work out some clibrations for my new invention, then maybe see about modifying Abe’s storage banks, not to mention figuring out a few blueprints for future projects…” “Jeeze, don’t you do anything fun?!” Grim exclaimed. “Science IS fun,” huffed Xavier, sticking his nose up snootily. “And I don’t see a reason to stand here and be insulted by a furball.” While Grim sputtered, offended, Xavier looked to Abe. “Come, my friend!” he called out, theatrically. “Back to the laboratory!” Abe saluted, and he and his creator turned on their heels before marching away. The metallic footsteps of the robot echoed down the hall for several seconds after they vanished from sight. “I don’t like him,” grumbled Grim. “We gathered that,” Caelyum smirked. “He seems...eccentric,” you murmured, then shook your head. “Then again, I guess it’d be hard to find anybody at this school who ISN’T at least a little bit odd.” “He seemed like a good sort to me,” Cael nodded, then frowned thoughtfully. “Perhaps a bit too sure of himself for his own good...not to mention a little too antisocial…” “Hey, I’ve dealt with Idia; trust me, that was nothing on the antisocial level,” you scoffed, as the three of you went down a side passage and headed off to find Idia’s room. “That’s not quite what I mean,” mumbled Caelyum, and then went on, aloud. “You know the donation jar at the Mystery Shop?” “You mean for the Medical Center?” “Yeah,” Cael said. “He didn’t donate anything. That’s not surprising, I guess, and it wouldn’t have really bothered me at all - donations from customers are hit and miss, always - but when I asked him if he’d like to make a donation, his response was…unsettling.” “Nya?” Grim meowed, one ear flicking with curiosity. “And what did he say?” “He said, ‘Sorry, but there are too many people out there to worry about the sick ones.’” You blinked...then scowled. “Okay...that’s...not very nice...and a little confusing,” you murmured. “Yeah,” Caelyum said. “The weirdest part was he then started rambling about the machines in the Medical Center. He seemed more interested in how the machines worked than what they actually did to help people.” You glanced back over your shoulder. Now, you were starting to feel worried. A person that strange, that obsessed, and that sure of his own superiority… ...Suddenly, Xavier’s eccentricities were starting to take a more sinister undercurrent. “Let’s just forget about him,” snorted Grim. “Come on, the scaredy-cat’s waiting!” “Right,” you muttered, then shook your head to clear it, and picked up the pace, this time taking the lead yourself. “Come on, you two...if Idia’s going to have any shot at that science expo - Madoc or no Madoc - he’ll need these parts.’

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Several weeks later, the science expo at Night Raven College commenced. Various students from across the campus were readying their inventions and projects. You had been right, of course: the Headmaster had, indeed, demanded that you attend the expo. As custodians, your job was to help those preparing their experiments, and to clean up any messes that might come up. By some miracle, not a drop of an acid, nor a bit of any base, had yet to stain the floor, and nothing solid had broken. Of course, that could change at any time, so yourself and Grim wandered around the expo, peeking at different experiments on display. A lot of what was being shown you didn’t fully understand - science had never been your strongest point - and, truth be told, the majority of the students involved were not ones you knew personally. There were, however, two familiar faces you were hoping to see. “Nya...where are the Shrouds?” meowed Grim, flicking his tail from side to side and blinking his big blue-green eyes up at you. “Shouldn’t Idia and Ortho have set up their panel already.” “Yeah, they should have,” you nodded. “Maybe they just didn’t get things ready in time?” “Not the way I heard it.” The voice caught your attention, and both yourself and Grim smiled as you saw who it belonged to. “Oh, Cael! So you came here after all, huh?” you grinned. “Yup. I actually invited Mia, but she couldn’t make it; some kind of royal business,” the shopkeeper’s assistant shrugged. “I wanted to see how the items Sam and I sold were being used, so I asked him if I could get out of my job at the Mystery Shop a few hours early to check things out.” “I see. I’m sorry to hear Mia couldn’t make it,” you said, sympathetically. Caelyum smiled gently. “For years I lived without her,” he said, faintly. “Even if we’re not together, my heart will always be with her...and hers with mine…” “Ugh...gag me,” sneered Grim. “You don’t have to make it sound so dramatic, you know; you’re a bigger ham than the guys at Pomefiore!” Cael blushed and you giggled. “Anyway...Ortho told me he and Idia had finished their work,” Caelyum informed you and the imp. “They actually have it stored here at the hall, since they felt that would make it easier for transport and setup.” “That’s strange, then. Even Idia usually isn’t late for these things,” you murmured, looking a little concerned. “He’s not?” Cael asked, curiously. “I would have thought, with his reputation, he would try his hardest to avoid them.” “Well, Idia usually has Ortho attend the Dorm Leader Meetings - and other events - and then uses his computer to do a voice stream from his room,” you explained. “That way he can make his presentations without having to face the crowds directly. There should be no reason for at least one of them to not be-” “Excuse me! Pardon me! Coming through! Thank you!” “Idon’twannagoIdon’twannagoIdon’twannagohelphelphelp…!” Grim turned around fast at the sound of the familiar voices, and tugged on your leg, pointing in the direction they were coming from. Both you and Cael quickly looked in the direction he had indicated, and saw the crowd of students and helpful staff members parting… ...Revealing the form of Ortho Shroud, who all but skipped merrily along through the campus convention hall where the expo was being held, dragging along what looked like an enormous black-and-blue bag. You quickly realized the “enormous bag” was really Idia Shroud, who was lying belly down on the floor. His dead-white hands were holding up his hoodie in a steel-knuckled grip, while his glowing blue, ethereal hair spilled across the floor from under it. Ortho noticed your group soon enough; his cybernetic eyes widened, and he waved, trotting over to three of you. You looked to Caelyum, who was staring bug-eyed, stunned by the bizarre tableaux. You had to admit, it said something that, somehow, you were a lot less weirded out. “Hi ya, Prefect!” Ortho chirped in his electronic way, as he stopped a few feet away from your trio. You could see that, now at a standstill, Idia was shaking like a leaf. “Uhhhh...hi,” you greeted awkwardly. “Nya! Why are you two so late?” Grim grimaced. “And what exactly is going on?” Cael asked, sounding like he was trying not to shout that out in confusion. “Oh! Well, um, Big Brother’s thingamajig that he uses for remote conference? It, uh...kinda had a malfunction,” Ortho said, an embarrassed smile flickering behind the mask-like apparatus on his android face. “Malfunction?” the three of you repeated, looking at each other, and then back at Ortho. “Yeah,” Ortho said, and scratched the back of his head. “My brother convinced a stray cat into our room so he could give it some food...but when he tried to snuggle it, it bolted back out the window, and knocked the device off a table and onto the floor. We...didn’t have time to fix it.” A keening whine from Idia made it hard from you to determine if you should laugh or just feel sorry for the poor, anxious noble son. “Yeesh...and that’s what all this is about, huh?” “Yep!” Ortho siad, cheerily. “Big Brother still has to attend his final for the class, after all! So I made sure to get him here with enough time to set up shop!” Ortho’s chest was puffed out with pride; you swore, if he had a tail, it would have been wagging like a puppy’s. You couldn’t help but smile, even as Grim and Cael both rolled their eyes, crossing their arms over their chests. “Well, good job, Ortho; that’s being responsible!” you said, and playfully patted the boy-like droid’s head; you would never understand how that fire-like hair DIDN’T burn your fingers, but no matter. “I’m sure once he’s done having a panic attack, he’ll be proud of you.” Ortho giggled happily and his eyes crinkled with another sweet “smile.” You now turned your attention to Idia, as Ortho released his leg. The instant, Idia felt his leg being let go, he stopped shaking and froze. Slowly, he rolled onto his back...and huge amber yellow eyes, glowing like warning lights, peered out from behind the hoodie. Idia took one look at the crowd in the hall, and the faces looking at him...and squeaked like a mouse before hiding his face. He clumsily tried to get to his feet and run away...only to let out a shrill, strangled sound as he tripped on his own feet and fell over. Ortho let out an “eep!” and rushed to catch hold of his brother before the computer genius could eat tile. “Nervous, Idia?” Grim drawled with a smirk. Cael couldn’t help but chuckle as Idia whimpered with terror, quivering once again. “P-People,” came Idia’s voice behind his hood. “Too...t-too many people...please...t-take me back to my room...I-I’d rather watch the English dubbing of Ghost Stories than do this…heck, I’d rather play Iron Gear: Survive than be here...!” “Not till you finish your presentation,” Ortho said. “Come on, Big Brother! Show everybody how cool you are!” “I don’t wanna be cool!” Idia nearly sobbed. “Please, not this! Not…” He gulped and nearly choked on the next words. “...T-Talking to people...having them judge me...no, no, not that…” Idia shook his head behind his hood stubbornly. Ortho looked at you helplessly. You sighed and knelt down to Idia’s level. You cautiously reached out to the trembling socially anxious scientist, who whimpered as he felt your hands brush against him, and curled up tightly, as if afraid of being struck. With a sympathetic smile, you carefully parted his hands and pulled down his hood. His face now fully exposed to the outside world, Idia blinked his giant yellow eyes at you with real fear. His dark lips were trembling, and you swore those golden irises were getting a little misty as he looked on the verge of crying with fear. You could hear his shark-like teeth chattering as if winter had come early that year. “Idia,” you said softly, “It’s got to be done, and you’re the only one who can do it.” “Why is that?” peeped Idia, childishly. “Because it’s YOUR creation, Idia,” you said, with an encouraging smile. “No one knows it better than you do.” “Yeah! It’s not like we can talk about all this science-y junk!” Grim broke in...then subsided when Idia reacted by looking hurt, while Ortho gave him an almost murderous glare. “The presentation only has to be a few minutes long,” Cael thought to put in helpfully. “A few SECONDS is too much!” Idia said, and hurried to try and hide his face again...but you prevented it with your hands as you carefully held his wrists. His black-nailed fingers twitched with mortal dread as he looked into your earnest, honest eyes. “Idia, does Ortho know anything about the project?” “Well...n-no, not enough to tell them everything,” Idia admitted, squirming uncomfortably and almost guiltily, like a child admitting he’d stolen five cookies from the cookie jar. “Is there anybody else who could give the presentation on your behalf, with the knowledge you have?” Idia blinked. Those last few words seemed to have stirred something in his breast, and he looked at you anew, blinking a few times, as realization dawned on his pale face. “...No...I guess not,” he said, softly. “Well then?” you urged, tenderly, raising one eyebrow. Idia bit his lip; his sharp teeth almost drew blood. (Almost.) “...But...b-but I’m scared,” he cheeped out, like a wounded baby bird. It took all your willpower not to kiss his forehead. How could a denizen of the Underworld be so friggin’ cute?! “It’s okay to be scared,” you assured him. “Being brave means doing things even though you are scared.” “No, being brave means enduring unpleasant situations without showing fear,” Idia droned. “That’s literally in the dictionary.” “And how brave do you think the Lord of the Underworld was when he fought the Mighty Hercules?” “A lot braver than I am!” Idia replied, without missing a beat, and promptly hid his face again, rolling onto his side, like a child refusing to get out of bed. “I’m not doing it!” You bit your own lip, and looked around awkwardly. A LOT of people were staring, and that was only going to make Idia feel worse. You had to pacify this quickly. “Mr. Shroud.” You blinked up at Caelyum, who knelt down beside you with a reassuring smile of his own. Idia peeked out of his hoodie timidly. “Wh-What?” “Once this is over, I’d be happy to give you a free Jumbo Jar of Jelly Babies from the Mystery Shop as a reward for your efforts,” Cael offered. Idia’s eyes went wide at the mention of so much candy. “...F-Free?” “Yes,” Cael nodded. “I’ll just put my own money back into the shop to make up the expense. BUT,” he said, in a stern, almost parental tone, holding up one finger, “You have to at least try to make your presentation first.” Idia licked his lips, but he still looked uncertain. “...What if they don’t like my creation, though?” he whispered, shivering a little. “They’ll love it, Big Brother!” Ortho declared. “It’s the best thing ever! You’re so smart, it has to be!” “And all three of us,” you thought to add, “Will be there. Myself, Cael, and Grim: we’ll be watching and cheering you on.” Idia squirmed again. “...The watching part I could live without, but…” Finally, at long last...he gave a scared, small, hesitant smile. “...The cheering part...I-I’d appreciate it,” he chuckled, and seemed to perk up a bit. “And, h-hey...I get lots of candy out of it, yeah?” “Sugary gummies galore,” winked Caelyum. Idia paused once more, and took a deep breath, before finally relenting: “F-Fine...I’ll...I’ll try not to screw up...” “That’s the spirit, Brother!” cheered Ortho joyously, and helped Idia to his feet. Idia gave a nervous nod to his brother, then gave you a shy wave and a smile that showed just a hint of his pointed teeth, as the young android led him away to another part of the hall. Both yourself and Caelyum stood to your full heights and sighed with relief. “Sam’s gonna kill me,” he mumbled. “He gets pretty strict with inventory; I think it’s the con-man in him…” “Just don’t make a deal with him, and you’ll be fine,” Grim giggled. “You know, maybe another incentive we could have used was a chance for ‘snuggle time’ with a certain ‘Little Monster,’” you said, airily, giving Grim a teasing smile. The cat-like little beast blushed bright red, and his ears flared up. “Th-That’s not funny, Minion!” he snapped, huffishly, while Cael chortled merrily at the thought. Just then, another laugh was heard from the far end of the hall; you recognized it instantly. “Xavier?” you murmured, remembering the strange scientist from a few weeks ago. “Sounds like the judging has begun,” Caelyum remarked, as he noticed a group of official-looking gentlemen, along with some students, gathered in the area. “Nya! Let’s go see what’s up!” Grim suggested, and loped off on all fours to do exactly that. You and Caelyum shrugged to each other, and followed at a casual pace. You soon came to the panel hosted by Xavier. To one side stood Abe, who had traded out his porter’s costume for a buttoned-up labcoat...although, amusing, he still wore his porter’s cap upon his head. The mechanical man’s mask-like, expressionless, featureless face somehow still managed to look rather bashful as he waved shyly at the mob that now surrounded the corner spot. It was Xavier Madoc himself, however, who most arrested your attention. He stood in front of a table, over which was draped a light gray table cloth...and on top of that was a large, oddly-shaped...something. No one could tell what, exactly, for a second tablecloth - also colored gray - was covering it. Xavier was dressed in a long labcoat, which stretched past his knees and halfway down his shins. Underneath this, the eccentric inventor wore blue jeans and white tennis shoes; the former was held up by a peculiar teal-colored belt. A light gray midriff shirt, with black pinstripes, was perhaps the weirdest part of his ensemble; emblazoned on his chest, upon this shirt, was an unusual design: a black-stenciled image that, on one side, resembled a skull, while the other side resembled a clockwork gear, the two parts meshed together unsettlingly. With his wild, wide grin and the way he bowed to the crowd - more like a circus ringmaster than a distinguished scholar - one couldn’t help but find him a most uncommon figure. “Ladies and gentlemen...and undecided!” he greeted, and laughed at his own joke (no one else did, but he didn’t seem to care) before continuing: “Allow me to introduce myself: I am Xavier Madoc! Also, allow me to introduce my trusty counterpart, Abe! His name stands for Assistant Bot Extraordinaire. Yeah, ha, not the most, uh...SCIENTIFIC name I could’ve come up with, but what can I say? I liked the acronym.” Abe rolled his electronic eyes and nodded to the judges, who nodded back before refocusing on Xavier, who rubbed his eyes as he moved to the opposite side of the table from Abe. “Friends and colleagues of science, let us talk about emotions, shall we?” he began, still speaking in an almost carnival-esque tone of voice, which made Cael roll his eyes and scoff. “He sounds almost like Sam at times,” the Swamplands native mumbled. You and Grim smiled at him, then looked back at Xavier as he began his spiel. “Emotions are a fickle thing,” Madoc said, lifting a finger in emphasis. “Emotions can be our strength, but they can also be our weakness. What a beautiful world it would be if we could all be logical, without those...pesky things like jealousy or greed to spur us in the wrong direction. Even here, in a school of black magic, love is just as revered as vengeance. There is a reason, of course...two, really. One, I would argue, is human frailty. We cannot help ourselves; we are, very tragically, made to be feeling creatures more often than thinkers. But another is perhaps more practical, in this particular world...and that, my friends, is that we need it as fuel. Magic is a powerful entity in our world, arguably more than science, and while it is not uncommon for the two to mesh together, no one has found a way to properly harness the power of the human spirit that allows our magic to work. Well, my friends...I, Xavier Madoc, have found the solution to that quandary!” So saying, Xavier through out both arms in a grand gesture and sang out: “TA-DA!” Silence. Nothing happened. The judges and the crowd just stared at Xavier awkwardly. Xavier blinked, then looked to Abe, who was looking around the room blithely. He frowned and whistled, getting the droid’s attention. “Abe,” he said, and pointed to the table. “You’ll want to take off the tablecloth on that cue, ‘kay, buddy?” Abe nodded, and scooted closer to the table. “Thank you,” whispered Xavier, and tried again, louder: “TA-DA!” A horrible grinding sound was heard as Abe grabbed the tablecloth on the table, nearly knocking over the item under the second veil as he gave it a tug. Xavier yelped for him to stop, and swooped in just in time to right the object before it could crash to the floor. You forced yourself not to laugh; Grim and Caelyum were not inclined to do the same. “So much for ‘the perfection of machines,’ huh?” the fluffy little imp whispered. “Hush!” you scolded...but internally, you conceded he had a point. Abe shuffled sheepishly as Xavier brushed his mint-and-cerulean bangs from his face and gave him an impatient, toothy smile. The dark doctor-in-training could hear some of the crowd snickering, and he hated it. “Not THAT tablecloth,” he said through clenched teeth, and pointed to the device under the covering. “THIS tablecloth. Got it?” Abe nodded, looking like a scared child. “Thank you,” Xavier sighed in frustration, and took a deep breath before trying one more time: “TA-DA!” Finally, Abe swirled off the right tablecloth with great panache. Underneath it was unveiled a strange machine, about the size and shape of the average backpack. Most of it was covered in white leather, but several mechanical apparatuses were jutting from it. Among these were two large copper tanks on either side, several steel cylinders, and two long tubes of tough, transparent rubber, which led from one of the sets of caps into the copper tanks. Two beige-colored leather straps were attached, and it was into these straps that Xavier slipped his long, lanky arms, putting the strange pack on his back. “Introducing my newest invention!” Xavier declared with a beaming, proud smile. “The Emotion Reservoir Power Converter - or ERPC, if you want to shorten it. We can’t all have cool acronyms like Abe, heh...ANYWAY! I would argue that negative emotions have more importance here than positive ones: Blot is the result of an overabundance of black magic use, and much of dark wizardry involves the channeling of negative power. The ERPC can drain small doses of negative emotional energy directly from the subject, and then convert them into magical energy, without the user suffering a state of Overblot!” “Can you give us a demonstration?” one of the judges spoke up. He was a portly man, with spectacles perched upon a crooked nose. “I hoped you would ask that, Dr. Alcott,” Xavier answered with a Devil-May-Care wink, then looked to his robotic companion. “Abe? The book, please!” The robot nodded, and reached into the folds of his labcoat, before handing his creator a small book with a bright pink cover. On it was the title “Princess Pony and the Island of Fluffy Squirrels,” by Lorina Faustus. Xavier blushed bright red and swatted at Abe, who hurriedly put the book away while giggles and chuckles once again came from the audience. “I told you not to…! THE OTHER BOOK, ABE!” Abe quickly fished a second book out: this was a black leatherbound volume with the image of a galaxy festooning its front. Xavier took it and sighed, shaking his head before flipping to a bookmarked page. “Here,” he declared, pointing at the page in question and tapping it with a finger, “Is an excellent example. Keep in mind, gentlemen and ladies, I am but a first year here. The spell I’m about to perform is typically a fourth-year level spell, and I have taken no classes on the subject. Should you wish for confirmation of this later, simply consult the members of the staff on standby today.” Xavier thus cleared his throat, and lifted one hand, extending his thin fingers towards the ceiling before mumbling the incantation in the book. He closed his eyes, furrowing his brow and gritting his teeth, trying to concentrate...his fingers clawed as he flexed them, arm trembling as he forced all the power he could muster into his spellcasting… A dim, murky cloud of purple - shapeless and formless - hovered over the heads of the judges. Specks and blotches of many hues, like splatters of watercolor on a half-burned piece of parchment, appeared and disappeared...before, finally, Xavier gasped and relinquished the attempt, and the colors all faded, the cloud dissipating in an instant. “Haaaaah...a-as you can...ahem...as you can s-see,” Xavier gasped out, wiping some sweat from his brow. “That was hardly an easy task, gentleman...and hardly a good demonstration of that spell. Thankfully, my new invention can allow me to ‘upgrade’ my abilities, through use of my Unique Magic…” He lifted his left hand, the one that he had first used to try and enact the spell, and flexed his fingers as he recited his magic words. “...Paint & Thinner.” There was a flash of turquoise-toned light...and suddenly, Xavier’s left arm had undergone a startling and somewhat disquieting transformation. The fingers and thumb of his left hand had turned into a set of what looked like syringes, the needles resembling claws, his whole hand now seemingly mechanical and metallic. “My power,” Xavier smirked, flexing his taloned hand, “Allows me to extract emotion from a person. This is the ‘Thinner’ part of the equation. The emotional energy is converted to a liquid state. I can, of course, also return the emotions to their original owners, in a gaseous state: this is the ‘Paint’ aspect. Now, I know this is, uh...you know...a little freaky, but...I’m going to need a volunteer.” He handed the spellbook to Abe and added: “My assistant doesn’t exactly have veins to target.” Naturally, at first, nobody stepped forward. Xavier’s expression shifted, and he started to seem crestfallen, perhaps even a little scared… You sighed, shook your head, and stepped closer, raising one arm. “I volunteer,” you said. Xavier grinned, and nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Prefect,” he said, and addressed the audience as - with the clinical care of a master surgeon - he pulled you closer by one arm. “Everyone watch closely, please.” He then looked back at you; his voice was the professional, bland calm of a medical expert as he said the timeless refrain: “This won’t hurt a bit.” The syringes were inserted into your arm. You closed your eyes, trying to relax, remembering all the injections you had gotten. You did not feel the slightest prick as they did their work, and soon, bright green fluid - the color of some toxic acid - was drawn from your very body into the syringe fingers. “Sit down,” whispered Xavier, in the same clinical, almost cold tone, easing you into a nearby chair which Abe had prepared. His actions seemed more dismissive than in the vein of proper bedside manners. You sank into it gratefully. You felt...lightheaded. Cold. Almost ill. You didn’t know it at the time, but before the congregation of onlookers, your skin had suddenly turned very, very pale, and your hair and eyes had lost all color. Even your clothes seemed to have become more faded, causing you to look like a monochrome character from a black-and-white movie. You hoped the sickening, hollow sensation inside you wouldn’t last long as Xavier turned to the audience again. “Generally speaking, draining the emotion from the victim will leave them feeling weakened; enough power drawn can lead to them being rendered unconscious. My machine allows me to withdraw more than I would usually be able to manage in a single dose without even touching the subject, should I wish...but for safety purposes, I think we had better focus on the OUTPUT demonstration. Observe…” He closed his eyes...and suddenly, the syringes emptied, as if the power was being drawn through his arm and into his core...then, the same green fluid bubbled through the pipes, and a slosh came from the copper tanks as your emotions filled them with liquid energy. “Now,” said Xavier, and waved a hand for Abe to open the book and show him the page, as his syringe hand lifted to the ceiling. “Let’s see if the emotional energy I’ve drained from my volunteer can be converted to enough magical power, via the ERPC, for the spell I attempted earlier. Remember, everybody: first year here…” Once again, Xavier lifted his hand to the ceiling...and this time, as he spoke the incantation, the purple cloud became a beautiful circle of deep indigo, revealing the boundless reaches of outer space. Splashes of color became perfect images of planets and stars, so real in appearance one swore they could touch them. In fact, one student DID try to touch one...and yelped, as the sun actually burnt their finger slightly. “Careful,” chuckled Xavier, and then flexed his fingers...and the beautiful image disappeared. He then turned to the judges and, without a word, bowed. He had rested his case. The judges seemed most impressed. Dr. Alcott and the others applauded and smiled, looking quite pleased. However, they had other presentations to attend to, and after a few more perfunctory questions, they moved on. As the judges moved on, and the crowd went with them, Xavier looked two, kneeling down to look at your face. You felt dizzy and queasy, and the look on his face indicated he could tell. He extended his fingers. “Breathe normally,” he instructed, and a faint blue mist poured from the needle like fingers...and you sighed as you felt the ill feeling go away. Steadily, the color flooded back into your being at the same time. “Oh, dear Gods...wh-what was that?” “That was what it was like to be drained of emotional energy,” Xavier said, and gave an anxious sort of smile. “Pretty icky, huh?” “You said it,” you grumbled. “That was a bold decision, Prefect,” Cael observed, as Grim nodded in agreement. Both he and the imp looked rather concerned; they had lingered behind to check on you. Abe placed a mute hand upon your shoulder. You glanced up briefly at the featureless mechanical man, then smiled weakly back at your friends. “Well, he needed someone...who else would have done it?” you reasoned, then shuddered. “I really don’t like needles though…” “Not my fault it’s how my power works,” chuckled Xavier, but obligingly lifted his hand and spoke the counter-curse: “Thinner & Paint.” Another flash of blue-green light, and his hand returned to normal. He gave it a shake, then extended it to you. “Thank you for the help,” he said, sincerely. “Gotta admit, I didn’t expect anybody to put their best foot forward for me like that…” “I’m glad I could start a new custom,” you said, and shook his hand before shakily standing up. “I still don’t feel quite ready for work though…” “Give it a couple short minutes, and it’ll wear off on its own,” Xavier said sweetly. Just then, more applause came...louder than before. The four of you looked; Xavier frowned and the rest of you perked up as you realized who the next contender was… “The Shrouds!” exclaimed Grim. “Let’s see what they are up to,” suggested Cael. “Right,” you nodded, then smiled at Xavier. “Really cool invention. I hope you win!” Xavier’s eyes widened as he looked back at you, seemingly taken aback by the compliment and well-wishes...then smiled awkwardly. “Heh...uh...th-thanks, um...enjoy the rest of the expo. I mean, no one else is gonna be as awesome, but...you know…” You just laughed, and joined your friends, giving Xavier a wave as you strolled towards the Shrouds’ panel. You never noticed how Xavier’s smile faded into a cold, almost lifeless expression behind you while your back turned away. “No one else is gonna be as awesome,” he whispered to himself, forebodingly. Unaware of the ominous moment that had passed, your gaggle descended with the rest of the onlookers to see what the Head of Ignihyde and his “Baby Brother” had in store. Said “Baby Brother” was brushing humming in a vocoded-sounding way (he WAS an android, after all) as he brushed down a machine on the table. The device was not hidden by anything, the way Xavier’s power pack had been, which meant you and all and sundry could take a peek at it. It was...difficult to describe. The shape of the thing vaguely resembled a small ice maker, colored black and gray, but with three glass tubes on the top, each filled with strange fluids in primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. While Ortho dusted it off, Idia, was standing off to one side; his knees were almost knocking together, and his fingers fiddled endlessly with the dangling pullstrings of his hoodie as he stared at the judges, brow bathed in cold sweat. “Okay, Brother-o’-mine!” cheered Ortho, and looked to Idia happily. “It’s all set.” Idia said nothing. He didn’t move. He stared straight ahead, like a statue, still focused unblinkingly on the judges. “Uh...brother?” Idia whimpered, still frozen and shaking. “BROTHER!” shouted Ortho, fire-hair flaring up and turning orange for a second as he stomped his foot in frustration. Idia yelped and jumped about a foot in the air. “IWASN’TTHINKINGABOUTHIDING!” he exclaimed in a jabbering sort of way...then blinked when he saw Ortho’s pouty expression. (How the android could pout with no visible lips was anyone’s guess.) He flushed; Idia never blushed red or pink, but his cheeks turned a sort of bluish-purple color. “C’mon!” Ortho urged, and gestured towards the group. “They’re waiting.” This did not seem to encourage Idia, who flinched and looked nervously at the impatient judges. “I...um...uh...w-well, uh...aha...er…” You frowned, glancing with concern at Grim and Caelyum; the former matched your expression, while the other mostly looked bored. This was not going well. A thought came to you, and you stepped forward slightly. Idia must have heard your approach, because his eyes quickly darted to see you, and the encouraging smile you gave. Suddenly, he seemed to relax...but only VERY slightly. Idia was the sort to fear he was BREATHING too loudly and that would get on people’s nerves, he could only be so calm. Still, it helped enough for him to clear his throat and begin talking. “Ahem...s-sorry, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, with a nervous smile, tapping his fingers together childishly. “I’m, ah...not used to this sort of...front and center kinda thing, heh...honestly, I wish I were hiding under my blankets right now...BUT! But, ah...I think the device I’ve made will at least be of interest…” So saying, Idia seemed to pluck up some courage. Your own smile widened as he placed a hand on the machine, and his stance straightened. If there was one thing that Shroud could talk about with SOME pride, it was his work. “I don’t need to tell all you that, uh...th-that the source of magic for m-many wizards and witches is their magic crystals, right? Right. So, ah...I, well...I got to thinking: the problem with the crystals is they can...well...run out. We have to mine for them, we have to dig for them, and there’s always a chance that someday...y’know...th-there might not be any left. Which would...kinda suck, ha. SO! I decided to try and create SYNTHETIC crystals…” He tapped the tubes on the top of the machine. “With these three simple potion compounds, mixed together in the right order, I can...well...do that. Using this machine.” “Would you say there are other advantages to this idea?” Dr. Alcott spoke up. “Oh, y-yes!” Idia said, starting to smile as he realized he had someone’s interest, though he seemed a bit nervous when he noticed the way the other judges scribbled some quick notes down. “Ahem...yes, sir. See, with synthetic crystals, not only do you not need to dig them up, but...well...if you have these compounds, and this machine, you can make as many as you like.” “Well, yes,” Dr. Alcott nodded, “But are they any more advantageous than natural crystals?” Idia paused, as if to think on his answer, then nodded slowly. “There is one other thing,” he said, almost shyly. (Well...there was no “almost” about it, this was Idia Shroud, but you gave him the benefit of the wiggle room anyway.) He paused before steadily elaborating: “Synthetic crystals do have a couple of weaknesses. They are not as physically strong as natural ones, for a start, the same way synthetic gems are not as strong as real jewels. You also can’t make them as large as natural crystals, because with the compounds being used, they can become unstable. But, at the average size of the average magic crystal…” He pointed to the one he wore himself, on his arm, before continuing. “...It can actually last longer than a natural crystal. It...well...um...I don’t know how to explain it, actually, but my experiments have shown that...well...you can use them for a longer period of time before worrying about Overblotting.” “Well, that’s definitely an advantage,” smiled Dr. Alcott, seemingly impressed, then turned serious as he scratched a few notes down before speaking again: “Can we see how this machine works?” “Y-Yes! Yes, of course!” nodded Idia...then tapped Ortho on the shoulder. “Little brother? Um...w-would you do the honors?” He then added in a whisper, “I’ll probably mess up…” Your smile became slightly less proud: Idia was still Idia. Ortho just giggled. “You can’t mess up turning the machine on, Big Brother!” he teased quietly, but still obeyed, pressing a button on the contraption. A loud whirring sound was heard, and the potions in the tubes bubbled and then began to lessen in volume; you could hear the sound of fluid being stirred and mixed, followed by the low humming buzz of another item either cooling or heating the stuff inside the machine… ...It only took about two minutes - during which the judges’ attention was raptly focused on the device, and several in the crowd mumbled to one another with interest - and then, with a rattle and a clatter, a teardrop-shaped, transparent, pale blue crystal dropped into a tray inside the machine. Idia opened the lid and pulled the crystal out of the tray, holding it up for everyone to see, then offered it to the judges, who inspected it closely. Finally, Dr. Alcott handed the artificial crystal back to Idia with a smile. “Fine work, young Master Shroud,” he nodded in approval. “Fine work indeed.” The other judges and the audience applauded. Idia smiled bashfully, tucking his head down and mouthing a quiet word of thanks as he hugged the crystal to his chest. Ortho, noticing the way his brother was shaking, gave him an encouraging hug as the mob and the judges - still chatting betwixt themselves - moved away. Once again, yourself and your friends stepped forward, all of you wearing matching grins. “I’m so proud of you!” you cheered, and gave Idia a hug. You felt the eldest Shroud freeze up in your embrace, and couldn’t help but smile still wider; Idia, bless his heart, still wasn’t used to much physical interaction, and you could feel him starting to twitch. You gave him a very gentle, comforting squeeze, and rubbed his back reassuringly. Only then did his arms steadily move upwards to gingerly return the hug. “Nya!” Grim called out happily, trotting over with a wide grin, purring up at the fire-haired Ignihyde head. “You did a lot better than I expected!” “An interesting invention, too,” Cael complimented. “I’m sure you’ll end up with first place!” “Oh, I-I dunno,” mumbled Idia, rubbing one arm and squirming slightly with embarrassment. “I thought Madoc had a pretty cool creation, too…” “His was neat,” nodded Grim, “But I think yours is better.” “His energy converter DID have one noticeable issue,” Cael thought to add, glancing back towards Xavier’s panel - by now, the odd scientist and his assistant had turned their attention away, and were seemingly polishing the power pack. “It depends on HIM in order to work. No one else would be able to use it: it’s not something you can mass produce, because no one else has his Unique Magic.” “That’s true,” Ortho spoke up. “But hey! The basic idea isn’t bad; with a little adjusting, he could make it something really special for everyone to use!” “If he cares enough to try,” mumbled Grim; he subsided at the look you gave him. “It’s up to the judges, and the contest has just started,” you said, crisply, then smiled at Idia once more. “Whatever happens, you did good. Don’t doubt that.” Idia smiled sweetly. “Th-thank you,” he whispered, then glanced at the crystal in his hand and back up at you...before offering it cautiously. “Would you...like a souvenir? Heh…” You chuckled, and took the crystal, placing it in your pocket. “Sure,” you said. “Thanks, Idia.” “Y-You’re w-w-welcome,” stuttered Idia, looking like he was scared of feeling too happy. He paused and cleared his throat with a cough before reaching into his hoodie’s pocket, pulling out his cell phone. “Well, um...I wanna catch up with a new show I’m watching, so...I’m, uh...y’know...gonna go find a nice, safe corner till the judgment call comes, and...well…ju st, uh...exist, heh…” “Can I watch with you, Big Brother?” Ortho peeped hopefully. “Sure,” Idia said with a smile and a nod, then gave you the same gestures before scurrying away, looking like he couldn’t wait to get away from everything that had the power to breathe. Yourself and your two companions chuckled and gave a collective mock salute to the Shroud brothers, as Ortho followed Idia quickly. Then, still chattering amongst yourselves, you hurried to rejoin the group and see what else was at the exposition… None of you were aware of Xavier Madoc’s eyes following the mob’s movements, before glancing back at Idia’s device. One could have sworn his one green eye flashed.

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The exposition had come to an end, and after two hours of deliberation, the judges were ready to deliver their verdict. The contestants had lined up on either side of the room, while the audience sat in chairs before a podium. Yourself, Caelyum, and Grim all took seats in the second row (the front row had filled up too quickly) and watched as Dr. Alcott approached the podium, adjusting his spectacles and shuffling some papers in his hands. You glanced to the right. Along with the other contenders at the expo, Idia and Xavier were naturally lined up, both on the same side of the hall. Xavier stood with a cocksure smile, arms crossed, while Idia was nervously twiddling his fingers, biting his lip with his dagger-like teeth. He looked towards Xavier and smiled nervously. “S-So, uh...may the best man win, huh?” he said, awkwardly. Xavier didn’t even look at the dorm head as he narrowed his eyes and simply said, “Don’t worry. I will.” Idia looked a bit befuddled. Abe and Ortho - who stood beside their corresponding creators - looked at each other and shrugged. The sound of Dr. Alcott brought your attention back to the podium. “It’s time,” Cael and Grim murmured at the same time, as the lead judge addressed the audience, crooked nose pointed high. “Friends of science,” the doctor began, “I am not one for grand speeches or over-sentimentalizing the talents we’ve seen on display here today. Virtually every experiment we viewed today, every invention created or formula concocted, was of interest.As far as those doing this for an assignment go, my supposition is you will all pass with flying colors. However, there can only be one winner: one person to leave this exposition a proper champion.” He snapped his fingers and one of the other judges stepped up beside him, and handed him a trophy, with a golden ornament resembling a ringed planet. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Dr. Alcott intoned, “The winner of the Annual Science Expo is…” Xavier smirked, and straightened up his labcoat, taking a deep breath, as if ready to thank everyone… “...Mr. Idia Shroud!” Xavier froze, the smile seemingly slapped from his face as his eyes widened. Idia’s eyes widened too, and he gasped in surprise as the crowd applauded. One could almost see tears in his eyes as he realized what had happened. Yourself and your party cheered as Ortho nudged Idia up to the podium to accept his trophy, which he did with trembling fingers. You were grinning from ear to ear, and so was Idia; his shark-toothed smile had never been wider, you felt, nor more genuine in nature. His amber eyes sparkled like a pair of glittering gold coins. As Dr. Alcott began to congratulate Shroud - who was hugging the trophy to his chest almost like a teddy bear - you turned to see the other contenders. Most of them - including Abe - were clapping politely. The only exceptions were Ortho, who was literally dancing with joy… ...And Xavier Madoc. He looked absolutely livid. His face was almost as red as Riddle Rosehearts’ could get, his fists clenched, one eye twitching as he gritted his teeth angrily. His mismatched eyes were burning… You felt your blood run cold as the blue eye was surrounded by a matching aura. “Grim!” you hissed, tapping the feline-like creature on the side. Grim turned fast...and his ears flattened back and he mewed as he saw droplets of ink dripping from the magic crystal Xavier wore… “Oh, no,” he gulped nervously. “What’s wrong?” Caelyum whispered...then frozen when he saw the same. “Oh, barnacles...is that…?” “Overblot,” you replied, gravely. “Here we go again…” Just as Dr. Alcott shook Idia’s hand, and was about to dismiss him, Xavier suddenly let out a screeching cry of apoplectic rage, which startled everyone present. All eyes watched as the white labcoat of the first-year science master flapped behind him like the wings of a huge war bird, as he flew back towards his panel, and hurriedly strapped the ERPC to his back. “Unacceptable!” he shouted. “I will not allow it! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT! No one outsmarts me! NOBODY! My machines are perfect! My work is superior in every way! And if you doubt that - if ANYONE STILL doubts that…!” A feral grin came to his face as he extended one arm. “...Then I’ll just have to prove otherwise, won’t I? Paint & Thinner.” A flash of turquoise light was immediately followed by an explosive sound. KA-ZAM! A gale wind ripped through the hall, as a swirl of black mist surrounded Xavier Madoc; you cursed violently under your breath as blue and green light burst through pockets in the spiraling cloud of inky darkness. No doubt Xavier’s strong emotions and the level of magic he had put out earlier had blended together, and with the power pack on, he could burn through magic and cause damage with greater force and strength than you could guess. “Brace yourselves!” you called to Caelyum and Grim, as everyone else in the hall dove or ducked for cover. “This isn’t gonna be easy!” “Is it ever?!” Grim yowled, while Cael simply squinted, watching with you as the mist began to clear… ...And soon, you could see the change that had come over Xavier Madoc. The right side of his body had seemingly not changed at all...but the left was another story. Not only was there now a blue aura surrounding his left eye, not to mention the metallic, syringe-tipped left hand...but his whole left side seemed to have become a cyborganic nightmare. The left side of his face was covered in metal plates, and his entire left arm and leg had become robotic in nature; the clothes on the left side of his body were seemingly frayed and shredded, exposing portions of a metal chest and clockwork-esque innards. In-between the joints of his limbs and face, black ink oozed like oil. Xavier’s one green eye was feral looking; bloodshot with a pinprick pupil. He grinned in a manic way, and let out a cackling laugh that rebounded off the hall walls. “HA HA HA HA HA! You dared to overlook my creations?! You spurned my talents, eh?! Then let me show just how powerful I can REALLY become!” he roared, and the ERPC roared to life as he thrust out his syringe hand. “I told you, I can extend my unique abilities without proximity! So now...NOW, ALL OF YOU, GIVE ME YOUR POWER!” In horrific fashion, the needles extended...and five members in the crowd collapsed as they were pricked, turning gray and pallid. Their entire being became monochrome as, in a split second, all emotion was drained from them and into Xavier’s being. Xavier shot out his claws again, the protracting talons jabbing into another five people and rendering them the same. Now, panic set in, and people screamed as they raced for the door. “Don’t leave in such a rush!” laughed Madoc, and snapped the fingers of his one human hand. The doors suddenly shifted, becoming solid walls, and all the windows clicked as they were locked into place. “The party’s just beginning!” Xavier’s claws lunged at you now, but yourself, Grim, and Cael all quickly dropped, ducking the attack. Three other people who had been standing behind you, along with two more, were drained in your stead. Xavier shuddered, a toxic aura surrounding him as the tanks were filled with more and more emotional energy. “More...MORE!” he bellowed. “If I can’t have your respect, I will have your rage...your despair...your panice...fuel me! FUEL ME!” Idia and Dr. Alcott ducked behind the podium with twin yelps. Ortho hurried to check on his brother, and barely avoided the needles as they shot out. The other judges weren’t so lucky, and crumpled in an unconscious, grayscale-colored heap as their emotions were drained. Abe rushed forward to try and stop his creator, desperately grabbing hold of Xavier’s one human arm. Xavier snarled, gnashing his teeth. “Imbecile and traitor!” he roared into the droid’s pleading face. “I have no further use for YOU!” Xavier jerked away his human hand, then, with a sneer, thrust it out again...and - THOOM! - a magical shockwave slammed into Abe’s chest, sending the robot flying. He crashed down beside your trio, the three of you still lying on the ground as Xavier continued to stick his needles into everyone who moved. The room was in a panic, the other contestants’ creations smashing on the floor as people dove for cover. Slowly, Xavier began to make his way through the hall, laughing dementedly. “All this over a freaking trophy?!” hissed Grim. “I think there’s got to be more to it,” mumbled Caelyum. Abe nodded, as if to confirm this, and then gave you a look as if to ask, Now what? This was the burning question; you had to figure out a way to keep Xavier from hurting more people, as well as remove the power pack. As long as he still had the converter on, his power wouldn’t drop. He could potentially stay in Overblot for a much longer period of time, burning the power almost as quickly as he got it...growing just strong enough to overwhelm… “Okay, I’ve got a plan,” you said at last, and whispered to your compatriots. “Listen closely…” Xavier, meanwhile, grinned as he approached a group of people, huddled together. “Let’s try an experiment,” he hissed, a mad grin on the young doctor’s face as he lifted his syringe hand. “I now know how swiftly I can drain an organism...now, can I make it more slow and painful?” He cackled, his victims babbling pleas for him to stop as he lifted his hand, preparing to shoot out the razor-sharp needles and drain them dry. “Every emotion in your body...slowly siphoning into mine...let’s see how long it can really-” FWOOSH! “Nya! Back off, crazy-coat!” Xavier jumped back with an almost animalistic sneer, and swirled his ragged cape around as he looked towards the source of the fire that had distracted him. Grim was standing in a ready pose, balls of blue flame held in each forepaw as he smirked challengingly. “Insufferable hairball!” shouted Xavier. “I WILL NOT BE DENIED! I WILL HAVE MORE POWER!” He lunged at Grim, swiping with his robotic talons, but Grim moved aside quickly. As Xavier plunged towards him, a loud smashing sound was heard from behind. The mad doctor turned quickly, and his one good eye widened in surprise as he saw that Abe had kicked a hole clear through the wall, and was ushering people through the hole and out of the area, Idia and Dr. Alcott leading those still conscious to safety. “NO!” shouted Xavier, and shot out his needles...but he was just too late as Abe blocked him, giving him a determined glare as they scratched helplessly against his armored plating. Then, giving Xavier an almost pitying expression, the robot leapt through the hole himself. Xavier moved to try and give pursuit, but Grim thrust out his arms, and formed a wide ring of fire that blocked the scientist’s path. “You think this will stop me?!” Xavier bellowed. “You can’t defeat me! My invention gives me power beyond yours!” “Good to know. I’d hate to have to refund anything.” Xavier stopped short and glanced about, trying to find the source of Caelyum’s voice...before, suddenly, he felt a strange sensation brushing up against his legs. He looked down...and screamed in a mixture of panic and rage as a horde of marble white Locker Crabs began to swarm over him, their pincers latching onto parts of his clothing and the edges of his inkstained metal carapace, trying to drag him to the floor. “GET OFF ME, YOU CRETINOUS CRUSTACEANS!” yelled Xavier, trying to kick and swat away the crabs, unaware of the shadow that stepped through a gap that formed in the flames, and approached from behind. The crabs snipped their claws at the leather straps holding the ERPC in place. Xavier slapped them away...then jerked as, suddenly, the weight of his invention was pulled away. “WHAT?!” he spat, and turned around fast, pupils pinpricks as he saw you jump backwards, holding the device in your hands. “NO! NO, YOU-GACK!” He hit the floors as the crabs tripped him up. You scampered back through the gap in the flames, which Grim soon closed up. The little monster was jumping up and down, pumping his forepaws/fists and cheering. “NYA! Get ‘im, Cael! Pin ‘im down!” the cat called. “We’ve won now!” A low laugh from under the swarm of Locker Crabs knocked the smile from Grim’s face. “Won? Hardly. I’m still getting warmed up!” ZAM! Xavier sent out another shockwave with a loud shout. You toppled onto your back, the ERPC falling from your hands and thunking onto the floor. The crabs scattered, and the flames were extinguished as Grim was sent rolling across the hall. You quickly sat back up...and shuddered. Xavier loomed over you, the acid-colored aura around him showing his fury as trails of spilling ink traced his steps. You snatched up the ERPC and scrambled to your feet, making a dash for the whole in the wall. “NOT SO FAST!” roared Madoc, and lifted his human hand. He screamed some foreign incantation, and the shattered section was suddenly patched up, the debris flying back into place, stitching together like a jigsaw puzzle’s corners. You swerved and made a dash for a window; you could break it, after all, even if it was locked. Xavier snarled out another incantation, however...and teleported directly in front of you. You skidded to a halt, but not fast enough as he grabbed hold of your arm with one hand, and lifted his syringe claws, a wild grin on his cyborganic face. “HA HA HA!” he cackled. “What a foolish attempt that was! You truly thought you could defeat me?! I will drain you till your very soul is rendered inert! Nothing can resist my power! With the ERPC, I can remain like this for eternity! And when the world grovels at my feet, I will build more machines! BRILLIANT machines! My mechanical creations will-!” FWOOMPH! A burst of flame slammed into Xavier, bowling him over and singing his labcoat. You fell back down and scrambled away as you held tightly to the power pack. Xavier snarled as he stood back up, his mechanical pieces clicking and sparking...as the two of you saw who had re-entered the room. It was Idia Shroud; Ortho had evidently picked the lock on one of the windows, and the pair had climbed through. Idia was visibly trembling, but tried his hardest to look brave, twists of orange curling through his ethereal blue hairdo. “Leave. Them. Alone,” Idia intoned. Madoc sneered. “First you steal my prize, now you RUIN MY MONOLOGUE?!” he yelled. “Alright! Just for that, I WILL OBLITERATE YOU!” Xavier charged at Idia, but the head of Ignihyde narrowed his eyes, gritting his sharp, jagged teeth. His hand shook as he held it, as if showing doubt… ...Then, his stance and expression hardened, and the shaking stopped. Just as Xavier Madoc leapt through the air, swiping his syringe claws through the air...he snapped his fingers. KRAK-KOOM! An explosive blast of fire and noise, like a grenade had gone off, erupted directly before Madoc. The explosion sent the mad scientist flying backwards, his labcoat tattered and scorched, black marks on his skull plates. Xavier cried out as he slammed headfirst into a wall...then crumpled to the floor, and fell still. He was out like a light. The mad doctor was done. You sighed with relief and stood up as Ortho cheered. “WOO-HOO! Way to go, Big Brother!” he exclaimed, and gave Idia a smack on the back. The hunched head of Ignihyde flinched and smiled shyly at his artificial sibling. “It was nothing,” he whispered faintly, visibly blushing. “Are you okay, Prefect?” Ortho asked. “I’m fine,” you nodded as you approached them, and glanced around. “Where are the others?” Right on cue, a low growl was heard. The three of you looked to see Grim was just sitting up, massaging his skull after evidently banging his head during his tumble. “Me-owwwww…! That creep hits way too hard!” he moaned out. “Did anybody get the number on that-MREOWR?!” He was cut off as Idia scooped the imp up and began to snuggle him, crooning and planting chaste, loving kisses on his head. “Awwww, the poor wittle kitty!” he cooed sympathetically. “Did you get an ouchie? Did the mean cyborg hurt you, huh?” “HISSSSS! I’M FINE!” Grim spat, kicking and squirming. “L-Lemme go! For the last time, I DON’T LIKE SNUGGLES, STOP!” Idia just let out a happy hum, squeezing Grim, repeatedly crooning, “Awww, poor thing, you poor little dear…!” over and over again. Ortho giggled sweetly, while you just rolled your eyes and smiled. A skittering sound heralded the reappearance of Caelyum, who reformed out of a pillar of white sand crabs. He stumbled on his feet as he returned to his normal state, and you placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him. “You okay?” you whispered. “No,” mumbled Cael, and smiled wearily. “When I use the power that way, a fraction of my will - my mind - is in every single crab. I feel like I just got thrown through the loop-the-loop of a roller coaster seventeen times.” You gently patted his shoulder and smiled back, gratefully. “Walk it off, matey,” you said softly with a wink. Cael chuckled. “Aye,” he nodded, as your group moved to look down at the defeated Xavier Madoc. “I will.” For several seconds, the ink-leaking cyborg lay on the ground, unmoving. But that was alright: none of you were expecting him to move. By now, you knew the drill of how things worked after Overblot...and sure enough, after a few seconds, wisps of silvery-white mist began to drift up from the defeated scientist, as his whole body began to glow a blinding white. All of you shielded your eyes from the light, watching as the mist began to spiral, and soon enough, images formed in the center of the floating cloud. Pictures from the past… “Dad! Dad, look at this!” A tall, thin man in white, with a pointed goatee, looked down from the workbench he was stationed at. He smiled as a small boy - with mismatched eyes of blue and green - came waddling into the room, holding a piece of paper. “What is it, Xavier?” “I made a blueprint, dad! I wanna make a robot! Like one of yours!” squeaked the young Xavier, and held out the paper to his father. “Do you think it’s any good, Dad? Do ya? Huh?” The older man lifted the paper and looked; he chuckled at the untidy crayon scrawl drawn on the page, the acronym “A.B.E.” accompanying a childish drawing of a metal man in a porter’s outfit. “Not a bad idea, Xavier,” he complimented his son, and handed the “blueprint” back to its creator before ruffling his son’s hair. “You’ll make a fine inventor, at this rate.” Xavier giggled, playfully swatting at his father’s hand, then gave him a wide but shy smile. “You promise?” he peeped. “Could I...could I be as good as you, Dad?” “No,” the man answered, and leaned down, kissing his son’s forehead. “You’ll be even better.” The child’s happy hum was interrupted by the shifting of time, as a new image spun into view: Xavier was a little older now, and working in a laboratory. He whistled as he fitted a screw into place on a device he was building...only to freeze as he heard voices coming from outside the shop. Curious, he trotted over to the door, and peeked outside. He could see the shadows of two men, arguing not so far away, and heard what they were saying. One of them he recognized as his father’s voice… “Oscar, you can’t be serious!” “I’m sorry, Xander,” the other voice said. “All I know is that Charles got to me first. What would that tell you?” “That Charles is a faster runner,” droned Xander. Xavier giggled softly, but clapped a hand over his mouth to avoid being heard. “Very funny,” Oscar’s voice drawled. “I’m serious, Oscar. You KNOW me, we’ve worked together for years! Are you going to take his word over mine?” “Right now, I haven’t got a choice. His patent has been in development at my company for a while; all that’s left are i’s to dot and t’s to cross. Even if what you say is true, Xander, he finished his work more quickly; I’m not seeing a lot of incentive here.” A pause. “...So that’s it then?” came the terse voice of Xavier’s father. “What about my family, Oscar? What about my son?” “Relax, Xander. You’ll come up with more inventions, you always do, and I’ll be just as willing to buy!” “Forget it. I’ll find another person to sell to.” Another pause. “...Okay. Okay. If that’s how you feel about it,” came Oscar’s weak reply. “Goodbye, Xander.” “Goodbye, Oscar. Tell Charlie he knows where to stuff it.” Oscar’s shadow disappeared, and a few moments later, the sound of a door was heard opening and closing. Xander was heard sighing, and Xavier saw his father’s silhouette slump into a nearby chair. Curious, the boy trundled out of the room to his father’s side; the older inventor was sitting with his head in his hands, massaging his brow. “Dad?” peeped Xavier. “What was all that?” Xander blinked at his son. “Oh. You...heard that, huh?” Xavier nodded slowly. Xander blinked...then sighed and picked his child up, placing him in his lap. “Listen to this, Xavier, because it’s very important,” said the doctor to his son. “Not all inventors are good. You must guard your inventions well, and you must always do your best to make sure no one can top you. People will try to steal what you make, people will look for weaknesses in it. Never let them find any way to stop you.” He placed a hand under his son’s chin and gave a sad smile. “You’ll be brilliant someday...but with brilliance comes danger. You can’t trust anyone, understand?” “I can trust you.” “Of course,” chuckled Xander. “And I can trust my machines,” added Xavier. “Well, yes, but a machine isn’t a person,” Xander said. “Machines only exist to follow their programming. Machines will always do what they’re supposed to. Machines will only let you down if people making them make mistakes. People aren’t like that: people are flawed, and people are foolish. They will pass you over and cheat you if they find a way or reason. Never let that happen. Okay?” “Okay, Dad. I’ll do my best.” The scene shifted again. Xavier was now much older, nearly the same age as he was now. Abe now stood at his side as he worked on a project in his laboratory, building a new machine. “This is going to be the greatest thing ever!” he cheered, grinning to his mechanical companion, who nodded in happy agreement. “Just think of how much fun the science fair will be with this completed! Ha Ha! Man, Abe, we have this in the bag!” “Hi, Xavier!” The pair looked towards a new face that had entered the lab: a fellow youngster in red. “Oh, hey, Gus! What’s up? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the science fair?” “I haven’t figured out what to do yet,” sighed the boy sadly, then smiled weakly. “So, uh...I thought, well...maybe you could help me come up with an idea. I mean...you’re like a billion times better at this stuff, heh…” “Sure, I can help!” smiled Xavier, helpfully, and clapped his hands together, dusting them off, waving for Abe to go fetch a few books. As the robot marched off, the teen in red noticed the item on the workbench. “Hey, what’s that?” “Huh? Oh! It’s my project for the science fair. Looks pretty cool, right?” “Yeah! What’s it do?” Xavier explained quickly. The lad looked envious of his science-savvy friend. “Wow...I’ll never figure out how you can do all that stuff...you’ve gotta be the best inventor ever!” “Awww,” blushed Xavier. “It’s just a knack.” “Can you show me how you make it?” the teen asked, hesitantly. “Sure, if you want,” Xavier said, blithely shrugging and smiling. “Then I’ll help you figure out what you’ll do yourself. Sound fair?” The boy smirked; Xavier didn’t notice the cunning in his eyes. “Yeah. That sounds fair,” the classmate answered. The scenario changed once more. Xavier now glared with absolute hatred at the boy in red...who was smiling, chest puffed out with pride, as he showed off his machine to the judges, who cheered and applauded. It was a machine identical to the one Xavier had made...and the boy had made it first. Xavier had been forced to change his plans, and the experiment he’d come up with at the last minute had been sub-par. The cheat got first place. Xavier got nothing. Xavier snarled, fists clenching as the boy in red smirked in a sidelong way at him, and mouthed the word, “Sucker,” before continuing to bask in adulation. Xavier Madoc scowled as he packed up his items. He was shaking a little. “You can’t trust anyone,” he whispered to himself. “Well, you’ll see...you’ll ALL see...I’ll come up with something no one else can top. I will PROVE to you how good my science is. Just wait and see…” His mismatched eyes burned as he turned his back on the laughing classmates and applauding teachers...and stalked back to his lab. Alone. With his machines. “...I don’t need anybody. Just my machines.”

The mist cleared and evaporated, and the white light faded...revealing Xavier Madoc had changed back to normal on the floor. He was still unconscious, but the glow was gone from his blue eye, and the machinery parts had vanished. Silence reigned for a few seconds. This was not unheard of. By now, you had accepted there was always a “digestion period” where everyone was taking in what they’d just learned. This time, however...the silence stayed unbroken. No one spoke a word, looking like they were trying to properly form thoughts, even as Xavier began to stir again. As he did, he reached out with a hand, fumblingly, mumbling incoherently… ...And froze as someone knelt down and took that hand. Xavier looked up...and seemed stunned when he stared into the wide yellow eyes of Idia Shroud. For a moment, the two looked at each other...then Xavier pulled away with a sneer. “Cheat,” he hissed. “I never cheated,” whispered Idia, sounding surprisingly confident for once...confident, but careful. “It’s not that no one recognized you, Xavier; no one was trying to neglect you. It’s just...there could only be one winner. And I happened to be it.” “It wasn’t an easy decision, either,” added Ortho. “Oh, no?” Xavier grimaced, looking skeptical. “No,” Idia answered. “Dr. Alcott spoke to me before I returned: you would have been second place. Your invention really impressed him and the other judges, they just...felt mine was more easy to use widespread. Yours needed a few tweaks for them to give it the topmost prize.” “They said they couldn’t have asked for a better start to the expo than you,” added Ortho, in a quiet, helpful voice. The bitterness in Xavier’s face had faded slightly, leaving his expression blank and cold. He turned away quietly, and hugged himself, curling up against the wall. “You can’t shut yourself out because of one bad incident,” whispered Caelyum. “Trust me: I know what it’s like when you seal off your heart. It doesn’t get pretty.” “No one is invincible,” added Grim. “Well...except for me, but...that’s because I’m awesome.” You rolled your eyes at the hubris of “The Great Grim,” and knelt down beside Idia, looking into the heterochromatic eyes of the mad scientist. “Just because you’re brilliant doesn’t mean everything is going to be perfect. Similarly,” you said, “Just because one person did something terrible, it doesn’t mean you can shun all people. Everyone and everything has flaws. The important thing is to learn from them.” Xavier furrowed his brow and looked down at the floor for several seconds...then looked back up at both of you. “...I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I...I shouldn’t have lost control. That was...that was childish of me. And...I’m sorry for what I did.” He looked to Idia and smiled shyly. “Your invention was...not too bad.” “Thank you,” Idia said, with a slight blush, and helped the scientist to his feet. Just then, the sound of metallic footsteps echoed out. The group of you turned...and Xavier’s heart seemed to sink as he saw Abe re-enter the hall, yellow eyes fixed on his creator. “Abe, I’m so, SO sorry,” Xavier said, seriously. “I shouldn’t have-EEP!” He was cut off as the metal man crushed him in a solid bear hug, nuzzling his steel cheek against his creator’s hair. Ortho and Grim both giggled, while yourself and Caelyum smirked. Idia, for his part, didn’t seem to know what to make of the scene. “I think he already forgives you,” you said teasingly. Abe nodded to show this was the case. It was obvious he was just happy his maker was back to normal. Xavier smiled bashfully and gestured for the metal man to put him down, then looked to Idia. “So, uh...y-you’re the head of the dorm,” he said, and rubbed his arm. “Do you, uh...like...have any ideas on how to make the ERPC better? More...accessible?” “I can think of something. You know...maybe,” Idia said with a timid smile. “I mean...I’m r-really not the best choice, I...I got the whole idea for MY thing from an anime-” “Anime?” Xavier asked, and perked up visibly. “What anime?” “Oh! Uh...Magica Marocca. It’s...um...a Magic Girl series? You, ah, probably don’t know what that is-” “YOU WATCH MAGICA MAROCCA?!” Idia blinked, stunned, at the sudden look of exuberant excitement on Xavier’s face. “You...you’ve seen it?” the otaku nearly squeaked out. “I love that series!” exclaimed Xavier. “I mean...okay, it’s not, like, the GREATEST thing, in terms of story? Kinda rushed...but I really love the art style, a-and the way it plays with the themes and ideas of a typical Magic Girl series! It’s like Watchmen, but for...that!” Idia looked like he’d just found his soulmate. “I feel the same way! A-And have you seen Glitter Cure?” “Rascal is one of THE best villains ever.” “I AGREE!” squealed Idia, clapping giddily, that wide, almost manic smile you saw so rarely stretching across his face, matching Xavier’s instantly. “Oh, my gosh, no one EVER knows about that one! This is great!” “It is!” nodded Xavier eagerly...then took his turn to blush. “Um...d’ya think we can...oh...I-I dunno...maybe watch some together?” “I mean...only if you want to,” peeped Idia, ducking his head anxiously. “I’m...n-not used to people who...WANT to watch it with me, heh...normally I-I can only talk about it online…” “I’d like to watch it with you,” Xavier promised. “And...and we can talk about our inventions in the meantime. Does...does that sound fair?” Idia nodded slowly, and began to smile wider once more. “Yeah...yeah, it sounds like a plan,” he said, then looked to Ortho. “Is...is it okay with you, Little Brother?” Ortho gaped. “...You’re asking me if YOU can have a VISITOR in the apartment?” “Yes.” “Like...you WANT to HANG OUT WITH SOMEONE?” “Yuh-huh.” “...Okay, who are you, and what have you done with my Big Brother?” You snickered. So did Xavier, as Idia smiled awkwardly. “You wanna come with, Abe?” the mad scientist asked his robotic companion, who saluted in response. “Great!” Idia laughed. “Let’s go then!” And with unusual, uncharacteristic joy, the otaku and the eccentric sauntered off together, their androids following them as the exit door reformed and they left the convention hall. You smiled. “Well,” you sighed happily. “All’s well that end’s well. Looks like Idia’s found a new friend at last.” “I’m happy for them,” smiled Caelyum. “Finding a person who you can connect with is important.” “Uh-huh,” nodded Grim. “Now, there’s just one problem.” “What’s that?” both you and Cael asked. Grim wordlessly pointed to the mess of chairs, scorch marks, busted machines, and dented walls that the hall had become. You went pale. “...Ohhhhh...right...I forgot...we’re the janitors.” “Uh-huh,” Grim said again, drably. “Well, good luck with that!” Caelyum chirped, and began to saunter off towards the door. “Hey! HEY! Where are you going?!” snapped Grim. “Back to the Mystery Shop,” Cael called over his shoulders. “I have a job of my own to do, me hearties! Take care!” “But-!” Your call was unanswered. Cael disappeared, leaving you and Grim standing alone in the mess. You both looked around, then at each other. “...Grim?” “Yeah, Minion?” “It’s moments like these where I wonder if helping people is worth it.” “I never wonder, Minion,” sighed Grim. “Moments like these, I know it isn’t.”

Your feet shuffled as you went to find the broom and dust pan. From saving the day to cleaning up the wreckage, a Prefect’s work was never done.

The End

[iloverubberduckiez-blog]

Partners- Reader x Hybrid!Maknae line

A/N: Don't know if ill write more and make a Lil series or keep this as a drabble

WC: 4k

Warnings:Fluff, possible smut if i continue. 

Rated: PG 13 i guess

After another long day at your shitty desk job as a secretary, you were on your way out when you get stopped by the department head.

“Hey Y/N, I'm glad I caught you!”

You inwardly groaned. All you wanted to do was to go home to your beautiful hybrid who you knew would no doubt whine about you coming home late. 1000 bucks says Mark was here to tell you that you would be delaying that peace a little longer.

“Mark please I am tired and I already worked two hours over today”

“Sorry Y/N. I have to stay too. We are expecting some big shot from the main branch and you and I get to personally oversee all things pertaining to him when he gets here. He’s gearing up to take over HQ as the new CEO”

“Oh my- No way.”

“Yup. Jackson Wang”

“Damn. well, he is super hot so I'm doing it for him, not you. When do we need what?” 

“He doesn't get in till next week so we will have time to prepare. Just letting yo know you can pass on the DRASS project to Amaya.”

“What no way that project is mine, it's literally all I've worked on for months-”

“And I know you were super excited to fly back to Kenya to help those people and see it through. I promise you will get full credit but We need this, trust me Jackson says he wants to pick his personal team from within the company. If we do well enough this will be the push we need and could select us as candidates.- You have a hybrid right? well, I have a family of five, and having extra money in the bank whether it's just a bonus for this or a whole new position will help us both and you know it.”

“okay” You relented with a sigh taking the folder from his hands.

“You should rest up this weekend so that we can meet up a little early next week to go over what needs to get done and how we can prepare for everything.”

“so i can go home now?”

Mark chuckles and nods. “ Run along, give your boy a hug from me” Mark kisses your forehead as has been the norm and walks away with a small wave towards his own car.

Leaving the office you groan after seeing the traffic. It was going to be a slow crawl in the car for like an hour before you make it back home.

“Y/N!” You didn't even unlock the door before you were bombarded with the full weight of the handsome hybrid you share a home with.

“Where were you? I was waiting for you for so long. I got us dinner but its all cold now” His voice a little muffled as he spoke into your hair.

“oh what did you eat?”

Taehyungs tummy growled.

 “I didn't. I wanted us to eat together because i got Lasagne, your favourite.” His tail which was wrapped around you as he had hugged you fell to the floor in sadness.

“I’m so sorry Tae.” You looked up to find his ears flattened on his head as his arms drop from your shorter frame. 

Taehyung’s eyes meet yours as he feels how your guilt seems to seep through and he gives you his beautiful signature boxy smile before picking you up and carrying you into your apartment.

“It’s okay Y/N we can reheat it.”

You kiss him on the check and go into your room to change into something comfortable before joining Tae back in the kitchen and sitting on one of the stools.

“Wine M’lady.” Taehyung poured two glasses and reached for your hand leading you to the couch.

“c’mon it will take a while to heat nicely in the oven.”

You nodded and followed him hi sat first then pat his lap. You looked at him questioningly.

“First my favourite meal and then expensive wine? It's not my birthday Tae.By the way this wine is like 1922 grade $400 bucks stuff how in the world did you get some?”

Taehyung chuckled.“I just wanna sit and cuddle with you and have a nice evening together plus you smell like a squirrel.”

You caved and snuggled beside Taehyung instead of on his lap but he just pulled you closer to him nuzzling your hair and drawing little patterns on your arms.

You inwardly facepalmed, of course, Tae’s sensitive nose picks up on all the people from work and apparently most pungently your intern who had sent his Squirrel hybrid to give in some documents to you halfway through a meeting - “I can go take a shower-”

“No don't go please i just missed you a lot today is all.”

“ You sure? Nothing else? Nothing bothering you?”

“Nothing at all.”

It was not nothing.

Taehyung had spent the better part of the morning crying his eyes out after overhearing your conversation to Seokjin. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, in fact, he was going to come and give you a hug good morning but what he heard made him stop dead in his tracks. 

“He’s a beautiful Calico cat Y/N, i think that it could be a good match for you. You did say you had always wanted a cat right? well this is your chance and he will dote on you hand and foot- you work too much honestly when do you take time to read and breathe?”

Tae robotically walked away tail tucked in between his legs and retreated to the bathroom He didn't bother with the rest of the conversation he was just numb. He turned on the shower but made no other moves towards actually showering. All he could think of was that maybe you were trying to replace him, that he wasn't enough for you or maybe that he was just too much and you didn't love him anymore. He heard you knock on the door announcing your departure for work but he couldn't bring himself to respond. After crying for what felt like hours Tae looked at his phone. You had sent a message.

“Tae,

Had to leave early,U might not have heard me in the shower.Take care. Y/N”

Taehyung felt morose. No “I love you” or cute emoji. He sighed and went to your room. Laying on your bed he snuggled up to one of your pillows and managed to fall asleep. It ended up only being a nap as Taehyung woke around an hour later. Eyes still puffy and with a sniffle, he sat up determined and decided to do something special for you.

“Hey Hyung”

“What do you wan- Is Y/N Okay? Did you start a fire again?”

Taehyung deadpanned. “Hyung that was one time!”

“Okay, what's wrong little brother?”

Taehyung whined. he felt the beginnings of tears stirring up again.

“come over. Hoseok has a day off today. Or do you just wanna talk to me?”

“I’ll be right there”

Yoongi sighed rubbing his fingers over his temples. Hoseok was currently now consoling his little brother who after regaling his story managed to upset himself and break down into full-blown tears again.

“I knew something was up I *Hic* didn't think she, we would ever be apart” 

Yoongi sat on Taehyungs opposite side and pulled him into a hug after wiping some of his tears.

“It’s just a big misunderstanding okay she is just working really hard she’s not trying to abandon you.”

“Hyung you don't know that. Easy for you to say because you have Hoseok- Hyung.”

“And it's only because of her that I got adopted by him remember? She wanted us both but she didn't have the means to look after both of us so she called all her friends willing to take a hybrid on and then she said that she was sorry she couldn't do more but at least we would be able to see each other. She’s the reason we can still talk, see each other despite being separated, and hang out.”

Hoseok nods, “She got an extra bed in your room too for Yoongi to come to stay over whenever he wanted and she gave him the spare key remember? I don't even have a spare and I've known her longer-”

“she likes us better” Taehyung and Yoongi snapped to Hoseok at the same time.

Hoseok laughed. “well glad to know where I stand. I wouldn't hold it against you if you moved now, she earns enough to support you now...so if-”

Yoongi smiled “You would be hopeless without me and you know it.”

Hoseok scratched behind Yoongi’s ears and with a smile, he began “Well if you want my advice on this-”

“We don’t,” The hybrid brothers said again in unison.

Hoseok rolled his eyes and mumbled about getting something to eat and calling Seokjin to figure out what was going on.

Yoongi’s heart was aching for Taehyung. He wanted nothing more than to see his beautiful smile again.

“Y/N likes Lillies why don't you buy her some and like welcome her with those and some chocolates or something when she gets home?”

Taehyung sighed. “I thought about that but it feels too simple and like something anyone could come up with.” His eyes glazed over to the Tv where a couple was horseriding on a ranch. Immediately Taehyung lit up.

” That's it!”

“Tae we can't buy a horse ranch, even with all three of us chipping in”

“Not the ranch Hyung. Y/N likes this special wine that you can only get at a few places. If I get her a bottle and cook her a fancy dinner she can remember why she only needs me.”

Hoseok came back to the living room.

“oh, I have a bottle from the last time we went to the ranch as a group the chateau right? I was gonna wait for her birthday and surprise her but you can have it Tae,”

Taehyung glomped Hoseok in gratitude.

“cant breathe Tae”

“sorry.”

Yoongi stood up scrolling on his phone. “what did Soekjin say?”

Taehyungs smile dropped and his face morphed into nervous worry. Yoongi placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder expecting bad news from the way he reacted.

“He is out of town for the weekend. Some big trip so I could only leave a voicemail. It’s probably nothing. Anyway, you should go on and get dinner ready for Y/N before she gets home right?”

Taehyung brightened a little and skilled nodding. Before he left Yoongi said he should probably order food so he doesn't poison you or set the place on fire. He left feeling optimistic and hopeful that he could mend things with you. He wanted to help take better care of you he promised himself.

You woke up to the smell of burnt pancakes and Hot chocolate. Following the scent, you found Tae in the kitchen attentively staring at the pancake until a small ding went off on his phone. Shutting off the timer he placed a layer of batter where the last pancake just lay and set the timer again. You watched him fondly before he plated this one and poured honey over it. Putting the plate on a tray with the precut fruits and hot chocolate his ears went up as he sniffed the air. Turning around he saw you in the doorframe.

“Y/N...i-i made breakfast” He hastily grabbed your hand and led you back to you room tucking you in, before rushing out and bringing the tray with him.

Your heart swelled at this blessing of a man in front of you and he watched with rapt attention as you cut off a piece of the pancake before placing it in your mouth.

“How is it?” His ears sagged over his head expecting rejection.

“I can make you an omelet instead if you-”

“Taehyung it's the best pancake I’ve ever eaten.”

He buried his face in your pillow at your praise, tail wagging happily. You offered him a strawberry and a piece of the pancake and he hummed happily.

After sharing breakfast together you spent the day spring cleaning together before spending the rest of the day on a movie marathon. On Sunday You were both invited to game night at Hoseoks and You and Tae were a dynamite team as usual with Yoongi coming in to troll Hoseok much to his displeasure.

“I look forward to working with you further Mr wang.” you held out your hand. Jackson laughed and gave you a hug instead. 

“No way just call me Jackson. I’ve been friends with Mark forever so any friend of his is a friend of mine, also you come at a right recommendation, which is surprising cos he can be a bit of a downer.”

“I’m right here you know!” 

“I’m so grateful for you for doing this at such last minute. i know it was a lot to organise in the given time frame Y/N.” 

“Not at all, Mr wa- Jackson.”

You all stayed in his office with some comfortable banter before going home.

Taehyung called over to you and began to advance happily towards you before he stopped and sniffed you strangely. You wanted to ask him what the problem was but your phone chimed. it was Soekjin- he was calling you. You declined the call because you remembered you needed to tell Tae what was going on so that you could get his opinion on things.

“It might be urgent, if he keeps calling you like that. Go see what your human friend wants.”

“Do you not like Jin? Since when? Tae what’s-”

“You’ve been talking a lot to whoever lately and you smell like a new scent and a hybrid and I feel tired so I’ll probably just go hang out at Hyung’s.”

“No wait Taehyung I’m not trying to have secrets or hide anything from you but there is something important I need to tell you.”

Taehyung huffed and went to go sit down as you took his hands in yours. He looked like how you found him 2 years ago a wounded puppy with eyes full of love and brimming with sadness.

“Things are a bit crazy at the shelter and Jin needs help in housing some of the Hybrids temporarily. Some can go to other shelters but some need a more... loving environment, calmer without the more violent hybrids sharing with the weaker type ones. I offered to take two of them in while he figures everything out. I know its a lot and if you don't want to, we will just stay just us but if Jin is overcrowded he’s at risk of getting shut down and then they could all end up on the streets I-”

“It's okay.”

You blinked. “Huh?”

“It's just temporary, right? I can understand that we shouldn't let anyone be on the streets if we can help.”

“really? you’re fine with this?”

“It’s...I will be able to deal with it. But I want strawberry cake and I’m not sharing”

“Of course Tae. Guess I should call Jin and tell him the great news!” You chirped and went to grab your phone. You didn't notice the sheer rejection that he tried to hold in.

Jungkook and Jimin stood behind Jin. The latter holding Jin’s shirt as he explained some of the pills he had brought along for their nutrition and bringing along some bags with groceries. You reached to take it and Jungkook took them all in your stead silently trying to minimize eye contact with you.

“Thank you Jungkookie.”

Embarrased, Jungkook stuttered out. “I-Its the least I can do after you are being so kind.” You practically melted and pet the Muscle bunny softly at the base of his ears and he stomped his foot a little and grinned showing his toothy smile.

Jimin, not to be outdone, said he could help you pack everything away and let go of Jin who was trying to remain them of something that they were tuning out in their silent contest to impress you. You tried to place a jar on a shelf too high and fell back into JK who caught you and placed it up for you instead. Jimin began whining that he could have done it for you but he was busy with the things in the fridge.

Taehyungs loud sneeze broke up the rowdy lot of you.

Jungkook gripped your waist in fear and stayed behind you as you faced Taehyung. Jimin in shock had hit his head on the shelf of the fridge and tried to catch some of the items that threatened to spill out.

Tehyung seeing Jungkook’s hand on your waist had yanked you out of his grasp and began scenting you and sending a snarl their way.

You sighed. This was how Taehyungs been acting ever since you started the project with Jackson. Pretty much anything could set him off but you felt bad because you should have been more understanding of how this may look in his eyes.

“ Jin, Rabbit, feline”

“Tae, Longtime! Sorry if we woke you. this is Jungkook he's a black Holland Lop and Jimin is a calico cat.”

“I’m Y/N’s Siberian husky.” Tae said to the other two before looking back to Jin.

“ I was awake- Hyung i was finishing the laundry for the new...guests.”

You spun around in his arms to face him. Petting his ears as he cooed into your touch “Aww Tae I told you I’d manage it”

Jin’s ringtone killed the silence and he dashed out telling you to call if any problems arose.

Thereafter you got the boys settled into Taehyung’s room. With a sigh you went and faceplanted into your sheets only to have Taehyung come and crawl beside you. After half an hour when you tried to get up Taehyung just grumbled and  held you tighter.”

“Tae i have to go to”

“work I know” He said with a sigh reluctantly letting you go. 

“Today’s a chilled day we will be done early. Besides, you guys can use this time to bond and make friends.” At his whine, you kissed the top of his head. “ please? For me, try?” 

Six weeks later all of you have somewhat of a comfortable rythym in the household. On a day off you decided it would be fun to go to the beach. Jimin offered to pack a picnic for everyone and Jungkook and Taehyung were moody on the drive over because they didn't think of it first. You had also told him since he was so helpful he could sit in the passenger seat and Jimin spent the whole ride grinning like the cat who got the cream.

Once there you were happy to let the boys wander off to their heart's content after setting up your belongings under a beach umbrella.

Jungkook had other plans. He worked very hard on his physique and although shy he still remembers the first time he came back shirtless from a run and found you on the couch. You tried to hide it but He knows you checked him out and you were definitely attracted to him the way your eyes hungrily racked over his body. Since that day he would be on the lookout for any golden opportunities to be close to you. Honestly, Taehyung had it made. You were kind, smart, hardworking, and breathtakingly beautiful. So often he dreamt of you as his and he knew the others thought the same. Officially though he was still a foster, Jimin had reminded him that morning and their place here wasn't secured so Jimin said he was gonna up the Ante. At first, Jungkook ignored him and went to shower but when he emerged to the sound of you praising Jimin for coming up with such a cute and thoughtful idea, He knew he needed a plan of his own. 

Taehyung excused himself for the bathroom and Jimin was looking around for the cooler box. He decided to go and check in the car leaving Jungkook alone with you. This was his moment. He stripped himself of his shirt and innocently asked if you would come to the water with him. He rationalized his need for an escort being that he was not used to such big crowds of people and thus managed to convince you out of your sundress to reveal your bikini and guide him by the hand towards the water.

Jungkook was Jungshook at the two-piece and how you looked in it enjoying the view until some guy came out trying to talk to you. That snapped him out of his daze and he flung you over his shoulder and bolted into the water trying to shield your body for his admiration alone. You were having a ball of a time and Jungkook got to stay near you and hold you claiming to save you from sharks if you found any.

Jimin had stomped away to the car and after retrieving the cooler box which he was pretty sure Jungkook was supposed to carry happily bounded to the store to get ice for the drinks on the way back. He also spotted a local artist doing caricatures and thought to remember to bring you over later for a couple picture together. He knew you weren't a couple but Jimin was smitten for you. He was slightly confused as to why Tae didn't have a romantic relationship with you, or at least you weren't his mate so he still had a shot. The only thing in his way now was the little maknae and his cute bunny-like stupid smile and ‘helpful groping’. Jungkook certainly wasn't shy in trying to subtle scent you when you were distracted anymore, not like how it was when they first arrived. No, they had gone from not trying to interfere with your and Tae’s relationship to wanting their own with you, a romantic one. The mystery now was why arent you and Taehyung together? Was it because he was a hybrid or was he just not the right guy? did you reject Taehyung before? Did you get rejected by Taehyung and now he regrets it and wants you back? Jimin didn’t care he wanted you and that was final. Even if you never returned his feelings even just being by your side could be enough for him, enough that he could get over sharing your affection with Taehyung after all he was the first even if he hates to admit it.

Taehyung almost dropped the Icecream cones in his hands.

 Its been so long since you two had come to the beach, in fact, the last time was when Yoongi had hinted at you two being an adorable couple. Taehyung had gotten you ice cream to share and you had some dribble down from your mouth to your chin. Taehyung did it before his brain was able to process the action, he licked a stripe from your chin to your lips lingering for a second before placing a chaste kiss there. You were embarrassed, to say the least, and Tae hid his own embarrassment by getting up to toss a ball back to a bunch of kids playing volleyball. When he came back he noticed you with some of Yoongi’s cocktail and the two of you managed to finish the jug just between the two of you. Later at home Yoongi and Hoseok took to the twin beds in Tae’s room and you pulled him into your room. Tae had discovered you were really handsy and although he wanted you so badly you were both too drunk to do more than sleep after a sloppy makeout session. The next morning you had woken up first and Left some water and ibuprofen with an apple by his side. His morning wood making him panic in short horror prompting a quick cold shower. While he discarded his clothes he saw your underwear that you had slept in still coated in fragments of your arousal, on top of the laundry hamper and grabbed it as he stepped in the shower. It was the first time he had taken your underwear.

Yoongi had told him then to let you bring it up- the idea of you guys figuring out what you want moving forward as it was clear to him and Hoseok that you two were lusting after one another but was it anything more? Taehyung was in the midst of figuring out his feelings for you and what everything meant and how things were going to be different but you came in the apartment with breakfast goodies in tow. You managed to still look effortlessly beautiful in the morning and Tae was so happy that you got him his favourite things for breakfast from your waffle house.

“Tae, I’m so sorry about yesterday i was super drunk”

“I was drunk too Y/N its fi-”

“No it’s I'm sorry can we just forget this all happened i don't want to loose you Tae I love you. Can we move on please?”

Taehyungs heart shattered across the floor but he nodded and to put insult to injury you kissed his cheek before scolding Hobi for drinking The hot chocolate you meant for Taehyung and yourself.

“I’m sorry lil bro. If you wanna stay with us we can share my room, i have a double bed and Hobi can-”

“Its okay Yoongi- Hyung. I can keep it together for now, ill give it some time and if that doesn't work I’ll confess and we work from there. For now, her loving me is enough, even if its just friends. This love and adoration from her is enough.”

It’s Not Fucking Enough. Not anymore. That was then when he had you all to himself, No new boss keeping you at work always hugging you, No Bunny, no Cat. No it was war now, and Tae has just about reached his limit.

[notgonnarememberthis]

today (of all days) - pt 5

Surprise!!! Through encouragement of friends I’ve decided to release one chapter a day to finish this story off the day before prodigal son returns! So the next one will be the plus one coming out tomorrow and a bonus chapter coming Monday. Hope y’all like this one! 

The knock is soft and hesitant, Gil almost misses it while he’s combing over files. He checks the time with a huff, he should probably get dinner soon anyways. Maybe he’ll roll by Malcolm’s and make sure he’s eating, knowing all too well that he’s throwing himself into this case just as hard, if not more, than he is.

He stretches himself out before walking to the door, mindful of Icarus who has half the mind to trot beside him to try to dart out the door if he opens it too wide. He opens it slowly, foot placed in front of the ginger cat to keep it back.

Jessica stands in front of the door, a bag in one hand and a drink tray balanced on the other. She sucks in a breath and he can see her carefully planned speech falling apart. This was the first time he’s seen her since that day in the station, when she admitted she was talking to Martin again. When he offered to be her ear again. She swallows heavily only able to get out, “Can I come in?”

“Yeah,” He nods. “Of course.” He steps aside letting her slip by with ease. She smiles down at Icarus who takes the opportunity to rub along her legs. He knows if she hadn’t had her hands full, she’d be scratching his head right now. “Is that?”

“Mel’s diner, yes it is. I got the cherry pie too.”

“How’d you know, I was just about to make dinner.”

“You and Malcolm have remarkably similar eating habits. Meaning it’ll be the last thing on either of your agendas until either a case is finished or someone snaps you out of it.” She settles everything on the table, pulling the food out of the bag with an almost robotic motion. He recognizes it, her mind and body has flipped into pure survival mode. She’s able to mask it when talking but her body language gives it away.

He sits on the couch next to her, eyes trained on her face the entire time. “Jess?”

She tenses, her eyes closing as she’s found out so quickly. Her posture deflates and she drops her head into her hand. “Please.” Her voice comes out more tired.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.” She tries to hold him at arm's length, instead focused on her food but he takes her hand in his. She may not have come with the vintage bourbon like usual but he can see through it all. Mel’s is her comfort food. After a rough day, they’d bring Malcolm and Ainsley there, enjoy the atmosphere of anonymity. The noise of the customers was always enough to drown out her own demons. He’s more than able to see through it all. 

“Talk to me.” He says, his voice soft as he runs his thumb along the back of her hand.

She sighs, tipping her head back. Her jaw clenches, emotions bubbling to the surface that she forces back down again. “I’m writing a memoir.” She doesn’t look back at him, she knows what his reaction will be, or she thinks she does.

“A memoir?” His eyebrows furrow and he shakes his head. “You said you’d never give in. That they could say whatever they wanted but they wouldn’t get a word from you. What changed?” She sighs, in the way she did any time they were brought up. “Birdie.” He nods in understanding.

“She’s been cut off. She’s emptied all her assets and she came to me… to publish her own book.”

“Why not just pay her off?” She’d done it before. Paid reporters, journalists, and other nosey bastards for her family’s privacy. She paid good money so that it was never leaked that Malcolm had changed his name. As far as the public knew Malcolm Whitly had faded into obscurity. 

“They were going to publish with or without her. Another author would take helm. We’d be exposed. I checked the information and it’s true. The publishing company is desperate. They’d already been looking for a writer who would take the chance for years.” No doubt, any writer who stepped up that would risk Jessica Whitly’s wrath would be one without good intentions. The book would be a slander on her family. No amount of burying the story would protect her, Malcolm, or Ainsley from that blowback. And Martin would revel in that chaos.

“So you’re taking the reins.”

“I don’t have a choice.” He wants to argue with her. That there’s always another choice but here, he finds it difficult. With Jessica writing it she’s telling her story, It’s not going to be tampered with by a second party. When it hits the shelf she’ll only do interviews with people Ainsley trusts, no Barbara Walters situation ever again. No second hand writers will hound Malcolm or Ainsley for their comments, knocking down boundaries that her kids aren’t even aware exist most of the time. It’s not about them. It’s about controlling the narrative.

The words feel awfully familiar. “Do Malcolm or Ainsley know?” She doesn’t even need to answer by the look that passes over her face, fond exasperation with some worry. 

“No, and I intend on keeping it that way for a while.”

“Jess.”

“Ainsley will just talk about how this is a good thing. She’s always excited about stories. Having them read mine is,” She lets out a bitter laugh. There were aspects of the aftermath that she kept from them. How it tore her apart more than she would ever admit. It was only recently that Ainsley got a peek past the incredible intricate persona Jessica put on for others. “Then Malcolm, he won’t like it at all. He’ll worry. He has enough on his plate right now. I’m not going to pull either of them into this if I can help it.”

“They will find out eventually.”

“I’ll keep it a secret as long as I can. I would appreciate it if you would too.”

“I won’t tell. But I think you should.”

“Not,” She shakes her head and he can see she’s trying to blink away tears. “Not yet.”

“There’s something else, isn’t there.”

Jessica laughs but nods, “The publisher pitched a name today. He wants to call it The One Who Survived. Bullshit, if you ask me.”

“Jess,” He moves to place a hand on her shoulder but she stands, anger flaring up with the movement.

“Why does it always go back to him?” She asks, he’s not sure if she’s looking for an answer but she continues before he can make a sound. “I raised two children. Both of which were stellar students. My son went to Harvard, worked with the FBI. My daughter is a critically acclaimed journalist and a newscaster.” She rakes both hands through her hair pacing across the living room. Atlas watches from a perch, his tail flicking with interest. “I have contributed to hundreds of foundations, I am a businesswoman. Why, why am I only the ex-wife?”

Gil steps up, his hands settling on her shoulders. She stops her rant, eyes falling on him in the same shocked and vulnerable gaze when he holds her. They haven’t been this close since… He pushes that to the back of his mind. “This is your memoir Jess. Not theirs. You’ve got the control here. Use it.”

“But-”

“But what? They’ve been asking for 20 years and you’re finally giving them what they asked for. It’s your story.”

“Where do I even start?” 

“Wherever feels right.” She lets out a slow breath and for a moment they stay like that. Standing in the remains of a connection that never dies. Her movement is slow, when she finally does, making sure that he stops her if he wants to. Her arms wrap around his torso and she tucks her head into his chest. He returns the hug, holding her close with his chin resting on top of her head.

“Thank you Gil.” She mumbles into his shirt. He runs a hand down her back in a comforting gesture. Having her this close makes his heart race and he’s certain she can hear it too. They’ve missed out on so much time. But for now he’s just happy to have her back again.

“Always.” He whispers, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

[chasseurdeloup-retired]

A Pie for Help || Chloe and Kaden

TIMING: Current LOCATION: Kaden’s Apartment PARTIES: @chloeinbetween and @chasseurdeloup SUMMARY: Chloe visits Kaden for a baking lesson.  CONTENT WARNINGS: emotional abuse references, domestic abuse, terminal illness mention

More and more it felt like Kaden’s kitchen was the most used space in his apartment. And at this point, mabe the most visited, too. And if Abel’s barking was any indication, the kitchen was about to get another new visitor. One he didn’t know quite so well as some of the others. Kaden shushed the dog as he made it to the handle, attempting to quiet him down before letting anyone in. “Hey,” he said, swinging the door open and holding back Abel behind his legs. Looking at Chloe, something struck him. Putain. “Uh, hope you’re not afraid of dogs. I can crate him if you are. I’m sorry I didn’t check.” He really should have mentioned. Fuck. He wasn’t a stranger to causing awkward situations, but he’d really hoped he could avoid one right off the bat.

Chloe checked Kaden’s message three times before building up the courage to walk up to his door. Holding her iron necklace pendant tightly in one hand, Chloe raised her other to knock. She jumped high as a cat when out of nowhere, a dog barked. It was that slightly wide-eyed, hair-on-end look that Kaden was greeted with when he opened the door. “Hi,” Chloe squeaked. The tension trickled out of her like a faulty faucet as she looked at the big fluffy black dog behind Kaden’s legs. “Um, no?” She replied uncertainly. “As long as he doesn’t have wings.” She smiled wryly. “Who, um, what’s his name?”

One look at her wide eyes and Kaden was prepared to bring Abel straight to his crate. He’d seen that look of fear many times before in his job. As much as he loved dogs and animals and had a hard time being afraid of them, he understood for the most part. The teeth and claws, the unpredictability if you were unfamiliar with animals, there was reason for fear. Chloe had a lot of reasons for fear. He was hoping he could avoid those today. Keep today normal and easy. “Oh, okay good. You looked-- I never want to just assume since he can look a little, uh, you know, he’s bigger which some people--” Kaden really needed to stop talking. Thank god she cracked a joke. “No wings, as you can see,” he said with a half smile. “This is Abel. He’s very friendly. Big fan of treats.” He led her in and shut the door before quickly grabbing a small treat from a bag on the counter. “Here, make a new friend,” he said, handing the treat to her to give the dog.

“Oh! Um, yeah, sure,” Chloe said. The bones of Chloe’s knees clicked as she knelt down. It occurred to her a little too late that maybe this was a bad idea: getting up again might be a bit of a pain. Extending her hand with the treat on her palm, she let Abel snuffle her. Abel was surprisingly gently in plucking the treat off her hand before gulping down the biscuit. He licked the crumbs from Chloe’s hand. Smiling, she gently scratched under his chin, bringing her hand round to his ear. Abel enthusiastically leant into the scritches, his tailing thwipping across the floor. Chloe had no idea how big the grin on her face was until she suddenly remembered that Kaden was there, and that she couldn’t just spend all her time stroking Abel’s back. Even if Abel himself seemed to disagree with that theory. She slowly struggled back to her feet, clutching the counter as standing up made her a little dizzy. “He’s really cute. Bigger than most dogs. Um. So much fluff.”

Kaden leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, watching as Chloe crouched on the floor to be with the dog. He couldn’t keep the stupid smile off his face. He knew Abel was a good boy who loved meeting new people, but it was always nice to watch when others lit up around an animal. There was nothing like it. Hell, it was the part of his job that always brought him joy. A lot of it was difficult and turbulent, but helping pets reunite with owners or find a new forever home was worth all of it. “He likes you,” he said, still beaming. She wobbled and he reached out to help steady her, arm out in case she needed to lean on him. “You good?” he asked. “But yeah, I got him to be a hunting dog. He’s rotten at it, really. Runs away at the first sign of trouble but he’s still a great dog.” That wasn’t entirely true, though. Abel didn’t run when Kaden was truly in trouble. He saved him. A few times now. A pit dropped in his stomach at the memory. Deep breath. Pushed it away. “Kitchen’s this way,” he said and waved her over. “Uh, so I got all the ingredients out. And I have a few filling options we can do. I wasn’t sure what you liked. And I figured you should call the shots here.”

“It's a good thing I don't have to be good at conversation with dogs,” Chloe said with a nervous chuckle. His smile made hers all the wider, although her cheeks blushed red, embarrassed that this had been the ice breaker and that her communication had been so weak until now. She paused, waiting for the dizziness to fade to a manageable level before answering his question. “Yeah, I'm good,” her smile wavered. Chloe wasn't going to focus on the ache in her head or the wool behind her eyes now. Now was about chasing a simple kind of happiness. Making for the sake of making, rather than the sake of being good. “I think that makes him a smart dog,” Chloe said, ruffling Abel’s furs once more before following Kaden through to the kitchen. “Honestly, I'm open to experimenting. Apart from the pie you made me, it's been so long since I've had pie I kind of don't want to hold myself to any ... pie standards? Is that a thing? Apple, cherry, pumpkin, pecan, anything like that would be great. My taste buds have changed in the last few years, so ... happy to try more things.”

“Part of what makes animals great, if you ask me,” Kaden replied. They were much easier than people most days. Certainly easier than the supernatural anything. His brow pulled together for a second as he saw her blush. He couldn’t figure out what she was embarrassed about. Fuck, was he doing something to make her uncomfortable already? He tried to continue to offer her a hopeful smile, even as she seemed to pass on taking his hand for help. “Yeah, yeah. Smarter than his owner, surely.” Kaden swung the fridge door open and started pulling out the butter. “So I figure I’d show you how to start a puff pastry but it takes forever so I have some dough ready to go, too. You know, for the actual pie. Unless you know, you want to take the two hours minimum to prepare it. Which, uh, you can. There’s no rush but it’s a long time, you know and…” Kaden placed the butter on the reached back and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, anyway, I was thinking maybe we could make a tarte tatin. It’s apple. If you want. Less chance for decorating the top of the pie with the crust since it’s made upside down, but you can cut the fruit pretty. Up to you.”

“I don’t know, his owner strikes me as a pretty decent human- person,” Chloe replied quietly, dropping into one of the kitchen chairs to take the weight off her legs. Building up strength muscle by muscle where it was possible, but also making sure she was getting enough rest. Her physio would be proud, Chloe supposed drily as she watched Kaden pull the butter out of the fridge. “Oh, wow, this is really like daytime tv, huh? Here’s one we prepared earlier,” Chloe imitated the voice of some bubbly daytime presenter, holding up her hands as if she was offering Kaden a tray. Her smile did become more genuine as he told her the plan, looking over the counter. “Sounds good,” she replied, not realising how automatic and robotic her voice sounded. She was too used to telling people yes. “Cutting the fruit pretty sounds like a plan. Anything you think would work, as long as I can take the occasional rest break.”

“His owner tries, I guess,” Kaden said with a shrug. He wasn’t going to let his heart sink or his head dive straight into doubt as it was prone to lately. Today was certainly not about him or his bullshit. And if he could be a decent person for Chloe, maybe that was worth being. Let her keep the illusion, at least. Still he had to flash a smile at her jokes. “Right, yeah. Just call me…” Kaden couldn’t name a single daytime television chef. “Uhh, is Paula Deen one of those? Ari told me about her. I, uh, realized I have no idea.” The physical toll the whole ordeal took on her simply hadn’t occurred to him. He wasn’t sure why. Actually no, he could figure. There was just so much to unpack that sometimes things got left in the box up until they were right in front of you. “You know I can grab you a barstool if you want and you can work that way. No shame. This isn’t retail or something where you have to stand for eight hours.” Or anything worse. He flashed her a smile as he prepped the counter with flour. “Apple tarte tatin it is, then,” he said as he pulled out the apples and started lining them up to wash and peel them. It was then it  struck him that he was calling every shot. Fucking hell, that didn’t sit well. He turned and leaned against the counter, arms crossed in front of him as he faced her. “Wait. No. I’m making you make a decision. This is your pie. What do you want? Pie crust on top or no top? Let’s start there.”

“Ha, yes, Paula Deen, but even you don’t have quite the hair to match her,” Chloe chuckled. She looked up at his offer, hesitating for a second, shrinking into her chest before nodding quietly. “Yeah, a barstool is probably easier, actually,” she admitted quietly. “I won’t need it the whole time or anything.” Chloe smiled gratefully. Then promptly froze like a deer in headlight at his question, casually posed as he turned to her.

“Um….” Chloe stared at him, trying to remember what he’d just said about tarte tatin. Was it that there wasn’t a pie crust at all? Was it that because it was made upside down there wasn’t as much to do with a top pie crust? The question, like it or not, felt like a test, and all of Kaden’s goodwill might vanish in a second. On the other hand, if she didn’t answer at all, she might end up delaying the whole process. Maybe Kaden wanted her in and out as soon as possible, which was why he’d premade the pie crust anyway. Maybe he was hoping she would choose the least work. Maybe it would insult Kaden if she didn’t make a decision. She didn’t know anything about French culture, maybe he would be offended if she didn’t already know what the right answer was, or if she didn’t have an answer at all. Chloe looked down at Abel, who was casually sprawled on the floor, watching the both of them curiously and hoping one of them might drop a treat by accident. Abel, it seemed, did not have the answer either. Several seconds had passed since Kaden had asked the question. “Um. Pie crust on top? Yeah. Let’s… let’s go with that.”

“Right, note-- Wait. Did you just insult my hair?” Kaden said, turning to her. “That’s not very nice,” he started, holding back some laughter as he feigned hurt. “You might give me a complex or something.” He really hoped she caught on to the joke. Things didn't need to be more awkward, that was for sure. Still he went around to the other side of the kitchen and pulled in a barstool for her, placing it next to the counter.

For a second, Kaden wondered if he made a mistake. Was this too much pressure? Maybe he shouldn’t have pushed it. He breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she made one whole choice. It didn’t even matter what she picked, he was just happy she chose something and a smile broke out on his face. “Crust on top it is. We can attempt to make it pretty if we want but I make no guarantees on it turning out that way.” He gave her a small shrug and added, “still, might be fun to try.” He started placing butter and flour next to what he had set up as her station. “Fruit is all up to you, too. Or nuts if you want. I have just about everything.” Partially because he practically had a pie making assembly line at this point but mostly because he wanted to make this as nice as possible. Not that he wanted to let onto that. No need to overwhelm her with how ridiculously prepared he was. “Unless you don’t want to decide. We can stick with apple, of course. This is your lesson so whatever you want.”

“No, I would never,” Chloe laughed, pulling up a picture of Paula Deen to show him her silver fox luscious locks, sure he would agree that while he had great hair, he did not have Paula Deen hair. She smiled gratefully, the words of gratitude catching in her throat once more as she shifted into the barstool, leaning her elbows onto the counter.

As soon as she answered, she was watching for his reaction. Reading into the smile, the soft sigh of relief, like it might be revealed as a grimace of frustration if she just noticed the right twitch of a muscle, some clue to reveal his real opinion. But the smile looked genuine enough, so she relaxed a little as he started handing her ingredients. “Let’s… let’s not push this too far,” she said quietly as he started to ask her another question, the feeling of having to make yet another decision terrifying. “Apple sounds like a safe bet, and it would be… it would be cool to do a little bit of a cool pattern with the apples. Do you… do you make a lot of pies? You have so much… stuff available.”

Kaden glanced down at her phone with some skepticism. “Alright fine, point made. I don’t spend that much time on my hair, you’re right,” he said with a small scoff. Not that he’d admit to just about anyone how much time he actually did spend on it. Or how much money. “Fair enough. Let’s stick with the apple in that case. I agree, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with them,” he said, offering her another smile as he set up to get the apples ready to go. “Fruit’s already sweet, you know. So you don’t have to worry too much about really screwing it up. Sort of can let good fruit do the work for you. I mean not that there’s no work, uh, but you know what I mean.” Putain. He realized he was probably talking too much about nothing for no reason. She’d agreed with him and here he was rambling about fruit. He let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck again. “Oh, uh, yeah I end up making a lot more than I ever thought I would, that’s for sure. But baking is good for stress relief, passing the time, all that. So I make a lot of pies in this town.” His smile wasn’t as full this time, try though he might to make it otherwise. “Anyway, we won’t have any pie if we don’t cut fruit or make some dough. So what do you say?”

“Right. The fruit’s sweet. Don’t need to put too much extra special effort in, got it.” Chloe matched his awkward smile with another, even more awkward one of hers. It didn’t seem possible, really. This didn’t feel like reality, more like a feverish dream that was maybe what her dying body was clinging to in its deathbed. Making pies with the man who Lydia had hated more than anything else, it was just the kind of thing that a dying brain might invent. Although Chloe hoped that if this was the imaginations of a brain trying to escape the horrors of its demise, it might make her less awkward. “Maybe let’s… start with the dough. Is that sensible? Or the apples will brown before we get everything assembled… although I guess you have lemon juice, which would solve the problem of browning entirely, which you probably thought about before I did, so….” Chloe swallowed down her nervous flurry, rubbing the back of her head. “I’m trying really, really hard not to be like this, you know,” she admitted quietly.

Kaden wanted his smile to reach his eyes, really did. But he knew Chloe hadn’t been in control of damn near anything for years now. The last thing he wanted to do was to shout out orders or take away any more of her choice. At the same time, there was no denying that she was struggling to make any decisions. He supposed that made sense but it was still hard to reconcile. “It’s a pie, not a rocket. There is some room for error here. Breathe.” He handed her a bowl and slid the flour and butter towards her. “You made a good point, though. Let’s start with the dough. Plus, it’s pretty fun to use the pastry blender.” He leaned into the counter with his side and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You can be however you need to be though. Really. I’m, uh, the whole…” He sighed and dropped his hands back to his side before pushing his hair back out of his face. “Look I clearly don’t know how the hell to act normal either. Don’t worry about it.”

Chloe nodded, taking a deep breath. A pie, not rocket science. A hunter, not a fae, and this was for fun, not out of the expectation of perfection. That last thought hit her the hardest. Chloe looked up at Kaden and made herself meet his eyes. “I appreciate that. I really do.”

“I remember how charismatic I used to be and how easy I used to find social interactions and… it’s really hard to not make those comparisons. Everyone says these things take time,” which was the one thing Chloe didn’t have, “but I guess I’m a bit too perfectionistic now. Anyway.” She started to combine the flour and butter carefully with her finger tips, following Kaden’s instructions. It was laughable that Kaden could be considered as awkward, not when he was so many good things. Chloe just straight up didn’t believe him.

Kaden listened and gave her a small nod before working on his own dough. He barely had to think about what he was doing at this point, it was second nature by now. Still he should slow down, he was trying to teach her, right? Putain. “I know it’s not the same, but I used to be pretty different, too. Before moving here and--- Just before,” he said, keeping his eyes pinned to the counter, focus on the ingredients combining to make the dough. Something out of nothing. It wasn’t magic like what a spellcaster could do, it was far from supernatural, thankfully, but it had its own magic. “I try not to compare. It’s pointless. And just, I don’t know. It feels bad. So I don’t.” Kaden gave a small shrug before leaning a little more into the dough, maybe more aggressively than he needed to. Pausing, he looked over at what she had started on. “So far so good. Make sure the butter isn’t clumped,” he said, small smile and pointing out the one spot. “No one was ever perfect on a first try. If ever. And you’re still pretty charismatic. Definitely endearing. At the very least.” This time the smile he flashed was wider, warmer. The fact she was still able to hold up and joke after everything she went through? Definitely endearing.

“That’s hard to imagine. I figured you would have been doing the hunting thing for a while with the whole being an expert thing,” Chloe replied quietly, slowly working the dough over in her hands, trying not to overheat the butter between her fingers. She watched Kaden, trying to copy how he did it, as much as anyone could. “I’ve spent the last four years having to be the most perfect at something I’m capable of being,” Chloe admitted below her breath, “I know it was all her, but it’s just… part of me now. Still trying to be better at things. A better version of me.” Previously, more acceptable to let live. Now just more likeable. Definitely different stakes, but the mindset was still the same. She nodded, fixing the issue he’d pointed out and looking around the rest of the dough for more clumped butter. “Oh, trust me I know. And… glad you think I’m endearing, I guess? I think that’s not the word most people would use.”

“Yeah,” Kaden answered, voice small, “I have.” That was the problem. That’s all he’d done. And he wasn’t sure-- He paused. Inhaled deeply. He was baking. The kitchen was off limits for bullshit thoughts about his bullshit life. He’d decided that at some point in this stretch while Regan had been in her cabin. Morgan very rarely let that rule stand while they were baking, but he had control right now. No bullshit thoughts right now. Just baking. “Just trust me. I never would have done shit like this a year ago. I can’t remember the last time I lived in one place this long, to be honest with you.” He listened carefully as he folded the dough over, setting it aside once it was ready and watching her progress. “Guess that makes sense.” It’s not like he was great at being bad at things, either. “Yeah, well. I said what I said. Looks good, by the way. Now you just have to fold it. Roll it. Then turn it. And then there’s apples.”

“Oh.” Chloe replied softly, unsure if she could, or should reply. Was moving a hunter thing? Chloe distantly remembered Lydia’s sister, the one who had been killed so unjustly by those monstrous beings known as hunters. It had been reported as a murder. She supposed you would have to run, in a situation like that. What a thankless life indeed. And he’d joked before about her being braver, when Chloe was content to curl into the remnants of her life, doing nothing brave than posting about fae on main every once in a while. “Roll it. Fold it. Turn it. Wait,” Chloe smacked her wrist against her forehead, repeating the instructions in the right order this time. “Like this?” Chloe asked eventually, her hands beginning to throb from the work. “Does... this town scare you?”

It took Kaden a second to realize she’d even said it in the wrong order. “Wait, first-- yeah, you got it,” he said with a nod of approval as she manipulated the dough. He gathered both sets of dough and put them on a tray and into the fridge to chill. His fingers had wrapped around the handle when her question stopped dead in his tracks. It was something he’d never really considered. A looming question he never actually asked or answered to himself. Blinking, his mouth opened and closed a few times over, no words spilled out. He placed the tray in the fridge and closed the door before turning back to her. “I don’t know,” he managed to say. “It-- Maybe. It’s, uh… It’s definitely the most complicated place I’ve ever lived.” He rubbed the back of his neck, hoping he could find the answer. “You?” he hazarded to ask. Stupid question most likely.

“So… apples.” There couldn’t be any difficult decisions there, could there? It was just slicing and arranging and nothing else. Not that it mattered either way. As Kaden made clear, it wasn’t a big deal. “The most complicated place? What does that mean?” At his question, Chloe nodded, with a weak, wry smile. Of course he knew. “So afraid. All of her friends still live here. But…. I think I’m scared of out there even more.” Chloe gestured out towards the front door, frankly with no awareness of which was to point to other towns. She might have just pointed in the direction of the ocean for all she knew.

“Apples,” he repeated, grabbing the bag and setting up in the kitchen by the sink to wash them. “Uh, I mean, just that I’ve had more questions about my fucking life choices here than I have anywhere else. Maybe that’s not fair to blame on the town, though. Maybe I’m just old,” Kaden said and tossed the washed apple to her. He kept washing as she talked. She wasn’t fucking wrong. He wrung his hands in between placing one apple to the side and grabbing the next. “Makes sense.” He didn’t even know what to say to that. Morgan frequented that very kitchen. And she hadn’t been able to let Lydia go completely, even after. And as much as Regan detested Lydia, she was still fae. Hell, there was a pixie hidden in his apartment. He was surrounded by fucking fae and fae apologists and he was wondering if he was one at this point. When he had no goddamn reason to be looking at her and the effects a fae had on her. “Well, you have friends here now, too,” he said plainly, going back to washing the apples. “And she’s fucking dead.” No thanks to him. “So it’s a little safer now.” Small comforts, surely.

“You’re not that old, right?” Chloe had thought he was around her age, maybe even younger. Were hunters like fae in terms of looking young forever or… was he just being sardonic “No, I guess that makes sense.  Sort of. This place is so weird maybe it does make everyone question stuff.” She caught the apple, looking it over before carefully beginning to slice it. The knife slipped as he answered her, Chloe jerking away so she didn’t cut her hand. Friends. Something tightly wound inside her began to unravel a little there, like she’d tied down some part of her all those years ago so that it was too small to be seen by the monster she’d live with. The part of her that sought companionship, friendship. For years, she’d been hard and abrasive to everyone in the house because Lydia would have used anything else against her. But Kaden considered them friends. Or something similar. Chloe almost sobbed, blinking away the heat in her eyes rapidly. “She’s fucking dead,” Chloe echoed, taking a new apples from Kaden’s hand, still dripping with water as she put in on the board. “So I’m a little safer now.” Chloe cleaved the apple in two right through its heart. Some day, that might even sound true.

[hey-hamlet]

Prompt: Yes, that is a cat, I think. No, you probably shouldn’t touch it.

Thank you for giving me an excuse to write for the spirit sight AU! I don’t think I have before. Yes, Izuku becomes ride or die friends with Shinsou on his second day of school.

To say Izuku was afraid of his homeroom teacher wasn’t an understatement. In fact, calling the bone-deep, prickling distrust coupled with pure anxiety every time he saw him fear might have been a little too mild. His teacher wasn’t fully human. Or really at all human.

The ability to see yokai as a quirk was useful. Very useful. The problem was no one believed him. Normally he could just get around that by either dealing with the problem himself or finding another reason that street with the Nuribotoke that staggered down it at 5:47pm every night wasn’t safe. Not all yokai were bad anyway – most just kept to themselves if no one bothered them. Some types of yokai, however, were dangerous. Like the nekomatta.

Like his teacher.

Nekomatta killed people, ate them even – desecrating their corpses all the while, and they had one for a teacher? Izuku was gripped by the horrible thought that perhaps becoming a pro hero was the best option for something like that: you’d always be around the dead and those no one would miss.

Izuku pushed that to the back of his mind.

His current problem was two-fold. A boy he’d only seen in passing was petting what probably looked to him like a large black cat. It wasn’t. Its teeth were golden and needle-sharp, its fur matted and thick, two tails wrapped tightly together, flicking in pleasure as the student scratched behind his ears. Izuku felt faintly ill. The blood-red claws of his teacher – of the monster – worked at the ground, giving Izuku a horrifying look at just how long and sharp they were.

“Hey!”

The boy turned to look at him, placid surprise with an edge of distrust. Izuku took stock. The boy was likely a first-year, maybe hero course or gen ed. He obviously liked cats and didn’t seem like he’d take kindly to Izuku barging in on his cat petting time a solid half hour before school was set to start. It didn’t matter. He kept people who didn’t like him safe before so he’d do it again. He’d had practise after all.

“Yes?” The boy drawled, looking at him with a glint of suspicion. Izuku already felt a little better; now Aizawa knew there was someone else here he’d be much less likely to hurt him, especially considering Izuku was in his homeroom class.

“Sorry, but do I recognise you from the entrance exam?” He bullshitted. “I’m Midoriya! Midoriya Izuku!” The other boy straightened, no longer petting the ‘cat’. Izuku breathed a quiet sigh of relief; it didn’t matter if the other boy beat him up like his old classmates, he was at least safe now. 

“I did take the exam, yes.” The other boy sounded – he sounded bitter.

“Are you in 1B? My teacher didn’t let us go to the entrance ceremony yesterday.”

The other boy laughed, low and harsh. “1A then. Well, sorry Mr Hero course student, but I didn’t make the cut. I’m in 1C – general education.” Izuku winced. He kind of wanted the other boy to beat him up now, he wouldn’t feel so bad about it. “What did you say?” Ah.

He’d said that out loud.

“Sorry, sorry!” He stuttered, taking a few uneasy steps back. The monster had made itself scarce already so Izuku wasn’t worried. “I just – I didn’t – “ It was the other boy’s turn to wince in sympathy.

“I’m not going to hurt you – I’m not a villain.” He spat the last word like it was something he’d been called often.

“No, I didn’t think you were – I just – “

“What’s Mr. 1A got to be scared of? Little old me?”

“I didn’t mean –“ His mind disconnected. It felt like his head had been plunged underwater, all of his other senses muffled and slow. He couldn’t move, couldn’t twitch, but he wasn’t scared somehow. Distantly he realised this must have been the other boy’s quirk.

“Go on, tell me – has word gotten around that quickly? Are you and your little hero friends going to kick the shit out of me behind the school or something?”

“I don’t understand.” The words slipped from his mouth. The boy’s eye’s widened, but he still looked angry.

“Oh yeah? Why did you think I was going to beat you up, then, if I’m not a villain.”

“That’s what everyone else does.” He couldn’t stop the words, nor could he stop the tears slipping silently down his face. The boy recollided dropping his control with a bitten-off curse. Izuku staggered back a few steps, the other boy hovering nervously.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t – I thought you’d – “

Izuku hiccupped a laugh through his tears. “It’s ok, I understand. No hard feelings?” The boy blinked.

“What?”

“It’s ok, I don’t blame you – it must have looked weird to you, me coming up like that.” He couldn’t stop the tears but it wasn’t anything new. He always cried. “I would have been nervous too.” He scrubbed his eyes roughly. “Your quirk is super cool though; does it just compel people to speak or can you make them act too?”

“Shinsou.”

Izuku was so confused he stopped crying. “Huh?”

“My name is Shinsou.” He looked embarrassed, concerned and guilty all in one.

“Shinsou,” Izuku said, trying out the name in his mouth. “Could you tell me more about your quirk? It sounds amazing for hero work, what are the limits, what breaks your hold – “

Shinsou laughed. It was a shy thing but it was genuine. “Really? You forgive me just like that? Even though I mind controlled you?”

Izuku gasped. “Oh, so it’s full mind control? That’s amazing! What’s the mechanism, is it a vocal response or just at will – that’s so powerful!” Izuku frowned to himself. “You couldn’t make it in because of the robots. Could you?” Shinsou nodded, looking a little bitter. “That’s – that’s bullshit! I knew the exam was biased to physical quirks but that’s ridiculous! Our homeroom teacher couldn’t have even passed.” Izuku scowled. “That not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair,” Shinsou muttered bitterly. Izuku empathised. An idea struck him.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t make it fair.” He pulled out his phone, opening the contacts and offering it to the other boy. “I’ll teach you everything we learn in heroics. There must be a secondary way of getting into the heroics course.” Shinsou took the phone, dumbfounded.

“What – what do you get out of this?”

“You don’t deserve to be cut out because of your quirk. No one does.” He smiled sheepishly. “Plus, you might actually answer some of my questions about your quirk.” Shinsou laughed. It wasn’t as bitter as before, something almost like tears in the corner of his eyes.

“You’re a weirdo, Midoriya.” He said, handing the phone back. Izuku just grinned. “Cool, but weird.”

  From the branches of a nearby tree, Shouta watched the two students talk, tail twitching in interest. He would never admit to being proud of Midoriya for helping even the slate for a lost gen ed student. He’d been in the same place himself and the leg up from Hizashi had done wonders. Still; it didn’t explain the flash of real fear in his eyes when he first saw Shouta, nor the fact he’d come up to a complete stranger unprompted. Midoriya was skittish and nervy around even people who’d shown him nothing but kindness, let alone a prickly stranger. He should have looked like a normal cat.

Could Midoriya see him?

Shouta shook his head as if to banish the thought. He’d never heard of a human that could see his kind, not unless they will it. He was only 32 – practically a baby by spirit standards – but still. He’d have heard some something like that by now.

Right?

[saifa-ao3]

I have a request for femslash february, if you're still taking those! Pairing: Catty/Bratty - prompt: Catty and Bratty discuss Burgerpants, Mettaton, and whoever else, but at some point during their gossiping Catty accidentally lets it slip she likes Bratty (or vice-versa).

I’m late. But I did it! I’ll get to the other requests hopefully soon.

H e y,  c h e c k  i t  o u t. 

Rating: General Audiences

Title: I wanna, like, totally be your garbage!

Summary:While scavenging for garbage to sell, Bratty thinks over her feelings for Catty. Will she confess her feelings to her best friend?

Relationships: Catty/Bratty

Tumblr version under the cut.            It had been a while since anything new could be scavenged, and it looked like Bratty and Catty were the first ones to arrive this morning. Bratty laid her tired eyes on the new mountain of tangled debris that had fallen into the garbage dump during the night. Her keen eyesight was accustomed to the cavern’s darkness and gave her an advantage in spotting what the other monsters usually missed. The mound was comprised mostly of plastic bags and other useless synthetic and rusted debris. Among the musty dampness, there was a pungent, rotting smell wafting from the pile. Looks like whatever was salvageable would require a deep cleaning. The goods Bratty and Catty sold might be garbage, but it was premium quality garbage.

            The ankle deep water sloshed from Bratty’s approach. Carefully, she tugged at a handlebar from a bicycle to test the mountain’s stability. When nothing rained down, she shook other metal pipes and tires in search of a loose area to begin her excavation. The debris proved stubborn. In fact, barely anything seemed to budge save for a few empty aluminum cans. It seemed their salvage operation would be a tricky one, so it was best to get the easy pickings at the base first. Squatting down, she felt around in the water for anything interesting.

            “Like, ew, this mound totally reeks, Bratty!” Catty said, breaking away from their shopping cart while covering her nose with a grimace.

            Bratty gave her best friend a toothy grin. She loved the way Catty’s nose wrinkled from the smells in the dump. It was incredibly cute and the sight was one of her favorite parts of scavenging. “Like, totally, Catty. But just think of, like, all the garbage we can sell!”

            “Like, you’re so right, Bratty!” Catty giggled, covering her mouth mischievously with a paw.

            Bratty giggled too, but for her own reason. Catty’s laugh was bubbly and incredibly infectious as it bounced off the cavern walls and ceiling. There was a light chime to it like the high notes on a xylophone that made her soul flutter. That realization dawned on Bratty when she found the instrument on their last excavation. She had watched Catty curiously tap on the bars with a makeshift mallet and listened to her friend laugh playfully while composing a signature jingle for the two of them. It was then that Bratty associated Catty’s voice with music.

            “Oh, did you, like, find something?” Catty asked. She looked over Bratty’s shoulder and extended her whiskers. Grabbing their old, reliable shopping cart, she parked it next to the mound. “Chuck it in the cart here.”

            Bratty held up a figurine of a humanoid character dressed in pink with hair and cat ears to match. In her opinion, Catty was way cuter than this figurine. The girl wasn’t even entirely a cat, but definitely not a monster. Bratty had no idea what this character was, but she knew one thing. Catty had prettier ears. Besides, Bratty prefered purple over pink, and something told her this character would never be caught dead in a garbage dump.

            “Oh my god, like, isn’t this one of those things that Alphys likes?” Catty asked. She leaned over and rested her chin on top of Bratty’s head while her paws settled on Bratty’s shoulders.

            “Like, wow…” Bratty blushed when she felt the warmth from Catty’s paws and the soft fur tickle the scales on her neck. The warmth from her friend was a delightful comfort in the damp darkness. It took her a moment to snap her attention back to the conversation. “Uh… I totally think you’re right. What was it called again?”

            “Um, like, animu?”

            “Yeah, like, for sure animu.” Bratty said, placing the figurine in the cart. ”What even happened to Alphys anyways? Nobody has seen her for, like, ever.”

            Catty straightened and shrugged glumly while kicking at the water.

             Bratty looked from her friend to the figurine. They both missed Alphys dearly, but Catty took Alphys’ disappearance from their lives especially hard. Seeing her friend so glum about losing someone she considered an older sister, Bratty did her best to cheer her up. In Alphys’ absence, the two monsters had grown closer to the point of being inseparable and Bratty began to notice her favorite things about Catty, such as the way her friend’s whiskers would twitch out of curiosity or her pupils would widen when she saw something she adored until her irises were thin, golden rings. If only Catty would look at her the same way as when her friend found that empty gun and hoard of junk food. That day Catty was so excited for their find, and Bratty had to admit that was one of their most successful scavenging excursions yet.

            “Oh my god, Catty, maybe we could go to the lab and drop this off for Alphys. Like, pay her a visit, you know?”

            “Oh my god, Bratty, you really think she would see us?”

            “Uh, like, totally! We got this animu after all. You can give it to her and say, ‘Hi, like, what’s up?’ you know?”

            “Oh my god, Bratty, that’s such a cool idea,” Catty giggled excitedly.

            “For sure,” Bratty said with a wink. “Let’s see if there is anymore of this animu junk.”

            The two set to work sifting through the water, tossing aside rotted wooden planks and shredded fishing nets. A few waterlogged DVD cases and fishing poles later, Catty decided to brave the mountain. Using tires as footholds and secure metal rods to grasp, she scaled the mound agiley with ease until she reached the top. While Bratty sorted her way through the surrounding base, Catty set to work on attacking the pile from the top and removing the shoddy goods. Whenever there was an intriguing find, she would toss it down to add to the shopping cart.

            “Like, come on!” Catty grunted as she struggled to pull out a shower curtain rod. She dug her heels into the soggy magazines and crushed cans and tugged hard. When she finally ripped the rod out, a mess of stained fabric and fishing line wrapped around the pole followed.

            “Oh my god, careful, Catty!” Bratty shouted up. She circled around the back to catch her should she fall. It wasn’t often this happened, but on more than one occasion Bratty had broken her friend’s fall. Honestly, she never minded whenever this happened, and they would lie in the water together having a good laugh, then pick up where they left off. The first time Catty fell into her arms was when she finally noticed how warm, soft, and silky Catty’s fur was.

            Catty waved her arms in an effort to fight against gravity as she leaned backwards precariously on one leg. Her tail twitched wildly in an effort to regain her balance. At last, she thrusted the end of the pole into the mound and pulled herself forward. Sighing heavily in relief, she grinned down at Bratty and covered her grin with a paw. “Like, wow, that was a close one, huh?”

            “Uh, yeah,” Bratty said, smiling in relief. “You, like, totally were about to fall. Did you find anything interesting at least?”

            Catty leapt from the top and landed in the water with a splash. She held up the pole and pulled a pair of scissors from her pocket to snip away the massive knots of fishing line to get at the fabric. Holding up the unfurled fabric, she and Bratty squinted at what appeared to be burger patterned pajama pants.

             Bratty rolled her eyes and scoffed at who this article of clothing reminded her of. “Oh my god, Catty.”

            “Oh my god, Bratty, are you thinking what I am thinking?”

            “Like, Burgerpants, that creep?”

            “Yeah!” Catty’s eyes lit up and she shot Bratty a grin. “Like, we should totally give this to him!”

            Bratty folded her arms and tilted her head. There was a pang of jealousy in her soul that crept up everytime Catty brought up that guy or suggested hanging out with him. What did she see in Burgerpants anyways? After all, she thought he was a creep too, but that didn’t stop her from suggesting saving his life with their friendship and coolness. Catty was always so happy though, and Bratty didn’t have the heart to ruin that. “Uh, like, why?”

            “Because it totally suits him, duh! He could, like, be indebted to us and stuff. I mean, the guy doesn’t even have clothes other than the ones Mettaton makes him wear. I mean, have you seen the stuff he has to dress up in? Totally yuck! He’s gonna look totally cute in these.”

            “Uh, like, you really have no standards, do you?”

            “Nope!” Catty giggled, tossing the pants into the cart.

            “You would really pick Burgerpants over our robot husband?” Bratty asked in hopes the topic would change.

            “Oh my god, our robot husband. Do you think Burgerpants could, like, convince Mettaton to sign my butt after getting us Glamburgers?”

            “Uh, maybe?” Bratty said, uncommitted. All she wanted was to move past this conversation. She didn’t want Catty to see her wrestling with this jealousy. “Hey, what do you say we catch the new episode of The Robot Bachelor tonight?”

            “Oh my god, that’s tonight?” Catty asked brightly. “Like, absolutely! I can’t wait to see which dating option Mettaton will pick.”

            “Uh, yeah, though all the options are Mettaton,” Bratty grinned both in relief and excitement for the new episode. Of course, Catty’s laughter lifted her spirits too.

            “Oh my god, if I was on that dating show, I’d totally choose Mettaton, and then he can finally be my robot husband! What about you, Bratty? Like, who would you choose?”

            “Mettaton, obviously. He’s, like, totally my robot husband too.” Bratty paused as she considered other monsters she could choose from if she were on the dating show, but Catty’s bright laughter intruded upon her thoughts. “Like, actually, I think I’d totally pick you,” Bratty said under her breath. The words had tumbled out before she could catch them.

            Catty’s ears swiveled at that and her laughter stopped abruptly. Her paws flew to her mouth as she stared at her friend with wide eyes. “Oh my god, what?”

            Bratty stared back at Catty, uncertain of what to say. When she finally found her voice, it betrayed her with a crack. “Uh, like, I’d totally pick Mettaton, duh!”

            “No, after that! You’d really pick me?”

            Bratty’s hands fidgeted together nervously. What could she say, that she never wanted to be apart from her best friend? Every time she caught Catty, she never wanted to let go because the best garbage in the whole underground was in her arms. The faintest brush of Catty’s fur warmed her scales in a way Hotland never could. Forget pink no matter who was wearing it, whether it be that anime girl figurine or their shared robot husband. Purple was the coolest color the Underground had ever seen. Even if they never saw the surface, Catty was all she would ever need.

            “You really mean it?” Catty asked, extending her whiskers out of curiosity. Her eyes were two golden rings encircling night.

            “Like, yeah…” Bratty blushed. “You’re really cute and…”

            “Aw, Bratty!” Catty beamed. She embraced her friend tightly and nuzzled her cheek. A low purr formed in her throat that only increased in volume.

            Bratty felt the heat from Catty’s cheek and embrace, though the warmth felt more intense than any physical contact she had with her friend before. It chased away the damp chill from her body, leaving her to wish this feeling would never leave. Never before had she realized how soothing Catty’s rumbling purrs were until now. Truly, it was a new melody she never wanted to hear the end of. The vibrating notes and trills rippled across her skin and sank into her. Once again, Bratty found herself reluctant to let go.

            “We’re the coolest girlfriends forever!” Catty cheered. “Like, wow, I totally never would have thought I’d find the best garbage ever today!”

[finalspaceplace]

First Night on the Crimson Light

Another short story I wrote last night. It was written quickly.  But I’m so excited for season 2 that I had to make something. I’m not entirely happy with this fic but, oh well. I’m still sort of a beginner writer.  I might make updates to it overtime.

Gone. Quinn was gone. The Galaxy One was gone.  It seemed as though everything in Gary's life was meant to stay for a short moment, and then leave without a goodbye.  Gary gently pulled the covers of the blanket over Mooncake, who was resting against his side.  The poor creature had gone through hell only a day ago, yet seemed mostly unhurt.  If Gary had one thing to be thankful for, it was that Mooncake stayed the same no matter what.  Good times, bad times, Mooncake was there by his side, ready to take on whatever the universe decided to throw their way. The man turned over, the rickety mattress beneath him groaning underneath the weight.  Mooncake shifted and hummed as Gary's soft human hand stroked his head gently.

"Little buddy, what have we gotten into now?" Gary asked to the sleeping alien. Of course he wasn't going to answer.

"We're on the Crimson Light." came a voice. The blonde would have been startled had he not been used to hearing HUE'S voice in the middle of the night. The AI's newly found robot body sat in the corner of the tiny room, eyes emitting a soft orange glow.

"Oh really? I didn't know." Gary rolled his eyes.

"You really should get some rest.  There's no telling what tomorrow will bring. You're lucky enough to even be sleeping in a bed right now."  HUE moved his arms as he spoke, trying out his new ability to use hand gestures.

"After everything we've been through, you're still the same overbearing AI I know."

"Right, and you love me." joked HUE.

Gary glanced at the robot, then smiled lightly.

"Of course I do."

A few moments of silenced passed between them. This was such a familiar feeling. Gary lying in bed, staring out at the stars because he wasn't able to sleep. HUE speaking to him about random topics, the hum of a ship's engine as they flew quietly through the galaxy for five years.  Yet, despite the similarities, there was an overwhelming amount of differences. This wasn't the Galaxy One. HUE wasn't controlling the ship anymore. Gary was no longer a prisoner. This was the Crimson Light. HUE had his own physical body. Gary was a free man now. So much had changed in a short amount of time. Gary knew for a fact that keeping everyone safe was his top priority now. That would never change no matter what. He couldn't handle losing someone else. Not again.

Suddenly the door swished open, causing Gary to sit upright and Mooncake to awaken, antennas raised, listening. HUE slowly reached for his baton, which was lying behind him on the floor. A moment passed before Gary realized it was only the small Ventrexian. The cat's fur was ruffled and he seemed frustrated.

"Hey? You alright over there?" asked Gary, obviously knowing the answer.

Little Cato stomped into the room, the door swishing shut behind him.  This was their first night aboard the Crimson Light. Ash had her own room, as did Clarence. Gary decided to bunk with HUE and Mooncake. That of course left Little Cato to share a room with Fox.  From the look of Little Cato, he and Fox hadn't gotten along very well on their first night. The cat threw his hands into the air.

"No! I can't stand him! He's all about ‘zones’ and ‘space’ and I'm not even allowed to exist in there apparently! Why can't I have my own room?" His tail flicked back and forth in annoyance.

"We don't exactly have a lot of leg room on this ship. It's not the Galaxy One." answered Gary, sitting up and facing the kid.

"I don't care. I hate Fox. I hate Clarence. I just want to go home." Little Cato sighed, looking down at his feet. His ears started to droop.

"Little Cato?" Gary watched him slowly sit down on the floor at the foot of the bed.

"But I don’t even have a home anymore." 

Gary cringed on the inside. The poor kid had been through so much, and he worried he wasn't enough to help Little Cato cope with everything.  Yet Avocato had given him the task of caring for him, and that's what he would do.

"Hey, hey. Come here." Gary motioned with his hands. Little Cato sniffled and climbed onto the bed, sitting on the edge. Gary kicked his legs over the side, sitting up straight. Mooncake sat between them.

"I know being aboard this new ship is kind of terrifying. You probably won't believe me when I say this, but I'm kind of scared too right now." Gary started petting Mooncake.

"What? No way. Thunder Bandit's not afraid of anything". The Ventrexian rolled his eyes.

"Oh! Believe me I am.  We're strangers aboard an unfamiliar ship, a different and possibly dangerous crew, and a brand new mission.  Everyone in this room at the moment are all I have.”

"What about KVN?"

"Ugh. Anyway, you, Mooncake, and HUE.  And I'm lying here staring at the ceiling, wondering in my head if Quinn's alive or not. I miss her Little Cato, I really do. And not only did we lose Quinn, we failed to save the Earth."

Silence fell upon them as they recalled the previous mission.

"Chookity?" spoke Mooncake.

"Oh, what I was saying was I am scared. I'm nervous about the future. I'm so worried about losing someone else I love, because I don’t think I could handle it again. But I'm going to make it my top priority that I will never let you guys get hurt, I promise." Little Cato put a paw on Gary's arm.

"I'll make sure nothing happens to you either, Thunder Bandit." 

Gary chuckled. "Oh, don't worry about me, Spider Cat.  I just want everyone else to be safe."

"Hmmmm..." Mooncake nuzzled his face into Gary's side once more.

Gary put an arm around the kid's shoulder.  "But it's okay to be scared. And I know no matter what happens to us, we'll be alright in the end. 

"Think so?" The Ventrexian's ears perked up.

"Know so.  And Little Cato, home is wherever those who love and care about you are.  Remember what I said about all of us being a strange family before the mission?” asked Gary. Little Cato nodded.

“Just because we’ve been split apart from the others doesn’t mean we aren’t still a family. We’ll always look out for you.”  Mooncake made a soft humming noise in agreement.

“Now, it's super late. I understand you and Fox haven't gotten along so far but maybe just give it another shot. You never know, you guys could end up liking each other eventually."

"No way. We're too different. Plus he screams a lot." The cat crossed his arms.

"Just give him another chance. It's only the first night after all. Trust me, you think I liked HUE the first few times sleeping on the Galaxy One?" HUE turned towards him, and Gary could of sworn his eyes narrowed.

"Alright. I'll give him another chance." Little Cato hopped down from the bed and began walking to the automatic door.

"Gary?" he asked, glancing back over his shoulder. The blonde, who had been lying back down with Mooncake, looked back up at him.

"Thanks."

Gary smiled lightly and nodded.

"Of course."

With that the door swooshed open, the gust ruffling Little Cato's fur. The door shut once more, leaving Gary with his thoughts, Mooncake, and HUE.

"HUE?"

"Yes Gary?"

"We're going to be fine, right?" Gary asked, snuggling under the blanket.

 “I do not know Gary."

"That's not very comforting."

"Would you rather me tell a lie?"

"Um, yes?"

"Very well. Then yes Gary, I think we're all going to be fine." HUE answered.

Mooncake tucked his face into the covers, mumbling softly. Gary wrapped his arms around the planet destroyer, pulling him close.

"Yeah, totally. We're all going to be just fine..."

[icevolts]

Letting go

It’s been a week and a half since the passing of the Hinata’s family pet, Mia. Hajime was devastated, he raised Mia ever since she was a small, newborn kitten. It was almost like losing one of his kids to him. Chiaki also loved the cat, the two had a lot in common: not very active, taking lots of naps, being quiet and reserved. Even Akumo was saddened by this, although he wouldn’t show it to others.

Sayuri seemed to take it the worst however. She never dealt with loss in her family before and it was accurately taking its toll on her. What was once the optimistic, carefree teenage girl was now a silent, sullen girl. Sayuri dazed out a lot in conversations and during class, but just left it at that.

Sayuri was the extra joy giver when they needed it the most, but now there was nothing. The days were normal, almost too normal one could say. When asked what was working she gave the same response:

“Oh, nothing. I’m fine, honest”

She never was a good liar. Her attempts at smiling were always hollow. Her friends noticed this, and wanted to help however they could.

————-

Sayuri walked to the front door of Kuzuryu’s bakery. Se had gotten a text from Nadashi to meet him here after school for something but she wasn’t sure of what or why. So here she was, looking down at the ground with her face riddled with melancholy, as she gripped the door and walked inside. The lights were off with nothing but the orange, afternoon sun glare to illuminate the store. She took a few more steps in when-

“SURPISE!” Various voices called out and the lights flickered on making Sayuri’s head jolt up and let out a light gasp. Before her were all her friends. Nadashi, Shiki, Garu, Mikasa, Opal, Satoshi, Tetsuya, Iwanko, Jenna, and even Mitsuru. The bakery was decorated in cat balloons, cat plushies on the counters and tables, and even a few posters here and there. Her friends were also cat themed, as they all wore…“interesting things”. They had cat ears, cat tails, some had face paint of whiskers and a cat nose, Iwanko was in a blue cat suit for goodness sake, but that didn’t stop there.

“Nya! Why hello there, Sayuri!~ Welcome to your cheering up ‘paw-rty!’~” Mikasa spoke as she posed like cat and emphasized the puns.

“We saw you feline-ing down, and wanted to cheer you up” Shiki added, her face becoming red as she spoke.

“We’re not ‘kitten’ you with this, It is ‘fur-real’” Garu said, as his eyes avoided Sayuri.

“We’re your ‘fur-ends’! We don’t like seeing you so pup-set” Satoshi smiled widely

“That was supposed to be a cat related, but we’ll ‘purr-n’ the other cheek” Iwanko said, a bit muffled from his cat head.

“Yeah, come have a look at your ‘wonder-pur-ful’ cake that Nadashi made for you” Tetsuya added

Nadashi held in his hand a cake on a silver plate, he raised it torward Sayuri “It’s delicious I ‘purr-omise’ you!” He grinned

“Purr was used three times in a row for puns” Mitsuru said under her breath “So...turn that ...‘fur-own’... up down...and give us a smile…” Mitsuru’ eyes avoided Sayuri as she spoke slowly

Then there was a pause, a moment of complete silence. Sayuri who was still standing with her mouth agape, and her friends still holding on to their grins. With each passing second of silence the smiles begin to quiver and lower slowly until finally...

“GODDAMMIT NADASHI!” Mikasa roars as she takes off her decorative ears and hit Nadashi’s arm with them. The silver haired boy still held onto the cake and platter. “I KNEW THIS WAS A BAD IDEA! WHO THROWS A CAT THEMED PARTY A WEEK AFTER THEIR PET FUCKING DIES?!”

“You said you liked the idea when I brought it up!” He countered her

“AND LOOK WHERE THE FUCK IT GOT US! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TALKED ME INTO THIS SHIT!” The black haired girl continued to yell

“Can I take these off then?” Mitsuru asked “I feel ridiculous”

“C-c’mon guys we can’t give up so easily” Shiki said “She needs this”

“I think it’s too late for that Shiki, sorry” Garu said as he took his ears off to.

“I told you all that we should resurrect her cat for the day but you all said ‘no!’” Opal scolded the teenagers.

“I thought it was a good idea” Tetsuya sheepishly smiled

“Well I’m taking this off” Iwanko lifted the cat head and revealed his face “It was starting to get stuffy in there anyway”

“I wasted this face paint for nothing” Satoshi said while rubbing her cheeks of her ‘whiskers’. “Oh Jenna, you can...turn that off” The robot girl paused licking her arm as she met eyes with Satoshi, a few beeps came out of her and then she spoke.

“So the Sayuri party is cancelled then. Boo! I downloaded several hundred cat videos to study for this day” She whined

“And still no where close to the real thing, metal-spawn” The blonde princess glared at the robot.

“I-I just wanted to make Sayuri happy like the rest of us!” Jenna claimed as oil began to drop from her eyes

“It’s okay, we all did” Nadashi sighed “This is all my fault”

“Yeah no shit” Mikasa added

“Mikasa, that wasn’t necessary!” Tetsuya spoke up

“And are you saying that is dressing up like cats, buying all these cat balloons and plushies, and making up all these god-awful cat puns were ‘necessary’?” Mitsuru refuted and the teal haired boy’s face turned pink.

“W-well no but-“

“Guys let’s not fight. Sayuri’s still here-“ Garu began before giggling was heard. The source...was Sayuri.

“Hehehe, heh heh heh, ahaha. You guys looked so ridiculous! Hahaha!” Sayuri’s eyes dripped with tears as she let out a laugh. Her tears weren’t of sadness but of joy. Her smile and laugh were real and not hollow like she had been throughout the week. Sayuri was finally being real again.

“Well, we did this all for you” Mikasa said

“We saw you being so sad ever since Mia died, and we wanted to cheer you up” Shiki added

“So Nadashi thought that throwing you a party would do the trick” Garu gestured to Nadashi who blushed in response.

“So, pffft, so the cat theme was his idea” Sayuri asked as she wiped her eyes.

“Yep!” Satoshi beamed, wrapping her arm around Nadashi’s shoulder.

“The cat balloons, plushies, and the costumes?”

“His idea as well” Mitsuru said

“Even the puns?”

“....’purr-haps’” Nadashi spike while continuing to blush and looking away.

“Pffftt, ahahahaha!” Sayuri laughed once more “You guys are the best!”

“Well, you’re like the best of us Sayuri” Mikasa said as she came close the brown haired girl. Putting one hand on her shoulder, the mechanic ontinued “You give us this spark to lift us up during the day of our kinda crappy lives. And when you feel down, we feel even worse” Mikasa winked “So, thanks for being our bundle of joy”

“Awww, your welcome” The two girls embraced each other.

“Ok, now how about we get into this cake before it melts?” Tetsuya suggested

“Oh yeah right” Sayuri let go of Mikasa and sat down in a booth. Nadashi places the cake in front of her, and it was shaped like a calico cat’s head. “Oh it even looks like Mia”

“Yeah, that was my idea too” Nadashi said as he sat down “I used photos as a reference thanks to Jenna”

“Well you did a good job!” Sayuri exclaimed “Her eyes look like there staring right at me. And I feel like I can just...rub her cheek. And...scratch behind...her ear…”

“So, Sayuri? Do you want the first piece, and which side do you want-“ Shiki began, before soft hiccups stopped her.

“And...and pet her fur. And...and look into her eyes, and….and….I’m sorry” Sayuri tried to get up from the booth but was blocked by somebody, Nadashi.

“Sayuri, it’s okay. Like we said we care about you, so just let it out” Upon hearing those words by the silver haired baker, Sayuri’s lips quivered more and eyes filled with more tears. Until finally buried herself in Nadashi’s shoulders, and let out a cry.

Nadashi wrapped his arms around Sayuri and brought her closer. The rest of their friends soon joined in on the embrace. Sayuri after holding her feelings for long inside, finally let it all out.

[ivadeshin]

Five Soda Maximum (High School AU) pt 10

(need to catch up?)

“You are sure it is okay?”

Fjord grins at him. “We like the Moondrop kids,” he says. “I’m more surprised than anything else. They mostly just hang out with each other... doesn’t mean we wouldn’t be happy to have ‘em hang out with us.”

“Ja. Um. Moondrop?”

“The street they live on,” Fjord says, and laughs. “Weren’t payin’ much attention when you were drivin’ over?”

Caleb feels his face heat a little, and Fjord gives him a friendly punch in the arm. “Well,” Caleb says, looking around the hallway a moment before leaning in. “You are one to talk, with-”

“Shut up,” Fjord says quickly, pulling the collar of his beholder t-shirt up until his face is half hidden. Muffled, “I never shoulda told you.”

“I will not tell,” Caleb reassures him.

“I know you won’t. Just.” Fjord’s cheeks are tinged dark green. “You know how she is.”

“Sweet?”

“Fancy.” Fjord lets go of his shirt and huffs out a sigh. “She’s always swoonin’ over, you know, slick guys with hair gel, and skin routines, and...”

“Metrosexuals!” Caleb interjects excitedly, a little too loudly. A half-elf boy shoots him a weird look as they turn the corner.

Fjord chuckles.

“I just learned that one,” Caleb mutters, embarrassed. “I have not been able to use it yet.”

“Perfect usage. A plus.”

**

Jester leans in, tail swishing a bit in the grass at she stares at Molly’s face. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

Molly blinks. “...sure?”

“Do you use an eyebrow pencil?”

Molly grins shyly as Fjord and Beau roll their eyes. “A little?” he says.

“It looks so good,” Jester enthuses, clapping excitedly. “I love when boys do their brows. I love it. You do yours so well! Do you do them? Does Yasha do them? Yasha doesn’t do them.”

Molly laughs and shakes his head. “I do them. The twins got me some fancy stuff for my birthday... I think the brand is like Beverly Hills?”

“Anastasia Beverly Hills,” Jester says immediately. “Good brand. Good pencils.” She beams and turns to Caleb. “He’s good,” she says approvingly, and leans back again to start in on her salad.

“Well,” Caleb says, clearing his throat, “now I will get to the second half of his introduction, I guess, which is: his last name is Tealeaf.”

“Jester kinda jumped in on ya, huh.” Fjord gives Jester a look.

“I noticed really really suddenly,” Jester says unapologetically. “He’s stylish!”

“I think I might get tattoos someday,” Molly says, dropping into a cross-legged position on the grass as Caleb takes his bag off his shoulder and adds it to the pile. “But I only want to get them if they’re the really amazing kind? Does that make sense?”

“Yes,” Beau enthuses, lighting up. “Like those geometric ones, or the white ones? Do the white ones work on your skin?”

“They’d probably disappear on me faster than on light-skinned humans,” Molly grouses, frowning at the back of his forearm. “But I want something really colorful, anyway.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

Caleb starts opening his lunch bag, looking over. “Do you think, um, a little one, or a lot of little ones, or a big one...?”

“I kinda want a whole...” Molly grins bashfully and gestures his hand over his whole body.

“Like a Yakuza,” Fjord supplies. Molly’s red eyes light up.

“Yeah! Except I don’t want to get banned from hot springs.”

Fjord laughs. “I see tattoos all the time at the docks... trust me, the best advice I can give is to spend good money to get good art. I’ve seen enough pin-up girls going like...” He puts his shake down and sits up straighter, putting his hands behind his head and tucking his feet together, then distorting it at last minute by crossing his eyes and sticking a leg out at a weird angle. Jester snorts loudly and Nott tips over.

“Beautiful,” Jester gasps.

Molly leans in, super seriously: “Fjord, are you a model?”

**

Nott asks Beau about the debate team, and that starts an epic and extremely entertaining rant that could go on indefinitely.

Caleb is setting his water bottle back down when he feels something nudge against his back - he frowns and turns, surprised to find it’s a lavender tail that’s very inconspicuously brushing against his ribs. He watches it a moment, the lazy little pattern it seems to be waving in, before peeking at Molly and discovering that Molly is just... listening to Beau, grinning, happy. He seems to notice Caleb looking at him, though, because the tail curls away rests on the grass.

“It is okay,” Caleb mumbles under his breath, when Fjord interrupts Beau to remind her that invitations to ‘take it outside’ will probably get her disqualified.

Molly doesn’t say anything, but his ear flicks out a moment and a few seconds later, Caleb feels a faint pressure on his back, like someone brushing their hand between his shoulder blades. He smiles down at his sneakers.

**

While waiting for History to start, Fjord snorts at his phone and leans over to Caleb’s desk, holding it out for him to see.

Me: yeah i guess

Nott: no, he’s allowed two after school hangouts a month not including (robot emoji) classes

Beau (pink skin woman facepalm): jeez his parents are the WORST

Me: comin from you...

Jester (shortcake): MORE LUNCH DATES THEN

Jester (shortcake): AND HIS SIBS!!!! (devil emoji) (two girls emoji)

Beau (pink skin woman facepalm): stop it

Me: sounds like a plan

Beau (pink skin woman facepalm): fuck you f don’t join her

Caleb giggles. “May I borrow your phone, please.”

Fjord smirks and sets his phone down on the desk.

Me: This is Caleb. Yasha seems very nice. We should ask her to eat with us.

Beau (pink skin woman facepalm): This is Beau. Fuck You

**

“I’m not... great with computers,” Yasha admits, opening her laptop as she sits down. “Can I pick your brains while we eat?”

“Yeah, of course.” Beau shrugs casually. “We like, do study groups together a lot, you know, research... reading... studying. Stuff.”

Yasha nods and tilts her screen toward Beau, who leans in and starts reading something. “I’ve got this paper about the cryptocurrency bubble, and I understand the financial part, but, um, a lot of the technical details...”

Nott leans over Yasha’s other side and frowns. “LTC?”

“Litecoin,” Caleb mumbles, breaking a few grapes off of the stems and popping them into his mouth.

“Oh.” Beau scans the page further. “XMR sounds like... a file extension...”

“Monero,” Caleb says, blushing a little as people turn to look at him. “They are both. Cryptocurrencies.”

“I thought that was what Bitcoin was.” Fjord frowns.

“It is one of them.” Caleb swallows and shrugs nervously. “It is just. Nerd stuff.”

“I thought XMR was a programming language.” Molly frowns.

Caleb chews a few grapes and snaps his fingers. “You are, um, thinking of XML.”

Yasha eases her laptop and holds it across the circle to Caleb, who takes it. “Can you help me translate some of this? I’ve only gotta write three or four pages.”

“S-sure,” Caleb says, trying to ignore the burning stare of Beau behind her.

**

Me: Hello! I have made a new group chat! Because now I have a real phone number and a real phone!

Jester (lollipop emoji): CONGRATULATIONS CALEBBBBBBBBB (balloon emoji) (balloon emoji)

Nott (green skin fist): (green skin waving emoji)

Fjord (notebook): (green skin waving emoji)

Nott (green skin fist): haha we match

Fjord (notebook): were practically twins

Beau sends a screenshot of the new group chat, revealing that Caleb’s name is followed by a pager emoji.

Me: Fuck off it is not that old

Beau (collision symbol): it is a BURNER PHONE and you are a DRUG DEALER

Jester (lollipop emoji): BE NICE BEAU

**

Me: Hi Molly. This is Caleb.

Molly: WHAT

Me: (pink skin waving emoji)

Molly: you said end of semester

Molly: I DISTINCTLY remember

Me: The store had a very good deal and so my dad bought early.

Molly: I’m freaking out

Me: Is this bad?

Me: You mean happy I think

Molly: I do! We can talk whenever we want now

Molly: Are they going to read your texts? Are they those parents?

Me: I have already jailbreaked the phone, I made many changes, it is not a problem

Molly: Did you use cryptocurrency to to break it open

Me: You do not use money to jailbreak a phone

Molly: I’m just teasing.

Molly: Can your old drug lord burner phone get pictures?

Caleb turns beet red and pulls his comforter over his head.

**

Nott sends Caleb a picture of Frumpkin on top of a cage, slightly blurry.

Nott (green skin fist): He got really chatty when he saw me and then I think he realized you weren’t with me and now he’s PISSED

Me: Really???

Nott (green skin fist): idk if he’s really pissed but I really think he looked for you once he saw me

Me: I love him

Nott (green skin fist): (cat heart eyes emoji)

Me: Please send more pictures

**

In the first after school Robotics class, Caleb more or less hides behind Fjord while the teacher explains how LEGO Mindstorm works and what programming languages they’re going to be using.

“You’ll pick everything up,” Fjord murmurs under his breath, so the other students can’t hear. “You’re gonna be fine.”

“Nein, I already understand how to do this,” Caleb mumbles. “I just. Wanted to mess around with it and make friends.”

Fjord turns around and squints at him. “And how’re you gonna do that from behind me?”

Caleb smiles awkwardly. ���Um. I will come out soon.”

“There’s brand new kids! From the school across town!” Fjord nudges his chin toward a shy looking half elf girl whose right arm is in a green cast. “She looks weird! Go sit with her.”

“You think so?”

Fjord snorts and pushes off of the table he was leaning against, waving to a random human and sitting down next to him. Caleb, now alone, looks around at the paired tables and feels himself start to sweat. The girl notices and looks around too, lifting her (right) arm to wave and wincing when it starts to pull. “Ow! Jeez. Um. Do you want to sit here?”

[ninja-librarian]

Commission for @shygreenfox!

For info about commissions, click here!

Katie took a deep breath as she sat down at the computer, performing her daily ritual of logging into Defenders of the Universe, the most popular MMORPG that combined sci-fi and fantasy elements in one somehow functional swoop. As her log-in information was processed, she put on the virtual reality goggles. The usual screens flashed as she was connected, advertising of newly released items and monsters to fight, new planets to explore, new ships to buy.

And, of course, the ultimate challenge items: five Lions of Voltron, scattered across the digital universe.

Whoever collected all five Lions would receive a fortune like no other and meet with the game’s owner, whose in-game name was Emperor Zarkon.

But, unlike the other DU players, Katie wasn’t in the search for the money. She was after something much more important: the rights to her father’s work—which, ultimately, included the game—and to get her revenge for what Zarkon did to her father.

They had once been partners, but when DU started to gain popularity, Zarkon stabbed Sam in the back. Not quite literally, but Katie had found evidence that Zarkon had paid a handsome sum to cause the car accident that had crippled her father and left Zarkon to amass a far greater amount of money than Sam Holt did. Then, of course, just as Katie and her brother, Matt, were starting to determine that the accident wasn’t an accident, Zarkon disappeared… and kidnapped Matt as he did so. Now, finding the Lions was the only way to find her brother and force Zarkon to pay for his crimes.

Caught and banned from the game right after discovering the location of the Blue Lion, Katie had to start from scratch. This time, she did so in disguise under the IRL alias of Pidge Gunderson and the in-game moniker of Meklavar, the best ax-fighter in three galaxies.

Katie had spent weeks building back up her levels and in-game coins. She forgot how much it sucked to be the noob, but it was what she had to do to avoid suspicion. But, more importantly, it gave her an opportunity to ensure that no one else had discovered the Blue Lion. Now, she was ready to claim the first Lion.

But first, she needed to find a guild.

As loathe as Pidge was to admit it, she needed help. She had been ambushed by Zarkon’s NPC cronies the last time and she needed someone to watch her back.

Fortunately, she knew just who to look for: the Paladins of Voltron, led by the mysterious player known only as Shiro.

Katie—now officially Pidge as she entered the world—had to hope that they’d take her in.

She guided her avatar into the Universal Space Station, which was part-tavern, part-strip mall, and part-airport from hell that you never wanted to encounter in real life.

It was bright and colorful, with thousands of glittering advertisements and calls to arms.

But Pidge knew better. Pidge knew to find who lurked in the shadows.

She caught a glimmer out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she saw an avatar of an Asian man wearing a cloak over gleaming silver armor, in deep discussion with a pretty dark-skinned, white-haired elf woman, a quiver on her hip.

Valayun, Pidge thought, recognizing her. The unparalleled archer.

There were rumors that Valayun was someone very powerful IRL. There were whispers that she was royalty. Others said that she was a president’s daughter. And still more said that she was she ran her own business and was the world’s youngest CEO.

One way or another, her allegiance was highly sought after. How Shiro of the Paladins of Voltron managed to secure her, no one knew.

Either way, it was good for Pidge.

She approached cautiously and requested to communicate with both of them.

“I’m looking for Shiro,” She said, dropping her voice. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to be mistaken for a preteen boy right now. If she was, her occasionally high-pitched voice would be dismissed. However, it would also be a reason for her to be dismissed. “I’m interested in joining the Paladins of Voltron.”

“Well, you found him,” The Asian man said through her headset. A warmth suddenly flowed through her. It was almost… familiar…

Stop. Stop thinking about him. You have a job to do. You can’t think about him now. He’s the one who left, anyway.

Shiro looked at her avatar. “And who are you?”

“Mekla-” Pidge started.

“Uh, uh, uh,” Valayun said, waving a finger at Pidge. “Your IRL name.”

“What?” Pidge questioned.

“Anyone who wants to join the guild has to be pre-screened. Personally. By me.” Shiro explained. “You still in?”

I’ve come this far…

“Pidge Gunderson.”

Shiro’s avatar nodded. “Give me a few.”

Shiro winked out of the plane of existence, leaving Pidge to be scrutinized by Valayun.

“A lot of people want to join the guild,” She said. “They believe Shiro is the best shot at forming Voltron.”

“He’s kind of a legend, though, isn’t he?” Pidge asked. “One of the very first players of the game?”

“Yeah,” Valayun said, nodding. “And the one who has been searching for the Lions the longest.”

Well, then, he’s going to love the intel I have, Pidge thought.

Shiro’s avatar winked back into the game. “You’re clear. But you’re not a member yet. You’ve got to go through all of us. I’m sending you a link.”

The out-of-game link in her messages surprised Pidge, but she plugged it in. It led to a private chat server where the name ‘PIDGE’ automatically appeared.

“What is this?” She asked out-loud.

“We don’t like to use the in-game chat function,” Shiro explained, her voice in her ear, surprising her and she had to bite back a cry of surprise. “Too many ears and eyes. This site has the best cyber protection you will ever encounter.”

Then, Shiro’s voice boomed: “Roll call!”

The avatar of a tall, stocky teenage boy appeared, dressed in Cleric’s robes and carrying a staff. “Block. IRL name, Hunk.”

The avatar of a tall, skinny boy with cat ears and a tail appeared. “Pike. IRL name, Lance.”

“Valayun. IRL name, Allura.” The archer said as her avatar appeared.

Another female elf appeared, this one with pale hair and skin and wore Healers colors. “Fala. IRL name, Romelle.”

A lean figure dressed in red and black appeared, his gray digital eyes still steely. “Akira.”

The cat boy, Lance, huffed. “And?”

“And what?” Akira demanded.

“IRL name?”

“No. You know I hate to use IRL names.”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Anyways, this is Keith.”

“LANCE!”

“Ha! Made you use an IRL name!” Lance said, pointing at Akira/Keith, who fumed.

“And who might you be?” Romelle asked kindly.

“Er, Meklavar. IRL name, Pidge.” Pidge said awkwardly.

“So. Why do you want to join our guild?” Shiro asked, folding his arms over his chest, appraising Pidge.

“I need a team. To find the Lions of Voltron.” Pidge explained.

“Pass.” Keith growled. “Get out now.”

“Keith,” Shiro said warningly.

“Look, we’re all after the Lions,” Hunk said. “Problem with that is, we’re already splitting the money six ways. I don’t want to sound greedy, but—”

“I’m not in it for the money!”

They all turned to Pidge.

“You know it’s a lot of money, right?” Lance asked. He spread his arms out wide. “Like, a lot a lot.”

“I’m really not searching for the money.” Pidge said.

“Most people who choose a warrior-type do, though,” Romelle pointed out. “So what makes you different?”

“Because I want to meet Zarkon. And get revenge. I have some unfinished business with him.” Pidge explained.

Slowly, the members of the guild turned to Shiro, who frowned and asked, “What did Zarkon do to you?”

“Not me.” Pidge answered. “My father. They were business partners. Then Zarkon betrayed my father and reaped the benefits that come from running this huge game. My father physically can’t work now, and we haven’t seen a penny. And right before my brother and I could expose him, he disappeared, kidnapping my brother in the process. I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing this to bring Zarkon to his knees and to bring my brother home.”

Shiro studied Pidge for a moment, then said, “If you’re going to join, you’ve got to have something to bring to the table.”

“I’m a warrior-type, and—”

“We’re all either combatants or high-level magic users,” Shiro interrupted. “If that’s all you have to offer, then…”

“I know where the Blue Lion is located!” Pidge yelled, desperate. “I got ambushed last time, on my own. It’s heavily guarded, so only a team can get to it.”

Shiro stared at Pidge for a long moment, then said, “All in favor?”

The rest of the guild agreed, though Keith seemed to stare at Pidge intensely and gave her the distinct feeling that his ‘Aye’ was reluctant.

Shiro nodded. “Then let’s get raiding.”

*****

Despite being ambushed, the Paladins defeated the guards and entered the cave where Pidge’s intel said that the Blue Lion was hidden. Inside the cave, they found an underground river, along with a series of tunnels, filled with traps and riddles and dead ends. But finally—finally—they found the Lion, hidden deep inside a cavern, sitting on a pillar in the middle of a pool of water.

“It’s gorgeous,” Allura breathed as they stared.

It was stunning with an azure body with a white-tipped tail, intricate waves carved into the hindquarters, and gleaming sapphire stones for eyes.

“Let’s grab it and get out of here,” Keith said.

“We should probably check for—” Hunk started, but it was too late. Keith took a step forward.

Zarkon’s faceless robot guards, dressed in purple and black, suddenly dropped out of nowhere, pouring in from hidden gateways in the wall.

“Traps…” Hunk finished lamely, clenching his staff.

“Lance, you’re the fastest and our rogue, so you can take care of any additional traps on your own,” Shiro said, drawing his sword. “You grab the Lion, we’ll hold them off. Just give us a thirty second lead.”

The battle ensued; Allura bounced around pillars, taking aim at the guards that got close to Lance. Romelle and Hunk unleashed spells of epic proportion. Keith was a whirlwind, taking on one guard after the other.

And Pidge and Shiro fought back to back, side-by-side.

It felt natural.

It felt unexplainably right.

Then, suddenly, the guards all stopped and winked out of existence. The Paladins turned to where Lance stood with the Lion in his hands.

“One down!” He crowed.

“Four to go!” Romelle said, grinning widely.

There was much celebrating over their hard-won prize. Pidge couldn’t stop grinning. After all the hard work, it was finally paying off.

They had the first Lion. They had a chance. She had a chance. And Zarkon was—

A private message request appeared in Pidge’s field of vision. She frowned, seeing it was from Shiro, but opened it.

Her blood ran cold as his voice whispered in her ear, “Good job. Katie.”

Shiro knew who she was.

But how?

*****

She confronted Shiro as soon as the others parted ways, all exhausted from the raid and having pressing IRL matters.

It was just her and Shiro, staring at each other.

“Who are you?” Pidge demanded. “And how did you find my name? I covered all my tracks. I never use the same signal location twice. How?”

“Admittedly, you are good,” Shiro said. “I found nothing about who you are in my background check before you joined, other than what you obviously planted. But you told me your identity. You said that you wanted revenge for your father, Sam Holt, and you wanted your brother back. Sam Holt only has one son. And one daughter.”

“You still haven’t answered my question,” She snapped, feeling on edge.

Shiro stared long and hard at her. “You don’t recognize me? Not even by my voice?”

His voice. His familiar voice…

Wait. He knew her. He knew her father. He knew Matt…

“Takashi?” She breathed.

No. It couldn’t be him.

“In the flesh,” He confirmed. “Well, not really in the flesh, obviously, but in the pixels sounds weird.”

Oh, God, it was him.

Takashi Shirogane.

Her father’s protégé. The frequent dinner guest at her house. Matt’s close friend.

And her…

He wasn’t her boyfriend.

He was just the guy who made her heart flutter with a single smile. He was just the guy who once walked into a glass wall with a scarlet face because she had waved at him. He was just the guy who held her hand in the waiting room outside of the operating theater her broken father was in. He was just the guy who kissed her under the lamplight in the hospital parking lot, with cicadas buzzing in the background.

He was just the guy who left without a word the following morning, leaving her brokenhearted and furious.

“You left,” She growled.

“I did.” Shiro confirmed with a nod. “I’m… I’m sorry. I made a coward’s choice.”

“You left,” Pidge said again, voice louder. “You abandoned me when I needed you the most!”

The IRL Katie had tears streaking down her face under her goggles. She wished Shiro could see that reflected of Meklavar’s face, see what he had done.

Shiro hung his head. “I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t want to say good-bye.”

“So leaving without saying anything was better? How was that possibly better, Takashi?” She demanded.

Shiro lifted his head. “I’m sorry,” He said again. “I was… I shouldn’t have… Not after your dad…” He sighed. “Let me explain. Please.”

“It better be good,” Pidge snapped.

“I left half on my own accord, and half because of Zarkon,” Shiro explained. “He fired me without even bothering to make up an excuse. He knew I was close to your dad. He knew I’d carry on his work, would make sure Sam got the credit—and money—he deserved for Defenders of the Universe. But I was going to leave anyway. I was… sick.”

Pidge frowned. “Sick? What do you mean?”

Shiro’s digital image rubbed his right wrist with his left hand. “It was cancer.”

Pidge was shocked. “So you, you left for treatment?”

He nodded. “I went back to Japan. I wasn’t sure how the treatment was going to go. The doctors in America who diagnosed me weren’t very optimistic, and neither were the ones in Japan. And, after your dad’s accident, I didn’t want to pull you two ways. Especially when neither of us were looking like we were going to pull through. I had already planned to leave, before your dad got hurt. I just… I didn’t want you to see me sick, and I thought leaving was the best way to protect you and your heart. And I was wrong. And I’m sorry.”

“But you said ‘was’,” Pidge pointed out. “Are you in remission? Did you beat it?”

“Yes. And no,” Shiro said. “The cancer was predominately in the bones and ligaments of my right wrist. The chemo wasn’t working, and it had taken over most of my right arm. The doctors had to amputate, right above the elbow.”

Her heart ached more. “Oh, Takashi…”

“It’s okay,” He said, nonchalantly shrugging. “I’m cancer-free now. Back in the States, too. Staying with Keith and his mom, actually. Long story. But now I can focus on taking down Zarkon.” He looked up at her. “So we can focus on taking down Zarkon.”

Pidge was quiet for a moment, staring and Shiro nodded slightly. “I’m sorry,” He continued. “I assumed… If you don’t want to be in the guild anymore, we’ll turn over the Blue Lion into your custody and—”

“What? No. I still want to be a Paladin!” Pidge exclaimed. “And I… I want to fight Zarkon. I want to get my brother back. I want to bring Zarkon and his empire down, and make things right. And I want to do it with you.”

Pidge closed the distance between her and Shiro, taking his hand.

“I’ve wanted you by my side since the beginning. I’ve always wanted you by my side.” She told him. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it together.”

He stared at her, a bit stunned. “You… Even after the crap I pulled, you still…?”

Pidge nodded. “I do. I… I loved you. I think I still do.”

Shiro smiled at her. “I know I still love you.”

“Then let’s find those other four Lions, so we can do this relationship thing right.”

“Another wonderful incentive,” Shiro said. He offered his arm to her. “Shall we proceed to kick butt?”

Pidge grinned, accepting his arm. “We shall, indeed.”

[cannibalisticshadows]

Loving The Alien (Part 15)

(Out of three options, Ao3 commenters chose to bring in Hal)

AO3 LINK

Rating: T, with threats of violence.

The apartment feels different.

It’s missing something that had become vital in the natural essence of the environment. Now it feels like some kind of void, a black hole.

Well. Maybe not so dramatic, but as Roxanne sat on the couch, snapping her cell phone off, leaving her in the dark, all she could hear was the silence.

Trusting him to return to her, she laid there and fell asleep before she could really realize she was still tired.

The next time she opens her eyes, though, it’s not to a bubbly blue face hovering over her. It’s to the midday light shining in her face through the balcony window.

Groaning, she sits up and tightens her robe. It’s cold, but the cable box under her TV is flashing, letting her know the power is back on.

She calls out Megamind’s name but there’s no answer. Glancing back at the clock, she finds it’s nine in the morning. Quelling her suddenly worry about being late to work, she remembers she’s off “sick”, and she deserves a little time to herself.

The thing is, that’s the last thing she wants at the moment.

It is hard to ignore the silence of her home. Before, weeks ago, she relished it, especially after coming home to a long day at work (including being kidnapped). It gives her a few blissful moments of peace that she is unable to have outside, it seems.

Yet the only thing she wants is to hear Megamind muddling about. Even when he was conked out, healing, it was something.

So, to stop the sucking silence around her, she turns the TV on to channel eight. James Phillips, an older reporter she’s talked to on a few occasions, is going on about some new bookstore opening. Maybe she should go… Would Megamind want to, as well?

The young reporter tinkers about in her kitchen until she’s brewed a few cups of coffee and a made herself a bowl of cereal, because it’s one of the last few edible things she has left. It was unavoidable; she had to go out today for errands.

Roxanne cracks her neck, stretching and thinking. She should get a shower and ready herself for the day; days spent lounging around doing nothing but eating, talking, and sleeping had pasted. Time to return to the real world.

Making up her mind, yet reluctant to leave incase Megamind leaves, she pulls out a slip of paper out to use once she’s ready to go to the grocery store.

Right as she’s preparing to go upstairs, there’s a knock on her door.

It’s not the loud pounding of a robotic gorilla paw, so she gives a skeptical glower as she goes to peak out the peep hole.

Standing at her doorway is none other than Hal, her cameraman. She frowns, unlocking the door and opening it.

“Hey!” The short ginger-haired man greets, grinning from ear-to-ear. “I heard you were sick and stuff!”

“Yeah, I was ac—“ she doesn’t get a chance to finish talking, as he’s stepping closer as if to come inside. She opens her mouth to protest, because, if she’s sick he shouldn’t want to come inside.

“I’ve got you some medicine!” He announced, pushing past her through the apartment anyway, eyes hungrily eating up her home.

“Hal, you sh—“

He slaps some bag on the table, some common over-the-counter cold medicine, accompanied by a little box of chocolates.They spill onto her marble counter, clacking as they go. She hovers a few feet away, midway to Hal in her kitchen and to the door.

“So, like, I was thinking,” he starts, waddling over on too-skinny legs in proportion to the rest of him. “We could go get that pizza or like, whatever.”

“Hal, that’s sweet b—“

“Awesome! Do you wanna go now—oh wait, you’re probably still sick, right? Haha, I know what that’s like! I had this like, toe fungus the other day and—“

“Hal, you need to lea—“

“What time do you want to go?”

She’s just about ready to pull her hair out. She did not want Hal to be here. She did not want to be having this damn conversation. She just wants to go out to the store and restock in goods so she can cuddle up with Megamind because some weird internal instinct says it’s a great fucking idea to forget the world a little longer.

“Hal,” she says forcefully, once he’s about a few inches away. “Look, you’re sweet, but I can’t go out with you.”

“Well, yeah, you’re sick right now but we can still plan ahead—“

“No,” she snaps, “I mean, never. Ever never. I’m seeing someone. It’s serious.” I hope it’s serious.

His face falls. “Oh. Right. Metro Dude.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

Hal’s face scrunches up. “Wait. So. You have a regular guy?” A weird twinkle in his eyes makes her insides shiver. “Then forget him! Let’s go out!”

“No, Hal!” She’s shouting now. “I happen to love my boyfriend very much, so I’d appreciate it if you left! He’s coming back soon.”

“God, Roxie,” he frowns. “Don’t be such a harpy. I’m trying to be all nice and you’re like yelling at me and stuff!”

Don’t you fucking dare turn this on me.

She’s about ready to demand he leave, to get off the building’s premises, but—but out of the corner of her eye, she sees—

Megamind. He’s finally, finally back, hovering over her balcony on what looks like some black and blue motorcycle but without wheels. There’s a large engine on the front, roaring like a car. She is careful not to stare, as Hal’s back as to him. And Megamind isn’t wearing anything to hide his more alien-likeness. His tail, looking at least an inch longer, wags to the side in caution. She shakes her head.

“Look, babe, all I’m trying to say is ditch this douche. Let’s hang out! I’m a great guy!”

“I’m sure,” and I have three eyes, “but you need to leave—“ Megamind presses his face against the glasses, eyes wide like some puppy that’s been kicked outside after pissing on the rug. Her heart breaks. “You need to leave. Right now.”

Hal steps closer to her. He’s—not usually this assertive. He’s mostly a calm guy with a few flirtatious or slightly creepy comebacks. But—

She smells the sharp tangy scent of alcohol. And realizes he’s been drinking. He’s drunk. His eyes are dilated. Fuck. She glances to Megamind, and he’s still on the balcony, clearly confused and it hurts her to leave him there but they both know he’d rather die than have someone see his actual face. He staggers up to her and grabs her wrist. “Come on, Roxie, it’ll be—“

She pulls her hand out of his grasp. “No, Hal. I already said, I have a—“ He makes another go at her.

Roxanne miscalculates her steps and she’s—falling, falling on her back and Hal is right behind her, grunting as his weight collapses atop her her.

The balcony door flings open and before she knows it, Hal is being yanked off her.

“How dare you!” Megamind shouts, the pitifully honed expression he once had long gone from this feral look he had now. He bares his sharp teeth, wide green eyes ablaze with fury. “You dare force yourself upon a woman that doesn't want your advances!?

With a loud scream, Hal is thrown against the wall, hands up in surrender. "Please don't kill me!"

"Oh, how lucky you are I left the villain busy-ness!" Megamind snarls. "I would have torn your intestines out to decorate a Christmas tree!"

"AHH!"

"And rip our your eyeballs so you can watch me tear your carcus apart!"

"NO PLEASE!"

Megamind opens his maw, god he actually looks terrifying, and hisses like some dying big cat, tongue curling and all. Hal is finally let go, and he collapses on the floor in a violently shaking heap. On all fours he scampers to the door, stumbling to his feet and whing all the way as she leaves.

Roxanne, unable to move, sits there and stares at the empty doorway in shock.

She she turns to Megamind, he's heaving, staring at the floor like it's takening every nerve in his body not to chase after the fucker. Finally, after what feels like a million years, he fades away from his vicious intent. When he looks at her, all thoughts of blood and gore seem to fall away. Instantly, she has her tender Megamind back, and he's scooping her up in his arms to tightly she can't properly breath.

"Oh, my dear!" He cries into her hair, clutching at her like she's the only thing in this world worth fighting for. She hugs tight, too, but not as shaken as he is, apparently. "I'm so sorry I left you alone!"

"M-"

"I'm never leaving your side again!" He picks her up bridal style.

“Megamind!” She laughs. “I’m okay!”

“He touched you,” he seethed.

“I would have taken care of it,” she explains, cupping his worried face. “But I’m a klutz and I just tripped.”

He turns his head to bury his face in her left palm. He kisses her skin as if she was a queen. In his presence, she feels like one. “I should have intervened anyway.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” she kisses his cheeks, his nose, his goatee, his forehead, and finally, his lips. “You are perfect as you are. Granted you did overreact a bit, but you are fine.”

He snorts. “There is nothing fine about me. I think your eyes need to be checked.”

“Have you looked in a mirror lately? Your sexy as hell, honey.”

“Have I? Have you? I am hideous as far as humanity goes.”

She smacks him in the chest and struggles to get down. Once he sets her on her feet, she grabs him by the shoulders and shakes him lightly. “Let me shake some sense in you, Megamind. I find you very attractive. Even if you’re not human, you are more human than half the population.” She leans closer to him. “I would not have fallen in love with you if you weren’t who you are in here.” She puts her hand over his rapidly beating heart.

His eyes go glassy. “Roxanne...”

“I love you, Megamind. I have for a while. It just took me a while to realize it.”

“....Really?”

She gives him a real smile.

But as they embrace in a tight hug and kiss, they are unaware of the camera flash going off.

[kee-writestrashh]

Dreams in Neon

Ramsay Bolton x Reader

Ao3

Words: 2420

Summary:  The year is 2518. The race to create super soldiers is at its height. All the big Westrosi families are trying to undermine one another to get to the top first. Robots and androids on every corner. Is that guy even human? 15 years ago you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Your father packed you up and fled the city to try to undo his mistake. However, you were left with your formidable grandmother. Now an adult, well on your way to the top of the law field, you receive word that your father didn't just leave you with your grandmother, but he was kidnapped by one of those big time crime families, and shunted to the underground. You decide to team up with an old friend from the city and uncover the truth about what happened the day you seemed to lose everything. On your arrival, things start to get weird, and you were not prepared for this. War is looming on the doorsteps, but it may not be from other countries or even colonies ready to break free from the oppression of the home planet. Will you regret leaving the 'country side' or will you stand your ground and find your father? (*3rd person pov)

Chapter 3: How Little I Must Know

She woke in a heavy fog at first and then gasp, glancing around, unsure where she was. Then it quickly came back to her as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and stifling a small yawn as she glanced around the quiet room.

“Maxie?” She mumbled, rolling from the bed and stretching deeply.

“Good morning, (Y/N)!” A voice twittered back, the watch on (Y/N)’s wrist lighting up before a holographic figure appeared on the desk beside the only window in the room. A foot tall, cat, stretching and turning circles, before flopping down in the sunlight, its tail flicking lazily as it watched (Y/N) dig in her suitcase.

(Y/N) glanced at the hologram and gave a nonplussed look, “feeling feline today?” She asked, pulling free clothes and setting them beside the blue cat.

“I thought it fitting.” The cat said back, giving what was unmistakably a shrug, “Anyways, what can I start you with this morning?”

“Let grandma know I’m here.” (Y/N) said, making way to the small connected bathroom and closing the door.

The cat sat outside the door, “Already done. She says not to spend all your credits in one place, she loves you, and to keep her updated. Weather today will be sunny at a balmy seventy-eight, and a low of sixty-two. You have two messages from Conquest Nine, and a new message from Uni about job opportunities. Oh, and a coupon to The Twins Brewery. Twenty percent off any meal. Good at any loca-”

“Yes yes. Delete that. What about Conquest?” (Y/N) asked, opening the bathroom door as she wet her toothbrush.

“New tournament dates have been set. And…. your previous tournament credits have been awarded, ready to use in the shop. The shop closes up forty-eight hours before the start of the next tournament.” Maxie said, jumping up on the counter and watching (Y/N) brush her teeth. “Do you request further assistance?”

(Y/N) paused her brushing and turned her eyes to the hologram. Maxie had been a gift to her from her father for her 13th birthday. It was the last time she had actually seen him. But it wasn’t uncommon. Despite all the technology and ever changing gadgets, travel still took awhile, and the expanded colonies were very spread out. She went to school with many kids who’s parents were always travelling. Galactic Safety, scientists of all forms, doctors who needed to make routine checks to the Outerrims. So, (Y/N) had never imagined that her father was not a part of the water conservation project he had claimed. That really he was living a double life. But, Maxie had always been here for her. An AI that grew with her. Took part in her interests, stayed up with her many a long nights to study for finals, and been her true best friend. “Did you ever know any of this stuff about Dad?”

“No, ma’am. I did not. I know what you know.” Maxie said somberly.

(Y/N) sighed, finishing her usual morning routine. “I dunno what to think.”

“We will figure it out.” Maxie said, giving a small nod.

“I dunno if I have ever told you, but I am so glad for you.” (Y/N) said with a fond smile at the semi-transparent cat.

“As am I. Now, I am off to explore the city links.” Maxie said, giving another cat stretch and vanishing from sight.

(Y/N) let the guest room and retraced her steps from the night before, finding herself at the front door. She glanced around, hearing voices from a distant room. She found herself in a polished and glimmering kitchen. Ned and Cat looked up from a table and both smiled at you.

“Sleep well?” Cat asked, setting down her coffee cup.

(Y/N) gave a small shrug. “I guess. Too much on my mind.”

Ned gave her a long look, a deep sigh, and pulled out the chair beside him. “I think it’s time we talked.”

“Ned! She just got up. She should have breakfast first.” Cat snapped.

(Y/N) shook her head, “No. Food can wait. I want answers.”

“There isn’t much we can give you. We don’t know much more than you.” Ned said slowly, running his hand along his chin and giving a deeper frown. “As you know, your father and I went to school together. Grew up together. I was the best man at your parents wedding. He was the best man at mine. When you were born your parents named me and Cat as your godparents. When your mother died…”

“You mean murdered.” (Y/N) cut in rather harshly.

Ned sighed again, “Yes. I remember as if it were yesterday. It all happened so fast. I was only a patrol officer then. When the call watch patched over the line I was in the middle of lunch. I booked it as fast as I could across town. And when I got there… I’d never seen anything like it.” Ned stopped, staring down at his hands and giving a small shudder as the kitchen droid poured (Y/N) a cup of coffee. Ned took a deep breath and pressed on, “Of course, no evidence was left behind. Never found out who it was. There are theories, of course.”

“Like the Bolton’s?” (Y/N) asked bluntly, buttering toast from the plate another droid had placed on the table.

Ned frowned, “There are things you need to understand. The Bolton’s, while not my favorite people to deal with, have never outwardly displayed mafia related activity. But, Roose is almost as cunning as he is cruel.”

“Then it’s possible.” (Y/N) said thickly through the toast in her mouth.

“I suppose it could be. But there are so many others. This whole super soldier thing has everyone rushing to be first. And your father was promising. Won many a prizes while we were still in college for genetic modifications that did not involve the use of replacing parts with machines. That breakthrough had everyone on his heels. The money and benefits he was offered. Turning down everyone. Until your mother died. Roose Bolton just happened to come to him first after your mother’s death.”

(Y/N) stared down at her plate, chewing the inside corner of her lip.

“And then your father came to us.” Cat said after a few moments silence. “He asked us to never tell you anything, incase something happened. Asked if we would keep an eye on you and be there for you. Then, well, the accident. While you were in your comma he instructed us, and your grandmother, to give you the same story, and never let you step foot in the city.”

“But why?” (Y/N) asked almost pleadingly.

“We don’t know, honey.” Cat said, giving (Y/N) a truly sad look. “He vanished before anymore could be discussed. It was like he knew something was going to happen, but figured the less anyone knew the safer you would be.”

“Safe from what?!” (Y/N) half shouted. “What accident? What happened? Who am I supposed to be finding? What did he mean when he said they are coming? Who?! Who are coming?!” She felt the hot tears springing up in the corners of her eyes and fought to keep control of her quavering voice.

“More questions we can’t answer.” Said Ned heavily, “No one knows what happened in the accident. All record and video of it was wiped from everything. All anyone knows for sure was that it resulted in Roose’s eldest son’s death. Other than your father, Roose is the only other person who knows exactly what happened.”

“Then I have to talk to him.” (Y/N) said, standing abruptly.

“No. I said the Bolton’s have never been linked to mafia related incidents. I did not say that they were not a crime family. They just haven’t been caught at it. Not since Roose became head of the family. They go by the Red King’s. And besides that, they would sniff you out before you even got close. All the thugs and criminals have an act for sniffing out fresh military and police cadets.” Ned said, giving her a very stern look.

(Y/N) made a frustrated noise, but sat back down, glaring at her coffee. “Then what do I do?”

“There is nothing you can do. We have to wait. Play it by ear. Your father went out of his way to warn you. To keep you safe.” Ned nodded.

“Safe?! Safe from what?! What exactly am I safe from if no one can even tell me what I’m supposed to be looking out for? Would someone please tell me?” (Y/N) cried, a rogue tear slipping down her cheek. Cat rose from her seat and moved around the edge of the table to embrace her goddaughter in a tight, motherly hug.

“We will figure it out. We loved your father, your mother. And we love you too.” Cat whispered in her ear, rubbing her back firmly with the palm of her hand before letting go and leaving the room.

“Take a couple days to relax, kiddo. Get your head on straight. We could really use someone like you with your mind on the force. We’ve had to up patrols and physical force recently. A lot of civil unrest. Could help keep you busy until we get a lead.” Ned said, clapping (Y/N) of the shoulder as he rose from his seat, leaving too.

(Y/N) sat down heavily in her chair again, slumping down into it as she gazed blindly at her hardly touched plate of breakfast.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat there until someone sitting in the chair beside her spoke and made her start. She turned her head to see Robb, who gave her a small smile.

“How’re you doing?” he asked.

“Well, I’ve just found out that my whole life has basically been a lie. How do you think I’m doing, Robb?” (Y/N) said rather harshly.

“Tactless.” Another voice tutted. (Y/N) turned to see Sansa walk in, scowling at her elder brother. (Y/N) gave Sansa a warm smile and stood from her seat and hugged Sansa. Sansa was just a little over two years younger than she and Robb. “Why was I not informed the moment you got here?”

“Sorry. I was just… my mind isn’t right. And Maxie had his hands full trying to keep up with me, I guess.” (Y/N) said with a small shrug.

“Well, I refuse to let you sit around and mope. You and me are going shopping, and then we are going out tonight. There are so many things I want to show you.” Sansa said with a small smile.

Sansa seemed to change a lot. Found herself after she finally was able to break it off and leave that idiot Joffrey guy. But she looked in better spirits than when you graduated just a few short months ago.

“Well, I would like to see the city.” (Y/N) nodded slowly, “Lemme go put something better on and then we can go.”

She left the table and returned to the room she was currently utilizing until she had found a place of her own. It shouldn’t be too hard once she had secured a job. Her father had given her a small fortune. Apparently whatever it was that he was doing he at least made good money for it. She changed quickly, nothing overly exciting; a simple black tee and her favorite tight jeans. She slipped on her shoes and grabbed up the thin glass sheet cell phone and headed back downstairs.

Sansa was waiting for her, smiling wide. She opened the door and stepped outside, (Y/N) following on her heels. “How’s the business?”

Sansa beamed at this, “It is going so great! I’ve been asked to make a few pieces for the Winter collection and I am so excited about it! So, where is your transportation?”

(Y/N) gave a small shrug, “I came in on the sub. I was thinking about maybe getting a bike. It’s just me and Maxie. And well, Maxies doesn’t exactly require any space. So instead of clogging up the streets further with a car I don’t need, I thought just getting a bike would be okay.”

“Ooh! I know just the place.” Sansa said, sliding into her car and opening the door for (Y/N). “So did dad offer you a spot on the department yet?”

(Y/N) gave a small chortle and nodded, “He did. What was he talking about with civil unrest?”

Sansa shrugged, “There seems to be an increase in crimes recently. Burglary, murder, kidnappings.”

“Hm.” (Y/N) hummed, frowning as she watched the surroundings speed past.

“So, shopping, lunch, then we will go look at bikes, and then we are going out to drink tonight.”

(Y/N) gaped slightly at Sansa, “Since when did you become such a rebel?”

Sansa rolled her eyes and shrugged, “I just… feel better now that I don’t have to look at Joffrey anymore.”

The two young women said nothing more and just listened to music, silently enjoying one another’s presence for awhile. Finally, Sansa parked her car in a packed parking garage near the heart of the city. They both wandered to the elevator and waited on it to open. As the elevator opened that same cold fuzz happened in the back of (Y/N)’s mind, but this time it was more. It was as if she saw it happen before it did. Like watching everything in slow motion as a man in a hurry made to run from the elevator. Except (Y/N) could move at normal speed, training kicking in, she thought of nothing else as she pulled Sansa out of the way, and pushed the slowly moving running man. Then like the flip of a switch everything was going at normal speed again; Sansa gasped as she was pulled out of the way and the man fell to the ground, as the doors to a set of stairs burst open and two security guards came running in.

Sansa turned to look at (Y/N) and squinted, “How’d you do that?” She whispered as they watched the guards cuff the man and collect all the stolen items from his pockets.

Unsure what to say or how to process what the hell had just happened (Y/N) shrugged, “Instinct?”

.

**image not mine. found on google

[randomwoohoo]

The last chapter before I move to study in UK~ Thank you for reading this series! Have a magical time! And for a heads up, this chapter is... weird...

Clawhauser: Previously on Zoomorphia, Judy and Nick made a huge discovery! Bolt the silver chrome wolf is in fact a robot!... Doing a recap sequence alone is kinda awkward-

Bolt: I’ll gladly lend you a paw~

Clawhauser: Jeepers! Who are you?

Bolt: It’s me, Bolt the silver wolf~

Clawhauser: But you’re white!... It came out wrong.

Bolt: Oh, this white fur? It’s a part of my disguise. Anyway, I tricked a Savage dealer to fall into my trap. I’m so close to capturing her but Hybrid butted in; thus, I ended up killing her instead. And since those two insisted on arresting me..., we got into a fight. Frankly, I wasn’t hurt when they teleport-attacked around but boy, it sure made me dizzy.

Clawhauser: Wow!

Bolt: Hey Cheeto Puff! It was very rude of you calling me like that. I find that racist!

Clawhauser: I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to call you wh-

Bolt: No! Not that! I meant when you refered to me as a ‘robot’.

Clawhauser: Eh? What you really are then?

Bolt: Well, technically, I am an android, I guess.

Clawhauser: Isn’t android a robot looking like a huma-

Bolt: Cut! Cut! We’re not supposed to say the species that never existed.

Clawhauser: Oops, my bad, err, chapter 14!

Fanfiction.net

.-.. . - .----. ... / -.-. --- -. - .. -. ..- .

In the morning at the Zootopia Police Department,

“So, Hopps takes sick leave today?” Chief Bogo the Cape Buffalo was talking in front of the briefing room, laying eyes on his fox officer, who was wearing light green Hawaiian shirt, dark indigo necktie with red-and-blue stripes and khaki pants instead of his police uniform.

“That’s correct~ In fact, she must be sleeping like a log on her bed as we’re speaking.” Nick Wilde the red fox replied his superior in a joking tone.

Clawhauser the cheetah and several other officers were standing around. He could not help but notice a slightly swollen stomach of his normally slender fox friend.

“What’s with the...?” He pointed at Nick’s belly, trying not to offend him since the chubby cheetah like himself might have no right to criticize someone else’s weight.

“This?” Nick pulled the front of his Hawaiian shirt forward a bit. “Honestly, I’m feeling a little under weather today, so I’d like to also take sick leave~” He relinquished his grip.

Clawhauser supposed that Nick misunderstood him referring to his casual shirt.

“More like taking leave to look after Hopps~” Officer Higgins the hippopotamus poked fun at Nick while others laughed. The smirking fox then gave him a shrug.

“Noted, but just so you know, we’re handling lots of work right now. Make sure you come back soon, okay?” Bogo accepted their requests.

“Yes, sir! Thank you, sir~” Nick gave a mock salute.

“The rest of you get in there already. Roll call gonna start soon.” Bogo pointed his thumb to the briefing room’s door.

Other officers entered the room as they were told, except for Clawhauser. He stared at Nick leaving the station, having an inkling of his action.

As soon as the fox stepped out the door, his smirk turning to a frown, he clutched his growling stomach and covered his drooling mouth.

Ever since the most recent battle with Bolt the silver wolf, Nick had been feeling starving.

His hunger was driving him insane although he had eaten everything in sight. He even cleared out the fridge in his apartment by himself on previous night, which should make him full, but still starvation was haunting him.

His stomach was rumbling as his mouth was watering.

The more he thought of his dear bunny friend, Judy, the hungrier he got. That scared him a lot.

Nick then decided to head out to downtown.

.--. .-. .. -. -.-. .. .--. .- .-.. / .- .--. .--. . - .. - . …

“Open up wide” Mittens, sitting on a table inside a motorhome, asked Bolt.

“Aaa” The shirtless alaskan tundra wolf, seated on an oversized couch, opened his mouth wide.

“Pink tongue, salmon pink gums, you look pretty healthy, Not!” The thin black wildcat slapped him with a giant paper fan.

On the surface, inside his mouth looked pretty normal. However, what appearing to be his tongue, his teeth and his gums were in fact engineered devices to imitate real organs.

“Stop fooling around!” She poked Bolt’s chin with the fan to shut his mouth. “Open up! For real this time” She subsequently drew it back.

Bolt, pleased to tease Mittens, brushed the white fur on his chest, revealing a zipper in center of chest, and unfastened the zipper.

As he was pulling open the fake skin across his chest cavity, she checked his insides which were mechanisms and an running engine.

“Cooling fans seem working fine.” She said while looking at two spinning small fans in left and right side chest. She then focused at the engine in the middle by paying attention to its noise, multiple small cylinders running like a heart beating fast. “Engine runs properly. Nothing to worry about~”

When Bolt zipped up his chest, “On second thought, I’d better check the switch lever in your right arm.” Mittens jumped to the right of him.

“That’s enough.” Bored of body check-up, he hopped off the couch, leaving the wildcat sighing.

“I’ve been wondering. Whose guitar is that?” He headed for a guitar leaning against a built in chest of drawers.

“It belongs to professor.” Rhino the tan lemming in a T-shirt tucked into jeans said. He was lying lazily in a pillow on the other couch opposite to the one Mittens was standing on. This pillow clearly was way bigger than him.

“Has he ever played it?” Bolt questioned.

“No idea. It has always been placed there. It’s more like a furniture by now.” Rhino rolled over to lie on his belly.

“Where is he anyway?” Bolt picked the guitar up. Its size was slightly small for a 6-feet wolf but he could go with it.

“Going out to run errands as al-...” While Rhino was answering, he along with Mittens was astonished by Bolt, who had never laid his paws on any instruments before ever since both the lemming and the wildcat first met the wolf, tuning guitar strings skillfully.

“...-ways...” Rhino eventually finished his sentence before Bolt started play guitar.

Played melodies called lyrics to his friends’ minds.

When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires will come to you

“Guys, did you install music software or something into me?”

“No” Mittens and Rhino answered Bolt in unison.

Even Bolt seemed surprised by his skill. He recalled no playing-an-instrument stuff within his one-year memory, unable to remember anything prior. However, all the musical knowledge came into his head.

.. ... / .... . / .--- ..- ... - / -- .- -.-. .... .. -. .

Clawhauser, not having an afternoon shift on that day, strolled around downtown in a jungle green polo shirt and a pair of cello trousers. He intended to visit Judy after he found a right gift for her.

Afterwards, he stopped in front of an all-you-can-eat restaurant where he used to eat. Just thinking about seafood, fried chickens, roasted crickets and pizzas which they served made his mouth water.

“No! Benjamin Clawhauser! Focus on looking for a gift for Judy.” Suppressing his own increased appetite, Clawhauser walked away from the restaurant.

While passing the mouth of the close by alley, he heard a noise of someone throwing up inside the alley. He turned to see the red fox with the dark auburn tip of the tail wearing the familiar light green Hawaiian shirt.

“Nick!?” Clawhauser rushed to his friend who apparently threw up into a trash can.

Nick wiped his mouth with the back of the right paw before turning to meet Clawhauser’s eye. “Oh hi bud, sorry for unpleasant sight” He did not look so good.

“What happens? Food poisoning?” The cheetah fidgeted.

“Just overeating” The quite bloated fox stepped back from the trash can staggeringly.

Clawhauser moved hastily to hold Nick’s shoulder, scared of him tripping over. “Let me take you to your apartment.” The cheetah gave the fox assistance to stand steadily.

“My place is too far away.” Nick was suffering from nausea. His stomach was really uncomfortable.

“I gonna call Judy.” Clawhauser brought out his phone, intending to call her for help since she was Nick’s partner and they two were really close.

“Don’t!... Not her… Please” Nick clung to Clawhauser’s shirt.

The cheetah felt at a loss. “What should we do?”

“I got an idea.” Pulling his phone out, Nick made a phone call.

A little longer than a few minutes later,

After hearing knocks on the door, “Coming! Man, you should give me a heads up earlier than that. It’s not like I would prepare my room-” The small fennec fox with bold voice went to open his apartment door.

“-but I need to prepare my mind to handle a guest-... Who’s this guy?” He was surprised to see a plump spotted big cat helping the familiar red fox stay upright at his front door, “And have you gained some weight?” even more surprised to see his former partner-in-crime looking rounder than usual.

“Sorry to bother you, pal.” Nick came into the room while Clawhauser had to bow his head to avoid his head hitting the room’s ceiling.

The apartment where Finnick the fennec fox, Nick Wilde’s former partner-in-crime, lived was supposed to be for medium-to-large mammal customers.

However, the particular room which the large-eared sandy fennec fox stayed is in an attic and it has a low ceiling, too low for apartment’s regular customers.

“Benjamin Clawhauser, nice to meet you.” The cheetah bent down and offered his right paw to the way smaller mammal.

“Call me Finnick. Bet you are Wilde’s co-worker, huh?” He shook paws with Clawhauser, who then made an shocked expression, which “Why the… face?” confused the fennec fox.

“O-oh sorry. My bad.” Clawhauser apologized, “I didn’t expect you’d have such a… distinctive voice.” drawing his paw back.

“You're not the first person to tell me that.”

“Your place is...” Clawhauser could not help but think that the room was too cramped.

“Small?” Finnick placed his paw on the top of his head and then raised his paw up, implying that the room had plenty of space for a small guy such as him.

“I didn’t mean to offend you! I just thought this apartment is for large mammals since I found some wandering around on the first floor.”

“You’re not wrong. This place is actually for big guys but this room ceiling is too low, so I haggled my way to cheap rent.” Finnick said proudly.

Clawhauser only nodded with a puzzled face in response.

“But still, cuz the doorknob was a little too high, I moved it down.”

The cheetah recalled when he along with Nick arrived at the door, he noted that the doorknob was strangely low.

“At least you don’t have to worry about upstairs neighbors.” Clawhauser mentioned a positive aspect in a hesitating voice.

“Heck yeah~ Make yourself at home. That fox already did.” Finnick pointed at Nick heading to a fridge.

“Have something to eat?” Nick asked, opening the fridge.

“Chilled pizza. Want me to... heat it up?” Finnick goggled at the red fox’s sticking out belly.

“I don’t think he can eat anymore. He’s just-” Clawhauser was going to tell Finnick about what happened with Nick but he was then interrupted by the sound of ripping cardboard.

Evidently, Nick got his paws on the chilled silkworm pupa pizza, claws tearing the packaging box apart. “Don’t bother” He began to guzzle the cold yeasted flatbread with dry tasteless tomato sauce and cheese. In addition to that, its crust looked so tough it must to chew, yet Nick munched it vigorously.

The way he acted indeed scared his friends.

Despite feeling stuffed, Nick was… “I’m little hungry.”... suffering from a ravenous appetite.

Soon after he finished the pizza, he, wobbling drowsily, was slipping into a food coma.

Both Clawhauser and Finnick hurried to help Nick, checking on him.

“Go ahead and take him to my sofa.” Finnick said.

Since the roomer gave the permission, the cheetah took the bellied-out red fox to a sectional sofa, laying him on the long seating part. During the time, the fennec fox distanced himself from others before sending a text message.

Nick spent quite some time lying on the sofa with his arm across his forehead. No matter how uncomfortable he felt or how taut his stomach was, his hunger did not lessen in the slightest. On the contrary, it rose whenever he thought of Judy, her face, her voice, her soft fur, her warm personality, et cetera, including her scent.

He missed her fragrant lavender scent. The more he thought about it, the stronger it became as if it was really there.

He could smell her scent growing clearer.

His ears perked up when there were loud and continuous knocks on the room door. Finnick went to open the door quickly.

“Nick!!”

Nick heard a sharp bawl from a doe rabbit; hence, he raised his head, propping himself up on one elbow, to look past his bloated stomach. He saw his friend and partner, Judy Hopps the gray doe in her casual outfit holding a paper bag, at the doorway.

“Judy?” Stunned, he could not believe his eyes. She was really in his sight. Clawhauser was also surprised what brought her here. In truth, Finnick reached out to her secretly.

“Oh Nick, are you hurt?” Judy, looking so worried, approached Nick hastily.

Nick had not recovered from the abnormal hungriness. He did not know what he should do. He felt scared as she was just a few inches away.

Don’t come near me Judy. Please! Nick was screaming internally. If you get any closer, I’m gonna…

Suddenly, Nick stretched his arms out and caught Judy. Seeing that, Clawhauser, remembering that Nick told him not to call her, interpreted that Nick might lose control of himself and harm her; therefore, he was about to help Judy.

However, Finnick stopped him, wondering why the fennec fox was holding him back but that allowed the cheetah to look what was actually happening.

Nick pulled Judy close, hugging her firmly and fondly on the sofa. Next, he shoved his snout into the fur on her head between her ears.

“Are you feeling okay now?” Nick asked tenderly.

“M-mhm” Despite being puzzled, Judy accepted his hug, dropping the bag in her paw to the floor, and hugged him in return.

“What a relief” He breathed in the bunny’s lavender scent. After many hours of fear and anxiety, he finally calmed down, feeling peace of mind.

Judy stayed in Nick’s embrace for a while before breaking apart from the hug. “My parents sent me a pie made with blueberries from our farm.” She bent downwards from the sofa to pick a pie box in the paper bag up.

“It may be messed up a little bit. That’s the postal service for you~” She laughed off, shifting her eyes around.

“Want some?” Opening the box, she presented a blueberry pie to the fox in front of her. Its top crust had cracks here and there but overall, the pie still looked delicious.

“I’d love to, Carrots, but one more bite, I’ll probably burst.” Nick poked his own distended belly.

“I’ll make sure I will save you slices. Benjamin! Finnick! Have some!” Judy called others two.

Everybody gathered at the sofa. The bunny, the cheetah and the fennec fox were sharing some slices of the pie. When the fox saw that the blueberry pie stained on the cheek of his rabbit friend, he “On second thought, one bite won’t hurt.” spoke to her.

She giggled, “Glutton fox, I knew you can’t pass on blueberry.” about to feed him a small dessert bite with a fork.

All of a sudden, Judy was licked on her cheek by Nick. His wet tongue touched her stained cheek fur. The startled doe could feel tingling sensation from her face running through all over her body.

Startled as well, the tod budged away “I’m sorry! I have no idea what came over me.” and apologized.

Meanwhile, Clawhauser did not appear less astounded than the duo. On the other hand, Finnick just seemed amused.

“It’s...” The blushing bunny raised one paw to her face, “It’s not a problem.” not wiping her cheek, just touching the spot Nick licked.

Both stared each other as if they were frozen to the spot. As for Clawhauser, he merely sat still, gazing Nick and Judy back and forth.

Out of the blue, a phone dinging sound broke the silence, frightening the police officers in civilian clothing.

Finnick brought his smartphone out of the trouser side pocket to check a recent notification. “Savages are in the nearby area.”

Due to existence of Savages the monsters, an application was launched by a government agency to install for free. The app served a purpose of warning about the appearance of Savages in neighboring areas.

“Got it.” Judy jumped down the sofa and charged to the door.

“I don’t think I can go. My tummy’s heavy.” Nick said, staying on the sofa as before.

“Good luck, Judy!” Clawhauser wished her well.

She waved her paw goodbye while leaving the room.

.-.. ..- ... - / .- -. -.. / .... ..- -. --. . .-.

“Those are normal Savages, aren’t they?” Rhino quizzed.

In the motorhome, he and Mittens were viewing live CCTV camera footage which she hacked, while Bolt was observing the Savages from a rooftop of one building in Zootopia’s downtown.

A large long purplish-pink horned sturdy purple bovine monster, covering in exoskeleton with the same color as the horns, and a pair of winged small purple mice were running wild on the street as the fully geared SCU agents tried to taking control of the situation, escorting mammals in the area to a safe place.

These monsters were clearly far from looking normal but what Rhino meant by ‘normal’ was they likely were not among those peculiar monsters following commands or being for sale.

Bolt turned to look down on the ground. “There she comes~” He spotted Judy Hopps from the distance.

“Bolt, stand by.” Mittens communicated with him through their private wireless communication system.

After that, the wolf rolled up his right jacket sleeve and brush fur on underside of his forearm, going to transform in order to be ready to assist Hybrid. A few seconds later, he still remained in his alaskan tundra wolf disguise.

“What’s wrong?” Mittens asked, questioning why he had not transformed yet.

“My zipper got stuck.” Bolt struggled to pull his zipper as it was stuck like he said. Since the zipper would not open, he was unable to pull the lever switch to on. In the other word, he could not transform at that time.

“I don’t wanna say i told you so but i told you so.” Mittens caused Bolt to remember when he refused her to check his arm.

“Let Hybrid go it alone today.” Bolt decided to take a back seat, being only an observer.

At the same time, some of the SCU agents on the ground were dealing with the bull Savage. A burst of bullets peppered it but many bullets deflected off its exoskeleton.

“The cover of this one is too tough!” Wolford the timber wolf agent, ex-police officer, yelled while firing an automatic rifle at the monster.

Meanwhile, several agents, sticking together, swung their long-barrelled firearms like baseball bats to ward off the two swooping winged mice. They would not dare shoot bullets up, afraid of accidentally injuring mammals on the buildings.

“Keep them busy!” Maximus the white stallion gave a command to his subordinates as he and some other agents were occupied with a task of guarding citizens.

At that point in time, hiding behind a corner of a building, “Ready?” Judy talked to her phone, wearing her transformation belt, MidniDriver.

“Hang on” Nick on the other end of the phone line put his transformation device on. Its belt automatically wrapped around his expanded waistline so tight that he “Oof” felt a sharp pain in his stomach faintly. He then proceeded to the next step, pulling the silver syringe on the left of his device. “DRAW BLOOD”

When blood of the fox was teleported to Judy’s syringe, she pushed it “INJECT” before announcing “Transform”. Not hesitantly, she twisted back the handle sticking out on the right of her device. “IGNITE”

With Nick’s mind transferred into Judy’s body, the duo united as one armored rabbit with fox’s features, Hybrid Hustler form.

“Oh my tod! Feeling so much better!” Nick rejoiced when he no longer felt uncomfortable in his stomach.

“Let’s roll.” Judy, together with Nick as the flamingo red hero, rushed to the scene.

The left paw pressing the syringe “ACTIVATE”, Hybrid sprinted with a great speed towards agents who were having a rodent problem. The armored mammal jumped up and clawed the flying Savages in the air.

One dodged Hybrid’s sharp claw in time, whereas the other one’s tail was cut off. Purple steam gushed out from its wound before the wound was closed by its rapid healing.

Right afterwards, the armored mammal landed on the ground amid the astonished agents.

Bull Savage’s instinct alerted it of Hybrid the armored mammal, then screamed at it to attack the recently arrived threat. The Bull Savage, ignoring SCU agents who were shooting at it, sped towards the doe rabbit with fluffy fox tail.

“Hybrid!?” Maximus seemed surprised although he was supposed to expect the armored mammal to show up in the fight.

The mammals, standing around Hybrid, saw the intimidating bovine monster coming their way, thereby scattering.

Hybrid side rolled to avoid being butted. When the bull Savage almost ran past the small bunny figure, the armored mammal “ACTIVATE” activated an enhanced strength, twisted the body while jumping to create spinning motion and then kicked the monster in its flank.

The kick sent the bovine monster reeling sideways. However, its exoskeleton remained intact.

“That bull’s sure tougher than I thought.” Nick commented when he caught sight of neither crack nor scratch on external skeleton of the Savage.

“We gotta try again.” Judy dashed to get the bull monster from its behind.

“Carrots, it’s not a good idea to-” Nick was about to stop her along with Hybrid ’s body from advancing towards the sturdy Savage’s rear but it was too late.

Hybrid under Judy’s control had already leapt to it. At once, the bovine monster bucked aggressively. Its back hoof hit Hybrid in midair, sending the united duo flying backward.

“-approach a bull from behind...” Nick said as Hybrid fell on the ground.

Like always, it did not hurt, still it was a bummer that a simple fight strategy backfired in public.

“Noted” Judy responded unimpressedly.

Shortly afterwards, the flying mouse Savage s dived towards Hybrid. Promptly, a few agents hastily opened fire on the rodent monsters. The purple mouse which still had its tail was shot down on the spot, while the tailless one merely got grazed by the bullets.

The surviving winged mouse, flapping its wings furiously, attacked the armored mammal lying on the back. Accordingly, Hybrid blocked its biting and scratching with both arms.

And suddenly, the bull Savage bellowed, its purple skin turning purplish pink, its exoskeleton bursting apart because of the expanded muscles. It subsequently leapt, plunged and spun around madly.

“This is bad! Bolt! Do something!” Rhino, watching the hacked cctv, shouted into a mic.

“Quick! Switch to another form!” Mittens ordered loudly.

“I can’t! I told you my zipper is stuck!” He tried hard to unzip his right arm, yet failed to do so.

The going berserk purplish-pink Savage abruptly hurtled to a nanny goat and her kid whom a wild boar SCU agent was escorting to somewhere safe.

Seeing that, the united duo concentrated, looking for an opportunity to finish the mouse right in Hybrid’s face, and then seized the winged rodent monster, crushing it in the paws.

Throwing aside the vaporizing lifeless body of the purple mouse with a pair of wings, Hybrid stood up hurriedly. Nick and Judy, sharing the vision, got a glimpse of the boar hugging the goat mom and her kid in order to use himself as a meat-shield protecting them from the raging bull.

Consequently, Hybrid hit the syringe “ACTIVATE”, rashly teleporting to block the way of the Savage that was lowering its head, preparing to ram any mammals in its way. The armored mammal emerged out of thin air to confront the bovine monster face to face.

..-. . .- ... - / --- -. / ..-. . .- .-.

At Finnick’s apartment, he and Clawhauser were getting to know each other more.

The cheetah was amazed by the fennec fox’s real age and the fact that he had known the truth about Hybrid for quite a period of time longer than the cheetah had. For the small canine, he found that the big cat was such good company, especially when it comes to gossiping about the bunny fox duo.

Out of the blue, Nick’s unconscious body, supposed to stay still on the sofa, started to writhe. Clawhauser and Finnick dropped their conversation and hurried to check their friend.

“Wh-What’s happening here!?” Clawhauser panicked.

“Never seen him acting like this before.” Finnick only remembered that whenever the two unite as Hybrid, Nick’s mindless body would appear in a deep sleep.

“Is Nick gonna be alright!?”

“Dude! I’m as clueless as you are!”

..-. . .- .-. / ... - .-. .. -.- .

The boar agent shut his eyes tight, preparing himself to get severely hurt, opened his eyes when the expected pain did not arrive. He saw the raging bull monster was stopped by Hybrid who turned back on him together with the nanny goat and her kid.

Directly after activating the instant transmission ability, physical power of Hybrid Hustler form considerably drops momentarily. To put it simply, in a brief moment, Hybrid becomes much more vulnerable than usual.

At that moment, Hybrid was gored by the bull Savage, the tip of one horn stabbing the armored mammal’s stomach.

The bovine monster, head being forced to be low to the ground, could neither pull its horns back nor move forth because Hybrid was grabbing the stabbing horn and a head of the monster firmly, Hybrid’s foot claws digging deep in the ground.

SCU agents in the area including Maximus became completely speechless.

Hybrid then slowly raised one leg. The leg was stretched up straight, tip of the foot pointing at the sky. The duo as one twisted the handle back “CRITICAL BREAK” before Hybrid brought the leg downward forcefully.

The flamingo red heel struck the purplish pink head of the bull monster. Tip of its horn got pulled out of the armored mammal stomach in the process.

The earth shook when the axe kicking foot hit the Savage so hard that its head sank into the ground.

Shocked, the SCU agents gazed at Hybrid whose paw was covering a fresh stomach wound that was releasing purple steam. They did not know what to do in that situation. Some of them even thought that this was a great chance to catch the armored combination of rabbit and fox. On the other hand, it would be too cruel to do such a thing.

“Come on, guys! Hurry!” Maximus took a step, heading towards Hybrid.

“Is it right to arrest them now…?” Wolford questioned, believing his boss must be thinking about capturing the armored hero.

“Do I look like a idiot to you!? First and foremost, we have to save wounded mammals no matter who they are.” He continued getting closer to Hybrid, “Call an ambulance.” commanding his subordinates.

“Hybrid, please come with us. You need serious medical treatment.” He spoke to the armored mammal.

“Sorry” The voice that came out was female, not a playful male voice SCU agents normally heard, which confused Maximus greatly.

“Gotta dash” Nick quickly took charge of the body, then “ACTIVATE” escaped the scene by instant transmission.

The united duo popped up behind the corner of one building, peeking at Maximus ordering the agents to confirm the civilians’ safety in the area and search for Hybrid. The armored walk a few step unsteadily prior to falling to knees, covering the hole in stomach with both paws.

Judy was fully aware that if she and Nick stayed together as Hybrid any longer in this stage, Nick’s real body would be affected as well and receive a vital injury. She therefore moved Hybrid���s left paw to the silver syringe with intention to detransform.

“Stop thinking it, Judy.” Nick swiftly moved Hybrid’s right paw to hold the left paw back.

“If we detransform now, you will definitely suffer too much damage to endure!” He said, worried about his dear bunny partner.

“You’re right, Nick...”

The left arm which Judy was controlling became less tense.

“Let’s figure a solution together, partner.” She sounded genuine.

Nick, glad that she understood him, loosened the hold on the left arm.

Seizing the moment, Judy pulled the silver syringe.

The very next thing Nick perceived was that he, waking up, returned to his body.

“Nick!” Both Clawhauser and Finnick grew relieved after watching their fox friend writhing for a short period of time.

However, their relief switched back to worry again when they saw that Nick’s expression was full of fear and anxiety.

“Judy! Judy!” The unnerving fox got up in a hurry. The one and only thought in his mind was to save his friend, his partner, his bunny.

But he forgot the important thing...

After detransformation, Nick normally experienced fatigue and this time was no exception. He collapsed on Finnick’s apartment floor, “Judy… Judy...” roughly crawling on the floor as he was calling to her.

Meanwhile, Judy the doe rabbit, kneeling on the ground, successfully detransformed. She clutched her stomach, her face expressing extreme exhaustion mixed with agony.

“It’s called a hustle, sweetheart.” Judy said weakly before she flopped down while drifting out of consciousness.

- --- / -... . / -.-. --- -. - .. -. ..- . -..

[starryeyed-char]

Countdown

BACK WITH ANOTHER ONE-SHOT!!! I told you guys I’d have some canonverse klangst, so here it is! Longer than my usual one-shots, and while I don’t want to give a vague summary... there’s a bomb involved. So. Yeah, that’s a thing.

This one is actually inspired by this absolutely gorgeous, angsty art/mini-comic by @littlecofiegirl who is an amazing artist that you should definitely check out!!

I saw this comic on my dash and I loved it so much that I was immediately inclined to write for it? Anyway, here it is! I hope you enjoy!

The plan had been going flawlessly.

Key word being had.

Shiro and Lance were both searching opposite sides of the base for their captured teammate, and Pidge and Hunk were too occupied giving Shiro directions through the maze-like corridors that they neglected to warn Lance of the approaching Galra heat signature.

A cat blocked his path in the hall, staring at him with large, yellow eyes. It didn't move to attack, but it also didn't run away.

“Um... guys?” Lance tried over the coms, lowering his gun just a bit. He wasn't about to shoot a cat, but he still wanted to be on guard.

He didn't hear the Galra behind him until her hand was on his shoulder.

That was mistake number one.

Lance whirled around to see a face missing eyes, that one general of Lotor's with the tail. He didn't know her name.

He tried to scramble back, but then her hand glowed with a strange light, and his vision darkened.

Lance came back to his senses to the voices of his friends shouting in his ears.

“I'm fine,” he said immediately, before taking stock to see if it was actually true.

“Thank goodness,” Hunk whispered. He sounded like he'd been crying, and Lance felt guilt stab at him.

“Lance, what happened?” Pidge demanded. “You just... you didn't respond! It's been almost twenty minutes!”

“Twenty...?” Lance looked around. The lady who'd attacked him and her cat were both nowhere in sight. How had he been out for twenty minutes? “I'm... not sure what happened, actually. There was this cat, and then a Galra lady snuck up on me—”

“Narti?” Pidge interrupted, sounding even more concerned. “No eyes, and a tail? What'd she do? Are you okay? Are you injured?”

“I said, I'm fine,” Lance gave himself a quick once over. No damaged armor, no pain from injuries. All good, then. “I don't know what she did, but I'm not injured.”

Two.

Lance could practically hear the uneasiness over the com. “Well, that's good... but...” Hunk trailed off, clearly unsure how to respond.

“But she wouldn't have done that to you for no reason,” Pidge finished for him. “We'll... we'll scan you in a pod when you get back to be safe, but for now keep going. We're pretty sure he's on your side of the ship. Shiro hasn't found anything in the cell blocks over there; all empty. He's heading back to us with Allura in Blue now, so you can hopefully stay under the radar in the east wing.”

Lance felt a knot settle in the pit of his stomach. “But... Allura said that we know he's here, right? The scans she took with the castle picked up his signature?”

“His armor is here,” Pidge corrected. “But the tracker isn't specific enough to pick up the exact location. Remember, he could be somewhere else. Tracking his bayard didn't help, as they'd sent it to another base altogether.”

“Right,” Lance said, trying to crush his hope. They might not find him. Still, he didn't think he'd be able to take it if this wound up being another dead end.

Keith had been captured by the Galra three days ago.

Three days.

And, okay, maybe it wasn't that much in the grand scope of things, but it felt like years to Lance. The longest anyone on their team had been captured before was Allura, when they'd rescued her the day after she was taken. Lance had been locked up for just over twelve hours once, so he knew firsthand that the Galra were... efficient when it came to managing their time while keeping high security prisoners.

But two days?

What if they didn't even find Keith alive?

Lance tried to put that out of his head as soon as he thought it. They wouldn't kill a paladin of Voltron, not without getting the lion first. Black was safe in the castle with Hunk, Pidge, their lions, and Coran. Red was hiding outside the base, ready to fly the both of them to safety. Allura had already retrieved Shiro with Blue.

So, as long as all the lions were accounted for, Keith should be safe.

Well, not safe. But breathing. Lance hoped.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft beeping noise, barely audible. It was continuous, but so quiet Lance hadn't noticed it until then. The sound repeated itself once every second... no, tick. Slower than seconds.

“Hey, Pidge, where's that beeping coming from? I don't need it throwing off my focus, this is kind of an important mission.”

“Beeping?” He heard Pidge typing something in her computer. “You haven't set off any alarms, so I wouldn't worry about it. Do you want me to try to shut it off? Probably just some system on the fritz from our tech, nothing that'll alert them.”

“That's fine, don't risk hacking in again. I'll just ignore it.”

Three.

Entering into the cell block, Lance was immediately confronted by sentries, armed with an array of weapons.

“Great,” Lance muttered under his breath. “Well, that's just perfect, isn't it?”

“What was that?” Pidge asked, reminding him that his two teammates could still hear everything he said.

“Uh... nothing, just a few sentries. Nothing I can't handle.” As he said this, he used his jetpack and pushed off the ground, launching himself to the nearest ledge and activating his bayard along the way. “Think that means he's here?”

“There were virtually no guards on Shiro's side, so they must be there for something,” Pidge mused. “Wish I could shut them off through the system, but it seems like they all function independently. Check all the cells once you take care of those robots. Can you handle them yourself, or do you need Allura to get Shiro to you?”

“Nah, I got this,” Lance said, aiming his rifle. “These guys aren't very good shots, and I'm already at a vantage point. It'll just take me a minute to take all of them out.”

He wasted no time in mowing the sentries down with his rifle. Lance always went for precise shots to the head, which allowed him to take down a guard with every shot, if not two.

As the guards noticed his location, several began firing his way, and it was getting harder and harder to dodge around every laser. The guns they used were much faster than what he was used to, and with the limited power of his jet pack, the ledge he waited on wasn't high enough to be out of range of even the smallest blaster. It also didn't give him a lot of elbow room.

“Pidge,” Lance spoke up, dodging yet another shot flying his way. “Since when do these guys have different kinds of firearms?”

A moment of silence on the other end. “That's new,” she finally said.

“Are you okay?” Hunk asked, voice carrying his worry. “Did they hit you?”

“I'm fine,” Lance assured him, with an eye roll. “Do you guys seriously have that little faith in me? I've quiznaked half these guys already, but—”

Pidge snorted. “Lance, I'm learning the Altean language, and I strongly suggest you look into the actual meaning of that word.”

“Still,” Lance continued, as if she hadn't spoken. “I can't use my shield and bayard at the same time, and I'm way outnumbered over here. It's just going to take a little time. But I've got it," he promised. To prove his point, he raised his voice to a shout. “TEN DOWN, TEN TO GO!”

He lined up another shot with his rifle, but then he heard something.

“L-Lance?”

He'd know that voice anywhere.

Lance immediately looked up from his scope, searching for where it had come from. He was here, he was alive, close enough that he could hear his voice. It was almost too good to be true. “Keith? Is that—?!”

His question descended into a yelp as a sharp pain coursed through him. His side felt like it'd been lit on fire, and looking down he could already see the blood seeping from the torn edges of armor.

The wound wasn't very deep, just a graze from a laser that had seared right through the black flight suit under his armor. Nothing life threatening, but just bad enough that he'd probably need to get in a pod once everything was said and done.

Stupid blood loss.

Lance mentally cursed himself for not being more careful. Hearing Keith's voice had shocked him out of his focus, sure, but he couldn't afford to be reckless. Not when saving him was what hung in the balance.

“Lance?” Pidge spoke up over the coms, sounding preoccupied. He could still hear a faint typing. “What was that? You okay?”

“I heard Keith,” Lance replied, completely brushing off her question. This tactic worked like a charm, as the overjoyed reactions of his teammates completely put the question of Lance's wellbeing out of their minds. “I'm going to get him out of here.”

Lance set about destroying the rest of the sentries, but now that he knew Keith was at least well enough to speak it was as if he'd been kicked into overdrive. He couldn't even feel the pain from his side. Sure, that could be chalked up to adrenaline, but if it meant rescuing Keith? Lance was prepared to ignore an injury ten times that size.

Well, with an injury ten times that size he'd probably bleed out but... still.

Soon enough, the sentries were all taken care of, and Lance wasted no time in getting back onto the ground. “KEITH?! KEITH, WHERE ARE YOU, I'M HERE!”

“Lance? That's... that is you, right?”

Lance's heart lifted and sank at the same time. Keith sounded like he was trying not to get his hopes up.

“Yes, yes, it's me, it's Lance, we came to save you,” Lance promised, starting towards where he could hear his voice. “Keep talking, I need to know which one's your cell.” He picked up the arm of a fallen robot off the ground.

“I was...” A short, shaky laugh. “I was starting to think you guys weren't coming. That you'd just... abandoned me.”

Lance's eyes stung. “We'd never abandon you, Keith. We're a team, remember? A good team.” He pressed the arm to the keypad beside the cell door he'd heard Keith behind, and it slid open. “Sorry we took so long.”

Keith blinked up at him owlishly, mouth slightly agape. He was absolutely covered in bruises, but there was nothing potentially fatal or permanent.

Well, of course not. They wanted to keep him alive, after all. But he'd most likely been tortured, and probably not given any food or water.

Lance shoved down his anger. Keith was alive, and he had to get him out. That's what mattered right now.

“You're... you're really here,” Keith whispered, still in disbelief.

“Well, of course I am,” Lance said, forcing a grin. “I know how impatient you get. Can't keep our fearless leader waiting for long now, can I? Um, can... can you stand?”

Keith pushed himself up, using the wall for support, but the second he tried to take a step he practically collapsed into Lance's arms. He grimaced. “S-sorry...”

“Hey, it's fine,” Lance assured him. He quickly scooped Keith up into his arms, bridal style. “I owe you a bonding moment, anyway.”

If Lance didn't know any better, he'd say Keith was blushing.

Suddenly, Keith's breath hitched, and Lance tensed.

“What is it? What's wrong?”

“You're bleeding,” Keith said, staring down at Lance's side.

“Just a graze, I'll be fine,” Lance waved him off with a smile. “Jeez, two feet out of a Galra prison cell and you're already worrying about me.”

“Someone has to,” Keith muttered under his breath.

Lance snorted. “Fair enough. Here, take this,” he handed Keith his already activated bayard. “I know you're a terrible shot, but I can't fight if I'm carrying you, and I don't want to be defenseless, even if I'm pretty sure I took down all the sentries already.”

“I'm not that bad of a shot,” Keith grumbled, but he took the blaster.  He looked around at all the fallen robots. “Are these the only ones they had stationed out here?”

“Only?!”

“It just... it feels too easy...” Keith murmured, but shook his head as if to clear it. “Anyway... where are the others?”

“Waiting for us at the castle. Just gotta get to Red and I can fly us back.” Lance started back through the base, Keith in his arms, walking quickly but quietly so as not to attract attention. “Pidge, could you guide me back? I've got him.”

This statement was met with cheers from both Hunk and Pidge, who immediately switched channels to give Allura, Shiro, and Coran the news. All the while, Lance continued down the dimly lit corridors of the ship.

“What's the beeping sound?” Keith asked abruptly. “It's driving me crazy.”

Lance had almost forgotten it was there. He shrugged. “Pidge said no alarms were triggered, so I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, we're almost to Red.” As if on cue, turning the next corner presented them with that familiar red glow Lance had come to love so much. It reminded him of someone. “Ah, we were just talking about you, gorgeous!”

Keith rolled his eyes, but the Red Lion seemed to purr in response.

Once inside, Lance carefully deposited Keith on the floor before jumping into the pilot's chair and starting up the controls. He took off his helmet, dropping it onto the ground beside him. “You know, Keith, you're pretty heavy for such a short guy, even after being nearly starved for two days.”

Keith glared at the back of Lance's head. “It's called muscle, Lance. Maybe you should get some.”

Lance laughed at the unexpected zinger. “Woah, who's the one who just carried you all the way here? I have plenty of muscle, thank you very much.”

“You just said that it was hard to do that!”

“I never said anything of the kind.”

Keith groaned, but Lance didn't seem to hear him as Red quite literally roared to life.

“And what is that noise?” Keith wondered again. “I thought you said it was in the base, but it's gotten louder in here!”

“I dunno, ask Pidge! Maybe it's her doing!” Lance looked over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at Keith. “Have you always been this cranky, or did I just forget in the past three days?”

“Maybe I'm cranky because I've... been...” Keith trailed off, eyes going wide as they snagged on Lance's neck. “Lance. What's that?”

“What's what?” He glanced down, surprised to find that there was a... something around his neck. It had apparently been hidden by his helmet while he wore it, but now when he looked down it was in clear view. A strange, metal box with wires attached that he now could feel wrapped around his neck. It had a timer on it.

And it was counting down.

“Is that...” Keith swallowed, still completely frozen. “That better not be what I think it is.”

“No, no, there's no way,” Lance said immediately. “This is impossible, there's no way it could've even gotten... oh no.”

“Oh no?! What the fuck do you mean, 'oh no', Lance?! How could you forget that someone put a... how that ended up on your neck!?”

“I didn't forget, I— it must've been Narti! I ran into her but... but I didn't think that she'd done anything. I couldn't even see the stupid bomb until now!” That's when it finally hit him. He stumbled backwards into the' control panel, sinking onto the floor. “Oh, god. Oh my god, there's... Keith, there's a bomb... get it off!” He instinctively reached up to touch it, but Keith shot forward and grabbed his arm.

“Don't touch it, dumbass! What if it goes off?!”

Lance stared down at the bomb, then back up at him. His eyes welled up with tears. “I'm going to die,” he whispered. “Aren't I?”

Keith's jaw clenched. “No,” he said firmly. “Absolutely not. Not on my watch.”

Lance was unable to stop the sob as it tore up his throat. “Keith—”

“No!” Keith insisted, pressing the button on the projection communicator. The one they were only supposed to use for emergencies. “Pidge, Hunk, come in. There's... there's a bomb.”

“WHAT?!” they shouted at the same time.

“There's a bomb on Lance, I'm sending a scan now. You've got to tell me how to defuse it.” Keith scanned the device with his armor, pressing the holographic screen to send it their way. He then snatched Red's toolbox from the ground and dragged it over to Lance. There wasn't an extensive amount of room in Red's small cockpit, so Keith settled for sitting on Lance's legs, not thinking twice before straddling his hips.

Lance laughed, though it sounded forced. And somewhat hysterical. “What, not even going to buy me dinner first?”

“I'll buy you dinner once we get out of this,” Keith said., without thinking.“That's a promise. Pidge, how we doing?”

“This design is amazing!” she was saying. “The bomb is so small, but the blast radius is insane! It might be powerful enough to take Red out of commission, at least for a decent amount of time if not entirely!”

Lance's face drained of color. “...What?”

“Pidge, this isn't the time to be admiring explosives,” Hunk reminded her with a nervous laugh. “We have to save Lance, right? We... we have to.”

“If it goes off... it'll kill both of us, won't it?” Lance's voice was so soft, it was a wonder any of them could hear it.

Pidge hesitated. “...Yes.”

Lance squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a slow breath. When he opened his eyes again, they were set with determination. “Okay. Keith, you know what we have to do then, right?”

Keith wasn't looking at him. “No. Whatever you're suggesting, I don't want to hear it.”

“Keith, we don't have time to argue—”

“Then don't argue with me!” Keith looked back toward the projection, already holding a pair of pliers ready. “Which wire do I cut?!”

“Hang on, hang on, I'm still analyzing!”

“Keith, just toss me out into space! We can't risk losing two pilots, and a lion!” Lance pointed out. “Please! You know I'm right!”

“Shut up, Lance! Pidge, Hunk, we have no time!” Keith was beginning to panic, and their two teammates were still looking over the scans frantically.

“Keith, please! I... we just got you back, I can't let you die, too!” Lance didn't bother to try and stop the tears now. “Not ever, and especially not like this! Not when I could stop it! The team needs you!”

“We're not going to die!” Keith was nearly shouting now, looking impossibly angry and terrified all at once. “And... and even if we do, you're worth it!”

“...What?”

“You're worth two pilots and a lion!” Keith told him. “The team needs you, too!”

“I... Keith—!”

“Yellow, Keith! Yellow!” Hunk suddenly cried.

“Cut the yellow!” Pidge added, face pressed right against the screen.

Keith reached for the yellow wire with no hesitation, quickly cutting it in two. He and Lance both stared down at the bomb in horror as the beep droned on for the span of a few seconds before finally going silent.

The numbers on the timer didn't change.

There were four ticks left.

And before Keith could register anything else, Lance was hugging him, burying his head in Keith's shoulder. “We made it,” he whispered into his ear. Red was already flying them back to the castle.

Keith wasn't sure what made him do it. He pecked Lance on the cheek, mostly just to further assure himself that he was still here. That they both were.

Lance pulled back from the hug, blue eyes surprised yet... also somehow knowing. He lifted his hands to either side of Keith's face, smiling at him softly before pressing their lips together.

Pidge couldn't help it. She screamed.

“Ah. Finally,” Hunk said on the other end.

They didn't care. They were alive, and after something like that, Lance thought there was cause for celebration.

Keith couldn't agree more, if the enthusiasm with which he returned the kisses were any indication.

“Uh. Guys? Guys!” Pidge tried to get their attention, to no avail. “Hello?! We're kind of all waiting for you at the castle, we were all really worried so... Keith? Lance? Um...”

“Let them have a moment,” Hunk told her.

Pidge scoffed. “Some bonding moment this is.” With that said, she turned the projection off.

[mischiefandspirits]

She Never Felt Alone

Part of the Cat of a Different Color series

With Allura all healed up, the team decide on their next move. It was supposed to be a quick in and out mission. Instead one of their own ends up captured while another ends up at deaths door. Can the team save them both before it's too late?

Part 1: Just Kitten and Get Out

Things seem to be going fine, then they don’t.

“Come on. Hold still for just a few more seconds.”

<Why did I agree to do this, again?>

<You said you wanted to spend more time together.>

<More time with you. Not him. And certainly not while playing dress up.>

<You look adorable though!>

“He’s right, you do!”

Merla hissed at both Blue and his paladin.

“Yeah, yeah. You're all done, mopey cat. What do you think?”

Merla turned to the mirror and looked herself over.

“Has she always been like this or is it Keith’s influence?” she heard Lance whisper.

<If anything, she influenced Keith. Also, you know she can hear you, right? Cat ears.>

Merla snorted and turned to the side, still looking in the mirror.

Well, she supposed it wasn't nearly as constricting as the armor, and the train felt light enough that it wouldn't tangle with her legs or weigh down her tail if she needed to run.

She'd still rather not wear it.

Lance’s bedroom door opened and the three looked up to see Keith standing in the doorway.

He blinked at the scene in front of him, bemused. “What are you doing? And what is Merla wearing?”

Lance smiled and reached over to adjust the train of the cheetah’s red and white dress. “I'm making the cats fancy clothes. You know, so if we have another party like on Arus.”

“Why would they need fancy clothes?”

“So they'll look fancy. Look at them, running around naked like wild animals!”

“They technically are wild animals. Physically, at least.”

“That doesn't mean they have to look it. They don't even have collars!”

“Merla bit Shiro the one and only time he tried to put a collar on her. He almost needed stitches. Speaking of which, how did you get that on her in the first place?”

Lance winked at him. “What can I say, I have a way with the ladies.”

Keith sent him an unconvinced look. “Blue talked her into it?”

“He may or may not have had a hand in it,” Lance shrugged.

“Thought so.”

“So what do you think? Merla likes it!” Lance said, holding his arms out.

<I did not say that.>

Keith shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “I think it's unnecessary and pointless, but by the looks of it you're going to be making the cats entire wardrobes.”

“Why not? Blue’s practically got his own closet back at home filled with lil cat clothes.”

<Seriously?>

<I like looking pretty, thank you very much. And don't act like you don't like to be pampered in your own ways.>

<That is not the point!>

“That's… I don't know what that is,” Keith chuckled. “Anyways, play time's over. Allura and Shiro want us all on the bridge.

<Freedom!> Merla cheered, phasing through the clothes and darting out the door.

The three stared after her before Lance carefully picked up the dress. “I guess that's one way to get it off without messing up the pins.”

“I’m sorry, Princess, did you say we ?” Keith asked, turning to Allura.

“I’m going with you. I’ve traveled through the Galra transportation hubs many times with my father before the war began. I know more about them than any of you.”

<She’s got a point,> Pua agreed.

<Oh please, she walked around with an escort. She’s never had to be sneaky. Hunk has way more experience sneaking through military buildings than her. Plus that was a long time ago. They’ve probably changed floor plans since then,> Merla snorted.

“Princess, I’d rather you stay here,” Coran said.

<Agreed,> Ryou huffed.

<By the Anodites, Merla and Ryou agree on something,> Chip hissed quietly to Blue and he shook with witheld laughter. <Is it time for the Great Shadowing?>

“I’m a part of this fight against Zarkon as much as anyone. I’m going. Does anyone have a problem with that?”

The paladins all looked away from the princess.

<Me!> Merla chirped. <Ryou too. Keith, tell her that!>

Keith glared down at her. No, he mouthed. He liked living, thanks.

Coran turned to Shiro with a worried look.

Shiro shrugged. “Fine. Suit up.”

Coran shrieked and the paladins shot Shiro shocked expressions.

<Come on, guys. The princess knows how to fight. She’ll be fine,> Blue growled.

<Love, being able to fight is low on the list of necessary skills for a spy. The best spies don’t even have to fight.>

<I’m with Blue, you guys are being too hard on her,> Pua snorted.

<I have a bad feeling about this,> Chip sighed.

“He’s still looking. I think he’s waiting for a signal or something,” Lance whispered.

“I got it.” Hunk crawled out from under the console and held up one of the sentinels. He used the wires on it’s disconnected arm to make it greet the Galra on the screen, pretend to type at the console, then point at the Galra, then give him a thumbs up.

The Galra held his hand up in acceptance before ending the call.

<I can’t believe that worked,> Chip said as Hunk sighed.

“Nice job, Hunk.”

“Thanks,” Hunk said, giving Lance a high five with the robot hand.

“Okay, download complete,” Pidge announced and everyone crowded around her.

“What’s it say?” Keith asked.

“Nothing. This place doesn’t have any useful information. Just a schedule of the ships coming in and out.”

“Well, I guess this mission was a bust,” Lance said.

“Let’s get back to the Castle,” Shiro commanded.

“Hold on. Pidge, do you know where that ship is headed?” Allura asked, pointing at the one that had just arrived.

“Um, it’s scheduled to be here for about a half an hour, then head off to Central Command.”

“That’s where they have the information we need, and I’m going to sneak aboard that ship and get it for us.”

<By the Anodites,> Merla groaned.

<Called it,> Chip sighed.

“What? No way!” Lance exclaimed.

“How are you going to get in?” Keith asked, looking skeptical.

Allura pulled off her helmet. “I’m going to walk right through the front.” She closed her eyes and her skin faded to a soft violet and her limbs stretched until she was more than a head taller than all the paladins.

<That’ll help,> Ryou noted as the paladins gasped. <Still a terrible idea.>

“How the heck did you do that?” Hunk asked.

“The Alteans are a chameleon-like people who can blend in with the local populations. It’s the ability that’s made us great explorers and diplomats throughout our history.”

<Actually, chameleons change color mostly in response to mood or to regulate temperature. A better comparison would be certain cephalopods, like cuttlefish.> The cats turned to Blue, who held up his nose. <What? Yeah, I know things. You got a problem with that?>

<Once an organic nerd, always an organic nerd,> Merla purred, cuddling up against him.

<Got that right!>

“No, just one at a time, and I will need a change of costume,” Allura replied to Lance, Hunk, and Pidge as the cats refocused. She turned to the Galra Shiro had knocked out. “I can use his uniform as a disguise.”

“I can’t let you go in there alone.”

“Excuse me?” Allura turned to Shiro with a defiant expression.. “I do not need your permission.”

<Oh snap!>

<Chip, no.>

“It’s too dangerous. I’m going in with you.”

“You will stick out like a choferiak’s nose.”

“You’re going to need that nose, princess,” Pidge stepped in. “Shiro’s hand is made from Galra tech. It’s the only thing we have that will allow us to interface with their systems and gather intel. I can monitor the download remotely from here.”

<If only we had someone properly sneaky that could work Galra tech!>

Merla bit down on Blue’s ear.

“Fine, you can come.”

“Uh, you guys better hurry up if you want to get on and off before the ship leaves for Zarkon central,” Hunk pointed out.

The two turned to go and Keith asked, “How are you going to get Shiro on board?”

The two shared a look.

“Oh! Laundry cart!” Lance explained, earning confused looks all around. “Like, you know in those break out movies when the prisoners hide in the laundry carts in order to sneak out! Shiro could hide in one of those crates they’re loading onto the ship and Allura could push it onboard! Like a laundry cart!”

Keith and Allura still looked a bit confused, but Pidge nodded. “That could work. Might be a tight fit. I'm pretty sure those things aren't filled with cloth.”

“It's our best bet though,” Shiro sighed. “Alright, Allura, get changed.”

The princess got to work pulling the Galra’s armor off while Shiro turned to the others.

“You guys stay here and stay hidden. Pidge, try and see if you can get any other information out of here.”

“Right.”

He turned to Ryou with a smirk. “You wouldn't stay here even if I told you to, would you?”

Ryou snorted and pressed up against his side.

“Didn't think so. Just stay close. We don't know what would happen if the Galra got their hands on one of you.

<Could they even keep us contained?> Pua asked.

<Doubtful, but we still should be careful,> Ryou replied.

“I’m ready,” Allura said, coming in fully armored.

“Alright, let’s go.”

<I wanna go on record saying that this is a terrible idea.>

Merla couldn’t say she hated being right. Actually, she loved it. What she did hate, however, was when being right came with a cost.

Things had been going fine. They’d snuck in, quietly taken down the sentinels guarding the room, discovered that the Galra had somehow been able to tap into a new source of quintessence (or at least she hoped it was a new source. If they had once more reached the Lifelight then the team had more problems to worry about then they’d thought), and stolen a vial of refined quintessence off a cart.

And then the weirdo in the hood that reeked of dark magic appeared next to Keith and everything went downhill.

<Keith!> Merla growled. She pounced at at the druid that blasted Keith, but they teleported away.

They appeared next to the vial of refined quintessence Keith had dropped when he flew back and picked it up.

“Okay, plan B!” Keith shouted, leaping to his feet and drawing his bayard. They both charged the druid, only for them to teleport away again after setting the vial on a new cart.

After nearly getting her head sliced off on accident, Merla fell back, watching Keith chase about the appearing and disappearing druid until they disappeared and didn’t come back.

<Where’d they go?> she hissed, looking around.

“There,” Keith called, jumping aside as violet lightning rained down on them.

With the druid’s focus on Keith, Merla jetpacked to where the druid was. She latched onto the shocked druid just as they tried to teleport again.

She felt her armor fall away and her physical form disintegrate as her quintessence was pulled along with the druid. She felt her quintessence brush against that of the druid. She felt their pain-surprise-confusion-pain-fear-curiosity-pain-anger-curiosity-pain-fear-anger-pain-curiosity. She felt them return to the physical plane and she returned to her physical form, digging her fangs into their shoulder.

They let out a shout and blasted her off with magic. She flew backwards, slamming into a case of quintessence. She heard Keith call out to her as the glass shattered and the quintessence poured over her.

Then everything went white.

“I think we’re in trouble.”

“You think?”

<Now’s not the time for fighting,> Ryou huffed.

Allura looked around the room before taking a few steps back. “Okay, stand aside.”

“What? Why? What are you-”

Allura rushed forwards, slamming the door off the track and plowing into the guard standing outside. The boys followed her out as she yanked the gun out of the unconscious Galra’s hands. Ryou sent an impressed look to the helmet embedded into the wall before turning to his paladin, who was gaping at the princess.

Ryou snorted as she asked, “What?”

Shiro just looked her up and down.

He finally snapped out of it as a group of sentinels turned a corner and began charging them.

“Let’s go!” They took off down the hall and Shiro called into the comm, “Pidge, fire up the Green Lion! We’re coming in hot!”

They stopped as a pair of sentinels appeared in front of them. Allura tried to shoot them and Ryou dropped to the floor to avoid the blasts that flew out and hit one of the sentinels behind them. Shiro quickly stepped in to take down the two. As the others approached, Allura grabbed one of the fallen and tossed it, knocking down the others.

“I thought you said you’d traveled around the galaxy,” Shiro said, grabbing the gun from her and turning it around. “I mean, you fly a spaceship. How could you possibly not know how to hold this correctly?”

“I’m tense. This is a tense situation,” Allura snapped, grabbing the gun in one hand and his arm in the other before dragging him away.

They paused as the realized no one was following them. They turned to see Ryou still collapsed on the floor.

“Black, come on. We need to get moving.”

The liger whined, but didn’t move.

“Ryou, what’s wrong?” Shiro asked, coming to his side.

“Secure hatches. All personnel take positions for departure.”

Allura looked up at the announcement before shoving the gun back into Shiro’s hands. She scooped Ryou into her arms, saying, “We can’t stay here.”

“R-right.” Shiro took the lead. He made sure Allura was keeping up before calling into the others. “Guys, something’s wrong with Ryou.”

“He’s not the only one. All three of ours suddenly just collapsed before disappearing on us. Pua and Chip were gone right away and Blue only stuck around long enough to tell Lance they’d gone back to the lions before disappearing as well.”

“It’s not just Ryou. Chip, Pua, and Blue were also affected,” Shiro explained for Allura’s sake.

“What could be causing this?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. Ryou, you should head back to the Black Lion and rest.”

Ryou gave a weak growl and pawed at Allura’s shoulder.

The princess gave him a sad smile and pressed her head against his. “We’ll be okay Black. Go on. You’re in no condition to fight.”

“She’s right. We’ve got this. Head back. Once we get back to the castle, Pidge can run a diagnostic and hopefully figure out what happened.”

As Ryou finally relented and disappeared, Pidge called through the comms, “Shiro, we’re at the Green Lion. We’re going to-”

Shiro gave her a moment to continue before calling her name.

“Sorry, I'm fine.”

“You collapsed! She collapsed, Shiro!” Hunk added with a worried voice. “Lance is helping her into her seat because she can barely stand on her own!”

“I'm fine. It's just Chip. I can feel her better in here. It's… They're hurting bad. It’s like pain and exhaustion and numbness and lightheadedness all rolled into one. I… I don’t…”

“It’s okay, Pidge. Can you guys fly?”

“Yeah, we’re heading out.”

“Good.” Shiro ducked as laser fire shot past them. “This way!” he told Allura turning them down a side hallway.

“Are you alright?” Allura asked.

“Yeah, just worried about the lions. Do you have any idea what this could be? I didn’t think they could get sick.”

“Neither did I. But then, we never thought they could speak or create other forms either. My father had always just assumed it was an odd result of mixing the material the lions were made of with Altean science. A sort of accidental AI. To think that they could be thinking, feeling creatures capable of intelligent communication is… astounding! I don’t think my father ever had any idea of what they are capable of, let alone Coran or I.”

“Then what are we supposed to do?”

Allura bowed her head a little. “I suppose all we can do is what you suggested. Have Pidge, Hunk, and Coran run some tests and hope for the best.”

Shiro nodded with a shaky breath. A shot nearly grazed his side and he shook himself. Right, focus. We need to get out of here and then I can worry.

Allura turned to shoot at the sentinels chasing them as Shiro turned a corner and called out, “The escape pods are up here!”

“Formulating navigation. All crew assume secure hyper-speed positions.”

Panting, Allura pulled the Galra helmet off her head. “Hurry! We can't leave once the ship goes into hyper-speed!”

“Sh-Shiro.”

“What is it?”

“I… I think we know why the lions are so messed up.”

“Why?” They ran into the escape pod hanger and Shiro set his hand on the door controls to shut them. “Hunk?”

“Shiro,” Lance said. “I think Merla’s dying.”