#battle of the grounded dungeon

[lbigreyhound13]

Honorary Big Brother (BOTGD 2)

Continued from this

Dagny and Kari ran through the medic tents looking among the rebels and their allies for any signs of the Arnason men. Dagny briefly considered also finding Nio and Sav, but Liam was the one, who Kezia was after. They had to make sure he was okay first.

"Where can they be?" Kari asked with exasperation.

"Relax," Dagny said, "we'll find them. They can't be too far from here."

"But...w-what if they didn't make it?" Kari asked.

Dagny couldn't help but feel her blood run cold at that thought. What if Kari was right? What if Liam and Vox didn't make it? Kezia wanted Liam for some reason...and there was no sign of them during the final battle. No...she shook her head. No...he had to be okay. They both had to be okay. "We can't think like that, Kari," she said after a moment. "Come on, I bet if we find Daybreak or Kendra or Aunt Tree, we'll find Liam and Uncle Vox."

Kari smiled and nodded before they continued to look.

[moe-lazyeye]

Jugen Turns Himself In pt 2 (botgd 2)

Part 2

"To apologize." Jugen answered, and for a moment, his lips pressed together tightly. But then he closed his eyes and breathed a gentle exhale. "I am sorry. And I've brought everything you'll need to hold me accountable."

He offered up the satchel, which was filled with parchment and document packets. "I fear I've done worse than just putting out a non-fatal hit. Most of the damage is so hopelessly tangled in so many different things that it'll be impossible to undo. So, answering for it in court is the only thing I can reliably offer."

[urlocalbitchboy]

... is there a botgd 2??

[hookedhookless]

Buzzards pt.5

Part 4

"Lots of potential, I'd imagine." He eyed Dixie cautiously. "It all depends on how one would use it."

He slowly approached, keeping his eye on any movement Dixie made.

"We need to make sure that it stays with the right person. A dagger of that much power could easily corrupt. As you just said, Its been infused with years worth of demon essence."

He slowly crouched next to the man, on guard, but allowing himself to trust.

"I don't know if emotions got tied in, but that dagger would be infused with the essence of a confused, and Impassioned demon. We must be careful with it."

[battleofthegroundeddungeon]

I guess this counts as BOTGD art???? Boredom at my office strikes. Haddock sobbing at the items being thrown. Why must so many items be thrown. What is wrong with you peoples. The indignity. Oh, the humanity!

[asha-the-viking]

Welcome to the World

April 19. 1071

It was a beautiful spring day when Siri went into labor. 

The sun had not quite reached its peak when frantic knocking disturbed the Haralsons from their lunch. Ander had answered the door and immediately the entire family went into a tizzy. It was Will and he had come to tell them it was time. He had barely finished speaking when he turned tail and started heading in the direction in which he had come to tell Ingrid and Clover (in no particular order). 

And Will had moved so fast, he beat them to the little house he shared with Siri. They found him panting for breath in the main room of the house, door flung open to accept the people that were on their way. 

Katryn, as planned, had gone to the Felmans to play with her cousins and would be notified quickly when the baby arrived (Siri promised). Ander, on Siri's request, was to be present at the house but not in the room with her, and the same went for Clover. Siri wanted three people in the room with her; her Grandma Ingrid, Will, and her mother. Luckily, that was easily accomplished.

Asha bounced anxiously on her feet while Will caught his breath and practically ran after him when he headed to the bedroom. 

“I'll send Ingrid in once she gets here,” Ander promised. 

“Thank you!” Will called over his shoulder as he opened the door. He waved Asha in first. 

“Hi Mama,” Siri said from her place on the floor. She was kneeling beside the bed, her arms folded on the mattress and her head resting on it. She already looked rather sweaty and exhausted. 

“Hi sweet girl,” Asha said softly, lowering herself to the floor beside her daughter. “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty awful,” Siri said with a laugh. “I… may have made Will wait a while to get everyone. If he would've had it his way, he would've woken you all up at the crack of dawn.”

“She's been at it for a few hours now,” Will said, sitting on the bed beside Siri and reaching over to re-tie up her hair. “Being amazing of course, but she didn't want to bother everyone.”

“Being in labor is not a bother, Siri Helena,” Asha chastised lightly. 

“I know, Mama. I was fine by myself for a while but things… have really started to pick up,” Siri grimaced and closed her eyes and her whole body tensed. She reached a hand out for Will and he took it, letting her squeeze. “Oh shit,”

Asha put a hand on her daughter’s back. “Breathe, sweetheart. Breathe.” 

“Okay, okay, I need to be up now. This hurts worse,” Siri declared once the contraction had let up. Will stood immediately and offered both hands to help her stand. 

Asha stood slowly, a hand on Siri’s back for good measure. But she stepped back when Siri put her head on Will’s shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her. Siri was well supported. Asha smiled. She was glad her little girl was so well looked after. 

The bedroom door opened and in stepped Ingrid Bergman, Grey's mother and the best healer on Haligan. Will waved her in. 

“Hi Ingrid.”

“Hello… Oh, she's quite far along isn't she?” 

“It started at dawn apparently,” Asha said. “Siri didn't want to bother us.” 

“Hi Grandma,” Siri murmured. 

“Hello dear. We'll have to see how far along you are, but no rush. Seems you've got it under control for now.” 

Siri held up a thumbs-up and Will chuckled. 

“Your mother's in the living room too, William,” Ingrid said, placing her bag down. “They're quite the nervous pair out there, Ander and Clover.” 

Will laughed suddenly. “Oh man, who's going to out-awkward the other first.” 

Asha hid a smile behind her hand. Clover and Ander were both on the quieter side and they both had their awkward moments. And they never had really spoken before. Will was probably right, it was bound to be really awkward out there.

“Will!” Siri scolded. “That's not nice. My dad and your mom are perfectly normal, perfectly… lovely… oh fuck me. Please hold.” 

“Done and done,” Will nodded, holding her tighter. 

Siri huffed and stomped on his foot and he yelped. 

“That's what you get,” Siri told him through clenched teeth. 

Asha and Ingrid both burst into laughter. Will took it like a champ. Siri and Will made such a fun pair. 

Siri turned her head. “I'm… I'm sorry Mama. Sorry Grandma. Will has a… dirty mind-”

“And you don't?” Will interjected, grinning. 

Siri rolled her eyes and continued. “-and… I don't think that's the last time I'm going to swear today.”

“Siri, sweetheart, I've been a healer for many years and gave birth myself. I know what it does to you. Trust me, I've heard it all. You're fine,” Ingrid promised with a smile. 

“I might not use the words out loud, Siri, but I definitely think them on occasion,” Asha added. “You don't need to apologize.”

“Mama!” Siri gasped, faking being scandalized. “My goodness! Thinking bad words? How could you?”

Asha laughed and walked over to her daughter. She brushed a stray curl from Siri's face and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Never change, sweet girl.” 

Siri smiled at Asha. “Thanks for coming,”

Asha smiled back. “I wouldn't miss this for anything.” 

After some time and a few more contractions which were getting closer and closer together, Siri said she needed to sit and Ingrid checked Siri over. 

“Well?” Siri asked anxiously, trying to see what was happening. She gripped Will's arm suddenly as another contraction began. And then she felt a small pop and an uncomfortable wetness. She looked to her mother, concerned, but Asha only smiled. 

“It's alright,” Asha promised her daughter. “It's supposed to happen.”

“Some timing this little one has,” Ingrid chuckled. “That was your water breaking. The contractions will get stronger and closer together now and we are getting very close to meeting your little one. Maybe another hour or so.”

“Stronger? How is that even possible?” Siri wailed. 

“Hey,” Will murmured, close to her ear. He was sitting behind her, arms wrapped around her middle. “You've got this.” 

“Easy for you to say, you don't have to do anything. And this is all your fault. How is that even fair?” 

“Yeah, I'm gonna let that one go,” he teased lightly. “No but seriously, you've been kicking ass all day. You've got this.”

Siri rested her head back against him, sighing. And then she tensed, hands scrambling for purchase. Will offered both of his hands without hesitation. “Oh my Gods, that is stronger. Holy shit.”

“Breathe, Siri. You're doing so well.” Ingrid promised. 

Asha had taken a seat on the floor near Siri. She was trying not to hover, as Will clearly had the support and comfort under control, but she was there if she was needed for extra support. Siri and Will's relationship had grown so much in such a brief period of time and it was beautiful to witness. 

“Mama,” Siri said, tipping her head the other direction so she could see her mother better. “You did this twice. You're amazing. This sucks.” 

Asha rubbed Siri's leg. “You're amazing, sweet girl.” 

“Why are you on the floor, Asha?” Will asked. 

“I, um, I don't want to be in the way…” She stammered. 

“We want you here. You aren't in the way,” Will assured. “I brought chairs in here for a reason, please sit in one. Family doesn't let family sit on the floor.” 

Asha stood up and sat in one of the chairs, smiling at Will softly. Siri reached out for Asha's hand and Asha gave it. 

Siri squeezed Asha's fingers. “I want you to be one of the first to meet my baby, Mama. I want you to be comfortable when you do.” 

“Thank you, my love,” Asha said. “You tell me where you want me and what you want me to do and I'll do it.” 

Siri smiled tiredly. And then she froze. “Woah, woah, that… feels different. Holy shit. What's happening? Ow ow ow.”

“Baby's coming down, Siri.” Ingrid said, ruffling through her bag. “How do you want to be?” 

“What?” Siri blinked, dumbfounded. 

“Your baby is coming very soon,” Asha said. “What position feels the most comfortable for you to push?” 

Ingrid looked up. “Thank you, Asha.” 

“Oh fuck,” Siri murmured, shifting. “I need to be up. Hands and knees, I cannot imagine doing this any other way right now. Is that okay?” 

“Of course it is,” Ingrid said. “Floor or bed?” 

“Floor,” Siri said. “I don't want to clean the bed after this.” 

Ingrid laughed. “That's understandable.” 

Asha popped up from the chair and grabbed the blankets and towels from where they folded and put them on the floor before helping Will guide Siri to the floor. Will sat on the floor beside Siri, who leaned against him, breathing hard. He smoothed back a bit of her hair and pressed a kiss to it before saying something quietly to her that Asha couldn't hear, but it made her smile. 

And then, after what felt like an eternity and a blink of an eye simultaneously, the baby was officially coming. Siri tried for a few minutes on her hands and knees, but her arms were shaking too much to support her, so she ended up in a sort of crouch, Will helping hold her upright and her hand in Asha's. Siri, who had not cried even a bit the entire time, had begun to tear up. 

“It hurts so much,” Siri said. “It hurts,” 

“I know, I know. Big deep breaths, Siri. You are so close,” Ingrid promised, placing a gentle hand on Siri’s arm. “You're doing great.” 

“You can do this,” Will encouraged, meeting her eyes. “You're so strong.”

“We're all right here for you,” Asha promised, squeezing Siri’s fingers from her spot on the floor. So much for not sitting on the floor, Will, she thought. She ended up back down there anyway. 

A few more minutes of pressure and pain, a few yelps and screams later, Siri, chest heaving, flopped back against Will as a shrill little cry filled the room. 

Will caught her in a firm hug. “You're so fucking incredible,” he told her, leaning his head against his. 

Siri’s smile was bright as she looked to Asha, who had teary eyes at the sound of her first grandchild’s cries. 

“Siri, Will,” Ingrid said, rubbing the tiny baby with a towel. “Congratulations, you have a beautiful little girl.” 

Ingrid beamed as she placed the wailing baby on Siri’s chest. Siri and Will’s arms immediately went up to hold the baby there protectively. 

“Holy shit,” Will muttered, tears in his eyes. “We have a kid.” 

“She's beautiful, my darling,” Asha said softly. The baby had a decent amount of dark hair already and Asha swore she could see some curls. Just like Siri's hair.

The baby settled at Siri’s gentle shushing and her newfound warmth and grew quiet. Siri looked in awe at the tiny, wriggling child placed on her chest and lifted a shaky hand to trace her face with her index finger. “Hello pretty girl. I love you so much. Welcome home.” 

Siri carefully dipped her head down to give the baby a tearful kiss and then suddenly started laughing. 

“What? What's wrong?” Will asked, concerned, looking frantic. 

“Nothing, it's just… I forgot about the ears!” Siri said through her laughter. “They're so cute!” 

And sure enough, the baby had two little cat ears like her father. They were a bit folded and squashed but would not doubt perk up in time. They too were dark, with some orange and brown flecks already visible. Tortoiseshell. 

Will gently touched a tiny ear with his own finger and it twitched a bit. “She's… she's perfect.” 

Asha pushed herself to her knees and leaned over to give Siri a kiss on the head and one to Will as well. “Congratulations,” she said warmly. “Do you want me to go tell Ander and Clover?” 

“Not until you hold her,” Siri said. “Please?” 

“Oh! Alright.” Asha sat back on the ground and Siri carefully passed the baby into her arms. Asha gasped softly. It had been eleven years since she had last held a baby. She had nearly forgotten what it felt like. And what an honor to hold this baby.

Asha looked down at the beautiful girl, her first grandchild, and couldn't help the tears that started up again. Everything she and her friends had done, everything with the Rebellion, all of the pain and the struggle and the loss, had led them right there to that moment. And somehow, that made everything a little more okay, a little more worth it. Two children of the Rebellion had welcomed a brand new little life into the world. It felt like a metaphor. It felt like hope.

Asha hoped that this little girl would grow up in a safer, kinder world than even her own girls had been raised in. Maybe this child would see the end of the Rebellion once and for all.

Asha cradled the newborn close and looked down at her sweet little face. "We are so happy you're here, little one."

Kara Andrine, daughter of Siri Haralson and Will Verdile

[lbigreyhound13]

Grey and Shadow wasted no time in flying after Lila toward the tower. Grey wanted to question Lila why she was coming with her. What about the Rebellion? They need their leader, but she thought better of it. Now was not the time to talk. They didn’t have a lot of time. They needed to focus on their last mission…finally bringing an end to High Central. Thankfully, Shadow was fast enough to keep up with Lila.

“This is it, Shadow,” she said to her dragon. “We’re finally going to be rid of High Central.”

————

Meanwhile, back in the medic tents, Brandt stood by as Sven, Dagny, and Kari each had their injuries tended to alongside their dragons. Thankfully, neither of them protested waiting for Grey to return, which made it easier for the second-in-command.

Brandt kept his eyes on the city, and his heart began to pound when he saw the city beginning to fall.

“Come on, Grey…” he whispered. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to go back for his wife, but he thought better of it. It wouldn’t do either of them any good. He was better off staying with their kids.

It wasn’t long before he saw a spec of light and a black dot flying up and back toward the tower. He widened his eyes. This was going to be it. He just knew that that was Grey flying off to finish High Central once and for all, and it looked like Lila was with her. He couldn’t help but hope they could put their differences aside once more to finish the job.

“Good luck, Grey,” he said mentally through the network. “I love you.”

——

“I love you, too, Brandt,” Grey said through the network once she heard her husband’s voice.

Rumble Down Under [pt 8]

[X]

"You're right." Lila said without hesitation. They were on the back foot now and it was clear they needed an ace in the hole. Plan C was the only option that made sense now.

"Tezzeret, work with the Nixes to get everyone out of here. Liam... I... Don't know what the Hel you are anymore, but if that chain is what's giving Kezia this power it needs to go. Everyone else... Survive." She says as she takes off towards the tower with Grey in tow.

[lbigreyhound13]

Take It Slow (BOTGD flashback)

@asha-the-viking

July 1048

It had been two months since Ragnarok ended and since the Grounded Dungeon Rebellion was released from their bunker once Hel informed them that she had won the war. The rebels moved on from their spot in the Everglade and set out to start lives anew or to resume their lives from before the Rebellion. Once she and King Haddock formed plans for her to continue her position, Lady Grey Bergman took her Night Fury, Shadow and led her best friends, Greg, Warren, their young daughter Lila, Asha, and her young daughter 3-year-old Siri back home to Haligan Island.

Upon returning, Grey reunited with her parents, Sven and Ingrid and her uncle Einar along with the rest of the village. She introduced them all to her unofficial adoptive siblings, Greg, Warren, and Asha and her nieces Siri and Lila. The Boomerang Squad settled into life on Haligan Island after that. Greg and Warren settled into their own house with Lila. That of course left Asha and Siri. Once Grey explained her situation to her parents, Sven and Ingrid welcomed Asha and Siri to live with them with open arms.

Ever since then, Asha and Siri had been living in the Bergman household and had been sharing Grey’s room with her and Shadow.

One morning in July 1048, Grey found herself waking up early that morning and getting ready for the day before walking out of the makeshift changing space in her room. She loved having Asha and Siri as roommates. Shadow immediately jumped up to greet her rider and sister.

“Hey, girl,” Grey said as she scratched her dragon’s head.

[moe-lazyeye]

Race to the Edge pt 4 (botgd 2)

Part 3

"I will be here until every shard of every soul has been sorted, and sealed." Hel answered, and then gave him a coy smile, as she read his expression. "And before you run off to ruin my reputation, just know I get to be my proper bitch self elsewhere."

She settled back in her seat. "But here...I get to foster something that I had never been afforded before. I need it. And the souls that come here, including you, including the Norns, need it too..."

[urlocalbitchboy]

*digs my old roleplay character from years of ash, dirt, and blood, and throws it at you*

[loregoddess]

Tactics Ogre Reborn is a pokemon game. To me. (I have one of almost every dragon)

(actual story stuff below cut)

god a lot's happening Ch3, like, Catiua walking out on Denam (while blaming him for leaving her, girl? I think I get the writing though, but I'm waiting to see how her arc pans out) and ALSO dropping the "hey btw we're orphans, our dad isn't even our dad" is like. Wild. Girl's not making it to the end of the story alive I think, just based on vibes so far.

Watching Vyce get to run around and be a little shit is SO funny though, like this man is an asshole and a menace, and I am sipping tea on a lawn chair as I watch him set up stuff that I know damned well is going to be an obstacle to Denam in the future chapters.

And goddamn, all the fucking knights in this game and their ideals and loyalty that they're willing to die for. That one Galgastani knight (Hector? Hektor? Moldova's fiance, that guy) was SO interesting for the ten minutes he was on the screen, and now I am so curious about the necromancer family's drama (I know Nybleth is probably going to cause me issues later, but that doesn't stop his family drama from being interesting as hell).

And then Leonar, fucking....WAIT TILL YOUR LITERAL DYING BREATH TO DECIDE TO TURN ON THE DUKE WHY DON'T YOU. Dude, we could have worked things out, I come from FE and UO logic, you could have pulled a heel-face turn and I would have mediated your breakup and reconciliation with Arycelle myself, somehow. God but the battle dialogue between him and Arycelle was so good--tragic, but good. He's such a fucked up character, but I still ended up liking his story arc on the timeline I'm on, what a character. (Also IS there a way to beat him in a one-on-one duel? like I DID give that a try at first and was like "oh this Will Not Work w/out my two healers and Canopus at the very least," so reset the battle choice to go to standard army vs. army but like? IS there a way to win that battle one-on-one I wonder...)

Honestly this game is a tragedy actually, bc I keep watching characters who's lives could be so much better if they made Different Choices, but won't bc it's not in their core characterization to make those choices. Everyone except my beloved army of dragons and monsters and generic units will probably be dead when this is all said and done. And I will be sitting here on my metaphorical lawn chair, sipping tea, watching everything fall apart, because of or despite the choices I had Denam make myself.

(On a side note, I got Hobrym, er, however his name is spelt I've given up with most of the names honestly if it wasn't clear, but ANYHOW I like him a lot so far and am very curious about his beef w/ the dark knights)

[lbigreyhound13]

Sea of Opportunity, Part 3 (BOTGD EU)

Continued from here

Grey nodded as she stared at Ai and then scanned her surroundings. Brandt and Shadow were behind her. A handful of her men were in the air on their respective dragons, but…at the same time, Grey realized that she was on Ai’s turf. She was on Ai’s ship…in the middle of the ocean…with a puddle on the deck…a puddle and ocean water that could be used against her should Grey attack.

Grey wanted to attack her. Grey wanted more than anything to bring Ai in once and for all, but…Jugen’s words rang in her mind…

"If you have an air tight plan, or a fight worth fighting again Ai, then by all means let her have it. But...don't let pride trip you up again. You don't have to make up for losing to her. You don't have to prove that. You only have to safeguard your people, including your family. Take her down. Even if it means using people and resources that forgo your chance to claim the glory or satisfaction of a rematch."

It pained her to say…she didn’t have an airtight plan. She was in the exact same spot, that got her captured in the first place all those months ago. Not to mention she, Brandt, Shadow, and her men were far from home…about 3 hours. Could she really take such a huge risk all for petty revenge? She steeled herself.

Of course not.

She realized what Jugen meant. He didn’t mean to just take whatever Ai threw at her lying down. He meant to use other resources to take her down…to stop her from committing further violence. If she were to attack now or even attempt to make an arrest, when Ai claimed to not have known where they were, which Grey didn’t believe one bit…it could lead to disastrous results. She would appear vengeful…and foolish for risking her husband, dragon, and men’s lives.

“And sometimes knowing the enemy better...is knowing when they are just out of your league."

At this moment, Ai was out of Grey’s league. So…she took a deep breath and stood up.

“Perhaps,” she said, “but like I said, loyalty goes a long way.” She then turned to her husband and her dragon. “I’ve kept you long enough, Captain. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of ocean to cover today.”

Brandt stared at his wife in shock as she moved towards him and Shadow. “Grey?” he asked. What was she up to?

[moe-lazyeye]

Jugen Turns Himself In Pt 7 (botgd 2)

Part 6

It was all good progress, as far as facing the eminent loss of one's freedom could go that is.

A moral life chained would be a small price to pay for a chance to save his soul. Jugen knew this.

There was more to be done though. A demon go consult. Further leaders to confess to.

So he waited...

[lbigreyhound13]

Lila led the Rebellion down to the cavern, and the Felman family was not too far behind. Grey and Brandt mounted Shadow while the kids mounted their respective dragons. They flew down following Lila’s flames.

“So…umm…I might be a little lost here,” Sven said as he flew close to his sisters while their parents were in the lead, “but who is this Kezia we keep talking about?”

“Uncle Vox told us about her while we were trying to get that beacon back,” Dagny said from where she sat on SkySinger. “Apparently, she was one of the leaders of High Central. She and Darien are the ones who basically started all this.”

“The persecution of the half-breeds…the dungeons…everything,” Kari added.

“Wait…Mom, did you know her too?” Sven asked.

“I didn’t know her,” Grey answered keeping her eyes forward, “but I knew of her. I knew she was assassinated a long time ago, but that was essentially it.” In all the years Grey had knowledge of the mistreatment and High Central, the one thing she was very limited in was the three leaders of High Central. That changed of course when she finally met Darien, but Kezia was always in shadows. It was hard to put a face to a name with her, and that was about to change. “Listen, guys, I don’t know what exactly we’re facing down here with Kezia, but I want you all to stay close. If it gets to be too much, then you need to get somewhere safe, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the three teens said in unison.

“We’ll be okay,” Brandt said placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder.

Grey smiled at her husband. “I know,” she said. “It’s just…this is likely going to be our last battle, and there is no way Kezia is going down without a fight.”

Rumble PT 2

[Previous]

Indigo let out a little growl when Lila jumped right in without hesitation, and knew this was an excellent moment to dive right in.

To prove even more how dedicated he was to helping this cause and these people. To being an ally, and one worth keeping. Worth trusting. The Indigo Phantom got to his feet with a burst and ran full speed towards the hole, Storm chasing right on his heels.

He didn't even mount the dragon, letting out a holler, almost a war cry, maybe the screech of a fury, and jumped in after the leader, his dragon companion on his heels.

They met up midair effortlessly and vanished into the red tinged void below, the wing whistle and roar of a night fury coming out after they'd vanished.

He didn't even see Indi, perched hidden inside one of the many holes in the walls, watching them, since they were going so fast.

[urlocalbitchboy]

How it started:

How it’s going like 8 or 9 years later:

Ohhhh how time flies… 🥲

[lbigreyhound13]

Listen to Each Other’s Heart (BOTGD 2)

@hubwalker1

Continued from this

When Dagny and Kari ran off to find Liam and Vox, the Chief found herself leaning against Brandt looking out over the hole that used to be High Central. The war was done. It was time to rebuild and erase High Central’s fascist regime from history and to change Aidorin for the better, but what was she meant to do? After all, she was an artifact of the past. She hated that even though Kezia was dead…gone from the world she tried to destroy…her words taunted Grey…and probably would for the rest of her life. It didn’t help that some of the most important men in her life voiced the same sentiments when she and Lila went through the fear trap.

She sighed. This was one of those times, where she had no clue what came next.

Brandt sensed her tension and fear and kissed her on the head. “Hey, you okay?” he asked.

“I-I don’t know…” Grey said sadly. “I guess…I just…I-I don’t know. I know I should be happy, and I am. But…”

“What she…said…” Brandt finished for her. He sighed as he hugged his wife close hating to see her hurting like this.

Grey buried her face in her husband’s chest inhaling his scent, and his scent and the warmth of his embrace calmed her down. She shouldn’t be upset. She should be happy…thrilled that they managed to defeat High Central. She should be relishing in the victory.

“I know it doesn’t fix it completely,” Brandt whispered into her hair, “but whatever happens…I will be there by your side through every step of the way. And the kids will too.”

She closed her eyes hugging him tightly in return. "I know," she said. She then looked up at him kissing him. "And I appreciate it." She deflated slightly as she was not sure as to what she needed to do next...with the Rebellion that is. Was she needed anywhere? Did Lila need her to do anything? She was jolted out of her thoughts when Shadow brushed up against her and Brandt nuzzling them, and she couldn't help but chuckle as she scratched her Night Fury's head in return.