#but if you kill me I won't write the banging chapter

[msookyspooky]

Fours a Franchise

Part 12

Wordcount: 8,567

Omfg I got the flu for a week, had a family fued that lasted months between my aunt and...EVERYONE. But thankfully my younger cousin I'm super close to is living with her Dad/My Uncle now after months of this bs so finally there's peace, then in-between this fued and my cousin moving out I got covid and ong I have been foggy headed for 2 weeks afterwards I'm just starting to feel like my normal self again....THEN Wattpad kicked me out of my account. From September till now has been an out of body experience in a bad way 🙃

So thank you all for your support and patience I appreciate it 🖤 but I am so done wracking my brain over this chapter so we're just winging it rn bc I want to write and get past this hump to finish this story then start on 5. So if I missed info or a typo or misplaced lore from previous books *No I did not*~

Annnnddd my motivation with recent Scream news.

The news of Scream 7 is so disheartening and screwed up with Sam and Tara's actresses. So I cannot promise I'm writing till 6 or 7 not only because I'm losing my hyper fixation for Scream after these 2 years but no Tara, Sam, Sidney and most likely no Stu because Matthew is a real one and wouldn't come back after how they treated Neve and Melissa so like? What's the point? This book and 5 I am for sure doing because Billy meeting Sam is a huge writing motive for me. 6 is iffy but 7? I am not. Not only do I not have the motivation to write that much more for this story but it's pointless with so much of Scream being written like bad fanfiction the last 2 installments...Hell, I could do that! But I won't because I probably won't even watch Scream 7 if they make it. The Studio has screwed over Neve and Melissa in ways that I really don't want to support.

Anyways, thank you for the patience. I appreciate all of you! ♡♡♡♡

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   Ghostface grabbed your ankle and you hit the stairs. Hard. But the second they went to stab you, you kicked them as hard as you could in the knee sending them flying back and tumbling down the stairs. 

Jill grabbed your arm. "Come on, YN!" As you both bolted for Kirby's room…Kirby had gotten separated during the chase and you didn't know where she was. 

Jill locked the door and told you. "The balcony!"

"There's no other way out?" 

"You can jump, maybe, I don't know." Jill rushed out past her lips as she got away from the door. 

You breathed hard, looking down at the drop off from the second story. You couldn't think long as the door frame started bending; the wood splintering with each bang from the killer trying to break it down. 

"That's two stories." You looked at her trying to form a plan. "...Get under the bed." 

Jill looked confused, "Wha-" 

"Just do as I say." You harshly whispered. "Get under the bed and don't make a sound or come out until I get you, okay? Trust me!…Go!" 

You watched her go to crawl under Kirby's bed as you climbed over the railing.

Jill hid under the bed as you heard the door to Kirby's room finally break and the killer come inside. Slowly walking past Kirby's bed...

You made a gasp as you almost fell.

Ghostface darted out onto the balcony to see you descend onto the porch roof. You rushed down around the corner of the home and looked back to see Ghostface on the roof too. Staring at you through that mask before disappearing. You figured back inside to look for the others because you looked back around the corner to see they were gone.

You quickly used the opportunity to get your cellphone.

You faltered just a second...You didn't trust to call police because you did not trust Judy. You didn't care if she was out in the open when Jill's mother was killed. Partners. Besides, you did not have a good track record of using your one phone call for cops and either they don't show up, show up too late, or show up and make things worse with the killer. But you still had to call someone. Randy dead, Gale injured, maybe Dewey? Maybe just risk 911-

You heard a noise and out of reflex you accidently pushed a button on speed dial that you hissed a curse at. Too late, they picked up the phone as you frantically tried windiws.

As soon as it picked up you rushed out, "The killer's here at Kirby's! I need your help. 329 whispering lane-" 

You yelled as you rounded the corner to try a window you saw was cracked open just for the killer to jump out at you. You gasped and stepped back as they tried to slash you with the knife as you dropped the phone on the roof and lost your footing. Tumbling off the roof before barely catching yourself on the gutter. Your fingers and hands burned painfully from the impact as well as trying to hang onto the thin uncomfortable metal with your body weight. The hand you injured from the knife stab a decade ago hurt the worst. Tingling and burning as you desperately tried to hang on. 

You gasped looking up to see a knife and mask. The knife narrowly missed your hand as you let go and let yourself fall harshly onto the ground. Tumbling painfully before laying there a second from the impact. Robbie no longer screamed…Only the smell of flesh and hair and plastic burning as his body provided some fucked up bonfire in the front yard that blazed overtop a pile of dead leaves...And of course this house was about like Stu's with hardly any neighbors. Should've seen that a mile away.

"Shit…" You grabbed the knife from your boot and bolted, forcing your legs to move even if they didn't want to. Running back into the house before yelping at someone grabbing you. You went to stab them before she said, "No, no, no, no! Sorry, It's me." 

You lowered the knife as you saw Kirby. She drew you to a corner of the kitchen to quietly talk. "Look, I tried to call 911 but the landlines dead and someone smashed the router...And my cellphone is missing. I-I don't know, I think I lost it while running I don't understand. "  

Your mind raced with that.

But…Did she actually call 911? Or was she lying? Where had she been? Why didn't she go with you and Jill? Did she actually try to call or did she mess with the landline and wifi in her own house?...

You didn't have time to talk as you both heard heavy footsteps upstairs and Kirby opened the basement door and rushed you in, "Oh god. Go, go, go, go, go!" She urged before following after you and locking the door as you both quickly got down the steps as she informed you. "There's a room down here we can lock ourselves in. I heard you yelling at Jill; is she okay? Did she get away?" 

You both made it to the room as you told her, "She's safe but where's the others? Trevor, Charlie?" 

Kirby breathed out shakily. "I don't know." 

You hissed through your teeth. "Did Trevor or anyone have a shoulder or arm wound? I shot Ghostface in the shoulder tonight before they escaped the barn." 

Kirby mumbled, "I don't think so." All before locking you both in the dark room…Suddenly, you both gasped and jumped at a banging noise. Nearly jumping out of your skin as you instinctively wielded your small knife. You held your knife tightly as you both saw a bloody Charlie banging desperately on the glass door leading to the backyard.

"Kirby! Please, let me in!" 

"Charlie?" Kirby breathed out, going to the door…Her eyes darted to his bloody hand and arm. 

He looked where her eyes traveled and he shook his head. "N-No! I got attacked! Please, let me in!..." He kept banging his bloody hand on the glass while fearfully looking around. "Please! There is someone else out here, let me in! They burnt Robbie!...Jesus Christ, Kirby, they set him ablaze in the yard!" 

You saw Kirby ponder and you told her firmly. Already having your hunch. "If you can't trust him; don't open the door…"

Kirby looked taken aback by that realization. 

Charlie looked outraged on the other side of the glass. "My God! Let me in!" He begged Kirby with fear raising his voice a few octaves. "I don't know who's doing this but it's not me! Please!" 

Kirby swallowed but with a tense look told him. "...Get away from the door, Charlie." 

"Kirby! It's me!" Charlie whimpered with desperate pleas. 

Kirby had tears in her eyes, voice strained as she ordered him. "Get away from the door, Charlie!" 

Charlie's bloody hand slid down the glass as he cried out, "It's me! P-Please, Kirby! It's meee-" He whined the last part in a desperate sob. 

Kirby shook her head, tears welling in her eyes as her voice cracked. And in the tiniest, crackling voice she told him. "...I'm sorry, I can't…" 

You saw the struggle on Kirby's face. Trust no one…This could be a set up to make you trust her completely. You just stood back away from the door or windows with your knife ready. Back against the wall. Nothing behind the wall. Trust no one.

Charlie stepped away from the door into the porch light's view. "What the fuck?!" He yelled in outrage and disbelief. 

Suddenly, Ghostface appeared behind him as Kirby screamed, "LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!!" 

Killer grabbing Charlie and banging his head into the glass right over the bloody handprint he left. Smearing blood on the glass before dragging him away into the dark…

You and Kirby looked taken aback, both staring helplessly…Then suddenly, whoever was doing this shut off the outside light. It was pitch black both outside and in the room now as your eyes adjusted to the darkness surrounding you. Back against the wall as you swallowed hard and tried to get your mind in survival mode. 

And then…The lights turned on outside to see Charlie tied to a chair…So similar to the report of Steven Oarth's body found or that friend of the girl that worked for Randy. 

"Leave him alone!!" Kirby yelled, banging on the glass with teary eyes. "Damnit, leave him alone!" 

You stood back and watched in disbelief. Questioning everything. How did Charlie get tied up so easily? Was Kirby faking it? Where the hell is Jill? Where's Trevor? And now, you have no phone to call 911…It was on the roof…Then again, you called multiple times in 1996 that awful night and they didn't show up till a fire broke out...Apparently one body on fire in a leaf pile isn't enough. You felt cornered on your own here. The only thing driving you was to kill this Ghostface and find who they were. Honestly, at this point, in that order. Anyone dumb enough in this situation to run at you with that mask on deserved beat or stabbed and feel guilty about it later.

You saw Charlie bound and gagged in that chair. And you just stood in the darkness of the room helplessly watching. 

Kirby's phone rang. Charlie's contact as she answered. In the silence of the room, you could hear the Ghostface's voice on the line talk to Kirby. 

"Tell YN heads are gonna roll tonight! Tell YN this is all because of her! Or maybe she wants to take his place? I promise to be quick." 

You gritted your teeth hearing the sadistic excitement in their voice. Oh how much you wanted to yank that phone out of Kirby's hand and tell them to stop being a coward and come get you then…But you knew better. Instead, you whispered to Kirby, "Keep them talking." You knew it was most likely one of them or both of them…But it could be an outside influence, someone not necessarily in the group just like Neil was. 

Kirby tearily nodded as she sucked in a breath to keep Ghostface on the line as you snuck out of the dark room. 

—-------------------------------------

Kirby stood there as you left, shaking like a leaf. "Please, let him go." 

"I hear you like horror movies, Kirby. But do you like them as much as him?...Forget watching Stab. You get to live it!" 

Kirby's eyes widened, "No! Nononono, he's the expert, not me!" As she locked eyes with Charlie who struggled against his ties. 

"Warm up question: Jason's weapon?" 

Kirby fumbled at first in her fear stricken state. "Uuhhh, it's a machete." She released a small sniffle and touched her head.

"There, ya see? You do know the genre." The voice is entirely too sweet. Mocking her before snapping. "Michael Myers?!" 

"Uh, butcher knife." 

"Leatherface?!" 

"A Chainsaw! Please!" Kirby answered faster, desperate to save her friend as a small sob escaped her. 

"Just ask YN if you need some help. Freddy Krueger?!" 

"Uh, uh. Razor hands!" 

"Name the movie that started the Slasher craze. Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Last House on the Left, or Psycho?" 

"Psycho!" Kirby growled out through her teeth before the voice aggressively cut her off as Kirby kept pacing the doors window looking at Charlie. 

"NONE of the above! Peeping Tom 1960 directed by Michael Powe; first movie to ever put the audience in the killer's POV!" 

"Wha-" Kirby's breath caught in her throat as she clutched her head. "What? Please! Nononono, please just ask me one more question, just one more!" 

"...Alright Kirby. Then it's time for your last chance question …" The voice so sinister on the other line as Kirby softly cried to herself. "Name the remake of the groundbreaking horror movie in which the villain-" 

"Uh Halloween-" Kirby shook her head while frantically going over every horror remake she knew. "Texas Chainsaw, Dawn of the Dead, Hills have.. Eyes-" She scrunched her face forcing this out while trying to scrap her brain for every last straw she could grasp. "Uh Amityville horror, Last House on the Left, F-Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, My Bloody Valentine, When a Stranger Calls, Prom Night, Black Christmas, House of Wax, The Fog, Uh…Uh Piranha!...It's one of those, right? Right?!" She demanded while staring out the window at Charlie. 

…The line went dead silent. Everything stopped as the line was quiet, no attacks, no taunts. 

"I was right?" Kirby gritted her teeth to go outside. "I was fucking right." 

She opened the door, looked around, before rushing to her bound friend. "Hold on Charlie." She removed his tape from his mouth as he gasped and groaned at the feeling. Kirby quickly worked on untying him as she spoke. "He tried to trick me but I fucking won!" She smiled a bit as she got his hands free. Looking cautiously around herself in the dark as she tried to get the tape undone on his wrists and ankles. She helped him up and told him, "It's gonna be okay! It's-" 

"Kirby." He said her name like it was a chore. "This is making a move." 

Kirby gasped as she felt searing pain…A knife Charlie had hidden plunging deep into her abdomen. She choked on tears and air…And her eyes darted to the blood on his white shirt that he claimed was from an attack by the killer…It shifted as he stabbed and she saw a bloody gauze thickly wrapped up where the blood had soaked through from earlier…From us shooting him in the barn…She remembered him acting odd, noticing him wincing a bit when he sat down earlier but she thought it was nerves from stress…My God…It really was Charlie. 

He killed his best friend Robbie. He stole Robbie's Dad's Crossbow. He stabbed Gale. He killed Randy Meeks…It was him.

Kirby's teary eyes looked at him desperately for an answer to the madness as she choked on her sobs of pain. He jerked it back out. 

"Four years of classes and now you notice me?! All those times at the video store that you could talk Randy's ear off about horror movies like he's a fucking Messiah of horror while ignoring me?! All those years of teasing and leading me on in the friendzone and now you care?!" He demanded with angry tears in his own eyes as Kirby gripped his shoulder in pain gasping for air with wide eyes. Charlie yelled before plunging it back in her again. "Stupid bitch! It's too late!!" 

Charlie gripped onto Kirby as her body went lax. Tears and choked whimpers escaping her as the pain felt like shocks coursing through her. 

Charlie shhed her as he held her in a soft voice, "Shh, shhh. I know, I know. It's okay, take your time…Doesn't happen as fast in real life as it does in the movies, I know." 

He smirked a bit as Kirby could do nothing but feel pain as the shock of all this slapped her in the face… 

"C-C-Charlie…" 

He brutally killed Olivia to look like Tatum's death. He hosted the party. He massacred Randy. Stabbed Gale. Set his so-called best friend on fire…Now? He was stabbing her to death and killing their entire friend group plus YN. 

"Just like Sidney Prescott …Shh…I bet she suffered in that house, huh? Stab had her die instantly but I bet she gasped in pain too when Billy plunged his knife in her." He softly told Kirby. 

He then whispered something in Kirby's ear that made her eyes widen…

Kirby choked out pained gasps before Charlie shook his head and shoved Kirby off his knife to let her lay on the ground. Taking gasping breaths like a fish out of water as a pool of blood.

Charlie looked close to crying and ran a hand through his long hair while he stalked back to the house. The night wasn't over. 

—--------------------------------------

You tried to look for Jill, Trevor, your phone but couldn't find any. You put your small knife back getting  a much bigger one off the counter…Kitchen knife in hand and backup knife in your boot.

You came downstairs, that front door still open as you rounded the corner.   Opening the door to the bottom level Kirby was at last…But stopped yourself from calling out to her. It was too quiet…You wanted this Ghostface dead or caught. Wanted to help these kids. But everything in you screamed get in the car and get away. 

You took a steadying breath and backed up the stairs a few steps. Knife in hand, eyes darting before someone grabbed you in a chokehold so tight you gagged as your knife clattered down the steps and you were jerked backwards.

Charlie's arm had you in a tight grip with his knife at your face. Blood staining his white shirt…And he seemed in pain with the arm he was holding you with. Blood on the shoulder you shot. 

…You knew it. 

He was pressed against a wall as he mumbled in your ear, “You know you learn a lot when you watch movies over and over. All the plots are about to ridicule you…Think you're gonna get away? Think anyone gets away?” His lips near your ear as you gritted your teeth and slammed him back against a wall. 

As soon as he hit the wall he let you go and you grabbed your knife from your boot as you went to run out the door. You were getting out. You were outnumbered now. Just until help got here. 

…But you got intercepted…When someone plunged a knife deep into your stomach.

You had been shot and stabbed but never in your gut like that. It knocked the wind from you, your body freezing up in pain as you fell back against the staircase wall. A choking gasp escaped your lips as you clutched your stomach. You went to slash at them, jolted by the pain you felt the second you moved your arm as it radiated down to your abdomen. Ghostface easily smacked that small knife out of your hand.

It clattered to the ground feet away and you felt all air leave your lungs.

The Ghostface came towards you, lowering their knife before taking off that damn mask you learned to resent…

Long dark hair cascaded out first followed by a fair complexion and a smirk on full pink lips…And your mouth dropped.

…Jill.

You shook your head. Shocked because she wasn't even on Randy's radar. And then your face soured as you realized this was just a decade ago all over again. Another one of Sidney's family is either jealous or wanting revenge.

“Hello, Yn…” She tilted her head with a smirk. “Surprised?” 

She got inside her mask to show a small camera. “See this? This is the part where the cameras…” It beeped as she held it up smugly. “Turn off.” 

“Good.” Was the only thing you heard before a man's hand jerked her by the head and slammed her forehead against the staircase railing as she screamed in pain and anger. Billy had a firm grip on her hair.

“Jill!” Charlie went to defend her before Stu grabbed him by the throat and jerked him back.

 “Where you goin’?” Stu taunted. Knife jerking back ready to stab Charlie repeatedly at a moment's notice. “After party's just starting man. Pretty lame if you ask me. Mine was a rager.” Stu jeered with an insane grin.

You couldn't help the relieved smile as you clutched your bleeding abdomen…They actually came back for you. They heard your call and came back.

The sound of a knife jerking out of a pocket sounded as Billy readied his hunting knife. Jill cursed and struggled. “Time to join the other idiots.” He murmured.

Stu grinned, “Hell yeah, man! Number one, baby! We'll always be the one-” 

Right when Billy went to plunge his knife into Jill's side she jerked with a scream as he barely got her…Before a gunshot ran out and you saw Stu jerk back with a shocked expression on his face.

Charlie pulled out a gun leveled it behind him shooting again as Stu got shot right in his rib area jerking back from it before Charlie went to shoot again and Stu tripped backwards over a spare chair landing through the glass sliding door with enough force to fall through it.

“Motherfucker!” Billy hissed out ready to slit Jill's throat and Charlie quickly pointed the gun at us; grabbed us by the back of the neck.

Damn…This has happened too many times before.

“Let her go…Or YN dies.” Charlie mumbled, nervously licking at his lips as he fidgeted with you in his grip. You went to struggle, trying to elbow him and Charlie shoved it to your temple as you groaned in pain.

Billy really considered…He glared, Jill still in his grasp. Until Jill stabbed him in the leg. He yelled, accidentally letting her go as he clutched his thigh.

Charlie jerked you into the kitchen as Jill hissed, seeing a bit of blood where Billy barely stabbed her side before she kicked him to follow Charlie and You. “Move, asshole!” 

Billy growled in his throat as he readied his knife to stab the ever loving hell outta her before Charlie pointed his gun at him while still having a painful grip on you. “You heard her.”

Billy looked ready to take the risk, not one to back down but hearing Stu groaning in pain among the shattered pieces of glass on the porch and you yelping when Charlie shoved you with too much force into the counter. Right where your stab wound was…He relented. 

Walking as Jill told him. “Give me the knife.” 

“Bite me, bitch.” Billy scoffed. 

Charlie threatened with the gun again. “Come on, what's a knife gonna do with a gun anyways? Try to think.” 

Billy scowled before dropping the knife.

Jill smirked. “Not totally stupid. Now walk.” She ordered shoving him as Billy dragged himself forward with her knife leveled at him and her pocketing his for now. 

Jill called out Charlie's name as he forced Billy to stand beside you near the kitchen counter. “Already taken care of.” Charlie told her while shutting doors and she stood near you both with the knife. 

“Get that other douchebag for the line up.” She ordered.

Charlie went to Stu dragging him through glass by his ankles as Stu groaned in pain, teeth clenched. His shirt too dark and bloody to tell where he was shot before Charlie heaved him with a groan and shoved him up to stand. Then shoving him near the counter as Stu tried to swing on him and missed. Just hissing in pain as he caught himself next to Billy, and to your surprise, Billy instinctively reached out to steady him.

Charlie blew air past his lips with a smirk and showed a camera from his pocket. “Damn, he's a big boy, huh Jill?…And guess what? I got great footage of my Robbie kill. Better than Marnie or Olivia even.” 

“Good. We'll cut and upload it later to make it all traceable to Trevor.” Jill replied with the knife near your face.

You panted in pain while Billy stood near you leaning on the counter. His dark eyes scanning the room for any way to get leverage. Stu gripped the counter, sweating but looking murderously at both teens holding you all hostage right now.

If Charlie didn't have that gun? This would've been over with both of them dead. If YOU had your goddamn gun this could've been over before Billy and Stu even got here!

You stared at Jill, seething once the shock wore off realizing the last few days you and Randy were so nice to her; you were talking to the killer all along. Her and Charlie didn't seem to recognize Billy and Stu or if they did they weren't saying.

“Speaking of which-” Charlie opened the doors to the closet and dragged out Trevor who he threw on the ground bound and gagged with tape.

“Remind you of anything?” Charlie retorted towards you.

Yeah, did it ever. Only this time Billy and Stu were just as much victims as you were.

Charlie ripped the tape off as Trevor begged, “Jill pleas-” 

“Shut up!” She cut him off with a yell as she stripped herself of the Ghostface robe.

Charlie got closer towards you, blood on him. “See everything I learned I learned from you.” 

Stu shoved him away. “Get the fuck away from her, man.” He growled out in pain but this was a man that took so many stabbings when younger and still attacked you and flipped you both over a couch. 

Charlie scoffed but he knew who had the power right now as he smirked. But…He looked at Stu longer. Almost trying to connect the dots. 

Jill brought Charlie back as she mumbled, “Who are these guys anyways? Don't tell me they're your side pieces or something.” Jill jeered with a malicious smirk as you all said nothing. “You think my cousin Sidney had a shitty boyfriend, YN!? Here's one that fucks you, dumps you…And doesn't even make you famous.” She gave a wry smirk before kicking Trevor in his shoulder as he cried out.

Billy's eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared at hearing Jill was his old girlfriend's cousin. You could tell he wanted to kill her that much more. 

Trevor cried out, “The fuck, Jill!? I loved you!” 

Jill rolled her eyes, “Shut the fuck UP already!” Before kicking him multiple times as he yelled out in pain each blow.

Stu mumbled to Billy and you, “Mean ass girl, isn't she?” Sarcastically while he huffed and held his side in pain.

Billy asked, "How you holding up?"

"By my last bit of skin, man...Fuck. He got me in the side and lower belly." Stu huffed out in a wince.

"Fuck." Billy scoffed. "...You know what to do still?

Stu smirked, "Yeah..."

Charlie gave the gun to Jill, “I'm sure the cops would want you to have this, Jill. For your protection.” 

The second that gun wasn't aimed, Billy and Stu tried to charge Charlie for it. Their street smarts and instincts ready to attack in pain or not but before they could Jill stabbed you in the gut again and the most strangled cry escaped you. It hurt your throat to scream with such a primal pain and it instantly made Billy and Stu falter just enough for Charlie to aim the gun at them.

You cried, tears in your eyes at that god awful pain as you clutched your lower gut. 

Jill glared, “Do that shit again and I'll stab her in the throat.” She tilted her head. “Who are you anyways? Shouldn't you both be dead?” 

Billy and Stu had no choice but to back off. And when Jill said that…Charlie's entire demeanor changed. 

“Oh my God…No way…I-I thought you looked familiar but-” Charlie drew out like some star struck fan.

Jill's eyes widened too before she laughed loudly. “Shut the fuck up!...No way, Gale was right? Gale Weather's was actually right about you, YN!?” 

You sniffed back tears, gritting your teeth in contempt but not answering her. 

Charlie pointed the gun to each of them. “Bill Loomis…And Stu Macher. It's such a privilege to meet you two in the flesh!” 

Billy sneered at him, “Great, another dick rider.” He grumbled under his breath. 

Jill chuckled, “I can't believe it.” As even Trevor looked flabbergasted from the floor. “Wow, YN…Little Miss American Sweetheart is actually a treacherous lying snake. I mean, hiding two of the famous Woodsboro killers under everyone's nose and ruining Gale Weather's career over it?...Under different circumstances I'd applaud you.” 

Charlie looked momentarily freaked out. “Jill…Jill, what are we gonna do I mean…This changes our plans! I-” 

Jill took his gun. “Shhhh.” She softly told him in a way to calm him down. “It'll still work, Baby. Remember? I'm YN and you're Randy…Now, Trevor doesn't have to be Billy. We can work with this. I mean, who is going to question who the killers were with Billy and Stu here?” 

Charlie's breath hitched as he forced a smile. “And this time, Randy gets the girl.” 

She kissed him. Looking at you with the gun pointed the entire time.

Stu and Billy sneered. And the idea hit you. Charlie…Charlie you shot Charlie in the barn. He wants to be the ‘new Randy’...He was jealous and killed Randy because Randy got Kirby's attention, Randy was the movie expert, Randy was a cool nerd in school unlike Charlie. 

You shook your head in disgust. “You'll never be Randy…Do you hear me? He was better than you in every fucking way!” You forced out through tears and clenched teeth. They stopped kissing as you practically snarled at Jill. “And you will never be me! You're nothing but a jealous attention seeking litt-” 

You cried out as she pistol whipped you upside the face hard enough to jerk your head and taste blood in your mouth. Billy and Stu had to stop themselves from lunging at her, remembering the gun.

Jill looked at you with a glare as you coughed and wiped blood off your lip. Swearing she just knocked out a tooth. 

“Don't you get it? You're old news.” She gave plainly. 

You stood back up, blood on the corner of your lip as you tiredly clutched your stomach.

Trevor cried out from on the floor, “Jill, baby! Please, this isn't you!” 

Jill gave him a bored look. Leveling the gun at him and holding the knife towards you. You swore she was gonna shoot him but instead…She looked at Charlie.

“Charlie…Ya know, now with us being able to pin this on thee Billy Loomis and Stu Macher…Trevor's role can change. We don't need another Billy or Stu…But we need a James. I mean, every final girl needs some fucked up shit to happen to her like her boyfriend being mutilated. Media will eat that up.” 

Your eyes widened and you shook your head. 

Charlie even faltered a moment. 

Jill glared at him. “Do not chicken out on me now, Charlie!” 

Charlie just shook his head swallowing. “Not chickening out…Just gotta make sure we film this. Are we good on time?” He started putting the Ghostface outfit back on.

Jill smiled, “Oh yeah, we're perfect.” 

Trevor looked terrified and so did you as Charlie quickly threw Jill's outfit on, getting the mask off the counter and turned the inner camera on. He dropped down to Trevor and slid the knife threatenly over his neck. 

“D-Don't!” You begged on deaf ears as Trevor gave a blood curdling scream as Charlie started doing what Billy and Stu did to your boyfriend back in 1996 in that field. Billy and Stu seemed both unfazed or annoyed at best while you closed your eyes and covered your ears screaming over Trevor, “STOP IT!!” 

The sounds of him screaming in pain, flesh being ripped as Charlie pulled while sawing, the smell of blood. You felt ready to scream yourself as Billy to your shock drew you near with a hand on your shoulder protectively so you didn't do something stupid like lash out. Him and Stu watched the whole time. While this was the one traumatic thing that happened to you indirectly that you thankfully didn't see even if James was a shitty boyfriend. You closed your eyes and Billy had a death grip on you. You felt sick whether from bloodlose or this was debatable.

You shakily looked when the screams died down and wished you hadn't. Seeing Trevor bloody and half his face skinned off as he seemed to tremble and writhe as his body went into shock from the pain. You wanted to pass out or throw up and knowing Billy and Stu gleefully did this that night while calling you and…And hearing James sobbing and begging you to help him.

Billy's grip tightened on your shoulder as if he knew. His eyes narrowed. Stu tried inching towards a door and Jill shot the gun near the door as everyone flinched or ducked.

She said nothing, not wanting her voice on camera. As Charlie peeled his face the rest of the way off then stabbed him from sternum to groin as he choked and jerked and spasmed in pain on the floor.

And Jill just numbly watched…Watched a boy that loved her get this done to him.

Charlie took off the mask and shut off the camera with a bewildered smirk. “Holy shit…That was awesome.” He held up Trevor's face. “Hey, YN; wanna reenact TCM 2?” And tried to threatenly put Trevor's face on yours as you instinctively hid in Billy's chest. Trying to face away with an uncharacteristic whimper at what you were just forced to see. Like you were a scared teen girl all over again.

“I will staple that face to yours if you even try it! It'll be one hell of an improvement!” Stu jeered and weakly shoved him back as Billy put an arm over you.

 However, Billy gripped you and forced you to turn around. You knew it was his way of silently telling you to be strong and you forced yourself to not look at Trevor or the face in Charlie's hand and instead glared at Jill. Feeling weak with blood loss and yet you had so much hate for her. 

Jill smiled, “Now THAT is going to get views.” She looked at you. “See with you the world just heard about what happened but with us…They're gonna see it. It's gonna be a worldwide sensation. I mean, people gotta see this shit!” Jill chuckled. “It's not like anyone reads anymore.” 

Charlie took off the glove and showed you guys a video of…Of Randy being killed. Of him on the ground backpedaling with an arrow in him. All alone in the dark. 

“No please! Don't-” He got cut off choking in pain as he was stabbed repeatedly. “D-Don't hurt them…Don't hurt my kids and wife…D-D-Don't hurt YN…Please-” He pleaded with blood near his mouth before screaming in pain again as Charlie stabbed him repeatedly and the video cut off…To a close up of him hanging…Still twitching barely alive as he hung there…Guts out.

Tears welled in your eyes as your breathing got shallow. You were trembling with so much rage and mind shattering devastation. Seeing your best friend in his final moments tonight in pain begging for his life…For yours even after your argument. Even after everything he didn't hate you.

“...I'm gonna kill you…You goddamn pieces of shit…” You forced out shakily through your teeth as tears rolled down your cheeks. “I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!!” Billy and Stu had to jerk you back, Billy the least injured having you in almost a headlock before you got shot. 

Jill laughed, “God, you are so dramatic! So that goody two shoes love and peace for all; is that some PR move or-” She mocked as Billy jerked you and you were trying to fight him even in ungodly pain to get to her or Charlie.

“Stop! Now!” Billy ordered in your ear. “...We'll get them…” He reassured while still holding you back as you stopped struggling and glared daggers at them both tears rolling down your face.

Charlie informed you. “Stole Robbie's Dad's crossbow. I mean that guy on Walking Dead just gave me major ideas and Robbie also…Lured Randy back to the party by recording you and Kirby. Poor kid had no idea he was helping me get Randy tonight. Jill took care of things at her house and Kirby's phone.” 

You could only glare at him.

Jill told you. “We're gonna have fame you never even dreamed of.” 

Charlie looked at Jill in adoration. “You were the perfect victim, Jill.” 

Jill laughed like a teen girl getting away with sneaking out past curfew while Trevor bled out on the floor. “I was SO believable today, wasn't I? I mean, I told so many lies that I actually started to believe them…I really think that I was born for this.” 

Stu huffed, looking tired and woozy himself. “Congratulations.” He sarcastically monotoned. 

You got away from Billy as he let you go and you demanded weakly, “How could you do this?...Sidney-” 

“Shut up!” Jill demanded, her smiling dropping. “Do you even know what it was like in this family being related to Sidney Prescott?! Sidney this and Sidney that and Sidney, Sidney, Sidney! She was always just SO FUCKING SPECIAL!” She screeched.  “And then you…” She pointed the knife at you. “I hated you just as much. What? You survive bad luck and get all this attention? Big house somewhere, never have to work, all these interviews and book deals because your life was hard?...You had your 15 minutes of fame NOW I WANT MINE!” She yelled.

Billy groaned as Stu tiredly mumbled to him. “Told you. Fame. You owe me 50 bucks.” 

You ignored them and stared at her, shaking your head mumbling. “You'll slip. They always do.” 

Jill gave a wry smirk, looking back at Billy and Stu who technically did get away with it before saying, “Come on Charlie, let's get this over with.” 

Stu was losing a lot of blood and so were you as you both gripped the counters and Billy wasn't able to run. You all were pretty much sitting ducks right now.

Charlie handed Jill the knife. He started breathing puffs of air out of his mouth, bouncing on his feet as Jill told him loudly, “You've gotta be strong…And hold still! Okay?” 

He nervously breathed, “Old School, like Billy and Stu.” 

Billy made a face and Stu despite his condition let out a mocking laugh. Billy added over Stu's laughter, “That's right, real deep too. Don't be pussies now in front of your idols-”  

Charlie closed his eyes saying “Come on, get it up-” Before slapping himself across the face multiple times.

Stu laughed silently hanging his head and leaning on the counter for support.

You stood there thinking you felt like you were in a Twilight Zone right now or a damn insane asylum from back in the day while Stu and Billy had sadistic grins on their faces eager to see some ‘fan’ that gave them injuries get stabbed.

Charlie smacked his shoulder shakily yelling at Jill, “Shoulder me, shoulder me! Come on! GET IT UP-” 

You gasped with a slight satisfaction yourself when Jill plunged the knife right into his chest. Billy went from watching with interest to smirking with a dark look in his eye and Stu through his sweat and pain grinned ear to ear.

Charlie choked a gasp, holding his bleeding chest. “The heart?!- T-That's not how we rehearsed it!” 

You finally spoke with an edge to your voice. “You said it. Billy and Stu…If Trevor became James. And Robbie was supposed to be Stu…” 

Jill smirked to herself seeing it dawn on Charlie. She told him, “I know it's going against the script…But this is a franchise. Not a remake. And what the media loves is a sole survivor.” She whispered cruelly. “Robbie was your partner. Both of you jealous little outcasts but you…You were the idea man.” 

She plunged the knife in again as Charlie gasped harshly falling to his knees. Hyperventilating as he bled. Shock written all over his face before collapsing in a pathetic heap on the ground. 

You didn't care if it made you a monster too…There was some satisfaction. Especially when you remembered what he showed you on that phone. “You'll never be Randy, Charlie.” Was the last thing you said as Stu almost gave a little hollar of glee and Billy chuckled under his breath watching Charlie be betrayed and now only seconds from dying.

You glanced at Jill holding your stomach and like Stu things were getting blurry for you. “So…You killed all your friends…Now what?” You asked the bigger picture of what happens when all this is said and done.

Jill glared at you. “My Friends?” 

She walked up to you and Billy and Stu tensed up a bit. It was 3 against 1. 2 grown men, a grown woman and one teen girl…Problem was 1 grown man looked ready to pass out, the grown woman wasn't far behind him, the other grown man had a fucked up leg now that couldn't move as fast and the little teen bitch from hell still had the gun.

“What world are you living in? I don't need friends, I need fans ….DON'T YOU GET IT!?” She snapped at you. “This has never been about killing you…This is about becoming you. I mean for fucksake all my friends and boyfriend had to die.” 

“And your mother?” You asked, trying to be brave but staring crazy in the face again after so long…Worked on your mind.

“Collateral damage.” She mused with nothing in her dark eyes…Just nothing. “That's sick right? Well, sick is the new sane.” She whispered with a small smile eyeing you.

Even Billy and Stu didn't kill their own parents.

“You had your 15 minutes now I WANT MINE!” She yelled in your face. “I mean, what am I supposed to do? Go to college, grad school, work? Look around. We're all in the public eye now, we're all on the internet…How do you think people become famous anymore!? You don't have to achieve ANYTHING!” She gestured to you. “You just gotta have fucked up shit happen to you.” 

You stared at her in shock at her logic of wanting to be you. To have your life. To want to be the victim, to want to have people whisper about you or treat you horribly or treat you like glass. To have a target on your back forever.

All of this…ALL of this pain…Because some brat wanted attention and to get by easy in life?

Billy and Stu looked just as bewildered as you. Stu finally gave a humorously dry chuckle while trying to breathe, still holding his wounds. “I mean…Okay idea but-” 

She instantly shot him.

You froze as Stu got shot somewhere in the abdomen and went flying back. Billy went to lunge at Jill and got shot as well. He growled in pain and hit the counter. Wincing and slipping on his bloody palms trying to keep himself up. Stu laid limply and you tried not to hyperventilate at how messed up this was becoming because of one damn girl. Stu groaned on the ground coughing as he weakly held himself.

Jill laughed, “I WAS going to kill you all and blame Charlie and Trevor or Charlie and Robbie but now?...No…I think it doesn't matter if these two idiots live. Great! Because no one will question it. NO ONE. Billy Loomis and Stu Macher survived? They clearly did this and almost killed a poor innocent girl after slaughtering her friends.” 

You shook your head with fearful tears in your eyes. Billy glared daggers at her sneering, “You dumb little fuck…You think I'm going down after 15 years?!” He grabbed a kitchen knife and took the risk of throwing it. 

It went right into the arm that held the gun as she screamed and he instantly with his adrenaline pumping tried to grab it…You went for it too this time to help him instead of the other few times.

You gasped as a sharp painful cry escaped him…Jill stabbed him in the abdomen and jerked sideways. 

“Billy!-” You went to attack her too, hoping for an opening. ANYTHING! You were gonna die and-

She jerked the knife out of her arm with an almost enraged scream and stabbed you when you least expected it. She made it look like you had an opening to grab that gun and maybe you did? But her determination was just that much stronger.

She plunged the knife deep into you as you saw Billy had tried to get up multiple times and kept slipping while trying to hold his own wound close and slumped down gasping for air…Stu wasn't moving from what you could see…And you just got stabbed again. Deep. Blood spurted over your hand. This felt higher than before.

“Sorry, there's only room for one final girl and let's face it…Your time's up.” She looked so pleased with herself. So giddy as you collapsed onto your stomach.

You laid there trembling, barely breathing with your eyes wide open in fear. You heard footsteps seeing Jill walking away.

Billy looked just as bad but your eyes locked with each other on the kitchen floor. “B-B-Bill-” You couldn't even get his name out.

He shhed you. Cringing and as quietly as he could gritted his teeth to drag himself over to you as Jill started going ahead and hurting herself…Absolutely trying to kill herself by stabbing you hitting her head on a glass picture frame while yelling in pain. Trying to make it all look like she was brutally attacked.

Billy shhed you again when tears started falling from your eyes…After so long of being numb…You didn't wanna die. 

“I'm…I'm scared…Billy-” You just admitted it. Trembling like a scared child while bleeding out on the ground. Things were getting harder to focus on as he laid next to you on his back to keep his guts from pressing against the gash. 

You never thought you'd ever give him the satisfaction. Not at that shed, not in your house, not in the closet, Stu's house, Windsor, the motel- Never thought you'd give him the satisfaction of admitting you were scared of dying but you were.

Your hand trembled uncontrollably and he shhed you again. Weakly telling you, “Hey…Shh…It's alright…Don't cry, she'll hear you. If she stabs us in the head or throat or heart we're done, kid.” 

You shook your head trying not to sob as your head felt like you were gonna faint. 

“You're tough. Okay?...You can do this…You've always been a tough bitch to beat…I should know…Don't let that brat win. Don't let me or Stu win either…” He told you with heavy tired eyes. His head lolling to the side to gaze at you. Both of you held eye contact before he reached out and so did you.

“Billy…I-...I never meant…I always wanted-” You knew what you wanted to say but…Getting it out.

He stopped you with another soft shh and held your hand. He held it tight. His own fear of dying present but his urge to put on a brave face for his ego…For you too; was stronger. It's like he knew what you meant and he released a soft breath of air as if a giant weight was off his shoulders.

“Mine…” He mumbled with a small tired smile. “You've always been mine…” And then his eyes just…Closed.

Mark entered your mind and you couldn't control the small whimper as you trembled Jill crashing into things in the background.

“...Billy?” You whispered. Trying to move but couldn't as you held his hand so tight it hurt. “Billy, wake up. Please…” You whimpered as you were so tired…So so tired.

The last thing you saw was black…And glass shattering as Jill threw herself on the coffee table…And then sirens outside.

[web-novel-polls]

ORV Constellations Tournament Submissions

Last Checked: November 4th, 2024 - Please check the original post for updates

Submissions Close Date: TBD

Rules:

Must be from ORV / Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint or an ORV-based OC. They do not have to be from canon 

One constellation per response. Submit as many responses as you want

Constellations listed within examples/questions are not already included nor do they have priority

If unsure about anything, just write "unsure" or something like that. Submissions won't be rejected if there's missing info; I just need something to call them at the very least 

Lying is allowed because it’s ORV, and I think dishonesty is a virtue (<-lying)

Tournament Tag: #orv constellations tournament

Submissions

(Major spoilers below!)

Cheok Jungyeong / Goryeo's First Sword 

Cheok Jungyeong gazed at the night sky through my eyes. I could feel the explosive emotions mixed in the silence. Cheok Jungyeong's rage and sadness. His grief… And… his decision.  [You can feel proud.]  Cheok Jungyeong spoke to me.  [Those who are at the highest point in this damn world are afraid of you.]  "…What is pride worth when I am going to die?"  [You won't die.]  They were just words, but they were words spoken by a constellation.  As if putting a buoy against fate, all the stories built by Cheok Jungyeong were rooted in my existence.  [I won't let you die.] - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Chapter 176

Nebula: Hongik

Submission 1: I LOVE HIM IDC I CAN'T EXPLAIN RIGHT NOW

Submission 2: The one who always has kimcom's back, from very early on. He puts himself on the line for those incarnations while others turn away 

Submission 3: he shows up to look broody, kill on Kim Dokja's command, then dip 

Director of the False Last Act 

Nebula: Kimcom / Kim Dokja’s Company 

Submission: This is my favorite OC!!!!!!! She's really cool and powerful and swag and is friends with Kim Dokja Company. She can command Yoo Joonghyuk to do her bidding and even was engaged to him once :) 

Galileo / Another One Bites the Dust

No propaganda submitted

Kim Dokja / Oldest Dream

Nebula: Kimcom / Kim Dokja’s Company

Submission: I love the concept of Oldest Dream so much that if I had a physical copy of ORV i would be biting the novel right now <3 

Lame Trickster

Nebula: Unknown

Submission: I just think the one legged swift horse stigma is kinda funny. Imagine you're basically like a god and your special god skill is you can run away super fast. You bestow your super skill onto the human that has earned your respect and favour (now he can run away super fast too). Amazing

Loki / Constellation Who Likes to Change Sex

Nebula: Asgard

Submission: [The constellation who likes to change sex is changing your sex] 

Master of Steel

Submission: a quiet supporter died also rather forgotten death. sacrificed himself for kimcom ;-; 

No Stranger to Love

Submission: He just wants to turn everything into a romance, and I think that's beautiful

Samyeongdang / Bald General of Justice

Nebula: Hongik 

Submission: haha. bald

Sigmund Freud / Discoverer of the Subconscious

Submission: it's funny what more could you want

Image Link

Surya / Supreme God of Light

Nebula: Vedas

Submission: he's so cool tbh, i hope his design will bang 

Uriel / Demonic Judge of Fire

Nebula: Eden 

Submission 1: she loves so much, so bright, so burning. 

Submission 2: I want to make sure my girl is in the brackets. She is really really cool and also very powerful. She also canonically mixed up the metaphor about calling followers "sheep" and she just brought sheep in Eden.

Submission 3: She's just like me fr 

Yoo Junghyuk / Secretive Plotter

Submission: 

does an outer god who was assumed to be a constellation for majority of plot counts? either way, he's one of the OGs four of kdj's channel

[gayuu-the-necromancer]

William Rex Madness Route - Chapter 23

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Grimsley: "You mean, her Majesty has heard my plea....?"

Grimsley muttered contentedly as the carriage rocked along the cobbles, his fingertips brushing the grips of his cane.

The two escorts flanked on either sides, their hats were pulled over, completely covering the upper portion of their faces.

Alphonse: "Do you need escorts when coming to see her Majesty?"

Grimsley: "I can't be sure that I won't be attacked by those monsters on the road."

Grimsley: "Beasts that should be kept in chains, using her Majesty's authority as an umbrella...to attack me, her loyal subject."

Grimsley: "And now that she knows, her Majesty has finally realised her great mistake....hm?"

The rattling sounds of the wheels become rougher and rougher.

Grimsley soon realized that they were heading in the opposite direction rather than the central London City area,

Grimsley finally starting understanding what's going on.

Grimsley: "Hey, you're going the wrong way."

Grimsley yells at the coachman and bangs on the front window with his cane.

The carriage doesn't stop, as if the coachman could not hear them.

Grimsley: "Hey....! What's going on!?"

Alphonse: "Calm down. Her Majesty is waiting for you."

Grimsley: "....If you're lying, I'll kill you."

Alphonse: "Ahaha! Please don't worry."

Alphonse: "....I hate lies myself."

The carriage drove through the rough roads for a while, finally stopped in front of a deserted area.

Grimsley: "You guys step out first."

Letting his pride overwhelm him, Grimsley tapped his escorts with his cane and gave them instructions.

......The door of the church opened slowly, making a loud sound.

Grimsley: ".....Hey you! Her Majesty is----!"

At the sight that awaited him, Grimsley snarled in exasperation.

William: "Good evening, Grimsley."

William: "How are you feeling?"

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(....So that's Grimsley)

He's dressed in aristocratic, sumptuous clothing and his austere face is adorned by a magnificent moustache.

If one walked by him in the corridors of the palace, they might be nervous at the sight of his majestic appearance.

He let the two physically superior escorts stand front of him like a wall.

Grimsley looked pitifully small now, cowering in the gap, trying not to make eye contact with William.

Grimsley: "So you're a 'cursed one' too, huh...!"

Grimsley glares hatefully at Mr. Alphonse for leading him here.

Alphonse: "Fufu....was it your first time? Riding with a monster?"

Mr. Alphonse closed the church door slowly with a sneer on his face.

In the darkness of the church, darker and blacker than the darkness were the eight shadows glaring at him...

They quietly stared at the man.

As if not letting their captured prey, escape.

By blocking all the escape routes------

-----To bring justice.

(.....Just like the night I met them)

What is different from that night is that I am standing in the same darkness as them, staring into their eyes.

To write down all their 'evil'.

"To protect William, who is 'evil'.

I stand beside William in the darkness.

William: "Are you ready?"

Kate: "Of course."

-----Options-----

No regrets

I know what I want to do.

Rest assured.

------

Kate: "I know what I want to do, so there is no hesitation."

William: "-----I knew it."

Grimsley: "Tsk----!"

Grimsley ran into the shadow of a pillar to escape William's blood-coloured eyes.

The two remaining escorts hold their guns without avoiding William's gaze.

(....? Something's weird)

(Grimsley's reaction tells us that he knows about William's abilities)

(Then why aren't the escorts hiding....?)

William, too seems to have noticed the discomfort and opens his mouth to test something.

William: "Put down your guns"

Escort: "..............."

(Nothing happened....?)

The two escorts were not moving at all and I was surprised to hear Grimsley's proud laughter.

Grimsley: "Did you think I had taken no precautions against your abilities?"

Grimsley: "For commanding people to do what you say, you need them to see your face and hear your voice, right?"

Grimsley: "But what if they can't see your face or hear a single word you say?"

(....That means)

Horrifying thoughts flood my mind, and I strain my eyes.

Hidden by their large hats, which could not be seen clearly......was...

A bandage with a reddish-black stain seemed to be wrapped around their eyes and ears.

(They are deaf as well----?)

William: "....That's so nasty."

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Grimsley: "Hah! You're a monster, you know that? Their job is to be my shields."

Grimsley: "I saved a cash-strapped fallen aristocrat with a contract that allowed me to do whatever with the lives of his second and third son as I pleased."

Grimsley: "It is up to me what I do with the life that has been offered in return for the mercy I have shown to someone."

(This man I swear...he used the lives of innocents as if they were tools, just to lure William out)

(Not only that, even the people beside him...they are only seen as a tool for his own gain)

The ruthlessness of the act arouses more anger than fear.

(He did this to you...so, why are you following his orders....?)

I couldn't understand how the escorts feel, so I stare into the dark night.

(Ah......)

I see now. They were so overwhelmed by helplessness that they had resigned themselves to not feel anger or even sadness.

Those were the eyes of people that killed their own heart.

William: "............"

Grimsley pounded on the church floor with the tip of his cane.

The vibrations may have been a signal for the escorts to fire.

(.....!)

The bullet ricocheted at the feet of William, who did not move an eyebrow.

(I-I....I couldn't move quickly....!)

(But....)

Escorts: "Ngh...."

The bodies of the escorts leans back, perhaps because of the pain from the reaction to the wounded ear.

William: "....If you damage the inside of the ear, you lose your sense of balance. If your balance is impaired, your aim will be less accurate."

William: "To reduce their talents just to kill me...how stupid."

Grimsley: "If I kill you now, I don't care about the rest!"

Grimsley: "If a piece is no longer usable, I'll just replace it."

(...This man)

Staring hard at that the pillar, I endured my simmering anger.

Th escorts, unable to resist the inhumane treatment, simply do as they are told, which is frustrating and painful.

(If they could speak up right now)

(They must want to shout out loud. That they don't want to do this)

William: "Liam, Harrison, restrain the guards."

Liam: "Okay! Leave it to me."

When William calls out into the darkness, a florid voice comes from somewhere.

Escort 1: "......Nn...Ah!?"

One is bound from behind by something invisible.

Harrison: "It would have been nice to threaten them with a gun and tell them not to move, but...what's the point if they can't hear or see us?"

Escort 2: "!? Ah..."

The other was struck in the back of the head by Harrison who had crept up behind him.

Harrison: "I didn't mean to be rough, so please don't take it personally."

｡⋆｡˚🦋˚｡⋆｡

The two escorts were laid on the church benches.

Ellis: "What do we do with them?"

William: "Well, give them proper treatment."

Jude: "Ha!?"

Jude: "They have been complicit in your assassination and have tortured civilians."

William: "But they don't seem to have the will to trample on other's freedom themselves."

William: "To me, they're are also a victim, who was being continuously.....trampled."

William: "Right now, there is no way to question them about the truth or falsity of my predictions. Therefore, their verdict is on hold."

Those who have been deprived of their freedom and have their diginity trampled upon are the objects of William's love, whatever their position might be.

His love, is like a rain of grace, which falls wherever it wants.

Jude: "What if these recovered guys are the same scum as Grimsley?"

William: "Then I will condemn them again."

Jude: "Tch....what a selfish judgement. This is why I can't stand you."

(Yes, it's selfish. He can either save or kill someone according to how he feels)

(But I know that there are people out there who are saved by that selfishness....I know)

(And because William is like that)

(----And that we can never forgive the likes of Grimsley)

Grimsley: "You useless idiots...!"

Grimsley, who remained hidden behind a pillar, seemed to be floundering, having lost his protective shield.

Grimsley: "Her Majesty....that's right, her Majesty will know about this!"

Grimsley: "Although I have resigned from the Privy Council you would still be committing a high treason if you lay your hands on me, a loyal subject of her Majesty's....!"

William: "Fortunately for us, Majesty herself gave us these orders."

Grimsley: "W-What...."

A slight tinge of despair begins to creep into the impatient voice.

Grimsley: "Wha...b-but..why...!?"

William: "That will become clear when you look back at what you have done."

William: "You had the 'butterflies' take away the freedom of the 'have-nots' and exploiting them to the point of silencing them..."

William: "You planned to capture innocent civilians, torture them and even accuse them of murder."

William: "Also from the way you treated your men...I'd say that's more than enough crimes to execute you."

Grimsley: "How can one steer a nation if they're so preoccupied with petty sacrifices like that....!?"

Grimsley: "It's no wonder that in this capital city of the UK, with its ever-growing populations, the inferior people are dying!"

Grimsley: "This is all a cleansing mechanism to keep our country from going to poverty! What's wrong with making good use of lives that would otherwise be left to die in the field!?"

Grimsley: "Unlike you, who goes around mercilessly killing important people who have a stake in national politics...."

Grimsley: "You are the criminals who are disrupting this country! I am trying to save Britain!"

William: "...Hehehe..AHAHAHA!"

William laughed manically at Grimsley's 'justice is mine' temper tantrum.

Grimsley: "W-What are you laughing for!?"

William: "If you say you're saving our country..."

William: "Then why are you hiding behind a pillar?"

Grimsley: ".....You son of a---!!"

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Grimsley: ".....You son of a---!!"

The sound of a gun being fired was heard as an agitated and enraged Grimsley raised his gun.

(That's dangerous----!)

I leap in front of William, who was standing next to me.

William: "Kate, get down."

Kate: "....!"

An arm went behind my back and around my stomach, pulled me to crouch down.

(Nn....!!)

The first shot made a loud noise and shattered the stained glass windows of the church----

Under the pouring rain of glass, the sound of several bullets popping off here and there continues.

Kate: "...William, you're okay, right!?"

William: "Yeah. I wonder if he left his brains behind at the Privy Council, firing his gun while hiding behind a pillar."

William: "This beautiful church, it's now gonna be covered in all bullet holes."

Kate: "That's what you're worried about....?"

We hid myself behind the lectern and peeked to see what's going on.

Grimsley was still hiding behind the pillar.

William: "We have the advantage in numbers and he has no retreat routes. He also has limited ammunition."

I listen to William's calm voice and try to calm my own racing heart.

Kate: "...He fired 3 bullets...right now, right?"

William: "Four. Two more to go. Let's just wait until he runs out of bullets."

William: "Then, Roger and Ellis will trap him from both sides."

(I see...if that's the case, then I feel a little relieved)

(If it's those two, then they will be fine----)

Grimsley: "ARGHHHH!!!"

Kate: "!?"

William: "......!"

Suddenly, Grimsley's unhinged cry echoed through the church.

Before I could even process----

Kate: "Ah!?"

Two shots rang out, and part of the lectern, where I had taken cover, burst open.

(That was close....!)

The flying pieces of wood catch my eye and I can't help but close my eyes.

(That was two shots! This is no time to close my eyes....!)

Kate: "William...! ....Are you alright....?"

I forced my eyes open to look back at William.

William: "...You look like a baby chick trying to find her parents...how cute."

Yoshino: "....Thank god...."

I felt relieved.

William: "Looks like something got in your eyes. Let me see."

He immediately lifted my chin.

Then a large shadow falls in the corner of my eye.

(Eh.....?)

The sound of something wooden breaking is heard and it falls towards me.

(Oh no!)

Before I could process, my body was moving.

Kate: "William....!"

Madness route - Chapter 24

[no-where-new-hero]

On this fine Sunday afternoon, I shall sit down with my scripture (Emily of New Moon) and perform my devotions (catch up on book club commentary). In the interest of space, I'll try to keep this short.

Chapter 9: A Special Providence

The knack of turning this novel epistolary with the Father letters is one of LMM's best narrative decisions because she is, at heart, a voice writer, and I just saw in the lovely interview on craft that @gogandmagog posted that LMM loved writing in first person despite discouragement from her editors, so this way she gets to have her cake and eat it too. She also establishes Emily as a woman of text, specifically, as opposed to Anne, who got away with first person narration through non-stop chatter. Emily as a character is much quieter and more introverted, so her ability to blither through letter-writing kills many birds with one stone. It's also astronomically funny.

"I felt so insulted that I came up to the garret and wrote a deskription of myself being drowned on a letter-bill and then I felt better." Legitimately, Emily has died so much in her imagination in the course of nine chapters. You'd think her self-dramatization would be for good things, but no, she gets her revenge on people through self-destruction. Which is very funny as a child but also sets up her depressive nature as an adult very well.

Chapter 10: Growing Pains

Reading Rhoda's betrayal hurts every time! Also since the last time I read this, I went through a Rhoda experience of my own, soooo yeah not fun. Interestingly, I think Rhoda is the only one who gets a definite birthday other than Emily in the whole book. She doesn't reflect well on Cancers 💀

"Just cut a good big bang. Lots of the girls have their hair banged clean from the crown of their heads." This description always confused me because that kind of style sounds like a description of the "Dutch boy bob" that only came into fashion 30 years later (in the 20s). Also when I Googled hair being "shingled" it's basically also a bob? Maybe more of what we'd consider a pixie cut today, though it seems to be referred to as a "shingle bob" and therefore close enough to what Emily would have wanted. (I am a bit obsessed by how the "Pringle shingle" anticipated the 90s Winona Ryder style pixie cut craze). Though of course Aunt Elizabeth wouldn't have done this cut with any style in any case lol.

Chapter 11: Ilse

Emily aka Jane Eyre fanfiction strikes again. This is, though, a rare instance of New Moon itself being hostile to Emily in a way that isn't ever shown elsewhere. Though the house represents the motherliness that Emily lacks from people, it also has its dark patches that Emily must rebel against, though she only thinks she rebelling against Aunt Elizabeth.

Oh, Ilse my beloved. She has many endearing lines that show the depth of her neglect, but I think this one hit most for me this time: "And you won't be ashamed of me because my clothes are always queer and because I don't believe in God?" I also love how both she and Emily know exactly what their futures will be at this moment and both succeed in them.

Chapter 12: The Tansy Patch

I never focus much on the descriptions in this book because they come thick and fast, but I noticed this time how many flowers grow around the Tansy Patch, nearly suffocating the built structures. This is a place of surface beauty if festering neglect--much like Mrs. Kent's treatment of Teddy.

"He washes the dishes for her and helps her in all the house work. Ilse says the boys in school call him sissy for that but I think it is noble and manley of him." LMM saying fuck gender roles.

"I guess Ilse wants Teddy to like her best but she is not a jellus girl." The love triangle begins.

"I read the story of Red Riding Hood to-day. I think the wolf was the most intresting caracter in it. Red Riding Hood was a stupid little thing so easily fooled." RIP Emily Starr, you would have loved Angela Carter.

Reader, I did not keep this short. Second post incoming soon.

[image-thot]

Information

This blog is mainly a nsfw one so No Minors allowed

About me:

Just a not-so-casual Aussie nerd who likes to read, write, draw and use maths for degenerative things. I like to push the limits on the themes I write for, so heed the warnings on my post as they are there for a reason! I have an army of birds and we will eventually conquer the world once they stop killing my wallet. Ao3 (Everything I write is almost always posted here) Twitter Tiktok

Do you want a transformer's spike and valve Measurement? Check out the Spike & Valve Master List

Request info:

Status: Open (always open for spike and op men measurements)

Writing Requests open for Transformers and One Piece requests.

When Requesting Please Include:

Character and Contenuity

What the reader is (e.g. human/cybertronian, gender etc)

Brief Description of what you want ( nsfw/sfw, could be listing kinks or a scenario.) If you don't list what you want I will take creative liberty and write something of my choice with that character

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Dick, Spike, Transfluid, Valve Calculations (make sure to check the list before requesting :D)

nsfw and sfw

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I don't judge, if you have something that isn't on the No's but not on the Do's send it in! I learn what I do and don't like to write via writing and if it's not up there, then I haven't had the opportunity to write it. If you're unsure send an ask in and I'll let you know if I will or won't write it.

Master List 2024

Caution when looking at the works! Like most of my works, they tend to be on the nsfw, darker and non-con side so read their tags before reading the stories.

One Piece

Dick mesurements - Kaido, Katakuri and King

Transformers

Tfp

Soundwave x reader x Shockwave: For the Cause (a/b/o) Soundwave x Reader: Whatever He Wants (Dubcon)

Rotb

Mirage x reader: Throw Him off his rhythm Does it count as peeping? Don't look down

Idw

Scavengers x oc/reader -Slip slip bang bang Chapters: 1, 2 Shockwave x Firstaid - Two face (Non-con, gore) Kaon x reader: Torture and Training Tarn x reader: Play Along

Cyberverse

Yandere Starscream Yandere Shockwave, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Preceptor Soundwave x reader x Soundblaster - Watch Me take everything (Non-con) Soundwave x reader: More Than I Can Say (Dubcon)

G1

Yandere Soundwave x Cassette Reader x Rumble & Frenzy (non-con)

War for Cybertron

Soundwave x reader x Soundblaster -More than A Screw Loose Chapters: 1, 2,

Earthspark

Soundwave x reader: The Experiment (a/b/o) Shockwave x reader: All for what? Part 1 Part 2 (Dubcon)

Thots Hot Spike Reviews

Rodimus - Sisi_Esprit Shattered Glass - Bad Dragon Rumble - Exotic Erotics

Resources

Spike size guide Transfluid guide The how's and why's of spike sizing

Blood of Zues

Song of Dogs - Ares x Reader x Hermes Chapter: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Bad Batch

Headcanons

First Meeting Nsfw Alphabet: Hunter Tech, Wrecker Platonic Yandere

Walking in on them 

Dark overprotective/possessive 

Series

Things that Lurk on the holonet (tech non-con) Chapters: 1, 5, 72, 3, 4, 

Oneshots

Cody x Hunter (non-con) Tech x Reader (non-con) Cody x Crosshair (non-con)

Clone Wars

Headcanons

Yandere: Rex, Cody, Fives, Echo, Jesse, Dogma

Oneshots

Fox x oc (non-con)

Neyo x oc (non-con)

Wolfe x oc (non-con)

Waxer & Biol x oc(non-con)

DC

Billy Wintergreen x reader (non-con)

Deathstroke x reader -Don’t Shoot The Shooter Chapter: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Death Stroke Nsfw alphabet

Readhood x reader 

Doom Patrol

Larry Headcanons

Meeting for the First time Accidently Hurt

Touch affectionate s/o

Cuddling

Comforting s/o s/o comforting Larry

Tiktok

Jealous Larry

S/o wanting a pet

S/o with plants

Watching Game of Thrones (slight nsfw)

Making up with larry Confessing

Drunken Mess

Chapters: 1, 2, 3

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 

Donnie x reader x Leo - Instincts Be a Bitch - (Non-con) Leo x reader x Future Leo (dub-con/non-con)

[pleasantspark]

Strictly Business - Chapter Two (Clarity) King Cold x Sayian! OC Genre: Romance Tropes: Part of The Strictly Business Series Warnings: Did not proof read so mistakes were made, most mistakes because I didn't sleep at the time of writing it, I literally am rushing through this because I was inspired, Hey getting inspired at 4AM does something, im gonna go to bed dnd is on see you in the morning lol. AUs Utilized: Overhaul Frieza Race Overhaul Doc Used! Please check for it here: x

The arrival of Frieza was enough to make Orion's head spin, she's been caught up with King Cold doing business that she didn't expect for Frieza to come. She looked at King Cold and bowed.

"Should I-"

"He thinks your busy my Dear, why would I ask my servant to tell him that your busy, just for you to come out?"

Orion bit her lip and looked away. The obvious class and height difference making for some awkward sexual tension. Despite what had taken place prior. She fumbled with her fingers.

"I can just tell, Lord Frieza we ONLY just wrapped up the meeting and it would be rather stupid of me to go over the time limit wouldn't you think?"

King Cold sighed, and leaned back in his throne. "Very well then. But don't expect me to be this forgiving. I'd expect you to at least visit me once and awhile, fufill that little favor every once and awhile."

Orion sighed, and nodded. "Yes King Cold."

The walk of shame down the halls of King Cold's ship was tough, especially when she bumped into Cooler...

More accurately, the run of shame. She was running out the room like she saw something she shouldn't have. Which she kind of did, but not really. Banging your boss' father isn't a tough feat to just shake off.

Granted, it wasn't banging... But eh? As she bumped into King Cold's eldest. She gasped and helped him up.

"I apologize, Sir!" She apologized profusely. Cooler chuckled.

"Ah, it is okay. Nothing's damaged, why were you running from my fathers room. If you mind me asking?" Cooler asked.

"Ah, nothing important. Just had to run to an errand." Orion attempted to lie. Cooler hummed as if to accept the lie before shaking his head.

"Oh, is that so? Why is it, I smell my father on you, hm?" Cooler probed. At that question Orion's face flushed.

"It's none of your business. I just got too close when discussing the plans with him." She defends, albeit poorly.

"Mhm, you know. You don't have to lie to me." Cooler said.

"I am NOT lying! I... I wouldn't have a reason to! We took too long for a meeting and now I went over the... allotted time, and if you excuse me, I have to see Lord Frieza." Orion said, pushing past Cooler who just chuckled and watched her ran off.

"I'm sure you do, Little Saiyan... I'm sure there was nothing between father and you, and when I find out I'm going to tell Frieza."

Frieza was impatiently tapping his foot on the floor waiting for that stupid Monkey to arrive already. He was just recently notified by his father's servant on Orion being busy. He found it completely odd how she was busy even though the meeting should be short.

He sighed at the docking bays of the ship he once called home, before hearing the footsteps of Orion, he tried to place on a mask of happiness to hide the fact he was annoyed but ultimately failed.

"You... were awfully late." He managed to get out. Orion shook her head.

"Apologies my lord, the meeting ran over it's time..." Orion apologized. Frieza scoffed.

"Your lucky I didn't kill you myself for making me wait." Frieza said coldly. Orion placed her head down in shame.

"I am sorry My Lord, it won't happen again."

"Damn right it won't. It was oddly suspicious how father had you back there for too long on a meeting that should only be around 4-5 minutes long. It wasn't even that important." Frieza thought.

It was no secret Frieza had a crush-

Or it was a secret.

Frieza had hated Saiyans for as long as he lived, and nothing would ever change that. But for some odd reason he couldn't explain he fell for a Saiyan.

He at first tried to explain it away as his hatred for them being mistaken as love. But it gradually became reality to him once he figured out he hated other men with or near her.

Even sending her to his father was enough to make the male acrosian angered. Perhaps it's the real reason why he was annoyed and slightly angered by her lateness.

"Whatever. Let's go back." Frieza would just say in response to Orion, leading her to their own pods as they drove off.

<Last Chapter >Next Chapter

[biggerbetterbat]

WITH YOU [15] WE HAVE CANDIES

Daryl Dixon x OC!Charlie Reed

Summary: The searching is interrupted by a tragic accident. Glenn is afraid of his life.

Warnings: language, drugs

Song: Afraid The Neighborhood

A/N: Hello :)I'm coming with an announcement. This week I'll be posting a chapter every two days, so I can write a backup for the next week. I'm going on a trip and I won't have time to write and I don't know if my wi-fi will take this, so…ENJOY THIS CHAPTER!

WITH YOU ON WATTPAD

A loud bang was heard in the air. Charlie's hand almost automatically went to grab Daryl's forearm as he was the closest to her. He looked down at her with furrowed eyebrows."It's okay, it's nothing."

She nodded her head, letting out the breath she was holding and Daryl's arm, so she could look back a Lori, who was turning her head in searching for something. When Daryl felt a lack of her presence, he also stopped and looked behind his back. "We have to move. It's getting dark."

So they did. But Charlie was checking up on Lori from time to time, just to see if they had another worried mother on the board and if she was still with them. When Andrea saw what Charlie was doing, she looked over at Lori."Are you still worrying about it?"

The question made everyone stop.

"That was a gunshot," Lori replied.

Dixon looked around to see if a real threat wasn't approaching them. "We all heard it."

"Why one? Why just one gunshot?"

"Maybe they took down a Walker." Charlie shrugged, trying to be compassionate.

"Please don't patronize me," Lori replied angrily. "You know Rick wouldn't risk a gunshot to put down one Walker. Or Shane. They'd do it quietly."

"Shouldn't they have caught up with us by now?" Carol asked, adding fuel to the fire with this question.

"There's nothing we can do about it anyway," Daryl answered, annoyed. "Can't run around these woods chasing echoes."

"So what do we do?" Charlie asked.

"Same as we've been," said Dixon. "Beat the bush for Sophia, work our way back to the highway."

"I'm sure they'll hook up with us back at the RV," said Andrea, but before moving forward she turned towards Carol. "I'm sorry for what you're going through. I know how you feel."

Charlie was looking at it with one brow raised up. She didn't know why, but the whole act wasn't knocking on her doors. Andrea was trying to be everywhere and that was getting annoying. Because now she might have felt remorse about yesterday and not showing Carol support on the highway. But Charlie knew that it was temporary, in a moment she would do something that would bring them to the point zero.

"I suppose you do. Thank you." Carol gave her pale smile. "The thought of her out here by herself...It's the not knowing that's killing me. I just keep hoping and praying she doesn't wind up like Amy." she cried but then opened her eyes wider as Andrea's face fell. "Oh, God. That's the worst thing I ever said."

"We're all hoping and praying with you, for what it's worth." she squeezed Carol's arm.

Charlie heard the huff next to her and right after that, Daryl was moving towards two women

"I'll tell you what it's worth...Not a damn thing. It's a waste of time all this hoping and praying." he said and Carol almost broke down into tears. "Cause we're gonna locate that little girl, she's gonna be just fine," he told her sure of his words. Then he just turned and with open arms looked around. "Am I the only one zen around here? Good Lord."

Charlie smiled. He was showing his different side to all of them, Daryl was just a big softie. The way he was talking to Carol and trying to calm her down, and in fact actually calming her down. He was slowly becoming part of the group.

"We'll lose the light before too long," he said, trying to get through the high grass.

"Let's head back." Charlie nodded.

"We'll pick it up again tomorrow?" Carol looked at the group with eyes full of hope.

"Yeah, we will find her tomorrow." Lori nodded her head and looked deep into Carol's eyes.

So they headed back to the highway. Charlie was again walking next to Daryl and she observed him carefully, how he was placing his feet, how he was looking around searching for danger. It was all so surreal that he was walking through the bushes as if he was born there. He knew exactly where he should turn and in which direction they should go.

"How much farther?" Andrea asked.

"Not much," he answered. "Maybe a hundred yards as the crow flies."

"Too bad we're not crows."

And Charlie was opening her mouth to answer her complaint, but she didn't have a chance.

A loud scream fell from Andrea's lips. They all started yelling her name and running in her direction. Charlie felt her blood run cold as they saw the woman on the ground with a Walker trying to get to her.

"Lori!" Charlie yelled. "Give me your gun. Lori!"

But her arms were trembling with nerves and before she could do something, the mysterious person on a horse came to the rescue, hitting the dead with a baseball bat.

As it turned out it was a girl who saved Andrea. She had short hair, a blue shirt, and a bat in her hand. The hero nervously looked down at the blonde woman. "Lori? Lori Grimes?"

"I'm Lori," she said while running to where the mysterious girl was.

"Rick sent me. You've got to come now."

"What?" Lori furrowed her eyebrows.

"There has been an accident." the girl informed. "Carl's been shot. He's still alive, but you gotta come now. Rick needs you. Just come. "

"Woah. Woah. Woah." Daryl moved so he was standing between the horse and Lori. "We don't know this girl. You can't get on that horse."

In response, the girl looked at Dixon with firm eyes, but then she looked around and her eyes met Glenn's. "Rick said you had others on the highway, that big traffic snarl? "

"Uh-huh." he nodded.

"Two miles down is our farm," she said. "You'll see the mailbox. The name is Greene."

After that, she just started riding away with Lori holding her tight. And they were gone.

Charlie looked at Glenn who was looking after the girl and she smiled. He was totally stunned by her, and the funny face expression was plastered on his face to the moment they were back next to the RV.

"Shot?" the man in a bucket hat furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean shot?"

"I don't know, Dale. I wasn't there." Glenn answered out of breath. "All I know is this chick rode out of nowhere like Zorro on a horse and took Lori."

"And stole Glenn's heart," Charlie said while passing the older man.

He widened his eyes at the information, turning to Daryl. "You let her?"

"Get out of my asshole man," Daryl answered, passing Dale by, not caring about his nasty looks. "Rick sent her. She knew Lori's name and Carl's. We have to go there as soon as possible."

And he moved away from the group that was still fighting to catch their breaths." Hey! Wait!" she ran after Daryl. "You want us to leave?"

"Yeah," Daryl said while opening the bottle of water. "We have to find that farm. Check up on that boy."

"But what with Sophia? What with Carol?" Charlie asked. "She wouldn't want to leave."

He looked at her skeptically, not knowing what she really wanted from him at this moment. "So?"

"I have an idea." she held her arms up. "What if we split?"

Daryl scoffed and from looking at her almost without blinking, he turned his head away.

"Yeah, no," he said. "We did it once, and look where it took us."

"Daryl, please. That's the only option, you know this." she touched his arm. "We sent some people to the farm and I can stay here, wait through the night and if nothing happens I will join you," Charlie explained.

He was really impressed by how much she wanted to find this girl and how quick she was with ideas. There was also this bright thing in her eyes, that he hadn't seen for a while, and finally, that was was convinced him to just nod his head. He still wasn't a big fan of the splitting up part, but he did know that that was the only way, especially when he heard Carol saying: "I won't do it. We can't just leave."

"Carol, the group is split." he tried to reason at first. "We're scattered and weak."

"What if she comes back and we're not here?" Carol asked. "It could happen."

Charlie and Daryl both knew that chances for that were close to impossible, but none of them had the heart to say it to her. Especially, when Andrea decided to back her up. "If Sophia found her way back and we were gone, that would be awful."

"Okay. We got a plan for this." Daryl looked at Charlie."I say tomorrow morning is soon enough to pull up stakes. Give us a chance to rig a big sign, leave her some supplies." he explained and then did something that made Charlie's brows furrow. "I'll hold here tonight, stay with the RV."

"If the RV is staying, I am too," said Dale.

"Thank you," Carol said, looking at Dale. Then she turned to Daryl and Charlie. "Thank you both."

"Well, if you're all staying..." Glenn said.

"Yeah. Not you Glenn." Dale interrupted him. "You're going with Charlie. Take Carol's Cherokee."

"Me? Why is it always me?" the Asian boy huffed.

"Yeah. Why is it always us?" Reed backed him up.

"You have to find this farm, reconnect with our people, and see what's going on. But most important..." the older man answered.

"What is it Dale?" she furrowed her eyebrows.

"You have to get T-Dog there. This is not an option," he said. "That cut has gone from bad to worse. He has a very serious blood infection. Get him to that farm. See if they have any antibiotics. Because if not, T-Dog will die, no joke."

Without a word, Daryl walked away from the group and started looking for something in a bag that was attached to his motorcycle. When he found what he was looking for, he threw a cloth at Dale's face and then put a plastic bag on the hood of a car. "Keep you oily rags off my brother's motorcycle. Why would you wait till now to say anything? Got my brother's stash. Crystal, X. Don't need that." he said and then threw Glenn a bottle. "Got some kick ass painkillers." then he put his hand inside a bag and took out one more bottle, throwing it at Charlie. "Oxycycline. Not the generic stuff either. It's first class. Merle got the clap on occasion." he said and before she had a chance to walk away, he called her name. "And Charlie...you take this. Expect you to give it back though."

He handed her his little gun that was returned by Lori. "Yes, boss."

"Okay, we have candies. Let's go." Charlie as she moved towards the car, grabbing the handle.

"Woah, woah." Glenn stopped his moves and just stood there holding up T-Dog. "You're driving?"

"Yeah. Chill out, Glenn." she smiled and entered the car. "I'm an excellent driver," she murmured to herself, touching the steering wheel.

Asian boy sighed and turned to the group that was left, waving his hand. "Bye, guys! A pleasure to know you!"

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[yabashiri]

I'm back with a bang. Project Fiction - an Irumatsu and Irujnko fic will be finally published in its entirety! First arc is up, at about 50k words and 7 chapters. Read more to see if it's your cup of tea.

Do you hate some things about DR canon? Do you wish the talent system in Hope's Peak was more explored? Then read no further! I'll copy some bullet points from PF's description on AO3 and explain them in more details.

This work has: - Heavy OOC for Iruma and Kaede

PF!Iruma is not lewd, but she's a hothead, a reserve course student, and she also likes basketball. Weird, right? She also has nothing to do with inventions, her true talent is more of an abstract concept in line with your usual 'hope' and 'despair' gimmicks. It allows me to create a story with no killing games, but filled with tension similar to how Death Note is considered a 'shounen' even though it's a detective mystery.

As for Kaede, be warned that she only appears in chapter 8 for the first time. Remember her pre!game line in v3? "I don't have faith in humanity". What if I based her entire character on that and pitted against this Iruma? You can't imagine how heated it gets. - In-depth exploration of how Hope's Peak works, what's a 'talent' and how it impacts the chosen students

Do you know how talents are assigned? How scouts do their work? How exactly Kamukura Izuru was made and what studying on the reserve course is like? I know, and I'll show you in great detail.

- Nods to the canon, while turning the plot of DR1 upside-down.

Junko's game plan stays the same: kill the council, rebel the reserve course, fill the world with despair. With Iruma, however... not all goes as planned. It's not a story about people stuck together until almost all of them die. We go from Hope's Peak to an open world, and you'll see famously neon Tokyo in all its glory.

- Heated gay arguments, a weird online game, absurd talents beyond your average human standards.

While the story goes beyond ships and their dynamics, it has that in spades. I also present to you a certain game by Team DANGAN, and it's not about a pun-making bear torturing students. Imagine Genshin Impact's combat but more tactical, focused on PvP. That -- and much more.

- An abundance of author notes. This one has a lot to say.

I'll be straight with you, I put a shit ton of details into my works. Chekhov's Armoury is a trope I came up with before I realized it existed. I'll give you fanarts, songs, memes. Basically I've never had a lot of readers so I had to get used to creating fan content by myself.

- Typos I am translating this work into English, and while I'm pretty confident in my abilities, I am not perfect. It's kinda hard to know how real people talk when you're not exposed to the language on a daily basis. If anyone wants to be my beta, I'll be honored.

Translating this thing is ungodly hard. Writing it took me 4 years and was even harder. This story means a lot to me, I put my heart and soul into it, and I truly hope someone will enjoy it as much as I do. I also hope someone makes a TV Tropes page for it one day :D This is my only dream as a creator.

Give it a shot -- you won't regret it.

I hope.

[sassyduckqueen]

Miraculous: Rise of Anatis Chapter 76

Whoa, this took me almost a year to write. God, it's been hard. Not going to lie. This one really tested my creativity. I had no idea how to akumatize Felix or write in some of the important parts but after a lot of brainstorming with the wonderful @naruwitch and head banging, I finally worked it out and hopefully it's good.

Ok so this also links into Miracle Queen. I believe I explained in that chapter that I intended to divide it into several chapters. Well, we are here with one of them. The next chapter directly follows into this one and is also loosely based on Miracle Queen. There is one major difference and that is I have no intention of revealing the heroes' identities for these chapters. I hated that part of miracle queen. Anyway, hopefully it won't take me almost a year to write another chapter. I am possibly moving house soon and I have some cons and cosplays lined up too but I'll definitely be trying to make more time for writing this. After all, the truth is coming XP

Oh fun fact. Edo was the original name for Tokyo.

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

Chapter Seventy-Six: Black Swan

~Akaihana Dōjō, Edo Village, 1656 AD~

The sounds of students training echoed through the halls as Mulan walked through, nodding as she watched her students form. She stopped and looked over at her home sadly. Toutai should be stood here next to her and she should be back at the temple of the miraculous, training new holders but Su Han had ruined that for both of them. She narrowed her eyes and dug her nails into her palm. She would kill him. She would rip out his heart as he ripped out hers. 

"Sensi?" One of her students asked, making her look at them. "Are you ok, Sensi? You're crying,"

"I am fine," She answered, a little harshly. "Continue your training,"

"Yes, Sensi," The student replied as someone knocked on the door of the Dōjō before opening the door and walking over to her. She frowned as the young man bowed to her. 

"Can I help you?"

"Are you Sensi Mila?" He asked, making her nod. He reached in his bag and took out an aged envelope. She didn't say anything and simply took it before looking at it. It had no address and the only words on it were 'Sensi Mila' but she recognized the writing straight away. It was Toutai's.

"When and who gave this to you?" She asked, looking at the delivery boy.

"I don't know his name, Sensi," He answered. "But he approached me two and a half years ago and gave me this letter. His instructions were to deliver this letter to you at this exact time and date. He tipped well and was very exact with his instruction,"

"I see," She answered, looking at the letter. "Thank you for delivering this,"

He nodded and bowed before he left. She left one of her top students in charge before going to her private room and sitting on the bed, looking at the letter. Part of her was terrified to open it but part of her longed to read Toutai's words so she opened the letter and began to read. The letter was heart filled and she couldn't help but smile. Typical of Toutai to arrange a letter for her when she was feeling low. She continued reading but slowly the feeling of the letter changed. It was still very much Toutai but towards the end of it, he explained that when he foresaw his death, he also foresaw hers and he debated on telling her. On one hand, he didn't want to scare her about it but on the other hand, he didn't want her to be afraid when the moment came. It was inevitable after all. Finally, he decided to put a message in the letter to warn her of the time so she wouldn't be afraid and so she could sort out her affairs before it happened. As she read his warning, she heard his voice echoing.

When the artisan city is bathed in red moonlight

Your end will come from shadowy blight

She frowned as she had no idea what he meant by that. Sure, it was about her death but why did he have to write in a riddle? Typical Toutai though. He often spoke in riddles when it came to important things. Apparently it was something that he inherited from one of his previous lives. She didn't believe him at first but after a while she got use to the riddles and came to believe that it had come from that. She shook her head and followed up the letter before lying down as her thoughts drifted to him.

"I miss you, Toutai,"

~Modern Day, Hawk Moth's Lair~

"Hawk Moth," Su Han declared as he walked through the butterfly garden. He glanced over at the coffin that housed Emile Agreste before tutting and walking towards the entrance to Hawkmoth's tower where he makes his akumas. Multiple shadows follow him as he walks to the lift and steps on it. He enters the room and clears his throat, causing Hawk Moth to face him. "Have you found the mage?"

"Patience," Hawkmoth replied. "The mage has yet to show himself,"

"My Patience is wearing thin," Su Han growled, crossing his arms. The last few days he was getting more and more demanding, making Hawkmoth annoyed too. "You promised me that you would deliver the Celestial guardian to me but you have yet to do so. Instead you created pathetic villains who are constantly defeated by Anatis and his pet,"

"Anatis and Lady Noir are- what did you just say?" Hawkmoth frowned, making Su Han repeat him but Hawkmoth shook his head. "No, about the Celestial Guardian. Is that not you?"

"I am but it is complicated," Su Han frowned. "And with the return of Feng's recent life, it's only a matter of time before he either reclaims the title or finds a way to reverse the wish,"

"Can the wish be reversed?" Hawkmoth asked, frowning.

"Never mind that," He growled. "Use Anatis to lead you to the mage or something. He must be in contact with him,"

"I tried to follow that beetle before and he worked out that we were following him. He sent me and Mayura on a wild goose chase around the city," He pointed, frowning deeply. Miracle Queen had been his most successful akuma but he did still want to find the current guardian of the miracle box but not just him anymore. There was also that other guardian who he had the pleasure of fighting. She was trained and from what he had learnt she was the one who looked after the Western Miracle Box. "While I would like to follow him and have him lead me to the mage and the miraculous guardians, I don't think I can. He catches on too quickly,"

"Hurry up and bring me the mage," He orders, leaving as Hawkmoth pinches his nose in annoyance. He returns back to the garden and walks over to the secret exit that allows him to come and go as he pleases. A shadow jumps down as a tall man dressed in a snake-like costume straightens up as Su Han barely acknowledges him. "Work with Hawkmoth and find the mage. I want him captured before the Ghost Festival.... and if that wench gets in the way... kill her,"

"As you wish," The man answers, bowing before disappearing in the shadows once more. Su Han continued to walk out of the lair. Meanwhile, Hawkmoth called off his transformation and sighed, pinching his nose again. Su Han was becoming impatient and driving him mad. Anatis and Lady Noir were able to defeat his akumas without trouble, even the ones Simme had influenced and Emile had yet to wake up. He sighed as he rubbed his eyes before he headed up to Nathalie's room and slipped inside as she typed away on her computer. Due to the exposure she had during her days as Mayura, she had gotten very ill. Her body was dramatically weakened and she often got sick easier than before. However she had good days and bad days now. Unfortunately, today was a bad day so she was doing her work in bed. Su Han had insisted that she stay out of their business yet Gabriel turned to her and not just that but he had given her back the peacock miraculous. She was much more emotional then he was so he ignored Su Han and returned the miraculous to her when he realised he was not affecting the miraculous at all. She happily wore it and now it was almost back to fully functioning. Even Duusu had re-manifested. She looked up as he came in, her lunch on a tray in her lap. Duusu was sitting on the top of her head but Nathalie didn't seem to mind.

"Sir?" She asks as he sits down and takes off his glasses. He looked very stressed and for once it was genuine. He was stressed out. As well as being Hawkmoth, he had the duties of being Gabriel Agreste on his plate. In fact, it felt like the only thing he didn't have to worry about was being a father to Adrien since he rarely talked or socialised with the boy. Still, he didn't see anything wrong with that. After all, his son had his friends, Nathalie and his bodyguard. "Talk to me,"

"Su Han is on my back about the mage," He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I'm already having a difficult time without your help, then there's the added stress of finding the mage and claiming the miraculous. What should I do? Su Han thinks we should use Anatis to lead us to the mage and while I am inclined to use him to only lead us to the mage but also to the two guardians and their miracle boxes, Anatis is stubborn. No matter what I throw at him, he just finds a way,"

"Maybe that's exactly what we need to do," She suggested, making him look at her. "Anatis and Lady Noir are untouchable but the guardian would know. If we find him, not only will we find the miracle box but we could make him tell us the identity of the mage. We just need to find a way to avoid Anatis working out we're following him this time,"

"And how do you think we should do that?" He answers, frowning. She had been a tough one when he created Miracle Queen and he was certain she would present a challenge. A deep cough made them both look to the curtain as the shadows moved and turned into the man in the snake-like costume. He knelt down in front of them, making them both stare. They hadn't even seen him sneak through. Natalie frowned as she noticed Duusu hiding behind a pillow, shivering a little. She was afraid of the man.

"I believe I can be of assistance," He replied, not looking up. "Leave the capturing of the guardians to me. I will find their location and bring them to you,"

"And how will you do that?" Gabriel asked, narrowing his eyes. 

"I will observe the heroes," He stated as if it was that simple. Gabriel frowned deeply as he knew it wasn't and walked over to the window, glancing out. He didn't trust the man but he would need him to track the heroes. However, Anatis only ever went to the Guardian when he needed help. If their new friend was going to find where the guardians were, they would have to force Anatis to call on his allies. That would make him go to the guardians to get the miraculous. Not only would they be able to capture the guardians but they would be able to claim the two miracle boxes too. However, they would need a powerful and dangerous akuma. One that would force Anatis' hand. As he thought about it, the sound of his son saying goodbye to someone drew his attention, making him pay attention to the scene outside of his window. Felix was waving to his son, along with none other than Luka Couffaine. He began to smirk as a plan began to form before he turned round to face Natalie and the newcomer. "Master Agreste?"

"Sir?" Nathalie asked as he smirked. "Are you ok?"

"If we are to capture the guardians then we will need their location and to get their location, we will need to force Anatis into a corner," He states, turning to the Cobra holder. "Just observing them won't work. They only contact the guardians when they need to so I will make an akuma that will force Anatis to take action. From that point, you'll be able to follow him. Just make sure not to give yourself away,"

"And how do you intend to force Anatis' hand?" The man asked.

"All heroes have a weakness and it just happens that I know one of Anatis'," He replied, walking over to Nathalie. "Nathalie, I will need two extra invite for the Diamond Dance this year,"

"Who should they be addressed to?" She asked.

"One to Miss Rossi. Her talents will be useful for my plan," He answers, making her nod and type.

"And the other?"

"Mr Couffaine," He ordered, making her frown but nod as she began to write up his invite. "Oh and make sure he has no plus one on the invite,"

"Yes sir," Nathalie nodded as he watched Luka wave to Adrien.

"If anyone can force Anatis into a corner, it's his most trusted civilian," He muttered to himself.

~Couple of Days Later~

Luka paced across his room as he ran his fingers through his hair and looked around. Hawkmoth and Simme were really quiet and it was concerning him. It was never a good thing when he went quiet as it meant he was planning something big. However, Luka had no idea what it could be. Hawkmoth didn't exactly have a pattern. The only day that was 'special' was heroes' day but the other times he went silent weren't special. Lady Noir had tried to reassure him last night by saying that Hawkmoth may be on Holiday but that didn't reassure him. The last two times he could arguably say that Hawkmoth went on holiday, it resulted in him and Lady Noir saving Shanghai and New York. He didn't want to think of what chaos Hawkmoth may be causing in another country. However, there was nothing on the news or anything. It should have reassured him but it didn't. He turned to Tikki and Snapp as they watched him with a lot of concern. He wasn't sleeping well again and his school work was suffering. Luckily, Felix and Adrien were helping him as well as his other friends. Marinette was also bringing him baked goods and drinks to help too as well as cuddling him when he was around. He went to open his mouth to say something but before he could, his mother's voice echoed.

"Luka? Someone's here to see you!!" She yelled, making him frown before he patted his shoulder. Snapp and Tikki flew over and hid in his hoodie. He walked up to the deck and frowned as he saw Nathalie Sancoeur, Gabriel Agreste's assistant, standing there. The first thing he noticed was she looked terrible. He had heard from Adrien that she had been bed ridden with a mysterious sickness that resembled the one his mother had before her disappearance. However, she seemed to be slowly recovering. Adrien had mentioned she had good days where she was able to walk around and do errands and bad days where she was bedridden and needed to rest. He had said his mother had similar days but she had more bad days then good where Nathalie had more good days then bad. Luka guessed today must be a good day.

"Hello, Ms Sancoeur," He smiled as she looked at him. In her hands was a white box with a white bow on it. He glanced at it as he walked over.

"Mr Couffaine," She stated, handing the box over to him. It was fairly light, surprising him a little. "Congratulations, you have been invited to the elusive Diamond Dance, hosted by Mr Agreste. If you are unfamiliar with the dance, I can explain it to you if you wish,"

"Um please?" He asked, looking at the envelope.

"Of course," She replied. "The Diamond Dance is an annual dance where the powerful and influential families introduce their most precious treasures. Their heirs and heiresses. Children such as Adrien Agreste, the Bourgeois sisters and Tsurugi Kagami are among them,"

"Then why did I get an invite?" He asked, confused.

"Mr Agreste is allowed to invite what is known as a 'diamond in the rough' to the dance," She explained, making him a little confused. "In other words, a child who is as bright as the other diamonds but doesn't come from a powerful or influential family. He decided that this year, you should be receive the invite,"

"Oh wow," He gasped, shocked as his mother grinned proudly. "Please thank Mr Agreste. I am very honoured he chose me,"

"Of course," She nodded as stern as ever. "If that is all, I will take my leave. Everything you will need is the box. That includes the location, date and time of the dance as well as your invite,"

"Thank you," He states, making her nod before she left. Anarka rushed over, grinning as he stared at the box in his hands. She pulled him into a hug and ruffled his hair. She looked so proud of him but he couldn't bring himself to be happy. He was too tired and worried but he pushed it aside and smiled as best as he could after she let him go. "I'm gonna look through this,"

"Of course," She nodded. "I can't believe this. Wait until Jagged hears about it,"

"Ma! He'll go crazy," He smiled, making her laugh before he headed back into his room. He closed his door and sat on his bed as Tikki and Snapp flew out of his hoodie. He was staring at the box but he didn't look pleased.

"Luka?" Tikki asked, quietly.

"It's like her," He muttered, shaking his head and pinching his nose. "Sorry..."

"It reminds you of Lady Blanche, doesn't it?" Tikki stated as Snapp looked confused. Luka sighed and nodded. "Luka..."

"I know it's silly," He replied, frowning before he pulled off the bow and took off the lid. Inside of it was a white mask with a diamond design on it and an envelope. He took the mask out first and examined it. It seemed very well made. He opened the envelope and took out the paper inside, reading it. It explained what the Diamond dance is and this year's theme as apparently there's a theme each year. It also contained its location, time and date. To his surprise, it was in three days' time. He frowned, worried about the dress code as he knew that his mother couldn't afford a brand new suit for him and he didn't want to bother Jagged or Marinette to either get him one or make it. It wasn't fair to ask either. Three days wasn't enough time to make an outfit and he didn't like the idea of asking Jagged for money. He sighed and continued reading. As he did, it revealed that the outfits had already been planned and included with the invite by Mr Agreste. He was surprised but relieved. He would have to find his own way to the location but luckily it was fairly nearby as they had chosen the same location where Clara Nightingale had originally filmed her location. It shouldn't be too hard to get to. He continued to read and frowned a little as he wasn't allowed to invite a plus one as it was a very exclusive event. Only though on the guestlist were allowed. He couldn't help but feel disappointed. He wanted to invite Marinette but he couldn't. He jumped as skype began to ring, causing him to go to his computer and answer the call.

"Hey," He smiled as Marinette smiled back at him. Chloe was also on the call, along with Adrien, Kagami, Felix, Nino and Alya. "How is everyone?"

"I'm good," Marinette smiled as she sewed something.

"Doing good, dude," Nino grinned as Alya gave a thumbs up.

"I'm good," Adrien replied, leaning on his hand. "Just tired from a long day and now I have to deal with the Diamond dance. Lila's going as well,"

"Yes, I heard she will be there," Kagami replied. "It is most unfortunate but luckily, me, Chloe and Felix will be there and we will keep her from you,"

"Thanks,"

"Uh, I am not going," Chloe declared before glancing at Adrien. "Sorry, Adrinkins but I feel it would be better for me not to attend. For the sake of my mental health. However, I can get Daddy to get her on the blacklist for the event if you want,"

"No, it's ok," He replied. "I'll still have Felix and Kagami. Luka, are you going to be attending? Father mentioned he had sent you an invite,"

"I got an invite," He replied, making Marinette, Nino and Alya stare. "But I can't invite Marinette as my plus one so I'm not sure I'll be going. Besides, I don't want to deal with Lila,"

"That's fair, dude,"

"Won't she be breaking her restraining order if she goes?"

"Technically, no," Luka sighed. "The restraining order has an order of 'staying away' so meaning she can't come into my home but that's why she can still attend the same school as me. Her father's legal team has been fighting us on it and are still trying to get it removed. It also says she has to stay 2 metres away from me in public places such as school and that,"

"So that's why she was able to come over and talk to Zoe," Marinette sighed, remembering she had introduced herself and had on purposely stayed at the other side of the table. She had wondered why she hadn't gotten in trouble and now that made more sense. "I wish I could join you for the party. That way I could make sure she won't try anything,"

"It's fine, Melody," He smiles, just happy she wanted to look out for him. "If I do go, I'll stick with Adrien, Felix and Kagami but I probably won't,"

"Well, why doesn't Marinette just use my invite?" Chloe states, making Marinette look at her with surprise. "I have no intention of going so that frees up an invite and there's going to be loads of rich kids so you can just pretend to be one. That way, Luka and you can both attend,"

"Chloe, that's brilliant," Adrien grinned. Luka had to admit it was good. "Of course, we still need to deal with Lila but I can try to talk to Father and have her removed from the list?"

"You don't have to do that, Adrien," Luka stated, deciding to go. Now that he thought about it, Lila will probably cause trouble and upset and that will lead to an akuma. If he attends the party, he'll be able to keep an eye on her and deal with the akuma quickly... Plus he didn't want to live his life in fear and it would force Lila to stay on the other side of the room. He can't help but feel a bit annoyed at Gabriel Agreste for inviting her but she was one of his top models. How? He didn't know but she was. It would be best to keep her in his sight for this event. "It would be nice to go with Marinette,"

"Then it's settled," Chloe declared. "Marinette will use my invite and attend the dance with Luka,"

"What about an outfit?!" Marinette gasped, realising she doesn't have one ready. "I'll have to pull an all-nighter!"

"Actually, the invite includes an outfit designed by father," Adrien explained, making Marinette look relieved. "Which means you won't have to worry about your outfit,"

"Well, that works," She chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. Luka couldn't help but smile at her, making her smile back. "Won't your father be annoyed though?"

"Father won't be physically present as usual," Adrien sighed, making the rest frown before Felix smirked.

"I, for one, am glad Uncle isn't joining us," He declared, leaning back in his chair a little. "It means we can actually have fun,"

"I concur," Kagami nodded. "We'll be able to enjoy ourselves without his watchful gaze but I should warn you all now. My own uncle is attending the dance,"

"You have an uncle?" Marinette asked, surprised as Kagami had never mentioned one before.

"Yes, he is... a strange man," She explained, frowning. "Mother doesn't talk much about him and only told me today that he is staying with us for the foreseeable future. From what I know, he works in the government back in Japan but is on vacation,"

"Then him and Uncle will get on famously if he's strange," Felix chuckled before the sound of Mr Culpa's voice echoed, calling him for dinner. "Ah, I have to go. It's dinner time and I'm not missing out on Auntie Bridgette's garlic bread. Talk later,"

"Bye," Everyone echoed as he waved before he logged off. One by one, everyone else left until it was just Luka and Marinette left.

"Thank you for letting me come with you," She smiled, making him smile back.

"Thank you for wanting to go with me," He replied, blushing a little. Even though they were official and had been for a while, he was still easily flustered by her. Especially by the way she looked at him. He noticed she often would just look at him like he was the best thing in the world and she was the luckiest girl. However, the way he saw it, he was the lucky one. She was so talented, kind and loving that he couldn't help but admire her. However, he also questioned if he was good enough for her. Not that he told her that. She didn't need to worry about his insecurities. "If I'm honest, I wasn't looking forward to it but now I can't wait because I get to go with you,"

"You're adorable," She grinned before an idea popped into her head. "If you want, you could drop by for dinner. I can whip up something extra for you,"

"I'd like that if your parents don't mind,"

"I'll go ask them," She replied, getting up and disappearing. He began to hum and tap his fingers as he waited. His mind drifted to the battle he attended with Bunnyx. He frowned deeply as his mind wandered. Since then, he had been dramatically weakened as he had shared some of his spiritual energy with his future self but he was concerned at how it got to that point. He hoped he had prevented it but he also had an awful feeling that he hadn't changed anything. He had been pushing to the back of his mind, trying to reassure himself that he had sorted it out but he didn't even know how he got to that point. The akuma didn't reveal his identity to Hawkmoth at all. In fact, he wasn't even listening to Hawkmoth at all. It reminded him of how Mei Shi refused to listen to Hawkmoth and lost complete control as well. It made sense. He was part spirit after all. However, he needed to make sure he had prevented it. "Luka?"

He jumped a little as Marinette had returned, making her frown.

"Sorry, I zoned out," He mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Am I good to pop round for dinner?"

"Ma and Papa are fine with it," She smiled, making him smile back. 

"I'll be round soon then,"

~Night of the Diamond Dance~

"Ok so the plan is you guys enter separately so the security doesn't question anything," Chloe replied, making Marinette nod. They were stood outside the location, waiting for the boys to come by. Zoe had already gone inside. Chloe had mentioned her sister knew of the plan but was covering for her as she was 'sick' so her mother didn't question why she wasn't attending. Her father was also playing along but he didn't know Chloe was going to give Marinette her invite. "Marinette, you go first then Luka. Also, go to this gentleman. He's stood by the left and I've already informed him of our plans. He'll let you in,"

She showed Marinette a picture of one of the guards, making her nod.

"Once you're in, you'll be fine. No one will recognize you, thanks to the dress and mask and if anyone asks, use the name Marnetta Cheng," She declared, making Marinette nod. "It's close enough to your name to feel nature but separate enough for no one to make the connection,"

"You really thought of everything," Marinette chuckled as Kagami, Felix and Adrien arrived. She waved at them, causing them to wave back. "What if there's a spotlight on me and Luka though?"

"Oh, there won't be. Daddy told me that Kagami and Adrien will be the king and queen of the ball so you two lovebirds can just enjoy the dance," She grinned, making Marinette nod. "But you should be careful of the coal among the diamonds or in this dance, the black swan among the white swans. I suspect it will be Lila,"

"The coal?" She questioned, frowning. "What's that?"

"Oh it's someone who is given an invite purely to be laughed at by the rich," She replied, making Marinette stare in shock. "It hasn't happened for ages but according to Daddy, Mr Agreste announced earlier today that it will be coming back for this one. Daddy tried to talk him out of it as it could make the person vulnerable to Hawkmoth but Gabriel insisted as "you can't have a Swan-lake themed dance without the black swan". He's trying to argue it's just to keep to the theme but regardless, Lila will be laughed and ridiculed by the rich,"

"Seriously?" Marinette asked, crossing her arms. "Even Lila doesn't deserve that,"

"I agree," Chloe nodded.

"Agree with what?" Luka asked, walking over. Despite knowing his outfit was sorted, he was still wearing some really nice clothes including one of the shirts Marinette had made for him. They quickly brought him up to date, causing him to frown and agree as it was cruel. He was glad he was attending as he should be able to stop the inevitable akuma that would happen. With everyone there, Chloe bid them farewell for the night and headed back to the hotel for the night. Marinette went up to the security guard, who was in on the plan and he scanned her mask before directing her to a giant white box in the middle of the room. She nodded and waved at Luka before scanning her mask against a diamond shaped screen on it before a door opened, revealing a bright white light. She walked into it and the door closed behind her. Luka scanned his mask with the guard as well before going over to the box as well. He took a deep breath and scanned the mask against the diamond, causing the door to open. He hesitated for a moment at the bright light as it reminded him of Lady Blanche' power but he reminded himself that she was gone. He took another breath and stepped into the light, causing the door to close behind him. He glanced around before placing the mask over his face. As soon as he did, the bright light surrounded him, causing himself to cover his eyes to protect them. When it disappeared, his outfit had changed into a white tux. He raised an eyebrow before the door opened and he stepped out, seeing the room filled with children ranging from 15 to 17 years old. He glanced around and noticed Lila chatting to some of the guys and girls. He made a mental note to stay away from her but keep an eye on her. He looked up and saw Kagami and Adrien sitting together on a high rise platform. Adrien was wearing a silver tux while Kagami was wearing a red dress with a rose. Everyone else was either wearing a white tux or a white dress with a rose on the shoulder. He glanced around, looking for Marinette. He noticed her talking to Felix, causing him to smile and walk over.

"Hey," She grinned, handing him a drink.

"Thanks," He smiled, taking it. He took a sip and noticed a tall man walking with Kagami's mother. He seemed younger than her with darker hair but their face shape was similar, suggesting this was Kagami' uncle. He frowned as he noticed he wasn't dressed like anyone else. In fact, his outfit resembled that of a bat, making Luka conclude that he must have chosen to go with the character of Rothbart since the party was themed around Swan Lake. He thought it was a bit of an odd choice since Rothbart is a villain but he shrugged it off for a moment and continued to watch them. Zoe walked over and began to talk with them as they moved over to a seating area. However, he noticed a shade following him and he got this feeling of dread as he heard his song. It wasn't a pleasant tune at all. It could only be described as a song fit for a villain or a boss fight. It filled his mind and he couldn't help but feel that there was something really dangerous about him. 

"Luka?" Felix asked as he stared, making him blink and look over. Marinette was also looking at him with concern as well. 

"Who is that?" He asked, frowning as Kagami walked over.

"That's my uncle," She answered. "He came to visit,"

"Oh," He replied, frowning even more. "His song is... dark,"

"Unfortunately, I can believe it," She answered. "Back in Japan, he makes all the business deals for Mother so he has to fierce and cut throat,"

"Is that so?" Luka asked, frowning as someone slowly approached them. Before he could do anything, he suddenly felt a rough hand on his. He went to speak but the person pulled him into the centre of the room, making him look at him. The person dancing with him was a taller male, appearing not much older than himself. His hair was dark copper red and his skin slightly grey. His lips were a darker grey and his eyes were almost completely black with red irises. He was dressed in white like everyone else, making him look disturbing. He held Luka in a deathlike grip, forcefully dancing around with him as he smiled at him with fangs on show. Luka tried to pull away but he pulled him closer, causing Luka to grit his teeth. "Simme,"

"Hello, Little Mage," He stated, making Luka look at him in surprise. His surprise turned to fear as he realised not only did Simme know who he was but he was also able to touch him. In the previous timeline, Simme couldn't touch him and those under his influence are burnt from Luka's touch due to the extreme scale between the two. Since Luka was the host of Finni, he could be considered pure good and since Simme was pure evil, the two forces reacted to each other but right now it wasn't. Luka didn't have Finni's protection. "Aww, did you think I wouldn't recognize you, my dearest nemesis?"

He forcefully twirled him around.

"You may change your face, Little Mage but I can sense your soul and Finni... even when he's asleep... that's why I can touch you by the way," He answers, licking his lip as he dips Luka down, leaning over him. Luka couldn't help but look at him with fear and concern. "But you smell so much more delightful than our last meeting, especially right now. Your fear is delicious,"

"Let me go," Luka demands, looking around. He frowned as he noticed everyone was completely still as if they were frozen in place. He frowned deeply as he felt his fear increasing. "What did you do to them?"

Simme chuckled as he pulled him back up from the dip. Luka tried to pull away but Simme smirked and pulled him in closer. His grip got tighter to the extent that it was almost painful.

"Are you concerned I killed everyone?" He smirked as they moved across the dance floor in a strange waltz. Seeing Luka's expression, he laughed with cruel glee. "Relax, Little Mage. They're not dead,"

He spun him around and leaned close to his ear.

"Time is still in the spirit realm," He answers, pulling him back up. "I wanted to talk to you without any interruptions so I pulled you into it. Basic spirit magic, Luka. I thought Feng would have taught you that,"

"He did... " He replied, frowning as Simme continued their forced dance. There was no way he was going to tell Simme that right now his magic is much weaker than normal and he was struggling to go into the spirit realm due to his choice to share his energy. "Why do you want to talk to me? What do you want?"

"Because I want to talk before I consume your soul," He chuckles, causing Luka to look pale. "Oh, relax. I'm not going to consume you yet. No, no. That would be too easy, Little Mage,"

He grins in a dark and disturbing way, showing off many fangs in his mouth.

"Besides, you'll willingly give me your soul,"

"No, I won't,"

"Oh but you will," He laughs, spinning them around as if Luka was a ragged. "I'll make sure you will,"

"And how do you intend to do that?" Luka asked, trying to keep a brave facade. Simme smirked even more before he answered. His voice was raspy and harsh, sending shivers down Luka's spin.

"Despair," He growled before cackling. "I'm going to make you wish for death and when you're at your lowest, I will consume your pure soul and the best part is you'll be drowning in so much despair, you will let me. You'll beg me to end your miserable existence,"

"You're a cruel bastard," Luka growled, making Simme chuckle. "I won't give in to you. Ever,"

"Oh but you will. You will and I will savour your soul. Do you want to know why I'm waiting?" He asked before continuing without Luka's reply. "Because it will be much more fun and tastier this way. I could consume you here and now but I won't. Your soul will be the most delicious. It will be so much more sweeter if you're broken and it will be much more satisfying for you to just hand it over,"

He paused before continuing. His voice became so harsh it literally sent shivers of terror down Luka's spine.

"I'm going to break you, Luka," He stated. "I'm going to break you down and torment you until you beg me to end it and only then will I consume your soul. All your loved ones will be at my mercy and they're going to suffer as much as you. Your mother, your father, Juleka, Marinette, Lady Noir and all your friends as well as your mentors. I'm going to hurt all of them and it will all be your fault but don't worry. I won't tell Hawkmoth or Su Han that you're the mage. After all, they have their own plans for you and I won't let them ruin mine,"

Simme began to laugh like a manic as he let Luka drop to the floor, throwing his head back. The flash of a light suddenly occurred, causing Luka to blink and hold up his hand to his eyes as his laugh echoed into his head. He slowly lowered his hand as he heard Kagami calling his name. He blinked and found himself back in the normal world. People were whispering and pointing at him. Lila was smirking like the cat that got the cream while a number of the rich kids were looking at him like he was scum. His once white suit had changed black under the light, revealing him as the so-called 'Black Swan' but he didn't care. He was looking at the crowd wildly, searching for Simme. He saw him standing in the back. The wicked spirit lifted his finger to his lip as he smirked before turning and leaving the room, his voice echoing.

See you soon, Little Mage

Ignoring everyone around him, he rushed through the crowd, pushing through the crowd as he hurried to the exit. He had to catch up with Simme and stop whatever he was going to do. He was going to hurt everyone he loved and Luka would not let that happen. He looked around the outer room wildly, searching for where Simme went. His eyes widened as he saw him leaving the building via a fire exit. He rushed off as Marinette ran after him.

"Luka!" Marinette called, running after him as well. She pushed open the door as he looked around wildly and with a fear in her eyes that she had never seen before. This wasn't caused by the 'black swan' reveal. This was something else. He seemed so consumed by his fear that he didn't notice the akuma fluttering towards him. "Plagg, claws out!"

She quickly turned into Lady Noir before diving towards the akuma with her cataclysm ready. She caught it and destroyed it before it reached the mask Luka was wearing, causing him to look at her with shock.

"L-Lady Noire?" He gasped before his eyes widened as he saw the dust. "Oh no. I... I almost got akumatized. Oh god,"

"Luka, it's ok," She reassured as she could see the panic in his eyes.

"No, no. It isn't... it isn't ok," He gasped, stepping back. "He... he did it on purpose. He was trying to get me akumatized!"

He gripped his hair, making her try to stop him. It actually scared her. She had never seen Luka like this before.

"I fell for it," He gasped as Kagami, Felix and Adrien rushed outside. "No! You need to stay away from me!"

"Luka?" Adrien gasped as Lady Noir turned to calm him but he pushed her away. "Luka? What's wrong?"

"I can't. I won't let him hurt you!" He gasped, his eyes full of fear. Lady Noir frowned deeply as Luka covered his ears as if he was hearing something they couldn't. None of them had no idea that he could hear Simme laughing and whispering in his ears, telling him that he was going to make everyone he loves suffer. "Shut up! I won't let you hurt them!"

As soon as he shouted, a street lamp above them exploded but luckily they stepped back before anyone could get hurt. However, Luka was still covering his ears as Simme continued to whisper, causing him to mutter 'shut up' repeatedly. Kagami and Adrien weren't sure what to do as Felix just stared in shock. None of them had ever seen Luka like this. Lady Noir, however, could feel an energy building up inside her as she watched him suffering before suddenly she was no longer in the street. Suddenly, she found herself in front of a youthful looking man with black hair. He was dressed in a black toga with green details on it. His skin was tanned but had visible green veins across it. He also had large cat ears and a long tail as well as claws where his fingernails should be. The green veins lead to a gaping green hole in the middle of  his chest and one of his arms was detached and surrounded by the same green veins that lead to the hole in his chest. His eyes were bright green and cat like and he had huge black bat wings with green veins. She blinked as she realised she was Marinette. Hadn't she transformed into Lady Noir a moment ago?

"You were," Plagg's voice echoed, making Marinette realise that the strange was in fact her kwami. This must be his true form. "It is, Dollface,"

"Plagg? What's going on?"

"You've reached a point where you can attune with me,"

"Wait... Like how Anatis attuned with Tikki?"

"Kind of but he meditated on that. You... seem to have reached it naturally,"

"I see," Marinette answered, finding it made sense. Anatis was much more practised then she was. Attunement by meditation made sense for him but her reaching it naturally. It seemed chaotic and unpredictable. 

"As expected of a black cat," Plagg chuckled, reading her voice. "Want to continue and unlock level 2 of the black cat miraculous, Dollface?"

She bit her lip, considering it. She would be able to be more used to Anatis and be able to protect Paris better but also she would be able to protect Luka better too. With her mind made up, she nodded. 

"Yes," She declared, causing Plagg to clear his voice as she waited.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I am Plagg, god of destruction and guardian of the black cat miraculous," He declared, making her nod as she listened. "As the god, I hereby give you permission to use the black cat miraculous to a better level. What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine so I'll share my power with you through time,"

He closed his eyes and chanted in a strange language which made no sense to Marinette before he leaned down and press a claw to her forehead, causing green veins to spread out from it as her eyes turned green and catlike as she was engulfed in a toxic green light before he appeared in his kwami form in front of her. "O-ok, it's done. Unlike Tikki's power, mine can't be shaped. The powers you will get are called Blight and Screech,"

Marinette nodded. Despite only hearing it for the first time, she knew what they were.

"All you need to do is channel it so you can use it," Plagg continued. "Also your timer will last for six minutes instead of five and your cataclysms will be more powerful. These changes will be effective straight away. Now go back to the physical world,"

"Right, thanks Plagg," She smiled before closing her eyes. When she reopened her eyes, she was back as Lady Noir in the street. Time still seemed slow as Luka was covering his ears and the other three were trying to calm him down. She felt the energy inside her build up even more as she remembered Plagg's words. It was like electricity all over her body and she just needed to channel it. She closed her eyes and focused on it, causing a green paw print to open up under her feet as the green details on her suit began to glow. Feeling the power within, she threw out her arms and spun around in a similar fashion to when she summoned her cataclysm, letting it destroy her old look and create a new one. Her boots turned into thigh high length and her gloves' length changed too, going with her elbows to her upper arm. The gloves gained an extra green on her wrist and a green line when up on either side of her upper arms. Her main suit gained a green zipper, complete with a golden bell. It also gained some extra green details around her stomach area, creating some extra armour. Her lower part of her suit turned dark green and had two lines on her thighs, resembling the ones on her dark bee suit. Her belt remained the same but her hair had changed a little. Instead of one braid that represented her tail, she had two braids with green beads on the end of them. She also had gained two ribbons on both of them at the top that were two shades of green. Her mask and her ears had gained a single green line around the edges and even her eyes had changed a little, appearing brighter then they had before. The light faded away, causing Kagami, Felix and Adrien to see her new form as she looked at Luka. To her surprise, she could see a silhouette around him, leaning over and whispering to him. She narrowed her eyes before she held up her hand, pointing her forefinger and middle finger up.

"Screech!" She called out, causing a small green orb to appear above her fingers before she moved it to her throat, pushing it against it before she inhaled and pushed out the power through her mouth, causing a loud, wailing noise that resembled sound waves to escape. The silhouette looming over Luka suddenly jumped back as the sound waves hit it, causing it to disappear before Lady Noir ran over. "Luka?!"

He looked up at her with fear in his eyes.

"I'm sorry!" He gasped, lowering his hands. "I was trying to resist what he was saying but-"

"It's ok," She smiled, softly taking his hands in his. "His name is Simme. He's an evil spirit trying to make you feel hopeless so you can be akumatized easier,"

Luka looked at her with even more fear but she gave him a reassuring smile as Adrien gently rubbed his back. Kagami also stepped forward, trying her best to reassure Luka too, telling him that despite the fact that Gabriel had made him the 'black swan', it wasn't true and he was amazing. Luka, however, looked around before his eyes widened in slight panic.

"Where's Marinette? Is she ok?!" He gasped, making Adrien and Kagami look around for her.

~Hawk Moth's Lair~

"Damn that stupid cat!" Hawkmoth growled as Lady Noir not only destroyed his akuma but also chased off Simme, who had come back and told him that she had a new ability. He was pacing around his lair as Natalie stood nearby. However, before he could transform back, he suddenly sensed a new negative emotion. Panic and it was still coming from Luka, making him smirk. "Ah, a second chance. Luka Couffaine is still reeling and therefore still suitable for my akuma!"

He held out his hand, causing a butterfly to land in it before he smirked.

"Natatlie, his emotions are so strong," He stated as she stepped forward. "Let's bring it to a new dimension,"

"Duusu, spread my feathers," She declared, turning into Mayura. As she transformed, Hawkmoth took the chance to charge up his akuma, letting it fly out his hand.

"Fly away, little akuma and take over this lost soul," He declared, watching it fly out of the window. As it did, Mayura plucked out a feather from her fan and charged it up before blowing it and letting it flutter away.

"Fly away, beautiful amok," She declared, watching. "Enhance and hone that panic,"

~Back to Luka~

"Take a deep breath, Luka," Felix stated, helping Luka to calm down. Adrien and Kagami had gone to find Marinette as Lady Noir had to go and transform. Luka was still fairly panicked so Felix volunteered to stay with him. Right now, Luka was leaning against the wall, taking slow breaths as he tried to calm down. Felix had got him to do breathing exercises as it helped him remain focused. "Marinette probably went to go get help and she'll come back with Adrien and Kagami soon,"

He nodded as the akuma and amok floated towards them. However, before they could land on any of Luka's items, Felix saw them in the corner of his eye and quickly pushed Luka out of the way. Luka gasped in pain as he landed on the ground before getting up.

"Felix? That... Felix?" He asked, noticing Felix grabbing his head.

"No, I won't listen to you!" He gasped, making Luka realise he had been akumatized. "I don't need your powers to protect my friends!"

He seemed to be resisting as Luka rushed over.

"Felix! Resist them!" He gasped, reaching for his arm so he could grab the ring. However, there was a sudden burst of energy, causing Luka to fly back and land on the ground again as Felix stopped grabbing his head. Luka pushed himself up as Felix stood there. Shivers ran down his spine as Felix's mouth curved into a mischievous and dangerous smile. "Felix?"

"I told you. I don't need your powers," He stated, opening his eyes and revealing that they had turned a golden colour. "Not when I have my own,"

He threw his head back and laughed as the butterfly mask around him shattered. For a moment, Luka thought he had managed to break free of the akumatization but then he was consumed by the purple smog, changing his form. Luka looked on in shock as the now akumatized Felix checked out his new look. His skin was now grey, his hair was blonde with red highlights and his ears were pointed. His outfit was a suit similar to his Phenix Rouge outfit but he had a tail coat that resembled feathers. The suit was black while his shirt was red. He had a ruffle tie with a glowing red brooch while his tail coat had three red buttons. His boots were black with red soles and a red rim and his ring had turned black. His eyes had turned red like his Phenix Rouge form but the whites of his eyes had turned black, making them resemble the eyes of a black swan and his mask bore markings similar to the bird as well and it was black and red as well.

"Felix?" Luka asked, causing him to look at him.

"I'm not Felix anymore," He answered, making Luka step back. "I'm Black Swan,"

"You've been akumatized and Hawkmoth-"

"Has no control over me," He chuckled, suddenly grabbing Luka's arm. "But don't worry. I'm gonna sort out everyone and finally deal with Uncle,"

He suddenly pulled Luka nearby before dragging him over to a dumpster before clicking his fingers. A red wisp caused the lock to open, making Luka stare before Black Swan suddenly opened it and threw him inside with insane strength.

"Sorry about the dumpster but I don't want you to disappear," He answered, confusing Luka. "Now stay in here and be safe while I deal with everyone who's ever hurt us,"

He suddenly closed the dumpster, using what Luka can only assume is magic to lock it. Tikki flew out as Luka stared in shock. Was Felix a mage? And why wasn't Hawkmoth about to control him? He shook his head and took a deep breath. He can work out the details later. Right now, he needed to stop Felix.

"Tikki! Spots on!"

~Just outside the Diamond Dance Cube~

Black Swan whistled as he walked back into the building, heading towards the entrance. As he did, the security guards ran at him but he clicked his fingers, summoning the strange red wisp and using his hands, used it to throw them against the wall, knocking them out or causing the wall to warp around them. He pulled back the wisp and used it to unlock the entrance, stepping inside. Like before he was engulfed in a bright light before the entrance opened.

"I'm not surprised that Couffaine boy was the coal," One of the rich children laughed. "That freak even lives on a boat. Who in their right mind would think he was special?"

He whistled as he walked out, causing the guests to look at him as he stepped into the centre before holding out his hand. The blue smog of the amok appeared and took the form of a sphere as he finally gave his emotion of anger towards the guests and how they had treated Luka shape. They all looked at him with confusion and fear as the smog disappeared and revealed a small red orb, floating in his hand.

"Let the moon rise!" He declared, throwing it up into the air, causing the room to be bathed in its light before he turned to them as he laughed. "You are all at my mercy! The red moon gives me the power to wipe out anyone who's been bathed in its light with a snap of my fingers. Who wants to go first?"

"What is that idiot talking about?" One of the adults declared, causing Black Swan to smirk and snap his fingers. The man disappeared in a puff of red smoke, causing panic to ensue. The guests all ran at the exit, attempting to escape as Black Swan stalked towards them, snapping his fingers and making people disappear. He was making a beeline to a certain liar who was grabbing people and trying to get out of the door. She was about to escape when he clicked his fingers, causing the red wisp to wrap around her wrist and drag her back. He leaned over her and smirked.

"I'm going to make you slowly disappear bit by bit, Lila," He declared, going to snap his fingers but before he could, the sound of shattering caught his attention as Anatis crashed through the roof and landed on the dance floor. Black Swan turned from Lila as he looked over at the hero. "Anatis. You shouldn't be here,"

"I have to stop you, Black Swan," He stated, holding his yoyo out. "You've been akumatized and Hawkmoth-"

"Hawkmoth. Yes, I should make him disappear too," He mumbled, making a thinking face. "Getting rid of him would be beneficial for all of us,"

"I can't let you do that, Felix,"

"Black Swan and you won't have a choice, Anatis," He answers, clicking his fingers. The red wisp appeared from his fingers and landed in some of the chairs, causing them to come to life and rush over to Anatis. He used his yoyo to destroyed them but they reformed and continued to come at him. Realising his yoyo won't destroy the enchanted chairs, Anatis held up his own hand as his eyes turned silver. Though they flicked a bit.

"Ezeerf!" He declared, causing the chairs to freeze in place as Black Swan frowned before he clicked his fingers again. The red wisp reappeared and freed the chairs, causing them to come back to life. They surrounded Anatis as his eyes flickered and he felt an ache in his head. He still felt weak from Simme's mental attack plus his spiritual energy and magic wasn't at its peak due to his choice to give his energy to his future self.

"Sit down, Anatis. You look tired," Black Swan replied as Anatis gripped his head as his eyes flickered between silver and blue. "You don't need to fight me. I'm going to save Paris not condemn it,"

"Nrub," Anatis declared, causing the chairs to suddenly catch fire and turn to ash before he spun his yoyo. "I appreciate the offer but I can not rest until you're deakumatized,"

"Fine," Black Swan replied, narrowing his eyes before Red Moon's light suddenly covered Anatis as it rose. "If you won't let me do this then I'll make you disappear too,"

He held up his fingers, ready to snap his fingers but before he could, a scream suddenly echoed. The soundwaves hit him, causing him to go flying as Lady Noir jumped down. Anatis looked at her with shock as she winked at him before he nodded and threw up his yoyo, causing his outfit to change.

"Lucky charm!" He called out, summoning the magical swarm. A small dragon statue appeared and fell, causing Anatis to catch it as Black Swan got up. Lady Noir ran at him and began to fight him as Anatis glanced around trying to solve it. The item looked familiar but before he could, Black Swan clicked his fingers. Lady Noir disappeared in a puff of red smoke, causing Anatis to stare in horror as he dropped the lucky charm. "No!"

He narrowed his eyes before slamming his yoyo into Black Swan and pulling him back to him.

"Bring her back now!" He growled, causing Black Swan to smirk. 

"Give me your miraculous and I will," He answered but before Anatis could say or do anything, a strange energy wave suddenly flowed over. Time froze as Atrarus walked through. He stopped in front of Anatis and tapped him with his cane, causing him to be able to move again. He looked around wildly before his eyes landed on Atrarus.

"You?" Anatis asked, looking at Atrarus with slight surprise. Before he could do anything, the air around them began to warp.

"We need to leave now," He answered, making Anatis frown as Black Swan began to blink, breaking through Atrarus' ability. He nodded and left with Atrarus before Black Swan broke free. The two of them rushed to the sewers to hide. Anatis leaned against the wall as he took a deep breath. "Take a deep breath, Anatis. I need your head in the game to defeat him and get everyone he snapped back,"

"W-what?" He asked, confused. "Hold on. I never got to ask who you were last time,"

"Introductions can wait-"

"No, you can tell me who you are now," Anatis declared, crossing his arms. Atrarus sighed softly before nodding as he knew this would happen. "Well?"

"My name is Atrarus," He replied. "I am the holder of the swan miraculous and the acting grand mage of Paris. I only interfere when necessary and if I hadn't interfered when I did, Black Swan would have snapped you out of existence too and then everyone else. That is not the ideal outcome so I changed it,"

"Wait.. you're a mage?"

"Yes, magic exi-"

"Yes, I know," Anatis replied, nodding. "I've just haven't met another mage before,"

"Yes, well we are... wait what?" He asked, realising Anatis referred to himself as a mage. That was an outcome that even he didn't expect. "You're a mage?"

"You didn't know?" Anatis asked as they heard Black Swan shouting for him to show himself. Anatis looked up and a look of uncertainty came on his face. Atrarus frowned before placing his hand on the young boy' shoulder.

"We'll come back to that later," He stated. "Now you summoned a lucky charm, yes?"

Anatis nodded.

"What was it?" He asked. "Did you work out how to use it?"

"No, I couldn't," He mumbled, frowning. "But it was a dragon statue. I couldn't think how to use it but it was... Oh! Of course!"

He turned to Atrarus.

"It was a hint," He declared. "Master Fu had a dragon statue in his apartment. That must be-"

Atrarus suddenly pushed Anatis out of the way as the manhole they were under suddenly opened before he disappeared into a puff of red smoke. Black Swan jumped down but Anatis had already turned into his aqua form and dived into the water, swimming out of there. He got into the Seine and jumped out of it, swinging towards Master Fu's new place, entering through the window. As he did, a shadow stepped out and formed the Cobra holder before he pressed his finger to his ear.

"Hawk Moth, Mayura. I have the guardians address,"

~Inside Master Fu's House~

"Master Fu!" Anatis gasped as he landed in the living room. Master Fu looked up from the cup of tea he was giving Mila before frowning and getting up as Anatis turned back into Luka, looking close to bursting into tears. Tikki frowned and gently placed a paw on his arm as he began to explain. "I need help. The akuma... felix... he can use magic and he's making everyone disappear. I don't know how to defeat him. He made Lady Noir. It's just like that again. I can't. I don't know!"

He began to hyperventilate, causing Mila to get up. She nodded at Fu, who got a blanket and put it round his shoulders as she walked over.

"Luka, breathe with me," Mila declared, taking his hands in hers. She got him to breathe in and out with her until he had started to calm down. Finally, she got him to sit down and Fu passed him a warm cup of tea. He also gave Tikki a cookie to help her recharge. "Better?"

He nodded before looking down.

"I'm sorry," He mumbled, making both guardians frown. "I just... I nearly got akumatized twice and it's my fault Felix is an akuma. He pushed me out of the way and I... I failed to protect him. I shouldn't have let Simme get-"

"Simme?" Master Fu asked, causing Luka to nod and explain what had occurred during the dance and how Felix got akumatized. As he spoke, the room filled with red light, causing the three of them to rush to the window and look out. As they did, Mila's eyes widened as the warning she had received from Toutai centuries ago suddenly made sense. The Artisan City was Paris and right now it was bathed in red moonlight from the Sentimonster that Felix was controlling. However, she decided to keep it to herself. She had prepared for this day for centuries and she wasn't going to add to Luka' stress even more. Master Fu frowned deeply as well. "Luka, what do we know about the akuma and sentimonster?"

"He's calling himself Black Swan," Luka mumbled, trying to focus. "A-and the Sentimonster is Red Moon. He can use it to make people disappear as long as he's bathed them in moonlight,"

"Sounds like to me you need to get rid of the moonlight then," Master Fu replied, making him nod before he got up and opened the Sonograph. He took out the miracle box and placed it in front of Luka as Mila took out her own and did the same. The two of them opened their boxes, revealing the miraculous to Luka. "Luka Couffaine, you must pick an ally to fight alongside you with this mission but choose carefully. Such powers are meant to serve the greater good and once the mission is over, you will return the miraculous to us,"

"You're right. Getting Rid of the Moonlight would take away his advantage but he's snapped a lot of people," He mumbled, frowning as he looked at the different miraculous before an idea popped into his head, causing him to grab the dragon miraculous. "But a clear sky is not on the forecast tonight,"

"It looks like you have a plan," Master Fu nodded, causing Luka to nod and pocket the miraculous. He went to get up but he stopped as a sudden feeling overwhelmed him. He couldn't explain it but he had the feeling he needed to take the Octopus miraculous and if he didn't take it now, he wouldn't get a chance to. He reached out and took it, causing the two masters to look at him. "Luka?"

"I have a feeling I'm going to need this and that if I don't take it now, I won't get a chance to grab it later," He answered, frowning to himself. He placed it in his pocket as the two nodded before standing up and turning back into Anatis now that he had calmed down and Tikki had recharged. "I'm sorry for almost breaking do-"

"Luka, you don't need to apologise," Mila answered as Fu nodded, agreeing with her. Anatis gave them a small smile before he left through the window and headed into the city. Mila let out a sigh, making Fu look at her. "The red moon..."

"Mila?" He asked but before they could do anything, the room suddenly filled with shadows. Both of them spun around as Hawkmoth stepped out of the shadows and smirked. Mayura stepped out as well, holding her fan up as she looked at them.

"My dear guardians," He smirked as the two stared in shock. "It's a pleasure to meet you,"

"It will be the first and the last time we meet," Mila declared as she took out a hidden dagger and charged at him. However before she could attack him, the Cobra holder appeared and grabbed her. She got out of his grip and sliced at him as Hawkmoth went to grab the boxes. Fu tried to stop him but Hawkmoth hit him with his cane and grabbed the eastern box as Mayura grabbed the western box.

"You're powerless against me, old man and Anatis isn't here to protect you," Hawkmoth declared as Mila and the Cobra holder battled it out. Fu looked over as the two struggled and fought. "Tell me the secret identities of Anatis and Lady Noir,"

"Never!" He declared as Mila tried to stab the Cobra holder. However, he twisted her hand and pushed the dagger into her gut, causing her to stumble back and collapse to the ground. "Mila!"

Hawkmoth looked over with annoyance before turning back to Fu.

"Help me get their miraculous and I won't harm you," He answered coolly. He didn't want either of the masters killed or hurt but he would do what he had to do. "Well?"

"You're not getting anything from me!" Fu declared, narrowing his eyes. "Wayzz!"

"Master, it's too dangerous!" Wayzz declared, rushing out of his pocket. "You're too old!"

"Shell on!" He declared, turning into his turtle hero form Jade Turtle. His style resembled an ancient Chinese warrior with some body armour. His shield doubled up as a cone hat and he had a mask over his eyes. Hawkmoth's eyes lit up as he saw the transformation. He may be a super villain but he did appreciate the outfits of the heroes. He would even aim that he liked Anatis' style but he would never say it out loud.

"Very impressive," He answered, charging at him as he went to hit him with his cane. The two fought for a while but it was clear Hawkmoth had the upper hand, especially when Mayura joined it. Realising he was outnumbered, Jade Turtle spun round and took down his hat.

"Shell-ter!" He declared, making a force field before Hawkmoth could land another hit on him. Instead, Hawkmoth sent the force field ball flying, causing it to break through the window and land on the ground. He jumped down, followed by Mayura and stalked over to him.

"You're on borrowed time, you crazy old man," He declared as she watched on, holding her fan. "I'll just wait for you to transform back,"

"My powers are no more time sensitive than yours," Jade Turtle declared, narrowing his eyes as he looked for an escape. He needed to attend to Mila but right now he couldn't see a way to get to her. "Obviously, you haven't learnt anything about the miraculous, Hawk Moth,"

"I've learnt enough to defeat you," He answered, surprisingly calm for a man who just got insulted so to speak. It made Jade Turtle a little afraid. "For example, your age is a great weakness for you. Yes, your power isn't time-sensitive... but your energy is! All I have to do is wait until you have no choice but to transform back. I think the end of superheroes has finally come,"

"You talk a lot but you haven't achieved much so far," Jade Turtle declared, narrowing his eyes again. He needed to make Hawkmoth angry. When people get angry, they get sloppy and impulsive. "Unless you count get beaten by a couple of teenagers everyday,"

"Your defeat will be my greatest achievement!" Hawkmoth declared, looking fairly intimidating against the red moonlight. He charged at Jade Turtle and slammed his cane into the force field repeatedly as Mayura joined in, slamming her foot against it. They repeatedly attacked it, causing it to go flying. It landed and bounced before cracks began to appear in it. Jade Turtle's eyes widened and he stood up, holding his hands out. It glowed and was repaired but he started to breathe heavily. He knew Hawkmoth was right. His powers might not be time sensitive but he was on borrowed time nevertheless. Hawkmoth laughed evilly as he and Mayura smirked towards him. "Let's see how long you can last, Guardian,"

~Back to Anatis~

Anatis swung across the city, frowning as he saw no one on the streets. Black Swan must have snapped them all away. He needed to find Kagami quickly and defeat him fast. He dropped down into the dance room, recalling Kagami had been there. He didn't see her as Anatis but she may have been hiding. He landed inside and glanced around before he heard movement. He turned round, causing Adrien and Kagami to peek out. 

"Anatis!" Adrien gasped, jumping up as Kagami did the same thing. "Felix... he's been akumatized! He's snapping people out of existence!"

"He came and snapped my mother away," Kagami gasped, looking torn. On one hand, she felt free but on the other hand, it was her mother. "He said he was going to free us all from those who would control us. That the Red Moon would cleanse the world of wicked,"

"That explains why no one else is on the streets. He must be getting rid of them," Anatis mumbled before taking out the dragon miraculous. "I need Ryuko and Adrien, I think you need to come with us as well,"

"Not as Aspik?" Adrien asked, a little confused but Anatis shook his head.

"Felix is your cousin so we need Adrien," He mumbled, going with his gut. Usually, he wouldn't bring a civilian but something was telling him that Adrien would be essential to defeating Felix. After all, Felix cared deeply for Adrien. He just wasn't very good at showing it. "I'll make you're safe but I don't think Felix will hurt you,"

"Alright," Adrien nodded. "I trust you, Anatis,"

"Thank you," He nodded before handing the dragon to Kagami. She took it and greeted Longg before transforming into Ryuko. She picked up Adrien and nodded at Anatis before the three of them jumped out and headed to the Eiffel Tower. Ryuko put down Adrien as Anatis threw up his yoyo. "Lucky charm!"

His outfit changed into his upgraded form as he summoned the lucky swarm that changed into a rope lasso. He caught it and glanced around yet nothing lit up yet. He tied it to his belt and turned to Ryuko.

"We need to take away his advantage so do you think you can use wind dragon to summon a wind storm to block out Red Moon's light?" He asked, making her think. "As soon as you do, he should come straight here to confront us,"

"Well, I've never tried to use it for that before but I think I can," She nodded before holding out her arms. "Wind dragon!"

She transformed into wind, disappearing into the sky. Not long after, dark clouds covered the red moon, blocking out the moonlight as a heavy wind blew. 

"Anatis!" Black Swan shouted, jumping over before firing at him with the red wisp. Anatis jumped out of the way as the metal spikes burst through the floor and landed on the other side. Black Moon charged at him, causing Anatis to dodge and block him. As he did, he saw Adrien hiding at the side. His luck vision kicked in, causing Adrien to light up before Black Swan lit up and finally his rope. He kicked Black Swan back before nodding to Adrien. Black Swan got back up and went to fire his red wisp at Anatis but Adrien ran out in front of him, causing Black Swan to stop. "Adrien?"

"Felix," He gasped, looking at him. "You need to reverse this,"

"But... everything I've done... I've done it for you and our friends," He answered, lowering his guard a little. As he did, Anatis grabbed the rope lasso and threw it around Black Swan, pulling him towards him but before he could break item containing the akuma, Black Swan suddenly turned back into Felix and Red Moon disappeared from existence as the akuma and amok fluttered away, losing their colour as they did. Felix looked around extremely confused before looking at Anatis. "Anatis? What happened?!"

He gasped as his eyes widened with shock.

"Luka?! Is he ok?!" He gasped, making Anatis knee down and gently placed his hands on his shoulder to reassure him. However, he frowned as he noticed Felix' eyes hadn't turned back to his usual green. They were still a shiny gold. "The akuma! It was c-coming.... for... I feel really...."

His eyes suddenly rolled up in his head and he fell back as his body shook violently. Anatis quickly grabbed his head, holding it still.

"Felix!" Adrien gasped, shocked.

"Adrien, your jacket!" Anatis declared, making Adrien nod and take it off. "Fold it up and place it under his head,"

"R-right!" He gasped, doing as told as Ryuko reappeared. Her expression turned to one of horror as Felix' seizure continued. However, Anatis ordered her to take his place. She nodded and quickly held  Felix's head as Anatis threw up the rope, releasing the cure. As soon as the swarm disappeared, he used his yoyo to call for an ambulance as Ryuko kept hold of his head, making sure he didn't injure it. Slowly, the seizure came to a stop just as the paramedics came. They checked out Felix and placed him on a stretcher. Anatis tapped his yoyo and used his prosperity ability, creating a charm for Felix. He took Adrien's hand and placed it in his palm.

"Go with your cousin and make sure he's ok," He ordered. "When he wakes up, give him that charm. It will protect him from Hawkmoth,"

"I will," He nodded before hugging Anatis, surprising him. "Thank you,"

With that, he rushed off with the paramedics as they took Felix downstairs. Ryuko turned to Anatis, who was frowning as he looked at his yoyo.

"Something wrong?" She asked as Lady Noir jumped over.

"What did I miss?" She asked, noticing Anatis was frowning. "Annie?"

"Hawkmoth recalled the akuma and Mayura recalled the amok," He mumbled. "Also Felix... he had a seizure from the akuma,"

"Like Luka's?" Lady Noir asked, concerned. He nodded. "That is very concerning,"

"I agree," Ryuko nodded. "Why did Felix have a seizure? And why did Hawkmoth recall his akuma?"

"Magic," A new voice added, causing the three heroes to look over. Atrarus was leaning against the door to the office of the Eiffel Tower. His eyes were closed and he was frowning. He pushed himself off it as he opened his eyes. "Those with Magic are sensitive to akumas due to the contradiction of mana. So when a mage gets akumatized, their magic goes into overdrive and they are less likely to be controlled by the butterfly user. Similar to spirits in that way but arguably more logical where-"

"Spirits completely lose control," Anatis mumbled, nodding. "Yes. We saw how Mei Shi was affected,"

"But if those seizures are caused by a contradiction of mana, does that mean Luka is a mage?" Lady Noir asked, thinking. "Cause I could totally believe that. He might not be as powerful as you though, Annie,"

"I have suspected that for a while," He replied, nodding but he noticed Ryuko looked confused and Atrarus had raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

"I recall you mentioning being a mage before I was snapped,” He mumbled, recalling early events. “What's your magic?"

"I actually haven't developed it completely yet," He admitted, making Atrarus frown. "I seem to have some sort of empathy though,"

"Empathy?" Atrarus stated as Anatis' earrings beeped. "Ah, time is up. We will talk again, Anatis. Good job on the akuma today,"

Before anyone could stay anything, he turned on his heel and disappeared in a sudden puff of smoke.

"Well, he's dramatic," Lady Noir stated before turning back to the other two. "See you soon, ok?"

Anatis nodded before she jumped away. 

"I'm just going to hide in there to detransform," He stated, gesturing to the office. Ryuko nodded as he opened the door and closed it. A pink glow was seen underneath as she waited.

"Anatis... why do you think Hawkmoth reversed the akuma?"

"I'm not sure but it worries me," His voice was slightly muffled, due to the door. "Last time he did something like this, it led to Miracle Queen so I'll need to be on guard. I may have to call on you again but for now, I'm going to go ask the guardians. They may know,"

"Should I keep hold of the dragon miraculous?"

"No, just stay in a place I can easily reach you," He answered as the pink glow appeared again and he opened the door. Let's head down to the alley way so you don't have to go down the stairs,"

She nodded and the two heroes jumped down before she held out her arms.

"Longg, clear the skies," She declared, turning back into Kagami. She took off the miraculous and handed it to Anatis. He placed it back into its box and thanked her. "No problem, Anatis. I will go to the hospital to check on Adrien and Felix. Good luck with your investigation,"

"Thank you, Kagami," He nodded, giving her a weak smile as she ran off. "Time to go and check in with Mila and Fu,"

He threw his yoyo and swung off into the city.

~At the Arc de Triomphe~

"Your plan failed and still you fail to deliver Feng's recent life to us?!" Su Han declared as Mayura created a moth sentimonster from Hawkmoth's joy of victory, using it to continuously attack the force field Jade Turtle had created. Hawkmoth smirked, regardless of Su Han's insults as the monk paced around. The Cobra holder was stood there, along with Zoe Lee. Both had cold looks in their eyes as they waited for orders. "Why are you smirking?!"

"We have the guardian and both miracle boxes," Hawkmoth declared. "Victory is closer than it ever has,"

"And it's only a matter of time before Anatis realises and comes to find us!" Su Han declares. "You better have a plan!"

"Of course I do," He smirked. "We just need to buy time to break down the guardian's shield and once we've done that, we can not only get the mage's identity from him but also Anatis' and Lady Noir's. The closest I ever came to defeating Anatis was with Miracle Queen. If I can make one similar, he will be defeated and broken at my feet!"

"And who exactly do you intend to use for such an akuma?" Su Han asked. "That liar is far-"

"I will borrow one of your people," He answered, his eyes landing on Zoe. "You have the wasp Miraculous, yes?"

"I do, Sir," She answered. "Hive Mind is its ability. It allows me to take control of three people for five minutes, allowing me to see through their eyes and speak through them,"

"Perfect," He smirked. "Care to have an upgrade?"

She looked over at Su Han, who nodded.

"Stingg, Drone Rise Up!" She declared, causing her to transform into her wasp form. Her blonde hair turned black and she gained a braid that was coloured similar to a wasp's pattern with the hair at the bottom forming a stinger. She wore black pants with yellow stripes and drops. Her boots were black with yellow heels. Her top was yellow with black strips that folded slightly on her body and she had black strips that wrapped around her neck.  Her collar was black with yellow stripes and there was a zipper on it where the wasp miraculous hung. She had a yellow belt around her waist and her gloves were black with yellow fingers. Her blow dart gun rested on one side of her hips while her darts rested on the other. Her mask was yellow with black strips and her skin looked a little more pale then she normally was. However, her eyes remained blue. She turned to Hawkmoth and bowed. "Cicada. At your service, Hawk Moth,"

"Excellent," He smirked, holding up his cane as it opened and an akuma flew out, landing in her miraculous. "Assassin Bee, I am giving you the power not to just control three minds but all minds. You will rule over Paris and use Parisians as your personal army. All I ask in return is for you to use them to capture Anatis, Lady Noir and the mage then bring them to me,"

"As you wish, Hawk Moth," She declared, causing the purple smog to cover her form.

~Back to Anatis~ 

Anatis swung towards Master Fu's new apartment but as soon as he got there, he saw the damage that Hawkmoth had done. His eyes widened and he quickly landed inside, causing him to gasp as he saw the place was trashed. 

"Master Fu?!" He yelled, looking around. "Master Mila?!"

"A-Anatis..." Mila's voice sounded but she sounded weak. He wildly looked around before seeing her slumped against the wall. Her hand was resting on her stomach and it was stained with red as was the carpet and wall around her. His eyes widened in horror and he rushed over, kneeling in front of her as he tried to think what to do. "H-Hawkmoth... he took.... the boxes... and Master Fu..."

"W-what?" He gasped, looking shocked before his eyes widened even more. "Oh god. He must have followed me. This is my fault!"

"Luka..." She gasped, making him look at her. "Y-you have to save them... the kwamis need.... you..."

"No, no. You'll be ok... I'll try to use Toutai's power and heal you," He gasped, going to place his hands over the injury but she stopped him. "M-Mulan?"

"It's ok," She smiled weakly. "It's my time. T-Toutai already warned me..."

"But I have to save you," He gasped, tears in his eyes as he tried to tap into Toutai's power but he couldn't. Instead a wave of dizziness washed over him. He was too weak too. Unable to do that, he summoned a lucky charm but got nothing. "No! I don't understand! Tikki! Spots off!"

He turned back into Luka and turned to Tikki.

"Why couldn't I use a lucky charm?" He asked, tears began to roll down his face as Mila's breathing got worse. Tikki looked at her with shock and sorrow. "Why can't I use it to heal her?"

"T-t-there's no villain to defeat so there's no charm," She explained, making him frown. "It only works if there's a villain to fight. I'm sorry, Luka,"

He nodded and turned back to Mila, who looked extremely pale and weak. He gently took her hand as she smiled weakly at him.

"I'm sorry," He whispered, looking down.

"It-it's ok," She answered. "I g-get to see Toutai again..."

He nodded, keeping hold of her hand.

"L-Luka, look... look after the kwamis... for me...." She gasped, making him nod.

"I p-promise," He whispered as the light left her eyes and her body went still. He sniffed as tears rolled down his face, keeping hold of her hand as he leaned over and gently pushed her eyes down so they were closed. "I'm so sorry I failed you..."

He wiped away his tears as he whispered the transformation words, turning back into Anatis.

"But I will get the kwamis back and save Master Fu," He answered as her body began to disappear. He wasn't really surprised by that. She had lived for centuries after all. It made sense she was using magic to stay alive. He stood up as she completely faded away, wiping away his tears as anger began to settle. He turned and ran towards the hole in the building before jumping out and swinging into the city. He landed on a building as he saw citizens running from swamps of wasps before going still when they stung them. He narrowed his eyes and swung towards the Seine as the wasps began to chase him. He ate the green macaron as he did before diving into the water. As he suspected, the wasps had the same weakness as Queen Wasp' ones did. They couldn't go in the water. The swarm flew off as he took out his yoyo and texted a warning to Lady Noir before he swam off. He would deal with the wasps later. Right now, he needed to hunt down Hawkmoth and save Master Fu and the kwamis from him. "Hold on, Master Fu. I'm coming,"

[foomoosworld]

Stars Too Far

CHAPTER 10 - I’ll Bring The Girl To You

Pairing - Mandalorian x fem reader

Summary: The Mandalorian crashes on an uninhabited planet, or so he thought until you save him from a gruesome death and mend his wounds. You then work together to get off the godforsaken planet of Sypar where everything will kill you. (Please note that this story has progressed past this plot point, however, I cannot disclose further informaiton due to those who may start reading here and not have read the past chapters.)

A/N I've come down with some shit illness that won't make me fully sick but consistently makes me tired and stuffed up and sneezing so I apologize in advance for grammatical errors. It was a bit of a rough ride writing this chapter. Especially since I had to juggle and interweave a lot of plot points to bring things together for the next few chapters. No smut in this one, amazingly. Nudity, fluff, drinking, violence, smoking, language and some questionable decisions characters make that even made me scream at them, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? STOOOOOP!"

Anyways....

Minors DNI 18+ only on all of my work.

Din bolted to Barac’s side as he bled profusely in the cockpit.  He tore off a piece of his cape and held it Barac’s neck which spurted blood.  He opened a comlink on his vambrace and frantically called for a medic to the Razor Crest.  Flustered, he bolted to the fresher of the ship, skidding as he caught the doorframe.  His gloved hands shoved everything in the small cabinet out of the way until he grasped all of the bacta patches he had, a meager two and ran back to Barac’s side.  He untethered the scrap of cape he had used to try and stop the profuse bleeding from his neck and secured a bacta patch then placed another on his face.  His eyes darted frantically back and forth as he used his bloodied cape to try and stop the bleeding from his mangled arm and attempted to comfort him with shushing and “You’re going to be okay” as his heart jumped out of his chest.  

Barac wasn’t buying it, even as he went into shock from his wounds, he raised a trembling forearm which Din took and leaned in to hear him gargle,

“I always knew you would kill me before Bylon did…”

Barac’s eyes rolled back as he passed out from blood loss and Din gathered him up in his arms like a frightened animal, then opened a comlink to his mother.

It beeped and beeped but she didn’t pick up.  He could hear the sirens of the medic speeders racing to approach in the distance.

“This was foreseen.”  A voice rung out from behind Din.  He swiveled his head around wildly to see Barac’s mother, the psychic, standing in the cockpit doorway, a black scarf wraped around her head in place of her usual tall and elaborate wig.  She stepped toward her son, passed out on the floor in a pool of his own blood.  The hundreds of tied, dirty, faded multicolour strips of rags forging her dress swayed as she knelt down next to her son and began soaking up the blood on the floor like a paper towel.  She reached out gently and picked Din’s arms off from clutching her son and took his place on the floor holding Barac.  She smoothed Barac’s blood soaked hair then looked up at Din.

“I… I didn’t -” Din stammered as she held her bleeding son. 

“Your job, now, is to take care of her.”  She said with an eerie calmness but brute accent on the words “Take care” that insinuated she may have had a stern double meaning.  Din backed off, not sure what to think or how to handle the situation and stormed into the cargo hold to find you.  He knew what she had meant when she said “look after her” so sternly.

You were frozen in carbonite.  Your face was an expression of terror and your hands were outstretched like clawing tree limbs from the stone.  Din pulled is blaster and pointed it, shaking, at your carbonite slab then grunted loudly, banged himself in the head with overwhelming frustration and confusion with the butt of the blaster as if to knock sense into himself then spun around and steadily aimed the blaster at your frozen face again as he heaved breaths, almost as if anvils were on his chest.  His eyes stared through his visor at your frozen face.  He stepped forward and shoved the blaster into your stone skull.  Tears were trailing down his face beneath his helmet as his face wrenched and gasped for sanity.  His finger twitched on the trigger, being told to press down and hold back by the same thought.

“FUCK!”  He screamed, flailing away and crumbling down to the floor in  exasperated sobs.  He turns on the floor to look at you and shakes his head forlornly, confused and giving up.  Slowly he shuffles over to the carbonite slab you’re frozen in and nuzzles up to your stone body.  He reaches up and holds your frozen hand then begins to sob quietly at your feet.

……………….

The air was frigid but the sun shone brightly.  It was the time of year where the sun was still shining its optimistic energy on the world, however, it was tainted by the cold bite of incoming winter.

Din had unfrozen you from carbonite and you flopped, unconscious, into his arms, blind and lifeless from the carbonite, but still breathing.  He carried you to the small cabin, kicked the door open with a cloud of dust strode a few long steps in and laid you in the middle of the main floor.  He was about to turn and leave when he paused and realized he was leaving you with nothing.  Turning his helmet slightly back to see you, helpless, still naked, shaking with weakness from the carbonite, in a heap on the floor, he let out a small sigh of resignation then exited the cabin.

He got the hover skid, loaded it up with six months of ration packs and some blankets and clothes then slowly lead it back to the cabin.  He unloaded it into the middle of the floor next to you, carelessly dropping a pair of clothes over your body.  Just as you were struggling to regain your strength and could barely see through the fade of your vision he stepped out and closed the cabin door.

You pulled your body up, shakily and stumbled a few weak steps to the sink, overflowing with ship parts, to look out and see The Razor Crest taking off, right above the rusted-out razor crest of your family that had crashed on Synpar decades ago.

You crumpled on weak legs back to the wood, dusty floor and hid your head in shame in your angled arms, clutching the back of your head as you grimmaced in excruciating sorrow, fear and disappointment.

You were home.

You screamed.

………………………

Din set coordinates to Navaro.  He wanted to talk to Greef Karga and see if he had a place to tuck your tail and lay low for awhile.  In the least, he wanted to have a few drinks somewhere with someone.  

Din’s vision flashed between you in carbonite, to Barac gargling blood, to his mother and he pushed the thruster handle forward to force the Razor Crest through space.

He shook his head and reached for the button that sent the Razor Crest into hyperspace… your button.

His fingers hesitated and trembled for a moment before he jared his hand into submission, pushed it, inhaled and held it long enough to strangle his feelings as the Razor Crest jumped into hyperspace.  He looked once over his shoulder out the window to see Sypar disappearing into the blur of hyperspace as if being erased from his life.

Navaro soon crept up in the windshield of the Razor Crest and Din navigated through the atmosphere and landed in the port.  He strode down the ramp and looked to the small gaggle of teenagers, smoking and joking between themselves, waiting for him to toss them credits to fill up the tank and give a once over on the ship.  Barac took a drag of a rolled cigarette, leaning against one of the other boys then crushed it under his foot on the ground with a knowing nod at him.  

Fuck.  He was halucinating.  He had left the dying hellscape of Bylon lightyears away but Barac’s image was still haunting him.  As he blinked again he saw that Barac and the group of teenagers were actually elderly aliens and a few droids.  He hurried off, not fueling up and made his way to the city to see High Magistrate Karga.

………………..

“You do not have an appointment.”  The tall droid shifted its head, jerkily, at Din.

“I know.  He’s a personal friend.  He will want to see me.”

“You do not have an appointment.”  The droid repeated, dryly.

Din pulled out his blaster just as Karga’s office door swung open and he stepped out of his office.

“Whoa, Mando!”  He laughed, “Don’t break it unless you buy it!”  He jovially laughed with open arms.  Shooting the droid a dirty look, Din reluctantly holstered his blaster. The droid stiffly walked up to Karga and said,

“High Magistrate, this Mandalorian wishes to seek your council.   Do you accept this me-?”

“Yes, yes!”  Karga waved off the droid and stepped to Din  “Mando!” Karga exclaimed happily and opened his arms for a hug.  Din offers his hand.  Karga shakes off the formalities and shakes his hand.

“Do you accept this meeting?”  The droid says next to Karga’s face.

“DF-7,” Karga turns to the droid, “Mando, here is an old friend. He is always welcome.”

“Do you accept th-”

“YES I ACCEPT THE MEETING!”  Karga yells annoyed at DF-7.  The droid awkwardly nods and ambles away.  “My apologies, Mando.  As each day passes I begin to admire your stance of ‘ no droids’ more and more.”

Din eyes the droid as it stands, watching in the corner of the room.

“Hm.” he says unamused. “Why don’t we go get a drink?”  Din offers.  Karga arches a suspicious eyebrow and leans back.

“Mando wants to socialize?””  He states as if star-struck.

“Do you accept this meeting?” the droid rushes up and repeats from the corner.

Din unholsters his blaster, turns it to the droid pointing it at the droids head and shouts, “Do you  accept THIS meeting?!?”

“Mando,”  Karga cautions to try to regain the peace and slowly pushes Din’s blaster down with his hand.  Din turns his head, enraged, to Karga who merely shrugs, innocently “It’s hard to find good help these days.”  Din, again holsters his blaster.

Karga flops an arm around Din “You seem stressed, my friend.  Have some thoughts and feelings you’d like to unload?  Maybe some drinks at the cantina is just what we need.”  He leads the two of them out into the street, “I have just the place to bury some memories.”

Karga leads him to a local Cantina and they sit in a small dark booth at the back of the pub.

“Should I ask where your lady friend is?”  Karga asks weakly, yet knowing that this is, most likely, the cause of his discomfort and surly disposition.

Din shifts uncomfortably.

“Two shots of Flameout!” Karga announces at the waiter droid and waves his hand.  The jenky droid beeps his approval and shambles to the bar.

“The Luc, right?”  Karga asks, slowly arching his eyebrow.

Din knits his fingers together on the table in front of him and with his head slumped down slightly nods once, uncomfortably.

The droid comes back to the table with the shots.  Karga takes his and Din sucks his up through the small straw supplied.

“Gah!”  Karga slaps his back.  "If it’s any solace, if you had a child I would have put a bounty of billions on its head if it was a boy!”  He laughs.  Din turns his head abruptly and Karga immediately back pedals, seeing his concern. “In the old days, of course!  I’ve left that life behind now.”

“Why would you put a bounty on our child?”  Din tries to hide his horror, but Karga still picks up on notes of it.

“What?" Karga shrugs as if it should be common knowledge, "Lucs are extinct now and male Lucs are like gold on the black market.  Combine that with a Mandalorian father, after the exile….  It would be a killing machine.  Great for making soldiers.  Add the fact that the females are little murderous monsters when in heat, it makes for some pretty terrible options for mating.  I assume that’s why their population was always so small.  Only a male Luc could tame that beast… or be understanding that their mate naturally loses their mind every now and then until they get pregnant.”

"When they go into heat... they go insane?" Din queries.

Karga laughs and leans back and stretches his arms over the back of the booth seats, "Female Lucs go into a murderous heat. They kill anyone that seems like a threat to their mate. I assume that's some sort of genetic thing because they can only have one child. Probably nature proteting the species, right?" Karga laughs then stops suddenly when he notices Din starting intently at him. "You didn't know that?"

Din waved two fingers for another drink at the droid.

Din’s next shot shows up and he stares at Karga then sucks it up the straw in one gulp.  His mind is racing and nerves have jumped into every inch of his skin.

Karga pauses and stares at Din searching, “Did you mate with her?”

Din looks away.

“Is there a possibility of a Mandalorian Luc male being born?”

Din tips over his empty shot glass and watches it roll around.

“Not anymore.”

“Huh.”  Karga leans back, folding his arms in disbelief.

“Where did you drop her?”  Karga asks slyly.

Din flicks his eyes up through his visor and says simply, “A planet on the inner ring with friends who are more versed in looking after her.”  He lied.

Karga leans back, crossing his arms and nodding slowly, not buying a word of it.  

“Sure.”

The pregnant pause hung awkwardly in the air until Din cleared his throat.  “I need a place to stay for awhile.  I was thinking of Nevarro… just for awhile.  Somewhere… secluded.”

Karga nods slowly in thought, “I think I have somewhere for you.  It’s not much, a little house just outside of town.  It’s on the edge of a swamp but you can squint through your visor and pretend it’s a lake.  It has all of the amenities and privacy you will need.  I can’t go with you right now to show it to you, but I’ll have one of my staff meet you at the outskirt of town in 20 minutes with some speeder bikes.  They can show you the property.”

“Good.”  Din nods, “Thank you.  I appreciate the hospitality.”  Din says standing up.

“Anything for you, Mando.”  Karga smiles at him.

With a swish of his tattered cape, Din turns and strides out of the Cantina to meet the staff member.  Karga nods his head and calls to a man at the bar, “Katah,”. A Gamorrean seated at the bar turns his head and lumbers over to Karga's table.  Karga pats the seat next to him in the booth for him to get in closer. Katah obliges and slides in next to him.

“I need you to put your feelers out to find out if there is a Luc woman who’s been dumped on any planet by a Mandalorian,”  He slides a velvet bag of credits to the Gamorrean, “And keep it quiet.  Report back to me asap.”

The Gamorrean snorts his understanding and sternly turns and stomps out of the cantina.

Karga shakes his head in disbelief and smiles to himself before he knocks back his last shot then stretches his arms over his head and crosses his ankles with a wide, carefree smile.

……………………..

Slowly the door creaked open to the old, small house and the staff member stepped in, taking the key out of the lock and spreading an arm to motion Din into the living room.

“It’s not much…”  The staff member said with an unsure shrug, “But it sure is remote.  You’ll have your privacy.” 

Din nods and slowly walks through the living room and kitchen combination, tracing his gloved hand on surfaces and inspecting the surroundings.  It’s old furnishings but it had a decent amount of space for one person.

“There’s shutters that lock on all the windows and the front and back door have locks… and the bedroom door in case you need-”  She clears her throat, “Privacy.”  Din looks back at the young woman who is still standing in the front doorway.  “Bedroom and bathroom are through there.”  She motions, aprehensively.  Din takes a quick look into the bedroom then nods.

“This will do fine, thank you.”

“Um…”  The staff member pulled a large bottle out of her satchel and presented it to Din, “High Magistrate wanted you to have this as a welcoming present.”  She holds her arms out offering the bottle, but appears frightened to enter the house.  Din steps towards her and sees her flinch slightly as he takes it from her hands and he has to admit, something about that flinch turned him on.  He looked her up and down as she refused to make eye contact and looked down at the floor.

Din leaned an arm against the door frame above her and exhaled a long breath as he looked down at her.

“Do I scare you?”  He asked coldly. 

She shifted in her anxiety beneath his large frame.

“No.” She whispers in a mousey voice.

“Come in and have a drink with me.”  Din offers.  She looks up at him through her eyelashes and wide eyes.

“O-Okay.”  She felt like she had broken a boundary the moment her foot stepped into that living room and Din put a gentle hand on the small of her back, leading her to the couch.  He found two dusty glasses in the kitchen, rinsed them out and poured both of them some tall drinks, his with a straw.

“You don’t look that intimidating when you have to drink from a straw.”  The staffer giggled as she took a sip of her drink.  Din put an arm around her, 

“Do you want to see how intimidating I can be?”

……………..

“High Magistrate, A Gammorean has arrived without an appointment.”  DF-7 announces as he rigidly presents the hulking figure who snorts a hefty breath through his snout then shoves the droid to one side as he enters Karga’s office.

“Ah, Katah, my friend!  You took longer than expected…”

“Four months is not long when searching the entire universe for someone." The Gammorean snarks. KArga nods and raises his hands defensively,

"You are correct, my friend."

I’ve found the Luc girl you are looking for.  She’s on the planet of Sypar.”

“Perfect!”  Karga claps his hands together.  “How long until you can go retrieve her for me?”  The Gammorean snuffs uncomfortably,

“Katah will not go to Sypar.  Too dangerous.”  He grunts.  Karga instantly looks disappointed and cross, “But-” Katah continues, “I have found someone who will…”

In the distance DF-7 is continuously rambling, “Do you have an appointment?  Do you have an appointment?  Do you have an appointment?” as footsteps come closer and closer to Karga’s office.

Mayfeld pushes past the nosy droid and steps into Karga’s office.

“I know Sypar.”  He states simply.  “I’ll bring the girl to you.”

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[averysexyleon]

Uhhh CAN YOU JUST ANSWER THEM ALL anyways I won't use much to give other of your followers to ask as well so. I tried to limit myself ROFL

😈✨🤗❌💖

you should have seen me squinting to figure out which emoji is which. i'm too old for this LOL

Has there been a point in a story where you did something just to be playfully mean to your readers?

In my fallout new vegas fic everybody wanted my courier and boone to bang, and it was kind of known they would end up together, but I just delayed it because I was TERRIFIED to write smut. everybody thought that I was being a troll, which maybe was a little true, because they had so many close spicy encounters before the smut. actually, the smut of that 200 chapter story was chapter 150 and i just named it "chapter 150" instead of giving it a nice name because of all of the hollering for smut LOL.

Give you and your writing a compliment. Go on now. You know you deserve it.

uhhh. my compliment to me is, good job wet vacuuming the entire living room today including the stairs. it may have literally killed you and wasted a day but it's done. and my compliment to my writing is, holy shit, almost 9 months into the year and closing in on 150 chapters, well done!

What advice would you give to new fanfic writers that are just getting started?

WRITE, FUCKING WRITE. don't matter if nobody sees it. this is a hobby for you. and find some friendly fic writers in your verse to talk to. it's less lonely that way. but it also might be lonely, writing in general is pretty lonely. but that doesn't mean don't do it. DO IT. STOP NOT WRITING. FUCKING WRITE.

What's a trope you will never write?

I don't know about tropes, but I can't ever write any kind of "toxic romance". If someone is abusive, they're abusive and I don't like it. I have moments in my romances where the characters' trauma comes through or they fight, but I have endured enough abuse and watched enough to not want to ever write it in any glorified way. people who write and enjoy VERY toxic/abusive relationships, you do you I guess, but I'll never enjoy it. I only mention this one because even though it used to be pretty rare, it seems like I see it more and more lately. I also see people take characters with ambiguous or questionable morals in the source material (like Karl) and just turn them into toxic disgusting villainous almost comically awful people and I....don't get it. I don't like Mia and never have, but I humanize her when I write her instead of making her a cartoon villain. maybe it's a maturity thing idk but I don't like it. thank you for coming to my TED talk on toxic relationships in fan writing.

What made you start writing?

reading a lot. when I was in school I was reading 3-5 NOVELS, NOVELS, a day. Turns out I have autism, but anyway, I started writing these little observation things about the classroom and my classmates thought they were hilarious and would ask for them at lunch. I realized that I had an affinity for writing, and that I liked the attention from having others read what I wrote (even if it was oddly vulnerable.) I also realized I had something to offer, because even though other classmates sometimes tried this it never really caught on the way mine did because idk, I'm a good storyteller and have the "it" factor when I write. I can say this confidently and also say confidently I have no other It factor and am a very disappointing person in every other way, so I have to write HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

[dirtyoldmanhole]

chapter twenty six, part one of three because this is detailed af.

...

ugh. my heart, man.

as much as i've been ironically joking about (waves hand) most everything, this is legitimately going to hurt. the first playthrough was more about figuring out wtf happened. this one? this one i'm going to feel every line. cuz here's the thing.

it'd be one thing if gunter had your typical villain arc and having fun with this chapter all the way through, god knows i appreciate somebody who can go ham in an entertaining way.

here though?

this is his second worst day of his life. only second because the first was.... bad.

not to be all gross ass feels on the literal hornyblog but. you spend four months writing a literal 100k word fanfiction with this guy in your head, you're going to get attached to some degree, y'know?

...

all right.

last time we left off, we fought possessed!sumeragi, and there was a genuinely touching death scene between the hoshidan kids.

(it's a pity the nohrian ones never really have that same emotional catharsis/closure that the hoshidan ones, either with garon or their own nameless mothers. gunter's really the only nohrian parent (figure?) around, and that's more with corrin specifically.

ugh fuck, you know what I just realized? remember that "you can't stop believing in everyone?" line he lowkey threw back at her in last chapter. this one:

gunter's going into this confrontation genuinely thinking this is the betrayal that will break her. that's one of the reasons why he's so bitter.

he's thinking to himself 'no you won't, not with me :) ~' all sardonically. and holding that little poisonous resentment close to his chest with the fucking closet of all the others. again, anankos is less possessing him like a puppet and more about tweaking all of his most uncharitable resentments and bumping the intensity of those up.

and the man has. a fuck ton. of resentments.

anyway, everyone's all huddled by the next set of doors, saying the vallite king is behind them. (big ol' red flag by nintendo that it's somebody other than anankos, b/c why would the title suddenly change?)

they charge in to find the throne room (complete with stark throne) very empty.

then surprise attack fireballs, enter left.

(actually that's interesting, anankos obviously juiced gunter up enough that he can unleash some pretty potent magic divine shit. normally gunter has zero magic to save his life.)

fireballs target everyone but corrin and azura.

(clever, clever sir. )

(really, you almost had them all fooled. in another world you could have wiped them out remarkably easily.)

also: note the emphasis on the royalty. you can practically hear anankos leaning down hard on his resentment of royalty to hear that menace of satisfaction.

ohhhhh holy shit

guess what i also just realized. the shots where corrin/gunter are there? ANANKOS' MASK IS LITERALLY IN BETWEEN (in the background).

holy FUCK that is some brilliant as hell cinematography. anankos ""literally"""" being his mask / the malignant presence blocking their communication/trust/etc. jesus, whoever did these shots needs a raise.

gunter gives it all he's got.

bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.

interesting .... that was your idea all along, wasn't it, encouraged by anankos? "lure the royals in the one place and kill them all"

(it's all projection, all the way down in this conversation.)

heh i didn't actually realize i'd be so bang on the mark there, actually, with the last post. (I had forgotten the specific details of this conversation).

...

man, I just feel for corrin here so bad.

like (waves hand) ship stuff aside, at minimum this is the one guy she's trusted for the longest sustained time as a background parental figure. corrin really has not had a single fucking authority figure other than him present. like, at all. who (a) could, and (b) gave a shit enough about her to mentor her with the basic stuff.

this betrayal really does blindside her.

okay, the scarlet stuff is not as interesting, imo, to his characterization to him really harping in on the vallite royalty part.

part of it is that's his cover story, right.

but remember that "interesting" line from him when shit all the sudden went sideways, when corrin found out she's vallite royalty?

lord, you can practically hear anankos piledrive on his hatred when that revelation all but slapped him in the face. beforehand he was somewhat likely to give corrin a chance, but after that...

and i really do think he always hated corrin, to an alarmingly large degree.

(love's closer to hate than apathy, as the line goes.

and i think that was nowhere more accurate than with their bond.)

....

goddamn i can hear the vitrol in these lines.

"I wasn't sure now" yeah, corrin was really lowkey suspecting him when he pointed the finger at azura the last chapter. she's learning.

a little too late, maybe, but she's learning.

all right, i ran out of the image maximum and this is a decent stopping point for a breather, onwards to part two.

[archiveikemen]

Abe no Yasuchika Main Story: Chapter 7

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Read this before interacting┊aikm’s Genjiden Glossary

Yasuchika-san reached out and ran his fingers through my hair.

(Ah…)

My heart started going crazy at how close we were while he played with my hair.

Yasuchika: What if I lied about wanting you to help get rid of ayakashi, just so that I can get close to you?

Yuno: You’re kidding… right?

Yasuchika: I’ll leave you to guess. I think that would fill your mind with me for quite a while.

Yasuchika: I’m going to teach you lots of things from now on, Yuno-san.

(What to do…)

Yuno: D-do I have the option to refuse?

Yasuchika: Ehh— looks like I have to work a lot harder to get your attention.

I could never beat Yasuchika-san, who was wearing a sinister smile.

...

— The night before Yuno and Yasuchika left for Kyoto.

Yasuchika: What an honor to be invited by Yoritomo-sama for personal matters.

Yoritomo: It's not every day you get to spend this much time in the palace.

Yasuchika stared at Yoritomo, sipping on alcohol.

Yasuchika: I thought you were wary of me.

Yoritomo: Is there anyone who isn’t?

Yasuchika: What is it you want to say to an Onmyōji who’s consulted all day long about divination, casting spells to kill people, and exorcizing ayakashi?

Yoritomo: Don’t say such violent things.

Yasuchika: I was kidding about killing people with spells. — That's not something I’ll so casually agree to do.

Yasuchika’s bangs fell to the front of his face as he looked down and swirled the alcohol in his cup, hiding his facial expression.

Yoritomo’s gaze sharpened at the sight of that calculated move.

Yoritomo: There is a difference between trusting someone as a colleague and on a personal level.

Yoritomo: You’re purposely behaving this way, so that people will find you untrustworthy, aren't you?

Yasuchika: …

Yasuchika: Ahaha

Yasuchika: You sound like you want to trust me.

Yoritomo: I trust no one.

Yoritomo: I find out in what ways I can benefit from something and then decide how much I want to involve myself in it.

Yoritomo: However, no matter how much I observe them, there are people I can’t see through.

Yoritomo reached out and poured alcohol into Yasuchika’s cup.

Yoritomo: I’m talking about you, Yasuchika.

Yasuchika: … Wow.

Yasuchika: Should I say that I’m honored?

Yoritomo: Yes.

Yoritomo: Yasuchika. What’s your purpose in serving the Imperial Court?

The two men exchanged sharp gazes, an invisible spark of tension flashed between them.

Yasuchika: The Abe family is the one training the Onmyōji in the capital, right? I’m the head of the Abe Clan, why else would I be serving the Imperial Court?

Yasuchika: — That’s a very controversial question, you know? Yoritomo-sama.

Yasuchika: I might have to write that down in the official records regarding samurai who are under the Imperial Court.

Yoritomo: Things I say during private conversations are not to be taken formally.

Yoritomo’s gaze was fixed onto Yasuchika.

Yasuchika: Are you going to make me join the Shogunate too? Just like you did with Kage-san and Shige-chan.

Yoritomo: I’m not going to try to recruit someone whose current employer won't agree to let me take him. It's a waste of time.

Yasuchika: Understandable. It's a different story if you were to recruit someone from the Imperial Court.

Yoritomo: Was that sarcasm?

Yasuchika: Nope.

Yoritomo: Are you clinging to the Imperial Court because you're attached to someone there?

Yasuchika: …

— That moment of silence was deafening.

Yasuchika: You know something?

Yasuchika: I actually have a half-brother. I’m not cruel enough to abandon him and go my own way.

Yasuchika: And if I ever do that, I won’t complain if he hates me to the point he wants me dead by his own hands.

Yoritomo: …

Yoritomo didn’t even raise an eyebrow at how Yasuchika was blatantly using Yoshitsune to provoke him. And yet, the air in the room felt at least ten times colder.

Yasuchika: I made that up, of course.

Yasuchika: It's off work hours, I’m sure you don't mind some joking around.

Yoritomo: Fine.

Yoritomo: At least now I know what I don't want you involved in.

Yasuchika: …

Yasuchika: I’ve had too much to drink. Can we call it a night?

Yoritomo: Yeah.

Yasuchika bowed and left the room.

Yoritomo rested his elbow on the table as he watched him leave.

Yoritomo: — How insolent.

...

Meanwhile, Yasuchika went out into the corridor…

Yasuchika: — What a shrewd man.

...

In the morning on the day we were leaving…

I invited Tamamo into my room.

Yuno: I see… so there are many types of ayakashi.

Tamamo: That's right. Even just the more powerful ones are too many for me to teach you all of them in just a few days.

Recently, I had asked Tamamo to teach me about ayakashi.

(I know it's probably not even the bare minimum of knowledge, but I’m sure they’ll come in handy eventually.)

Tamamo: Don’t push yourself too hard, Yuno.

Tamamo: Fox powers are a unique set of abilities that can be used against any type of ayakashi, but you’re unable to protect yourself from physical attacks.

Yuno: … Yeah.

Because I’m a human being, I’m unable to use foxfires like Tamamo.

(But I was told that I can use them only if I’m ready to give up my life…)

(I can’t think of any such situation at the moment.)

Tamamo: But the one you should be extra careful of…

Tamamo: It's Yasuchika.

Yuno: What?

Tamamo’s face was serious, he didn't look like he was joking.

Yuno: I know you’re not on good terms with Yasuchika, but…

Tamamo: My personal grudges aside, I still don’t want you getting too close with that man.

Tamamo: The amount of despair he’s in might be too much for anyone to handle.

(Right.)

Yuno: You’re talking about that time you turned into a beautiful woman and entered the Imperial Court, right?

Tamamo: Yeah. I ended up having a huge fight with Yasuchika, and…

Yasuchika: Till the very end, it was hard to understand him.

Yuno: You think that way about him too…

Tamamo: His feelings of despair must've grown deeper over the years.

(I kind of get what he’s trying to say.)

(Yasuchika is no ordinary man. Is it because he’s an Onmyōji?)

(Or is there another reason?)

...

— A few days later.

Yasuchika: We’re almost reaching Kyōto.

Yuno: Wow, really?

When Yasuchika-san said that, I leaned forward and raised the curtain of the oxcart slightly.

Yuno: This is my first time going to Kyōto! It’s a beautiful city, isn't it?

Yasuchika: Yup. It does look good.

Yuno: What does it look like?

Yasuchika-san gazed listlessly out of the window.

Yasuchika: It looks pretty, but it's also filled with conspiracy.

Yasuchika: Unlike Kamakura, it's like a lovely fruit that’s slowly rotting.

Yuno: … Do you hate Kyōto?

Yasuchika: :)

(Why are you smiling like that all of a sudden?)

A smile that looked neither lonely nor resigned briefly appeared on his face before disappearing again.

Yasuchika: There's no way I can hate it. I'm too attached to Kyōto.

Yasuchika: Living in Kyōto made me suffer countless bone-crushing nights, as well as beautiful encounters.

(What do you mean…?)

Yuno: Yasuchika-san?

Yasuchika: Oh well, everyone’s place of birth has something special about it!

Yasuchika: I’ll take you to the Abe Clan's mansion right away!

Yuno: Oh, alright. Thanks.

(I guess that means I’ll be staying at Yasuchika-san's mansion while I’m in Kyōto.)

Yasuchika-san held my hand between both of his.

(I wonder what kind of place that is. After all, it's Yasuchika-san we’re talking about…)

Yasuchika: We’re going to be living together, Yuno-san!

Yasuchika: I can observe you from up close all day long.

Yuno: You don't have to do that…

Yasuchika: Ah, of course, you’re free to observe me too.

Yuno: How I WISH you'd listen to me for once.

The oxcart slowly moved while I was distracted by random thoughts…

...

We soon arrived at an elegant mansion.

Yasuchika: Let me show you to your room first.

Yuno: Oh, thank you.

(...!)

???: It's been a long time since we last met. Go on, cry tears of joy.

???: Welcome back, Yasuchika.

(Who are they?)

Two men were talking to Yasuchika-san.

Yasuchika: Ibuki. … Akihito-sama.

Ibuki: That’s the girl with fox powers?

Yuno: Do you know me?

(I heard that the news about me receiving fox powers was reported to only a small number of people in the Imperial Court.)

Akihito: We’re helping Yasuchika out with his work. That’s why we’ve been receiving news about you in letters.

Yasuchika: Akihito-sama is of noble blood, but he’s living in my mansion due to some circumstances.

Yasuchika: As for Ibuki… he’s living here without my permission.

(They seem to have a very close relationship with Yasuchika-san.)

Akihito-sama approached me.

Akihito: Welcome to Kyōto, brave princess.

Akihito: Since we’ll all be living in the same mansion, let's get along well.

Yuno: Sure! Please take good care of me.

Yuno: Uhh Ibuki-san too.

Ibuki: Just “Ibuki” is fine. No need to use honorifics.

Yuno: I understa—... got it.

(This guy seems a little quirky, but perhaps he’s easier to get along with than he seems…?)

(I wonder why Yasuchika-san looks at him with such cold eyes, though.)

Ibuki: Yasuchika, did you bring back any souvenirs?

Ibuki purposely put a hand on Yasuchika-san's shoulder.

Right when Yasuchika-san was about to smack it away—

Yasuchika: … Achoo.

Yasuchika: …! Ibuki, you’re hiding a cat.

Ibuki: Tch.

Ibuki looked away and held his pocket.

???: Nya~

(A cat’s meow!?)

A black kitten poked its head out of Ibuki’s kimono.

Black Cat: Meow…

Akihito: Ibuki. You know you can’t do this, right?

Akihito: Cats are only allowed to be out in the yard and not in the mansion. Yasuchika is allergic to them, he won’t stop sneezing.

Ibuki: It was sweetly pleading with me to bring it inside, so I didn't have a choice.

Yasuchika: You can stay outside forever then… achoo.

Yuno: Uh… Yasuchika-san, are you okay?

(He’s sneezing non-stop and his eyes are all red…)

Yasuchika: I’ll be alright. It’s just a natural thing with my body constitution.

Ibuki: Your constitution is unnatural if you start sneezing the moment you go near a cat.

Akihito: That’s enough, Ibuki. Feed the cat and put it outside.

Akihito-sama moved in between the two of them and pushed Ibuki’s back.

Akihito: Sorry, Yuno. I’ll see you later.

Yuno: Okay!

Ibuki and Akihito-sama walked away…

Yasuchika: Sigh… that was hell.

Yasuchika-san's allergic reaction seemed to have calmed down a little. He rubbed his eyes and sighed.

Yuno: I didn't know you had that weakness.

Yasuchika: Usually, I can use magic to stop myself from sneezing whenever I see a cat.

Yuno: Using magic for that!?

(Indeed a waste of his talents… Yasuchika-san is so all-rounded.)

Yasuchika: But this time I didn't expect to see one. Ibuki definitely did that on purpose.

Yuno: But still, I feel relieved.

Yasuchika: What…?

Yuno: I can see that you have people you’re comfortable with… you have friends.

When I said that with a soft expression, Yasuchika-san raised his eyebrows slightly.

Yasuchika: Friends?

Yuno: … Am I wrong?

Yasuchika: Yeah.

I was puzzled by how he so casually admitted that.

Yasuchika: Akihito-sama and Ibuki aren’t my friends.

Yasuchika: That kind of bond only exists in the Shogunate and Rebel Army… not here.

Yasuchika: What we have is a very complicated and unstable bond.

[valleynix]

I finished the chapter, you're killing me with all the fluff. I almost turned into ashes because of the overwhelming amount of warmth this whole thing was.

This is so funny to me that Reader is so afraid Dimitrescus will be scared/won't love them because of the mutation like they ain't mutated themselves like the sisters ain't a bunch of flesh eating fly mutants with a mama that can turn into a freaking dragon and they think Dimis would be scared of some wings or few additional eyes 😭

“I’m… doing just fine on my own, handling everything on my own.”

Bestie you clearly don't, be for real 😭

“You were right. I’m not her(…)"

“You are quite similar…”

AND THAT'S SUS

Bela is adorable indeed please, the transition from confident to shy blushing mess is killing me.

Daniela would have a free pass for terrorising me any time she wants.

"You think you see the flickering form of that lunatic walking in a circle around Daniela, almost watching her… curiously?"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA (just a lot of screaming) IN MY HEAD THIS IS THE BEGGING OF THEM GETTING SOFT FOR DANIELA IDC

"Before you know it, her hand smacks the side of your head hard"

Deserved

I'm a mess because of the cuteness of the whole scene with Bela, Cass and Dani. How to use words???? I be just giggling.

YOU TELLING ME BELA AND CASS FINALLY HAD A DECENT CONVERSATION AND BELA IS WORRIED SHE'S A BAD SIS AND SHE... SHE, SHE COMPLIMENTED CASSANDRA'S DRAWINGS OH MY GOD I LOVE THEM SO MUUUUUUCH. IT WAS SO SWEET PLEASE BELA CAN YOU APPRECIATE YOUR SIS MORE OFTEN. I love this moment so much.

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THEM GETTING THE FLOWER CROWNS AND KISSES FROM DANI AAAAAAAAAAA I LOVE WHEN THEY'RE ALL SWEET AND ALL WITH EACH OTHET NIX WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME GOOD BYE

“A high concentration of virgin blood makes me a little feral, as you said, but everything else makes me drunk"

What does virgin blood mean in this tho and how is she able to tell the difference. This concept was alway so weird to me. Like is she really able to tell the difference in taste somehow? She just likes her food un-fucked by a man/in general? Why does it matter so much, what's the science behind it?😭

"These women are vile. They are nothing like the ones you know and have come to adore, and you think you’re beginning to understand why your copy doesn’t like spending much time with them"

Damn Lunatic and Reader really are living in such different environments, surrounded by much different people. And it really makes me sad for them :(

No one is giving Lunatic any love or even the simplest affection. Not without a price that is as Miranda may give them a head pat or sth but only if they earn it somehow.

The character is tragic to me, their case. Like, they probably could be so much different if only they were surrounded by people like from Reader's world :(

That's also why I want so bad for Lunatic to experience something nice and unconditional for once in their life with the fluff ball Reader's Dani is 😭

Lastly, I adore how this chapter and the whole work is so full of kisses and simple affection in general. Everyone is getting forehead kisses left and right and I live for that.

Despite the angst it's still so warm and fuzzy, please, might me my comfort fic even with all the bloody events.

I love how each pair goes their own way and has their own pace but all of them do those sweet little things and bond together and have nice intimate moments and it's not banging every five seconds.

Also the Dimitrescus and their bond honestly might be my fav part of it all😭 I adore how they'd protect each other at all cost, their little fights and all the soft moments. I love my platonic/family bonds too, I wish people would explore it more rather than write them doing all sorts of messed up stuff, can't they just let them cuddle or sth 😭

HEHEHEHE, i saw the notification pop up about this ask and just went !!!!!

*Reader: "but what if you don't love me the same if you saw my mutation? :(" // literally any of the Dimis: "...did you forget who we are-"

*Reader try not to lie challenge (impossible)

*SHE DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING BAD BY THIS I PROMISE

*Bela is literally the epitome of confidence and authority but loses it so quickly when someone is nice to her. pls i love her

*Daniela could "terrorize" me all she wants, i'd have 0 complaints

*sometimes you just need a hard lil smack to get some sense back in your head <3

*PLEASE I WAS SO WORRIED THIS SCENE WITH BELA AND CASS TALKING WAS OOC, BUT IDC IT NEEDED TO BE DONE. CASS NEEDS TO KNOW BELA LOVES HER AND IS GOING TO TRY BEING A BETTER SISTER

*also i literally debated for a while if i should even add in Dani giving them kisses on the cheek 😭 like i know this fandom gets kind of weird sometimes and i was afraid someone would take that not platonically and i'd have to throw hands, BUT I COULDNT STOP SMILING WHEN I WAS WRITING IT PLS, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

*i think virgin blood is just more "pure"? and since they feed on it often, they can tell the difference between virgin blood and non-virgin blood. i literally don't know the science behind it because virginity is like a social construct (i think?) but i assume it's something like that. i might have to go research it to be sure-

*it's been interesting to write Lunatic as this horrible, cruel person in the beginning who we assume is just Like That, only to eventually see all the little pieces that make them who they are. like, yeah, copies are horrible versions of the real ones, but it's obvious they're capable of change and only remain this way because of the environment(s) they're in

i mean, their Dimis obviously hold very little to no love for one another, and being around that dynamic alone is bound to make them a bit bitter and cruel to anyone else because they're not surrounded by any sort of love. and when they're not trapped in the megamycete, they're around Miranda, who only sees them as a tool or a pawn rather than someone who literally has thoughts and feelings

i will say that moment where they were watching Daniela + where they mentioned they'll go easy on her were changes we're starting to see in their character. they see the possibility of what they could have, what life they could live, but it'll take some time for them to understand they're allowed to have happiness

*listen i adore simple affection :'( i think it's way more interesting to write these women as people who are capable of kindness and love, but choose to be cruel and awful to anyone who isn't their family. i don't really like reading anything where they're just horrible all the time and are incapable of even being half-decent to each other

but yes, everyone gets a kiss! you get a kiss, and you get a kiss, and yes, you get a kiss!!

*i do like writing their dynamics a bit different rather than the same thing over and over- like Alcina is a bit reserved because she knows Reader is hiding something and doesn't want to get too close for the sake of her daughters, Daniela is a bit more fast-paced but still very respectful of boundaries etc., Cassandra is coming to terms with the fact she's actually falling in love for like the first time, and Bela is a bit of a mix with her being out of her depth and not knowing how to proceed sometimes but still trying her hardest to compromise <3

like, i feel it makes more sense that way? they're all different people with different personalities, so they wouldn't go about every situation the same way

(also i hate when people write them as horny 24/7- like i genuinely highly doubt sex is even on their list of priorities LMAO. Bela and Dani are probably the only ones to actively seek it out, but even then, i don't think it'd be a regular occurrence like some people think)

*i'm trying my best to not write them as super hostile with each other all the time 😭 like yeah, Bela and Cass have their moments, but it's so painfully obvious they still love each other and would do anything to keep each other safe. i wish we had more of, "yeah, these people are horrible and awful, but here's them in a cuddle pile because it's a cold night <3"

ANYWAYS AAAAA IM GLAD YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER, i have a plan for the next one i think you'll like (something with Red... hmm...) and i'll try to start working on it sometime this week after i get some other projects done <3333 thank you for sharing your thoughts, i literally love them so much 😭💞

[k--havok]

Fire: What’s a scene that you are dying to write?

Air: What’s the easiest part of writing for you?

Shadows: What’s the darkest theme you’ve ever written about?

Lightning: What’s the most shocking plot twist you’ve ever come up with?

Rain: Have you ever made yourself cry with your own writing?  If so, what was it?

Grass: What’s the biggest change you’ve made in your WIP since you started it?

So many!!

Fire: What’s a scene that you are dying to write?

Oh gosh a scene? As in one? I have so many scenes I want to write that I haven't tackled yet! Let me see if I can pick one that doesn't have too many spoilers...

There is this scene I want to write from Waking into Divinity where Rylie goes to Gehenna (the demon world) for the first time in Book I. Humans are incredibly rare in Gehenna so the majority of demons have never seen one, making Rylie an instant interest to pretty much everyone there.

There's a lot of stuff I plan on writing about here, such as the celebration that gets to be had, Rylie learning about demons, demon culture, and the politics going on at the same time. But the scene I really want to write about here is this pivotal scene where Casrath takes Rylie to the magical center, or leyline, of his realm, which is located deep beneath the ground.

In Waking into Divinity, there are two types of demons; Demon Lords and then just demons. Demons are born from Demon Lords mating with each other, other demons, or when two demons mate with one another.

But Demon Lords are not born, but created fully-formed as adults from a point of magic. And their magic is dependent on the type of magic found in each realm. Casrath was created from the leyline of light, making him a demon which can control light. This is what he shows Rylie as these wells of power are intrinsic for the realm to continue to flourish. Without the leyline there, magic will cease to exist in the area, and become basically wastelands where nothing and no one can survive.

I love writing about magic and landscape descriptions which is why I am so ready to write this scene. Plus the worldbuilding too. Love that as well.

Air: What’s the easiest part of writing for you?

Sitting around day-dreaming scene/story ideas if we're keeping it real. But if you mean like. Sitting down and actually writing-writing, I really love doing action/chase scenes. I feel like I'm usually good with banging them out in one sitting compared to dialogue or description heavy-scenes for whatever reason.

Shadows: What’s the darkest theme you’ve ever written about?

I've answered here but I'll go ahead and give another answer too!

Currently, the darkest story I've been working on-and-off again is Osiris' Trials, a story I share with my bestest friend @ademariel

The first three chapters PLUS a 16k word smutty one-shot is on my AO3 if you want to read it.

The story is about a snobby assassin who is tasked to kill a billionaire named Renenetmos. Except, he is captured by said billionaire and gets sucked into a dark world all the while trying to both A) kill Renenetmos B) survive Renenetmos and C) find out who hired him in the first place

It doesn't help that his target isn't human.

The story features: Ancient Egyptian Gods and Mythology, murder, inhuman characters, rape, human trafficking, drugs, torture, violence (of all kinds), major character death, and unlikable main characters. All of the above are graphic and on-page.

If you like gay murderous husbands who want to kill each other as hard as they want to fuck each other then you'll probably like this story.

Lightning: What’s the most shocking plot twist you’ve ever come up with?

Well, if I share the most shocking plot twist I've come up with, it won't be the most shocking plot twist anymore haha!

I will share a tidbit but I am not going to explain the characters or even what story it belongs to.

Most of my stories have some form of Major Character Death. In one of the series I am working on, there is Major Character Death where one protagonist is coerced to kill another protagonist by the main antagonist. This single death basically forms the turning point for the rest of the series, and the fallout of this one death touches not just the rest of the ensemble cast, but changes the course of the future permanently as well. Every other decision, both good and bad, stems from this one death.

This act of amicicide (friend killing a friend) changes everything.

And the murderer is still one of the protagonists after. He does not become an antagonist in the story due to this. But he does suffer major consequences due to what he did.

And the antagonist who basically put the gun in his hand? He gets his own consequences too. hehe.

Rain: Have you ever made yourself cry with your own writing?  If so, what was it?

I've answered this one here too~ I don't really cry from my own writing so I don't have another answer to give unless crying from frustration counts lol

Grass: What’s the biggest change you’ve made in your WIP since you started it?

This is another hard one as I feel with most my WIPs that they either don't really change too much from the original idea or they do a complete 180 with no in-between.

For what I am currently working on, I think Waking into Divinity is going to have the largest of changes due to the fact that I am not happy with the first draft of the first book and am thinking about scraping what I have and completely redoing it. Thing is, I am not certain how I want to go about this.

Currently, the first draft is about 40k words long. It is... slight portal fantasy? There are two worlds in the story, Earth or the Human World, and the Demon World known as Gehenna.

The main character is a human named Rylie. They are nonbinary, work an average 9-5 job, and is living a typical depression-fueled lifestyle in the modern age. The monotony is endless until they meet Casrath, a Demon Lord from Gehenna who claim Rylie is his soulmate, also known as tal'rith in the story. Casrath wishes for Rylie to go back with him to Gehenna to live with him but despite hating their life, its hard to uproot everything you have to live a completely different life. So Casrath is trying to convince them in the meanwhile

If that description kinda sounds boring, its because it is boring. At least, 50% of writing this has been boring as the meat of the story takes place in Gehenna, but its hard to force Rylie to get there as they are stubborn and get overwhelmed easily.

I love reading portal fantasy/romance of this nature but always find the beginning to go to fast in most of those stories and the protagonists to act so weird regarding trying to get home. I feel they usually "get over" trying to go home way too quick in a way that's not very realistic. But now I think I'm leaning too hard in the opposite direction.

Thing is, Casrath is a gentleman (gentledemon? I never want to read the word "gentlemale" ever again sorry) and would not force Rylie to go to Gehenna. So I'm still trying to figure out a way to get Rylie there quicker ahaha.

If I do end up changing the beginning of the story, it'll really change the rest of the first book I think. I don't think the second book will change much as I know how the first book ends, its just, you know, the first 90% that is giving me issues.

[wheretheharekissesthefox]

Lavender and Starflower (Mobster AU) – Chapter 14

The Dekarios Clan reigns over Waterdeep as the city’s protector for centuries. Suddenly, the Clan gets challenged by Cazador, the head of the Szarr Clan that rules over Baldur’s Gate. Of course, such an attack won’t be tolerated and the intruder must be forced back and out of the City of Splendors. While fixing destroyed protection sigils, Gale, wizard prodigy and heir of the Dekarios Clan, meets a charming stranger called Astarion. And Gale makes the biggest mistake of his life; he invites the pale elf into his home.

I was inspired to start writing this fic when I saw this artwork by @arczism

According to DnD lore, vampires are immune against Sleep, Charm, and Hold Person spells. Thus, Morena uses her own modified spell based on exorcism (like in the previous chapter).

This is obviously an AU that isn't related to my other work.

Astarion woke up in Gale's bed. Instead of finding himself sticky and gross, he was clean – which meant the wizard had used a spell on him before tucking him in. How considerate and sweet. His skin had fully-healed and so had the bones that Cazador had broken when pulling out his heart. The vampire spawn sighed and smiled. He was no longer in pain – and all that thanks to the wizard's blood.

"Thank you, Gale."

"You're awake!" The addressed sat up next to him where he'd fallen asleep after watching over Astarion for hours. "How are you feeling?"

"As good as new."

Gale sighed a breath of relief and said: "I'm so glad. I was incredibly worried about you."

"I'm alright," smiled Astarion. "And the collar's still working."

"That's good to hear." Gale stroke the vampire spawn's hair. "Do you need something? Anything?"

"Only you," Astarion replied and knew how cliché it sounded, but he didn't care. He wrapped his arms around the wizard and captured his lips in a kiss. Gale sighed, pulling Astarion closer.

In this moment, the door banged open and Morena stormed in like a fury. Gale squeaked in embarrassment and let go of the vampire spawn who was as surprised as the wizard. Thus, he couldn't ward off her self-invented banishing spell that was hurled towards him and hit him at full force.

"I know who you are, Astarion Ancunín, high elf, former magistrate of Baldur's Gate, spawn of Cazador Szarr!" shouted Morena enraged. "Born into the esteemed Ancunín family and allegedly killed by Gurs at the age of thirty-nine. You were turned by Cazador and are his thrall ever since. You got the order to seduce and abduct my son with the help of a sussur-induced collar, and Cazador would demand all of Waterdeep in exchange for my son's life. But no matter how I'd decide, he would turn Gale into a spawn nonetheless and use him against me! How dare you, Astarion! How dare you to walk into my home and try and take away my son!"

Morena yelled another spell and the curtains flew open, letting the morning sun shine right onto the bed. And since Astarion was trapped with her spell, he couldn't move.

"Mum! No!"

Panicked, Gale jumped out of bed and threw the blanket over the vampire spawn's motionless form.

"He's a traitor, Gale!" shouted Morena. "He lied to you!"

"I know!" Gale closed the curtains with a spell and the room fell back into half-darkness. He looked at his furious mother and explained: "I know he lied, Tara told me, and then, Astarion came back, forced by Cazador's order, and begged me to stop him from putting the collar on me. I put it on him instead and thanks to the sussur's influence, he doesn't have to obey Cazador's orders anymore." Now, Gale carefully removed the blanket from Astarion to inspect the sun damage, and he was relieved when he found none. He'd been fast enough to save him. "Please, take the spell off of him, mum."

"No. I won't let him hurt you."

"He won't." Gale looked at Morena again, beseechingly. "Please, mum."

The addressed sighed deeply, but complied to her son's wish. As soon as the spell waned, Astarion gasped and scrambled away, almost falling off the bed. Gale managed to prevent it by pulling the elf towards him.

"It's alright, everything's alright," the wizard reassured and hugged Astarion tightly who shook with panic and adrenaline.

"I don't want to hurt, Gale," the vampire spawn croaked out. "I love him, and I rather die than bring him to Cazador."

"You almost did," noted Gale, caressing Astarion's back. "Gods... I almost lost you."

And that's when the elf broke, tears and words bursting out of him, just like water from a broken dam. No more secrets, no more ugly surprises.

While Astarion talked and cried, Gale held him close, and when the vampire spawn was finally done, the wizard gently wiped the tears away.

Morena had watched the scene unfold quietly, frowning deeply.

"You disobeyed your maker? I'm surprised you're still alive."

"So am I," responded Astarion, "but Cazador still had use for me since Gale trusts me. Thus, he ordered me to stop delaying the matter and get the job done in an instant. I had to obey, of course, but he didn't forbade me to speak, thus, although my body was following orders, I told Gale to stop me. To kill me. He found another way though." He smiled at Gale, stroking his cheek. "Of course, he did. You're son's a genius."

At that, a proud smile ghosted over Morena's lips.

"Your siblings told me you're deviant, but I didn't grasp to what extent," she revealed then. "I'm impressed by your backbone and persistence. After all, two hundred years is a long time, even for a vampire."

"Two hundred years..." Gale whispered, gazing at Astarion. "I assumed you're undead for a while, a couple of decades maybe, but two centuries... Gods... I'm so sorry, Astarion."

"For what?" The addressed barked a watery laugh. "It's not your fault, and you're the best thing that happened to me in my undead life. You have nothing to apologise for, my love."

The wizard's smile was a bit wobbly as he leaned their foreheads together.

"I love you," he murmured, "and we'll find a way to destroy Cazador."

"Good." Astarion gave him a toothy grin. "I want that bastard dead."

"I already have a plan," Morena chimed in. "With the help of some of my clerics, we'll be able to cast Blessing on his hideout and burn him alive."

"Oh, I will enjoy this," grinned Astarion. "And I can help you too. I know loads of Cazador's dirty secrets and I know where he stores his precious paperwork."

"Smart," nodded Morena. "If you bring me those files and evidence, I might forgive you for what you've done."

Astarion indicated a slight bow, replying: "It would be an honour." After a pause, he added hesitantly: "You were talking about vampire spawns. May I know their names?"

"Dalyria and Petras."

"Did you kill them?"

"Not yet. They might still be useful."

"I don't care what you do with Petras, he's a bastard, but please let Dalyria live. She's the closest I have to a sister and she's the only one who has ever cared about me in all these years. Before she was turned, she was a doctor, and she believes vampirism's curable. She had a theory and tried to test it with Leon's daughter, but Cazador punished her severely for it. She was locked into a coffin for twelve months – a month for every year of the girl's age. But before that, Leon had twelve hours to punish Daly as a revenge in any way he pleased. I was the one who had to put her in the coffin and nail it shut. I was also the one who stitched up her skin, set the broken bones, put the organs back where they belong, and fed her rat blood so she could heal a bit before she was locked up. Dalyria hates Cazador's guts almost as much as I do, believe me."

Morena nodded.

"She's way more cooperative and pleaded for your safety, just like you do for hers. I'll think about it."

"She's not a threat if that's your concern," Astarion remarked. "She's the second youngest spawns, but she's the kindest. I should know, because I'm the second oldest, right after Aurelia. I've been around the others since they've been turned."

Morena nodded again, looking thoughtful. Astarion just had to dig deeper.

"Did they say anything else? Something important?"

"Cazador's in Waterdeep."

"Oh, I know!" The vampire spawn barked a laugh. "I had to meet him, he ripped my heart out, and tried to force me to drain Tara dry. As an answer, I destroyed his fancy windows and helped the cat escape."

"She's not a cat but a tressym," Gale reminded him. The aforementioned furry lady miaowed vehemently, making the wizard snicker. "And according to her, you didn't 'help' her, but threw her out the window."

"That's what 'helping' is, darling," countered Astarion cheekily. Then, he frowned. "Wait, you understand Tara? How's that even possible?"

"Well..." Gale cleared his throat, looking bashful and proud in equal measure. "I'm rather well-versed in Tressymspeak."

"Tressymspeak," repeated the elf slowly. "Tressym. Speak. An animal language. You speak the language of an animal? Of course, you do."

"Technically, tressyms aren't animals but fantastic beasts, known as monstrosities. Although I, personally, wouldn't call them that. They're incredibly friendly."

"Mhm, and technically, I'm a monstrosity too," retorted Astarion dryly.

Gale frowned, clearly unhappy with the term.

"Alright!" Morena clapped her hands, startling both men in the process. "We have much to do, my dears. Astarion, you make a note of which evidence you can take from where. I want to have the report on my desk tonight. Gale, you help him with it and go over the books again regarding the weaknesses of true vampires. Maybe, there's an unconventional method mentioned in a footnote somewhere. I'll take care of everything else. Off we go!"

And with that, the head of the Dekarios Clan strutted out of her son's bedroom. Astarion hummed in acknowledgement.

"Bossy and intimidating. I like her."

"What a relief," chuckled Gale. "It would be a bit awkward if my lover and my mother couldn't stand each other."

Nonplussed, Astarion looked at him.

"Am I?" he asked. "Your lover, I mean?"

"Uhm, are you not?" muttered Gale, turning crimson. "We don't have to put a label on what we have, but..."

"No, I like it," smiled the vampire spawn. "Call me your lover."

The wizard returned the smile, relieved.

"Alright," he murmured. "Alright then."

He leaned in to kiss Astarion and the latter reciprocated it perfervidly.

They worked all day and when the sun went down, they brought Morena their reports. Afterwards, Gale cooked and ate some dinner while chatting with Astarion.

"Now, that this grandiose mess is over, I need a cigarette," sighed Gale, running his fingers through his hair.

"I didn't know you smoke," remarked Astarion in surprise.

"Well..." The wizard looked a tad sheepish. "I quit, but sometimes, when I'm especially stressed, I go back to it. Old habits are hard to break, and what not."

He moved towards the balcony, opened the double doors, and fished a package of cigarettes from underneath a pot of orchids.

"Don't tell Tara or my mother," said Gale and stepped onto the balcony. Astarion chuckled.

"My, my, what a naughty son you are. But I won't kiss and tell, darling." He followed Gale outside and closed the door behind him. "Can I have one too?"

Gale raised his brows, asking: "You smoke?"

"Well, sometimes at social gatherings," the vampire spawn shrugged nonchalantly. "Other than you, it won't kill me."

At that, Gale huffed a laugh, shaking his head slightly, and handed Astarion one of the tightly rolled-up papers. The men casually leaned against the balcony's parapet and Gale lit their cigarettes with a flick of his wrist.

"Thank you, darling," purred the elf and dragged the smoke into his dead lungs for the first time in seven years. He immediately realised something was off about the taste. He exhaled sharply and shot the wizard a look.

"That's not a regular cigarette."

"No," smirked Gale, taking another drag on his smoke. "It's not."

The vampire spawn gasped with feigned horror, placing his unoccupied hand on his chest.

"Gale of Waterdeep! Are you smoking psychedelics?!"

The addressed snorted a laugh, answering: "No, it's legal botanicals; sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and blue lotus. It has a calming effect – and is rather useful during exorcisms. Vengeful spirits aren't fond of these herbs."

The corner of Astarion's mouth ticked up.

"You're one of a kind, Gale of Waterdeep. You're... you're full of surprises, aren't you?"

Gale smiled at him softly.

"Well, so are you, Astarion Ancunín."

The addressed chuckled slightly.

"It's strange to hear this name again after so long. I was shocked when Morena said it. After two hundred years under Cazador... after two hundred years of being tortured, used, and abused, I forgot who I once was. But you, Gale Dekarios, you made me remember who I truly am."

"Oh..." The wizard looked flabbergasted as he stared at the vampire spawn. "Hmm..." He took another puff of his cigarette. "I don't know what to say to that. I'm honoured though."

"You don't have to say anything," replied Astarion, smiling. He linked his arm with Gale's and leaned into him. Silently, he brought his cigarette to his lips, took a long drag, and blew the smoke into the night sky slowly. Gale squeezed Astarion's hand encouragingly before leaned backwards and taking another puff from his own cigarette.

They stood on the balcony in silence and finished their smoking.