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the-cauldron-witch · 3 months ago

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It has been some time since I've finished a piece of art, but here she is!! My darling Myrtha! Name: Myrtha Age: Unknown, estimated over a hundred. Species: Roti Island snake-necked turtle

Story of her below!

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@thelaundrybitch @thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos @redsrooftopprincess @iridescentflamingo @sophiacloud28 @yorshie @ninnosaurus @silverwatergalaxy @truffle-draws-turtles @thepinkpanther83 @avery73

The pattering of heavy rain pouring down by the sheets against the Tartarugo Brother’s dump truck echoed inside the otherwise quiet vehicle. Wipers furiously waving back and forth to wipe away the droplets attempting to obscure Donnie’s vision of the dirt road ahead, the asphalt having been left behind about half an hour ago now. The radio had lost all signal to the stations in their usual line-up, leaving the four brothers in relative silence.

“Alright, we’re going to need to park up here, otherwise the truck will probably sink into the mud too much for us to get out. The weather certainly isn’t on our side on the matter,” Donnie announced to his brothers over the sounds of the storm battering the truck, spying a decent opening ahead between two large trees just to the left of the dirt road. Nestling the massive dump truck between the two massive American sycamores, Donnie cut the engine before shoving the key into the safety of one of his cargo pockets and zipped it shut.

“We’re going to need to leave through the back,” Donnie told Leo, nudging his leg gently. Shoving the youngest brother’s legs out of his lap Raph stood up, throwing open the back doors and hopping out, feet landing with a wet squish. A shudder wracked through his shell at the feeling. Jamming his phone into his basketball shorts pocket Mikey popped out of the truck with a hop, followed by Leo then Donnie who slammed the door shut and locked up.

“Are we sure ‘bout all this? All April said was that a lotta people were tellin’ the news station of someone scarin’ away hunters and hikers,” Raph questioned gruffly, having to raise his voice slightly over the downpouring rain. Lightning shattered the blackened skies followed by a low rumble of thunder vibrating the air, the gusts of wind turning the droplets into stinging projectiles. “Fer all we know it’s some jackass in’a ghillie suit gettin’ a laugh”

“She didn’t say someone, she said something. Whatever it is April is pretty sure it’s not human,” Leo stated flatly, turning his head so that the rain didn’t pelt his face.

“Angel cakes wouldn’t have us come out here for something that stupid anyway, I bet my board on it,” Mikey defended April with an affirming nod to no one in particular, looking up just as another scatter of lightning shattered the sky with brilliant light fading into the clouds. It was bad enough they had to trudge through the ass-smelling swamp, the added awful weather seemed unnecessary in the youngest’s opinion.

“Reviewing all the information April gave me, plus tapping into the wildlife cameras put up by conservationists, whatever is hiding within the swamp terrorizing people walks similarly to humans but is at least twice or more the size,” Donnie reported, looking down at the device attached to his wrist. Pressing one of the buttons, a small hologram displayed of a clearing recorded somewhere within the swamp, “April wanted us to check it out because of this video that was sent in of it. It’s the only video that shows it clearly for more than a few seconds,”

From the shadows beyond the cameras’ sight lumbered in a rather large figure, slowly trudging into view through the murky water and thick mud. The creature walked upright with a very visible hunch and a short and clumsy gait, one of its arms clutching onto a hiking staff with a lantern hanging off the curled top. Dirty and discarded fabrics were draped over or wrapped around the figures frame, obscuring the camera of any further details.

“Um…where the hell is its head?” Mikey questioned, growing increasingly unsettled as the video played. The draped fabrics shifted awkwardly as the creature shambled its way closer, standing just a few yards away from the camera now. It stopped, the fabrics shifting and rising in an awkward fashion, as though something in the middle of its body lifted the sheet. Bending over shakily, the lantern swaying back and forth as it gripped the staff for stability, the things other arm reached into the water and pulled out a stone. With one flick of its wrist, the creature launched the rock with laser like accuracy at the camera and promptly cut off the video.

“What the fuck?” Raph muttered in disbelief.

“Whatever that is, it definitely isn’t human,” Leo stated, pausing long enough to let the clash of lightning and thunder roll out. “Do we have any areas where that thing is frequently sighted?” He questioned the taller brother.

“I narrowed down all the sightings and reports to one specific area. Once we get there, we can split up and comb the area more carefully” Donnie reported, turning off the finished hologram video and opening the map. “I already have all the wildlife, trail and security cameras displaying a feedback loop for anyone other than myself. Park rangers closed off all camping sites and hunting trails until they figure out what this thing is, so we should be completely alone out there. Well, besides whatever we’re searching for”

“Alright, turn on your coms and trackers just in case we get separated or go off course in the swamp. I don’t think the weather is going to get any better from here on out,” Leo instructed as he began following Donnie’s lead, wincing against the bite of the rain.

The rain settled into a steady rhythm as the four brothers ventured into the swamp, following a path worn into the earth by time and many footsteps. Raph grimaced as he brought up the rear, the feeling of the muck and gravel beneath his bare feet sending spikes of repulsion through his very being with every step. With each step he could hear the mud squelch under his feet even with the rain.

“Alright, we just need to go northwest for two clicks, and we’ll be in the general area with the most frequent sightings. I set up a program on my computer to keep the trail cameras running with the feedback loop and alert me if the creature triggers the motion sensors,” Turning in the direction his GPS instructed Donnie began leading them off the worn path and into the thick of the swamp, each step bringing the rather tall terrapin down an inch into the mud and water. The gentle sloshing from each step his brothers took turned his stomach a little, finally working up the nerve to follow Raph began walking after his brother and shuddered with every wet step.

“You guys see that?” Mikey questioned suddenly, his voice cutting through the heavy droning of the rain. Following the youngest brother’s line of sight Leo, Donnie, and Raph peered through the rain the best they could. A variety of lures dangled and danced from invisible fishing line weaved between two tall trees, like the pattern of a spider’s web. Light reflected off the many fishing hooks, various shreds of fabric dangling as remnants of past victims having been caught by the hidden trap. Adjusting his crooked glasses and blinking in disbelief, Donnie studied the hand-made web curiously.

“That’s…interesting,” Donnie mumbled, unsure what to make of this. Whatever made this did it with the knowledge that A: spiders were something feared and B: how to utilize discarded fishing line and lures to make a web.

“What could have done this?” Leo stuttered, shaking his head and glancing around himself as the paranoia began to tighten his chest.

“I don’t know…but it’s definitely meant to keep people away, not capture them,” Donnie cautiously began walking in the direction the GPS directed, keeping his eyes peeled for other fishing-line spider webs. Taking a few steps closer to inspect the web, Mikey poked and pulled a few of the lures, one of them shaped like a fish and another shaped like some strange cricket like bug.

“This is getting weird bro,” Mikey stated to Raph, turning to join the grimacing brother in following Donnie’s lead.

Another ten minutes of trudging in the disgusting thickness of the swamp, passing at least four or five more fishing-line webs, Leo began noticing some trail markers as they continued. Long, thick, and carved-smooth sticks jutted from stones piled to hold it up or a mound of earth sturdy enough to hold it. Stained with natural pigments, decorated with ropes tied around the top and midsection, or wrapped with a piece of scrap clothing, the markers varied in decoration as they continued. The further they walked, the closer together the trail markers stood.

“Alright, we’re in the general area with the most sightings. So far, none of the wildlife cameras have…” Cutting off his own sentence, Donnie stopped dead in his tracks with a strangled noise. “What the fuck…” he whispered, blood running cold in his veins.

This wasn’t right, there was absolutely no way he was seeing this. Pressing the screen of his wrist device, the hologram displayed the view from one of the trail cameras. Standing directly within view, somehow not alerting the motion sensors on the camera, was the very creature they were searching for. The sheets of torn fabric draped over the hunched form moved strangely, something lifting from the bottom again. Two glowing rings peered from the shadow under the sheets, the things head was hanging closer to its midsection rather than its shoulders as normal. Whatever this was, it moved in such a slow and careful way it hadn’t set any of the sensors off.

“What tha hells yer problem, Don?” Raph demanded through gritted teeth; fists gripping around his Sai as he waded through a particularly thick patch of mud. Did Leo or Donnie even tell him to wear shoes, or that they were going out in a god damned swamp of all places? Not that the smell differed much, but at least in the sewers he could find a way around the filth. Even if he climbed a tree to avoid the muck that he was currently ankle-deep in, Raph was positive his weight would uproot the tree from the waterlogged ground itself.

“Donnie?” Leo called with worry, stopping in his tracks once noticing the tallest brother had gone silent. There was no answer, just the orchestra of chirping or croaking of amphibians and other critters living within the swamp. Donnie shook his head; it wasn’t possible that the creature knew they were looking for it by staring into a camera.

No. No this thing was smart. It must have been watching them from the very beginning and knew they could see it through the camera. It was toying with them. He didn’t register what way his legs started moving, simply trotting towards his older brother’s voice to show him the live camera footage. His heart sunk further into the pit of his stomach as something taught caught Donnie’s shin beneath the dark water. The invisible twine snapped, setting off a chain reaction of wooden wind chimes dropping from their branches within the trees.

“Shit…It knows!” Donnie swore over the terrible clattering of the hollow wooden windchimes. Compared to the usual serenade of windchimes on a gentle breeze, the hollow wooden chimes dancing in the blustering wind made nothing but a hollow racket. His wrist device beeped loudly, alerting the movement in front of the camera sensors. Bending down to reach into the mud the creature grabbed a large rock. With a flick of its wrist, the creature shattered the camera and cut the feed.

“The fuck do ya mean ‘it knows’, what’s it know!?” Raph snapped, head whipping around in search of the threat. Donnie and Leo stood off to his right with Mikey to his left only a few feet away. Brandishing his weapons in each hand Raph steadied his breath, readying himself for an ambush or attack from afar.

“It knows we’re here in the swamp, it must have been watching us from a distance the entire time!” Donnie barked loudly, “The wind chimes are a goddamn alarm system!” Cursing under his breath Donnie swiped away the broken footage and tapped to open multiple windows. The other feeds continued to play the live camera, yet the creature never reappeared. If the creature was smart enough to set booby-traps to alert it of intruders and memorized the location of each wildlife camera within the swamp, there was a high chance that it also mapped out the quickest route around them to get to their location without being caught.

The sound of mud and water rapidly sloshing in the distance echoed off the trees from all angles, making it almost impossible to discern which direction the threat rushed at them from. Pulling out his nunchaku Mikey turned his head rapidly, eyes darting as he tried to find his unseen target within the trees. Between the disorienting sounds of the storm and the natural sounds from the swamp’s inhabitants, it was impossible to figure out which direction the creature was charging from. Movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention and Mikey swung his nunchaku, ricocheting a stone aiming for his head.

“Shit, where is it?” Mikey shouted, trying to catch sight of whatever launched that rock. Just as quickly as the wading footsteps rushed in their direction, they vanished behind the natural sounds around them. Steadying his breath while silently unsheathing his katanas Leo’s stood perfectly still, trying to listen for any possible movement. A clash of thunder and lightning roared through the swamp, blinding their senses for a second long enough for the creature to make a move. There was a wet suctioning squelch followed by a deep wooded creek. Leo turned his head towards the sound just in time for his eyes to catch the massive barren dead tree tilting towards Raph.

“RAPH!” Was all Leo could shout before the massive tree came crashing down only a foot away from Raph, one of the massive branches breaking against the back of his shell and knocking him to his knees with a splash.

“Fuck! I got some in my mouth!” Spitting and roaring with anger Raph scrambled in search of his Sai, tridactyl hands sifting through the thick mud, roots, and pond grass. Another splash from the opposite side of the tree caught his attention, Raph snapped his head to look up, breathe catching in his chest as he stared at the creature in clear view.

Two bright white rings gazed at Raphael, its head sway at the end of an impossibly long neck covered by the sheets draped over it. Horror gripped his chest so tight it knocked the air from his lungs as he registered the terrifying thing slowly extended its neck towards him. One tridactyl hand clutched the staff close to its side while the other hand extended its green, three fingers towards him.

Three fingers?

“What the…” He whispered, blinking at the creature that now stood still in plain view. A dirty butcher’s cloth was wrapped around its midsection, random patches of fabric sewn over old torn holes and a thick braided rope tying its to its midsection. The soaking sheets draped over its upper body clung to its shell and weighed down her neck that strained to hold up its head.

“Raph!” His brothers screamed in unison. Leaping over the massive dead tree trunk Donnie’s staff pierced the mud between the two, landing just in front of Raph. Launching itself backwards the creature stumbled, using its staff to steady itself so that it wouldn’t fall backwards. Finding the hilts to his weapons Raph pulled them from the liquified earth, shaking the filth off as Mikey hooked his arm under his bicep and pulled him up.

Instead of running or attacking again, the thing stood in stunned silence. Its head bobbed heavily, studying them with perfectly circular white eyes as they stared back. An oddly familiar three-fingered hand reached for the sheet covering its back, rolling it backwards to reveal more of itself. Shell and plastron now visible, it confirmed what Raph had suspected.

“It’s…another mutant turtle?” Mikey questioned in surprise, blinking as the rain somehow took the moment as a cue to slowly dissipate into a thin mist. The creature silently studied the four of them, eyeing their weapons cautiously but unable to stop herself from taking a tentative step forward.

“Tur…tles?” The elderly turtle croaked, her voice raspy and dry despite the moist air. Lowering his staff but keeping it firmly in hand Donnie stared as the other mutant shambling its way closer. Reaching for the goggles perched on the top of his head Donnie gently tugged them over his glasses and scanned the mutant standing in front of them.

“Not only is she another mutant turtle,” Donnie spoke as his eyes rapidly read over the information being displayed by his goggles. “She’s an endangered Roti Island snake-necked turtle, a critically endangered species possibly extinct in the wild and only found in the illegal pet trade. They’re normally found in swamps or lakes in Indonesia, which explains why she’s here-”

“Focus, Donnie” Leo hissed, sharp steel-blue eyes focused directly on the newly discovered mutant turtle. With the rain finally clearing enough for the moon to peak through the dispersing clouds, gentle light illuminated the elderly mutant turtle standing a few yards away. Using the staff to sweep a few steps in front of her, the elderly mutant took a tentative wet step towards them again, eyes bouncing off their weapons while her head swayed at the end of her neck.

“You’re…turtles,” She spoke again, her voice slightly strained as though she were forcing the sound down her rather long throat. “Other…mutant turtles…I don’t recognize you”

“Yes…yes, we’re other mutant turtles. My name’s Donatello,” Donnie spoke slowly, blinking as he removed the goggles and listened to her slowed speech. “Can you tell us your name?”

The extinguished lantern hanging from the staff clutched in her gnarled tridactyl hand swung gently with every shaky, cautious step she took in their direction. Unsettling bright white irises glowed against pitch black sclera and pupils, studying their faces the closer she got. Mikey audibly swallowed as he ducked himself behind the safety of Raphael, even though the older brother was just as terrified of her appearance as the youngest.

“Myrtha…they call me…Myrtha,” A thin lined smile crooked the ends of her lips, giving her a softer and less intimidating appearance almost. The unnaturally long, muscular neck twisted and contorted as it studied their appearance.

“Myrtha? That’s an interesting name,” Donnie spoke calmly, hiding the nerves that frayed at her rather frightening presence. “Are you alone out here, Myrtha?”

“Yes…live out here by Myrtha’s self…” Myrtha’s head snaked and swayed while speaking, her appearance still unsettling but less frighteningly so. The rain had finally subsided altogether, but the dark clouds still hung low and menacingly with fissures of open sky showing the moon and stars.

“Then who are ‘they’? The ones that called you Myrtha,” Leo probed further, softening his expression but keeping his stance stiff, katana gripped tightly in each hand.

“The doctors…there were many that cared…for Myrtha…at her old home” Her head bobbed and weaved as she spoke in broken sentences. The wet fabric clung to the contours of her shell and muscles of her neck, “Little one…helped Myrtha escape, gave Myrtha…special card that open doors…Myrtha ran for long time…got away from the doctors, hide here”

Inching forward carefully and slowly, Myrtha blinked her darkened eyes up to each of their faces. Flinching as those white rings connected with his baby blue eyes, Mikey shifted himself further behind Raph’s larger form. Raph’s skin crawled as their eyes connected next. Their fearful reactions didn’t deter Myrtha from stepping just a tiny bit further.

“Myrtha hides in the swamp…safest place found, so far…scare people away so they don’t take Myrtha…don’t want to go back…Myrtha heard doctors say Myrtha’s too old…” Turning her head in every angle, surveying her surroundings as though she would be ambushed on cue, Myrtha looked around fearfully. A stroke of realization flashed across her face; Myrtha whipped her head back in their direction with wide eyes. “Are you…here to take…Myrtha back?” Her voice broke as she questioned the four turtle brothers, looking suddenly more terrified than any of them felt. Knotted hands clutched the staff in preparation to fight for her life.

“No, no, no, we aren’t going to take you back,” Leo spoke with soft reassurance, “Myrtha, you…scared a lot of people. They’re talking about you to authorities and closed this entire area until they find you,” He explained, finally sheathing his katanas into their respective holsters.

Horror flashed across her face as though Myrtha was struck by a stray bolt of lightning, head rapidly whipping back, forth, and curling over her shell to look behind herself in search of any possible threats. Hands and legs started to tremble in fear at the thought of returning her to wherever she came from.

“Myrtha, they aren’t here right now-” Donnie made his voice low and soothing, taking a gentle step forward. Catching his movement from her peripheral vision Myrtha jumped back almost an entire foot, wielding her staff in both hands as though she would swing. Pausing and giving Myrtha a moment to calm down again, Donnie began speaking again.

“Listen, Myrtha. We aren’t here to take you back to wherever you came from, but people know you’re here now because you’ve scared off so many people, okay?” He explained slowly, guilt climbing its way into his chest as Myrtha’s fearful eyes blinked at him. The terrifying creature had all but transformed into a fearful elderly woman before Donnie’s very eyes. He held out his hand slowly and delicately towards her. “Can you trust us to help you?”

Wide eyes studied his features carefully, the rings slowly following the contours of his face in search of any lies written on his face before returning to his eyes. Taking a tentative few steps forward Myrtha wordlessly accepted the offered hand. Now that he was as close as possible, the wrinkles and veins covering her body were much more visible, Donnie predicted by appearance alone she could possibly be older than Master Splinter. Gently taking her knotted arthritic hand in his own, Donnie hunched himself over so that his height would be less intimidating.

“What…are we jus’ gonna bring ‘er back to the lair or somethin’?” Raph looked between Leo and Donnie in sheer disbelief. The grime and filth that clung to his skin, gear, and shorts had almost entirely dried on him thanks to the cold wind.

“What other choice do we have,” Leo’s nostrils visibly flared as he exhaled exhaustedly, rubbing the wide bridge of his nose where a headache started to settle. Sharing looks of incredulity, Raph and Mikey tossed their hands up in the air and accepted defeat. As if the back of the truck wasn’t cramped enough.

“Let’s get going,” Donnie announced, firmly squeezing Myrtha’s surprisingly bony hand as it curled around his. The thin lined smile had returned to her features, her eyes shining with gratitude at the purple clad turtle’s kindness. A small smile curled the edge of his own lips, today certainly hadn’t turned out as expected but at least they had found Myrtha before anybody else did. Especially whatever ‘doctors’ were searching for her.

#Original TMNT Character #Original Mutant OC #Mutant OC #Mutant Turtle OC #Myrtha #TMNT OC #I worked SO HARD ON HER #SHE IS MY BABY #not really she's over 100 but still #I might more for her

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eywa-eveng · 2 years ago

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ɪɪɪ. sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ɴᴏɴᴇ

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ – ᴊᴀᴋᴇ sᴜʟʟʏ, sᴜʟʟʏ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ X ᶠᴱᴹ ᴹᴱᵀᴷᴬᵞᴵᴺᴬ ᴿᴱᴬᴰᴱᴿ

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ – 16.2k

ɢᴇɴʀᴇ – angst

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢs – widower!Jake, war, gore, major character death

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ’s ɴᴏᴛᴇ – Part three is finally here! Only one part left and then this short series will be officially finished! Also, this installment follows closely to the plot of the movie.

ᴘᴀʀᴛ ɪ – ᴘᴀʀᴛ ɪɪ – ᴘᴀʀᴛ ɪᴠ

ᴛᴀɢ ʟɪsᴛ – @eywas-heir @fanboyluvr @amiets2 @neteyamforlife @itscheybaby @sunrays404 @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @eternallyvenus @bobojojoba69 @behindthearcane @elegantkidfansoul @goldenmoonbeam @ladylovegood-69 @slutforsmut4ever @myheartfollower @pinkiemme @arminsgfloll @wtf-why-do-i-gotta-do-this @onlyreadz @sovereignsylvia @scc7514 @ghost-lantern @calums-betch @nao-cchi @a—1–1–3 @crazy4books1 @meladollsims

Wind blows through the great arches of the Cove, lifting misting clouds of warm water that sparkle in the pale light rising from beneath the waves. The breeze is filled with the comforting scents of home; of lush sea grass and the tang of the ocean as gusts of air whistle like flying arrows across the open water. The waves crashing against the shore below add to the melody like the beat of a drum as the wind whispers a soft song through the balmy air. The floating islands stand guard, shadows passing overhead like clouds to offer relief from the warmth of the afternoon sun. It’s peaceful here in the Cove of the Ancestors, tranquil as still water as you work.

The climb had been arduous, your palms sore and legs burning from the climb. The ground feels like a salve as the cool dirt rushes like water over your hands as you carefully dig up plants. Collecting these greenish gray roots are the last of your chores for the day. They’re a necessity for some healing tonics and Ronal has nearly depleted her supply with the new wave of hunters looking to prove their worth so soon after their rites have been passed. It is expected. They are still young, still eager to prove their strength and worth as one of The People. But hunting is not all that is needed in the clan. Some will be better suited to other tasks. Weaving nets, repairing the marui, teaching the younglings the ways of the clan. Some will become healers and free divers. It is what you’re suited to even after so many years of training to hunt and fish. Now, you tuck the last of the knotted roots into the satchel on your hip and dust the dirt from your hands. The climb up the winding vines hanging from the spono alusìng may have been strenuous but getting down is always your favorite part. A few steps back, a deep breath, and then you’re sprinting to the edge of the island.

Those few moments in the air feel infinite as the wind whips around you, running through your hair and across your skin like weightless touches as the water below draws closer. There’s a moment of darkness as you close your eyes against the impact and then a burst of light as the water slows your descent, the tide keeping you from sinking. Pale purple light plays across your skin, the fronds of the Ranteng Utralti tracing against you as you swim towards the surface. The light fades as you return to the village, purple fading to yellow as the afternoon deepens to evening. The terraces are emptying and hunters are beginning to return from beyond the reef as you pull yourself onto the path in front of your marui. Ronal’s voice greets you, a sharp, wordless yip you recognize as a call for your presence.

She isn’t happy when you join her, the marui already crowded with guests as the children stand in the shadow of their tsahìk and olo’eyktan. There’s a grave energy filling the home, a disturbance that only grows as your eyes pass over Lo’ak and the rest. A chill trickles down your spine as you hand Ronal what you’ve collected. She sets it to the side with little regard, her green eyes filled with an anger that flows deeper than petty squabbles between children. Before you can speak she grabs your arm with enough strength to make your ears bow back in submission.

“What have you been teaching your children?” She’s seething, words coming from between clenched teeth as she bares her fangs at you. Your lip twitches, prepared to draw back in your own show of displeasure. There is an accusation shining in her eyes, words harsher than she cares to share in the presence of others. Before she was tsahìk she was your elder sister and it’s clear in her fierce expression that she’d rather dispense with formalities and speak her anger freely. Instead she tosses your arm away with a hissing sigh, returning to her pacing before whirling to face the children once more.

They’re standing with their heads bowed, ears pulled back and tails hanging limp between their legs as Ronal’s green gaze draws over each of them like a stinging nettle. Finally she settles on her daughter. Tsireya already looks close to tears, eyes clouded thick with regret and unshed tears. Her tanhì flicker with a faint anxious light, seemingly keeping time with what must be her thundering heartbeat. It’s an expression you’ve known in your younger years at the hands of Ronal. She expects so much of those she teaches, and even more when they are her family. Tsireya is in line to be tsakarem, she’s meant to reflect Eywa’s grace. And whatever she’s done has gone against the Great Mother’s teachings.

“You allowed this! You allowed him to bond with the outcast!” Ronal snaps.

“Payakan?” The word leaves your lips before you can stop it. Barely a whisper but your sister hears it. The flames of her anger are turned on you in an instant, catching quickly and burning away at your pride as she scolds you as if you’re a child. A hiss rolls off your tongue with little consideration, teeth bared at Ronal as your tail begins to sway in tense waves. Your sister isn’t perturbed by the display of aggression. Neither of you will go beyond these small shows of hostility.

“Yes, Payakan!” Ronal snaps. “Your son has bonded with him. And they allowed it to happen!” She doesn’t name which of your children has made this misstep but a place in your heart knows it was Lo’ak even before Ronal’s eyes settle on him. He doesn’t look nearly as remorseful as you’d expect. There’s an air of annoyance and agitation in his idle movement, but there isn’t a sense of guilt in his lowered gaze and sagging shoulders.

“Lo’ak, what have you done? You should’ve known better.” His head raises when you say his name, defiance bright as starlight in his yellow eyes.

“You are the son of a great warrior and this is how you act? You have been taught better than this.” Tonowari says just as Jake makes his way to the marui. Jake’s eased expression immediately falls to shadows, his brows drawing low and his jaw tightening as he hears the olo’eyktan’s words.

“Payakan saved my life, nawmtu. You don’t know him.” Lo’ak’s words only serve to sow further discord as he speaks against Tonowari. Tsireya murmurs his name, shaking her head to discourage his attitude. There is still more he wants to say, insolence still clear on his face as he lifts his chin but holds his tongue. Tonowari does the same, nodding at Lo’ak’s disrespect.

“Sit.” He says evenly. Threads of anger slowly pulling at his tone. At last, Lo’ak bows his head as Tonowari stoops to his level but the olo’eyktan is not mollified. “Sit down!” He shouts until all the children are seated. Tsireya falls to her knees like a stone through water while the other boys remain tense. Tonowari’s voice is strong enough to buckle even your knees but Ronal catches you by the elbow before you can kneel at her mate’s side. She might have laid the fault for this at your feet–blaming your poor teaching–but she won’t let you bow to Tonowari’s anger in this way. She shakes her head when you look at her. Despite her initial anger, this isn’t your lesson to learn.

Tonowari dissipates his anger with a harsh exhale before speaking again.

“Hear my words, boy. These are lessons you’ve learned before when the tulkun returned, but it seems you do not remember. The tulkun forbid killing, yet Payakan has gone against this. He has returned to the ways of the days of the First Songs; taking lives. We follow the way of our brothers and sisters. Payakan is a killer, so he is outcast. To all.”

“No. I’m sorry, nawmtu, but you’re wrong.”

“Lo’ak!” You snap before he can say more. “You speak to olo’eyktan.” His eyes settle on you for a brief moment before his mouth opens again.

“I know–”

“That’s enough!” Jake snaps. His silence lasts a few beats longer, long enough for Tsireya to try to dissuade him with another shake of her head. He seems to consider her before raising his head once more.

“I know what I know.” He finishes. Ronal drops your arm, clicking her tongue at your son before turning away from all of you. This new bond has upset the great balance and it will be a burden to the tsahìk before anyone else. Though it weighs just as heavily on your shoulders, perhaps more. Lo’ak is your child. His teaching is your responsibility. And yet here is a clear mark of your failure to teach him your ways.

“That’s enough.” Jake growls, looming over Lo’ak like a pouncing animal. At last, Lo’ak surrenders. “I’ll deal with him.” Tonowari nods, watching Jake pull Lo’ak away from the marui. The rest of the children scatter, glad to be free of their leaders’ anger.

“Go,” Ronal dismisses you as well. “You’ve worked hard today.” Those are her words of consolation. Not an apology but a stone to step over this conflict. This storm will not pass as easily as fighting between the children, but what’s done is done. A bond with a spirit brother can only be undone by death. This decision; Lo’ak and Payakan will have to live with it for the rest of their lives.

It’s in your nature to soothe and nurture, a childhood spent healing and convening with the Great Mother has instilled a caring nature within you. Even with anger sitting heavy as stones in your chest you want to go to Lo’ak, to ease his thoughts. Jake will surely have torn into him like an akula for his disrespect towards Tonowari, and while his words will be harsh they aren’t undeserved. Some things you simply cannot turn a blind eye to. He has gone against the way of the Metkayina in a way no one has in recent memory. It is expected that the tsahìk approves the bonding between spirit siblings. For Lo’ak to disregard tradition, to bond with an outcast no less, is a great show of disrespect. And yet you want to understand why he did it. You linger just beyond the path of the Sully marui where Jake’s voice has carried. His words are muffled but anger is evident in his tone. After a while, Lo’ak storms out. When Jake doesn’t follow to drag him back inside you decide it is your time to make a gentler attempt at reproach.

Lo’ak knows you’re following him. Your shadow is lengthening in pinkish purple light of the coming eclipse and casting across his back as your feet find the prints he’s already left in the sand. Every Na’vi is taught to hunt from a young age and his ears twitch towards the soft pattering of your footfalls even as he refuses to stop. When he is finally tired of running he turns to look at you. His face is no longer set in stony defiance. Instead the harsh lines have fallen away to something soft and vulnerable. He looks nearly close to tears, his bottom lip tucked between his teeth. He isn’t sad, but there is a sort of frustration that can only be released through angry tears. Like a bowl spilling over, Lo’ak’s overabundance of clashing emotions has nowhere to pour but outwards.

“They hate me.” His voice breaks over the words. “They hate me, Sa’nok.” Your heart squeezes.

“Shameful. Outcast. That’s all I’ll ever be to anyone.” When his head falls you lift it with a gentle hand under his chin. “I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. Payakan is my friend, I swear. Please, Sa’nok, you have to believe me. You have to believe me.” He clings to your arm as if you’re the only thing keeping him from being washed out with the tide. It isn’t sadness tinging his voice but an unrestrained desperation. Ronal denied him. Tonowari denied him. Jake denied him. Even Tsireya told him to hold his tongue. None of them would hear him, none of them would See him. But you See. So much.

“Lo’ak. Ma’itan. I believe you.” You take his hands in yours and draw him to sit in the sand. “Just tell me what happened. Everything.” And he does. He tells you of how Payakan saved him when Ao’nung abandoned him beyond the reef, of how he visited him nearly every day between his chores and lessons, of how he knew they were meant to be spirit brothers after seeing the bond between The People and the returning tulkun.

“Those men died, but it wasn’t Payakan who killed them. He rallied the men to fight back against the demon ship after they attacked him and his family. He watched his mother die. He was upset and scared. It wasn’t his intention to get anyone killed.” A long breath leaves your lungs as if you’ve surfaced after a long dive, releasing the tension in your chest before you speak.

“By the tulkun way he is a killer. We did not decide this, but it is the way of our brothers and sisters. Payakan must bear the weight of those lives lost. I will tell Tonowari the truth of it, but it will not change his mind. This path we follow isn’t for us to decide. Only a tulkun can remove the stain Payakan carries.”

“But it isn’t fair. He knows what he did was wrong!”

“I know, but it is the way.” You send him off with a promise to talk to his father. Jake is alone when you arrive, your skin still damp from wading in the ocean to wash away the sand. Tension is clear in the harsh lines of his muscles as he sharpens a spear, stone against stone tossing sparks of light between his hands. There are many things on his mind. Dark and heavy, looming just out of sight. This is just another weight upon his shoulders.

“Ma Jake,” he doesn’t look up from his work at the sound of your voice. Instead he grows more tense, knuckles paling as his grip tightens on the stone in his fist. His ears pull back in a show of irritation but you won’t be ignored. “Jake, this is very hard for them. This is a new place with new traditions. They are learning. It will take time. Everything does not always come easily.”

“I know.” His tone is thick with authority, dripping with the voice of an olo’eyktan. It’s final. He wants this to be done with. But if he was olo’eyktan you would be his tsahìk. It is what you trained for. It is what all your lessons have taught you to be. In this you are equals. His voice can’t intimidate you when you both stand on equal footing. Jake is no longer olo’eyktan. He’s left that life behind in the forest. And you will never be tsahìk. But you are mated, still. Equals.

“Lo’ak tries to live up to your expectations. It is very hard for him.”

“I know.” His tone has shifted to something more pliable. He’s less assured. “You are very hard on him.” He stops sharpening the blade at last, eyes swirling with a mixture of denial and acceptance. He sets his work aside and reaches for you. Your hands meet. Hot and cold. His warmed with anger and yours cooled by the ocean. There is so much fire inside him. He’s left war behind but the war hasn’t left him.

“I do everything I can to protect them,” Jake laments, “and Lo’ak still goes against my word at every turn. Fighting with Ao’nung, going beyond the reef. And now he’s gone and done this. The rest I expect. He’s never been good at following rules. But this–he’s brought shame to this family. Ronal was already hesitant about letting us stay. If you hadn’t spoken on our behalf we probably would’ve been turned away come morning. Now Lo’ak has disregarded a sacred tradition. One that Ronal presides over.”

“It isn’t just Lo’ak’s choice. He bonded with Payakan because he allowed tsaheylu to be made. A bond between a Na’vi and tulkun is as sacred as the one you share with your ikran. You must be chosen for a bond to be made and Payakan chose Lo’ak. He didn’t follow tradition but this is one of his rites passed. Ronal knows this just as well as I do. It isn’t perfect but I’m proud of him. He is becoming one with the clan. That is what you wanted isn’t it?” At last Jake sighs and the last of his fire burns out, body relaxing its rigid posture. His fingers have cooled or perhaps yours have gained some warmth as he toys with them between his own. Five fingers playing across your four.

“I was worried.” He says after a moment. “I thought that if we couldn’t make it here–if we had to leave–I’d lose you. I’d lose this home. I’d lose everything all over again.”

“Ma Jake.” Your hands pull away from his to hold his face in your palms. His brows are pulled tight and you kiss away the tension formed between them. “Where you go I follow. If you leave, so do I.” He’s already shaking his head before you can finish.

“I don’t want it to come to that. This is your home. The look on the kids’ faces when we had to leave the forest gutted me. I want this to be our home. But I don’t know how much longer this can last.” Neither of you mention that this small piece of happiness has already begun to slip through your fingers like sand. Lo’ak and Payakan are a welcomed distraction from the storm looming over the horizon, to the south where humans are beginning to attack villages. Tonowari has given the order to keep Jake hidden, but the peace his words have made is tenuous at best. How long until the sawtute bring their war to Awa’atlu if sister islands in the atolls are already being attacked?

Still the days go on. Tonowari continues to bring hushed reports of what is happening just beyond the reaches of the village. It’s all you can do to share the burden of this knowledge with your sister, with your mate. The guilt tears at Jake’s heart each time he hears of more homes being burned and animals being needlessly killed, but just as you do he tucks it all away to keep the cloud of ignorance hanging over the childrens’ heads. But, sooner or later, gathering clouds bring rain.

“These things happen.” Neteyam stiffens under your hands at the reassuring words, muscles tensing before he slowly eases himself. He’s embarrassed if the purple tinge of his cheeks and low draw of his ears are anything to go by. He’d come trailing into the marui holding his bleeding arm and promising that it couldn’t be as bad as it seemed given the blood dripping through the seams of his fingers. He keeps his gazes pointedly out of sight, lashes lowered to hide what you might find there, but his tanhì still keeps a stuttering glow beneath your fingers as you smooth a soothing balm over the newly made stitches of his arm. The jagged welt is short but cut deep, the mark of an irritated tsurak. These wounds are common in the clan, nearly everyone receives one during their training. It will heal and fade with time but perhaps quicker than Neteyam’s pride.

“Skimwings are not easily mastered. It will take time before your chosen mount fully accepts you as its rider. These bonds aren’t as easily made as those with ikran and ilu. Ilu are docile and easily soothed. Tsurak are fierce creatures meant for hunting in open water, and they do not choose their riders as ikran do. It is good that they are vicious. With time their attitude will soften towards you. Until then, you must take care to stay away from their sharp bits.” It’s meant to be teasing but Neteyam shrugs from under your hands. You sigh.

“Neteyam.” His head turns towards your voice but his eyes don’t rise to meet yours until you say his name again. He is embarrassed and disappointed. It is expected to fail before you succeed but it doesn’t seem like your son will allow himself such grace. As with everything else, he must uphold the highest standards lest it reflect badly on his family. So much of his life has been molded by the expectations of others. As the eldest son of Toruk Makto, and the older brother to a spitfire like Lo’ak who is so prone to making mistakes. It was clear from your first meeting that Neteyam tries his hardest to be like his father, and to make up for what others might say about his brother. But he is still young, still learning.

“It’s alright. No one is expecting you to ride a tsurak with the ease of a hunter on your first attempt.”

“Sempul did.” You tuck a stray braid behind his drooping ear, stifling a laugh.

“Your sempul has ridden greater things than a skimwing and even he took a few attempts before he could mount properly. I watched him. Even when I was training, I got scars of my own. It is the way of things. Mistakes mean you are learning.”

“But I shouldn’t make mistakes.” He grumbles. “I should be better.”

“And you will be, ma’itan, with time. Now go. You’ll miss the rest of your lessons and be more upset with yourself come eclipse.” He still hasn’t fully shaken the weight of disappointment from his shoulders but Neteyam stands with a dull nod. His whole body sags beneath the weight of this failure to meet his own expectations. His tail is limp between his legs as he trails out of the marui. You’re only alone for a moment. Just long enough to turn the fish over the fire before Jake comes ducking in.

“Neteyam was hurt?” He asks.

“He is your son.” You sigh, setting aside the fish you’ve already wrapped in leaves. “He has learned to ride an ilu and now he is learning to mount a skimwing. He learns as quickly as the wind, but a storm can’t blow on forever.”

“Did you talk to him?” He asks, finding his place beside you. You feel his hand find its way into your hair, twisting the dark waves over his fingers as he watches you cook. Neteyam isn’t usually so stubborn but he takes his responsibilities as the eldest son of a legendary warrior all too seriously. Never mind that Toruk Makto has only emerged five times since the times of the First Songs with Jake being the sixth. He needn’t be so insistent on being the strongest, the fastest, the absolute best. It is like the newly made warriors of the clan boasting their strength as if to prove their place among the People. Learning with a swiftness isn’t necessary especially when he is still adapting to life in a new place.

“I told him these things take time, but he won’t hear my words. A tree does not grow overnight, but he seems to think he must make miracles happen to live up to you.” Jake’s ears fall back against his head, brows frowned as he mulls over your words. It is the truth.

Jake is a miracle walking among the Na’vi. An uniltìrantokx that became one of the People. He came from a star. Lo’ak had shown it to you once. Pointing at a distant dot of light in the deep blue sky like a pearl at the bottom of the ocean. It seems so impossible to travel through the skies as if it were the ocean but you’ve seen what the sawtute can do. Their metal, their light. It is all so strange. Frightening. They take and take. More than what is needed. From the ground beneath their feet, they twist and distort until it is something unrecognizable as earth; as their home. There’s a sharp pang in your chest as you remember the feeling of Eywa crying out as the Omatikaya’s Kelutral fell to the humans’ greedy hands. Jake said that their mother was dead, that the Earth had nothing more to give, but they wanted more. They wanted to do that here. Perhaps Neteyam is right to want to be like his father. This war isn’t over. The attacks on neighboring islands have proven that.

Another sigh leaves him and you can’t help but count the seconds it takes for the heaving breath to pass.

“I wish he could’ve seen what I was like before. They wouldn’t believe the mistakes I made to become what I am today.”

“I would.” You tease, letting the moment of tension pass. “I’d believe you fell out of every tree you tried to climb and missed every mark you tried to shoot. Like a baby.”

“Kawngtu,” he says, mirthfully bearing his teeth, “I should show you all I have learned. You should know I am not a child.” Your ears grow hot at his words, cheeks warming as your freckles flicker to life as bumps like plucked flesh prickles down your arms. His tone is unmistakable. Low and warm with a teasing drawl but you won’t entertain his obvious advances. Even as his tail traces over the exposed skin of your back, drawing around your waist in a flirtatious display of affection, you ignore him in favor of continuing your cooking. Night is slowly approaching and the children will be hungry after their lessons and chores. Still acting childishly as always, Jake continues to pluck at your nerves like the string of a musical bow. You swipe at him when he gets in your way, whipping him with your tail when he won’t be moved quickly enough for your liking. His current disposition is favorable compared to how somber he’s been as of late.

It’s regrettable that the two of you weren’t able to bask in the sweetness of a newly made bond. It is expected that the days following the first tsaheylu between mates is filled with only happiness. A break from responsibilities as a new spiritual thread is woven between two souls. But the Great Mother did not seem to think your bond needed moments of leisure to be made strong. Instead there have only been these few gentle moments stolen between the growing worries that seem to draw nearer with each passing day. Even this small moment is broken as a shadow passes through the soft light of the disappearing sun, tall and commanding as Tonowari arrives with a heavy look of resentment rising like a wave in his blue eyes. It’s a look you’ve come to recognize well in the weeks since the first sawtute found their way to Awa’atlu’s distant atolls. So far from the lush green corner of the Pandoran jungle where the humans first set their covetous sights, yet not free from their treacherous hands.

“Tskano’a.” He says. Another village just like yours touched by those hands of destruction. “No one died. They were expecting an attack. Most of the marui survived their burning. But they are drawing nearer, Jakesully. I give you my word that no one will tell them where you are, but this is all I can do.”

It’s what he always says. Tonowari is patient and kind. A worthy olo’eyktan. The protector of peace above all else. The safety of the clan means more to him than the destruction of these demons. To attack would mean to wage war and war would mean shattering the peaceful life he has built for his people. Yet it doesn’t seem as though the sawtute want to give him a choice.

“The boy is still with them.” The human boy. Spider. That is what Jake called him. A friend of the children since childhood. He was brought up in the ways of the Omatikaya, as close as the clan would allow, and now he has betrayed his people by serving the sawtute. His life matters to your children and so you are glad to know he lives, but he is still human. A plague upon Pandora.

“They’ll be here soon.” It is the truth you feel inside you, sounding as clear as your heartbeat as the Great Mother breathes the words into your spirit. Always listening. It is a tsahìk’s purpose. And these words you’ve heard countless times. Softly, like the whispers of the wind. But now they rush like blood in your ears.

It is the undeniable truth as plain as Naranawm’s blue eye in the sky. The humans are coming and they’ll be here soon. Even if they have to burn every village to the ground. The men look at you with fire in their eyes. A passion burns within them both; a need to protect. Now more than ever. Tonowari only nods at your grave words before departing. Jake ducks back inside but you remain just outside, feeling the warmth disappear from the air as the burning orange of the sun fades to the bluish darkness of night. The children will be returning soon but you can’t shake the cold hands of fear from your body. They linger over your heart and tie knots in your stomach, staving off any thoughts of joining your family for dinner. This family that you’ve only just become a part of.

“We need to do something.” Jake ignores your words, crouching down to continue cutting fruit as you’d been before Tonowari’s visit. There’s an irritated strength in each slice of the knife, scoring the slab of wood as he goes. “Jake, they are looking for you. We need to trap them. Kill them. Before these demons destroy anything else.” The knife is set down with a troubled growl.

“I know.” He seethes. “But we have to be smart. It isn’t just us that could get hurt if we attack.” You want to say more but Tuk comes skipping inside talking about a crab she saw today and the conversation is abandoned as the two of you try to rebuild the facade of safety around your children. But it begins to crumble each time your eyes meet. Bright yellow haunted with what’s to come clash with your gaze as a nauseating sort of anticipation fills you. Like waiting for a nightmare to begin.

The feeling never seems to pass.

Rain kisses against your skin in a warm spray. Not heavy enough to stir the waves, just enough to turn the sky to a dreary gray. Your feet sink into the damp sand as Jake leads you to where Ronal and Tonowari are waiting. A hunting party returned with news of an injured tulkun, but as soon as your eyes meet your sister’s, the air seems to shift. The wind feels sharper, the rain colder, and you shiver at the uncertainty in her eyes. Tonowari speaks but you can hardly hear him, his voice is like the crashing of waves after you’ve already dove beneath them, warbled and forgotten as you and Ronal share in your own silent conversation. She is your sister and that bond binds you close, but the lessons of your childhood have brought you even closer. The men speak with words as you open yourself to the Great Mother’s silent voice. She’s there in the wind, in the rain, in the sound of the waves.

Panic settles over you as you feel loss echoing through the air. Ronal must feel it too as she cuts her husband short to usher your small party into the ocean. Your tsurak croaks as you make tsaheylu, the feeling of fear that has settled in your chest echoing through the bond. It only grows more unsettling when Tonowari finally lands, the rest of you drawing in close behind. The orange spread of the tsurak’s wings are the only color over the bleak waters, drawn to darkness by the storm. Except for another spot of orange, brighter and uninterrupted by any pattern. It is startlingly out of place. Like a fire burning on the waves. Sawtute. Just as their light is strange and wrong–too bright–this color is greatly misplaced in the gathered pod of tulkun. One is unmoving among them, only shifting with the crest and fall of the water. Not injured. Dead.

Hì’ikran have already gathered, their small shadows swooping overhead and sharp cries cutting through the deep bellows of the mourning tulkun. The tiny banshees are already nipping at the tulkun as you move in closer. For a moment, you accept this as the way of things. There is balance in everything, even death. The hì’ikran must eat and here there is food. But your heart rejects the thought as soon as you are close enough to truly see the tulkun. Ronal makes a small, wounded noise just as your heart turns cold in your chest. The thumping beat of it stills to chilled silence as you lose yourself for a moment. Just long enough to fall from your skimwing. Your mount screeches as you plunge into the dark water, surfacing with a sputtering cry as you swim towards the tulkun.

Ronal is already there, hands pressed desperately against the unmoving creature. A feeling of hopelessness crashes over you like a heavy wave, threatening to drag you beneath its unmovable weight as your eyes flit wildly across Roa’s body. Those bright orange wings keep her above the water, embedded in her thick skin. Blood seeps in tepid rivers from the places the metal stabbed through her body. The hooks don’t move as you pull at them until your palms burn where the metal begins to wear against your skin. You fall back into the water, thrown off of her by the force of your own strength. A wordless shriek tears from your throat as you swipe at one of the bloated bags with your knife. It tears open and Roa sags, one of her fins beginning to sink. Her son, still tucked beneath it, begins vanishing as well.

He doesn’t look at you when you touch him, trying to pull him from under his mother’s unmoving body. He doesn’t offer those same shy clicks he’d given when you met him last. It rends a strangled sound from you. Wordless but understood as Ronal looks at you and the calf. She’s sitting on Roa’s forefin as she’s done so many times before. But the tulkun doesn’t greet her, doesn’t scold her son for his bashfulness. She simply floats, bloated eyes rolled towards the sky. Shot through with blood and unseeing as Ronal presses her forehead against her spirit sister. Despite the sudden cold of the rain and water there’s a warmth spreading through your body. A dangerous swirl of anger and grief, sadness and fear that is like a whirlpool in your chest, sucking away any clear thoughts. All you can see is Roa and her son. Dead. And your sister’s despair as she reaches for you through the water. Her hand shakes in yours but her grip is tight as if she will never let it go. Tears mingle with the rain as they drip down your cheeks. Everything feels too close and far away all at once. Like the ocean has disappeared and swallowed you whole.

“Her name is Roa.” Tonowari says at last, head bowed towards Jake. His tone is clipped with suppressed emotion though you can see it in his eyes. The sorrow, the stifled rage. He sets his lip in a harsh line and looks towards the horizon.

“She was my spirit sister.” Ronal’s voice is a watery croak. “She was the composer of songs. Much revered. We would sing together.”

“She waited many breeding cycles to have this calf.” You sob. He was so small, so young. He had many years ahead of him, a spirit brother to bond with, calves of his own to have. And yet it’s all been washed away in a moment. “The clan was so happy for her.”

“What is this, Tonowari?” Ronal turns to her mate, hand still tight around yours. “What is this?” She shrieks. The olo’eyktan bows his head in the face of his wife’s grief. Death is a heavy burden for anyone to bear but a tsahìk feels things with a strength beyond that of the People. A tsahìk feels all. And Roa was not simply a bonded member of the clan, but her spirit sister. This pain has bowed her over like a flower in the wind, petals fallen and stem broken. You feel it, as well, the deep, aching pain that refuses to pass.

“What have they done?” You shout, turning to Jake. The anger swelling in your chest has turned the plea to an accusation. It is the wrong place to rest your anger but there is no one else in sight for you to blame. He flinches and lowers his gaze but doesn’t move to comfort you. It reminds you how different you truly are. The ocean is deep and full of dangers. Jake has to cling to his tsurak to keep afloat. You’ve taught him well but not well enough to survive in the open oceans without an animal to guide him. A dark, ugly feeling rises like poison in your chest; regret. For allowing him to stay and cast this dark shadow.

The thought is there only for an instant before shock douses your wrath, snuffing it out before it can consume you in an inescapable blaze. It wasn’t Jake that killed Roa. It wasn’t your mate that brought you this pain. And even though you haven’t said anything out loud, for once you’re afraid that someone can see what is in your eyes because Jake urges his tsurak forward, out of your sight. It only causes your heart to sink lower in your chest. Ronal releases you with some hesitancy as you pull away from her hold to follow Jake. You watch his back as he bows under the shadow of Roa’s fin. He doesn’t go further than her side, eyes tracing over her body. He reaches for you as you swim to his side, pulling you into his arms.

There’s a comforting strength in his arms.

“My girl,” he says softly, the human words flowing off his tongue as he pulls you on to his mount. “I’m so sorry.”

“The sea gives and the sea takes.” It’s all you can say, words pounding in your head like a drum. It blocks out all else. The sea gives and the sea takes. Water connects all things. Life to death, darkness to light. These words are your way of life. As familiar as your own name. There’s comfort in their truth. Water cannot flow on forever and it’s here that Roa’s river empties into the vastness of the ocean to join the memories of her ancestors. They will sing her songs, remember her voice. She will never be truly gone. And yet it feels as though every trace of her will slip between your fingers the moment you turn your back to her. Tears still cloud your vision as you look at her prone body. There are more orange bags beneath her fins and a strange light like a white flame flickering over her back. A huge barb stands out against her dark scales, the needle plunged deep into her back.

“Ma Jake.” It is something alien. Something human. Bright red and flashing as it is. There’s a soft sound emanating from it like a bird’s chirp.

“Shit.” Jake curses. Always in English. He carefully climbs onto Roa’s back and you watch as his fingers dance over the strange object until it falls dark and silent. He pulls it from the space between her scales. You shrink away when he brings it for you to see, wholly uninteresting in being so close to their strange tools.

“It’s a tracker.” He says as Tonowari rounds Roa’s body. His eyes trail over her before settling on the metal thing in Jake’s hand. You leave them to talk over what the tracker could mean. They’ve moved on from this but you’ll stay if only for a few moments longer. This will be the last time you see Roa and you want to remember it for a little while longer.

It’s quiet as you sink beneath the waves, skin coming to life with dots of pale light as you swim beneath Roa’s shadow. Your fingers trace against her skin, finding the shapes of her tattoos across her pale underbelly. They tell a story of her life. Each mark etched into her skin like the bead of a songcord. Ronal is there as well, staring at the tattoos. Her eyes hold steady on the twin flowers blooming from a single vine. The same ink that trails along Veyan’s side. Both tulkun had gotten the tattoos to commemorate their bond with you and Ronal. You wonder if Veyan felt Roa’s death as the two of you had. If she is somewhere mourning the loss of a sister.

«We must lay her to rest.» Ronal nods, neither of you mentioning that she will hardly be given the traditional funeral rites. She’ll be sunk here in the open water. Far from the tulkun resting grounds. The water is deep and dark. No anemones bright as sunlight dance in the gentle current below. Still Ronal unsheathes her blade and nods for you to do the same. The orange wings fold in on themselves, spewing out air as Roa begins to sink. Her son falls beside her and the two of you follow them down as far as you dare, watching their silhouettes disappear into the deep. There’s a burst of light when they finally land, stirring up stray flashes of syuratan. The tulkun begin to sing their bellowing mourning song. It rings through your head, echoing through the journey back to shore. Heavy and sorrowful as they sing about their sister. The clan will mourn too.

The rain falls heavier as Tonowari calls the village to order in the central marui. There’s a restless sort of energy flowing like lapping waves through the crowd as Ronal pulls you to stand beside her and Tonowari.

“My spirit sister and her baby have been murdered by the sky people!” Hushed sounds of anguish rush through the air, mournful yipping and defensive hisses.

“This war has come to us. We knew about the hunting of our tulkun people, but it was over the horizon. Far away. Now, it is here!” Tonowari’s voice booms through the marui, crashing like thunder over the People as he declares war on the sawtute. Others join in his show of aggression, teeth and tongues bared in fierce war faces. Upset turns to aggression as growls ripple through the crowd, spears thumping and eyes flashing with a need for retribution. Jake’s eyes pass over the crowd with a look of distress.

“The sky people don’t think like us. They don’t care about the great balance.” He tries to reason.

“We do not answer to sky people!” A hunter shouts. Jake’s nose scrunches in distaste, a shadow casting over his eyes as his brows furrow.

“They’re not going to stop. This is only the beginning. You have to tell your tulkun to leave. Tell them to go far away!”

“Leave?” You hiss. How could he say such a thing? The tulkun are part of the clan. To tell them to leave would be to sever the bond that has held strong for so many generations.

“You live among us and you learned nothing!” Ronal shouts. Others second her words, the shows of aggression only spreading further. Half of the crowd has shifted their weight into a lower stance, preparing for a fight that will soon be on the horizon.

“No! Hear my words! If you fight they will destroy you. They will destroy everything that you love!” Jake points to Ronal, still heavy with child, but his eyes linger on you. There’s sincerity there. A hope that this battle will not come to pass. You hiss at him, baring your fangs. He may be your mate but you cannot stand beside him in this. Roa and her child must be avenged. No more villages will be burned. No more lives will be lost. Ronal’s hand covers her stomach, face falling from anger to disbelief. Her child has not even taken their first breath and Jake dares to threaten them with the violence of these demons.

“Hear my words!” Jake shouts over the uproar but no one will heed his warnings. The time for peace has passed. An unbounded tulkun being lost could be ignored, but this was a bonded member of the Metkayina. The spirit sister of the tsahìk. Her death will not be forgotten and the clan will not be deterred. No matter who he turns to, no one will listen to Jake. He may have been olo’eyktan once but his voice holds no weight here. Not when it is so plainly clear that he does not understand your way of life. You thought that you had taught him well. That he was becoming one with the clan. But it’s clear that you had been wrong in your assumption. His eyes are pleading as he looks to you, begging your word to second his. When you don’t raise your voice to support him he hisses indignantly and snatches the strange tracker from Neteyam’s hand, cursing in English. A hush falls over the crowd as he raises it above his head, everyone falling still at the sight of the alien object. An arm pulls you away from Jake as he climbs up next to Tonowari, Ronal keeping you close at her side as her other hand holds her mate’s arm.

“You tell the tulkun that if they’re hit by one of these they’re marked for death. Call for me I’ll silence it. Saving their lives, that’s all that matters. Right? Saving your family.” He says, eyes landing on you and your sister. His words seem to soothe the People. Everyone lingers in the silence, unsure if this moment of peace will last. Tonowari turns to the two of you but you look away from him. The anger you felt when you first saw Roa’s body is beginning to creep up again, embers turning to a blazing flame. You want to fight. It is what is right after losing a member of the clan in such a brutal way. But Jake knows things that the rest of you don’t. If he says that a war with the sky people will only bring death, you’re inclined to believe him. If Toruk Makto isn’t certain of victory, then perhaps the battle should not be fought at all. Ronal shifts next to you before an unspoken decision passes between her and Tonowari.

“Tell the tulkun.” His word is final and yet no one moves.

“Go.” Ronal says and the tension releases at last. “Go!” The People begin to disperse and Jake goes with them.

“Jake.” He doesn’t turn even as you follow his retreating back. “Ma Jake.” He stops only when you run in front of him, blocking his path forward with your hands flat against his chest. He frowns at you, jaw clenched tight as his yellow eyes spear you in place. He’s angry. But so are you.

“I will not stand and do nothing!” His hand grips your wrist and pulls you away from the marui still crowded with people. He doesn’t speak until the two of you are in the privacy of his home, the children still missing in all the chaos.

“Jake!” His grip isn’t tight and is easily broken when you wrench your arm free of him. He doesn’t let you go further than a few steps before he’s clinging to you again, hands holding your shoulders to keep your eyes steady on him.

“Ma muntxate,” he says slowly, “listen to me now.” His tone is that of a scolding parent and you feel your lip twitch, wanting to hiss at him once more. His lips press against yours before you can. It’s a grounding sort of intimacy. Soft and searching as each of you pour your feelings into each other. Your anger and grief mingles with his caution and fear.

“Listen to me. Humans have been hunting tulkun for a long time. This is the first time they’ve ever been so blatant about it, leaving Roa the way they did. They’re not hunting tulkun. That was a show of power. They’re hunting me. And if we fight back it will lead them right to us. I can’t let that happen. Just trust me on this, okay?” He tucks a limp strand of hair behind your drooping ear, fingers caressing your cheeks still damp with rain and tears.

“So we must sit and do nothing?” It’s unthinkable. Roa and her child have been lost and he is asking you to stay idle as their murderers kill more tulkun. How long until Veyan is lost? Until Tsireya’s spirit sister is attacked. The tulkun will be thinning like harvested roots until there are none left. Then what will happen to the Great Mother’s balance? It isn’t the way of things and you won’t stand by as Eywa mourns the untimely death of another of her children felled by the sky people.

“Look, I’ve got nothing. But this will protect the People. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. If we fight, Na’vi will die.”

“And if we don’t, tulkun will die. Needlessly. A life lost at war is a sacrifice for the People. One that every warrior is willing to make. One that I am willing to make.” Jake winces at your words. “I’m sorry, Jake, but it is the truth. I am Metkayina. We fight to protect our brothers and sisters. This is the way. I thought you had learned that by now. How can you say you will not fight? You’re Toruk Makto.” So few have emerged since the First Songs, and only in times of great sorrow. He is a warrior of legend and yet here he sits, refusing to fight as if the mantle can so easily be removed. His name will be woven into songs for generations to come. What will they say of this battle? That he stood aside and let the sawtute terrorize the atolls that gave his family solace in their time of need?

“I told Ronal and Tonowari; I’m done with war. I did not lie about that. I came here for a life of peace.”

“And is that peace not worth fighting to protect when it is threatened? Ma Jake, the Great Mother chose you for something. She has protected and guided you. Do not let her efforts be in vain.” He moves to say something but his brow twitches as the small object in his ear buzzes to life. His hand reaches for yours as he listens to the low noises.

“Lo’ak?” He asks, pressing his fingers against his neck where an unbeaded choker sits above the necklace you recently made for him. More quiet humming follows until he asks, “Who’s with you?” Another beat of silence, then, “You get to cover and you do not engage. All right? You hear me? Do not engage. We’re coming.”

“Ma Jake, what is wrong?” He’s already moving, pulling you out of the marui.

“The kids are in danger. Ao’nung and Tsireya are with them.” You look around at the people passing, calling warriors to your side as you rush to Ronal and Tonowari.

“Is Rotxo with them?” You ask, not seeing his cropped hair as you pass by his family’s marui.

“He said it was all of them. Come on!” Ronal and Tonowari look relatively peaceful despite the day’s events. Your sister cutting fruit and Tonowari repairing a net as the group you’ve gathered comes running up the path to their home, whooping out war cries that gain their attention. Ronal is on her feet in an instant, knife still in hand.

“The kids are under attack. They’re defending a tulkun. It’s your kids too!”

“The demon ship?” Tonowari asks.

“Yes! Hurry up, we have to move!” Jake leaves you to your own, nearly abandoned marui, returning with weapons of his own. Your spear feels strange in your hands after years of disuse. Hunting has never been something you were suited to but this weapon had become an extension of your body as you blossomed into adulthood. Years of learning the clan’s traditions have given you the strength to wield it but it has never felt as heavy as it does now with anger running in your veins like burning rivers of fire. Whatever peace you’d quieted your mind to was shattered the moment your family was put in danger and the rage rolls through you like thunder. There’s a restlessness in your body like you’re filled with a roiling tide, hands shaking as you grip tight to your weapons until your knuckles pale and your body stills to the lethal stillness of a proper Metkayina warrior. Jake returns just as you duck back into the passing storm. The sky has begun to lighten as the reef fills with the clan and their mounts all screeching out deafening war cries, weapons poised to attack.

“Come here,” Jake stops you before you can rush past him. His hand linger on your skin after he puts a matching choker around your neck, fingers pushing back your hair as he puts that strange ornament in your ear.

“Press here when you want to talk.” He says, leading your fingers to the two pads of the necklace. “I’ll be able to hear you wherever you are. Lo’ak has one, too. If we’re apart, hold here and I’ll hear you.” He holds your gaze for a beat longer, speaking without words. He’s afraid. He’s angry. The man before you is no longer just Jakesully. He is truly Toruk Makto.

“Come. We must hurry.” You push past him to call for your tsurak. These demons have trampled their way across Pandora and arrived so near to your home. And now they’ve threatened your childrens’ lives. The lives of your niece and nephew. After killing Ronal’s spirit sister. A need to avenge laces through your body like bolts of white lightning, sharp, bitter, and burning as you add your own shrieking cries to the din. You ride at the head of the party, beside your sister with Jake and Tonowari at your flanks.

It isn’t long to Three Brothers Rocks, the towering stone fingers appear over the horizon with the demon ship beneath their shadow. It is larger than any human invention you’ve ever seen, like a metal island floating in the waves. It is too far to see every detail but your eyes catch the unfocused shapes of humans skittering across the ship like bugs, their faces covered in those familiar shells. It wouldn’t take much to break it, to fill their lungs with the air of your planet. So much of Pandora is hostile even to natives and yet they think they can tame her. Soon they will learn. Some lessons must be taught more than once.

“They’ve got our kids.” Jake says. “Your daughter. Tuk. Lo’ak.” Tonowari growls, voice scorched with hostility. Ronal’s hiss is nearly a whimper, nearly identical to your own.

“Jake,” a voice crackles to life in your ear, sounding far off and nothing like Lo’ak’s. You press the strange piece of metal closer to your ear as the voice continues. They’re speaking English and you haven’t learned nearly enough from Jake and the children to fully grasp what’s being said. Only a few stray words are recognized.

“What is he saying?” You ask, eyes flitting desperately between Jake and the ship. Whoever it is means to harm your family. That much you know even without understanding every word. Everyone’s eyes fall to Jake.

“Hold here.” He says at last.

“They are killers of tulkun.” Tonowari stops him before he can go further. “They must die. Here. Today.” These murderers must restore the great balance with their own blood. A thousand of their lives are less valued here than one of a single tulkun. The killing of even one was a declaration of war. No more lives will fall to their greed. Not if you can kill them where they stand.

“It’s me that they want. That’s what all this has been about. Let me do this.”

“You brought this upon us!” Ronal bites out. Her gaze flickers between you and your mate as if unsure of who her anger should scorch first. It was you that spoke for him when she wanted to deny his family sanctuary. This could have been avoided had you held your tongue. But whatever happens, this is the path you’ve chosen to walk. It seems Jake has accepted his fate as well.

“It’s me that has to do this.” The voice returns but none of his words make sense. Jake’s voice echoes in your ear as he answers, English flowing easily from his tongue. He gives you a parting glance before leading his tsurak forward.

“Jake!” Ronal stops you from following with her spear across your stomach.

“You stay. He has brought this storm over our heads. Let him be the one to quell it.” Your sister says. Her eyes hold flecks of sympathy but it is overshadowed by her need to protect. She is tsahìk. Eywa has chosen her to keep peace and balance. Jake’s life may be enough to free your children and turn the sawtute away from the Metkayina atolls. It is a sacrifice she is willing to make for peace.

“Ronal.” You can’t watch your mate give himself over to those demons just as much as you can’t watch your clan fall to their hands. It feels as though your soul is tearing in two. A tsakarem protects her people, protects the great balance. But a mate protects their muntxatu. You grip her spear, ready to push it aside and defy her once more just as something breaks through the waves up ahead. A tulkun rises from the water, crashing down over the demon ship with a ferocious bellow. Payakan.

The bugs begin to scatter aboard their ship and a screeching war cry tears from your lips, calling the rest of the clan to join. It calls the humans’ attention and they turn their eyes to the clan closing in on them. Teeth bared and weapons raised.

Their guns are loud. It sounds like a hail of heavy rainfall as they turn their guns on you but they’re nearly silent beneath the water as you urge your tsurak to dive. Their tiny metal arrows hiss through the water in cloudy streams, too slow to do harm even as so many fall around you. It’s as if they’re coming from all sides as the shadows of their smaller boats pass overhead, lit by the red bursts of light that follow each fire of their guns. They’re easy to see and hard to lose. Hunting animals is harder than spotting a human with a gun. You rise from the water as another ship draws in close. One of them shouts as you arc overhead, a pained yowl leaving their lips as your spear tears through their chest. If they were alive when you dove back into the water they’ll die soon enough as you kick their limp body off of your blade. One life has been avenged. Still more to reap.

The sounds of death fill the air as the ocean is stained with more blood but it hardly brings relief. It is the same as the sound of a wounded animal. A death with a purpose. It is what you remind yourself as their empty eyes gaze up at you before their life is snuffed out. It is for a greater purpose. One they could never understand. The great balance is something these demons could never grasp. Some learn. They haven’t. This is the way. And it is good.

A hunter strives for clean kills. Needless suffering is not needed to kill a prey. The humans make mercy simple as their soft bodies burst like dropped fruit under your blade, crystal spearhead cleaving through their bodies wherever you strike. They cry out in warbled shouts for only a moment before falling silent. “Please” is a word you recognize but pay no heed to. The tulkun that they murdered surely begged for their lives as well. Your tsurak lets out a shrieking cry as you breach over another boat, its teeth tearing into whatever comes between its jaws.

Neteyam’s wound pales in comparison to the deep fissures your mount carves out of the human, their skin turning to ribbons in the animal’s sharp teeth. But he isn’t dead. You flinch back as he swings a knife at you, the blade small enough for a child. It feels strange to touch him as you catch his wrist when he swings again. You hadn’t touched Max, hadn’t touched any human. The feeling is strange and new. His body is oddly pliant, soft enough for you to feel his bones shift beneath your fingers as your grip on his wrist tightens until he drops his blade. His eyes are blank of any inner glow–his soul hidden or absent completely–but his face curls in terror as his weapon falls.

“Txopu rä’ä si, vrrteptsyìp.” He begins to cry, tears shining in his eyes as you yip and plunge your tsurak back into the water. He isn’t dead but he is close enough as blood streaks your mount’s maw. Streams of red fill the water as the clan makes quick work of the humans in the smaller boats, yet they still move with no guide. A burst of heat singes across your skin as an empty boat crashes into a stone outcropping in a cloud of flaming smoke, the metal crumpling like a teylu shell as it folds itself around the black stone. Dark clouds rise from the water where other boats have caught fire, some still carrying screaming sawtute. You watch a hunter rise from the water to meet them as they crawl out of the flames, spear tearing through two at a time before the third is met with his knife.

Their numbers are becoming fewer, but so are yours as riders are shot from their mounts under the endless downpours of their metal rain. A shout leaps from your lungs as one grazes your arm, hardly enough to truly harm you but it feels like a burning stone has passed over your skin. The ocean stings against the shallow wound as you dive out of danger. The pain is hardly more than a dull prickling but others aren’t as lucky as bodies float around you. Brave warriors lost so that this battle can be won. Each of them will be mourned in turn but not now. You blink away the heat of the tears threatening to rise behind your eyelids and focus on the war still raging just over your head.

The thin shafts of your spear arrows bend under your tight grip as your eyes find another boat floating overhead. The metal husk is caught in flames as the humans abroad rush to put out the fire. It will be of no use as one of your spear tears through their bodies. Their heads barely turned to the sound of your war cry before screams of their own join yours as blood bursts from their pierced chests. More dead but you may be joining them as a third appears, gun in hand. Your tsurak rears back, catching the shots in its chest. The pain echoes through tsaheylu, carving a burning ache between your ribs as your mount’s jaw closes around the human’s head in a final act of retribution. It rears back with a muffled screech, tossing the three of you out of the flaming boat. You’re only thrown as far as a stone outcropping as tsaheylu breaks and your tswin is freed from the bond. The stony shore scrapes at your skin but you roll to your knees with the momentum. Without your skimwing you’re stranded in the middle of a battle with only a few spear arrows in hand and your knife on your hip.

The dark stone hardly conceals your vibrant body and you slink back into the water, still keeping close to shore. Smoke fills the air with thick, grayish clouds that blot out the sky and everything has taken on the flickering color of flames. Most of the metal boats are destroyed or empty, a few unmoving bodies still aboard. The demon ship is in flames as well and the humans are scattering to smaller boats. They’re leaving. Abandoning their ship and this war that they’ve called upon themselves. Their shouts echo across the open water but from this distance you could never hope to understand their words. You hope they are laments of defeat and promises of renouncing their attempted claim on Pandora. To continue will only bring them more death at your peoples’ hands. Because more lives have been lost than just tulkun. Their fingers spread across Eywa’eveng like poisonous roots, digging deep and stripping all that they touch. Leaving would be best.

Your head falls back against the rocks behind you, eyes facing the hazy sky. It is nearly eclipse. Soon the battlefield will fall into a blue-lit night. Your eyes will not be burdened by the darkness but humans aren’t so lucky. They should leave, you think tiredly. Return to that distant star in the night sky. Your body aches and your heart hurts. You can’t imagine what more pain they’ll bring if they stay. There’s blood on your hand as you lift it from the water, patches of red that the ocean couldn’t wash away. Your hand trembles as you stare at it, trying to decide if the blood is yours or another’s. It hardly matters as you press your bloody fingers to your throat like Jake showed you.

“Jake.” Half of you expects your only answer to be silence. Or that unknown voice that stole Lo’ak’s necklace.

“I hear you.” His voice sings through you. He’s alive.

“My tsurak is dead. I’ve lost my spear.” Your voice sounds tired even to your own ears. Low and gruff as you inhale another breath of smoky air. Exertion burns in your legs and your tail feels bruised as you keep yourself afloat. The moment of stillness has brought you back to yourself, steadied your mind enough to feel your body. No longer numbed by the instinct to fight, the aches and pains of battle slowly make themselves known until even the tips of your ears are throbbing. But now isn’t the time for pain. There will be time to nurse your wounds once the battle is won.

“Where are you?” Jake asks, his voice pitching with panic. You move to answer only to stop short as a large shadow swoops overhead. You sink beneath the surface as an ikran flies through the clouds of smoke, a figure hanging in its claws. Their words are muffled beneath the water but you recognize the sound of your daughter’s voice. Jake calls your name, it rings in your ear but you don’t answer. Your spear arrows are tossed ashore as you fill your lungs with acrid air before diving after the banshee. As quick as you are in the water, you’re not nearly as fast as the ikran and you watch from a short distance as Kiri is dropped aboard the demon ship. You rise to take a breath, eyes desperately searching for a way in that isn’t through the throng of demon warriors still leaving the burning ship. A flash of blue catches your eye as two bright silhouettes board the ship, crouching low as they move further inside. Tuk and Tsireya. Now you have two more reasons to board the demons’ ship.

This metal does not burn when you press your palms against it like it had in your vision at the Ranteng Utralti. Instead it reminds you of stones cooled in the shadows as you leave wet footprints in your wake. Even as the humans disappear the ship has not fallen silent. It groans and shrieks out in a monotonous trill as a red light winks in and out of the flooding rooms. Soon the ocean will swallow it whole and whoever’s left will sink with it. You don’t intend for this place to be your resting place. The humans make it easy as you slink through the underbelly of their ship. Shadows pass over you inattentively. A child has more sense than these demons. Even the uniltìrantokx do not seem to know how to use their bodies. Their ears don’t move toward the muted sound of your footsteps, their nose doesn’t scent the smell of blood clinging to your skin.

They all simply meander, guns poised loose and useless as you slink past, careful of the debris scattered across the floor. Your silence is unnecessary as the warriors stir up enough noise to cover each of your footsteps. Their voices twitter like birds as they mill around with little regard to your shape moving through the shadows just beyond their sight. Their voices echo through the metal walls along with that shrieking noise. It keeps time like a drum as your eyes search for the children in every space you pass. There are so few people still aboard that their voices stand out in the din of the sinking ship. Soft and frantic rather than loud and self-assured. You move towards the sound of their voices like a stalking nantang, your fingertips pressing into the floor as you move on all fours. Your hand finds a broken piece of the ship. Thin and hollowed, the ends broken to jagged points. It’s not nearly long enough to mimic a spear but the shape and weight of it offers some reassurance as you emerge from the shadows, keen on getting the girls off this demon ship.

Tsireya and Tuk are crouched next to Kiri, trying to cut her free. You wait for the next beat of the ship’s shrieking before letting out a sharp yip. Kiri’s ear twitches towards the sound. You match another shriek with your own, your voice ringing out in time with the strange noise. Tuk jumps, eyes looking around as she hears your voice echo through the air.

“It’s Sa’nu!” She says quietly. Kiri nods, shifting restlessly as Tsireya’s knife makes little progress on her bindings.

“Cut it here.” Kiri corrects her, holding out the thin orange material as best she can. All their heads are bowed low, watching the bindings begin to give. You move towards them slowly, only stopping as more humans and uniltìrantokx come into view. You leap from the large metal box you’d been crouched upon, bringing your makeshift spear down hard on a warrior’s head. It makes a sickening cracking sound as blood rushes to the surface of their cropped hair. You swing again and their mask shatters, blood bursting from their crumpled nose. He gasps for air and you watch as Pandora poisons his lungs before moving on to the next. An uniltìrantokx raises their gun and you duck away from the hail of their fire to the sound of Tuk calling for you. A voice follows hers. One that is vaguely familiar. The same voice that has buzzed in your ear before the battle began.

I want her, you recognize the words if only barely. Alive. The guns fall silent. You dare to glance towards the girls only to see an uniltìrantokx grab Tsireya’s wrist and toss her off a ledge. The breath stills in your lungs as you pray to not hear the horrible sound of your niece’s body landing far below. Instead there’s a splash. He’s tossed her overboard. Thrown her to safety. The voice speaks again and you hear one of your girls hiss.

“Are you a Sully?” The voice shouts in broken Na’vi. A child is more eloquent and you don’t deign to answer. You aren’t called Sully. It isn’t your family name. But Jake has told you that human traditions are different. You would not be called mates on Earth. You’d be married and he’d give you his name. But you are not on Earth and he is no longer human. Such things mean nothing here.

“Demon!” You shout back. “Release my children.” It’s doubtful that he understands Na’vi any more than you understand his Earth language, but you won’t embarrass yourself as he has by struggling to string words together.

“You are a Sully.” He says with a mirthful tone. His next words seem to be directed towards the people around him and you tense for another rain of gunfire. Instead there’s the echoing thud of their heavy foot-coverings against the creaking metal floor as they seem to close in. The sounds are muted but your ears have learned to recognize even the smallest noises. Even the faintest snap of a twig in the forest could mean death if you aren’t an attentive hunter. It has never been your strongest suit but as the smell of their sweat begins to fill your nose as your ears twitch towards each new footfall you realize your weakest trait is still stronger than whatever they’re capable of. At least you hope it is. When the first warrior rounds the bend towards you you’re poised and waiting. His legs buckle as you sweep them from beneath him with a swift kick. He lands with a shout, his gun jumping from his hand. You kick it further from his reach as you round on the next target. A human warrior. Easier to deal with. He’s learned from the last human warrior you took down and ducks when you swing towards his head with your metal spear. You swing again, lower than he can duck and slash open the thick armor over his chest. It spills out white fibers that float like pollen in the air.

The uniltìrantokx–their leader it would seem–barks another order and more of his warriors descend upon you like a cloud blocking out the sun. There are a few more wounds inflicted by your hand before you’re disarmed, someone’s arms hooked beneath yours with their hands clasped behind your head. You feel their knitted fingers digging into your skull, pressing against your tswin. A hiss falls from your lips as he catches your thrashing tail between his legs when you manage to swing your hips and knock back a human that moved too close. The pain is a dull ache that thrums at the base of your spine but it doesn’t stop you from kicking as you’re dragged from your secluded corner into the full light of the fading sun. Eclipse is approaching fast and the warm light spills across the sinking ship, all of its metal innards limned in firelight. The uniltìrantokx that has you in his grip laughs as you thrash in his arms, flexing his arms to tighten his hold on you. You feel like a freshly caught fish dangling in a fisherman’s net. A snarl finds your lips to mask the shame as the leader of this war band approaches you with the saunter of a seasoned warrior despite his young appearance. He shouldn’t be so assured as he leans down to meet your gaze.

“You are Jake’s woman, yes? Mate?” He asks. Whoever this man is, he knows Jake. Your mate never spoke of the war that he won all those years ago. The songs only praise Jake. He is Toruk Makto. A dreamwalker that became one of the People. But this man carrying himself as if he is a true Na’vi, wearing the skin of your people, must have been a part of the story he’s never told. From the time before the songs begin. He asks again, slower, as if you’re a child needing time to understand. As if he isn’t the one speaking like a baby.

“Yes.” You bite out in English. That word you know.

He huffs out a dry chuckle, “Good.” The smile that finds his lips is nothing short of predatory, his fangs catching the flashing light of the ship. He stands back to his full height and nods to the man still holding you back from attacking this uniltìrantokx with teeth and claws. The warrior at your back drags you to the ledge where Kiri and Tuk are bound and kicks at the back of your knees. You’re expecting it and your knees buckle but you don’t fall. He kicks again, harder this time, and you go down with a shout. But he doesn’t bind you as he did the children. Instead their strange orange binding is lashed to your upper arm, luckily leaving your injured arm free. You tug against the restraint as he ties you to the ship and the material bites into your skin. If you pull hard enough you’ll bleed where the edges dig into the rippling shapes decorating your arm. Tuk is quick to move towards you, tucking her body as close to your chest as her bound arms will allow. Kiri moves closer behind until she’s leaning against your back as you hug Tuk to your chest.

“Sa’nok, your knife.” Kiri whispers. The warriors are inattentive, talking amongst themselves as if you’re of no threat to them. They hadn’t even bothered to disarm you or even search for any weapons. Perhaps they expect your comparatively sparse coverings to be incapable of concealing anything. And yet they’ve missed the knife still sheathed behind you, hidden beneath the thick waves of your damp hair. With a free arm and a weapon you could break free of your bindings but how quick would these demons fall upon you and your daughters. You only managed to fight against them for a few moments, injuring only a few before you were caught. Perhaps you could free Tuk and Kiri but they seem to think they need the three of you. Need people tied to Jake.

“Not yet.” You try to keep the exhaustion from your voice as you squint against a sudden burst of light as eclipse closes in. A blue glow overtakes the last dregs of the amber glow of the sun and your skin flickers to life. The humans seem to draw in closer to each other, weary of the night even as the ship is still filled with false torchlight. Only their leader still stands alone. He guards the empty space between you and his warriors as you keep close to your children. His footfalls don’t have the same weight to them as he paces barefoot across the groaning metal. The pool behind you is steadily filling with water. The ship is sinking and if you don’t move soon it will take you and your girls with it. Your fingers twitch, eager to grab your blade, only stopped when the leader begins to speak again. Half of his words are lost to you but some are caught with the small knowledge you’ve collected.

“I’ve got your daughters.” He sounds proud, taunting. “I’ve got your woman.” You hiss but keep still as the warriors turn towards the sound of your protest. They don’t look so worried now. The woman among them, arms covered in colorful tattoos, chuckles. She pushes out her bottom lip like a disgruntled child, mocking you. You bare your fangs with a snarl and she returns the gesture, though her hiss is hardly intimidating. Kiri snorts softly beside you, equally as unimpressed with these false-bodied warriors. The lead uniltìrantokx keeps up his taunting but your focus stays on the female warrior as her tail curls playfully behind her. She’s enjoying this.

“You will never be one of the People.” You mutter. She snorts at that. Her jovial disposition disturbs you. You’ve taken many lives today but you took pleasure in none of it. It is the same as hunting. These kills were a necessity. This dreamwalker seems content to cause harm for her pleasure. You can See it in her eyes. Human eyes are empty. But she isn’t entirely human anymore. It’s barely a flicker of light but you catch the thread of amusement and it curls in your stomach like acid. Demons. All of them. She only looks away when one of them barks out some clipped words and they all begin to move in step, perching with their guns raised as they wait for something. No, someone. Their lively mood drops into a somber silence as they lie in wait for Jake. Even the humans know to fear Toruk Makto.

Their leader’s mood hasn’t shifted. He still sounds so assured as his voice hums in your ear. He hasn’t moved out of your line of sight as the others have and he’s gone back to pacing as they wait. He says something you don’t quite understand but Tuk and Kiri do. Your youngest looks up at you with eyes full of fear. Whatever he’s said has scared her. She looks under your arm towards the rapidly rising water that’s slowly filling the room below, overtaking the limits of the pool. Her breathing picks up as she shifts anxiously. You draw her head against your chest, letting her listen to the steady beat of your heart only for it to stutter as you hear his next words.

“Your boy didn’t have to die.” It’s hardly understood but it settles like stones in your heart.

Your boy, he said. Die. Your eyes cut towards him, ears drawn tight to your skull as the words echo in your head. Your boy. Die. One of your sons has died. Neteyam is dead. Lo’ak is dead. Your son is dead. Your boy is dead.

Your breaths begin to come in huffs like a chuffing pale as you breathe deep through your nose. It does little to soothe your anger but it’s all you can hear. Your labored breath and your heated blood rushing through your ears. Your heart beat thuds steadily like the beat of a drum. Keeping time as you draw your knife from behind your back. The crystal blade cuts through your bindings with ease. You’re free. The man is still talking, eyes looking towards the horizon as he taunts your mate. His voice is still in your ear but you can hardly hear anything outside of yourself. It’s only the sound of your breath, the beat of your heart. There are no thoughts in your head and yet your body moves. You feel yourself taking staggering steps towards the uniltìrantokx, your knife gripped tight in hand. Heat drips down your cheeks as your vision swirls. The man before you wavers as tears cloud your vision, his back still towards you. He doesn’t hear your footsteps, doesn’t feel the waves of rage cresting over him as your shadow flickers across his back. You raise your blade to strike only to be swept off your feet and tossed away from him.

For a moment, you’re weightless. Then your body is met with the floor. Pain throbs through your back as scraps of the ship dig into your spine. The space above you swoops and dives like a bird before settling as your vision steadies with a dull throb thrumming in the back of your head. But the pain hardly touches you. It feels like when you fell from a tree as a child. The air is punched from your lungs and you roll to your knees with heaving breaths. Whatever that was has thrown you into a lower area of the ship. Your fingers sift through blood and those same crystal shards from your vision as you push yourself upright, stumbling only slightly. The tiny chips dig into the soles of your feet as you retrace your steps to get back to your daughters. Too much has been lost. You can’t lose anything else. Not today. You find your knife and then a lost spear as you move through the ship. It’s sized to someone taller than you but it will do fine as you follow the shadows moving through the smoke and fire.

They no longer look like people. Even the uniltìrantokx begin to lose shape in your eyes, becoming faceless entities. Empty and spiritless. Abominations. Demons. Disgusting mockeries of your People meant to be killed without mercy. You will show them none. The ground is hot beneath your feet, metal finally beginning to burn after another fire burst to life. It’s startled the last threads of the human plague and you’ll use their fear against them.

The clouds of smoke and dimmed light hides you in plain sight. A spine is separated, ribs shattered, as your spear cleaves through the back of an uniltìrantokx. They shout, spewing out blood. It splatters across your face like warm rain as you heave the spear over your head, tossing their body off of your blade. The rest of the bugs are scattering under the light of the flaming rain. Another bursts open as you leap from the darkness. One end of the spear kills one and with a twirl the other end tears through another. The little ones are easier to kill even as they point their guns at you. You swing up and open one of them from groin to face, shattering their mask before pushing them aside to find something else to kill. A shadow moves behind you but they don’t feel faceless. You know their presence. Another hail of gunfire illuminates the silhouette in bursts of reddish light. He only glances at you for a second before throwing a spear of his own at you. You duck with a hiss as it flies past you, landing with a wet thud as it finds the stomach of another uniltìrantokx just behind you. His hands close around the shaft, fingers knotted tight as he tries to pull it out before going limp. When you turn, whoever threw the spear is already gone. Something tugs at your heart and the haze settled over your mind shifts for only a moment before snapping back into place as guns fire forehead.

Arrows would be better. Would keep you further from the touch of these demons, but the spear is all you have. You swing with vengeful shouts that grate in your throat, burning as smoke fills your lungs. Three more. They turn to the sound of your landing. Tiny things. Easily killed. One. Two. Three. The third gets stuck on your spear, his hands blood-slicked hands clawing at the wood as your foot presses into his stomach. He won’t be moved. Your knife finds his throat to silence his screams. A mercy he shouldn’t be afforded. One moves behind you, crawling as he clutches the wound you’ve cleaved through his side. It’s leaking rivers of blood so thick that survival will be impossible and yet you can’t stop yourself from leaping onto his back. His frail body gives way under your weight and you finish him with your blade in his back. Puncturing through his lungs as you would an animal. That is all these things are. Invasive animals. A scourge needing to be held at bay.

A hand meets your shoulder and you hardly move as they try to pull you away from the body still trapped beneath you. When you turn the force of it throws them aside. Another tawtute. Another vrrtep. You hiss, or perhaps you scream. It may be both as your knife tears through their soft body. Once. Twice. Again and again until your hand is wet with their blood. Their eyes are empty of anything as you scream. How dare they touch you. Touch your son. Your planet. You shriek and it shatters through the air like a crash of thunder. Everything has gone still. The air crackles with the sound of fire, embers still falling through the darkness as the ship groans lowly. Metal. Dead earth. Everything around you is dead. And yet it is not enough. Your eyes drag through the darkness, looking for any sign of life. There’s no direction to your footsteps as you stagger through the water and blood splatters underfoot but you find your spear, still stuck in the collapsed human. You set your weight on his stomach and his blood rushes between your toes as you wrench the weapon from his prone body. It tears free with a crack, the blue crystal blade hanging loose and useless where the shaft has snapped in the middle. It hits the ground with a dull ring as you let it slip from your fingers. Knife still in hand you stagger through the darkness in search of… something. Your mind has gone blank. As clouded as the smoke swirling around you. You follow the sound of voices. Eyes fixed ahead. Half of the ship has been lost to the water and it feels like the gentlest kiss as you wade towards the figures still wavering in your eyes. Your mind begins to steady as your senses return.

You can smell blood and the ocean. Feel the waves against your skin. Hear the words being spoken.

“–don’t hurt her!” Your eyes find the figure of a small human. Blue streaks across his pale skin, most of it exposed save for the tewng he is wearing. There are beads in his loc’d hair. A strange mix of human and Na’vi as the pack on his back hisses minutely as he speaks. The beads of his armband shift as you grab him with enough force that he spins to face you.

“Vrrteptsyìp!” You snarl at him. His brown eyes widen as he stares up at you. Your fingers tighten around your knife as you raise it to strike only to stop as he keeps his eyes on you. Fear. It’s as clear as Naranawm shining overhead. He’s afraid. And you can see it in his eyes. You can See it.

“What trick is this?” You hiss, the point of your blade biting into his neck. A trail of blood blooms and falls, streaking through the blue stripes that mark his body like war paint.

“Sa’nok, don’t kill him! Please, don’t kill him.” Kiri begs. The uniltìrantokx holding her beneath his knife says something. His eyes fixed on you. They’re empty. But his tone sounds shaken. As if he is forcing himself to stay calm and flippant as he has been. But his eyes don’t move from you or the tawtute still in your grasp. With a curious tilt of your head you drag your knife away from his neck, not lifting from his skin as you poise it at his chest. The uniltìrantokx shifts in a way he probably does recognize. This body is not his own. It was stolen. But you know. A tsakarem Sees all. His tail moves, curling nervously behind him as his jaw flickers. There’s a threat in his bared teeth. And it’s one you recognize. Because it’s mirrored in your own face as you watch his knife draw blood from your daughter’s skin. Whoever this little human is, he’s important to the uniltìrantokx. You hiss again and feel the breathing system on the boy’s back stutter as he heaves an uneven breath. Your blade slashes across his chest with the gentlest pressure, just enough to break his skin.

“I cut.” You string together those two words in accented English. Kiri has asked you not to kill him, and you won’t. He is probably the Spider she’s spoken so fondly of. For your daughter, his life will not end by your hand. But this demon doesn’t know that. You raise your knife over your head with a shriek, staring into the child’s terrified gaze as you wonder how a piece of Pandora has found its way inside a human. The threat is enough and the uniltìrantokx drops his blade, tossing Kiri towards Jake. You’re gentler with the human as you release your bruising grip. Kiri stumbles to her feet as Jake leads her and Kiri towards where you stand. You’re still a bit hazy, still unsteady as grief floods your chest, and your feet don’t move even in the face of victory. The uniltìrantokx says something that you don’t understand but the word “death” is met with a snarl as you bare your fangs at him.

A hand finds your arm. Small and gentle as they pull you towards the water.

“Sa’nu, come on. Please. Sa’nu!” Tuk says quietly, clinging to your side.

“Sa’nok!” Kiri pleads as you finally realize the battle is over. Your children are free. The humans are dead. You can leave this place. Jake says your name evenly, still crouched in front of you. He hasn’t accepted this victory either.

“Get them out of here.” It’s an order. Spoken with the voice of a legendary warrior. Your feet begin to move. The water sings to life with pale blue syuratan as you all slip off the sunken edge of the demon ship. The last demon is still talking, knife poised for a fight. And Jake hasn’t moved. Kiri warily calls for him, but her words go unheeded as Jake lunges at the uniltìrantokx.

“Jake!” You cry out for your mate but your attention is called away by the sound of something bursting. Fire fills the water, arcing towards the ship in lashing tongues of orange light.

“Get back to the ship. Swim. Now.” The ship is finally succumbing to the ocean, spewing out dark liquid as the fires aboard eat through the last of its integrity. Water rushes up with you as you and the children clamber back onto the ship. Tuk clings to your hand as her small legs buckle in the push of the waves. She screams as she loses her footing and falls deeper into the ship as a waterfall forms at the edge of an opening. There isn’t a thought in your mind as you dive in after her. No thoughts as you push her ahead of yourself. She shouts at you to open things, heavy swinging pieces of the wall that come open as you pull. Until they don’t. You tug at another place where a shape is cut into the wall, a handle jutting out for you to pull. But the ocean presses in as you pull out and the wall seals itself before you can push Tuk through the small opening.

“There’s no way out!” She screams, round eyes searching frantically for any place to go, but the light is beginning to wane. Winking in and out until it begins to dim like a dying fire.

“Sa’nu, I’m scared.” She whimpers.

“It is alright. Stay close to me.” You pull her closer, fingers weaving through her braids as she buries her face in your neck. The water rises around you as the darkness closes in. You pray for the Great Mother’s mercy. To save you and your daughter. And then only your daughter. Just Tuk, you beg within your heart. Please, save ma Tuktirey. For a moment there is nothing. No shift within your heart as there usually is when the Great Mother breathes her will into you. There’s nothing but darkness until a dot of yellow light appears. And then another and another, like stars as seeds of the Ranteng Utralti fill the water with warm light. A dark figure swims among them, rising to meet you as you hold out your hand.

“Kiri!” Tuk leans into her touch as her free hand finds her cheek.

“Everything is going to be alright, tsmuke. Follow me.” The yellow light guides the way through the flooded ship as you follow behind your daughters. The open ocean is a blessed sight as you follow the starlight to the surface. It isn’t the longest breath you’ve taken but the anxiety twisting in your chest nearly punches the air from your lungs and you take in gasping breaths as you swim towards the shape of a tulkun floating nearby. Payakan. Jake and Lo’ak cling to one of his fins, beckoning the three of you closer.

“Come. Come here.” Lo’ak pants, holding his hand out towards Kiri. Their five fingered hands intertwine as Kiri pulls Tuk closer to her. Lo’ak is alive. He is alive and safe and breathing. Tears burn anew in your eyes. Neteyam is dead. Your son is dead. It emptied your head of all other thoughts, empties your heart of all other feelings. You go still in the water, barely kicking your feet as the thought washes over you. Perhaps you begin to sink but Jake pulls you towards him before your head dips back into the water. His arm wraps tight around you until even the water can’t reach the space between you.

“Thank you, Great Mother.” You whisper it again and again until you aren’t sure if you’re saying it aloud or in your heart. Thank you.

ɴᴀ’ᴠɪ ᴛʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴs

Nawmtu – great person (honorific)

Spono alusìng – floating island (speculative)

Hì’ikran – dorado verde, small ikran (speculative)

Kawngtu – bad person, “bad guy”

Naranawm – Polyphemus, the planet Pandora orbits

Syuratan – bioluminescence

Taronway – hunt songs

Muntxatu – mate

Txopu rä'ä si, vrrteptsyìp. – don’t be afraid, little demon

Teylu – a grub, similar to a jumbo shrimp

Tswin – neural braid

Vrrtep – demon

Tewng – loincloth

Tawtute, Sawtute – sky person, sky people

Ranteng Utralti – Spirit Tree

’Itan – son

#jake sully x reader #sully family x reader #avatar x reader #avatar #atwow

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bluegalaxygirl · 11 months ago

Text

Celestial Wedding (ZoLu X Reader) P15

Plot: Reader gets taken as revenge for Luffy and Zoro's defiance against the Celestial Dragons, they were just going to kill her to make an example but now theres a wedding????.

Warning: Bad language, PTSD, Panic attack and Making out .

Thank you to @herwritingartcowboy for the suggestion. Reader is Female and a gunslinger, Zoro X Luffy X Reader, Poly relationship, established relationship.

P1 - P2 - P3 - P4 - P5 - P6 - P7 - P8 - P9 - P10 - P11 - P12 - P13 - P14 - P16 - P17 - P18

With night starting to fall you, Robin, Chopper and Nami headed out onto the deck, despite the bath and shower being a little stressful you're glad you did it, with clean hair and skin plus some fresh warm clothes you feet so much better. The island was littered with people from different pirate crew while their ships lined up next to the sunny, lanterns light up the island along with several cooking station and a big bonfire, the air was filled with Music, talking and laughter warming your heart and bringing a smile to your face. "There's a lot more people than i thought" you think out loud stopping at the end of the ramp, Nami takes your hand and rubs your arm "Are you gonna be ok? We can go back if you want" her voice sounded concerned but you smile at her and shake your head "No i'm fine, i'm just really thankful" She smiles back at you but as you look around, you realize someone is missing "Has Sabo turned up yet?" you ask looking at the three who shake their heads making your smile drop, you hope Sabo's ok since he stayed behind to do stuff but your confident in that man's skills, he is Luffy's brother after all and a member of the revolutionary army. You start walking again saying hi to people on the way some of them having to be told off by Nami or Chopper for scaring you when they tried to hug you. As much as you love all the support and their help your still not happy with people outside your crew hugging you at the moment, there is one exception to that though and that is the eight girls you saved.

Rin was the first to spot you before you could even call out to them, she gasps before standing almost stumbling over her own feet "Y/N" she yells getting the other girl's attention away from some Tontatta's their sitting with around a lantern and food. The eight girls run over to you with large smiles and slight tears, as much as you want to let them crash into you for a hug you hold your hands out to stop them from doing so, luckily it seemed they had no intention of crashing into since they all stop just short of you before you can raise your arms fully. You can't help but look them over in amazement, their skin has more color in it now and their wearing warm clothes, they also seem to have more energy. "Thank you so much, for everything, we are so grateful to you and your crew" Sakura steps forward, always the leader of the small group and smiles at you before going to bow. You quickly step closer take Sakura's arms and stopping her from bowing, she looks at you in surprise but doesn't flinch at your touch "You bow to no one now, your free so please don't" You sigh hoping you didn't scare her with your sudden action but her eyes soften and a small smile appears on her face "Thank you Y/N, can i hug you?" Sakura asks but instead of answering you pull her into a hug. "I'm glad your all ok" You sigh in relief while gesturing for the others to join the hug, they jump at the opportunity but are careful when wrapping their arms around you, trying not to smother you.

The girls soon let you go and look over at your other crew mates "Thank you, Miss Nami and Miss Robin" Sakura smiles at them walking over to the two and taking their hands "And don't forget the amazing Doctor Chopper" Rin smiles wide while bending down along with Emi and Lina to start fawning over the blushing and smiling reindeer. Nami and Robin nod at the girls while squeezing Sakura's hands "It's no problem, you girls are fun to hang out with" Nami giggles, as the girls talk with your crew you watch them until something tap your shoulder. Turning around you raise your eyebrow at not seeing anyone there, panic starts to from in you hoping your nightmare hasn't followed you into the real world but then there was a small sweet voice "Down here silly" You jump a little at the voice and place your hand over your heart while gasping in surprise at the small blue Tontatta on your shoulder. "Wicca, don't scare me like that" You let out a breath trying to calm yourself down as the tiny woman rubs the back of her head "Sorry" she looks away feeling bad for scaring you but you soon relax. A buzzing sound catches your attention so you look ahead of you to see Bian flapping her wigs while one of her pink bee's fly's next to her holding none other than their Captain Leo "Hay guys, you both look amazing, how's your pirate adventure going?" you ask with a big smile while holding your cupped hands out for the two to rest on "It's going good, we've seen so much but were glad we could help you, at first we didn't think were were gonna make it in time to help" Leo smiles up at you while still sitting on the pink bee laying in your hand.

Bian pats her bee's head with a proud stance "It was quiet the fight but there's nothing my girls can't handle" You nod at them happy to have their help and to see their ok, Wicca walks down your arm to join the two in your hands as you speak "Thank you all so much, i can't tell you how happy i am to have so many people who care, I'm so glad your all ok, your all truly amazing" You tear up a bit as Wicca does the same going to hit your hand but is stopped by Leo holding her back and listing her up "Stop saying things like that, i don't wanna cry" The blue haired girl yells kicking her legs out as she tried to get out of Leo's hold "Calm down, don't hurt Y/N-land" The Captain of their crew yells out dragging her to sit on the pink bee as Bian pinches her nose and sighs "Sorry about her" You shake your head at them and let out a nervous laugh "I'm sorry I'll stop, I didn't mean to make you cry. I'll leave you guys to get back to the feast, have fun" The three nod at you before starting to fly up off your hands, yelling their goodbyes the four fly off to go back to their crew "Hay Y/n, Nami and Robin are going to stay with the girls so I'll help you find Luffy and Zoro" Chopper runs up to you and takes your hand, you can't help but laugh though at his face covered in pink and red kiss marks, bending down you wipe them away for him knowing he'll hate being laughed at by the crew for it. "Ok, Lead the way doctor Chopper" you stand keeping hold of his hand as the reindeer starts to walk.

Chopper smiles while swaying a bit at you calling him doctor but soon managed to calm himself down, it was hard to see through the large groups of people but luckily there was a path through it all so you just followed that. After a while of walking you stated to get tired and nervous, anxiety growing in your stomach making you feel sick, you couldn't find the two you wanted to be with. Chopper notices your panicked breathes and stops walking helping you sit down on a fallen log that no one is sitting on "It's ok Y/n, just breathe, we can head back to the sunny if it's too much" The doctor states in a calm voice but has to yell a little with all the singing, talking and music around you two. "N-no.. I'm sorry.. I-i just want to-" You grip your chest as it starts to hurt, you didn't know anyone around you but chopper, yes they all helped you but you had no idea who they are, you didn't feel safe, you wanted more familiar faces, you wanted Zoro and Luffy. "Y/N... Your up SUPER" Franky walks over before doing his pose making you snap out of your spiraling thoughts, Chopper looks up at Franky with a big smile happy to see the giant cyborg but the man looks down in slight shock at your teary eyes and tense body "Sorry didn't mean to scare you" He raises his hands in surrender but you shake your head starting to calm down now that someone else you know if finally around you, it's not that you didn't feel safe with chopper its just there were to many unfamiliar face compared to the one you know. "Y-you didn't scare me... I just got a bit overwhelmed" You whisper while gripping Chopper's hand that he holds out to you.

The giant cyborg nods before walking closer and kneeling down "You know what can fix everything? some fresh Cola and some loving company" His big smile and words make your eyes widen "You know where Luffy and Zoro are?" You ask scooting closer to him in hopes that he knows, with a chuckle Franky nods "Yep, i just left to go and check on Robin but I'll take you over there" Jumping up you can't help but hug the cyborg wrapping your arms around his neck making him chuckle a little more and pat your head lightly. "Thank you, Franky, thank you for everything you guys have done, I'm so grateful to have you guys in my life" You smile up at him while pulling away to see the robot rub his teary eyes with his arm, he cry's out making you hold back a laugh at his over dramatics "Oh Y/N, there's no need to thank us you brave soul" Franky cry's making Chopper smile up at him patting the robots leg in comfort, the cyborg can be so overly dramatic sometimes but you wouldn't have it any other way. He soon stops with a sniffle while wiping his eyes "How about i carry you two it'll be quicker" He offers, you wanted to say no and walk but your leg were tired and sore so you nod. He stay knelled down so its easier for you to sit on his shoulder, Chopper jumps up and sits on his other shoulder before Franky stands up and starts to walk to where Luffy and Zoro are. "Oh by the way Robin is with Sakura's group close to the Sunny" You inform hoping to make finding the black haired woman easier for your crew mate, Franky nods as his hand rests on your leg helping to keep your balanced while your on his shoulder.

That familiar laughter soon breaks through the crowd making you smile bigger than before knowing that its Luffy but as you get closer to the group your captain isn't there. Zoro, Usopp and Bartolomeo are sitting on a large blanket with pillows and empty plates littered around them but there was a big gap in the middle for some reason. "Hay Guys, Look who i found" Franky calls out with a big smile soon stopping next to the Blanket, Usopp smile at the three of you before standing but almost gets knocked back by Barto who scrambles to get up. Zoro turns to look behind him and up at the giant cyborg, his smile grows at seeing you. "Miss Y/N, i'm so glad your ok.. You just missed Mister Luffy he went to get more food, but he'll be back soon" The rooster shoots up from where he was sitting and runs over to you almost trampling over Zoro who was about to get up. You scoot back a bit on Franky's shoulder as Barto reaches up for you, He's only trying to help and probably impress your crew but your not comfortable with him touching you just yet, he's too eager and hyper, plus he doesn't know where your hurt. "Here let me help you do-" Barto smiles wide at you only for his face to get grabbed by Zoro who shoves him away. "Calm down and back off" The swordsman growls before looking up at you seeing you start to calm down from your slight panic "Do you need help?" Zoro asks as Franky kneels down letting you and Chopper off his shoulders you nod and hold out your hand which the swordsman takes while his other hand goes to your side being careful not touch the bruises he knows are there.

Usopp sighs and gets up walking over to Barto who's rubbing his head after being shoved to the ground "I did warn you" The sniper sighs before turning to Chopper who runs over to check if the roosters ok. "Thanks again Franky" You smile at the cyborg when your fully off his shoulder "It's no problem, Here, like i said before, a good cola fixes everything... I'll see you guys later" The cyborg laughs handing you a bottle of Cola before walking off, Usopp and Chopper waving him goodbye before helping Barto stand up and walk back over to the blanket. After taking the bottle you wave him off before turning to Zoro and wrap your arms around his waist finally feeling safe in his embrace, the swordsman holds you close one arm around your waist and the other running through your hair. The swordsman lightly smiles placing a kiss on your head before breathing in the smell of your freshly cleaned hair "You smell nice" The green haired man whispers making you tense up a bit as you grip onto him, those words bringing back bad memoirs that you try and push away. Zoro rubs your back trying to calm you down while mentally cursing himself for making you like this "Sorry baby.. I-i don't mean to" You relax a little after taking a few deep calming breathes, looking up at him you lean back a bit to place your free hand on his cheek not wanting him to feel the way he is. "No it's ok, you did nothing wrong. I think i'm still a little jumpy from everything thats happened today" You sigh before leaning in and placing a kiss on his cheek.

The swordsman nods as he guides you over to the blanket "Want to talk about it?" You think for a minute as Zoro helps you sit down before sitting next to you and pulling you into his side, so he can hold you "I don't want you to get angry or anything" He takes a breath at your words calming himself down before giving you a nod letting you know he won't get angry or act out. Barto goes to talk to you but Usopp is quick to place a hand over the roosters mouth knowing Zoro needs time to talk with you, Chopper sighs and shakes his head at the rooster before whispering for him to calm down. Telling Zoro lifted a lot of weight off your shoulders, he didn't think you were stupid or weak for getting scared or having a panic attack in fact he soothed you rubbing your arm and kissing your head as you drank the Cola Franky gave you, the cyborg was right a fresh Cola and come loving company fixes everything. It wasn't long until Luffy came running back with a huge plate of food, his eye light up when seeing you and without thinking he yells out your name. It makes you jump slightly but when you turn to see Luffy a big smile forms on your face as you wave at him "Luffy" You yell back seeing the captain pick up his speed while walking over but trying not to drop any of the food stacked high on the large plate. The captain places the plate down in the middle now making you realize why there was a gap in the first place "Wow Luffy, Where did you get all that?" You ask while looking the pile of food up and down now unable to see the others with how wide and tall it is.

Luffy sits down next to you as the others start to dig in "Sanji and the other cooks are making loads of stuff" The captain wraps his arms around you as you turn to him and wrap your arms around him wanting to get a hug in before he's too occupied by food. You sigh in relaxation while resting your head on Luffy's shoulder "Don't get too comfy, you should eat before i eat it all" The captain laughs as you jump in shock pushing away from him knowing he's not messing around, you may be dating but that doesn't stop him from taking your food. "Luffy, You can't eat it all again" Usopp yells peaking his head out from around the pile of food to glare at his friend but Luffy ignores him just digging into the food as you join him, Zoro wraps his arm around your waist pulling you into his side again wanting you close as he drinks. You happily sit between the two feeling a lot calmer and safer while eating. After you've had your fill you sigh in happiness only for Zoro to reach over and use his thumb to remove some food from the corner of your mouth, a small blush forms of your face as his eyes meet yours, The swordsman brings his thumb to his lips and licks the food off of it before giving you a flirty smile. Your cheeks go redder as your mouth moved trying to form words but can't even when Zoro starts to lean closer. "It tasted good... mind if i have some more?" Zoro asks brushing his lips against yours, the pounding in your chest gets louder and louder but you nod letting a small smile form as the swordsman closes the gasp placing his lips on yours.

The two really know how to make you flustered and normally you would complain but you couldn't in this moment, you felt so loved, so safe as his arm sneaks around your waist pulling you into him as his tongue licks your lower lip asking for more. Normally he wouldn't ask, but he didn't want to make you uncomfortable after everything thats happened, humming in delight you open your mouth for him letting his tongue in to meet yours as your hands run up his arms to his neck, your thumbs running across his jawline. You didn't want it to end, his touch was gentle on your injured area's but firm in your uninjured areas, its like he's studied your body knowing where he can touch you and where he can't while not even looking. Zoro pulls away first not wanting you to get breathless "My strong girl" He whispers against your lips making you smile and pull him in for a hug your hand running through his hair, thanks to nami you actually believe it now, you are strong and it's nice to know others think of you that way. Zoro holds you close to him while rubbing your back and placing kisses on your head enjoying you being back with him. His eyes soon land on Luffy who had stopped eating a little while ago his eyes fixed on the two of you, the swordsman could tell the captain was a little upset although he tried to hide it. "Lu, you want to join?" The swordsman asks holding out one of his hands managing to snap his lover out of his own head, a small smile forms on Luffy's face as he scoots closer.

Moving away from Zoro you pat the area in between you two seeing a bigger smile form on the Captains face, sitting in between the two of you Luffy wraps his arms around you both letting your heads rest on his shoulder as your arms go around his waist. You know Luffy loves to hold you both close like this, placing a kiss on your captains cheek he smiles down at you before pecking your lips while Zoro lets out a small chuckle kissing Luffy's neck a few times. A hum of satisfaction leaves the captains mouth from the feeling before turning to kiss Zoro's head, the three of you sit there enjoying each others warmth and comfort as music and talking fill the air, once in a while you would move your head into Luffy's neck either kissing it or feeling his pulse against your forehead. Zoro drink the rest of his sake before interlocking his fingers with yours that lies on Luffy's chest while kissing his captains shoulder or jawline. Luffy would lean into who ever was showing him affection at the time but if the two of you were giving him affection at the same time then he would lean his head back a bit while his arms hold you both tighter enjoying the feeling. It wasn't long before you noticed Luffy staring at you, looking up at him your eyes lock with his seeing slight sadness, unhooking your fingers from Zoro you reach up to place your hand on your captains cheek "You ok honey?" You whisper letting your thumb run under his eye, Luffy nods while placing his forehead on yours "i'm glad to have you back" He whispers back while moving his nose against yours, knowing what he wants you lean up placing your lips on his.

Before he can ask you lightly bite his lower lip, with a smile Luffy shoves his tongue into your mouth as your lips move together, letting out a hum your tongues meet moving together as his hand wonders, anxiety wells up in you as his hand gets closer to your thigh but it soon moves away making you relax knowing that he won't touch your injured leg, pulling away Luffy peaks your lips "Don't worry, i won't touch it... I'll just have to find a new favorite spot" He laughs with a small smile making your smile drop, you didn't want him to find a few favorite spot "Lu, It can still be your favorite spot. Just once its healed" Luffy's big smile comes back as he buries his head into you neck giving it loads of kisses making you laugh trying to push him away but his grip is too strong. Zoro laughs along watching as his captain attacks your neck "Thank you, Muffin" Luffy calls out before pulling away from your next letting you get your breath back, lightly hitting his chest you playfully glare at him but his expression didn't change making your eyes soften knowing how happy you've just made him. "Speaking of muffins" The captain stretches his arm out, reaching into the pile of food and pulling out a muffin, ripping it in two he hands half of it to you making your eyes widen, its very rare for him to share food. "I have to share a muffin with my muffin" Luffy laughs before biting into his half, you take the other half while kissing is cheek "I swear your sometimes worse than the cook" Zoro comments while looking away with a slight blush, you couldn't tell if it was because of what just happened or the amount of alcohol he's consumed.

Luffy pulls the swordsman back into him crashing his lips onto his lovers, a shocked hum leaves Zoro's mouth making it easy for Luffy to slip is tongue into the swordsman's mouth. You smile at the two while eating your muffin watching as Zoro starts to relax into it while seeming to try and gain control but Luffy had the upper hand. Pulling away Luffy puts his big smile back on while pressing his forehead against Zoro's "You know.. You only say that kind of thing when you want attention" Luffy's comment seemed accurate since the swordsman's face goes bright red as his eyes widen, you don't know how but your captain always seems to know these things. Unable to form words the swordsman growls before kissing the captain again burring his hand in his black hair keeping his lover close. Rolling your eyes at the flustered and needy swordsman you look over at the food pile now being able to see the other side, Usopp and Chopper are laughing and joking with each other while also messing with some food, Barto on the other hand had wide eyes and blushing cheeks while watching Luffy and Zoro make out, it made you realize that he's never seen the three of you together like this. Everyone knows about your relationship but maybe seeing it is a different some how. When he doesn't stop looking you lean closer and wave your hand in front of his face managing to snap him out of it "It's rude to stare" You giggle while sitting back, he gulps and nods keeping his eyes on you even though the swordsman and captain have now pulled away from each other trying to get their breath back.

Barto clears his throat his blush getting worse, but he scoots closer only stopping when the plate of food between you and him touches his knees "I'm sorry Miss Y/N, i didn't mean to state i-i just wanted to urm..." He takes a breath while rubbing the back of his head seeming nervous about something "I'm sorry about before, i-i didn't mean to scare you, i was out of line" The rooster looks down in shame due to his earlier actions, Luffy raises an eyebrow while looking between you and Barto "What? You ok?" The captain asks putting his arm around your waist but you nod letting him know your fine. Zoro sighs leaning back on his elbows "Yea you should be, Think next time" The swordsman grumbles but you reach over and pat his leg trying to calm the man down. " It's ok, He just tried to help me down off Franky's shoulder" You smile seeing your captain nod now knowing you weren't hurt but he still doesn't understanding why Zoro would get so frustrated over it, you turn back to Barto his eye's meeting yours "I appreciate the help but i'm still a little jumpy and some of my injuries still hurt so... Thanks for the help though" You smile at him getting the Rooster to nod with a big smile happy that you've forgiven him "Mister Zoro's right i should have thought before i acted, Is there anything i can do for you?" Barto asks cupping his hands together hoping to make it up to you and Zoro but the swordsman groans trying to ignore the rooster's attempts to please you. "No i'm good" You raise your hands up getting the man to nod and calm down a bit.

Luffy pouts a little while placing his chin on your shoulder looking up at you with slight puppy dog eyes "You could've asked him to get more meat" You can't help but laugh a little as you turn to look down at your pouting Captain "You have a whole plate of food still" His pout gets worst at your words making Barto spring up from where he was sitting "It's ok Mister Luffy, I'll get you some more" Barto panics before running off Usopp and Chopper yelling at him since he almost kicked the two over. "Bring booze" Zoro yells out after the man who weaves through the crowd of people some yelling at him because he knocked into them. "He's funny" Luffy smiles as he pulls away from your shoulder to watch the man, Usopp rubs the back of his head with a sigh "He's something" The sniper comments while letting out a breath and laying on his back to look up at the sky, Chopper nods agreeing with his friend while laying down next to him also looking up at the sky. You can't help but watch the two for a minute happy that their both ok, you can't believe just a few days ago they were fighting vice admirals and guards to help rescue you. "Thank you" You suddenly say making Usopp and Chopper raise their heads to look over at you "Thank you.. for helping me" You say again giving them a smile, the two shoot up with a big smile while rubbing the back of their heads "There's no need to thank us" Chopper sways a little while Usopp wipes his nose "You can always rely on the great Captain Usopp" You can't help but let out a small giggle at their different reactions, Luffy laughs a little to while wrapping his arm back around your waist.

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anarchic-miscellany · 5 months ago

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Terrible Screenplay Ideas: Justice League Vacation! The Justice League need a break, and Batman has booked them all an all inclusive stay at a tropical island he secretly owns!

Question refuses to remove his oufit, and his girlfriend Huntress convinces him to put on a single pair of silly sunglasses whilst she teases him with conspiracy theories about the place from the guidebook, but slowly gets drawn in.

Green Lantern is stuck arguing with a customs officer over his lack of a passport: he claims to never need one, as he is an intergalactic police officer, but Mavis is not moved.

When The Martian Manhunter moves through the customs gate, shapeshifting into an identical Hal Jordan save a fake moustache and using his own I.D which reads "Jal Hordan", he is waved through instantly, only making Jordan angrier.

Flash has already gotten there, and is causing havoc at the pool.

Zatanna has already gotten completely hammered on margaritas and is accidentally slurring spells which cause mayhem across the resort.

Green Arrow has gone undercover as a pool boy to find out which evil capitalist bastard is stealing tips and wages from the staff, and gets completely carried away.

Black Canary gets swept up by a hen party on the island, and also incredibly drunk, causing absolute carnage when she does karaoke.

Superman has been forbidden from doing any heroics and is relaxing by the pool. Unfortunately he has to resist the urge to step in and stop every minor infraction he sees.

Dr Fate is eager to catch sight of the rare "Orange Breasted Lowenthal" and tells the others he shall be embarking from the hotel tomorrow morning at 7:30AM sharp. The only one who accompanies him is B'Wana Beast into the jungle. Buddy cop begrudging shenanigans ensure

Guy Gardner is forced to share a room with Firestorm, and demands that they go thirds on the room, since there's three of them in his mind, but Firestorm's Bobby and Martin claim to be one person and go halves. Firestorm is also perturbed by the structural integrity of parts of the building, and must investigate.

Wonder Woman is hoping to find a particular souvenir on the island, scouring the shops and pawnbrokers and acquiring tacky gift after tacky gift, all of which she hands off to various members of the crew. She solves simple crimes along the way

Booster Gold and The Blue Beetle set out to score, but Ted gets stung by a bug and has an allergic reaction, and Booster keeps trying to find him a doctor. Bad luck after bad luck keeps befalling them on their journey. They do enjoy posing for photographs with adoring fans though, who keep making them go viral, but not as viral as Superman's blood pressure.

Hawkgirl is concerned with trying to win a prize at the fun fair, and becomes determined to do so, she will NOT be beaten!

Fire and Ice are super stoked to be partying and hanging out with the ultimate party animal Power Girl! They are going to have the best time! Unfortunately, Power Girl has just gone through a terrible breakup and is miserable, far from her partying self, and their weekend turns into babysitting the dangerous self pitying girl.

And Batman, with the fortress finally to himself, just wants to sit down and watch some trashy reality TV free of distractions, judgement and interruptions. But Captain Atom is using his mandatory vacation time to run an inspection of the tower.

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lucagray813 · 3 months ago

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Shadow Monkeys

Rating: Gen

Word Count: 1,691

Main Characters: MK, Macaque, Bǎi Hé

Relationships: None

Summary: There are some odd monkeys on the other side of the island and MK and Bǎi Hé are excited to meet them.

Additional Tags: Worldbuilding, monkeys

CW: None

Link to AO3 Version

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On the other side of the island, about as far from Water Curtain Cave as you could get, there was a much smaller mountain that hid an extensive library. And as impressive as it was, MK couldn't help but roll his eyes at the dark and gothic decor - there were no prizes to be won for guessing who it belonged to.

But while the library was cool and all, it was its occupants that he was really interested in. Because there was a whole troupe of silent, dark-furred monkeys that lived here in harmony with an uncountable number of shadow elementals.

He'd never even heard of shadow elementals before, let alone seen one and he couldn't say for certain he wouldn't have preferred to live in ignorant bliss. They existed as purely 2D creatures moving over every surface in the library. And while he was sure they couldn't physically harm him, the way they moved and changed shapes made him uncomfortable.

And he wasn't convinced they weren't deliberately trying to freak him out. Because why else would several of them come together to form some huge, monstrous silhouette while his back was turned and then only scatter once he'd all but tripped over himself in fear?

And he swore it was just him they were doing it to!

But as sour as he was about that, it was fascinating to watch the monkeys interact with them. All of the monkeys were impressive shadow puppeteers, able to contort their hands, or even their whole bodies, in elaborate ways in order to communicate with the elementals.

He couldn't really understand what they were saying to each other but he could see that the two groups liked to play with one another. Monkeys would chase and "catch" elementals using their shadows or elementals would lead monkeys to a surprise with a series of clues. He was even confident there was some sort of shadow version of Rock, Paper, Scissors being played.

If the elementals didn't give him the creeps he probably would have thought the whole thing was pretty cute. Bǎi Hé definitely seemed to think so, and she wasn't at all put off by the elementals, but given the shadow lantern hanging from her belt he wasn't at all surprised.

She had wandered away from him a while ago to squat by a monkey and an elemental to try and learn the rules of their game so she could join in.

When they had first arrived, it had taken several sharp warnings to both the monkeys and the elementals to stop them swarming either Macaque or Bǎi Hé. Some of them were curious about him too but clearly lacking any sort of shadow magic made him significantly less appealing.

He wandered over to where Macaque was going through a stack of books looking for whatever it was they'd come here for in the first place. To be honest, he hadn't been paying that much attention - he had just wanted to tag along and see what the fuss was about.

Conversationally, he asked, "So what's with the monkeys? Red Son and Mei have theories and I'm really hoping they're both wrong."

He'd, of course, been sending live updates of his adventure to their group chat - including pictures and videos - and it hadn't taken them long to put on their conspiracy hats.

Red Son suggestions centred around the theme of Mad Scientist Macaque manufacturing them for some, possibly nefarious, purpose and he deliberated whether these were the intended outcome or simply failed experiments that he had locked away here.

Mei was pretty convinced Macaque had just banged a load of monkeys back in the day and these were his many, many descendants but given these were monkeys and not demons that theory sort of gave him the ick.

Not turning away from his task, Macaque responded, "Just what generations of hanging around with shadow elementals will do to you."

He was exceedingly grateful Mei was wrong but that didn't necessarily rule out Red Son's theory.

"Yeah, why are there so many of those here? I swear I've never seen them anywhere else."

Macaque shrugged, "They tend to show up anywhere I spend a lot of time but you can find them out in the world - normally somewhere dark and quiet."

Well that would explain why he never came across them - dark and quiet generally wasn't his scene. It was actually just on the edge of too dark in here as it was and he kept having to use his golden vision just to make sure he didn't walk into anything.

Curious he asked, "How come there's none back at the palace? You spent loads of time there too, right?"

Most of the palace inside Water Curtain Cave probably didn't have the right conditions for them but there definitely was the odd tunnel or abandoned room they would find themselves right at home at.

Macaque explained, "I didn't spend that much time in the palace. But they don't like being around Wukong either. His magic hurts them. I'm actually a little surprised they're fine around you. Especially with your eyes becoming beacons of light every two minutes. Although it could just be because of how saturated with shadow magic this place has become they're able to tolerate it."

A little sheepish, he silently resolved to try and use his golden vision less. It was probably really annoying for everyone here if he was randomly glowing after all. Hopefully his eyes would actually adjust to the darkness if he gave them a chance.

He pushed on however, a little surprised at Macaque's response, "You didn't spend that much time in the palace? How come? I thought you lived there."

"I have a room there but let's say I wasn't particularly welcome most of the time. Wukong and most of the monkeys were happy to have me there. The other demons though? Not so much."

Despite not having the full story, he found himself immeasurably sad on Macaque's behalf but before he could question further he was startled by Bǎi Hé's voice suddenly appearing right beside him, "People don't like things they don't understand."

Macaque nodded, still not turning around, "Doesn't matter when or where you are you can always rely on that to be true."

Man, he forgot what a downer Macaque could be.

And seeing the sad acceptance on Bǎi Hé's face, he felt compelled to argue. But his passionate speech about the good in people was stopped before it could even start as a monkey used his head as a spring board to catch a moth.

Bǎi Hé snorted before bringing a hand up to stifle her laughter. He glared at the monkey but they seemed much more interested in Bǎi Hé's laughter, climbing up her clothes and coming to sit on her shoulder while trying to get a closer look at where the sound was coming from, which only prompted more laughter.

He couldn't keep up the glare, it was nice to hear Bǎi Hé sounding so happy after all.

Back to safer topics, he nodded towards the monkey and asked, "These little guys just hang about the library all the time?"

Macaque responded, "They do during the day - they're mostly nocturnal but you can find them outside in the surrounding area at night. They're pretty sensitive to sunlight."

He posed thoughtfully, "They're like the total opposite of the monkeys back at the cave - do you think they would get on with each other?"

Macaque shrugged, "No idea. They're far enough apart that it'd be rare for them to run into each other."

Maybe he was just hardwired to like monkeys but these little guys were growing on him - they definitely had some unique quirks but they were still island monkeys, "Would it be ok if I came and hung out with them when you're not here?"

"It's your island, Monkey King."

He scrunched up his nose, "I mean, technically yeah, but this is your place. These are your monkeys."

Macaque's tone was indifferent, "They don't belong to me and this place hasn't been mine for centuries - do what you want."

He frowned but Bǎi Hé piped up, "Can I stay here for a bit then?" She shot him a somewhat apologetic look, "The palace is sort of a lot..."

"Knock yourself out."

MK sagged a little at Bǎi Hé's admission. He had been the one to all but force her to take a break from her travels, and he thought she'd been enjoying her stay.

She was quick to reassure him, "I'll still come visit you in the palace! It is nice seeing you all! It's just a bit much when you're not used to it..."

The sound of her misplaced guilt had him picking himself up and trying to respond more upbeat than he felt, "I get it. We are all pretty high energy, even I need a break from it all now and then! But can I at least help you get set up here? We can tidy up and then go grab some supplies from the palace."

At least this way she was still close by.

She smiled, "I'd appreciate that, MK. C'mon, let's go find the best place for a bed first."

He turned back to Macaque to check that he was okay with this plan but he was met with an irritated look that told him just to get on with it already.

Geez, sorry for trying to be considerate.

Macaque could tell him all day this place and its inhabitants didn't mean anything to him but it really wasn't hard to spot his tells that sold him out - a little solid shadow here and there to play with monkeys, his shadow moving independently to pet a close by elemental, the care in which he showed the books he held.

All of it told him that this place mattered, that it was important, and if Macaque was entrusting him with its care then he would do everything he could to make sure no harm came to it.

--End--

LMK Fanfic Masterlist

#lmk #lmk fanfiction #my fanfiction #lmk macaque #lmk mk #lmk bai he #lmk lbd host #lmk little girl #oneshot #complete fic #originally posted on ao3 #tumblr fic #worldbuilding

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merakiui · 2 years ago

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thinking about a concept in which floyd is a human who works at a fish shop.

he has an affinity for music; it’s real, raw talent, and though he’s gotten lots of praise and won awards at talent shows when he was younger no one’s ever told him he should pursue it. so instead he works at his father’s fish shop, becoming acquainted with the scents of gore, chum, and the salty sea air. his brother jade’s super smart; they all think he’ll run a business in the future. something stuffy and corporate; floyd doesn't really care. because of his intelligence and academic prowess, jade’s earned a full scholarship to some fancy school off the island, way in the heart of the big city, and he’d be a fool not to take this opportunity.

jade almost turned it down; he likes the island and its population of older folk. things are calm and quiet here, flowing smoothly, everything in order. a city is nothing like that. most of all, his family are here. in the city he’ll be all alone, but mama and pops want him to go; it’s a big deal. they have a send-off party. jade rarely sheds tears, so this is one of the few times his sharp, smart eyes are watery. floyd’s happy for him, of course, but after the lanterns have been extinguished and the citronella candles have burned out he feels alone. the lively energy has fizzled away and with it his spirits. everyone’s gone to sleep because tomorrow they’ll see jade off at the port. he can hardly sleep when his heart is so heavy, bogged down with unpleasant emotions.

he doesn’t want to see jade off the next day, too stubborn and sad and jealous, but he does anyway because he knows it’d be wrong to leave his twin hanging when he’s about to embark on a trip to some far-off city. his mood is at its lowest as the day wears on. he doesn’t bother opening the shop. his pops will wring him out for neglecting the very thing that was passed down to him the moment he was old enough to handle the business, and his mama will fawn all over him, cooing at her husband to ease up on her baby boy. floyd loves the coddling. he loves his family, could never hate them no matter how hard his old man is on him. it’s a routine he’s familiar with. his parents balance one another, a perfect pair. he adores them.

it’s weird working at the shop without jade. usually floyd opens bright and early while jade turns his alarm off at every ten minute interval, clinging to his bedsheets until he can no longer avoid the glaring sunshine and the call of work. it’s too quiet and peaceful. floyd’s still in a mean mood, so by lunch his mama’s come down to bring him a meal and send him off. she’ll take care of the shop. floyd doesn’t complain.

he walks down to the beach, kicking up sand as he goes, drumming a tune along the metal tin packed full of a delicious homemade meal. it’s the one he took with him to elementary—the one with the moray eels printed on the front, and the graphic is peeling from years of use, dented and worn to fading. he likes the metallic sound it makes as he composes various beats at random, hitting it sharply, timing each knock, and then trying to hum along to the metallic melody. he and jade would visit the shoreline all the time as kids, spending hours in the water until they were tanned or burnt. lobsters, the both of you, their pops would tease when they came home, redder than the reddest lobster. and then there was the day floyd almost drowned. fun times. he thinks about it as he walks sidelong the sea, listening to the whooshing of the waves as they curl in the distance, the shrieking seabirds, the buzzing cicadas. summer’s awfully lonely this time around.

but then he hears it. the wet plap of something. he thinks it might’ve been a fish. maybe a bird overhead let it fall from its beak and it’s splattered upon the rocks below. but then he hears it again, and it’s accompanied with a sound that can only be described as gratingly ear-bleeding—like nails on a chalkboard. his humming stops and so, too, does the noise. he waits a minute, taps a rhythm on his lunchbox, and the noise starts up again. he repeats this twice before it occurs to him that something’s trying to duet with him.

he follows the noise even though it’s the most brutal, agonizing pain in his ears, and stumbles upon a shallow inlet that leads into a small cove. draped on a rock, scales shimmering in the sun, is a creature he’s only ever read about in storybooks. it’s a mermaid.

you open your mouth to sing, and that ear-piercing noise has him cringing.

not a mermaid. more like…a siren. a siren who can’t sing. what are the odds?

“yikes,” he says it in one breath, like it’s been punched out of him. “your singing sucks!”

maybe you understood him because your scowl is fierce and angry. he giggles and peers at your gills, curiosity overpowering self-preservation.

“hey, it’s the truth.” he dodges the water you send his way, his lips widening into a toothy grin as he watches your tail fin smack the sand impatiently. “anyone ever told ya that? or did you keep singin’ thinkin’ it was pretty, little tone-deaf fishy?”

this time the noise you make is akin to displeasure. floyd chuckles.

“so singing’s not your forte. no biggie.” he shakes his lunchbox and your eyes are immediately drawn to it. “but maybe playin’ an instrument is.”

and that marks the day floyd met a siren who can’t sing. suddenly, summer doesn’t feel so isolating anymore.

#meraki mumbles #fluffy floyd hours #he’s so cute i want to write a dozen summer stories for him T_T

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thebunnednun · 7 months ago

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Whispers of the Heart Dracule Mihawk x Fm! Reader (Part 4)

I do not own the artwork its by: @xuchuan25 Tell them they're amazing y'all!

Chapter 4 in the building y'all!!!! I just needed to see my Buggy.

Part 1 can be found: Here

Part 2 is right: Here

Part 3: Right over yonder

Don't be afraid to send me any requests my loves and if you are waiting for the next installment I have another Mihawk story:

*Shadows of the Blade (Dracule Mihawk x Assassin reader)

If you like sexy swordplay and themes of overcoming trauma then this is the story for you!. If you wanna skip to the good stuff try chapter 3.

Backstory:

You've been Dracule Mihawk's personal maid and housekeeper for what feels like an eternity. Let's cut to the chase – you're a badass, sweetheart. Sexy, cool, and confident, with a reputation that precedes you. Been friends with the stoic man for eons by now.

Everyone knows you or knows of you, and it's not just because you keep Mihawk's castle running like a well-oiled machine.

So what happens when you develop feelings for your old friend and boss?

What does he do when he comes home to find you in his room without your panties?

Also, muneca-chan= baby doll

ON WITH THE SHOW!!~

________________Chapter 4: A Clown's Counsel___________________

"Everything is going to be fine," you murmur softly, your voice echoing faintly into the open air.

Your heart pounds with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as you stand alone in the vast, empty waters of the ocean. With a determined expression, you whisper reassuring words to yourself, trying to quell the rising tide of anxiety.

"You've locked down the castle securely. You just need to make this quick trip and return before Mihawk, Perona, and Zoro even realize you're gone." Taking a deep breath, you glance around the dimly lit deck one last time before turning your attention to your bag.

With meticulous care, you rummage through its contents, double-checking that you have everything you need for your journey. Each item holds a significance, a memory of past adventures and encounters that fuels your determination.

'I am a pirate queen of all the oceans. I was raised on an island in the Grand line and chose to live a life of peace. I can fucking sail a boat!'

After hanging up with Shanks last night, you decided to get up and moving if you were going to make your trip in time. Mihawk rarely ever sent word of his return home, unless he wanted a specific dinner and wine waiting for him.

You knew you'd have anywhere from a few days to two months before you saw him again. With a long sigh, you held your face in your hands for a moment of calm.

The weather had turned for the worst overnight leaving you to sail the nearby waters in the middle of a rain storm. But, you honestly didn't mind one bit. It reminded you of your home island and like the homesick tall-child you were, you stood there on your little boat without a jacket or umbrella.

Call you crazy, but you wished for it to rain harder so all the confusing emotions inside you could be washed away somehow. Looking behind you, your eyes caught the slight glimmer of two familiar objects looking out of the bag behind you.

"Mhm," walking over, you reached inside, allowing your fingers to grasp the handle of two familiar old friends. The golden ridges caught the light from your dimming lantern.

Two identical machetes gleamed back at you, a parting gift from your mother. Your native tongue etched into the blade, they possessed a soft hum, almost whispering out to you. The temptation to harness your belt on and feel them resting on your hips again was almost irresistible. But instead, you drew your bag closed over them and set it down once more.

Constantly fighting for your life and the life of your crew mates was not something you missed about the old life. Yes, battles of honor were fun and sometimes even lead to creating new friends, however, there were too many attempts of pure murder.

As a caption, you very much followed Gold Rodgers example of what a pirate should be. However, you also believed in not looking for fights. Now, you weren't out of practice by any means, Mihawk would never allow that.

But you could feel yourself adjust instantly to this old way of living and it kinda bothered you. However, resisting the temptation let you know that you were still you.

You really have come so far in life. <3

Satisfied that you are well-prepared, you make your way to the shores of a nearby island, your footsteps echoing softly in the silence of the night. As you reach the edge of the water, you pause, your gaze scanning the horizon with a sense of anticipation.

Knowing that discretion is key, you reach into your bag once more, retrieving a carefully crafted cloak. The rumors of your death would fool the general public, but not other pirates or worse- fame hungry pirate captions.

You disappeared under the deck for a moment to find an old mirror. Then with practiced precision, you transform your appearance, concealing your identity behind a clever facade. As you adjust the final details of your disguise, you feel a surge of confidence wash over you. A small smile reaches your lips before a giggle slips out.

'Shanks would love this.'

With your transformation complete, you set off along the shoreline, your eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of activity. This island was Buggy's last known location, and you are determined to find him. Every step brings you closer to your goal, your senses heightened with anticipation.

'Now or never.'

As you navigate the sandy shores, the salty breeze caresses your cheeks, invigorating your spirit with a sense of adventure. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting a soft glow upon the landscape, guiding your way through the darkness.

With each passing moment, your anticipation grows, fueled by the promise of reunion and the thrill of the unknown. Your senses are sharp, attuned to the subtlest of sounds and movements, as you scan the surroundings for any sign of life.

And then, in the distance, you catch a glimpse of movement—a flicker of movement amidst the shadows.

A big top.

Without a second thought, you take off running in that direction. Unworried about the rain, you can barely hear the sound of your feet hitting the muddy ground over your pounding heart. Your breath quickens with excitement as you draw closer, your footsteps quickening with each stride.

"No you fucking shit head, it's WRONG!"

"Found you!"

Finally reaching the tent, you poked inside to see where that lovable asshole was. Ducking under the bleachers, you watched as a tall familiar figure threw a barrage of insults at some huddled performers. Several freaks were passing and going throughout the chaos to practice their acts and hone their talents.

Amidst a flurry of activity, stood Buggy, his presence commanding attention amidst the chaos. You pause for a moment, watching him rehearse with his performers, a fond smile playing at the corners of your lips.

"If you can't get the lion to dance by this Friday, I am going to eat him. I don't give a FUCK how chewy he is!"

There stood a timid man with an animal that cowered before the infamous caption of the East Blue.

Ever the drama queen, Buggy's appearance was as flamboyant and eccentric as ever. He stood tall and proud, his colorful attire adorned with sequins and feathers that shimmered in the light. His hair, a riotous explosion of bright blue curls, framed his face in wild abandon, adding to his larger-than-life persona. His eyes, usually twinkling with mischief and charm, were now almost bloodshot and darted around the room, taking in every detail with a keen sense of curiosity.

You can't help but chuckle at Buggy's theatrics, a familiar warmth spreading through your chest at the sight of him. Despite his bombastic demeanor, you know there's a soft side to him that few ever see.

As the chaos around him continues, you take a moment to compose yourself before stepping out from your hiding spot. With a mischievous grin, you call out to him in a teasing tone:

"Now that's not nice and you know it."

Buggy's head snaps up at the sound of your voice, "We're closed right now!"

"Oh, this dumbass." You roll your eyes under the hood before pulling it from your head. His eyes widening in surprise before a wide grin splits his face. Without a moment's hesitation, he strides forward, his arms open wide in welcome.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite troublemaker," he replies, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. With a dramatic flourish, he strides over to you, sweeping you into a tight hug that almost knocks the breath out of you.

Finding yourself unable to keep your composer, you giggle into the chest of the shockingly 6'5 man and snuggle into his chest to quil the ache in your heart, returning his embrace with just as much intensity.

"How've you been, sis?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine concern as he pulls back to look at you, his hands resting on the apples of your cheeks.

You relish in the familiar comfort of his presence. "Oh, you know, same old same old," you reply, trying to play it cool despite the category 8 hurricane of emotions swirling within you. "Just thought I'd drop by and say hello."

Buggy quirks an eyebrow at your casual tone, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh really? Or is there something else on your mind?" he teases, giving your left cheek a playful pinch with his fingers.

You roll your eyes, unable to suppress a laugh at his antics. "Maybe a little bit of both," you admit, your voice softening as you meet his gaze.

"I've missed you, Buggy. It's been too long."

Buggy's expression softens, his eyes reflecting the sincerity of your words. "I've missed you too, [Name]," he replies, his voice gentle as he squeezes your shoulders affectionately. "But something tells me there's more to this visit than just catching up."

You let out a sigh, knowing you can't hide anything from Buggy. "You know me too well," you admit, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

As Buggy's eyebrows furrow in concern, his gaze searching yours for any hint of distress, you take a deep breath, gathering the courage to confide in him. "What's wrong?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine concern.

You glance briefly at his performers, then lock eyes with Buggy again, a sense of urgency gripping your heart. "Got a place where we can chat in private?" you inquire, your voice barely above a whisper.

Buggy's expression flickers to something fierce, a glint of determination in his sea-green eyes as he analyzes you. Without a word, he stands tall, his shoulders squared, commanding the attention of his crew.

"Everyone is to keep performing," he announces firmly, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. "And when I come back, that lion better know how to tap dance or I'm making good on my promise!" His crew responds with a chorus of "Eye Sir's!" before Buggy ushers you away, leading you to a different part of the tent.

With swift efficiency, he pushes you inside a dressing room adorned with a star, the blue clown's symbol adorning the door. As you step inside, the door closes behind you with a soft click, enveloping you in a cocoon of privacy.

Taking a moment to collect your thoughts, you brace yourself for the conversation ahead, knowing that Buggy's keen intuition will leave no stone unturned. As you await his prompting, you can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for his unwavering support, even in the face of your deepest secrets.

The dressing room is a small, cozy space adorned with whimsical decorations that reflect the flamboyant nature of its occupants. The walls are painted a soothing shade of sky blue, with colorful streamers cascading from the ceiling, adding a playful touch to the atmosphere.

In one corner of the room, a vanity table sits adorned with an assortment of makeup and accessories, its surface gleaming under the soft glow of a dim lamp. A large mirror framed in ornate gold stands at the center, reflecting the room's eclectic charm.

Against the opposite wall, a row of hooks holds an array of costumes, each garment more vibrant and extravagant than the last. Sequins sparkle in the light, and feathers flutter gently as if caught in an unseen breeze.

In the center of the room, a plush red armchair beckons invitingly, its cushions adorned with polka dots in varying shades of blue. A small side table sits nearby, stacked with magazines and trinkets, offering a glimpse into the eclectic tastes of its occupants. The air is tinged with the faint scent of powder and perfume, a lingering reminder of the performers who call this space their own.

Despite its small size, the dressing room exudes an undeniable sense of warmth and camaraderie, a sanctuary where secrets are shared and dreams take flight.

Walking over to the vanity, you plucked a familiar red lipstick off the dresser before turning it in your fingers. "Ya know, I used to hate when you'd steal my lipstick," Buggy joked softly, crossing his arms over the swell of his chest.

Upon hearing his words, your fingers instinctively squeeze the familiar red lipstick perched on the edge of the dresser. You hold it tighter, feeling its smooth texture against your skin, a sense of nostalgia washing over you. Looking up in the vanity mirror, you make eye contact with Buggy. His eyes sparkle with fond memories, a playful glint dancing in their depths.

You chuckle softly at his remark, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you remember the countless times you had playfully raided his makeup collection. "Well, you always did have the best shade of red," you tease back, your voice laced with affection.

Setting the lipstick back down on the vanity, you turn to face Buggy, the warmth of his presence filling the room. Despite the gravity of the conversation looming between you, his easy demeanor brings a sense of comfort, grounding you in the present moment.

(You know shits bad when you gotta go to the crazy killer pirate clown for advice and comfort. Love and life advice at that!)

As you lean against the vanity, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm hue across your features, you find yourself lost in a moment of quiet contemplation. Memories of past adventures with Buggy flood your mind, each one a vibrant snapshot of the bond you share.

"You know," Buggy begins, his tone softening as he meets your gaze, "I've missed having you around. Things just haven't been the same without your antics to liven up the place."

His words stir something deep within you, a mixture of gratitude and longing intertwining in your heart. Despite the passage of time and the distance between you, the connection you share with Buggy remains steadfast, a beacon of light in the darkness.

"I've missed you too," you admit, your voice barely above a whisper.

"It's been lonely without you."

A flicker of sadness crosses Buggy's features, his gaze softening with empathy. "I know, sweetheart," he says gently, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from your face. "But you're here now, and that's all that matters." You gently grasp the back of his hand that cradles your face. Almost afraid that you'll wake up in that cold and empty castle again. The warmth of Buggy's palm anchors you to the human world.

In that moment, as you stand together in the quiet intimacy of the dressing room, you are reminded of the strength of your bond with Buggy. Through thick and thin, laughter and tears, you know that he will always be there for you, ready to offer his support and unwavering friendship.

No matter the situation, you'd always been there to defend Buggy and build each other's esteem up. Even Mihawk knew not to slip up when talking about the Flashy Jester if he didn't want to be shanked again.

Speaking of Mihawk-

"So, you gonna tell me why you showed up all of a sudden instead of sending a letter or are we gonna stand here quietly together?" His voice snapping you out of your thoughts with the buzz of its low tone.

"Don't get me wrong muneca-chan, I love seeing you." He softly muses, stepping closer towards you until he pulled the stool from under the vanity out and sits you on it before dropping into his own red chair.

"But something tells me there's more to this visit than just catching up."

You let out a sigh, knowing you can't hide anything from Buggy. "You know me too well," you admit, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "There's something really important I need to talk to you about. Shanks already knows before he called me last night, stop making that face, and you can't tell anyone else under any circumstances!"

Buggy's eyebrows furrow in concern, his gaze searching yours for any hint of distress. "What's wrong?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Taking a deep breath, you gather your thoughts before speaking. "It's about love," you begin, your voice barely above a whisper. "I... I think I have feelings for someone, Buggy."

"I think I'm in love."

Buggy's eyes widen in surprise, his expression shifting from concern to understanding.

"Ah, love," he murmurs, his voice soft with sympathy. "Love can be a tricky thing, especially when it comes to matters of the heart."

You nod, grateful for his understanding. "I just don't know what to do," you admit, your voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm torn between staying here and following my heart."

Buggy places a comforting hand on your shoulder, his touch grounding you in the midst of your turmoil. "Listen to me, [Name]," he says, his voice gentle yet firm. "You can't let fear hold you back from pursuing what makes you happy. If you have feelings for someone, then you owe it to yourself to explore them, regardless of the outcome."

You take in his words, feeling a sense of clarity wash over you. "Thank you, Buggy," you say softly, your voice filled with gratitude. "I needed to hear that."

Buggy gives you a reassuring smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Anytime, sis," he replies, giving your shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"Now, let's hear who the lucky one is!"

Your smile stiffens before you whisper out quietly. Buggy frowns and leans closer from his chair.

"What's that, starshine?"

As you gather your thoughts, the weight of your confession is lingering heavy in the air. Buggy's concern deepens, his brow furrowing as he leans in closer, his eyes searching yours for any sign of hesitation.

With a sigh, you summon the courage to speak, your voice barely above a whisper. "It's... it's Mihawk," you confess, your words hanging in the air like a delicate thread.

Buggy's eyes widen in surprise, his expression a mixture of shock and understanding. "Mihawk?" he repeats, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"As in, Dracule Mihawk?"

You nod slowly, feeling a sense of relief wash over you as the truth finally comes to light. "Yes, Mihawk," you confirm, your voice steady despite the turmoil raging within you. "I... I think I'm in love with him."

Buggy's initial reaction catches you off guard. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and for a moment, a look of concern flashes across his face. "Wait, hold on a second," he says, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Are you serious?"

You nod, feeling a pang of uncertainty creeping in. "Yes, Buggy," you reply, your voice barely above a whisper. "I know it sounds crazy, but... I think I might be in love with him."

Buggy's expression darkens, his features contorting into a mixture of shock and concern. "Are you feeling okay?" he asks, his voice laced with worry. "I mean, have you been feeling sick or something?"

You shake your head, a sense of frustration bubbling up within you. "No, Buggy, I'm not sick," you retort, a hint of irritation seeping into your tone. "I'm serious about this."

Buggy lets out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his wild blue hair. "Look, muneca-chan," he begins, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "This isn't something to take lightly. Mihawk is... well, he's not exactly the most approachable guy, you know? And besides, he's your boss, for crying out loud!"

You feel a surge of defiance rising within you. "I know all of that, Buggy," you say firmly, your voice unwavering. "But I can't help how I feel."

Buggy's frustration mounts, and suddenly he's popping his hands off in a fit of anger.

"Has he been trying to feel up on you? OW- OKAY! PUT THE PALLET DOWN THAT ONE WAS EXPENSIVE!"

While you were holding his makeup hostage, the clown was now rubbing where his hair brush had struck his pectoral. Slowly, you sat back down in the chair as he regarded you like a wild hellcat. A pit of dread now knotted your stomach.

"I'm not joking Buggy, I need thoughts!"

"And prayers, you're gonna need them with that eagle- NOT THE FUCKING FACE!" You lobbed a jar of hair cream at him before breaking down in the vanity stool. "Don't be an ass okay! I didn't say anything about you and Shanks!" You gasped, hoping that your voice wouldn't crack any further.

The weight of your words hangs heavily in the air, and you realize just how much you've been holding back. "I... I'm sorry," you stammer, guilt washing over you as hot, fat tears slip from the corners of your eyes.

Before you can even register it, Buggy has crossed the room in a few quick strides and scooped you up into his strong arms, returning to his chair and settling you onto his lap like a small child.

With your face pressed into his striped shirt, you let the dam burst, unleashing all the pent-up tears you've been holding back. Buggy's hand runs soothingly over your back, cradling your head to his chest as he murmurs comforting words.

Reaching into his sleeve, he pulls out a ridiculously long handkerchief, prompting some weak laughter from you despite your tears.

"You've been doing that corny ass joke since we were kids," you sniffle, gingerly wiping your nose before he tosses the hanky into the wastebasket.

"Yeah, well, it still gets a laugh outta ya, so I'ma keep on with it," Buggy replies with a soft smile. He gazes down at you with those piercing eyes of his, scanning your face with a mixture of concern and affection.

Buggy lets out another exasperated sigh, his frustration evident but tempered by genuine worry. "Look, muneca-chan, I get it," he says, his voice gentler now. "Love can make you do crazy things, feel crazy things. But you need to be careful. Mihawk... he's a complicated guy. He's got a lot of walls up, and he's not exactly known for being... well, open-hearted. I know you guys are friends and I was shocked he let you stay with him. But love is a whole different ball game."

You nod, feeling a bit more grounded by his words and presence. "I know he's complicated, Buggy," you say, your voice steadier now. "But I can't help how I feel. I just needed to tell someone, to get it off my chest."

Buggy holds you a little tighter, his grip reassuring. "Well, you've told me now, and we'll figure this out together," he promises. "Just don't go making any rash decisions, okay? Take your time, think things through. And remember, no matter what happens, you've got me in your corner."

His words, laced with both caution and encouragement, bring a small but genuine smile to your face. "Thank you, Buggy," you whisper, leaning into his embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Anytime, starshine," he replies softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. "We'll get through this, one step at a time." He wipes the tears from your face with his warm thumbs, "But promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt."

You can see the genuine concern in Buggy's eyes, and it touches your heart. Despite his gruff exterior, you know that he cares deeply for you, and his protective instincts are kicking in full force.

You nod, grateful for his understanding. "I just don't know what to do," you admit, your voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm torn between staying here and following my heart."

Buggy places a comforting hand on your shoulder, his touch grounding you in the midst of your turmoil. "Listen to me, sis," he says, his voice gentle yet firm. "You can't let fear hold you back from pursuing what makes you happy. If you have feelings for Mihawk, then you owe it to yourself to explore them, regardless of the outcome." Your eyes glance over his right pec, knowing what picture was hidden inside that pocket.

"But here's the thing about love, [Name]. It's not always easy to understand, and it's certainly not always convenient. But when you find someone who makes your heart skip a beat, someone who makes you feel alive in a way you've never felt before, well, you'd be a fool not to hold onto that with both hands."

Buggy's gaze softens, his features morphing into a look of genuine empathy. "Love is a complicated thing," he murmurs, his voice filled with compassion. "But if Mihawk is the one who holds your heart, then you owe it to yourself to pursue those feelings."

He gives you a reassuring smile, his eyes reflecting the depth of his friendship and loyalty. "You'll figure it out, sis," he says, his voice filled with confidence. "And remember, I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

His words struck a chord deep within you, resonating with the turmoil of emotions that had been swirling inside you since Mihawk's departure. Suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place, the confusion and uncertainty giving way to a newfound clarity. Buggy gives you a reassuring smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Anytime, [Name]," he replies, giving your shoulder a comforting squeeze.

You nod, grateful for Buggy's understanding and support. "Thank you, Buggy," you whisper softly , a sense of gratitude flooding your heart. "I needed to hear that."

As you stand wrapped in Buggy's embrace, you feel a sense of relief wash over you. His arms are strong and comforting, a reminder of the unwavering bond you share. But as he pulls back, a toothy grin spreads across his face, and you catch a glimpse of a familiar, sinister gleam in his eyes.

"And if he fucks up," Buggy says, his voice low and menacing, "there's gonna be one less Warlord in the sea."

The way he says it sends a shiver down your spine, and you can't help but chuckle nervously. Buggy's expression is a mix of protective determination and a hint of madness that you've come to recognize over the years. His blue curls frame his face, giving him an almost theatrical appearance, but you know better than to underestimate the seriousness behind his words.

His gaze sharpens, and for a moment, the room seems to grow darker as he continues. "I mean it, muneca-chan. Mihawk might be a badass with that big-ass sword of his, but he's no match for my flashy tricks. One wrong move, and I'll make sure he regrets it."

Buggy's eyes glint with a dangerous intensity, and you can tell that his big-brother instincts are in overdrive. Despite his eccentricities, you know that he would go to great lengths to ensure your happiness and safety. You reach out to place a hand on his arm, squeezing gently to remind him that you appreciate his concern.

"I know you would, Buggy," you say softly, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "But let's hope it doesn't come to that. I just needed to talk to someone who understands."

Buggy's expression softens at your words, the sinister edge fading as he looks at you with genuine affection. "Yeah, yeah," he mutters, rolling his eyes playfully. "Just remember, I'm always here for you, no matter what."

With that, he pulls you into another tight hug, his embrace warm and reassuring. You know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, you'll always have Buggy by your side, ready to offer his unwavering support and friendship—even if it means taking on a Warlord of the sea.

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably live a very boring and un-flashy life."

"Oh no~, what a nightmare, HEY!"

He flashed you a smile as you held your recently pinched side.

"Now, let's get you set up to spend the night. We've got a lot to catch up on."

______________________________________________________________

And that wraps up chapter 4 of this series. Oh I am going to make you all work for 'that' delicious chapter.~

Part 5 is now posted.

At the time of this being posted, 5/19/2024, there is a poll ongoing for what, you, the lovely readers, would love to be called. Be sure to cast your votes!!

Make sure you check out the a03 account by the same name. Everything I have posted here is there in chronological order. I also have a few Buggy the Clown x Reader's posted in the masterlist! Give it a read if you please!

Be sure to check out my other works and leave likes and comments, they really help. Drop a follow as well if you please. Don’t be shy to leave me a little reblog if you want.

I promise I bite~

Seen you soon my loves!!~ <<33

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afmis · 1 year ago

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It’s October 2023. c!Ranboo and c!Tubbo are almost 20. They’ve been married for 3 years. Michael isn’t a toddler anymore and grew up to be a lively kid, twice the size he was before and incredibly smart. It’s cool weather today in Snowchester, and the snow covered cabins are bright with Halloween decorations. The family are in their mansion, no trace of fear or sadness in them. c!Tubbo, c!Tommy, c!Wilbur, and c!Jack are making Jack-o-Lanterns at the dining table, cracking jokes and making each other howl with laughter. c!Ranboo fondly rolls their eyes at them from where they’re sitting by the fireplace with c!Techno and Michael, making Michael giggle while the three of them sorting through Halloween decorations to hang up inside. c!Phil and c!Niki are mixing cookie batter on the kitchen island, smiling as they converse over the lively Halloween music. They all soon join together to eat dinner and design their Halloween cookies. c!Fundy knocks on the door, a gift in hand and a sly smile on his face, c!Quackity following him in with a cheer. c!Eret joins, cozy fall sweaters in her arms to hand to everyone. c!Puffy and Foolish arrive shortly after, bringing a customized costume for Michael and the othere. Soon the well-loved home fills with friends. There’s no arguments. No battles. No betrayals. Just laughter, warmth, and joy. Everywhere else, the land is healing. Bloodshed and war are no more in the Greater SMP or anywhere for them. Houses stand peacefully, as they once were. People smile at each other and chat happily along the Prime Path, all trace of malice and resentment gone. Everything is peaceful again. The future was bright. No pain or suffering from the past, only healing and moving forward.

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humanitys-strongest-bamf · 2 years ago

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uhhhhhh so this ended up being much much longer than i intended (what a surprise) so i'm posting this as an independent drabble instead of as a response to this ask

i think i need emotional support after writing this

pairing: levi x reader

word count: 3.3k

notes: canon!verse, post-war!levi, hurt/comfort, vague mentions of depressive symptoms, apologies if i get some s4 details wrong, i need emotional support now

Until I See You Again

| part 2 >>

recommended listening:

It had been a few months since the raid on Liberio. You remembered your reluctance to hop onto the airship and leave Paradis Island. You couldn’t remember what it was exactly that made you hesitate other than a daunting feeling that you couldn’t get rid of.

You remembered your mobility gear failing as you flew through the night sky, desperately trying to find your way back to the airship. You remembered getting caught in an explosion and getting bombarded with sharp pieces of shrapnel as you lost control of your body. You vaguely remembered Levi calling out your name, although you weren’t sure if you had just imagined that or not.

The next thing you remembered was waking up in a stranger’s bed. It seemed that one of the Eldian families that lived in a part of Liberio that wasn’t as affected by the raid had taken you in. Although your injuries were not fatal, they were severe enough that you were under their care until very recently. As a result, you found yourself woefully unaware of the details of the war that had recently begun.

It was agonizing for you to be forced to stay in bed and rest, being taken care of by complete strangers as the war raged on around you. Once you were finally up and moving, the end of the war had passed and Liberio was in absolute chaos.

You had desperately tried to find information on the state of Paradis and the Eldians that had once inhabited it—the ‘island devils’, as the Marleyans would call them—but there was so much misinformation floating around that you couldn’t be sure what to believe. Some said that the island had been abandoned after being flattened by the Rumbling. Some said the last few survivors perished during the final fight with the Founding Titan. Some said they fled and mingled into Marleyan society. People said a lot of things and you had no idea which ones were true. You had even considered trying to travel back to Paradis Island to figure out the fate of your people and more importantly, the fate of Levi Ackermann.

You waited. You spent weeks waiting, hoping to hear more solid news over what had happened. You continuously mingled around the public spaces, hoping to pick up information, or hang out at the port to see if you could find your other half amongst the refugees.

You waited for weeks, yet you found nothing. You desperately wanted to continue waiting on the off chance that you might run into him, but you knew that it was more realistic to assume that he had perished during the climax of the war. Every time you saw someone that looked even slightly like him, you wanted to run to him and embrace him. Every time you looked closer, you saw that that someone was never actually him.

You sighed as you held a small hand-sized water lantern with both your hands. You had purchased it around two weeks ago as you emotionally prepared yourself for this moment.

You slowly kneeled down to the ground with a heavy weighted feeling appearing in your chest. Everyone was gone. Levi was gone. You couldn’t imagine living your life without him, but you had to. If nothing else, you had to try—and in order for you to try, you had to let him go.

As you had that thought, you gently dropped the lantern into the water, having lit it up on your way over to the dock. You sat and watched as it floated off away from the coast and towards the ocean.

“Until I see you again,” you whispered underneath your breath, “Levi.”

~~~~~

It had been a few months since the raid on Liberio and a few weeks since the end of the Rumbling. Although things were relatively calm compared to the chaos that ensued when Eren Jaeger brought down the walls on Paradis Island, it didn’t bring Levi Ackermann any peace.

Things had happened much too quickly. One minute, he was looking off the bridge of the airship next to you, appreciating the sight of the ocean below you and the stars above you. You two had relished in the few minutes of peace that you’d be able to steal before the raid. He remembered the two of you chatting over what diner to eat at after you got back to the island or where in the Forest of Giant Trees that you wanted to visit to get away from the noise of the town around you.

He remembered watching you disappear into that sea of fire, having been just a second too late in grabbing you. He remembered being forced to flee, despite all of his instincts telling him to jump into the fire to save you. After believing that he had lost you, he channeled all of his emotional energy into the war that had begun with Marley.

However, now that the war was over, all he could think about was you. He would wake up in the morning, longing to feel your touch and hear your voice. He longed to see the way you’d lazily get out of bed with the grumpiest expression or how you would get subtly whiney whenever he had to drag you out of the house to work. He missed your embrace and it hurt like hell every day that he had to wake up without you.

It had been weeks since he had established his own place in Liberio. He found it next to impossible to integrate himself into Marleyan society. Even going outside was torture, with the only thought crossing his mind being that one fateful night in the very town he currently stayed in. The structures around him were all still the same. Every day he went outside was another day that he was forced to relive your death.

He had a meeting face-first with a thunder spear. He lost the use of one of his legs during the final battle of the war. He had suffered so many injuries, so quickly, yet he lived. Part of him wished he didn’t. The guilt of him being the one that survived tore at him with every passing minute. He couldn’t even begin to count the amount of people that have died around him. It was like being around him was a curse—one he couldn’t save you from.

Everyone that he had worked with was gone. He truly was alone. It was agonizing. There was no war to fight and no Titans that needed to be killed, putting him at wit’s end over how to distract himself from the grief that was pushing down on him. Every time he saw someone in Liberio that looked like you, he felt his heart clench as if it suddenly forgot how to function. Every time he looked closer and saw that it wasn’t, he felt like the heaviness in his chest grew. Everything around him only contributed to his grief.

When everyone had gotten killed by Zeke in Shiganshina, the only thing that allowed him to keep his resolve was you. Grieving everyone was at least a little easier as long as he had you by his side—but that fell apart the minute he saw you disappear into the flames.

He cursed to himself as he slowly walked across the dock, frowning at the prosthetic leg that he had gotten attached onto him a little while ago. He knew it was helpful and gave him some autonomy back in his life, but it was annoying for him to have to readjust his own pacing from having an artificial limb.

He looked back up and watched the sun that was slowly dipping beneath the horizon. He had come here so he could walk and ease into walking normally again, but also because the scenery brought him at least some sense of comfort. The two of you would commonly walk on top of the walls during sunset when stressed, simply chatting and enjoying each other’s presence, and walking on the dock seemed similar. While it felt like breathing got slightly easier as he recalled that memory, walking in that view without you by his side made him feel emptier than he had felt this morning.

The frown on his face grew as that heavy feeling within him continued to grow. He didn’t know what to do. If he went home, he’d be miserable. If he stayed here, he’d be miserable. If he went to hang out at a local cafe, he’d be miserable. There was nothing he could do.

He glanced towards the far end of the dock and let out a dejected exhale as he saw someone kneeling down on the dock that vaguely reminded him of you. He watched the way that their hair shuffled around as they stood back up. He watched the way they held themselves as they walked back onto the streets. He watched the way they hung their head down while taking unsteady, slow steps forward, similar to how you would when you were upset.

As he continued to watch, he felt his heart rate slightly increase.

It couldn’t possibly be you. He had played this game at least a dozen times already. He would see someone that looked like you. He would get near them to see if it was you—and it never was. He didn’t want to hold onto hope just to be disappointed. He watched you disappear into that explosion. There was no doubting that—but he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

What if it was you?

Like every other time, he couldn’t get that thought out of his mind. With the war being over, he also had no way of replacing that thought by keeping himself busy.

“Tch,” he clicked his tongue quietly, frustrated at his own inability to control himself as he began to make his way over towards this stranger, just so he could get his brain to shut up once he sees that it isn’t you.

~~~~~

You silently thanked the rain clouds that had quickly filled the sky as you felt the rain drops gently fall. It wasn’t a full drizzle, but the gentle rain was more than enough to hide the tears that were now flowing down your cheeks.

You weren’t ready to let go. You didn’t want to let go. As you made your way back home, you couldn’t take your eyes off the floor, as all of the memories of your life together with Levi began to emerge all at once. Every single time that he had provided you with a source of strength that no one else could would not be felt again. He would never be there to help you on your low days again. He would never silently hold you as you sobbed about the loss that you had to cope with ever again. You would never feel his embrace again. You would never feel him again.

At this point, nearly everyone had either gone home for the night or walked indoors due to the rain. You couldn’t be bothered with it. Returning home to an empty apartment that you had no energy to upkeep felt more agonizing than standing in the freezing rain. Every step forward felt like it took all of your energy and part of you just wanted to collapse onto the ground and never get up again.

You took one more dejected step forward and opened your eyes as you felt yourself bump into someone.

You were already emotionally exhausted, so bumping into this stranger when they had more than enough room on the sidewalk to pass you without entering your bubble was more than enough to irritate you.

A scowl appeared on your face, but quickly disappeared

You felt your irritation get replaced with grief again as you looked down towards the stranger’s shoes, having been walking the entire way home without looking in front of you, only staring at the floor. The way the person stood in front of you felt familiar. The way their body slightly shuffled as the rain dropped down on you felt familiar. The way the person was standing felt familiar. Even the way they subtly smelled seemed familiar.

You noticed your breathing halt as those foolishly hopeful thoughts entered your mind again.

It couldn’t be him.

You’ve played this game over and over again. It was never him.

You found yourself scared to raise your gaze. You wanted to cling onto this feeling of hope, but you knew it would dissipate the minute you saw that it wasn’t him. You weren’t sure how much of that you could bear.

Slowly, you lifted your head, fully preparing to mask any additional tears that were threatening to fall so that you didn’t end up sobbing in front of a complete stranger.

Your eyes made contact with blue-gray ones that looked right back at yours. They were familiar. They were tired and worn, as if they had seen too many horrors to imagine—but it was familiar.

It couldn’t be him.

You then noticed the way this stranger’s hair situated itself into an undercut. You noticed that he was barely taller than you—and you were already quite short yourself. You noticed the way he stood.

You felt yourself freeze up as you questioned the reality around you.

“Is this real?” you asked underneath your breath.

You felt a familiar grip on your waist as the person in front of you reached out. It was so familiar you wanted to collapse into him.

“Is it?” a familiar voice responded.

Hearing Levi’s voice for the first time in months finally ripped you out of your stupor.

He was here in front of you. It wasn’t a hallucination. You didn’t know how he was here or how long he had been in Liberio, but he was here.

It was like you could finally exhale after having held your breath ever since you woke up after the raid. As you felt his hands on you, saw him in front of you, and heard him speak to you, you felt your breathing destabilize as your efforts to mask your tears completely faded away.

You collapsed into Levi’s chest as his arms wrapped around you. You pulled him close as you sobbed, processing all of your grief at once. You hugged him tighter and tighter, wanting to ensure yourself that this was real—that he was real.

Levi took a deep breath as he somewhat buried his face into your hair, relishing in the feeling that he had missed for so long.

All of the pain you had felt throughout the past few months compounded together and ripped itself out of you all at once. It was absolute torture—but with every ounce of strength you had left, you would strive to feel this pain and be next to him, holding onto him, so that you would never lose him again.

~~~~~

You couldn’t take your gaze off of him.

The two of you had walked to his apartment since it was closer to the docks, compared to yours that was further inland. You currently rested on his couch with one of his jackets wrapped around you since you ended up being drenched in rainwater.

You curled up and pulled his jacket in closer as he gently set down a cup of tea in front of you. You shakily grabbed the cup and slowly brought it to your lips, with a fresh wave of grief rolling through you as the liquid made contact with your lips.

You gripped at the handle of the cup, shutting your eyes at the thought of just how much you had missed the way he made his tea. Over the past few months, you had tried to duplicate his brew in a vain effort to pretend he was still next to you, resulting in failure each time.

You listened intensely, continuing to sip at his tea to warm yourself up as he filled you in on the events after you had “died”. He spoke of Eren’s betrayal and how that led up to the climax of the war. He spoke of the insurrection within the walls. He spoke of the accident he had found himself trapped in. He spoke of all the events that you had missed out on.

He watched, trying to gauge your reaction to the information coming out of his mouth. He couldn’t ignore that intense feeling of guilt that was building up in his stomach.

You were alive this entire time. His instincts were right. He should have stayed to rescue you. At the very least, he should have come back for you after they escaped. Instead of channeling all of his rage into the war, he should have come to find you—but he didn’t.

As he spoke, your eyes ran up and down his body. You had first noticed his scars when you looked up at him. The right side of his face had two vertical scars, with one running down his cheek and the other running through his right eye. You glanced down and felt your heart drop once you saw the state of his right hand, which was missing his index and middle finger.

Now that you thought about it, when you were looking down at his shoes earlier, you had noticed that one of his legs had been replaced with a prosthetic one.

All this had occurred without you. All of these injuries that had permanently changed his life had happened without you. You couldn’t be there to support him or help him. He had to navigate it on his own, and that felt just as painful as losing him.

You reached out and gently grabbed at the sides of his face with both of your hands, running your left thumb across some of his scars.

“Are you in pain?” you whispered to him.

He grabbed at your hand, giving your palm a gentle kiss and he shot you a small, reassuring smile.

“Not anymore.”

You smiled back, but you weren’t reassured.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there during the most important period of our lives,” you said as your pain became evident in your voice. “I just feel like I missed out on everything and that I wasn’t here to support you-”

Although you two were already close physically, he still pulled you in closer, planting a kiss onto your lips. The feeling of your lips on his sent a rush of euphoria through his body, a feeling he never thought he would feel again.

After a while, he pulled away, but only ever so slightly. He wasn’t ready to let you go yet. He wasn’t ready to no longer feel your skin on him, even if it was just for a few seconds. He wanted to relish in the fact that you were here.

“Well,” he said quietly as he whispered to you. “Now we have nothing but time.”

Suddenly, living in a post-war peaceful life didn’t seem so bad to him. He pulled you into another kiss, placing his hand at the nape of your neck to pull you in closer.

It had been a few months since the raid at Liberio. During that time, he had lost everyone that had ever mattered to him. He had been forced onto a journey alone, in which he had to explore and find his own place in a world that wasn’t filled with death and destruction. He had been forced to shed his title as Humanity’s Strongest Soldier with no direction as to how to move forward.

However, now that he had you in his embrace again and was able to feel you, hear you, and see you, that journey no longer seemed as agonizing or impossible, as long as he found himself by your side.

A/N: i think i made this angstier than originally intended oops. hope you enjoyed!

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