#his anxiety made him question reality and then he glitched out and was like. ���oh. im not real am i”

[fffanii]

09.07.24

hello, you have reached the point in which the queue point has passed the date of ii16 coming out. now you will have to listen to me lose my mind and experience the stages of grief in the tags.

alt ver. ↓

[bluebuckstallion]

the sun will rise again - mlp fic

part two this is part one! part two and so on will be updated/reblogged when they are out! contents: aj and big mac are like. 13 and 15. big mac realizes she is a trans woman, and is guided by applejack, but there is much more to it than just that lol. its also a little hard for her. sappy, feel-good, tough internal conflict but overall happy fic. paragraph one is previewed here, the rest is below the cut! (note: i am aware my blog makes posts a little hard to read bc of a glitch, i am trying to fix it at the moment, i apologize D: i rec reading it on tumblr mobile or highlighting the words as you read, im sorry!)

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Big Mac shuffled his hooves awkwardly. Racing thoughts fought furiously, cluttering his hurting head, and he put a weary hoof against his temple in an attempt to clear the fog. No avail. It was as strong as ever, the rushing current of rip tide sweeping him in the more he struggled. He insisted he'd never felt this way before, trying violently to shake away the thought, it made him shudder. But deep down somewhere he knew, he couldn't hide this strong feeling he'd become so familiar with. It felt like home, but he was trapped inside with the windows boarded and the floorboards were so old they were making him fall through with every step, and there were thick dusty cobwebs everywhere he tried to rest his burdened hooves. He couldn't leave. Outside of his overflowing head, there was a faint knocking at his door, though he had tuned it out completely. His thoughts whirled, and everything was making *so* much noise, the ceiling fan, the electricity in the walls, the birds outside, even the trees being rustled by the evening wind. Everything was so loud, and so muffled and far away, so close and inside his ears, they twitched eagerly trying to bat the harsh noise away, all collected into one horrid ear-piercing amalgamation of staticy sound. His fur was disturbed by his blankets, and his teeth felt uncomfortable as they grit desperately in an attempt to relax, his eyes were dry despite how much and how hard he was blinking, it felt like even the smallest thing would throw him overboard in this thundering storm of unsettlement. -

The knocking got louder. "Big Mac!" The sound was lost in the chaos of it all, but it prevailed. "Big Mac!" There it was again. It didn't quite reach him yet, though. But my, was it there. Incessant. Pounding. Oh, the headache of it all. Just adding to the pile. It hesitated. "Big Mac." The gentle coo reached him, piercing through the overwhelmingly loud silence in the air, he felt this odd choking sensation in his throat when he registered the voice, so familiar and so loving. But would it continue to be after this? The thought scared him. Fear struck his spine in striking bolts, waves of dread sulked, creeping in and making their nest in his aching body. He was so tired of coming back to this again and again, but it plagued his mind like a cold. He realized his internal monologue had been ongoing - even though it hadn't really spoke - but alas he had been lost in his own downward spiral of paranoia again, and had forgotten to respond. "Yu- uh- eeyup?" he stuttered out like he was drowning, he felt and sounded like a silly foal learning to walk for the first time again. He pushed his hoof lightly against his throat, shocked at his own lack of voice. Usually he was calm and confident, knowing what he wanted to say, despite how little it ever was. However he feared this would give way to his sister finding out, that she would know something was awry with him. "Can I, uh, come in?" the voice questioned. He nodded, then processed he had forgotten to use his words, and managed a sheepish "Yup." "Uh, okay." She responded equally as softly, her voice leaving a tinge of confusion to be interpreted. Applejack trotted in, her hooves making the wood beneath her creak as the old house settled. She nudged the door shut behind her nonchalantly with her back hoof, not taking her gaze off of what was ahead of her. She made a gesture towards Big Mac's bed and tilted her head, knowing he was a horse of few words, moreso when he got this way. And goodness, how he could manage to get into his own head. Applejack understood the feeling, more than he was letting on. Applejack got up and sat down awkwardly, glancing at her hooves as they, too, dragged over one another slowly, she never did like eye contact. Big Mac was more fidgety - he was straight-up restless, as he clapped his hooves together ceaselessly, clicking them atop one another with a hard "Clink." The silence was substantial, but it wasn't like it bothered them, usually. It drove Big Mac up the wall, he was sweating buckets thinking about what Applejack could possibly say. *Did she find out? Does she know? Does she hate me? She hates you. She knows and she hates you. She'll never forgive you. She'll never see you the same-* his thoughts were cut off abruptly. "So, big brother," she chuckled stiffly, "what's on your mind?" Blunt and to the point. She looked upward briefly, catching a glimpse of his face, caught in an uncomfortable twist as his mouth hung downward and his eyes sunk, staring blankly ahead. Neither of them looked at the other, but this again, was not unusual. When she said 'brother,' the word stung like a mosquito bite. It was barely there, but just enough to irritate him. And it grew bigger the more he picked away at it and gave it the time of day. Maybe if he just ignored it it'd heal itself, he thought. Her words in general hung high above his head, and he had forgotten to respond with the way he was over-analyzing it a million different ways inside. What was on his mind, besides this scary, burning question gnawing him alive? He gave a lackluster response to divert any inkling of anxiety, "Oh, nothing," and with that he kicked his back hooves loosely up, and they swung back down heavily in the empty air. What else could he say? The silence sat for a couple of seconds. Too long for Applejack's liking, she was growing a bit impatient with his lack of answers. She looked up and moved her head upward in tune with her eyes, rolling her head from one shoulder to the other as her lips pouted and she let out a quick exhale. She looked down at her teetering hooves again. "Nothing..." she repeated, tapping her hooves together about three times, give or take, she wasn't paying attention. "Oookay.." she said in a quiet tone, and the cadence in her voice had shifted after this minute or two of waiting. She scratched the back of her ear. "Well, if you won't tell me, I'll figure it out myself." She looked up and beamed what was supposed to be a reassuring smile, which came out rather awkward. It fell just as awkwardly. She wasn't the best at conveying emotion, but neither was Big Mac. They had that in common. "Ok, I'll spit it out, rapid-fire," she said funnily, holding her hooves up and moving one in front of the other and back again in tune with the quirky enunciation of the last word. If nothing else, she was making an attempt to lift his low spirit. She inhaled, "Is it about me? About Ma or Pa? *Granny?* Baby Bloom?" and with that she exhaled overexaggeratedly. It took a second, but the half-smile she had faded from her face as he stood there saying nothing, simply folding one hoof over his other arm, rubbing it rigidly and looking away, and what she hoped was not true, had hit her. It was about himself. "Oh.. brother," she whispered to him, "You can tell me anything," she reached her hoof up toward him, pulling it back when it was halfway there as she winced at his lack of response, not even a lean-in to her gesture, but she continued anyway. She gingerly put her hoof on his shoulder. Becoming more confident with her comforting, she rubbed his back gently. "So it's about you?" He took a second, and nodded somberly. "Hey, that's alright. Tell me what's on your mind for real now, when you're ready. If, you're ready." AJ's voice, he found, was quite calming. Big Mac shot a glance at her timidly, then down at her hooves, and back up at her, but he couldn't look too long in order to stop the waterworks from coming. He gulped dryly and looked at the wall, and after the ceiling. He watched the fan dodder decrepitly, but so sure of itself, it's purpose, rotating on it's axis, again, and again, and again. He wished he could be so sure of himself, he wasn't sure if he ever could be, though. And here, he found himself envying the rotating of a ceiling fan. What an interesting moment, he thought sarcastically to himself. Was this really where he was at? He zoned out briefly, watching the blades go in circles, and then snapped himself back to reality with a hard blink, a downward motion of his head, and a squeezing of his hooves. "I..." he started softly and then trailed off. He sighed in dejection. "I- Well, I am me. But... I'm not. I look in the mirror, and it's not me looking back. I know that sounds... stupid, but it's not me. It's not like it isn't who I am, it's just not me. And I, don't know why. I mean I think I do, but I don't - sometimes-" He took a second to collect himself and inhaled, exhaling sharply after, he put his hoof firmly against his chest, as if almost trying to coax the words out. "I'm me, but I'm not. I'm not who I'm meant to be, I, I was born wrong. My body is wrong," he shook his head, like trying to shake the bad thoughts away. "It's not mine. I was born with something wrong about me, outside, inside I'm me, but outside I'm not. But - I'm not bad or anything, it's just that there was something different. And, you know that funny feeling of those butterflies in your tummy when someone you like says your name? I'll get that, but I won't recognize my name as mine, but I do get that feeling when...ponies accidentally call me what they call fillies, even though they don't mean to and fix 'emselves right after, and they act like it's so wrong, but I still get that funny feeling of, goodness. It catches me off guard in the best way... my heart skips a beat. And I know I'm s'posed to like girls, but there was something wrong about me lovin' 'em... it feels like. I feel real guilty-like when I start getting all lovey about one. It feels like I'm not allowed, like there's somethin'.."  he teared up, "different. About me." He emphasized the last word quite significantly. He began to finish, not wordvomitting as much as he was before, instead saying it slowly, as if he was really trying hard to get his thoughts out. "I- I think, I think if I were born in the right body I'd be happier, but I don't want to change me, I just...want to change how people *see me."* Applejack raised her eyebrows and looked down, pushing her hooves together. She couldn't move, and she didn't. Big Mac's welling up had turned to a tear, gently rolling down his cheek. He held his breath, eyes darting back and forth from his sister's gaze - or lack thereof. Applejack held her breath as well. "Big mac, well - gosh." she let out staggeredly, anxiously chuckling, raising her hoof to her chest as she exhaled bluntly. Big Mac felt it coming, Roaring and Crashing. The water was surrounding him still, no matter how subtle it was before, it had been growing this whole time. Internal dread multiplying like a bilious bacteria, out to get him and cover him in it's killing spores. It must've been at least neck-high now. AJ chuckled, "Big Mac, I love you no matter what. You're my family." She looked him in the eyes, "It's gonna be ok." And there was the straw that broke the camel's back. It came through gently, like a soft breeze through his hair in summer, but it broke him so, so ruthlessly. He bit at his bottom lip and released, his mouth turning to a shaky U-shaped frown, and he bawled. Oh, how he bawled. He lunged for his sister's arms, which quickly opened for him to land in. Applejack huffed as the wind left her with his impact, but she regained control of herself and softly smiled, tenderly hugging him back. His head rested on hers, as hers on his. "It's alright big guy," she laughed. "In fact, I think I know exactly what's up." She pushed him off cautiously, and held her hoof against his shoulder. His tears subsided slightly, he wiped them with a trembling hoof. "Have you ever thought that maybe you feel like you're in the wrong body, because you're really a mare? I know nobody sees you that way right now, but I could start if that's who you really are." Big mac's pupils constricted, and he felt a leap in his chest. A mare? He tried so hard to push it out, but he couldn't. A mare. A mare! He let out a small smile, "A mare..." he then promptly shook his head. "But, I can't be. I wish it was that easy, that I could just be a mare, oh I wish so bad AJ," he put his hooves together and shook them, like he was pleading. He pushed her hoof off of him, sighing and speaking again, his voice cracking from the tears and raw emotion, "But I never could. I couldn't. I wish I could, but I'm not allowed to." he sighed defeatedly. Applejack chuckled, "Says who? All it takes is you saying you can. And I'll be honest, I feel like a lot of people don't give it much thought whether they want to be a mare or not - they just are." It all clicked. They, just are. He processed it for a second, and thought, and the thoughts slipped into words, "I'm a mare," he whispered. He smiled, the most genuine smile he'd ever shown. "I'm, a mare." He laughed, looking at Applejack. "A mare! I'm a mare!" His smile faded slightly, "But Applejack, am I still allowed to like other fillies? I figure now I'll have to like colts, that's what I've heard at least, and I really don't want to-" despite his concerns, he still looked quite euphoric. Applejack laughed again, "No, Big Mac, you can still like mares. It doesn't work that way I'm pretty sure." She rubbed the back of her head, "If it's any help, you can do whatever you want... What feels right." She closed her mouth and grinned, waving her hoof in the air dismissively of any negativity, her eyes in the other direction. Stopping, she looked at the ground and fiddled her hooves, "I, I actually know a lot about how you're feeling," she spoke nervously, cautiously, dancing around her words like she had something she didn't want to admit to herself as well. "I, know how you feel - about liking mares and, and the wrong body an' stuff. Feeling like your body isn't yours, it doesn't belong to you and never will, unless you make a big change, or somethin'. I get it. I feel wrong when people say I'm a girl, but I don't reckon I'd feel right with them callin' me a boy or something either - I don't think I really feel like either." She paused, cutting herself off, "I don't expect that to make sense to you, I know it's kind of weird and all." Big Mac thought for a bit, and then nodded, "No, I get it. I mean - I don't, but, I know you're you, no matter what, and I don't care who you are, you're still my sibling." Big Mac smiled nervously, trying to make sure he was doing the right thing. "And you're my sister, Big Mac," Applejack smiled back at him. "Now, how do you feel about me calling you by girl terms? Like, sayin' she, and stuff..." she struggled to think of an example. "Oh! Like, if I meet someone, I'll tell 'em "Oh Big Mac? She's my big sister!" Applejack let out a wide twinkling grin, feeling confident and proud with supporting her sister's feelings. "I, I like that." Big Mac said shyly, and she did. "Wait, how do I do the same for you?" she questioned. Applejack stalled, she really didn't think she'd get this far. "I think... I really like being called he, and brother and such. Although to be honest I'm not your sister and I'm not really your brother, and I still like other fillies - but I'm not one of them, or not in the same way, and - I don't know, it's a little confusing. I think the only way that I'm a filly is in the sense that I'm a mare who likes other mares. I don't really know what any of this is called," he voiced embarrassedly. "I wish I did." Big Mac smirked, "It's okay you don't, I don't know either. And we can learn together, little brother." She fluffed Applejack's hair playfully and her smirk became a toothy smile. Applejack laughed and joined her smiling. "Thanks," he said, quite gratefully. "To be honest, I've known this for a really long time, I just didn't know how to say it," he looked out the window longingly, "I wish I knew how to tell Ma and Pa, or Granny," he laughed a little, "and I don't even know how to tell a baby," he uttered, trying to lighten the mood a little after bringing it back down. Big mac grinned, "Why don't we go out to the orchard, little brother?"

[writingmilo]

Maya: Chapter 5

Part 3 of Flipped AU

TRIGGER WARNINGS: PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, MANIPULATION LET ME KNOW IF THERE’S ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT WARNED ABOUT

The footsteps raced towards the Maya, but she couldn’t tell how many people were coming; they all echoed together. She was sure that somebody was shouting, the woman that had her hand over her eyes, and others were trying to placate her. Despite her attempts, she still couldn’t move. The commotion continued, but Maya felt detached from it, as if it were happening through a glass wall, or she was underwater whilst it happened above her.

In reality, Louise had screamed at the condition of her daughter, who was bleeding profusely from several wounds, and wanted to get the attention of the others. They rushed to her aid, thinking that Maya had somehow managed to attack her, only to be greeted by a worried mother who didn’t want the blood of her daughter on her conscience. 

The hand over Maya��s eyes was taken away, but now, instead of blackness, she saw a person, dressed in a pressed shirt underneath a blood splattered lab coat, leaning towards her. Having been attacked by Henrik and the others before, Maya flinched, but couldn’t move away from him, meaning that she was soon enough scooped up into his arms, and being lifted from the floor. Every muscle twitched and spasmed in pain, but she tried to stay calm, scared of the consequences that would come if she glitched again. 

The bobbing motion of walking didn’t help the pain, but it was better than lying on the cold hard ground where she had been left. The soft bed where she was put down was even better, but everything still hurt. Luckily, she thought, she had been able to feel the doctor’s arm under her knees, meaning that she could still feel her legs, even if they were unusable from the moment’s pain. She hadn’t noticed him leaving, but he returned into the bright room with a tall pole, as well as Jameson.

Jameson sat on a stool next to her, watching her lie still as she felt Henrik move around the bed, taking the pole with him. Soon she felt a needle poking into the crook of her elbow, and she realised that the pole had been to hang a drip from. Hopefully it contained painkillers, or something that would knock her out for long enough for her to get better.

That didn’t come.

Hours passed and as the drip bag slowly emptied into her system, the pain only became more intense. Jameson never left, but he didn’t do anything about the pain; he wasn’t a qualified doctor after all. Sometimes he would smirk at her as she writhed and squirmed in pain, but he made sure she never saw these moments. 

Eventually, Henrik came back to change the drip bag, and as he saw Maya’s pain, he tutted under his breath. 

“No no, this will never do.” He turned to Maya. “You are in more pain?” She nodded through a tight grimace.

“I will fix this, give me some time.” He walked out of the room again, leaving the drip still in her arm, to fill a new IV bag. During the time Henrik was away, Marvin came in, swapping places with Jameson. Were they on shifts? 

“So little duck, how are you feeling?” His smile seemed so genuine, but everything that had happened to bring her here proved he was anything but friendly.

“Not great.” The words weren’t all that clear, but Marvin got the message.

“About what happened earlier,” he started, having thought of an excuse with the others to try and convince her that what they did was good for her, “I know we went too far, the atmosphere got too much for us, we should have backed off earlier.”

“What?” Maya was confused, he wasn’t apologising, there was no remorse in his voice.

“We, all of us, are too competitive, we all wanted to outdo each other back there.”

Before Maya could respond, Henrik came back, holding a new IV bag. He swapped them before stopping and looking at Maya’s poisoned form. 

“I shall be back in half hour for checking up on you.” He tapped the side of her face in what could be viewed as a gesture of kindness, but under the circumstances Maya viewed it as one of dominance. She was at the doctor’s mercy.

A shiver of fear ran down her spine, and her aura flared slightly. 

“I need...” Marvin looked at her, a quizzical expression, daring her to continue, “Can I have my medication? Please?”

“But Maya, what would you need medication for? Are you trying to say that you’re scared of us?” His quizzical expression morphed to a smirk; she hadn’t taken his warning.

“No, no but I need it, my doctor says I need it.”

“Oh honey,” he leaned forward, giving Maya a hug even though she couldn’t return it, his head resting next to her ear, “You don’t need anything but us.” He let her go, smiling broadly at her.

“Oh little duck,” a tear sauntered down her cheek, “Don’t be afraid, we’ll protect you from everything that has ever hurt you.” He leaned back in his chair, sitting in silence with her until Henrik came back in. 

“How is the pain, little duck?” Truthfully, Maya had almost forgotten about it with the new IV, and the strange conversation with Marvin. 

“Better, a lot better.” 

“Good. Didn’t we tell you that we would look after you, that we could protect you from the things that want to hurt you?”

“You said that, but how can you protect me from yourselves?” Maya was unsure where the sharp remark had come from, but it was too late. She couldn’t unsay it.

“Well, if that is how you feel,” Henrik pulled the needle out of Maya’s arm, and wheeled the IV stand to the far side of the room, “We’ll see how you feel in a couple of hours after the morphine has worn off.” He walked out of the room. 

For almost an hour Maya felt no difference, but as time ticked onwards, the pain started to come back, starting as small tingling sensations, before growing and blooming into spots of acute agony and an overwhelming sense of death.

“Please,” She hissed at the movement, “Marvin, please, help me.”

Before Marvin could answer though, Chase walked in. “Sorry, no can do little duck, I can’t go against the doc’s orders. You’ll learn that one pretty quickly.” He stood up and smiled at Chase before leaving. Chase sat in the chair where Marvin had been, and stared at Maya, as if studying every aspect of her.

He stayed like that for some time, Maya now losing consciousness from the pain.

“Are you scared?” The question was unexpected, yet so nonchalant.

“A bit.” It was somewhat truthful, if she had been less preoccupied by the pain, she was certain she would be much more terrified.

“Are you in pain?”

“So much.”

“Okay.” He stood up and left, returning a few minutes later with Henrik and another IV bag. The stand still in the corner, Henrik swapped the bags before moving it back to Maya’s bedside and hooking it into her arm. The relief was small, but almost instant, lifting enough of the pain from her to let her vision stop blackening.

“Back to questions then,” Chase flashed a grin at her, and Maya imagined that was how he would smile at the camera, “Are you happy?” Maya scoffed slightly.

“No. I miss papa.”

“Oh little duck, soon enough you will be happy again, we will all be happy together as a family.” Another grin. “But, if you’re really not doing well, Henrik can prescribe you something to help you feel better.” She thought for a while: maybe it could replace her anxiety medication.

“I think that would be good.” She swallowed, her mouth dry from not drinking. “Can I ask something?”

“Sure thing little duck, ask away!”

“Why did papa never talk about you? Why did he never tell me mum died?” She needed to know the answers. How could her papa have hidden such huge things from her?

“Well, your papa never liked us, he couldn’t wait to leave the house as soon as he was old enough. And as for your mum, well, he never knew. Nobody did, not even her.” 

“What do you—” Before she could ask, Chase sprung out of his chair and left, coming back with a woman on his arm.

“Little duck, your mum.” Chase smirked as he watched Maya’s face shift from confusion to shock to hurt back to confusion.

“May, baby, I missed you so much! You’re so big now, and look how pretty you are!”

“No… she’s dead. She’s dead, right? This is a joke? A sick, twisted joke?” She waited for one of them to confirm, but neither did.

“No May, this is real. I gave birth to you on the 19th June. When I held you, you cried, but when I gave you to your father, you smiled and laughed. How would anyone else know that?”

“No.... my mother is dead. I don’t have a mother anymore, even if you’re here, you’re nothing to me anymore.” 

“Why you little bitch!” Louise lunged forwards, slapping Maya across the face, only to be pulled backwards by Chase. 

“I knew I shouldn’t have left you with that no good father of yours, look what he’s done to you!” 

“At least he didn’t abandon me, so go and fuck off, I don’t want you.” This time, it was Chase who hit her, square in the jaw. 

“You don’t talk to your mother like that. We welcome you into our home and this is how you thank us, making us do these things to you. You’re an ungrateful little brat.”

“Then finish me off and bury me with papa. I’d rather be there than with you here!” The other’s must have heard Maya shouting, because they rushed into the doorway, hanging around to watch the show.

“I swear Maya, if you say another word, I will have to fix you tongue.” Chase was almost shaking with rage, and Louise had run off to the others in the doorway.

“Fucking do it.”

Chase grabbed Maya’s chin, holding her so she couldn’t escape his stare.

“My children won’t disrespect me like this.” He dragged her off the bed, walking through the halls with her stumbling behind him on her injured legs.

Soon, they came to a door, and he pulled a key from around his neck to unlock it. He pushed her through into the dark room, following so he loomed over her collapsed body on the floor. Now he pulled something out of his pocket, a silver choker set with five stones. Clamping it around her neck, it sent a pulse of energy through her, causing her seizing muscles to spasm with shots of pain. 

“We’ll see how long this attitude lasts little duck.” Chase walked back to the door, slamming it behind him. Just as Maya was going to try and stand so she could open it, she heard the click of the lock. She was trapped.

So, after posting this, I’m going on a social media break for a few days. Just in case I miss Sunday’s update or I’m not replying to comments. 💚💚💚

@honestlyitsjustkenna @thelunarmasquerade @goldenoceanaart @kate807 @unsuredoodles @bloodygoldensam @the-yandere-kitsune @septicuniverse @innocent-angel3 @simsepticfan @friezzzboiii @atomicsepticeye @jessiitjiia @maybekatie @theluckoftheclaws

[chaoskirin]

Fanfic -- A Temporal Folly -- CHAPTER 5

Fandom: Queen Genre: Sci-fi/Horror Rating: R Chapter Title: Detached (Chapter Five) Word Count: 2265 (oops!) Chapter Summary: Same thing, with 100% more Roger! 

How we all mourn the broken Holding onto the slimmest ledge Our fingers slipping by the second Drawn to the inexorable truth That to change the fates of the never-ending masses Is to destroy the fabric that binds us all

2019

Roger crashed into his vanity, upended his chair, then fell to the floor. Winded, he fought against gravity to regain his feet, momentarily blanking on the logistics of up and down; in the end, he succeeded only in rolling onto his side.

What was he doing in his dressing room?

He was too fucking old for this shit!

Roger would admit that, unlike Brian (whose feet were firmly on good ol' Terra Firma), he often had his head in the clouds and had no qualms about breathing the vapors. So he wasn't surprised when his mind skipped past every logical explanation like dreams or hallucinations and went straight to alien abduction as an assured reality. It sure felt how he imagined an alien abduction would go, although the completely empty dressing room unnerved him a bit, and the blue light oozing out of the walls like a thoroughly squeezed snail was an odd touch. Had he acquired the good shit?

It said a lot about him that his second guess was "drugs," Roger supposed.

"Right. Up on the feet then," he told himself. Now that the initial shock had worn off, he reintroduced himself to the concept of three dimensions and peeled himself off the floor. His joints popped and cracked in protest.

As he tried to regain his bearings, he squinted at the weird gecko-like beast, stuck by its little spade-toes up in the farthest corner of Roger's dressing room. As calmly as he accepted his alien abduction, he took this in stride, only partly because his very brain seemed to have short-circuited. The rest was because he kinda hoped he'd made first contact before his dear friend and space nerd, Brian May. Wouldn't that just rankle!

"Where are your eyes?" Roger inquired at the toxic blue creature. It grinned with a maw full of sharp, irritating teeth.

In answer, it shuffled toward him, hissing like a leaky tire. Alas, it seemed he'd have to fight the thing. So much for peaceful first contact! How could he possibly fight this cow-sized creature, though, with its lack of eyes and weird suction-cup toes and its feral, white-rimmed grin?

He did what any blue-blooded Brit would do. He bunched it square in the mouth.

The thing was fast. In the blink of an eye, it had Roger's arm crushed between its teeth. He tried to cry out, but the creature already had itself wrapped around him; consequently, the only sound he could produce was a less-than-intimidating squeak. Every time he gasped, the creature constricted tighter.

---

Witness. ---

1993

The alarm buzzed. John reached over and snoozed it.

Five minutes later, the radio started playing Sinatra, despite John ripping out the FM transmitter just the night before. Grabbing the entire clock-radio, he launched it across the hotel room, where it shattered against a mirror.

Then, for good measure, he sat up in bed and gave the lamp a good solid kick. He'd be billed for it, and probably even kicked out of the hotel. Maybe he'd sleep in a ditch tonight for the thrill of it. None of that mattered, though, since he'd wake up in the same bed, at the exact same time, annoyed once again by Come Fly With Me through a tinny, sub-standard speaker. He glanced at his watch.

"Three. Two. One." As he pointed at the door, somebody rapped on it and called "Room service!" "Fuck off!" John growled.

He'd seen Groundhog Day back in his own Theta-Universe just before traversing the portal. The coincidence wasn't lost on him. Who knew such a temporal anomaly wouldn't be caused by driving off a cliff, but by mucking about in the past!

The most annoying thing was that he couldn't write anything down, because everything would disappear when the day started over. Infuriating! He had so many questions, and limited memory with which to remember them, or their answers.

"What is this," he grumbled, sliding out of bed. "Sixty? Seventy? A thousand?"

Every morning, he made a tick on the wall. The next day, of course, it was gone.

It was at least sixty, though. He knew that. And in those sixty days, he'd pursued every opportunity to speak to Freddie, but this universe's version was reclusive and distrustful. Once, frustrated with the lack of positive response, John tried to drag him off so they could talk, and ultimately ended up in jail.

It didn't matter. By then, he knew he'd wake up the next morning safe in the hotel bedroom.

Today would be different, though, John mused as he brushed his teeth. Humming a cheerful ditty that was definitely not Sinatra, he pulled the hairdryer out of its wall holster and used it to smash the mirror. If his actions didn't matter, if everything would reset in 24 hours, why shouldn't he take out his frustrations on inanimate structures? He spit the toothpaste out in the middle of the floor. "It's a glitch," he told himself. John often spoke to himself now, since he had no friends in this universe. He technically didn't exist in it, which meant no one recognized him, which meant he had no friends. "We fucked up the code. It was too much. We shouldn't have--" Today would be different.

Over the past few weeks--relatively speaking--John worked on finding the key to fixing everything. By the very nature of time-space, the machine he and his other self built also had to exist in this world. He should have entered into the Iota-Universe at the machine's location, but the glitch interfered and spat him out elsewhere. After triangulating all possible points of interest, he found it in the basement of an abandoned school only a half mile away from the hotel. The proximity made sense. And if he was right, which he'd find out today, the location of the machine, the hotel, and Freddie would create a perfect line.

That revelation didn't matter much before, but now it made sense. It was the continuum trying to correct itself, pointing the way to solve the problem. If John could get Freddie to the machine, his presence would act as a battery, activating it and allowing everyone to go home. He had to. At this point, he teetered just on the verge of madness. Living the same day over and over couldn't have been healthy for anyone.

--- Today, he'd try a different tactic. Today... Today it would work.

It was sad in a way, how meeting up with Freddie had become routine. The first few times John saw he old friend, he couldn't even approach for the tears in his eyes. And Freddie looked so whole and healthy. Standing in the presence of Queen's legendary singer made John's heart soar!

But while this Freddie had similar mannerisms and a rather sizable ego, he was reclusive, bitter, and almost hopeless. In the rare occasion John managed to find the right combination of words and platitudes to get this version of Freddie to talk, every word dripped with regret and bile. After Queen failed, Freddie's life folded in on itself. He repressed his sexuality. Settled down with Mary. Lived miserably.

John had doubts about taking this Freddie back to the Theta-Universe, but he still waited in the same park every morning just to catch a glimpse of his old friend. Sometimes they'd talk. Sometimes they'd fight. Today, John intended to test his theory on the machine.

At eleven o'clock and four minutes, Freddie sauntered past the park fountain.

As casually as he could, John pushed himself off the bench, falling into step just behind Freddie. He tried his best to act as if he had somewhere to go and just happened to be traveling in the same direction.

Astute, though, Freddie glanced over his shoulder. "Are you following me, darling?"

Every day the same question.

"Yes, actually," John replied. Before Freddie could get angry, though, he regurgitated a bit of trivia Freddie gave him just a couple days prior: "I saw you at the Itherian last night. You sing, right? Was that you?"

Yesterday, the spiel was too desperate and overstated. Today, John reined in his anxiety and evened his tone.

It worked. Freddie's face lit up, every trace of doubt vanishing. "Hey, yeah! I don't remember seeing you there."  

Damn. A new variable. He could ruin the entire day if he answered wrong. Crossing his fingers in his pocket for luck, he tried, "Oh, I don't like to be around people. I kinda stay toward the back when I go to those things."

"There were only eight people there, dear," Freddie replied, arching an eyebrow.

"Eight too many," John muttered, trying his best to let his anxiety float to the surface.

"Oh, you've got it bad, haven't you? Poor dear. Well, did you like the set?"

If John continued along this conversational path, Freddie would ask which song John liked the best, and John had no answer for that. At that point, Freddie would see right through him and the day would be a wash. "Loved it," he said. And before Freddie could ask the wrong question, he quickly added, "I actually have a little place in the basement of an old school just down the block. I could use a regular. You want to see?"

Was that too creepy? It sounded too creepy. He'd have to work on his delivery for tomorrow.

To his surprise, though, Freddie said "Lead the way!"

---

"Interesting that you had to break the lock," Freddie grunted as John led him down the steps. Every one of them creaked underfoot with a squeal that sounded like each board was about to snap in half. Had they been that loud the other times John came down here? They must have been. He was just nervous and his senses were playing tricks on him.

"Ah, it's a work in progress," John said, whisking the dust-discolored sheet off the machine. His heart hammered as he turned to Freddie, who was staring at the contraption with a mix of disgust and curiosity.

"Is this what you intend to use for music?" Freddie asked. "Good God, is that a broken television set?"

"Actually, the truth is..." John fiddled with the dials, clicking the calibration from 6-2-5 to 6-2-6. It should have turned it on, which would give a heaping portion of credence to John's story. Shifting the sub-space translator node into the low-mid position, he said a quick prayer...

Please work. Please work. Dryly, Freddie scoffed, "Did you build this yourself?" as nothing at all occurred. "It's liable to belch dust before it creates music."

"I'm gonna explain, I promise. It's just that I'm from an alternate universe..." The truth slipped past his lips has he re-calibrated, trying 6-7-6 instead. Normally, that would be too high, especially with the translator node where it was. Maybe too high was just right for the Iota-Universe, though? "I was going to show you--hoping to take you back... There's this place where Queen made it, Freddie."

"Oh dear," Freddie drawled.

"Give me a minute," John snapped.

It had to work. It had to!

"How do you know about Queen?" Freddie asked. John briefly looked over his shoulder, to find Freddie peering down his nose. "I've not told anyone about the name. You've been breaking into my house. Looking at my sketches!"

The stray thought that this Freddie was also paranoid touched on John's thoughts as he tried to troubleshoot. "No, you must have told me--"

"I don't even know you!"

John sighed, resigning himself to another failure. He could try another approach tomorrow, of course. And the next day if he had to. And then the day after that. He started to wonder if perhaps he'd have to rebuild the machine! That'd give him an excuse to see if remaining awake for multiple days in a row would allow him to move past the same stretch of twenty-four hours, but was it worth the trouble?

He wasn't sure he liked this Freddie.

As John fiddled with the calibration, something slammed into the side of his head. The force caused him to spin around in a half circle and collapse onto the dead machine. As he lost consciousness, Freddie raised the two-by-four in his hands for another attack...

That was the first time John died.

Then his alarm buzzed.

"Ow," John grumbled. Sitting up and kicking off his sheets, he rubbed his unbruised temple, gritting his teeth. Though the pain was gone, the memory caused more than a couple tears.

He never bothered Freddie again.

---

2019

Roger could no longer struggle. Though his lungs reflexively tried to suck in just the barest hint of oxygen, he could no longer breathe. Though not one for giving up, he had to admit that this was over.

All he could think about was how wrong it felt to see that glimpse into John's mistake. How could he possibly have lived the same day over and over without going insane?

And Freddie...

That monster wasn't Freddie.

You wasted your time, Deaky, Roger lamented. You should have stayed.

You have witnessed,

the creature said, squeezing Roger tighter and tighter until his ribs cracked and snapped. Choking with pain, Roger's vision closed in until the lack of oxygen dragged him into a surprisingly peaceful demise.

[id-never-letyoudown]

A Muse List

Wilford Warfstache: reality warping semi-madman. He goes through time and just rolls with the punches. Knows at least a dozen alternate versions of the same person. Makes multiverse ships technically canon. Sometimes he forgets which timeline he's in and acts like a kid who fell asleep in the car and woke up in bed. Kinda OP, but I I'll discuss anything big with the other mun beforehand. For now it's just small stuff. -tagged: pink stache whiplash

Dark: literally watch Damien. Only this Damien had ties to the mafia, which Celine was heavily against. Also Damien and Will had a romantic relationship, highschool sweethearts, promise ring. Then Damien started running for mayor, Wil met Celine, feels were had. (ps: he's got both sets of genitalia, cuz everyone forgets.) -tagged: 3d dream

Fordwil Stachewarf: started as a joke of a bizarro!Wil and now, welp, here he is. He's a manipulative green haired asshole. A creep. He does not "roll with the punches", if one version of you likes him then he will expect all of them to, and he will take. Stuff with him can get hella triggery so I don't use him often. He's a total hardass. -tagged: green jerk

Chase: ha, an average bro. Trickshots. Memes. Bad puns and scraped knees. Anxiety ridden and depressed. Tries to drink away the pain. Also he's a werewolf and used to have hella bad anger issues, they have gotten better, but when it's that time of the month it's easy for him to slip. -tagged: sad awoo

Dr. Iplier: ;A; after losing his V-card to his highschool sweetheart who was moving away, three months later when he tries to break it off, she tells him she's pregnant. So they have a shotgun wedding. Also his family disowned him for this. He had to balance college, a job, and financially caring for his long distance, pregnant, wife. The boy was stressed, and he vented to her. Very next day she says she lost the baby. And ol' doc blamed himself. They've been married since, and whenever he brought up separating she would bring up the baby. He hired a PI who uncovered that there never was a baby to begin with, so now he's just "fuck you, fuuuuck yoooou." Now he's trying to get her to divorce him so she won't take everything. -tagged: doctor love me

Host: ah hah, favorite boi. My Host did used to be the Author, and after getting his ass handed to him, started looking for ways to really amp up his abilities. He found It(not the clown, fck off)and offered a deal "I'll give you a vessel, in exchange for power" and It misinterpreted and took HIS body instead of letting him find someone else. Over the years he's realized his mistakes and has become much more humble. Basically: Host is a host to a being not of this world or even dimension. -tagged: host2

Yan: goes from "not feeling a thing" to "feeling too much" real quick. If you see him being peppy and cheerful, it's an act so ppl don't question him. He wants to feel. So whenever he gets feelings for someone he often takes it too far. Much too far. Also he's a kitsune h e r e -tagged: bloody cute

Winston: fucking pink, pompadour, greaser demon. Him big. Tol. Stronk. Very protective of his partners, especially if they're human. Big teddybear. Loves animals and works as a mechanic. His town? Almost everyone is a demon there, they just wear glamours all the time. -tagged: big pink

Anti: fucking glitchy glitch tech demon. Acts like a computer virus. Very bitter. Up Dark's ass. He has feelios that he refuses to deal with, so he just annoys Dark and insists on being by him most of the time. He likes Dark because he's one of the few who don't take his bullshit and aren't scared of him. -tagged: virus boi

Bing: saaah dude. Super laidback unless he's alone, then he gets to work and is actually semi serious. He's got a few defects, mainly with his eyes, so he wears shades. Default safemode, the dial(yes, dial)is on the back of his neck. Ppl confuse this for volume too often. Notch one: he can cuss. Notch two: he can look up lewds. Notches from then on just increase how raunchy he can be and the frequency of his lewd statements. Very last notch: he can FUCK. also, he has a detachable dick, like, he can still feel it when it's not attached, thanks to bluetooth. Weird man. -tagged: robruh

Virgil/Anxiety: anxious bab with a sarcastic tongue and foul mouth. Total pessimist. Will not go out of his way to interact with people. Loves puns and dad jokes and Disney. Sings. Acts like a damn cat tbh. But surprise! Him a spider. Has giant spider legs coming out of his back that he hides -tagged: smokey eye

Patton/Morality: god, fckin. He's trying so hard. He wants to be the bestest friend/father figure that he can be. Sometimes he holds his own feelings in and bottles them up. -cough-surprise binch, daddy kink and puns. -tagged: pun papa

AD: h e y, I know we all have headcanons n shit, but my Dark would have tried to get their pal DA out of the mirror and into a body, after things settled, somehow. It would have taken him years, but he would have. Course it didn't go quite as planned. By then whatever remained of the DA was far too gone, turns up being stuck in a broken mirror realm can really fuck you up. And eventually turn you into a demon. AD is not the DA anymore, all they remember is that night and that night only.

Any semblance of the DA they once had is now gone. Now they're out for revenge, and when you're able to travel through reflections that can come quite easily. Ofc they look like Mark(more specifically Dark, as he was the one who both put them in and took them out of the broken mirror that was keeping them tied to the manor), only hella scarred and with white streaks all throughout their hair. Their eyes are mirrors, which is just fckin creepy. Personality wise they don't trust easy. A smartass with a sharp tongue. Brutally honest. Redeeming quality? If they see someone/something that's vulnerable they'll protecc. -tagged: spitting image

Kink(Klancy): a kinky mtherfcker. Used to be in a hella abusive relationship with someone who called beating and using him with no regard for his safety at all "bdsm". And it was Klancy's first and only romantic relationship. It wasn't until his bad, horrid excuse of a dom took them to an actual, legit bdsm club that he realized what the dom was doing was abuse. So he dumped him, and Jeremiah and his buddies helped get his stuff. Klancy decided that from now on he'd take his sex life in his own hands. He isn't currently looking for a a relationship, but I'm a shipping hoe so if y'all are up for a slow burn, hit him up -tagged: kink it up

Eric: hoooooo b o y, well, his backstory was awful before. Now it's uh, downright trigger worthy. I won't go into detail, let's just say Pops has a bad touch way of getting Eric to "calm down". He is a quiet, anxious boy. We all know his canon story. He feels guilty that he's the only one of his siblings living now. And Derek doesn't help. He's moved out and with Klancy, because I want them to be friends and you can fite me in the pit. Klancy-aside from Host-is the only one that knows what Derek's been doing since uh, Klancy being Klancy decided he'd try the dad on for size and Derek said some questionable things in the heat of the moment. Klancy has practically adopted Eric, he'll fight Derek.

Eric is a nervous wreck and easy to manipulate. Which makes him perfect for juicy, angsty threads. -tagged: yellow handkercheif

Periwinkle: a defective Google unit made with an experimental sensory system, it made him incredibly sensitive to the point of pain. So he wears clothes from head to toe, along with a helmet, Daft Punk style. He works at a nearby Google place, doing surveys with owners of Google units. He fakes being emotionless when on the clock, as he's been threatened with deactivation due to violent outbursts. -tagged: off limits

Copiplier: his name's Leslie, Officer Morgan. He prefers being called Lee. He abides by the l a w!! No exceptions. Whenever someone makes a noise complaint or some other with the office, he's the one that shows up. Mostly because none of the other officers want to deal with t h a t mountain of paperwork. His hair's on the long side, man bun long. And he buff. When I say he looks good in the uniform I mean "gets mistaken for a stripper" good. Which is fair, because for some time he was a stripper, before police academy(cough, he still is, on the weekends). Strict boi is kinda dense and ever since Yukio gave him some damn pocky he's been addicted to it. Which is great, since he used to be a smoker. -tagged: oh officer

[crystalninjaphoenix]

Resurgence

A Jacksepticeye Fan Fiction

Part Five: This is the Police

Previous | Next

Summary: The kids are for sure missing, and Chase is the number one suspect in the eyes of the police. The boys have to scramble to piece together a way to get the kids back.

“Are you two gonna head home anytime soon?” Jackie asked, exasperated.

Marvin, lounging on the beanbag, looked over at JJ. “I dunno, you ready to go back yet?”

JJ, who was standing near the window and staring out, shrugged. I’m good to go at any moment. Just waiting for you, my good man.

“I’m comfortable, dude, might as well stay a bit longer.”

Jackie sighed. Marvin was a great friend, fun to be around and also one hundred percent ready to defend the others at any cost. But sometimes the hero thought he existed for the sole purpose of annoying the shit out of him.

A loud, banging knock came from the door, causing everyone to jump.

Were you expecting anyone, Jackie? JJ asked.

“I don’t think so...” Jackie frowned.

More banging. “Open up, police!”

“Are you fucking kidding?” Marvin sat straight up. “Did we do something? I don’t think we did anything. JJ, did we do anything?”

The silent man shook his head, but Jackie could see the doubt on his face. “Maybe they found my location?” Jackie suggested, knowing that wondering about doing crimes was not good for JJ’s health. “I mean, it’s not exactly legal to dress up in a red suit and beat up criminals.”

Bang bang bang. “This is your last warning. Open up, or we’re breaking down the door.”

“Oh, jesus. Hang on!” Jackie quickly crossed the room to the apartment’s front door, opening it to reveal three police officers. “What seems to be the problem, officer? It can’t be anything worth breaking the door down. That shit’s expensive to replace, you know.”

The cop in front, a tall, dark-skinned man, answered. “We need to come in, sir.”

“Uh, d’you have a warrant? Or probable cause?” Jackie knew a bit about police work, and he wasn’t about to let them in when there was reason to refuse.

A female cop in back spoke up. “He looks like the guy, Beaton. Just in better shape and longer hair.”

“Who do I look like?” Actually, Jackie knew of six other people he looked like, two of whom were still in his apartment, but he needed specifics.

“What’s your name, sir?” The first cop, Beaton, asked.

“Uh, Jackie. Jackie Parker. I have an ID, if you wanna check. But I would still like to know why you’re here.”

“Fifteen minutes ago, somebody in this apartment made a call,” Officer Beaton explained. “This call went to one Stacy Davidson, whose children went missing two days ago. The caller is a suspect in the case.”

“Wait...are you talking about Chase?” Jackie had to fight hard to keep his expression surprised and nothing more. So Bobby and Trevor really were missing? What happened? Actually, they all knew what probably happened. He got a sick feeling in his stomach just thinking about it.

“Chase Brody was the name, yes. He a friend of yours?”

“Yeah, he was here not too long ago. But he’s gone now.”

“We still have to check, Mr. Parker. And we have to search for the children as well. If you don’t mind...”

“Uh, yeah. Sure, okay.” Jackie stepped aside, and the cops entered the apartment. Marvin and JJ, who had certainly heard every word, had moved to standing beside the couch, and observed the proceedings with wide eyes.

“What are you, triplets?” muttered one of the cops.

“This is no time for jokes, Alvirez,” Officer Beaton reprimanded. “You and Cameron search the place. I’ll talk to these two.”

The two cops nodded, splitting off into the bedroom and bathroom. Jackie sidled over so he was standing between his friends and Beaton. He didn’t really think the policeman would hurt them, but you never knew. Crooked cops were everywhere, and it was better to be safe. Marvin and JJ subtly shifted so they were standing even closer to each other.

“Alright,” Officer Beaton said. “I’m going to assume neither of you are Mr. Brody, but considering how all three of you look eerily similar to him, I’m going to need some sort of identification.”

“That’s stupid,” Marvin muttered. JJ and Jackie gave him discreet looks of are you crazy do you want to get arrested? and the magician sighed. “But okay.” He reached into his jean pocket and withdrew a wallet, taking out a driver’s license and handing it over. Jackie did the same, using his work ID.

“This driver’s license is very expired,” Officer Beaton said. “But you’re clearly the guy in the picture. Marvin Moore, huh? Sounds familiar...”

“Yeah, I had my fucking fifteen minutes of fame a while ago,” Marvin drawled, rolling his eyes.

“Whatever. And you,” Beaton looked at Jackie, “seem to be who you say you are.” He turned to JJ. “Your turn, sir.”

Problem. JJ had absolutely no legal documents. Kinda hard to get identification for a man from the 1920′s. Swallowing nervously, JJ signed, I must’ve forgotten my ID at home.

“What the...?”

“Jameson can’t talk,” Jackie hastily explained. “He’s saying he left his ID at home. That’s okay, right?”

“Assuming he didn’t drive here,” Officer Beaton muttered. “I think I could let this one slide.”

The other two cops reemerged. “Nothing, Beaton.” “Big negative here, boss.”

“Okay, looks like you three are off the hook.” Officer Beaton gave Jackie and Marvin their IDs back. “I’d be careful around your Brody friend, though. It’s never a good sign when the guy you’re hanging out with is suspected of kidnapping.”

“Chase is the nicest, funniest, most kind-hearted guy ever,” Jackie defended. “Whatever’s going on, I’m one hundred percent sure he’d never take his own kids by force.”

“Still, be careful. We’ll be on our way now.” The three cops left, closing the door behind them.

The three exchanged worried looks. “I think we should check on Chase,” Marvin suggested.

Currently, Chase was freaking out. Not only were his kids missing, not only were they under the control of a murderous glitch demon, not only were they being used to blackmail him into killing his best friend, but just to rub salt in the wound, he was the number one suspect for their disappearance. It wasn’t like he could tell the police “hey, I didn’t kidnap Bobby and Trevor, this weirdo reality-breaking doppelganger did!” Actually, that would probably make them even more suspicious of him. He’d end up in a psych ward.

So there was nothing he could do except let the detectives into his house, wait for them to get comfortable, then sit down and try not to look like his insides were being squeezed by an invisible fist of anxiety. Schneep hovered awkwardly in the corner, looking back and forth between Chase and the detectives.

“So, uh, you dudes gonna question me? Or something?” Chase asked.

“That is our job, after all,” said the taller one, Detective Bowman. “But you don’t have to worry.” That did not stop Chase from being worried. “When was the last time you saw your kids?”

“Uh, the 27th, 28th, and 29th. They were over for custody weekend. Their mom came over and picked them up Sunday night, and I haven’t heard from them since.”

Detective Akela jotted something down in his notebook. “And you didn’t see them at all during the week?”

“No, sir.”

“Hmm...” the detectives didn’t look convinced. Akela continued, “The mother, Stacy, told us that the kids had been staying up late at night, talking to someone. When she asked them about it, the daughter refused to answer, while the younger son admitted they’d been talking with their father. You.”

Shit. “Well, I dunno what to tell you. I mean, Trevor does have quite an imagination. Maybe he was just missing me?” Or maybe the two of them had actually been chatting with someone who looked eerily similar to Chase.

“According to Stacy, this had been going on for about two months, but increasing lately,” Bowman added. “You’ve had no contact with your kids during that time period?”

“Apart from custody weekends, no.”

Akela made another note. “Can you explain why you and your wife had a divorce?”

Chase felt a jolt somewhere deep in his stomach. “Uh, w-well, um...” he cleared his throat. “It-it was her decision. I can’t know what was in her head, but, I think she didn’t...she wasn’t...she didn’t like my job. And I mean, uh, we did kinda get married young. Maybe she thought she was...” Wasting her life. “...missing out.” And she didn’t want to be stuck with a useless, drunk bastard who couldn’t do anything for her or the kids even though he loved them more than life itself.

The detectives exchanged glances, having some sort of silent conversation. “Did you feel cheated, at all, when the court decided you could only see Roberta and Trevor on the weekends?” Bowman asked.

“I mean, yeah, it sucked, but I couldn’t do anything about it. And I’m glad I still get to see them at all.” Chase swallowed nervously. “But you have to believe me when I say I’d never try and—and steal them. I’m not that kind of person.”

“If you say so, Mr. Brody,” Bowman said. She did not sound convinced at all.

“Ihr wisst nichts über elternschaft.”

Chase jumped. He’d completely forgotten Schneep was in the room until he heard that muttered phrase. The detectives had apparently forgotten too, as they turned to look at him. “And who might you be?” Bowman asked, a little rudely. She’d apparently picked up on Schneep’s impertinent tone.

“I am Doctor Henrik von Schneeplestein, a good friend of Chase,” he explained. “And you are being very rude to a person you know nothing about.”

“We’re merely doing our job, sir,” Akela sounded like he was trying to stop the conversation before it could go any further.

“Then you are doing it badly. You should know no parent in their right mind would take their own child when they are perfectly happy where they are. Why are you even having this conversation? Chase shouldn’t even be an option for suspect.”

“We have to consider everyone,” Bowman said, gritting her teeth. “You’d be surprised what people are capable of.”

“I very much doubt that. But Chase is not able to do anything you think he is capable of doing. Maybe you should find more about your suspicion people before you blame them for things they would never do.”

“I think we’ve found out everything we need to.” Akela stood up, giving his partner a significant look. Bowman glared at Schneep one last time before also getting to her feet.

“Well, uh, thanks for coming over and...letting me know about Bobby and Trevor,” Chase said. “Can you keep me in the loop? I want to know when they’re safe.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Brody, we will,” Akela assured him. “We’ll be on our way now.”

“Good day,” Bowman said curtly.

As soon as the door shut behind the detectives, Chase stood up and turned to Schneep. “Well, there’s no denying it now,” he said. “He has them.”

The doctor sighed, and leaned against the wall. It was like his anger at the detective had given him temporary strength, which drained away the moment they were gone. “Yes, it would seem so. He may not hurt them, Chase. Not unless he finds out you are not doing what he wants you to.”

“Doc...I can’t take that chance. You know that. What should we do?”

“I...maybe...”

Chase jumped as his phone rang. Fumbling with his pocket, he pulled it out and saw Jackie’s name on the caller ID. He put the call on speaker and answered, “Yeah, what’s up?”

“Hi Chase,” Jackie sounded slightly panicked. “This is, uh, this is going to sound weird but a couple cops just showed up at my apartment looking for you—”

“Wait, really? A couple detectives were at my house. They said Bobby and Trevor were missing.”

“Yeah, the cops here said the same thing. They...uh, I guess you know they think you did it?”

“Said as much.” Chase took a deep breath. “What are we going to do?”

Silence for a bit. Then, “Okay, JJ just suggested he and Marvin do the scrying thing they mentioned earlier as soon as possible. Just see where they are, so we can try to get them back.”

“Sounds good—”

“Chase, wait.” Schneep jumped in. “Your kids are not the only ones in danger.”

Chase felt his stomach sink. “You mean Jack.”

Schneep nodded. “I think we need to wake him up, so he is able to defend himself.”

“You know how to do that?”

“Of course I do. I am qualified doctor.”

“We can split into teams,” Jackie said on the other end of the line. “Marvin, JJ, and me are gonna head to the new house, try to find the kids. You two go back to the hospital, try to wake Jack up.”

“Sounds like a plan. Call you on any updates?”

“Yep. Good luck.”

“You too, dude.” The phone call ended, leaving a dial tone in its wake. Chase sighed. He hoped this would work. He didn’t want to think of the consequences of failure.

[qwertythepopstarian08]

Overshadowed (Part One)

Overshadowed- An OK KO Fanfiction

Description: TKO’s only been around for a year and he’s already starting to slip.

Warnings: Angst, slight horror, Canon-Typical Violence, some kids questioning reality, melting stuff (but nothing too bad), it gets a bit spooky later on...

This fic is an extremely late drabble meant for TKO’s birthday, but I guess it’ll do for SPoOkY Month!

This is also part of an AU called Melting into Shadows (of just Melt AU). You’ll find out why soon enough...

It’s been a year. One year since he first woke up as himself.

Actually, it’s been a year and a month, but TKO couldn’t care less about the details. All he knows is that he’s ‘happy’ now, if happy can even be applied to him.

Right now, he’s standing in the rain, not caring about the possibility of getting sick, the still-surreal sensation of the outside world helping to calm his nerves.

KO’s been letting him out on his own more often, trusting him ever so slightly more each day ever since the PKO incident in which they ‘fused’.

It’s nice, but ever since that day, he’s been feeling odd, if only in subtle ways. His head’s been buzzing with more than electricity, and his mind swims, wading through rivers of almost tangible anxiety.

The chilled rain does little to ease his mind on its own, but the idea of real sickness somehow excites him. He shudders from a brisk breeze, thinking of the sensory overload a cold would bring, something to break him out of his recent numbness.

But before the slightest sniffle can arrive, the front door slams open, the worried tone of his mother shocking him from his thoughts.

“TKO?”

He turns quickly, eyes locking onto her with an oddly intent focus. Contrary to the intensity of the glare, his mind continues to reel, only being dragged back to reality as Carol walks closer.

“What are you doing in the rain?” She reaches for him as he speaks, the look in her eyes promising warmth and blankets and cookies, but the alter ego doesn’t want warmth, yanking his hand back with a fluid movement.

The spikes along his wrist catch on Carol’s arm, and she lets out a small yelp of shock, drawing back. The concern in her eyes has shifted to fear, and TKO’s eyes widen with regret, his eyes filling with recognition.

“M-Mom?” he stammers. He backs away a pace as Carol glances back to him, a small, yet noticeable frown forming on her features. “I-I...”

He doesn’t finish the sentence, turning on his heel and breaking into a run through the downpour.

The freezing rain is anything but soothing as he runs, further and further from home. KO is demanding control back at this point, something usually out of character for him, but he ignores the voice, not wanting to face his own mother again.

“It was an accident!” his original protests.

TKO says nothing in reply, only grimacing as another tug for control yanks at him. His eyes flare violet as he turns a corner, rushing past the Plaza like a bullet, nearly slipping on the wet ground.

He’s used to running on concrete, but the lack of concentration is weighing on him, his frustration building. Stray sparks buzz at his wrists, and he breathes heavily, his stamina dwindling.

Leaping over the ditch separating the Bodega from the backwoods area, he skids to a muddy stop a few feet away from the koi pond, his breaths labored.

It’s late, and he’s exhausted, but he doesn’t care, pulling his soaked, messy hair back into a poorly done ponytail using one of KO’s spare headbands.

He’s starting to feel sick, not to mention hungry, a small growl escaping him as he walks towards the pond, sitting down. He can’t stand it, but he can’t bear to go back.

“We could be in bed and safe now, if you hadn’t overreacted,” KO unhelpfully supplies.

TKO snarls in response, running a hand through his hair. “I’m your dark alter ego; newsflash, it’s my job to overreact.”

The voice in his head is quiet for a moment, before sighing, a wave of sympathy accompanying the words. “That doesn’t mean it’s right.”

The alter ego fails to respond, distracting himself by glancing to the water. The twin fish swim around happily, seemingly unharmed by the storm, which was flooding the tiny pool. Letting out a quiet, shaky sigh, TKO dips a hand into the water, watching as the fish swim around it quickly, brushing their tails against his fingers a few times as if offering reassurance.

One fish moves on shortly, yet the darker koi lingers for a few moments, its small eyes almost saddened as it stares up at TKO. It swishes its tail against his wrist once more, narrowly avoiding the spikes, before swimming away to catch up with its friend.

Within their mind, KO sighs, “It’s really getting late, TKO…Mommy’s probably really worried!” before falling completely silent, leaving TKO alone.

He smiles, if only slightly, looking back in the direction of the Plaza. There’s no doubt Carol’s looking for him by now, and he’s feeling a bit better, now that he’s had time to clear his head.

“Alright, KO,” he sighs, a reluctant grin stretching across his face. “You win.”

Strangely, there’s no response, but TKO chalks that up to retribution for his attitude earlier, shrugging. The buzzing has returned to make up for the silence, and he supposes he appreciates the static, which replaces the dull sound of raindrops.

He moves to stand, only to stumble, his legs giving out. Perplexed, he looks back, a twinge of anxiety welling up in his mind. The cold stopped bothering him ages ago, yet all he can feel now is a strange numbness.

“Wha-?” He cuts off, eyes widening, as his form seems to visibly glitch, as if KO was forcibly taking back control, only without the onslaught of positive thoughts. The only thoughts he can form are fearful notions, each more incredulous than the last.

The glitching, which starts abruptly as his knees, cuts off at his feet, where he just seems to blur together, the sheets of rain coming down only doing more to compromise his view.

“KO... is this normal?” He’s only been a conscious being for a year, and he’s slipping. “KO?!”

There’s no response, and the alternate forces himself to stand again, eyes filling with what seems like tears. Static crawls up his limbs, numbness following it only to be replaced with an inky, blurred substance.

TKO jolts in terror as he realizes what the blur is. He screams, leaning against a tree to steady himself as his thoughts devolve into terror-filled yells. “N-No! I don’t want to...” He cuts off with a series of heavy, labored coughs, entire frame shaking with each one. The shadows which once made him up entirely spread up to his neck, the rest of his body obscured as his legs give out entirely, barely feeling as he tumbles to the grass.

What was happening?!

All at once, KO’s thoughts course through his mind, and he lets out a choked scream, overwhelmed. Feelings of terror and vulnerability overlap with his own, multiplying and enveloping his consciousness. Despite the lack of coherency in the words, he can hear his original hollering one terror-filled sentence.

“TKO, you’re melting!”

Much to the alter ego’s horror, when he looks down at himself, he can see his body glitching and stuttering, inky shards flickering away as blurry energy burned at him.

He can barely even feel the rain as the static spreads, a labored breath shaking his deteriorating frame as he holds out a hand, staring dumbfoundedly as what seems to be his own essence visibly drips away, evaporating before it can even hit the ground.

“TKO!!!”

The mental connection snaps like a twig, and KO’s voice cuts off.

Ink-colored tears drip down the alter ego’s face, and he gives one last shaky, fearful intake of breath before the static overtakes him, fizzling with violet and evaporating, leaving KO’s unconscious form behind.

The smoke lingers, pulsing like a static charge.

It collects in the air above the child, humming and droning, purple electricity buzzing around it. It hovers there for a moment, as if collecting itself, tendrils of smoke and electrostatic separating and joining again, only to descend as a whole, floating towards KO.

The smoky energy buzzes and flickers, never straying too far from KO’s prone body, yet never coming closer than within an inch away from him.

It speaks, “KO…?” Confusion lilts in its tone, which glitches and hitches like the rest of it.

The child before it fails to respond, and the energy bristles like an angered cat, particles of charged static orbiting its amorphous shape.

Almost as if disturbed by the display, KO stirs, if only slightly, his eyes fluttering open. He stares blankly forward for a moment, eyes blinking slowly, before recollection of the past hour seems to kick in, causing him to jump up in alarm.

Much to the young hero’s displeasure, his weakness catches up with him, and his legs give out, a shudder ripping through his frame.

Letting out a cacophony of hissed murmurs, the shady smoke curls around him, buzzing and blinking.

As his gaze meets the supposed being, he squeaks in alarm, raising his arms defensively.

“Who are you?!” His voice holds all the fear of a startled child, and the shadowy energy seems to wilt, something similar to recollection sparking in it. “Are you the one that hurt TKO?!”

The energy being’s entire frame jerks, and it suddenly curls in on itself, gaining distance between the child and itself.

“N-n-NOooOOo!”

KO’s expression softens, and he leans slightly closer, sitting on his knees.

“Well, maybe you can help me find him!” Suddenly cheerful, he reaches forward as if to shake the shade’s ‘hand’, only to slip through the smoke as if it were water. It murmurs something, its mind swimming, and he removes his hand, bashful. “Oh, sorry! This has never happened before, so I guess I’m a little shaken up! Usually TKO lives in my mind!”

Slowly, he stands, starting to walk towards the forest’s entrance, and the shadow moves to follow him, humming thoughtfully. Something about the idea of living in someone’s mind seems familiar to it, and it flickers, confused.

“Where… did you last see him?”

KO turns to look at it, and his smile falls. He glances towards the koi pond, then towards the direction of the Plaza. He clenches a fist.

“You see, TKO was really upset when we came here, but after we stopped, it started getting all hazy, and… now I can’t hear him.” He pauses to look down at his feet, recalling the odd static that had taken his alter ego. “I’m kinda scared.”

The energy buzzes quietly, It swishes around KO’s arm, much like how the koi fish had around TKO’s, then blinks, offering reassurance. KO watches the action absently, but a tiny smile quirks his features as his new companion swirls, smoke spreading around him.

The pair stops at the ditch, and KO sighs, glancing around for a sign of TKO. Instead of hopping over the gap, he slides down the muddy incline, trudging forward. A pang of worry settles in his stomach, and he pauses, feeling tears start to collect in his eyes. Worried, the energy being hums loudly, buzzing around him.

Cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouts, “TKO!”

No answer. He tries again, “TKO!”

His lip quivers, mirroring how he’d shuddered from the cold earlier, and he grips at his hair, somewhat bothered by the lack of turbonic energy backing up the anger. The first few tears slide down his face, and he sinks to the ground, hugging himself.

“T...Turbo….” The rainfall intensifies. The safety of the Bodega is literal feet away, but he can’t move. “Where... are you?”

The shadow buzzes around him, offering little comfort as the child cries himself to sleep…

“There he is!”

KO stirs at the sound of familiar voices, his eyes opening suddenly. At the sound of new people, the static energy hisses, then fades from view, cowering.

“He’s in the alleyway!”

His heart quickens, hope filling him. Maybe everyone else can help him find TKO! Fueled by adrenaline, he jumps to his feet, wiping dried mud from his cheek as he dashes towards the Bodega. The shadowy creature next to him hums quietly, trailing slowly behind him, and he beckons it with a hand, unable to hold his smile.

He turns the corner, skidding to a near stop, before rushing towards a familiar woman.

“Mommy!” All the fear and anger from earlier is gone, evaporated as he leaps into Carol’s waiting arms.

She catches him effortlessly, only cringing slightly from the sudden weight. A warm hug surrounds him momentarily as his mother embraces him, before holding him at arm’s length, examining him for injuries.

“KO! Are you okay?” she questions worriedly. KO winces at the tear marks lining her face, glancing around to see a concerned Rad and Enid as well. “When T ran off, I got so worried…”

“I’m fine, Mommy!” he assures her, although it’s not entirely true, and now that the euphoria has worn off, the anxious dread from earlier has begun to set in again.

He wriggles out of Carol’s grasp, waving his arms for emphasis as he yells, “But TKO’s gone!”

It’s now that the static creature decides to make itself known, flickering in and out of view as it buzzes around the mother and son duo. Carol watches the being uneasily, somewhat shocked by its presence.

“Uh…”

The static being hums, content with orbiting around Carol’s hair. It clearly doesn’t understand her apprehension, murmurs of incoherent words overlapping. It likes her, the familiar aura calming it in despite the sudden crowd.

Enid approaches, quirking an eyebrow. “KO… what is that thing?” From the look in her gaze, KO can tell she’s thinking about the Gloop incident, and he rushes to reassure her of his new friend’s innocence.

The shadow glitches at her angrily, before KO gently collects it, wafting its smoky form towards himself, where it swirls about, restless.

Allowing the smoky being to coil around him, KO pouts. “This is my friend! He’s been helping me look for TKO!”

Rad pipes up, “Um, doesn’t that guy live in your mind?… I mean...?” His gaze flicks between the others and the newcomer, a slight anxiety building in his tone. “Unless that changed somehow.”

“Last I saw of him, he was still sharing a body with KO,” Carol recounts.

An aura of perplexment is beginning to build amongst the group, and KO sighs heavily, shaking his head.

“And that’s why we’ve been looking for him.”

The static around KO lets out what could only be described as a snicker, despite the distortion. It uncurls from around him slightly, raising what seemed to be its head, then grins, showing off a jagged, glowing smile from within the static.

This time, when it speaks, its voice is significantly clearer, a strangely familiar snarky tone dripping from its words.

“And as you can see, we haven’t made much progress.”

Hearing the voice, KO jolts, startling the smoky creature into darting away from him, yowling. It splatters to the ground, hissing indignantly as everyone stares at it, each expression holding varying levels of awe. KO recovers the quickest, his shock melting into extreme joy as he steps forward, arms outstretched as if to scoop the static into a hug.

It recoils, staring up at the small crowd in confused terror, when Rad suddenly speaks, his voice high with astonishment, “TKO..?”

[poppyknitt]

Forgiveness- A JSE Egos Fanfic: Thanksgiving Special

Recap: Over the last few months, Anti has attacked a few times, but was subdued on his own birthday by Marvin, whose mind had been corrupted by his overuse of dark magic, which is kind of like black magic, but much, much worse, and much, much more controlling of the mind if used to a certain, varyinge extent. Chase, who is no longer stuck as a ghost due to Marvin’s recklessness prior to their “victory”, and now fully functional, seems to have managed to save his kids and ex-wife Stacy from her new boyfriend, who was seemingly very controlling and even a bit abusive of them, whilst still being a ghost. Jackieboyman proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Ava, and seems to be very near quitting the superhero gig, so as to not put his fiancé at risk anymore, but also, so he can be a good father, as she’s apparently pregnant with his son. After celebrating their anniversay on a beautiful cruise ship, Jackie managed to come back to shore within enough time to join the remaining egos, and Seán himself, for Jameson’s birthday! Henrik is still recovering from the wounds he recieved in the battle that took place on Anti’s birthday, but he is thankfully healed enough to be back on the job!

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Warning- Long chapter! I would put a keep reading thing, but I’m on mobile, and you can’t do that on Tumblr Mobile, sadly! (*cough* TUMBLR DEVS, FIX THIS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! *cough*) Also, if you are triggered by any amount of cursing, or the mention of severe, temporarily disabling injuries, I suggest you skip to like, the last two paragraphs. Which may be hard, because apparently there’s almost 100 paragraphs in this fic.

[November 15th]

Marvin opened his eyes, and panicked, as he noticed that he wasn’t in his body anymore. He could see himself, but... it was like his body had gone into temporary stasis. He took a moment to himself, trying to recall the events that lead up to this... Ah, yes! That’s right...

He’d started playing around with the occasional black or dark magic spell about a year back, but had used them so little for the first few months that it barely affected his mental state. As time went on, however, he came to realize that soon enough, simply just using the same old magic spells on Anti as he’d always used wasn’t going to do jack shit to help defend his brothers. So, even though he didn’t want to break the promise he’d made to Jackie and Seán, he started full-on dabbling in dark and black magic, convincing himself it was the only way to keep them safe.

But then, in September... Jackie was brutally struck down by Anti, and Marvin had been lucky enough to pinpoint his location just in time to save his life, and trick Anti into thinking that he was dead. That moment... That was the moment it all took a turn for the worst. The next thing he’d known, his mind was entirely consumed by the darkness he’d slowly been inflicting on himself by using dark magic in the first place, and, by the time october came around, he’d been kicked out of his body, in the sense that he’d lost control of himself, and was being piloted by the aforementioned darkness. He’d been forced to watch in horror as his body tore his brothers down, one by one, until only Seán and Henrik remained untouched by his corruptive new abilities. Each time he attacked one of them, he’d been screaming for them, calling their names out desperately, trying to tell them he wasn’t in control. But... None of them even heard him in the first place... All they could hear in those moments was the evil momologues that his body was spewing.

He slowly started loosing himself in his recollecting trance, his mental state spiraling downwards as he slowly merged into self-deprecation and self-hate type thoughts; the kind he’d only ever read about before he started dabbling in the arts. It wasn’t until he heard a faint, staticy voice calling his name out that he snapped back to reality.

“Mavvy? Mavvy can hear?! Mavvy, say something!” Robbie’s voice called to him.

“Robbie?! Are you here with me?! How are you contacting me-?!” He exclaimed in confusion.

“It work! Mavvy! Calm! Can tell you have many question, but Mavvy not need fear; Will explain!” Robbie’s slightly raspy voice told him. It sounded like the zombie was... overjoyed to hear from him? But... Didn’t he remember the outburst..? Did... Did he not care?

“... Well..?” His voice shimmered hopefully, but it was muffled by the anticipation and fear that hung heavily on his soul.

“Henry left ghost communicator on table! Thought maybe I could contact Mavvy with gadget! Was worried would not work, but very glad it did!” Robbie exclaimed happily.

“... He left what now?”

“Ghost communicator! Jamie and me use ghost communicator for speak to Jackie and Chase when Mavvy was being mean!” He could almost hear the overjoyed grin Robbie must’ve had plastered on his face, “Mavvy come to park, yes? Want speak in person!”

“Uh... Listen, um, Robs... I’m... Sorta not in control of myself anymore, if that makes any sense..? I, uh, may or may not have been kicked out about a month ago... ‘ve no clue what happened between the fight with Anti and today, honestly... I... sorta blacked out. Jackie’s last words to me were pretty painful...”

“Oh! Understand! Is okay! Will just find you instead! Ghost communicator also locate ghost!” Robbie beamed.

“... That’s not a good idea, Robs... Look, just... Give me a few days. I’ll need time to do what I plan to do, but if it works out well, I... Things should be back to normal soon, okay..?” Marvin said softly, his heart heavy in his chest, as he knew it wasn’t true. His brothers... they... they’d never forgive him for what he did...

Yeah, that’s right... yǫu’ll͠ ǹever ҉be ͡fo̵r̛gi̵v͞eń,҉ ̷M̸a̡r̢v͢iņ. ̧Y͟o͘u’r͏e ͜all ̛al̡o͠n̵e͠.͜.͠. ̨I̢ń ͜f͟act̴, I͟ ̸bet҉ ͟th̢at͞ ̸t̢h͢i͢s̴ w͏h͏o̷l͢e̕ thi͝n̛g ̡is ̨all͞ à ͝ĺi̛e̷. R͡obb̧ie ͢d͠o͜e͞sn’͡t̶ w̸a̷nt͠ to t҉al̡ķ.͝ He̷ ̛w͢a̡n͢ts ̸t̶ó lu҉re͘ ̛you int̸o a̸ ̵t̛rap.͡.̨.̵ Y̛ou c̴a͏n̛’͞t t̨r͟ust t́hem̛ ̷a̴ny͟m̀o̡re..͝.��

He clenched his teeth as the thought came to mind. He had no clue why these thoughts were even there, but they’d been plaguing him since he came to. He couldn’t pin the voice in it, either. The sound was far to glitched and distorted to have any meaningful, recognizable pitch. God, he hated not knowing what was going on.

“Okeh! Will wait! Is fine! Mavvy is okay, yes? Mavvy remembering PMA?” Robbie’s last question almost made Marvin choke in surprise. Okay, yeah, sure, Robbie was probably the most positive of their group, but..? He’d never outright stated such a thing before, so it did happen to take him by surprise.

“H-heh... U-uh... Y.. Yep! I’m... I’m doing fine, Robs... Talk to ya later, ‘kay?”

“M’keh! Hope Mavvy plan work!”

~~~~

“R҉ìs̴e ̵a͟n̨d ͟shi͝ne,̷ m͏y̡ friend.͜ ͢Y̷ou͞’̵v͞e ̧been ̷as͜lee̶p ҉for f̕ar̵ ͞toó ͘lo̵n̢g..͠..͞” A figure stood over the limp, frozen body that belonged to this world’s Anti, the only visible features on its face being a sadistic grin, and its eyes, which held a faint red and green glow. A faint green light began to radiate around Initiative, and he coughed faintly as he slowly got up, and tilted his head to glare at the newcomer.

“Giv̢e me҉ ͢o͠n̴e ̢goo͢d̢ ̶rea͢son ̡n̡o̕t̷ tò t̀ęa̶r̸ y͡o͝u͠r gu̡t̨ś ͡oưt͡ r͏ight̵ ḩe͏re ͜and͟ n̵ow̕, ͏jus̷t fo̢r͠ tr̶essp̨as̷s͡ing ̡i͜n͞ ̕m͜y҉ wo̡rld͠!”

~~~~

[November 22nd]

Marvin managed to return to his body, and gasped desperately for air as soon as he regained control, as though he had been holding his breath the entire time he’d been out of control. He looked around wildly, his emotions and anxieties returning all at once, as his ability to feel, which had been lessened without the help of his body’s input, suddenly rammed back to his mind’s registry all at once. His eyes were wide, as he slowly got a grip of the surrounding world. He... Was this his pocket dimension?! God, he hoped so. Otherwise, he must’ve chosen a really stupid place to pass out for about a month in. Just as he started calming down, he sensed the atmosphere in the mostly pale-gold dimension change to something more sinister, and something inside of him screamed for him to run.

A shrill bout of distorted, maniacal laughter errupted from behind him, accompanied by fast footsteps, which were evidently getting closer, and he took that as his cue to get the hell out of there. As he ran, he noticed a rift in the dimension in the distance, and bolted straight for it, as a knife flew past him, inches away from skimming his flesh. He shot some offensive spells towards the demon he knew was following him, though, he didn’t really pay any attention to what the spells were. He took note that the rift was very clearly shrinking in size, albeit at a slow pace, and sped up a bit.

No͟w’̢s̡ y͟ou̷r ̸chan̕ce,͞ Ma͡rv̡in! Use̢ ̀ơn̢e̕ ̵of͠ the ͘i͠n̸p̀ri̵sonm̧e͞nt ̛spells ̸o͜n͡ ͞him ҉w̨hi̛l̷e͘ ͞he’s d̡o̕wń.҉ ͞Yo҉u wo͏n’̶t ̴ge̷t ́aņo̶the̡r ̢c͟ha̸n̶ce̴ to͢ ͠kȩep̛ h́im ̸con̢t͘ain͢e̛d!

There it was again! Couldn’t that damned voice’s owner just leave him alone?! He wasn’t stupid, he knew they were trying to sabotage him!

No͘w, ̀nơw,̨ Ma̧r̴vi̷n.͏.̸. Th͟e͟r͜e’̵s͘ ņo n͜e҉ed ̶to͠ ̶b̕è so̴ ŗųd̀e. I͞’͝m ̴on͢ĺy ̸try͡ìng͝ ͝to̶ help.

... Shit, they can read his thoughts? Agh, nevermind that! He knew he had to get somewhere less open, and that’s all that mattered!

He got to the rift, and without even so much as a thought about what he was doing, he jumped through, just as it sealed itself. He realized he’d closed his eyes as he went through, and opened them after a few moments of hesitation. When he did, however, he regretted it, because he found that he was in some sort of interdimensional void, falling head-first towards an unseen point, as random objects and such seemed to float around him. He swiftly went over all the spells he knew, searching desperately for one that would bring him home. When he got to the one he’d usually used to travel between his pocket dimension and the real world, he took a deep breath, and cast it so that he would fall straight into the portal.

He set the coordinates to a secluded area in the woodlands of one of the parks he sometimes visited when clearing his head, and grinned to himself when he saw the portal open up. Within no time, he shot through it, and realized he had accidentally set it to drop him directly onto the ground.

He yelped in pain when he slammed into the earth nearly headfirst with a sickening thud, his hearing briefly getting taken over by a shrill ringing sound. His head was spinning painfully, and he figured he’d probably need to get medical attention soon, since he at least had a concussion. He shakily stood up after a few moments of battling his instincts, which screamed for him to stay where he was, as his vision swirled and spun, while he staggered to keep himself standing. He knew it was a long shot now that he was back in his body, but he figured if he tried to contact Robbie through the locator again, he could possibly direct the zombie to his approximate location. He stumbled over to a tree, clutching his chest with one hand, and grabbing onto the tree for support with the other, or, at least, he tried to. He cursed under his breath as pain shot through his arm, and he figured he must’ve landed on it wrong, so, instead of agitating it further, he just leaned against the tree.

“R.. Robbie... C-Can you hear me..?” He wheezed, despite the pain that seared through his chest as he spoke. His vision was blurring again, so, he turned a little, and slid to the ground, sitting with his back propped up against the tree.

A few minutes passed, and he started loosing hope, until finally, he heard, “Mavvy! Did plan work?”

“Y-.. Yeah.. I think I’m... Injured badly, though.” He said, a few weakened coughs interrupting his speech.

“Injury?! Where Mavvy?! Will bring Henry, no worry!” Robbie was clearly very worried.

“Wh- No-! No. No Henrik. Jus- Just come alone, okay? Get- Get JJ to send an ambulance to the park, alright?”

“Why? Henry still mad?”

“Mos.. Most likely, y..yeah.” God, it hurt to admit that.

“Okeh then! Will tell Jamie, then come find Mavvy!”

“Thank you for understanding, Robs.”

“Is not hard!”

After that, everything sort of blurred together, and everything seemed to slow down, as his ears began ringing again. He knew he was close to passing out, but if he had any control over it, he wasn’t going to pass out until he knew he was safe.

S̀e̛e̴ w̸h̴a̸t̕ h͢àp͜p̀e̡ns w̛h͠en̕ ́you̷ ḑon’͝t̸ li͏s͡ten͡? ̧Th͡i͟s̨ ̴who͟l̸e̡ ͏s͝itu͞a̸ti͏o̷ǹ ͜co͟ul҉d h́av̴e b͡e̛e̢n ͢a̕voiḑed ̸i̸f y̛o͞u͟ h͝ad͝ ju͟s͠t҉ list҉ene̴d͢ ̷to̶ ͝me when̕ ͢I̶ ̵t͝o̢ld ̧y͝o̸u ̵t̢o ͘ųśe̴ ̷the͡ i̧np͡ris̵o͠nm͠e̷n̡t̡ spells.̧

He barely even registered the thought in his broken state, as his mind spun wildly, to the point that he couldn’t even tell whether he was thinking or not.

Just as he thought Robbie was never going to come to his aid, he heard the zombie yelling his name. In no time, he was by his side, and with JJ’s help, he pulled Marvin to his feet, and the two of them carried him for a bit. He could hear sirens at some point, and as his vision, which still spun, slowly started to fade, he was placed on a stretcher. The ringing in his ears was so loud by now that the voices of the EMTs and his youngest brothers were muffled beyond recognition.

After that, everything went black, and he woke up surrounded by darkness.

“O͘h de͝a͢r...̷ ͏loo҉ks̕ lik͠e̡ ̀y͡ơu̴r ̵m̴ista̡k̵e̶s҉ ̧en͝ded up ̴p͞utt̴ing͟ y҉ou ͜i͜n͞ a͏ ba͟d ̕s҉i̶t̛uat͢i͏o̧n̸ ̕y͏e҉t a͏gain... I̛t҉’s͟ ͠à ͜shame͡,̴ r̡ea͠l͟l̢y.̧ ̶To ͡t͝h̢ink ̢t̶his ̨co̷u̢ld͢’ve ̶a̛ll͜ ̶b҉èe͘n avoidèd̵ ̡if͝ ̶yo͝u̵’͜d́ ͏júst ļist͘e͢nèd͢ t͡ò ̵m͟e.͘” The voice was all around him now. He looked around, and found a large “screen” was behind him. On it, he could see a human’s face, however, their eyes were impossible to make out. From what he could see, however, it was a face much like his, and by effect, the rest of the egos’.

“What the hell do you want from me? Who are you?” He snapped, glaring boldly at the screen, his eyes seeming to glow dimly in the darkness with agitation.

“A͜h,̛ ̵ah͠,̶ ah, ̧M̧ar̛vi͟n.̡ ̡Ḑo͡n’͠t ̷you ͠thi͟nk ̀y̶o̧u’r͜e̶ ͘ge̡t͠ti͘ng ̶a̕ b͏it ̨too̴ ̴f̕iesty͝? ̕Y̕ou͡ s҉h͡ou͘ld n͘èver ̸q̀uestiòn͘ t̀ho̸s̶e ̨who̴ ̀aŕe onlý ̧tr̸yi͢n̵g ͠t͡o͡ ̷hèl҉p. I͘ thou͡g̛h̀t͏ ͝you’̕d̡ ͘kn̢o̕w tha̴t̵ by͏ ͘n͟o̕w͠.͝”

Ouch.

“Just answer the damn questions!” He spat, having to restrain himself from breaking the screen in front of him. They seemed to consider it, however, a distant, muffled voice calling his name interrupted.

“O͡h͝,̕ d͡o ̕ỳou ̴h҉ea̵r ͏t͟haţ? I ̧t͞h̡ink̸ you̧r̢ f͏rien҉dś are͡ ̡ge̛ţt͝i͞n̢g ̷des͝per̨a̴t̛e͝ to͟ se̸e y͝oư o͡kay̕.҉.͜.͝ I͟ h̢àd b̛e̸s̛t b̕e͟ ́l̕ea͏ving,҉ t͘he҉n͘.̧”

“Hey! Wait, no! I’m not done with y-!” He began to protest, but the screen shut off before he could finish, leaving him in total darkness, and still pretty freakin’ pissed.

~~~~

Henrik watched skeptically from the doorway as Robbie repeatedly called out to Marvin, who was unconscious, and in a hopsital bed. The magician had apparently provided no explanation for his substantial amount of injuries, but if he had to take a guess, it was probably a result of him failing to properly place one of his interdimensional portals so that he didn’t slam into the ground at a ridiculously high speed. Last time it’d happened, though, he’d slammed into the roof of the Egos’ house from about three feet up. Given the amount of bone fractures in comparison to scrapes, it’s probably safe to say that he learned something from that little incident, though.

A few minutes went by, and Marvin finally stirred. Henrik tensed, preparing to see the corrupt, violent magician he’d seen only a month ago, but shockingly, his eyes held a much softer, more human look than they had before. One thing was certain, though- Marvin wasn’t at his full strength, even without his injuries. In the back of his head, he started to wonder if perhaps, Marvin had actually managed to undo the damage he’d done to his sanity.

“Mavvy!” Robbie cheered happily, instantly jumping to gently hug his brother.

The magician hesitantly returned the gesture with the one arm that was actually functional, trembling a small bit as he did so, “Wh...? Oh, hey Robs... Where’s JJ..?”

“Jamie outside hospital! Will go get him! Henry keep Mavvy company, yes?” Robbie looked at him when he mentioned his name. Henrik blinked uncertainly for a second, and rolled his eyes.

“... Sure, why not.” He said, taking note that Marvin looked hurt by the harsh tone in his voice. Robbie grinned, let go of Marvin, and darted out of the room.

Marvin looked elsewhere as soon as Robbie was gone, nervously holding his broken arm with his functional one. Henrik sighed, and walked over to the bedside, staring disapprovingly at the idiot he’d thought had left for good.

“You better have a damn good explanation for the panic you caused, Magician.” His voice dripped with annoyance and a slight drop of hatred; He clearly still hadn’t forgiven him, and had no reason to hide it.

“... I.. Not... Not really... After Jackie and Seán left me alone in Anti’s void, I... I sorta went to my pocket dimension, and my mind just... blacked out for almost a month... After that, I woke up, regained control of myself, and.. well... Found out the hard way that someone freed Anti, and showed him how to access my pocket dimension.”

“That does not explain the broken bones, you dummkopf!”

“... I... may or may not have... jumped through a rift without thinking..?” He laughed nervously.

Henrik facepalmed, pinching the bridge of his nose, and shook his head, “Why am I not surprised?”

“...” A few minutes of awkward silence passed.

“Mavvy! Mavvy still awake?” Robbie practically bounced into the room, breaking the awkward silence. Marvin waved shyly, clearly relieved to see them back.

“Ah! So it is true! You’re in stable condition again. Thank heavens.” Jameson signed, smiling happily.

Marvin appearred to attempt a nod, but stopped, and responded instead, “... ‘S good to see you, too, Jamie.”

“Is everything alright, Marvin?”

“... Y-Yeah. Just... thinking. That’s all..” Henrik could tell he wasn’t telling the entire truth, but he didn’t say anything. He just narrowed his eyes suspiciously at him, since this was a bad time to get worked up over this type of thing, and stress out Marvin further.

~~~~

Ļo̢o͟k at y̢oú.͏.͝.̕ ̸The̢y̸ ͜hav̨e ͞y̵o̡u r͝i̢gh͠t̵ ͢wh͟er͠e ҉t͟h́ey̴ ͟w̨a̢n͡t͏ yo̕ư.͞.̨. ͠We̶akeņe̵d̴, ͠a͜nd ͠eńti̴r҉e͡ly̶ a҉t͡ ̛t̨hei͏r̨ m͞e͢r͝cỳ.̶.. ̧T͠h͏ey̴ c͞oùld̸ wa̢l͏k r̡igh̕t ͟ųp̨ ̢ţo͏ ̷yo̶ú ̵and ̕s̀nap̧ ͞you̸r̀ ͢néck at an͟y̷ mo̧me̸n̷t̢.̀ ͞N͡o̡t̛h̕i̕ng’҉s st͠op͞pi̢ng͜ ҉them̛ fr̢om dòi̡ng̷ it̛.

He internally cringed, knowing full well that it was true. If they wanted to, they could easily kill him right here and now. They could go to Seán or Jackie and get them to help hide the evidence. And the worst part about that was that regardless of who they asked, the answer would, without a doubt, be yes. They all hated him now. And he couldn’t blame anyone but himself for it, either. Henrik narrowed his eyes at him, and he knew he could tell there was something off with him. He felt his heart sinking hopelessly for what seemed like ages, until Henrik finally turned tail and left the room. Robbie came back to the chair by the bedside, and JJ joined him, sitting in the chair next to Robbie’s.

He silently took in a deep breath, trying to prepare himself to say what they were all probably thinking, “... Well, now’s your chance.”

“What?”

“There’s no one else here to see or stop you. You want revenge, right?” He refused to look anywhere but down. Robbie was speechless, staring at him with a look that was some cross between upset, concerned, and confused.

Jameson’s face was filled with worry as he frantically signed, “Marvin, what ever made you think such a thing?!”

“Oh, come on, JJ! I hurt you guys! I.. I accidentally kicked Chase out of his body! I... betrayed you. All of you... And... The worst part is? I didn’t even regret it... Actually, a part of me... enjoyed it..” He trailed off, as tears began threatening to spill from his tear ducts.

“Marvin, listen to yourself! You clearly regret it now! That’s saying something. Besides, I’ve already forgiven you. I know you did not do what you did out of malice; you thought you were doing what was right.”

“Yeah! Forgave Mavvy when he try to heal Henry.” Robbie commented, grinning childishly again, though, there was a more serious, determined glint in his eyes this time.

“... You... wh-why...? I’m... I turned myself into a monster..! Why... How can you forgive me so easily..?” He choked out, as the first tear finally managed to fall.

“Because you’re our brother... And, well, we weren’t mad in the first place..” JJ smiled sympathetically.

Marvin held back a grunt of slightly pained surprise as Robbie practically glomped him, and soon, JJ joined the hug, too. He let out a shaky laugh, which easily could’ve been a sob, as the rest of the tears that were built up began to fall silently.

~~~~

Henrik sat outside the hospital room, his head in his hands, as he listened to the conversation going on in there. God, how could he have been such a dick to Marvin?! It was obvious that he’d gone almost completely back to normal since he last saw him! His mental condition had obviously not fared well after the events that transpired the last time they saw one another, and he just had to go and shove his pain down his throat, didn’t he? Probably didn’t help that he was completely helpless in the condition that he was in. Oh, how he wished he could take it all back, go in there, and hug Marvin until he stopped crying...

——————————————————

Next chapter

Oops, ran out of room! Sorry for the long chapter! I had to try and stretch the writing of this one out as long as I could, so I would end up finishing on Thanksgiving. Of course, I sorta forgot Thanksgiving was next thursday, not tomorrow... Oops..? Anyways, I didn’t get to actually finish this in the way I wanted to. Tumblr’s being picky about the amount of paragraphs, so I kinda had to remove a few things. But god damn, this fic was a total emotional ride to write! Between working Marvin into a more 3-Dimensional, lovable character with a lot of sadness in his poor ol’ heart, and writing the last two scenes, my heart died a million deaths for this one. Thankfully, though, I seem to be unable to cry when I’m not alone, so no tears were shed over the character development!

@antis-loyal-puppet , @chaoticcrimsonrose , @tiny-septic-puppet , @septic-dr-schneep

[some-dark-side-writing]

Sad mistake

Rob x reader

Rob laid his head across your chest, pushing you further into your warm mattress, as he looked happily up at you, grey irises flittering all over you face, to him every groove or marking was that of a constellation of stars. You settled into this familiar position, yet Rob’s hand still was tentative as he placed it to your live, beating heart, his head lolling as your breathing pressed your chest up and down. “What?” You asked him, nuzzling your chin against his mess of violet locks. Rob kept his affections simple, yet showing how devastatingly devoted he was to you, “Happy.” Was his answer. “Oh yeah?” You teased him, moving your arms to entrap him against your chest, as your fingers wiggled around his ribcage, smiling. “Is this making you happy Robbie?” His shrieks of laughter, like metal through a shredder, never failed to make you fall in love with the man all over again. You both laughed, then you saw the blood, then you felt the pain. Then there was silence. Goosebumps slowly rose on your scratched arm as you heard cries from the zombie next to you. “No. No. No no no no no. Nooo, no, no!” He whimpered, tears falling but rubbing them off with his shoulder so as not to make them fall into your open wound. You jumped in shock as his hands gripped around your arm, jolting you back to reality as you winced in pain, while Rob tied a scarf tightly above the wound on your forearm. “I-I’m sorry!” He was having trouble with more than a few words “so so sorry.” You didn’t even notice when a tear started to roll down your cheek, before Rob decided on something to do, using all his strength as he was close to fully becoming his worst self, holding you against his chest as he ran to the good doctors door, banging on it with his head to knock, refusing to let you go. The puffy haired, puffy eyed Dr.Schneeplestein yawned as he opened his medical room door for you, Rob knowing he’d still be working at this hour. He tried to pleasantly greet the two of you but was repeatedly cut off by Rob’s urgent groaning, even hissing at the suggestion of putting you down. He tsk’d as he finally saw the gash on your arm, holding a small smile at your clumsy nature. “Vhat did zyou do now y/n? Zis onez deep.” “Rob scratched me.” You said it flatly, yet the meaning behind the words would have called for screaming at the volume of a Times Square alarm clock. The doctors smile faltered, a stern fire in his eyes directed at rob and what he always feared he’d do, giving you a shaky glance in what you couldn’t tell was supposed to be reassurance or sympathy. Rob made himself look down at you, sick and pale and cringed at the description of you looking like death, he tried to convince himself you’re just scared of the unknown, or even repulsed by him, but did not want to believe what everyone else was, no matter how likely. As the doctor took you out of Rob’s cold arms and into his own, Marvin ran up to you three, his positive nature curdling as he saw your blood, questions answered with glances at the angry doctor, the guilty zombie and the pitiful you. “Marvin, assist me Vit y/n Vill you?” The magician nodded, opening the double doors for the doctor and you to go through, Rob trying to follow along. But, crushing Rob further, Schneeplestein warned Rob he shouldn’t come in, in case he makes matters worse, Marvin grimacing at your uncertain future and not being able to look his distraught doppelgänger in the eye. But before Marvin could close the doors for him and his friend to help you, Anti glitched over to the scene first, more emotional than his peers who all had a solemn tone about them. He pushed Rob into a wall, his arm threatening to break his neck, you could guess he’d been listening in. He growled upon seeing you, hissing at a defeated looking Rob “What did you do!?” “Anti.” You called, reaching out for him, wanting to tell him it wasn’t Rob’s fault, not to start fights, but just couldn’t find the emotional energy. “Anti… we have more pressing matters at hand.” Marvin reminded him, which seemed to get through. Still buzzing with anger Anti stormed over to you, Schneep flinching back holding you, but Anti only lifted your wrist, placing a small kiss to the back of your hand, looking into you with a message you couldn’t quite understand, before disappearing through the electrics system, and you Marvin and Schneeplestein disappearing into the medical room as Rob repeated “I’m sorry. So so sorry. So sorry y/n.” To you, then to himself, leaving Rob on his own. As loud sobs wrecked through the shaking entitys body, curled in the dark corner of the room like a scared puppy, it was no surprise that someone heard him, and came down to check the commotion. And as a hand fell on his shoulder the zombie howled for you, for you to be okay, for him to have never existed for this to be brought upon you, only quieting as Chase pulled him closer, hugging the terrified man. “Evil…” Rob kept repeating, whispering and tearing at himself. “Bro.” Rob let out another scream of pain, how could anyone he loved and who loved you still use endearing terms towards him? What had he done?! “Robbie, hush, c'mon now, you need to be brave for them, right? Y/n’s in there, scared for their life, and they need you to help them.” “How can I help them?” He snarled, more angry at himself then his friend. “Even if it’s not infectious…I still hurt them Chase, no matter how small how can I trust myself to be around them? I’d rather Marvin never had created me than know I’d caused the person who gives me a reason to wake up in the morning pain.” Chase allowed Rob to continue, knees bouncing with anxiety of your state. “Maybe we should have never been together.” Chase turned to look at the crying man now. “Who thought that could have ever worked?!” “…You did.” He tried not to choke up at that. “And I did to, y'know, my true love spidey senses have never been wrong for any of you guys before.” “You really think it’s true love?” Rob laughed darkly, “People- PEOPLE in ‘true’ love don’t hurt each other Chase.” Chase placed a hand on Rob’s knee, “But they forgive each other’s mistakes…” Both men shot up as the doors opened and you were let through donning a clean bandage but all three smiling. No…it couldn’t be. “Zhey’re not infected!” Chase ran towards you, Marvin and Schneeplestein having already celebrated. “It must be transferred only via bites themzelves!” They speculated after having run many tests and the vlogger kissed your head, wet with snot, tears, sweat and saliva, squeezing you gently so as not to hurt you, he laughed “Glad you’re staying with us.” pressing one more kiss to your forehead as tears pricked at his eyes once more before Anti almost pushed him into another realm to get to you. His hug was tight, his arms around your neck and fists balled up, his lips cool against your ear as he whispered “You were stupid getting that casual with him that close, you know that?” You nodded as best you could with your head on his shoulder. “Stay smart. Or else it’d be a real shame…” he smirked and while holding you so close gave a cheeky peck to your lips with his own, his scruff tickling you, before his features went from uncharacteristically soft, to dead serious again, walking up to Rob to have a private chat while you asked Schneep where the other egos were. “You’re lucky they’re not infected… or I would have given ya multiple stabbings to your brain. That still holds, until the day they die. Capiche?” Rob said nothing as he walked back over to you, but thinking over Anti’s words couldn’t help but think that 'If they were infected I would have wanted you to.’ Rob felt that if his heart could beat, it would have shattered as he looked at you, he could feel a lurching in his stomach and a twitching of his fingers when you finally looked back at him, he hoped you just wouldn’t stay distant from him, unless that was for the best… He finally found the words coming and braved stepping closer to you, you didn’t step away. “Y-y/n I’m-” You cut him off, shaking your head. Were you so scared of him you wouldn’t even let him speak? “Please don’t…apologise, Rob.” That wasn’t what he was expecting. “It was a reflex, you didn’t mean it, it was my fault for being so wreckless with you.” No. This isn’t what he wanted. He couldn’t let you feel bad for him maybe almost killing you, especially when he did cause you pain, the white bandage reminding him of that fact. “We have to talk about precautions for the future.” You sighed. Rob bowed his head in shame, eyes crinkling and biting his lip, not blaming you if you were scared and wanted out of any sort of relationship with him. But you didn’t want him to carry this around with him for the rest of his /immortal/ life. You loved him! You took his hand, which clearly shocked him but also made him melt into your warmth, as a silent promise you’ll both get through this. Rob’s head hurt as he tried to figure out how, but he trusted you.

[imagining-supernatural]

As It Seems: Chapter 19

Table of Contents

Según Parece: Lista De Contenidos

Summary: Addy is dead and now the Time Wraith sets her attention on the Winchesters

Word Count: 2552

Warnings: More death. More angst.

Beta’d by: @kclaire1. 

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

~Dean’s POV~

Even over Ethan’s pained keening, I could still hear the unmistakable thump as Addy’s body hit the floor. She was finally free of the wraith’s hold on her, but it came as no relief.

Maybe I was out of practice in this timeline, or maybe this really was as horrific as it seemed, but I was having a hard time accepting that the time wraith really could have just killed Addy like that. It was as if my heart stopped beating and lungs shrunk. I couldn’t process this.

“You just made a huge mistake,” Y/N’s low, shaky voice broke through the fog surrounding me.

The time wraith just cocked her head and surveyed her. “Did I?”

I couldn’t see Y/N’s face, but I saw the slow way her head lifted from her niece’s motionless form on the floor and could just imagine the hatred and fire in her eyes. “Keep enjoying yourself while you can, because you don’t have much time left. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Cute. It’s just too bad that you have no control over anything that happens here.”

“We have more control than you think,” I butted in, desperate to get the attention off of Y/N. Someone capable of killing a defenseless little girl would have no problem killing Y/N or Ethan. And I wasn’t sure how Y/N was going to react to all of this. She might just goad the wraith on until she got so angry that Y/N would be the next dead body.

These were not the thoughts I should be having on my wedding day.

“Is that true?” The wraith seemed unconcerned.

Man, this bitch was really getting on my nerves. As she stepped over Addy’s body and headed my way, I struggled against the hold of the unnaturally strong man holding me. The closer the wraith got, the tighter his hold on me became. As if I could escape before.

“Dude, seriously?” I twisted my head to try and see his expressionless face. These dudes were super creepy.

“He can’t answer you, Dean. You see, he’s not really a human.”

“Then what is he?” Sam asked.

She stopped right in front of me, but gave Sam a cool look. “I suppose you could say he’s a figment of time. Just a little trick I’ve learned over the millennia I’ve existed.”

“Time gollums?” Sam, ever the nerd, put a name to the expressionless body builders behind each of us.

“This is all a joke, right? I’m hallucinating or on drugs or something. It’s not really happening,” Ethan’s soft words drew all of our attention, but I had no idea how to respond. Just watching his last conversation with Addy nearly broke me. He’d just lost a child. He had to comfort her before she died. No parent should have to do that.

I wished I could tell him this wasn’t real.

“I’ll fix it, Eth,” Y/N whispered resolutely. She was making a plan, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it.

“How? Addy is dead, Y/N!”

“I know that!” she shouted back. “I know that she’s dead and I know that it’s all my fault, okay? I get that! But I swear to you that I will get you your life back. I swear it on mom’s grave. I’ll make it better for you.”

The wraith eyed Y/N with a half-smile. “Your girl’s got some fire in her, Dean. Never thought she was one to make promises she couldn’t keep though.”

“She’s not,” I mumbled, trying to figure out what Y/N was planning. She was planning something. I was sure of it.

Before I could delve too deeply into her possible plans, the air in the room changed. It felt like a glitch in the matrix and a shifting of tectonic plates all at the same time. For a brief second, the time gollums disappeared, only to be replaced in the next moment in time. It wasn’t enough time for us to make our move, but it was enough to upset the balance.

“Well, looks like our time is nearly up,” the wraith said. “I’m sorry, Sam and Dean, but you won’t get the same courtesy of last words with your parents as the Y/L/Ns got.”

“No!” I thrashed against the gollum’s hold. “Don’t you touch them!”

“What just happened?” Y/N asked way too calmly.

The wraith didn’t recognize the danger of Y/N’s question. Y/N might not have been the best at researching, but when she caught the scent of something, she knew exactly where to dig. Exactly where to prod. Exactly what to ask.

“As much as I would love to explain the intricacies of the complex ramifications that occur when a timeline is thrown off course from where it was originally meant to be, I don’t have the time right now.”

She started walking towards my parents, silver knife in hand. Sam and I both started yelling and pulling against our gollums, but Y/N’s voice raised above ours.

“You’re lying.”

When the wraith paused in the middle of a step, Sam quieted down, instantly alert. I followed his lead, though I was more concerned for Y/N when the wraith turned and quickly walked back to her. “What did you say to me, bitch?”

“You’re lying. We’re not running out of time. Not yet, at least. You’re all show. Drama. You want us desperate. You want us to believe that you’re in charge, but you’re not.”

Even as my heart swelled in pride for the way my girl wasn’t giving a single inch, I couldn’t help the overwhelming fear now that she was smack in the spotlight once again. “Y/N, maybe this isn’t the best—”

“I know you,” Y/N completely ignored me. “You said that yourself. I know you because I am you. Or you’re me. Or whatever. We’re the same. We think the same, we react the same. We’re made from the same mold.”

The wraith just laughed. But, was that an undercurrent of anxiety in the sound? “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Do you really think that a measly human like yourself can stand up to a Time Wraith? My kind is eternal. We’re powerful. We’re gods.”

“You’re weak.”

“You pitiful, disrespectful little girl,” the wraith practically spat in Y/N’s face. “I changed the entire future of this planet just because I wanted to.”

Y/N tilted her head and carefully considered her next words. She was on the warpath. This was the part of the hunt where she completely turned everything on its head. This was the part of the hunt where she came through. She could read people like they were headlines on the daily newspaper. She knew exactly which buttons to push.

This was the part where she could save the day. She could save my parents and, hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if she could bring Addy back too.

“You didn’t change the future. You killed one version of the future—oh, wait. You didn’t kill it because it’s not dead yet. You can’t control me and that’s driving you crazy. You want me to break, but you can’t break me because the other timeline is still going strong.”

“Maybe so. But it’s only a matter of time before that timeline dies and you’re mine. That time is almost up, darling.”

“No, it’s not. We’re the same and I would never leave something this big to the last minute. Maybe it really is dying. But not today. Not this week. Not even this month. I bet you jumped for joy when Dean and I planned our wedding for this soon. Everyone together in the same room.”

“It did make my job easier,” the wraith conceded.

“Why concern yourself with three measly humans when you’re this cosmic, powerful being who can exist outside the planes of reality? Who can walk between timelines and worlds? That’s what I don’t get.”

I chanced a glance at Sam to see what he was making of this conversation. His eyebrows were drawn together and he was watching Y/N closely. It seemed like he had a better idea at what was happening that I did.

“There’s a lot you don’t understand.”

“There’s a lot more that I do.” Y/N raised her chin and eyed the wraith coolly. “Nice chat. I can’t wait to kill you.”

This time the wraith’s laugh was completely sincere. There was nothing anxious or hidden underneath. “Keep dreaming big, bitch. Makes it so much more fun to tear those dreams down.”

“Oh, I will. At least I only have to worry about you tearing down my dreams. It seems like you’ve got bigger problems.”

Narrow, calculating eyes were narrowed at Y/N and I was surprised that she didn’t seem the least bit concerned. She’d just goaded the very creature that had the power to shift an entire timeline. Either she really had figured out a way out of this, or she was bluffing.

I hoped to God it wasn’t the latter.

“A word of advice, Y/N. Stay in your own lane.”

Y/N tilted her head slightly and pursed her lips. “Where’s the fun in that? Your lane seems so much more exciting.”

“Oh, it is.” The wraith smirked and slowly walked back over towards my parents.

“Don’t you dare touch them, you bitch!” My threat was hollow and we all knew it. There wasn’t a thing I could do until this stupid gollum let me go.

She just looked at Sam and me coolly. “I truly am sorry that you didn’t get your last words with them.”

“Yeah,” Sam scoffed. “You sure sound sorry.”

“It never had to be you two,” she mused softly as she stepped up to my mother. Her words didn’t sink in because I couldn’t take my eyes off of the knife as it danced around mom’s neck. The silver tip left a thin white line as it trailed over her skin. The wraith cut a quick glance to me and Sam before returning to her task at hand. “Truly, I am sorry.”

Sam’s shouts joined mine as we begged and pleaded and implored the wraith to leave our parents alone. Our voices were lost as she made two quick slices, opening deep gashes in my parents’ necks. There was a moment of frozen time before the wraith stepped back and two more bodies hit the floor. It was a sound that would never leave my memories.

One more moment of frozen time, then we were all free. The time gollums and the wraith were both gone, leaving us with four dead bodies.

~Reader’s POV~

Ideally, my heart would be frozen by now. I would be able to take a completely objective look at the situation. I would be led by logic.

But nothing about this situation was ideal. Addy was dead, Ethan was scarred for life, and Sam and Dean had to mourn their parents’ deaths all over again. This time, though, they had watched as John and Mary were murdered. Just like Addy.

My heart wasn’t frozen, but I wasn’t exactly sure it even existed anymore. The day had started out so well. It was the perfect day for a wedding.

And now half of the wedding party was dead.

Sam and Dean fell to the ground next to their parents after the gollums disappeared, and Ethan stumbled over to Addy’s lifeless body. My eyes were drawn to the priest. An innocent bystander in this story. Neck snapped like it was nothing. Like he was nothing. But he had people who loved him. People who would miss him. He wasn’t nothing. He wasn’t a nobody. But he was dead because of me.

It never had to be you two the wraith had said to Sam and Dean. Whatever was happening, it was all my fault. She was focused on me.

So it was up to me to fix it.

“Hey Dean,” I knelt beside him, intending to ask for his phone. But then he turned his head and I shattered at the tears glistening on his cheeks. Immediately, I gathered him in my arms.

Ethan would be okay, if my plan worked. He wouldn’t remember any of this. But Sam and Dean and me… We would have to deal with all of these memories whether I succeeded or failed.

“I need your phone,” I whispered after a few minutes. “I need to call Crowley.”

He eased his face out of my neck. “So you do have a plan.”

A glance over my shoulder told me that Ethan was cradling Addy in his arms, unaware of anything else. “I’m fixing everything for Ethan. But I don’t think it’ll help us at all.”

“We’re going back,” Sam said, his voice thicker than normal.

I nodded, and it felt like all three of us were in agreement. This was the best thing to do. “I need Crowley. He’s our best shot. After all, he figured out the whole memory drug thing.”

Dean reached into his inner pocket of his tux and withdrew his phone, handing it to me. I unlocked it and scrolled down until I found Crowley’s name and pressed call. He answered and I barely had time to tell him where we were before he hung up, saying he was on his way.

“Y/N?” Ethan’s trembling voice drew me over to him. “What’s going on?”

I could barely handle looking down at my precious Addy’s face, but I couldn’t make myself look away. My arms circled my little brother and I leaned my head against his as our eyes were locked on her. “It’s… it’s hard to explain, Eth. I’m so sorry.”

“You… you said you would fix it? How? Addy’s dead. You can’t bring her back from the dead.”

The last sentence had a note of hope and I hated letting him down. He lifted his eyes to mine, and I watched his hope crumble when I shook my head. “I can’t. She’s gone, Eth. And this doesn’t make any sense, but just trust me, okay? I’m going to get you your life back. I swear on mom’s grave.”

“Congratulations on the nuptials,” Crowley announced his presence, dramatically flinging open both doors. “I have to say, I am a little hurt that I wasn’t invited.”

“Not the time, Crowley,” Sam warned lowly.

At the warning, Crowley stopped and finally took in the scene. “Oh. Well, it seems like you’re finally ready to return things to how they should be.”

“Yes.” I stood up, leaving Ethan with Addy. He grew more and more confused with every word I said as I outlined my plan and told everyone what I’d assumed based on my conversation with the time bitch, but it wouldn’t matter soon enough. He wouldn’t have any memory of this place.

At the end of my explanation, Crowley set the briefcase that once contained the memory drugs on the alter and opened it up. A single, small vial of dark purple liquid was nestled inside.

This entire mess in this timeline started with this briefcase. It started with the three empty spots where the drugs that Sam, Dean, and I had injected ourselves with.

I reached out and picked up the last vial, methodically attaching it to the needle. Hopefully this mess would end with this last vial.

NEXT CHAPTER

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[shingeki-no-scenarios]

Title: Shadow

Pairing: Armin x Fem!OC

Genre: Angst, Drama

Warnings: Implied cheating, strong language, alcohol abuse

Summary: He tries to ignore it, but it was always there. It seemed to be more obvious in the night.

A/N: From this request. I got carried away and made this too long oops

She stepped into the apartment quietly, while hoping and praying that he wouldn’t hear her come in. It was 3 in the morning, after all, and she didn’t want to have to explain herself. She didn’t have an excuse prepared as to why dinner with the girls lasted 9 hours.

“You’re home.” a sleepy voice spoke, making her jump back in surprise.

“You’re awake.” she whispered, watching him slowly get up from his spot on the sofa and rub his eyes.

“I wasn’t awake. I dozed off about 10 minutes ago, then I heard the door open.” he replied, welcoming her for a hug. It was left unrewarded, however, as she headed straight for the room. He expected it, but it still hurt.

“I’m going to take a shower then hitting the sack. Feel free to join either activity.” she said nonchalantly, not even making eye contact.

“Oh, alright then.” he replied, to which she just replied . He did expect it– she has been cold the past few months, after all. What he thought of as simple PMS ended up being torture that went on for months.

“I love you.” he called out as he prayed that she would finally say it.

"Yeah.” she replied, as she closed the door.

––

“Let me take this call. It’s the team manager.” she said abruptly, quickly making her way out of the room.

It was the first time they’ve had an interaction this civil in weeks (or months. Armin wasn’t sure anymore– he lost count).

He was helping her pack her bags for a week-long business trip, and they were having a rather smooth conversation since she finally moved on from giving one-word answers and took on answering in complete sentences. As much as this change gave him hope, he was still suspicious. After all, coming home at 3AM (or not coming home at all) without any calls or texts, along with speaking less and less, became the norm for her.

“Yes, babe. I’m on my way. Let me just finish this, alright?” he heard her say from the other room. His blood turned cold.

Babe?

“I said yes, okay?” she said, her voice sickly sweet. “Yes, I love you too. Bye.”

With a heavy sigh, he continued on with folding her shirts and sweaters, smiling at her sweetly when she joined him, as if he didn’t hear anything.

––

“Well, if six of them went out, then the four of them must have been really cheap.” he added, voice shaking with worry. “I mean, it’s clear that only two of them had dinner.” he pushed the credit card receipt towards the group.

“Come on, Armin. Don’t you think you’re overthinking this?” Jean said as he eyed the receipt suspiciously. “I mean, it could be a glitch.”

“I disagree.” Eren interjected. “35 bucks for 6 people? At Greg’s? Do your math.”

“You always disagree with me, asshole.” Jean scathingly replied, eyebrows furrowing at the boy seated in front of him.

“That’s because you’re fucking wrong!” the other replied, raising his voice.

“Guys! We’re missing the point here.” Marco interrupted, cutting the argument before it escalated. “We all came here to listen to Armin, remember?”

Armin, on the other hand, sat motionless as he stared into space as the group started to debate. It was him who called for the meeting, yet he spoke a lot less than the others; he was in total shock. Even if he found it days ago, he found it hard to confront the issue, and he definitely needed the help of his friends. He’s seen it over a thousand times ever since she carelessly left it on the coffee table, but his heart pinched with anxiety whenever he laid eyes on it. It was a simple credit card receipt, but it was clear evidence and it held a grim reminder of the reality he didn’t want to face.

“Well, I’m sorry.” Connie broke the ice and offered a small smile of reassurance. The rest of the boys followed, finally registering what Armin just implied.

“It’s fine. I’m fine.” he replied as he gingerly took a sip of his tea.

Or at least he thought he was.

––

“Slow down, man. There, there.” Eren soothingly said as he patted Armin’s back. The poor blonde had consumed too many tequila shots, and now it was all coming out on the pavement of some unknown street.

Heaving one last time and wiping his mouth on his sleeve, his started to make his way back to the club, only to have Eren stop him.

“Let me go. I’m going back in.” he stoically spat as he shrugged Eren off him. He wanted to have one last drink, as he swore that he was one more shot away from completely numbing himself– it sounded perfect.

“Armin, this is the nth fucking night that you ended up like this. What is up with you?” the other exclaimed in exasperation as he ran his hands through his hair and lightly tugged at it. “Who are you?” he questioned; he did not recognized the person standing in front of him at all.

He felt as if he was facing a total stranger because it really wasn’t like Armin to drink himself silly– almost every night, at that. The intelligent and wise friend he had seemed to be gone, and was unfortunately replaced by a drunken fool. He realized that more than angry, he was simply concerned.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” he muttered, realizing how judgmental and impatient he has been. He knew what his friend was going through, but he still chose to be his short-tempered self. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to–”

“It’s fine.” Armin said in a deadpan voice as his blue eyes met Eren’s gray ones. “I should be sorry. I don’t know any other way to heal internal scars, so here I am, consuming alcohol like a fool.” he spat out with disdain. If he were Eren, he would be just as angry at how utterly immature he was when dealing with this situation. What could he do? He couldn’t leave her, but he couldn’t take the pain either.

Eren opened his mouth to retort, but it was quickly ignored as Armin rolled his eyes, then turned his back and walked back into the club.

––

The house was pitch black when she stepped in, save for the light that was coming from the TV screen. Squinting, she noticed the silhouette of a hunched figure that sat in front of the TV. Looking around, she noticed that the area close to him was covered in pictures of them, along with empty beer cans and empty noodle cups. The living room had become a total mess. What on earth is going on?, she thought.

“Armin?” she tried calling out, only to get no response.

Her vision was hazy (she had been out for a couple drinks with him), urging her to step closer to Armin and the TV set to see what was up, only stopping when she noticed the video he was watching– their wedding video.

“... to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

“Liar.” he muttered upon hearing it.

“Liar!” he yelled, throwing empty beer cans at the screen and letting out sobs of pain. 

She jumped back in shock and covered her mouth, holding back a sob that was threatening to escape– she didn’t want him to know that she was there. She was guilty as charged, yet she did not have the gall to tell him.

The worst part was that she didn’t feel sorry.

Turning back, she quickly but quietly made her way out of the apartment, running as quickly as she could once she closed the door.

As soon as she exited the building, she immediately hailed and jumped into a cab, and gave the driver directions to the only place she found safe at the moment– his house.

“I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry. I don’t know. I don’t know why I do this. I’m sorry.” she muttered under her breath. Closing her eyes, she pressed the side of her head on the window and let the tears fall.

––

“I think we should get a divorce.”

The pair had been sitting in silence in the bathtub, letting the water run through their clothes and soak them to the bone. They weren’t sure how they ended up like this, but they were sure that they were coming to an end.

“I think we should.” she replied, her hands softly skimming through the clear water as she avoided his gaze.

She was still as beautiful as he remembered; after all, it was her looks that got him in the first place. However, something was missing. It was as if she was physically present, but mentally and emotionally absent.

“Look at me.” he pleaded, trying to make eye contact with her, hoping he could see past her icy gaze and look into her soul. Maybe that way, he would finally get answers.

“I can’t.” she shook her head rather violently as she buried her face in her hands, letting the tears fall there.

She couldn’t bare to look him right now, not when she didn’t feel any sympathy or empathy for him. In fact, she didn’t feel anything at all. She was a monster and she knew it.

“I love you.” he whispered.

“I loved you.” she whispered back.

––

Taking a deep breath, he let the cool, fresh air fill his lungs as the sun gently hit his face.

Ah, lovely.

He used to come to this side of the park with her, and several memories that were made in the exact spot he was standing came flooding through his mind. It took him a few years before he got the courage to come back to that spot, out of fear of the memories coming back.

Today, he wasn’t afraid at all.

In fact, he was happy.

As much as she hurt him, he was still able to smile for her, knowing that somewhere out there, she is giving love as much as she is getting the love she deserves. He was also happy knowing that by hurting, he was able to grow and grab onto other opportunities. Sure, he had gone through hell and back because of her, but he still had a lot to thank her for. Had it not been for her, he wouldn’t be able to give love another chance, and most importantly, love himself.

Just when his reverie was getting deep, it was broken upon hearing someone clear their throat. It was her.

“Hey” she said softly, offering a smile. Thankfully, it was no longer awkward between them.

“Hi.” he replied, noting how great she looked in her gown.

“You look great.” she commented as she gently dusted off the lint on his coat and straightened out his collar.

“So do you.” he said with a bashful smile. “Perhaps leaving each other did us good.” he added, making her burst into laughter.

“Clever.” she said through chuckles. “Anyway, we should head back. They’re all looking for you.” Furrowing his eyebrows, he checked his phone and gasped upon seeing he had 10 minutes left before it started.

“Yeah, you’re right. We should.” he mumbled, quickly putting his phone in his pocket and making his way out of the park. Oh no, the nerves were kicking in.

“Slow down!” she called out, giggling as she jogged after him. “You wouldn’t want to nurse your broken leg at your reception, right?”