#i gave the glove to the thief and the lady told me to talk to someone there bc she thinks wed get along nicely

[acornmoment]

Who is that guy on the left who killed me? For whatever reason I keep pressing tab when I run even though I know that would bring up the Steam Overlay and this time it got me killed. Even if I do know his name I think I'll end up just filing this death under stupidity.

[minsyal]

The Fugitive: Finding Home, Pt. 2

Karl Heisenberg x Reader

Warnings: strong language, Resident Evil-esque violence and descriptions of gore, and dark/sexual themes

Summary: A once-in-a-lifetime trip turned dark. You're quickly exposed to the sinister and mysterious world of a cursed village under the control of dark leaders. How long will you last and will you ever return home in one piece?

The Fugitive: Finding Home Masterlist

Part 1 - The Beginning

“Mother Miranda, I’ve been requesting new maids for at least six months to this day.”

“That’s because you keep eating your other ones.”

You were shaken awake.

“I think that my castle would be best suited for her.”

“Oh, so you can bleed ‘er dry? You think that would really be the best use of anyone’s time?” A familiar voice retorted.

“Good morning!” A shrill voice squeaked as what felt like wood kicked at your face. “She’s up! She’s up! She’s up!” It exclaimed excitedly with a bounce, the voice became softer as the skittering of feet scrambled away.

“Ah,” the unfamiliar smooth woman’s voice cooed as your eyes adjusted to your surroundings. There were what looked to be six figures in the room. Miranda stood before you, perched upon a stage-like area that once housed what you could only imagine was a priest or preacher. To the left sat a cloaked woman with a blob of white resting in her lap. Another woman, also adorned in a white garb, sat towering over the rest, the light constant trickle of smoke danced upward from her vintage cigarette holder. On your right sat a familiar face, the man from the village who had saved you only a few hours prior. You’d come to know him as Lord Heisenberg. He maintained the large woman’s gaze, but the look held no love or any remote sense of familial belonging. Instead, his eyes were set ablaze, even behind the shaded rims of his glasses. Lastly, a shorter creature with a large hunched back moved ungracefully around. Its long gangly arms accompanied by its deformed face only aided in the growing unease.

The dull ache of your shoulder only distracted you from the bindings of your wrists for a moment. Your attention was quickly drawn to the rough ropes that dug their thorny threads into the soft skin of your wrists. Everything ached, mentally and physically.

“I do think she would be best suited with me.” The tall woman repeated herself. “There’s no doubt Moreau wouldn’t be able to handle her, and likely not the rest of you either.”

The hunched creature whirled back, throwing a forlornly glare in the woman’s direction. You supposed that was Moreau.

“You think I couldn’t handle her?” Heisenberg shot back, bent forward to rest his weight on his heels. His relationship with the large woman was clearly tumultuous given his outburst and her subsequent reaction.

“You always get them.” The shrill voice called. It was the doll; the fucking doll was talking... not that this should surprise you at this point. “She should come with us! We need more friends.”

“You’re not included in this conversation.” The tall woman mocked with a fierce glare shot violently at the doll as its mouth hung slack.

“Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?” Thus far, nobody had managed to answer your simple question. The lot turned toward you, the majority with piercing stares. “Guess not.” You muttered, becoming quite fed up with the range of emotions you had been experiencing over the past day. If it kept going in this direction, you’d surely have to be treated for whiplash.

“She’s already proven to be a considerable pain in my neck.” Miranda loudly projected. Her steps were a clear juxtaposition to her tone, falling light on the church floor as she approached. “One villager is unable to walk, another dead.”

“Dead?” The words fell before you could stop yourself. She didn’t answer.

“Please,” Heisenberg leaned back once more, his hand moving to the interior of his jacket, “the dumb thing practically laid down when she was attacked by a lycan.” His fingers fumbled around the darkened paper of a cigar. Yellow, blonde streaks flashed upon his face as the distinguishable clink of a metal lighter was flicked. “I wouldn’t call that too capable.”

“My friend pushed me.” You argued, once again mentally reeling for the outburst.

Heisenberg let out a huff of smoke, intentionally blowing it in the tall woman’s direction, “sounds like a piss poor friend.”

“Enough.” Miranda had taken to her spot at the front near the alter once more. “The girl shall go to Alcina.”

A wicked smile crossed the tall woman’s face. “Thank you, Mother Miranda. It is so good to have you back.”

“Where are you from?” One of the girls ushered you through the depths of the castle. She wore a simple gown with stitches at the bottom, holding together the frail fabric that looked to be decades old.

“America.”

The girl cocked her head to the side like a newborn. “I don’t know of that town.”

Upon arrival you were escorted down to what was described as the maids’ chambers. In a small stone room, you were assigned a cot, given a chest, and told to change into uniform. Your arm ached and spasmed as you lifted the lid of the trunk open. Somewhere between being shot by the villagers and being transported to Castle Dimitrescu, the bullet was removed from your shoulder and replaced with gauze that limited the mobility of your arm. The distinct oily feeling of grease caused friction between the bandages and your clothes; the ache of alcohol still stung, causing a sore numbness.

The Lady insisted all maids conform to the strict code of dress. Long, unflattering dresses, short heels, and sometimes a headscarf if hair wasn’t pulled tautly into a bun at the base of one’s neck were a few things to name the least. You always wore the headscarf, which was a thin piece of grey lace that attached at the peak of your hairline, cascading over your shoulders to land at waist-length.

The rest of the day passed slowly. You learned the ins and outs of the castle, became acquainted with the sparse staff that only consisted of women, and met Alcina’s daughters from a distance. The next two weeks passed the same way.

Wake up, clean the castle, serve Lady and her daughters, go to bed. That was your routine. Though, the sounds that seeped from the halls at night prompted unwavering curiosity. Heisenberg had mentioned the ill-fated maids that had the luxury of serving the Dimitrescu women back in that church. Nothing at this point had you doubting that was the case. But you assured yourself daily that you would not accept the castle’s fate; you would get out of here one way or another.

You had only been at the mercy of Lady Dimitrescu once to this day. A small spat broke out between maids and the arrival of the head of house had the women squealing lies of how you were the one to start it.

“She stole our rations!” The girl with the wide nose accused her chubby finger outstretched in your direction.

“I didn’t steal anything, you dirty fucking liar.”

“She did. We were squabbling over how she should be punished.” The other girl replied, tucking a shaking hand behind her back as she straightened her poor posture.

“A thief,” Alcina regarded you, “that’s a shame.” Knives skid across the thin skin of your forearm. “Another outburst like this and there will be harsher consequences.” Red stained her tongue as she ran the claw through her cherry-red lips.

As she sauntered down the hall and out of sight, you uncurled your arm from your chest, wincing at the large crimson stain it left on your dress.

“Fresh face.” The words ricocheted off the wall in front of you. Footsteps steadfastly approached from behind. He walked with an effortless swagger, legs slightly bowed with each lyrical step. You’d gone for the quiet route after the situation, finding that silence often pleased those that ruled over the castle. “Here I was thinkin’ it would take you a little longer to lose that fight.” He stepped closer; the unmissable smell of tobacco seeped from his lips. “Looks like I was wrong.”

Instead of words, you held his gaze through unimpressed eyes. Hues of yellows, greys, and greens met yours from beneath his rounded glasses. You could see more of him from here. A large scar ran from the right of his face to the left, the lifted skin healing over leaving memories of whatever had happened. In fact, the majority of his face was plagued with scars. One ran from the bottom of his lip down to his chin, disappearing beneath the stubble of his beard. You wondered if his disdain toward Alcina was founded by those wretched claws of hers. His hair was wirey with shades of brown and peppered grey streaking through the ends. Quite honestly, he was an attractive man.

“I’ve got a name, you know?”

“I don’t think I cared to ask.”

“Then I suppose you aren’t deserving of one either.”

“Well,” he tapped at your chest with a gloved finger, “I think you’ve got a little spunk left in you, sweetheart.”

“Call me Y/n.”

“No last name?” He deadpanned.

“L/n.”

He nodded, but you felt as though your words had passed through him like a ghost.

“Karl.” He gave a lazy bow, tilting the rim of his hat. “But I think you probably already knew that.”

“Gossip and information don’t come easily from the maids here. Sorry,” you pressed your lips together, “I didn’t know.”

Karl gave a shrug.

“Do you know what happened to my friend?” The thought had been playing on your mind for the past few weeks.

He raised an inquisitive brow and turned his head to peer out the shaded window. “The so-called friend that left you to become lycan chow?” A hearty tut left his chest. “I think she’s assimilated into the town.”

“Dumb bitch.” You breathed.

“There’s that spark.” He stood tall with an artificial sense of pride. It had been a long time since somebody in the village was willing to use such crude language in front of any of the Lords, let alone Miranda. It almost astonished him that they’d let you live after the killing of Adelina’s brother. The gun misfired; it wasn’t really your fault.

Another week of growing suspicions and two newly missing maids, you finally attempted to seek out the dungeons that everyone spoke of but warned to stray from. You had to know what was going on here.

“Lost?” Heisenberg’s voice appeared at your right side. His chin almost rested upon your shoulder; the stubble of his beard scratched at your neck. “This isn’t a place I’d get lost in if I were you. In fact, it’s not even a place you should be exploring.”

“Are you going to run to Alcina if I do?” You didn’t face him, why would you? The hallway was cramped, restricting of any sort of movement other than in the direction you were going.

“Me?” He leaned backward to stand at full height. Your body cursed silently, wishing nothing more than to have him close again. How he wasn’t hitting his head on the rafter just inches above floored you. “I hate that bitch. You do what you want, but I won’t bail you out when you get caught.”

“Good thing I don’t plan on being caught then.” You descended the metal ladder, only looking upward for a moment to catch a glimpse of Heisenberg leaning over the opening. An eerie smile was plastered on his lips, it was almost smug.

The dungeons were as you imagined. Cold water trickled down some of the walls, likely due to cracks in the castle’s foundation accompanied by the ever melting of the outside snow. It smelled of mothballs and garlic, something musty was clinging to the air. You noted a few turns here and there, attempting to memorize the path you had taken in case you needed to make a swift escape. What didn’t help was the skid of your maid’s clothes along the rigid floor.

Muffled cries put you further onto the edge. The narrow hall gave way to a large room filled with arched stonework. Metal bars shot from floor to ceiling, hinges creaked as the sound of hands banging against them filled your eardrums. You didn’t want to go further, scared of any repercussions should any of the jailed women recognize and rat you out.

Turning to head to the ladder, you collided with a chest. “Leaving so soon?” Heisenberg again.

“Shh!” You slapped at his chest with a closed fist, only realizing what you had done when the action was completed. He looked rightfully amused. Everything that you had learned of these “Lords” up to now told you to act less casually with him, to put on an air of respect at the very least. But there was something surprisingly human about him. Something that told you it was okay despite it potentially not being so. At this point, you were only prolonging the inevitable.

“What?” He started, swiftly being cut off by approaching footsteps. Firm hands grasped at your arms, pulling your face forward into his chest. “Open your mouth and I’ll feed you to whatever’s coming.” He said through his teeth, trapping your arms between your two bodies.

The room grew dim, the wall behind your back became close even though you had not moved at all. Heisenberg’s grip was strong on your forearms, causing you to inaudibly hiss as his thumb dug into the slash Alcina had left weeks prior. The footsteps were accompanied by the soft cries of a woman, gasping pleas of being let go falling silent on the ears of her assailant. A minute passed; the dungeon fell soundless.

“You can breathe now.” His lips lingered close to your ear, once again sending a rush of chills crawling down your skin. He knew what he was doing.

“I’ve been breathing.” You breathily retorted sounding as if you had just run a marathon.

“Whatever you say, doll.”

The wall behind you gave way, moving on its own. You turned; the materials that had been pressed to your back laid themselves on the ground. Heisenberg’s smile was unmissable. “Go ahead.” His voice was gravely, gruff, a slight melancholy dismay underlying. Heisenberg desired for you to implore what just happened, but you wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. You refused to see him as anything but normal, for if you did give in to the village’s mental games, you’d likely find yourself going mad. He was a man, you told yourself, nothing more.

“I thought you weren’t going to bail me out?”

“I wasn’t.” He tightened his grip on your arms. “But I figured it’d be a shame to lose such a pretty face so soon.”

“I, I’m sure you say that to all the girls here.” You couldn’t hold his gaze at this distance. Perhaps Adelina was right, you were rather frumpy and unexperienced.

A huff came as he exhaled, a thoughtful tug of his lips upward accompanied it. He didn’t answer, a reoccurring event with those who inhabited this town.

Heisenberg had been keeping his trips to and from the castle a secret. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure why he felt so inclined to bother with the outsider woman who appeared in the village one fateful evening. Perhaps he was growing bored of his daily routine with no results to show. Maybe he was enticed by the well of knowledge you held of the outside world. Maybe it was something else, something human. The Lord’s weren’t allowed to stray far from the village. The other three lived delightfully oblivious, completely okay with never exploring the unknown. Heisenberg, on the other hand, was not. Your friend, Jess as he recalled you calling her, was far from interesting to him. It didn’t take a genius to tell how low her I.Q. had to be. She conformed easily to the village and by all accounts had been down talking you to the others she met. She quickly fell into the same brainwashed daze of worship.

It had been another turbulent week of utter chaos around every corner. Nobody knew of your adventure into the depths of Castle Dimitrescu and you had no intentions of spreading any gossip among the maids. They all seemed to have it out for you anyway. You were the “outsider,” as one described it. It was so blatantly evident to them that you were not going to conform to their ways. And that disturbed them.

It wasn’t that you hadn’t your fair share of punishment to this point. In actuality, you had received a significantly greater amount of beratements and surface wounds from Alcina and her daughters. You thought to Heisenberg often, continually wondering how your life would differ had Miranda bestowed you upon him. He was irresistibly charming in his own twisted sense. Every word that escaped his mouth heavily contradicted his actions. You received a good number of swats to the hand stemming from woeful daydreaming of the man you hardly knew.

He could be dangerous, you’d tell yourself before slipping into yet another sequence of fervent and unrelenting thoughts stemming from the mysterious man. He was a Lord, one placed in a top position according to the village’s hierarchy. You just weren’t sure why.

There had been countless times the man had sauntered into the castle, “accidentally” run into you, and held brief conversation.

The other maids were assholes. Though you had concluded this swiftly upon entering the castle, their recent actions only solidified your feelings.

It had been only a day since Heisenberg’s last visit. He strolled into the castle, easing his way past the maids as they hurriedly passed by. They paid him no mind. The evening sun had begun to set in the sky. Lady Dimitrescu had gone out for the night, instructing her girls to hold down the castle while she was away. The three of them had descended into the dungeons, not to be seen again until morning. This left the halls free and roamable for the savvy Lord.

“That’s bullshit and you know it.” Your voice caught his attention. “Oh, shut the fuck up, Marybeth.”

Shrill voices argued back and forth behind the kitchen doors. The sound of muffled giggles fell on his ears; it was an unusual sound within the castle walls. The girls must be relaxed knowing they’re safe from punishment tonight. At least, that’s what they thought.

In a second, the hinges of the door burst off, sending the heavy frame crashing down to the tiled floor. Shrieks came quickly and died on their lips as soon as the girls realized who was there.

“Lord Heisenberg.” One woman bowed her head, concealing something within her hands as she placed them in her lap, clasped tightly together. “Lady Dimitrescu has left for the evening.”

“I know.” His brow raised at the scene set before him. You stood to the rear of the kitchen, clearly irate at something the woman who regarded him had done. Five other women were huddled with the one who spoke, following her lead and averting their gazes. No aroma of cuisine drifted from the empty cauldron, only the stale scent of curing meats clung to the air.

“What’s going on in here?” He looked directly at you from beneath the lid of his hat.

“We were cleaning the kitchen.” The maid spoke through shaking breaths.

After a pensive moment, he waved his hand. “You’re dismissed. Except,” he held his hand at your chest as you attempted to pass, “you.”

The girls stumbled over the door, making quick work of getting back to their quarters and away from the Lord. You listened as the audience of feet trampled away. None of the girls here knew how to walk in heels causing for a rather elephant-like clomping of shoes wherever they went.

“What really happened?”

“Do you care?”

“Not particularly, but color me curious.”

“Don’t get them in trouble.” You demanded through gritted teeth. “I don’t want to deal with the aftermath.”

He chortled. “You seem more afraid of them than you are of me.”

“You’ve not given me a reason to be scared.”

Your back pressed to the wall, a glass chalice fell, shattering against the floor. The lapels of his jacket and dog tags pushed to your chest were still cold from the frosted night air. “Do I need to give you a reason?”

“I just,” embarrassment rose in your cheeks, “would you stop doing this?” There was no budging the man. His strength far outweighed yours, easily acting as if your pushing against his chest was nothing but a soft breeze.

“Doing what?” A smirk grew on his lips. God, he loved this.

“This!” Your clenched fist banged on his chest, not rattling him in the slightest. Droplets of claret liquid ran from your palm to your elbow. “Dammit, Karl. Move.”

The use of his first name was new. A solid hand closed around your wrist, bringing it up to eye level. He tilted back, adjusting his vision. The raise of his brow signaled that he wanted you to open your hand. Complying, you cringed as the reddened skin screamed for relief.

“They did this?”

“It’s no different from the other injuries I’ve gotten here.”

“It’s deep.” He reached into the pocket of his trench coat. “Don’t let anyone know you’ve got this.” A silver tin slipped from his hand to yours, you pried at its ridges with your nail.

Heisenberg disappeared after that, taking off with a dramatic throw of the castle doors as he disappeared into the dense forest. He had given you a tin of salve and a bandage.

“Lady Dimitrescu has requested your presence.”

The Fugitive: Finding Home Part 3 - Foreign Thoughts

I'm so excited for where this fic is going...

Feedback is always appreciated

Tag list: (let me know if you want to be tagged)

@ambiguous-g @ren-ni @metaphorical-love-for-a-car @lgbtomatoes

[giuliafc]

Betrayal -- Chapter 19 and 19bis: Inside the Mind of a Criminal (snippet dal 30) + Pigella (LadyNoir July day 30)

<< 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 – 16 – 17 – 18 -- 19: Ao3 || FFN – 19 bis: Ao3 || FFN -- 20 >>

Betrayal Chapter 19: Inside the Mind of a Criminal

Written by: JuliaFC

Beta: Agrestebug and MyImaginationFlows

Summary: We learn the background story of Lila's father, Richard Sphinx, the new Papillon, and how he's going to be much, much worse than the first one...

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by (c) Thomas Astruc, TS1 Bouygues, Disney Channel, Zagtoon, Toei Animation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

TW: mention of extreme manipulative and obsessive behaviour and cruelty against family

Written for the "Snippet July" challenge of the Miraculous Fanworks Discord server @miraculousfanworks

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Well done, Lila. Now head back to the monk and get his staff. If there are more jewels like these, we need to get our hands on them!" Richard sat at the desk of his office, staring at the nothing in front of him. His elbows pinned on the wood of the desk, his face resting on the length of his hands. His body was wrapped in a purple and grey suit and a grey mask covered his face, making his green eyes shine.

Briefly, he broke contact with Lila's akuma and stood up; he slowly paced the room to the fireplace. His gloved hand picking up a photograph on the mantle, portraying a woman with short brown hair wrapped in an elegant blue tailleur.

He still remembered the day he'd met Melania, Lila's mother. She was a petite Italian lady who exuded elegance and genuineness at a celebrity party. She looked so out of place, and her cheerful smile was like a breath of fresh air in the hypocrite atmosphere of the ball room. He still remembered his burning passion, how much he'd wanted her—her and all she represented. She was the daughter of a rich Italian family of ambassadors, with excellent connections all over the diplomatic world he wanted to be part of. When his charming politeness managed to raise her interest, he thought he'd hit the jackpot.

Their story had been short but intense, their relationship the final tassel in the puzzle that brought him to the limelight. Before their engagement of 5 years ended, FERG, his company, was quoted in the stock exchange. Quickly rising to be one of the top companies in the market.

Everything was perfect. Then, Melania fell pregnant and had her baby. For reasons that Richard couldn't understand, she somehow started distancing her husband — him. He suspected that the accusations of him having committed several cases of fraud, and having caused several suicides, may have been part of it. But Richard had done it for her. Nobody else was important in his mind. He had to protect his family. He had to protect the people who mattered for him. How could Melania not see that?

"You're a heartless monster!" she accused him instead, when she tried to leave him and go stay with a friend; but he found her almost immediately and locked her up in her room.

The more he clenched his grip on Melania, the more the woman became distant, almost terrified. Eventually, she dared to ask for divorce and deny him the rights to see his daughter.

"His obsessive behaviour is harming me and my daughter! I'm afraid for our safety, Your Honour," she told the judge. "Only the money is important to Richard! He puts his company before the safety of his family."

Needless to say, she won the case. Since then, she kept as far away as possible and had tried to keep Lila away from him too. She had changed her surname to the plain Rossi, and changed her job many times. Until Lila was old enough to make her own decisions, she succeeded at keeping him away.

But Lila was a clever girl. Her thirst for power and her quest for attention were second to him. She knew what was important in life, that power and money were the only things that mattered. As soon as she had gained the use of a mobile phone, she contacted him (lying to her mother). They had been plotting against Melania ever since.

Now it was their time to obtain their aim. When Papillon trusted Lila to be his second in charge, Richard advised his daughter to gain as much information as she could about those powerful jewels that gave him power. Now all that hard work was paying off.

He squeezed Melania's photo in his hands, breaking the frame with his strong hold. How dare she run away from him? How dare she disregard his burning passion?

"You don't love me, you think you own me," shouted Melania when she left him, taking away his only daughter with her. "I don't want you to be a bad influence on our daughter. You terrify me."

How dare she. She was his wife, his other half, his property.

"You're mine. MINE. No judge can take you away from me."

He stared in a daze at the blood flowing from his gloved hands, where the shattered glass of the photo frame had pierced the skin underneath the suit. His eyes gleamed of madness. "I will be victorious. I will get the Miraculous of Ladybug and Chat Noir. And when I have the most powerful jewels in the world, you will come back. You will love me again. If you won't, I’ll force you to."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Gabriel closed his eyes as he placed a single red rose between Emilie's palms and squeezed her hands gently before closing the glass cover of her coffin one last time. He rested his hand on the glassy surface for an endless moment; the hand of Lieutenant Raincomprix falling on his arm way too soon for his tastes. He sighed and gave one last glance at the peaceful face of his sleeping wife.

"It's time to go, M. Agreste. Mlle. Sancoeur," said the officer.

They had spent a long time talking to SentiAdrien in Adrien's room. The boy had confirmed most of the wrongdoings that his teachers and friends had accused Gabriel and Nathalie of, and had pleaded completely non guilty regarding any involvement in his father's terrorist activities.. M. Raincomprix had decided to be safe, and was arresting both Gabriel and Nathalie.

"Mlle. Sancoeur will most likely be released when the heroes witness her double agenting, but better safe than sorry," said Raincomprix.

Gabriel glared at him as the officer moved his and Nathalie's hands behind their back and handcuffed them. He shot one last, languid glance at the blonde figure in the coffin, before having to follow Raincomprix and walk away.

To be continued… Day 30.2 — Bonus chapter

30.2 - Betrayal Chapter 19 bis: Pigella

Written by: JuliaFC

Beta: Agrestebug and MyImaginationFlows

Summary: Ladybug struggles to understand how to win against the vacuum akuma, but Volpina has to eventually face (temporary) defeat. (1687 words)

Written for the LadyNoir July @ladynoirjuly Day 30 — Rose.

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Hey, Vacuum Lady, Aren't you tired of collecting dirt?" shouted Chat Noir as he used his baton to propel himself up. He smirked and added, "Probably not, since you've got Volpina with you. She's the biggest piece of dirt in existence!"

"How dare you," hissed Volpina and the Vacuum akuma at the same time before they both followed Chat Noir out of the way.

Ladybug gazed at the two akumas following her partner gratefully; then she put her hands to her temples and closed her eyes shut to concentrate. She picked up her communicator and dialled Alya's number.

"What's the plan, Ladybug? I saw Chat Noir jumping away with the akumas, I thought he may be trying to distract them."

"You were correct. Listen, Alya, I need you to use the water dragon. Water passes through surfaces so you will reach me in no time," whispered Ladybug to her Bugphone.

Alya smirked. "Right-o, I'm on it!"

Just seconds after their conversation, Ladybug saw water seeping through the barrier of books that towered in front of her. And, in a whirl of magic, Dragonbee Alya appeared in front of her. She wore a red outfit with the symbol of the dragon at the centre of her chest and curvy golden lines separated the red from sections of gold and black stripes. Her hair was combed in a twirly ponytail that looked like the sting of a bee. Ladybug didn't waste time and picked up her phone again, dialling Chat Noir's number this time.

"Chat, bring your whiskers back here immediately, before your transformation wears out!" she said before he could even say meow. With a gracious jump, her partner was again by her side seconds later.

"M'lady called?" he asked with a little smirk that Ladybug would have loved to take off his face with a kiss, but she knew perfectly well it wasn't the right moment.

"Alya, Chat and I’s timers are running out, we must be quick. Use the wind dragon and swoop us out of this alley and back on a rooftop."

Alya's eyes gleamed. "As you wish, Ladybug. Wind dragon!" Ladybug and Chat Noir were wrapped in a current of wind and next thing they knew, they were on a rooftop next to Nino (or rather, Thueban Jameel (1), as he has called himself), far away from the Library Maze but still keeping it in sight. The two heroes hid behind a chimney to release their transformation and feed their kwami without being spied on, and in no time they were up and running again.

"Okay now…before the akumas find us and we get stuck into that maze again. Lucky Charm!" called Ladybug. A red and black polka dotted single rose fell into her hands. "What?" she muttered, scratching her head.

"Are we going to declare our love to a vacuum cleaner?" was Chat Noir's snarky comment. But before Ladybug could say anything, the rooftop they were standing on disappeared and they all fell on the ground, facing yet another massive wall of books.

"Shoot! Here we are again…" cursed Ladybug.

The vacuum akuma reached them as well. "There you are, you fools. Did you really think you could escape? What a bunch of idiots! Tricksters, like that thief. I'll sweep you all away from existence. I wish I didn't always try to help people. I wish my heart hadn't been so kind. I'll take all the tricksters away, so maybe my boss will forgive me. I need my job!"

The four superheroes had to forcefully separate again trying to escape from the strength of the vacuum's sucking power. Before jumping off, Ladybug took a good look at the akuma and noticed that the akumatised object must be a book, which the victim was holding in her hand to create the vortex of sucking power.

Something in what the akuma had said was nagging at Ladybug. As she ran to hide from the vacuum, she went back to what the akuma had previously said: someone had stolen a book from her library and she was upset about it.

"What do you mean by trickster?" she asked when the akuma reached her once more.

A smirk popped on the victim's face. "That liar tricked me. He told me a sappy story about his family and convinced me to lend him the book without opening an account, but in the name of someone else. He promised me he was going to bring the book back in a couple of days. I'm too nice, too gullible. I wish all the tricksters would disappear!"

Ladybug's gaze fell on her lucky charm and her eyes widened. OF COURSE! How could she be that stupid to not realise before? She unified Kaalki and Tikki, becoming Pegabug. Then, with a smirk on her lips, she called for a 'Voyage' and jumped out of the maze, stepping inside the Couffaine's boat.

"Ladybug? Is there something wrong?" said Rose. That was a strike of luck: Rose was in Juleka's room, but her girlfriend was nowhere to be seen. "Jules is in the bathroom, if you're looking for her," added Rose when she noticed that Ladybug's gaze had darted around the room.

"No, I was looking for you, actually." She opened her yoyo and took out a pearl anklet. "Rose Lavillant, this is the Miraculous of the Pig. I need Pigella's help to win against this akuma."

Rose grabbed the anklet and put it on, allowing Daizzi to come out in a buzz of magic. "I still can't believe how cute you are," said Rose when she looked at the little kwami. Then, she muttered the transformation phrase and changed into Pigella.

It didn't take long for Pegabug and Pigella to find the vacuum akuma again, just in time to see Chat Noir being sucked in the vacuum when he got distracted by their arrival. The sound of Ladybug's scream echoed in the empty alley of books.

"You've got another one with you, Ladybug? I'll suck her in too!" drawled the akuma victim. But Pigella's gaze had a determined gleam.

"Why is your heart so full of sorrow? You should rejoice and be happy!" said Pigella with the sweetest of smiles on her face.

"Don't get close to me! I'm going to suck you in!" warned the akuma, but Pigella didn't just get close to her. She hugged her. The akuma was so baffled that she got petrified on the spot.

"Gift," murmured the pink superheroine and in a flash of light, a beautiful scene appeared in between the two girls, picturing a room full of books and everyone loving each other and being nice and friendly with each other. The akuma victim had tears in her eyes.

"Why are people so nasty? Why do people do wrong things, like lying or stealing? I want everyone to be happy!" The akuma leaned in Pigella's embrace and hugged her back, dropping the book that created the vacuum in the process. As soon as the akuma's grip on the book weakened, Ladybug caught it. She broke the book to release the butterfly, which she hastily captured, cleansed and released.

"Bye bye, little butterfly," said Ladybug as the white insect flew away in the sky. Then she picked up the lucky charm and threw it in the air, releasing the kaleidoscope of ladybugs. The instant Chat Noir reappeared, she was in his arms.

"I'm purr-fectly okay, M'lady," said the feline but this didn't stop the polka-dotted heroine from crying.

"Why do you always die for me? I don't want you to do that anymore!"

Chat Noir smiled softly as he hugged her tight, then he broke the hug to wipe her eyes and stroke her cheek. "I'm sorry, ma Buginette. I'll try to pay more attention, okay?"

"This new Papillon seems very dangerous, especially because he has a cunning fox like Volpina at his side. We need to pay even more attention than before!" said Ladybug as she hugged him again. He patted his hand on her back, gently drawing circles on the material of her suit.

"I'll be okay, as long as I'm with you," murmured Chat Noir into her ear.

oOoOoOoOoOo

"I'm very disappointed, Volpina." Richard's voice was tense as he spoke through the ethereal connection of the butterfly. "We were so close to achieving our goal, and now we have to start all over again! I've no time for losers!"

Far away on a rooftop, Volpina lowered her head and closed her eyes, clenching her fists. "I'm sorry, Father! I still have my Miraculous though, and the akuma."

She groaned thinking back at how Pegabug had immediately found the tracker she'd put on Su-Han's bag. She had completely underestimated how strong and skilled the monk was, and she hadn't been able to steal his staff. Besides, Su-Han seemed to have the annoying ability to see through her Illusions, which she really didn't expect.

"I will come up with a new plan to submit to you, Father, don't worry!" she said, seething in a low growl.

Richard's stern expression didn't soften. "You better. Did you get Melania to sign the document I gave you?"

Volpina took a paper from her pocket and looked at it carefully. It was a request to cease school and start homeschooling, signed by her mother. It had taken her much more than just a trick to obtain her mother to scribble her signature without noticing what it was all about. "I have it here. I told her that the school will be closed because of all the attacks and that I would stay with a friend of mine for some time." Pain flashed through her eyes as she added, "I doubt she would have noticed anyway, as busy as she is with work."

Richard smirked, hearing the hurt in Volpina's voice. "Worry not, my daughter. When we make the Wish, she will have all the time in the world to dedicate herself exclusively to us." His smirk widened when he felt the strength of her emotions. "Together we will succeed."

He cackled, and from her rooftop, Volpina sneered.

To be Continued… Day 31

Notes:

Thueban Jameel: "Beautiful Snake", from the Arabic for beautiful, "Jameel" (جميل) and the Arabic for snake, "Thueban" (ثعبان). (Thank you so much to my Beta, MyImaginationFlows, for her assistance with Arabic!) The peacock is the symbol of beauty, so I thought it would fit.

Author's Note

Hey! Here it is, this is a bonus chapter I had to write because the snippets didn't give me enough space to wrap up the battle and all loose ends. It's a second part for chapter 19, based on the LadyNoir prompt for day 30, "Rose". Let me know what you think of it.

I hope you will like it anyway and will leave me a comment. You know that comments are my bread and butter!

You're lucky today because you're getting even the epilogue and the end of the story. So… until I finish updating that, a temporary 'bug out'!

[goodmeowningcols]

could you list your top ten jonrya moments?

Hi Anon and thank you for the question! 🥰 I love the question because Jonrya is chockful of canon content straight from the books, and this isn’t even including George’s 1993 original outline. We have to thank George RR Martin for that. And surely, with Jon’s death, Arya will be thinking of him a lot in TWOW. In the 5 released books, they have so many moments and memories about one another that serves as a firm foundation for both of them to be each other’s favourites and the person they love and miss the most with all their heart. Let’s do a countdown, shall we? Not necessarily in order.

10. At the crypts

Robb took them all the way down to the end, past Grandfather and Brandon and Lyanna, to show them their own tombs. Sansa kept looking at the stubby little candle, anxious that it might go out. Old Nan had told her there were spiders down here, and rats as big as dogs. Robb smiled when she said that. "There are worse things than spiders and rats," he whispered. "This is where the dead walk." That was when they heard the sound, low and deep and shivery. Baby Bran had clutched at Arya's hand.

When the spirit stepped out of the open tomb, pale white and moaning for blood, Sansa ran shrieking for the stairs, and Bran wrapped himself around Robb's leg, sobbing. Arya stood her ground and gave the spirit a punch. It was only Jon, covered with flour. "You stupid," she told him, "you scared the baby," but Jon and Robb just laughed and laughed, and pretty soon Bran and Arya were laughing too.

9. The closest of their siblings and defending each other

...A dozen spectators, man and boy, were calling out encouragement, Robb’s voice the loudest among them. She spotted Theon Greyjoy beside him, his black doublet emblazoned with the golden kraken of his House, a look of wry contempt on his face. Both of the combatants were staggering. Arya judged that they had been at it awhile.

“A shade more exhausting than needlework,” Jon observed.

“A shade more fun than needlework,” Arya gave back at him. Jon grinned, reached over, and messed up her hair. Arya flushed. They had always been close. Jon had their father’s face, as she did. They were the only ones. Robb and Sansa and Bran and even little Rickon all took after the Tullys, with easy smiles and fire in their hair. When Arya had been little, she had been afraid that meant that she was a bastard too. It had been Jon she had gone to in her fear, and Jon who had reassured her.

...

Reluctantly, Arya surrendered her sword, wondering if she would ever hold it again. Her father turned it in the light, examining both sides of the blade. He tested the point with his thumb. “A bravo’s blade,” he said. “Yet it seems to me that I know this maker’s mark. This is Mikken’s work.”

Arya could not lie to him. She lowered her eyes.

Lord Eddard Stark sighed. “My nine-year-old daughter is being armed from my own forge, and I know nothing of it. The Hand of the King is expected to rule the Seven Kingdoms, yet it seems I cannot even rule my own household. How is it that you come to own a sword, Arya? Where did you get this?”

Arya chewed her lip and said nothing. She would not betray Jon, not even to their father.

...

"Lumpyhead," corrected Lommy. "He prob'ly stole it."

"I did not!" she shouted. Jon Snow had given her Needle. Maybe she had to let them call her Lumpyhead, but she wasn't going to let them call Jon a thief.

8. The woman is important too!

She watched her little brother whack at Tommen. “I could do just as good as Bran,” she said. “He’s only seven. I’m nine.”

Jon looked her over with all his fourteen-year-old wisdom. “You’re too skinny,” he said. He took her arm to feel her muscle. Then he sighed and shook his head. “I doubt you could even lift a longsword, little sister, never mind swing one.”

Arya snatched back her arm and glared at him. Jon messed up her hair again. They watched Bran and Tommen circle each other.

“You see Prince Joffrey?” Jon asked.

She hadn’t, not at first glance, but when she looked again she found him to the back, under the shade of the high stone wall. He was surrounded by men she did not recognize, young squires in the livery of Lannister and Baratheon, strangers all. There were a few older men among them; knights, she surmised.

“Look at the arms on his surcoat,” Jon suggested.

Arya looked. An ornate shield had been embroidered on the prince’s padded surcoat. No doubt the needlework was exquisite. The arms were divided down the middle; on one side was the crowned stag of the royal House, on the other the lion of Lannister.

“The Lannisters are proud,” Jon observed. “You’d think the royal sigil would be sufficient, but no. He makes his mother’s House equal in honor to the king’s.”

“The woman is important too!” Arya protested.

Jon chuckled. “Perhaps you should do the same thing, little sister. Wed Tully to Stark in your arms.”

“A wolf with a fish in its mouth?” It made her laugh. “That would look silly. Besides, if a girl can’t fight, why should she have a coat of arms?”

Jon shrugged. “Girls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister.”

7. Seeing one another in other people

"NO!" Arya and Gendry both said, at the exact same instant. Hot Pie quailed a little. Arya gave Gendry a sideways look. He said it with me, like Jon used to do, back in Winterfell. She missed Jon Snow the most of all her brothers.

And...

Ygritte watched and said nothing. She was older than he'd thought at first, Jon realized; maybe as old as twenty, but short for her age, bandy-legged, with a round face, small hands, and a pug nose. Her shaggy mop of red hair stuck out in all directions. She looked plump as she crouched there, but most of that was layers of fur and wool and leather. Underneath all that she could be as skinny as Arya.

...

"If you kill a man, and never mean t', he's just as dead," Ygritte said stubbornly. Jon had never met anyone so stubborn, except maybe for his little sister Arya. Is she still my sister? he wondered. Was she ever?

And...

Jon turned to Alys Karstark. “My lady. Are you ready?”

“Yes. Oh, yes.”

“You’re not scared?” The girl smiled in a way that reminded Jon so much of his little sister that it almost broke his heart.

“Let him be scared of me.” The snowflakes were melting on her cheeks, but her hair was wrapped in a swirl of lace that Satin had found somewhere, and the snow had begun to collect there, giving her a frosty crown. Her cheeks were flushed and red, and her eyes sparkled.

“Winter’s lady.” Jon squeezed her hand.

6. Missing each other the most

He missed his true brothers: little Rickon, bright eyes shining as he begged for a sweet; Robb, his rival and best friend and constant companion; Bran, stubborn and curious, always wanting to follow and join in whatever Jon and Robb were doing. He missed the girls too, even Sansa, who never called him anything but "my half brother" since she was old enough to understand what bastard meant. And Arya … he missed her even more than Robb, skinny little thing that she was, all scraped knees and tangled hair and torn clothes, so fierce and willful. Arya never seemed to fit, no more than he had … yet she could always make Jon smile. He would give anything to be with her now, to muss up her hair once more and watch her make a face, to hear her finish a sentence with him.

...

As he rode, Jon peeled off his glove to air his burned fingers. Ugly things. He remembered suddenly how he used to muss Arya's hair. His little stick of a sister. He wondered how she was faring. It made him a little sad to think that he might never muss her hair again. He began to flex his hand, opening and closing the fingers. If he let his sword hand stiffen and grow clumsy, it well might be the end of him, he knew. A man needed his sword beyond the Wall.

...

No one talked to Arya. She didn't care. She liked it that way. She would have eaten her meals alone in her bedchamber if they let her. Sometimes they did, when Father had to dine with the king or some lord or the envoys from this place or that place. The rest of the time, they ate in his solar, just him and her and Sansa. That was when Arya missed her brothers most. She wanted to tease Bran and play with baby Rickon and have Robb smile at her. She wanted Jon to muss up her hair and call her "little sister" and finish her sentences with her. But all of them were gone. She had no one left but Sansa, and Sansa wouldn't even talk to her unless Father made her.

...

She went back to the window, Needle in hand, and looked down into the courtyard below. If only she could climb like Bran, she thought; she would go out the window and down the tower, run away from this horrible place, away from Sansa and Septa Mordane and Prince Joffrey, from all of them. Steal some food from the kitchens, take Needle and her good boots and a warm cloak. She could find Nymeria in the wild woods below the Trident, and together they’d return to Winterfell, or run to Jon on the Wall. She found herself wishing that Jon was here with her now. Then maybe she wouldn’t feel so alone.

...

"I'm a girl," Arya said, exasperated. If the old man was down from the Wall, he must have come by way of Winterfell. "Do you know my brothers?" she asked excitedly. "Robb and Bran are at Winterfell, and Jon's on the Wall. Jon Snow, he's in the Night's Watch too, you must know him, he has a direwolf, a white one with red eyes. Is Jon a ranger yet? I'm Arya Stark." The old man in his smelly black clothes was looking at her oddly, but Arya could not seem to stop talking. "When you ride back to the Wall, would you bring Jon a letter if I wrote one?" She wished Jon were here right now. He'd believe her about the dungeons and the fat man with the forked beard and the wizard in the steel cap.

...

"My lady?" Ned said at last. "You have a baseborn brother . . . Jon Snow?"

"He's with the Night's Watch on the Wall." Maybe I should go to the Wall instead of Riverrun. Jon wouldn't care who I killed or whether I brushed my hair . . . "Jon looks like me, even though he's bastard-born. He used to muss my hair and call me 'little sister.'" Arya missed Jon most of all. Just saying his name made her sad. "How do you know about Jon?"

"He is my milk brother."

5. Keeping her secret identity as Arya of House Stark in the House of Black and White: Needle was Jon Snow’s smile.

At the water’s edge she stopped, the silver fork in hand. It was real silver, solid through and through. It’s not my fork. It was Salty that he gave it to. She tossed it underhand, heard the soft plop as it sank below the water.

Her floppy hat went next, then the gloves. They were Salty’s too. She emptied her pouch into her palm; five silver stags, nine copper stars, some pennies and halfpennies and groats. She scattered them across the water. Next her boots. They made the loudest splashes. Her dagger followed, the one she’d gotten off the archer who had begged the Hound for mercy. Her swordbelt went into the canal. Her cloak, tunic, breeches, smallclothes, all of it. All but Needle.

She stood on the end of the dock, pale and goosefleshed and shivering in the fog. In her hand, Needle seemed to whisper to her. Stick them with the pointy end, it said, and, don’t tell Sansa! Mikken’s mark was on the blade. It’s just a sword. If she needed a sword, there were a hundred under the temple. Needle was too small to be a proper sword, it was hardly more than a toy. She’d been a stupid little girl when Jon had it made for her. “It’s just a sword,” she said, aloud this time …

… but it wasn’t.

Needle was Robb and Bran and Rickon, her mother and her father, even Sansa. Needle was Winterfell’s grey walls, and the laughter of its people. Needle was the summer snows, Old Nan’s stories, the heart tree with its red leaves and scary face, the warm earthy smell of the glass gardens, the sound of the north wind rattling the shutters of her room. Needle was Jon Snow’s smile. He used to mess my hair and call me “little sister,” she remembered, and suddenly there were tears in her eyes.

4. After breaking his Night’s Watch vows for her alone, Jon’s dying thought is of Arya: Stick them with the pointy end.

Jon fell to his knees. He found the dagger’s hilt and wrenched it free. In the cold night air the wound was smoking. “Ghost,” he whispered. Pain washed over him. Stick them with the pointy end. When the third dagger took him between the shoulder blades, he gave a grunt and fell face-first into the snow. He never felt the fourth knife. Only the cold …

3. I want my bride back... I want my bride back... I want my bride back...

Jon walked to the edge of the Wall and gazed down upon the killing ground where Mance Rayder’s host had died. He wondered where Mance was now. Did he ever find you, little sister? Or were you just a ploy he used so I would set him free?

It had been so long since he had last seen Arya. What would she look like now? Would he even know her? Arya Underfoot. Her face was always dirty. Would she still have that little sword he’d had Mikken forge for her? Stick them with the pointy end, he’d told her. Wisdom for her wedding night if half of what he heard of Ramsay Snow was true. Bring her home, Mance. I saved your son from Melisandre, and now I am about to save four thousand of your free folk. You owe me this one little girl.

...

Jon flexed the fingers of his sword hand. The Night's Watch takes no part. He closed his fist and opened it again. What you propose is nothing less than treason. He thought of Robb, with snowflakes melting in his hair. Kill the boy and let the man be born. He thought of Bran, clambering up a tower wall, agile as a monkey. Of Rickon's breathless laughter. Of Sansa, brushing out Lady's coat and singing to herself. You know nothing, Jon Snow. He thought of Arya, her hair as tangled as a bird's nest. I made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whores who came with him to Winterfell … I want my bride back … I want my bride back … I want my bride back …

"I think we had best change the plan," Jon Snow said.

2. What do you know of my heart priestess? What do you know of my sister?

“The heart is all that matters. Do not despair, Lord Snow. Despair is a weapon of the enemy, whose name may not be spoken. Your sister is not lost to you.”

“I have no sister.” The words were knives. What do you know of my heart, priestess? What do you know of my sister?

Melisandre seemed amused. “What is her name, this little sister that you do not have?”

“Arya.” His voice was hoarse. “My half-sister, truly…”

1. Needle!

“I have one more farewell to make,” Jon told him.

“Then I haven’t seen you,” Robb replied.

Jon left him standing there in the snow, surrounded by wagons and wolves and horses. It was a short walk to the armory. He picked up his package and took the covered bridge across to the Keep.

Arya was in her room, packing a polished ironwood chest that was bigger than she was. Nymeria was helping. Arya would only have to point, and the wolf would bound across the room, snatch up some wisp of silk in her jaws, and fetch it back. But when she smelled Ghost, she sat down on her haunches and yelped at them.

Arya glanced behind her, saw Jon, and jumped to her feet. She threw her skinny arms tight around his neck. “I was afraid you were gone,” she said, her breath catching in her throat. “They wouldn’t let me out to say good-bye.”

“What did you do now?” Jon was amused. Arya disentangled herself from him and made a face. “Nothing. I was all packed and everything.” She gestured at the huge chest, no more than a third full, and at the clothes that were scattered all over the room. “Septa Mordane says I have to do it all over. My things weren’t properly folded, she says. A proper southron lady doesn’t just throw her clothes inside her chest like old rags, she says.”

“Is that what you did, little sister?”

“Well, they’re going to get all messed up anyway,” she said. “Who cares how they’re folded?”

“Septa Mordane,” Jon told her. “I don’t think she’d like Nymeria helping, either.” The she-wolf regarded him silently with her dark golden eyes. “It’s just as well. I have something for you to take with you, and it has to be packed very carefully.”

Her face lit up. “A present?”

“You could call it that. Close the door.”

Wary but excited, Arya checked the hall. “Nymeria, here. Guard.” She left the wolf out there to warn of intruders and closed the door. By then Jon had pulled off the rags he’d wrapped it in. He held it out to her.

Arya’s eyes went wide. Dark eyes, like his. “A sword,” she said in a small, hushed breath.

The scabbard was soft grey leather, supple as sin. Jon drew out the blade slowly, so she could see the deep blue sheen of the steel. “This is no toy,” he told her. “Be careful you don’t cut yourself. The edges are sharp enough to shave with.”

“Girls don’t shave,” Arya said.

“Maybe they should. Have you ever seen the septa’s legs?”

She giggled at him. “It’s so skinny.”

“So are you,” Jon told her. “I had Mikken make this special. The bravos use swords like this in Pentos and Myr and the other Free Cities. It won’t hack a man’s head off, but it can poke him full of holes if you’re fast enough.”

“I can be fast,” Arya said.

“You’ll have to work at it every day.” He put the sword in her hands, showed her how to hold it, and stepped back. “How does it feel? Do you like the balance?”

“I think so,” Arya said.

“First lesson,” Jon said. “Stick them with the pointy end.”

Arya gave him a whap on the arm with the flat of her blade. The blow stung, but Jon found himself grinning like an idiot. “I know which end to use,” Arya said. A doubtful look crossed her face. “Septa Mordane will take it away from me.”

“Not if she doesn’t know you have it,” Jon said.

“Who will I practice with?”

“You’ll find someone,” Jon promised her. “King’s Landing is a true city, a thousand times the size of Winterfell. Until you find a partner, watch how they fight in the yard. Run, and ride, make yourself strong. And whatever you do …”

Arya knew what was coming next. They said it together. “… don’t … tell … Sansa!”

Jon messed up her hair. “I will miss you, little sister.”

Suddenly she looked like she was going to cry. “I wish you were coming with us.”

“Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle. Who knows?” He was feeling better now. He was not going to let himself be sad. “I better go. I’ll spend my first year on the Wall emptying chamber pots if I keep Uncle Ben waiting any longer.”

Arya ran to him for a last hug. “Put down the sword first,” Jon warned her, laughing.

She set it aside almost shyly and showered him with kisses.

When he turned back at the door, she was holding it again, trying it for balance. “I almost forgot,” he told her. “All the best swords have names.”

“Like Ice,” she said. She looked at the blade in her hand. “Does this have a name? Oh, tell me.”

“Can’t you guess?” Jon teased. “Your very favorite thing.”

Arya seemed puzzled at first. Then it came to her. She was that quick. They said it together:

“Needle!”

The memory of her laughter warmed him on the long ride north.

Bonus: Only her father had ever called her pretty. Him, and Jon Snow, sometimes.

[saintheartwing]

Breaking Dawn, Part Five: The Sapphire Serpents

Breaking Dawn, Part Five THE SAPPHIRE SERPENTS

The feminine Vortian nervously rubbed the back of her neck as Feyr handed her a cup of coffee, giving her a gentle pat on the hand as he did so. She was used to his "there-there" treatment...it was commonplace. All the prisoners had referred to him as a touchy-feely kind of being.

How odd that Irken society would produce one so tender and sweet. He enjoyed talking to them about their families, their friends. Personal stories, usually.

"So where were we last?" Feyr the Consular inquired, one invisible eyebrow arched up as he fingered the necklace as it hung over his chest, a glittering orb almost pulsing with life. "I think you were telling me about the time that your garage caught on fire."

"Oh, right, right." Halle nodded, leaning back in her chair, looking away from her interrogator and up at the ceiling. "I can remember the smell of smoke...that was what we first noticed. It made us turn our heads, glance out the window...somehow, under the burning hot Vortian sun, our garage had caught aflame. And then it EXPLODED."

She chuckled slightly. "It was quite the sight, lemme tell you. Smoky haze hung around for days, and grandma's ears were ringin'." She hesitated then, looking over in his direction as he smiled down at the orb on his necklace before glancing back to her. "But why do you always like talking about our family life? You never ask us about any secret sabotage plans, no plots to bring down your vile empire..."

"Frankly, I sympathize. The only thing the Irken Empire loves is itself, and that's quite unacceptable to us Consulars." Feyr told her, his fern-like antennae sweeping over his head as he sighed. "Absolutely unacceptable. But they'll never know our true goals. We have ruled their lives since they first looked upon us, but they'll never know. All it takes is one touch and we have control over the minds of others."

Halle giggled slightly, a bubbly, tingly feeling rising off her. Was...was the room spinning? She couldn't concentrate. It all seemed so...funny, she...she was shrinking. Getting smaller and smaller. Wow. Like...wow.

"You're probably asking why I'm telling you this...no, no." He stroked his chin. "You're asking if you're really shrinking, I think. And the answer is I put a special venom secreted from our all-powerful Entity into your coffee..."

"V-Venom? Like a snake's? Wh-what's...what's going on?" Halle giggled again, hiccupping slightly.

"I have been "setting you up" for quite some time. Sometimes it takes longer on others who have stronger wills, but in the end, you all shrink."

Feyr calmly waltzed over to her form, carefully plucking up her tiny, shrunken body, giving her a gentle pat on the head with a careful claw. "You see, little one...the minute you let me touch you all those days ago, your mind became an open book and I learned all I needed and reported it. You're not the first, and you won't be the last. You're in my coils now...and you're going on a trip."

Carefully, he held the tiny figure over his mouth, zipper-toothed maw opening wide. The inside of his mouth was a strange color, grayish-green, a sharp contrast against the pinkish teeth, though his gums were slightly greenish/pink. He tilted his head back, placing the shrunken Vortian on his tongue.

Halle had given up on resisting...it felt so natural...she trusted this gentle giant, and allowed herself to relax as he began to swallow, her feet being the first to enter. She slid into his throat, a a slight pull on her body as she straightened herself out, looking behind her at the world outside his mouth as her waist and chest entered his throat. The throat finally slurped her up, sliding down and depositing her squarely in his stomach.

She could feel a gentle hand rubbing the outside, and hear his psychic voice within her head, still quite tender and sweet. "Don't worry, there's no acids in there, and the saliva your body is coated with now will put you into a state of suspended animation until you're ready to come out." Feyr intoned as Halle looked down at her feet, seeing shimmering pink crystals rise, covering her, aiming to engulf her body.

"It'll all be over soon, little Vortian. Just wait...soon you'll be in your new home..." Feyr purred in pleasure, the little one crystallizing in his belly's pit as he licked his claws free of her taste. Quite good, yes. Not quite as good as Irken flesh, admittedly, but it had a distinct flavor to it...and to think, he had three more prisoners to interrogate today...

The Consulars took a sense of pride in giving new meaning to the term "I want you inside me"...

The city...of Philadelphia! Located fifteen miles from anything non life-threatening.

Ahhh, the quiet state of Pennsylvania...and a demon is on the loose.

The people...are terrified!

The police...BAFFLED!

This FIENDISH being strikes without warning! Without mercy!

With diabolical cleverness...

He draws mustaches on people's faces.

It could be you...it could be ME...

"But it happens to be ME!" GIR the robot said cheerily as he waved his marker in the air, calmly stepping away from a movie theater, every single poster now desecrated by black mustaches drawn on every living being within. Monster movie? Godzilla looks great with a handlebar. Cameron Diaz has a fine and thick brushy mustache.

GIR WOULD have drawn one on Michael Jordan's underwear AD located by the snack machine, but he thought the Hitler moustache he was rocking was embarrassing enough.

You see, ladies and gentlemen, GIR...could see as GODS DO. He knew things, understood things, that nobody else did. Didn'tcha, GIR?

"You're darn tootin' right!" GIR cheerfully exclaimed, nodding in agreement as he strode from the theater, putting one robotic hand over his chest, over the big red watch that constituted for his heart. "We all have our missions in life. We get into different ruts. Some are the cogs on the wheels..."

He then burst out giggling, bouncing back and forth. "And others are just plain NUTS!" He put a finger over his lip and bounced it over and over, going "Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo" as he bounded back home.

He was momentarily distracted though, by seeing Dib peeking out at him from HIS house, via the window. Dib was looking through binoculars straight at GIR, one eyebrow raised.

"Nope. No ring on him yet." Dib murmured, seeing GIR wave and grin at him as he made his way down the sidewalk. He scratched his head, turning it to see a large billboard showing Poop Dawg, the head spokesdog-person-thing for Poop Cola, drinking a can of his signature drink and now sporting a "Robin Hood" style mustache. "GIR has WAAAAY too much free time." He mumbled, turning back to shake his head at Gaz as she played away on her GameSlaveX, the latest in the video game system series.

He poked his head back out the window to try and focus in on ZIM'S house this time, but before he could get out his binoculars, GIR promptly swung down on a pulley system he'd somehow erected atop of Dib's house, marker in hand, drawing a very large Bowler moustache on the kid's face.

"Oh she was an acrobat's daughter...she swung by her teeth from a noose! Then one matinee, her bridgework gave way and she flew through the air like a goose!" GIR sang out, promptly grabbing bounding through the window, jumping off Dib's head to land in his room and reach into his chest compartment, pulling out fifty bucks to Gaz and giving them to her.

"Thaaaanks." She said with a smile as she leapt back out through the window, heading for his home as Dib wiped his face off.

"Did GIR PAY you for the permission to draw on my face?" Dib reasoned.

"Whiner." Gaz muttered, rolling her eyes and heading downstairs, off to go make a "special stop". Dib raised his hand up.

"Gaz?"

"Just...don't." She insisted. She didn't want him to come. Didn't want him to talk about it. Didn't want him to even THINK about it. She calmly headed down the stairs, the ring around her finger pulsing slightly as she walked out the door.

Dib sighed and headed to his computer, which had booted up to the Intergalactic Net. He was pirating galactic web from Zim's house thanks to an upgrade his dad had so generously installed and was trying to check on the latest auctions for interstellar items. Mainly, technology he could use to help make Zim's life as difficult as possible.

Plus, he was waiting for a pair of special see-through goggles. X-Ray, Infrared, Radar...

Wait. What was this? Somebody was auctioning off an "Onslaught-Class" starship...and not just ANY Onslaught-Class starship...

Somebody was selling The Massive itself!

...

...

...

... "...they're gonna make this my fault." Senior told his charges as he slapped his gloved hand to his face, looking at the place where the Massive HAD been parked as Feyr examined the people chained to the nearby railing of the parking garage, Red and Purple shaking with anger, turning very, VERY pale with rage, antannae and lips a-quiver. "I just KNOW it."

"What kinda sick being steals a ship but doesn't even bother to let it's prisoners go free?" Jayd wished to know, his black eyes shimmering with concern as he glanced over at the prisoners Feyr was standing by.

"That's actually kind of amusing." Peech spoke up, chuckling slightly as her enormously thick orange jetpack jingled with her laughter. "My kind of thief!"

Sude, still QUITE untouchable or audible to any of the others save for Senior, carefully tiptoed behind Red and Purple as they turned around to glare at Senior, the draconic entity of Life raising his hands up and imitating a puppeteer, with the Tallests as his puppets.

"Funny or not...our SHIP is GONE! OUR ship! All because of your day off!" Red growled at them, pointing an accusing claw as Sude raised his "arm" rope, making a mocking frowny face. "You're going to pay DEARLY for this!"

"We'd make you do "The Electric Chair" but there's no stinkin' chairs around!" Purple added. "And who had access to the ship anyway? Huh?" He asked, putting his hands on his hips, Sude imitating him as Senior began to giggle. "Huh? Huh? Huh?"

"N-n-no-nobody-hee-hee-hee..." Senior giggled, bursting into laughter as he held his sides, the others looking at him like he was insane.

"What're YOU thinking about?" Red snapped.

"Oh just...puppets." Senior wheezed out, wiping a tear from his eye as Red's eyes glittered.

"Good idea. PUT ON A PUPPET SHOW FOR US." He demanded, slamming his fist into his palm as Senior gulped.

"Uh...puppet...show? Er...okay..." He gulped. "But I've not got any puppets."

"A PAK with no PUPPETS in it! SHAME!" Purple insisted, shaking his fist at Senior. "You get a PUMMELING!"

An instant later, tiny hammers popped up on springs from the communication officer's PAK, bonking him over the head as Senior fell to the ground, "ow-ing" and "ooh-ing" over and over.

"Wow, voice-activated pummeling system in every PAK, regulated only to the Tallest's voices? Nice." Sude admitted as Peech reached into a compartment in her jetpack, pulling out some studly-looking puppets as Jayd got out some of his own from his considerably large belt, joining Senior in the puppet show.

"Say, Zimma-diah, ya think there's any big ol' space worms in this cave?" Senior said in a country-hick-style voice, holding up two puppets of, ironically, Zim. One in a bad shirt, the other in a dress for some strange, strange reason. What sort of lunatic would take the time to make TWO kinds of Zim puppets, let alone one with a dress?

"I dunno, Zim-thro!" Senior squeaked out in a falsetto. "Let's take a look-OHMYGODASPACEWORM!" He cried out, Jayd going "nom-nom-nom" as he "ate" the puppets a few moments later, Red and Purple whooping it up. Anything involving anyone looking remotely like Zim getting hurt was funny to them.

Plus...puppets.

"I guess we'll have to move to the palace." Red supposed as Jayd and his boss then did a puppet rendition of "Tallest Grapa's Electrocution Incident". "It HAS been a while since we were able to just sit back and relax there."

"But we'd have to sleep in separate rooms!" Purple whined. "You KNOW I don't do well alone." He clung to Red then, purple eyes brimming with tears as he whined like a puppy.

"I've gotten you your favorite night liiiight..." Red said in a sing-song voice, patting Purple's head as he pulled out a big smiley face'd version of himself, which lit up and glowed with gentle light when you plugged it into the wall.

"Aww, you always know what I like." Purple cheerily remarked as Jayd struggled not to say it, but couldn't keep it in.

Don't do it, Jayd. Don't-

"The Ambiguously Gay Duoooo!" Jayd laughed out loud.

KRAKA-THROOOOOM! Lightning promptly zapped him from out of the clear sky above and he coughed slightly, wiping the soot off his body as Feyr unchained the last of the prisoners.

"Does that...happen often?" May Nar inquired as she looked over at Senior.

"...I wish I could say "no"." The communications officer admitted to her, frowning slightly. He was CERTAIN he'd seen her somewhere before, and not just on the news. It was like...he knew her. REALLY knew her. But how?

Jayd noticed a considerable scrape on the Vortian's leg, frowning slightly as he approached, gently kneeling by it. "Here, let me heal this." He insisted politely, placing one hand over it as the Vortian looked on in surprise. It was so strange...the tubes connected from his PAK to his gloves were now filling with a strange, multicolored cloud of tiny particles that passed from his glove over the wound, like a shimmering, gentle mist.

"Nanogenes." Jayd explained to the mystified Vortian. "Be it near-death or just a scratch, as long as I've gotten a template for a living organism integrated into my PAK's matrices, I can cure any being. Plus, everybody likes the tingle."

"It's true. They do." Purple said, rubbing the back of his neck and turning visibly red as he thought up a way for him to injure himself later in the day. Hey, he could stop ANYTIME he wanted!

"Might I be allowed to make an inspirational speech, sirs?" Senior requested politely as Red and Purple looked him over.

"...why not? This could be good for a laugh." Red mused, rubbing his chin as he raised an invisible eyebrow. Senior was ALWAYS making inspirational speeches to the workers on the massive: they were often grade-A cheesecake. So much so that they'd come up with a drinking game: take one shot every time he uses a tired, worn-out cliché. Purple whistled for several assistants to bring them alcohol and they sat down on the backs of several unfortunates who were being forced to be used as stools for the Tallest.

Senior cleared his throat, Dite rolling her eyes as he began. "I know all of you expect me to say I'll always be a brave and courageous and noble leader. That I'll be the perfect inspirational figure for you and the right sort of person to emulate. That I can protect you from anything that'll befall you here. That I can save everyone."

"DRINK!" Purple giggled, downing one beer.

Senior ignored them and his antennae lowered, drooping slightly as he held one hand over his chest, sighing slightly as the others looked on in surprise. "Well, that isn't going to happen, because your Senior is a weak, WEAK being. But...but I'm good enough to promise this."

He gestured at all of them, his kindly eyes looking out across the empty garage. "I will be there. I'll be afraid. Confused, even. But I WILL be here with all of you, experiencing everything you go through. If NOTHING else...I will try to be by your side, even if I can't protect you from everything that'll attempted to be stuck into yours."

None of them spoke, all of them quietly looking at him before Jayd quietly clapped his hands together, nodding at Senior. "I liked it, sir." He said.

"It was honest...if nothing else." Xeil admitted, pulling down her communication's garb face mask to smile slightly at her boss.

"Thanks for keeping the clichés low, sir." Dite grumbled.

"Your kind words are always helpful." Feyr agreed, a look of sympathy flashing across his face.

Peech nervously tugged around an imaginary necklace as she flashed a slight, fake grin. "Yeah, yeah, uh...real nice...real nice..." She trailed off, a guilty expression flickering across her face, orange eyes slowly gazing down to stop at the ground.

"Yeah, yeah, let's save sittin' around singing campfires and all that crap for some time when OUR SHIP ISN'T STOLEN. Come on!" Tallest Red yelled out, clapping his hands together. "We're headed to the palace!"

"Uh, yay?" The many workers on the Massive mumbled, Purple sighing as well. Evidently he LIKED sitting on communication assistant's backs.

"...there's an "Orange Julius" on the waaaaay!" Red mumbled, folding his arms and rolling his eyes.

"YAAAAAY!"

Sude's frown, however, made Senior lose his happy grin. "What is it?" He whispered as they headed down the street towards the palace of the Tallest.

"The Entity of Love, Jourmungdr, is...dangerous." The draconic being whispered back as they kept walking. "And I've been sensing his presence growing stronger and stronger every minute I've been on this planet. I think he's been here longest out of all the others!"

"But he's the Entity of LOVE. What's scary about that?" Senior inquired, looking skeptical as he tilted his perfectly-round head to the side, Feyr happily introducing May to the other prisoners from the Massive, chatting it up with them all.

"He/She's not simply motivated by love, but by the absence of love."

"But he's not Chulainn, right? He wouldn't KILL us or anything because we're not shiny-happy-people, right?" Senior inquired, becoming slightly pale.

"Oh, no...NO!" Sude laughed nervously, pausing for a few moments. "...yes."

"...okay, uh...er..." Senior gulped. "I'll think of something!"

...

...

...

...GIR was slightly confused that his master wasn't at home, but he didn't mind it TOO much. Plopping down in front of the television with a bag of chocolate-covered popcorn, he decided to waste the rest of the afternoon with his favorite television program, the "Scary Monkey Show".

There's really not much else to say about the show. Seriously.

"I LOVE this show." GIR decided for the eighteenth millionth time as he munched away at his popcorn bag, momentarily turning his head to in the kitchen: Torque Smacky was tied to the table and there was a bucket filled with some kind of hypnotic soup that Zim had been testing. He wanted to introduce it to the school's cafeteria, to get everyone to do his will, but unfortunately there was going to be nothing but hot dogs and corn chips for the next week. And then the week after it would be hot dogs and potato chips.

Zim would simply have to wait three weeks until he could disguise his new, evidently VERY successful stew as creamed corn, because apparently Torque thought he was Clodah Rogers, and kept singing.

"I'm...just...a...jack-in-the-box! I go wherever love knocks! I'm gonna jump up and down on my spring!" He kept singing out as GIR frowned slightly, eyes turning red.

"I'M A-TRYIN' TO WATCH MY SHOW!" He yelled. "Stupidhead!" He snapped, grabbing ahold of the nearby lamp and tossing it through the air. It sailed across the room and into the kitchen, whacking Torque on the head and making him realize exactly where he was.

"Wh-what the...GET ME OUTTA HERE!" He yelled out. "What have you done to me? What have you done?"

GIR frowned darkly and walked into the kitchen, getting out a hammer from the nearby drawer near the sink and hopping onto the table, holding it high.

"AAAAAA!"

THWUCKA-THRONK!

"Thanks, I needed that..." Torque grumbled out, slipping into unconsciousness as GIR, satisfied, ripped Torque off the table and tossed him out the window to land in the rose bushes, heading back for his TV show to see-

A robotic being standing there, holding a ring with a yellow glow to it.

"INTRUDER!" GIR growled out, eyes transforming back to red, his forehead popping open as several large cannons suspended on mechanical wires shot up from within, aiming squarely at the feminine being.

"Don't you want this ring? This...SHINY ring?"

"...yes, it SURE is shiny..." GIR mumbled, his eyes becoming a cheery blue once again as the guns retracted and he inched closer...closer...

"Does GIR WANT the shiny ring?"

"GIR wants shiny very much." GIR whispered as Miyu smiled, sweet like darkest poison, handing him the ring as he slipped it onto one of his tiny fingers.

"GIR...you have the ability to inspire great fear. Welcome to my corps." Miyu laughed coldly, golden-yellow light shooting up around GIR's body as he was transfigured before her eyes, golden plates sliding onto his arms, yellow "boots" appearing on his feet and his chest and arms changing from blue to shades of yellow as well as his eyes, which now were alit with keen artificial intelligence.

"Amazing...AMAZING." He whispered, looking over his body. "The power...UNLIMITED POWEEEERRRR!" He roared out, rising into the air on flashy yellow lightning, cackling madly. "I'm gonna blow stuff up now!" He added cheerily, popping out through the window and waving goodbye as Miyu chuckled darkly. Sure, he might be seen.

But if he was seen...he'd just kill. Problem solved. What she didn't know, though, was that another thought was popping inside of GIR's head...a desire to go visit Gazzy and show off, since she was such a favorite of the robots. He wanted to hold onto her, GIR decided. After he'd killed her brother and father, he'd make sure to keep her alive, and when she died, he'd put her beautiful eyes in a mason jar...

But meanwhile, not far away, a quiet, careful figure concentrated, whispering quietly as he too thought of that same purple-haired girl formed in his head. This sort of spell took careful concentration...

"Come on...I call you forth...I call you forth...I call you forth...I call you forth..." He murmured and murmured, carving into his body the necessary runes, dark blood dribbling down his arms and chest as he held his hands up high. "I call you forth...I CALL YOU FORTH..."

...

...

...

... "I couldn't think of anything!" Senior moaned, tugging down on his antennae as they made their way towards the palace. Indeed, it was a beautiful structure, shimmering silver in the middle of a beautiful sea of purplish ground. There were dozens of columns lining the front entrance with images of famous Irkens inscribed on the columns, the pillars of the past being the pillars that held the palace's high roof up.

Most noticeable of all, though, were the flags that flung from the top, high banners of varying colors by several spires. One was green, another white, the other blue...symbols of the grand philosophy of the Irken race: Sacrifice for the Empire, Faith in it's Leaders and the Ambitious Will to Survive and Succeed.

"I can FEEL him. He's IN here." Sude murmured into Senior's lack of ear, eyes widening. "Hiding...waiting...waiting to KILL!"

"Kill?" Senior gulped inside his head.

"Just bein' overly dramatic. Sounds better than "do nasty things"." Sude commented calmly as they strode inside the set of double doors, the Tallest snapping their "fingers" as a red carpet was rolled out for them, a white-labcoat-wearing scientist with blue eyes bowing as he knelt before the Tallest as they ascended to the stairs.

"It is ALWAYS a pleasure to have you come back, my all-powerful Tallest." Trivvik, aka Trik, Head Scientist of the Research and Development Department for the Irken Military insisted ashe gestured at the many other ornately-decorated scientists, cooks, servants and guards in the palace. "We're ready for whatever order you have to give."

"We wanna eat food. We just stopped at an Orange Julius but we want something very cheesy. I'm talkin' three heart attacks in one serving." Purple insisted.

"You heard the man!" Red snapped, clapping his hands. "THREE heart attacks!"

"One, two...five?" Trik inquired.

"THREE."

'Three." Trik whistled sharply and the chefs quickly zipped to the kitchens as Trik clasped his clawed hands together. "Anything else, sir?"

"We need our feet rubbed." Red added, he and Purple walking off as the many former inhabitants of the Massive looked at each other, Senior sighing.

"I suggest we all find rooms and get some rest." He told them all, stretching his arms wide as he watched Feyr sneak off with the prisoners in tow, eyes narrowing. "...follow him, right?"

"Hell to the yeah, I believe is the term." Sude murmured, Senior slinking after Feyr and the prisoners, down a hallway to see-

Gone. He'd just...vanished.

"Where the...?" Senior glanced left and right in the labyrinthine hallway. "Where is he?"

"Count the doors." Sude ordered immediately.

"...six, there's six-"

"SEVEN. Look in the corner...of...your...eye." Sude murmured as green eyes slowly turned...more...more...

There. A perception filter had kept it hidden, but there it was...a slight pinkish glow emanating from underneath, light curling it's claws beneath the door. Senior grit his teeth as he opened it up, and his eyes and mouth widened in shock.

"WHAT...THE...HELL?" He screamed out.

The room was an enormous structure with hundreds upon hundreds of crystallized coffins of some kind, containing various alien beings. Some were Irken, others Vortian, some Meekrob, or Screw-Head and some even humanoid in appearance. Real Earthlings? Here? On Irk?

And standing in the middle of the room, suspended in the air by a pinkish energy construct formed around it like a giant artist's drawing rigging, was an enormous cobra-esque being. It was looking around the top ring of crystallized prisoners, removing something glittering from it's mouth time and time again and popping them across the wall, the glittering gems expanding into crystal prisons as they embedded deep in the walls. It turned it's head, noticing their presence and nodded over in the direction of-

Feyr. He was there, with the prisoners...all of whom were crystallized. He removed one such tiny gem from his own mouth, putting it to the wall as it expanded to reveal a Vortian female. May was the only one not yet crystallized, she was clinging behind an enormous sapphire pillar, one of many that held the room up, her own pink eyes widening as Feyr turned, smiling at Senior.

"It appears the secret's out." Feyr mused, shrugging as his appearance began to shift and shimmer, changing into a vaguely dress-like outfit, complete with a tiara and gloves, all shades of pink and white. And, for some reason, a slate of chest armor that allowed his...BELLY BUTTON to be shown?

What in...HOW? Unless...he was a NATURAL Irken? What ELSE had he been hiding? As Senior looked upon Feyr, Sude shimmering into full visibility by him, the communications officer shivered. Why had he never seen the dark intensity lurking behind Feyr's eyes? This snake in the grass had been hiding for so long in his garden...why had he not known?

"Because you didn't want to." His inner voice whispered.

"Jourmungdr...it's been a long time." Sude spoke loudly as May inched over to Senior, instinctively preferring the Irken that WASN'T trying to turn her into a piece of wall art.

"Time has been kind to you, as it has to me. Too bad you didn't emerge sooner. I've been here on Irk for centuries with my children the Consulars." Jourmungdr said, in a voice half feminine, half masculine. It bowed it's hooded head, stars sparkling within the hood as the insignia of Love shone brightly atop the cloth hanging over his...her...forehead. "I am Jourmungdr, little host. Don't be astonished by my appearance or my ways. Once all of these beings have seen the light, they shall be found."

"What "light" is that?" Senior demanded to know, clenching his fist tightly and shaking it at the snake. "You're keeping them prisoner and...and what have you done to Feyr?"

"All of them are having he embers of Love reignited within them. Just like Will and Rage and Fear and the others, everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE...is capable of feeling love to a degree." Jourmungdr intoned, pulling one crystal off the wall as it grew in size, gently stroking an Irken cheek. "In the case of the Irkens, who threw away their ability to spread love with others, I am bringing back their body's ability to freely love."

"You're MUTATING Irkens..." Senior murmured, eyes widening as he stepped back in horror. "Forcing them to gain sexual organs for your needs?"

"Your definition of "mutation" is incorrect. Think of it as bringing back what once was. REPAIRING, if you will." Feyr explained. "At one point, we Irkens were hermaphroditic, we bred freely with any beings we wanted. Survival was all that mattered, and we didn't care who bore our children. We must return to the flesh, my Senior." Feyr told him, suddenly striding to his boss's face and caressing his cheek, sweetly smiling, every syllable dripping with tender poison. "Return to our old ways. Jourmungdr wants all beings to embrace love. You have it in you. I can see it."

For a brief moment, Senior felt a terrible, harsh pain in his chest. It was as if his heart literally had been punched. He found himself momentarily glancing over in the direction of Lard Nar's sister as she glanced at him, as if seeing something else in him. "I...I..."

"Within you is a great amount of love and compassion for your kind...and for other species. You come from a time when we were allies with others...your tolerance towards them allowed the seeds of love to spread. You would make a fine mate for HER, I'd imagine." Feyr mused, glancing back at May.

"I want you to leave her alone and let these people GO." Sude insisted. "You cannot FORCE love on others."

"Sude..." Jourmungdr sighed and shook his/her head. "If a being is in a crisis and refuses to acknowledge it...you know only outside intervention shall save them. I will be that intervention. Please...don't stand in my way."

"I don't have a choice." Sude growled, putting one clawed hand on Senior's chest. "Senior...time for you to say my Oath! It is time for you to accept my blessing fully, and rise in light with the power of the White Rose!"

...

...

...

...GIR had been in the middle of a snacking spree at the nearby Pet Store when he'd noticed Gaz sneaking through a nearby alley. Putting his face up to the window, he watched her scuttle across the street, heading into the nearby cemetery.

Wait. The cemetery? GIR frowned slightly, yellow eyes narrowing. "What is she...?"

He moved smoothly out of the pet store, following after her, intent on figuring out what she was up to, wiping his mouth free of blood and fur, eyes widening at the sight of her pulling her coat away. She was now fully in her armor, all red and black and concentrating.

"Come on...come ON!" She snarled as she stood before a gravestone, pointing her red ring at the grave as it shimmered brightly. "Bring her BACK!" She yelled. "BRING HER BACK!"

With that...it WORKED. A burning red fire shot forth as blood dribbled down from her mouth, and her eyes widened as the fire seeped into the ground...and her mother's skeletal form rose, holding a hand to her cheek. "Wh-what's...what's going on?" She murmured out. "GUAAAAHH!" She hit the ground, panting and heaving, dry-vomiting as she struggled to stand.

No skin...no muscles...no eyes, a faint red glow around her body, but...some hair left...and her voice. Her mother's voice.

"Amazing. A rotting sack of bones and tumors and all she can feel is love..." GIR whispered, hiding behind a tree some distance away, eyes widening in surprise as Gaz's ring began to form the flesh and hair for Gaz, her mother nervously looking around, one hand holding her head.

"Mom? Mom?" Gaz whispered, clinging to her mother and looking deep into her eyes. "Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?"

"G-Gaz...Gazlene? Is...that you?" Peggy Membrane inquired, eyes widening at her daughter.

"Yes...YES." Gaz felt the tears come, but did nothing to halt them. Screw the laws of life and death. Fuck anybody who would dare to laugh at her weeping like a little girl. Gaz felt just fine. BETTER than fine. And more importantly...so was her mother.

"I...feel so...strange." Peggy murmured as GIR approached nervously, Gaz glancing over at him, pnot really caring about his new outfit. "I...I can't remember much." She mumbled.

"It's okay, take your time. This is a friend of mine. He came here to see you, RIGHT?" Gaz asked, glaring slightly over at GIR, who eagerly nodded.

"Your daughter's a FINE young lady." GIR said quickly, nodding enthusiastically as Peggy felt her daughter's cheek. "You were sick but she made you aaaaalll better."

"I...I don't think..." Peggy mumbled as she clutched her head. "This...I'm sorry, this..." Her eyes grew wide. "This isn't RIGHT." She gasped out. "What did you DO, Gazzy? I'M NOT RIGHT. What did you DO?" She demanded.

"I brought you back." Gaz said, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Mom, I SAVED you."

"You saved a SHELL of me, baby." Peggy whispered, taking Gaz's cheek, a mournful expression coming over her face. "This isn't the way things were meant to be. I'm so sorry...the truest part of me is already gone. And..." She shook her head slowly back and forth, her voice dropping in tone. "...and you know that...don't you?"

Gaz stared for a long time at her mother before she finally covered her face with her hands, closing her eyes. "I..." She whispered. "...I..."

With that...she was gone. GIR helped Gaz lower her mother's body back into the coffin as the Earth returned to normal and Gaz placed a single, tear-stained hand over the cold ground, GIR sitting nearby on his knees, a deep, mournful expression on his usually-jovial face.

"...your rage is subsiding over the form of the one who caused it."

"...I kept blaming Dad...I kept blaming Dib...and I kept blaming Mom. But...it was MY fault." Gaz whispered out. "...because I wasn't strong enough to just...let go. I..."

She gritted her teeth, the tears trickling down her cheeks as she sobbed. "I can't do this anymore. I...I just...I just wanna start over."

"Gazzy..." A familiar voice whispered. GIR and Gaz's head whipped in the direction of a fully-clothed, and VERY much alive form. There, purple hair flowing gently in the breeze was Peggy Membrane standing proud, hands clasped, a look of love on her maternal face. "Oh, Gazzy...you CAN start over."

[tamatoashiny123]

The Paris Pilfered Identity Case

This is a story I wrote a few months ago. I hope you like it!!!   :)

Boasting an annual 9.6 million viewers, the Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, located in Paris, France. Not only did the museum hold 38,000 historic artifacts and art pieces, its glass pyramid exterior was considered to be a work of art all by itself. 

One of the pieces of art located in the museum was the Seated Scribe sculpture. An ancient Egyptian work of art discovered in 1850 by Auguste Marriete, it depicted a scribe at work while in a seated position. And tonight, it was the target of Carmen Sandiego’s latest caper. 

Using her wrist-mounted grappling hook, the thief zipped up to the pyramid’s top point. “I’m in position,” she told Player (her hacker accomplice) through the communicators in her earrings. “Are the security systems and cameras deactivated yet?”

“They’re offline,” Player reported. “Considering how many valuables are in there, you’d figure their security systems would be a bit harder to turn off.”

“But I’m only after one thing: the Seated Scribe,” she reminded him. 

“Yep. Steal it and replace it with the phony sculpture before V.I.L.E. can get their hands on it and add it to Countess Cleo’s collection. Then, after V.I.L.E. takes the bait, you stealthily give back the real one to the proper authorities.”

As Carmen leaped to the section of the roof under the museum’s Egyptian Department, a car pulled up. It wasn’t a getaway car operated by Zack and Ivy, however (Carmen decided to take this as a solo mission while the pair stayed behind to fix up their base in San Diego along with Shadowsan). It was the car piloted by A.C.M.E agents Chase Devineaux and Julia Argent.

“If La Femme Rouge thinks zat she can waltz into my home territory of France and steal ANYTHING, she has another thing coming,” Chase told his partner as he popped a mint into his mouth. “Tonight is ze night zat Carmen Sandiego's career as a no-good thief comes to a decisive end!” 

“Well, maybe she’s acting preemptively in order to protect the object she’s stealing. There’s been a rash of Egyptian artifacts from museums all over the world recently,” Julia reminded her partner. “And it appears Carmen Sandiego is heading towards the Egyptian section of the museum right now.”

“No doubt Miss Sandiego was ze mastermind of zose other objects' disappearances as well.”

“But the few eyewitnesses we’ve gotten have all reported seeing men speeding away from the crime scenes. No girls.”

“Have you forgotten? Our little thief is a master of disguise. No doubt she posed as a man during zese crimes to throw us off her scent. But it'll take far more zan such acts of cross-dressing to shake ME off her trail. Now, let’s catch ourselves a thief!” he shouted, exiting the car and running towards the entrance.

“But shouldn’t we wait for backup?” Julia shouted to deaf ears. Frustrated, Julia looked up towards the roof, where she saw the thief cut a hole in the roof and slipped inside. Thinking, she grabbed her own A.C.M.E.-issued grappling hook and ran towards the roof. 

oOo

Removing the glass case off of the statue, Carmen removed the decoy statue from her coat’s inside pocket. With precision (as to not activate the pressure plate the artifact was no doubt placed on top of), she took the real Seated Scribe and immediately replaced it with the sham sculpture. As she deposited it into her coat pocket, Chase entered, his gas gun deployed.

"Hands where I can see zem, Miss Sandiego," he ordered.

She did as instructed. “As you wish, Inspector,” she sarcastically responded before lunging forwards and kicking the gas gun out of his hands, causing a small cloud of knockout gas to puff out. 

As Chase covered his mouth and nose with his jacket to avoid inhaling the gas, Carmen used her grappling hook to zip up through the hole she had come through. But waiting a foot away from the hole when she came up was Agent Argent, pointing her stun-laser pistol at the thief (Chief only gave Julia the laser pistol out of the pair as to minimize the damage Chase caused).

“Agent Argent,” Carmen casually greeted Julia, seemingly unfazed at the weapon being pointed at her. 

“Miss Sandiego, I trust you have a valid reason for your thievery of this artifact.”

“Of course I do: steal it before V.I.L.E can, then return it when their attention moves elsewhere.”

Julia smiled. “As I suspected. And I can confirm that you weren’t behind the recent global robberies of Egyptian artifacts?”

“Couldn’t stop them in time,” she explained. “So I decided to stop here to make sure V.I.L.E. couldn’t add this one to their list. So, now that I’ve fully explained my actions, I can take off now, right?”

“Miss Sandiego, you know I want to let you run off into the night, but...my job.”

“I get it. Your ‘job’: to catch thieves like me, per order of the Chief.”

“Well, yes-”

“But I’m a thief who works for the force of good! Doesn't the Chief know that?”

“I’ve tried to convince her of that so many times, but-”

“She doesn’t believe you.”

“It’s just given all the evidence-”

“I get it. Really, Julia, I do. But I won’t let you, your snooty partner, or any other A.C.M.E. agent get me-AUGH!”

Neither girls had noticed Chase climbing up onto the rooftop with his own grappling hook, sneak behind the thief, and jab her in the spine with his taser, causing her to collapse.

“Excellent work, Agent Argent,” he congratulated his partner as he ingested a celebratory mint. "Distracting her while I sneak up from behind and finish her off once and for all!"

“But sir,” Julia argued with her, “I was just talking to her. She was explaining to me that-”

“All lies she was spouting, I'm sure,” Chase cut her off. “Now zen, let's strip her of all her gadgets and get her into ze car. Ze Chief is going to get a little surprise tonight...

oOo

As luck (or quite the opposite of luck for Carmen) would have it, the Chief was in town to review evidence for a separate crime V.I.L.E. had committed. In his infinite wisdom (which drowned out Julia’s legitimate wisdom), instead of calling her to pick up Carmen from the museum, he decided to drive the thief to the police station the Chief was at the time, which was a few miles away.    

 Carmen was disarmed of all her tech (grappling hook, earring communicators, all the small gadgets that lined her coat pockets) as well as the Seated Scribe (nestled safely in the car’s glove box). Her arms were handcuffed behind her back and (on the orders of Chase) she was gagged with a white handkerchief between her teeth. 

“I will not let ziss thief try to use her charming words to get out of ziss one,” Chase bragged. “You are getting brought to A.C.M.E. custody whether you want to go or not.”   

“Nuh-guh oww-zee ee-eck-ib,” the thief muttered into the cloth gag.

Chase sat up front while Julia sat in the back next to Carmen in order to keep an eye on her. As the car sped off towards the police station, Julia gave Carmen a sympathetic look. 

“I’m so sorry it had to come to this,” Julia told the thief. “I hope Chase’s taser didn’t sting you too badly.”

“Do not apologize to ze criminal!” Chase chastised her. “She deserved ze voltage of my taser after all of the ze times she humiliated me! And no one humiliates Chase Deni Devineaux without suffering ze consequences!”

In response, Carmen delivered a hard kick to the back of his seat. Chase gave a dirty look to Julia, who reluctantly drew her taser and held out in an act of warning to the prisoner. 

“So sorry,” Julia whispered.

“‘t’s ah-kah,” Carmen whispered back.

Chase then drove in silence for a bit, humming La Marseillaise under his breath. As he did, Carmen looked for a way out of her predicament. Spotting the remote for the electronic handcuffs in Julia’s suit pocket, Carmen slowly leaned in towards the agent to try to get it. Seeing it in time, Julia grabbed the thief’s wandering fingers, stretched them out (hard enough for it to hurt in the moment, but no further than that), and shoved Carmen back upright. The red coat-wearer let out a soft growl into her gag while Julia flashed a tiny smile. 

“Yur ood,” the thief softly admitted.

Julia beamed at the mumbled compliment. “I know,” she jokingly bragged.

Carmen kept thinking about ways to escape. She had come up with a few ideas, but all of them risked harming Julia. As much as she wanted to rough Chase up, she couldn’t say the same thing about his partner, one of the only people in the world who truly understood her life’s goal: to steal with only good intentions in mind. As much as she hated to admit it, it looked like she’d have to find some way to escape from A.C.M.E. custody…

But suddenly, a miracle (of sorts) occurred: when Chase went to pop another mint into his mouth, he found the container to be empty. Grunting, he pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store, a mere mile away from the police.

“Sir, can’t you just wait until after Carmen has been handed over to the proper authorities to get more breath mints?” an incredulous Julia asked.

“And risk having a smelly breath while gifting La Femme Rouge over to ze Chief? No way!” he barked back, stepping out of the car. “I'll be just two minutes. Keep an eye on our little thief while I'm gone!”

Chase ran inside the store. As soon as he was gone, Julia took the gag out of Carmen's mouth. “I apologize about the gag, Miss Sandiego. It was Chase’s idea, not mine.”

“I know. How unfair it is, though, considering he’s the most deserving one in this car deserving of a gag.”

Julia giggled in agreement. “I just can’t believe that man stopped for breath mints in the middle of transporting a master thief. He’s practically addicted to those things.”

“You think I’m a ‘master’?” Carmen smirked. “Thanks for such a glowing compliment, Agent Argent.”

The two sat in silence for a moment, waiting for Chase’s return. Right before Julia was about to say something else to her prisoner when both ladies could hear the French agent shout from inside the store, “I DEMAND YOU LET ME IN FRONT OF ZE LINE! ZISS IS A MATTER OF POLICE URGENCY!”

Startled, Julia turned her body, causing the remote to fall out of her pocket. Seizing her moment, Carmen grabbed the remote and pressed the button, releasing her from the cuffs. Realizing what happened, Julia grabbed her taser, but Carmen grabbed her wrist and used her other hand to pry Julia’s fingers from the weapon, causing it to fall onto the ground. 

Realizing that she wouldn’t be winning this conflict, Julia tried exiting the car to contact Chase or any other A.C.M.E. agent, but it was too late; Carmen now had the taser. She grabbed the agent by her suit jacket and dragged her as far away from the car door as possible while pointing the taser at Julia’s spine. 

“Looks like the shoe is on the other foot now,” Carmen said with a warm smirk.

“N-now now, M-miss Sandieg-go,” a fearful Julia stammered out. “Let’s not do anything hasty.”

“Well, your partner thinks I am a ‘no-good creeminahl’. Maybe I should help to bolster his claims by giving you a nice little shock,” the thief half-joked.

“But I know your style: you never hurt the innocent; only the criminals.”

“100% right again, Agent Argent. But I would still not try to wrestle this taser out of my hands. After all, it might accidentally slip from my hands and nick you.”

Looking back towards the convenience store, both ladies could still hear Chase creating a ruckus inside. 

“How much longer do you think it’ll take for him to come back from his breath mint run?” Carmen asked. 

“I really shouldn’t be giving away such information-”

‘Remind me again: who has the taser here?”

Julia sighed. “Forty seconds until he realizes in his haste that he picked up fruit mints...which he hates, thirty seconds to find the peppermint-flavored mints he prefers, and two more minutes to shout his way back to the front of the line and come back here.”

“Excellent. I think that gives me enough time to make a little switch.”

“What type of ‘switch’?”

Not answering Julia’s question, Carmen gently grabbed the sleeve of the agent’s suit jacket and ran her fingers against it.

“Do you know my favorite thing about you, Julia, besides your brains? Even though I’m a whole five inches taller than you, your clothes should still be able to fit me just fine.”

oOo

Exactly three minutes and ten seconds later (just as Julia has predicted), Chase returned, three new containers of mints in hand. As he stepped back into the car, he briefly looked over his shoulder to make sure everything was as he had left it: both his pantsuit-wearing partner and the red coat and fedora-wearing thief bound and gagged next to her were both still sitting in the backseat. Satisfied, Chase started the car back up and sped off to the police station. As he drove, he noticed that Carmen was making far more noise into her gag than she had been before. 

“Save your voice, Carmen,” the French agent advised his prisoner. “I'm sure ze Chief will have a lot of questions for you to answer once she gets a hold of you.”

“I completely agree with you, Chase,” Julia said. “You need to stop, Carmen, before I whip out the taser again.”

Chase furrowed his brow as he cracked open one of the new containers. “Miss Argent, are you ok? You sound a bit different. And even more peculiar, you are AGREEING with me for once!”

“I’m perfectly fine, Agent Devineaux. I was just thinking: maybe you were right this whole time. Maybe Carmen Sandiego IS a no-good hoodlum that deserves to be brought to A.C.M.E. in cuffs.”

Over Carmen’s growls of anger, Chase smirked. “Miss Argent, I'm so happy you are starting to see things my way.”

Carmen could only roll her eyes at this point. 

oOo

Minutes later, the car pulled up to the police station. Julia was the first to step out of the car.

“I’ll alert the Chief of our arrival,” she told her partner, whose mind was on all of the praise that’d surely be coming his way in the near future. “Why don’t you take hold of the prisoner? That way, you can be the one to present her.”

“A fine idea, Miss Argent,” Chase said with a smile as he opened the car door. As he did, the Chief walked out of the police station with several other A.C.M.E. agents in tow. 

“Agent Devineaux,” she greeted him. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“Chief, Agent Argent and I were called in on a robbery to ze Louvre-”

He looked around to find his partner, only for her to have seemingly vanished into thin air. 

“Huh, she just went out looking for you,” he mused. “Oh well. I'm sure she'll be back any second. Anyways, we responded to ze robbery call and you'll never guess who we captured while we were zere.”

Proudly, he pulled the thief out by her coat and presented her to his boss. The Chief’s look of interest quickly turned into a scowl. 

“Agent Devineaux,” she addressed him sharply, “is this some kind of joke?”

"What do you mean ‘joke’?" he asked. “It is she, ze one who we've been trying to capture for months: Carmen Sand-what ze?"

Upon actually looking at the person he had brought in, he realized that this wasn’t Carmen Sandiego; it was his partner, Julia, who was dressed in the thief’s signature red coat and fedora while also wearing the handcuffs and gag. 

“Zat's impossible! I tasered her, placed her in ze car, and I checked zat she was still zere after I stopped for zose mints-"

“Let me get this straight,” the Chief questioned him. “You were transporting our most wanted target, and you stopped for BREATH MINTS?!”

As Chase continued to sputter out an excuse and while the Chief mentally questioned her decision to hire him in the first place, both didn’t Julia blush through all of this, as well as the note that fell from the red coat’s pocket. 

oOo

From a nearby rooftop, Carmen (still wearing her Julia ‘cosplay’) watched the scene unfold with a smirk, gently tossing the Seated Scribe (stolen back during the switch) between her hands.

“I gotta say, Red,” Player complimented her, “you look pretty fly in a pantsuit.”

“It’s a pretty snug fit, though,” Carmen noted, tugging at the sleeves. “Why couldn’t Chase partner with a girl my height?”

“Well, all’s right with the world again: the Seated Scribe is back in your possession, and Chase is in ‘le doghouse’ with the Chief. But I do feel a little bad for Julia, having to do her dirty like that.”

“Both of us girls won,” the thief assured her. “She didn’t have to catch me and I got away. And I think the note I left with her will make her day a bit brighter.”

“What note?”

“I scribbled it a block before we got to the station. It reads, You can keep this jacket too. I hope we can do this again sometime...but maybe without Chase.”

“What a cute love letter,” Player teased.

Carmen scoffed. “It wasn’t a love letter…”

“Well, I think you should know that I ship you with Julia. ‘Jules-Thief’, I call the ship.”

“Send me the fanfiction I’m sure you have featuring us girls later. Anyways, you have the hotel room ready for me?”

“A five star suite, courtesy of V.I.L.E.’s funds, is waiting for you, Red. Sending the coordinates now.”

As Carmen shot her grappling hook out and swung away, she could hear the familiar cry of “LA FEMME ROUGE!” echo through the streets of Paris. 

[kaleidescope-writes]

Heart of Audrilluria- Chapter XIV; The Coronation

Modern Fairytale AU

Prince!Tom Hiddleston x Thief! Reader

Warning: Slight Angst!

The soft, calming aura of the room heavily contrasted the restless thoughts that ran through Y/N’s mind. It was the morning of the coronation which meant a number of things. First, she’d have to say goodbye to whatever was going on between her and Thomas. Then there was having to go back to the living hell she’d lived in before this absolute fairytale began. That, and she was going to be a criminal in the eyes of the man she’d come to love. Love? Is that what it felt like? Internally sobbing, she began to think back on everything that happened in the past two weeks. It hurt to even think about how much she wanted to stay. For Him. She remembered what he told her the day he confessed to her; “I want to know you! I want to spend time with you. I want to know the things you love and the things you hate. I want to look at the sunset with you in my arms. I want to spend every day knowing I can come home to you. I want to stay here with you by my side and enjoy life. I want to escape all my problems with you. I want you.”

She wanted him too. 

But he was too good for her. He deserved someone better. Someone that wouldn’t steal from him or lie to him the way she did. Someone that wasn’t her. 

A loud ringing interrupted her thoughts. Already fully awake, she had no trouble getting up to answer the phone. Reaching to answer it, she hesitated slightly. It’s too soon. Snapping herself out of her thoughts, she brought the phone up to her ear and answered with a quiet ‘hello’. “Good morning, Lady Santiago. I presume your plans for today are ready?” Edmundo asked in his normal overly excited tone of voice for the mornings. “Yes, we have everything prepared. We just need our dresses and we will be ready to leave,” Y/N responded, trying to not sound as if she wanted to change her mind. “Very well,” Edmundo spoke, “I will take your dresses up so that we may discuss what will happen at noon.” “Thank you,” Y/N said before hanging up. Turning to face the door, she remembered what happened last night. She remembered Thomas visiting her so late at night. She remembered saying yes to his proposal just so he’d leave. She remembered telling a half-asleep Amelie they’d travel in different cars. How was she going to explain that? Sure, Amelie wasn’t fully paying attention, but she could wake up and realize what Y/N said. 

Before she had a chance to think about what to say to Amelie, the door to her room opened. “Rise and shine!” Amelie cheered. She walked into the room and sat down on the unmade bed. “Today is the day!” She gushed. Y/N gave her a soft smile, going to sit by her side. “Today is the day,” she repeated softly. Amelie put an arm around Y/N’s shoulders, leaning into her slightly. Y/N simply put her head on Amelie’s shoulder and focused on the teal curtains in the room. 

“So why was he here last night?” Amelie asked, completely out of the blue. “He wanted to make sure we were good for today and that we knew our dresses would be sent up soon,” Y/N responded simply, still looking at those expensive curtains. “Not Edmundo,” Amelie insisted, “Thomas. I know he was here. I was more awake than you think.” Y/N sat up in shock, knocking Amelie’s arm off her shoulder. She turned to look at her in confusion and fear. “How di--” “I was eavesdropping and hoped you’d admit to talking to him last night,” Amelie interrupted, giving her a smug smile. Y/N looked at the floor, wrapping her arms around herself tightly. “So you know he wanted me to be his date to the coronation?” Amelie kept her smile, raising her eyebrow and tilting her head slightly, “Ya, I know. I just wasn’t expecting you to say yes.” 

Y/N sighed, “I had to. He wouldn’t leave if I didn’t. I didn’t want you to know he was here, so I said yes quickly. Which now that I think about it, was pointless since you knew.” Amelie chuckled lightly, putting her hand on Y/N’s knee. “I’m your baby sister, of course I’d know,” she teased, “Besides, this could benefit us.” Y/N gave her yet another look of confusion, “How?” Amelie stood from her spot on the bed and began to pace as she spoke; “Well, the first time you two had a romantic encounter, you were in the balcony located on the same floor as the guarded room. If he takes you to the balcony before midnight, you can get to the room easily and take it before we get to the runaway car. I’m almost completely sure he’ll want to say one last goodbye before the party ends.”Y/N nodded, realizing she had a point. This wasn’t in the plan, but it was more full proof than anything else she had in mind. “If anything goes wrong, we have Edmundo and others in on it,” Y/N agreed. “Exactly,” Amelie smiled. 

A knock at the door of the main room alerted both sisters to Edmundo’s arrival. “Speak of the devil,” Amelie muttered, going to answer the door. Y/N followed her out to the main room of the suite. Amelie opened the door to be greeted with a luggage carrier with both their dresses on it, covered in a black protective plastic. “Ladies Santiago,” he greeted from behind the carrier. “Mr. Edmundo,” Amelie retorted, moving to the side of the door in order to allow him to enter. Pushing the carrier through the door frame, Edmundo walked in. He shut the door behind him as soon as he cleared it and moved the carrier to the side. “I have the thigh holster with the carrier box attached to it. As well as your dress with the removable skirt,” he said to Y/N. She nodded appreciatively as he walked closer to them. 

“What do you need from the moles?” he asked, standing directly in front of the two. “We need someone guarding the room and someone to distract Thomas when we make our move,” Amelie commanded. “I have two moles working as guards tonight and four footmen,” Edmundo confirmed, “I can send one up when you are ready.” “Perfect,” Amelie smiled, “When Y/N and Thomas make it to the balcony, I’ll give you the signal.” Edmundo nodded. “Immediately after you leave, I’ll have the rest of the moles take your luggage to the jet,” he said, pulling a box out of his jacket, he opened the box containing earpieces they’d use for communication. “And these are for you. Both your dresses have pockets where they can be stored until you need them. In Y/N’s box, there are gloves to keep in her dress pockets for when she’s in the room,” Edmundo instructed, “Are you ready to begin?” 

Amelie and Y/N looked at each other and nodded, “We’re ready.” 

~~~~~

The castle was full of activity. The footmen and maids were running around, finishing up the preparations for the party to be held later in the afternoon. It was hectic, but the day’s event was just that big. Thomas was in his room, putting on the final details to his ceremonial white and gold suit. He looked in the mirror, taking in every detail. Today was the day. Today he would become king and give love one last chance. It was a bigger day than he anticipated. Thomas felt ready, no doubt, but he couldn’t help the small feeling of nervousness that arose. He wasn’t sure if it were for the coronation ceremony or for when he faced Y/N possibly for the last time. 

No, he thought, it won’t be the last time I see her. His plan would work. She would be his, even if they had to deal with the distance. They would be together, no matter what. He was sure of it. 

“Brooding again, or are you going over the plan in your head?” Charles asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Both, actually,” he joked, turning to face his cousin. “It’ll work,” Charles comforted, “I’m sure it will. And for the other thing, I’m sure it’s normal for soon to be kings to brood.” Thomas laughed, walking up to Charles and putting a hand on his shoulder. “Of course it is,” Thomas responded, “Every king before me did it and every king after me will do it.” Charles laughed, causing him to smile wider. “Then you truly are destined to be king,” Charles smiled, “Hopefully with Y/N as your queen.” 

Before Thomas could respond to that, a knock on the door interrupted. He muttered a ‘come in’ and the door opened to reveal Augustus, already dressed in his suit. “Your majesty,” he greeted with a slight bow, “I humbly request a word with you.” Thomas chuckled and rolled his eyes, “Granted.” Charles was going to speak before Augustus stopped him mid-breath; “Baron Charles, your presence is requested at the royal office. Please leave us.” Charles looked at him in surprise before looking at Thomas. Thomas simply nodded and Charles took his leave, still confused at Augustus’s mannerisms. 

Once Augustus was sure he was no longer in ear-shot, he began to speak, “You’ve inspired me Tom.” It was Thomas’s turn to look at him in confusion. “How would I have done that?” he asked, not understanding. “Tonight after you become king, you will show your beloved that you are willing to fight for the love you feel for her. I intend to do the same,” Augustus explained. Thomas beamed at Augustus’s words. “Finally,” he gushed. He opened his arms to embrace his best friend in a manly hug. 

They separated after a moment, still feeling a similar happiness. Today was a big day for everyone, whether it was due to the coronation or the pursuit of love, everyone in the castle had a reason to celebrate. 

“Are you ready to head out to the throne room?” Augustus asked after a minute. “I’m ready,” Thomas confirmed. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The room was crowded with nobles and other guests, all waiting for the ceremony. Y/N had arrived earlier than most of the guests in a separate car from Amelie. She was OK with it only because it helped with the plan. Y/N was closest to the throne where Thomas would be crowned, given that she was his guest of honor. Date, she thought, he said date. She took in a shaky breath. There was the feeling again. The feeling that arose every time the smallest thought of him came to her mind. She put her hand on her abdomen in a minimal attempt to suppress the feeling in her stomach. It wasn’t butterflies. Butterflies were a sign of infatuation. This was different. It felt different. She couldn’t describe it, but she knew it was a sign of love. Love that was new to her. Love that she hadn’t felt for anyone, especially not a target. Love that made her want to stay. Love that would soon turn into pain. And when this was over, she knew it would hurt to say goodbye. 

Shaking her head, Y/N decided to focus on the small details of the room. The large room was gold in color with a few accents of either grey or white. She stood on the side of the stairs that led to the king’s throne. Hanging overhead was the crest of Blythenon surrounded by a gold plaque. The room was much bigger than any other room she’d been in before. It was bigger and more beautiful. 

“He actually invited you to be his date?” Augustus asked behind her. Y/N turned to find him dressed in an expensive looking suit. He looked sharp. “Are you surprised?” She asked, smiling now that she wasn’t the only one there. “Not really, I just wasn’t expecting you to say yes,” he said simply. Y/N chuckled, putting one arm around his shoulders in a quick embrace, “Neither did Amelie, but here we are.” They pulled away after a moment, continuing to talk as the room’s inhabitants continued to grow. 

They lost track of time catching up on everything that had happened in the past few days, only coming back to reality when the trumpets signaling the commencement of the ceremony rang through the large hall. Y/N and Augustus turned to see Thomas Standing at the entrance down the aisle. He stood there gracefully in his white ceremonial suit decorated with elaborate gold embroidery and a red sash. He wasn’t wearing the glasses he would normally wear, but that just made it easier to see his gorgeous blue eyes. He bowed and began to walk effortlessly down the aisle, maintaining perfect posture and an even pace. His eyes were focused on the front where he would be greeted by his mother, father, majordomo, and Archbishop. The trumpets ceased as Thomas stood mere feet in front of the archbishop and bowed. The archbishop began his disquisition, pausing briefly every so often to give Thomas a chance to respond. “You may face your people,” he instructed. Thomas turned around, skimming the room briefly before something caught his eye. He paused to gaze at the emerald green dress littered with golden accents, eyes slowly drifting upwards to see the gorgeous face of the woman he’d come to love in this short time. He admired how her loose curled hair perfectly framed her soft features, skin accentuated by both the color of her hair and the color of her dress. She looked perfect. She always did.

Thomas gave her a soft, authentic smile that screamed ‘you look beautiful.’ Y/N looked down momentarily with a sheepish smile gracing her deep red lips. She returned her glance to his eyes and kept it there, both smiling lovingly at each other until the archbishop continued with his disquisition. “Look upon your people, the people you swear to protect, lead, and bring justice to. Speak your vows as you hold the Orb of Unity and Mercy in one hand and the Scepter of Leadership and Justice in the other.” The majordomo approached him and placed both items into his hands. Taking the golden, jewel encrusted orb in one hand and matching scepter in the other, he began to speak his vows. “I, Prince Thomas William Hiddleston of Audrilluria, solemnly swear to lead my country with a gentle but firm hand,” he spoke in a thunderous, determined tone. “I will bring justice to my people, be merciful, and remain forever loyal to my people and my predecessors. On this day, I take an oath to be a just, moral king and put the good of my people first. On this day, I vow to be a dignified king.” 

“You may proceed to take your place on the throne,” the archbishop instructed. Thomas turned, still holding both sacred items, and made his way up the stairs as the majordomo spoke the Audrillurian creed in Latin. Once he stood in front of the throne, he turned to face the crowd once more and slowly sat down. The majordomo approached his father, still reciting the creed, and removed the king’s crown from his head. He walked up to the throne with it in his hands. Once he stood directly in front of Thomas, he placed the crown on Thomas’s head. The majordomo then took the sacred items from him and went to return them to their rightful place in the gilded royal chest. 

“Place your right hand on Audrilluria’s heart and complete your vows,” the archbishop commanded. The majordomo returned to Thomas’s side and removed a piece of velvet fabric from the stand next to the throne. There it was. The famed Heart of Audrilluria. The only reason Y/N was standing so close to the throne at that very moment. Still looking to the crowd, Thomas placed his hand on the glass box containing the necklace and spoke, “I, Prince Thomas, son of King James, heir to the throne of my ancestors, pledge to do everything I swore to and continue to lead Audrillore in peace and harmony.” 

“Stand now and complete the ceremony of your coronation,” spoke the archbishop. 

Thomas removed his hand from the glass and stood from his throne. He continued to look in the direction of the guests, maintaining his chin up with a proud expression etched onto his features. “I present to you, Thomas William Hiddleston, King of Audrillore,” the majordomo announced. Everyone in the room bowed as the trumpets began to play once more, their song welcoming their new king.

~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as the coronation ended, the guests were moved to the castle’s ballroom to begin the celebration of the new king. It was well into the hours of the afternoon and the ballroom was filled with people surrounded by music that made it slightly difficult to hear nearby conversations. Y/N stood near a window watching as stars began to light up the sky, waiting patiently to be reunited with Amelie so the plan would begin. As if on queue, Amelie walked up to her, wearing her navy blue dress with silver glitter accents. “Are we ready to go?” she asked, not looking away from the window. “We are, I’ll approach Thomas as soon as he walks in. Tell Edmundo to get the guards ready,” Y/N replied. With that, Amelie nodded and left in search of their ally. 

Once she was sure Amelie wasn’t around, Y/N turned to look at the people dancing around the room and began to make her way further into the room. This reminded her of the first party she attended at the castle. It was equally as crowded, if not more, and she felt slightly out of place. Pushing those feelings away, she walked up to a group of mingling nobles she’d spoken to countless times before. She imagined the topic of tonight’s conversation would be the coronation and all its splendor. 

Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing when the familiar trumpets began to play a short tune. “Presenting his highness, King Thomas,” a footman spoke. Thomas walked in wearing his simpler, post coronation crown and everyone in the room bowed to him once more. He began to make his way to the dancing area and the crowd parted, allowing him to pass. A soft, orchestral song began to play as he arrived at the dancing area. 

Instantly, his eyes began to search for the one person he wanted to invite to dance. Eyes landing on her enchanting presence, he extended his hand to her in a silent invitation to join him for a dance. Y/N walked to him and took his hand, knowing this would be the last dance they’d ever share. Pulling her in closer, Thomas began to lead her in the waltz they shared on the night of Rosamund’s Celebration. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes as they swayed majestically around the room. Her dress flowed with every step they took. Everyone in the room seemed to have disappeared as they danced in their own little words. Everything Y/N felt for the man holding her was silently communicated with her eyes. Thomas’s eyes did the same as they continued to gaze into each other’s eyes. Slowly, the song that played began to end, and with it, the comforting barrier that separated them from the rest of the room. When the final notes were played, Thomas spun her around and bowed. The guests cheered when the song ended and slowly began to resume their previous places in the room, some joining the couple in the dance area. 

Thomas and Y/N never broke their eye contact, even after they were surrounded by the other guests. “Come with me,” Thomas spoke suddenly, breaking their loving silence. Y/N simply nodded, knowing full where they were going and what would happen next. He took her hand, beginning to lead her through the sea of people. While Thomas was distracted, maneuvering them through everyone, Y/N looked around the room for Amelie. Once she met her sister’s eyes, she gave her a nod, signaling that the second phase of the plan was about to begin. 

They made their way out towards the hall that led to the grand staircase covered with red carpeting that connected the first and second floor. Silently, they made their way up the stairs, Y/N holding the front of her dress so she wouldn’t fall. Even if she did trip, she was sure Thomas would catch her. He was a gentleman in that way. 

Walking through the hallway of the second floor, they approached an all too familiar door. Thomas opened the door to the office, allowing her to enter before he did. They walked through the room headed for the balcony once more. Once they reached it, Thomas opened the door for her again and they entered the balcony close together. Y/N admired the many stars in the sky, wishing she could stay there longer. Wishing she didn’t have to go through with the plan. “The stars are beautiful, aren’t they?” Thomas asked suddenly, causing her to look to him briefly before returning to the stars. “Where I live, we don’t see this many because of all the light pollution that comes with living in the city,” she replied. Thomas smiled at her, despite her not seeing it. “Will you miss seeing this many stars?” he asked, slowly wrapping his arms around her middle. “I’ll miss everything about this place,” she breathed, desperately trying to swallow the lump forming in her throat. 

They fell once more into a comfortable silence as they both admired the stars above them. Y/N wished this wouldn’t end. She wished she could stay here, in his arms, instead of having to break his heart. But she knew that wasn’t possible. In a few minutes, a footman would enter the room and take him away from her. In a few minutes, she would lose him forever. 

“Stay with me,” Thomas said softly, still looking up at the stars. Y/N turned to face him in surprise. “What?” she muttered, turning fully in his arms as he looked down at her. “Stay here with me,” he repeated, arms still wrapped around her waist, “I want a future here with you. I want to spend the rest of my life knowing I can see your beautiful face everyday. I want to someday marry you and have you be mine for as long as you want. I’m willing to do anything for you. It doesn’t matter to me that we’ve only known each other for two weeks. I am prepared to do anything so long as it means I may have you by my side.”

Tears began to well in her eyes. Why would he do this now? Why couldn’t this just be a final goodbye. “I want to,” she whispered, “I really do, but I have to go back home.” Thomas looked at her with the softest eyes she’d ever seen. “Then there is no reason for us not to still be together. Even if our relationship is separated by two thousand miles,” he murmured. There is, she thought, I’m a thief that doesn’t deserve your affection. “We’ll fall apart,” she objected, “Long distance relationships never work out.” “We can make it,” he said hopefully, “I love you enough to make anything work. And if it gets too hard, I will go to Spain in person and visit you for as long as you want me there.” Y/N sighed, “Audrillore needs its king.” Thomas smiled softly at her words, holding on to her a little tighter. “And a king needs his queen,” he countered. Looking down to her lips, Thomas began to lean in slowly. Y/N wanted to lean into the impending kiss. She knew she couldn’t. She shouldn’t. Yet, she chose not to pull away.

“Your majesty,” a man called out, standing in the middle of the office. Quickly, Thomas and Y/N pulled away. “The Earl of the Algar republic requests your presence immediately,” he continued. Thomas groaned silently, trying his best not to show any displeasure. “May you give us a minute?” he asked, desperately wanting him to leave so that he could kiss his beloved. “Afraid not, majesty,” the footman shook his head, “The earl said it was urgent and that he wouldn’t take no as a satisfactory answer.” Thomas sighed deeply, turning to look back at Y/N. “I will escort Lady Santiago back to the ballroom. You must hurry,” he concluded. Thomas walked closer to Y/N, putting his index finger and thumb under her chin, caressing her cheek. “We will continue this later, my dear,” he said in the softest voice she’d heard from him. Y/N nodded as much as she could before Thomas pulled away and began his journey down the hall to the staircase. 

It’s time, Ms. L/N,” he said to her, walking out of the room with her close behind. They made their way down the hall in the opposite direction of the staircase. When they approached the guarded door, the footman nodded at the guards, signaling  that it was time. Both guards nodded back and one opened the door for her. As Y/N stepped into the room, one of the guards spoke, “Put the earpiece on once the necklace is secured. Edmundo will give you instructions to exit the castle without being seen and to the getaway car. You have ten minutes.” 

With that, the door closed behind her. Y/N took the gloves out of her pockets and slipped them on. She then reached behind her and unclipped the dress’s skirt from the corset of the dress, leaving her in black leggings with the thigh bag around her right leg. After placing the skirt on the floor neatly, she made her way to the two glass boxes. The replica was in the box that was uncovered, while her target was in the one under the same velvet fabric she saw in the ceremony. Carefully, she uncovered her target’s box and set the fabric aside. Y/N looked at the heart in the center of the necklace. Her mind began to think about what would happen once the job was done. She began to think about Thomas. No, not now.  

Her mind began to race and her hands began to shake. An awful feeling spread through her body. She couldn’t do this now. He would never forgive him. She would never see him again, but it still hurt to think about his love for her becoming the deepest of hate. Y/N let her arms fall to her sides. She couldn’t do it. Not now.

“Five minutes,” one of the guards called out. She had to do this. She didn’t have a choice, it had to be done. Making up her mind, she took a pen she’d gotten from the office earlier out of one of the skirt pockets and used it to lift the glass from the bottom. Once she was able to grab it safely, she took it out and looked into its deep blue heart. The feeling returned, this time, it was ten times as strong. Looking around the room, she noticed a solitary desk where she could leave the pen. She glanced back at the necklace in her hands and bit her lip. “Two minutes.” 

One of the guards opened the door to the guarded room. Before he was able to say anything, however, Y/N walked out of the room, skirt back in place, earpiece in, and a determined look gracing her features. She nodded at the guards, beginning her walk down the hallway in the direction Edmundo was describing in the earpiece. Phase four of the plan had begun. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: That took longer than I though it would, but nevertheless, it is done. I hope you enjoyed this long chapter, I had a lot of fun writing it and I was looking forward to this one the most. I based the coronation ceremony loosely on Princess Diaries 2, Frozen, and an actual coronation video I found. What did you think? Also, what do you think about the dress I picked? Feel free to let me know. Thank you to all of the people that took the dress color survey, it really helped me out a lot. Anyway, thank you guys so much for reading and all the support!! I love you all so much and I wish you the very best!! Stay safe and I’ll see you tomorrow night for chapter 15!!

Taglist is OPEN.

@ladyblablabla​, @tvdplusriverdale​, @pipolaki​, @myraiswack​, @shockwavee​, @harringtonb-blog​, @cynic-spirit​, @little-moonbeam-666​, @ochizokulevy​​, @swifitiedaylight​, @blue-honey-bee-from-france​ @scorpionchild81​,  @imnotrevealingmyname​ @whathefuckrichard69​ @frostedgiant​ @falling4uke​​ 

[swanqueeneverafter]

The Once & Future Queen Pt.9

Camelot. Courtyard. (Guinevere places a Camelot cape and sword on a pyre in the courtyard.) Guinevere: “I want to pay tribute to Robin of Locksley. Known to many of you as Robin Hood. We owe him a great debt. It is not just his deed that we’ll never forget. It’s his courage. His compassion. (Lancelot brings Guinevere a torch for the pyre:) His unselfish heart. (Guinevere looks over to Zelena who nods. Guinevere then tosses the torch on the pyre:) He gave his life for all of us.” (Zelena cries as she watches the pyre burning. Regina and Henry console Robin while the flames continue to grow. Alice takes Will’s hand.) Will: “He didn’t sacrifice himself for Camelot. He wanted to prove himself worthy to a man he never even met. It cost him his life.” (Alice nods and places a comforting hand on his shoulder and leaves him by the pyre to join Robin and the others. Zelena continues to weep by the pyre, as the courtyard slowly clears out.)

Arendelle. Past. Dawn. (Staring out at the lights coming from Arendelle castle, Emma rounds on Blackbeard, who looks rather pleased with himself.) Emma: "Arendelle. Seriously?" Blackbeard: (Chuckling:) "What's the big problem? I agreed to take you one place and we arrived at another. In fact by my reckoning, I've taken you further than we agreed." Emma: "Yeah, I can see that." Blackbeard: "Which means a renegotiation of my fee is required." Mulan: "What?!" Blackbeard: "Don't worry, I know you ladies don't have any money. So, since I only hire gentlemen for my crew... (Blackbeard’s crew begins to close in around Emma and Mulan:) I'm sure we can work something out." Emma: "You've got to be kidding." Blackbeard: "Just be relieved you didn't sail with Captain Hook and his crew. Because believe me, you two would have found the rogerings anything but jolly." (Emma looks to Mulan, who merely shrugs.) Emma: (Sighs:) "All right, you guys asked for it." (The crew cheer and converge on the two women. Moments later however, they are all blasted overboard by a pulse of Emma's powers. Drawing her sword, Mulan holds it at Blackbeard’s neck.) Mulan: "I believe you spoke of a renegotiation?" Blackbeard: "Ah. (Smiles:) What did you ladies have in mind?"

A Short Time Later. (Emma watches from the deck while Blackbeard rows away from them, cursing their names.) Blackbeard: "You ungrateful harlots! I hope you never get home!" Emma: "Yeah you just keep rowing, buddy." Mulan: (Standing by the cannon:) "Or we'll blast your little boat to pieces." Blackbeard: "You will rue the day you ever crossed the legendary Blackbeard!" Storybrooke. Present. The Dragon's Lair. (At Robin Hood's wake, Rumplestiltskin and Regina talk at the bar.) Rumplestiltskin: "Forgive me, it must be my age but, didn't we already have a wake for Robin Hood?" Regina: "Different guy." Rumplestiltskin: "I see." Regina: "Anyway, you're one to talk. You've come back to life more than a few times." Rumplestiltskin: "This is true." Regina: (As Rumple brings his drink to his lips:) "We didn't bother with a wake, though." Rumplestiltskin: (Chuckles:) "Perhaps next time." Regina: "Mm." Rumplestiltskin: "I get how you're feeling you know. Being separated from the one you love, knowing they're still out there somewhere. It's-" Regina: "Agony." Rumplestiltskin: "Yeah. (Places his hand on hers:) Of course, being separated from the one you love for thirty years after thinking they were dead is much harder." Regina: (Slapping his hand playfully:) "All right, it's not a competition." Rumplestiltskin: "If it were I'd win." (Elsewhere, Zelena and Robin talk about their feelings.) Zelena: "I'm sorry you had to go through this again. Losing your father like this." Robin: "Mom, he wasn't my father, you get that right?" Zelena: "Even so..." Robin: "Mom, your boyfriend just died to save everyone. That makes him a hero, but still not my Dad." Zelena: (Nods:) "I know. I just... this is the second time I've caused the death of the same man. How do I get over something like that?" Robin: "What happened wasn't your fault. He made the choice to sacrifice himself. I was the one who originally asked him to fight with us in the Dream World. If I hadn't then maybe-" Zelena: "Robin was little more than a common thief who spent his money on booze after fighting in the King's army. If you hadn't come along when you did to inspire him to fight, he'd still be there now. Robin told me as much on our first date." Robin: "He did?" Zelena: (Nods:) "He credited you for turning his life around. (Taking her hand:) Even though he wasn't your father, he was very proud of you." Robin: "I wish I hadn't given him such a hard time when you guys first started going out." Zelena: "He understood. It was difficult for all of us. What's important is the time we spent together and that in the end, he had something worth fighting for." Robin: (Smiles:) "I guess you're right. Just... promise me one thing?" Zelena: "Anything." (Robin stands, pulling her mother into an embrace.) Robin: "No more hooking up with Robin Hood doppelgängers, please?" Zelena: (Chuckles:) "I promise."

(Standing at the bar, Henry notices Will sitting alone and goes over to talk.) Henry: “Will! Hey.” Will: (Nods:) “Alright.” Henry: “How are you doing? Everything all right?” Will: (Takes a drink:) “Is it that obvious?” Henry: (Chuckles:) “Well, the truth is, I, uh, I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done. Helping Ella through Wonderland and everything.” Will: “Oh I don’t think you want to be thanking me for everything we did together. After all, (Winks:) someone had to be there for her, didn’t they?” Henry: “Uh-” Will: “You know Henry, you're not the only weirdo that believes in signs. I think it's in our darkest hours that the universe shows us our true path. (Henry’s cellphone rings:) That might be the universe calling.” Henry: “It’s Ella.” Will: “Ah. Well you better answer at least one of her calls eh?” (Will finishes his drink and leaves.) Henry: (Confused by Will’s behaviour, answers the phone:) “Hello? Oh, yeah, yeah. Sure. Of course I’ll be right there.” On A Hill Overlooking Storybrooke. (Seated together on a large rock, Gabrielle and Xena take time to enjoy their surroundings.) Gabrielle: "I'm sorry Robin Hood had to die, but I'm glad neither of us had to make that sacrifice." Xena: "Those days are over, remember?" Gabrielle: "Just be sure you do, Ms. Martyr." Xena: "Don't worry. I made you a promise never to die on you again after the incident with the Ambrosia." Gabrielle: (Watches Xena sharpen her sword:) "Yeah, and then you went and died two more times after that." Xena: "Technically you died on me first." Gabrielle: "But I came back to you." Xena: "Well so did I!" Gabrielle: (Chuckles:) "You're on thin ice, Warrior Princess." Xena: "Ooh ice! That was another one." Gabrielle: (Nods:) "I remember. When you let Ares beat the crap out of you. What was the point of that again?" Xena: "To draw out the Furies." Gabrielle: "Right. (Xena returns to sharpening:) At least that's one thing we don't have to deal with here." Xena: "What, Gods? (Gabrielle nods:) Yeah, that is a relief." Red Queen: (Arriving in a cloud of red smoke:) "Don't breathe that sigh of relief just yet, darlings." (Xena spins around, her sword ready for action.) Gabrielle: (Stands:) "Who are you?" Red Queen: "Why, I'm the Red Queen of course. And while I may not be a God, my powers will make you pray for mercy soon enough." Xena: "Get down!" (The Red Queen sends a jet of sparks towards Xena and Gabrielle, obliterating the rock they were sitting on. As the dust settles, the Queen sees that her prey have disappeared.) Red Queen: "Oh well, there's nothing like a good hunt." (Straightening her gloves, the Red Queen walks deeper into the woods. Hidden up in the trees, Xena and Gabrielle watch her go, concerned looks upon their faces.)

Arendelle. Past. Harbour. (Elsa rushes to the dock with Kristoff following her.) Kristoff: “Elsa! Wait! It's too late.” (Elsa watches Anna’s ship leave the harbour.) Elsa: “We have to go after her.” Kristoff: “No.” Elsa: “Are you really saying ‘no’ to your queen?” Kristoff: “I'm saying no to my future sister. (Elsa gives him a look:) In-law. For good reason. We both love Anna. We both know her. She will be fine.” Elsa: “She didn't have to do this alone.” Kristoff: “Yes, she did. You told Anna and you're right... You're the queen. We all remember well what happened the last time you left.” Elsa: “Why didn't you go with her?” Kristoff: “She didn't want me to. She thought I was needed here.” Elsa: “For what?” Kristoff: “She didn't want you to be alone. She'll be fine. I believe in her. You should too. Because she doesn't give up on the people she loves. And she always succeeds.” Elsa: “She also sometimes acts before she thinks. This place could be dangerous. What do we even know about this... Misthaven? How have I never heard of it?” Kristoff: “You might know it better by what the inhabitants call it.” Elsa: “What's that?” Kristoff: “The Enchanted Forest.” Emma: (Slightly out of breath from running:) "Queen Elsa! (Turns to see Mulan catching up with her:) I'm so glad you’re here." Elsa: "I'm sorry... (Looks to Kristoff, who shrugs:) Do I know you?" Emma: "Not yet, but you will. In time."

Storybrooke. Present. Will & Tiana’s Apartment. (Ella opens the door to Henry.) Henry: “This is so weird, I was just talking to Will at the bar.” Ella: “Oh, how’s he doing?” (Steps aside to allow Henry entry.) Henry: “He was acting kinda strange, but that’s to be expected I guess.” Ella: “Knowing Will as I do now, I’d say strange was definitely to be expected.” (They share a laugh.) Henry: “So, what are we doing here?” Ella: “Well, Tiana and I were talking and we thought it might be a good idea if you were to... ask me on a date.” Henry: “I thought we were already going on a date?” Ella: “Yeah, but a little romantic gesture always goes a long way.” Henry: (Smiles:) “Of course. (Looks around the apartment and spots something:) Ah. (Walks over and picks up a handful of flowers from a vase and hands them to Ella:) Ella, would you do me the honour of having dinner with me at the Dragon’s Lair?” Ella: (Smiling:) “I’d be delighted.” Henry: “Great. Pick you up here?” Ella: “Uh, no. How about I meet you there?” Henry: “Sure, what time?” Ella: “Say around...7.30?” Henry: “Sounds like we have ourselves a date.” Ella: “Yeah.” Henry: “So, do you want me to-” Ella: “Oh, no, Tiana and I have some stuff to do here.” Henry: “Okay, great. I’ll... see you at 7.30.” (He leaves. Ella leans on the door frame and watches him go.) The Dragon's Lair. (Regina is returning a glass to its shelf behind the bar when a voice calls out to her.) Ruby: "Regina. (Regina jumps and turns to face her:) Bad time?" (Regina glances around the empty bar.) Regina: (Sighs:) "I guess not." Ruby: "Great. I thought we could talk." Regina: "Yeah... all right." Ruby: (Takes seat at the bar:) "So, the last time this happened, Emma changed a few things in the past. Have you... I mean, do you feel any different?" Regina: "I'm not sure it really works that way. If there were big changes being made to our past, we in the present wouldn't necessarily know about it. The changes themselves would become our past." Ruby: "Oh... No, sorry, I don't quite get it?" Regina: "Okay, well the last time Emma went back, she and Hook altered a few key events. After they returned to the present, the only way we knew they were changes was because she told us about them. Does that make sense?" Ruby: "I guess so. I just thought that if Mulan and Emma were doing something in the past and we could sort of sense it happening, it'd be a way of being close to them? Kinda silly, huh?" Regina: (Shakes her head:) "No, it's not silly. It's very sweet. But like I said, I think the only way we're going to know what damage they've done is when they come back to us." Ruby: (Wistfully:) "Yeah." Regina: "And when they do return, I don't know about you, but I plan to jump Emma's bones the very first chance I get." (Ruby laughs heartily at this while Regina pours them both a drink.)

Granny's Diner. (David and Kristoff catch up.) Kristoff: "So, how're you handling things?" David: "Well, Snow's obviously busy covering Regina's duties as Mayor as best she can in between teaching her classes. And I've been helping down at the station whenever Lily needs an extra hand now that Hook is on his honeymoon." Kristoff: "Which is ironic when you think about it. I mean, Hook now literally has an extra hand and he's not here to lend it to his daughter." David: "I think Anna's terrible sense of humour is rubbing off on you." Kristoff: "Hey, Anna's sense of humour is great, just like mine. Your problem is you don't know good puns when you hear them." Unknown Location. Past. (Having agreed to take Emma and Mulan to the warrior's homeland, Kristoff has been pushing Sven pretty hard.) Kristoff: "Keep going, buddy, you're doing great. (To the others:) Do you know why I chose a reindeer to pull my sled rather than dogs?" Emma: (Bored:) "No." Kristoff: "Sven has a louder bark. If you ask me, the dogs were a little husky." Emma: (As Kristoff laughs:) "Oh, God. Are we there yet?" Mulan: "Yes, up ahead, look!" (Through the thick snowfall, all eyes turn to the cabin barely visible in the distance. Pulling the sled to a stop, Kristoff jumps down and offers his hand to each of them in turn.) Kristoff: "I hope you enjoyed your ride with us today, don't forget to pat the reindeer upon exit." Emma: "Thanks, Kristoff. You're a life saver." Kristoff: "Think nothing of it, happy to be of help." (Jumping down from the sled, Mulan makes her way silently through the snow.) The Cabin. Emma: (Catching up with her:) "You sure this is the right place?" Mulan: "Yes, I'm sure. Just do me a favour, don’t mention my name while we’re here." Emma: “What?” Mulan: “Just trust me.” (Reaching the door, Mulan knocks firmly. When the door opens, a look of recognition crosses Emma's face.) Emma: "You?" Dragon: "May I help you?" (The Dragon stares at the two women standing on his doorstep while the snow continues to fall all around them.)

[stardancerluv]

Anguish & Changes

Part One of Three

Warning: Death, bare breasts

Arthur’s Note: I can’t believe there is no fanfic for him. This can be considered a side story to the movie. (I used shots of Natelie to help show Y/N)

Despite losing, daddy three years ago you and mother had been able to make a go of things. She was a wonderful teacher to the young kids and you, had become the new IT GIRL. You were a girl, that many an artist wanted to paint. Your face was on countless products. More then you would ever be able to buy.

You had gone into Chicago to collect your father’s traps. He had been killed after a night of playing cards.

While there artist saw you. He tracked you down and so your career took off. So you and mother lived comfortably. She continued to teach and you let him paint you. Some of those products were funny, one in particular was a new fangled powder for the teeth which you actually liked using.

So despite meeting your father your mother and you had a good life. As a special treat, you took your mother to go and see a show in the big city.

You were walking back to the hotel when your life changed forever.

“Ladies, empty your pouches.”

“What do you want?” Your mother always outspoken.

“Your money!”

“We have none.”

He closed the distance, “You do!” He ripped off the brooch off her dress. She reached and grabbed for it. His gun exploded. You screamed.

“Damn it.” He muttered. Then leaned over you, his breath sour. “Don’t speak a word of his.” He rasped and hit you with the butt of his gun, he grabbed your little bag an ran away.

“Mother...mother.” you sobbed and cradled her lifeless body in your arms.

*****

6 Months later.

You had to get away and well, not look back. You only kept a few possessions. You had heard the west was dangerous. So you would have to find a wagon train of some sort. That was going to be tedious. You were a single lady. Many didn’t take too kindly today. So you were prepared to do anything. You didn’t care too much about anything except keeping yourself safe.

It already had been a long journey from Chicago when you reached Huntsville. You walked into the stop to grab a few things.

“Do you know if there is any wagon train going out west?” You asked the kindly looking shopkeeper.

He smiled. “You came to the right place little lady.”

You swallowed. “Oh?”

He smiled broader. “Walk to the other side of town, they are gathering there. You will want to ask for ah...ahh...John Bishop. He’s putting one together.”

You gave a low, key smile one that would get you by. The day where you smiled were gone when that man gunned down your mother over a brooch and hit you with his gun. It was no longer part of who you were.

“Why, thank you sir! Fantastic. I will take all of this and that right behind you, keep the winter’s chill at bay.”

“I am so glad I could get you to smile. You looked like a such a sad girl. And no one deserves that kind of sadness. Anything else, I can grab for you?”

You grimaced. “That’s a nice thought. And thank you.” You put the items in your satchel.

You straightened, your hat. Your heart was racing. You ducked into a small ally. You were terrified. You needed to get out there, you needed protection. But you wanted to set yourself apart for any other woman who came there way.

You still remembered when the artist had told you that if you wanted to make even more money you could shed your bustle and be painted for those special books. Those books kept men warm at night. They made them feel not so lonely when they went to war. You had been so outraged. The nerve, how could he even ask such a thing. When you told him this, he apologized and never mentioned it again. Though right now, if you wanted to survive there were things that needed to be done.

As you hankered down in one of the narrow pathways before the end of town. There gathering your bravery, you heard hushed voices. You held your breath as you listened. You heard, “the women, and cat house” so you knew what these men were gonna try.

Your thoughts had been right, you’d have to resort to anything to survive. You could do this, you knew how to approach this entire situation.

Taking a deep breath, you envisioned several walls going around your heart, and the small part of you that could still and wanted to dream. You hoped that if your were frank with those men, they would be with you.

Walking you continued to the end of town. Once there you saw several people there you saw quite a few people, families..and others ladies. Someone was playing a fiddle others were dancing. Everything, was so lighthearted.

There, somewhat in the middle of the people fastening things down, you spotted a big man. Maybe he John Bishop, if he was it wouldn’t be too painful to offer what you were offering. He was not hard on the eyes. As you went over to him, you watched as he pulled a cloth over some crates then he went onto fasten it down with some rope.

“Hello, excuse me.”

He spit and rubbed his face with his gloved hand before looking at you. His eyes grew as his face fell over you. He looked you up and down.

“Hello.” His voice came out as a croak. He cleared his throat. “Hello, how can I help you?”

Your lips creeped up a touch. Look up into his brown eyes, “I am looking to join your wagon....”

A bark of chuckle came from him.

You took a step back.

“Look, I’m sorry.” He took his hat off, he ruffled his hair before putting his hat back on. “I’m not the leader type is all. I just do honest good work for him and along side the others. “You will want to talk to his right hand man first, Vic. It’s his baby brother. He tests everyone.”

“Ahh ok.” You relaxed, and stepped back. “Where is Vic?”

He pointed. “See that scraggly, skinny fellow with the corn colored hair?”

You followed his finger. Your stomach turned. He looked a like a coyote.

“Yes, I do.” You squinted and shielded your eyes from the sun.

“Well, there you go.” He grimaced. “Hope they say yes, a woman shouldn’t be alone out here.”

“Thank you.”

John then was most likely hideous, if his baby brother looked like that. Your survival, that is why you were there. You could handle this. He did not have to be attractive.

He walked away just then. Your heart picked up speed. He went over to the small cabin that was nearby. You had to stop him before he went inside. “Hello, excuse me?” You tried to keep your voice light, as nervousness grabbed you.

“Ah...yes?” He ran his fingers through his stringy hair. A stale, tobacco scent wafted off of him, your stomach lurched.

“I was told that John Bishop is running a wagon train.” Meeting his brown eyes you noticed flecks of green. “I would like to join.”

As you saw hesitation beginning to raise in his face you looked past him. In the warped glass you spotted someone.

“Well, ma’am you see we are leaving at dawn, we really can’t take anyone else on.”

Maybe that was his brother, you thought looking past him again your eyes met theirs. You could have sworn that he was gesturing to you.

“Umm...looks like” You looked into the window, you pointed. “I think he is gesturing to me.”

He looked behind the two of you. He shrugged. “I guess so.” He pushed open the door.

Your heart caught in your throat how could the man outside be related to this man. It was like night and day. Literally, where the brother had light hair and brown grounded eyes, the man you were looking at now had hair black as night and his eyes were like the sky on a cloudless day.

“Something, I can help you with?” He asked, softly.

“I’m hoping ride west with John Bishop’s party. Fella outside said there was no room.”

“That’s my brother, Vic. He’s an unyielding sort. What’s your name?”

“My name is Y/N.” You could see, feel as his blue eyes, looked over you. He bit a little harder on his cigar.

“Tell me something, Y/N how many is in your party?”

“Just me.” The more you spoke the more you realized one of the voices you heard belonged to him, perhaps the other one belong to his brother but you couldn’t be sure.

“Husband?” A small smiled played on your lips.

“Don’t have one. After my father died in the war, I was taking care of my mother and didn’t have time for suitors.”

“Where is your mother?”

You sighed, it still stung. “She got killed by a thief.”

“You’re only a slight thing, Y/N. I think we can accommodate your request.”

You had to act now, you began to undo the buttons of the top dress.

“Y/N,” A plume of smoke came from his mouth as he exhaled, his eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“I am not a stupid girl.” You swallowed, you undid your buttons to your waist. “I can see you wanting to make money, lots of money with them.” You gestured the ladies outside the window.

“I’m listening.” He sat back in his chair. His eyes didn’t leave yours as you spoke. “I don’t blame you.”

“Why, aren’t you as sharp as a razor.” He bit down on his cigar, his lips curled. He rocked a little on the back legs of the chair he sat on.

You flushed, a rich chuckle came from him. You dipped your head just so. When you met his eyes again you looked at him from under your lashes. “I am offering you me.”

He moved forward then. “Oh, are you?” He tilted his head to one side.

Grateful, your fingers didn’t shake, though inside you felt like you had been. Reaching up, you pulled back the top of your dress including the soft cotton chemise. Your full breasts were on full display.

He put his cigar down. Silence appear to fill the room completely. His mouth became a grim line. Not sure what that meant you continued.

Moving your hands down, grabbing the skirt you began pulling the skirt up and got to your calf when he slammed down hard on his chair and came around to you.

“Stop.” He shook your hands free of cloth you held. The skirt flowed back down to your ankles. Slightly winded, his eyes lingered on your bare breasts. His gloved hands grazing your skin pulled the chemise closed followed by the top portion of your dress. “Button that back up.”

You tilted your head to one side as he loomed over you. “So does this mean I’m yours?” A very slight smirk curled your lips. “And you don’t want to share?”

He cupped your chin, you exhaled by the force of it. His thumb caressed your jaw. “Do I own you completely, to do with as I wish?” He leaned in close.

“Protect me on this journey, and I will welcome you to bed every night. I will flirt, helping to sweeten any deal you need to make.”

His blue eyes which had been like chips of ice were now flames, his gaze burned right through you.

“I will be your kept woman. Any itch....any desire and I satisfy you as you see fit. And finally believe me when I say this.” You hoped this honesty would pay off. “If you take me as yours, you will be my first. I am no whore. So please don’t share me.”

He nodded. “Answer me one thing, before I tell my decision.” You were certain he would take you as his own.”

“Yes?”

“What made you this hard?”

“Life.”

*****

When you awoke, peaking out the flap you saw the purple hue still hung in the air. John, you noticed was ready up. Sitting back, you hugged your knees to your chest.

After a month, you were finally getting used to life in the wild. Though, you were very aware that you were traveling far more comfortably then most of the wagon train.

The smell of fresh coffee tickled your nose. Not being able to resist that, you stretched and pushing aside the flap you climbed out. After attending to your needs and splashing some water from the brook on your face, you let your nose lead you the coffee. As you walked over, your braided your hair which had become loose in the night.

“I knew the coffee would wake you.” John said. As you new close, he poured and handed you a cup. His suspenders where down and since the hour was so early he was rather unkept. You always liked this look.

“Thank you.” Wrapping your hands around, you blew on hot inky liquid before taking a sip.

He came around to you, “I have some news that will please you.” His voice was low.

“Yes?”

He smoothed his black mustache. “By this time tomorrow we will be entering a town.”

Your heart lifted, “Does that mean...”

“Yes, you will have a bath and...” his arm wrapped around your middle. “We can enjoy a bed.” His lips curled up.

You slid him a look over the cup. “That will be very nice.”

“We will be there a two days before moving on.”

“Oh...two days in a bed, I may never leave.”

A smirk played on his lips. “If that is what you wish.”

The two of you shared a look.

******

Climbing, back up into the wagon, you went back braiding your hair. Belonging to John you kept a respectable appearance.

“There you are.” His voice was low.

“I wanted to tidy up, my appearance before everyone would see me at breakfast.”

“I do appreciate that you care for your appearance as much as I do.”

“I do like pleasing you.”

He smiled. “Since you have given yourself to me. I wish to reward you with all the information, you’ve given this past month.”

“Oh?” You never expected or wanted anything except his protection. He had already shown much more kindness than you could have expected. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to, you bring out another side of me, I didn’t know I had.” He smoothed his mustache. “Vic, has told me there are lovely dresses for women there.”

“He noticed?” You couldn’t stop your tongue. You looked down, “I am terribly sorry, I shouldn’t speak of your brother as such.”

“You are not wrong. There have been many a time when he speaks too much, and I’ve wanted to cut out his tongue.”

You nod, hearing threats like that reminded you of who you belong too. In the course of the month, to keep the wagon train in line there had been moments of incredibly voice. He had expelled one of his men for being so forward with one of the single ladies. Another person got whipped for stealing.

“I would never do that you, my dear.” Holding your chin, moving it so you kept your eyes downcast. “Let me see your eyes.”

You looked up.

“There you are.” You met this blue eyes, he did not appear upset. “Have I given you reason to fear me in this month?”

“No.”

“Then do not hide from me.”

*****

As you wandered the camp you picked up pieces of conversations here and there, as the people ate their breakfast. In month, they had learned to like you despite sharing a wagon with John.

Today was interesting with what you over heard. Keeping it to yourself, you went over to the oldest member. She and her his husband were awfully sweet. You would let them know a town coming.

“Hello Martha.” You said sweetly.

“Hi deary.” You sat next to her. I have some exciting news for you and Henry.

“I have great news for you.”

“Oh? Would you like some?” She scrapped some eggs off the pan.

“I am good, what about Henry?”

“He’s off with the men. I gave him his first.” She shrugged. “So tell me what’s the news sweetheart.”

“We’ll be in a town tomorrow.” Happiness bubbled from you.”

“That is very nice. I will sell my scarves for some more supplies.”

“How many have you made?”

“Two.”

“Oh! You will get alot for that.”

“Sitting up here with us boys, Y/N or will you be lounging in the back?”

“I’ll sit with the two of you.” John offered you hand as you climbed up.

“Thank you. I have news, John.”

“Tell me later.”

*****

At one point, the rhythm of the wagon made you drift off to sleep. As you startled awake, you realized your head had come to rest on John’s shoulder.

“I am sorry.” You immediately sat up and straightened yourself and dress.

“Must have been tired.” He gave you a half smile. “You will be more awake for tonight.”

*****

Vic, continued to drive the wagon you and John were on. You looked at John, “But..but...” You noticed five of his men accompanied along side the wagon.

John, smiled. “I decided to reward some of the men and us.”

The sun, was beginning to set and the sky was turning a rich orange.

It was times, like this that made you forget how he could scare you like he did in the morning.

*****

It felt so pleasant to walk through a town. You carried your bag and one for John.

When he entered the hotel, you looked around it was quite grand.

“So Mr. and Mrs. Smith?” The hotel owner said when we walked over.

Vic, chuckled. “She’s his personal whore?”

You felt like you were slapped across the face at his words.

John, turned so face. “Vic?”

“Yes?” He asked, a dopey grin on spread across, John back handed him across the face.

“Hey!” He called out holding his face.

“Get out of my face. You can sleep in the barn. Not in the wagon.” He hollered.

He took a breath. “Now, I will take a room in it we would like two baths with two bars of soap.”

The hotel owner looked sheepish. “That is alot sir, especially at this hour.” He scratched at the wisps of hair that remained on the back of his head.

You came forward then, “Sir,” you said sweetly. You got his attention. You exaggerated a stretch, displaying your attributes tastefully. “John and I have been traveling for over a month. Laying on rocks, in the dirt. There is nothing we’ve been looking forward to more then having a hot bath. When we knew we were going to reach your establishment our desire for a bath grew.” Holding, your collar you made the top of your dress billow. “And sir, there more of us coming, we are bringing lots of patrons. Please take care of us.” You looked over at him, you could not read his expression. “John and I will make sure, they come and see you.”

“Well..well...then..I suppose I could make it work. While you two wait, I could scrounge up some food.”

John came forward then, his hand rested on your lower back. “Wonderful. I knew you could make it work.” He pointed at the owner, he smiled. “Now while you go about doing that, find some rose smelling soap for her.”

“I can do that sir. Perhaps some saddle-wood and thyme for you?”

“Great! We’ll take a seat back here, while we wait.”

*****

Striking a match, he lit his cigar. He inhaled and pulled back on it. He exhaled contently. “Y/N,” he rested a hand on your thigh.

@theblackmaskclub @rosionis @brookisbi @johallzy @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @shantellorraine

[slightly-nerdy-rambles]

Robstarweek Day 1: City-Sitting (Prompt: Wayne Manor)

Heeere we are, it’s Robstarweek! This is the first year I’ve gotten to participate, and after seeing some of the great writing and art that’s come from previous years I am pumped. These oneshots will all be crossposted to my fanficition.net account under the collective title “Stardust in Her Hair (Robstarweek 2019)” if anyone wants to see them there.

For day one, “Wayne Manor,” I was both intrigued and a little intimidated by the kind of material I’d be tackling. I’m not exactly a Batman expert (or as well-versed in the greater DC franchise as many people here in general), but I do enjoy expanding on the universe connected to the Teen Titans animated series. I’ve been meaning to tackle something related to the ‘verse’s Justice League, Batman and such for a while now, and this prompt gave me a great excuse to do so. It’s actually based on a concept that I’d already been playing around with, and now that I’ve written something for it there’s a pretty good chance that I’ll come back sometime to turn it into a full story.

I should note, a lot of my inspiration for characterization and such here (especially when it comes to Penguin’s personality) comes from animated series The Batman.

City-Sitting

Ragged laughter echoed through the still halls of the Gotham Bay Art Museum. Penguin strode down those halls, as he far too often did, like he owned the place. He wasn’t bothered by the nighttime security systems – his trained birds had already taken care of that – but he couldn’t help but wonder why the museums around here always saw fit to tempt him.

Well, their loss was his gain. With Batman away on Justice League business, Penguin stepped with an extra note of confidence into the newly expanded Ancient Wonders exhibit. It didn’t take him long to find his prize: an elegant – and, more importantly, priceless – sculpture of the Egyptian hawk-headed god Ra.

With a nasty little grin, he approached the statue and reached over its barrier. “Too easy,” he muttered to himself.

As if in defiance of that statement, a small disk flew in and burst at his feet. Smoke billowed out around the would-be thief, sending him back with a startled yelp.

“You didn’t really think we’d leave Gotham unprotected, did you?”

Penguin started again and turned at the sound of that voice. The smoke was thinner here, and through the haze he was able to make out a familiar but long-absent form, already clutching his bo staff.

“Well well, if it isn’t the little bird-brain come back to the nest,” Penguin drawled with a smirk. “I was expecting the other brat, but with Daddy Bat gone this won’t be a problem either way.”

Robin gave his staff a little twirl and showed off a smirk of his own. “I wouldn’t say that if I were you.”

Well, Penguin was done talking. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed his trick umbrella forward and shot off the explosive tip. Robin was forced to step back and shield himself with his cape as it burst against him, giving Penguin a chance to turn around and grab the sculpture through the thinning smoke. In another moment he had his umbrella’s copter mode running, and he quickly rose up past the costumed teen.

Ha! It really was too easy. Those chumps over in Jump must have let Robin go soft.

There was a flash of green light, and his copter mechanism exploded.

Penguin had just enough time to think that he should seriously stop tempting fate before he slammed hard onto the museum floor, the statue of Ra rolling harmlessly out of his grip. Robin stood over him and pressed his staff against the dazed villain’s chest, keeping him down while he pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Meanwhile, a purple-clad girl that Penguin had only ever seen in newspaper images flew into his range of vision and swooped down to pick up the statue.

“I thought the Penguin was one of your mentor’s most troublesome adversaries,” the girl commented as she checked the statue over for damage, nodded in satisfaction, and placed it back on its pedestal.

Robin glanced back at her, that stupid smirk still on his face. “He is when he doesn’t get too cocky. You should have seen him the first time Superman was in town.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Robin had to keep himself from laughing as he relayed the story back to Batman.

“I barely had to do anything but distract him while Star got into position. I think that might be the fastest Penguin’s ever been taken down!”

The voice on the other line hummed in thought. “Good work, but don’t get too comfortable,” it finally said. “That only worked as well as it did because he wasn’t expecting an enemy who could fly. Now that you’ve used up the element of surprise, the news of who’s here is going to spread through Gotham’s underworld and you can bet the next criminals will be ready for you.”

Robin fought back a scowl – as much as he wanted to just take pride in this victory, Batman was right. He glanced up at Starfire, who was flying several yards ahead of his cycle as they traversed one of the many secret tunnels leading to the Batcave. She remained silent, though whether she was leaving him to his conversation or simply didn’t have a comment he wasn’t sure.

“I know,” he said at length. “We’ll just have to be ready for them too.”

“This isn’t a vacation, Dick. Don’t think I didn’t notice your choice of partner.”

Now Robin did scowl down at the console on the R-cycle. “Is that seriously what you think is going on here?!” he snapped. “Starfire’s my teammate, Bruce. I didn’t bring her along as a date, I brought her because of how well we work together.” He fixed his gaze ahead and revved up the cycle, bleeding off some of his frustration into the increased speed. Day one in Gotham and he was already missing his home and the rest of his team.

Maybe it was that acceleration or maybe Starfire deliberately slowed down for a moment, but suddenly she was keeping pace at his right. She said nothing other than a tentative, “Robin?” but the concerned look she gave him told him she was ready to mediate if need be.

Meanwhile, a sigh sounded through the other end of the line. “…I suppose I know that,” Bruce admitted. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt out there. Either of you.”

Robin grit his teeth, but his frustration was already starting to drain away. “I know,” he muttered.

The tunnel opened up then, into a vast cavern that Robin hadn’t seen in far too long. “We’re here,” he informed the console as he slowed to a stop. “I’ll update you again later.”

The Batcave hadn’t changed as much as he had expected. The main computer had been upgraded, of course, and the trophy area had a few new additions, but everything still felt so… familiar.

Of course, that wouldn’t mean much to someone who had never seen the place before. Robin couldn’t help but smile at Starfire’s low gasp as she rose slowly toward the ceiling, rotating this way and that to take everything in.

“I take it you approve, Lady Kory?”

Both young heroes looked over to find Alfred waiting for them on the upper floor. Starfire grinned and flew over to alight next to him.

“The Batman’s base of operations is most impressive,” she said with a small incline of her head. “Thank you again for hosting us during our stay.”

Alfred’s lip quirked into a small smile of his own. “Of course. Any friend of Master Dick’s is welcome here.” He turned on his heel and started making his way toward the exit into the rest of Wayne Manor. “Right this way, please. I took the liberty of bringing your bags in, but I will need to ask that you change into civilian clothes once you are inside. One never knows.”

Robin played a little at the edge of his mask as he followed the other two through the entrance into the Manor proper before finally peeling it off. It felt almost wrong – he’d been doing the full-time hero gig for so long now that he was used to only removing his uniform in his own private quarters. Getting called by his birth name on a regular basis again was also going to take some getting used to.

Robin – Dick, now – was pulling his gloves off when he finally caught up to Alfred, Starfire disappearing ahead of them. “’Lady’ Kory?” he asked the butler, one brow raised.

Alfred merely shrugged. “I know I won’t be able to use it if company comes by, but it seemed sufficient given her… unique station.” The corner of his lip quirked again ever-so-slightly, in a smirk that Dick doubted anyone who didn’t know the man well would notice. “I suspected that you would both object were I to attempt the more appropriate ‘Highness.’”

Dick scowled. “I still can’t believe you guys knew she was a princess before I did,” he grumbled.

Alfred strode forward. “Master Bruce’s associates include several high-ranking extraterrestrials, and this is hardly the first time their duties have taken them off-world. I would have been more worried had he not known.”

Dick snorted and shook his head, but he couldn’t help but smile. He had to admit, it did feel good visiting Gotham again… even if he and Starfire had been called away to deal with Penguin before they’d even gotten to the Manor.

Speaking of Starfire, she reappeared a few moments later in casual clothes and one of Cyborg’s holographic rings. She had remembered to stay on the ground while in her civilian wear, but still she seemed to almost glide over the floor. He suddenly found it very hard to take his eyes off her.

“Your k’norf- Your guardian’s home is beautiful, Richard,” she commented with a warm smile.

Dick returned it, and without thinking he blurted out, "So are you."

Immediately he felt the heat rise to his cheeks, and he started stammering, “Uh… What I mean is… I guess you’re right.”

Star – Kory? – giggled a little behind her hand, and a lightly impish smile appeared on her face. “Do I make an attractive human?” she asked, twirling once to show off her disguised form. It wasn’t far too different from her true appearance – human-toned tan skin and hazel eyes, longer eyebrows, and a smattering of freckles that Cyborg had said would break up her face shape, but that Robin suspected he’d really added just because he could.

“Of course you do,” Dick replied, smoother this time. “You’d look great no matter what disguise you wore.”

Kory blushed a little at the compliment, but after a moment she looked around the living area again and her smile softened. She let out a contented sigh.

Dick raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Kory made her way to a plush armchair and sank down into it, turning to face him again. “I am glad that we can visit your old home for a time, even if it is to watch the city while your mentor is away,” she replied. “I know he has his reservations, but I believe we can still have some of the fun here when we are not working.”

Dick snorted and strode over to her, resting his arms on the back of the chair when he reached it. She craned her head to look up at him, a hint of that playful twinkle still in her eyes.

“Bruce is just protective of the people he cares about,” he said. “And sometimes that protectiveness comes out as kind of harsh. It took me a while to realize that.”

Kory smiled again. “He reminds me of Galfore, in some ways. In any case, I believe I will enjoy Gotham.”

Dick snorted. “Don’t get too comfortable. Batman didn’t get his reputation by dealing with petty criminals all the time.”

For a moment, all mirth in his partner’s face vanished and she became dead serious. “Of course,” she said earnestly. “I would not let my guard down just because I wish to appreciate the positive aspects of the city.”

Dick chuckled. Of course she would take a mindful but positive approach to their mission. “That’s my girl,” he murmured, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. She giggled.

“Need I remind you,” Alfred’s dry voice broke in, “that removing your mask alone does not constitute civilian clothes.”

Dick jolted and looked down at himself, finally remembering that he was still wearing most of his Robin costume.

“Uhh…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Right, I’ll go and change now.” He started off for his room, flashing Alfred an apologetic smile and offering Kory an awkward wave. She waved back, her expression impish again.

As he passed by Alfred, the older man held out a hand to stop him for a moment. “I wanted you to know that I took the liberty of preparing a separate room for Lady Kory,” he said. “I hope this was not done in error?”

Dick’s face screwed up in confusion. “No, why wouldn’t she need…” He trailed off as he saw that tiny hidden smirk on Alfred’s face again.

All at once he realized what Alfred was trying to imply, and his face went beet red with embarrassment. He made a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat and pushed past the butler, praying that his girlfriend hadn’t overheard.

[babybluebanshee]

Stuff I’ve had to deal with as a city librarian, mega edition

4/? 

My boss is on vacation, and whenever he does that, a whole bunch of chaotic shit just descends on our heads at once. We don’t know if it’s because he’s not there to nip stuff in the bud or if he just has some kind of calming aura about him that keeps this stuff in check, but we dread whenever he leaves for any extended period of time. 

Since I had a few of these backlogged already, I figured I’d give you guys another glance into the weird-ass world of librarians. 

---

- A woman couldn’t access her email, and flew into a rage because she thought were intentionally blocking her from getting in so we could “hack” her. Turns out she was putting a comma between gmail and com instead of a period. She did not apologize for yelling at us.

- A man called the library and I answered. I tried to do my little “thank you for calling the public library” bit, and he cuts me off to ask for “extension 2606″. I told him we didn’t have any extensions and I wasn’t sure what he was talking about. He sighed dramatically, then handed the phone off to someone else, saying, “Can you talk to this dummy?” A woman comes on and gruffly asks if this is Charlotte. I said no, this was the public library. She just said okay and hung up. No apology there either.

- The DAR were scheduled to come in one Saturday, but never showed up. Come the next Saturday, I was walking by one of our meeting rooms, and there’s the DAR inside. Turns out they’d changed the date of their meeting without letting us know, even hanging on to the keyfab that gets you into the building before it opens. When I poked my head into the room to figure out what the heck happened, they gave me a look like I’d personally stepped on all their toes.

- A guy with a huge cowboy aesthetic came in to do a college essay for a comparative religions class, asking for my help in finding some books. I asked him what kind, and he looked around, over his shoulder like he was afraid someone would be listening, then leaned very close to me and whispered, “I don’t wanna offend you, ma’am, but I’m looking for books on paganism.” I thought at first he was joking, but his face was dead serious. 

- A woman brought back ten audio books that were soaked in Dr. Pepper. When I told her that they were wet, she looked me square in the eye, said “yeah”, then walked out. 

- A ten year old boy threatened two girls in my book club because he thought they were making fun of him, saying he “should stab [them] with a knife”. I told my supervisor, who went and talked to the boy’s mom, and apparently all she did was say, “Oh, he’d never do that.”, and went back to whatever she was doing on the computer. I talked to her later and she tried to pin it on violent video games. Needless to say, he has no been back. 

- I was helping a woman in the genealogy room, looked up, and saw a massive bug crawl through her hair. She didn’t seem to notice at all, and it was all I could do not to keep staring. 

- The poor assistant director found three used tampons out in our parking lot. 

- There was some legal kerfuffle a few months back regarding the demolition of a building that wasn’t handled properly. This dude on YouTube (his channel basically consists of him “investigating” things like this, meaning he goes into municipal buildings and harasses the staff, using their irritated reactions as “proof” they’re crooked) made a scene at city hall with the city coordinator. We were terrified all the next day that he was going to show up at the library, especially because it was story time day. He never did, but we still had the fear.

- A woman brought her own DVD (I’m still not sure why), and left it on the copier. I thought it was one of ours and someone had just left it there, and when I picked it up to put it back, she said, “Oh no, that’s mine.” I thought she meant she was going to check it out, so when she came up to pay for some copies she made, I picked it up again and went to scan it. She said, “no, that’s mine!” and it finally clicked that it was her personal DVD. I apologized and explained why I did that, and she said “I can bring in the receipt if you want.” I thought she was joking and said no, I believed her. She left, then came back an hour later, pulled me away from my shelving, just to push the receipt for the DVD in my face and say “I’m not a thief! See, I told you I’m not a thief!” 

- The amount of people who just...don’t seem to understand why we ask for their library cards is staggering. Like, people will come in without their wallets or IDs for whatever reason, and get pissy with us when we tell them we aren’t allowed to check anything out to anyone without their card or driver’s license. Like, we don’t care if you’ve memorized your number or come in all the time. We wouldn’t waste the plastic if we didn’t actually need you to use the damn things. 

- I don’t know what attracts druggies to libraries, but it’s a huge problem. The amount of unidentified pills I’ve found (including in the children’s area) is jarring. One time, the children’s librarian found the finger of a rubbed glove, tied off with something brown inside. We called the police, and it turns out that’s a popular method for transporting heroin. 

- My coworker Allie discovered a child playing out in our parking lot, occasionally jumping out into the road. She asked if his family was around, and he said yes, they were inside at one of the programs. This kid’s family had just let him wander away and into the street. 

- I came in early one morning only to discover a portion of the ceiling in the computer lab had caved in.

- There’s this very sweet Asian lady who doesn’t speak great English who comes in all the time to print off things for her Sunday school class. She asked for help one night, and after the librarian had gotten her situated, the man sitting a few computers away started making hateful, racist comments to her. She even moved to a different bank of computers, and he got up and followed her so he could keep being a dick. The lady only told us after he’d left because she felt that unsafe.

- We had another bed bug problem crop up, involving a completely different person. Guess who had to go pull all the books that we suspected to be infested. I was itchy all night.

- In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, I expanded my LGBT history display from a small display case to two large tables. Naturally, bigots have been complaining about it. The worst one has been the couple who thought it was “insulting”, stormed out of the library, and complained to the city coordinator. 

- I had to make a membership for a man with a huge swastika tattoo on his arm. It was all I could do not to jump the desk and claw out his eyes.

[kiranatrix]

James Bond au omg that looks great

Ok, well here’s a teaser. 

Constellation of the Prince by ZJ

Summary:

With the dignity of Queen and country on the line, Special Agent L has been tasked by England’s Ministry of Defense to intercept compromising data hidden in a Fabergé egg up for auction at Sotheby’s.

But double agents, murders, and intrigue complicate the mission. Like a real Fabergé egg, this case is full of surprises. (this teaser is SFW)

[Inspired by Ian Fleming’s 1963 short story “The Property of a Lady.” The setting is sometime in the 1960s, London.]

A rope unspooled from the high bedroom window in Buckingham Palace, and a masked figure in black tested the rope then carefully, silently slid down. Lucky—no one was here. When their bare feet touched the floor, the intruder crept quietly towards the the portrait of Queen Victoria in the corner of the room. A safe was hidden behind this portrait, if their information was correct. They slid a finger along the frame to find the latch and pressed it, and the portrait swung from the wall.

The safe was ancient and thus its lock rather simple to crack with experts’ tools; clearly the safe’s owner had relied more upon the security of the palace and the secret location than the mechanism itself. When the safe was opened, the intruder clicked on a flashlight and looked inside. A gloved has pushed aside diamonds and bank bonds to what they were looking for. A smile in the darkness with no one to see it, and the item was pocketed with haste. Before closing the safe, a small piece of printed cardstock was flicked inside. A calling card. Up the rope and back outside to the cool London night.

A perfectly done job, as usual, and the rooftops became stepping stones to freedom.

——————

“Good morning Agent.” Miss Takada was sitting behind the expansive reception desk of the Ministry of Defense headquarters, smartly dressed in a tweed suit. She briefly looked up at the rumpled-looking special agent who had just burst in the door, soaked to the bone and without an umbrella. Takada giggled and stood up, taking a towel from a drawer and walking around the desk to hand it to him with a cocked eyebrow. “I don’t understand how someone who’s lived in England as long as you have doesn’t carry an umbrella at all times.”

Agent L shrugged off his damp coat and wrung it out over the trash can, then took the proffered towel and rubbed his hair with it. Somehow he could remember the minutest details of every case he’d ever worked but never to grab an umbrella on his way out the door. “Thank you Miss Takada.” He looked down at the puddle forming under him on the carpet, pressing a finger to his lips. “Um….”

Miss Takada sighed and opened a side closet, taking out a fresh suit of clothes. “Yes, I have some right here. Now, will you promise to return them dry cleaned this time?” She knew he’d do no such thing, but as she was the one who arranged his dry cleaning anyway, it hardly mattered. She held out the suit and he took it gratefully.

“Of course. What would I do without you?” L started to walk towards his office but Takada stopped him.

“Better change in here.” She pointed to the side bathroom connected to the reception area. She leaned in, whispering, “W is in your office waiting for you.”

“Oh really….” L looked at the closed door to his office. If W is in there, he has some important case to discuss. “Thanks.” He quickly changed into the dry clothes in the bathroom, but when he headed into his office, he saw that not just W was there.

“Agent L!” Watari looked up from where he’d been reviewing some documents, standing up to shake L’s hand with a smile. Watari paused a moment at the wet, disheveled look of L’s hair but just cleared his throat and went on. “Please let me introduce you to Agent M–”

Agent M leaned up from where she’d been lounging against the richly paneled wall, filing her nails behind dark sunglasses. She tilted her chin and let them slide down her nose a little. “You’re L.” She didn’t sound very impressed.

“Agent L, if you please.” So this is Merrie Kenwood. I’m the agent they call when the stakes are high, and she’s the one they call when it might get dirty. But we haven’t worked together before. Hmm, this might be interesting. L strode past her behind his desk, pressing the intercom button. “Miss Takada, could you kindly bring in some tea.” A bit quieter, hurried, “And don’t forget the sugar cubes.” He crouched in his overstuffed leather chair and gazed at W through tented fingers, “So W, what brings you here?”

“Right down to business, yes, very good, very good.” Watari reached into his jacket and took out a 5x9 photograph and tossed it on L’s desk. “This, unfortunately.”

L picked up the black and white picture in pinched fingers and blushed, hurriedly turning it over after a precursory glance. “W, is this what it looks like?”

Agent M giggled as she went back to filing her nails, “You mean is that really the daughter-in-law of the Queen of England? Well…does it really matter? Looks close enough I’d say. Close enough for blackmail at least.” She mumbled something about impressive flexibility under her breath that made W blush.

Watari huffed and adjusted his glasses, “Now really, Agent M, that is any way to talk about your future monarch?” He took the picture back hurriedly, holding it over the trash can as it started to burn. “But, yes…nasty business if this were to get out.” He dropped the burning picture into the trash, sighing his relief as it turned to ash.

L looked between them, “Damage control is not really my–”

“Its not like that.” Agent M looked up as Miss Takada brought in the tea cart. “It hasn’t hit the tabloids. Yet. There is only one other copy of that picture, but it was stolen last night.”

Agent L pointedly avoided asking where it was stolen from; there really was quite a resemblance. “And you want me to get it back…”

Watari took a proffered cup of tea and sipped it black. “Quite right, quite right. We must prevent that picture from leaving the country at all costs, Agent L. That is your task, should you choose to accept it. Recover that picture, for the sake of Queen and country! For your dignity as an Englishman!”

“I see.” L took a teacup too, picking up the delicate silver tongs and plopping cube after cube of sugar into his cup. “And this thief. Do we know their identity?”

Watari nodded gravely, “We suspect they are Kira, although our intel on that is exceptionally weak.”

Agent M shot W a look of irritation over her nail file, “Weak? I told you the thief left a message in the safe it was stolen from. A gothic K in red ink, just like they always use. It’s him.” She filed harder, scoffing. “Weak.”

L sipped his tea then added more sugar. “Kira. The jewel thief?” Damn it, him again. L swirled his spoon around in his cup, trying to dissolve the cubes. His jaw clenched, having to utter that name. L had been looking for this thief for nearly a year after they’d stole several of the Crown Jewels right from under the noses of the guard at the Tower of London. L had been asked to solve that case too, but Kira has seemingly vanished, the jewels never recovered. It remained his one unsolved case, a constant irritation like a splinter he felt but couldn’t find to remove.

W noticed the tension on L’s face, “Yes I know that the other Kira case is…still pending.” He coughed politely. “But this may be the opportunity you…we…need to close both cases Agent L.”

L grumbled, “I haven’t been able to find where he’s hiding yet.”

“Pity that.” Agent M slid her nail file into her patent leather boot and held out her nails for self-inspection. “And I thought the great Agent L never failed to close an investigation.” She smiled as L glowered at her from dark-rimmed eyes. “However, I have a good lead on where the picture is, even if I don’t know where the thief is.“

L leaned forward slightly, "Go on.”

“Well this intel might also be considered weak,” Agent K cut her eyes to Watari and he looked up to the ceiling, fiddling with his mustache. “…but my sources tell me the picture is hidden in a particular item meant to go up for blind auction in three days time.”

L hummed, thinking. A blind auction meant that bidders could use a proxy to bid, thus remaining anonymous. A perfect way for sensitive information to change hands and easily leave the country, as long as the item’s provenance and bill of sale were legit. “Three days? Not much time to prepare.”

Watari cleared his throat, “Be that as it may, Agent L, will you take the case? We could always give it to Agent M if you–”

“I’ll take it.” L leapt up from his chair, noticing the slightly disappointed look on Agent M’s face. Looks like she wanted a chance to catch Kira and show me up. Well too bad, he’s mine. He walked around the desk, taking the case file from Watari. “I’d like to get to work right away, so if you’ll excuse me.” Miss Takada conveniently opened the door at that moment, holding it open for the guests. She gave a brief appreciative look at Agent M that was not lost on Agent L.

Watari nodded, pleased. “Excellent, excellent. I knew you’d take it. Yes, we’ll leave you to it then.” He waited for Agent M to go out the door (Miss Takada’s eyes trailing behind her) and then turned back to L, lowering his voice. “Don’t mind Agent M, she’s still sore that you solved that business with the Vatican before she did. I have every faith in your abilities. Stiff upper lip and all that.” He patted L on the shoulder. “Oh, and don’t forget to check in with Q down in Tech. I hear he has some new toys for you. Should come in handy for this! Ta ta!”

[sadisticsmiles]

Beyond a Thief’s Power Episode 21

In Preparation for the Abrupt

             Just as Claire and Elizabeth had completed their plans for the night, a knock was at the door.

           Elizabeth turned around from her right side a little to look at the door and asked, “Who is it?”

           Standing outside their door, a familiar dark silver-haired woman’s back could be seen. “It’s Kuruha. Is Claire with you?”

           Kuruha listened for her friend’s answer, which was, “Yes, he’s with me. Was there something important you wanted to tell us?”

           “Not really,” the dark silver-haired female replied. “I’m only checking since none of us have seen him for a while.” A faint sigh escaped her lips. “I’m glad he has you with him, Elizabeth. He can be hopeless sometimes.”

           “Hey, I heard that!” Claire’s comment came quickly. “I’m not dillydallying, Kuruha. You should know me better.”

           Kuruha frowned. “I do know you, idiot.” She shifted her left arm and placed her hand on her hip. “What on earth are you doing? We haven’t gotten any word from you about the final concert yet.”

           “Do you honestly think I haven’t been working on the schedule? Geez, you’re so impatient.”

           “Why don’t you wait a bit longer and let him rest until he’s ready?” Elizabeth suggested. “He’s quite drained from working for our sakes.”

           “Oh~!” Claire said. “That’s my darling!”

           Kuruha’s eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance. “Fine, have it your way. You’re so disgusting, anyway.”

           “That’s not very nice!” Claire shouted.

           Kuruha turned around completely. “Life isn’t nice. After all, you remember all the lives we’ve spent together as well as anyone else between the four1 of us.”

           As the dark silver-haired woman walked away from the couple’s hotel door, Claire smiled, still facing the direction of his laptop.

           “Indeed,” he noted. “Life isn’t generous to anyone, even with these memories that are supposed to be erased for each reincarnation cycle the four of you have gone through.” He sat up straight, removing his arms from relaxing and placed his right hand on the laptop. Its smooth surface soothed him. “Oh. I should say, the six of us instead, shouldn’t I? This man’s body has always been mine—or, bodies from being reborn many times.”

           Elizabeth turned back to gaze at her sweetheart with a somber frown on her face. “So has this young lady. She is only a mere vessel for me, as that young man is for you, Circ.”

           “Faye,” Circ addressed his wife in Claire’s body. Then, he turned around in his rolling chair. “We’re finally back even if we’ve had to lay dormant in these bodies for a long time.”

           Faye sighed. “It took many years after being destroyed once more to come back. We’ve weakened tremendously against the magicians. It’s pathetic that we’re now relying on human bodies that can hold us.”

           “All the more reason to take our revenge,” Circ responded. His menacing grin appeared shortly afterward. “Now, how should we play things out for the magicians and their precious humans?”

           Soon, Kuruha entered a room where Kokoro and Kenshi were in, and the door automatically locked.

           “Welcome back, Onee,” the younger sister greeted. “Were you able to find Claire?”

           Kuruha folded her arms in front of her abdomen. “I can’t say that I ‘found’ him, but I stopped by his and Elizabeth’s room.” Her eyes narrowed. “He was inside, but those two didn’t open the door, so the only thing I was able to do was talk with them while standing outside.”

           “Is he sick?” Kokoro asked.

           “Far from it,” the older Mamiya sister replied. “He’s just tired.”

           Kenshi gave a soft laugh. “Haha. You positive he wasn’t busy with the concert prep?”

           “If he were, he’d be finished by now.” Kuruha let her arms go back to the sides of her body. “I know I can be harsh on him, but he’s never been plagued with illness.”

           Kokoro nodded. “Yup. He’s always been healthy, and so have all of us.” She paused for a few seconds. “We just… died early in all of our lives.”

           Kenshi’s smile faltered and converted into a sympathetic frown. He eyes were also triste as he glanced at Kokoro and then at Kuruha. “I suppose that’s the consequence of eternal reincarnation.”

           Kokoro lifted her head up slightly to look at the cedar-haired man. “Without a doubt, yes. Who wouldn’t want to continue living in this world?” She spun around once and looked at Kenshi once more. Her amaranth pink hair and lime-green eyes were shining with the happy look on her face. “It’s beautiful, even though there are the nastier sides to it. Onee and I have had fun memories before and after we met Claire, but it’s thanks to him that we were able to come to Europe and meet Elizabeth. That’s why, I like this world.”

           Kenshi’s eyes widened with curiosity and confusion. “Huh? What do you mean, Kokoro?”

           Kuruha nodded. “Those words are the truth, Kenshi.” Her dark silver eyes cast downward to the floor with a distant, yet serene look in them. ”In the past when we were in our first lives, we lived in Japan. But…”

           Understanding the dark silver-haired young woman’s words, Kenshi slowly smiled. “Oh, right. Your father was originally a travelling merchant, and your mom…” He trailed off, wondering if his own mother was alright. Once again, it couldn’t be helped for him to think about those he left behind to stay with the Hidden Resistance. His mom was also a single parent, but the Mamiya sisters currently had both parents in their lives, unlike their past ones.

           Kokoro smiled. “What, you’re still having sympathy for us? We’ve been able to endure at least this much since then and time again.”

           “You’re certainly a softy in comparison to the rest of us,” Kuruha agreed. “I guess that won’t change in spite of our current situation.”

           Kenshi made a cute, pleading frown. “You two can say that it’s not much to care about now that your mom is with you after all the centuries since then, but…” Tears started to form and travel down his cheeks. “I find it to be a miracle.” He was blinking, but his tears kept coming to blur his vision of the two ladies in the room with him. He was still such an emotional lad himself after all the time he spent with the group. “Who wouldn’t miss having a full family, and…” A sniff came from him right away.

           “Oh my,” Kuruha smiled at seeing the grown cedar-haired man cry for them. “You haven’t changed at all. Honestly. To think about us and the fact we’ve been reunited with our lovers in this… last life of ours.” She closed her eyes. “Thank you. It means a lot to us.”

           “It would be nice if Naomasa and Kiyo-aniki2 were here to hear this,” Kokoro added.

           Kuruha’s eyes opened. “Don’t forget about Sakuya.”

           The amaranth pink-haired loli’s eyes narrowed and she averted her gaze. “…Well, yeah. Him, too.”

           “Don’t be letting your guards down at a time like this,” a familiar male voice said. As soon as the owner of the voice magically made their entrance in the back of the room, it was Aaron. His attire was amazing to behold: a navy blue fingerless glove [that went up past his left elbow a bit]; an onyx cape-like shirt that slanted down from his left hip to his right ankle, and had a medium-sized gold ring on his left side [near his shoulder and above his heart that revealed the area from his neck down a bit from his chest and left shoulder, due to the curve from his right]; matching color for his pants and his suave ankle boots.

           “Aaron,” Kenshi and Kuruha simultaneously called the teal-haired magician’s name.

           Kokoro glanced at Aaron. “What’s with your outfit? You look… cool.”

           “Obviously, the situation has changed,” the Magician of Power declared. “It’s fight or die without trying.” He looked straight at Kuruha. “Claire and Elizabeth are no longer in control of their bodies.”

           A staid look was on Kuruha’s visage as she narrowed her eyes. “You mean… They’ve been taken over?”

           “Exactly,” Aaron replied. “All the magicians that are currently in Neon sensed a sudden change in the Human World, which had some familiarity to it.” He frowned shortly afterward. “Yet, who would’ve thought they were this close to us the past six years we’ve been with you.”

           The Mamiya sisters’ eyes widened.

           “What’s going on?” Kenshi asked; he was perplexed by Aaron’s words.

           “Claire and Elizabeth have been taken over by Rozanne’s parents, Circ Sinclair and Faye Feris,” Manjuki answered as she teleported next to Aaron’s right side. She wore a purple long-sleeved shirt with a collar that covered the area right below her neck, amethyst-colored pants without pockets, and raisin wedge low heels.

           “How are we going to fight them?” Kokoro asked. “They’re on a larger scale than Roxanne herself, and we haven’t taken down the entire 14K yet.”

           “Don’t forget that we’ve been lowering their forces for years,” Aaron reminded the humans. “We know how hard you’ve helped us, even by a little effort.” His stare had a hardened look at the three people who weren’t gifted with powers. “We’ve dragged you in this, but you have us.”

           Kuruha’s dark silver eyes were moved with gratitude. “Aaron…”

           “Da—“ Kokoro was about to finish what she was saying, but Aaron cut her off.

           “Don’t call me that,” the teal-haired magician said. “You already have one, despite the fact that he’s too busy to stay with you two and your mother at the moment.”

           Kokoro gazed a bit more at Aaron before puffing her cheeks out. “Way to ruin my feelings. You know you’ve been like one to me from the start.”

           “I’m not one and I don’t ever want to be one,” Aaron grimaced. “Futaba isn’t your parent, either, and she doesn’t ever want to be one.”

           “You’re mean,” Kokoro deflated her cheeks.

           “And you’re a brat,” Aaron retorted.

           Kenshi smiled dully. “It’s hard to believe you and Riki worked together.”

           “I’ve kept away from being rough towards him,” Aaron told the cedar-haired male. “He’s a kind guy for someone with an ego that hides his insecurities.”

           Kenshi’s smile grew wider. “You know, you aren’t bad yourself, Aaron.”

           The teal-haired magician brushed off the compliment. “Eh, I don’t care about being like your leader.” He glanced at Manjuki. “Anyway, we need to get things done.”

           “Circ and Faye will make their move soon,” the purpureus-haired Magician of Intelligence relayed.

           Minagi and Futaba appeared immediately after using their teleportation. The latter was next to Aaron’s other side and the former stood on the picton blue-haired Magician of Power’s right side. Futaba wore a long-sleeve white V-neck jacket with ruffles for the collar, the lining cut a bit over the middle of her chest, and the cuffs, over a curved cantaloupe tank top; her pants were linen white and were rolled up to show a cloud gray color; her socks were stone blue and she wore sage sneakers. Minagi, on the other hand, was wearing a sparkling golden flower resembling a mix between a lily and a castor bean due to its pointy, sharp leave, which was slanting slightly upward on the right side of her head; a shiny, solid black, light fitting turtleneck beneath a kimono that had the same golden color as her flower for the collar and obi; the right side of her collar and right sleeve were loose over her shoulder, and the rest of the kimono was fuchsia. With its simple but elegant outfit, she wore white socks and a pair of plum-colored zori with lilac straps.

Kenshi’s eyes widened in admiration for the attire of the two women who had just made their appearance. “W-Wow… You two look fantastic.”

           “No duh,” the Mamiya sisters commented.

           Hearing that, Kenshi couldn’t help but laugh playfully. “Ahaha.”

           “Having fun at a time like this,” Minagi softly said.

           Futaba faintly smiled. “You three certainly take the tension away.”

           “No laughing matter, though,” Aaron remarked.

           Manuki nodded and gave her attention to the cedar-haired male. “Kenshi, send an email to your friends. They need to know what’s going on before they’re drawn into wherever Circ decides to send everyone he wants to involve.”

           “What will you guys be doing?” Kenshi inquired.

           Without taking her gaze off him, Manjuki reached for her pocket with her right hand to the space near her pants, and gradually pulled out a sword. As it formed, it took on the shape of a marigold hilt and a violet blade shaped like a long, slow-curving wolf fang for the tip. She walked over to Kokoro and held the sword horizontally in front of the amaranth pink-haired girl.

           “Take Islander along with you,” she instructed.

           Kokoro looked into Manjuki’s eyes. “He’s your precious weapon, Manjuki. I shouldn’t take him when you need to defend yourself.”

           “I’m not so weak without him,” Manjuki responded calmly. “You’re the one who won’t be able to keep yourself unharmed. You can’t fight alone unless one of us is with you, so I‘m leaving him in your care. He now has a power boost to stop Faye.”

           “I’ll be fighting the being of Fate?”

           Manjuki nodded. “For Elizabeth, she wants you to see her in order to spend more time with you.”

           “So that’s her wish…” Kokoro trailed off before looking at Islander’s weapon form. “I’ll make sure to fulfill it.” She slowly extended her right arm and enclosed the handle in her hand.

           Next, Minagi put her right arm out in front of her and took out her sword by moving her hand to the right side in a swift motion. A sword with a very small light blue and white round crystal was attached to the hilt before the blade had a curve in the shape of a medium sized coral pink spiral seashell, and then became elongated for the rest of the blade which had a pistachio green color.

           When she had finished stepping toward the elder of the Mamiya sisters, she said in a stoic manner, “Kuruha. Be careful. As they are now, your dearest companions will not be able to hear your voices. Claire wants you to be strong and overcome any obstacles to save the people who need to be protected the most. Therefore, I am also expecting you not to hesitate for his sake, as well as everyone else’s.”

           Kuruha stared at the light green-haired magician’s eyes. “I don’t have Zen’aku with me, and I’m not powerful enough without it to defeat an adversary with a vast amount of power.”

           “I know,” Minagi replied. “We all do.3 Circ has called your sword back to him because it was never meant to be yours; the investigations we did on them were far too late for us, which makes apologizing pointless. At any rate, Manjuki and I will come back to your and Kokoro’s side. Aaron and Futaba will accompany you to the battle with them.”

           A worried look overcame Kuruha’s visage’s expression. “What about Elise and Aikishi?”

           “They’re with the rest of the palace’s staff. After all, they were meant to serve the Royal family years ago after graduating from high school.”

           “They’ve gone back and forth between our two worlds,” Manjuki added. “It’s not as if they can’t handle their jobs as a maid and butler.” She glanced at her cousin. “You did enlist their help after we came here, Minagi.”

           Minagi let out a relaxed, nonchalant sigh. “We’re teachers, you and I. We shouldn’t make our students wait for us. That would’ve been irresponsible of us to stay as idols if we didn’t return to the school.”

           “As long as it wasn’t the same high school we went to,” Aaron stated. “Good thing it wasn’t.”

           Futaba giggled. “Aha, it was still fun.”

           “Hardly,” Aaron and Manjuki answered at the same time.

           “Well, things happen,” Minagi said.

           Kuruha and Kokoro smiled. The banter between the four magicians erased their tension. It may have been because Aaron, Futaba, and Minagi were childhood friends, along with Manjuki being Minagi’s cousin that the Mamiya sisters instantly remembered being childhood friends with the Nanahoshi brothers. One of those brothers had made a childhood promise to marry Kuruha, and they were still together as an engaged couple. Another memory appeared in their minds and was one of the Fuse Investigations agency’s other grown members with the Nanahoshi brothers: the famous actor Rui Wakaba, a lawyer with glasses, and the chief of the team, smiling at them warmly.

           “Onee,” Kokoro said, “we have to make it back to everyone.”

           Kuruha nodded. “Yeah.”

           Kenshi had been listening to everyone else’s conversations while he had been sitting on an armchair at the table with his laptop opened He had already sent the email right after Manjuki instructed him to and after his last words in the exchanges within the room. He was currently looking over at the emails that were sent between him and Takuto, who had asked who he was, but the sniper of the Black Foxes could not reveal himself.

           “That should do it,” he informed everyone as he turned his head over his right shoulder and shut his laptop.

           Aaron’s eyes narrowed with the will to settle things. “Let’s make our move, then.”

           “Right,” everyone else stated.

           On the other side of the email, Takuto stared at his laptop screen. “What’s with this guy? He wouldn’t even tell me who he was, and he hasn’t answered back. I guess he left.”

           “Yet,” Atsumu said, “it’s thanks to him that we got more information on what’s happened. We need to plan our next move.”

           “A total heads-up from a stranger,” Hiro noted with a serious expression on his face. Then, he frowned in concern. “How are we going to prepare ourselves? We’re missing Sayuri and Rina, and we don’t know if we’ll get Ains back anymore.”

           Taiga glanced at Hiro. “Well, we can’t rely on them to be with us. Rina’s sword will also have to wait to be rescued. There are some things that can’t be helped.”

           “But we can’t just do nothing, either,” Hiro said while directing his gaze with his eyebrows furrowed at the underground doctor.

           “How do you suppose we get the sword back when there’s nothing we can do about it?” the smokey topaz brunet asked. “We’ll need to fight an impossible battle soon.” He paused for a few seconds. “I hate to say this myself, but don’t get worked up over who and/or what’s not here. We don’t have much time left.”

           Hiro’s eyes lowered as he looked down at the floor with a sad and defeated frown. “Yeah…”

           Meanwhile, in Ibuki’s room, she was still sleeping and breathing soundly in her baby blue bed. The blanket and pillow were sky blue and she had a peaceful, relaxed sleep to rejuvenate her body. Soon, she heard a voice in her head.

           Ibuki, it’s time to wake up, a woman’s voice called out to her.

           It sounded familiar to her, but she could not pinpoint the identity of the person who called her in her resting state.

           Who… she wondered in her mind. Who’s calling me?

           There was no one to answer her as she kept her eyes closed the entire time, but then… Her eyes opened suddenly and were filled with a light, which made them as beautiful as a magician’s.

           Downstairs in the basement, the alliance was still gathered. It was quietly tense for them to wait for the worst to happen. However, the door rapidly burst opened, causing everyone to quickly turn their attention towards it. There at the basement entrance was none other than Ibuki herself. She was in her long light blue nightgown which covered her neck down to the top of her bare feet.

           Riki’s eyes widened with the most shock out of all the other members of Black Foxes gathered in the room. “Ibuki?!”

           “Wha!” Hiro could barely say anything.

           Mitsuki felt paralyzed. “This can’t be…!”

           The rest of the alliance members: Hyosuke, Taiga, Nao, and Miyuki weren’t fazed by Ibuki’s appearance; Atsumu showed a brave face and was stern, and Takuto’s eyes narrowed with suspicion while he frowned. His facial expression displayed contempt, despite that he and the boss of the team were already braced for the worst, along with the rest of the alliance members without actually loathing Ibuki.

 XXX

 1)      Kuruha is referring to herself, Claire, Elizabeth, and Kokoro from the seventeenth chapter of the story.

2)      Naomasa Sakura from True Love Sweet Lies is mentioned as Kokoro’s lover, and Kiyoharu Nanahoshi is Kuruha’s.

3)      Minagi gives a reminder from when Aaron told Kenshi, Kuruha, and Kokoro about all the magicians in Neon knowing about the turn of events.

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #306

“Traveler Reset, The Gods blessings, a Few Good Mobs”

[Traveler] Staggers into the castle and slams the door to the shrine behind her before making her way painfully down to the kitchen.

[Deer] Is preparing lunch- Oh, Traveller, are you alright?

[Traveller] Yeah, I'm... - her poncho is torn where Steve kicked her and her front is covered in blood from the wound. She twitches suddenly, obviously glitiching.

[Deer] - No your not, I'll get Doc

[Traveller] Staggers a little and catches herself on the table-

[Deer] Calls for Doc in the chat and says it's urgent-

[Doc] Runs in with Yaunfen in tow, both of them are splattered with colorful dye splotches- What's happening?!

[Yaunfen] - Mama!

[Traveler] Slumps to the floor, out cold-

[Deer] - Traveller!- She goes around the table to the fallen NOTCH

[Doc] Shit! How did this happen?

[Deer] - I don't know!

[Doc] Pulls her clothing back and draws back suddenly as the wound sparks- She's errored!

[Deer] - How?

[Doc] All the blood drains from hir face. - It's... it's like what happened to me... who did this? - Xe shakes out hir inventory and starts melting items, trying to get enough raw bits to fill the crackling gash in Traveler's chest-

[Deer] - I don't know, but I'll ask in chat- She sends out a message asking who was with Traveler last

-There's no answer because TLOT and Steve have both snuck off to sleep-

[Deer] - Nobody is responding...

[Doc] I wonder if Mb did this... I know he can disrupt code. But why would he fight with her? - Xe's filling up the gaps and the sparking is decreasing.

[Deer] - You'd think he'd be gloating about it if he did do it

[Doc] Good point. I like to think Celine is keeping him out of the worst mischief. She's a good little dragon. Dammit... I'm going to have to strip a few lines of her code and reload them. She's gonna be out for a while.

[Deer] - I'll set up the recovery room

[Doc] I hate to say it, but it might be easier for Nessie to reset her. I really dread asking her for anything though.

[Deer] - Would it go over more smoothly if we had Markus with us?

[Doc] I'm going to try and do this myself first. It'll be the same, just take a bit longer.

[Deer] - If you're sure...  Be safe...

[Doc] Just help me move her-

[Deer] - Yes, absolutely

[Doc] Actually wait. I have a better idea. Yaunfen? Would you like to help?

[Yaunfen] - Help?

[Doc] We have to take her with us, and that includes into a castle of sorts. Can you carry her in your dragon shape? You should be big enough now.

[Yaunfen] - Really!?

[Doc] Proudly- Yes. You're just the help I need today.

[Yaunfen] - Yes!  Yes!

[Doc] At Deerheart- You should still help me get her outside though.

[Deer] - Of course

[Yaunfen] Bounces around-

-The two working togeather maneuver the prone NOTCH outside the house-

[Doc] Your turn kiddo.

[Yaunfen] Shifts into dragon form-

[Doc] Helps load Traveler onto their back. - Now you just have to walk gently so she doesn't fall. I'll stay by you and keep her steady. We have to go to the cage and through into TLOT's seed.

[Yaunfen] - Okay Mada!

[Doc] Are you staying here Deerheart? Or going with us?

[Deer] - I'll stay here

[Doc] Okay. I don't blame you. Nessie is is a bit overbearing

[Deer] - I still wish you'd take Markus with you if only to speed things along

[Doc] She wants him to stay with them, I think taking him would make it take longer actually. Plus it would make Flux mad. Why do you think he should go?

[Deer] - Because Traveler needs to be healed quickly...  And if CP or Lie went with you they might be able to keep it from dragging on to long afterwards...

[Doc] Okay okay, I'll ask him.

[Deer] Kisses Doc's cheek- Be safe

[Doc] We will. Come on Yaunfen, lets go.

[Yaunfen] - Let's go!  Let's go!

-The two make their way gingerly down the hill and down towards Lie's house-

[Lie] Is outside letting her vulpix's and Hope run around-

[Doc] Waves to Lie and taps on Markus's door-

[Lie] Waves back-

[Yaunfen] Is doing their best to stay still-

[Notch] Peeks out and sees the bloody mess Yaunfen is carrying- Oh gods! Is she...?

[Doc] No, she's just errored, and out cold. We're not even sure how she got hurt. We're taking her to be reset. Do you want to come with us? You can basically order Lady Nessie to do it just because you said so.

[Notch] I guess?

[Lie] - You guys are heading to the other seed?

[Notch] It looks like it.

[Lie] - Could I come along?  Maybe a change of scene might help me...- She spawns a couple of healing flowers under Yaunfen out of habit

[Doc] If you want. It's going to be cold though.

[Notch] greeeat.

[Lie] - I'll get my cloak- She herds her vulpix's and Hope inside and returns with her cloak around her shoulders

[Notch] Fluffs his own red cloak - I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

[Yaunfen] - Mada she getting heavy!

[Doc] Okay, we'll hurry. I know you're not used to carrying anyone. It's this way- xe leads them across the yard and down into the cage-

[Lie] Stays near Notch- Let's go see the cold bitch

[Doc] Opens the way and the cold air blows into the cage- It's not far-

[Yaunfen] Shivers a little and tentatively steps into the snow-

-It isn't long before the temple is in sight and the guards send one of their own to fetch the lady. The remaining one opens the gate and bids them come in out of the snow. The passageway has a high ceiling and it's evening where they are-

[Monk] Is watching the dragon curiously-

[Lie] Draws her cloak closer, her glow still somewhat dim-

[Nessie] Stalks down the hallway. Her demenor instantly shifting to obsequeoius as she spots Markus. - My lord. Too what do we owe this visit?

[Doc] A mission of mercy. Our friend needs to be reset.

[Monk] Brushes Yaunfen's tail tip out of curiousity-

[Nessie] Eyeballs Yaunfen and hir load-

[Yaunfen] Jumps a little- Mada...

[Doc] Gives the monk a stern look-

[Monk] It talked!

[Doc] Scowls- That's my child you're reffering too.

[Nessie] How interesting.

[Lie] Puts a gentle hand on Yaunfen- It's okay Yaunfen, they're just curious

[Nessie] Well lets get your patient on a soft surface at least. - She gestures towards an open doorway where some couches are visible.

[Yaunfen] Looks at Doc for reassurance-

[Doc] Come on, I'm sure you want to put her down.

[Yaunfen] Follows Doc into the other room-

[Doc] Helps slide Traveller onto the couch. As she flops the Nether star around her neck is revealed under her torn clothing-

[Nessie] practically shrieks- THIEF!

[Lie] Quietly to Notch- May have forgotten about that...

[Notch] Fuck.

[Nessie] Explain this!

[Doc] Oh I don't know. You're not the only one who has one...

[Yaunfen] - Shiny!

[Nessie] Is fuming.

[Lie] - Lady Nessie please, this is a NOTCH, one which needs healing.

[Notch] Tries to adopt a more commanding tone- Do it because I request it.

[Nessie] Goes silent. - Sir...

[Doc] She just needs a reset, you can see she's hurt.

[Lie] Smirks a little and speaks mentally to Notch- Not quite dad voice but close enough

[Yaunfen] Starts sniffing around at everything-

-the room is full of couches, chairs and mats for meditating. There are several potted plants-

[Lie] - Do you need any of us to do anything?

[Nessie] Looks annoyed - No.

[Yaunfen] Switches to their human form and tugs on Doc's coat- Mada I'm cold...

[Doc] Whispers to Lie- It's a really simple move but if you do it wrong you can accidently delete someone, and it can kill a glitch... Huh? Oh...   Here. Take my coat. - Xe slips off hir labcoat and puts it around Yaunfen before putting hir gloves back on. Hir chest underneath is male and xe has an orange shirt today.

[Lie] - Oh, I see...

[Yaunfen] Happily snuggles into the coat-

[Nessie] Rearranges Traveler and pulls one of her shoes off.

[Lie] Presses a bit closer to Notch, the thought of not having a shoe on in this cold making her foot feel cold-

[Notch] Puts an arm around her in a fatherly way-

[Nessie] Puts one finger under the femalt NOTCHs foot and pokes her with two fingers in the temple-

-There's a buzzing noise and a few sparks-

[Yaunfen] Tries to get closer-

[Traveler] Goes entirely black for a moment as Nessie moves back. She flickers into existence again as she was, but now mended.

[Yaunfen] Is completely fascinated-

[Lie] - Traveler?

[Traveler] Blinks- Where..? Oh gods! - She sits up quickly-

[Nessie] Leans forward to scowl at her- Why did you steal from our shine?!

[Yaunfen] - No glitch!?

[Doc] Looks - Well she does have a scar now... It kinda looks like mine.

[Traveler] Because you didn't know what you had!

[Nessie] Bristles- It was ours!

[Notch] What did she steal?

[Lie] - Lady Nessie, there's no point in arguing this...  All the items have been replaced

[Nessie] Our grass block given by our Notch!

[Lie] - Yes, and I gave you one on behalf of my father in law for the Notch you now worship

[Nessie] Bristles some more- She's still a thief. Get her out of here! - pauses- Please.

[Traveler] Gladly.

[Lie] Looks at Notch- You ready to go?

[Doc] Fine. Thank you for fixing her at least.

[Traveler] Take me back to my Herobrine please.

[Notch] Yeah

[Nessie] But sir...

[Notch] This was an errand of mercy. I told you before I'm not staying.

[Yaunfen] - He has to go home to Big Fire!

[Nessie] Big fire?

[doc] Oh dear....

[Lie] - My husband, his son

[Nessie] Flatly. - I see

[Traveler] Is staring Doc down-

[Doc] I'm going I'm going!

[Lie] Starts turning to leave when she stops, making an odd face-

[Notch] You okay there?

[Lie] Sneezes, and since Notch is touching her, he gets pulled along in the sneeze teleport-

[Doc] What the fuck?

[Yaunfen] - They gone!?

[Doc] I keep forgetting that can happen.

[Nessie] Where have they gone?

[Doc] I'm not sure...

[Yaunfen] - Big Fire will be mad...

[Doc] Yeah, I think so too.

[Traveler] Are you going to take me back or what?

[Nessie] Go and find the Supreme Notch! If any harm befalls him...

[Doc] Don't threaten me.

[Yaunfen] - He has shield!

[Nessie] What does that mean?

[Traveler] Yeah....

[Doc] He has powers from what we gave to turn him digital.

[Yaunfen] - He can also talk REALLY loud, it makes Big Fire stop doing things

[Doc] That's one way to put it.

[Nessie] He can order brines about?

[Doc] Just the one...

[Traveler] Is spinnning a knife.

[Doc] We should go-

[Yaunfen] - And get Big Fire?

[Doc] Yes... - starts leading them out

[Traveler] Shoves a monk away from the front door and stamps out into the snow

[Doc] Please calm down...

[Yaunfen] Reaches up towards Doc-

[Doc] Picks them up and holds them close before opening a portal to the cage.

[Traveler] Imediately races through and is away before Doc is hardly into the room.

[Yaunfen] - Mada where we look for Big Fire at?

[Doc] His house and quickly. - Xe runs at a decent trot with the child in hir arms and calls out for Cp once they reach the outside-

[CP] Had just gotten home, covered in blood and wounds- The fuck do you want?

[Doc] Yeah... uh... kinda need your nose....

[CP] - For what?  Can't you find anything on this server?  You like to demonstrate that often enough

[Doc] I sorta lost Lie... and Markus...

[CP] - ...  YOU LOST MY WIFE!?

[Doc] She sneeze teleported! And I had to get Traveler back here before she started a fight with Lady Nessie!

[CP] - WHAT THE FUCK WERE ALL OF YOU DOING OVER THERE!

[Doc] Somebody fucked up Traveler enough that she had to be reset!

[CP] - So Steve's little kick actually did something?

[Doc] Steve did that?! HOW? The only wound I've ever seen like that was the one Mb gave me! It nearly killed me!

[CP] - I was a little focused on fighting Stevie!

[Yaunfen] - Mada are we going back?

[Doc] Yes. We have to find Lie. But You don't have to be human and we won't be walking. You can just ride me.

[Yaunfen] - Okay Mada

[CP] - Let's go already!

[Lie] Her sneeze teleport lands them in a forest and the lights from a nearby village are visible.  It takes them a moment to orient themselves and Lie realizes that she accidentally brought Notch along- Shit, sorry Notch, did not mean to drag you along...   Hell I didn't even know I could do that...

[Notch] I'm less worried about that then the fact that it's getting dark!

[Lie] - There's a village right over there, but...- She looks at Notch

[Notch] I've got the same problem as you, but from the other end. Wait- He combs his mop of hair down over his eyes- I'll just look down.

[Lie] - We can try, but be ready to throw your shield up if necessary- She starts making her way towards the village

[Notch] Follows her grimly- The only other option is hiding till dawn so-

-There are a few last villagers outside hastily setting up some torches-

[Lie] - Um, hello?

-The villagers are surprised, but word of the gods and goddesses had reached this tiny village-

[MalVillager] - Goddess...

[Lie] - We seek shelter for the night, do you have a building to spare?

[MalVillager] - Well yes, but who is this with you?

[Notch] I'm her father in law... Mark.

[MalVillager] - Father in law?  So would that make you?

[Lie] - Yes, he is the father of the God of War

[MalVillager] Pales a little having heard of the ferocity of the God of War and wonders what sort of person is the man who "sired" him-

[Notch] We just need shelter from the mobs, we're not looking for trouble.

[MalVillager] - Uh, yes, we can give the Goddess and her father in law the large house in the center of town, where it's safest

[Lie] - That's not necessary

[MalVillager] - Goddess please, we insist!

[Notch] We'll be gone at dawn. And I don't want to put anyone out....

[MalVillager] - No, I insist!- He begins leading them.  The village isn't in the best condition, it's obviously been attacked by zombies a number of times

[Lie] speaks mentally to Notch- We should do something for them before we leave in the morning...

[Notch] I'm still in creative. What would you suggest?

[Lie] - Perhaps a small wall?  This place seems to get hit by zombies often...

[Notch] Okay, as soon as it's light. I hope the others aren't freaking out too much

[Lie] - I'm sure Doc is probably worried...  I hope they didn't tell CP...  That probably won't end well for hir...

[Doc] is flying with Yaunfen on hir shoulders. - Fuck.. it's already night...!

[CP] His worry for his wife is palpable-

[Doc] Is dipping towards the trees and sniffing around- For once I wish these were your mobs-

[CP] - I mean, with a bit of time I could make them so

[Doc] Yeah... don't do that. I think TLOT would be really pissed about that. Especially since the zombies here hate his guts.

[Yaunfen] Is watching the land under them- I see booms!

[CP] - You're only making it more tempting to do so

[Doc] Can already feel a headache forming- Don't you have enough responsibilities already Cp?!

[CP] - I just lost a bunch of them

[Doc] And I'm sorry that happened, but having an army didn't help you before. Why would you want to have one again?!

[CP] Shrugs-

[Doc] FINE. When we've got Lie and Notch you can grab a bunch of mobs and take them back with us, and you can distract yourself whipping them into shape! But NO ZOMBIES. And no skeletons either of any kind!

[CP] Gives Doc a suspicious look, not sure what they are up to-

[Doc] Mutters a bit and keeps looking. The night is almost half over already.

[Lie] Is woken by loud groans outside and she moves to nudge Notch awake- Hey, wake up

[Notch] Hmm? Oh, dumb zombies...

[Lie] - They sound really close...

[Notch] Gets a weird smile- You know... I'm still in creative. I could just go out there and start driving them off.

[Lie] - And start spreading rumors about how strong the god of war's father is?  That will drive Cp nuts when he finds out

[Notch] Snickers- And how many times has he griefed me?

[Lie] - Touche

[Notch] You want to help?

[Lie] - Sure, I'll start setting up more light sources

[Notch] Pulls up the menu with some difficulty and starts getting out diamond armor. - no need to be stupid about it. Would you like some?

[Lie] - No, I'll stay back far enough.  You're in creative though, you shouldn't need armor

[Notch] Well it still hurts if I get hit Lie.

[Lie] - Fair enough, let's go

[Notch] Pulls out a diamond sword - ready when you are.

[Lie] Opens the door and eyes the horde approaching the village- We need to move fast

[Notch] Dashes out, hiding behind houses and making his way to the closest zombie. He practically pounces on it and swats it out of existence-

[Lie] Begins focusing and lantern flowers begin forming around her, spreading out on nearly every available surface along with lush foliage-

-Some villagers had awoken at the sound of zombies, scared that it would be their final night and are now waking the others to watch what is happening outside-

[Notch] Is doing pretty well considering he hasn't any formal training apart from playing a crap-ton of Minecraft. Though he can't help but show his face in the melee, and the light catches in his black on black eyes. -

[Lie] Hears some of the gasps from the villagers as they recognize what Notch is and the whispers as the word spreads.  She begins walking through the village to form more flowers and to keep an eye on Notch-

[Notch] Is also throwing down cobbles with his other hand to make a messy barrier as he traverses the outskirts of the village-

[Lie] Lets her offensive pods begin claiming what wall Notch has set up.  A villager nervously steps outside-

[FemVillager] - Goddess...  That man, he's...  He's...

[Lie] - The original Notch and my husbands father, I assure you he means no harm.  He hid his visage so as not to scare you

[FemVillager] - I wish to trust your word on that Goddess but...- She shrieks as a zombie rounds the corner, coming straight for them

[Lie] Shoves the testificate inside and takes the brunt of the zombie's attack- Notch!

[Notch] Charges up and whacks the undead over the head with his sword, involuntarily making a little hi-ya! type yell.

[Lie] Jut stares at him for a second- Did...  Did you just?

[Notch] Is red faced and panting- Yeah, yeah... I'm immature. This is a bit exciting though.

[Lie] Laughs a little, the first time since the incident on the other server, okay...  Well, the horde should be almost gone...

[Notch] Good. I'll need some help shoring up the crappy half-a- wall I laid down

[Lie] - Just give me some stone, I've got offensive pods where you've started, they wont bite you and will move aside for you

[Notch] Rustles around and passes her a few stacks -I'll look for the gate. I can never remember where it is in the menu.

[Lie] - Redstone

[Notch] Right... - It's getting steadilly lighter out-

[Lie] Heads out to the edge of the village and starts working on the wall, her offensive pods taking out the last few mobs-

[Notch] Helps her working from the other direction and installs a gate on either side of the small hamlet-

-The villagers have come outside and are watching the two build.  A few rush inside and gather some food-

[Notch] Conjures an apple from creative and chews on it while he works, he hasn't noticed the others are up yet-

-A child testificate nervously approaches-

[Child] - Ummm...

[Notch] Forgets and looks directly at them. - Hello?

[Child] Flinches back a little, but does hold out a meager tray of food- Ummm, h-here...

[Lie] Approaches to see what's happening-

[Notch] Oh! I'm fine. Thank you though. How about I give you something instead? - he pulls out a bunch of cookies and holds them out. - Just share them with the other kids. Okay?

[Child] Their eyes go wide at the sight of the treats-

[Lie] Nudges Notch and motions towards the village.  It's obvious that the small tray of food being offered to them was more food then the village could afford to offer- I'll start planting

[Child] Carefully takes the cookies and rushes back towards the others-

[Notch] They are kind of in the middle of nowhere here.

[Lie] - Do you want to build a pen for some animals for them?

[Notch] Sure! - He starts pulling out fence pieces. - I wonder why they didn't already have a garden area? Maybe this village didn't spawn correctly.

[Lie] - It's very likely.  They don't seem to have a library or a smith either- She's weaving her powers through the ground, springing up a thick and flourishing garden

[Notch] Looks around- Or a well... make sure you do the water rows in bettween the crops.

[Lie] - Yeah- She heads over to the garden and spawns water buckets to fill the trenches

-An elderly testificate approaches Notch once Lie steps away-

[ElderlyVillager] - Are you truly a Notch?

[Notch] Kinda? I'm the original.

[ElderlyVillager] - But you protected us...  The last we heard was that the god king had destroyed the NOTCH

[Notch] Well you know how my son, your warrior god, also has white eyes like your Lord of Tears? The're both the same type of entity. It's like that. The native NOTCH here was destroyed and he absolutely deserved it.

[ElderlyVillager] - The god of war and his peaceful wife, they've become well known...  I suppose it makes sense that his father is also skilled in fighting

[Notch] Eh, he's better at it then me. - He takes off his helmet and his hair expands with a messy 'fump'.

[ElderlyVillager] - Then what role do you play?

[Notch] Me? I made the- he almost said game- world. We had a team of helpers but it was mostly Jeb and I.

[ElderlyVillager] - The angel?  You are the one who worked with him?

[Notch] Yeah. We've been friends for a long time.

[ElderlyVillager] - Then we shall spread word of your presence and your relation to the god of War

[Notch] Oh no, don't do that. This world belongs to your Herobrine. I don't want to undermine him or confuse people. I'm just passing through.

[ElderlyVillager] - But you hold such a prominent role!  You should be known just as well as the angel!

[Notch] Yeah, but there are people here who still worship the old NOTCH. I know it makes your Lord uncomfortable for people to praise the name of someone who tortured him and his loved ones. It's not my real name anyway. I told you a half-truth last night. My name is Markus.

[ElderlyVillager] - But that could be corrected

[Notch] Sets his mouth in a hard line. - Only if you use my real name instead of my title. I don't live here and I have no right to claim power in any fashion.

[ElderlyVillager] - It shall be done

[Lie] Heads back towards Notch- Everything alright over here?

[Notch] whispers to Lie- Yeah I got outed... but I think it's handled.

[Lie] - Are you sure you don't want to borrow my cloak?

[Notch] I think it's s bit late for that- he pulls out an egg and spawns some cows into the pen-

[Lie] - If your sure

[ElderlyVillager] Looks at what the two have done for the village- It's seems word of the gods generosity is true, our little village has never deserved something like this and yet you gave it without hesitation

[Notch] Everybody deserves safety and food. I'm sorry this build generated without some of the things you needed, it happens sometimes.

[ElderlyVillager] - We shall honor both of you specifically from hence forth here

[Lie] - That's not necessary

[Notch] I know you can't afford it, there's no need. Just heed your Herobrine's dictate to be kind to one another and that will be more then enough.

[ElderlyVillager] - No, please let us, we shall tend to the Goddess' garden carefully and these cows shall be sacred and used only for their milk

[Notch] you know if you give them wheat tufts you'll get more cows right?

[ElderlyVillager] - Oh of course, but these you've given us will be tended for carefully, their offspring shall provide food however

[Notch] Looks around - Something special... I've got an idea! - he rustles around and pulls out a sapling - I'll make you a special tree. Then you can decorate it if you want. Something totally unique for this biome. Where would be a good spot?

[ElderlyVillager] Looks around- There isn't much room inside the village, but what about just outside the gate?

[Notch] Can do. - He grins at Lie, it's obvious he's up to something as he heads for the gate

[Lie] Gives him a slightly suspicious look and follows him-

-The villagers all watch curiously, looking to their elder to explain what is happening-

[Notch] Gets a few steps outside the wall and taps the sapling so there are four in a square and then hits them with fistfuls of bonemeal. There's a rather organic groan and a massive jungle tree springs up, already coated with vines and chunky cocoa pods.

[Lie] Smiles a little- Well it certainly is exotic...

-The villagers are slowly filing out the gate to stare in awe at the tree-

[Notch] Smiles hugely- And now everyone can have cookies too.

[Doc] Is getting a little tired and stops for a moment on a rocky promintory.

[CP] - Why are you stopping?

[Doc] Just give me a minute. I've got a rider and I'm half starved as it is. - Xe pulls out a pawful of carrots and scarfs them noisily.

[Yaunfen] - Mada?  Cookies?

[Doc] Looks like I'm out. I have some [redstone] whip wheels, a sugar quartz block and a chocolate nut bar [the bread loaf in their texture pack] - Xe offers them up.

[Yaunfen] - Sugar!  Sugar!- Takes the giant block and starts licking it, getting little pixels of sugar all over Doc's mane

[CP] - Can we go?

[Doc] Gets distracted by some odd looking stone- Just a minute... - Xe scratches at the blocks with hir claws-

[CP] - What are you doing now?

[Doc] Is bleped with concentration- I'm mining- The blocks pop away and a bunch of stone bits with writing and bones clatter to the ground and suck into hir inventory. - How odd...

[CP] - Let's go!

[Doc] Is looking around - Actually, I say we go that way. - points

[CP] - Why?

[Doc] Because theres a gigantic jungle tree in the middle of that plains biome.

[CP] Is slowly catching on fire-

[Doc] Takes off towards it without a word as to his flaming attire-

[Yaunfen] - Big fire is getting firey Mada!

[CP] Follows after them-

[Doc] Yeah, he does that. He's having a bit of a temper tantrum. Take it as an example of how not to act. - Doc charges down from the sky and thumps onto the grassy biome with all four feet.

[CP] Is scanning the village from the air-

[Notch] Looks up- Doc!

[Doc] Hey, we found you. Looks like you've been busy.

[Lie] Smiles and prepares for CP's embrace as he zips towards her-

[Notch] Hops sideways to avoid Cp's charge towards Lie.

[CP] Grabs Lie and brings her into an embrace, sweeping her up into the sky-

[Lie] - It's alright CP, I'm safe and healthy

-The villagers nervously hide by their houses at the sight of the dragons-

[Doc] Loafs to look less threatening. - Been keeping busy?

[Notch] They were nice to us, so we helped them out.

[Lie] - They spawned lacking a number of things

[Doc] It sounds like the two of you could use a break... How about I send you back?

[Lie] - Yes, please

[Doc] Swishes open a hole with hir tail and the inside of the cage is visible-

[Notch] waves to the villagers and heads through the opening.

[Doc] Get some rest.

[Notch] I will. I'm betting Flux is wondering where the hell I am.

[Flux] Is waiting in the cage for them-

[CP] Puts Lie down and watches her go through-

[Doc] Closes the hole and looks at the cluster of villagers.

[ElderlyVillager] Steps forwards- Welcome God of War, God of healing

[CP] - What do you want?

[Doc] Gives a respectful nod, - I'd change back to my more human shape but I'm carrying my child.

[Yuanfen] - Hi!!!!

[ElderlyVillager] - I understand, we seem to be blessed to be visited by so many gods in one day

[Doc] Well we were looking for them, we got seperated.

[ElderlyVillager] - I see, well you are welcome to visit anytime

[CP] - Doc!  Let's go!

[Doc] Thank you. I wish you all well. - turns to follow Cp. - So where do we go first? Cave or Nether?

[CP] - Nether

[Doc] Heads away from the village and pulls out some obsidian, looking for a place to put it where no one will wander in-

[Yaunfen] - Where we going Mada?

[CP] - We don't need a portal Doc, I can teleport us there

[Doc] Oh right.... Yaunfen? It's where Gk was spawned. It's really hot, and the mobs are rude. So you need to cling on tight and not get seperated from me.

[Yaunfen] - Okay Mada- They snuggle in closer to Doc's mane

[CP] Touches Doc and teleports them to the Nether, the blast of hot air comforting for the fire based brine

[Doc] Yuck... It always smells like nasty eggs in the Nether. - Xe's scanning around for any structures. - There's a fortress over there.

[CP] Just casually strolls in that direction, not concerned about anything-

[Yaunfen] - Mada I'm too hot...

[Doc] Yeah. It's always like this. It's one reason I tend to avoid it. If you feel like panting, just do so, it'll help you cool down.

[Yaunfen] - But that makes my mouth dry

[Doc] Well there's no water here. It just evaporates. Oh, but I might be able to... - Xe drags a block of packed ice from the creative and slings it up on hir shoulders in front of them- That's a little better

[Yaunfen] Wraps themselves around the ice-

[Doc] Trots along the shore of a massive lava lake and stops suddenly, hir gasp is audible

[CP] Glances back- What?

[Doc] Something I've only seen through someone elses eyes...

-Far from the shore there's a thin promontory with a crude throne at the top. The muted light of the lava glints off two discarded golden swords and the whole ediface is streaked downward on either side with the stains of old blood like a sacrifical altar.

[CP] - Well that's not natural

[Yaunfen] - Mada I don't like it...

[Doc] I don't either. And thankfully the horrible creature who set it up is dust or less now.

[CP] - TLOT's NOTCH?

[Doc] Nods grimly - This is why he's afraid.

[CP] - Let's keep going

[Doc] Gladly, although... you could do him a favor. Just in case he ever has to come here again.

[CP] - What makes you think that's going to happen?

[Doc] Because I want you to break that. Throw it all into the lava.

[CP] Shrugs and flies over to the throne.  It doesn't take much for him to completely destroy the throne and let it sink deep into the lava-

[Doc] Thank you. I want his NOTCH to be forgotten.

[CP] - Whatever, let's keep going

[Doc] Heads for the stronghold, looking out for any overtly hostile mobs, and stepping carefully around the pigmen and wandering magma cubes.

[CP] Gathers a few of each, using a bit of his coding ability to ensnare them in blank eggs for easy transportation-

[Doc] Is watching - not going to try and talk to them or anything first?

[CP] - Nope

[Doc] Shrugs- Okay then, - Xe squints at something far out on the lake. It looks like a partial fortress because it's made of netherbrick, but it's low to the lava like a boat and isolated from the shore. - Hmm... Overworld next? I assume you have more then enough endermen already.

[CP] - Yeah, I suppose- He heads back over to Doc and teleports the three of them back to the overworld

[Doc] That's better. And Yaunfen, you can just push that block off if you're done with it. My shoulders are going numb.

[Yaunfen] - Okay Mada- They nose it off and it leaves a cold trail down Doc's shoulder

[Doc] Shakes hir head a little. -Blech. My mane is all sticky. I'm taking a bath as soon as we get back. - Xe scratches around in the dirt a little and claws at the stony side of a mountain while waiting for Cp- Picking the best ones Cp?

[CP] - Shut up- He grabs a couple of spiders and finds a cave spider as well.  He grabs a couple slimes too

[Doc] Claws up some iron and finds another of the cloudy looking blocks high on the wall. Xe scratches at it and it pops away, dropping a curly shell with the tiny end cracked off - Ooh! Look at this Yaunfen. It's so pretty.

[Yaunfen] - Oooo

[Doc] Hunkers a bit and cranes hir neck at an eyewatering angle that causes some clipping to get the tiny shell near hir lips, xe melts the broken tip and blows into the hole. Making a rather funny honking noise.

[Yaunfen] Giggles- More!  More!

[Doc] Here, you try- Passes it up- Make a kind of Pbbbbbbbb with your lips

[Yaunfen] Tries blowing and gets a short honk out-

[CP] Soon returns- Oi, let's go

[Doc] Smiles, knowing Cp won't be too rude to Yaunfen - Look what we found.

[CP] - It's a shell?

[Yaunfen] Still honking-

[Doc] Yeah. It was buried in the wall. This seed has a texture I've never seen before. Kind of a splotchy stone that drops bones and stuff.

[CP] - Well Jeb did say he had installed some mods to try and help TLOT

[Doc] It's different, and I certainly approve. But we're ready to go when you are. Did you find a few good.. mobs?

[CP] - Maybe, we'll see

[Doc] Okay- Xe makes a passage back into the cage and trots through

[CP] Follows through and immediately heads back up to Lie's place-

[Doc] Yaunfen? Can you follow Big Fire and meet me at the opening?

[Yaunfen] - Okay Mada

[Doc] Thank you. - Xe phases through the rock and dirt and scoops up their child again before taking off towards  the castle. - You got me all sticky. I need a bath.

[Yaunfen] - We get Mama?

[Doc] Oh yes. I want to show her what we found anyway. - xe calls over the chat for Deerheart to meet them in the back garden-

[Deer] Replies that she'll be there and is already waiting when they arrive-

[Yaunfen] Toots some more on the shell, at one point making a loud farting noise-

-There's some stirring from farther out and a splash-

[Doc] Hir head whips around towards the noise only to yelp at Basil floating like a crocodile right at the shoreline with a baleful expression-

[Deer] - What on earth?

[Doc] Bristles- Basil...?

[Basil] Is eyeballing Yaunfen with a very annoyed look-

[Yaunfen] Toots again-

[Basil] Lifts his jaw and makes a bored hissing noise -

[Deer] - Is it whatever Yaunfen is holding?

[Doc] Maybe? I wonder if he likes the noise? He seems calm.

[Yaunfen] Toot toot toot-

[Basil] Does a slow roll over in the water and puts his huge chin on the shore-

[Deer] Backs away- Ummm, maybe we shouldn't be doing that?

[Doc] Beats me... Maybe we should go in the bay instead. And Yaunfen... just put that away for now. At least don't blow it by the water.

[Yaunfen] - Awwww...

[Deer] - So what are we doing love?

[Doc] Yaunfen got sugar in my hair. I just wanted to go for a swim. Without being menaced by monsters. No offense.

[Basil] Narrowed eyes-

[Deer] - Then let's go swim, I think Lapras may be over there though

[peterparker-spid3erman]

Homecoming- Part 2

Part 1

Music blared from her speakers as Y/N started to get ready for the dance. Singing along to the lyrics she walked into her closet, coming to a stop in front of her dresses. She still hadn’t decided what dress she was going to wear and she sighed in frustration as she looked through her walk in closet. One side of the closet was dedicated to dresses and she looked at them, trying to decide what color she wanted. Black? White? Turquoise? Red?

Her eyes landed on a pink and silver dress, hiding among the rest. She had brought this dress for last year’s homecoming but had changed her mind at the last minute. Pulling it off the rack, she held it out in front of her. The strapless dress was sparkly silver at the top with a light pink ribbon around the waist. The light pink material below the waist fell just above her knees. Smiling she held it against her body, standing in front of the mirror. It was perfect.

Placing it down on her bed, she returned to her closet to find her sparkle silver heels. Grabbing them from the shelf, she placed them next to her dress. It was the perfect outfit for the evening. She smiled as she imagined Peter’s reaction to seeing her in the dress.

She glanced over at the clock on her bed stand. 2:00pm. She had four hours until Ned would be at her house. The two of them planned to ride together, meeting Peter and Liz at the dance. Y/N was still not happy about Peter bringing Liz to the dance and to be perfectly honest she was more than happy to stay home and have a movie night by herself. The only problem was Ned. He kept bugging her about it so she finally caved and agreed to go with the three of them.

It had been almost a week since Peter had told Y/N that he was bringing Liz to homecoming. Since then she had hardly talked to him. She did her best to avoid seeing them because now Liz was with him almost all the time at school. At lunch, Y/N made up excuses about having to finish a project and ate lunch in the library. In the hallways, she did her best to go the long way to her classes because it meant she wouldn’t have to see them together. Sure, Peter and Liz were still only friends but it hurt Y/N to see them hanging out.

“Ow!” Y/N groaned, clutching her stomach from the sudden pain.

She slowed her breathing, taking in deep breaths as her stomach continued to hurt. Sitting down on her bed, she felt herself become nausea and continued to take deep breaths hoping the feeling would pass. When another sharp pain emitted from her stomach, she laid down, and closed her eyes, willing the pain to go away.

~~

“Y/N! Y/N! Wake up!”

Y/N opened her eyes to see Ned standing above her. She groaned as she rolled over onto her side, clutching her stomach.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“6:00! We were supposed to leave now,” Ned said. “Do you feel ok? You look pale.”

Y/N shook her head. “I feel awful.”

“But you have to feel better! You need to come to homecoming. Peter needs to realize that he needs to be with you and not her!”

“I-I don’t think I’m gonna go,” Y/N said, scrunching up her face in pain.

Ned’s face dropped but he nodded his head, understanding. “You’ll come if you feel better right?”

Y/N nodded. “Of course.”

He squeezed her hand before leaving the room. Y/N grabbed her phone from her nightstand to see three texts from Peter.

When are you and Ned getting to the dance?

Liz and I are on the way.

We’re here. Where are you?

The last message was from ten minutes ago but Y/N placed her phone next to her, ignoring the messages. He would find out soon enough that she wasn’t going to be there. Ned would probably be at the school any minute to tell him.

Her stomach felt a bit better, but she was still nausea. Turning on her tv, she put on Netflix resuming the last episode of the show she was currently watching. Luckily, it wasn’t anything that took a lot of brainpower and she laughed as the characters continued their crazy antics.

The next hour, Y/N drifted in and out of sleep, only getting up once to use the bathroom. Just as she was laying back down, the familiar sound of her window opening caught her ear. She glanced over to see Peter quietly climbing in, still in his tux from the dance, and land gracefully on the floor. He closed the window behind him before turning around to face her. She blushed, finding him quite attractive in his tux.

“H-hey,” he said, quietly.

“Peter! Hey! What are you doing here?” she asked, forgetting that she was trying to avoid him at the moment.

“Ned said you weren’t feeling good, so I thought I would make sure you were ok.”

“I’m fine. You didn’t have to come and leave Liz all by herself,” she said, laying down.

“But I wanted to,” Peter replied, confusion in his voice.

“Well now you see I’m fine you can go back.”

“Well I...I was thinking maybe I could stay over and we could watch a movie or something.”

“You would rather stay with me than be with Liz at the dance?”

Peter nodded, running his fingers through his brown hair. “Yea. I like her and all but I would rather hang out with you any day.”

Y/N laughed. “Even when I’m sick?” “Even when you’re sick.”

Peter walked over to her dresser and opened the top drawer. “Please tell me my sweatpants are still in here? This tux is uncomfortable.”

“You have a pair of shorts in there….”

Peter turned around. “Y/N, where are my sweatpants?” His eyes widened as he took in her appearance. “Are wearing them and one of my t shirts?”

“They’re comfortable!” she said, holding her hands up in defense.

“I know,” Peter said, laughing. He grabbed the pair of yellow gym shorts from her drawer and one of his many t shirts that had accumulated in her drawer. “How do you have so many of my shirts?”

“I always forget to give them back to you,” she said, referring to when she would stay at his place and want to wear a comfortable shirt instead of one of her’s.

Peter smiled, walking into her bathroom and closing the door behind him. When he reemerged his tux was no where to be seen. He had on his yellow gym shorts with a blue Midway t shirt. Y/N blushed as she looked at him, finding him more attractive than when he was in his tux.

He layed down next to her, both of them rolling onto their sides to face each other.

“So how was the dance?” she asked.

“It was...ok,” he said. “It would have been better if you were there.”

Y/N smiled. “Was Ned having fun?”

“Yea. He was actually dancing with Michelle when I left.”

Y/N laughed as Peter’s hand moved to hers and intertwined with her fingers with his. They had held hands before but this time there was something different about it. Y/N’s heart beat faster and she was sure Peter could hear it with his superhuman senses however he was nice enough not to say anything.

As the two of them laid on Y/N’s bed watching a movie, they found themselves becoming tangled up. Y/N’s head was resting against Peter’s chest, while his hand was placed on her stomach. Throughout the movie, Y/N continued to doze off but each time she woke up, Peter was still there, his eyes glued to the television screen.

The next time she woke up, the sun was streaming through her windows. Her head was still on Peter’s chest and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest as he slept. Her stomach was feeling slightly better as she stood up to use the bathroom.

When she returned, Peter had woken up, his brown hair messy, as he looked over at her.

“Good Morning,” she said, leaning against the frame of the bathroom door.

“Morning.”

He stood up and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a hug.

“I had fun last night. Thanks for letting me stay.”

“I’m glad you came.”

They took a step back from each other and Y/N watched as Peter walked over to the window, opening it quietly.

“Going to save the world?” she asked.

Peter nodded. “I’ll come by later and we can hang out again.”

“Sounds like a plan, Spiderman.”

~~

Y/N sat at her desk, finishing her math homework that was due tomorrow. She was having a hard time focusing as her mind kept replaying everything that had happened last night with Peter.

“Y/N,” Peter said from behind her.

She turned around to see Peter closing the window. He was still dressed in his red and blue Spiderman suit and he pulled the mask off, tossing it to the floor.

“Save a lot of people today?” she asked, giving him a hug.

“Stopped a bike thief, gave an old lady directions. I’d say it was good day,” he said, smiling.

She laughed pulling away from him. As she took a step away his gloved fingers locked with hers. Before she could do anything his lips were pressed against hers. She smiled as he moved his head away, his brown eyes locked on hers.

“I-I forgot to do that earlier,” he said, an embarrassed smile on his face.

Standing on her tip toes, she pressed her lips against his. “It’s ok,” she replied, knowing that he had finally realized how he felt about her.

Authors Note: You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for the positive feedback. ❤️ Lexi

@slythergirlimagines @eabha-no @thedumbestravenclaw

[namirotraeu]

Online Relationships

I just can’t let go of writing this fic. Originally, this was a one-shot but the LawNa muse sent me angels who read  the first chapter and urged me to write again. So, I thank everyone who read my fic. It means so much to me.

“Personalities and relationships tend to differ offline. “

(Part 1)

Title: Online Relationships- Part 2

Pairing:Trafalgar Law X Nami

Genre: Romance/ AU

Rating: T

Word Count: 2286

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, they rightfully belong to Oda Eiichiro.

"Captain! Look it's your Nami-ya." Shachi pointed out to his best friend.

Nami's beauty stood out among her group of friends while they are eating merrily in Baratie's Food Joint. It's been months since Law and Nami started sending messages to one another. He regretted that he told his best buddies on how they were talking online. It was something they tease him a lot whenever she was around. This made him awkward to approach her even though he was normally blunt in nature.

"Quiet down. If Strawhat-ya hears you, he'll tease me like you do." He grumpily said.

"Oh come on! From what you told us, you and Nami were chatting till 3 am. No girl would be able to keep up with your insomniac routine." Penguin added.

"Nami-ya is also busy with her studies that time. We talk just to keep each other awake." He explained not wanting them to push further.

True enough, they had been messaging one another since the day Luffy introduced them. He finds her very alluring which is why he added her then started messaging her. At first, he thought he was just attracted to her beauty, but he realized that she was more that. She was witty, fun and sometimes flirty but she owns herself more than anyone else does. He respected how much she was dedicated when it comes to studying which is why he likes to keep her company online on her late-night study sessions.

"It's obvious that you like her with that occasional glances that you've been giving her." Shachi stated.

"You even told us to use Baratie's Food Joint as a study hall when Nami told you they often hang out here." Penguin spilled earning a chuckle from their quiet companion, Jean Bart.

"Why are you even ganging up on me? I thought you were my friends." Law said defeatedly.

"That is why. We are your friends and were pushing your laid-back attitude to make a move on Nami. "

"You can't be so laid back with Nami, a lot of guys want to be Ms. Weatheria's boyfriend."

Ever since Nami joined the beauty pageant and was crowned Ms. Weatheria, the competition for being her man became tough. He saw Eustass Kid, engineering student, inviting her over for lunch, which was politely declined by the girl. He also saw Zoro, a good friend of her and criminology student, hanging out more time with her than the usual. Then, there's Sanji that had been showering her the attention she deserves, following every order she have. These events made him back away since he felt Nami has a lot of guys to handle in her plate.

"I did confess to her even before she joined that pageant, but she didn't take it seriously."

Nami-ya, I like you.

Mou Law, stop messing around. We've never seen each other again since Camie's Open Mic.

Do I look like I'm joking around? Ugh, fine. I'll just study for my exam.

"That was because all you do is message her online. Your timing was always messed up." Shachi lectured.

"She barely knew you that time. It was only 3 months since you started chatting and you didn't see her again personally till the 4th month." Penguin added.

Four months after they first met, Law and Jean Bart run into Nami in the university lagoon. She was alone that time sketching something. He mustered up all the courage to say hi at her which was greeted back with her beautiful smile. He didn't stay to make a conversation because he was too shy when it comes to her. There was something about her that makes the laid back, straightforward and blunt him go away.

That thing urged him to start over again. Snapping a picture of her in the lagoon, then sending it to her with the caption 'Take a break when you need it.' helped him to start again their online conversations.

Loud clanking of barbells, sweaty people huffing, words of encouragement from instructors and feet jogging through Bepo's Training Gym envelop the whole place. Motivated people to change and be healthier keeps the flame lit up the essence of the gym.

Law and a colleague of him, X-Drake, often go to the gym to let off stress. Despite their age difference, they knew each other way back when Law was still ten. Their guardians were good friends, which is why they met often in their childhood. Being friends was one thing both do not like to admit. Law delights in annoying Drake, giving the older man a lot of headaches. So, when he saw him around the neighborhood, Law took the opportunity on intimidating him pushing the two of them have a spar in the gym.

While getting the boxing gloves for the two of them, Law saw two familiar faces. Zoro and Sanji was in the midst of their workout routine. They have been acting like a bodyguard to Nami warding off most of her suitors, which delights Law. However, they were the reasons why his moves on Nami gets destroyed or spoiled. Despite that they were still Nami's friends so he decided to greet them.

Law grunted as he made eye contact Zoro earning a grunt in return. He turned to acknowledge Sanji, but the cook gave him an irritated look.

"Ever heard of greeting the normal way, Shitty Doctor?" Sanji glared.

He knew that the cook was good to all the ladies but he was taken aback at how he was trying to pick a fight with him.

"I'm sure Zoro-ya didn't mind how I greeted."

"It's because you two are barbarians who doesn't even know how to treat a lady."

"Oi cook, you picking a fight." Zoro boiled his anger to the cook.

"Shut up, Moss Head. I'm doing this for Nami-swan." Then he turned again to Law. "I don't know what kind of love potion you gave to Nami-swan but you don’t have the right to mess up her feelings."

Law became silent due to what Sanji said. He didn't know that her friends knew something about them. He thought she was pretty picky on telling others about her personal life.

"Leave him alone, Cook. It is Nami's business after all, she's a grown up woman. We'll just beat anyone's ass if she got hurt." Zoro said seriously.

"I just don't know what Nami-swan liked about him." Sanji sighed. "Go away Trafalgar before I change my mind and beat you up. I'm Nami-swan wouldn't like it."

Law walked away from them while trying to decipher what her friends has said. She rejected her not quite too long ago, so why would her friends say such things. He needed to blow off the steam. Boxing with Drake is a good idea.

"So the cat thief, huh?" Drake mused.

He calls Nami, cat thief, because there was one time his wallet was taken by the said girl paying all the tabs of her friends then returning the wallet to him. He was enraged when he realized what happened. Luckily for her, Nico Robin intellectually settled the incident, saying Nami was just a high schooler that was very much curious. Being a marine, he never forgets the cat thief. Most of the time when the two of them are in the same established, he ensures that Nami wouldn't give into the temptation of stealing. Because of this he became a brother figure to the girl.

"You overheard my conversation with her friends?" Law was shocked.

"It was taking you too long, so I decided to check if you’re still alive. Though, I hope you’re not." Drake said sarcastically.

"If you wanted me dead, you could just try to kill me. Tell me Drake-ya how many have you killed?" Law darkly humored him.

Drake sighed at the question. "Back to Nami, so what would you do about it?"

"I didn't know you’re the type who would meddle in such things."

"It is rare to see you like this and I find it amusing. I never knew you would be so dork and sheepish on making moves on girls." Drake chuckled.

Law landed a hard blow on Drake's face. He settled on boxing, not talking.

"Heh, finally fired up." Drake nursed his cheek to check for blood.

Their session ended with Drake winning the spar. The older man had an upper hand being taller and consistent training. But that day Drake knew something's bothering Law.

The hospital where Law was having his internship was a grand hospital. Donquixote Hospital was the largest medical facility in the country. From the soft and comfortable hospital bed to sophisticated surgical devices, they have it all. Law and his friends used his uncle’s authority to be able to train in this hospital. Since Law’s uncle was the owner of the hospital, he obliged happily and gave them a special room where they conduct their checkups.

Finals week is starting and students are busy completing requirements, they were given this semester. Being an academic scholar, Law knew how stressful these days to Nami. He already had a lot of things to do due to his on the job training in the hospital so he barely sees her at school. Though, quite uncertain of what her friends told him he messages her. Hi.

"Yo Captain!" Shachi and Penguin chorused while they both slap Law's back, causing him to drop his phone in the aquarium in front of them.

The three of them panicked to get the already soak smart phone. As much as Law's dismay, the phone didn't open again when he turned it on.

"I just messaged Nami-ya and this happened." Law glared at his two scared friends.

The two men apologized pleadingly to their friend. "We'll just take it to the repair center." Shachi said.

"You can just message Nami on my phone. So, that she'll not wait." Penguin suggested.

Law sighed. "I'll just message her when my phone is fixed."

The finals week was already done when Law got his phone back. A message from Nami occupied his notification bar. Hello Law. It was dated the same day he messaged her.

A pang of guilt showered him. He should have informed her that his phone was dead.

How are you? He felt stupid after he sent that. He should have started with an explanation, but he wasn't thinking.

I'm so happy right now~

Professor Haredas just gave me my grades and I was 1 out of the 8 students who passed his subject!

Law so thrilled!

Really? That's nice Nami-ya.

Day by day they continued to chat with each other even when Law was busy working in his uncle's hospital as an understudy. Short conversations completed their days.

Their communication continued till one conversation with Nami made two of them distant for the rest of the summer break. She got mad at him because he didn't reply due to playing video games. Originally, he planned to just talk to her, but, Shachi and Penguin infiltrate his apartment and dragged him into playing video games with them. Nami told him it was okay; she's lying on his face and that made him so upset. It was obvious she's mad, he wanted her to act like a girlfriend and tell him she wanted the attention. But that didn't happen. They just repelled each other.

At the start of the new semester, Law decided things would change. He'll leave all his unanswered questions, doubts and everything that has been pulling him backwards.

When he saw her in the school canteen for the first time this semester, he saw his chance. As usual, they greeted each other, but he knew it didn't need to end there. Jean Bart wanted to go back to their department, but when he glanced to Nami's table, she hadn't come back from buying food. They were already out of the cafeteria doors when a spark of determination rush into his body.

He ran back towards Nami's table. To his relief, she's already seated there.

"Nami-ya." He said while trying to look calm.

She looked quite confused on why he was there. Summoning up all the courage in front of her he opened his mouth and said. "I'll be going now. See you around."

Her reply was a soft "Bye bye" with her cheeks starting to be redder than usual. That sight made his heart beat faster and he felt his own cheeks were heating up too. He quickly retreated before he could do something stupid.

All the courage he mustered up was worth it. He really did hope every turn out fine.

That hope became a roller coaster ride at the start of the third week of the semester. The students of the Grand Line University, their school, will merge with a nearby special college, the Mink College. The Mink College suffered because of a great fire accident that occurred. Different races became more evident in their university. His polar bear friend, Bepo, was in the same department as Nami. While Nami's reindeer friend, Chopper, was his classmate in Pharmacology. Due to this, their chances of bumping into one another increased.

There was a time he even accompanied Bepo in his study sessions with Nami. He still feels awkward around her, but with his fluffy friend, he was able to converse with her in some ways. Bepo informed him that Nami asked for his cell phone number a few days after he joined them, but he is not sure why she needed it. She hasn't even contacted him.

His phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Hello. Who's this?" He answered.

"Law! It’s me, Nami. I need your help."