#i think mag is a boy

[britneyshakespeare]

i think one of our hens is actually a rooster

[chevvy-ryder]

[NC_RES]-31102049-EUR-GER scharfenberg_g_portraits_043_1_CCR_HB_JP_HB.file ///core:_ryder_von_scharfenberg.file\\\

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⚠️ READ: Please do not repost/reupload any of my art here or to any other platform, or I will be forced to do anything to get it annihilated.

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[your-ne1ghbor]

Character conflict

Only thing I will say here is this:

The most terrifying villains

is them knowing they're in the wrong...

[theloveinc]

OKAY hear me out but touya WITH a job getting ready at your cute vanity and pink room. struggling to put up his cargo pants/ slacks with the belt, while running over to get his coat off of the fuzzy pink chair in the corner. he's forced to fix his hair and check if his face looks the least presentable in your mirror filled with polaroids before he goes out and it's SO funny to watch him do that omg. i'm gonna die

(pt. i!)

WAHHH mismatched socks, the elastic of his calvin kleins (that u bought him) peeking out at his backside; he nearly trips over his work bag that's waiting for him on the floor and practically slides right into your full-length mirror--you're really rooting for him and even though he wouldnt say it, he'd try to strangle himself if he lost his job for being late just one too many times--because he's rushing to get out the door.

you can hear him from the kitchen where you're putting together lunches (not for him specifically, but because you already make something for yourself, you might as well...you're welcome, touya), AND YES IT'S SO HARD not to laugh when the door bursts open and he's looking like a little fool with his black and white hair actually combed down and smudges around his eyes from trying + failing to get your eyeliner off of him.

(also, did he use your hairspray that was sitting on your vanity? maybe. okay, yes. though it's no surprise he knows where everything you own is lmfao)

he stills refuses to let you put things in a lunch box, but no way in HELL he's not shoving the wrapped sandwich and bento full of fruit into his bag before !!! kissing you goodbye!!!

it's truly like a dream come true 'coz even though part of him feels like a DOG having to work for the man, making you happy is what MAKES HIM HAPPY and being able to fill your (and now! his) room with more cute and pink things is his new favorite hobby...

(and even though he blushes like hell doing it, the next lunch date he's picking you up from, he's paying the whole table's bill in CASH and not taking no for an answer. makes him feel the best he has in a while. even though he's still eating everyone's leftovers lmao.)

slay the house down HOUSTON I'M DECEASED!!!!

[huffle-dork]

Long Live the King

Chapter 10: Heart of a Storm

Read Fantasy Masks | Read Swapboys | Read the first FM adventure | Other Multiverse Adventures | Read on AO3

Back in the other clearing, Dr. J is still trying to wake up Henrik. The side of his head was bleeding so the good doctor tended to that as fast as he could. But, he still wasn’t waking up and Dr. J was worried he could be concussed. Or… he probably was but he wasn’t sure the severity.

Thinking fast, Dr. J sees the remains of one of the jewel-like fruits from earlier. He grabs one and cuts into it and then waves the fruit in front of Henny’s nose, just trying to expose the smell of it.

Henny’s eyes shoot open and he shoots up, “Verdammter Scheiß!” he shouts then holds his hands over his nose, blinking tears out of his eyes. He looks up at Dr. J as he throws the rotting fruit away. “Juwel… what- happened? Where are the others?? Where’s Alt??”

“Alt f-freaked out and you got hurt- the others went to get him back,” Dr. J explains quietly. He inspects Henny’s eyes and looks relieved there’s not an immediate sign of a concussion. “Are you alright?”

“Ah… my head is aching but… I-I am okay…” He pushes himself up and then helps Dr. J up. “We should hurry to find our friends! What if more kelpies or scary monsters are out there??”

As if on cue, a faint humming whine starts approaching. There's a light in the distance, and it's getting closer. Aneirin has been casting the ball lightning spell over and over. Whenever the last one bursts into a small shockwave of electricity, he immediately creates a new one and rolls it across the floor. It burns through the undergrowth, leaving a black trail for him and Magnificent to follow. Magnificent has kept up with Aneirin this whole time- determined to find his cub.

Dr. J and Henny stiffen at the sound. Henny pushes JJ behind him and holds onto his pocket watch, faint magic shimmering around his hand. “M-Maybe that is Alt?”

“They went the other way…!” Dr. J whispers. He looks around and finds his bow and fumbles to nock an arrow.

The ball lightning bursts into the clearing and both the boys jump and exclaim in shock. Henny tries to cast a pause spell to keep the lightning in place.

Instantly, the ball freezes. It's almost beautiful, actually, with its arcs of electricity hovering in midair. But its still deadly.

Henny’s eyes widen. Holding this spell is already straining- it must be very powerful. “What is this??” He gasps.

And then the King appears. He stumbles to a stop, surprised to see these two all by themselves in the woods. Then he grins. "Well, isn't this a sight." And his eyes lock onto JJ's face. "A bit familiar, even."

Magnificent stumbles in right after the King, catching his breath. He’s about to ask why they stopped when he sees the others and he grins. “Well well well! If it isn’t my two favorite puppets!”

Henny gasps and pushes Dr. J more behind him, “M-Magnificent!”

JJ looks at the King and swallows nervously. He does not like how he’s looking at him. His hands tremble on his bow.

“Oh put that down Jameson- we both know you wouldn’t hurt a fly~” Magnificent chuckles before he turns deadly serious, growling at the two with glowing eyes. “Where is he?”

Henny’s eyes widen, then he glares at Mag, baring his teeth. “He is not here. And we will not let you hurt him anymore!” He grabs his watch and spins the dial backwards- trying to see if he can get the ball lightning to rush back at the King and Mag.

The King's eyes widen. "What in the damn--?!" It's going backwards?! No time to think about it! He runs out of the way, trying to grab Magnificent but his grip isn't tight enough and he slips free as he rushes to the side.

Magnificent tries to rush away but then the lightning hits him dead on, sending him flying back as he yells out. He lands in a heap, electricity crackling and burning at his skin.

Henny looks surprised- “T-that worked?” He whispers.

Aneirin winces. He looks at Henny. "You. Drop that device."

Henny’s eyes widen as the King commands him. He doesn’t hesitate and does so. The pocket watch stops glowing and falls to the ground with a soft ting.

The King lunges forward immediately to try and grab it, simultaneously sweeping his seax in an arc to deter the two from getting too close to him.

“No!” Dr. J cries out and tries to shoot his arrow to stop the King- but the seax sweeps it back and he gets away with the watch.

Henny shakes out his head, “H-Hey! That is not yours! Give it back!”

The King backs away a little, grinning, dangling the watch from its chain. "It's funny that people think a plea like that will actually work," he says.

Magnificent pushes himself back up with a growl and whirls on Henny, anger palpable in his eyes, “You miserable fake magician! I should string you up by your fucking neck!”

Dr. J nocks another arrow and shakily aims it again. “Not another s-step! Either of you!”

Raising the seax, electricity crackles outward. "Go on and try. Lightning is faster than arrows." The King glances back at Magnificent. "Don't get carried away, Mag." He pauses. "How hurt are you?"

Dr. J doesn’t lower his trembling arm- but he doesn’t shoot either. Henny looks around for his weapon.

“Not enough to keep me down,” Magnificent growls. He glances at the watch and snorts, “The tall one is useless without that watch. And Jackson has been very well conditioned… but he's weak. They won’t be useful Iike Alt… but we might could use them as… leverage?” He suggests, grinning towards the King.

Aneirin's eyes light up. He grins right back. "What a great idea. The others are sure to come back." He moves he seax to the side, slicing through the air, and green lightning circles around Henny and JJ, crating a rough barrier.

Henny and Dr. J cry out, backing up and bumping into each other’s backs.

Henny turns and glares at Magnificent and the King. “You will not win this! The Elders are already helping us! You all will lose!”

Aneirin grins. "And so you think this land's gods will swoop in to save you? Ha! Let me tell you something, Henrik. If they could stop me, they would have done it a thousand years ago."

Henny bares his teeth, “They have! The Winged Elder brought Alt back to us! I will not be scared of a pompous false snake of a King!”

Meanehile, Dr. J is trembling so hard, trying not to look Magnificent’s way- afraid of what he’s going to do to the both of them. He’s been trying so hard to be a rock for the others- but here… all he can remember is that dark dungeon cell, flickering with green light.

The King’s eyes flicker over to JJ. "And don't hide behind false confidence. I can tell you're scared. At least your companion isn't trying to hide it. Those are some strong memories, hmm?"

Dr. J’s gaze flickers to the King and he trembles more. He can see into his mind?! His mouth opens and closes but no sound comes out.

Magnificent giggles, “Now… isn’t that a good puppy? Remembering his place… to be seen and not heard.”

Dr. J’s eyes fizzle with static and he completely drops his weapons now, standing up straight.

Henny turns around to see this and desperately starts to shake JJ’s shoulders. “no no no! Juwel! no you can’t fall into that again! Please!”

Aneirin grins. He glances at Magnificent. "That's a helpful trick you have there."

Magnificent grins back, “I told you he’s very well trained~ not worth much but- very fun to mess with~!”

And then the King looks back to Henny, his expression darkening. "And you should not speak about things you know nothing about. This isn't your world. You don't know how it works. I'm betting that your Alt still hasn't been restored to how you remember, has he? So shut up and stand there and wait."

Henny yells out in anger, looking like he’s ready to burst through the lightning and fight the King and Mag. But, the King’s command has him freezing in place, lips snapping shut. His eyes are wide with terror but- he can’t move.

Magnificent looks delighted, “Oh this is gonna be such a sight to see~!” He giggles. “Our cub will be putty in our hands again~!”

"Indeed." The King flips the seax in his hand. "No use hiding, given how overt this is. So let's get ready for them to return. They can't have gone too far, can they?" He closes his eyes, casting out his senses for others' thoughts. "Yes... I can feel them coming closer. It won't be long now."

Magnificent eyes glow bright with mad hunger, “Good.”

◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈━◈

Alt kept trying to glitch ahead as they make their way back- but he’s in no condition to. So soon enough, Bro is carrying Alt to keep him from being reckless.

Jackieboy was worried they’d get lost after all that excitement so he used his bracelet- following the blue orbs back to their resting spot. But then… the orbs flicker and then pulse with purple light. Jackieboy freezes, then looks back at Alt and Bro. “…I-I don’t think that’s a good sign-“

Jackie speeds up a bit, taking the lead. "I don't know anything about magic, but that definitely doesn't seem like a good thing."

"Isn't purple--A-Alt had purple on him earlier, isn't it--the sign of--" Marvin stammers. He reaches back and grabs Henrik's hand, who's lingering behind, pulling him a bit quicker.

"Hurry!" Chase says, nocking an arrow while he runs.

Jameson sees him doing this and does the same.

Soon, the crackling green energy of lightning comes into view. Jackie draws both his swords. "It's not just him!" he says, voice rising in volume.

Alt is panicking, simultaneously wanting to hide and wanting to run to his friends. "No no no! Nonono!" He pops and fizzles in Bro's arms, curling up and gripping at his head with his good arm as the hero pushes to go faster.

Jackieboy draws his knife and tries to catch up to Jackie.

They burst out into the small clearing and see it. The circle of lightning with Henny and JJ frozen inside, and Magnificent and Aneirin standing there, waiting.

"Well hello there," Aneirin says, grinning. "Welcome to the circle."

Bro and Jackieboy cry out at seeing Henny and Dr. J stuck. JJ doesn't acknowledge them at all, but Henny's eyes try to flicker towards them, looking fearful.

Chase gasps. He hesitates, not wanting to hurt JJ and Henny.

But Jameson reacts instinctively, loosing the arrow he has drawn.

Aneirin is not expecting that at all. The arrow hits him square in the shoulder and he stumbles backwards. The branches of the Wyldwood rustle. For a moment, the green in his eyes flicker, replaced by blue. And then it steadies again. "Oh. We're doing that, then."

"Fuck yeah, Jameson!" Jackieboy shouts.

Magnificent yells out at Aneirin getting hurt and then stands in front of him, baring his fangs at the cluster in front of them.

Bro's eyes glow bright blue in anger, and he helps set Alt on the ground. "Let go of our fucking friends." He growls dangerously, pulling out his sword.

Magnificent cackles madly and strides forward, "Not until you give back something of ours."

Alt shudders at this, gripping at his head as it starts to fill with static again.

"Oh Alt~! Come here, kitten." Magnificent tries to command.

"N-No!" Alt wheezes, eyes flickering wildly again.

Magnificent frowns angrily, his eyes glowing bright. Then, he breathes and tries to let his voice ring out smooth and charismatically. "Come now, Gentlemen... This can all be solved without more bloodshed, hm? Just... come back with us, Alt. And we'll free your friends~"

"Oh sure, of course you will," Marvin drawls, venom in his voice. "Of course we should believe you, you look so trustworthy, I'm sure we can do whatever you say. I know that if I was you, and I am, in one case, I would kill the rest of us as soon as I had what I want."

"You're not helping, Marvin!" Jackie snaps. "Alt, don't listen to them! They're not going to keep their word."

Aneirin stands up straight, breathing heavily. He reaches for the arrow in his shoulder, raising his seax--and in one swift motion, severs the arrow's shaft close to where it's embedded in his skin. He doesn't even flinch as the seax comes so close to him. "You don't know we won't," he says calmly. "We're on our own path right now, it will be more beneficial to go our separate ways and avoid conflict."

Chase shakes his head. "You're lying," he whispers. "You've wanted to kill us for so long. You won't let us go."

A small smile flickers across Aneirin's face. "Well, this is a dangerous place. Perhaps I won't need to kill you."

"Yes, you sound like such a reliable person," Marvin mutters.

Alt grips harder at his head, whimpering and biting back his sounds of distress.

“Leave him alone! Stop fucking torturing my brother, you sick fucks!” Bro screams, energy crackling around his arms like lightning.

“We haven’t hurt him, Fantastic!” Magnificent grins, “He offered to help us~! Didn’t you, Alt?” He flashes his eyes and creates a false image of the TRVLR, broken from their arrival. Alt doesn’t understand what it is but he knows it’s important. “You’re helping us find a way home, right?”

Alt’s eyes fill with purple and his face relaxes slightly as he breathes, “…y-yes… I… I need to help… the TRVLR…. It’s broken. I… I have to get us home…” He says distantly.

He starts to straighten up and walk towards the King and Mag but Jackieboy lashes out and grabs his arm. “Alt no! He’s lying!”

Jameson helps pull Alt back. They LIE, Alt! he signs frantically. Remember that?! They hurt people! He hesitates, and then pulls down the neck bow he wears, revealing the faint + shaped scar on his throat. This is the King's fault!

Alt still tries to pull himself forward, but being pulled back by both Jameson and Jackieboy has his injures flaring in pain- snapping him out of trance for a second. He's able to catch Jameson's signs and see his scar. His eyes widen. "T-The King... t-took your-?!"

"No it's not," Aneirin says, putting a little bit of influence into his voice. "You're mistaken."

The influence washes over Alt though and his eyes flash and glaze over slightly.

Even the rest of the fantasy guys look a bit unsure at that, buying into the influence, but Chase shakes his head. "No. No. No! You can't do this! You're not going to do this!" He pulls the bowstring back and quickly fires. He can't bring himself to shoot Jack's body, so he aims for Magnificent.

Bro doesn't seem affected and as he sees Chase going for Mag, he yells and goes for the King.

Chase's arrow hits Mag in the stomach and he yells out and stumbles back, digging his claws around his wound. He looks at Chase with murder in his eyes. "I'll roast your head on a fucking SPIKE-!" He screeches. "Enough fucking games! Alt- get rid of Chase Brody!"

Alt stiffens, eyes trying to fill with Mag's toxic magic again and he gasps, trying to fight. But, soon enough he slumps, his eyes filling with purple. He turns on Chase and growls, drawing his own seax and lashing out to cut him.

The King blocks Bro's sword slash, effortlessly deflecting it with his own seax. He laughs. "Amateur work," he smirks, and slashes back, electrifying the blade of his weapon.

Bro screams as the king's blade slices down his chest, shocking his body and making him fall back in a trembling heap.

"CHASE!" Jackieboy cries. He hurries down to his side then shakily holds his knife out at the King, trying to protect Bro. "F-Fucking get away from him!"

Meanwhile, Chase sees Alt coming. He whirls around and blocks the cut with his bow. The blade cuts deep into the wood but doesn't break it. "Alt! No!"

"Chase!" Jackie runs for him.

"N-no, I got this, go help other-me!" Chase insists.

Jackie hesitates, then nods and runs after Bro.

Jameson grabs Alt from behind and pulls him away from Chase. Alt cries out as Jameson grabs him but he tries to shake him off, growling.

"Alt, listen to me!" Chase says. "You're stronger than this! We know this! All your friends know this! They cannot control you. They cannot control you."

For a moment, as the forest rustles, the sunlight coming from between the branches turns the antlers on his mask golden.

Alt briefly looks at Chase and his eyes flicker wildly. The magic seems to fade all together as he sees the golden antlers, his eyes widening. Then, he narrows them in determination and nods, green-blue glowing bright in his eyes. "... y-you're right. They can't." Then he smiles a bit, "... not when I have friends like you."

Chase grins. "Precisely. And you have more friends, too. Friends who are in danger right now." He jerks his head towards the circle where Henny and JJ are stuck. Alt grins too and nods.

Meanwhile, Marvin conjures a shield around him and Henrik, whose vacant expression has turned glazed as he twitches slightly. Marvin glances around frantically, wanting to help but wanting to protect Henrik more. He grabs him and shakes him, urgently trying to snap him out of this.

"Or what?" Aneirin grins. Jackieboy trembles back, nearly falling over Bro. "You think you can hold me off with your--" Suddenly, with a sudden bellow of a shout, Jackie appears and brings both his swords down on the King.

The man barely dodges in time to avoid a devastating blow. Jackie breathes heavily. "You... stay... away from them."

Aneirin blinks. Then grins. "Fine, then." And he attacks Jackie with his seax.

Jackie knocks it to the side but the King keeps his grip on it and darts closer, ducking under Jackie's attempted slash but having to back away again as a second slash follows up. The two of them stay like that for a few seconds, dancing around each other. Jackie's strength in his sword fighting was always his agility, but the King is faster.

By now, Marvin has managed to get Henrik somewhat back to himself. He's currently rummaging around through his bag, looking for something.

Behind him, Alt catches the glimpse of a bird amongst the trees.

Alt looks back towards the others. He catches the glimpse of the bird and his eyes widen. Then, they fill with green-white light and crackles with electricity as he grins.

He can feel it inside himself... the heart of a storm.

Magnificent yells out in rage at this and in a buzz of static turns into his tiger form and charges at Chase, Jameson and Alt.

Alt whips around and panics at seeing Mag charge and then tries to find that strength. He grabs Chase and Jameson and pulls them down with him.

In a buzz of energy that leaves the hair on their arms sticking up, they're suddenly surrounded by familiar, electric green-white wings coming from Alt's back. Chase and Jameson gasp in awe at seeing the wings again.

Magnificent isn't expecting this at all- and the wings sweep out and knock him back. He roars in pain and then skids across the ground, stilling into a sparking heap.

Alt's wings flare out and he looks at them and then himself and then he laughs. He's awake this time- in control.

Back by the King, Once it looks like Jackie has a handle on him, Jackieboy turns Bro over and starts pressing on his wounds. "Chase- Chase-! Stay with us... Please!" He cries.

Bro is gritting his teeth in pain, eyes shut as his wound burns and crackles from the electricity. But, The wound isn't bleeding- Jackieboy finds this out quickly. Soon enough, he blinks open his eyes and pushes himself up, panting but seeing Jackie in trouble. He grits his teeth and gathers up power in his hand- then tries to shoot lightning at the King.

Jackie feels the crackling of lightning behind him and jumps backwards barely in time. Bro's lightning hits the King square in the chest and he staggers backwards.

And something... strange happens.

The trees rustle, and the shadow beneath the King's feet writhes--then disappears. And for a few seconds the green disappears from the King's eyes, replaced by a normal blue. The seax slips from his hands and he breathes heavily, swaying on his feet like it's been a long time since he stood.

Those blue eyes dart around the Wyldwood, and a hoarse voice comes out of his throat. "Kawair--"

And then the shadow returns and the King suddenly collapses.

Chase watches Magnificent get pushed aside and scrambles up. He's just in time to see everything happen with the King. His eyes widen, and he silently mouths the word the King said. A word that, thanks to the translation spell, everyone knows. "Help me."

Bro's eyes widen and Jackieboy drops his knife in shock.

Alt's head also snaps to the King, with enough time to see the control drop.

As the King collapses, The lightning around JJ and Henny lessens but doesn't vanish--though the Command on Henny does. Henny blinks out of the Command and then backs up, going to try to shake Dr. J awake again. "J-Juwel!"

But- Dr. J wakes up almost immediately, magic snapping out of his eyes. He shudders and leans up against Henny, who catches him.

Marvin tentatively drops the shield now that the King and Mag are--at least temporarily--incapacitated. He walks up to the lightning circle trapping JJ and Henny, scanning it. "Hey," he says. And he kneels down to the ground, rolling something under the circle. It's a small glass bottle, with one half of it filled with purple liquid and another half filled with pink liquid. "Pour that out. Not all of it. But Henrik thinks it might help."

Behind him, Henrik gives a little wave.

Henny blinks and then perks up excitedly seeing the potion. He looks to Marvin and nods, popping open the bottle and pouring about half of it out.

The liquids pour out onto the ground. Once they start to mix, they form a white mist that spreads across the ground and rises up. The lightning flickers as the fog reaches it... then eventually stops.

Henny looks around excitedly and hurriedly helps Dr. J up and out of where the lightning was- just in case it comes back. "T-Thank you! Mein gott... that was awful...."

JJ nods silently, clinging to Henny's side.

"The magic in the potion might be interfering with the magic in the lightning," Marvin explains. "Something about how the spirit's power is so different. They repel each other. Like the ends of two lodestones." He glances at Alt. "Probably also helps that your friend is distracting him."

Distracting is a way of putting it.

Alt's eyes flare brighter and- he does something reckless. He knows he won't have long before this burns the magic out of him.

He needs to extend the timer.

He finds one of the magic fruits again and takes a huge bite before shaking himself out, letting his magic fizzle bright around him. Then, in a mix of flying and glitching, he makes his way over to the King, landing in front of him and flaring his wings out in an intimidating display.

Jackieboy gasps, "A-Alt?"

Jackie backs away to make room for Alt. He looks confused, but glances at his other self and nods. "Let's let him work," he says.

The King stirs soon, lifting his head--revealing that his eyes are green again. Aneirin looks up at Alt. For a moment he goes a bit pale. But then he scowls. "What? Do you think you can scare me?" He starts reaching for his seax.

Alt smirks, "Kinda." He lashes out to try to grab the King by his collar.

Aneirin gasps slightly as Alt grabs the collar of his shirt, then scowls and grabs Alt's wrist, trying to push him away...but the blast Bro hit him with has left his muscles weak. Or is it that his control over the body is still shaky? No! He won't let that happen! He's been here for years now, he won't lose it now. Silently, he glares at Alt, waiting for whatever he's trying to do.

Alt's eyes are like an angry storm as he growls. The air is electric around them- almost suffocating. "I should fucking just end you for all the suffering you've caused! For all the shit you've put us through!" He opens up his other hand and a massive ball of green blue lightning forms.

Bro's voice cracks as he tries to call out, "A-Alt! No!"

"No no no no no!" Chase rushes forward. "Alt, he's possessed!"

Jackie almost grabs Alt's shoulder but then stops, deterred by the electric wings. "Chase is right, there's—there's—y-you're talking to a possessive spirit right now—'spiolash', we call them. I-it's taken over the real King's body."

"And has been in control for the past seven years!" Chase adds. "W-we can't—Jack—"

Alt stops himself as everyone yells at him. His eyes widen as they explain he's possessed. Especially when he hears the name Jack.

Aneirin grins. "I don't think you'll be able to convince him that easily, Chase mak Brody," he whispers. Maybe if he can throw Alt off by opposing this, he'll be distracted for long enough for him to grab his seax.

"Didn't you see that just now?!" Chase asks. "H-he was there for a moment! He—" He looks down at the King. "I know you're still in there! W-we're working on it, I-I promise!"

Aneirin laughs as he feels Aodhan trying to call out to Chase. Poor fool. Fools, actually. The both of them.

Alt looks back down at the King with a conflicted expression. His grip on him loosens for a second before he holds on a little tighter.

"Alt- please!" Bro calls out, "Hear them out!"

Alt seems too angry for a second, his expression getting stormier and his wings rising higher. He brings the King closer to him, their faces just barely touching. For a scary second- it looks like he might actually try to hurt him. Then, his expression softens as he tries to look past those hateful green eyes- towards whoever is trapped inside. "... you said you needed help. How can I help?"

Aneirin scowls. "I don't know what you think you can do, you idiot," he hisses, tightening his one-handed grip on Alt's wrist. "You don't understand. None of you do. I am eternal. You can't defeat me."

"Shut up! For the love of the Deaths!" Marvin shouts.

"I-I, uh, I usually talk to Jack through dreams--these magic ones," Chase explains. "I don't--know if you can do that--"

Alt bares his teeth at Aneirin, more electricity sparking between them. Then, Chase's statement makes a hazy memory come back.

Of... another man- that looked like him. He had glitched into Dr. J... and came out, waving his hand. 'I just did what I had to do. Alt might learn how to do this on his own someday.'

He knits his eyebrows together, "... I dunno if I can do that... but I can do something."

In an instant, Alt's body and his wings turn into a cluster of green, blue and white pixels and then they dive like a bolt of lightning into the King's head.

This sensation is familiar, and yet so different. Alt spirals through nerves and neurons, searching, parsing through thought pathways covered in a strange shadowy substance... until he gets to a spot where it's clear. Buried deep beneath all these shadows. Sounds filter in first, and then visuals, slower. This isn't real. He knows that. It feels more like a lucid dream. But what's said here is true. Most of the environment is vague and fuzzy. When he looks to the sides or behind him, he just sees a weird fog, like someone drew a fantastic background for a drawing and then used the blur tool to smear it all together.

In front of him is a man sitting on the floor. His face and build is exactly like the King's... except for the blue eyes. He wears fine clothes that have rips and tears in them, some of them edged in crusty red-brown. Chains connect his wrists, ankles, and neck to the floor. He looks surprised to see Alt there. 'You're... here?' he whispers.

Alt blinks open his eyes and looks around in confusion- then his eyes fall on Jack. The real King. His heart aches at seeing the King trapped and he tries to hurry over to see if he can... do anything. Is there anything he can do? "Y-Yeah I'm here! I can help- I can- do something!"

Jack laughs. 'S-sorry, it's just--it's really good to see someone else. Or... it's not really 'seeing,' but... it's nice to interact with someone else.' His faint smile falls. 'I-I'll tell you the same thing I did Chase. If you break the chains they just come back the next time. They're not real. They're whatever he wants them to be. But--but I think they have a plan out there. Chase has said they're on their way to find something. He hasn't said much, since he--Aneirin--can hear us in here. But I think... it's something that can help.'

Alt stops and looks back at Jack with a concerned and desperate expression. "...T-There has to be something I can do! I-I'm here... The Elders are helping-! E-Even if I don't know you- I can't just leave you here...!"

Jack laughs again. There are silver tears lining his eyes. He blinks them away. 'I... really appreciate that, Alt. You're so kind. But I... I don't know. I don't know what there is to do.' He shakes his head. The motion is accompanied by clinking metal. 'I'm just trusting that what Chase and the others are working on can do it. There's... there's a future where Aneirin is defeated. Jameson saw it. They're reaching for that. Alt... if you want to help, get Magnificent out of here. Take him back to your world. Those two are fucking terrifying together. Th-they can't both be here.'

Alt also has slight tears in his eyes. He slowly nods, "...I... I can do that... I'll make sure he never comes here again." He shakily sighs and looks away, knowing that means they probably can't come back either... not if Mag will try to find them every time. He finally looks back up at Jack, his eyes burning with determination. "... they'll save you. I trust them- I trust the Elders. If they could save me... they'll save you. I know it."

'...thank you,' Jack whispers. He gives Alt a watery smile. 'I-I hope they do. Chase definitely isn't going to give up. I can hang on until then.'

Alt gives him a small smile. "I know a Chase... they're really stubborn when it counts." He laughs lightly.

Jack pauses. 'And, um. In the more... immediate moment. If you have to knock out my body or something, do it. I really don't mind if it means Aneirin can't do anything.'

Alt hesitates then goes to put his hand on tops of Jack's and squeezes it. "Okay... just... stay strong, Jack."

Jack squeezes his hand in turn. 'I will,' he says. 'I swear it on my name. Farewell, Alt. Thank you.'

"Farewell, Jack."

And then, back out in the physical world, glitches start to form around the King's body before a collection of them burst back out and Alt's body forms again. His body stays a solid color for a second- bright green as his wings flare out.

The King's body had been slumped for about a minute while Alt had been inside his head. Once Alt is out again, Aneirin is back in control. He tries to get to his feet--

But before Alt even fully forms back, he grabs Aneirin again and then punches him straight in the face with all the strength he can muster- enough to bruise immediately.

There's a loud crack kinda like thunder before Alt lets his body drop back down and he blooms fully back into color. He glares down at his body and spits, "Jack says Fuck you, mu Rith."

Aneirin lies on the ground, stunned for a moment, and then tries to get up again, moving slowly.

"Can we... can we knock him out, you think?" Jackie asks.

"Oh, please?" Marvin adds.

"What--you two!" Chase stammers. "We just made it clear there's someone else in there!"

"Alright, but the spirit's going to kill us if we wait," Marvin says. "Can we knock him out?"

"Jack said it was okay," Alt calls back, "He just doesn't want this fucker to do anything."

"Well... if Jack says it..." Chase says reluctantly.

"Who wants to do the honors?" Jackie says.

Alt looks ready to rear back his foot and kick his lights out but he stops himself.

"Jair should get to do it," Marvin suggests.

Jameson looks at the others. Aneirin was still trying to move, slowly reaching for the seax.

There's no time to debate. Jameson draws his knife, walks forward... and slams the hilt into the King's head.

He collapses immediately.

Meanwhile, Alt glances at the body of Magnificent, who is struggling to get up now. He glares, "I'll take care of my bastard now.”

"Alt wait you're-!" Bro tries to call out.

But Alt doesn't hear him as he glitches over and then lands with one foot on top of Magnificent. He growls darkly, pushing his hand against Magnificent's snout as the tiger tries to react. His eyes fill with green white light and crackle as he snarls, "I'm giving you the taste of your own fucking medicine!"

There's another loud crack of thunder as lightning seemingly strikes the two. There's a roar of pain and then the light fades. And as it does- there's a body of a cat curled up on the forest floor, crackling with electricity.

Alt staggers back and unsteadily sways on his feet, looking down at the cat with a distant expression.

Everyone’s heads whip over in unison to see Alt and the cat.

"H-Holy shit-" Jackieboy breathes. Henny holds a hand over his mouth and Dr. J looks pale.

Marvin's eyes widen. "...oh," he whispers. "Don't... That's not... permanent, is it?"

“No…” Alt says dazedly, “Just until we get… get…”

The timer’s up.

Alt’s eyes roll up into the back of his head as his wings and the energy around him disappear in a quick zip, bursting up into the sky. Alt is immediately pale as he falls- and he lands in a boneless heap on the ground.

“Alt!” Bro cries, pushing himself up and rushing over to his side.

Jackie, Marvin, and Jameson all immediately abandon the King and rush over to Alt. Chase hesitates just long enough to be sure the King is breathing before also rushing over. The other swaps aren’t far behind.

Dr. J pushes forward and goes to feel his pulse and the others back up to give him space. It’s extremely high- his skin feels like it’s on fire. But he’s breathing- even if it’s fast and labored.

JJ tries to open up his mouth to tell everyone but, he finds he can’t. So he signs, He’s okay. High fever and pulse but… he’s breathing.

The fantasy boys look confused at the gestures he's making, and Marvin quickly casts that same translation spell as when Jackieboy, Henny, and JJ showed up, just in time to catch the end of his signing.

"Breathing is good," Jackie says quietly.

Henny sits back, stunned by all of this. Jackieboy seems to be too, lightly putting his hand on Henny’s shoulder.

Bro bends over Alt and then slowly goes to pick him up and then hugs him gently, hiding his face against him. His shoulders are shaking.

Henrik approaches Henny and Jackieboy, taking a moment to lean against the two of them, collecting himself. "D-do we... rest?" he says in a quiet voice. "Rest... seems good. That... last time... worked."

Henny blinks and then puts his arm around his other self, offering him comfort.

Dr. J nods, We should rest. I don’t think there’s much more we can do…

What about the cat? Jameson asks.

The cat isn’t moving but is breathing too, the magic still crackling around him. There’s some kind of green-blue rune in the center of his forehead- like a seal.

What is that seal?

"It must be keeping him in the cat form temporarily," Marvin says. "Good that it's temporary. I wouldn't want to be trapped as a cat. I mean... maybe if I could turn myself into one... but then what if someone traps me while I'm a cat?" His rambling is not really directed at anyone, more just him coping with the worry he feels towards Alt.

Jackieboy stares at the cat, “…Mag trapped Alt as a cat once. A tiger. Made him believe he was one for like… a month. Guess he finally had enough magic to … turn it on him.” He says quietly, seeming kind of out of it. “…he deserves it.”

Marvin shudders. "Trapped as a big cat... for that long... I suppose Magnificent does deserve it, at least for a little while."

Jackie frowns. "Maybe..." He picks up his swords and sheathes them, then looks back at the King's body lying on the ground. "What are we going to do with him?"

"Didn't we bring rope?" Marvin asks. "I'm sure I saw it in one of the packs."

Henrik starts grabbing the bags. He's looking around for somewhere good to possibly camp for the night.

As he and Jackie discuss that, Chase walks over to Bro and puts a hand on his shoulder. He doesn't say anything. Just stays there, supportively.

Bro is mumbling, holding Alt’s trembling, beaten body. It’s almost too quiet to hear- like a prayer. “…I just want one adventure… one adventure where you don’t get hurt… why are you always getting hurt, Anti…?”

He stiffens slightly as Chase touches him then lifts red lined eyes to look at him. He stares at his other self for a second before leaning against him, wordlessly thanking him. He sets Alt back down on the ground, but close enough to keep an eye on him.

Henny watches the others with a worried expression. “We cannot go home with Alt like this…” he mumbles sadly.

Dr. J now sits on the other side of Jackieboy, leaning up against him. He looks exhausted.

“…I guess we’re too far away to go back to the camp by the cliffs, huh?” Jackieboy asks, looking around at his tired everyone is. “Plus you all have your… your quest.”

"Much too far," Marvin agrees with Jackie. "It's starting to get dim, and I'm sure we don't want to walk around during night. And... yes, there's that." He looks around. "I know vaguely where we are and where we need to go. You guys... Once Alt is better... I don't know. Nevermind. I'll talk about it later once Alt is better."

"Better?" Henrik sits down sort of near Alt and Bro and Chase. "Um... s-supplies? Yes?" He's struggling to stay tethered.

"Henrik, last time you had something to help with a fever, right?" Chase asks quietly. "Something with witchcraft in it? Do you have that still?"

"Mm-hmm." Henrik takes a jar out of the bag. He hands it over to Chase, who offers it to Bro.

"I'm sure Alt will get better," Jackie says from where he is with the King. "He just had to rest last time we saw him do this."

“Henrik… you can rest too, it’s okay.” Bro says gently. He takes the salve and nods, going to spread it on Alt’s blistering skin.

“H-He ate more of the fruit- to give him a boost.” Jackieboy says with worry. “Henrik said he shouldn’t eat anymore… t-that his fever could burn up his body…”

Alt whimpers and scrunches his face up in pain, breathing fast, face covered in sweat. His veins are glowing green again- just like the last time. Pulsing with green and blue light, a hint at the power used. The salve sorta seems to help but it’s also hard to tell.

“He pushed himself when he was already injured…” Bro sighs. “Plus all that magic…! What if he…”

“…w-water,” Dr. J chokes out quietly, hardly louder than a whisper. “H-he needs water. To start. T-to cool down the fever and f-f-flush it out.”

“Water, of course.” Jackie nods. “It’s a good thing we packed some, isn’t it?” He looks around for the bags. Jameson has moved them all to one area and is already looking for all the water flasks.

Jackie hurries over to help, grabs one, and rushes over to Bro and Alt to hand it over. He glances at Henrik as he does. “Bro is right. You can take a break.”

Henrik blinks and looks up at him. “I-I-I am a doctor I need to—and I don’t want to untether—”

“I-I am a doctor too, Henrik,” Dr. J says quietly, “I can help, p-please rest.”

“It’s okay, Schneep,” Marvin says quietly. “We’ll help you get back. For now, stop pushing yourself.”

Henrik hesitates, then nods. He leans back against a tree and looks up into the branches.

JJ looks back to Bro and shakily says, “Alt m-might be able to drink if we can w-wake him up just enough… w-we need to make sure he doesn’t dehydrate w-with a fever this high.”

“Oh Juwel! We can use the fruit trick you did with me!” Henny says and rushes to grab one of the bad fruits.

“Ah jeez Hen be careful-“ Jackieboy tries to warn.

Henny smiles and then takes a knife and just barely cuts into the skin. “Do not worry, my friend. we just need enough for him to smell.”

“B-Be ready with the water, Chase,” Dr. J advises.

Bro holds Alt up in his lap and hovers the water flask near Alt. Henny leans in and holds the fruit near Alt’s nose.

Alt gasps, his eyes snapping open. But they’re still filled with pulsing white-green magic. He coughs and almost falls back limp but Bro catches him and puts the flask to his lips. “Drink, Anti, please-“

Deliriously, Alt is able to drink a bit of water with Bro’s help. But soon enough his eyes slip shut and he falls completely limp again.

“I-If we can f-find a rag we can cool him down with the water too-“ Dr. J mumbles.

"We just need some cloth, then?" Chase says. He pauses, then starts ripping his shirt from the hem.

Chase you don't have to do that, Jameson says.

But by the time he's finished saying that, Chase has already torn off a chunk of his tunic. "It's fine, we can patch it up once we're done here," he says.

Jameson sighs. He whistles for Chase's attention and then throws another flask of water his way.

Chase leans far to the side, barely catching it. He wets the bit of cloth with the water and crouches down next to Bro and Alt. "Here."

Bro smiles gratefully at Chase and takes the rag. He puts a bit more of the salve on Alt’s forehead then puts the wet cloth over it. Alt exhales and seems to relax some at the cool feeling.

"Him being asleep is probably fine, right?" Marvin asks. "I know sometimes you don't want someone to fall asleep, but it's probably alright in this situation, right?"

“I don’t think it’s like a concussion…” Bro mumbles, “I think it’ll be alright.”

"He spent all his energy," Jackie mumbles. "Remember, we compared it to your magic last time."

"If you keep bringing up the fact that I saved your sorry ass but then fell asleep for three days afterwards--" Marvin cuts himself off and shakes his head. "You're right. I think we figured out that was similar."

“I think… Marv- I mean… Mag used to tell me… that when you use a lot of magic sometimes your body just- forces you to sleep to gain that energy back. Kinda like… shutting you down so all your strength can be put back into getting your levels back to normal.” Jackieboy explains.

“…exactly like a fever.” Dr. J says, “sickness forces us to rest so the body can fight off the infection. Except in this case- it’s forcing Alt to rest so he can’t use any more magic.”

Marvin nods. “Precisely. Your body shuts down so you won’t do anything else.

Henny frowns in worry and then goes to take Alt’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “…do you think all of this might have fixed his memory…?”

“… I suppose we’ll see.” Marvin mumbles.

“He seemed to know who you all are,” Jackie says slowly. “Which is a step forward. Maybe… maybe once he wakes up, his memory will… settle? And if it doesn’t, I’m sure we can help.”

Chase sighs. “If we’re going to be waiting here for a while, let’s get the bedrolls out. We brought an extra one for Alt.”

Jackie nods, and he and Chase and Jameson start setting up a camp.

The swaps nod though they look concerned. Henny keeps holding Alt’s hand and rubbing his thumb against it. Jackieboy half hugs Dr. J against him. Bro keeps moving around the cloth to wet Alt’s forehead and neck. The magic is his veins just barely seems to dim but- it’s something.

Marvin, meanwhile, picks up the new cat Mag and sets him down next to the King, who is still unconscious and has been tied to the nearest tree. Draco sniffs the Mag cat then jerks backwards, fur along his spine standing on end.

The Mag cat’s eyes blink open as Draco approaches and then staggers up and hisses at him. He then seems to realize he’s still hissing and looks down at himself. He starts to freak out, yowling in distress. He backs up into the King’s side and continues to hiss towards Draco, tail curled around him and ears back.

“Oop- guess the cat bitch is up.” Jackieboy winces.

“Guess so,” Jackie mutters. “I feel sort of bad threatening a cat.”

“Don’t,” Marvin says. “He’s not really a cat.” He grabs Draco and gently pulls him backwards. It’s harder than usual as Draco has his claws out and digging into the ground. “Alright, Magnificent. Here’s the deal. You’re going to be stuck like that for a while. And sure, you could wander off into the Wyldwood if you want, but that seems very dangerous for someone of that size. So. It’s probably better for you to stick around.”

Magnificent crouches down, pressing his body against the King's leg and hisses at Marvin. He flattens his ears at Marvin's advice but glares at him with bared teeth.

What about the King? Jameson asks. Is he waking up soon?

Marvin glances at the King. He reluctantly reaches out and shakes him. The King’s eyelids flutter and he groans slightly but doesn’t really move much more. “Probably soon.”

When he tries to shake the king, Mag tries to swipe at him with his claws.

"God he's gonna be a nightmare to deal with," Jackieboy mutters.

"No worse than he usually is," Bro sighs.

"Ah- true. At least this way he can't magic us and shit-"

Marvin pulls his hand back sharply. "All above! I wasn't going to do anything to him, you know!" He glares at Magnificent. "Why do you even care? You know he's probably using you."

Magnificent just keeps hissing and growling at the others, protectively sticking by the King.

Can I point something out? Jameson says. Unlike Magnificent, the King can still use magic right now.

"Damn it, that's true." Marvin pauses, thinking. "The commands are the greatest danger to us, though, and he can't use those if he can't speak..."

Chase raises an eyebrow. "Do you think Magnificent is going to let you get close enough to gag him?"

"I don't need to." Marvin takes some light from his amulet and casts that same silence spell from earlier, except much smaller, just big enough to cover the King and one other person. Marvin says in handspeak, It won't be a problem if we can't hear the commands.

The others blink in surprise at the spell and then Jackieboy gives Marvin a crooked grin. "Clever!"

Bro frowns remembering what Marvin said to Mag and looks back at him, "...you know... I dunno if they were... actually using each other this time. Maybe they would have but... out of all the villains me and Alt have met? ... the King is the most like Mag... in terms of goals, if anything... the need for power and control."

"...that is probably why they were so scary together..." Henny says in a small voice.

Jackie shudders. "I can't imagine what they would have been able to do together. It's good that we've stopped them here. If we've stopped them here." He glares suspiciously at Magnificent and the King. "I know that Magnificent is going to go back to your world, but what do we do about him?"

"I don't know if we can drag him along," Chase says slowly. "Wherever we're going will help us defeat him. I don't think we'll want him knowing what's there."

He's probably resourceful enough to break out eventually, Jameson says. We could just... leave.

"I'd feel bad about abandoning Jack, though..."

"...I think Jack would understand..." Bro says quietly, "... I mean you guys said it's been 7 years...? As much as it sucks... h-he can probably wait a bit longer. Just to make sure you have the best chance of success."

"It is not abandoning either." Henny tells Chase gently, "You will come back. I am sure Jack knows this..."

"Plus, now maybe you'll be better equipped when you guys come next!" Jackieboy grins, "We've seen a bunch of monsters- so you'll know better what to expect!"

While they discuss this, the King slowly starts to stir. Aneirin opens his eyes and instantly notices the rope tying him to the tree. He starts to struggle but the rope holds him tight. Then he notices Marvin. He tries to say something, but of course, the spell is muffling his voice. His eyes widen, and then he glares at Marvin, pure anger in his gaze.

Marvin silently backs away.

Aneirin keeps glaring at him for a while, then looks down and notices Mag there. He blinks, surprised, unsure how to react to him being 1) a cat, and 2) right next to him.

Mag looks back up at Aneirin- and looking at his eyes, the King can recognize who it is, if he hadn't figured it out already. He has the same scars around his blind eye and a rust-like marking like his mask. The rune on his head pulses with Alt's magic. He looks almost- embarrassed to be stuck like this, his ears flattening. He curls up, giving the King a bit more space but staying close. He glares at the others, his tail flicking angrily.

Aneirin's eyes widen as he realizes what this cat is. A smile flickers across his face for a moment but it quickly fades as he realizes that he doesn't actually like seeing Magnificent suffer. Not like this. He mouths the Glasish word for "sorry."

Mag looks back in time to see him mouth the word. He huffs slightly- then presses his head against Aneirin's leg.

"Yeah, I guess..." Chase says slowly. He looks over at the King. "Jack, if you're hearing this right now, we'll be back for you."

Aneirin glares and makes a gesture that the Swaps don't recognize but which is clear from the context and how offended the fantasy guys look.

"Well to you, too!" Marvin gasps.

As if on the same wavelength, Bro and Jackieboy glare then both of them flip the King off at the same time.

"Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat!" Jackieboy curses in Irish.

"... where the fuck did you learn that?" Bro asks, blinking at Jackie.

"...I dunno my mam used to yell it at anyone who pissed her off-"

The others can recognize what it means though thanks to the translation spell: May the cat eat you and the [devil] eat the cat!

...strangely fitting.

Aneirin looks at Jackieboy in surprise and confusion, which quickly turns to anger. He scowls and looks away, deciding to ignore that.

Henny and Dr. J exchange looks and then break into quiet giggling.

The fantasy guys look at Jackieboy with confusion before Marvin starts giggling along with Henny and JJ. "That's a good one, we should remember it," he says.

Jackie starts giggling as well. "I'm not sure what a 'defel' is, but I think I get the point of it."

Jameson smiles and starts taking food out of the food bag. We should have supper. Of course, we'll save some for Alt, too.

Bro looks over to Jameson and smiles gratefully, "Thanks, Jameson... I'm sure he'll be super hungry when he wakes up."

"Oh yeah- dude's a monster when he's hungry." Jackieboy grins. "Though- nothing rivals you when you're starving, Bro."

Bro shrugs with a grin, "Imma big strong boy! I need all I can get!" He then makes a face while he thinks,"oh yeah to explain… From what I know- whatever spirit is possessing the King is probably the closest a devil could be." Bro giggles. "So ah- ah... what did you call it? A ssss something-"

"'Spiolash'," Chase says. "Though often people just call them possessive spirits. There's some superstition that saying that name will draw their attention and they'll possess you." He glances at Aneirin, who rolls his eyes. "Though this one is strangely powerful."

"Or like- if there's any evil Elders they’d be like a devil." Jackieboy shrugs, "Probably not cuz the Elders seem cool. But like- in our religion... that none of us practice but we know- the devil used to be like a god, but fell from grace and became a bitch ass."

"Man I love when you talk church, Jackie," Bro laughs, "You should become a priest."

"Please do not." Dr. J sighs in exaggeration.

The other swaps all laugh.

"The Elders aren't malicious, but they will strike back if you cross them or their domains," Jackie explains. "I wonder... would it be possible for an Elder to fall from grace and become wrathful?"

"Isn't there a story about the Celestial Sisters that's like that?" Marvin wonders.

Henrik suddenly starts. "No, those are cheap untrue cult variants. Luna did not wish for power from Sola, Sola was not a tyrant to her sister, both of those versions are wrong and their followers are prejudiced assholes."

"Hey, welcome back, Henrik!" Jackie says cheerfully. "Are you hungry?"

"A bit." Marvin passes him a small packet of food. "So apparently all we needed to do was say something wrong."

"Apparently."

Jackieboy opens his mouth to say something at hearing the name Luna but Bro preemptively smacks him. "Do not expose these guys to my little pony Jackie i swear to god-" He hisses as Jackieboy tries not to break into laughter.

Dr. J smacks him too. "Be respectful!"

Henny smiles at his other self, "Glad you are back, other me! I was very worried for you..."

Henrik smiles a bit. "Th-thank you. I am still feeling a bit strange, but better."

"Better enough to correct people," Chase chuckles.

"Are there really people like that who follow the faith?" Jackie asks.

"Back on the east continent, yes," Henrik says. "Those who say Luna is evil are often the sort who like to control others, and those who say Sola is evil are often the sort who like to cause chaos. Neither of the Sisters would approve of that. They rule together but separately, a balance between order and freedom."

"There are some people who use the Elders to justify their bad behavior as well," Marvin mutters. "We're lucky they're few and far between."

Henny shifts a bit, "To be fair- people do that with some of our religions back home too. There is... always evil people who twist faiths to suit their narratives. It is sad... they do not come from a place of wanting to learn, but of hate."

Jameson looks at Jackieboy, confused. Ponies?

Jackie laughs a bit. "What a shift of tone."

Bro hits Jackieboy again and Jackieboy exclaims, "OW! Stop hitting me! Technically you brought it up!"

"Only cuz I knew you were going to you, ya fucking meme lord!" Bro exclaims.

"I was gonna bring up that my daughter likes the show and the princesses! And say that the story of Luna and Celestia was similar! That's it! Why ya gotta assume it was something bad??"

"Cuz I will never forgive you for the rainbow dash thing-"

Dr. J sighs, "How on earth were you gotta explain a colorful pony show to people who don't even know what a TV is, Jackie?"

Jackie pauses and then knits his eyebrows together in thought. "... uhhhhh-"

JJ looks up to the sky in exasperation.

The guys all look confused at this conversation.

"A show? Like... a play?" Marvin asks slowly.

Dr. J looks relived, "Yes, kinda like a play."

"So it's a story of some kind," Chase guesses. "Maybe an ongoing one like those morality plays--did you guys see those?" The question is addressed to the guys from this world.

"I never saw them as a kid, but there were a lot of performances when we were living in the same city together." Jackie gestures to himself, Marvin, and Henrik.

How do you put on a play about horses? Jameson says, confused.

"Well I'm sure it is not literally a play, just like a play, for our understanding," Henrik says.

"That is a good way to describe it-" Jackieboy muses. "But it's more like- a play... in a tiny box- the TV- and instead of actors it's pictures that move. They create stories that way! But with... lightning. It powers it and shit."

"Is a 'tíví' like those metal devices you have? Last time Chase and Alt brought some, they are this big and showed pictures on them." Henrik holds up his hand, mimicking holding a phone.

Meanwhile, Aneirin is gently banging his head against the tree, half-hoping to knock himself out again instead of listening to this inane chatter. Internally, Jack is actually pretty fascinated with all this.

Bro blinks and then brightens up, laughing, "Oh yeah! The first time we met- I-I tried to give you my phone!" He starts to laugh, "I thought that- that you might know how to get service! I was so fucking confused- I hadn't realized we were somewhere they wouldn't work! I remember you holding it like it was something super important, Henrik!"

"What did they say about it?" Henny asks with a tilted head, "Maybe they were just as confused as I was!"

"I have no idea- they were speaking Glasish and we hadn't found a way to translate yet!"

Henrik chuckles a little. "I was showing Jackie how neat it all was. Everything was so smooth and the angles were so perfect and there were those tiny lines and holes--I had never seen such fantastic craftsmanship."

"To be fair- the phones aren't made by people," Jackieboy says, "They're made by machines! That's why they look so neat. S'different from here where everything is made by hand."

Bro laughs more, realizing how ridiculous he was when he first got here. "I remember being convinced I was in a really realistic ren fair- and like- it took me forever to realize Jackie was Jackie cuz they're were saying it more with a D- Dyaki-"

"oh my god- Chase-" Dr. J laughs, shaking his head. "Your mind astounds me."

"My name is Dyaki," Jackie says, confused. "That's--that's how you say it? I suppose you all are pronouncing it more like 'Dshak-EE'... And then you're pronoucning Tshais like 'TCHaays'... wait hold on. I'm... I'm having a moment here. It's been all off, hasn't it? That spell is strong for correcting all the pronouncing."

Marvin laughs a little and The swaps laugh too.

"Yeah it's a crazy spell huh? I'm glad Alt found one that can work so well..." Bro says, lightly smoothing back Alt's hair as he rests. Alt stirs slightly and then presses into Bro's hand, kinda like a cat wanting to be pet. He seems to be cooling down. Slowly... but enough. Bro smiles.

Jackieboy pulls something out of his bag, "We still have our Phones but- they're dead right now. They have to be powered to work. Alt might be able to get them working when he wakes up!"

"So yes, Henrik a TV is similar- but much bigger," Dr. J shows, making the gestures for how big one is, "And it plays moving pictures on the screen for us to watch."

Moving pictures? Jameson leans forward, eyes lighting up a bit. I saw something like that once! Clearly it's nothing at all like what you're talking about. But I saw a device with pictures on it that, when it spun fast enough, looked like motion. I can't remember the name of it, but I LOVED it.

"Oh oh!! I know what that is!!" Henny says excitedly, "That sounds like a zoetrope!!”

Jameson brightens. Yes, that's exactly what it was called! I don't think there's a word for it in handspeak, though.

”We had some in my time too! But I remember being so entranced by the tvses and bright pictures when I first arrived." Henny giggles.

"I could not get you away from the TV for like a week," Dr. J says, shaking his head with a smile.

"It was so pretty and bright! and funny!"

"A 'fón' and a 'skrín' and a 'tíví.'" Chase laughs a little. "These are all such strange words... And we know about how your world uses lightning for so much. Alt said last time that you even use money that way. Here, we still use gold. Or sometimes jasper, which is a sort of crystal."

Dr. J looks to Chase, "Oh! How fascinating! We use... lightning, yes. But, us old fashioned folks still use paper money too."

"I think you're insane for still carrying cash, Jay," Jackieboy laughs.

"It helps me stay on top of things! Plus it was easier to use with Henrik since he understood it."

"I still do not understand the money card..." Henny says, shaking his head. "How does it hold it all? Where does it go??? It is so tiny!!"

"Do you think the name of things like, uh, zoetropes, are being translated by the spell too?" Chase wonders.

"Ugh. I don't want to think about that. It makes my head hurt," Jackie mutters.

"Oh, but your head doesn't hurt at the idea of lightning money?" Marvin says teasingly.

"It doesn't, but that's because it's all so strange that it's easier to just accept it," Jackie says. "And I've never seen these tívís or money cards but I am right now experiencing the translation."

"Zoetrope is an older word now- and it was made up by someone, using other older words. So, now it just means that!" Henny grins, "Learning about where words come from fascinates me too because I know many languages. My mother was German and my Father spoke English and French. That is why my accent is all over the place!" He giggles.

This is fun, Jameson says cheerfully. I love hearing about these differences, it's so fascinating.

Dr. J smiles, "I like learning the differences too. It is so interesting, especially because this place is not a one on one on how we understand our own past."

"Oo, I have one more question," Chase says. "Bro, you mentioned a 'ren' fair earlier, that you thought our camp was one when you first appeared. What is that?"

"Oo! Is it like a training field for warriors?" Jackie asks excitedly. "Because I do think that our Phantom camps resemble those fields sometimes."

Bro blinks and then laughs, " A Ren fair! Short for 'renaissance'-"

"Which is basically a big fancy word for a certain time in the past," Jackieboy explains, "A time with knights and kings and people riding horse back and fighting with swords-"

"So- very similar to here." Bro cuts him off with a chuckle, "The whole thing isn't like a training field but! There's places where performers will act out fighting scenes with swords or jousting tournaments to show how people fought. Or let you try archery. Its a way for us to connect and understand our past better and see re-enactments on how they lived. And like- buy cool shit too. People love old fancy stuff."

"It's like playing pretend! And you get to dress up!" Jackieboy grins.

"Which is why I thought I was in one when I first came, "Bro laughs, "No one dresses up like this on a normal day back home."

Henrik chuckles. "Yes, I remember your strange outfit well. It was so bright, I cannot believe you all wear colors like that all the time. Dyeing cloth must be so much easier there than it is there."

"People always love older times," Jackie sighs. "We still tell stories about the old days before the kingdom was united."

Still stuck in the silence spell, Aneirin mutters something with a dark expression.

"Maybe if we ever go to your world you can take us to one of these fairs," Chase says. "I doubt we will, but it's an interesting thought. We can compare more differences."

"You want to go to another world where they have moving pictures and use money created by lightning... and you want to see the things that are already similar to here," Marvin sums up.

"...it does sound a bit idiotic when you say it like that."

Don't feel bad, Chase, I understand, Jameson says. The familiar is appealing.

"Personally, I would like to see more outfits from the other world," Henrik says.

"I will say, woman's outfits back home? Fucking stellar man- Zara and Kelsie have such pretty clothes." Jackieboy sighs with a lovesick smile.

"Ooo, and you mention being able to travel really fast, I'd love to experience that," Jackie adds.

"I'm still curious about blue raspberry myself," Marvin says. "Your food must be so different."

"Man- I'd love to take you guys- but I'm afraid the differences might blow your minds," Bro laughs, though it sounds a bit sad.

"It is... hard to adjust, but it is also wonderful." Henny says with a smile. He looks at the others and seems timid for a second before he sighs and tries to look brave. "If you all do come some day, I can help! Because I... am also out of time. Not nearly as much as you are here but I told Jameson- I believe it is a 90 year difference between where I was living to where we are now."

"You are also out of time?" Jackie repeats, eyes wide. "Whoa... that's also breaking my head."

"To be honest, It was breaking my head as well," Henny giggles.

"You've adjusted like a champ though, Schneep!" Jackieboy grins and pats Henny on the back.

The taller gentleman blushes and hides his then idly fidgets with his hands- "It was so strange to be somewhere where everything was so slick and shiny and bright. The signs would shine bright like the sun but move in ways I could not understand. It was hard too because at the time I could not hear too. But... everything is bright- clothes, hair, the sights. The food is so many flavors! Things you would not even think of! Spicy and sweet and creamy and so so salty. And everything is- electric! Powered by lightning and so so fast- but... I like it. So much." He grins, patting his bright teal hair. "Sometimes I go to find things I understand when I am overwhelmed but- finding new things to learn is very funny too." He then blinks and laughs, "In a way- coming into the Wyldwood was very similar to me coming to our world the first time. So strange and fastastical and... kind of scary."

Jameson grins. It's a bit hard to adjust to, but I imagine it's hard for these guys to adjust to our world, too. As hard as it would be for us to adjust to theirs.

"It would be hard, but maybe one day," Jackie says. "It sounds so fascinating. I know that you all have a tool that allows you to travel to other worlds. The, uh... 'tráfelr'? That's not at all how you say it, I know." He laughs a little. "We don't have that here, but I'm sure there's a way with magic. We can come visit you and see all these bright sights."

"It sounds so interesting," Henrik agrees.

"Yes, it really does." Marvin's eyes light up. "A world with all these same things--not to mention magic that works differently. I'd love to explore it some day."

"We'll try to find a way," Chase says. "Once we have everything settled here, we can try."

Bro makes a thinking face, "Hm... we could use the TRVLR maybe but- I dunno if it's powerful enough to jump like 10 people at once..."

Alt's eyes flutter open slightly. He blearily looks out and then mutters, "...doorway..."

The swaps all freeze and Bro leans down closer to listen to Alt, "What was that, Alt?"

"mm... t'ere's a doorway h..here..." Alt mumbles quietly, "...was lookin' for it... s'like the one with the... the inverted us-es... the f-first ones..." He squeezes his eyes shut and lets out a shuddery breath.

Bro's eyes widen, "Like the one Mag found in Sclera?"

Alt nods tiredly and slumps back down. "mmmaybe... could use..." He opens back up his eyes but seems to be struggling to keep them open. "...dunno... needs gli'chin..."

And then he's out again.

The others start, all unconsciously leaning forward as Alt stirs slightly. And then back when he falls asleep again.

"A doorway?" Marvin repeats. "You know... there are rumors that float around among wizards about a stone arch that can do incredible things. Maybe... that's what he means?"

"And that's why the King and Magnificent brought Alt here?" Chase asks. "To try and find another way to get to other worlds?" He looks towards the pair, but Mag is a cat and Aneirin is still under the silence spell, and even if they were able to talk it's clear from their expressions that they wouldn't. Mag flicks his tail and bares his teeth at the others as they look their way.

Chase turns back around. "Well, like I said, we can try after everything is settled down here. Maybe Jack can tell us once he's free. He's been there for anything that spirit has said."

"What about the ghlishing?" Jackie points out.

"There has to be something here that can work the same way," Marvin says, determined. "If this is something that exists in multiple worlds, it only makes sense that it would appear in worlds where it could be used."

"Yeahhh from what I know- it takes black magic and glitching," Bro says, re-checking over Alt and rewetting the cloth to keep cooling him down as he talks. "But, none of those are really here if Mag and Alt aren't. So... I'm sure there's another way. Otherwise, why would it be here? Someone had to have made it. Even if it was a long ass time ago.”

Dr. J nods and then looks back at the King and Mag. "... I think waiting would be wise. Our world isn't going anywhere. We'd be delighted to have you- but even more so if you can travel to us safely."

Jameson looks around. Well, to talk about something else, it's getting dark. Should we stop and try to sleep?

Jackieboy stretches and nods, "Probably... it's been a long day."

"You know it's been one if you're agreeing to sleep," Dr. J smirks at Jackie.

Jackieboy shrugs.

"Yes... maybe more sleep would be good- so Alt can get all the rest he needs too." Henny agrees.

"...we might need to stay up to monitor his temp-" Dr. J starts to say.

"I got it," Bro volunteers. "And I can wake you if anything seems bad."

"If you can wake me in a few hours that would be great," Marvin says. "Well, no, more than just 'great'. I need to renew the silence spell eventually, otherwise that bastard can start using commands."

"Remember to sleep yourself, Bro," Henrik says. "Maybe Marvin can take second watch?"

"I'd be fine with that," Marvin agrees.

Bro looks reluctant but eventually nods, "Okay. I can do that."

"The rest of us get some good rest, yes?" Henrik says.

Don't worry, I'm sure we're all tired, Jameson says.

"It's been a long day," Chase agrees.

"Good night, everyone."

"Good night." Jackie holds back a yawn as everyone lies down to sleep.

"Goodnight, all together!" Henny says brightly.

Bro helps to set Alt up in the extra bedroll and then sets himself up to watch over him. At least for a bit.

[xxplastic-cubexx]

I know that someone said this before, but if you DID make an X-Men au comic run which eras of the series would inspire these comics, how would you write them, and would you have Magneto or some other major villain as the main antagonist?

maaaan i dont know... i can barely decide what i wanna have for lunch most days i just make silly one-off comics i dont got the brain capacity for all that....

[marvelousmawn]

thanks to that poll ive been reminded how much s3 jmart makes me insane. i haven't gone to tma since it ended but bruh. bruh. im truly just laying here thinking about how they had to have had a "when this is over we'll....talk" conversation pre-unknowing maybe even one kiss one single kiss because it makes the beginning of s4 and s4 itself make SO MUCH SENSE and makes it MORE DELICIOUS

you can't have s4 pining jmart without s3 pining jmart. s3 ran so s4 could also run

[meownotgood]

i agree that aki is the most vanilla man in the world. if you asked him to spank you he would get scared and shrivel up

yes. aki is the sweetest most vanilla man ever.

if you really wanted him to spank you he'd try but his idea of a spank is just the lightest tap in the world. like it's not even a smack. he just taps your ass with his palm a little. it doesn't even sting.

he can't be the slightest bit rough with you without asking constantly if you're okay or if he's hurting you. he's the kind of man who will fuck you in missionary every single time unless you suggest something different because he's just content with that. the kind of man who adamantly refuses to be mean to you in bed or call you rude names because he doesn't think you're any of those things at all.

[daisychainsandbowties]

started a new dnd campaign tonight. put the players in a hole in the ground at the start and it took them 30 minutes to climb out. 😌😌 success

[spindash]

it is funny 22 yr old snb pickles looks older than 28 yr old dethklok pickles but i suppose a shave and cutting off your deep fried hair will do that for you

[dallonwrites]

doing this never heard of before revolutionary writing process where i write the thing i want to write and have fun

[thornvault]

Some more Kali backstory

Kali lived on the street in a war-torn land for several years of their life. After a while they formed a group with a few other homeless people of all ages. One boy, who'd been a sailor once upon a time, would tell them stories of Rosas, a place where everyone is safe and happy, protected with magic by a great king who will grant your greatest wish.

Kali never believed him, they thought it was only a story he told to give the younger kids hope. They too loved to hear of it, but wrote it off as nothing but a fairytale. Something that wonderful could never truly exist.

Until they themself wound up at the shores of Rosas, and it was everything they'd dreamed and more, just as he'd described. This is why it takes them a while to be normal around Magnifico. They basically just Met God and need to reevaluate a lot of their beliefs before they can even remotely begin to function again. Give them a minute.

[thumbalinabarbie]

progress on my wax sculpture!!

[faking-god]

i will look back on my life at awkward things that happened and instead of cringing at them, i will think "this would happen to harry wouldnt it" and end up making stuff like this

image description in alt text

[huffle-dork]

Glitch into the Hufflverse Chapter 15: Swapboys...? Again?

Read Swapboys | Read Crystal’s AUs | Read One Villain falls Another One Rises

Read SITCV | Read SATCV | GITHV Masterpost

When the boys all fall into the new world- it’s nothing like they’ve seen before. It’s a city street… but the buildings look like they’re falling apart. Like something out of a dystopian film. The city is strangely quiet. Except for this strange- glitch-like sound- tinkling like computerized wind chimes. Looking closer at the buildings- it seems like it’s not breaking apart normally… no- it’s breaking into computer code. Binary, ones and zeros, long swatches of words and letters that are completely unreadable.

And worst of all- Bro and Alt realize this… this place is familiar. Why is it familiar…?

“What… is all this?” Alt breathes in confusion.

"H-huh?" Jackie looks around. "Whaaaat the fuuuuck..."

I've never seen anything like this, JJ shakes his head in disbelief.

"What is that sound?" Schneep turns his head around, catching the noises. "It is all around us. It sounds like... some s-sort of... computer or static... glitches?"

"Schneep, you're not going to believe this," Jackie mutters. "But we're in a city. And all the buildings are turning into fucking binary."

"What?!"

What is this, some sort of... simulation world? JJ asks, frowning.

"How the fuck does that make sense?!" Jackie asks.

I don't know! I don't know what this is!

Bro pales and holds onto Alt. “Alt… d-doesn’t this… doesn’t this look like… like downtown? Like… o-our downtown?”

“What are you-“ Alt starts to say, then really looks and he seems to pale. “N-No… no way…”

Something is slinking behind in the shadows of some of the buildings- something,.. big and… cat like? But Alt and Bro don’t notice- too freaked out by this.

"Your downtown?" Jackie repeats. "So this is—this is Brighton?"

JJ shivers. What could have possibly happened to cause this?

Schneep gets out his cane and starts feeling around. His head turns wildly, trying to hear through the glitchy noises. "Is there anyone coming?"

"I don't see anyone, no," Jackie says, but he takes out his staff and extends it anyway. Something about this place is giving him the creeps.

Schneep frowns. "F-for a moment I thought I... sensed... something."

Suddenly the shadowy figure lashes out, trying to tackle down one of the boys.

Bro sees this and gets in front of the others- the thing is a big cat! Almost like a panther but… fluffier? It plows slightly into Jackie, throwing him off before it tackles Bro to the ground.

"Whoa!" Jackie spins and staggers before regaining his balance by pushing against the ground with his staff.

"What is that?!" Schneep gasps.

"Some sort of cat! Hey!" Jackie starts to run back over to attack but JJ grabs him, pulling him back. JJ then tries to cast a protective shield around Bro to push the cat back.

The shield pushes the cat back and it mrows slightly in distress then bends back down to the ground and snarls at the rest of them. Alt glitches over to be in front of Bro, holding out his hand with magic sparking in it. Then, he freezes, face going pale. “…Glitches…?” he whispers in disbelief.

"Glitches?" Jackie repeats, blinking in confusion.

Isn't that your cat? JJ asks.

A glitchy haunting laugh echoes across the empty city street, sending shivers down Bro and Alt’s spines. Why did it sound so… familiar too?

At the sound of the laughter, Schneep immediately pulls out his scissors and spins around, trying to figure out where it came from. "What was that?"

"Show yourself, coward!" Jackie shouts.

JJ looks at him like he's completely lost his mind. No! Let's get out of here!

Alt is frozen in place, staring at the cat like he’s seen a ghost. Glitches growls at him, but looks… confused. Conflicted. Alt almost tries to reach out before they hear the laugh and Bro pulls Alt back.

Something suddenly… glitches next to the cat. The same effect as Alt’s just… more purple and neon. The figure laughs more and pets Glitches head. He slowly lifts his head and…

It’s… Alt?

But this Alt is very different- his brown hair is overgrown and pulled into a small ponytail. He wears his old impulse jacket that’s dirty and ripped. He has purple branching scars on his cheek and across his nose. And his eyes… they look just like Magnificent’s.

“…no…” Alt breathes, looking beyond freaked out.

"H-huh?" Jackie stares with wide eyes. "Alt?!"

"Alt..." Schneep breathes, feeling the similarities between their souls. But... "I-is that... dark magic?"

JJ looks horrified. He instinctively conjures a shield in front of them all.

The copy laughs wildly, “I thought I felt the rifts! It’s been so long… I thought they’d never come here again-“

“W-What is this?!” Bro snarls, “Is this some kind of s-sick joke? Who the hell are you? Cuz y-you- you’re not Alt!”

The copy finally looks properly at Bro and his other self- but his eyes widen as he sees Bro. He glitches past the shield to be right in Bro’s face. “C-Chase?” He whispers- like he’s just seen a ghost. Then he laughs wildly and grabs either side of Bro’s face, digging claws into his skin, “T-The universe brought you back!! The rifts brought you back!! F-Finally!! I can start to make things right- you’re not gonna leave me again are you, Chase?!”

Alt looks like he’s gonna be sick. Bro tries to shove the other Alt off him. “F-Fucking let go!! The fuck are you talking about?!”

"You know about the rifts?!" Jackie gasps. "You—what do you mean, 'they'd come here again'?"

"This is... some sort of... s-strange universe," Schneep whispers. His stomach sinks as he takes in the implications of the strange Alt's world. Brought Chase back...? "Some s-strange... tragedy must have happened..."

JJ cries out as the other Alt just glitches past his shield—he's got to remember he can do that! He hurries over to help Bro push the other Alt away. 

The strange Alt gets pushed away and he stumbles back. Then he grins and glitches to look at all the others properly. “Oh! So many familiar faces!! It’s been so long, friends~! I thought I was cut off from the other universes now but here you all are!!” He giggles, floating a bit off the ground.

Then, He glitches to grab Alt by his face- and his eyes flash with hatred. “…even you.”

Alt is trembling, staring at this- corrupted version of himself but not being able to move or do anything in response. Bro shoves the strange Alt away and growls. “Hands off!”

The weird Alt giggles and snatches Bro by his wrist. He then glitches the both of them over back by big cat Glitches and his eyes swirl as he looks into Bro’s eyes, floating so they’re the same height. “Come on Chase! Let’s quit all this mucking about! You know how much I need you… come home with me?” Bro struggles but then- seems to be slowly drawn into other Alt’s eyes. “I…I-“

"Oh no you fucking don't!" Jackie breaks into a run heading right for the other Alt.

"Jackie! Do not be a fool!" Schneep says. "Not by yourself!" He leaps towards Bro and the other Alt, aiming to knock Bro to the ground—or otherwise break his eye contact. Jackie arrives shortly after he does and immediately attacks the other Alt with his staff.

JJ grabs Alt's hand, squeezing it tight, and gets ready to throw magic at the first sign of trouble.

Alt squeezes tight on JJ’s hand, on the verge of a panic attack. This must all be just a terrible dream… right? This… this only happens in his absolutely worst nightmares.

Breathe, JJ signs to Alt. 

The staff hits the other Alt with a resounding clang and the spirals fade from his eyes. But then he grabs Bro before Schneep can and holds him possessively, claws digging into his neck. “Back off! You don’t get it! I need him- I won’t let you take him away again!”

“You’re out of your fucking mind, man!” Jackie says. “You’re gonna hurt him!”

“We do not want to fight you, but we will if we must!” Schneep adds, holding out his scissors.

JJ turns his attention back to the others, silently debating what to do. Maybe—if he distracts this strange Alt, the others can grab Bro? With that in mind, he draws back a hand and throws a bolt of magic towards the other Alt—something mostly harmless that will draw his attention.

Jackie notices this and takes the opportunity to try and pull Bro away.

The strange Alt makes a glitchy shield without even looking at JJ- but Jackie is strong enough to pull Bro away. Bro shakes out of the strange trance and clings to Jackie. “fuck- t-thanks…!”

The strange Alt growls and purple electricity sparks around him dangerously. “Enough! This fucking city and this world is fucking mine!” He laughs insanely and holds out a hand at Jackie, Schneep and Bro. The ground beneath them flickers and shifts like it might fade into pixels and code like the buildings. “I wanna hear you all go s̷̨̅p̶̩̍l̸̤͗��̶̮t̴̨̓!” he giggles.

Schneep yelps upon feeling the ground under his feet shift. Jackie tries running, dragging Bro with him, but it's hard to find his footing to do so.

The other Alt glitches a bit in place and starts to close his hand-then… it’s like a pause button has been pressed, capturing him mid laugh and mid glitch.

Someone whistles from an alleyway nearby and then an arm gestures for them to follow. “Hurry! Over here!”

JJ's head snaps towards the voice and immediately books it towards the gesturing arm, taking Alt with him. He whistles sharply, drawing the other two's attention. Schneep and Jackie break into a run as well, taking Bro. Bro is able to run pretty soon with them and hurries over. Alt tries his best to keep up-

The dark alley makes it hard to see but soon there’s a tealish ring of light that appears and a shadowy figure jumps through- followed by something that looks like a… dog? “In here! Quickly! My spell will not last long-“

"Coming!" Jackie gasps, running as fast as he can. "Schneep, you're going to have to jump!"

"Tell me when!" Schneep says.

Jackie heads through first. "Now!"

Schneep stumbles a bit as he goes through the ring but manages to land well enough.

JJ goes through next, still holding onto Alt's hand.

"I-is this—who I think it is?" Schneep asks, recognizing the feel of the person's soul.

“I-It sounds like…!” Bro pants as he jumps in with the others.

They all land in a warmly lit but still somewhat dim room. It’s slightly cold in here… stone walls? Maybe underground? It’s jammed to the brim with a couple beds, a desk with med kits, water and packs of food. Bags of dog food line the wall and big duffle bags. One of the beds is filled with open spell books and notebooks with writing in them. Various suitcases lie around the beds, in different degrees of usage.

And standing before them is- it’s Henny and Sahne. Henny looks like he’s seen hell- his usual bright sunny face haggard and dirty- deep bags under his eyes. His glasses are cracked- he’s in a dark dingy trench coat. Sahne sits obediently at his feet. But she looks to see the others and her tail starts to wag.

“That was very very close- are you all alright? This place should be safe from-“ he starts to say.

“H…Henny?” Alt interrupts.

Henny looks up now and his eyes widen. “…my.. mein gott-“ he whispers. He looks like he’s seen a ghost. “Chase- you’re … you’re alive…!” Henny laughs in teary eyed disbelief and runs at Bro and hugs him tightly.

Bro blinks and pats Henny’s back. “Y-Yeah I’m… h-hi Hen?”

Henny laughs wetly and then goes to grab Alt too and hugs him with Bro, pressing his head onto both of their shoulders, “Oh! And… Alt… Alt, my friend… is it actually you…! Not that… that glitched Ungeheuerlichkeit!” Alt is frozen in his hug, still trembling.

Sahne starts to bark happily- though definitely more quiet barks as she dances around everyone, pressing her noses against hands and legs and rubbing up against them, tail wagging wildly.

JJ stares, stunned, at this other version of Henny. What... happened to him? He probably should have expected that this wouldn't be a good place to live, given the glitchy state of everything outside, but it's another thing to see someone who was so smiley look so tired.

Jackie is just as stunned. But he zeroes in on one thing in particular. "...'alive'?" he whispers. "What the... what the fuck happened in this world...?"

Schneep inches away from Sahne and starts getting the lay of things with his cane. "Wh-where are we? What... what happened to the Alt is this world?"

And what about the others? JJ says, worried.

"Um... also, uh... hi?" Jackie raises a hand.

Henny let’s go and wipes at his eyes. He laughs and looks back over Bro and Alt, “oh… you both look so young…” He says, gently cupping their cheeks. The others can notice this Henny does seem a bit older than the one they knew- though maybe the slight salt and pepper hair is from stress.

He smiles tiredly at the others. “Yes hallo.. it is… good to see friendly faces… I.. you all must be so confused. Please- sit and I… I will try to explain.”

“Yes explaining is good cuz what?!” Bro exclaims, throwing up his hands, “I… the me from this universe, he’s dead?”

Alt and Henny seem to wince at this. “I… I will explain Chase… please just…I-I am sorry it is tight in here-“

“If I’m dead then- w-what about Jackie and Jay? Henrik what-“

“They are safe.” Henny says firmly, gripping his hands into fists. “Z-Zara got them out of the city…on a boat. The children… Zara, Jackie and Jewel. They are all fine… all of this s-seems to be contained to Brighton… b-but I do not know for how much longer.”

"They're not even here?" Jackie's eyes widen. "It's that bad? Holy shit." He shakes his head and sits down on one of the beds. "Okay. Jeez."

Something must have happened to Alt in this world, JJ says. Something that gave him incredible power, but made him... unstable. He looks a bit haunted for a moment as he remembers what happened in the last world, but quickly pushes that away. Clearly, this is much worse, probably not even comparable.

"Yes, Jamie, I agree, that must be it," Schneep says. "Do not worry about the space, ah, Henrik, it is fine. Why are you still here, if the others have all left?"

“…someone needs to continue what… what Chase could not.” Henny says quietly, hugging his arms. “…I did not have nearly as much power as Alt or Bro Fantastic did but… I-I could do something. I stay to… to help anyone else who is left. It… it isn’t much now. I try to get people out to safety. But just in case I… I stay.” He smiles weakly. “Is good I did, ja?”

“Hen what…” Alt voice cracks, “what happened…?”

Henny is silent for a beat. “…it was supposed to be a victory. We had… finally defeated Magnificent. He was… he was dead. But s-something happened… the lingering black magic it… it found a way to claw itself into Alt’s- our Alt’s soul. Or body or… mind- maybe all 3. All we know is after that… it all changed. Alt tried to fight it but it just- consumed him. He started to tear the city apart- started doing things Magnificent would have done. He left us alone though… but it was hard to watch him… hurt innocents. Chase he-he could not stand it. He tried to confront Alt and-“ Henny grips his fingers tighter into his arms. “…he killed him. That fucking Glitch- he killed him!”

Bro and Alt go white as a sheet. Alt’s stomach lurches and he scrambles to find a trash can to retch into. Sahne carefully paws over to sit by him.

"...holy shit," Jackie whispers, his stomach sinking. "That... that's what...? I-I can't believe..." He shakes his head. He can't blame Alt for his reaction.

"Black magic always finds a way to linger, yes?" Schneep mutters darkly. "Even when... it should not." He shudders a bit.

He... couldn't have meant to do it... JJ signs slowly. Alt would never... and that version of him out there... maybe he regretted it? He leans heavily against the wall.

"Are you okay, Alt?" Jackie says softly. "I mean... I get it. I really, really get it."

Alt is bracing himself against the floor, shaking like a leaf as tears fall down his face, “T-t-this is a n-nightmare right? This… t-this can’t be r-real…! I-I w-wouldn’t… I-I would never-!”

Bro hurries over to kneel down by Alt and rub his back, “Breathe, Anti… it’s…”

“It’s okay, Alt,” Schneep says softly. “Black magic can do terrible things to people. It is not because of you that this is happening in this world.”

Alt doesn’t respond to Schneep, holding his arms and shaking wildly as he curls up to cover his mouth. Trying not to get sick again. He feels like he’s disconnecting from all of this- hardly able to grab onto any thoughts to ground him. 

“I-I am sorry for my emotions,” Henny says, looking regretful for his anger, “… the wound is s-still fresh… but that is why the city is in the state it is in. After the Glitch-or our Alt got corrupted… he gained so much more power- insight into other worlds he did not have before. He believes himself a… a god almost. Claiming that this world and all worlds are his. But he never got the ability to travel to other worlds again… so he’s been- tearing our reality apart- trying to find some universe where… where he can get Chase back. And he does not care who he hurts to get there.”

“Insight into other worlds, huh?” Jackie mutters. “Seems like that’s something Antis are prone to get.”

Wait, if he’s looking for a world where he can get his Chase back, then—we just walked right into his hands, didn’t we? JJ says, eyes wide. No wonder he went straight for Chase. He’s probably going to keep going for him as long as we’re here.

Bro pales at JJ’s realization and gets to his feet, “F-Fuck J, you’re right!”

“You all are safe here for now,” Henny says softly. “I have learned wards to hide this place. He had not found it yet.”

“Even so, we had better try to think about some way to get out of here,” Schneep decides. “I know the rifts may show up, but we should not count on them.”

“Great idea, except we have no idea how to do that,” Jackie comments.

JJ frowns. Alt, Chase, how did you two show up to our world before? You didn’t have the TRVLR yet—you got it from our world. I don’t remember if you told us how you got there.

Bro blinks at JJ and then hums, thinking about it. “Oh right! Um… the arch! Mag found an archway thing we’ve seen one other time before in a SCLERA basement. He used Alt’s magic and his to open up the gate and then… we wound up in your world!”

Henny frowns, “hm… SCLERA has been… destroyed by the Glitch… but if it was underground like this… maybe? But if Alt knew of this… he might have already tried to get to that.”

"He destroyed SCLERA?!" Jackie gasps. "Well��I guess that makes sense. If I was an all-powerful glitch being, I would destroy them too. They might get in the way."

Schneep stands up. "It is the only lead we have, yes? I think we should at least try to go find it."

It would probably feel better to take action rather than just wait here for a rift to come, JJ agrees.

Henny nods, “Destroying SCLERA was the one good thing the Glitch has done… but I worry- he has eyes all over the city. Magnificent’s cats… the Glitch uses them and he has a few puppets lingering around the city I could not save…”

Bro sighs and crosses his arms, “I agree it’s dangerous… but we can’t just sit here. We can’t afford to wait for another rift… maybe if the arch is destroyed we can repair it somehow?”

JJ nods slowly. Perhaps my magic could help. What does this arch look like?

"Oh, I've seen ours before," Jackie says. " I'm gonna assume it's similar here. It's a freestanding doorway. One side of it is made of black rock, like obsidian or something, and the other side is regular stone that's been carved with a bunch of designs."

Runes, presumably. I've been learning some alphabets to help Marvin with his card magic, I might... know some? JJ guesses.

“Yes! It’s just like the one from your world, Jackie!” Bro says with a smile. 

"That is the best chance we have, I think," Schneep mutters. "Alt. Are you...?" He trails off. Clearly, Alt is not okay. Asking probably wouldn't help.

Henny looks over at Alt with worry. And- a bit of fear. He knows this isn’t the Glitch- it helps that Alt looks so much younger but… he keeps his distance.

Which doesn’t help Alt at all. Everyone sounds like they’re underwater- the room is tilting and he feels- lost. Just staring at the floor, as he curls up as small as he can. It’s hard to tell if he’s ever registered anything they’ve been saying.

JJ winces. He's not doing well.

"No, really?" Jackie drawls.

This isn't the time for sarcasm, Jackie. JJ shoots him a disapproving look.

Jackie winces. "No. You're right. It's not." After a moment, he gets up and walks over to Alt. He hesitates, then puts a hand on his shoulder. "Hey." His voice is quiet. "I know. It sucks. Sucks to know what could happen. What you could do. But you're different, right? You're trying to be better, right? Doesn't mean it's not hard to hear about all this, I know. But that's not you. I know you're a good person, Alt. This... mess in this world... Don't let it break you down."

Alt jolts as Jackie touches him and finally looks up at him with red rimmed eyes. He listens but then whispers brokenly, “…what if this i-is my future…?”

“Hey Alt don’t say-“ Bro tries to say.

“No! What if?! The other me- he- he knows about the rifts- Hen says he travelled though worlds too. He’s o-older than me- what if this is just what happens to me?!” He pushes himself out of Jackie’s grip and pulls at his hair, eyes blown wide in panic as glitches break apart at his body. “T-This isn’t like s-seeing other Antis and knowing I’m different! T-That’s me! it doesn’t matter if I know I’m a good person- it doesn’t matter if I’m different now! This… this could be what I become!! It could mean e-everything I’ve learned about myself- everything I’ve fought for means fucking nothing!” he screeches at the end, his voice loud enough to make the room shake with vibrations as his magic whips around him wildly.

"And do you think the future is set in stone?" Schneep suddenly snaps. "Do you believe you are so powerless in the face of what will come? Are you going to just lie down and accept that you are some evil glitch, or are you going to get up and tell the world that you will not be like him? I have not known you for very long, Alt, but I know you have a fighting spirit in you. And yet, whenever the universe tells you that you will become something you don't wish to be, you accept it. Are you going to let the world do that to you? Are you going to believe that disaster is inevitable? Or are you going to take back your life on your terms? Are you going to look fate in the eye and tell it to go fuck itself when it says there is no other way? You have fought for your life, Alt! Do you really think you will give up so easily?"

Alt bursts into ugly sobbing, curling up to hold his head against his knees. “I-I don’t know! I don’t know!!”   

“Anti…” Bro tries to say, trying to get closer. Alt flinches and glitches to the very back wall and wails, “I-I always thought I-I-I wouldn’t ever d-do something like this! That I’d never hurt Chase- my friends…! T-They’ve always saved me before- why was this time different?! I don’t want this- but if even the m-me from here fought so hard then? Does it even fucking matter?!”

JJ clears his throat and signs weakly, And this Henrik said that it started when you all killed Magnificent, right? So... you know how to... prevent it...

Luckily- Alt always tries to look at JJ when he demands attention for his signs. He quiets down a bit.

Henny nods, “Yes.. I do believe if we found another way to stop Magnificent… then this may have never happened.”

“JJ is right Alt… w-we can make sure this doesn’t happen! Now we know…” Bro says gently, “You and me can work to make sure this future never ever comes to pass. But you can’t give up now… we gotta get to a better future together, okay?”

"It always matters, Alt," Jackie says firmly. "Every single little bit of effort matters. Even if it feels like it doesn't. You know, my Chase told me how you saved him. How Jameson tried to get in your head about this same thing. H-he doesn't remember it all too well, but he remembers that you got him out of there. If you hadn't pushed through Jameson's taunting back then, Chase would still be there. If you hadn't decided that you were going to get him out of here despite everything that happened the first time you visited our world, he would still be there. Even if it feels like it doesn't matter to you, it means the world to others when you fight against these—these claims that you're evil."

Alt looks up at Jackie with surprise. “He… he remembered all of that…?” He swallows shakily. “I-I couldn’t just leave him…”

“That’s where the differences lies, Alt. No matter what, no what how many Antis are different you have a kind heart…” Bro says with a sad smile.

Henny smiles sadly too, “yes… that sounds more like the Alt I knew… I think deep down… you are still the same, Alt. But you know how… invasive black magic in. Perhaps that is another reason I stay… I want to see if there’s still a way to save my friend… even after everything he has done.”

"And now that you are warned, it will be easier, yes?" Schneep says. "The future is never set in stone, even if it feels like it is. You have been to many worlds now. Surely you have seen worlds where even the worst can be reversed. We were there in one, weren't we? That second underwater world. Everything seemed so bleak there, but we changed it a little, did we not? I do believe things will be able to change even somewhere like that. So your world will also be able to change."

Alt thinks about both the Schneep’s words and eventually he nods, “we… we did help it get better…. Didn’t we? For other me and Marvin…” He’s quiet again before he glitches up to his feet and wipes at his face with his sleeve. “okay… l-let’s just… g-get out of here then… a-as quickly as we can…” 

JJ nods. We’ll probably have to move fast. And Alt? He pauses. Let us know if… there’s anything we can do.

“I… yeah I… I will.” Alt says quietly. 

“Yes, please do,” Jackie adds. “For now, uh… we gotta go find a SCLERA place, I guess? They have that weird eye symbol, right?”

“Other me, is there anything we will need for going out?” Schneep asks.

Henny hums in thought, “I would recommend some way to hide Chase… he will be the biggest target. Do any of you know invisibility spells?”

Jackie and Schneep immediately look over at JJ.

JJ frowns. I know one. But I've never cast it before, just read about it.

"Might as well try," Jackie says.

Yes, of course. JJ walks over to Bro. Hold still. That will make it easier, I think.

Bro looks a bit nervous but gives JJ a thumbs up. “I trust you, bro!” He quickly puts his hand back by his side and closes his eyes so he’s not too tempted to move.

JJ nods, and takes a deep breath. He's a little nervous about this. But he tries to hide it, adjusting his mask. A blue glow envelops his hands as he places them both on Bro's shoulders and concentrates. The blue magic ripples over Bro's form from the point of contact. He feels a little chilly for a moment as the invisibility slowly spreads across him, following the magic. Then JJ pulls his hands back and Bro is gone. Or, kind of. There's a person-shaped distortion in the air, like Bro has been turned into a pure glass statue that casts no shadow.

Alt blinks in surprise and glitches over. He tilts his head then tries poking at the distortion.

Bro yelps a bit and jumps, "Hey! ...shit did it not work??"

"No! It... it worked-" Alt laughs a bit breathlessly. "You're... still a bit noticeable but? from a far... I think you should be good."

"Whoa, that's trippy." Jackie leans side to side, staring at Bro. "It's like uh... that effect when you put a straw in a glass of water and it looks like it breaks."

Bro blinks and looks at himself, “woahhh!” 

"Oh? Interesting," Schneep says. "Jamie, can you keep that up?"

It should last an hour, JJ says. After that, I'll need to renew it.

Henny smiles and nods. "That should be good. ...outside- try to avoid anything glitching or- anything slinking in the shadows. Those are most likely the Glitch's eyes... but I can try my best to lead you to where SCLERA is."

“An hour should be plenty of time.” Henny says with a nod. He looks to Sahne, “You will keep an ear out too, right, Sahne?” Sahne barks in response. Henny smiles then opens up his hand and another teal ring of light forms. “I cannot go very long distances but this should help cut our journey.” He jumps through, Sahne close by.

Bro feels a bit nervous but he jumps through next. Alt hesitates.

"Gonna have to climb through again, Schneep," Jackie says.

"Very well." Schneep reaches out, feeling the edge of the ring, and hops through.

JJ notices Alt lingering back. He looks back and smiles at him. Ready to come? We'll need your help, I think.

Alt looks at JJ with a bit of fear but then closes his eyes before nodding. “y-Yeah I’m… I’m coming.” He eyes the ring then glitches through.

Jackie looks after Alt, a bit worried, and then hops through. JJ jumps through last.

[anytim3youwant]

did u guys know dan clenches his teeth