#it's all like laser and blade sound effects but every now and then you hear a looney tunes BoIOIoioiNG

[faeriekit]

I don't have a plot for this but I think it would be interesting to see Maddie & Jack to go up against Ra's & Talia. Enough teenagers. I want to see middle age parent scientists go up against the LOA with nothing but their wits and also impeccable comedic timing.

[foodieforthoughts]

Sand and Stars - Chapter Eight

Series Summary: After the water pump being blown up, the insurgents in Baqubah are taking a hold of the food supply to the village. Camp Warhorse is in dire need of reinforcements. It has been eight months of submitting countless requests when the High Command commissions Sergeant Olivia Ross to take her group of men and women and help Captain Syverson and his team to restore a semblance of normalcy. But with the war raging, does it get two hearts closer too?

Pairing: Captain Syverson x OFC x OMC

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: 18+, smut, fingering, oral (female receiving), sexual intercourse, unprotected sex, foul language, mentions of war, military technicalities (thread with caution)

A/N: Dum, Dum, DUM!!! We are finally here! The smutty part of the series is here and also an added twist in the end. I hope you guys like it because we are almost reaching the end. And as always a massive thank you to the wonderful beta @thelastsock who's been a huge help. Also, thank you to @cheyentjj​ for suggesting an appropriate face claim for Liv, Julianne Hough is the only one I’ll see as Liv now.  

<Chapter Seven

Title: Chapter Eight

Sy grumbled as he stared at himself in the mirror. His buzz cut was growing out and his beard was becoming scrawnier. He turned his head to the side, grazing his finger over the cut he had over his cheekbone. He had no idea how he had even gotten bruised like that. He wasn’t one to have an opinion on how he looked, but now that he had a woman in his life, he was suddenly more mindful.

Shrugging his shoulders, Sy turned around to grab his t-shirt from the back of the chair. His eye caught the silver chain lying on the table. He grabbed it in his hand, turning the medal in his palm. Liv always wore it but somehow, she had forgotten about it today. Sy was not religious or superstitious but he liked the idea that Liv’s friend cared about her enough to gift her something to keep her safe all the time.

Placing the chain back on the table, Sy couldn't help but think about what he had going on with Liv since the night she had spent in his room. He felt their relationship had evolved; she was opening up to him, telling him about her life, letting him in. Although, his heart had ached when she had told him about her family.

Sy had his arm draped over Liv, his fingers entwined with hers. Her back against his chest, her head resting on his extended arm. It was the third night in a row when Liv had come knocking on his door. He didn’t question her, only embraced her and cuddled her to sleep.

“Are you still awake?” He had whispered that night, not wanting to disturb the silence.

“Yeah.”

“Can I ask you something?” When she nodded, he continued. “What did you mean by ‘no one’s waiting for you back home’?”

Sy stared at the back of her head. He had been meaning to ask her about it for a while, but the moment never seemed right. He was almost certain she wasn’t going to answer when Liv sighed.

“My dad always wanted a son.” She adjusted against him, pulling his arm tighter around her. “He’s a real estate broker and has made a fortune out of it. He always had the idea that a son would be the one he would pass the mantle to.”

Sy scoffed. “That’s misogynistic.”

“Yeah, that’s my dad.” Liv sighed. “After I was born, he was clearly disappointed. He took his frustration out on mom, he treated her very badly. In turn, she took it out on me. So, I never really spent time with them as much. When my brother was born, my father was overjoyed and showered my mother with all his love, and she decided to dedicate her life to my brother’s upbringing. When my grandma asked me if I wanted to move in with her, I didn’t even put up a fight, and neither did they.”

“Baby,” Sy turned her in his arms to face him. Liv’s eyes held sorrow but there were no tears. Sy wondered if she had grown so accustomed to being neglected by her parents, she didn’t even feel anything more than disappointment. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. If they wouldn’t have treated me the way they did, I wouldn’t have become the person I am today. I probably wouldn’t have even joined the army.” She placed her hand on his cheek, smiling weakly. “How would I have met you?”

 Sy smiled to himself. He had kissed her after that, feeling immensely happy for having her in his life. He would have never imagined meeting an incredible woman like Liv while being out in the desert. Sometimes he wondered if he was falling for her.

“Hey!” Liv announced, opening the door wide. She had a huge smile on her face, her skin slick with sweat and her eyes blown wide with exhilaration. “Pepps’s going to tell you everything, but I was so excited to tell you first.”

Sy raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. He could see Liv practically bouncing on her toes as she rubbed her hands together. He watched as she closed the door and walked up to him to give a chaste kiss on his lips.

“You know we’ve been trying to get more people on our side,” she pulled her jacket off, draping it neatly over the chair. She plopped down on the bed, crossing her legs and smiling widely up at Sy. “We just got someone on the inside.”

“What do you mean?”

“You told me we have intel that there’s a new leader for the militants, I suggested we should try someone to infiltrate the group. Mahmoud fixed us with a young man who is on our side but will provide us information about the militant activities.”

Sy was impressed. He had approved Pepps for trying to recruit Mahmoud’s man, but Liv had no knowledge about it. He wanted to see how much effort Liv was ready to put into getting the job done. He felt even prouder and in awe of his woman every time he saw her in action.

“Also,” She straightened her leg and fished out a trimmer from her pocket. “I managed to get it from a barber shop at the village.”

Sy smirked with a naughty thought entering his mind. “Want a trim? Maybe I could help.”

Liv rolled her eyes at him and started detangling the wires from the trimmer. “Just FYI, I got everything laser removed. So, it’s smooth like butter down there.”

Sy felt his mouth go dry with the new revelation. He couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild, thinking exactly about having his mouth on the aforementioned part of Liv's body. Explicit was often where his thoughts went when he had her in his arms lately. Her body fit wonderfully in his, arranged in his arms like a perfectly matched puzzle piece. Each night he fought the urge to wake her and make love to her then and there.

“Okay, soldier. I can practically hear your thoughts.” She snickered, pointing at his crotch. He grumbled adjusting his pants that had tightened under the inevitable effect of his filthy ideas. “And this for you. I see how you keep looking at your hair and your beard. I could give you a buzz.”

Sy scoffed, grabbing his gun from the table and putting it in his thigh holster. “I’ll get it done from someone else.”

“Sy, I’m tired and I have only three hours until I have to go to my post. So please, get your ass here.” She bent down to wave her hand over the floor. She plugged in the trimmer on the socket above the bed. She looked at him expectantly, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

“If anything goes wrong, we’ll just shave it all.” Sy muttered and sat down on the floor, resting his back against the metal frame of his bed. He grimaced as the familiar buzzing of the trimmer started behind him. With the touch of the old blades of the device, Sy winced involuntarily.

“Stop it.” Liv warned, holding onto his shoulder and running the trimmer along his neck. “I know what I’m doing, Captain J.A. Syverson.”

Sy groaned on hearing his full name. Liv staying in his room meant she noticed personal things about him. She had looked through his trunk for a spare t-shirt and casually asked him about his initials written on the metal box. He knew at some point she ought to know about his first name, but he was perfectly fine with being known by his last name for the time being.

“I figured it out by the way.” He could hear the glee in her voice over the buzzing of the machine. “Why did you never tell me your name's John Andrew?” She giggled, brushing the hairs out of his t-shirt.

“I was getting to it.” He mumbled bringing his legs up and resting his arms on them. “Who told you?”

“I’m not going to rat out my informant.” Liv tapped him on his shoulder and indicated him to look up. She trimmed the hair on the top of his head with her tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth in concentration. Sy smiled at her adorable face, his fingers itched to touch her. She kissed the top of his head when she noticed his smile, moving onto his side burns next.

He tried to look at her from the corner of his eyes while she trimmed his hair. Everything about this situation felt so domestic. He had no clue he had yearned for something like this, only feeling it now he was experiencing it. It felt blissful and satisfying. Sy also felt delighted about Liv’s cheerful attitude and watching her be her previous self was like a breath of freshness in the stale air of grief that surrounded her.

“All done.” Liv announced. She dusted off the hair, turning his head from side to side to check her work. “Part-time at the local salon has finally paid off.”

Sy was about to stand up to look in the mirror when a knock sounded on the door. Pats, from his men, pushed open the door. A cigarette hung from his mouth, his dark beard scraggly and long. Sy jutted his chin for him to speak, looking himself in the mirror and being content with the way Liv had trimmed his hair.

“Call from the base.” Pats informed, throwing a casual wave towards Liv before heading out into the corridor.

“Duty calls, Captain.” Liv yawned, sniffling and settling down on his bed. “Wake me up when you come back?” She yawned again as she pulled the blanket over her body.

“You’re going to sleep here?” Sy questioned as he walked back to Liv. He smiled as Liv nodded, pulling the blanket up to her nose. Sy looked down at her, smiling as he observed her bundled up on his bed. For the first time in his entire military career, he wanted to neglect his job and just curl up next to Liv. “How do I thank you for a job well done?”

Sy noted how Liv bit her lip between her teeth, looking up at him with mischief dancing in her eyes. She closed her eyes and brought her arm to rest on her forehead. “I’m sure you can come up with something.” She whispered sensuously, peeking at him from underneath her arm.

Sy felt his throat go dry again as several ideas popped up in his head. He cleared his throat and leaned down to place a kiss on her lips. “Will do, ma’am.” He said, stealing another kiss and walking out the room. He looked down at his wrist watch, anticipation already brewing for when he could get back to her.

***

Liv groaned as the voices of men from the other room disturbed her sleep once again. It was a hefty price to pay for being a light-sleeper and living around men who could be boisterous when need be. She turned around to face the wall and pulled Sy’s blanket closer to her face. She breathed in the faint smell of his musk, imagining him to be lying next to her. Habituation was a bitch because she couldn’t get a good sleep until she had Sy’s arms around her.

The door to his room creaked open, alerting her of another presence. She half turned her body to look behind as she heard the door lock and found Sy in the process of removing his holster.

“Back already?” She looked at her wrist watch and noted she still had plenty of time until she had to go to her post. “What did base want-” Her question was cut short as Sy kneeled down next to the bed and captured her lips for a heated kiss. She gasped as he pulled the blanket off her body and threw it unceremoniously on the floor. Without breaking the contact between their lips, Sy climbed on the bed over Liv, capturing her between his limbs.

When they broke away to take a breath, Liv placed her hands on his chest. “What was that?”

“I’m thankin’ ya.” His accent came out prominent and his voice grew huskier. Liv noted how far his pupils were blown as lust overtook his darkening orbs. Running his tongue over his lower lip, Sy leaned down again to kiss her while pulling at her t-shirt tucked in her pants.

Liv’s heart skipped a beat when Sy’s warm calloused hand touched her bare stomach. She arched her back to let Sy pull the t-shirt off her head. She moaned as Sy let his lips travel down the side of her neck, pausing to suck at an erogenous zone which made her toes curl. She grabbed at his t-shirt, tugged at it and helped Sy discard it, adding to the pile of clothes on the floor. She took a moment to marvel at his furry chest, raking her nails over his torso and down to his belly. Her core quivered as she eyed the hairy line that travelled down the middle of his stomach, disappearing beneath his belt.

“I want you so badly right now.” Sy breathed, resuming his work on Liv’s neck, his beard leaving a tingling sensation as it grazed her skin. She reached between their bodies and worked at his belt with an unrestrained urgency. His erection was already beginning to strain against the fabric of his pants, rubbing on her lower abdomen as he moved down to her chest. “I want to fuck you so hard.” He growled against her chest, pulling her bra down to expose her hardened nipples.

Liv gasped as Sy latched onto her nub, sucking at it and grabbing at her other breast. She closed her eyes, drowning herself in pleasure as Sy lavished attention on her tits, sucking and groping each in turn. She palmed Sy through his pants, getting a groan in response that vibrated against her chest. He bucked his hip down, rubbing his crotch against her hand which jostled against her own groin, sending a jolt of excitement throughout her body.

With sweaty hands, she tugged at his pants and pulled them down his hips. Sy shimmed himself out of them and kicked it down to join the discarded clothes. Liv licked her lips, grabbing at Sy’s hardening length which pulled a throaty moan from him. She gulped as she stroked his cock, her fingers unable to fist it entirely in her hand. Sy travelled down her chest leaving kisses along the trail. Her body shivered with what was to come as Sy hurriedly bared her to his gaze.

Lying under Sy’s lascivious stare, Liv’s core throbbed, her stomach fluttered as she felt exposed and vulnerable. She clenched her thighs together as the warmth from her cheeks travelled down to her chest. Sy licked his lips with desire blazing in his eyes. He leaned down again to kiss along her thigh, tickling her with his scruff and nudging her legs apart with his hands. She watched with baited breath, craning her neck to look between her thighs as Sy kissed his path to her mound. Her thighs shuddered as his warm breath washed over her drenched hole. She clutched at the sheets with the anticipation of feeling his mouth on her.

“Get to it already.” Liv pleaded. She could feel Sy smirking against her for which she wanted to just shove his face on her need when suddenly he ran his tongue over her slit. “Fuck.” She rasped as an exquisite pleasure consumed her body. She couldn’t help but moan as Sy pulled her tender folds apart with his fingers, opening her up to him as he lapped at her with voracious hunger.

“You taste delicious, Liv.” He cooed while stopping to pepper kisses on her inner thigh, his finger rimming her clenching pussy. Liv was aware of the many men littered around the compound, some even in the adjacent room. She bit her lip from stopping herself to cry out like a wanton whore as Sy thrusted a thick digit inside her. She grabbed at his shoulder, digging her nails in his skin as he returned to flick his tongue over her clit.

Liv was a squirming mess as Sy worked around her cunt, devouring her with a carnal need and thrusting his finger inside her with fervor. She brought her other hand to her exposed breast, pinching her nipples between her fingers. It wasn’t like Liv was a virgin, but she had to admit she had never felt so overwhelmed by a man eating her out. A strained moan escaped her lips as Sy added another finger and pumped them together, curling them inside her to rub against her swollen bundle of nerves. She could briefly feel his mouth sucking at her sensitive nub, nibbling at it momentarily before licking it.

“Sy.” She groaned. The knot in her belly was tense with her impending orgasm that Sy was trying to draw out from her. She gasped with widened eyes when a third finger entered her tight hole, Sy scissoring them while plunging them in and out of her. It was too much for her to take and with an unrestrained groan she came against his fingers, her body trembling under the intensity of her orgasm.

She laid spent on the bed, sweat covering her skin as ripples of aftershock travelled down her body. Sy licked her clean, placing a gentle kiss on her clit and climbing up to her face. She looked at him with a weak smile, noticing the grin on his lips under his wet whiskers.

“Fuck me, Sy.” She instructed raggedly. Sy leaned down to take her lips in his, her taste lingering on his lips and tongue. She took a shuddering breath as he lined his throbbing cock against her dripping entrance. In one swift move Sy entered her with a grunt, splitting her with his girth and drawing out a sinful moan from the pair. The tip of his cock rubbed against the apex of her womb, teasing it as he moved his hips to pull himself out before plunging inside her again.

“God, you feel so good.” Sy groaned as he began pounding into her with vigor. “I won’t last long.” He warned, laying over her body and bringing his arms underneath her back. He circled her lithe waist with his strong, wide arms as he mercilessly thrusted into her every time reaching up to the hilt, the metal frame of their bed rattling with Sy's thrusts. The sounds outside had faded into nothing, only the wet sound of skin on skin and rhythmic moans reached their ears.

Liv wound her arms around his neck kissing him deeply with a ravenous need to feel every inch of his body. “Cum inside me.” She breathed against his mouth, looking into his eyes with fervent desire. She could feel the unmistakable coiling in her lower belly as Sy’s pelvis ground against her sensitive clit. She knew Sy was close as his thrusts became frantic and his grunts became louder, chasing his release.

Liv dug her face in his neck as another wave of euphoria washed over her making her cry out in ecstasy. Her walls clenched around his pulsating cock and with a guttural, animalistic groan, Sy jerked his hips one last time as he finally reached his release. She felt his release painting her walls, milking him for every drop. The warmth pooling inside her mirroring the warmth pooling in her chest as she regarded Sy above her.

Sy lay over her, careful not to crush Liv with his weight. As he caught his breath, he made to move away but Liv placed her hands on his taut buttocks. halting his movement.

“Stay inside me.” She pleaded with him. Tears pricked at her eyes, her senses overwhelmed with the profound,  all consuming passion she had experienced moments ago. Sy looked up at her, his sweat slicked skin sliding against hers. A soft smile lifted the corners of his lips as his eyes focused on hers.

“I’ve never fallen for someone so hard and so fast.”

Liv stared at him, astonished at his words. She blinked, trying to understand if she was hearing him right. She was at a loss of words, confused and consumed with the fluttering in her chest. She could hear the rapid beating of her heart in her ears as the moments ticked by.

Sy reached up to cup her cheek, sympathy shining in his eyes at the overwhelmed woman in front of him. “You don’t have to say it back, but I think I love you.” He grazed his lips gently over hers, the carnal desire from before replaced with delicate emotion. The silent kiss they shared was soft and placid, enveloping Liv in an unknown tranquillity. “And to answer your question from earlier, base is sending more people here.” he added, with a cheeky smile.

***

Liv gazed at Sy while being seated from across him in his office. He was looking over the papers about the new team arriving later in the day. He wasn’t thrilled about accommodating more people, grumbling about how they worked better in a small unit. She bit her lip as the memories of their frenzied lovemaking from only a few hours earlier came to her mind. There was a huge hickey on her chest which tingled with her heating cheeks.

“Stop staring, Liv.” He mumbled, not even glancing up at her and reaching out to his cup of coffee.

“I’m not staring. I’m admiring.” She teased. She stood up, grabbing her gun from his table and slinging the strap over her shoulder. “Stop stressing about the new people.” She walked up to him and placed a kiss on top of his head. “I’m going to head out.”

“Stay safe.” He called out, shuffling the papers around.

“Be nice.” She winked at him when he looked up.

Liv walked out into the compound with a bounce in her step. Ever since Sy had told her he loved her, she felt elated. She knew she felt something for him but was confused if she liked him or was it love. She didn’t want to mislead him with false promises, waiting to make sure what she felt for him was indeed ‘love’. She'd made that mistake before.

Pepps greeted her near their Humvee. She had grown accustomed to the man’s company and respected him for his skills as a soldier and a negotiator. He tipped his cap at her, pulling his gun up from the hood of the vehicle. “It’s going to be a good day.” He commented before rounding out to the other side and getting into the car.

After an entire day of talking to various men and women who supported their help, Liv was content with their progress in increasing local assistance. One lady had offered her home-made lunch which had smelled delicious but owing to protocols, she had to decline. She had been ecstatic with the new information they had gathered from the informant about the militant leader which was apparent by the bouncing of her leg with impatience.

When they arrived at the camp, Liv noticed the new Humvees parked out front with new faces greeting them at the gate.

“Guess they are here.” Pepps announced, driving their car to an empty spot.

Liv noticed Sloan jogging up to her hurriedly. She alighted the car but was quickly held by the shoulders by the blonde. “You are not prepared for this.” She warned, turning her head to look behind her.

“What-?” Liv questioned but was rendered speechless as her eyes followed Sloan’s line of sight.

It was like the air from her lungs had been punched out. She felt her limbs become cold as a bead of chilling sweat dribbled down her forehead. She gulped as with pressed lips she stared at the one person she did not expect to see, not until she was on leave again. It was like god was laughing at her and plotting to twist her life as she watched both Sy and Alex walk towards her. 

🌟 Series Masterlist 🌟

Chapter Nine>

[batgurl1989]

A Wolf In Toussaint Chapter Three

Summary: After being summoned by the Duchess, you and Geralt head to the Palace of Beauclair with some trouble on the road.

Word Count: 2120

Warnings: spoilers for the Blood and Wine DLC

A/N: I know this is so soon after the last chapter, but I was too excited not to post it. Taglist is open, requests are open.

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five

Taglist: @rmtndew @henrynerdfan @princesssterek @seanh-boredom @djinny-djin-djin @diegos-butt @cynic-spirit @daddys-littlewhitegirl

"Younin! Watch out!" Geralt growled a warning at you as you dodged a stream of caustic acid an Archespore shot at you. Where Igni hadn't scorched the ground, the large plant-like monsters' poison had. Geralt slashed at one of the large plants, trying to sever it's head.

You tried to stay to the edges of the battle zone, drawing on the smoldering embers for power as you kept fire shooting from one hand at the plants. You didn't have any silver weapons on you, which would have to be remedied as soon as possible. You knew Geralt was worried about you, and that was causing him to be distracted. It had only been a few days since you woke up, and this was the first time you had had to fight since the bandits on your way to Novigrad. You knew it was a risk to draw on the fire, as it was the hardest element to control, and the chaos was weakening you at an alarming rate. But right now, you didn't need to control where it went as long as you aimed wide of where Geralt was.

"It's multiplying!" You called out over the din of the fighting. Buds were springing from the ground. Though these weren't full blown monsters yet, the vibrations of the fire and the fighting were agitating them. One burst close to you, spitting acid in all directions. A droplet landed on your boot, sizzling as it ate through the leather. "Shit!"

Geralt was by your side in a flash, pulling your boot off before the acid could make it to your skin. His eyes met yours for the briefest of moments, concern and something else flashing in the golden depths. You nodded that you were alright, and he was gone again. He swung his heavy silver sword deftly into the monster, his energy seeming to have jolted back to full now that you had come close to being hurt.

Turning your attention to the buds, you carefully stepped further back, out of range of any shooting poison. With your boot off, the rocky ground bit into your sole, but you couldn't think about that now. As long as you avoided the acid pools, you could handle it. Eyeing up the buds that seemed ready to burst, you unleashed a stream of fire, using all your concentration to aim true. The blooming plants burst into fire, sizzling as they wilted to the ground, their poison remaining inside and lighting up with the petals.

Your head snapped around when you heard hissing and squealing. Geralt had slashed through the bud that served as the monster's head, ending the monster's life, and stopping it from creating more buds. He carefully wiped his blade off before returning it to it's sheath alongside his steel blade.

With laser-like focus, he stormed over to you, his hungry eyes raking over your body in such a way that your breath caught in your suddenly dry throat. The tip of your tongue darted out to wet your lips, his eyes tracking the motion like a starving animal. You heard a low rumble deep in his chest, and it set all your nerves on fire, ready for him.

When he reached you, he pulled you roughly into his arms, his mouth covering yours with such force your teeth clacked against his. A long low moan escaped you as you pressed against him, desperate to get closer. The adrenaline from the battle still coursed through both your veins, and it needed an outlet. His hands spanned your back, pressing you tightly against his armour, his fingers gripping the linen shirt you wore for the road. You clutched the grooves of his armour, standing on your toes to kiss him deeper, your tongue delving into his mouth to tangle with his own.

His hands travelled lower, gripping your arse before he lifted you off the ground. Instinctively you wrapped your leather bound legs around his waist, your arms going around his neck to steady yourself. With one arm banded under your legs, his free hand dove into your hair, pulling it free of the ponytail you had tossed it into. Your red hair caught in the breeze, fluttering around both your heads in a curtain of fire, blocking out the world.

You pulled away when breathing became a necessity, resting your forehead on his. His golden eyes searched yours, but you didn't know what he was looking for. You breathed deeply his scent, the adrenaline leaving your system, and your nerves calming. This man drove you wild and seemed to centre you. It was a complete whiplash effect, and had your head spinning, but you wouldn't give it up for anything.

"I suppose we should find the horses?" You whispered, not wanting to destroy the mood of your little world. Geralt chuckled softly, before kissing you all too briefly one last time. Slowly, he let you slide down his body until you were on solid ground again. As your foot hit the rocky ground, you remembered you only had one boot on. "I don't suppose you packed extra boots in my size?"

"Sorry, it was a vast oversight on my part." Geralt shook his head, going to retrieve your boot. He examined it quickly to make sure there was no acidic poison left on it, and to make sure the hole hadn't ruined the integrity of the boot. "You should be able to wear it until we get to the city. I promise to buy you a new pair."

"You don't have to do that. I can buy my own." You blushed as you sat on a nearby log to pull your boot back on. The hole wasn't any larger than the size of your pinky nail, and as long as it didn't rain, you would make it to the city. "Could we also stop by a blacksmith, and see about getting me a silver sword or at least a dagger?"

"Of course." Geralt nodded, offering you a hand to help you up once your boot was laced again. You took his rough hand, but didn't let go once you were vertical. He raised his eyebrows at you, but a small smile played at his lips, and his grip tightened around your fingers. "But first, horses."

It didn't take you long to find the horses. They had run off at the first sound of trouble, but these were Toussaint horses, and were used to being ridden into battle, so they hadn't gone far. They were munching grass as though bored, which you couldn't help but laugh at.

"Dandelion is bringing Roach and Marabelle when he comes down. He sent a letter while you were sleeping." Geralt explained once you were back on the road to the Palace of Beauclair.

"So the King let him go?" You were surprised that you hadn't been worried about it until now. Sure you had been busy being captured and then healing and regaining your strength, but your friend's well-being should have come to mind before now. You mentally kicked yourself for being so selfish. "Do we know yet what went wrong?"

"From what Yen could figure out from her sources, the King of Beggars is either working for someone who wants you and he was delivering you to him, or he was trying to get you away from the person who wants you." Geralt fought hard but ultimately failed to keep the edge off his tone. You weren't the only one jealous of an ex. "One day, you will have to tell me what he means to you."

"If that's what you really want." You had nothing to hide, and if Geralt needed to know for his own peace of mind, you wouldn't keep that from him.

"I'm not sure that it is." Geralt grumbled, adjusting the reins in his hands. "But it might be something that can give us a clue as to what just went down."

"Perhaps when we get back from the Palace, we will have time." You nodded. You knew how hard it was to ask about an ex, and if Geralt wasn't sure he was ready yet, you weren't going to push it. The King meant literally nothing to you other than as a friend, but you weren't sure Geralt would believe that without hearing the rest of it. "So is there anything I need to know about the Duchess?"

"Other than she likes things done her way and quickly, not really." Geralt shrugged. To him, the Duchess was no different than any other client, other than she had the army to back up her demands while farmers and villagers barely had the coin to get his services in the first place. "She can run a little hot and cold, but that depends on how grave the job is. If there is no job, she is actually quite pleasant to be around."

"Oh?" You raised your eyebrow at the Witcher, your voice dripping with unimpressed sarcasm. Knowing him and his past, there was only one conclusion that jumped out at you after what he said.

"Not like that, I swear." Geralt laughed deeply, warmly, in a way you rarely ever heard. Then his face grew serious. "Her sister, however..."

"You're joking! You have to be!" You blinked a few times, trying to wrap your head around the fact that he slept with the Duchess's sister. You were pretty sure she was dead, but didn't know if Geralt had a hand in that or not. "Are you joking?"

"I don't kiss and tell." Geralt winked at you but remained silent. Frowning you tried to think of a way to get him to talk, but knew that once he set his mind to it, there wasn't much you could do to change it.

"Fine. Keep your secrets." You mock pouted, turning back to the road ahead. The palace and the sprawling city across the river from it had come into view, and it took your breath away with its beauty.

"Like nothing up North, isn't it?" Geralt commented, watching you take in the fairytale-esque scene in front of you. The towering palace with its spires and arching bridges. Tall trees and rooftop gardens painted the scene with every shade of green. The lake shone like a fiery sapphire as the sunlight reflected on its smooth surface.

"Definitely not." You couldn't tear your eyes from it as you continued to ride towards it. You didn't remember making the decision to kick your horse into a gallop, but sound the wind was whipping through your loose hair, pulling it behind you as you raced toward the city. Geralt kept pace with you, smiling as the joy inside you bubbled into laughter at the freedom you felt in that moment.

At the city gates, you slowed your horses. Unlike in Novigrad, the guards at the gate were mostly there to keep the peace. No one was checking papers, or questioning anyone about whether they were magical or not. Everyone was free to roam in and out of the city as they wished. The atmosphere was completely different than what you were used to, and you felt almost giddy about it.

As you rode through town, your head was constantly swiveling to take in the sights and sounds of the lively city. Artists advertised their skills and their work outside brightly lit shops. Bakers were rushing to keep up with the demand for their pastries. Florists boasted about the colours of their most recent blooms, ready to steal the hearts of those who received them. Fresh fish was brought in from the river, the catch of the day being shouted to draw in more customers. There were few street walkers and even fewer homeless people. The cobble streets were wide and clean, nothing like what you were used to in Velen.

Geralt watched you with an amused look, indulging you when you wanted to stop to watch a street performer either sing or dance. He handed you coins to give to them when the performance was finished as you clapped loudly. Your heart sang out in happiness that he was showing you this part of his world and his life. You could see yourself easily settling in at Corvo Bianco, making wine, traveling to the city when you wanted to take in some art and culture. You found yourself wondering if Geralt would ever retire from the Path, and settle down here for good. But you shooed that dark cloud away before it could rain on the brightness of your day. You didn't know what the Duchess wanted, and that was as much darkness as you wanted right now.

[godestof3worlds]

I Won’t Leave You Behind

It was supposed to be an easy mission. Apparently, the universe loves making things very complicated because through all my time defending the universe, there was never an ‘easy mission’. We were just getting some material when Lotor, who I thought we left at the quintessence field, came out of nowhere and started to attack us.  

It was only the princess and I on this mission, the others completing other tasks. The blue and black lions, other than yellow, were the biggest of the lions, meaning they could hold more items, which is exactly what we needed for the mission. Sadly, we parked them farther away from us since they wouldn’t be able to fit, and now we’re paying the price, by running through the canyons of planet  Suphater .  

“Keith! How much farther from the lions are we?” Allura asked as we continue to run, and dodge the lasers that Lotor were firing at us.  

I looked down at the  holo  map on my right arm, “4.6 miles left,” I shouted as I veer to the left to dodge an incoming laser.  

“You can run!” Lotor shouts, “But you won’t survive,” and then I hear his steps slow to a stop.  

I look behind just as Allura did and see him take out an explosive.  

“Allura look out!” I shout as Lotor throws it, the explosive aiming clearly for Allura. I throw myself at her, covering her as we roll away from the explosive itself, but when it hits the ground, the power of the explosive makes us fly into the canyon wall, I took the brunt of the impact, my back hitting the rock wall while Allura was pressed  against  my front.  

We slumped down, falling on our sides that resulted in our twin groans of pain. I took in a deep breath, hearing something what sounded like steps coming closer to us. I opened my eyes, squinting through the light that seemed to be beaming down on us, and raised my head that felt like it was filled with led. I looked around until my eyes landed on a silhouette.  

I squinted, trying to make my vision clearer, but all I saw was a purple blob that seemed to be coming closer. Purple blob. The only thing purple could have been...  

Lotor.  

I raise my head again, and this time, I see Lotor coming closer with a wicked smirk. I looked to my left and saw that Allura was trying to get up, but she was failing. The explosive must have taken a lot out us, because my body feels like it’s been filled with led. My head falls back to the ground.  

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, before I start to push up from the ground. Everything burns. Not like a fire is erupting throughout my body, but instead the burn that you feel when you work out too much and you’re about to collapse. The problem is that I can’t collapse, I can’t give up because our lives on the line. So, with all my might, I push up until I'm in a squat like position.  

I summon my paladin blade, and I grab my Marmora blade and extend it to all its glory. I take a quick glance over to Allura who’s only an arm’s length away from me and see that she is laying on the ground on her stomach, but she still seems aware, and she’s staring right at me.  

“ Ke’th ?” she croaks.  

“Yeah Allura?” I  quickly  look over to Lotor before I return my gaze back to the princess.  

“I  th’nk  there was  po’son  ‘n the gas,” she concludes, and I nod my head. It will make the most sense.  

“yeah, but I'm pretty sure it’s affects doesn’t last too long or it’s weak, I'm already up, kind of,” I murmur the last two words to myself before I push myself onto the balls of feet and stand. I bend my knees a little, lean a little to the canyon wall, and glare at Lotor who evilly smirks at me.  

“Well, the half breed paladin, the one who left his team, then comes back to become a hero,” Lotor then claps as he snickers. I just glare harder at him.  

“How did you come back?” I growl out my question, making sure I watch his every move.  

“ Oh  you know, I was there, then I was someplace else, and now I'm here to kill  you ,” Lotor then grabbed a sword from his side and turned it on, making it look like a laser sword, “If you would have stayed away, stayed with your mother and that  Altean , I could have been able to stay with Allura, stayed with Voltron and still be the emperor of the  Galran  Empire,” the white haired man just shook his head before he looked up at me with pure hatred glaring at me, “Now, I must kill you and take back what you stolen,” and he lunged.  

I pushed myself away from the canyon wall, away from Allura, and into a roll before I jumped up and got into a fighting stance. Lotor hit the spot where my head was before there was a low growl and the prince looked at me. His yellow eyes were glaring at me, his eyes glowing into a harsh orange color that seemed to have quintessence dancing from the corner of his eyes.  

“You heal fast from the poison,” Lotor smirks as he turns around and gets in position again, “It must be your Galran blood,”  

“What does the poison attack?” I ask as we start circling each other.  

“ Altean  blood mostly, but it does effect humans a little as well,” he shrugs.  

“Why isn’t it effecting you?” I quirk an eyebrow at the prince. We stopped moving, just staring at each other across the six feet difference between us.  

“Because I am already corrupted with the strongest substance in the universe, that poison is nothing compared to what I am filled with already,” and he lunges and starts to attack,  immediately  putting me on defense.  

My body is still feeling a little heavy, but it does seem that the poison is leaving my body. The prince raises his sword above his head and tries to force it down where my neck is, but I put my swords in an ‘X’ shape and grunt under the force of it. I hear a grunt from Lotor, and when I look at his face, his eyes are bright orange now and more quintessence seems to be sparking from his eyes. That's when I start to feel more pressure, almost too much for my weakening body to handle.  

“You are strong,” Lotor comments, “it will be fun killing you and seeing your strength leave your body slowly,” Lotor sneers as I feel more weight above me.  

I can feel my arms shaking. I know I won’t be able to handle much more of this, I know I can’t unless I do something. So, I grunt a little before I find the right positioning of my feet, feeling the heat from the sword only a  little way  away from my head, making me think of the cloning facility...  

And I spring up and throw back the stumbling prince away from me. I see my sight narrow onto the white haired  Galran  before I start to take the offensive. I run up to him and slash down with my paladin sword, using the momentum to allow me to spin and do a reverse jump round kick, hitting him in the head. I stand straight as I take a quick breath before I attack down as the prince still seemed a little shocked.  

This time I swing with my Marmora blade, not doing it so drastic that it spins me, but enough to attempt to slice Lotor. I only grazed his hand before he stepped back. With the way my Marmora sword was positioned, I threw a little bit up before catching it with the blade almost touching my forearm, and try to stab the prince in the neck, using my paladin sword to try and make Lotor duck.  

The prince did duck, but he used his sword to block the Marmora blade, and with his free hand, grabbed my wrist and twisted. I yelped at the pain, the attack surprising me that I drop the blade, making it turn back to the dagger form. I leaned a little back and  side kicked  him in the stomach, making him stumbling back and grasping for air.  

“Well...” the prince gasped, “you’re not so bad of a fighter, I must have misjudged you a little,” he smirked before he took a deep breath and stood up straight, wiping a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth, “I guess I'm going to have to power up,” and with that statement he glowed an orange color.  

I stepped back, feeling the heat from the raging prince from where I was standing. I hear a low growl before a booming laughter that echoed among the canyon walls erupted from the Halfbreed prince only a few feet away. I looked around, almost having to turn my body, to find the princess who was on her hands and knees with wide eyes. I look over to Lotor when I hear a snarl.  

The heat has died down now, the orange glow that the prince had emitted is now vanished, and ahead of me I see the prince. He seems more vicious, something in his eyes that just scream ‘rabid animal’ bore into mine. He's heaving, like he just ran a marathon, but he’s smiling, like he won something, and that makes a shiver run down my spine. I sense something from him too. Almost like when I sense the druids, but this one is uglier, more menacing as it seems that the  energy  comes from him in wave.  

“When you left me in the quintessence field, it felt like everything was burning, flames licking my skin and insides slowly, until I felt like I was in an inferno, then, there was nothing,” he sneered as he raised his sword to look at his hand, almost like he was in a trance, “I felt numb, like I was swimming in nothingness,” he shook his head as he looked up at me.  

“How did you get out?” I growl, “I want an actual answer this time,”  

He smirked, “Once I was numb, my thoughts wandered, and I got to connect to my machine, and then, I came out, feeling more powerful, like something inside was trying to get out,” he  shrugs  his shoulders as he crouched, “And now I'm here, ready to end you, and take the princess,” he launched with such speed that I almost couldn’t see him.  

But I saw, and I sidestepped as I brought my sword to stop the prince for trying to cut me. He just grinned as I snarled back. He attacked, and I dodged and blocked. It was going like this for a while it felt like, until he kicked at my head and I brought my guard toward my head...  

And left myself vulnerable for him to slash me. From my right shoulder, to a couple of inches above my left hip. It burned.  

I staggered back as I hit my back to the canyon wall, not knowing how close I was to it to begin with while I was gasping for breath. My blood was rushing, but I heard two distinctive noises. A raspy laugh that seemed to echo, and a war cry. I looked up in time to see the princess throw her rope at the prince and throw him a good several feet from us.  

She then ran up to me as I feel forward. I was able to catch myself on my hands and feet, but once she was near, I felt all my energy leave my body and I fell to the side. Luckily the princess was there and caught me, but it hurt like a bitch. I groaned in pain as I clenched both my eyes and teeth, not having the energy nor the breath to scream. The wound was burning. I was lied down on my back as my head was pillowed by the princess’ lap. I felt a hand run through my hair and her voice, but everything seemed so far away.  

I fought to stay awake. I did truly try, but everything was turning into darkness. I felt pressure on my chest, but I couldn’t fight it, couldn’t get it off of me despite the pain that sparked through my whole body.  

Then, all of a sudden, I felt energy run through me. I gasped, clenched my eyes shut as I took a shuddering deep breath, but it hurt and I started to cough.  

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have enough energy to heal your wound...” but I heard something in the background, my  galra  senses must have momentarily gotten better because I hear rocks being shifted from the area Lotor was at.  

I turn my head away from Allura, ignoring the pain I felt throughout my body as I strained my neck to look. There, I see him standing up, and he looks pissed. I look back at Allura as she stares at me with concern in her eyes.  

“Allura, you need to go, Lotor is coming back and he looks pissed,” I exclaim as I try to get up but I just feel fire burn across my torso.  

She looks over to where Lotor is and her eyes widen as I feel her tighten her hold around me. There’s a flash and I turn my head to look, and I see Lotor doing that powering up thing he did early.  

“Allura,” I wait until I get her attention before I continue, “You need to leave, he was more powerful when he did that the first time. He’s going to be more powerful now, and you need to leave and warn the team and Atlas,” I plead with her.  

“ I won’t leave you behind ,” she tightens her hold around me as if to prove her point.  

I just shake my head, mostly to say no without actually speaking, but also to try and clear my head. It was getting a little fuzzy.  

“Allura he wants you-”  

“And he wants to kill you,” she cuts me off, “I cannot leave you behind for him to only kill you.”  

“Well, well, well,” there was clap close to us, making both of us jump at the  closeness  of the noise, “isn’t this just lovely. Are you trying to play the hero again paladin,” Lotor  sneered.  

I look above toward the voice and see Lotor only a few feet away. I feel Allura shift me off her lap, making me groan in discomfort. I try to stop her from standing, but my body just felt heavy. The princess stood as she let out her Bayard and made it extend into a staff as she got in position.  

“Well princess, it seems that the poison has run  it’s  course, and I must now finish you before I take care of the black paladin,” I could just hear the disdain in his voice.  

Allura steps in front of me, blocking me from Lotor’s vision as she raised her staff. There was silence for a split second before they attacked. They were moving fast, almost graceful like. The princess would strike down with her staff, and Lotor would slide under the attack, and try to hit her with his sword, but then she would duck out of the way and they would continue trading hits back and forth.  

Then, Allura was able to hit Lotor’s hand that was holding onto the sword, resulting in Lotor letting let it go and dropping it. Allura took advantage of the prince’s surprise and brought an onslaught of attacks, but Lotor would dodge every attack she threw at him. Until, Lotor caught the staff with his left hand, and used his right hand to punch her in the face, making her lose her grip on the staff.  

Lotor took the staff from her, making the weapon turn back to  it’s   bayard  form, and threw it far from her. Allura still had a hand on her temple from where she got hit at when Lotor got into a fighting position. Allura shook her head a little, and got into position. Now Allura is an amazing fighter, but hand-to-hand is not her strongest way of fighting. Sure, she’s good, but from what I saw of Lotor fighting, he had the  upperhand , and I'm not surprised. He's been alive for at least 10,000 years and it showed in his skills.  

I had to get up. I had to go against every demand from body that wanted me to keep still, ignore the protest that my body gave when I sat up. By the time I was just sitting up, my back on against the canyon, I felt dizzy, out of breath, and everything burned. I growled through clenched teeth, not wanting to distract the princess from the fight if she heard me yell in pain. I took a few deep breaths before I started to stand. I leaned against the canyon wall the entire time I tried to get up. Everything just hurt, but I had to push up. When I was finally standing, I was shaking, and leaning heavily on the large rock wall.  

I looked up in time to see Allura get thrown the same way she thrown him when she learned of what he did. She didn’t bounce as much, only once before she skidded across the ground, but it still  looked  like it hurt.  

I heard Lotor’s laugh from here as it seemed to echo, “How do you like it princess,” and he charged toward her while she was still on the ground.  

“Allura!” I shout out, feeling my chest expand stretch the gash across my torso, but I didn’t care because he was coming.  

She looked up in time to see him kick her, first in the gut, and then the head, knocking her out. I growled, feeling the vibration throughout my body. I summoned my black Bayard, wherever it fell during our fight as it materialized in my hand. I need something that has range, knowing I won’t be able to get to where Lotor was at, let alone fight to protect her. I then saw Lotor grab something from his boot.  

I squinted, trying to find out what it was until the sun, that has been setting throughout the chase and fight, glinted off of the weapon, and my eyes widen in fear.  

It was a small dagger. Smaller than my own, being able to barely be concealed in his boot. I have to do something, anything. I growl as I try to summon a ranged weapon, anything. I know you can get different weapons, lance did it, and so did Allura. Now I really need a new weapon upgrade. I growl as I close my eyes and try to summon something other than a sword.  

Patience yields focus.  I haven't needed to say those words a long time, but I need them now. Then, I felt the Bayard transform, but I know it didn’t transform into a sword. It was heavier. I snap my eyes open and look down and found a black canon that seemed to engulf my entire arm. I look up in time to see Lotor have the dagger above his head, and I shout his name.  

“Lotor!” he looks over to me, and glares at me until he catches notice of my weapon.  

I don’t say anything else; I'm already breathing hard as it is, and raise the canon so it aims for the Garlan prince. I just smirk as I push a button, and a large ball of Atlean blue comes shooting out of the weapon, and hits him square in the chest, making him fly through the canyon walls, leaving a hole that fits his size like a cartoon. I breathe a sigh of relief as I slump down to the ground and let my canon disappear back to its normal form. I lean my head back and squeeze my eyes shut as I feel the adrenaline finally leave my body, and start to feel the toll my body has taken through this fight. I just clench my fist and groan in my pain.  

I open my eyes, and slowly look down at my wound and grimace at it. It looks horrible. It looks like a regular sword slashed through me, then someone else part way burned the outer edges of the skin, but it didn’t help stop the blood flow. Might be the reason why I'm starting to feel a little dizzy. I squeeze my eyes close as what feels like another wave of pain engrosses me, as I feel every wound, and bruise. My back is killing me, my whole torso is burning, and my arms feel heavy. Everything just burns.  

I lean back my head and try to get comfortable while we wait for help. Then my eyes snap back open as I left my head away from the wall and look over to the other body hear in this canyon.  

Allura.  

I try to stand. I push all my weight on my two feet and try to get up, but all that happens is that I just fall back, and aggravate my wounds, making me whine pitifully in pain. I take a deep breath, ignoring how just simply breathing hurts more than anything else. I look back over to Allura. She's still down.  

I don’t know how hard she was hit, and she might have a concussion, though if she didn’t have one earlier from that bomb then she most likely will have one now. I deeply exhale, before I shout her name, hoping that she at least twitches her head so I know she isn’t dead.  

“Allura!” there’s nothing to the yell that seems to echo and disturb some bird like things, “Allura!”  

This time there is a groan that I have to strain to hear, but it’s there and I sigh in relief knowing that she is still alive. It doesn’t take it long before I see her lift her head. And that’s all I need to know that she’s fine, maybe a little roughed, but other than that fine. I start seeing blackness at the edges of my vision start to spread, and I don’t fight it. I slip into darkness as all my pain disappears with it.  

[popatochisssp]

Skele-gem follow-up! Because I totally forgot gem-weapons and bro-fusions!

(I don’t fuck with that ‘coexisting multiverses’ stuff, for the sake of my brain/time/sanity, so we’re supposing that all the AUs are self-contained, okay cool, here goes)

Sans (Undertale): Doesn’t have a weapon, per se... but his gem can shoot lasers, and that’s pretty cool, right? His favorite gag is psyching people out with it, making it seem like he’s about to fire a laser and then just shining a light like a laserpointer and snickering at their reaction.

Papyrus (Undertale): A broadsword, a majestic weapon fitting a gem such as himself! He’s very capable with it but always avoids gems’...well, gems when using it, as well as any typically vital areas for organics.

Their fusion is Boulder Opal, only four limbs (legs and arms) but almost as many eye-sockets (3, not counting Sans’ gem). Great sense of humor and sharp as a tack, they tend to be pretty stable together...right up until they moment they’re not. They can be doing just fine and then pop apart with no warning when faced with a moral conflict...or just a particularly awful pun. Their fusion weapon is a light-saber-- duh!

-

Sky (Underswap Sans): He uses a hammer, and to the exasperation of many, he always references ‘hammerspace’ when he’s summoning it unless the situation is too dire for comedy. It’s pretty funny...until the blunt end is swinging at you and dissipating your physical form in one heavy blow, at least. He’s just doing his job, though, and never shatters-- and in the case of organics, he’d rather fight hand-to-hand than risk any serious injuries.

Paps (Underswap Papyrus): He’s...not much of a fighter so he’s not very skilled with it, but his weapon is a basic staff. Mostly, he just uses it to keep people at a distance as best he can until the gems whose job it is to do this stuff can show up and take over, y’know?

Their fusion is Larimar, no extra anythings and very stable, definitely the chillest, friendliest guy in the room at any given moment. If they fuse for whatever reason, they generally only remember to unfuse with some sort of catalyst to remind them, like needing to be in two places at once or somebody pointing it out. Their weapon is a long war-hammer.

-

Jasper (Underfell Sans): I’m not reinventing the wheel here, he’s got a nice sturdy set of knuckledusters, with spikes for extra damage. He’s not shy of going straight for the metaphorical (or literal, depending on his opponent) jugular-- as a solo ruby, he’ll push every advantage he’s got to win.

Pyre (Underfell Papyrus): He’s a gem of class and high-standing, so it’s only natural his weapon of choice is a rapier. He uses a lot of flashy moves in battle, some with purpose and some just for flair, but he’s a formidable opponent nonetheless!

Fused, they make Rhodolite, who is one hell of a beast-- four arms, four eyes, and very unstable in any situation but combat. There’s a lot of temper and ego fighting under the surface and staying together is difficult unless they have one common goal to shut all that noise up. Their weapon is a heavy, devastating morningstar that you do not want to be on the other end of...ever. If you are, your best bet is to distract them until they start disagreeing about something, and they’ll pop apart pretty fast after that.

-

Mal (Swapfell Sans): He uses a scythe and to great effect poofing or threatening the gems of anyone who tries to challenge his authority. One of his favorite intimidation tactics with it is to hook the blade around the necks of anyone with a comment about his size or how he runs things and carefully pulling them down to his level to ask if they’d care to repeat that...? :)

Rus (Swapfell Papyrus): In spite of his occupation, he’s not much of a fighter either... He uses a shield instead of any kind of offensive weaponry, though in a pinch it does work well for artless bashing. Like everything else to do with being a guard, he pretty much just hopes nobody ever makes him use it.

Their fusion is Charoite, with an extra set of arms and that’s all. They’re focused and quiet, the strong silent type and relatively stable together. The highest chance of them falling apart before they mean to unfuse is when they’re startled by something and they’re torn right down the middle between the fight or flight response-- Rus will always choose ‘flight,’ and Mal tends toward ‘fight.’ If they don’t split in a situation like this, they tend to go too far in the other direction, clinging way too hard, and there’s a high chance of their fusion turning toxic and requiring a forceful separation... at which point, they’ll both be pretty embarrassed. Their weapon is basically a giant saw-blade.

-

Slate (Horrortale Sans): Well... he used to be able to do lasers, but after the crack... Something’s a little haywire in there now, so when he tries for light it comes out as sound instead, a very high-pitched ringing that’s actually pretty debilitating for anyone who hears it. It’s...not what he was going for, but he’ll take it.

Papy (Horrortale Papyrus): He used to be able to do a sword... and he...still can! ...Sorta? It’s very long and very thin, maybe more ‘whip’ than ‘sword’ and very hard to control. He’s working at it, but the physics are complicated, if it wasn’t a metaphysical weapon, he probably wouldn’t even be able to use it!

They make Boulder Opal, too! Just, uh... just a little less humanoid-looking, and less stable, though not for a personality conflict. Only one set of eye-sockets but two jaws (one set pharyngeal, like eels or the xenomorph from Alien) that can speak independently or in sync, and six limbs that they’ve wrangled into a centaur-like formation (à la Malachite). Though they look pretty creepy bizarre and have trouble holding a fusion for long, they’re actually very gentle and docile to the point that they mostly just spend their time fused staring into the distance and thinking about nothing, enjoying the scenery. If you managed to get them to summon a weapon, it would be a sonic cannon...but they’d really rather not use it.

[deltaengineering]

Fall Anime 2019 Part 4: also, he has a gun for a head

Beastars

So here’s the CG anime that everyone for some reason decided way in advance would be the best show of the season, more or less by default. I was very skeptical of this for a multitude of reasons. First of all, that is a bad name for a show and you can’t convince me otherwise. It’s actually even worse because you’re supposed to write it in all caps, but I refuse. Second, it has a terribly on the nose conceit in which all sorts of animals live together in a high school setting and it’s all metaphorical ‘n shit. The main character is a wolf but get this, he’s actually all sensitive and quiet! Yeah, this is definitely rated D for Deep. And finally it’s by Orange, the CG studio that got an inordinate amount of acclaim for making Houseki no Kuni, the show that everyone thinks looks great and finally made CG anime worthwhile (actual real fact: HnK does not look great most of the time and CG anime was worthwhile well before it). 

But enough about my preconceptions since Beastars is... pretty good, actually. If you ignore the setting, which is indeed terribly on the nose. And there’s not much else to say about the story so far besides it. However, it looks significantly better than Houseki no Kuni because it actually has really good character animation throughout instead of a one-minute action scene with flashy spinny camera tricks every other episode. The directing’s strong too, even if the show conspicuously mainly consists of obvious manga panels. I’m still not too hot on the animal stuff but the general writing seems to be sufficiently competent it would work simply on a character level. So I don’t love it, but it seems solid enough to see if it goes somewhere with its “Zootopia but also Beverly Hills 90210 but also they eat each other sometimes″ plot.

Rifle is Beautiful

Remember the whole “anime about some assorted anime girls joining a club doing an oddly specific activity” thing? This is another one of those, and now it’s about air rifle sports shooting. Except it’s not about air rifle sports shooting because that’s apparently way too violent, so they use rifles that look like exactly like air rifles but are actually based on lasers or really bright flashlights (they can’t keep their bullshit straight between scenes, sorry) instead. I just don’t think “girls doing activities” anime should blatantly misrepresent their subject matter like that, you know? With the possible exception of idol anime that is, ain’t nobody who wants to hear about that shit. Apart from that it’s nothing special, so if you are really into air rifles and wish to watch an anime that’s not about those, knock yourself out. It goes through a whole “club needs 5 members” arc in the first half of the first episode, so I really can’t say where it goes next. Nowhere much, I would guess.

Oh right, there’s one more thing: They frequently render the bodies in CG and the heads in traditional drawings, and they do it every time when they’d actually have to draw a rifle otherwise. It’s a weird effect that I think I haven’t seen anywhere else before, and it’s not great but also not terrible. And it’s the most interesting thing about the entire show.

Kabukicho Sherlock

“Let’s take a bunch of public domain characters and put them into a hip modern setting” seems to be its own genre at the moment, and not only because the BBC did that with S. Holmes, Esq. already. Obviously this show is influenced by that (besides other public domain namedroppers like Bungou Stray Dogs), mostly in Watson and his relationship with Sherlock, but Sherlock-san is rather different here; he’s neither the classic Victorian bohemian nor the abrasive sociopath of the BBC version, and tends more towards a bumbling 90s pop culture version of autism and/or general wackiness here. These two are surrounded by a bunch of campy transvestites for some reason, and I’m not quite sure whether I’m supposed to find this particular stereotype offensive or empowering this week, but it sure is annoying. And it has the same character designer as Joker Game, so if you like chiseled, angular anime men, you’re in for a treat here - even if they tend to wear a lot of makeup and dresses sometimes. I don’t know man, it seems sort of okay-ish for the most part but it’s neither as funny as they think, nor as weird as they think, nor is the murder of the week intriguing at all. Oh yeah, he’s hunting noted public domain character Jack the Ripper. Because of course he is.

 Shin Chuuka Ichiban!

I am told this is the sequel to episode 19 of a 52-episode anime TV show from 1997. Okay. I am also told to not dare watch this without the important setup therein, which makes me think I should pay less attention to what I’m told because understanding Shin Chuuka Ichiban and its backstory is not hard at all. Kid is superawesome cooking champion in ancient China and goes around clowning on lesser cooks, got it. It’s not a complicated setup and it’s not a complicated genre either: This seems to be mostly about sick shounen cooking duels. Besides the setting, the main difference between this and Shokugeki no Soma seems to be that SnS goes for ridiculous and Chuuka Ichiban goes for epic - which is to say that it fancies itself emotional as well. Apart from that it’s what you’d expect from a cooking shounen, big moves, big reactions, huge twists and so on. One notable thing is that this show looks really, really nice. Production I.G seems to be establishing a sideline in taking stuff from the 90s and updating it with smoother animation and shinier lighting, while keeping the overall look intact; They did it for Mahoujin Guru Guru, and this looks much the same. Still, I’m just fundamentally not really interested in what appears to be a very straightforward cooking shounen from the 90s.

Assassins Pride

Straight from the Department of Chuuni, we have this light novel masterpiece about a cool as fuck teenage assassin who teleports behind u and nothin personells fools all day. He then meets a princess he’s supposed to off but just kinda decides not to, probably because she seems to be smitten by his m’lady act. Now he has to use his sick skillz to keep them both alive. It’s awful and terrible and no good and also kind of adorable. This truly is the most 13 AND A HALF MOM years old anime in a while, and it’s not even isekai! The writing’s just so amateurish and corny you can’t help but smile when princesses exposit their backstory for no reason while being accosted by pumpkin monsters (without knowing that Awessassin McCooldude happens to be listening in, which is certainly convenient). Or when the episode ends with the man just reading the synopsis of the show out again, in case you were too fascinated by this plot to pay attention to what it’s about. Yeah I’m not going to watch this in a thousand years, but it sure made me chuckle. Your mileage may vary.

Mugen no Juunin - Immortal

Speaking of 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔢𝔱𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔢𝔡𝔤𝔢, another anime adaptation of Blade of the Immortal appeared! You know, the manga for the cultured and historically minded guro fan. The first episode of Blade of the Immortal runs with this and is an arthouse production that someone most definitely directed the shit out of. I don’t think I’ve seen this much directing since, well, Sarazanmai, but “Ikuhara amounts of directing” is pretty much the idea here. And most of the time it even works! The quickly edited, disorienting style gives episode 1 a feeling closer to horror than to a cool swordmen action show, and that really brings out the best in the material, which is grotesque splatter bordering on the comical - It’s somehow a better Junji Ito anime than the actual Junji Ito anime. I think it tries too hard in a few places, but at least it does try.

But then I watched the second episode and that one’s a fairly conventional splatter-comedy swordin’ anime. I am not at all pleased with this development. The third episode was better again and seemed to split the difference between 1 and 2, even if it mostly uses the tricky editing to save on effort in the action –  I would much prefer actually readable fights and the wacky mannerisms in the more psychological stuff, thank you very much. Based on episode 1 I thought we might have something special here, but as of episode 3 I’d already merely call it pretty decent. I guess I’ll still stick with it but man, that’s a real bummer.

No Guns Life

No Guns Life is a neo-noir thriller about a guy who has a gun for a head. That’s fuckin rad and exactly the kind of silliness I am totally down for. He also has a gun for a hand, and there’s also some battle nun’s who carry revolvers with two cylinders, so in short I think the title is false advertising. This sounds very wacky (and it is), but it also takes its noir very seriously, down to details more wannabe neo-noirs tend to neglect (like being set right after a big war). The look and feel is pretty excellent, with sharp design and high-contrast artwork, and the music goes all in on the moody saxophone as you’d expect. And there’s some really adorable “look mom, I’m writing” stuff about how Man With Gun For A Head really “needs someone to pull his trigger” and so on (which is, as the astute reader might remember, at the back of his head). It feels like a throwback but then I can’t really think of many 80s/90s shows like this, so it’s actually more like the sort of faux-retro idea Trigger/Imaishi would come up with on a lark. Trigger/Imaishi would, of course, make a far worse anime out of it, so it’s all good. Well, it has some pacing problems and as always it’s a fine line between amusingly camp and not so amusingly camp anymore, but No Guns Life seems to have enough real qualities that it can probably stand on its own even when its conceptual gimmick eventually doesn’t suffice anymore. I give it a two gun’s up.

Hoshiai no Sora / Stars Align

And finally, here’s an anime about middle schooler softboys playing a tennis just as soft as themselves, while being henpecked by the elites on the girl’s team. This is not an “actual” sports anime though: for starters, it’s not based on some shounen manga and is an anime original with quite some staff pedigree instead. It’s also more of a character drama that already goes to some surprisingly real places by the end of episode 1, reminiscent of the recent and quite good Run with the Wind. Furthermore, it looks delicious, with minimalist but distinctive and varied character designs and animation that’s both extremely detailed for a TV anime and also not trying to shove that fact into your face with flashy stunt cuts. In short, this show seems very simple at first glance but every aspect of it just oozes quality. If nothing else, it’s already worth watching just for the excellent ending sequence where the characters show off their “best” dance moves and the chunky student council president dunks on everyone. This one caught me by surprise and it’s an easy pick for most promising show of the season.

[aelaer]

Whumptober 17: “Stay With Me”

Holy crap! This thing turned out to be 4,000 words long! It definitely helps that I was able to pound out 1,500 words last night, because there’s no way I would have finished by midnight today otherwise.

This is a sequel to 14: Tear-Stained, but it’s not required to read that to understand this story. Also, this fills the trope “Raspy Breathing” for @badthingshappenbingo - the card is wayyyyy at the end.​

Fandom: MCU Characters: Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, Peter Parker, The Cloak of Levitation, Ebony Maw Premise: During Infinity War, Ebony Maw is not the only alien on the donut ship, so it takes some time to find him and Strange, which changes the situation dramatically. Inspired by @amethyst-noir​‘s two stories that did something of the same-- likely wouldn’t have thought of doing my own version with this one and #14, otherwise. Warnings: Brief mention of torture, aftermath of torture, horrid space needles

It made sense that Squidward wasn't alone on the rather large, donut-shaped ship. That didn't mean Tony had to like that fact.

He was attempting to be somewhat stealthy so he could get the jump on the telekinetic alien for some sort of advantage, and most of his weapons caused explosions which made his whole going rather slow. Instead of blasting aliens to smithereens he was forced to creep up on them and create a sword from his nanites to gut them or slit their throats. It was rather disgusting business, so up close, and he really would have rather avoided all of it.

But he already had a disadvantage against Squidward and he doubted any of these guys played fair, either. Besides, he had a somewhat annoying wizard and an Infinity Stone to find.

While he had yet to come across either Squidward or Strange, Tony was making decent progress, all things considered, as he made his way through the winding corridors. Every corpse he created he spent another minute hiding in closets and storage areas to keep his stealthy advantage, which was really not how he usually worked. He didn't particularly like it, either; it took entirely too long to hide the bodies and get around.

After killing another alien, he quickly scanned the immediate area for more heat signatures, thankful that he didn't have to rely on FRIDAY for the function. Nothing in the immediate area. Tony did another scan of the surrounding structure and found the nearest storage closet for the newest body.

He opened the door and tossed the corpse to the side of the room, but as he was about to leave, movement in the corner caused him to freeze. Tony narrowed his eyes; he hadn't seen so much as the heat signature of a rat (or its space equivalent) in here. He created his blade once more and slowly approached the spot where the movement came from.

There. Something was moving in the trunk, but he was still not getting any sort of heat signature.

The chest was locked with some sort of alien mechanism, but a ten second inspection revealed the weak point in the lock. He tapped his arm to trigger the laser, which burned through the metal easily until the lock was disabled.

Tony instinctively stepped back and charged up his gauntlet's repulsors as the chest burst open and a flash of red flew out.

Oh. It was Strange's cape.

The cape turned about in agitation until it was facing him, and then it stilled. Tony stared; it had nothing resembling facial features, but he couldn't help but feel that he was being inspected, anyway. He vaguely remembered the wizard saying something about the cape's sentience before the magical presentation on the Infinity Stones started, but still.

"So, uh," he started. "I guess the aliens put you in here."

The cape's collar bent and lifted in something resembling a nod, and this was really fucking weird. Not that he wasn't used to unusual things happening in his life, but this was something else.

"Right," he said slowly. "Well, you're a really loyal piece of outerwear. Do you know where Strange is?"

The cape darted to the open door in reply, and that answered that.

Tony closed the door behind him and followed the cape through the corridors, turning on his heat monitor as he did because the cape was moving much faster than he was before and he'd have to rely on that to alert him to any remaining aliens.

A couple minutes later he spotted a large heat signature around the corner. Tony grimaced and lifted himself upward to try and grab the cape before it could dart around the corner, but he was still trying to be as silent as possible and wasn't quite fast enough in his so-called 'stealth mode'.

It turned out that the cape didn't need any warning. He rounded the corner to find the cape had wrapped itself around the head of the alien and was trying to strangle him.

Wow. He blinked himself out of his momentary stupor and quickly put the alien out of its misery. Before he could even think about moving its body, the cape unravelled from its head and neck and was already darting down the corridor.

"Cape!" Tony hissed at it, then sighed and turned on his boot's repulsors to fly after it. And he was doing so well with the stealth thing, too.

Within five minutes, the cape had successfully strangled two more aliens as Tony stabbed them to death in some attempt to remain partially stealthy, and he wished he had found the cape sooner because this was a hundred times more effective than before.

"You're brutal. Efficient, but brutal," he told it after the third alien went down.

The next corner led to a very large room that had a heat signature far above, on an overlook of some sort. "Hold up," he said, successfully grabbing the cape this time before it could dart off. "There's one above to our right in the next room. Smaller than the others, but probably a lookout. We can't have it alerting Squidward. Try to stick to the shadows on the walls and go straight up until you find it; I'll be a few seconds behind you."

The cape seemed to understand his words because it moved without hesitation, and Tony started to quietly fly after it as it darted into the large room and immediately went upwards into the shadows. It was rather bright, but hopefully it would be fast enough before the lookout could alert anyone. He gave it five seconds before darting through the door and alongside the wall, heading toward the lookout.

He then made out the sounds of conversation. "...on your side! I'm here to save the wizard."

Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.

Tony ascended to find Peter Parker's back facing him. His hands were up in a consoling sort of manner as he talked to the cape.

The cape straightened as Tony arrived, and Peter looked over his shoulder. He blanched, then quickly said, "Mr Stark, I can explain—"

Tony landed and got into Peter's personal space, pointing a finger at him. "No, no, you don't get to explain—"

"—I just thought that, well, I was already up so high—"

"—I can't believe you—"

"—and it was just such a long way down—"

"—I don't want to hear it—"

"—and I thought of you and all—"

"—and now I have to hear it, I just said—"

"—and this suit is ridiculously intuitive, by the way, so if anything, it's kinda your fault that I'm here."

Tony couldn't believe he just said that; even the cape looked shocked, and that was still weird. "What did you just say?"

"I take that back," Peter quickly said. "And now I'm here in space!" he rushed out.

"Yeah, right where I don't want you to be," he hissed. "This isn't Coney Island. This isn't a field trip. It's a one-way ticket. You hear me?" He exhaled in irritation. "Don't pretend like you thought this through. You could not have possibly thought this through."

"I did think this through," the teenager insisted.

For the love of— "You could not have possibly thought this through," Tony repeated.

Peter retorted, "I did! It's just that— that you can't be a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man when there's no neighborhood."

Tony stared at him blankly.

The kid shook his head. "That made more sense in my head, but you know what I'm trying to say."

He let out a long, low exhale and closed his eyes. In the end, it really didn't matter; it's not as if he could send the kid back now. God damn it. "Fine. If you want to be useful, then think of some ways we can save the wizard. I think the cape knows where he is, but Squidward's probably with him too and we have to get rid of him."

Peter nodded quickly and entirely too eagerly, and Tony shakily inhaled once more before looking at the cape. "Lead on, cape."

The kid swung on his webs rather well to keep up with their fast pace, though the next two aliens they ran across Tony took care of himself, with the cape's ever useful assistance. Peter's wide-eyed stare that reflected on his mask at the fabric's brutal effectiveness was somewhat amusing, though he quickly shushed him when he tried to talk at it.

After those two, they didn't come across anyone else, and Tony saw no signs of any heat signatures. He was pretty sure they had gone through most of the ship at this point, so hopefully Squidward was the last alien still around.

They continued on in silence for about five minutes before Tony heard the screams that stopped them all in their tracks. They were hoarse, choked off sobs that sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. From the corner of his eye he saw Peter's mask reflect a wide-eyed look, and beyond the kid he noticed the cape stiffen in— if it were a person, he would say it was horror.

"Kid," Tony started slowly, lowly, "I don't know what the wizard's been put through, but it might be very bad. You don't need to come with me if—"

"No," Peter immediately interrupted, then swallowed. "I'm here to help rescue the wizard, Mr Stark. And he— he needs help."

He nodded slowly at Peter's words and spent no further time arguing; enough time had been wasted dealing with the crew and looking for Strange in the first place.

They continued down the hallway, their path punctured by the occasional scream or sob. It only took about a minute to get to their final destination, but it was one of the longest minutes of Tony's life.

They came to what appeared to be a balcony or overlook to another part of the ship; he squinted against the bright light streaming directly down into it, and realized that the overlook created a square around some sort of deep enclosure. He looked at Peter and put a finger to his lips, then crept closer to the rail. Another broken scream came from directly below as Tony approached, and he grimaced.

They had found Strange. And lo and behold, there was Squidward.

His frown deepened as he got a full look at the situation. Strange was floating vertically in the air surrounded by some sort of monster-sized needles. Squidward was way beyond the borders of the wizard's personal bubble, both creepy grey hands on his shoulders and mouth against his ear whispering God knows what. And then the alien lifted his hand and twisted it, and Strange let out another strangled cry. Tony squinted down, trying to see where the needles were hitting his body, and frowned when he saw that at this time, the only ones that seemed to be in him were all in his hands.

That was a terrifying thought. Tony considered himself fortunate that it was his chest and not his hands that had been ruined by shrapnel all those years ago. But now was not a time for his mind to wander.

He stepped back away from the overlook, pulling a white-faced Peter along with him. The cape followed, though it seemed reluctant. "Right," Tony muttered when he felt they were far enough. "Despite Squidward being a lanky bastard, he hits a hard punch. Telekinesis and all. If we have any hope of getting the wizard out of that, we have to take him down."

Peter blinked rapidly a couple times and stared at him as if he didn't quite hear everything as he said it, but his brain quickly caught up. "Oh, uh, I have an idea, actually. You told me to think of something, and I have a couple, but if he's as powerful as you say he is, then we should probably use my first idea, but I'm not sure if it'll work—"

"Just say it," Tony interrupted. "What's your best idea?"

"Well," the kid started, looking around them. "It'll only work if we can get uh, Squidward away from the wizard, and if the ceiling here is the outer edge of the ship."

Tony frowned and allowed the nanites to form his helmet before he did a quick scan. "It is. Why is that important?"

The kid then honest-to-God asked, "Have you ever seen this really old movie Aliens?"

————

He was on alien distraction and hole maintenance duty. The kid and the cape were on catching the wizard duty. "I don't know if he's in a state to catch himself," he reminded them. (Them? When did the cape become part of them?)

Peter was all business and he sent him and the cape to the other side of the overlook. Once he was in position, he purposely waited for a moment of silence from within the pit below before powering up the repulsor rays in his gauntlets.

That got Squidward's attention. He looked upward sharply and scowled. Strange, however, didn't seem to react at all, which was a wee bit concerning.

It was a bit of a distance to shout at each other and the alien didn't even try; he left his victim and began to float upward, bringing some of the needles with him.

While it was a shame that he didn't have a chance for quippy dialogue, Tony was more than happy to take his shot the moment Squidward was several feet away from the wizard. He used his shoulder rocket to blast a hole in the ceiling.

Goodbye, Squidward.

In his peripheral vision, he saw a blur of Strange's robes suddenly halt midair and trusted that either the kid or the cape had him, and spent as short a time as possible into sending a stream of strong, adhesive-like nanites at the hole in the ship until it was fully sealed shut.

By the time he finished that, it looked like the cape had caught the wizard and was gently lowering him down onto the floor of the overlook. He twitched a bit in its hold, but otherwise wasn't moving that much, and that wasn't good.

Tony hurried over to the man and knelt beside him; he could feel Peter hovering nearby. He quickly scanned him for injury: his face had some rather nasty bruises, but nothing that broke skin. It appeared his hands were the worst of it. "Hey, Strange. C'mon Strange, wake up."

Strange groaned softly and his eyes half-fluttered open, but his hand twitched and he cried softly while his eyes fluttered shut.

Shit. "No, no, I'm sorry, you can't sleep yet. Stay with me, Strange." Fuck, what was his first name? Oh, right. "Come on, Stephen. Stay with me." As the man battled for consciousness, Tony turned to look at Peter. "All the aliens on the ship should be dead. Try to find some water here; even aliens probably have to hydrate. If by some horrid circumstances there is something else still alive here, hide and then come right back here. Don't try to handle it on your own; I can't deal with two injured people."

Peter nodded shakily and took off to do as ordered, and Tony turned back to the wizard to try and rouse him back to consciousness.

About half a minute later, Strange's eyes fluttered open again and this time he seemed a bit more alert. He winced, then finally focused on his face. "Stark?" His voice was hoarse, his breath raspy.

He couldn't help but keep his voice low. "That's me."

"... what are you doing here?"

He sounded bewildered more than anything, and Tony had no idea what to think of that. So he swallowed and fell to his time-honed skill of casual ribbing, though he couldn't raise his voice above a whisper. "Saving your magical ass."

Strange's lips twitched. He then looked downward towards his hands.

"Don't move them," he warned.

He didn't, and he stopped trying to look at them for now. Tony only spared them a quick glance; even in the half-light, he could see they were bloodied and swollen. He'd see what he could do once the kid was back.

Strange closed his eyes, but he didn't appear to be drifting off again; he was too tense. "How'd you get here?" he mumbled.

"Hitched a ride before the ship could leave the atmosphere. Unfortunately Squidward had a lot of buddies here in Bikini Bottom that I had to take care of. Delayed me. I did find your cape along the way, though. It's rather aggressive, which was great for me and not so great for the aliens."

"Cloak," Strange mumbled.

"What?"

"It's a cloak. Not a cape." He sounded awful, but Tony needed for him to stay awake and recover; they needed to figure out what to do, and whether they got along or not, the wizard had managed to keep the Time Stone away from Squidward despite what he was put through. A lot of people couldn't do that.

So time to distract him. "What's the difference?" he asked. "Thought they were the same thing."

"Depends," he rasped, opening his eyes again. They appeared rather glassy. "Cloaks're usually wider… 'n longer. Sometimes said inter...changeably." He paused to swallow and winced, but pressed on. "But it's called the… Cloak of Levitation."

"Appropriate name," Tony replied. "Rather aggressive, as I said. It strangled about half a dozen aliens on our way to you."

Strange grimaced again. "It can be… overzealous… about my… well-being." He shut his eyes once more, pressed his lips together, then looked up at Stark. "I think… some of the needles broke off. Broke off…" He trailed off and looked downward, and Tony nodded quickly in understanding. "I'll need… I'll need your help. Getting them out."

"Yeah, 'course," Tony said. "I'm just waiting for Underroos to come back."

His brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"

"He'll be here soon," he replied, not bothering to say further. Strange didn't say anything in return and he had closed his eyes again. Tony frowned; he needed him to stay awake.

So he fell back to their argument on Earth. "I told you to leave," he reminded him. "To hide the Stone."

Strange's lips down-turned, which meant he was awake enough to be agitated; good. "You saw what he did… to Greenwich Village. They knew… I was there. They would've… followed me elsewhere. On Earth. Better… to fight in one spot."

Tony frowned; Strange had a point, and it only added to the nagging idea already lingering in the back of his mind. "So we can't turn around."

The wizard's eyes flew open. "What?" he asked, and he seemed to be a good deal more alert now. Good man.

"You literally just said it, but since you were just used as a pin cushion, I'll let your poor memory slide for now," Tony replied, and the wizard frowned even more, looking more irritated than pained. That was a good change in his opinion. "I mean it: you saw what they did to New York. If we brought the Time Stone back to Earth, they'll do that wherever you land next."

"Could fight in the Sahara," he mumbled. "No people there."

Was that… a joke? Tony couldn't tell. Strange had winked earlier, so he didn't seem completely bereft of a sense of humor. Still, he might just be delirious with pain, so for now Tony kept serious. "Look, I'm not so sure if it's a better plan to fight Thanos on our turf or his but you saw what they did, what they can do. At least on his turf, he's not expecting it. So it might be a better idea to take the fight to him." The more he thought about it, the more Tony was convinced this was their best option. It'd be best if the wizard agreed, but at the same time, he wasn't exactly in a position to argue.

Before Strange could reply, they were interrupted by Peter's return. "Sorry I took so long, Mr Stark! It took a while to find anything, but I did find water and even some sort of cloth towel things that I can rip into bandages if you need them. Oh, the wizard's awake! Are you okay?"

Strange just stared at him, and frankly, Tony couldn't quite blame him. Peter was sometimes exhausting on a good day, and this was very, very much not a good day. "I'll live," he rasped eventually, and that answer seemed to satisfy the kid.

"Okay, give him some water, kid," Tony said before Peter could start on again. "I'll take a look at your hands."

The cape— or cloak, whatever— helped Strange into a more upright position to drink while Tony scanned the damage on his hands. It appeared that two of the needles had broken off in his left hand, though his right hand was free of any shards. They were relatively near the surface, at least. What was more interesting was the fact that there were about a dozen steel pins holding Strange's fingers together.

That explained why Squidward focused so heavily on them. Good riddance.

During his examination he heard Peter make conversation to Strange. "I'm Peter, by the way."

"Doctor Strange," he said after he had his fill of water, which seemed to help curb the raspiness a bit.

"Oh, we're using our made up names! Uh, then I'm Spider-Man."

He could hear the disbelief in the silence that followed. Deciding to take pity on the man, Tony threw in, "No kid, that's his actual name. Doctor Stephen Strange."

"Oh! I'm sorry!" He could see the kid's eyes widen in his head just from the tone of voice. "So uh, if you're actually a doctor, then you probably know better what to do. I was just gonna wash your hands off."

Tony formed a small pair of tweezers with the nanites and, after a moment, removed the gauntlet from his right hand for more precision.

"Usually with punctures this deep you'd go to the ER," Strange answered. "Running water would be better, too... if you can't get to the ER. But don't worry about me.” He paused as Peter offered him another drink, then explained further, “I can expend some energy to heal them."

What? If that's the case, why didn't he do that to his broken hands the first time?

Tony then realized, by the stares both Peter and Strange were giving him, that he had actually said that comment aloud. Oops.

Surprisingly, Strange answered his rather indelicate question. "I didn't know magic was an option at the time. By the time I did, it was too late. I can only help with new injuries, not old ones, and I can only heal if I have the energy to do so."

He cleared his throat. "Right. Well, I'm going to remove the two splinters remaining in your hands so you can do your magic thing, then." Mindful of injuries both old and new, Tony held his hand down while he removed the needle shards from his left hand. Strange inhaled sharply through his nose, but otherwise didn't react to their extraction, which really painted a clearer picture in Tony's mind at his pain tolerance— and just how bad Squidward's needles really were.

Probably magic. Fucking magic.

Tony removed the last one and let out his own exhale. "Okay, done." He looked around at their surroundings. "I think we're about a five minute walk from the main ship deck. Can you make that walk?"

Before Strange could answer, the cloak, still cradling his entire body including his head, lifted him in a reclined position. "I don't think I'm being given a choice here," he replied dryly. "Which is fine; I'll work on repairing myself so I might be of some use in the next fight, whether it's on Earth or Titan."

Titan. Sounded ominous. "S'pose that's where the auto-pilot's taking us," he commented more than questioned.

"So I was told," he answered, then closed his eyes.

Tony left him to it. Once they were on the main deck, he'd make sure that Titan was their destination. And he was sure they'd need the wizard in peak condition for the battle to come.

[cloudbattrolls]

And No One Else Will Do

Etuuya Vannyn || Present Night || OLSC HQ

You don’t know why they bothered to put restraining cuffs on you when you came willingly.

After Rivali no doubt called them, the company sent a ship that spilled out several of their forces to take you in as the other jade hovered nearby looking so smug you wanted to slap their silly face.

So now you’re cuffed in the middle of a row of seats in the ship, chained to them and surrounded by guards.

Then you look down. Right, you’re covered in every shade of the legal rainbow, so much it seeped under your armor and into your clothes. It would be nice if they let you wash yourself before seeing Tulais, but you doubt that. It would ruin the effect.

These are going to dry and be so stiff.

That’s all you think about? Your clothes? What about all the trolls you just slaughtered?

A voice that sounds sort of like Uunive’s reprimands you from a corner of your mind.

It’s not like you can bring them back. 

You threatened the medic and then you turn around and kill hundreds more than she did. You weren’t even cornered. You could have walked away with the refugees instead of letting Rivali do your job for you.

Interesting. Do you have a conscience now? Is this what your daughter knowing the truth does to you?

The easy answer is that it was worth it to ensure the safety of the survivors. You stepped up and fought where other trolls would die, and spared those potential lives as well as the townsfolk devastated by the Darkened’s attack.

You lick your fangs (mouth closed, of course, you don’t want to be prodded with a gun) and feel the rare sensation of power undulating in the worms of your body. It’s a good thing your guards don’t know how useless these restraints are right now. 

Does it matter why? It’s done, like dear blunt medic Wistim would say, and no one can change it. You certainly can’t change what you are, and at least you did something.  

The trip over is dull and your mind drifts frequently, until it lands and you’re unchained and shoved down the ramp by your guards and into the underground passage that leads to HQ. You wince from the rough treatment, still tender from regenerating, but it’s hardly any use complaining.

Rivali walks over and steps alongside you and your escort, arms crossed as they stare down their nose at you primly.

“My name’s jadepup, and I get others in trouble to give my empty life meaning because I find being snide at others doesn’t fill the hole inside my soul.”

Your mocking singsong voice fails to do anything to change their expression. Well, you suppose that was rather petty and basic. You’re tired.

“See if Tulais doesn’t finally see reason and end your wretched life.” They say softly. “She’ll see I’ve been right all along.”

"I’d be shocked and betrayed if this was at all out of character for you.” You retort, rolling your eyes. “When are you going to learn that anything you try to do to me blows up in your face?”

They only smirk and back off, clearly confident they’ve got you this time.

They might be right. You did disobey a direct order. If this were Fleet, you’d be culled, no questions asked. If it were the caverns your fate would depend on how senior you were.

As a creature with no rights except those of property, Tulais can do whatever she pleases to you. 

What will they tell the children? Will they encourage them to forget you? They probably won’t need to; they can just emphasize Rivali’s role instead. Kids forget things as easily as breathing.

You’re taken into a chamber you’ve never been before, where a wall of laser bars separates you from the tealblood sitting on the raised podium on the other side, two other trolls you don’t know on her left and right, her expression inscrutable as she rests her hands on her crossed fingers. You’re roughly encouraged to sit down on one of the rows of chairs.

“Etuuya Vannyn. You have put the company in danger through your reckless actions, disobeyed a direct non-engagement order, and made an enemy of the Imperial Fleet. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

You raise a finger.

“Is anything I say going to matter? Have you already decided what you’re going to do to me, and this is just morbid curiosity? If so I’d like to skip to my fate, please.”

Karina doesn’t know how to cull you, but you’re sure she’d have a grand old time figuring it out.

Those black eyes of hers gaze down at you with unblinking teal pupils.

“I would like to hear your version of events before I decide your punishment. This is not a legislacerator court; we hear all defendants.”

You take a deep breath. You don’t need to, but your body behaves in certain trollish ways regardless.

“The fleet was sending down troops to interrogate the survivors for information about the Darkened’s attack. They were flushing out and rounding up civilians who’d just lost their hives, their lusii, and mother grub knows what else. Rivali can confirm that.”

The younger jade’s lips purse in a disapproving frown, but they nod.

“I couldn’t be everywhere at once, and there was still a town to evacuate, even with the backup I called in - ”

“You called unauthorized backup?” says the troll to her right disbelievingly. The left is busy typing down everything being said. “Why would you jeopardize us like that?”

You grit your fangs, ears flicking irritably, but blow out some air and manage a polite tone.

“I assumed unauthorized backup to get trolls out alive was better than none. I didn’t compromise the company; they don’t know anything about us. Rivali can confirm that too.”

Confusion flickers across the podium trolls’ faces but you don’t really feel like explaining the chatroom right now.

Rivali’s frown grows deeper.

“They know Vannyn’s name.” They say, arms crossed. “I otherwise didn’t witness them giving out any incriminating information. I can’t say what they might’ve done in direct messages, however.”

Of course jadepup just couldn’t let it go.

“You have my phone.” you remind your...judges? Whatever they are. “You can search it to see I’m telling the truth.”

Tulais makes a sharp hand gesture to cut off the arguing that’s broken out between her two assistants.

“Investigation of Vannyn’s claims pending.” The teal announces to the room as a whole, then looks at you again. “Please continue.”

“Anyway, then I fought. Did you get any footage of that? I’d be impressed if you managed. I know dear Rivali wasn’t anywhere near the battlefield.”

“Regretfully, Tescin followed their instructions.” says Tulais dryly as Rivali’s brief flicker of anger returns to self-satisfaction again. “I seem to recall requiring that you ask before charging into action.”

You wince.

“That’s a fair hit. Consider, however; getting those trolls out and in a perfect position to be falling over themselves in gratitude to us was more important.”

“You only fought on the ground. It was unlikely soldiers who were already injured from their ships going down would pose much of a threat.”

She just doesn’t get it. 

“Have you ever tangled directly with the fleet, my dear?” 

A disapproving ripple goes through the room at your overly familiar language. You plow on.

“They do not give quarter. They do not stop and go ‘oh well, my ship is busted, better hunker down and play a few rounds of pinochle while I wait to get the command to turn around and go hive’. The Empire’s colonies were not conquered because her armies practice restraint. They were paid for in the blood of anyone who stood in their way. The Fleet does not care about their own people if those people are even remotely perceived as a threat.”

With minimal effort, crack the restraints on you with a few turns of your wrists and stand up.

The guards shout and push against each other to secure you, but Karina again gestures for them to stop.

“You sent me out because of what I am and what I can do. Don’t complain to me that I did my job.”

You sit back down, legs crossed, head held high. Then you lower it. Ow. Your neck is sore.

Karina flicks a switch and the bars become a solid wall of translucent red light, through which you can make out her conferring with her judges. She calls Rivali in at one point as well.

A few minutes pass, and the wall becomes barred again, with Rivali coming back out. Their shoulders are rigid, their face now drawn in...anxiety? Disgust? 

“Etuuya Vannyn, for your disobedience, reckless actions, and submission to your drinker lust for blood, you will be put to death.”

You lean back in your seat, putting your blood-spattered armored arms behind your head.

“Do your worst.”

Tulais gets a sparkle in her eye you don’t like.

Rivali, their hands shaking - shaking, for some reason - takes out a knife that at first looks indeed long and sharp, but is as incapable of killing you as it would be gl’bgolyb.

Then their hands move along its hilt, and you can feel how the blade becomes superheated even from a few feet away.

You swallow.

“Oh, wow, hm. Ah, no need to take that so seriously. Haha, who am I kidding. Spectator murder is fun for the whole crew!”

“Your executioner will be Rivali Tescin.”

They still haven’t spoken. Their ears pin back against their perfectly combed hair, their clean clothing the polar opposite of your gore-spattered armor.

Karina Tulais has a pleased expression. Her two henchtrolls don’t. 

Rivali looks like they just swallowed poison.

You crack a slightly twisted smile.

“What’s wrong, jadepup? You want me dead, don’t you? You think I deserve it.”

They don’t move. Don’t speak. A sheen of sweat is forming on their face. 

“Don’t tell me; you crave the sight of a slaughtered monster, but don’t want to have to do the killing. I’m too disgusting for you to sully your hands with. Too bad an order’s an order.”

They take a step. Then another one. The point of the knife is almost at your throat.

Your worms writhe inside you, but you keep them down. 

There’s no point resisting. If Rivali didn’t kill you, the guards would.

Perhaps you should be grateful. It will probably be quick.

Rivali finally gets what they wanted. One of you wins, at least.

You close your eyes.

If only you could have said goodbye to Uunive, little though you deserve it.

A clatter sounds.

You crack open an eye and see the knife on the floor and Rivali on their knees next to it.

“Did you miss?” You say, only half jesting. Confusion is your overriding emotion.

“Try again; I’m right here. Nice easy target for you.”

“Shut up.” They snap, though they still look ill.

Their jade eyes meet your own as they stand up, and do something utterly bizarre.

They offer you their hand.

After several blinks and pinching yourself to be sure, you cautiously, delicately take it. They help you up and then quickly let go.

You look at Tulais, eyebrows practically raised to your horns.

She leans on one arm, apparently enjoying all of this hugely.

“You are a thorn in my side, Vannyn.” She says through lips twitched upward, though her voice is hard. “If you were any less useful - or replaceable - you would certainly be dead. As it is, you will receive a perigee in solitary, aside from Tescin’s visits. I expect the pair of you to improve your relationship for the sake of the company and the work to come. Despite everything, you both served us well tonight. Luckily for you, we’ve since received reports that the Darkened’s static weapon erased all footage except those of such low quality as to be useless for identification.”

You raise your hand.

Tulais gives you a look.

“That’s swell, but why the drama. I know jadepup here longs for the stage, but I don’t think this is what they had in mind.”

“You needed a demonstration of what I will do if you disobey me again, or act recklessly.” She states, staring you down. “Is that clear?”

“If it were any clearer I could use it as a window.”

“Good. Meeting adjourned.”

Rivali steps away from the knife, and one of the guards picks it up. You stare at it until it disappears. Wow, you hate that thing. So simple and so very effective against you. It would take a couple of good stabs to do you in for good, but boy would it work.

Everyone else files out, leaving only you, your would-be killer, and the soft hum of the laser bars.

“So, what did Karina say to you?”

“I didn’t know that would happen.” They say through tight lips. “She said it was a precaution, in case you gave in to your drinker instincts.”

“Ah, I see she likes to play with us both. Equality at its finest.”

You shed your armor, leaving you in your bloodstained clothes, and stretch. That feels so much better. Most of your ripped open spots are at least roughly patched over with rapidly growing skin, and by this point you don’t care about Rivali’s sensibilities anyway. They can leave.

Yet they’re still standing there.

You blink and shrug, palms up in the universal body language for wanting to know why.

The kommodor troll huffs, and looks away from you.

“You’re a disgusting abomination and I hate that we’re being forced together. I thought I was finally free of you, but no.”

“If only you’d been a coward and stayed behind after all. She wouldn’t have thought we made such a good team.”

They spin and turn to you, arms out with their hands up, clenching and unclenching.

“I am not a coward.” They spit. “Don’t you ever call me that again.”

You almost make a flippant remark, but then think better of it.

“All right.”

Rivali looks so surprised, so anxious and unsure for a moment, before their face hardens into its usual cynicism.

“Don’t toy with me, Vannyn.”

“You just spared my life. I guess that earns you a favor.”

They look pained.

“Don’t ever say that again, either.”

“You spared my li~ife.” You croon, singsong. “You spared the icky disgusting rainbowdrinker and your reward is getting to work with me more!” You clap your hands as if delighted.

Rivali looks like they’ll be sick again and also as if they are vehemently regretting their life choices.

You laugh and start walking toward the door.

“Come on, let’s find out where my jail cell is. Bring your mother to visit, I might actually start to miss her.”

“I will not.”

Yet they still walk willingly after you.

END

[you-get-to-exhale-now-cyrus]

Cyrus’ Dictionary

1 || 2 || 3 || 4

Summary: Cyrus has always been good with words; there’s a reason English is his favorite subject. But with TJ, he seems to be at a loss for words. When they get paired up for a summer assignment, Cyrus slowly starts to build a new dictionary. One that involves TJ and everything they do together. Along the way, maybe he’ll find the words to tell him how he feels.

Chapter 2: Smultronställe

Word Count: 2523

Read on AO3

Don’t be late. Don’t be late. Don’t be late.

TJ hurried towards the swings, nearly tripping over his untied shoes (which Amber reminded him of earlier). He checked his phone again, and 12:01 shone back at him. Crap.

“Cyrus!” he called, seeing a figure in the distance, his swing moving ever so slightly. As he got closer, he could see that Cyrus looked, dare he say it, forlorn? He slowed his pace, trying to regain oxygen in his lungs so he wasn’t panting.

Cyrus didn’t respond; his gaze was laser focused on the ground, at a small patch of wild strawberries growing near the swings. He didn’t really notice when TJ had sat down by him, other than noting that the swing was moving.

“I brought your journal,” TJ said after a pause, handing it to Cyrus, who took it without looking up at him. He nodded in gratitude, placing the small book beside him. And then it was silent again. TJ tried to let it go on as much as he possibly could, counting the blades of glass that poked out from underneath the wood chips.

“Thanks,” Cyrus finally spoke, his voice sounding strangely small, “for the journal, I mean,”

TJ nodded, waiting for him to say more but he didn’t. Motivated by what one could only call absurd bravery, he extended his hand out for Cyrus, if he so desired. After feeling like it was a mistake and ready to take it back, the other boy reached his hand out and linked his pinky with TJ’s, and both boys audibly sighed.

“Smultronställe,” Cyrus mumbled, his and TJ’s hands swinging lightly between them, “it’s Swedish,” he added, noting TJ’s expression, “it means, like, well it literally translates to ‘a place of wild strawberries’, but it’s, like, a place you return to for relaxation and solace,”

“Swings,” TJ replied, after he’d processed that Cyrus was one mystery after another, “they’re peaceful,”

“. . .Yeah,” Cyrus hesitated, chewing on his lower lip, “a smultronställe is supposed to be a stress free place. . .”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” TJ filled in the space, gently giving the other boy’s pinky a squeeze.

Cyrus sighed, taking both of his hands and using them to prop up his head with his hands, his elbows resting on his thighs. “Do you ever feel weird?”

TJ blinked, rubbing his hands against his knees. “Weird? Like, in what sense?”

Cyrus sighed, gripping the swings and throwing his head back. “Like, I don’t know,” he groaned, failing to find the right words, “like, it’s like, I’m on the outside. Like I’m watching myself live a life that I’m being. . .not forced, per se,” he muttered, sitting upright, “but like. . .pushed? Maybe? I don’t know,”

TJ nodded, kicking his feet a little to start swaying. “I get that,” he agreed, “it’s like. . .you recognize that you’re living a life where some things that you thought you could or should control, you can’t,”

“Exactly, and like,” Cyrus huffed, “I should be able to have control over these things in my life. Control over who knows, and when, and how they find out,” he rambled, clenching his hands into fists, which did not go unnoticed by TJ.

“Hey,” TJ whispered, straddling the swing, “whatever it is you need to get off your chest,” he gestured to himself, “I’m here for you,”

Cyrus let out a shaky sigh, his eyes glossy with a layer of tears forming, threatening to fall with a single blink. “I. . .sorry, this is just hard to say and I’m worried, even though I really shouldn’t be because I know you’re a great person and,” he took a deep breath, trying to continue. He shut his eyes tightly, a few loose tears trickling down his face.

TJ instinctively reached out and swiped them away, putting his hands on Cyrus’ shoulders. “You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to,” TJ reminded him, feeling Cyrus relax under his touch. Cyrus’ heart was probably racing, but TJ’s felt like it was going to explode out of his chest.

“You’re gonna hate me,” he whispered, the very idea making a sob escape from his lips, “you’re never going to want to be around me again.”

TJ felt tears budding at the corners of his eyes, but he didn’t let them escape, for Cyrus’ sake. “I could never hate you, Underdog,” he promised, wanting nothing more than to just press a kiss to the other boy’s temple and make him feel better, “there’s nothing you can say to make me stop being around you. I mean, unless you murdered someone,”

Cyrus snorted, a tiny smile ghosting his lips. “I haven’t murdered anyone,” he replied softly, inhaling sharply, “but, TJ. . .I’m gay,”

And there it was. He finally mustered up the courage to push those two terrifying words out, and now they hung in the open. Cyrus couldn’t even look at TJ’s face, not willing himself to meet his gaze of what he was sure would be utmost disgust and disappointment.

“So?”

Cyrus’ head snapped up, his watery gaze meeting TJ’s nonchalant one. “What do you mean ‘so’”?

TJ shrugged, putting his hand on the other boy’s knee. “I mean that I’m glad you told me, but that it doesn’t change how I think of you. You’re still you, Cyrus. I’d accept you no matter what,” he promised, opening out his arms.

Cyrus straddled the swing as well, and leaned forward, burying his head in his TJ’s chest, and letting the tears flow openly. And even though the chains of the swings were digging into him (and probably TJ too, as a result), he felt so much better. It was, as cliche as it sounded, like a weight lifted off of his shoulders. He finally felt like he didn’t have to walk on eggshells around one person.

TJ, however, felt almost the opposite. Of course he would accept Cyrus, that wasn’t even a question; it would be hypocritical if he didn’t, afterall. He wanted so badly to tack on ‘I’m gay too’ to his little acceptance speech, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to take this important moment away from Cyrus. So, he simply cut that part out. But every second that passed, he started to regret that decision. Coincidentally so, every second that passed, he thought would be a worse and worse time to come out.

Cyrus picked his head up from TJ shirt, fanning his eyes quickly. “Sorry,” he mustered, choking out a laugh, “I didn’t think I’d be crying, at least this hard,”

“Don’t apologize, Cy. It can be terrifying to put yourself out there,” TJ reminded him.

Cyrus scoffed, swiping at his loose tears. “You mean like when a certain basketball player asks girls to dances but they never say no?”

TJ laughed nervously, averting his attention from the other boy. “Something like that,” he mumbled, just quiet enough so Cyrus didn’t hear.

“Now that I feel emotionally drained,” Cyrus chuckled softly, “we should do something, like actually fun. There’s a laser tag place pretty close by. . .what do you say?”

TJ smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Hate to break it to you, Underdog, but I am a master at laser tag,”

“Is that a challenge?” Cyrus raised his brows, “You absolute overconfident buffoon, laser tag is a game of skill, not athleticism,”

“We’ll see about that,”

About an hour later, they found themselves at the laser tag arena, with Amber, Andi, Marty, and Buffy. They texted them as soon as they left the swings, and agreed to meet up and play a round or two. And TJ may or may not have slipped the employee at the table a few dollars to convince him to be on Cyrus’ team. Amber and Andi were on opposing teams, but they swore they wouldn’t go for each other. Buffy and Marty begged to be on opposing teams, but the man was either too tired or didn’t care enough to do anything.

“Let me help you with that,” TJ offered, helping Cyrus slip the jacket over his head, “wouldn’t wanna lose because of faulty use,”

“Okay, so,” the employee, a man who looked no older than 20 sighed, “two teams. No running, no profanity, and please when I say the game is over, exit through the door. It’ll be lit by the orange arrows. Have fun,”

He opened the doors, and immediately, all the kids, including ones that they had never seen before, were scampering around the arena, filling the room with squeals and the sound of feet pounding the carpet.

Cyrus did what he did best; find a small corner, crouch, and try and stay hidden. A few little kids spooked him and shot at him, effectively lowering his score. Groaning, he put his head in his hands.

“Boo,” a familiar voice interrupted.

Cyrus scrambled to grab his laser gun, shooting blindly and hoping he was hitting something.

“We’re on the same team, dumbass,” TJ snarked kneeling down beside him, “I’m here to help you,” he added, sitting down and leaning against the wall.

“Thanks,” Cyrus mumbled, pulling his knees into his chest, “I’m not really good at this. I may or may not have lied,”

TJ breathed out a laugh, opening his mouth to say something, but he was cut off by a barrage of kids screaming and coming their way. After a split second, TJ jumped behind Cyrus.

“What are you doing?” Cyrus hissed, before feeling a pair of arms wrap loosely around him ad grab his laser gun.

“Helping you win, duh,” he muttered, taking Cyrus’ hands and putting them on his laser gun. He let his hand rest gently on top, and he couldn’t help but try and bite back a smile. Bringing their hands up, he helped Cyrus aim and shoot at the other team, the lights on their vest going out. Just then, a voice over the announcer said that the game was over, and to please follow the orange arrows to the exit.

Marty and Buffy were the first ones out the door, with Buffy pumping her fist, as she’d beat Marty. Amber and Andi walked out hand in hand, which honestly, did not surprise TJ, or Cyrus for that matter, in the slightest.

“Hey look! You did it!” TJ pointed at the screen, where the number one spot was occupied by the screen name of RAINBOW. It matched the name that Cyrus had on his vest.

“We did it. I wouldn’t have gotten close without your help, you know,” he insisted, taking his vest off and hanging it on the wall, TJ doing the same.

“I’m so proud of you, I could just hug you right now,” TJ exclaimed, clasping his hand over his mouth immediately after. Did he really just say that out loud?

Cyrus chuckled, shrugging. “What’s stopping you?”

TJ opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. To hell with it, he thought, reaching forward and wrapping Cyrus in a hug. Truly, he could stay like this forever, his life encapsulated in this one moment.

“You’re a pretty good hugger,” Cyrus commented, still not detaching from the other boy, “and that’s coming from someone who really enjoys hugs,”

TJ pulled his torso back, his arms still wrapped around Cyrus’ waist. “What makes you think I don’t really enjoy hugs? I love hugs,”

Cyrus rolled his eyes playfully, a smile dancing on his lips. “Surprise after surprise, Teej,”

“Alright break it up, lovebirds,” Buffy intruded, startling both boys out of their moment, “Marty and I are going for milkshakes. And,” she added, glancing at him, “he’s paying because I won laser tag,”

Marty pretended to bow down to her, raising and lowering his arms. “As you with, my queen,”

“You guys wanna come?”

Cyrus and TJ exchanged glances, shaking their heads in unison. “We’re good thanks,” Cyrus replied, to which Buffy gave him a knowing look, before turning and leaving with Marty, hand in hand.

Amber and Andi were over by the air hockey table, playing each other and laughing to hard that TJ thought one of them might pass out at some point. Amber looked up for a moment, meeting her brother’s eyes. He raised his brows, while Amber glanced at Cyrus over and over, as if trying to push TJ to talking to him.

“So,” he started, kicking at the carpet, “what should we do for the next activity? Anything you want,”

At that, Cyrus beamed, his eyes lighting up. “There’s a Christmas in July festival close by! And I know that it’s kind of far away but, like, tickets are on sale,” he suggested.

“That sounds awesome,” he smiled, before he faltered, “I think I’m going on vacation for part of July though. When is it?”

“Um,” he hummed, pulling out his phone and searching, “. . . it’s the 13th and 14th of July,”

TJ fist pumped the air, smiling. “I’ll be there,”

“Great,” he replied, followed by a beat of silence, “I’m gonna get going home but. . .today was so fun. Thanks for winning for me,”

“Hey,” TJ gently punched his shoulder, “you could’ve done it. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Cyrus nodded, pivoting on his heel and walking out the door.

TJ smiled to himself. It’d been a pretty good day.

When he got home, Cyrus flopped down on his bed, pulling his journal out from under his bed and flipping to the back. He thought back to the events of the day, before picking a word.

cingulomania: the desire to hold someone in your arms

He lingered a moment longer, remembering him and TJ, together in the little arcade. TJ really did give the best hugs. Maybe-

“Nope,” Cyrus mumbled, flipping back to the front and pushing his emotions aside, “just gonna write down what happened. Journalism. No feelings. Just facts.”

6/4

Today me and Cyrus went to the swings and he came out to me we talked. Nothing in particular just about us. Then we went to the laser arcade with Marty, Buffy, Andi, and Amber. Cyrus and I stuck together and he ended up coming on top! I was really proud of him. Then we hugged in celebration and he told me that I gave the best hugs. We made plans to go to the Christmas in July festival, and it’s going to be so fun. I don’t know what we’re going to be doing tomorrow but I know it will be fun because it’s gonna be with him.

TJ sighed, running his fingers through his hair. He was probably going to have to rewrite this one, since there were so many things he needed to cross out. It didn’t help that all he could think about was Cyrus this and Cyrus that. Journalism was not going to be his forte if he couldn’t include emotions. Bummer.

[andi’s girlfriend: TJ]

[andi’s girlfriend: TJ]

[andi’s girlfriend: SHE ASKED ME ON A DATE]

[andi’s girlfriend: SFKSFSFSK I CANT EVEN]

[andi’s girlfriend: i’m going to her house ill be back later]

TJ smiled at his messages. Called it,  he thought to himself.

[Me: i’m gonna call her your girlfriend now and forever]

@shortstackofpeaches || @seanna313 || @geekingbeautytx || @heavenlybyers || @ginnychrises|| @wlwandimack || @giocondasstuff || @lemonboytyrus || @adorejrizzle || @swingsetboys || @ifellintotyrushell || @idk-dude-17 || @rbf-lesbian || @marianara-sauce || @kaptainjinxz || @alex-poster-pizz || @quietmarvel || @blueberry-my-hero-macadamia || @broadwayitbitch || @tjsmuffin || @tjthekippen || @idpleasesir || @hi-hello-hey-there || @caprisunandcookiedough || @booklove-2 || @illbeyourreasonwhy || @birdiesandflowers || @whistlepunk || @phinallyjackie || @thedampjofangirl || @tyrus4eva || @tj-is-a-lemony-boy || @tj-goodman-bittersweet-boy || @dis-app-oin-tme-nt || @nessarinthegay || @breadisticks || @typewriter-riz || @gobletofash || @bluemuffinboy || @sofuuh || @cheesystars || @tjmuffin || @multifandom-bxitch

[calligraphist-artemisia]

I’ll Take Her Place (Chapter 22)

Summary: AU. When Allura breaks the news that she is to wed Prince Lotor in order to continue the peaceful relationship between Altea and Daibazaal, Pidge knows that she has to do something to change that. And so, with a little help, she comes up with a new plan. A better plan

Pairings: Keith/Pidge (main) ; Shiro/Allura (minor) and Hunk/Lance (minor) ; one-sided Lotor/Allura

Links still aren’t working properly, but as always this is also posted on AO3 and fanfiction.net, under the username “kishirokitsune”.

Chapter 22

Keithir stared hard at the screen in front of him, searching for anything that he recognized that could be used to stop the timer from continuing to tick down. Rorvak, Drenta, and Etran were busy getting a count of the prisoners and helping them prepare for escape.

“I've tried everything I can think of to stop it, but all I've been able to do is slow it down. It resets every time I find a way through.”

Keithir glanced at the man next to him. He could only be Katie's father, Sam Holt, as he was the only human around that he'd seen. (Which made him worry, because where was Katie's brother? Wasn't he there as well? Was their intel wrong?)

“Then we'll have to move fast,” Keithir said. “Are there more prisoners elsewhere in this base?”

Sam shook his head. “No, everyone is here. Except my son, Matt. He went to check on some of the side entrances where we set up traps in case one of the pirates come back. We had a thought that we could use one of them as leverage, but I'm not sure how well it would have worked.”

'Not very,' Keith privately thought. “That must be who Katie was fighting.”

“Katie?” Sam looked startled for a moment, but he quickly shook it off. “Strange, that's my daughters name. I guess it's a small universe after all.”

Keithir hummed noncommittally, unsure of how to respond. It felt... well, not wrong to tell him, but more like it wasn't the right time. They didn't need any distractions if they were all going to get out of there in time. He checked in with Katie instead, telling her about the base being rigged to explode.

“It's a trap,” he said, hearing her echo his words as he said them. “You were right. Lotor knew we would come here and he set us up.”

“But you were right too! Keithir, Matt's here! He says my dad is too. Do you see him anywhere?”

Keithir couldn't help but smile at how happy she sounded, despite the very real danger. “Yeah, I have him here with me. Listen, there's nothing we can do to stop the timer from going down. You and Matt should stay at the exit and be ready to help everyone to your Lion. I'm sending Drenta with the first few.”

Sam looked concerned as Keithir gestured for his fellow Blade to take their group of five back the way they came in. “Will we be able to get clear in time?”

“Yes, the Green Lion is fast and I doubt a few extra passengers will slow her down,” Keithir said.

“So it is true that the Lions of Voltron have been found?” one of the nearby prisoners asked in a hushed voice. “We have heard rumors, but... the rumors, they are true?”

Keithir nodded. “They are.”

Around him, the other prisoners began to look hopeful. A low murmur broke out as the news spread and they were all much more eager to listen to Rorvak and Etran as they jointly guided the remaining eight. It was incredible to see the effect Voltron had on people.

“That's everyone, right?” Keithir asked Sam, who nodded. “Then we need to go.” He glanced at the timer.

Five doboshes left. They were cutting it close. Too close. And Sam wasn't moving.

“They have other bases and I know the data is in here somewhere. If I could just find one coordinate...” Sam frantically searched the terminal, his eyes flickering the the ever-present timer.

There was no time to muse over how how many of Katie's traits he saw in her father – the shared stubborn tenacity, for one – they had to go. Keithir grasped Sam's shoulder. “It's not worth the risk. Look, I know Katie. She's not leaving here without both of us and if we don't leave right now, we're putting everyone at risk.”

Again, the name gave Sam pause, but it was also what gave him the motivation to step away from the console. He needed no more urging to hurry along to the exit, though he did glance at Keithir from time-to-time, as though fighting not to ask or say something.

Keithir made no attempt to open conversation with the man, instead reaching out to Katie to give her a head's up. “We're on our way out. Be ready to go the moment we're on board or we might not get clear in time.”

There was a low crackle of static and Keithir worried there was something interfering with their communication, but then her voice came through, calm and clear. “Got it. How long do we have?”

“Now? Maybe three doboshes,” Keithir responded, breaking out into a run as they neared the end of the corridor. “Is everyone else there?”

“Everyone's settling in. Rorvak's running diagnostics and sending them ahead so the med-bay knows what to prepare for. Mostly malnutrition.”

“Makes sense. They likely only gave them basic sustenance,” Keithir muttered with distaste.

“How... How's my dad?”

He glanced over to Sam to make sure he was keeping up. He seemed tired, but alright. “He's strong. Stubborn. Kind of reminds me of you.”

A beat of silence passed as they rushed outside, making a beeline for the Green Lion. Keithir wondered if he'd overstepped; they were in the middle of a serious and important mission. It was hardly the time for--

“Just wait until you meet my mom,” Katie said with a laugh.

Keithir chuckled. “I'm looking forward to it.” He helped Sam up into the Green Lion, not at all surprised when the mouth closed the moment they were inside. He could feel the Lion turn the take off and hoped he could keep balance until they were in the cargo hold. It became a little easier once they were in the air and heading in a straight line.

“I need to scan him too,” Rorvak said the moment they stepped into the cargo hold.

Keithir shook his head and directed Sam to the cockpit instead. “Not now.”

“But Koliv-”

“It can wait, Rorvak,” Keithir said firmly. He knew the Blade was scowling beneath his mask, just as surely as he knew he was going to receive a lecture on following protocol once they returned to the Castle of Lions, but it was all worth it.

The cockpit door slid open to more noise than he was expecting, as Hunk and Lance yelled in excitement over the chaos of small, automated ships zipping through space and opening fire on the Lions and Blade fighters.

Katie was in full-paladin mode as she directed the Green Lion through it all, putting as much distance between them and the base as she could. It seemed to be enough, as a shockwave passed over them and the Lion shuddered, turning at the last minute to witness the dying explosion behind them.

In the air, the small ships went dead, drifting in whatever direction they had previously been moving.

“So, is that it?” Lance asked, sounding almost disappointed.

“Not everything has to be exciting, you know. Just for once, it's nice for things to go our way,” Hunk said.

“I didn't mean it like that, babe. It just feels too easy.”

Keithir frowned as he stepped up next to Katie. “It is unlike Lotor to devise a plan so simple. There has to be more to it than this.”

Katie pressed a few switches, pulling up another readout on her screen. She stared at it for a moment, her lips moving as she quickly processed all of the data. “Wait, synthian nitrate? Why would-?”

Hunk's scream and the sound of a nearby explosion cut her off.

“Hunk! What's going on? Pidge, tell me what's happening here!” Lance ordered.

“Synthian nitrate is an explosive material,” Pidge filled him in. “All of the pirate's ships are covered with it! It must have been contained before now, but with their shielding down, it's no longer protected.”

“Bombs,” Hunk grunted. “Perfect. What was that about this being too easy?”

“Pidge, get everyone back to the Castle. We'll clear a path for you and catch up once we've taken care of this. I'm sending Regris and Kalin with you. They took some damage already and I don't want to find out how much more they can handle,” Lance said. “Hunk, how's Yellow? Are you two up for this?”

“Shields are already repairing. We're ready whenever you are.”

“Lets go.”

It didn't take them long at all to use their lasers to clear a safe path for the Green Lion to slip through without taking damage, but Katie didn't relax until she was out in clear space with a Blade ship on either side of her. She set a quick scan of their ships to see the extent of their damage and found that, while they were banged up pretty good, they would easily hold together for the duration of their journey back.

The Green Lion purred through their link, encouraging her to stop wasting time and reunite with her family. She could take it from there.

With trembling hands, Katie reached up and removed her helmet, setting it aside.

“Katie?” Sam's voice was quiet and filled with awe as his stared at his youngest child. His baby girl, who was supposed to be safe at home on Earth and not gallivanting around in space, fighting pirates and putting herself in danger.

“Dad!” Katie's voice broke with relief and she couldn't hold herself back any longer. She ran to him, sobbing as he caught her in his arms, hugging her as tightly as he could.

“I'm so glad to see you,” Sam told her.

As Matt joined in on the family hug, Keithir silently slipped back into the cargo hold.

“How did you get out here? Where's your mother?” Sam asked.

“It's kind of a long story,” Katie mumbled, refusing to let so so soon. She needed to though. It would be difficult to tell them everything with her face planted in the rags her dad wore. She pulled away and rubbed her eyes. “I guess it all started when the Garrison pronounced you dead.”

She told them everything.

From her multiple attempts at breaking into Iverson's office in an attempt to uncover the truth, which led to her enrollment as “Pidge Gunderson”, to the night Shiro's escape pod crashed and she dragged Lance and Hunk along to help her. How they'd broken Shiro out of quarantine and fled to an abandoned shack out in the desert. How Lance heard a voice calling out to him from the nearby caves, where they found the Blue Lion.

She told them about their arrival on Altea and how Princess Allura had been one of the first to welcome them. The way it felt when she was told she had a connection to the Green Lion, which was nothing in comparison to the feeling of actually bonding with the sentient ship. She told them of the rigorous training they were put through, the strengthening of her friendship with Hunk, Lance, and Shiro, and her newfound one with Allura. She told them about the missions they'd been on together. The friends and allies they made along the way.

Sure, there were a few things she glossed over. All of the dangerous missions. The extent of some of the injuries she and the others sustained over their three years in space. Her sleepless nights spent researching and learning everything she possibly could, pushing past her limits time after time in the hope that she would find something that would lead her to them.

She didn't mention Lotor.

And she said nothing of her engagement.

“It's absolutely incredible, Katie,” Sam said once she was finished. “I'm so proud of you, and I'm sure your mother will be too. How is she? Have you spoken to her since you left?”

Katie nodded. “After we arrived on Altea, King Alfor picked an ambassador to sent to Earth and establish communication. It's been slow going, since the Garrison hasn't exactly been eager to announce to the world that aliens exist, but we've been able to get messages home.”

“You really haven't been home in three years?” Matt asked incredulously.

“I promised myself I wasn't going back until I found you. It didn't feel right,” Katie said. “We're going back to Altea for now. And then there's so much planning and organizing to do... It may be a few more weeks until we can go to Earth.”

She hoped they weren't too disappointed. Every year they revamped their plan for how they'd handle things once Sam and Matt were found, but things had changed so much over the course of three short months – they had her engagement to consider and a whole host of other issues. Would they be able to go back to Earth with everything else that was happening? Was it even a good idea with the threat of Lotor hanging over them?

“So what's Altea like?” Sam asked.

“Beautiful,” Katie said with a smile. “You're both going to love it.”

Shiro was waiting for them in the Green Lions' hangar when they arrived, and his reunion with Sam and Matt was as teary as expected. He swept them both in for a hug and only let go when Matt joked: “So who's this old man and what did he do with Shiro?”

Shiro chuckled, reaching up to pick at the tuft of hair that fell over his forehead. “It's the hair, isn't it? I have to say, it's going to take some getting used to.”

Katie frowned as she looked at him. Where his hair had still been black before, it had turned entirely white. It wasn't a bad look, just... different. “How did it happen? Where did you and Allura go? We tried to reach you, but no one could get through!”

“I know. I'm sorry about that, but there was something important we had to do,” Shiro apologized. “We'll tell everyone over dinner. For now, Sam and Matt need to get looked over with the others. Why don't you and Keithir take them?”

Katie's gaze automatically slid over to Keithir, who was off to the side talking to Kolivan, liking giving him a brief run-down of what happened on their mission. “I'll take them by myself.”

Shiro raised an eyebrow, but nodded and didn't press. “Alright. Bring them up to the kitchen once you're done. Allura's having food brought over.”

Katie's eyes were still on Keithir as he wrapped up his conversation. Quiznak, she really did need to tell her dad and Matt about him. She had every chance to do that on the flight back. It would have been easy! She could have talked him up a bit first; mentioned how he was the reason she found them.

She bit her lip. He was the reason she found them. Had she thanked him for that?

“Give me a minute, okay?” she said, not waiting around to hear the reply. She jogged over to Keithir, reaching him before he could follow after Kolivan. “I, um... I never thanked you.”

“You don't need-”

“Yes, I do,” Katie interrupted, shaking her head. “I never would have made it to them in time if it weren't for you. If not for you, I'd still be looking, not knowing for sure if they were alive or...” She swallowed, unable to bring herself to say it.

She'd been so close to losing them forever.

Tears blurred her vision and, on impulse, she threw her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek, whispering: “Thank you, Keithir. Thank you so much.”

“You're welcome, Katie,” he said, settling his hands on her waist.

They stood there for a moment, both reluctant to move for one reason or another, and then Katie sniffed and released him to rub the tears from her eyes. There had to to be more she could do to show her gratitude. Something better than a simple “thank you”.

“Dinner,” she blurted out, looking up at him. “We're all having dinner together in the paladin quarter to celebrate. You should join us.”

Keithir sighed. “I wish I could. I have plans to have dinner with mother and father tonight and I know they're waiting to hear how things went.” He paused, watching her shoulders droop. “Would you be able to have lunch with me tomorrow?”

Maybe that would be better. She'd have time to explain things to her dad and Matt and determine just how much interference Hunk, Lance, and Shiro would have to run until they got more comfortable with the thought of her getting married. After all of the excitement, a nice, quiet lunch with Keithir sounded wonderful.

“I'd love that,” Katie told him.

“I'll pick you up from your room at Midday,” Keithir said. He broke eye contact when Regris pointedly cleared his throat and gestured for him to hurry it up. He rolled his eyes and deliberately took his time. “I should go. Kolivan has called for a debriefing, which likely means everyone has returned from the mission.”

A very loud: “What the quiznak happened to your hair!?” cut across the hangar, as if to prove Keithir's statement and Katie couldn't help but grin.

“What did happen to it?” Keithir wondered out loud.

“He's promised to explain it at dinner. I'll let you know at lunch tomorrow,” Katie promised.

They parted soon after, Keithir to follow Regris and Katie to rejoin her friends and family, where Lance was making a fuss about Shiro's new hair color. It took her a few more minutes before she was able to lead her dad and brother towards the med-bay, where the team of Altean medics were waiting.

“So when were you going to tell us about your boyfriend?” Matt asked in a teasing tone.

Sam made a choked sound.

“It's kind of complicated,” Katie said. She hesitated, trying to figure out the best way to start. (Maybe not by describing it as “complicated”, but it was too late for that.) Leading with “we're engaged” would probably give her poor father a heart attack, but telling them it all started as a way to save Allura wouldn't make sense to either of them.

So she started with Lotor instead, glossing over the potential threat the Galra prince was to the peace of the universe and focusing instead on his desire for Allura, who was very much in love with Shiro.

It was still the truth, just abbreviated so they wouldn't worry about the danger she was in.

By the time they reached the med-bay, Sam and Matt were all caught up on her three-month courtship with Prince Keithir, and while neither of them were happy about it, they were willing to try and accept it.

That was enough for Katie.

Keithir was all nerves as he led the way to where he'd arranged lunch for himself and Katie. Not for the first time, he reached down to pat his pocket and reassure himself that he hadn't forgotten to bring the small box he'd specifically picked out for the occasion. From the corner of his eye, he could see Katie glance at him from time to time.

“Is everything alright?” she asked after a few minutes.

Keithir yanked his hand away from his pocket as though he'd been burned. “Everything is fine,” he tried to reassure her. The words stuck in his throat, but he still managed to get them out.

Behind them, Regris pretended to clear his throat in order to hide the fact that he was laughing. Keithir shot him a warning glare.

“Okay...” Katie looked between them as though she didn't really believe him.

Ancestors, he hoped she liked it.

It wasn't much longer before they reached the room he requested for the afternoon. It hadn't been any trouble to reserve it; most people forgot that it even existed, but he felt it better to ensure they wouldn't be interrupted.

“The Memory Chamber?” Katie asked, looking confused.

“It's not just for viewing memories of people,” Keithir reminded her as he typed in the appropriate code. The door slid open and he gestured for her to enter first.

His anxiety dipped when she gasped in amazement.

“I thought about arranging lunch out in the garden at first, but that didn't go well for us last time. Shiro reminded me that this room exists,” he explained. “I know you'll get to see the real thing soon, but I thought you might like it anyway.”

“It's perfect, Keithir,” she said, turning to him with a genuine smile.

They left Regris standing guard at the entrance as they walked deeper into the chamber, following along a stone path that wound through grass. The trees and other plantlife were all of Earth varieties. He'd picked the location after careful consideration and by asking Shiro about the area Katie lived before leaving Earth. He'd assured him that Plaht Park would be perfect.

In the shade of one of the largest trees, Keithir had already set up a picnic blanket and a basket of food. Much like their first casual dinner in the Green Lion's hangar, it wasn't anything fancy, but spoke well of the care that had gone into it. He hoped she wouldn't mind that he borrowed her idea.

He didn't have to worry as she giddily settled down on the blanket and, after brushing her hands over the holographic grass, began to fill him in on the adventure Shiro and Allura went on without the rest of them.

“Wait, Oriande is real?” Keithir interrupted.

Katie shrugged, not seeing why it was such a big deal. “I guess. Anyway, they went through the trial and when Shiro woke up, his hair was like that. Allura thinks he must have gained some kind of gift from it, but they haven't been able to figure it out yet.”

Oriande.

Keithir's mind whirled with the new information. Even he knew of the stories, but like everyone else had only dismissed it as folklore. “Lotor can never hear about this.”

Katie's mood sobered. “Agreed. He'd never stop until he found it if he knew. None of us want to take the chance that he could pass the test.”

They changed the subject soon after, with Keithir asking how Matt and Sam were doing, and from there, what their plans were.

“You're going back to Earth, right?”

Katie hesitated. “I'm not sure. I mean, I want to, but with the wedding and all, would we be able to? The Daibazaal council might not like it and with Lotor around...”

“Lotor wouldn't dare do anything to your family or Earth right now. It'd be too much of a risk. And I will handle the council if they try anything,” Keithir told her. His hand strayed back to his pocket and that time, he left it there. “I think it would be good for us to go. You were able to come to Daibazaal and spend time there and now I will be able to see your home. I think people will like to hear that.”

“It'd definitely give people something to talk about. I think most of them think our engagement is just a rumor,” Katie said.

Rumor.

Right, the lack of news after three months probably left most of the universe believing it couldn't possibly be true. An official announcement would clear that up and Keithir knew it would happen any day, but there was something he wanted to do first.

He breathed in deeply and took her hand, hoping he would be able to say the words he'd spent hours rehearsing.

“Three months ago, I told Thace that I wanted to blend the traditions of our people, that this union would be as much for you as it is for me. So far, we've done things according to Galra traditions, though I understand your courtship process has some similarities to ours, just not as strict. Soon, my father will announce to everyone that we will be wed, but there's one thing I want to ask before then.”

He slid the box out of his pocket and pressed it into the palm of her hand. By Katie's sharp gasp, she understood what was happening.

“Katie Holt, will you marry me?”

Pidge was on cloud nine as she stared at the ring on her finger. It was a simple dark band with a stripe of glowing purple running through the center, but she felt as though she'd never worn anything so beautiful.

“It's luxite,” Keithir had told her. “It will always be the perfect fit for you.”

The fact that he'd gone out of his way to have a ring specially crafted for her filled her heart with warmth. Nothing could bring her down from that, not even trying to master the dance steps Allura and Lance were showing her for what felt like the fiftieth time.

Okay, maybe that brought her down a little.

“Ow,” Lance yelped as she stepped on his foot. Again. “Pidge, are you even paying attention?”

“Sorry!” she apologized.

She must have sounded snappier than she meant to come across, because Allura turned off the music and walked forward with her hands up in a placating gesture. “Alright, why don't we take a break? We've been at this for some time now and it's getting late. Perhaps we should pick it up again tomorrow.”

Lance grumbled under his breath as he backed away from Pidge. She didn't bother trying to decipher what he was saying. She really did feel bad for stepping on his feet; he was right, she wasn't paying attention and he was the one whose feet suffered for it.

“Lance, I'm really sorry,” she apologized again.

He paused on his way out the door. “Yeah, I know. But if you step on my feet tomorrow, then Allura has to dance with you while I stand by and shout tips.”

Allura looked a little put off by the idea, but Pidge grinned. “You've got a deal.”

Lance left in a better mood and Allura began to straighten things up so it would all be in order for them when they next practiced.

“Leave it out?” Pidge asked when Allura went to move the music player back to its corner. “I'll put it up once I'm done. I think I want to keep going for a while longer.”

“Do you want me to stay and help?”

Pidge shook her head. She just wanted to tackle it on her own for a while. Sometimes it was easier to focus without an audience around to analyze everything she did.

“Well, alright. Don't stay up too late. Tomorrow will be a busy day,” Allura advised her.

“I won't be much longer,” Pidge said and found that unlike most of the times when she swore she wouldn't stay up all night to deal with a problem, she actually meant it. Still, she didn't blame Allura for giving her a fond, but disbelieving look before bidding her goodnight and leaving her alone.

Pidge checked the time before crossing the room to turn the music back on. 'Just one more hour,' she told herself.

She let herself move to the music, using it to try and time her steps. When Lance had described it as being similar to an Earth waltz, he hadn't been wrong, but it was those similarities that constantly threw her off. If only she could reprogram her brain to follow the new steps instead of the ones she was more familiar with. (But that would take time and practice, repeating the movements over and over again until it felt natural, and time wasn't something she had a lot of.)

Pidge frowned and stopped moving. She was doing it again: letting her mind wander and distract her from the task at hand.

“You've almost got it.”

Pidge jumped in fright, pivoting to face the intruder. Her face burned from embarrassment when she spotted Keith watching her from the doorway.

“Can I help?” he asked as he crossed the room to her. He held out his hand, giving her the option of whether or not to accept.

Pidge took it and let him guide her into position. He waited until the music started over and then they began to move. His movements were much more fluid than Lance's and he didn't complain when she stepped on his foot, patiently helping her.

She tried.

She really did.

Repeating the steps over and over again in her mind.

But nothing helped.

“Relax,” Keith told her, pulling her in a little closer. “Don't think about it so much, just follow my lead. You can do this.”

“You're really good at this,” Pidge complimented.

“I've had years to practice. You're doing well for someone who just started. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about if you keep this up.”

Pidge looked up in surprise. (And gods, had his eyes always been that color? So much like Keithir's that she forgot for a moment that it was Keith she was talking to.) “You really think so?”

Keith nodded and murmured for her to slow spin away and then back in, easily picking up the steps where they left off. “See? You learn fast.”

“I've had good teachers,” Pidge whispered back. Somehow it felt wrong to speak at a normal volume, as if there was a spell cast over them that she was afraid of breaking. And why break it when it felt so natural, so comfortable.

They continued their dance without saying another word and as the final chords of music ebbed away to silence, her heart leaped in joy.

“I did it! I didn't step on your feet again!” she said excitedly.

Keith chuckled. “You did it,” he agreed, leaning in.

Pidge closed her eyes, rising on tiptoe to meet him halfway as he kissed her, only to come to her senses seconds later, guilt ripping through her at how much she enjoyed--

“Katie?” He looked confused as she shoved him away.

“No.” She shook her head as she backed away. Her eyes filled with tears as she imagined Keithir's expression when he learned of what transpired between them. The betrayal. She choked back a sob as she turned and ran, leaving him standing there alone and in shock.

What had they done?

[kc-anathema]

art by the illustrious @arteinthemachine​  for the Dark October fandom event

Summary: The swordmaker Muramasa crafted blades so sharp that they could cut a leaf floating on water. Skin, flesh and bone stood no chance. Neither did a turtle's shell.

Warnings: blood, angst, injury, violence

Michelangelo should not have been the one thrown into the sword display. Anyone else would not have made the mistake. Not Raphael, large enough to crash through the glass case, roll to his feet and come back roaring for more. Not Donatello, shaking off broken shards and complaining about the damage to the priceless antiques. Nor Leonardo, who would have known what all of these weird looking swords were.

But Michelangelo, who took a long moment to breathe and absorb the shock of smashing through glass and landing on the spilled metal, didn't immediately notice what he'd landed on.

In the rest of the exhibit, the fight raged on—Raphael screaming his little brother's name but too occupied with Foot ninja to come to his aid. There was the sound of blaster fire and Donatello's triumphant yell as he figured out yet another piece of alien tech on the fly.

The lights went dark. Michelangelo sighed and let his eyes adjust. So much for visiting the museum.

A ninja yelled as he flew past, sending ancient vases rolling noisily across the floor, followed by another vase flying the other way. The sound of breaking pottery joined the rest of the yells and clanging steel and laser bolts peppering the walls, scorching and crumbling the plaster.

Michelangelo curled and pushed up on his elbows, brushing off glass. He'd been lucky—only some scratches and a nasty triangle of glass stuck in the edge of his shell. No lacerations or shards stuck deep in his skin. Wincing, he pulled out the shard and flicked it away.

"'chucks..." he wondered, patting his belt. "No 'chucks...aw man, Splinter's gonna kill me."

He'd lost them in the throw, even his spares, and he glanced around for anything he could use.

Laser fire flashed through the museum gallery, glinting off the glass and sharp steel. The curators had arranged Japanese décor around the room, framing the naginata, tessen fans, odachi and katana. In the strobe effect of gunfire, the blades all looked the same.

He sighed again—

A pair of ninja appeared at the smashed case, looking to take cover from Donatello's exuberant firing, and they tripped over him instead. He grinned as they sprawled across the floor, but as they noticed him, raising their knives, Michelangelo scooted back, feeling over the cold tiles for anything in reach.

Glass, the edge of a fan that slid away, a hilt—

His hand slid over the thick grip of a surprisingly heavy sword that dragged as he hefted it up. He had to turn his whole body as he swung it, bringing the blade down over the closer ninja's head—the weight of the blade forced the steel to fall deeper.

Arterial blood sprayed across the floor, across Michelangelo's face and along the edge of the sword, and he froze.

The shadows darkened and the scant light from the window became crimson.

The body was bisected, slit down the middle and sliding apart as blood and organs spilled in a growing pool. The second ninja's mask contorted in one long scream that Michelangelo didn't hear. The air was silent, absolutely silent—save for the blade cutting the air, cutting the head diagonally.

He didn't see the body land. The blade was so heavy that he had to follow its fall, stepping forward to catch himself, bringing the blade up again with its own momentum. It was a nodachi, he realized—a sword as long as himself, a sword for cutting through men.

All he heard was his own breathing and the growing sound of his heartbeat in his ears. The air turned heavy and thick, like moving underwater.

He tightened his grip on the sword. So satisfying. So fulfilling to cut something so cleanly. He hadn't even felt the edge catch on the bones.

He hefted the blade up and over his shoulder. As he walked back into the fight, he let the blade swing in a vast arc. They looked like shadows—all of his enemies looked like shadows, black shapeless things cut in half like paper fluttering aside.

Fewer shadows now. Wet blood slicked his hands. Fewer dark shapes, fewer still, now just a last handful that he turned toward, quickening his step.

His brothers, he realized. With widening eyes, he knew what he was about to do and couldn't stop himself, didn't even try to stop himself as he raised the blade. His hands tightened so satisfyingly around the leather hilt. Two steps away, he started to laugh.

Raphael saw the look in his little brother's eyes just in time to push Donatello to the floor.

Cold fire stole through Raphael's body—he rolled to one side, pulling Donatello with him, missing the next hit that sank into the tiles where their heads had been. The ends of a purple bandana, neatly sliced at the knot, fluttered down to join the mask soaking in Raphael's blood.

"Ow, Raph, get off, you're too heavy—"

Donatello hadn't seen. Raphael let him scurry away, trembling as the pain started to leech through his side. The cut edges of his shell ground like sandpaper, and he clutched at it with one hand. How did Michelangelo move so fast with something so huge—he brought up a sai for the attack he felt coming—the nodachi hit his sai and shattered it, the blade sinking into his hand and coming for his face—

Stopped mere inches away by the flat of Leonardo's sword against not the blade but Michelangelo's wrists.

"Mikey, stop—"

Meeting Leonardo's stare, Michelangelo turned his hands, tilting the blade toward Raphael again.

Dragging the edge of his palm free from the blade, Raphael flattened himself to avoid the strike, wincing as he landed on the floor and could go no further. The clang of steel rang in his ear, and when he opened his eyes, he found the sword lodged in the tile again, its length and angle all that kept his head from being split in two. The sword audibly dug into the floor as Michelangelo put his whole weight on the hilt, trying to force the blade down those last inches to reach Raphael.

"Useless..." Michelangelo grunted, pushing with all his strength "...when you can't muscle through."

"What the hell—" Raphael grabbed his brother's hands, trying to push up as his palm bled onto his face. "What's wrong with you?!"

"We'll figure it out when he wakes up," Donatello said.

Finally seeing what was happening, Donatello brought his staff around in a wide arc, swinging toward Michelangelo's legs and losing part of his staff as his little brother moved just enough to let the bo strike the nodachi instead.

Michelangelo's look slowly slid from Raphael's bleeding hand, along the floor, up to Donatello, matching the growing grin on his face.

"Not so bright in a fight," he whispered, and Donatello's stricken look told Michelangelo that he'd hit his mark.

Even though Michelangelo knew his brothers were yelling, their voices sounded like they were a mile away. This time Michelangelo had to put his full weight into pulling the sword free from how deep he had thrust it. By the time he had the sword loose, Donatello was helping Raphael escape down the long hallway. No matter. Raphael was trailing blood from two deep wounds—he would find them soon enough.

Finally wrenching the sword free, Michelangelo struck at the shadow left behind—pieces of steel skittered out of sight as Leonardo's sword broke under the nodachi.

Michelangelo's head snapped back as Leonardo slammed the hilt of his broken katana against his little brother's face.

It bought Leonardo enough time to dive toward the darkest parts of the room, far away from the long windows. If he could strike from a distance, stay out of reach of that monstrous sword—

Michelangelo's low laughter echoed in the empty room as he turned, then half-turned again, scanning the room. The sword dragged a circle along the floor.

Leonardo went still. There were precious few places to hide—he watched Michelangelo's silhouette in the scant moonlight of the window. Turning, turning again. He didn't dare breathe. But the sword hilt still lay in his hand—he flung it toward the far side of the room, past Michelangelo—

The nodachi swung and caught the hilt in midair, slicing it in two pieces to opposite corners even as Michelangelo purposely strode toward where it had come from, cutting the suit of samurai armor from helmet to boots, scraping the wall behind it.

On all fours, Leonardo crouched low and scrambled away from the wreckage. His heart pounded. He was out in the open now—the moment Michelangelo turned, he would see him—

Or not. Michelangelo held the sword aloft again, silently searching the room. Long shadows stretched across the floor. Empty, noiseless, the gallery echoed with every panted breath, every footstep. Leonardo covered his mouth to hide his breathing and wondered how his little brother didn't hear his heartbeat.

With slow movements, Leonardo backed along the shadow toward the center of the room. Keep his thoughts clear, stay calm...

"You always...like hiding."

Leonardo froze. It was his little brother's voice—strained, frustrated, panting with painfully shallow gasps—but still his little brother.

"Stay in the shadows," Michelangelo sing-songed. "Hide, hide, hide. Can't get in a real fight without getting his shell kicked."

Leonardo squeezed his eyes shut, listening to Michelangelo pad closer to the costumed dummies, slicing one in half.

"I should throw one through the window," Michelangelo said. "You could follow after it, shell first."

Like a knife through Leonardo, that jibe. That Christmas Eve was one they didn't talk about, wasn't even alluded to, not even in their hottest arguments. Some things just weren't said.

"You should've run off with Nerd One and Jock Two," Michelangelo said, slicing a display case and sending bits of glass across the floor. "Why'd you stay here? Little lamb throwing itself in harm's way...that's what 'leader' is to you, isn't it?"

Ignore him, ignore him—Leonardo turned on all fours, quietly moving to the side, away from his brother. Alien mind control? The Foot soldiers had nothing like that. Magic or telepathy? He would have felt something in the air or Splinter would have contacted them by now. Then—

"'Fearless leader'," Michelangelo said, dragging out the syllables as he dragged the edge of the sword behind him. "Not as strong as Raph, not as smart as Donnie. You have to practice twice as hard as me just to keep up."

Hard to think when Michelangelo listed out loud all the failings that needled him awake at night.

"The only reason you're leader is that I don't want it."

Leonardo wanted to throw up.

"Hide, hide, hide. That's the only thing you're good at."

Yes. Yes, Leonardo thought. Yes. I am good at that.

Leonardo blinked away tears.

And that's all I have to be good at.

Michelangelo still couldn't find him—all of Leonardo's presence completely submerged so that Michelangelo couldn't feel him in the dark, couldn't sense his silent breath, his quiet movements, not even the pulse of his heart or glow of his soul. Everything...silent.

The only sound was the sword coming to rest as Michelangelo stopped pacing.

The sword.

Leonardo's mouth parted. It was a faint chance, but it was the whole reason he'd wanted to come to the museum tonight—the Muromachi and Kamakura periods of Japan, their art, armor, jewelry and weaponry, with several pieces of the most famous swordsmiths of their eras. A real Masamune sword. A real Muramasa demon blade.

Moonlight streamed in through the windows, pale and silver, and Leonardo slunk beneath the light itself, moving over bloody corpses to the far wall. The stench of blood and bile came strongest over here, and his hands fell on the toppled displays of swords and fans and spears.

Impossible to read the titles of everything in the darkness. He had a handful of flares in his belt, but he didn't dare set one off now. But if he was right, he wouldn't have to, methodically moving over the weaponry, grasping a hilt, then moving on.

"...but...at least you try."

Leonardo lifted his head, listening. Michelangelo's voice was different.

"I could be leader if I tried, couldn't I? But I don't try. I don't..."

Michelangelo's voice broke.

"I just play games and make jokes and..."

Michelangelo took a long, shuddering breath.

"I'm not just the baby of the family. I'm not...I'm not..."

Leonardo crept up onto the display case, carefully balancing amidst the broken glass. He'd looked over everything on the floor and still nothing. He didn't want to think that he was wrong—he had no clue what to do now, and—

And all of the venom of Michelangelo's earlier attacks now turned inward on himself.

"I'm not!" Steel scraping tile followed Michelangelo's shriek. "I'm not!"

The nodachi audibly cut through the last remaining armor dummies, the last display case, the stack of pottery left standing, punctuated by Michelangelo's screams.

"It's not fair! You're just a wanna-be who can only run and hide! A nerd with a toothpick! A clumsy bull charging at anything that pisses him off!" Michelangelo swept the blade across the wall, lunging at anything that might provide a fight, even more enraged when nothing struck back.

"...and I'm not even that!"

The nodachi crashed through each window in turn. The air filled with flying glass.

"Why am I even here!"

The screaming and crashing stopped. Leonardo's breath halted as he strained for the slightest whisper.

"...why am I here?"

The question was tired. Muted. A nodachi was heavy to swing, and Michelangelo breathed hard as he rested on the blade.

"...why am I even trying?"

Michelangelo looked around himself. The gallery was dark. Everyone was dead. He was the last one left. He knelt down beside the sword, staring at the floor. At the darkness.

There was a very obvious solution to his problem. His hand was still on the long blade's hilt. He took a long breath and leaned forward to put his throat against the edge—

A loud scratch and flash of light made Michelangelo jolt back, already swinging the blade up and around, raising it above his head as he charged. He crossed the gallery, ran over bodies, brought the sword down with a terrible crash—

—blocked by the sword braced in Leonardo's grasp, the blade barely longer than his hands.

Michelangelo screamed in frustration, inches away from his brother. In the smoking light, his tears glittered in his eyes and shone on his face, his teeth bared as he dragged the blade uselessly down and away, swinging again for another strike.

Again caught by the other sword. Then Leonardo tilted the tiny wakizashi, and Michelangelo's nodachi slid with the movement, plunging into the wall and sticking fast.

Michelangelo's scream was cut short as Leonardo grabbed the broken display case and braced himself for a solid kick that sent his little brother flying, finally tearing the nodachi out of his hands. As Michelangelo slid across glass and blood, coming to rest against a corpse, Leonardo sprinted after him, falling to his knees as Michelangelo flailed.

Like a wounded animal, Michelangelo thrashed and turned and tried to claw past him, hands out to snatch the sword again. When another hilt was offered to him, Michelangelo wrenched it immediately out of Leonardo's hands, intent on cutting his brother's throat, drawing the blade half out of its scabbard.

And stopped.

The room wasn't crimson and the air wasn't heavy anymore. The room was simply a room and the floor sparkled with blood and glass.

Silence.

Where the other sword had been satisfying, neatly cutting everything into little bits that made sense, this sword...was empty. Hollow. Lighter and smaller, the sword in his hands wanted nothing more than to stay in its sheath. At rest.

This sword was quiet.

This sword brought quiet.

"...Michelangelo?"

Leonardo leaned over his brother, cupping his face, searching for recognition.

"Mikey?"

Something twisted in Michelangelo's stomach. What had he been holding onto before? His hands felt like he'd been holding onto something dirty, absolute filth that still clung to his fingers. The blood was turning cold on his skin. The insults were still in his ears.

Michelangelo's grip tightened on the hilt, then twisted, and he began to curl in on himself. His eyes squeezed shut. The voice that came out of him was a strangled groan. The tension that had tightened his whole body was replaced with the clear, perfect memory of each cut and each insult.

Leonardo breathed out, relaxing next to him. He glanced across the gallery at the side display, the collapsed sword mounts for two of the more notable artifacts of the collection: a Muramasa nodachi and a Masamune wakizashi. The Muramasa lay buried to the hilt in concrete. The much smaller Masamune blade lay in Michelangelo's grasp.

Tired, feeling a dozen cuts from kneeling and falling on glass, Leonardo gathered up his little brother and held him close.

"Stay with me," Leonardo whispered. "It's gonna be—"

He stopped himself. He couldn't tell if Michelangelo heard him. His little brother shivered and groaned and refused to meet his look, falling farther and farther in on himself. Michelangelo knew what he'd done. Knew what he'd said. Remembered every last word. Just like Leonardo would. Like Donatello and Raphael would, even after the wounds healed.

No. Leonardo didn't think it was going to be okay.

[goldstonegolem64]

book1 Hope returns Chapter 9 Fight of the Valkyrie  By goldstonegolem64

So this jay what is he like Allure asked

He is a funny individual, tends to ramble about robotics he sometimes  locks himself in his room to tinker with some of the things he finds but he is really proud of his ability to take apart anything he gets his hands on and rebuild it and copy it to a tea I watched him pull a part one of the loader  rebuilt it and made a smaller one with the spare parts we had on board. So if you want anything reverse engineered or and thing copied he's the man for the job but don't leave him a lone for to long on my first day of working with him he tried to over clock one of the mining drills lasers and he almost killed himself doing it but that didn't stop him from trying to do that again every few hours. Adam said with a bit of worry in his voice as he realized that he just let him go to a Galra ship with no really supervision because beau follows his everywhere and Valkyrie doesn't care about anything he just as long as it doesn't kill himself .

That sounds like a problem that we can work around Coran said

He sound like he's more of a problem for the galra then us because of his habit of tinkering with help from pidge and I the three of us might be able to find a way to turn off those sentry bots or their battle ships Hunk said 

But what if his devices just blow up in are face we have to be careful with what stuff we leave him . Keith said 

What are you sacred of a little danger lance said 

the moment he said that aloud explosion was heard in the distant  the grounds shock and a huge dust cloud was seen in the direction of the crashed galra ship.

You were Saying Lance Keith said while running to the bay where the lions where being held.

lance graded hunk by  collar as he tried to run in the opposed direction. Adam hopped back in to the Prometheus 

Adam Allura yelled following him to the ship there is a village close to the crash site we were going there before you showed up we have to make shore the people there are safe.

Alright  lead the way Adam said holding the door for the princess ,Coran and a small creature that he didn't notice before.

I am klaizap the bravest of the Arusian warriors are you helping the lion goddess they asked.

Yes I am Adam replied 

then I will join you they said hopping in after Coran. 

At the crash site

What the hell is that thing Jay yelled starring at the giant robot in front of him 

No clue but it doesn't look friendly pidge said 

Shiro was starring are the machine has it starred at him.

The Gladiator stared at the black lion and raised his new metal arm and pointed  it at Shiro then his other arm started to spin as a ball of energy started to form then launched it at him 

Shiro moved to avoid being knocked out of the sky by the strike Jay eyes widen at the site of that arm and one thought ran through his head I need that arm. Just then he was smashed from behind by the same ball hitting the ground hard seeing the ball returned to the to arm it was launch from.Ok now I need to get that arm before I kill that thing. jay Charged Valkyrie forward running on all fours firing both of his mouth cannon and tail beam hoping for the rest of team Voltron got here soon as his some of his bolts bonused off his while some hit but nothing happened. Shiro and pidge followed suit and fire with the same a effected happening the ball was launched again at Shiro missing a gain and on the return just skimming the green lion Has the rest of the team made their way there they saw the giant robot throw the ball and hit the black lion and knocking it out of the sky and saw a machinal dragon jump on to the enemy's back trying to rip open it armor but was graded by the face and was slammed in to ground then smash by the club like arm.

You guy alright lance asked over the comms

I could do better a new voice came through the comm.

I'm fine Shiro said but we need to form Voltron 

but how that thing will hit us went we try to Pidge said 

I got your back jay said as he rolled back on all four and bit the leg right in front of him and fired the engines in the wing at full speed sending the gladiator toppling forward. But then the ball move on its own and hit Valkyrie right in the face launching her off  his leg ,sending beau flying into the back wall and cause jay to slam the back of his head on the back of the site lucky the helmet was on the time. Voltron came down trying to crash the head of this Gladiator and missing. then the gladiator graded the yellow lion and trying to do the same thing to Voltron has the dragon did to him it almost worked but thankfully Voltron’s Back thruster stopped them from landing on their back. righting themselves and backing a way from the gladiator has it was getting back up 

Jay are you alright Shiro asked worried about his new friend.

Never better jay said has Valkyrie got back up and shacked off the hit and taking to the sky to avoid being grad again 

Hey Shiro that thing seems to have it out for you what gives man.

Shiro forced the memory to surfaced and was back in the Galactic arena right after he cut matt in the leg to save him from fighting the champion remembering who their new foe was it was the old champion before he took his place and remember his fighting style.

He is the old champion I fight him and he is using the same weapon as before So the only time we can hit him is right after he launches that ball Shiro said.

So the only time we can get the killing blow is to get close and personally with this guy lance said 

what are you scared of a little danger Keith said 

Shut your quiznak lance yelled.

Jay laughed out loud at the gross miss use of that word and the very intimate double meaning his collage roommate had made up with that sentence.

as they where coming up with a plan of attack the ball came screaming toward them. 

That it I'm going to kick it lance yelled to everyone dismay.

moving in to a dive kick Voltron was about to connect with the ball but it move right be for the hit connected and smashed Voltron in the face. Causing it to slam in to the ground. trying to get back on its feet Voltron used its wing to form a shield to block the ball coming back.the gladiation ran trying to stop Voltron from getting back when the Valkyrie slammed in to it knocking it back a  few feet. He didn't like this pest and wanted it dead just as bad has he wanted Shiro's heads.

Hey Val can we transform yet or dose are bond have to be stronger. Jay asked 

We can she said with a growl in her voice has she stairred at the monster 

A moment of silence accord as jay fell quintessence run throw his body and a slot a appeared in front of him then his Bayard appeared in his hand.then he slammed his Bayard in to the slot instinctually and turned. The group watched has the Valkyrie started to change from a dragon two a humanoid woman. the body took a bipedal stances has the legs turned around to a more human look and extended to add a bit of height. the arms did the same disappeared and . finally the jaw split apart so the head looked down and folded on to the long neck to show the top of it head then a line appeared down the middle and open to revealed a face. Valkyrie stood in it true form wing expanded and the tail disappeared and reappeared in her right hand as a javelin . The gladiator through the ball straight at Valkyrie but Voltron walked next to them with their sword in the mouth of the red lion and smashed the orb right back at him

Val this is awesome why don't we do this sooner Jay said holding back excitement

You never asked val replied.

I like the new guy Hunks said 

same here said Keith

Now lets take this robeast down lance yelled 

What did you just call it lance pidge said

Robeast because it's a robotic beast lance replied

Less talking more fighting Jay yelled

Has the three mech ran at each other. The battle was eazier with the two assaulted the robeast with slashes and stabs .in desperation the gladiators tried to launch the orb but it was stop when Valkyrie thrusted the javelin in the arm joint cutting the arm off. with its weapon gone and half of its armor destroyed the gladiator was completely defenceless. So Voltron took the opening Valkyrie had given them and jumped up into the air and brought down the blade cutting it down the middle causing it to explode.the two giant stairred with a new bond forged between the six pilots.

So Val do you trust are new friends now.

They have earned trust Val said over the comm so everyone could hear say that.

Was there ever any doubt lance said

Yes both Val and Jay said in unison

After that drop kick stunt you pulled there was a lot of doubt Keith said

Do they do this often Jay asked

Constinly Hunk replied

Alright guy enough arguing let go home. Shiro said

[spookyyenna]

Power Rangers Wing Commanders: Episode 1: Wings of Change Pt. 1

Greetings everyone! It is I, Spookyyenna! I’ve decided to return to Tumblr and give it another chance. And along with that, here is the first episode of my PR story! So if you’re a Power Rangers fan, then this is the story for you! Leave a comment and enjoy the story.

In the deep, dark, depths of space. There were multiple stars and planets orbiting around the cold and quiet atmosphere, but, suddenly a massive portal appeared and out came an alien spacecraft that was in the color of fuchsia with a hint of grey. It had two engines in the back and two sets of missiles under each wing. Inside the spacecraft were reptilian-like foot soldiers, otherwise known as, Nexors, were either carrying an alien blaster or a laser-blade. Their attire consists of a magenta battle armor and holsters for their weapons. Most of them patrol through the corridors, while others were guarding the more private parts of the ship. However, the only flaw about these reptilian-like beings was the fact that they lack basic knowledge and had tendencies to not follow simple directions. Luckily, there were four other beings that had more sense than these incompetent fools. 

At the front of the ship, stood three different figures; each of them being an anthropomorphic animal. The tallest one was the timber wolf named Rag-Zar. He was a mighty warrior with a ferocious temper, a powerful saber, and a pack of mysterious daggers. The wolf also had a serious demeanor that meant business and most definitely wasn’t the type to fool around or to make “jokes”. He was also a general of sorts and he expects everything to go his way. Unfortunately, the other two weren’t so agreeable. One was a female spotted hyena named Sheira; she didn't fit the stereotypes about hyenas, although, she was fierce and was not to be underestimated. In combat, she fights to win, even if her opponent parishes in the process. Sheira also happens to be the master of blades. Whether it be a knife or a short sword, the cunning hyena will use it to her advantage. However, she doesn't work alone. By her side is her twin brother, Zerrick, a tough spotted hyena with a twisted personality and an underbite to boot. Unlike his twin sister, the spotted hyena can only handle one blade and solely relies on his gauntlet that he wields on his dominant wrist. These twin hyenas are extremely dangerous, especially when they work together. However, because they're brother and sister, they have a tendency to get into squabbles, in which, gives both Rag-Zar and their master a living headache. Unfortunately, it makes the latter more angry and more likely to punish the two mammals. However, when it comes to their undying loyalty to their master, there’s no doubt that they will be by their master’s side until the bitter end. But, for now, they all have their eyes set on conquering a new planet. A planet that is known throughout the entire universe; a planet known as, earth.

“How much longer until we reach the planet!? I’m dying to cause some destruction!” Zerrick asked with impatience and confidence in his voice.

“And as I told you 10 minutes ago...you impatient malcontent...we’ll get there WHEN WE GET THERE!!! NOW STOP PESTERING ME BEFORE I USE YOUR HEAD AS AN ORNAMENT PIECE!!!”  Rag-Zar yelled as he was getting sick of the hyena’s constant questions. “Why don’t you go bother your sister or something!?”

“Because she threatened to rip my fur off if I continue to pester her…plus she told me to bug you,” Zerrick pouted. “And must you always yell?! I swear you’re gonna lose your voice one of these days.”

Rag-Zar rolled his eyes before replying, “Not if I lose what’s left of my sanity and brain cells talking to you first.”

Zerrick took an offense to that statement and whipped out his gauntlet as he got up and personal in the ill-tempered wolf’s face. “Listen here snaggletooth! I may not be the brightest mammal in the room, but, I will NOT tolerate your petty insults. So take it back or I’ll-”

“Or you’ll what!?” Rag-Zar growled as he started to size up the hyena. “In case you forgot: I’m a wolf, I’m twice your size, I’m better than you in combat, and if it was up to me or even our master, I would’ve launched you to the nearest and biggest black hole that we can find in this galaxy.”

But before the two mammals could go any further with their confrontation, a sudden ear-piercing sound waived through their ears and caused them both to fall onto their knees and grip their ears in pure pain and agony as they whine and beg for the sound to stop and go away. Fortunately for Rag-Zar and Zerrick, the sound went away. Unfortunately, the source of the sound came from someone that they both feared and respected; their master. He was a tall individual with a dark demeanor and an aura that was made out of pure evil and darkness. He also wore a metallic-silver suit of armor with a hint of light green in some areas; most of his body, except for his mouth, was covered by the armor. In his dominant hand, which was his right, he wielded a mighty spear that glowed a dark purple-ish color when releasing the powerful sound waves. He then proceeded towards the two mammals as they were getting their second wind from the horrible ringing in their ears.

“Get up...Now!” he demanded as he stomped his spear on the ground. “You were supposed to be warriors. Not childish brats fighting over a toy! Sheira has more common sense than the both of you combine!” he continued as he glared at the two grown mammals. “If I hear any more of this nonsense between the two of you, I will turn you lot into fur and dust!! Am I understood!?” Dark Sparrow growled.

“Forgive us, Master Dark Sparrow!” Rag-Zar and Zerrick said in unison as they got back on their feet and bowed to show respect and forgiveness towards their master. Once that was said and done, both warriors stayed quiet and kept their distance from each other to avoid another confrontation. Dark Sparrow was satisfied with this result and walked back to his throne with a quiet but stoic look on his face as he had his mind on other things. But, suddenly, his train of thoughts came to a close when he was approached by his second-in-command; Sheira.

“I must apologize for my brother's childish behavior master,” bowed Sheira. “I'd say he needs more ‘home training’ but, I'm positive that it'll just go through his empty head. Like his brain!” she added, in which, earned her an embarrassing glare from her twin sibling and a light chuckle from Rag-Zar. “Anyways, I came to inform you that we are getting close to the designated planet.”

“Excellent!” Dark Sparrow smirked, “Engage the ship’s thrusters and prepare the Nexors for battle. I want to hear the inhabitants of this planet scream as we destroy their homes and watch them plea for mercy.” he smirks once more as he makes a tight fist.

“As you wish, Master.” Sheira bowed once more and proceeded with Dark Sparrow’s instructions as he took his seat on the throne. But not before giving a sinister laugh that echoed throughout the entire ship.

*Time: 8:00 am.

*Location: Earth.

*Destination: Finn Hill, California.

“Good Morning Finn Hill!! FHN Reporter J.B Bell, here reporting live from Downtown on this beautiful Monday morning!” The news reporter announced with great enthusiasm in his voice. He was an anthropomorphic blue jay with feathers that were groomed to the touch. He also wore a grey business suit with a white shirt and a blue tie under. “The Mayor will be holding a special celebration in honor of the city's founder; Finnigan Weston Hill. We will keep you guys updated at the station as preparations for the big event is in progress. This is J.B. Bell, signing off.” and with that, the avian news reporter took a huge breath relief before retreating to the news van and grabbing a bottle of water. “That was exhausting…”

“Nice work J.B.!” Said the cameraman as he turned off the camera and put it into the van. He was a middle-aged man with light skin, jet black hair and a slightly receding hairline. His uniform mainly consists of a leather jacket with a crimson t-shirt underneath, a pair of navy blue jeans, and grey sneakers. “You always know how to start everyone's day.”

“...Thanks, Leonardo.” J.B. yawned. “I'm not used to being out so early in the morning...not since high school at least. But enough about me, how you've been doing since...you know…?”

The cameraman, Leonardo, got quiet and sheepish. He knew what question his boss and friend was about to ask, and it made him uncomfortable every time. But Leonardo knew, if he doesn't talk about it, it'll drive him crazy for months. “I-I’ve been alright...I guess… it's just something new for me to deal with..”

“Leo…I'm sorry. M-Maybe it was too soon to bring it up,” Said J.B. “If you don't feel comfortable talking about it, I understand.”

“Jerome-Bernard Bell,” Leonardo started. “It’s okay. I’ll be alright. Getting divorced can have different effects on people; Ava needs her space and our son is handling it in his own way. Although, I can’t imagine he’s hurt about this.”

“Yeesh...the only people that full-named me were my parents, my partner, and our boss. But I didn’t think you had it in you...” J.B. replied bashfully. “But you make a good point tho Leo. C’mon! Let’s go make sure the equipment is set up correctly. That should take your mind off things.” he says as he smiled at his cameraman.

Leonardo appreciated the suggestion from his news partner/friend as he follows him back to his van. Suddenly both individuals and their vehicle were overcast by a massive shadow. They looked up at the sky and saw a massive spacecraft hover over them until three figures teleported to the ground with their weapons in their paws. J.B. and Leonardo were stunned with fear and couldn’t move a muscle. All they could do was watch as the three figures walk up to them with the female one pointing one of her blades at the frightened avian’s throat.

“Alright, bird boy. Unless you want to be a featherless bird, you better start talking.” the female figure threatened. “What’s the name of this civilization that you, earthlings, call ‘home’?”

“F-Finn Hill...Finn Hill, California. T-That’s the name of our city. I swear that’s all I know.”

“Hmph! Smart bird. I’ll let you live. For now. You might get lucky and get enslaved for all of eternity. Now for your friend over here,” she says as she puts one arm around Leo’s neck, with the other one wielding a blade that is aimed at the side of it. “So, ‘quiet one’ who’s the leader of this place, that you call Finn...Hill…?”

Leonardo stayed quiet for a few seconds which honestly felt like forever. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to talk or not. But, he knows if he doesn’t speak, the female figure and her two companions could hurt J.B. or worse. “...our ‘leader’ is Mayor Suzuki. That’s all I know as well. Please, we both have families. I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to them…” Leonardo pleaded.

“Save your pity party for the next group of invaders who actually cares about your simple lives,” the female figure sassed. “Rag-Zar, be a good boy and take care of these two. We got all of the information that we needed.”

“I’m not your little ‘puppy-dog’ Sheira! But as you wish.” said Rag-Zar, as he began to, murmur an ancient spell with his paws and eyes glowing a bright orange-ish color. Once he was done with the spell, the male wolf zaps the avian and human, as he put them both in an energy sphere, in which, puts the two in a sleeping trance. “Shall I leave them here? Or do we allow the master to deal with these two witnesses?”

Sheira smiled devilishly at the energy sphere, before replying with, “Don’t worry. The master is already in the midst of a plan.”

Time: 9:00

Location: Finn Hill High School

BRRRRIIINNNGGGGG!!!

As the school bell ranged, students of all shapes, sizes, colors, and species were roaming all over the hallways. Most of them trying to find their classes or their friends in all of the chaos. But before it can get any louder and crazy, a large brown bear in a blue blazer with matching trousers walked into the middle of the hallway with a cup of coffee in one paw and a silver whistle in the other. He then proceeds to blow into the small instrument, in which, got every student to quiet down and give their attention to the large mammal in the center.

“I hate to ruin your meetups and conversations, but the first bell just rang. And If you don’t like to spend your first day back at school in detention, then I suggest we all go to class, Yes?” the mammal smiled.

“Yes, Principal Bernstein…” the crowd of students replied with a few of them grunting and rolling their eyes in annoyance.

“That’s better,” said Principal Bernstein as he started to make his way back to the office. Along the way, he said good morning to a few students and fellow faculty as they all headed off to their individual classrooms and offices. Suddenly a blur, which was in the form of a student, flew past the principal. Miraculously, the bear already recognized the student and immediately stopped him in his tracks. “Running late again...Mr. Jones?”

The student stopped in his tracks and turned around in a very awkward matter. He also had a sheepish grin on his face. “Heyyy, Principal B! How’s it hanging? Did you do something to your fur? It looks so smooth and ravishing” the student said as he tried to sweet-talk his way out of the situation. But alas, this wasn’t going to end well.

“...Detention?” the student sighed.

“Same time after school, Mr. Jones. Don’t be late,” said Principal Bernstein as he gave the student a pink slip before heading back to his office.

“Yes, sir...I’ll be there,” the student sighed once more as he shoved the slip into his back pocket and proceeded towards his classroom. “Smooth move Roy Jones. ‘How’s it hanging’!? God that was cliche. I need to come up with some better material.”

Inside one classroom, the teacher was given a history lesson about the city of Mariner Bay and the ancient burial ground that is located underground. But before the teacher could go any further with her lesson, the classroom door was opened to reveal super-late student, Roy Jones, who quickly took to his seat as he was getting menacing daggers from his teacher and awkward stares from his fellow classmates. Especially from one student who was not only a friend of his, but he was also a German Shepherd; he had blue eyes, tan fur, black markings on his nose, ears, and his tail. He was also wearing a sleeveless green t-shirt and a pair of blue jean shorts.

“Let me guess: Trying to impress a couple of girls? Failed to skip class? Or better yet, tried to stay home sick?” the shepherd raised his eyebrow.

“Worst my canine compadre,” Roy replied. Overslept, missed the bus, and got the infamous pink slip from good ol’ grizzly butt.”

“Ouch. That’s what happens when you have an all-night movie marathon. And I told you to get your rest too.” the shepherd scolded. “Plus, as your friend, I think you need-” but before the teenage canine could finish his sentence, his teacher stormed over to his desk and slammed a pink slip on his desk. “Oh no…” he groaned.

“I’m sorry Adrian, but you already know that I have a no talking policy in my class.” said the teacher as she gave the shepherd a disappointing stare before returning to the classroom board.

“I never get detention…” Adrian whined as his ears folded to the back of his head. “Ugh, my parents are gonna kill me..”

“Aww c’mon dude! Cheer up,” said Roy. “Your boy, El Roylando, will keep you company!” he smirked.

“Joy…” Adrian replied in a deadpan tone.

Down by the football field…

A group of students in gym uniforms was lining up at the front of the track for their daily classroom laps. On the sidelines were the two P.E. coaches; one was an anthropomorphic Red-Tailed Hawk in a male uniform and a school official cap and the other was a female coach with a tan muscle tone and in a female uniform.

“Alright, everyone! Listen up!!” said the avian coach, “I want you all to run your fastest! I want you to sweat! And I don’t want any bland excuses--unless your paw or ankle is twisted, suck it up and run. Am I clear?”

“Yes Coach Talon…” the students mumbled.

“I said...AM I CLEAR!? OR DO I NEED TO ADD 50 PUSHUPS TO EACH LAP?” he shouted as his feathers start to ruffle from anger.

Without another peep, all of the students got into their starting positions in fear of making their coach angrier. Three students, in particular, were having a private conversation amongst themselves. Two of them were male and the third one was a female; one was a Red Doberman, the other one was a Welsh Corgi, and the third one was a Caucasian female with a grey pixie cut.

“Yo, what’s birdbrain's problem?” the Doberman grumbled, “It’s not our fault that we’re tired and not in the mood to run.

“Exactly bro!” the Corgi added, “I was working my tail off this entire summer! My paws and body ain’t build for this stuff! What am I? A Pitbull!?” he scoffed.

“Don’t be such a puppy Billy,” said the female student. “You’re a squirt, yes, but you need to get rid of those extra pounds. Especially in the gut area,” she added as she poked his belly.

“Hey! I may be short, but, I am not fat! And you know it, Mira.” Billy growled.

Mira laughed as she watches her short canine friend try and fail to be threatening. But to the teenage girl, it was both entertaining and adorable. “Poor Billy...so ‘scary’ and cute.”

“...Forget you, Mira.” Billy blushed with embarrassment as he rubbed his belly.

“Okay you two, save the insults for a chump that deserves it,” said Nelson as he glared at a male student with red hair, light green eyes, and freckles on his nose. “You’re going down Anderson...that I can promise you.”

And with that, the female coach blew the coach and all of the students took off in a matter of seconds. Most of the canine and feline students, with the exception of the red-haired student, taking the lead. The red-haired student was completely focused as he kept a good and steady focus on running until something, or someone broke his concentration and made him fall to the ground. Once the student got back on his feet, he heard immense sounds of laughing and teasing from the trio of students. Mostly from the Welsh Corgi and Red Doberman. They then proceed to whip out their phones and start recording the student.

“Is that even necessary Nelson?” asked the student, “like your ego needs to be any bigger than your test scores.”

“What do you care Jerry-boy!? I think it’s about time that a ‘good guy’ like you be put in his place!” Billy smirked. “Ain’t that right Nelson?”

Nelson nodded before saying “You may be the ‘star’ of the track team Anderson...but you’ll always be a goody-two-shoes loser!” the Doberman laughed.

“Ha! Good one bro!” said Billy as he joined his friend in the laugh.

The student rolled his eyes in annoyance as he proceeded to catch up with his fellow classmates. But just before he could get a running start, he was forcefully tackled to the ground by Nelson. As he tried to get his bearings, the Red Doberman kept him pinned to the ground as he got in the student’s face before saying, “Going somewhere, Anderson…? You and I got some unfinished business.” as he said that, the canine grew a cruel smile, and made his paw into a fist before striking the student in the face.

Back at the bleachers the female coach, otherwise known as, Coach Eloise Landers was patching up the red-haired student’s injuries after his sudden encounter with Nelson Skuller, the Red Doberman that loves to terrorize other students that are scared of him.

“Coach Landers, I’m fine! It’s just a couple of bruises.” said the student as he winced from the stinging sensation of alcohol being dabbed on his cheek.

“Maybe so Jeremy,” said Coach Landers. “But those bruises aren’t going to heal themselves. However, though, I’m just glad you didn’t turn it into a full-on-brawl. As for Nelson...he’ll be punished for not only his brash actions but, for also attacking another student. Is that okay with you Jeremy?”

“Yes Coach Landers,” Jeremy replied. “And besides, Nelson has had it for me and other students since last year. But I’m not gonna let a bully like him bring me down. And if he gives anyone else problems, I’ll be sure to tell Principal Bernstein.” he reassured.

“I’m glad to hear that Jeremy,” Coach Landers replied back. “And it looks you got some visitors,” she says as three of Jeremy’s classmates and one of the cheerleaders walked up to them.

“Yo, Jeremy, are you okay?” An ocelot student asked. “Nelson was a real punk for throwing that punch.”

“I agree,” a female deer student added. “I’m surprised you didn’t knock that malcontent’s teeth in. Or at least retaliate against his goons.”

“C’mon Natalie!” said another student. “You know Jeremy isn’t the type to pick a fight with someone like Nelson. He’s more of a peacekeeper anyway.”

“Okay guys, I’m sure Jeremy would like some alone time now,” the cheerleader smiled. She was African-American with light-orange eyes, all black hair with a streak of yellow in the middle, and she was also wearing an orange and purple cheerleader’ uniform. “And about Nelson; he’s just a big puppy with a childish grudge.” she winked.

“Hehe! Thanks, Kayla, thanks, guys.” Jeremy smiled.  “I appreciate all of you checking on me, but I’ll be fine, get back to running before Coach Talon loses any more feathers.”

Agreeing with their friend and not wanting to tick off the already agitated avian coach, Jeremy’s classmates went back to the track to continue their laps and Kayla went back to practicing her routine with the other cheerleaders. But, unbeknown to them they were being watched by two mysterious men inside of an all black SUV. One man had his hand on the wheel and was looking through a pair of binoculars, while the other man was talking through a communicator in his ear.

“No signs of any suspicious activity Commander. But we’ve identified both Mr. Anderson and Ms. Hopkins, no sign of the other three yet.”

“Excellent work Agent! Knowing Mr. Jones and Mr. Cooper, they’re most likely in class. As for Ms. Garcia, she’s probably playing hooky or in detention. She’s rebellious--but she has spunk. Keep me posted agent.”

“Yes, sir. Signing out,” the agent took his fingers off the communicator and put his attention back on his partner and the students of Finn Hill High School. “How’s it going?”

“Like you told the commander,” the other agent replied. “No signs of suspicious activity. And may I ask? Why are we spying on five specific teenagers? I’m sure the commander or at least the professor has a good explanation for this.”

“They do actually,” said the first agent. “It’s for a ‘Top Secret’ project. Otherwise known as, Operation: Wing Commanders.”

Up in the sky, a military aircraft carrier was hovering over Finn Hill. It had four powerful engines that keep the entire ship airborne, state-of-the-art weaponry, a runway to launch and land all aircraft vehicles and cargo, and a built-in cloaking device to keep it hidden and safe from enemies to uninvited guests. Inside the carrier was a huge base where multiple agents and soldiers were hard at work at monitoring the activities of the city while others are deployed and tasked with secret missions. At the center of the base was a middle-aged man who donned the uniform of a commanding officer; his facial features include a grey mustache, sideburns, and a scar on his right eyebrow. Next to him was a male anthropomorphic Red Fox, who was donning a lab coat, a purple t-shirt, and a pair of grey slacks. He also had golden eyes and was sporting a pair of spectacles.

“Remind me again Ethan...why teenagers?” asked the vulpine. “And please don’t say ‘because they have the attitude!’, not only is that a common stereotype about teenagers, they always have an attitude, they constantly complain about everything, and they have the attention span of a-”

“Well, Jonathon,” Ethan replied. “I’m 100% sure that most of the things you just said are common stereotypes about teenagers. Am I wrong?” he smirked.

“Alright, alright, don’t be so smug of yourself,” Jonathon rolled his eyes. “Anyways, about Operation: Wing Commanders, I made some minor adjustments to the ‘gears and tools’ that we need for the five chosen teenagers.”

“That’s good to hear John,” Ethan nodded. “How long until they’re ready?”

“Just a little bit longer,” John replied. “I need to make sure they don’t malfunction during battles and work any bugs out of the system.”

Suddenly, an emergency alarm went off and the entire base was repeatedly flashing red lights. Some of the agents and soldiers went to their stations to track down the source of the emergency alarm, and others were trying to get all of the monitors turned on to see live footage of the potential threat. Once the screens were turned on, live video footage played of Dark Sparrow and his minions in the middle of town, with their now three hostages, trapped inside the same energy orb from before while still being in an unconscious state.

“Commander, who is that?” one of the soldiers asked.

“I don’t know,” the commander replied. “Turn it up! I want to hear what he has to say.”

“Attention! Earthlings of Finn Hill! You probably don’t know who I am. But, allow me to introduce myself; I am Dark Sparrow. An intergalactic space pirate, conquer of planets, and destroyer of the weak! Now then--the reason I came to your planet. It’s a simple reason; I want to rule it. But not just rule it. I want to enslave all life on this threshold you call home. Some of you will become warriors of my army or even my personal slaves. Whether you like it or not. Because, as of today, I am your new ruler! And if anyone dares to defy me...here’s what happens:"

Dark Sparrow aimed his hand at the energy sphere as he fired a jolt of dark energy which caused the hostages to scream in pain and agony. Along with this, Rag-Zar and Sheira launched multiple blade slashes at several buildings which resulted in all of them exploding and crumbling down to the streets below. People and children were screaming and crying as they ran to take cover and find shelter. Unfortunately, some weren’t so lucky and got badly injured in the chaos.

“Your time is running out Finn Hill! Make your choice: Accept me as your new leader or Perish along with these hostages and the rest of your precious city. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock."

End of Transmission

“Oh my god…” Jonathon gasped. “H-He can’t be serious…”

“This is a Code Red Emergency! All hands on deck! NOW!!” Ethan commanded. “I need a medical team and an evac team down to the city! We got casualties who are severely injured or worse. This is not a drill people, I repeat, this is Not. A. Drill.”

“SIR! YES, SIR!” all of the soldiers shouted as they prepare to deploy down to the city.

Ethan placed his hand on his fox companion’s shoulder before saying, “Professor, how fast can you get those ‘gears and tools’ done?”

The vulpine readjusted his spectacles and gave his commanding officer and companion a reassuring smirk. “Faster than you can say Lightspeed, Commander.”

“All I needed to hear,” the commander nodded before turning on his earpiece. “Agents, assemble the rangers.”

Back at the school, Principal Bernstein was in his office, drinking his second cup of coffee, and reading the reports about a troubled student who has once again caused mischief. The Ursa sighed in frustration, knowing that, this wasn’t the first time he had to deal with this particular student. Ironically enough, it was only the first day of school. It's going to be a very long day.

“Mrs. Evans, would you kindly send Ms. Garcia into my office please?” Principal Bernstein asked, via intercom.

“Right away sir,” she replied back. “Here she comes now.”

And right on cue, a female student walked into the office and made herself comfortable by sitting in one of the available seats and planting her pink sneakers on the principal’s desk. The student was wearing a pink hoodie with a plain white shirt under, a pair of baggy jeans with holes in the knee area, and a pink beanie with a bunny skull in the center. “What am I in for this time chief?”

“That’s Principal to you, young lady,” glared Principal Bernstein. “And as for what you’re in for; playing hooky and spray painting ‘PINK PUNK’ all over the lockers of FH High students, Nelson Skuller, Billy Blake, and Mira Thompson. Care to explain, Ms. Garcia?” he raised his eyebrow.

“What can I say? Social Studies isn’t my forte,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “And as for those three chumps, they deserved it. They think because they’re the ‘Alphas’ of the school, they have the everloving right to harass anyone whenever and whatever they want! Someone’s gotta stand up to them.” she says as she crosses her arms in defiance.

“Ms. Gar--Lucy,” Principle Bernstein cleared his throat. “While I understand your concern. And I really do. But I don’t think vandalizing a fellow student’s locker is the right way to get back at a bully.”

“Then what would you do!? Let them off the hook!? Someone has to stop this!” exclaimed Lucy.

“Lucy, please try to listen. You can’t just put matters into your own hands and expect bad students to stop bullying other students.”

As Lucy was about to give the principal another piece of her mind, one of the mysterious men in black walked into the office and grabbed the teenage girl by her arm. “Lucy Garcia. I’ll need you to come with me.”

“Hold up business dude!” Lucy struggled. “Who the heck are you!? Where are you taking me!? And how do you know my name!?”

“All of your questions will be answered soon. But for now, I need you to calm down and come with me,” The man replied as he calmly took Lucy out of the office. Leaving the poor principle dazed and very confused.

“...I’m switching to decaf.”

Meanwhile, the other mysterious man in black was escorting Adrian and Roy, outside, towards his vehicle.

“So...are you with Secret Services? or the CIA?” asked Roy. “Because if you are, I’m willing to joy. If the pay is good of course.”

“That’s confidential information, Mr. Jones,” the man replied. “And I’m going to have to ask you to refrain from asking any more questions until we reach our destination.”

Roy nodded to the man’s request, but, he decided to open his mouth once more. “But can I just say-”

“Roy,” Adrian said sternly. “Please shut up. I got detention for the first time, I might get grounded until I graduate High School, and we’re possibly being kidnapped,” Adrian added as he starts to rub his temple from all of the stress. And with that, Roy kept his mouth shut as he and Adrian entered the back seat of the man’s vehicle. Once they were inside, they were greeted by two other students, Jeremy Anderson, and Kayla Hopkins.

“Well, well, well,” Roy smirked. “It seems we have a cheerleader amongst us. How's it hanging sunshine?”

“Get a reality check, Jones.” Kayla sassed. “We all got ‘escorted’ out of class by a couple of dudes in business suits, and you’re choosing now to make flirty advances? Not your brightest moment.”

“Agreed,” Jeremy and Adrian said in unison.

“Oh, who asked you guys…?” Roy grumbled. “But in all honesty, why are we here? We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I’m with Jones on this one,” said Kayla. “They must’ve had a good reason for why they chose us four and nobody else.”

“It’s about to be five,” Jeremy pointed out as he saw one of the men in black came back with a reluctant Lucy who was trying to break free of his grip. He soon got out of the way as she ferociously opened the door to the vehicle and sat next to the teenage redhead.

“Sheesh, they got you guys too huh?” Exclaimed Lucy. “So who am I stuck with? The pretty boy, cocky smartmouth, madam pep squad, and the good boy.” she snarked.

The other four teens made very unamusing expressions at Lucy, as they weren’t a fan of the rebel teen’s nicknames for them. “Tough crowd,” she says. “and I thought my abuela and tia were hard to laugh.” Lucy shrugged as she sat back and enjoyed the ride.

And so, the five teenagers were assembled into the vehicle and are currently being transported to an unknown location. Unbeknownst to them, their lives will never be the same. Once they were on the highway, one of the men in black, who was driving, started to pick up speed in a very increasing rate. “Prepare for flight mode.” said one of the men.

“Roger that,” the other man replied. “Should we give them the heads up? This might be a bumpy experience for them.”

“Nah, let them experience it for themselves,” He smirked. “It's always fun to watch the newbies scream and squirm. And besides, they’re teenagers. I’m sure they’ve been through worse.”

In the backseat of the SUV, the five teenagers were starting to get weary and notice something was wrong. Adrian was looking out the window and noticed that they were going a little bit faster than usual, Roy was trying to comfort Kayla by putting his arm around her shoulder, but, all he got was a hard elbow blow to the side, Jeremy was wondering where he and his fellow schoolmates were going, and Lucy was keeping herself distracted by listening to her music. Then suddenly, the SUV started to pick up even more speed and it forced the teens to sit back and tightened their seatbelts.

“Why are we going so fast? Don’t they know about the speed limits here?” asked Adrian.

“They’re probably in a hurry to get somewhere...” said Roy as he began stretching. “Wake me up when we’ve reached our abductor’s hideout,” he says as he starts to fall asleep.

“You’re a lost cause Jones…” Kayla mumbled.

Meanwhile, outside the SUV started to transform. First off, jet wings started to appear on both sides of the vehicle, then the wheels began to hover, in which, caused the whole vehicle to float above the ground and start to take flight, and finally a pair of twin thrusters formed from the back of the vehicle and were starting to power up. Inside the vehicle, a female A.I. voice came on and stated the following: Preparing for Launch! Please make sure all seatbelts are fastened, secured, and everyone is in their assigned seats. Thank you and have a nice day~

“Well that wasn’t too bad,” said Adrian. “At least we can relax now.”

Initiating Countdown: In 5…

“We’re doomed,” Adrian sighed.

4…

“Get ready guys! This is gonna be intense!” informed Jeremy.

3…

“Thanks for the heads up Red,” said Lucy as she gives Jeremy, a mocking salute. “I think we’re completely aware that we may possibly die.”

2…

“Would it kill you to not be a sarcastic smart alec for five minutes?” Kayla asked in a frustrated tone, “I mean seriously, don’t you care that we might not see our friends and family again?”

1…

“Of course I do!” Lucy replied. “But you should be telling that to Prince Snoozy-Butt next to you,” she says as she nods her head at Roy, who was not only snoring but was starting to drool a little.

Ignition!

And just like that, the vehicle blasted off into the sky in a matter of seconds. Leaving only dust and groups of drivers in their path. The two men in black were enjoying their flight to the atmosphere. The man that was driving, however,  grew a huge smile on his face as he can hear the sound of the teens screaming in possible awe or terror. “Tch, newbies.”

Once their vehicle was in the air, it started to slow down its speed and proceeded towards its designated location. The military carrier, that was hidden, thanks to its built-in cloaking device. “Commander Hunter, Sir, we got them. Permission to land?”

“Permission Granted! And hurry! We don’t have that much time.”

“Yes, sir.”

And so, the two men landed their flying vehicle on the runway as it and the entire ship instantly turned visible. The two then proceeded to let the five teenagers out. Fortunately, they made it in one piece, unfortunately, some of them were feeling groggy and kinda sick.

“...I think I’m gonna throw up…” Adrian groaned.

“Yay! We’re alive,” said Lucy. “and on solid ground,” she says as she hugs the pavement.

“Ugh, hey, who turned on the lights…?” Roy yawned as he just woke up from his nap. “Where are we anyway?”

Jeremy and Kayla were the last two to get out of the vehicle. Kayla was regaining her bearings as she took a second to look at the new environment she’s in, and Jeremy cautiously walked towards the edge and noticed that they were no longer in the city anymore. “Uh, guys? You might want to see this,” he says as he looked down at all of the clouds and buildings down below. The others came to see what their schoolmate was talking about, and they were surprised by the massive view.

“That’s a long way down,” said Kayla. “Good thing I'm not afraid of heights.”

“Hate to be the poor sucker that slips and fall to their doom,” Lucy added.

But before anyone else can say anything, the five teens were escorted inside by the two men in black. Once they were inside they took a quick look at their surroundings and were impressed by all of the technological wonders within the place; from massive computers to odd inventions that have never been seen before. Soldiers and workers were scrambling all over the place, while some of them took quick glances at the teenagers and were mumbling things like “That’s them?”, “I didn’t think they were teenagers.”, “Why is one of them a dog? Why not a wolf or something?”. As they continued with their walking, they were soon approached by the commander.

“Commander Hunter, Sir!” The two men saluted.

“At Ease, you two,” said the Commander. “I’ll take it from here,” he says as he motions Jeremy and the others to follow him.

“You’re probably wondering where you are and who I am,” he acknowledged. “Well, allow me to finally answer them for you: My name is Commander Ethan Hunter and you five are in a state-of-the-art military carrier! In other words, it’s a secret base in the sky and the main headquarters of the W.C.O.”

“And what exactly is the ‘W.C.O.’?” asked Jeremy.

“The Wing Command Organization, or, W.C.O. for short,” replied the Commander. “tactical military ops that specialize in dealing with ordinary and unordinary threats. Both in the sky and on the ground. We’re also tasked with keeping Finn Hill and all of its citizens safe. And that’s where you five come in.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” said Roy. “Why us? We’re just teenagers. We don’t know anything about being part of the military. Heck, I’m barely passing history.”

The Commander stopped in his tracks and was in complete silence. He stayed quiet for a few more seconds until he cleared his throat, and gave the five teenagers a stern but serious stare. “Tell me,” he started. “Have any of you five...ever heard of the Power Rangers?”

Jeremy, Roy, Adrian, Kayla, and Lucy, were completely thrown off by the commander’s question. However, they were familiar with the legendary team of heroes. Especially Adrian, whose tail was wagging like crazy. “Seriously!? Who hasn’t!? I��ve always wanted to be one since I was a pup! And, and-ahem-I mean, of course, they’re pretty well-known heroes.” he says as he grabs on to his tail and attempts to hide his embarrassing blush.

“You’re such a nerd dude.” Roy chuckled.

“I don’t know,” said Lucy. “I think it’s cute that he’s a fan.”

“Good, so you’ve heard of them…” nodded the commander. “I need to show you all something,” he says as he directs them into a room with a large square table, a silver briefcase, a monitor, and an anxious Professor Foxworth.

“Yo, who’s the fox dude?” asked Roy.

“Roy…” Adrian elbowed Roy’s arm.

“Show some respect,” Kayla scolded.

“It’s quite alright,” Professor Foxworth sighed. “I’m kinda used to it by now,”

Commander Hunter walked towards the male red fox and rested his hand on his shoulder. “I would like you all to meet Professor Jonathon .H. Foxworth, the leading scientist here at the W.C.O.”

All five teenagers said their greetings to the male vulpine before taking a seat at the table. Once everyone sat down, both, Commander Hunter and Professor Foxworth stood at the front before proceeding with the briefing.

“We have a Code Red Emergency! Earlier today, we got a video message from an individual, that calls himself, Dark Sparrow.” said the Commander as he replayed the footage from earlier. “He’s an intergalactic space pirate whose sole purpose is to conquer and enslave other planets. Unfortunately, Planet Earth is his next target.”

“It gets worse from there,” said the Professor. “His forces have leveled several city blocks, destroyed multiple buildings, and innocent civilians were hurt in the attack. And to add the cherry on top--he has hostages. One of them being the mayor herself…” he says as he displayed images of the hostages.

The five teens watched in horror and anger as they watched their city get destroyed, and innocent people and mammals running for their lives, as they all try to escape the chaos and destruction; Jeremy was clenching a tight fist to display his anger, Lucy was speechless and possibly scared, Kayla was trying to hold back tears as she feared for her own family’s safety, Adrian covered his ears to muffle the sounds of all the people crying and screaming, and Roy was stunned because he recognized one of the hostages. “This isn’t happening...” Roy mumbled.

“What is it Mr. Jones?” asked the Professor.

“I know one of the hostages…” Roy replied. “The cameraman...its my dad!”

To be Continued...

Next time on Power Rangers Wing Commanders!

The Rangers are given their morphers and are soon put to the test when they make an attempt to rescue the kidnapped hostages from the clutches of Rag-Zar, Sheira, and Zerrick. Meanwhile, Dark Sparrow unleashes a horde of Nexors and a monster upon the city! Can our new heroes work as a team and save the day? Or will this be the end of Earth and Finn Hill?

That’s next time! On Power Rangers Wing Commanders!

[drmorbius12]

Solypsia, Warrior of the Watchers

(Vision 7) The Story thus far: Preface The following Book of Stanzas or Runes was found at the bottom of a deep cave, covered in several layers of heavy dust, ash, and rock.  The cave was discovered only a few years ago, within the ruins of a monstrous ancient stonewalled complex.

The edifice appears to have been built over the cave itself, and placed in such a way that it would have been almost impossible to find without knowing where to look.  It may simply have been by chance that it was found at all. As such, the book could be as old as the cave, especially in view of evidence that suggests the cave itself was artificially carved from the living rock, and that the book was found lying at the bottom-most layer. When, by, and for whom, it was written, and for what purpose, is unknown. Thanks to enormous work and effort, you can now read the text from this book, although, unfortunately, the translation is as yet, incomplete. P.S. The discoverer and translator of the book was of the opinion that the Book is Myth and not a Chronicle of History.  Never the less, feel free to draw your own conclusion. P.P.S. The text that follows is a very rough first translation. 1. The Beings of Light 2. The Watchers 3. The Dark Ones 4. The Warrior 5. The Bent Soul 6. The Power 7. The Battle 8. The Revenge 9. The Instrument of Creation 10. The After Myth

1. Beings of Light When the Cosmos cooled and conditions were Right, There came into existence Beings of Light. Strung together by pure Energy, They could think of a thing and that caused it to Be. They wielded their powers and from chaos brought Life, Carving out worlds like sculptor with Knife. To further their work, they created the Watchers, To guide and protect the Creatures they Fathered, And nurture existence so those Creatures Might, Make lives of their own and bring them Delight. On one of these worlds they created a Race, Of Creatures with powers of beauty and Grace. Given these powers to control their Domain, They could live life content and exist without Pain. But a world without pain can only be Myth, Since joy without sorrow cannot Exist. There are always the ones who never seem Right, And prefer dark shadows to the world of Light.

2. Watchers

Since time out of mind the Watchers have born Witness: There are beings in this world with powers almost Limitless.

Many can control the urge to Destroy. But some have gone beyond the boundaries of Joy.

And turned to pain in such exquisite Detail, It makes even the Watchers turn a lighter shade of Pale.

It is such foes they set themselves Against. In the hope that someday the Great Liberation will Commence. 3. Dark Ones

The Dark Ones are hiding down in the Deep, Spinning their terrible webs of Deceit.

They're the ones who's Toll must be Paid, So that their terrible plans may be Laid.

Regurgitated in cold blood Curdled, From the mouths of Gods who did not want them in their World.

These Dark Ones stand in shadows Contrived, They hate the Watchers and plot their Demise.

And if the Bent Soul can turn the Trick, They're one step closer to a world Thick

With Pain beyond the realm of Thought, Past rivers deep with suffering Untaught.

Beyond all possible chance of Recall, Snuffing out the lives of All,

Who stand against those constantly Seeking To gain the World for their own Keeping. 4. Warrior

The fire in her soul burns Unquenchable. The elimination of her enemies will be deadly and Sequential.

The powers she's discovered inside her small Frame, are unfamiliar and yet ready to be Tamed.

The Watchers chose her for a very special Task: They want her to discover the One Behind the Mask.

But first, there is a score to be Settled. Her enemy is powerful and will test all her Mettle.

There is the one they call the Bent Soul, the one she needs to Beat. But she must make sure she has enough Majik buried in the souls of her Feet.

She would dearly love to engage him in combat to the Finish. He is the one who is causing her kind to Diminish. 5. Bent Soul

With yellow fangs and foetid Breath, The Bent Soul stops with thoughts of Death.

A hulking presence in the Dark. Evil mind and devil's Spark.

He can smell that she has passed his Way, But hasn't guessed what game she Plays.

To strike her dead and eat her Soul, Is what it takes to pay the Toll.

He has no doubt that she is Strong, But knows that she has not been Long

At wielding powers new and Strange, Like new born babe that's yet Untrained. 6. Power Lightly she steps to her own sad Song, Contemplating her life as far as it's Gone. That morning she woke from Dreams of Strange Power That threatened to engulf her mind's bright Tower. The peaceable lake at the bottom of her Mind Roiled beyond control in a frightening Sign. Held in a trance, unable to Move, Looking out with a gaze she could not Undo, She became rooted in stone as she stood looking Out From the lofty high walls of the Great Redoubt. Her mind took a leap from rampart to Sky Leaving body behind letting out a great Cry. Of a sudden her vision telescoped to Infinity, She saw her self suspended on the edge of Eternity. Looking down on creation she realized that Soon, Darkness would creep across the bright Moon. And seep into every corner of her small World, Damning the wise, killing as it Unfurled. Spreading poison upon the pure running Waters Her people depend on to live and to Prosper. Along with this vision came powers Anew, And lifting her up, 'cross the world she Flew. And suddenly she knew with her deepest of Mind, How to complete her task and be ready to Find, The one that she hates with all consuming Desire, Who plans her Extinction in a bloodbath of Fire. 7.  Battle The Bent Soul is hiding somewhere Nearby, Thinking that she will be easy to Spy. Not suspecting that she has undergone Transformation, and is ready to effect a great Conflagration. With pain so sharp that it makes him Stagger, He picks up her scent and thinks now he can catch Her. His great bat-like ears quiver with delight At the sound of her footsteps as they fall in the night Every nerve in his psyche is taut as a bow. His toe claws dig in as he crouches down low. "The plan is so simple", the Dark Ones said, As they spoke without voice deep within his huge head: To rip out her soul in one vicious strike And fly back to their realm with the prize held tight! "But she's no fool", her mother once cried, As she spoke to the darkness just before she died, At the hands of the Bent Soul on a night of blood lust. Long ago, in an age now covered with dust. Held tight under arm she cradled a babe that twisted in struggle to escape the hot blade. And that very same child now grown to great stature, Is ready for revenge served with hot molten anger. With new found sight in the nth dimension, Sees him crouched for the kill as though caught in suspension. Leaping from shadow he swoops for the kill. Not knowing she already sees that he will. And now a bright Light shines forth from her soul, Blinding the Bent One beyond his control. Sending him reeling with such a sharp force, That he stumbles and falls like a wounded war horse. With laser-like focus she throttles her beams, And burns a dark hole in the Bent One's dreams. Screams of pain and cognition of loss, Are so great that the sound bounces off the hard rocks, To shake the foundations of all within range, So that even the Dark Ones down in their caves, Instantly know the Bent One has failed: The Warrior's soul will never be jailed, Down in the deep where others they've caught, Live in a world where hope is for naught. Neither living nor dead only serving to feed The obscene blood desires of those who are keen To keep them trapped as long as they can, Locked in malice away from the Sun. From higher realms The Watchers cry out With the joy and the sorrow of those who, no doubt, In spite of their triumph with the Warrior they have chosen, Weep for a once innocent soul long frozen, In shape that defies all reason and logic, To wander forever in thought so demonic, That only The Watchers can dare to witness The dancing dark hatred that lurks there in earnest. 8. Revenge Now the Dark One's can see All that Transpires Gazing into their pale Green Fires. Seeing together through each other's Mind, Seeking to stem the turn of the Tide, They reach down into the dark smoking Husk, of the Bent One as he lies cold in the Dust. With collective sigh they touch the one Spot, that still pulses dimly: they've found what they Sought! The only thing left that shows any Breath, Where they might bring him back from the worst kind of Death: Cast into a Void, where Nothingness Reigns, where even the Watchers couldn't Feign, Not to fear that which was solely Created, even before Spacetime was Inflated, To contain a Dark force that aches with strange joy, for that which only the Beings of Light may Employ. 9. Instrument of Creation The very Instrument of Creation, The Horn of Light, that can only be winded by a Being who's life, Exists on a plane of Infinite surface, Where the Sounds of the Universe Throb with a Purpose. So The Dark Ones burn with rank jealousy, Unable to fathom what the Great Music could be, Caught in a song they cannot Contain, Not hearing the Harmony needed to sustain, Creation as we know it, and failing to see, That as hard as they try they will never succeed With endlessly plotting for ways and designs, New methods to bring down Creation Divine, And steal the Great Instrument so that they may become Masters of all, and Subject to none. 10. After Myth Who are the Music Makers and what gives them strength? What makes them tremble, what makes them think They give birth to a world by wielding pure sound, But never look back as the echoes rebound So the Universe unfolds propelling us all Into paths of the Music We never foresaw. A melody played out eons ago We are unwitting notes caught in the flow.

-Here ends the translation of the first section of the Book

[mikotyzini]

What Defines Us - Ch. 24

We’ve reached the halfway point of the story!

Link on ff.net!

If anyone wanted to see the phrase ‘helicopter parent’ in action, they could come over and experience the combined helicopterness of Yang, Blake, and Weiss.  It was incredible!  The loud whomp whomp whomp of spinning blades filled the air, following Ruby wherever she went - into the garage, into the kitchen, even in the bathroom she could hear it!  Well, not really because it wasn’t a real sound, but it was practically a sound by now!

Blake and/or Yang hardly left her side and, if they did, she could still feel one of them watching her closely.  Or trying to not closely watch her closely.  Like maybe she wouldn’t notice them pretending to read or watch a movie while keeping an eye on her instead.  And maybe she wouldn’t notice how they kind of stalked her around the house.  

The forever-stalking was extra creepy at night with Blake’s glowy cat eyes.  Once or twice, Ruby made the mistake of glancing down the hallway on her way to bed and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw glowing eyes in the distance.  They either belonged to Blake or a ghost, but she was too scared to find out which!  

On top of the Glue Crew (Ruby’s new nickname for Yang and Blake since they stuck to her like glue), Weiss was sending nearly constant messages asking how Ruby was doing.  Seriously, Weiss checked in at least once every hour, sometimes twice every hour.  

Not that Ruby minded the extra attention from Weiss...it was nice that they were thinking about each other so often!  Maybe Weiss was primarily worried about Ruby’s health and wellbeing, but Ruby could pretend that that was the same thing...she was great at pretending things.

But seriously, she’d had the equivalent of a bad headache!  And then she might’ve passed out or whatever, and they might’ve had to use the little laser on her again - but come on!  A pack of ice and pat on the back probably would’ve had her up and running in no time.  Nope!  She had to go to the hospital and that meant more tests and medicine and yadda yadda.  The doctors used big words that she didn’t understand, so she spent most of her time nodding even though she had no idea what they were talking about.  Why couldn’t they just call her brain a brain?  Why were there different names for simple things?

Now she was perfectly fine, but everyone was treating her like she might explode at any minute.  Apparently, she’d earned a new nickname - Ticking Time Bomb Ruby.  

Why wasn’t she in charge of her own nicknames?  She was way better at coming up with them than Yang.

On the slightly-really horrible side, after talking to the doctor Yang had banned Ruby from any and all physical activity for the next few days.  Which sucked!  But it was just a precaution to make sure her brain shrank a bit before she worked it up again.  Who would’ve thought people would wish for her brain to shrink?  Certainly not her grade school teachers…

Barred from physical activity, forced to get a decent amount of sleep every night, and given another pill bottle to add to her tower.  This one would be a cinch - no side effects, only a handful of pills, no problem!  She could take them all at once!  But that was highly not recommended.  

There was good news in the midst of the crummy news though!  

Unlike before - when Ruby had to twiddle her thumbs when she wasn’t allowed to train - now she had a friend to talk to!  Thankfully, Weiss seemed more than happy to chat whenever Ruby wanted, so her days of mandatory rest would pass quickly.  And, as soon as the time was up, she was going to beg Blake to practice with her again.  After going on one hunt, she wanted to go on more.  A somewhat-suspect brain wasn’t enough to stop her!

Glancing at the time, Ruby tossed her scroll on the bed and headed out of her room so she could catch Blake and Yang before they left for the night.  Once in the hallway, she walked to the kitchen.  Walked.

Walking was soooo slowwww.  It was such a waste of time!  If she moved faster, she’d get to the kitchen faster and have more time to do other things!  But Yang had specifically banned Ruby from using her semblance and had even set a speed limit in the house - anything more than a walk and Ruby had to organize all of Yang’s shoes, which was not something she ever wanted to do.  

So she was walking everywhere.  And they didn’t need a bigger house because this one was already way too freaking big.  

When she finally made it to the kitchen (about a decade later), she found Blake and Yang putting away the dishes from dinner.  Well, Blake was putting away dishes while Yang held onto her and whispered into her ear, making her laugh about something.

“The doctors didn’t permanently attach your hand to Blake, did they?” Ruby joked, drawing their attention her way.

“Why yes they did,” Yang replied with a grin, refusing to remove her hand from Blake’s side.  When Blake tried to move away, Yang clasped onto a handful of her shirt to keep her in place.  “They said it was medically necessary for my survival.  And ya know what?  I’ve never felt better.”  

Ruby rolled her eyes at Yang’s overjoyed smile.  Her sister was impossible to tease, as usual.  No matter what Ruby said, Yang could always turn it around and make it some sort of weird compliment.  

But something was up with them.  They’d been extra fond of each other recently...and that was saying something since they were normally extra fond of each other.

“What’s up with you two?” Ruby asked after Yang stole a kiss while Blake wasn’t paying attention, making her ears twitch in surprise.

“What do you mean?” Blake asked, her cheeks blushing a soft red.

“You're like...extra lovey-dovey with each other.”

“I’m not allowed to love my girlfriend?” Yang asked, sharing a warm smile with Blake.

Shaking her head, Ruby decided that she probably didn’t want to know what was up with them.  For all she knew, they were celebrating some sort of anniversary that should not be shared with siblings or any other family members.  No thanks.  Her ears didn’t need to bleed today!  Then they’d probably rush her back to the hospital, and they’d have to start this whole thing all over again.

“How are you feeling?”  Somehow, Blake managed to peel her attention away from Yang just long enough to ask Ruby that question.

“Good as new!”  Flashing two thumbs up, Ruby grinned.  “I feel like I could run a whole marathon and not get tired!”

“That’s great!  Cuz I’ve been meaning to organize my shoes forever.”  

Ruby stuck her tongue out at her sister when Yang laughed.

“I’m not gonna run around!  But I feel fine,” Ruby added before glancing at the clock over the stove.  “Shouldn’t you be leaving soon?  I thought the concert was in an hour!”

“It is.  And yes, we should be,” Blake answered before giving Yang a playful shove towards their room.

Tonight was the night of the Achievemen concert Weiss gave Yang tickets to.  Thankfully, Blake had convinced Yang not to blast the albums on repeat all day long - something about how Blake didn’t want Yang to ‘wear out’ the songs before they heard the live versions.  And there may have been a more violent threat whispered right after that, but it had been too low for Ruby to hear.  It made Yang more than willing to agree though!

“This is gonna be the best night ever,” Yang said with a smile.  “Just me, Blake, and backstage passes to meet the Achievemen.  We’ll be close enough to see them sweat!  Isn’t that awesome??”

The look on Blake’s face said that that was not at all awesome, but she nodded anyway.  

When Yang got excited like this, her mood was impossible to dampen.  A fire hose wouldn’t even be enough to calm her down.  Ruby would love to try that out though, just in case.  But it probably wouldn’t work, and then Yang would be mad that Ruby sprayed her with a fire hose.

“We even get to meet them after the show!  Gonna get some autographs for sure,” Yang continued happily.  “Next time you’ve gotta come, Ruby.  You’d have a -”

The sentence abruptly cut off as Yang’s smile fell.

“Oh shoot!  We need someone to watch Ruby if we’re gonna be gone!” Yang said, turning to Blake with an expression of concern.

“Yangggg, come on - I don’t need a babysitter!” Ruby whined.  “I can take care of myself!”

“Uh huh...and what’re you gonna do if your brain tries to explode itself again?” Yang retorted.  

“I’m pretty sure that won’t happen!”

“How sure?”

“I’m not a doctor!” Ruby replied, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.  

Following the conversation, Blake tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the countertop before intervening.

“I’m sure Weiss would be willing to come over,” she suggested.  Ruby’s eyes widened at the idea - which was genius.  Leave it to Blake to figure out the best solution ever.

“That’d be pretty cool if Weiss came over!” Ruby quipped, her happy endorsement making Yang smirk.

“Oh really?  What was all that whining for then?”

Furrowing her brow, Ruby nodded her head as if she was seriously pondering her sister’s words.  “I’ve reconsidered that, and...I think it would be a good idea to have someone here.  Just in case.”

When Blake shook her head and Yang laughed, Ruby couldn’t help but smile.

“Ok, short stack.”  Yang reached out and tried to rustle Ruby’s hair, but Ruby successfully dodged out of the way.  “Why don’t you see if Weiss can come over now?”

Grinning at the question, she almost used her semblance to blast to her room to retrieve her scroll.  But she didn’t.  She walked quickly.  Which was still so freaking slow.  At this pace, the concert would be over by the time she reached her room, and then she’d never get to see Weiss.

It took a gazillion steps to get out of the kitchen and another quadrillion to make it down the hall, but she eventually made it to her room.  Grabbing her scroll off the bed, she typed out a quick message.

‘Blake and Yang won’t leave for the concert unless someone is here to watch me.  Can you come over?’

She only waited a few seconds for Weiss’ response to arrive - a very succinct ‘On my way.’  Weiss always had such concise answers.  Even her messages were tidy - it was cute!  

Er, it was...interesting.  Which apparently meant the same thing as cute these days.

Beaming at what had unexpectedly become an awesome evening, Ruby decided to keep the scroll with her so that she wouldn’t have to cross Remnant to get it again.  After another full day of walking, she flounced into the living room and caught her sister and Blake at the end of a kiss.  

“She’s on her way!” Ruby announced, but her presence did nothing to put space between them.  

Jeez...what happened to the days when they’d separate a little bit?  Not that she cared - they were in love and happy.  It was just weird to remember that there was actually a time when they’d acted completely different around her.  

A lot had changed since then.  

Ending the kiss and playing with Blake’s hair, Yang smirked and rolled her eyes at Ruby’s news.  “Of course she’ll drop everything to get here right away...” she muttered.

“But someone will be here to watch Ruby,” Blake replied, taking Yang’s hand and pulling her towards their bedroom.  “So now we can get ready to leave.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone is excited to see the Achievemen!” Yang called out, allowing Blake to pull her down the hallway.  Ruby laughed at the idea that anyone but Yang liked that band, but she couldn’t hear Blake’s muffled response.  She could imagine it though!  It was probably something super clever and witty like ‘ha, you wish’ or ‘yeah, right’ or…

There was a reason why Blake was the witty one and not Ruby.  She sucked at being witty under pressure!

Since it would take another year or two to walk to her room and back, Ruby hopped up onto the kitchen counter and waited for Weiss to get there.  Because Weiss was coming over!  Ruby had planned on spending her alone time in the workshop, but this was way better!

Even though they’d been in near constant communication via scroll, Ruby hadn’t seen Weiss since the hospital.  That was only a couple of days ago, but it felt like they’d been apart forever.  Sending messages was nice, but it was nothing compared to hanging out in person!  A message didn’t have Weiss’ voice or her eyes...that would be really weird if they did though.  Oh!  They could video message!  Although Ruby had to wonder if Weiss would be ok doing that.  It wouldn’t be an option when Weiss was at work or doing something important, but maybe at other times?

Waiting for the time to pass, Ruby swung her feet and traced her fingers along the scar on her wrist.  It had been a long time since her arm really hurt.  Sometimes there was a slight achiness in it when she overused it, but even that was disappearing with time.  The scar would never disappear though, which was fine with her.  It gave her something to remember the injury by since she didn’t have the actual memories of it.  Plus, scars were supposedly attractive, right?  She’d heard Yang say something about that once...and she definitely agreed when thinking about the small scar that ran across Weiss’ eye.

Amongst all the interesting things Ruby had ever learned, one of the most interesting was how interesting Weiss was!  She was basically...all thought-consuming.  For the longest time, Ruby had had such a one track mind - it was training, training, training, and nothing else.  Then bam!  Weiss walked into their life, and suddenly she was all Ruby could think about.

Ok, Weiss hadn’t walked in with a bam.  The door hadn’t made any sort of noise.  And maybe it was more appropriate to say that Ruby now had a two-track mind.  One track was reserved for training and becoming a huntress, but the other was exclusively for Weiss.  Because Weiss was very, very...interesting.

Hearing Blake and Yang’s voices carrying out of the hall, Ruby looked up from her wrist.  The two were dressed for a night on the town, as Yang liked to call it.  Walking into the living room, they rummaged through the hallway closet for whatever shoes they were going to wear to the concert.

“Jeez Ruby - waiting for someone?” Yang teased while indiscriminately tossing several miscellaneous shoes out of the closet.

“It takes forever to walk anywhere!” Ruby complained, kicking her feet in exasperation.  

“It only feels like forever because you’re used to moving twice as fast as regular people do,” Blake commented with an amused expression.  Somehow, she’d already found her shoes and put them on when Ruby hadn’t noticed.

“Welcome to how the rest of the world feels!” Yang added with a cheeky grin.

“It sucks,” Ruby moped from the countertop.  “You’re all so slow.”

Chuckling at the response, Blake walked over to the front door and opened it - revealing Weiss just stepping up onto the front porch.  Not at all surprised that she hadn’t been able to knock, Weiss merely looked at Blake and shook her head in admiration.

“Hey Weiss,” Blake said with a sly smile as Ruby let out an ‘eep!’ and jumped down from the counter to greet their guest.

“Weiss!” she called out, meeting Weiss right inside the front door and pulling her into a quick hug.  “I’m so glad you could make it!”

“Yes, we’re all very fortunate you could make it,” Blake added with a grin while handing Yang the second shoe she’d been searching for.

“Aha!” Yang exclaimed as she took it and slid it onto her foot.  After checking her pockets and bag for the tickets, she gave Blake a thumbs up.  “Now I’m ready!”

“Guess we can finally leave,” Blake teased, taking Yang’s hand and heading towards the door.  “Getting you there on time will be an achievemen-t of its own.”

When Ruby groaned, Yang laughed and pulled Blake close to place a kiss between her ears.

“Have I mentioned that I love you today?  Because I totally love you,” Yang remarked with a big grin before finally acknowledging Weiss’ presence.  Her smile fell a bit, but she cleared her throat and spoke first.

“Uh, thanks for the tickets, Weiss,” she said, lifting her hand in a loose fist and making a motion like she wanted Weiss to bump it with her own.  Weiss didn’t understand the gesture at first, but eventually caught on and lightly tapped her knuckles against Yang’s.

“You’re welcome,” she replied, managing a small smile of her own as Yang stepped outside with Blake.

“Oh yes, thank you for encouraging this unhealthy obsession,” Blake teased.

“Just wait, Blake.  By the end of the night, you’ll be begging me for their albums.”

“Yes, so that I can burn them.”  

Chuckling, Yang suddenly stopped and turned back to the house, pointing a finger towards Ruby and then Weiss.

“And you two - don’t do anything Blake and I wouldn’t do.”

“There are actually things you won’t do?” Ruby joked.  

After making a face at Ruby, Yang pulled the door shut with a “Be back later!”

Left alone in the house, but still able to hear the two girls talking outside, Weiss turned and smiled at Ruby.  Ruby’s excitement immediately shot through the ceiling - because Weiss was here!  They got to spend the night together!  Or like, maybe not the night, but at least until the concert ended.

“How are you feeling?” Weiss asked first.  About an hour had passed since she’d asked that question, so it was exactly what Ruby expected.

“Perfectly peachy!” she replied with a big grin.  “Absolutely amazing!  Fantastically fantastic!  Extra uh...excellent!”

Weiss pursed her lips at the slew of words.

“I’ve been asking that too much, haven’t I,” she said, her clear blue eyes saying that she already knew the answer to that question.

“Nope!  Well, yeah, a lot, but I totally don’t mind!”  Using her best ‘totally not minding’ face, Ruby successfully erased the concern from Weiss’.

“Well, how about I ask you a different question then?” Weiss asked with a hint of a smile that had Ruby hanging onto every word.  “What would you like to do now?”

“Something Yang and Blake wouldn’t do!” Ruby immediately answered, throwing her hands up in the air in excitement.  “So...clean, maybe?”

The joke made Weiss laugh - and Ruby really liked it when Weiss laughed.  There was something so rewarding in seeing light blue eyes sparkle with joy and, for a brief moment, catching a glimpse of a different person - the cheerful, less poised version of Weiss peeking through every expression of true happiness.   

If only there were a way to get Weiss to laugh more...then maybe that other version of her could stick around longer...

Oh!  Ruby happened to know an extra-awesome and super-effective way to make someone to laugh oodles.  Duh, why hadn’t she thought about this before?  It was only something Yang did to Ruby all the time.

“I have an idea.”

“Really?  What is it?”

Weiss’ willingness to hear the idea was super adorable, but Ruby didn’t need to say it out loud. Instead,  she raised her hands and wiggled her fingers in the universal ‘I’m gonna tickle you’ gesture.  Eyes instantly widening in recognition, Weiss took several steps away.

“Ruby…” Weiss’ voice was low with warning while she inched towards the living room.  “Don’t you dare.”

When Ruby grinned and stepped forward, Weiss took another step back to match.  But Weiss was backing into the living room, where there was very little opportunity to escape.  The furniture would work perfectly in Ruby’s favor - allowing her to pen the girl in.  And if she could get Weiss to the sofa, she would win.  Ruby knew all of this from personal experience - on the losing side of things, of course.

Frozen in a draw, each of them waited for the other to make the first move.  It was just like sparing!  One of them had to move first, and the other would try to react in time.

Grinning at the comparison, Ruby decided to make the first move.  She faked a step forward and to the left, which Weiss instantly reacted to, but Ruby was expecting that reaction.  Planting her foot on the ground and quickly pivoting the other direction, she just barely managed to reach out and wrap her arms around Weiss before she slipped out of reach.  Spinning around, Weiss tried to escape backwards, but all she managed to do was drag Ruby right along with her as they both collapsed awkwardly onto the sofa - which played right into Ruby’s advantage.  

As soon as they hit the soft cushions, Ruby unwrapped her arms from around Weiss’ waist and tickled Weiss’ rib cage - by far the most ticklish spot for most people.

And, interestingly enough, Weiss was ‘most people.’  She let out the most adorable squeal Ruby had ever heard while struggling to get away from the tickling fingers.

“Ruby!  You -!”

When Weiss’ words dissolved into uncontrollable laughter, Ruby grinned and continued the relentless onslaught of tickles.  Weiss looked so happy right now, even as she squirmed and tried to free herself.  But there was no way she was getting away from Ruby - Ruby was the tickle master-in-training!  Or more of an apprentice.

Wiggling her fingers in between Weiss’ ribs, Ruby laughed as she dodged a flailing arm that almost whacked her in the head.  She should’ve tickled Weiss way earlier!

“Alright!  You -!” Weiss gasped before a few more giggles escaped.  “R-Ruby you win!”

Hearing the magic word, Ruby immediately stopped and grinned down at Weiss, satisfied with the victory.

“God, Ruby - you...dolt,” Weiss huffed, trying to regain her breath while a soft red colored her cheeks.  “You’re...trying to kill me…”

Even though Weiss was pretending to be annoyed, she was still smiling.

Weiss was really pretty when she smiled - a real smile and not those guarded ones she normally used.  Like, she was really, really pretty.  And when she was lightly panting through slightly parted lips, staring up at Ruby with intent blue eyes that seemed to see right through her, with the two of them intertwined on the sofa...it almost felt like Ruby could - or she should - lean down, closing the small gap between them and -

Coughing into her hand to clear that sudden thought from her mind, Ruby refocused on Weiss.  On Weiss’ eyes, not her lips.

“Death by tickles, huh?” Ruby asked, sitting up in order to put some space between them and bury the random craving she’d just had.

“It’s possible,” Weiss replied with a serious expression as she sat up, too.

“Nuh uh -”

“Yes ‘huh,’ it’s happened before.”

Giggling, Ruby patted Weiss on the shoulder.  “I’m not falling for that one!”

“Want to look it up?”  

A smirk accompanied the question - marking it as a challenge.  Ruby’s resolve wavered at the look.  If Weiss was willing to look it up, maybe she was right.  Or...maybe she was bluffing and hoped Ruby wouldn’t catch her.  But that would be tricky.  Was Weiss tricky?

Staring at Weiss for what felt like forever, Ruby searched icy blue eyes that were much warmer than their color implied.  There had to be a hint in there somewhere...something that gave away whether or not Weiss was bluffing…

When Ruby narrowed her eyes, Weiss playfully narrowed hers in turn.  

If Weiss was lying, what would give it away?  Would it be in her eyes?  Would they slightly squint or change color?  Would her pupils be a little bigger than usual, or would she have the tiniest hint of a smile?

Suddenly stumbling over the answer, Ruby beamed in delight.  There was one.  Weiss had a tell!

“Ok,” Ruby replied, sitting nice and straight on the sofa cushion.  “Let’s look it up then.”

Weiss was good.  Very composed.  She hardly flinched at Ruby’s words, but when Ruby reached for Weiss’ scroll to put this matter to rest, a hand shot out to stop her.

“Wait.”  

Ruby beamed at the single word, ready to accept her tiny triumph while Weiss looked baffled at how her bluff had been called.

“Alright, you got me.  How did you know?”

“You have a tell, Weiss!” Ruby exclaimed, more excited about finding that than about being right.  But her words only made Weiss blink in confusion.

“A...tell?”

“Yeah!  A tell - like something you do when you’re lying!  I just figured it out!”

“What??” Weiss asked in shock.  “I do not have a tell.”

“You totally do!”

“Then what is it?”

Sensing the trap and successfully hopping over it instead of falling into it, Ruby shook her head - sending her hair flying all over the place.

“No way - I’m not telling you!  Then you’ll just stop doing it!”

“But...you have to tell me!”

“Why?” she asked, laughing at Weiss’ miffed expression.

“Because!  I...you...you just should!”

“That’s super not convincing!” Ruby replied gleefully.  “But maybe you can persuade me to part with my secrets?”  When Ruby playfully batted her eyes, Weiss looked more shocked than anything else.

“How?”

“I dunno.  What’s something really awesome that I might want?”  

When the question made Weiss blush and turn away, Ruby’s cheeks warmed up too.  Had Weiss just thought about what Ruby had just thought about?  Or something completely different?  Something better?

What had Weiss just thought??

“I’m not sure…” Weiss mumbled before turning back to Ruby - the moment of indecision already gone and replaced by a more assured persona.  “One million chocolate chip cookies.”

Ruby burst into giggles at the offer.  Because yes, that was amazing and yes, that was something she’d want, but also because Weiss looked so serious about it!  Like this was some business deal and she’d literally hand over a million cookies in exchange for the information.

But Ruby couldn’t be bought so easily!  Well, maybe normally she could, but not this time!

“Noooo thank you!”

The reply made Weiss’ mouth fall open in surprise.

“You’re turning down a million cookies,” she stated in disbelief while Ruby nodded, pleased with her random thread of self-control.

“Yup!  I think this information is much more valuable than that.  Plus, I don’t think I could eat them all before they went bad!”

Maybe she could, but that was an awful lot of cookies.  What would that even look like?  Would they fill her room?  The whole house?  The neighborhood would probably smell like heaven!  How much milk would she need to eat that many cookies?  They’d have to get their own cow!  She’d name him Herman.  Wait - did boy cows make milk?

While Ruby contemplated the logistics of receiving one million cookies, Weiss tapped one finger against her knee, furrowed her brow, and bit her lip in the most adorable display of concentration as she tried to figure out how to pry the information from Ruby.

“What do you want…?”  

The question wasn’t directed at Ruby - it was more like Weiss said it to herself while trying to find the answer in Ruby’s eyes.  

What did Ruby want?  She wanted a lot of things!  But knowing when Weiss was trying to lie would probably be super valuable.  Maybe she’d be willing to exchange the information for…

Instantly blushing when her brain jumped to something she would absolutely give up the secret for, Ruby averted her eyes and blew a puff of air through her lips.  

Why was that her answer?  Why was she thinking about that so much right now?  Hopefully Weiss’ superpowers didn’t include mind reading.  Otherwise Ruby was in for a world of first-class embarrassment right...about…

Now.

When Weiss’ finger kept tapping her knee and nothing else happened, Ruby grinned and wrapped her arms around her legs.

“I can’t think of anything!” she remarked.  It was a fib.  A big, fat one.  There was one thing she couldn’t stop thinking of right now, but there was no way she could ask for that!  No, she’d just keep the information safe and sound for now.

“Nothing?”

“Nope!  Plus, I like knowing something about you that no one else does.  Even you!”  

That last part was the truth.  Knowing this information made Ruby special, and she really, really liked the idea that she was special - at least, she wanted to be special when it came to Weiss.

Tilting her head to one side, Weiss stared at Ruby for a long time.  Obviously, she hadn’t expected Ruby to be so difficult to crack.  Which was probably smart thinking - it wasn’t every day Ruby found the resolve to turn down a million cookies!  She’d probably take that deal ninety-nine times out of a hundred.  Weiss was just unlucky tonight.

“But maybe I’ll tell you one day!” Ruby added with a grin.  Weiss stared for a few more seconds before smiling and shaking her head.

“You’re obviously feeling better.”

“Yup!  I’m great!”

“Good.  Because I really don’t want to take you to the hospital again.”

“And you’re telling the truth!” Ruby added playfully, making Weiss’ eyes narrow in thought once more.

“You won’t tell anyone, will you?”

“You think I’d turn down a million cookies and then just hand this priceless knowledge out for nothing??  No way!”  Shaking her head, Ruby added, “They’d have to offer me something better!”

“Such as…?”

“Uh, such as…”  Racking her brain, she tried to come up with anything that could possibly be better.  It was really hard!  Weiss had nailed that offer even if Ruby hadn’t accepted it.

“Yang would have to shave her head!” Ruby said before laughing at how funny it would be to see her sister with no hair.  “Oh!  Or, Blake would have to let me take Gambol Shroud apart and tinker with him for an entire - three days!”

That last one was quite enticing, too!  

Chuckling lightly, Weiss shook her head.

“So never.”

“Basically.  It’s cookies or bust.”

Satisfied with that answer, Weiss nodded and leaned against the sofa.  Ruby collapsed backwards too, grinning all the while.  Being around Weiss was always really fun and...easy.  It was kind of weird because they hadn’t known each other that long, but they were already pretty comfortable around one another!  Maybe they hadn’t known each other for years like some friends did, but that didn’t matter, right?  As long as they had a good time together, they could be great friends!

This ‘making friends’ thing was easier than she’d thought.  It probably helped that Weiss already knew Yang, but Ruby would take all the help she could get.

With their shoulders barely touching, Ruby waited for a few seconds in silence before deciding that she needed to say something.  She was the host, after all!  It was important to keep guests entertained and not bore them to death.  And it was possible to bore someone to death - look it up!

“So we did what I wanted to do...now what do you wanna do?” she asked, shifting in her seat to look at Weiss.

“I thought I was supposed to watch you.”

“You’re just going to sit there and look at me?”

Smiling, Weiss shrugged at the question.  “Sure, that wouldn’t bother me one bit.  But is there anything else you’d like to do?”

That was a great question.  What did Ruby want to do?  There were so many choices!  The world was their oyster!  Except that they probably shouldn’t leave the house, and Ruby wasn’t allowed to do anything more physical than shuffle her feet across the floor.  

The world was their slightly-restricted oyster!

There were still lots of great options though.  They could go for a walk around the house - that would take them into next century.  Or they could go into the garage and work on something  - maybe Weiss would want to work on a project with Ruby?  That’d be cool!  Or they could hide Yang’s shoes outside.  Or...

“Oh!” Ruby exclaimed when an idea popped into her head.  “I know!  We can practice my hand-eye coordination!  Can you use your glyph-things to throw stuff at me?  Do they work like that?”

When Ruby hopped off the sofa, Weiss’s eyes followed her.

“Yes...but throw what ‘stuff’ at you?”  

“Um…” Unsure about an answer, Ruby glanced around.  What was small and a good projectile?  

Leaving the sofa behind, she walked into the kitchen and started opening drawers in search of something to use.  “Aha!” she remarked in success, pulling a handful of silverware out of the drawer and turning back to Weiss.  “How ‘bout these?”

Looking from the silverware to Ruby and back again, Weiss’ expression was one of pure incredulity.

“Let me get this straight...Yang made you invite me over to make sure you don’t end up back in the hospital, but you want me to shoot knives at you and hope you can catch them before they impale you?”

“Yeah!”

Smiling, Weiss shook her head.  “No...I’m not going to do that.”

Her balloon of excitement deflating, Ruby dropped the silverware onto the table as Weiss stood and joined her in the kitchen.  Moving with an air of determination, Weiss methodically searched through the drawers herself before pulling open the fridge and rummaging around inside.  A few seconds later, she emerged with a bag of grapes in hand.

“I would be willing to throw these at you though,” she said with a pleased grin.

See?  This was why Weiss was so much smarter than Ruby.

“Yes!”

Pumping one fist in victory, Ruby slowly and carefully made her way back to the living room and stood in front of the television.  Ok, that was a lie.  She kind of, sort of ran-hopped.  But Yang wasn’t around to say whether or not it was too fast.  A speed limit was useless unless there was a cop around to hand out tickets!

That didn’t mean Ruby was dumb enough to use her semblance though.  One runaway petal and she’d be as good as caught red-handed.

With Ruby in place, Weiss took a seat on the sofa and set the bag of grapes on the cushion beside her (the coffee table had yet to be replaced after its unfortunate accident).  Carefully plucking one grape out of the bag, she held it up for Ruby to see.

“Are you ready?”

Rubbing her hands together, Ruby nodded and focused on the small, green orb between Weiss’ fingers.  Nodding in return, Weiss tossed the grape towards Ruby in a slow, meandering arc.  

Ruby was about to complain that that was way too easy - then a white/blue glyph appeared out of nowhere.  The instant the grape hit the glyph’s surface, it shot off at a completely different angle and nailed Ruby in the side like a friendly version of a mini rocket.

“Wow!” she exclaimed, watching the grape roll away from her before turning back to Weiss.  “That was super fast!”

“Did you think I’d take it easy on you?”

Stunned by the response, Ruby looked at the grape on the floor before grinning at Weiss.  There was a playful sparkle in Weiss’ eyes that suggested Ruby should’ve known better than to expect such an easy game.

Well, she knew better now!

“Ok,” she said, bending her knees and raising her hands in preparation.  “I’m really ready this time.  No more drops!”

Nodding, Weiss held another grape up so Ruby could see.  This time Ruby made sure to focus all her attention on the tiny orb - every single bit of focus she had in her entire body.  

In not-really slow motion, Weiss drew her hand back and let it fly.

Determined to catch this one, Ruby pinpointed the grape in the air and figured out its trajectory - but the game didn’t stop there.  At the first glimpse of white, she locked onto the glyph as it appeared and determined the angle it was pointing in relation to the grape.  As soon as the two met, Ruby shot her hand out to where she anticipated the grape would go and closed her fingers around the squishy object.

“Aha!” she cried out in success, holding up the grape in victory.  

“Good job,” Weiss congratulated her with a smile.

“Yes!” Ruby exclaimed, hopping with joy.  “Blake’s gotta watch out - she’s not the only ninja anymore!  Ruby Rose is the sneakiest of sneaky in this house now!”  

Ruby waved her hands around like a ninja - making karate chops in the air - before a small object bounced off her side.  Looking around in surprise and finding another grape rolling away, she turned back to the sofa and found Weiss trying to stifle her laughter.

“Looks like you missed one, Miss Ninja.”

Playfully narrowing her eyes, Ruby popped the grape into her mouth and raised her hands at the ready.

“Oh, you think you’re soooo good at throwing grapes and stuff?” she teased.  “Bring it on!”

“You’re not ready for this.”

“I totally am!  You’re not ready for this!”

When Weiss arched one brow at the lame comeback, Ruby shook her head.

“Or something more witty than that!  Just - let’s see what you’ve got!”

Waving her hands around like the world’s most skilled goalkeeper, Ruby watched Weiss prepare for the next round of this battle between two equally matched foes.  Equally matched, as in one of them was not better than the other.

Maybe Ruby should be concerned by the handful of grapes Weiss was holding in one hand...but she wasn’t!  She was slick as a ninja!  Quick as a cat!  More Blake references!

Squeaking in surprise when Weiss threw not one but two grapes in the air, Ruby watched as two glyphs pointing in different directions successfully pelted both grapes into her on opposite sides.

Ok, so Weiss was pretty good at this.  

“Lucky shot!” Ruby called out before ducking as a grape whizzed over her head. 

She managed to catch one out of the next three grapes thrown her way, but the moment she paused to say “Aha!” two more ricocheted off of her back.  Her back!  Tossing the grape at Weiss - who deftly dodged out of the way - Ruby yelped while trying to catch two more, but they flew into her instead.

If this was a competition, Weiss was winning.  It wasn’t even close.  But it was still equally matched.

Ruby was going to catch the next one, but then the glyph rotated at the last second and sent the grape spinning off of her shoulder.  And the next grape stuck to the glyph for a half second longer than expected, the white patterns swirling together before firing the grape like a shot out of a cannon.

Every time Ruby squealed when a grape hit her, Weiss laughed.  And every time Weiss laughed, Ruby couldn’t help but laugh too.  

Laughing made it a lot harder to focus on the flying missiles, but she started having more success after the first dozen or so grapes.  Whenever she managed to catch one, she’d throw it at Weiss - only for it to fly right back at twice the speed.  

She was losing the battle and the war, but it didn’t matter when she was having so much fun.  

“Ok!” she finally called out, raising her hands in surrender (which only exposed her ribs for Weiss to hit with two last-second grapes).  “Ok, I give up!  You win!”

Slowly lowering her hands, Ruby beamed when she saw Weiss’ twinkling eyes and amused smile.

“So you’ve had enough?”

Ruby smiled when she saw the tease in Weiss’ eyes.  

Most of the time, Weiss was calm and collected.  But right now, she was...playful.  It was like she’d briefly let go of whatever plagued her and allowed herself to be happy and free.  

Playful, happy Weiss was now one of Ruby’s favorite things…

Looking at the floor littered with grapes, Ruby bent down to collect a handful for herself.

“Hey, it’s not that easy!” she replied while standing up with her ammunition.  “Why don’t you try?  Teach me your ways, oh wise one.”  

Ever a good sport, Weiss nodded and stood from the sofa.  Crouching slightly, she raised both hands like Ruby had just been doing.  After taking a brief moment to appreciate Weiss’ super cute expression of concentration, Ruby looked down at the grapes in her hand.

She didn’t have super cool glyphs like Weiss did.  She had her speed, but that wasn’t helpful in this situation - not that she was allowed to use her semblance anyway.  But what she lacked in awesome glyphs, she made up for in ingenuity! 

She could throw just one grape, but that wouldn’t be a challenge.  Two would also be pretty easy…

Fortunately, she had the element of surprise on her side - because she had a doozy of a plan!

Picking up a solitary grape, Ruby held it in her left hand and swung her arm back like she was going to throw it.  But, at the same moment she let that grape fly, she shot her other hand forward and threw the entire fistful of grapes at Weiss at once.  

It was brilliantly executed.

As was the glyph Weiss formed in front of her to capture all of the grapes in midair.  

Catching the flash of a smirk on Weiss’ lips, Ruby instinctively covered her head and turned as the grapes pelted into her - every single one of them bouncing off of her before falling to the floor.  

Only when the barrage ended did Ruby lower her hands and start giggling - looking over to the sofa to find Weiss laughing too.  And laughing Weiss was just...the best.

“How did you know I was gonna do that??” Ruby asked through her giggles, only for Weiss to smile and shrug.

“It seemed like something you would do.”

“Uh oh.”

“What?” Weiss asked, her expression quickly turning to one of concern.

“You know me too well,” Ruby concluded with a grin.  Relaxing, Weiss returned the grin with a smile - another one of those amazing smiles that reached her eyes and made them shine with joy.  

Ruby loved seeing that - she loved it when Weiss smiled so freely.  She loved it when Weiss relaxed and had fun.  And she loved being able to bring out this side of Weiss, if only for a few seconds at a time.

Ruby would’ve shared that smile forever, but Weiss eventually broke eye contact and looked at the mess of grapes on the floor.  As she did so, her walls slid back into place, and the carefree version of Weiss slipped away.

It was a fast change, and it left Ruby with a strange feeling of loss - but she wasn’t discouraged.  If Weiss was still here, there was nothing to be discouraged about.  

“Oh!  I have an idea!” Ruby said as a plan popped into her mind.  Runn - walking quickly to the fridge, she pulled out a carton before rushing back to the living room and pressing it into Weiss’ hands.  

“What’s way more awesome than grapes?” she asked, grinning at her genius idea.

Looking down at the carton in her hands, Weiss then looked at Ruby in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious -”

“Deadly serious!  Come on - it’ll be fun!”  Pressing her palms together, Ruby begged with her eyes - using the best set of puppy dog eyes she had.

After briefly biting her lip, Weiss fought back a smile while pulling two eggs from the carton and setting the rest on the floor by her feet.  Holding one of the fragile items up in the air, she gave Ruby a playfully serious expression that did little to mask her enjoyment of the situation.

“You’d better catch these.”

Taking the words as acceptance of the idea, Ruby giggled in delight while hopping over to her spot in front of the TV.

Honestly, she didn’t care if she caught the eggs or not.  All that mattered right now was that the happy version of Weiss was back.

[ben-j-man]

Secret War: Chapter 21

Link to chapter 1- http://ben-j-man.tumblr.com/post/180097372453/secret-war-chapter-1

I was wrong, Garrakson's Autocannon hadn't pinned them, they'd just fallen back. The four-metre wide corridor was ablaze with the blinding blaze and the defining sound of shooting. Dozens of Edracian's mooks had laid in wait behind sandbag walls for our advancing forces. Not just that but further down were two Heavy stubber emplacements, laying down a constant barrage that should've left us completely and utterly pinned. But like lightning I dashed through It all, weaving side to side with a speed and agility I'd no idea I was capable of and fell upon five of Edracian's mercs as they cowered behind one of the sandbag walls.

Two were dead before they realised I was there, the first I decapitated, the activated edge of my powersword cutting through his neck with ease, the second I impaled, kicked him off the blade and smashing into his comrade behind him. The fourth took a swing at me with the butt of his rifle, but he seemed to move in slow motion, and I effortlessly weaved underneath it, then cut his torso in two with a backhanded blow. The fifth tried to raise his rifle to shoot me, but before I could even blink my body moved and I was abruptly behind him, and he was cleaved in twain. The third, I hauled to his feet, just in time to use as a human shield as his comrades further down the corridor tried to shoot me. His body was torn to pieces in a few seconds by the concentrated fire, but it mattered little as I was safe behind the sandbags well before that.

Arlathan, Torris, Arlathan and Garrakson used this opportunity to advance, joining up with me. Arlathan and Torris fired their shotguns from the hip as they ran.

"What the bloody hell was that?" demanded Torris over the din.

"What?" I asked.

"You, just running forward through that hell without telling us anything!" he roared. "You suicidal or something?"

I shrugged, I wasn't suicidal; I just knew deep down that I could make it, that my newfound speed and agility would get me through it all.

Torris sighed, shook his head and blasted over the wall, "well good work I guess, just tell us next time, kid. It'd be appreciated, thanks!"

I cut my reply short as I saw more figures emerged from around the corner we'd came from, ten metres down the corridor, their weapons raised. Before any thought I was moving, power sword activated.

"Attelus stand down!" came a yell over my vox link. "We're on your side!"

I stopped. "Olinthre!" I spat the name then dived for cover as they opened fire.

Twelve more guns joined in with Torris and Arlathan's as the mercs advanced past me.

I vaulted over the sandbags, twisting to shoot blindly over the lip in an attempt to provide cover fire for the mercs.

The Olinthre-thing joined me, while he fired bursts of his auto gun.

"Good work at blowing the wall!" It yelled.

I didn't reply, just clenched my jaw and gave it a glare.

It shrugged and smiled, "well I guess we can't always get what we want, right?"

As if by its own volition, suddenly my hand shot out and clutched it by the throat, slamming it against the sandbags.

"You made the timers five seconds instead of ten," I growled. "I'm lucky that Garrakson looked at it or I might be dead right now."

It smiled, grabbed my wrist and tore my hand away, "yeah I did, I did the same for the others as well. I don't know what happened, exactly but I guessed you betrayed Glaitis, and I bet they did too."

I glared at It and shook my head, "I don't get it, why do you care so much? You didn't seem to care before."

"Because I've thought it over and I think I owe her," It said. "If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be what I am today."

I looked it in the violet eyes, "really? And what you are today? Did you want this? You truly wanted to be this? You owe her nothing! Nothing at all!"

I didn't wait for its reply; its gaping wide-eyed look was enough. I vaulted over the wall and sprinted like mad, weaving through the fury and the fire to join back up with Torris, and the others.

"Emperor damn it!" snarled Garrakson as he jumped in fright at my sudden appearance. "How the frig can you move like that? You're like one of those damn Eldars!"

I clenched my jaw and said nothing.

"And Emperor damn it!" Garrakson said again. "If you'd let me use my damn Autocannon we wouldn't be like this!"

My eyes narrowed, "we can't risk you using any more ammo, Jeurat! We don't know what we'll encounter the deeper we go! You've only got, what? A hundred rounds or so left?"

"More daemons!" yelled Torris. "It'll most definitely be more daemons!"

I was up then, firing my shotgun, trying to draw a bead through the chaos on an enemy, any enemy, but just like the ambushers in the alley, they hugged their cover way too well, and I was never the best at ranged combat.

With a smug smile, I pulled out one of my four frag grenades.

Garrakson gave me a tired look, "y'know doing that, kid. Might give 'em ideas."

I shrugged, thinking there was no point in hiding my new found enhanced strength anymore, pulled the pin and with a grunt, threw it. The grenade flew, it flew a good forty-five metres and landed almost in the lap of the merc manning one of the Heavy Stubbers. The explosion and the man's scream I could barely hear over the din of battle.

All three of my acquaintances had seen it and gaped at me with wide eyes.

"When the hell did you get that strong?" said Torris.

I shrugged, "don't know! About the same time, I could move this fast!"

"Wait! What?" Torris was in the midst of shouting as I was up and moving, lunging over another sandbag wall and in my descent, kicking one of the three defenders in the face, throwing him flying back. His features now a bloody, ugly ruin. The second twisted with impressive speed, rifle raised to fire. Only so my sword could slice through it, then impale his face. The last threw himself back just out of range of my next slash and drew a laspistol from its holster. My instincts somehow knew the exact second he'd pull the trigger, and my body weaved, feeling the laser kiss my cheek, and I smelt it as it fried some of my hair, then I slipped in, so fast he couldn't get another, then my powersword sliced him two.

Next thing I knew, I bounded behind the sandbags before the rest could shoot me, their fire tearing into the sandbags a mere millisecond after I was in safety

I frowned and looked at my hands, was this new ability just from my, Wraithbone bones? I'd heard from Glaitis of assassins who could move like this. Highly experienced, trained and skilled far beyond normal human parameters. The elite assassins of the Officio Assassinorum were the first which came to mind.

A sigh suddenly filtered through my thoughts making me jump in fright.

+Again I did that, Mon'keigh. I didn't just enhance your bone structure but brought you to a physical peek that would normally be almost impossible for your slow, clumsy kind ever to attain. You with your genetic lineage may have been able to reach it, through years more of training but I fast forwarded you through it, saving you the time and effort.+

"Why?"

+Is that not obvious? Even for you with your simple, slow mind? That is because I need you at your best to be in proper service to me, you are lucky I care so much. Now shut up, you have a battle to fight, oh and watch your left.+

I turned just in time to see the soldier sneaking up on me, his knife already in the midst of swinging at my skull.

I leaned back, so it sliced slightly through my nose instead then sidestepped his stab. The range was terrible for my powersword effectively so instead I elbowed him in the face, it connected with a crunch, and he screamed, blood spraying from his nose like a geyser.

"Nose for a nose you son of a bitch!" I snarled, and my front kick caused him to stumble further back, allowing Torris a clear shot, the round blowing through his torso and sent his limp corpse smashing hard against the sandbag wall.

I smiled as Torris, Garrakson and Arlathan joined me.

"Why would he try to take me in close quarters?" I asked.

Torris shrugged, "outta ammo, maybe? He almost had you, though. You were very deep in la-la land there for a second or two. I would've warned you, but it all happened way too fast for me. And what did I tell you about running forward all on your lonesome without telling us, again?"

"I did tell you," I said.

The corner of his mouth twitched, "well, yeah, but not very well."

"Alright! Enough of the damned talky!" roared Arlathan as he fired. "and more damned fighty!"

And for once I agreed with him.

The explosion sent the large double doors flying off their hinges and falling into the enormous old dining room beyond.

We were ready for the inevitable counter, hugging the cover of the sandbags as the mercs fired through the kicked up smoke.

There were fifty of us, mostly made up of Taryst's mercs. There were more before, but we'd lost over two dozen men overwhelming the well-entrenched enemy in this corridor alone. I couldn't help wonder how many more were going to die attacking this place.

For what felt like forever we waited for a lull in the storm, when it finally came that's when Garrakson opened fire with the remaining working heavy stubber along with the rest of us.

The enemy had set up their defences well; they'd turned over the long, thick dining tables for makeshift protection and reinforced them further with more damned sandbags, which made me wonder how the hell on a hive world like this did they get so much sand? Was it rockcrete sand? Or...?

I smiled and shook away the thought, now was the worst time to get hung up on such details.

Fighting the urge to flinch from every sight and sound, through the utter chaos I did a very quick, very rough headcount. There were two balconies situated along each length of the room, gunfire rained down from them, but they were too elevated for me to make out anything of importance and on the floor were three makeshift walls four metres separating each.

"I count approximately twenty-five on the floor!" I shouted. "Nine behind the first, eight behind the last two!"

"Twenty three now!" roared Garrakson as he cut down two with a withering hail of fire and I treated him to an equally withering look, which he ignored entirely.

"What about on the decks?" asked Arlathan.

I just pursed my lips and shrugged, wondering why he thought I'd know.

"If we give you covering fire, you think you can get onto one of them?" yelled Torris as he fired a flurry of shotgun shells.

I smiled, "you were all upset about me running off by myself but now asking me to suicidally climb up there?"

Torris shrugged, "I only get upset when you do it without telling us about it! We can't help you if you don't! Your teamwork skills kinda suck!"

I clenched my jaw, wanting to point out how Castella and had worked together well against the daemons earlier and remind him of how Elandria and I used to team up all the time.

I frowned, and my gaze fell to the floor at the thought of Elandria.

"Kid! I wouldn't ask you this if I didn't think you could do it!" he yelled, taking me from my reverie.

With a sigh I looked over the sandbags again, the balconies were a good two and a half metres off the floor, and both ascending staircases situated at the other end of the room. Three, half metre wide, dark wood pillars held them aloft, but I could tell they were only there for decoration. Taking them out wouldn't collapse them at all, which was my initial hope.

I slipped back into safety and shook my head.

Torris gritted his teeth and growled with incoherent rage.

Just then we heard Garrakson cry out and throw himself to the floor as his heavy stubber was abruptly torn apart by concentrated fire.

"We've gotta do something about the enemy on those damn verandahs!" snarled Torris. "Even if we take care of the ones on the floor, we try to advance we'll be caught in a damn crossfire! From enemies on an elevated position no less!"

Garrakson climbed to his knees, brushing himself off as though he'd just had dust thrown on him, instead of potentially deadly, jagged shards of shrapnel.

"Well why don't we have Mr little freaky speedy here just run through them, to the other side of the room and climb up the stairs, while we lay down cover fire," he said.

I sighed and placed my hand on my face, why did all these plans involve me rushing forward through gunfire. I guess it was my own frigging fault for showing off so much before.

"Could actually work," said Torris.

"Only if we can bloody coordinate properly," said Arlathan.

"Or if I could use my bloody autocannon," said Garrakson, as he not to subtly glared at me.

I sighed and glanced back at the other mercs taking cover behind the sandbags further down the corridor; pinned down, just as we were, I wasn't going to get any cover fire from them, sure as sure.

With a frustrated growl, I turned to Garrakson and mumbled something.

"What?" yelled Garrakson, but I could see him smiling slightly.

"I said, damn it! You get it your way!" I bellowed through clenched teeth. "Use the frigging autocannon!"

Garrakson's face lit up like a child who'd just been told all his birthdays had been rolled into one.

"Alright!" he said rubbing his hands together eagerly, then began gathering up the oversized bullet hose. "You ready kid?"

I swallowed and only nodded nervously.

"Be aware, kid I'll only be able to pin the bastards on the floor. The ones up there on the balconies, not so much!"

"Torris and me could throw some grenades," suggested Arlathan. "We could try to get them onto those balconies!"

I looked at him, eyes wide with surprise, glanced at the room beyond, seeing just how high and how bad the angle was, then back to him.

"But you'll have to expose yourself to do it," I said.

Arlathan frowned and furrowed his brow, "why are you so worried? You've got to run through that hell!"

I turned to Torris who shrugged and said, "I agree, kid. It's an idea. I'm willing to give it a go."

I nodded and glanced at Arlathan still surprised he'd risk himself so. Whatever had happened to him during his unconsciousness must've changed him somehow.

My eyes narrowed, as another thought hit me, perhaps I wasn't the one Brutis should be worried about.

"We ready?" asked Garrakson eagerly.

"Yeah, we are," I said as I tossed Torris and Arlathan a grenade each. "Jeurat, blaze away."

"With pleasure!" he beamed, climbed to his feet and began firing over the sandbags, ignoring the countless munitions flying his way.

"Wish me..!" I yelled but stopped as simultaneously both Torris and Arlathan were standing and throwing their grenades.

I didn't wait to watch where they went as I was up and sprinting into the room, knowing that Garrakson with all his skill would miss me.

Everywhere, I saw the devastation wrought by Garrakson's autocannon as it tore through everything, punching holes through the sandbags and turned over tables as though they were made of paper. I saw at least five defenders torn apart as they cowered behind the first wall. Inwardly, I cursed that we'd been forced into using it so damn early in the peace, but desperate times, I guess.

It must've taken me less than a second or two to sprint to the first wall, but it felt like forever it was even more intense than the siege outside than even in the close confines of the corridors.

Just as I vaulted over the first wall, the grenades Torris and Arlathan had thrown went off. I heard no screams, no nothing; I couldn't even tell if they'd been thrown right, but I had no time to dwell on that.

I just had to have "faith" in my friends they'd done it right. Well, the definition of "faith" meant belief without evidence. I didn't have "faith" in Torris he'd proved time and again that he was skilled and highly competent. It was bloody Arlathan I had to put faith in, and I didn't like that.

The defenders behind the first wall were already dead and the ones behind the second and third were pinned down by Garrakson's fire.

I could see in my peripheral vision and somewhat feel the gunfire from above, and my heart sank as I realised that it was a frigging crap ton of them and most of them automatic.

Despite this I didn't break my stride, I just kept sprinting forward hoping my insane speed would outdo them.

As I ran, an idea hit me, and with quick hands, I took out my last grenade, pulled the pin just before lunging over the wall and in mid-air, dropped it amongst the five defenders as they gaped up at me in shock and awe.

I bounded onwards as it exploded, covering my ears so barely heard the screams of the defenders as they died.

The defenders behind the last wall started to peer over it, so in the blink of an eye, I drew my auto pistol, firing with utterly no accuracy in the hope to pin them back in place, unloading the entire clip faster than I thought possible. Much to my relief, it worked and with no time to reload; I vaulted over the wall, pistol-whipping one over the skull in flight.

I landed and drew my sword, simultaneously roundhouse kicking one in the face as he turned to attack me. The other three, still crouched raised their guns to shoot but before they could even think, I'd dashed forward, right into their midst, so their shots only cut through the empty air. One on my left, two on my right

My powersword sliced through the torso of my left side attacker and I slid into a sidekick that connected the first right's sternum with a crack somehow audible over the chaos, and he was thrown onto his back so fast, and so hard, I could've sworn it broke his spine. The last had backed up about a metre and showered a frenzied point-blank, full auto burst that I barely managed to weave out the way of. But in his panic, he'd stood, exposing himself and my with allies no longer pinned, so a tidy shot from Emperor only knew who took off the top of his head. Which was lucky, I was pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to dodge anymore.

Next thing I knew I'd retrieved one of the Auto guns off the floor and was moving, sprinting up the left side staircase, laying down a barrage of automatic fire that caused the merc guarding them to him throw himself out of its path.

Then I was at the top, smashing the butt of the rifle hard into his throat, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and utilised the poor bastard as yet another human shield, allowing me a second or two to take in my surroundings as he got shot to hell.

I saw four smaller sandbag walls only two metres in length and three apart, four mercs were behind each wall, except the furthest, they were already dead. I dropped my borrowed autogun, took my new shield's one and over his writhing shoulder, sprayed a wild flurry that was so inaccurate, no one bothered to duck for cover, and soon I found my human shield torn from my grasp.

With a desperate roar, I dashed forward, firing the last of the autogun's clip from the hip in a spray not much more accurate than the previous but somehow still caused them to duck.

I vaulted over the first wall, my power sword relieving two mercs of their heads before I Ianded and sprinted on, their fire missing me entirely in spite of such short range, my insane bravado and inhuman speed taking them off their game.

I reached the next wall in a split second, only now were the men behind it getting up. So instead of vaulting over, I slid to the side and around their wall, my reloaded pistol drawn and firing. I fired six shots four for the mercs in front me two for the remaining two at the first wall before; then I bound back behind the safety of the second sandbag wall.

There, despite the tiredness and exhaustion that was starting to wear on me, I threw back my head and laughed. I laughed at the insanity of it all, of how I could do all this. Was I even really human anymore? What other transformations had the Farseer wrought on me? I guess I had to wait and see.

I was tired of it already, scared I'd pushed my luck too much and wished not to move even an inch as the remaining four mercs fired my way.

I looked to the other balcony, seeing that they were more concerned with exchanging fire with my colleagues as they advanced into the dining hall than trying to kill me, thank goodness.

As I clenched my teeth, I tried to glance around the wall but was quickly forced to flinch back from the shots whizzing my way, and I cursed savagely, wishing I hadn't used all my damn frags.

Then an idea hit me; I still had grenades just of the "krak" variety, didn't know why I'd just grabbed six frags instead, but oh well.

With quick hands, I opened my flak jacket and pulled one out, not even bothering to pull the pin, stood and threw it as accurately as I could before throwing myself to the floor.

"Grenade!" I heard the yell and needed no more prompting before I was up again with pistol raised. All four had scattered two moving left, two right. In a rush I opened fire, my first two shots went wild, but my third winged one on the right and my fourth blew a bloody hole through the bicep of his mate behind him.

Before I could draw a proper bead on the left two, they'd already realised my ploy, and their withering fire caused me to duck behind cover again.

Perhaps I should've pulled the pin it may've been a krak, but it still could've frigged them up a bit. Once more I glanced at the other balcony and down into the dining room below. I could see we'd lost at least three more men down there while they hadn't lost any. I would've liked to shoot at them, but I had enough attention on me already, didn't want anymore. At least I'd diminished the casualties a bit by risking my arse to get up here.

I breathed deeply and took out my mirror from its pocket in my flak jacket and raised it on an angle to allow me to see the muzzle flares of my enemies.

One was left, the other right, they were advancing, trying to flank me. It was hard to tell this just from listening alone as there were so many munitions exchanged in here I couldn't tell high from low.

With another deep breath, I was up again and shooting at the right one. My first shot missed the merc but my second hit him in the stomach, the manstopper round blew through his flak armour and with a pained cry he reeled limply and fell onto his back.

I switched my aim to the second, just as his auto gun pointed at me.

In that split second, I realised he had me and I dived to the floor, throwing myself to the other side of the wall, just before his full auto flurry cut through the air where I'd stood.

Then I shot him through the skull.

I lay there for what felt like an age, eyes wide and gasping for air, not daring to move, not even daring to blink as the battle raged. Emperor that was insane! And close, so frigging close! I barely noticed when the fire finally died and was in the midst of climbing to my feet when Garrakson, Torris and Arlathan appeared at the top of the stairs. Garrakson now carried a Lasgun.

"You alright, kid?" asked Torris as he approached and helped me to my feet.

"Yeah," I sighed, shaking my head to try to regain my composure, all the shit that I've been through over the last day must've been really wearing on me, not just physically but mentally as well. "You run out of ammo, Garrakson?"

"Yeah," he said with a guilty grin as he scratched the back of his shaved head. "Sorry about that."

"How many lost?" I breathed through clenched teeth.

"Sixteen dead," said Arlathan. "Three wounded, but I'm sure we would've lost more if you hadn't run the gauntlet, shit you're insane."

I gaped at him, unsure what to make of that...compliment? But despite myself, I felt a smile cross my face.

"Please, Arlathan, tell me something I don't know," I said.

"What? That you're a complete screw head?"

"No, both."

Arlathan shrugged and shook his head.

The Olinthre-thing with a few other soldiers arrived at the top of the stairs, "yeah, yeah stop the dilly dally, no time to waste we have a building to capture. Oh and next time you decide to pull a stunt like that, tell me beforehand. I am y'know, your commanding officer."

Torris and Garrakson turned to face It, but it was hard to miss the hatred in Garrakson's eyes.

"I..." started the ex-guardsman.

"Sorry, sir," Torris quickly interrupted. "We've just been working independently for so long it's easy to forget, right, Jeurat?"

"Right," Garrakson growled, hesitantly.

The Olinthre-thing smiled and looked at me, "yeah right, whatever. Just don't do it again. Now move your arses, Let's go!"

It turned and began to descend the stairs, waving us after It. It was really enjoying this command shtick.

I grinned as we followed it's wake, "well, enjoy it while it lasts," I hissed under my breath. "It isn't going to last much longer."

For a long time, we moved through the maze of corridors kicking in a door after door, clearing out any enemy within. Thanks to Arlathan's auspex we were able to tell where they were, but at my insistence, we checked every room even the ones lacking heat signatures, just in case. It was slow going, gritty and tedious work but it needed doing. We cleared out a total of thirty rooms twenty of which had enemies, killing at least thirty enemy mercs who'd attempted to fortify themselves within. We lost about twenty more of our own in the process, twelve of which were injured, three fatally Luckily for us there seemed to be a constant flow of reinforcements to replace the men we'd lose. The rooms without signatures were all empty of course, but I just had to be sure.

Most of the time I listened into the comm chatter of our other forces, keeping the others updated on their progress. Casualties were mounting, well into the hundreds now. Brutis Bones' force had it the worst, they were made up of the less well-trained Hammers, and it seemed his side had the highest concentration of enemy numbers. Ours was doing the best much to my surprise, we were advancing the fastest and of the four forces, suffered the least. I also kept track of Hayden, Darrance and Castella's activities; unsurprisingly they were on the front lines each performing admirably, killing countless and preventing numerous casualties single-handedly.

I just hoped they'd get through it. But what really bugged me was; why were we doing the best? Was it because we were facing the least numbers? That was the only reason I could comprehend, which was interesting, very interesting indeed. Yes.

The Olinthre thing didn't seem to mind this fact, though. It just choked it up to us being the best, but I doubted that.

Finally, we arrived at the end of the corridors to a pair of large, ornate doors, that according to the schemata led into a large ballroom beyond.

"Arlathan?" said the Mimic as we lined up at the wall, there were sixty of us total now. "What we got?"

Arlathan cursed as he fiddled with the auspex, "nothing! Can't pick up anything! It's like the dining room back there!"

I nodded, for the more essential areas the enemy had a way to block out our scanners that or there was no one in there, but I doubted that. Quickly, I echoed this find to the other forces through my vox link.

'Olinthre' sighed and turned to me, "what about your psyker girlfriend? She able to help us?"

I shrugged, "I haven't heard from Karmen since I was scouting outside. I don't know even if she's alright or not. She's probably still locked in an invisible war with whoever that psyker was she'd mentioned before."

It cursed colourfully, "we got flashbangs?"

Three of the nearest mercs nodded and pulled out one each from pouches on their belts.

"Good! Now we've got a plan!" It exclaimed and then it turned to me. "Attelus Kaltos, would you kindly cut a hole..."

"What? Through the doors?" I interrupted.

It gave off no outward sign of emotion, but it's next sentence blatantly sounded like it was through clenched teeth, "no, through the wall, there!"

It pointed to a part of the wall about two metres left of the doors, "you said earlier that your powersword could cut through the wall, right?"

"Uhh, yeah," I said dumbly, quickly seeing the genius behind the Mimic's plan.

"Well then cut a hole that'll allow them to throw their grenades through!" It snapped impatiently. "Hurry!"

I nodded and approached the part of the wall indicated, activating my power sword in a blaze of blues as the three mercs followed.

"Garrakson! Torris!" snapped the Mimic, "get ready to take out the doors on my signal!"

With surprising obedience, both of them nodded and set themselves on each side of the door.

I exchanged glances with the three mercs, then clenched my teeth and with four quickfire slashes cut a hole just large enough for one person to fit through.

The enemy fire was almost immediate, but that didn't stop them from blindingly throwing their grenades through.

The Olinthre-thing then lifted its hand with three fingers raised and one by one It lowered them then pointed to the door.

Torris nodded grimly and with one shotgun shell, blew out the lock allowing Garrakson to kick them open and with Las gun raised he, Torris and five other mercs advanced inside, firing.

The Mimic turned to me, pointed to the mercs and waved us through my makeshift entrance.

I nodded and immediately two of them fired their auto guns on full auto through it, pinning fire. Then with shotgun raised, I slipped inside, weaving quickly leftward, toward the nearest pillar. There were seven thick, pillars which held up the big balcony overhead, the two closest were about six metres from the door, and two dead men lay in pools of blood just behind them. I could see the enemy had turned over tables and reinforced them with more sandbags, all set in between the farthest four pillars, which were another good seven metres away. I could just make out the twelve mercs cowering behind the middle two barriers, six behind each. All of them still reeling from the flashbangs and Garrakson, Torris and the others were advancing, as they exchanged fire with enemies further into the huge room.

I pressed my back against the pillar, trying to get a better assessment of the situation. The room was huge, easily one of the largest of this infernal mansion-fortress, the balcony above must've been at least three stories off the floor and who knew how high the ceiling itself went.

Amazingly ornate, golden chandeliers hung every few metres (much to my annoyance none were situated anywhere near the enemy fortifications) And the walls and floors were polished white and silver marble, lined with silver and gold.

It was all in surprisingly good condition, emphasis on 'was' as now it was pockmarked, torn through by the countless munitions being exchanged.

Two small staircases were set after the enemy fortifications about leading two metres upward, there were handrails, but they were already being shot to shit by Garrakson and his men.

I watched as they converged on the just recovering mercs and couldn't help wince as they brutally executed them with point-blank fire.

The rest of our force was now advancing into the room taking up cover behind the barriers and pillars. I had to admit, the Mimic's plan had worked extraordinarily well. Perhaps It was worth leaving alive after all.

With the three from before, I moved up as well, pushing my back against the furthest left pillar, gaining a better view into the place. I could see the huge staircase leading to the balcony above now and the further three fortifications at its base. Nine enemies took cover behind them, three behind each. Six more were on the balcony, raining fire down on us with their excellent angle and elevated position. The sound was deafening as it echoed through the huge, cavernous room and even the barriers were little protection as six of us were quickly cut down, and the rest were forced onto their bellies, pinned. Only those of us behind the pillars were immune, still pinned but we were safer.

I clenched my jaw and sighed, glancing around the left side of my pillar as I struggled to think of a plan. I saw that the two-metre tall wall extended to each width of the room that another pillar sat atop it. I could climb the wall easily but beyond that may be a wall of fire that not even I could sprint through. I also suspected there were more mercs on the balcony above, waiting for us to advance to catch us in a crossfire. I glanced up seeing the balcony finished just near the staircases but extended about five metres more beyond on my side.

"What do you think we should do?" asked one the mercs, his expression hidden behind his helm, but his voice sounded dishearteningly young.

I shrugged, "I really can't see how we can get through this without losing many more of us! This place has been designed to be defended, and our enemy know how to defend it, damn it!"

"You could try to run through it like you did before!" said another.

I growled and glanced around again, "I think I've tried my luck enough for today!" I exclaimed. "Hell! I'd say I'd tried my luck enough for a frigging lifetime! Besides! I'm pretty sure they've got more men on the balcony above us, and the only reason why I've done so well is because they've only shot from the front or the sides! Not from all around!"

The plan was for all of us to converge on this room, most of the paths on the ground floor like a labyrinth led to this ballroom, which was effectively in the epicentre of the huge building. On the balcony, just over my head was the entrance to a large circular staircase which climbed up through the remaining seven stories, zig-zagging to the main chambers on the top floor and where we thought Edracian might be.

There were a few elevators scattered throughout the building, but we'd found them shut down by the defenders before we got here.

That thought sent a shiver up my spine, what if the enemy reactivate them, then use them to flank us? As I thought this I remembered that there were more of us advancing and securing the building in our wake. I clenched my jaw; I saw there was nothing we could do, not now anyway.

I sighed and turned to the three mercs, "I don't see any other way to get around this than wait for the rest of the force then rush them; there's nothing we can do."

"Yeah, thought as much," said the third merc

I cursed savagely and activated my comm link to the 'general' channel, "this is Attelus Kaltos of the western advance force! We've made it to the ballroom but meeting heavy resistance! I repeat heavy resistance! We're pinned down!"

As though to emphasise my point, a merc only about a metre way took a bullet in the neck, exploding the poor bastard's throat in a shower of blood and he fell, clutching at his neck, despite the cacophony, I could still hear him gurgle as he spasmed and struggled for breath

"We need reinforcements, now!" I snarled.

"Acknowledged, Attelus," said Wesley over the vox. "We are on our way, meeting heavy resistance ourselves! Will be there in approximately five to ten minutes!"

I clenched my teeth, wanting to swear back profusely, but held my tongue and said instead. "Yeah got you, over and out!"

"Nothing?" asked the first merc.

"Yeah nothing," then an idea hit me, and I turned to Garrakson.

"Jeurat! I need the schemata data slate, now!" I bellowed.

Garrakson didn't need any more prompting as he lay on the floor, behind the sandbags and he slid it over to me.

I snatched it up and began looking over it, my plan was risky and more than a little bit insane but it might work, and any plan was better than where we were now. Quickly, I found what I was looking for, the perfect place and switched my vox link's channel.

"Major!" I snapped over the vox, seeing Olinthre behind the furthest pillar glance my way.

"Yeah? What?" it said.

"I've gotta plan! I'm gonna need at least ten men and a shit ton of frag grenades and a distraction! Can you acquiesce?"

"What are you scheming this time, apprentice?"

"What I'm scheming?" I said with a smile despite myself. "No this was all your idea; I'm just refining it a bit."

"Okay, sure tell me what it is you've got."

I told 'Olinthre' my plan, needless to say; it made it quite happy. The bastard.

I finished the last enemy by embedding my throwing knife through his visor and firing flurries wildly; he fell to the floor. Just my frigging luck that the room I'd decided on using just had to have frigging enemies holed up in it.

"Nice throw," said one of the mercs, "I'd say you are better at throwing them than shooting a gun, but that's not saying much."

Many of the nine others sniggered heartily at that.

I shrugged, "well, none of us is perfect," I said and approached the left side wall, placing my ear against it. I could hear nothing of the firefight on the other side, which didn't bode well.

I clenched my jaw.

"So how are we going to play this one out?" said the same merc. "You use that fancy power sword to cut us an opening, and we'll rush in just to get mercilessly cut down?"

"Yeah pretty much," I muttered. "but without the 'mercilessly cut down' part, hopefully. That's what we got all those grenades for."

"Has anyone ever told you, you're insane?" said another.

I smiled, "yes, many times, actually. Even once very recently."

The merc sighed.

"Alright!" I yelled, pulling out the bandoleer of grenades, "take one each!"

"There's, thirteen here," said one.

"Yeah three for me," I said, then pointed to the wall. "I'm gonna cut through there! I need five of you on each side."

They shared glances that looked confused even with their expressions hidden.

"Uhh okay," said one hesitantly.

I sighed, really wishing Garrakson or Torris had come as well, "look! The more time we waste, the more chance more of our comrades are going to die! Once I cut open the entrance, I need each of you, one by one, to throw your grenades at the enemies behind the sandbag walls on the floor, they'll be right in front of us. After that, just provide cover fire for me., I'll need you to pin down the hostiles on both left and right side balconies so I can advance."

"What are you going to do with that cover fire?" asked another.

I swallowed, realising how dumb it was going to sound, "I'm going to try throw a grenade onto each balcony, hopefully killing a few, allowing us to advance a little easier."

They exchanged glances.

"You're right, Huarit, he is insane," said one.

"Yes, completely," agreed another.

I bristled, "just trust me!"

"Those balconies must be at least three stories up," said another. "you really think you can throw that far? And that accurately? All while moving and not to mention you're gonna have a crap angle."

"Yes," I lied, stone-faced. "After that, then wait for my signal and advance Now are we gonna do this or not?"

The nearest merc shrugged, "yeah. Sure, kid," he said. "You're the one risking your arse in this."

I sighed, typical merc mentality.

"Alright! Get in position!" I yelled and activated my sword with a flourish. "And wish me a shit ton of luck!"

"Luck? Why not ask for the Emperor's blessing?" asked one as he jogged up and leaned against the wall.

Because I don't believe in that bull shit, I thought and with a snarl, thrust my sword into the wall.

It took me a good half a minute to create a two-metre wide entrance, which was longer than I liked. I struggled a bit as the wall was much thicker than the last and despite the powerfield, there was a lot of resistance. I just hoped the enemy was too distracted by the firefight to notice.

Once finally frigging done, I didn't bother to hold back my relieved sigh, and with a roar I spun into a sidekick, knocking the bit of wall over with a large crack and crash!

Immediately I darted into cover as the first two mercs leaned out and threw their grenades. I couldn't see the result nor even hear it over the shooting inside I could only hope to hell it'd work. The first pair slipped back and away from the wall allowing the next to throw theirs, in quick, professional succession they did this while I watched with bated breath, expecting in any second enemy fire to cut one down in mid pin pull or throw, but it never happened much to my relief.

The last one finished his throw, watched it results and turned to me, "the floors cleared, kid. Now there's six on the left balcony and four on the right; all spread out in pairs though! With a good three metre gap between, don't know how good your grenades are gonna be! Can't see how many are over us!"

I nodded, really sweating now, and the tiredness replaced my massive amounts of adrenaline, and I started jumping on the spot, "alright! Get ready to lay me down some cover fire! Anyone wanna swap an auto gun for a shotgun?"

One shrugged, handed me his and two clips of ammo, "yeah sure! Don't know how good it'll do ya!"

"Thanks!" I shouted, "I'll make sure to give it back later! What's your name?"

I asked this even though I'd forget it later.

"Jevven Farnoth!" said the soldier, "and don't worry about giving it back, the shotgun will do fine!"

I nodded again, relieved I didn't need to remember his name, "alright! Open fire in three, two, one!"

Immediately the four at the edges of the makeshift door leaned out and fired their auto guns on fully automatic.

I took out a grenade, pulled the pin and sprinted into the huge, brightly lit ballroom.

It took me all of a second to gain my bearings, but the first throw made me pivot, and with a grunt, I threw it at the balcony overhead, the eastern one so to speak. I didn't have time to see where it went as I turned again, pulled the pin of the second and threw that at the closest pair on the left. Then I sprinted to the right, running on a thirty-degree angle to make myself harder to hit and threw the third at the pair positioned near the top of the stairs than before I knew it I was under the northern balcony, and behind a pillar.

My vox link beeped, "Apprentice!" came Olinthre's voice. "We're advancing! Provide cover fire against the south balcony.

"That was the plan!" I exclaimed, and before It could reply, I cut the link and signalled the soldiers at the breach to move in.

They did and without hesitation, moving along the edge of the room, from pillar to pillar under the comparative safety of the balcony, they advanced, exchanging fire all the while.

I smiled, maybe I'd earned a modicum of respect after all. Then leaned out, spraying sporadic bursts that had no hope in hell to hit anything and surveyed my damage. I could only see four were actively fighting now; perhaps my grenade was on target!

I slipped back and spun to shoot a brief salvo at the enemies on the east balcony.

"I can't believe that actually worked!" said a merc as he and another pressed their backs against the pillar beside me.

Me too, I thought but only shrugged and smiled and fired.

I could see now Garrakson, and the others were advancing, pinning the enemy mercs on the balcony overhead with a constant withering hail.

Despite this I couldn't help but frown, it was working, working a bit too well for my taste.

As if summoned by this thought, I saw them; it happened almost too fast to follow as two zip lines suddenly descended from the balcony behind Garrakson and the others and a pair of lythe figures dropped to the floor. I didn't even have time to activate my microbead before seeing the familiar blue light of power weapons and heard the sound of screams.

"Shit! Frig! Cover me" I roared through clenched teeth and without a further word I was moving, sprinting from cover.

Garrakson and the others reeled as the two figures swathed a whirlwind of a blur of blood and body parts. At least ten were more mercs were mercilessly cut down, but I couldn't tell who. I could only hope that Torris and Garrakson weren't amongst them.

Finally, I got a good view of the attackers, both were female with supple amazing bodies and wore tight, ornate crimson and black bodygloves, and wielded duel power blades. They fought back to back as one. It was beyond beautiful to behold despite them slaughtering my allies. It made me not want to kill them, how could I put an end to such perfection? Such art, such poetry in motion. They also reminded me of Elandria; they fought with a similar style of acrobatic fancy. Brilliant! And they would be my end, of that I had no doubt.

I smiled despite this and only activated my sword's power field in the last second, lunging into a horizontal slash that'd have cut them both through.

As one they cartwheeled back and just out the way, I slid to a stop on the other side, cutting vertically down at the left one. She leapt to the side, spinning through the air with breathtaking grace as the right one thrust her blade at me. I sidestepped it, just and was forced to duck as the left one's horizontal slash blurred for my skull.

I laughed, my blood sang in my veins as I parried the vertical slash of left and weaved under a decapitating cut from right. I sent a swift kick at right as she riposted, which she dodged with a cartwheel and smashed aside another thrust from right. From that, I brought my blade into an overhead strike which she parried with her spare sword. I back peddled right's counter, and tilted my head to the side, out the path of left's stab.

Right suddenly lunged at me, a blur as she slashed horizontally at my torso, simultaneously left cut horizontally at my head, both from opposite directions. I cursed seeing what they were doing but had no choice but to leap back, exactly as they wanted and right attempted to catch me from behind with a backhanded blow.

But I'd leapt back faster and farther than she'd expected so by the time she'd attacked I was already out of its path. The assassin faltered slightly in surprise, but that was all I got as the other one was on me, spinning into a butterfly kick that I ducked. Her forward momentum, allowed her to slip behind me as the other sliced vertically at my skull. I blocked the blow, twisting to bring my blade on top of her's and pushed it into the floor, allowing me to face them both again.

Only in the very last microsecond did I catch right's thrust and I leaned sideward desperately. Cursing in pain as the powerfield skimmed my torso, cutting a horrific gash that made me reel and stumble back.

They gave me no respite, both lunged at the same time, each thrusting with one blade and cutting horizontally with the other.

I leapt to the left and well out the way, but too far too allow me a counter and immediately they darted my way. I snarled in frustration; now they'd found their damn cohesion! I wasn't going to last much longer if I didn't ruin it! Moving faster than I thought possible, I slipped left as they fell on me again, parrying left's thrust and countered by cutting down diagonally at the back of her head as her momentum carried her onward. With gravity-defying grace she somehow leaned out the way and twisted into a kick that smashed into my arm, sending pain coursing through it and me stumbling to keep my feet.

Right was already there, cutting vertically up with her left blade and diagonally with her right. I could see it now, both blows were not quite at the same time and despite the huge risk, lightning fast I parried them, the superior strength and stability of my two-handed grip allowing me to smash them way off course, opening her up for my front kick to connect with her solar plexus in an audible, crunch! Despite the cacophony of gunfire through the hall. She cried out in pain, the first sound I'd heard from them yet and fell to the floor.

I doubted that'd stop her, they were both amped on combat drugs I was sure, but it'd slow her, and their cohesion was now gone.

I'd have thanked the Emperor if I wasn't the one responsible for it.

Left leapt at me, her roundhouse kick aimed at taking my legs out, but I back stepped and flicked my left wrist, ejecting a throwing knife into my hand and threw it point blank at her face.

She tilted her head out the way with an almost contemptuous calm, defying my hope that she'd smash it out of mid-air with her sword so getting a face full of shrapnel for her trouble.

I slipped forward, slicing down at her but her backward cartwheel made me miss.

Right was finally back on her feet and with what seemed to be in a rage, snarled as she thrust at my side.

I back stepped it, cutting at her horizontally but she parried with her spare blade. I ducked left's spinning hook kick, and sidestepped right's downward slash then leapt back from her next cut.

I furrowed my brow, dearly wanting to check on my friends fights going on around but didn't dare. The Assassins paused in their offence and looked at me, tilting their heads curiously. It was then I realised I was grinning, almost from ear to ear and a sharp pain suddenly coursed through my face with this realisation. I was enjoying this, perhaps a bit too much for my liking.

This was one of the few things I was truly good at, sure as sure.

Abruptly I lunged, slashing at left who leapt away, spinning through the air. I parried Right's pair of quick-fire thrusts, then sent a sidekick she dodged with a pirouette. Left dashed forward, slicing high at my head which I weaved under, then she spun into a low cut at my legs that I barely managed to dance away from. She was lucky; I had my boot knife extended.

I cut out at right as she lunged at me, which she barely managed to duck. Despite being distracted by this, she was still able to dart back from my following roundhouse kick. Left's spinning side kick forced me to sidestep, and I blocked her horizontal blow as it blurred at my flank then slid aside of her next thrust. I countered with a diagonal cut which she stopped short with both blades, trying to entrap mine in between, but I kicked out, forcing her to abandon the trap and spin away.

With a growl of frustration, I barely managed to back step Left's spinning hook kick; I could start to feel the adrenaline was waning, the exhaustion, returning. I couldn't keep this up for much longer. Hell, I was surprised I'd lasted even half this long.

However long that was exactly, I could only hazard a guess.

Both lunged at me, left pirouetting into horizontal slashes with both blades. I bounded backwards their powerfields missing my nose by the barest of margins. Right was on me a microsecond later, stabbing with each edge, one after another. I barely managed to parry them and countered with a desperate thrust of my own. Forcing her back, then I pivoted into a slash at Left, she blocked, twisted, forced my blade over her head and down to her right, then cut with her offhand blade, at my skull.

My eyes wide, teeth clenched, I threw myself away, stumbling to keep my feet as the blade missed slightly. The cut on my side was really beginning to hurt now, and I had to fight the urge to clutch at it.

Right reposted, cutting her swords simultaneously, horizontally. I ducked that and wound to the side, turning to face left as she bared down at me. Weakly I parried her thrust, then clumsily backpedalled her diagonal slash. But her roundhouse kick caught me off guard, connecting hard into my wound which sent razor-sharp agony coursing through my entire being and with a cry I fell onto my side, so hard it knocked the wind out of me, and my sword flew from my grasp, clattering away somewhere.

I groaned and began climbing to my feet when a weight abruptly fell on my back pinning me down, and a rough hand grabbed a clump of my hair and painfully pulled my head back, allowing a blade to be placed at my throat. I saw a pair of stilettos walk into my vision and the assassin towered over me.

She looked down at me, a slight smile playing on her full lips, then she nodded, nodded in what almost seemed in admiration and respect. Which made me smile and despite the state I was in, I nodded back. I'd fought well; I'd tried my best, I didn't mind dying now. I just wished I'd taken one down with me.

She nodded again, gave me a gorgeous full-fledged grin, it was a shame most of her face was hidden as I was sure she was beautiful. The one on my back let go of my hair, and the other activated her power sword, raised it over her head and cut down in a decapitating arc. Another powered blade abruptly blocked it in mid-swing and suddenly with a cry of pain the weight thrown off me. Darrance with his power scimitar appeared in view, causing the assassin to lung back from his vertical cut.

"Nice work apprentice!" he yelled. "Now let us take it from here!"

Gaping in dumb surprise, I rolled over to see Castella was now locked in combat with the other Assassin.

Despite myself, I sighed as slowly, laboriously I climbed to my feet and searched for my sword, yet a-bloody-gain I was getting my arse saved, seems to be a theme around here.