#let Uncle Derezzed have friends

[mxliv-oftheendless]

TRON: Uprising Anastasia AU

Okay, hear me out on this, guys, because I’ve had this idea for WEEKS now and it’s awesome.

Beck is the youngest son of Kevin Flynn, ruler of the Grid. While he is close to his older brother Sam, he is the closest to Kevin’s youngest brother/bodyguard, Tron.

(In this AU, Alan is the middle Flynn brother because... reasons.)

For many years the Flynn family ruled over the Grid, until they were betrayed by Kevin’s closest advisor, CLU, who was employed by Kevin to help him create the perfect system.

In CLU’s eyes, the monarchy was blocking the path to the perfect system.

CLU staged a revolution against the Flynns, and invaded the castle. All the Flynns were captured and derezzed.

Tron is presumed to be the only Flynn left alive, as he was away in a remote part of the Grid on business for Kevin at the time. He grieves for his entire family, most of all for Beck, who was the youngest of them all...

Cut to years later in Argon City. General Tesler and his armies have the city as one of their landholdings, and try desperately to quell the rumors that cities across the Grid have gained freedom from CLU’s control due to his failing as a leader (he refuses to be called a ruler, as that would associate him with the Flynns). CLU, coincidentally, has passed on due to old age, and the fire of the revolution is beginning to fade.

Another rumor they are trying to quell is the rumor that Beck, the youngest Flynn, may still be alive.

It doesn’t help that Tron, who has turned old and bitter from the loss of his family, is offering a reward for anyone who can bring Beck back to Tron City alive.

Among Tesler’s most trusted officials is Paige, a former medical program who clawed her way up the ranks and is fiercely dedicated to CLU’s cause.

Also in Argon are two con programs, Zed and Mara, who moved to Argon from Tron City after the revolution. They figure if they can find a program convincing enough, they can pass him off as Beck and split the reward. But they’re not stupid; they know other programs are trying this too, and everyone knows that Tron is the sharpest program on the Grid. They’ll need to find someone really convincing...

Coincidentally, also in Argon is a program named Jet, a mechanic program with no memories from his early childhood. He was found by the side of a road by a kind program named Able.

His earliest memory is one of medical programs swarming over him, but everything before that is blank. He could access his disc to remember, but there’s a part of his disc missing, and without it, he can’t remember anything.

There is one thing he does remember, though: Tron City. He’s not sure why he remembers the name of a city he’s never been to, but he has the strong feeling he just has to go there.

One day Jet musters up the courage to go the train station and ask how much a ticket to Tron City would cost. On his way, he runs into Zed and Mara, who are stricken by how much he resembles Beck. Seriously, he could’ve been Beck’s long lost twin.

They’re about to ask him if he’ll join their little scheme, when Enforcers suddenly appear out of nowhere. Zed and Mara immediately make a break for it, leaving a confused Jet by himself.

The Enforcers are led by Paige, who is also struck by how closely he resembles Beck, someone she remembers from her time as a medical program in Tron City. But it couldn’t be him, she thinks.

Paige questions Jet, who informs her of what just happened. Jet also asks her if she thinks there’s a chance Beck is alive. Paige promptly dismisses it, because she witnessed CLU’s Enforcers leading the Flynns away to be derezzed herself, and she specifically remembers Beck among them.

She should bring in the program for further questioning, but instead she lets Jet off with a warning, telling him to be careful when it comes to rumors.

Jet tries to forget about the two programs he met, the more rational part of him saying they clearly were bad news.

But then again... they seemed to know a lot about the Flynns, and of Tron City, which is exactly the place he wanted to go.

The next day, he decides to seek them about again, and offers them a deal: if they can get him to Tron City, he’ll take part in their scheme.

Zed and Mara train Jet to pass off as a Flynn, all the while slowly striking up an actual friendship with him. Zed is apprehensive about it, as is Mara but less so. Jet is just stoked he actually has friends.

But eventually, the two warm up to him completely, and even confess why they know so much about the Flynns: they used to work together as servant programs in the castle, and while they didn’t know Beck personally, he was always nice to them, nice to everyone really.

As he trains, Jet begins to experience flashes of memories. For example, he blurts out one day that his supposed older brother Sam had a humongous crush on a program named Quorra, even though Zed and Mara are pretty sure they never told him that.

Finally, they’re able to sneak onto a train headed for Tron City. However, on the way, the train is intercepted by Paige, who has direct orders from Tesler to put down any potential supporters of the Beck rumors. Luckily, the trio are able to escape her notice, and are soon on the way again to Tron City.

But what they don’t know is that Paige is now following them on her own, determined to put down these three renegades.

When the trio gets to Tron City, the first thing they do is seek out Tron. Unfortunately, he has begun to give up on the possibility of Beck’s survival, as all he’s gotten are cheap imitations from con programs, and is refusing to see anyone else.

They do meet Cutler, Tron’s bodyguard, who like everyone else is startled by Jet’s resemblance to Beck. He agrees to persuade Tron to see Jet.

Upon seeing Jet, however, Tron gets a look of devastating grief on his face (because this program looks so much like his beloved nephew)... before it hardens again and he snaps at Jet to leave, then slams the door in his face.

His rejection leaves Jet crushed. Seeing their friend close to tears from defeat makes Zed and Mara feel incredibly guilty; they’ve dragged this program into their harebrained scheme, this program with no memories who never complained the whole time.

So they go and bang on Tron’s door again, demanding he give Jet another chance. Surprisingly, Tron agrees, but only if he and Jet may speak alone.

It turns out he only wanted to berate Jet for thinking he could pull off such a stunt like this, just so he could find answers. Jet, now angry, retorts back that Tron is not the Uncle he has started to remember, and that even Tron City was a long shot for him and his missing memories. He even pulls off his disc and shows Tron the missing piece.

Tron’s face contorts in shock.

Because he had the missing piece of Jet’s disc all along. Because right before he left Tron City, Beck gave him the piece, saying it was so he could have the family around if the business he was on ever got him down at all. But Beck didn’t know that over time, without that piece, he would eventually lose his memories, until he reattached it to his disc.

Deciding to take the chance, Jet reattaches the piece to his disc and puts it on.

And suddenly he is hit by a wave of memories, until he remembers everything.

He remembers his father, Kevin, his brother, Quorra, his uncle Alan, and his favorite uncle Tron... and he finally remembers who he really is.

He remembers that he is indeed Beck, and shares a tearful reunion with Tron.

Zed and Mara decide to refuse the reward and return to Argon, but promise to keep in touch with Beck. Beck decides to stay in Tron City, since the passion for the revolution has faded almost entirely, with only CLU’s most dedicated generals still believing in the cause. But that’s okay; there are rumors of an uprising forming against the generals...

And they would all live happily ever after... if it weren’t for Paige. She corners Beck when he’s alone, and activates her disc to derezz him.

Beck questions her on why she’s doing all this, to which she insists that it was necessary for the Flynns to be overthrown—they and their selfish ways were doing more harm for the Grid than good, until the programs rose up and destroyed them.

Beck wants to plea with her, but realizes it’s useless. So instead, he curls his fists, sets his jaw, and tells her to do it. To derezz him. If it’s what she really wants. At least he’ll be with his family again.

But when she finally goes to make the killing blow... she can’t. And the realization that she can’t do it makes her drop to her knees in shame.

Instead of calling for Cutler, Beck comforts Paige, and when she’s ready to stand up again, he offers her a proposition.

In the end, it is not announced that the Flynns had returned to rule the Grid. Both Beck and Tron are quite done with the drama that comes with being part of the monarchy. Tron does help to set up a better political system on the Grid, before he and Beck live out a peaceful existence in Tron City.

Paige returns to Argon and tells Tesler that she has killed Jet the renegade. And when Tesler is sure that Jet has disappeared off the Grid entirely, he is satisfied and leaves it alone.

Zed and Mara actually get together in the end, as Zed finally works up the courage to tell Mara about his little crush on her.

It’s a happy ending for everyone, even the general. The general, of course, is not happy for long, as an uprising soon begins in Argon against CLU’s remaining forces... but that’s another story entirely.

Yeah, so... I wrote a lot, didn’t I? Sorry, I got kinda carried away thinking about the possibilities for this AU. Let me know what y’all think of it!

[myselfinserts]

“We’re not pure of heart but we’re sure of aim”

"Uncle, please-"

"Go on! Go out! You need to live a little! Amaryllis will be finelooking after us. Now go be a young woman!"

Elbert was thrilled when Mary left for France. On the onehand, he was mad because he knew she'd be pestering him. But on the other hand,nothing was more of a wakeup call than that off support students at university.She'd get such a case of whiplash, he was almost angry he would miss it.

Almost. The lesstime he spent around Skald, the longer he was certain he'd live.

Marianne had been invited out for dinner with some colleaguesfrom the hospital, and Elbert insisted she go. She was still young, anddeserved a night out after doting on him for the last year. She deserved it,especially since Tanith's little pen-pal would be coming to stay with them overthe school break. Marianne needed some time to be an adult.

So he kicked her out of the house for the night, ordereddelivery from the Secret Felines, and then proceeded to make himselfcomfortable with his latest telenovela. Made a list of errands to run beforethe pick up later that week. With no one bothering him, he even had time topull up some coding programs he'd meant to finish before Regi left for school.

It was the perfect evening.

Tanith eventually came in to wish him goodnight, followed byAmaryllis letting him know they'd be reading in their room for a little whilebefore bed. Elbert closed his coding, and was just about to wheel out to grab alate night snack when he got a request for a video call.

From Esmé Rosine.

Oh, thisshould be good. He pressed accept. "Hello little bloom.How's the idiots?"

Esmé rolled her eyes. "Funny. They seem to bedoing well. The ones I brought on the trip, anyway. Only a few get to go see Perun'sin person. Though not sure he'll have time to see us."

"I doubt it. The man is currently obsessed with hisyoungest client." Elbert took a quick glance at the door jokingly."Don't tell nobody about Amaryllis, will you? Last thing Regi needs is aPerun connection painting a target on him."

"I won't. You know me better than that. Now, about whatwe talked about last time-"

"My sister and brother-in-law's remains haven't beentouched since the funeral. I had them excavated and properly cremated as aprecaution, and even had them turned into crystals if you can believe it. Aservice recently being provided from Hallows." He paused. "Whoever itis that has access to Dafyd's quirk, clearly got the sample before the missionthat killed him."

"I see." She lightly tugged on her braid, red gazedowncast and pained. "I was afraid of that."

That's notgood. "Esmé. What's going on?"

Rosine let out a sigh, hugging her knees tightly."Manabu…"

Elbert flinched. Very few called him by his first name. Andfor Esmé of all people to say his name? She never did that. Sheshouldn't be physically able to do that. Where are the insults? The namecalling? Where's the talented bitch he enjoyed banter with?

Wherever she went, she left behind a melancholy teacher inher stead.

And that scared him far more than anything.

"I lost a student on the case," she said. "Oneof my brightest has disappeared. It's only a matter of time before he turns upin the hospital like the others. And I don't know what's worse. The fact that hewas taken, or the fact that none of his classmates seem concerned he'sgone."

"…I understand." He sighed, lightly rubbing theback of his neck. "We're not pure of heart. No support designer truly is,I think. But we're sure of aim. At least, we are when it comes to ourambitions."

"I suppose it counts for something." She shook herhead. "But that doesn't help Benoit. Or Onesime. Sabine-"

"You're memorizing their names."

Rosine nodded. "If I don't, who will?"

"Fair enough," Elbert conceded. "Which one wasyour student?"

"Benoit. His name is Benoit Savatier. He'll begraduating next year." She giggled, tears welling in her eyes slightly."Specialized in footwear if you can believe it. Wanted to open a littleshop in the town center just to cater to Heroes with special needs in shoes,along with prosthetics. It was all I could do in his first year to convince himhe could go bigger." Rosine took a deep breath. "I just hope he'll beable to bounce back if…no, when he turns up."

He smiled. "That's the spirit. Stay hopeful. Even whenhe turns up, he's not gonna quit on himself like the others. He'll have youthere."

"Yes…yes he will." She smiled at him, finallyrelaxing. "You know…I suppose you still have some brains in that stupidpurple haired head of yours, you lavender bellied coward."

Elbert burst into laughter, tugging on his ear slightly ashis face burned. "There's the #1 support apprentice bitch I know andlove."

"And don't you forget it, Manabu."

“That’s Elbert to you.”

“I like your first name better. Sounds less like a nerd.”

The two continued their conversation, briskly going over thecase a bit more before moving on to other topics. Anything and everything. Heknew he wouldn't remember half of it come morning. But when the talk ended, andhe finally turned in for the night, he found he didn't mind.

Just having that one conversation, and he felt more alivethan he had in a while.

Now if only he could stop blushing like a school girl insummertime.

[myselfinserts]

❛ you’re just whatever you think other people want you to be. ❜

Étienne was gone. His things were gone. He left without a note. Without a goodbye. He just up and ran away without saying anything.

Regi knew there’d have never been a goodbye anyway.

“I’ve tried calling him,” Luci sighed. “He probably just had some family things to take care of-”

“He’s not in contact with them,” Regi stated quickly. He tugged at the sleeves of his sweater, feeling like he was being tied up. “Kinda like me and Marianne…”

Luci nodded. “Okay then. Maybe he’s just seeing to some work things. That’s a possibility, right?” They gently put a hand on his shoulder. “Étienne wouldn’t just up and leave without telling us. He’s a logical man. A talented, smart person like you. It was probably some kind of emergency and saying he’s leaving or letting us know slipped his mind. Kinda like you when the new comics come in at the shop?”

That…does make sense, Regi thought. 

“He’ll be back,” Luci assured, giving him a reasurring smile. “He’ll come back to to see you and tell us what happened.”

“As if he ever cared about you enough to bother.”

Regi’s body stiffened as he turned around slowly. The source of the new voice was someone he didn’t know. And yet he knew like he did his own siblings. The same berry-blonde hair he’d come to love on his best friend, on the head of an older man with a cold smile. His amber eyes were filled with a mix of disgust and surperiority. 

Damien? How the hell did he get in here?

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Regi asked.

Damien shrugged. “You know my brother. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything but himself and his work. Just like you.”

Regi shook his head, backing away slowly. Luci had completely vanished from view. The room became a dark void as he whispered. “You’re wrong.”

“Are we?” Another figure with dusty blonde hair walked up beside him, looking forlorn. “You’re a lot alike, you know? Bottling everything up. Believing there’s no one in the world who understands hardships like you do. You both think you’re misunderstood geniuses.”

Another blonde, this time lighter, appeared, waking side by side with Marianne. “You both hide how you really feel about things. You put your creations over everyone else.”

“Stop. Just stop.” Regi was shaking. Fear and rage were boiling in his veins.

“He doesn’t care about you, Regi boy,” came a softer voice. A more digitized, angelic tone. A tone that belonged to another technological hero Regi had admired for years. A hero who joined the ever growing circle of people surrounding him.

Uncle Elbert? But he’s dead. Isn’t he?

“Étienne doesn’t care,” Derezzed said. “And you don’t either. Not really. You’re just whatever you think other people want you to be. You’re a nobody.”

Tanith stepped forward, hugging herself as she cried tearfully. “You never really did care.”

“It was always ‘I’ve got work’ and ‘like it really matters’,” Marianne scoffed. “I worked my ass off to feed you and this is how you repay that kindness?”

“We gave up so much for you,” Mary whimpered. “And you threw us away.”

“No I didn’t-” Regi was starting to panic. His parents walked up to him, shaking their heads. 

“Are you really that weak son?”

“Are you really that selfish?”

“Shut up.”

A little girl, frozen and alone. Little Millie who he failed to save. 

Oh god why?

“Why are you acting so cold?” Millie whimpered. “Why are you being so cruel?”

Ceri, standing there, removing his eyepatch. “You don’t think we suffered too? Why are you obsessing over Étienne’s betrayal? You can move on. He does all the time once he’s done with someone. Right? Isn’t that how he is?”

“No he isn’t. You don’t understand-”

“I think we understand plenty,” Damien laughed. “You’re both so alike, but you’re in denial because you’re a ‘suffering genius’ and a pro hero. Isn’t that right?! You think you’re better than the rest of us. Better than Étienne even-”

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING!!!”

Everyone around him went silent. 

“You think I like being like this?!” Regi screamed. “You think I like constantly fearing for my life and holding my hands close to me because I’m so damn afraid they’ll be chopped off again?! You think I derive pleasure from all the pain of losing everyone I’ve ever had the courage to open up to?! That being abandoned by my best friends and loved ones is my favorite pastime?! I can’t just brush everything off like you all can and pretend everything will be okay because it won’t! And I have to face that fact every day and move beyond it because if I don’t, it means death!” 

Everything began to grow murky, the figures surrounding him staring at him in fear.

“You don’t understand anything and I’ve had it! I’m sick of the abandonment! I’m sick of it all! You think you understand how I feel about all of this? You’re nothing but shadows! A curse on my mind and my life! I’ve had enough of you!!!”

Soon, everything came back into focus. The void became the living room, covered in brand new items made from the appliances. Meatloaf was watching from outside, having snuck out when Regi wasn’t looking. 

And staring at him, eyes wide with a waterfall of tears streaking their cheeks, was his beloved Luci.

It had all been a hallucination. But that didn’t matter. He had still said all that. He still said all of that while facing Luci.

He just called Luci the one thing he swore he’d never call them.

He’d hurt them.

It’s over Reginald. You lost.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. 

Before he could see their response, he ran back to the bedroom, locking the door before hurrying to the lab and going into lockdown. R.A.I.N.E.E. watched him from one of the shelves as he went about the lab, pacing and cursing. He knew he shouldn’t have let this affect him so much. It was just how Étienne was. He always left without saying anything. That was always how he-

Regi stopped.

“That’s how Étienne always dealt with pain,” he whispered. “Burying it until he could be alone and never reaching out…He probably left because he was suffering because of this too.” 

Regi sat at his desk, deciding he needed to do something to try and distract himself from the voices invading his head. He opened the draw to grab his sketchbook and-

“Wait a minute.” He looked around. “Where’s my resignation? I could have sworn I-”

Everything seemed to click.

Étienne was suffering from all of this just as badly as he was, but hid it. He discovered Regi was going to quit support design and didn’t mention it.

And he left before he could be hurt again.

It’s all my fault.

Regi closed the drawer and got out of his seat, making his way to the familiar corner he’d spent so many days in not long ago. He sat down, pulls his knees to his chest, and cried himself to sleep.

Luci closed up the kitty carrier, cooing gently to Meatloaf to assure her that everything was going to be okay. They didn’t want to leave. But they had to for now. Regi didn’t want them around anymore. And they weren’t in a state to take care of him. Be there for him. Their quirk had been overused and was clawing at their insides. Luci needed a break.

It was nonnegotiable. 

“R.A.I.N.E.E.?” Luci called softly. “Can you give Regi a message for me?”

R.A.I.N.E.E. appeared on the coffee table, looking more monochromatic than usual. “Yes, Master Amaryllis?”

“Tell him I’m taking Meatloaf and we’ll be staying at the hotel for a couple of days,” they explained. “We’ll be back before we have to visit L and Marianne in Bel-Town. I promise. I just have to take a break for a few days because of my quirk. If he needs anything, he knows how to reach us.”

“Very well, Master Amaryllis.”

Luci nodded. “Thank you.” Before they turned to leave, they reached over and pressed their phone to the tablet on the table, transferring the data to it. “And if you can, try to call Étienne for me? I’m really worried about him too.”

“Yes, Master Amaryllis.”

With that last errand done, Luci grabbed their bag and Meatloaf’s things and headed out. No taxi waited. They’d have to walk. Crude, but they’d gotten used to it. Luci made their way up to the Secret Felines slowly, pausing every so often to catch their breath and let out a cough.

They made sure to hide the blood on their lips before walking through the door.

[myselfinserts]

“ No sense in picking fallen petals up from off the ground. ”

There were many things Mary didn’t want to deal with that day. She’d already failed a test, missed lunch, and lost her lucky charm bracelet.

Now she had to deal with swim practice.

And a strange boy who wandered in against regulations and had all eyes on him. No one moved. No one jumped into the water. It was as though they’d been hypnotized by a villain’s quirk.

There would be no practice as long as he was there.

“HEY!” she yelled. “YOU CAN’T BE IN HERE!”

The boy looked at her, perplexed. “Huh?”

“Can’t you read the sign?! It’s a closed practice!!!”

“Ah, my bad,” the boy apologized. “I’m not overly familiar with the school. Outside of the pamphlets and reputation, that is. See, I’m part of the Apprentices tour for next weeks conference and I kinda got lost when I thought I saw-”

“I don’t care!” Mary groaned. “We have a big swim meet coming up and you’re not allowed to be in here! You’re a distraction to the entire team!”

“I’m sorry! Geez, lighten up, will you?”

“I’ll ‘lighten up’ when you get the hell out!”

“Can you give me directions to the main office at least? This place is huge and I lost my map.”

Mary couldn’t believe this. Damned apprentices. She’d worked her ass off to get into Lucienne’s. Advanced classes, harsh training regimes, strict diets, the whole nine yards. She was the first of her family to ever make it this far on the Hero track.

Apprentices were different. With their laid back, devil may care nature and lack of appreciation for the rules, they train directly under Heroes and get to do almost whatever they pleased. But only if the Hero saw potential.

No one saw potential in her. And she couldn’t blame them. Her quirk wasn’t really suited to combat. It required fast, neat, legible penmanship, an active imagination, and no distractions to finish a sentence. Such was the downsides of her power. And with the 24 hour time limit, that made her look even less like a viable Hero, better suited to entertainment. But she trained hard and made it work. That’s why she had full scholarship. Why she was a year ahead of her peers. Why, even at her age, she had three agencies looking to take her on the moment she graduated.

And now, standing before her with no sense of direction and a haphazardly buttoned shirt and muddy jeans, was the embodiment of entitlement she had come to resent and fight against.

“Follow the yellow brick path,” she spat. “It circles around the entire outside of the school and will lead you to the courtyard. Follow the signs from there. You’ll find it.”

The boy smiled, giving her a pat on the head. “Thanks. Sorry for the inconvenience. Have a great practice.”

Mary stared at him in horror as he left the building and the team returned to their practice.

She hoped she’d never have to see him again.

“He was a total ass!”

“Yeah, you said that already.”

Mary had told her friend and roommate the entire thing. Needless to say, both of them were annoyed at the situation. But Marianne seemed to be a bit more understanding of the boy. Even insisting they should go out for coffee to come up with a plan.

“You need to chill,” she said. “No agency is going to keep you if you keep acting so cynical.”

“Says the cynic queen,” Mary grumbled. “How can you be so okay with Apprentices when they’re?”

Marianne rolled her eyes. “Because only about 3% of the people entire program is ‘like that’. I know, because my dad-”

“Your dad went that route and your uncle is a trainer in the program and blah, blah, blah.” 

“Try and get to know the Apprentices before you judge them.” Marianne looked up at the sky, a nostalgic glimmer in her eyes. “No sense in picking fallen petals up from off the ground just to spit on them. Get to know them. You never know. One of them might make you proud.”

Mary made a gag noise. “Like hell they would.” She stopped, grabbing Marianne’s arm and pointing at a group of kids about their age. “Look! There he is! The ass!”

Marianne smirked, smugly staring at her friend. “Which one is he?” 

“That one! The one in the ugly flannel and ponytail.”

“Hate to break it to you, Mary, but that’s not an ass. That’s my baby brother.”

“You’re fucking kidding me. That jerkwad that told me to lighten up? That’s the darling Reginald you’ve been gushing to me about for the last three years?”

“Been a while since I updated the family photo in our room, but yes, that’s him.”

“You have got to be fucking with me right now.”

Marianne cackled. “If that’s the kid that has you all worked up, I think your views on Apprentices will change.”

Mary highly doubted it. “Whatever.”

“Hey Regi!!!”

Mary’s eyes went wide as the ass-Regi, looekd over at them with glee before skipping over.

He fucking SKIPS?! This lad is a right loon!

“Marianne!” he cheered, pulling her in for a hug. “So good to see you!!! How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Marianne giggled. “How’s Tan?”

“She’s okay. Mrs. Clifton calls every few hours with an update.” He looked down at Mary, the same perplexed expression taking over like before. “You’re friends with Princess Lucienne?”

“My name is Mary McMiller,” she spat. “And I’m currently the #2 student at this school, thank you very much!” She sneered, glancing to the side as if Regi wasn’t even there. “Not that I expect a dumb apprentice to respect the work that goes into that.”

Regi winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry…”

Marianne smacked Mary on the arm. “Regi, we’re going for coffee and donuts. Wanna come?”

“Love to,” Regi said sadly. “But I can’t. We have to head back to the hotel. Mr. Derezzed is having us all learn how to eat at a big fancy dinner.”

“Alright. I’ll call you later then, okay?”

“Okay.” Regi skipped back to the other apprentices, waving goodbye as he went.

Mary glared at Marianne once they were gone, seething in rage. “Why did you hit me-”

“Don’t ever fucking talk about my baby brother like that again. And never, EVER snap at him like that. Do. You. Hear. Me?”

Mary froze, feeling the air around her taste of salt and snow. Marianne never spoke like that. Clouds began to float around her, a slight wind messing up her hair. 

Marianne was pissed.

And Mary was the reason why.

“Do you remember what I told you?” Marianne asked. “When we first became friends?”

“I-”

“I told you I had a baby brother and sister to look out for. That was why I’m here. Because the school was paying me to come here.” She clenched her fists, her head kept down as her shoulders shook. “That’s why I work so hard to hold my #1 spot. Why I keep fighting against all the more combative kids. Why I have no other friends besides you. Because I have to put them first. The money I make by getting my education here puts food on the table and allows my brother to freely go on his apprenticeship while I’m away from home. Away from my little sister, who barely gets to see me, and is slowly barely getting to see him. We’re all each other have.”

Mary felt her eyes burn, trying hard not to cry. “Mari-”

“If he had gotten to follow his dreams like he wanted, he’d be the current #1 and on his way to the big leagues by now, and I’d be the apprentice healer at the General hospital.”

Mary’s heart broke. She sank to her knees, covering her face and sobbing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know-”

“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to him.”

Marianne turned and headed back to the dorms. 

And Mary was left alone.

Mary found Regi in the infermary the next day. She’d passed out during class and woke up there. No doubt from the hunger she’d felt that morning. 

She knew she shouldn’t have skipped dinner. 

And breakfast. 

And lunch.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Mary saw Regi sitting on a nearby stool, smiling as he strummed on a guitar. His hair wasn’t in its usual ponytail, so he looked almost like an entirely different person. 

But those eyes. That smile. It was still him.

“So,” he hummed. “How’re you feeling? Hungry? I brought some bentos from the farmer’s market down the road.”

“…why are you being nice to me?”

Regi stared at her, taken aback. “Huh?”

“I yelled at you,” she elaborated. “I got mad, took my anger out on you, insulted you…why are you still being nice to me?”

“Oh. That’s easy.”

“No sense in picking fallen petals up from off the ground. Best to let them fade with the seasons. We had a bad meeting. That’s all. Might as well try and start over while we can.”

Mary couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Either this kid was an idiot and bottling up how much it hurt, or he was just that stupidly nice.

She secretly hoped it was the latter.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have behaved that way…”

“Apology accepted. And I’m sorry for being a pain.” He stopped playing, holding out a hand to her. “Let’s start again. I’m Reginald Gladstone, soon to be The Technonaut Hero Renegade.”

Mary smiled fondly, accepting his hand. “I’m Mary McMiller, and I’m The Neverending Story Heroine Skald.”

“That’s a cool name! Although-” he pouted, trying to find the words “-no offence, but a bob cut like that doesn’t suit such a cool hero. You should grow it out. It’s a lovely color. It’d be a shame to waste.”

Mary just rolled her eyes.

There was no way she’d get used to him.

Images made at Rinmaru Games