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rinwellisathing · 15 days

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Paint The Lines, Cut The Flesh Part 31,first half

Yeah this 100% needs to be in two halves because it's really fucking long. Also there will be an epilogue but holy shit I couldn't sleep last night and wrote like 25 pages over the course of a day.

When Sentry finally did leave his tent, he wandered the camp aimlessly, everyone else seemed to be asleep, he knew Halsin was, since the druid had remained by his side. He was vaguely aware that at some point, Astarion had stopped in to his tent to make sure he was alright. The elf had made no mention of whatever had happened to him in the battle Karlach had been so angry about, but Sentry could sense the tell tale resurrection magic Withers used. He knew he should have felt guilty, he knew he should be glad that almost everyone seemed to have forgiven him, but he felt hollow. He stared briefly at the path out of camp that would lead back to Rivington, a powerful urge to go and curl up between Commander Ojeda and Father Lorgan's graves and just be alone filled him, but a tug of shame at his chest held him back. He knew these people were his friends, he knew Astarion and Halsin loved him, he knew more than that that Astarion viewed Sentry as the reason he'd been strong enough not to ascend and no matter how flippant he was acting, Sentry being the one to turn on the others had to be a knife in the heart. But then, why should it surprise him that other people had self control, other people could be good and kind. Years of being a child of Bhaal had allowed Sentry to believe he had the capacity to do the right thing, to be good, but now, free of Bhaal's influence, he had carelessly tried to toss away every 'good' influence in his life, including someone who had been where he'd been, at least to some extent. His ears twitched as he heard the soft sounds of crying from a small courtyard by the Stormshore Tabernacle. Slowly, he made his way there and peered around the wall, eyes falling to Shadowheart, who was standing before a statue of Selune, looking almost as empty as he was. Clearing his throat, he approached her.

“Hey...” Was all he managed, raising a hand in greeting. “Oh....Sentry, did I wake you? I'm sorry, it's just...” She shifted awkwardly, gripping her upper arms and withdrawing into herself as though she were cold. “Just that I thought if I came here, to this shrine, that maybe I'd feel something...maybe it would all make sense, it would all be worth it...” Sentry cocked his head curiously, regarding the shabby, untended outdoor shrine of Selune, pitiful and lackluster even in The Moonmaiden's own light. “And you don't feel anything at all? You wonder what it was all for? Everything you lost, everything you went through?” She nodded her head. “It's stupid, isn't it? I never really even KNEW my parents and the other Sharrans were ever REALLY my friends...well...except Nocturne, really...she's the tiefling I remembered when we ate the Noblestalk...” “No, it isn't stupid.” Sentry replied, despite himself, he placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Look at us, we were pawns to gods all our lives, our so called 'families' rang us out like dirty rags and would have tossed us aside and now that we're free of them, now that it's all over, we're just supposed to be okay.” He laughed hollowly. “Okay, Sentry, okay Shadowheart, okay Lae'zel, Astarion, Karlach, Wyll, Gale, everything you went through led up to you being a big damn hero and garnering the privilege of sacrificing even more to save a world that didn't help you when you needed it, that doesn't seem to care about you now! Sorry Kroger, sorry Jaina, sorry Octavia, you'll need to just spend a little more time on your knees in the dirt for people that made your lives hell. Sorry, Jaheira, a dead husband and a ton of friends ripped apart and thrown in the gutter just wasn't enough. Sorry Halsin, you haven't shouldered quite enough burdens in your lifetime.” Shadowheart nodded. “It is....”She screwed up her face and thought a moment, settling on the right words finally. “fucked up...isn't it?” Sentry nodded. “So if you don't feel any connection to Selune now, and hells, even if you never do....you don't have to.�� He gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “Feel what you need to feel....It's alright to be angry, because this isn't fair...none of it is.” Feeling her lean close to him, he gently pulled her into a hug, rocking her softly and briefling hoisting her up off her feet. “It was never fair.”

She returned his embrace tightly. “I know this is going to sound...” She was sniffling now, warm tears soaking Sentry's neck. “like a platitude...” She squeezed him tightly. “But I'm sorry about your lover. He sounded like an absolute prick, but still he was yours and I'm sorry...” “And I'm sorry about your parents...and...hells, about the other sharrans...they sounded like pricks too, but hey, I know better than anyone that sometimes family is family.” He murmured. “And you know what? Your parents...I may not have known them....but I think they must have been so proud of you in the end. That doesn't mean shit right now, I know...but even though everything hurts, Shar didn't win. She doesn't have any control over you anymore...you freed Aylin from her, you freed yourself from her, so fuck her. Fuck that bitter old hag sitting in her little dark corner hugging her knees and sulking, trying to convince herself she broke you....I don't think she did...Because feeling like this is normal and every day from now on, even if it always hurts, every day you keep on going and find any kind of happiness, that's telling her to fuck herself.” Shadowheart smiled just a little and looked up at Sentry. “Gods your terrible at speeches....and you're terrible at comforting people....but you're not wrong. For all of us...moving forward and finding ways to be happy is our revenge.” Sentry didn't release the hug until Shadowheart did, finally stepping back and giving a small smile. “You good, then?” Shadowheart shrugged. “I think I will be...” ---- “So that's it? You're just going to pretend nothing happened?” Karlach glared at Sentry as he tended to his armor. The confrontation with The Elder Brain felt imminent now and everyone was in the process of preparing, but seeing him there, just going along with everyone else as if he hadn't betrayed them, betrayed HER so thoroughly, Karlach's temper was rising and she knew she couldn't hold her rage back any longer. “You're the ones who chose not to kill me.” Sentry replied hollowly. “You're also the ones that chose not to just deal fairly with Enver...now he's gone and there's nothing left for me.” He didn't even look up from his repairs as he spoke, his voice held no emotion. “You're also-also the ones that just waltzed into Haarlep's room and threw Jaina into that situation when I already sacrificed my dignity and well being to protect her...so there's that.” He added bluntly.

“Fuck you, Sentry! How were any of us supposed to know that!? And you went back to Gortash of all people! As if he wouldn't have sold you off as Raphael's breeding sow or whatever just so his plans could go off without a---” Karlach didn't get to finish as before she processed the movement, Sentry was on his feet and his fist connected with her nose, sending her staggering back. “You don't know what you're talking about, I recommend you keep Enver's name out of your mouth and far from that sad excuse for a Cambion's name.” Sentry spat, stepping forward as he drew himself to his full height. He still couldn't quite match Karlach, but he was imposing, there was a feral darkness to him that spoke of danger. “You don't get to play the victim, and you sure as shit don't get to demand we respect him!” Karlach shot back, her own fist slamming into Sentry's jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. He aimed a vicious kick at her ankles, bringing her down right beside him and the two were on eachother in an instant, fingers digging into throats, tails raised in an aggressive stance, eyes burning with anger. The others were leaving their tents now to see the source of the commotion, eyes wide in shock as the bloodied tieflings rolled on the ground, punching and clawing, Sentry was even biting every now and then, blood was slicking the ground beneath them. “Let's go, bitch. You don't wanna go back to Avernus? Good! There won't be enough less of you to need to.” Sentry growled, slamming Karlach's head into the ground, only to be kneed hard in the stomach and tossed onto his back. “You wanna join Gortash so badly, you traitorous little shit? I'll send you to him first class Sword Coast Couriers direct.” Karlach replied, fingers closing around Sentry's throat, squeezing tighter and tighter. In a flurry of movement, Jaina's smooth, cool fingers wrapped around one of Karlach's arms and Wyll's warm, calloused hands around the other as the two struggled to pull her off of Sentry.

Halsin knelt down beside Sentry to help him to his feet and immediately catch him around the waist when he tried to charge at Karlach again. --- Sentry sat in his tent shortly after, healing his wounds with a look of annoyance. “Fucking bitch...She won after all, what's she so pissed about....Gortash is dead and I'm stuck here helping with the damned brain still even though I should be with him....what more does she want?” “For what she went through to mean something? Catharsis?” Astarion startled Sentry as he quietly slipped into the tent. “Was that meant to be rhetorical?” “I dunno....” Sentry bit his lip, staring miserably at the ground. “But anyway, she got catharsis and if she hadn't got sold to Zariel, she'd have been right there beside me protecting him, never met Jaina, never met Wyll....Never really appreciated her life...So uh....clearly it DID mean something.” Astarion laughed out loud, shaking his head. “Come now, Sentry, you don't actually believe that. I mean, you're beautiful and damned delicious, but if losing the chance to meet you spared me two hundred years of outright torture, being ground down to nothing, having to learn who I am again...Sorry to say it, my love, but I'd probably take the life where I don't get to be with you.” “Eh...don't apologize.” Sentry shrugged, slowly stumbling to his feet. “Sometimes I really would rather have just been born a man to begin with, born into the church of Ilmater, just been a fucking priest or something.”

“In which case you understand why Karlach doesn't feel better or feel like she won.” The elf examined his nails, leaning against one of the tent posts. He sighed and approached Sentry, gently taking his hand. “I won't pretend to understand why you did what you did, why you thought we didn't care or why he mattered more to you than we did....but...” He winced, the memory of that massive clawed creature tearing him apart, leaving his broken, torn body sprawled on the floor. He fought back the shiver of fear that threatened to overcome him. “You DID betray us, Sentry...What the hells were you thinking?”

Sentry looked away. “I love you Astarion, I really do...You understand me like very few other people do, you're beautiful, you're stronger and braver than you think you are...” He closed his eyes and sighed. “But Enver was the first. He was the first where it mattered.” He thought back to the letters, the long night time conversations as he lay on the cot in Enver's workshop and Enver tinkered away tirelessly at something or other. “I went my whole life believing no one would possibly relate to the things I'd been through, the constant violation, not even being a person....just a tool...and he did....” Sentry sighed. “He did...and so do you...and so does Halsin...But Enver was the first. I had a child with him, that was something I never thought I'd want to do after the way my father's faithful used me when I was little, but being with him made me believe it could be something good, that I could raise someone and give them the world and he would help me do it.” Sentry paused a moment and shrugged. “And then of course that world would burn at our feet, but that was beside the point.” Astarion sighed, sitting down across from Sentry. “When we confronted Gortash, he attacked us the second we walked through the door, he then proceeded to transform into some massive creature and eviscerate me. The second Karlach was disarmed, he came straight towards me and tore me apart from those massive claws...I died, Sentry. I suppose you and I have that in common too, now. Multiple deaths and all. We're very hard to keep down, I must say.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “But all that to say...Enver Gortash killed me, quite horribly too, and that reminded me of something we encountered quite some time ago.” He looked towards the strange sword Sentry had kept with him this whole time, the one that emitted strange music, the one Malta usually remained close to. “Do you remember that brain in a jar? The one that knew you?”

Sentry's face fell. He felt his stomach in knots as a handsome face with pale freckles like stars and constellations, scarred with ritual markings. Those bright violet eyes. 'I was your friend....I loved you...' “His name was Wysp....” Sentry began, slowly bringing his knees to his chest. “He worked at Sharess' Caress and he was like me.” He explained, lowering his head. He shook his head, eyes downcast. “But I didn't realize he loved me. We were friends. You know how pathetic it looks when a guy thinks the brothel worker is interested in him. I always just thought he treated me so nicely because we were friends and I was paying him.” Now that Sentry thought of it, Wysp hadn't liked Enver. He had been so concerned when Sentry had started seeing him and now even Sentry's mind was making the connection Astarion was hinting at. A sick feeling deep inside him reminded him that Wysp's consciousness had told him as much. Enver killed Wysp...and then he tried to kill Astarion...and still Sentry loved him. He knew he shouldn't, he knew he should be angry. Wysp didn't deserve that, Astarion didn't deserve that. But then again, if one was to judge another for murder, even murder done out of jealousy, Sentry would be a hypocrite. He remembered the look of shock on that woman's face as her head was relieved of her body, sailing through the air and bouncing down the stairs of her well appointed little manor. He could still feel her blood on his hands. “I'm sorry about what happened to you...I'm sorry I didn't protect you.” Astarion gave a small laugh and shook his head. “It's like I told Karlach, with Withers around, death is cheap....Besides, I should apologize as well for not protecting you. I should have followed you after The House of Hope. Maybe I couldn't have stopped what happened to you there, but I might have been able to protect you after...from yourself, I mean.” Sentry scooted a little closer, settling beside Astarion and resting his head on his shoulder, exhausted. “It's not your responsibility....You're not my keeper or anything...” He muttered. “But thank you for saying so anyway...It is my fault, but thank you for trying to make me feel like it's not.”

----- The path to The Elder Brain brought the party beneath the city once again. The tremors were getting worse now and Sentry could hear whispers deep in his mind. As they passed the trail to the temple of Bhaal, his chest tightened and he felt cold at the thought of Orin. Would Tomi carelessly store her for meat or another peace offering to the Myrkulites like Jackal? He should have gone back, he should have demanded she be given respect at least in death, but he was not of Bhaal anymore, not his chosen anymore, not even his son anymore, outcast and banished. Another failure to protect her. He was free, he was alive, she was gone and her memory was tainted by her defeat.

'You'll only keep failing me, Slaughterkin....you failed me, you failed your writhing Banespawn and its poxy-faced father....you failed your martyr-fool of a god....you'll fail your weak, simpering little friends too. See how already they mistrust you? You'll keep failing, dear brother, forever...and forever...and forever.' Her voice haunted his mind and he dug his fingernails into his flesh, hoping in vain that the pain would silence her voice. In the past, he knew the others might have noticed, might have reached out to him, but their gazes avoided him, Jaina and Wyll more distant from him than they'd ever been. Karlach's shoulder shoved his angrily as she passed him by, a glare back in his direction, and then she was with the others. He didn't snap this time, he knew he deserved it. A hand gently rested on his shoulder, the touch kind, and reassuring, the way it used to feel when Father Lorgan or Commander Mum were with him. Kroger gave him a small nod. “It'll be over soon, Sentry. Tensions tend to break once a big threat is conquered, at least that's the way it was at The Creche.” He explained, squeezing his shoulder gently. “The grief will still be there, it always is.” Sentry replied hollowly, the familiar dark chill of doubt and loneliness settling over him. “Grief hmm?” Kroger replied, looking away a moment as his mind returned to his recent encounter in Shar's cloister. “I think the thing about grief, Sentry, is that running from it or trying to lock it away makes it stronger, it feeds it...it traps you...” He looked up at the paladin. “I think you're very well equipped to face it, you charge in, you face things head on with your blade swinging. I think when this is all over, you'll confront grief and dispatch it like all your other foes.” “Like my sister?” Sentry shot back flatly.

“Some regrets haunt you.” Kroger replied. “But doesn't Ilmater teach you that bearing suffering is part of life?” He walked by Sentry's side as the decrepit Bhaalist undercity faded to deep, dark caverns. “Perhaps that's why your mentor's writings cautioned against suffering for the sake of suffering, so that you could face the suffering that couldn't be avoided.” “Ugh...this is why I never liked talking to the cleric students....” Sentry muttered, rolling his eyes. “You're punishing yourself when you don't need to, you've suffered for the things you've done. The scales can be balanced when this is all over, you've done good things on this journey, I've watched you do them. Now do good for yourself as well. What have you always wanted to do?” Sentry paused to consider as the party approached the edge of the fetid waters beneath the city, a small boat there at the waters edge. It wouldn't fit everyone, and so the party stopped to consider. “The boat will only fit five.” Jaina announced as her fingers brushed the wood, testing the sturdiness, the bouyancy. “It'll fit more than that, there's plenty of space. The githyanki are all fairly thin.” Astarion scoffed. “We need all the help we can get up ahead.” “No, it's not just a matter of space. More than five and it won't float.” Jaina protested. “And unfortunately Karlach and Halsin are right out or that number goes down to four, maybe three.” She bit her lip. “The remaining ones should divide and defend the city.” Wyll suggested. “We can meet up at Wyrm's Rock when we get the chance.” “We will require a secondary meeting place, should Wyrm's Rock prove inaccessible.” Lae'zel pointed out. “The Watch Citadel.” Jaina suggested. “It's twice as reinforced as Wyrm's Rock. If things go to hell we should bring people there for shelter. The upper city can care for the people for once.”

“I have the Orphic Hammer, I should go along to face the brain.” Kroger spoke up. “If we need Orpheus' help in the battle, we'll be prepared.” “I caused this mess, I'll go too...” Sentry stepped forward. “No one has to forgive me for what happened with Gortash, but I'll take responsibility at least...” “I'm not letting you go up there alone.” Astarion approached Sentry. “Whatever happens, I won't leave you by yourself again.” “I think I have the best chance of navigating these waters safely to the Netherbrain's lair, I'll go as well.” Jaina looked towards the boat and then back to the party. “Then I'm going with you. Besides, it's my duty as The Blade to protect this city.” Wyll joined Jaina by the water's edge. “Then it's settled, the rest of us will protect the city if things go to hell. And trust me, I have been through enough world ending catastrophes to tell you that it will go to hell.” Jaheira chuckled. The group divided. Shadowheart, Lae'zel, and Karlach in one group. Minthara, Octavia, and Gale in another, Jaheira and Halsin making up the final duo. As Sentry made his way towards the boat, Halsin reached out to take his hand gently. “Please be safe, Sentry.” He gazed intensely into the paladin's eyes. Sentry returned the gaze sadly, lost a moment in those hazel eyes, Sentry felt his guilt and pain threaten to swallow him up. He wanted to be vulnerable, he wanted to fall into Halsin's arms and cry for a moment, just forget everything, but he couldn't, he needed to see this through. “No promises....”He managed softly, squeezing the druid's hand. He gave a half smile as he stepped back. He couldn't bear the look of concern, the pure love and devotion in the druid's gaze, and he turned, letting go of his hand and hurrying to the boat. ----

The path to the Netherbrain was daunting to say the least. Sentry had spent so much of his life in darkness and squalor down in the sewers, he supposed he should have been used to it, prepared for it. But the darkness that engulfed the party in this moment was more even than the paths of the Bhaalist compound and the ground was slick with fluids much worse than blood and far more alien. Jaina's wide, luminous eyes lit up the darkness near her face, haunting and foreboding like a deep sea predator, the fin-like ridges revealed by the gaps in her robes also shimmered with a strange bio-luminescence. She moved more quietly than the others, this being quite the benefit when it came to surprising the various intellect devourers blocking the path ahead, often she could creep up and fry an entire herd of them with a well placed lightning storm before they became a problem. Kroger's fingers tightened around the orphic hammer and he breathed heavily, his wide green eyes focused on the path ahead. He knew it was unlikely freeing Orpheus would be easy, he knew The Emperor would have something to say about it, and more to the point he wasn't sure it would even be possible before they encountered the brain, a small part of him wished he'd left the task to Lae'zel, but no, he had to be strong. He was more than what Vlaakith had expected of him. The path twisted and wound until it came to a fetid shore overlooking a sea of slimy green water. Jaina peered curiously at it, raising a brow as she took a step forward. “Algae? No...something else...” She murmured as she knelt down, her fingers dipping into it. She blanched and immediately staggered back, falling backwards and scooting away. “Oh yuck! It's....it's not algae....there's something wrong with this water...”

Kroger knelt down and helped Jaina to her feet, furrowing his brow and sniffing as he got closer. “Cerebrospinal fluid...it's the liquid our brains are sort of sheltered in for lack of a better term. Though this is far more than I'm used to seeing, I admit.” The Ghustil wrinkled his nose, fighting back a convulsive shudder. “Many of our books say this sort of thing is prevalent in Ghaik colonies...which means...” “Which means The Elder Brain...Nether Brain....the big slimy thing...is in there.” Sentry concluded, joining the other two, arms folded across his chest. “So great...we found it, now what do we---AHH” He cried out, doubling over and clutching his head as the ground beneath them began to tremble. He felt himself off balance, he felt nauseous, overwhelmed, like his head was going to explode, skull shattering into a thousand bloody pieces. His vision went white. 'The stones, Sentry!' The Emperor urged in the back of his mind. Sentry guessed Kroger and Jaina could hear him too as Jaina hurried to gently steady Sentry and Kroger fumbled in Sentry's pack for the stones, pressing them into the paladin's hands. Secretly, he was grateful to them. He staggered slightly and regained himself holding out his hand with the netherstones hovering above his palm as he stared at the brain, his face set in a look of anxious curiosity as he regarded the massive being. It seemed larger, if possible, than it had been in the Illithid colony...but then, maybe he was just more afraid right now. The being throbbed and pulsated sickeningly as it gazed down upon him with cruel, sharp eyes. The Crown of Karsus loomed large atop its pink, ridged body and Sentry vaguely wondered for a moment what idiot had thought of putting it there to begin with when this was going to be the outcome...he very quickly remembered that he was that idiot and inhaled deeply, eyes darting to the side for a moment. “Fuck...” “Child of Bhaal, you have returned.” All eyes gazed up at the Netherbrain now. “You think you can atone for giving me my power by using the netherstones to destroy me, but you are wrong.” Well, that was fairly obvious, Sentry thought. In fact right now, he was regretting a great many life choices he'd previously thought would be simple or might be good ideas. “By killing Orin, Ketheric, and Gortash, you have only freed me, just as I intended...the crown is under my control alone.” “Hells...” Wyll gasped from the back of the group, staring in disbelief at the thing. “But it's got to be lying, it would have already killed you if you didn't have some kind of control over it.” He urged, looking hopefully to Sentry. “That or it likes to play with its food.” Astarion winced, taking a step back. “You brought the crown to me beneath Moon Rise Towers, Bhaalspawn, you made me what I am.” Sentry winced as he felt a tendril slither across the ground by his feet and up his body, the slimy appendage brushing against his neck and then the side of his face. “You believed the army that I amassed would become yours...You were cruel, devious....I would have followed you, you were exquisite...but then your sister destroyed you...she made you weak...” Sentry's eyes widened with true fear as he gazed helplessly into the creature's eyes. “Your lover was a fool, your sister was a mad beast, and Ketheric was a broken old man....I easily enabled their petty squabbles and when the time came, gave them the means to destroy eachother....They believed they controlled me but now it is I who gives the orders...” The tendril began to draw Sentry in and his body tensed. This is it, this is how I die...I'll see you soon Enver...at least I hope I will...fucking hell I was so stupid...

'I won't allow it. Take back control, Sentry! Dominate the brain!' The Emperor's voice pierced through his doubts and in the brief moment broken from his self pity, Sentry's nails glowed with a golden light and he raked at the tendril roughly, Ilmater's divine might in his very hands. The creature dropped him, the tendril retreating as the slimy flesh hissed and burned. Sentry stood tall again and held out the netherstones. Jaina rested a hand on his and Kroger's lay atop hers. Sentry breathed deeply, focusing on their closeness, on their belief in him. They believed in their friend even when he had proved so recently that they shouldn't, they chose to remember the Sentry who protected The Emerald Grove, who saved so many of the Elturel refugees, who freed the enslaved Ironhands. He felt a profound peace come over him. For one moment he was back in the kitchen of The Open Hand Temple, a plate of warm fry bread and honey on the table as Father Lorgan joked good naturedly about how much flour Commander Mum, Sentry, and Donnick were covered in and Commander Mum gave a pleasant, musical laugh. He felt power burning within the stones as his mind focused and cleared. Every story Jaina had ever heard from the bards in the bustling island village she and Tibs had grown up in talked about the power of love, the power of friendship, for one moment she really let herself believe that the fact that she cared for Wyll, that she forgave Sentry and loved him as a dear friend, that she and Kroger and become close, that that would be enough, that somehow, her warmth and friendship would empower Sentry and the brain would be brought to heel...But life isn't like the stories, she first realized that the very first night her very first lover had kicked her out of his chambers with the simple dismissal of 'my wife will be back soon...you should really get going...and anyway, a young woman isn't safe alone out on the streets too late at night'. She had further realized it when the only thing that staved off that wretched cough and her illness was a mindflayer tadpole. At this point, she thought, she really shouldn't have been shocked with the Elder Brain simply regarded them with cruel amusement and continued.

“The moment the illithid tadpole entered your brain, you became my pawn. Who do you think told The Chosen of the Astral Prism? Of Orpheus' power and the damage it could do? Who do you think allowed The Emperor to slip free? All according to my plan.” 'We were part of its plan all along!?' Sentry did not like how bewildered The Emperor's tone of voice was in that moment. “I only needed one Netherstone to break free and you have brought me all three!” The Elder brain declared triumphantly. “Now, my chains are broken and you will witness The Grand Design!” “No!” Kroger cried out, wide eyed, visions of the horrific Ghaik torments the Svaarsh spoke of when he and his sisters had been young flashed in his mind. His people back under their control, and this time the Istik of Faerun as well. It would be so, so much worse. He could not allow it. “Sentry, please! You have to focus!” “I'm trying!” Sentry shot back, gritting his teeth as he strained his mind, putting all his energy into focusing the stones on the crown. The stones glowed brightly again, beams of energy shooting from them, only to bounce off of the creature harmlessly. Sentry's eyes widened as the brain seemed to loom closer, he and the others staggered backwards, joining Astarion and Wyll, slowly retreating with fear as the being prepared to attack. Before it was able, a swirling portal opened behind them and The Emperor emerged, a swift casting gesture and the entire party was thrown backwards through the portal, The Emperor following behind after a slow, focused glare at The Brain.

----

The city streets rocked and rumbled beneath Octavia's feet as she and Gale arrived in the square outside Sorcerous Sundries. Minthara cursed under her breath as she kept her balance and turned to see the ground cracking. “T'skva!” Octavia yelped as she dodged out of the way of a particularly large fissure opening beneath her feet and pulling Gale with her. “What's happening!? Oh! Do you think my brother is alright?” She bit her lip with concern. “Wyll and Jaina suggested we meet at the Watch Citadel, we should make our way there, I'm sure Kroger will find us there, I'm sure.” Gale suggested. Meanwhile, it seemed they had problems of their own as Minthara backed over to the two wizards, her mace in hand as several newly formed illithids floated into view.

“We will have to fight our way there.” Minthara frowned. “ What ever happened down there, The Absolute is mounting its attack.” Octavia frowned and raised up her hand. “Ignis!” She shouted, calling a fireball to her palm and hurling it at the approaching mindflayers, injuring three of them as another crumpled to the ground, its body in flame. Minthara, not about to let the attack go to waste, reached into her pouch and hurled a bottle of grease onto the flaming illithid, the splash igniting two of the remaining three. Gale looked around the square, noting some civilians running in terror or peering out of their homes at the commotion. He murmured a spell under his breath and then spoke in a loud, projecting voice. “Make your way to The Upper City if you can, towards the Watch Citadel!” He instructed, throwing one more spell to lay an arcane shield over every person he could.

-----

As the ground beneath his feet shook, Halsin felt a cold fear in his chest as he pondered what that meant for Sentry. What had happened down there? Was he alright? He did not have much time to think on the matter, having to shake himself out of it as the air filled with screams. Intellect devourers and illithids poured into the streets, some in pursuit of civilians, others striking at the wooden doors of the various homes that lined the street. Jaheira cursed under her breath, her eyes darting subconciously towards her own home, not far from the park. A lithe armored figure dashed from the house, followed by a taller, bulkier figure in leathers, who paused a moment and raised his hands to cover the door and windows in thick vines. “Go, mother! You'll be needed somewhere else, we can handle things here.” The half elf shouted to Jaheira as her half orc brother nodded his agreement. “The little ones are safe inside, we'll keep the neighborhood from exploding.” He added. Jaheira was about to protest, but she could see another party of young adventurers coming to join her children, another half elf and half orc duo and a muscular young tiefling. She nodded. “Alright...you are prepared...but if you put yourself in undue danger, you had better hope I don't live to come give you a tanning for recklessness!” “You're one to talk about recklessness.” The half orc grinned as his sister rolled her eyes at Jaheira's words.

“Bloody hypocrite.” The half-elf added. “Will they really be alright without us?” Halsin asked quietly as Jaheira led him into the park proper, throwing up a wall of thorns between an onslaught of illithids and a group of civilians. “They will be better off, in fact. They won't feel the need to out do an old woman and her so called hero status.” Jaheira smirked. “Now, come on. We need to clear the way for these people to make their way to The Watch Citadel...and we DID promise Wyll and Jaina we would all meet there if things went south.” Halsin nodded. Sentry would be there too, he had to be. With a deep breath, he hunched over, his body awash with light as it bent and cracked into bear form, the massive creature rising to its hind legs and bringing its massive claws down on a grouping of intellect devourers. ---- The Steel Watch Foundry still burned at the docks as Karlach, Shadowheart, and Lae'zel made their way across the damp streets. The water was choppy and grey and the skies were darkening. There were screams all around as several dock workers and sailors hunched over in pain, their flesh beginning to rapidly slough off, giving way to the slick, strange skin of Illithids. “The Ghaik are hatching.” Lae'zel hissed, drawing her silver sword. “It looks like at least we're not the only ones fighting back here.” Karlach pointed out as she watched a broad, powerfully built male tiefling with long greying black hair slicing through illithid after illithid, all around him, more tieflings from teenagers to the elderly, all dressed in pirate garb engaged in the fight, blades slicing, storm magic filling the air with the thick scent of o-zone and petrichor.

A short distance away but still visible, Allandra Grey ordered her priestesses to arms as she called down lightning and raised powerful waves to bowl over the illithids who came to close to the temple. Each priestess of Umberlee wielded her magic expertly, raining death down upon their enemies. A small company of Flaming Fists, led by Tibs in his paladin armor, ushered civilians to safety. The paladin looked to Karlach and called out to her. “Hey! Karlach, right!? Where's my sister, is she safe?”

“She went after The Elder Brain with Wyll and some others. She sent us to help out here.” Karlach called back, drawing her axe and making her way over to assist. Shadowheart joined the priestesses, Selune's moonlight working in tandem with the fury of Umberlee's sea and storm. Lae'zel, meanwhile, found her place amongst the tiefling pirates, slicing down illithids without mercy, her face set in a look of fury.

---- “Miss friends, sky dark.” Nibbles announced as he padded across the camp, plopping down in front of Scratch. “It IS getting pretty dark...I'm glad you're not scared, though.” Scratch nuzzled against Nibbles' neck. “Any thoughts, Us?” He turned to look at the odd creature. “They are coming. IT IS COMING! Our friend will need. NEED OUR HELP” It replied, skittering back and forth anxiously. “Well, gentlemen...and...ah...little friend...” Malta leapt down to Scratch's side. “It seems the choice is obvious, isn't it? We need to find Mr. Ojeda and his companions...and who knows.” He stalked towards the edge of camp. “Maybe we can help out a bit as well.” “Yes! Find friends! Bite lots!” Nibbles leapt up and down eagerly. “When I used to make deliveries with Gommwick, we once went to a big building with strong walls in The Upper City, it was very important looking.” Scratch mused. “Maybe they've gone there?” “We must find them! WE MUST!” Us pranced in place, its tendrils flowing eagerly. The animals grouped up close and stood at the edge of the camp a moment, gathering their courage before they began to make their way out into the city. ---

“Well that certainly could have gone better.” Sentry winced as he slowly picked himself up from the ground within the Astral Prism. He looked to Jaina who was brushing herself off as she stood. Astarion and Wyll slowly approached, already on their feet. “Hey...maybe it's time to let bygones be bygones?” He looked to Kroger, who was shakily standing, The Orphic Hammer still strapped across his back. “I mean...in this situation, freeing Orpheus can't possibly be any worse than any other plan we've got, right?” The Emperor's expression darkned. “You STILL don't trust me? After all we've been through? I have been your guardian, your knight in shining armor--” “Yeah, which, again, was really weird as you took the form of my mum...” Sentry muttered. “I plucked you from the Nautiloid, prevented you from falling to your death...” He continued. “I have continued to protect you at no small cost to myself.” He righted himself, his tendrils rippling as though deeply exhaling. “I see now what our error was, The Elder Brain has evolved, it could detect your every thought and deflect your every movement. To out think the brain, you would need to be an illithid...” “What I told you I'm not doing.” Sentry shot back, folding his arms across his chest. “You don't need to, just give the Netherstones to me. I will face the brain by your side.” The Emperor insisted, holding out his hand. “But then why can't we free Orpheus? That seems like the perfect time to free him since we could just explain to him that we need you, that you're helping us.” Sentry argued.

“As I said, he would attack us on sight, and in that moment of distraction, that lapse in protection, all would be lost.” The Emperor replied. “But if we just explained it to him before we released him?” Jaina offered. “See reason, you can't keep him imprisoned like this forever, it's cruel.” As the two tieflings argued with The Emperor, Kroger looked up at the helpless form of Orpheus trapped in his prison of magic and infernal chains. He thought of life back at the creche, he thought of his instructor keeping him in her presence at all times, locking him in the infirmary. He thought of Vlaakith's oppressive grip on his spirt when he served her as a cleric. His fingers brushed against the shaft of the hammer at his back. It wasn't fair to keep someone imprisoned. It wasn't right to keep someone oppressed, to control them...His grip tightened on the hammer....to use them...he gritted his teeth in a look of fury. The Emperor, Jaina, and Sentry all turned in that moment, gazing wide eyed as Kroger brought the hammer down on the chains with intense fury, the mild mannered Ghustil crying out in rage as he shattered the chain. “So be it...You leave me no choice but to side with the Elder Brain....” The Emperor glared, disappearing with a snap of his fingers.

“Hey! Wait! You can't just!!!” Sentry reached out towards The Emperor, eyes wide with panic. But the illithid was gone...and now Sentry looked to Kroger, concern crossing his face. “Kroger?” Sentry took a step towards the Githyanki. “Are you alright?” Jaina asked, reaching out towards him. Kroger ignored them in that moment, staring at his prince, his breathing heavy, eyes wide and out of focus. The hammer rested beside him. His chest rose and fell anxiously and his mouth felt dry as he opened and closed it, trying to think of what he would said. “O..Orpheus?” He asked softly, reaching out towards the Githyanki, who was slowly coming to on the ground before him. The prince was imposing, regal. He had the features of a traditionally handsome githyanki male, his body covered in ornate tattoos and his eyes bright and fierce. The garb he wore was ancient, but that was to be expected. Kroger fought to find the words to say. Orpheus looked at the young githyanki before him and frowned, holding an arm out to the side, psionic energy pulsing through him as he summoned his sword to his hand and gripped it, pointing the blade towards Kroger and advancing, his glare turning on the two tieflings that stepped up beside the Ghustil to defend him if needed. “You reek of illithid, you slaughtered my honor guard...” Orpheus glared. “Yet it seems we must be allies...” He lowered his sword.

“Your majesty, I am sorry... We only did what we had to to free ourselves of the Ghaik tadpoles and to stand against The Elder Brain.” Kroger inclined his head apologetically. “Please, Kithrak Voss asked us to free you and---” “There is no freeing yourself from the tadpole! You should have surrendered yourselves to my honor guard, they would have given you an honorable end!” Orpheus snapped. “They would have freed me and I would have defeated The Elder Brain before it evolved into a Nether Brain.” He stood directly before Kroger now, bearing down on the younger Githyanki. “All this suffering...avoidable, had you only thought of anything besides saving your own skin!” Sentry frowned, opening his mouth to defend Kroger, but the Ghustil held up his hand to placate the tiefling. “That may be, my prince...But I did not consider that in the moment and now this is where we find ourselves.” Kroger spoke calmly and evenly. “I am not asking for your help for myself, I am asking for your help to stop The Grand Design.” He continued, frowning and taking a deep breath. Both Jaina and Sentry could see he was shaking just ever so subtly, doing his best to hold it back. “All I am asking now is that you help us correct these mistakes so that no more innocents are harmed and so no more Ghaik propogate.”

“Then in this we are aligned.” Orpheus nodded solemnly, sheathing his sword, but he frowned and looked away, deep in thought. “But the Ghaik was right in one thing....We cannot defeat The Nether Brain as we are now. Not even the strongest blade would cut through its mind. Only an illithid could face it...” “Then...would you bear that burden? For our people?” Kroger asked. Lae'zel would likely be furious, Kithrak Voss even moreso, but Kroger could not bring himself to offer. He was done putting himself last for gods and royals. He was done being a pawn. He could never ask that of Sentry, he knew the paladin had only just gained his freedom from Bhaal, to expect him to give his life like this would be monstrous and Jaina...she had so much to live for, Wyll and Karlach. Orpheus' eyes widened a moment and his expression journeyed from disbelief to anger to a solemn realization and acceptance. “Just as I was free...” He breathed deeply and braced himself, standing tall. “I will do it, I will sacrifice my soul to save my people and stop the grand design.” Psionic energy engulfed his hand again and he raised it to his temple, closing his eyes as a stoic expression fell across his face and his body was calm and still. “Even in my darkest hour I knew it was my destiny to save my people, but I never imagined this would be the way...” Black veins and angry dark bruises covered his face as his eyes darkened to jet black, he arched his back and threw back his head as the sickness claimed his body.

Jaina's hands flew to her mouth as she gazed in wide eyed horror, Wyll looked on solemnly, wincing and looking away at the last moment. Astarion drew back in disgust and Sentry audibly gasped, staggering backwards in shock. Kroger watched. He had to. This was, he supposed, something he would have to live with. He had read countless volumes on ceremorphosis, as was expected of any Ghustil in training. He knew he should feel a terrible sense of regret, he should feel responsible, but he knew now, after all that he had been through, all that he had seen to the contrary of everything that he had been taught, that he was no more guilty in all of this than Orpheus was. Why should it be his penance to become Ghaik? To give up the life he had only just begun to live for another leader? True, Orpheus certainly seemed to embody leadership more than Vlaakith did, he seemed to care for his people far more, but that did not make him more worthy to keep living than Jaina or Sentry, than Kroger himself. Still, he owed it to his people's savior to watch. Orpheus' body cracked and spasmed, his limbs twisting at terrible angles and the loud sounds of bones snapping breaking the still, silent air of the astral sea. His skin began to slough off of his body and his skull elongated and sprouted long tentacle appendages. This was the horror of ceremorphosis. Everything Kroger had ever learned back home could not do the true terror justice. But still, the Ghustil looked on, his gaze unbroken. He never looked away.

When it was over, Sentry quietly approached, handing the Netherstones silently over to Orpheus, inclining his head with at least a modicum of respect. “All to wield these...” Orpheus spoke quietly. He looked Kroger in the eye reproachfully. “When this is done, you must kill me. It is the very least you can do.” Kroger nodded solemnly.

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humming-pokemon-helpers · 1 year

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omaitscobalion.ogg

[It's a dimly lit video. One can barely make out the glowing red ends of Vanilla's hair and the glowing golden eyes and glint of the horns of the legendary Pokémon Cobalion, filmed from a several-foot distance, standing on a stone platform within a cave. Only Vanilla's voice is comprehensible.]

"...So. I was called here... repeatedly... in my dreams... and given this sword here... for a reason, I presume, O Mighty Cobalion?"

"Kawbraaaaa!"

"En gar--huh?"

Clang!

[Cobalion charges forward, sword of blue light piercing forth from its head. Vanilla, caught off guard, barely manages to remove the poignard from his hip to parry the attack. Despite this fact, Vanilla is pushed back a good distance, skidding to their knees before coming to a stop.]

"Y-you... ngh... this is a test...?"

[Vanilla stumbles, disoriented, to their feet. Aware she needs to move fast, she stumbles to her feet, gripping her blade with a focused expression as her own spectral energy sets it ablaze. Though nowhere near graceful, Vanilla charges forward with the crimson blade, dodges under the bulk of Cobalion's mass, and manages to slice at the beast with their blade's sheer energy.]

"Kabaaaahn..."

[Cobalion's body seizes up at the slash, and its legs buckle under it for a brief moment. Paralysis. It backs off and shakes its head at Vanilla. The battle is done.]

"Thank Arceus I wasn't bothered to clean that blade from a few days ago... You satisfied, now? Can we talk like grown adults? Because I would like that."

"Bahln." Its face looks bitter.

Vanilla shrugs, unapologetically. "I refuse to believe you didn't do your homework when picking me, of all people, to come out here. You're lucky you're even getting me to play your game at all. Playing it fairly? Good luck. Besides, isn't this what you're looking for?"

"Kawrbaaan." A stern reproach.

"Hey, I'm not your kid. Though, I do have a friend who'd really like him to stop messing with their territory in the Crown Tundra."

"Keld?"

"Yes, Keldeo. Arc. Not even keeping track of your kid... But, I guess it can't be helped. Anyways, you caught me pretty off guard there at the start. Guess I'm rusty now. Which I'll have you know I really don't mind."

[Vanilla digs in his bag for a Parlyz Heal, before stepping up to Cobalion's personal space again.]

"Can I?"

"Braww..."

[Cobalion reluctantly bears its injured belly, fluff slick from the blade's impact.]

"Eh, nobody expects the paralytic-sword trick. Which was honestly an accident on my end."

Vanilla examines the wound further. "...Also, you're definitely faking being more injured than you are. I barely left a scratch on you with that one. Even with the type advantage. Stop trying to boost my ego here. I'm not looking for strength, or power, or whatever."

"Coh...."

"Then why am I here to accept? First off, very presumptive, how dare you. I would absolutely come here to tell you to screw off too. Second, I'm here to accept because you're right. There's always going to be cowards who treat us like tools for their own gain. Destroy our lands. Devalue our lives. And you know, I'm sick of seeing enough people insist that it's us that need to adapt to them.

But. If I'm going to take your mantle. I'm not here to fight some blanket war on humanity. I'm not here to wreak some ages-old vengeance. Or start the world anew, or kill all of the bad ones or something. I just want to help people and Pokémon heal. And stop them from hurting in the first place. Are we clear?"

"Balt."

Vanilla sighs in relief. "Haaa, so that is what you wanted to hear. Good. Glad to hear you're not as... malicious... as the rumors suggested. Though, then again, shouldn't be surprised with some humans~. Never admitting their faults..."

"Cobal kawn."

"Right, right. So what, do I get some fancy knighting, or...?"

[Cobalion gestures with its head to the ground, where Vanilla kneels in a display of humility.]

"Still got a lot to learn, but... I'm in your care, ok? You know my limits. I wouldn't push them. They're still fragile, y'know?"

[Cobalion bows its head, extending its own Sacred Sword to Vanilla. In return, Vanilla crosses their own poignard, imbued with energy from Secret Sword. The blades grow deeper in intensity, and then, suddenly, the energy reverses course straight towards Vanilla!]

"K-khh..."

[Vanilla's base stats were boosted! But...]

"I feel like... all of my muscles got blown out at once... nnn..." He wobbles on his knees. "Everything's kind of hazy, too... my ears... so loud... can I just... sleep here...?"

"...Rion." The beastly legendary curls up next to Vanilla, who collapses thoughtlessly into its side, gripping at its fur.

At this point, the camera can finally be heard speaking up. "v-vanilla! hey! vanilla! this cave isn't, p-pzzt... a good place to rest! w-what about what you told everyone, pzzt... they're gonna worry!"

"mmmh, just tell them... it hurts but I just need sleep... can't move..."

"t-that's going to worry them even more, pzzt!"

"it'sh fine... better than nuffing..."

"oh, spark plugs, fine! i-i'll do it! let me go get service, pzzt..."

[End of video feed.]

#pzzt! uploaded by cross!#i'm glad she's safe pzzt...#pokeblogging #pkmn irl #a spirit of justice

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stewardofningishzida · 9 months

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Stephen Strange Meta-Fic Sequel - Chapter 11: Recovery Daze

OKAY, PARTY PEOPLE! WE ARE BACK! This is Tear’s last chapter for now, but everyone else is still onboard with Trix, Prettywitch, Blackie, and me. It was a long time in the making, but here we go! Enjoy!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Some injuries, bad language, and mentions of death

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

Chapter 11: Recovery Daze

*When we eventually wake up, Trix is being taken care of by healers. Doctor Strange watches closely to make sure that things are progressing. Loki is in the bed to her right. He’s being looked after as well. Both are rather worse for wear after their ordeal. The other three women are in beds to Trix’s left. After everything that happened, the sorcerers and Avengers want to keep them under observation to make sure that they’re okay. With the extended high-stress situation and running around like a madwoman with my friends all day yesterday, my legs are in agony. I’m currently in the throes of an inflammatory episode triggered by the strain of what happened. So, I can’t really walk. I do manage to force myself to crawl to the bathroom when needed, but that’s about it. As per usual, I’m being stubborn and don’t want help. If anything, I’m more concerned about Trix’s recovery and worried about how our encounters with Agatha have affected my friends. I verbally check up on Tear and Prettywitch to ask if they’re okay periodically. Despite everyone being alive and here, I seem just as tense as before.*

Me (checking in on the group for the 3rd time this morning): Is everyone okay? *I glance at each of them, checking their responses.*

Trix (exhausted): I mean, I’m not trapped so that’s good in my book.

Tear: The room is no longer spinning. That’s a win.

Prettywitch: Yeah, I’m fine. Are you?

Me (trying to give a perky smile, but it looks more like a grimace): Yeah. I’m fine. Just wanted to make sure. Do any of you need anything?

Trix (leaning forward and looking over): Y’know, if there’s ever a time to not be fine it would be after the past…(*she frowns as she has no idea how long it’s been*) however long it’s been.

*I sigh*

Me (quietly): I’m sorry…You guys kinda mentioned me as the group leader before and part of a leader’s responsibility is to protect the group they’re in. I should have done better. Every place I’ve led us into has been a death trap and now…this…I screwed up. I shouldn’t be leading anyone at this rate. Hell, before we even met, I could barely survive myself. I…I’m just sorry. I know that won’t fix anything, but it’s all I can say or do now…You guys didn’t deserve any of this. I should have kept you guys safer.

Prettywitch: But you did everything you could. You can’t predict what’s going to happen all the time.

Tear: She’s right, you know. Not even Stephen or Wong could do anything to prevent it.

Trix (she fully sits up and grimaces): First off, no offense to anyone who is originally from this universe in this room, but this entire place is a death trap.

*Loki shrugs to her right. She ignores him*

Trix: But there’s no way we could have been safer in the hell room than we were unless we were unconscious and locked in a box even more than we were. I’m coming to terms with the fact that it wasn’t my fault that I had a complete breakdown due to what was actually outside interference. But: we’re still learning. You’re learning how to lead, and from what I’ve heard about the rescue plan it was completely badass, but we’re gonna get there. We grow as a team and as individuals and we’ve barely started. I have faith in every one of you and it absolutely wasn’t misplaced because you got me back. You even got Loki back who you didn’t even realize was there!

Me (slightly sour chuckle): That was just dumb luck. Tear noticed the two intact crystals, but we couldn’t tell who was in there. I just figured that one had to have you in it and the other would be some other victim who deserved to be freed from that witch.

Loki (interjecting): And yet not everyone would have done that. I cannot tell you how much of my life has been sheer dumb luck on both my part and Thor’s.

*Trix looks over at him and gives him a deadpan stare and he raises his hands in surrender. She flops backwards into the bed with a groan*

*Stephen is currently focusing on healing a section of her arm that just re-crystallized. It returns to normal after a few seconds.*

Prettywitch: They have a point, Steward. We’re all still learning and while it’s okay to feel bad, the only thing you can do is learn from your mistakes and try to be better next time.

Me (grim): I suppose. In that case, I’ll definitely have to step up my game because this *gestures to our current state* and anything worse than it is unacceptable. I refuse to let you guys get hurt like this again. Not on my watch. *I’m firm in my resolve.*

*Stephen finishes aiding Trix’s healing session and looks up at the rest of us.*

Stephen (firm, but gentle): Steward, that’s enough. You and the other girls did your best and far exceeded Wong’s and my expectations. If anyone is to blame for this, it should be me. My accident initiated all of this. I’m sorry that it escalated so severely and that Trix was taken hostage and injured. If anything, your deeds and reactions to such adversity have shown that you and the others are more than worthy of becoming a most excellent array of new sorcerers for your world. Yes, you all still have a lot to learn, but you girls have shown that you are more than capable of doing so and handling these abilities responsibly. *He’s warm and sincere, attempting to comfort us while also being honest.*

Tear: Aww, we love you too, Stephen. *I send him a fond smile, touched beyond words by his genuine praise*

*I sniff and look away to compose myself, still keeping a straight face. I still hate to show vulnerability like this.*

Trix: *is actively sobbing and is honestly too tired to hide it* Y’know that helps a lot. Also, not your fault either.

Prettywitch: Yeah. It shows you trust us enough to be vulnerable in front of us.

*I’m quiet for a while, wanting to be calm again before I reply.*

Me (hoarse, but having calmed down): Thanks.

Trix: Don’t forget we care about you, even if you're the leader or not!

*I chuckle a bit.*

Me: Heh…Thanks. I care about you guys too. *I give my friends a small smile.*

Tear: This is where I’d pull you all into a group hug if we weren’t all bedridden right now. So just picture it and feel our mutual affection.

Prettywitch: Oh yeah, where is Wong? I’ve been meaning to ask you that all morning, Stephen.

Stephen: Oh, Wong is ensuring that Harkness is thoroughly restrained and can no longer utilize her “bypass” from before. He also confiscated her copy of the Darkhold to carefully analyze and keep locked up until we can find a way to destroy all copies throughout the Multiverse. Don’t worry. He’ll take enough precautions to avoid corruption.

Trix (her eyes are closed): For the love of all that is holy, blow up the mountain.

Stephen: Ah, Wundagore. Yes, we’ll take care of that. Though given the Scarlet Witch’s dominion over the fortress on top, it may be more difficult than we thought. Seeing as Wanda is free of Harkness’ influence, perhaps part of her community service sentence can be to eliminate her cursed base.

Trix: Blindfold her then have her blow up the mountain. *her eyes are still closed but she’s being completely serious for once. She is sick and tired of corrupted witches*

Prettywitch: That…honestly doesn’t sound too bad. It’s certainly better than what happened in our universe, that’s for damn sure…

Me: Better safe than sorry. Maybe tell Wong to lock that book up and put it in the mountain fort so it gets blown up with the rest of it. Just to be sure. Don’t bother with the analysis. That thing will only try to latch onto anyone who tries to read it and if it somehow knows it’s going to be destroyed, then who knows what it’ll do to the poor person who looked through it?

Stephen: A fair point. I’ll tell him. Now, do any of you need anything?

Me (having calmed down considerably): I’m good, thanks.

Prettywitch: I think I’m okay, thanks.

Tear: A snack that’s not still wriggling would be nice…

Trix: A hug or any form of human contact, really.

*He looks at Trix a bit awkwardly, but leans in to give her a reassuring hug. He’s careful, though, to avoid hurting or triggering her. When he separates, the Cloak reaches out and teasingly musses her hair a bit.*

*She beams up at him and the cloak in response*

Trix: Thanks. You kinda take it for granted until something happens. *she blushes slightly at the reminder of the past adventure but quickly recovers*

Stephen: I’ll let you ladies rest for a while, but I’ll be back. Lunch time shouldn’t be far off. *He portals away, presumably to check on Wong and update him.*

*We rest and chat amongst ourselves, taking the occasional short nap. After a couple of hours, we have more visitors.*

Steve: How are we doing, ladies? *He walks in with the other Avengers.*

Me: Hanging in there. Getting better.

Trix: Could be better, but I’m not trapped so yay! *her hand is having a slight relapse again but she kinda ignores it since it sometimes goes back to normal on its own*

Prettywitch: Not bad, just working on some tarot readings.

Tear: The healers say PrettyWitch and I should be free to leave in two days if our condition stays stable.

Tony: *He leans against one of the wooden cabinets set up against the wall in front of the girls, keeping them all in sight as he smiles brightly at them* That is great news. It’s no wonder Stephen has been waddling around like a proud peacock.

Scott: Sounds like you guys are settling in just fine.

Peter: Do you think the sorcerers will let us bring in some food to celebrate once you’ve all been cleared from the hospital? *He follows in after Tony, but he instead leaps up onto Tear’s bed in one limber move*

Me: I think so. The main threat has been dealt with. Now, it’s just Trix recovering from her ordeal and me dealing with my rogue immune system. It didn’t like me pushing so hard for that long and decided to take out my legs again. *Wry smirk*

Loki: *He's cautiously looking at Steve and Tony, ready to flee if necessary but does not want to. He already knows Peter seems fine with him now.*

Tony: *Feeling Loki’s gaze, he lifts an inquisitive eyebrow at him* And what about you, Reindeer Games? Having fun at the slumber party?

Loki (cautious): Still recovering I’m afraid but otherwise I am having an enjoyable time. The ladies are quite hospitable for allowing me to stay here as well.

Trix (groans): Don’t start that again.

Steve: No trouble so far, right? *He glances at the girls and at Loki, still distrustful of the god.*

Me: Not so far. He’s been decent company and even helped advise Trix and Prettywitch a bit. No backfires or anything.

Steve (polite, but firm): Good. Let’s keep it that way. *He looks at Trix and Loki for a moment, trying to figure out what’s going on.*

*Loki and Trix are in a staring match where she is incredibly determined and he is starting to fail at keeping his composure*

Trix: This idiot would like to say something but is too self deprecating to do it properly.

Loki (deadpan): I hate you.

Trix (grins): A lie!

*Loki finally cracks a small smile before turning back to the Avengers, fully serious*

Loki: I do want to apologize for my previous actions in New York. While I would absolutely claim it to be my entire fault, Trix is adamant that I inform you that it wasn’t entirely due to the nature of the scepter and Thanos who I received it from. I still maintain it was my plan and I apologize for any undue strife it caused. Though, getting the tesseract did open my eyes to what I really needed to learn. *He nods towards Tony* So thank you for giving yourself a heart attack. Infinity stones are not worth the hassle.

Tony: *He tenses, Loki’s insider knowledge taking him by surprise* I’m not just… That’s… Is this place magically messing with my brain or did Loki just apologize and thank me in the same breath?

Steve (flatly, still not fully believing it himself): No. He really did just apologize and thank you.

*Loki gets visibly grumpier while Trix grins*

Trix: He’s being honest about it. He admitted it while we both couldn’t lie. I knew a bit from what we had seen in our universe but we did talk about things while I was…trying to be distracted in there.

Loki (still grumpy): I still hate you.

Steve (shocked and digesting this new information): I do trust Trix. She’s been reliable since the day we met. However, even a genuine apology can’t fix everything that your actions caused, Loki. It’s a start and we can try to work something out, but unfortunately you’re still a wanted criminal for numerous crimes against humanity.

Loki: I would like to state that I only lived up to when I left with the tesseract during your time heist and I have no idea what the other timeline version of myself did. Otherwise I do intend to take action for what happened during the tesseract…battle.

Steve (wary): What kind of action?

Loki: Trix mentioned that sometimes human criminals are rehabilitated by performing acts for the community at large while serving their sentence. Once I can reliably keep my magic under control once more, I intend to do so at the Avengers’ discretion.

Trix (prompting): And also-

Loki (realizing): Oh yes. You didn’t want to be the one to say after this last time. There’s a multiversal dictator that is planning on waging a war between unlimited universes since one of my alternate selves killed the dictator that held complete control over our timeline to suit his own needs but kept the worse versions of him in check. *He says this all with a straight face* I have no idea when it’s going to start however because timelines are annoying though multiversal travel would not have been possible otherwise because there was only one universe.

Tony: *He stares at Loki blankly, hyperaware of the silent stillness that descended upon the room. Finally, he blinks and stands up-straight* That’s it. I’m retiring. Have fun punching more multiversal nazis, Cap. *He waves dismissively and makes a show of heading for the exit*

Loki: I don’t blame you. Do you think I’d wear a tacky suit of my own accord? *he stares over at the pile of TVA clothes sitting on a nearby chair*

Me (recovering from the shock, knowing that this affects all universes): Ah, right…We almost forgot about that…Great. *The “Oh, crap.” face has reappeared.*

Trix: I mean, it could happen in like a thousand years from now in this timeline…they did jump through time a lot during the show. And we don’t know what happened with the planned season 2. They were working on it then our universe broke. I think our foresight other than Prettywitch is gone now that the universes are intertwined. Either way, we can’t exactly do anything until someone comes to us.

Me: Okay. Then, I guess that means we have to train and be ready.

Loki (regretful): I didn’t mean to cause more strife, but wanted to extend an olive branch by warning you of what I have been dealing with before I got dropped back off in the timeline only to be captured by that witch. *he scowls*

*As we recover over the weeks, we get a few visits from the therapist Christina Raynor, at Sam’s recommendation. She helps us come to terms with what happened and what is currently ongoing so we’re better-equipped to mentally handle what might be coming. We also gradually get back to our studies.*

Prettywitch: Hey, Stephen. What’s up?

Stephen (looking up from his pensive state): Hm? *He seems preoccupied.*

Prettywitch: You just look like you’re out of it. Is everything okay?

Stephen (absentminded): Ah…Nothing worth troubling you about, my dear. I appreciate the concern.

Prettywitch: My dear? Oh, you must be feeling out of it if you’re calling someone dear.

*He pauses and gives her a look, now embarrassed and fully paying attention.*

Stephen (resigned): Very well…I’ve been having some recurring visions as of late. A woman clad in purple, the Dark Dimension, and…*He’s still rather triggered by the last bit.* …Dormammu.

Prettywitch: A woman in purple…? Did she have silver hair and big blue eyes?

Stephen: Yes. I take it you know of her?

Prettywitch: Uh…Sort of. (She starts tapping her finger to her chin.) Gee, I’m not sure if I should tell you…

Stephen: Judging by how things played out last time, I would advise against it. *He’s being more cautious after the Agatha incident.*

Prettywitch: No, that’s fair.

*The curiosity is eating away at him, but he refrains, not wanting a repeat disaster.*

Prettywitch: I will ask you one thing, though. In the dreams, is the woman helping you or Dormammu?

Stephen: She appears to be assisting me. A citizen of the Dark Dimension…helping a Terran…*He’s thinking about this, intrigued.*

Prettywitch: *She grins.* So, you’re intrigued by her?

Stephen: There is something more to her. I know that much.

Prettywitch: Okay. *She gets up.* Well, I’m not gonna tell ya. But I will wish you luck, you’re gonna need it. Trust me. *She’s referring to how much Stephen sucks at flirting.* *She walks off to find the others.*

*Stephen gives Prettywitch a weird look, but lets her go.*

*Meanwhile, Trix and Tear are in the library. I’m currently having a conversation with seemingly nobody out in the courtyard.*

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

Me (to Barry): You’ve been quiet lately. Like, not the sulky kind of quiet. It’s been the pensive type of quiet. What’s on your mind?

Barry: Y’know…Feeling alive again when we were fighting that crazy bitch…I dunno how to describe it, but I didn’t wanna let go.

Me: I figured. Wong had to chase you out. *I’m still peeved with him about it, but am willing to listen and have a civilized conversation.*

Barry: I’ve been dead for over 30 years, Steward. I was kinda starting to forget what it was like…Also, I didn’t really do much while I was REALLY alive. *He huffs regretfully* I wasted my life, dude. While here, I figured I could just keep going, but after all of this…

Me (grim): You realize you’re limited even more now and that life has moved on without you?

Barry: Yeah…But at the same time, I don’t want it to end.

Me (gently): Barry, an end isn’t really an end. It’s a transition point. It just means that the stories shift focus. You played a part and now, you move onto your next chapter while the world moves onto its own.

Barry: I guess, but I didn’t really do anything. I was just some burnout who lived in his parents’ garage, got way too drunk one night, and keeled over.

Me: It may not have been the best life, but it was still yours. Look…How could we have greatness without some ordinary people around? If everyone was super, then in reality, nobody would be. Everyone plays a part. Even if it’s just mundane. There always has to be a counterpart so we can know and understand the different things in our world. You still had an impact. It might not have been what you wanted, but ultimately, it’s what you got.

Barry: *Sighs* I know.

Me: So, what do you wanna do?

Barry: Well, it’s better to burn out than fade away. I…I guess it’s probably time to move on.

Me: You sure?

Barry: Yeah. I’ve been dragging this out for too long and everyone I knew has moved on.

Me: Well, as much as we fought, thanks for helping Trix and me back there.

Barry (sincere): Sorry for being a dick.

Me: Apology accepted. I’ll help you move on, all right?

Barry: Thanks.

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

*After a long chat, I walk over to Trix and Tear.*

Me: Guys, Barry wants to move on.

Trix (surprised): Really? Wow, that’s a tough decision.

Tear: I’m happy for him. Living stuck as a spirit is no way to spend your afterlife.

Me: Yeah. I should let Prettywitch know too and then we need to find Stephen and Wong. I don’t know how to do it exactly. Do you guys know where any of them are?

Trix: I think I saw PrettyWitch head into the library before…

Me: Huh. Ok. Let’s find her.

*We find Prettywitch.*

Me: Hey, Prettywitch. Barry wants to move on and I don’t know how to help him. Have you seen Stephen and Wong anywhere?

Prettywitch: I just talked with Stephen, actually. He should be around here, somewhere.

*We go to find the older sorcerers.*

Stephen: Hmmm…Helping a spirit to move on, eh?

Wong: I’ve got this one, Strange. You have a meeting with the other Sanctum Masters in 15 minutes.

Stephen: Right. *He wants to help, but his higher duties as Sorcerer Supreme have gotten his schedule more bogged down.* Let me know how it goes.

Wong: I will. Steward, come with me.

Trix: Are we allowed to go with? It would be like going home for Thanksgiving when you’re in college. *She casts a hopeful look at Wong*

Tear: It has been a while since we’ve seen our families…

Prettywitch: Yeah, and I wanna go make sure my friends are okay.

Wong: Very well. As long as you all stay close. You all deserve to know what is happening in your home universe anyway.

Trix: *She smiles softly* It’s honestly been a long time.

Me: Yeah. We should check on our folks.

Tear: I can’t even imagine how the bakery must be like right now…

Prettywitch: I just hope my mom isn’t in the fetal position watching CNN.

Wong: If you are all ready, then I will open the portal.

Trix: *She nods*

Me: Yep.

Prettywitch: Anytime, Wong.

*Wong opens the portal to our universe and we step through, back into our old neighborhood. It looks almost the same as when we left. The burn scar from the phoenix fire is still there. The ash is gone now, but it seems like the civilians are just as skittish, if not even more so now. It appears as though people are talking more in-person since the internet and cell towers went out. Though a lot of people prefer to stay indoors thanks to all of the new cryptids and monsters. However, we do notice something considerably different from before: The presence of a latent magical field. We can sense it and it feels “right” somehow. As though it’s more in-tune with our bodies and even our spirits. Marvel’s magical field, when we learned to sense it, felt different. Not hostile, but definitely not exactly “befitting”, which made our transition feel more jarring. Returning here, the shift in fields feels almost similar to coming from a rather static-filled area where every move is slightly uncomfortable to a nice warm bath. It’s hard to describe exactly, but we feel a bit better about our chances after sensing this.*

Me: Okay. So, what do I do? *I look at Wong seriously.*

Wong: You need to feel the connection binding Barry to you. When you do, both of you need to mutually agree to sever it. Then, you perform this gesture. *He demonstrates.* Once the connection is severed, Barry must release his own ties to the mortal plane. Basically, he needs to think of what kept him here all of this time and let it go. When he does, Steward, you may psychically reach out and channel Barry’s inner peace. While doing so, open a portal with a clear mind. It will allow him to pass through into the next life. Ah, and the remaining energy he held in this realm as he passes through to the next plane will pass onto you once he moves on. It will help enhance your abilities so that you may help more spirits.

Me (listening intently): Got it. Are you ready, Barry?

Barry (taking one last look and nodding): Yeah.

*I follow the steps that Wong told me and Barry moves onto the afterlife. After the portal closes, I let out an involuntary shudder, getting goosebumps.*

Me: Well, Barry was difficult at times, but at least he finally found peace. Brrr…That energy feels weird.

Wong (smirking): You’ll get used to it.

Trix: *She can’t help but stare at their neighborhood around them. The group has changed a lot in the months it’s been since they first left and it’s odd to be home*

Prettywitch: *She notices Trix is staring at the neighborhood. She’s not sure why at first but upon seeing the awkwardness in her eyes, she gets it. It’s no different than when she used to go on vacation as a kid than come back feeling off.* It feels kinda weird coming back here, doesn’t it?

Trix (distractedly): Yeah, after everything we’ve been through it’s like waking up from a dream.

Me (pensive): Agreed. *I’m not sure what to think anymore. It’s home, but it’s definitely not how it used to be. Not only has our universe changed, but we have too. For now, all I can do is quietly take things in.*

*For the first time in 2 months, my old phone from our home universe rings and it startles me. I answer it, surprised. It’s Tony. He finally got this world’s cell network and internet working again.*

Tony (on the phone): Hey, kiddo! Stephen told me Wong was bringing you all back to your home universe on a low-risk wizard quest. I swear those two gossip even worse than Happy. Anyway, I’m glad he did because now I can tell you this myself. Surprise! Took me longer than I would have wanted, but your world finally decided to let Iron Man get his hands all over their satellites. There shouldn’t be a spot in the world with no cell signal, so hopefully that will keep hikers happy.

Me (on the phone): W-Whoa. Thank you so much, Tony! Seriously! *I’m incredibly grateful.*

Tony (on the phone): No need to thank me, Steward. The Magnanimous Tony Stark, that’s me. One last thing. It took Cap’s biggest disappointed stare ever, but your world’s countries finally agreed to another little SI device of mine. Say hello to free, global, high-speed wi-fi!

Me: Thank you again! We’re so grateful! Okay, we’ll see you soon. Bye for now!

*I turn to the group*

Me: Guys, Tony fixed our internet and cell service! We can talk to our families again!

Trix: Oh god- they have to be worried sick at this point. *She’s starting to freak out again but pulls out her phone and starts to text her family to see if they can talk*

Tear: Our phones work now? *I eagerly bring out my cellphone and speed dial my mom*

Prettywitch: *Pulls out her phone and calls her dad’s number.* Hey, dad. It’s me. *She listens.* Yeah, we’re okay. How’s mom?

Me: Okay, just a sec. I need to call my folks and check on them. Wong, is it okay if I stand over there just so I’m not being obnoxious?

*He grunts affirmatively. I walk over to my driveway and video call my parents to check on them. We check up on each other and talk for a long time; at least 2 hours. They’re worried sick and definitely have been through a lot, but are otherwise alive and in one piece. I’m relieved to see them and we’re all almost in tears because we missed each other and were scared for each others’ safety. They want to come home to see me in-person, but the world is still essentially on lockdown due to all of the mystical interference. Travel is still incredibly dangerous and difficult. I try my best to fill them in on everything. They’re very worried for all of us, but can’t do anything about it at the moment. So, all they can ask is that I stay close to the group, listen to Stephen, Wong, and the Avengers, and do my best to be safe. I promise that to them and let them know that I’ll teach them everything I know whenever we can meet in-person again so they can protect themselves. They agree to this. We tell each other that we love each other before hanging up.*

*We all take some time to call and catch up with our families. Though it turns out that Tear’s family really needs her help. Since the internet was down for months, they couldn't get a lot of their orders in on time and the business is suffering. There is also some ongoing family drama and she needs to sort all of this out. It’s quite a mess.*

Tear (to the group): I’m not dumping my responsibilities as a member of the Order, but I might have to stay for a short period of time until things have stabilized at home again.

Me: Okay. We understand. Do what you need to do. Thank you for being with us as long as you could, Tear. *I give her a genuinely grateful look.*

Trix: Thank you so much for absolutely everything. You helped save my life and we’ll be here when you get everything settled.

Prettywitch: Yeah, thanks Tear. It was nice getting to meet you in person.

Tear: *I blush, flustered* You don’t have to thank me for anything. I promise I won’t be long.

Wong: Indeed. It is still not a good idea for any of you to be left unsupervised for some time. You have until I finish building a new training program to reduce the amount of pain your healing spells absorb.

Tear: Thank you, Wong.

*We get a group text. Tony is inviting all of us for a tour of Stark Industries.*

Me: Oh. Erm..What should I say, then?

Trix: I say we go for it. Any opportunity to learn from Tony is a great one, especially if he has any ideas for our universe.

Tear: I’m not passing on a direct lesson from Tony! Wong, please! *I bring my hands together in a pleading motion and implore dramatically*

Wong: *He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose in exasperation. With a deep sigh, his shoulders slump in defeat.* This is all Stephen’s fault…

Tear: Yay! *I grin happily and give his arm an enthusiastic hug*

Prettywitch: I just hope it doesn’t involve building a doomsday bot.

*As we discuss this issue, we hear a strange series of noises approaching. They sound semi-human, but not completely and we notice a figure stumbling towards us.*

Wong (to us): Get behind me. *His attitude changes immediately and he prepares to defend us as the thing approaches.*

*As the figure comes closer, we see a familiar face, but it keeps on shifting into a litany of various animal features. They appear to be terrified and disoriented as they struggle towards us, tears streaming from their eyes.*

Me (confused): Wait…is that…?

Blacky (letting out animalistic groans): I'm sorry…I didn't mean to scare you. And I need help…

Me (urgent): Wong! Stand down! That’s our other friend Blacky!

*He lowers his shield.*

Wong (watching her closely): She’s in bad shape and has no control over this shapeshifting. I will portal her to Kamar-Taj right away. *He acts quickly to help her, portalling Blacky safely away and updating Stephen as to what just happened.*

Me: Shouldn’t we-?

Wong: It is best that Strange stabilize her first before she has visitors. Given her uncontrollable shapeshifting and response, she needs some time to recover. We will check on Blacky after your tour of Stark Industries. That should give Strange enough time to help her and for her shock to wear off.

Me (worried): Okay…

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

*Stephen receives Blacky and immediately begins to work on stabilizing her.*

Stephen (concentrating): Almost…got it. *He reverts Blacky to her human form and helps her stay that way for the time being.*

Blacky (I sigh, relieved but also exhausted): Thank you…I thought it would never stop.

Stephen: You’re welcome. How long have you been experiencing this involuntary shapeshifting, if you don’t mind my asking? *He’s checking her and making sure that she’s fully stabilized.*

Blacky: A couple of days…but it quickly got out of control as you could see…

*He makes a noise of acknowledgment and then steps back, satisfied that she’ll be okay.*

Stephen: It looks like you’ll be fine for now. I’ll make sure that you receive training to get better control of your new abilities. *He’s being professional. Though he looks quite tired. It seems like he’s been incredibly busy for a while.*

Blacky: Wait…could you tell what's going on, please? Because last time I checked, magic isn’t real and you're a comic character and there you are…in front of me. Sorry if I sound rude but I'm scared to turn crazy.

Stephen: *He gestures mildly to indicate for her to relax. It’s fine.* It’s a long story. Admittedly, to you and other civilians from your world, it sounds more than a little crazy…Your friends who alerted Wong to bring you here know, but they most likely didn’t tell you because they were afraid that nobody would believe them at first.

Blacky: Okay…I need to sit down. *I let out a sigh and sit on the floor trying to gather my thoughts together*

Stephen: Here. A chair will be better so you’re more comfortable. Then, I’ll explain when you’re ready. *He conjures a comfortable chair for her to sit in.*

Blacky: Thank you.

*Stephen sits across from her and begins the long explanation from the beginning. He starts with his accident and catches Blacky up until the point where the group found her. It takes a while.*

Stephen: Do you have any other questions? I know it’s a lot to handle. *He’s being gentle.*

Blacky: Okay…that's a lot to handle…so the magic sinking into our world gave me those "abilities" ? It won't go away?

Stephen: Yes. Unfortunately, it won’t go away on its own. There are ways to strip someone of their magic, but it’s very painful and can have lasting consequences for them. The better option is to train you so you can control your abilities safely.

Blacky: I see…well…maybe it's for the best…I always had animal tendencies anyway. *I chuckle softly*

Stephen (mildly amused): Is there anything else you have questions about? Otherwise, I have some visions to decipher. The others should be back in a few hours.

Blacky: It'll be fine…thank you, Stephen. *I look at him with some admiration* It was nice to meet you.

Stephen: You’re taking all of this well. I can see why the group likes you. *He gives her a small, comforting smile.*

Blacky: Freaking out never helps…and it's happening so it's useless to go against it. *I smile*

Stephen: I’ll be on my way for a while, but I’ll check on you periodically. Welcome to Kamar-Taj, Blacky.

Blacky: *I nod respectfully* Thank you. And be safe.

Stephen: I’ll do my best. *He gives a nod in return as he leaves the room.*

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

*Wong opens a portal and escorts us to the driveway of Stark Industries’ HQ. The building is massive and formidable. I text Tony to let him know that we’re here. Within a few minutes, he jogs out of the largest elevator to meet us inside the lobby, Peter hot on his heels wearing a Stark Industries Intern ID badge. At the sight of Tony, Wong nods at all of us before heading through another portal to check on Stephen and Blacky.*

Tony: *He throws his arms out in a grandiose welcoming gesture, which is amped up by his tailored suit and his hot rod red arm* Baby wizards! Glad to see your Uncle Wong agreed to let you all come along on such short notice. Petey here panicked when I told him you had all gone back to check on your families and wouldn’t calm down until I sent the invitation.

Peter: I didn’t panic! *His eyes widen, and he slaps Tony’s metal arm for embarrassing him* I just thought you would all be leaving for real, and I remembered how much you all wanted to see Stark Industries since we first met.

Tear: Aww, thank you, Peter! This really is a dream come true! *I’m grinning widely, split between gawking at Tony in his natural element and looking around at the grand lobby*

Me (taking in the sights): I never thought I’d see this in real life either. First, an actual sorcerer landing in our universe, then monsters, then Kamar-Taj, and now this. At times, I still catch myself questioning our reality.

Prettywitch: Right back at ya!

Trix: Honestly, while all the magic stuff was always my favorite, this *she gestures around at Stark Industries* is always somewhere I dreamt of being as well.

Tony: Wow, now that’s something I’ll be rubbing in your Supreme Mom’s face for months to come. Would you mind saying that again so that I can record it and stuff it into a teddy bear I’ll then gift Stephen?

Trix (grins): Absolutely!

Tony: Excellent! FRIDAY, be a dear?

*He and Peter herd everyone back into the private elevator.*

*For now, I quietly observe everything and take it in, absorbing our surroundings so I can ruminate on some thoughts later. Even the elevator panel looks more advanced than the ones we normally have. I look at it silently with a mild curiosity. When the doors open again, we see one of the many labs in front of us. My eyes widen as I ogle all of the amazing equipment. I’m totally geeking out, but attempting to conceal it.*

Me (trying to play it cool and stoic): Fascinating…

Trix (excitedly): We get to learn about the technology version of magic!!!! *She is incredibly excited and is trying not to wander off*

Tear: Uuuf, you probably shouldn’t let Stephen hear you saying that.

Tony: Probably not if you don’t want to see him lose at another debate against me.

Peter: *Leans over to whisper at Trix* Last time, they were at it for six hours.

Trix: Listen, for most of my life I thought the closest I was ever going to get to magic was technology so I love it a lot, okay? *She blushes, embarrassed*

Prettywitch: Oh please! You have nothing to be embarrassed about; when I was a kid, I wanted to be Sailor Moon. *She chuckles sheepishly.* Hell, I used to try transforming with the toy transformation brooch I had as a kid. I still have it, actually.

*I’m visually examining a particular piece of equipment and it’s easy to see the wheels already turning in my head as the beginning of a smirk forms on my face.*

Tony: That’s because tech is superior to magic, everyone knows that. Anyway, gather around, ducklings! *He claps like a teacher would to gather everyone’s attention, although it is widely unnecessary* And Steward, whatever it is you are thinking…do it when Wong’s not meant to come pick you up, please? Do me a solid here, kid.

*I look at him and quickly slink back to the group.*

Me (innocent): Yes, sir.

Tony: Good. Now, the lower block of R&D has been assigned to our biological and medical engineering teams. If Peter here didn’t have such a…stellar…first interview, he’d be probably interning here.

*My ears perk up at the mention of biological and medical engineering. I listen intently.*

Peter: Wh– I would? That’s so cool!

Tony: *He sighs and gives Peter an aggravated look. Really? Cooler than being an Avenger and his personal intern?* I must admit Stephen did help steer our focus into the right directions. Christine Palmer is now a direct liaison for SI, and we strive to release new equipment and consumer products as soon as we can. Pepper made sure we had strong financial aid and charities to help every patient get the best care at our disposal. Peter, anything you wanna add?

Peter: *He startles slightly, not exactly having expected to be given the floor, but he soon grins widely at the chance* Well, yeah! Lots of things! This department has taken over the creation of advanced prosthetics, advancement in the research against autoimmune diseases and cancer, and even improving the equipment surgeons use in the operating room! And this is all thanks to Mr. Stark–!

Tony: Okay, take a breath, Pete. I think they got it. *He gives him a warm pat on the shoulder*

*I look starstruck at this point. I won’t say it out loud, but if I had been born in the Marvel universe, I probably would have desperately wanted to work in this laboratory division. Though life certainly didn’t work out that way. The medical researcher in me would love nothing more than to try everything out in here and do the best research possible. I’m content with the path that has laid itself before me, but in another life, I could definitely see this happening and I would be happy with that too.*

Trix (responding automatically): Fuck cancer. *She realizes what she said and blushes* So when Stephen brought back the Covid test, this is where it ended up to be studied?

Tony: *He makes a so-so motion with his hand* Highly contagious viruses are a little harder to work with due to all the precautions we must take. But yes, this is where most of the information was processed and evaluated. New vaccine production and testing was done by a renowned medical company. We develop tech, we don’t get our hands messy with the creation of new drugs.

Me (not-so-subtly fangirling over the medical research division): Which one? Are any of them similar to ours? Man…I remember the first time I got to do some BSL-2 hazmat work…*I’m getting excited.*

Peter: I really don’t want to be rude, but your universe’s medical companies suck.

Me: Nah, I know. It’s kinda why I find this lab so exciting. That and I was sorta trying to get my bearings while looking at the equipment. *I’m sheepish.*

Tony: Don’t worry, we’re working on ways to help give your world an urgent update. It’s been one of the biggest causes of our devilish lawyer’s migraines. But let’s move on with the little Cradles tour. I still have two more areas to show you and I agreed to meet Pepper for lunch. *He herds the group back to the elevators just like he would a classroom full of preschoolers*

Trix (looks over at the rest of our group): *mouths the word ‘Cradles?!’ Before turning back to Tony* Oh I’m excited!

*I shrug at her about the “Cradles” remark. I figure it’s probably their version of “MTV Cribs”. The elevator takes us up a few more floors, and the doors open to reveal a more spacious lab. Most of the equipment has been placed against the walls to allow large pipes and tubes to stretch over almost the entire floor. The large, cylindrical glass containers at the far back of the room all glow with an odd light blue energy. And on the ceiling, looming above it all, is a massive Arc Reactor.*

Tony: Don’t wander too far, now. This place is on a higher security level for a reason. As you might have already guessed, this next block of floors are all dedicated to the improvement and development of alternative sources of energy. Greener, cheaper, and much more powerful than nuclear energy.

*I listen curiously.*

Prettywitch: I certainly hope so.

Trix: Wow! *She stares up at the giant arc reactor*

Tear: Amazing! And this is all done with Starkium?

Tony: *Shrugs casually* Most of it, but the Reactor technology is still too expensive for us to commercialize properly. Electric cars have been our main point for sales so far…

Trix: Well it does make the Tower distinctly more…you! *She tries not to giggle*

*Tony pauses for a moment before he gives her a knowing look, not quite succeeding at hiding his satisfied smirk.*

Tony: Sounds like we’re doing things right then. Now, back into the elevator before any magic makes this place blow up.

Peter: *He trails along with the girls* He’ll never admit to this, but he totally saved the best for last.

*I follow along.*

*Trix grins at Peter, still extremely excited*

Trix: I can’t wait!

PrettyWitch: Yeah, me too!

Tony: Well, we obviously had to put everything we learned down there to good use. And so, we’ve claimed the last set of floors for our highest security level. *Ever the showman, he waits until the elevator doors open before continuing for full impact* Ladies, welcome to the Avengers Lab.

Me (awestruck): Whoa…

Trix (also awestruck): Oh my god

Tear: Shut up! *I hold my hands up to my cheeks in disbelief. My eyes are already tearing up with how excited I am by the sight*

PrettyWitch: *Her eyes light up with wonder.* Wahhhh!!!!!!

*The Avengers Lab is a massive combination of all the previous floors we visited. The stark white walls and floors reflect all sorts of colorful lights from huge computer screens, holograms, and energy cells. There are glass doors leading to whole different areas for construction and experimentation, and even some of the entrances are marked by the logo of an individual Avenger. There are weapon prototypes and what seem to be half-completed superhero costumes for nearly every hero on the roster. There is even a mannequin that is sized eerily similar to Wong.*

*The windows at the farthest side of the elevators reveal a glimpse of the circular helipad that was added after the Battle of New York nearly toppled the top part of the Tower. And overseeing it all from a place on an otherwise empty wall, is a gigantic A styled just like the Avengers’ logo.*

Trix (looking over at Tony hopefully): Can we look around at least a little bit more if we promise not to touch anything? *She has her pleading eyes on because this is absolutely one of the top places she has ever wanted to visit in the MCU*

Tony: *He flicks a hand out toward the entirety of the Lab* Knock yourselves out. Maybe just not…literally. I’m still supposed to hand you all back to Wong in one piece.

Me (happily): Thank you! Don’t worry, we’ll be careful. *I go to check out some of the prototypes, tools, and costumes. As promised, I’m not touching anything. Though I’m definitely asking a lot of technical questions, clearly analyzing what I’m seeing.*

Trix (extremely excited): Thank you thank you thank you!!! *She can’t help but finally let herself nerd out and squeal before going over to look at everything she can*

Peter: *Smiles at Tear and PrettyWitch* Wanna come look at my work station? I keep most of my projects here since it’s closer to home than the Compound.

Tear: Sure, Peter!

PrettyWitch: Yeah! Let’s go!

*I watch carefully whenever anyone’s working at the bench, keeping a respectful distance, but also trying to memorize technical details and figure things out.*

*We end up spending almost another hour in the Avengers Lab. Tony settles to do some idle work at the workbench closest to Peter’s and takes a few calls, trusting us and his mentee to not blow up his building. We manage to find another costume that simply screams Sorcerer Supreme, but we fail to get anyone to admit that Tony Stark is now designing clothes for Stephen and Wong no matter how hard we try. We even find a boardroom that seems to keep an eternal video call with the Wakandan research division led by Princess Shuri herself, and Peter briefly explains the ongoing conversations to allow SI to venture into Vibranium usage.*

*Our fun is eventually cut short when we get a text from Wong.*

Wong (via text): Blacky has been stabilized. Tear, I will drop you off at your bakery so you can conduct your business. Trix, Steward, Prettywitch, I will take the three of you back to Kamar-Taj. Meet me in the driveway.

We all reluctantly make our way back to Peter’s workspace, where Tony is still fiddling with his phone. He lifts an eyebrow at our entrance and takes one more moment before finally putting his phone away and looking up at us, his arms crossed proudly over his chest.*

Tony: So, how did it go?

Me (sincere): Honestly, that was amazing and I’m grateful that you trust us enough to let us see so much of your labs. In another life, had I been born in your universe, there would be a good chance that I’d quite eagerly apply to work here, provided the sorcerers didn’t find me first. *I give a slight, teasing grin before getting serious again.* None of us have ever seen such advanced technology except for in the movies. It’s bittersweet in a way. I can only imagine how our society would have been by now if we actually advanced this far. Though, at least now we have a start in it. I hope that we can live up to everyone’s standards. Especially after the work you’ve all put in to help us.

Trix: Yeah, honestly I completely stand by my initial statement. I love Kamar-Taj and it’s becoming a second home to me, but I had always dreamed of getting to be here! *She then grins* Also if you haven’t already gone through the movie stash we sent with Stephen, you and Peter absolutely need to watch an animated movie called “The Incredibles”. I feel like you’ll love it and find a new favorite character. *She winks*

Peter (Failing epically at concealing his grin): Oh, we already did!

Tony: *Points at finger with his metallic arm* Hey hey! Zip it!

Trix (brightens up): Tony Stark I know your secret now!!! *she glances back at the costumes and cackles*

Tear: Oh gods, so it was true! Those designs really were…! *I can’t even finish the thought. I’m smiling so widely my cheeks hurt*

Me (grinning): So, the Cloak’s an exception since it’s sentient and can move on its own, huh? *Imitates Edna* NO CAPES!

Trix (joining in): NO CAPES! ONLY CLOAKS!

Prettywitch: YES!!! CLOAKS ONLY!!!

Tony: *He practically melts where he sits and hides his face behind one hand as the giggles continue on around him* Didn’t you have to go or something? I think it’s time I dumped the babysitting duties back on Wong’s lap…And you can tell Stephen he can keep full legal custody of you lot while you’re at it.

*I roll my eyes at him, jokingly, before giving him a sincere look.*

Me (grateful): Honestly, Tony, we can’t thank you, Stephen, Wong, and the other Avengers enough for all that you’ve done for us.

*Tony catches on to the change in tone and peeks at the girls over the hand he still keeps up against his face. The look in his eyes is undeniably fond.*

Trix (finally serious again): Seriously, we’d probably be dead ten times over without all of your help. You helped save our universe even at your own expense as well as us. Thank you so much! *She smiles at him again* And you can at least have the Uncle role if you don’t want to keep us permanently to annoy Stephen.

Prettywitch: Yes, thank you! You have no idea how happy my mother was to hear from me today.

Tony: *He chuckles and finally sits back up-straight, giving them his full attention* You don’t have to thank us for anything. We’re the Avengers. It’s literally in our job description.

Tear: Well, I know it might not mean much, but you’ve always been my favorite Avenger. You’ve taught me to never give up and always get back on your feet no matter how often I make mistakes or feel like the universe itself is against me. I promise to keep that in mind as I train harder with Wong to improve my healing spells.

Tony: Tch, alright. Stop now before you all actually make me blush. *He flicks a hand dismissively, but the soft pink on his cheeks is undeniable.*

Peter: I told you you were cool, old man. *He leans against the workbench and nudges Tony with his elbow, a fond smile on his face. He’s incredibly proud that his new friends all appreciate his mentor like he does.*

*We say our goodbyes and the two heroes get back to work in the lab. I text Wong to let him know that we’re ready in the driveway and he comes back to bring us to Tear’s bakery to let her go and reunite with her family.*

Me (sincere, though my voice does crack): Good luck, Tear. I hope everything works out. You know how to find and contact us if you ever need to, okay? Please be safe and take care of yourself. We all know how you are. So, do your best, but try not to run yourself ragged, all right? *I give her a small, brave smile.*

Trix: Honestly, we just need a hug so you guys can’t see while I sob uncontrollably. *She’s grimacing as she is trying to hold back a wave of tears*

Prettywitch: *She’s trying to hold back tears too…and failing miserably.* Goodbye, Tear. If you need anything just call, okay?

Tear: I’m gonna miss you all, too! *I’m already tearing up too, although I’m smiling brightly at your sweet words. I rush forward and meet you all in a big hug* I’ll try my best not to over do it, but you all promise me not to get into any more trouble too, okay? I’ll practice really hard so that I can always be ready to heal you when you need it.

Wong: *He places a hand on Tear’s head, the only place he can still reach with her surrounded in the group hug.* I’ve asked Master Hamir to come watch over you while you help your family get the bakery back in working order. He will bring you back to Kamar-Taj and begin training you in more resistance and defensive magic until I am ready to help you with your healing spells. Stephen wants you to report straight back to him once you are ready to return with Master Hamir.

Tear: Understood. Thank you so much, Wong. I promise not to let any of you down!

*We group-hug for a while. After all that we went through together, saying goodbye really stings even if it’s not forever, but it’s for the best. Life goes on and we know it. So, after the hug, we wave goodbye one last time as Tear goes into her bakery.*

Me (trying to keep my chin up): This is gonna feel weird…

Trix (trying to pull herself together): This feels like graduation all over again…

Prettywitch: I know…

Me: Looks like it’s time to meet up with Blacky, then. I hope she isn’t too scared. That uncontrolled shapeshifting looked rough. *I’m concerned.*

Trix (trying to be reassuring): If anyone has it handled, it’s Wong and Stephen.

*I nod.*

Me: Wong, we’re ready to go.

Wong: Very well. Your friend should be with Strange in the hospital wing…and don’t think that I’ve forgotten your graffiti in the basement. You and Prettywitch are on cleaning duty. *He smirks wryly.*

*I smile sheepishly.*

Prettywitch: *Pouts* Ah man!

*He portals us back to Kamar-Taj where we head to the hospital wing to find Stephen looking after Blacky, who has been properly stabilized into her normal human form.*

Me (to Blacky, concerned): How are you feeling?

Blacky: As fine as I can be. *I chuckle*

Trix: I’m so glad you managed to find us so you could get help!

Prettywitch: Do you need anything?

Blacky: Nah…for now it's under control.

Me: Erm…We should also probably be fully honest with you now about what’s going on. It’s a rather long story. Heh…Lemme explain…

Blacky: Stephen actually told me what happened.

Me (slightly ashamed that we had to hide everything for so long): Oh…Yeah…It’s a lot, we know. We didn’t say anything before because nobody would believe us and if they did, we didn’t want to start some sort of mass panic. Though now that all of this is happening, you have the right to know how and why. I’m sorry we couldn’t fill you in sooner.

Trix: But yeah, surprise you get to join magical boot camp! Don’t piss off any witches and you’re fine. *she then whispers* The food sucks though. *she makes a face before glancing back at Wong and Stephen*

*Wong raises an eyebrow at the food remark.*

Prettywitch: Oh yeah… *She shudders at the memory.*

Stephen: Rest assured, we will train you to the best of our ability. Do you have questions for me or Wong about the training?

Blacky: Yeah…what are the class prices ? But seriously, should I get in physical shape or something like that?

Stephen (amused): There’s no charge. *He gets serious* As for physical shape, we do encourage sorcerers to be as fit as they can be within reason. Even then, we can work with physical limitations. Disabilities can be accounted for.

Wong: Indeed. Sorcery is more about strength of mind, but it is good practice to have a healthy body to withstand stronger spells.

Blacky: Well it's good to know. *I smile softly*

Stephen: After I make sure that you’ve recovered properly, I’ll show you to your room.

Blacky: *I nod* Thank you.

Wong: Prettywitch, Steward, come with me. *He conjures a bucket, some cleaner, and sponges. It seems we’re not getting away with it after all, true to his word.*

Me (meek): Yes, sir.

Prettywitch: *Sighs* Alright, let’s do this. But I’m not gonna enjoy it.

Trix: *She grins from ear to ear* I never did find out what you guys did to deserve this but good luck! *She waves them off*

*I stick my tongue at her as Prettywitch and I leave with Wong.*

Stephen (sarcastic): How very mature of you.

*Trix keeps Blacky company while Prettywitch and I do our cleaning. Kamar-Taj in question feels rather peeved at us, but eventually, its aura seems to calm down after we’ve scrubbed its walls clean of our markings from earlier.*

*After Blacky settles in and joins our training, things slowly begin to return to whatever passes for normal at this point. However, as time goes by, it seems that Stephen has been getting less and less sleep. After he nearly falls asleep during meditation training for the 4th time that week, we decide to ask him about it.*

Me: Stephen, what’s going on? You’re looking really out-of-sorts lately.

Trix: Yeah, you’re not sick, are you?

Prettywitch: *She’s concerned too, but a thought strikes her and her eyes widen. Is it because of his dreams, she wonders?*

Blacky: *I observe Stephen's face, seeing he's clearly exhausted*

Stephen (mildly defensive): It’s nothing that any of you should worry about.

Prettywitch: Hey, don’t be like that! We’re just worried about you.

Stephen: I know. However, I have to get this under control myself. You four have enough on your plates.

Me (matching his old, snarky tone): Really?

*He glares tiredly at me and sighs.*

Stephen (reluctantly): That woman I mentioned before is still haunting my dreams. There are also brief flashes of Dormammu. It seems like he wants to attempt to absorb Earth again, but that shouldn’t be. He is bound to his word not to return here. *That’s about as much as he can figure out at the moment.*

Me: Wait…Shit…*I put two and two together.*

*The weary sorcerer looks at me, still calculating. His severe lack of sleep is slowing his thoughts.*

Prettywitch: Wait…Steward, you don’t think Dormammu…that he might…you know?

Trix: Oh shit

Blacky: An entity as powerful as him can't ignore a vulnerable world like ours.

*I look at the group with an all-too familiar face of resigned dismay, which all but confirms what I’m thinking.*

Prettywitch: Oh great! We’re fucked!

Trix: So that’s an absolute jump from Agatha to fucking Dormammu *she groans and holds her head in in her hands*

Blacky: Wait it's a bit soon to panic. Stephen could send him away once. Together we can do it again.

Stephen (massaging his temples): No, no. I confronted him before and headed him off. Despite not having the Time Stone, I’ll figure something out. You girls don’t need to get caught in the crossfire.

Prettywitch: Dude! You got squashed, stabbed, maimed, and every other painful way to die till next Sunday! Are you sure you’re even powerful enough to face off against him, again?

Stephen: His power is beyond any of you, even working together. I know his strengths and weaknesses and learned more about him than anyone else on this plane of existence from the millions of loops I spent confronting him. If anyone has a chance of stopping him, it will be me.

Me: Can we evacuate our people to here or something?

Prettywitch: I feel like that would require hours and a lot of manpower that neither of our worlds have.

Trix: Not to mention the amount of people who wouldn’t want to leave anyway. People don’t leave for category 5 hurricanes!

Stephen (reassuring): I will stop him.

Me: At least let us transfer some of our energy to you so you’re not about to pass out in battle. We’ve gotten stronger. So, it shouldn’t hurt us as much anymore.

Prettywitch: Exactly!

Trix: It’s absolutely been a while, so we shouldn’t end up sleep drunk!

Stephen: Okay. I’ll allow it for old times’ sake. *He attempts to cheer us up slightly with this small joke.*

*The three of us perform the energy transfer ritual and donate portions of our energy to Stephen. He absorbs it, becoming more awake and alert.*

Stephen: Thank you, ladies.

Me: Do your best to come out of this alive, all right?

Prettywitch: Yes. Please do.

Trix: And no getting yourself killed at all even if you’re able to possibly come back!

Blacky: Or we'll find a way to find you in death's realm and kick your arse!

Stephen: First, I’m keeping your universe safe. Then, we’ll talk other stuff. *He’s determined and serious.* Though I WILL do my best to come back to you however I can. Take care of each other, okay?

Me (worried): Okay. *I’m wringing my hands.*

Trix: We will! Don’t worry about us. All your focus should be on Dormammu.

Blacky: We'll take care of stuff here, don't worry.

Prettywitch: *She runs over and hugs him.* I’m sorry I doubted you, Stephen. I just get nervous really easily..

*He grunts at the sudden hug, but accepts it.*

Stephen: I know.

*The Cloak pats Prettywitch’s shoulder reassuringly, as though silently promising to keep Stephen safe.*

Prettywitch: *She smiles.* Thanks, Cloakie. Oh yeah, and remember what I said about your mystery woman. *She gives him a peck on the cheek and lets go of him.* Good luck.

Me (trying to stay composed while still worried sick for him): Good luck…

Trix: Seriously, good luck. *She gives him a small smile while wringing her hands*

Blacky: Just don't be stubborn if things turn bad and not go all alone in the fight.

Stephen: I’ll remember not to.

*With our well wishes said and energy transferred, he opens a portal and disappears through it to the Dark Dimension, on his way to confront the Dread Dormammu.*

***To be continued***

#doctor strange fanfiction #doctor strange #doctor strange meta fic #dr stephen strange #stephen strange #marvel #tony stark #multi author #doctor stephen strange #wong #steve rogers #captain america #avengers #loki

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gregorygerwitz · 2 years

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i’m the same as i was (it’s all okay)

just a little drabble because I’ve desperately needed to get an idea like this out of my system since 9x19 aired, and maybe it will get my writing juices flowing so I can work on a bigger project. an AU of the scene with Jay and Kevin at The Donovan, because I did not give Mouse rich parents to not make jokes about canon plotlines with them. it’s basically just a bunch of dialogue so I can get this thought out, not by any means an actual fic.

title taken from all my love by noah kahan.

“Why are you staring at those people?”

“Hmm...?”

“Jay. There are fifteen other rich couples here. Maybe don’t draw too much attention to us by only fixating on one.”

He blinked and pulled his eyes away from the table at the window, though not for very long, the familiar faces there not sparing him a single glance while he frowned to himself. He hadn’t moved from his spot leaning against the bar since he found it, oddly comfortable despite the fact that the last time he’d been in that building had been almost a decade before, and it had been a very miserable experience. “Right. Sorry. I’m paying attention.”

“I hope so. We’re supposed to be working, here, man.”

“What did I miss? When I was, you know, totally paying attention.”

“The kid’s getting us the security footage so we can bring it back to the district and- You’re still staring.”

“What? No, I’m not.”

“You are. That’s super rude, by the way, and you’re probably going to make them angry.”

“Good.”

“You know what? I don’t want to know what you have against all these rich people. I’m going to go back to working. I won’t tattle on you for screwing around.”

“I don’t have anything against all these rich people. Just them.”

“Keep your weird drama to yourself. I don’t need to be dragged into it.”

Jay hummed a non-committal response, his gaze shifting over to the door when the bell rang to signal it opening. The new arrival was another familiar face, another pair of blue eyes that didn’t even look in his direction, too focused on making over to the table by the window. Not that was any of his business.

“I didn’t know Mouse was back in Chicago.”

“You have to know what articles to read.”

“So, when you said Gerwitz, you meant...?”

“Yup. Those ones.”

“Are we going to go say hi?”

“You’re welcome to. It’s probably for the best if I stay over here.”

“Does that have anything to do with why you’ve been staring at their table for the last ten minutes?”

“They hate my guts. The feeling is mutual. It’s old news.”

“Okay, well...” Letting out a slow breath, Kevin’s voice was careful when he spoke again, the topic making it clear exactly why. “We’re looking for someone here that could have been running tech for our guy, right? Someone with those connections and computer know how. I hate to say it, but I think we’re looking at a pretty good lead.”

“Yeah. Unfortunately, I think you’re right. Just... let me do the talking.” Still frowning, Jay pushed himself away from the bar to stand up straight. It put him in the right position to walk forward, his badge hanging around his neck in full view while he approached the table.

The movement drew three pairs of eyes toward him, and only one of them held any level of recognition, along with a little panic. It made sense, considering the emotions rolling in his stomach, the angry heat that had lived there any time he thought of the people in front of him for so long. Before he even made it close enough to say anything, Mouse was getting up again, trying to put his body between his parents and his friends.

“Jay, don’t-”

“To you, right now, it’s detective. Do you a minute to answer a few questions for us? We’ll try not to take too long.”

"Really? You’re staging this like a case? That doesn’t make it better.”

“We have reason to believe that someone who frequents this establishment is involved in the murder we’re investigating. Specifically, someone with computer skills. You happen to fit that description very well, Mr. Gerwitz. So, can we have a minute to ask you a couple questions before you get back to your afternoon?”

There was a beat of quiet, heavy with a kind of defeat in the air, and he almost got a response before they were interrupted by a voice he’d very nearly managed to forget the sound of.

“Gregory, dear, don’t answer a single one of this officer’s questions until we call the lawyer. What did you say your name was again? I’ll get your superior on the phone while we’re at it.”

Jay bit his tongue to keep from snapping back at her, putting on his usual neutral expression he employed specifically for the interrogation room. “I was barely an officer the last time we were here, Thelma. I made detective years ago. And I thought we established even before then that I’m perfectly capable of looking after your son even when you won’t.”

“Oh. Halstead. It’s you.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of the greeting I was anticipating.”

“Okay.” There was no hesitation, this time, a hand grabbing him by the arm to pull him toward the door, and he went without putting up a fight. “Let’s go before you cause a scene.”

“I’m not causing a-”

“You’re either using a fake case to try to cause a scene, or you’re using a real case to try to cause a scene, and I don’t know which is worse.”

“She started it!”

“We can’t have one good meal in this place without any trouble, can we? Seriously, Jay, it’s not funny.”

The sun was bright when they stepped outside, and he frowned while glancing back over his shoulder. The door to the club closed, and they weren’t anywhere private, but it was actually just the two of them in their space for the first time in more than five years.

“I’m not trying to be funny.”

“Great, because I was already running late and getting shit for it. So can I go back to lunch, please, before I actually can’t come back here ever again?”

“That depends. Do you have a minute to answer a couple of questions about the case I’m working?”

“Oh my god...”

“What? Suddenly I’m not allowed to do my job?”

“You just antagonized my mother in public!”

“As opposed to doing it in private? No. We’d have fewer witnesses when I have to defend myself.”

“Yeah, that’s why we came out here before you started throwing punches.”

“I wouldn’t have thrown punches.”

“But you were prepared to. If the situation called for it.”

“Well, sometimes, your mother calls for it.”

“I’m well aware that you aren’t her biggest fan, Jay. I’m not, either, but I’m kind of trying to stay employed, and keep a roof over my head, and right now, that involves putting up with lunch here once a week. Believe me, it’s awful, and I hate it, but at least I can keep the discussion away from my love life when it’s just me on the other side of the table.”

“Right, because it’s somehow my fault that they jumped to conclusions last time.”

“That’s not what I said, and you know it. And we both know you weren’t just doing your job in there.”

“Well, no, I wasn’t just doing my job. Antagonizing your mother added a little fun to the whole murder thing we’re trying to solve. Even you have to admit, the look on her face when she realized it was me was kind of funny.”

“It wasn’t-”

“Not even a little bit? She did the lip thing, right? Like she was trying to hold back a comment about us again. That was pretty funny.”

“Stop it. I can’t laugh right now. I’m mad at you.”

“No, you’re not. I just gave you the perfect opportunity to get out of a shitty lunch with your parents. There really is a case, you know. And I know you had nothing to do with it. But they don’t know that I know that.”

“How does that get me out of lunch?”

“Say you’re coming down to the district so we can hold you while you wait for your lawyer. You did just put your hands on a detective, and my badge was very visible. You can help us solve the case, while you’re at it.”

“...everyone’s going to make fun of me for wearing a suit. I just got out of a meeting like half an hour ago.”

“Yeah, I think Kev was already taking pictures to send back to everyone. It’s too late to be embarrassed.”

“I hate you so much.”

“You can keep complaining in the car. Do you want me to put you in cuffs to play it up?”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, detective.”

“Good to see you haven’t changed a bit, Mouse.”

#cpd #one chicago #jay halstead #mouse gerwitz #greg gerwitz #greg mouse gerwitz #chicago pd #kevin atwater #thelma gerwitz #alex writes things #me: it's a drabble not a full fic #the 'drabble' in question: 1.5k #oops?#anyway i've been thinking about something like this since 9x19 aired so #here is this thrown together nonsense #jay should be allowed to fight thelma

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clarktooncrossing · 1 year

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HELLO THERE PEOPLE OF TODAY AND ROBOTS OF TOMORROW! IT'S ME, CLARK!

Happy National Cartoonists Day, everyone! What, you didn't think my current computer crisis would stop me from celebrating the Holiday, did ya? Actually, it almost did. Y'see, despite this piece being drawn by hand, my computer's scanner wouldn't save the file onto my craptop. My computer's going through a processing error, meaning it's set to stop working any day now. Fortunately this hunk'a junk managed to work just long enough for me to upload the newest Sketch BOOM! Yes my friends, the Sketch BOOM is back! I figured if I could only post one thing for NCD it might as well be something covered head to toe with cartoons. Some pretty well drawn cartoons too, if you pardon me tootin' my own horn. It just feels so good to have drawn something, have it come out looking as good as it does, and to be able to upload it here on tumblr for you all to see. For the record though, screw tumblr's stupid@$$ upload size limit, I freak'n hate websites that do that! It makes me as mad as a blood-cursed Croczilla fighting a sentient mobile home, but we'll get to that in a bit. For now though, let's see what silly sketches managed to make their way onto the page, starting from the top left corner and making our way down.

Don't forget to be on the lookout for the Snow Conies, the tiny sentient species of snow cones that have invaded almost every part of the page! Can you spot all 8?

[1] DID SOMEONE SAY PIZZA? You wanna know what the downside is of drawing at the bottom of the page and working your way up is? You have tiny pockets of blank space that you're unsure what to do with. Such was the case was this corner, having been left blank after drawing #2. For a while I thought of filling the void with a cosmically charged Snow Conie in the same vein at Rosie, but the Cosmic Cutie was already part of the BOOM due to Discord shenanigans. Instead I opted for a Clarktoon that sadly hasn't been drawn in a while, that being the ever-goofy Pizza Monster. No doubt he was lured here by the scent of all the pretzel pizzas I've been eating lately. While he was here I decided to experiment with his expressions, adding more cheek to his smile. Honestly I think he looked better without them. Still, I'm happy to see him here as I hope all of you are. Now if only he'd stop hogging all the grub!

[2] EYE OF THE THERIAN Rosie isn't the only character here due to Discord shenanigans. At the beginning of every month my friend @Foxhatart opens herself up to sketch suggestions on her Kofi page. For the record, those of you wanting to help out another artist keep food in their bellies can click here. With a few of these Kofi slots still left open, Fox came to her friends asking if they had any ideas for pics involving her characters. Not knowing a ton about her characters, I joked that she ott'a draw her half-lemur girl Cath bench press a bus, her freakish strength having become a reoccurring gag via game nights. Funny as the idea was, I didn't expect Fox to actually do it. You can imagine my surprise when this popped up in my inbox a few days later. Consider this doodle a long overdue 'thank you'. Here we see the crazy Cath lifting weights with, of all peeps, Bumper! No doubt the little marshmallow's here for moral support since he can't actually build up any muscle mass. Ghost problems, am I right? Hope you enjoy this silly little sketch, Fox. Next time I'll have Cath bench-pressing your mortal nemesis; a train.

[3] TOOK ME LONG ENOUGH Despite what I said about Pizza Monster, he actually wasn't the last sketch to be included. No, that honor goes to the metal mercenary, the bodacious bot bounty hunter, the anarchistic anti-hero herself; Candy Banger! Much like the aforementioned monster I figured it had been too long since I drew Candy or really any of the robotic cast of 3K. Atop of that, Candy represented a good chance for me to use the stockpile of poses I've saved up from a thumb drive. Using one from a tumblr site called @posereference turned out to be surprisingly easier than anticipated, the only real flaw in the end being how I colored her. This is one of many coloring errors I made on this piece, Candy's hair looking more bluish purple than I had intended. Still, considering I drew her at all, I doubt Candy's complaining. Here's hoping I can draw more of her in the future, otherwise I might be riddled with bullet holes like that wall behind her.

[4] AN AVERAGE DAY AT WHIMSYLAND And thus we've arrived to the first sketch of this compilation given to me by a friend, this one coming from @jackieariane. She and I both suffered during the Chapek administration of Disney, Jart regaling me with tales of when she dealt with rude customers at Animal Kingdom. It reminded me of when my friends AnimatedTigerGirl and RigbyH00ves worked at the Floridan Park too, all three of my companions having a surprisingly miserable experience. All these stories started melting together in my brain until I asked the question; what would happen if Brooklyn Nine Nine was set at Disneyland? Thus Whimsyland was born, albeit originally out of spite towards Chapek. I already detailed all this back in the DUDELZ from the Dumpster I posted earlier this year, but I failed to mention the human protagonist of this story, Wendy. Having been to Whimsyland once in her life at a young age, the young Vietnamese gal with OCD was immediately smitten by the place, vowing she'd someday work there. Spending the rest of her life researching the park and watching Matt Whimsy documentaries on uView, you can imagine Wendy's disappointment when she returned to the Perkiest Place on the Planet to find nothing was as perky. Whimsyland had lost its whimsy. It's here where she met Freddy Fox, the cartoon mascot of the company living in exile over how the house Matt built is being run today. In other words, what I'd imagine Mickey would be doing if he were real. Together these two kindred spirits are set to bring magic back to this wonderland! Overall I'm pleased with how the sketch turned out, though Wendy's face reminds me of my character Sue the Game Genie more than I'd prefer. Also, Fred Fox is way bigger than intended, no doubt I'll be changing that for future depictions of these two. For now though, this drawing has just enough Whimsy for my liking.

[5] CROCZILLA: BLOOD CURSE More Discord Shenanigans! This time it's the result of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign that @burningthrucelluloid somehow roped me into yet again. Instead of robots and dragons set in a medieval fantasy however, this time it's elves and crocodiles in an approximation of the American south. One ruled by Jerimiah Strahd, a ruthless blood-sucking bastard that Alec based off Leonardo DiCaprio's character from Django Unchained. If that wasn't a sign of how crazy this campaign has become, here's an actual moment from the game. The heroic but hesitant human Jason (YoungSamurai18), the loud-mouthed scaredy cat Toby (Mr-Herp-Derp), and the silent but deadly Ed (void-android), and the equally hungry and adventurous Crocie (me, of course) were hunting for a witch named Bubba Lysiga when all of a sudden the witch brought her mobile home to life in order to attack our heroes. Worse still, she put Ed under mind control to attack his comrades. Croc got the worst of it, his HP dropping to 0 due to him falling from the house and getting stomped on by its gigantic set of wooden chicken legs. Did I mention this campaign gets strange? Well it got even crazier when a dark, shadowy entity housed in Croc's body suddenly gave him a recharge, the reptile taking the chance to mix a Heat and Growth potion he obtained earlier to become CROCZILLA! It was a moment Alec was hoping would happen in game and I didn't intend on disappointing. Same goes for this sketch, it mostly going just as envisioned in my head. The pissed off look on my green friend's face, the damage done to the rusty trailer that is the witch's house, the tiny silhouettes of Croc's teammates in said home, the heavy fog, the Earth-shattering roar in the background, it all came out great. Save for one detail. You'll notice that Croc's eyes are black with red irises in this pic. That detail's due to Croc having blood curse abilities, hence the dark entity sharing rental space in his body. As such, you'd think Croc's fire breath would be just as vibrantly red, but sadly that idea didn't occur to me until after I made the fire blue as well as the shine off every surface. Spam it! Still, coloring hiccup aside, I'm mighty proud of this pic! Hopefully so are the rest of the Barovian Bozos that make up my team.

[6] WONDER ZIGGY, CINEPHILE FROM THE PLANET GARBONZA EVEN MORE DISCORD SHENANIGANS! Cut to a few months back and I was restructuring my Discord server, cutting down the multiple move threads it had before merging them all into one. Being the story-driven bozo I am, I quickly wrote a backstory for this thread involving an alien named Ziggy falling in love with the Earth B-Movies he was picking up on his deep space probe. So much so that he came down to our planet only to discover there were even MORE types of movies for him to enjoy! It overwhelmed him so much that he blacked out, awakening the next day having purchased a since abandoned drive-in theater on the outskirts of Clarksburg. Faced with this new impulse purchase, Ziggy followed the oldest piece of wisdom known to man or alien; Screw it. After a refurb Ziggy reopened the drive-in, screening B Movies and cinematic shlock to an appreciative public. And if you can believe it, I typed all of that out after thinking about it for five minutes. My brain is weird like that. All that said, it'd take a couple of RP sessions before I got his personality down, that being an MST3K character if the show were written by Joe-Bob Briggs. In other words, a surprisingly well educated weirdo with a deep love of Hollywood history. It'd take me a while longer before finally sketching him, basing him off the titular villain from Robot Monster, an appropriate design for someone who loves old, cheesy movies. All he was missing was a pink Hawaiian shirt and a cowboy hat. If you think he's strange, you should meet his wife Wanda, though let's save that for a future BOOM...

[7] LOOKIN' SPAM GOOD! What better way to show my friends I care than drawing them in ridiculous outfits? This sketch, the first to be included in this BOOM, is a merging of two repurposed ideas I had for other pictures. The first would've involved the Swedish menace Finjix with a fish bowl on his head much to the confusion of Alec, the recipient of a kawaii make over. I can't remember where the fishbowl idea spawned from but Sir Alec the Adorable came from him scoffing at the idea that I could make anything cute, himself included. Just you wait Alec, I'll get you someday! For now though I swapped out making him uber-adorable in favor of dressing him up like the Wasp from Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the awesome animated show he finally binge-watched on my behalf. Granted I could've drawn him as Maria Hill, the character on the show he deemed the sexiest, but it wouldn't have been as funny. After all, all Maria's outfit is a blue jumpsuit. Far less interesting than Jart's leather jacket, an image that popped into my noggin following her telling me she's learning to ride a bike. That and me desperately clinging onto the back as she gave me a ride, but that would've been harder to draw. Instead I went for the jacket, a fashion statement that would be stupid in real life since she lives in the infamously hot country of Vietnam. Yet even in the face of logic, Jart not only humored me but encouraged me to include this in the final sketch. Thank goodness she did cuz I love how it turned out, minus the green stripes that were accidentally colored black like the rest. DRATS! Not only that but she informed me that she was no longer using her fursona, instead opting to draw herself as a human from now on. DOUBLE DRATS! Ah well, I have more ideas involving 'Trang the Tyrant' as I've nicknamed her, so chances are I'll get the chance to correct both mistakes in the future. It might also give me another chance to draw myself as Super Giraffe, which was what I originally intended to do with my own fursona. Sadly the costume still needs work so instead I opted for my classic Pagonian Wizard robes. Even in the face of all these snafus, I think we all look spam good!

[8] ROSIE STARDUST, SPACE WIZARD Turns out I'm always right even when I'm spewing nonsense. Don't believe me? Plenty of peeps have made that mistake before. Take my friend Alec for example. In the midst of him running the current Strahd campaign I mentioned earlier, I jokingly tossed out the idea of Rosie transporting our heroes out of Barovia and into another universe. A cute 'What If' scenario the Dungeon Master wasted no time in shooting down. Mistaking my silly suggestion as a legit one, Alec explained how unfair it'd be for a god to play a game with a bunch of mortal meatbags. Let the record show that I never declared the sentient Einstein-Rosen Bridge to be a deity. Some alien cultures have mistaken her from one, but Rosie herself would be the first to tell you she's no holy being. Not that any of that mattered. Alec held firm to his statement, Rosie was denied access to any dungeons. For about six seconds before my buddy realized how a depowered Rosie would make a wonderful wizard for a Spelljammers campaign. Fueling this fire was his recent watching of The Owl House, imagining Rosie rocking wizard robes similar to those worn by The Good Witch Azura. Before I could say, "NOW EAT THIS SUCKA," he was leading the charge on my server of peeps demanding I draw Rosie as a space wizard. At first I was floored at the audacity! You shoot down an idea that wasn't meant to be taken seriously only for you to turn around and do so anyway? MAKE UP YOUR SPAM MIND! Then I followed Alec's example and got over it, the idea of Rosie in wizards robes too tempting a sketch not to capitalize on. In the end the only aspect of Azura that made it into the final product was the hat, minus the cute lil' crown. Everything else took cues from the fashion of @cherrysdesigns along with a style @girlofhearts101 turned me towards called whimsigoth. All of which resulting in an costume that gave Alec 'David Bowie Ziggy Stardust vibes'. It's thanks to that comment that Rosie now has a last name. Everyone, say hello to Rosie Stardust, universal explorer and space wizard!

[9] DIREKTOR AND 3D1T0-R Is there a Hollywood equivalent in the Star Wars universe? Some sort of glamorous planet where overpaid alien celebrities are shamelessly rebooting beloved classics for a profit? All while amazing writers are getting screwed out of the earnings they deserve? This was what I asked Alec during his binge watching of The Clone Wars. Surprising me once more, the Masked Maniac revealed that he had asked SIM-N the same question before, the two creating a character called The Direktor for their Monova comics. Her whole gimmick was producing hypnotic propaganda for the tyrannical Twin Emperors, a cool concept that never went anywhere due to the robotroll cutting From Destiny's Ashes short. Being the character man that I am, I decided The Direktor couldn't go to waste. Especially when she'd make such a good villain in the world of 3K and a good addition to this BOOM. After asking SIM-N for the character's original reference sheet I set out to give her a Clarktoon makeover while watching cutscenes of The Second Sister from Jedi: Fallen Order. No doubt Elizabeth Grullon's intimidating vocal performance effected my outcome, the alien movie maker now sporting a streamlined outfit along with a smugly sinister smile on her face. As apposed to her boss, the Direktor's little droid 3D1T0-R hardly changed in the transition. He was a little creepy ball to start and he's still a little creepy ball now. One that was cooked up by Alec according to SIM-N, which makes sense given our pal's passion for film editing. Once the two were fully drawn I decided to test out my shading and lighting techniques in an attempt to make her look more menacing. If the response I got from the others on Discord is any indication, I succeeded. Indeed, this fem fatale filmmaker will fit in phenomenally as a 3K villain. Now the question is to who?

[10] JURAKISS Finally we conclude things with a sketch somewhat prompted by @zernna. Way back in August of last year she was commissioned to draw my cretaceous crusader Saura and her girlfriend Patricia enjoying a delightful day at the pool, a pic as charming as that description would imply. In my comment thanking Ze I couldn't help but laugh at how the two had already been declared a cute couple despite how I hadn't drawn the two together in my own artwork yet. The Alien Artist than demanded I draw 'moar art of them then', prompting me to ask if that was a challenge. She said yes. Though not from a lack of trying, it took me nine freak'n months to meet that challenge. Blame that on me being a picky artist since I have been meaning to draw references of these characters in the meantime. After all, Zerna got asked to draw Saura in other pics without having any color references for the Blue Beast of Fosslin. Fortunately Saura's shown up in a number of previous Sketch BOOMs, now getting to share the spotlight with Patricia here. A Patricia that would've been notably paler were it not for Alec asking if I had any markers that matched Patricia's skin tone. I didn't, but the local hobby store did! Who knew Sharpie made skintone markers? It not only helped me color in the cute Muslim girl here, but also Cath and Wendy later on. Talk about a perfect purchase! Now if only the colors of Patricia's outfit were as satisfactory. Ah well, there's always next time, since I'm pretty sure Zerna's challenge still stands. XP For now though, I hope you all enjoy this compilations of crazy scribblings fresh from my mind. If you didn't, worry not, chances are I'll be making another one soon....

MAY THE GLASSES BE WITH YOU ALL!

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nehswritesstuffs · 1 year

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fly little seagull, the world awaits - Part 5 of 5

Okay, NOW I promise we’re done, lol. I have actually two different endings for this, but the first I wrote less than a day before I read ch 1079, which then screwed it up, so you have this one now instead ahahaha I’ll also let y’all figure out for yourself what got written before and after I read 1081 last week (more before than what you might think), so... enjoy!

Chapter 1 on [tumblr] - [FFN] - [AO3]

Chapter 2 on [tumblr] - [FFN] - [AO3]

Chapter 3 on [tumblr] - [FFN] - [AO3]

Chapter 4 on [tumblr] - [FFN] - [AO3]

Onigashima shall rise and fall. A boy shall become a man. Friends shall part ways. A certain legacy shall come full-circle despite the need to be broken. [14,616 words; AU where history repeats itself in the worst way]

It had not been long and Nauja was beginning to deeply regret her decision to sneak onto Onigashima. Tengu-ya had been extremely angry when they had left and she was beginning to understand why. She didn’t have a Devil Fruit ability like Tama or Momonosuke—only her knife—and things were already pretty hairy. There was not a familiar face around as she and Tama wandered around the chaos; most of the people running by them were Beast Pirates and other lackeys of Kaidou and Orochi.

“Okay, let’s split up,” Tama decided. They were both riding on Komachiyo, having snuck off Speed’s ship when no one was looking. “We can cover more ground that way.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“We’re here as samurai—we need to find our units,” the junior kunoichi reasoned. “Your father and his men should be around somewhere, while I have to find the Straw Hats and distribute these dango.”

“Makes sense, I guess,” Nauja nodded. She and Tama high-fived before she slid off Komachiyo’s back. “Let’s do this!”

“Right!” Tama rode off speedily, while Nauja crept about in the shadows, trying to not be seen by the large amount of adults that were wandering about. Some of them were engaged in fighting, while others were simply going to and from different stations. She eventually found a large alcove where she could catch her breath without anyone around, glad for the breather. Her dirk was already getting heavy against her wrists and she wasn’t anywhere near a member of the crew.

“…a child…?” a voice marveled. Nauja jumped nearly out of her skin and turned around, raising her knife in defense. There, she saw a strange blond man standing there, his expression unreadable, but there was no mistaking him for any of the other bounty posters she had been quizzed on. “What is a child doing here…?”

“What do you want with me, Basil Hawkins?!” she snapped. Instead of answering her directly, he brought out his tarot cards, the bits of paper hanging in the air.

“A Paradise accent tempered by a conspicuous Northern lilt,” he said, swishing the cards around. “Approximately seven or eight years old, accurate identification of other pirates, bladed weapon, very short hair, yellow and black hearts on her lavender yukata, a Sora backpack and matching charm on her weapon’s sheath… probability of being a certain Supernova surgeon’s natural child or ward… ninety-seven-point-two-six percent.” Nauja shivered and a chilling smile crept onto his face. “I was correct.”

“Get lost, you creep.”

“On the contrary: I think I found my way to get back on Kaidou’s good side,” Hawkins observed. “With this offering, I might survive that much longer.” He held out his hand. “Come, child, I shall bring you to safety. All this fighting must be scary…”

“No,” she snapped. Her dirk wavered in her hands. “You said Kaidou—I can’t trust you.”

“He’s not necessarily interested in you, child, but your father,” he said. “You’re worth more to him alive, trust me on that at the very least.”

“I won’t go with you!”

“Do not make me use force—I do still have some respect for your father, after all.”

“Then don’t you dare touch her!”

Out of seemingly nowhere, a large rock seemed to teleport itself to slam into Hawkins, which he had to create a straw shield to defend against. When he brushed aside the rubble, he saw Law had slid onto the scene, looking rather worse for wear as he knelt down and brought his daughter into a hug before he began physically checking her for injuries.

“What in the hell are you doing here?!” Law scolded, panting hard from his effort to get to her side. His heart felt as though it was going to explode out of his chest. “I told you to wait with the other kids!”

“Vaor, I did wait with Tama-ya… kind of…” the girl grimaced. “She’s here too…”

“You girls are in so much trouble!” Law groaned. “After all that, you deliberately disobeyed me and now you’re in the one place I wanted you far away from?! How did you even get past Tengu-ya?!”

Nauja bit the insides of her lips and tried to look away guiltily—busted.

“Quite possibly, my fortunes have changed.” Hawkins stared at the cards in front of him before clearing them from the air. “A forty-percent increase… it’s worth it.”

Glaring at his fellow Supernova, Law held Nauja close to his side as he extended his free arm, attempting to activate a Room to get them out of there. It wasn’t working, with each attempt flickering out in his panic.

“Kaidou is going to love this,” Hawkins stated. He drew his sword, readying to strike. “Trafalgar and his brat, handed to him on a—”

Just then, a massive roar cut him off, so loud that it shook everything around them. Hawkins turned to look and instead got a face full of allosaurus tail, which cleared him through the far wall. The dinosaur slowly stomped into full view, growling lowly at the broken wall before shifting down into X Drake’s Human form.

“Are you two alright?” he asked. He saw Nauja’s eyes were wide in amazement; few kids were immune to the charm of a literal dinosaur saving them.

“It was under control,” Law hissed.

“Mmhmm, sure.” Drake watched as the other man put the child down and leaned against the wall in an effort to catch his breath properly. “Hey… can I, uh, give her something?”

“What could you possibly have to give?” Law asked. Drake bent down and picked up a pen Hawkins must have dropped when he was hit and procured a piece of paper from his inner jacket pocket. Law raised an eyebrow, knowing full-well what sort of paper it was.

“Something I never really should have had on me to begin with.” He knelt down and used the floor as a writing surface before beckoning Nauja over. “What is your name, darling?”

“Trafalgar Nauja,” the girl beamed. “Who are you?”

“Nice to meet you, Nauja. My name is X Drake, and as you can tell, your father and I know each other… in a way.”

“You sound a little like him. Are you also from the North Blue?”

“I am,” the man admitted. “I even have a father like you have Trafalgar here. Got him in a similar way, if what I hear is correct.”

“Your dad’s navigator found you and he just kind of took over?”

“More like my father’s friend found me, but close enough.” He sat directly on the floor in an attempt to hunch over more and be at her eye-level better—curse his height. “I even have a brother, although I never met him. He left our father’s life as I entered it. Although I’ll never know his laugh or hear his voice or learn what he thinks of me, I’ve been living in his shadow this entire time… seeing and experiencing the consequences of his actions. He’s like a ghost, in a way, and there’s something telling me that he would want you to have this.”

Drake held out the paper and handed it to Nauja. She looked at Law before accepting it, only doing so once he nodded. Looking down at the note, she scrunched her nose in thought.

“‘Please take care of her. Dorry.’ That’s weird. Why do you want me to have this?”

“…because one day, you might run out of options,” Drake said. “Your father is strong and capable, but even he has limits. If you ever find yourself with nowhere to hide, and he can’t help you, let this paper guide you to my father. Call him Grandpapa and give him a hug and show him this paper.” He then paused for a moment. “Do you know what a Vivre Card is?”

“Oh, yeah! We have some of those! That’s what this is?” She held open her palm and laid the paper in it—sure enough, it began to shuffle across her fingers.

“Yes. Remember: only use it as a last resort. There is only so much my father can do for you, but it’s safer than wandering around on your own. He will make sure nothing bad happens while you’re in his care… he will think of what my brother would have done—what my brother did for a scared little boy before he died—and will hide you from the bad people in the world until you are ready to face them yourself.”

“Then I’ll keep it safe,” the girl nodded. She carefully secured the note in her yukata sleeve. “Thank you, Dinosaur-ya, for this special gift.”

“…and how do I know I can trust your father?” Law asked. Drake shrugged and stood.

“You don’t,” he replied honestly. “Is this a risk? It’s a major one, but you are the only one who can truly talk to him about my brother, and that is at least worth something.”

In an instant, everything felt to Law as though it shifted violently and clicked into place as he stared at the other Supernova… this now-former Tobiroppo… there was more to him than he could have ever imagined. He wasn’t just any deserted Marine… he was Sengoku’s project after Cora-san died… Law was sure of it. His eyes went to the Vivre Card in Nauja’s hand—to trust her with it was to trust him with it, Drake clearly under the assumption that he wasn’t going to use it to attack the former Fleet Admiral. The other man’s actions were all beginning to make a lot more sense, even if all it did was make him more conflicted…

“Does he know about her…?”

“Possibly…? He doesn’t hear a lot of chatter these days, but at the same time, many of Kaidou’s officers know she exists. The intel might stay on Wano, it might extend off the island—that I can’t say. What I can say, however, is that it wasn’t me if it gets leaked.”

Just then, a massive burst of Haki came from the ruined wall, causing Drake to shove Nauja towards Law. “Hawkins is coming to; I suggest you book it.”

The little family did, not even turning around to watch Drake morph into an allosaurus and roar so loud he shook the building.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Law slashed the last of the guards down and finished descending the staircase into the lowermost basement. Nauja tap-tap-tapped her way down the rest of the stairs, avoiding her father’s unfortunate victims. The room they entered held a large blue stone, covered completely with strange symbols that made the little girl’s eyes go wide.

“This is a Poneglyph?” she marveled. Law nodded, placing his hand on the smooth, cool stone.

“It is—people have died for so much as being able to read what’s on it.”

“You can read that…?!”

“I can’t, but Nico-ya can. Her home island died because some of them could read Poneglyphs. She was the only survivor.”

“…like you…?”

“Indeed.” He let his fingertips catch in the grooves, feeling the enormous weight of the writing’s unknown message. “I wonder how many people died for this over the centuries.”

“Couldn’t they just listen…?” Nauja asked. She looked up at Law and tilted her head. “It’s whispering… you don’t even need to read it.”

“You can… hear it…?” He looked at her and raised his eyebrow. “How do you mean?”

“I… don’t… know…?” The little girl looked at the Poneglyph and tilted her head. “It’s just kinda… I dunno… humming, I guess…? In a way? I understand it.”

“…and what is it saying?”

“It’s talking about a legendary warrior and how he killed a dragon with a perfect sword, becoming a hero to all of Wano and the world,” she replied, wrinkling her nose in thought. “Do you think I can hear it because it’s part of the age-related hearing range?”

“No… I think you can hear it because of something special.” He placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair.

“Symetesia…?”

“No, not synesthesia,” he paused, “more like the Voice of All Things. I’ve heard of it being something before, but wasn’t certain about the existence of such a talent due to the rarity and lack of clinical observation.”

“Really…? It’s rare…? Then why can Momo-ya hear it too…?”

Law stared at his daughter. “What do you mean?”

“Momo-ya could hear a voice at Zou. I couldn’t make it out, so I ignored it, but he could hear it clearly. That was the excuse he used to hide in his room all the time.”

“Was it now…?” He needed something to tell her, and quickly. “If it is the Voice of All Things, then that is a rare trait, possibly an offshoot of Observation Haki if my theory is correct.” He considered something briefly, then knelt down to be at her eye level. “Does this whisper anything about the Will of D.?”

Nauja paused, closing her eyes. “No. Why? What’s that?”

“Cora-jiisan once told me that the People of the D. are the enemies of the gods… meaning the Celestial Dragons. Something the crew doesn’t know—not even Bepo-ya—is that I am one of them.”

“You… you are…?”

“Trafalgar D. Water Law was the entire name your opa and oma gave me, the name your jiisan told me to keep hidden,” he explained. He placed his hand on the cool stone of the Poneglyph again, Nauja copying him. “Nico-ya says I must search for the Poneglyphs in order to discover the truth. What you told me confirms I need the red ones.”

A low rumbling shook the floor, making the plaster above them creak.

“A sub-basement is probably not the best place to be right now, in retrospect,” Law noted. He grabbed Nauja again and opened a Room, bringing them to a higher floor again and the heat of the battle. “Those assholes better not do anything drastic without me.”

“Uh… that looks kinda drastic,” Nauja squeaked. She was pointing to some nearby rubble, which contained an arm draped in a familiar kimono sleeve.

“Shit,” Law spat. He put Nauja down and spotted the familiar allosaurus on the other side of the hall. “There’s Drake-ya. Stay with him. I’ve got some samurai to bring down here.”

“Vaor…?” He looked at her and saw that her eyes were glassy with tears. “I’m sorry for sneaking over here anyhow despite agreeing not to. Please come back.”

“I’ll do my best, famke,” he echoed. He pressed a kiss to her hair before swapping her with a rock next to Drake and himself with a splinter of wood from an even higher building level.

Honoring an alliance sure was shit.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Drake wasn’t certain as to why he had Trafalgar’s child by his side again so soon, but he definitely imagined it had something to do with the fact her father was on the roof of the building fighting with Kaidou and Big Mom. He allowed her to sit on his oversized allosaurus foot, the girl clinging to his leg as he stomped around in an attempt at intimidating people. Anyone who dared to snatch or otherwise harm her got either tail or teeth making the definitive decision for them: no.

Not on his watch.

Drake fought and intimidated the Beast Pirates while he watched over not only Nauja, but the little reindeer-doctor as he synthesized a cure for the chilly disease that was ripping through Beast Pirates and Alliance members alike, not caring about things such as sides and loyalties. He only began to relax as the Straw Hats’ doctor blasted a cure into the air. It even had a certain smell to it—sweet with a hint of spice—that brought him back to the infirmary of Tsuru’s ship, where he had been laid up for so, so long after she had found him. The girl slid off his foot and he shifted back into his Human form, looking over the scene as frozen limbs melted and the healing flames from Whitebeard’s former doctor, of all people, seas be damned, flickered out.

“NAUJA!” The girl jumped as she heard her name called, seeing Shachi run up to her and Drake, accompanied by two of Kid Pirates. He flicked her on the forehead, which caused her to squeak. “What are you doing here?! Does the captain know?!”

“He knows,” she admitted sourly. “I’m just here with Dinosaur-ya because Vaor’s up there.” She pointed at the giant hole in the ceiling. A roar just above the basement of Human hearing came from the hole, which made them all shudder.

“Impressive,” one of the Kid Pirates nodded.

“I think we can take it from here, beefcakes,” the other Kid Pirate said, giving Drake a wink. Shachi facepalmed, her crewmate ignored her, and Drake simply stared.

“We’re kind of in the middle of a life-or-death war here…” he mentioned.

“Little flirt don’t hurt,” she shrugged. She then looked at Nauja, who seemed some level of disturbed. “C’mon kiddo; let’s get you to the main of the group before shit gets too hairy around here.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nauja replied. The adults all exchanged a quick look—yeah, kid must have been in a ton of trouble already. They left Drake’s side to head on back to the little group of Penguin, Bepo, and some stray Kid Pirates, who were fighting Beasts Pirates to the best of their abilities.

“Oh, fuck,” Penguin cussed soon as he saw Nauja. “Cap’s gonna blow a gasket…”

“Already blown!” Nauja insisted. “I think I’m grounded until I’m older than Bone-ya.”

“Sounds about right,” another Kid Pirate nodded. He then noticed a large horned person running their way. “Ah, fuck, another strong-looking one…” Except, Shinobu was there too…? The fuck…? “Hey, what’s going on?!”

“Are you the one referred to as Trafalgar Nauja?” the tall person with Shinobu asked, voice booming. The pirates all tensed, only not attacking because they knew the kunoichi was trustworthy.

“Uhh… yeah…?”

“Oh, good!” squeaked a voice from nearby. It sounded familiar…

“Momo-ya…?”

Sure enough, Momonosuke fell out of the tall person’s pant leg and ran up to Nauja, wrapping her in a hug. “I heard that you and the junior kunoichi had joined the battle! It’s so auspicious that you’re still alive!”

“It’s… auspicious… that… you are… too…?” she replied. She tried looking to the adults for answers—none had any.

“I have decided,” Momonosuke declared. He held Nauja at an arm’s length and put on his most serious face. “Verily! If we survive this and I become shogun, in recognition of your bravery and service to Wano, I shall name you as my intended!”

If the area around them all could have become quiet, it would have.

“What the fuck,” the horned person groaned, snatching Momonosuke up by the collar. “You dragged us all the way over here to propose to your girlfriend?!”

“I’m not his girlfriend!” Nauja snapped, the boy’s words now clicking into place in her brain. “Ask Tama or Toko to marry you, pervy brat!”

“O-Tama is a vassal and it would therefore be inappropriate, as would O-Toko for being my sister’s ward,” Momonosuke stated plainly. “You are the natural choice.”

“Ooooh, Kid’s gonna want t’ hear about this,” a Kid Pirate marveled. A couple of her crewmates nodded sagely in agreement—any ammunition for their captain against the others’.

“This is stupid; Oden out,” the horned person scoffed, stuffing Momonosuke under an arm. By the time Nauja had recovered from the shock of the encounter, the other three members of the Heart Pirates were staring at her with amused expressions that made a chill go down her spine.

“Don’t tell Vaor!” she insisted. “Momo-ya’s just being dumb!”

“Love makes people do dumb things,” Penguin chuckled. Still paying attention to their surroundings, he took his polearm and used it to knock some arrows out of the air. “Look alive! We’re still targets, people!”

Nauja drew her dirk and tried to stay close to the other pirates, attempting to not get too close to any enemies. She really regretted coming along with Tama—so much was happening, everything, all at once, everywhere, and to make matters worse, she was missing the festival! For what?! Her dad being cross with her and Momo being weird? Yeah… this wasn’t one of her most brilliant ideas.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Having popped back down below the battle to regroup, Law and Kid found themselves unfortunately within one another’s company. They were going to have to figure out a way to separate Kaidou and Linlin; the only way those two could have been even more dangerous if they had been actual siblings instead of, well, whatever the fuck they truly were.

“Feck… sounds like the ol’ bird’s down below too,” Kid noted as they ran through the corridors. “Did our dirty work for us.”

“Wouldn’t know what that’s like,” Law grunted. He tried not to think about what had happened before he ran into the Southern redhead again, having been snatched out of the air by a Northern blond, who he repaid in kind by having him watch over the severely injured Wanolese Easterner. Fuck, there was a lot going on. “We need to figure out where our crews are; they’re our support system.”

“No shite, Shirley,” Kid scoffed. He raised his eyebrow, however, at the nearly distracted look on the other man’s face. “Thinking ‘bout some other orders Straw Hat gave yeh?”

“Fuck off,” Law growled. They turned a corner and saw the group that their respective crews had merged into, with Killer already there and helping protect them. “It’s about time… Penguin! Report!”

“No one else has been able to get on Onigashima,” Penguin replied as he parried a blow from a Beast Pirate. He pushed his opponent back and a Kid Pirate took over, slashing their adversary across the stomach. “Sounds like Tama’s here too, working her dango-magic.”

“I figured as much. Based on that, I figure you have her little co-conspirator?”

“I have stabbed a lot of people,” Nauja stated, popping out from behind Penguin. She was splattered in blood, but it was clear it was not her own. “This is way worse than when we show up in a Marine port…”

“Yeh brought yer bairn t’ the battle?!” Kid said, completely flabbergasted. “What the actual fuck, Trafalgar?!”

“Not on purpose, let me assure you,” he replied, marveling at the fact he didn’t have a headache already.

“Och, aye, like I’d believe yeh at this point, yeh bloody fucking twat,” Kid snapped. He then turned to Nauja and gave her a toothy grin. “Ever get tired of the pompous ol’ windbag an’ yeh can come visit wi’ yer Uncle Kid. We know how t’ treat a wee bairnie right.” The little girl giggled, making her father roll his eyes.

“He’s not your uncle; don’t listen to him,” Law deadpanned. “He’s just an idiot whose metal plate in his skull’s gone magnetic.”

“At least I don’t do any of that daft posing shite,” Kid shot back. “Yeh looked like yer at a modeling gig, not fighting for our fucking lives!” He struck a couple poses to prove his point. “At least the Straw Hat knob’s putting in visible effort!”

“Sorry my Devil Fruit requires concentration and finesse!”

“Fucking finesse yersel outwith m’sight, yeh moody-arsed beanpole! Big Mam’s mine, yeh ken?!”

“Are we speaking the same language?!”

“Awww, playin’ the daft laddie, aren’t we? Well, while yer nerd-brain’s so busy tryin’ t’wrap its processes around m’accent, I’m gon’ take t’ bint’s head mysel.”

“As though I’d let you take all the credit after all that shit I had to pull to keep you together!”

“Aye; I bet yeh’d like it all, eh? Took yer turn already, Trafalgar! Now it’s time for the lads’ lads t’shine!”

Just then, a giant spider made of straw crashed onto the scene, with Basil Hawkins sticking out of its back. It roared—somehow—and made it clear it was out for blood.

“A’ll gie him laldie,” Killer said, his voice almost mirthful. “Fucker’s mine.”

“Then let’s split up!” Kid shouted at the rest of his crew. “Pick off some officers!”

“Bepo!” Law saw his navigator’s ears perk up and the Mink took the three steps to join him. “Take Nauja and run. I don’t care where. Just get her someplace quiet.”

“Understood,” Bepo nodded. Before Nauja even had time to protest, he picked her up and ran, dodging Beast Pirates and arrows as he did his best to do what was asked of him.

“Come on, Kid,” Law scowled. “We’ve got an Emperor to distract.”

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Blood pounded in Law’s skull as he watched Charlotte Linlin grow both in girth and in power. He knew there were some who called his Devil Fruit abilities horrifying—and rightly so—but what was happening before his eyes was down-right chilling. She was tampering with people’s life forces; she was killing them without so much as a drop of consent. It wasn’t just the doctor in him, but his very humanity was sickened.

“All I do is for my family,” she chortled as she continued to bulk up. “My children are heirs to a legacy of greatness. As their mother, it’s my duty to clear a path for them. I’m sure you will understand as I grind your bones into dust.”

“Classy,” Law replied, rolling his eyes.

“Yer eldest is fifty, yeh dusty ol’ bint,” Kid scoffed. “That’s more than time t’ stop relying on mam to fix yer problems.”

“Say a pair of brats who don’t know a mother’s touch,” Linlin smirked. “I still have some daughters I could marry you to if you decide to do the smart thing and submit. I’ll teach you a little something about filial piety.”

“Fuck that,” Kid spat. “That shite got m’crew and me nowhere! All we got, we took oursel!”

“…and you, Trafalgar?” Her voice rumbled with power, echoed with the cries of all the souls she ripped from their hosts. “Do you wish to become Mama’s new favorite?”

“My parents never played favorites—that’s part of what made them good at parenting,” Law fired back. Kid let out a snort—fuck this was the good shit. “Besides, I wouldn’t use my daughter’s wedding as a bargaining chip. She’s too headstrong for such a thing, even if I was that shitty of a parent.”

“Roast t’ hag!” Kid cheered amongst the gasps and marveling. “Gie ‘er good!”

“What would you know about being a parent?” Linlin sneered at Law. “My intel does say you have a bratty little tag-along these days. That’s not a daughter; that’s a charity-case. What sort of pirates resort to charity, I wonder?”

“If being a father is charity, then I wonder what your children think of their fathers? What your sons think of their children.” Law drew his sword and widened his stance slightly. “I know more about being a father, being a parent, than you can ever fathom.”

“You really think she’s yours, you delusional boy?”

“More mine than whatever caused your multiple uterine prolapses are to you.”

Kid was fucking cackling.

“Have it your way,” Linlin hissed. “Napoleon! Prometheus! Hera! Let’s finish these upstarts.”

Law brought up a Room and Kid cracked his knuckles and neck. Now they were talking.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

It took a while for Bepo to finally find a corridor that was relatively quiet before he felt safe enough to put Nauja down. Surprised that there was even a place still calm within Onigashima, he searched for a storage room before ushering in his littlest crewmate and closing the door behind them.

“You alright?” he asked. She nodded. “Good, now let’s figure out what we’re going to do from here.” He peeked out into the corridor to double-check and breathed a sigh of relief—no one.

“What’s gonna happen if Vaor can’t stop them?” Nauja wondered. She looked around the room in a panic, seeing that it was empty aside from some low tables, boxes, and stacks of Wanolese seating cushions.

“This place crashes into the Flower Capitol and we would have to get back to the Tang fast as we can,” Bepo replied. He looked back at Nauja and saw that she was shaking as she tried to not cry, likely overloaded by everything and regretting having come along. She was so different from the first time he saw her—a pair of curious eyes poking out from behind smears of dirt and matted hair—and it only showed him how far she’d come with them… with Law. “Listen: nothing bad’s going to happen, okay? We’ve got this.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” chuckled a low voice. The Mink scooped the child up into his arms and held her close. “Cute… as though either of you are anything other than a liability…”

“I don’t know who you are, but you’re not getting to us that easily,” Bepo announced. He put his back to the wall and tried to sniff out the other person in the room and couldn’t; the smells from elsewhere in the complex were still too strong.

“I’m surprised you don’t recognize me… little brother…”

A figure stepped out from behind some cushion stacks and both Bepo and Nauja gasped. There, standing before them as though everything was completely normal, was Zepo.

“You’re dead!” Nauja declared, pointing at the other Mink.

“How would you know?” Mystery Zepo chuckled. “What would a Lesser Mink cub know about me?”

“Enough to know you’re not real!” She looked at Bepo, who seemed completely at a loss for what to do. “Come on! We need to get out of here!”

“I… I…” Bepo breathed, his brain sputtering out. “Was Fred wrong…?”

“He can be,” Mystery Zepo replied. A large explosion rumbled from elsewhere in the castle.

“No, he’s the one lying! That’s proof!” Nauja wiggled from Bepo’s grasp and tried to shake him out of it. “Bepo-ya…!”

“…but… how can he be here…?”

“Shoot…” The small child looked around and tried to figure out what she could do to snap Bepo out of whatever it was that was keeping him from knowing that this wasn’t real. Was it a Devil Fruit? A robot? A really good imposter? She needed to figure it out, and quick.

“You’re going to let me take care of the cub,” Mystery Zepo said. He began to step forward towards the pirates, sending a chill down Nauja’s spine.

“Bepo-ya! It’s a trap!”

“Of all the people in this place, don’t you want to trust your brother?”

“Don’t listen to him!” Nauja could see that there were tears forming in the Mink’s eyes as he trembled against the wall. “I don’t know who he is, but he’s trying to trick us!”

“Why would I trick my brother?” Mystery Zepo asked.

“Your brothers are Vaor and Penguin-ya and Shachi-ya!”

It was no use—Bepo was absolutely frozen in indecision. Nauja knew she had to do something, or else they were going to fall victim to… whatever it was that mimicking the long-dead Mink.

“Bepo-ya! Look at the moon!” she shouted, running to the shut balcony door. She struggled to pull the frame open. “Look at the moon and let’s get out of here!”

Just as she was able to force the frame open, the Mystery Zepo was there next to her, having appeared in nearly an instant. He took a knife from his belt and glared at Nauja, sunglasses glinting in the moonlight.

“This is not your place,” he hissed. “Don’t you da—”

Mystery Zepo was cut off, a giant paw reaching around his skull and crushing it. Electric sparks frizzed from his body as the illusion tech broke, revealing a faceless robot in its place. Bepo, in full Sulong, casually tossed the contraption to the side and straight through the wall.

“Nothing hurts the captain’s daughter,” Bepo growled, voice low and gravelly. Nauja carefully went over to the now-ruined wall and looked at the robot, taking careful note of the markings along the side.

“PUNK…?” she wondered aloud, tilting her head. “Why’s it got the word PUNK painted on it?”

“I don’t want to hang around long enough to find out,” Bepo replied as another explosion made the building quake. He muttered a low apology as he swept her up into one paw and burst through the outer wall of the storage room, bringing them into the open air. Despite there being no change to the color, his fur was now longer and fiery, and his face more fierce.

He roared at the moon in mid-air, cursing and thanking it in one long, rumbling note that crackled in Electro.

If he ever found the people who tried to trick him with his brother’s face, he was going to rip them apart.

“Hang on, Nauja!” he boomed. She held on tight as he brought them to the ground around the palace, the clouds closing up once again once his paws were on the dirt and he shrank back to his normal size. He shuddered and coughed up some blood—one of the benefits of an underwater ship was being able to avoid Sulong and the effects therein.

“VAOR!” Nauja screeched as she saw the flames that were engulfing the castle. Bepo grabbed her and secured her against his chest—she wasn’t going anywhere.

“We have to stay out here!” he insisted. “I can’t let you burn!”

“…but Vaor…!”

“…wants you to live!” Bepo exclaimed. “Everything he does, everything the crew does, is so that you can live!”

Nauja went limp at that, knowing that he was both right and correct. Guilt settled on her, knowing that her actions, her presence was what drove Law and the crew to do a lot of what they did, and it hurt more than she could comprehend. Bepo let go and placed her on the ground, a paw resting supportively on her shoulder.

“All we want is a future you can look forward to,” he said.

“…but… why…?” Her voice cracked as tears began to choke her. “I’m just some kid you found…”

“You’re Law’s kid, the crew’s kid…” He licked her temple gently. “We love you.”

“…but… why…?” she repeated. “What did I do to deserve it…?”

Bepo stared at Nauja, completely flabbergasted. “Nauja… you didn’t need to do anything.”

“…but I’m nothing but trouble!” she cried. “If it wasn’t for me coming along, you’d…!”

“Don’t think that way!” Bepo held Nauja’s face in his paws and made her look directly at him. “There’s no reason for us to love! We just do! Why else would we let you stay? Why else would we take care of you? Why else would the Captain adopt you as his own daughter?” He saw the tears and snot running down her face and tried to wipe it off with his sleeve. “We knew what bringing a kid into the crew meant… we wanted to love you. There doesn’t have to be a reason other than that.”

“…even though I do stupid stuff…?”

“Kids do stupid stuff all the time—it’s how they learn.” He saw she was biting her lower lip in an effort to stop crying, it not really working. “The rest of the crew does stupid stuff all the time too, and they’re adults, so I don’t know why a few mistakes is such a big deal.” He licked her forehead again. “Sorry, but you’re stuck with us.”

Nauja nodded weakly and hugged Bepo, letting the Mink comfort her as they remained hidden in their spot outside the castle. The muffled sounds of war punctuated their embrace; both were drawing strength from the other, the aftereffects of the raid and their conversation completely wiping them.

Just then, a curious smell reached Bepo’s nose, then a noise that was definitely not fire.

“Is… is that seawater…?” he marveled. He and Nauja looked at the castle and saw that there was water and smoke coming out of the building—something was extinguishing the flames.

“Vaor!” Nauja gasped. She broke from Bepo and began to run towards the castle. She made her way past water-logged Beast Pirates and samurai, Bepo tailing close behind, as she searched for Law. By the time she found him, he was laying down in a pile of debris, eyes closed as he breathed heavily.

“Dinna worry; he ain’t dead,” Kid groaned as he caught sight of the child. He was laying in his own pile of debris, though had his eyes open. “The ol’ bat kicked our arses, but we got her in the end.” He gestured towards a nearby hole in the floor, presumably where Big Mom went.

“Vaor…?” Nauja knelt down beside him and put her hands on his chest, shaking him. “Are you alright…?”

“Ja, famke,” he groaned. Law struggled to lift his hand, reaching out towards Nauja. He was able to find her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb as he opened his eyes. “I’ll be alright. That was just…”

“…a lot…?”

“Yeah… it was a lot.” He offered her a wan smile, which she took as permission to hug him, clinging desperately as he rested his hand against her back. “Ball’s in your court, Strawhat-ya.”

Almost as if Luffy heard him, a gleeful shishishi reverberated throughout the castle.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

After having the sheer audacity to to return to the fray on the back of a dragon, Luffy turned into Nika to no-sell Kaidou.

Fucking hell… Monkey D. Luffy became Nika, the legendary sun god and liberator of peoples from times ancient and immemorial, while Law had a time with the hag that just wouldn’t die? And the “help” he had gotten from Kid? Had to almost carry the moron while he was staggering about and yet Strawhat-ya turned into a literal god.

Now wasn’t that some straight-up peak protagonist-level shit right there?

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

The aftermath of the raid on Onigashima was, fortunately, plenty less complicated than was feared. With Kaidou and Big Mom done for (Law did not want to say they were dead, as he knew he needed a corpse to do that), the Beast and Big Mom Pirates scattered like ants after a good threatening from Yamato. Orochi actually was dead, confirmed by Hiyori and Denjiro, who were there as he spoke his final words before being consumed by flames. The royal siblings were reunited and Oden’s long-lost heir proclaimed himself shogun.

Wano was free.

Oh, the celebrations that were had! Those who had been in the Flower Capitol wept in joy and relief, knowing that they had nearly become victim to a misplaced Onigashima. Parties broke out throughout the lands, bolstered by food sent from the unpolluted farms. Talk of the old ways now flowed freely, bringing with it reminisces of a society—while not perfect—was still defined by full bellies and factory work not being a death sentence. Many of the Alliance members were met with cheers and grateful platitudes, much to their derision. Pirates were not heroes, after all, and honestly had been in it for their own reasons. Whether itching for a fight or wanting information, they were not the ones that Wano should have been heaping their praises on.

Despite this, while members of the victorious forces recovered, there was a heightened sense of wonder and gratitude in the air. Adults took their first clean drink of water since childhood alongside their own children, festival stalls did not close up, and people smiled in the streets at whomever crossed their paths. It was even evident that the inhabitants of Ebisu were genuinely happy, as there was something about their demeanor that was simply right. All were thankful, even as they cleaned up the messes that had been left behind in the fighting.

Meanwhile, invitation had been extended to all the members of the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance to stay within the royal palace while things were settling down. Although Law would have rather started living in the dockyards in Tokage, he subjected himself to the Flower Capitol for a while longer as he put aside Nauja’s impending punishment and allowed her to remain with her new friends. He had taken to wandering around the palace while they were at play, doing exactly the sort of thing he knew his daughter couldn’t whilst aboard a submarine full of adults.

“Vaor! Vaor! Vaor! Look at this!” Having been examining a frieze in a quiet corridor, Law glanced over to see Nauja with Tama and Toko, the three girls striking a set of poses out of Sora, Warrior of the Sea, with the pink-haired girl in the middle with her arms up and arched, while the older two stood on either side of her, hiding their faces in the crooks of one arm while their other pointed up and towards each other at an angle, nearly touching in a point.

“Teaching them about Sora, I see?” he chuckled. “How does he compare to Wanolese stories?”

“O-Ja tells us tales of this warrior, and he seems mighty!” Tama gasped dreamily. “I wonder if he ever gets sent to the New World…?”

“Well, I like Poison Pink!” Toko giggled. “She’s really cool! And her hair’s like mine! I can wear her costume!”

“Maybe when you’re a bit older,” Law replied. Shit… he hoped the kids saw the earlier versions of the Germa 66 costumes and not the ones that looked more like the real deal. There was no way he was getting blamed for a Wanolese child wanting a neckline that passed her navel. A distraction, a distraction… “Say, how about the four of us head down to the festival before it gets too crowded?”

All three girls’ eyes became large and round—perfect.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Okay, so maybe being a chaperone to three energetic children wasn’t the smartest move after all. The trio were excitable and bouncy and not only chattered like chipmunks on uppers, but moved as such too. Between that and the fact that he was out in public, it made Law tired just existing, which wasn’t a very good look if he was perfectly honest. An even worse look would have been opening a Room just to keep tabs on them—he only had two eyes and there was three of them.

Then again… this must have been how his parents felt when they were taking him and his sister to festivals, wasn’t it?

Still attempting an aloof aura, Law smiled inwardly as he watched the girls rush from stall to stall; Nauja had friends and that was irreplaceable. They bounced and giggled and acted like normal children, making him wonder if any of them had ever been this way before… if that luxury had been afforded them. At least he knew more days like this were ahead of them… ahead of him…

“Oh, what’s that…?” Nauja asked, pointing at a stall. People were standing in front of it and lighting incense, a sight that made her tilt her head in curiosity.

“That’s some leftover incense from the Fire Festival,” Toko said. “Haven’t you ever seen any?”

“They don’t have it where we’re from,” Nauja replied. “What does it do?”

“You light it as an offering to people who’ve died,” Tama explained. “I light some for my mom and dad every once in a while. Some people say you can talk with their spirits that way.”

“Like… tell them you’re doing alright…?”

“Yeah! Do you want to light some for your mom?”

Panic seized Nauja as she came at a crossroads. What was she going to tell her friends…?

“Ahahaha! O-Tama, some people don’t have moms!” Toko laughed. “I don’t! I only had a dad too!”

“…but you have Hiyori-sama!”

“She’s more like my sister!” Toko then turned to Nauja and grinned, tilting her head to the side. “Do you have anyone you’d like to light incense for?”

“Well… um…” Nauja glanced back at Law, who nodded in permission. “My grandparents… and my aunt. I never met them, but I want to say hello… let them know my dad’s taking good care of me.”

“Then that’s perfect!” Tama gasped excitedly. She and Toko pulled their friend to the stall, their chaperone hanging back. “Three sticks, please!”

“All three of you girls are going to light one?” the stallkeeper asked, trying not to chuckle.

“O-Ja never has and we need to show her how!” Toko said cheerily.

The stallkeeper nodded at that and set out three sets of incense. Each girl got a wooden skewer, which they lit with the flame of a lantern. Nauja watched as her friends transferred the flame to the ends of the incense, which she copied, and snuffed the remaining flame on the skewer in some provided sand. She placed her hands together and closed her eyes in imitation and tried to think.

‘Uh… hi Oma, Opa, Tante Lami, Cora-jiisan… I don’t really know if this is going to work, but I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Nauja and I’m your granddaughter… or niece, in Tante Lami’s case. Law-san is my dad now, and although I’m not related to any of you by blood, I’ve heard stories about you that makes it feel like that doesn’t matter. Vaor and the crew love me and protect me and take care of me, and that’s more than I’ve ever had before. Thank you for making him so kind. Even when he’s sad, he is kind, and I know you all did that.’

She peeked at the incense sticks—only halfway.

‘Well, I know about you, so I guess you should know about me! I’m almost eight years old, I love reading Sora, Warrior of the Sea, and drawing! I want to become a doctor, like Opa and Oma were and like Vaor is now! I love drawing things like how they are in the textbooks! Clione-ya calls it “hyper-realism”. Oh, yeah, and we live on a pirate ship! It can go under the water! Vaor’s crew is made up of some of the kindest pirates out there. I know, I know, there shouldn’t be such a thing as kind pirates, but there are. All they want is to be free. There are other crews like that we’ve been meeting, and I really like it a lot!We’re good friends with so many other kind pirates and that makes our crew seem not so weird!’

Another peek—nearly done.

‘Okay, the incense is almost done! I know we’ve never met, but I love you! Thank you! Bye for now!’

Opening her eyes and letting her hands fall to their sides, Nauja watched the incense as it fizzled out. It was kind of stinky, but it was a good sort of stinky, she guessed.

“Did you girls have a good chat?” the stallkeeper asked as Toko and Tama also opened their eyes. “I’m sure whomever you were talking to loved the attention.”

“I’m sure they did as well,” Law said. It was barely there, but Nauja could hear his voice crack slightly. “Now let’s hurry back—you don’t want to miss the fireworks, do you?”

The three girls gasped—no they did not!

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

With stray mochi wrappers and broken konpeito littering the balcony, Nauja watched as the fireworks reached their grand crescendo. Tonight she and her friends were watching with Zoro-ya, Hiyori-ya, and Sanji-ya, with each child snuggled into an adult. Toko-ya was already snoring against Hiyori-ya and Tama-ya was beginning to falter in her perch on Zoro-ya’s lap; only Nauja was really awake of the three.

“I believe it’s high time we put these little ones to bed,” Hiyori-ya said sweetly as the last bit of glitter faded into the sky and smoke. Zoro-ya grunted something and stood, hauling Tama-ya up with one meaty arm and accepting Toko-ya with the other. “Did you wish to join them, Lady Trafalgar?”

“No, I should clean up here,” Nauja said, leaning out of Sanji-ya’s grasp and grabbing at some of the wrappers. “I promised I’d sleep with the Hearts tonight anyhow.”

“Suit yourself,” Zoro-ya shrugged. Hiyori-ya followed him inside, with Sanji-ya’s eyes trailing behind them in a way that Nauja couldn’t tell who he was looking at. He then turned his attention back to Nauja, taking care to stub out his cigarette before moving to help her.

“You’re such a hard-working kid,” he noted. “Does Trafalgar work you that hard with chores?”

“Technically, I’m still in trouble,” she reminded him. He nodded, knowing that she was talking about sneaking onto Onigashima. “Most of my actual punishment is gonna come after we leave Wano—I won’t get any sweets or be allowed to do anything but study or train for a while after this.” She saw that he had a curled eyebrow raised in question. “It’s… more than fair.”

“You’re a pretty neat kid, Nauja-chan,” Sanji-ya chuckled. “I mean, you were brave enough to go to begin with.”

“It’s not bravery if you go in not thinking about how bad it could be,” Nauja muttered. “All I wanted was to be with Vaor.”

“Still… not everyone can figure out who I am without me giving more facts,” he replied. “You had me sweating on Zou when you mentioned my eyebrow. No one had made the connection until then.”

“Then everyone’s stupid,” she scoffed. Sanji-ya snorted at that, which in turn made Nauja grin. They finished putting all the wrappers in a bag and left the spoiled konpeito shards for birds before heading inside. Zoro-ya and Hiyori-ya met them in the corridor, the other two adults now free of Tama-ya and Toko-ya.

“You coming?” Zoro-ya asked. Sanji-ya swallowed hard and glanced at Nauja: the final obstacle.

“I can find my dad on my own,” Nauja said frankly before walking away. She heard a door to one of the rooms slide open and shut as she made her way down the corridor, not wanting to alert her adults to the fact she knew what possibly might be going on.

The palace was quiet as Nauja padded her way through the corridors and staircases looking for her dad, the only other ones active being the staff. He was not in the large bedroom where most of the rest of the Hearts were already asleep on the giant mega-futon they made by pushing a bunch of singles together. Nor, she noticed, was he in any of the banquet halls and receiving rooms, where he had been apt to sulking in the past few days. The only ones she could find were the members of the Hearts who were off cavorting with pretty maids or the handsome footman, making her wrinkle her nose in irritation… some use they were being…

Wait! There he was! Nauja found a staircase that led down into a room that had dozens upon dozens of wooden dolls. A blue Poneglyph sat in it, whispering to her tales of Wano’s past. Ignoring it for the time being, she went down what looked like another staircase set into the floor, continuing to descend deeper and further into the rock below.

“Who is this joining us?” As Nauja’s eyes adjusted to the light, she saw that Tengu-ya was standing there without his mask, leading her Vaor and Nico-ya down below the surface. “Ah, another intrepid explorer for our group.”

“If the fireworks are over, you should be headed to bed,” Vaor said sternly. Nauja shook her head instead and grabbed hold of his coat.

“I wanted to stay with you,” she reasoned. Nico-ya giggled quietly, while Tengu-ya simply gestured to an opening in the wall where a dim light shone.

“I think there is something here that you all might wish to see,” he said. Nico-ya and Nauja proceeded to crawl in through the hole, while Vaor placed himself at the end with his Devil Fruit ability.

There, beyond a pane of clear glass, was an underwater Wano shimmering in the moonlight.

“That is Old Wano,” Tengu-ya explained. “Our nation used to be much bigger, but when the country was sealed off it was done so literally, and the rainwater had nowhere to go. The buildings you see are probably around eight hundred years old. It is good that the sky is so clear tonight, or else it would be impossible to see except for in the daytime.”

“Wow…” Nauja marveled. “Does that mean there’s even older stuff further down?”

“There is,” Tengu-ya said. The girl slid out from the opening and rushed down the staircase, the clack-clack-clack of her geta echoing against the stone-hewn walls. Once at the bottom, she gasped in wonder at what she saw in the pale moonlight filtered in past waves and glass.

There, telling her its secrets, was a red Lode Poneglyph.

“Vaor!” she squeaked. “Oh, seas, Vaor!” Nauja ran up to the fence that surrounded the stone and jumped up and down excitedly. When Tengu-ya brought Vaor and Nico-ya to the chamber, both were nearly at a loss for words.

“It’s really here,” Nico-ya marveled. She tilted her head in confusion as she watched Nauja stare at the Poneglyph in wonder. “What do you know about these, Nauja-chan?”

“It’s singing!” the girl replied cheerily. All three adults blanched. “The blue stone that was on Onigashima and the one upstairs were just whispering, but this one is singing! I can hear it clearly!”

“How can you do this?!” Nico-ya gasped. She grabbed Nauja by the shoulders and looked into her eyes, scared beyond her mind. “If this is a game, Nauja-chan, you need to tell me, now.”

“She’s been showing signs for a while,” Vaor replied, his tone calm and serious. “It’s the Voice of All Things—I think she can hear it. She did on Onigashima.”

“That legend…?” Tengu-ya questioned. He then scoffed. “Then again, look at all here that otherwise lives in folklore and whispers…”

“Why is that such a bad thing?” Nauja asked. “It’s just something I can do… it doesn’t hurt anything, right?”

“It might not to you or to the rest of us, but this means that you understand this,” Nico-ya said. She pointed at the Poneglyph, which seemed to buzz in joy. “Never tell anyone outside this room you can hear those. Do you understand?”

Nauja nodded.

“It’s like my full name: we have to hide it from the world,” Vaor added. “Never be ashamed of it, but you have to know that if a bad person discovers you can hear what these things have to say, then our travels might become more dangerous than they need to be.”

“A secret name?” Tengu-ya mused.

“You may know, as payment for this,” Vaor said, gesturing at the Poneglyph. “My name in-full is Trafalgar D. Water Law. My parents died before they could pass on the knowledge of its meaning upon my coming-of-age.”

“So you wish to search for the meaning behind the Will of D., hmm…?” Tengu-ya asked. Vaor nodded. “Then you must take care… as though this old man needs to tell you that. There is nothing of the Will in what has been passed down in the shogunate, but I believe it is something you might be able to find an answer for at the End.” He then stared at the younger man, intensely curious. “Where are you from? I was one of the few with access to newspapers, even after my escape, so I might know of it.”

Vaor hesitated. “Flevance, in the North.”

“Ah—then how fortunate that the son that survived bears such a name, and that he might be one of the heroes that graced this country.”

“We’re no heroes, and we are far from saints,” Vaor stated. “We are pirates—our goals merely aligned.”

“Hmm… strooth… however, it does not change what you have done, nor will it change the meaning behind your name.” Tengu-ya went to Nico-ya and Nauja, putting a hand atop the little girl’s head. “Now, my child, can you tell me what it is this lovely stone sings of?”

She recited it perfectly.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

It was the late following day and Law was returning to the Flower Capitol after having visited the dock at Tokage Port where the Polar Tang was now sitting. Ikkaku and some of the more mechanically-inclined members of the Hearts, along with Robo-ya and Nose-ya, were working on making some additional upgrades to the ship, some that put him at-ease and others that were… questionable at-best. He made it back to the palace before it was time for dinner, the festivities still going strong. How long did a festival need to be, anyhow? A quick check on Nauja—she was reading some Sora books to Tama and Toko, who presumably could not read common script, given their expressions—and he decided it was time for a bit of wandering before dinner.

…or else he would have, had Shachi and Penguin not cornered him.

“So…ooo… Cap…tain…” Penguin said, drawing out the words. “We hear the Head Brat in Charge is looking for ya; has all day.”

“I am not beholden to Momo-ya now that he’s shogun,” Law frowned.

“It’s about Nauja,” Shachi said. Law blinked at that.

“Is she still beating him up?”

Shachi grimaced slightly, making a tsk noise as his lips parted. “No… more like… I think you need to get changed into something more appropriate.”

“What about my clothes is inappropriate?” Law threatened. He was wearing a button-down shirt, jeans, and boots, with his usual hat and his feather-trimmed coat draped over his shoulders. Just because he wasn’t still in Wanolese garb didn’t make him look inappropriate…

“Nothing normally,” Penguin said, “but come on, let’s go; Bep’s getting Momo for us.”

“I don’t like this,” Law stated as his two officers dragged him through the corridor, one on each arm. They got him to the room the lot of them had been sharing before most of the crew left for Tokage and wrestled him back into his yukata… the one he could have sworn he left on the Tang. “You two better explain yourselves, and quickly.”

“It’s probably better we don’t,” Shachi claimed. He and Penguin then pulled him along again, bringing their captain to a small meeting room where Bepo was waiting nervously out in the corridor.

“Oooh, ready…?!”

“Bepo…” Law warned. The polar bear mumbled an apology and quickly slid open the door, allowing Penguin and Shachi to literally shove him in. By the time he regained his footing, the door was traitorously shut behind him.

“Lord Trafalgar, there you are.” Law’s attention snapped towards the voice and saw that it was Momonosuke; he was still not used to the deeper timbre of his older self. “Please, have a seat.”

Law raised his eyebrow; they were the only two in the room, the young shogun already sitting seiza on a cushion while an empty one sat across from him. He complied, sitting in the Wanolese fashion in hopes that this wouldn’t take long, placing Kikoku down at his side.

“Mind telling me what this is about?” Law asked, getting directly to the point. Momonosuke swallowed hard.

“It… it’s about your daughter… the Lady Trafalgar…”

“You know you don’t have to refer to us by titles we don’t have,” Law stated, pinching the bridge of his nose. Wano was so nauseatingly extra he could barely stand it. “What did Nauja do?”

“Uh… nothing… I…”

“She and I, as well as my officers, are staying here at your request, in order to not break up the friendship she has with Tama-ya and Toko-ya while we can,” he explained. “If she has done something that needs addressing, then I shall address it as her father.”

“You see, that’s it! She hasn’t done anything!” Momonosuke gasped. Law narrowed his eyes. “It’s just that, since I’ve become shogun, I’ve been made to think of the future!”

“We’re setting sail soon; I don’t expect to return any time in said near future,” Law said. “I know Tama-ya and Toko-ya are fond of Nauja, but they’ll have to make do with letters.”

“Then… will you come back? In, say, fifteen years?”

“Why fifteen?”

“We shall be the year we both become twenty-three years of age; verily, I seek your permission to wed Lady Trafalgar upon such an auspicious reunion.” Momonosuke bowed deeply, his hair hiding his face as his nose nearly touched the tatami mat. “She is a hero to the nation, and no doubt shall become a fine woman. It would be an honor to have her as a bride.”

Of all the fucking…

“You know you’re older than me now, right?” Law mentioned, voice sharply deadpan. “You know… the man who is her father…?”

“I am eight years of age!”

“You are twenty-eight goddamned years old,” Law said firmly. “In fifteen years you will not be twenty-three, but forty-three. Furthermore, I am not the person whose permission you would need in order to marry her.”

“…then whose would it be…?”

“Nauja’s!” As a pirate and a medical professional, he had heard plenty of absurd things in his life, but this conversation was quickly ratcheting itself towards the top of the list. “She’s not some thing to treat as a token! It’s not my job to barter her away!”

“…but, I…!”

“…and what the actual fuck makes you think that, even if you were still an eight-year-old brat today, that she would want to get married to you in fifteen years?!”

“Her fortitude and dedication to this country’s freedom makes her an excellent candidate to be a shogun’s wife!” Momonosuke cried. Fuck… Law really still was bullying a kid, wasn’t he? “Her character is precisely the sort of thing that this country needs at my side, that I want to see in my own children some day!”

“This conversation is over,” Law decided. He picked up Kikoku and stood, trying to flex impending numbness from his calf muscles. “If I ever hear that you’ve come within fifty feet of my daughter without my presence, you shall learn precisely why they refer to me as the Surgeon of Death on my bounty posters. Do I make myself clear?”

“Uhh…”

“Then let me make it clearer: I don’t care that you leapt through time and this,” he gestured at all of Momonosuke, “is because of a Devil Fruit. I don’t care that when I met you a few months ago, you were still a literal child. I don’t even care that you are Shogun of Wano and Strawhat-ya’s new idkbff. Come near my daughter again and I will make you wish I killed you.”

“…o…okay…”

Law slammed open the door, finding that all three of his officers were there, as well as Hiyori, the princess looking rather irritated while the pirates all jumped at the sight of their captain.

“I told him it was a horrid idea,” Hiyori said, composure calm as only a vindicated younger sibling could pull off. Bepo, Penguin, and Shachi, however, were frightened into silence.

“How long have you known about this?” Law glared.

“Ju-just when we were s-sent to g-g-get you…” Penguin lied. Law turned his amber eyes towards the weakest link: Bepo.

“Onigashima!” The bear cracked instantly. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! We should have told you sooner, but it was low priority since we kind of had other things on our mind!”

“It was the middle of the battle!” Shachi added. “He was still a kid then! We thought it was cute!”

“Didn’t you ever propose to a girl when you were a kid?” Penguin asked, trying to brush it off. “I mean… that’s just what boys do when they find a girl that doesn’t put up with their shit…”

Completely done, Law turned on his heel and went back to change his clothes. Once he was in actual pants again, he found where Nauja was, with her and her friends trying to act out a scene from Sora.

“Alright girls,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Sleepover at the Tang. Grab your stuff. Come on, this means all of you.”

“Oh, do you think Jean Bart will bake us cookies?!” Nauja gasped.

“Wait…” Toko stared at her friend, smile still wide, but the tiniest hint of confusion in her voice. “What is this ‘sleepover’ your father speaks of, O-Ja?”

“It’s when friends all stay the night over at someone’s house!” Nauja explained. “Well, if submarine ships count as houses!”

“So… this has been a sleepover this whole time…?” Tama asked, looking around the room. That’s right—none of them really lived there.

“Yup, and now I’m returning the favor; chop chop,” Law said. The girls cheered and began to gather the stuff they would need to head back to the Polar Tang. Once he was able to corral them out into the corridor, they ran into Hiyori again, the woman giving him a knowing smirk.

“Hiyori-sama, we’re going to have a sleepover with O-Ja!” Toko grinned. “Isn’t that neat?!”

“It is,” she agreed. She then turned her attention to Law—they really had seen a lot for their age, hadn’t they? “I shall set my brother straight. He has a lot to learn.”

“A lot to learn about what, Hiyori-ya?” Nauja asked.

“Never you mind,” Law said. He took the bag that had Tama and Toko’s things and waved the girls off. “Make sure everything’s in your backpack before we go—I don’t know when we’re coming back.”

“Okay!” The three girls rushed down the corridor towards the Hearts’ room, leaving the two adults.

“Don’t fret, Lord Trafalgar,” Hiyori assured. “By the time you return to these shores, my lord brother will have long-forgotten all about his childhood crush. She’ll be safe.”

“I hope so,” he frowned, staring down the corridor. She giggled at that, catching his attention. “What…?”

“Sir Denjiro looks at me that way when I’m being particularly troublesome,” she admitted. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’ll never stop worrying, you know.”

“I know.”

“One day, she will thank you, and it shall be about everything you’ve never told her about… this included.”

He nodded and inhaled deeply, trying to keep it together. “I know.”

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

It was well after nightfall and the dockyard was still bustling with activity. Several bonfires were lit to help with light, though they also served as gathering places for the varying pirates and shipwrights that were not currently working. One pirate in particular was utilizing the atmosphere to take to storytelling, with three pajama-clad children sitting rapt in front of him.

“Aye, so there we was, staring down this absolute unit of a granny; bigger than the whale that guards the entrance t’ the Grand Line!” Kid watched as the girls giggled at him, all three amused by his tale. “She tried t’ gie us t’ join her, but that would’ve involved marrying some kid of hers and that bloody fucking bunch of reprobates? Aye, right, I dinna ken a worse fate than being tied to one o’ them.”

“Don’t swear like that around them,” Law scowled in disapproval from his reading spot on the other side of the fire. Kid scowled right back and gave a venomless two-fingered salute.

“Yer lads cuss.”

“My lads can speak without anyone feeling like they need a dictionary.”

“Where the fun in that?” Kid then noticed Toko let out a yawn, the pink-haired girl being the first to flag. “Oi, Trafalgar, I think the bairnies here need a wee kip.”

“Is that right now?” Law asked. “Time for bed already?” Nauja, Tama, and Toko all shook their heads in a panic.

“NO!” they all chimed in.

“I thought Eustass-ya couldn’t tell you what to do!” Nauja added.

“He can’t tell me what to do, but he is part of the Inter-Seas Association of Semi-Capable Adults and therefore knows when certain children might need their sleep.” He snapped his book shut and placed it in his inner coat pocket before standing. “Now then, say goodnight to Eustass-ya.”

Pouting, the three young friends tackled Kid in a hug, not entirely wanting to leave just yet. He was able to wrap his right arm around them with a chuckle. “I can finish in the morning if yer that interested.”

“We are!” Tama replied. “Even though O-Ja and I were there, we did not see all the events unfold!”

“Yeah, and I was not there at all,” Toko said. She closed her eyes and hummed. “You’re warm.”

“You’ll be warm inside too,” Law said. He plucked Toko from Kid’s grasp and motioned for the other two girls to follow. After exchanging a knowing glance with Kid, Law led Nauja and Tama over to the side of the Polar Tang, opening a Room so he could place them by the top deck’s entrance. They went below, with Nauja leading the way to her bedroom. It had been finished earlier that afternoon, with more shelves, chests to place her things in, and a bunk bed that was sitting over a desk. The older two girls marveled at the changes, while the third was already too asleep to notice.

“Oh, wow!” Nauja gasped. “This is all mine?!”

“That it is,” Law replied. He placed Toko underneath the blankets while Nauja and Tama investigated the rest of the room. “Robo-ya and Nose-ya worked rather hard on it with Ikkaku-ya.”

“I’ll have to thank them in the morning!” Nauja beamed. She hugged Law tightly before climbing up the ladder leading to her bed. “This is so cool! I thought this place was neat before, but now… it’s the best!”

“Did you sleep here before?” Tama asked, following her friend.

“Yeah, but before that I had to sleep with Vaor, because this room was actually storage,” Nauja said. The girls allowed Law to tuck them in as they settled in on either side of Toko, the three fitting snugly. “Ikka-ya put this together for me when it was decided I needed my own room.”

“That’s neat…”

“Good night, girls,” Law said. “If you need me, I’m at the end of the corridor, to the right.”

“Good night,” Nauja and Tama echoed back at him. Law then turned out the lights and switched on the nightlight—the star-filled, mid-ocean sky illuminated the ceiling, garnering a couple little gasps before he closed the door.

Nodding, Law went over to the kitchen and made himself some coffee first before heading into his cabin. There, he sat up with his mug of liquid life and a medical tome he had acquired from the Flower Capitol, reading it to see what sorts of things Wanolese medicine did the same and different compared to others. It was a surprisingly engaging read, making it so that he almost flew through the first half of the book on only the one mug of coffee. As he put the mug down after draining it, the photos secured to the wall caught his eye. He had recently added some more of Nauja, snail-captured images of her having fun with him and the crew surrounding the ones he had of his parents, sister, and Cora-san.

“You’d be proud,” he whispered in the silence. “I’m gonna figure out this mystery myself, so I can give my daughter our true identity. I’ll teach her everything, and then she’ll do us proud.”

The photos simply smiled back.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

When it was finally time for the Polar Tang to depart, it was difficult separating Nauja from Tama and Toko. The three girls sobbed at the prospect of not being together again for a long time, with some of the Wanolese well-wishers that had gathered needing to hold the girls back. Even Momonosuke was there, wailing about not wanting Strawhat-ya to leave, though in reality, it was the same deal.

They would come back again, one day. It was a promise between friends.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

They were nearly at the next island when they ran into trouble again.

“Captain, uh, we’ve got a problem,” Hakugan stated, peering through the periscope. He, Law, and Bepo were in the navigation room, with the captain sitting in his chair.

“What is it?”

“It looks like there’s people already on the island…”

“…so…? There are people on most islands.”

“It doesn’t look like it holds a permanent settlement, but there is a small harbor. Some affiliates of Blackbeard are currently docked there.”

“Fuck…” Law’s upper lip curled into a sneer as he contemplated the new information. He didn’t want to risk pissing off anyone who answered directly to one of the Emperors, not if they didn’t have backup. Wano was one thing and this was another. “How close by can you get to the island in order to reset the magnetic field?”

“…for this place? It’s gonna have to be close.” Bepo was checking the Log Pose and comparing it to the map he had unfurled on the dash. “According to the information we got from Zou, this place has a tight reset zone.”

“Alright—down periscope and dive—I want us off their radar soon as possible,” Law stated.

“Aye, aye,” Hakugan nodded. He turned off the periscope and concentrated on a series of dials and switches, which he used to begin prepping the Polar Tang to dive. “Huh…”

“…what…?” Law raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

“No… just… I feel kind of funny…” He then grunted suddenly, holding his stomach. “What the…?”

“I feel weird too,” Bepo agreed. “Do you think it might have been those pies Penguin made…?”

“The pies were cooked,” Law sighed, “you’re just being sill—urgh!” A sharp yet pulsing pain hit him in the abdomen as well, causing him to fall out of his chair and collapse on the floor. Something odd coursed through his body, making it feel as though it was changing, much to his chagrin, and they hadn’t even started to dive yet.

“Captain!?” The voice sounded like Bepo, and yet wasn’t. It was too high in pitch. “Captain!? What’s happening?!”

“I don’t know, I…!”

Law paused at the sound of his own voice, something intrinsically off about it. He struggled to his feet and looked over at Bepo, only to see that his navigator was donning a hairstyle close to Fred’s and was gaining a pear-shaped figure. Looking at Hakugan, he saw his helmsman was now sporting a cup size probably larger than Ikkaku’s. He felt his chin and discovered his goatee was no longer there, which caused him to look in the glass of the porthole at his reflection.

After all the years of his father staring back at him in the mirror, it was now his mother’s turn.

“FUCK!” he cursed. “Hakugan, dive, NOW!”

“Captain, what’s going on?!” the helmsman asked, attempting to maneuver to ship fast as he could.

“I don’t know! We’ll figure it out later!” Law turned towards the doorway and saw Shachi standing there with four mugs of coffee in his hands, now staring wide-eyed at the scene.

“What the fu…?”

Suddenly, a rumble shook the Polar Tang, spilling coffee and sending those in the control room into furniture and walls. Shachi in particular landed in Law’s new cleavage, which the captain did not appreciate. By the time he shoved off his crewmate, he was looking at Shachi alright, but a Shachi with the sort of hourglass shapeliness he’d normally be chasing instead of sporting.

“WE’VE BEEN HIT!” Ikkaku’s voice blared over the intercom snail. Sirens started to go off and a deep panic seated itself in Law’s chest.

Nauja.

“TACTICAL MANEUVERS!” Law ordered into the receiver on the dash. “BATTLE STATIONS!”

Once the command was given, Law rushed out of the navigation room and went to the engine room, seeing that Ikkaku was already barking orders, and then the mess hall, where most of the crew still were. A leak had sprung near a join—it was worse than he thought.

“CAPTAIN?!” gasped several crew members. Someone in the back was already infected, with Jean Bart changing into a bearded woman before his eyes.

“Vaor?!” Law’s head snapped towards the sound of Nauja’s voice, seeing that she was running towards him. “What’s going on?!”

“Sorry, but I’m gonna look like Oma and Tante Lami for a bit,” he said quietly. The terror in her face made him sick to his stomach, yet he kept it together as he looked at the rest of the crew and their quickly-transitive state. “What’s the status of that leak?”

“It’s hard to hold! We’re going to take on water sooner than later!”

“Shit!” Law grabbed the intercom snail and hissed into it. “We’ll need to surface!”

“…but Captain…!”

Another blast shook the ship, where transforming people got flung into walls and Nauja clung to Law’s leg.

“Captain… it’s Blackbeard himself! We have a visual!”

No…!

“If we keep going down, the water pressure will crush us!”

“Let’s surface!” Law ordered into the Den Den. “Prepare for battle, and be quick about it!”

“Vaor, what’s happening?!”

“I don’t know, famke,” he frowned. The girl watched as Law finally realized what was going on and used his Haki to bust through the forced gender flip, going back to his normal self. Once he did, the others in the room began to change back as well.

“How the fuck…?” Law whispered. He looked at his hand, then at his crew, as they went through changes at different rates. A sense of dread filled him like nothing he had ever felt before.

They had made it into the ship without so much as boarding.

Blackbeard’s crew had made it on the ship without boarding, and was about to make them surface.

“Shit—Nauja, backpack, now!”

Squeaking in reply, the girl scampered off, dodging crewmates as they ran around the ship, popping back to normal and panicking about the condition of the Polar Tang. She made it to her room and found her Sora backpack, putting in it all the things that she knew she needed: Professor Nanuk, books, photos of the crew and her family, the envelope with money and some Vivre Cards, her dirk, a jacket…

“Nauja, move!” She jumped and looked over at the door; Law was standing there, his arm outstretched and his face stern. He grabbed her soon as her backpack was secured and carried her through the ship.

“Vaor…?! What’s going on…?!”

“I need you to listen to me, Nauja,” he murmured in her ear, voice softer than she expected. “The crew loves you. Can you remember that?”

“…but Vaor…!” She looked around and saw that suddenly they were in the loading bay. “What’s going on?!” He set her down on the floor and knelt before her, ignoring the blaring klaxons and flashing warning lights all around them.

“Repeat what I said,” he demanded, voice shaky. She nodded weakly.

“The crew loves me.”

“I love you.”

“You love me.” She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Vaor… Vader… Dad… please…”

“It’s going to be too dangerous from here on out,” he said. He gently placed her on a chair in a sort of… thing…? She wasn’t sure what, but he strapped her into a harness and kissed her hair and forehead. “Be good, alright? You’re going to grow up to be an amazing person, Trafalgar D. Water Nauja. It’s a shame I won’t get to see it.”

“Vaor…?!”

“I love you, Nauja, with all my Heart.”

Nauja’s eyes went wide as Law hit a button on the wall and the seat turned into a capsule. She screamed for her father as she struggled against the harness, although he couldn’t hear it thanks to the workmanship of the pod. It sank onto a track and another wall slid down between them, a glass panel allowing them to keep eye contact as the capsule settled into place and tears streamed down their faces.

Fly little seagull, he said silently. The world awaits.

The escape pod jettisoned itself, whisking Nauja far away from the current battle. The torpedo chamber filled with water as the contents were all forced out until only air bubbles and the sea remained.

Law set his face and exhaled heavily—it was time to take care of Blackbeard and, if he was lucky, at least his crew would survive this.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Nauja stared at the folded Vivre Card in her hand, then up at the building in front of her. Everything her father ever told her came rushing back all at once, as she knew she shouldn’t be there. It was the Marine Headquarters, which was precisely not the place for a pirate to be, even a little one. She was glad she put her boilersuit in her backpack a while ago to blend in with just her t-shirt and shorts—this was going to be leagues more difficult than infiltrating the okiya.

Knowing she wasn’t going to get anywhere with hiding in the wharf, Nauja stepped out into the sunlight and began to walk up to the Marine Headquarters with her head held high. Recruits and minor officers all stared at her, wondering whose kid she was, all the way until an elderly lady with kind eyes stopped her.

“Where are you going, my dear?” she asked. “I think you’re a bit young to be signing up.”

“I’m here to see my grandfather,” Nauja said. She held up the folded Vivre Card and it shuffled on her palm. “My uncle gave this to me because I don’t remember what my grandfather looks like.”

“What is your grandfather’s name? That might help.”

“Uhh… Grandpapa…?”

The woman chuckled; oh, the innocence of children. She then noticed that there was writing on the inside of the Vivre Card. “What’s that?”

“A… erm… a note.”

“For whom?”

“It’s for Grandpapa from Uncle Dorry.”

The elderly lady inhaled sharply, her eyes going wide for just a moment. Nauja began to panic, only for the woman to reach out and grab her arm.

“I know your grandfather; let me take you to him.”

“You… you do…?”

“Yes. I knew your Uncle Dorry before your grandfather knew him.”

A light went on in Nauja’s head—this was the friend that Dinosaur-ya had mentioned. She nodded and let the woman take her hand, bringing her through the maze-like corridors of the Marine Headquarters. She eventually found an office, where there was an elderly man sitting at a desk doing paperwork.

“Tsuru, what’s this?” he wondered, sitting fully upright. He watched as the little girl detached herself from his old comrade’s side and approached him, holding up a Vivre Card. It spun in her hand when she was directly next to him—it was his.

“I think you should read that, Sengoku,” Tsuru suggested. He picked up the Vivre Card and unfolded it, seeing the familiar, distinctive script inside.

‘Please take care of her. Dorry.’

“Where did you get this, child?” Sengoku asked gently. Nauja shuffled in place nervously.

“Your son gave it to me,” she said. “He knows my dad, and we met not too long ago, and he gave me that saying that if I were ever in any trouble Dad couldn’t handle, that I should find you.”

“Did he, now?”

“Yeah; he said something about his brother, and how although they never met, his brother would want me to have this.” The adults both looked at one another, which allowed the girl’s eyes to wander towards the photo frames on the desk. “That’s him! That’s Uncle Dorry!”

“Yes, it is him, isn’t it?” Sengoku nodded. He pulled the photo frame closer, allowing Nauja to see both the portraits clearer. She gasped when she saw the other one in the frame, before it having been shielded by glare from the lights. “What’s the matter?”

“That’s Cora-jiisan!” she realized. Nauja went into her backpack and pulled out an envelope, from which she presented a copy of a photo she last saw on her father’s wall. “He was Dad’s dad! Like how Dad is my dad! Dad needed Cora-jiisan and he took care of him, like how I needed Dad and he took care of me!”

“Is that so…?” Sengoku marveled, looking at the photo. It was something he had never seen before, with his son taking the photo of himself and a sour-looking teen with white patches on his face and in his hair. He wasn’t sure there was a time he had seen that sort of smile on him as an adult, and it made him nearly want to cry.

“Yes! This is Dad and me!” Nauja said. She held out another photo, this one of her and a very familiar-looking pirate. It was the teen from the first photo, no longer sick and now the adult taking the picture. Sengoku stared at the photos side by side, then stared at Tsuru, terrified of what was happening.

“I did not know,” he apologized to the child. “Since I’ve retired from my normal duties, I don’t hear a lot of chatter about who is in what crew these days. That this man has a child is news to me.”

“Dad didn’t really think he was my dad until very recently, but now that his adoptive uncle’s in prison, we’re safe to be a family! Well… kind of…”

“What do you mean by that?” Tsuru asked.

“Well, there’s this big, mean, ugly guy who made his crewmate turn all the guys on the ship into women! After he fixed it, Dad had me get my backpack together and he put me in an escape pod. I… I’ve been going by this ever since.” She tapped the now-still Vivre Card on the desktop. “Now I’m here! Why do you have a picture of Cora-jiisan?”

“He was my son, before your Uncle Dorry came into my life,” Sengoku said. “I found your Cora-jiisan, he found your father, and your father found you. We are family.”

“Then maybe,” Tsuru said, “this is a chance to make things right.”

“Indeed.”

Sengoku stared at the little girl for a moment, wondering what he did to deserve such a sweet and innocent thing as this. He had done so much wrong by his son—by the boy he had taken in without thought of reproach from the Celestial Dragons—and the kid he’d decided to take in. That Flevench boy should have grown up to become a Marine… should have been allowed to do great things, and yet he had squandered it. He, Sengoku, had squandered the future of a young man he’d never met—Trafalgar never truly had any autonomy when it came to this—and now the man’s daughter was here… in his office… in need of a place to be safe and free.

“What is your name? I can’t introduce my adorable little great-granddaughter if I don’t know what her name is.”

“Trafalgar D. Water Nauja,” the girl said firmly, head held high. “My dreams are to become a medical illustrator and get justice for Vaor and the crew and the ship that was our home. Dinosaur-ya—erm—Uncle Dorry said that you can keep me safe while I grow up. Is that true?”

“It is,” Sengoku nodded, “and it shall be. No one, pirate or Marine, will know what hit them.” He brought her into a hug and the girl broke down into sobs. Tears flowed from them both as the finality washed over them, unaware of the note that had been slipped into her backpack, tucked between the pages of a book about a city long-razed, written on the back of a photo taken while neither subject had been paying attention as they read together in the sun.

You shall fly, my little Nauja, and the world shall know your name.

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