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queenof-literature · 4 years ago

Note

Could you maybe do a story when Wild experiences a flashback near the other links?

Thank you for the request @dawn-wild-star !!!

To those who saw my WIP game tag, this isn’t the same fic I’m sorry this one just got done first.

This turned out with more Time & Twilight & Wild fluff and angst than I intended.

TW: Panic Attack

Blank

Time watched the various groups of Links from his place leaning against a tree. He was often the one who would need to keep the group moving, not that it was hard with no many antsy Spirits of Courage, but they had some leeway to camp early today. Time continued to play soft melodies through the ocarina at his lips. He couldn’t name the tune, he simply played whatever came to mind.

The Links had arrived somewhere on the surface of Sky's Hyrule, the young man hoped to make it to Skyloft in two days to see his Zelda once again. Time truly hoped whatever force opened the portals let Sky have time at his home with his Zelda and his friends. Hylia knows the young man deserves it, all the boys do.

Four, Hyrule, Sky and Wind were all sparring before it turned into an odd game of tag. Time didn’t really understand the rules, but he didn’t think the boys playing did either.

Twilight and Warriors were down by a small stream the group had found, washing Epona and chatting idly.

Legend sat near Wild as the younger flipped the variety of vegetables and rice within the simple pot on the campfire. Wild said he couldn’t do much without a larger pot found in his Hyrule, but even what he could do in his portable pot was always amazing.

Time didn’t know what the two were talking about, choosing not to eavesdrop, but the two looked content to just chat while Wild cooked. Time had to admit, he was always excited for dinner now that Wild was around. Not only was the hero amazing at cooking, it was a hobby he enjoyed as well.

Time took the lull in action to simply relax and observe the world around him.

“Uhhh… Time?” Legend called out, and it wasn’t the boy’s calling out that worried him, it was the hesitance hidden in his voice. “I think that… thing is happening again.” He gestured to Wild. Looking closer Time noticed Wild was staring at something. Glancing over, he could see the Master Sword, leaned carefully against a mossy rock.

“Wild?” Legend questioned. “You gonna keep staring and burn our food?” Legend hesitantly reached up to Wild’s shoulder and shook gently. Time quickly walked over to check on their cook, expecting Wild to flinch out of zoning out as he often did with a touch or shake.

For a moment, nothing happened. Time and Legend were so focused on the lack of response, they didn’t notice Wild’s right hand slip, right onto the edge of the pot. It only took a few seconds for them to notice, but those few seconds allowed for the side of Wild’s hand to smoulder and burn.

“Shit!” Legend cursed, swiftly pulling Wild’s hand away from the fire. The burn was already starting to blister. “I… I didn’t know moving him would…” Legend trailed off in an unusual sign of surprise and guilt.

“It’s not your fault.” Time assured as he gently took Wild’s hand. The boy hadn’t even flinched, still staring off. Time couldn’t see a hint of life in the boy’s eyes. Time didn’t want to admit how hard it was looking at Wild’s normally expressive face, now completely blank. “I didn’t notice either.” Time glanced up from Wild’s hurt hand, and into Legend’s icy eyes, not liking the guilt he saw swirling in them. “Legend, I’m serious.” Time stared into Legend’s eyes.

“Stop looking at me and take care of him.” Legend scoffed, and Time sighed.

“Pup!” Time called loud enough for the young man to hear from the creek. Carefully Time dragged Wild away slightly from the fire, making sure no stray limbs touched the flames.

Time heard rustling and fast approaching steps.

“Time?” Twilight called out, rushing over at Time’s urgent tone. Time assumed Warriors would bring back Epona. Time simply gestured to Wild, Twilight knew more about this. “Cub?” Twilight asked, kneeling down besides him. At first he thought the boy was upset or hurt, but this reaction, or lack thereof, spoke otherwise. “How long has he not been responding?” Twilight asked Time, eyes falling on Wild’s injured hand. “And did he burn himself?” Legend looked away at this.

“It was an accident.” Time replied, refusing to blame Legend when he had no malintent. “He hasn’t been responding for a few minutes now.”

“Is everything okay?” Four called as his group rushed in from the woods.

“Everything is fine.” Time called, loud enough for Warriors to hear down near the creek. “We think Wild is having another memory.” Time ended with a small question, receiving a nod from Twilight. The four Links all crowded around Wild to see for themselves.

“Don’t crowd him too much.” Twilight warned. “He could wake up anytime, and we don’t want him panicking.” The others backed up slightly, murmuring small apologies.

“What happened to his hand?” Hyrule asked, noticing the bright red skin that Time was cradling in his hands.

“It got burned, I was just about to ask you boys to get bandages and water.” Time gently held out Wild’s hand for Hyrule to look at.

“I got it!” Sky called as he ran off to their pile of supplies. Hyrule began healing Wild’s hand without any prompting, allowing a small amount of Life to filter itself into Wild. Twilight heard more rustling, and turned to see Warriors and a newly rinsed Epona coming up from the creek.

“Thanks for finishing washing her.” Twilight called as Warriors hitched Epona, giving her plenty of leeway to move around.

“No problem. What’s going on?” He asked the group gathered around their cook.

“Memory.” Legend grunted out.

“Rice is burning.” Warriors called out. As worried as he was for Wild, Warriors felt it his job to make sure everything else was alright so the others could tend to him. Carefully removing the rice from the fire, Warriors scrunched his nose. “There’s no saving that.” The captain said as he set the rice aside to cool.

“Wild’s gonna be pissed.” Wind joked, looking worriedly at Wild.

“He’ll be okay, we just need to treat the burn.” Twilight assured, noticing Warriors shift at the mention of a burn. Just then, Sky returned with the requested supplies, handing them to Time. Time opened the container of water, preparing to pour it and clean Wild’s burn.

“Heat up the water first.” Warriors snatched up the container, bringing it over to the fire.

“Won’t that hurt?” Wind tilted his head.

“It’ll take the sting out.” Warriors explained. “I won’t boil it or anything. Trust me, I’ve got plenty of burns.” Warriors held up his arm with his Volga burn scar and winked. The others looked at Hyrule.

“It’s not open or extreme, so we should be fine.” Hyrule shrugged, trusting the captain's knowledge.

“Try to hurry, I don’t really want him to snap out of it at the same time we’re pouring hot water on him.” Twilight spoke while placing his hand on Wild’s other shoulder.

“Do we know how long this will last?” Four asked Twilight, who shook his head.

“No, it could last from a few minutes to a few hours. I just hope it’s a pleasant one.” Twilight murmured that last part mostly to himself, but the others had heard. It set the group on edge that they truly had no idea what was going through Wild’s head, no matter what, his face remained blank.

Hyrule finished healing Wild’s hand as much as he could and put one finger under Wild’s nose.

“His breathing is completely normal.” Hyrule marveled, expecting some sort of stutter, or quickness, any sort of irregularity. But his breathing suggested he was merely asleep.

“The best way to describe it is he’s dreaming.” Twilight suggested, not quite sure how to explain what Wild was going through.

“More like a coma sitting up.” Hyrule mused.

“So… he can’t feel anything?” Legend asked, and Twilight noticed the careful hope in his voice.

“He’ll feel it when he wakes up.” Twilight looked down at Wild’s burn. “Which is why I want to hurry and treat it.

“Calm down cowboy, it’s almost hot enough.” Warriors rolled his eyes from where he was heating up the container of water by the fire. Although he too hoped Wild wouldn’t ‘wake up’ before they finished treating his burns.

Whatever Wild was going through, it scared Warriors, not that he would say it out loud. There was no reason to panic the others. He had seen his soldiers, his brothers in arms, have flashbacks similar to these, but they never lasted this long. They also had some sort of trigger, something that brought back memories. Sometimes they were loud noises, sometimes they were the sight of blood or a wound, sometimes a yell or a panicked order, but they always showed it. Their breath would quicken, they would panic, something. They could also feel what was going on around them to some extent. Wild though, Wild was just… gone. What triggered whatever Wild was going through? It was as if he wasn’t in his body. Perhaps he wasn’t.

Warriors lifted the bottle from the fire, feeling the side. Perfect. Hot, but not scalding.

“It’s ready.” Warriors called lowly, turning around to the group loosely surrounding Wild. “Can I see his hand?” Warriors asked Hyrule, who still held Wild’s partially healed burn. Hyrule nodded and gently passed it over.

“This will hurt.” Warriors looked over to Twilight, silently asking permission to continue. Warriors knew that in reality, he probably didn’t have to ask Twilight’s permission to do what would make WIld feel better in the long run, but it felt right. Especially when Twilight knew far more about the state Wild was in than the rest of them. Twilight nodded at him.

Carefully, Warriors poured a small amount of water on the burn. Really it would be better to do it all at once and get it over with, but he had to check. Could Wild even feel it? His thoughts were confirmed when Wild didn’t even twitch.

“Damn he’s really out of it.” Warriors mumbled, continuing to pour the hot water. The stunned silence he was met with confirmed his statement. After the water was poured, Sky handed him a cloth to dry it. Warriors gently padded the burn, just because Wild couldn’t feel it didn’t mean Warriors was going to be careless. Besides, what if he could feel it and he just couldn’t express it? Warriors steered his mind away from that.

“Bandage?” Warriors reached a hand out. Before Sky could place the bandage in his hand, Legend stopped him.

“Here.” Legend took the bandage, taking a potion out of his smaller bag. He poured a small amount of potion onto the bandage before handing it to Warriors, who nodded in thanks.

“There.” Warriors said as he finished carefully bandaging Wild’s hand. “It’ll be good as new in no time.”

“What do… What do we do now?” Wind glanced at Wild’s expressionless face. He looked so closed off, and yet so open at the same time. Usually the group would be thankful at Wild not hiding his expressions behind a hood or a placed emotion, but this was different. This was just wrong.

“We wait.” Twilight sighed. The rest of the Links deflated, none of them enjoying the idea of not doing anything to help. “But we should probably move him.” Twilight said, glancing towards the fire.

“Is that a good idea?” Four questioned, and Twilight nodded.

“I’ve gotten him to sit down before and it was alright.” Twilight stated, easily bending down and scooping up Wild. Still there was no reaction from the prone figure, still head rolling onto Twilight’s shoulder.

“He’d kill you if he knew you did that.” Warriors smirked.

“That’s why no one’s going to tell him.” Twilight threatened with a glare. He walked over to a log further from the fire. This really was the perfect camping place, logs spread everywhere and carefully placed trees.

Twilight slowly knelt down and leaned Wild against the log, ignoring the shuffling Links in the background who didn’t know what to do with themselves. To be honest, Twilight was grateful to have something to do for the time being. After adjusting Wild to stay against the log, Twilight adjusted the boy’s limbs, straightening his legs slightly so he wouldn’t be sore later. He had no idea how long this would last, but he had a feeling they would be in it for the long haul. He felt a presence behind him, glancing up he saw it was Time.

“Is there anything else we can do?” Time asked softly, trying not to look into Wild’s empty eyes. Twilight shook his head sadly.

“Not that I know of. Just be here when he comes back.”

“We can do that.” Time clapped his hand on Twilight’s back, sitting on another log a short distance away.

“There’s no saving dinner.” Legend glanced in disgust at the burnt meal.

“We can stick with rations tonight.” Time stated, hearing no complaints. Sure they were all used to great food on the road, but as long as WIld was alright they would go back to rations in an instant.

“He’s… really vulnerable.” Hyrule observed awkwardly, glancing at the prone form of his friend, still not even a twitch as afternoon began to turn to early evening.

“I was thinking that too.” Sky agreed.

“What if a Yiga, or a monster, or something just carried him off while he was like this. In his Hyrule how did he survive this?” Wind asked.

“There’s no point in focusing on what ifs.” Time chided. “He’s here now and that’s what’s important.”

“Well yeah. But what if he wanders off a trail and this happens?” Legend crossed his arms. “And some monster comes by and just gobbles him up-”

“Legend!” Sky interrupted.

“What? I’m not the only one thinking of it.” Legend defended.

“Now is not the time for this conversation.” Twilight spoke up. “Let’s get through this one first, it’s only fair for Wild to be aware of this conversation.”

“Shouldn’t he have been up by now?” Four too glanced at Wild, still not moving a muscle next to Twilight.

“Yeah, but I don’t know what else to do.” Twilight sighed.

“What happens when he comes back?” Warriors asked Twilight.

“He just kinda slowly comes to. He sometimes seems a little tired but that’s all.” Twilight answered all of their questions the best he could, although he himself didn’t know all the answers.

“So he doesn’t… panic?” Warriors asked again, and Twilight wondered what the captain was thinking about.

“Not usually, he sometimes seems sad.” The reason Wild was sad didn’t need to be explained. The others could imagine remembering your life from 100 years ago, a life you would never have again, would be painful. With no more questions the group fell into idle conversation once more. There were no grand stories or competitions or comparisons, just small exchanged words as they waited for Wild to wake up.

About 15 minutes later, their waiting ended.

With a heaving breath, as if escaping from the claws of a monster, Wild awoke.

“Wild? You back with us?” Twilight turned around to meet panicked blue eyes. Wild curled in on himself, bringing his knees up to his chest in self comfort, hands reaching to clutch his hair. His panic obviously overshadowed the pain he would feel in his hand.

“Wild, Link, it’s okay.” Twilight sprung up and placed himself in front of Wild. “Your name is Link, we call you Wild.” Twilight reminded gently. “You’re safe, you’re just sitting near a campfire.” Wild’s breaths began to slow.

“Twi…” Wild’s voice spoke up, rougher than it had been for a long time.

“Yeah Cub. You okay?” Twilight looked into Wild’s panicked eyes, and the answer was apparent.

“I-the M-Master Sword it chose me I-”, the entire group looked on, sadness in their eyes as Wild panicked.

“Cub, just breath for a minute. Don’t think about anything else, just focus on me.” Twilight told the boy gently, slowing down his breathing so Wild could copy. Whatever he had seen, they could sort it out in a minute. Right now he just needed to calm down. Twilight had never seen him so panicked after a memory.

“H-He… I don’t understand…” Wild breathed out heavily.

“Cub, shh, it’s okay.” Twilight leaned closer, carefully placing a hand on Wild’s shoulder, frowning and pulling his hand back when he shrunk away.

“I-I didn’t… w-want it… I don’t know why…” Wild was mostly mumbling to himself at this point, and none of the other Links knew what to do.

“Wild, please just breathe.” Twilight practically begged, glancing around for help no one knew how to give. Wild continued to mumble, hands tightening their grip in his hair despite the bandaging, desperate to ground to one of the realities he was currently between.

“Cub.” Twilight called softly, placing a hand on Wild’s shoulder again, hoping to help ground his protege. Wild tensed once again, but Twilight didn’t let go. “You’re here with me and the other Links. We’re in Sky’s Hyrule on the surface, it’s the evening and we’re sitting and talking.”

“Daytime…” Wild mumbled, confused.

“It was daytime.” Twilight confirmed. “But it’s evening now.” A shaky bandaged hand released strands of hair and gripped Twilight’s hand on his shoulder.

“Real?” Wild murmured, mostly to himself but Twilight answered.

“We’re real. That was just a memory, Cub.” Twilight soothed, scooting to sit beside Wild once again, letting the younger take in his surroundings. Wild looked at all the different Links faces, studying them closely. The rest of the Links tried to wipe their horrified expressions off their faces, Sky going as far as to awkwardly wave when Wild’s eyes met his. Twilight noticed Wild’s confused glance at the bandages on his right hand.

“You got burned, it was an accident. You’ll feel better soon.” Twilight promised. Wild only nodded slightly, putting all his trust in Twilight’s words.

“They took me away. I pulled the sword and-and they didn’t even give me a chance to say goodbye.” Wild whispered shakily, eyes still far off, flashes of fighting against knights as they pulled him away. Twilight wrapped his arm fully around Wild, loose as to not trap him. After some silence, Wild latched onto Twilight, throwing one arm across the older’s back, and the other gripping his pelt. Both hands held on desperately, wanting more than anything to anchor himself. Wild felt Twilight’s body wrap around him, the familiar warmth and smell of pine grounding him further.

“Careful of your hand.” Twilight warned softly, but WIld either didn’t hear him or didn’t care.

“Zelda. In a memory she said my father was a knight. Was he there? Why would he let them… There was someone, someone important I never saw again. Why did they take me away?” Wild shivered. Later he would be embarrassed at how thoroughly shaken he was, but right now he was scared and confused and barely knew where he was. His world was crashing down on him and it felt like Twilight was the only one keeping him from tumbling down.

“Keep breathing, Cub. I’m here.” Twilight soothed again, looking up as Time approached carefully, obviously not sure if he should interject.

"Time?" Wild looked up slightly from Twilight's shoulder.

"Yeah Cub, we're all here. You're safe now."

"Why did he let them take me? Do fathers do that?” Wild sounded so lost, and Time froze. He wanted to say he didn’t know, he never had a father. But he saw Malon and Talon, and really him and Talon had grown closer over the years. If Malon was being taken away to a castle to ultimately save the world? Would Talon let them take her? Would he be able to fight off an entire army that would just keep coming? No, but he would try. The truth was, Time didn’t know Wild’s father… but neither did Wild.

“Wild.” Time softly gained the boy’s attention. “What happened to you wasn’t fair and I’m sorry. Even if the world needed saving, they shouldn't have sacrificed the wellbeing of a child to do it. None of it was your fault, and it shouldn't have happened." Wild buried his head into Twilight's neck once more.

"I didn't think I'd really pull it." Wild whispered. "I thought I could try it and go home. I never went home, Twi." Twilight felt his neck grow wet with tears, Wild wasn't outright sobbing, yet his tears ran freely. Twilight doubted he was entirely coherent after a memory like that.

"I'm sorry Wild." Twilight whispered, looking at the other Links, all clearly upset that they had nothing to do to help. Twilight hesitated, before speaking. "You're home now. It's not the same I know but you'll always have a home with us." The other Links nodded determinedly.

"Home…" Wild spoke from his neck.

"Yeah, Cub." Twilight finally felt Wild's grip lessen, he glanced up at Time, looking for confirmation.

"Yeah he's asleep." Time stated.

"He didn't fall asleep. He passed out." Legend pointed out.

"Hopefully he’ll be more aware when he wakes.” Time told the group.

“I knew you all were young when you pulled the sword but…” Twilight trailed off, not knowing what to say.

“We all were too young, no one is denying that.” Warriors spoke softly.

“They just… took him away? Forever?” Sky spoke in disbelief.

“Sounds like it.” Four nodded, eyes dazed and lost in thought.

“It’s too late to change the past.” Time spoke, voice rough and full of regret. “But Twilight is right. We have each other now.” The other Links looked a little comforted, but they still dwelled on what they just saw.

“Will he be like that again when he wakes up again?” Wind asked, sad at the thought of seeing his friend like that once more.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so, I’m hoping some time asleep will help his mind reset.” Twilight said as he shifted Wild to be more comfortable for the both of them.

“Should we set up his bed roll?” Warriors offered.

“I don’t think he should wake up alone.” Twilight told him, trying to look down at the boy curled into him. Wild wouldn’t really be waking up alone per say, being surrounded by other heros and all, but Twilight didn’t want him to wake in a panic without Twilight knowing right away.

“I don’t think he’s gonna let go anyways.” Legend smirked, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“I know you all probably aren’t tired, but we should decide watches and think about getting to bed soon, or at least settle in.” Time made sure to look pointedly at Twilight.

“If he doesn’t feel up to travel, we shouldn’t make him.” Sky spoke up. WHile he was eager to get to his home, it wasn’t worth it if Wild would be miserable.

“We’ll have to see how he is tomorrow before we make plans.” Time agreed, before turning to Twilight. “You need help getting him settled?” Time offered.

“Nah, I got him.” Twilight told him, attempting to get up. But between Wild’s octorak limbs, the unsteady terrain, and the odd position, he barely got off the ground before plopping back down.

“Uhh maybe a little.”

By the time they got Twilight’s bedroll down, Wild was still clinging to him in his deep slumber.

“He really isn’t gonna let you go.” Four joked with a strained smile.

“When you don’t know what’s real, you look for something to cling to.” Legend spoke with an obvious air of experience, eyes distant.

“I just hope he’s alright.” Sky’s concerned frown hadn’t lifted.

“He will be. Perhaps a bit of misplaced embarrassment and guilt, but we can sort through everything in the morning.” Warriors stated confidently.

With Warriors as the first watch, and the sun long past set, the group settled in. Not many tried to sleep right away, some turned to their quieter hobbies like writing or carving. Many glancing at Wild often to ensure he was still alright. Time helped Twilight and Wild settle into the older’s bedroll.

“Do you need anything, Pup?” Time asked, covering both boys with a blanket and ignoring Twilight’s protests to ‘stop babying him’.

“I think we’re fine.” Twilight said back.

“I asked if you needed something.” Time squinted his eye.

“I’m okay, Time, really. Just worried.” Twilight replied, more convincing this time around.

“I know, Pup, but if Wild isn;t alone, you aren’t either. This isn’t all on you.” Time looked into Twilight’s eyes, seeing a mess of emotions swirling in his dark blue eyes.

“Thanks, Time.” This round the message got through better, and time was grateful.

“Anytime.” Instead of moving away, Time settled on a nearby log, keeping all the boys clear in his sight.

“Time?” Twilight called.

“Yes, Pup?” Time checked over the two once again.

“The same goes for you.” Twilight told him, referring to their previous conversation. “‘This isn’t all on you.’” Twilight smirked as he threw Time’s words back at him.

“Thanks, Pup.” Time smirked at Twilight’s sass.

He wondered where Twilight got that from.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Time: Wow. I finally have the chance to relax!

The Universe: Lol sike.

I know Wild being taken away doesn’t quite match with BOTW canon/AoC canon, but I thought it was an interesting idea to explore.

I enjoy how this turned out, so this may be a part of my Hero of Wild series one day, but this is pretty far ahead of where that series is right now.

I’m also probably going to have to rearrange my timeline and rewrite some stuff to make sense, but that will come later :)

Also I’m not saying to pour hot water on burns, that's just something my old fashioned cowboy family says, and something a lot of people in ye olden days did. It helps with sunburns and minor burns, not so much major burns.

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #wild #warriors #time #legend #four #hyrule #sky #twilight #wind #wild centric #fluff #angst #panic attack #omg I forgot to tag this oh no #QoL Story

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mimiplaysgames · 5 years ago

Text

A Powerful Enough Dream (Ch. 6)

Pairing: Terra/Aqua (eventually) Rating: T Word Count: 6,014

Summary: Riku and Sora drag Aqua to Yen Sid’s in order to hash out a plan to save Ven. But Aqua is having none of it.

Read on AO3

A/N: Hi!!!! It’s been a long, long time, I know. I’m sorry for not updating this more often. My other WIPs take up so so much of my time, and I don’t have enough to spare this collection. I’m nervous about continuing this, I mean: it’s no longer relevant because of KH3, and sometimes I think the Terqua fandom has died??? I’ll have to see what people think of it. I know there’s readers for this piece and I HEARD YOU. I HEARD YOU. I have the next two chapters lined up already, so we’ll see!

~*~*~*~*~

Betrayal

Riku shows her to her room: a small thing held together by enormous stones, with a bed at the center, a wobbly nightstand, and a door leading to the bathroom. A thin window sits high on the wall, through which Aqua can see this tiny, dark world that Yen Sid calls home.

In the corner of the bedroom is a dusty outline on the floor where something once stood. A mirror, most likely. She peeks into the bathroom to find that the mirror screwed to the wall above the sink has been removed as well, leaving a rectangle of slime-free tile.

What she appreciates the most is how Riku doesn’t make a big show of what he does for her.

“I’ll come get you when Yen Sid’s ready to see you,” Riku says, reaching for the door knob. “Hope it’s comfy enough.”

Nothing about this trip is comfortable.

The Mysterious Tower is just as she left it: a speck far in the distance, too far for darkness to do any real damage. Protected by a sky of stars and magic that bubbles deep into its earth, this place breathes light. Aqua braces her fingers against the stone wall - instead of something cold built by man, she feels sparks of magic scatter across the surface, from memories of mischief and self-discovery.

She lets go and prepares herself to wash up, maybe find some food in one of the tower’s quirky rooms, when Riku knocks on her door.

“That was fast.”

Riku looks at her questioning face and shrugs. “I figured… considering how Terra’s visit went, we should probably get this over with.”

~*~*~*~*~

Yen Sid lounges in his office at the top of the tower. Everything is the same - maybe the notes on his board are different, but the pile of books, most with dust that gathered over years, still sit where they live. The candles burn as though they will never run out of wax. Yen Sid himself doesn’t seem to age.

Riku and Sora flank Aqua, and she stares at the tremendous wooden desk in front of her. Twelve years ago, she slammed her hands against it, adamant that Terra would never do anything to hurt the Master. Something in her gut questions whether Yen Sid has even left his damn chair since.

“I am delighted to see you safe, Master Aqua,” Yen Sid starts, his voice polite, which is the basic minimum for anything professional: solemn, well-mannered, detached.

Initially, she says nothing in return. Eraqus would not have approved of such rudeness, so she swallows her pride. “Thank you, it is good to see you again, too.”

“I assure you will get a decent amount of rest in time.” He folds his hand neatly over each other. “For now, we must eagerly discuss the state of affairs.”

Eagerly, he says, but he talks too slow to understand the meaning of the word.

“Well,” Riku starts.

Aqua feels him taking side glances at her but she keeps her mouth in a firm, straight line.

“We lost Terra,” he says when she doesn’t volunteer, “to the Realm of Darkness.”

Yen Sid grumbles, “With the King.”

“Yeah.” Riku sighs. “I like to think they’re taking care of each other.”

Yen Sid doesn’t seem pleased or agreeable to this. A sick thought crosses Aqua’s mind: He doesn’t think Mickey is safe with Terra. Which isn’t fair.

“We must hurry to the King,” Yen Sid says, and Aqua’s stomach churns that Terra is an afterthought. “Now that we are aware intent to enter the Realm of Darkness is certainly true to statement, we must act swiftly to find another Door to Darkness, as long as we do not sacrifice a world to it.

“Sora,” he commands, “have you made arrangements with the sky pirates to do this?”

Sora fiddles with two of his fingers, staring hard at them. They won’t give him the courage to speak, so there’s no reason to find it there.

“Balthier won’t take my munny.” He frowns. “He demands more from me if I’m going to waste his time searching for something without any direction.”

“What does he call direction?”

“If Fran can track something, then he’ll only do it if the plunder’s good enough for the job.” He shrugs his shoulders and throws his hands in the air.

“Pirates,” Riku mutters.

“Balthier saves people, too!”

“When a world is falling. He takes their riches along with their medicine, food, and weapons… but Traverse Town doesn’t need that anymore.”

Aqua scoffs. Her impatience bubbles, and it takes all her effort to swallow it down.

Sora steps away from her. He’s shocked to see her terrible mood.

“We shan’t wait too long for a world to deteriorate to that state,” Yen Sid says. “Sora, I will pay the pirate more if that is necessary to find an entryway sooner.”

Such quick and decisive action for Mickey.

“Now that we have discussed one path forward, let us continue on to other matters.” If he hasn’t noticed her attitude, he will soon. “Master Aqua, I understand there is trouble getting to Ventus. Anything I can do to aid your efforts?”

Aid, he says.

She creases her lips.

“How long have you known?” she asks quietly.

“Pardon?”

“How long has it been since Mickey found me?” She raises her voice.

Sora shifts with a whimper. Riku crosses his arms, not surprised and not even totally into the conversation. Best to get it over with.

Yen Sid takes his time to study her first before he answers: “Two years.”

Aqua grips her hands into fists, hiding them neatly in her sashes so that the old man doesn’t notice. “Why-”

“Mickey was not yet a Master,” Yen Sid says, his brittle voice finding strength. “Sora and Riku were brand new to the Keyblade, and needed friends, guidance, and training. We did not have the power yet to pursue such a dangerous task.”

What he said should have insulted her, but strangely, she feels serene, empowered by something knowing, something cynical, something that gloats in how tense he’s becoming under her scrutinizing gaze. Yen Sid doesn’t deserve anything she has to offer.

“And what did you do all this time?” she asks with bitter sweetness. “Twiddle your thumbs and eat out of your chair?”

Riku rubs his chin. She’s impressed with how quiet he could stay in a scene like this. Sora stammers like he’s been kissed by a frog.

“Master Aqua…” Yen Sid tries softer this time. “I understand the disappointment. Please, let me offer what I can to help-”

“I don’t need your help to find Ven.” With that, Aqua gives a mock curtsy before turning on her heels and briskly leaving the room.

Behind her, she hears Riku tell Sora to Let her go, each word fading as she runs down the long steps to the bottom.

The audacity of that old, stuffy man.

Aqua is fuming, replaying sentences in her mind again and again: things she could have said to make him really sorry, what he might be saying now to those two young boys. She’s descending so fast that her ankle twists, and she grabs the railing to stop herself from toppling all the way down.

It snaps her out of her stupor.

Riku is so well-mannered for his age, not blinking at the signs of her episode; he’s someone a good Master ought to behave like. Sora doesn’t judge, completely motivated with the need to make everyone comfortable and easy-feeling.

And Aqua embarrassed herself in front of them.

Leaning on the wall behind her, she breathes deeply. The stone is freezing against her skin, too much for her to be at a normal temperature. She palms her forehead to check for a fever; she has none. But her mind is in a hot fury, willing to climb back up and roast Yen Sid with all the insults she still has blurring in her brain - starting with how crusty that beard is.

“You can’t just say whatever you want, Aqua,” she says out loud, hugging herself. “This isn’t like you.”

It’s unbecoming of a Keyblade Master, is what Eraqus would have said.

Aqua decides to descend the rest of the way slowly. Getting mad won’t do anything for Ven, and while she doesn’t have a good lead in creating a pathway back home, she’ll find a way to do it without giving Yen Sid the honor of listening to his advice. She has to.

The last time she was here, she never got a good chance to explore this world. While the front entrance only leads to an outcrop overlooking deep space, the back entrance leads to a garden, awnings making way over the shrubbery until it circles a pool.

Aqua stiffens. It’s not long enough to swim in, so it couldn’t be deep enough to get up to her thighs.

But it’s big enough to drown in, and that’s the worst part.

The water is as still as glass, but it doesn’t mean it’s peaceful or safe. If she’s careful enough, Aqua would be able to see her reflection if she stood over it.

She doesn’t dare try. Instead, she sits on a stone bench far enough away that the pool couldn’t get to her. There isn’t a good reason to sit here, really, except for the fact that she misses the idea of enjoying water: of being at the beach, of swimming against Ven in a race, of splashing it on Terra’s face when he isn’t looking. Showering in a bathtub doesn’t compare… a dark voice in her mind tells her that she’ll never experience water the same way anymore.

“Are you Aqua?”

That voice belongs to a girl in a short pink dress, who helps herself to the stone bench even when Aqua doesn’t immediately reply.

“I am.”

The girl stares up in awe. “You were the one Terra was looking for? Wow, I didn’t think you’d be the same person…”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, I’m Kairi.” She holds her hand to her chest.

Aqua gasps. “Kairi?” It’s true. There’s the same necklace she charmed years ago, draped around her neck. Aqua almost brushes it with her fingers, but thought better of it. At least it kept Kairi safe. At least this is one success she could account for.

Kairi is so unrecognizable now, but it makes sense: the cropped auburn hair, the round violet eyes, a curious smile. And a heart that is unmistakably brighter than anyone’s here.

“You were so little,” Aqua says quietly. “I can’t believe you remember me.”

“Um, not really.” Kairi sheepishly rubs the back of her head, then waves her hand in the air as if imagining something. “All I remember is something really tall… and blue.”

Aqua has to laugh. Kairi is quite small. Still.

“But when I heard that Aqua was here, I had to see - never in my life would I have made the connection that Blue and Aqua were one in the same.” Kairi smirks, leaning forward to study Aqua in the face. “No wonder Terra was so obsessed with finding you. You’re really pretty.”

“Uh-” Nothing useful comes out of her mouth. That can’t be the reason. Aqua hides the heat in her cheeks with one dignified hand as though she isn’t affected by it.

“Terra acted the same when he talked about you,” Kairi grins, patting Aqua on the knee.

But her excitement deteriorates soon after, her hands finding each other at her stomach as though she’s swallowing something rotten. “I heard about what happened to him…” To Aqua’s surprise, tears develop in Kairi’s eyes, trailing down without much effort on her part to produce them.

They even surprise Kairi. “I’m sorry.” She wipes them off her face, sniffling. “I don’t know where that came from. I didn’t know him long.”

Aqua more than understands, she’s just much more practiced at roping it in.

“He makes a strong impression on anyone he meets,” Aqua says, brushing her hand lightly over Kairi’s head.

A small smile curls at Kairi’s lips despite the onslaught out of her eyes. Kairi hangs all of her expressions at the edge of her nose. Her sincerity is something to be admired.

“He’s a lot kinder than what he gives himself credit for.”

“Yes.”

“He was really helpful and sweet when he trained me.” Reality strikes her, and the tears dry up. “Would you mind teaching me a bit?” Then shame makes its way, as though she asked for too much. “I- I promise I won’t take up too much of your time.”

A Princess of Heart fighting? A brilliant idea. “Of course, it’s not a bother at all.”

Kairi takes her inside to a large ballroom equipped with destroyed furniture: hollow sofas, the shells of cupboards, the foundations of bookshelves, dilapidated bedposts. Pots and pans. Chipped plastic. From what Aqua can tell, they were used for target practice.

“Terra was really particular about my posture,” Kairi says, summoning her Keyblade - frilly, like the heart of someone who carries the joy of life with her. She sinks low into her knees. “But we focused mostly on my ability to block attacks. The rest is basic stuff.”

By the looks of her stance, he’s done good work.

“Then let’s talk about what you really want out of your fighting ability.” Aqua summons the Master’s Defender.

Kairi flashes an embarrassed frown. “To catch up with Sora and Riku.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Yes.” Forgetting about her posture, Kairi throws her passion out in a flurry. “It’s not about being as good as them - I want to make them see that when they need me, I can be there. They don’t have to worry or doubt me for a second.”

“That sounds a lot like comparing yourself.”

Kairi ponders for a moment. “Sora and Riku are patient with my training, but for years they’ve left me behind.”

Aqua has to think about it before responding… listen to the words Kairi is finding difficulty in expressing. So much of it stems from an insecurity and a drive to level with her more experienced friends, and a needle pricks right into Aqua’s ribs when she thinks of how Ven has been treated in the past.

If they never held themselves back when training with Ven, or treated him like a puppy needing to stay home, then he wouldn’t be unconscious now.

Sora and Riku work full steam ahead, and Kairi needs to match their speeds without the burden of mastering technique before she’s ready. What she wants is to feel useful to them. What she needs is to be equipped with something that could get her out of trouble in a pinch.

Aqua thinks of Noctis, and how he uses his weapons as points of destination.

“I have a unique idea.”

Instructing Kairi to stand by the farthest wall, Aqua does the opposite to create the most distance between them.

“From there,” Aqua says, “I want you to take a hit on me before I’m able to block - without doing a far-range attack.”

Kairi gapes. “H- How am I supposed to do that?”

“You’ll adapt to the circumstances.” At Kairi’s agony, Aqua shrugs. “I’m more strict than Terra. We won’t stop until your heart makes the connection.”

Kairi shivers and settles herself. “I’ll try.”

She does a dash - which is the expected choice and Aqua easily blocks it.

“Again,” Aqua says. “Use your magic.”

Another dash - this time propelled. Blocked.

“Again.”

Three more times, all blocked, and by now, Kairi is panting for breath.

“You’re exerting too much on your physical body. Remember your magic. Your Keyblade is your heart in physical form: all its desires, life goals, and insecurities are embedded into your weapon. If you want to come at me faster than I can block, then will it.”

“Magic,” Kairi rasps. “Right.”

Now she’s getting it. Instead of dashing across the room this time, she blends with the air, teleporting to Aqua’s position. But it’s still not fast enough.

“On the right track. Try again.”

“But Aqua-”

“Your Keyblade needs to get here before you do.” Aqua winks.

“Isn’t that kind of like a Strike Raid?” An attack that utilizes the Keyblade like a boomerang.

“Not quite.”

Kairi is exhausted and probably doesn’t have the energy to think too much, but it’s necessary to let her heart define it for itself. That’s the only way to communicate with your own Keyblade.

But she’s the type of student that is eager to please, and as her eyes drift away with her imagination, it dawns on her. “That’s genius,” she whispers.

With new resolve, Kairi properly stands.

“Let’s start for real,” Aqua says.

Kairi throws her Keyblade. Aqua feels in the air Kairi’s energy not to aim, but to be where the Keyblade goes, and she blurs through the room, letting her heart guide her to where.

She doubts herself, though, and drops her Keyblade halfway across.

“I’ll try again!” Scrambling back to her spot across the room, Kairi throws, warping as though both wielder and weapon are chasing each other, knocking past unsuspecting pieces of couch legs.

Aqua cannot block the strike but manages to move - not the most grateful dodge she’s ever done, but it does the job even if it lands her flat on her stomach.

“We did it,” Kairi says shakily the moment she realizes all she’s done without using her feet.

Aqua snorts and picks herself up. “You did it.”

“I did it!” With squeals and claps, Kairi jumps in place, throwing an embrace over Aqua’s way, triumphantly parading with her Keyblade.

It’s worth the effort to see. Aqua has needed something pleasant today, and maybe giving someone else hope will satiate some kind of karmic hunger out there and return the favor.

“No one invited me to the celebration,” Sora’s voice strides into the room, his giant toothy grin followed by a very solemn Riku.

“You guys will never guess what I can do now,” Kairi says. Realizing she sounds like she’s preparing a show for them, she backtracks. “I- I’ll polish it first, then show you.”

“Kairi has a lot of promise,” Aqua says, drawing the hilt of her Keyblade in and resting its tip on the floor, standing straighter. Riku’s presence, though totally lost in his own head, makes her nervous. She wills the image of her episode away.

“You’re not going to show us?” Sora asks, casually standing with them like he’s inviting himself over to their inside joke. Aqua wonders if he’s ever been rejected before, but Kairi’s more than happy to keep a small success to herself.

Riku takes a more respectful distance and sits on a chair with a missing armrest. “Of course she won’t. Destiny Islanders have spunk.”

“Except Riku,” Kairi retorts. “He only knows grouchy.”

“Says who?”

“Your face. You look like you spent an hour reading obituaries.”

A muscle twitches in Sora’s jaw, and he takes himself to Riku’s side.

It reminds Aqua all too much of herself and Ven: how she and Terra would share a rare distaste with training when it doesn’t go their way, or worries about the future, cutting Ven out of certain bits. Aqua wouldn’t count that Ven never noticed.

She hopes that Kairi doesn’t take it personally. It never is.

“Sorry,” Riku says, willing a more natural smile to come. “I am happy for you. Maybe you’ll get to join us on missions next time.”

“She already should be,” Aqua says.

Kairi sighs in relief. “I’m ready to share the work. What’s the plan now? I can handle it.”

This is where Riku and Sora stare at Aqua.

“Must have been an interesting meeting,” Kairi says, cutting the silence.

“It was the same level of cringe as Terra’s,” Sora says, snickering. It doesn’t improve the atmosphere, so he switches gears. “You can come with us wherever you’d like, Kairi,” he offers, like it’s supposed to be a consolation but Aqua suspects there are limitations to such a contract. “Except the Realm of Darkness.”

“You’re going to the Realm of Darkness?”

Again, they glance over at Aqua. Are they expecting her to lead an expedition? To have a differing opinion?

“Is there something you want from me?” Aqua asks when they won’t budge.

Sora hangs his head but Riku is the one to speak: “I don’t want to bet on a world falling for us to enter. There’s no way to predict when it would happen or how long it would take. Estimated guesses are just that, and if we waited a day too long, we could have lost Traverse Town.”

“Or not. It could have stood for another week,” Sora quips in.

“Exactly. It’s a very unstable plan and it could take forever.”

When Sora’s eyes meet Aqua’s, he warms up. Aqua has to wonder how his parents raised him to be this open and loving to everyone he meets.

“How did you do it?” he asks.

Next to her, Kairi tenses. Riku seems unfazed - it was probably his question, but Sora is the better mediator.

It’s the worst memory in Aqua’s disposal, but the most important. Aqua has to be professional, cast away the way her heart rages at the thought.

“A world didn’t fall, if that’s what you’re really asking,” she starts. “I was fighting… Xehanort, and he…struck himself with his Keyblade. To the heart.”

Sora steps back, a giggle worming its way out. “That’s an intense experience.”

Riku scoffs, amused. “It makes sense now.”

“And out came a horned monster,” Aqua continues. “You could say it resembles a Heartless, large and angry. Its teeth were bound by bindings… or bandages. It had an empty hole in its chest-”

She stops. The looks she’s getting - they recognize it.

Sora turns to Riku, his eyes wide. “Is she talking about-?”

Riku faces him. “Ansem’s Guardian?”

At Aqua’s stunned expression, Sora waves her confusion away. “No, no, not the Ansem you know. That’s the real Ansem. There’s a fake Ansem, and he’s the one who controls the Guardian.”

That doesn’t clear anything up.

Riku holds his hand up. “What matters is what happened when the Guardian appeared.”

“Well, he commanded it to come after me,” Aqua says.

“As he does.” Riku shrugs.

“But when I defeated him, it fell into a black pit. It was the force that created the Door to Darkness, and…”

Terra fell.

“I went after him.”

The room buckles under the weight of her words, a little too quiet for her liking but it’s better than anyone apologizing to her. Kairi holds a hand to Aqua’s shoulder, but it doesn’t help much.

“Maybe that’s the answer,” Sora says slowly. “It probably created a force of darkness so strong, it just warped reality.”

Kairi glares at him as though he’s said the wrong thing.

But Riku nods like he’s reading the same mind. “We could sacrifice it. Not a bad idea.”

“It sounds like you’re talking about hunting him down,” Kairi says. “Isn’t that a little risky, trying to draw out his attention?”

“Yeah, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.” The way Riku says it leaves everyone else out of the equation.

“If you can find him.”

Aqua has to ask: “Is that difficult?”

Riku strains a smile; he’s remembering something unpleasant, something he still hasn’t made peace with. “Not really. But admittedly he is more trouble than he’s worth.”

Aqua bites her cheek. Everyone makes it sound like rescuing Terra is the biggest hassle.

“Then I’ll do it.”

Sora grimaces, and Riku waves his hands in surrender. “That’s not what I meant. Not at all. But I do think that getting to Ventus may be an easier goal to reach right now. Once we have greater numbers, and we don’t have our attention scattered as much, provoking Ansem shouldn’t be an issue. We can do it together.”

Aqua stops herself from drawing a long scoff, holding her hand to her hip to prevent herself from flailing it around in frustration. Professional is the key word here.

“Except I don’t really know where to begin,” Aqua says quietly. “I know where Ven is, but I don’t have a way of getting to him without my Keyblade.”

“Oh that’s easy!” Sora says. “Terra had it with him.”

“What?”

“He carried it around at Destiny Islands, when he was with us,” Kairi says.

“But I don’t recall seeing him with it in Traverse Town,” Riku says. “It’s possible he put it away somewhere.”

The question hangs over their heads.

Riku inhales as he thinks about a place to start. “He spent the majority of his time in Radiant Garden.”

Right where she broke her tether to it. It’s a possibility that Terra took it back there. Not likely, but plausible.

“We should go tomorrow, first thing,” Sora says, slamming a fist into his palm. “There’s got to be a trail of clues we could follow. Maybe Terra left a sign saying Here’s her Keyblade.” He motions with his hand, bracketing invisible words in the air.

“If there’s nowhere else…” Aqua hushes.

“If not there,” Riku says, “then we’ll go back to Traverse Town and search his room. If it’s not there either, we’ll think of something. I can’t imagine that he’d leave you hanging.”

He’d never; Terra has always been the worst at hiding anyway. As children, he’d giggle too loudly that playing hide and seek with him was always futile. As teens, he never withstood the feeling of being lonely for too long, so if he needed time to himself, he’d leave notes with suggestions of when he’s ready for company.

Hiding a Keyblade to protect it is something he wouldn’t commit recklessly, but just like she was able to track him down a long journey through multiple worlds when he disappeared, he’d leave the smallest crumbs.

“Then it’s a solid plan,” Kairi says, stepping her foot down. “I’m coming with.”

They’re much more optimistic about it than Aqua is (honestly, it sounds like they’re leading themselves blind).

Either way, she bids them sweet dreams, a knife forged of the worst anticipation gutting at her. Maybe her mood will improve in the morning.

When she leaves the ballroom, the knife twisting at her side digs deeper the moment she overhears Riku saying over the other side of the door: “That was something.”

Aqua peeks through the crack. Riku has lost his composure he had in her presence, slouching over and smothering his face in his palm. Sora looks tired, his usual joy giving way to reflection.

Kairi shifts uncomfortably. “She’s been through a lot.”

“She’s like a boiling teapot about to explode.”

“Except teapots don’t explode.”

“But you’d rather have your hand cut off than have it melt from the steam.”

“Come on,” Sora says, “this won’t be the same situation as it was with Terra… At least, I hope not.”

Riku throws Sora a hard glance. “I’m only saying that something’s not entirely right. I can’t tell how she’s going to react to things. Sometimes, I get the impression that I’m not talking to the same person.”

Silence.

“Honestly, I’ve felt the same,” Sora murmurs, “but I can’t blame her.”

“No one is.”

Kairi starts sniffling, bringing her wrist to wipe her face.

Sora asks, “Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know. Isn’t that weird?”

Next, Sora’s the one to shed a tear. “I guess I don’t know either.”

Riku looks at his friends not with concern, but with horror. He sighs into his hand, rubs his face, and thinks better than to let them cry alone. Joining them, he pulls them both into an embrace, roughing their hair enough to leave frizz.

“Knock it off, you two.”

He ignores their protests, squeezing them in his elbows. Sora can’t wrestle his way out, so he says to Kairi, “He’s still ticklish in the same spots.”

The last sight Aqua sees is a heap of three best friends on the floor, the tallest one begging the others to stop.

~*~*~*~*~

Aqua treks back to her room with ferocity. They think she’s crazy. Maybe she is. Maybe she’s lost a part of herself to the Realm of Darkness forever, chewed up and spit out in a lumpy blob that she can’t bring herself to swallow.

That thought should terrify her, but it doesn’t. Aqua’s more concerned with how hopeless she let them feel. What’s the point of being a Keyblade Master if she can’t inspire those around her? Or make them feel protected and listened to? She doesn’t know how to make it up to them.

She should apologize - and yet, there’s a small voice inside that loathes to do so. It’s not her fault for acting up; she’s earned the right. They’ll be patient with her and see she’s not all bad.

Or maybe she’s just as bad as they say. The moment she sees Yen Sid standing in her way will test that.

“Master Aqua,” he calls, his pointy hat looking all the longer because of the way the torches that line the stone walls illuminate it.

She wants to ignore him. She doesn’t - wouldn’t Eraqus be proud? She waits for him to continue, hands laced in front of her, posture straight, expression neutral. Professional.

“I had hoped,” he starts, then stops himself. Ah, so he knows there’s nothing he could say that would be a proper apology to what happened. “I completely understand where you are coming from.”

Aqua doesn’t respond.

“I mean to ask forgiveness.”

Silence.

“Cast away this unpleasant business between us. I have no expectation that you’d lend a hand of friendship towards me, but we can still benefit from an alliance.” He extends his hand out, not as a gesture to hold hers, but as a symbol.

She could forgive him, and she would have before falling to darkness, before Eraqus had ever sent them on an insane journey without giving them any of the crucial details, before hearing anything insulting about Terra. She could have.

“I’ll consider it when I have the time,” she says, her voice flat but strong.

Yen Sid draws his hand back. There’s a slight offense to his eyes before he wavers it away.

“This road you have chosen to follow may be dangerous.”

“Excuse me?”

“Following Terra.”

“I’m so tired of defending Terra,” she spits.

“You have mistaken me,” Yen Sid says. The quality of his voice dips deep, like a growl. “Just as I have warned Terra about his limitations when it came to you, I sense the same desperate recklessness within you.”

“His life is worthy enough to save.”

“So is yours.” He stares at her, a hand teasing the length of his beard. “Will you not trust him to fend for himself in the darkness?”

Her lips quiver and she zips them up. Professional. “Won’t you?”

Yen Sid sighs, disappointed. “I hope our next meeting is more amicable. Please look out for yourself, Master Aqua.”

“Likewise.”

She storms into her room and slams the door. She’s burning up, the heat from her body creating perspiration that denses through her hair, but not enough to let the sweat fall. No, she doesn’t have a fever.

There’s nothing here for her to throw around, so she paces back and forth. Back and forth, again and again, until one last huff expires out of her.

“Terra,” she calls out softly as though he is right by her side. Who knows, maybe he can hear her from somewhere deep in the darkness if she focuses enough.

Pulling out his orange Wayfinder, Aqua massages her fingers over the borders. Maybe her magic on it would have worked better if she had his essence embedded into the glass, instead of her intention to keep him close by.

When she made it, she never once thought that the sight of it would bring regret.

“I’m so angry,” she says to it, shaking her leg. She’s exhausted, but nowhere near the fits of depletion from earlier nights that easily pulled her under. She’d be an idiot to expect sleep to come any time soon. “None of them understand.”

Except they do; they have been separated before, forgotten, then weaved back together.

Yet they don’t; they never had to pay such an expensive price such as twelve years.

“Please come back,” she whispers. She could cry, but she’s all dried up. Begging only makes her feel worse.

“I’ll bring you back,” she demands of the quiet when nothing responds to her.

She could scream, but she doesn’t. She’s a knot of weeded thorns, something that yearns to slice to numb the pain and grow out to breathe, choking at the same time.

The bed creaks and moans under her weight, but it’s not comfortable. The sheets are cold. The stone walls are apathetic to her mood, gray and bored.

Aqua holds the Wayfinder close, but it does nothing to soothe her. She opts to stare at the ceiling in a contest she can’t win.

~*~*~*~*~

Her hair reached her ribcage in tousled waves that coiled at the tips. Ven called it a flag of water that rippled whenever she moved, but it rippled too much; she certainly resented it when it whipped her in the face during training.

Her mother would have called it stunning, just like hers.

A sepia-toned portrait sat on Aqua’s vanity table of a woman with the same hair and a man with a thick handle-bar moustache, wearing a bowler’s hat.

“I’m sorry, mama,” sixteen-year-old Aqua said, scissors in hand, mirror smudge-free, hair ready to be tamed.

The first snip came at the point right above her ear, and Aqua winced from watching it all fall to the ground. A panic shot through her, and she wondered if there was magic to reverse the damage just in case. But Aqua was brave and Aqua was relentless.

Cutting the rest of her hair came easier, a waterfall having its last hurrah. She went shorter, and then much more. She might have done too much, but keeping it layered should justify the work. Now it was a pixie cut: clean, prissy, and above all, out of her face.

Aqua presented herself during breakfast. Ven still wasn’t up and the Master was busy in his office, so Terra, who sat at the table with a mug of coffee, was the first to see.

The mug stopped before it reached his lips while he gaped. She sat in front of him. He didn’t say a word.

Suddenly, she regretted it.

“It was always getting in the way,” she said, surprised by how assured she sounded.

He blinked. “It’s cute.”

“It’s what?” Warriors were supposed to be practical. Not cute. Never cute, damn it all.

“Nothing. I didn’t actually say anything.” He sipped his coffee, avoiding her gaze. If he caught it, she’d have words to throw at him.

She still did. “I’ll dump that coffee on you the next time I hear you say that.”

Terra stole glances at her, mainly toward the top of her head, and his eyes almost sparkled. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself. “It is pretty, though.”

… What was she supposed to say to that? All she had was vacant stammering.

“Well, you know,” he set back, “I don’t want you to feel bad about it.”

Part of her wanted to kill him. Part of her wanted to find the spell to make it grow.

He blundered for more words, set his coffee mug down, and pressed his index finger onto the surface of the table to make a poignant argument. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

She grimaced. “I’m not going to play nice with you during training today.”

“I probably deserve it,” he chuckled.

“You definitely deserve it.”

He smiled, and stared more at her hair. Not with disgust, not with shock, but with admiration.

It hit her then - he meant what he said. Which left one question to nag at her for the rest of breakfast:

She was pretty to him?

#terraqua #kh fanfic #aqua #riku #sora #kairi #kingdom hearts fanfiction #i can't believe it took me this long to update this piece #my fic

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ladydragonhawke · 5 years ago

Text

The Lesser of Two Evils

Season 15 fanfic starting exactly at the ending of Season 14.

For anyone who would like to have an easier reading experience here’s the link to the story

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20647562/chapters/49379330#workskin

SPOILERS FOR SEASON 14

CHAPTER 5/? WIP

Summary: Light coverage of the three weeks Sterling, Cas and Jack were MIA. An old enemy has appeared, only their current situation has made them change their colors.

Chapter 5: Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

When Dean woke up, he went immediately into the war room, waited for a few mins then slunk away into the kitchen to get his morning dose of caffeine infused whiskey. Sam soon popped in sporting his normal bedhead before running his hands through it only once, correcting any stray strands thereby making his hair perfect for the rest of the day.

“Anything yet?” Sam asked as he lazily poured himself a cup of coffee.

“Nope.” Dean sipped his whiskey coffee trying not to show his unease.

“It’s only day three, don’t worry too much. At least we got the Wi-Fi up and running yesterday.” Sam raised his cup as a salute to a job well done for yesterday’s accomplishments. They had to run out into the nearest town and shop to “buy” a new router and there was surprisingly hardly any undead and people were almost going about their days as normal as they could. Some roads were closed or buildings with boards and chains on them with bright red spray paint as a warning to all to leave this building well enough alone.

“Phones are working.” Dean mumbled as he raised his in a flash as if he could show the connectivity.

“Really? When was that?” Sam hurriedly asked as he pulled his out of his pajama pants.

“Around…” Dean paused as he took a sip and tried to come up with a good time that didn’t indicate he really didn’t sleep well. “three?” Seemed reasonable. “Some texts hit me last night and woke me up. Must’ve been a backlog.” Safe.

“Holy cow. Yea I’ve got quite a few myself. Wonder if the news is back on too.” Sam thought out loud as he sat across from Dean and fiddled with his phone to pull up some news stations that were still broadcasting. He pulled up a live broadcast from a local station somewhere in Kansas.

“…military officials ask that all those who are seeking asylum from highly populated areas to please contact their local office to ask for their zones’ evacuation location, and to not leave without verifying with authorities…”

Sam switched to a more prominent station that covered the central US.

“…still seeing that the undead are being isolated off into specific areas of cities and towns where they are easily contained. Officials are still unsure as to how they are going to deal with them once they’ve corralled all of them into certain locations. Local and state authorities are still meeting to find an answer to that question. Back to you Bill.”

“Today in other news there has been a surge in reports of things other than the undead causing unrest in densely populated cities to the fields in Oklahoma, reports range anywhere between vampires to werewolves. Whether these stories are valid or mere hysteria from the outbreak of undead is unknown but there will be more information to follow soon as the President has made a decision to formally address the country in this trying time. Now we’ll go to Bob for a quick look at the weather, Bob?”

“Jeezits. All hell broke loose. Literally.” Dean sighed.

“No kidding. I’ll fish through some of these reports and figure out what’s solid.”

“I’ll help in a minute I’mma get some breakfast going for the girls. Jody and Donna mentioned on heading back if things were good enough here, and that strange chick we picked up still hasn’t woken up yet.” Dean finished off his whiskey-coffee feeling a bit better and got up to start cooking his standard eggs and bacon.

“They did huh? Alright. I’ll be in the war room.” Sam checked for a nod of confirmation before leaving the room. Dean was starting to get that look of worry on his face, Sam knew he’d possibly have to keep an eye on him if Jack and Cas are gone for too long. Sam wasn’t quite worried, yet.

The smell of bacon woke up everyone else in the bunker calling Claire and Donna first from their slumber. As they entered the kitchen sniffing the air like hound dogs, they moaned in delight at the sight of two monstrous plates stacked high with maple smoked bacon. Claire was first to snatch a few strips before Dean caught her in the act.

“Hey, grab a plate. An empty one! Before diggin’ your hands in there. You two want eggs with your bacon?”

“Yes please!” Claire was nearly awake just from the joy of being offered food. Donna was still lazily and patiently waiting behind her for her share of breakfast. After Dean served both of them Jody and Alex groggily waltzed into the kitchen, after smelling the aroma wafting from the kitchen for a few minutes they could no longer keep their stomachs from moving their bodies. They both grabbed a plate, but Alex grabbed a second one. Dean noticed it first as Jody was still busy getting sleep out of her eye.

“Didn’t know you were that hungry Alex.” Dean poked.

“It’s not for me. Rowena.” She stated sleepily.

“Ah, taking a plate to Rowena? She still with that girl?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I’ll give her a bit more bacon.”

“Awww, I want more too.” Claire pipped up. Her plate was still full of bacon, she was most likely saving it for last so she could savor every strip.

“You’ll get more after everyone get’s their share!” Dean chuckled. “Last time I let you, you nearly ate all of the bacon I made.”

“A girl can’t help it.” Laughed Claire, showing no remorse for her past actions. Truth be told she’d do it again if she could.

“Mmhmm.” Sighed Dean as he finished serving Alex and began serving Jody who was still as groggy as when she entered.

Alex walked carefully with both plates of food as well as two mugs full of hot coffee, in her hands as she navigated the halls trying not to bump into the corners as she turned. She wasn’t quite awake yet for navigating with arms full of food precariously perched on either arm, but she managed to get to the infirmary with spilling only a splash or two of coffee.

“Morning Rowena. How’s the patient?” Alex announced as she entered.

“All’s well on my end. Or at least that’s what I think anyway. Oh! Here let me help you with those dear.” She shot up from her chair and carefully grabbed a plate and mug from Alex setting them down on top of a rolling metal trolley.

“Aw thank you love for breakfast, wait.” She looked at Alex as if the food may possibly be poisoned.

“Dean made it, don’t worry.” Alex chuckled, poor Sam.

“Ah, perfect. Thank you.” Rowena smiled as she plucked a few strips from the small pile on her plate and ate them daintily as she leafed through one of her tomes.

“Find anything on what’s going on out there?” Alex asked as she started in on her eggs.

“Well I did a quick scry and not much has changed in our area, funny how these things avoid this area altogether.”

“It is weird.” Alex affirmed.

“Phones and internet are back up according to Sam.”

“Really? I haven’t seen him this morning.” Alex pulled out her phone from her back pocket while taking a bite of bacon, verifying her information.

“He’s in the war room. Trying to worry himself further with any awful news from outside.” Rowena magicked her coffee with the creamer and amount of sugar she deemed perfect before taking a sip to make sure it was consistent.

“Doesn’t look good out there.” Alex confirmed as she stared into her phone while eating a forkful of eggs. “But what’s the textbook for?”

“Well,” Rowena started as she took another strip of bacon while turning another page. “Sam and Dean wondered if there was a spell to call or summon Amara.”

“And?” Alex inquired as she looked up from her phone in slight shock. She’d only heard about God’s sister.

“Nothing yet. I’m going to need my full library for this one. Those undead better not have touched anything.” She grumbled.

“Didn’t you ward your place or something.”

“I did, but you never know. Not with The End happening.” She took a deep sip of her coffee infusing a bit of whiskey in it just to fortify her a bit. “Plus, I was hoping this one would wake up soon.” She gestured with her coffee cup toward the immobile stranger on the bed, slight sweat on her forehead glistening in the low light.

“You’ve closed her wound completely and she’s healed up really well. It may be too early for her to be up and about anyway. I’d give her a day or two and she should wake up.”

“Is that a bet?” Rowena perked up.

“Maybe.” Alex was sure in her skills of guessing these things but didn’t want to lead on Rowena.

“I’ll wager two days.” Rowena smirked.

“Three.” Alex stated flatly. “Ten bucks?”

“Tch… come now.”

“Fifty then?” Alex raising an eyebrow. High roller huh? This’ll be easy money. “And no spells to wake her up either.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Rowena extended an empty hand toward Alex.

Alex took it swiftly and shook it firmly, she was definite in her deduction. Their little gambling scene was interrupted by Dean walking through the Infirmary with two plates full of food as he made a stop standing between Alex and Rowena.

“How’s Sleeping Beauty?” he joked.

“All healed up and doing well considering, she should be coming round a day or two more.” Rowena postulated toward Dean not giving any sign that a bet was made just now.

“Good. I’mma see how Sam’s dealing with the end of the world news. Keep me updated.” He called back as he headed toward the war room.

“Will do!” Alex and Rowena called after him.

They both went back to their breakfasts; Alex took to her phone to search for accurate news as Rowena continued searching for a clue for Amara.

Dean walked up to Sam who was deep into his laptop it seemed as if he fused with it. Dean set down Sam’s plate with a light tap and a fresh cup of coffee. “Chow time. What’s the latest?”

“Oh uh, thanks.” Sam grabbed his new cup of coffee and took a sip without really bothering to check if it was made the way he liked it. “A lot actually. It seems like a few of the ghosts, ghouls, or demons we kicked to the curb are back. I checked my email and the husband to that woman in white we dealt with way back in… pfftt.”

“You mean when I pulled you from college to help me look for dad?”

“Yea. She’s… back.”

“No way! What…”

“That’s not all.” Sam interrupted as he filtered through his email a bit. “The guy who we helped with the demon on that plane… um Jerry! Called me, leaving me a message about a plane that went down 40 minutes into the flight, the same way as the one we dealt with.”

“Holy shit.” Dean huffed as he crammed a few strips of bacon into his mouth.

“That’s not the worst of it.” Sam turned a bit pale as he spun the laptop around so Dean could see the screen. Dean nearly dropped his mug of coffee only managing to slap it down on the table, spilling quite a bit on its surface. Dean stared directly into the eyes of someone he never wanted to see topside again.

“Dick Roman? How’d he escape Purgatory?” He asked angrily. All those months, years spent in purgatory as a price for getting the leviathan off Earth and back into their “natural habitat” and seeing it all spat back in his face was infuriating to say the least.

“I don’t think they escaped.” Sam stated flatly.

“Chuck.” Dean cursed under his breath.

“I think…” Sam sighed, hoping against hope that he was wrong here, “he undid everything we’ve done.”

“You mean every monster or baddie we put away is back topside?” Dean was right angry now. “When it rains it freaking pours!” he shouted as he gripped the back of a chair with both hands.

“DAMN IT!”

As the broken pieces of the chair settled Sam rotated his laptop back to face him knowing this was definitely not a scenario either party thought was even possible. So the thought of doing it all again seemed like an even bigger leap than before. They lost people dear to them to get where they were, people who were lost to stupid mistakes or who sacrificed themselves to further the goal of a monster-free Earth. The thought of having to redo years of progress that was undone in the blink of an eye was an unbearable weight that seemed to only become heavier. Dean slumped in a chair in front of Sam not even glancing at his slightly untouched plate of now lukewarm breakfast. He rubbed his face with his hands as he took in the full weight of the situation and started to panic at the mere thought of tackling everything all over again.

“I’ll reach out to some folks I know and give them the 411 on leviathan and get in touch with anybody who may be able to lend us a hand in anything.” Sam stated, trying not to inflect any possible thought of grandeur or like he was getting his hopes up.

“Why bother?” Dean whispered.

“We can’t give up Dean. Not yet.” Sam didn’t close his laptop but pushed it to the side so that if anything serious popped up he could have eyes on it.

“Chuck just reset everything. It’s like we weren’t even here.” Dean choked; he was trying not to break but things were starting to get too much.

“We’ve got Rowena looking for Amara and when Castiel and Jack get back we can figure something out. We can still do something Dean.”

Dean stood up from his chair and leaned on the backside of it for a minute letting his head dangle between his arms. He wasn’t quite giving up, but he was still listening. He was just so tired.

“Once we figure out how to contact Amara and get her input, we’ll figure out what to do then. So, for now…”

“For now we just do what we can? Hunt the same things that we’ve already dealt with before. And what about the leviathan? We can’t leave them alone. They’ll eat everyone before we can get to Amara. What then?” He raised his head showing his tired red eyes. “I just…” He stood up straight covering his mouth with his hand.

Then without another word he trudged back to his room. In anger? Defeat? Sadness? Sam wasn’t sure, but he was sure Dean would come around, he just needed some time. Sam looked at Dean’s plate of food and slid it over to himself taking a bit of the eggs and piling his mass of bacon onto Dean’s. He’ll want it soon enough. Sam ate his plate of eggs slowly with the laptop just in his periphery as he stared a hole in the wall across from him. There was going to be a lot of work to do, Sam just hoped Castiel and Jack would make it back soon. For Dean’s sake.

Jody and Donna decided to head back with Claire after spending the week in the Bunker, to make sure everyone in their area knew how to deal with what was going on. Giving everyone “The talk” was not Donna’s forte but she had no choice. Claire was more than happy in returning to the field now that there were more baddies to hunt, but Jody made it clear to her not to hunt alone. There were now more monsters than hunters than ever before. Alex called into the hospital saying she was dealing with a family emergency which they took very well and just asked to keep them updated when she could return. Alex was starting to worry since the stranger’s heart rate was not rising like it should at this point, indicating that she should awaken soon. Rowena was still searching for a spell to find the location of Amara, but on the side started searching for healing spells to try on the stranger, as Sam grew increasingly worried about Castiel and Jack.

A few days passed and Dean finally came out of his room looking for something to do as waiting around for Castiel and Jack was becoming more and more nerve-racking. Sam had a hunt lined up for both of them to do already. Rowena took to searching her library of tomes for a spell that detailed on calling or locating Amara. Alex was still by the strangers’ side tending to her, checking her pulse and giving shots of adrenaline as well as any method she could think of to try to wake her up. Nothing was working and she was becoming more and more frantic with each day that the stranger remained asleep in the bed.

The next week Sam and Dean went out nearly nonstop on hunts, mostly due to the influx of monsters, but also because Dean could not stand to be in the bunker for more than an hour before he wanted to start swinging at anything that resembled a monster. He would occasionally check in with Alex to see what state the stranger was in and what could possibly be the cause of her being out for this long. Alex couldn’t explain it and even reached out to a few mentors she knew and some in the professional field for an explanation. None of them could provide an answer that satisfied Alex. It just didn’t make sense unless, according to one of her psychiatrist friends, she experienced a severely traumatic situation and prefers to sleep than be awake. But even then, the patient would need to wake up for daily functions necessary for the human body. Alex exhausted every possible academic explanation and solution she could find before conceding to the fact that she could not do anything else.

Rowena was equally as perplexed as Alex and was starting to wonder if her healing spells had an adverse effect on the stranger. She started bringing over as many tomes as possible and filtering through as many as she could within the eight to nine hours Alex needed to sleep, shower, eat, before she had to resume in searching for something about Amara. Then Sam and Dean came back one evening to find Rowena searching deeply in one of her tomes of spells as they were seriously panicking about Castiel and Jack. She promised to search for a way to find or contact them as best she could. Needless to say, she had plenty of research on her hands.

The boys were hunting as well as gathering anything and everything needed in order to deal with the leviathans like before. The bone of a righteous mortal washed in the three bloods of the fallen. They figured it worked last time it should work this time same as before. They needed Castiel again just as before to make it work and finding a ruler of fallen humanity was daunting enough that it took a few days and multiple demon slayings before finally having a name to essentially get anywhere with.

A father of fallen beasts wasn’t too hard as the revived vampire alpha was surprisingly more than willing to give his blood to the brothers. “Good luck.” Was all he said to them before laughing them out of his manor. To him it was just one more obstacle off the board in order for him to complete his desire to turn as many as possible this time. He’d planned on getting to the boys later, he wanted to savor every ounce of pain he could derive from them, then when the time came, he’d do what he should have done years ago. For now, they’ll be his unwilling and unknowing pawns in his game.

As the things that crawled in the night became more numerous than before, the boys had covertly sent out a video detailing on how to deal with everything from flaming a ghost to just short of killing a leviathan. They weren’t comfortable showing their faces just yet, but Sam lent his voice to dub in on the video to go further into depth on how to deal with everything out there. Dean would chime in to lend some better information on a few things Sam wasn’t too sure about and clarify a few points.

Within a few days it was trending, then within the first week of posting it, viral. People started taking their word as gospel. Folks were curing family members of vampirism, trying to find a better solution for werewolves, and a whole host of other answers to problems that people would not have found if not for the video. Sam and Dean knew they couldn’t be there to save everyone, but they could spread some information so that people could help themselves the best they could during this trying time.

The following week Jody and Donna returned to the Bunker after hearing no word about Jack and Castiel. Sam was seriously starting to worry about Dean’s mental state as he was spiraling into more and more fits of rage than usual, nearly loosing himself completely in a hunt to rid the world of John Wayne Gacys’ ghost, again. It turned into a slaughter-fest when they came out of the house to an overwhelmingly monstrous group of undead that appeared from nowhere. Sam first called Jody to see if she could talk to Dean but instead of just talking over the phone, she knew she needed to see him face to face to assess for herself just how far off the reservation he was.

Donna called the boys a day later to ask for help in a simple matter that she knew she could deal with. She just wanted to see the boys as much as Jody did. After Sam and Dean helped her with the shapeshifter issue Donna drove behind them toward the Bunker, she also needed to resupply on items needed to deal with other creatures. Claire just wanted to see Sam and Dean again, as well as Alex who she was truly starting to miss, although she would never admit it.

Rowena and Alex, bet completely forgotten, were trying everything human and witchy possible to wake up the stranger. Rowena had resolved to just dive into the tomes she had at home rather than lug them back and forth, and instructed Alex to grip a charmed athame whenever she needs a break or if the stranger woke up. It would immediately teleport Rowena to that room as soon as it was touched.

Jody drove her truck into the garage that was hidden in the side of the Bunker while using her hands-free to talk to Alex inside.

“Alright I’m here. Just got in.”

“Be there in a moment.” Alex called.

“You sure, it’s not like I don’t know my way around in there.”

“I could use a bit of movement. I’ll help unpack.”

“Still hasn’t woken up huh?” Claire asked, interjecting herself into the conversation.

“No…” Alex grumbled as the sounds of her moving through the halls could be heard through the phone.

“Well we’ll see you in a few. Bye.” Jody said as she hung up the call with a press of a button on her steering wheel. As she did, she felt the odd feeling like something was going to happen, but she wasn’t sure if that was just caffeine jitters or if Rowena was hanging around nearby or something. As she parked the truck close to the door, she saw something dark in her side mirror. She twisted around in the drivers’ seat to get a better look from behind her. Nothing.

“Huh…” she thought aloud.

“What?” Claire probed.

“Nothing, thought I saw something.” Jody waved it off as just stress and started to open all the doors on the truck. Jody and Claire started unpacking certain goods that the Bunker was low on and Alex appeared to help. There wasn’t much but it was enough to fill the arms of all three of them. As they began the trek to the storeroom, they could hear muffled shuffling, as if a bunch of people were shuffling their feet in the hallway. Jody threw what she had in her arms into the room next to her, and unholstered her firearm.

“Get behind me Alex.” She ordered softly as she stepped in front of the somewhat confused girl.

“What’s…” but before Alex could finish her question a small group of undead came around the corner toward them shuffling slowly in their direction.

“Shit! Everyone back up toward the kitchen!” Jody cried out. She holstered her gun; it was no use in this situation.

They all shuffled back to the kitchen as fast as they could and armed themselves with any of the sharp implements that were available. Jody stood close to the doorway as the first defense, she would filter them toward Claire, and she would deal with any stragglers. Alex, who was not quite built for fighting stood in the back as the last line of defense should Claire need assistance. As Jody began laying into them, Claire was right behind her offering help in any way she could. Within a few minutes of starting Jody could hear someone shouting over the grumbling of the undead.

“BOYS?” she called.

“Girls, are you safe?” Jody could hear what sounded like Donna screaming from the other end.

“YEA, WE’RE ON OUR WAY!” Jody shouted as she felled two zombies to her right. She waved for Claire and Alex to start running toward Donna.

“How many have you got?” Called Sam from the distance.

“ONLY SIX LEFT HERE!” She screamed back, stabbing another one in the knees as Alex was trying to squeeze past Jody and the wall.

“Dean is on his way to you!” Sam shouted.

“‘Bout time.” Thought Jody as she beheaded another one.

Alex was gone down the hallway already running at full speed while screaming.

“INFIRMARY!”

Jodys’ eyes widened as she remembered the incapacitated stranger in that particular room. She started hacking faster, then a sudden machete appeared above her shoulder and embedded itself in the head of an undead that was a little too close for comfort. Dean appeared on her other side and tackled the mass of zombies knocking them down like bowling pins. He shot up and jerked the machete out of its skull and began dismembering them one by one. Jody stepped back seeing he clearly needed to let off steam and checked on Claire who was watching him with a look of shock and concern on her face. They began helping in dismembering what was left before Dean took off at a run for the infirmary with Jody and Claire close behind him.

“And that’s where we are.” Dean finished.

Sterling wasn’t really listening to him as much as she was fishing through everyone else’s mind for all the memories of the past few weeks. Just getting a condensed version was never good enough for her. Her expression didn’t really change the whole time everyone shared their portion or two of the past few weeks. Some understated, others embellished theirs to no end.

Sterling swallowed a mouthful of water. Her feet were back up on top of the table crossed in front of her by the ankles. “And that’s where we are.” She parroted back.

“I know it’s a lot to take in right now…” Castiel started.

“You ain’t kidding!” Sterling chuckled finally making eye contact with him. His memories were a little too deep to dive into at the moment, but she did want to examine him closer. He was a deplorable sight to see, his wings, his being… she felt pity for him. It must have shown on her face as his expression changed from concern to confusion.

“Look, I appreciate everyone helping and dealing with me. And…” She paused trying to show that she’s still processing everything. It worked as the former angel backed off a bit. “I just need some time to think. On my own.”

“Do you have any family? Someone we can contact?” Sam pipped up.

“Oh boy, don’t open that can.” Thought Sterling as she half-chuckled. “Not anymore.” She showed a pained smile and that seemed to quiet everyone.

“Is there a bathroom around here?” She broke the silence with a sniffle. Alex shot to life as she stood up and went to guide Sterling herself. “I don’t need an escort just tell me where, I can figure it out.” Sterling asserted.

“Down that hall five doors to your left.” Alex pointed hesitantly, but before she could make any other motion toward her, Sterling was already off. Sam and Rowena were giving each other secret looks of confusion and worry.

“Thank you, I’ll be back.” Sterling assured everyone as she walked quickly down the hallway. It was actually the sixth door, but she wasn’t going to fault the poor girl.

As Sterling entered the bathroom, she warded it quickly against any prying eyes and ears from listening.

“Alright Billie I know you were watching that mess.”

“I gotta say, you are quite the actor.” She said as she materialized. “So how much longer do we need to play pretend? In case you didn’t notice this world has been slowly burning for three weeks. I’ve searched everywhere I can within the limits of my abilities for Amara.”

“Yea, Castiel was able to zone in on a particular system.”

“No shit! Now what, want me to pop over there and…”

“No, something’s off…” Sterling interrupted. “That system that he described was the beta version of everything. I thought he destroyed it before I passed.”

“What do you mean beta version?” Billie asked as her impatience was rising.

Sterling stood in place pondering things as Billie sighed in frustration and crossed her arms waiting for some kind of response. Sterling stood in place for a moment winced in pain then continued pacing. Billie wanted to address it but figured she wouldn’t give an answer even if she asked.

“I’m more worried about these things they’re calling Leviathan, what are they?” Sterling thought out loud.

“Beings that Chuck created before everything. Before angels.” Billie stated tersely.

Sterling stood in place and thought for a moment, then her eyes widened.

“What?” Billie asked genuinely concerned.

“I’ll explain later. For now, I’ll need to help them with something that just popped up and I’ll call you when we get done.” Sterling instructed quickly.

Billie stopped her from opening the door. “No, I’m done being your little errand girl. Tell me now or I’m done with you. You think you’re the only one with a plan here?”

“I can’t or it won’t work!” Sterling spun around and flashed Billie the eyes of angry determination. Billie jumped back a bit at the sudden change of character.

“I…” Sterling caught herself, “As much as I hate saying it, you’re just going to have to have faith.”

“In you?” Billie half-chuckled.

“I don’t like this any more than you do. Now I need to help them, and I’ll call you when it’s time, ok?” Sterling reaffirmed the situation waiting for a reply from Billie.

“Fine. I still don’t like this.” Billie stated flatly as she disappeared.

“Neither do I.” Sterling mumbled to herself as she slowly opened the door, ridding the room of the wards she put in place leaving no trace. She willed her face to look as if she cried a bit and her nose was full of runny snot. She opened the door tissue in hand, to find Alex and Rowena looking expectantly at her. They also seemed a bit shocked as if they didn’t expect her to open the door at that moment. A quick scan of Alex’s mind revealed they were trying to listen in. I’m glad I put those wards on. She thought as she cleared her throat.

“What’s up?” Sterling sniffled.

“Something came up on the news and we thought you should be there to see it.” Rowena recited almost like she was in a trance. Sterling could tell Rowena was anxious about her, that Sterling may or may not be human. She’d just have to up the acting factor a bit, nothing she hasn’t dealt with before.

They walked together into the war room with Alex right behind Sterling wanting to give her an arm or shoulder to cry on. Sam had a major news channel pulled up on the screen of his laptop facing out toward the middle of the table as everyone was on either side staring at it as if it was about to expend gifts to all those watching. Sterling still wiping away tears from her eyes stood at the opposite end of the table and looked at the laptop expectantly. She knew what was coming but dreaded it all the same.

Dick Roman’s face appeared onto the screen as he sat regally in a newsroom with all kinds of animation flashing and swirling on the screen around him. It began zooming out from his face to show his upper half of his body as she stared intently into the camera. Sterling knew what was coming and braced herself.

To keep up appearances she showed confusion on her face and pointed to the screen while looking at Alex as she asked “Isn’t that Dick Roman? That one politician guy that disappeared or whatever?” Alex nodded and looked back to the screen. It cut to a young blonde news reporter sitting across from him holding some papers, as she began the dialog.

“Good afternoon everyone, I’m Katherine and I’m joined here today with previous presidential campaign runner Dick Roman. How are you today Mr. Roman?”

“Please, call me Dick.” He smiled. “I’m doing very well thank you.”

“Glad to hear it Dick, and I’m happy to see you back on the scene. There was quite the gossip going around that you had died while you were campaigning. I’m happy to see that is simply not true.” She chuckled.

“Oh, yea you know fake news and all.” He waved off the thought of him being dead.

“So, what happened to you during the campaign? You very much fell off the face of the Earth.” She chuckled nervously.

“Well, I needed some time in order to deal with some private family matters that took precedence over the campaign. There was a death in the family that was a big blow for us, and I needed time to sort through some things.” His face changed from that of the seriously creepy guy from seconds ago to one that utterly looked as if he did indeed go through something traumatic. Dean wondered if it was the bone he shoved through his neck, and if he remembered the feel of it. He’s gonna feel it again soon, that’s for damn sure.

“But now that I’ve had some time to grieve and look within myself for the answers I was looking for, I’ve realized something Katherine.”

Katherines’ face was a little shaken up as if this was more off script than she initially thought. “And what would that be?” she smiled anxiously.

“I don’t need to put on an act anymore. I can truly be myself now. I have no desire to return to the being I used to be. Sad, bored, annoyed, angry. I have no need to feel those emotions anymore. Not when I can take what I want.” He went to reach for Katherine’s hand, but she pulled it off the desk and covered her retreat as a need to filter through some of the paperwork she was clinging onto for her life. His intimidation factor shot up ten-fold as he stood up at her rejection. She shot up also as a way to escape the situation and turned to call for security, but before a sound could escape her lips, she was pulled back to face Dick as he swallowed her instantly… on live tv.

He licked his lips as the camera was visibly shaking from the operator who was most likely shitting himself, but felt he wasn’t allowed to leave as Dick’s eyes focused on him for a fraction of a second before returning to the camera.

“Be seeing ya.” Dick said as he gave a saucy wink to the camera and walked off screen. That wasn’t for the general population, Sam and Dean knew that was a message for them. It was a little tease for them to come find me. The room gave a collective sigh.

The news channel instantly went into technical difficulties screensaver mode as Sam finally sat down in a chair near the laptop. Sterling was gripping the back of a chair so tight the metal was starting to bend under the pressure before she took a deep breath and released the groaning metal. She looked around at everyone in the room who were collectively shitting themselves in their mind.

“What do we do?” Sterling asked looking at Sam and Dean who were mostly still trying to retain their fury at the situation. She hated to probe even though she already knew the past history, but her “character” had to be believable, especially when two of them are starting to question already.

“What did he mean by that? Just what the Hell is he?!” She was using the inner anger as an excellent catalyst toward sounding panicked. If Billie was watching, she would have been impressed.

“He’s a Leviathan. They’re super old creatures from before even angels were created. God created them first then tucked them away into a place called Purgatory where they’ve been for Centuries. Until…” Sam hesitated, he didn’t want to point fingers but definitely didn’t feel like opening up that wound on Castiel. He’d just come back damn it.

“Until I released them and used myself as a conduit of their collective power. I sought to use them as a means to correct many wrongs. But my hubris got the better of me and they were released onto the Earth.” Castiel finished for him. He wasn’t the same angel he was before; he took responsibility for his past mistakes. He knew he made plenty. Sam gave him a look of pity as he wanted to console Cas, but he was interrupted by Sterling who was more into answers. Even answers she already knew but still had to ask.

“So, how do we deal with them?” She leaned on the back of the chair again, fully committed to see this thing through.

“We? Whoa, look lady I know you think you’re tough, but these things are not unthinking walking zombies. They’re highly intelligent and damn near impossible to kill. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but you also just woke up.” Dean perked up, he was really starting to like her gumption.

“Alright well, I want to help.” Sterling stood firm knowing she was about to get backlash.

“Cool it there Leroy Jenkins, we’ll let ya help once you’re cleared for duty by Alex.” Dean stood immovable in his decision.

Alex jolted at her name being mentioned, she was so deep into her own mind that she wasn’t really paying attention to what was going on around her. “Wait, what? I’ll do what now?”

“Clear her for duty.” Dean stated again.

“Oh uh, alright.” Alex replied still visibly shaken.

“We’ll let you know when we’re ready to move. You just rest up until then.” Dean looked into Sterling’s eyes as a means to further imply that he was the boss here. Sterling was willing to humor him, for just a little longer.

“Sounds good.” Sterling nodded and sat down in the chair she was leaning on as a way to show she was willing to do what was needed. This seemed to put Dean a bit at ease as she started looking around the room more to find not everyone was enthusiastic about the current situation they were in.

“Alright look. We have the weapon needed to “kill” Dick and send his buddies back to purgatory.” Dean informed flatly as everyone gave a slight gasp at the news.

“Wait, how did you acquire the blood needed for it when…” Castiel started a barrage of questions but before he could finish Sam interjected.

“We’ve gotten all the blood we need but we were waiting for you.” Sam said coolly.

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry it took so long to…”

“Don’t apologize. We know it wasn’t your fault.” Sam interrupted. “Plus, you have a hint of a location of Amara. That’s something we can work with.” He smiled as he redirected the current topic.

Castiel smiled back but still felt guilty for failing to realize just how long he was gone, and how the Observatory affected time.

“You and me both pal.” Thought Sterling as She was reveling in the cascade of emotions flowing from them at that moment. Love, sense of family, sense of belonging. She was remembering a similar feeling from long ago but stopped herself from delving too deep as she felt eyes on her. Rowena was still giving her looks of uncertainty, this was going to be a tough one.

“So, once we form a plan to take out Dick and his entourage, we’ll need everyone’s help on this. We don’t want anyone going Rambo.” Dean announced.

“Speak for yourself.” Interjected Rowena with a scoff.

“Alright, so everyone just hang tight for a bit. Got it?” Sam asked loudly.

The room gave a collective “Yes” that was lacking in energy, but everyone knew how dire the situation was. Everyone started going their separate ways leaving Sterling, Alex, and Rowena alone in the war room. Alex was still deep in thought on the situation and Rowena was torn between focusing attention on finding a spell for locating or speaking to Amara and trying to unwrap the feeling of mystery from Sterling who was sitting in the chair staring up at the ceiling in thought. In reality, Sterling was searching for the exact location of Dick Roman, she found him in 2.5 seconds. Not a record by any longshot but at least she could see where he was at that moment. Apparently, he was on the west coast in a city called L.A. just as he was leaving the news station he was broadcasting from. Humans give the strangest names for places and things. Sterling got up quickly from her seat which spooked Alex and Rowena a bit and she gave an apologetic wave of her hand toward them.

“Sorry, I’m uh… is there a bed that’s available that isn’t in the uh…” She gestured toward the Infirmary.

“Oh yes! Absolutely, wait here and let me get some things and I’ll show you one you can have.” Alex bounced out of the war room feeling better now that she can direct her attention to something else.

Leaving Rowena and Sterling alone with an awkward silence between them. Rowena was content in focusing her attention on Sterling, but only with her periphery as she faked filtering through her tome of master-level spells. Sterling took interest in the tome seeing that the cover looked severely weathered while being stained a deep shade of red, and the ink seemed to be written in human blood. What was even more interesting was that she was able to read and decipher the text within just by glancing at it. “What the hell?” She thought as her mind drifted to Chuck and just what kind of influence did he use to make this actually tangible for creatures of this caliber to possess.

“Interesting book you have there. You can read this chicken-scratch?” Sterling joked.

“Yes, I can actually.” Rowena lied. Sterling feigned shock, “Nice try witch.” She thought to herself.

“No shit!? That’s crazy, so you’re a witch huh?”

“I am. Something wrong with that?” Rowena was starting to judge her a bit.

“Hell no. I think women should be allowed to assert their dominance.” Sterling said, knowing that would win her over.

It did.

Rowena gave a wide smile and pulled her fake attention from the book to look Sterling in the eyes. “What did you say your name was again love?”

“Sterling, and yours was….” She put a had to her head as if searching, “Row… Rowena? Am I right?”

“You are, I’m quite impressed you remember. With all that’s going on.” Rowena gave a gentle gesture to everything in existence, if there could be such a gesture.

“I tend to stick better to people and things that are in front of me and I can affect. Or help, really. Names can be funny sometimes though; I’ll remember some and forget them if I don’t see the person again for a while.” Sterling said as she sat on the end of the table facing Rowena.

“So, Sterling. What do you do?” Rowena had completely closed the book, but left it resting in her lap.

“Well I was in the military for a number of years…”

“Doing what?”

“Eh, if I told you, I’d have to kill you. Ah, but you’re a witch so I assume you have something for that.” Sterling chuckled knowing full well she in fact did and still does. “I did secret operations for the military, assassinations, insurgency stuff. Nothing light I’ll tell you that.”

“That explains the state you left the Infirmary in after those walkers paid you a visit.” Rowena pulled her body back a bit as she started to relax. She was falling back into believing Sterling was human, slowly.

“Knee jerk reaction really. Started having flashbacks when they grouped up on me.” Sterling floundered a bit to feign being vulnerable in that moment. “Sorry, that kind of stuff can bother people I didn’t mean to bog you down at all. Especially not after all this shit has hit the fan.” She moved to stand up.

Rowena placed a supportive hand on Sterling’s shoulder. Jackpot.

“Not at all. A lot has happened since you’ve woken up. I appreciate you opening up to me, but you should really be careful. These kinds of monsters that are out there are worse than humans.” Rowena warned. At that moment Alex walked back into the room and made her way to the two.

“Not so sure about that.” Sterling joked. Rowena chuckled a bit knowing full well what she means. Alex cleared her throat a bit as a segue to move from whatever conversation she was interrupting to her presence.

“All ready?” Sterling glanced toward Alex as she gave Rowena a light pat on the shoulder.

“Yep, you?” Alex asked giving Rowena an apologetic look. Rowena waved it off, displaying that it didn’t bother her in the slightest.

“Yep, sleeping for three weeks can really tire a person.” Sterling joked as Alex began leading her to an unoccupied room. Sterling was able to hear a slight chuckle from Rowena as they left the room. As the humans say it, hook, line, and sinker. She smiled at her well-earned accomplishment. Alex twisted her head to the side to make sure Sterling was following her well enough.

“What’s so funny?” she inquired.

“Ah nothing, something a friend of mine once said.”

“Ah, well here you are.” Alex announced as they stood outside room number 8.

Alex opened the door with a free hand and walked in setting the items she was carrying on the desk next to the door. The room was small only housing a desk, bed, small chest of drawers, a nightstand and a chair. Sterling didn’t need light and could see every detail and atom if she looked hard enough, but Alex was human, so she flicked on the light.

“Ah thank you, much better.” Alex said as she turned to get a good look at the bed, making sure it was guest ready.

“Well it looks like you’re all set here. Let me know if you need anything.” Alex said as she started leaving.

“Alex?” Sterling stopped her in her tracks.

“Thanks again. For all your help. I really do appreciate it.” Sterling sighed, “I hope I can pay you back someday.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Alex smiled as she left, closing the door behind her on the way out. Leaving Sterling alone in the small but homey room. Sterling didn’t need sleep, so she took to sending herself out to look around a bit, but mostly to keep an eye on Dick Roman. As soon as she saw his true being, she felt sick and angry. How could he? She thought to herself as she watched him all through the night travel from L.A. to Chicago.

“I will see you soon, much sooner than you think.” Sterling thought to herself as she watched him like a daytime telenova.

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