#rose is the master au

[drindrak-art]

There is nothing wrong with Rose Tyler's old pocket watch.

The watch belonged to her father - at least, that’s what Rose always believed and that’s what she told the Doctor when he asked. The watch was broken and had been for as long as she’s had it; not that she let the Doctor know that bit. Something deep inside her told her to lie lie lie about it - that it worked fine, that it was just a stupid trinket that reminded her of her father, that there was nothing wrong with her watch. And eventually he dropped the subject and never brought it up again. Though she always noticed the looks he’d send to it, brows furrowed, confused and searching for something strange about it. So Rose would hide it away in her pockets; hide it from his scrutiny.

But the Doctor’s interest in the watch would always bring her attention to it.

Because Rose would barely remember she owned the watch. Her gaze would shift from it as if she wasn’t holding it in her hands; as if she wasn't feeling the cold metal warm in her grip. Her attention would always switch focus to something other than the perfectly normal, nothing weird about it, watch hiding in her pockets.

People rarely even noticed the thing and never brought it up unless Rose did first. And always, always, the first thing she’d say is, “It’s my dad’s old pocket watch. Still works perfectly fine!” No matter what people said about it, she’d always reiterate that there’s nothing wrong with her watch. It's a normal, nothing strange about it, stop asking about it, pocket watch.

Rose would often put the watch out of her mind - her head already too full with that constant damnable noise. Always in the back of her head pounding away like a child’s drum set - just one-two-three-four one-two-three-four, over and over and over, neverending. The pain from it was at least manageable with over the counter pain meds.

When she’d looked into the Heart of the TARDIS and the TARDIS looked back and together they became the Bad Wolf, the noise had, for one glorious moment, vanished as if it was never there to begin with. One beautiful, silent moment.

But it was back the moment the Bad Wolf left her - the moment the Doctor died to save her from burning. Pounding in that one-two-three-four harsher than ever, leaving her with a near constant headache that nothing seemed to help with.

When she’d begun falling towards the Void alongside the Daleks and the Cybermen, the watch screamed for her to open it, to let it help, to not let the Doctor abandon her again - but Pete, her alternate universe dad, caught her before she could. The watch quieted and Rose pushed the strangeness of it out of her mind because now she was trapped, stuck in an alternate universe without the Doctor, without the man she loved most of all.

It’s not until Bad Wolf Bay, after words said in tears; a desperate “I love you!” falling from her lips and his stupid, waste of time response of: “Quite right too … and I suppose, if this is my last chance to say it-”; after his image disappeared before finishing his sentence and her heart broke more than it ever had, that she finally, finally, took proper notice of the watch.

The watch was hot to the touch and pulsating a soft golden colour and whispers of “it’s time, it’s time, open me, do it, do it now” escaped it and god how her finger itched to press the clasp and open it - but her mother’s arms go around her shoulders, dragging her into a hug. The spell the watch had on her breaks and she forgets it entirely.

Forgets it until nearly two months later, when she’s lying in bed in a too empty apartment, trying and failing to get over the Doctor, and the watch hisses to her: “Stupid, useless little ape. Open me. It’s time. Open the watch, now.” She looks at it and it's like she’s in a trance, staring and staring at it, unable to look away. Her finger catches on the clasp and the watch swings open with a bright golden light that burns through her like Bad Wolf once had and crushes her human mind beneath the louder than ever one-two-three-four one-two-three-four… and she collapses like a puppet with its strings cut.

Five minutes and twenty-seven seconds later, the Master opens her eyes and smiles.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Lan Wangji Goes To Lotus Pier AU: Part 1: Dread on Arrival

(Part 2)

[surielstea]

Wedding Crasher

Based on this request.

Paring: Azriel x Fem!Reader (mates)

Summary: Reader is forced into an arranged marriage, and when the day of union comes it is interrupted by two familiar Illyrian warriors.

Warnings: Toxic relationship with parents | forced marriage | Azriel threatens a life | but pretty much all fluff <33

2.4k words.

My white dress hung heavy on my shoulders, my corset too tight, my heels already making my feet ache.

The plastered smile on my face hurt my cheeks, and the thorns in my bouquet prickled my sweaty palms. I released a shaky breath as the music of the string quartet began to play, an unmistakable tune meant for happy brides ready to walk down the aisle.

Which is what I was supposed to be, happy, ready. Heads turned in my direction and my back straightened, my brows creasing the slightest fraction.

My husband-to-be waited at the end of the walkway, his smile broad and malicious. My stomach churned.

I didn't want to be here, here on this beach getting married to some guy twenty years older all for an alliance my parents forced me into. My self-sovereignty for what? For a few pieces of gold and a minor title?

I took a steadying breath and began walking forward, keeping in rhythm to the strum of the music. The groom reached his hand out towards me, my own shook as I took it and he pulled me the rest of the way to the altar.

The officiant began the reading from his script, and with it, my ears began to ring, I tuned the priest out and my eyes fluttered closed. My fiancé's hands squeezed mine, not in a comforting manner, but a warning. I snapped my head up and looked at the officiant, I blinked at him with creased brows.

"Do you, take Rhen Talor to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do you part?" He repeated each word adding another pound of weight to my shoulders.

"I—" I look between the oblivious officiant and the groom, Rhen, to my parents who were watching with narrowed eyes. "I..." I wanted to say yes, I was going to say yes, but the pounding in my heart could be heard in my ears and I got the sneaking suspicion that I was about to vomit all over my white gown.

An unnatural wind blew my hair back as if nature itself was beckoning me to step away, to run.

I looked in the direction of the wind, my hands slipping from Rhen's as I spotted two towering, familiar winged figures in the distance and I realized the pounding in my ears was the beat of their wings.

The crowd murmurs at the intrusion as the two Illyrians casually stroll towards us, arrogance and power in each step.

"Excuse me for a moment," I say, gathering my skirts in my hands and rushing over to the two males as fast as I can in my heels that seemed determined to get stuck in the sand.

"What in the seven hells are you two doing here?" I seethe, looking at the fae warriors who were smiling at me with wicked amusement. Some part of me relaxed to feel anything besides fear and nausea, even if it was anger taking over.

"We're here to save you, what else?" The shadow singer arches a brow, dark shadows swirling up the pure white of my dress.

"I don't need anyone's saving, especially not two Carynthian warriors," I argue and Cassian snorts, taking in my appearance.

"I only came along because Az promised there'd be a buffet," The lord of bloodshed shrugged.

"Not for— this is wildly inappropriate, even for the two of you." I groaned but Cassian only continued walking, towards the guests that were scrambling away from the sight of his seven siphons. Leaving me and Azriel, our words drowned out by the crashing of the waves.

"You're too late. I already said I do," I cross my arms over my chest.

"Liar," He narrows his hazel eyes on me. "You know better than to try and fool me, Love, I could feel you tugging at the bond, you were in distress," Azriel took a dangerous step forward and I sucked in a sharp breath at the mention of the bond, not accepted but not rejected either. A bridge between us that I both refused to sever and to walk across.

H grabbed my hand that was prickled with the thorns of my bouquet, shadows soothed over my palm, relieving the sting of my minor wounds. "You shouldn't be here," I frowned but his smile remained.

"No, probably not, but I can't let you marry him," He said, his voice brooking no room for argument, ever the cool and collected male.

“Go home, Azriel,” I speak quietly, but not weakly.

“Come with me.” He matches my tone, his scarred fingers intertwining with my manicured ones and the sensation was so different than the feeling of Rhen’s grip. "Why did your parents arrange this? What are they gaining from this union?" He asked, voice slightly stiff at the idea of selling me off for their own personal achievement.

"Money, the Talor's have a small title and crop of land, it'd be enough to last us a few centuries,” I shrug. I loved my parents, despite their twisted and corrupt ways, I loved them because they fed and raised me, I loved them because they put clothes on my back and told me bedtime stories. I never assumed I’d have to pay them back, not this way, at least.

"I'll give you every cent to my name if that's the price of my mate's freedom, if money is what they want, they can take mine." The shadow singer stated, his words certain that it made me realize that I’ve never been as sure about anything as he was about this.

"I can't ask you to do that." I shake my head, slipping my fingers from his, knowing the lingering guests were watching.

"You don't have to, I want you to be happy, let me buy you then set you free." He implored, allowing my hand to fall to my side only because he moved to cup my cheek. "And if I'm lucky you'll fall in love with me along the way." He shrugged with a smirk of pure fae male arrogance.

"Az," I deadpan, the words half a growl.

"I'm not asking you to marry me, I'm asking you not to marry him." His eyes flick back to the male watching with furious eyes from the archway. "If you tell me to I’ll leave, and you can walk down that aisle again— but let's not kid ourselves, you never wanted this, never wanted him,” His hand on my face made me melt slightly, and he was right, despite wanting to pay my mother and father back, this is nowhere near anything I wanted.

I swallowed thickly, weighing the options. If I married Rhen my parents would be happy and this would all be water under the bridge— but I’d suffer a life of being both a housewife and broodmare with a male who did not truly love me.

If I went with Azriel my parents would likely attempt to cleave us, unless Azriel paid them as he said he would, as long as gold was placed in their hands I doubted they’d have much argument— and I could be free to choose what I wanted with my life, I could accept my mating bond.

"But where will I go? What will I do?" I ask, my mind filled with questions that could only be answered by my future self.

"It's entirely up to you, you can live with me, or you can move to another court, whatever you choose. You'd be free." He stresses and my mouth gapes open, then closes. I look to the waves crashing against the shore only a few yards away, shouting at me to flee, to go with him.

All of it was too good to be true, Azriel coming to be my savior with this plan. It couldn’t be real and I needed him to punch me so I could wake up from this dream.

"Though I'd prefer if you stayed close, it's painful having you so far even right now— and you're only a city away, I can’t imagine a whole court,” He added and I looked back to him, a small smile pulling at the corners of my lips.

"I haven't even accepted the bond yet and you're already desperate." I tease.

"Yet?" He arched a scarred brow.

I flush a soft hue and avert my eyes again, this time settling them on the approaching figure that formed a knot of anxiety in my stomach.

"You're out of line, get your hands off my bride you bastard." Rhen spat and I flinched at the way he cursed the word, Azriel didn’t so much as shift, in fact, I could’ve sworn there was a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Out of line? No, I'm exactly where I should be, you're the one that's in my way." The shadow singer smoothly replied, Rhen snarled at his retort and grabbed me just above my elbow, his grip as tight and immovable as iron.

"Don't touch me." I gritted out, tugging at my arm but he didn’t budge and simply pulled me back towards where the officiant stood, uneasy on his feet.

"Come on, be a good little wife, and finish the damned ceremony," Rhen growled, and before I could take even another step towards the archway my fiancé halted, freezing in his footsteps as shadows wrapped around his limbs, his neck, encasing his body and shoving into his open mouth, restricting him of oxygen.

"She told you not to touch her Talor, so I'd highly suggest you let go or you won't have a hand anymore." The Spy Master’s voice was death incarnate, I had never heard anything so paralyzing in all my immortal life. It chilled me down to my very bone, and I thought that I might be carrion if I was ever on the receiving end of my mate's deathly stare.

Rhen’s hand releases me if only to grasp at his own throat, silently pleading with his eyes to have mercy.

The shadows released him and Rhen was sent running, sprinting as fast as he could away from the male that stood before me, now looking at me with an incredulous grin. Insane, he must’ve been insane— and I must’ve been too, to be so in love with that smile and the dimples that came along with it.

"You were seriously going to marry him?” He scoffed, hand coming to my arm and inspecting the area Rhen held me for any injury.

"Well, it wasn't really my choice," I grumble under my breath as Azriel lets go of my arm with a gentleness that rivaled his vicious exterior that occurred only moments ago.

Azriel’s eyes flicked over to the few remaining guests and I turned in the direction he stared, at my parents who were staring with both helplessness and fury in their eyes.

"Me and Cass will deal with them later, let's get you out of here, alright?" He tugged at the tether between us and my head whips back to him.

“Okay,” I nod and reach out, my hand finding his. His eyes soften as he pulls me into him, wrapping a wing around me and cocooning us in darkness before he utilizes his shadows to pull us into another realm entirely, it was only a brief moment of darkness and an empty void before my heels were on a hardwood floor and the sweet citrusy smell of Velaris flowed through my nose.

"We left Cass," I say, glancing around to find the second Illyrian nowhere to be found.

"He was in the midst of stuffing his face with bread rolls, I think he'll be just fine." Azriel half scoffed, half chuckled. He pulled away but before he could completely slip from my grasp my hand tightened on his and his brows lifted a fraction, eyes lighting with intrigue.

"Thank you." Is all I can manage to say.

"Don't thank me." He shakes his head. "I should have gotten you out of there far sooner." He spoke as if he was more dissatisfied with himself than anyone else.

"But still, when it mattered you came for me," I utter, taking a cautious step forward.

"You're my mate, even if you haven't accepted the bond, it's my duty to keep you safe— you shouldn't have even been out of my sights," He says, his voice soft as he looks down at me, hand squeezing mine.

"I wasn't, not really." I hum, gesturing down to the shadow that swirled around my ankle, the one that would always remain there.

He smiles at the thought, then says, "You look beautiful, by the way." His eyes flick down to my white gown and I follow his gaze, smiling softly at the dress, it had been the only thing that was my decision in this entire endeavor.

"I only wish that it was your choice to put that dress on, this morning," He added, as if reading my mind, and for a moment I wondered if the mating bond allowed him to see how I felt.

"It will be, one day," I nod confidently and his brows raise with insinuation. A gentle smile blooms across my lips and I cup his sharp jaw. “But for now, baby steps,” I suggest rising up onto my toes, leaning closer, placing a kiss on his adjacent cheek.

When I pulled back he was beet red and I giggled at the sight, it was a wonder that this male, who flushed at a chaste peck on the cheek, was also one of the most feared in Prythian.

“Right,” he swallowed down the lump in his throat, his hand only a phantom at my waist, hovering. "I'll have money sent to your parents by Dawn." He says, then quickly adds, “Even if they don’t deserve it.”

I smile brightly and pull away. “Thank you, Az,” I murmur.

“Anything, for you.” He confessed, and I knew he meant it. I smiled, thinking that in the morning I might reward him with some breakfast, in turn, accepted that golden tether between us and finally allowed myself to be happy, with a mate.

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[doctorsiren]

A second Doctor Who Ace Attorney AU where Phoenix is the Doctor instead of Miles, and then Miles is then the Master (we’ve been rewatching the show and so ideas are everywhere as we make our way through the episodes 🤭)

[silvers-starrway]

S doesn't get to catch a break </3

[theawsomeboii]

Showcasing all of my designs for my Sonic and the Mayhem reMastered project. Hope you guys enjoy! Expect to see more from these versions of the sonic cast soon!

[metal-organic-au]

Don't ask it seemed funny in my head

What do I do with my life?

[madhatter0309]

Y’all I’m looking for some Doctor Who Human AU or College AU where the doctors are human, besties, happy and having fun (written or toon, doesn’t matter).

:D

[mylifeiscomics]

Part 69 - College AU This is my favourite Master and I don't care who knows it.

Read the first 5 chapters here

Previous - Next

@deardiary17 @mizzingyou @i-belong-in-a-retirement-home @kittenwhodidntwanttogiveup @septic-dr-schneep @queenlovett @theoncomingdoo-dah @thethickofitt @jicklet @ginshoujo @samsrosary @confusedwhovian23 @icouldntthinkofanythingclever If anyone else wants to be tagged let me know

[wispedvellichor]

Donna: Master, that’s disgusting. You’re only giving free stuff to beautiful people. Doctor: Yeah, you should be ashamed of yourself. Master: Oh yeah? *gets really close to Doctor* How about a muffin on the house baby? Doctor, giggling: I’m pretty.

[drindrak-art]

Let me introduce the sketch i was making the other day that inspiried me to write that rose!master one shot

[hugs-and-murder]

Five Nights At Sonic's except it doesn't have random mario characters in there???

[celestiall0tus]

Miraculous AU Hero Redesign Redraws

Went through and redrew (almost) all the Miraculous AU hero designs. Making a new master post for them to put on the pinned post.

[ragingphantom666]

Sonic World: Sonic the Hedgehog (volume 1)

I just finished the second story in my Sonic World fan fiction universe. It is volume 1 of possibly 3. I'm glad I finished it. I won't be working on volume 2 immediately because I love exploring the world of Sonic and this helps set up several spin-offs.

You can read the story through the link below:

[hesbuckcompton-baby]

Yes please writte this historical Au cause you'r writing is already amazing but medival enemys to lovers for Susie and Demarco would be a real gift to us .Lots of Love and a Happy week to you

Thank you so much anon - and extra thanks to everyone else who's messaged me about this AU! <3 hope you enjoy!!

@xxluckystrike @p-polaroid

wars of the roses au -> susie lamb x bernard demarco

The carriage swayed uncomfortably from side to side against the uneven road below, the only sound the constant rattle of wheels and braying of horses as the boy and his father approached their destination. Bernard DeMarco slouched in his seat, staring back at the elder man across from him, a sour frown contorting his expression.

"Stop sulking like a child and sit up straight," His father snapped, tearing his unimpressed gaze away from the window. "It's bad enough we have to grovel to these people, do not arrive looking a fool."

Bernard rolled his eyes. "I still do not understand this. My brothers married Ladies - you are an Earl. And who is she? Her father had no title - her brother may be a Baron now, but he was not born one. Why have I had to fall so far?"

"Your brothers may have married Ladies, but their families are now outcasts from the court of our new King Henry. We need influence and new alliances, and her sisters have married well - this will connect us to the right people, son."

Suppressing a sigh, he leant sideways against the inside of the carriage, staring out at the red-brick chimney pots and they pulled into the courtyard of the Lamb family's home, the walls encircling him like a prison. As the carriage rolled to a halt, he and his father stepped outside, the fresh country air a balm after so many hours inside the wooden box. At the door, an older woman awaited, closer in age to his father, skin pinched at the corners of her eyes, dark hair pulled tightly back beneath her cap. "Welcome, my Lord. My son is waiting for you inside."

Watching as his father fell in step with the woman - whom he assumed would soon be his own mother once this business was over - Bernard trailed closely behind, taking in his surroundings as they filed through the corridors towards the house's main hall. The place was plainer than he was used to, although not entirely without its charm. As they crossed the entryway, a girl appeared at the top of the stairs, staring down at them, warm brown curls framing her face, a pink flush tinting her cheeks as she sent him a sweet smile. Although not the most handsome girl he had seen, she was certainly pleasant.

"Father?" He called as Mrs Lamb disappeared in search of her children. "Who's that, up there?"

Following his gaze, his father nodded. "Eleanor. The youngest sister."

He was sure his disappointment was visible. "Can't I marry that one instead? She seems agreeable."

"Hm, the King thought so too. Which is why she is already betrothed to the Earl of Leicester's son."

"So I am truly to take the scraps?"

"Unfortunately," A voice echoed from the other end of the hall. Bernard and his father turned simultaneously, peering at the woman as she approached, loose, auburn locks bouncing over her shoulders with each movement, footsteps echoing against the polished wooden floor. She eyed him closely, with the scrutiny of a fox assessing its prey, and he felt sweat begin to bead at his brow.

"Ah! Susannah!" Her mother exclaimed, a younger man at her shoulder as she returned, his gaze skittish, never meeting the eye. But there was a distinct resemblance between the two, and he found himself suppressing a snort as he realised the man must have been the Baron. "Wonderful. My Lord, if we may talk in the drawing room? We can leave these two to make their introductions."

In that moment, Bernard wanted nothing less than to be left alone with this woman. Nevertheless, his father had soon vanished, and the pair stood silently at the base of the stairs as he tried not to flinch under her gaze, so penetrating it was as if she could see straight through his clothes and flesh all the way to his very bones. Eleanor let out a giggle from upstairs, and soon she too was gone.

"So," Susannah Lamb began. "You truly are desperate."

A prick of indignation stabbed at his chest, pushing his shoulders back to tower above her even more than he already did. Her lips were pursed in a thin smirk as she waited for his reply, and he realised that - as irritable as her expression was - her face was far from unappealing to him. If anything, at least their children might appear personable.

"Madam, I am doing you a favour with this match," He grimaced.

"Oh, certainly. But it humiliates you to do it - to marry so below your birthright, all because your father chose the wrong side."

"It's surely telling that no one on your own side would take you as a wife - although I can't confess to being surprised."

At this, she began to laugh, and Bernard bit at the inside of his cheek so hard that he almost drew blood. He certainly hadn't intended for such a reaction, and worse still was the melodious warmth with which she did it. It was a laugh that, in itself, he could have surely come to love. That it came from Susannah was... confusing.

With a final dry chuckle, she finally spoke. "Well, you have confirmed my every expectation, Sir." Susannah nodded, still smiling.

He scoffed. "And you're pleased by that?"

"Oh absolutely. If you'd been agreeable I would've found you so much harder to dislike."

"You're very resolved to dislike me, aren't you?"

"Well, it certainly makes my life easier," She shrugged, her skirts rustling as she turned on her heel and began to walk away, the rhythmic drum of footsteps parting the tense quiet. Bernard watched on for a moment before letting out an irritated huff as he began to pursue. Up ahead, her dress swayed side to side with each step, all at once infuriating and disgustingly hypnotic.

"In what way?" He yelled.

"There's no expectation that I see you beyond what is strictly necessary," Susannah called over her shoulder, the sunlight through a passing window casting shadows across her profile. She had just made it around the next corner when he caught up, seizing her wrist and tugging her to a halt. Expression contorted in distaste, she yanked her arm sharply from his grip, yet made no effort to flee. "Until the very moment we are wed, you do not touch me."

"Do you truly think I want to marry you?" He sneered.

"Do you truly think I care what you want?" She shot back, mimicking his own tone in a way that made his blood boil.

"My brothers wed Ladies-"

"And I'm sure they were very pleased with themselves at the time."

With his jaw clenched so tightly he feared his teeth may shatter, Bernard searched desperately for some scrap of wit he could hurl back in her face, only for his mind to come up devastatingly empty. It wasn't until the pair had fallen silent that he realised quite how close they'd become. With each insult, they had inched forward to better spit their venom, but all it seemed to mean now was that there was barely a gap between them, their breath fanning each other's cheeks, heads tilted towards one another, lips mere inches apart. Susannah's expression was cold, unyielding, and it seemed to take her a moment to realise this herself. Suddenly clearing her throat, she took a decisive step back, and the air around him seemed to clear, suddenly absent of warmth.

"Bernard!" His father's voice echoed from somewhere back down the hall.

"Off you go," She whispered, that ever-present tone of mockery still lining her voice. "He's tugging your leash, pup."

Taking a step back towards his father, Bernard took one last scornful glance at the woman, a beam of sunlight streaking through the window and lighting her hair a fiery orange.

"Milady," He bit, turning his back on her as he returned to his father, who stood waiting for him at the base of the stairs, brow raised in question. At the sight of his son's dour frown, he nodded, seemingly entirely unsurprised.

Susannah's mother uttered her thanks, and they were out the door almost as swiftly as they had come, the gravel in the courtyard crunching noisily beneath their feet as they returned to their carriage. Swinging the door open, Bernard's father climbed in first, looking back at his son once he'd taken his seat.

"So? What do you think of her, then?"

Turning his head, he took one last look at the house. Movement in one of the upstairs windows caught his eye, and he glanced up as Susannah took a seat upon the sill, attention so captured by the book in her hands that she never spared a glance for the man who was to be her husband. When peaceful, she appeared an entirely different woman. With a huff, he clambered inside, sitting down opposite his father.

"I think we'll make each other miserable."

[alterchaos]

A POINTLESS WAR

(cw: written blood/gore, intense violence, body horror)

Purpose...it's what drives us to do incredible things...but what happens when that purpose proves to be built on false assumptions? Maybe we aren't all so different after all...

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: ZELKOVA STRIKES BACK

NEXT CHAPTER: REGROUP

The fox and the Metarex lord stared each other down through their respective ship windows, neither willing to yield against the other.

“Chris.”

“Yeah?”

“Are they out of range?”

The scientist smiled, “They are now, captain.”

“And Zelkova didn’t see them leave?”

“No. It doesn’t look like it.”

“Good.”

The flight deck fell silent for a moment.

“Listen…if anyone else wants to go-”

Amy stood up from her console with a confident smile, “Not a chance! You’re stuck with me no matter what!”

Knuckles smiled as well, “Me too!”

Chris nodded, “We all know the risks. Besides…” He winked knowingly, “...this was to protect Sonic wasn’t it?”

Tails jolted, “Huh!? How did you-”

The human smiled, “Same as you. I had a feeling about where that message was going, which is why I blocked it when I did. If Sonic had heard that last part…”

The fox’s eyes grew worried, “Yeah…I know what you mean…”

Zelkova…he was out for revenge…

…revenge…against Sonic…

Though he didn’t want to think about it, he had a nagging suspicion about what really happened back on the evil scientist’s base. It made too much sense…the corrupted energy…Eve’s burns…

The ashes surrounding him…

There was no doubt in Tails’s mind that his brother would have offered himself up had he pieced those facts together. He was too broken mentally after everything that happened and wasn’t thinking straight. Nobody needed the IQ of a genius to know that much. Had it come to that, there would have been no stopping him.

That was why, even if it tore him apart inside, he had to send him away.

Even if it meant goodbye…

Forever…

Tails wiped his tears fully dry and pulled back one of his levers, forcing the thrusters to oppose the Metarex ship at maximum drive with newfound determination, “Enough of that! Knuckles, it’s all on you now!”

“Roger that, Little Brother!” With that, the echidna raced from the scene towards the engine chamber.

The fox pressed a few more buttons, “Chris, start launching our frontal attack! Amy, aim for the rear! On my signal, Chris, release the communications block. With his emotions high, we can maybe play Zelkova right into our hands and further distract him.”

“On your mark, Captain…”

The ship shook some more from the excessive force of the tractor beam.

The weapons were launched.

BOOM!

“NOW!!!”

beep

The golden Metarex lord appeared on the screen once more, shaking with rage as he stared down the young captain, “WHERE IS HE!!!??”

“...”

Zelkova slammed his fist down on the side of his control panel as a few more missiles hit, “WHERE IS THE BASTARD THAT KILLED NARCISSUS!!!??”

“Heh.” Tails grinned in a cocky manner, “Why don’t you tear this ship apart and find out for yourself?”

“RRRRRRRRGHHHHH!!!!!”

BOOM!

BOOM! BOOM!

“Or is it that you’re too scared to face us head on again after that dent we gave you last time…”

“RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!!!!!” The vengeful warrior thrust his control stick to its maximum position, pushing the beam’s force to its limits and dragging the Blue Typhoon down further despite its resistance, “I’M NOT AFRAID OF ANY OF YOU!!!!!”

The ship continued to shake, creaking slightly from the strain.

BOOM!

“I WILL KILL HIM!!!! NO!!!! I WILL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!!!!”

The ship’s sirens began wailing once more as red lights began to flash. Tails began to sweat. Crap! The engine couldn’t take much more without tearing the ship apart! 

He tapped his wrist communicator to call Knuckles, “Hey!! Any time now!!”

The echidna raced up the steps of the makeshift emerald altar, “I’m working on it!!!” He reached the top, praying to chaos for extra strength in the fight at hand, “The servers are the seven chaos…”

The gem began to glow.

All systems’ outputs were boosted.

“DIVERT ALL POWER NOW!!!!”

The weapons stopped firing as the power canon roared to life.

Tails smiled.

“NOW YOU ALL WILL DIIIIEEEEEE!!!!”

vreeeeeeeeeee

Tails flicked open the hidden button’s cover atop his control stick.

“Sorry, Zelkova! This ends HERE!!!”

He clicked it.

shooooom!!!

CRASH!!!

BOOOOM!!!!

The energy from the laser blasted a giant hole through the Metarex ship’s center, destroying the engine and half of Zelkova’s controls in its wake.

His video feed grew staticy, “NO!!!! NONONONONOOOO!!!!” He tried to regain control but it was no use. The fiery planet’s gravitational force was too strong, and what was left of the ship began to be pulled in against his will. 

“Haha! We did it-WOOOAAAHHH!!!”

The Blue Typhoon continued to shake, being dragged down towards the planet as well. Despite half of his systems being offline, Zelkova maintained a solid pull on the ship within his tractor beam. 

Tails gritted his fangs, “WE’RE GOING DOWN!!! BRACE YOURSELVES EVERYONE!!!!”

BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEE-

CRASH!!!

BOOM!!!!

SKRRRTTT!!!!!

THUNK!!!

—----------------------------------------------------------

“N-Nnnngh…”

The young fox’s hand twitched a few times as his eyes slowly fluttered open. Everything was fuzzy, his head spinning from the force of the ship’s impact against the rocky surface. Thankfully, he’d managed to land them in a way that minimized damage to the infrastructure, though the same couldn’t exactly be said for the rest of them. He and Amy had flown from their seats, the latter currently unconscious against a far wall, hammer lying out next to her. Chris was still behind his control panel, though it appeared that he’d hit his head against the console and was knocked out as well. Knuckles was nowhere to be seen, having been with the Master Emerald throughout the entire endeavor. 

Tails coughed a couple times before pushing himself up onto shaky, stumbling legs. He tripped, falling forward onto his knees as he gazed out behind him, his eyes flying wide as he did. 

They’d managed to land safely…

However…

The fiery pits of lava beneath the rocky surface reflected against the cracked glass, illuminating the young fox’s terrified face. 

If…

If they’d landed only a few inches further…

He gulped, backing away frantically as he attempted to push himself onto his feet once more, “I…I-I have to…g-get the systems online…I h-have to-”

BANG!

BANG!

CRASH!!!

Tails gasped as the door to the flight deck flew off its track, Zelkova stepping through. His towering presence frightened the small fox, the terror he felt only heightened by the Metarex lord’s battered state. His armor was dented in various places now, small pieces of his helmet and armor shattered off, revealing a soft, green figure underneath. The exposed eye radiated fury and bloodlust, a stark reminder that the Metarex were, indeed, actual people beneath the suits. 

People with thoughts…

Histories…

Beliefs…

Dreams…

Goals…

Tails stumbled again as the Metarex lord slowly approached, “Z-Zelkova…please…w-we…we can talk this ou-MMPH!!!!”

The towering figure grabbed the fox by the face, lifting him high into the air as he kicked and squirmed. His hand could so easily crush him if he wanted, but no…

Zelkova had other plans.

“Go on…call for your supposed ‘hero’…” He produced a small seed from the palm of his hand, causing Tails to let out a muffled scream as he fought harder to escape, “I want him to watch helplessly as the light fades from your ey-”

“HEY, ZELKOVA!!!!”

The golden-clad Metarex lord turned to face the figure behind him, his exposed eye narrowing with hatred. The echidna marched through the busted doorframe, each stride leaving behind a distinct trail of glittering light. He pounded his fists together in righteous fury, the immense energy blasting off of his prismatic, glowing figure in a threatening gesture. His amethyst eyes danced with small flecks of gold, the echidna sparkling like the light caught in the eye of a rare diamond. He cracked his neck before fixing his eyes once more on the threat before him.

“That’s our captain you’re messing with.”

Zelkova trembled slightly, though he refused to let go of the young fox. He’d been expecting to face the might of the gathered emeralds…but this…this was…something more…

Something…beyond…

“Tsch! You’re not that same echidna I fought last time, are you?”

“That’s right, and I’m going to leave you with a lot more than a small dent and some hurt pride if you don’t let him go…now.”

“...” 

“...”

“...”

Zelkova lunged, ready to force the seed into the young fox’s face. 

Tails screamed.

SHAZAP!

BOOM!

“GUH-!!!”

Without a word, Knuckles teleported before the Metarex lord, blowing his arm clean from his shoulder in a single, controlled chaos blast. The free limb landed before the busted doorway, its golden blood splattering along the walls as it flew.

“GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”

Zelkova dropped the trembling fox as he clutched the bleeding stub where his arm had once been. In a matter of moments, an arrangement of yellow carnations blossomed from the open wound, halting the bleeding in a sort of scab. Tails’s eyes widened at the sight as he recalled his friend’s eye from before.

Zelkova…

The Metarex…

No…

It…It couldn’t be…

They…

They were-

“RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!! I’LL MAKE YOU PAAAAAY!!!!!” Zelkova pulled his lightning spear from his back, sparking it to life with the power from his armor. He lunged at the hyper-speed echidna, “I’LL MAKE YOU ALL PA-”

SHAZAP!

Knuckles grabbed Zelkova before teleporting him outside the ship and away from where they could cause harm to the others. Tails watched as they flew about the thundering skies of the fiery planet, fighting at speeds unmatched by even Super Sonic’s standards. Each clash shook the heavens, rocking the planet to its very core.

RRRRRRRUMBLEEEEE….

“-!!!??!?”

Tails fell to his stomach as the force of the distant attacks pushed the Blue Typhoon closer and closer towards the edge of the cliff they’d landed beside. The ground shattered underneath, causing the massive ship to start sliding forward towards its magma-infused end. Tails screamed once more, shielding his eyes in his helpless and shaken state.

SHAZAP!

Knuckles appeared at the nose of the ship, gently lifting it from the earth, as if it was no more than a mere feather, and teleporting it over to more stable ground. As he laid it down, he suddenly shook and fell to the ground, his light flickering slightly.

“D-Damn…c-chaos…o-overloa-”

WHAM!

In a single hit from his enemy’s spear, Knuckles was sent careening miles away. Zelkova floated down to the rocky surface, his face now fully visible thanks to his shattered helmet. He resembled Cosmo somewhat: the pale, green skin; the leafy hair; the blossoms for ears…

He held out a hand towards the ship, “N-Now…to…e-end this-”

c-crack

“GNH!!!??”

Zelkova lurched forward suddenly as the gem adorning his chest began to crack slightly. His eyes widened in horror as he dropped his staff, clutching it with everything he had to keep it from shattering.

“N-No…I…I-I can’t-”

SHAZAP!

WHAM!

THUD!

SKIIIID!

Zelkova rolled across the rocky terrain towards the cracked earth as Knuckles punched him once more, his light flickering a bit more erratically than before. The Metarex lord continued to hold his gem as he neared the edge, halting his momentum by digging his armored feet into the earth below. The golden metal cracked a bit more, revealing more of his leafy flesh beneath. He gritted his teeth, quickly producing another seed from the late scientist and throwing it up into the air before grabbing his gem once more. He leapt up, kicking his leg around him and launching the seed at the echidna as he approached.

Dodged.

Knuckles, with Zelkova’s spear in hand, raced up to the Metarex lord for one final confrontation. He deflected the warrior’s flurry of kicks with the weapon, eventually knocking him back hard enough to cause him to stagger. Knuckles then drove the spear into Zelkova’s cape, trapping him along the edge, unable to escape.

Knuckles released a few heavy breaths, “There…Now you can’t chase us anymore…”

The earth rumbled around them.

Zelkova smiled.

“Fine…i-if I can’t win…”

He sweeped his legs underneath Knuckles’s feet, knocking him over before locking his knees around his neck.

“...then none of you can.”

RRRUMBLE…

CRACK!

SHATTER!

Tails watched in horror from the distance as his brother disappeared with Zelkova beyond the rocky cliff.

“KNUCKLLEESSSS!!!!!”

The echidna screamed as he fell, he and Zelkova landing on a small foothold unreached by the surrounding lava. The Metarex lord laughed, a bit of golden, sap-like blood dripping from his lips. He smiled at Knuckles tiredly, still clutching his slowly cracking gem as he sat.

crack

“I…m-may not have taken down Sonic…b-but I hope this can be revenge e-enough…”

Knuckles stood up, the last remnants of the master emerald’s energy fading from his weak, tired figure.

crack

“...brother.”

“Huh?”

Knuckles paused, taking in what Zelkova just said.

“Brother?”

crack

The Metarex lord sighed. It wasn’t as if telling him would matter anyway at this point, “Yes…Narcissus…” He chuckled slightly though with a twinge of regret, “For…F-For all of his faults…he was…s-still my…l-little brother…”

“...” Knuckles’s eyes grew sad.

crack

This caused Zelkova to jolt in embarrassment before turning his face away, “W-Well…it isn’t as if animals like you c-could ever understand…w-what that kind of love t-truly means…”

Knuckles sighed, “...Is that what…Dark Oak told you?”

“W-What of…it?”

crack

Knuckles sat back down beside the Metarex lord, “...You know…that fox back there? He’s my little brother…”

“-!!!”

crack

“I…can’t imagine what it would be like…to lose him like that…” Knuckles looked at his hands, “Us older brothers…even though we want to see them grow…become their own person…it’s our duty to protect our siblings…They look up to us…sometimes even want to be us…and to fail them is just…”

crack

“...”

“It’s unspeakable…”

“...”

“...”

“...”

crack

“I’m sorry, Zelkova…I wish I’d been able to do something for him…for both of you…I really do.”

crack

The large seedrian remained quiet as he watched the lava bubble and slowly rise. Everything he’d just heard, everything Knuckles said, it all went against what he’d been taught.

To love someone like that…

A mere animal…

No.

crack

A person…

One who perhaps wasn’t so different from him after all…

And if that was true…then…

Well…

crack

The seedrian chuckled slightly, smiling tiredly as he leaned his head back, looking up into the starry sky beyond the fiery pits.

“This war…”

“Huh?”

Zelkova released his hand from his gem.

crack

crack

s h a t t e r

Knuckles jolted in fright as large branches began to emerge from the heart where the gem had been, though he was unable to run in his overloaded state. He froze as Zelkova grabbed his hand, smiling with warmth as he did.

“D-Don’t…w-worry…o-our branches…th-they don’t…spread…”

Knuckles’s demeanor softened, “Then…why would you-”

In response, the transforming Seedrian lifted Knuckles to the rocky wall behind him. His hands began to grow into thick, long branches, gently raising the echidna towards the cliff’s edge with care. The emerald guardian’s eyes widened as he reached back out below.

“NO!!! WAIT!!! ZELKOVA, TAKE MY HAND!!!!”

The seedrian slowly shook his head, a small creak from rapidly spreading bark escaping his figure. He looked back up at the echidna, smiling as he forced himself to stand with the last of his energy. He raised his arm higher as roots spread from his feet, planting him firmly on the rocky foothold.

“040…806…”

“What?”

“G-Give your…crreeaakk…b-brother those…cough cough…c-coordinates…crreeak…”

“Zelkova-!”

“G-Go…there…cough crreaakk…e-end this…p-pointless…creeaak…w-wa-r-”

Knuckles was almost at the surface.

“ZELKOVA!!!!”

The tree-like seedrian smiled once more as his voice gave out, a few small branches escaping his lips. He closed his eyes, accepting his fate with peace as he grew still.

Brother…maybe we can find happiness…together…in the next life…

Knuckles reached the cliff’s top, pulling himself to safety as he looked back down on his hands and knees at the fully grown tree below in distress. 

“ZELKOVA!!!!”

There was no response.

“H-Hang on, Zelkova!! I-I’ll get help!! Then we can find a way to turn you ba-”

FWOOSH!

Too late.

Knuckles watched in horror as the lava reached the foothold, the wood immediately catching fire throughout what was once the body of the great Metarex lord.

“ZELKOVAAAAAAA!!!!!!”

All he could do in that moment was watch helplessly as the lifeless tree burned like that of its former brother, he whose life was stolen by the warrior as free as the wind upon which its ashes now flew.

CHAPTER END