#scream fortress 2024

[gamefaq]

The city is in chaos! The zombie infection is spreading fast. A group of mercenaries arrives in one of the Mann Co Evacuation centers, only to find everyone has disappeared without a trace…And so…They are Left for Dead!

[theworkshopmann]

Scream Fortress 2024

Terrifying Trove Collection

Sear Seer: PYRO

Chiromancer's Kit: PYRO

Duality of Mantle: PYRO/MEDIC

Contaminated Carryall: ENGINEER

Badlands Bandido: DEMOMAN

Hellish Overlord: HEAVY

The Surgeon General: MEDIC

Delldozer: ENGINEER

Shadow Shroud: SPY

Nuclear Necessity: ENGINEER

Strigoi Stare: HEAVY

The Witch Doctor: MEDIC

School Nuisance: SCOUT

Fleet Commander: ALL CLASS

The Strikeout: SCOUT

Defaced Detonator: DEMOMAN

Nightfall Veil: SPY

Mannhattan Protect: ENGINEER

Dusk Duster: HEAVY

Spider Sights: ALL CLASS

Triboniophorus Gentlemannus: ALL CLASS

[mvmscoutmain]

been playing tf2 for maybe 2 years now but this is the first scream fortress ive participated in, since i never liked casual

but like, this was so fun, im 100% participating more next year. and definitely earlier too. heres some screenshots

this was wild. zombie demo is wild.

when you just give up on winning so you start dancing with the enemy

shoutout to the wild vs. saxton hell games i had btw. rock paper scissors actually kinda carried lmfao, unfortunate that i only ever got one screenshot

this really did ignite an interest in casual/pvp for me! it was super fun, cant wait to play scream fortress next year!

[sillyspinda]

streaming some scream fortress 2024 with a friend!!!

[catboy-medic-tf2]

LAST TFTOBER - SCREAM FORTRESS

I CANNOT believe Tftober is over! This little art challenge was one of the most fun things I have done, and I feel it has greatly improved my ability to draw people ^^ Take these lil’ sketches of Scream Fortress cosmetics and have a happy Halloween :D

[yurtb0y]

heheheheee

my artfight is officially set up!!!!! :D

you can find me here

|

v

[szeengames123]

(via https://comic.studio/s/9138)

Scream Fortress is coming to TF2!

[izzaneegoblino]

medic and heavy shenanigans

[remmys]

🎃 TFTOBER 2024 !!

Hey there!! I really wanted to participate in an October prompt list, but seeing as I've been really hooked on TF2 for this entire year, I figured it would be fun to do a TF2 themed list!!

If you participate, feel free to tag your posts w/ #tftober !!! I'd love to see what other people do <3 This list should be perfectly doable for any medium (art, writing, sfm, etc!)

Below the cut is a list of all the prompts with some extra flavor text/ideas! Things are kept vague in a typical drawing prompt fashion

DAY 1 - Main

Who's your main? Who do you play most often?

DAY 2 - Hats!

It's not called a glorified hat simulator for nothing! There's plenty of cosmetics at your fingertips in the game!

DAY 3 - Relationships

Everyone knows someone. Whether it's a family member, a friend, a lover, or even an arch nemesis!

DAY 4 - Pyrovision

Put on the goggles and take a look at things with a new perspective!

DAY 5 - Battlefield

Probably where a mercenary spends most of their time

DAY 6 - On Break

Battles don't rage on forever. You've gotta take a break eventually

DAY 7 - Offense

The front lines. The moving force

DAY 8 - Defense

The back lines. Makes sure nobody gets too far

DAY 9 - Support

Everything in between! Perhaps even the foundations of some teams

DAY 10 - Teamwork

It's not called TEAM Fortress for nothing, right?

DAY 11 - Fem Fortress

Happy Friday! Give some love to the girls!

DAY 12 - Free Space

Draw, write, or SFM to your heart's content! Do whatever you'd like!

DAY 13 - Respawn

Nobody stays dead.

DAY 14 - Capture the Flag

That briefcase isn't going to steal itself!

DAY 15 - Backstab

Should've checked behind you.

DAY 16 - Mann vs Machine

Guns and bullets or nuts and bolts? Who knows what could be running through those metallic minds...

DAY 17 - Expiration Date

Teleportation and bread. What else can I say?

DAY 18 - Headcannons

Think a little deeper. What do you just know has got to be true about the mercenaries?

DAY 19 - At home

Everyone comes from somewhere. Everyone has a home.

DAY 20 - Headshot

Looks like you stood a little bit too still.

DAY 21 - Alternate Universe

Emesis Blue? Lil' Pootis? A universe where the mercenaries are all alligators? The world is your oyster.

DAY 22 - Australium

A divine and valued substance rarer than gold

DAY 23 - Administrator

There's more to a war than just the fighters

DAY 24 - Pets

Some people have a soft spot for certain animals. Others choose to keep theirs around 24/7.

DAY 25 - Injury

An inevitability of war

DAY 26 - Control Points

A constant back and fourth

DAY 27 - Comics

Ink, panels, and pages. A story through words and pictures.

DAY 28 - Custom Class

Is nine really enough to cover everyone needed in a war? Probably not!

DAY 29 - Ubercharge

A miracle of medicine

DAY 30 - Sentry

Sometimes the best way to get good aim is to not be the one aiming

DAY 31 - Scream Fortress

Happy Halloween! Scream out to your heart's content and enjoy the spooks of the night!

[fandom]

Video Games

Week Ending June 17th, 2024

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Cult Of The Lamb

Honkai: Star Rail -2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 +1

Baldur's Gate 3 -1

Genshin Impact -3

Twisted Wonderland +1

Undertale -2

Hades II

Five Nights at Freddy’s +1

Stardew Valley -4

The Sims 4 +1

Team Fortress 2 -3

Splatoon 3 +2

Ace Attorney -3

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

ULTRAKILL

Sonic x Shadow Generations

Obey Me! Shall We Date?

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

The number in italics indicates how many spots a title moved up or down from the previous week. Bolded titles weren’t on the list last week.

[jokeroutsubs]

[ENG TRANSLATION] Joker Out, or the return of faith in the power of music:

Original article written by Žikica Milošević for EXIT 13.07.2024. English translation by IG irenalemajic, proofread by IG gboleyn123

The second night of Exit Festival 2024 on the Tesla Universe stage was literally and thematically dedicated to pop music, specifically 'classic', 'old school' pop music. The most significant stage of the festival was marked by performers from Slovenia and Vojvodina, so the north of former Yugoslavia demonstrated how to create an atmosphere and memorable songs.

And it began powerfully, while the sun above Petrovaradin Fortress, after another day of being merciless, was still blinding the performers, because Astrid & The Scandals got on the stage at 7:30 p.m. restoring our faith in alter-pop, as well as in Slovenian talent to produce hitmakers. In the old Yugoslavia, Slovenians were always at the forefront of musical breakthroughs, dictating trends along the Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade axis. Independent Slovenia no longer had a lead role and for many decades we did not hear performers similar to Laibach, Pankrti, Lačni Franz or Buldožer, but the situation has abruptly changed in the past few years.

Instead of avant-garde and peculiar performers, hitmakers and creators of great pop music are now coming from Slovenia. The bouncy Astrid energetically announced the 'new era', adding oriental elements to her music, dancing seductively and delivering vocal virtuosity. Undoubtedly, she is 'the next big thing' in pop music in the region, and with a bit of luck, in Europe as well.

It has not happened for a long time, that the atmosphere becomes so 'heated' already at 8 p.m, but Astrid had already raised the temperature and the girls in Joker Out T-shirts were in the front rows even during the performance of Ljubičice, which perfectly continued the series of performances this evening. Their concert is a kind of poetic justice - they were supposed to lead the Main Stage at Exit in 2019 at 8 p.m. but unfortunately, the storm cut the program short and 'plucked' them from the lineup.

In the meantime, the band from Pančevo, which is composed of the two Stevanović brothers, who got a classical music education, has grown into a trio, since Olga Petrović has recently joined them as the 'third flower' in their little bouquet. There's an old saying that 'Vojvodina is Britain and Belgrade is America' in music, and pop bands from Vojvodina are widely known for their fresh melodies and hit potential and Ljubičice who, with their 'brotherly and neighbourly' band Buč Kesidi, began to conquer the region even before the pandemic, gaining fame with the song 'Jedva čekamo rat ljudi protiv mašina'. Ljubičice are the kind of pop band we've needed for a long time, and if their songs reminded me of anything, it is the sunset in summer...of 1983. A mixture of funk, synthwave and nostalgia, combined with guitar and bass skilfulness, gave us an excellent overture for what will happen later. Vuk reminded the audience that they performed at Exit back in 2014 on the Jack Daniels Stage, when they were young and relatively unestablished – and now they command the stage as if they were born to it.

And then - Joker Out, heartbreakers from Ljubljana, form with substance, the best of both worlds. It was clear to us what to expect when, at the mere hint of their entrance, the screams of the girls began, which I remember from the documentaries about The Beatles. Love messages on cardboard signs, choral singing, fantastic communication between the band and the audience were evident right from the opening song, 'Katrina'.

Joker Out are much more raw and more guitar-driven during their live performances than on their 'polished' recordings and the influences of bands such as Arctic Monkeys or The Strokes are evident.

On the other hand, the fascination of the female part of the audience is completely understandable, because besides the fact that they really know how to play, all five members have a 'superstar vibe', in the way Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet once had the same vibe. I believe that the last time such a reception was registered was during the era of boy bands 20+ years ago, but the Jokers are anything but a boy band. Singer Bojan Cvjetićanin probably 'reaped' the biggest 'harvest' of love from the audience, but the other members are not that far behind.

Slovenian is 75% understandable when read or spoken, which drops to 50% when sung (and when thousands of girls are singing along with Bojan), but it's clear that the lyrics are engaged in a way similar to Buč Kesidi – precisely dissecting the everyday life of young people in a big city, their disappointments, dates, breakups, loves and sorrows...

Bojan won the hearts of the local audience from the very beginning by addressing them in Serbian and he also managed to make a 'population census' among the attenders. We saw that (incredibly loyal fan base) quite a number of spectators came from Slovenia, but that there were even more people from the other parts of the former Yugoslavia and even those who understand none of our languages ​​- simply driven by their love for the band that gained wider popularity at Eurovision in 2023.

The Jokers did not hide their exitement to perform on this already legendary stage.

The concert continued with a series of songs that are 'friendly' for parties, bedrooms, the beach and the radio - 'Plastika, znanstvena fantastika' and Bojan's sharp analysis of the 'culture' of plastic beauty made me look around and conclude that none of the girls in the audience were 'plastic' - which is a breath of normality and freshness we've been lacking now that we are wrapping up the first quarter of the 21st century. A better future is still possible, even though a worse present is dominant.

Joker Out jokingly call their style 'shagadelic rock' (translate it by yourself, but watch Austin Powers first), but there is nothing funny about their music. All of their songs are in Slovenian, except for two they performed in Serbian¹ (Bojan’s background allows him to play with languages and easily switch from one to another) and one in English.

In the song 'Tokio', they took us to Japan and sang part of it in Japanese too, previously teaching a 'little course on love expressions in Japanese.'

'The song that brought us here – 'Carpe Diem'!' – Bojan shouted and the audience received an infusion of energy and joy. Indeed, it was almost unimaginable 20 years ago that a 'schlager festival' would produce new stars and headliners, but Eurovision has become just that – a springboard. And it doesn't matter that they were 21st in the competition. Who cares about numbers – some performers are there to win points during the competition and some are there to conquer the world after the competition. The last song, 'Šta bih ja', was perfectly timed to be released on Friday, on the day of the concert – and it tells us, somewhat in the manner of 'Arctic Monkeys listening to Sarajevo pop', about the experience of life in London.

Joker Out brought 'sexy' back to pop music. We didn't lack cheap sex appeal all these years, but we did miss sophisticated and rock sex appeal. They brought the classic pop formation back big time – and we've missed it. They brought the energy back to the stage, female fans who travel to see them, scream their names and know all the songs by heart.

I can imagine the 'good old' days of girls' bedrooms decorated with their posters. Even if they hadn't recorded a single good song, all of this would have been enough and refreshing. But they recorded plenty of good ones. And somehow I believe we witnessed history and the beginning of a 'stellar' story with five guys from Ljubljana in the lead role.

¹In this case, the author of this article is referring to two songs that have already been released in Serbian, 'Ona' and 'Demoni'.

The band now has three songs in Serbian, including 'Šta bih ja'.

[theworkshopmann]

I managed to redo the video entirely, thankfully my recordings were intact but honestly not my best work. But hey I am still learning this and hopefully will find a good pace with it.

[lifblogs]

Crossing Paths

Neurodivergent Tech Week 2024 Day 1: Cadet Batch @neurodivergent-tech-week

Fandom: The Bad Batch Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 7167 Summary: Clone Force 99 are on their way to a fortress world for a training mission when their shuttle is hijacked by none other than Hondo Ohnaka. Can they get out of this mess? WARNINGS: Graphic Depictions of Violence READ ON AO3

Tech recognized the familiar jolt of a ship coming to a pause, but—

“Why has our shuttle stopped?” Wrecker asked, rushing ahead to see if he could view what was going on through one of the few transparisteel viewports offered to them outside the cockpit. 

From the starboard side, there wasn’t much to see: just black, empty space, and the twinkling of foreign, faraway stars.

“We’re not scheduled to dock yet,” Hunter said. “We still have another hyperspace jump to make.”

“Doesn’t seem like the pilots agree with that,” Crosshair said, trailing behind them as they walked the passageways, shoulders a bit hiked up, everyone on high alert.

“Yes, this is highly irregular,” Tech said.

He stowed his datapad on his belt, letting Hunter take the lead.

Blaster fire sounded, and everyone froze.

Kriff, kriff, kriff, kriff, kriff! Tech didn’t have his blaster on him. They were being transported for a training mission, so they had all left their blasters in their barracks, about to wander around to kill some time.

Hunter at least had his vibroblade.

“Positions, everyone.”

Body already remembering his training well, Tech took a position to the right side of the passageway, fists raised to protect his face and chest. Crosshair took the left, and Wrecker was behind him. All of them were readying to fight, despite being severely outgunned.

What is going on?

Hunter pressed a button, and sealed the door in front of them.

Everyone’s breathing seemed too loud, and Tech tried to ignore the way it seemed to press at his eardrums like actual matter rather than waves. It almost tickled, the sensation deeply uncomfortable.

“What do you think is going on?” Wrecker asked in a too-loud whisper.

Tech ran through the catalogue in his mind, and came up with, “Pirates, perhaps. Or whatever enemy we are being trained so hard to fight.”

“Fun,” Crosshair commented, voice lethal enough to down an entire platoon from ten klicks away.

“Oh, I’ve never met a pirate before!” Wrecker said.

Everyone shushed him.

The blaster fire sounded again, louder, closer.

Sweat dotted Tech’s upper lip.

His instincts told him to back away, to run, and he even tensed his calves against the urge to do so.

Screams filled Tech’s ears, the screams of injured and dying men, their escorts for this training mission. He swallowed roughly, hoping the clones he’d spoken with during this trip were alive, but he wasn’t so sure about that.

At this point in their lives they were teenagers, probably around the biological age of fifteen or sixteen. Their training was getting more and more intense, and for this they were supposed to train on a fortress world, and get the feel of how a fully operational military base worked.

Would they even make it there?

“That does not sound good,” Tech said, surprised his voice didn’t quaver.

“Hunter, I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Crosshair voiced.

Tech couldn’t help but agree with him.

Something—perhaps an armored body—banged against the door.

“Fall back,” Hunter ordered. “We make for the barracks. The entrance is smaller, more easily defensible.”

“Plus our blasters are there,” Crosshair added.

Wrecker groaned, clearly upset that he wasn’t able to use his physical prowess just yet. Tech could imagine that he wished he could barge through the enemies as soon as the doors opened.

They drew back in an organized rush, sealing the few doors in the passageways behind them.

The shuttle wasn’t very big, just a standard transport.

The power cut out, and soon they were bathed in the red emergency lights.

“Great,” Wrecker commented.

In the darkened passageway they all but ran into a pair of clones who were heading for the bow.

“Cadet, report,” one said. The flowy design in red on the helmet suggested that this was CC-9565, Ven. Tech had had a few meals with him, and had learned that he had a great eye for military strategy.

The other was CC-3498, Blight, the jagged geometrical markings on his helmet a strong identifier. He was what the others would call a bit of a wild card, but Tech liked his flying abilities and quick thinking.

Hunter fell into line, saying, “Intruders are aboard the shuttle. We believe…” He swallowed roughly, and continued, almost panting the words, “We believe there have been casualties. We sealed the doors, so we don’t know how many men are left, or who the intruders are.”

“All right. We’ll take it from here. Get to the barracks, and prepare for battle.”

All four of them said their yes sirs, and then broke off, Ven, and Blight holding their blasters at the ready, Clone Force 99 heading away from them.

When they got to the barracks, and readied their weapons, Tech began to shift his weight from one leg to the other.

Time passed.

And passed.

“We should go check on them,” Wrecker suggested. “Ven, and Blight could need our help.”

“They told us to stay here,” Crosshair pointed out, maybe just to be argumentative. 

He was all but lounging with his rifle, and Tech was gritting his teeth from it. He loved Crosshair, but could he at least take a situation seriously for once?

No, that was unfair.

Crosshair was perhaps the most serious of them all, maybe enough to rival Hunter. He just showed it in different ways.

Hunter checked his blaster one more time, and said, “Let’s move out.”

It didn’t take long to find the enemy as they were sweeping the ship. They were too big to hide in the vents like Tech wished they still could, so when one of the passageway doors opened, and they were ready to spring in, they came face to face with Weequays.

So they are pirates.

Why would they be attacking a vessel transporting clones, of all things?

They all paused, and then the shootout started.

Tech twirled, jamming himself into a small alcove, the others doing similar maneuvers.

He aimed, heart nearly stopping as he realized for a moment that he’d never fired upon another lifeform with the express intent to kill.

Breathe. Just breathe.

Tech aimed for the chest of a Weequay firing at Hunter, he inhaled, exhaled. Squeezed the trigger.

The Weequay went down with a smoking, burnt hole through the heart; and Tech didn’t have time to lift his goggles and wipe away the sudden wetness in his eyes. He blinked, blinked again, and cursed himself for crying in the middle of battle.

His vision cleared somewhat, wetness coalescing at the bottom edge of his goggles.

Tech wanted to glance at the others, see if they were having similar problems.

Again, there was no time.

Everything became smoke, and bright bolts nearly searing his eyes, lighting up the passageway in confusing flashes, and screams, and cries. The red lights of the passageway. His senses were nearly overloaded, but his body moved as it had been trained, mind barely needing to consciously take in every detail.

His breathing sawed in and out of his chest despite hardly moving, adrenaline working overtime to try and keep him alive.

Hunter took out the final Weequay in the group.

Tech resisted the urge to lower his blaster and lean against the bulkhead. This might not be over yet.

Hunter went over to observe one of the bodies, nudging it with a foot to test if he was really dead.

“What now?” Wrecker asked.

“We advance,” Hunter said, “see if we can get the pirates to retreat, retake the ship, and get the hell out of here.”

“Do we go back to Kamino?” Tech asked, trying to think five steps ahead.

“We’ll contact the Kaminoans when we retake the ship. Now move, come on!”

They jogged down the passageways, running into bodies—both those of clones, and Weequay—blasters raised at chest level, ready to fire. A detached coldness took over Tech, making it easier and easier to look at the bodies.

Clone Force 99 frequently paused to do a quick check for enemies, and checking to see if any of the other clones were alive, and then they’d keep moving.

Talking sounded dead ahead, and they all turned into alcoves, trusting the shadows to hide their presence.

“What a mess,” a voice said in an accent Tech hadn’t had much time to study yet: Weequay. “Look what you’ve done. I didn’t want everyone dead. I just want those clone cadets. And what if they’re not even alive? They’re worth a lot of money to me, you know? I need them alive. Do you even know what the means?”

A strange, hoarse laugh followed. A Kowakian monkey-lizard? He recognized it from his various recordings.

Tech frowned, wondering who would pay to have them. Sure, they were finishing up training to be a special ops force, but going to all this trouble?

“And I like money,” the Weequay went on, voice getting louder as he drew closer.

Tech signaled to Hunter, What’s the plan?

Hunter turned to them, knowing Tech, Crosshair, and Wrecker had an eye on the passageway ahead of them.

He flashed various hand signals that basically amounted to, Charge them, and take them by surprise.

Ah, so the usual.

The voice drew closer, steps sounding like a loud and over-important swagger against the durasteel.

Go, Hunter ordered.

They charged around the corner, firing.

Tech took everything in the passageway in in less than a second, filing through all this information for immediate use. There were five Weequay in the passageway, one with a large red coat and goggles, the Kowakian monkey-lizard lounging on his shoulders, and giggling. All the flare suggested he was the captain of this pirate crew. The others grabbed their blasters almost immediately, two Weequay coming in to guard the leader…

…who shoved them aside.

He didn’t have a blaster raised. In fact, he raised his empty hands.

Hunter and Crosshair shot the knees of two of the Weequay in front and they went down in screams and groans.

The one in the red coat shoved the blasters of his other men down.

“Stop, stop. We want them alive. Alive is good. We all like being alive, don’t we?”

Tech considered shooting him, shooting the others, but it didn’t feel right now that their blasters were lowered.

“Hold,” Hunter said.

Wrecker didn’t quite listen, charging through with a rough cry and smashing the heads of the two suffering Weequay on the floor together, rendering them unconscious.

Guilt prickled at Tech’s chest when his brain presented him with the selfish, unsavory thought of, At least I don’t have to hear them scream anymore.

The one with the coat got close enough to push at Wrecker’s chest, while his pet jumped down and sauntered over to Tech. In a flash his datapad was in its hands, and he made a grab for it, but blasters started to raise again.

Tech huffed, but stepped back. He glared at the animal, and it shook the datapad, taunting him.

“You’re a big one,” the captain said to Wrecker.

Wrecker stepped back.

“Thanks?”

The Weequay drew closer as his pet with its stolen object clambered up to his shoulder again. Hunter levered his weapon at him.

“Come any closer and you’ll find yourself with a hole in the chest. You and your pet.”

“Well that’s not very nice,” he said, taking a step back. “Boys, boys, boys. I don’t want to kill you. We don’t want to kill you.”

“I kinda want to kill them,” a Weequay in the back commented.

The supposed-captain rolled his eyes, and sauntered over to him, grabbing him by the neck.

“Don’t you understand?” he cried. “We need them.”

He shook him, and then let go.

He sniffed. “I’m sorry for my friends. They don’t have much going on upstairs sometimes, you know?”

“Hey!”

“Huh?”

“Why do you want us?” Hunter asked.

“That’s for me to know, and for you to not find out. Let’s just say a lot of, um, spice is involved.”

“Spice?” Tech asked, not having really heard the term before.

The captain sauntered over to him, and he was close enough for Tech to press his blaster against his forehead, pausing the Weequay who had outstretched arms. He did falter as he glanced at his stolen datapad the Kowakian monkey-lizard was now playing with it.

“Don’t even try it,” he told the captain.

“Fine, fine. You boys are trigger happy, aren’t you? Look at this mess!”

“Who are you?” Crosshair demanded.

“Oh, how rude of me. My name is Hondo Ohnaka, the best pirate captain in the galaxy,” He bowed in a rather overdramatic way, movements thrown wide. “And I am here to deliver you to my current employer for this job. But come, come, why don’t we head to the mess and talk without the blasters? I’m starving.”

Everyone just stared.

“You do have a mess hall, right? You eat? Actually, do clones need to eat?”

“Of course we eat,” Crosshair scoffed, voice injected with enough venom to stun a rancor.

“Tough crowd,” Hondo commented.

Tech slowly started lowering his blaster.

“What are you doing?” Hunter hissed.

Tech turned to his team, saying, “We need to know more about what’s going on. If Hondo here wants to talk, then let’s talk.”

Hondo pointed at him. “I like you.”

“I am afraid the feelings are not mutual.”

“No, they wouldn’t be, would they?”

“Fine,” Hunter said, motioning for everyone to lower their weapons. “Let’s hear him out.”

“But first,” Wrecker said, charging forward again, poking at Hondo’s chest hard enough to make him wave his arms a little as he almost fell backwards, “we want to know if Ven, and Blight are alive.”

“Um, who?”

“Our friends.”

“Two clones that went to confront you,” Hunter asked. “Please, are there any others alive?”

“I certainly hope so. I could get into a lot of trouble for what my men did. Why don’t we go find them, and then we can eat?

Tech looked around at all the carnage, stomach plummeting.

“How can you eat at a time like this?” he demanded.

“Oh, it’s easy, my dear boy. You see, you put food in your mouth, you chew, and you swallow. Simple as that.”

“He meant the dead bodies,” Crosshair intoned.

“Right! That. I eat around dead guys all the time. You wouldn’t believe how messy this business can get. Now, come on! Let’s go. We’ll check the cockpit first.”

Hondo started leading them away, and Clone Force 99 stared at each other, frowning.

“I don’t like this,” Crosshair admitted.

“Neither do I,” Hunter said, “but we have no choice. Come on.”

By the time they caught up  to Hondo, Hondo had his arms thrown around Ven, and Blight while his pet knocked on Ven’s helmet with Tech’s datapad. Hondo was talking to them like they were old friends out for a drink instead of two men he could have killed and probably would have if not for Clone Force 99 deciding to leave the barracks.

“Are these the two you were looking for?” Hondo inquired. “They’re a bit shaken up, but they’ll be fine.”

Then he said to his men who waited to the side, “Bind them, and throw them in a supply closet somewhere. I can’t have fully trained clones wandering around my ship.”

“Excuse me,” Tech said, “but this shuttle is actually Kaminoan property.”

Hondo laughed. “Do you understand pirates, my boy?”

“I am familiar with your… profession, yes.”

“Well, then it shouldn’t be a stretch for me to say this ship is mine now.”

Hondo approached and poked him in the forehead. Tech frowned hard enough that if looks could kill Hondo would have been dead years ago, body imploded in space. And he spared a second or two to train that look on Hondo’s highly irritating pet.

Ven, and Blight didn’t say anything with blasters pointed at them, until they were being toted away. 

“Stay strong, cadets,” Ven said.

“We’ll figure this out,” Blight promised.

Tech highly doubted that, but he recognized their words as what was almost a mandatory script of reassurance. It was just how most lifeforms interacted with each other, some sort of script that Tech had never gotten (so he tended to make his own).

Hondo shoved Ven and Blight, and then kicked a body (Tech grimaced, stomach turning over), and they were forced to lead Hondo to the mess after their weapons had been taken from them. Though, Tech was pretty sure Hunter’s vibroblade was hidden in his sleeve, strapped in place with a holster he kept there for emergencies like this (not that anything like this had happened before).

Eventually all four of them were sitting down in the mess across from Hondo. Tech and Crosshair had almost matched sneers for Hondo as he ate, and the others looked like they were experiencing varying degrees of disgust.

Guards with blasters set to stun had those blasters held to the backs of their heads. The cold of it was already starting to warm from Tech’s body heat.

Tech sat beside Wrecker, who sat beside Hunter, and Crosshair was next to him on the far end.

“So silent,” Hondo commented, shoving more food into his mouth.

His pet ate right from his plate.

Hondo took a sip of his drink—a Kaminoan engineered juice that was perfect for clone metabolism—and slammed it down.

“What is this?” he cried. “Don’t you have any alcohol around here?’

“No,” Hunter answered. “Not unless you check the barracks for contraband, I suppose.”

Hondo waved at two of his men. “Go—go do that.”

“Why haven’t you just taken us to your ship yet?” Tech asked, finding Hondo’s methods strange. It unnerved him a bit that he couldn’t quite grasp his enemy yet, but he would. “Aren’t we supposed to be delivered to your employer?”

“All in good time, my friend.”

Hunter growled at him.

“You boys are so rude.”

“You killed our escorts,” Crosshair spat.

“That was an accident!” Hondo cried. “My word, can you not understand a thing?”

“I think you’re the one not understanding,” Hunter argued.

“Fine, you are my prisoners. I have to deliver yout to my employer alive, but I’m hungry. Can’t a hardworking pirate captain take a break? Jeez.”

He continued eating, his pet spilling the juice after one taste. 

Hunter’s sneer was almost as bad as Crosshair’s. Wrecker sat in surprised, grim silence.

Tech tapped his fingers against the table, desperately wishing for his datapad, if only so he could type to release all this horrible energy within him.

He was trying to figure Hondo out as he tapped away, trying to see how they could possibly get out of this. If they tried anything physical they’d be stunned.

“How much are you getting paid?” Tech asked.

“As if I’m going to tell the boy who doesn’t know what spice is.”

“I have already figured that out. Go on.”

Hondo gave a number, and Hunter whistled.

“Wow,” Wrecker said.

Tech ran the numbers through his head, comparing them to others he knew about, and of course accounted for the inflation problem he’d discovered quite by accident once.

“The Kaminoans can pay more,” Tech said.

“Tech, are you sure about that?” Hunter asked.

“Right!” Hondo cried, throwing his fork about. “Names. Names, names, names. How rude of me—I forgot to ask you your names.”

He went down the line, pointing at Tech.

“Tech.”

“Yes.”

“And you, the big one.”

“Wrecker.”

“Hunter,” Hunter sighed.

“Figure it out yourself,” Crosshair answered.

His Weequay guard took offense, and shoved his blaster against his head. Crosshair grunted, being forced to bend over the table.

“Stop that—that nonsense,” Hondo ordered. “I’m trying to befriend them, not torture them.”

“Last time I checked friends don’t sell each other for drugs,” Hunter commented.

“Then you must not have any good friends, my boy.” He gestured at Crosshair, shoving what had survived his wild gesturing with his fork into his mouth, chewing roughly. “Now, come, tell me your name.”

Crosshair glared, eyes showing that if he had a rifle Hondo would probably be shot directly in between the eyes, not even a millimeter off.

“Crosshair,” he spat.

“See, was that so hard? So, you four, you’re different. Not regular clones.”

Crosshair crossed his arms, and joked, “Oh, what gave that away?”

Wrecker, not picking up on the joke (and it had taken Tech a few seconds, and if his calculations were correct Hunter had been able to understand it a whole five point four seconds earlier than him), said, “I am really big.”

Hondo sniffed. “Yes, you are. What are they feeding you?”

“Rations.”

“Enough of this,” Hunter said. “Just take us to your ship and sell us if that’s what you’re going to do. We are not your friends, we have no desire to have any sort of relationship with you. I don’t know what spice you’re snorting to delude yourself into thinking you’re the good guy here, but get your head out of the clouds. I’ve had enough of these games.”

“Games,” Hondo guffawed.

Two Weequay returned at that moment with a bottle of alcohol, and Hondo grabbed it, popped the cork, and started drinking

“Ah, that’s better,” he commented; passing it to his pet; who, to Tech’s surprise; drank it quite heartily. Hondo leaned in, and Tech was reminded of the predators that drew their prey in with pretty colors, or bright lights, and then they struck. Hondo wasn’t stupid. “I do not play games,” he intoned, voice low, lethal. “If you don’t want to eat with me you can go be locked up in the barracks for all I care. I’m taking this ship with me. I can leave you in the care of these fine gentlemen.” He gestured to the Weequay behind them. “Now go. I’m going to finish my lunch.”

“And get drunk,” Crosshair commented in a low voice.

He was lightly smacked with the blaster, and he growled, rubbing at his head.

Crosshair, why can’t you keep silent sometimes?

Most times he didn’t speak much at all, but in tense situations his few words tended to easily turn a bad situation into a worse one. Crosshair lived for conflict.

Tech looked back at Hondo and his pet as they were led out of the mess hall (as if they didn’t know their own way, which made anger boil in Tech’s chest amidst the cold shock he realized he’d been feeling), studying him.

There was a way to crack him. There had to be.

~~~~~

“Do we have any grenades?” Wrecker asked, looking around at the four of them and then eyeing the guards.

Crosshair sighed, and leaned back against a bunk. “Does it look like we have grenades?”

“Um…”

“Crosshair, leave him alone,” Hunter said. “He’s just brainstorming.

“Yeah, that,” Wrecker agreed.

“Well do it quieter or we’re all in trouble,” Tech murmured, not taking his eyes from the scuffed deck. Currently, if he tried to look and understand people’s faces he’d lose his train of thought entirely.

His fingers tapped against his thigh, and he desperately wished to feel the keys of his datapad against the pads of his fingers instead of his trousers. His fingers almost itched, but deep. It was highly uncomfortable.

But he was thinking.

Script.

He needed to script something. He needed to talk to Hondo.

Without informing the others what he was doing (why would he need to? They’d find out soon enough) Tech stood, turning to the guards. Two of them pointed their blasters at him, but Tech was unfazed by it at this point. If you’re going to use them, use them. Don’t just use them as a prop.

“Tech, what are you doing?” Hunter asked, almost getting to his feet.

Tech waved a hand, telling him to stay where he was.

“Excuse me,” Tech said, “but may I have my datapad back?”

“What, so you can contact someone for help?”

Tech rolled his eyes. “That is not actually what it’s for.” Though I’m sure with some tuning I can give it that capability.

“I don’t know,” one of the guards said to the other. “Maybe he’s got some plan. Could use it as a weapon, perhaps.”

Another roll of his eyes.

He wanted to check his recordings, and make notes. That was all.

He pushed his goggles higher up his nose, then crossed his arms, jutting one hip out. “Do you even know what a datapad is?”

The guard just hefted his blaster at him. So that was a no then.

Typical. There was no way he could properly explain himself to someone who apparently did not care to utilize his brain.

“Fine,” Tech bit out. “Can I at least have flimsi, and a pen?”

“What for? To craft an escape plan?”

“No, I want to have my thoughts in order for when I speak to Hondo.”

“Hondo’s busy.”

“Oh, I suppose being drunk is an occupation now?” Tech quipped.

“Tech,” Hunter said, tone full of warning.

Right. Too much snark.

He pushed his goggles up his nose again.

“Please,” he said. “I’ll let you look over anything I write down. If you find anything suspicious you can get rid of it, or report it to Hondo, or whatever else you want to do with it.”

“Just flimsi and a pen?”

Tech nodded.

“Fine, but sit back down or you’ll find out what getting stunned feels like.”

Tech turned with a sigh. “I already know that well enough,” he informed them, somewhat under his breath so he wouldn’t start anything. To think they didn’t take him seriously. They just saw a teenager, not someone who had been in training his entire life.

A guard was ordered to go get him the flimsi and the pen, leaving them with just three of them instead of four. Hmm… He hadn’t planned on him and his squad outnumbering the guards in the room, but he wondered if they could also use that to their advantage.

Hunter seemed to notice. “What are you planning?” he whispered, leaning in. “You know I have—”

“Yes, I am aware,” Tech uttered quickly, not wanting them to be overheard, especially about Hunter still having his vibroblade.

These guards were sloppy for even allowing them to talk. If Tech were in charge he would have bound and gagged all of them, and separated them for good measure. He supposed it was good he wasn’t.

“I just want to talk to Hondo,” Tech said, “and get him to talk to the Kaminoans. I’m sure they’d pay more for us than whatever Hondo is getting from his employer.”

“But we’re just an experimental unit,” Hunter said. “Any of us could be decommissioned at any time. How are we worth anything?”

Tech glanced at him, raising an eyebrow to show he found his words slightly ridiculous. “Yes, we’re an experimental unit, but look how far we’ve come, how many tests we’ve aced, how we work as a team. They’re not getting that from the regs.”

He must have spoken louder than intended because Crosshair said, “You got that right.”

“Yep,” Wrecker agreed, leaning back against a bunk, arms behind his head.

“While we’re four on three,” Crosshair began, “or five on three if you count Wrecker twice, we could overpower them.”

“And then what?” Tech asked him. “We’re still on a ship with mostly dead clones taken over by a pirate. We’d have to seize the cockpit, figure out our coordinates, and probably fight our way out of here as we’re hounded by Hondo and his men.”

“Sounds fun,” Wrecker commented.

“I want to try talking first,” Tech said.

“What, scared of a little action?” Crosshair teased.

Tech readjusted his goggles so Crosshair could easily see his glare. “You know I’m not.”

“Stow it,” Hunter said. “If we’re going to act now we don’t have much time.”

“Well, we could release Ven and Blight,” Tech said. “They could help us.”

“Are we doing this then?” Wrecker asked, leaning in.

Hunter looked to Tech, the one who had had a different plan to begin with, and though Tech was a bit disappointed he couldn’t try his plan, he saw that time was running out. Change was an inevitable fact of life, he kept telling himself. And yet, it still stung a bit. He figured if his mind didn’t work so abnormally fast this would be more of a problem. He nodded.

Hunter flashed some hand signals, which Wrecker studied with confusion.

Crosshair leaned in and whispered, “He says we’re attacking on three. You take the guard by the door.”

Wrecker cracked his neck.

The guard Tech was assigned was behind him. He didn’t watch him, just watched Hunter’s fingers, waiting for the signal.

Three.

Two.

One.

They all stood as one.

‘Hey, what are you doing?”

“Sit back down, you little shabs.”

Wrecker cracked his knuckles, laughing. Having had a recent quick, and painful, growth spurt, Wrecker towered over them.

“Who are you calling little?”

Tech charged his guard, the others going after theirs. Wrecker easily dispatched his; Hunter sliced at the wrists of his, grabbing the blaster; and Crosshair had wrestled his to the ground (he was winning). Tech went in low to avoid the blaster, and he used his weight to lean against him, and then twirl, the angles and shifting of his body throwing the guard across the room, where he tripped over Wrecker who had stooped down to grab a blaster.

Just as Wrecker was about to whack him in the head, Tech had the blaster in his hands, and fired, not exactly remembering if this was set to stun or not.

It was, and he nearly hit Wrecker.

“Hey!” Wrecker cried.

“Sorry.”

Hunter stunned his screaming and bleeding guard almost carelessly, and Tech was suddenly so very glad he wasn’t ever going to be Hunter’s enemy.

After quickly surveying the room Hunter said, “Let’s move.”

As they were leaving the barracks they ran into the guard with the flimsi and the pen.

He stood slack-jawed.

“Sorry about that,” Tech said, gesturing at what he held. Then he stunned him.

“Should we split up?” Crosshair asked as they once again traversed the passageways. “We need to find Ven and Blight.”

“Wrecker, go with Crosshair. Check the port side. Tech and I’ll check starboard. We meet up at the cockpit, ready to fight. Now move!”

They separated flawlessly, and went on their search.

Hunter paused in one passageway after they’d just shot up a bunch of Weequay (settings thankfully on stun [Tech figured he was going to have to get over this issue with killing at some point in his life]).

“What is it?” Tech asked, panting a little from how fast they were moving and taking out enemies.

“This way.”

He split off from their original path, and Tech followed, trusting Hunter and his enhanced senses.

He stopped at a supply closet, and the banging coming from within was evident.

Hunter hit the button to open the door, and Ven and Blight—bound at the wrists and ankles—practically fell on them.

As Hunter cut their bonds, Blight commented, “We were told you guys were good, but still in training. Guess we underestimated how good.”

“Not much estimation has to be taken into account,” Tech said, fingers fiddling with nothing because he didn’t have his datapad. “The pirates seem to be lacking in intelligence. I accidentally tricked them, and then we were able to overpower them.”

“And the captain?” Ven asked.

“We still need to take care of him,” Hunter said.

Ven and Blight grabbed blasters once they’d shaken out their limbs a bit, and they let Hunter take point.

After so much training the firefights didn’t take much concentration for Tech. He supposed part of him had worried that the real deal would be too much to handle on the psyche, but he knew how to move, what to anticipate, and how to take out their enemy. Most of the fighting involved dodging stun blasts, ambushing the enemy because Hunter knew where they were before anyone else, and firing at targets who didn’t have many places to hide.

Tech was sweating a bit, and panting by the time they made it to the cockpit. Hondo was waiting for them, the Weequay probably having commed about their escape.

Crosshair and Wrecker had made it there first, and were in a bit of a standoff.

“Well, well, well, boys, I can’t say I didn’t expect this. You know what your issue is?”

“I’m assuming you’re going to tell us,” Hunter said.

“You’re too stubborn. You can’t be good little captives and stay locked up. And to think I had offered to share a meal with you. So rude!”

“Capturing us is rude,” Wrecker argued.

Seeing that the standoff was going nowhere, and probably wouldn’t proceed for some time, Tech strolled right up to Hondo, up to his stupid, annoying pet, and ripped the datapad from its claws.

“I’ll take that.”

“See what I mean?” Hondo said, gesturing. “Taking my property.”

Tech didn’t bother to argue, and just rolled his eyes.

“Fine, I’ll just stun all of you,” Hondo said. He waved to his men. “Take them out.”

“Wait,” Tech cried as blasters were raised in earnest now. “There can be a diplomatic solution to this.”

“I already told you the Kaminoans cannot pay higher than what I’m already getting paid to capture you.”

“Then think about why we need to be captured,” Tech said.

Hondo laughed, as did the other pirates. He walked up to Tech, grabbing his chin.

“You’re valuable to someone,” Hondo explained, “and that’s all I need to know.”

Tech pulled away, and wanted to spit in disgust. “Then we’re surely valuable to the Kaminoans. Think about it. We look different, we had this substantial escort—we’re worth a lot of money.”

“Can they pay in spice?”

“Yes.”

“Tech,” Hunter warned.

Hondo let out a big sigh. “Look at all this work you’re making me do, and for no reason! Fine, fine, fine. I will talk with the Kaminoans. But only after you get restrained in the cockpit. So no funny business.”

The cockpit door opened as he made to step in, and Tech saw a massive, circular ship through the viewport (probably Hondo’s), and then a smaller golden ship that could probably only fit one passenger—a solar sailer perhaps? It was on approach.

“Ah,” Hondo said, freezing.

“What?” Wrecker asked.

“It would appear my employer is here to pick you up.”

“Kriff,” Hunter swore.

~~~~~

The four of them were properly restrained now, binders attached to anything bolted down, and Tech’s datapad had been confiscated once more. Ven and Blight were locked up in the cockpit with them, and when Tech looked over they were trying to discreetly free themselves from their binders.

Hondo stood before Clone Force 99, and before him was a darkly dressed man, the lines of his face, and his gray hair and beard suggesting he was in his later decades, yet he moved with a fluidity and grace Tech found himself studying. His clothes were finely tailored, it seemed, and the materials were rich despite the plainness to them.

His voice was deep, and sonorous.

“You have done well, Ohnaka.”

Hondo bowed to him, movements sloppy (perhaps purposefully so).

“Of course, Count. Four teenage boys. Wasn’t too hard.”

“The bodies and distress still lingering on this ship suggest otherwise.” He paused, looking at Tech. “What are you staring at, boy?”

“The Kaminoans can pay both of you double,” Tech said.

Hondo laughed, clapping Tech on the shoulder from where he knelt close to his side (and not by choice).

“Oh, this one. He keeps talking about payments. So ridiculous. We like to have our fun.” He pat his shoulder again, and Tech bristled, trying to throw him off.

“I am well aware what the Kaminoans would pay for all of you.”

“Tell me, is it double what you’re paying me?” Hondo asked.

“I’m afraid I don’t see how that is any of your concern, pirate.”

“You say that like it’s an insult.”

“It was.”

“That, my friend, is where you’re wrong. Anyway, four strange clones, all yours.”

“Why do you want us?” Tech asked, deciding to be as blunt as ever to cut to the heart of the situation.

The count came closer, and leaned in.

“What does that matter to you, boy?”

“I would say my future and well-being matter to me.”

“Well forget about it. Your future will belong to me now.” The count gestured to Ven and Blight, who had stopped their struggles now. “And who are these two?”

“No one important,” Hondo said.

“Good. Kill them.”

Tech’s eyes widened slightly. Hondo hesitated.

“Come now, Count, there’s already been so much death today. Why don’t we just relax, and—”

Suddenly there was a hum, and Tech was blinking against a red, glowing blade in his vision. He was dying to record the sound.

Now what is that?

“Do not test me, pirate scum.”

Hondo somehow still stepped forward, and poked the count right in the chest. “And don’t test me. You see my ship out there? I could easily have it destroy your solar sailer, leaving you at my mercy, and, Count, I am not very merciful today.”

“Then killing these two should be nothing to you.”

“Fine, fine. Kill them if you wish, but I won’t have their blood on my hands.”

A plan formulated in Tech’s mind, faster than it would in a regular mind, and he saw what he had to do, no matter how distasteful it was.

The previous fighting had ruined some of the durasteel in the cockpit, specifically the seat Tech was cuffed too. He’d noticed a small strip of metal earlier, and hoping his aim was right, he jammed his wrists into it.

It slammed home into the binders, and with some quick maneuvering, they came free.

There was no time to discuss the plan, only time for action.

He didn’t attack the count head on, not wanting to mess with what he assumed was an incredibly deadly weapon. What he did do was trip Hondo and his pet, which got him his datapad.

Hunter complained, “Tech, this is no time—”

He tapped away at it, and soon a loud screeching sound was emanating from the device. It was an animal he had recorded on one of their training missions, fascinated with how disabling the sound was if one wasn’t at least mentally prepared for it.

It dropped everyone in the room, but he knew his brothers would recover quickly.

The blade deactivated, the red hum silencing.

And the count dropped it.

It was the closest weapon, closer than a blaster, so Tech rolled, reaching for it.

The hilt was heavy and strangely curved, but he quickly got a feel for it as he stood. He found the button to activate the blade, and figuring he knew exactly what this kind of weapon did, he went to free Ven and Blight with it.

“Don’t move.”

They were still cowering from the horrible screeching noise.

But they remained still as the blade burned right through their binders. How fascinating!

Tech freed the others, and by the time the count had a hold of himself, he was sneering at Tech, standing to his full height.

“You have no idea what you are wielding, boy. Now give it here before you hurt yourself.”

“Make me,” Tech challenged, not sure where the words came from.

Bright light filled the room, crackling so loud his eardrums felt like they were going to burst. Heat zinged right towards him.

The blade caught it.

Then Tech realized what was happening. Lightning had sprung right from the count’s fingers and it had been shot towards him, and the blade had caught it, humming loudly.

He could scarcely breathe, in shock, exhilarated.

Something yanked on the hilt. He tightened his grip.

Tech didn’t quite know what the force was, but somehow knew the count was the one yanking on the hilt.

“Hold onto something!” Tech yelled.

“I’m tired of your plans!” Crosshair cried, but did as he said.

Tech didn’t have time to check if the others were okay, fighting hard against whatever yanked at the hilt.

He turned and slashed through the transparisteel, anchoring himself on the console.

Instantly the vacuum of space attempted to suck everything from the cockpit, breathable air included.

The count went rushing past him, and as he held onto the viewport, transparisteel slicing into his hands, he snarled at him. “You have no idea what kind of enemy I am.”

“I hope to see you on the battlefield, then,” Tech said, releasing the weapon towards the count with the blade activated. “If you survive.”

Hondo was sucked out too, banging into the count, who grasped at his weapon. Tech grabbed his datapad as the Kowakian monkey-lizard passed by (and he resisted the urge to give the creature a rude hand gesture). Some of the surviving Weequay were also pulled out, but not all of them.

Tech couldn’t get a gasp of air in now, getting closer and closer to the broken viewport.

He slammed a button on the console, ray shields falling down over the viewport, and he almost collapsed from the sheer lack of forces pulling on his body.

Ven and Blight quickly shot down the last of the Weequay.

“Let’s get out of here,” Ven said.

They took over piloting, and Tech brushed off his datapad.

Hunter wrapped an arm around his shoulders, congratulating him on his quick thinking.

“Well, isn’t that what I do?” he asked, not quite sure what the point of all this was. They were safe now, the ship giving a jolt as they made it to hyperspace. Ven and Blight were talking with the Kaminoans, and they were heading home. If anyone else could think as quickly as him surely they would have done it too. Tech was nothing special.

Or, he supposed he was. Otherwise, this day never would have happened.

He took a seat, trying to contemplate that.

Huh, I’m special.

For some reason that was harder for him to wrap his mind around than all the deaths. He was just Tech, and he had acted as he was supposed to. Still, it was good to see his team safe, and to know that he had gotten them to that point.

The only one not congratulating him so far was Crosshair. Crosshair just sat beside him, a toothpick in his mouth.

Tech went back to searching things on his datapad.

Eventually, Crosshair said, “Nice job.”

Tech eyed him, knowing a compliment from Crosshair was rarer than naturally occurring astatine.

He took in a deep breath, realizing just then that tension had made doing so quite difficult earlier.

It felt good.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

Crosshair nudged him.

Tech smiled at his squad.

[szeengames123]

(via https://comic.studio/s/9138)

Scream Fortress 2024 event is ending in November 7, 2024

[angelfirstclass]

Rogue's Rooftop Rumble

Here is my submission for today's Rogue/Gambit Week 2024! Today's prompt is Rooftop/Steampunk so it's got a bit of both. Hope you Romy shippers read and like it!

Anna Marie was walking around the Lensherr manor late at night.  She had commissions from her mother to take a package from Erik Lensherr and transport it to her uncle Charles Xavier.  Anna Marie had traveled from her farm in Virginia to the Lensherr manor in Washington, D.C.  

At the moment, Anna Marie could not sleep.  She knew it was late from all the clocks that Mr. Lensherr had around the manor.  They were the most beautiful and interesting clocks that Anna Marie had ever seen.  A large clock in the living room took up a whole wall and it was telling her that it was almost half past two in the morning.  

Maybe because of sleeping in the carriage or because of her mission from her mother she was not tired at all.  She walked around the upstairs of the manor and was thinking about reading a book in the library when she heard a sound.  

Maybe it was a creak or a thud, but it sparked Anna Marie’s curiosity.  She scurried closer to the sound which she thinks she heard coming from the roof.  Maybe it was Mr. Lensherr experimenting in the attic, she didn’t know.

Anna Marie was close to the door leading out to the roof when she was shoved aside by a tall man.  

“Mon dieu!  What the hell?”  A cajun tinged accented man.  

Anna Marie was so shocked that she did not even react or scream.  She was hurt and all she could do was quickly take in the man and what he held in his right hand.  He tried to conceal a package quickly, but Anna Marie spotted him putting it into his breast pocket.  

“Give me that package!  It’s my mother’s.”  She gasped, a little afraid and nervous.

The man gave her another shove and ran out of the door up to the roof.

Anna Marie was no coward and wasted no time following the man up to the roof.  He had seconds on her and was nowhere to be seen at first, but then she spotted him.  The roof here was curious and extremely tall.  Somewhere else or in New York City, the man could have easily jumped to the next building already, but Mr. Lensherr had put curious wire and fences all around the building as if he was expecting intruders.  

The man had tried to explode the fences, but was blasted by a steampowered ray machine for his troubles.  He felt the sting on his arms, but powered through.  This man was Gambit, thief for hire.  A mutant from the deep South who was traveling up and down America picking pockets and doing high stakes burglaries.  This mission was important because he had been hired by a man named Sebastian Shaw.  

What this package was Gambit didn’t know, but knew that it must be important or Mr. Shaw would not want it.  Mr. Shaw was a slippery character that had all sorts of political dealings and so it wouldn’t be surprising if this object was dangerous at all.  

Gambit was so distracted by the ray machine and all the wiring that he did not notice Anna Marie at first.  She saw him and stood between him and the door back downstairs.  She knew from her conversation at dinner with Mr. Lensherr that his manor was like a fortress and guarded by all sorts of machines and gadgets.  

She didn’t really have a plan, but acted on pure adrenaline and instinct.  “Give me back that package!  You have no way of escape!”

Remy cursed.  He was trying to figure a way out and now had to contend with this girl.  He squinted at her and laughed.  She was a young debutante without any weapons, this was going to be too easy.

“Just calm down, mademoiselle.  I don’t know what you saw or thought you saw, but Remy just came in for a stroll and look around and now he would like to leave.”  He started slowly approaching her ready to use his psionic charm powers on her.  

“No.  You stay where you are.”  Anna Marie called out, but he approached nonetheless and she didn’t have anything on her.  She slowly started taking off a glove as he approached.

He started coming closer and closer to her and suddenly realized how beautiful she was.  She had auburn hair with a curious white streak in it and dazzling green eyes.  Her cheeks were flushed due to all the excitement and Remy admired her spunkiness for even daring to follow him.  Usually his experiences with debutantes were that they were all spoiled, boring girls.  

His plan was to go back down the way he came, but there was one obstacle in the way- her.  He was now close enough to look directly in the eye and so leaned forward and caught her gaze.  

“Hello, cher.  I admire your spunk and attitude, but I think we got off on the wrong foot tonight.  I would like to just move past you and leave, so if you would be so kind…”  He looked her right in the eye and did his best to convince her to be appeased and move aside.  

“Not until you give me back the package.”  Anna Marie said with her arms crossed over her chest and a defiant expression on her face.  This man had some nerve coming in and stealing her mother’s package and then sweet talking her.  She could see that he had a good figure and was handsome, but had one thing on her mind.  Recovering the package.

The psionic charm was failing.  Damn.  Remy was shocked and a little caught off guard at first, but soon recovered.  This was just a girl after all and he was a trained burglar and assassin.  He was ready to shove her aside again when she surprised him by stepping closer to him.  

“What were you doing with your eyes anyway?  They turned all red.  It was quite the sight.”  

Remy did not know what to think now.  This girl seemed aware of mutants and unafraid, another point to her.  He probably should have assumed this girl was aware of mutants being in the Lensherr manor, but it was still refreshing nonetheless.  

“Uh- I was just trying to convince you that this is all pointless, we’re in a lot of danger being up here and it’s best we all just go downstairs.  What’s your name by the way?”  

As if on cue, a security system on the roof apparently was aware that there were people on the roof and had started scanning and letting off steam cannons at them.  

Anna Marie took this opportunity to run towards the door, but also reached forward to grab his hand.  Remy instinctively took the pretty girl’s hand and immediately regretted it.  He felt energy draining out of him and he looked shocked at Anna Marie’s face.  

She let go of his hand and let him slip to the floor unconscious.  “My name is Rogue” she whispered and recovered the package.  

She dragged his body down the stairs using his strength and got glimpses of his dealings with a man named Sebastian Shaw.  She saw his life story and the fact that he was raised an orphan on the streets of Louisiana.  

Soon Erik Lensherr was up and went to go check up on his guest.  When he discovered what happened and the body of Remy LeBeau he was furious, but was convinced by Anna Marie to talk to him and only lock him up.  That he was a wayward youth and had only known thieving as a way to live.  

So Erik Lensherr took in Remy LeBeau and added him to his many acolytes in the Brotherhood of Mutants.  Rogue got her package back and went on her way to New York with it.  She later found out that the package was an important part for a steam powered way to identify mutants that her uncle and Hank McCoy was working on. 

[levi501ackerman]

Steel Heart Chapter 6:

A Cascade of Wine and Water

Hange x Reader Chapter Index Masterlist

Megan's Notes: When I was writing one part I got extremely hungry and made carbonara at 12am. Posted 7/19/2024

Word Count: 5.3k

By the second morning after the vicious mutts, Levi decided he was going to give you tea with crushed sleeping pills. 

The first night—hours after the Marleyan mutts attacked—most of the knights were jolted awake and they rushed out of their tents. Their hearts were beating in their throats looking around the dark forest for a sign of danger, frantically asking each other what was going on. Your screams and ugly wailing sobs attracted them to Levi’s tent, where they discovered Levi shaking your thrashing body. Levi assured the knights not to worry and that you were having a nightmare. For the rest of the first night, they laid in their bed rolls with their hearts hammering each time your cries projected into the forest. 

The knights slept better the following night, Captain Levi was able to recognize when you were having restless dreams. He was able to wake you before your sobs turned into screams which was favorable considering that night you camped near a village just outside of Karanese District. Levi himself had trouble sleeping and it didn’t tire him to hold you as you cried. He stroked your hair and reassured you were safe, feeling sympathetic. 

Levi recognized how you fully trusted and were loyal to Sir Zacharius, but it slightly irked him how much you followed him seeking his company, especially after the Marleyan mutts. 

As the remaining knights and Levi rode into the Karanese District, you kept your eyes peeled. Occasionally, your heart panged at the sight of a shadow imagining it was a threatening person. It practically kept you on edge the entire trip into the city. You held Levi tight, looking around for more mutts or any sign of danger.  

When reaching the outer gate of the Karanese District, an unexpected sense of comfort released the tight knot in your abdomen. Karanese District looked like Shiganshina. The terracotta-colored roofs, a canal running through the city, and one large building being the most distinct of them all. 

“Keep your head down,” Levi told you, and when some civilians were admiring and heckling the knights, you understood Levi’s reasonings.

“Dad come look! There are knights!” Said a voice from a child.

“Hi, Levi!” A woman’s voice called out for him.

“JEAN YOU’RE HOT!”

“Levi Ackerman?! Of the Royal King’s Guard?!”

“What the hell happened in Shiganshina?!”

“Why would a Royal King’s Guard leave the castle?”

“Did you know Levi is one of the jeweled knights?”

“Woah, they all look so intimidating.”

“Who’s with Levi?!”

“Are they here to protect us?”

“Whoever it is, it's clearly someone special!”

“Hi Jean!!”

“I think they’re guarding that person.”

“You guys take care of us when the Marleyan Cult attacks Karanese!”

“It would be an honor if one of you bought my bread!”

“JEAN KIRSTEIN I’LL BE A GOOD HOUSEWIFE!” 

The attention from the townspeople and the sound of the horses’ hooves on the cobblestone were clogging your ears. You couldn’t think straight. The noise was relentless and pressure started building behind your nose. Your chest was aching, then it began to be hard to breathe. It was all too much. 

“Hey, calm down,” Levi turned over his shoulder, his voice soothing. “We’re almost to headquarters. Until then into the nose, out of the mouth.” 

“W-Why are they screaming at us?” 

“Just focus on breathing.”

The building for the Karanese Military Headquarters was much larger in person. The grey stone walls towered above the small surrounding buildings. When entering the yard surrounding the fortress, dozens upon dozens of knights were standing guard. The sound of the grand iron gates closing with a metallic echo startled you. The collective tension was released among the knights, feeling secure behind the gate of the fort. Levi and the knights got off their horses, guiding them and walking closer to the entrance of the headquarters.

“Can you help me again?” You asked, Levi held up his arms. You slid off his horse awkwardly, holding Levi’s shoulders for security. After, Levi gestured for Jean to walk with him. Jean held onto the reins of his new horse, striding forward to Levi. The majestic horse walking with Jean was not his original horse.      

A memory of Jean and Levi conversing after the Marleyan mutts attacked took over your thoughts. You remember the anguished look on Jean’s face when he came to terms with having to put his horse down. Jean’s horse had two legs bitten off along with a crater of exposed muscle, tendon, and blood near the shoulder given by the ferocious hounds. It was sickening to hear the horse’s cries when Jean had to put it out of its misery. Another memory flashed to Jean’s sorrowful face later that evening when telling you he loved his horse named Thunder. It was quiet during that dinner and not only because Levi asked for a moment of silence to honor the four knights that died, but because the knights were exhausted.   

As you trailed behind Levi, you heard him discussing with Jean about the needed supplies. You looked down at the stone ground in an attempt to avoid the eyes of all the guards of the fortress. The clank of the armor, the horses nickering and snorting with each step toward the large entrance attracted the eyes of all nearby. How could the guards of the headquarters not take their eyes off a group of wounded and exhausted knights? When approaching the door, Levi asked for you to take the reins of his horse. He walked ahead meeting a knight in front of the doors. The entire group of knights with their horses stopped before the door, giving you a chance to pet Levi’s beautiful horse.

While you were petting the base of her neck, you felt the heat of the sun on her. You looked into her eyes, giving a small smile, and hoping she knew the extent of your gratitude. Levi’s horse was glancing at you and then she turned her head toward you. She lowered her head to the level of your face while not breaking eye contact and after a moment she blew some air on your face. You took the initiative to pet her jaw enjoying the attention she was giving you. 

“Levi’s horse seems to have bonded with you quickly,” Jean said.

“Levi doesn’t want me to name the horse, but I think I thought of a name for her,” you said looking at her majestic presence. Levi turned from his discussion with the knight.

“Grab any personal items and anything you don’t want left with the horses. Commander Lobov’s guards are going to store our horses in the stables. The kitchen is going to get started on lunch for us, I’ll be in a meeting, and then after they’ll show us to our beds.” An influx of guards started walking toward the horses, carefully taking the horses. Levi walked back toward Jean, you, and his horse. “Connie!” Levi called over and when he approached, “You and Jean are attending the meeting with me.” 

“May I take the horse?” Asked a tall, blonde, and burly knight towering over you. Though you had your hood on, the way he looked at you made you feel uneasy. You ducked your head down, trying to avoid his gaze on your face. You gave him Levi’s horse and then drew closer to Levi, Jean, and Connie.

A guard of the Karanese fortress and Commander Lobov lead everyone through the tall and grand oak doors. The inside was a hive of knights hastily walking to where they were headed. A knight was guiding a young group of people presumably trainees, two knights were walking and discussing the papers they were holding, and another group of knights was pushing a cart of broken weaponry. The guard began splitting off from Commander Lobov leading Levi’s knights to a dining hall. You stayed with Levi, Jean, and Connie seeking their protection. Levi suddenly realized you were trailing behind him.

“You need to eat—”

“I’m staying with you,” You said quietly.

“Princess, this is a military base it’s one of the safest places in the district. Did you see all those guards outside? Do you see all these knights just in this room alone? The minute there is a threat all of them are prepared to fight. Do not worry, you are safe here,” Levi assured. You looked at Jean and Connie and then Commander Lobov spoke up from behind them.

“Captain, we can arrange for lunch to be brought to our meeting. It’s not a problem.” He said in a friendly manner. You looked at Levi with pleading eyes, you were determined to go with him. 

“Fine let’s go.” Levi started walking down the hall to Commander Lobov’s side. A pang of embarrassment sprung inside, Levi seemed annoyed with you. You tried to remind yourself he just doesn’t smile a lot and paired with his bluntness he creates a standoff demeanor. He’s not mad at me. 

“Do you think Levi’s mad at me?” You whispered to Connie.

“No, Princess Y/N, you don’t have to worry.”

Eventually, you entered a large room with a long dark oak table in the center, the walls were lined with bookshelves, and one wall had windows reaching the high ceiling. Under the table was a large light purple rug, and hanging from the high ceiling was a crystal chandelier. The extravagant room distracted you from Commander Lobov, shutting the door and respecting you by kneeling. 

“Your Highness,” He said with a fist over his heart. “Welcome to the Karanese District Military Headquarters, Knight Commander Lobov at your service. I hope you feel safe and comfortable while you are here.” Commander Lobov said genuinely and then he softly took your right hand and kissed it. 

“Thank you, I like this room a lot.” Commander Lobov roared with laughter, standing up. He glanced at Levi.

“So it’s true. You did go into hiding when you were young.” He said with a big smile on his face.

“Oh. Yeah, I guess I did. The women who raised me kept me safe and I miss them. I don’t even know if they’re alive. I didn’t know I was being hidden from a cult until a few weeks ago . . .” Commander Lobov’s eyes lingered on your gloomy face.

“Where were you raised? Orvud? Dauper village? Shiganshina? Yarckel?” You nodded, with your eyes becoming glossy.

“Shiganshina . . . it was destroyed by the cult.” Your chest started heaving and your eyes met with Levi’s pleading for comfort. 

“Princess, let's sit down.” Lobov guided you to one of the seats next at the large table. Jean and Connie started to pull out the oak chairs, but when you noticed Levi was sitting next to Jean you decided to get up and sit in what was going to be Jean’s seat. He was stunned into confusion, at you taking his chair to sit next to Levi. 

“I’ll just sit over here . . .” Connie laughed at Jean losing his chair. 

“So Levi and his scouts took you from Shiganshina? Were you The First Knight?” Commander Lobov asked you and Levi as he got situated across the table. 

“Miche Zacharius was rotated into The First Knight position a couple years ago. He was expected to be the last until the Princess’ twenty-fifth birthday. Obviously, the operation was scrambled together when the cult attacked Shiganshina a few weeks ago. That’s why we need your help, Commander.” Commander Lobov leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Levi and understanding the gravity of his request. 

“How can I help?”

“First, I need information. Erwin Smith, Commander of the Royal King’s Guard, has been here?” 

“No. I have not heard of him being here and I have not received a message of his arrival. Honestly, even seeing you outside of Mitras Castle is surprising, Captain Levi.”

“Dame Hange Zoe? Have they passed through in the past two weeks?”

“No. Again, nothing.” Levi sighed with no attempt to hide his frustration with the situation he was in with his comrades.

“I haven’t heard from Dame Hange in a while. No messengers from them and I am unaware if my messengers have reached Hange. I’m concerned . . . we were supposed to meet in Trost, but I received a message from Erwin that a ward of the Marleyan Cult had taken Trost. Not only that, we came across Commander Flagon’s camp. No survivors and his sword is missing.”

“Don’t tell me—”

“Yes . . . a jeweled sword.” Commander Lobov cursed under his breath and then he hit the table with his fist. A knock was heard on the door behind you and then a voice called they had the food for the knights. A tall, handsome man with blonde hair and brown eyes was pushing a two-tier serving cart. The cart had six plates with steel dish lids, extra plates, a large carafe of water, bottled wine, silverware, and cups. He pushed the cart to Commander Lobov’s side. Then he stood proudly in his traditional white double-breasted chef jacket and pants, looking friendly with a hint of shyness.

“Good afternoon, Princess Y/N, Captain Levi and may I please hear your names . . . ?”

“Connie Springer.”

“Jean Kirstein.” The handsome man smiled. 

“Welcome Connie and Jean. Welcome Captain Levi and your Highness to Karanese Headquarters. I am Niccolo, one of the main chefs and also a Knight of the Scout Regiment. I would like to share with you my favorite comfort foods.” Niccolo turned to his cart, he brought out four placemats, their simplicity was elegant. There was a purple border along the white rectangle, you realized it was the same shade of light purple that matched the carpet underneath the table. Then Niccolo placed small empty plates and silverware on your placemats, and one plate with a steel cover in front of you. “As the kitchen has an influx of potatoes and it is my favorite vegetable. This appetizer is my garlic potato skins with cheese garnished with parsley.” He lifted the cover and the delicious garlic scent filled your nostrils.

“Woah,” you whispered and your mouth watered. Connie and Jean were frothing with desire. 

“Thank you, your Highness. Have you had this before?”

“Not potatoes like this.” You all grabbed a piece desperate for warm food. The knights at the camp were running out of food and meal rations were very small. This was your first meal of the day. 

“Would you like water or wine?” Niccolo asked setting cups in front of Jean and Connie. You heard of wine once, but never tried it. You thought you recalled Fairy Godmother Ymir saying she needed wine when Fair Godmother Christa annoyed her. 

“I’ll take wine,” Connie said.

“Wine thank you,” Jean said.

“What’s wine?” You whispered to Levi, who was staring intently at Niccolo waiting for your answer. 

“A type of alcohol. We’ll have water.” Levi said firmly to Niccolo. 

“Is there a reason why I can’t try some?”

“Because I said so.”

“Okay sorry, Levi.” While Niccolo poured your drinks. You bit into the warm potato, the food brought pleasure to your mouth and you quickly devoured the potato skin. Jean and Connie devoured the potato as well while Levi was cutting it with a fork and knife. 

“For the main meal,” Niccolo took the empty plates except for Levi’s and placed the four large plates with a dish cover on top in front of everyone. “I made my favorite comfort meal I enjoy eating when I am sick or had a long day. It is mushroom risotto garnished with breadcrumbs and parsley—hot from the kitchen. “Please enjoy.” When you lifted the lid the golden risotto and sautéed mushrooms smelled delightful. You carefully took a spoonful of the rice and the sensation of heat along with the buttery, garlic hint of flavor was satisfying. You scooped more into your mouth.

“Niccolo, sir, this is absolutely wonderful! I’ve never had risotto before!” You said and a large teeth-showing smile grew on his face and a tint of pink on his cheeks. 

“Your Highness, it means so much to me, that you enjoy my dish!” 

“This really is delicious,” Jean added.

“Thank you so much!” Niccolo said and you took a sip of water. The cool sensation went down your throat, pooled at your chest, and then spread. You realized how dehydrated you were once you emptied your glass. “More water?” Niccolo held the carafe and then poured more water into your glass. You glanced over at Levi and even he was enjoying the risotto dish, nearly finishing it. 

“Do you think it’s good, Levi?” You softly asked. 

“Wonderful.”

“Thank you, Captain!” Niccolo said and then he placed the last covered dish in front of you preparing to speak. “This is one of my favorite desserts, I make it every time I finish it. It’s a simple chocolate cake and I enjoy having slices of strawberries paired with it.” Niccolo lifted the lid to see four sliced pieces of chocolate cake, on the top and along the side were a generous amount of sliced strawberries. Niccolo placed clean, tiny plates next to the risotto plate and then began to to transfer a slice to each plate. 

“The strawberries are perfect!” Connie said, taking more bites. The anticipation was killing you for when Niccolo was going to put a slice on your plate. Jean took a bite of his cake and moaned. 

“Really good! You’re right the ripe strawberries with the chocolate are wonderful!” Jean said. You grew antsy, holding your fork and ready to dig in. Niccolo placed the slice in front of you and you used your fork to cut a piece of the cake, making sure to get a slice of strawberry on your fork. The combination of strawberries and chocolate was wonderful. It was sweet and satisfying.

“No thank you, I am full,” Levi said holding a hand up. You gasped excitedly.

“Levi can we have your slice?!” You asked grasping Levi’s arm, he pulled away and you swore you saw a slight smile.

“Knock yourselves out.”

“Thank you, Captain!!” Connie said. 

“ALRIGHT! More cake!” Jean said.

“Thanks!!” 

“You kids turn my hair grey,” Levi said under his breath. Niccolo divided the remaining slice and then put it on the plates.

“This dessert is delicious!” Jean said.

“I am glad you enjoyed this meal, it was an honor to serve you all the food. This morning we got two full cows and currently the kitchen is working on dividing the meat and already working on tonight’s dinner. There will be the options of T bone steak, rib eye steak, there will be chuck roast, and braised beef short ribs, and all the cuts of beef you like we’ll be serving over the next few days. Like I said earlier we have an influx potatoes, so we will have the option of roasted or mashed potatoes along with gravy. Your Highness, I highly recommend the braised beef short rib.” Niccolo said with a smile back on his face. 

“Thank you, Niccolo, I’ll try it.” As Niccolo started gathering the plates, Jean, Connie, and Levi were also thanking Niccolo for the meal.

“Let’s get back to business,” Levi said to Commander Lobov who leaned forward in his chair returning to listen to Levi intently. “The other day a ward of the Marleyan Cult attacked my men with mutts. We lost four men and two horses. Six men received stitches, but I want the medics here to relook at the stitches and redo them if needed. We did a light evaluation of our horses, but I want your horse wrangler to do a full health examination. We need help with food, there’s practically nothing left. I would like at least three knights from headquarters but two is generous . . .” Commander Lobov nodded at Levi.

“Three men, food, and health evaluations for your men and the horses, right away Captain.” Commander Lobov extended his hand to Levi and they shook firmly. 

Later when the knight was showing you your room, you felt stressed when you saw the one bed in yours. You plead with Levi who rolled his eyes when you requested to sleep in the same room. He gave in. Levi's and your's room was at the very end of the corridor, the one room next to it had Jean, Connie, and two other knights. 

You stayed by Levi’s side when Commander Lobov was introducing the three knights to Levi. One you recognize from earlier in the day, the big burly blonde knight who took Levi’s horse for you. He looked like he could knock out someone with one punch. He along with the other knights introduced themselves, kneeling and saluting for you. He was the last to introduce himself to you and Levi.

“Your Highness,” His husky voice started, “I’m Reiner Braun a Knight of the Scout Regiment. I will protect and ensure you will live to fulfill your duty.” Then he kissed your hand with some of his facial hair tickling you.

“Gentlemen, we head to Stohess the morning after tomorrow. Be ready for any moment we need to leave suddenly. ” Levi said and Reiner’s eyes stayed on yours longer than necessary. You along with Levi walked outside of the door of the room to see Chef Niccolo. 

“Commander Lobov, Captain Levi. Princess Y/N,” Niccolo saluted with a fist over his heart. “Let me join your squad. I guarantee I will be an asset as I have experience cooking on the field.” You imagined Niccolo cooking the mushroom dish from earlier and were convinced. Levi looked skeptically at the man pridefully saluting.

“Niccolo, your persistence is admirable, however, you are an asset in the kitchen.” Commander Lobov said. 

“Please sir,” there was an unexpected plea in his voice. “It would be an honor to escort the Princess to Mitras Castle.”

“No. That’s final.”

“Commander. Captain. If another knight is needed I’ll be ready to leave, sir!” Niccolo’s left leg was trembling . . .

The end of the day was greeted by rain. Dark clouds floated above Karanese District, pouring rain onto the town. The thunder and lightning were approaching from the distance, getting louder. During dinner, you had the braised beef short ribs. Niccolo’s recommendation was delicious, the beef was tender and practically falling off the bone. It’s been a while since you had consistent meals, especially with a large piece of protein.

You sat next to Levi who was discussing with some of his men the key points for the journey to Stohess District. The main plan was to stay along the river and the camping spots were set up in a way where there would be no nights staying in the city. Only a day of getting supplies then continuing onwards to camp somewhere inside Wall Sina. Levi decided that meeting with Commander Erwin and Dame Hange was a loss and that he was going to try to push to reach Mitras Castle as soon as possible.  

There was an unsettling feeling in the air while through the halls. You followed Levi, Jean, and Connie back to the rooms. Each crack of the thunder made your shoulders jump, the loud sound startled you. Jean and Connie stayed in your room talking with Captain Levi. The sounds of the rain on the window made satisfying tapping noises that made you feel tingly and relaxed. Your eyes were droopy and heavy. Their voices were fading away. 

Something woke you in the night. It was dark and the moonlight was shining through the window. You turned over to see Levi’s bed empty. Your eyebrows furrowed and you slowly started to pull the blankets off of yourself, contemplating leaving the room to search for Levi. Hopefully, he was in Jean and Connie’s room next door. Perhaps he left so you could sleep in a quiet room? 

The rain was pounding against the window. The view from your room showed a quiet wet night. The streets of Karanese District were lit by lamps, just like how it was in Shiganshina. There was barely any movement. In the distance, you could see the inner gate. You could see the tiny figures that were knights guarding the activity of the gate. There seemed to be a group of knights on horses entering the inner gate, riding through the rain, thunder, and lightning. 

The creaking sound of the door slowly opening, made you whip your head around to see Jean in the doorway. He rushed in, closing the door behind softly. 

“Princess, are you okay?” Jean with a sense of urgency in his voice.

“Y-Yes. I just woke up where’s Levi?” You asked and then Jean marched to you then knelt unexpectedly in front of you, he held your arms and looked into your eyes. Your heart skipped a beat, with a foreboding feeling that Jean was not going to tell you good news. 

“Princess I do not want to scare you,” Jean’s eyes were sharp, and alert along with a hint of fear. A loud crack of thunder made your heart bulge from your chest. “You need to listen . . . Levi found Commander Lobov murdered in his office. He knows the traitor is in the headquarters.” Your heart sank, thinking of the man who was helping Levi’s knights was murdered. He was the leader of the headquarters, the man in charge of everything and he was murdered . . . Your eyes widened and your hands started trembling. 

“Is Levi next?! Is he alive?! Where is he?!” You thought of Levi’s throat getting slashed by some evil person, his body hidden in some closet. Another scenario your imagination played was a group of awful men ganging up on Levi and though he put up a tough fight, he in the end gets murdered. Your breath labored, coming in short, rapid gasps at the thought of Levi getting kicked and beaten to death. 

“Princess, Levi is alive, he’s going to meet us soon.”

“THEN WHERE IS HE?!” You flung yourself on Jean wrapping your arms around his next, choking out sobs. Your chest was heaving and Jean wrapped his arms around you and then he stood up.

“I said he’s going to meet us soon, so calm down! Please your Highness where’s your cloak?” Jean asked looking around the dark room. Then he grabbed your cloak off the floor. “Put this on and then we’re going to meet Levi!” With your cloak on you followed Jean out of the room. It suddenly felt slightly warmer. You clung to Jean as he took you down the hallway. In the distance, you could hear men yelling instinctively. There was a bright light at the end of the hall. Doors to the rooms where the knights slept were opened, showing their empty rooms. Jean guided you to the end of the hall, both your eyes grew at the sight, feeling heat on your skin. 

You looked over the railing looking five floors down and seeing the ground flooring. One wall on the ground floor was busted open, with a hot fire burning. Several knights were fighting the fire while some knights were rushing out of the door. You saw through the railings on the other floors the haste movement of knights rushing to evacuate.    

“What’s happening?! Is the fire because of the lightning?!” Your voice quivered.

“Stay by me, we’ll meet with Levi and get somewhere safe,” Jean assured and he wrapped an arm around your shoulders. There was a loud boom and the building shook. Dirt and dust fell from the ceiling. Jean and you stumbled on your feet and then you both grabbed the railing. 

“What was that?! Was that a bomb?!” You sobbed remembering the sounds of the explosions during the night you escaped Shiganshina. 

“Shit! Let’s move!” Jean pulled you toward the stairs. You both ran down the stairs and the closer you got to the ground floor the more packed the area was with knights. Some were pushing and shoving making the situation worse. A knight ran into Jean knocking him from you, you tried to hold your grasp on his arm, but he was shoved away from you.

“Jean!” You shrieked. More knights were shoving Jean forward, the clones of steel armor making it hard to differentiate in the chaos. “JEAN!” You screamed, running forward, pushing, and hitting armor. You did your best to push through the knights, urging your body toward Jean. 

“Y/N!” Another voice yelled and then an arm pulled you through the wave of the knights, suddenly you were against a wall with Connie and Jean.

“Jean are you okay?!”

“There are stairs on the west side of the headquarters with less human traffic!” Connie started leading you and Jean toward the west side. Knights pushed against you, Connie and Jean heading in the opposite direction of you. You held Jean’s arm and Connie’s hand through the force of knights. The smell of smoke was starting to get stronger almost making you cough. 

“CONNIE!” Down a corridor was Levi waving his hand. The three of you changed directions going down a north corridor. Levi and more knights you recognized from his camp were in the corridor. 

“LEVI!” You screamed. When Connie, Jean, and you got closer to the group you hugged Levi feeling relieved he was alive. “I thought you were going to die!” You said frantically.

“Calm down Princess! Into the nose, out through the mouth!” Levi said and you nodded. Then Levi turned to his men. “We need to get to our horses! Get to the first meeting point! The church in the village passed the inner gate!” Your head was spinning there was too much going on and your adrenaline was pumping. Your breathing was getting better but there was so much going on it was hard to process where you were in the headquarters. “Listen, I don’t know if a ward of Marleyans followed us or if this is an ambush, however, there is a group outside and they know the Princess is in here. Protect Y/N at all costs! Lay down your lives!”

A sudden rumbling and a loud boom shook the building once again. You lost your balance and a wind of dust blinded you. You shut your eyes and plugged your ears. But it didn’t muffle the yelling and the sound of the building collapsing. Levi’s arm pulled you back and you were pulled onto the ground.

You started feeling drips of water on your face and you opened your eyes and saw the floor covered with dots of water. Your eyebrows furrowed and then you glanced upwards to see a chunk of the building opened up to the stormy sky. Thunder boomed through the headquarters loudly, and your heart jolted. The ground in front of you was . . . gone? The floor of the corridor . . . was gone? Your breath was shaky as you realized your boots were nearly hanging off the hole in the floor. You turned to Levi only to notice the knight that pulled you back wasn’t Levi. The knight wasn’t Jean or Connie. It was one of the other knights. With your heart thumping in your chest, you got on all fours. Crawling toward the hole in the ground. You coughed as you kept breathing in dust and the faint smell of smoke. You whimpered as you crawled and carefully looked down. The debris of the building went through all the floors landing on the ground floor. Stones were crushing knights, you saw a pile of rubble with limbs sticking out and bodies lying lifeless on the rubble and around it. Among the bodies on the rubble were Levi, Jean, and Connie’s. 

next chapter Chapter 7: Dame Hange Zoe

Chapter Index Masterlist