#she just uses the wings to angrily drone at people

[estellardreams]

Chapter 14: A Madness to Their Methods

The world was left in the dark, peace finally being achieved as many people messed around and broke apart the powered down eggforcers, fires lit ablaze to bring the place light and warmth.

"Can you believe it? This is everything we hoped for." Rebel began.

"Kids playing with broken down eggforcers?" Tempest asked.

"Not that. Freedom. With the Chaos Council gone, we can finally make New Yoke City what we want, what its citizens deserve... return our home to what it was. All the trees..."

"The beaches..."

The world rumbled as a portal appeared, the Mothership appearing back in New Yoke City. 

Tempest tensed up. "This can't be good."

"Everyone, listen up! We need to hide before... Everything gets powered up again. To our base." Rebel urged.

Citizens scrambled back underground and into hiding. Tempest and Rebel climbed up to the rooftops, watching as the Mothership began to fly over to its original headquarters.

"This be more... Than I bargained for!" Jewel clung onto the ship despite the harsh winds, losing her grip as she desperately used her wings to keep herself from crashing below. 

"Jewel?!" Shadow exclaimed. How the hell did she get on board?! 

Jewel narrowly caught herself with her wings, floating down onto a rooftop as Shadow continued to hang onto the Mothership. He then felt his own grip slipping before he fell off himself. 

He flew through the air, knocking into a building before crashing into a trash bin below. 

Jewel looked up at the Mothership, growling to herself. "Me beauty..." 

The Mothership started to park itself back into place. Once it was in position, the city began to get powered up once more, ruining all of the resistance's efforts in an instant.

"No..."

"So much for everything we hoped for..." Tempest sighed.

Eggforcers turned themselves back on as drones flew into the sky. A bunch of machines cornered the two resistance members. 

"Oh, chaos..."

"Ah, can't you just taste the soot and ozone." Eggman began, watching the city from their main window.

"We never should've left it in the hands of these ignorant peasants!" Done-It said.

"But we've already discussed this! Leaving to gather three Shards was the prudent decision. Now we'll be powerful enough to make short work of them."

"You know I can't plan for a shatterversal domination with all those rebellion ingrates making a rocket! And didn't that dag-blasted rebellion start in your neighborhood?"

"Rebels joined from all five districts. Besides, their hideout was in Deep's district."

"We should just burn your district to ash!" Babble snapped, babbling angrily.

"Someone needs to feed the baby. He's cranky." Don't said.

Deep entered the main headquarters. "Save this negative energy for later. Each of us has to clean up his own house, so we can make a beautiful mess of reality."

Babble yelled, only for Deep to give him a triangle shaped juice box for him to drink.

Citizens began to flee the streets as eggforcers began to terrorize everyone. 

"Rescue op, street side, now!" Tempest ordered.

Rebel saw two civilians huddling together as they were cornered by eggforcers. She swooped down, whisking them to safety and setting them down on the rooftop.

Shadow began to climb up to the rooftop, looking around as he saw the rebels continuing to fight back eggforcers in the distance. 

He ran over, smashing back some machines as the two resistance members were startled to see him. 

"Shadow? You're back?" Tempest asked.

"Yeah. What's going on?" Shadow said. 

"Eggforcers are back online and attacking civilians. We-"

"On it." he leapt down, swiftly bringing some civilians to safety while smashing the bots, ordering them to seek shelter while the streets were crawling with the bots.

Eggman watched through the security cameras, seeing Shadow smash down eggforcers while running off to fight back more. 

"The obsidian simpleton again?!" Done-It snapped.

"He is the definitive bug in our game." Don't said.

Deep entered back into the main laboratory. "Peace, my brothers. The Black Blight currently infests my district, and I will purge him like toxins after a juice cleanse. But first..."

He typed up on the screen. "Let us secure our own Nest Egg..."

The gates began to shut as all districts were closed off from one another, many citizens rushing back to their own districts before getting split off from the rest. 

"And give the rebels a little something to keep them busy."

"What makes you so sure you'll exterminate the rodent? He's bested you at every turn! Got any new ideas?" Done-It asked.

"Actually, no. Nothing new."

Eggforcers entered the room, carrying the scraps of machines like them. 

"I'm going to recycle."

Eggforcers continued to terrorize the city, as many civilians cowered in fear. Shadow, Rebel, and Tempest all continued to smash the bots as more resistance members joined in. 

Once they were done, they took a breather. 

"Look, I apologize that I was gone but-"

"Answers. Where did you come from?" Tempest questioned.

"Long story. It's not important right now, what's important is that we stop the Council." Shadow said.

"How? This place is locked down." she said.

"And just tell us why the council has power? What happened to Venice?" Rebel questioned.

"He got captured. And... The Council was trying to get the shards and might've... Succeeded." Shadow winced.

"Shadow! You let them get their hands on more shards?!"

"Look, I had them and was going to take them to a safe place but they were torn away from me. Tried to get them back but... No. Couldn't. But I have a plan. I'm going to break into the Yoke, get the shards, and rescue Venice."

"That's it?"

"Yes. And I'll do it on my own."

"Why? Because you think we'll slow you down or something?" Tempest asked.

"That's not what I said."

"Quiet!" Rebel hissed.

Hover copters flew overhead, being incredibly quick as they flew down, chasing after civilians that were trying to escape.

"Those machines, they've never been so fast. Or this aggressive." she said.

Tempest leapt down into battle, holding onto her hammer as she slammed it into the bots. 

"I need to get into the Yoke. The shards are what matters." Shadow said.

"Go on, then. Don't let us slow you down." Rebel said, flying down and helping to free civilians and tear down the bots.

Shadow watched them, looking back at the main center of the city. He could either go after the shards now, or help the resistance... 

He sighed, turning back and leaping down, breaking through some of the bots. He continued to smash them, helping along before all of the copters were now scrap.

"Alright, that's it. I'm heading to the Yoke." Shadow said.

"We're going with you." Rebel cut in.

"What?"

"We're all heading to the Yoke."

"Why would we go to the Yoke? The streets are infested with eggbots again!" Tempest said.

"Now that the Council is back and more powerful than ever, we have to take the fight to them."

"I understand that, but we also have to know that these people are green. We have to get underground if we want to have any chance of getting to the Yoke."

"And with all of those eggforcers, they wouldn't all be able to go underground. But the ones that could, especially in that closed off space, could be dangerous." Shadow pointed out.

"We'll have to take the risk, then. Going underground is the fastest way to get to the Yoke, and the longer they have the shards the more power they'll hold." Tempest said.

"Exactly. So let's go." Rebel directed everyone to follow her.

"We should make it bigger!" Done-It said.

"Big surprise that Dr. Slouch wants it taller." Eggman remarked.

"Give it buzzsaws!" Babble babbled, throwing down the scraps onto the ground.

"Ahem." Venice cleared his throat, being escorted back into the room by Bullet.

"You rang for me?"

"How long are we putting up with him?" Don't asked, annoyed.

"He's built us what we want, get rid of him already." Deep said.

"Now, now. We're going to put him to work, but this one possesses a, shall we say, less-dull mind than the usual riff-raff? He'll appreciate this." Eggman said.

"Appreciate what?" Venice asked.

"What we've built, of course." he stepped back, revealing the Shatterstorm holding all three shards.

They crackled and glowed with so much power and energy... Venice's eyes widened, stepping forward in shock.

"You're harnessing the energy of all three Shards? That much power is..."

"Incalculable? Indeed." Deep said.

"No, it isn't! Just make. Them. Bigger!" Done-It yelled.

"What are you guys doing?" Venice asked.

"The rat is confused. Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Dr. Don't? If you wouldn't mind." Eggman requested.

"Whatevs." Don't activated the machine.

The shards sparked and crackled, a dome of pure energy was created as it enveloped the scraps of broken eggforcers. They were reconstructed into a massive model, one filled with many upgrades like thicker metal shields and stronger lasers. 

A normal eggforcer walked in, stopping and staring at the massive version of itself.

Venice stared in shock towards the bot. He knew that this was going to be devastating if it were unleashed on the world...

The resistance began to sneak through the underground passageways of the Scareport, with Tempest, Rebel, and Shadow in the front lines of the team. Hover drones flew through the tunnels, forcing the team to hide. 

"What's the plan, Rebel?" Tempest asked. 

"We need to get into the tunnels on the other side of the station. Using them, we'll be able to get in close to the Yoke HQ with less attention than on the streets." Rebel said. 

"So we just gotta get through the bots, first? Not a problem."

They ducked through the tunnels, beginning to take down even more hover copters, smashing them.

Tempest saw one snatch up one of the soldiers, as the bot held them in front of an incoming train. She quickly pulled them away to safety, falling to the ground with them in her arms.

Shadow swiftly took a broken piece of the propeller bot, using it to shoot the bots down out of the sky. He tossed the scraps aside, meeting up with the rest of the team.

The doors began to rumble, getting pushed open by two massive eggforcers. They crawled out of the doorway, standing up and towering over the resistance. 

"Those things are huge..." Tempest tensed up, backing away. 

"Okay, seriously, what's with all the upgrades?!" Rebel exclaimed. 

Shadow summoned a chaos spear, launching it directly into the bots chest. It was immediately deflected, landing right beside him and leaving a burnt mark on the ground. 

Okay... Good to know. Can't blast them to bits.

The council watched through the bots eyes, as Venice observed in silence. He began to grow a bit worried, seeing as how massive and powerful that machine is. But... He had some faith in Shadow and the others that they'd take it down. 

"Enjoying the show?" Eggman asked.

Venice paused, staring at him. "It won't be enough."

"Not enough? Balderdash! My Jumbo Eggforcers will pound that varmint into blackberry jelly!" Done-It said.

"We'll see..."

"Yes, we will. You admire him, don't you? For all your bluster, you think of him as a friend. Funny, I thought you were smart." Eggman said.

Venice growled a little, his ears falling back at that remark.

The resistance hid away behind the railroad tracks, with Tempest tightly holding onto her hammer. 

"We need a cleared pathway. Can you keep them busy?" Rebel asked.

Shadow and Tempest got out of hiding, the two of them trying to knock down both bots. Shadow managed to tear off one of their shooters, pointing it at both eggforcers and blasting them down.

"Let's move!" Rebel urged, flying out as the group made their way back to the surface.

"Sweet corn! They destroyed my babies! My big, beautiful babies!" Done-It wailed.

"So much for "just make them bigger." Next time, try laser eyes." Deep said.

"Buzzsaws!" Babble babbled.

Don't looked up from his video game. "Flamethrowers are tight."

"Buzzsaws!"

"Flamethrowers!"

"Enough!" Eggman yelled.

"So, which one are we doing?"

He scoffed, grabbing Venice by the scruff of his neck and dragging him to a different room. "I don't care! Do whatever you want."

Eggforcers marched along the road as everyone observed them make their way down the streets. 

"... I'm starting to think this was a bad idea. They've never had this many eggforcers, and they've never been this tough." Rebel said.

"What do we have to lose?" Tempest asked.

Shadow sighed. "Look, if you all want to turn back now, it's fine. I'll go on ahead and-"

"No. The Chaos Council are not going to stop at bigger robots, and you're our best shot at any sort of victory. We're with you, Shadow." Rebel said firmly.

"Just tell me who to smash!" Tempest held up her hammer.

Shadow nodded, looking back at the eggforcers below.

"Smash them down, if they're too difficult to break use their weapons against them or creative tactics." he directed.

"On it!" Tempest swiftly slammed her hammer down on an eggforcer, launching it into another and destroying that one as well.

The rest of the resistance charged in, beginning to fight back the robots that roamed the streets.

Rebel grabbed an eggforcers head, lifting the machine up before throwing it towards Tempest. She knocked it down with her hammer. 

Shadow weaved between lasers of two massive eggforcers, leaping up and quickly activating chaos blast as the bots fell back. Seeing as they weren't destroyed, he swerved a little from a punch and grabbed onto a bot.

The other eggforcer attempted to punch him, only to hit the other bot instead. He leapt off and landed on the railway, spindashing into it as the subway crashed down and destroyed the bots.

 Two dark metal eggforcers flew into the scene, landing down on the ground. Rebel fired her shooter towards it, but it didn't even make a scratch. 

"They're too well armored. You can't blast through them." Shadow said.

"We'll see about that!" Tempest charged in. She slammed the hammer down onto it's head, falling back.

Its head got unstuck from being jammed in, firing at her lasers... That were on fire. Fire lasers.

Shadow deflected the attack with a chaos shield. He let it get lowered as Tempest ran off to attack an incoming bot. Shadow quickly maneuvered out of the way as the eggforcers began to fire off their flamethrowers towards him, weaving around the flames.

"Yes! Yes! Barbecue that rodent!" Deep cheered. He coughed, realizing what he said.

"For evil purposes only, mind you. I'm a strict vegetarian."

Done-It rolled his eyes. Don't looked back, seeing Eggman talking to Venice in the other room.

"We both know that the other members of the Council won't stop Shadow. They lack vision and imagination, unlike you." Eggman began, turning to look at him.

"You think I have 'vision and imagination'?" Venice questioned.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps your just a stupid rodent. Weak, worthless, pathetic..."

"I'm pathetic? You're the one with unlimited power, and all you can think to do is build a bigger robot." Venice levitated up to him, approaching him out of the seat he was in. 

Eggman lowly chuckled before pulling out a large stun gun, about to strike Venice with it as he fell back into his seat. "Tell me how to defeat Shadow!"

"... You can't. Have you seen what he's like out there? He's unstoppable. I doubt you'd even make a dent, because he's just the ultimate lifeform and you're not. Clearly you're in over your head, as you can't exactly understand how he thinks." Venice chuckled a little. "I doubt you two are even in the same league."

"So I need to think like Shadow?" Eggman asked. "I knew you had vision and imagination."

He turned away, beginning to leave. Venice got out of his chair in a panic. 

"W-Wait! I didn't-"

"Yes, yes you did." the door closed shut right behind Eggman.

"... Oh, what have I done?" he began to panic, looking back at his hidden communicator.

"Venice to Shadow... Please, there's-"

"Warning your friend?" Bullet entered the room. Venice froze, staring at him.

"... That's a definite no from the Council, kid."

Shadow skidded back, trying to think of a plan as the eggforcers approached him. He finally got an idea, running towards them and leaping off one of them, letting them fire their laser eyes.

He swerved around, seeing both bots fire off their lasers before running in between. He leapt up, letting both machines destroy each other before they landed.

"There. Now we go."

The other four Council members yelled, furious at the outcome that their best ideas had failed. 

"Gentlemen! Why the long faces? Could it be that your plans amounted to nothing, again?" Eggman entered the room.

"Well, if it isn't the cat that ate the canary. Where have you been?" Done-It asked.

"Answers aren't hard to find, if you know the right neck to twist."

Bullet entered the room, bringing Venice along with him. "Turns out this hedgehog thought it'd be a bright idea to communicate with Shadow. He's been in contact with him the entire time."

"I knew it! That rat's a rat!" Done-It said.

Venice yanked himself away from Bullet, yelling furiously at the council. "I'm. A. HEDGEHOG!"

"I'm gonna turn you into a bath robe!" Deep yelled.

Babble babbled furiously, demanding to do something heinous towards Venice.

"Ah, let's not be hasty. The hedgehog can lure Shadow right to us." Eggman said.

"How is that going to help? He keeps beating our Eggforcers!" Done-It said.

"Exactly. That's why I have... something... better in mind." Eggman entered the room where the Shatterstorm was, beginning to type up on the machine.

"My interrogation of our prisoner has inspired a design for our greatest robotic creation. Watch and learn."

The shard generator began to spark and glow, it's power beginning to construct a powerful asset. Venice looked on in horror towards it.

The resistance regrouped with one another, the scraps off all of the bots they've destroyed in their surroundings. 

"Alright, that's all of them. Let's go." Shadow said.

"How do we get inside, then? This place is still locked down." Tempest said.

More eggforcers arrived, forcing the trio to take cover.

"More eggforcers?! I... Hate to say it, but..."

"No! We're not retreating! We make our stand, here and now!" Rebel said.

"But we still gotta get inside somehow."

"Shadow!" Venice's voice came through the communicator.

"Bring your friends to the southwest doors. I'll get you in." his voice sounded... Automated, like it wasn't him.

"... Its a trap." Shadow said bluntly.

"How can you be so sure?" Rebel asked.

"He usually talks quietly if someone's nearby that could hear him, but rarely at full volume. Even so, he never sounds like this."

"... Okay, so it is a trap."

"But if the Council are going to let us get through those doors, it might be our only option." Tempest said.

"It's... Risky, we need to be prepared for anything." Rebel said.

Shadow nodded. Although this was incredibly risky and reckless... It might be their only chance at getting into the main headquarters. 

"Everyone! Fall back! Shadow, Rebel, to the southwest doors of the Yoke." she directed as the resistance ran off and began their retreat.

The trio made their way over to the southwest doors, seeing them open. The lighting was dark, making it a little hard to see.

A door opened, a pair of metallic footsteps beginning to walk through the doorway. Shadow, Tempest, and Rebel prepared to fight whatever showed themselves. 

What they weren't expecting though, was...

"It's... You." Tempest said, staring at the machine, stunned.

Bullet by @son1c

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

[spamtonromantic]

on the other hand. apisos' sprite is cute as hell

[royallyjoon]

cursed stars

cred for the gif goes to whoever made it! ���

fairy au, royalty au

yandere! jung hoseok x f! reader (wind chimes: part II of II) 

warnings: yandere themes, delusions of grandeur, violent behavior, and manipulation

once hoseok “successfully” claimed you as his queen, you are introduced to a tedious life as the princess of Wysteria: etiquette lessons in the morning  with a testy crone of a duchess and tea at noon with His Highness himself. a new guest comes to the palace, introducing himself as an old friend of the prince’s. despite all your thoughts of returning home, your beloved knows there’s no force on Earth strong enough to rival his love for possessing you.

(a/n): hello everyone~~ all i can say is: wow!! thanks again for all the love, and for being patient with me and waiting for the next and final installment of this series haha. i have a lot more works in the drafts; please look forward to them as well** this one’s a bit of a long one; hope you enjoy! may we all bow in the final presence of the prince and princess~  :) love, ati

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“The Fae of Wysteria are a majestic race, coming in all shapes, sizes, and colors. However, a distinct aspect of our people stems from our heritage—we are pure-blooded, descending from the Heavenly Crowned King and Queen, Rostel and Elisia. The information we have about their descending to Earth is mostly written in memoirs from scribes who happened to be alive at the time. The records vary in terms of what they were doing that day and where they were in Wysteria but two significant details remain consistent: One, the heavens opened and through the clouds, one could see a vast sky of night alit with stars. Two, the Heavenly Royalty flew through the clouds to descend upon our humble abode and bless us with their presence.”

You placed your elbow on the mahogany desk before which you sat, planting your head in your hands. Usually, you did not mind history lessons but the way the Duchess droned on you felt your head nodding back and forth, almost dropping on the desk multiple times.

“Our Heavenly Crowned rulers blessed certain fairies with their powers and decreed that every eight centuries, a new fairy be born with iridescent wings, for that child was to be our new ruler. Those meant to serve in that child’s palace would be born the same year with silver wings and would reside by their side until the end of the eight hundred years. We have carried on with this tradition for--(Y/N)!”

There was a harsh smack on the table in front of you and you jumped up to witness the Duchess with her pale hand on the desk. She glared at you and you rolled your eyes in annoyance. “Yes, Duchess Roxia, I was listening. Iridescent wings for the next ruler, silver wings for the servants, they rule and live in the palace for a century.”

The crone sneered. “Eight centuries, (Y/N). Eight. Never will I understand why His Highness is wasting his time with the likes of you.” She slid her hand from the desk, nails itching to scratch the polished surface. 

“In the past, I was hired to teach only the proudest of fae this generation has seen. When His Highness summoned me, I thought to myself, ‘This! This is what I’ve been waiting centuries for! To be welcomed back into the palace, to teach only the highest of fae kind! To bring honor to my family’s disgraced legacy!’ Only to find out he brought me here to educate his human plaything.”

You suffered this kind of verbal abuse on a daily basis. She would belittle and insult you to her heart’s content, then mercilessly quiz you on the material she’s taught during the hour and fifteen-minute lecture. Most of the time, you barely passed. 

“Of course, I could be out in the world doing better things with my life, but who am I to refuse a request from His Highness?” She sighs, the noise heavy and more similar to a grunt than a dispel of air.

“That is why it is my personal goal to make you the best crown princess Wysteria has seen. Politics, history, etiquette--you will know it all in three months’ time for the coronation. His Highness will be so enamored with my skill, perhaps he’ll keep me in the palace to teach the next Crown Prince or Princess! Oh, the honor!” She gazed out the window, the nicest expression you’ve ever seen written all over her face. 

And it was excitement at the thought of her selfish opportunity.

You glanced at the clock and shut your dusty textbooks. “Yes, well, thanks so much for the lesson, Duchess. But class is over and I have to meet with His Highness in about fifteen minutes. Have a good day.” You bowed to her and scrambled out the classroom with your head ducked down. 

“Lift your head, (Y/N)! Walk like royalty!” She snapped as the grand doors of the library shut.

                                          ~~~~~~

You strolled through the corridor with Olivia in tow, taking your time to smell the flowers and feel the breeze. It was almost always sunny here now that Hoseok had you where he wanted you.

You had the finest jewels, the prettiest gowns, and the most handsome man in the kingdom laid down in front of you, yet all you wanted to do was get away from here.

He hadn’t harmed you since that awful night on the balcony, but he was in no way hesitant to do it again. You could sense it in every icy gaze he sent your way when he felt you were “misbehaving”.

The heels of your sandals clacked against the floors and you turned into the palace’s garden. Alit with soft, colored lanterns the smells from the flower petals hit you all at once. It took you back to the day you sat in that field and performed the summoning Etha so desperately wanted.

Etha...you had had no way to contact the mortal world since your capture. Hoseok had provided no comforting thought towards your friend. He simply assured you that she would be fine but she had no place here, as she was “but a mortal, and you are so much more.” 

A likely story.

His wings were the first thing to catch your eye, gleaming and reflecting their multitude of colors when they met the sun. At the sound of your footsteps, he rose and approached you with a smile.

“Good morning, my dear. How were your classes?” He took your arm, leading you to the chair opposite his at the table. Olivia gently pulled your books from your arms and bowed, exiting without a word.

He pulled the chair out as you smoothed your dress out and sat. “They went as they always do...Duchess Roxia talked about the characteristics of a ruler and their servants and the length of their reign.”

Hoseok took his place and clapped his hands. Immediately, two fairies were setting tea, cups, and delicacies onto the table.

“Ah, our Regal Doctrine. She’s already managed to teach you that much, eh? Perhaps she is worth keeping around.”

You internally rolled your eyes. Had Hoseok known how Duchess Roxia was treating you, she would probably be halfway home by now.

As awful as the crone was, she was your only excuse for spending less time with the Prince. You would pick classes over emotional and psychological torture every day.

The table had grown eerily silent. You looked up to find Hoseok looking at you, seemingly waiting for something.

“Duchess Roxia informed me she taught you table etiquette during last Friday’s lesson.”

“Oh.” You shifted uncomfortably, trying to recall the exact steps.

“I’ll give you a hint,” Hoseok leaned forwards on the table, resting his head on his palm, “it begins with how you pour the tea.”

You nodded and slowly stood up, walking over to the teapot. The Duchess had said to grasp it so that when you pour, the top would not come out of place.

“A princess must always pour the tea for her prince and any visiting guests. It is crucial in demonstrating good table manners to all.”

You picked up the teapot gently, feeling Hoseok watch your every move. “The right hand to hold, the left to stop,” you murmured to yourself.

Once you felt your hands were in the correct position you held the pot an adequate height over the teacup—not too high, not too low—and began to pour. The tea did not splash around in the cup, rather it settled very gently and you waited until it rose to just a little before the rim. Then you placed the pot down, somewhat proud of yourself. “Sugar?”

Hoseok leaned back in his seat, a grin breaking out on his face. He clapped. “Wonderful! You did it perfectly, darling. I’ll take two lumps of sugar, please.”

You grabbed the lumps with a spoon and dropped them in his cup.

“You’re doing an excellent job so far, darling. You’ll be the perfect Princess of Wysteria in no time.” He continued smiling, despite the growing chill in the air.

“When I see you doing so well in your classes, it reinforces my hopes for you.” Your wrist froze, the lumps only partly dissolved. Hoseok pried the spoon from your fingers, taking your hand in his. “To think you thought you’d be anything but mine.”

The wind chimes sounding from the city hadn’t been so loud a moment before, but now they were deafening. The wind whipped your hair and dress around as you gazed down angrily, yet terrified at Hoseok. He met your gaze, doing nothing but pressing his soft lips against your hand.

And all at once, there was silence once more.

“You must forgive me, (Y/N). Every time I think back to that night, I get a little...angry.” His brown eyes were practically glowing once more, switching back and forth between dark and purple irises.

You pulled your hand from his grasp and promptly sat away from him. Hoseok continued spinning the spoon in the tea, dissolving the rest of the sugar.

“I have exciting news.” he continued. “A dear friend of mine is coming to visit in time for our coronation.”

You tilted your head curiously. “Friend?” You weren’t aware that Hoseok communed with people outside of the palace that often.

“Yes, an older friend from my childhood. He and I are extremely close and he wished to visit to see me become King before he commences travel once more.”

“Oh.” You sat, sampling the delicacies at the table. “...If you’re inviting a friend, would I be able to invite Etha for the corona-”

The wind picked up again. You heard the sound of metal slicing through the air and a knife from Hoseok’s side of the table landed inches, no, centimeters, away from your hand.

You stopped short. “Never mind,” you whispered.

Hoseok glared at the table, purple eyes fierce and gleaming. “Perhaps it is time for you to go back to your lessons, (Y/N).”

Olivia appeared at the doorway and you raced towards her, forgetting proper table manners to bow towards the prince once you exit.

For some reason, you felt the need to burst into tears.

                            ~~~~~~

“He can bring whatever friends he wishes to, of course, yet I ask him to bring the only friend I’ve ever mentioned to him, who he knows of, and all of a sudden it’s a problem.” Soon after you left the garden, your fear and sadness dissipated into growing anger. You practically stomped down the hallway towards the room you occupied since your arrival. “He’s being hypocritical, again.”

“He may do whatever he wishes, Your Highness. He is the Prince.” Olivia mutters back to you. “If he feels as though he does not want any human presence tainting the purity of his coronation, he may ban their presence altogether.”

“Then why am I allowed there, Olivia?” You held your anger at bay, yet your lips twitched into a perceptible sneer. “Unless you have forgotten, I’m human. I don’t belong here as much as Etha-”

You doubled back in surprise as Olivia’s eyes widened and she threw herself at your feet. “Forgive me, Your Highness!” She cried out, head bowed to the floor. 

“What are you doing?” You knelt beside her and tried to pull her up but her hands stuck to your ankles with a deadly grasp. 

“Please forgive me!”

“For what?” You were exasperated at this point, but more worried. Olivia never did anything wrong; of all your handmaidens she was the strictest.

“I have wronged her Highness by insinuating an impurity with her birth! I beg of you, please!”

You kneeled in silence for a moment. With a heavy sigh, you stood. “You’re the last person to say something cruel on purpose, Olivia. You only spoke the truth. You’re forgiven; will you please stand up now?”

She pulled herself to her feet, her blue dress crumpled from the floors. To your shock, tears streamed down her face.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, gripping her by the arms.

She shook her head. “It’s nothing of importance, Your Highness. I thank you for your grace and mercy.” She curtsied, knees almost touching the floor. 

You looked around, trying to see if there were any onlookers. When your eyes found nothing, you hurriedly walked towards your room, pulling Olivia along with you.

Hoseok frowned from his column perch. The maid was a good one--too good to let go. 

But he couldn’t let her go unpunished for insulting his future Queen.

The prince smirked, flying away silently.

------------------------------------------

Olivia’s curious behavior quit after that day. It was the biggest display of emotion you had ever witnessed from her. Rattling, to say the least. 

Two weeks went by uneventfully. All too soon, you were sitting in the library as Duchess Roxia went over the history of fae and human relations.

“Humans have attempted to contact the fae realm for centuries now, and only a few have succeeded. None to your extent, of course,” she sneered sarcastically.

“They blunder about in the forest searching for fields and lakes, trying to find a place with the right amount of ‘energy’,” the Duchess laughed and it sparked annoyance in you. “The pitiful things actually believe they have control over who they summon and where.”

Her mockery of the ritual that made you end up here, that currently has you trapped under the thumb of a purple and black-haired prince, made a new level of anger arise within you. You slammed your book on the desk and began putting away your “notes”.

 “Any fairy who attempted to make contact first spelled destruction for Wys- (Y/N), where do you think you are going?”

“I’m leaving,” you snapped. “Perhaps I’ll return when I feel as though I’m being taught useful information and not racist sentiments from some bigot.”

You tucked the books into the corner of your arm and marched towards the door. Duchess Roxia’s heels clacked on the floor quickly behind you and before you could say another word, she wrapped her wrinkly fingers around your wrist, spinning you around.

The sound of your books crashing to the floor echoed in the library, but not as loudly as the crack of her hand against your cheek.

“You insufferable little bug,” she seethed. “I am not finished with my lesson, therefore you will be going nowhere. Pick up your books and take your seat, unless I must spell you to remain seated from now on.”

The flush of anger sat deep within your chest now and you threw her hands off of you. “Try me, bitch.” You resisted the urge to spit on her face and continued to head out of the library.

There was the sound of the Duchess sighing behind you but you paid no mind. Until, that is, you felt little sparks running through your hands and feet. 

“I’m sure His Highness would not be pleased to hear of your insubordination...no worries. I will punish you in his place.” You felt yourself turn around, once again not of your own volition, to face the witch. She had both arms outstretched, wrinkly hands controlling your every movement.

The next moment, you felt like there was electricity convulsing through every inch of your being. It was painful, yes, but you were not allowed to scream or call out for help.

She had you at her whim.

About five minutes later, Duchess Roxia released her hold on you. Your body dropped to the floor, fingers still twitching unknowingly.

“Need I repeat myself, (Y/N)?” She cackled. “Books. Seat. Now.”

There was nothing you could do. You picked the textbooks up off the floor, stumbling a bit, and then slammed them back on the table. She scoffed at your helplessness, lecture continuing without a hiccup.

Your cheek burned. Your entire body ached.

When the lesson did end some thirty minutes later, you waited for her to leave the library first. Olivia passed by her as she exited before gasping at your condition.

“Your Highness!” She collected your books and tried to make you rise, but you were glued to the seat. Not by spelling, as if you’d let that witch’s magic get anywhere near you twice, but by your own indignation.

The handmaiden finally managed to make you rise and helped you to your room.

Upon entering, Raina, Eliza, and Kyla gasped, leaving their cleaning to crowd around you and ask what happened. 

“Duchess Roxia slapped me,” you revealed as you placed enough foundation on your face to cover the mark. “Then she used her powers on me. I felt like I was being shocked in every part of my body.”

“How dare she lay her hands on the future queen!” Raina growled, her eyes glowing a bright hazel. “It’s high treason!”

Kyla nodded, cracking her knuckles. “We should go incapacitate her and drag her before the prince and princess to answer for her crimes.”

Those dear, four handmaidens. Your jailers who happened to be the people you have closest to friends.

You managed to earn their trust, and they managed to earn yours. They were only cruel to you when you decided to go against the prince’s wishes...which was in their best interest as they would be the ones he punished if you acted out.

“There’s no need,” you sighed, finishing up with the foundation. “In her mind, she was completely in the right. There’s no fae law that prohibits the use of magic on humans.”

Olivia sighed. “His Highness would be most displeased to find you like this,” She muttered.

“It’s none of his business,” you said. “I don’t need him to fight my battles for me. Especially not the ones he placed me in himself.”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” Eliza said, having a conversation through her eyes with Olivia that you couldn’t bear to translate at that moment.

As off-putting as your handmaidens were, they were the only ones you could freely talk to. At times, you found their presence and protectiveness comforting.

But it wasn’t as comforting as your home.

When you were finished, Olivia quickly led you back to the garden. The aftereffects of the shock were thankfully gone now; there would be nothing suspicious for the prince to question you about later on.

This time, Hoseok sat at the table with another man. He had a pale complexion for his skin tone, which was not too dark or too light. His hair was straight, hanging into his eyes. He, too, carried silver wings on his back, similar to those of your handmaiden’s, but slightly larger.

“(Y/N), my dear!” Hoseok gushed as you approached the table. Olivia took her place behind your chair as you curtsied to the prince and the guest. 

“Greetings, Your Highness.” You muttered.

Hoseok could sense something off with his love, but he knew wouldn’t be able to confront it at that moment, not with his guest here.

“This is Lord Yoongi, the friend I spoke to you about.”

The man, Yoongi, stood and bowed to you as you curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. Hoseok has told me much about you.”

You rose, eyebrows shooting up a little when you heard him address the prince by his first name. “All good things, I hope.” you smiled. 

“Of course.” He flashed a closed-lip smile at you and Hoseok stood, pulling out your chair. You poured the tea for Hoseok and Yoongi just as you had the day before.

“Do you take sugar with your tea?” You asked, placing two lumps in Hoseok’s cup. As much as he tried to hide it, for whatever reason, he was beaming with pride. 

“Three, please.” The answer surprised you again, but you hid with a smile.

Who exactly was this man?

You gently placed the cup before him and took your seat. Hoseok moved his chair so that he sat in between you and Yoongi, forming a triangle at the round table. 

“I can’t quite explain how amazing it is to have two of my absolute favorite people meet,” Hoseok grinned. You couldn’t help but feel a little disgruntled: he was never this smiley around you.

“Yeah, yeah, we get it. You’re a bundle of emotions,” Yoongi snorted, sipping at his drink. “How are the preparations going for the coronation?”

Hoseok grabbed your hand in his and placed it on his lap. “I’ve been covering most of the duties, as (Y/N) here catches up with her studies. How was your class today, darling?”

You could feel Olivia’s glare on the back of your head and your body shook in  reminder of your lessons. “It’s difficult, but what is education if not a challenge? I'm just really excited to be learning more about Wysteria’s history and culture.”

Yoongi nodded. “It isn’t easy at all, I commend you for your dedication. I know it may take a while to get used to, but I’m sure Wysteria can become a home for you just as much as it is for any other citizen.”

“That’s very kind of you to say...thank you.” You were taken aback by his kindness. All of your other encounters were racist or harmful, but Yoongi seemed to genuinely accept your presence here.

An attendant stepped closer and whispered something in Hoseok’s ear. His grip on your hand tightened but he let go to stand up. “I’m afraid there are some manners in the ballroom I must attend to. Please, feel free to chat amongst one another.”

Hoseok leaned down and you held your breath, praying he wouldn’t comment on the makeup. 

His lips went to your ear all of a sudden, and he whispered: “Every day could be like today, you know.”

Then his lips were on your cheek, and he was walking out with all the servants.

You stared after him curiously. What could that have possibly meant?

After Hoseok left, you shifted in your chair uncomfortably. Yoongi crossed his legs and leaned back in his seat.

“So...how long ago did he take you?”

Your eyes shot up. “Did he tell yo-I mean...” your voice faltered, unsure if you should even be asking the question. Were you supposed to refute the claim? 

“I know him like the back of my hand; he’s the only fairy powerful enough to bring a human into this realm. And as smiley as you are around him, I can tell you’re not here of your own accord. So when did you get taken?”

You paused. “A month ago,” you murmured. 

Yoongi hummed, looking at the lanterns and vines behind you. 

“He’s not a bad person,” he commented. “He’s always been a bit...off, but it didn’t show as much in his youth because he had so much energy and familial support.”

“How long have you known him?” You asked.

“Since childhood,” Yoongi said. “My parents used to attend his in the palace. When he, the new set of servant fairies, and I were born, my parents took to training them and I was a sort of babysitter. I must admit, I can understand what you’re going through. He was quite possessive of me in his youth shortly after he lost his parents. He clung to me all the time, really.”

A gummy smile broke out upon Yoongi’s face, and you felt your lips twitch in response. “Really? That’s...interesting.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent listening to Yoongi dispel stories about the young prince and their escapades in the palace. 

“The old king and queen always told me that they hoped I’d be a friend of Hoseok’s for life.” He mused, eyes clouding a bit. 

You paused at the sudden mention of his parents. “...Is it alright for me to ask what happened to them?”

Yoongi was quiet for a long while, and you were afraid you had overstepped your boundaries. Yet he began speaking a few moments later.

“It was an ambush,” he muttered.

Your head snapped up.

“On his birthday, Hoseok’s parents were holding a score of festivities to celebrate their seventieth reign together. I was still fairly young in fairy years, and Hoseok was even younger.” He continued.

“There was an insurrection in the palace...a group of commoners’ used the party as their opportunity to annihilate the royal family despite their divine right to hold the throne.” Yoongi held his teacup so firmly, the ceramic began to shake in his grasp. “Hoseok only survived because he and I immediately ran to hide with the servants. So many servants sacrificed themselves for us that night...

“They never discovered the person who let them into the palace. Commoners in Wysteria don’t have wings, you see. Only servants meant to be with the royals and the royals themselves possess the ability to fly.” Yoongi drifted off, lost in his thoughts. “I have my own suspicion about who it was, but I fear starting an investigation would cost Hoseok his current mental state.”

Never would you have guessed what the prince had gone through. “I could never imagine...thank you for telling me.” Nevertheless, you couldn’t help but wonder: did his response to the loss of his parents truly excuse his actions?

 Yoongi sighed. “They were truly great parents to him but taken too soon.” He lifted himself from the chair and walked over to you. “Shall we go find him in the ballroom?”

You stood. “Sounds like a great plan.” 

Olivia's eyes widened in glee at the sight of Yoongi. “Greetings, Lord Min. It’s wonderful to see you around the palace again.”

“As it is to see you, Olivia. I remember when you were still a toddler in the palace...time goes by all too soon.”

You smiled a little at the thought of Olivia as a toddler, learning etiquette.

The three of you walked out of the garden only to bump into none other than Duchess Roxia, lurking down the corridor.

Your breath hitched in your throat as her eyes passed right over you to land on Yoongi. “Why, if it isn’t the Lord of Tierny himself! A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Duchess Roxia, royal teacher of the future que-”

Yoongi pushed right by her and kept walking without a blink. “Come, (Y/N), we have to go find the prince.”

You stood behind in shock, watching as the Duchess whipped around in surprise. Olivia gave you a little shove forward and you walked briskly lest you be caught in the aftermath of her fury, again.

When you rounded the corner, there was nothing to stop you from cackling as loudly as possible. 

                                ~~~~~~

Hoseok had expected a lot of things from your arrival. The anger and the confusion were a given, but your desperation to leave was the one thing he could not wrap his head around.

He saw you as his queen from the moment you shook those wind chimes on the lakeside. How regal you looked, skin draped in moonlight and eyes alight with the stars. There was nothing left that the Earth could gift you with, thus he took it as his responsibility to give you all the niceties in life. Never again would he allow another creature to pollute your natural grace and kindness. 

The night he caught you on the balcony, oh how the strength of your sobs tore at his very core. He didn’t want his love to be unhappy; he brought you here because the two of you belonged together. Couldn’t you tell?

Of course, he never questioned your love for him. Why else would you have wished for him to take you on an adventure so sweetly, so openly? 

Sure, he may have lost his temper quite a few times but it was well within reason. 

The first time you two had met, when he saw you donned in his royal garments in the library that day, he thought you couldn’t be any more beautiful.

So when he saw you walking in with Yoongi, eyes scrunched up and mouth split open by a wide grin, he knew he’d been proven wrong. 

Your silk dress slid along the floor as you leaned back in laughter, arms wrapped around your soft frame. The light entered the room at just the perfect angle and Hoseok was able to witness the star greet your skin and light it up, like a parent with arms open to welcome their child home. He grinned softly. 

“My lord! That was--that was amazing!” The older man could not understand for the life of him what you found so funny. Little did he know that dismissal of Duchess Roxia made your entire week. 

“Hoseok-ah, come get your fiance.” The man groaned but chuckled, taken aback by the force of your laughter. 

You calmed yourself as you neared the center of the ballroom and the prince approached you “Care to tell me what’s so funny?” He asked amusedly.

You shook your head, smiling at the floor. “Duchess Roxia attempted to greet Lord Yoongi but in our haste to see you, he paid her no mind...she was left ever so crestfallen in the hallway,” snorts attempted to take over your words once more but suppressed the giggling.

Hoseok looked at his oldest friend in shock. “Hyung!”

Yoongi widened his eyes and spread his arms innocently. “I had places to go!”

As the two bickered, you took in Hoseok’s work, admiring the way the ballroom gleamed. There was no doubt about it, the event would be beautiful but you still were not positive that you wanted to be a part of it. 

“Every day could be like today.”

Is that what he’d meant? No cowering in fear from the anger of your supposed fiance, no disgusting teachers or challenging examinations? Just sunlight and laughter and friendship?

Don’t be ridiculous, you chastised yourself. You’re never going to stop longing for home, and Hoseok is never going to get over that. When Yoongi leaves, you’ll be transported from one tormentor to the next. 

There would be no end. There is no method to his madness.

But...perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad place to stay...

“(Y/N)?” Hoseok waved a hand in front of your face and you violently flinched away. The action caused both men to pause, gazing at you seriously.

“Are you alright?” Yoongi asked. His face showed no great emotion, but you could see the question that lay in his eyes.

You shook your head pointedly as if to say, No.

At least, not him.

“Yes, sorry. I was lost in my thoughts for a moment there.” You smiled assuredly at Hoseok, hands twisting the fabric of the silk dress you wore. 

“I thank you both for your company today. I’m afraid I don’t feel well and will have to retire to my room for the rest of the afternoon. It’s been a pleasure, really.” You curtsied to both men.

Olivia, never far behind you, curtsied even lower to the prince and his lordship and followed you quietly out the ballroom.

The sky darkened a bit as you left and Yoongi sighed. 

Clouds formed in the previously blue skies, a storm quickly changing the atmosphere of the room.

--------------------------------------

Later that evening, you lay in bed chatting with Raina and Kyla recounting the day’s events as Olivia sat by the window, listening. You didn’t have the energy to change out of the dress but all of that socializing exhausted you.

Eliza slipped into the room. “Your Highness, the prince is calling for you. He wishes for you to meet him on the balcony.”

You stopped mid-sentence. “What balcony?” You asked dumbly.

“The same balcony you found on your first night here,” Eliza replied calmly.

You stared at her for a few moments before flopping back onto your bed. “I’ll be out shortly,” you muttered, slipping on a simple pair of flats. 

Olivia made herself ready to stand up but Eliza waved her down. “He wishes to see Her Highness alone,” she said as she rearranged the sheets you were just laying on.

Raina and Kyla pouted, disappointed that they wouldn’t hear the rest of the story. They acted as if they were even younger than you despite being considerably older. They understood, however, that the wishes of the prince came first in every situation. 

Eliza chastised them for sitting around all day rather than completing their tasks. Olivia smiled, watching them all bicker from the windowsill.

You smiled at the chaotic scene before quietly closing the door, mentally preparing yourself to go back to the balcony.

                            ~~~~~~

You saw the prince before he heard you. Hoseok had his head laid in his arms, peering out at the city of Wysteria. You appeared beside him and he turned, smiling at you.

You found it hard to return.

“I hope you’ve enjoyed today, (Y/N). And your time here in general.” Hoseok began, straightening.

You raised your eyebrows. “You make it sound as if you’re letting me go,” 

His eyes flashed purple and he grinned. “Never. No, I said that because I have been reflecting upon my decisions as your prince, and I admit my actions may have been a bit...hasty.”

You snorted quietly and leaned on the railing. “That’s a bit of an understatement, Your Highness.” 

He stayed quiet. 

You walked to the end of the balcony and placed your arms along the wire rim, turning your head to his. “Yoongi told me about your parents...I’m sorry for your loss.”

He inhaled sharply, turning away from you for a moment. His dangling black coattails whipped around in the wind. “I didn’t want you to know about that,” he said.

You hummed. “Why not?”

“I want you to fear for nothing here,” he said, back still turned to you. “I simply wish to fulfill your dream, our dream of being together...I want you to be happy here. With me, and me alone.”

You stared at the back of his head, wishing you could read his mind. “You hurt me here,” you stated. “All I want to do is go home, but you keep me trapped-”

“That is for your own protection,” he cut you off. “You were behaving rashly by running around the palace. I know you’re a bit of a free spirit, love, but you shouldn’t act as though you want to leave me behind. I know you care for me as much as I care for you.”

You suppressed a groan of frustration. “Hoseok, I barely knew you when you brought me here. I still hardly know you.”

He took your hands, cupping them in his. “(Y/N), you’re the only one that knows the real me.”

Your expression twisted in confusion, but Hoseok was already changing the topic. 

“Nevertheless, I invited you here because I want to apologize for any of my behavior that may have been...off-putting.” He started, leaning his back against the rail.

Ah, yes. Because nearly stabbing my hand with telekinetic powers was simply off-putting.

“Our love is not meant to be like any other, yet we have stood the test of time. I cannot wait to place a crown on your head myself, to watch you become a great ruler to my people.”

You tore your arms off the iron gate of the balcony and stood before him, locking eyes. 

“You’re delusional,” you emphasized.

His eyes flashed purple but you were determined to stand your ground. “I have never seen nor spoken to you before that night on the riverbank.”

“But couldn’t you feel our connection?” He murmured. “I know you felt how powerful my presence was, how strong we were together. What else could it have been but a sign? Who else could have had the strength to summon me to your mortal realm and interact with me?”

“Somebody!” You cried. “Literally anybody!”

“But it was you, wasn’t it?” His voice got softer and softer, like a parent talking their toddler down from a tantrum. “You were the one to speak to me first.  You were the one to make contact first, and you were the one to shake the chimes. No one forced you to participate in the ritual...you must have been searching for something to come out of it.”

“I only did it for Etha!” you protested. 

Hoseok hummed and reached a hand up to pat your head. “I think you did it for yourself,” he concluded. “And I think the only option you have left is to accept your fate.”

His other arm crept around your back until he was hugging you. You tried to push him away, but your arms were trapped between the two of you.

“Our meeting, our love, our fates, they’re all written in the stars.” He rocked you gently side to side as he gazed up into the night sky. Where clouds once dominated, stars took their place and lit the balcony.

He let you go and stepped away, walking back inside the palace. Without looking back, he said, ““We’re going to have a beautiful life here, (Y/N). I suggest you get used to it very quickly. As I said before, I have no intention of letting you leave.”

You were left on the balcony with those cursed stars, regretting every decision you’d made in the past. 

With the news of that cruel reality, you trudged down the palace corridor back to your room, slipped under the sheets, and promptly fell asleep.

                            ~~~~~~~~

Olivia prided herself on her good work for the future King and Queen of Wysteria. Ever since she was little, she dreamed of working for Lord Min and His Highness to help preserve their beautiful land and beautiful country.

She was consistently the highest ranking fairy in her lessons; perfect posture, perfect demeanor. Everything about her was groomed to perfection.

When His Highness assigned her and her friends to the princess, she’d been ecstatic. Sure, she was a bit of a challenge in the beginning, but (Y/N) has improved from her initial hysterical behavior.

Olivia is proud to work for such a determined, self-aware mistress. If only she would put all of that anger and energy to escape towards her lessons and the kingdom’s future.

She knew her insult to Her Highnesses’ birth would not go unnoticed. Sooner or later, the prince would drag her before him and demand answers.

Olivia closed the door to your room with one hand, the other arm occupied by a basket of clothes. She had changed you out of your day gown, as she was sure you’d complain about it in the morning. As her sandals quietly clacked down the corridor, she saw shadows approaching her. 

Two royal guards stepped out of the darkness directly into her path. “Miss Olivia, His Highness requests your presence at his personal library immediately.”

Olivia’s breathing began to increase just slightly. She nodded and clung to the basket a little harder.

They led her to the dreaded library and she gulped, seeing only a sliver of moonlight from underneath the door. One of the guards checked her for weapons and the other took the basket, gently placing it on the floor. With a deep breath, she knocked twice and turned the handle.

“I have arrived at your request, Your Highness.” She curtsied, keeping her eyes glued to the carpet.

The library was dark but moving. In a moment, he appeared.

 “My dear, you know I value your service. You are of the most competent in your generation...I remember how my mother simply adored you and your friends...” 

The prince placed his hand around Olivia’s throat.

“...yet, you have insulted my queen. Your mistress.” He pressed a little tighter and Olivia gasped. “This cannot go unpunished. Do you have anything you wish to say for yourself?”

Olivia could barely get anything out. "Yes, Your Highness. I just want to thank you for your benevolence and generosity.”

He hummed. “Anything else?”

She felt that she shouldn’t, as her mistress felt sure she could handle it, but this was her life at stake. She broke. “Before Your Highness ends my pitiful life, I have something extremely important to tell you.”

The prince continued staring at her, pressing a little harder. “It’s..about..the princess...” Olivia tried to speak, but he had managed to squeeze all the oxygen out of her throat. 

Hoseok’s eyes narrowed the slightest and he released her. Olivia coughed, dropping to her knees.

“Go on.”

Olivia rubbed her neck. “Duchess Roxia is well-known for her knowledge on fae history, and although she has been teaching my mistress everything she needs to know, she has been expressing a variety of anti-human sentiments. She ridicules my mistress nearly every lesson, and for the past couple of weeks, has even ventured so far as to...” 

She faltered. 

“May I remind you that if you obstruct the truth, I will not hesitate to hang you from the gallows.” The prince’s words were as sharp as the knife slowly rising from his desk.

“Duchess Roxia has been physically abusing the princess. She slapped her when she tried to leave a lesson and subdued her with magic. She almost electrocuted my mistress.”

The prince’s eyes danced purple in fury. Olivia knew he was going to erupt, but before he did, she wanted to make sure she was in the clear.

“I’m afraid that’s not all about the Duchess, Your Highness...”

-----------------------------------------

The next morning, you were shaken awake by your handmaidens. You tried to insist that you didn’t have classes and didn’t need to get up, but the grim look on their faces told you otherwise. 

Kyla and Raina did their best to keep appearances sunny, giving you breakfast while Olivia and Eliza chose your outfit. They bathed you and dressed you in a silk, royal purple gown. It wasn’t until the dress was on you that you realized it was the exact same shade Hoseok’s eyes turned when he was infuriated.

And for whatever reason, Olivia kept wincing and touching her neck. You tried to ask her if she was okay, or if she wanted a massage, but she turned you down, joking that she was supposed to be the one to offer you such services.

Once you were dressed, your handmaidens led you to the balcony. To your surprise, there was a palanquin resting there, adorned with swirls of black, gold, and silver, with multiple royal guardsmen outside. 

 Not a chime could be heard from below the palace. The city of Wysteria was silent, and it made you shiver.

“What’s going on?” You asked Raina, hoping she would spill. 

She shook her head and gestured towards the palanquin. “Please get in, Your Highness.” 

You gasped. “That thing? It’s tiny!”

After that comment, the expression you saw on Eliza’s face couldn’t have had you rushing to the palanquin sooner. You picked up your skirts and stuffed yourself inside, trying not to feel cramped. The guardsmen pulled the door down and you could feel them lift the palanquin up. 

You gasped, hand scrabbling against the wall. Your knuckle hit something sharp, and you pressed your fingers against a tiny knob. You slid the knob across the wall and it opened a window.

To your shock, you were being carried in midair. You could see Olivia and Eliza flying next to your side of the box, the swirls on their silver wings glistening in the sunlight.

If you peeked your head out a little further, you could see the borders of the city getting closer and closer.

So this is how people have to leave the palace, you noted.

You closed the window and stayed deathly still in the palanquin, afraid that the slightest motion would make you tip over.

About fifteen minutes later, the palanquin landed and the door opened. You hiked up your skirts, hoping the silk was not wrinkled. 

“My first time in the city...is this a gift from the prince or something?” You asked Olivia. Before she could respond, Eliza intervened once more. 

“This way, Your Highness. We are meant to go to the Wysterian Amphitheater.”

The handmaiden’s voice was even chillier than normal. You walked the streets of the city, head craning around the guards to get a view.

The city was gorgeous, filled with apartment buildings and shops. The blocks were lined with trees whose leaves had varying colors; some had red and orange, others had pink and purple, or silver.

 Every tree had a wind chime tied to its branch. They would have been tinkling wonderfully had there been a sort of breeze.

Yet there was no breeze. In fact, there were hardly any citizens, either. The shops were closed, and doors were shut everywhere. The city was empty. 

Everything remained deathly still.

You had so many questions, but you knew that you would get no answers, so you continued to keep quiet.

 Your party had been walking for quite a while when you all approached a large building in the center of the city. It reminded you of the government buildings in the capitol back home; all marble columns and golden plaques with sprawling greenery surrounding the entrance. The main difference is that, behind those doors, you could hear people cheering and yelling. Thus, you were heading into the belly of the amphitheater.

The handmaidens paused before the doors. Eliza gracefully spread her wings and flew upwards, disappearing over the walls of the building. 

“This is the first time the citizens of Wysteria shall see you, Your Highness.” Kyla whispered. “We know how amazing you are, but they do not yet.”

“Just hold your head high!” Raina added.

“Things are about to get ugly,” Olivia muttered.

Eliza returned, landing with both feet on the floor. She turned to you, brushing out your dress and fixing any stray hairs. When she felt satisfied with your appearance, she nodded at the guards.

Two of them stepped forward to open the doors of the amphitheater. You kept Kyla and Raina’s advice in mind, raising your head and squaring back your shoulders.

On the outside, you looked like someone important. Someone composed and dignified. Someone royal.

On the inside, however, you were resisting the urge to scream from nervousness.

As you passed through the doorway, you made yourself acquainted with the citizens of Wysteria. They were, quite literally, every shape, size, and color, just as the Duchess had told you only a few weeks ago.

They were beautiful.

You found yourself forgetting your instructions, looking around in wonder at the fae community. The cries you heard exploding from the arena silenced as your visage became clearer and clearer to the citizens. 

While the outside has resembled a sort of official government building, the inside was most similar to a sports arena back on Earth. There were seats, which the citizens filled, and then there was a separate section.

In the silence, you searched for Hoseok. Your eyes took their time, drinking in every sense they could interpret, before landing on the prince in a sort of skybox, set in the middle of the spectator’s part of the theater. 

The prince stood, and you could see his outfit was meant to match yours in that he wore an all black suit with a purple tie. His coattails still dragged on behind him and his highlights were shimmering in the light of day.

Hoseok unfurled his wings and you had to squint when they caught the light, blasting every color of the rainbow out at the audience.

Even with your eyes partly closed, they were probably the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen. 

He didn’t land before you, no. He extended a hand to you as he floated above ground, waiting for you to take it.

“I’m afraid of heights,” you whispered.

Hoseok grinned and placed his hand in yours. In one fell spin, he had you wrapped in his arms, bridal style, as you let out a shriek.

The cheers erupted from the citizens, even louder than before, as Hoseok flew you to the Royals’ seating station. The guards disbanded and went to stand at their respective part of the stadium while Olivia, Eliza, Kyla, and Raina followed you and the prince.

You clung to Hoseok as the two of you flew. “So this is your idea of a first impression? Me cowering in front of the citizens?”

Hoseok smiled, but for some reason, the moment felt sinister. The earlier unease you sensed in front of the amphitheater returned full force. 

It wasn’t until the prince set you down in the skybox that you realized why. 

In the center of the stadium, Duchess Roxia stood on a raised wooden podium. Her usually stoic and professional appearance was in tatters, as she had nothing but a ripped nightgown on to face the crowd. Her dark hair curled down her shoulders. 

You gasped, looking to Hoseok and Yoongi for an explanation. “What’s happening...?”

Yoongi, already a man of few words, said nothing, as he gazed forward with no emotion. 

Hoseok held you like he did in the library that first day, arms around your waist with his chin tucked into your neck. “She’s receiving due punishment, my love. Long overdue, but just.” 

You were sure he meant for his words to be warm but his voice made you freeze out of fear, and you hadn’t even done anything wrong.

The prince held you like that for a few moments more before gently leading you to your seat. As you were placed between him and Yoongi, the situation dawned upon you.

When the prince sat down, a screen appeared, broadcasting the skybox to the citizens. It only showed Hoseok’s face, thank everything, as he motioned for them to quiet down. Then, he began to speak.

“Centuries ago, my parents ruled Wysteria with generosity, clarity, and grace in a manner which I am currently preparing to do so for you, my beloved subjects.” Hoseok spoke, the epitome of cool and composed.

“Nevertheless, as we all know, a rebellion that had been forming in the city chose to execute their diabolical plan to rid the land of its royalty.”

“This insurrection was carried out with the assistance of an insider from the palace...thus it was at the tender age of seventy years that I lost my parents, and so many children here in the city lost theirs as well.”

“While we as a nation have moved on from this horrid tragedy, I, as your prince, kept this traitorous act in mind for years. And along my journey...I fell in love.”

The fae cheered once more, and your face was broadcasted alongside Hoseok’s. You smiled a little, hoping it didn’t look too much like a cringe.

You sat as he spun your abduction into a fantastic tale of love, danger, and triumph. He claimed you were in a precarious situation back on Earth; surrounded by people who posed physical and emotional threats to your safety.

You had just managed to steal a wind chime, as well as directions for communication with other beings, and pledged yourself to Hoseok, who appeared underneath the moonlight on the riverbank, grabbed your hand, and saved you.

As you watched him spout utter lies, you found it harder and harder to smile, the false expression of joy slipping off your face. 

This must have been what he told himself in order to justify his actions.

What a pretty tale he’d woven.

And the fae were eating it out of his hand.

“I introduce to you, citizens of Wysteria, your future queen, (Y/N) (L/N)!”

The crowds clapped for you, shouting and chanting your name. Your face was being broadcasted all over the stadium, but you couldn’t even pretend to smile. 

“I fear my princess has not has it easy,” Hoseok continued and the audience hushed themselves, placing all of their attention on him once more.

 “Ever since her arrival, I hired our dear Duchess Roxia to instruct the princess on our history. (Y/N), completely unfamiliar with our ways, jumped into her lessons wholeheartedly and retained a lot of knowledge.”

“But while under my roof, in my kingdom, in my palace, Duchess Roxia had the gall to mistreat the princess.” The smile was completely gone from the prince’s face now. Warm, brown orbs turned purple and hardened, like gems. 

 “She abused her by constantly expressing anti-human sentiments and using illegal spells on her!”

The crowd roared in disapproval. Your stomach dropped and you whipped around to face Olivia. The handmaiden shrunk in shame. 

“I had no choice,” she mouthed.

“I brought my beloved into my home with the intentions of keeping her safe,” Hoseok growled, glaring at the pathetic figure of Duchess Roxia on the podium, “and someone thought she could harm my princess and get away with it.”

“Someone thought she would be above the law for the second time.”

Silence.

“It was she, the very traitor I scoured the kingdom for, disrupting the peace once again. Threatening the safety and well-being of those that I care for, again.”

You looked at Yoongi, recalling his suspicions from the day before. The dismissal that had brought you so much joy...was because he suspected the Duchess of allowing the insurrection into the palace.

“When His Highness summoned me, I thought to myself, ‘This! This is what I’ve been waiting centuries for! To be welcomed back into the palace-’”

“Thus, it is today, for my parents’ honor, that I bring this criminal before you all to witness the capitol punishment she deserves.” He sat down once more, practically breathing in the violent energy the crowd was emitting.

“Execution.” Yoongi muttered.

You sat back in your seat, gazing at Hoseok’s side profile in shock. You had no idea whether she was guilty or not, but who were you to advocate for your abuser?

Stubborn. Clearly.

“Hoseok,” you murmured, barely audible beneath the crowd’s chanting, “I understand that she killed your parents, but murder? ...Why not imprisonment?”

The prince turned to you, purple irises glowing brightly in the shade of the skybox. “And let the maggot live thinking she can get away with her crimes? For not only touching what’s mine, but punishing you? Not in this century, my love. Nor the next.”

He leaned closer to whisper in your ear, “As a matter of fact, we will be having a very serious discussion about how you kept this from me once we return to the palace.”

You gulped, glaring at Olivia. She looked down in shame.

“The stars have spoken for us all, (Y/N).” He said. “You will not be leaving. They have decreed your fate.”

A manic grin spread across his face. He rose, unfurling his wings to fly out to the center of the arena. 

“The citizens have decided!” He yelled above their clamor. “And so have I.”

Hoseok didn’t even spare Duchess Roxia a glance as he lifted his little finger and flicked it, causing the duchess’ head to roll off her shoulders. 

You screamed, volume matching that of the faes, and buried your head into Yoongi’s shoulder as the citizens grew louder and louder. He and Olivia gently pat your back while your eyes were pried together, replaying the horrid image.

The Wysterian prince, eyes mad in victory, drunk off of the power that rolled in waves from the crowd’s cheers, bowed before his citizens. 

“My queen and I, after our coronation, will rule this country anew. Any threat against us shall meet the same fate as the duchess. I hope you will all walk forwards with us into an era of great prosperity, wealth, and glory!”

The duchess’ body collapsed to the floor of the wooden podium.

Shouts rang in your ears. You lifted your head from Yoongi’s shoulder. He, Eliza, and Olivia were nodding along with Hoseok’s energetic cries of rage.

The audience stamped their feet in carnal joy.

Kyla and Raina had stars in their eyes, glued to Hoseok’s visage.

And you knew all at once, without a doubt, that he had won.

And why wouldn’t he? After all, your fate was written in the stars.

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans are Space Orcs, “Premier.”

Since so many of you have been asking about the movie, I wrote something for you this morning. I wrote it in two hours and have to get it out before class starts, so give me a little slack here. 

“Stop fidgeting will you.”

“Sorry! I’m just nervous….. Do I look stupid.”

“You always look stupid, that’s not going to change anytime soon.”

“Ha ha, Hilarious, Just answer the question.”

“You look fine stop worrying.”

Adam turned to face the mirror tugging at the sleeves of his dress shirt, fidgeting obsessively with his tie, and the open front of his jacket. Conn floated over his shoulder grinning somewhat malevolently at him.

Krill slapped his hand as he tried to reach for the tie again, “Stop messing with it. Look what you did now. We will have to do it all over again.” 

The little doctor angrily undid the tie and began to redo it.

Adam sighed, “Thanks mother.”

“Don’t give me your sass.” he finished tying the knot stepping back so Adam had room to button the vest back up before turning around to face the mirror. Conn had sidled over to the side of the room still leering at him as he was prone to do.

He tried to ignore him and eyed himself feeling more than a little strange in such formal attire, a three piece suit minus an eye patch, and plus a shiny pair of dress shoes he could have seen his reflection in. He reached up to grab his tie again, but his hand was slapped away.

“What did I say!”

“Sorry, Sorry.” he grumbled pulling back to message his hand .

There was a hiss as the door at the far end of the room popped open, and Sunny stepped inside trailed by waffles, “Look.” Sunny began, pointing proudly towards the dog, who trotted into the room to sit politely before Adam looking up at him with her big brown eyes head tilted slightly to the side.

He laughed, “Is that a bow tie?”

Sunny Hummed to herself, pleased, “Why yes, yes it is. She's adorable and you’re welcome.”

He reached down to rub the dog’s ears before looking up, “You look nice.”

“I know.” Sunny announced striking a rather, heroic pose, which, all jesting aside, actually completed the look: bright silver armor, a horned helmet, all pulled together by the electric blue silk cape that hung at one shoulder.

“Wish I could wear a cape.” He frowned crossing his arms in mild dejection.

“Why not?”

“What do you mean why not?”

“This is the movie industry, Adam, they wear outlandish stuff onto the red carpet all the time.”

He seemed rather miffed at the observation, mostly from the fact he hadn’t thought of that before, “Well now it’s a little too late, don’t you think?”

“Sucks to suck, you look good though.”

He sighed and turned back towards the mirror adjusting himself, “I look like a poser.”

“Stop worrying so much, and stop fidgeting. The fidgeting is what makes you look like a poser. Relax and own it, you know for someone who spends a lot of his time unwaveringly confident to the point that I worry about your health, you can be very insecure sometimes.”

“Thank you so much! for that boost of confidence, Sunny.”

His sarcasm wasn’t lost on her, though she chose, rather obviously to ignore it. 

“There is one thing I think you should do.” 

“Oh, and what is that.”

“Put the eyepatch back on. Be you, just the fancier version. I have a theory that the reason people aren't comfortable is because they aren't being themselves.” 

He raised an eyebrow at her then shrugged, “If you say so, I guess.” 

He could hear Conn snort internally, “That is horrible advice for most people, since the vast majority of them are miserable hacks.”

He ignored the starborne, again. 

There was a sudden knock at the door, and they all turned to see another man dressed in a fine black suit, “Mr. Ellis has just arrived, and is his car is waiting for you outside.”

Adam took a deep breath glancing down at the eye patch one more time before slipping it on, “Alright, ready everyone?”

They chorused their readiness, and he squirmed with nervous energy. 

How were they all being so calm?

Together they made their way out the door and down the hallway to the large, black limousine waiting for them just outside the door. The man from earlier was waiting for them, pulling the door open and motioning them inwards.  

Conn floated in first, Krill climbing in second, followed by Adam and then Sunny.

Director Clayton Ellis sat just inside the door grinning widely.

Adam had to blink a few times to determine which part of the man was which. There was just so much of him ... everywhere . He wore a white… something absolutely crusted with sequins and jewels including the frames of his glasses. As far as Adam could tell he could have been wearing a dress, or a suit with some strange alteration, though it was difficult to see sitting here in the car.

The ribbons that flowed down from his back and hips sort of reminded him of Conn.

“Adam! So good, so good to see you. I am so glad you could make it for the premier. I think you're going to love it, absolutely visually stunning, heart rending at times, and just the right amount of action. Best piece I think I have ever directed, and all thanks to you, the man of the hour. And don’t you look sharp, absolutely working for me very old fashioned very provincial late 1990s early 2000s maybe.”

Adam rubbed the back of his neck, blushing, “Er, thanks…. You look good…. Too.”

“Well thank you! Designed it myself, well with the help of some famous friends.” He motioned towards Conn, “Took the concept idea from your starborn there, very ethereal, very flowey, though doesn’t look so elegant when sitting in a car.” 

Adam just continued to nod along adding an mmhmm or a yes, or and of course whenever he thought it was necessary. Luckily Mr. Ellis provided most of the conversation, so he didn’t have to open his mouth too much.

He noticed almost immediately when the car slowed down glancing out the window and finding…. An absolute mob of people. His stomach lurched and churned as cameras flashed, some held in hands, others as little ball drones hovering over the crowd. He craned his neck to see ahead of them, watching as a line of fancy dark cars slowly scooted up the line.

His stomach was churning.

From where he sat, he watched as Keith Jenning, the actor who had played him, stepped from the car. The lashing grew in intensity, outside the window he could hear a muffled roar. 

Mr Ellis Grinned, “Me, you, and then your extraterrestrial friends, eh? Give them something to talk about.

The next car ahead of them stopped, and Rita. Ortiz, and Adler Handen, krill’s voice actor, stepped from the car. Rita was dressed in a tight black suit, not dissimilar to his own, silver watch shining on her left wrist.

And there it was.

He suddenly needed to pee.

Their car lurched forward as the cameras flashed and stopped. Clayton Elllis got ready, and then the door was opened releasing a wave of sound that absolutely deafened him. Clayton stepped from the car trails of ribbons billowing behind him, hands raised to the crowd. Lights flashed pictures snapped.

Adam was ushered out next, Stepping from the car, foot planted straight on the red carpet. Lights dazzled his eyes, and in a daze he stepped forward to follow Clayton, who was making the most of his moment. 

“WE LOVE YOU COMMANDER!”

He turned his head to the side suddenly blinded by another flash of light, as one of those camera drones zipped past him.

He blinked the light from his eyes just in time to see a group of women leaning out over barricade waving their hands and screaming furiously.

At that moment he wondered which was redder, his face or the carpet.

He gave a rather awkward wave towards the girls who absolute erupted into screaming and jumping.

Then the crowd silenced a moment later, the lights stopping.

And he turned to see Sunny step foot after him, light glittering and sparkling form her armor and carapace. She held her regal armored head high.

IThe moment of silence continued for a second, and then it was as if the world around them was alight with stars, a flashing roaring thunder, which only grew louder with Krill and finally with Conn, who flouted outwards completely stealing the spotlight with his ethereal presence. Together they slowly walked forward stopped on occasion to get group pictures

In their turn, each of them was kidnapped by Ellis and forced to pose for a thousand pictures.

He just grinned dazed and confused star struck as he looked around him.

He even thought he could hear his name being called from the crowd, though that was uncertain.

TV reporters stood at the end of the red carpet speaking frantically into their cameras and waylaying celebrities as they walked by.

“Keith Jenning, tell us about what it was like to make this movie.”

The man flashed a charming smile, “Well, at first I was a little unsure. I mean I had never done anything based on a real life story before, and emulating another person was hard. I worked with posture coaches, and accent experts for weeks. A mid Americana accent is surprisingly subtle, but very hard if you want to get it right. Over all, I actually ended up really enjoying shooting the movie despite my doubts at first.”

“Rita, was it hard to perform in stilts and motion capture, we heard you almost broke your legs.”

She laughed, “It was hard yeah sure, but it was so, very fun. You know what you act normally, you do your best to act as convincingly human as possible, but when playing an alien, the rules change, go out the window. I had so much fun learning about Drev culture, and the way they think about war. It was a fascinating and eye opening experience. I loved it, and I encourage everyone to get to know a little more about our interstellar neighbors.”

Lights flashed, more cameras snapped.

“Did you find it hard to connect with the character?” Someone asked Adler Handen.

“Not in the slightest, it was actually a very excellent way to get out there and stretch my proverbial wings. It’s always good to get out of your head on occasion.

Sunny was grabbed and pulled to stand in a picture with Rita, who seemed more than pleased to be spending time with Sunny.

It was the same for Krill, and finally Adam who was dragged forward to get a picture with Keith.

Off to the side Clayton Ellis was excitedly rambling on, “Oh I absolutely love the movie, couldn’t be happier. I really think we did the source material justice, and honestly I think it really puts perspective on the Drev war, and the people involved. You know with all the negativity going around about the LFIL, there are a lot of people who are scared of aliens, Xenophobic in nature, and I think this really puts into persepctive just how similar we all are. They are intelligent sentient lifeforms not so dissimilar to us at all, and I think this movie, this real life story really demonstrates how we can all get past those differences.”

Adam was quite pleased to hear the relative positivity that was coming off the actors and the director, even if it was fake.

That was before the camera crews descended like vultures around him, and he was surrounded by a wave of cameras.

“Commander, Commander Vir! Tell us how you feel about all this.”

He hemmed and hawed for a moment stuttering over himself before taking a deep breath, “Look I’m A kid from mid Mericanda, I honestly ended up here mostly by accident, and I’m pretty sure this is some kind of insane dream.”

“What did you think of the movie.”

“Well, I haven't actually seen it yet, I was deployed when they did the beta testing, but I’ve gotten to know Director Ellis a little, and he was very open to my suggestions and the story, so I feel confident he did his best to do it justice.” 

“We hear that you won’t be taking any of the royalties.”

“Well no, not entirely. Maybe a little for my family, but most of it is going to a charity for Drev war survivors, especially operation Steel eye. A lot of those people had it rough after the war, and I want to make sure they get something back.”

Across the red carpet, Sunny had been stopped, “Do you worry that depictions of the war will put your society in a bad light.”

Sunny tilted her head, “Why would it. The Drev are warlike, and we always have been. The only difference is that we practice and view war differently than humans. War has never come close to destroying our planet. To die in war is an honor and a victory, so we do not hold grudges against each other or assume it to be a tragedy. War on our planet's mean two different things.”

“Dr Krill, is it true that you were the first alien surgeon to perform on a human trauma paitent.

“That is actually true, yes, even during the Drev war, it turns out 98% of attending physicians were human because humans tended to be the highest rate of survivors from injury. Humans being slightly more durable than the rest of us.”

In the center of the red carpet, Conn had taken up a large space given a certain amount of personal room by the awed  crowd, “Is it true that you’re a telepath.”

The starborn raised his hands signing, voice dictation taking over as he did so, “Think of something, try it.”

“Oh, Ok.”

“Big purple muffin.”

“You could have just made that up.”

“But he didn’t, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” 

“Don’t be nervous. I promise not to spill any of you deep dark secrets.” Conn laughed like the psycho he was.”

After more pictures, more questions and a hundred more handshakes, they were then ushered into the building, and sat down on comfortable seats facing the screen.

Adam breathed a heavy sigh of relief and leaned his head back. 

Director Ellis grinned at him.

Light overhead went dark and speaking turned to distant quiet muttering.

The screen was dark for a long moment before.

“Mom?” A child’s voice 

“Yes Adam?” A womans 

“I know they’re out there .”

The woman laughed, “Who is out there.”

“Aliens of course.”

“Oh?”

“I’m gonna prove it one day.”

You could hear the smile in the woman’s voice, “I know you will.”

 And then the room began to shake with the thrilling roar of the F-80 Darkfire engine. 

He would have known that sound anywhere.

It sounded like home.

[toku-explained]

The Master Swordsman's End

SSSS.Dynazenon: Gagula continues to rampage while Kaiser GridKnight lies defeated. 2nd has no more Fixer Beams, but tries to ease Gauma's pain. As Kaiser GridKnight struggles to stand and fight, Koyomi is running. Juuga, Mujina and Onija are surprised there's another kaiju, and try to use Instance Domination only to realise it's Sizumu, and they call out, wanting to fight more, and Gagula consumes them, evolving. Gauma opens his eyes, but can tell he hasn't got long, he apologises to Yomogi and Yume for getting them involved in his Battle, Yomogi says it's only because of him they've made bonds, he thanks them and asks that they thank Koyomi too. Gagula breaks Kaiser GridKnight into constituent parts, Yomogi and Yume rush for DynaWing and DynaSoldier, Chise leaps off her train, DynaStriker lands in front of Koyomi. Gauma starts pulling himself up, intending to help finish Gagula to give his friends a future, and we see like Koyomi, Yomogi now has a scar similar to Gauma's. He thinks he's missed his chance with Yume, and leaps into DynaSoldier. As GridKnight struggles, DynaStriker rolls in, Mujina from inside angrily yells at Koyomi for touching her again. Yume falls, also getting a scar, and tells Kano she'll make it, DynaSoldier appearing to get her there. Chise sees Goldburn and calls out, he wakes up, and flies into shield mode to protect GridKnight, then DynaSoldier Wing Combine leaps in, and DynaDiver joins the fight Gauma piloting with help from 2nd. He apologises to the confused Koyomi, and tells Knight he'll help if he likes it or not. They form Kaiser GridKnight and fight. Onija declares his goal to destroy humanity, Yomogi rejects that, Juuga talks up how important Gauma is, which Gauma dismisses, Mujina claims Koyomi caused her to realise Kaiju was all she had, he can only apologise. Yomogi and Yune call out to Suzumu, but he refuses to respond. As Gagula overpowers them with a blast, Yomogi detaches Dynamic Cannon to try Instance Domination again as he flies DynaSoldier at Gagula. He gets a definite reaction, causing Gagula to point it Blast away from Kaiser GridKnight. They split, Dynazenon launching all it has at Gagula, followed by Goldburn attaching as wings to GridKnight, flying past Gaguka and wrecking the back, before riding DynaRex. Sizumu stays silent as Onija, Juuga and Mujina declares their hatred of the "false kaiju", attacking and met by the Grid Rex Roar, Gagula loses the clas and the heroes fly in to finish things. The Eugenecists die, Onija seemingly glad to die again, Mujina wondering if it's for the best, Juuga sure kaiju will have their day, Sizumu still silent. Gauma collapses, dying as he is sad he never met her, but glad he met his friends, understanding why he was entrusted Dynazenon. Chise watches everyone descend fro the remains of DynaRex, except Gauma.

3 months later, Yomogi and Yume walk together, meeting under the bridge Gauma lived with everyone, Koyomi has changed his look and is working, a healed Goldburn is waiting. Yomogi and Yume remember Gauma always said 3 things must be kept, Love and Promises, but don't know the third. Knight and 2nd prepare warp out of this world, taking Goldburn and the inert form of DynaRex with them, as the gang wave, Chise calls after the best friend she ever had, and the group vanish into Hyper World. Yomogi and Yume head to some planned meeting. Chise and Koyomi stand outside Chise's school, under repair, and it turns out Inamoto-san's husband got Koyomi his job, he insists she's not an ex but a friend, Chise now has her dragon tattoo uncovered. At the school festival Mei's photos include ones of Yume, who needs to do something. Yomogi tells his mother and Kamijo where to go, when his mother asks about Gauma he opts to explain he's banned from school grounds, before being dragged over to the waiting Awaki, Nazumi, Ranka and Kaneishi, telling him to find Yume while Mei just appears there. She's sat in a corner of the roof when he finds her, they're meant to be running the café now. Yume offers her hand and tells him to take her, and he hears Sizumu's voice from a Computer World environment, questioning why he "wasted" his potential to be a Kaiju User, arguing if he'd embraced kaiju and destruction he'd have experienced true freedom, questioning if he'll regret it. Yomogi isn't sure, but intends to live, and rejects Sizumu's philosophy that bonds are shackles, Sizumu doesn't get it. Yomigi comes back and helps Yume up, calling her by her first name for the first time at her prompting. They get to work at the café, hoping their scars stay with them. In Computer World, Knight looks at the seal from the statue, and DynaRex stands once more. Scarred Souls Shine like Stars.

Heroes' Odyssey: Zero looks at Belial's battle with the Ultras of the Land of Light, theft of the Plasma Spark, Zero training with Leo, Rei and the Ultras battle with Belial's army, and Zero's joining the battle to defeat him. He uses this to highlight another Ultra who struggled with his own darkness, showing the revival of Hudra, Darramb and Camaerra, and how Tiga Dark appeared to face the threat they unleashed.

Saber: Luna is lost, and Izaak is going full god complex, talking down at Storious, intending to eliminate the Swordsmen, he ambushes the Shindais and turns Durandal into a puppet, forcing him to attack Reika. Yuri hears from Tassel that Luna has appeared. Kento lends him Kurayami. Solomon uses his power to reach into Wonder World to seek Luna and attack Tassel, Sophia can sense his use of the Tome's power, as Sabela contacts Northern Base for help. Slash and Buster join Sabela as Durandal begs them to kill him. Touma, Mei, Rintaro and Kento reach Solomon. Saikou, in Wonder World, blocks the attempt to reach Luna and joins them, Solomon does something that causes him to vanish, and claims Kurayami and Saikou. Xross Saver Brave Dragon, Blades Tategami Hyoujuu Senki and Espada Golden Alangina face him. Tassel reaches Luna, introducing himself and promising to take her to Touna after she understands what she is. A Triple Rider Kick defeats Solomon, who attempts to use his spell to control Touma unsuccessfully, but uses it properly on Blades and Espada. Tassel explains to Luna that she is the embodiment of Wonder World, and her chosen one, Touma, will receive Wonder World's power and live their with her forever, she doesn't want to separate him from his friends though. Kento mocks Izaak for just manipulating people, and Runtaro notes his ambitions have caused him to lose all respect anyone ever held for him. He tries to drag them into darkness, but Yuri reawaken and brakes the attack and the spell, right before Durandal is made to kill Reika. Saber uses Lion Senki and Lamp do Alangina to form Special Edition. Combining their powers, they defeat Solomon, destroying Omni Force. At Southern Base, Ryoga collapses, to both siblings intense relief. Storious laughs. The injured Izaak crawls to a tunnel, where Omni Force reforms, but as he claims eternity, Storious appears, informing him his story is at an end, he reduces him to dust and claims Omni Force for himself, debuting a new outfit.

Zenkaiger: Boccowaus praises Gege, Barashitara grousing that he's treated better despite failing as well, Stacey is distracted by Yatsude reminding him of his mother, Boccowaus has Ijirude lend Gege another gear. Items are magnetised to everyone, thanks to Jishaku World, who disrupts the change by magnetising the Geartlingers, they do separate on changing, but attach to other things, and Jishaku World leaves them trapped until Zox arrives late. They get back to Colourful, there Stacey is having a snack, he gets them to pretend he's an acquaintance, Satoshi, not their enemy, but tension flares as soon as she leaves the room, but nothing happens before they realise the magnetic fields on the Kikainoids are getting stronger and making them flee the shop, Zox is waiting outside, as Magine is trapped Kaito and Secchan realises they need to stop Jishaku World fast. "Satoshi" helps Yatsude tidy up stuff that started moving, leaving but planning to come back, he runs into Kaito trying to get his help. Vroon is caught, and Gaon and Zyuran start pulling CrocoDaiOh, which only avoids crashing thanks to reverse thrusters. Zox argues to Stacey he should help Kaito since he's Yatsude's grandson. After Jishaku World reports to Gege, Stacey tells him the Zenkaigers might have found a way around his powers luring him to where Kaito and Zox are, they start fighting him as Flint keeps fighting to stop CrocoDaiOh hitting Zyuran and Gaon, who arrives at the battle running straight for Jishaku World, forcing him to reduce magnetism in the area so CrocoDaiOh doesn't hit him, and allowing everyone to move better. Zenkaiser uses Fiveman to access FiveRed's physics knowledge that lets him know heat will weaken Jishaku World. Shinken Form uses his fire abilities as Zyuran and Gaon join the fight, ZenkaiZyuran accessing his own fire and lending it to ZenkaiGaon, the 3 weakening him for Zenkaiser. Stacey leaves since he did as asked, Dai Jishaku World takes the field, separating Twokai-Oh, both ZenkaiOhs attempt to form, but are made the same poles. They use this to force Zyuran at Dai Jishaku World, so he pulls them in, only for them all to get stuck to him, but together they attack. Ijirude and Barashitara tell Gege he's not better than them, but he notes his involvement put Boccowaus in a better mood, so they'll now have more chances to try, and tells Stacey he knows what he did, but won't say for now. Yatsude asks Kaito about Satoshi, she could tell something was up when they met, Kaito admits they've fought, but makes clear he wants to be friends.

Dogengers Nice Buddy: Everyone returns to where they were before the distortion, the Dogengers are all asleep. Great Z uses an Affect System drones to warp them and Maid Shitsuji away. Tanaka wakes at home, Maid Shitsuji tells him he was dreaming. Yabai Kamen approaches Great Z, who acknowledges he hasn't been acting out of justice. Yabai Kamen goes to attack him, when Riku arrives in the stage suit to try and stop him, but it's clear Yabai Kamen has the advantagem winning as Riku yells his love for heroes and his father. Yabai Kamen steals one of the 2 remaining drones, and uses it to warp away. Riku and his father reconcile, Riku explaining he truly seeks to be a hero, after a talk, Riku puts his helmet on and Great Z transfers the suit to him, President Hanagata sees his son off. At breakfast, Yabai Kamen reveals he has the Affect System drones and declares they're enemies again and warps away, the rest of Aku no Himitsu Kessya say their goodbyes, thanking for the hospitality, and leave. At Fukuoka Dome Yabai Kamen is surrounded by the Dogengers immediately, and runs with 2 Karami, when the Dogenfers eventually corner him, Kitaqman Metal is thrown at the defeated pile he's making by the rest of Aku no Himitsu Kessya. A voice announces, as Yabai Kamen seems to have expected, the arrival of Great Z. Yabai Kanen crushes the drone using it to upgrade, in turn Gulf, Gallia, Uzagi and Nectaris unveil their own upgrades. Yabai Kamen mourns the loss of Shuraomaru, only for him to appear and unveil his new form.

[amazingphanisnotonfire-imagines]

Jughead//Forsythe Pendleton Jones III

 Request: Would you write/can I request a Jughead/Reader where you meet when goes to Southside high and hook-up but you both assume once Southside high closes you're going to Greendale/Centerville but you end up at Riverdale high instead

“Forsythe Pendleton Jones III.” Toni interrupts the conversation you’re having and stops in the middle of the corridor abruptly.

“Huh?” You ask, a boy a few feet away from you asks the same thing and the two of you make eye contact for a few seconds. 

“Uh...Its Jughead actually.” The boy replies annoyed while gathering up his things.

“I’m Toni Topaz.” Toni introduces herself. “And this...” She points to you. “Is Y/n Y/l/n. I was supposed to give you the full animatronic tour of Southside High, but...”

“But, some of the robots went insane and started killing the guests.” You interrupt and Toni laughs.

“Like we could afford robots in the first place. So, we’ll just wing it.” She finishes. “Y/n, you coming with?”

“Hmmm.” You think for second. “I was supposed to meet Sweet Pea by the old Chemistry lab so we could cover up the fact that we were the ones that blew it up. But, I suppose he can do it himself, there’s a much cuter boy here.” You wink at Jughead and he blushes softly.

“Ignore her. She’s flirts with everyone.”

“I flirt with everyone that’s cute.” You argue and she rolls her eyes.

“Anywayyyy.” She changes the subject. “The classrooms don’t have Wi-Fi...” She starts to explain while the three of you walk down the stairs.

“Bathroom stalls don’t have doors, so if you need to go, you’d get more privacy doing it in the corridor.” You add and he grimaces.

“What about the school paper? The Red and Black?” He asks and you and Toni share a look.  

“Yeah, it no longer exists. Censorship? Budget cuts?...” 

“The fact that someone printed a dick pic on the front page.” You giggle.

“Take your pick.” Toni sighs.

“Mr Phillips was so pissed.” You laugh. 

“Mr Phillips?” 

“English teacher. He used to run the Red and Black.” You reply.

“Oh.” 

“To your right. You’ll find a glimpse of jingle-jangle being consumed in its natural habitat.” Toni looks beside her once you reach the bottom of the stairs. Jughead starts to break away from the group but you grab his arm, pulling him back.

“Don’t get too close. They’re like horses. And they will bite.” You warn. 

“Jingle-Jangle?”  He asks. 

“Wait.” You and Toni say at the same time. 

“You don’t know what jingle-jangle is?” You ask and he shakes his head, continuing to stare at the group of teenagers. 

“This place is crawling with it. Its a highly addictive, total gutter drug.” She explains. 

“So, lets not touch that.”   

“Jingle-jangle. Fascinating.” Jughead mumbles. You soon approach the cafeteria and Jughead looks...overwhelmed to say the least.

“Here in the cafeteria, Ghoulies sit over there.” Toni points to a table and he looks at the two of you confused. “They're a rival gang.

“They’re also drug dealers, street racers. And there are some rumors of cannibalism.” You add. “Don’t ask.” 

“Weird Tim sits over there.” Toni points to the corner of the cafe. “And we sit over there. With the Serpents.” She points to the table with the loudest students. 

“Y/l/n!” Sweet Pea shouts. “Where were you?!” 

“Joining a rival gang and plotting against you.” You shout back making him chuckle. 

“You could never plot against me! You loveeee me.” 

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“You’re a Southside Serpent?” He asks and you and Toni just stare at him for a few seconds. 

“Did you not notice my jacket?” You reply and he shakes his head.  

 “And why do you think I volunteered to give you the tour?” Toni adds. “Come on.” She nods her head towards the Serpents. You smile at him before sitting beside Sweet Pea.

“Actually, I’m gonna sit alone.” Jughead says and the conversation at the table stops. “Just, you know, finish my book and brood.” 

“More like get beat up.” Sweet Pea mutters and you all laugh quietly. 

“The only person that sits alone is weird Tim.” You tell him. 

 “I’m confused.” Toni crosses her arms and looks him up and down. “Aren’t you Serpent by blood? The son of FP Jones?” 

 “Yeah? So, I self identify as a loner, not a pack animal.” He replies and the laughing grows louder. 

“He’s definitely gonna get beat up.” Sweet Pea whispers and you hit him.  

“I’m just gonna put my head down and try and get through this, okay?” He continues while turning around. 

“Hey!” You call after him and he looks at you, mildly annoyed. “You wanna get through this, you should hang with the Serpents.” 

“If the Ghoulies get a whiff that you’re alone and vulnerable...” Toni interrupts. 

“They’ll make you their bitch faster than you can say American History X.” You finish.

“I think I’ll be fine.” He grumbles making you roll your eyes. “Anything else I need to know?” 

“Don’t go into Mrs Johnson’s class alone.” You reply and he raises an eyebrow.

“He doesn’t need to know that story.” Toni says. “Have fun. Don’t get killed.” She smiles at him sarcastically and he huffs before walking away. 

---------

The last class of the day eventually rolls around and it is definitely the worst one out of all of them. Since lunchtime, you haven’t seen Jughead and you’re starting to worry about him. However he walks into your English class, 5 minutes before it starts and quietly sits down. 

“Fahrenheit 451...” Mr Phillips has been droning on for the best part of half an hour and you, as well as the majority of the class have almost fallen asleep. “By one of my favourite authors, Ray Bradbury.” He continues talking as he walks to the front of the classroom. Your eyes follow him, quickly landing on the back of Jughead’s head. He was frantically writing in his notebook making you shake your head. “Lets start with the title. Can anyone tell me its significance?” 

“What!” Sweet Pea shouts from beside you. “Damn it!” He kicks the wall behind him and shoves your desk as he storms past you. 

“What the fuck Sweet Pea!” You shout after him. Jughead looks between his retreating figure and you and frowns slightly.

“Are you okay?” He leans back in his chair. 

“Fine.” You shake your head. “He has anger issues.” You explain. “As well as a shit ton of others. He’ll text me in a minute to apologize.” You add, just as you tell him your phone buzzes in your pocket and you pull it out. “See.” 

“People.” Mr Phillips speaks over you, and Jughead looks back towards the front of the room. “There’s a burning book on the cover.” He prompts and Jughead looks around. You know exactly what he’s going to do, and it’s not going to end well for him. 

“Don’t fucking answer.” You mutter. “Don’t say anything.” 

“Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which paper burns.” He answers and you sigh loudly. Everyone in the class is now looking at him, even the students who weren’t paying attention in the first place, and you can practically hear the brass knuckles and knives being pulled from pockets. “It was a pleasure to burn.” He quotes and you groan. 

“Indeed.” Mr Phillips points to him. “Thank you, Mr...Jones. And welcome to hell.” People start throwing stuff at him and you sigh before standing up. 

“Hey! Mark!” You shout towards a boy near the back. “Stop throwing things at the new kid or so help me God I will tell every single person in this school about the time you tried to fight me and ended up pissing yourself.” You smirk and he looks at the floor. People quietly laugh around you and you send him a sarcastic smile as he sinks in his chair. 

“Thank you.” He mumbles and you smile softly at him. 

“Miss Y/l/n, sit down. You can stay after class. And if you have Sweet Pea’s number, tell him he’s joining you too.” 

“What the fuck! I didn’t do anything!” You argue. 

“Sit down!” He shouts and you roll your eyes before sitting down. The bell rings soon after and everyone moves quickly to get out. You’re one of the first to stand up, grabbing your bag and trying to sneak out, but you don’t get very far. “Y/n.” Mr Philips sighs and you mutter angrily to yourself as you make your way back to your seat. 

“I’ll see you at the Wyrm later.” Toni mumbles as she walks past you. 

“Sorry.” Jughead mouths and you shrug. “Uh...hi? Mr Phillips?” He says anxiously. 

“What the hell are you doing?” You mumble to yourself before watching the interaction.

“Mr Jones.” He replies. 

“Mr Jones.” You say in a mocking tone and he sends you a glare. 

“Y/n was telling me that you used to advise the school paper.” 

“I wouldn’t listen to everything that Y/n says.” He mumbles and you flip him off. 

“I was wondering what happened.” Jughead continues. 

“Drugs and gangs...” He looks towards you and you stand up, ready to defend yourself. “Came to Southside High.” 

“Excuse m-” 

“Trying to get students interested in anything like the school paper was an exercise in futility.” He interrupts. 

“I’m interested.” Jughead says quickly. “And I have experience. When I was at Riverdale High, I wrote for the Blue and Gold.” He explains. “I’ll put in the work.” 

“Your articles online?” Mr Phillips asks. 

“Mm-hm.” 

“I’ll take a look, let you know.” 

“Thanks.” He smiles awkwardly and starts to walk out. 

“Wait up Jones!” You call after him. 

“Miss y/l/n, you have detention remember.” 

“Sorry sir.” You grab your bag quickly and make your way towards Jughead. “I have gangs to affiliate with and drugs to deal.” You say sarcastically before walking out, Jughead following after you. 

“Is he always like that?” He asks, quickly catching up with you. 

“Yep.” You nod. “How was your first day?” 

“Could have been better.” He shrugs. 

“Come on. I’ll take you to the Wyrm.” 

---------

The next few days go by quite quickly considering its Southside High. You and Jughead hang out a few times, and you’ve already saved his ass from Ghoulies, and a few Serpents a fair few times. 

He’s also somehow dragged you into helping him with the Red and Black. Toni would take pictures, and you and Jughead would write the articles. Much to Mr Phillips dismay, however that made you want to do it even more. 

“It’ll be great!” Jughead says enthusiastically and open the curtains in the old classroom. Dust flies around the room and you almost cough up a lung as you walk around the room, making him laugh. He turns and looks around the room. “Its no New York Times.” 

“But, hey, kudos on finding your safe space, snowflake.” You tease. “Toni said she’s gonna join us later. Serpent business apparently.” 

“Thats fine. I don’t mind it being us for a while.” He says quietly and you send him a shy smile. He looks you up and down and is about to say something when the door opens. 

“Y/l/n.” Sweet Pea greets you, a few other Serpents follow behind him and they all send Jughead angry looks. “Lets bounce.” You turn around and cross your arms. “Jones, wanna come with? We’re going to the quarry.” 

“Uh, I don’t have my beach bod yet.” He replies sarcastically making you giggle.

“What?” You’ll ask for help from the Serpents. You’ll get one to protect you.” He points towards you. 

“Here we go.” You mutter. 

“But you won’t hang with us?” He asks, crossing his arms. “Don’t come crawling to us, hat in hand, when some Ghoulie decides to earn his stripes by taking out FP Jones’ kid.” 

“Duly noted. Thank you, Sweet Pea. I appreciate what you and the Serpents have done for me and my dad. I do. But I’m done. Okay? No more favors coming your way.” Jughead replies and Sweet Pea’s expression darkens. He cracks his knuckles and starts walking towards him. 

“Hey, hey. He made up his mind okay?” You stand in between them and push Sweet Pea back. “Take the hint, Sweet Pea. He’s just not that into you.”

“Fine.” He pushes you off him and turns around. 

“Catch you later, Jones.” You tell Jughead and his face drops at the sight of you leaving. “I’ll have a think for some articles. And tell Toni I said hey.” You send him a kind smile before following Sweet Pea and the other serpents out the room. 

--------- 

The next day, you, Sweet Pea and Toni are sat at the lunch table when a familiar Serpent makes his way towards you. 

“This is why we told you not to climb the tree, Sweet Pea.” You and Toni laugh, making Sweet Pea roll his eyes. The laughter dies down when you notice Jughead standing beside you. Sweet Pea glares at him, Toni looks at him expectantly and you send him a warm smile. He returns the smile, completely ignoring Sweet Pea and points to the empty seat beside you. 

“Is this seat taken?” He asks and you shake your head, moving your bag to the floor. Toni and Sweet Pea look at him before continuing their conversation. 

“Don’t worry.” You nudge him. “You’ll get the hang of it. And I’m always around.” 

---------

“Jughead!! Thank god you’re here!” You greet him anxiously before dragging him towards the table. 

“What?” He asks, looking at the laptop in front of Sweet Pea. Toni was on one side of him and Fangs was on the other, a few other Serpents were gathered around looking annoyed. “I assume we’re not looking at cute cat videos?” He looks around confused and you shake your head. 

“We will find you.” He hears a familiar voice come out the speakers of the laptop and his eyes widen. 

“Check this out.” Sweet Pea turns the laptop around to face you and Jughead. “Some sick-in-the-head Northsider posted a crazy-ass video, and we were just talking.” 

“About what?” Jughead asks nervously. 

“Do you know him?” You whisper to Jughead and he nods ever so slightly. 

“Fogarty wants to earn his Serpent stripes.” Sweet Pea smacks Fangs’ back. “I say, bring us that Northsiders head and you’re in.” He continues and a few Serpents cheer. 

“I’m down with that.”

“Boys.” You warn. 

“No, guys. No.” 

“What, Jones?” Toni asks. 

“I know this guy. He’s a football player and no threat to any of you. Its kind of a lame target.” 

“Jughead?” You whisper. 

“You wanna prove something?” He asks. “Why don’t you go after the Black Hood?” 

“Why would we do that?” Sweet Pea laughs. “The black hood’s targeting Nothsiders, who do nothing but blame us for everything wrong with this town. We’re sick of it! The Black Hood’s doing our work for us.” 

“Sweet Pea!” You warn. 

“He’s a hero.” He adds. Jughead looks at him and you place a hand on his shoulder. 

“Come on. We have a paper to work on.” You guide him away, towards the Red and Black room. Once inside you sit down and pull a notebook from your bag. “So, I’ve been thinking. We could run an article about th-” 

“This is fucking stupid.” He interrupts you and pushes a few things off a table. 

“Jughead?” 

“I fucking hate it here.” He huffs, sitting beside you.

“Its not that bad.” You try to make him feel better and he raises an eyebrow. “You’ll get used to it.” 

“I don’t think I will.” He sighs. “I miss the Northside.” 

“I know. But you’ll be okay. You’ll get the hang of it. Plus...I quite like you being here.” You turn to face him, but he’s already looking at you. 

“You’re the only good thing about this damn place.” He tucks a piece of hair behind your ear making you blush. “You don’t deserve to be stuck here.” He adds, his hand cupping your cheek. You lean in, his breath fanning across your face and your nose brushes against his. 

“Y/n!” Sweet Pea shouts, kicking the door open. You and Jughead jump apart from each other, and you stand up quickly. “Fogarty wants us to show him the blind spots around here.” 

“Coming.” You smile at him. “See you later Jughead.” You wave. 

“Yeah, see you.” 

---------

“And thats why if you’re gonna get high at school, make sure that weird Tim isn’t around.” 

“Right. I’ll keep that in mind.” Two weeks had flown by and Jughead is finally starting to get used to life at Southside High. He stopped answering in class by the end of the first week, he doesn’t talk to anyone apart from the Serpents, and he’s figured out how to avoid weird Tim. The two of you are currently on your way to Maths when a red-headed boy approaches you. 

“Jug! Jug!” He shouts and Jughead looks at him wide-eyed. “We gotta go, right now.” 

“Archie, what are you doing here?” He asks annoyed. “Betty ask you to throw salt in the wound?” He adds spitefully and you look at him confused. You knew he was dating a girl, and you were quite thankful that you found that out before you continued where you left off in the Red and Black classroom. 

“Mayor McCoy’s about to raid Southside High.” He interrupts him. 

“What!?” You ask panicked, Archie looks you up and down before focusing his attention back on Jughead. “I need to text Toni, Sweet Pea and Fangs!” You pull your phone out. 

“We gotta get you out of here right now.” Archie continues and grabs Jughead’s coat. “Come on.” He finishes and the front doors open. 

“Shit.” You mutter as Mayor McCoy and Sheriff Keller burst through the door with police dogs. Archie starts pulling Jughead through the crowd towards the back door and you look at him. 

“Wait.” Jughead pushes Archie off. “Come on.” He grabs your arm and pulls you with him. 

“But Toni and Sweet Pea.” You reply. 

“Its too late.” He shakes his head and you looks behind you. Sweet Pea was being pushed against a locker and Toni was being arrested in the middle of the corridor. “You can come back to my trailer.” 

---------

“Here.” Jughead hands you a mug with hot chocolate in and you smile gratefully at him. 

“Thanks.” You smile and blow on the steam. You wrap the blanket further around you and Jughead sits beside you on the sofa. 

“Do you wanna watch a movie?” He asks and you nod. Ten minutes into the movie you turn your attention back to Jughead who is staring intently at the screen. You couldn’t get what he had said about Betty out of your head, so you decide to ask him. 

“What did you mean about Betty?” You ask, placing your cup on the coffee table. 

He sighs and places his mug beside yours. “She broke up with me a few days ago.” 

“Sorry.” You sigh. “That sucks.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Do you know why?” 

“I dunno. It was kind of a blur.” He shrugs and you nod. 

“Sorry.” 

“Its fine.” He replies, a sad smile on his face. “Its for the best anyway. I kinda like someone else.” 

“Ooooo.” You tease, nudging him slightly. Your heart rate picks up at the thought of it possibly being you. “Who is it?” You ask. You look up at him to see him already looking at you. His fingers brush the hair out of your face, the way they did the first time, and he slowly leans in. You were sick of waiting so long, you’d liked him since you met him, so you decide to close the gap between the two of you quickly. He kisses back instantly, his hands going to your waist. 

“Do you wanna continue this in my room?” He asks, pulling away from you. 

“Yes.” You nod quickly and stand up. Jughead grabs your hand and pulls you towards his room. 

---------

A month later, you and Jughead have been hooking up practically everyday and some Serpents were happier than others about it. Everything had been great. However a spanner had just been thrown into the works and everything was starting to fall apart.

News that Southside High was closing down had quickly travelled around and you had just been told were you were going. 

“Wow, Jones, props to you. Its very Lovecraftian.” Toni teases Jughead. They’re sat on the steps at the front of the school, while you stand beside them, leaning over the side. You’ve been distracted all day after being told where you were going. “Which I’m sure was the intention. But I gotta ask you, did you write this on a typewriter?” 

“Err...Yeah. I wanted to get into Lovecraft’s headspace.” 

“So, it wasn’t like Y/n bought you a typewriter for your birthday or anything weird like that?” She asks and Jughead snatches the paper back from her. 

“No comment.” He mutters. 

“Did you?” Toni asks. “Y/n?” She says and you shake your head, looking at her. 

“Yeah?” 

“You okay?” 

“Yea-” 

“WOOOO!” The front door opens quickly and you have to jump back to avoid being hit. Sweet Pea and Fangs walk out, followed by some other Serpents all being very loud.

“Whats up with you two?” Toni asks. 

“You know how Southside High is being closed down?” Sweet Pea asks and they both nod. “We just found out where we’re going.” 

“Where?” Jughead asks. 

“Same as the rest of the Serpents. Riverdale High.” Fangs smiles. 

“Think of all those Northside heads to knock.” Sweet Pea punches Fangs lightly and they started to play fight making you roll your eyes. 

“Great.” Toni mumbles. “School full of stuck up Northsiders.” She sighs. 

“You’re the lucky ones.” You interrupt, gaining the attention of the gang. 

“What do you mean?” Jughead asks and stands beside you. 

You sigh and look at the ground. “Because there are so many students, Serpents and Ghoulies are being split. Serpents are going to Riverdale, Ghoulies are going to Centreville.” 

“And?” Fangs asks. 

“And the remaining of each, as well as weird Tim and the rest of the randoms are going to Greendale. Guess which one I’m going to?” 

“You’re going to Greendale?” Jughead asks quietly, wrapping his arms around you. You nod and he sighs, pressing a kiss to your cheek. 

“Thats fucking bull.” Sweet Pea mutters angrily. 

“Calm down Sweet Pea. You’ll always have Fangs to keep you warm on a cold night.” You tease, trying to lighten the mood. 

“You staying at school overnight now?”

“You never know....” 

“What do you mean?” Toni asks. 

“I might have to move.” 

“What? You can’t move.” Jughead shakes his head frantically. 

“We’ll leave you two alone.” Toni stands up and starts to walking towards her bike. Sweet Pea and Fangs give you a quick hug before following Toni. 

“We can make this work.” Jughead cups your cheeks. 

“How. We’re gonna be going to different schools, I might even have to move. And you’re going to school with your ex. Its never gonna work.” You say, tears flowing down your cheeks. “And I thought I finally had something good in my life.” You mumble and he hugs you tightly.

“Y/n y/l/n. You’re the best thing in my life and I’m not gonna let that go just because we’re going to different schools. So what if I’m going to school with Betty. She’s in my past, you’re my present and hopefully my future?” 

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” You pull away from him slightly and he nods. “You have awful timing.” 

“Is that a yes?” 

“Yes?” You reply before kissing him. 

“You could be on the other side of the world and I’d do anything to see you. I’ll follow you anywhere and everywhere.” 

“Okay.” 

“Its gonna be okay.” He reassures you, pulling you into a tight hug. “Everything’s gonna be okay.” He adds, you have a feeling he’s trying to convince himself too, but you decide not to ruin the moment. 

---------

“Friends! Welcome to Riverdale High.” Veronica greets the Serpents enthusiastically, but Jughead isn’t feeling very thrilled about being back at Riverdale. When he first started Southside High, he would have done anything to be back at here. But now he is here, he’d do anything to be wherever you are. “Jughead.” She looks towards the beanie clad boy and he glances at her. “Nice to see you bac-” 

“Sorry I’m late!” You shout, pushing through the mass of serpents until you’re at the front, standing beside Jughead. “Weird Tim flashed the fucking bus driver again.” 

“Y/n!” Toni, Fangs and Sweet Pea greet you happily, all squeezing you tightly.

“What are you doing here?” Jughead asks shocked and pulls you into a tight hug. “Are you coming here?” 

“No, I’m here for a school trip.” You reply sarcastically. “Of course I am. I was transferred here.” 

“How?” He asks and kisses you. 

“Just a slight incident involving a few students and some fireworks. They transferred me here.” You reply happily.

“Nice!” Sweet Pea laughs and high-fives you. 

“We’re glad you’re back. It didn’t feel the same without you.” Fangs adds.

“Plus, Jughead was moping so much we thought his face was gonna be permanently stuck in a frown.” Toni teases and Jughead rolls his eyes making you laugh. 

“Awwwww.” You tease and kiss his cheek. “Were you really that upset?” You ask and he nods. 

“Of course. I love you.” 

“You love me?” 

“...yeah.” He whispers, a blush appearing on his face and you laugh softly. “I’ve loved you since the day I met you. You were so kind and sweet. A ray of sunshine in the dark of Southside High.” He rambles and you kiss him sweetly.

“I still think its gross.” Sweet Pea rolls his eyes. 

“Shut up Sweet Pea.” Fangs nudges him. 

“But I suppose if you make her happy.” 

“He does.” You nod. “You have no idea.” 

[therainroguefanfiction]

⁂ Moving Metal #6: Loss of Senses

📑 Table of Contents | ◂ Previous 

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When morning finally arrived, I entered the cafeteria, taking a seat next to Tork who nodded in acknowledgment. He and Karma were the only ones in there at the time, so I was able to get some peace and quiet as I rested my head on the metal table. It was cold and felt good against my pounding head.

“You’re not eating?” Tork questioned.

“Don’t have much of an appetite this morning.” Which totally isn’t because I had a guilt-ridden nightmare which led me to end up passed out against a Teku car. Yeah, that totally didn’t happen.

He remained silent and I worried that he was going to ask me something other, but my saving grace appeared in the form of Taro. He sat across from me after grabbing a tray of food, his eyes narrowed at me.

“You’re up early,” He sounded suspicious.

“Is that a crime now?”

“You hate mornings,”

Damn you, Taro. Why do you have to pay so much attention to others, huh? “I’m turning over a new leaf, so what.”

The door opened and in walked Vert and Shirako, both of whom smiled at me. I cleared my throat as I stood up, mumbling about how I was going to go work on my car. I could feel multiple pairs of eyes on my back but I did my best to ignore it.

Mark was already at the cars, working on his Spinebuster. He nodded at me when I approached but said nothing. I was thankful that he kept his mouth shut for once.

My eyes scanned the length of my Night Hawk as I remembered the feeling of rejection from that night. I reached out, hesitating for a moment, before letting my hand rest on the hood. The metal was ice cold, just as it had been before, but it didn’t feel quite as distant.

I bowed my head as I rested my other hand on the hood, ‘Night Hawk… I know I’m not as strong as I pretend to be. As a car belonging to the Metal Maniacs, you deserve someone with a stronger will behind your wheel, but I… I won’t give up. I will keep fighting and moving forward, even if I have to destroy those in my way. I hope you’ll continue fighting by my side.’

“You look like shit,” Mark commented, raising his brow when I met his gaze.

I scoffed, “You ain’t no field of daisies, either.”

“Did you even sleep last night? And what the hell happened to your hands?”

“Will you quit with the third degree already? Damn,” I popped the hood of my car and started my routine check to make sure everything was in order and ready to go.

“You’re acting pretty defensive, kid.”

“And you’re acting pretty annoying, kid.” I scowled, pointing the wrench at him. “Don’t forget I’m older than you.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re pretty short,”

“What does being short have to do with age? Work on your car and be quiet, will ya?”

“Che,” He glared at me but did as he was told. It wasn’t long before that damned alarm sounded again.

Please, for the love of god, let it be something simple this time.

“A new realm is opening,” Dr. Tezla announced over the loudspeaker.

Yeah, because we couldn’t hear the alarm.

“Hey, kid!” Porkchop pulled up beside you in his Jack Hammer. “Wanna roll with me this time?”

I dropped the hood into place with a nod, hopping into the passenger seat. He took off before the door even closed, following close behind Shirako. We entered the ball of light.

We were in a cavern, dark and damp. There were bright yellow crystals edged into the walls and ceilings which gave off a faint glow, but that clearly wasn’t enough for Shirako. Soon after entering, his car started to glow like a damn disco ball that was exposed to radiation.

“Turn off the lights, Teku, I can’t see!” Porkchop complained, swerving back and forth across the track as he did his best to see past the blinding lights.

“He’s more than just a stereo on wheels, he’s a feckin’ rave on wheels,” I muttered, earning a sharp look from Porkchop.

As is the Maniac way, he increased his speed so that he was beside the male before ramming into the side of his car and sending him into the wall. From the passenger seat, I could see Shirako’s smirk as he eyed Porkchop and I knew what was coming.

His lights were off due to the impact but were quickly replaced by his bass-centric stereo system.

“Now I can’t hear!” Porkchop complained, and I had to agree.

Being that close to the music was making the Jack Hammer shake. I briefly worried that it was going to shatter the windows, but we had bigger problems to worry about. The bass from his music wasn’t just shaking the car, it was shaking the cave and sending stalactites falling onto the track.

“Look out!” Kurt’s voice came through the radio, followed by the sound of tears squealing.

Porkchop narrowly missed a rather sharp looking stalactite that hit just inches from his car.

“Shirako! The sound waves, they’re bringing down the stalactites!” Lani was practically screaming over the sound of his music. Even then, I was barely able to register what she was saying.

I really wished that the track would break off like it had in the Swamp realm.

“We got drones, Maniacs!”

Sure enough, as soon as Mark’s voice came through, two green and black cars were hot on our tail, but they were having about as much luck as we were. One of them misjudged the distance of the rock sticking up through the track and slammed right into it, exploding on impact. The other one managed to dodge but spun himself out doing so.

“Jeez, these guys are endless,” I muttered as three more drones took their place.

“On the bright side, we lost the stereo on wheels,” Porkchop said.

I had been too wrapped up in the chaos to notice, but we had pulled ahead of the pack. “Hey, Porkchop, I don’t suppose you have that anchor in here, do you?”

“Left it in the big rig,”

“Damn,”

The car suddenly jolted as a giant bat landed on top of the roof, its claws digging into the metal. It leaned its head down, trying to bite him through the open window but he dodged and punched it in its mouth. Using that as a distraction, I pulled my blade from under my shirt and pulled half of my body out of the window. It noticed me just as I reared back, slamming the metal into its neck. It screeched out in pain and released its grip on the car.

My gaze met Shirako’s as he pulled up behind us, two bats clinging to his car. I could faintly hear someone come through the radio before Shirako started blaring his music again. The sudden increase in volume made Porkchop serve, but he grabbed my legs and roughly pulled me back inside just as the side of the Jack Hammer skimmed one of the rocks.

I breathed out, offering him a grin. “Thanks,”

He laughed at the adrenaline rush, pushing the gas pedal to the floor. We went soaring through the portal, skidding to a stop back in the Acceledrome. An accelecharger materialized in front of him, glowing a chocolate brown.

Seconds later, Teku music filled the drome as Shirako skidded to a stop beside us.

I grabbed onto the accelecharger, feeling raw power surge through my hand.

“Hey, the race is over, turn it off!”

But Shirako was too enraptured by the music to hear anything that was said. Mumbling angrily, Porkchop pulled off and parked his car.

Dr. Tezla approached us. I couldn’t see his eyes behind those dark glasses of his, but I just had the feeling that he was very excited. “You got another accelecharger,”

I glanced at Porkchop, but he was too busy mumbling under his breath as he kicked a few loose tools lying on the ground. Hesitantly, I placed the charger in his open palm, watching him walk away without another word. I still didn’t trust that guy, and after feeling the power contained within the accelecharger, I didn’t trust him even more.

Who’s the say he isn’t the bad guy and the drones are just trying to stop him?

The line between good and evil was seriously being blurred here and it was driving me crazy. I needed a serious break.

Sliding into my car, I started the engine. It roared to life like an angry lion as I pressed on the gas, tires squealing from the sudden force. Taro yelled my name as he stepped out of his car, but I acted like I didn’t hear it and took off down the ramp leading out of the Acceledrome.

The speedometer rose as I pressed the gas pedal further to the bottom of the car. I was worried that someone would follow me and I just wanted to get away as soon as I could. Once I was out of the winding cliffs, I could disappear in the endless expanse of desert.

I’m not sure how long I drove for, but I finally came to a stop at a cliff overlooking the ocean. I stepped out of the car and approached the edge, feeling the wind blowing around my body. My arms raised on their own, spreading out like wings.

It felt so freeing like I could just fly away from all of my problems. As much as I hated to admit it, I knew it was just a fleeting emotion.

I fell back onto the dirt, my back resting against the front of my car. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky that day. It was just a blank canvas of pale blue.

My hand clutched around my pendant as my eyes slid closed. ‘I wonder what you’d say if you were here, dad. Would you be proud of what your daughter has become? Would you be disappointed? Would you care at all?’

No, if he were here, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’d probably be in prison, to be fair. The only reason I’m free now is because of Taro and Tork, but if dad hadn’t died, I never would have met them.

As much as I miss my dad, the thought of never meeting the Maniacs… that thought hurts worse. I love my dad, but we were never a family, we were just two people that shared the same blood.

“I wonder… how long will this last before it all comes crashing down?” I pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. How long would it be before everyone learned the truth about me and turned their backs on me? Only Taro and Tork knew about my past, and even they don’t know the whole story. Granted, Taro knew more than leader did, but that’s only because I had a mini breakdown and couldn’t stop running my mouth.

Night descended upon me before I realized it, the temperature dropping drastically. Every time a gust of wind blew by me, my body would shake, but I had no desire to move. My legs and ass had fallen asleep, going numb against the hard ground.

A part of me wanted to stay there forever. It was peaceful, quiet, and didn’t ask bothersome questions. Would anyone come after me? Probably not. I had turned the radio off and disabled the GPS so they couldn’t find me.

The other part of me wanted to return to the safety of the Maniacs. They were rowdy and loud, and not the least bit subtle or gentle, but it felt safe with them. It felt warm. It felt… like home.

Pushing myself to my feet, I stretched to wake up the muscles that had long since fallen asleep. They started to tingle like they were being pricked which made me do this weird looking dance to get rid of the feeling.

Just as I opened the door of my Night Hawk, a pair of headlights blinded me. There’s no feckin’ way they found me…

The headlights turned off. That was definitely not a Maniac or a Teku.

The door lifted up and a man stepped out, dressed in a blue suit and tie. “We finally meet, Jae Wesley.”

“The hell are you?” I demanded, my hand automatically reaching for my blade.

He held up his hands and offered a smile. “Easy, there. I’m not your enemy.”

“Really? ‘Cause you damn sure look like one.”

“I knew your father,”

With those four words, it felt like the blood in my veins froze over.

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[teacepilots]

Obi Wan x reader (clone wars)

“Why is he always doing that?” You rolled your eyes at Obi Wan as you reached out and picked up his cloak that he had once again dramatically dropped and left.

“Because he always has you to pick up after him!” Ahsoka laughed as she decapitated a battle droid.

Obi Wan and Anakin were far ahead by now, leading the attack against the separatists outpost, you and the young padawan following to make sure none got away.

“That’s not good!” You shouted pointing at a hole new squadron of droids heading your way, you shot down a drone which landed and took four or five out but there were still too many.

You leaped towards the troops and took two out but it was the third one who took you by surprise. A painful surge shot down your left leg as the droid fired his blaster towards you. You stumbled, struggling to stay up but when you turned around to defend yourself against the droid he was no more, in his place stood Obi Wan Kenobi staring angrily at the wreckage of the bot he had destroyed.

You aided each other in taking down a few more and within minutes they where gone. You were joined by Anakin and his padawan who looked worriedly at the burn on your leg.

“Thank you” you turned to Obi Wan who was now tending to your leg.

“Well, what would I do without you?” He grinned.

“Lose all your cloaks, for one thing.” Anakin pointed out, sarcastically.

After a long journey back to Coruscant, the scorch mark on your thigh had calmed down, but you still had a limp.

Exiting the ship, you stumbled and had to hold on to the side of the ramp.

“Here y/n, you need help.” Ani held out an arm to steady you.

“No Anakin, let me, I’m going by your quarters any y/n.” Obi Wan reaches out a hand.

“Master I can take her don’t worry.”

“I insist Anakin, let me”

“But Obi Wan I-“

You interrupted waving your arm in between them, “Actually boys I’m gonna go with Ahsoka, we have some business.”

You held out an arm to hold on to the young Jedi, and you both walked slowly towards the door off the landing bay, behind was still the sound of bickering.

“Those two are impossible.” She rolled her eyes.

“But at least they’re pretty.” You both laughed together.

Obi Wan p.o.v.

I sat in the control room, trying to listen to Anakin brief the chancellor on our last mission, snapped out of my daze when I heard y/n’s name mentioned. Ahsoka was explaining that she had been injured and was resting in her bunk.

“Master y/l/n does have reckless tendencies, not always well thought through.” Master Windu proclaimed.

“Those tendencies have saved many lives, chancellor.” Anakin replies defensively.

I got up quickly, “I agree, with all due respect, y/n’s quick thinking has gotten us out of many scrapes, she is a vital member of our team.”

A short while later we left the the contrôle room, Ahsoka eyeing us suspiciously.

“What is it snips?” Anakin enquires.

“For Jedi, you two seem pretty attached to Master y/l/n.”

We chuckled and sent each other knowing looks.

“Me and your master have known y/n for a very long time.”

“Yeah, she’s like a big sister to me, I definitely wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for her.” Anakin grinned sheepishly. “But Master Kenobi has a much deeper bond with her.” He smirked at me.

“Quiet Anakin, we are merely very old friends.” I defended.

“I’m not surprised, you two are an amazing team, it’s like you can read each other’s mind!” Ahsoka exclaimed.

I chuckled at her enthusiasm.

“But I’m right aren’t I Master, Jedi may not be aloud to form attachments or relationships, but that does not mean we are immune to developing feelings.” Anakin cocked an eyebrow at me.

“Hush Anakin” I checked our surroundings for possible eavesdropping, “Just because you don’t take the code as seriously as you should, it does not mean we all do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing snips,” Anakin glared at me.

“If you’re talking about your feelings for Padme, don’t worry you’re not great at hiding them.” She pointed out, much to my amusement. “I don’t know your laughing master, I’ve seen the way you look at y/n.”

I didn’t respond, which only provoked laughter on their side. Until we were interrupted by someone joining us by my side.

Y/n’s p.o.v.

“What are we laughing at?” You chimed.

“Nothing I- we were just talking about-“ Obi Wan stammered.

“We were laughing at something Anakin said, hows you leg y/n?” Ahsoka rescued him.

“All better, doesn’t even hurt anymore!” You beamed.

“Great! Hey Snips you feel like giving me a hand with R-2? He needs his antenna replacing.” Anakin asked smirking.

“Sure master I’d love to!” She said smirking back and waving back at you and Obi Wan as they left the two of you alone.

You smiled at your friend as you continued down the corridor, “so how was the briefing? Were they mad at me again”

“They were... annoyed.” He winced at you, “But I defended your honour, don’t worry.”

“How galant of you Master Kenobi.” You chuckled.

“Would you like to join me for a drink? he suggested.

“I would love to.”

You walked a little while a nearby bar, music echoed through it and all sorts of people laughed and drank together.

You took a seat at the bar and Obi Wan ordered you both a drink.

You talked about various things, missions, the padawans... but it was not long before you attracted some unwanted attention.

“Hey, you seem bored with Master Jedi here, fancy having a drink with me?” a drunken fellow sauntered up grinning at you.

“No thank you, I’m quite alright here.”

“Come ooon, I’m way more fun than this guy.” He slurred gesturing to Obi Wan.

“She said no thank you, now leave.” He said sternly.

“Hey I wasn’t talking to you!”

“Well I’m talking to you, leave.” He repeated.

“It’s ok Obi, I can handle it.” You turned to the man, “I’m not interested, sir, so please leave me alone.”

At this point the man reached out towards your arm but within seconds, his hand was gone and Obi Wan’s clamped tightly on yours, dragging you out of the bar.

“You know your gonna have to stop doing that.” You pointed out. “Obi Wan you can let go of my hand now, we’re clear of the bar.”

You said, but his grip didn’t loosen, it wasn’t tight or hurting you, but strong.

“That’s the second time today something could’ve happened to you.” He stated flatly.

“Okay first off Obi Wan, I’m a Jedi, I think I can handle a drunk in a bar, second you were there both times.”

“But what if I wasn’t?”

“But you were so it doesn’t matter.”

You reached the Jedi temple and followed him (you had no choice he hadn’t let go yet).

“Where are we going Obi?”

“My quarters, I have to tell you something.”

You followed him up the stairs, and down the corridor to his quarters, where he opened the door and shut it as soon as you were in.

He let go of your hand and walked towards the window, where he paced slightly.

“Obi Wan what’s wrong?”

He didn’t replie, he only stared at you and continued pacing.

“Your scaring me, master Kenobi.” It was the formality of your addressing him that snapped him out of it and he stood still in front of you. He looked to be deep in thought, as if calculating some complicated equations.

“Y/n you know me, I take the Jedi code very seriously, I obey orders, without question.” You nodded along, not quit following.

“Do you ever wish some rules where... non existant?”

“What are you saying Obi Wan? Are you questioning your allegiance to the Jedi?”

“No of course not! I just..-“ he was interrupted by his comlink.

“Master! Droid ambush in the south tower, get down here!” Ahsoka’s voice echoed.

Just then your own comlink chimed on with Anakin’s voice. “Y/n! I need you in the west wing now!”

“We’ll have to finish this later!” You shouted running out into the corridor and heading to the west wing.

“Just don’t die until then!” He shouted back.

•••

After a long battle defending the temple, you headed to the communications center to find out the overall damage, accompanied by Anakin Skywalker.

“It’s been a really long day.” You said stretching your arm out.

“You can say that again” Ani chimed in, “at least this time we were pretty successful.

“I wouldn’t speak too soon, Master.” Ahsoka said grimly.

“Where’s Obi Wan?” You said looking round.

“It was an accident he was trying to save me, he’s alive but-“ she didn’t have time to finish her sentence before you were running towards the infirmary.

When you got there he was the first thing you saw. He lay unconscious on a bed, blood down the side of his face. You rushed to his side and assessed his wounds.

“He saved my life... I’m sorry”

“It’s ok padawan. He’s strong, he’ll pull through.”

You sat by his bed for hours, occasional visits from Ahsoka or another Jedi, but Anakin never left your -or his- side.

“He was trying to tell me something before... he was worrying me, going on about rules and the code.” You paced around his bed.

“I think I know what he was trying to tell you... you may want to sit down.”

•••

“What?! You’re married?” You stared in disbelief at your friend who had just revealed he was breaking the Jedi code by being married to a senator.

“Shhh! No one can know!” He looked around but no one had heard you.

“And that’s what Obi Wan was trying to tell me?” You asked in disbelief.

“No, he only knows of my feelings, not of our union.”

“What? Then what was... what do you?” You got up and sat back down a few times, not knowing how to react.

“I’m not sure, all I’m telling you is that if your careful enough, it can work. And I’m only telling you this because, appart from him your my closest friend y/n.” He looked down at Obi Wan who was beginning to stir and left, giving you a knowing look.

“Hello there.” A croaky voice said as he smiled up at you.

“Hey there master Jedi, now what have we learned today?”

“That you and I should never be separated?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“That you should stop playing the dramatic hero, at least you didn’t have a cloak to lose this time.” You chuckled, he attempted to return your laughter but coughed instead.

“Rest, Obi. I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

A few days later when Kenobi had fully recovered, You were walking through the temple after leaving your guard duty in the library when a voice snapped you out of your day dreams.

“We never got to finish our conversation.”

“Oh my! Obi Wan! You scared me.”

“I’m sorry” he chuckled walking up to you, “But we didn’t.”

“You’re right, what was you wanted to say?” You had to admit you were very curious now.

He looked into your eyes and smiled, “I love you.”

Silence. You didn’t know what to say, Anakin’s speech should have prepared you but to hear those words from his mouth, caught you off guard.

“I never thought I’d be able to tell you that, because of the code, no personal attachements.. but after the events of the past few days it has become very clear to me, y/n.” He held your hands as he spoke. “You and I are stronger together, I need you by my side.” His look was now one of hope, hope that you would answer the way he wanted.

Unfortunately you didn’t have the time as two or three Jedi were headed your way.

You grabbed his hand and ran to a nearby supply closet and hid. It wasn’t until you were inside you realised you had grown a lot bigger since you used to hide in these as a youngling, and it was a tight squeeze.

“Please say something.” His eyes were searching in yours, looking more and more disappointed the longer it took you to answer. “I’m sorry if I have overstepped any boundaries, master y/l/n-“ it was the formality in his addressing you that snapped you out of it, and you placed a hand on his cheek. You weren’t quit sure what to do next, seeing as you had little to no experience in this field.

Luckily Obi Wan took over at this point and smiled softly, kissing your cheek. You rested your head on his shoulder calmly and smiled. This was comforting, it felt familiar, right.

He placed small kisses down your neck, soft and sweet, with no other intentions.

“Does this mean...?”

“Yes Obi, I love you too.”

“It would be going against all council rules, and we would have to keep it secret.”

“Don’t worry, I know something you don’t, we’ll make it work.”

He looked at you curiously, waiting for you to elaborate. You laughed softly, “I’ll tell you later” He was about to protest but let it go when you placed a long overdue kiss on his lips, which quickly turned into a touch starved desperate kiss from which he would not let go, you made no attempt at breaking it either, holding on to him tight, knowing this was the only thing you needed. You bit your lip as you broke away for air.

“Sorry, I haven’t had much practice.” He smiled awkwardly. You brushed it off and hugged him once more, before checking the cost was clear and exiting the closet.

[pandilemma]

An Old Feud pt7

It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. They hid behind a large, winding root. They could hear the chitters and buzzing of wings the drones were making as they worked. Yazak twitched his antennae as he tried to listen.

Saibon carefully peered over the root. It was a struggle to climb, but she did it. Rin joined her. They both could clearly see the amount of drones flying to and from the azerite rupture. They saw guards patrolling the air, and standing at the edge of the cliff.

There.... Were a lot of them.

They climbed back down to the others. Lei looked at them expectantly.

"There's a lot of them. The drones shouldn't be a problem, but the guards look to be on high alert." Saibon reported.

"Its only a matter of time before we are discovered." Rin added.

Lei sighed. "You think we should get more people?"

Saibon snrked. "I can handle them. This is what I do for a living."

Rin looked to Yazak. "Do you have any clue as to who this paragon might be?" He asked plainly.

"They do have a.... Familiar presence..." Yazak responded, humming slightly. He sifted through his memories to find the answer. He tapped his finger against the bark idly.

"Don't hurt yourself." Rin commented.

Yazak gave him a look. "It warms my heart to see that you care about my well being." He responded coolly.

Lei cleared her throat, disrupting their tension. "Not right now." She warned.

Rin huffed, and Yazak looked away. Yazak took a few more moments to think before he remembered.

"Ah, yes. I recognize him now. This is Nix'ik the Ambersinger." He said. "I knew him. He's an... Odd one."

Rin blinked. "What does he do, sing to the amber?"

Yazak stared at him. He knew he was trying to be disrespectful. "In a sense. He mentioned being an assistant to Korven the Prime, the first paragon. He admired Korven's work, and when Korven was preserved, he set out to protect and care for our Kypari trees. Most mantid use sonic manipulation maliciously, but he used it to encourage the trees to grow." He explained.

Rin blinked. "So.... He's going to be incredibly angry at the state of the Dread Wastes."

"Oh, absolutely. I don't know how he'll react, but someone is going to get hurt, be it us or the mantid."

Saibon hummed. She had been partially paying attention. She was thinking of a plan.....When she suddenly had an idea.

"Rin."

"What."

"Azerite is explosive. We can just.... Fire a burning arrow at it."

Lei looked at Saibon in shock. "Are you stupid? That would cause so much destruction." She whispered loudly.

Rin blinked and curled his lip at Saibon. "You wanna get us killed too?"

"It would certainly get the job done..." Yazak said with hesitance.

Saibon looked at the three. "Come on. We destroy the azerite, the mantid, and the paragon in one go!"

"Did you survive by being so reckless?" Rin asked, irritated.

"Yes, actually."

He sighed.

"If you're too scared to fire the shot, then I will." Saibon said.

Rin glared at her. "I am not as reckless as you. I will not."

"Wuss." Saibon said, grabbing her bow and reaching for an arrow. She undid a vial from her belt and dipped the arrowhead into it, and handed the vial to Lei. Lei took the vial and corked it, reaching for her lighter and pipe. She was going to need it.

As Saibon's enabler though, she lit the arrow aflame.

"Sweet. Okay, you guys stay down." Saibon said.

"I'm going to exile you twice if you fuck up." Rin threatened.

"Twice?" Lei questioned.

"Yeah. Once to the Dread Wastes again, and then second, from the Dread Wastes."

"Oh."

Yazak took a calm breathe and prepared to grab the three pandaren if they needed to flee.

Saibon jumped into the air and landed on the root. To her surprise and delight, Iz'zik was hovering at the cliff, talking to the guards stationed there. He noticed her in an instant, clacking his mandibles angrily. The guards whirled to see her.

"DON'T LET HER FIRE THAT ARROW!" Iz'zik shouted at the three smaller mantid.

They didn't need to be told to stop her. They spread their wings and rushed to stop her, but fast as they were, they weren't fast enough. Saibon let the bowstring go and the arrow soared through the air, past the guards, past Iz'zik, and into the azerite spike.

A deep crack and a hum was heard, and Saibon quickly took cover with the others, covering her ears.

The mantid all paused and looked back at their worksite as the azerite shattered and exploded violently. Iz'zik quickly fluttered off to escape from the explosion, but shrieked as his legs were burned.

Yazak drew his sword and leaped to the top of the root. He could hear Saibon yell for him, but he didn't listen. Poised to land a brutal strike, he lashed his sword out. A wall of wind followed, colliding with the explosion and stopping it from advancing further, in his direction at least.

The azerite had crumbled and a dreadful silence hung over the area.

Cautiously, Rin, Saibon, and Lei peered from over the root past Yazak, eyes wide with shock.

"How...?" Lei mustered.

Yazak turned to look at them. "I have trained hard to master the winds of Pandaria. You would be amazed at the things I can do."

The three guards that had sped to attack them were on the ground, twitching with ragged, weak breaths. Yazak looked at them with no emotion. He hopped down, and the three pandaren followed.

Rin blinked as he watched Yazak pierce each of their heads with his blade and keep walking. He was nearly intimidated by the cold merciless demeanor Yazak showed to his own kind.

"See? Everything worked out! I even got to see Iz'zik run and scream." Saibon said with a smile. "A shame he got away, though."

"Indeed. He will be quite angry next we meet." Yazak replied.

" Let's check out the debris, shall we?" Saibon suggested casually, walking swiftly to catch up with Yazak.

Rin looked at Lei. Lei looked back, puffing on her pipe with a tired look.

"And you lived with her out here?" Rin asked in disbelief.

"I don't just smoke to control my temper." Lei said simply.

[skegulium]

>Kyviar: Ignite the Flames

You've been called many things before in your life. You've been called a monster, a mutant, heartless, a murderer, the Demoness reborn - but this had to be a first.

How often was it that someone looked you in the eyes and called you a slacking, irresponsible toad who didn't know how to sign her own name? It really, really wasn't often and you have to admit, it was the only reason why you haven't ordered the culling of this troll.

"- The damage to the hospital would have been minimal," the soft, round troll in front of you droned on, her hands flying around her in a display of indignation. "But you've been too stingy to repair the foundation issues I brought up to you the past perigree! And now - now! All of those FLARPers and the naval battle have completely cracked it! The Pupa's wing is completely closed now, because we're sure it'll fall off the building! We need it fixed, Kyviar! We can't just gloss over it and ignore it doesn't exist!"

Oh, she's lucky she's not dead. You've got a letter opener in your fingers, the tip of it digging into the wooden desk as you twirled it lazily. You should kill her, you muse quietly as she goes on about the hospital. She's undermining your authority and insulting you to your face - but when was the last time that someone had the guts to do that? You'd be lying if you said you weren't just a tad endeared by this pigheaded, determined doctor. You drag the tip of the letter opener up out of your desk with a sigh as you sit back, interrupting the troll as she spoke.

But before you could even say a word, there was a soft knock on the dark wood doors of your office and both of you turned to face it. A soft, innocent looking face of a pupa poked in, turning their doe eyes up at you. "Miss Tirsok?" They ask, quiet and inquisitive. You can't help but smile and lean back, wiggling your fingers for them to step in. They do, and out of the corner of your eyes you can see the doctor huffing angrily. You'll see about getting some respect out of her at a later time, but for now you'll accept the distraction poised by this child.

"What's going on?" You ask, tilting your head just so.

The pupa shyly shuffles in, but they don't waste your time. The kid knew better than doing that. "You have another guest," they say. "In the foyer."

There was a curious pause, and your eyebrows furrowed as you watched the kid try to speak.

"... It's an indigo. With makeup and she's demanding to see you. We - they think she's Fleet."

Now... Now that's interesting news. You and the doctor share a look after that, the poor troll looking troubled by the news. You, however, are not. Why would you be? No, in fact, this guest seems to have given you a boon because at least some painted Fleet clown managed to both spice up your day and get you out of having to listen to more insults about your town. You'll fucking take it.

"Well, my darling," You drawl out to the doctor, pushing yourself up to your feet. "It looks like I've got some more... pressing matters to look at for tonight. Let's meet up tomorrow, hm? Go back to your hospital, do what you can, I'll see if I can't get some trolls out there to do some damage control. For now...," The doctor looks almost anxious as you stroll across the room, towards where your sword belt hung from a hook on the wall. The leather is worn under your hands and the polished brass twinkles in the light and as you wrap it around your waist, you can hear the doctor trotting out of your office with the pupa.

Fleet trolls, you muse as you start to stalk out of your office. No, the pupa said just one, was that right? Just one clown, coming in and demanding to see you. No violence - not yet at least - just a simple demand and clearly enough patience to wait for you to arrive. It's a curious thing, you'll have to admit. What would a clown of all people want with you? Were they from some sort of law enforcement agency? Another final warning to your little port town to stop your piracy and your crime? How many of those did you have at this point? You're sure one of your assistants has a ledge somewhere of the trolls who've passed through like this.

Once you leave your office, you're almost completely thrown off by just how humid it is. The spring rains came early this year and down here in the tropics, it was either hot and humid, or a little less hot and but still humid. Thankfully, it was only the latter case but you could still feel your blanket of hair frizzing up as you speak. Huffing strands of it out of your face, you don't stop for a second as you make your way down the hall to the foyer.

If there was one thing you loved about your little village here, it had to be the view. Your own hive and offices sat halfway up the steep hill, overlooking the rows of villages tumbling down in between the trees and foliage, before it flattened out near the crisp, blue water of the bay. It was a busy day today, of course - after the FLARPing attacks only a few nights ago, the entire city was in a bit of a mess. Sure, there was one or two burned buildings you can see from your view up here in the open air hallways, but they were minor! Your town put them out quick enough, and the parts that were looted or destroyed were almost entirely contained towards the coast. Which, all things considered, you'll consider that an achievement. They came, tried to pillage the WHOLE town and were culled for their efforts, and now you just had to rebuild.

God, was it expensive though and time consuming. The heavy tropical rains didn't help either and they came down in sheets and pounded on the terracotta shingles of the buildings and walkways of your sprawling hive. You'll have to figure out how to raise the funds to fix all of that soon enough - after your little guest has been dealt with. Damned fucking FLARPers.

You turn your attention from the town below you as you pass by a stucco pillar, where one of your right hand trolls leaned, arms crossed across his wide chest. The thick ropes of his wet dreads stuck to his shoulders and teal eyes glanced up at you as you slowed. His thin clothes seemed to stick to his skin and you can't help but roll your eyes.

"Sticking your head out into the rain, hm Gorgol?" You ask him as he gives you a smirk and falls into line next to you. He almost seems to pout at you as both of your boots click along the wooden floor as you approach the foyer.

"Can't fault a man for wantin' to feel the rain," He countered back, before he stopped before the thick wooden doors. The wooden shutters are clamped shut on the doors and you can't even see through them as you stop next to Gorgol.

You level him with a curious glance, the question plain on your face. He sighs, and threads his fingers against his skull. "She's askin' for you," He starts, low enough that it can't travel through the door. "Didn't tell us much more than that. One cold ass motherfucker too, looks like she'd skin us if we so much as thought about touching her. Fleet, askin' for you specifically." Teal eyes flicked towards the door and your own hand rested down on the hilt of your sword. "I'll be here though, right outside the door. Rheine is outside the west doors, with Jacker too. We'll be just call away if you need it - "

You hold up a hand, tilting your head towards the doors and a smile on your face. "Please, Gorgol," You say with a touch of amusement. "You act like I can't handle myself. What's she going to do, honk at me?" The smile on your face widens into a grin and you take the moment to push into the room, throwing open both of the double doors.

It gives you a nice effect, you'll have to admit. Your skirts and your hair billow out behind you as you stride in like you own the place (which, by the way, you absolutely do) and your footsteps are quicky muffled by the plush damask rug across the floor. The foyer is mostly open air, with massive windows and a balcony wrapping around it and you can see the shutters on the other pair of doors on the opposite side of the room are open when you seen a glimpse of your other shipmates there. Lanterns hung across the ceiling, tiny paper things that cast a lovely glow across the room and plants crowed up the corners of the room where they tried desperately to reach the rain outside.

"Please tell me you didn't track mud on my carpet," You drawl out as you hold your head up high. Your steps are slow and languid as you walk into the middle of the room towards the large, dark and studded leather chair. It's your chair, strategically placed so it was facing a pair of smaller, more generic looking couches and you don't see a glimpse of a troll sitting on them. It's a curious thing, but you quickly see why when you see the troll perched so casually in your own seat.

What fucking attitude, you can't help but think as you take your time to round the chair, your eyes pinning the troll to the seat with a look that you know burns like fire. One hand comes up to the sword at your waist, fingernails tapping at the metal in a cascade of noise.

"Well well well," You say as you stop in front of the troll in the chair. Your hair falls to the side as you tilt your head, a smile spreading across your face. "Aren't you a rude little hellion?"

[timexfdying]

photobombingcryptid​:

“Probably, if the datapads still work. A lot of them got destroyed and stolen by the likes of me, previous owners and whoever wants to get rid of the Cybertronians. Fun times, I tell you.” The abundance of holes and gaps provides enough brightness for the two mechs to see without the help of flashlights. Even in the darker sections, one could easily make their way through bits and pieces of furniture, some left behind as if stuck in time. 

“Where did you get that drone if you don’t mind me snooping,” he enquires the moment he enters what had to be the aforementioned medical wing. Dust picks up, searching for any sort of drone in shelves, storages and on the ground. “Never would have thought a guy like you could treat people and things with uncanny kindness.”

That said, Deadlock not shooting Meme yet could count as sign of kindness.

“Oh. Yea. You deserted?” Comes another abrupt question.

He let out a soft snort when Meme mentioned ‘fun times’ and shook his head slightly. He could appreciate a mech with sass. Lifting a hand up, he placed it on a section of wall that curved overhead, wanting to make sure nothing came down on him as he passed through it. It was dirty, broken down and there was stuff overturned but honestly..? He had lived in worse.

“Daisy? Found her in a scrap sale. On an organic planet, if you can believe it. Honestly, she was ridiculously busted up and they wanted a lot for her. But.. they would have trashed her if I didn’t buy her up.” It was a dumb thing to do from a buying standpoint, perhaps, but he just couldn’t stand the thought of her getting tossed. “Good thing is, working on her has taught me a lot about repairing drones. I’m... not sure but there might have been some sort of imprint in her AI too, cause she doesn’t like going far from me.”

Opening up one of the cupboards closer to the ground, Deadlock hums when he sees that there’s some more things knocked over there. Empty syringes too, which is a shame, because if they were sterilized, a medic could technically use them, couldn’t they?

“Hmm? Yeah, yeah, I deserted. Not a huge fan of how stuff was turning around. Higher ups acting like they could own their soldiers in ways that wasn’t right. Givin’ orders that were ridiculous and not willing to put themselves on the line?” He growled angrily. “Fuckin’ bullshit...”

“ do i trust you? absolutely not. next question. ” // ooc - hello hello

"I would be wounded if you were the first person to tell me that." Deadlock snorted softly and pulled out a datapad with some specs detailed on it. "But you don't necessarily need to trust me to help me find a medical drone of some sort. I'm just looking for a compact unit."

[shoumikmuhammed]

EYE

I.

There was a moment’s shuddering, a moment of eyes going wide, the face going taut, and then still. Hers have always been an impassive  child-like face, innocent yet expressionless, and probably only came alive when he couldn’t see it, in pitch black darkness, under the sheets with the moisture of his tongue trudging slowly and cautiously across her. He had always wondered, basking in her gasps, if her eyes were as lifeless as they always were, as inscrutable and impenetrable as a polished hardwood floor. He held her face close, still in shock, and traced his fingers over her perfect features. He never got used to her face, her gaze, her wall-like demeanour. It always unnerved him that in his discomfort, at her indifference, lay her pleasure.  Moreover, the ringing laughter in his ears had not stopped.

Her name was Poushi. He met her one dark mid-winter. A mere week after he lost his mother. He met her on a new year’s night among a pack of thrill seekers on a sugar rush, punch drunk and playfully frolicking in a hallucinatory chemical induced Garden of delights. He had been an atheist for about 10 days, and he was still hesitating and letting their tipsy little rebellion soak into him drop by drop, shot by shot. He struggled with his first joint, he coughed, and retched. He struggled to take the smoke into his belly the way he was advised. He popped every last pill he was offered.  He took a swing at whatever wall he thought was holding back with a battering ram if not a hammer and a chisel. Caution was a luxury he had lost his taste for.

There was a faint buzzing in his ears. As the numbness slowly came, his phone went off playing “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” intro. Used to be a favourite of his father, his mother always told him. He laughed a little, he cried a little at that thought. He had never seen his father. Mother told him he was happy elsehwhere, in a man made garden on the top of the clouds in the arms of a hundred something concubines with wings. She probably hoped that would keep him praying five times a day, and Lord knows he did, hoping she gets better in her decade long battle with cancer. She never did. She just took a very slow, painful exit, leaving him alone on the stage. Alone, confused, and scared for the very first time of his life, before his fears gave in to purposelessness.

It was a call from his girlfriend Protima. Her every call was a pang of guilt. She kept on calling him every hour, day or night, rain or shine. He’d ignore most of her calls, with his legitimate excuse being need for some space. Yet she called regardless because she knew what in his every moment alone he was doing to himself.  She was more worried about him that he was. He had given up on himself, but she was holding on. He resented it. He hated himself for resenting it. He hated how anything and everything about the world felt like tentacles growing in the depths of his lungs, constricting air passages. In one such moment, he found God. Or at least that’s how it felt.

“Imagine we are Two dimensional” said a cool female voice from somewhere in the head beside his as he lay, paralyzed on the carpet, numb and nauseated, palpitating, panicking while “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” rang and rang on, and he watched odd shapes swirling around the spinning fan on the ceiling, spirals orbiting  it like galaxies around a center. “Imagine if some sad motherfucker felt it would be funny to drop a tennis ball into our midst. What would we see? Us, sorry little two dimensional dip shits.”

He was too numb to even utter a gasp as the shapes in the ceiling seemed to zone in and our of there, rising like bodies from a grave, from mere sketch to full fledged shapes, lights dancing as the spirals became loose slinkies, playful and yet maddening to watch as their ends flew closer and closer to the center , towards the edges of the wings of the spinning fan, becoming faster, becoming too strainfully fast for his eyes to follow, yet he could feel the loose threads on the ends of those spirals, the weight of the ultra cosmic matter reacting adversely to being in the wrong place, in the wrong time. In the wrong reality.

“A dot is how it begins.  A blip.” She went on. “Then an ever widening diameter, a surface,  an incomprehensible edge that grows wider and wider till it shrinks, and goes back to being a dot, as it sinks past us.”

The threads were fasts, slowly undone near the edges, sliding in faster and faster, the spirals spinning towards a center, like a Universe collapsing in on itself, sending ripples, pink one second, then a bright blinding yellow, with a molten tinge of orange, then red, then purple then blue.  The waves crashed gently on to the people, the children of the night who were blissfully oblivious, as they laughed, cajoled, binge ate, drank, made merry, and gave heads. He felt a discarded packet of Durex hit him in the face, flicked by a careless, lustful someone nearby. He ushered all his might so he could turn his head and have the packet fall off, so he could watch the collision, the Big Crunch. It was like watching a glass ball shatter, explode, bang! Into a dazzling light.

“What if..” the girl beside him droned on “Divine intervention is simply an event like the tennis ball? We just can’t see miracles. We can’t see God, we can’t see shit. Stuff just happen around us, phasing in sinking out. This just ain’t fair!”

It ended in elation. A strange, overwhelming sense of relief. A feeling of soft fabric on a bony, cancer eaten shoulder of a loved one, tear friendly and ever welcoming. It was a feeling of blissful affection that washed over him. He had never cried in front of everyone, even while he took his mother’s body with his very hands into the depths of her grave. He didn’t shed a drop, while everyone around him uncomfortable waiting to. And now here he was, sobbing, sobbing and sobbing and almost choking in a room full of intoxicated strangers.

As he slowly came to his senses, the face of the girl beside him was on top of his.

“Saw Him too, didn’t you?” her eyes were shards of ice. “I think He likes you.”

II.

His name was Protik.

“I love how our names fit.” Said Protima all of a sudden, while she rested her head on his life, watching a movie on her laptop. She had this habit of saying things out of the blue. More often than not, things she had said a thousand times before.

Protik never understood why. To her she was always this jigsaw piece that seemed to complete her life, but he never understood how or what value he added there. Or what value she added to his puzzle, aside from being a doting, rebuking moral compass he frankly no longer needed. He shrugged off that thought. It’s just a phase. He told himself. His growing disdain of her, his awareness of her extra pounds, his awareness of the missing excitement he once felt around her. The thought was a screaming cancer patient that he tried to strangle with a pillow that read, But she loves me.

He thought of that every time he went back to the place he liked to call the place where he saw God. Back to that mysterious girl named Poushi, who always carried drugs in unsearchable places. He thought about Protima, about her cool, controlled beauty, her sophisticated, morally upright (given the cultural context) view of the world, her dedication to her family, her rigid set of rules that upheld social values instilled into her. In a nutshell, her refusal to let him fuck her.

He felt a light slap as Protima pulled him back out of his reverie. “A Penny for your thoughts?” She asked.

How do you tell someone that their presence in your life gets cumbersome at times? How do you point someone towards their extra pounds? How do you tell someone you hate the taste of breakfast in their mouths? How do you tell someone you hate yourself to the end of the world for feeling so damned ungrateful towards someone who goes out of their way to make your life better, and you sit back thinking of their very own effort as some kind of a price they pay for a claim on you.

“Ah, nothing.” He muttered. It’s just a phase. Those four words were his mantra now. Those four words where his mantra while he let himself slowly get comfy in the arms of someone else. It’s not cheating, I’m just meeting a basic fucking need. He’d angrily think to himself while Poushi went limp, like dead weight, watching him hungrily pounce on her, explore her, and violate her. She’d just  lay on her back, and stare at swirling shapes in the darkness (rule number forty two, lights stay off!).  After they were done, usually within minutes, they’d sit back for a while. Both would know that Protik was quietly waiting for her to get him what he really needs.

It had been a week now and they had been meeting every evening, either at a friend’s place, or a cheap hotel . There had been no coming back, since Protik’s brush with divinity. He never even asked what it was. He didn’t really care anymore. Reality had ceased to interest him. All that mattered anymore in his life was the few minutes of sheer joy, of crippling exhileration that reduced him to tears every time. He heard her, moving around in the darkness, heating a spoonful of solvent with her lighter, he heard the fizz of the dissolving solute.

He thought about how she had explained to him about things slipping in from one dimension to a different one, 3D to 2D. The more he thought about it, the less it all felt delusional, less like chemicals messing with him. What if we always had the image of God in our heads all wrong? What if you don’t “see” him with your eyes, but feel his presence even with eyes closed? That should explain the overwhelming  flood of emotions that ran amok in him. To think God was somewhere traipsing along the covalent bonds between the molecule, just a “devil in the detail”, he thought and chuckled. He was aware that reason was corroding fast, but he let the lapse of logic wash over him over the days. Maybe this was all he needed, just a little bit of help to really see Him.

“I never see you taking this.” He had said.

“My eye’s all open now.” Said Poushi. “I don’t need help seeing Him like I used to.”

She slipped back into bed with him, with a filled syringe. He inhaled, awaiting the prick, and asked her, “does it feel the same every time? why can’t I feel him anymore?”

“Have you been sleeping right?”  Protima asked him.

The answer was no. Something had been keeping him up the last three days.

III.

It had been weeks. Protik had forgotten what the face of God feels like. What it felt like to have a presence make him go numb from exhileration, and happiness. He had forgotten what it felt like to be in his mother’s arms. But every time he had Poushi inject him with a shot of what she called “The Pilgrim’s Chariot”, he’d no longer feel the bliss the way he felt the first few times.

It all stopped the day he caved, and the very first time he let go of himself and cheat on Protima. Poushi’s fingers slowly walked over him, and traced paths, slowly blurring lines with slow burning desire, and pent up rage that a subtle curl on her lips seemed to enticingly call out to, to smother and incinerate it to a wisp. He merely stared back, took his time to consider, and let his composure corrode, not for the first time. It was no different from every time he sat next to his dying mother, who wailed and sobbed in pain every night. And he fought the urge to end her pain with her soaked pillow underneath her.

He’d thought of a million of ways to justify it, the way we all do, the way life keeps forcing us to eat our own words and ideals time and time again. And we take the bait, move on with our lives, and call it growing up.

Today, a full month after he’d last seen God, after numerous failed attempts to try and do so, Poushi lay limp. Being choked was one of her favourites and it took Protik weeks of practice to do it safe, by carefully identifying vein laden pressure points on her neck in the dark.  He had spent hours practicing it on hmself, hoping to stop breathing one evening by accident. Willing, praying that his very hands fuck up, and catch him off guard on their own accord. Praying, for a sleight of fingers, and here he was in bed with a prayer answered wrong.

He shuddered, and felt his stomach grow cold and heavy. It hurt him to move, as he sobbed and placed his head on her chest, keeping his ears pricked for traces of noise, or movement of air in her chest cavity. He heard nothing. Just ringing laugher. A cold cruel ringing laughter that shook the walls and kicked dust off bookshelves. He felt the bed shake, and a piece of crockery shatter. He closed his eyes and clung to Poushi’s limp frame. There was nothing in the world he longed for more than to switch places with her.

He heard his phone ring. “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”. It was Protima. The only person to ever call him. He quickly wiped his tears and answered. His mind raced. He had to tell her what he had done. He would turn himself in. Maybe that’d be the only way he could just remove himself from her life, and stop being her beast of burden. A piece of luggage that never returned her the love she deserved. He was a cheat, and now a murderer. She could do without him.

“Somebody has to do something about that clingy girlfriend of yours.” He heard a familiar silky voice whisper to him in the dark. Followed by a  laugh. A cold, cruel, ringing laugh.

[scriveyner]

shining like the stars p90

Three large, spectacular explosions detonated one after the other along the aft of the Galran frigate. The cloud of ejected vapor burned brightly, until it consumed all the vented atmosphere from the ship and extinguished. Shiro blew out a breath as he spun the Black Lion away from the much bigger ship, avoiding large bursts of lined turbolaser fire. Black had outrun an entire wing of the Galra drone starfighters that were just now beginning to catch up, but there did seem to be less of them now. Marginally so. His HUD was still lit up like it was Christmas. “Yellow, report,” he said, without taking his eyes off the forward viewscreen.

“I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this,” Hunk's voice was exhausted. Shiro let his gaze flicker to the linked cockpit cameras, and he could see that Hunk was slumped slightly forward, both hands on the flight controls of the Yellow Lion. He looked as worn down as Shiro himself felt, but there was no time for commiseration. Instead of responding to Hunk, Shiro tapped a command on the console and brought Green's cockpit camera online.

“Pidge,” Shiro said. “You clear of the prisoner ship yet?”

“Well,” Pidge's voice came through before the camera connected. “About that….”

“There is absolutely no way that this is going to work,” Allura said, one hand on the back of the pilot's chair. Pidge ignored her, sitting as far forward in the seat as she could and typing out commands one-handed on the floating, holographic command console.

“I can't rewrite the lion's OS to accommodate only using one flight stick,” Pidge said.

“Did you even try?” Matt asked, leaned over her side and staring at the scroll that was the liner code for the flight system. Pidge ignored that, swiping the console clean and restoring it to systems ready.

“Of course I did, and while it may be theoretically possible, it's not something I'm going to be able to code on the fly. Unless you think you can-?” she turned and gave her older brother a look.

“Nuh-uh,” Matt said, and held up his hands. “I still can't tell the squiggles from the scraggles in Altean, don't try to pin this on me.”

“Scraggles go left to right, rising,” Allura said. “If you can't pilot the lion, Pidge, I'll do it.”

Pidge stood. “Please, Princess,” she said, and indicated the seat with her good arm. “Be my guest.”

Matt opened his mouth and closed it, watching Pidge move slightly out of the way so that Allura could seat herself in the pilot's chair. “I thought-” Matt started to say, then closed his mouth and studied his sister thoughtfully. Allura cracked her neck, stretched both of her arms out with her fingers interlinked, and then settled her hands on the flight controls for the Green Lion.

Abruptly, all the view screens in the cockpit went dim.

“Well, that can't be a good sign,” Matt said, as the engines began powering down.

Allura scowled and squeezed the flight controls. “I am Princess Allura, and you will listen to me,” she said, her voice ringing with authority. The Lion rumbled a little around them, like it was about to come back online, and then let out a noise that was reminiscent of a raspberry and went completely offline. Pidge began to snicker, then coughed to cover it up.

“Mystical bond that can never be forced, right, Princess?” Pidge said, and didn't bother to cover up her snicker this time.

Allura's face was stormy, her back held rigid – then she sighed and slumped back, releasing the flight controls. “You've made your point,” she said, and immediately all the view screens pulled up as active, including the portrait window for the other four lions. Only Yellow and Black's were currently active, but there was an exclamation point over Red. Blue was still offline.

“So what are we going to do?” Matt said. “Pidge can't pilot this thing one-handed; it doesn't like you for some reason, and-” Allura tilted her head to Matt and arched an eyebrow. He went pink under his helmet and coughed, looking away. “So what's left?”

“Hey Matt,” Pidge said in a sickly sweet tone of voice, and Matt groaned very loudly.

“No,” he said. “I know that tone of voice and what comes after it, no, absolutely not.” He gestured at Allura. “If it didn't work for the Breath of the Lions, why would it work for me?”

“Because,” Pidge said, her elbow on the back of the chair and her chin in her hand. “You were the candidate for the Green Paladin, right? That means you should have some affinity for her.”

“That's-” Matt said, and shook his head. “That's not quite true, Katie, I-” Whatever Matt had been about to say was cut off by Ilianya's voice through the open comm.

“Green Lion, you need to go, now.”

Matt pressed the console control for the comm as Allura got out of the pilot's chair. “Kestrel Lead this is Kestrel Two,” he said. “We copy that. How's the flight path looking today?”

“Like the burrs in a metosyln's tail, Two,” Ilianya said. “Gonna be a bumpy ride.”

Matt made a face, and Pidge said, “well, that doesn't sound like a good time.” She looked at Allura. “What's a metosyln?”

She looked troubled. “I have no idea. It's not Altean, that's for sure,” she said, as Matt settled into the pilot's chair.

“It's native to New Altea,” he said. “Big ass cat looking thing with a whip-tail covered in poison burrs.” He touched the console and the green holographic display reflected in his helmet before it went fully transparent. He looked over at Pidge, and then took a breath, setting both hands on the flight controls, wincing every so slightly as if he expected them to shock him.

After a long moment, nothing happened – the view screens stayed on and did not dim; and the engines did not power down. Pidge laughed and held tight to the pack of the pilot's seat. “You got this, Matt,” she said.

“Yeah,” Matt said, and pulled back on the flight controls. “I do.”

Keith stood in the launch bay of the Red Lion, his helmet tucked under his arm. He had moved to the ready room on instinct, changing into his Paladin armor numbly, his mind stuck and unable to process much of anything. It was easier this way; focus on the mission. The Lions didn't need a preflight check but he performed one anyway – if he skipped a line item on his mental checklist he would be forced to stop and think and that would derail him entirely.

As he was putting on his helmet Keith heard the fast fall of footsteps behind him. He paused on the ramp into the Red Lion and turned, some subconscious part of him wanting it to be Lance, no matter how impossible that was. It wasn't Lance, of course; Lance was loaded into a healing pod, sleeping off the trauma done by the memory core. It was Rian running after him.

“You can't have Red,” Keith said automatically, as the smaller Altean stopped just shy of the bottom of the loading ramp. He was breathing hard, he had to have run the corridors to get here from the engine room and whatever it was Coran had him doing had left streaks of black and green grime on his arms and shirt.

“There's no way that the Lions alone can defeat a superior-class Galra frigate,” Rian said, doubled over and panting. “You need Voltron.”

They did need Voltron, but that, like the figment of Lance running after him, was an impossibility. “We can't form Voltron without the Blue Lion,” Keith said. “We're just going to have to bring the frigate down without Voltron's help.” Why did Rian even bother coming here to tell him that, he should know that much already.

The realization of where that particular thought led left a pit in Keith's stomach. “Stay away from Blue,” he said, scowling. “Don't you dare touch her, she's Lance's lion.”

“I'm not going to bother the Blue Lion, I couldn't pass any of the Blue Paladin trials,” Rian said heatedly. “I don't have any affinity for water.”

“Then what was the point of this?” Keith said angrily, coming back down a few steps. “Why do you keep bothering me, I know you hate me but that's not going to change anything!”

“Because,” Rian said, having gotten his breathing under control. “You're right, I'm not going to stop hating you, because you're Galra and the last time that a Galra led Voltron it began a war that nearly wiped out my people. But,” he raised his head and stared Keith down. “If we don't work together we won't be able to stop it from happening to other people.”

“What do you mean?” Keith asked.

“I can't touch the Blue Lion,” Rian said. “I have no compatibility with it, but you can. You love the Blue Paladin, the Blue Lion must know that, it will let you past its particle shields-”

Keith laughed in sheer disbelief of Rian's audacity. “And, what, you'll fly Red and we'll go meet up with the others and form Voltron?” He put his hands on the support that held the ramp down and leaned a little more forward, but did not get off the ramp. “Blue wouldn't let me in, not after what I've done to Lance; so even if it was that easy, I'm not letting you fly Red. I'm sure Red wouldn't let you fly her.” He shook his head and pushed off the support, turning to go up the ramp. “I don't have time for this.”

“If you don't form Voltron in this fight, you and your friends will die,” Rian shouted after him.

“Then maybe you'll get your chance to be a Paladin,” Keith said, and slammed the button at the top of the ramp that drew the Red Lion's mouth closed behind him.

The Yellow Lion was sluggish and unresponsive, or maybe that was just his own reactions. Hunk pulled on the flight controls as two full wings of the drone starfighters did a pass on him, their plasma beams lighting up the particle barrier on Yellow. This was the longest sortie he'd ever been a part of, and unlike Lance, Hunk had no interest in being a fighter pilot. Yeah, he could fly, but this … this was more than he'd been trained to deal with.

Suddenly, there was a flash by the distant prison ship. “Is that Pidge?” Hunk asked, excited by the thought that they might be able to get out of here and flee the unwinnable battle before the cavalry arrived.

“Kinda,” Pidge's voice said, and when Hunk glanced to the visual comm it was not what he expected to see. The head and shoulders of the pilot of the Green Lion was dressed in a black flightsuit, with a semi-transparent full helmet. Hunk blinked a few times, then made to rub one hand across his eyes and instead smacked the visor of his helmet.

“Kestrel Two to Kestrel Lead,” Matt's voice came through the comm, and suddenly it all clicked for Hunk. Pidge was hurt but she's okay, Matt is piloting the Green LioWAIT WHAT!? “We're operating at full capacity and don't need an escort, breaking for the castle.”

“I copy,” Ilianya's voice said. The small green arrow on the HUD that represented Ilianya's starfighter broke away from the prison ship. “Rejoining the sortie.” Hunk felt a smile tug despite his exhaustion, and glanced back to his own screen and sensors.

There was a sizable dent in throngs of drone craft now; there were actually clear spots on his head's up display that showed the damage even just two lions and a single piloted starflighter were able to inflict. The frigate itself had taken a decent amount of damage but its main shields were still up. If they could form Voltron, that wouldn't be as much an issue. “Where's Lance and Keith when you need them?” Hunk grunted, mostly to himself.

“Doesn't matter,” Shiro said. “We'll be falling back as soon as the Green Lion is in range of the castle.” The Black Lion hove into his field of vision, distant but visible to the naked eye. “In the meantime let's work over the communications array on the frigate, at least one of those comm dishes is going to be the transmission point for the drones.”

Hunk yawed the Yellow Lion so that he as facing the frigate. He had been targeting the engines specifically earlier, trying to disable the massive ship if nothing else; on a frigate that size there were literally hundreds of arrays of all sizes. Granted, something to command a drone force would be on the larger end of the scale, but commands for something of that nature could be just as easily split among smaller arrays, especially to circumvent the main dish being destroyed. “Roger,” Hunk said, just as a large beam of light shot out from the frigate, targeting again the Black Lion. “Shiro! Look out-!”

His warning was not in time. The blue beam of light was different than the plasma beam from before; it caught the Black Lion broadside and as Hunk yelled out the Black Lion tumbled from the impact. “Shiro!”

The visual comm for the Black Lion had gone to static, and even from this distance Hunk could tell that the Black Lion was offline. However, it didn't appear to be damaged by the hit, tumbling slowly. “Ion canon,” Hunk said, and then realized with the Black Lion disabled so close to the frigate, that meant only one thing. They meant to capture him.

Hunk yanked back on the flight controls. The Yellow Lion wasn't as fast or as maneuverable as the others, it had far more mass but that also meant it had the thickest, strongest hull out of all the Voltron Lions. He could at least slow the Black Lion's aimless tumble, and braced for the impact.

The Black Lion was drifting and he didn't have any towing capabilities, but if they could get Black back online….

“What happened?” Pidge yelled through the comm. “Where's Shiro!?”

There was a flash out of the periphery of Hunk's vision, and then a streak of motion blasted across Hunk's forward viewscreen, coming in fast from port. It was the Red Lion. “Shiro, hang on!” Keith yelled, juking Red through a labyrinth of drone fighters and leaving explosions in his wake.

“Why hasn't the ship picked up the Black Lion in a tractor beam?” Matt's voice now, and as Hunk swung his attention around the Green Lion flew past.

“We got those early on,” Hunk said, as the Green Lion came around on the other side of the Black Lion. “Keith, where's Lance?”

Keith didn't respond, the Red Lion making a beeline for frigate and already so small against its hull that Hunk couldn't pick him out except for the trail of increasingly large explosions. “We have to get the Black Lion restarted,” Hunk said. “Any ideas on how?”

“That depends,” Pidge said. “You wanna get out and push?”

“Restarting the Lion's systems has to be done from inside the Lion,” Allura said. “Shiro will have to do it on his own.”

Hunk didn't want to think about the fact that with the systems down that killed the life support inside the cockpit. “What if he doesn't get it restarted?”

“Then we'll have to tow Black to the castle,” Matt said.

“Hunk, can you keep the drones busy?” Allura said. “We'll keep trying to hail Shiro, with any luck he'll wake the Lion quickly.”

“Yeah, I copy,” Hunk said as he started to turn the Yellow Lion back toward the oncoming wave of drone fighters.

“Kestrel Lead to all channels,” Ilianya's voice suddenly came through the comm, cut up with static. “Requesting backup, I'm hit, three engines out-”

“Ilya, punch out-!” Matt yelled.

Hunk's attention flew to the map, to locate Ilianya's small starfighter. “On my way,” he started to say as Ilianya's next transmission cut to static and the small green arrow on his HUD blinked out.

[opusculecontrivance-blog]

Neverland’s Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side

This relatively? (not quite..) short imagine is a mixture of one, two, three! different fandoms (I know, what a bloody mess) and initiates with the reader (‘Y/N’, AKA you) in the middle of an argument with a lost boy. Because I sort of had writer’s block and some lack of confidence in my writing skills with this one, I’m going to give a backstory here on the reader so it makes more sense because there was so much more imagination and not enough ways for me to think of putting it into a story whilst maintaining a somewhat short imagine where I try not to drone on and on and as a result bore my audience (if I even have any…) kinda like what I feel like I’m doing now... (Sorry!!) Also, bare with me; this is the first time I’ve publicly posted my work - or actually, posted it at all, anywhere, and I had that in mind when I wrote this which sort of left me a bit nervous and thus, the writer’s block and somewhat weird and choppy plot (especially towards the end with dialogue). In addition, this ‘blurb’ slash backstory of sorts sounds crappy I know, but give it a shot maybe? please? Back to the plot and the reader. She’s a hybrid; descended from Klaus Mikaelson (two beasts -  an original and a werewolf), whose mother, if you haven’t seen the series, was a witch, and the reader’s mother (an angel). She’s as powerful as Peter. This displeases the lost boy further when he hears her indignation at feeling adrift for a most part of her life; as she’s previously had to give up whatever so called ‘life’ she supposedly had during her fight alongside the Winchester brother’s. Slightly just couldn’t understand why it was so hard for her to appreciate her power’s even though it’s led her through most devastating paths; watching loved ones die because she couldn’t get to them in time, watching innocence die because of her own kind, being hunted by the most merciless of the winged celestial’s that exiled her for what she was, etc. She felt her life was essentially pathless; as her power and blood meant that she couldn’t perish and meet the one’s she’d lost during the conflict between the righteous and the sinful… Pathless; without any roads, tracks, etc. so that it’s easy to get lost... Which is exactly why she’d landed in Neverland in the first place. Aaaand cue the quarrel…

“Are you so UNGRATEFUL that you disregard what blesséd opportunity your power has graced you with? That you dare feel as lost as we do?” He pestered, and after a moment with no response he cried, “ANSWER ME!”

That’s when something snapped. I had felt void the moments he had been speaking to me, but at the mere mention of being ungrateful for something so horrible that had been cast upon me I had lost all sense of control. I could feel the surge of animosity spontaneously prick at my nerves before my features altered. The next thing I knew I had had him backed onto a tree trunk with my hands around his neck like he was a flaccid doll, without even half of a second to pass us by.  

I gave him a sneer before I uttered angrily “Don’t you dare propose to know a single thing about me or what I have been through Slightly, do you understand? I don’t even have the privilege of owning myself as you do; ever since i was born i have been NOTHING more than a mere PAWN in someone else’s GAME. Whether I’m standing on Neverland’s soil or that of any other realm, they can still pluck me from my place and order me to risk my sanity to do their bidding.” I had had enough.

 His ashen-face stared back at me with irrepressible fear lacing his eyes as he struggled futilely to breathe against my grip.

I dug my nails deeper into his skin before murmuring spitefully “I’ve been programmed, since before I had taken my first breathe on this Godforsaken universe. I’ve had my own kind hunt me down at the mere opportunity of destroying their termed ‘abomination’ that had dared exist and walk amongst the people whom their creator had had crafted to protect them.” My eyes, that had transitioned from their usual cornflower blue to a smouldering amber, narrowed further, the veins beneath my eyes extruding with a deathly ebony hue; heightening my corpselike complexion. I could sense the beastly rage festering inside of me, an inch away from bubbling over my psychogenic pain.

“That is enough.” A decreeing voice interrupted from behind me; his tone too calm to express his petulance at his lost ones, straying from chores to bicker like mutts over who got the last piece of meat. He glowered at the turbulent parties before returning his attention to the rest of the group that had ceased their activities to observe the sight unfolding before them. “Get back to work.” He seethed, copper eyebrows furrowing into an irritated scowl as he cast them a noxious glare.

The adolescents scattered to their prior positions, their focus redirected to their duties; not daring to disobey Pan’s orders for fear of the ramifications. Felix, however, still stood in his spot, casting a glance at Pan for any further orders.

Felix started “Pan... We should - “

“Just keep a watch over them to make sure they stay on task while I deal with these two.” Peter interrupted dismissively.

“Will do…” He murmured before hulking his bulky, timber mace over his shoulder and turning towards the rest of the lost boys.

 “What’s the issue here?” Peter inquired, although the question seemed more like a demand.

 “G-ugc- Heu” Slightly muttered, much to my amusement, as he attempted to clarify his gibberish words behind the grip I still held on him.

 “Spit it out.” Pan ordered, seemingly ignoring the fact that Slightly’s words would remain incomprehensible until my grip had slackened. 

“He bit off more than he could chew.” I answered simply, a wolfish smirk gracing my lips as the vibrant amber hue of my eyes still lurked behind the surface of my irises in an enduring blaze; ready to rekindle the flames of my indignation at any given moment.

 “Be more specific.” Peter responded, not seeming to tolerate any patience towards my nonsensical amusement of Slightly’s current predicament.

“Hyu-ghuk” Slightly tried again. I responded with a roll of my eyes, sighing exasperatedly as I relaxed the grip I had on the idiot; growing tired of his persistence. He spluttered sickeningly, bringing a shaky hand up and massaging his now swollen and carmine-bruised neck as if it would help him take in more oxygen. I could still scent the fresh blood that had oozed from the veins beneath his skin. “A-as I was attempting to say,” He glared at me pointedly, “I was simp-ly asking a ques-stion. She crossed a line. I- queried about it… She got defensive and p-put me into a death-grip in a fit o-of rage.” He stuttered out.

“And what was the million-dollar question that triggered her anger?” He raised an arched eyebrow at the younger boy.

“She seems to lack regard for life and how good she had it, I haven’t had such experience myself to privy such ignorance so I just asked her how she does it.” Slightly responded nonchalantly, now seeming to have ceased his stutter.

“Actually, if I recall correctly – which I do – you were pestering me in ill-regard of the liability and affliction my magic actually holds against me.” I retorted, glaring daggers at him.

 ‘Moron’ my conscious added.

“Right you two,” Pan interjected, “You’re going to talk a walk to Crocodile Creek, and on the way you’re going discuss through whatever issue you’ve brought up against each other and reach some sort of conclusion about it; preferably a resolvable one. Understand?”

“Fine.” We snapped in unison.

I was the first to march off towards the forest beyond camp, not waiting for Slightly to catch up as he hurried to match my pace.

“Y/N!” Peter growled out in warning.

Rolling my eyes, I slowed my pace ever so slightly so that Slightly could catch up. I laughed at that to myself, however, was unfortunately interrupted by his voice again.

“You know; I think I get it now. You just don’t understand how imperative it is for someone to want to just be safe and childish for a while longer until fate eventually snips their string.”

“Aaaand here we go again…” I responded.

“Look, just here me out okay? Y/N! Stop walking faster you’re not getting rid of me so easily! Pan wants this fixed! And he doesn’t want us back at camp until it is.” 

I halted and turned to him with a snarl, “Fine. I don’t want to speak to you, you ignorant douche. There, we’ve reached a conclusion; I ignore you, you reiterate my action’s and do the same. Now you can head back to camp.”

“Firstly, we didn’t reach that conclusion, you decided to make it up because you’re too stubborn to talk this out. Secondly, what do you think Pan’s gonna do when he sees me return without you, huh? Where are you going anyway? We haven’t reached a, quote, ‘resolvable’ conclusion yet and – hey?! Wait! Y/N – ”

“-My God would you shut. Up.” I irately cut him off.

“No! Not until – ”

For the second time today I had him backed onto a tree trunk, hands gripping his neck leaving further indentations.

“I told you; it’s sorted. Now. Leave.” I commanded and let him go.

Turning away only to stop and with the thought of our argument, ‘It ain’t over till it’s over…’ So, with one last look at the fragile boy I left him with a last expression, “You seem to be under an ill-impression. Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’” I stared at him observing his staggered response to find myself laughing humourlessly as I stated, “Maybe I’m not the one who’s ungrateful. Death isn’t even a plausible path of escape for me because I do not have the privy of experiencing such release.”

Satisfied with having made my point, I turned around again and continued along the path away from camp.