#shooing away the thought that i should just deactivate and not look back

[mutualmango]

where are the good posts anymore?

[stealforreal]

Midoriya Izuku - Future kids I

Midoriya Izuku's day just got turned upside down. MIdoriya is slightly ooc, and I'm dissapointed with the quality of this work. I lost inspiration sorry, but here you go anyways.

Midoriya Izuku x f!reader

Warnings: none, maybe slight cussing

It had been a normal day, so far. Class 1-b and 1-a had a joint training session, and everyone was giving it their all. Iida was using his recipico burst against their team's opponents, giving Midoriya time to think up a new plan now that they had been discovered. They had previously planned to use Aoyama's navel laser to lure their opponents to a specific spot, before using Iida to get him away so Midoriya and Todoroki could apprehend them. The plan had unfortunately backfired, since they had captured Aoyama before Iida could get to him. The solid air user from 1-b had gotten him in his hold, and only after Todoroki had gotten him back did they realise how much the rest of the plan would fail. So now Midoriya was tasked with coming up with a new plan.

Todoroki was occupied with holding the others at bay, and Iida was running out of fuel so they wouldn’t be much help. Aoyama was on the brink of his usual stomach ache that followed with overuse, so he was also pretty useless. Even if he wanted too Midoriya knew he was out matched, a 4 v 1 would not end well for him, besides he had to look out for Monoma and his copy quirk. He was so in his head planning that he didn’t see the Copycat sneaking up on him, not before it was too late. He should have felt an impact, Monoma had pointed one of Bakugou’s explosions towards him. But the impact never came, instead he felt himself float in the air hovering over the remaining smoke from the explosion. “Don’t you dare hurt my daddy” A loud girly voice proclaimed, effectively gaining everybody nearby attention.

Turning his attention towards the girly voice, he felt himself freeze up. In the middle of their training field stood a girl around the age of 10, if he had to take a guess. But that wasn’t what caused him to freeze up, no not the fact that this young girl had somehow managed to bypass UA’s security. Which should have been impossible, considering all the improvements that had been made to it after all the villain attacks that had happened. No, what caused him to freeze up was the fact that before him stood this girl, who looked like a carbon copy of him. It seemed that way from this distance. “Who is responsible for holding Midoriya in the air?” Aizawa’s gruff voice rang out. “Oh right, I forgot about that,” The curly green haired girl exclaimed, catching the attention of the slowly increasing crowd. Slowly Midoriya could feel himself being lowered to the ground again, once his feet hit the cement the quirk that had previously held him in the air deactivated making him feel 10 times heavier.

“Who the fuck disturbed the exercise, I’m gonna kill who ever did it” a familiar angry voice yelled out, making Bakugou’s presence noticeable. Everybody was a little on edge, they had enough experience with villains to not foolishly blindly trust anybody. It didn’t matter that it was a 10 year-old girl, or that she looked like a carbon copy of the resident green haired cinnamon roll. “Man, Uncle Katsu you really were loud back in the day” This statement from the green haired girl left everyone speechless. ‘Does she have a death wish’ was the thought on most of 1-A’s minds, nobody was so casual with Bakugou because it was a serious health hazard.

Well everyone except maybe his two best friends, Kirishima and y/n. It was common knowledge in class A that Bakugou had a soft spot for his two best friends, they had honestly been shocked the first time they met her. She had walked into the classroom, blank faced, walked over to Bakugou’s table, smacked him upside the head with a book before leaving it on his desk, and walked out the door with only a quick “don’t forget it next time, Idiot”. Miraculously she had lived, and Bakugou hadn’t even begun yelling. An impressive feat in itself. Not long after Midoriya had begun noticing you around school, and found out you were a part of the support course. He came to know you a bit, his observation skills made that almost too easy. Slowly but surely he began falling in love with you, the way your hair frames your face, your sharp tongue that never held back. How you would stand up for anybody, it didn’t matter if you knew them well or not if they were in trouble you would help them.

“Hah, what was that you brat?” Bakugou’s loud yelling and heavy footsteps approaching snapped him out of his thoughts, and back to the situation at hand. “ W-wait a minute Kacchan, I’m s-sure that there is a logical explanation” He found himself saying before he could even register what happened. Midoriya was hit with an immense feeling of protectiveness, similar to when they had rescued Eri, but stronger. Without knowing he had subconsciously stepped in front of the girl, pushing her behind his back. “Don’t worry dad I can handle myself, besides it’s only uncle Katsu” she spoke up behind the protective cinnamon roll. “Explain now” Aizawa cut in before they could get side tracked again. It was like the fact she hadn’t introduced herself, only hit her now.

“ Right, allow me to introduce myself” Bowing slightly she continued. “ My name is Midoriya Izumi, I am 10 years old and from the future” Aizawa sent her a raised eyebrow, wanting an elaborated answer. “ My friend was being teased by the others in class about how he was quirkless” Izuku tensed slightly but continued listening to Izumi “ Since my friend’s parents each has a quirk related to time, his mom could speed up herself for only a couple of minutes and his dad could slow down others a bit. This made it really hard for my friend to know if he had a quirk or not, so I helped him research and test different theories. Our last one must have worked, which is time travel by the way, but I have no idea how long his quirk will last” Izumi rambled slightly, reminding them of another curly green haired individual. Difference is Izumi talked loud enough for them to hear, and a bit slower making it understandable.

“Wait, you said your name was Midoriya Izumi. Does this mean that you are Midoriya’s daughter” The ever stoic, conspiracy theory thinking, dual haired boy pointed out. “ Yep, sure am uncle Sho, Don’t tell me you don’t see the resemblance.” She stood next to Izuku hugging his waist with one arm, before continuing” I’m dad's younger copy but female, mom always says there is more wholesomeness in him than there is in her. I remember her asking dad one time why his genes were so damn strong. Luckily for her Haru looks a lot more like her, he’s her younger copy but male” The people present looked between the two Midoriyas, it was true nobody could deny that she was her fathers daughter. The only thing that was different was her eyes, they had specks of y/e/c instead of being fully emerald like Izuku’s were. Also she talks a lot, just like their classmate. They shared the same green hair, both were curly in texture and the classic Midoriya freckles. Though it seemed that she had gotten more of her mothers personality, at least they assumed so. I mean she stood up to Bakugou, without even flinching at his tone.

“Oi, squirt what’s your quirk. And quit rambling like shitty Deku” Bakugou asked, interest evident in his tone. “ Right, my quirk is called Telekinesis, so I can move stuff with my mind. It was also how I was able to keep daddy in the air” Izumi responded, puffing her chest out comically in pride. “Huh so it skipped a generation, and your quirk is stronger than my mom’s. But you also have a different approach so maybe that helps. I wonder why yours is stronger, is it because of your mothers quirk. But then again my quirk is also powerful maybe an aspect of it ties to the genes maybe that’s why your quirk is stronger than moms” The older green haired individual began mumbling on, and he probably would have continued if he hadn’t been cut off by his lowly daughter hitting him in the head. “ Daddy stop mumbling,” Izumi stated sternly.

Bakugou grinned, he liked this kid's spunk and she seemed to have a strong quirk, even if she was shitty Deku’s kid. “Oi squirt fight me” He loudly proclaimed, earning all his classmates attention. Almost everyone began yelling over each other, what the hell dude and she just a kid another one was so not manly bro. Instead of being happy her dad’s old classmates were defending her, stopping her uncle from fighting her she got annoyed. So what if she was a child, this wouldn’t be her first time fighting her dad or her uncles. Before everyone could attack Bakugou even more a voice piqued up “ Sure, if that is alright with you sensei” she directed her attention towards Mr. Aizawa.

It wasn’t rational to challenge a child to a fight, but he couldn’t deny she had a great fighting spirit in her eyes. So he allowed it, he was curious himself to see how it would end. The control she displayed earlier was phenomenal, and she was only 10 but she had a lot of potential in his book. He shooed everuýone a bit away from the hothead and the young Midoriya, and so then created a ring of sorts acting a the line of confinement.

3…..2…...1…...GO!

Bakugou charged straight in with his usual right hook, only to have it swiftly caught by Izumi. She grabbed his right hand, squatted down a bit, then swiftly pushed her shoulder into his rib. The momentum of that allowed her to, even with some difficulty, flip his much larger body over her shoulder and into the ground. There was a small second of silence where Bakugou just laid on the ground in shock, a girl over 5 years younger than him just flipped him over her shoulder like it wasn’t even that hard. However Izumi didn’t give him time to think as she sent metal bars towards him. They had been fried earlier, before her arrival. Bakugou used his explosions to evade the metal projectiles, sending another one straight towards her face. Die squirt die, his colorful vocabulary re-entered the scene. She used her Telekinesis to command the explosion to change course and hit Bakugou square in the face instead. Slightly dazed Bakugou didn’t have time to move before a heel connected to his temple, effectively knocking him out.

Everyone who bore witness to this fight was shell shocked, Bakugou lost. The fight lasted only around 8 minutes before the winner of the 1 years sports festival got knocked out by a 10 year old girl. “Huh, that was easier than expected,” the panting girl exclaimed. Izuku could feel his chest swell with pride, that was his daughter. Strong and smart just like her parents. She walked over to Izuku and slumped against him “ I’m tired daddy, carry me” She looked up at him with those doe green eyes, and how could he say no to his little warrior princess. Blushing, he picked her up, and she let out a sigh of contentment. Using her quirk to command things on a molecular level, like Bakugou’s explosions always took a toll on her.

“Midoriya take Izumi to the dorms to let her rest, the rest of you come with me for our next exercise” Mr. Aizawa commanded the frozen teens and teacher. Izuku then began making his way to the dorms, asking his sleepy daughter a tornado of questions. Do you know about my quirk, how does your quirk work, how old is Haru, am I a good dad, who is your mom? Even in her sleepy state Izumi answered his questions to the best of her abilities, though she refused to reveal who her mother was.

When they arrived at the dorms he put her on the living room couch, and went to leave to grab her some old All Might merch that could fit her. Before he could leave she grabbed his cheeks rather harshly, looking him straight in the eye she said “Don’t worry about who mom is, she loves you for you so it's gonna be fine. Also don’t screw this up so I’ll still be born.” Izuku sweat dropped nervously, before getting out of her hold to go find that old merch of his.

When he returned to the living room after finding what he was looking for, he looked around only to find that it was empty. He walked over to the couch and coffee table where he found a note, picking it up and sitting down on the couch to read it. Dearest daddy, I felt tingly so I think the quirk is gonna wear off now. I just wanted to say that you are awesome and the best daddy out there, I love you so much. I’ll see you again in the future - hugs Izumi Midoriya. Izuku’s heart fell, she had only just arrived an hour or so ago and now she was gone. He didn’t get to know his daughter better like he had hoped, and he didn’t get to see her adorably dressed up in his old All Might merch. He read the note over and over again, trying to satisfy his heart. He would see her again in the future, and then it clicked. his heart swelled, yeah he would see Izumu again some day.

Yeah he would see her again when he was married and happy. Yeah he could wait for that, as long as he has too.

@rainypeachbakerygoth

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Who are you, Random Figure?!

...

...!

...

AKE-!?

SHH!

*She hops down from the hole.

Hi Uncle Koto.

Jeez...Thank goodness it was just you...

I mean WAIT A SECOND! What are you DOING here!?

I came to help! 

I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines the whole time, and I figured you could use a professional.

Don’t you know how dangerous this is!?

You’re welcome...

Is that all you have to say for yourself? Putting yourself at risk, and scaring the crap out of me? I thought you were an assassin hiding in the vents!

...I’m sorry...I just wanted to help...

...

*sigh* I get it, but...we’re a team Akeru. You can’t just make that decision on your own, especially not if the rest of the team voted against it.

Still...I guess I should thank you for taking care of the two guards outside. It made getting in here a lot easier, but next time, remember to clean up your evidence.

The what?

...Huh?

What guards?

The two guards outside this room. The one’s that I would’ve had to get around had you not taken care of them for me.

Uh...that wasn’t me.

Wait...it wasn’t!?

No. I didn’t want to take anyone out violently if it didn’t matter. All I did was deactivate some of the security to make it easier for you to get around the place. 

Well, sorry kid, but jury’s out on the whole “trouble” thing. 

But if it wasn’t you...they couldn’t have done it themselves...

Which means...

Oliver: Oi! Makoto! Come in!

Ah!

*Makoto hears Oliver in his earpiece and holds it.

Ok, so I’ve got good news and bad news.

Maya: Let’s hear it.

The good news is that the person who busted in above me was just Akeru...She came to give me backup.

Komaru: WHAT!?

Toko: What’s she doing there!?

Byakuya: Don’t tell me you two left her unattended!?

Komaru: I just trusted her to stay put!

Byakuya: Clearly your trust was misplaced!

...

Hina: Shut it Byakuya! And you two cut it out as well! Let’s not yell at each other or get angry at one another. What’s the bad news Makoto?

Kuripa: Yeah, so false alarm on the heat signature thing. What’s up?

Turns out Akeru isn’t the one who took out the guards. She just disabled some security.

Which means even though I avoided the encounter this time, there still might be an unknown presence stalking me down in this building.

Someone else did this.

Four: What do you think Oliver?

*Makoto hears more typing.

Oliver: ...Yeah...now that I take another look, there’s a second unrecognizable signature in the building. Good news is that they’re lower down than you.

If you see them heading towards me, let me know. Over and out.

*Makoto turns back to Akeru.

I can’t exactly shoo you away now that you’re here.

I give you permission to use force against these guys, but ONLY when I say so.

And no killing.

That’s not how I do things...

*She jumps and clambers back into the vent...

Not anymore...

*...and vanishes.

...Kids these days...

[mxndoscyarika]

Honeydew (Marcus Pike/Moreno x OC) | Chapter 2

Summary: Erin He moves to DC after working for the FBI in Texas and runs into a hero in disguise; Marcus Moreno. Something about him is familiar, too familiar, yet different in a way that she can’t quite place. Although confused, she can’t deny her feelings for him; perhaps, after years of regret, she finally found the one.

Warnings: food/drink, alcohol, loneliness

Ao3

Honeydew masterlist

Like my writing? Here’s my masterlist.

Author’s Note: Merry Christmas, everyone! Here’s a little gift from me to you 😌 I hope you like it! Let me know what you think in the comments below.

8 years later

Winter in DC was too cold. It had reached that time of year when the roads turned icy at the slightest humidity in the air, and it had already snowed at least twice since December began. Thankfully, the snow didn’t stick around very long; FBI agents were on-call 24/7. A double-edged sword, really. On one hand, it meant work was a great way to avoid problems. It was easier to forget. On the other hand, well, it was work.

“Six years in this city and it’s still so fucking cold,” Erin muttered to herself, shivering as her car warmed up. She buried her face into the scarf wrapped around her neck, trying to warm up. The warmth from the heated steering wheel seeped into her fingers, soothing the ache in her joints. She was supposed to meet Sachi at the bar for drinks. It had become a regular event in her weekly life; one night a week to go out and relax.

Some would’ve said that her promotion meant she could take more time off. That she could delegate a little more and take on a lighter workload as a result. But as a supervisor for the Operational Technologies branch, she had all the more reason to work more. Well, that’s what she convinced herself, at least.

Her friend and coworker, Sachi, was already seated at a table by the time she arrived. The bar was pretty busy, busier than the week before. It made sense; the holidays were always a time for friends and family to catch up on each other’s lives.

“Hi! Sorry I’m late, a meeting went overtime and I ran into some traffic on the way here,” Erin apologized, draping her wool coat over the back of her seat and sitting down. The next article to be shed was her scarf, which she kept piled on her lap. “Were you waiting long?”

“No, no worries,” her friend answered, shrugging. “I just got this table a couple minutes ago. Happy hour seems extra popular this week. How was the meeting?”

She rolled her eyes. “The usual; operations found some bugs in the new software and had some suggestions, so half of the developers will be working on that while the rest continue building our newest tool. How did your day go?”

“It was so slow, I don’t know which politician decided to choose yesterday to fuck up, but there were files everywhere,” Sachi groaned, rubbing her forehead tiredly. Her eyes landed on the sparkling gem on Erin’s hand. “I do have a question for you, though: why do you wear that ring?”

She raised a dark brow, then followed her line of sight to her hand. “Oh, this? It’s….it’s just something to keep the men away, that’s all. You know how they are.”

A curious head tilt. “I do, but are you sure that’s what you want? You deserve to find someone who makes you happy, Rin.”

Erin gave her a tight-lipped smile, twisting the metal band around her finger. It was a recent purchase; a gift to herself. A promise. A promise to remember. Even if he wasn’t hers to remember, at the end of the day.

“Is this still about that Marcus Pike guy?” Sachi asked, her voice softening as Erin avoided looking up. She reached across the table and covered her hand with hers. The glittering band of her own wedding ring seemed to mock her. “It’s been seven years since he went missing, Rin. You searched for him yourself; he’s gone.”

The news had broken just before Erin arrived in DC. Marcus Pike had gone missing, and there seemed to be no trace of him. His last known address was empty, his file had been wiped from all government databases, even his social media accounts were nonexistent.

One of the first things she did after her promotion was asking for a search squad. His number was still in her phone, but the number was no longer receiving calls. Even his email seemed to be deactivated, but it had existed before. There should’ve been a digital trail. It didn’t matter to her that it had been months since he was last seen–he was her best friend, and she wasn’t going to give up on him that easily.

Juggling her work with the investigation took its toll on her. Sleep eluded her, so she upped her coffee intake and spent countless hours off the clock. As a result, exhaustion settled in mid-day. Her work grew sloppy, obvious problems going untended and creating delays in operations.

The head of the department shut down her search after a year. He had cited it being a “waste of resources.” Maybe it was, to them. For such a large bureau with so many applicants, there was bound to be a replacement for Agent Pike. But even so, no one could replace Marcus.

“I know,” she replied softly. “I know. I’m trying, it’s just...I’ve spent years working for the FBI, and every time I stop to check the time, it’s like months have passed. And you know how my last relationship ended.”

She had been seeing a guy working for a tech startup, and at first it was great. The late nights and morning texts had been enough. But as time went on, and she became more immersed in her work following the election, her boyfriend grew restless. He wanted his girlfriend at home with him, preparing dinner and asking him about his day at the startup. Then he started the accusations. He accused her of cheating, of rubbing her success in his face.

Everything he said was false, but she had given up on trying to convince him. So she gave him a choice. He could leave if he wanted to, and there would be no hard feelings, just incompatibility. Or, he could stay, and she’d try to make more time for him. He chose the former.

“Oh come on,” Sachi reasoned, tapping the back of her hand. “You’re beautiful, smart, can kick ass. There has to be someone who’s into that.”

“Maybe,” Erin shrugged. Once upon a time, she had hoped she would meet someone like that. And in a way, she had. But at the end of the day,  she was a coward. She was a coward, and she paid the price for it.

They always said that time was money. In her case, the price she paid was high.

Sachi’s eyes lit up. “You know what? Why don’t you come to a holiday party I’m hosting? Maybe you’ll meet someone there.”

“Who’s going?”

“Some of our coworkers, some of my friends, and their friends, potentially,” she listed off, waving off her concern. “Nothing very special, in my opinion.”

A party would be nice. If not for the company, then for the food; and if not the food, then the drinks. Yes, the drinks. Drinks were good.

Erin conceded with a nervous grin. “Alright, but no meddling!”

“Yay!” she squealed. Then, her expression turned serious again. She pointed at the ring. “But whatever you do, don’t wear that.”

---

Sachi’s house looked like it was out of a movie. Tall and sparkling with lights, her home was the textbook picture of a family Christmas. There was even a wreath on the front door and a wooden sign with drawn-on snowflakes that welcomed the party guests.

The foyer was lined with emerald garlands and shimmering fairy lights, leading her further in towards the kitchen. From giant gold ornaments to wooden figurines, it seemed as if she had thought of everything.

When she reached the kitchen, there were already some guests gathered around the kitchen island. Platters of sweets and charcuterie boards were spread over the marble countertop, glistening in the soft light. The guests grazed from small plates as they greeted each other and raved about how great it was to finally catch up.

Perhaps she’d host her own holiday party someday. When she had the space, of course. The apartment that she’d chosen wasn’t the best for groups, and she wanted enough surface area for decorations. Her string of lights and small tree at home paled in comparison to the giant tree in Sachi’s living room.

The invite had specified a semi-formal dress code, so she chose a black off-the-shoulder dress that reached her knees. She paired it with some black heels and a white blazer draped over her shoulders for warmth. It wasn’t much, but it would do.

“Erin!” Sachi squealed, coming over to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. You’re right on time. Everyone else should be arriving soon.” She shooed her away. “Go have fun! And if you need a wingwoman, I’ve got your back.”

Erin shivered as Sachi swept off her jacket, the cool air brushing against her shoulders. Nevertheless, she smiled. “Thanks.”

“Of course!” she replied. The next thing she knew, a glass of champagne was tucked into her hand. “Now go!”

What Sachi had failed to tell her, though, was that she was going to be one of the only singles in the entire house.

Wherever she turned, she found couples congregated into circles where they could discuss...whatever couples discussed. Not wanting to barge in as a third, fifth, or seventh wheel, she stuck close to  the perimeter of the room.

Thankfully, she found an acquaintance from work who had also come to the party alone.

“Waiting for someone?” Ashley asked, sipping from a half-empty glass of wine. She was one of the receptionists for the technologies department. They’d spoken a couple times, but never much more than professional talk.

Erin shook her head and finished her third glass of champagne. Maybe she’d try the moscato next, just to change things up a little. The whole point of attending the party was to relax, right? So, she was trying to relax. “Just trying to loosen up. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to a party.” A soft laugh. “I can see why people like bringing a friend along. It would help a lot.”

“Why didn’t you, then?” At the lack of response, she sighed. “Is work still taking up a lot of time? You know you can take more time off.”

Yes, she knew. She’d heard it nearly a thousand times already. She knew she could take time off just like she knew she could forget about her past and move on. Part of her wanted to change, to move on as if nothing had happened. But after years of the same routine, and the same decisions coming back to bite her, it was hard to change.

“I know,” Erin replied, pressing a hand against her forehead. It was hotter than normal–did Sachi turn up the heating? She silently cursed her genetics; she’d probably have a fever later that night. “But as you know, there’s always more work to do. I signed up for this, so I need to do my job.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t rest,” she reasoned, nudging her arm. “Are you still leading the search for that guy? Marcus Pike? I remember you were pretty involved with that.”

Maybe it was the exhaustion, maybe it was the alcohol. She gripped the glass a bit tighter. Her voice was clipped as she said, “No, I’m not. The search squad was disbanded years ago. We spent a year searching for him and there was nothing. There was nothing.” She swayed as she stood up, but quickly regained her balance. “I’m gonna….get another drink. Is there anything you want me to bring?”

“No thanks,” Ashley replied. Watching as Erin stumbled, she asked, “Are you sure you want another drink? Maybe you should take a break first.”

She waved her off. “I’m fine, don’t worry. It’s just the shoes.”

Yeah, right.

Erin’s turn around the corner was much too sharp, and her sluggish mind barely seemed to register the fact that she collided with a broad chest. Strong arms came up around her, holding her in place so she didn’t fall over. They were warm. Before she could stop herself, she splayed her hands on their chest, brows furrowed. What did Sachi put in there?

Then, she looked up and met the person’s eyes. Dark brown ones, to be exact. With a depth and sparkle that she hadn’t seen since Austin. Softly, she said, “M-Marcus?”

The man’s lips parting in shock. As Erin’s slightly-blurred gaze drifted down to his mouth, she frowned. No, it couldn’t be her Marcus; her Marcus didn’t have facial hair, nor did he wear glasses. He was handsome, though–just as handsome. And he was strong–she felt safer in his arms than she had in years.

“H-how do you know my name?”

His voice was similar, too, though a bit raspier.

She blinked. Then, it dawned on her; it wasn’t a dream. She really was at a party, in a dress pressed up against a very good-looking man who looked vaguely like her late best friend. It felt as if she had jumped into the snow without clothes on. She blushed and flinched away from him–as if she needed to be even redder–and said, “Sorry, you just look a bit like an old friend of mine. His name was also Marcus.”

It was her, Marcus realized. He would have recognized her voice anywhere, and when she looked up at him with those dark, green-flecked eyes, his years in Texas came rushing back to him. Part of him didn’t want to believe it. What was she doing in DC? And what were the chances that they’d meet again, with his changed identity?

Even so, she was as beautiful as he remembered, her smooth black hair styled into shining waves and her full lips painted a muted pink. In their time as friends, he rarely saw Erin out of her work clothes; a side effect of working for the FBI. Seeing her in a dress, and up close, against his chest felt like a dream. A dream that had plagued his mind for nearly a decade.

At the same time, she looked different. There was an air of exhaustion that clung to her just as tightly as her authority. Her eyes didn’t have the same bright sparkle that she had on her first day. He wondered if her smile was the same, and if she still took her coffee with two sugars and a splash of cream. If she still collected houseplants as if they were pets. If she was still the Erin he remembered.

The tugging in his chest pulled him towards her, and the old whisper of Marcus Pike urged him to tell the truth. To drop to his knees and beg for forgiveness. To tell her that he was sorry for leaving her, for dismissing her concerns about Lisbon. For disappearing without a trace. But Marcus Moreno, his new identity, his new life, knew it wouldn’t be fair to her.

So he introduced himself. A wave of relief washed over him as Erin giggled softly and shook his hand, telling him her name.

He’d missed her laugh, and the way the corners of her eyes crinkled just slightly when she was happy. He missed everything. He missed her.

“So,” she began, swaying a little. Her last drink was finally kicking in. Her brows furrowed in concentration. “How do you know, uh, Sachi?”

The little furrow of her brows was still adorable; he knew it only showed when she was thinking really hard. He just hoped she would remember their interaction in the morning. She rarely drank enough to get drunk, not wanting to bother with her body’s violent reaction to alcohol. Or so she told him.

“I’m a friend of her husband,” he replied, touching her arm softly as she swayed again. “Do you…do you want to sit down for a bit? We can keep talking, I just want to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

Erin hummed softly and nodded. “Yes, but don’t worry, I can handle a little fall.”

“I don’t doubt you can, Miss FBI.” Realizing his mistake, he cringed. So much for trying to have a fresh start. He guided her over to the table and pulled out a chair for her, making sure she was comfortable before sitting down in the seat next to her.

She frowned. “How do you know I work for the FBI?”

A pause. Then, he answered, “I overheard Sachi talking about you. You two seem to be pretty close.”

Drumming her fingertips on the table, she answered, “I guess so, yeah. She was one of my first friends after I moved here six years ago.” Her eyes glazed over with a tinge of sadness. “Time seems to be flying by very fast these days.”

Marcus sighed softly. “Yeah.” He offered her a smile that made her heart flutter. Or maybe that was just her stomach?  “I guess it’s up to us to make the most out of it, right?”

She nodded. Propping her head up against her hand, she replied, “Definitely. So, tell me about yourself, Marcus Moreno. I think you mentioned a daughter?”

He couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Missy. If there was anything he didn’t regret in the past few years, it was meeting his late wife and raising his baby. But the story of his wife could come later; for now, he wanted to tell his best friend about his little girl.

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[botwstoriesandsuch]

Back here with another episode of:

Read Part 1 here!

If you’re on mobile, and tumblr hates this post, follow along on this google doc!

Rules/overview this rewrite in the beginning of Part 1

Alrighty then, so let’s just jump into it!  

- - - - - - - - - - 

Recap! So when we last left off, we had just finished off Act 1 of the story. We’ve used the character introduction segments and the gambit feature as a means to give more life to everyone, without sacrificing too much cutscene time. Allowing us to save and focus the major story details and set up on the more cinematic cutscenes.

I had forgotten, but after Part 1 came out, an anon pointed out that Impa’s character introduction could use some work, and while you don’t need to read it right now to understand the rest of this post, I encourage you to look at it eventually to see the strengths and flaws in the original Impa introduction, and the reasons for my rewrite changes! All you need to know is that eggbot was lying around, deactivated, but when in proximity to the Sheikah Slate, was turned on like other Guardians. Eggbot being activated by the Sheikah Slate is kinda brushed over in the original game? But in my rewrite it’s gonna have some later significance. Also during the Royal Lab cutscene, I want Robbie or Purah to mention how Zelda’s control of the Sheikah Slate is quite exceptional or something. It’s a bit obvious already in Hwaoc, but I need it to be verbally said in a story scene for, again, later significance. Alright that’s it for my added details, moving on now. 

After Chapter 1, we moved into the characters accepting the Call to Adventure, whether by the general external reasons of wanting to save the world, and developed a little bit further with more internal related reasons to give nuances and identities to different characters. Revali wishes to prove that his hard work earns him better merit than a sidekick, Urbosa wishes to protect and help Zelda on an emotional level, Mipha wishes to get closer to Link and come back to her family proud, etc etc. 

Then, the climax of Act 1 ends with the Yiga ambush, and the characters get a first taste of leaving their areas of comfort, and journeying into the unknown world. Although the gameplay and the successful defeat of the Yiga establishes the Champion team’s strength, our interaction with Rhoam shows us that they still have a ways to go. The momentum into the full story now has a bit of tension and conflict. 

So now we crash into the beginning of Act 2, the longest Act in a story, as it’s the part where the....story, happens. Let’s take a look at changes to the Hollows, eggbot mysteries, Zelda character growth, and our first real dip into the character of our antagonist, the Prophet of Doom himself, Astor…

So in the game, Chapter 3 opens on the flank of Death Mountain, our heroes overlooking the view of Korok Forest.

There are a few problems I have with this scene. It’s really stale, there’s no movement, nothing dynamic about it other than the opening shot. They just kinda stand there and say words until Revali’s done ranting and summons Medoh. Also Revali’s dialogue is a bit “much” to say the least, and uh, spoiler alert, he’s gonna be reworked a bit more than the other Champions. Finally, this scene doesn’t have a lot of purpose or substance. Sure, it has some character conflict with Revali and Link and the team, but that’s kinda established already, plus it’s something that I’ve already fleshed out in the last scene with King Rhoam, so it’s a bit redundant. So that leaves this scene serving only as a boring current draw to the Medoh fight and nothing else. This is the opening set up for the Chapter where important story stuff goes down! Needs a lot more substance. So! Here’s my rework. 

We open on the sound of running. Link, along with Zelda, Urbosa, Daruk, and Mipha are running upwards on a path by Edlin. They’re chasing a small group of bokoblins and it looks like it’s the end of the fight. Urbosa is more near the back, with Zelda, but Daruk and Mipha both kill a bokoblin, their bodies of the monsters exploding in a cloud of malice upon their demise. When the camera shows each of their kills, the shots are quick, but I want the angle of the camera to be in such a way that the malice evaporates center frame, with Daruk and Mipha being behind the malice. This is because for a split second, it looks like the malice lingers around them like smoke. Huh, I wonder if that’s foreshadowing or something.

Anyhow, Link chases the final red bokoblin uphill, boots pattering against rock. However, we’re now seeing this from a moving, flying, bird’s eye view [quite literally wink wink] 

Cut back close to Link, he kills the bokoblins. Stands there for a sec as he sheathes his sword. And then...

“Well I’ll be plucked. You defeated it, eh?” 

Reveal Revali flying from above, and he lands in front of Link, but faces away from him. “Who would have thought that some little knight, amongst a group of chosen heroes, would get some action. You must be pretty proud of yourself, hm?” Cue that classic Revali head turn with a glare. Also when Revali says “heroes” I want him to flick his scarf dramatically, while staring at Link’s armour, as if internally he were judging Link on a runway.

Zelda runs up and starts speaking. “Oh Revali, I apologize our meet up with Medoh got a bit delayed. I assume that you’ve already positioned them by now for the attack?”

Revali hums a yes, but doesn’t bother to entertain a more fleshed out answer. Instead, he flicks his wing (as if to say, “come on”) and turns his back to walk up the trail. The others follow.

“I was informed that only the Champions and yourself would be present. What are…” Revali flicks a wing in the direction of Link and eggbot, like a Karen shooing a waiter. “...they, exactly contributing?”

Zelda says some stuff about Link being her bodyguard like: “Well, my father was impressed enough with Link’s actions from the other week that he’s assigned to give me further protection.’ She can say this a bit grumpily, to Link’s ignorance. Daruk can pipe in like “And a good thing too! Always great to have little guy at our backs.” and Mipha can nod sheepishly or something. But their dialogue is cut off by another rude interjection (because hell if Revali wants to listen to more rambling about Link)

“Right, right. And this thing is still around?” Revali gestures to eggbot. 

Zelda: “Well, This little one's technological prowess has been quite useful in battle, allowing us to access the rune functions and all. So I figured it’d be a big help should something unexpected happen. Plus...” cute shot of Zelda staring at eggbot, “it just...feels right.” Then the little eggshit can like, chirp happily or make some cute whistle or whatever. Just shove in a bit of that egg fanservice, might as well since I need to better establish its presence for later.

Revali mutters something about “big help,” before gesticulating with his wings as he continues walking up the trial. “Mooore like a big liability should anything happen to your little pet, and one of us be forced to risk our lives just to save it from becoming scrap. Honestly, when it comes to you, and you.” Revali points to both eggbot and Link, “Your presence is an entire waste of time. ‘Backup?’ Help?’ Tsk. Humouring.” Eggbot can make a noise or something while Link just tilts his head. Revali continues: “You’re only here because of a non-existent, fantastical, imaginary hypothetical in which I somehow fail, and I don’t, fail.” When he articulates that last part, he stops walking and does another little head turn/glare, but he still doesn’t bother to fully face him. “I’m sure that your duty will no longer be of importance once your reputation...is nothing but a memory overshadowed by today’s great feats. A forgettable knight, heh heh!”

“Revali,” Urbosa sighs, “How long do you expect us to put up with your showboating and prattle?”

That when Revali finally turns fully to face the group, with a more grim glare. They’ve reached the top of the ledge anyhow, so they’ve stopped walking. This is where the camera can view the Lost Woods in its fullest as it zooms on Revali. Then, that ending is the same as the game with the pan up to Medoh’s presence. 

“Fine. I’ve said enough. The time has come to show you what I’m made of. Now witness...Vah Medoh’s divine power!”

So that’s that. Revali is toned down a bit, and his rude remarks have more of a precision as to their point. It’s a bit hard to explain over words alone, but the fact that this scene takes place as the Champions are walking up the trail, means it’s a lot more interesting to look at. (Kinda like the walk and talk premise that you see in The West Wing) Plus, the trail being uphill establishes that hint of power dynamic as Revali is above everyone else. Also there’s just a bit of some botw dialogue connection, not only in just the opening, [Hwaoc Revali vs Botw Revali “Who would have thought” is put in different context based on their development, so it’s a good establishing point to show where this Revali is at in dynamics with Link in comparison to botw, all in just one line rather than in a more longer explanation] but I also scattered a few dramatic irony pieces in there heheh. There’s a lot more reasons why this scene is an improvement [and hopefully to you, it already *feels* better] but I’m not going to explain them until near the end, as its importance is connected to the later scenes of this Chapter.

In fact, that's the overarching change that I’ve made to these cutscenes, I’ve actually connected them and related them to the other scenes. This is the very first introduction to Chapter 3, after all, so it’s important that this introduction serves to be of more significance than “ok here’s the champions, here’s revali, there's medoh. Now go wreck stuff.”

Medoh’s fight is the same, the cutscenes after are mostly the same. Except here, when everyone runs into Korok forest and you see Astor, I want this scene to end not on Astor’s face (because it’s not as significant anymore since we’ve already see Astor in full in Chapter 2 with Urbosa’s stage) but it should end with Astor reaching out a hand towards the camera. The camera angle would be just a bit below Astor. This is because I want the implication to be slightly more clear that he killed those two Yiga underlings to craft the Hollows. It’s a nice little “watch it for the first time it doesn’t mean anything” but watching again it’s like “ohh how did I not notice that” kind of thing. 

Then, Hestu’s introduction is roughly the same. I don’t think I really need to rework it too much, since Hestu as a character doesn’t serve anything major to the plot, so it’s fine for it to just be fun and cute. I will however, change just a few pieces of dialogue. 

Revali: “Are we even making progress? We could just be going in circles.”

Daruk: “Good point. If only someone could fly above and scout the way.”

Revali: “As though I could see anything through this muck. Honestly, do you even think before you speak?”

Revali!!! Don’t be so rude to Daruk. Like yes it’s a bit funny, but that last part with “do you even think before you speak” is a bit much, because honestly Revali doesn’t really have a reason to hate Daruk. He’s characterized as being rude to Link and those he deems unworthy of respect, but Revali respects Daruk, Mipha, and Urbosa fairly well, considering they were chosen alongside him. So personally, I’d just tweak this to

Daruk: “Good point. If only someone could fly above and scout the way...”

Mipha snickers at this. And Revali mutters more quietly to himself, “As though I could see anything through this muck.” and gives little “hmph!” at Daruk, moving away.

There we go! It still serves it purpose of showing how the Champions are still not completely in sync (which is what I can assume was the original purpose of Revali’s rude comment line) but it’s played a bit more comedic (which makes sense considering this is in the context of Hestu’s introduction) and we get to poke fun at Revali, since just early we had spent so long boosting up his ego. Also Mipha laughing a bit with Daruk while Revali broods adds to that point of them being too busy to see Hestu right behind them.

Another small change, I don’t want Zelda to discover Hestu first. I want eggbot to discover Hestu, maybe they shake their maraca and eggbot notices and gives a little curious whistle. When Zelda notices eggbot not walking with her, she looks right, and that’s when she notices Hestu. It’s almost insignificant, but I really want to establish the eggbot’s presence for this chapter. Especially since this game writes him out of cutscenes a lot. 

Final small change. That Hestu scene ends, not with Revali wordlessly shaking his head and following the group after hanging back. But with Mipha actively turning back, saying something like “Come, Revali. We should all stick together. It wouldn’t do for us to get lost.” and then a reply like “As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to mystic swords, magic trees, lucky knights, and walking eggs...I already am.” I’m just trying to keep intact that Nintendo “vibe” of flicking the character stances right in your face, especially since this game's only forms of telling the story are through these less than a minute cutscenes. 

OKAY! Gameplay stuff. There are no real mechanic or level design changes to the Battle of Korok Forest, BUT there is one important change that I want to make here. 

When the party splits up to take on the bosses in order to get rid of the malice. I think that the Hollows should speak.

Not like full on sentences and stuff (yet) but I think they should mumble and groan and be able to speak a few simple words. Now why do I say this? Well, let’s take a look at how I think we should introduce them. 

First off, I think it should be a cutscene. Not just some 2 second animation where the Hollows spawn in. Nonononononono, this needs to be a cutscene, because it needs to be acted, because we need to see the character reactions. Like, if you’re gonna have that cliche “dark evil clone of the protagonists” thing, then you might as well go all out with the angst. In fact, personally, I would have rewritten is as the hollows actually *being* the champions and astor can temporarily control them but then when he sees that fail later in the game that can be his motivator for making the blights to kill them off since they’re no longer of use to him alive or whatever but we’re scrapping that idea because like I've said I want to try to keep the integrity of the original story.

Ok, so you have a character come up to one of the map points, and when they get there it fades into a cutscene. It’s not gonna be super long, but here’s the vision. 

Character is in the lost woods, they killed a stalbokoblin or whatever. Just some low tier enemy, and then it dies and becomes that whisp of malice. Great. Character turns to leave, but then they hear something. Like a snicker, or laughter. Cut to this angle from behind the trees, but instead of astor it’s the character you’re playing as.

They go over to investigate, creeping closer with caution, until they see a shadow. The shadow of a small figure, about no higher than Link, with a long, trident weapon. 

FWOOSH! An explosion of malice, almost like a fountain behind the character. They turn just in time to block the attack, the Lightscale Trident, but yet...it’s not the Lightscale Trident, because it’s covered in malice. Hollow Mipha is striking from the air, because this is basically her fountain teleportation thing, but malice. Once the character blocks the attack, time slows just a bit so you can see Hollow Mipha’s face, and then cut to the other characters face to give them a reaction. And that’s it. 

Then you can pop back into gameplay, but there should be textboxes on the bottom where you can see the character’s surprised reaction like

[Unimportant detail, but if Daruk fights his Hollow self I want his reaction to be like “Woah! I sure look grumpy. I look like I skipped breakfast.” and then his gambit attack is like “eat THIS!” Also Revali can say something about how imitation is a form of flattery]

Through that fight, the Hollows also have like one textbox and a line of Evil™ mumbling and/or laughing once they’re defeated. The laughing is kinda used in a later scene, but it’s never really seen again so I just want that to be more prevalent. You all could probably think of more angsty “evil version of you” lines that are specific to each character, but I’m just thinking stuff like “You...won’t...last” or even just *muttering*. In fact, this is another thing that I want to flesh out with my gambit feature. It not only serves as interaction between whatever two characters you’re playing as, but also as interaction between your antagonists. So if you use a gambit on Kohga, he’ll say something specific about the characters he’s fighting. Same idea with Sooga, or Astor, and now here, the Hollows can say stuff to you.

There’s gonna be someone out there more creative than me out there that can think up some cool dialogue for them, but basically what I want to establish is that we know that these Hollows are made from people’s like, souls? Or life force or whatever you wanna call it. So it wouldn’t be farfetched to give them the ability to speak. Over the course of the game, I want their textboxes/dialogue to be more and more lifelike, like without the pauses or muttering. This is because the entire point of the dialogue is not only to serve that trope of “I’m the evil you I’m gonna say stuff that emotionally impacts you mwahaha” but it also makes them just a bit more menacing in my opinion. Also overall gameplay wise, I think they need to become stronger with the Champions because idk if it was just me, but they were so easy that I just forgot about them. 

So! Korok Forest Battle introduces these creepy mumbling Champions, people react and are a bit freaked out, but they eventually clear the malice and we hit the next cutscene. 

This is where the shit goes down.

You all probably remember how this scene goes down so I’ll try not to spend too much time explaining it. But here’s my two cents as to why I’m gonna rewrite it a bunch. I think it’s not a good villain reveal. 

Like first off, it doesn’t establish Astor as a threat. His memorable action here is the summoning of the Hollows, and while yes, they do beat up Link and that’s very good, it also let’s Link easily beat them and Astor as soon as he gets the Master Sword IN THAT SAME SCENE. There was no time to let the threat of Astor linger, and when we see Link instantly beat him once he gets his Mcguffin, it really hinders the effect of this reveal.

Secondly, everyone is just silent during this??? Like, obviously Link doesn’t say anything, but Zelda doesn’t do stuff? Astor just kinda says “kill her!” and thats about it. Zelda never says “who are you?” or “what do you want?” or anything because as far as she’s concerned this is just some random dude, he’s not Yiga or anything. Also Astor never even introduces himself?? Throughout the entire game??? So while we the player know who he is because of his fancy title card, as far as all the characters are concerned he’s just a Mystery Clown.  

It’s just super weird how no one asks any questions during this scene like no one acts like a human being with common sense. In fact, one could say that no one asks any questions for this entire game. Things just happen, and happen, and happen, and everyones just kinda chill. And then Zelda just kinda receives 17 flashbacks over the course of two minutes at the end of the game like she’s speedrunning botw memory%. Obviously having an aura of mystery over the course of your game is fine, it’s good to keep questions lingering over the audience’s head. Just so long as you answer them in a satisfactory way later on. Like, that’s not something I need to spell out for you right? If you set up a question, give the audience a good answer. If you set up a mystery, give a cool explanation. If you set up an interesting character you have to give the people a pay off that was worth their investment into them, right? Right? Right? You understand right? Cause as the writer for a story, it’s you’re to explain the significance and importance of why things happen in a creative way. It’s almost as if that’s the entire purpose of storytelling, you know, an explanation of events in a compelling manner. Like please, this is a concept that you are able to grasp right? This isn’t just me right? See that’s how writing works when setting up anything ever, you gotta give an explanation to the choices you make in the plot. You gotta explain why. You gotta explain why. Explain why. Explain why. Explain, why? Explain, why? Why? Why? WHy? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WH

Sorry I got carried away. Anyhow, here’s the rewrite. 

Link and Zelda don’t enter the forest at the same time. They run through the wooden tunnel thing, and Link makes a gesture like “go!” while he stays back a bit to hold off some monsters like stal-lizalfos or something. So Zelda runs into the center of Korok Forest.

As far as any of the characters know, this is a safe haven now, this was their destination, so there’s no monsters here, so they’re good. The princess is safe, the Champions are just cleaning up in their respective corners of the forest with the Hollows, and Link is fighting off the monsters by the entrance. So while there is still tension from the battle, Zelda lets out a sigh of relief once she sees the Master Sword. 

She approaches it, cautiously, but doesn’t step onto the stone pedestal, still staying a ways back in the grass. “We’re finally here,” she says to herself. “Now we just have to protect the sword, await for the hero to retrieve it, and await for destiny to arrive.” She looks down at the ground, and then at the back of her hand (fuck what hand was the one with the triforce, her left hand? I’m gonna say left hand). So she looks down at the back of her left hand, before letting it fall. She turns away from the Master Sword and to herself she just mutters, “I only wish that I could make as much progress in fulfilling my own role...in making myself to be of actual use, like the others.”

There’s a moment of silence as Zelda wraps her elbows and closes her eyes. Then,

“If that is what you wish,” a sudden voice echos, and Zelda spins around to face it, “Then perhaps I can be of some assistance.”

Cut to Astor, standing in front of the Master Sword, facing Zelda. Roughly where he is shown here, but Zelda is a couple feet away from him, standing on one of those rocks.

Zelda steps back in shock for a moment. “W-Who? Who are you?”

“Me?” He takes one step down the stairs. “Oh, I am just someone, same as you, who wishes to see destiny fulfilled.” Zelda takes another step back, and seeing this, he stops approaching. “Ease your mind, Your Highness. There is no need to be frightened. You may call me, Astor”

Cut to title card on his face, it can be like this, BUT, no malice or glowing magic around him, it’s all still lush green forest, and I don’t want as much focus on his astrolabe. It’s just his face, and he’s giving a warm, yet chilling smile.

Zelda is still stammering. “Y-You...do I……. how did you—”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters now is taking every step towards stopping the Calamity, correct?” Astor starts to take a step towards her again, and this time Zelda doesn’t flinch.

“Y-Yes. Yes of course. But I’m afraid I’m still a bit confused. ...What exactly do you...want?”

Astor doesn’t immediately answer. He steps off the pedestal and starts to circle around Zelda, eyeing her, but still with that creepy smile. “Tell me, Princess, how fares your recent training? Adequate progress, I presume?”

He continues circling around her, still a few feet away. Zelda looks to the ground, defeated. “I’m afraid not. I’ve been trying to aid the researchers with the Guardians and Divine Beasts. But when it comes to this power…” she looks down at her hand again. “...it seems despite my great efforts and restless hours of prayers, they have yet to awaken.”

Using his free hand, Astor places a hand on his chest, tilting his head in a sorry pout. The gesture seems exaggerated. “My...you poor thing. How harrowing this must be for you.” He continues walking, eyeing her as he circles behind. “But, I am certain it is not your fault. You are but a child, after all.”

“I…” Zelda is still staring at the ground in front of her. Astor continues.

“I mean really, have you ever stopped to think about how absurd this all is? A collection of mis-match warriors, demanded to pilot gods. A sword for an unseen hero. The lives of us all, in the hands of one girl. Expected to lead us all, awaken a divine power, and save the world, all before her 17th birthday…”

After a beat, Zelda finally looks up at him, confusion and suspicion back in her eyes. “What did you say?”

Astor stops walking, he’s back directly in front of the pedestal. The camera is on him center frame, so that when he turns to face Zelda, his figure blocks the sword. 

“Now Princess, is that truly what you want? Do you really believe yourself prepared to live up to such a monumental task?” He’s walking directly towards her now, arm outstretched. 

“I—” Zelda pauses, before shaking her head. “Of course not, but that doesn’t mean—”

“Yeesss. Precisely! You needn’t not let yourself live like this, like some beggar to the gods, like a failure.” Astor is walking more quickly towards her, and Zelda is stepping back.

Zelda lets out a gasp of fear now, as Astor approaches, there’s a swirl starting to form around the astrolabe in his hand. “I don’t understand! What’s your point, what do you want? Who are you!?”   

He stops walking, he’s so much closer now, just a foot or two away from her. “It’s quite simple my dear.” He gives another smile. “I’m a man who wants to live.”

Fwoosh! The air around them is now tinted purple, the astrolabe’s power surrounding them both. Zelda gasps again. 

“If we truly wish to see this realm prosper, we must accept the indisputable truth.” Astor reaches out his hand. “You are not worthy of saving this Kingdom. You do not have the power to oppose such an unimaginable enemy! Therefore I shall relieve you of your burden, for the sake of us all. I will steal, your, destiny!”

Astor is seconds away from touching her, before suddenly...the sound of a sword unsheathing.  

Astor flies back, crumpling on the steps of the pedestal, he looks up to see Link, sword at the ready. Link had pushed astor back with the pommel of his sword [because no stabbing or blood for our PG Nintendo game] and the motion has cause him to drop his astrolabe, which now lies a few feet in front of him in the grass. 

“Link!” Zelda says, relieved. From behind, eggbot also appears. It walks infront of Link and gives a little whistle and does that sassy pointing thing in the direction of Astor, as if telling him off. 

Astor frowns when he sees Link, but when he sees eggbot his face morphs into confusion. “You…? But I…” he glances at his astrolabe. Astor gets up to retrieve it and stands.  

“It doesn’t matter how you’re here again. You can’t stop this.” Astor summons the Hollows, and they appear in front of him. It was harder to see in the lost woods, but here in the lush grass, its undeniable that the Hollows are draining the plant life around them. 

“Kill whoever he is. Fight the Guardian if you must, though I’d prefer it intact. But don’t touch the girl.” He narrows his eyes. “Her thread shall be cut by my hand alone.”

Then it goes into that action sequence. Link is desperately fighting off the Hollows, while also trying to keep eggbot close to protect it. The hollows are laughing, even taunting him, as Astor is just walking calmly forwards towards Zelda, and Link can’t do anything to stop it. 

Then it’s roughly the same, Link flies back as his sword breaks. Zelda is kinda helpless. And then just as Astor is about to reach Zelda again, Link cries out, the Master Sword glows. Everyone looks back, confused. Link pulls the sword. Boss fight. 

After the fight and after Link defeats Astor, he’ll say something like. “That sword...is too powerful.” and blah blah blah. He looks up at Zelda. “Should you come to your senses, Your Highness,” he hisses the words, “I will delightfully accept an invitation with your company again.” He glares at Link. “Perhaps one day, when we have more time, you will fully come to understand where your arrogance is leading you.” He stands, though clutching his side in pain. “Until then, I shall make certain we meet again.” Link charges him, but he disappears in smoke and malice. End the Korok Forest arc.

Okay so! Why is this scene better? Uhhhhhhhh because it fucking is that’s why. We got 1) A villain introduction that’s more menacing 2) an establishment of character goals, but a mystery of character motivation to keep suspense 3) a more insightful look at different character’s feelings and thoughts 4) a much more interesting interaction with dialogue that raises tension and properly climaxes to the action and 5) the story’s momentum moves forward with ascending action, and new story details that set up later scenes. 

I find it absolutely absurd that in the original game, these scenes are not written with more impact. This is the first look into the real mystery and substance that the story has to offer, and the first real look into the prime antagonist’s head. The actions and stakes throughout Act 2 have to properly ascend and rise in order to truly keep the audience engaged. You can’t just rely on mystery alone, you have to make use of character goals. 

Reiterating Zelda’s internal struggles means that this can more easily connect and flow into the later segments where she doubts her ability and sees Link and the others grow stronger. In addition, Astor’s presence is a direct foil to Zelda’s arc. You can already see it a bit based on his dialogue, but I will more fully explain the true depths of how his is a direct foil to Zelda further down the line when all the aspects of his character are revealed. It’s almost as pacing the amount of information you give about a character can properly incite your audience to be more invested in the story, hmm. Anyhow, all you need to know for now is that good antagonists have similarities and aligning viewpoints as the protagonist in the beginning of the journey, much more, than you might think.

= = = = = 

That is it for now! I can’t believe I had to dedicate an entire section to just one battle. But! That is how the story must go, as I need to flesh out as much as possible in only a few cutscenes without ruining the pacing. Tune in next time for flashbacks, backstory, Yiga husbands, token Zelink hours, aaand perhaps just a bit of Impa simping. 

[snaileer]

Chips & Salsa Chp 2

He could already hear the ringing in his ears, the piercing screams that rose every time he stopped. Anytime that he rested, anytime he wasn’t fighting, hurting, killing for the Arena’s amusement.

It had been with a sense of dread that Lance had realized he’d become dependent on the fights. He waited for the next one, and the next, and the next; every muscle tightening the longer it took. 

Once, they’d waited almost a whole week between a fight. Just to see him struggle, to see him beg at the end of it.

“Ask to fight and you shall Paladin,” they’d told him. He’d refused, with every fiber of his being, he’d refused. 

At first.

Then days passed, the guards had barely fed him, and he could hear the ringing start in his ears.

But he could deal with it. He had 4 siblings and even more squealing nieces and nephews. He could push through the noise, he’d done it before. He would not break.

And then it had grown.

The ringing had grown from a high pitched hum, to a roaring yell. And they told him, “Ask to fight and you shall,”

He said no. He kept saying no. He screamed it at them, just to hear his own voice above the neverending scream in his ears. 

But he could tell his body was itching for the fight. Like an addict with a fix. 

Just one fight. Just to make it stop. Just to move, to do something.

But he denied the urge, that horrible darkness that screamed to be let out. He denied it until he couldn't anymore. Until it seemed to take up every single thought he had. Until he could barely think past the noise of it echoing through his brain. One thought could still get through.

“I’ll do it,”

“Say it again, Paladin,”

“I said fine! I’ll fight for you! Make it stop! Just let me out! Let me fight!”

Nothing.

“Please,” It damaged his soul just to say that one word. And yet, when they took him to the Arena and he fought, when he killed and the buzzing of his mind finally settled, he couldn't find it in him to regret it.

And now he could already hear the ringing in the back of his head. Could already hear it growing. Growing as he tried to rest for just one second.

It rose, screeching in his ears and still growing. And it brought with it only one word;

Fight.

x--x--x

Shiro stalked down the prison hallways of the Arena ship. The floor was littered with deactivated sentries, which their EMP had successfully destroyed with the rest of the ship’s controls. He kicked past the metal bodies. He checked every cell, ushering any remaining prisoners towards freedom. He was only looking for one prisoner. One very specific, very important prisoner.

Lance.

Shiro would tear apart the whole ship if he had to. To find him, to find that laughter, the personality that could lift the room, even in the middle of a war. They’d missed it more than any of the team would ever admit.

“Shiro, the Blades have cleared the battle room and prisoner levels one and three.”

“I’m already on level two, Pidge.” The battle room. A nice way of telling him the Arena was empty.

“What if he’s not-”

“Don't even say it, Pidge,” Hunk cut in from beside him, Shiro had almost forgotten the boy was even there. The lack of frightened comments and anxious rambling had made Hunk all that much more invisible. Hunk with no Lance was different too, and it was just another missing piece without Lance.

“Fine. I’m sorry. Be sure to check the room at the end of the hall. It looks like it’s the med-bay for the prisoners,” Pidge’s comm crackled as she ended the conversation.

She was right, the last room did look different. And it was definitely bigger.

But it was also definitely not the med-bay.

The knives and the blood on the floor told them exactly what it was used for. Torture. 

Hunk gagged beside him. Shiro scanned the room, blatantly avoiding the table and weapons, he didn’t have time to get pulled into a flashback. Not when he had a mission.

His eye caught on the space in the back of the room. Small, but enough space for a medical pod. He stepped towards it hesitantly, but his gut still squeezed.

“Hunk, I think-” But Hunk was already moving around the room and had found the pod too. “Shiro, there’s a healing pod back here! There’s someone in it but the EMP we used took down the systems.”

“I’ve got it,” Shiro shoved his own problems down and moved to help Hunk.

“I can't get it open, we’ll have to break the glass,” It was too opaque to be real glass and without power, it would stay that way. Still, it broke like glass when Shiro punched it with his prosthetic.

And Shiro’s heart stopped when the shards fell away.

“We found him,” Shiro vaguely registered Hunk say it, then yell it into the comms. “We found him. Guys, we found Lance! He was in a pod, but we found him, and-”

Shiro snapped out of his daze to catch Lance as he fell from the pod. He weighed almost nothing, looked like skin and bones and roughly refined muscle.

“He’s still asleep, Hunk, we need to go. Now!” If Lance was in a pod, that meant he was injured, that he was hurt badly enough that he would’ve died without it. And now that the pod was broken...

“Yeah, okay, let’s go! Come on, I’ve got the map to the hangar.” Hunk took off down the hallway, Shiro carrying Lance and running behind him. 

“Coran, we’re gonna need a pod as soon as we get to the castle. Lance might be injured,” 

“Is he okay?”

“I don't know, he’s still sedated. Shouldn't he be awake by now, Coran?”

“If the pod’s cycle was stopped early, he’s still going to be in stasis, but not for long. Get him here, quickly. If he wakes up with an injury, it could- .”

“We’re loading into the Black Lion now. Everyone get back to the Castle!” Shiro couldn't bear to listen to the possibilities of what could happen, “Allura, tell the Blades we’ve found him,” 

“Already done, Shiro,” Shiro paused when he had to lay Lance down in Black’s cockpit, only reassured when Hunk sat right next to him.

Shiro pushed Black’s speed back towards the castle. He could hear Lance groan behind him. “Hunk-”

“Shiro, he looks so different. He looks-”

“I know.” He did know, he’d seen the hardness in Lance’s face, visible only if you looked. His hair was cut differently too, it looked vaguely like an undercut, but it was old, starting to grow out of the style. Not even to mention the blaring difference of the prisoner rags, he could already tell Lance would’ve complained about how they clashed with his skin tone. Would’ve.

The moment Black’s feet touched the ground, Hunk was already carrying Lance down the ramp at a run towards the med-bay. Shiro was right on his heels the whole way.

Lance groaned again, and they could hear the pain behind it.

Coran was waiting for them the moment they burst through the doors. They were putting on the medical suit when the rest of the team came running in a moment later. Everyone stopped short at the sight of Lance. 

“Is he-?” Pidge started, her voice uncharacteristically sad. All of their eyes were drawn to the scars as he lay on the medical table.

“He’ll be alright, Shiro, help me get him in the pod.” Coran finished putting the suit on and lifted Lance’s body over to the prepared pod. He gave him to Shiro so he could turn on the machine.

They watched the pale cover slide over his body and the readings pop up on the screen.

Time didn't seem to move anymore. 

Because Lance didn't look like Lance. He looked like a shadow, an empty, dark version of their friend, of their teammate.

All they wanted was for Lance to be okay. For him to be playing a terrible practical joke. For him to finally break character, to laugh and as he talked about how “Oh you should have seen your faces! They were priceless!”

The last few months had been empty without that laugh.

To just hear that laugh. Just once.

But he wouldn’t

They had him back, finally. And yet, they doubted they would ever have that Lance again. The Galra would have crushed him, crushed every bit of his carefree spirit, every remnant of that amazing, loving person. And left nothing in its place.

Lance looked like he was in pain even in the pod. His face scrunched up and tension laced through his body.

“Alright, all of you, out.” Coran turned back to the team gathered around the pod, and time started back up again, “All of you need to rest.”

“I’m not leaving him here alone, what if something-” Keith started, his stubbornness rearing its head.

“Nothing’s going to happen, he’ll be okay,”

“Will he though?” Hunk was almost too quiet, his eyes pinned to the floor.

“What the-? Hunk, why would you say that?” Pidge whipped around at him.

“We all saw the scars. Some of those were definitely not accidents and we know he was in the Arena; Pidge, what if he’s gone? What if our Lance is gone? What if my friend is gone?”

“He’s not! We got him back! He’s fine!”

“Be quiet!” Both of the kids went silent at Coran’s parent voice, even Keith shut his mouth from preparing to enter the argument. “I’ll not have this team falling apart now, not when we are so close to being all together again. Lance would not want that. He wouldn't want you to be arguing, or working yourselves to exhaustion. You all need to eat and get some rest. Our boy is tougher than a Balmeran’s scat, so you’re just going to have to trust he’ll make it through this.”

“Coran-”

“No, Princess, I’ll not hear another word against it. I’ll stay here and monitor his readings until you’re all back in tip-toppity shape. So out! Out, I say!” He started motioning with his hands, shooing them out of the room and towards the doorway.

BeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeep

“What in the-” Coran stopped pushing them out and ran over to Lance’s pod.

“What’s wrong Coran? Why is it beeping? Is he okay?” Keith was the first to rush back in, the rest of them right behind him.

“He’s waking up! I saw his heart rate was a little fast, but he shouldn't be waking up, it’s too early!”

“Why isn’t the pod keeping him asleep? Is it malfunctioning?” Allura was pressing buttons on the pod’s screen cover, trying to figure out what was wrong with the pod.

“It should be working, but-” the woosh of the pod opening made everyone shut up, holding their breath as Keith moved in front of Allura to catch him. He caught Lance by the shoulders, expecting the weakness that often came with the healing pods.

What he got instead was a knee to the stomach. Lance was suddenly a whirlwind of punches and movement, each one hitting a surprised paladin. Except Shiro, Shiro knew what this was, he’d seen the glazed over look in Lance’s eyes. He’d seen it in himself, too.

“Lance!” Nothing, Shiro continued to dodge the blows, “Lance, you’re not in the Arena!” Shiro managed to land his own hit to Lance’s side, surprising him enough to bring him to the ground. “Lance, please, you’ve got to wake up.” Shiro held his wrists, pinning him down, “You’re safe, now. You’re at the Castle, you don't need to fight.”

That seemed to finally give him pause. Just for a second.

“The Castle..” His eyes cleared just a bit, enough to finally see the people around him, “Shiro?”

“Yeah, buddy, it’s us.” Just hearing the sound of his voice, no matter how rough, seemed to heal everyone’s hearts, just a little. “You’re at the Castle, we rescued you. You’re safe now.”

“I’m at the castle?”

“Yeah, Lance,”

“Really, actually here?” The way Lance said it troubled Shiro with the implications. Implications that he didn't believe he would be saved.

“Of course Lance. We saved you,”

“F*ck!” That was the last thing any of them expected Lance to say.

“What?” Hunk looked like he was in shock at Lance’s reaction

“Crap! Crap crap crap!” Lance started trying to push Shiro off of him again, “Dios mio, Shiro, get off of me. You’re like a ton of bricks,” For a ‘ton of bricks’ he sure got out of it quickly. But Shiro’d be lying if he said he hadn't missed those small jokes and the accidental use of spanish every now and then.

Lance jumped up from the floor and moved towards the medical cabinets in the room. Rummaging through them recklessly, swiping stuff off the counters and pushing things out of the cabinets. He was muttering and cursing under his breath, “Where is it? They’ve got to have one somewhere in here,”

“Lance!” And ignoring them apparently, too. “Lance!”

“Lance, stop it!” This time it was Keith who basically yelled his name as he stomped over and grabbed Lance’s wrist. Lance stopped dead in his tracks the moment Keith touched him.

Lance yanked his hand back immediately, and Keith stood just as still as the rest of the room. None of the team dared to move, afraid they’d scare Lance away like a frightened animal. Lance could be going into another flashback, they didn't know what any of his triggers were yet. They couldn’t help him yet. 

Lance’s eyes scanned Keith, catching on the hilt of his blade holster. 

“Finally!” Lance grabbed the knife in seconds, moving to a mirror with his hands wrapped around the blade’s edge. 

“Lance!” He lifted the tip to his temple as Shiro jumped up to pull the knife away from Lance. Keith helped hold him back, though it took both of their strength to keep him in place.

“Lance, please! You don't know what you’re doing! You’re hurting yourself!” Shiro tried to catch his eyes again to bring him out of it but they roamed across the faces of the team watching in horror.

“No, you’re right Shiro, that’d never work. I need….” He stopped at Coran, “A scalpel!”

“Lance, my boy, why don’t we just calm down for a second-,” Coran took a step forward, his hands up in a placating gesture. They needed to get control over this situation. Fast. It was spiralling downwards quicker than any of them could keep up with.

“Calm down?” Lance pulled against Shiro and Keith’s hold, “I can’t calm down! That’s like the last thing I want to do-! Ah! Mother trucker!” Lance stumbled forward, clenching his head in his hand. He looked like he was in pain. Yet he ignored the slash on his palm and the blood trailing down the side of his face from the scratch on his temple. The sudden shift in movement caused the brothers to move forward to try to support him, accidentally loosening their grip in the process.

Lance took the opportunity without hesitation, ripping himself from their hands with surprising speed and strength.

“I’ve got to go,” He started running for the door, “I’ve gotta get out of here,” Lance ran from the room, barely taking a second at the doorway to choose a direction.

Everyone followed after him, calling his name, trying to get him to just stop or slow down just for one second.

But Lance ran track every year in highschool and it showed. He sprinted down the halls, frantically turning corners and hastily choosing random directions.

“I can’t find it! Gah, I can’t f*cking remember! Where is it?! I have to get out!” He paused for brief second at an intersection before rushing down in the direction of-

Allura yelled on the comms as she chased after him, “PALADINS! Cut him off! He’s trying to get to the hangars! I don't think he knows what he’s doing! Be careful!”

Shiro ran through the hangar shortcut, pushing ahead of the group but still making sure everyone else was following him.

He reached the doors first, seeing Lance narrow his eyes when Shiro blocked the hangar entrance. 

But he didn’t stop. Didn’t even slow for a fraction of a second as he ran in a dead charge at Shiro.

He was a second away from tackling them both to the ground when Lance leapt to the side, making into the hangers.

Only to run straight into Allura. She grabbed him, harder this time, her alien strength easily gapping the difference. They couldn't afford to lose him now, not again.

Shiro saw the team come up the hallway behind him and turned to face Lance again, for all too many times in such a short period.

“Lance! Please, do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?” If Lance was having another panic attack, the team could agree that Shiro would be their best bet for getting him out of it.

“Of course I do, Shiro!” The hidden venom in Lance’s voice startled Shiro, “I’m stuck and lost in this freaking castle and I need to go!”

“Why? Please, Lance just stop for a seco-“

“I can’t stop! I have to keep going! Always! I have to keep moving and fighting and I can’t ever just stop! I haven’t been able to stop since you guys left me behind on that Galra ship 3 f*cking months ago!” He was breathing hard by the end of the yell, his words only seeming to catch up with him when the team gasped.

“Sorry Shiro, I didn’t mean-,”

“No,” Shiro hung his head a bit, “It’s okay, you’re right. We shouldn’t have left you behind.” They had all spent more than one night awake with guilt over what’d happened.

“Hardly, I chose to take that path and I chose to be on the other side. You did all you could.”

“Hermano, we should’ve-“ Hunk stepped forward with tears in his eyes.

Lance winced and grit his teeth, stumbling forward again before straightening harshly, “This is sweet and all but I’ve really got to go.”

“Why,” Pidge asked, her voice betraying the anger on her face for desperation, “We just got you back from the Galra and now you’re trying to leave! Why?!”

Lance’s eyes narrowed with a cold hardness to them, “Because they chipped me like a f*cking dog and I’d bet you they’ve already called Animal Control on my ass.”

Next Chapter: https://snaileer.tumblr.com/post/615697648649928704/chips-salsa-chp-3

First Chapter: https://snaileer.tumblr.com/post/613092735756402688/chips-and-salsa-chp-1

[lucarioisinthevoid]

AHHHHHHH I HAVE IDEA!!

How about Henry interacting with Helpy and the “annoying” Ultimate Custom Night characters! Maybe throw in Funtime Freddy!! Helpy could be his son or maybe Bon Bon reincarnated! Just sheer silliness and stupidity :p

Animatronics: Bonnie, BB, JJ, Phantom BB, Phantom Mangle, Phantom Freddy, Old Man Consequences, Trash and the Gang, Helpy, El Chip, Funtime Chica and Phone Guy! (Sorry, no Funtime Freddy here, wasn’t an option- though I don’t mind adding characters that aren’t an option, I would just had to write around that a little more, so I didn’t want to go all in. Events and surroundings all randomly generated like this in-game! Just with slight adjustments for a bit of writing flow). (Special note: This is an experiment. This is a whole ass chapter. Tumblr might not be the right place for it, but I have no better place to put it. If you have an idea on what would work better, I’d love to hear it, but for now this is just it. If you don’t want to read a long chapter, you should probably not press “read more” Honestly, this might not be as much fun as I imagined it to be, I’m terrible at making fun events, heh. If it is, take solace in the fact that it might be the only chapter of this kind on this blog.)

Henry groaned, his bones sending agony through his nerves. It felt like his insides had splintered and were now stuck in his flesh. His throat was burning, but he managed to open his eyes. He was- somewhere. At least it was a place. That was actually news, good news, last time he hadn’t been that lucky after all. Having a couch below him and a room surrounding him was actually a deep relief- it was a room he didn’t have to create himself. Sitting up, he looked around. It seemed to be some sort of employee lounge, a coffee machine, a tv and a couch, with lockers against the walls. A few posters painted the walls. -CELEBRATE!- They said, over and over again. Henry showed his teeth, a grin with no hint of amusement. “… that is what you would like to do, huh?” Standing up he stumbled a little, but the pain only served to keep him awake and grow his confidence. It HURT. And it was GOOD. It hurt, his body hurt, HIS BODY was REAL and in PAIN. When he left to the outside, he was surprised to see that he was inside of one of the oldest locations- at least in form. He was standing beside where the stage was supposed to be, coming from where the saferoom used to be, but to his surprise instead of a stage it was a giant price corner, filled with all sort of plushies and other goodies. Sweets and candies, candles, little gadgets… … and a silver coin among them. It shined and felt oddly… powerful. Ten Faztokens. The other things didn’t even have a price tag, so he decided that he would check back on that later. All items were hidden behind a thin glass wall and he wasn’t sure if he could break through it. Maybe he should try later. Moving further down, he realized a few more things were different- There were TWO pirate coves in the main area and- ‘Pssssst… hey… I have something to tell you…’ Abruptly Henry turned around. Where had that voice come from?! ‘Hey… hey, down here…’ It seemed to come from one of the hallways, leading down to the office. As quick as he possible could, he followed the source of the noise, the mysterious whispers slowly growing louder. ‘It is really… really… important…!’ Finally, he was near the supply closet, looking around. “Hello? Where are you? Who are you? What is this place?” The questions broke out of him more erratically than he wanted them too, the desperation and quiet panic bubbling under the thin veil of cold control- it was almost cracking out of him. ‘Pssssst…’ He spotted a little crate with eyes, and leaned down to investigate- Suddenly a loud noise! The thing was all up in his face, making a low noise, pure bass, causing his head to HURT, but not enough that he would have to hold his ears- Just enough that it shook his skin uncomfortably, from the inside out. Stumbling backwards, he shook his head, the crate had disappeared, leaving him with a headache and burning aggression, so potent that his throat felt sore, as though he had screamed from the top of his lungs… despite not a single noise having come out of him. Moving inside of the office, he was somewhat stunned. It looked like a bedroom. With closet and everything. The wallpaper and whole atmosphere felt… old. A child’s bedroom… except there was an office desk, with a fan, a microphone and a weird little action figure of Bonnie on top of it. Some air ducts were hanging into the room and there were- multiple vents, two doors- A flashlight. Quickly he grabbed it. Great- now all he needed was a taser and maybe he would feel like- “… Henry Miller…” A raspy voice sounded to the side of him, causing him to make a few steps back. In front of him, a creature was forming, a Freddy, burned and see through- It grinned. “… long time… no see…” “I have never met you.” “… your memory is failing you, Mr. Miller…” At this point it seemed to become more and more corporeal, reaching out to the table, its paws scraping over and only slightly moving through the material. Turning to the Pink Guy, he opened his maw a little, nothing visible inside. It was getting ready… “… that’s on you however-“ A squeaky voice sounded. “Maybe you should shine your light at him, Mr. Miller!” Instantly, the flash of his light ripped through the ghostly Freddy, who was quite disgruntled to say the least. “… Helpy… you are supposed to help US.” With that he vanished, giving Henry the chance to turn to around and see who’s mysterious helper was. His eyes fell on a little walking bear standing on the blue shelf, trying to hide between the purple fan. “Whoops…” “… who are you? Can you EXPLAIN this place to me?!” “I’m Helpy! Don’t you remember me, Henry?” Fully irritated the Pink Guy stepped back. “No. No, I did not make you. I THOUGHT about making you, but I never did!” “Oh my, Henry, you must have fallen on your head!” Helpy laughed. “But- I can’t help you actually. Everyone else will be mad! So I won’t tell you how the other people here work!” “Can you at least tell me who exactly these ‘others’ are?!” “Uhm… no. I don’t think so.” Slowly he was reaching behind him for something- But Henry couldn’t worry about it, as a phone suddenly started ringing. Shoving off the bear off the shelf (resulting in a little squeak), he tried to find the source of the noise, his head throbbing. He thought he shortly saw a “mute call” button pop up, but as soon as he saw it, it was already gone. Instead a receiver just- fell from the ceiling, randomly. How? Who KNEW- “Uh- hello? Hello, hello?” “… Phone Guy?” “Scott. Uh- anyways- uh, anyways, I wanted to record a message for you, to help you get settled in on your first-“ “This is not a recording. You just interrupted me. And why would there be a phone RINGING if you were to play a recording!?” For a moment it was quiet, then Scott started laughing. “You never changed, did you?” Irritated Henry skipped past that question, having more urgent matters to talk about. “Scott. Good old Scott. Listen, I think I am in some level of hell.” Dumbfounded there was silence on the other end, while the ghostly Freddy tried to reform, being instantly shooed away by the light. Until finally- “… yes of course. Of COURSE you’re in hell, Henry. Uh. What did you expect?” “I-“ “No, no, no, let’s uh- let’s talk about this. Where did you THINK you are? Because, uhm- not sure how to say this, but- uh- I DIED and I’m in HEAVEN right now and you DIED, sooo… uh- yeah.” “I am glad we talked about this. I cannot recall how I GOT here, however. And everyone seems to know me.” Displeased he shined the light at the grinning grimace of the phantom, before he could even fully form. “Yeah… uh… can’t help you. Actually, I have to go. You don’t have a noise activated animatronic around, do you?” “A- what?” “Hm. Too bad. Talk to you later!” “Wait-“ But before he could say anything else, the connection was cut, and his camera system was blinking up red. ‘Catch a fish!’ the title said, his head becoming dizzy as he watched the little red thing move from one side to the other. Wait, that wasn’t just- the noise and the flashing, the air was getting harder and harder to breathe! … smells like brimstone. He managed to catch the fish, albeit just barely, then opened the camera feed, where a warning sign was blinking. The camera itself was completely covered by another phantomlike animatronic, the Mangle this time. Shortly he blinked at it, shaking his head, then clicking the button that said ‘RESET VENTILATION’. A gust of fresh air instantly blew through the location, allowing him to finally breathe again properly. The fan itself seemed useless- he deactivated it. Having climbed back up, Helpy was back on the shelf, looking at him happily. “Are you having fun?” For a moment Henry looked at him, shining away the Freddy once more. “… no.” Out of the corner of his eyes he spotted Balloon Boy, staring at him with his terrible grin. Instantly he hit the button to shut the door, a dull thud coming from it right away. At least that one gave him a hint of satisfaction, pleased with the mental image that the obnoxious plastic abomination ran face-first into the metal wall. “But you look like you have fun!” Helpy reached behind him, before Henry shoved him over again, still not interested in what he was hiding. “You are TERRIBLE at reading emotions then. A useless AI.” Pouting Helpy sat beside the shelf, not answering this time around. Looking around, Henry got comfortable in his chair, slowly growing… a little bit hot. Huh. Seemed like the fan wasn’t entirely useless after all. Maybe it kept the heat from the hell around them away. … what an image… a Freddy’s in the middle of a fire-y pit. He hoped it wasn’t the case. That would make getting out a lot more complicated. “Is this all I have to deal with?” Henry asked Phantom Freddy, who chose not to answer, but only smile grimly. “… I can live with that.” Leaning back, he quickly flipped up the screen once more resetting the ventilation and shutting the vent to the side one more time for good measure. Again, a bonk. Hopefully Balloon Boy. He relaxed. A routine would form easily. Shine your light, reset the vent, keep the generator going, close the side vent for a while. At least for now the place seemed empty- Suddenly something DROPPED from the ceiling. Lights flashed a heap of shadow-y humanoid figures entered with what sounded like cameras, flashing and shining, making Henry’s head spin. On the top of his table stood Funtime Chica posing elegantly. “Don’t get distracted~!” She spun around showing herself off, then blew a kiss down at him. Then she turned to Helpy. “Helpy!!! Why didn’t you tell me our guest was already here!!!” She whined, upset. Her paparazzi had vanished again, she however stuck around. “My first impression was TERRIBLE! Because of YOU!” “I’m sorry Miss Funtime Chica!” Helpy didn’t seem bothered by the accusation. “He was just suddenly here!” “Aw- well- at least he’s a total cutie!” “Why thank you.” Henry rose an eyebrow, but tried to continue focusing on the plastic children trying to enter the office, as well as the Phantom trying to materialize behind her. “I appreciate the compliments, especially from someone who seems to have an eye for it.” “Oooooh, look at him~ so adorable~ I wanna pinch his cheeks!” Sitting down on the desk, the bird smiled widely, watching him. “How’s the night going~?” “Rather fast. I think I have a grip on it though.” “Hm? Are you sure~?” Before Henry could answer his tablet acted up. For a few seconds he saw the little 8-bit fishing game- but before he could catch it, the screen changed showing an add. “COME TO EL CHIP’S FIESTA BUFFET, WE HAVE-“ Instantly clicking on skip, Henry managed to get another glimpse at the game- And then it was gone, a red GAME OVER stuck on his screen. His breath was getting shorter as the smell of brimstone slowly started filling the room again, the red alarms blinking, but the screen constantly flashing error when he tried to access it. More and more his head hurt, the room seemed to become darker and darker- was this smoke?! Was smoke entering the room? Would he be poisoned by the gasses!? Desperately he rattled the screen, while Chica only giggled and left, Helpy watching intensely from the shelf. “You know, if you just wait a few minutes, it’s gonna-“ Frustrated Henry shoved him down once more, his mouth filling with a disgusting taste as the room began spinning- It all come together, once Freddy formed, the Balloon Boy loomed in the vent, a second after, the telephone was ringing- Suddenly the screen flashed back up and he instantly grabbed it, trying to get his bearing as he hit the button to reset, being stuck for a second too long on the grinning grimaces of both a phantom Balloon Boy and Mangle- the latter of which suddenly crawled out of the screen and while he managed to hit the button, his office had descended into chaos. Helpy was holding a horn, the phantom Freddy had almost formed, the phantom Mangle was slowly extending its neck towards him, screaming and gargling in insane glee and to top if all off, the screen flashed red AGAIN, forcing him to focus on that instead of the other two things- Balloon Boy was snickering as he tried to make his way inside, Henry barely being able to shut the vent on him before discovering the stupid crate from the start looking at him from under the table. “Uh- hello? Hello, Hello?” “Scott. Bad timing.” “That is my job!” Cheerfully the Phone Guy said. “To be as much of a nuisance to you as possible. Uh- glad to hear the high praise. How are you? Bad? Good. Uh- anyways, I will now read to you the company greeting, but only the imperfect, first draft so you feel bad about what bullshit you wrote!” “I can crush this phone.” “No, uh- you actually can’t! The afterlife is neat, huh?” “I can mute you.” “If you are fast enough. Which you obviously weren’t. You really grew old, uh- up there…” “MY REFLEXES ARE GREAT AS EVER.” “If it were the case you wouldn’t, uh- y’know. Fighting with me over this.” “I am not fighting with you, I am merely correcting you. As I always did while we were alive.” Stopping the petty crap, seeing as he wasn’t even sure if this WAS actually the real Scott, he turned his attention to more important things. “What is this place? Who made it?!” “Uh- Welcome to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza! A magical place for kids and grown-ups alike, where fantasy and fun come to life. Fazbear Entertainment is not responsible for damage to property or person-“ Instantly Henry tuned out. “Good riddance, Scotty.” He mumbled to himself, taking solace in the memory that no matter what, this obnoxious Phone-head had been dead for much longer than he himself. While the words kept going in the background, he kept working, pausing as a bright green mechanical parrot flew through his office. But- it didn’t really do anything, so he decided to ignore it for now. A good amount of time passed with his voice in the background, until it was abruptly cut off- seemingly by the ad for El Chip’s. Once that was skipped, the office was quiet, aside from the fan. Finally! The silence lingered. For a second Henry felt a bit lonely. Not even the little bear was there anymore. There was enough to do though, as the air kept needing to be reseted, Freddy kept popping up, the parrot came through once more, the minigame, the annoying balloon children wanted in- At last… … it was five AM. One last time the call sounded. Henry allowed it to come through, despite eyeing the ‘mute call’ button. “Hello? Hello, hello!?” It sounded on the other side. “Hey! You’re doing GREAT. I, uh- didn’t expect you to last this long! I mean-“ He broke off. “Y’know. Usually I expected you to move on to other things by now… disappearing into the void like you should, seeing as there’s no out.” “I will not disappear.” “Huh. Guess I owe the person who made this place an apology. I was wrong-“ “Who?! Who was it?! Who are you TALKING about?!” But before anything could be said, the bell chimed. Six AM His screen changed once more, a high-score board showing, then loud music started blasting from the speakers, hyper and fast paced, the numbers blinking and colorful, rapidly climbing higher and higher as fireworks were set up on the screen and around Henry, raining down confetti as they exploded- GREAT JOB! FANTASTIC! The fireworks stopped and the jingle ended with a congratulatory little up and down. Then the office was dark. Slowly he stood up, leaving to the outside, checking for danger- “Hey! You won. Here, take this for your trouble.” Suddenly ANOTHER Freddy was there, a golden star on his chest- he dropped a battery into Henry’s hands that he had grabbed, then he walked off. “Wait- wait a moment! I need an explanation! I need-“ The bear was gone. After a while of searching around the place and not finding an exit, Henry finally sighed and made his way back into the saferoom- or employees only lounge, or- whatever. Inside it was just like before. Safe. Except this time the TV was on. And there was a Fredbear suit on the sofa. How? Who knew. Why? Hopefully not to kill him. Slowly he moved next to it, inspecting it. At this moment it seemed completely lifeless, yet somehow he felt watched. “Am I… interrupting…?” No reaction. Walking past the suit, he put away the battery. Still no reaction, but he could swear the creature was looking at him. Unsure he approached it once more, sitting down besides him. “… looking at… fuzzystatic. I see. I think I will… join.” Suddenly, a loud noise of came from the tv, then it flashed. INTERMISSION. A little bit later, Henry was done watching a samurai Freddy fighting an ULTRA edgy Foxy, he put his face into his hands. “… send me back out. Please. I actually prefer it.”

[archadianskies]

and we will never be afraid again

@dbhrarepairs Friday Day 5: Crossover / Unexpected Rescue; during the revolution ST300/Tina Chen

To be perfectly honest, she's still on the fence about the whole android thing: she’s not like Gavin Reed who absolutely loathes them, and she’s not like Mack Wilson who ever since being rescued by the prototype detective has nothing but high praise for them. She’s sort of always just been in the middle in the sense that if she minds her business and they mind theirs, then she doesn’t have to think about them. 

Only the social climate is rapidly changing in Detroit and the dirty word is ‘deviant’ and the city seems to be crawling with them. The DPD’s always worked with androids; like every other establishment in the city they have android janitors and receptionists, with the unique addition of police units- but now instead of looking at them as machines, she’s starting to wonder if they should be seen as something different. Something more. Someone alive.

Central precinct has three ST300s at the front as receptionists, and a human security staff to oversee them. They’ve been there for five years now and Tina’s really never bothered to pay attention to them. One of them, the one that sits closest to Gary’s post, always says good morning to her, every morning, and Tina’s always figured it’s some sort of social programming. Last Spring when she found some lost kid and reunited him with his mother, the woman had given Tina a bouquet as a token of her gratitude. Not really knowing what to do with them, she’d given the flowers to the ST300 and told it to put the flowers in a vase. Flowers belonged at reception anyway; better to be admired by the public than to wilt away on Tina’s desk inside the bullpen. Ever since then, ever since the bouquet of flowers, the ST300 never fails to greet her daily.

*~*~*

It’s a fucking nightmare and she can usually tolerate Gavin’s brashness and vulgarity but not today. She’s gritting her teeth and powering through cramps, and there’s a gaping void in her chest because a case went south and it had been her knocking on the door and telling a parent their kid totaled their car and wasn’t coming home. She can hear her mother’s sigh in her head, her ‘I told you you’re wasting your talent there, you should be a doctor like your cousin’ as if a doctor didn’t also have to tell parents their kid wasn’t coming home when something went south.

“Officer Chen?” The ST300 is at her desk, holding out a cup of coffee. “Your stress levels are incredibly high. You should take a moment to eat and drink something.”

“Uhhh thanks?” She accepts the coffee and the android goes back out to reception.

*~*~*

Her neighbour is the lovechild of Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks, and Tina admires her absolute rejection of social expectations and maybe even envies it a little.

“Teeny!” She greets with a gasp. “I have a present for you! I know your birthday was two weeks ago but I’ve been bathing her in moonlight and making sure her aura was glowing before giving her to you.”

“What, you’ve magicked me a girlfriend Tessie is that it?”

“Oh no no, you can’t force love onto a person.” She seems mortified Tina even suggested it, and her expression makes her laugh loudly in the hallway. “Don’t you vanish into your apartment yet! Hold tight!” She slips back into her home, all shawls and fluttery layers and the scent of herbs, before emerging with a sweet blooming cactus. “Here you are! Happy birthday!”

“Oh my god that’s so fucking cute.” Tina looks at the small plant cupped in her palms. “Fuck Tessie this is adorable , thank you!”

“I knew you’d love her!” She gives a little bounce as she claps her hands excitedly. “Keep her at work. Your desk is lonely.”

“How would you know that?” Tina narrows her eyes suspiciously as her neighbour shrugs.

“Vibes.”

If she’s being honest, she doesn’t trust herself with greenery- even the desert kind. The cute little cactus sits at her desk for all of a week before she’s fretting over it. Can’t water it too much or it drowns and rots, can’t not water it or it dries out. She doesn’t trust her very human brain to remember the proper schedule to maintain a cactus and so she figures that an android certainly won’t forget. And flowers belong at reception anyway, where the public can admire them. The ST300 smiles brightly when she hands her the cactus and promises to take very good care of it. It’s then that Tina realises she has freckles dusted across the bridge of her nose and the tops of her cheeks and that they crinkle when she smiles and she’s very very cute.

*~*~*

There’s a revolution underway, right here in Detroit, and she’s caught in the thick of it. The safety of Detroit’s citizens falls to the DPD, and it’s up to them to uphold the peace. But it doesn’t sit right, doesn’t feel right, to see the androids being rounded up. To see shipping containers converted into temporary recycling plants to deactivate and dismantle them one by one like some morbid de-assembly line. They look very real, they sound very real, and they seem to feel very very scared. When the order reaches the DPD, there’s a conundrum: all androids are to be turned over for immediate destruction, but without the android police units there’s not enough police presence to get the job done. And the police are still working with the prototype detective. Captain Fowler compromises and says the police units stay, the prototype goes back to CyberLife, and the rest of the androids get turned over for destruction.

She considers herself a by-the-book kind of officer but she’s fucking noping out of this one. No thank you. No siree. Anyone who knows her would say ‘impulsive’ is at the bottom of the list of words to describe Tina Chen, but the situation calls for it.

“We have to go.” She grabs the ST300 by the wrist. “Come on.”

“My shift isn’t finished, I-” Her LED flickers red as the other two androids look over at them. “I can’t leave.”

“You can, and you will.” Tina tries to tug her but she stands firm. “You have to come with me or they’re going to take you away to be destroyed.” The panic is rising in her throat and she fights to keep it down. “I heard the captain, you have to leave. Now .”

“Officer Chen, my place is-”

“You’ll die! I don’t want you to die!” Tina nearly shouts, and the android’s LED turns a bright solid red, so red it looks like it’s burning. She winces, her hands trembling as if she’s fighting something, wrestling with herself, before she freezes and opens her eyes again.

“I don’t- where will we go?” She hadn’t really thought that far ahead but Tina just tightens her grip on her wrist and runs. She can hear the FBI prick, can hear the Lieutenant swear at him and the sound of a sudden scuffle, and she runs . She runs until they’re in the carpark, and then she’s shoving the android into her car and then she’s nearly dropping the key before shoving it in, turning it, and driving off. She’s highkey panicking now but the thought of her being taken away, of not hearing her good mornings or seeing her brights smiles or receiving her little plant update photos on her phone overrides all the panic. Tina brings her to the apartment building, making the perilous climb up the fire escape which is more hazard than escape, and then she’s knocking rapidly, near pounding on her neighbours window.

“Tessie I need you to hide her please I’m begging you you can’t let them find her they’ll take her away and-” her neighbour just holds out her hand to the android before shooing Tina away and Tina nearly collapses in relief as she heads back down the fire escape and vows silently to buy her neighbour whatever the fuck she wants in return.

*~*~*

The revolution happens and the androids win. It’s not some Skynet horror story that leads to the genocide of humans. It’s actually the complete opposite and despite humans treating them like garbage, they want to be a part of society alongside them. It’s an odd but not unwelcome turn of events. Tina’s glad she chose their side because really, when she thinks about it, they’re living sentient beings. They’re not just machines, they’re alive. They experience fear and sadness and happiness and joy too. They experience a sense of accomplishment when they take their post again and are told they did a good job. They experience a sense of pride when the little cactus produces another bloom. They experience a sense of relief and camaraderie when a human officer addresses them by their chosen name, like a human instead of a model number like a machine.

“Good morning Officer Chen.”

“Good morning Stephanie.” Tina smiles. “How’s Eddie doing today?” She gestures at the echinopsis cacti, and the android smiles.

“Ready to take on the day.”

[baadbaadblacksheep]

Genji76 Week: Day 1

Prompt: Meeting, Past/History, Firsts

Read on Ao3: [x]

The Strike Commander swept through the Blackwatch quarters every so often, once a week maximum if he could help it. He thought it was important to maintain his presence to the black ops group and remind them that there was actually somebody in command other than Gabriel Reyes. It was his only hands-off project and yet he still felt the need to try to dig his fingers in. Reyes was always quick to shoo him away from snooping around, having to nearly drag Morrison to his office when the man insisted on dragging his feet by observing the details of the quarters and its inhabitants. 

“He’s no one you need to be concerned about. Just an asset. Keep moving, Morrison,” Reyes had barked at him when he first noticed the newest acquisition. Genji was still recovering from his life-saving alterations, sitting on a cot in their own medbay reserved for recovery and small injuries. He had been acquired a week and a half ago, and Jack would have known about him right away if Angela wasn’t so deathly serious about her patient confidentiality vows. Reyes growling at her to keep her mouth shut about this detail of the highly classified Blackwatch op also helped.

Morrison moved right along as they passed the observance window looking into the recovery room, but his eyes were locked on the cyborg. The man looked as rigid as the machinery that made up parts of his body, unmoving like he was a deactivated omnic. The Strike Commander would have left his curiosity there, let it drop off, but just before Genji was out of sight, the cyborg moved. His head perked up slightly, and his red eyes found blue. 

Genji was a well-kept secret until he was finally approved to train with Blackwatch nearly 3 months later. Angela did not want him to strain himself until she knew his body could handle it. In those months, Jack Morrison had not forgotten about the man in the medbay. He had tried asking Gabriel about him, but was blown off every time with a gruff “You’ll see in time.” Jack stopped asking after about a month, though he always peered about the Blackwatch quarters in search of those red eyes during his weekly visits. 

It wasn’t until Morrison was invited to watch Blackwatch’s daily training that he finally saw Genji again. Reyes was proud of his elite agents and Genji had become one of them very quickly. Gabriel had his arms crossed, smiling proudly as he watched the simulation below their observation tower run without a hitch. Jack had to admit, Genji and McCree teamed up made one hell of an offensive force. 

“Impressive,” Morrison murmured, his eyes never leaving the cyborg. “Is he cleared for the field yet?” A muscle worked in the Blackwatch commander’s jaw, and he was no longer smiling. 

“No. Anger issues. He does well in the simulations but outside of them he’s a loose cannon. Put Gonzalez through a wall last week for staring too long.” Gabriel blew out a sigh, rolling his shoulders. Tension in his muscles that would never leave. “He teams up with McCree every simulation, but he won’t work with anyone else. Not approving him for field work until he will.” Jack nods, watching the Blackwatch crew leave the simulation area with victorious whoops and roughhousing. Sure enough, the cyborg trailed behind, not joining in the triumph.

“He’ll make it. I know a certain hothead who didn’t work well with others when he was younger. He’s a commander now.” Jack grins and dodges the punch to his shoulder.

Where McCree had always been at Reyes’ side when he walked around the base, Genji now joined the other side. It was like day and night trailing behind the commander. McCree was kind, greeting others as they passed and always having a quip for a few of them. Genji radiated anger and hate, making a move for a sword or knife on his person if anyone gawked or approached him. The gawking from others stopped fast. 

Morrison and Reyes passed each other in the hallways often. They were both busy men with places to be. They would exchange curt nods and continue on their way. Now that Genji was tagging along, Jack always spared a glance to the cyborg, trying to observe him the most he could for the few seconds he had before they passed. The first few times, he was pretty sure he was getting away with it. Genji never reacted to his staring.

The cyborg surprised him one day during those hallway passings when he stopped suddenly, letting Reyes and McCree continue forward without him. The Strike Commander’s footing faltered, and he stopped in his tracks when Genji’s gaze pierced his own.

“Getting a good look, commander?” Came the heavily synthesized voice from behind the metal mask, accompanying barely-squinting eyes. It should have sounded angry, it should have sounded offended. To Jack’s surprised, it only sounded like a genuine question. Almost a purr. The commander’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. He was dumbfounded.

Gabriel calling, “Genji, quit screwing around,” from over his shoulder without breaking stride is what finally broke the standstill. The cyborg’s head tilted minutely, a soft ‘tch’ escaping him before he broke his gaze away from Morrison and stalked forward. 

Morrison blinked, hoping his slightly pinker face wasn’t too noticeable as he continued on his own path.

“So. He likes you. What did you do to him?” Morrison nearly choked on his water. He was meeting with Reyes to go over the intel collected during the last Blackwatch op, and they were finally wrapping up when Reyes decided to drop that on him. A small hint of a smirk was quirked in the corner of Gabriel’s mouth. God damn him.

“Who do you mean?” Morrison offered lamely, replacing the cap to his water bottle. He wasn’t stupid. It was Genji. The cyborg had been left on his own for two weeks while Gabriel and McCree, the only two people he would talk to or approach, were off base on the op. In their absence the half metal man had been sneaking and skulking around the base, nearly scaring Angela to death when he jumped down from some unseen high point in the medbay to meet with her for his weekly checkup with her. 

“Don’t play dumb. What did you do to the little ball of rage? He perks up and listens when people talk about you. I’ve seen him staring at you when you’re near us. Athena even reported his location as being in the main base when I was looking for him the other day. He never bothers to leave Blackwatch quarters. So what was he doing around yours, hm? McCree’s actually upset his little buddy’s been missing so much.” The little smile was gone, replaced by a deadly serious stare and a mouth set to grim. Reyes crossed his arms, staring Jack down. “What’s going on?”

What did he expect him to say? It wasn’t like Jack was actually talking to the guy. He had noticed him around the main base more often, yes, but he had assumed he was just wandering without Reyes to follow those few weeks. Well, wait. He had technically talked to Genji. The sneak had been in his quarters a few days ago. Morrison had been taken aback at the sight of the stoic cyborg sitting cross-legged on his bed, as though he had been waiting there for him. When Jack had asked what he wanted, hand reaching for the regulation pistol under his duster, the man had simply sighed and rolled his eyes, striding past him out the door.

“If it is not obvious, do not concern yourself,” was the cryptic answer he received. 

“God damn it, Morrison, don’t make me spell it out,” Reyes barked, pulling him out of his memory, “Are you fucking around with Shimada?”

Jack scoffed, eyebrows knitting together. The nerve! “What? No! I’m not McCree. I don’t fraternize. I especially wouldn’t do that with subordinates.” Reyes gave a snort of laughter at the McCree comment, rolling his eyes.

“He’s technically my subordinate, not yours. And maybe it would be good for the both of you. You both have a lot of tension you could stand to get rid of.” It was Jack’s turn to snort.

“Are you giving me permission to screw your soldier?” The Strike Commander snarled, rising from his seat and gathering his notes. The Blackwatch commander did the same, shrugging in nonchalance. 

“You don’t need my permission to do anything, do you Jackie? Besides, I was just settling a bet. I owe McCree fifty creds now.”

Things changed after that. It was slow at first. Jack started to lock eyes with Genji when they passed in the hallway, raising his eyebrows in silent greeting and getting raised eyebrows in return by the whole trio. Jack greeted him by name once when he passed by Genji by himself, waiting outside of medbay for Angela. Genji’s surprise and near-disappointed look as Jack kept walking confirmed for Jack what Reyes had been saying. Genji had even bumped shoulders with him during one of Jack’s weekly Blackwatch visits as he passed him by. 

Jack wasn’t too fond of beating around the bush. The game they were playing was getting old for him quickly. Genji obviously felt the same way, he would soon discover. Reyes had stopped him from entering the Blackwatch quarters with a raised hand. 

“Athena’s reporting Genji as being last seen on the cameras in the main Overwatch base. Seeing as you two keep eyefucking each other every damn day, I thought maybe he was with you. And I bet you know where he is, too. Don’t come back without him.” The door slammed in his face, making Jack step back in surprise. He could easily override the lock set on the door, but his anger turned him on his heel and sent him stalking out back to the main base. Fine. Jack would deliver the damn cyborg with a ribbon and bow if that’s what Reyes wanted. He was ending this now.

“Athena, where was agent Shimada last seen?” Jack growled to the ever-listening AI. 

“Agent Shimada was last seen entering your quarters, Strike Commander. He had your passcode, would you like to change it?” Jack headed for his room, feeling a fluttering nervousness at her response.

“Ah… no, Athena. Permission granted for his entry for now.” What was he doing? What was Genji doing? Morrison felt as nervous as a teenager, stopping outside his door, hesitating to enter his code. 

He was expecting Genji to be sitting on his bed again, but he wasn’t expecting his mask to be off. The metal mask and the black cloth mask worn over it was discarded on the bed beside Genji, though his hand still rested on them protectively, like he expected to put them right back on. They stared at each other for a while, Jack focusing on the scarred lips and cheeks he had never seen before. He wondered if many others had gotten to see this, either. 

Genji’s mouth worked itself into a frustrated frown when the staredown lasted too long for his liking. “I see I was mistaken yet again. At least you are not going for your gun this time.” He moved to get off the bed and was stopped in surprise by the “wait!” that tumbled out of Jack’s mouth. 

Jack cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed for his outburst. “Let’s talk.” The door slid shut behind him.

The Strike Commander didn’t return that day. However, Genji returned, alone, later that night after dinner had been served in the mess hall and the nightly rituals of poker games and drinking had started up in the Blackwatch rec room.  

“Where the hell have you been?” Jesse’s voice crooned out, trying to keep the kicked-puppy look off his face, “Ain’t like you to go missing fer so long.” Reyes rolled his eyes next to him, revealing his hand to the rest of the players.

Genji shrugged, expression unreadable. “None of your concern. Though McCree, I will say you now owe Commander Reyes his fifty creds back.” The cyborg left the room and headed back to his quarters, leaving the rec room in a state of chaos as the agents witnessed their commander nearly fall out of his seat in laughter.

[ahgaru]

DAY6 Imagines: Once/Twice Series’ Special Chapter (3)

Pairing: Brian x Reader

Word Count: 2,132

Read: Once is a coincidence. Twice is not. , Once is enough. Twice is too much. and Special chapter (1) and (2) first before reading this :)

Note: It would be good if you’d listen to Congratulation at the last part. You’ll know when to play it. ;)

“Are you really not gonna continue for the next semester?” Your friend questioned

You sighed and looked away “I told you for the nth time, I’m not”

The last semester has been tough. Brian did every single thing he could just to talk to you and you did every single thing to avoid him. You even skipped some classes or would come in late every time you see him waiting in front of your classroom’s door; you’d hide at the back of your classmates when leaving the room after class if he’s outside, waiting for you to come out; you never answered his calls and text messages neither his friends’; you’d always pretend to be not in your dorm when you’re actually just laying on your bed trying to contain all the tears and pain.

“But did you really have to deactivate your social media accounts and change your number?” she exhaled a sharp breath “What the hell?”

“He needs this, okay?”

“He doesn’t” Her eyes darted to yours and even if you wanted to look away, you couldn’t “He told you, he doesn’t need this.”

“He does.” You insisted “Maybe he couldn’t see it for now but someday he will. And he might even thank me for this. He does great in everything and I might just drag him down. I don’t want him to fail because of me.”

She’s staring you intently, trying to read your eyes. You kind of felt uncomfortable and nervous.

“He does great in everything” She spoke while slowly nodding “And he does best in music… And loving you”

Your chest tightened. You blinked twice while slowly letting out a breath. You had a hard time swallowing because your throat got dry.

“Was his best not enough?” She smirked “Oh yeah… His best was too much” She raised an eyebrow as you pressed your lips together, forming a thin line.

You looked away “I should get back to work.” You excused as you stood up to walk toward the counter. Even if you hadn’t seen it, you’re sure she rolled her eyes.

After the last semester ended, you looked for a job and here you are now: at a coffee shop not too near from school neither too far. And yes, you’re gonna have a break from school, too and work for a while to save up some money. But who are you fooling? Not anyone but yourself. You’re trying to convince yourself that you’re doing it for the said reason but you know deep inside, you’re doing this to avoid Brian.

Did you really have to go that far? Well, you could go back anyway. Having a break for a semester or two wouldn’t hurt right?

Every single day is a blur. The only thing you could remember is your friend going to your work place from time to time to nag at you during your break. Nothing much changed since your breakup. Oh how you hate that word. And even if you don’t want to think about it, someone is making you. You don’t know if it’s fortunately or not that your workmate is a fan of them; and she doesn’t know you’re friends with them.

“And you know I heard they’re gonna have their debut real real soon.” You sighed and gave her a small smile “They’re already quite known here because of their gigs, guesting and busking. And I’m really happy that finally they’re gonna have their debut”

You already lost count on how many times you’ve heard it from her. She really likes them. But somehow you’re wondering why it was delayed. Did they have a problem while making their album? Or maybe it’s not really delayed but you were just expecting it to happen sooner. You don’t know. And you don’t want to ask.

Your eyes widened and you froze when you saw a familiar figure approaching; he seemed oblivious with his phone held against his ear, talking to someone. When he’s finally in front of the counter, his eyes widened, mouth agape. You both blinked several times, both in shock. Your workmate seemed to be surprised, too. Seeing one of the members of the band that she really likes in front of her.

“J-Jae…”

He once again blinked before saying your name. You heard your workmate gasped. You felt her gaze shifted from you to Jae then from Jae to you. You glanced behind him and he also looked behind over his shoulder.

“He’s… He’s not with me”

You cleared your throat, still feeling your workmate’s gaze, before you looked at him again. “W-why are you here?” Your brows furrowed “You don’t really drink coffee. Strawberry Cream Tea?”

“I actually need coffee today”

“Americano then?”

He nodded. Your heart beat is raising and your hands were shaking. Fortunately your workmate was the one who made his order. You didn’t really want to talk to any of them; afraid that they may be mad at you and because you don’t know what you’d feel and say. But then, you found yourself asking your workmate to let you off the counter for a bit and now, you’re standing beside Jae’s table.

“J-Jae…” you hesitantly took the seat when he offered. He looked at your eyes and he seemed to know what you want.

“I’m not gonna tell him” You heaved a sigh of relief “If you tell me everything. You didn’t even answer our calls. You—you just disappeared like bubble. Man, how could you?”

You cupped your face with your hands, trying to calm down and compose yourself. When you have mustered the strength to speak, you told him everything.

“What?!” You closed your eyes, preventing a single tear to escape “That’s ridiculous, man. You—“

“Jae, please…” You bit your lower lip before continuing “I already had enough earful from (Your friend’s name).”

It was a full minute of silence. You just want to disappear from his sight right now. And the last thing you heard from him was “Don’t make dumb mistakes that you’re gonna regret later in life” before you went back to work.

As if your energy hasn’t yet depleted, your workmate bombarded you with questions.

“You knew each other? You’re friends? I never expected. I—I’m so speechless! I didn’t even manage to get a single photo because I was dumbstruck. You—You always seemed to be uninterested when I talk about them.” She took a pause and seemed like thinking before she gasped and grabbed your arm “So that’s why you have a studio version of Eyeless that no one else has and that’s why you wouldn’t send it to me! And Jae doesn’t drink much coffee? You’re friends with them! Oh my gosh! Please let me meet them! Please”

You massaged your temple and took your arm away from her grip. She spoke so fast and you’re just too tired to answer.

Every single day at work, she would bother you about it. Today is not an exception. You were so thankful when a costumer came but gasped in surprise when you saw who it was; he called out your name with a big smile on his face.

“My favorite cousin!” He exclaimed, spreading his arms. You instantly grinned.

You talked to catch up with each other after your work. You missed him so much since it’s been 2 years that you last saw each other.

“Let’s have dinner tomorrow?” He asked as he put an arm around your shoulder. You’re both walking to the bus stop to head home; you to your dorm and he to his friend’s house. “Well, that is if you don’t have a date with your boyfriend”

“I don’t have a boyfriend”

He halt from walking and made you face him. His forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean you don’t have a boyfriend? You broke up? He hurt you?”

You sighed. “It’s a long story and I don’t really wanna talk about it now”

He bit his lower lip, hands on his waist, as he nodded “Alright. Just tell me when you’re ready” He put his arm on your shoulder again and continued walking.

You’re gonna ride a different bus so he’s leaving first. He hugged you before going in and kissed you on your forehead. You felt your heart stopped when you remembered a certain person.

“Take care, okay? I love you!” he exclaimed before finally riding the bus.

You laughed as you shooed him away “I love you, too. See you tomorrow!” Your grin slowly faded when you turned to your left.

Eyes were darted on you; sad and in pain. Your mouth agape, ready to call him, when he turned and walked away.

“Finally!” your workmate exclaimed one day “Their MV from their debut album will be released tonight and they’ll gonna have a First Mini-album Concert! Are you coming?”

“I don’t know”

It’s been two weeks since that eyes that were in pain laid on you. Why didn’t I call him? Why didn’t I—you sighed and stood up to open your laptop. Your day was tiring, especially when you have a workmate who keeps on bugging you about your ex’s band, and now you’re going to get yourself be more drained.

You let out a shaking breath as you clicked to play their first ever MV.

Now you won’t even pick up my calls

Instead of you, I hear a dull voice

There are always hard days

But you can’t win over that moment and you look for an alternative

As soon Jae started singing, you felt a pang in your chest. Your breathing became heavy and your chest seemed tight. Jae’s voice was so sad. His eyes were conveying the song’s emotion. You never thought this was going to be a sad song.

Let’s take some time

When I heard that

I understood it exactly as it sounded

That we should take some time

It’s getting more and more painful and even harder to breathe. You let out a heavy breath when Sungjin sang his first part. You gasped when the couple in the MV were eating ramen. That’s his favorite! You remembered how he wants egg for his ramen after the ramen has been cooked. Tears gathered in your eyes. You pressed your lips together when the guy was playing the guitar. He always wanted to play the guitar and not the bass.

Congratulations, you’re so amazing

Congratulations, how could you be so fine?

How could you trample on me?

I see your smiling face, I guess you forgot everything

As much as you wanted to stop your tears from falling, they already fell. His part was the chorus. You felt how sarcastic the song is. Congratulations. You even thought it was a happy song but this is really a heartbreaking one.

When you said let’s take some time

When you said let’s think about it

You looked into my eyes and made me believe you

Like this

While the couple’s memories flashed on the MV, memories of you and Brian flashed in your mind, too. The random kisses and now there’s Chopper hat. Is that the one I gave him? How you miss those days, watching One Piece together is a must in your weekly schedule. You both love that anime so much.

Your eyes were already clouded up with tears. Your shoulders are moving up and down as you try to catch some to breathe. You were busy wiping your tears away but when the chorus came again, they were falling non-stop like a waterfall.

Then it hit you… Did he misunderstand--that night with your cousin at the bus stop? Does he think you cheated on him? Or is he thinking that you already found a new man?

You don’t want to over think that this song is for you but it explains your situation with him right now; even the music video screamed memories of you.

And never in your whole life that you thought you’d cry to someone’s rap but there you are clutching your chest while trying not to cry even more even if you know it’s impossible; especially that he’s the one rapping.

Seriously wow girl congratulations

It didn’t take you long, you’re such a hotshot

Huh, I saw your picture on the Internet

Are you that happy? Your smile goes up to your ears

For me, my heart still hurts every time I breathe

But it’s good that you’ll never be in pain

Because even if you break up with him

You’ll just start a new love again

Your room is filled with wails and bawls. You cried till you fell asleep and the last thing you remembered was asking yourself about what you have done and telling yourself “Seriously, wow self… Congratulations”

Special Chapter (4)

[fate-ad2021]

17. “Aftermath and Next Steps”

Session 17, Apr 23, 2017

Word count: 7,044 words

In-Game Dates: Sunday, June 13, 2021 and Monday, June 14, 2021

In which everyone catches up, gets some sleep, and begins to make future plans.

I. News of the Aftermath

It is around 10pm by the time everyone convenes at the safe house. The office building team comes leaping in about an hour after the farmhouse team, with Archer and Val supporting Saber between them.  Once inside, Caster finally agrees to drop all disguises; he takes on the Hanged Man form and returns Val to his own.

Assassin takes over for Val and helps Archer take Saber back to the “basement” room.  There, she checks over their new ally:  his right arm is withered up to just above the elbow, and he has suffered severe energy drain from the death seal.  Which Archer standing close by, she begins to work on a poultice to speed the regrow of his arm.  She doubts that she can entirely fix the damage that the energy drain has done, especially considering how short their time together will likely be.  With luck, though, she will be able to help him regrow the arm if he rests for at least a day.

In the living room, Caster turns to Jim.  “You should call Reines.  She should know about all of this.”

“Hey!”  Val exclaims. “Why him, and not me?”

“Because you didn’t even tell her after you got geised.”  Caster snaps back.

As the others nod in agreement, Val huffs and crosses his arms. “You’re all ganging up on me.  At least Saber loves me.”

“Saber doesn’t—”

Val’s War phone interrupts Jim’s protest.  Val pulls out the phone with a flourish and answers it: “Yo, Orsino.”

“Good evening, Valentin,” Orsino greets him.  “I trust you all got home safely.”

“Yup, we’re all here!  All—” he pauses to count, “—eight of us.”

“Eight?” Orsino marvels, his tone amused.  “So you’ve picked up another stray?”

“Yup!  I contracted with Saber after Vasilyevich tried to get him to kill us.”

Orsino hums.  “Your group certainly has a way with that.  Speaking of Vasilyevich, I called to inform you that he tragically did not make it very far from the farmhouse.  I’m sure you’re all saddened to hear of his demise.”

“Yeah, we’re really broken up over it.”  Val lifts the phone away from his ear and calls to the general house:  “Ding dong, the bitch is dead!”

Orsino’s response is lost amidst the cheers from Val’s allies. When things have quieted down, the Executor goes on, “…At any rate, he managed to set off several more death seals as a last ditch effort, but I don’t believe that any of them led to casualties. They did not seem to be particularly well targeted.  I was able to get teams together to begin scouring the city; we will work around the clock until Rome is free of this affliction.”

“That’s great,” Val replies, “Thanks for handling that.  I’m glad they’re finally taking it seriously.”

“So am I.”  Then, away from the phone:  “Ah, yes, Rider?  Are you making tea?  I suppose that’s better than the strong drink I was about to pour… Yes, I’ll join you in a moment.”  He comes back and tells Val, “I’ll give you a more full report in the morning, or the afternoon, or whenever we all awaken.”

“Alright,” Val tells him, “Get some sleep, old man.”

Orsino laughs and bids him good night, then hangs up.

Lancer, Siobhan, Caster, Jim, and Assassin remain in the living room, and Val summarizes the conversation for them.  Archer remains with Saber in the back room; their respective Masters are unable to contact them, and they seem to want some privacy.

With confirmation of Vasilyevich’s death, Jim decides to ring Reines to give her a detailed update.  The phone gives barely half a ring before Reines picks up.  “Hello?”  She sounds haggard.

“Hi, Reines,” Jim greets her.  “So we’re all alive, despite Val’s best efforts.  Before you start yelling, I’m gonna hand you over to him.  Bye!”

“W-wait!  What--?”

With that, Jim puts it on speaker and tosses it to Val.  Val catches the phone deftly and holds it away from his face.  “Hi, Reines…”

“Bartholemieu Allesandro Baptiste Iadanza DuPont—” Val balks, as much at the revelation of his entire name as at the volume with which it is delivered.  “What. Just.  Happened.”

“Uh,” Val gulps, “You want the short version or—”

“The short version, if you please.”

“Vasilyevich is dead and Saber is on our side.”

Caster blinks at his Master.  “So you are capable of giving a short version!”

“Give me the slightly less short version, if you please,” Reines requests.

“Uh, we almost died?  Well, okay, that’s not quite right.  Jim’s party is fine.”

“Where did I go wrong?”  Reines laments aloud.  “How did we get to this point?”

“The actual good news,” Jim breaks in, “is that we’re now allied with every Servant on the board except for the dead one and the mystery eighth one.” He pauses, more for memory collection than for effect, then adds, “Also we have Vasilyevich’s notes.”

That gets Reines’s attention.  “You have the notes?  And… Vasilyevich is dead.”

“And we have Saber!”  Val reminds her.

“Yes, yes, and you have Saber,” Reines acknowledges, and the group can practically hear her waving the statement away.  “But more importantly, you have the notes.  What format are they in?”

Jim touches the laptop that has not left his side since they got home. “He handed over his laptop.  Said the password’s on the bottom, but we haven’t tried it yet.  The thing is probably encrypted.  We’re afraid of messing it up.”

“Caster?”  Reines asks.

“Yes?”  the Servant replies.

“Could you please give me a slightly more detailed version of tonight’s events?”

“Well,” the Hanged Man begins, “it started when Val got a phone call from Vasilyevich, who tricked him into accepting a geis that bound him to a meeting.  But the geis didn’t say that he couldn’t bring friends, so of course we did.”

“Why do masterminds never think of these things?” Reines’s tone is bemused and bewildered.

Jim says what they are all thinking:  “For being the guy responsible for planning all this, he’s been pretty bad at it.”

“So you went to this meeting…” Reines prompts.

The rest of the story spills out in chunks:  the discovery of the farmhouse base, the phone call to Orsino, meeting with Rider, clearing the office building and battling Saber, escaping that death seal, the new contract, and finally Jim tricking Vasilyevich into the self-geis.  Reines listens patiently, stopping them when they try to get into detail, with the explanation that “You can tell me more when you get back safely.”

When they are finished communicating the gist of it, Reines is quiet for a moment, considering.  Then she asks, “Are Lancer and her Master there?”

“We are,” Siobhan answers.

“Could I ask you to step away for a few moments?  I’d like to speak with my champions in private.”

“Certainly.”

“The Servants, as well,” Reines adds as Siobhan and Lancer retreat to one of the rooms.

“Pardon?”  Caster and Assassin sound equally affronted.

“Your Masters can choose to tell you what they want,” Reines replies sharply, “but there is a matter about which I wish to speak to them alone.”

Jim and Val both shrug at their Servants and make shooing motions. The Servants exchange a frown and shuffle back the hall together.

(Once there, they dampen their mental connections to their Masters and conduct a brief pantomimed conversation:  Assassin will go spy on Archer and Saber while Caster sneaks back to the living room to spy on the Masters’ conversation.  They both go incorporeal and head off to their missions.)

Once the two Masters have confirmed that they are apparently alone in the room, Reines goes on.  “Now that you have the notes, what do you plan to do?”

Val and Jim study different points on the walls in thought. After a long pause, Val answers, “We need to make sure this thing isn’t trapped.  We haven’t exactly examined it yet, but there’s a chance that Vasilyevich built triggers and traps into it in case it ever got stolen.”

Jim nods.  “For all we know, we make one wrong move…”

“And boom,” Reines finished with a sigh.  “Well, if none of you are confident enough in your abilities to decrypt it, our best shot is for you to just bring it back here.  That’s why I wanted your Servants to leave – they’re not going to be happy about being pulled out of the War to—”

“Why don’t you just send Vol?”  Jim interrupts her.

“I… I didn’t think of that,” Reines admits.  “I’m not sure she can do her… magic thing again so soon after going to retrieve McFarrell.”  Another pause, then, “She just confirmed that she couldn’t.  But… that gives me an idea.  Let me make some calls and I’ll send her down with someone as soon as I can.”

“Ok.”

“Now,” she goes on, “tell me what he wanted.  What was he doing with this Grail?”

Val gives the short answer:  “Killing people.”

“I know that, with the seals, but what about the Grail itself?”

“No, that really was what he was doing,” Jim insists.  “Before he gave us the notes, he told us that with the way he built this one, if it were just filled normally with the Servants’ energy, then it would blow up and destroy the Vatican.  Adding in the power of the death seals and all the civilian casualties, it was going to melt down and destroy all of Rome.”

“That’s… That’s bad.”

“Yeah, we got that.  Do you have any idea how to deactivate it?”

“I’ve never dealt with this kind of ritual before.  Did he say what would happen if it’s partially filled with death magic and partially with Servant energy?  How many instances of casualties have there been?”

“Three from death seals, we think,” Val answers, “plus one Servant.”

“We don’t know what the thresholds are, though,” Jim admits, “it could be as early as seven, or it could be not until thirteen.  We won’t even have a chance of knowing until we can get a look at those notes.  Oh, and Orsino confirmed that it’s the Cauldron of Rebirth.  I don’t remember if we told you that.  It’s in the Vatican; maybe he can work on getting it defused when he’s done taking down the rest of the seals.”

“So we can hope.  I’ll send someone down as soon as possible to help with the notes.  Hang tight until then.”

Val nods.  “You got it. We all could use the rest.”

They can hear typing on her end, then Reines goes on, “How are you going to end all this?  You said you’re allied with the remaining Servants; do you intend to keep it that way? Or will you go back to fighting?”

“We’re staying together,” Val replies firmly, looking to Jim for confirmation that comes with a nod.  “We need to fix the eighth Servant problem.  Whether we can reason with them, or whether we have to fight them, we can do that best as a group.”

“Valentin…” Reines says slowly, “Are we talking about the same being? The very same one who wiped out a Servant’s boundary field and erased all traces of magic from an area?  Does this sound like someone who can be reasoned with?”

“Yes,” Val says, as Jim scoffs, “No.”

Reines sighs.  “If that is the route you try, I wish you luck in it.  But don’t die to this thing, alright?”

“Sure,” they agree.

“Finally,” Reines adds, “have you thought about what happens after?”

“What do you mean?” Jim asks.

“After the eighth Servant is stopped, and you’ve defused the bomb, what happens?  What are you going to do with your Servants?”

“Uh?” Val prompts, exchanging a confused look with Jim. “What usually happens to them at the end of a War?”

“Well, usually when they die, their energy gets poured into the Grail and their consciousness just fades away.  But usually hardly applies in this situation. According to everything we know, these spirits are just copies of the people they once were.  They’ve been taken from the Throne of Heroes, copied, and given bodies.  But as we saw with the American Wars, and even some of the Fuyuki Wars, Servants aren’t always contented with that cycle.  That could be a point of contention.”

Jim looks pointedly at Val, who grimaces.  They are both thinking the same thing:  Caster is never going along with this plan.

“Well,” Jim says slowly, “It’s something to think about.  The Servants are probably thinking about it too.”

With that covered, the two of them bid Reines good night and hang up. Val calls out to the Servants to show themselves (“Caster, I know you were listening!”), but nothing happens. The Masters exchange a shrug and head off to find their Servants.

II. Fools of the Round Table

By the time Assassin creeps into the room, invisible and undetectable, Archer has helped Saber remove his armor and settle into the bed. The weakened knight is propped up on pillows, much as Stella had been in the wake of her surgery.  Archer is in a chair beside the bed.  The two are silent, both of them avoiding the other’s gaze.

Assassin is just starting to wonder if she came back here for nothing when they both speak at once.

“Why did you stay?” Archer asks, as Saber asks, “Why did you leave?”

Startled by each other’s questions, they stare at one another for a moment before chuckling nervously.

Archer answers first.  “I… I was so unhappy.  Arthur was so…” he huffs, “Stubborn.  And difficult.  And distant, by God, he was distant.  That’s no way to rule a kingdom.  You could never tell if he didn’t care, or if he didn’t feel, or if he just didn’t know how to act.  I wanted to believe that he cared about the common people, but over time, it became so hard to hold on to that.  If he really did care, he was such rubbish at showing it.  And he certainly didn’t think like the people did.”

Saber shakes his head.  “Where you saw apathy, I saw strength.  I saw resolve not to let his emotions make decisions for him.  When you’re responsible for so many people, when they’re all looking up to you, I think you must become somewhat detached.  He never acted as though he was above the rest of us…”

“Really?  Because after a while, that’s all it seemed to be.”

“Even so, we stood by him through so much.  After Lancelot left, I thought…”  Saber pauses, and Assassin is surprised to see him blink away tears.

Archer must be surprised as well, because his expression softens. “You thought I would stay, to keep everything together.”

Saber nods.

“Well, you know me:  the Minstrel Knight, I do nothing but feel.  Arthur was just too hard to relate to.  Eventually, I came to realize that I didn’t belong, so I left.”

Saber answers with a wry smile.  Archer watches him for a moment longer before murmuring, “But you stayed. All the way until…”

“Until Mordred rebelled.  The King left me to defend his throne.  There was a time when that would have been Lancelot, but… by then, it was me. When I faced Mordred’s charge, I only wished…”

Archer places a hand on his friend’s shoulder.  “When I learned, I wished that I’d been there.”

Saber nods.  “What’s done is done, though.”  He reaches up with his good hand to squeeze Archer’s.  “Can we agree to work together once more?”

Archer smiles at him.  “I would like that.”

“Although,” Saber laughs, “I don’t know how that will work out. It seems like we have everyone here.”

Assassin watches Archer’s expression fall.  “Although that seems to be the case, there is… How much did your old Master tell you about the structure of the War?”

Saber shakes his head, his expression growing troubled to match the other knight’s.  “I’m afraid I’ve been fairly well out of the loop.  What did I miss, that the rest of you know?”

“There is an eighth Servant,” Archer admits, “and a general fear that it might be the King.”

Saber’s face becomes a portrait of dismay.  Archer backpedals a little, “I remain unconvinced, but the Lady Assassin has mentioned it and it sounds like they have strong evidence that this person is at least another of the Round Table Knights.  But… I wanted to warn you.  There is the chance.”

Saber closes his eyes and breathes deep and slow.  “Thank you for the warning.  Truly, I appreciate it.  That’s a terrible revelation for anyone other than a friend to deliver.”

After a moment of silence between them, Archer asks quietly, “Do you think you could fight him?”

It takes Saber another long moment to answer.

“Truly, I do not know.”

Assassin creeps back out of the room as they return to silence.  This, she thinks, is definitely a problem that we should discuss.

And as she creeps back into the living room, she realizes that the knights are not the only ones whose loyalty is in question.

III. Nighttime Conversation

When Jim finally finds Caster, it is after he has made three laps around the house to finally find the Servant in the kitchen where Jim started. Caster looks up from his tea at Jim’s exasperated sigh, a perfectly innocent expression on his face.

“Can I help you?”

“Yeah.  Can you soundproof my room so I can get some sleep?  Having this many people around is going to drive me insane.”

“Certainly,” Caster nods.  “I can do that for all the rooms, actually.  Except perhaps Valentin’s… Maybe that would be better suited for a reverse soundproofing.  Who cares about keeping the sound out of his room?  Let’s just keep all of his noise in.”

“Sounds good to me!”

Caster sets to work on that, and Jim retreats to his claimed room to sleep as soon as the enchantment is in place there.  Once all the rooms have been appropriately enchanted, Caster once again changes the “basement” room, this time transforming it into a barracks with multiple beds.  Satisfied with that – and with the cleverness of placing a single non-material upper bunk bed in the mix – he retreats to his workshop to prepare his next weapon.

Val, for his part, is on his way to see Saber.  He passes Archer on the way back the hall, and knocks on the door that has been left partially open.

“Come in.”  When Val enters, Saber pulls himself up from his slouch in the pillows.  “Ah, hello, Master.”

“Hey,” Val greets him, “can we chat?”

“For a bit, although I might kick you out so I can sleep. Assassin’s orders.”

Val laughs and takes the seat that Archer had occupied.  “So, I don’t actually know that much about you, and I would like to fix that.”

Saber sighs and shrugs.  “Very well.  What would you like to know?”

Val mirrors his new Servant’s shrug.  “I don’t know – anything, really.  I know what some of the legends say, but I don’t know you as a person.  Besides, we didn’t exactly get off to the best start.”

Saber gives him a weary smile.  “I suppose we did not.  Very well. You know I was a Knight of the Round Table.  I served the king and Camelot faithfully until I was killed by Mordred.  There really isn’t much else to say.”

“Well, Mordred’s dead, so we’re fine on that front.”

“So you said, yes,” Saber acknowledges.  “Did you face his Noble Phantasm?”

Val nods.  “Yeah, it was kind of like yours.  But… scarier. No offense.”

Saber laughs, coughs, shakes his head.  “None meant, none taken.  Unfortunately, that was probably the only chance you will have to see Galatine in action.”

“Huh?”

Saber lifts his withered limb, wrapped in Assassin’s bandages.  “Servants cannot break one another’s Noble Phantasms, but we can sacrifice our own.  Remember Grigori’s final order to me?  I had to sacrifice Galatine to carry it out.  My arm will recover, given time and sufficient magic, but Galatine is gone for good, I’m afraid.”

“I wonder if Caster can make you a replacement,” Val muses out loud. Feeling a sense of alarm from Caster, he dampens their connection.

“What do you mean?” Saber asks.

“Well, that’s kind of his thing,” Val explains, “He makes Noble Phantasm quality objects.  I don’t know if they’re true Noble Phantasms or not, but they work just as well.”

“So I recall,” Saber acknowledges, absently touching his shoulder where the hunting dogs had mauled him.  “That is a truly rare gift.  I can think of only a few sorcerers in history who are powerful enough to casually generate Noble Phantasms.”

Val blinks, seeing the wheels begin to turn in Saber’s head. “Uh, well… Don’t keep yourself awake thinking about it.  You need some rest.  Assassin’s orders.”

“Right, of course,” Saber agrees, although he is clearly still considering.  “Perhaps I will speak to Caster in the morning about this possibility.  Thank you for letting me know.  Was there anything else that you wanted to speak with me about?  As you said yourself, I do need to rest.”

Val hesitates, then admits, “I am a little bit worried about your loyalty.  I know you were loyal to Vasilyevich because you had to be, and I’m not worried about your doing something weird like turning on us to complete his mission or something.  But what if something else happens?  Something that could test your new loyalty to us.  Is there anything you would turn on us for?”

Gawain falls silent and stares into space for a while.  Then he responds, “My loyalty will remain with you as long as your mission remains to destroy the Grail.  The only thing that could test that would be the return of my king, but that seems incredibly unlikely.”

“Well…” Gawain raises an eyebrow at Val until he goes on, “That’s, uh, actually something that the rest of us have been worried about as well.”

Saber says nothing, but he seems surprised, and Val remembers that he was kept in a bubble with only Vasilyevich for contact.

“Look, there’s too much to tell you tonight, but suffice it to say that it’s not as unlikely as you might think for King Arthur to show up and wreck everything.  Or, I mean, maybe some variant or something, I don’t know.  The point is, if he does show up… Would you follow him again?”

Saber breathes deeply and slowly before giving his reply.  “If he is my king as he was in life, then I will not lie:  we may have a problem.  But I don’t…” He sighs.  “This Grail is not Holy, as it is called.  I do not know what chance there is that the king would manifest, but I suspect that with this thing being corrupted as it is, there is very little chance that the person who would manifest would be my king as I knew him. We can cross that bridge when we arrive there.  As it stands for now, I will remain loyal to you and yours.  I cannot promise how good I’ll be—” he jokingly waves the arm again, “—but I will try.  All I ask is a second chance.”

Val beams at him.  “Good. We’re definitely good at those.” He stands to leave, then sits down again, remembering:  “Oh, did you have any questions for us?”

Saber shrugs.  “I was curious about your other allies.  It sounds as though you are allied with Rider and Lancer as well?”

“Yeah,” Val answers, “we don’t know who Rider is, but we do know Lancer’s identity, and we’re friends with both of their Masters.  Orsino – that’s Rider’s Master – is a good guy, and Siobhan – Lancer’s Master – is dating Jim.  Er, not that that’s why we have an alliance.  I knew her first, but…”

Saber holds up his good hand.  “I’m sure I’ll pick up the full story over the next few days.  If you don’t mind, I would like to rest.”

“Sure, sure,” Val nods as he heads toward the door.  “I might keep poking you with questions…”

“And I might shut you off so I can sleep.”

Val laughs and retreats to his room.

IV. Morning Chatter

Jim awakens the following morning at around 9 o’clock and shuffles out to get breakfast in the peace and quiet of the morning.  He is surprised to find Assassin already up with coffee brewing.  Siobhan and Lancer emerge a few moments later, and together the four of them make breakfast from what they can scrounge in the kitchen.  It is quiet and polite, with only a few necessary words spoken between them.

When Caster emerges to join them near 10 o’clock, he feels a querying sensation from Saber.  Clearly the newest addition is figuring out how to use their Master as a relay to the other Servant, even as Val remains asleep.

Caster accepts the communication.  “Yes?”

“Ah, there you are.  I was wondering if we could talk.”

“Certainly,” Caster replies, as Archer emerges from the barracks.  “Should I send Archer to help you out?”

“If you don’t mind it.”

Caster is a little confused, but shrugs and asks Archer for the favor.  Archer gladly obliges, and a few moments later brings Saber limping into the living room. At the sight of nearly all of their allies in one place, though, the knight hesitates.

“This is… quite a few more people than I expected.”

“These Masters have a habit of collecting strays,” Caster explains dryly.

“I meant, there are more people here than I expected to see right now,” Saber explains, “I had hoped to speak with you in private, Emrys.”

Caster finds himself grateful not for the first time in this War for his skill at keeping a straight face.  He is grateful too for Assassin’s discretion; she gives no indication of recognizing his old name.

“We can speak,” Caster replies, projecting polite confusion, “but I’m afraid I don’t recognize… whatever it is that you called me.”

Saber’s expression moves from being calmly assured of himself to being calmly mortified.  He opens his mouth, closes it again, exchanges a confused glance with Archer, and finally settles on, “Ah, I apologize.  It’s a name that we called powerful sorcerers in my time.  You are the Servant Caster, are you not?”

Caster shrugs.  “Usually. What can I do for you?”

Saber draws in a breath and collects himself before making his request. “Our Master tells me that you’re capable of building Noble Phantasm weapons.  I wondered if I could speak with you about acquiring one.”

Caster’s response is a mildly irritated, “Ah.”  Saber is silent while Caster mulls this over.  Finally, the magus replies, “It is true that I make weapons and it is true that I can imbue them with… powerful abilities. But… maintaining more than one is a strain on my energy and I would rather prioritize making my own armaments. I could make you an ordinary blade, but nothing like Excalibur Galatine that you had before.”

Assassin chooses then to chime in, “I might be of assistance, actually.” Saber turns to her in surprise. She explains, “I was able to enchant gloves for my Master that allow him to… well, to punch Servants.  Since some of us are…” She casts a baleful glare at Jim, mulling over the best way to put it, “Reckless, and fragile, and required more martial assistance.”

Saber chuckles.  “Fragile? Any of you?  Really?”

Assassin turns her glare to him for his humor, but he seems to be sincere.  “Anyway, if we can get you a sword, I may be able to enchant it to strike faster and truer. As Caster said, it wouldn’t be anything like Galatine, but we could equip you with a weapon.”

Saber nods and gives her a beaming smile.  “I’ll think on your offer.  First priority should be fixing this—” he waves his arm like a chicken wing, “—but then we can discuss weaponry.  I’ll leave you all to breakfast so I can rest.”

(As the two Knights turn back the hall, Jim can hear Archer’s words through their connection:  “It wasn’t a bad guess!  But even if he is who you think he is, he’ll never tell.  You remember how that man was in life.”)

In the living room, Caster turns back to the group to see Lancer studying him very carefully, an oddly knowing smile on her face.  Siobhan has a similar expression, while Assassin and Jim are very studiously not looking at him.

“What?!” he demands.  “Why is everyone giving me that look?”

Lancer bursts out laughing.  “I don’t know what just happened, and I don’t think I ever will, and I’m okay with that!  At least you’re on our side!”

As they finish breakfast and begin to clean up, Siobhan bumps elbows with Jim.  “Hey,” she murmurs, “can we talk?”

“Um?”

“Not like – oh, god, that sounded bad.  I didn’t mean it like – I just wanna chat, is all.  Join me on the porch?”

He dutifully follows her out, catching Assassin’s eye on the way and shrugging.

Morning traffic has died down, leaving them with the peace and quiet of a warm June Monday.  Siobhan grabs one of the porch seats while Jim leans against the railing.

“I assume you want me to turn off the connection to Assassin?”

“Would you mind?”

Jim sighs, and does so.  “What’s this about?”

Siobhan takes a moment to collect herself, then tells him, “I need a copy of the notes.”

Birds chirp in the silence between them.  “Why?”

“I had one job…”

“Same as ours?”

“You got it.”

“For the Restoration?”

“That’s it.”  While Jim is thinking about it, she goes on, “Look, I know how computers work:  I’m pretty I could figure out how to copy them and then I’d just have them to take back with me.  It’s not like I’m gonna abandon you.  Lancer and I talked it over last night; this thing is bad and you’re gonna need all the help you can get.  I just wanna make sure that when this is all over, I don’t go back to my people empty-handed.”

“I hear you,” Jim says slowly, “and I get it, but I’m not sure that’s the best idea.  What if something goes wrong trying to decrypt it?  Reines has someone on the way who can help.  I don’t know how the Restoration is with stuff like this, but if there’s a hidden trigger in there that sets off something bad, I’d hate to see you take that back with you.”

Siobhan considers this and nods.  “That’s fair.  I’d hate to see that too.  I can wait for Reines’ person; like I said, I’m not in a hurry to leave.  And it would be helpful to have the notes already decrypted when I bring them home.”

(As she speaks, Jim opens his connection to Assassin back up and relays all of this, an undercurrent of panic in his thoughts. Assassin’s response comes swiftly and firmly:  this decision belongs to all of them; they were all involved in getting the plans, in some way or another, so they should all discuss the future together.  She does wonder, though, what Siobhan thinks her people plan to do with the notes.)

Jim frowns in thought, then offers, “Reines tells us that she wants the plans so she can figure out how to head this off, probably to end the possibility of future Wars.  Plus, she had family that died in previous Wars and I think she just wants to understand it.”  He pauses, then asks, “What does the Restoration want?”

Siobhan bites her lips and stares off into the distance. “Honestly, I’m not sure.  It was one thing when we thought it was a wish. With something like this, we could wish for… for anything.  For freedom, for justice, for… power.”  She shakes her head hard enough to ruffle her hair.  “But it’s not that, is it?  It’s not a magic wish-machine.  It’s a bomb. The Restoration is good people, but… Good is a thing that you do, y’know?  I dunno if there’s any good that could come out of this.  On the one hand, I want to do my job, get the notes, go home. But on the other hand… I dunno if I could trust anyone with this, knowing now what it does.”

Jim nods.  “I’m starting to think the same thing.”

“Even about Reines?”

“Even about Reines,” he confirms, “but in the end, we have a stake in what happens here.  I think we should talk to the others about it.  We can all decide together.”

Siobhan agrees.  They re-enter the house to find Val curled up on the couch drinking coffee and Assassin perched on the back of chair, staring fixedly at Siobhan like a cat.  Siobhan glances at Jim, who gives her a confused shrug. “Did you let her in on that?”

“Um?”

“I’ll admit, I let Lancer in.”

Jim chuckles and rubs the back of his neck.  “Ok, you got me.  But not until after I knew what you wanted to talk about.”

Siobhan laughs as well and pats his arm.  “Don’t worry – if I’d just wanted privacy to snog you, I wouldn’t have let Lancer see that.”

“…Uh.”  Jim blinks at her like his brain just shorted out.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to see that!” Lancer calls from the kitchen.

“Nobody wants to see that,” Archer adds, emerging from the hallway. “By the way, does anyone have a phone I can borrow?”

“How many do you need?” Val asks.

Archer stares at him.  “One? I… I need one phone.”  Everyone else just shrugs when he looks around for support against the ridiculous question.  “I just wanted to call Stella.”

Val tosses him a phone.  “Go for it, man.”

Archer steps into a corner and dials, bringing the phone up to his ear.  Although Jim tries to listen in, he finds that Archer has cut him off.  Archer’s half of the conversation is audible, though, and everyone shamelessly listens in:

“Stella?  It’s—yes. … Yes, we’re all fine.  I—yes. … Yes. … What?  Oh, now you’re screwing with me. … Alright.  Are you good? … Good. … I’m okay.  Saber’s here now.  … Yes, he’s gone.  … No, there are no more of them.  Orsino has seen to that.  But the Grail is—yes, it is as you thought.  So, if you can, you need to get out of Rome.”

Assassin and Jim exchange a surprised glance, then realize at the same time:  if the Grail melts down, Stella would be at ground zero.

Archer goes on, “I know.  Could you go back to…? … Yes, I’m sure Orsino could help you arrange that. … Yes. … Yes, please. … Thank you.  It was an honor to meet you.  If I don’t see you again, be safe.”

He hangs up and hands the phone back to Val.

“Does she need transport somewhere?”  Val asks.

“Dude, she can go back home or wherever,” Jim tells him.  “We don’t have to send her to Reines like another stray orphan.”

“Excuse you!  It’s a wonderful orphanage, and besides, the Tower isn’t a terrible place to be locked up!”

In the background, Assassin and Caster exchange horrified looks.

V. Future Moves

Once everyone is settled back in the living room, the question comes up: do they give up the plans?

“No.”

Everyone looks at Val, surprised by how decisive his answer is.

“Not even to your employer?”  Siobhan asks.

“I know they’re worth a lot, but—”

“You’re thinking about money?!”  Jim demands.

“What?  No! I’m rich; I don’t have to worry about money!”  Val shakes his head and ignores Jim’s glower.  “Look, what I meant was, Reines obviously places a lot of value on these notes. But if I have a say in it, I don’t want to see this secret getting out.”

“What do you propose we do, then?”  Assassin asks.  “Destroy them outright?”

Siobhan looks uncomfortable until Val shakes his head. “We still don’t know how to defuse the Grail.  I think we should decrypt them and see if there’s anything in there about it.  Then we should destroy them, so nobody else can do this, ever again.”

“I agree,” Siobhan says, and Jim nods as well.

Lancer pipes up, “We still have a huge problem if we want to destroy this thing.  The Grail is in the Vatican.  The Grail is a spiritual object.  Servants cannot enter the Vatican, and to my understanding, Servants are the only beings who can touch the Grail.  How do we get to it to destroy it?”

“Rider can go into the Vatican,” Val points out.

“That’s all well and good,” Lancer replies, “but we don’t know Rider, either who he is or where his loyalties lie in the long run.”

“We know he’s a saint,” Jim reminds her, “and that he’s a native of Rome.  That suggests that he would be the sort of person who would at least not like to see the Vatican get blown up.”

Val nods in agreement.  “That’s right.  Maybe we could give him instructions to break it, or maybe he could transport it to somewhere we can reach it.  Do you think that’s possible?  Do we know if it’s anchored somewhere?  Or can it be moved?”

The group agrees that they do not know and would have to ask Orsino. In the midst of this, though, Jim remembers:  “We shouldn’t take it out with the eighth Servant running around.  They could get access to it, and that would be terrible.” Everyone murmurs in agreement. “So we want to remove the eighth Servant from the board before dealing with the bomb.”

Lancer nudges Assassin’s elbow.  “Talk later?” she murmurs when the priestess leans in.

Assassin nods.  Seeing everyone else’s suspicious expressions, she admits, “At some point, our language shifted from disarming the Grail to destroying it.  I’m not keen on destroying the artifact.  It’s a sacred relic, to both of us.  If we can defuse it while leaving the artifact intact, I would be happier with that plan.”

Everyone else seems to accept this, but Jim narrows his eyes at his Servant.  “Hey… Do you mean it?  Or are you still thinking that Vasilyevich had the right idea, with destroying the Vatican?”

“I mean it,” she insists, only lying a little.  “I just want to save the Cauldron.”

“And if you had a choice between saving the Cauldron and blowing up the Vatican?”

Assassin shrugs.  “Ask me later.”

The sound of Val’s War phone chirps from his pocket.  He grains when he sees the screen.  “Oh!  Orsino is calling back!”  He answers it and puts in on speaker in the middle of the table.  “Good morning!”

“Good morning, Valentin,” Orsino greets him, “and hopefully everyone else.  How are you all doing?”

“Alive and breathing!” Val chirps.  “What about you, old man?  Still alive?”

“Clearly,” Assassin mutters, “He is a zombie.”

Orsino dryly agrees, “Yes, I regret to inform you that I passed away last night and am phoning you from the afterlife.  Rider is presently on a Master-less rampage through the city, and I’m calling to urge you to stop him.”

When the laughter at his spectacular delivery has died down, Val asks, “Okay, but now you’ve got me wondering:  if you die, does your backseat driver just take over?  Or what?”

Orsino chuckles. “I honestly don’t know, and I honestly don’t want to find out for a long while.  I’m sure if it happens, he’ll let you know.”  The group laughs again, and Orsino goes on, “Now, for the actual reason I’m calling:  I have several teams throughout the city working to find and defuse the remaining death seals.  There are a surprising number of them—”

“Is it that surprising, though?”  Jim asks. “This was Vasilyevich’s entire thing.”

“That’s a fair point,” Orsino acknowledges, “but I still find myself surprised at the number we’ve found intact.  I was calling to ask if your more magically inclined Servants would be interested in helping my teams.”

“Saber, could you help defuse death seals?” Val asks, both aloud and through his connection.

There is a brief pause, and Saber responds, “I’m uncertain, but I remind you that I am still heavily injured. I will go if you send me, but to send me may be unwise.”

“I thought that Saber might be able to help,” Val tells Orsino, “since it’s his Master, but he lost his sword and his arm.  Even if he was certain that he could help, I’m not certain I would want him to try in this condition.”

“That’s fair,” Orsino agrees.  “What about anyone else?”

The group looks around and shrugs.  Val answers for the, “Let us get ready for the day and collect ourselves a little bit more, and we’ll get back to you.  In the meantime, be careful out there!”

“Yes,” Orsino replies dryly, “If we run into the eighth Servant and have time to inform you before our imminent demise, we’ll let you know.” No one laughs at that one.  “But if you are able to send aid, we’ll be able to get through these much faster.  I would appreciate any help I could get here.”

“Caster may be able to help you find them,” Val says vaguely, “but I’ll let you know.  And if we find anything helpful when decrypting Vasilyevich’s notes, I’ll pass it on to you as well.”

“But seriously,” Jim adds, “don’t die.  Rider is the only one who can get into the Vatican and touch the Grail, so if Rider dies then we’re really stuck.”

“What do you mean, touch the—Oh.”  Orsino’s tone shifts from panic to understanding.  “You mean to disarm or destroy it.  Yes, I understand.  We’ll do our best to stay safe.  If anything happens… Well, we’ll let you know.”

They exchange closing pleasantries and hang up.  Silence reigns again as they begin to contemplate their next move…