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1stunseeliefaelass · 4 years ago

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Darksiders Arthurian Tales Revisited

Chapter 19: Hear No Evil, See No Evil

Once Arn, Morgen, and Arthur had been put to the side allowing Leatherbeard and Death to start their duel, Arn kept himself between Morgen and the other crewmen and seemed to have an issue with the first mate.

She paid him no mind as Leatherbeard began right out of the gate turning his prosthetic into a axe. Swiping at Death who not only dodged but also parried Leatherbeard's attacks. Course Leatherbeard takes a few hits, but unfortunately he heals quicker than Death can deal them. During this fight, Leatherbeard notices Death still can't move too well due to his bad Achilles tendon. Taking this into account, Leatherbeard begins forcing Death to move on his bad leg. Leading to Leatherbeard picking him up then slamming him down to the ground, and giving him a pair of kicks to the gut. Death of course isn't about to stay down for long. As Death gets up he tries to charge at Leatherbeard, only to get an anchor to the face. As Death works to get back up yet again, his bad leg suddenly gets hit by the anchor as well. He flails in the air briefly before landing on his side, holding his ankle once he's down.

"SON OF BITCH!" Death growls in his pain.

Stormbeard gets a quizzical look and asks around, "Have I missed something? Is there something you forgot to mention? What the fuck is wrong with his leg? Because A, I can see it was fucked up somehow based on how he's moving. And B, because he's holding it!"

"Leatherbeard took out his achilles tendon last time they engaged. He may still be healing." War states worried.

"May? MAY?! Motherfucker that IS STILL HEALING!" Stormbeard shouts facepalming.

Meanwhile Death fights to stand up and begins swearing under his breath, "Aw fucking hell...real good plan Death you moron....real fucking smart."

"Came in half cocked, like always. Heheh..now let's finish this."

Suddenly Death feels a sharp pain in his gut just below his ribs. This unbelievable pain is even worse when the blade begins spinning, and his wound isn't healing, well not as fast as it should. From there Leatherbeard rips it from his gut, and stabs him in the arm. The same thing as before happens to his arm. Blood spewing as the coiled blade spins inside him like a drill. Leatherbeard continues to spin the blade on his prosthetic for a time before pulling it loose again. Had Morgen not given Death that boost he would've likely been dead right there and then. Having been partially disemboweled. Leatherbeard then displayed the spiral blade for all to see and upon tasting Death's blood began to transform.

"Is that all you got? Come on! You can do better than that. Last time I checked when you're on your doorstep you still keep fighting." Leatherbeard said as Death, through some miracle, finally got up and took another stance.

"That's it! Get up! That's what I like to see.", Leatherbeard said as he was ready to go a tad berserk.

Leatherbeard began his flurry of attacks once more and occasionally even tried to go for more stabs with his blade. Pulling it out of his prosthetic and keeping it in his good hand. His prosthetic began at his own will to form into various weapons. All to try and trip Death up all the more. Death, having become fully aware of what Leatherbeard was doing, stopped dodging and began to block or parry him. Using his spectral hands, he flat out stopped or moved some attacks away from him. Best part, it was beginning to work.

As everyone watched Leatherbeard get body slammed, Death pulled the cobalt dagger from his belt and got a lucky hit on Leatherbeard's ear. Taking the whole thing off. The cut itself leaving embers as the ear fell off and began to burn. The wound begins to cauterize as well. To Leatherbeard's surprise and anguish, it also wasn't healing nor was a new one growing. Not to mention the unbelievable stinging and pain he felt. It gave him no pleasure at all.

Arn meanwhile gets surprised when he suddenly feels someone reach out to him, "When I give the signal, be ready to protect the girl and child."

Arn at first doesn't understand but on instinct gently grabs Morgen's hand. Morgen naturally looks at him a bit concerned, "You alright lad?"

"Yes just...little eager that's all."

"Remain calm for now. Death's managed to regain an edge." Morgen responds calmly.

Unfortunately as Death begins laying the smackdown he starts losing vigor due to his injuries. Leatherbeard uses this to gain the advantage back during his angered frenzy. Capitalizing on Death's weakening state to transform, he then grabs Death by his face.

"NOW LET'S FINISH THIS!"

He throws Death back before turning his prosthetic back into the mount for blades. He then places the dagger back within it. Growling at Death in pure rage, "YOU BURN ME, I BURN YOU."

Death puts up as much of a defense as he can in preparation for this charge. Leatherbeard however manages to get Death on his back when he fails to have the remaining strength necessary to withstand it. Leatherbeard then gets ready to chomp down on Death's head, only for him to chuckle quietly.

"WHAT'S SO DAMN FUNNY?"

"Heheheh...only...heheh...that I'm about to have...a fish fry."

"What?" Leatherbeard inquires in a moment of confusion.

With a sudden final attack, Death lands the dagger directly into Leatherbeard's eye. The dagger burns it's way into Leatherbeard's socket, nullifying his healing and spewing jets of blood from the wound. Leatherbeard recoils, taking a few steps backwards screaming in pain. It's only then, that Stormbeard chooses to step in and focus his lightning on the dagger. A single, long lasting bolt of lightning flies from the heavens striking the hilt. It travels through the blade and into his skull, burning the socket in a permanent scorched pit. His prosthetic arm explodes in a mix of heated shrapnel and flames. Leatherbeard stands motionless for a moment, but without warning falls backwards in an unresponsive seizure like episode. When his first mate comes to his side to see if he's alright, the men guarding Morgen get attacked by a large grey furred wolf. Arn then transforms as well, to take out the remaining crewmen. Leaving all but the first mate and those who retreated with her, dead. Good thing the first mate remembered to remove the dagger. With it came the charred remnants of the black eye that was now a partial jelly ball. A charred leg is also left behind, a pretty clear indication that he'd lost it.

Arn nearly feasts on a guy only for the grey beast to shout, "ARN!"

Arn stops just shy of the guy's throat, and restrains himself enough to punch the guy, shattering his nose. When the grey beast stands at his full height, everyone is left in awe at what appears to be a werewolf but far larger. Sixteen feet tall easily and covered in grey fur with white highlights. Even more impressively, they could make out the Norse tattoos covering his chest, but it looks like they flow into his shoulders and possibly his arms. They glow a brilliant, frosty blue.

"Arn...Who Is that?" Esmie asks concerned.

"He's a friend Mama." Arn tells her calmly.

"I am Sygr of Jom. A Norseman." The grey werewolf responds.

Stormbeard pipes in, "You're a fucking Jotun and you know it. Don't fucking lie to us you bloody prick."

Sygr looks at him simply, "And you're a Storm Giant. Rather short for one at that."

Stormbeard gets visibly frustrasted, but suddenly cools down, "Yeah, and you're somebody that apparently has their tail between their legs. Where we you during that mess? I have an excuse, I was waiting for the right opportunity. What about you?"

"Same here."

Meanwhile Morgen hurried over to Death on the ground. He was untouched by the lightning, but the blood loss was beginning to take him. He started losing consciousness as Morgen worked to try and heal him. Using the last bit of strength he had, he sluggishly lifted his hand up to her.

"Told ya...I'd win."

With that his vision fades as Morgen begins to panic. Grasping his hand in worry. After several hours, Death's eyes flicker open to see Morgen laying on his chest. In his groggy state he isn't thinking of any embarrassment. So he slowly goes to move his hand to stroke her. Only for a massive amount of pain to suddenly hit him.

"NNNNAAAAARRRGH! Ah! Fuck!"

Morgen naturally snaps awake and immediately becomes embarrassed herself, "Uhm.....I am...so sorry. Did me laying here...?"

"No...I tried moving....Now I feel EVERYTHING."

Morgen sits up and asks him, "Shall I try healing you more?"

"That...might....help..." Death croaks out in his pain.

Morgen begins to heal him, even singing to try and ease his pain as well. Death lets himself rest whilst listening to her. But his peace is interrupted by his family bursting in.

War smashes through the door, "Are you alright?! We heard screaming."

"I....hurt...everywhere..." Death expresses in a croaky tone that suggests annoyance.

Strife then came in, "How you doing bro?"

"Ask....War..."

"War?"

"He hurts all over." War explains simply.

Strife just kind of shrugs, "Ok."

"Is that all then?" Fury inquires coming in the doorway.

"Oh for....FUCK'S sake..." Death whispers in more annoyance.

Morgen continues singing, as if in a trance like state as she doesn't even skip a beat when the door is suddenly burst through. Nor does she cease when the others speak. Death actually gets a bit concerned when noticing that she's still singing. Little does he know, she's hearing something or someone telling her to continue.

"Uh...is there a reason you're still singing and not...distracted by them? Owwww..." Death inquires in a strained tone.

Morgen's eyes are almost glossed over as if filled with liquid glitter. Course when she suddenly comes to whilst blinking quickly, her eyes go back to her usual amethyst.

"Huh...w-what? What's going on?"

"Uh we apparently are interrupting something." Strife says in a slightly embarrassed tone.

"Apparently." War adds on.

"Let's leave our brother alone then shall we boys?" Fury asks pulling them elsewhere.

Death meanwhile notices Morgen seems a bit on the confused side, "Are you alri....argh...alright?...ow..."

"I think so. I do feel a bit dazed, but that's it..." Morgen explains sounding worn out.

Death squints his eyes whilst listening to her and sees Morgen's horns seem to be growing again. Morgen actually begins to sway a bit before she begins to fall on her side. Nearly hitting the floor as she does so. Growling in pain Death forces himself up to catch her. Only managing to grab her arm, and in his growing pain he shouts for aid.

"HELP! I NEED A LITTLE HELP IN HERE! OW!"

Fury then hurries in, "Ok ok we're coming you......OK! Hang on a second there."

Fury then gets Morgen onto her shoulder and helps Death lay down. Ale then comes in behind her, "ATAN?! Atan?! Are you ok?"

"Just....as fine as I can be...ow...."

Ale then gets an idea, "I do have an idea. It's risky, but it should help with the pain Atan."

"What is it.....? Uuuggh..."

"Remember the pods in my village? They can heal anything. You'll just be asleep during the process." Ale explains.

"Ugh please tell me they do NOT put slime in those 'weird' 'uncomfortable' places."

"It's not slime, it's liquid Atan." Ale states.

"Ah....ok...I might actually consider it...nnngh."

Ale gently strokes him and Death realizes she's got a cloth in her hand, "This is to make sure you don't have a bad reaction to the liquid. The magic is within it and it'll be pumped through your body. So we need to make sure your body won't reject it."

Death sits still as Ale gently places the damp cloth along the more trivial wounds on his body.

"Nnngh ah...stings a little...but it's probably because....you're putting them on my wounds..."

"Shouldn't sting long. If anything you should start to feel a numbness there. Only enough to cease the pain though."

"And there it is...mmmgh."

Ale kept Death as still as she could. Luckily his body showed no bad reactions. This gave her comfort as she prepared to make a particular call. Unfortunately, it was going to be truly awkward. And Death could tell by the look on her face.

"Who are you about to call?"

"Your Gras Ceiser..." Ale tells him sounding slightly annoyed.

"Uuuuuugh...oh dear...why may I ask?" Death inquires in dread.

"He may have a way to transport you without any pain." Ale explains simply.

Death groans, "Ugh...great. Now we're having to deal with that sociopath again. And the possibility of you two going at it again."

"I'll try not to argue with him, for your sake. As you're in no state to just walk away from it as you normally would."

"Just keep your philosophy to yourself this time and it'll be simple Ceise. I get that you worry about him and feel he's being foolish, putting it lightly. But just try not to start something, and before you say anything, it's usually you who starts it." Death informs her.

Ale only sighs before making the call, "Hello? Ceiser?"

"Atari." A cold Russian voice responded.

"Listen, your Gras Atan is in massive pain right now. I have a treatment plan for him, but I'll need a way to transport him without pain. He's hurting all over as the injuries are that severe to him."

An unamuzed sounding sigh comes from the crystal, "And I am to help why? And how did he acquire these injuries?"

"Leatherbeard." Ale expresses.

Suddenly Death hears a tone he's NEVER heard from the man before, "What? What did you just say?"

"Leatherbeard is the one behind Death's injuries." Ale explains calmly, a bit surprised at the emotion herself.

"What happened? Tell me now, Atari."

Ale then explains the situation to him, whilst Death hears the sudden crushing of metal mixed with sounds of electricity from the crystal. He's actually somewhat worried now.

"What's going on?"

The sounds cease suddenly and his Gras Ceiser shakes his head before telling him, "Nothing Gras Atan. You just remain still. I'll be on my way shortly. Where are you two? At your Ceise's home?"

"No, in the Unseelie Realm. Queen Titania's home." Death tells him quickly with a hint of strain.

"Ah. As I said, I'll be on my way shortly."

The call ends and the gate guards suddenly are met with a portal opening near them. Out from it steps an extremely tall Male Lepus. He's lithe with features covered by various metal parts and enhancements. One of his ears is slightly torn, and flopping down halfway with an earhoop attached to its end. His hair is white and slightly shorn. The creepiest parts of him however were his eyes. While he could blink with normal eyelids, his red colored eyes dilated like a camera's apeture.

"W-w-who a-a-a-are..." One guard attempted to ask him.

"I am Grand Elder Llildan of the Lepus tribes. My Atari, Ale, is expecting me. I recommend you take me to her, immediately."

They do so in fear if anything. Course they pass by the younger three Horsemen, who all look at Llildan with equal parts suspicion and concern. Strife looks about to ready to pull his guns, and Fury isn't sure what to do ultimately. War however, chooses to confront the visitor.

"What's your business here?"

Llildan looks to War and examines him, unblinking before speaking, "You must be War. Death has mentioned you before, and your other siblings too. Strife and Fury I presume?"

War has the urge to palm Chaoseater, "Who are you? And what do you want?"

"I am Ale's Father, Llildan. She doesn't speak of me much so I am not surprised you don't know of me. Your brother Death remembers me though, as we've met a few times in the past."

"Wait...you're Ale's Dad?!" Strife asks in surprise.

"Ale's so...gentle. And you're so...whatever you call yourself." Fury states vaguely.

"Creepy, fucked up, strange, alien, otherworldly, call me what you will. Now where are Death and Ale?"

They all cautiously lead him to the room. He's actually shocked when seeing Death. And sees a visible mark on Ale's cheek. Course it's mended mostly, but he still sees it. Instantly he checks Ale over.

"What happened? What did he do to?"

"Only a slap Ceiser. It's my Atan and the girl who was with me that I'm worried about." Ale tells him.

"Girl? Ah the brown haired one, C I believe you said she was called?"

"Yes Ceiser. Course I didn't explain everything....when it comes to what happened to her she didn't want to say. But was visibly disgusted." Ale explains.

"Why am I not surprised when it comes to Ralph Dingleberg, aka Leatherbeard." Llildan says with a slight short circuit.

Death is suddenly curious about what happened to C and why his Grandfather is so angry, "Where is C? And explain why you're so pissed."

"She wasn't at breakfast this morning. So I'm not sure Atan. Why?" Ale responds.

"I need to make sure she's alright. While you look for her, Grandfather explain your relations to Leatherbeard."

Ale walks out of the room as Llildan gives her a nod, "Did Ale ever tell you about her Mother, my wife, Shel?"

"Only in passing. She always gets upset when I ask, so usually I don't anymore."

"You see, Shel was unfortunately stuck with Crom on her tail. He desperately wanted her, me and Shel existing in Shel's life didn't matter to him. I was unable to ease that part of her life. No matter what I did. Sadly...I one day lost the ability to try. Leatherbeard was sent by Crom to retrieve her, or kill her. She told me to take Ale and run. I did but when I went to aid Shel after hiding Ale...she was....she had been run through. I held her in my arms that night as she died. Everything I tried failed to save her. Leatherbeard's laugh that day still haunts me, no matter how many enhancements I make." Llildan tells him actually sounding somber. "So, do you really think he'd dead?"

"I stuck a cobalt dagger through his eye, and had him struck with lightning. It remained there a few seconds thanks to the one conjuring it....nngh...He even lost a leg and appeared to have a seizure. So yes, I'm fairly sure I got him." Death assures him.

"Good. Lets hope he stays that way hmm?" Llildan suggests.

"Yes, lets."

Meanwhile Ale had found C in a quiet state. She was actually nude in her bed, with a mirror pointed at her.

"Oh forgive me C, bad time?" Ale inquires gently.

"Huh? Oh uh.....I guess not." C replies before wrapping herself up in a blanket burrito.

"Do you want to talk?" Ale asked softly.

"Not without Gregory around. Please call him up...let him know where I am...." C tells her as some cracks slip into her voice.

Ale can tell something is wrong now and calls Gregory, "Hello Gregory."

"ALE IS THAT YOU?! Fucking hell lass when no one called it scared the daylights out of me! What's going on?! Where are you Ale?! WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER?!" Gregory quickly shouts at her.

"She's here with me, but she needs you here too. Right now."

"Well tell me where you are." Gregory asks of her.

"At Queen Titania's home. I can teleport home to bring you back here if you want Gregory."

"That'd be greatly appreciated. Also I'm going to try and bring Wren with me. She's been freaking out almost as much as I have." Gregory informs her.

"Very well, that's fine. I'll be there in a jiffy." Ale responds before using a crystal to achieve the teleportation home. Not before placing another crystal nearby and connecting it to her home crystal with a spell. The teleportation to and from is simple. Quiet as well since Wren is tired from her panic of last night, and Gregory is just wanting to get it over with. No fuss or muss, just moving on. Ale understands of course, and makes sure they're back at Titania's quickly. Gregory of course rushes to C's side, recognizing all too well what this mood from C meant. He'd seen it in the past, involving a certain female Drow Elf.

"What did they do to you?"

"Can we...talk in private, please?" C asks quietly.

"Of course lass, of course. Ale do you mind?"

"Not at all, Wren would you come along? Maybe you could help Death out a bit too." Ale replies looking at Gregory and Wren.

Wren only nods, understanding that C likely needs the space. And that privacy with Gregory makes sense as he did raise her. Course when hearing Death needs help too she hurries to his room with Ale. Gregory meanwhile closes the door behind the women and asks C,

"Ok, what happened?"

C begins to explain what all happened to her the night before. The restraining and forced removal of her clothes to put her in a tavern maid dress. How she felt Leatherbeard had watched her dress and that he'd made perverted comments. And that he even kissed her at one point, "It was all just awful...it reminded me of her....reminded me of...Zira...when she's angry..."

Gregory growled quietly before sighing, "Did he try anything? At all?"

"Only kissed me....that's it."

"Ok ok..." Gregory says before punching a wall. C jumped when he did, even letting out a yelp. Naturally Gregory looked back at her when she did, "Relax relax I'm fine. I'm fine. Sorry about that. Steam is all it was. I....I failed...I failed protect you and well....you're traumatized yet again. Zira is something I can handle, Leatherbeard is not, and yet the pain of being a failure is ever so prominent. Me being unable to protect you makes it all the worse."

C lets her arms loose of the blanket burrito and hugs Gregory tightly. Naturally he has to make sure she doesn't fall off the bed. Luckily he's able to do that.

"Easy dear yer about to fall off there."

"Sorry....I just really need this right now. I feel dirty....disgusting...and just plain sick." C admits to him.

"So basically what Leatherbeard is?"

"Yes." C responds.

"Then don't feel that way. Lass, Leatherbeard is one of the reasons why Kathryn could Mother children. He's the reason why ya were all we had. However, despite that, I have never stopped loving ya. I will never stop loving or seeing ya as my daughter C. No matter what comes. As long as we have each other, we can each go through life, and Kat can rest easy. Also, try and manage a smile C. I know it's hard right now, but at least try. If ya can't now, we'll try again later. But ya can't stay in here cooped up like this. You need something to get your mind off of it, even if for a little while."

C tries to smile but can't quite do so. However, she does at least get behind a partition to get dressed. Only to realize her original shirt was torn up a bit. "Uh Gregory, did you bring any spare shirts?"

"Course girl, got one right here."

C manages a smile at last when taking the shirt and handing the torn one to Gregory. Naturally he's concerned when seeing where the tear is on it. "Yer sure they didn't do anything to ya?"

"His first mate, was the one to try and get my shirt off. The fucking bitch." C says with a growl towards the end.

Gregory growls a bit too and tells her, "If I had just been there, I'd have wrapped my hands around their necks."

"I know, and Leatherbeard likely would've gone back on his word." C responds simply.

"Unfortunately you're right about that. But let's figure out what we can do today."

"Yeah, sure."

Gregory placed a calming hand on her shoulder once she comes out from behind the partition, "Everything will be fine C. Have ya eaten anything yet lass?"

"No, I haven't. Been in here all morning."

"Kay let's change that." Gregory tells her.

From there the two go on down to find breakfast. C naturally is a bit nervous as she watches everyone around her, but Gregory assures her she'll be fine. Finally C is brought to a small private table in the kitchens were Mina is with other servants around the castle.

"Hello there Gregory, good morning so far?"

"Eh...as far as I can tell. How's yer morning?"

"Dismal, but I'll manage like I have been. How about you C, doing well lass?" Mina asks her gently.

"Kinda....not that great. If I'm being honest." C replies quietly.

"Well, let me see if I can't make a meal that puts a spring in your step." Mina declares before getting to work on a pleasant meal. Getting together some eggs benedict with a warm, gooey cinnamon roll. C certainly enjoyed the meal, and naturally Mina made sure to ask Gregory if he wanted any.

"Ye hungry too then?"

"Eh I'm a little bit peckish. Was too worried earlier to eat anything. So yeah I'd like something." Gregory told her sheepishly.

"Here ye are then. Good thing I made an extra serving in case you wanted some."

"Thank ya. Has Wren showed up here yet?"

"No haven't seen her. If she hasn't eaten either I can send a meal her way no problem. Just need to know what she likes. I'd have asked ya two, but neither of ya seemed picky today." Mina states.

"Ok I'll see if I can find her, I'll be right back. You two have fun." Gregory says before leaving the room.

C then continues her meal in silence, finishing it easily and laying her head down. Mina knows that mood all too well thanks to Morgen, and gently strokes C's head a little. C allows it, but only because it reminds her of Kathryn a little. Course meanwhile Death had been placed in a wheelchair, much to his chagrin. He was groaning as Wren helped wheel him around with Llildan explaining he'd need a heavy meal before going into that pod. As he'd be in there until he healed.

"Seriously is this really necessary? You could've just brought the food over to the bed?"

"And who my Grandson, would've have fed you?" Llildan responds.

Wren snickers, "Probably Morgen."

Death groaned again, "That would be a bad idea, she herself is dealing with a few things."

Just as the group came across Gregory, Morgen meanwhile was having a troubling dream. She finds herself in a tavern somewhere, seeing young Uther and Vortigern celebrating after a victory together. Morgen actually seemed at ease at this but wondered why she saw it. Then she heard an all too familiar voice talking, this time he didn't speak to her.

"He will betray you, you know this."

Young Uther jolts suddenly in response and looks at Vortigern next to him.

"He...has already begun the process. Betraying your trust already, can you not see it? Can you not see them?" The voice taunts.

Uther then looks around and could've sworn he saw a man with a dagger in the background. But when checking he finds nothing. He goes to try and continue the conversation with Vortigern, but sees a similar dagger on his belt. Vortigern is acting completely normal, yet Uther can't help but be on edge. Morgen then sees a younger version of herself with her parents in the background. Being a happy family and loving towards each other. She almost walks over to them, but doesn't want to be noticed by Uther. Or the voice that's currently talking. All of a sudden Morgen's Father walks over to Uther and being as jovial to him as Vortigern was. Uther tries playing it off as he sees another dagger on his belt too. Even giving a hello gesture with his mug to the younger Morgen. Who giggled whilst sitting with her Mama and hugging her happily.

"What happened? What could've possibly happened? Is this the day where Uther changed?" Morgen asks herself quietly as she observes everything.

Morgen then notices Uther trying to be nice to her Mother. But he's drunk so it comes out in a very flirtatious way. Igraine becomes visibly uncomfortable and calls for her husband.

"Uhm...Gorlois? I believe the good King may be too drunk now ehehehe..."

"Oh forgive me my love. Just a moment. Uther try to settle down and maybe put the bottle away?"

"Ah uhhhhhh...forgive me my friend.....I just..." Uther begins to say before Gorlois and Vortigern both walk off with him. Leaving a confused Igraine with a sleepy Morgen.

Morgen wishes she could follow them but unfortunately has to follow Uther. Something in her is saying she needs to learn of what's wrong. Where everything went wrong and why. So she keeps watching Uther's side of things. Seeing her Father and Vortigern placing Uther in his bed. The man just lays there drunkenly, harmlessly in fact. Morgen is confused before hearing the voice speak up.

"You need to be alert, they're going to kill you if don't do anything. Uther don't you see it, they've poisoned you?"

Uther begins tossing and turning whilst saying, "No...it can't be...I'm not poisoned..ugh..."

"You're weak, weaker than you're supposed to be."

"It's called being drunk. I'll just...have a hangover in the morning....." Uther says in denial.

He then gets up, and lights a candle before looking at himself in a mirror. His reflection's eyes blacken and it begins to speak, "They're after you, can you not tell? Can you see them."

Uther begins to sober up as the voice continues to speak. Just as the voice becomes nearly unbearable he hears the door open. Vortigern comes in and tells him, "Hey come on brother. You're going to be late for the party."

"What the hell?" Morgen asks in concern as Uther walks out.

He's both confused and concerned. Morgen naturally keeps going down the rabbit hole. Following him deeper with each dive. She ends up back at the same party, watching it replay like a rewound tape recording. Only one thing has changed, Uther has become more nervous, and drinks more to put his mind off it. Leading to an even worse comment towards her Mother, which actually earns him a slap. Vortigern then brings Uther straight to his room on his own this time whilst apologizing for Uther's behavior. Morgen honestly isn't sure what to think at this point. But she does know this madness can't continue. She tries her best to try and call out to him, despite her gut feelings telling her deep down that he doesn't deserve her help at all.

"UTHER, DON'T LISTEN TO HIM! FIGHT HIS INFLUENCE! FOR YOUR SAKE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S!"

Course her pleas fall on ears that cannot hear her. Instead she can only watch as a third loop plays out. Even worse than before as Uther is even punched in the face by her Father for his actions towards Igraine. Morgen is screaming herself hoarse the entire time. Begging Uther to see what's happening and to stop playing along with the demented loop. The third loops ends with Uther in his room and making an utter mess of everything once Vortigern leaves. He looks ashamed of Uther, extremely so in fact. Morgen tries changing things around herself in the fourth loop. Hiding bottles from Uther to prevent a drunken escapade. Doing all she can to keep him sober. But he's already pretty far gone, and in his rage he lashes out at everyone. Demanding to know where his drinks keep going. Vortigern brings him one, but it's slapped away. Uther claims he'd rather get one himself and goes to do just that. Vortigern lets him with noticeable concern. Uther then imagines a poison in the drink and pours it out declaring someone is trying to kill him. Only for the drink to suddenly have nothing in it.

Vortigern steps forward trying to calm him, "Uther, please calm down. No one's trying to kill you. You're not in a battle right now. Everything's alright."

Uther then goes to swing at him, but Morgen steps between them and grabs Uther's wrist, "Uther please stop. You're losing yourself again. Calm down."

Morgen then realizes that she ultimately just said words that don't make sense, and looks around to find her Mother is nowhere to be seen. Then Uther speaks up, "Igraine...? Is that you.....what....have I done?"

Morgen lets him go, watching in pure horror and confusion as Uther returns to his room on his own. Following him back to find him trying to sober up and clear his head. He only gets up to light a candle and clean his face. But sees the dark reflection of himself yet again, continuing to taunt him. Uther then hears Vortigern call to him again, a final loop starting now. Morgen follows and sees him looking despondent at a table. Wondering what's going wrong, why things are going badly for him. Then the eyes of everyone begin to focus on him. Suddenly as Uther glances at them, their eyes all turn red. He jumps up and when reaching for a weapon or run, he's frozen in place.

"I told you they were going to kill you." The voice from earlier taunts.

They all unsheath daggers, even Igraine. Only the younger version of Morgen doesn't. Suddenly everyone lashes out and begins stabbing Uther to death. His screams are horrid to hear for Morgen, as she begs the voice to leave him alone. Suddenly she feels another dizzy spell, and more pain in her head before collapsing. She wakes up in a cell, exhausted and still feeling the pain in her head. Luckily it's not as bad now. Morgen gets up unsteadily and shakily moves towards the door. She's tries to open the door and it's locked. A voice similar to Uther's, but more terrified resounds behind her.

"It doesn't work...never does."

She turns around, using the door to remain on her feet, "What do you mean....who are you?"

Out from the shadows comes another version of Uther. Paler, with white hair, and much thinner as well. He looked just that close to death, and that he was very much aware of it. Given the fear on his face.

"It just doesn't work. No matter how much I've tried. It doesn't open...at least not from in here."

Morgen forces herself to keep standing as she tries to force the door open. Using any spells she can think of, as she doesn't want to be here anymore than this guy does. Even putting her hands through the bars of the door window to try and search for the keyhole.

"Stop that you're going to alert him!" The other Uther tells her in panic.

"I can't be here....I have to leave...and it looks like...you should too...maybe I can fix this....fix everything...if I just try hard enough..." Morgen says as her legs begin shaking with her effort to stand.

"Don't....don't exhaust yourself...rest...just rest...don't try anything else...you'll alert him.."

"Who? The voice in your head?" Morgen inquires before suddenly being grabbed from behind.

"Who are you talking to?" Uther demands of his other version.

"Uh uh...n-n-nobody. N-no one. N-n-n-no on is h-here."

Uther turns around and finally sees Morgen behind him. Morgen then freezes in fear, recognizing the Uther she knows all too well, "I can help...I can fix this....I have to try...just let me out...let me try.."

"THERE'S NOTHING TO FIX GIRL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HEAD?! AND WHAT ARE THESE ON YOUR HEAD? HORNS? WHAT KIND OF IMPURE BEAST ARE YOU BECOMING? WHAT IS THAT NEPHILIM TURNING YOU INTO?!" Uther shouts at her whilst pulling hard at one of the horns.

Morgen begins screaming in pain as Uther pulls her horn. The other Uther gains a semblance of courage and quickly hops onto his back.

"Stop it, stop we've hurt her enough! Let her be, let her go!"

Uther then drops Morgen and grabs the other version of himself instead. Slamming him into the back wall of the cell. He then continues to walk over to his original self.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you trying to defend her?"

"Remember Igraine, she's all we have left of her!"

"SHE KILLED OUR SON!"

"She didn't mean to, not with everything going on. You're scaring her."

Uther then grabs his original self in a near choking manner. Holding him up from the ground as Morgen curls up by the door. Shaking and truly terrified at everything going on. She begs and pleads quietly, "Stop...please stop....stop it..."

Uther then looks at her whilst holding his other self, "You're the reason why all of this is happening. If you had just kept quiet and been a good girl none of this would've happened." Then looking at his other half again, "And if you wouldn't stop trying to take control. Just let me continue taking the lead. We wouldn't be in the mess we are now!"

"She was....a little girl...nothing more...One you corrupted...because I.."

"Because what? I took control so that we could survive. I took control so that our kingdom will thrive." Uther tells him.

"All for what?! A child born from a girl you abused her whole life?! A legacy of abuse and fear?! Igraine would be ashamed of you! In fact she was! That's why she fought back! YOU KILLED HER! YOU DID IT BECAUSE I WAS COWARD AND LET YOU DO IT! AND WORSE STILL I LET MORGEN SUFFER UNDER US BECAUSE OF MY FEAR OF YOU!" The other half shouts in sudden rage, gaining courage again. This one being a better kind, a stronger kind.

Morgen looks up at the other Uther, sobbing with fear and hopelessness as he speaks. Suddenly both men freeze as the voice from before speaks up. "What is going on?"

The original Uther loses his courage once more, "He's coming...he's coming back...he's coming back."

"Shut your rambling you fool! If you had just shut your mouth he wouldn't be here right now! Now I have to save our hides yet again." Uther tells him before grabbing Morgen by her horn again. The same one as well, which causes even more pain to her.

The door then opens, and the being from Morgen's dreams now stood before them all, "What are you two doing?"

"Having a small dispute, nothing more nothing less." Uther declares.

"It that so?" The being asks floating in and raising a six fingered hand with talons he places it on Uther's shoulder, "Then why is your hand upon her horn?"

"Intruder that's all. I can deal with it myself you don't have to..."

"Shhhh...Don't make it any worse on yourself." The being says as he tightens his grip. Causing Uther extreme pain as the talons dig into his shoulder, "Just let her go, and I'll handle her."

Uther then looks at Morgen, looks at his other self, "Get her out of here, run."

Uther stays behind to fight the being whilst the original Uther leads Morgen away. Doing his best to help her remain up. Of course as he gains his strength, he notices the shadow Uther beginning to look like he did before.

"We need to go, NOW!" He shouts to Morgen before busting through a wall to make their escape.

Morgen nearly collapses a few times, but he carries her as best he can. Morgen then glances behind them and sees the being chasing them down, "He's....gaining..."

"Can you fly?"

"I don't know.....why ask?" Morgen inquires nervously.

"Cause you're going to need to fly." The original Uther tells her before busting through another wall. This one revealing a black void. "Shit."

Suddenly he tosses Morgen into it, hoping she'll fly. Morgen manages to attempt to fly despite her growing exhaustion and pain. Unfortunately once the being catches up, he tosses the original Uther aside and grabs at Morgen.

#Darksiders Fandom #Darksiders Fanfics #Darksiders OCS #Darksiders Arthurian Tales Revisited #Death #Strife #Fury #War

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sunnysidewrites · 7 years ago

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Opposite Dog Hybrid!Mingyu

Requested by anon: Helooo Mom™ can I have a fluffy Hybrid! Mingyu Or Jeonghan Au? 😊 thank you 💘💖✨💫🌈💘💝💫✨💗💖

aaa here it is my love emoji anon!!!! i tried to make it super fluffy i think im gonna die from this sweetness!!!

warnings: fluff that makes u wanna dIE AND MURDER MINGYU BUT ALSO SQUISH HIS FACE

You recently moved in your new apartment for the first time ever since graduating college

You were able to pick up some temporary jobs that would barely be enough to make a living but hey you wanted the freedom and you wanted to prove yourself to your parents

As you were carrying your boxes to the third floor, you were about to colLAPSE BC SO MANY STAIRS YOU WISH YOU DID BETTER IN PE

After you finally finished carrying all of your stuff you thought maybe i should show some hospitality and introduce myself to the neighbors!!

But you’re also a cat hybrid and you’re like um well do i really have to tho i’d rather just sLEEP MY ARMS ARE GONNA FALL OFF

But you’re determined to do something adult!!! You are now living alone and have jobs and bills to pay!!!!

So you gathered all of your willpower and got out some of your homemade bomb af cookies before heading to your next door neighbor

You were like ok chill all you’re doing is saying your name and giving them some cookies nO bIgGiE!!!

Shortly after you knocked you heard a “coming!” and some feet shuffle shuffle

The door swung open and yOU WERE GONNA ACTUALLY MELT RIGHT THEN AND THERE

A tall, dark boy sporting a casual button up and dark jeans was looking back at you like hello

Hello handsome

You noticed his droopy cute little ears on the top of his head that blended in with his caramel hair and a tail hiding behind his legs

“Hi there!” and he showed you hiS CUTE CANINES IM GONNA DIEFUDKDLFDLJLFJD

And you were lowkey staring at him bc who is this magnificent being

“H-hi!! I’m y/n your next door neighbor i just moved here like rn ahahaha” *cue nervous high pitched laughter*

“Oh cool!!! Welcome!! :DDDD I’m Mingyu!11!!1” and he points to your bag of cookies like are those for me

You suddenly remember why you came and you’re like oH RIgHt yes here u go i baked some cookies hehehe i hope you like them!!!!! and me

And hE’S KINDA MELTING BC YOU LOOK SO ADORABLE WITH YOUR TAIL SHYLY SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND YOUR EARS ARE TWITCHING OMG SO CUTE SO CUTE

you practically shove them in his arms and disappear in your apartment

“What a funny girl” he shakes his head laughing, looking at your door close before closing his own

A few days later you’re in the middle of rearranging your place when you suddenly get a knock on your door

“M-mingyu?!”

He’s all smiles and greets you im gonna actually melt i love mingyu appreciate him

“Hi y/n!! I was wondering if you needed some help rearranging?? I feel kinda bad since im right next door but i didnt do anything to help you….”

And you’re like omg. How pure is he.

And you’re like o H! !! ! ofc you can help if you want to!!! So you step aside and let him in

He’s like uh did a tornado hit here um

And you’re like pLS I KNOW IT’S MESSY BUT THERE’S A LOT OF STUFF

He helps put away your kitchen stuff its a sign hubby material

And you’re in the living room rearranging furniture and whatnot

Two hours pass and you both are in desperate need of a break so you’re like ok i kinda want 2 sleep

Mingyu is insistent that you guys grab some Real Food for a lunch break and you’re like but,,,,, my bed,,,,,,,,,

“y/n it’s past one and we haven’t eaten anything cMON WE’RE LEAVING NOW”

“mingyu no i am tired!! we are staying her -- oH MY GOD PUT ME DOWN!!!”

“NO CAN DO MISS” he laughs as he runs out the door gdi mingyu why do you have to be such a fast dog hybrid

He decides to take you out to eat at a cute little lowkey restaurant

He orders a five course meal and you’re like,,,, can u pls order fish thx

“We came all the way here and you wanna eat fish???”

“yOU DRAGGED ME HERE THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS GET ME FISH >:((“

And he’s trying not to burst into laughter by how pouty you are and how your ears keep going up and down you’re so smol and cute

“Ok fine,,,,, lunch is on me only for u kitten ;)))))”

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

Fuck u mingyu who tf aSKED

How is it this hot in the fall

You awkwardly clear your throat and look away

Once the food arrives you’re like omg yAY FISH!!! And you’re happily chomping on your lil meal

Meanwhile gyu is inhaling that piece of steak and finishes 2 other plates in 5 minutes

You’re just like oh,,,, kay,,,,,

And he’s looking at you with such a playful grin and he giggles mINGYU PLS STOP

And you’re just like o k a y if you wanna play that game mingyu you can’t be mad at him anymore rip

After your meal you’re walking back to your apartment and he’s all giddy and hyper and swings his arm over your shoulders

plS!!! HAVE MERCY!!!

And you’re sO flustered that you just stiffen up so hard and you try to walk normally but he’s practically pushing your body towards his body heat is gr8

And he’s just all showing his canines and :DDD i think im blind

He’s so overly friendly and caring and you’re like :(((( this lil tol puppy doesn’t deserve my quiet nature!!!!

A few weeks pass and mingyu has taken the time out of his day to regularly visit your place and help you out with anything else involving moving and getting adjusted how cute!!!

You’re always telling him he doesn’t need to do ANY of this but ofc his heart of gold is just like what are u talking about y/n i want to!!!

Sometimes he thinks you’re gonna overwork yourself into unpacking way too many things for a day and he declares he’s gonna make you relax while he cooks hUSBAND MATERIAL!!!

“miNGYU PLS HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU, YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS”

“STOP IT I DO WHAT I WANT”

And he digs through your fridge and manages to cook a decent meal with the very few ingredients you bought for the time being

He’s in the middle of mixing when you approach him bc you feel bad for not helping him so you ask him what you can do

“Sit down y/n i’ll take care of this!!”

“No pls let me help this is my apartment gyu mY rUlEs!!!”

“Fine you can start chopping up those veggies”

You grab a cutting board and a knife and start slicing

He sees you struggle and he’s giggling at the cute sight of you

He practically bounces over to where you are gdi i love dog mingyu

AND THEN THIS LIL PUPPY DOES THE CLICHE WHERE HE WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND YOURS TO SHOW YOU HOW TO PROPERLY SLICE OFHDLDSFSF

“Hehe you’re so cute y/n these slices are way too thick here this is how you should do it”

aND YOU’RE BLUSHING SO MUCH HIS FACE IS ONLY CENTIMETERS AWAY FROM YOURS

“Ah..haha….. Thank you” you manage to stutter out

He slightly turns his head to gaze at you so fONDLY AND HE’S SMILING SO SOFTLY MY HE A RT

You’re both looking at each other really,,,,, intently,,,,,,,,

Without realizing you’re both leaning in… the space slowly closing,,,,,,,,,,

tHE TEA KETTLE THEN WHISTLES WHAT A COCKBLOCKER

You both jump back in embarrassment and he hurriedly turns around to switch off the stove

You’re too busy looking anywhere but him to notice that once he switched it off he immediately turns back to you

He takes your face in both hands and presses his lips to yours aND IM NOT STABLE

And you’re like hO L Y,,,, WHAT,, WHAT IS HAPPENING

You’re melting in his arms and have to clutch onto his shirt to not have your knees buckle underneath you

His kiss is passionate yet playful, very much like his personality

The kiss leaves you both breathless and you’re like,,,,,,,,, omg did this just happen

You kissed a dog hybrid what is this you’re supposed 2 like cats!!11!1 your own!!11!1!

And you seriously liked it

“Why,,,, why did you do that?” you looked in his eyes and asked even though you already knew the answer

He only smiles

“Didn’t I say I do what I want?”

#my post #seventeen #seventeen mingyu #mingyu #seventeen imagines #seventeen scenarios #seventeen headcanons #seventeen au #mingyu imagines #mingyu scenarios #mingyu headcanons #mingyu au #hybrid au #opposite dog hybrid!mingyu

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jeromes-harley-blog · 8 years ago

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Hallucinations: His Return

This is Part 2 to my original imagine Hallucinations! I suggest if you haven’t already read part 1 go do so! Warnings - a few choice words, innuendos, and a brief sensual scene Also, thank you everyone who reads and comments and likes and reposts! It absolutely means the world to me! I love all 3,000+ of you! :3 now enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Jerome?”

“Miss me, doll face?” The ginger smirked at you, his smile a little off putting. You took a few steps back, his presence and reality causing you to lose your breath.

The events from last night were playing through your mind. Everything else around you was blurry and tuned out. You saw him die and now 8 months later here he was, alive and well. Well maybe not “well”, but well.

You were now standing on a roof of the building. Jerome was looking through binoculars at the damaged he caused at an abandoned warehouse. He knew you were still in awe and maybe even confusion. You didn’t say one word to him the last five days. You couldn’t bring yourself to.

“I know. You’re speechless, how could you be here, I can’t believe my eyes! I’ve heard it all before. So…how you been? If you ask me, I’ve had a not so great few days. Woke up, some dude steals my face, you know I had to go through all this work to find you.”

“…”

“You don’t have to stand there and say nothing.”

“…”

“Almost a week and not one word. That just chomps at my dick, but I guess that’s fair, considering the face, the voice, and all heh. But how about kiss?” He walked towards you already expecting you’d just plant one right on him. However, that’s not how you were feeling tonight. You were planting something on him alright, it just wasn’t what he’d thought it would be.

Anger, finally eating up the fear inside you, you gave the undead psychopath a giant fist to his “face”.

“I honestly just stapled that into place!” He whined. “You sure do pack a punch though, hot stuff.”

You stumbled back once more after seeing a piece of his skin bend over his eye.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you hear? Stapling your skin back together is the new style! Apparently so is coming back to life.”

“What’s wrong with you?” You blurted out, your now bloodied hand in a fist.

“Lots of things. You’re gonna have to be more specific.” He closed one eye as he stapled his skin.

“You come back and think everything would be fine again? That you could sit here and make jokes? That I would just kiss you because your back? Well I’m not laughing, Jerome. Especially since this was all your fault! You don’t know what it was like, seeing you dead. To be living without you. I told you NOT to go to that show that night and you didn’t take what I said into consideration at all. I suffered pain, depression. I cried every night realizing you weren’t by my side anymore. But for some reason I felt like it was all my fault. And you made me feel like it was my fault.”

Jerome stifled a laugh. “Class acting, baby. You want an award?”

“Screw you.” You pushed past him, walking down the stairway.

“Please do. I have a major boner from seeing you this angry.”

“Please just take me back home. I’d rather not see you ever again.”

“Whoa, whoa don’t be like that.” Jerome smirked, grabbing your waist and trapping you on each side with his arms. “You mean to tell me you don’t miss me? All the things I said to you…all the things I did to you. Remind me, dollface. Where’s that sweet spot of yours again? Somewhere down here?”

You bit your lip as Jerome’s hand found it’s way into your pants. Your eyes fluttered closed and the memories then began to float back like a calm river. You used to tell Jerome all about your dirty thoughts and he’d satisfy them, leaving you out of breath and seeing stars for days. His lips met yours and then made their way down your neck. It gelt like those old times again. You almost forgot what was actually going on.

You let out a quiet moan and arched your back against the wall. Jerome then proceeded to make his way down to your breasts.

A deep chuckle came from the back of his voice, vibrating through his chest. It snapped you out of your thoughts and you pulled away from him. Now you were even more angry than you were before. You couldn’t believe you almost let him put his fingers in your-

“Pussy.” He laughed at you. “You used to give in to your needs.”

“They’re not wants nor needs, Valeska! And I told you…I don’t like that word.”

“I on the other hand love the word and I for a fact love how it tas-” You kicked him down the stairs and all you saw was a ginger tumbleweed rolling down three flights. An audible “ow!” during each step he rolled down.

As he finally made it to the last step, he winced. “That hurt more than I thought it would.”

You hopped off the very last step with grace and ease, giving a little bow to taunt. “I actually do kind of miss you. This is kind of actually the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

“Then how about it some more fun?” Jerome wheezed, holding his now hunched over back. “In fact! I have a plan! And yes, you’re involved.” He pulled out a gun pointing it at you.

“What do you think you’re doing?” You backed away from him, eyes on the weapon in his head.

“Turns out there’s a few loonies out there who worship me, heheh. Mm we get them and we find Bruce Wayne and kill him! I have been meaning to for awhile now. Just couldn’t point my mind in the right place.”

“Why do you need me then?”

“Because you cupcake, are the hostage.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mmphmmmmpgh!” Jerome tied you up so you wouldn’t scream or give away anything to Bruce. “Mmmmphhgghhh!”

“I love you too.” Jerome smiled, leaving a kiss on your forehead. The Wayne Manor was a wreck by now. Bruce and Alfred standing right in front of you. His eyes furrowed deciding on what he should do.

“Bruuuuccccieee. I’m not going to ask again. The girl or the Butler. I mean I’m still going to kill you afterwards, but I want you to choose here, buddy!”

One of the loonies, pushed you forward so you fell on to the floor.

Bruce’s eyes immediately met yours, worry and fear playing on his features. He couldn’t let you die, but he couldn’t let Alfred die either.

After the thug placed the gun to your head, Bruce finally spoke up. Trading his life for the both of yours. Jerome snuck a wink at you, to assure no harm was ever going to come to you.

Take her to the car.“

It had been at least ten minutes, and the manor lamps glowed from within, not a shadow or sign of movement in sight.

"AHAH! GREAT NEWS!” Jerome screamed startling everyone in the car! “Looks like Bruce will be joining us for the carnival!”

Carnival? What carnival?“ Lennie asked.

"It looks more like a circus!” Gregory butted in.

“Shut up you two! You’ll see when we get there.” Jerome groaned. He then turned to you and smiled at you. “Sorry, I forgot.” He shrugged, pulling the tape off your mouth.

“Ow!” You screamed headbutting his nose.

He only laughed in response. “I would take you right here and now but this might not be suitable for all ages.” He motioned to Bruce.

“Over my dead body, Valeska.” You rolled your eyes as he began to run his fingers up your thigh.

“Preferably IN your dead body.”

You leaned forward so Bruce could see you. “Next time, I suggest you pick me.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lights and rides and games surrounded all of you. The air was filled with screams and death. Dried and fresh blood on parts of the ground. These were innocent people. You and Bruce shared a glance.

Jerome took a deep breath and nodded. “Perfect.” You admit it was little things like those that turned you on and he knew it to. You could see he truly wanted things to go back to the way they were. A part of you wanted the same. But that quickly left your mind when you saw a knife perfectly thrown into someone’s skull.

“Oh fu-”

#jerome valeska imagines #jerome x reader #jerome valeska #gotham #jeromes-harley

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abaone94 · 8 years ago

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Love Live! Sunshine!! School Idol Diary ~Aqours’ Sea Side Diary 02~ pt 3

Translated by Daxing Dan, who also translated the 2nd years SID and Aqours audio dramas. Thank you for your hard work! 05. Hanamaru Kunikida Peas in a Pod

“Ah, watch your step! There’s a pud-“ Chika calls out from behind, but by the time I hear her, it’s already too late.

My right foot comes down, making a large splash in a puddle in front of me.

Muddy water flies about, staining my white socks gray.

We’re on the rooftop, afterschool. After homeroom and cleaning, all of Aqours gathered here, one by one.

We were just about to start practice.

“Agh…” I whimper.

My white athletic shoes are soaking wet.

It’s so cold…

I almost want to cry, but Ruby says, “Oh no! Your shoes are all wet, Maru!”

With a stern face, she takes out a white lace handkerchief and tries to wipe off my shoes.

“Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah!”

Stop that, Ruby! My socks and shoes aren’t worth ruining your handkerchief for!

“It’s fine, Ruby. It’s a sunny day. They’ll dry in no time♥” I manage to say with a smile.

“Really? Well, that’s great, Maru♥ And you didn’t even cry, either. I fall into puddles a lot, too, but if that were me, I’d definitely start crying right away, ehehe☆” Ruby says with an embarrassed smile.

You don’t really need to compliment me on that♥

I only held back the tears because I was so surprised when Ruby tried to wipe me off with her handkerchief.

When you compliment me for that, it gives me a weird, kinda embarrassing, kinda happy feeling♥♥

From a bit away, I hear Yohane giggle and ask Dia, “She’d cry right away if that were her? Does Ruby really fall into puddles that often?”

With a reluctant smile, Dia responds, “Unfortunately, yes. They must not pay too much attention. But, in Hanamaru’s defense, I think that’s because she’s always reading while she’s walking. But, Ruby is simply careless, and when she does fall, the damage tends to be more severe and more widespread.

“Waaah! Sis is being mean to me again!” Ruby starts crying.

“I-It’s okay, Ruby. Dia wasn’t being serious” I say, holding Ruby’s hand. It’s very warm, just as it always is.

As I hold her hand, her hand tightens around mine, too.

Hehehe♥

It’s been like this ever since we were little.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

When I was little, I lived in a world full of monsters.

I was born in a temple in Uchiura.

This rural temple is big, with several old buildings and sheds, filled with those unnerving shadows that small children are so afraid of.

It felt like some giant monster could jump out at any moment.

The main hall, where the Buddha was, was always dark, silent, and empty whenever we weren’t holding memorials in there.

Sometimes, I would be sent inside on my own, for errands, into that dark silence with the shadowy glimmer of the Buddha. If I looked up, among the gold-adorned ceiling, I would see a dragon painted in black ink, glaring down at me.

I would get so scared, I’d tumble out of the door, with the lingering scent of incense trailing behind me.

Surrounding the main hall were some trees, covered in thick, dark green foliage, as if prepared to ambush me the moment I jumped out.

Rustle rustle rustle.

The leaves shook loudly.

Now that I think about it, that must have been a stray cat that wandered into the temple while patrolling the town.

But, I was so scared I thought I’d die.

While my legs were shaking, the wind started howling, causing the abandoned outhouse by the main hall to start creaking.

And the air above me would start swirling about.

Aaaahh!!

I started crying, unable to take any more.

Help me, Grandma! I’m not gonna make it to the toilet!

Maybe it’s because that was the environment I grew up in, but I was a very timid girl.

Scared of the little gaps behind things, scared of sudden loud noises, scared of meeting new people, and scared of the voices of rough outdoorsmen. I’d always run and hid behind someone.

I imagined anything I saw to be several times bigger than they actually were.

As if they would swallow me up if I let my guard down for even a moment. I was always afraid of that.

My parents were often out of the house, busy with temple work, so usually my grandma looked after me. Grandma was from out of town, and married the priest of the temple. She seemed to understand me, and she would always help me out, without yelling at me.

“The Buddha of the temple is always protecting you, but also he’ll punish you if you do bad things. Is that what scares you, my little one?” She’d say, patting my head as I pressed it against her bottom through her silk kimono.

When I stood behind Grandma’s kimono and white apron, I always smelt a sweet aroma.

“What are we having, today, Grandma?” I’d ask quietly, so the Buddha wouldn’t think I was a greedy girl.

Then, Grandma would apologetically say, “Just potatoes again.”

Hooray♥ Grandma’s making candied sweet potatoes! I’d think, but out loud, I’d only say it as a whisper while looking down so nobody would see.

That way, the monsters lurking around wouldn’t catch me and chomp off greedy little Maru’s head.

Then, when I was four years old, I started going to Uchiura’s only preschool.

It’s an old preschool, but it’s a one-story building, built by the beach and well-lit by the sun. During daytime, there’s not even the slightest shadow anywhere inside.

Luckily enough, not even I could find anything to be afraid of at that school.

But, since I had grown up by myself in a quiet temple, I didn’t like being with the rowdy boys or the loud, bossy girls there.

In the end, I ended up in the corner again.

I was always in the back of the room, sitting in the sun and reading books.

Now that I think about it, this was when I started liking books more and more.

Even when I was alone in the corner, I could enter the world inside the book, and even when I couldn’t hide behind Grandma’s kimono, they helped me forget about the monsters hiding in the darkness.

In those picture books, I read about little girls the same age as me.

Although they seemed shy and cowardly at first, they got stronger and braver as the story went on. And, by the end, they would usually become a smiling heroine who could solve any problem they came across.

When I read those stories, I would get excited too.

I’d feel happy and refreshed, even though it wasn’t even my story.

I wished I could become like them♥

That would happen only when I read those books.

And then, one day, we had a sleep in.

The preschool had a sleepover in May, just once a year, every year.

Even now, I can remember how much I hated it.

Ehehe♥

I just hated it so much.

I wanted to stay home so badly, my stomach started hurting several days beforehand.

But, it didn’t hurt as badly as I hoped on the actual day. I was bawling before we left the house, and my mother, thinking that was normal for me, took me to school for the sleep-in.

The sleep-in began after lunch, and for a snack, we all made pancakes on electric griddles together.

Then, at night, we had a special dinner with curry and fruit punch.

I managed just fine until then, but after dinner came the movie. That’s when the problems started.

It was a Disney movie, but it had to be the one with scary monsters coming out from behind doors.

It had a happy ending, and everyone else loved it.

But, as for me…

After the movie ended, we all went to sleep at the preschool, but of all places, I ended up at the end of the group.

I was too close to the door.

As I crawled into the futon, I felt like I was going to die.

I pulled my hands and feet in, curling up like a bug inside the futon.

In my mind, I kept praying, let it end, let it end, please let this sleep-in end.

The teachers said good night, and turned off the lights, and then they all left.

What should I do?

I need to go to the toilet.

But what if one of the monsters from the temple popped out of the door, like they did in the movie? I thought, and began fidgeting in the futon.

And then, I heard a voice.

“What’s wrong, Maru?”

A cute and gentle voice.

But, I was on the verge of tears, unable to respond.

“Maru, Maru, are you okay? Does your tummy hurt?”

The sheets next to me started rustling. Apparently the girl got up and was now shaking me through the sheets.

Stop that, you’ll just make it worse!

“Should I call the teacher?”

I didn’t want to make the teachers come and cause a scene.

“Don’t, I’m okay, but…”

My voice must have been trembling as I talked.

“Ruby, I need to go to the toilet. Will you come with me?” I said.

Even though I was shivering inside the futon up until that point, as soon as I asked that question, I suddenly felt brave enough to sit up and throw the covers off.

“Okay!”

As soon as I sat up, I saw her face right in front of me.

She was looking towards me with a worried look. It’s Ruby.

As soon as she saw me get up, with tears in my eyes, she gave me a happy smile.

“Let’s go♥” She said, reaching out to me.

I held her hand tightly. It was so war.

I can still remember feeling like my body was growing lighter.

Then, we were on our way through the halls of the preschool.

But, the first step she took into the hallway, Ruby froze up and her knees started quivering.

She pressed her lips together in an attempt to endure something.

Tears started welling up in her large, round eyes.

When I saw Ruby like that, something inside me suddenly pulled itself together.

I felt courage rising up within me from somewhere.

It was dark around us, with little night lights being the only illumination in the hallway. Normally, I’d be too scared to move.

But, when I saw Ruby, it felt like a bright beam of light was falling around her.

Although the hallway should have been covered end-to-end in darkness, I thought I saw a soft, warm light just around Ruby.

I remember thinking that no monster or ghost could scare me.

We were still holding hands, and this time, I tightened my hand around hers.

“Let’s go♥”

This time, I'm the one to talk.

The tears disappear from Ruby's cute face, and she smiles, like Little Red Riding Hood from the illustrations in my picture books. Like a heroine.

Ooh! I can't look away♥

Ehehe. Just for that moment.

For that moment, it felt like Ruby and I were the main characters in one of my picture books.

That was the first time I realized I wasn’t alone.

I didn’t have to rely on the teachers or Grandma to protect me.

We were together.

We were a team, heading onwards in the same direction together.

I felt like we were sharing our courage with each other through our hands.

Nothing troubles or scary things could stop us as long as we were together.

One day, I’ll be able to face this alone.

It might have been that on that day, a little light of courage lit up in my heart, and illuminated that hallway.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

It’s been ten years since that day.

But, Ruby and I are still together.

We’re still holding each other’s hands, the same way we did when we shared our courage on that day♥

Ruby’s kept growing cuter ever since then, and I thought that she wouldn’t stay with me forever, but here we are. Why is that?

Sometimes I wonder, but it might be fate that we were born in the same year, in the underpopulated town of Uchiura♥

Neither Ruby nor I are so good at saying what we’re thinking.

When we need help, we reach out our hands.

Either Ruby reaches out to me, or I to her.

And when we hold hands, we become braver.

So, even when Ruby wanted to become a school idol,

I didn’t hesitate to hold her hand.

So that Ruby could be brave.

And so that I could find the courage to jump in with her.

To me, school idols represent courage.

I hope that whenever we’re in trouble, we’ll hold each other’s hands and press forward.

And, I want all the fans of Aqours to see my utmost courage.

I’m short, and bad at dancing, and I’m clumsy, and always falling into puddles, but I want to hold their hands and let them feel my warmth♥

Joining Aqours has really given me so much courage.

I want everyone to know the warmth you can feel in someone’s hands, no matter how scary things get.

#love live sunshine #school idol diary #hanamaru kunikida #translation #not my translation #okay so in sid maru and ruby is kindergarten friends #while in the anime it was yoshiko #nevertheless this is very cute #oh and that pretty innocent demeanor is too much to handle

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returnerofthewrites · 8 years ago

Text

Writing Exercise: Date

The soft twang of an ukulele rang out through the cafe, mixing with the sounds of clinking utensils and idle chatter; air whirred out from above, sending delicious scents wafting across the room and out the door. Glancing out the window, I peered out at the rest of the mall, idly tapping my footpaws to the beat of the music as I watched Pokemon after Pokemon wander by, cheerfully making their way wherever. My ear flicked when a soft hum drifted past, and I turned to look across the table at my partner, my muzzle curling into a cheeky grin when I saw the end of a fork sticking right out of her mouth.

“Enjoying your Valentines breakfast so far, Rose?” I quipped, curling my fingers around my mug of Tapu Cocoa, blowing on it a couple times before taking a sip, tensing up for a split-second when the scalding-hot liquid singed my lips. The cream-furred fox smiled warmly at me in response, her nine fluffy tails waving against the chair, and she gulped down her bite of pancakes before letting out a sigh, looking as relaxed as could be. “I guess I'll take that as a yes.”

“Mmhm,” Rose finally replied, setting her fork back in her bowl, and she gingerly wiped her lips on her hoodie's sleeve, blowing at a few strands of her headfur that drooped in front of her face afterward. “I'm glad we finally decided to come try this place. It's too bad we were too late to try any specials, but at least we found something to split, hehe.”

“Getting here early probably helped,” I shrugged, picking up my own fork and spearing a couple of Bluk berries, rolling them around in the copious amount of syrup before chomping down. My mouth instantly began to water at the sheer sweetness, and I grunted, then swallowed, before speaking back up again. “Mmrf- sorry. But yeah, Cyan's told me about how fast this place can get. Definitely a nice day to come though, huh?”

“Yeah...” Rose trailed off, looking outside, and I followed her gaze, the two of us contentedly watching the various passerby. The Ninetales leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands and gently bouncing in her seat, her ponytail shaking from side to side all the while. Sunlight filtered down from high above the roofs of the various shops and stalls, glinting against the paved stone floor, and I took a deep breath in... and out... folding my arms against my blunted chestspike and stretching out. “I hope he and Erin are having a good day too, though. I wonder why they didn't want to come with us?”

“I don't know, it'd probably be less romantic to have them commenting on how sappy it is for us to be sharing a plate of pancakes like this.” I grinned again, and Rose rolled her eyes, playfully sticking her tongue out at me. A chuckle escaped my throat, and I shook my head, my aura tassels sliding against my shirt and shoulders. “Besides, Erin's got something fun in mind for the two of them anyway, unless she changed her plans at the last minute.”

“Oh?” My partner cocked her head, ruby red eyes shining curiously. “How do you know that?”

I blinked, then reached my hands behind my head, casually crossing my legs and acting nonchalant. Turning my gaze outside, I slowly answered her question. “Erin swung by the apartment the other day, asking for help figuring out a gift for Cyan. I think you were working that day, so she was gone when you got back.”

“Aww...!” The cream-furred fox beamed at that, cutting herself another slice of breakfast as she spoke up. “What did you end up telling her to get?”

The corners of my mouth twitched higher upward. “Boxers.”

Rose paused – her forkful of pancakes mere inches away from being devoured – and then leaned forward, her eyes going wide and her tails waving up and down as she shot me a knowing look. “Bill!”

“Hey hey, c'mon!” I couldn't help but chuckle as the Ninetales stared incredulously at me, and I raised my hands up, the folds of my shirt flapping slightly as I glanced around the cafe; thankfully, nobody seemed to be looking at us. Admittedly, Rose's outburst was probably too quite to draw much notice anyway. Hah! “She asked me to think of something that could help her drop a hint. Cyan's so shy about the subject that I figured it'd be easiest if she just got right to the point, hahahah.”

“Boxers are just going to get him all embarrassed, though...” She replied, giggling under her breath herself before finally chowing down, and we both shared the last few bites of our meal before continuing the conversation, forks clinking and jaws chewing. I smiled and affectionately poked at Rose's footpaws with my own, taking a few sips of my hot chocolate and exhaling pleasantly as we finished the pancakes off.

“I thought of that,” I said, tapping my pawspikes together a couple times, glancing through the window again when a few wild Pikipek swooped down onto a table outside, quickly nipping it clean of crumbs before getting swatted away by a nearby waiter. “So I told her to try getting some plain old weights, or maybe restock the spices or something, too. He'd probably appreciate either one, right?”

“Mmm, that's true. Still, as long as they have a good time, I'll be happy.” The fire type Pokemon nodded thoughtfully, leaning back and patting her belly, running her fingers over the fabric of her hoodie. I was about to reach for the empty pancake plate, ready to lap up the rest of the syrup, only for another passing server to snatch it up, giving us both a hasty, beleaguered smile before leaving a check in its place. The Ninetales sighed happily as I grabbed it, drawing my wallet out of my jeans' pocket as I tallied up the bill. “Though now... I wonder what else you have planned for today, hehe! Oh, and leave a good tip, will you?”

“Heh, way ahead of you.” I pulled out an extra couple of bills, slipping them inside of the check and setting it aside. Pushing my chair out, I stood up, reaching out and helping my partner out of her own chair, and we looked around the little cafe, drinking in the cozy atmosphere for a moment longer. Then we strolled out into the open air, a fresh breeze and warm sunlight washing over us. “Want to look around a bit?”

“Mmhm,” Rose nodded, curling an arm around mine and lightly resting her head against my shoulder for a moment. “I'd like that.”

The two of us stepped out into the modest crowd, padding against the paved stone floor as we weaved our way between this fellow and that, glancing around at the numerous stores and little stalls dotted all around the center of the mall. Parents wandered around, their tails swishing or ears flicking as they held their childrens' hands tightly, and plenty of other Pokemon ambled in all directions, carrying bags, holding bottles or simply chatting with each other. An Alolan Raichu floated along, riding atop her tail with a couple bags looped over her shoulder, and an Alakazam jogged after him, waving his spoons to try and get her attention.

Soon enough, Rose and I had crossed through the heart of the mall and ridden an escalator down to the end of the complex, walking past a couple of fancier restaurants. Just a moment later, my partner broke away from me, padding past a burbling fountain and jogging up to a railing, gazing out into the distance with a smile on her face. My heart skipped a beat as she hopped onto her tiptoes, leaning over to look out at the marina, sailboats and motorboats and plenty of other boats jostling and bumping against each other from the tide, and I walked up to the Ninetales, wrapping an arm around her back.

“We could go and look around there, if you wanted,” I remarked, lightly giving her a bump with my hip before looking out at the boats as well. The wind picked up strength, whistling and blustering in my ears, and I curled my other arm around my midriff, keeping the folds of my shirt from flapping in the breeze. Rose didn't respond, and I turned towards her, drumming my fingers against her hoodie. She kept staring out towards the high masts and the sparkling sea, her eyes lost on the far horizon. “What's on your mind?”

“Just thinking,” Rose muttered, her voice soft, and she curled up with me, holding me close in a loving hug. Her inner fire flared up, sending her body heat washing over me like a warm bath, and a couple of her tails curled around my own. “I know we came to visit a couple times before we moved, but... it's crazy just how huge Melemele is, isn't it? There's so many parts of the island that we haven't been to yet, but now I'm looking out at the sea and it feels... really small. Does that make sense?”

“I get what you mean.” I nodded my way into the Ninetales' headfur, nuzzling and tousling it with my nose. The fire type Pokemon gave one of my aura tassels a tug in return, and she chuckled, lightly swaying back and forth. “It is still an island, after all. I bet we could probably drive around the whole thing in a day if we tried.”

“Hehehe...” Rose glanced towards the ocean again, and I followed, my gaze trailing away from the marina and onto the beach park sitting right next door. “I guess once the paperwork goes through and you get a call back, you might be making round-trips like that all the time, huh?”

“Maybe maybe,” I winked, letting go of her and putting my hands on my hips, light glinting off of my pawspikes. The Ninetales reached out and playfully ruffled the fur around my blunted chestspike before bringing her hands back to her chest, fiddling with the laces of her hoodie's hood. Slowly, she took a couple steps back, smiling as she watched the palm trees shake in the wind; my nose twitched when I smelled the scent of salt, carried along from the water. “So what next? The marina or beach park sound good, or were you thinking of something else? I'm up for whatever.”

“Could we...” She began, and she drew in close again, a shy, faintly-blushing expression rising onto her face. “Could we maybe go out and walk to the end of the peninsula? You know, where the benches are set up and everything.”

I blinked, then smiled in understanding, leaning in to give her a quick peck on the cheek. Her ruby red eyes fluttered shut in happiness, a warm laugh escaping her throat.“Sure. C'mon, let's go.”

Bending an elbow, I offered the cream-furred fox a hand, and she gingerly took it in her grasp, walking alongside me as we hopped down the stairs to the sidewalk. Making our way to the nearest stoplight, we paused for a moment as a few cars – and a few Tauros riders, to my surprise – went by, hooves and tires stomping and screeching against the road. Once the coast was clear, Rose and I briskly crossed to the other side, scrunching up our faces somewhat as the wind gusted into our faces.

“Well, it'll be a good day for the surfers!” I quipped above the noise, briefly squeezing Rose's hand, and she nodded in agreement, her tails waving up and down and brushing against my back. It didn't take long for the sun-heated concrete to give way to soft, grassy loam, and Rose let go of me, her curves and ponytail bouncing as she skipped ahead with a spring in her step. I cracked a grin, reaching back and scratching at my aura tassels before kicking off into a jog, quickly catching up to the fire type Pokemon.

Palm fronds cast long, leafy shadows down onto the dirt as the sun hung high in the sky, and I picked up my pace, narrowly speeding past my partner as I spotted a bathroom building sitting at the end of the park trail. The ocean glittered in the light, foamy waves crashing their way onto the beach, and I took a deep gulp of air, slowing to a stop once I reached a bench, my partner padding up to me soon afterward.

“Phew!” I grunted, bending over and resting my palms on my knees, panting heavily as I tried to catch my breath. My tail swung side to side, heart pounding from the exertion, and Rose promptly sidled her way over to the bench and sat down, her nine fluffy tails fanning out, too big to fit through the wooden planks. I eased my way down next to her, leaning forward and letting my arms flop into my lap. “Good run.”

“I thought Erin was the only one who liked to make things into a race,” My partner replied, playfully sticking her tongue out.

“Maybe it's a fighting type thing,” I joked, bringing a hand up and carefully tousling her headfur. “Then again, aren't you the one who started it?”

“Hehehe... it's nice to be a little carefree for once,” Rose thought aloud, leaning back and folding her legs, twiddling her fingers atop her skirt. The Ninetales glanced from left to right, looking around the park and out towards the water; groups of swimmers floated along in a barred-off lagoon, while a few fisherfolk were sitting right on top of the rocky barrier, their lines cast off into the open sea. Rose fidgeted a little, and I glanced over, watching as she rubbed at her sleeves. “Mmph, I'm still not used to how warm it is, either, even though it's still February. No wonder everyone's swimming instead of sunbathing.”

She scooted sideways to snuggle up, her ponytail tickling my aura tassels. I drooped my head against hers as well, a peacefulness settling over us. The wind started to slow down after a few minutes longer, the chill from the gales and the shade from the palm trees helping to keep things cool, and we sat in silence, contentedly Pokemon-watching. A few flocks of wild Wingull crowed out merrily, swooping down to the beach and roosting in the damp, shallow mud. Seconds later, they jolted to life when a couple of Oricorio dashed right through them, laughing and cheering, with surfboards tucked under their wings.

My ear flicked against Rose's head when I heard a soft purr escape my partner's throat, and I turned my head, her own ears twitching as I nosed at them. I felt my tail start to wag when she giggled and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, leaning further into me.

“Happy?” I asked, lowering my voice to a whisper as I snuggled up to the Ninetales. My heart skipping a beat when she turned towards me, giving my muzzle a gentle, loving lick. Pulling her in close, I exhaled pleasantly, letting my eyes droop shut.

“Mmhm,” The cream-furred fox replied, curling her knees and shifting onto her side. “I love you, Bill.”

I pulled her into a hug, letting her nuzzle into the crook of my neck, her tails wiggling against our backs. “Love you, too.”

And so we sat there at the end of the beach park, wind blowing and sun shining, the sound of the waves drifting through the air.

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