#the chance watching your beloved after your death is a gift or a curse

[graf-de-murr]

Happy Halloween! 🎃

[cevansbrat0007]

Disturbing the Peace

Summary: You're keeping a secret from Ari - one that you'll have to tell him about eventually. Right?

Warnings: Mature Themes, Ari Being A Menace, Mentions of Death, Pet Names, Corporate Intimidation, Anxious Reader, Cursing, Minors DNI.

A/N: Takes place earlier in my Sweet Renegades Series timeline. Semi-proofread, not beta'd. All mistakes are my own. Likes, comments, and reblogs are always appreciated. Thanks for reading!

You stare down at the notice in your hands, your mouth suddenly dry as your eyes proceed to scan the words on the page for the third time. You’d found it wedged between your doors only moments ago after closing down your shop for the night. 

Which meant someone had been out there watching – waiting – for the right moment to strike. Without the benefit of an audience. Fucking coward.   

Even still, that fact unnerved you to no end. Especially since the piece of paper you were holding seemed different from the others you’d received over the previous months. They’d been polite and professional, albeit a bit pushy.

But not this one.

This letter was short and to the point. Greystone & Reeves Real Estate Group was done beating around the bush. They were giving you one last chance to meet so that the two of you could finally begin discussing the terms of the sale of your beloved shop, Baubles & Quills. 

The one thing you’d promised your late uncle, Lenny, you’d never do.

But unfortunately for you, that didn’t seem to matter overly much to the pushy group. They were clearly tired of being ignored - a tactic that you’d employed with them from the beginning. 

When you’d first received a letter from them you’d laughed it off before crumbling it up and tossing it in the trash. You’d also done the same with the second. But by the time you’d received the third you’d been hoppin’ mad. So mad that you’d left a less than polite voicemail with their receptionist telling them that their entire company could “suck dirt and die”, because that’s exactly what you would do before you ever thought about signing away the deed to your shop.

After that, things were quiet for a time. So quiet that you forgot all about that stupid Greystone and his dimwitted lackey, Reeves. In fact, the last time you’d heard anything from them had been right after Ari had rolled into town. 

Come to think of it, you’d actually lit that letter on fire while wishing you could do the same to their headquarters – wherever they seemed to be located. Oddly enough, you hadn’t actually been able to dig up much about them online. Just that they seemed to have set up shop in several different counties surrounding Bell’s Creek.

You couldn’t make heads nor tails of why they were so interested in your property or your land. But at the end of the day, their motivations didn’t really matter.

Because you weren’t fucking selling. Not now, not ever. 

Baubles & Quills wasn’t just your place of business, but also your refuge. It was part of the legacy your uncle had left behind as a gift to the little girl who had spent so much of her childhood curled up in the overstuffed armchair in his office with her nose buried in a book. 

Long story short, you’d made a promise to the man who’d loved you like a daughter. And you intended to keep it. 

So, tomorrow you’d call Greystone & Reeves and threaten them with whatever your paralegal buddy, Erica, suggested. You’d been meaning to call her anyway so that you two could catch-up on life, as well as all things related to Mr. Ari “Beast” Levinson.

The sound of your phone ringing suddenly breaks the silence, giving you a mini-heart attack in the process. You can tell by the ringtone that it’s Ari on the other end, which has you answering without hesitation. 

“Uh, hey.” You cough out, shaking your head as you try to clear your mind. “What’s up, Beast?” You do your best to keep your tone light and breezy, not wanting him to pick up on your distress. 

Mostly because you’d never thought to mention any of the threatening letters you’d received over the last several months. Even when Ari had stopped by that one fine day to interrogate you about your relationship with Martin you’d chosen to keep that piece of information close to the vest. 

After all, it wasn’t like your Bounty Hunter could do much about it anyway. Not to mention that you’d had no idea that your relationship would ultimately progress the way it did.

Bottom line: nobody needed to know, least of all your handsome Beast. Wait. Except for Erica. She could know. Because otherwise, how else would she be able to tell you what scary things to say? 

It’s only then when you hear your name on the other line that you realize your thoughts must’ve wandered. “I’m sorry, babe. Can you please repeat that?” You mutter, scrubbing a tired hand over your face. “It’s been a long day and I’m afraid my mind is already worrying about tomorrow’s delivery.”

There was no delivery slated for tomorrow, but a little white lie never hurt anyone. Right?

“S’alright, little Bird. I know you’re tired but – wait. I thought you weren’t expecting any more deliveries for the rest of the month?” The sound of his deep, slightly roughened voice has your pulse quickening as a fresh wave of heat pools in your belly.

“I…” You trail off, your fingers coming to pinch the bridge of your nose. Serves you right for trying to lie to the one man who actually paid attention to 99.9% of the shit that you said on a daily fucking basis. 

“Guess I forgot.” You finish lamely, tucking the phone between your shoulder and your ear so that you can get moving. “I’m about to leave Baubles, though. Am I still picking us up something from Holtman’s Diner or did you change your mind?"

“Holtman’s is fine, baby.” Ari responds after a couple of seconds. “But are you sure you’re okay?”

And there it was. Granted, it didn’t sound like suspicion so much as it did concern…

But still. 

“I’m great, Beast. Pinky promise.”

Gritting your teeth you return your attention to the stupid piece of paper in front of you. But instead of balling it up and tossing it into the garbage, you decide to neatly fold it and tuck it into your purse.

Next you pull out your keys, followed by your handy dandy taser. And just to be safe, you decide to go ahead and swipe the nearby exacto knife sitting on an unopened box containing some random celebrity’s latest memoir. 

“I still think you sound funny, Duchess.”

Fuck, this man – your man – was like a goddamned bloodhound. And once he caught a scent he didn’t give up until he had his prey cornered and ready to spill their guts. 

“Augh!” You hiss as you sling your purse over one shoulder before collecting the rest of your things. “Sweetheart, I just told you I’m tired. That’s literally it. Hold on while I get the alarm.” Biting your lip you type in the passcode needed to arm your system before swiftly unlocking and exiting through the front.      

“I’m all set now. About to jump into my ride and head to Holtman’s.” Of course, you’re quick to interrupt when he attempts to turn the focus back to you. “Tell me about your day, handsome.”

Ari did not need to know that you were hovering just outside of fight or flight mode, which is why you currently had your semi-legal taser at the ready. Plus the knife and the tiny container of pepper spray hooked on your keyring. 

Now that had been a gift from Ari.

Keeping your head on a swivel, you make quick work of locking everything back up before making a mad dash to your vehicle. An uneasy feeling settles in the pit of your stomach as you continue to scan the empty lot, searching for any signs of life.  

“Yeah?” You grunt as you throw yourself into your car before locking yourself in. “Well, maybe I can try working that knot out of your shoulder later.” With shaking hands you push the start button in your car and wait for your call to connect with your bluetooth. Thankfully it doesn’t take long. “And yes, please. You have my explicit permission to repay the favor, you ridiculous man.”

Oh goodness, I can’t breathe. Mary, Jesus, Joseph, help!

Body hunched, you Immediately you peel out of the lot and turn onto a main road. Now that you’re safe, you cast a glance in your rearview mirror, feeling grateful when you don’t see anything – save for a couple of raccoons hoping to get their hands on some garbage. 

“Woo!” You shout, triumphantly punching the roof of your car. “Hell yeah!” You’d officially made it out, which meant that you would hopefully live to fight another day. 

“Huh?” Ari growls into the receiver. 

“Um, I just say two baby blue mini-coopers drive down the road. Must be good luck, ya know?” 

“Right.” He doesn’t sound very convinced.

“And I just remembered that tonight’s special involves their homemade mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Still sound good?“ Without taking your eyes off the road, you drop the taser back into the center console of your car.

“Fine by me then.” Your Bounty Hunter replies, his response sounding just shy of frustrated. But I choose to ignore in favor of simply acting like tonight was okay, even when it wasn’t. “Be safe getting here. And if you change your mind about wanting to talk…”

“Nope.” 

After that you hang up and head to the diner, snagging you both a couple pieces of homemade pie to go with your food. A bit to eat and naked cuddles with your man would make things better. At least for a little bit. 

And quite honestly, you’d take what could get these days. The universe at least owed you that much.

END

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[nemeseos-noctua]

Here's the other: How'd they react to their S/O who cherishes their gift given by their beloved so much, that one day the gift was destroyed by a hilichurl and they went so livid they practically fought the creatures to death and threw them to a lake somewhere, and sulked the whole how they don't deserve them anymore cuz of how careless they were. For Razor, Albedo and Xiao 👉👈

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: razor, albedo, xiao (separate) x gn!reader

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: not proofread, mc is referenced as an alchemist/adventurer in albedo’s, one swear word in xiao’s

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒: im EMBARRASSED at how long this is and how MEANINGLESS THE WRITING IS IM SO SORRY 

he made you a paw-shaped clay sculpture!

it was cute and small, fitting right into the palm of your hands

to others—it may look like some worn-down toy, but to you, it was a good luck charm from the ever-cute razor

but perhaps, it wasn’t quite the clay-shape that you held close to your heart... no, it was the strenuous effort razor put into sculpting the paw

you remember it vividly. how the boy would dig his hands into mud and sit under the burning sun, carving the dirt with his bare fingers as he hid the gift from your sight

so when a good-for-nothing hilichurl decides razor’s paw-shape charm was a nice pebble for hot potato... boy were you livid

Patting the ground beside you, [e/c] eyes widened upon the feeling of nothing but grass.

What...? Peering over, you stared blankly at the empty space, comical arrows pointing at the now-gone charm you had received from Razor. Just where was it? You swore it was right beside you...

And as if Barbatos were laughing at you, the wind blew, burning your eyes as the sight of mitachurls and hilichurls danced around the fire in the distance, tossing what looked like a rock into the air.

Ah. 

You blinked.

That was the charm Razor made.

first of all... how did the hilichurl get it? the charm was literally right beside you!

agh, whatever.

you’ll just retrieve it. easy, right?

no.

first of all, your power would literally turn the lush grass into a desolate canyon (not really). second of all, you’d probably end up destroying the paw in your rampage

hah...

—if the hilichurl didn’t destroy it first

Materializing your weapon, you couldn’t help but hope that the paw had miraculously survived the impact of a hilichurl throwing it against the floor.

Hah, what were you thinking? Of course it didn’t... physics just didn’t allow it.

But you know what physics did allow? Why, beating these enemies to a pulp, of course!

once you floored the hilichurls, you quickly scrambled as to look for signs of the paw anywhere

berating yourself as to how utterly foolish you were for letting it go and leaving it unguarded in the first place, you stared in defeat at the sight of crumbled clay and hardened dirt in the grass of the hilichurl camp

why? why were you so careless? seriously, how did this happen? if you had just kept it in your backpack like a regular person, razor’s hard-earned hours and craft would still be as grand as ever-

“[y/n]?”

Blinking, you hadn’t realized you had been sulking in the midst of this hilichurl camp. [E/C] eyes lifted up, widening once they had landed on none other than Razor, his crimson eyes like the agates that littered Dragonspine, his hair as grey as stormclouds.

“Ah... Razor...” You smiled in exasperation, staring at anywhere but said boy. How could you face him after watching his clay paw get destroyed by some measly hilichurls?

“Are you okay?” He asked, glancing around at the scene before him. The grass wilted, the camp that he remembered being obnoxiously loud and disturbing was silent and empty.

“Yeah, no biggie,” Waving off his concern, you began to walk away, your heart sinking with each step.

First, you let his gift get destroyed. Second, you walk away from him.

You were such a terrible partn—

“[Y/N]?” Razor’s voice cut through the air, a tension you had created solely on the thoughts of your own mind. Gripping your wrist with a tender touch, you didn’t fail to notice the way his eyes drooped down ever so slightly.

“Did I... make lupical mad?”

Gulping, you quickly waved your hands in front of your face, eyes widened as you tried to carefully explain the series of events that had just led down to this very moment.

“I—well, you see, your uh, paw-clay-thingy... I was careless and I—“

“Break it while hunting?” Razor answered, tilting his head as his hold merely stayed still, not wavering for a second, as if you were a boar in his hands.

“Ah...” 

Razor was much better at observation than you had thought.

“It’s okay. I make more for lupical,” Razor nodded, already beginning to pace over to a pond as he dipped his gloved hands into the water, wafting around for dirt as you rushed up behind him.

“Wait! But I was careless... you don’t need to make ano—“

“It’s for lupical. Lupical close, I give lupical gift that never break.”

Everlasting—that was what he wanted to make.

And a part of you couldn’t help but agree.

albedo, in all of his alchemy prowess, made you an artificial flower

how? don’t ask him. he’ll spew some lengthy thesis and paragraph about the fundamentals, the research, the prototype, the testing, the—

ahem, anyways!

you had never intended to bring it outside. but one day, you had left your camp under the supervision of barbatos (wow go barbatos) and ventured off to fetch some materials

and when you came back? you were met with the sight of hilichurls and slimes raving around your tent

what the—

“I...I’m hallucinating,” You deadpanned, slapping your wrist at the sight of pyro slimes and masked hilichurls dancing around your tent, the inside of your humble abode moving around as if it were possessed.

And the cherry on top? A pyro abyss mage emerged, the flower floating besides it. But oh boy, it was no flower anymore... it was a flaming flower.

At that moment, you were left to ponder. Maybe, just maybe, you kinned a whopperflower at that point. Because oh boy did your temper and sanity explode on those little enemies, the way your blade sunk into their forms—

you were already planning your apology to albedo. he trusted you and loved you enough to make an artificial flower for you... and yet, it so pitifully crumbled at your touch

okay, not quite your touch. but it crumbled at the ugly pyro abyss mage’s touch

so, as any good s/o would do, you sulked while rebuilding your camp. it’s okay. as long as albedo didn’t know his creation was charred, all would be well. besides! he was quite a busy man! chances were low that he’d discover!

busy, he was, observant, he is

perhaps, you should’ve known

“Ah... hi Albedo,” You winced, opening your tent to smile at the alchemist who merely stared at you.

“You were gone for a while. Is everything okay?” He noted, remembering your absence from visiting his own camp at Dragonspine. As an alchemist, he knew what it was like being holed up in a camp. But for two weeks? Even he needed breaks.

“Well, you see... I was out... gathering materials! Yes!” You gave him a weak thumbs-up, wailing internally once his piercing azure eyes trailed around your camp, noting that nothing looked new. 

 “You don’t need to lie to me, [Y/N]. Is something the matter?”

“I’m sorry!” You cut off, clapping your hands together in a prayer-like position, guilt welling up in the pit of your stomach.

“...Why?”

“Your flower—I left it unsupervised and it was set aflame and I’m so so so sor—“

“Don’t be.”

Mouth dropping, you stared up at the male, an amused expression painting his face like the canvases he dedicated to you.

“At least you were not hurt while it was set aflame. Come, I’ll show you how to make some more,” Opening your tent for you all the way, Albedo held a hand out to you, eyes flickering in mirth.

“And next time, don’t try to run away from your problems.”

“You cheeky littl—“ A blush of both embarrassment and fluster formed on your face, shocked at his sudden remark.

he made you an adepti amulet

enhanced with super-cool-adepti-no-mortal-can-have power, xiao had informed you that all you needed to do was hold up the amulet and it’d scare any kind of enemies away!

cool, right? too bad you left it unattended while fighting the irritable anemo cube! now it’s at the bottom of the sea <3

how did this happen, exactly? well... you see... when wind picks up and becomes strong... light-weight objects will fly up into the air!

and sometimes, those light weight objects will fall into the sea, and sometimes, those objects would be gifts from your adeptus boyfriend who was waiting for you back at wangshu inn—

ahem. anyways. you beat the crap out of the anemo cube (aka, beth. aka, tornado cube. aka, cube waifu)

I should just... not go back to Wangshu Inn today. Haha... I’ll go ask Katheryne for a commission... You nodded, stuffing the turquoise shards of wind into your pockets, your bags filled with mora and enhancement ores being thrown off the side of the cliff.

—Along with the adepti amulet Xiao had made for you.

Seriously... you still had to wonder just how that happened! One second, you were avoiding getting sucked up by the vent of the anemo cube... and the next, your bag was traveling the world!

Can’t have shit in Teyva—

Trekking back to Mondstadt in defeat, you were innocently oblivious to the worry of the Yaksha back in Liyue.

are they okay? do they need help? did they go to dragonspine? all these questions spun around xiao’s head as he watched the moon rise, his mask dissipating into the wind

you told him you’d return tonight... yet you hadn’t. and a part of him had wished you hadn’t left liyue, so he had at least some control over whatever dangers dared to attack you

but, he knew you were strong. why else would he love you, anyway? he does not find appeal in being the savior 24/7

so, he waits. atop the balcony of wangshu inn, across the stars and moon, he prays to his archon, wishing—no, hoping you arrive safely

And—you did. You arrived back at Wangshu Inn.

... Three weeks later.

“You’re late. Very late,” Xiao’s voice blared in your ears, a blessing and a curse all at the same time. You didn’t know how to tell him the amulet was thrown off a cliff—but at the same time, you really wanted to run your fingers through his hair.

“Haha... sorry about that,” You laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of your head as Xiao merely grumbled, appearing before you with a piercing stare.

“Where were you? You did not even send me a letter.”

“I’m sorry... it’s just... eh... well...” You looked away, your heart churning against your ribs as Xiao extended his index finger out, tilting your chin to face him.

“What?” He asked, his tone harsh yet soft, longing yet logical.

“I uh... kind of... lost your adepti amulet... I’m sorry.”

He blinked.

“You waited three weeks to tell me that?” He asked in disbelief, almost in disappointment. Seriously, he was an adeptus! A Yaksha, at that! He could’ve just made another one for you... But nooo... you decided to wait three weeks in the land of the free (America?) and then worry him to death.

“Mortals...” Xiao muttered under his breath, crossing his arms with a huff as he turned his head away, the wind picking up.

“Hey, wait! Aren’t you going to say anything? Like a disappointed lecture or something?”

“No.”

Disappearing, you facepalmed, already pulling out some sweetflowers and milk to whip up some almond tofu.

Damn that adeptus. Who was he to tug your heartstrings like that?

You sighed, sitting beside a cooking pot as lingering yellow eyes watched your form, their irises softening at the sight.

— constellations! 💫

[mochikeiji]

Come Home

↠ Pairing: Gojo Satoru x F!Reader

↠ Warning: anxiety attacks, pregnancy, manga spoiler! chapter 91 (for those who have not read)

↬ Word Count: 2k

If death was giving you a sign at this very moment, it would be the cold ticks each second the clock on your empty apartment room echoed. Each second comes an outbursts of numerous emotions. On the first tick sent shivers on your skin, the second felt like small pricks of hair slowly rose up as goosebumps followed after, third was the frantic tapping of your foot on the carpeted floor as you bounced your leg.

On the outside, you would've been labelled as overreacting. On the inside, you were slowly dying.

As of now time felt like a never ending torture. It was a tug of war between trust in your husband or the one in your gut; a battle between mind and heart, to whom should you choose to believe in? How long do you plan on standing at the edge of the cliff not knowing the faith that has been laid out for you and the most powerful shaman? To whom do you concede to?

A critical position for you to be in. If Gojo were here beside you, not only would you have to wince at the feeling of his finger flicking your forehead, but also a round of uncharacteristic scolding about how bad it is to be stressed out or anxious because of the growing life inside of you. Well, none of this wouldn't have happened if he didn't left. But as all married couples are out there, you are one of the majority that did not want to tie their partners down from what they were meant to do. Especially if your partner is the most needed person in the world.

You couldn't tell him not to go out. Not out there on the field you've come to grow as a sorcerer yourself. The deaths of your fallen comrades and innocent civilians, the demands of the elders and powerful clans. Most of all, being part of the theatre death had directed. No one knows who'd be next to live another day or to be at forever slumber. And your husband was one of the main casts in this scene. Someone who'd always be near death's door only to keep taunting the horrifying God.

It was all fun and games before. It was either ride or die with Gojo during your youthful days. But as time progressed, and the upcoming family you both had dreamed of was at its peak, from that moment every thing came crashing down. It wasn't hormones anymore. It wasn't simple.

You were beyond terrified.

"Please come home."

Not even realizing you were already kneeling down from the couch you were seated, hands clasps together hard, the veins prodding out as if they were going to pop. A silent mantra of pleads to the unknown world you were stuck in. Chest heaving harshly, tears and snot mixing as they fell down the cushions. You didn't feel them. You couldn't see anything.

There was no way to describe the gaping hole that had swallowed you to your deepest depths of fear.

"Come home, Satoru.."

Was the last thing that had been uttered out from your lips before the dark hushes turned into soft cooes. The once imaginary prickly like nails that was scraping your body changed into gentle strokes on your back and onto your bulging stomach.

If there was no way to describe your fears, what is there to be said for the immense heart break of your own husband coming home to see you knelt down with cascading despair written all over your features? The image of the cheery, and powerful woman he's had of you now haunted by what he had came home to.

Though Gojo never had the brightest personality to everyone, he would trade every thing he has if it meant for you to be pulled out from where he had dragged you in.

He knew from the start loving you would mean a lot. You were every thing he wanted and yearned for in life. The love he always came home to. Cursing his naive self of erasing the fact that you were only human.

You had your limitations and this was it.

"Hey, wifey, shhh." the warmth of his breath next to your ear made you choke a sob. Having his body shield your smaller one from behind with his hands now trapping your still clasped ones. "I'm here, I'm not going any where. Not now or ever." his white hair tickling the side of your cheek as he rubbed the side of his face onto the your tear stained ones. If there was one thing everyone knew he was good at, it was being overly affectionate. Not that you'd complain.

His thumbs massages the back of your hands, smoothing down the veins in hopes of easing your grip. He should probably thank Yuuji for passing out hours ago, if not he'd be still stuck training the young lad and have you deal with this torment possibly longer. Even so, he was glad he had manage to finish up early. At your 7 month of pregnancy he wouldn't dare take longer. He didn't like being away, he never did. Always cursing at those who demand his presence. All he wanted was to stay home with you.

Home where everything is safe.

"Let's get you up, kay? May I carry you?" it was a shock on how uncharacteristically cautious he's become ever since your pregnancy. No one knew the Gojo Satoru knows when to tone it down on situations. It was all heart warming, you wanted to cry.

You gave him a small nod, feeling your body hoisted up from the floor and nested on top of his lap with ease. Never failing to amaze you how you managed to marry this man. The man you'd devotedly pray to the heavens would come back to you alive.

As his arms finally settled on your waist, moving at an upward then downward motion, he rubs your sides. Slowly coming to the globe of your stomach with a soft hum, he watches you deeply with a soft gaze behind his interfering blindfold.

Sighing shakily, you shifted your position a bit to the side, allowing yourself to lean your cheek on his left pectoral, listening to the rhythm his heart beat, sobs died down into sniffles and hiccups. You twiddled with his fingers placed on your stomach. The anxiety inside you barely disappeared, but tamed for the moment.

A light peck on your forehead was placed, snapping you back from the little world that had consumed you, down back in the arms of your beloved husband as he smiles and wipes away the left over tears, "Hi there, honey."

Focused on the warmth his palm emits, you reached out over his covered eyes, sliding away the blindfold, freeing the captivating azure gaze he possesses as they held nothing but love piercing back to your teary ones. His hair framing his adorning features, yet so perfect and lively he was smiling at you. The image of this man you wanted to wake up to every day. To welcome, to smile with, to live, and to love.

"Satoru.."

Cupping your cheeks in worry, the serene peace disappearing from him when his brows furrowed with his lips frantically hushing you. Parental instincts kicking in as he eyed your stomach in wonder how your dear child was holding up with the mountain of negative emotions crowding you, "Honey, you need to stay calm. Our little bun in there might have trouble baking you know?" he whispered close to your lips, foreheads leaned onto yours.

"Oh, Satoru." a broken smile formed from your quivering lips, "You're home, you're home." thumbs coming close to stroke his lids softly down to his cheeks. Fragile, that's how you'd describe yourself in touching your husband. Every day from the moment you lived with him are days you two cannot be separated from each other's lingering touches. Even so, on those days it still felt like it was too good to be true to have each other embraced away from the terrors of the world.

"I'm home, I'm home." sealing away your sobs with his lips to yours, letting you feel all of his emotions and unspoken vows within the action of only you two could share forever. The love he never knew he was capable of only for you and your child to be gifted of.

"I'm scared." pulling away as you shut your eyes. The dark hushes returning, coming back to haunt you of what is in store for tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and so on. The strings attached upon you two, unknowing who was in control of your faiths. "Satoru, I'm scared. Please don't go anymore."

Confessing all of your troubles, he tightens his hold around you. Not a chance, he curses in his head would he allow himself to be defeated so easily and submitting himself to the awaiting gates of death.

"What if you don't come back to me anymore?"

Not a chance, was he going to die after happiness is just within his reach. Longing for something so surreal his entire life. He wasn't going out without having a taste of the sweetness of he now calls home in his life. Not ever. Not when he knows he's the strongest and will continue to reign as he is.

"Honey loves, I'll always come home to you." a vow he seals with the gaze he has locked with yours. The golden band that was proudly worn on his finger from his left hand above your stomach, "I'll always come home to you both, my sweet loves." a vow for only the two people in his life that kept him going. He will always keep his word by heart.

Though it was known that it wasn't enough to fully assure you. The comfort of today was much appreciated and needed for you to finally sigh out one last bit of the sadness, and giving him a teary smile.

"I love you, Satoru."

A melodic sound his heart would crave for every day. Definitely another thing worth coming home if he could hear it again and again.

Smiling mischievously, he reciprocates the feeling by stealing another one of your kisses whilst cradling your body and stomach. He wonders how long would it take for your baby to come meet him. He could hardly wait anymore.

"I love you more."

Was the last thing he had said before his eyes shut close to bask in the warmth and safety of his domain. His and yours little domain. One day to be shared with either a mini you or him between your arms, erupting small giggles into the air.

He couldn't wait to come home to that very day.

Not to wake up another second.

Or was it a minute?

An hour?

He couldn't tell. For time was unpredictable inside the realm he was kept imprisoned.

"Oh, another dream."

An old memory he has with you over months ago.

A breathy chuckle comes out. Was it another thing to mock him of his moment of weakness? Where he could do nothing but lay down and wait for he knows nothing of what could and what was happening?

His bones were on fire. The caged rage inside of him waiting to be freed as he could hear the cackles of his own enemies having to won over him.

"Come home to me."

No, they have not.

The fight was still going. He knows deep down as his faith on his beloved students remains strongly as his love and promises to you. Somehow, some way, he will get out. Like before, time is the enemy. He could only hope that you're holding up for the mean time. It was only matter of time you would be giving birth as well.

And he wasn't planning on missing out the biggest part of his life.

Nor was he planning on letting his enemies run free easily. They were going to pay.

He was going to pay.

"I'm coming home. Wait for me."

Thus begins the string of faith as every thing is set into motion.

© all content belongs to mochikeiji. Please do not repost or copy, ありがとうございました!! (=^･^=)

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

Day 3 Birthday Plot Bunnies 2

If you want this to become my next WIP, be sure to shower it with lots of love!!  🥰 💖 All the story starters will be linked back to this masterpost.

Title: Soul Traitors

Summary: Betrayal among soulmates is unheard of in all the free races of Arda, yet that’s exactly what Durin, King of Khazad-dûm, endures. Heartsick and angry, he damns the Valar for their choice and earns their wrath in return. He and his former lover will be reincarnated until the wrong between them is righted. Thorin, Durin’s lastest reincarnation, believes nothing can break that curse and instead mounts a quest for the Arkenstone to free his people of theirs. Gandalf, the meddlesome wizard, offers a Burglar for their quest. A hobbit burglar who will help Thorin uncover more than just a gem.

Warnings: Character Death, Gore (I mean, it’s not heavily descripted gore, but it does mention the manner of the character’s death so just to be safe.)

Each of the races have their own views on soulmates and how you go about finding them. However, all seem to agree that to find a soulmate is a very special thing. To find the one person who you can trust with your whole heart and soul. That’s why to the dwarves, they called these people, Ones. None would ever consider betraying their Ones as that seemed a cruelness beyond even that of the orcs. Which is why King Durin stood in the high chamber of the court of Khazad-dûm staring down at the small figure below with such shock and fear, many feared a light breeze could topple their usually infallible king.

The curly haired creature in chains returned the king’s stare with heartbreaking indifference. Many of the court began to chant prayers to Mahal that this was not to be so. That the One of their dear king wouldn’t dare do that which he was accused. Durin’s flat and breathless voice finally spoke, silencing all in the hall.

“Madoc son of Maloch of the Holbyta Tribe Fallohide, you stand before the King of Khazad-dûm as the sole conspirator and thief of the Arkenstone. One of the great treasures of our kingdom. What plea do you make in your defense?”

With no hesitation, no change in emotion, the small being stated the same line Durin’s heard since his capture.

“I love you.”

The king leaned forward to bow his head as he gripped the stone podium tighter. 

“Madoc, this is serious!” Durin’s most trusted advisor, Gelbim, spoke up. “You have taken a sacred relic from our halls, and not just any, but the one that has the power to bring ruin upon our city and our people! Your crime is punishable by death. For the love of Mahal and the great Valar, please, tell us where you’ve hidden the Arkenstone.”

Durin slowly brought his eyes up as the silence persisted to see a small break in Madoc’s mask. His jaw trembled and a single tear leaked from his soft hazel eyes that Durin had loved from the moment he met him. 

“I...love...you.” He sobbed.

That was the moment Durin’s heart broke. Not shattered completely though. No, unfortunately that particular pain would come later that week when Madoc’s sentence was being carried out. But this...this was the first of a pain that would never desist.

“How can you when you hurt me so?” Durin asked softly, yet his words carried through the chamber as Madoc bowed his head in defeat. “You are given a traitor’s sentence. Death with no chance to appeal. Your name will not be spoken aloud again, your hair will be shorn and removed of any braids and beads, and your body will be burned rather than returned to the land and stone. In the Eyes of Mahal, so mote it be.”

Gelbim, his dear friend, told him he didn’t need to attend. None would think less of their king. Durin wished he had listened. He couldn’t bear to watch, but the sound of the axe going straight through his One’s neck would haunt him for the rest of his life. As it was, he stumbled to his chambers to fall and not rise from their marital bed for weeks after. When he resumed his reign, the toll of losing heart and soul was apparent to all. 

Durin became hardened in the final years of his reign. He demanded every ounce of mithril in the mountain to be pulled up and sold it to his allies for too high a price. What he didn’t sell, he forged. Weapons, jewelry, a particular handsome mailshirt, and if it were all the same size as his beloved holbyta? Well, none had it in them to point it out to their fading king. As demanded of a traitor’s death, the name Madoc was stricken from all records and replaced with the Amrâb Hufrel or “the soul’s betrayal of all betrayals”. The rest of the Fallohide tribe which was camped near the Misty Mountains was forced to pack up and resume their nomadic lifestyle west or face war with the dwarves. The sorrows of Durin were not to stop there. 

“The goblins of the Deep grow bolder.” Gelbim remarked as they watched the latest battalion return battered and worse for wear.

“Without the Arkenstone, they will not stop.” Durin growled.

“Durin, my friend, we’ve sent quest after quest after the gem. Wherever M-the Amrâb Hufrel has hidden it, we may not ever find it. It may be time to consider...alternatives.”

“What alternative is there aside from leaving my mountain and my mithril!” Durin spat.

Gelbim raised an eyebrow at his answer. “And is that worth more than the lives of your kin?”

Durin froze before spinning around quick as a flash. “Leave if that is your wish! This has been the home of MY line since the reign of Durin I and I WILL NOT GO!”

Go, Gelbim did taking a third of his kingdom with him including the young Prince Thrain and his mother. Crown Prince Nain, Durin’s only stone son, could not be moved to leave his father to his fate even as he saw the heartless path he wrought. For in their quest for more mithril, an ancient evil slumbering deep below the rock was awoken. The king led a frantic charge against the beast and was slain almost instantly. The war against Durin’s Bane lasted a year longer, but when the newly instated King Nain, was slain, the mountain and its riches were abandoned. In the lore of Durin’s folk, this was the first great curse of the Amrâb Hufrel’s theft.

Durin, who welcomed his death with open arms, awoke expecting to find the Halls of His Father. Instead, the nervous face of his treacherous One amongst a starry plane was the first sight he was graced with. 

“Oh Durin, my heart…” The holbyta began taking a step forward.

“You!” The king snarled, moving away as quickly as he could.

The Amrâb Hufrel looked miserable as his face twisted in anguish. “Please let me explain…”

“NOW YOU WISH TO EXPLAIN!” Durin boomed. “You had your chance! You had every opportunity to tell of your nefarious schemes, and instead you mocked me. You mocked my kingdom, a kingdom you once called yours. Well look at it now! All because of you!”

The creature before him was truly wretched and small as he hunkered against every blow Durin dealt. And the dwarf was yet to be finished.

“Peace, my son.” Came a great voice from above that Durin instantly recognized as His Father even having never heard it before. “You have made your point. Now let your Sanâzyung (Perfect/True Love) say his piece.”

“NO!” Durin roared against the very heavens themselves. “I don’t want to have anything to do with this...this...Amrâb Hufrel!”

Thunder rumbled, shaking the entire platform they stood upon. And while the holbyta trembled in the face of such power, Durin’s anger was too great to be cowed.

“You would reject this gift we offer, son of Aulë?” A female voice demanded, icy and iron.

“What gift?” Durin sneered. “Unless you offer me the chance to sever his head myself this time, I see no gift here.”

The other creature of blood released a gasp that was more like a sob, but Durin had no more patience for the likes of him. In fact, he had nothing left to give to him. Something that became apparent to the Valar watching.

“You have become cruel.” Another, softer female voice soothed. “You know only the truths you have seen with your own eyes.”

“And it is enough for me to condemn that thing and the Great Valar that thought to join my soul with it! Damn him and DAMN ALL OF YOU!”

If Durin expected the same booming show of power he received previously, he was sorely disappointed. Instead, it just all seemed to fade away. The stars, the platform, and the holbyta. His sorrowful face full of tears was the last thing Durin saw before he was swallowed by the darkness. The darkness allowed no sound, not even from Durin’s own voice, and no escape. He was unsure how long he wavered in that place: hours, weeks, years? He was utterly and completely alone until finally the voice of His Father broke through.

“You have shamed me, my uzfakuh (great joy). You have shamed me, you have shamed yourself, and you have shamed your Sanâzyung.”

Durin knew he could not speak back, but he still fumed at the Great Smith’s words. 

“We have thought long and hard on how you can atone for the atrocities you’ve committed today.”

And what of the Amrâb Hufrel’s atrocities?

“Your path will not be an easy one, especially if you hold tight to the stubborn slights of your mortal heart. For a soul is worth so much more. You and your Sanâzyung shall be reborn over and over as many times as needed until you can right the wrongs between you and hear the truth of his soul.”

Durin felt a burning on his breast and looked down to behold a glowing oak tree being inked in chains.

“You shall carry this mark in every life of yours henceforth, and it shall know the mark of Madoc in return. Only free of the chains that bind your soul, will you be welcome in my Halls.”

The legend of Durin’s curse and the theft of the Amrâb Hufrel passed down through the centuries until it had inscribed all dwarven mothers with fear. For any child to bear the mark of Durin was to lead a loveless and empty life. Likewise, any “hobbits” as they preferred that met with the dwarves were met with open hostility. Especially if they bore their own mark, though none knew for certain if it was Madoc’s or not. Still, the hobbits learned fast and stories of their own circulated that any child bearing an acorn on their palm would be hunted and killed by the dwarves. So as the stories grew wilder and edged with desperation, Durin and Madoc were reborn again and again just as Aulë promised, but were no closer to breaking the curse that bound them so.

It was many centuries later when a young prince from Durin’s own line was born to the immediate wailing and disappointment of every dwarf in attendance. Not even a few seconds old, Thorin, son of Thrain, Prince of Erebor bore the heavy burdens of his ancestor. It steeled his heart as he grew into adolescence and forced him to throw his all into his duties as prince. He would love Erebor for none would ever love him. And when Erebor was attacked by the dragon, it was Thorin’s foresight and friendship with the men of Dale that was able to send Smaug away. Thorin grew from prince into a king his people could be proud of, and he never wavered from his vow to his kingdom. Never knowing that almost a century and a half later, a hobbit was born with the death sentence of his people on his palm and a destiny he would not be able to escape.

[riderunlove]

Small snippet of a Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent inspired AU that was supposed to be for @jatp-ffm-week but definitely did not get finished in time.

Victoria paced, she raged, she cried, but in the end nothing could be done. The humans had poisoned Rose. Without her magic, she slipped into a coma and then disappeared; leaving behind her two beautiful children, and her husband. Victoria feared Ray would soon follow Rose. She would raise her niece and nephew as her own children, and she would never forget what had happened to her sister. Attempts at peace with the human kingdom of Feliz were over. The gates were closed, the wards reactivated and with her kingdom safe, she focused on her family. But all the while she waited, searching for a way to ensure the humans never came after her people again. A year and two days after Rose’s death, her chance arrived. 

Queen Emily had given birth to a son, and Feliz was having a grand celebration for the christening. As their closest neighbor, it would be disrespectful of her not to make an appearance and bring a gift. 

“Tia, do you have to go?” Julie asked nervously as made her final preparations. 

“Yes I do mija, but don’t worry, I won’t be gone for very long.” 

Julie nodded, “Okay. I will watch Carlos.” 

“Good girl, I will be back very soon.” 

The powerful fae queen felt her skin crawling as she entered Feliz castle. There was iron everywhere. It wouldn’t stop her though. She marched past the receiving line, moving straight towards the thrones and the cradle at the front of the room. With each step, more color drained from the King and Queen’s faces. 

“What are you doing here?” Queen Emily demanded. 

“I merely want to pay my respects and bring a gift for the child. I must say it was very rude of you not to invite me.” 

“Please, don’t hurt him. He’s just a baby, ” King Mitch croaked.  

“I find it hard to believe you would beg me for mercy after you showed none. Here is my gift for your son. He will grow up strong and healthy, a skilled warrior with a kind heart, a prince the kingdom can be proud of. But before his 18th birthday he will cut his finger on a blade and fall into an ageless slumber from which he shall never wake.”

Emily’s face shone with rage while Mitch’s crumpled. The Queen opened her mouth to speak, but Victoria would not be interrupted. 

“Ah, wait, you wanted mercy. Here is your mercy. He can be awakened by a kiss from his true love- who should be his enemy. This curse shall last until the ending of the world and no power on earth can change it.” As she spoke dark blue flames spread through the whole of the chamber before forming a single beam and striking the cradle. Her task complete, Victoria swept out of the castle. She took a fierce pride in the looks of horror and terror on the faces of everyone present even as she could have sworn she heard a soft, beloved voice whisper, “Tori, what have you done?”

[kingdomhearts-and-soriku-trash]

Hi!! I'm finally writing another Soriku fic and this is for everyone and @whyarewecalledtheshipname I hope you enjoy this sleeping beauty sort of fic! A lot of effort went into the ending, and it's probably not too good, but I hope you like it! I love your blog, so I thought you would like this so yeah! Enjoy!

Author notes are at the end and kinda long but yeah. And I'd like feedback since I like getting it to improve my writing or know what you thought about it at least!

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"Momma, will you read this one?" Sora asks.

He and Riku were both laying in their own pillow fort. They were laying on their stomachs next to each other, both in their pajamas, and looking towards Sora's mother. She was laying outside the entrance to their pillow fort with a smile. She was on her stomach, propped up by her forearms, and had a book between them.

"Do you know if Riku likes it? Will he even like to hear it again." She tilts her head and looks over at Riku.

Riku's eyes widen slightly before he nods with a small smile. "Yeah, I like Sleeping Beauty. It's a nice story," he says shyly.

Sora's mother sighs fondly. "Alright, then I'll read it." She picks up the book and shows the front to the boys. "Well, I guess we're reading Sleeping Beauty again!" She opens the book and begins to read. "In a far away land long ago lived a King and his fair Queen. Many years had they longed for a child and finally their wish was granted." She turns the book around to show the boys the picture.

"It's so beautiful," Sora whispers. No matter how many times he sees the pictures or reads the story, he finds it amazing each time.

She smiles and turns the book back to her and flips the page. "A daughter was born. They called her Aurora. Yes they named her after the dawn for she filled their lives with sunshine."

"So, Aurora means dawn? Do other names have meaning?" Riku asks with curiosity.

Sora's mother looks up at him and smiles. "Why yes it does. Isn't it beautiful? And some names do have meaning, but that meaning doesn't make you." She turns the book around so they could see the story being told in pictures.

"They look so happy!" Sora says with a big smile.

"Of course they would be. They just had their first kid!" Riku says with excitement. He wouldn't admit it, but he loves this story.

"Then, a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom so that all of high or low estate might pay homage to the infant princess. And our story begins on that most joyful day." She turns the book around for the boys to see again.

"That's a lot of people," Sora says with awe.

Sora's mother turns the book back to her and continues to read. "All sorts of people attended, including another king and his son, Prince Phillip. Celebrating Aurora's birth wasn't the only thing being done that day, it was also announced that Phillip was betrothed to the princess."

"He was going to get married to her, right?" Sora asks.

"Yes, he was. It was a common thing for many kingdoms to do."

"It's still weird," Riku says quietly. He's young and doesn't understand love, but he still finds it weird how people were forced to marry someone and didn't have a say in it.

She smiles and continues. "After the prince set eyes on his future bride, horns once again rang throughout the room as three fairies floated down to the king and queen. They, too, wanted to celebrate the princess's birth. They all floated over to her in a rush, crowding each other as they looked down at her crib. However, they weren't there just to see her, they were there to bless her. The first fairy, Flora, gave her the gift of beauty. The second fairy, Fauna, gave her the gift of song. And just as the third fairy, Merryweather, was about to give her gift, thunder rumbled through the room, causing panic as a glowing figure began to appear. It was green, but it slowly formed into another fairy, but a dark fairy." She emphasized "dark" with a scary look.

Sora gasped softly. "Oh no!"

"The evil fairy, named Maleficent, appeared in the middle of the room with her cane and raven. She walked to the King and Queen with a smile as she mentioned every person in the room. She stroked her bird as she told them her woes about not being invited. Merryweather, being the blunt fairy she was, told her how she wasn't invited, which stirred the evil fairy up. She in return decided to give the princess her own gift."

Sora and Riku both had looks of excitement mixed with curiosity. They both knew what it was, yet found it enjoyable to hear again and again.

"The fairies did their best to protect Aurora, but they failed. The evil fairy cast a curse on dear Aurora. "Before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on a spindle of a spinning wheel and die," is what she told the whole room. The evil fairy laughed cruelly as she saw the panic around the room. The King ordered for the guards to apprehend her, but she disappeared before they could even touch her."

"But then someone comes and saves her!" Riku says.

"No saving is done yet, dears. However, they could help the poor princess. Flora saw the panic on the King's and Queen's face and reassured them that they could help her. Merryweather didn't give her gift yet and still had a chance to make things better. She went over to the crib and said, "Sweet princess, if through this wicked witches trick, a spindle should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this. The gift I give to thee, not in death but just in sleep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true loves kiss the spell shall break."

"But what if she doesn't find her true love?" Riku asks with a curious and concerned voice. It was a fake person, but he still feels worry.

"But she will! It's just how fate works!" Sora tells him with a smile. He grabs Riku's hand and squeezes it. "We all find each other through fate, so she would find her true love through fate as well!"

Riku looks over at Sora and smiles back at him.

The rest of the night is spent with Sora's mother telling them how the story went, but the most important part was the ending. When she was done reading and was getting ready to go to bed, Sora asks her an important question.

Sora yawns as he talks. "So, she would've been asleep forever if Phillip didn't make it?"

His mother ruffles his and Riku's hair. "Sadly, yes, she would have. But her prince's heart was stronger than Maleficent and he defeated her to save Aurora."

"Oh, then that's good," he says as he yawns once again. His mother kisses his cheek and leaves to go to bed.

He lays his cheek against the floor as he looks beside him. He sees Riku already asleep, still holding his hand. He smiles and squeezes it. "I'd fight a dragon for you, Riku," he whispers out. "Our hearts are already strong, aren't they," he says slowly. Only a few moments later, he falls into a blissful sleep.

.

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Riku looked up at Sora's face through the clear glass of his sleeping pod. He could barely see him, but he could still see a smile on his face. It was small, but it was there.

This had been his third time checking up on Sora since he was put to sleep, and he always looked for a smile. It managed to put him at ease, but never erase the true pain he felt.

"I wonder what you're dreaming about. Is it good things?" He knew he wouldn't respond, but he still talked to him. "Are you thinking of the things I did?" He shouldn't have been thinking like that, but he still did. He was inexcusably rude to his best friend, someone he loves with all his heart, and someone who is precious.

He placed his hand against the pod. "I hope your dreams are good and that you can forgive me. Especially for the things I have to do." He knew what he had to do and it was things he didn't want to do, but he had to. He wouldn't be able to be without Sora, so he'd do whatever it took to save him...even if it means hurting someone else.

"I'm sorry."

He turned around and left the room, once again asking Namine to watch over him. He wished he could stay longer, but Sora wouldn't wake up unless he left, so he knew what he had to do. Even if he wished he didn't have to.

He never wanted to be away from Sora, even if his past actions didn't agree. This time felt painful, but when he had to watch Sora from afar? And look like Ansem at the same time? It was even more painful, but it was only the beginning.

.

Riku's legs felt like jelly as he continued to run. His dreams led him to an unknown world, and the only thing he knew was that it would lead him to Sora.

His beloved that had been missing for a whole year. It broke his heart to think about the time again, so he pushed it away as he continued to run and run and run. Every now and then he stopped so he could look around to make sure he didn't miss Sora, but he never saw him.

"I have to keep going," he said through panting breaths as he sat at a bench. He held his head in his hands as he thought. "Our hearts are connected together, but every time I think I'm getting closer, the connection goes away. It disappears all over again." He looks up as he finally realizes what he should do. "But if I just listen...maybe I can sense him better."

He quickly stood up, ignoring the pain his legs felt, and closed his eyes. He felt the connection to Sora, he could feel their hearts calling to each other, but he couldn't feel a direction. It should've annoyed him, but he stayed calm and cool. He only listened.

After a few moments, he felt a tug. A tug that's stronger than any other he's felt. He opened his eyes and looked at the road ahead of him. He felt the tug pulling him that way, so he goes. He ran, but not as fast as before since he didn't want to miss Sora. He looked around as he passed by buildings and shops. He kept going straight past many traffic lights.

However, once he got to another four way, he felt the tug go somewhere else. He felt it coming from a building. He runs over but then the tug comes from above. He backed up and looked up to see something on the roof.

He gasped and stared at the climbing he had to do. "I'm not as good as you are, Sora. But I'll do my best." He began to run up the side of the building, doing his best to not slip off.

He gets to the edge of the top and jumps so he can finally be on the roof, and what he saw makes him gasp with fear. He saw an array of spikes of ice surrounding each other, like a spell of blizzard gone wrong. He looked in the middle and his heart dropped.

Sora was frozen solid and laying in the middle. His eyes were closed and he looked like he was in peace, but Riku felt fear and terror.

He ran over to the spikes, which resembled a flower now that he was closer, and saw a little break through the array of spikes. He walked through the path and got on his knees beside Sora. As soon as he touched Sora, the spikes around him cracked and turned into silver flakes, disappearing into the wind. Sora's crystal form did the same thing as well. It made a cracking noise before falling off in flakes and going in the wind.

"Sora..." he said as he touched his cheek gently. It felt freezing and it made Riku feel even more upset.

He picked Sora up and held him bridal style and signaled to Fairy Godmother. He, within seconds, disappeared in a flash and reappeared in front of Yen Sid's tower. He was greeted by Mickey, Aqua, Terra, and Kairi. They all had a look of surprise mixed with relief, but when they saw Riku's face they were confused.

Riku walked towards them and kept his words brief. "I found him, but he's still not awake. He needs help."

Everyone nodded and all hurried to get Sora his own room. The room was at the top of the tower, far away enough from everyone else. They needed room to figure out what was wrong. They would tell everyone the news later.

Riku sat Sora down in the bed, Kairi started a fire in the fireplace to make the room warmer, and Terra got an extra blanket for him. They all stood in the room and waited for Fairy Godmother to appear. She was there within a matter of seconds and instantly looked at Sora.

She walked over to him and knelt down to be closer. She placed her hand against his chest and went silent for a moment before looking back at everyone. "His heart beat is very distant and his breathing is very slow. I can't tell what's wrong yet," she said with disappointment. She wanted to help him just like everyone else, but she needed time to do so.

Everyone felt disappointment and fear, but pushed it aside as they thought of what to do.

"So, should we leave him to rest? And see how he's doing in the morning?" Aqua suggested.

"But he shouldn't be alone, right?" Terra said with worry.

"Yes, he shouldn't be. I need time to research and see what's wrong, but he may get worse. I need someone to watch over him," Fairy Godmother said with firmness.

"I'll do it," Riku said immediately. He protected Sora ever since Sora saved him. He couldn't abandon him now. He knew Sora would never blame him for taking a break, but he couldn't. He couldn't bare the thought of having him here and not being able to see him in the morning if something went wrong. He trusted the others, but he had to do this.

"Riku, you haven't slept in so long. You need a break," Kairi said with worry. She stepped closer to him and grabbed his hand, gently.

He looked down at her and shook his head. "I just...can't leave him, alright? I need to make sure he's alright. Please," he asked the group.

"How about we do shifts?" Mickey suggested with a smile. He knew everyone cared about Sora, he did, too. However, he knew almost no one could care for Sora like Riku did. Mickey spent time with him in the Realm of Darkness and watched him find his strength with Sora. He understood the fear that Riku was feeling.

Fairy Godmother thought for a moment before she nodded with a smile. "I believe that's a good idea. How about we all go tell Yen Sid, just real quick, alright? Then you can come right back here and watch him," she said as she looked at Riku. She gave him a bright smile, doing her best to put him at ease.

Everyone turned around to leave, but Riku kept looking at Sora. He thought it was creepy, but he couldn't stop focusing on the way his breath was so shallow. He almost couldn't see it. However, he broke out of his trance when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Aqua with a frown.

"You can take a minute. It's okay." She squeezed his shoulder before leaving the room and closing the door gently behind her.

He smiled slightly at her concern and understanding. It made him breath easier. Once she left and didn't hear any more footsteps, he turned around and walked over to Sora. He got knelt down on one knee and looked at him.

"You look like you're in peace, but are you really?" He asked, knowing he would get no reply. "We're going to do our best to save you, I promise. We will save you. I know we can. You've saved us plenty of times, it's our turn to save you." He moved his hand slowly to push aside his bangs.

He remembered doing this when he was a kid on the Destiny Islands. Sora would take a nap and let the wind mess with his hair. Whenever he let his hair grow out, his bangs would get in his face and cover his eyes. Riku would move them away, which always would wake Sora. He would look at him with a smile and thank him for moving his bangs. It would always embarrass Riku, but he'd continue to do it. He liked seeing those blue eyes look up at him, and now he'd love if they could.

He got up and looked out the window. The sun was rising and it was beautiful. He wished Sora was awake to see it since he loved to see the sunrise. He looked back down at Sora and smiled as he leaned in and kissed him right above his temple.

He pulled away and made sure the blanket was covering him, the fire was still lit, and began to leave. He walked to the door and had his hand on the doorknob, ready to open, but stopped when he heard a voice.

"Riku?" Sora said quietly with his voice sounding rough.

Riku turned around quickly and saw Sora rubbing his eyes. He looked around the room confused, but once they landed on him he smiled.

"Riku...you're here." He looked to his side to see the sunlight reaching the tower. "It looks so beautiful. I hadn't seen one like this in so long," he said quietly.

"Sora!" Riku shouted as he ran over to his side of the bed. He got on his knees and grabbed his hand. "You're awake!" He let his forehead rest against Sora's hand and he closed his eyes. "You're awake..." he said again.

Sora sat up and laughed. "You saved me," he said gently.

Riku looked up at him to see those blue eyes. They looked at him with such love and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He couldn't find the words to say, so he only acted. He wrapped his arms around Sora and buried his face in the crook of his neck. It took a moment, but Sora wrapped his arms around him too.

"I'm here, Riku. You don't need to fear anymore."

Riku pulled back enough to look at him, but didn't let go. He cupped his cheek with a shaky hand and smiled when Sora leaned into it. "How are you here? How are you awake?"

"You woke me up." He poked right above his heart. "I heard your heart calling out to me. Those spikes and the crystal was protecting me, but they broke when you came because I trust you. You," Sora paused for a moment and struggled to find the words. "You mean the world to me, so they fell away. And I fought my way to wake up, but I couldn't do it. But when you kissed me, it made me stronger," he said with a small blush.

"The kiss helped you?" Riku asked with confusion and slight disbelief.

Sora nodded. "Yeah. You helped me break through. I guess it's like Sleeping Beauty," he said with a giggle.

Riku smiled and gathered up his courage. "Then, can I kiss you again?" He blushed and felt like looking away, but he didn't. He held his ground and waited.

"It better be a proper one this time," Sora said with a laugh.

Riku laughed in return before he leaned closer and gently kissed him. It wasn't perfect, but it didn't matter. It was them. It was their kiss. When they pulled away, they didn't hesitate. They went back in for another kiss, and another, and another, until they had to stop to catch their breath.

They pulled slightly away and laid their foreheads against the others. It was peaceful and everything was beautiful. The sun was shining, Sora was awake, and they both finally confessed.

Well, halfway, but they did it.

"When are the others coming?" Sora asked.

"Oh!" Riku said as he remembered the others. "They should be telling Yen Sid about everything. I was meant to join them! Do you want to go with me or do you want me to stay?"

"Stay. Stay with me, please," Sora said with vulnerability. "I don't want to be alone, and I'm still a little cold." Sora slid over and motioned for Riku to join him.

He smiled and joined him on the bed. He laid on his side and wrapped his arms around Sora when he scooted closer and buried his face in the crook of his neck.

"I love you, Riku."

Riku's heart pounded with joy and he smiled as he rested his chin on top of Sora's head. "I love you, too, Sora."

And they laid together before the others came and got them. At first, they believed Riku was clinging to him, only to hear Sora wake up when they called out to Riku.

They all helped him up so he could hug everyone and make them believe he was really there and awake. However, they let Sora rest back in the bed when he began to feel weak again since he had been sleeping for awhile. But it didn't bother them. They were just so excited and happy that Sora was finally home.

But no one was as happy as Riku. No one.

.

.

OKAY SO! This was a little difficult to write. The opening was good and I kinda liked that part. That's actually where this idea started, since I just imagined Sora's mother reading him and Riku a story and then I saw your posts and was like, "oh...SLEEPING BEAUTY!!!" And then this popped out. These are some author notes.

Okay so like this took so long to come out because I wrote it but then I had so many different ideas. I wanted him to kiss him on the lips but I kinda thought that Riku wouldn't exactly do that since he didn't want to I guess do that to Sora?? Since he was asleep and couldn't say anything?? So he just kissed him on his temple and it woke him up. AND THAT WASN'T JUST MY IDEA!! I got it from the movie Maleficent that came out in 2014. In the end of that movie, Maleficent was the one to wake up Aurora. She kissed her on her forehead and she woke up!! I was like, "oh yeah that's perfect for Riku."

I wanted to include the times Sora was asleep, but I didn't see how that would help anything or contribute to the plot, so I didn't. I only included the time where Sora was asleep to get his memories back, so I could show that Riku suffered during that (Even if we already knew that) and say how it was going to get worse >:).

Thus took so many rewrites because like...the ending of where Sora is found in crystal was so difficult to write. At first, I had him finding him in the position he was in the Remind ending, but I couldn't write it good, so I just switched it to him laying down in crystal form :). Let's just say that I wrote this multiple times and finally got on this version! And??? We like?? Don’t know what caused the crystal (I believe), so I just said that it was meant to protect him and fell away when Riku came bc now he would protect him :).

Putting in the sunlight on the tower part was a little difficult since I couldn't write it properly but!! I hope you enjoyed this!! I love your posts and I hope you love this! It may not be the best, but I love it.

AND!! That beginning of the story is actually from the movie. All of it is from the movie until the, "On that joyous day," part. Like the part of describing the event is my own writing and such. But the quote of Maleficent cursing Aurora and the gift that Merryweather gave Aurora is actually from the movie and word for word so I hope you like that part :).

There is some proofreading, but I could've missed something, so sorry if I did miss something!

[jiejie-eonni-onee-sama]

Love is like a tornado...

For the dearest @fandoms-are-my-friends-1321​ 💟💟💟

Hope you’ll like the story...

"Man, that sucks..."

"Yeah, the situation is desperate!"

The Weasley twins sigh as they watch two of their favorite teachers glancing at each other but not daring to say a single word.

On one side, there is Professor Remus Lupin, the current Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. Compassionate, kind, encouraging, and understanding, he is among the most popular teachers in the school.

On the other side, there is (Y/N) (L/N), the new Charms lecturer. She is not only beautiful but also passionate, supportive, charismatic, and gifted. Every Hogwarts students are keen to attend her courses: even the Slytherins are respectful towards her. 

Besides, she is the youngest member of the professors' staff. 

However, what makes Fred and George Weasley upset is that the two teachers seem fond of each other, but no one tries to make the first step.

"They could be the most popular couple in school!"

"You mean the most popular couple in the history of the school!"

"You got the point, Fred!"

Sitting next to them, Ron, Hermione, and Harry share their opinion.

"They are so cute together! But it would not be fair to force them!" breathes Hermione.

"Hermione is right. Likewise, Remus is not at ease with his lycanthropic condition: I'm sure he is scared to hurt her!" advises Harry.

"Sure. And, moreover, Lupin is so clumsy when it comes to ladies!" grins Ron.

"Watch your words, Little Ronnie! I'm sure you don't want your friends to know about the emptiness of your love life!" sneers George, making his twin laugh.

Grumbling some curses against his "stupid brothers," Ron eats a piece of cake while asking:

"Which subject do we have after lunch?"

"Let me see... Ah, we have a Charms lesson!"

As they hear it, a Cheshire grin appears on the Weasley twins' faces.

"Do you hear that, Georgie?"

"Oh yeah, Freddie, I heard it!"

Under the worried look of their younger brother and his friends, George and Fred prepare their new trick to "help" their beloved teachers...

Later in the afternoon, in Charms classroom.

In her classroom, (Y/N) tries to explain a new spell to her students.

"Remember, ladies and gentlemen: your gesture must be short but firm! Come on, try!"

Both the Gryffindor and Slytherin students try their best to achieve the exercise. Some manage to reach their objective while others struggle.Their professor watches them with a kind smile on her face. She really enjoys teaching at Hogwarts: the pupils are interested and willing to work.

Furthermore, in her class, there is no rivalry between the houses. She encourages solidarity and group works between the students, no matter which house they belong to. 

That's why she appreciates seeing Hermione, one of her favorite students, working with Draco Malfoy without hostility. She even notices that the two seem to get along now, to Ron Weasley's dismay. 

Speaking of the latter, he nearly turns one of his classmates into a chair!

"Watch out, Ron!"

"Sorry, Seamus!"

"Focus on your gesture, Mr. Weasley!" she reminds him kindly.

"Yes, sorry, Mrs. (L/N)!"

The class goes well until the bell rings.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen! For next time, I want you to practice all the charms on page 214 of your manual! See you on Friday!"

Once the students leave her classroom, she packs her belongings and heads to her office. On the way, she bumps into someone and lets her book falling.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I did not see you..."

"I should be the one apologizing, (Y/N)"

The young woman lifts her head, and she recognizes Remus. For a moment, they cannot help but look at each other with some fascination. Shyly, the werewolf hands to her some of her books.

"Thank you for helping me, Remus!"

"It's my pleasure. I'll be careful next time!"

"Don't be upset about it. It's okay!"

"I... I'm glad to hear that!" whispered the werewolf, slightly blushing.

Unbeknownst to them, the Weasley twins observe them, hidden in a corner.

"By Merlin, it fails! They are this close to kissing, I swear! Ugh, it's soooo frustrating!"

"I told you that the Tumbling spell would not work!"

"Quiet, Fred! Unless you have another idea..."

"Just let me think about it, Georgie... Hooray! I have a plan!"

"What is it?"

Fred picks up his spellbook and points to a segment.

"I think this would help us!"

Looking at the spell, George beams.

"Oh, that's what I call a brilliant idea! The best prank we ever did!"

"You can say it, bro! Now, let's prepare it! We have to do it tomorrow: I hear Ron revising his Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson for tomorrow! It's our only chance !"

The following day.

Sitting at her office, (Y/N) prepares the lesson for the Year 1 Ravenclaw students. She smiles while thinking about those little wizards and witches who look at her with admirative eyes. They are so cute! 

To be honest, they are cuter when they interact with Remus. She loves to see him being gentle with the younglings and encouraging their efforts. She can say that her colleague would be a wonderful father...

Suddenly, a loud noise wakes her up from her daydream. She looks at her door that shatters because of a tornado.

"By Merlin, what is that?"

As she prepares to cast a spell, the tornado charges at her and imprisons the young witch in its fury. 

Mangled by the tornado, (Y/N) cannot stop it, losing her wand in the process. And carried by the wind, she soon crosses the corridors, under the astonished eyes of the teachers and students.

Meanwhile, in Remus's classroom, the students listen to their teacher.

"As you know, Banshee's main power is her scream. It's so powerful that it can drive her victims mad! It can also lead to their death!"

"How loud it can be?" asked Draco.

"Well, according to Newt Scamander, you can hear her wails from a couple of miles away!"

At the same time, the students jumped on their seats as they hear a piercing shriek.

"BANSHEE! SHE IS HERE!" panicked Neville.

"I assure you, young Mister Longbottom, that it is not a supernatural scream. On the contrary, it is a human scream... It sounds like someone needs help!"

Indeed, someone needs help as they hear a familiar feminine voice.

"PLEASE! SOMEBODY HELP ME!"

"OH MY GOD! It's Mrs. (L/N)!" exclaims Harry.

Fearing for the life of his beloved witch, Remus picks his wand and prepares to rescue (Y/N) when the tornado bursts into the classroom.

"STEP BACK! STAY FAR FROM IT!" directs Lupin.

All the students stumble behind their teacher. The werewolf braces himself before he tries to rescue his crush from the roaring wind. 

Unfortunately, the tornado absorbs him as well, before getting outside the classroom.

"We have to help them! Hurry!" declares Parvati before running outside, followed by her classmates.

When they arrive in the main hall, they witness an extraordinary scene: trapped in the tornado, Remus and (Y/N) try to escape this windy pit but fail every time.

"How can we help them?" demands Ron.

"First of all, we must identify which spell was used to create this tornado!"

At the same time, Fred and George topple towards them while repeating:

"A DISASTER! IT'S A DISASTER!"

When he hears his brothers, Ron exclaims:

"What on Earth have you done again?"

"See, little brother, it's a long time story..."

"Cut it out, and tell the truth!" yells Dean.

The twins look at each other with despair before explaining:

"Well, we only wanted to try helping Professor Lupin and Mrs (L/N) confessing to each other..."

"And we thought that if he saves her, she would immediately confess her love! And he would do the same!"

"Oh, by Morgana, why do I have those two dorks as brothers?" whines Ron as he facepalms.

"Okay. But why the tornado?" asks Neville.

"Well, it seems cool!" answers Fred.

"That is not cool AT ALL, you dumbskull!" 

"Only a Weasley can produce such a ridiculous idea!" says Goyle with irony.

"Shut up, Goyle, and be useful for once in your life!" shouts Seamus.

Whereas her classmates panic for their teachers, Hermione muses about the tornado.

"It is not a classic spell... If only I had my Charms book with me!"

Immediately, Draco hands his manual to her.

"You can read mine if you want!"

"Thanks, Draco! Let's see what it is!"

As the two wizards look in the book, Ron nudges Harry.

"Did you just see it?"

"What?"

"Malfoy was nice with Hermione!"

"And? It is not the first time!"

"That is not normal, Harry!"

"For Godric Gryffindor's sake, Ronald! We have other priorities now!"

Quickly, Hermione finds the solution.

"I got it! Oh lord, it's a Confessional Tornado!"

"A what?" asks George.

"According to the book, this spell creates that entangles two people and compels them to tell the truth. It lets them free only if they do so!" explains Malfoy.

"Well, that's a complicated situation!"

Coming closer to the tornado, Draco yells to the teachers.

"Professor Lupin, Mrs. (Y/N), you are in a Confessional Tornado! You must tell the truth, or you won't get out!"

"WHAT?"

"That's true! We checked it! Please, tell the truth!"

"The truth? About what?" asks Remus.

Sighing, the Slytherin shouts:

"Sir, tell her everything. Say how much she means to you... Just say what you are truly feeling about her!"

Slightly biting his lip, the young man carries on:

"You are a brave man, Mister Lupin. You can tell her the truth... so perhaps, it would help me to confess to the girl I love what I've dreamed of saying to her! How incredible, smart, lovely, and beautiful she is to me!"

"Who is he talking about?" asks Hermione.

"I don't know... but I pity for her!" sneers Ron.

Gathering his courage, Remus looks at (Y/N) and manages to say through the storm:

"Draco is right (Y/N). I should have told you the truth a long time ago..."

"What?"

"You are the most amazing witch I've ever met. Since the first day, I knew that... I fell in love with you."

Saying that (Y/N) is shocked is an understatement. All this time, she hoped to hear Remus saying those words... 

"Why?" she mutters.

"There are so many reasons why I love you, but I would waste your time. The main thing I would say is... If it takes me all this time to confess, it's because I'm scared... of me! You're aware of my second nature, and I would not be able to forgive myself if I hurt you!"

She smiles.

"Do you think I would turn around and walk away because of that? Remus, your lycanthropy is a part of you. But does it makes you a monster? No. You try your best to protect those around you from this curse. Every day, I see you with our colleagues or students. I only see a kind, compassionate, encouraging, brave, protective, and wise man who never gives up on someone else. This is the man I fell in love with since our first meeting. This is the man I want to spend my life with... If you would give me this chance!"

Suddenly, he takes her small hand and holds it tenderly.

"You don't have to ask: you are already in my existence!"

Moved by this answer, (Y/N) brightly smiles before she cups his face between her hands and kisses him. Taken aback by this sudden gesture, the man kisses her back under the cheers of the students and teachers.

"See, Minerva, he found the courage!" says Dumbledore, chuckling.

"They must be so relieved!" smiles McGonagall.

Meanwhile, the Weasley twins let out a sigh of relief.

"At least, it was not as disastrous as I thought!"

"Yeah. Mission accomplished, bro... And I can say that it helps someone else!"

They both look at Drago and Hermione, who are holding hands and speaking softly. 

"Man, I think we have created another power couple in Hogwarts!"

"Should we tell Ron about this?"

They look at each other with a mischievous smile.

"NAH! NOT NOW!" they laugh.

"Instead, let's enjoy our success!"

At the same moment, Remus and (Y/N) are enjoying the moment as they start a new step in their lives. A new life together. And to think that all begins when two prankish brothers start a tornado... After all, love is like a tornado: it arrives unexpectedly and sweeps you off your feet...

Thanks for the reading!

I hope you’ll like it! 💜💜💜💜💜💜

[elidelochans]

Hold Me (and let the world fall away)

For @judexcardanxgreenbriar​

Prompt 39: Kissing tears from the other’s face

Pairing: Jurdan 

WC: 2,114 TW: none. (although it is a battlefield) QON SPOILERS.

*******************************************************************************************

The world shifted from a drowning sea of blackness and despair to a blinding white. Sounds of metal against metal and screams sounding like a distant echo. Throwing a hand over his eyes, a feeble attempt to avert some of the glow and discover where he was. His vision was blurred only seeing images of odd, swift shapes. Through muffled noises and muddied vision, Cardan felt like he was six feet below in the undersea. Being consumed by wave after wave and pulled down into the depths of the ocean. Yet he wasn't afloat. No, he was standing upright. That much he knew. However, he could smell the copper in the air indicating blood and most likely death. He wondered briefly if this was the nether realm. With the screaming and the particular scent wafting through the air, the possibility didn't seem far.

Cardan tried to recall what happened. He remembered snapping the crown in two, and Jude's face twisted into horror and heartbreak as a blackness consumed him turning him to the serpent. Everything else came in fragments. Slithering from place to place, striking at buildings and people. The only steady thing he recalled was her voice.

The last thing he was sure happened before this state was his wife standing tall before his cage of reptilian despair. Jude talking to him and then the burning sensation of sharp steel cutting through the body of the snake.

Closing his eyes, Cardan tried to shut out the fuzzy formations before him, trying to focus on the land, the magic. There was nothing. Perhaps this truly is death.

The least this fog hazed world could do was have her voice surround him like a blanket of warmth instead of the screams of many. His Queen, his destruction and salvation. If this was some hellish world how cruel the Gods could be. Soon as she had come, she was taken. Having the briefest time in happiness, fleeting like a mortal's life. How soon they are born and soon they leave the world. That was their stint of ruling and being together. He wished to take it back. To never break the cursed crown that sat atop his head. Or sending her away in banishment. He should've proclaimed her his wife, his queen that day before Orlagh. If only to have a little more time. Mother above he longed to see Jude one last time. Kiss her scowling lips and tell her endlessly, how truly undone he was by her. To proclaim his adoration for her until his voice ran raw. Then it happened, a sudden shift like a breeze turned blustery.

It wasn’t there and then it was. The surge of magic and land seeping back into him. A warm breeze brushed against his bare flesh as he flexed his fingers, feeling his body come awake, truly and fully. By the maker he was alive. In a quickened moment everything shifted. The sounds became louder, encompassing him. The feeling of something thick and syrupy filled the space between his toes. Glancing down, Cardan’s face contorted to disgust realizing it was blood underneath him. A few feet away lay the headless body of the serpent he recently occupied. The once strong body now laying here like a driftwood washed ashore. On his opposite side, he found the lifeless head. The serpent's eyes a dirt brown staring out into nothingness. Between that and the violence striking bodies to the ground, bile curled inside of him threatening to rise. The battlefield was a place for Jude, not him. He went still thinking of her.

Jude

Nothing mattered but finding his wife. Paying no mind that he stood tall, with no armor, not even a bit of garment to cover his nude form. His magic, his land would protect him. In the odd chance, it didn’t Cardan hoped he would at least see her face a final time. Taking a few steps away from the serpent he scanned the battlegrounds searching for his High Queen. So focused on the task at hand, he didn’t register the silence around him. As the army of Elfhame dropped their weapons. One by one they kneeled, mouths a gape watching their High King walk before them in the flesh.

Nicasia was there fighting along with her undersea army. Cardan saw the Roach, and the Bomb fighting back to back against Madoc's army. Occasionally slipping into dark areas along the shore or into the forest then jumping out and striking. Ghost wasn’t far from them Slyfooting and striking with lethal ease like he was born for quick steps and hits. Grimma Mog on the other side leading a charge, slashing anyone who would dare cross her path, like a turbulent storm of brutality. Though he was relieved to see them all alive and fighting, they weren’t Jude.

Like a slow poison, a heavy pain started to crawl within his veins. He found it hard to breathe. Turning left and right he looked for her. The high king tried to focus on the land and sense her out. She had magic too, he had always known since making her queen. If the Land rejected her then, he would have noticed. The land would’ve turned cold and harsh. It accepted her, deemed Jude worthy of its sacred gift. Cardan should be able to sense her energy, her very presence. He couldn’t feel it. Whether she had.. no he refused to think it. The land was stained with battle and that had to be the reason he couldn't sense her. Cardan wouldn’t give up. Until the fight ended he wouldn’t stop. She slayed the serpent and freed him. Jude didn’t give up on him, he wouldn’t give up on her.

“Your Majesty!” A soldier shouted from the ground, Cardan stopped turning towards him, “Her highness, the Queen. She’s there,” a shaky gloved finger from the fae pointed towards a woman.

Rich auburn hair flowing beneath a helm adorned with branches the hue of evermore apples and rubies laid in between the branches resembling rowan berries. The armor she bore was fitted yet held practicality about it. The mail that clung to her body shined as she moved against her enemies. A sword drawn, he recognized wasn’t Nightfell, but Heartsworn.

Cardan watched in awe as she grips the hilt and swings with fierce beauty. His heart swelled with pride watching her parry then strike and parry then strike again. She was as deadly as poison yet moved with refined grace. Appearing like some kind of warrior goddess defending her realm, their realm. Seeing Jude defending their home after everything she had been through here in Elfhame. After how he had treated her so many moons ago. This woman. This cunning, unrelenting beautiful woman was still ready to die and fight for these people, knowing some of them still turn their heads at her. If he hadn’t fallen for her by now, this would’ve done it. The awe was short lived seeing a figure march her way.

There was a hitch in his breath as he tensed. Body filled with dread watching Madoc approach her. The red cap’s heavy blade in his tight grip. Darkened with what Cardan could assume was blood. He tried to shout out her name screaming til his throat burned, but the sounds of the sword against sword rang in the air, swallowing his voice. He never felt fear the way he did now. A sickening twist in his gut knowing he was too far to reach her in time. There was magic to use, but they’d lose their friends in the process and he knew she’d never forgive him. The red cap general grinned maliciously, encircling her, like Madoc was the hunter and Jude the prey.

Black as night eyes went wide watching the scene unfold. Cardan could tell Madoc was talking as he moved around Jude. The high king grimaced waiting for the devastating blow to his beloved. Waiting for him to lose all control of his magic watching her fall lifeless into the grass, but It never came. Madoc lifted his gaze beyond the high queen’s shoulder, staring in surprise at Cardan. Madoc looked to Jude pointing behind her. Cardan could tell she stiffened at whatever her father said. Time seemed to slow as Jude finally turned towards her husband.

It was as if the world came to a sudden stop. No one fought at that moment as the high king of Elfhame locked eyes with the high queen. Jude froze in her movements, Heartsworn slipping through her fingers, falling to the ground with an audible clang. In her warm, amber eyes Cardan saw relief, vulnerability, and dare he say...love. The corner of her lips turned into a soft smile. Something genuine and intimate and only for him. He couldn’t move, he could only watch and drink in the sight of his wife standing tall and breathing.

Jude reached for the helm pulling it off her head letting it drop atop the blade with a clink. She took a step, and then another. He copied her movements. Suddenly Jude broke out in a run towards him. Cardan braced for impact. Not knowing if she was running to jump into his arms wrapping her legs around his middle, to kiss him soundly, or to knock him and punch him for worrying her. To his surprise, she did none of those things.

Jude slammed into him immediately curling her arms under his as soon as they connected. Her fingers clutching against bareback, digging into the softness of his skin. Almost as if she was terrified of letting go, like this was a dream and he would suddenly disappear from her embrace. Cardan stood there for a minute listening to her shaky breaths realizing she was hugging him. Wrapping his arms around her armor tightly keeping her there against him. Even his tail curled around her, keeping Jude close to him. She splayed her palms running up the curve of his back grasping at his shoulders. Settling his chin atop her head, he softly closed his eyes, swaying with her as he took a hand stroking the strands of her sweat riddled hair. Keeping her nuzzled against his chest, which became drenched with each passing moment. Jude, a woman who rarely sheds a tear, was shaking and crying in his arms. All because he was alive. The feeling didn’t bloom from anger, but affection. It warmed him in a way he couldn’t possibly describe.

Jude couldn’t stop if she tried. All the pent up walls she built came crashing down the moment her body fell into his arms. Her breaths were far from steady. Eyes burning from the stinging of tears that seemed to flow endlessly as her body shook from the overflow of emotions. He was here and alive. Body warm in her arms. As far as they were concerned it was only the two of them here. The rest of the world fell away when their gazes met.

Cardan pulled away looking down at his wife. The shadow over her eyes smeared across her face. Her honeyed orbs continued to pool over with wetness. A redness formed in the whites of her eyes. Scarlet lips smudged from burying into his chest. He took her cheeks in his warm palms, his lips meeting the salty wet streams falling down her tear stained face. They stayed that way for a while, Cardan kissed all the tears on either side of her face until she relaxed and he could captured her lips in a chaste kiss.

“I can’t believe you cried over me,” he whispered in shared breaths over her mouth before he went back to her cheekbones. His smooth lips tenderly caressing where the tears kept falling.

“It was sweat,” she replied hands still wrapped around him. Jude attempted to hide her cracked voice and choked sobs. Over laying the words with sarcasm. The way her lip faltered they both knew her bluff.

Cardan arched a brow, “Sweat? From your eyes?”

"Fine," she sighed. Cardan darted between her gaze as she glared up at him. Her eyes for once shined with happiness and hope. Looping her hands around his neck, Jude pulled his forehead to hers, "But if you tell anyone I'll kill you. Now finish kissing them before anyone sees."

He grinned, "If that is what you wish my queen."

They stood there embracing each other. her cool armor against his warmed body. Jude's hand returned to the swell of his back. Holding him as close as she physically could. Cardan cupped her face, peppering kisses along the tracks of wetness down her face.

Find it here on AO3

Want a kissing drabble? Send me a prompt and a ship!

[no6secretsanta]

Happy holidays everyone! This Secret Santa has been great and to you, lovely @halcyon-conservatory, I gift you this piece of reunion. After the angst reunion fic I’ve written for this event, this is a bit of a more light-hearted(?) take on NezuShi reunion so I do hope you enjoy all 3k words of it. Without further ado, enjoy your gift! - @whims-of-insane-fandoms 

Write happy endings, not tragedies 

Shion was walking through the park, humming to himself as he watched some of the petals from the flowers dance in the wind. The wind even tousled his shoulder length hair. He was lucky that his ribbon helped keep his hair out of his face. He extended his hand to catch a pink petal before he blew it away.

Spring was in full swing, and it made the city look beautiful. It was even more so than three years ago when many gardens and parks were constructed to help the environment following the fall of the wall and the old government. There were more in the edges of the city and where West Block used to be.

The park he was in had a large garden that was by his home where the wall once stood. It was the closest one to his new home and, by extension, Nezumi’s home. He hadn’t told his mom that was one of the reasons he decided to live where the wall used to be. 

The other reason was because a lot of people hadn’t wanted to live there out of fear that the land was cursed. As years passed, people realized that there was no curse, and it was safe to live here. Inukashi had been tempted to move for just a second but replied that they preferred their home and that it was better for the dogs. That’s how things had been for at least three years.

Three years.

It had been at least three years since the day Safu died, since the walls came down, since Nezumi left.

Shion had continued on with life after the day that everything in the world changed. He couldn’t mope around too much about losing the love of his life and his best friend in one day. He had to keep on moving forward.

Well, at least that was what he had to do because stopping meant thinking about what he had lost.

The truth was that he had felt like there was a hole in his heart, one that hadn’t been healed in these three years. He could only be that honest to his mom. His mom seemed to understand everything when they found each other that day three years ago. 

She had said nothing as she held him in her arms, and they had cried together. When he told her about everything that happened, she offered her unconditional love and support to him to help, even knowing that she might not have the impact she could hope for.

Her support and understanding helped ease the pain, but it could never erase it.

Losing Safu would always leave a hole in his heart. She was his best friend for years, his close childhood friend that he had loved dearly. He couldn’t really continue living as if that loss didn’t hurt. Leaving her behind still hurt him, no matter how many years passed since that day. He could never get Safu back. He could never see her again. At least there was a chance he could see Nezumi again. 

Nezumi.

Nezumi was a different kind of hurt, even if it also produced a hole in his heart like Safu’s death did. He loved Nezumi but the love he felt for him had been different than the one he had possessed for Safu. The loss of those two loves in one day would have left him a wreck if it had not been for Nezumi’s promise before he left.

Reunion will come, Nezumi had promised. 

He just didn’t say how long it would be until then.

No letters, no phone calls, no attempt to contact him. No one had spoken of a young man matching Nezumi’s appearance in three years. Shion tried to pretend it didn’t hurt. After all, Nezumi didn’t contact him for at least four years the first time they were separated. The main difference between those two gaps was that Nezumi stayed away because he was a fugitive and because of the government. Nothing like that could impede them now yet he still hadn’t come back.

Waiting made him restless. Shion wondered, in his darkest moments, if Nezumi would ever come back. Would he just be another memory of a loved one that he had lost like Safu? Even worse, would he come to forget that unforgettable face, the face of the person he loved? Would the only times he could see Nezumi be when he fell asleep and dreamt of him? He hoped that was not the case because he could hardly handle the thought.

For Shion to keep going and not be overwhelmed by those fears and sorrows, he had to temporarily leave the cage that was his mind on occasion. 

Shion paused in his walk, moving his hair from his face as he sat down in a bench. This park was the place where he went to clear his mind and also where he got inspiration to write in his spare time. He took out his journal and a pen, jotting down ideas as he hummed.

He didn’t know exactly when he decided writing, just that it was a good way for his voice to be heard in the aftermath of his loss. 

He didn’t write about the truth of No. 6 like so many people wanted him to when they somehow discovered his involvement in the collapse of the government. Instead, he wrote about his experiences with Nezumi, Safu, his mom, Inukashi, Rikigia and all that he had lived through. He wrote his story and, somehow, that captivated people more than the lie they had lived. 

His writing helped him deal with the losses he had to suffer because it helped him say things he could never say aloud. Rikigia and Inukashi thought that writing down everything would heal him from all the hurt. Only his mom knew that it only helped him ease it, just like everything else did. No hurt could just be magically erased.

Writing became almost second nature and, before he knew it, Shion was an author with a small following. He published his works on one of the newer websites done during the reconstruction, a way to offer people entertainment during such a hard time. 

His most beloved story was the tragedy of a god of death loving a god of life that were doomed due to being opposite forces. As of now, that story had ended with the two of them being separate with little hope of a reunion for the sake of humanity’s continued existence and their own heavenly duties.

It was a poorly written reflection of his promise with Nezumi and their prolonged separation. That didn’t stop people from sending him emails hoping to sway him that the two deities should be together, humanity be damned. 

You can’t keep lovers apart, one fan wrote in a tearful email, you have to let them have their happy ending.

Shion felt the same, even if the writer in charge of his own story hadn’t seemed to catch the same message. Otherwise, Shion and Nezumi could be together now instead of spending three years hoping that he could see Nezumi again.

Shion felt the wind pick up. He kept a tight hold on his journal and pen before he noticed his his hair ribbon begin to fly away. He tried to reach it, but it slipped through his fingers and caused him to drop his pen. 

“Damn!” Shion cursed. 

He picked up his pen and immediately put it in his pockets alongside his small journal. He turned his attention back to the ribbon that had landed on a patch of flowers in front of him.

As he stood up to grab it, the wind blew hard again, making petals cover his line of vision and sending his ribbon flying again. He turned around, trying to catch sight of the ribbon. To his unfortunate luck, the wind suddenly made his hair get in his face. 

This had to be some kind of cruel prank from the world, Shion thought to himself as he tried to move his hair from his face only to have the wind seemingly pick up more. Heavy winds hadn’t even been reported for today!

Just as he mentally complained about his situation, Shion heard a familiar voice began to sing a very familiar song.

“The winds sweep away souls, and people snatch away hearts.”

Safu?

It couldn’t be Safu. Safu was dead, had been for three years. He was just hearing things in his mind. He tried to dwell on it before his ribbon smacked him right in the face. He groaned, not because it hurt, but because of this whole situation.

Even worse, just as he reached out to grab his ribbon, it flew from his hands and further into the garden. Shion groaned as he went chasing after it, mindful of the other people around him that were leaving because of the high winds. He wanted to do the same, but he had to catch his ribbon, his mom’s most recent gift. He didn’t want to lose it. 

“Nevertheless, I shall remain in this place and continue singing.”

The song seemed to become stronger as the wind picked up. Shion struggled to move his hair to see his runaway ribbon as he continued running. He was sure it was lost and was thinking of what to say to his mom when he could see someone in the distance grab it. 

The person was dressed in rather dark clothes. He couldn’t make out more of that person’s features, though, because the wind kept getting in his way.

“Thank you!” Shion shouted to be overheard over the wind, “You got my ribbon!”

The person turned to him but, again, Shion couldn’t see their face because of the wind. Seriously, what was wrong with the weather today? 

“Shion?”

“Please, somehow, send my song to where it must reach.”

That voice.

That familiar voice he could only hear in his dreams and memories.

Could it really be?

The mysterious wind began to die down, and Shion moved his hair just as the person that caught his ribbon outstretched his hand to give it to him. He hadn’t even realized they had gotten so close until now. Shion looked up and time seemed to stop just as the wind stopped completely.

It was as if his wishes had been granted.

“Please, somehow, receive and accept this song of mine.”

Standing before him was none other than Nezumi, the person he had been longing for these past three years. 

He looked almost the same as he had all those years ago. The same beautiful eyes and the same face greeted him. His hair was shorter than three years ago, just reaching his nape, but it was undoubtedly Nezumi. His clothes were obviously different with the exception of his scarf, but it was Nezumi.

Nezumi looked just as shocked to see him. Shion couldn’t blame him. His hair had grown longer since the last time they saw each other, and he’d grown at least two inches in the past three years. Even if those were the only differences, he was sure they shocked Nezumi as much as Nezumi’s small changes affected him. 

With the abandoned knapsack discarded on a flowerbed, Shion knew could only infer that Nezumi had just come back from his travels. They had met again by pure chance and Shion found himself thanking the winds for their sudden appearance and disappearance.

He was tongue-tied, staring at the boy he had been missing for three years. Nezumi’s hand was still outstretched, holding Shion’s ribbon. He was clearly just as tongue-tied as he was. What did you say to your loved one after not seeing each other for three years? 

“You look great, your hair is different.”

The two of them had spoken at the same time, awkwardly saying the first thing that came to their heads. Shion could feel himself turn red out of embarrassment that those were his first words to Nezumi after three years, and something in Nezumi’s mirrored expression showed he was having a similar ordeal.

Shion couldn’t help it.

He laughed.

He’d gone over this kind of scenario so many times and each one had been more dramatic than the next. He’d dreamt of the two of them kissing during their reunion, declaring their love for each other, and making promises to stay by each other’s side. 

Instead, the two of them had been reduced to awkward teenagers. Reality had set them up for a dramatic reunion with the wind but, alas, they had not been able to say such dramatic first words.

“What are you laughing about?” Nezumi said, speaking with a small smile and eyes filled with warmth. Shion found himself missing those small things about Nezumi.

“It’s just so good to see you.” Shion admitted, smiling through his laughter. 

Nezumi didn’t need to reply to that. Instead, he closed the gap between them and enveloped Shion in a hug. Shion felt his knees going weak for a moment before he wrapped his arms around Nezumi’s neck. He closed his eyes, not even caring if anyone saw them.

Nezumi was really here.

Nezumi had come back to him.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Nezumi said as he tightened his hold on the hug.

“At least you came back.” Shion said, “You made me wait three years, but you came back.”

“I promised, didn’t I?” Nezumi laughed.

Shion pulled back to see Nezumi’s smiling face before pulling him closer. Shion closed his eyes as the two of them kissed, their first kiss since the goodbye kiss three years ago. That made his heart race faster and he hoped that Nezumi felt the same way he did.

Reunion had come after all and he couldn’t be happier.

As he pulled away, Nezumi placed his hair ribbon on his hands. Shion began to tie his hair back as Nezumi went to pick up his knapsack. When he came back, Shion’s hair was manageable and Nezumi looked very excited.

“That was quite the welcome home kiss, Shion.” Nezumi admitted with a grin that suddenly made Shion remember the way Nezumi was, “Have you been taking lessons while I was gone?”

“As if.” Shion replied, “You just forgot that I am a good kisser. The things you forget in three years, huh? Should’ve come back earlier so your memories wouldn’t be so skewed.” 

Nezumi rolled his eyes affectionately, reaching for something in his bag, “No, I remember you were bad at it. Don’t tell me you practiced on a pillow while I was gone.”

The thought made Shion want to both hit Nezumi with his knapsack for being so annoying and hug and kiss him for still being the Nezumi he had grown to love. Absence makes the heart grow fonder indeed. Even if Nezumi could be so Nezumi, Shion was just so glad to have him be there. 

“Remind me again about how great my goodnight kiss was compared to your goodbye kiss.” Shion teased.

“You’re a lost cause,” Nezumi said, grabbing a smaller bag and passing it to Shion.

Shion opened the bag and, inside, were several small trinkets. A small bottle filled with soft sand, a conch shell along with other small seashells, crystals and colorful stones, colorful bird feather and a letter addressed to him. 

“This is-.”

“The world is healing,” Nezumi answered, “I don’t know when it started but everything was fine and it was beautiful.”

Shion held a seashell in his hand, just imagining the places Nezumi had gone. A small part of him was sad that Nezumi had seen those sights without him but he was mostly happy for him. Who else could be so lucky to see the beautiful sights of this world?

“I’ll take you to see them, Shion.”

Shion looked up just as Nezumi kissed his cheek. Shion smiled again at Nezumi’s words, feeling his heart soar. This felt too good to be true, but he didn’t care. After waiting for so long, he had made to the moment he had been dreaming for.

“Let’s just focus on the small stuff first.” Shion said, grabbing Nezumi’s hand, “Tell me everything and I’ll tell you everything.”

“Everything? That’s a tall order.” 

Shion could see how happy Nezumi was and he felt the same amount of joy. The way the two of them stood together, it was as if the time they spent apart had never happened. The two of them fit together so well, like connecting pieces of a puzzle. He began walking and Nezumi followed without any prompting. The wind moved slightly, making the petals fly then fall when they was no wind.

“It’s not something that’s impossible do, right?” Shion questioned.

Nezumi smiled, the hair ruffling his hair and making him look more handsome than he remembered. Shion was filled with so much love and adoration over the person he was afraid he could never see again.

“I love you,” Shion admitted

He didn’t need verbal confirmation that Nezumi felt the same way. The way Nezumi looked at him and the way he tightened his grip on his hands told him everything he needed to know about his feelings.

“I love you,” Nezumi replied before looking at the distance with that loving smile, “Tell me, Shion, what have you done besides wait for me by the window?”

“For one, not much waiting by the window,” Shion replied, “I was writing.”

“Oh? About what?”

“A tragedy.”

“That’s so unromantic,” Nezumi deadpanned.

“Says the Hamlet lover.” Shion teased, “I think I might add to it to make it less of a tragedy after all.”

“Wait, keep it a tragedy. I want to read it.”

Shion laughed, “What about you? I didn’t think you would cut your own hair.”

“I didn’t. The person who did lived to regret it when they lost their cutting arm.”

“How do you run into trouble without me? I thought you said I attracted trouble?”

“You do.”

“Hey!”

As the two of them laughed and shared stories of what they had done in the past three years, they began to forget how long they had spent apart from the other. They had fulfilled their promise of reunion. They were happy as they walked their connected path without looking back.

Maybe they could have a happy ending instead of a tragedy after all.

[sshbpodcast]

Tales from the Holodeck: DS9 Fanfic: Caitlin’s Story

Not only has A Star to Steer Her By wrapped all of Deep Space Nine, but your podcast hosts are also celebrating our fifth anniversary of bringing you through all of Star Trek! As a treat, we’ve concocted DS9-themed fanfic stories and teleplays in our much-celebrated “Tales from the Holodeck” series that you can listen to us cold read here (this one starts at 2:53). Read on for the transcript of Caitlin’s Opaka-Damar story below, featuring a whole new take on the series finale!

[images © Paramount/CBS]

Caitlin’s Untitled Story!

By Caitlin

Random picks: Kai Opaka, Damar

The bipedal humanoid grunted with displeasure as his shovel hit something hard. “Damned lava rock!” he cursed, pulling a pick from where it swung at his belt and kneeling. “Every damn time I think I’ve made progress…” He braced himself and took a firm swing at the as yet unseen rock, using all of his strength - 

- and the pick shattered, a bright light emitting from below.

“What the devil - “ He shrank back, falling onto his buttocks and looking on in terror. “What witchcraft is this?!” He looked around for his companions, yelling, “Darv! Grekon!”

The two other men approached, shovels resting on their shoulders as they approached. “Triev! What the hell is that?” asked one, Darv, as he jogged up.

“Don’t get any closer!” said the one called Grekon. “The Kai should see this.”

* * * *

“I don’t blame you for being scared, my friends,” said Kai Opaka warmly, a warm smile crossing her broad face. “Such a thing has almost certainly never been seen Ennis or Sol-Ennis before - truth be told, I’m not sure how it came to be here.”

“But, what is it, your Eminence?” asked Triev, fear assuaged but replaced with distrust.

“This is what the Klingons would call a time crystal,” said the Kai, reaching out with a shawl-covered hand to lift it from the ground. “It is very special, very powerful, and must be put away where it can do no harm. I will store it in my quarters under lock and key. And who knows. One day, the prophets may reveal their purpose in sending it here to me.”

* * * *

Opaka woke from her dream with a start, and sat bolt upright in her simple cot. 

“My lady, what is it?” came the gentle voice of the former Kai’s trusted servant, Saline.

“I’ve had a vision! For the first time since I arrived here, the Prophets have reached me! And they have shown me what I must do,” said the Kai, rising from her bed and moving to her modest dresser. “Come, girl, help me put a few things together - the fate of my entire home quadrant could rely on my actions of the next few days!”

The confused girl rushed to do as bidden, with a murmured, “yes, m’lady,” and helped the Kai gather her few traveling necessities into a bundle. As she did so, Opaka crossed the room to the one lavish item in her home - a small, elaborately decorated box, tightly locked, its contents hidden from view. She drew a leather cord from under her robes, revealing a series of small keys. 

“I must ask for your complete silence, child,” the Kai whispered. “The mechanism in this box needs concentration and precision - an incorrect step in the unbinding process could cause the entire place to go up in an explosion you cannot imagine.”

The girl’s face paled as she watched the Kai, gently inserting key after key, twisting them each to measured intervals, her hands quick and meticulous.

As the lock sighed and released, the Kai kissed the keys and whispered, “thanks be to the Prophets for their guidance!” Before removing the box’s contents - the time crystal.

* * *

“But you eminence!” protested Triev. “How will you get there? And how will you return? And how will you keep us from all dy-”

“The Prophets work in mysterious ways!” the Kai said hurriedly. “Besides, with the aid of a Time Crystal, surely all will be well. Now never fear - since I’ll be using the crystal to stop the flow of time on this planet, I’ll literally be back before you even realize I’ve gone!”

* * *

She watched from the shadows as it all played out, saying a silent prayer to the Prophets for their guidance. 

WINN: Dorra tolka bre tri pah wran. Kosst Amojan, come to me! I await you.

But the wraith did not want Winn, and threw her against the rocks. Passing her by just as the Prophets have, thought Opaka.

The wraith went straight for the prostrate corpse that was once Gul Dukat, and entered him. An instant later, Dukat’s eyes opened, blood red, as he returned to his Carassian appearance.  

“No!” cried Winn, her hopes of being the chosen of the pah wraiths dashed, truly a woman with nothing left.

DUKAT: Did you really think the Pah wraiths would choose you to be their Emissary? Soon the Pah wraiths will burn across Bajor, the Celestial Temple, the Alpha Quadrant. Can you picture it? A entire universe set in flames, to burn for all eternity. The Prophets have sent me a gift. Their beloved Emissary, sent forth like an avenging angel to slay the demon.

SISKO: I should have known the demon would be you.

DUKAT: Go on. Kill me if you can.

(Sisko's rifle is thrown out of his hands.)

DUKAT: You'll have to do better than that, Captain.

(Dukat zaps Sisko with an energy bolt.)

DUKAT: This is too easy. That's it. Come closer. That's it.

(Sisko punches Dukat. And again. No effect.)

DUKAT: Now bow to me. I said bow.

(Sisko is pushed to his knees.)

SISKO: You are pathetic.

DUKAT: Then why are you the one on your knees?

SISKO: First the Dominion, now the Pah wraith. You have a talent for picking the losing side.

DUKAT: Benjamin, please. We've known each other too long. And since this is the last time we will ever be together, let's try to speak honestly. We've both had victories and our defeats. Now it's time to resolve our differences and face the ultimate truth. I've won, Benjamin. You've lost.

SISKO: The Pah wraith will never conquer anything. Not Bajor. Not the Celestial Temple. And certainly not the Alpha Quadrant.

DUKAT: And who's going to stop us?

SISKO: I am.

DUKAT: You can't even stand up.

WINN: Then I'll stop you.

(Winn raises the Kosst Amojan above her head, and it vanishes to reappear in Dukat's grasp.)

DUKAT: Are you still here?

WINN: Emissary, the book!

(Wraiths surround Winn and she bursts into flames.)

DUKAT: Farewell, Adami.

It is now or never, thought Opaka, it is time to save the Emissary, and the Alpha quadrant!

“That will prove to be your final error in judgment, Dukat.”

The Cardassian whirled around, his red eyes blazing, and a look of shock overtook his usually confident features. “Kai… Opaka? No, this can’t be, you’re dead -”

“I’m afraid reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” smiled Opaka. “A sentiment you won’t be able to share for much longer.”

Dukat threw back his head and laughed, though the fear still shone in his eyes. “Such arrogance, to think you stand a chance against me. Do you still foolishly cling to your precious prophets? Your Emissary is on his knees, trembling, before me, and I have made easy work of your hypocrite of a Kai - what do you intend to do?”

“It isn’t the Kai you should be concerned with, Dukat,” said a familiar voice.

It couldn’t be - that pathetic little worm would never dare speak to me like this...Dukat thought, mind racing wildly. He turned, shock clearly written across his reptilian face, and saw -

“Damar! How?! You… you died!” gasped Sisko, his mouth agape.

“The Prophets have seen fit to give me a gift - a new life, to give in service to Cardassia…. And to Bajor,” said Damar. It was then that Dukat noticed the bright blueness of his eyes, the energy radiating off of him. 

“DAMAR!” he cried, as the other man -  once his second in command, his right hand man, a mentee and comrade in the fight for Cardassian supremacy - stood before him, hands outstretched, power gathering at his fingertips. “You fool - you think you can defeat me?”

“What began on Deep Space Nine will be finished now,” said Damar. “And this time, Winn won’t be here to stop you.”

The Kosst Imogen threw back Dukat’s head and laughed gutturally. “We shall see who will be stopping whom!”

 The two squared off, beams of energy shooting from their hands - Dukat’s was a sickly blood red, and Damar’s a pure blue beam. The sacrifices that had been made for the Kosst Imogen had made them strong - too strong, perhaps, to be beaten by the Prophet inside of Damar. 

Kai Opaka prayed then her most earnest prayer - for a Prophet to take her and allow her to assist Damar in the fight. A flash of light, and she was face to face with Sara; she did not know that this was Sisko’s mother, but she knew she was face to face with a powerful force. 

“Sulan,” she said. “I will help you to provide aid during this fight. We had not foreseen this, but perhaps this is the best way.”

Opaka felt power unlike anything she had ever known filling her body, and she found herself next to Damar, not sure of how she had arrived there, but with her body moving seemingly of its own accord - of the accord of hte Prophet! - to join in the fight. 

Blue energy flew from her hands to join Damar’s, and the two of them pushed against the Pah Wraith, feeling him start to slide back.

“NO!” cried Dukat. “No, this cannot be! This cannot be - ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Even the Kosst imogen was no match for the power of two Prophets. The once-Cardassian plummeted over the side of the cliff, disappearing into the flames below.

As quickly as they had entered, the Prophets left Opaka and Damar, and the two collapsed - one back to the peace of death, the other into the oblivion of sleep.

* * *

Opaka awoke in the familiar setting of her home, Saline standing over her. “My lady, you’ve returned to us!”

“Wha - How did I get here? How long have I - “ Opaka halted mid sentence, as she was taken by another vision.

“You have done well, Sulan,” Sara, again, stood before Opaka. “We wish to reward you… what can we give you that would make you happy?”

“To serve the Prophets is all the reward I need,” said Opaka. “But… it would mean the world to me, to save the inhabitants of this planet, and return to my home - return to Bajor.”

“As you wish,” said Sara. “So it shall be. Return to Bajor, and serve once again as our Kai. Help to guide the Sisko and prepare him for what the future holds.”

—

For more DS9 fanfic, check out Jake, Chris, and Ames’s stories from this round of Tales from the Holodeck! And be sure to keep listening to new episodes every Thursday on SoundCloud, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and praise the prophets, my child! They work in mysterious ways.

[magic713m]

Before The Sun Sets

It was a beautiful day for the celebration in the Moon Kingdom. A wonderful event was occurring, celebrating the birth of the next heir to the throne, Princess Serenity. Everyone from the system was invited, including the King, Queen, and Prince of Earth. Among the other guests were the princess’s guardians Sailor Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. It was an amazing event, filled with music, dancing, and a wonderful feast.

Finally began the presenting of the gifts. Queen Serenity sat on her throne, with her most loyal advisor Luna standing beside her. Luna, wearing a beautiful yellow dress for the occasion, was also the princess’s nanny. She stood near the cradle as the event took place. The representatives for the other planets presented their gifts for the sweet princess. Some material, others had gifts that were not physical, but more mystical to bestow on the fair maiden. When the royal family of Earth was called, Queen Gaia picked up her three-year-old son and walked beside her husband as they presented their gifts to the princess. The Earth prince, Endymion, looked at his betrothed and the second their eyes made contact, the infant princess smiled and laughed, causing little Endymion to giggle as well. Finally, it was the Inner Senshi’s turn to present their gifts. Each Sailor Senshi represented their planets and were currently only children, around the Earth age of five. They swore eternal loyalty and friendship to the princess.

However, a blast of thunder roared through the halls. A black wind swept through the room as it dimmed. As light began to return, the guests stared at a figure in the center space of the room. The figure was a woman with long black hair, tied in a pair of buns. Her skin was pale and she wore a long dress and wore crescent-shaped earrings on her pointed ears. She stared at Queen Serenity with her blue slit eyes and gave a wicked smile.

“I see so many faces, filled with such joy.”

“Queen Nehellenia, what are you doing here?” Sailor Jupiter demanded.

“I wished to see what could be such a joyous occasion. More importantly, what possible event could not possibly warrant the invitation of a queen.”

Princess Serenity’s cries began to fill the quiet room and Nehellenia looked towards the cradle.

“Ah, the birth of the heir of the Silver Millennium. You did not wish for me to know, dear Serenity.”

“Queen Nehellenia,” Queen Serenity said regally, “You were not invited because of my fear that you would wish ill on my subjects. If you come here with peaceful intentions, you may stay. But if your purpose is to inflict harm, I will ask you to leave. You are welcomed, but your darkness is not.”

Nehellenia gave a loud and wicked cackle, “Serenity, the darkness is as much a part of me as the light is for you. Yet I am resigned to the corner of the moon hidden from the light. You should know the light will always attract the darkness.”

As she spoke, the dark aura around her spread, and gusts of wind were unleashed. The people fell to their knees as the Senshi prepared to fight the wicked ruler.

The four Senshi unleashed their attacks on the evil queen, but they failed to make contact with the evil queen, as she casually walked past the attacks, unable to even touch her, and threw the Senshi aside, approaching Queen Serenity. Luna placed herself between the princess and the wicked queen. Queen Serenity summoned a wand with a crescent moon, holding the Silver Crystal.

“Begone uninvited guest,” she said as she unleashed a blast of light from the crystal. The evil queen fought back, trying to use the darkness to suppress the light. She then looked at the infant princess as she dissolved into the darkness. The darkness filled the room but Queen Serenity was shielded by the light of the Crystal as she began expelling it.

“Queen Serenity, I will take away the most precious thing you cherish. I still have not provided my gift for the blessed occasion. My gift for the princess is this prophecy. The princess shall die before she will rule your kingdom. A prick from the spindle of a spinning wheel shall end her life. This I swear. ”

As the last word filled the room, the darkness retreated from the palace.

As the darkness faded away, people started to gather themselves, now with a feeling of tension. The princess was crying, and the queen picked up her daughter, comforting her, as Luna began to stand, to catch her breath from the attack.

“Your highness,” the queen’s advisor, Luna said.

“There is still a chance to save the princess. I have not yet provided her gift. At this moment in such a celebration of joy, there is a chance we could save her.”

“Luna, even with such a gift, altering Nehellenia’s curse will come at a cost. Are you sure?”

“She is our kingdom’s hope. We will do what we must to ensure it.”

Queen Serenity watched as Luna walked to the cradle and Luna placed a hand on the baby’s forehead.

“Beloved Princess Serenity: should the worst come to pass, and your finger pricked by a spindle, my gift to you is hope. The terrible prophecy shall not bring death, but vast slumber. And through true love’s kiss, this curse shall break. This I promise.”

At her last words, a bright light filled the hall.  Luna was gone, replaced by a black cat, looking over the child.

===========

However, even with Luna’s sacrifice to save the princess, it was clear the princess was not safe in her home on the Moon. After the celebration ended, the four guardians met to discuss how they could continue to protect their charge. While these girls may be children, they were trained on their home planet, preparing for any challenge they must face.

The four decided that it was best to take Princess Serenity away from her home and hide her away on another world until she came of age to inherit the kingdom and the Silver Crystal. They spoke with the Queen, who agreed and that night, the Senshi spirited her out of the castle, to the least likely place anyone would expect: Earth.

===========

“Usagi, get up!” the blonde-haired girl heard her friend shout, breaking her from her peaceful slumber.

“Why do you have to be so mean, Rei,” Usagi asked, hiding under her blanket.

“Ami tried to wake you, and you didn’t listen. So, now it’s my turn. Now get up. Breakfast is ready.”

Usagi sat up and stretched, letting out a loud yawn. The sun was shining into her small room. She washed herself, applying an elixir to her hair, unknowing that it was hiding her silver locks. After she finished washing, she put on her dress. Today was her birthday and she knew her friends had something planned for her. She wondered what it was. They were more guarded around her whenever the subject was brought up. But she had other things on mind.

===========

Makoto was preparing breakfast for the family. It had been sixteen years since the curse was placed on Serenity and the Senshi quietly spirited the dear princess from the Moon. They knew that Earth would be the last place the Queen of the Dark Moon and her ilk would expect to look when the princess had vanished.

Keeping their promise, the Senshi swore off their magic when raising Serenity. The last bit of magic they used was to create a cottage for them and the princess, along with furnishings.

They began calling the princess Usagi, and she grew up in a very happy home. They taught her about the planets and their kingdom and kept her educated on life in the kingdoms, though they had yet to tell her of her royalty. While they were protective of her, they gave her some space and freedom. Every morning, she’d go out to collect fruits and plants for their meals, as long as she promised to come back before dark. And occasionally, on days they needed materials, they would go into town and sometimes take Usagi with them.

They did, however, begin to notice that when Usagi went out to collect, she seemed to return a little later than she had in the past.

“Hm, that smells good,” Usagi said, coming downstairs, sitting in her seat as Makoto poured her some soup.

“So, do you have any plans,” Usagi asked.

“For what,” Rei answered, nonchalantly.

“Well, it is a special day,” Usagi said, waiting for someone to say something, “You know, like a special day for a certain girl…”

“Oh, right,” Ami said, looking up from her book, “It’s your birthday.”

“Happy birthday,” Makoto said, kissing her on the head.

“Wow, sixteen years, I can’t believe it. We should celebrate,” Minako said.

“Yeah, I’ll make you a special meal. We’ll celebrate when you get back,” Makoto said, handing Usagi the berry basket.

Usagi grabbed the basket. After she was gone, the four girls gathered.

“Is it just me or did she seem a little…eager to leave,” Rei asked.

“Maybe she wants to get back to catch us before her present is ready,” Minako said.

“Well, if she wants to spoil her party, then that is her fault, but right now we need to prepare,” Makoto said, gathering up supplies from the kitchen, “I’m going to make the best cake that the Usagi has ever had in her sixteen years.”

“I’ll set up the decorations,” Ami volunteered.

“I’ll make the dress,” Rei said, pulling out the fabrics and sewing supplies.

“And I’ll get the Sailor Wands,” Minako said, heading for the stairs.

Everyone immediately stopped and looked at her.

“What?” she asked, “It’s been sixteen years. We are just doing some quick chores for this one day.”

“Minako,” Ami said, “We can’t. We promised.”

“We can’t take that chance,” Makoto said.

“Minako stop this nonsense and come over here,” Rei said, “I need someone to be the dummy, and you and Usagi share a similar build.”

Disappointed, Minako walked back and stood near the sewing station.

“Since when can you sew,” Minako said, getting into position, as Rei began measuring.

“How hard can it really be?” Rei answered.

===========

Usagi strolled through the forest, humming. She grabbed a few berries and plants to bring back to the cottage. But she was searching for something else.

Suddenly, two hands covered her eyes.

“Got you, my lady,” the supposed assailant said. Once Usagi heard his voice she immediately relaxed. He let go, allowing her to turn around to a man dressed in servant’s attire for the royal family.

“Hello, Mamo-chan,” Usagi said sweetly.

“Usako,” he answered, using his special name for her, before giving her a sweet kiss.

Usagi had met the man, Mamoru, in the market several months ago. He was dressed in his filthy work attire, with his face dotted with dirt and grime, after having tripped in the street.

When their eyes had met, Usagi had known that she just had to talk to him. She was able to slip away from her guardians and the two had spent the day around the square. But as the day had ended, Usagi had known that her friends would be worried, so she had told the man that they could meet the following day, somewhere in the woods, near the creek. She had worried about how her friends might react if they saw someone knocking on their door, and she had been taught to be wary of telling someone where she lived, so she had figured that somewhere close to home would do.

They had begun meeting each other every few days. She had learned so much of him, and about life in the royal court of Earth. Their relationship had started off innocently, just simply talk or play. Learning about themselves, and their dreams. But it soon began to change into something more. A few weeks ago, they shared a first kiss, and their friendship changed forever.

She told him about her morning.

“Happy birthday, then,” he said.

“Thanks, it is a special one. My friends are planning something. I just know it.”

“I wish I could be there.”

“As do I. I know they would love you if they had the chance to get to know you. I wish they weren’t so overprotective.”

“It’s alright. I enjoy our time here.”

They strolled through the forest and talked about their day. Apparently, the Earth court was busy lately. The royal family was planning for a huge trip to the Moon. Soon, the teleporter to the Moon would be set and the family would be on their way.

Finally, the two reached an overlook on top of a hill and enjoyed the scenery of the kingdom.

It was too soon, as Usagi had to return home before her friends worried. She reached her meeting spot, where she’d part with her beloved. But Usagi didn’t want it to end yet.

“Mamo-chan,” Usagi said, stopping him in his tracks as he was heading in the other direction, “I would really love it if you could visit me tonight. At the cottage.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m tired of hiding you. I want you to meet them tonight.”

“I’ll come with you right now, if you want.”

“No. It’s better to wait until tonight. If they see you with me, they’ll panic and I do not want to know what they might do. I’ll tell them about us when I get home. It will give them some time to cool.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I love you and I want you in my life.”

“I love you too, Usako. I can’t wait,” he said, smiling.

“Remember, tonight. Right after sunset.”

“I look forward to it.”

They shared one more kiss, before heading in their respective directions.

===========

Makoto was finishing her four layer cake, and Ami was trying to hang the last of the decorations. As Rei tried sewing in the final stitches, Minako continued looking in the mirror with disgust. The fabric colors were clashing, the seams were hanging loose, barely holding the dress together, and Minako knew the dress was only one wrong step from falling apart.

“Perfect,” Makoto said, finishing icing the pastry, “Just need to add some candles.”

“Wow, Ami, the decorations…” Makoto began, finally noticing Ami’s work. Honestly, Makoto thought, while the decorations were nice, Ami covered most of the ceiling and the wall with them. And some of them were hanging, obtrusively, at neck level.

“Well, if Usagi didn’t know it was her birthday, she will certainly know when she walks through the door,” Makoto finished.

“And finished,” Rei announced, sewing in the last stitch. Ami and Makoto turned to see the dress Minako was begrudgingly modeling.

“Wow,” Ami said, “It’s certainly not the way it looked in the book.”

“I can honestly say you’ve added your own style to it,” Makoto said, trying to stifle a laugh.

“Really? Thanks,” Rei said, looking at the dress, “Hm, I think perhaps it might need a few more ruffles. What do you think, Minako?”

“What do I think,” Minako echoed, bitterly, “Well I-”

Minako turned and tripped on the long skirt, ripping the dress, as the seams began to unravel. She quickly grabbed one of the hanging paper-chain-ring decorations and it ripped off the ceiling, taking down the long line of rings, with one of the chains getting tangled around the cake As the girls went to help Minako up, Rei tripped over the fallen decoration and the cake was dragged off the table, onto the ground.

As Minako began to get up, she slipped on some icing and got covered in some cake. Everyone was silent, seeing all their hard work undone.

“That’s IT!” Minako shouted.

“Now, please be reasonable,” Ami said, trying to calm her fellow Senshi.

“Reasonable? I’m covered in cake and in a dress that was a mess before it trashed the house. And Usagi will be home within the hour.”

She stood up, and marched upstairs, with the dress pieces just falling off her in her path.

“Desperate times, desperate measures. I’m getting the wands!”

Rei picked up some of the pieces of cloth from the ruined dress, “Hate to say it, but I think she’s right.”

“Here we go,” Minako said, happily, showing their wands, which glowed.

“Careful,” Rei immediately said, “If we’re doing this, we have to do this right.”

Ami nodded, “We can’t let anyone know of this.”

“Alright,” Minako agreed, “Doors, windows, cracks, nothing gets a peek inside this house.”

The girls darkened the cottage, cutting off any natural light from getting in. But soon as the girls grabbed their wands, the place began to light up as the wands began brightening the room.

“Okay, so since we are pressed on time, we all do the same tasks as before,” Rei said, “I’ll make the dress, Ami will decorate the cottage, and Makoto makes the cake.”

“Hey, this was my idea,” Minako pointed out.

“Which is why you have the task of making this place spotless before Usagi gets home.”

“Fine,” Minako said, begrudgingly.

The girls went to their individual tasks:

Minako animated the cleaning utensils such as the broom and dust pan and other supplies, and began cleaning up the mess. She had the floor mopped and she was able to dry it quickly before anyone could slip on it.

Ami commanded the decorations to rise up and place themselves on the walls and ceiling, though this time higher, no longer a hazard to anyone passing by it. They looked more organized and less cluttered.

Rei waved her wand and the unused cloth pulled out. With cloth and scissors, and sewing material in motion, a beautiful dress was formed, not a stitch out of place. Something that was more suitable for a princess to wear.

Makoto was now in the kitchen, commanding the ingredients to go into motion to form her cake. While she preferred the satisfaction of cooking the mortal way, there was no getting around the speed needed that only magic could provide. The cake took shape and she waved her wand to cook the dough, ready within minutes, and she put the candles and icing in place.

The girls were finishing their tasks when they heard the gate outside open.

“Usagi’s back!” Makoto said, hearing Usagi humming. The girls quickly cleaned up their work spaces, and hid just as soon as Usagi opened the door.

“I’m home-” Usagi gasped, seeing the place decorated along with a lovely dress and a delicious cake.

“Surprise!” the girls shouted in joy.

“Oh this is so lovely,” Usagi said, looking at the room, “I can’t believe you all did this for me.”

“It’s a special day,” Minako answered, “and we have another surprise for you too.”

“Actually,” Usagi began, “I actually have a surprise for you, as well.”

Usagi cleared her throat.

“Well, um, for the past few months now, I have been meeting with someone, and invited him-”

“Wait, you met some stranger and he’s coming here?!” Rei interrupted. The girls bombarded her with questions.

“Who is he!?”

“What did he say to you?”

“Please, he is not dangerous,” Usagi answered, “We have been meeting for a while now.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Because you have always been so overprotective. I wanted to meet him without having to worry he would be scared off by my sisters.”

Usagi continued, “Anyways, we have kinda been...courting.”

“Usagi!”

“He was a perfect gentleman,” she continued, “I invited him over to meet you all tonight. He is a wonderful man and he is kind and-”

“Oh no, she’s in love,” Makoto interrupted.

Usagi said nothing but blushed in response.

“Usagi, I’m sorry to say this, but that is not going to work out. You’re going to have to stop seeing him,” Ami sympathized.

“What, why?! Why can’t I be in love? You haven’t even met him, so I don’t see why you are suddenly forbiddening me to see him.”

“Because you are already betrothed,” Minako blurted out.

“What?” Usagi was stunned. Rei glared at Minako, but looked back to Usagi.

“You are betrothed to the heir apparent of the Golden Kingdom of Earth. Prince Endymion.”

“That’s not possible. I can’t be betrothed. I’m just a peasant.”

“No, you are not. You are royalty. You are Princess Serenity, the long lost daughter of the Silver Millennium.”

Usagi’s eyes widened. She had no idea how she could possibly believe such news.

“That’s not possible,” she said, trying to form a coherent thought.

“It’s true,” Ami said, “We’ve been keeping you safe all these years, and tonight you will be revealed to the court, safe and sound.”

“And I have to marry a stranger? You can’t do this. I never asked for much, but this I know I want. Please don’t take him from me.”

“I’m sorry Serenity-”

“Don’t call me that! It’s not fair. I can’t-”

The princess began to breathe heavily and she fell to the ground. The girls ran to help her, but she screamed. She grabbed her head and suddenly the crescent moon symbol appeared on her forehead. As she screamed, a bright light shot up from the spot where she collapsed, into the sky. It lasted for a few seconds, but soon the light faded, and she was there, still displaying the crescent moon mark, and her hair turned silver.

“Your coming into your powers,” Ami said, “You are becoming the true princess of the Moon”

“We have to pack, right now,” Minako said, “I’m sorry we can’t ease you into this, but anyone might have seen that light. We have to move, get her to the Moon before sundown.”

Usagi looked up, her face still covered in tears, “But I promised Mamoru I’d be here. He’s expecting me to be here.”

“I’m sorry princess, but we have to go. I know this is harsh, but it is best you put him out of your mind,” Rei concluded

As they all hurried to pack, they failed to see a winged fiery eyeball watching them, hearing everything they say, before flying back to its wicked queen.

===========

Before the final day was over, the Senshi returned to the Moon, with their princess. They did not inform anyone of their arrival, just in case Nehellenia had spies planted in court. They didn’t even tell Queen Serenity, so that she would act normally, until the prophecy was defeated by sundown.

They finally made it to Princess Serenity’s intended room. The bed was all made up for her, and the place was decorated in the moon culture fashion. They helped her prepare for the ceremony and got her dressed into the gown Rei had made for her birthday.

“Princess,” Sailor Jupiter said, looking at the dresser mirror, “You look so beautiful.”

Serenity held back her tears, trying not to ruin the work her friends had done with her make up.

“I promise, princess, you will be happy,” Sailor Venus said, and quietly talked to the others in a whispered voice, “I just heard. The prince is running late. He did not arrive with the rest of Earth’s royal family.”

“Do we know when he will arrive?” Sailor Mercury asked.

“No. Hopefully soon.”

“Please,” Serenity began, “Can I please just...”

“C’mon,” Sailor Mars said, herding the others out, “She needs a few minutes.”

“We will be right outside, if you need us” said Sailor Jupiter, closing the door behind them, leaving the princess with her thoughts.

Serenity could not hold back her tears.

“Mamo-chan,” she whispered to herself.

“Usako“

Serenity turned around and saw a passageway she did not notice before. She got up and heard an echo through it. She got closer and closer to the passage, but felt a force, resisting her attempt to walk through.

“Mamo-chan?!” she shouted down the corridor.

“Usako”, Mamoru’s voice shouted back from a distance.

With more force, Serenity pushed through, into the passage. Unbeknownst to the princess, her Senshi arrived just in time to see her push her way through a big mirror.

Serenity climbed the stairs. The corridors made no sense, and she was surely going to be lost for days, but she continued to follow her love’s voice, calling to her. She finally reached a tower, and as she opened the door, she lost her breath. Standing in the room was Mamoru, still in the same outfit as he was wearing earlier that day.

“Mamo-chan,” Serenity said, about to cry. “What?”

“I saw you leaving and I had to find you. I am so glad you’re here.”

“Is this...” Serenity started, “Is this real?”

Mamoru extended his hand, offering it “Let me prove it.”

She hesitated, but she looked into his beautiful eyes, and unconsciously reached out for him, accepting his hand. But instead of the comforting warmth she was expecting, she felt a pinch on her forefinger. She looked at her hand and saw in front of her a spinning wheel, with a sharpened spindle, which she scratched her finger on. She looked back up and in place of her love stood a tall scary woman. Before the princess could say anything, she felt her eyelids getting heavy and she started to get dizzy, and soon everything went black.

===========

“I feel so bad for her,” Venus said, “She meets the love of her life, and we just took it from her.”

“Our duty is to the princess. She might not like all our decisions, but we are doing this for her,” Mars responded.

“And this is better for both kingdoms,” Jupiter added, “After years, we are so close to peace.”

“It still sucks.”

“Wait, do you feel that,” Mercury interrupted them. The girls stopped and felt a dark chill down their spines. They felt it coming from Serenity’s room.

“Nehellenia!”

They swiftly opened the door, and saw Serenity entering a mirror that was not there before.

“USAGI!” they cried.

They ran for her, but before they could grab her, she passed through the glass and the mirror was dark, sending no reflection.

“Out of the way, Mars Flame Sniper!”

“Jupiter Oak Evolution!”

Lightning and fire struck the mirror but it remained undamaged.

“It’s no use!”

Venus stepped forward, “Come on. Let’s combine our powers.”

Using their abilities, they directed it at the mirror and opened a way for them to slip in through.

“Usagi!” They shouted, their voices echoing through the various corridors. They heard nothing back. They split up and went through various corridors, but they continued running into dead ends or being drawn back to the same passages. The place was a big complicated maze, and they soon found themselves right back at the entrance.

“Nehellenia’s making us run in circles,” Jupiter said.

“Wait, the princess’s powers were unlocked. We should focus on that and follow it,” Mercury said.

“Worth a shot,” said Mars.

They closed their eyes and focused. They felt an intense cold in the world they were in. But soon, they felt a warm pull. They opened their eyes and followed the warm light in the distance.

They finally saw their princess in the distance, entering a doorway and the door closed behind her. They rushed forward, but it felt like the door was getting further away. But soon they reached it and pulled it open with such force.

“Usagi,” they shouted as they saw the poor girl collapsed on the ground, in front of a spinning wheel. Eyes shut, not moving. She looked uninjured, except a cut on her finger, her blood on the spindle.

===========

The Earth prince, Endymion, rode through the forest, following the path his love, Usagi, had given him, before she left. He decided that tonight, he would tell her everything. That he was a prince and heir of the planet, and he loved her dearly. And if Usagi could look past his deception, he was going to ask her to marry him. He did not care that he was betrothed to some stranger from another kingdom. He wanted to see his love everyday, in public, no longer as a secret in the forest.

When he had first met her, it had been a day filled with stress caused by his royal obligations. He had needed to get away, so he had disguised himself as a servant, as he had done on more than one occasion, and went into town, exploring the marketplace. It had been there where he met his angel.

He had not wanted her to treat him differently, so he had continued the ruse as a servant, and had continued their meetings in the woods. It had been a wonderful few months, being with her, getting to know her, as a wonderful person, with a beauty to match her soul. He needed her in his life.

He finally reached the cottage, where Usagi had said it would be, and got off his horse. He took a deep breath and knocked, but the door slowly opened, left ajar, revealing to a dark living room, illuminated by only the moonlight.

“Come in,” he heard a voice say. It wasn’t Usagi’s voice, but maybe it was one of her friends….maybe one with a sore throat.

He walked in, and as he moved further into the room, the door slammed closed and he found himself overwhelmed by what looked like small balls of darkness. He fought them off but he felt them draining him of his energy, collapsing to the ground. He tried to access the power of the royal Golden Crystal, but he lost too much energy to be able to use it. He looked up from the ground, too weak to grip his sword, and saw an old grey woman-like creature. She had blue robes and had a staff that had a flaming eyeball at the top.

“This is quite a development. A princess of one kingdom cursed, and a prince of another kingdom a prisoner of the Dead Moon.”

Mamoru remembered hearing stories of the Dead Moon. The very name stirred up dormant and vague memories of a terrifying experience he had as a child, when he visited the Moon Kingdom.

“My queen will love such a prize,” he heard the woman say as his vision went dark.

===========

The Senshi were devastated, their friend in a death-like slumber. By the time they found her, they were out of Nehellenia’s mirror dimension and they were in the tower of the castle. They arrived, in horror, to find Serenity lying on the ground, eyes closed, with a small scratch on her finger. Nehellenia stood before them, cackling as she vanished back into her mirror, as it disappeared. The Senshi knew the curse was fulfilled. They couldn’t leave their princess lying in the tower, so they carried her back to her room. The stairway back down was more direct, now that they were no longer travelling through Nehellenia’s mirror realm. It wasn’t until they were near her room, where they saw the full impact of the curse.

They soon discovered guards and castle staff having collapsed, in a similar deep slumber. They realized the curse was feeding off of Serenity’s power, strengthening itself to spread far and wide, putting the whole kingdom into a deep sleep with their princess. It was by good fortune that, being Senshi, they were able to resist the curse. They knew to end the curse, they needed Serenity’s love, Mamoru. If he loved her as much as she had claimed to love him, he could end the nightmare.

After placing their princess into bed, they took the teleporter back to Earth. They found that Earth was suffering from the curse as well; nobles passed out in the streets, knights fallen off their horses unconscious, peasants slumbering in the fields. The Senshi rushed back to the cottage, in hopes that Serenity’s true love would be there, as she said, and hoped he did not fall victim as well.

They arrived at the cottage and saw the door left open. They cautiously walked in and saw the place was a mess, showing clear signs of a struggle.

“What happened?” Mars said, looking around with worry.

“Hold on,” Mercury said, pulling out her computer and activating her goggles, and began scanning the room. She looked around and was directed to a small dark corner of the blackened room. “Over there,” she pointed.

Jupiter and Venus walked slowly and cautiously to the corner. Suddenly, something jumped out: a small dark black circular creature. It shot past the two Senshi and bounced around before escaping the cottage.

“Was that...” Jupiter began.

“It was a Lemure. One of Nehellenia’s,” Venus finished her sentence, “The Dead Moon Circus. They were here.”

“It looks like there was a fight,” Mars said, “Mamoru must have been attacked by them.”

“But I don’t see a body. So they either killed him, or he escaped.”

“That was just one Lemure. They travel in packs. If they caught him off guard, they could have overwhelmed him.”

“Which begs the question, why not kill him?”

“I don’t know. But if he’s not here, there’s only one place he could be.”

“Nehellenia’s castle.”

“We have no choice. We have to save him.”

===========

Getting to the evil queen’s castle was quite the feat, but together, the four combined their power to teleport into the castle. A trying task, which they wouldn’t be able to do again within the castle walls. The Senshi quietly snuck around the castle, finding a lack of security, only needing to avoid a couple guards.

They soon found themselves overlooking the throne room and found out why the security was so lax. There was a dark, twisted feast occurring in the large room. A celebration of sorts with vile monsters partying.

The Senshi looked disgusted by the event, but Jupiter looked on, “Over there.” She pointed and saw Zirconia, Nehellenia’s most loyal servant observing events. But the hag began to walk away from the room, and the Senshi quietly tailed her. They followed her to the castle dungeons, and they heard screaming, as Zirconia opened one of the cell doors.

“You choose when you want this pain to end, dear prince,” the Senshi heard inside, from a familiar voice.

“Mistress,” they heard Zirconia, “Your desires are almost achieved. The princess is gone, both great kingdoms are cursed, and the crystal is almost within your grasp. If you don’t mind my saying, you’ve had a long, productive day. Perhaps some rest can do some good.”

“Yes, perhaps I am pushing myself. Thank you.”

The Senshi took cover as they heard footsteps leaving the cell. They looked behind and watched, as Nehellenia and Zirconia left the small cell. Zirconia tapped her staff on the ground and the cell door closed behind her. She turned her head towards the Senshi and they ducked behind the corner, unsure if they were seen. They waited for a few moments before looking to see the hag leave the dungeon, behind her mistress.

They quickly moved to the cell, and Jupiter kicked the door open, with full force, breaking it off the locks.

There, they found someone they had not expected

“Prince Endymion,” Venus said. The prince raised his head, staring wide-eyed at his visitors.

“You-you’re the Sailor Senshi,” he answered, questioningly, not quite sure if they were real.

“What are you doing here?” Mars asked, as she, Mercury and Venus approached him and Jupiter stood watch. He was wearing his armor, but they could see burned marks and other injuries on the prince.

“They want the Golden Crystal.” he answered.

“How’d they catch you? Shouldn’t you have been protected?”

“They caught me off guard. One minute, I was going to meet someone at their residence in a woodland cottage, the next thing I know, I am being attacked and found myself in a dungeon.”

“Who were you supposed to meet?”

Endymion suddenly stopped talking, and looked away from them.

“Wait a minute,” Venus said, “Who was it exactly you were planning to see?”

He did not answer, still avoiding her gaze.

“Usagi?” Venus said. He slightly flinched, and she had her answer.

“You,” Venus said, “It is you? You’re Usagi’s Mamoru?”

“How do you know her?” he asked, as the last of his restraints were broken.

The Senshi’s eyes lit up to this revelation.

“We need to hurry, but there is something you must know, prince” Mars said, “We need to tell you the truth about your maiden.”

===========

Endymion could not believe it. The very news just sent shocks throughout his body. Usagi, the peasant girl he had met so many times in the woods, was the lost Princess Serenity, his betrothed. And was trapped in a horrible curse.

“You love Usagi, right?” Venus asked.

“Yes,” he said, quickly, without hesitation.

“Then there is hope. True love can break the curse. You can save her.”

“We need to go,” Jupiter said to the group.

Endymion closed his eyes, and used the power of the Golden Crystal to summon his damaged armor to repair and called on his sword to appear in his hand. The group of five made their way out of the cell, and proceeded out of the dungeon, when they heard a commotion. Noises of monsters getting closer to them, forcing them to run faster down to the corridor.

They travelled down the passage ways, until they made it to the courtyard. However, the yard was now filled with monsters, with Zirconia standing at the forefront.

“Senshi,” Zirconia said, “I have to say, it is a surprise to see you up and about. But I am afraid this is as far as you go. Our guest still needs to surrender the crystal.”

The five fighters stood back to back, surrounded by the forces of the Dead Moon.

“Kill them,” Zirconia commanded.

The creatures rushed forward, attacking. The fight expanded around the courtyard. At first, the group stayed together, but soon were forced to split off and fight the monsters with their powers. Mars used her fire attacks as she thinned the number of her attackers. Mercury used her water, sweeping away her foes, freezing them, and even misting the air to blind them. Jupiter used her lightning, taking out many foes caught in the lightning chains. Venus blasted her foes with raining light beams from the sky. And Endymion used a combination, blasting his enemies with his powers and swiping his sword at those who got too close.

The battle went well, until Endymion was blasted from a dark power, coming from the sky. He fell, and soon Zirconia was right in front of him, with Zircon on her staff.

Zircon flew from the staff, floating over the group, as Zircon levitated. A cone of shadow was released from the eye, and the group collapsed from it, as if being weighed down. As they were pinned, Zirconia unleashed powerful blasts, each hitting one of the Senshi.

Zircon returned to the staff as Zirconia laughed.

But Endymion defiantly stood up, and he felt the energy of the Golden Crystal flow through him. He pointed his palm at the hag and a shot of golden energy was released at her. She screeched as she tried to endure the attack. The Senshi stood, regaining their composure. They focused on pooling their power together. Endymion could hold his attack no longer and he had to stop, with Zirconia exhausted but still alive.

However, she looked at the Senshi. Eyes widened, knowing her fate.

“Sailor Planet Attack!”

Together, the Senshi used their power, striking Zirconia, and she and Zircon dissolved into ashes.

With their foe destroyed, the group made their way out of the castle walls.

===========

They made their way to the Golden Kingdom’s castle. All they had to do was get Endymion to the teleporter, to the Moon Kingdom, and he could free Serenity from the curse.

However, as they got closer, suddenly the road was bombarded by strikes of dark lightning.

They turned around and saw a figure from a distance, standing at the tower of the dark castle: Nehellenia.

She extended her hand again and from the tips of her fingers unleashed a chain of black lightning. The group scattered, dodging the attack.

Knowing how close they were to the castle, they made a run to the fortress. Lightning from the sky continued to crash down as they swayed back and forth from it.

With the castle in sight, the Senshi led Endymion, but they tripped. Looking down, the warriors found they had stepped in a field of webs. They looked ahead and saw the whole castle and the surrounding area encased in webbing.

The Senshi struggled to no avail. However, Endymion was fortunate to avoid the trap. He took out his sword, and channeling the power of the Golden Crystal, swiped the webbing, freeing the Senshi. They moved forward as he continued swiping at the threads. He was close, reaching the gates, but suddenly, in front of the gates stood a mirror, with no reflection but a dark void.

“You will not stop me, dear prince,” a voice said.

He saw before them Queen Nehellenia in the mirror as the object began to levitate. It ascended higher, and soon the queen’s silhouette formed around the mirror. As it reached high, it had vanished within the chest of the gigantic queen.

The Senshi and Endymion prepared for the last push to save their princess.

===========

Meanwhile, in the Moon Kingdom, the princess remained in slumber. Yet somehow, she felt something troubling her soul. That her loved ones were in grave danger. Not knowing how, she knew she needed to help and reached out to them. Her body began to glow and a bright beam of light was released from her body, heading to Earth.

===========

Endymion and the Senshi were now on the ground, Injured, failing to defeat the giant as she continued bombarding the field with lightning. She raised her hand, as it glowed with dark power.

Suddenly, a bright light from the moon created a shield around the group, and Nehellenia’s power failed to penetrate it.

“Usako,” Endymion said, knowing, somehow, that it was her power that saved them. He felt renewed strength as he stood, along with the Senshi.

“Let’s end this,” Venus said. The Senshi charged at the queen and used their powers, causing her to flinch and push backward.

Endymion picked up his sword, and saw it begin to glow with Serenity’s power. He focused his own power within it and it shined brightly. He charged at Nehellenia and threw the blade, embedding the blade into her chest.

She screamed, as an echoing, cracking, sound was heard. The Senshi stopped their attack, as the queen looked at the sword, not embedded in her chest, but in the mirror now floating outside her form, as more fractures began appearing. The whole mirror shattered into dust, and the queen screeched, as she, too, dissolved into the darkness. With all traces of her gone, the only thing left behind was the glowing sword, as it lost its shine.

Endymion exhaled, finally taking a rest, but suddenly, Mars and Jupiter helped him to his legs.

“Don’t rest now, prince,” Mars said, smiling, “You only have a little further to go. Someone needs to wake up our lazy princess.”

They let Endymion go, as he was able to balance himself on his feet, and led them to the planetary teleporter. Soon he was on the Moon, and the Senshi led him to the princess’s room.

And there he saw her, now in her princess gown, but his Usako, no doubt. He approached her bed and she looked so peaceful. He cupped her cheek and leaned in, placing his lips softly on her’s. He drew his head back and looked at her as she slowly opened her eyes.

Serenity’s eyes took a moment to adjust. Her vision was blurry, but soon her vision cleared and she was staring into those midnight blue eyes, of the man she loved.

“Mamo-chan,” she whispered.

He cupped her cheek, lovingly, “Usako.”

The two kissed deeply, and just as they separated, the Senshi burst into the room.

“Usagi,” they shouted. Endymion backed away as the four jumped onto the big bed, where each of the Senshi got a chance to give Serenity a big hug, as they all laughed, playfully.

Moments after Serenity awoke, the curse that had spread across both kingdoms had lifted and everyone slowly woke from their slumber. The Senshi were very quick to inform the royal parents of the events and the celebration was put back on track within hours.

Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion entered the grand room, arms linked, and the moment they were standing before the royals, Queen Serenity quickly got up from her throne and embraced her daughter, not having held her since she gave her to her guardians sixteen years ago.

The prince and princess were wedded, and they began the celebration by sharing their first dance.

“It’s funny,” the prince whispered.

“What is,” she asked her now husband.

“Yesterday, I was prepared to give up everything, to marry some beautiful peasant girl I met in the market.”

“What a coincidence. When I heard I was betrothed to a prince, I did not know how I could ever be happy with him, after courting a handsome stranger.”

They looked at each other, and smiled, sharing another kiss.

And They Lived Happily Ever After

[project-ohagi]

Natsuo Todoroki x Reader - Christmas Scenario

Buy me a coffee!! <3

Trigger Warnings: Self-harm, Depression.

----

The mirror was your greatest adversary, forever threatening to split your soul with its whispered words of discouragement and reality. Being doomed to suffer eternal torment behind it, never again realising the blinding rays of the sun, was something else entirely. Perhaps it was a curse, but the individual to place it upon you remained veiled in shadows. It was a miserable, meagre existence, but at least you hadn't the burden of responsibilities. Or...maybe you did. Maybe the tides had changed, while you slumbered, to further distort and fracture your heart. Apparently, those who peered into your reflective prison were unaware of the accompanying humanity - the personality amidst the inanimate glass. You had refrained from etching words on to it, and your vocal cords had long expired, so you became trapped, isolated, lonely.

For a time.

Thanks to your efforts, the mirror was partially broken. Baneful shards of glass were scattered at your feet, and your initial instinct was to use them. Not for a conventional purpose, but to inflict damage upon yourself, to embrace accountability for whatever transgressions you had committed. The jagged outlines cut almost cleanly through your flesh, but it still stung. You were frightened of the kiss, serpentine with its poison and dolour. It wouldn't hack too deeply, but it hurt like Hell. Tears streamed down your face, as you whimpered. Could nobody save you from this deplorable fate? You prayed to any gods listening, and to any heroes too. You feared and you suffered, perpetually.

Of course, the problems started far earlier than your confinement, however, it definitely served as a catalyst. People didn't search amongst the abyss to find your dwindling light, they couldn't understand your silent pleading. The mirror itself was ornate, and so garnered much attention, although customers often complained about a sudden surge of bile, a sick feeling boiling the pits of their stomachs. It never lasted long in one household, being sold off promptly to the highest bidder. Glass in hand, you proceeded to count the passing days - it had been exactly 1825 days (or 5 years) since the stars imprisoned you. No food had graced your lips, nor water, so you wondered how you still lived. Were you still living? Were you really alive, or was this simply a version of Hell? Purgatory? Was it a near-death experience? A plethora of questions wanted to leap from your tongue, but you subdued each one. Who would listen, after all? What a nasty shock it would be, to discover a human caged inside your mirror, being forced to watch daily, as women and men alike beautified or belittled themselves.

It felt like high school, all over again.

And, what if upon that most disturbing revelation, they (purposefully or accidentally) broke the mirror? To your knowledge, you hadn't experienced any side-effects at the barely-noticeable fragmenting of glass, but what would happen if the whole thing shattered? What would become of your body, if you even possessed one anymore? Sure, you comprehended a realism about yourself, but what did that actually mean? The senses are notoriously easy to fool, at the end of the day.

Someone picked up your mirror, lugging it across a pathway, surrounded by traditional Japanese statues, with a zen garden aesthetic. It was gorgeous, and for a moment, it relaxed your brain. Your new owner was a male, muscular and quite handsome. It alleviated your concerns a little, when his slanted eyes gazed into his own reflection, unknowingly encountering you. Actually, this one was stunning. Spiked, snowy hair protruded from his head, and his resting expression was somewhere between an angry scowl and a playful smile. Your cheeks heated up - he was (unintentionally) staring right at you! The bliss that enveloped you was other-worldly. Over time, you learned to wait with baited breath for his arrival, pretending that you were a housewife, taking his coat and asking about his day. Deep sighs escaped your lips, but they were far from sorrowful. He elicited a strange sensation within your very core - he made you want to speak up, to uncover more of his personal life, to tear the curtains from his eyes and allow your presence to be noted.

But...you couldn't. More than ever, the terror gripped you. What if he freaked out? Not only would you risk ruining your (admittedly) very slim chance with him, but you might be abandoned again.

Another few weeks strolled by, your toxic habits subsiding ever-so-slightly. Whenever those cloudy-coloured gemstones entered your mind, with an accusatory glint, you simply couldn't bring yourself to cut. And, when he removed his shirt...gods, those back muscles were so well-defined. But...for some reason, he always faced away from your mirror. Perhaps he was superstitious. When garlands of evergreen began littering his room, you knew that Christmas was fast approaching. There were bells and candy-canes decorating a fairly-large tree in the centre of the room. Tinsel wound around it haphazardly - the result of an almost-fatal struggle, during which your beloved caved. He seemed to have a vision of the perfect tree, but surrendered when everything went to shambles.

A gruff voice yelled his name, which was a lovely contrast to the wintry-themed room. You locked that valuable information in a safe, guarded box. Natsuo. It tasted heavenly. One day (you estimated it to be around the 18th December), he brought a plate of Christmas-inspired foods into his room. He located a perch mere inches from the mirror. He sat down the plate. He stared, focus morphing into fixation. Confusion contorted his beautiful face, as he shuffled forwards. You felt an urge to preserve the distance, so you stepped back as much as the abyss would permit.

No acclaimed literary could have wrapped their words around this moment, for it was indescribable. The floodgates of your heart splintered with the force of your repressed emotions. You cried crystalline tears, but you wished to chant carols of celebration. The warmth of mulled wine flowed through your veins, lacing into them an intoxication. Happiness bubbled away in your throat, and your hands struggled to suppress it.

"How did you get in there?" A single, angelic echo breathed new life into your withering soul.

A million snowflakes endeavoured to barricade your voice, but you needed this - you needed to speak. "I-I don't know...I've been in here for..." You glanced to your arm. "...around 5 years?"

Those radiant, grey irises widened in shock. "5 years...? And those scars..."

"They're okay!" You tried reassuring him. "They don't hurt anymore. This is just...it's a lot to take in."

Concern only grappled him tighter. "Is there any way to get you out? Ah, wait...if you knew that, you wouldn't still be stuck. I had a feeling something was up with this mirror. There are rumours that it's cursed or haunted, y'know? Well, I guess that's not wrong..."

"Is that why you never faced me while you changed?" You asked, not immediately realising how strange that sounded.

A dark crimson hue dusted his cheeks, and a stuttered response caressed the air.

"Y-Yeah...I didn't think you were watching, though."

You flushed. "Ah! I'm so sorry! I stepped out of line, again...wait a minute - how did you realise I was trapped in here? You never seemed to look too much, and no-one else saw me."

"I was w-watching..." His voice lowered, as embarrassment fluttered in his stomach. "...maybe a god did something nice for you? It is almost Christmas."

"No...four Christmases have already passed since I got here. If a god truly cared, wouldn't I already be out?" You questioned, tone assertive.

Natsuo paused, deep in thought. "Then...maybe it was me? I was feeling frustrated and lonely, so I prayed for an angel. I got you. You must be a blessing, right? And the fact that only I found you...that confirms it. You're my gift. So I'll help you. I'm no hero, but I'm sure I can figure something out." An adorably-bashful smile adorned his lips, as he added, "This is fate, I can feel it!"

[malereaderinsert]

Exile - Part One

Fandom: Marvel. The Avengers: Infinity War

Pairing: Thor x Male God Reader

Warnings: Language. Blood. Gore. Violence. Angst. And a lot of badass sh*t. I made Thor way less strong in this I'm not sorry.

Word Count: + 4.000

Summary: (Y/n) was exiled by Odin after the King discovered his treachery. Centuries after that the war for the fate of the universe starts and Thor holds the key for their salvation. The key being his long missing lover, (Y/N).

Part Two

-

-

The glacial winds were hard against his skin but the man standing at the top of the highest mountain didn't seemed to care. The vast and freezing land beneath his feet didn't interested him either. His blowing cloak sparkled in the freezing night like a window to the limitless of space, where tiny little lights twinkled like stars.

(Y/n)'s (y/e/c) eyes shined with the magic of the old gods as he gazed across stars until he found the small blue planet called earth, the planet where his heart lies, the place where the future of the universe is being decided.

It's been hard to gaze at his beloved lately, some surge of power seems to be interfering with his ability. After he was exiled by the man (y/n) once called King it hurt so much to watch but never touch, never be able to talk to his love face to face tell how much he misses him, but (y/n) still did it no matter what. He was always watching, always.

Sometimes his existence seemed like a curse, what's the point to be as powerful as he was and not be able to leave this forsaken planet. He was trapped here, trapped by the will of the All-Father. The old man judged him to be to volatile. What's the reason of having a weapon you can't control, that grew to become more powerful then it's wielder? He was created to be just that, a weapon, forged in the womb of a dying star. In the start he obeyed without a second thought. Killing millions, laying waste to entire planets, one snaps of his fingers and they would fall and was all in the name of the man who held his leash and still does. After a while he started feeling things, emotions, not only the bad kind, those he was already used to it, but the good kind, the kind that leaves you feeling all warm inside and with dozens of little winged creatures in your stomach. The only problem were having those feelings towards the crown prince and god of thunder, Thor.

 (Y/n) was there when Thor was born. When he took his first step towards him in the royal nursery. No one was around to see it, since he was designed to be the little one's protector not a living soul would dare to get near. When the little prince got close enough he grabbed one of (y/n)'s many chains that was dangling from his arm plate. It was the first time his most brutal weapon was touched by someone else then him, but the prince didn't seemed to care if at all he gave the man the most big toothless smile (y/n) had ever seen. He never told Thor this, but that was the first time someone smiled at him to. For the most part only the king and his queen would even look him in the eye because everyone else were terrified of him.

At first (y/n) thought he was crazy or had a death wish — not that Odin would be able to kill him anyway — but mostly he was confused, like a new born child that only knew pain and death and that everyone feared. Then the god of thunder taught him kindness and love. I know what are you thinking, how a fierce warrior like Thor could ever teach such things. The blond was a force to be reckoned with in the battlefield, feared by all of his opponents, but among friends and family a different man would emerge from the ashes and blood of his enemies, a compassionate and kindhearted man. The man (y/n) fell in love with.

The feeling was there, at first (y/n) didn't even realized, but between soft and lingering touches, endless celebrations after a war well fought, long night walks through the gardens and of course in the thrill of battle, the both of them came to realize their feelings for each other far surpassed friendly love and it helped that the blond wasn't scared of him either.

They kept their relationship a secret, mainly because (y/n) didn't know what would happen if his King ever found out about them, but deep down he knew that at some point the secret would come out. His only wish was that he would be the focus of Odin's wrath and fortunately he was right.

He was called to the royal wing by his king, as it was customary, but he was never summoned at such a late hour before. The halls were all empty and silent. Without his trusted armor (y/n) felt naked. He knew that something bad was going to happen he could just feel it like a weight at the bottom of his stomach.

As it happens Odin had uncovered his and Thor's secret, their “betrayal”. (Y/n)'s first reaction was to beg for his love's well being.

“Of course, no harm will come to Thor. He can be a fool and a half-brain when it comes to rule this kingdom but he is a merciless warrior and is easily manipulated.” (Y/n) had to bite his tongue to not argue with his king from where he was kneeled in front of the man. He was so wrong. Thor was the exactly opposite of all those things. “But the same can't be said about you, hm? My greatest weapon, the general of my army and the one who posses a mind as sharp as Gungnir itself. That is why I created you for (y/n), to kill my enemies, to help me bring the nine realms under my rule!” Odin's voice was hard and heavy against the walls of the royal wing. It was a miracle no one woke up, not that anyone would be crazy enough to face the king's wrath anyway. “You weren't supposed to feel anything aside from the compulsion to rage war. A weapon doesn't feel. A weapon does what it's told.

“Alas, you betrayed me, with my own son. I don't know how you did it. I must be getting to old or you have grown to powerful and unpredictable, either options are as dangerous as they are unacceptable.” The All-Father spoke with hatred lacing every word. (Y/n) knew what was coming, if Odin wasn't strong enough to kill him there was only one option left. “You shall be, from this day until the day one of my successors decides otherwise, exiled. You'll be stripped from your powers and sent to a place so distant that you won't be able to reach no one, a planet that has only known desolation and cold since it's birth. You'll only watch as the people you once called friends forget about you little by little. And you don't have to worry, Thor will forget about you too, in time.”

And then it was done, after that (y/n) was sent through the bifrost to a planet so far away that not even Heimdall could see. He didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to his fellow soldiers or to the one most important to him. He could only watch from the frozen planet as Odin lied to Thor about how he had left Asgard in the dead of night like a traitor, seeking power and riches elsewhere. (Y/n) howled and cried in rage trying to communicate to Thor in any way that that was a lie that he would never leave him like this, but it was to no avail. At first Thor refused to believe that his beloved would do such thing, but as the centuries went on and no sign of (y/n) could be found, Thor begun to lose hope that he would ever see again the man that held his heart.

(Y/n) tried over and over again to get back to Asgard using his ability to summon the cosmic bridge but he was traped on the planet by Odin, with only enough power to survey the stars.

As long as the All-Father lived the rock where (y/n) stood would be his prison.

So he did what he could to not go crazy by the isolation, he watched Thor and occasionally the other realms. Everytime the god of thunder would cry himself to sleep in the loneliness of his bedchamber (y/n) felt his heart bleed and he ached to comfort his lover. 

He saw everything, Thor's struggles and pain, his happy moments, that were somewhat dulled, but (y/n) would always cherished those moments too. He knew when the man faked a smile. To everyone else it might look real and radiant but (y/n) could always see right through it. A real smile from that man could make a weeping widow, that just lost a loved one, laugh without a care in the word. Those smiles were getting rarer and rarer.

(Y/n)'s ability to see everything, gifted to him by the old gods, went haywire at some moment  between the beginning of the Ragnarok and the rise of Thanos. By what he could gather the last battle is in motion right now in Midgard, if he only could see what the hell was going on. His sight won't focus and that goddamn headache starts to creep at the back of his skull.

It feels like a blanket reflecting his gaze making him loose his target every time. He just needs to penetrate it. He needs to see what is happening, if Thor is alright. He felt the typical warp in reality caused by a cosmic bridge going directly to the planet not so long ago, that could only mean that Thor is in the planet. It's been awhile since (y/n) could watch the man or watch anyone for the matter.

(Y/n) prepared himself for another attempt, this time he would focus all the power that weren't stripped from him. It was a bold move, he knew. If something went wrong he could burn all of his reserves and end up powerless. He just had this feeling at the bottom of his stomach, the same feeling he had before Odin exiled him, that something was wrong.

So basically he could lose his powers for a undetermined period of time but that would grant him a glimpse of Thor's wellbeing, that's an easy choice to make.

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, (y/n) began to channel all of his remaining power into his sight. His body begun to glow weakly causing the snow to stop it's decent around him. Only when his knees started to buckle he dared to open his eyes. He was met with a solid wall this time instead of a blanket and a splitting headache, but he would not relent.

With his power and mind focused (y/n) started to break through the wall, little by little inch by inch untill his head felt like breaking in half, but thoughts of Thor in danger kept him going. The god of thunder had a lot of close calls since they were separated, but this time was different and (y/n) knew it. Grinding his teeth he was able to give a final push untill the wall was no more and what he saw stole his breath away.

War and blood everywhere. The sight alone made his heartbeat skyrocket and sweat started pouring down his face despite the freezing cold. He had long since forgotten that feeling. The thrill of battle, where the lifes of the weak are taken and the strongest stand tall, spitting at the face of death. The reason he was created.

Snapping out of his trance, (y/n) let his sight flow through the broken corpses of Midgardians and strange lizard-like creatures that poured from giants metal ships. Some of the Avengers and other heroes were fighting wave after wave of enemies, enemies that didn't have a single drop of self-preservation in their blood, judging by the way they would throw themselves in the fight. (Y/n) had fought in enough battles to know when one was lost. If only he could be there, the scene was enough to cause his blood to boil in anticipation, but he needed to focus. He hadn't find Thor yet.

Focusing on his target, (y/n) let his connection with Thor guide him, like he did so many times before. He was met with the rest of the Avengers, including Thor, fighting a common enemy, Thanos. It was the first time he laid eyes on the purple giant, it seemed whatever interference he was having with his sight could be blamed, in part, on the Eternal. The group of heroes were protecting some kind of android that had the soul stone embed into his forehead and they were doing a poor job at it. (Y/n) returned his focus towards the god of thunder, that was now fighting Thanos alone since everyone else was down.

Thor was a mess. His hair was shaved and styled strangely and full of dried blood and ash, from the enemies he slayed no doubt. His muscular body had a few more scars then (Y/n) remembered and a lot of recent bruises and wounds littered every inch of his exposed skin. And if that wasn't enough he had an eye patch covering his left eye, which striked a frightening similarity to Odin's one. Seeing him like that filled (y/n) with rage that quickly turned into pure shock when he saw the weapon the blond was wielding. The Stormbreaker, a King's weapon. But that would mean… Thor is Asgard's king now? When that happened? What about Odin? There was so many questions going through (y/n)'s mind that he didn't see the moment when Thanos overpowered Thor, sending his new hammer flying whilst ��clutching the god's neck.

“Did you really think you could stop me?” The purple giant said as Thor tried unsuccessfully to free himself. He could barely breath now. (Y/n) could feel his blood boil at the sight of his love's state. “And why would want that anyway, I'm trying to save you all. You better then anyone should understand that, King of Asgard or should I call you King of Nothing?” It didn't take a genius to understand what had happened with (y/n)'s former home, Asgard, and to confirm that indeed Thor was now King. The only one capable of give (y/n) back his powers and the only one that could revoke his exile.

Thor's time was running out and (Y/n) had only one plan to save him, and the universe for that matter, he needed to go to Midgard. He tried to talk to the god of thunder before, many times, it never worked, but he never tried to talk with the king himself. At the time (y/n) was sure that would be a misplaced effort so he never did it, but now it could be his and Thor's only chance. He still had a little power left, not that he could do anything else with it if his plan failed, but he could use his rage, THAT never failed him. All he needed to do was instruct Thor on how to revoke his exile and to return his powers, with that leaving this freezing world would be and easy task.

Taking a deep breath to brace himself, he extended his voice across the cosmos it was taking longer then it used to, but he soon got the hang of it,  Thor needed him. His voice came out raspy and thunderous yet soft and full of longing just like it used to sound like every time when he spoke with Thor.

“Thor.” In the first try he could see the blonde's eye widening and a look of surprise took his features, that were also contorted in pain and lack of oxygen. (Y/n) didn't have the time to celebrate, but his heart might have exploded with joy at finally been able to speak with his king. His King. For the first time he liked the sound of that.

“Thor my beloved, it's me, (y/n).” By now the god's eye had become almost comically wide if wasn't for the tears now streaming down his face.

“By the old gods, I beg you don't let this be my imagination.” Thor couldn't actually speak, since the giant were still squeezing his neck, but his thoughts could still be heard across the stars by (y/n).

“It is not your imagination my dear.” (y/n) spoke in a soft tone, he needed his love to be calm and with a clear head for what he was going to say next. “I miss you dearly, more than I can put into words right now, but I need you to do as say because the future of the universe hangs in the balance.” Thor's expression were torn between shock, relief and anger.

“You disappear for centuries without even giving me an explanation and you ask me to trust you?!” (y/n) felt the thought like scream reverberating in his skull. They didn't have the time to discuss the elefant in the room, Thanos was becoming impatient.

“Thor we don't have the time to discuss this matter right now. You don't have the time. Thanos is to strong, even for you.” At that the god seemed to realize the position he was in. He was not going to make it on his own.

“But he is not to strong for you, is he?” Thor asked.

“No he's not. That's why I need you to listen to me very carefully and do exactly as I say. Can you do that for me, my love?” At the nickname Thor couldn't hold the whimper that left his mouth, which made the Giant chuckle and (y/n) grind his teeth in rage.

The god gave a simple nod so that (y/n) knew he was listening whilst trying to free himself.

“I didn't left you all those years ago, I promised you I wouldn't, but my choices were not my own. Your father, Odin, uncovered our secret, with his spies no doubt. The reason I choose to keep our relationship a secret was because of what he would do if he found out. Since I was created he held me in a tight leash. At first I was like a puppet without will of my own, but in time things changed, I got more powerful. I wasn't just a weapon after blood and chaos, I I'm a living being created in cosmic fire who will not be controlled by anyone. And with that thought in mind I left myself feel and learn, but still, my most treasured teaching came from you. I don't have to change my chaotic nature to be able to love and care about someone else. But that realization didn't please you father so he exiled me, like a traitor.” Thor didn't seem to care much that Thanos was still chocking him to death, even less when the word exiled was brought up. Could it really be true?

“As I said, your father helped in my creation. When I was still a child, so to speak, he magically tied me to him and to whomever held the title of king of Asgard. When he exiled me to a barren and isolated planet there was nothing I could do to prevent that from happening. Only the old gods know how much I tried to come back to you, alas, Odin stripped me from my powers he left me only with the ability to watch. And that I did. I was always watching you my love, always.” Thor couldn't believe what he was hearing, his father took his lover away from him, condemning (y/n) to a life in solitude. The god felt his heart squeezing painfully in his chest at the news, but he took comfort in knowing that (y/n) was watching over him all this time. “I'm right to assume that you're the new king of Asgard?” (Y/n) asked.

''Yes. Father died right after my sister came back and the Ragnarok started. He - he made me king right before his departure. W - why?” By now it was becoming harder and harder for Thor to think, realizing that (y/n) begun to explaining the last part of his plan.

“That's good beacuse, Thor, you are the only one that can revoke the exile and grant me back my powers. Remember what I said, I'm tied to all future Asgardian kings, for good or bad. That means you Thor. You can free me, I could finally go back home, to you.” (y/n) could only hope that he explained well enough and that Thor trusted him after everything that happened.

In the end he didn't have to worry, because Thor trusted him implicitly.

“What should I do?” The god thought and gave a short nod to show that he trusted (y/n). The (y/h/c) man felt his heart swell with love and pried that Thor still trusted him enough to do this, but now came the hard part.

“I'm going to need you to speak. Not like we're doing right now, but actually speak. And then you'll only have to say: I, Thor Odinson, King of Asgard, revoke the exile sentenced upon you, (y/n), by the previous King, Odin Borson. And by the magic invested in me I give you back your powers.” (y/n) was becoming increasingly worried for the god, his face was red and contorted in pain and lack of oxygen, if he didn't escape soon all would be lost. “Thor! Listen to me, you need to free yourself now! Thor!” (y/n) screamed at the god in desperation.

With his last reserves Thor was able to summon a lightning blast that caught Thanos off guard throwing him far enough from the god to be able to free himself from the giant's grasp. Taking gulps of air the blond centered himself and not wasting any more time summoned Stormbreaker. With the hammer in his hands Thor begun to proclaim out loud the words that (y/n) have said to him. “I, Thor Odinson, King of Asgard, revoke the exile sentenced upon you, (y/n), by the previous King of the Æsir, Odin Borson.” Upon every word (y/n) could feel the magical knots in his core being untied. He could see and feel everything everywhere. “And by the magic invested in me I give you back your powers.”

 As the final word left Thor's mouth a surge of power like (y/n) never experienced before filled his entire being. The ground beneath his feet trembled with the intensity of the power flowing through him and like so many times before he was surrounded in the protective heat of his armor, a magnificent and menacing peace made of Uru that was adorned with gargoyles and lion like creatures that were covered in the chains of chaos, forged and named by the dwarves in Nidavellir. The mere sight of it made his enemies shake in fear. To a warrior his armor is an extension of himself and in (y/n)'s case that couldn't be more true. The peace almost had a mind of it's own and the man wearing it could feel it's contentment to finally being reunited with it's master.

“I missed you to my precious.” Whilst (y/n) was getting used to the feeling of having his powers and armor back in Midgard the situation were becoming even more dire. Thanos that was back on his feet looked at Thor with pure terror.

“What have you done?” The giant whispered, his face morphing from terror to pure anger. “Have you lost your mind?! You can't control that beast, not even your father could, he'll kill us all!” Thanos seemed to completely forgot that he had almost all of the stones in his possession and launched himself at Thor, successfully pinning him in the ground. The blonde that was already weak could only laid there while the giant punched his face over and over. The others divided their efforts between get Vision, that still had the soul stone in his forehead, to a safer place and to get Thanos away from Thor, the latter being much harder.

Millions of light years away, (y/n) could finally feel the last of his strength been restored just as he turned his gaze towards Midgard once again and his eyes were clouded with the most pure form of rage from what he saw. Thor was almost unconscious on the ground, blood covering his face with Thanos on top of him. (Y/n) could feel the moment when something inside of him snapped and he just gave in, sinking into the almost overwhelming anger.

With a simple shift of his hand, (y/n) summoned the bifrost. The rainbow bridge came from the sky hitting the place where he stood with incredible force, after a flash of blinding light he disappeared into the cosmos leaving behind only scorched rocks and melted ice. Traveling faster than light (y/n) made his way across millions of unnamed stars and systems with only one goal in mind, make that son of a bitch pay.

On earth the battle raged with the same intensity as before. Soldiers from both sides killing each other in a brutal dance of broken limbs and death. Suddenly every hero and soldier stopped. Thanos still positioned on top of Thor freezes mid swing, the god only barely conscious can only stare at the sky that now started to glow, the blond menages a faint bloody smile at the sight. He did it, (y/n) it's here.

The beam of pure energy carved it's way through the vibranium shield that covered the city like it was nothing. Upon hitting the ground it burned everything in it's path, the monsters that didn't get hit directly were flung across the field. Before the pillar of light disappeared dozens of hot incandescent chains started pouring out of it. Some of the fleeing creatures were grabbed and burned alive while others were instantly cut in half by the blazing snake like chains. When the field was almost cleared the light disappeared into the sky once more and in it's place only a armored man stood in a sea of scorched bodies and semi dormant chains.

Every eye on the field was trained on (y/n)'s figure but his burning (y/e/c) eyes had only one target, Thanos. The giant stood up but didn't dare getting any closer. Thor angled his body from where he lied on the ground towards the center of the field and finally set eyes on what everyone were staring at. The god couldn't help the beaming smile that threatened to split his face in two, he didn't care that it hurt like hell too. He never seen something more striking. (Y/n) stood there, hair in all it's (y/h/c) glory and his thick beard of the same color. His face had the same brutal cut as all those years ago, and the god could hear his menacing growl from where he was lying.

The long strands of hair were flowing in the wind when (y/n) let his eyes wander until he met Thor's. The god could see the moment when his gaze softened and the cruel lines of his face relaxed if only by a fraction, but the moment were gone as soon as it came. (Y/n)'s rage came back in full as he returned his wrath towards the giant. Any lesser being would've tremble at the mere sight of him but Thanos held his ground, clenching his fists to not show weakness, but his brave facade would soon crumble, they all did.

More creatures started to spill out from the metal ships surrounding the city and soon the battle started again. It was time to end this war once and for all.

“You are all going to burn!” (y/n) said with a thunderous voice that were carried across the land. The air encircling him began to glow and heat up, the winds were blowing faster by the second and soon the trees were almost being ripped from the ground. A tornado made of pure cosmic fire started spinning faster and faster around (y/n) that rapidly disappeared between the flames and soon the few human soldiers and heroes on the field begun to retreat as the heat became unbearable. The creatures proved once again lacking in the self preservation department when they didn't try to escape. The chains came to life once again, scorching and cutting the monsters in half and those who survived were sucked into the fire. The tornado grew and grew. As the blazing hot chains got bigger and more numerous they changed focus to the metal ships surrounding the city. With incredible speed and strength they were able penetrate the hulls of some and others were literally wrenched to the ground just to explode in balls of flame. 

The Captain that was trying to get to Thor through the heat finally succeeded. Steve helped the god that could barely stand on his own. His face was a bloody mess and the eye patch was gone. Steve had to scream to be heard through the roaring sound of the tornado still raging in front of them. “Thor who the hell is that guy?!” Steve's cursing was a statement of how that situation scared him.

Thor managed a crimson and tired smile. “That my friend is the god of war, the destroyer of worlds.”

[fuwafuwamedb]

A Cursed G (Gilgamesh POV - Gilgamesh, Hakuno)

Previous Part: Haku POV 

______

“Gilgamesh!”

He was walking along the sunlit corridor of the palace, sensing the woman behind him. With each moment that he found to himself, the woman was two steps behind him. She dogged him, leaping upon him when he would take a moment to enjoy the sunlight.

Enkidu had warned him that there would be trouble with this woman not getting him. They had expressed concerns that the gods would kill them.

Foolish concerns, he had merely put forth the idea that he and the being were connected in lifespan. He had forced Enki himself to claim that was the case, tricking the other gods into pausing from getting Ishtar’s revenge against his insults to her.

So the tango continued.

Ishtar lunged upon him when he was in bed with his maidens.

She crawled onto his lap when he fell asleep up on the roof of the ziggurat.

When he would partake in his drinks, he would find a pretty view. But that view would be ruined as, lo and behold, the goddess would dance herself into his view.

“Gilgamesh!”

She rushed at him, blocking his path.

“Out of my way, useless,” he growled.

“No.”

He crossed his arms, eyeing her carefully.

There were only so many things he could do to this woman before he would be in danger from the gods. His mother had warned him of that. Sparing Enkidu’s life had been a risk that had almost been too great.

It’d been worth it.

“If you do not accept me, then I will be forced to respond.”

Respond?

“What can you do?” Gilgamesh taunted, leaning in close and watching the woman’s face pause. Her eyes dropped to his lips. Her hands pressed together, being held like she were cradling something of worth.

“…You could try,” she offered softly. “You speak of me ruining people, but you have done no better with the women here in this kingdom. You and I have done so much of the same thing, my king…”

Those red eyes looked up at him.

“How many women weep at the memory of you leaving them? How many women can no longer love their husbands and their children, knowing that you took their pleasure for your own and continue to cherish it without them?”

Spoken like a true romantic.

“You’re a beast, Gilgamesh. You’re everything that one would want from a warrior king, but no woman will love you as I can.”

Love.

He could have laughed at the mere words.

What could a woman like this know of love?

She cherished nothing, casting all to the whims that came to her heart. It didn’t matter if they were her blood or hers through care and nurturing; she would throw away the world so long as she landed on her feet.

She dared to speak of him about love when she could no more understand it than she could understand the value of true fighting.

“Get out of my way, woman.”

He shoved her aside, pushing the doors to his audience chamber open.

“KING!”

Ishtar’s voice rang out through the audience chamber. Drawing the attention of the people within the room.

“I am forbidden from killing your pet, but the gods only wanted me to ensure that someone of your lifespan was living in this time.”

Gilgamesh glanced back, noting the woman’s smile.

“So long as one of you is here, you don’t need the other.”

What did she mean-

The movement was so fast that he could barely see her for a moment. Her hand went to his chest, his body falling forth…

Further and further he fell, his body seeming to merely fall apart on him as the goddess laughed.

“You will be unable to return to your beloved Uruk. We shall see if your decision to keep the clay being alive was worth it when you have nothing left.”

His body hit darkness, the rain pouring down on him hard as sounds invaded his senses.

Ishtar’s voice continued a moment.

“For the sake of Uruk, I will remove the king that so many of the people despise for ruining their women. I will cast you into a position that, without love, you will simply die.”

The sounds of hounds could be heard nearby.

“Goodbye, gorgeous,” Ishtar purred. “You would have been a lovely addition to my bed.”

He opened his eyes, blinking back the rain only to try to wipe at his face.

Hair got in his way.

The hand he had used, it was no better than a beast’s paw.

He looked around, standing only to find himself on all fours. The hounds he had heard were close now, looking his direction and growling loudly.

Fighting one-

But another two appeared. Their gums pulled back only for sets of teeth to show. Drool cascaded forth, the beasts looming closer and closer.

He had to retreat.

He rushed away from them, around the mountains only to pause.

He was in a kingdom somewhere…

A kingdom of lights and darkness. It was like the people of this place had taken the very mountains and smoothed them like the blades in a smithy’s workshop. He could see his reflection, the image of the fluffy golden feline making him growl.

Ishtar.

The woman would pay for this.

It had no doubt been a gifted talent from another god.

He would convene upon his return with the temple maidens and get through the mess of this.

In the meantime-

Gilgamesh ran as fast as he could. He tried for the lower lands with their yellow and white lines, but beasts lunged from the depths of the rain, screaming sounds of unholiness into his ears. He could see one nearly hit him, see it flatten a smaller beast before his eyes.

Never had he seen a beast flattened to that of a dinnerplate.

His blood drew cold.

The hounds behind him persisted.

He ran and ran, turning another corner and running around black bushes that smelled of foul foods and scum. He found himself leaning back further and further, his heart racing more and more.

Death.

Ereshkigal herself must have called forth these beasts for the damned. They cornered him, lunging forth. His hair was flying, alone.

The claws in his paws did nothing.

The beasts were accustomed to a little pain.

His golden mane, however it worked, was falling here and there. He could see rivers of blood flow forth from his body.

Ishtar, he prayed.

Ishtar!

She had called him gorgeous. He had said it was a shame.

They could speak.

Perhaps…

A sound ripped through the air.

Someone was yelling forth from the distance.

He looked up, feeling the rain let up.

“What the hell?! BAD DOGS! FUCK OFF!”

The maiden blew at the white object in her hands again, sending the dogs running for the distance.

Hands wrapped around his body, lifting him up and holding him close to a warm chest. Something made a strange sound, like a gentle zzzzzip.

He closed his eyes as that voice that had cast away the beasts murmured to him.

So melodious…

So warm and loving.

He closed his eyes, letting his heart race as it pleased. The hair he had all over him was falling into his eyes once more.

This mystery maiden, with her rain stopping object and her warm clothing, carried him through the madness. She navigated him through the various rivers of speeding beasts and mountainous houses.

He lost himself to it all, finding his senses blurring.

He opened his eyes at times, but he no longer could make sense of the madness.

A strange painting moved on a table, showing someone sitting in a seat in the corner as various things happened on the canvas. The place where he had been placed was far more plush than his own throne. It was smooth looking and the blankets were far thinner than he was accustomed to.

She layered them for him.

“He’s bleeding out,” the woman spoke to a small object in her hands. “I wrapped the wounds, but his hair is getting matted. I don’t know anything about cats, ma’am.”

She nodded, picking him up before he found his eyes closing.

When he opened them, he found himself in a white room.

The man that stood before him stood in all black, holding up a pen like a blade and motioning at his body.

“I could neuter him for you as well.”

Neuter?!

“I don’t think so,” his maiden savior told the man.

“Rethink this, miss.” The man scribbled away at his strange tome. “Unfixed males spray. If he has impregnated a female before, then he will be more apt towards spraying urine in your home. You should really-“

“Just treat his wounds please.”

Spoken wisely, Gilgamesh thought, trying to tell the woman of her good choice only to hear a pained mewling.

Those liquor colored eyes looked to him, glinting almost gold as the man pushed her to the door.

The moment she was gone, his luck descended back to Kur itself.

The man turned on something that sounded like a flock of bees. He could feel his body being shaven to bits, his golden fur-

Something pressed to the wounds he had been given and he screamed.

He screamed and screamed as the agony took form. Other maidens came, but their eyes were dulled like that of the eldest of temple maidens. He felt his body held to the table, unable to move for so long as they pressed stinging potion after potion to his body.

They spoke in tongue. Ccs and antiseptics; poisons no doubt.

He escaped their hands as one of the maidens drew close to speak to him. His claws hit her face and he ran for it.

Out of the room, he went. Down the strange corridor.

MAIDEN!

MAIDEN!

Where was his savior in this strange and unnatural world?!

“OH NO!”

More dull-eyed maidens lunged for him, hissing and spitting curses his way as he claws and spat at them. He ran through another door that was open, looking around a moment before he saw her.

She was sitting in a corner, biting at her lower lip as she gazed out at the world outside.

“MAIDEN!”

His call came out as a meow, but she turned to him anyway. His clever woman.

The woman gasped at the sight of him, running forward and scooping him up as she had before. He heard the familiar sound that he had heard before. His beloved zzzzzip.

More soothing than the sound of any lute or lyre, the familiar wrapping of warmth around his shaven and abused body made him simply purr.

“Miss!”

The man’s voice was nearby.

“I asked you to treat him!”

“I am-“

“YOU SHAVED HIM!”

His maiden. Truly, Utu himself must have chosen a savior for him in this trying time. He could see the man spluttering, but he held no chance. Somehow, miraculously, this maiden possessed the strength and the tongue of a man. She lectured him down, cradling him all the while like her own.

The man growled, but she would hear nothing.

They left the forsaken place.

He found himself awakening once more to the strange moving painting and the smooth chair. The woman held him on her lap and stroked his ears and head.

He could hear her hesitation.

Only an innocent would show such a tender heart like this. He leaned in further and gave her praise for her good deeds.

The wounds upon his body slowly began to fade away.

She called him ‘cat’ until she found herself cleaning his body up one night.

“You are gorgeous,” she told him softly.

He growled.

“I can’t say your ugly, now can I?”

Truly?

Had she seen him as a man, she would have been merely stripping her clothes from her body and begging him to take her. There had never been a woman taken by him that had ever complained. They all merely saw him and became overwhelmed with their love for him.

They spread themselves for him.

They presented their bodies and begged him to even look at them.

To be called ugly…

“G.”

He blinked.

“I won’t call you gorgeous, but I’ll call you G.”

G.

He wasn’t sure what this name meant, but it fared far better in his mind than Gorgeous. That reminded him of that damn goddess that he would destroy when he got the chance.

The woman fell asleep next to him, leaning against his long and oversized chair.

One moment, he was licking his paws. The next, he was lying half draped over the chair. His body was naked, but-

“I’m back.”

His voice was raspy, but it was there.

He picked up the maiden, carrying her through the building.

There was a bed.

It beat her lying on the floor, that was for sure.

Her clothes were pulled from her body. He tucked her beneath the covers and glanced around a little.

He’d grab what he needed and make his way back to Uruk.

No need to remain in this place any longer.

Some food was pulled into a sack. He had some medic supplies and some fabrics from the lounge area of the meager home.

Upon his return to his kingdom, he would find proper compensation for the woman and send them back to her.

Gilgamesh opened the door, stepping through just as the sun began to rise.

The moment he was through, he fell.

The sack and everything dropped to the ground. He screeched as he found himself once more in the feline body that he had been in before.

“G?!”

The maiden came running, a robe wrapped around her body as she appeared before him. She took a look at the bag and his mess of a body and scooped him up, grabbing the bag and the strange thing that she had spoken into before.

Uniformed soldiers were at her door, taking her information and looking around the building.

“You didn’t see them?”

“I think my cat stopped them,” his maiden- Hakuno Kishinami, told them.

Then… the man appeared.

He ran into the building as the soldiers were leaving. The soldiers did nothing as the white haired monster rushed to his maiden and held her arms.

“I saw the lights.”

“Emiya!”

Emiya.

Faker.

Gilgamesh found himself placed on Hakuno’s lap as the man dared to ruin his place on the couch with his behind and talk to his woman.

He made food.

It was average.

He dared to make Hakuno laugh at his paltry jokes and comments, even offering his own home to her.

“G has this covered,” Hakuno told him.

He did.

There was nothing to be concerned about, but between his brains and the maiden’s wicked tongue and strange white whistling device, they were safe.

The man became a suitor.

Each morning now, when he would awaken, the maiden would dare to leave him in this small building, going out into the twisting and turning world beyond. She returned in the afternoons, sometimes sporting that unwanted suitor on her arm.

Was this how his beasts had been forced to endure the maidens he had brought to the palace? Had they seen the unworthy women and become disgusted?

He growled, but the man seemed to know how to push him aside.

His maiden found him, but after the man was gone.

“I don’t know how he ended up in your closet,” the bastard told her.

Lies.

He was a foul breathed, lying bastard.

Ah, but the maiden.

She presented him with jewelry, allowing him into her baths after he heard a strange waterfall occurring in her bathing chamber.

She could harness the winds themselves, blowing his hair clean until he almost didn’t feel like he had thick and long golden fur. She made him smell like his fine oils at home, without the grease and oily feeling.

Truly, for such a maiden to exist…

Her family must have simply understood what kind of spirit they had created, casting her off into this nowhere of a place. Here or a tower would have been suitable, since her spirit was more average and open than most.

“G, I need to go,” Hakuno told him, looking around. “Where are my keys?”

He shifted, cursing mentally as the keys were revealed.

“Again! You’re better at finding them than me.”

Her lips pressed to his head.

She adored him.

Presenting him with plays and theater far exceeding that of anything he had seen, showing him the technological wonders like ‘cars’ and ‘electronics’ for his musing; Hakuno could have been a goddess herself.

Too plain though.

Gilgamesh followed after her as she would return, climbing into her bed and waiting for the next time the goddess would slip.

When would he become a human again?

He wanted to show this maiden what a real man was like. She could bear witness to his body in order to understand that a real man did not simply stand around her kitchen and dance around subjects. He would loom over her, steal her lips and show her what rewards she had earned for caring for him.

She came home in tears.

He tore apart the paper that spoke of her failure.

She could not get this F grade if he simply destroyed the paper now.

When he was human, he would find the beast of a man that had dared to judge her to be less than average and he would slam a blade through their stomach. He would feed them their entrails so that his maiden could understand that she did not need their useless ‘gender studies’.

Gender studies.

As though this were difficult.

The white haired man had returned one night.

Gilgamesh fancied the man’s shoes a moment before he leaned his body over them and quietly relieved himself.

Sure, the bathing chamber possessed an off colored throne for him to relieve himself in in the same way that Hakuno did, but the man had looked at Hakuno wrong.

He eyed her like a man at the bride market.

“I think it’s time you leave,” his woman had told him, upon the reveal of his misgivings.

He found himself held in her arms, fed the finest of meats from her plate as they enjoyed their evening plays with one another.

She would be his.

Unbelievably, she understood that he needed to do things to protect her.

She understood the ulterior motives of others.

What’s more, he saw her discussing money and earnings only to find himself pleased with her plans for ensuring that her wealth continued through work means.

Her words were of value, apparently.

That was good. He would put them to good use.

A king needed someone of clever mind and words.

She left him here and there, leaving him to look through her home some more for more clues about her secrets and her life.

She liked to take warm baths that were accompanied by serenades. She captured the winds and made both of them have hair that was silkier than anything he had ever felt in his life. When he went to sleep with her, he was wrapped in the warm smells that made his body yearn.

To be human a moment more.

He shouldn’t have wasted that night gathering supplies and trying to leave.

No, rather than that, he should have grabbed the woman and awakened her with his own embraces.

How was he supposed to know that she was this way? How could he have known that she would worm her way into his soul with her hours of adoration for him.

The moment she had seen him tearing apart her grade from that fool, her smile breaking through the tears, he had felt something in him crumble.

The damn fool.

Average in looks and in everything, yet, somehow, she could hold her own.

Her and her little white whistling device.

“You really made him mad this time,” his woman told him, hanging up on her ‘phone’.

He rolled onto his side.

“I do mean it, G. He’s probably never coming back after you peed in his shoes.”

Did she need him to return to her?

Gilgamesh simply pulled himself upright, allowing his hair to fluff right up around him. Letting her see his proud little stride right to her face, he licked her.

Perhaps he was not human right now, but he was capable of affection.

She seemed to pause, her hand going to her nose.

Then, all was well.

She understood that she needed no fool such as that white haired fake of a man. Instead, she carried him forth to her throne in the lounge and turned on their play showing ‘television’.

Together, they partook in their fascinating plays once more, his eyes drifting to watch her become absorbed in the actions happening.

This was what Enkidu had meant about women becoming entranced by plays.

He had held no interest personally, but, seeing Hakuno stare at the screen, her heart racing underneath his paws as the scene would become more dramatic; the feel of her holding him as things drew too suspenseful…

Well, he would treat this woman to endless plays just for her to curl into his body like this.

Uruk had the finest actors and plays in the world. While they could not fit in these strange paintings that the people called ‘televisions’, they could be live.

She could praise them when the performances were done.

His last hair’s length of hesitation from desiring this woman vanished with her words that she gave to him then.

“Shame you can’t teach me anything about Sumerians,” she said to him. “You could help me with my journal articles.”

Such a trust in faith and destiny… he hadn’t felt this way since being a young man, barely growing facial hair.

She fell asleep once again.

He stared to do the same when he felt the change.

Finally!

He stood up, grinning proudly at the sight of his hands and feet once more. No cat hair, no paws or claws.

Ah, now he could do this.

He climbed back over the woman, running his hands along her slender waist a moment before he pressed his lips to hers.

Such soft lips.

Those beer colored eyes opened to look up at him.

Good evening, my woman.

He went to speak when something slammed against him. His woman was scrambling from his arms as he found himself holding his head and groaning.

The laptop.

A strange summoning device capable of capturing words for a tome.

It was expensive, the damn fool. She worried if she so much as dropped it. Why on earth she would hit him with such a thing-

She was running.

Gilgamesh leaped, clearing his thoughts to focus on the present.

A maiden was often shy in the presence of a man like him.

He captured her hands, placing them over her head. He held her legs with his own and leaned in close.

“GET OFF ME!”

“Oh, but why would I do that?”

Truly, she must be exhausted still. Falling asleep to a play as she had, he could only imagine the nonsense still running through her head.

“A man should properly thank his savior, after all. A life for a life seems suitable.”

He would offer her a place as a wife to him. She could enjoy the finest of Uruk life at his side and use those words for him and him alone.

She desired to know of Sumerians?

Who better to teach her than the Sumerian king of all, the great king Gilgamesh?

Better yet, she could surrender her status as a citizen of this kingdom and live as a Sumerian. She would do well with earrings that bore homage to the great goddess, Ninsun, and a royal necklace around her neck.

“I’ll have you know, I have a feral pet that will kick your ass the moment he sees you,” his woman warned. “Him and my husband will kick your ass.”

Husband?

A terrified virgin.

Gilgamesh closed his eyes and let out a gentle sigh.

“I have no concerns about your pet,” he purred. “As for your husband. He will be me as the former is. Take heart, you have proven yourself worthy of being mine. It is a luxury that, as the actors in your painting say, few can afford.”

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 217: Heathens

Pain and Panic did their due diligence and brought the two souls that their mistress had requested into her Throne room. They tossed the pair at her feet and she stared down at them.

"You have a couple of visitors," she said. Hera and Clayton looked up, only to see Zeus and Dione stood there with glares that would have frozen even a desert.

"You…" Hera hissed, as she glared at Dione.

"Give me one reason that I shouldn't cast you into Tartarus for everything you have done to my precious daughter?" Dione hissed.

"No reason at all, because the only thing I regret...is not causing her more pain! Had Seth not killed me, I would have made sure she lost James again…" Hera said deviously. Dione started to advance on her, but it was Zeus that held her back.

"She's not worth your time...you are so far above the likes of her," he said, as his attention turned to Clayton.

"But you...I'm starting to think that even death in eternal fire isn't good enough for you," he said. Clayton smirked, showing that his arrogance knew no bounds.

"I only ever tried to woo your daughter, Lord Zeus. I was captivated by her the moment I saw her," he confessed.

"You were captivated by the power of the chalice," he corrected.

"If she had agreed to be with me...and bore me a Demi-God son, we would have ruled the Earth together. I would have made sure she was showered with affection and gifts," Clayton said.

"She already had a true love and you pursued her anyway!" Dione said. He smirked again.

"What can I say? I'm a man that doesn't accept it when he is told no," Clayton replied.

"And that has sealed your fate, which you will meet once James and Aphrodite are able to confront you one last time," Zeus said. Clayton frowned, as his confidence wavered, for he knew that a very bleak eternity awaited him soon.

~*~

Flashback

"And this Black Fairy...you know not of her origin?" Zeus questioned.

"I am afraid not, my Lord...but she is definitely interested in your daughter's chalice and is livid that she cannot have it. I fear that she may try to harm Aphrodite," Blue replied.

"Then…I have no choice. She must come home to Mount Olympus. She can be protected here by Hephaestus," Zeus said gravely.

"Father...you cannot separate her from Anchises," Athena chided.

"It is not forever and he will concede for her safety, especially now that their child will also be in peril," he reasoned. Blue nodded.

"I'll go at once and retrieve them, my Lord," Blue said, as she disappeared.

~*~

She reappeared in the Enchanted Forest and the Black Fairy emerged from the trees.

"He suspects nothing?" she asked.

"No...he has no inkling that you and I were once one being. He has sent me to retrieve his unruly daughter. Now, you just need to follow and everything should go as planned," Blue said. The Black Fairy nodded, as Blue shrank down to her fairy form and the Black Fairy followed suit.

~*~

Aphrodite softly caressed her son's cheek, as she nursed him and felt his presence before she saw him. She smiled up at her husband, as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, while peering at their son.

"There's papa, little one," she cooed, as he finished nursing and she got a burp out of him. Anchises smiled and took their son, as they put him down in his bassinet together and looked over him. He put his arms around her and they gazed down at him for several moments.

"Sleep well, our little Eros," Aphrodite cooed, as they quietly exited his nursery and she immediately kissed him passionately. He smiled, as their lips parted.

"Well, hello to you too, my beautiful wife," he said.

"I missed you…" she replied.

"I was only a mile away in the fields," he said. She bit her bottom lip and then rested her head on his chest.

"I know...but even just a few hours is too much separation for me," she said.

"Me too," he agreed, as he surprised her and swept her into his arms. Their bliss was interrupted though by a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" she wondered, as he placed her on her feet and they answered the door together.

"Blue...what are you doing here?" Aphrodite asked.

"I'm afraid I have terrible news...there is a great threat to you and your family," Blue replied, as she came inside.

"What kind of threat?" Anchises asked.

"There is a dark fairy. We do not know where she came from or who she is, but she wants the power of the chalice and she will do anything to force you to give it to her," Blue claimed.

"But it doesn't work that way. Unless you are deemed worthy by the chalice, you cannot touch it. Even I cannot modify that rule," Aphrodite protested.

"Yes, but you have a husband and a baby. She will use them to force you to use its power on her behalf if she has to," Blue replied.

"What do we do?" Anchises asked.

"Zeus wants you and the baby to come home to Olympus. It is the only way you can be protected from her," Blue replied.

"But...what about my husband?" Aphrodite asked.

"I'm afraid he'll have to stay behind. Mortals are not allowed on Mount Olympus," Blue replied.

"I'll not leave my husband…" Aphrodite protested.

"My love...this may be the only way you will be safe," Anchises said sadly, as she turned to him.

"No...no I can't be without you," she replied in anguish. He was about to plead with her that it was for her safety and the baby's, despite how painful it would be. But he didn't get the chance, as their door burst open, revealing a woman, dressed in black fairy garb. Aphrodite reacted immediately and blasted her with orange magic, but the Black Fairy batted her attack away like nothing. Aphrodite gasped, as her airway was restricted and with a wave of her hand, Fiona slammed her against the wall. Inky black tendrils came alive from the wall and wrapped around her, trapping her there.

"Aphrodite!" Anchises cried, as he grabbed his sword and tried to cut through the magical restraints. But when he could not break through, he attacked the Black Fairy instead.

"Anchises!" Aphrodite cried fearfully. The Black Fairy dodged his attacks, leaving an otherwise expert swordsman, shadowboxing. With a devious grin, she picked him up with her magic and threw him into the table, causing it to shatter and him to fall among the rubble.

"Anchises!" Aphrodite cried, as she sobbed uncontrollably. And she screamed, even louder, as her hand went into his chest and she extracted his heart. The baby started to cry and she waved her wand, as the child appeared in her arms.

"Ohhh...a Demi-God. Grandson of Zeus himself...you will do perfectly well for what I have planned," she said.

"No...no, my baby!" Aphrodite cried.

"My baby now…" Fiona hissed, as she crushed Anchises heart into diamond dust, gave Blue a quick glance, and then disappeared with the child. Her restraints disappeared and Aphrodite let out a gut wrenching scream, as she collapsed beside her dead husband and cradled him in her arms.

"You led her right to us!" Aphrodite cried, as her eyes burned with pain.

"I...I didn't mean to," Blue lied.

"Yes...yes you did! I sensed her energy...it's the same as yours!" Aphrodite accused.

"She was a part of you once, wasn't she?" the blonde accused. Blue smirked.

"You are definitely smarter than we give you credit for, but it makes no difference, because you won't remember this," Blue replied.

"Why...why would you do this? You let her kill my husband and steal my baby!" Aphrodite sobbed.

"You still don't get it...none of this would have happened if you had just given me power over the chalice," Blue responded.

"You did this because of my mother's chalice!?" Aphrodite cried, but she was zapped with Blue's wand and lost consciousness instead of getting an answer. With her wand, she carefully extracted the parts of Aphrodite's memory where she had realized the truth about herself and Fiona, leaving only the pain, and then roughed herself up to make for a good show, as Zeus and Athena arrived.

"What...what happened?" Athena asked, as she helped Blue up.

"It was horrible...I tried to stop her, but the Black Fairy got the better of me," she said, as she watched Zeus cradle his daughter.

"I am afraid she killed the mortal and stole your grandson, my Lord. I am so sorry that I could not stop her," Blue offered. And somehow, Zeus knew she would never be the same. Athena looked at her half sister and frowned, as she used magic to evaluate her.

"What is it?" Zeus asked, as she did the same with Anchises.

"They have been cursed," Athena said, as she revealed a black lightning bolt marking on both their hands, which was only visible with magic.

"A curse?" Zeus asked.

"It is a rare curse and can only be enacted with dark fairy dust. It preys on true love and twists it into something that will only cause pain," Athena said gravely, as Blue smirked deviously at their turned backs.

"When a true love couple is cursed with this...it means they shall be reborn time and again, find each other, only for their love to be ended violently, ensuring a cycle of pain. In this case, Anchises will be reborn and find Aphrodite in whatever life he is living. The curse will blind her from remembering that he was once Anchises and she will never realize that each time she finds true love that it is her first and only true love, just in a new life," Athena declared.

"Can the curse be broken?" Zeus asked.

"Only when they are aware of all their lives together, but that is why this curse is nearly unbreakable. Aphrodite will remember Anchises, but each time after this that she finds him, her memory will be wiped once she loses him. And he will always return, cleansed of any memory of his previous lives. Only when they are both able to retain their memories can the cycle be broken," Athena replied.

"I want the Black Fairy found! She will undo this horror she has wrought upon my daughter!" he ordered. Blue bowed.

"I will not rest until I find her, my Lord," Blue lied, as she disappeared.

"She will be inconsolable when she awakens. We must prepare a burial for her beloved and then see her through her mourning," Athena said. Zeus felt helpless. He was the supreme God of the skies, yet even with all his power, he could not spare his beloved daughter of this pain and any future pain she would endure.

"Prepare the burial...then we will return to Olympus. Aphrodite will be coming home with us," he said.

"And the baby?" Athena asked.

"I want every available God searching for him...alert Hermes to what has happened immediately. She has the best chance of finding him," Zeus replied.

~*~

Rose sighed deeply, as she looked up from the book, having just read about the moment Aphrodite lost Anchises and had her baby ripped away.

"Mom!" Ben and Ari called, as they ran into the library, with their father and older sister following them.

"Wow…I didn't realize it was so late in the day already. How was today's training to be Knights?" she asked, as she hugged them both.

"The best! I beat Ben in a spar!" Ari boasted.

"You got lucky," Ben protested.

"Did not!" Ari protested.

"Did too," Ben argued.

"All right...what have we said when it comes to winning and losing?" Rose asked.

"Gracious people are humble whether they win or lose," Ari replied.

"And?" she asked. Ben sighed.

"And we learn more from losing than from winning," he added.

"Very good...now go wash up for dinner. The palace chef will likely have dinner ready soon," she said, as they ran off and Carina followed them, as Fandral leaned down to kiss her tenderly.

"A sad part in the book?" he asked, as she shifted so he could sit in the chair with her and she cuddled against him.

"Yes...and I can't imagine how she got through it. If I lost you and our children...I'd be broken beyond repair," she replied.

"Well, though you are stronger than you know, I promise you will not lose me or the children, my darling Rose," he promised.

"And Aphrodite will have her happy ending. Though her past may be sad, I have no doubt that she and James will see their way through this and come out stronger in the end," he added. She smiled.

"Me too...and now that Blue is behind bars where she belongs, they can have justice," Rose said, as they stood up and joined hands.

"Do you think she'll receive a life sentence?" she asked.

"Well, if this were Asgard, she would be tried in a military tribunal and receive a death sentence for a charge such as treason, let alone murder," he replied.

"But Snow and David will likely try her in a royal tribunal and though they will probably not seek the death penalty, as most royals would, I doubt they will show much more mercy than that. I think it is safe to say that the remainder of her years will be in a cell," he surmised, as they made their way to the dining hall to have evening meal with their children.

~*~

"I cannot believe this! If it is the last thing I do...I will make them pay," Malina Pizarro complained, as the four of them sat in the cramped brig of the Jolly Roger.

"At least you have not been betrayed by your own flesh and blood," Thalia countered.

"Yes…I must say my so-called girlfriend sold us out in record time. I guess that Charming blood in her veins is more powerful than your bloodline," Johnny countered.

"I come from a bloodline of royals, blessed by Hera herself," Thalia hissed back. He smirked.

"The Charming line is blessed by Aphrodite...she was far more revered than Hera ever was," Johnny replied.

"Watch your tongue…" she warned.

"Bloodlines are irrelevant. Believe me, I've seen beneath the skin and the blood is all red. But he's right about one thing," Dr. LaGuerra stated.

"That Charming bloodline is special...because magic. Oh the experiments I could do with access to that magical blood. Just thinking about sinking my scalpel into that flesh gives me goosebumps," he added.

"Well, on that disturbing note...I need a drink. Too bad all they'll give us is water," Malina said, as she shook the bars.

"Hey...stupid cops! Hey! You haven't given us any water or food for hours!" she cried. But there was no answer and she huffed in annoyance and only heard some noise above deck.

~*~

"I can't believe this...six years as a Baltimore cop, three as a detective, and four more as a trained FBI agent and I'm back to guard duty," Agent Brooks complained. Agent Green snorted.

"Believe me...I'm still seething over it," she said, as she looked over a file.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Just "agent" Nolan's file on his casework," she replied.

"Why are you reading that?" he asked curiously.

"Because for someone like Major General Patricia Donovan to give him complete free reign over this entire operation suggests that there is at least some validity to his skills. I like to know who I'm working with," she answered.

"Yeah, are we sure his record during the last two years is legit?" he asked.

"I wondered the same, but all these cases check out in the system. Guess Prince Charming just has a knack for finding scumbags," she replied.

"I still don't see how he is more qualified than us," he said, as they heard a whining sound and looked over the bow.

"What the hell…" Agent Brooks uttered.

"What are they?" Agent Green asked of the creatures, as Agent Brooks drew his gun. But it would be the final thing he ever did, as one of the creatures used a blaster and a blue beam of energy shot straight through his chest, as he dropped dead on the deck with a smoking hole in his chest.

"Oh my God!" she cried, as she unloaded an entire clip at the strange looking people, but was shocked to find that they had bluish shields. One of them chucked its spear-like weapon at her and she hit the floor, as the wound in her belly slowly bled and she could only watch them go below deck.

"Sir...there are prisoners down here," one of the goblin-like men called.

"These ones may be useful. We'll let the Commander decide their fate," the lead soldier said, as the four prisoners were led away by the oddly deformed looking people.

~*~

Snow and Charming willed the chalice into their individual weapons, while the others readied with magic and their weapons as well. Two young men ran in from the jungle frantically.

"They are coming! The Mu are attacking!" they warned.

"Everyone to their battle posts!" the Queen ordered, as her personal guard readied their weapons to defend their Queen.

"Charming…" Snow whispered.

"We'll defeat whoever is in that jungle," he assured.

"I know...I love you," she said.

"I love you too...that's why we'll win," he promised, as he kissed her quickly, before their enemies made their entrance. And they were definitely not what they expected. They tried to never judge anyone based solely on their appearance, but the beings in front of them were astonishing to look at.

Their eyes were all a sickly yellow or green color and sunken back in their heads, disturbingly so. They were heavily armed too, though that was likely because they were skin and bones. Their ears looked deformed and pointed, while their cheeks were sunken as well and they were all bald.

"Whoa...they were kidding about the deformities," Leo commented.

"Normally, I'd chide you having no tact, but when you're right, you're right," Eva said.

"Have you ever seen anything like this? I mean medically?" Belle asked. She shook her head.

"No...but then I've never actually seen or treated anyone with radiation poisoning," Eva replied.

"So...the chalice of Venus has new champions at last. The Children of the Sun have returned," one of them said, as he stepped forward. They were all wearing what appeared to be a military-type uniform, but this one definitely seemed to be the leader.

"We prefer truest loves," David interjected and the man nodded.

"As you wish. No matter...you will lead us to Cibola. We need it to stabilize our reactor," he stated.

"We've come only to secure the Dragon Queen's heritage. She wishes for Cibola to be protected. It is her legacy and belongs to her descendants," Snow reasoned.

"Pity...then it seems you will have to be forced to cooperate," the man said, as he motioned to his army and they raised their weapons.

"So much for peaceful negotiations," David quipped, as he blocked an arrow that was volleyed their way.

"You're going to have to do better than arrows against us," Emma commented.

"Oh they will...the arrows are just a distraction. Those blasters on them are the real danger," David warned. The Commander smirked.

"You know your weaponry well. I once got the esteemed pleasure of dueling a master warrior like the Dragon King. Shall we see if you compare?" Kiyun asked. David stepped forward and drew his sword and the commander charged him.

~*~

Snow looked on, as a female warrior approached her and drew a sword.

"I'm Lauda...and our Queen is very interested in meeting the successor to the great Dragon Queen. She was a formidable warrior in her own right. Let's see if you are the same, shall we fair one?" she asked, as Snow willed the chalice to take the form of a sword.

"Careful...because you may have just bitten off more than you can chew," Snow warned, as they engaged in a duel of their own.

~*~

Emma stood before the rest of the army with her siblings flanking her. A few of them had broken off here and there to fight the others, but the bulk of the army remained before them.

"Something tells me they almost want to see our powers," Eva commented.

"Then let's show them…" Emma replied. Bobby disappeared beneath the ground and burrowed beneath the soldiers, before shooting up from the ground with a quake that threw many of them off their feet. Summer volleyed bubbles at their arrows, harmlessly deflecting them and then doused them with a water blast. Leo let the lightning flow through his arms and into his palms, devastating their soldiers. Emma and Eva finished off the soldiers in their path with Savior magic and wind power.

"Well, well...looks like we're just in time to join the fight," Johnny said, as they arrived.

"How the hell did you get free?" Emma questioned. He smirked.

"These fine soldiers freed us and we have joined their cause so I can have revenge on everyone that has dared to betray me," he said, as he glanced at Natalie.

"You're up against a lot of magic users, so we're ready for whatever you've got," Leo retorted. He chuckled.

"Oh I'm so glad you said that," he said, as he pressed a button on his watch.

"I've been itching to try out this new weapon my techs have created," he said, as his arms glowed and seemed to take on a steel-like appearance.

"Steel skin…" he boasted, as Regina lofted a fireball at him and it hit his forearm. He smirked, as he withstood the heat and the fireball fizzled out.

"Oh crap...he can nullify magic," Leo warned, as they prepared to battle him.

~*~

For someone that looked malnourished, Charming quickly found that he had plenty of fighting prowess, as he threw himself into the battle with an aggressive style. But it was nothing David wasn't able to keep up with, as he parried every strike and blow with his own blade.

"Impressive…I daresay the Dragon King had little on you," Kiyun stated.

"Then you'll be really surprised when I actually go on the offensive," David countered, as he made several swift moves and Kiyun began to shadowbox. Unfortunately, Snow's blood curdling scream pierced through him like a blade and he kicked Kiyun away.

"SNOW!" he cried, as he rushed to her.

~*~

Snow dueled Louda, who like her male counterpart, was a formidable warrior, despite her malnourished appearance. But unsurprisingly, Snow held her own and even challenged the clearly seasoned warrior.

"Yes...you are definitely a warrior and not just a pretty face," Louda complimented.

"Guess you'll get to tell your Queen how I rate compared to the Dragon Queen," Snow retorted, as she blocked several slashes from the other woman.

"Oh no, fair one...she wishes to see you for herself," she warned.

"Not going to happen," Snow refuted, as she slashed at the other woman, but she sidestepped Snow and pulled out another weapon that looked like a nightstick. But it extended into a long pole and with one touch to the small of Snow's back, an incredible electro-magnetic pulse caused her excruciating pain and she cried out in agony.

"SNOW!" David cried, as he kicked Kiyun away and barreled toward his wife, catching her as she fell to the sand.

"Just as we knew you would," Kiyun said, as David suddenly saw two round, robot-like devices in the sky, encircling them. Black netting shot forth from the devices and captured them both inside.

"Mom! Dad!" Emma cried. Bobby reacted quickly and burrowed beneath the ground, popping up within the confines of the netting with his parents.

"Bobby...no, you need to get out of here," David stressed.

"Not without you and mom," he replied, as he prepared to use his powers to escape the netting with them. But the net became alive with electricity. David and Bobby cried out, as they were rendered unconscious.

"Let them go!" Xander cried, as he barreled toward them, but was blocked by the remaining soldiers.

"We have what the Queen wants," Kiyun said.

"She wanted all of the offspring too," Louda reminded him.

"We have one...it will be sufficient for now," Kiyun replied, as a large ship soared through the sky and stopped above them. A transport ray engulfed the two of them, their remaining soldiers, transporting them onto the ship, along with Snow, David, and Bobby, as well as Johnny and his crew.

"No!" Summer cried, as she tried to run toward the beam, but JJ wisely held her back.

"That was their whole plan this entire time. They'll force Snow and David to open the gates to Cibola for them," Regina said worriedly.

"Then we go to that stupid mountain and we stop them!" Xander cried.

"No...it's a foregone conclusion that they will dangle Bobby's life in front of them. Snow and David will do what they want, as any parent would," Rumple reasoned.

"Then what? We just give up?" Natalie asked. He side-eyed her.

"No one in this bunch even knows what it is to "give up" as you say, nor entertains it," he corrected.

"Exactly...he's saying that instead of going to that mountain, we head them off at the pass," Robin said. Rumple nodded.

"We make our way to the gates ourselves and this time, we'll be ready for round two of a fight they won't win again," Regina agreed.

"Your Majesty...do you know where the gates to Cibola lay?" Eva asked. Queen Nubia nodded and turned toward the setting sun.

"Where the sun touches the horizon, there is an island. The half moon island, for it is in the shape of a crescent. On that island rests the gates to Cibola. The island is said to be rife with treachery," the Queen warned.

"Doesn't matter...we have magic to protect us and we have to save our parents and little brother," Emma replied. The Queen nodded.

"Be safe…" she said.

"Let's get back to the Jolly Roger," Hook said, as they headed for the beach.

~*~

Flashback

When Aphrodite awoke, she had memory of the Black Fairy killing her beloved and taking her baby. Her father and Athena informed her that Hermes was searching the realms for Eros, but had yet to yield any results. They had a funeral for Anchises and then she cried for months in mourning of her beloved and their son.

Her father was extremely protective of her and had forbade her to leave Olympus. For the first few months, she didn't disobey, but eventually, she found herself fleeing in search of solace in nature, but that didn't last long.

During her period of mourning, her father, in his anger, had punished Sirius Clayton by striking him down with a lightning bolt for trying to deceive her. His consort, Beryl, had sworn revenge and soon tried to take it out on Aphrodite's charges.

They warred for months in Thebes, as Beryl led a criminal sect to try and take over the city. Aphrodite soon joined her charges and aided them in a final battle to defeat Beryl. She was banished to a remote island, where it was rumored that she gave birth to Sirius' son.

Serenity and Endymion were crowned King and Queen of Thebes and it entered a new age. The old name seemed to be plagued by its criminal past so they renamed it the Crystal Kingdom and reigned benevolently.

Aphrodite returned to Olympus and endured a worried lecture from Zeus and insistence that she marry Hephaestus for her own protection. She kindly declined Hephaestus' proposal, ensuring him that he was a wonderful man, but she couldn't marry for anything less than love.

After an argument with her father, she left Olympus again and created a small cottage for herself outside the Crystal Kingdom and spent most of her days in the garden and surrounding forest.

Her first charges ruled for centuries and she saw them through many battles, until their reign ended and they passed into Elysian and she returned the chalice to Olympus until there was another spark.

Despite searching thousands of realms, Hermes was unable to find Eros and Aphrodite mourned her lost child. It was an ache that would never fade, just as the pain of losing Anchises never would as well.

She had long ago resigned herself to the realization that she would likely spend the rest of her life alone; that she would never find true love twice. It was shortly after that acceptance that she met Adonis and he proved her wrong.

~*~

Snow awoke to pitch blackness before her eyes and immediately her breathing quickened, until it was coming in ragged gasps. She was laying on something that felt like a cot or bench and she slowly sat up. She knew David wasn't in the room, for she couldn't feel him nearby, which terrified her. Her half of the chalice, in sword form lay next to her and she picked it up when she heard a noise.

"Who's there?" she called with a quiver in her voice, as the lights went up in the room and she saw a woman sitting before her upon a Throne. She looked much like the other Mu people. Sunken eyes and cheeks, yellowing irises around sickly green eyes, rail thin and probably balding, though this woman wore a headdress, not unlike the Queen of Hiva did.

"I am Omaru, Queen of the Mu and I am told that you are called Snow White. A very appropriate name it would seem," the woman said.

"Where is my husband?" Snow demanded to know. She smirked.

"Causing quite a ruckus from his cell...he is very virile," the Queen mentioned.

"I want to see him," the raven haired beauty demanded.

"In good time...I must say, you are both quite impressive. The Goddess Venus has chosen well. Your rectitude and exploits are impressive and now you have come to save my people," she said.

"Charming and I would never not help people in need, but I know you don't have good intentions for the gold you seek. You have poisoned your people with radiation, if my daughter is correct, and now you are poisoning us," Snow refuted.

"We have made great sacrifices in our health for the greater good, I agree. But it is a sacrifice my people willingly make for the glory that should be ours. And you and your husband are quite protected, I assure you. The Chalice has seen to that," the Queen responded. It was then that Snow noticed a protective glow around her person and realized that once again, the Chalice demonstrated a power that almost seemed sentient when it came to knowing when they needed protection.

"Charming and I are not going to help you stabilize your reactor so you can use the power to take over the world or something," Snow warned. The Queen smirked.

"I think you will," she replied.

"I have studied the legends surrounding the children of the sun for many years," the Queen said.

"Truest loves...we prefer truest loves," Snow corrected.

"Very well...alas, the Goddess Venus has always chosen well. Her first charges defeated many evils and sired one daughter, who was born with magic," she said.

"The Dragon Queen and her King had more trouble with the people around them and ultimately paid that price, though managed to sire one child as well," she continued.

"But you and your Prince...you have not only defeated more evil than your predecessors combined...you have also sired five magical children, all with unique abilities," she added.

"If you touch my children...I'll kill you," Snow hissed. The Queen let out a cackle.

"Never poke a mama bear," she goaded.

"But don't worry...your son is quite safe. Dr. LaGuerra is just doing a little examination. The youngest one is very intriguing," Omaru said. Snow's blood ran cold, as an image appeared on the screen above her.

"Bobby…" she cried.

"It appears the chalice is protecting him from the radiation, though this particular lab is further in vicinity from the reactor," she said.

"What are they doing to my son!?" Snow demanded to know.

"Don't worry...my people are simply curious about his power and are examining his blood. I told the Dr. that none of his usual experiments would be tolerated. We're well aware of what the Dr. used to do in the Collector's employ," Omaru said.

"You knew about Clayton?" Snow asked. The Queen nodded.

"He knew Cibola was here. It was one of the many reasons he was so determined to have the Chalice. Is it true that he came so very close upon the collapse of Atlantis?" she asked. Snow gave her a hard stare.

"Yes…I suppose you don't like to speak about the moment when you had to crush your beloved heart. The split heart...it is fascinating. My scientists are chomping at the bit to examine you both, as is the doctor," she replied.

"All in good time. But first...perhaps you'd like a tour of my grand mountain and the future you will help us envision," she added.

"All I want is my husband and my son!" Snow snapped, as the door slid open.

"I swear...if you don't take me to my wife now, I'm going to knock your bald heads together so hard that they'll crack like eggs!" David shouted, as he struggled with the shackles on his wrists.

"I'm sorry, my Queen, but we had to restrain him. He is quite strong...and uncooperative," two of the soldiers said. They seemed to be quite intimidated by her husband and rightfully so. The Commander behind them, Kiyun, she recalled, and his right hand, Louda, seemed unbothered.

"Charming!" she called and it came as no surprise, as he knocked the two subordinates away and ran to her.

"Oh Snow…" he called back, as she picked up her sword and it glowed, unlocking the chains. They fell away and he swept her into his arms, before kissing her passionately.

"Charming…" she breathed, as she cupped his face and he put one arm around her waist, while drawing his chalice sword from his hip.

"One step and we'll use the full power of the chalice on you," he threatened.

"No...you won't or I'll allow Dr. LaGuerra and my scientists to conduct whatever experiments they'd like on your son," the Queen warned. It was then that David saw their son locked in the exam chair on screen and looked into his wife's tearful eyes.

He realized at that moment that they were going to easily acquire access to Cibola by holding the well being of their youngest child above them. David sheathed his sword and held Snow close.

"Now for that tour...then we will board my royal vessel, the Solaris, and you will open the gates of Cibola for me," Omaru said, as they saw Louda and Kiyun behind them. With arms around each other, they followed the Queen into the corridor.

Though this place was a mountain on the outside, the inside was man made, with stark, metal walls and floors. They came to a set of winding stone steps that seemed to descend into the underground and Snow shivered.

"You want us to go down there?" David asked.

"Afraid?" Kiyun challenged and the prince glared at him.

"Hardly...we've been to hell, after all and I promise you that by the end of this, you'll be visiting there too. But you won't get to come back like we did," David promised ominously. Kiyun chuckled.

"I look forward to the rematch, Your Highness," he said, as they followed the Queen down the winding staircase.

~*~

Flashback

"I do not know why I let you talk me into coming to this thing," Aphrodite complained, as she shifted her soft pink ball gown.

"Because you're practically a hermit these days and the Queen of Cyprus invited me. I owe them a great deal, being that they managed to save so many books and scrolls from the fire at Alexandria. They can now be added to the eternal library in the Andresia realm," Hermes responded, as she pulled her along in her baby blue ball gown.

"I am not a hermit," Aphrodite protested.

"Besides me, how many people do you talk to on a weekly basis?" Hermes questioned.

"I talk to a lot of people," she huffed.

"Zeus doesn't count and neither do the people in the crystal kingdom where you buy goods," Hermes refuted.

"Fine...at least these parties usually have good wine," she complained.

"Queen Myrrha...thank you again for giving me the texts saved from the library at Alexandria. You are truly doing a great deed in helping me preserve all stories," Hermes said, as the Queen bowed to the Goddess.

"It is my honor, Goddess," the Queen said.

"This is my niece...the Goddess Aphrodite," Hermes said, as the Queen bowed again.

"It is an honor to have you both in attendance. I was hoping that my unruly son would find an eligible woman that he is interested in courting, but judging by his disgust at this whole thing, it is not to be. At least we can save this event by presenting the rescued manuscripts to you," the Queen said, as a handsome young man stormed up to her Throne.

"That's it, mother...I detest these balls!" he said hotly.

"Adonis...you will be crowned King of Cyprus soon. You must find a Queen," Myrrha chided.

"Exactly...do you think any of them are really interested in me? Or just my title. It's like being thrown to wolves," he complained. Myrrha chuckled.

"I think you are being a little dramatic, my son. But you are a handsome prince and that is why every eligible woman within a hundred mile radius has come to our city," she reminded him.

"I understand my duties to the crown, mother...but can I not find my own Queen? Can I not marry for love?" he asked.

"I would love that for you, my son...but you know that is not always a luxury we have as royals," Myrrha said.

"Forgive me, Queen Myrrha, as I know it is not my place, but allowing him to marry for love would be one of the greatest things you could do for you for your Kingdom. I watched true love free the city of Thebes from lawlessness and create the prosperous Crystal Kingdom it is today," Aphrodite interjected, as his blue eyes met her green ones.

"And it is my hope that my son can marry for love...but the court will soon demand that he marry," the Queen said.

"Of course...forgive me, I didn't mean to intrude," Aphrodite said, as she excused herself and found the wine table. She grabbed a glass and downed the liquid in two gulps, before she heard a chuckling behind her.

"My, my...I always did admire a woman that can drink a man under the table," a voice said and she turned to find a dark haired man standing there with a smirk.

"I'm sorry...you are?" she asked.

"You don't know me...but you knew my parents. I am John Clayton, son of Sirius Clayton...the infamous Collector," he replied.

"My apologies," she drawled, as she reached for another glass, but he grabbed her arm.

"You are responsible for my father's death...I never met him, because of you," he hissed. She raised her hand and called on her magic, but felt nothing in her fingertips. That's when she noticed a peculiar looking black cuff on her wrist.

"A magic suppressing device...an very useful item from my father's vast collection, which I inherited," he boasted.

"You're mine now, Goddess. You are coming with me and you will use the Chalice to do my bidding," he hissed, as his eyes raked over her beautiful form.

"And you will bear me a Demi-God son...my bloodline is very deserving of God blood and I will have it from you," he growled. She responded by kneeing him in the groin and he growled in pain, as he doubled over. The entire room stopped when he backhanded her across the face. Hermes moved in with the intention to blast this man with her magic, but Adonis beat her to the punch. The Prince grabbed John by the collar and punched him in the face, before tossing him away.

"Guards...throw this trash out!" he ordered, as his men obeyed his command and dragged him away.

"You haven't seen the last of me, Goddess! I will have you...and the Chalice!" he ranted, as he was carried away.

"Are you okay, Goddess?" Adonis asked, as he took her hand and she practically felt the electricity between them.

"Y...yes, thank you, Prince Adonis. My father will smile on your Kingdom for defending me," she promised, as Hermes waved her hand over the cuff, but it didn't come off.

"It's resistant to my magic. We must see your father...it may require his power to remove it. He'll be livid...I'd say another Clayton has signed his death warrant," Hermes said. Aphrodite nodded, but could barely tear her eyes away from her handsome rescuer, who was unlike most royals she had encountered.

"Thank you again, Your Highness," she said, as he bowed to her.

"It was my honor, Goddess," he replied, as her Hermes led her away in a daze.

~*~

When they reached the bowels of the mountain, they were brought before the reactor and were stunned to see what it really was.

"It's a giant crystal…" Snow said.

"You're running a nuclear reactor with a giant crystal and you wonder why there's radiation," David deadpanned.

"Do not speak of our ways as if they are crude or archaic!" Louda snapped.

"Our crystal reactor is magnificent and it will change the world once we can stabilize it with the treasure of Cibola," the Queen informed them.

"Or destroy it," Snow countered, but her comment was ignored.

"Uh...why is it glowing red?" David asked with trepidation.

"This is one of our problems...our cooling system is not adequate. With gold, this problem will be corrected," Kiyun said.

"Quickly...turned on the cooling system!" Louda ordered, as one worker began turning manual water valves. They watched the water flow through the man made cooling system and it started to help, but the crystal still glowed an ominous red.

"Quickly...increase the water flow! Open more valves!" Kiyun yelled with urgency. But it was too late and one of the control panels caught fire. The poor worker that was manning that station was engulfed in flames and screamed in agony.

"Oh God…" Snow cried, as she turned away from the gruesome scene, burying her face in David's chest. The man's cries were hard to take, at least for them, as the others seemed unbothered.

"What are you doing!? Help him!" David implored, but the flames only faded when the poor man's cries ceased and his charred body fell to the floor. The extra valves cooled the crystal and it returned to its normal bluish color.

"Clean that up," the Queen said, unbothered by the carnage of the charred man that had just literally burned to death before them.

"They're monsters…" Snow cried, as she sobbed against him and he held her tightly.

"I want our son now!" David demanded.

"Do not worry...it is time to depart for half moon island. Your son will, of course, be accompanying us," Omaru said, as they were forced to follow along and endure this madness...