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braveskyered · 6 years ago

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Knights (Part 8)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

Arthur spends time with Gwen and Percy like a good dad should. Sure, Arthur has made mistakes, but I'd say he's a great father.

At least he's better compared to some...

Part 8: You’ve Got My Soul on Fire Tonight

- - -

“Well, Gwen, your turn. What do you think?”

“It's... a loose fuse. We'll... need to replace that?”

“Very good. I'm proud of you.”

“What about me, Dad?”

“You'll have your turn at the next car, Percy,” Arthur resisted the urge to roll his eyes in amusement at Percy's annoyed pout.

Gwen has become much more confident in herself, and her speech impediment has dramatically improved thanks to attending multiple speech therapy classes. She loved maintaining cars alongside her father and has a knack for robotics and welding, often helping Arthur with the maintenance of his prosthetic arm. Her love on the color gray never waned, often wearing dark gray sweaters and skirts with black stockings and white shoes. Sometimes she would wear a white tee over the sweaters if she felt decorative, or gray overalls over white shirts if she felt adventurous. She often wore her hair back with a white headband that contrasts well with her black hair. Occasionally, if she wanted to add some variety, she would add a blue ribbon or a gray scarf, or would place a small blue circle pin that used to belong to Arthur so many years ago.

He isn't really sure why he kept it.

Percy had mellowed down on his tendency for pranks, instead focusing on how to use technology to go past its limit. He would find old computers at second hand stores with Arthur to find and pick apart so he can learn how they worked before building computers from scratch. He also has a knack for programming, and would often work with Arthur or his grandmother Caelia into writing or finding the best programs to get their online business running or handling the more recent car model that often have computers within them. His color preference is mixed, often going for a mix of yellow-orange or purple while wearing semi-formal clothing. He often preferred to wear pressed white shirts with a purple overcoat with a thin yellow scarf. Every now and then, he would wear a familiar skull pin on his vest that Arthur used to wear so long ago.

Why did he keep that one? He's no longer a part of it.

For Arthur, it's hard to believe that the twins are seven years old now, in the First grade in school, and here they are, within the private garage of Four of a Kind Queens, trying their hardest to make him proud by trying to identify parts or problems in car engines with him.

It made him feel like he isn't a failure as a father to his two little mechanics.

The new year has already started, and once the holidays were over, it was time for the Knights family to return to work, and school reopens. During the winter vacation, Arthur took the time to teach the twins about the repair work Four of a Kind Queens is known for, and would occasionally find broken toys or various damaged items to bring back and challenge them to see if they can fix them. Sometimes the twins are able to fix something, sometimes they can't, and that's perfectly fine.

“It's gonna be so boring when we go back to school,” Percy groaned, “The teacher there don't make it anywhere as fun as you do, Dad. I mean, everything in class is just so easy, it's boring! It's all stuff you've already showed us to do!”

Arthur rose a brow, recalling that Percy is often considered a troublemaker in the classroom. Whether it's drawing in class or fidgeting in his seat, Arthur noticed that if Percy isn't doing something to keep himself occupied, he gets antsy. He thought back to seeing Percy's report card along with Gwen's, and both have solids As on all subjects, except for the notes from their teacher saying they're too antsy at times, Percy more often than Gwen.

Maybe he should talk to Elaine about this later, maybe see if they can be moved to a class that will challenge them. Although...

“You know, Percy, in that sentence, it's 'The teacher there doesn't make it anywhere as fun,'” Arthur grinned, “Want to look at the next car? Last one for today, and it's your turn now.”

“Finally!”

“Percy, my car only took like five minutes!” Gwen protested.

Arthur turned away from the twins for a moment to conceal his lips twitching with laughter. It definitely felt strange at first whenever the twins argue over something like this, but he supposed it could've been worse.

“No way, it felt like hours!”

A wave of heat suddenly passed through Arthur, disorienting him. The section of his left arm where metal met flesh felt warm, nearly hot. He turned, and nearly froze at what he saw in front of him.

...A large golden-colored fox? Why are there little white flames floating around--?

The fangs sinking into his arm.

Arthur managed to suppress most of the fear, but then he felt light-headed, and before he knew it, the world was spinning as his vision blurred from the heat. He held a hand against his head, trying to regain focus.

Why does it feel so hot? Why can't he move his left arm?

“Dad?!”

“Daddy?!”

The voices of Gwen and Percy crying out were the last he heard before everything went black.

- - - - - - -

Arthur knew that he isn't wanted here.

Some of the Deadbeats would occasionally try to spook him every now and then, but over time he hardly reacted to them due to his own self-loathing.

The punishment from the wraith was painful this time, too. Two separate burns that resembled a handprint on his right forearm and left shoulder. He always spoke politely whenever Vivi was around, but as soon as she left and the two were alone...

He bit his lip, finally letting the fact sink in his brain with a heavy heart that this haunted manor that Lewis had conjured for them, isn't his home.

It's the home of Vivi, Lewis, and Mystery. This is the home of the Mystery Skulls.

Not Arthur's.

He glanced up at the hallway of the manor, then turned away to head back to the room that Arthur had claimed as a workshop and bedroom of sorts. Of course, he had to pass through the hallway that had those six painting ghosts, but while the Lawyer often spat out words that basically told Arthur to jump off that cliff in the cave and die like the vermin he is, the other paintings silently watched him pass. If Arthur hadn't known any better, he could've sworn that he saw the Woman, the Wrestler, and even the Priest give him what seemed to be a look of pity.

...As if.

Arthur entered the room that he had claimed, or rather, was designated as his by the wraith, which he figured was the room farthest away from Vivi's, and wrapped his fingers around the handle of his backpack. Before he realized it, he was packing some clean clothes as if he was going to be gone for a week when in reality he would only be gone for a day or two. There isn't really much in here to be honest, when most of his possessions are still at Kingsmen Mechanics.

He didn't want to be here.

He couldn't tell Vivi about the wraith punishing him when she was so happy to have everyone back together again. She is the one that kept things from falling apart the first time, and she intends to let it stick after getting Lewis back.

He couldn't be here.

He thought about it, and once mentioned to Vivi and Lewis that he should probably leave the Mystery Skulls.

“Wait, what?”

Why did this have to happen...

“If you're not happy here, then just leave!”

That... didn't turn out as well as he thought it would. The hand print burns he received from the wraith after Vivi and Mystery left, the former in tears, after their argument can attest to that. He looked at his hands, and narrowed his eyes in disgust at the metal that make up his left arm. The arm that fell to the demon's control, the arm that caused everything to go wrong, the arm that took away Lewis's life.

Why?

Why did this have to happen?

He thought that with the truth revealed to everyone a few weeks ago, after the wraith nearly accomplished mission he was so hellbent on achieving, things would go back to normal.

But after today, Arthur knew that it isn't meant to be.

Gritting his teeth a little to keep himself from breaking down, Arthur proceeded to finish packing all the clothes and tools he knew he will need. If the others here needed any of his tools while he's gone, then... well, that's their problem.

His phone vibrated, and he went to check it, it showed that he received a text from Uncle Lance saying that he is on his way to pick him up. Uncle Lance had sent him a text earlier today that asked him to come help at Kingsmen Mechanics for a week if he could. Arthur frowned slightly, thinking about it somewhat, then sent a reply saying that he will work the hours.

He donned his long-sleeved orange jacket to hide the wounds, grabbed his backpack, and left the room. He ignored the paintings and the Deadbeats, and walked towards the main front door of the manor.

“Arthur? Where are you going?”

Arthur nearly froze, then slowly turned to see Vivi walking towards him, concern on her face.

“Arthur, if it's about earlier, please, I don't want-”

“Uncle Lance needs me to help him at the shop for about a week,” Arthur spoke over her, “If all goes well, I should be back by next Thursday.”

Saying it, he isn't so sure. This isn't his home, after all.

Vivi looked hurt, which made Arthur's chest tighten with guilt. She didn't deserve this, she didn't deserve to have her life ruined by him any more than it already has. She had already lost Lewis once, lost a good portion of her memory involving him, and just now she has Lewis back in her life, slowly falling in love with him again.

She held the Mystery Skulls together, better than he could.

“Arthur, you don't need to leave,” Vivi reached out to him, “We can talk this out. I'm so sorry you're feeling like this. If there's anything I can do, please tell me. I just want everything to go back the way it once was.”

Arthur stepped away from her, not daring to invoke the wraith's wrath. The wraith didn't like it when Arthur had physical contact with Vivi, even if she was the one to reach out.

“Vivi?”

Dread went through Arthur's body like lightning, and he struggled to keep a straight face as he saw Lewis in his human form approach while being followed by Mystery. To Arthur's surprise, Lewis actually looked... concerned?

“What's going on?”

Arthur's phone buzzed, which he quickly checked and saw a text from Uncle Lance saying that he has arrived, thankful for the opportunity to escape, he turned to the front door. For some reason, Lewis looked genuinely concerned, with no trace of malice whatsoever.

He figured the wraith is just really good at acting as Lewis.

But Lewis, the kind and caring friend Arthur had known before everything went wrong, is long gone.

“I have to get going, Uncle Lance is here,” he turned to the front door, “I'll let you know when I'm done helping at the shop.”

A lie. He is not coming back here.

She tried to reach out, “Arthur, you don't need to leave, we can talk this out. We just--”

Arthur opened the door leading outside.

Lewis, still acting concerned, tried to reach out, “Arthur--!”

Vivi pleaded with him, “Please...”

“Don't go!”

He stepped away from Lewis's hand and walked out. He didn't bother listening to them anymore as he shut the door behind him. He spotted Uncle Lance's truck on the front yard and jogged towards it, ignoring the noise in the manor behind him. Wait. Now that he thought about it, how did his uncle come out here so quickly?

He didn't care, he's just happy to get out of this hell. He knew that he deserved all the punishment for being the cause of Lewis's death, but it didn't mean that he wanted it. He isn't looking forward to going back there in a week, because some of the bruises still hurt when he moves his arms in a certain way. It still hurt for his arm to reach up higher than his head.

Arthur got into the truck, trying to ignore the look of concern on his uncle's face, only acknowledging the latter's quiet greeting with a weak nod.

...Now he just needs to find a way to hide the injuries and scars from Uncle Lance while he's working.

- - - - - - -

Something roused Arthur from the memory of the last time he saw the Mystery Skulls.

The first thing that came to him was muffled sound, he could faintly hear the panicked cries and howls of a familiar voice while another voice tried to sound comforting. The sensation of touch then returned to him, the heat still permeating through his body, but he felt something cool on his forehead. Arthur waited for his senses to come back, and he started to try moving his fingers. His right hand obeyed, but he didn't sense any movement from his left.

Right... if he fell unconscious, then it's only natural that someone would take off his left arm. He would've had nightmares had he kept it on, and Elaine knew that.

What exactly happened again? He tried to remember. He recalled giving Gwen and Percy opportunities to look at some cars he was repairing for customers to see if they can find what's wrong with them. It was a way to bond with them, while at the same time teach them the civilian family trade.

Despite some senses returning to him, Arthur still felt numb. He could barely move his fingers, and suddenly the sense of smell returned. He thought he smelled something cooking, but couldn't quite recognize the scent as it was too faint to tell. Was it close to dinner time? He really wanted to move to help Elaine with the meal prep. It was one of the few slow activities he truly enjoyed doing with her outside of robotics.

Arthur struggled to open his eyes, and eventually did so after some time. As his vision became clear, he realized that he is in his bedroom. He didn't recall going to bed, though. Was he that tired? He looked around, and saw that Elaine isn't in the bed beside him. He then glanced at the clock on the nightstand to his right and saw that the time was past four in the afternoon. If he recalled correctly, the time was around...

Eleven in the morning?!

He tried to sit up, and found that it took great effort to do so, especially since he only has his right arm to work with. He decided to take it slow to keep a head rush from occurring, and noticed a slightly damp washcloth falling off from his forehead. He noticed that he could move his legs, so he slowly scooted himself back against the bed frame to get into a sitting position.

Where's Gwen and Percy?

“Arthur.”

He heard the jubilant tone of Elaine's voice, and when he turned to look at the door, he saw her looking relieved as she approached.

“You're finally awake,” she breathed a laugh of relief and embraced him, “I'm so glad. How are you feeling?”

Arthur returned the hug with his only arm, “A little disoriented, but I'm all right. Do you have any idea what happened? The last thing I remember is teaching the twins in the shop, and then suddenly it was so hot.”

Elaine grimaced as she let go, “Uh... about that. Do you remember when I told you that in my family bloodline, our power usually awakens once we reach the age of ten?”

He nodded.

“Well, Percy... somehow got his powers early. We didn't think he'd be capable of getting it,” Elaine sighed with concern and turned to look at the door leading outside their bedroom, “The heat you felt was foxfire, and it nearly... well...”

Percy's power? His full attention focused on Elaine, Arthur grabbed her shoulder, “What happened? Is Percy okay?”

Elaine looked uneasy before answering, “From what we were able to gather according to Mama Vivienne and Nana Niniane, Percy's foxfire is a lot stronger than most other types. He didn't know how to control it since it emerged while you guys were at Queens. When he got impatient, he transformed into a kitsune, and the foxfire went out of control, and you got caught in the crossfire.

“If it hadn't been for the protections Nana Niniane and I gave you, the foxfire would have most likely killed you.”

Arthur's heart stopped. He almost died? Wait! That's not important!

“Where's Percy now?”

Elaine looked down with a solemn expression, “He's... having trouble changing back. He's locked himself in his room and hasn't come out. Not even Gwen can get through to him. He's upset that he hurt you since the foxfire fried the circuits in your arm, and... he knows that you're afraid of kitsune.”

Arthur looked at the stump that made up his left arm. Yes, a kitsune did do this to him, even if it was to save him, but the trauma was too great for him to ignore. It taught him at just what a kitsune is capable of doing, and it taught him to fear it. Yet... he only met two other kitsune besides Mystery, the one who saved and traumatized him at the same time.

The first being Niniane. Even though she knew that Arthur is afraid of her other form, she still helped him by blessing him with protection. It wasn't enough to stop all the nightmares or sad memories that plague him, or stop all of the possible harm one could get, but it was enough for Arthur to know that Niniane cared about him. It was enough for his life to be saved from an accidental death.

The second now being Percy, if his other form is a kitsune, then he is also capable of causing so much damage and pain and suffering. Unlike Mystery or Niniane, Percy is just a young boy at seven years of age. To Arthur, it would make sense if his son had no idea how to control his power if it just came to be.

Elaine said that Percy is distraught at almost killing him by accident.

Just like Arthur was when the demon forced him to kill Lewis.

…No!

He is not having this. He knew it was an accident. He knew that Percy didn't want to hurt him on purpose. He knows better than to assume otherwise.

He is not the wraith. He will not make the same mistake!

Arthur started to get off the bed, ignoring Elaine's small protest. He saw that he is dressed in his sleep wear, so he decided not to bother with changing clothes (Elaine probably did it while he was unconscious). He thought about getting the previous model of his prosthetic that he kept in the lowest dresser as a spare, but thought better of it. It wouldn't do anyone favors if Percy were to fry the circuits of his spare arm.

“Where's Gwen?” He looked at his wife.

Elaine blinked before pointing at the exit, “She's staying with Percy outside their bedroom door. Somehow, she wasn't affected by the foxfire. I don't think she's getting through to him.”

Arthur nodded, and once he got his bearings, he left the bedroom and walked over to the door that lead to the twin's bedroom, spotting Gwen sitting against the front door, her head into her knees. Gwen looked at him in surprise and relief, and Arthur can tell with a heavy heart that she was crying. He could hear his son crying from within their bedroom.

“Daddy...”

“I'm okay, Gwen,” he proceeded to knock on the door, “Percy?”

“Dad?!” He heard footsteps that rushed to the door before stopping, “You... You're okay?”

“I am, Percy. Will you let me in?”

“N-No!”

Arthur smiled sadly, “Why not? Am I not allowed to see my own son?”

There was silence until Arthur heard a click from the door. Hearing this, Gwen immediately made a grab for the door and went inside, crying out her brother's name. Arthur let Gwen go after her brother as he noticed Elaine walk up to him, nodding at her, he then looked in the twins' bedroom and came across an interesting sight. Huddled near the corner is a large gold colored fox with a single long tail and a white underbelly. On the fox's face, a white spot is marked above and between its pale blue eyes.

It didn't take a genius for Arthur to know that the fox is his son, since Gwen is beside him rubbing the fox's head. He should have felt fear, but instead, he only felt concern and love for his son. He slowly approached, only smiling sadly when he saw the fox flinch at the sight of him.

“G-Go away! Don't look at me! I hurt you! You fell asleep and wouldn't wake up! I couldn't stop the fire, I--”

Arthur cut him off by kneeling beside him and wrapping his arm around Percy's neck and holding his head to his shoulder, the closest to a hug he could give with his one arm. Gwen, seeing the opportunity, hugged her brother with both her arms.

He nuzzled against his son’s head, “I forgive you, Percy.”

“...Dad? But... you hate foxes! Mom said that foxes scare you! Why are--”

“How can I hate you or be afraid of you when you're just a big and fluffy puppy?”

He heard Elaine give a snort. Percy tried to somewhat wrestle away from his embrace, but Arthur isn't willing to let go.

“Did you want that to happen?” Arthur asked, moving his hand to the back of Percy's head.

“N-No! I didn't want to be a fox! I didn't want this to happen! I didn't want to hurt you or scare you or--!”

Words weren't going to get through to the distraught mindset his son has now. He held his son's head closer to himself slightly and closed his eyes. He started to hum the song that plagued his heart and soul.

This time I might just disappear...

Whoa-o-o-oh

This time I might just dis-

His heart still ached when he hummed this lullaby, especially since it reminded him of the past he swore to leave behind.

Oh mo mo mo mo

Oh mo mo mo mo (Oh yeah)

Oh mo mo mo mo oh

But that old heartache is nothing compared to what his son must be feeling now. He felt Percy shift slightly beneath his grip. He felt his daughter's hand on his right side.

This time I might just disappear...

Whoa-o-o-oh

This time I might just dis-

No matter what, Arthur will endure the pain, the painful memories, the nightmares this lullaby will bring him later tonight, all for the sake of these two children. He will live for their sake alone.

Oh mo mo mo mo

Oh mo mo mo mo (Oh yeah)

Oh mo mo mo mo oh

Once the lullaby concluded, Arthur noticed that Percy felt lighter. Opening his eyes, he saw Percy back in his normal human form, clinging to him while crying. Elaine is nearby to Arthur's left with one hand on Percy's shoulder, another hand on Arthur's left. Gwen is still holding on to Percy and himself on his right. Arthur wished he had his spare arm attached. It would've made a good group hug.

But if there is one thing Arthur knows for a fact, is that he will not abuse his son for doing something outside his control like the wraith had done to him for the exact same reason. He has loved and accepted Percy since the day he was born, and accepted that there will be obstacles to overcome once his power awoke, and knew that the same will apply to Gwen once her power emerges as well.

He still fears the kitsune in general, but he will never fear his son. And if by some chance Gwen becomes a kitsune herself, then he will continue to love and accept her as a father should.

The four remained together until it was time to eat their dinner.

Arthur briefly wondered with Elaine when Gwen's power will surface, but for now, he will continue to comfort Percy until the boy has it in his head that Arthur has forgiven him.

The two ended up getting their answer four days later when they discovered the twins' bedroom covered in snow during that morning. Percy is awake and shivering, while Gwen slept without a care in the world, her skin as pale as the snow.

Well... at least it wasn't as disastrous, until Elaine realized with a groan that they'll have to replace everything in the bedroom from the furniture to the carpet.

* - * - * - * - *

Notes: Why didn't Mystery do anything to stop him?

Is it just me, or did something about all this seem off to you?

So Percy is a kitsune with a single tail so far to signify his young age, while Gwen is a Yuki-onna? Their powers emerged earlier than expected according to Elaine. At least Arthur didn't get too badly hurt thanks to the protection blessings. Sure, Elaine and her family probably could've blessed the house with multiple protections to prevent accidents like that from happening, but if they did that, then it most likely would've resulted in more harm than good. I heard that too much magic can interfere with machines and whatnot.

A heated argument between the Mystery Skulls... What do you think happened?

Part 9: Brainsick Lyrics

#mystery skulls animated #msa arthur #msa fanfic #fanfic #arthur kingsmen #msa #msa knights #gwen knights #percy knights #elaine knights

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smartshopperteam · 8 years ago

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What We Wore To The Women's March On Washington

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