#twack city

[snoopledrooplecheesedoodle]

Yandere! Slasher! Heartslabyul Headcanons

Just a quick ramble hopefully because I saw something by @lustlovehart about serial killer Floyd and Jade and I was like: Jade Leech would make a convincing Hannibal Lector. Then I was like Deuce but Jason Voorhes. Now is the product of my brain rot. Non-Twisted Wonderland setting. Reader is gender neutral unless explicitly stated. Minor characters aged up.

Tw: yandere behavior, medical professional abuse, gore, murder, cannibalism, mentions of murder being recorded, forced cannibalism, verbal abuse, ooc Dylla mentions of some other real nasty shit

17+ CONTENT, DO NOT INERACT IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE TRIGGERED BY THE FOLLOWING CONTENT. IF YOU INSULT MY WORK BECAUSE YOU IGNORED MY WARNING YOU WILL BE BLOCKED! BY CLICKING KEEP READING YOU CONSENT TO READING THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL!

Riddle Rosehearts:

Bros the perfect serial killer I mean he's got it all:

Perfectionist attitude, dedicated to his work, abusive mom. I mean the slasher film practically writes itself.

I'm going with Riddle becoming a doctor like his mother was and being known for being one of the most successful doctors in the city. People are waitlisted trying to visit this "miracle doctor".

By day Riddle is the strict perfectionist who cares deeply for his patients, by night Riddle is meticulously finding and sadistically torturing criminals and "rule breakers" before beheading them. At first, he is seen as a benevolent force for ridding the city of its criminals and scum. However, The Red Queen, as he is called, swings her axe indiscriminately and soon beloved public figures are on the chopping block.

You could meet Riddle a multitude of ways, for this I'll say you are a critically ill patient who is in and out of the hospital. Hearing about the "miracle doctor" lead to you pleading with the red head. Riddle was moved by the "innocence" in your eyes and your desperate tone of voice. You needed him. He agreed and started your treatment.

Riddle grows feelings because of your kind and forgiving nature. You don't hold his strict and commanding behavior against him, only seeing it as him doing his job. Finally, someone worthy of the help of the Red Queen.

The problem came when you came into the office battered and bruised one day. Riddle demanded to know who the perpetrator was, but you kept you lips sealed. Riddle grew angry at your defiance, how dare you defy your queen, your protector. He screams at you, causing you to cry and curl into a helpless ball. Riddle feels guilt at making you feel this way and apologizes before gently encouraging you to tell him who your abuser was.

Riddle felt his rage hit an insurmountable amount when you revealed your abuser was the personal nurse your family hired for you. How dare this insolent peasant lay a finger on your divine form? No matter, Riddle will look through your patient files to find information about this personal nurse. He finds out that this nurse lives with you as a live in nurse, Riddle takes this information in with a sadistic grin.

Time to pay them a visit

You heard a garbled croak as you exited your ensuite bathroom. What could be making such a terrible noise? Cautiously you peeped through the door and crept towards the source of the noise. It was coming from your living room. You pattered over to the living room in bare feet, when a strong odor hit you. Iron. TWACK something slides from the living room to your feet. It was a head, YOUR NURSE'S HEAD! You opened your mouth to scream when a gloved hand silenced you. You stiffened as you hear a familiar voice.

Quiet my patient, you don't want to be framed for murder, do you? They were breaking the rules so I must punish them. The rule being one must never harm the spouse of the Red Queen!

Trey Clover:

Yo can you imagine though?

Your sweet town baker feeding you treats he made with love and your ex-boyfriend's flesh and blood (don't worry you'll only taste it a little). All with loving golden eyes and a knowing smile.

After some time in the big city for college, Trey moved back to his hometown to take over his family bakery. He is immediately accepted by the community at large for his amiable and brotherly aura. In no time at all the bakery becomes popular to people outside of the town as well (particularly cannibals and other shady characters).

People come to the front for sweet treats and are led into the back to become the fresh ingredients. Trey mostly murders people that come from out of town and tourists, people the town folk won't miss. However sometimes he has to make do with the outsiders within the town. Anything to feed his clients and himself.

Let's say that you moved to this small town of Bakersfield (name of town) for a fresh start in life, leaving your toxic family and manipulative ex-boyfriend. You decided leaving the city would allow you to escape your problems (plus there were serial killers loose, you didn't want to be beheaded or killed on tape). You like the idea of being part of a small tight knit community that work as one big family. However, you were disappointed when the community greeted you with a cold shoulder. Already your thought new life was going to be a disaster until you met Trey.

Trey met you when you visited his bakery, he doesn't remember seeing your face around (he wonders what you would taste like). He turns on his customer service smile and greets you kindly. Your glum expression immediately turns into a cheery grin. That's strange he kind of likes making you smile. You order one of his special desserts, which he whips up fresh just for you and your beautiful smile (men have pretty smiles too male readers, if I have any).

You end up coming to the bakery pretty often, not only for the sweets but the charming baker who works the front counter. You're surprised that he's single because you think he's quite handsome and kind. You gotten a tiny crush for the man who serves you pastries with a smile, and gives you back your money claiming your presence is enough. Trey put you in such a good mood that you brought some of the extra sweets for your neighbors and actually started making connections with the town's folk.

Trey saw you becoming more welcome with the townspeople and that left a sour taste in his mouth. He had to bite his lip to the point of bleeding to prevent himself from scowling when you rambled about how nice everyone has been. He was the first person to be nice to you and this is how you treat him? Looks like he'll have to play dirty to get back into your good graces. He may or may not have found the number of your old abusive ex and revealed your location. He knows that its wrong, but he'll make it up to you by being your protector.

Soon enough you'll only depend on him

This man was sick. No person you met could look at you so lovingly while bashing your ex's head in with a crowbar. This psycho killed people and ate them and was forcing you to play a twisted form of house. The chain around your leg reminded you of this fact. Every. Single. Day. "Open up my love, you're losing weight far too much, I can't have you wasting away." You look the devil who called himself your husband in the eyes and glared weakly. "I won't eat anything you make!" Trey laughed callously at your scorn. "It's funny that you think you have a choice." A rough hand grasps your jaw while the other pushes its way inside. You knew better than to bite his fingers, pain was a cruel teacher. The spoon of stew lays in your mouth and the hand holding your jaws puts more pressure on it causing you to whimper.

"If you swallow, you won't have to stay in the cold and lonely basement. Won't that be nice, sweet pea, you'll get to sleep in our nice warm bed. Only if you're a good for me and swallow.

Cater Diamond (longest one by far)

Hoo boy, this dude also is prime slasher material.

We'll keep the backstory of overbearing sisters and constantly moving due to his dad's job. This wore on his psyche harshly and made him more shut off from the rest of his family. Of course, his family only started caring when his grades start to slip. He was diagnosed with depression and ADHD. The medication only helped him get better at faking being happy and carefree all the time. His life allowed for him to become a very good liar and mask emotions very well. When in high school and during his current adult life social media was his one safe place where he could feel happy. Everything was fake and that gave him comfort that others people's lives were probably as miserable as his. He perfected his camera work and putting on a cute face for his audience and became quite a successful instaounce model (haha I made it more American) and influencer. When Cater graduated (barely) he refused to go to college and instead focused on pursuing his dreams of becoming a full-time influencer.

While Cater may seem cute, sociable, and relatable online, he also is jealous, vindictive, and murderous offline. He sees other people who are pretty and popular as a threat to his online presence, and threats must be eradicated. Enter his other pastime on the internet, streaming himself torturing and killing popular people on social media for an eager and sadistic audience. He goes by the username Killer_Diamond 💎💎♦️ and has millions globally bid to see who's suggested method of torture will be expertly carried out by Cater's creepily cheerful persona.

For this we'll say you're the cute new barista at an aesthetically pleasing cafe Cater frequents for coffee pics. You greet Cater with the same positive energy he exudes. He orders a very complicated coffee, and you create the coffee right the first time. No one in all the time he's been here has gotten his order to his high standards. Why are you so special? It almost makes him frown how flawlessly you completed his order, but your genuine smile makes the sides of his fake grin wobble. How could you so openly and freely be happy?

Let's say that you were adventurous and decided to peruse the dark web for some spooky content to sate your curiosity. When you stumble into a red room by accident. What you saw horrified you a person who you recognize as some model your friend gushes about being hot was being tortured as the live chat was filled with other horrific suggestions as what else to do to her. You felt bile come into your mouth as you saw the person in a bunny mask rip the model's eye out, causing her to scream loudly. The bunny mask turns back to the camera and chirps "Ooh a new person tuned in, say hello to them." You slam your laptop shut and lay awake in bed all night.

Cater felt like he had a new pep in his step, humming to himself a popular song he made his way to the cafe. Murdering always cleared his head and helped him destress, much more affordable than therapy. He greets you with a genuine zeal to see you, poor thing with large eyebags and a shell-shocked expression. He didn't like seeing you so disturbed. He asked you what was wrong, only for you to fake a cheery expression and ask him for his order. Cater knew you didn't trust him, so he'd have to befriend you if he wanted you to speak. Perhaps even kill the person who made you so upset.

Wait kill? Why did he care what happened to the person who upset you?

Cater offers you to sit and have a coffee with him, you try to explain that you're still on shift but Cater doesn't hear it and sits down beside you. Cater knows how to keep a conversation going and knows just the right things to say to make you more trusting of his intentions. He's a bit irritated that you still won't tell him why you're upset, but no worries he'll get you to open up.

You were losing sleep over the murder you saw take place. It had been weeks ago, but you still could see that eye on the tip of that knife. Should you call the police? No, the murderer might be able to trace it back to you. What on Earth are you going to do? Your phone pings notifying you that Cater or Cay-Cay as he prefers you to call him was messaging you.

Hey babe<3

Found this cute little hole in the wall sushi place, thought it'd be good for you to come and eat some food with Cay-Cay😘💕

Well, you'd always have Cater.

On my way Cay!

Cater has never felt love before. His family meant nothing to him, and he would never reach out to a fan in distress. However, you were perfect, so sweet and friendly. He felt like he could hide his murder stream from you and just pretend to be your normal loving boyfriend. He felt a blush come to his face at the thought of you being officially his partner. You'd take so many cute couple photos! However, you were too cute for your own good, attracting boys, girls, and others by being your sweet little self. It's not fair that you're so charming that other people want you! THIS WILL NOT STAND! Cater ramps up the murders and even ignores his chat pleading for him to drag them out longer. He just needs you to see that he's your perfect match, even if he must kill the ones, you love and isolate you.

No matter what happens Cater will have a place in your heart. Even if he gets that place by killing.

You were terrified, one night of drinking away your sorrows and now you woke up to total darkness. You tried to feel you way out, but your hands were bound behind your back. Oh god you've been kidnapped! You were going to die! A blinding light turns on revealing a luxurious room with red walls. Oh, seven this was the red room you saw! The person with the rabbit mask walks to the camera which was pointed at you. "Hello again my lovely viewers today I have a very special guest, my lovely!" You shake as tears fill your eyes; you try to scream but the tape covering your mouth prevents you. "Ah, ah, dear, wait till we get home to let out those pretty screams. My audience is not allowed to hear them." Another spotlight lands on a terrified friend of yours who you remember vanished a few days ago. They looked to be in rough shape. The rabbit figure bounced on their heels and walks very close to you with his back to the camera. "Before we start, I'd like to give my co-star a quick kiss for good luck. The figure takes the mask off and you gasp at the familiar face of you friend Cater.

"I know it's not the real thing, but I'll kiss you right on the tape. Oh, don't cry darling you'll have all of Cay-Cay later tonight. For now, we have an audience to entertain!

Deuce Spade:

Bro's literally just Jason Vorhees and Bubba Sawyer I mean come on, a puppy dog like killer who listens to the dead voice of his mother and you only.

Let's say Deuce was raised alone with his mother in the woods, his mother only leaving him to go gather supplies in the town. His mother had to raise him on her own and instilled in him a fear and hatred towards outsiders. Due to his mother raising him by herself and him never attending school, he isn't very educated and had delayed speech. His mother died when he was ten making him officially go crazy and hallucinate his mom still being with him. He's a hermit who lives off the woods and kills anyone who steps foot on his property.

You were a case worker who found a case of a woman who "abandoned" her child in the woods. Weird it's been swept under the rug for twelve or so years. Well, you weren't one to heed the warning of other case workers who begged you not to go. You weren't going to let some child continue to be neglected.

Deuce was going through the motions of his routine. Waking up, dressing, putting on his mask, kill something for breakfast, cook it, and he was currently repairing the small cabin. His mother had gone silent for some time, and it was worrying Deuce. Did his mother abandon him? A loud noise shakes Deuce out of his thoughts, as a terrifying metal monster approaches the house. Mother what do I do?

You drive your car through the woods towards the address on the file. Weird there's no official road up to the house nor any signs signifying that you are going in the right direction. Suddenly an item came hurtling towards your wind shield causing you to scream in terror. Holy shit is that an axe?! You hear a figure thunder up towards you and you scream in terror. A lanky blue haired man with a hockey mask covered in blood grabs the axe from the windshield and raises it above your head. You are prepared to ram the car into his body until he freezes.

Deuce what are you doing? A familiar feminine voice reproaches in his ear. His mother didn't want him to kill the trespasser? Mother I'm getting rid of the trespasser, like you've taught me. A ghostlike pinch formed on his cheek. Why would you try and kill your spouse that I handpicked just for you? After I put all that effort in Deucy you're still so ungrateful! Deuce grunts as he puts a hand up to his masked cheek. No mother I am grateful...they're actually quite attractive. Then stop wasting time and grab them before they drive away!

You scream as a hand breaks through your window and tries to pull you out of your car. You frantically swat at the hand that pulls you out of the driver's seat and places you over his shoulder. You kick and scream as he walks back to the cabin with you in tow, it was insulting how easy he managed to pick you up (Deuce is super strong in this, so fat readers you weigh nothing to him). You didn't want to die before finding the kid. "Hey, let me go, I need to find this kid named Deuce Spade!" The hulking figure freezes.

You are now being held off the ground and, in his arms, (if you're tall your feet are dragging) looking you dead in the eye. You try to maintain calm but who the hell would maintain calm when this muscular hermit is mouth breathing directly on you. The figure takes his mask off to reveal a handsome yet scared face of a man with blue hair, that looked a little too familiar. "Mother was right, you really are made for me." You open your mouth to protest when a pair of rough lips make contact with yours. You pound his firm chest with your fist, to no avail. The man pulls back to look at you with lovesick eyes and a heavily flushed face. "I'm Deuce Spade and mother said you are mine. How wonderful it is to have someone else in the family now!" Oh, geez what have you gotten yourself into.

Ace Trappola:

I heavily dislike Ace, like he rubbed me off the wrong way when we first met him in the game. I know everyone is supposed to be a villain but for someone who's one of our best friends he likes to insult us a little too much (more than the actual ex-bully). I'll try to do my best besides the biased (there are others who I didn't like on first meeting but grew to like).

Ace Trappola and you are childhood friends to your families. To you he's been a monster hell bent on torturing you till the day you die. He'll play the sweet golden boy next door to your parents, asking politely if you're home. Your parents sacrifice you to the demon in front of you to "play". They always blame you for the scratches and bruises you have after the "play date". He always gives you the same sadistic grin when others aren't watching.

Ace is a messed-up boy who wants to make you scared of him. He thinks it's funny when you cry in pain as he tugs your hair or punches you in the face. You're so much weaker than him and that gives him a high like no other. When puberty hit however, you grew much taller and stronger than Ace and wouldn't be pushed around anymore. When he brought a knife to school to scare you, you beat him to a bloody pulp. Something changed in him when you stood over him, once docile eyes filled with rage. It was kinda hot not gonna lie.

Ace goes from the bully to a psycho who stalks you constantly. You must have hit him too hard because instead of wanting to hurt you, he's hurting others who try and be around you. You think he's disgusting every time he groans when you hit him to get him to stop following you. Ace gets taken away to a psyche ward after the Senior Prom massacre. Let's say he didn't take to kindly to you asking someone out to the prom who wasn't him and killed almost every senior in your class including your date. You were the one who knocked him out for the cops to take away. His and your parents were distraught as they never thought an angel like Ace could do something so terrible. You were just glad you'd never have to see him again.

You moved on with your life and worked your way through college getting a degree in your dream field and meeting someone nice. Unfortunately, nothing goes your way as news broke out that an escaped mental patient had fled after a transfer to the mental institution in the town you were in. Ace knew where you planned on going to college and meticulously planned a way to get there so you can be reunited.

You were having a quiet night in, house sitting for a relative who lived nearby. You had ordered some pizza and put on some horror movies. You were watching Hallow's Eve (spoof on Halloween) when the doorbell rang. Must be the pizza guy. To your horror a familiar red head was at the front door in a blue mechanic suit holding a kitchen knife and was drenched in blood. "Hiya (Y/N) hope ya didn't miss yer boyfriend too bad? Cause I missed you a lot. You promptly slamed the door in his face. You don't have time for this.

Mwah different horror tropes hope you liked it. Now that I think about it, Ruggie and Leona or Ace and Deuce would make a pretty good Billy and Stu. Love ya bye!

[stoptakingthegoodname5]

My first fic was perceived as ok so this is pt.2 of my little Zhogan propaganda. Yayyy! 🎉

(⚠️RPF below this scroll if you don’t like it ⚠️)

this is a long ass fic, 5,098 characters

ALSO if you haven't read pt.1 go ahead as it will make sense if you read from the beginning https://www.tumblr.com/stoptakingthegoodname5/759633630758928384/just-your-regular-little-bass-pro-date?source=share

/ hope you enjoy :)

Zhou’s lines: —“these are my lines”—

Logans lines: ——“these are my lines”——

/ Guess I do like the store… like you. /

Zhou laid his feet on the dash on Logans rental car, due to the different traffic laws in the states he rather be the passenger princess. It was a small little unspoken rule for the two as Logan drove the roads in the Americas, and Zhou did the roads in Asia but funny enough they do rock paper scissors for who drives around when they’re in Europe. Of course the media finds it weird that Logan or Zhou drive’s each other around but they always play it out as “oh we’re best buddies!”— and all that bullshit.

Zhou looked at his boyfriend who is straight faced at the moment eyes on the road up north of Texas to a city called Dallas, he wasn’t really paying much attention as he huffed —“broooo how long do we have to we go to this fish shop?”— Zhou said tired of being on the road Logans laugh echoed through the truck as he smiled ——“just a little bit longer dude, we still have a hour away.”—— This made the Chinese man to groan in a tired tone —“sigh of course this state is bigger than most countries in Europe this is bullshit….”—

——“now now dude we’re almost there just enjoy the ride, plus don’t crack the windshield with your feet on the dash ok?”—— Zhou rolled his eyes as he nods as the music played on the radio many cars come and go on the highway. As for Zhou he was invested in his phone scrolling mindlessly on twitter and or Instagram.

After a hour on the road they made it close to downtown Dallas and Zhou was chuckling as he helped a stressed Logan out on the highway —"bro turn left to get off I-30 we need to eastbound what the fuck are you doing"— he said cackling at the situation as his boyfriend huffed pissed off at the situation, as Texan drivers are ruthless but the Floridian was worse ——"I'm trying babe but this jackass wont move!!"—— he honked at the car in front as he floored the truck faster to barely make it into their exit. Logan heard the other diver curse them out and in an eye roll he responded to the comment ——"yeah yeah you kiss your mother with that fucking mouth?! jackass....."——

After that incident Logan and Zhou made it to the beautiful Lake on the east side of Dallas about 17 miles off to the east driving up to the Bass Pro Shops Logan kept hyping the whole trip. Zhou hopped out the F-150 as he puts his shoes on, closing the door with a soft twack he walked around the white truck to notice Logan's appearance —"really dude you're wearing that?"— Logan shocked at his boyfriend’s harsh words as he looked at his outfit ——"what whats wrong with it?! I think I look good fwi!"—— he said a bit pained that his causal wear was being criticized the irony of it all it was by his own lover! What Logan wore was a light grey tee and some loose basketball shorts which really doesn't do him any favors, and my god Birkenstocks and white socks?! Ugh the gut wrenching horror Zhou experience with that outfit be might well pass out in this parking lot.

Logan rolled his eyes and punched Zhou's arm ——"whatever jackass lets just go in the damn store"—— he knew to not annoy him further as Zhou apologized softly and held his hand as they walk in the Bass Pro. Both men walking in Zhou was hit with a massive culture shock —"my god what the fuck Is this place?!"— he said confused and a bit overwhelmed at all the sights. —"I mean like there's camo clothing everywhere! And is this place just themes as a big log cabin?!"— Logan on the other hand chuckled at Zhou's shock to this new place as the Asian didn't like the American laughing at his expense so he punched his gut —"not funny jackass!! I'm overwhelmed aren't you going to help your "boyfriend?!"—

Logan kept cackling as he wiped a stray tear off his eye before smiling painedly ——"OW? that hurt you know you prick!"—— he kept some amusement in his voice as Zhou wasn't even overstimulated he was just pissed at his lover laughing at him ——"ok bro you had your laugh, ha ha ha!"—— he said sarcastic as he felt Logan's arms wrap around his waist as he gave him a soft kiss to the neck for comfort ——"sorry babe you were too funny to tease, didn't mean to hurt your feelings...."—— Logan said more genuine in the voice that always made Zhou's heart melt after 15 seconds he sighed heavy and leaned into his touch ——"sigh sorry for lashing out man... just the culture shock y'know?"— Logan smiles and nods ——"yes dude I know I was an ass for even joking while you were in shock... hey let me make it up to you I'll buy you anything in this store on me ok? And maybe we can go to this gas station called Buc-ee's on the way back ok?"——

Zhou smiled softly as he chuckled —"spoiling me eh? anything from this store... and Buc-ee's later? Fine fine I forgive you Logan maybe I will grab a ugly camo hoodie as my first item"— with that Logan smiles softly and kissed Zhou's cheek ——"ah you seem to be getting fond of this place already, do you like the store Zhou...."—— he blushed embarrassed as he was already a kinda liking this store after all the theatrics he did before but to keep his pride he shook his head. Looking into his boyfriends eyes he sighed knowing it wasn't even worth it to lie today and he nods —"Yes bro, Guess I do like the store... like you"—

(Second story Jesus Christ, hope you guys like it and thanks to @midnight-grandprix for the header and a small mention to @kichona-s 🩷🩷😊)

((Little game to play check to see in the story a hint for Pt. 3 oooooo 👻))

[quilandscroll]

Echos of Ancient Future

Part 4

Nora spoke sweetly as she raised her sleeved hands and gave a bow to lady Syra. Nora’s lips held a gentle smile as she lifted her bow and turned to face the main stairs, as if a signal was given, right then the Emperor and Golden King had returned to the courtyard and stood at the top step. Their eyes roaming the scene and eventually resting on the fallen knight’s body huddled in pain. Before the king could unleash his angered question, the emperor raised his arm in front of him to halt his words.

“Nora, I know that look from my time as a child in this yard. What incident has occurred for you to be the one of action?”

The Emperor spoke simply as he and the king walked closer to the elder woman, his eyes focusing on her while the king looked to Grent on the ground.

“Your majesty, Nora was simply..”

Lady Syra’s voice stopped as the Emperor looked her way before resting his pale green eyes back upon the elder Nora once more. The old woman gave a small chuckle before stepping closer and giving a bow once more to the Emperor.

“Perhaps I got carried away, but this young sir seemed to do the same within your great walls, your majesty. I serve he who carries the words of the heavens as well as those chosen to carry on the legacy. This young sir attempted to tarnish Lady Syra’s honor so I showed him simply how to kneel to the consort.”

Grent’s teeth grit as he slowly picks himself up from the attack, only able to sit straight he looks at the old woman and toward Lady Syra with eyes of molten steel before looking to his King.

“My king, that beast of a slave and her wench woman set me up for failure this evening at your event.”

A loud twack echoed the walls on the court as Grent’s face went from anger to shock in the flash of an instant as a golden streak crossed his face. The King stood firm and grabbed Grent’s head before forcing him to bend forward and rest it on the ground in an uncomfortable bow.

“You’ve been the one to shame me and the kingdom of Maritza this day. Have you no shame to mind manners in a country that isnt your own? We are the guests who can be jailed and thrown down, not the other way you cur.”

The king fixed himself to kneel along side Sir Grent and bowed his head toward the Emperor.

“You were right, we are within your palace and are unfamiliar with your customs. If we are still granted the offer, I would like to send a message to our homeland and stay to learn your ways for a proper understanding and maintain a peaceful trade with your empire. As for Grent though, I understand he has done a great wrong, and if there is punishment I will help see to it myself.”

“M..my King, you…y..you don't truly mean that..”

“Silence boy, you”ve.”

The Emperor once again raised his hand to silence the two before looking towards lady Syra and Nora, the elder having a gleam of mischief in her eye while the consort seemed to hold a level of nervousness. His own jade eyes seemed to match the same glint as Nora before a small smile crossed his face.

“There will be a lesson to learn, but it will not be a lethal punishment in anyway, true you”ve made a fool of everyone in the palace with your brash nature, but seeing as you don’t know any better in this land, I can let it be settled with a bit of education instead.”

Grent and the King looked at the Emperor, tension fading slowly as they awaited to hear just what this leader had in mind for them.

“Golden King, I accept you to stay and learn all the customs of our land, but for that to happen, you must not refer to yourself as such a title around here and instead live as someone of the palace. I will grant you a place among the nobles, the advisors here in the palace will be your escorts to the city and assist in any affairs you wish to learn. They are skilled at social gatherings and helping with every task you can imagine, please treat them well.”

“Thank you for this opportunity, your majesty.”

“As for you..”

Grent’s metal ran cold as he looked in the eyes of the Emperor, his mind raced with what duties he would be sent to, would he be placed along the front lines to be made an example of? Would he be given to the many guards and shoulders as some sort of training dummy?

“To ensure you’re given a proper education on how we run things in this palace, as well as a bit of humility for the sake of my consorts. You will be placed in the north side of the palace, and work among the servants as their equal.”

Grent could feel his gears stop inside himself, he couldn't believe how low and spiteful the Emperor could be. Forcing him to be a commoner, a servant, human… a slave. He wanted to argue, to speak up, shout anything to challenge the punishment he was designated but one side glance from his king told him everything… ‘obey’...

“Thank you, Your majesty.”

His words came off curt as he attempted to maintain any dignity he had left from this encounter. He looked to the elder woman again, assuming she would likely be the one he would have to listen to for this duration. As he locked eyes with her, he noticed an odd shift in her gaze, from playful to venomous. Nora had a way with people, either by her playfulness or stern words, she was a woman of great honor. She couldn't help but cover her mouth slightly with her sleeve to hide the smile growing at the now servant bot’s new predicament and discomfort.

“You are most wise in your judgement sir, but now I do believe it is time for rest.”

“You’re quite right Nora, I hope you will see to everyone tonight in Lun’s absence.”

Emperor Suin didn't wait for a reply as he turned to Lady Syra with a smile before heading back to the main palace quietly. The ladies in waiting beside lady Syra quietly came closer to her to assist in guiding her back to the pavilion, hoping for a calmer night after all that happened.

“Alright you two, this way to your rooms. In the morning you’ll be introduced to your new lives and roles within the palace.”

“If I might ask, how long have you served this palace?”

“I’ve been in this palace for sixty three years. Sold here when I was ten and worked my way up ever since. I was even here for the last Emperor before he left. You’re kind to ask, but I do have a question for you now, golden one. What name do you plan to take for your time here?”

The king hesitated for a moment, as he and Grent followed the old woman toward the far side of the courtyard to their new, temporary lives.

“Do I require a new name?”

“You’re not a king around here sir, in these lands the word of the Emperor is the word of the heavens and cosmos of all. If you want to be a king, others are going to see you as a loon.”

“We’ve caused enough disruption already when this was supposed to be a reestablishment of peace trades between our two lands. I don’t need to be causing more damage.”

“Smart. It’s thinking like that, that will grant you more experiences in the world. The advisors you’ll have access to will be able to assist in finding a suitable title for your stay here, until then.”

Nora’s words drifted as she gestured to a large set of doors leading to a simple building.

“This will be your domain for the time here, there's more than enough space for you to rest and recover from tonight. Spare sleeping garments are already in place in the drawers until we can fetch your supplies from your previous place of stay.”

“Thank you. Grent, I expect you to mind your temper and not cause problems. Miss..Nora? If possible could I receive reports on his progress while he’s serving.”

“As you request, I will see to it. Have a good night sir. Now as for you, we get to head to the servants area. This is going to be such a new world for you.”

Nora’s smile held zero resistance as she walked with Grent from the palace to a section of large pavilions beyond another gate. His eyes darted as he took in servants working simply into the late hours but never taking notice of him or Nora as they walked past.

“Are all you slaves so…OW!”

Grent’s words halted in an instant as Nora turned and swatted his hand with a small fan.

“We don't use that word here. We are servants, workers yes, but we’re given dignity and respect. Many of these people have come here willingly because the palace not only offers a safe place to be, but pays us all very well.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to… wait, you mean to tell me, all these servants are here willingly and get paid?”

“That's right boy, all one thousand and thirty of us, each gets an education, a bed, three meals a day, infirmary for illness and even time away can be earned to visit family outside the palace walls. It's why we want to do our best for the Emperor and his consorts, he’s treated us well, so it's only fair to do the same.”

[t-o-r-t-u-r-e-d-p-o-e-t]

My girl Kat who I met in jail and I are chillin getting twacked with one of her dude friends, well I start bitching about acid reflux right, so then Kat asks if my shot was too strong... and I forgot how to form words

[inu-jiru]

The Tiger And The Zebra

Chapter Four - The Rematch

There it was. The Earth.

I’d only just arrived at the bridge when I saw the mass of blue and green outside of the window. I picked up my pace, stopping beside Peridot’s seat. The warship wasn’t in orbit yet, but the planet was close. A strange object floated outside, drifting lazily past the ship. 

“What are those?” I asked, pointing to it.

“I’m not exactly sure,” replied Peridot. “I sent out a Hand Robonoid to investigate.” Pausing, one of her limb enhancers’ floating digits pressing something on the control panel. A holographic screen popped up, showing various images of what I assumed to be aerial views of...cities? That had caught me off guard. There were no cities during the war. All that I’d known of humans was that they lived out in the wild, taking shelter in caves and defending themselves with primitive spears. They’d somehow managed to evolve from that, which was...puzzling.

“Using this data,” the technician continued, bringing me to attention. “I was able to identify any and all cities adjacent to shorelines composed of Earth sediment. If you look here…” A digit pointed to a certain spot located on the northwestern continent. The image zoomed in, showing a smaller human settlement. What interested me was the stone structure near the shoreline. Though the shot was from above, I could see what looked like arms protruding from the sides. “Not only does this city exist on what can be called a “beach”, but there seems to be remnants of Gem architecture. This may be the “Beach City” the Lazuli spoke of. If I have your permission, ma’am, I believe we should land here.”

“Of course,” I said with an approving nod. I had to admit, I was impressed. “Very good work, Peridot. I’ll be sure to inform your manager of your ingenuity.”

I smiled politely down at the sitting Gem, and she looked up at me with wide eyes and a deep blush. She then smiled, a small and rather awkward-looking one. Seeing her joy only made my smile grow wider. I was of the opinion that all Gems, even the lesser ones, deserved some sort of commendation for a job well done. It was good for morale, after all.

“Thank you, Zebra Agate, heh…” she said sheepishly. Clearing her throat, she looked back at the control panel, her “hands” sinking into it as if it were made of fluid. “The ship will land within the next hour.”

“Jasper and I will deal with the traitors, should they show themselves,” I proclaimed. “It should take no more than a few minutes. You will be free to head to the Kindergarten after that. I shall inform Jasper.” Peridot nodded in agreement. I turned from the window, preparing to walk back towards the rest of the warship. Suddenly, I paused. I remembered the traitor curled away in her cell. A sneer formed on my face as I called back over my shoulder:

 “Have the Lazuli removed from her cell. I want her to watch exactly what happens when a Gem even thinks of turning against Homeworld.”

I walked on after that, Peridot’s nervous “Yes, ma’am…” fading into nothing behind me. Eagerness pulsated throughout my form. I was so close...so close to hearing Rose begging for mercy as thrashed her repeatedly over the head with my crook. It was less than what she deserved, but that was where White Diamond’s punishment would come in. I was certain of that.

As I made my way down the corridors, a thought came to mind. I remembered that sparring attempt I had when Jasper rotations ago. She’d said something about me being rusty. I was too flustered at the time to pay it any mind, but now that I thought about it, I begrudgingly had to confess that she was right. Agates weren’t always used for combat; usually, our sheer presence was enough to keep a Gem in line, and any fighter Gems under our command were involved with actual warfare. That wasn’t to say that I had no fighting experience; I was ordered to fight alongside my Quartzes halfway through the war, before the rush job that was the Beta Kindergarten. That was thousands of years ago, however. I needed practice. I needed another sparring session.

I slowed my pace as the entrance to the training bay. Jasper’s fierce shouts made my hands tremble slightly. How embarrassing...I was supposed to be striking fear into her, not the other way around. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter was that Jasper was incredibly intimidating, more specifically, her enthusiasm. I didn’t want a repeat of last time. I bit my lip. If I wanted a chance to spar with Jasper without it becoming a game of chase, I needed to think ahead. 

I needed to do something unorthodox.

I reached the training bay entrance, my past excitement being replaced with dread. What I was about to do wasn’t so much risky (hopefully) as it was incredibly cheap. Nevertheless, this would be entertaining. Carefully, I brought out my crook and held it against my body. I then reached for the side of the entrance, fiddling with the control system. I found the light source and turned it off. Immediately, the room side turned pitch black.

“What the hell?” I heard Jasper mutter. Pressing the button to close the door, I quickly ducked inside and was submerged in darkness. I hugged the wall, treading as lightly as Gemly possible. I couldn’t see her, and I wasn’t about to do something as stupid as walking blindly into her. I heard her smack her lips in annoyance. “Tch...what did that runt do?”

“Oh, Peridot had nothing to do with this, I assure you,” I dared to call out. I smirked, amused at my own boldness.

“Zebra Agate?” Jasper grunted, understandably confused. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, nothing,” I cooed. “I just realized that we had some unfinished business.” I could now see the glow of her gem. A beam of orange light began moving this way and that. She was searching for me. I let out a sharp gasp as it nearly landed on my arm. Unfortunately, the noise still gave me away.

“Hmph. Is that right?” Her boots thudded against the floor as she approached. I dashed off to the side as quickly and as quietly as I could. She started snickering. “Are you kidding? You’re not seriously trying to get the drop on me, are you? Wow...you know, that’s pretty cheap.”

I almost laughed. Quickly, I slammed my hand over my mouth as I held back a giggle. 

“I prefer to call it strategy,” I shot back. “You do know what strategy is, yes?” She snorted. That got me. I started laughing, and immediately Jasper’s searchlight fell on me. A flash of light told me that she was equipping her crash helmet.

“Tsk,” she scoffed. Thanks to her glowing Gem, I could make out that trademark grin of hers. “Strategy...I’ll show you strategy, Agate.”

“Oh?” I purred. I was right; this was fun, and we hadn’t even traded blows yet. “Come on, then. I give you permission.”

She didn’t need any further coaxing, though I was pleasantly surprised that she’d waited as long as she did. She started sprinting at me. This time, I was ready. Using her light as my guide, I rushed at Jasper. When I felt she was close enough, I swung my crook, the hooked end facing away from her. 

TWACK!

The impact was hard; I could feel it through the crook’s handle. Jasper cried out as she staggered to the side, at least from what I could tell. I wasn’t finished. I swung my crook again, this time, swinging it upwards. There was another hard impact, followed by Jasper’s yell. There was a thud; I assumed she fell backwards, as the shine of her Gem was now beneath me. 

“Are you alright?” I asked in mild concern. I was expecting Jasper to shoot back that she was fine or something to that effect. However, she remained silent. Jasper’s searchlight began moving; I think she was trying to get up. I’d taken a step back, when suddenly, she growled. 

WHAM!

It was now my turn to be thrown off balance. Something hard decked me in the face, and I was sent to the floor before I could even process that I was in pain. My crook flung itself from my hand, clattering against the ground in the darkness.  

“Guess your little plan backfired,” Jasper remarked, looming over me as she laughed. Her searchlight shined directly into my face. I narrowed my eyes. I couldn’t let her get the upper hand. Deciding to ignore the pain as best I could, I felt around in the dark for my crook. “Oh, no you don’t.”

Jasper was suddenly on top of me. I began to panic as her hands gripped my wrists, rather tightly, I might add. With a snarl, She forced them to the ground. I brought up my knee and it pressed into her stomach. Now, she couldn’t bring her full weight on me. If she wanted to move my leg, she’d have to release one of my wrists, and judging by her sudden hesitation, I got the feeling that that wasn’t what she planned on doing. It was a very small victory, though. Jasper laughed again. I could barely look at her with her searchlight shining down on me, but I could just make out her form out of the corner of my eye.

“That’s it?” she taunted. “Tch. I was hoping you’d last a bit longer than that.”

“I’m not finished yet,” I insisted, but that only earned me a third laugh. I gritted my teeth in frustration.

“Heh, looks that way to me,” mocked Jasper. She moved one of my wrists, now holding onto both of them with one hand while the other suddenly took hold of my chin. I gasped as my head was turned to face Jasper. I squinted against her searchlight.

“Could you at least turn that down a little…?” I grumbled. I was so glad I’d turned out the lights; to say that I was completely flustered by this was an understatement. My body felt hot, even more so now that Jasper was handling me with such confidence. Her searchlight dimmed, allowing me to finally see the smug satisfaction on her face. She was smirking again, all of her teeth exposed. For a fraction of a second, I actually thought she might bite me.

“I guess I should thank you,” Jasper finally said, much to my confusion.

“...What?”

“I could never do something like this to Yellow Agate. She’d crack my Gem if I even thought of asking her to spar, and she sure as hell isn’t afraid of hurting me.” I frowned at that. 

“I’m not Yellow Agate,” I stated firmly. “I don’t want to hurt you. This is supposed to be fun.”

“But what’s fun without a little risk, huh?” There was that purr again. Jasper’s now half-lidded eyes glowed with an almost...primal emotion. I couldn’t describe it, and yet, it allured me. This entire situation was risk incarnate, and dare I say it...I was enjoying myself. The more I thought about it, the more I was beginning to wonder if Jasper was right. Perhaps I was holding myself back. 

Maybe it was time to give Jasper what she wanted.

My body began sparking with electricity, flashes of white illuminating. Jasper’s arrogance quickly changed to surprise. 

“Be careful what you wish for,” I hummed. In that instant, electric energy shot out from my body and gave Jasper a mighty jolt. Sparks flew as she was launched off of me, shouting in alarm. There was then a cacophony of noise as Jasper crashed into...something. 

I got up, not bothering to look for my crook or re-summon it. I followed Jasper’s Gem glow and threw myself down on top of her, straddling her stomach. Jasper’s hands were on me quickly, but I wouldn’t wait and give her the chance to push me off. I began delivering punch after punch, growling as fiercely as I could each time I made contact. Jasper fought back, and before I knew it, we were rolling across the floor, locked in combat as we barreled into the equipment around us. She’d land hits, as would I, but I don’t think either of us really registered the pain. The adrenaline, the chaos...this was all that mattered in that moment. 

Then, the lights turned on.

I cried out in discomfort, as did Jasper, and we collapsed in a heap on the floor with me on top of her. Sitting up, I now found my hands resting against the sides of her head, my fingers interwoven in her splayed-out hair. We were both panting heavily, and I’d only just now noticed the feeling of sweat dripping down my bare “skin”. Our eyes were locked, and I couldn’t make out what emotion she was feeling. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, either, but I did know one thing: I hadn’t wanted it to end.

“Er…” I suddenly heard Peridot’s voice. “Am I...interrupting something?”

I looked up, seeing the green Gem standing at the training bay entrance. Her eyes darted from me to Jasper. Remembering myself, I pulled myself off Jasper’s body, as much as it pained me to do so. 

“Just a bit of sparring,” I responded quickly, dusting myself off. “Is...everything alright, Peridot?”

“I’d...heard all the noise and I thought maybe an engine had exploded or...something.”

“You should’ve just stayed at the bridge, half-pint,” Jasper grunted, having gotten to her feet herself. Peridot glared at the Quartz. 

“Alright, alright,” I said quickly, glancing between the two Gems. “What I think Jasper means is that we appreciate the concern, but things just got a bit...carried away?”

“I can see that,” Peridot commented, her eyes sweeping across the room. I decided to take a look for myself and see what damage we’d done. There was a treadmill that had its lower platform completely smashed. That had to have been what Jasper landed on earlier. I grimaced, knowing that I’d have to explain that in the future. After the treadmill was a mess of barbells and dumbbells that had been knocked over. I think we’d even crashed into the punching bag, as it was still swaying. I was amazed at myself, in all honesty.

Yes, well,” I started. “As you can see, everything is perfectly fine. Well, many not “perfectly”, but you know what I mean. That will be all, Peridot.” I clapped my hands, signalling that it was time for the technician to return to her post.

“Yes, ma’am.” 

Peridot hurried off after that, leaving me alone with Jasper once again. By now, I’d caught my breath, and the training bay was now quiet aside from the rhythmic hum of energy flowing through the pipes on the ceiling. Jasper and I turned to each other. She was smiling. One that was quite tame compared to her usual smiles. She looked satisfied, which had me blushing yet again. 

“Now that was more like it,” she began, breaking the silence. “I guess I was wrong about you, Zebra. You’re not as rusty as I thought you were. I actually felt a few of those punches, heh.”

“Thank you, Jasper,” I replied with a grin. “And you’re more durable than I thought. Not a lot of gems can take that attack point-blank and still keep their physical form. But, then again, you’re not most Quartzes, are you?”

“Hell no, I’m not.” With her hands on her hips, Jasper stood tall and puffed out her chest. I chuckled softly. 

“I’m honored to have gotten a chance to spar with you, then,” I told her. “My Quartzes will be jealous, especially the Amethysts; they absolutely adore you.”

“As they should.”

I’d been preparing myself for some more banter with the Quartz when I’d suddenly remembered why I’d come to the training bay in the first place.

“Stars, I’d completely forgotten,” I mumbled. Jasper glanced as me, a brow raised. “I was going to come and tell you that we’ve nearly entered Earth’s orbit. That was, until all of this…” I gestured at the mess we’d made. “...Happened.”

“About time,” Jasper sneered. She began cracking her knuckles in anticipation. “I needed a warm-up, anyway. When are we landing?”

“Within the hour, according to Peridot. We still have some time to spare. Which gives me an idea…”

“Oh?” Jasper looked at me in interest. I felt bad, because what I was going to suggest was not going to be anything fun.

“I think we should tidy up a bit,” I said. Jasper’s eagerness deflated, a gleam of betrayal and disappointment in her eyes. I covered my mouth as I laughed apologetically. “Come now, let’s not be savages. Besides, someone has to do it. I’ll even make it a game.”

“...?”

“Whoever finishes gets to land the first punch on Rose.”

I’d barely finished the sentence when Jasper sprinted towards the nearest dumbbell.

[stillchaoticlogic]

Stumbling Chapter 2:

Pairing: Raihan X Reader X Leon

Your life hadn’t gone exactly as you planned…

Which is why when an old rival walks into the coffee shop you work at he gives you an offer you just can’t refuse. Finally, a chance at the League. Suddenly you are thrust into the spot light and a world you thought you had left behind. Dreams aren’t always what they are cracked up to be though, especially when you find yourself the tangled up with the champion and a certain gym leader.

Has all your dreams come true?

Or is this your worst nightmare?

Read the First Chapter Here!

I’m Going on an Adventure!

You heave a sigh as you gaze out the window of the coffee shop.

“(NAME)! Are you paying attention?!” You jump before you glance up at your boss. You notice the cup on the counter, picking it up you read the order and get to work making it. The days since Leon graced your with his presence one rainy afternoon have been difficult ones. You’ve gone back and forth on your decision and often wonder if turning it down was such a good idea. Thus, all you have been doing is daydreaming and getting yelled at. You hand off the drink to the customer with a robotic smile.

“Look (Name), I’m going to take a lunch, then you can go when I come back… Just pay attention… I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but I’m worried…”

You fix your boss with a puzzled gaze before you send him a reassuring smile, “I’ll be fine… Just some thoughts…”

He nods in understanding and turns to head into his office for his lunch. He’s a good guy with a sweet family. He’s done a lot for you over the years and you’re grateful to him, but you can’t help but feel trapped. You feel trapped in a life you never wanted and didn’t ask for. You’re bored and you need a challenge. Regret hits you like a freight train and you push the tears back as feelings of hopelessness and fear attack you. All you wanted was an out and you threw it away…

Snapping out of your thoughts you push them away and start to condense the pastries to make room for fresh ones. With the morning rush over you are just biding your time for your own lunch. When your boss, Mr. O’Malley, comes back he hands you an envelope.

“Here… this is addressed to you,” he says with confusion lacing his voice. You’ve never gotten mail here before.

With a furrowed brow you take it from him with a quiet thank you, and open it up. Inside is a letter of endorsement for the League signed by Leon himself.

“You didn’t tell me you know the champion,” says O’Malley as he reads the letter over your shoulder. You whip around to face him and hold the letter to yourself.

“We’re old school mates…”

“I see…”

“Yeah…” you mutter as you avoid his eyes.

“Are you going to go?”

“What?! Go where?”

“The League?”

“NO! Of course not… I have far too much to do… to be responsible for…”

“Will you stop making excuses?” he cuts you off sounding exhasperated.

“Huh?”

“You are wasted here, not that I don’t appreciate you. I do! You’re my best employee… But you and I both know you are destined for something much greater than coffee…”

Gazing at the man in front of you, you feel your eyes well up with tears.

“Hey now… None of that…” he mutters and you just nod before you wipe your eyes. Gazing down at the letter you read over it and feel your chest tighten.

“I have to get ready… I have to leave today if I’m going to make it to the opening ceremony!”

“Go on then!”

You feel your heart swell for the first time in a long time.

“I’m going on an adventure…” You whisper more to yourself, before you untie your apron and rush out the door yelling your thanks as you do.

Your running is cut short by the stitch in your side as you slow to a light jog then a walk.

“Well…. (Name).... You’re not getting to the station if you die first…” you pant as you hold your side.

Yep… definitely not fourteen anymore…. You grumble to yourself as you make your way to your apartment.

Serenity is in front of you in a moment gazing up at you in slight wonder.

“Were going on an adventure,” you say with a smile gazing down at her.

Her eyes filled with happiness as she leaps up into the air before crashing into your arms. You laugh as you hold her before you plop her onto your head and she latches on.

“Come on! We need to get ready! The ceremony is tomorrow!” you rush into your room and start throwing things into your bag. Before you know it your bag is bulging and your not even able to lift it from the ground.

“Maybe… I’ve over packed…”

Serenity just nods her tiny head and gazes up at you from the bed.

“Okay…” you sigh before you start pulling things from your bag and throwing it onto your bed. She lets out a squeak of indignation when you take out one of you dresses and replace it with a raincoat.

“I know! But what if it rains! You know how unpredictable the weather can! And it’s going to be cold at night! I need a blanket! Oh dear… I need a tent! Where the hell am I going to fit a tent into this thing? HOW AM I GOING TO FIT A TENT IN THIS THING?! That’s it… I’m not going…”

Serenity jumps up and twacks you on the head and sends you a tiny glare.

“Right well! Best figure out what I don’t need… No no! The blanket stays you will appreciate me later trust me!”

After battling with yourself and your Hatenna you have finally come to a balanced things to pack ratio.

“There best be a washing machine in the Pokemon center or the world will burn…” you grumble to yourself as you set off on your way to the train station just as the sun sets on the horizon.

You’ve been walking for a couple of hours when you check your watch. The last train leaves in about an hour and despite the fact that you are making good time you aren’t sure if you are going to make it in time at the pace you’re going. Suddenly you hear a low rumble from the bushes next to you. A pair of eyes gleam in the faint moonlight and a moment later out steps a Meowth and then another and then another.

“Oh… Shit…”

Without waiting for an invitation you turn tails and start running, just to get away from the hoard of Meowth now chasing you. You can pretty much hear them cackle behind you as about fifteen of them chase after you down the dirt pathway. Despite your shortness of breath and your racing heart you just keep going. Suddenly, the Pokeball on your hip opens and out pops Serenity with a hard expression on her face. As if your tiny baby is going to take a stand.

“NOPE!” you yelp as you scoop her up from the ground and hike her up on your shoulder. She squeaks in surprise when she sees the sheer amount of Meowth hot on your tail. She suddenly opens her tiny mouth and lets out a shrill cry causing the Meowth to scatter momentarily before renewing their chase.

“OH! What was that?! Do it again!” you cry as you plop her on your head facing her towards her opponents. She continues to hit them with the attack and you notice that some of them have fainted or seem to be turning around. Apparently, when you’re the one getting attacked the chase isn’t as much fun. A moment later, you see the tower of the train station in sight and you heave a sigh of relief when you collapse into a chair in the station.

“It was a hoard of Meowth…” You say to the patrons looking at you as if you are crazy. At your explanation they just nod in abject understanding and go back to their business.

“All aboard the last train to Motostoke station!”

You quickly collect yourself and your exhausted but proud pokemon and rush to the ticket counter. They hurry through the transaction and you rush onto the train. You make it through the doors just as they shut and you heave a sigh of relief as you make your way to a vacant seat.

Serenity plops onto the seat next to you and gazes up at you happily.

“You did amazing out there! How about a treat?” She nods her little head enthusiastically. Pulling out your phone you open up your stats for Serenity.

“Hmmm… Looks like you learned Disarming Voice. That’s amazing! It’s also going to be super helpful in upcoming battles!” She just chirps happily at you before showing you a picture of a piece of cake sitting on the table.

“Of course, first we'll eat cake for dinner!” She thrills happily and ends up bouncing around in her seat

When the train staff comes by to take your order you end up with about three different slices of cake and a couple of pastries. The two of you happily stuff your faces with the cakes and wrap the pastries up for later. Gazing out the window watching the scenery go by in the pale moonlight you feel at peace for the first time in many years.

The next morning it’s the sound of the train whistle that wakes you from your slumber. You fell asleep slumped over in the booth you had claimed last night. Serenity also jumps to attention before relaxing and letting out a long yawn as she gazes around her surroundings.

“Right. Well… Let’s go!”

You gather your things and Serenity jumps up onto the top of your head, her little hat like antenna picking up everything around her. You’re a little surprised she isn’t overwhelmed since she doesn’t like crowds. Then again the amount of people getting off of the overnight train is not nearly as many as it would be during the day. Since it’s so early in the morning you decide to go ahead and register then find a hotel to clean yourself up for the opening ceremony. Walking in the direction of the arena you find it easily enough. It’s just the large centerpiece of the city, you know you can’t miss it. With a deep breath you walk up the stairs and into the stadium. Walking up to the counter you see a young man sorting through some papers before he looks up and greets you.

“How can I help you Ma’am?”

You can’t say your eye didn’t twitch at ‘ma’am’ but you put the thought aside and present your letter. “I’m here to register.”

He looks down at the letter and squints.

“The...Champion is endorsing you?”

You can tell he doesn’t believe you.

“Yes… He is.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to check on some...things… hold on one moment please.”

“Oh dear…” you grumble to yourself and pull out the pastry from last night and take a bite. You pull off a piece and hand it to Serenity who is still scouting the area from your head. She happily takes the offered piece and begins to munch on it. You pull a napkin from your bag and go to wipe the crumbs away when you notice numbers written on it.

“Oh… you cheeky little bugger..” you say as you glance up at the Hatenna on your head.

“So sneaky… but so smart…” you mumble to yourself before you pull out your phone and dial the number.

“Ma’am I’m afraid until the Champion gets here for us to confirm the validity, we cannot accept this as proof of-” You hold up your hand and indicate the phone in your hand.

A moment later a sleepy voice answers the phone.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“Leon! It’s (Name), I’ve run into a bit of a problem… Registration doesn’t seem to want to accept the letter.”

“What? Why?” he asks in sleepy confusion, but the declaration seems to have woken him up a little bit more.

“They don’t believe it’s real…” you grumble with a sigh.

Serenity pats your arm and indicates the uneaten pastry in your hand. You take one more bite before you hand the rest of it to her.

“Don’t worry… I’ll take care of it, just head to the Budew Drop Inn. I’ll call ahead and make sure they have a room for you.”

“Thanks Leon! I owe you one!” you chirp before you turn to the flabbergasted League employee behind the counter. You send him a Cheshire grin and wave before you turn away from the counter.

You hear Leon’s signature laugh, “You sure do! Just make sure that you make it to the finals, that’ll be my payment okay?”

“You got it!”

“Hey (NickName)...”

“Uhh… yeah?” you ask stopping at his tone of voice and the name you haven’t heard in years.

“I’m just really happy that you decided to compete. I know you’re going to do great things.”

You feel tears well up in your eyes and you blink them away, “Me too…” you whisper back before you bid him goodbye and head out the door into the morning sunlight. It doesn’t take you long to find your way to the inn and when you get there you notice the employees seem to be scrambling for something.

“You must be (Name)! Champion Leon called and stated there has been a hold up with your League entrance paperwork, but he’s working on it. Until then, we’ve been instructed to make sure you have a room so you can get freshened up for the opening ceremony.”

“Thank you,” you say with a grateful smile.

“Of course! Follow me!” you follow along after the staff member through the hallways until you get to a room. She hands you the key and you let yourself in thanking her again in the process.

You throw yourself down on the bed and look up at the ceiling.

“I can’t believe this is happening…”

Serenity chirps at you before she too flopped back onto the bed.

“I know… This is just the beginning and we’re going to be amazing.”

After a few minutes of rest you haul yourself up from the bed and head into the shower. Once you are clean you put on some clean clothes and start sorting out your hair and makeup. You’re almost done putting the finishing touches on your hair when there is a knock on your door. You rush over to see who it is then open up the door. Leon is standing on the other side.

“Getting ready?” he asks as you move to the side for him to come in.

“Yeah I’m almost done.”

“Good good… I’ve got everything squared away with your entrance paperwork. Here, this is for you!” He hands over the necessary things you’ll need for the league.

“Thanks,” you say as you begin sorting through all the necessary paperwork and badge holder.

“Also! Hand me your phone and I’ll get your dex set up for you.”

“You know how to do that?”

“Sonia told me how, she says she’ll catch up with you soon though. She misses you.”

You look up into his eyes, “Well I can’t wait to see her again, it’s been far too long. How is she?”

“She’s helping her gran out with research, so she’s been pretty busy lately.”

“Oh, I bet it makes it hard for you two to see each other huh? With you both being so busy?”

“I mean yeah… but that’s life I guess?” He says with a shrug as he concentrates on the device in his hand. He pulls out his own phone and pulls up a code that he enters before the Pokedex springs to life on your own phone. He gives a nod before he hands it back to you.

“Thanks… you know… for everything… I wasn’t the nicest to you that day…”

“Well… You’ve never really been the nicest to me…”

You look up in shock, “Oh hush!” you say as you go to smack his arm, he lets out a loud laugh and dodges you.

“You’ll have to be faster than that to beat the champion!” he exclaims as he ducks down, barely dodging the pillow you are now trying to assault him with.

“I’ll show you ‘not nice!’” you exclaim.

He grabs one of the other pillows and the two of you end up duking it out via fluffy madness, Serenity jumping about on the bed chirping happily at the two of you. After a few minutes, you both collapsed onto the bed in laughter throwing the pillows to the side.

“I needed that…” you wheeze out in between breaths.

“You’re going to do great…”

“What if I don’t?” you ask in a small voice.

He lifts himself up onto one arm so he can look down into your eyes.

“You’re way stronger than you think you are…”

You just nod unable to speak before you grasp the pillow and bury your face in it. He pulls you into a hug as you attempt to roll away from him.

“No Leon! If you hug me it will only make it worse!”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll just want to cry more!”

He lets out a laugh but lets go of you, “At some point you’re going to have to stop crying every time you see me…”

“Shut up! It’s your fault! Plus I’m dealing with a whole decade of buried emotions it’s a lot, okay? Being a woman is a lot!”

You both just end up laughing at your outburst, once you’ve calmed down you go to fix your hair and make up again. You’re a little surprised when Leon just continues to lounge on your bed and play with Serenity.

“I don’t remember you having a Hatenna when we were younger… What happened to…”

“She’s with Mom and Dad… I didn’t really have the space to keep her and now she just enjoys lounging around.”

“I see…”

“Have you thought about your team?”

You look at him through the mirror as you fix your hair.

“I have a few thoughts…”

“None that you’re willing to share?” He asks with a sly smile.

You just shrug in reply, “I can’t reveal all my secrets…”

“Of course not…”

“Not even one?”

“Don’t you have official League things to do?”

“Bothering my sponsor is my official League thing right now.”

“You’re impossible…”

“I’m The Unbeatable Champion!”

“So now you’re The Impossible Champion!” you chirp with sarcastic happiness.

You see him slowly go to reach for the pillow again and, “Don’t you dare! I do NOT have time to redo my hair...AGAIN.”

He sends you an innocent smile as he holds up his hands in mock surrender. You just send him a look and go back to fixing your makeup.

When you are finished the two of you head out of the inn and back to the stadium. Now, especially with Leon by your side, the amount of people looking at you and acknowledging you is overwhelming.

“Oh! You need a uniform! I’ll be right back!” you watch as he jogs off without waiting for a reply. A moment later you are approached by a reporter and cameraman.

“Excuse me… Do you have a moment to answer a few questions?”

“Umm… not at the moment… I need to get ready for the ceremony.”

A look of surprise crosses her features, “Oh? You’re a competitor? Are you the sponsor that Champion Leon is endorsing?”

“Yes, I am… and I’m afraid I have much to do before the ceremony… If you’ll excuse me…”

You practically run away from the reporter and practically into Leon. He steadies you before he hands you the uniform.

“Whoa! Slow down! Here take this and head to the locker room! I have to go take my place, I’ll see you afterwards though?”

You just nod in bewilderment and take the offered uniform. You know this is something you’re going to have to get used to, especially if you are going to be at all associated with Leon. Vaguely you wonder to yourself if you’ve made the right decision after all… especially with the way that reporter is eyeing you like her next meal.

Notes:

Hey everyone! I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed and subscribed! I'm excited about this and I'm hoping to have the next chapter out soon! Raihan will be in that one! Who is ready for Dragon Boy? Me tooooo! I hope you enjoyed your Leon moment! Please review and tell me your thoughts!

[thepartyresponsible]

here’s another whumptober fic, for the prompt gunpoint. here’s what happens when someone tries to mug bruce banner and clint barton objects.

there’s a bit of violence, but mostly this one is just sweet.

Anyone else on the team would’ve identified the threat before the man got within reaching distance. If any other Avenger were out here, this would-be mugger would’ve been tossed flat on his back before he even went for his gun.

But it’s Bruce, and he’s alone, so he isn’t even really monitoring the man’s approach until the gun is pointed directly at him and the guy is demanding Bruce’s wallet.

“Wow,” Bruce says. “Uh. Listen. You’ve made a bit of a tactical error.”

“Oh, did I, asshole?” The man thunks the front part of the gun between Bruce’s eyes, and Bruce can’t even remember what it’s called for a moment.

Barrel, he thinks. But no, that’s not precise enough.

Muzzle, he decides, a half-second later. Well, he’s always been better at vocabulary than self-preservation.

“Your wallet,” the man repeats. The metal is almost warm, and Bruce grimaces at the idea that it’s been shoved down the front of this guy’s pants. “Hey, shithead. Give me your fucking wallet.”

“I don’t have one,” Bruce says. Which is a ludicrous thing to say, but he really doesn’t. He doesn’t carry his ID anymore, and he got sick of cancelling credit cards after the fifth time the Hulk’s casual approach to public nudity had left the contents of his wallet scattered over a random street in some city he could never go back to.

All of that stuff – his ID, his credit cards, his cash – is back in the bar, with Tony.

But before Bruce can elucidate the finer points of his personal financial situation, the mugger seems to run low on his already limited supply of patience.

“Bullshit,” he says, and pistol-whips Bruce across the face like this is some kind of terrible TV police procedural.

“Hey,” Bruce says. He works his jaw; he can taste blood in his mouth. “First of all, I really need you to not do that again. This whole block needs you to not do that again. The entire city needs you to exercise some self--”

The guy does it again, but Bruce manages to duck out of the way this time.

“Jesus,” Bruce says. “Stop it.”

The man grabs the front of Bruce’s shirt and drags him farther up the alley, behind the dive bar that Tony wanted to visit because allegedly Daredevil hangs around sometimes, and Bruce honestly cannot believe that this is happening. He’s about to Hulk out because some bully in Hell’s Kitchen made a series of unsound strategic decisions, and Daredevil is absolutely going to show up, but it’s going to be to help dig out survivors.

“Listen,” the man says. In another life, Bruce would be scared of him. He’s bigger than Bruce, taller and heavier, and he’s meaner. His breath smells strongly of cheap whiskey, and it mixes unpleasantly with the taste of blood still coating Bruce’s tongue.

“Hey,” Bruce says. He can feel the Hulk stirring, all that reflexive anger like bloody bait calling a shark. “Hey, stop. Listen. You’ve gotta stop.”

“Give me,” the man says, crowding forward, hand closing around Bruce’s throat, “your fucking wallet.”

And Bruce can see, in a second, how this is going to play out. He’s going to say he doesn’t have a wallet, or the mugger’s going to check his pockets, and maybe he’ll be appeased by the phone Tony gave him, but maybe he won’t. And either way, he’s probably going to hit Bruce again, and Bruce won’t be able to stop the reaction, won’t be able to hold the Hulk back, and it’s just Tony and Clint and Steve in the bar, no Thor who can almost counter him.

He’s going to wreck Hell’s Kitchen. He’s going to get people killed.

Again. It’s going to happen again.

“I don’t,” Bruce says, closing his eyes, feeling green spreading in his blood, vining up from his throat, where that man’s hand is crushing in. “I don’t have--”

There’s a sudden shift of movement, a yelp, and then a shout that’s cut off sharp with a heavy, meaty twack. When Bruce blinks his eyes open, the mugger is on the ground, stunned, blood already streaming from a badly broken nose, and Clint Barton is standing over him, looking baffled and incredulous.

“Are you kidding?” Clint asks the unconscious man lying sprawled on the pavement. “We’re trying to have a nice Thursday night, and you gotta be an asshole? It’s not even a weekend. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Bruce clears his throat and then takes a few quick steps away, dragging some deep breaths into his lungs. The Hulk fades, a once-clear signal dimming toward static, and Bruce rubs at his face, closes his eyes.

“Thanks,” he says. “Sorry.”

“What’re you sorry for?” Clint asks. He draws up beside Bruce and sends him a curious sideways look. He has the mugger’s gun in his hands, and he’s taking it apart. Releasing the magazine, pulling back the slide to check the chamber.

Bruce thinks it’s incredibly obnoxious that all of his gun vocabulary is returning now that he no longer needs it.

“I don’t know,” he says, with a shrug. “I’m an Avenger. I almost got mugged behind a dive bar in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s embarrassing.”

Clint grins at him. His smile is wide and friendly, and he’s looking at Bruce like he’s endearing instead of pathetic. “I got mugged in Bed-Stuy once,” he confides. “No shit. Two blocks from home.”

Bruce stares at him. “I don’t--- I don’t actually believe you.”

But Clint just grins wider. “I did,” he says. “Kid with a letter opener. She looked pretty hungry, you know? And, anyway, you gotta file a report if you get into a fight with civilians. So I gave her my wallet.”

Bruce tries to decide if he even wants to get into the difference between I chose to let a teenager with a letter opener have my money and I couldn’t stop a drunk from nearly setting off the Hulk and breaking Hell’s Kitchen. He’s still working through that particular dilemma when Clint sighs, almost wistful, and tucks the disarmed gun into the small of his back, flashing the lower half of a set of unnecessarily distracting abs as he does so.

“I had a loyalty card in that wallet,” he says. “I was halfway to a free pizza.”

Bruce blinks at him. “I’ll buy you a pizza,” he says.

Clint’s eyebrows pull together. The wattage of the smile that follows could light Manhattan for months. “Yeah?”

“I mean,” Bruce says, gesturing back toward the still-unconscious mugger lying on the ground. “I feel like I owe you one.”

“Oh,” Clint says. The smile dims. “I thought you meant— well.”

Bruce raises his eyebrows. “Meant what?”

Clint clears his throat. There is, Bruce is startled to find, an actual, honest-to-God blush settling over the arch of his cheekbones. “Nothing,” he says, fast. And then, just as fast, like he has to rush to beat the end of his courage. “I thought you meant a date. With me. A pizza date.”

Bruce’s mouth falls open.

Farther up the alley, the mugger groans and then rolls over. A second late, he vomits blood all over the pavement.

“Oh, come on,” Clint says, turning to face him. “You’re the absolute worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m trying—we’re trying – to have a romantic moment, and you gotta do that? I mean, first you try to mug the Hulk, and then you literally puke blood when I finally--”

“Yes,” Bruce says, possibly at a bit of an ill-timed moment. “I mean,” he amends, when Clint swivels his way, “yes to everything you’re saying. I agree on every point. And, also, yes to the date. The one with pizza. The—yes. What you mentioned. Yes.”

That blinding sunshiney grin makes a sudden re-appearance. Clint beams at him. “Really?” he asks, like he doesn’t know he’s the Amazing Hawkeye. Like he doesn’t know he’s funny and kind and always the first one to notice whenever any of them is in any kind of trouble. Like he has never once had an opportunity to look in a single reflective surface.

“Yes,” Bruce says. The mugger makes an awful retching sound, and Bruce grimaces. “In fact, maybe we should go right now.”