#vore rating game

[alexcutecolly]

For the vore ask game:

Pred who eats a whole bunch of tiny prey buffet-style so they're all churning around together in his big belly with food (non-fatally if you prefer)

hard pass | rather not | meh | neutral | ooh | yes please | absolutely delightful

Definitely in a non-fatal way, a pred stuffing themselves with prey along with food is a pretty cool idea!

I also love how well it'd fit in a foodplay scenario, for example if the pred garnished a dish and placed one or more tinies onto it, if they straight up combined food and prey like with sushi or sandwiches. Not sure how willing the prey is though, lol.

Alternatively, I also like to think that all tinies actually wanted to get nommed, so basically after being swallowed they all chill together as the pred eats some more meals until they're full ❤️ and if the pred falls asleep, everyone in their belly follows suit xD it'd just be a very cute idea imo, hehe

[ryanmarshallryan]

GAME SHOW FOOD CHALLENGE

VORETOBER SHORT VORE STORY DAY 19

“For your next challenge, we’ve loaded up an extra long sloppy joe with some of the hottest hot sauce we could find, with a 2M Scoville rating -” the announcer began, beckoning to a waiter who came in holding a large sandwich. Evan, the one competing in the eating contest, nodded understanding, approached the waiter, picked him up and swallowed him whole. The waiter in his surprise dropped the sloppy joe onto the ground. The announcer gasped in confusion, watching the waiter wriggle and writhe down into Evan’s stomach. Buttons began popping open on Evan’s shirt until the fabric gave way all together and ripped down the side.

“For such a high scoville rating, Joe wasn’t that hot!” Evan said, catching his breath and rubbing his gut after downing such a big meal.

“You ate the waiter? I didn’t say a guy named Joe, I said a sloppy Joe!”

“Hey I thought his name was Joe, and he was dressed pretty sloppy. Don’t matter none now though,” Evan said, slapping his gut that was showing signs of squirming insides and deformed lumpy shapes beneath the layers of fat. He noticed the sloppy joe on the ground that the waiter had dropped, picked it up and gulped it down as well, dripping sauce onto his belly. He took a deep breath to calm his taste buds from the hot sauce, belched and continued, “I see what you were saying, that was pretty hot. All right, what’s next?”

After a pause the announcer shrugged and went on, “Next up, you’ll be eating bread, but not just any bread -”

“Wait just clarifying, you want me to eat another guy named Brad? I’m okay eating one guy, but I don’t know if I can handle eating a whole party if this keeps going…”

“Bread! Bread, not Brad!” the announcer said, then turned to one of his crew members holding one of the close up cameras for the game show, “Brad you better go take a break until the next contestant comes out.”

Featuring TeaCub from grommr as Evan the pred :)

[fujoshawty]

Hello! I know I've posted about art commissions here before. However, my true skill set is writing. I'm a professional writer with years of experience writing articles and branded content, but I've spent my entire life in collaborative communities for roleplay and group writing. I'm extraordinarily well-acquainted with a wide variety of genres, especially as a proud otaku and essayist. I am currently a freelance writer and am at risk of losing my one source of income (it's with Game Rant, so I'm already barely making enough to pay for gas as is), it would be great to sustain myself with my skillset and continue to explore my passion for writing outside of work.

My minimum rate is $0.05 per word with a minimum of 200 words, and a flat rate of $45 every 1,000 words. If a piece exceeds 10,000 words, I would be more than happy to negotiate prices. I am comfortable with most topics from any genre, but I will not write scat, incest, anything involving minors, vore, vomit, fart, or urine. I also reserve the right to turn down anything I've forgotten to list. I specialize in OC x Canon, monsters, whump, fluff, and horror, but I can do almost anything! My greatest strength is my penchant for visceral language and imagery. NSFW with or without plot are fine, as well as canon characters and spinoff stories of existing franchises (i.e. Genshin, JJBA, JJK, Osomatsu-san, etc). Don't be shy about asking for any fandom-oriented works! I'll let you know if I'm able to give you a strong piece, but if anything, I will research on my own to provide an unparalleled fic tailored to your preferences.

My writing rate will also apply for roleplay and can be done through Discord, Telegram, Tumblr, or other venues. Please leave a comment or DM me for more information! We can communicate via DMs and move to email or other private platforms to discuss payment and any ideas you may have. Thank you for reading!

[sapphicslaylist]

I Guess I’ll Do An Intro Post?

Hey there! It’s been a bit since I’ve gotten the hang of this site, but noticed that my fandoms are hanging out here so I might as well. I intend to mostly just lurk and post my writing here; you’re welcome to follow and interact if you’re 18+, but know I’ll be slow!

Most of my completed writing is on AO3!

Main Interests Include:

Slay the Princess

The Borrowers

The Owl House

Grounded (Video Game)

Disability Rights & Representation

Giant/Tiny and associated size difference (albeit I am not active in the community)

Biology, Taxonomy, Entomology, & Wildlife Science. If it’s life science I’m interested.

Literary Depictions of Consumption (I.e the eaten alive trope which is NOT done with the intention or depiction of being “vore.”)

This blog is 18+ due to being primarily a Slay the Princess space. I may also have associated tropes with the game as listed above. While I use the game’s tropes for thematic appeal opposed to sexual interest, they are not things which children should be viewing and ask that such content be treated as Mature. I will mark if it’s a general rating. Please do not follow if you’re a vore blog (likes/reblogs of related content ok) or a macro/micro fetish blog (general GT is fine!). While some of my themes overlap with these spaces, I’ve had bad experiences within these communities and wish to avoid them.

Please be careful reading my stories, as many involve heavy depictions of feminine survival in the midst of violence, trauma, ableism, and topics surrounding lost agency. I focus on recovery and representation, but intend to paint these situations in a realistic and respectful light to survivors.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

~ Sapphic

[dvakinnieindaflesh]

COMMISSION INFORMATION

Hi hi everypony!!! College is finally starting to lessen up for me so I am now in a position to start accepting commissions.

Word count is based on the tier you select and I only take payment through cashapp or PayPal. Please know that all currency is in USD for I am a US citizen.

Here is some more information underneath the cut!

To find examples of my writing, click here!

Here are my current rates for one shot fics:

Completed One Shot Fic at 2K words - 50 dollars

Completed One Shot Fic at 3K words - 60 dollars

Completed One Shot Fic at 4K words - 70 dollars

Completed One Shot Fic at 5K words - 90 dollars

Drabble (under 800 words) - 30 dollars : 35 dollars if NSFW

If you commission any of my writing and want one of the characters to be an OC or Self Insert, please send me a short description of you, your pronouns, preferred genitalia (if NSFW), and your personality. This will help me better portray you or your character!

Please also know what sort of plot or prompt that you have in mind! If you do not have any idea in mind but would rather want me to flex my creative muscles, I will charge an extra five dollars, for this is a little bit more work on my part.

Please take a look at my Will and Won't for commissions

WILL WRITE:

Smut

Underage SAFE FOR WORK ship requests

Consent Non Consent in 18+ situations (NOTHING UNDERAGE)

LGBTQ pairings/identity canons/anything positive

WILL NOT WRITE:

Loli

Underage characters in a NOT SAFE FOR WORK piece of writing

Anything from a fandom I don’t know

Scat

WILL WRITE FOR EXTRA CASH (AMOUNT DEPENDS ON SEVERITY OF THE REQUEST):

Raceplay (only if it involves ONE black person, for I’m black)

LGBTQ homophobia (if the context isn’t sexual, then fine)

Vore

Bimbofication

Piss

Feet (will cost you a LOT)

Noncon

WHAT FANDOMS I AM INTO:

DC Comics/Shows

JJK

The Hunger Games

You

All of Us are Dead

Sweet Home

Among Us

Stranger Things

COD

Game of Thrones

Almost all Horror Movies

Marvel Comics/MCU

Danganronpa

My Hero Academia

Harry Potter

Homestuck

Almost All Popular Musicals

Apex Legends

Fortnite

Dead by Daylight

Stardew Valley

Resident Evil

The Walking Dead (video game and show)

Overwatch

Chainsaw Man

Detroit:Become Human

American Horror Story

Minecraft

Beetlejuice

Undertale

Persona 5

any sort of OC fandom

[roseytoesy]

Rate this Vore trope: Theatrical/Dramatic Preds singing a whole ass musical number to their prey before they eat them.

ahahah! Have you been following me on a special discord server? I’ve been obsessed about theatrical preds as of late thanks to a man called John j juniper from a game called “I expect you to die”

but onto your ask. It would be amazing to see all the lights, movement and of course hearing the lyrics of how they just want a taste, nothing will go to waste~ become part of something greater. etc

gosh if it’s playful this is such a fun wholesome silly idea between friends or even for a very fun theater experience!

if it’s day a theatrics villain there’s an undertone of danger, of maliciousness, of hunger. A perfect way to convey an oncoming demise~

overall 10/10 thank you so much for this it’s fantastic and I love it!

[mlmvoreconfessionals]

How about some more jock A.sgore doing pec vore?

Oh hell yeah! More college-era A.sgore sounds like fun.

"J-Just...get in there..!" A.sgore huffs as he pushes down on a pair of kicking legs, sending them down into his fluffy pecs. Between joining that frat and getting in on the football team, A.sgore has been eating a lot of guys lately. Even so, he still gets a bit flustered over it. But he can't worry about that right now. He has bulking to do. His first actual game is coming up and despite all his eating, he's not nearly big enough yet! He's hoping shoveling guys into his chest will give him the mass he needs for the game.

A.sgore's pecs bounce around with his feisty meal inside. The goat blushes and rubs over them with a soft groan. It felt good to eat live meals no matter what way he did it. But he's doing this for a reason, not just to enjoy himself! So he starts massaging deeper and flexing harder. He can make out some muffled screams from his meal before the cracks and snaps of his body breaking down each out from his chest. A.sgore lets out a huff as he feels his meal cave in and start pumping into his body. He can feel his chest swell under his paws and he gets a bit more mass on the rest of his body, too. But that's hardly enough...and this is the fifth guy he's churned today!

"M-Maybe I'm just overthinking it..." A.sgore mumbles as he feels up his chest a bit more. He's a pretty big guy, all things considered. He has more muscle than ever before and his belly is always hanging out in front of him by a lot. It's only been a year and he's changed since starting college. If he keeps going like this, then by graduation, he's gonna be huge!

The thought makes A.sgore blush and he shakes his head a bit. "Maybe just a bit more...I gotta really impress coach on this game." The guy who churned the entire football team into nut sludge while drunk has to be good at the game. A.sgore is pretty sure, if it came down to it, he could eat the coach before the coach gets him...b-but he really shouldn't think about eating the faculty! Even if some of them look tasty...

Shaking his head again, A.sgore throws his shirt back on and leaves the locker room he'd cornered his prey in. It's tight over his chest now and he's worried it'll rip if he's not careful. He'll just head back to his room and try to calm down. He's plenty big now, perfect for the team. But if he were just a bit bigger...

...A.sgore grunts as his chest flexes again, sucking in a pair of kicking feet. He's panting and sweating from the effort of getting so many meals wedged into his pecs. He'd caved into his own worries again and found some meals on the way back to his room. Some study group hanging out in the library...aaah, they all slipped in so easily. None of them were too big but all together they were one hell of a meal.

A.sgore's chest flexes and bounces, working hard on grinding the students down into mass. Their muffled cries can at least go unnoticed in the library, but when their bodies begin to break, the sounds of his chest mulching them down are much louder. The thought of being caught indulging like this makes A.sgore's entire face turn red...but he kind of liked the thrill as well. No one bothered him, though, as his chest steadily reduced the study group down into extra mass for him. His chest hangs out like a shelf on top of his gut now, and he swears his arms and shoulders got thicker as well. A.sgore steals a glance around before slipping out of the library.

His shirt is ripped in two, though, so plenty of people get a good look at the bulky goat as he scurries off to his room to find a new shirt. At this rate, A.sgore is going to kill off half his graduating class before he's out of here! Though that though only makes his warm face get warmer.

[alexcutecolly]

Vore game ask!

What do you think about the trope where pred can’t sleep without full belly /prey can’t sleep outside of their chosen belly?

hard pass | rather not | meh | neutral | ooh | yes please | absolutely delightful | (+) Omg please more of that

I love it!! It's a very cute scenario to me because sleeping inside a favorite belly can really deepen the connection between prey and pred, and I'm all for profound vore bonds! x3

Also I think it'd be lovely to see a big pred walk up to their prey in the middle of the night and ask if they could eat them, since they can't sleep 🥺😭❤️

[tworavenswriting]

Between the Jaws of Fate

Series Summary:

This is a short series of vignettes depicting the relationship between The Dark Urge and Enver Gortash as it unfolded before Baldur's Gate 3. There will be blood, angst, and smut. Buckle up, folks!

Pairing: Enver Gortash x The Dark Urge/Original Female Character

Rating: Explicit/18+

Setting: Canon compliant. Pre-game.

Tags (will be added as the series progresses): Pining. Slow Burn. Sexual tension. Eventual fluff and smut. Canon-typical violence. Hurt/Comfort. Angst. Bittersweet ending. Vaginal sex. Oral sex. Religion/blood/biting kinks.

Preview:

“And where are you going?”

“I prefer to celebrate my deals with a different brand of sin,” Her words were slow and deliberate, spelling danger in every syllable, “Care to join?”

“If you’re referring to further murder, my dear assassin, I give my sincerest apologies, but I must decline.” He laced his words with humor, clarifying that he had no qualms with her activities. He couldn’t help but be frustrated that she was declining his further hospitality, though.

“Why?”

“It wouldn’t do for an up-and-coming leader to be seen engaging in such carnal behavior,” He chuckled, drawing a small laugh from her as well. It pleased him. Enver changed course from his path to the liquor cabinet, moving toward the woman until he was right beside her, gently breathing down her neck, “Pleasurable as it may be.”

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Chapter One: Dark Signs//Hearing Damage

Chapter Two: Cute Without The E//DLZ

Chapter Three: Warning//Vore

Chapter Four: Tonight//Heavenly Bodies

Chapter Five: Deliverance//Way Down We Go (SMUT!)

All Works AO3 Link

[voraciousvore]

Bucky's (15/44)

***Contains soft vore and explicit fatal digestion/ gore***

Chapter 15: Revenge is a Dish

Patty was puzzled. Her foot was healing far faster than she could have ever dreamed of. She suspected the pills had something to do with this miracle. She didn’t know how the pills worked, since their qualities seemed almost magical by nature, but she noticed every time she took one her toe wounds healed more, and the pain reduced. Her theory was that the pills were some type of ultra-powerful steroid that regenerated tissue faster than it could be destroyed. She worried about the side effects of such a powerful drug, but she had no choice but to take them unless she wanted to be digested alive, a gruesome prospect. After the effects wore off, she always did feel tired, hungry, and oftentimes nauseous, though the last reaction may be the result of marinating in churning gastric juices for hours. Either way, she couldn’t deny that her foot was improving at a fantastical rate. She stopped wearing her bandages, since she didn’t seem to require them any longer, and she was forced to take them off every time she was added to a dish regardless. 

The days were beginning to blend together, with how repetitive the routine was. The humans never got a day off, since the restaurant was always open morning to night, breakfast to dinner. Humans disappeared to the horrific catastrophe that was fatal ingestion all too often, but new humans swelled the ranks just as quickly in the absence of their lost comrades. As usual, Patty had difficulty keeping straight all the names and faces, especially when they seemed to randomly disappear. Some were innocents who had been kidnapped and trafficked, while others were death row inmates or murderers. Most were only guilty of petty crimes, and had been tricked into a shorter lifespan rather than a shorter sentence, just like Patty. 

Patty found her life at Bucky’s, besides being terrifying and depressing, extremely boring. Bucky did not provide his human stock with any entertainment whatsoever. They had no books, games, paper or pens, or electronics. Patty wished she could write or call home to let her folks know what happened to her, but she had no means to do so. When the humans were in the tank on display, they had nothing to do except talk to each other, stare into space, or watch their comrades get eaten. Getting to know people too well was a hazard, since nobody knew who was going to get picked to die next, or when. 

Most days, Patty was chosen to be eaten at least once. She could never truly acclimate to the experience or get comfortable with it. No matter how many times she was eaten, how many mouths and gullets and viscera she toured, she was always afraid, particularly when she envisioned all the ways she could be hurt, or what could go wrong. A customer could accidentally bite into her or injure her. A customer could spontaneously change their mind and decide they wanted to try fatal ingestion. Additionally, it would be easy for a customer to dine and dash, and leave the restaurant with her still inside his stomach. The customers could be quickly found and hauled back, since the trackers telescoped their location, but the risk was real, and there was no guarantee that the human inside would be saved in time. 

The experience of being eaten was highly varied, with some Giants being worse, or even far worse, than others. Some were cruel and delighted in tormenting their prey. Others had rotting teeth or bad breath. Unruly Giants at the bar drank too much, and their insides reeked of alcohol enough to make the human inside feel drunk. Patty had one notably bad experience with a rowdy group of college-age Giants at the bar who were taking shots. She was ordered up in a drink, of all things, and imbibed in a single gulp. Regrettably for poor Patty, she was vomited up in a trash can not long after. The Giant who expelled her didn’t want to own up to his mistake, so Patty was trapped in the trash can, with walls too tall to climb, stewing in vomit for at least an hour. She got buried in trash, crying for help, until Bucky had to locate her with the tracker. 

Another time a couple madly in love had ordered a human on an ice cream sundae to share. Patty was the unlucky choice to be plopped onto a mountain of ice cream, covered in sprinkles, caramel, and whipped cream. She had to listen to the two gigantic lovebirds coo at each other sweet nothings, gagging to herself, until the Giantess picked her up with her spoon and sucked Patty into her mouth. Then, the Giantess was so overcome with lust she just had to make out with her lover, then and there, and Patty was disgusted to find herself in the middle of a passionate kissing session. She was swapped back and forth between the two cavernous mouths a few times, saturated with spit and disoriented by intertwining slimy tongues and lips. When she was finally swallowed, she wasn’t even sure whose belly she ended up in, until she identified distinctively masculine breathing and the bass rumble of a Giant man’s voice. 

One particularly memorable session involved a wealthy, corpulent Giant who came into the restaurant late one night for dinner, at a time when the human population in the tank was beginning to dwindle out. He claimed to be on a diet, and instead of ordering a plate of chicken wings he desired an entire plate full of human entrees covered in wing sauce. The waitress called Bucky over, flustered by the order, and at first Bucky thought the man was joking. Once he realized the fat Giant with an even fatter wallet was serious, and was willing to shell out the extra fees for additional human entrees, Bucky was dazzled by dollar signs and happily fulfilled his request.  

The Giant ended up cleaning out the entire crowd of humans in the tank onto his plate. He gobbled them all up, one by one, until his sizable stomach was stuffed. Patty had been among the group, and she recalled the distinctly unpleasant experience of being crammed into his big belly with too many other people. The Giant, of course, was delighted by all the shuffling and squirming in his belly, and slapped and bounced his jiggling gut with his chubby hands to rile up the humans more. Getting out had been tricky as well, since there were so many humans fighting over the rope. Patty was scared that somebody would be left behind by accident, but fortunately Bucky was meticulous about protecting his investments. 

Her worst incident, however, was scarred into her memory forever. The day had been fairly typical, with the usual lunch rush and a small lull before dinnertime. Patty hadn’t been chosen yet that day, and was awaiting her fate in the tank as usual, on edge. Cracker Jack was fated to be the next entrée, and Patty watched as he became nothing more than a squirming lump in a crunch wrap. A Giantess demolished the wrap with substantial bites, and Patty could only hope that her fellow prisoner wasn’t harmed as his body was enclosed into her mouth and swallowed. 

Bucky sauntered over to the tank, a sadistic sparkle in his gemstone eyes. A new human was yowling and wriggling in his fist. Fresh meat. He opened the lid and carelessly dropped the new arrival in with the rest of the humans, then slammed the lid shut and walked off. The new human was a short, thin, twiggy woman with a pretty face and long blonde hair, still damp from being rinsed off. She collected herself off the floor of the tank, dusting off her clothes and muttering obscenities under her breath. 

Patty’s eyes widened in shock. The woman’s nametag read “Pink Lady,” but that’s not how Patty knew her. Patty would recognize that odious woman anywhere. “Jenny!” she yelled, balling her hands into fists. 

The woman stiffened as she recognized Patty’s voice. “Why, Tanya!” she uttered, dripping with sarcasm. “Fancy seeing you here!” 

Patty was shaking with rage. “What the fuck, Jenny? How could you do this to me? And then—” She was so furious she could barely verbalize her thoughts. “And then show up here yourself?” 

Jenny rolled her eyes. “It was good riddance, as far as I was concerned,” she scoffed. “Too bad I happened to get caught with more drugs later.” 

“Goddammit Jenny!” Patty’s wrath boiled over. Before her rational mind could intervene, her temper got the better of her and she sprinted over and tackled Jenny, knocking her to the ground. She raised her fist and slugged her old roommate in the face, then cocked her arm back for another blow. All her despair and frustration and resentment over her terrible situation was loaded into that punch, and she wasn’t going to run out of ammo anytime soon. 

Their brawl was interrupted by the booming voice of a Giant right outside the glass, making both girls flinch. “I want those two!” Patty froze up, her fist still in a dynamic pose above her head, ready to slug Jenny in the face again. The women stared with wide eyes at the Giant face ogling them with glee. 

“Shit,” Jenny murmured. She trembled. 

“I was only going to eat one, but they’re so lively together! I bet they’ll feel so good squirming around in my gut!” The Giant straightened into a standing position, smacked his lips, and rubbed his belly eagerly. Patty glanced down at Jenny, whose face blanched with horror as the foreboding shadow of an enormous hand hovered over the unfortunate pair. She realized, in that instant, Jenny thought they were both about to die. 

The waitress’s hand snatched up both humans together, and Patty found herself pressed up against her former roommate, who was terrified. For an ugly moment, Patty was tempted to give in to her anger and omit the truth from Jenny. She was the one responsible for the hell Patty was in, after all. Patty thirsted for vengeance. She knew Jenny deserved her fate. She hated her with a violent passion. 

Yet, she shirked away from this bloodthirsty urge. Patty wasn’t a vindictive person by nature, and the idea curdled her insides. As much as she wanted Jenny to suffer, she knew it would not materially change her situation. She’d still be stuck here, at Bucky’s. With Jenny smashed up against her in the Giantess’s hand, she could feel the tension in her body, the uncontrollable shaking. Despite lashing out in an initial fit of rage, Patty had empathy, even for her enemy. She remembered how frightening her first day had been. 

“It’ll be okay, Jenny,” she said in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. She looked into her face, which was darkening with a purple bruise from her punch earlier. Jenny glared back with hatred. “We’ll be eaten, yes, but we’re not going to-” 

“Just shut up, Tanya!” Jenny shrieked. She started to cry. She was too distraught to listen. Patty supposed punching her in the face probably didn’t make her more receptive either. 

Patty opened her mouth to reason with her, but she was jostled about by the waitress and found herself trapped inside the hollow fist of Chef Cruor, cut off from Jenny. Next thing she knew, she was shoved into a gigantic sandwich, with a bed of deli meat and a blanket of cheese. Jenny was pushed into the same sandwich nearby, shouting and cursing at the chef. With just their teeny heads sticking out between the thick slices of bread, and their limbs pinned, Patty tried to talk to Jenny again. 

“Make sure you take the pill he gives you,” she urged. As if on cue, Chef Cruor offered Patty her pill and she obediently took it. He forced the pill into Jenny’s face next, who resisted, turning her face away. 

“Take it,” the chef commanded in a booming voice, tucking the pill into her mouth. Jenny spat it out. Chef Cruor’s eyebrows shifted down with irritation, but he seemed more gloomy and fatigued than anything else. “Damn humans,” he muttered, stuffing the pill into her mouth again with the pad of his massive finger. 

“Jenny, take it! You’ll die if you don’t!” Patty cried. 

“Yeah right! As if I’d believe or do anything that you or that monstrous ogre says!” Jenny retorted, expelling her pill a second time. 

“Fine. Do whatever you wish. See if I care,” Chef Cruor grumbled as he placed a piping hot batch of fresh fries alongside the colossal sandwich. He picked up the huge dinner plate and brought it over to the section for completed meals. “Order up!” 

“Jenny!” Patty pleaded. “The pill prevents you from getting digested! You can survive, but you have to take it!” A waitress came up and grabbed the plate, balancing it on her hand as she whisked it away to the table. 

“Fuck you, Tanya!” Jenny cursed. “I wouldn’t trust you any farther than I could throw you!” Patty felt a growing horror as she realized the implications of Jenny’s distrust and rash decision-making. They were going into the same stomach together. Jenny was going to die a grisly death, and Patty would be there to witness the whole ghastly process. She was powerless to do anything. Jenny wouldn’t listen to reason. She was grasping at straws to come up with a way to save Jenny. As much as she hated her former roommate, now current sandwich-mate and future stomach-mate, the thought of watching a person get digested alive was too horrific to bear. 

Patty was out of time, however, because the plate was already on the table, where the enormous Giant was waiting eagerly to devour them. He snatched up the sandwich in his hands and licked his lips. Jenny squealed with fright. As he raised the sandwich up to his mouth, opening it wide to expose the dripping red cavern within, Patty had one more desperate idea: a direct appeal to the Giant himself. 

“Wait, sir! Stop!” she shouted. She didn’t expect him to listen to her screams, but to her surprise the Giant blinked and paused, his mouth still open. His gigantic tongue curled inward slightly. Patty leapt at the chance. “Don’t eat that other girl! She didn’t take her pill, and she’ll die! Just eat me.”  

Internally, Patty grimaced. She couldn’t believe she was really choosing to be the sacrificial lamb for her sworn nemesis, yet here she was. She supposed she was going to be eaten either way. She glanced over at Jenny, who was gaping back at her in shock. The fact that Patty was actually telling the truth was beginning to dawn on her. There was no way Patty would keep up such a ruse by yelling at the Giant that was about to eat them both. 

The Giant hesitated for a moment, before deciding to eat his whole sandwich anyway. He didn’t care about the fate of the insignificant creatures inside. Jenny screamed as she disappeared into his jaws, the teeth closing all around her with terrible crushing force. Her cries were muffled inside his mouth as he chewed his meal, savoring the tremendous mouthful before swallowing it all down, including Jenny. 

He inserted Patty into his mouth next and bit down to cut her off from the rest of the sandwich. He shuffled her out of the bread with his tongue and processed the rest with his teeth while he tasted her. Patty felt a looming sense of dread as she was sloshed around in chewed-up food and saliva. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Jenny’s fate was somehow her fault. If she hadn’t lost her temper and attacked Jenny upon her arrival, Jenny may have been spared. Jenny may have been more receptive to her warning to take the pill, or maybe the Giant whose mouth she was in wouldn’t have noticed the pair and picked another victim instead. She didn’t have any more time to dwell on it before she slid headfirst into the hungry gullet and down the throat. 

When Patty dropped inside the cavernous stomach, she was greeted immediately by frantic screams and wails. Jenny didn’t know her tracker had a light, so the internal world was black as pitch. Patty floated dumbly in the acid, petrified to the spot and numb with despair. Just hearing Jenny’s agonizing screams stabbed her in the heart. She didn’t want the gory visuals to go with it. The universe had other plans, however, because Jenny’s thrashing triggered her tracker’s light to click on. Jenny let out a startled gasp and looked around at the hellscape of flesh trapping her inside. She shined the light in Patty’s face and held it there. 

“Patty! Help me!” she wailed. Her face was contorted with desperation and tears. 

“There’s nothing we can do,” Patty replied, shaking her head. “Trust me, I’ve tried many times before.” The stake in her heart embedded itself deeper, and she struggled to hold back tears. 

“No!” Jenny protested. “No, I refuse to give up!” She grimaced with pain as the acid began to dig into her skin. She coughed on the acrid fumes, turned around, and continued to beat on the stomach lining with her fists. Patty watched her sadly. This wasn’t how she wanted things to go at all. She had wanted Jenny to get her comeuppance, sure, but such a fate was too cruel. Jenny’s movements became more spastic and sluggish as the thin air began to starve her of oxygen. She stopped beating up the walls and slumped into the curve of the lining, facing Patty. 

“So, this is it then…” she admitted shakily, tears streaming down her face. The stomach grumbled around them like an earthquake and Jenny shivered. Her face twisted in discomfort as she looked down at her raw, red, stinging hands. Her skin was slowly being eaten up by the harsh chemicals. She surveyed the soggy chunks of bread and sandwich bits partially submerged in the digestive fluids, as they started to break down, with the knowledge that she would soon dissolve into nothing herself, to become absorbed by the gigantic living body around her. Her “Pink Lady” nametag disintegrated off her chest into a pulp. 

Patty didn’t know what to say. She didn’t have any words of comfort. There was no hope, nothing left to say. The two went silent, with only the rhythmic heartbeat, breathing, and obnoxious gurgling to fill the void. Jenny’s visage was red under the light and contorted with emotional and physical distress. She was hoping to fade out of awareness before experiencing severe pain. Her skin was bleeding and peeling off in chunks now, particularly on her legs and feet. She knew she didn’t have any time left. 

“Patty... I’m sorry. For everything,” she apologized through her tears. “I’m so sorry.” 

“It’s okay, Jenny,” Patty responded softly. “I forgive you.” Jenny, having made peace with her final words, smiled weakly before her vision blacked out and she lost consciousness. She collapsed into the acid facedown with a splash. Patty didn’t move. Before long, Jenny was gone, and Patty was alone with a lifeless corpse, churning in the boiling fluid. She stared numbly as the skin came apart, exposing the layers of fat, muscle, and bone underneath. The organs broke loose and floated in the muck like shiny, bulbous balloons of various shades of pink. Patty had nowhere to go, nothing to do except wait, watching the dead body get digested, until she could be hauled upward to salvation.  

Chapter 16

Chapter 1

[cloversoliloquies]

EMERGENCY WRITING COMMISSIONS

Hi everyone! My name is Tomie and I'm opening up some emergency writing commission spots.

I'm heading off to college in about a month and my cats absolutely destroyed my computer. I need it in order to do my work and school work-- I've been struggling to get hours at my job and haven't had luck in getting a new one.

Please consider commissioning me!

Below is my commission info!

Here is where my writing can be found: archive of our own and quotev

Please know that all currency is in USD for I am a US citizen.

Here are my current rates for one shot fics:

Completed One Shot Fic at 2K words - 40 dollars

Completed One Shot Fic at 3K words - 50 dollars

Completed One Shot Fic at 4K words - 70 dollars

Completed One Shot Fic at 5K words - 90 dollars

Drabble (under 800 words) - 30 dollars : 35 dollars if NSFW

If you commission any of my writing and want one of the characters to be an OC or Self Insert, please send me a short description of you, your pronouns, preferred genitalia (if NSFW), and your personality. This will help me better portray you or your character!

Please also know what sort of plot or prompt that you have in mind! If you do not have any idea in mind but would rather want me to flex my creative muscles, I will charge an extra two dollars, for this is a little bit more work on my part.

Do note the things that I will and will not write when it comes to any sort of commissions!

WILL WRITE:

Smut

Underage SAFE FOR WORK ship requests

Consent Non Consent in 18+ situations (NOTHING UNDERAGE)

LGBTQ pairings/identity canons/anything positive

WILL NOT WRITE:

Loli

Underage characters in a NOT SAFE FOR WORK piece of writing

Anything from a fandom I don’t know

Scat

WILL WRITE FOR EXTRA CASH (AMOUNT DEPENDS ON SEVERITY OF THE REQUEST):

Raceplay (only if it involves ONE black person, for I’m a black nb person)

LGBTQ homophobia (if the context isn’t sexual, then fine)

Vore

Bimbofication

Piss

Feet  (will cost you a LOT)

Noncon

WHAT FANDOMS I AM INTO:

DC Comics/Shows

Marvel Comics/MCU

Danganronpa

My Hero Academia

Harry Potter

Homestuck

Almost All Popular Musicals

Apex Legends

Fortnite

Dead by daylight

Yellowjackets

Stardew Valley

Resident Evil

The Walking Dead (video game and show)

Overwatch

Detroit: Become Human

American Horror Story

Minecraft

Beetlejuice

Undertale

Persona 5

any sort of OC fandom

[ao3feed-gravescest]

The Pet of Andy and Leyley

https://ift.tt/RAyDJzx by anarch0slurpie My little hyper self indulgent work about a game I love and me getting adopted as a silly dog girl. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley is a very special game to me, very strangely cozy and comforting. It makes the horrific sides of these kinks feel fun and jovial! I tried my best to capture that vibe while also keeping the horror elements as well. Hope u all enjoy c: Words: 7375, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: The Coffin of Andy and Leyley (Visual Novel) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con Categories: F/F, F/M, Multi Characters: Ashley Graves, Andrew Graves, Self Insert - Character Relationships: Ashley Graves/self insert, Ashley Graves/Andrew Graves Additional Tags: Incest, Sibling Incest, Vore, Abuse, Beating, Cannibalism, Death, Pet Play, Master/Pet, collaring, Adoption, Multiverse, Cruelty, Female Pred, Female Prey, unwilling prey, Sister Dom, Demon Summoning, Sacrifice, Horror

[number-1-kuaidul-fanboy]

Yugioh series rated by how much vore they have in them

Sevens is too baby and therefore not in the running for this. I say nothing NSFW here but I still apologise in advance.

Edit: Adding a mature filter to this cuz vore is taboo or something.

Season 0: One of the penalty games involves being eaten by a monster as a punishment. The scene is unfortunately brief but a very fun idea. 7/10

Duel Monsters: Monsters occasionally go chomp chomp to other monsters. That’s about it. 4/10

GX: After dying, a man’s soul is regularly swallowed whole by his cat, even remarking in the otherwise awful dub that he likes spending his afterlife inside a cat. He is an icon to be respected. 10/10

5Ds: One scene where awful dude gets wrapped by a giant tongue and NOMMED. Otherwise, nothing major :( 5/10

Zexal: Vector gets sucked in by Don Thousand. This technically counts but isn’t very fun. 3/10 Lead to a good joke in one of my crack fics though.

Arc V: No vore?! *offended huff* 0/10

VRAINS: Yusaku’s tiny blobby partner turns into a giant tentacle monster and eats/threatens to eat some baddies onscreen, with an implied history of eating MANY baddies. 10000/10 Would write about it.

....I swear this is not why GX and VRAINS are my favourites. This is the dumbest post I’ve ever made. Season 0 just got me thinking about this, let me know if I missed any instances in the comments I guess.

[starsarefire824]

Normally I keep to basic tags or empty reblogs for this fandom, but I'm gonna open my mouth for this one. Sorry if you don't want this in an ask but I felt it was more appropriate to send it here than as a comment on your post.

I didn't even know what vore was until today (how tf did I dodge that coming from the spn fandom lmao). One more thing to filter out I guess. Anyways. I assume it's implied that the anon was asking about vore as a sexual kink, otherwise they'd have used other terminology. In this fandom, yes it apparently incriminates people that age up characters. That is a no-no here since the characters are canonically under 18. There's also an assumption in this fandom that minors are not the one creating and/or consuming this content.

"I'm confused, do teenage boys not get hardons?" Apparently in this fandom, no. They don't. Or they do but you can't acknowledge it. (Also, just want you to know that when I read this I legit lol'd. The problem at that age is usu preventing boners. Getting one is easy.)

For some reason, this fandom has deemed violence is more morally/ethically appropriate than even a hint of sexuality. They view that sexualizing characters under 18 in any way, including even kissing (idk if you were here for that), is unacceptable. That being said, that difference in moral/ethical correctness might be marginal. There's still some backlash against violence and dark themes.

It doesn't make sense to me since the show literally has scenes with sex and sex jokes with teenage characters as well as physical and sexual violence against children. Yet. If someone points out or analyzes these things, they will be bullied sometimes to the point of leaving (idk if you were here for hosegate or when people were being called out for analyzing the rape metaphors in s1 and s2). The environment here is such that it is impossible to have a good faith discussion about these topics... And if you can't discuss it bc it's so taboo then exploring these things in writing or art, even if it's just implied, is also taboo. And these are just for the topics already in the show.

Yes like you said it's purity culture. It is funny to me that in this case, cannibalism is OK but vore isn't. And it's also funny to me that a love scene would be less acceptable than cannibalism since sex is not OK (graphic or implied) but violence is OK (graphic or implied). And if fiction tastes reflect people irl (not my belief, but has been a repeated topic of fandom discourse) then the fandom is more OK with cannibalism irl than making love. It's wild.

Sorry for writing so much and getting a bit off topic there 😅

Uhm, THANK YOU SO MUCH for dropping this in my inbox. I completely agree with all of your points.

And pretty much sums up the entire point I've been trying to make since I've been in this fandom. I will never, ever, understand, the very American pov I might add, that approves of violence, lets their children watch violent films and play M rated violent video games, but then won't let those same kids go see the PG 13 or R rated movie because tHe ChAraCteRs HaVe sEx for fifteen seconds. And if it's a movie about a person experiencing sexual violence? Forget about it. That's the only kind of violence they won't let their kids see.

I've seen it time and time again with people in my life, my parents themselves to an extent, and definitely extended family were like that when I was younger.

[incoherentmuses]

it is once again Time For OSHA posting because no-one can stop me. i have so many stories from The Shattering it’s frankly ridiculous, so here’s another, from early in the campaign, an event the players christened:

Reverse Vore-ing The Purple Worm

picture it. you’ve sent your players into a Cool Underground Dwarven Complex. It’s half mines of moria and half strip mall. one of the dwarven ladies has taken to hero-worshipping the paladin, and you’ve successfully stripped the party of a significant amount of their funds via shitpost magic items in the giftshop.

(those cheap ass stones of farspeech became integral to the game and it was my own fault so now they can send gifs and get drunk texts from their IC wives so this is the life i live)

however, Plot Must Be Found, but before the dwarves will be of any help, they want the party to do something for them. part of the lower levels of the complex—Dul Kidrak, by the way, one of the cooler names I’ve invented over the years—is infested with goblins. please could the PC’s clear them out so the dwarves can get on with some rebuilding?

sure! goblins, schmoblins, this is zero problem for the budding OSHA guild, at this time iirc a whopping level 3. maybe four. it’s been a minute, and i levelled them too fast in campaign one. mistakes were made.

they venture down to the lower levels, and quickly find themselves embroiled in combat with a collection of goblins. they are, naturally, stunningly overpowered already and chew through them at speed. however, i was prepared for this and had outfitted the goblins with a secret weapon: a reduced-threat purple worm. partially because the monk has Purple Worm Trauma in his backstory, and partly because the idea of a goblin having a pet baby purple worm was very appealing.

so the worm shows up and the party go ‘hm, well, that’s a problem.’ but dnd parties are nothing if not Improbable Solution Factories, and so a Solution they did find. the solution first involved Draghull getting partially eaten by the worm so. you know. strong start.

was this on purpose? it’s been a few years, i can’t remember. knowing OSHA, probably it was. at any rate, the paladin being eaten is something of an issue, but never fear, Owyn is here!

‘i cast enlarge on Draghull’ says Owyn, proceeding to turn the gold dragonborn paladin into Baby Godzilla.

said Pacific Rim knockoff then proceeds to hack and slash his way through the purple worm from the inside out, eventually emerging from its tail like the worlds shiniest chestburster, covered in goo and screaming.

this kills the purple worm. naturally.

success all around, the dwarves are happy (the goblins less so) and the PCs get the help they want.

‘but muses!’ i hear you cry ‘none of that was vore at all! i am sorely disappointed by the lack of eating-based fetish in this overwrought dungeons and dragons story!’

now here is where you’re wrong, i reply, taking your face gently in my hands. there was vore. Draghull got eaten. and then he came out of the worm, instead of being digested by it, and because my players are my players, this phenomenon is called Reverse Vore and it is a firmly enshrined, Patented OSHA Tactic™ that they will use given half a chance.

so go ahead and take that one to your table. Reverse Vore your way out of anything your DM has eat you—they’ll thank you for it, i promise.

(once again tagging @controlledchaosetc and @itusebastian, lmk if you wanna be untagged, and anyone else who wants OSHA updates, lmk if you want to be tagged for them!)

[twistedtummies2]

The Scarlet Pirate - Chapter 2

This is the second of a six-part "Chapter Story" for my OC for Twisted Wonderland, James Killian - based on Captain Hook from Disney's Peter Pan. (Also featured are Smitty McCarthy, based on Smee, and Matthew Satyr, based on Peter himself...oh, and Nakoda - my Kaa OC - also has a role here.) The basic premise of this story has been in my mind for almost as long as James has, but for numerous reasons, it wasn't till just within the past few weeks I finally got a chance to develop and write it out.

The result is, I think, the single longest "Chapter Story" for any of my OCs for TW I've created so far. Take that information however you will. So long as this tale, that it went from a planned three-parter, to a planned five-parter, to now being a six-parter, standing at approximately 150 pages in total! Hopefully, all the work and length will be for the best. XD

As is typical for my Chapter Stories, I will be posting this one chapter at a time per day over the course of this week. For future reference, you can find the previous chapter here.

You can find the next chapter here.

WARNING: While this story, throughout all six parts, does not FOCUS on my kinks, there are instances of very mild stuffing/belching related content sprinkled throughout, as well as various instances of implied or near vore situations. If you're into these things, good on ya. If you aren't, just be warned they will show up here and there, although not with any degree of spectacle.

With that said...I hope you enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------

Nakoda was dressed in his preferred costume of casual clothes: a vest with a pattern like a Burmese python’s scales, and black denim trousers hiked up by a snakeskin leather belt, which matched the boots upon his feet. Black leather bracelets adorned his wrists, and about his neck was a simple necklace with snake fang pendants dangling from it like beads. A loose-fitting, cream-colored tank top was beneath the vest, which left little to the imagination as Nako’s arms and a portion of his chest were quite visible under the clothing he chose to wear. His hips were all in motion as he strutted along the beach towards the rest of your team. “Avast there, serpent!” barked James, looking rather alarmed. “What are you doing here?!” “I think I can guess,” you smiled, and called to Nako as he drew closer. “Are you here to replace Ruggie?” “Very assstute, my little ssscrumptiousss friend!” teased Nako with a wink, and tossed his dark locks dramatically. “Ssseems like I’ll be going on thisss little treasure hunt with the ressst of you. Sssounds like a good time, yesss?” “Well, that depends on the kind of good time you’re talking about,” you answered, very carefully. Nakoda just smirked his usual flirtatious smirk. Then his golden eyes slid towards James, who was staring at him with something akin to shock. The snake-boy grinned, showing off just a hint of his fangs. “Sssurprised to sssee me, sssweetheart?” he teased. James seemed unsure of what to say. Finally, his expression calmed. “Well,” he answered. “I suppose one Savanaclaw student is as good as another.” “Don’t tell me you two know each other, too?” you piped up, just as surprised. Both Nakoda and Smitty opened their mouths to answer, but James intervened. “We met, briefly, at the previous Beanfest Event. Nakoda actually was responsible for putting me and Billy Geant out of the running, as I recall,” James explained, giving the serpent a sort of half-hearted glare. Nakoda seemed momentarily surprised, though you weren’t sure what he was surprised about. Finally, he smirked and shrugged. “Hey, rules of the game,” he said, slyly, slinging his arms behind his head. “Well, at any rate, we finally seem to be fully assembled,” Azul remarked, and looked towards Crowley, arms crossed and his own face now in a scowl. “Really, though, I can understand why the Headmage is upset. You’d think even RSA would have more diligence than this.” “Oh, please,” scoffed James, and inspected his cane. “If I know the student they’ve chosen for this event’s captain, he’s being late just because he thinks it’s amusing.” “How do you know who they’ve already chosen?” Sebek sputtered. “Because I CHECKED, Crocodile,” sneered James. “Royal Sword chooses their students a whole week earlier than we do,” Smitty added with a nod. “James wanted to see for certain.”

“Well, who is it?” you asked, wondering if it was one of the RSA members you’d met in the past. Che’Nya, perhaps? Or Harmonia? It couldn’t be Neige, could it? “No one of great importance,” sniffed James, and made a thrust with his cane, as if practicing for a duel. “He had to be important enough, if you wanted to know,” Azul pointed out, sounding skeptical. “Pshaw!” coughed James, swiping his cane through the air. “With the seven of us in cahoots, rest assured: no matter who it is, he shall be but a notch in our collective scabbard!” “ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS, JAMES!”

James Killian turned around fast…then yelped and dove to the ground. “TAKE COVER!” he yelled, and Smitty pulled his hat down over his eyes and dropped beside him. Sebek yowled and toppled off his rock, while you and Azul ducked low, Grim hiding behind you both. All these reactions were in response to some huge, green blur quite literally flying out of the forest and soaring over the beach, swooping towards your party with a wild-sounding laugh. The green something then flew towards Dire Crowley…and the headmage let out a shrill yelping sound, comical in nature, as the thing snatched the feathered hat clean off his head! “HEY!” Crowley yelled, angrily. “That’s private property!” The something just laughed again, and finally came to a stop, hovering some ten feet over all of your heads. All of you looked up. You weren’t quite sure you believed your eyes. The mysterious something that had dive-bombed you all, like some overgrown bird of prey, turned out to be… “A boy?” The boy in question had to be within the same age range as you all, but he looked a few years younger. He had a slender yet fit physique, and wore a floppy sort of green beret upon his head, with a red feather pinned to it by a button. The button bore the crest of Royal Sword Academy. This was the only sign of his heritage one could see, as he was dressed in clothes quite unlike those of any other RSA member you’d met up till now. He was dressed in a forest green vest, with a collar that resembled a bundled collection of fresh leaves. Under this was a pale green shirt, with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, and trousers of a shade of green so dark it was almost black. On his feet were brown leather shoes, with long, plain white socks showing beneath them, and a plain brown leather belt with a nickel-plated buckle was fastened about his waist. On one side, tied to the belt was what looked like a wooden pendant, resembling a set of pan pipes; at his other side, a fighting baton - similar to the kind you’d seen Silver wield now and again - was sheathed inside a special leather hanger. His hands were partially covered by brown leather gloves. Eyes as green as springtime sparkled with a mischievous light behind a messy mop of red-orange hair…while a pair of pointed ears wiggled with cheerful, impish glee as the youth beamed down at your company. He removed his beret and popped Crowley’s hat onto his head. “Ha Ha! Y’know, I think this kinda thing suits me!” he sang out. “Whaddya think, Kes?” The one the boy addressed as Kes made her presence known with a sound like tinkling bells: it was a little golden pixie, who clutched her belly and kicked her legs as she giggled in that strange, jingling way that all pixies did. Her dragonfly-esque wings fluttered, a gleaming aura emanating from them as her tiny face fixed you all with a mischievous smile that matched those of her human companion.

“Give that back!” called Dire Crowley, stomping one foot angrily. “Why, I never…of all the rude, infantile…!” “Hey, hey, easy there, ol’ timer!” giggled the young man, holding his hands out in a placating gesture before floating downwards…though his feet never once touched the ground, even as he swept the hat off of his head and gave a mocking sort of bow, before offering the hat to Crowley. “Here you go, sir! Just some harmless fun!” Crowley growled and snatched back his hat, dusting it off and checking it for damage. “And I thought some of my own students could be childish,” he grumbled to himself. “HEY!” snapped Grim, angrily. “WE HEARD THAT!” “If the shoe fits, wear it,” smirked Azul. “Nya-ha-ha! Joke’s on you, I don’t wear shoes!” cackled Grim, much too triumphantly. You just sighed and shook your head wearily. Already you could tell this was going to be quite the experience… “SATYR!” The sharp, shrill shout from James Killian caught all of your attention. He marched forward, glaring up at the green-dressed Royal Sword student. The boy in green blinked and tilted his head…then his smile widened and brightened, looking less mischievous and more elated. “James!” he cheered, and drifted over, beginning to circle the red-dressed Heartslabyul student in mid-air. “Ha Ha! Wow, it feels like it’s been forever! How are ya doin’? Didja miss me, Little Codfish?” “Little what?” Grim couldn’t help but snort with laughter. Azul gave a sly smile and shushed him, wordlessly. James flushed and took a breath before answering, moving his eyes to meet the green-eyed gaze without turning his actual head. “More than you’ll ever know,” he practically purred, clutching his cane tightly in his hands, as he jabbed its ferrule into the sand beneath him, standing in a prim, proper sort of fashion. “Awww, that’s great to hear, I’m so flattered!” said the red-haired fellow, and then his smirk returned. “You’re lookin’ kinda the worse for wear, though…you humans get old so fast! Sure you feel up to the challenge?” James’ right eye twitched. He took a deep breath through his nostrils, and gave the phoniest, fakest smile anyone could imagine. “I certainly pray so,” he hissed through his teeth.

A hooting sort of chuckle, like that of an owl, interrupted the scene. Finally, the Royal Sword recruits had all arrived: six of them were marching towards the spot on the beach to join the mysterious “Satyr” fellow. They were dressed in costumes that seemed to be made largely out of faux animal hide, with images of a fox, a bear, two raccoons, a rabbit, and a skunk emblemized upon their various assorted outfits. They were led by the familiar figure of Headmage Ambrose the 63rd, the dean of Royal Sword Academy. The white-bearded sorcerer smiled a grandfatherly sort of smile as he approached, old eyes crinkling behind his spectacles as his blue robes fluttered about him. “Come now, Matthew!” he called out to the green-garbed boy. “Let’s not irritate our fellow mages any further! I’m sure they’re quite frustrated by our lateness as it is.” You and Grim felt your eyes widen. “Matthew.” That was the name that, apparently, Smitty and James had forbidden themselves to ever say. You looked towards James as the boy flew back and hovered over Ambrose and the other six RSA members’ heads; the scarlet cavalier’s eyes were filled with a boiling hot fury, and you could see his cheeks flex as he ground his back molars together. You looked back at the one he glared at. Matthew Satyr. So this was the person James Killian seemed so set against. “As a matter of fact, I, for one, AM quite frustrated!” Crowley snapped. “Honestly, Ambrose, allowing a student to steal a fellow Headmage’s personal belongings, and showing such insane impunctuality! What sort of example are you setting for your pupils?! Does your irresponsibility know no bounds?!” “Look who’s talking,” you mumbled to yourself. “What?” Crowley whirled about. “Nothing!” you smiled innocently, while the rest of your classmates all snickered…all, that is, except for James. His eyes remained razor-focused on the face of Matthew Satyr, who smirked back in a sort of challenging way, hands on his hips as he levitated over the others. You couldn’t help but wonder how he was able to do that; he had no broom with him, after all. Perhaps it was the work of a spell or potion you didn’t know about? In any case, the two Headmages soon settled their differences - however temporarily - and smiled as they addressed both of your teams. “Now, gentlemen, the rules of the Scavenger’s Hunt are simple,” said Ambrose the 63rd. “Headmage Crowley and I will give each of your teams a clue on where to begin hunting for the treasure chest. A few days ago, the chest was hidden by a neutral party of islanders. We know where to send you to start, but not even we know where the treasure has been properly hidden.”

“That’s where all of you will come in,” Crowley continued. “You will search within a radius, which we will dictate, around the area in question. Once you locate the chest, either by digging it up or otherwise finding its hidden spot, you will carry the treasure back to this exact spot on the beach. You have till tomorrow at twilight to achieve this task.” “You will, as you were previously warned, likely need both days to find the treasure. It is up to you if you wish to set up camp before you begin hunting, or at a later time,” Ambrose added. “But do remember,” added Crowley, “That the other team may not make the same decision that you do.” “Both teams are allowed to engage in direct combat with each other, provided it is non-lethal in nature,” Ambrose warned. “Use your strength and your wits to the best of your abilities to retrieve the chest we seek.” “The winning team’s captain - meaning Mr. Ashengrotto on my side…” Azul bowed gracefully. “...And Mr. Satyr on mine,” Ambrone put in. Matthew winked and pointed finger guns at you and your teammates, playfully. “...Will receive a trophy for their victory, and all those who participated in the winning team will get credit in a photo of the Hall of Fame in each school. Any questions?” asked Crowley. Grim raised a paw. Crowley pointed to him and checked: “Yes?” “Um…yeah, one little thing,” Grim meowed, tilting his head and twitching his tail into a question-mark shape. “What happens if neither team finds the treasure? I mean…if you guys don’t even know where it is, what if it’s not even there, or just super hard to locate?” The headmages looked at each other, then shrugged. “Everyone wins!” Ambrose chortled. “Everyone loses!” Dire Crowley said, at the same time. Grim facepawed. You heard Nakoda and Azul groan in unison. Matthew just rolled his eyes above you all.

“If that’s all, then here are your clues,” Ambrose said. He and the other headmage thus handed over rolled up pieces of parchment to both Azul and Matthew. They also named the multi-kilometer radius in which both teams would have to search, once they found the starting point. “Now, we’ll leave you all to your own devices. Remember, you must deal with all problems yourselves, and fend for yourselves accordingly,” said Crowley. “Good luck, Students of Sage’s Island!” boomed Ambrose with a broad smile. He and Crowley then faced each other, and said into each other’s face: “May the Best Team Triumph!” The pair snapped their fingers…and summoned a pair of brooms seemingly out of nowhere. Still giving each other daring expressions, the headmages hopped on and flew away out of sight. From this point on, you realized, you and your allies - as well as your rivals - were on your own. “Well!” Azul declared, as Sebek stood up to move closer to the rest of your group. “I think it’s time we begin our search.” “Ssseconded,” agreed Nakoda, with a nod. Azul stepped towards the Royal Sword team and extended a hand up towards Matthew Satyr. “I trust we shall enjoy this challenge!” he grinned, with his usual pretense of false friendliness. Matthew chuckled and scratched the back of his head, as Kes flitted about his head, glaring down suspiciously at Azul. “Ha Ha! Yeah, no. Sorry, Mr. Octopus, but I don’t do handshakes!” said Satyr, cheerily, then swept his hat off his own head. “But hey, good luck trying to beat me! I mean, yer gonna lose, but hopefully trying will be fun, right?” Azul’s grin became tight as he retracted his hand. “Yes. Perhaps,” he said, while Nako and Sebek glared at the cocksure boy in green from behind. Matthew smirked, arms over his chest…then raised an eyebrow in James Killian’s direction. “Hey, James!” he called down, and gave a mock salute. “May the best man win!” “There is only one real man here,” James answered, in a voice so frigid it was almost shocking. “And I promise you, Satyr, he intends to.” Satyr just laughed, as if what James said was a very funny joke, then spun around in mid-air as he waved for the other six RSA students to follow him. “Come on, everybody!” he cheered. “Let’s set up camp and then start hunting!” So saying, Matthew Satyr - and Kes - flew towards the woods, heading Eastward, with the animal-coat-wearing boys following close behind them.

James Killian glared after them…then blinked and looked down as he felt Smitty McCarthy tug at his coattails. He relaxed slightly, and nodded, as Smitty gave his companion a gentle, soothing smile. The rest of you watched the exchange curiously, but none of you ventured to address it verbally. “Well,” Azul coughed importantly, and stepped forward before turning to face you all. “As the assigned team captain, I vote that we begin our search immediately.” “Shouldn’t we set up camp first?” Sebek grunted. “Not at all,” smiled Azul, and gestured with a thumb in the direction the Royal Sword team had gone. “While we could save daylight by doing so, we’d lose valuable time to begin searching when our enemies won’t be.” “I concur,” James agreed, shouldering his cane with a flourish. “If we’re going to beat Satyr, we’ll want to get ahead of him.” “Right!” Smitty piped up. “And it’ll be easier if all of us are looking, in case of trouble.” “That’s one perspective,” Sebek said, in a slow, skeptical voice, clearly unwilling to trust anything either of them said. “Well, where should we sssearch?” Nakoda hissed, as he lounged back on the rock Sebek had been sitting on, like a lazy snake, soaking up the sunlight on his belly. You flushed and forced yourself NOT to look. “Nya! What does the clue say?” Grim asked, pointing to the little scroll Azul had been given. Azul held up a finger in a “one moment” gesture, then unraveled the scroll. He looked the contents up and down quickly, then frowned. “I don’t know,” he said at last. “What do you mean you don’t know?” Nakoda frowned, opening one eye where he lay. “I mean, I don’t know,” replied Azul, and showed all of you the contents on the scroll. “Unless a recognition of pure gibberish counts as knowing.” All of you peered with confused curiosity at the words on the page: Egattoc S’frawd Eht. “That’s not English,” mumbled James. “It’s not fae language, either,” Sebek added, nudging James aside rudely. “Nya…I dunno if it’s any language,” Grim put in, scratching his scalp with one paw. “For once, I think Grim’s lack of knowledge is correct,” Azul nodded. “I don’t think these are actual words. My guess is it’s some sort of code.” “Well, how do we solve it?” asked Smitty, adjusting his glasses.

“Maybe it’s based on letters of the alphabet?” you suggested, taking the paper from Azul to examine it more closely. “Like, maybe each letter stands for a number.” “I very sincerely doubt it,” muttered Azul, as he moved beside you, the rest of the team turning away with thoughtful expressions. “Translating that into numbers wouldn’t give us any kind of meaningful data.” “Thisss is all backwards.” The hiss made you yelp and jump. Nakoda had seemingly popped up out of nowhere peering over your shoulder, his face very, VERY close to your neck. You flushed at the close proximity and sputtered out: “Um…b-beg p-p-pardon?” “The words,” Nakoda said, and pointed at the paper. “It’sss all backwards.” “Well, we know it’s weird, but that doesn’t help us!” snapped Grim, puffing out his cheeks. Nakoda smirked. “I don’t mean backwards as in ssstrange, my fuzzy little meatball,” he cooed. “I mean it’sss literally written backwards.” “Brimstone and Gall!” James suddenly boomed, and slapped his forehead. “By Jove, I think the serpent’s got it! Look here…!” He snatched up the paper, and pulled his magic pen out of some inner pocket of his coat, hooking the crook of his cane onto his arm as he worked. After hastily scrawling away, he grinned and offered the paper to Azul. Ashengrotto inspected his work, and grinned. “‘The Dwarf’s Cottage,’” he read aloud, and grinned at the pair. “Excellent work, both of you!” “So the treasure has to be around there?” Smitty checked, curiously. “Well, it’s where they’ve told us to start,” sighed Azul, rolling up the paper and stuffing into a pocket of his large coat. “However, there’s a lot of ground to cover in the general vicinity of the cottage, including the old mines. If it was as easy as this, there wouldn’t be a need for a second day, would there?” “At any rate, if that’s where we need to start, that’s where we should go,” grinned Sebek, cracking his knuckles. “We’ll show those Royal Sword buffoons the power of Night Raven, and make proud the great Malleus in the process!” “You are literally the only one concerned about that sssecond half,” Nakoda yawned. “Regardless, Sebek has a point,” you said. “Let’s go, gang!” “Hold on. I’m the Captain,” tutted Azul with a wink. “Everyone, follow my lead. To the Dwarf’s Cottage!” So saying, the seven of you jogged off the beach and into the woods, heading in the direction of the old cottage. The Scavenger’s Hunt had officially begun.

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“Well, here we are!” you exclaimed, as your team approached the Dwarf’s Cottage. “Not ssso loud!” hissed Nakoda, and glanced around. “We don’t know how far those Royal Sssword fools have gone.” “Nakoda is right,” Sebek agreed. “WE MUST USE STEALTH! QUICKNESS AND QUIET ARE OUR ALLIES!” Everyone flinched. “Maybe when you ssstart using that, everyone elssse will,” hissed Nako with a sneer. “What do you mean? I AM THE MASTER OF STEALTH!” boomed Sebek, thumping a fist to his chest proudly. “You’re the Master of Nincompoops, more like it,” mumbled James. Sebek growled, bristling like an angry dog. You heard Smitty and Grim giggle softly; you had to hold back from doing the same. “The treasure is within a certain radius of the Cottage,” Azul reminded everyone, clearly trying to keep all on task (and stop Sebek from shouting at random). “That doesn’t mean we’ll find it in the cottage itself.” “I doubt it would be,” you said, and gestured to yourself and Grim. “The two of us have been in that cabin a few times, we’ve never noticed anything.” “Nya…not out in the open,” Grim suggested. “Maybe it’s under the floorboards?” “As was pointed out before, I doubt it’s that simple,” sniffed Sebek. “Well then,” smirked Nakoda, strutting forward and leaning against the door as he gestured to it. “Why don’t we peek inssside and sssee if there’s anything elssse to help us?” “An excellent suggestion!” James cheered, and began to march forward. “Come on, mates! We’ll find that-” A gloved hand on his chest stopped him short. Azul Ashengrotto smiled patronizingly into his face. “Who is the Captain here, Little Codfish?” he cooed. James’ smile fell. For a moment, he just…stared at Azul, with an unreadable sort of look. Then, he bowed respectfully and stepped back. “Of course,” he said, in a type of snakish way that Nako might have been jealous over. “You’re the boss.”

“Indeed I am,” smirked Azul, then turned serious. “Prefect? Grim? You two and Nakoda will accompany me inside the cottage to search for any further evidence.” You and Grim gave the octopus a mock salute. Azul then turned his gaze to the rest of the party. “As for you three,” he said, firmly, “I want you to stay outside the cottage. Keep an eye out in case there’s trouble.” “Sure thing, Azul!” Smitty cheered, giving a salute of his own. James and Sebek, however, each looked mortified. “Me? With him?!” they both exclaimed at once, then glared daggers at one another before yapping at the same time again: “HEY! I SAID IT FIRST!” “This is a team,” Azul reminded both, mildly. “Working together comes with the territory. Keep watch.” Reluctantly, James and Sebek muttered agreements to follow orders, but each still glowered at the other out of the corners of their eyes. Nevertheless, Azul seemed satisfied, and gestured for you and Grim to follow him. Nakoda threw open the door as you all approached, and gave an exaggerated bow. Azul smirked and returned the gesture, and the four of you stepped in with Azul taking up the lead. “Well,” huffed Sebek. “If we must work together, I’ll mind the back of the cottage. You two humans can watch the front.” “Works for me!” Smitty smiled, chipperly. James just grunted noncommittally.

Sebek scoffed through his snout and then stomped around the side of the cottage. James and Smitty then began to pace around the front. None of the three were aware, however, of a tiny figure - glistening like gold - watching them from behind a leaf in a tree. The little thing grinned with excitement…then flew off to find its superior… Meanwhile, you and your party closed the cottage door, and glanced around the dusty, cobweb-infested space within. “I think we’ll cover more ground if we split up,” you suggested. “I agree,” Azul said, then stepped slightly away from the group, addressing you all. “Any volunteers on where to go?” “I’ll ssstay down here on thisss level,” yawned Nakoda, rather carelessly peering around the parlor. Azul frowned but nodded, then looked at you. “Prefect,” he commanded, “I want you to stay down here as well. Keep an eye on him-I mean, an eye out for hints.” You smirked and nodded, before placing a hand in a casual, friendly manner on Nako’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Azul, I’ll keep an eye out for both,” you winked. Nakoda stiffened, eyes widening at the amiable gesture…then his scale-dusted cheeks flushed pink, and he let out a soft hiss, shrugging off your hand grumpily. You couldn’t help but smirk a little more at his embarrassment. “I guess I’ll go with Azul,” Grim announced, and smirked up at the octopus. “If I find the clue first, you’re gonna owe me a tuna sandwich! Capisce?” Azul grinned. “Is that a deal?” he questioned, ominously. Grim’s cocksure expression immediately changed. “N-Nya, uh…no, j-just…a figure of speech, heh heh…” Azul chuckled and adjusted his glasses before beckoning Grim to follow him. “We’ll take the upstairs area,” he announced, and led the fuzzy little fire-eared monster away to do just that. As you heard Azul and Grim’s footsteps creaking and squeaking upon the stairs, you looked at Nakoda. He was eyeing you somewhat suspiciously. “You? Keep an eye on me?” he hissed. “Well, those are my orders,” you shrugged, with an innocent smile.

Nako looked you up and down, then smirked and began to prowl towards you. Knowing he was trying to corner you, you stood your ground, even as he smirked in a predatory manner into your eyes… …But you felt something inside you tremble as one of his hands reached out and cupped your face, his fingers and palm split between your cheek and your chin as they curled around your jawline. “And what if I keep my eyes on you, inssstead?” asked the naga in disguise, in a seductive croon. You felt dreadfully nervous, but you managed to hold yourself steady. “I don’t think you could get away with eating me right now,” you replied. “And if you used your hypnosis for any reason beyond the game, I’m pretty sure the others won’t be happy. Do you really want to take the whole group on?” Nakoda pouted and removed his hand. “You’re no fun,” he huffed, childishly. You smiled with a sense of victory, and beckoned for Nakoda to follow you. “C’mon, let’s start our search in the kitchen,” you suggested. The snake-boy’s smile returned. “Mmmmm…my sssecond favorite place to be,” he murmured, and followed obligingly. Soon, the pair of you were poking around in the kitchen. You began to sort through the cupboard, looking at all the dishes inside; you wondered if perhaps a message had been stored inside of a cup or bowl, or perhaps tucked between the plates. You could hear Nakoda messing about with some cutlery behind you, and the thump and “swish” of him pulling out drawers and then closing them again. “Nothing in here,” he reported. “Any luck on your part?” “Not so far,” you sighed. You moved to shut the cupboard…and then heard a groan from behind you. It was a grating sound, like rusted metal. Alarmed, you turned around quickly to see the source… …And felt your face heat up immediately as you saw Nakoda bent over, peering into the oven he had just opened. The posture gave you a VERY good view of his backside. You could even see the crease between the cheeks in the back of his trousers… “Nothing in here either,” Nakoda murmured, and shut the oven door. He dusted his hands off on the back of his pants, which made his rump jostle from the impact of his hands against his glutes. A squeak left your mouth, unbidden; you quickly coughed to cover it up as Nakoda rose to his full height and looked back at you in surprise. “Ahem…uh…just the dust, sorry,” you muttered. Nakoda blinked…then smirked his usual serpentine smirk. “Yesss,” he hissed. “Jussst the dussst.” As he spoke, he ran his hands over his rump cheeks, where his dark pants were pale from the slight sheen of dust in question. You had to force yourself not to stare. “Sss-sss-sss-sss! You’re ssso cute,” Nako cooed.

“I’ve been told,” you mumbled, then shook your head, eager to change the subject. You moved away towards a pantry. “Um…ahem…since we’re both here, I have a question to ask you.” “Oh?” Nako returned, raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms and leaned back against a counter. “When you joined the team, James seemed particularly surprised to see you. And you seemed pleased with that,” you remarked, keeping your eyes on the pantry as you scanned it. “I know you said the two of you met at Beanfest, but I got the impression there was something else on both your minds.” “Ssso?” “So, I’d like to know what it is,” you said, and shut the pantry, having found nothing of interest. You turned to face Nakoda fully, mimicking his pose and posture as you leaned against the closed pantry. Nakoda smirked wider. “Awww, you don’t trussst me?” he crooned. “Not as far as I can throw you, and that isn’t very far,” you droned back. Nakoda seemed momentarily hurt. He paused, looking you up and down…then tilted his head slightly. “Can you keep a sssecret?” “That depends on what it is.” Nakoda nodded in understanding. He glanced towards the exit of the kitchen - and the staircase beyond - then sidled closer to you, speaking in a hushed tone. “The Little Codfish offered me sssome of the money in the chessst, if I would rig the choices to let him join in the fun,” the naga confessed. Your eyes widened. “You’re both planning to steal the money?!” you hissed through your teeth, feeling anger bubble up inside you. “You wound me, Prefect,” Nakoda replied, and seemed like he meant it. “You think I want MONEY? Yesss, money is nice; it’sss what letsss me attend ssschool, it’sss a thing I never had much of, it’sss not sssomething I’m AGAINSSST having…but it’sss not what I really care about. Besssides, you really think the ssschools would ALLOW anyone to get away with it? Those chesssts are counted up to make sure not a sssingle coin is missssssing: James was offering a falssse promissse to begin with.”

While you doubted Nakoda’s first point, the second, you had to concede, made sense. A chest full of cash would tempt just about anybody to pocket at least a small amount. There had to be strictures set in place to make sure nobody - especially not those at NRC - tried to pilfer any of the prize you all sought. So the chances of James telling the truth, and being able to pull it off, seemed unlikely: after all the headmages themselves were directly involved in this. “Okay, fair enough,” you nodded, still doubtful. “But if that’s the case, why did you still rig the game for him?” Nakoda’s eyes danced. His grin was wide and wicked. “Because what I did,” he explained, “Was mesmerize the Headmage. I put the teeny-tiny sssuggessstion in his head that he deliberately choose James and SSSmitty for the firssst two players. It’sss the sssame way I was able to get people to hurt themssselves when I went after Viper’s reputation: I learned away to keep my influence jussst long enough to make them pull off a sssingle action, then completely forget they even did it, or what happened.” Your eyes widened even more, and you felt your jaw drop. “Then…you hypnotized CROWLEY and made him choose the two?!” “Yep!” Nakoda said, cheerily, and snickered. “Sss-sss-sss-sss! Honessstly, it was ssso hard not to LAUGH when it worked! His mind is absssolute PUTTY when you really get hold of it! I couldn’t resissst a chance to see if I could do sssomething like that!” You were thoroughly speechless; gobsmacked. “Wow,” you gulped at last. “That’s…I’m looking for a word, and ‘brazen’ is the best that comes to mind.” “I take that as a compliment,” purred Nakoda, holding his nose up high, then winked. “Don’t worry, by the way, I won’t make a habit of it. It wasn’t easy to find an opportunity to even DO that without getting caught. But as you can imagine, it’sss not sssomething I want getting out if we can all avoid it.” “Our little secret,” you promised, unable to deny you were having trouble not giggling at the idea of Dire Crowley himself being under the hypnotic sway of one of his own pupils. Perhaps you get Nako to help you convince him next time something needed fixing at Ramshackle Dorm. “Well?” Nako inquired, making a show of checking his nails. “Do you trussst me now?” “I believe you’re telling the truth,” you conceded, then frowned as you looked away. “But if James and Smitty were that eager to get into this contest, then we’ve definitely got to keep an eye on them. Even if they can’t steal the money, that doesn’t mean they don’t have other issues.”

“I think we know what the other issue is already,” Nako said seriously. “The Little Codfish didn’t ssseem very happy when he sssaw that SSSatyr guy, y’know.” You nodded; you had actually been thinking the same thing. Then your brow knitted in confusion. “One more question,” you inquired. “Why do people keep calling him that? First Satyr, then Azul, now you!” Nakoda grinned widely. He seemed eager to answer that question, and opened his mouth and lifted a finger as if he were about to… …But before he could get the words out, hurried footsteps came dashing downstairs, along with the sound of a yowling voice calling out: “MINION! MINION, IT’S HERE!” In a flash, Azul and Grim came darting into the room. Ashengrotto was holding another rolled-up piece of paper in one hand. “Is that the next clue?” you checked. “Yeah!” Grim cheered, grinning proudly. “I found it under one of the beds upstairs!” “Correction,” Azul interjected, clapping a hand to his heart. “I’M the one who actually SPOTTED the clue. YOU just climbed under the bed to get it, on account of being much smaller.” “Eh, minor details,” Grim replied, waving a paw about flippantly. “What does it sssay?” Nakoda asked. “I think it’s best discussed when all of us are gathered together and have found a place to camp,” Azul answered, and tucked the paper into a pocket of his long, large coat. “Let’s get out of here and make our way to a clearing where we can do just that. We have no idea how long it will take Royal Sword to get here, and they’ll want the clue as well.” “Sounds like a plan to me,” you smiled. “Ha! Seems like the game goes to us, so far!” “SCURVY LOUSE!” All of you jumped as you heard the sound of a particularly harsh shout from James. You then suddenly recognized the sound of other voices, whooping and hollering. “What in the world…?!” you gasped, as you and your three allies hastened to check on what was going on outdoors…

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While you and your party had been inspecting the cottage for clues, James, Smitty, and Sebek were standing guard. James, however, had averted his gaze from the woods beyond, smirking as he inspected the hook-shaped tattoo on the back of his left hand. Smitty noticed this. He adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. “Ahem! Uh…James?” “Yes, Smitty?” “Doesn’t it worry you?” he asked. “Doesn’t what worry me?” James responded, turning to look at his henchman. “The serpent in there,” Smitty said, tossing his head back towards the cabin. “What if he talks, James?” “Oh, there’s little he can do about it, if he does,” shrugs James. “It’s already too late now that I’m in the game, and after all, admitting it to too many people would get him in trouble, too.” “But…we made him a promise, James.” “Of course we did. Am I not a man of me word?” “Aye, James,” Smitty nodded, without an ounce of sarcasm. “Always!” “Quite right. And I have given me word that if we return with the money chest, I’ll give him a share.” James Killian sniggered and smirked. “One thing you can always say for me, Smitty: I never break a promise.” “I guess that’s true!” Smitty beamed, evidently quite cheered up. James grinned wider, clenching his hand into a fist, once more inspecting the hook. “I’ve got him this time, Smitty,” he vowed. “I’ve waited years for this…” “That’s not counting the holidays, either,” giggled the smaller fellow. James nodded,barely seeming to hear him. He changed his focus, now looking at his reflection in the gold topper, his eyes lost in a faraway place. “OI!” The pair of sailor-like Heartslabyul students jumped as Sebek appeared from around the corner, glaring suspiciously at the pair. “Keep your eyes peeled, you Stinking Codfish of a Human!” he bellowed at James.

“Aye, my eyes are keen, you errant Crocodile!” James yelled back. “And if you insult me sight again, I swear I’ll cast anchor in ye!” “Oh, is that so?” Sebek smirked. “Well, if you wish to use nautical jargon, you’d better do good by my liege and our prestigious school! Otherwise I’ll send you to David Jonathan!” Sebek snapped back. James just blinked back. “...Send me where?” Sebek blinked in return. “Um…Daniel Johnstone?” he tried again. James just tilted his head slowly. “...Donny Jamestown?” Sebek almost peeped. James looked at Smitty helplessly. Smitty leaned up and whispered: “I think he means Davy Jones.” “Oh,” James frowned, then glared up at Sebek. “Learn the expression properly, THEN make the threat, you blasted reptile!” Sebek blushed and ground his teeth together, clenching one fist. “Once this contest is over, I swear I’m eating you, human! See if I don’t!” he roared, and disappeared again. “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” muttered James to himself. “What was that?” Smitty asked, curiously. “Never mind, you fool,” James mumbled back, cheeks pink. “Ha ha ha ha ha…” The moment was interrupted when, suddenly, a dark, forbidding laugh seemed to echo through the area, coming down from the trees above. James and Smitty jolted to the alert, James clutching his cane and once more holding it like a sword…while Smitty ducked behind his associate with a mousey squeak. “Who goes there?” James barked out. The voice came again; cold and black as the North wind by night… “Bewaker, Great Spirit of the Mighty Green Wood Speaks. Beware, James Killian! Beware…!”

Smitty whimpered as he hid further behind James. “It’s an evil s-s-spirit, James!” he keened out, clearly VERY frightened as his knees knocked together. James Killian, however, though not unperturbed, seemed much less sure of that fact. “Is it, though?” he murmured, then lightly nudged Smitty away from him. “Stay here and keep guard.” “Y-You’re leaving me alone?” “Only for a moment,” James insisted. “Whatever you do, do NOT leave this spot. I sense dirty work afoot.” “If…if you say so, James,” Smitty replied, nervously looking around. “I do!” James rapped. “Now stand by, Smitty, while I take a look around.” So saying, James began to stalk towards a nearby tree, muttering to himself: “Spirit of the Mighty Green Wood, indeed…” James peered around the base of the large tree and hummed, then prowled past it and disappeared into the bushes, vanishing into the woods. Smitty was left alone at the front of the cottage. He tapped his fingers together nervously, glancing about, afraid of meeting some malevolent ghost. After a bit, he heard a familiar voice call to him… “Smitty!” “Uh, y-yes, James?” “Come over here! I need your help!” “Oh! Okay, James, I’ll…wait. But…but you just told me to stay here no matter-” “THOSE ARE ME ORDERS, SMITTY!” “Eep! Aye-Aye, James! I’m coming!” Smitty scampered off in the direction he’d seen James go. James, for his part, was frowning as he knelt down, spotting a set of footprints. They weren’t those of any of the Night Raven crew, he was sure… “Odds fish!” he gasped to himself. “What have we here?” “I dunno! You tell me, James!”

James blinked and turned…to see the blithe, oblivious smile of Smitty McCarthy inches away from his own. James gaped at his partner…then slowly began to smile, eyes narrowing. “Smitty,” he began, much-too-patiently. “Just exactly what do you think you’re doing?” “Helping you, like you wanted me to, James!” chirruped Smitty, brightly. “Carrying out your orders, and all that!” James felt one eye twitch. “My orders?” he returned, through gritted teeth. “Uh-huh!” Smitty nodded, oblivious to the way one of James’ fists began to twitch. “Didn’t you just call out to me and ask me to-?” “GO STRAIGHT BACK!” roared James, jumping to his feet and pointing off in the direction of the cottage again. “GUARD THE COTTAGE, YOU BLITHERING IMBECILE!” With a shrill squeal - “I’MGOINGI’MGOINGI’MGOING…!” - Smitty scrambled back in the direction of the cottage and disappeared. James Killian seethed as he watched him go, and tossed his head contemptuously. “‘My orders,’ he says!” he grumbled sourly. “In Chernabog’s name, whyever do I put up with that bumbling…?!” “Smitty. Just exactly what do you think you’re doing?” James froze…as he heard another voice, the very mirror of his own, echo from somewhere nearby. He looked in the direction…and smiled a slow, crooked sort of smile. “There you are,” he cackled to himself, and tip-toed in the direction of the voice. He soon found himself at the base of another tree. Looking up, James spotted the end of a brown shoe, and a hint of pale grin amidst the forest camouflage, which didn’t quite fit in. With a satisfied sort of growl, James took hold of the lowest branches and began to climb the tree… Meanwhile, Smitty skidded to a halt as he heard the voice call out again. “J-James?” he eeped. “Of course! Now answer my question, you fool!” demanded the voice. “W-Well, I…I’m returning to the cottage to help guard it, j-just like you said!” “Harumph! I said nothing of the sort!” “Wh-wha…? But J-J-James, d-di-didn’t you, I-I thought…!” “For the last time, Smitty!” thundered the voice. “Forget your post! Come here to my side, where you can be of some use to me!” Smitty gulped…then sighed and threw up his hands helplessly. “As you wish, James,” he mumbled, dourly. “Good man,” the voice said. “Oh! And one more thing: tell that DARLING, handsome Crocodile to join you. There’s something both of you ought to see.” Smitty blinked owlishly, looking around to try and spot his friend. “Um…c-c-come again, James?” “Human!” “YIPE!” Smitty turned fast to find Sebek approaching him with a scowl.

“Who are you talking to?” the crocodile-man huffed, hands on his hips. “Um…James, I…w-well, I think,” Smitty answered, scratching his head and looking around fretfully. Sebek arched a single eyebrow. “You think?” he repeated. “Y-Yes,” Smitty nodded, and removed his cap, nervously fiddling with it in his hands, revealing his messy, pale hair. He blushed bright red, not sure how to break the words to Sebek. “You see…uh…h-he told me to tell that you’re…um…w-well, that is, he wants us to-” “HERE’S YOUR SPIRIT, SMITTY!” Suddenly, the treetop above McCarthy and Zigvolt seemed to explode into a flurry of activity. James Killian came leaping out of it, swinging on a vine, much as he had when he had assisted you not so long ago. He landed on the ground as something else came zooming out of the tree, followed by a ball of golden light. As James nimbly landed, Smitty and Sebek could see that, in one hand, a familiar green beret was held in his grasp. “LOOK!” James called to the pair, and pointed upwards with his decorative stick. The pair looked to see the thing that had flown out of the treetops now circling above them like some bizarre parody of a vulture. Sebek gasped in alarm as Smitty sighed with relief. “Oh,” Smitty said, clutching his chest. “It’s just Satyr!” “Hi there, Smitty!” Satyr cheered, waving down mischievously, then turned to the yellow pixie beside him. “Y’know somethin’, Kes? It’s kinda fun being James!” The pixie flitted her wings and jingled something in return. “Hee hee! You’re right: it’s even more fun being ME!” So saying, Satyr swooped down towards the trio. Smitty and Sebek jumped aside to avoid a collision. James, however, swung his cane in a blind, sweeping arc to try and strike at his rival. The pointy-eared youth dodged it easily, and snatched his hat back out of James’ hand. “SCURVY LOUSE!” James screamed up at him, face red as his coat, and nearly apoplectic with rage. “Thanks for holding onto this, James!” Matthew returned, brightly, and popped the beret back onto his head. “Next time I’ll get more than that!” spat James.

Matthew Satyr smirked, and reached into the special holster at his belt, whipping out the collapsible fighting rod he carried at his side in place of a dagger or sword. Then, he put two fingers from his other hand to his mouth, and whistled shrilly. Once he did, with a whoop and a holler, the six other Royal Sword students all appeared, holding out their Magic Pens, ready for action as the fur of their animal skin capes whistled in the breeze. “Tricked!” Sebek exclaimed, realizing what had happened. “They didn’t go to camp at all: they followed us here!” “Right, Mr. Crocodile!” Satyr grinned. “And after we scare you all off, we’ll be taking whatever other clue is here, too!” “We’ll see about that!” James yelled, brandishing his cane like a cutlass. “Come down, Satyr! Try my steel!” “With pleasure, James!” Matthew grinned, and pointed his rod down at the crimson cutthroat. “Come on now! Let’s have some FUN!” So saying, Matthew Satyr dove downwards, and thrust out his weapon at James. Killian sidestepped the attack, and swung at the flying Royal Sword member…but Satyr spun away like a top. A moment later, James let out a shrill “YIPE!” as - WHAPP! - the baton smacked him in the rear. He whirled about with a ferocious glare as Matthew hovered a little bit off the ground, so he was eye-level with his NRC opponent. “Bad form!” James snapped. “Ready to lose again?” Satyr returned, tauntingly. “Not. This. Time!” James snarled, and thrust out with his own weapon. “EN GARDE!” With many a shrill crack and “thrack,” the baton and the cane locked with each other, then unlocked again; the pair of duelers swinging their blunt instruments like they really were proper, sharper weapons. Every blow James struck out, Matthew blocked it; every lunge from Satyr was parried by Killian. Back and forth they went with each other, each seeking an opening as they battled. While the pair were sorting out THEIR differences, the other Royal Sword students were closing in around the outnumbered Smitty and Sebek…but not outnumbered for long. By now, yourself, Azul, Grim, and Nakoda had popped out of the cottage to see what in the Underworld’s name was going on! You were all quite startled with the image spread before your eyes. “An ambush!” Nakoda hissed. “Blindsided by a cheap trick!” Azul groused to himself. “Ugh…if Jade and Floyd knew this, they’d never let me hear the end of it…” “You hold onto that clue,” you said to Azul firmly. “That’s what they have to be here for.” James pushed Satyr away from him just long enough to notice all of you. He roared out, pointing at Smitty and Sebek, who were holding up their own Magic Pens in defensive positions. “DON’T JUST STAND THERE, YE BILGE RATS!” he hollered. “STOP THOSE SCURVY SCALLYWAGS!” Azul sighed. “And here I’d hoped to avoid combat for as long as possible,” the team captain mumbled, then reached for his own Magic Pen. Nakoda did the same at his side. “It seems there’s no help for it.” “Come on, guys!” Grim cheered, ears sparking with cerulean flame. “LET’S GET ‘EM!” And so the four of you charged forward. You weren’t entirely sure what you would do, yourself, to help, having no magic…but you’d find a way. “I always do,” you muttered to yourself with a sigh. “It’s moments like this I almost wish I went to a normal school…”

To Be Continued in Part 3…