grey-writes-stuff
grey-writes-stuff
Grey Writes
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 months ago
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Spoke with @eldritcmor of an au where Moose gets his og canon written death, Cancer (from when he was first designed, now hes not due to die for a long while).
Ow, it hurt a lot.
Decided to write a bit of the aftermath, I don't get to write his husband often!
Death, dealing with Grief and mentions of cancer are in this fic, and a very loose concept of Atheset's language which is due to change!
James just wandered the corridors in a haze. It'd been a few months since Daniel lost his battle with Cancer, and he just felt...numb. Like something had been torn from him so suddenly that the shock set in quickly. Truth be told, something did get torn from him.
He had retired a week ago, unable to fulfill his job, but trained someone new for it. He had hopes that they'd be kind to Ferret, who was struggling with his new role, and the raw grief that poor boy possesses. He had asked for Sage's permission to reside in Atheset, which she granted. Her relationship towards Daniel was odd. She was dating Henry, so he guessed that would've made Sage a stepmother to Daniel. He let out a quiet bitter laugh. Of course Daniel would never get to experience a whole family.
He passed by a room and hesitated. It was filled with stained glass murals, most moved very slightly. He sighed and went in, passing each one with merely a glance, though he did glance at his former teams section, to make sure none had perished since he was gone. Ferret looked older. He didn't realise losing someone made you look older, but he looked more mature. He sighed and kept walking to a separate room. It was more dim, and had an air of grief. Until finally, he stopped at Daniel's stained glass mural. It hadn't changed much, except for the date of his death, and some words in ancient Atheset he couldn't understand. He sat on the floor. And just stared.
James didn't know how long he sat there. He didn't dare look at his watch, and there were no actual windows in the room, the stained glass murals were just embedded into the wall. He barely even recognised someone entering the room, hooves moving gently across the ground, and a tail wrapped around his shoulders.
"Here again?" Came a soothing, motherly voice.
"Just wanted to spend time with him." James mumbled, tearing his gaze away to look at Sage. The motherly centaur had always been kind to him, even helped him walk again after a bullet to the spine.
Sage nodded with a somber expression. "I did the same when Safari passed." She admitted, settling down next to James, her legs tucked neatly under her body. "I felt I could talk to him for hours and his soul would be listening, stitching together futures for me."
She then turned to James. "He could be doing the same for you, even if you don't speak."
James let out a scoff, though it wasn't bitter, just...tired. "You know I don't believe in that kind of stuff, Sage. Well, I do, but..."
Sage nodded. "But you're unsure if the spirit is the person you long for the the most, or something that wants to take advantage of you."
James hesitated, but nodded. "I guess that's more correct."
They sat in silence for a while, before Sage spoke up again.
"When Safari passed on, I didn't think I could go on. I had foals to look after, but nobody to help me through how to explain them why their father isn't coming home. It was like my heart was breaking over and over again." She put her hand on her chest, as if it still pained her terribly. "But soon, I had to get up, and keep walking. I had foals to care for, my team was in shambles after losing a leader. I couldn't let them down."
"I don't really have anything anymore." James muttered.
"You have kids, James." Sage pointed out. "Avery, Joseph, Frank, Monica and Hen. They look up to you like they looked up to Daniel. You're as much of a father as he was."
James hesitated, looking conflicted.
"You also have a father in law, and a mother in law if you count me." She let out a giggle. "Nephews and brothers in law, a sister in law. The 141 and SH6 are your family too. Daniel built up a family and you were part of it day dot, whether you married him or not."
"He always wanted a big family." James mumbled softly.
"And he got one." Sage gently ruffles James' messy hair. "A father and mother, brothers, sisters, siblings in general. Kids and grandkids, nephews and nieces. Family friends and best friends in general. That's a bigger family than Steve's whole pack."
James let out a weak chuckle and gazed back up at the mural.
"I just didn't think he'd lose this fight." James admitted. "With what he's gone through, I thought he'd just power through it, but..."
"He wanted to rest." Sage murmured softly. "He's fought fight after fight, it'd be cruel to let an angel continue fighting a demons world."
James just nodded.
"I have to ask." He looked at the mural, and then at Sage. "What do those words mean, under the dates?"
Sage hummed softly as she read it, a small smile on her face.
"Back when Atheset was founded, Angels were plenty, Safari was one. They were our protectors till the city got shut off, and many got killed by mankind , so when we make murals, we honor them, and any form they took."
"Eskai lura henarat, ir masatori deva kel gelav lura kascanaba renati."
She gazed at James with a gentle smile.
"Even in death, an angel shrouds the world in protective wings."
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grey-writes-stuff · 6 months ago
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The Jade Incident (TJI)
This has been worked on for over a year, with major help from @divoha4 ! Please check their work out at @eldritcmor
Jade ends up taking Moose and Storm hostage for information, and it ends badly.
Warnings for Torture, Violence, Death and Strong Language.
Words: 6502
Ferret PoV
“So if you take the next left, you should see the warehouse. That’s where Vaughn’s men are meeting.” Ferret spoke into the radio.
“Copy that, Kid. Thanks.” Moose’s voice sounded over the headset, before another voice joined in.
“Hey, Ferret? So, how come couldn’t you come with?”
“Hurricane can’t even guide himself out of a paper bag, Lumberjack’s got medical checkup, and Cotton is on medical training exercises. That leaves just me around. That a problem, Stormy?”
“Not a problem at all.” Storm chuckled. “You just don’t seem like the navigator type.”
“Someone’s gotta direct your dumbasses, no?” Ferret responded with a short laugh.
“Fair, fair. Hey, you said big warehouse, right?”
“Mhm.”
“...It’s empty.”
“Come again?” Ferret sat up properly in their chair.
“It’s empty. Nobody is here. Moose is checking up on the catwalk. You sure it’s the right one?”
“Yeah? It’s next to an old church right?”
There was a pause.
“Yep.”
Another pause, and what sounded like a clatter of metal hitting metal.
“What was that?” Ferret asked.
“Dunno. Maybe Moose dropped something.”
Ferret sighed and tapped the desk. Something deep down warned them of something, so instinctively, they turned on a recording software.
“Could you check on him? You know how stubborn he is asking for help.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure thing.” Storm sighed.
Ferret listened closely to each step.
“Moose, you up here, old man?” Storm called out.
Nothing.
“Where the hell…?” Storm muttered.
Ferret could hear low mumbling. "Storm, what is that?"
"I'll check."
There was a low clunk of footsteps as Ferret listened to Storm check the area. Suddenly, they heard a yell, a thud, and the whoosh of air before another thud, this time it was more sickening.
Ferret could hear Storm gasping for air and letting out small whimpers of pain.
"Storm?! Are you okay?!" Ferret panicked.
There was one last thud, before Ferret heard the radio being picked up.
"Don't bother looking, Joseph. They'll be dead before you can send your little friends. Have a nice day now." Then, silence, as the person on the other end turned the radio off completely.
Everything in Ferret froze. They know that voice. It haunts their dreams sometimes from previous incidents, one that nearly took theirs and Moose’s life before. They knew it was Jade, and that this was going to end badly.
They grabbed their laptop and uploaded the sound file to it, before sprinting out of the room, shoving past a few people, making a bee-line for Laswell’s office.
They skidded to a halt outside the office door, and knocked on it rapidly. “Laswell?!”
The waited impatiently before hearing “Come in, Joseph.”
Ferret opened the door, and spotted Bes standing beside her desk, now looking rather intrigued.
“Well?” Laswell asked with a soft expression she usually had for Ferret.
Ferret took a deep breath. “Moose and Storm’s been kidnapped.” they blurted out.
They saw Bes tense up, and Laswell’s soft expression turned into one of concern.
“How do you know?” Laswell’s question was tense.
Ferret handed her their laptop, and Laswell played the audio file. Clear as day, they heard the radio recording, and soon, Jade’s voice.
Ferret watched the pair, Laswell looked increasingly concerned, and Bes was mad.
Bes turned and looked at Laswell. “What do we do?” It sounded like he was holding back from going on a murder spree.
Laswell hesitated.
“We get them back.”
Moose PoV
Moose didn’t know how long he was out for. He had moments of wakefulness, but even then he saw nothing. He guessed it was a blindfold covering his vision, but he knew one thing. Jade was behind this. He had seen the man moments before being knocked out.
The blindfold was forcefully ripped off, and stood before him was Jade. Moose glared up at him.
“You son of a-” Moose started to growl before Jade punched him in the gut.
“Now now. None of that, Wilson.” Jade knelt down to Moose’s level, a sinister smile on his face. “If you speak out of turn again, it won’t be you getting punched.”
Jade nodded his head to a direction, and Moose looked up and saw Storm, tied and blindfolded.
Moose felt a pit in his stomach, and he was pissed.
“I swear, if you’ve hurt them!”
“Calm down, Captain.” Jade soothed sarcastically. “They just had a bit of a tumble. Surely they’ll be fine, eh?”
Jade stood up and walked to a table. “Now then. I ain’t gonna hurt either of you yet. However, I want…information.”
“You’re not getting shit!” Moose spat.
“Oh no, not from you, dear Captain.” Jade hummed. “I know the teams are fiercely protective of you both. Like you’re both made of glass. I know both of your hearts aint doing too well.”
Moose sneered at Jade.
Jade turned and smirked. “I think if I started interrogation right away, one of you two might have a heart attack, and that’d make it harder to get information, wouldn’t you agree?”
He then turned back to the table. “No. I’m going to ask your fellow teams to give me information, in exchange for yours and the kids safety.”
“They won’t tell you anything!” Moose retorted.
“Oh, they won’t? I suppose it depends on who I send it to. The 141 might not give information…but what if I sent it to little Ferret, or the Safe House Six Captain? Now I bet they’d be eager to give information, hm?”
“Bes?” Moose scoffed. “Man, you don’t know him that well, do you?”
Jade raised an eyebrow. “Nonetheless. Someone in those teams will break. After the first set of photos, with no response? Things may start getting violent for you both.” Jade took his phone and snapped a couple of pictures, before taking sending them to various numbers.
“Now, we wait.”
Ferret PoV
Ferret was pacing back and forth outside of Laswell’s office. Outside of it, sat Hurricane, Cotton, and surprisingly Ratchet, who flew out as soon as she heard Moose was gone. Ferret was surprised she cared that much.
“How much longer do they need?” Cotton asked nervously.
“They did just get sent a ransom request, Sister.” Ratchet replied bluntly. “They gotta plan out what’s best.”
Hurricane groaned. “Not even Vaughn is this bad. I remember he never wanted anything to do with Jade. That man feared him to the point he didn’t dare send any of his test subjects near him.”
Cotton just nodded, before looking at Ferret. “Jo, please sit down.”
“Can’t.” Ferret responded. “If I do, I’ll start chewing my lip till it bleeds.”
“You need to find better coping strategies, rodent.” Ratchet muttered.
Soon enough, the door opened, and Laswell came out, followed by Bes, Price and Lumberjack.
Ferret stood firm. “Well?”
Laswell sighed. “We won’t be giving Jade information…”
Ferret looked like they were going to complain, but Laswell continued.
“But I’m sending the teams out to retrieve them both. They’re both resilient, and will hold out for as long as they can. Mouse is going to help the teams into the territory.”
“How’d you get Mouse to help?” Hurricane looked surprised.
“It’s more of the fact that Moose is Ratchet’s father than anything else.” Laswell responded.
Ratchet shrugged. “I may not show it, but I care about the old bastard.”
While the group talked, Ferret went over to Lumberjack.
“Did they look okay in the photos…?” They asked quietly.
Lumberjack sighed. “They look a little beaten up, but other than that, I couldn’t see anything major. Storm looked knocked out, Moose looked pissed off. All things considered, they’re doing fine.”
“What information was that bastard after anyway?” Ferret growled. “What the hell warrants him hurting my dad and my sibling?!”
Lumberjack shrugged. “With that man? Any information.”
He placed a reassuring hand on Ferret’s shoulder. “They’ll get them back.”
“They? I’m going with!”
“Laswell wants you to hang back. She thinks you might panic.”
“To hell I am! James, I’m going with, whether she wants it or not!” Ferret snapped.
“Joseph. The other young’ins wont panic as much if they find Moose and Storm hurt. Cotton’s a paramedic, Hurricane would be on guard, Ratchet is already detached from her emotions, but you’re currently acting Captain, and your job would be to assess the situation, and the situation will send you into a downward spiral if it goes wrong.” Lumberjack explained.
Ferret glared, but didn’t respond further.
“I can’t stop you if you end up going, but just, take what I said into consideration?” he asked.
“Fine. Whatever.”
Moose PoV
It had been several hours since Moose had woken up, and he was worried about Storm, who was still knocked out, though he just decided it was due to the fact Storm was tackled off the catwalk.
He looked up when he heard the door open, and saw Jade walk in. He glared at the man, who had a scowl on his face.
“Seems your team declined to send me information.” Jade hissed.
“I told you they wouldn’t.” Moose pointed out. “That’s not how they work, you dumba-”
Moose’s word were cut off when Jade punched him right in the jaw with a sickening crack. If Jade had punched any harder, Moose’s jaw would have broke.
“Watch your damn mouth, Wilson.” Jade snarled, pacing.
He then paused, and smirked.
“I guess I could convince them otherwise…” he picked up some tools on the table, studying them. “Hm. Might save these for when that kid is awake…” he muttered to himself.
Moose growled. “You touch them, you’re dead!”
“You’re in no position to make threats.” Jade walked over, looming over the man. “Now then. Maybe you could give me information?”
“Go to hell!”
“Already there, dear Captain.” Jade smiled sweetly, before punching Moose in the gut several times, leaving the other man coughing and gasping for air.
“I thought about killing you when you walked into the warehouse, and just taking the kid. But I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with Dante, except for asking for a measly piece of information to trade for your corpse.” Jade chuckled. “But where’s the fun in that? Now I see why Vaughn loves tormenting you all. So easy to capture. So easy to break!”
Jade backed off.
“Now then. Why don’t we wake them up, so they can join the fun?”
Storm PoV
Storm would have preferred to stay unconscious, not forced back into the waking world with the harsh scent of smelling salts. They coughed, and tiredly opened their eyes. However, the tiredness vanished rapidly as they saw Jade standing over them, and behind him, a tied up, beaten Moose, and a video camera in the corner.
“Welcome back to the land of the living.” Jade chuckled darkly.
Storm struggled against their restraints, a slight look of panic appearing on their face.
“Now, now.” Jade patted their head, causing them to flinch away. “Struggling won’t do you, or your old man any good, will it?”
Storm tried to bite at his hand, causing Jade to slap them across the face.
“You haven’t changed one bit, child.”
“I’ll give you some bite scars to remember me by!” Storm spat angrily. “What have you done to Moose?!”
“I just gave him a little…convincing. Though, can’t get through that dense head of his.” Jade chuckled. “Now…how to get through to you, I wonder. Seems like normal interrogation methods won’t work on you.”
“Damn right it won’t!”
Jade smirked. “I knew you would say that.” He walked over to the table, picking up a knife, and a metal baseball bat.
Storm tensed and glared when he turned to them. However, the glare turned into a look of fear as Jade wandered over to Moose, placing the baseball bat against the chair.
With Jade’s back turned, Storm began to tug at the binds roughly, pushing them against the sharp points of the chair.
Jade grabbed Moose by the hair, forcing the older man to look up. He looked back at Storm, causing them to freeze. “Maybe there’s another way to get you to talk.”
With that, Jade sliced the knife across Moose’s cheek, slowly going down to his mouth.
Storm saw Moose shut his eyes tightly in pain. He looked as though he was trying not to make a sound, to not give Jade the satisfaction.
They began to tug more roughly at the binds desperately, until they felt a shudder, and then a snap.
With a screech, they lunged at Jade.
However, Jade didn’t even hesitate. He grabbed the baseball bat, and swung low, right at Storm’s knees.
Storm could feel and hear the sickening crunches and snaps, and they collapsed to the floor, crying out in agony.
Jade looked down at them smugly. “Too predictable.”
However, what he didn’t expect, was Moose to do the same technique of cutting the binds.
Storm watched as Moose grabbed Jade from behind, having him in a choke-hold.
Jade thrashed around wildly, clawing at Moose’s hands and arms, before managing to grab a hold of the knife.
Storm tried to yell out a warning, but it came too late, and the knife was plunged deep into Moose’s gut.
Moose let out a choke of pain. He tried to maintain the choke-hold, but Jade soon overpowered him, knocking the man to the ground and kicking him repeatedly in the chest, and the stomach, right where the wound was, until Moose stopped moving as he slipped into unconsciousness.
“Fucking bastards, the lot of you!” Jade yelled, grabbing Storm by the hair and slamming their head against the ground. He grabbed zip-ties and bound their legs and arms together. He looked at Moose, and shrugged. “Have fun watching him die, brat.” Jade snarled, kicking Storm one last time, grabbing the camera, and storming out of the room.
Ferret PoV
Ferret had sneaked aboard the air plane the teams were on. They sure as hell weren’t being left behind, especially on Laswell’s orders, when their dad and their sibling were in danger, hurt, or even dead.
They heard someone walk past their hiding place, and they tensed up, accidentally knocking into something. The footsteps halted, and Ferret could hear the person turn. In a short moment, their hiding place was uncovered. It was Price.
“Seriously?” he sighed.
Ferret glared up at him, as if daring him to turn the plane around.
“You seriously can’t follow her orders, huh?” Price grunted.
“I decide what missions I go on!” Ferret hissed.
“All right, all right, calm down. We do need extra hands anyway, just in case. Don’t be surprised if Laswell sticks you with training recruits when we get back.” Price sighed.
Ferret shrugged, and hopped out of their hiding spot, to the surprise of practically everyone else.
“How the fuck did you fit in there?!” Hurricane sounded surprised.
“Because I’m short, Franky.” Ferret sighed, and sat next to them. Cotton ruffled their hair.
“Glad you’re with us, Jo.” Cotton smiled.
“Right. We’ll be landing in ten minutes. Mouse says we have five hours to find Storm and Moose, and to get back to the plane. No fucking around, straight shot in, straight shot out. Understood?” Price’s voice was loud over the planes engines.
“Yes sir!” The teams replied in unison.
Ferret glanced over at Bes, Fen and Merc, who each looked equally mad and worried.
They knew the trio were worried about Storm, though they’d probably never admit it. Especially Bes, who Ferret learnt was just a dense person, sometimes an asshole. Though, who were they to judge?
The air plane soon landed, and Mouse’s voice filled their radios. “Guard activity is scarce. Not normal. Keep an eye out, and be careful. Act as though Jade is watching your every move.”
“Copy that, Gunter. Land the plane elsewhere until we need you back.” Price spoke into the radio.
“Okej.” Gunter turned his radio off, and waited for the teams to exit the plane, which they soon did cautiously.
The surrounding area was almost like a wasteland. Craters were visible as far as the eye could see, with scarce greenery, trees blackened with ash, broken and abandoned buildings littering the area.
“Right. We got a report that Jade’s base is to the north. Watch where you step. We don’t know if he’s trapped the place.” Price spoke calmly, though there was a tinge of worry. He knows things can and will go wrong.
Ferret quietly caught up to Price as the teams walked carefully. “Do you think they’re all right?” They asked nervously.
Price let out a sigh. “Any thing’s possible right now. Though…” He gave a soft smile to Ferret. “I know those two probably gave Jade a scare.”
Ferret could imagine just that. It eased their mind slightly. “Has Laswell received any more from Jade.”
Price paused. “Now that I think about it…I hadn’t checked.”
He took his phone out to check for any messages. The teams all paused too, scanning the area.
After a while, Ferret saw Price’s face drain to a pale colour.
“What?” They asked.
Price whistled over to Bes, who quickly walked over. “What’s up?”
Price showed the phone to them both, and he pressed play on a video.
It was the interrogation and torture of Storm and Moose.
When the video finished playing, he looked at them. “We need to move. Now. Jade will want to finish them off sooner rather than later.” He growled.
Ferret suddenly felt restless, and Bes looked just the same. Price whistled to the rest of the teams, and they moved on, though much quicker than before.
Storm PoV
Even though the light was dim, it still hurt their eyes. Their head was throbbing from the impact of the floor.
Unsure how much time had passed, they tried to sit up despite the zip ties holding their arms and legs together, only to gasp in pain as the agony in their legs came slamming back like a freight train. They took some deep breaths, trying to fight through it.
Once the initial pain had passed just for the moment, they gazed around, before their sight settled on Moose, who was still on the floor.
He looked awful. His skin was pale, and blood had soaked his shirt. If it weren’t for the light rise and fall of his chest, Storm would have thought he was dead.
“Moose…?” They rasped, but he didn’t stir.
They struggled against their arm zip ties momentarily, to no avail.
“Moose, wake up, please!” They tried to rouse him again. This time, he seemed to have heard them.
Moose let out a ragged cough, spitting up blood, and letting out a raspy breath.
“Oh thank fuck…” Storm felt relief surge through them. He wasn’t gone yet, that was something. “Can you move?”
Moose tried to speak, but it was hard in his current state. “Can’t…” He croaked.
“Okay, that’s fine! How are you feeling?” Storm couldn’t help but feel anxious.
There was another pause. “N-Not great…h-hard to…breathe…”
The door slammed open, causing them both to flinch.
Jade stormed in, grabbing his tools.
“You’re just leaving us here?!” Storm weakly yelled at him.
Jade sneered at them. “You’ve both run your course of usefulness. I’m leaving this place to get levelled. Seems your little military buddies found out where you are after all.”
He grabbed his bag, and quickly left. A bit too quickly for Moose’s liking.
After a few minutes, something clicked in Storm’s head. “Levelling the place? Isn’t that the term for detonating a building?”
That’s when they heard a faint, fast paced beeping. Dread filled them as they realised.
Acting quickly, and moving faster than Storm would have thought he’d be able to in his condition, Moose threw himself over Storm, mere milliseconds before an explosion rocked through the building.
Ferret PoV
Ferret watched in horror as the building they were nearing exploded, sending plumes of dust and debris everywhere. The teams took cover pretty quickly to protect themselves from anything hurtling their way.
Once the dust cleared, nobody was sure what to do. However, Ferret sprinted towards the building.
“Joseph! Get back here!” Price yelled, running after them. The teams followed after.
They all came to a stop at the foot of the rubble.
“They gotta be here. They gotta be!” Ferret yelled out in panic.
Price sighed, before deciding to humour them. “Everyone spread out! Start moving what you can!”
As the teams spread out, Ferret chose a place at random, and began to furiously dig. “Please be here…” they begged quietly.
After what felt like several hours, though it was only one hour, Ghost suddenly yelled. “I think I got them!”
Ferret’s anxiety spiked and they clambered over the rubble towards Ghost, as the teams did the same.
“Can you see how they’re doing?” Cotton asked with worry.
“They aren’t moving.” Ghost remarked darkly.
“Are they…?” Hurricane didn’t dare finish his sentence.
Ferret however, narrowed their eyes. “Open the hole up a bit more.”
Ghost just nodded and continued moving rubble.
Once the hole was big enough, Ferret managed to crawl inside.
“Be careful, Ferret!” Ratchet warned. They could have sworn they heard a tinge of worry.
Ferret soon dropped down onto solid ground and quickly crawled over to Storm.
They looked like shit in Ferret’s opinion. Blood trickled from their mouth, nose and head, their skin peppered with small flecks of shrapnel. Ferret took a look at Storm’s knees and grimaced. They looked completely mangled.
Ferret checked Storm’s breathing and pulse. Weak, but it was still there. “Storm’s alive.” Ferret called up. “Their knees are fucked though.”
“What about Moose?” Cotton asked worriedly.
Ferret saw Moose nearby. His skin was pale and he was covered in blood. Ferret rolled him onto his back and their heart dropped into their stomach. They saw the stab wound to his gut. Carefully, Ferret checked his breathing, and to their horror, there wasn’t any movement in his chest.
“Shit…shit shit shit!” Ferret swore, before starting to do compressions on Moose’s chest.
“Ferret, what is it?!” Price called down.
“Moose isn’t breathing!” Ferret yelled back up. “Throw down a medical kit, now!”
There was a moment of hesitation, before they heard Ghost.
“Wouldn’t it be better to…give them mercy?”
“The fuck do you mean?!” Ratchet snapped.
“It might be too late for them. I’m just trying to be realistic.” Ghost shrugged.
”Fuck that!” Ferret yelled. “Thrown down a med kit now, or so fucking help me, I’ll come up there and shoot the lot of you!”
Ferret heard a shove and then a thud as the kit was dropped down. They scurried to it and grabbed it, and got to work.
Storm PoV
Storm had moments of wakefulness. They saw Ferret trying to revive Moose, then cut it to them being on a plane, before everything went dark again, and then peaceful for a while. Every now and then, they swore they could hear chatter from people around them, but they couldn’t pick out a voice. The dark was comforting, and they preferred it that way. Nothing could hurt them here. No visions, no enemies, just a blanket of warm darkness.
Until they opened their eyes.
They heard the steady beeping of a few machines, and the hissing of an oxygen tank just behind them.
Storm blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light. Softly, they let out a groan of pain as the light hurt their eyes and head.
Then, they heard someone open the door. Storm looked up, and saw Ferret.
“Avery?” Ferrets eyes widened.
They suddenly rushed to them. “Oh my god, you’re awake! I didn’t think you’d wake up this soon!”
Before Storm could even attempt to speak, Ferret crushed them in a hug. “Everyone was so worried! Even Bes!”
Storm blinked in confusion, trying to remember what happened.
Ferret released them from the hug, before giving them water, which Storm gladly took. After a few sips, they finally found their voice.
“What…What happened…?” they asked.
Ferret fidgeted uncomfortably before handing Storm their cherished Dinosaur Plushie, which they clung to.
“So uh...what do you remember?” Ferret asked.
Storm gave a weak shrug. “Not much. I remember…Moose being there, I think?”
Ferret nodded, before sighing.
“Maybe it’s for the best you don’t remember…”
Storm tilted their head. “Where’s Moose? I thought he would be with you.”
Storm saw Ferret visibly tense up.
“What is it?”
Ferret fidgeted again. “Pa was with you…during the torture Jade inflicted upon both of you.”
Storm froze, their mouth agape.
“What?”
“We saw the video Jade sent of you and Pa getting tortured, so we headed out to get you back, but when we got there, the building you two were being held in…exploded.” Ferret mumbled. “When I got down there, you both were hurt and-” they cut themselves off with a pitiful whimper.
“Is he alive?” Storm asked a bit more firmly.
Ferret sniffled and nodded. “He’s in a coma, like you were. But…yours was a natural coma, Moose had to be medically induced into one.”
Storm lowered their gaze. “Our injuries were that bad?”
Ferret nodded sadly. “I had to revive Moose before we could move either of you, and then you both died momentarily on the way here. You got stable by the time surgery finished. Moose died on the surgery table for a minute or two…” they explained. “It was bad for both of you…”
Ferret then took another breath. “Your kneecaps were completely shattered. It’ll be a while before you can even walk…so you’re confined to a wheelchair.”
Storm hugged their dinosaur plushie tighter. A low whimper escaped their throat, before they looked around, spotting a huge amount of cards, small tokens, and flowers. Their eyes widened.
Ferret gave a small smile. “Like I said, everyone was worried.”
Storm picked up one of the cards, and looked inside. It was labeled from each team, from 141 to Ashes.
“Ashes know?” Storm asked.
“You kidding? Sage was frightening when she found out.” Ferret laughed. “She sent Steve and Kasey to check up on everyone.”
“I see.” Storm sighed, their hand trailing over the trinkets everyone had brought, before they decided to ask: “Can I see Moose?”
Ferret hesitated. “It’s probably for the best that you don’t for a while.” Ferret admitted. “How he looks right now might upset you. Hell, it was hard for Cotton to see him.”
“I…think I remember what happened to him? Though, I’m not too sure…”
Ferret just nodded and patted Storm’s shoulder gently. “Get some rest, heal up more, and maybe I’ll take you to see Pa, yeah?”
“Fine, fine…” Storm sighed, settling against their beds pillow, though they now felt restless. “Promise I can see him?”
“Yeah. I promise” Ferret nodded
Ferret PoV
Ferret was so damned tired. They had been back and forth between Storm and Moose for nearly two months. They almost practically lived in the hospital, sleeping in the corners in case something happened. Moose hadn’t woken up yet, and they were getting worried. They knew the longer he was out, the less chance he has of coming back at all.
They were visiting Storm again, who was determined to see Moose again. Storm had previously seen him three weeks ago, a week after they woke up. They were indeed shocked by how Moose looked. The man still looked almost dead, covered in stitches, gauzes, his skin pale. It was horrible for them both.
Nowadays, Moose looked better. The stitches had been taken out, the wounds now in late stages of healing, or already scarred, though he still looked like shit. As Ferret sat beside Moose while Storm busied themselves scrolling through their phone, Ferret braided Moose’s hair, which had grown a bit since the incident. It helped calm them quite a bit.
They made sure Storm kept up on their medication, and dragged them to their numerous physio appointments. However, on their way back from the latest one, they were stopped by one of the doctors that tended to Moose, and were told that Moose was waking up.
Storm must have thought they were on a roller-coaster with how fast Ferret got them both to Moose’s room, and there, they waited for him to wake. Ferret was giddy with excitement to see their dad wake up, and Storm seemed equally as happy.
Ferret’s eyes trailed over the small cards and gifts others had left Moose. They wondered if he’d be grateful for the support from the other teams, before thinking to themselves Ashes and the rest of Dante’s reaction to Moose being awake. They giggled to themselves at the thought of Steve going werewolf mode and barrelling straight into Moose, and Sage nearly trampling the poor man.
They both heard Moose stir and looked at him, and saw him open his eyes slightly.
“Pa?” Ferret gently murmured, to not startled the older man
There was confusion in Moose’s eyes, before he saw Ferret, and then Storm. The confusion turned into instant relief.
Ferret assumed he couldn’t talk properly yet, which was fair in their opinion. He was out of it for 2 months after all.
They just gave a soft smile. “You’re safe now.”
Moose seemed to understand and gave a weak nod. Ferret could notice a look of relief when he saw Storm. They guessed he was happy Storm was safe, and somewhat okay.
Moose PoV
It had been two weeks since he had woken up. He had managed to get his voice back, but relearning to do things was a pain in the ass.
“I know how to hold a fucking spoon.” Moose muttered.
Ferret giggled “You know its standard procedure. Remember pa, you were gone for two months. They were worried about brain damage.”
“I’ll give them brain damage if I have to put up with this.”
“Hey, you can’t complain. Avery had to do it too.” Ferret pointed out.
“How are they doing?” Moose asked.
“Exhausted after their physio. You got yours tomorrow.”
Moose grunted. “At least it’s helping them some.”
Ferret went silent, and Moose noticed their unease.
“What’s on your mind?” Moose asked, his voice now soft.
Ferret sighed and leaned back in their seat. “We could have lost you both. I heard Storm get knocked off the catwalk, and Jade being his taunting self. And then the pictures and videos came in and I just…” they took a shaky breath. “When we got there, and the building had blown up, only one thing ran through my mind. Would that place be the only burial you two would get?”
Moose sighed sadly, but listened carefully to Ferret’s thoughts.
“Ghost wanted to mercy kill you both when he heard you weren’t breathing. I am still going to tear his fucking ears off for that!” Ferret hissed bitterly. “And then on the way to the hospital, you both stopped breathing, and everyone was just panicking.”
“I’m sorry we worried you, kid…” Moose hummed softly, weakly ruffling their hair.
Ferret quietly sniffled. “I was happy hearing that Storm was out of surgery, but yours took longer. Way too long.”
“In their defence, I was stabbed and beaten within an inch of my life. God knows what was broken.” Moose pointed out.
Ferret sniffled, and looked at Moose. “You died again, you know?”
“Yeah. I could guess.” Moose sighed. “As usual, I didn’t feel shit. Just felt like infinite nothingness.”
“I hope you know you’re grounded for like, ever.” Ferret muttered.
“I sure as hell ain’t!” Moose glared.
“You are. I’m acting Captain, and you’re grounded!” Ferret glared back.
Moose blinked, before sighing. “Shit. I forgot that was a thing…”
Ferret looked smug at finally winning an actual argument with Moose.
“Wipe that look off your face. As soon as I’m recovered, you’re going on training duty. Don’t think Price hasn’t told me that you disobeyed Laswell.” Moose smirked.
Ferret froze. “He what?!”
“Mhm. While I’m glad you came to help us, she’s going to murder you.”
Ferret groaned and leaned back in their seat.
Storm PoV
“So you have another apartment here?” Storm asked, as Ferret pushed along their wheelchair.
“Just a short term lease. I told the Landlord and he’s letting me stay until you’re both well enough. You seem better, just waiting on Moose now.” Ferret hummed.
Storm nodded. “How long till Moose is out?”
“Not sure.” Ferret sighed. “The doctors still aren’t happy with his oxygen levels, and a few of his injuries are still causing issues.”
Storm let out a sigh. “This fucking sucks.”
“It really does.” Ferret agreed, before stopping the wheelchair and unlocking a door, and pushing Storm’s chair inside.
The apartment was decently sized, everything on just one floor.
“You’re staying here till Bes can come get ya.” Ferret shrugged off their coat.
“Actually…” Storm mumbled. “I told him I wanted to wait nearby until Moose was out of hospital.”
“Really?” Ferret raised an eyebrow, pushing Storm into the living room.
“I just want to make sure he’s okay, you know?” Storm admitted.
Ferret just nodded, though looked a bit absent-minded.
Storm noticed it, however. “You good, Ferret?”
Ferret jumped slightly. “Uh, yeah. Just the last few months have been hard, you know?” they sighed “I mean, Dante is grounded, your team is keeping to themselves when not visiting you, and for the last few months, I’ve been back and forth between you and pa, so my minds a bit frazzled, you know?”
Storm hummed and nodded. “Sounds like you need a weeks long nap.”
Ferret scoffed. “If only I could.” they sighed. “Paperwork has to be done.”
“I can do it.” Storm pointed out.
“Nope. You’re meant to be resting.” Ferret responded, narrowing their eyes.
“I get we do this stuff with Moose, but you don’t have to do it to me.”
“Too bad storm cloud, I’m doing it to you too.” Ferret hummed.
“You are such an ass.” Storm muttered.
Ferret just hummed in response. “Bedroom is the door to the left.”
Storm sighed. This was going to be a long stay.
Jade PoV
Jade paced back and forth with irritation. He had planned this perfectly.
Torture them, and drop a building on them. That should have killed them!
“Fucking cockroaches!” Jade suddenly yelled, kicking a wooden chair across the room. “Should have killed Wilson the first chance I got and send the brats corpse back to her team.” he spat.
But suddenly, he had a thought.
He sat at his table and scrolled through pages on his laptop. “Gotta be someone else…”
He had already made a promise to himself to get back at SWARM and anyone who worked there, including their families. He’s already killed Skipper’s family, and was working on Ratchet’s, but it was proving difficult, since her family was mostly military.
“Henry…absolutely not. Lucan…?” He grunted. “Maybe. Carnell would snap my neck…”
Finally, he found who he wanted to target next.
Jerry Wilson, Carnell’s little brother. An aspiring Medic in Training, newly out of the academy and working in Carnell’s Squad.
“That would be too easy…” he muttered, but smirked to himself. If Daniel cared about these two brats, it’d break him down more.
He sat back and thought for a while, ideas going by of what to do with the kid. He’d have to be careful though. No doubt Carnell would come after him if he ever laid hands on Jerry, so he had to be careful.
Maybe appearing in one of their missions would suffice.
Moose PoV
It had been a month since Moose finally left the hospital. Stable enough where the doctors were 99% sure he wouldn’t drop dead, but he knew he was still healing. The stabs of pain in his still raw injuries were a constant reminder.
Needless to say, Lumberjack grounded him. Imagine being grounded by your own husband.
He had managed to escape from Lumberjack’s constant mother henning and into his office. While he loved his dork of a husband dearly, he wasn’t used to the constant attention. Even his own kids were being mother hens. Ferret and Cotton most of all. Hurricane was just happy to fetch Moose a coffee every now and then. But holy shit, Cotton was relentlessly checking his health, and Ferret usually followed him around.
And then there was Henry.
God fucking damn that man.
If he were still dead, he’d have risen from his grave to cuss the ever loving life out of Moose for nearly getting killed. Maybe that’s why SHC brought him back. Who knows?
He sat in his chair and let out an exhausted groan. He’s happy he was cared about, but it was getting too much, and he just wanted to sleep.
His hopes were dashed when he heard a knock on his door.
“Unless you’re here to put an end to my misery, or you have good coffee, piss off.” Moose grumbled.
“I have one of those things?”
Moose sat up once he heard Bes’ voice. The hell was that man doing here. “Come in, I guess.”
Bes walked in with two cups of coffee, a concerned expression on his face.
“Thought you’d be looking after Avery.” Moose sighed.
“They’ll be fine without me for a few hours. They got Michael and Taylor.” Bes responded as he handed Moose one of the cups of coffee. “Besides, I needed to talk to you. It’s been a while, after all.”
Moose grunted in agreement, sipping the coffee. The last he saw Bes was when he was still in the hospital.
“You didn’t come here just to check up on me, did you?” Moose asked.
“Partially. The video Jo sent me of James mothering you was hilarious, but also, you need a break.” Bes chuckled.
“Isn’t this break enough?” Moose pointed out
“I mean a proper one, Wilson.” Bes put his cup down after taking a sip. “James told me you’re itching to get back to work.”
“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
“It is if you’re only a month in from being away from the hospital after nearly kicking the bucket three times. Or is it four?” Bes snorted.
Moose shrugged. “Big deal. I’m alive and breathing, I can get back to work.”
“I’ve spoken to your team-” Bes started.
“Oh that’s just fucking great.”
“-and they agree you should recuperate properly, where you aren’t going to exhaust yourself. That includes no paperwork.”
“What, you gonna send me back to Texas or something?” Moose retorted.
“No. I’m sending you to a Safe House of ours. Has a few sixes there. Some new, some that’s been there for a while. They’ll be happy to have you.” Bes responded.
“That’s a shit idea and you know it.” Moose leaned back in his seat with annoyance.
“You’re going anyway.” Bes hummed. “If I don’t make you, your kids and husband will, and I guarantee you, it won’t be pleasant.”
Moose let out some mumbled protests, mainly how it was unfair and how he was being treated like a child.
“Fine.”
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grey-writes-stuff · 6 months ago
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Snippet - Safe House
It had been quite a few months since anyone in the Safe House had seen the rest of SH6, let alone Storm and Moose. A few rumours appeared. Maybe Moose finally retired? He looked like aged milk when he was tired. Or maybe he got transferred? There were more rumours than actual concrete evidence.
“Hey, Isaac! They got a new rumour!”
Isaac looked up from the papers with a tired gaze. “Can’t we let the poor guy rest, Micah?”
Micah shook his head with a teasing grin. “Nah, they all live on rumours!”
Isaac hummed and leaned back in the chair. “Let’s hear it then.”
”Maybe! Maybe he’s on a honeymoon!”
“For four months?” Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Doubt it.”
“You never know!” Micah grinned.
  As the two bickered about the rumours, with Isaac growing more irritated by Micah’s claims, someone wandered into the room.
Isaac gazed up and looked at the newcomer. “Need something, Finn?”
“You’ll never guess who showed up.” Finn responded, wandering over to the coffee dispenser.
“Uh…” Micah thought. “Jesus?”
Isaac promptly smacked Micah over the head. “Moose?” He guessed.
Finn nodded. “He’s in the infirmary. Looks like he took on a God and lost once or twice.”
“What, like last time?” Micah quipped, which resulted in a styrofoam cup bouncing off his head.
“Is he okay?” Isaac asked.
“Eh, not really. He’s real quiet, and Josefine accidentally spooked him when she walked up on his left side.” Finn responded as he sipped the coffee he had just made. “Think he might be half blind now.”
“Damn.” Micah hissed with sudden sympathy. “That bad? What even happened?”
“Dunno.” Finn shrugged. “All I saw from the paperwork is that he’s here to recuperate, and that O’Neil wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“O’Neil huh?” Isaac whistled. “Must be serious then.”
“Whatever happened, gotta leave him alone for a while. He’s jumpy.” Finn murmured.
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grey-writes-stuff · 1 year ago
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The Jade Incident (W.I.P)
@divoha4
WARNINGS - Contains torture, injuries, and mentions of death.
Marking as Mature
Characters: Avery "Storm" Scott, Daniel "Moose" Wilson, Jake "Bes" O'Neil, Joseph "Ferret" Payne, (This is a wip, I will add the rest of the characters when I finish. Even if they're just mentioned, they're getting shoved in here.)
Words: 5641
This story is LONG! and full of mistakes, and is multiple POVs between three different characters! Read at your own risk!
Ferret PoV
“So if you take the next left, you should see the warehouse. That’s where Vaughn’s men are meeting.” Ferret spoke into the radio.
“Copy that, Kid. Thanks.” Moose’s voice sounded over the headset, before another voice joined in.
“Hey, Ferret? So, how come couldn’t you come with?”
“Hurricane can’t even guide himself out of a paper bag, Lumberjack’s got medical checkup, and Cotton is on medical training exercises. That leaves just me around. That a problem, Stormy?”
“Not a problem at all.” Storm chuckled. “You just don’t seem like the navigator type.”
“Someone’s gotta direct your dumbasses, no?” Ferret responded with a short laugh.
“Fair, fair. Hey, you said big warehouse, right?”
“Mhm.”
“...It’s empty.”
“Come again?” Ferret sat up properly in their chair.
“It’s empty. Nobody is here. Moose is checking up on the catwalk. You sure it’s the right one?”
“Yeah? It’s next to an old church right?”
There was a pause.
“Yep.”
Another pause, and what sounded like a clatter of metal hitting metal.
“What was that?” Ferret asked.
“Dunno. Maybe Moose dropped something.”
Ferret sighed and tapped the desk. Something deep down warned them of something, so instinctively, they turned on the recording software.
“Could you check on him? You know how stubborn he is asking for help.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure thing.” Storm sighed.
Ferret listened closely to each step.
“Moose, you up here, old man?” Storm called out.
Nothing.
“Where the hell…?” Storm muttered.
Ferret could hear low mumbling. "Storm, what is that?"
"I'll check."
There was a low clunk of footsteps as Ferret listened to Storm check the area. Suddenly, they heard a yell, a thud, and the whoosh of air before another thud, this time it was more sickening.
Ferret could hear Storm gasping for air and letting out small whimpers of pain.
"Storm?! Are you okay?!" Ferret panicked.
There was one last thud, before Ferret heard the radio being picked up.
"Don't bother looking, Joseph. They'll be dead before you can send your little friends. Have a nice day now." Then, silence, as the person on the other end turned the radio off completely.
Everything in Ferret froze. They know that voice. It haunts their dreams sometimes from previous incidents, one that nearly took theirs and Moose’s life before. They knew it was Jade, and that this was going to end badly.
They grabbed their laptop and uploaded the sound file to it, before sprinting out of the room, shoving past a few people, making a bee-line for Laswell’s office.
They skidded to a halt outside the office door, and knocked on it rapidly. “Laswell?!”
The waited impatiently before hearing “Come in, Joseph.”
Ferret opened the door, and spotted Bes standing beside her desk, now looking rather intrigued.
“Well?” Laswell asked with a soft expression she usually had for Ferret.
Ferret took a deep breath. “Moose and Storm’s been kidnapped.” they blurted out.
They saw Bes tense up, and Laswell’s soft expression turned into one of concern.
“How do you know?” Laswell’s question was tense.
Ferret handed her their laptop, and Laswell played the audio file. Clear as day, they heard the radio recording, and soon, Jade’s voice.
Ferret watched the pair, Laswell looked increasingly concerned, and Bes was mad.
Bes turned and looked at Laswell. “What do we do?” It sounded like he was holding back from going on a murder spree.
Laswell hesitated.
“We get them back.”
Moose PoV
Moose didn’t know how long he was out for. He had moments of wakefulness, but even then he saw nothing. He guessed it was a blindfold covering his vision, but he knew one thing. Jade was behind this. He had seen the man moments before being knocked out.
The blindfold was forcefully ripped off, and stood before him was Jade. Moose glared up at him.
“You son of a-” Moose started to growl before Jade punched him in the gut.
“Now now. None of that, Wilson.” Jade knelt down to Moose’s level, a sinister smile on his face. “If you speak out of turn again, it won’t be you getting punched.”
Jade nodded his head to a direction, and Moose looked up and saw Storm, tied and blindfolded.
Moose felt a pit in his stomach, and he was pissed.
“I swear, if you’ve hurt them!”
“Calm down, Captain.” Jade soothed sarcastically. “They just had a bit of a tumble. Surely they’ll be fine, eh?”
Jade stood up and walked to a table. “Now then. I ain’t gonna hurt either of you yet. However, I want…information.”
“You’re not getting shit!” Moose spat.
“Oh no, not from you, dear Captain.” Jade hummed. “I know the teams are fiercely protective of you both. Like you’re both made of glass. I know both of your hearts aint doing too well.”
Moose sneered at Jade.
Jade turned and smirked. “I think if I started interrogation right away, one of you two might have a heart attack, and that’d make it harder to get information, wouldn’t you agree?”
He then turned back to the table. “No. I’m going to ask your fellow teams to give me information, in exchange for yours and the kids safety.”
“They won’t tell you anything!” Moose retorted.
“Oh, they won’t? I suppose it depends on who I send it to. The 141 might not give information…but what if I sent it to little Ferret, or the Safe House Six Captain? Now I bet they’d be eager to give information, hm?”
“Bes?” Moose scoffed. “Man, you don’t know him that well, do you?”
Jade raised an eyebrow. “Nonetheless. Someone in those teams will break. After the first set of photos, with no response? Things may start getting violent for you both.” Jade took his phone and snapped a couple of pictures, before taking sending them to various numbers.
“Now, we wait.”
Ferret PoV
Ferret was pacing back and forth outside of Laswell’s office. Outside of it, sat Hurricane, Cotton, and surprisingly Ratchet, who flew out as soon as she heard Moose was gone. Ferret was surprised she cared that much.
“How much longer do they need?” Cotton asked nervously.
“They did just get sent a ransom request, Sister.” Ratchet replied bluntly. “They gotta plan out what’s best.”
Hurricane groaned. “Not even Vaughn is this bad. I remember he never wanted anything to do with Jade. That man feared him to the point he didn’t dare send any of his test subjects near him.”
Cotton just nodded, before looking at Ferret. “Jo, please sit down.”
“Can’t.” Ferret responded. “If I do, I’ll start chewing my lip till it bleeds.”
“You need to find better coping strategies, rodent.” Ratchet muttered.
Soon enough, the door opened, and Laswell came out, followed by Bes, Price and Lumberjack.
Ferret stood firm. “Well?”
Laswell sighed. “We won’t be giving Jade information…”
Ferret looked like they were going to complain, but Laswell continued.
“But I’m sending the teams out to retrieve them both. They’re both resilient, and will hold out for as long as they can. Mouse is going to help the teams into the territory.”
“How’d you get Mouse to help?” Hurricane looked surprised.
“It’s more of the fact that Moose is Ratchet’s father than anything else.” Laswell responded.
Ratchet shrugged. “I may not show it, but I care about the old bastard.”
While the group talked, Ferret went over to Lumberjack.
“Do they look okay in the photos…?” They asked quietly.
Lumberjack sighed. “They look a little beaten up, but other than that, I couldn’t see anything major. Storm looked knocked out, Moose looked pissed off. All things considered, they’re doing fine.”
“What information was that bastard after anyway?” Ferret growled. “What the hell warrants him hurting my dad and my sibling?!”
Lumberjack shrugged. “With that man? Any information.”
He placed a reassuring hand on Ferret’s shoulder. “They’ll get them back.”
“They? I’m going with!”
“Laswell wants you to hang back. She thinks you might panic.”
“To hell I am! James, I’m going with, whether she wants it or not!” Ferret snapped.
“Joseph. The other young’ins wont panic as much if they find Moose and Storm hurt. Cotton’s a paramedic, Hurricane would be on guard, Ratchet is already detached from her emotions, but you’re currently acting Captain, and your job would be to assess the situation, and the situation will send you into a downward spiral if it goes wrong.” Lumberjack explained.
Ferret glared, but didn’t respond further.
“I can’t stop you if you end up going, but just, take what I said into consideration?” he asked.
“Fine. Whatever.”
Moose PoV
It had been several hours since Moose had woken up, and he was worried about Storm, who was still knocked out, though he just decided it was due to the fact Storm was tackled off the catwalk.
He looked up when he heard the door open, and saw Jade walk in. He glared at the man, who had a scowl on his face.
“Seems your team declined to send me information.” Jade hissed.
“I told you they wouldn’t.” Moose pointed out. “That’s not how they work, you dumba-”
Moose’s word were cut off when Jade punched him right in the jaw with a sickening crack. If Jade had punched any harder, Moose’s jaw would have broke.
“Watch your damn mouth, Wilson.” Jade snarled, pacing.
He then paused, and smirked.
“I guess I could convince them otherwise…” he picked up some tools on the table, studying them. “Hm. Might save these for when that kid is awake…” he muttered to himself.
Moose growled. “You touch them, you’re dead!”
“You’re in no position to make threats.” Jade walked over, looming over the man. “Now then. Maybe you could give me information?”
“Go to hell!”
“Already there, dear Captain.” Jade smiled sweetly, before punching Moose in the gut several times, leaving the other man coughing and gasping for air.
“I thought about killing you when you walked into the warehouse, and just taking the kid. But I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with Dante, except for asking for a measly piece of information to trade for your corpse.” Jade chuckled. “But where’s the fun in that? Now I see why Vaughn loves tormenting you all. So easy to capture. So easy to break!”
Jade backed off.
“Now then. Why don’t we wake them up, so they can join the fun?”
Storm PoV
Storm would have preferred to stay unconscious, not forced back into the waking world with the harsh scent of smelling salts. They coughed, and tiredly opened their eyes. However, the tiredness vanished rapidly as they saw Jade standing over them, and behind him, a tied up, beaten Moose, and a video camera in the corner.
“Welcome back to the land of the living.” Jade chuckled darkly.
Storm struggled against their restraints, a slight look of panic appearing on their face.
“Now, now.” Jade patted their head, causing them to flinch away. “Struggling won’t do you, or your old man any good, will it?”
Storm tried to bite at his hand, causing Jade to slap them across the face.
“You haven’t changed one bit, child.”
“I’ll give you some bite scars to remember me by!” Storm spat angrily. “What have you done to Moose?!”
“I just gave him a little…convincing. Though, can’t get through that dense head of his.” Jade chuckled. “Now…how to get through to you, I wonder. Seems like normal interrogation methods won’t work on you.”
“Damn right it won’t!”
Jade smirked. “I knew you would say that.” He walked over to the table, picking up a knife, and a metal baseball bat.
Storm tensed and glared when he turned to them. However, the glare turned into a look of fear as Jade wandered over to Moose, placing the baseball bat against the chair.
With Jade’s back turned, Storm began to tug at the binds roughly, pushing them against the sharp points of the chair.
Jade grabbed Moose by the hair, forcing the older man to look up. He looked back at Storm, causing them to freeze. “Maybe there’s another way to get you to talk.”
With that, Jade sliced the knife across Moose’s cheek, slowly going down to his mouth.
Storm saw Moose shut his eyes tightly in pain. He looked as though he was trying not to make a sound, to not give Jade the satisfaction.
They began to tug more roughly at the binds desperately, until they felt a shudder, and then a snap.
With a screech, they lunged at Jade.
However, Jade didn’t even hesitate. He grabbed the baseball bat, and swung low, right at Storm’s knees.
Storm could feel and hear the sickening crunches and snaps, and they collapsed to the floor, crying out in agony.
Jade looked down at them smugly. “Too predictable.”
However, what he didn’t expect, was Moose to do the same technique of cutting the binds.
Storm watched as Moose grabbed Jade from behind, having him in a choke-hold.
Jade thrashed around wildly, clawing at Moose’s hands and arms, before managing to grab a hold of the knife.
Storm tried to yell out a warning, but it came too late, and the knife was plunged deep into Moose’s gut.
Moose let out a choke of pain. He tried to maintain the choke-hold, but Jade soon overpowered him, knocking the man to the ground and kicking him repeatedly in the chest, and the stomach, right where the wound was, until Moose stopped moving as he slipped into unconsciousness.
“Fucking bastards, the lot of you!” Jade yelled, grabbing Storm by the hair and slamming their head against the ground. He grabbed zip-ties and binded their legs and arms together. He looked at Moose, and shrugged. “Have fun watching him die, brat.” Jade snarled, kicking Storm one last time, grabbing the camera, and storming out of the room.
Ferret PoV
Ferret had sneaked aboard the air plane the teams were on. They sure as hell weren’t being left behind, especially on Laswell’s orders, when their dad and their sibling were in danger, hurt, or even dead.
They heard someone walk past their hiding place, and they tensed up, accidentally knocking into something. The footsteps halted, and Ferret could hear the person turn. In a short moment, their hiding place was uncovered. It was Price.
“Seriously?” he sighed.
Ferret glared up at him, as if daring him to turn the plane around.
“You seriously can’t follow her orders, huh?” Price grunted.
“I decide what missions I go on!” Ferret hissed.
“All right, all right, calm down. We do need extra hands anyway, just in case. Don’t be surprised if Laswell sticks you with training recruits when we get back.” Price sighed.
Ferret shrugged, and hopped out of their hiding spot, to the surprise of practically everyone else.
“How the fuck did you fit in there?!” Hurricane sounded surprised.
“Because I’m short, Franky.” Ferret sighed, and sat next to them. Cotton ruffled their hair.
“Glad you’re with us, Jo.” Cotton smiled.
“Right. We’ll be landing in ten minutes. Mouse says we have five hours to find Storm and Moose, and to get back to the plane. No fucking around, straight shot in, straight shot out. Understood?” Price’s voice was loud over the planes engines.
“Yes sir!” The teams replied in unison.
Ferret glanced over at Bes, Fen and Merc, who each looked equally mad and worried.
They knew the trio were worried about Storm, though they’d probably never admit it. Especially Bes, who Ferret learnt was just a dense person, sometimes an asshole. Though, who were they to judge?
The air plane soon landed, and Mouse’s voice filled their radios. “Guard activity is scarce. Not normal. Keep an eye out, and be careful. Act as though Jade is watching your every move.”
“Copy that, Gunter. Land the plane elsewhere until we need you back.” Price spoke into the radio.
“Okej.” Gunter turned his radio off, and waited for the teams to exit the plane, which they soon did cautiously.
The surrounding area was almost like a wasteland. Craters were visible as far as the eye could see, with scarce greenery, trees blackened with ash, broken and abandoned buildings littering the area.
“Right. We got a report that Jade’s base is to the north. Watch where you step. We don’t know if he’s trapped the place.” Price spoke calmly, though there was a tinge of worry. He knows things can and will go wrong.
Ferret quietly caught up to Price as the teams walked carefully. “Do you think they’re all right?” They asked nervously.
Price let out a sigh. “Any thing’s possible right now. Though…” He gave a soft smile to Ferret. “I know those two probably gave Jade a scare.”
Ferret could imagine just that. It eased their mind slightly. “Has Laswell received any more from Jade.”
Price paused. “Now that I think about it…I hadn’t checked.”
He took his phone out to check for any messages. The teams all paused too, scanning the area.
After a while, Ferret saw Price’s face drain to a pale colour.
“What?” They asked.
Price whistled over to Bes, who quickly walked over. “What’s up?”
Price showed the phone to them both, and he pressed play on a video.
It was the interrogation and torture of Storm and Moose.
When the video finished playing, he looked at them. “We need to move. Now. Jade will want to finish them off sooner rather than later.” He growled.
Ferret suddenly felt restless, and Bes looked just the same. Price whistled to the rest of the teams, and they moved on, though much quicker than before.
Storm PoV
Even though the light was dim, it still hurt their eyes. Their head was throbbing from the impact of the floor.
Unsure how much time had passed, they tried to sit up despite the zip ties holding their arms and legs together, only to gasp in pain as the agony in their legs came slamming back like a freight train. They took some deep breaths, trying to fight through it.
Once the initial pain had passed just for the moment, they gazed around, before their sight settled on Moose, who was still on the floor.
He looked awful. His skin was pale, and blood had soaked his shirt. If it weren’t for the rise and fall of his chest, Storm would have thought he was dead.
“Moose…?” They rasped, but he didn’t stir.
They struggled against their arm zip ties momentarily, to no avail.
“Moose, wake up, please!” They tried to rouse him again. This time, he seemed to have heard them.
Moose let out a ragged cough, spitting up blood, and letting out a raspy breath.
“Oh thank fuck…” Storm felt relief surge through them. He wasn’t gone yet, that was something. “Can you move?”
Moose tried to speak, but it was hard in his current state. “Can’t…” He croaked.
“Okay, that’s fine! How are you feeling?” Storm couldn’t help but feel anxious.
There was another pause. “N-Not great…h-hard to…breathe…”
The door slammed open, causing them both to flinch.
Jade stormed in, grabbing his tools.
“You’re just leaving us here?!” Storm weakly yelled at him.
Jade sneered at them. “You’ve both run your course of usefulness. I’m leaving this place to get levelled. Seems your little military buddies found out where you are after all.”
He grabbed his bag, and quickly left. A bit too quickly for Moose’s liking.
After a few minutes, something clicked in Storm’s head. “Levelling the place? Isn’t that the term for detonating a building?”
That’s when they heard a faint, fast paced beeping. Dread filled them as they realised.
Acting quickly, and moving faster than Storm would have thought he’d be able to in his condition, Moose threw himself over Storm, mere milliseconds before an explosion rocked through the building.
Ferret PoV
Ferret watched in horror as the building they were nearing exploded, sending plumes of dust and debris everywhere. The teams took cover pretty quickly to protect themselves from anything hurtling their way.
Once the dust cleared, nobody was sure what to do. However, Ferret sprinted towards the building.
“Joseph! Get back here!” Price yelled, running after them. The teams followed after.
They all came to a stop at the foot of the rubble.
“They gotta be here. They gotta be!” Ferret panicked.
Price sighed, before deciding to humour them. “Everyone spread out! Start moving what you can!”
As the teams spread out, Ferret chose a place at random, and began to furiously dig. “Please be here…” they begged quietly.
After what felt like several hours, though it was only one hour, Ghost suddenly yelled. “I think I got them!”
Ferret’s anxiety spiked and they clambered over the rubble towards Ghost, as the teams did the same.
“Can you see how they’re doing?” Cotton asked with worry.
“They aren’t moving.” Ghost remarked darkly.
“Are they…?” Hurricane didn’t dare finish his sentence.
Ferret however, narrowed their eyes. “Open the hole up a bit more.”
Ghost just nodded and continued moving rubble.
Once the hole was big enough, Ferret managed to crawl inside.
“Be careful, Ferret!” Ratchet warned. They could have sworn they heard a tinge of worry.
Ferret soon dropped down onto solid ground and quickly crawled over to Storm.
They looked like shit in Ferret’s opinion. Blood trickled from their mouth, nose and head, their skin peppered with small flecks of shrapnel. Ferret took a look at Storm’s knees and grimaced. They looked completely mangled.
Ferret checked Storm’s breathing and pulse. Weak, but it was still there. “Storm’s alive.” Ferret called up. “Their knees are fucked though.”
“What about Moose?” Cotton asked worriedly.
Ferret saw Moose nearby. His skin was pale and he was covered in blood. Ferret rolled him onto his back and their heart dropped into their stomach. They saw the stab wound to his gut. Carefully, Ferret checked his breathing, and to their horror, there wasn’t any movement in his chest.
“Shit…shit shit shit!” Ferret swore, before starting to do compressions on Moose’s chest.
“Ferret, what is it?!” Price called down.
“Moose isn’t breathing!” Ferret yelled back up. “Throw down a medical kit, now!”
There was a moment of hesitation, before they heard Ghost.
“Wouldn’t it be better to…give them mercy?”
“The fuck do you mean?!” Ratchet snapped.
“It might be too late for them. I’m just trying to be realistic.” Ghost shrugged.
”Fuck that!” Ferret yelled. “Thrown down a med kit now, or so fucking help me, I’ll come up there and shoot the lot of you!”
Ferret heard a shove and then a thud as the kit was dropped down. They scurried to it and grabbed it, and got to work.
Storm PoV
Storm had moments of wakefulness. They saw Ferret trying to revive Moose, then cut it to them being on a plane, before everything went dark again, and then peaceful for a while. Every now and then, they swore they could hear chatter from people around them, but they couldn’t pick out a voice. The dark was comforting, and they preferred it that way. Nothing could hurt them here. No visions, no enemies, just a blanket of warm darkness.
Until they opened their eyes.
They heard the steady beeping of a few machines, and the hissing of an oxygen tank just behind them.
Storm blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light. Softly, they let out a groan of pain as the light hurt their eyes and head.
Then, they heard someone open the door. Storm looked up, and saw Ferret.
“Storm?” Ferrets eyes widened.
They suddenly rushed to them. “Oh my god, you’re awake! I didn’t think you’d wake up this soon!”
Before Storm could even attempt to speak, Ferret crushed them in a hug. “Everyone was so worried! Even Bes!”
Storm blinked in confusion, trying to remember what happened.
Ferret released them from the hug, before giving them water, which Storm gladly took. After a few sips, they finally found their voice.
“What…What happened…?” they asked.
Ferret fidgeted uncomfortably before handing Storm their cherished Dinosaur Plushie, which they clung to.
“So uh...what do you remember?” Ferret asked.
Storm gave a weak shrug. “Not much. I remember…Moose being there, I think?”
Ferret nodded, before sighing.
“Maybe it’s for the best you don’t remember…”
Storm tilted their head. “Where’s Moose? I thought he would be with you.”
Storm saw Ferret visibly tense up.
“What is it?”
Ferret fidgeted again. “Moose was with you…during the torture Jade inflicted upon both of you.”
Storm froze, their mouth agape.
“What?”
“We saw the video Jade sent of you and Moose getting tortured, so we headed out to get you back, but when we got there, the building you two were being held in…exploded.” Ferret mumbled. “When I got down there, you both were hurt and-” they cut themselves off with a pitiful whimper.
“Is he alive?” Storm asked a bit more firmly.
Ferret sniffled and nodded. “He’s in a coma, like you were. But…yours was a natural coma, Moose had to be medically induced into one.”
Storm lowered their gaze. “Our injuries were that bad?”
Ferret nodded sadly. “I had to revive Moose before we could move either of you, and then you both died momentarily on the way here. You got stable by the time surgery finished. Moose died on the surgery table for a minute or two…” they explained. “It was bad for both of you…”
Ferret then took another breath. “Your kneecaps were completely shattered. It’ll be a while before you can even walk…so you’re confined to a wheelchair.”
Storm hugged their dinosaur plushie tighter. A low whimper escaped their throat, before they looked around, spotting a huge amount of cards, small tokens, and flowers. Their eyes widened.
Ferret gave a small smile. “Like I said, everyone was worried.”
Storm picked up one of the cards, and looked inside. It was labeled from each team, from 141 to Ashes.
“Ashes know?” Storm asked.
“You kidding? Sage was frightening when she found out.” Ferret laughed. “She sent Steve and Kasey to check up on everyone.”
“I see.” Storm sighed, their hand trailing over the trinkets everyone had brought, before they decided to ask: “Can I see Moose?”
Ferret hesitated. “It’s probably for the best that you don’t for a while.” Ferret admitted. “How he looks right now might upset you. Hell, it was hard for Cotton to see him.”
“I…think I remember what happened to him? Though, I’m not too sure…”
Ferret just nodded and patted Storm’s shoulder gently. “Get some rest, heal up more, and maybe I’ll take you to see Moose, yeah?”
“Fine, fine…” Storm sighed, settling against their beds pillow, though they now felt restless. “Promise I can see him?”
“Yeah. I promise” Ferret nodded
Ferret PoV
Ferret was so damned tired. They had been back and forth between Storm and Moose for nearly two months. They almost practically lived in the hospital, sleeping in the corners in case something happened. Moose hadn’t woken up yet, and they were getting worried. They knew the longer he was out, the less chance he has of coming back at all.
They were visiting Storm again, who was determined to see Moose again. Storm had previously seen him three weeks ago, a week after they woke up. They were indeed shocked by how Moose looked. The man still looked almost dead, covered in stitches, gauzes, his skin pale. It was horrible for them both.
Nowadays, Moose looked better. The stitches had been taken out, the wounds now in late stages of healing, or already scarred, though he still looked like shit. As Ferret sat beside Moose while Storm busied themselves scrolling through their phone, Ferret braided Moose’s hair, which had grown a bit since the incident. It helped calm them quite a bit.
They made sure Storm kept up on their medication, and dragged them to their numerous physio appointments. However, on their way back from the latest one, they were stopped by one of the doctors that tended to Moose, and were told that Moose was waking up.
Storm must have thought they were on a roller-coaster with how fast Ferret got them both to Moose’s room, and there, they waited for him to wake. Ferret was giddy with excitement to see their dad wake up, and Storm seemed equally as happy.
Ferret’s eyes trailed over the small cards and gifts others had left Moose. They wondered if he’d be grateful for the support from the other teams, before thinking to themselves Ashes and the rest of Dante’s reaction to Moose being awake. They giggled to themselves at the thought of Steve going werewolf mode and barrelling straight into Moose, and Sage nearly trampling the poor man.
They both heard Moose stir and looked at him, and saw him open his eyes slightly.
“Moose?” Ferret gently murmured, to not startled the older man
There was confusion in Moose’s eyes, before he saw Ferret, and then Storm. The confusion turned into instant relief.
Ferret assumed he couldn’t talk properly yet, which was fair in their opinion. He was out of it for 2 months after all.
They just gave a soft smile. “You’re safe now.”
Moose seemed to understand and gave a weak nod. Ferret could notice a look of relief when he saw Storm. They guessed he was happy Storm was safe, and somewhat okay.
Moose PoV
It had been two weeks since he had woken up. He had managed to get his voice back, but relearning to do things was a pain in the ass.
“I know how to hold a fucking spoon.” Moose muttered.
Ferret giggled “You know its standard procedure. Remember pa, you were gone for two months. They were worried about brain damage.”
“I’ll give them brain damage if I have to put up with this.”
“Hey, you can’t complain. Storm had to do it too.” Ferret pointed out.
“How are they doing?” Moose asked.
“Exhausted after their physio. You got yours tomorrow.”
Moose grunted. “At least it’s helping them some.”
Ferret went silent, and Moose noticed their unease.
“What’s on your mind?” Moose asked, his voice now soft.
Ferret sighed and leaned back in their seat. “We could have lost you both. I heard Storm get knocked off the catwalk, and Jade being his taunting self. And then the pictures and videos came in and I just…” they took a shaky breath. “When we got there, and the building had blown up, only one thing ran through my mind. Would that place be the only burial you two would get?”
Moose sighed sadly, but listened carefully to Ferret’s thoughts.
“Ghost wanted to mercy kill you both when he heard you weren’t breathing. I am still going to tear his fucking ears off for that!” Ferret hissed bitterly. “And then on the way to the hospital, you both stopped breathing, and everyone was just panicking.”
“I’m sorry we worried you, kid…” Moose hummed softly, weakly ruffling their hair.
Ferret quietly sniffled. “I was happy hearing that Storm was out of surgery, but yours took longer. Way too long.”
“In their defence, I was stabbed and beaten within an inch of my life. God knows what was broken.” Moose pointed out.
Ferret sniffled, and looked at Moose. “You died again, you know?”
“Yeah. I could guess.” Moose sighed. “As usual, I didn’t feel shit. Just felt like infinite nothingness.”
“I hope you know you’re grounded for like, ever.” Ferret muttered.
“I sure as hell ain’t!” Moose glared.
“You are. I’m acting Captain, and you’re grounded!” Ferret glared back.
Moose blinked, before sighing. “Shit. I forgot that was a thing…”
Ferret looked smug at finally winning an actual argument with Moose.
“Wipe that look off your face. As soon as I’m recovered, you’re going on training duty. Don’t think Price hasn’t told me that you disobeyed Laswell.” Moose smirked.
Ferret froze. “He what?!”
“Mhm. While I’m glad you came to help us, she’s going to murder you.”
Ferret groaned and leaned back in their seat.
Storm PoV
“So you have another apartment here?” Storm asked, as Ferret pushed along their wheelchair.
“Just a short term lease. I told the Landlord and he’s letting me stay until you’re both well enough. You seem better, just waiting on Moose now.” Ferret hummed.
Storm nodded. “How long till Moose it out?”
“Not sure.” Ferret sighed. “The doctors still aren’t happy with his oxygen levels, and a few of his injuries are still causing issues.”
Storm let out a sigh. “This fucking sucks.”
“It really does.” Ferret agreed, before stopping the wheelchair and unlocking a door, and pushing Storm’s chair inside.
The apartment was decently sized, everything on just one floor.
“You’re staying here till Bes can come get ya.” Ferret shrugged off their coat.
“Actually…” Storm mumbled. “I told him I wanted to wait nearby until Moose was out of hospital.”
“Really?” Ferret raised an eyebrow, pushing Storm into the living room.
“I just want to make sure he’s okay, you know?” Storm admitted.
Ferret just nodded, though looked a bit absent-minded.
Storm noticed it, however. “You good, Ferret?”
Ferret jumped slightly. “Uh, yeah. Just the last few months have been hard, you know?” they sighed “I mean, Dante is grounded, your team is keeping to themselves when not visiting you, and for the last few months, I’ve been back and forth between you and pa, so my minds a bit frazzled, you know?”
Storm hummed and nodded. “Sounds like you need a weeks long nap.”
Ferret scoffed. “If only I could.” they sighed. “Paperwork has to be done.”
“I can do it.” Storm pointed out.
“Nope. You’re meant to be resting.” Ferret responded, narrowing their eyes.
“I get we do this stuff with Moose, but you don’t have to do it to me.”
“Too bad storm cloud, I’m doing it to you too.” Ferret hummed.
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grey-writes-stuff · 1 year ago
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Viper (W.I.P)
Fandom: CoD MW
Characters: Phillip Graves (Canon) - Max Raines (OC) - Hutch Wright (OC) - Monica Garcia-Wilson (OC)
TL;DR: Viper realises maybe Shadow Company isn't the best people to be with.
Everything went wrong, so quickly.
Hutch didn’t expect today to go the way he did. He was thinking ’hey we’ll drop Alejandro, Soap and Ghost off at that base of theirs, and go home! No biggie!’
But no. Graves just had to go and turn on the trio, to a few Shadows’ horror.
The one he noticed take it worse than him, was a young woman, a medic who had been recruited a few years back, and worked with both the Shadows and the 141. She made some excuse to check on some injured soldiers, but Hutch knew.
“Be careful out there, Monica.” Hutch whispered hastly.
Monica nodded, before sprinting off. Hutch prayed to whatever higher being that she makes it out.
The Company were ordered to find Soap and Ghost, since Alejandro had been apprehended.
“Is this even right…?” Hutch muttered to his partner. “We were just working with them a moment ago.”
“Plans change, Viper. I suggest you keep your mouth shut and do as Graves tells ya.” His partner replied.
Hutch bit the inside of his cheek with worry. Everything seemed off. It’s like Graves and a few of his closest men had been planning this, while others like him and Monica were kept in the dark, and others following blindly.
They soon came across another group of Shadows, and amongst them, was Graves.
He was standing in front of a small row of civilians.
“Now. Where are they?!” Graves barked.
The civilians looked confused.
“Well?!”
They still didn’t speak. Hutch didn’t know if it was reluctance, or if they just didn’t know or understand a word that came out of Graves’ mouth.
“Maybe some incentive will jog them, Boss!” A Shadow piped up with a harsh grin.
“It might as well.” Graves responded. He gestured to the Shadow, who shot one of the civilians, the others letting out a sharp cry of fear and grief.
“Christ…” Hutch whispered, backing away.
Graves noticed this.
“You. Here. Now.” He spoke the words slowly.
Hutch looked around awkwardly before walking forward. “Sir?”
“Shoot the rest. They won’t speak.”
“I…What?” Hutch stammered.
“Did I stutter, son? Shoot them.” Graves repeated.
Hutch looked back at the civilians, then back at Graves a few times.
“Sir, I…I can’t…” Hutch looked at him pleadingly.
“Civilians die all the time. How is this any different?” Graves asked.
“I…” Hutch lowered his head. “I just…can’t…”
Graves scoffed and shoved Hutch back into the group, taking the gun out to finish the job. “Coward.”
That stirred something up in Hutch. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt like…hate?
“Hypocrite.” Hutch growled, the words coming out before he could stop them.
Graves paused and turned back to Hutch. “Got something to say?”
Hutch took a breath. He may as well go all in.
“Hyprocite! You’re a murderer! A coward!”
“Oh, am I? Are you any different?” Graves walked forwards until he was just inches from Hutch. Sure, Hutch was tall, but Graves was still intimidating.
“I’m no murderer. No…monster! I will not kill civilians just because your pets ran from your lies!” Hutch raised his voice, which warranted the butt of Graves’ gun hitting him square in the stomach, causing him to fall to his knees, coughing.
“Cuff him.” Graves ordered “We’ll deal with him after we find Soap and Ghost.”
Graves watched as his men cuffed Hutch.
He knelt down before him, placing his guns barrel against Hutch’s chin.
“You know… You really could have been great.”
Hutch didn’t meet Graves’ gaze. He had so many things he wanted to say, but his courage was dwindling rapidly.
Graves scoffed and got back up. “Move him to a secure location. I’ll be having a chat with our little…renegade, later.” He chuckled darkly.
Hutch was heaved to his feet and dragged off.
He was held down in the cellar for hours. The men who had dragged him off had decided they’re too bored to wait for Graves, and interrogated him then and there.
“You working for the 141 then, Hutchy?” One of the men smirked as he knelt down and forced Hutch to look up slightly.
Hutch growled and moved his head away sharply. “Go fuck yourself, Raines. Always thinking you’re Graves.”
Raines just gave a dramatic disappointed sigh. “Yeah, maybe I do act like him.” He stood up, and then kicked Hutch in the gut, causing the man to cough and wheeze. “But I sure made a damn good show of it.”
Hutch took a breath and glared up at them. But he felt tired, so he didn’t bother causing any more fuss. He just hoped that Raines and the others would just leave him there.
“Give up already?” Raines scoffed. “Graves will break you in an instant. Mark my words.”
Then, Raines had a sinister sneer on his face. “Imagine how your son will feel. His father turning into a traitor, and getting killed.”
Hutch let out an angry yell and broke free from the Shadow that held him and lunged at Raines, punching him where he could. “Don’t you dare talk about my son, you snake!”
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grey-writes-stuff · 1 year ago
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its been months but hey, im finally adding to this again after re-reading elds writings -v-
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grey-writes-stuff · 1 year ago
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Late Night Rambles
“There’s too much blood!”
“The hell happened out there?!”
“I don’t know! Something ambushed us, and that thing wasn’t human! Just help him!”
“Henry, take over. I need to help the others!”
Ferret woke in a cold sweat and the sat up in bed. They let out a groan and rubbed their eyes. The dream happened in reality a week ago, but it always felt like yesterday to them. They looked at the time, and sighed when it was only 02:00 AM. With a mutter of defeat, they shrugged on a jacket and wandered out into the hallway.
They quietly turned the light on and looked down the hall. They had a nagging feeling, so they walked down it to Moose’s room. Quietly, they opened the door and peered inside. He was deep asleep by the looks of it. Ferret gave a soft smile. They were glad despite everything, he can at least rest. They quietly closed the door, and wandered back down the hall to the kitchen.
It took them a few minutes, but they managed to grab ingredients for starting bread and got to making the dough. They learnt from Storm that it was the best way to take out frustration, and now, Ferret understood why. They kneaded that dough like it was their worst enemy. The frustration of not being able to help Moose was getting to them. Seeing their dad bleed out on a table from what looked like a lightning strike from the creature, one that didn’t cauterize any wounds it made, ripping open old injuries like hot knife on butter. They still can’t get the smell of blood out of their nose. Their thoughts kept going back to Henry, their Grandfather, being covered in blood from Moose, and the sheer horror in his eyes as the worst realization came to be.
Them, Ferret remembered Storm using a vial on themselves. Moose’s injuries had been patched up really well, but by that time, Moose had stopped breathing. Whatever Storm did, it brought Moose back. While they were thankful, they were mad.
‘What if Storm had died? What would I tell Moose? What if it didn’t work and they both died?’ Ferret thought, and the fear came back just as fresh as it was that day.
They were still protective of Moose, making sure he had no side effects. It had been a week, and Moose looked a bit annoyed over it, but they couldn’t help it. They noticed Moose had been tired a lot, but just assumed it was normal. Storm seemed to be doing fine too, just sleeping like the world would end the next day.
Soon enough, they had the dough kneaded.
“...did I over-knead this?” Ferret muttered.
(Wanted to write something for inspiration so I can draw.)
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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Moving On - Zombie AU
Chapter 4: Pharmacy Run
Characters:
Frank "Hurricane" Matthews
Simon "Ghost" Riley
Joseph "Ferret" Payne
After Storm's death, the group has to figure out what to do
Mentions of Death, Suicide and Self Harm
The week was slow for Ferret. They were still trying to get used to their arm being gone, training themselves to not grab anything with that one. Though, things got worse when they heard about what Moose had tried to do.
Ferret wanted to get up, yell at the man, something, but Merc firmly told them “No.”
“As much as he screwed up, and believe me, a lot of people are mad at him, get in line, he’s still mine and Cotton’s patient, and he just underwent a traumatic experience, as well as a heart attack that he had to be revived from. Not only that, but you’re in no state to be marching around being all…angry.”
Ferret tried to argue, but they were shushed. “Just leave him be.”
They were still mad at him. During the week when they were finally allowed to visit, the duo didn’t speak much, though Ferret saw just how tired he had gotten. The dark marks under his eyes, the blank, glazed eyes, they knew deep down he was suffering. It lessened their anger, but only a bit.
Ferret soon got the all clear, and was allowed to finally go out again. Nervous, but determined, they volunteered to go with Hurricane and Ghost on a medicine supply run.
“You sure you’re up for this?” Ghost asked as they exited the gate. “Not too late to turn back. You could do with a few more days.”
Ferret firmly shook their head. “I want to help re-supply what was used on me and Moose.”
Hurricane gave them a worried side glance, before continuing to walk.
The cold picked at Ferret quite a bit, causing them to wince a bit as the cold hit their still injured arm, but they managed to put on a brave face.
Hurricane seemed to notice their discomfort, and dropped back a bit to let Ghost take the lead. “You all right?” he asked quietly.
Ferret gazed up at him, still putting on their brave face. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You know you can’t lie around me, right? I may be a dumbass, but I do notice things.” Hurricane pointed out.
Ferret sighed. “Right, sorry…” They rubbed their face tiredly. “Just, trying to adjust, you know? Storm being gone, being an arm short…pa nearly dying again.”
Hurricane nodded solemnly. “Yeah, that’s a lot to get used to.”
Ferret thought for a moment. “How’d you do it?”
“Hm?” Hurricane tilted his head.
“After Vaughn, everything must’ve felt different. How’d you cope?”
Hurricane sighed softly. “Truthfully, I just went with it. I knew people saw me differently, especially after my confirmed kills came to light, and that I’d never truly be the same…but well.”
He gave them a small smile. “I spoke to people. When I was with the 141, they were like a lifeline to me. They were just…people I could talk to. And then I met you guys, and hell, that made it better. I finally felt like there were people who could relate.”
“Because of trauma in general?” Ferret asked.
“Exactly. Doesn’t help some of you did get captured by Vaughn and had the same stuff done but, hey. Life’s a bitch.”
A gunshot rang out, causing Ferret to flinch, and they looked around rapidly, before realising it was just Ghost clearing a wandering undead.
Hurricane patted their shoulder. “When we get back, talk to people besides Merc. Hell. Speak to Soap if you’re desperate enough.”
Ferret slowly nodded, and gave a small smile. “Thanks, Franky.”
“Damn, haven’t heard you use my name for a while.” Hurricane chuckled, and ruffled their hair. “Anytime.”
It took a while, but they soon made it to a small, deserted town.Many of the buildings have crumbled due to explosions, but thankfully the pharmacy still stood.
“Right. We go in. We get what we need. And we get out.” Ghost spoke quietly.
Ferret and Hurricane nodded, glancing around first before the three of them entered the pharmacy quietly.
It was almost bare, save for a few items stashed away at the top shelves.
”Ferret, check under the counter and around it. Hurricane, you’re with me to clear the top shelves. Leave nothing behind.”
Ferret wandered over to the counter and crouched down behind it, grabbing boxes and bottles or what they assumed to be pretty strong medications if they were stored behind where a worker would be.
They kept at it for 10 minutes, before they heard an unnerving growling, which grew louder, and plentiful.
“Think a few followed us?” Hurricane whispered.
“Keep going. We’ll go out through the roof.” Ghost whispered back, nodding to a broken ceiling window.
Ferret kept grabbing what they could, before noticing a pack of liquid fluoxetine. They remember Moose used to take it, so they grabbed that too, intending to ask Merc if it would be fine for Moose to use it.
“Right, we need to go.” Ghost abruptly dragged Ferret from behind the counter. They only now just noticed the banging on the front doors.
Ghost picked Ferret up with ease. “Ready?” he asked.
Ferret gulped and nodded.
“One, two, three.” Ghost threw ferret up, and the grabbed onto the roof outside, heaving themselves up onto. Hurricane followed, and shortly after, Ghost.
“We’ll take the rooftops until the edge of town, and it should be a straight shot from there.” Ghost sighed, and soon led the way across the rooftops with what will be the last of the pharmacy haul.
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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Moving On - Zombie AU
Chapter 3: A Chat
Characters:
Jake "Bes" O'Neil (Owned by Divoha)
Daniel "Moose" Wilson
After Storm's death, the group has to figure out what to do
Finally, a calm chapter :')
Mentions of Death, Suicide and Self Harm
The next few days were quiet for everyone’s sake.
Cotton checked up on Moose every few hours, before finally letting Bes into talk to Moose. She noticed he looked relatively calm, but she knew that could possibly change in a matter of moments, so she decided to leave the infirmary with Ferret, so the two Captains can talk.
Moose was sitting up in bed, avoiding Bes’ gaze entirely. He already had a stern talking to by Price, and he felt he was going to get one from Bes.
“You miss them, hm?”
Bes’ question caught Moose by surprise.
Bes rarely talked about Storm any more since their death.
Moose sighed quietly. “I miss everyone that died, but yeah. I miss them.”
Bes nodded. “I can tell. They saw you as quite the father figure. I still don’t see how you managed to keep your patience with them.” Moose huffed. “Trial and error on both sides, I suppose.” he mumbled.
Bes hesitated, before sighing. “Cotton wanted me to talk to you about…what you did. Why you did it. For some reason, they think you’d be truthful with me.”
“I suppose you won’t take a bullshit answer?” Moose asked.
“No.” Bes replied bluntly.
Moose thought for a while. “I just…I felt tired, you know? Of everything. The deaths, how the world works now, everything.”
“And I suppose Storm dying was the last straw?” Bes asked.
“Pretty much, yeah. I saw an opportunity, and I took it. Didn’t realise my aim had gotten shit.”
“Thank the gods that it has gotten shit. I don’t think Ferret can deal with four losses.”
“Four?” ”Lumberjack, Storm, you, and their arm.”
“They’re still iffy about their arm?” Moose tilted his head.
“Eh. Merc says they keep trying to grab a cup with it only to be confused as to why the cup is still on the table.”
Moose sighed and shook his head.
“Can I be honest with you, O’Neil?” ”That’d be a first.”
Moose grunted and sighed. “When all of that…shit, happened, I saw Storm.”
Bes narrowed his eyes, slightly confused.
“Truth is, I wanted to die. In a way that it’d just be too late for anyone to help me. But of course, my fucking hand slipped. Then Cotton told me I had a heart attack, so hey, nearly got my wish. Then, when I woke up, I saw Storm. And man, did they look pissed.” Moose murmured.
“...what’d they say?” Bes asked
“They beat my ass and told me to live for the kids and told me not to come back.”
Bes chuckled lightly. “Sounds like storm.”
There was a hint of sadness in Bes’ eyes. “Were they healthy?”
“Yeah, they were fin- Wait. You believe me?”
“Wilson, I’ve seen weird ass shit in my time, and my squad has come back to life more times than we care to count. The After-Life is a thing. We just don’t stay there long enough to notice much of it.”
Moose slightly lowered his gaze. “So James, Nicholas, and the others? They’re…”
“They’re somewhere safe. Probably pissed as all hell that you tried to take your own life, and I won’t be surprised if Lumberjack asked Storm to beat your ass. Truthfully, anyone on this base would.”
Moose scoffed. “Don’t say that, it’ll give Price ideas.”
“Ain’t his fault you sometimes need sense knocked into you. You try to act like a father, but your Captain instincts kick in more often than not, and that’s when you start messing up, and blaming yourself for things that went haywire.”
Bes took a breath.
“And believe me. I share the guilt with what happened to storm. If I hadn’t sent those two to that warehouse, maybe things would be different, and you’d be working on that damn jeep, that’s survived who knows what, and not sitting here in an infirmary with you being on lockdown.”
Moose sighed and leaned back against the headboard of the bed. “You won’t tell the others about what I said, right? I don’t want to give them one more reason to think I’ve gone crazy.”
“I won’t tell. Though, Merc might want to know. But other than him, nobody else will know.”
“Suppose I can’t convince you not to tell Merc?” Moose asked.
“He saved your life. It’s the least you can do to let me tell him what went down. Alright?”
“Fine, whatever.”
“Now.” Bes stood up and patted Moose’s shoulder. “Get some rest. I have a feeling Cotton will be by soon to argue with you again.”
“Most likely.” Moose chuckled. “See you later, Bes.”
“Mhm.”
With that, Bes left the room.
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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Moving On - Zombie AU
Chapter 2: Brush with Death
Characters:
Avery "Storm" Scott (Owned by Divoha)
Daniel "Moose" Wilson
Monica "Cotton" Garcia-Wilson
After Storm's death, the group has to figure out what to do
Mentions of Death, Suicide and Self Harm
This chapter contains attempted suicide.
Really big thanks to @divoha4 for the writing of the sequence between Moose and Storm! (Really struggled with it ;u;)
Cotton was worried. About Bes, Moose, and the situation in general. It had now been three weeks since Storm’s passing, and the pair’s depression had not lifted at all.
She tried to be there for them both, since Ferret had a healthy sibling network with herself, Hurricane, and a few others. But with Bes and Moose, it’s harder. They only have a few people they can fall back on, so Cotton took extra steps to make sure they were all right.
But what she didn’t count on was how deep Moose’s depression had gotten. If she had known, she would have stopped the events that followed.
Moose had woken up late that day. His head hurt, and the usual pang of grief in his chest appeared. He let out a quiet sigh and sat up, rubbing his face to try and get himself more awake.
He did his usual routine before heading to the infirmary for his check-up. Cotton was doing it today, and was gentle about it. She left momentarily, and that’s when he spotted it. Cotton’s pistol. He glanced around, before picking it up, and hiding it on his person.
Cotton finished the check-up, and still kept him on limited duties, to his annoyance. He just wanted to work, though he didn’t dare voice his complaints, knowing damn well it’ll be relayed back to Merc and he’ll be grounded fully again.
He quietly made his way back to his room and shut the door. Moose gazed around the room before sitting on the edge of his bed, and pulling the gun out, turning it in his hand, and then checking the ammunition slot. Two bullets. One was enough for him.
But then, he hesitated, thinking of how the kids would react, how the others would think of him. Would they call him a coward for giving up? Would the kids be sent into the same downwards spiral he was pushed into?
But one thing was certain. He couldn’t keep going any more. Everyday it’s a struggle to even get out of bed, let alone eat food, socialize, or do the odd jobs to keep the base from being over-run with the undead.
He closed his eyes and pushed the barrel against his head. As he pulled the trigger, the gun slipped, but wherever it hit, darkness enveloped his vision. He didn’t know what was happening, until the cold set in, and then nothing.
When he next opened his eyes, honestly, he expected the depths of hell. Not Storm standing before him with such a disappointed look.
“Storm…?”
Storm instantly punched him.
“Ow! What the hell?!”
“You’re a dumbass, Moose!” Storm raised their voice. “What the hell were you thinking?!”
Moose didn’t get a chance to answer, because Storm then punched his shoulder.
“You’re an idiot! What are Cotton, Ferret and Hurricane gonna do, huh?!”
“I don’t know, all right?!” Moose retorted back sharply. “I couldn’t fucking keep going!”
“Couldn’t keep going? Couldn’t keep going?!” Storm cracked Moose across the nose. “You, Sir, are a gods damned fool!” A left hook this time.
“You’re our Father! Our Commander! Our god-damn rallying point” A right hook, and then a left, and then a right uppercut.
Moose grunted as Storm took him to the ground with that last hit.
“If you live for nothing else, live for your children! Even the dead ones, you god-damned dumbass!”
Storm planted a knee in Moose’s chest and hauled him up by his collar.
“You better not come back for a long time, old man.”
Moose gasped as his vision went dark once again.
Moose could hear voices, but they sounded far-away, but he could tell they sounded worried. He tried to open his eyes, but they felt weighed down, like the rest of his body. He felt so exhausted, a stark contrast to how he felt just moments ago when Storm was confronting him.
After what felt like an eternity, which was probably just a day or two, he finally was able to open his eyes. The light momentarily hurt his eyes and head, which caused him to flinch and groan in pain. He heard a shuffling and a voice.
“Dad?!”
It was Cotton.
She rushed to his side. “Oh thank god…” she whispered and hugged him tightly. “I didn’t think you were gonna wake up!”
Moose felt confused, till his head started to hurt like hell. He could scarcely remember what happened, but from the tension around base, it was probably something bad.
“W-What happened…?” he was surprised to find his voice was raspy.
“We heard a gunshot from your room. I was checking up on Bes so we both went to go look, just in case you were in trouble and-” her voice stopped suddenly and she sniffled.
“There was so much blood! I thought you had killed yourself! What did you do?!” Cotton demanded.
Moose hesitated, trying to recall the events. Everything felt foggy, but some parts were coming back.
Cotton sniffled again and sat back.”We had to get Merc, because your heart stopped. Stress induced heart attack, we’re assuming. You got a concussion too, which didn’t help.” Cotton paused. “Bes and Merc are…really pissed off at you.”
“So I can guess…” Moose rasped quietly, gazing at the ceiling. “How long have I been out?”
“A couple of days. Honestly, we weren’t expecting you to wake up so soon. Merc said it’d probably be a week, given that you just had a heart attack and all.”
Moose averted his gaze, unsure whether to tell Cotton about what he remembered after the gunshot. But she got up.
“I’m going to leave you to rest, and tell the others you woke up. Expect some hell tomorrow, Dad.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less coming from you lot.” Moose grunted.
Cotton sighed and shook her head with a slight smile. “Sleep well, Dad.”
She quietly closed the door, leaving Moose to rest.
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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Moving On - Zombie AU
Chapter 1: The First Few Days
Characters:
Jake "Bes" O'Neil (Owned by Divoha)
Daniel "Moose" Wilson
Monica "Cotton" Garcia-Wilson
After Storm's death, the group has to figure out what to do
Mentions of Death, Suicide and Self Harm
It had been a few days since the incident.
Word had spread quickly, and it was a complete shock to everyone, and it was now a time of grieving.
Ferret, Bes and Moose took it the worst, those close needed time to readjust.
Ferret had to spend most of their time in the infirmary, due to the injury, and the shock in general, barely eating, and staying in bed.
Bes was angry. Angry at himself for sending the two kids in that area. He had spoken to Merc about his feelings, and was assured it was not his fault, though it barely did anything to his grief-stricken state.
Moose, was broken. Fully. He had lost quite a few people he really cared about. Sun, Nicholas, Soot, Lumberjack, and now Storm. Cotton had been keeping a close eye on him, in case he did anything drastic. He was not permitted to have firearms, or sharp objects.
Hurricane, Soap, Ghost, Roach and Cotton were…coping, to say the least. It was too quiet without Storm’s antics.The arguing with them they truly missed. They got together, and made a memorial for them to put with the others. Pictures of them were placed on the board they had, filled with others they had lost to the plague, and things they loved. Below the board, their dinosaur plushie was placed next to a few other items of importance, like the steel axe Lumberjack had, before he passed.
Cotton was doing her usual rounds of check up, usually she had to be reminded by Fen or Merc. She’d write down in a worn down notepad and leave the notes with Merc before moving on to the next set of people. However, she focused on the three people who were still very shook up by Storm’s death. She’d leave Ferret till last, since they’re in the infirmary.
She wandered over to Bes, who was trying to keep himself busy reloading firearms, or sharpening dull blades.
“Bes?” she murmured softly.
Bes looked up. He looked exhausted, sleep had not been kind to him for the past few days.
Cotton winced at his exhaustion. “I need to do a check up. But…in all honesty? You need sleep.”
Bes grunted. “I’ll sleep later.”
“Hurricane can take over what you’re doing. As a medic, I’m telling you to sleep.”
“And if I don’t?” Bes narrowed his eyes.
“I’m sure Merc wouldn’t mind dragging you to get some sleep, O’Neil.”
Bes hesitated, before letting out a sigh.
“Fine. Whatever.” He unceremoniously dropped the knife he was sharpening, and walked off in what Cotton could describe as a rather shit mood.
She wrote in her notebook.
‘Bes is mad. Been a few days. He hasn’t slept. Check up in the evening. Might need to take out the sleep medication rations.'
Next, she had to find Moose. His whereabouts weren’t the same any more, so she had to actually search for him.
Cotton was the most worried about Moose at this current point. She had seen his depression, and it had never gotten to the point where he had actively thought death was a good option. She had made a mental note to check Moose’s wrists, as she knew of his history with harming himself, though she worried that he could be doing it in any other way, especially not taking any food, which she knew he was doing, but it was hard to get him to have any appetite.
She found him sitting under a tree, looking vacant, like he was staring off into space.
Cotton cautiously approached him, as to not scare him, and hurt both herself and him in the progress.
“Dad?” she called softly, but Moose didn’t react.
She sighed, before gently shaking his shoulder, which made him flinch, and return back into the present.
Moose looked at her for a few moments with confusion, before blinking and sighing. “Sorry. Lost in thought.” he rasped.
“It’s alright.” Cotton reassured him, before sitting down beside him. “How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
“I can tell you’re not.”
Moose glanced at her, and sighed, leaning against the tree trunk.
“Okay fine. Truthfully? I feel like this world is just rooting for everyone I know to die, and it’s making it happen in the shittest ways.”
Cotton nodded sympathetically. “It can feel like that when you have depression, dad.”
Moose grunted in response.
“Anything else? Your sleep? Have you been eating? H-” She cut herself off, unsure whether to ask about the self harming stuff.
Moose shrugged. “Haven’t slept. Food just doesn’t appeal to me right now.” Moose subconsciously scratched at his wrists, which Cotton noticed.
She gently placed her hand on his wrist. “Can I have a look?”
Moose hesitated, but slowly nodded.
Cotton rolled his sleeves up and grimaced. The skin on Moose’s wrists was red and inflamed from continuous scratching.
“I’m going to have to bandage this.” she murmured. Moose looked like he wanted to object, but Cotton glared.
“If I don’t you’ll scratch it to the point it bleed, then it’ll get infected.”
She took out some bandages and wrapped Moose’s hands and wrists in it. “This is for your own good, Dad. Storm would have floored your ass if they saw you doing this.”
“Well, they can’t. They’re not here.” Moose said bluntly.
Cotton sighed. “I’m also taking you to the infirmary so I can keep an eye on you.”
“What?! But I-”
“No buts, Daniel!” Cotton retorted. “Truth be told I barely trust you out here! Hell, I barely trust Bes, but he has Merc and Fen, and he actually speaks to them, but with us, you don’t!”
Moose lowered his gaze.
Cotton shook her head “Look. I’m not mad. I’m just trying to figure out how to help. Now come on, you need to sleep. I’ll give you some meds so it’ll keep your energy going for longer.”
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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Siblings
@divoha4
The last sounds of gurgling and growling died off as the duo killed the undead that surrounded them.
“Ugh. You never get used to the smell…” ”Uhm…Storm…?”
Storm looked over at Ferret, who looked suddenly pale and meek.
“Ferret? What is it?”
Ferret shakily showed their wrist. On their wrist, a clear as day bite, dripping with blood.
Storm didn’t hesitate. They took their clean knife out, and cut the wrist clean off, prompting a screech of pain from Ferret.
Storm apologised repeatedly as the wrapped the arm in a tourniquet and scraps of gauze.
“It hurts!” Ferret squeaked.
“I know. I’m sorry!” Storm repeated a few more times before taping up the gauze.
“Here.” Storm handed Ferret a small bottle of vodka, which the duo had grabbed from a downed plane. Ferret took it and chugged it instantly.
When Ferret discarded the bottle, they noticed Storm acting off. Their shoulder was in an upwards position, their neck slightly tilted to that side.
“Storm? Is something wrong…?” Ferret said in a shaky voice.
Storm hesitated. They let out a long breath before relaxing their shoulder, and moving their neck into an upright position. A deep bite was on their neck, like an undead had tried their best to rip the chunk out.
“S-Storm?”
“I don’t think anyone can cut this off…” Storm sighed, sitting on the ground.
“M-Maybe we could cut around it?” Ferret stammered, but Storm shook their head.
“Already in my blood stream, Fer. I’m done.”
“No! We told Moose we’d make it back safe!” Ferret protested, shaking Storms shoulders.
“And I told him I’d keep you safe.” Storm replied.
Ferret’s shoulders slumped, their eyes filled with Grief and despair. “W-What do we do…?”
“I’m going to get you as close to home as I can. I wanna see familiar places before, well…yeah.”
Ferret let out a whimper, which prompted Storm to tightly hug them.
“Hey. You’re gonna need a hand getting home anyway.”
“Not the puns…” Ferret whimpered.
“Could always say I’m armed.” Storm snickered.
The walk back was slow for them both, due to Storms bite, and Ferrets missing arm, which sometimes sent shocks of pain through them.
“How’s it feeling…?” Storm ask raspily. They had steadily grown weaker during the walk.
“Hurts sometimes.” Ferret admitted “Healing is probably going to be a bitch…”
They then took a breath. “What about you?”
Storm hesitated. “My necks gone a bit numb. Kinda like when a limb falls asleep? But I can feel it pulsing, like a heartbeat. I won’t lie, it’s an interesting experience.” ”That’s…one way to put it…” Ferret mumbled.
Suddenly, Storm stumbled, and Ferret immediately put out their good arm to catch them.
“If you need to take a break…”
“No. We keep going.” Storm insisted.
Ferret lowered their gaze and nodded.
They walked for another two hours, before eventually, Storm fell, and struggled to get back up. Ferret helped them up, and guided them to a tree, that had all of its leaves still despite the coming winter.
“Man, I did not think I was gonna go out like this…” Storm croaked as they were set down against the tree trunk.
“W-What do I do…?” Ferret asked with a small whimper.
Storm nodded to Ferrets gun.
“W-What?! I-I can’t!” Ferret fretted.
“You have to. I ain’t walking around with those things, causing issues. I prefer doing that when I’m alive.”
“You’re my sibling. I can’t…” Ferret’s voice cracked.
“You have to because you’re my sibling, Jo.” Storm replied quietly.
“What am I going to tell Moose? Bes even?” Ferret asked quietly.
“The truth. That my luck ran out, and you gave me the easy way out. Beats all the Lumi crap, I won’t lie.”
Ferret whimpered, and gave Storm a tight hug, hesitant to let go.
“I-I’m going to miss you…” Ferret whispered pitifully.
“Yeah, I’ll miss you too, Ferret.” Storm responded softly.
Ferret withdrew from the hug after a few minutes, and only now noticed just how exhausted Storm looked. They looked pale, dark marks under their eyes.
“Just…make it quick, yeah? Seen too many people miss during their killing blow. Not fun.”
Ferret took out their pistol and took a shaky breath.
Storm gave them a weak smile. “Tell them I wasn’t scared. Not one bit.”
“I will” Ferret whimpered. They aimed the gun and looked away.
A shot fired, and then silence.
“You sure Soap and Ghost would want to go to the warehouse? It’s full of rats, and Soap squealed like a little girl.”
“Moose, you and I both know they’re the quickest we have right now for the Warehouse run.”
Moose sighed, and looked around. “Those two kids should be back by now.. Where’d you send them anyway, Bes?”
Bes hummed for a moment. “Hardware store. We needed some supplies for the walls.”
Moose grunted and looked back at the map, before they heard a familiar screech of the gate opening.
“Must be them.” Bes smiled before turning around. His smile faltered.
Ferret stumbled to them, their head hanging low. In their remaining hand, was what looked to be a collar, part of it frayed and stained darker.
Moose turned, and his eyes widened. “Jo!”
He ran to Ferret, who was trembling like a leaf in the wind.
“Where’s Storm?!” Bes demanded.
Ferret could barely meet their gaze. When they finally lifted their head, there were tears in Ferret’s eyes. Shakily, they gave Bes the collar.
“They…” Ferret croaked.
Bes saw the blood, the frayed fabric on the collar, and his heart sunk.
Moose saw the collar, and his eyes widened.
All Bes could ask is “How…?”
Ferret let out a whimper, unable to answer.
Moose knelt down and tightly hugged Ferret, who let out one last whimper before sobbing into the older mans shoulder. “I’m sorry!” Ferret wailed.
Bes watched the two. He noticed Ferret’s stumped arm, and slowly began to piece it together.
“They saved you?”
Ferret meekly nodded. They forced themself to look up at Bes, and saw no anger. Only grief.
They were one member down, and that member, was family.
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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I originally posted this on AO3 but maybe I should post it here!
Characters and their Warrior Cat names: (These will be added onto as I make more chapters.) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QsXMGLfXRijR7JZrNL5Z8a1KEkaIZmtLjBX7DK80_Wc/edit?usp=sharing
The Darkening Dawn
Words: 2,003
Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Warrior Cats AU
Characters: John "Soap" MacTavish, John Price, Yuri, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, Gary "Roach" Sanderson, Simon "Ghost" Riley, Vladimir Makarov, Shepherd, Nikolai.
Chapter 1
Rain pelted heavily down onto the derelict hangar. Pools of rainwater formed on the floor, reflecting the grey sky above, as well as the broken roof. Drops of water dripped steadily from the vines and leaves that littered the walls of the area.
Cats were huddled inside crates, or anywhere there was decent warmth of shelter.
“Why has it always got to rain!” A voice hissed “I hate getting my paws wet…”
“It’s just water, Ghoststem…” A quiet voice murmured “It’s not like it’s fire.”
A large cat crossed the area, its fluffy tail lifted from the ground to keep it from getting soaked.
“We’ll start a patrol once the weather clears.” The cat meowed “The rain cannot last much longer.”
“Exactly!” The smaller cat chirped “It’ll be sunny again before we know it!”
“How can you stay so optimistic, Beetlecloud…” Ghoststem sighed before shaking his head. “I suppose you’re right, Boulderfang…” he muttered, he stood up and stretched, puffing out his thick brown fur. “Either way. Any sign of rain while we’re on patrol, I’m heading back.”
“Fine by me.” Boulderfang murmured “But I’ll tell Houndcall and you’ll be cleaning the camp.”
Ghoststem stopped stretching and stood there, jaw agape as Boulderfang slowly trotted away. “You wouldn’t!” he called after the large cat.
“Wouldn’t I?” he asked with a smirk. With that, he broke into a run, with Ghoststem chasing after him.
“BOULDERFANG I SWEAR I WILL FLAY YOU!” Ghoststem screeched.
Beetlecloud watched the two cats sprint away and laughed softly to himself, before padding after them. He rounded a corner of pile crates and saw them tussling on the ground, with a mixture of insults and hissing.
“Come on guys, before Houndcall sees you and puts you on flea duty or something” Beetlecloud meowed, nosing the two cats away from one another.
The two cats stood up, and shook out their fur.
Ghoststem looked down at Beetlecloud and gave a soft purr. “Trust you to keep breaking up fights, hm?” he meowed.
Beetlecloud gave a toothy grin, which got Ghoststem to nuzzle the top of the short tom’s head.
“Well isn’t that adorable” Boulderfang purred “I won’t tell Hickorygaze. He might feel a little left out.”
“Oh be quiet.” Ghoststem snorted “Besides, Hickorygaze is too busy for snuggles” he shrugged.
“Fair enough.” Boulderfang grunted.
“Hey guys, look!” Beetlecloud purred as he looked outside “It’s stopped raining!”
“Well, let’s get going. We have prey to catch” Boulderfang said as he rose to his paws. He swished his tail to get the two cats to follow, which they did as he walked out of the den, and out of the camp.
The three cats walked through the damp wetland that surrounded the camp. It was oddly quiet. There was no scent of prey, and there was barely any birdsong.
“Something feels off” Ghoststem commented as he padded onwards. “It’s too quiet.”
“It’s only just rained. Maybe the prey doesn’t want to come out yet? You’re too paranoid.” Beetlecloud meowed
“Gee, I wonder why. Who taught me to be paranoid?”  Ghoststem snorted and looked at Beetlecloud.
“No, he’s right.” Boulderfang stopped. “It is too quiet.. It feels very…off” Boulderfang meowed, as he sniffed the area.
“Yeah well, an off feeling catches no food.” Beetlecloud padded onwards for a bit, before catching a scent of mouse.
He instantly dropped into a well formed hunters crouch, and crept forwards. He was about to pounce on the small rodent in front of him, before he smelt something off about it. Sickness.
Beetlecloud drew back and scrunched up his nose. He stood up, and walked over.
A mouse was huddled under a fungi, breathing rapidly. The mouse’s eyes were wide, and its body tensed and jerked around involuntarily. A black ooze dripped from its eyes and mouth, and more of the ooze dripped onto the mouse from the fungi, and pooled around its small body.
“That’s got to be a bad omen…” Boulderfang said as he walked up next to Beetlecloud.
“Is it still edible?” Ghoststem asked.
“Doubt it. I wouldn’t want to touch it.” Boulderfang responded. “Alright. I’m going to block this area off with those brambles. We need to tell Houndcall that there’s a sick mouse in the forest. Where there’s one, there’s more” he continued.
As Ghoststem and Beetlecloud slowly walked away, Boulderfang grabbed some brambles and dragged them over to the area, before padding quickly to catch up to the two cats. He looked down at Beetlecloud and noticed that his scars looked raw and uncomfortable. He made a note to send him to the Medicine Cat den when they got back.
It was sun-high when they made it back to camp. They stopped just inside of the hangar.
“Right. Me and Ghoststem will go and tell Houndcall what we saw.” Boulderfang meowed. “Beetlecloud, I want you to go and seek Wrencreek. Those scars look sore again.”
“I’m fine.” Beetlecloud meowed and began to walk towards Houndcall’s den, but he was intercepted by Ghoststem.
“Do as he says. Me and Hickorygaze will catch up with you later.” He bent down and nuzzled the smaller toms head.
Beetlecloud sniffed and muttered. “Alright. Fine.” before walking away.
Ghoststem and Boulderfang shared an amused glance before they walked to Houndcall’s den.
Beetlecloud made his way to a large metallic crate and poked his head through the entrance.
“Wrencreek, you in here?” he meowed a little too loudly.
A shriek of surprise was heard and a hiss.
“Beetlecloud! For StarClan’s sake, don’t raise your voice like that!”
A cat walked into the light. It was Wrencreek. His ragged fur puffed out, and his tattered ears were flattened. When he saw Beetlecloud looking a bit sheepish, he sighed. “Sorry. Had a bad day.” he cleared his throat. “What can I do for you?”
“Boulderfang wanted you to check on my scars. They’re fine, but he’s worried.” Beetlecloud shrugged as he walked further into the den.
Wrencreek nodded and tugged at a vine, which loosened something at the top of the den to let more light in. He walked to Beetlecloud and examined the scars. “Yeah, they do look sore. Have you snagged it on anything?”
“Not that I can remember. But that fight we participated in did hurt it a bit more than intended.” Beetlecloud mumbled awkwardly.
“Hm. Go figure.” he nudged the wound, apologising quietly whenever Beetlecloud flinched or winced.
“Right. I’m keeping you here overnight. I want to make sure the soreness and rawness doesn’t spread.” Wrencreek meowed with quiet authority.
“What? But it’s fine!” Beetlecloud protested.
“It’s fine when I say it’s fine. Come on, I got a nest for you prepared.”
Wrencreek guided Beetlecloud to a very soft looking nest, lined with feathers. “Lay down, I’ll make a poultice.”
Beetlecloud snorted before settling down into the nest. He was surprised by how soft it felt.
After a few moments, Wrencreek came back with a poultice, and began to gently apply it to the scars. “I think this weather may also be making it sore. It’s drier in here than your den.” he commented.
“Fair enough.” Beetlecloud mumbled.
“Have you been sleeping alright?” Wrencreek asked.
“...Not really, no…” Beetlecloud quietly admitted. “Nightmares…”
“Needlestar?” Wrencreek guessed.
“Yeah…” Beetlecloud puffed out his fur momentarily. “I assume you have nightmares about Makarov?”
“Every night. But that cat is dead. He won’t hurt any of us again.” Wrencreek meowed, before sighing. “Though…the scars remain.”
Beetlecloud looked at the scars that littered Wrencreek’s body. “Yeah…they remain.” he sighed.
“Do you want some poppy seeds?” Wrencreek asked. “They’ll help keep you asleep even during a nightmare.”
“That’d be great. Thanks, Wrencreek.”
Wrencreek nodded and went to the herb store. He pawed out a couple of poppy seeds, and brought them back over and laid them both in front of Beetlecloud, who lapped it up.
“Thanks…” Beetlecloud murmured as he began to feel the effects.
“Anytime. Sleep tight, you little bug.” Wrencreek purred and nudged the moss closer against Beetlecloud.
He kept watch before hearing Houndcall’s yowl.
“Let all cats old enough to hunt and fight, gather beneath the ivy crate for a clan meeting!”
Wrencreek glanced back at Beetlecloud before padding outside. He could see cats gathering around a large wooden box that was wrapped with thick ivy. On top, was Houndcall, and beside him was Boulderfang, and Houndcall’s deputy, Hickorygaze.
Once all the cats were gathered, Houndcall began the meeting.
“Boulderfang, Ghoststem and Beetlecloud went on a hunting patrol this morning, and found sick prey. It has been sectioned off with brambles, but that doesn’t mean it’s contained.” he meowed in a raised, clear voice. “If you see any prey exhibiting behaviours of sickness, don’t go near it. Section it off with anything you find, and move on.”
“What are we going to do about prey? It’s scarce right now” a cat yowled out. Wrencreek looked towards the cat, and recognised Brackenstep.
“We’ll hunt as usual, avoiding sick prey. However, if it does get out of control, we may need to ask DesertClan for help with prey.” he meowed. “They’re still our allies, and they may be willing to help.”
Houndcall took a breath before continuing “Me and Wrencreek will go out tomorrow morning, and investigate the area that Boulderfang and his patrol hunted at, and see what sort of sickness we are dealing with. Clan dismissed.”
The cats began to move away and return to their duties. Wrencreek sighed and waved his tail towards Ghoststem and Hickorygaze. The two toms walked over to him.
“Beetlecloud will be staying in my den for tonight.” Wrencreek meowed. “His scars needed some poultice, and I don’t want you two ruffians rubbing it off him.”
“Will he be alright?” Hickorygaze asked with wide eyes.
“Yes, he’ll be okay. He’s asleep right now. You can come see him when he awakens. For now, you two get some rest. I bet tomorrow is going to be a mess.” Wrencreek sighed.
As Ghoststem and Hickorygaze slowly wandered away with worry in their step, Wrencreek went back into the Medicine Cat den and looked down at the sleeping Beetlecloud. He smiled slightly, before going to the herb stores to sort them.
Night slowly crept up on him, and made him tired, so he went to his nest, and settled down for the night.
He woke up suddenly. It was dark.
Wrencreek looked around, and noticed Beetlecloud’s nest was empty.
“Beetlecloud?” he called out with confusion.
He got up and sniffed the air. Beetlecloud’s scent was stale.
Cautiously, he crept outside, and blinked his eyes to get used to the darkness of the hangar, and was horrified with the sight before him.
Cat’s wandered around aimlessly, choking out horribly. Black ooze dripped from their eyes and mouths, and their voices were garbled and unclear. In the middle, Beetlecloud laid on the ground, his limbs jerking, and his eyes wide. Black tendril-like patterns were in his eyes as he coughed up the black ooze.
Wrencreek backed away in fear, but something blocked his way.
“Hello, Yuri.”
Wrencreek whirled around and screeched in terror.
The cat that stood before him, was none other than Makarov. At least that’s what he assumed.
Makarov looked terrible. One eye was completely black, and the other had the tendril patterns. Ooze dripped from the black eye, and from his nose and mouth. His head lolled to the side and his neck looked twisted.
“Your end will come soon. Traitor” Makarov’s wheezy voice came out, before he lunged at the terrified Wrencreek.
Wrencreek screeched himself awake into the living world. He stood up and ran out of the den. The camp looked normal. He looked back, and saw Beetlecloud still asleep.
He panted heavily and shook out his fur and shook his head. “What the…” he whispered. He looked up through the broken hangar roof and saw it was just moonhigh. He wouldn’t be able to sleep any more tonight. It all felt so real. Unless…
It was an omen. A terrifying omen.
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grey-writes-stuff · 2 years ago
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Heyy! I'm Grey! This blog is for me to post my fanfic ramblings that I write!
Fandoms I write currently: CoD OCs and AU's (MW, AW, IW)
Warrior Cats (OC and AU's)
Original Content
Mentlegen, may I introduce to you @eldritcmor, one of the most brilliant fanfic writers I have the pleasure of knowing! They seem to love putting Ferret and Moose and a bunch of their characters in situations, and I live for it!
Please check all their work out!
They do a bunch of CoD and R6 related fanfics, especially with ocs!
Such as their R6 & CoD mashups (featuring some ocs)- here - here - here
Small little fanfics and scribbles with ocs - here - here - here - here
They also wrote a bit on their ocs reactions to the Jade Incident!
and a bunch others, so please give their work some attention! <3
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