#oh dear another doomsday | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

riewritten · 2 months

Text

𝐎𝐈𝐋 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐒 · CHAPTER FOUR · AO3

˚ · .─ 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒: YOU, a college student in Frankfurt, start receiving emails that embarked the dim of normalcy you worked so hard to build on your own; starting from a message claiming you as the light amidst the hell of Kinderheim, who came just in time to bring a paradise of doomsday and grime, something that pleased the monster inside him. Initially, you thought of reporting the email as spam until another ding came: the monster, so pleased and full, is aiming to return the favor—something to flesh out the paradise you had granted him back at Kinderheim.

˚ · .─ 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎: JOHAN/Fem!reader | 5.8k words

˚ · .─ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: explicit language, canon-typical violence, stalking, manipulation, obsessive tendencies, paranoia, abduction, threats of sexual assault, among many things that might arise.

SYNOPSIS: The next events that transpired in your subconscious after that dinner were neither a hyperbole of your repressed childhood grievances nor a personification of your deeply rooted fears. It is an actual recollection, a flashback surging almost all at once, once forgotten but surfaced by a trigger you are to unveil at this very moment.

Grimmer had kept your father alive in his thoughts; too alive, perhaps, that he’s acting the same way your father would had he been made aware of your position as of the moment.

And just like your father did, Johan piqued his curiosity as well, almost the same way even. The only stark difference is that your father was fascinated with Johan as a tool; Grimmer, on the other hand, deems him in utter pity.

And fear.

Grimmer is running, sweat dripping from his head, to his polo, and to the edges of his sleeve. Panting and panting, reaching his hand for someone who could help you the way you deserve. Oh, you poor, poor girl, Grimmer whispers to himself as he runs while clutching the letter you've given him dear in his hands. His musings are cut off when he sees Tenma, the very person he could ask for help. He met Tenma in Prague, and with numerous talks he came to know that Tenma has a similar agenda in mind: Kinderheim 511. Albeit, with different people to find. Grimmer told him of his upbringing, about your father, and it doesn't take long for Tenma to immediately rearrange his priorities. Because apparently, this cowardly bastard of a father who led such a young boy into burning Kinderheim, had left a daughter behind.

—that very daughter being the perilous boy's dearest friend. It doesn’t take much for them to finally conclude; you are in danger.

“I'm so sorry, I was too late. Lunge and I weren't able to get her.” Grimmer hands over the letter you had delivered via mail.

Tenma takes his time reading it, slowly but surely his hold on the thin paper tightens ‘til it almost crumples.

“We have to find her. We could still find her.” He frantically flips the paper to see the letter's delivery date. “Yesterday, huh? Then that means she's still not far away from here, right?! We should go to the post office and—” It is not until the two realize they're still in public, a sidewalk no less, that they halt from talking further.

They let the grim silence pave the way for now, at least until they could have a private space with Inspector Lunge. While waiting for their turn to pass the road, Grimmer and Tenma overhear a couple of old people talking.

“News has it that Germany has been announced to be undergoing an economic crisis.”

“And the rampant cases of money laundering still aren't solved,” the other man huffs his cigarette. “Oh man, the future restaurant I've been planning through all my retirement money is now hopeless. How can an old man like me find a job? My youngest child is still in college, for god's sake.”

“My wife's sick. Almost every hospital we went to had their rates higher than before. At this point we might as well consider her dead.”

The latter pats his back and sighs, “I'm so sorry about that, pal.”

Not long after, the old man whose wife is sick starts crying. His sobs are in sync with the pedestrian stop light turning green. The two old men cross the pedestrian holding onto each other, with Grimmer and Tenma silently watching upon them.

It doesn't take long for Tenma to start again, “Many believed that this is because of the attempted assassination of Hans Schuwald, the infamous ‘Vampire of Bayern’ known to be holding the European economy under his fingers.”

“Ah, is that so?” Grimmer chuckles, “I'm sorry, I didn't know much about it. You brought me here not long ago.”

“Exactly, the attempted assassination happened half a year ago, and the money laundering schemes have been ongoing for five years or so. It's not surprising that Germany is like this right now, whether Schuwald's assassination took place or not.”

“The assassination attempt, was the perpetrator caught?”

“No,” Tenma grimly replies, “but I know exactly who had done it.”

With Tenma's face, it doesn't take Grimmer's astuteness to figure out the answer. “Are you saying it's Johan as well…?” Tenma could only nod. “But he's so young! What're you saying next, that Johan is the person behind the large-scale money laundering scheme as well? Come on!”

“You've been having doubts until now, aren't you?” Tenma’s brows furrowed. “I told you, the only way to ensure the safety of this girl is by not having mercy on the monster who endangers her!”

Grimmer seems to be surprised himself. Was that him speaking earlier, or was it a projection of your father's emotions? “I was just asking, Tenma.”

“I know because I was there! At Schuwald's assassination attempt!” he snaps.

Grimmer is surprised to see the usually stoic doctor like that. “I was holding my sniper, trembling but nonetheless readying myself to shoot, and Johan looked up at me with a smirk as if I was exactly in the place he wanted me to be! Only then did I realize that I am once again getting cornered to take the blame of killing Schuwald, if I weren't successful in saving him from that mess!”

Grimmer's rationale snaps back with Tenma's remark. A while ago it was too clouded and riddled by both worry in your situation and pity over the tragic predicament subjected upon you and Johan—basically what your father would've felt had he been the one hearing this. At least Tenma's voice woke him up; your father is finally not too alive in his thoughts anymore. The abomination Tenma is talking about is none but Kinderheim 511's pride. Their subjects, although generally programmed to be perfect soldiers, have their own characterization—a role if one might say—that if collated together, would fit the archetype of a great army. And now, Grimmer is slowly realizing that Johan was specifically crafted to be the commander, the leader. It doesn't make it better that Kinderheim is the very place that taught him to do so.

“And do you want to know more about how dangerous Johan could be? Even to those people he would've been connected with emotionally?”

Grimmer wants Tenma to expound, but at the same time his own worry for your situation stops him in cold sweat.

The urge to interrupt this blonde agent before he’s even done talking is as overwhelming as your memories. Indeed, he had excused himself last night quite coldly… but he had also suddenly showed up, unannounced, at 5:00 am. It was him you had last seen yesterday, and it's him to interrupt the vivid dream. As disoriented as you are, you're clearly not in the mood to accommodate an unexpected visitor.

You want to see Anna. You genuinely need to see Anna.

How nice it'd feel to have her gentle hands brushing your hair; the lovely croons of her voice as she lures you to sleep; going to school together and meeting halfway at dismissal; stopping by at some market for groceries or perhaps drinking coffee together; the domestic bliss of her preparing your breakfast and you washing the dishes; everything.

Oh dear god, if he’s even listening, how you badly wish to see Anna again.

When was the last time you even prayed this hard?

“Dear god, if I grow as big as Daddy and his workmates, would I finally be of use? Would I finally be able to help my dearest Johan?” Your prayers day and night were particularly stronger this moment with Johan clinging for dear life.

“T-thats why… I am always so scared whenever y-you come here…”

Tears blurred your vision further, “Is it because you're scared the monster would take me away?” Johan's tiny face flinched as though he felt the terror in that hypothetical setting, “Flower fields suit you more…”

“No, I don’t! I am a bad useless girl who couldn't even help you! Bad girls don't deserve a good life!”

“Y-you have to get away from here,” your little friend, for the first time in your sight, begged and called your name, “run away and never look back… Don't let the monster get you…”

“I will never leave you alone. You and the person you mustn't forget are still yet to meet, no? And I have to stay here so you won't forget her, right?!” Johan still wasn't coming back to you, so you tried uttering more—perhaps futile and ideal—reasons to stay. “T-then we will defeat the monsters! And I’ll stay beside you even after you reunite with the one you mustn't forget!”

“That… doesn't matter…” This time, Johan's face hollowed. “It wouldn't matter anyway… These monsters are making me forget Anna… and if you go, they will make me forget you too…” the thought of it drained the blood in your face. “But then again, you see… wouldn't that be nice? Nothing else would matter by then. The weight of your existence would no more burden me. The weight of Anna's existence wouldn't matter anymore. After all, death is the only constant thing… it's way more powerful than memories… than loved ones… than flowers when prairies get burnt by fires…”

“Still here, pretty?”

The nickname the agent suddenly drops is so off-putting you're immediately cut off your musings. Perhaps you're flustered—irked, rather—because much to your uncomfortability, this blonde agent has been more interactive and pressing after the events last night—it's as though he suddenly wants to be close with you. In such instances, you could even mistake his voice as Anna's, but instead of being endeared it just repulses you. And speaking of Anna, did she know of your identity this whole time? It couldn't be a coincidence, could it? The person your childhood friend Johan mustn't forget was named Anna!

“Were you able to catch on what I was saying? Would you mind repeating it for me?”

Perhaps the off-putting nickname served its purpose, though. Your irk subsides and you end up averting your gaze away in guilt, “S-sorry. I was spacing out.”

“Why so?”

“Can't you just continue?”

“Maybe after you tell me why you were spacing out?” the blonde agent quips. “It is my job to ensure the welfare of my clients.”

“Which you haven't done before, and I honestly prefer that. Didn't you tell me we should be wary of being close to each other?”

The agent seems unfazed with you addressing the elephant in the room. His gaze is filled with mirth, even. “Were you not the one who broke the rule first?” He stands up from his chair, walks towards you, and then crouches down until his face is of the same level as yours. His smile is as serene as ever, but a tinge of it bothered you. “When you asked me to eat dinner with you last night, wasn't that crossing a boundary we had established when we first met?”

“But you agreed so. The usual agent I know would decline to safely keep that boundary. You sound like I'm the only one at fault here.”

His smile widens quite a bit, “Do you feel like I'm blaming you?”

“Yes.”

No, you don't feel like he's blaming you; his knowing smile made you realize he's aware of it, too. It was rather you being guilty of showing him that specific vulnerability. You struggle keeping eye contact with him, yet you persist nonetheless—or so you try.

“My apologies, then. It's just that your case started piquing my interest last night,” he replies, albeit in defeat, after being silent for a while.

“I said something while sleeping, didn't I?”

“I don't know. You tell me.”

Oh god. What a headache. “Can we pretend last night never happened?”

“Would that include our deal?”

“Deal…?”

“I’ll tell you my name if you manage to finish the last step today, no?” you could almost see him pout—so unlikely of his character—until you realize that it's just him being sarcastic. “Has your curiosity subsided that quickly? How unfortunate. It made me quite happy.”

The sarcasm was successful in flustering you. Nonetheless you remain composed, “Why?”

“Because my client is interested in me the same way I am with her.”

You are silenced, then. Unable to hold it further. Eyes all over the place except his face. What a shift in the mood. As much as you're trying to keep the deal of not exceeding boundaries and shoo this visitor away, your mind is seeking comfort from someone, desperately so. Neither Anna nor Frieda's here and the only person you're with as of late is this agent. The longer it takes, the more you get fidgety at the thought of not knowing more about him. How despicable, you thought to yourself. When you say you need comfort, what exactly do you need? A fleeting crush? A physical intimacy of some sort that could fool you into thinking you're not really alone? Or do you just want to have one constant in your fleeting existence? Would a dependent, toxic attachment—projected by the desire to detach coinciding with your desperation to stay—help you? And now, tragically so, with your memories flashing intrusively, you could finally—hold on, wait.

This particular agent, one way or another, must be related to Anna. What other reason must be there for having almost identical faces?

Oh no.

“Johan! Stay with me, Johan!” you cried loudly, raw, in utter pain not for you but for the person you hold dearest. Your small stature was holding his limping one in your arms. Suddenly the room these damned-in-the-head Kinderheim supervisors put you two seemed wider—an abyss, if one might say. The large mirror, which they said they would be watching you two, swirled in your vision alongside your tears.

“Whenever you come here, I—” he cut himself off with a shaggy exhale, “—I always get scared whenever you come here.” he weakly whispered. Why? You couldn't even ask it out loud. Was the feeling not mutual? Did he actually disdain you?

“B-because… so many monsters lurk around, and—hah—”

“Monsters?”

He nodded, then his eyes strayed away from you. It went somewhere—someplace beyond the confines of this terrifying room, a place no one but him could see. “My other half was taken by a monster… the monster brought her to the west. W-we managed to escape… but the monster…” he shuddered as if this is the first time he had registered how scary it all was—much that it confused you because he sounded like it happened long, long ago, “...the monster found us again. They separated us again. They brought me to the East.”

And your fickle little mind didn't understand any of it. You realized you couldn't actually do anything about it. This is something adults could manage. One thing about sessions with Daddy's workmates is the reiteration of how useless you are because you're a kid, of how utterly futile it is to be hopeful in this huge, huge world because you are nothing but a speck of dust—a stupid one at that—because you have nothing but your tiny, little, naivety.

Oh no.

“I—uh… I wouldn't be able to accomplish it today. Forget the deal we had last night. W-we could pretend it never happened,” you feign exhaustion, trying your hardest not to stammer and collapse in front of him. You are realizing a lot of things all at once. “Sorry for crossing the boundaries we have talked about. Let me make up for it.”

“Is that what you really want?”

“I wouldn't suggest it otherwise.”

“You see, people often say the opposite of what they want.”

“What do you mean by that—” you almost called him Johan again. You reluctantly add after gulping, “—sir?”

“You're having doubts about your plan, aren't you?”

You raise your senses up, adrenaline surging deep within as if you're suddenly in danger. “N-no! I told you I was just procrastinating—”

“You just realized the name Johan isn't something you disdain.”

“What does that have to do with this?!”

“It does a lot, you see,” the agent adds. “You say you want to run away from the monster and yet you're talking about how badly you want to be with him in your sleep.”

“I—” the color in your lips dry cold, “I said that?”

“Indeed,” the agent nods as he steps closer; you stand up from your chair and step back, “while I was ushering you to the couch, you said something to that effect.”

At this point, you try to utter anything—anything that would stop you from breaking down and crying, “A-and you know about it? You know something about Johan?”

The question answered itself upon realizing; seeing the younger version of Anna in your dreams, her male version at that, wasn't because she was the amalgamation of comfort and softness amidst all these terror happening inside your head. You've always been so intrigued—no, you were not intrigued, you were just trying to put it that way. You've always felt something uncanny was up with Anna, let alone with this agent; you just deliberately ignored it thinking they mean well not only because Anna is someone you favored immediately, but also because you never trusted yourself. All this time, the lessons Daddy and his workmates are grilled in your head even if you're still yet to remember them.

Your eyes widened, hands started to tremble, and eventually the terror got too bad you couldn't even support Johan's little weight anymore. Still, Johan had something left to say. “But, before I die… could y-you—could you please—” the fresh injection wound on his forearm throbbed in pain, and thus he hissed first before continuing, “—please call me by my name.”

“Johan,” you cried. “Your name is Johan!”

“My name…” your little friend's eyes were now hollow, as if he's reliving a memory only he knew. You weren’t even sure if he could still see you, let alone if he knew where he was, and if you could even bring him back. “Call me by my name.” You did what you could, then—the measly, trivial, nonsensical things you could. “Johan.”

“My name—”

“Johan!”

“J-Johan…?”

You feel his hands, soft as ever, cup your cheeks and softly says, “Oh dear… look at that face.” You slowly turn your gaze to his eyes and it is, indeed, the last needed confirmation.

Hollow. Empty. In a place only he could see.

“Seems like you finally remember me now, huh?”

Two days before Johan had shown you the fireworks up close;

Daddy saw you crying in your room after dinner while hugging the storybook Johan had liked the most—the one with a paper mache of matchsticks and flames as its cover. Aside from the grief, your mind was also occupied with the horrific flashbacks of your best friend full of freshly inflicted injection shots, utterly lethargic, unusually talkative, and debilitated with sorrow for the first time since you two had met each other. That night, Daddy cradled you to sleep; he reminded you of the things you could do for your dearest friend which includes his proposition: help Johan show you the fireworks up close. Daddy said it was Johan's utmost wish.

You didn't even know if it was true, but with your grief-riddled mind and desperation to be with Johan again and give him the things he truly deserves, you agreed.

“I went to Kinderheim today. Would you like to know what happened after Johan and you were separated?”

“What did he say? Please! Please tell me!”

“He begged them. He begged them to not let him forget Anna. Then, he begged to see you after. Even if he were to die, he would like to see you again.”

Oh, how it filled you with bittersweet warmth. Johan just said that it wouldn't matter anymore. He sounded so defeated, so tired, so ready and willing to die, and yet he still managed to beg them thereafter. At the same time, you were filled with anger with the monsters in Kinderheim, with the monsters who took him away from the one he mustn't forget. You vehemently hoped Johan could be strong enough at least until you see each other again. And maybe, just maybe, you two would be able to defeat the monster tormenting him along the way.

More than that, you felt Daddy to be a bit more likable than usual. Was it because he pitied his useless little child? It felt foreign but nonetheless warm. You wondered why your father had never introduced you to such pleasant feelings.

Nevermind, not like you have the capacity to think about it anyway. The important thing is not only did you finally know the name of the person Johan mustn't forget (Anna is such a wonderful name!) but you also are part of his wishes. How warm. How utterly warm it is to be loved. Daddy tucked you in bed and, instead of coldly leaving you as per usual, he read you the storybook you were clinging to for dear life—the one with a paper mache of matchsticks and flames as its cover.

When you wake up, your hands are tied together on your back. You're seated on the floor, legs sore, and have nowhere else to lean on besides the cold white wall.

The last thing you remembered was Johan's remark, ‘Oh look at that face. Seems like you finally remember me now,’ then, you fainted at the overwhelming dread. A buff man squats down to your level and reaches his hand for a shake. He introduces himself as Roberto. A man behind him, however, heaves a laugh, “You bastard. How could she shake your hand when you tied her up like that!”

Roberto chuckles while scratching his head. “My bad, my bad. I’m jus’ joking, jus’ tryin' to lighten up the room.”

Another man squats to your level, “How about you? What's your name?” You keep your head down the floor, ignoring the rapid heartbeat ringing in your ears out of trepidation. You've got the urge to spit at them out of spite, but they're holding guns. There are approximately six men inside this room that could overpower you if need be.

Due to your lack of an answer, the man then tries to touch your cheek only for Roberto to slap it away. “He said you're not allowed to do that, boy.”

“But doesn't it thrill you more to touch a girl when it's forbidden? Look at how pliant she is. Look at her gaze down like that. She surely knows her place, no?”

“Ah,” Roberto let out an exasperated sigh then stood up, a silent ‘what happens next ain't my business now.’ implied. Indeed, Johan sounded serious with that command but not that Roberto cares much about you to strictly implement that. “I warned you.”

The stranger holds onto your chin to tilt your head up. “Oh, isn't she a pliant lass?” but his smile is immediately replaced with a frown upon seeing you glare. “Come on, how about a smile on those pretty lips of yer’s—”

You spit on his face. The last thing expected of a ‘pliant girl.’ The man avenged his dirtied cheek out of impulse by slapping you hard; you fell to the floor.

Roberto shakes his head, looks at his watch, and nonchalantly walks away. He's got more important things to do than guarding some trivial girl so early in the morning. His fleeting irk, however, lies at Johan's reaction once he sees the bruise on your cheek due to these men who don't know any better.

Your mind, hazy with the slap, is further blanked out after a series of punches. They said something along the lines of ‘feisty bitch,’ ‘presenting yourself meek when you're no different from whores covered with spit’ and other insults that could make even a grown man cry. And yet you couldn't mind it much due to your dissociation. “The only reason we're not killing you yet is because he could have your body at his disposal to relax himself. The moment he fucks you ‘til it’s out of his system? Oh, you'll be so dead to us.”

Is this how these deranged men see your relationship with Johan?

“Would he even know if we were to lay our hands on this girl before he arrives?”

“Don't even try unless you want your head shot!” the other man barks. “Let him have his way first. We'll pass her one by one next.”

You see, even if they were to undress you this instant you wouldn't be able to scream because of how utterly hollow you feel. Defeated. Eyes devoid of light. Just waiting for the doom to arrive.

“What an interesting proposal.”

The familiar voice is more than enough to rattle everyone inside the room. No one even senses his arrival. The wicked smiles flush into something akin to guilt and horror, as if a grim reaper came to judge them of their sins. You almost flinch at how eerily benign his voice is, but his face, much emptier than yours, answers the question of what's about to transpire in this room.

“J-Johan—Sir, that's not what we—”

“Would you mind repeating what you just said?”

Everyone, including you, looks at him in horror. Is this somehow part of his deranged eccentricities? Does he plan to have all these men demonstrate what they mean when they say ‘passing your body around one by one after Johan's done with you?’

However, the men are too scared to speak. All their bravado lost, compared to how they talked about the things they've said mere seconds ago. Johan, on the other hand, seems to be losing his patience with their silence.

“Would anyone like to repeat what he just said?” However, instead of looking around the room for answers, Johan instead looks at you; his expression perilously unreadable.

No one dares to follow.

“It's okay, it's okay,” Johan assures the now trembling henchmen, “I quite like a good show, I must admit.” Johan’s eyes glisten at his own statement—an excitement if you squint—indicating that he knows exactly what he's talking about. It fills your gut with absolute dread. Johan's gaze turns to the man who insulted you and asks, “What was it? You'd like to pass and share her body around for everyone's pleasure, you say?”

Roberto shakes his head in dismay. He turns around the wall in disgust. Indeed he had seen much during his prime, but it certainly doesn’t entail liking it.

But seems like Johan isn’t taking it. “Why, Roberto?” he quips. “Not gonna watch?”

There’s a subtle undertone in his tease that sends shivers down Roberto’s spine—one Johan usually uses to reprimand him for his inadequacies.

“S-sorry,” Roberto’s voice comes off weakly at first, until he sighs, “too young for my tastes.”

The man shakily standing beside Roberto interjects, “S-sir, we were just—”

“Now,” Johan claps his hands together with much eagerness, ”anyone who’d like to do the same… how about you raise your hand now, hm? It’s only a once in a lifetime opportunity, after all…”

Their expression softens and one of them even lets out a sigh. Turns out he's not that angry over it, huh. The person stained by your spit is the first to raise his hand. Then the one who tried to stop him earlier in fear of angering Johan raises his hand next. The other one at the corner of the room meekly follows not long after.

“Good, good. No one else?” Much to your confusion, Johan's eyes didn't leave you. Instead, he subtly takes his time noting your bruises, one on your lip, two on your swollen cheeks, and a black eye forming on your right. Typical. No doubt they’ve been too rough with you for his and your liking.

And so you counted it yourself; one, two, three, four, excluding Roberto and the other man who seems too scared of Johan—almost everyone in the room undoubtedly wants to take their turn with you. It makes you want to throw up. How did the softest friend you know grow up like this, willing to stand back and watch as each of these men do what they will, like deranged animals in heat? If Johan, your dearest childhood friend, really grew up to be someone this unhinged, this—this—sick, then he—

Bang. Bang

You let out a high-pitched gasp. Your ears are ringing—

Bang. Bang.

You hear the thud of a heavy body slam against the floor. It’s—

Bang. Bang

Something wet splatters on your cheek.

You don’t need to move your eye to notice the crimson color of it. You don’t want to see it.

Johan honestly must've known better, though, because as much as these men fear him, they still are rotten to their core; they are mercenaries drawn to violence as much as he is even in a different manner. He’s usually amused hearing human beings’ downright tendency to depravity—it’s an innate nature he could never use against anyone. Just like how he had loved listening to his war veteran neighbor’s stories while his foster parents were out back in the day. The pain human beings inflict upon each other to assert dominance. It amused him to no end.

This is the only instance he had felt an actual disgust—a normal emotional response—to depravity. How interesting.

The last man who had raised his hand starts crying apologies to Johan on his knees (how utterly despicable it is that they're apologizing to him, not to you).

Bang. Bang.

One for the aim and one for a sure death. And that's it. His hands are not shaking, eyes devoid of glint—just how many people have gone under the mercy of his bullets? You could only ask yourself.

Out of five mercenaries trying to insult you before his arrival, Johan was able to establish a point with the only man left alive because he didn't dare raise his hand at the earlier question. He is visibly shaking, looking at the corpses of his then comrades.

And, as if there's no greater concern at hand, Roberto just rolls his eyes and whispers to himself, “Great. Another mess to clean up.” Oh, the more important things he would've attended to if not for Johan's strict temper today.

“A mess indeed,” Johan kneels to you, opens up a bottle of water, and lifts it to your mouth. You were forced to gulp down a bit of it, but you swat his hand away with your face, trembling. The water spills to the ground. Johan, as much as he lacks patience with others, is far from being perturbed this time around. Instead, he gets a white handkerchief out of his pocket and gently wipes the blood off your cheeks, “Would you like me to get you another? I know how thirsty you are right now.”

“Don't touch me,” you hiss at him.

Johan smiles amusingly. If he'd be perfectly honest, he had wanted to play a bit more with the arrangement you two had. You lowering your guard at him gave him the satisfaction he never once thought he'd have. It was so lovely watching you sleep, talk to him with ease, and every other benefit given to him after you foolishly trusted his version of Anna—something he wouldn't call fake because he is Anna, and Anna is him.

With the looming silence between you two, Roberto and the trembling mercenary take it as a signal to excuse themselves, thankfully so, for Johan asked something very personal.

“Do you remember everything now?”

You do not answer, not letting him control the emotional narrative the same way he does with your physical situation right now. However, you mustn't take this man lightly for you are yet to know the things he's responsible for—let alone how much control he holds over you and every element in your surroundings.

After five minutes or so, he adds, “Apologies, I suppose that's a bit of a heavy topic to start off, no? Let's start with a small talk, then.” He sits properly, facing your tied up figure, his head level with yours. “How about we talk about the Inspector and his perpetually smiling friend?” you try your best to not let the flinch on your face show. “I wonder, have you ever told them about the lovely mother cat and her kittens that used to live below our apartment complex?”

Your eyes widen. Your hands that are tied to your back start shaking in fear. Nevermind the fact that he just called your apartment ours. That is no small talk but rather a perilous warning. The floor may be dusty white, but this is an eggshell if Johan's around. One tiny step and everything would crumble. Their lives, as dear as they are to you, could turn into dust with a snap of his fingers.

“Have you told them what happened to the mother cat? To the kittens? You seemed to hold Mr. Grimmer in a much nicer regard than the Inspector. Were you close enough? Were you able to open up your grievances about the death of those cats, regarding their survival as nothing but fleeting fortuities?”

“I…” you start, gulping down the urge to throw up then and there, “I don't…”

“Hm?” Johan's head tilts. Benign, curious, just as if he's talking to a friend. “Come again? I couldn't hear you.”

“I haven't… remembered all of it… yet…” you bite your lips, swallowing your pride, trying your hardest not to cry. You hate being overpowered like this. You feel like you're in a session with Daddy and his colleagues again. “I haven't remembered everything yet. My recollections are staggered; it cuts itself midway, and sometimes it doesn't even make sense.”

The room is silent for a while.

Johan's the one to cut it off. “No worries, no worries,” much to your distaste, he touches the corner of your eyes with his fingers. You don’t even know when you started crying. “That's not something to cry for. I'm not like them. I'm not gonna punish you for failing to answer a measly question.”

His touch is light; one could wonder if it really took place. It's almost comforting too, or so he presents, because his remark just punched you in the gut. It means he knows everything. He knows every single detail about you, about what you went through, perhaps even those you're still yet to remember. After wiping your tears away, he suggests, “Then, don't you think I could help? Where do we start…”

What he said next didn't help you ground yourself at all—it didn't help you internalize that you're not in some session with the Kinderheim crew.

“Shall we start talking about the storybook you've always brought to me? The one that has a paper mache of matchsticks and flames as its cover?”

<<< PREV CHAPTER • GET TAGGED FOR THE NEXT UPDATE

🏷️ @bianca4evers @lyneyenthusiast @suntizme @hyejohann @onasvigo @hannn-iee @bisexualgirlie @eurydiceofterabithia @hopingggforthebest @hnna001 @Meupaunoseuouvido @fuoon @clairehyee @nashwa @skiiaini11

SPECIAL MENTION TO @suusoh who helped me with this painstakingly long chapter. this has 7k words during the first draft and it's dragging so much I couldn't even bring myself to publish it but she saved my ass. ily kween mother. check her out!! my fave work of hers is this one KJSKSJKSJ

i tried making the POV consistent by narrating through your (reader's) lenses but i realized this story would go nowhere if we were only to rely on your usual absentminded ass (much to johan's benefit). no worries tho. character development coming right up next chap! also, we're almost done folks :D thanks for sticking through and being patient despite my slow updates!

get this ugly mf away from me

#johan liebert x reader #johan liebert x you #johan liebert x y/n #grimmer x reader #grimmer x you #grimmer x y/n #fanfiction #monster fanfic #johan liebert fanfic #johan liebert fanfiction #wolfgang grimmer x you #wolfgang grimmer x y/n #wolfgang grimmer x reader

51 notes · View notes

thisnameisnotspokenfor · 2 months

Text

Idk what this is

A chapter snippet/word blob that came out of my brain I guess idk if it’ll be in the Final Cut.

The star’s smile vanished as he looked at her with…scrutiny?! Oh she was in for it now wasn’t she? “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the slanderous wicked poor-visioned miss skeptic, come to kick a man while he’s still down. Have you?” He said in a scolding manner that Asha wasn’t quite sure was serious or joking.

“Not unprovoked,” she huffed as she crossed her arms. “And my vision is fine…you’re just salty that I completely annihilated you.”

“Salty? My dear we were on a boat in the middle of that ocean and neither sea nor person was as salty as you. The ocean Asha! THE OCEAN!” He exclaimed as a few crows cawed in surprise before taking off.

“I wasn’t salty!” She protested. It…it was true! Sure she’d been feeling…off but to say that she’d been salty was just wrong! Right?

Unfortunately for her the star didn’t seem to back down as he smiled, slowly walking towards her as he asked her slowly, “Really? So why couldn’t you take your eyes off me?”

She hadn’t realized just how close he’d gotten until he’d rested his hand on the wall next to her head. His finger patiently tapped its stone surface with a dark sharp nail. She couldn’t. Wouldn’t take her eyes off him, not when he was practically in front of her.

Tap tap.

As satisfying as it had been to silence the star, she had to admit that in hindsight it was somewhat foolish. He was a star, a being of otherworldly power and temperaments with secrets that had been the reason why the doomsday clock had started ticking once more.

Sure he was her friend, but he was also an alien! And she’d do well to remember that when it came to possibly testing his temper. “I was watching everyone. Not just you,” she lied with as much calm as she could. “Kind of have to given how we were both attacked by hooded assassins, who could literally be anywhere or anyone don’t you think?”

Tap. Tap.

Now even the crows were watching with a little less friendly anticipation than they had the first time Asha had met them.

“Fair enough,” the star shrugged as he took a step back just as Asha remembered to breathe. Whoa did he actually buy that?! “Paranoia is a usual effect of your first assassination attempt. But after the first thirty or so it’ll just feel like another Wednesday-,” he promised as Corvias landed on his shoulder once more. “Or was it Tuesday?” The surrounding crows shrugged as he scratched his head. “I don’t think I have a very good track of time. But that might just be my insanity talking.” He paused, looking at her as Corvias readjusted herself on his shoulder. “What were we talking about again?”

“Uhh,” Asha paused nervously looking from him to the crowd of children before nodding, “you agreed to help me!”

“Asha you are such a bad liar,” the star disapprovingly shook his head.

“You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing!” She protested.

“It could be, especially if you’re not an inherently honest person either,” he huffed while crossing his arms.

She sighed. Now she could see it. Defeat and the end of her sanity, lingering on the horizon as she’d grumbled, “Don’t get mouthy with me Cepheus, I need your help with the children! This is for the children! I want them to have fun! Don’t you want to have fun?”

#chapter snippet #kingdom of the stars #Asha #Cepheus

44 notes · View notes

stromuprisahat · 6 months

Text

Beware! Potential growth's peaking out!

Siege and Storm- Chapter 11

LOL

Alina doesn't know anything the Darkling himself didn't tell her.

Forget artist!

Modern!Alina would be a member of doomsday cult!

Just... what does she built her hypotheses on? Baghra's words about Aleksander and her own fatalism?!

Frodo, halfway to Mordor:

Yeah, I shouldn't talk much about the Ring. Sam doesn't want to go to Mount Doom already. What if he turns around and bails on me? I'd have to abandon my quest alongside him...

For a person certain the world's about to end, unless she "stops" the Darkling, Alina sure lacks determination.

No, you only wanted her to inform her rapist about Darkles' plans... I'm sure that would result into heartfelt apology and her promotion from a cocksleeve to respected member of household.

Alina, repeat after me: There's nothing wrong with becoming flushed, when an attractive man touches your bare skin, especially on parts not used for casual contact. It doesn't make you a wanton whore or fallen peasant girl, and it doesn't mean you're provoking further intimacies.

Gods! I so wish to shake her or at least watch her overcome her prudish upbringing.

Thought 1- Genya might be in trouble.

Thought 2- ... and what about poor lonely Alina?!

Subtle, but I'd more appreciate spiralling due to Genya's possible fate. Alina believes the Darkling to be heartless monster and theoretically understands mechanics of offence and punishment. Yet Genya's situations is a possiblity, Alina's feelings regarding herself certainty.

Alina's sense of duty's quite something. Especially for a lowly peasant. Instead of learning, she's learning new excuses she can use to get away with bare minimum.

I don't think actually poor person with no real status (lineage AND money) would attempt such thing. She constantly treats her "betters" as nuisances, equals at best. While not perhaps actively insulting, she's hardly behaving properly. Exactly in a way that cannot be ascribed to her origin.

Perhaps Nikolai should try acting like a Royal Prince towards her sometime. Remind her of their priorities, instead of tactfully insinuating she's forgetting to be discreet about her preferences of company.

Darling, uniforms have their purpose. And it's not only to make people hate you. Sure, a lovely LITTLE pin will make it obvious, who belongs to your retinue...

I didn't want uniforms.

The uniform in itself distinguishes members of the military from civilians, but also from one another (infantry, artillery, navy, and later air force).

I've read "they" and immediately went back, because that didn't sound like Alina at all. It seems too little sleep might conjure caring heroine, yet not even that's enough for the rest of the brain to believe it.

Oh dear, how shall Tolya cope?!

Look! A place for character development! Now's the time to set up for realization the Darkling was right to require his subordinates' obedience. Yes, that incudes you, Alina...

It's shocking to see Alina act as the voice of reason. If only her perception remained at all times.

Surprisingly sound logic on Alina's part.

Sleeping under the same roof as potential assassins?!

What's the point of all these parallels or at least similar situations offering them, if Alina won't connect the dots and change her worldview?

Why should I admire Alina's courage to accept and offer protection to possible traitors without granting the same courtesy to Aleksander?

Because she's the MC? Because she's the Sun Summoner, therefore a greater target?

Yeah, and Sasha's The Black General, the most powerful Grisha alive AND a living amplifier...

She ain't completely stupid! I'm officially rooting for THIS Alina to stick around!

#Grishaverse #S&S Chapter 11 #Alina Starkov #The Darkling #Nikolai Lantsov #Malyen Oretsev #Morozova's amplifiers #Genya Safin #self centred and paranoid #grishanalyticritical #Siege and Storm #Grisha trilogy #V #books #quotes #Leigh Bardugo

48 notes · View notes

valle-de-sombra-de-muerte · 2 months

Text

Homestuck Reread: Act 3, Part 2/3 (p. 892-1026)

Read the previous post here.

The second third of Act 3 introduces yet another new character: the Peregrine Mendicant.

PM is obsessed with the sanctity of the postal service in the same way WV is obsessed with democracy. The exiles hold dear symbols of their lost civilization while they're stranded in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. They cling to the desperate hope that society can one day be rebuilt as long as the memory of these institutions are kept alive.

Also, "brave soldiers of God in this righteous crusade"? I didn't realize these chess people were so Christian.

The fact that Mom Lalonde has her own secret littlespace in the lab is something that I never see anyone talk about. Can we please talk more about this grown woman who knows the world is going to end in her lifetime, who drinks every day to distract herself from that cursed knowledge, and also has this whole secret setup where she can hide away and pretend to be a little kid with no responsibilities?

This was probably all beyond Hussie's capabilities as a writer, so of course this is never elaborated on. What a hack. Maybe I'll write a fanfic about this myself one of these days.

Jade falls asleep in the foyer where Grandpa Harley's remains are and we get this unnecessary "psycheout" where instead of transitioning to Dave's POV, the next page immediately follows with Jade's "strife" with her dead grandpa. It's another lame interactive page like the one where she plays the flute (which I didn't mention last post because it's a waste of time).

Hussie "trolling" the reader is a character trait that he unfortunately leans into more and more as time passes.

It also would've been nice if it were better acknowledged that Jade has essentially raised herself for most of her life. What kind of strain would that put on a child's development? Obviously a lot if she's having imaginary arguments with her dead grandfather.

If Jade had been written as someone who was socially stunted from being raised without an adult human presence (she was raised by a fucking dog, remember?), and uses excessive positivity both because she literally doesn't know how to interact with others, and also as a mask to hide the stress she's under from experiencing constant visions of doomsday, perhaps she would've been a good character.

But, oh no, this is just another silly flash, you guys! Grandpa Harley is just a lifeless prop that Jade pretends is still alive because she's a manic pixie silly girl! No deeper meaning here.

Ah yeah, the cat's characteristic recalcitrance. I can't dunk on Rose too much here because I'm sure a lot of us tried to incorporate our pets in make-believe scenarios when we were kids.

I love the kitten playing with Rose's scarf off to the side.

The reason Rose wants to play Sburb is to resurrect Jaspers so he can follow up on his "secret." But... it's not like he can actually speak. You're telling me the whole reason she wants to bring back Jaspers is so he can follow up on the time he meowed in her ear nine years ago? And people really want to frame Rose as the most "serious" out of the kids.

Again, none of this seems worth ending the world for. Rose, you were like four years old here. It's time to move on. I know that "meow" actually ends up being somewhat important later, but Rose isn't aware of it at this point so it comes across as her being obsessed with something really silly.

Rose mentioned before that the funeral was held because of her request. So was it Rose who wanted a funeral for Jaspers, or was it Mom? Maybe both. I think it's very in-character for Mom to be torn up about the cat's death, so she wanted the funeral to have all the pomp and circumstance she believed he deserved.

The fact that the appearifier was already programmed to the moment before Jaspers's death means that Mom was trying to clone him through ectobiology. She really loved that cat. Rose is unable to realize this because she still views her mother as a callous and passive-aggressive bitch.

In what is perhaps the eeriest flash in the whole comic, we see a time lapse of Jaspers's body being recovered, his funeral, and the sequence of events leading to his body's reappearance on the transportalizer platform. "Chorale for Jaspers" is a strange track. The combination of the dreary organ and those sad, ethereal meows makes for an disquieting tune.

Coming off the heels of that somber flash is this overly dramatic flash where John has a mental breakdown after finding out how boring his dad really is. This so-called "reveal" that Dad Egbert is just a normal guy and not an undercover clown is like... no shit? Who in their right mind actually thought that he was a clown before this point? John's misconceptions made no sense to begin with and this payoff is equally underwhelming. At least this running gag is finally put to rest now.

I'd love to write this off as just another lame joke if not for the narrative weight attached to it. Yes, this load of shit is actually a pivotal moment for John's development.

Okay, I stand corrected. Dad Egbert is definitely not "just a normal guy" if he's able to hold that safe over his head.

He's also able to overpower the strongest Derse goon who was carrying a much larger safe. This dude is jacked.

Every panel we've seen so far suggests that everything related to the sylladex is flat like a card (especially with such terminology like captchalogue "card" and strife "deck"). Blowing into them suggests there's some kind of exterior housing and a hollow space inside where dust collects.

I get that Hussie is using this as an excuse to make this old video game joke, but if they're completely flat like say a TurboGrafx-16 game card, you wouldn't blow on those at all.

Trust me, I'm like one of the 10 people who grew up with a TG-16 instead of a Nintendo.

The admission that John's freakout over the Gushers is "stupid" suggests that his earlier mental breakdown was not "stupid." Uh huh...

Jade has a robot that her consciousness inhabits while she's dreaming on Prospit. Because at this point, why the fuck not? It's not like she builds anything else later on so might as well make this invention really complex. This is one last gasp at reminding the reader that, hey, remember this girl likes to invent stuff???

"guys'es"? That's a weird typo. John's username is "ghostyTrickster" in the past. According to the Formspring, Hussie noticed that the kids' usernames except John's all share the letters of DNA nucleobases, so this is him to backtrack and say "oh, his username used to fit the pattern until he changed it."

And like... it's stupid because TT, TG, and GG only correspond to two of the four nucleobases: thymine and guanine. That's hardly even notable, so why try to establish that pattern anyway?

The trolls came about later to complete the full set of nucleobase combinations. He created twelve whole new characters to complete a pattern that was half-formed and wasn't even intentional to begin with. Incredible.

John doesn't seem terribly concerned that the fire has reached Rose's house. This can be read as either a bumbling attempt at matching her sarcasm, or him taking her statement at face value and thinking she really is pleased that her house is on fire. Knowing John, the latter is more likely.

John refers to Bro beating up Dave in a very flippant manner. We can take this as evidence that Dave and Bro's strifes aren't actually that concerning. But if we're meant to take Dave's domestic situation seriously, then holy shit what the fuck is John's problem??

You know, for all the people who say John and Dave have such a strong friendship, John's been acting like a real dick to Dave so far. He insults him in his chats with Rose, ignores his messages, throws shade at him in his portion of the GameFAQs guide, and makes light of his distress. The only nice thing he's done for Dave so far is give him the Ben Stiller sunglasses for his birthday, and even that was an admittedly shitty gift that he assumed Dave would only appreciate "ironically."

Okay, this is what I've been waiting for. Rose says she knew about John's defaced posters all along.

But in this page, from Rose's own viewport, the posters are fine.

Rose also says that she can "see only [...] what John can see, or has seen already" which is why she can't see into his dad's room. Taking the above page into account, it's also reasonable to assume that since John was unable to see the damaged posters until now, Rose couldn't see them either.

Basically, this whole "twist" doesn't make sense and was poorly executed.

Not content with telling us himself how amazing Jade is, Hussie has characters in the comic say it too.

Aw yeah, there he is. My boy gets his first appearance. <3

Rose spouts a bunch of psychobabble about how John has been repressed all his life and it's only by learning the truth about his father that he's able to see what was once invisible to him. Not only is this event being framed as a pivotal moment where John grows from boy to man (further represented by John earning his suit after entering his dad's room), it's also supposed to be an enlightening moment for him. All because he solved a "mystery" that any reader with a brain would've figured out from the get-go.

As seen before in instances where she's either dismissive or totally ignorant of the motives behind others' behavior, Rose only possesses a superficial knowledge of psychoanalysis. Everything points to her being a massive pseud, so her theory here should've been called out as bogus. Except this isn't actually Rose positing a theory. This is Hussie literally spelling out the explanation for John's actions. We're meant to take Rose's words here at face value, so it means that Hussie somehow thinks any of this makes sense. This is what happens when dumb writers try to write smart characters.

It's funny that Rose correctly states the reason for Dad Egbert's eccentric nature, but fails to make the same connection to her own situation, instead continuing to insist that Mom Lalonde is just being passive-aggressive. Cruel irony. You don't know your mom that well either, Rose.

The further we go into this Act, the more elements Hussie seems to throw at the wall to further bog down the plot and create the illusion of depth. Let's see how things wrap up in the final third.

Read the next post here.

#homestuck #homestuck reread #peregrine mendicant #mom lalonde #jade harley #rose lalonde #john egbert #dad egbert #aimless renegade #grandpa harley

11 notes · View notes

fluffypotatey · 3 months

Note

"Strings that bind" "Collar the King" EVIL PURE EVILLLL I'm sure its double meaning, but oooh that's a classic reference to relationship ties, AND EXCUSE YOU FOR THE 2ND EP TITLE LIKE not shackle, COLLAR like he's some wild monkey!! the alliteration makes it so owie, short and final. so doomsday, like all titles that keep ONLY referring to Wukong as "king" guy who cannot escape the narrative crown he placed on himself and now nobody ever lets him live it down.

oh it is >:3

Strings that Bind =

Strings are a very common metaphor to use for stories (plot threads and web of tales are some examples)

and then there’s it’s second most common metaphor which is relationships!!!! what’s another word we use to talk about relationships? bonds

AND WHAT ARE BONDS????? HMMMMMMM??????

not to mention the ever infamous and hood old Red String of Fate (how on the nose of you lmk 🧐)

so the title not only implies it will focus on the relationships with the lmk cast since s4

as well as foreshadows where they stand in the story/destiny/fate

Collar the King =

like you said, dear anon, lmk was very specific with their wording here

they could have chosen any other i. Their trusty thesaurus but nooOOOOOoooooo

THEY CHOSE COLLAR

because isn’t that how Heaven and the Diyu view SWK? a scarily powerful monkey who cheated death multiple times and causes nothing but trouble

an untamed and chaotic thing that they feel like should be collared because maybe then they can tame it into submission

but the thing is, SWK already when through his redemption arc in jttw

he wore his circlet bc he 100% would have left Tripitaka for dead and gone back on his deal if not. he went on his soul searching journey and learned the power of friendship and self reflection like a good boy

but that doesn’t seem to be enough for Heaven and the Diyu since SWK still has his powers and uses however he sees fits (which, for them, has meant almost watching the world ends 2-3 times in the past few years) and they won’t even bother to look even deeper into why Wukong has had to use his powers

also, king. Ten Kings. Collar the King. There’s something else there i just know it

#lmk #lmk spoilers #lmk s5 #lmk s5 spoilers #lmk sun wukong #asks

8 notes · View notes

gallifreyanhotfive · 5 months

Note

I am so, so insane about your watching the show fic. I have reread it like 4 times by now lol (I am such a sucker for doctor/master and their incredibly toxic dynamic <3). I'm assuming at some point we'll see The Parting of the Ways bc I think Jack is a pretty big source of guilt for this doctor, but would we see The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances? and if you haven't thought abt it, would you consider it? I'm very biased about Jack lol (and the 9th doctor in general), so I'm rly curious abt it!

also, idk how you've managed to write so much in such a short amount of time it is incredibly impressive and I wish I had your powers of. write

Hi hi hi!!!! Thank you so much!!! (Feeling very blessed with interaction rn. Much serotonin. :))

I am also rather biased towards Jack. :) My favorite Doctor changes on almost a daily basis (depending on who I watched/listened to last usually), but Nine is also quite amazing.

I definitely plan on doing all three titles you listed above at some point. The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances is basically my favorite Nine story. :)

I'm not sure when I'll get there quite yet though. I tend to plan out several chapters in advance, but even those are subject to change until the moment I start writing them lollll

But the way things are going so far is that after The Giggle we are having an interlude, going away from the new series for a chapter, back to the new series for two chapters, and then going to the audios for a little bit. I kind of have an absolutely crazy plan going on in the back of my head right now (like dear God y'all have no idea the horrors I'm planning on pulling out of my sleeve).

But after I subject them to the next round of horrors, I was thinking of using The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances in particular as a 'cool down,' just as they will be having a cool down period after The Giggle. And I always love a quick reference to the Doctor’s early life of course, which that story has.

Anyway, I'm not going to reveal too many cards yet because I'm cackling to myself about my evil plan rn, but this is sort of the plan as of rn (but as I said, until it is being written, the order is subject to change)

An interlude (and the possible addition of some of my favorite companions I desperately regret deleting from my first draft - seriously I have been kicking myself for months - which would involve quickly catching them up)

A regeneration story (funny as hell considering they're expecting a calm adventure, but the Doctor doesn't even think this one is that bad in comparison...)

Oh My God What Happened to Him (another regeneration story, but this one is Painful)

Poor Clara had to deal with THREE of you?

There's three of you again here too. Who's Vansell? Oh no you got shot. Now your leg is broken. God damn it now you're screaming your head off.

Did Shakespeare just roofie you with ginger?!?!?!?!

You might want to get off that airship. It's going to crash. Did you just save someone who was supposed to die? Oh fuck now you're emotionally invested in her. Oh no now she's your best friend.

Plastic Daffodils and a Doomsday Weapon - Sounds Like a Date To Me

And then the next round of Horrors commence, after which will likely be The Empty Child because yes.

And so on and so forth...

#asks #ask #hello!!!!#yall im so happy for these interactions #thanks so much #doctor who #dw #dr who #classic who #new who #big finish #big finish doctor who #big finish audios #watching the show #watching the show fic #fanfiction #fanfic

10 notes · View notes

the-haunted-office · 19 days

Note

(advice column meme)

Dear.......well, I'm actually not sure who I should ask this to, so I'll just say anyone who isn't going to mock me or make a joke out of this, because I'm having a very hard time here and I really, really need help.

I recently split from my partner (not revealing name or gender, as I don't want anyone going after them about this, so I'lljust call them Partner and use They/Them) of....a really long time. And I did so during.....a really nasty fight. I.....I can't even remember what we fought over anymore. But we both said a lot of very hurtful things, and I threw things.....I think I physically hurt Partner when I did, I'm not sure. I was such a mess when it happened.

Anyway, it's been a while. I don't know how long exactly, since during that time I tried to lose myself in a project and kind of unintentionally lost myself someplace else instead, where I think time moves faster than it does here. But my issue is......I miss Partner. I miss how strong and warm their arms felt around me. I miss how they said things just to make me blush. I miss how they were always there for me......I just miss Partner. I.....I honestly don't think they wanted to split up, and that I kinda....forced it on them, in the heat of the moment when we fought. I want to say something to them, that I want to get back together or at the very least that I'm sorry for the things I did and said that hurt them. But.....I'm afraid of making things worse. Right now, we aren't talking but they don't hate me. I don't want to hurt them more.

I've been trying to work this out myself and it's proving extremely difficult. I think I need some outside help here, or at least an outside perspective to help me figure out what to do. So please, someone help me.

{ My character now has an advice column in a respectable periodical. Ask them advice on anything from romantic conundrums to windmill operation tips! }

The Haunted Office folks all look at this letter written to them, this desperate plea for help, this... relationship advice... with a mixture of feelings. Puzzlement. Sorrow. Regret. Sympathy. But above all... oh hell no, nobody got time for that. Especially since the writer has specifically requested someone who isn't going to mock them or make a joke out of it.

They spend the next two minutes playing Hot Potato with the letter, passing it around amongst each other like it's something that is poison, like whoever is holding it at the end of a particular period of time will either die or - even worse - have to respond to it. Doomsday straight up throws it at the group and flees from the room, yelling "BITCHES", without even so much as looking back. Thursday pulls her hood up over her head like she didn't even see it and hides in the nearest closet. Oleander dissolves back into code and slips back into the computer sitting next to them. Cyrus gives a mournful look at the mournful piece of paper, before mournfully handing it over to Stanley and mournfully walking out of the room. Stanley stares at the piece of paper. Looks up at September. September looks at Stanley. Says, "No." And just... melts through the floor without another word.

Stanley looks back at the letter. He reads it again, thoroughly, realizing that the responsibility of responding to this mess has been left up to him. It's a heavy burden. Saving the couple's relationship, possibly. All weight down on his shoulders.

But what could he even have to say about this? This is... beyond his comprehension. Stanley has never really been in a relationship before. Well. Technically he has. It's just that he can't remember. And since he's been in both his own Office and the Haunted Office, he hasn't been in one. He's had some... rather strange "relationships" between himself and his Narrators, but he wouldn't consider those actual relationships. The closest he's gotten is his connection with Cyrus, but he isn't really sure what that even is. It's like they're dancing around each other with something that he can't quite name, but... he has no idea what it could be.

At any rate, none of it answers this letter for him. So, Stanley shrugs, puts the letter down on the desk next to him. pulls out a fresh piece of paper, and gets to writing his response.

Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to hear about your relationship. That sounds like a really rough situation to be in. I hope everything works out for you. I will try my best to help, although I have to admit my own experience with relationships is sparse.

I think sometimes we all make mistakes. We make the wrong choices without realizing they are the wrong choices at the time we make them. How can we know they are wrong until we make them? Until after the fact? You are already through the doorway before you realize it's the wrong path, and by then there is no going back. You can only forge ahead. There is always going to be a voice yelling at you to go back, that you've done the wrong thing, how could you mess everything up, you must be some kind of idiot. But the truth is, anybody could have been in your shoes. Anybody could have made your same mistake. The person yelling at you could have been anybody. Nobody is perfect, and you shouldn't hold yourself to it either.

I doubt Partner thinks that of you, and if they do, then they are not right for you. I think the only way you could hurt them more is by not saying anything to them at all. Silence is the worst thing, I think. Not having any answer. Not making any choice. It's the absence of choice that kills us. If you don't make any choice, you will never have an answer. You will be stuck in that room staring at two doors with a voice yelling at you, and the only way that voice will be right is if you don't do anything.

So pick a door. Go through one and make a choice. Even if it ends up giving a "bad" outcome, it was still a choice. Still a decision. Still something you chose to do. You will still have an answer, and a way of moving forward, a way of moving on, instead of being stuck.

I don't know if that helps at all. I hope it does. Good luck, Reader. I wish you and Partner the best.

Stanley

#anonymous ask #stanley johnson #thank you for the ask!

2 notes · View notes

geneeste · 11 months

Text

Genie's SG-1 Rewatch: Singularity

Season 1, Episode 15. In which I have a VERY unexpected reaction to the setup to this episode, and then cry.

PREVIEW:

6:42 THIS IS WHY YOU DON’T PUT A LITERAL WELCOME SIGN ON A PLANET ANNOUNCING YOUR PRESENCE JFC “Dear Bad Guys, the SGC has an outpost here on this defenseless planet, please come kill everyone in it and send a doomsday device in the chest of a cute, traumatized little girl to destroy the SGC and all the stuff in a several-mile radius, kthxbai”

5:10 Yay Singularity A nice palette cleanser after Hathor, ugh Lol Daniel “it’s black and it’s a hole” This man is a PhD

5:11 I love Sam’s spiraling hand gestures describing the matter entering the black hole Very cute, if dangerous

5:12 “Actually, it’s called the accretion disc” That’s my man, Jack Not just a pretty face

5:14 HEH Daniel’s slow on the uptake there Again, this man is a PhD

5:15 HEE Sam backing Jack’s knowledge up I loooooove it And I love them Sassy squared “Not initially” ew jack

5:17 Okay, hold up though — is this the first (and I’m pretty sure the last?) time we get this like road sign for a planet?

5:18 I am very confused by this thing, because I don’t think you’d want to advertise the SGC’s presence on this planet (HI GOAULD, WELCOME TO HANKA, ENJOY YOUR STAY!) And people from the SGC would certainly know who FROM THE SGC would be there

5:19 What is exactly the point of this highway sign aside from memorializing whoever Douglas McLean is (of blessed memory, I’m sure, not trying to be mean to this person)

5:20 What a weird ass thing to put here

5:22 Teal’c spidey sense is tingling Oh no poor guy I’m glad that they’ve put Daniel through at least some basic emergency protocols He springs right into action there

5:24 So one of the things that Mr Genie and I talk a lot about is that the US military would not send just 4 people through through an alien device to unknown territory

5:26 And I also have trouble suspending disbelief a little with remote bases on other planets because it’s veeeeerrrrry unlikely there’d be just a handful of people in these places ever So like SG1 showing up and wondering where everyone is...is just not something I think would actually happen

5:30 (Another random aside: I also sometimes wonder why they picked the Air Force as the managing service for the Stargate and not, say, the Army — I get it’s the most technology-oriented of the services and I am definitely biased toward them, but the USAF doesn’t really do infantry. I would have expected to see them either hand field operations over to the Army or see Joint Operations established waaaaaay earlier)

5:32 PM Oof they’re all dead I knew that was coming, but still, that sucks

5:33 WHY IS JANET’S HAIR DOWN AND WHY IS IT DOWN OFF WORLD The military doesn’t care if you’re pretty! JFC

5:34 Although yes, damn Janet is pretty Don’t distract me, you’re out of uniform!

5:36 Ugh is that a kid? I hate that (I mean I know other kids must have died but of course it upsets me to see it) 5:37 Do we ever find out if Cassie has any siblings? I wish we’d gotten more of her backstory

5:38 I feel like the story of her life before Sam and Janet was pretty thin considering this calamitous thing that happened hahaha Teal’c is making that face!

5:40 (I always thought it was RDA that said this, but apparently it was Michael Shanks who once took Chris Judge aside and was like, “you’re a handsome guy, why are you always doing that thing with your face???”) TEAL’C IS SO GENTLE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH My heeeeeeaaaaaart 5:41 Oh Sam, please stop telling the little girl who’s entire world was basically just murdered that everything’s okay

5:43 I like that Sam gets to be soft in this episode So often characters like hers don’t get to be soft without being punished in some way for it 5:45 Okay, so here’s the thing though I get why Sam would feel that SGC died for nothing if they didn’t study the black hole BUT I don’t understand the argument she’s trying to make about the rest of HANKA At this point there’s no reason to believe their deaths have anything to do with the phenomena so her curiosity comes across as really callous and selfish

5:49 That was a good bit of camera work, seeing the gate room from Cassie’s perspective It came across as pretty daunting

5:50 Oh my god Sam, why in the world would you think leaving a little girl whose WHOLE WORLD HAS JUST DIED in a concrete room on an unfamiliar planet by herself?

5:51 This isn’t even “never been a parent before” stuff, this is BASIC HUMAN DECENCY STUFF

5:52 why is Janet’s hair STILL DOWN It is way past her collar I don’t know why this is bugging me BUT IT IS REALLY BUGGING ME

5:54 Sam drawing herself into Cassie’s picture so she knows she’s not alone kills me every. time.

5:55 Y’all ever think about Cassie was trapped by herself on a planet surrounded by the corpses of everyone she ever knew

5:57 I hate that we didn’t see the real consequences from that in the show

5:57 PM sighs forever at this shows ongoing inability to handle real fallout on screen like 99% of the time

5:58 PM The scene with Jack explaining black holes to Teal’c is very funny but totally pointless Couldn’t we have skipped this and dealt with emotional stakes instead Did we just need to remind everyone that Jack and Teal’c are still on the planet? Lol

6:01 I love that silly grabby hands thing Sam does to Cassie in the infirmary Very much something I might do to make my kids laugh

6:02 Oh Cassie

6:03 “What? What do I do?” Aaaaahhhh Sam I feel ya honey, it’s the worst

6:04 Why are they doing CPR though? Is she not breathing? They didn’t say Cassie wasn’t breathing I’m confused Okay, so now she’s intubated that was fast Not sure what’s actually wrong here but it sucks all around

6:06 There’s...nothing attached to the breathing tube Why is it there Did they mean to place an airway? I AM VERY CONFUSED BY THIS DRAMATIC MEDICAL SCENE 6:13 Okay, not for nothing, but: if the show had chosen to pivot to Janet and Sam: Adoptive Moms/Life Partners Who Solve Mysteries, they would have had at least one viewer That viewer would have been me

6:14 I know this is a serious moment but this shot with that blue lighting is very flattering to Janet, Sam, and Daniel

6:15 Okay, I’m sorry, hold up again How exactly are they visualizing or trying to remove (or whatever it is they’re doing) Cassie’s chest bomb thing? Did they cut her open??? Is it minimally invasive surgery? What exactly is happening here 6:18 Are we saying it’s an intelligent tumor/bomb I never got this part of the story 6:20 This is a really sweet moment between Sam and Daniel Daniel is actually being kind and supportive and I love him for it Good job, Daniel

6:21 I love that Jack is enthusiastic about studying the black hole But I am a little annoyed that they let him enjoy this without making fun of him for it And that he gets to be proud of his knowledge of astronomy While Sam is so often set up and then mocked for her expertise/belittled for enjoying nerdy things BUT WHATEVER I’M NOT BITTER

6:46 And now I’m getting upset that I don’t think they ever deal with the fact that it’s essentially their fault Hanka showed up on the Goa’uld radar at all And not in a “sometimes our presence has unintended, unforeseeable consequences” kind of way but in a “We were homicidally negligent in our treatment of this planet” way Like, I am kind of appalled now because I can’t unsee it Did they never talk to Cassie about this? Jesus Like holy shit this is several levels of terrible that I never thought about before

6:56 That is some amazing resolution on that telescope (not satellite, lol) (Apologies, I’m pretty salty tonight)

7:00 And now I’m feeling very conflicted about using this little girl’s trauma as drama fodder for Sam Damn, I am looking at this ep in a whole new way (And also. I don’t buy Sam’s ‘military’ excuse for having to be detached. that doesn’t make sense to me at all)

7:02 Stepping back from the hella problematic setup of this storyline (and HOO BOY IS IT A BIG ONE), lots of potential Sam/Daniel shippyness in this ep I see solid friendship here but I totally get why someone would see a ship instead

7:05 Oh, so now you’re okay with sending additional backup to defend against one little girl but a few guys to protect an entire planet and probably a million dollar’s worth of equipment after you’ve broadcast your location to your deadliest enemy is fine Got it (Man. I am genuinely surprised by my reaction to this ep. Oof.) 7:10 I am begrudgingly acknowledging that this is a good shot of SG-1 I want it on the record that I am lodging this note on their attractiveness under protest 7:11 Heh “What about the abandoned nuclear facility at—“ “Right!” I suspect that bit of dialogue was inspired by military PA’s standard response to questions about nuclear weapons facilities: “I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at ____________.” @sharim28, 7:13 Hahaha yes convenient cut off Very smooth @geneeste, 7:14 So smooth Sam holding Cassie while she sleeps in the back of the truck is legit heartbreaking stahp I don’t want to feel things while I’m mad at you, show 7:16 Aahhhh Sam already knows she won’t be coming back up when Jack offers to take Cassie You can see it in her face That is some great acting by AT and MY HEART And I swear Jack has an inkling too It’s why he’s so insistent about the time 7:17 And that eye contact between her and Jack as the elevator doors close GAH Stupid show.

7:18 “Please, go back to sleep.” STOP IT I MEAN IT

7:19 This really is difficult to watch Poor Sam. Poor Cassie. Poor everybody.

7:21 Ahhhh Sam DON’T CRY SAM 7:22 That Jack switches from Captain Carter to Sam is just chefskiss.gif

7:23 So I love both the fact that Jack is desperately ordering Sam to come back up AND that Sam is desperately ignoring him Also perfection 7:24 (Don’t think I’ve forgotten the shitty thing you did show I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN I’M JUST TAKING A BREAK) Jack’s not leaving MY HEART 7:25 And also I love SG1 but of course Jack wouldn’t leave Cassie’s “I love you” really does feel earned here and that’s hard to do in such a short amount of time A testament to AT’s acting chops because I’m not feeling particularly charitable toward the writing right now 7:26 More great camerawork on Daniel and Teal’c I wonder who directed this ep

7:30 Mario Azzopardi — he hasn’t done much I recognize now. Peter Woeste on cinematography. Good work sirs. More good camera work on the guys 7:31 “We could have been wrong about the time.” “We could have been wrong about what would happen.” I love the drama but I’m mad about it 7:32 He switched to Sam again! I can’t wait to listen to this podcast ep of Chevrons Locked 7:34 PM Yes Daniel’s celebratory slap at Teal’c HA I love it 7:35 Why are we insisting on putting Sam in mom clothes Although I’m loving Teal’c's fashion

7:36 “A mother’s instinct, perhaps.” “Subtle, but no.” That is such a great little moment between Teal’c and Sam

7:38 Jack not so subtlety ushering the dog and the guys away

7:38 So sweet Big old softy Pretty sure that dog is walking Jack, but whatever

7:40 Sweet ending

7:41 I will never look at this episode or the whole storyline leading up to Cassie’s appearance the same way again, though Phew. That was an unexpected ride

7:42 Um. I just looked it up. Katie Stuart (Cassie) is a year older than me. Wut. the actress is frozen in my brain at 13 so this is very weird to discover

#stargate sg1 #genie's rewatch #1x15 #Singularity #an unexpected ride for sure #please note this rewatch was live like 3 years ago lol #only now getting this ep up #sorry y'all

2 notes · View notes

ava-monstrum · 2 years

Text

LCB CH01 [2]

spoilers ahead

A-Team is doing good so far

Oh dear Don is staggered

YOOO SINCLAIR FINISHED ONE OFF, IM PROUD OF THE BOY!

Oop, the game can't seem to handle Gregor's ego, shame... Never mind it worked.

…okayyy…

Guess we’re gonna gamble now

WAIT THATS ALEX!?

Wow Heathcliffs’ doing some deduction work

Huh, so some Abnos need regular sacrifices, and the. The trapped L corp members fought each other to save themselves

At least Alex seems to care about Yuri

OH SHOOT WHAT!? A CHECK?

UHHHH

I THINK ILL FIGHT….OH BOY..

CRAP WISH ME LUCK

Gonna go with B team…I need A team ready for the Abno boss

COOL I WON

I USED MY HEAD

also I found out that bleed causes chip damage

Nice a checkpoint, I was worried there wouldn’t be one

Time for abno boss…

Gonna switch out Don for Yi Sang…

Doomsday Calendar…

OH WAIT

Looks like I could’ve offered a clay doll but I don’t have one…

I guess I’ll go for Ishmael… I’m not sure I understand how this works…

OH IT WORKED!

Oh, Ishmael lost 20 hp. I wonder what calming it did?

Looks like it’s weaker now

Dang, another check...Might go with Gregor since he has so many coin flips...

NICE

Shoot Gregor loses 30 hp...

But something about [frenzy] of [doomsday calendar] expired? Crap Gregor's near death

Oooh but Yi Sang Wishing Cairn Ego did a lot of damage!

Unfortunately Sinclairs ego didn't do as much...

Oh dear, there's a dangerous glow...

I'm gonna throw everything into the abno, it looks like the calendar's gonna do something to the smaller abno...

I KILLED IT! THANK YOU OUTIS.

Rodya quit teasing Gregor

???

Oh shoot a growl?

Excuse me!? Gregor!

Crap is an abno messing with him?

STOP

WHAT!?

We’re in a warfield huh?

Oh boy…

NOOOO! His voice-! HE SOUNDS SO SAD!!! MS FRIZZLE TURN THE BUS AROUND I DONT WANNA LEARN ABOUT WAR!

#LCB CH01 #LCB CH01 [2]#limbus company spoilers #limbus company

2 notes · View notes

zorkaya-moved · 11 months

Note

" i --- can not deal with his ramblings today," and while it wasn't in tighnari to flee the meetings with his former master, there were certain topics and days that sent the forest watcher on his heels back out the door he had planned to enter. " i can already hear his shuffling inside that office . it indicates a bad day or that he has managed to misplace one of his dear research projects, you should go instead."

as to why the two of them had been summoned by naphis was beyond tighnari, but surely it couldn't bode well that both him and zarina found themselves outside his office, tighnari visibly bothered by the invitation. he did have other duties than to play fetch with misplaced documents and the continuous, disgruntled frustration of a sage's dislike towards the others, the younger as well as older who had no understanding for the fine arts of --- well, whatever naphis had come to declare as his topic of wrath for the day.

" i could remain here and plot an escape," head nodded once, tighnari gazing in the direction that led to freedom. " his letter was typically loud, so i can only assume it will be a long hour of rambling. "

@avaere

Sokolova bites her tongue to not call Tighnari a swear word in Snezhnaya for the sole reason of pettiness. It seems that Amurta scholars share some traits: pettiness and snark, a sharpness of mind translates into sharpness of tongue. Lo and behold as Zarina thinks to herself how she did not expect to see a fellow scholar (now ranger) in front of the Sage's door. Naphis is known for his temper tantrums (as she calls them) and she comes over to either hear about some other Sages' behaviors, a misplaced plan, an educational rant, or something to do with either returning to Akademiya as something else, something more.

"What a shame, my fellow green mantled friend," Zarina pats Tighnari's shoulder, dramatic in her gestures as she wipes off a non-existent tear and stepping away to not invade his private space for longer than a second. "I, too, cannot handle the ranting of an old man who seems to have no friends aside from his best students."

Suddenly, she takes a deeper breath and...

"Oh, Tighnari, whatever will we do?!"

The back of her hand is pressed against her forehead as another rests on her waist, her back bent backwards as she becomes the Fontainian opera songstress who is ready for another act of theater. Shocked, she brings her hands to her mouth as if she understood just what she's done and felt 'guilty' for it.

"Oh, sorry, was I too loud?" A smile is clearly hiding behind her hands as her eyes shimmer with mischief, her voice softer now only for Tighnari to hear. (What a fucking asshole.)

She sure was loud enough for the Sage probably hearing that they've arrived. Both of them. A specific louder note on saying the name of the fellow Amurta graduate, her eyes of ichor brimming with sly playfulness and smug showcase of not letting the ranger escape this torture alone. As if he will pay her back or as if he'll be able to get her out if she agrees to such a benefitless turn of events. If Tighnari suffers with her, at least, she can have a laugh after.

Cheekiness continues as she steps forward to the doors where their once-mentor resides, waiting for his best students to come in and listen to his woes. If they work together, they'll get out faster and Sokolova already has a plan in action working inside her mind. Naphis isn't hard to lead away with speeches, charisma will be her weapon and she hopes Tighnari will catch on what she means to do during their talk to make the Sage of Amurta let them go earlier. But, oh well, alone she won't be able to execute that plan.

"I also have business to attend to, Tighnari, let's make this quicker than your doomsday speech portrays it to be. Since it's both of us, just play along with me and we're gonna be outta here in 30 minutes," she winks before she pushes the doors open, cutting away the other's means of escape now that the voice of the Sage can be heard greeting them both and hurrying them up to walk in. As loud as always, huh? Naphis never changes. "Chop, chop, Tighnari, let's make sure our elder isn't lonely." Zarina can't help but giggle after those words, walking into the room with her head held high.

Time to play around and get out in thirty minutes at the latest. If Tighnari plays along. Oh, she wonders if he'll get his petty revenge on her later. She cannot wait to hear his words after this meeting is over. What a delight it'll be to listen to or witness.

#zarina is being an asshole to tighnari because she doesnt want to suffer alone #amurta graduates solidarity: i aint staying with naphis alone to listen to his ramblings u suffer with me #avaere #i think this is hilarious #❄ ― IN CHARACTER. ╱ you breathe by the sun，i breathe by the moon.#i also didnt have that icon with a new border so lmao

0 notes

beastfury5580 · 2 years

Text

Donkey Kong Z Episode 8

Episode 8: Battle in Fichina (Gnasty Gnorc and K Rool went into Fichina along with their Gnorc and Kritter snow soldiers to find the Mango fruit gem. While battling in the snow, Fox and Andross found the star fruit gem and they both fought each other to get it until andross won and used a doomsday machine to attack the crossover gang while also trying to destroy planet fichina.)

Dragon Ball Z Opening Theme Song Rock the Dragon 720p HD (Short)

Next Episode/Last Episode - Dragon Ball Z ost - The Saga Continues

Narrator: Last time on Donkey Kong Z! DK and Diddy returned to planet corneria only to find it in trouble from androsses army and star wolf has returned to join K Rool's cause in finding the fruit gems. DK battled against the supreme commander himself kaliga but ended up enduring serious injuries during the fight which left diddy afraid and broken. Now the heroes approach into planet fichina, they now find the star fruit gem. How can heroes make a comeback after their defeat, find out on Donkey Kong Z!

Things are quiet in the great fox - Policenauts Soundtrack [PSX][Sega Saturn][PC98] - 01 - Legendary Faces

Spyro: *Laying in bed* ... Crash: *Jumps up happily* Hai!^^ Aku Aku: What's wrong? Spyro: Ember.. she turned on us because of me. I ran out of butterflies so I'm basically useless. Aku Aku: Nonsense. Crash. Crash: *Turned around then pulled out a rare butterfly in a bottle* Ta da! Spyro: How? Aku Aku: We always kept one for emergency and this seems to be now. Spyro: *Gave a small smile* Thanks Crash.

*Crash broke the bottle and Sparx came back, meanwhile with Fox*

Fox: *Focusing on the gem search* Krystal: Fox you haven't ate yet nor rested. Fox: No time for that. We can't lose another battle. After the last two gems they'll be after us for what we have. Krystal: Dear. Falco: Look, everyone is hurt including you. But being stubborn now is not an option. You need your rest in order to come up with better plans otherwise we'll force you to. Fox: ..... Slippy, location report, please... Slippy: Good news, there's one fruit gem on planet fichina. Fox: Good, hyperjump there immediately. Peppy: Hold on fox, we shouldn't rush into things especially since yo- Fox: We don't have time to waste here!! The shadow alliance could be on that planet right now while we're all just sitting here an- *Got knocked on the head by Krystal and passed out* Krystal: Sorry fox but you left us no choice. Slippy: Oh thank god, I thought he'd never lay down...

*In Diddy's Room*

Diddy: *Whimpers as I toss and turn in my sleep*

Diddy's Nightmare / Kaliga Destroying DK - Shenmue Music: Chai

*Kaliga is beating up DK and all diddy could do was watch, kaliga is evil laughing as he continues to punch and kicks DK*

Diddy: *Is shaking and trembling in fear* Kaliga: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

*In slow-motion, diddy can see the beatdown that kaliga is inflicting on DK as he screams in pain*

Diddy: Stop....please, stop! Kaliga: I shall do no such thing! It's your fault for leaving him in pain, now you must watch him die! DK: *Fell on my back, groaning in pain* Diddy! Help me! Please! Diddy: I can't! I'm scared! Kaliga: *Walks over to DK then pick him up by his neck and lifts him up* Did you honestly believe you could stop me? You don't have a chance in hell! DK: *Gasping for air trying to let go of kaliga's grip* Kaliga: *Puts my hand on DK's chest* Diddy: No....no... DK: DIDDYYYYYYY!!! AGH!!! *Got blasted through my chest and died instantly when it hit through my heart* Diddy: DK NOOOOOO!!!! Kaliga: *Throws DK's dead body down* Foolish ape. He prayed for death, and he found it. Don't you see? You can't protect anyone! Not even yourself!! Diddy: *Whimpers while tears went down my eyes* Kaliga: NOW DIE!!! *Fires a beam out of my hand* Diddy: *Screams*

*Outside of diddy's nightmare*

Diddy: *Woke up screaming* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! DK!!! *Got out of bed and ran toward the medic lab*

*Donkey kong is still in stasis*

Diddy: Awe man...he hasn't woken up yet...

DK's still not waking up / Diddy blues - Policenauts Soundtrack [PSX][Sega Saturn][PC98] 30 - Living in the real world

Diddy: *Walks over to DK then holds his hand*

*Falco, Krystal, Slippy, and even Peppy ran to where diddy was screaming then went into the medic lab to see him with DK*

Falco: Hey, you alright?! Slippy: We heard you screaming! Diddy: ...No...I'm far from alright... Peppy: Anything the matter? Diddy: I've been having nightmares and I haven't slept well at all because of what happened, they've been keeping me up...I feel so guilty for not helping DK when I should have. Now I'm scared to go back out there all because kaliga will kill me if I do...I'm not strong or brave...I'm far too weak for any of that. *Sniffles* I just want my uncle DK back! *Put my face down on DK's stomach* Krystal: Diddy, sweetheart. *Walks over to diddy and rubs his back* It won't be long until we reach planet fichina. Falco: Eventually you're gonna have to come out and help us. You can't go on like this cause you're just gonna let him win if you do. Diddy: I just can't do it okay?! I'm too scared... Peppy: We're gonna have to put diddy back to sleep again. He can't go on like this. Slippy: But what can we do? The nightmares are what's keeping him up. Krystal: You haven't even eaten anything since you've been to bed last night haven't you? Diddy: I tried to eat that sandwich you gave me but I threw it back up. I can't eat without DK, I can't sleep and I can't even fight! Krystal: You poor thing.. Peppy: Hey Slippy. Maybe we can design a machine that gives out good dreams only. Perhaps that will help calm him down. Slippy: That could work. Krystal: Good, you two get to work. I'll stay and keep his company. Falco: I'm gonna check on fox and make sure he isn't stubborn enough to wake up yet. *Walks off* Koriju: Everyone finally relaxed. Spyro: For now. *Flew in* Some reason our hero spirits failed us. This feeling is strange. Daisuke: *Walks over to Koriju and lays down* Koriju: *Petting Daisuke* For some reason with kaliga, K Rool got stronger than ever. We must find a way to double our efforts, especially with donkey kong still in stasis. Sparx: Bzzz, buzzz. Spyro: Yeah, we need more heroes on our team. Aku Aku: If that is possible who would help us? Spyro: How about gex? Aku Aku: Please be serious. -_- Spyro: Bubsy? Aku Aku: Absolutely not. Koriju: It does not matter how, we must make do with what we have. Crash: Hm! Lucario: "Yes Sonic and Mario can help. As well as Snake." Spyro: Now those are heroes who can fight. Well.. you know what I mean. Aku Aku: There is also Kirby too. Krystal: *Walks in holding Diddy in my arms to keep him safe* What are you boys up to? Spyro: We have a plan of bringing in more heroes to help us fight against K Rool. Koriju: Fine but we're not involving my brother bowser. Spyro: Why not? Koriju: I have my reasons. Aku Aku: Is diddy okay? Krystal: No. The nightmares he's experienced have been making him feel worse and he can't seem to sleep. Diddy: *hoots sadly while clinging to krystal* Krystal: See? This is the only way for him to feel safe. Spyro: I understand. Lucario: "The thing is, the coconut crystal is in Fox's room." Aku Aku: Why? Slippy: I have no ide-

*Suddenly a spark of light appeared in the center of the room then a portal opened*

Crash: ?! Koriju: NANI!? Slippy: YEOW!! What is that?! Krystal: Everyone, prepare yourselves!

*Sora and Roxas came out of the portal first, then Yoshi and finally Klonoa*

More Heroes have Arrived - Kingdom Hearts II Music - Sora's Theme

Sora: Thought you guys could use a little help. Yoshi: Yoshiii! ^^ Klonoa: Wahoo! Guntz: *Came out and fold my arms* Everyone: O_O...... Peppy: Yep...that'll do it.

*Meanwhile in the Shadow Alliance Warship*

Kaliga's Theme - Vegeta's Theme (Extended) - [Faulconer Productions]

Kaliga: *Went into a fighting stance with my eyes closed*

*Moving targets came out as kaliga opened his eyes and started smashing them by punching and kicking them to pieces. The kremling kritters saw kaliga's training as they slowly backed away and then ran off cause of the destruction he caused*

K Rool: *Watch with my arms behind my back* Hm. Kaliga: *Stops then breaths out with my eyes closed* Training complete. *open my eyes and looks up to K Rool* I have a feeling we will win. K Rool: That's quite an understatement. I KNOW we'll win. Kaliga: Well then that's not enough is it? K Rool: Oh? Kaliga: I don't want to just win the war, I want to vanquish ALL of my enemies that stand before me! Our race has been an insult to the kongs for far too long, the more I fight, the more stronger I'll become. Now do it again! Kremling Soldier: But sir the- Kaliga: I SAID AGAIN!!! Kremling Soldier: *Shrieks from the jumpscare* y-y-yes sir! Kaliga: And give me stronger targets this time, and be quick about it!

*Kremling Soldier types on the buttons then more targets came out but this time they are shooting at kaliga as he dodged then jump kicked and punched more targets to pieces. Kaliga roars as he uses his electro punch attack to destroy the last target*

K Rool: This is absolutely marvelous! *Evil laugh* What's even better is, I have another trick up my sleeves aside from my dragon form. Kaliga: Just one last thing. Kritter: Of course sir. *Types on the machine*

*The giant tungsten wall came up*

K Rool: What's this now?

*Every villain came to watch beside k rool*

Kaliga: Now then...*stomp my foot on the ground while grunting, clinching my fists*

Super Kaliga's Transformation - DBZ- Vegeta's Super Saiyan Theme Extended

*Dark chi begins to flow and grow around kaliga as he continues to concentrate leveling up his power, the whole ship is shaking because of kaliga's power growing as every kremling, gnorcs and rhynorcs are panicking cause of the ship's turbulence*

Kaliga: *Grunting in anger as his luminescent red markings glows around his body* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Dark chi grows even bigger within kaliga as he fully transforms into his super form*

K Rool: He did it! He actually did it!! Super Kaliga: *His skin fully turned black in his super form then clinched his fist once more* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! *Punched the tungsten wall into pieces* Everyone: O_O K Rool: I taught that boy well. Isn't he just a delightful prodigy? ^_^ Neo Cortex: Prodigy....wait a minute, you mean that crazed lunatic is your son?! K Rool: Well of course he is. Ripto: I see NO family resemblance. K Rool: That's because he's more like his mother but has an attitude like me. It's time we end all heroes once and for all. Super Kaliga: Death to all who stand in my way!! *Evil laughs*

*The scene moved when kaliga's laugh echoed*

Krystal: *Puts diddy to bed* Diddy: Are you sure this is going to work? Krystal: I'm positive diddy.

Lucario's Comfort - Shenmue Music: Master Chen Meeting (Game version)

Lucario: *Walks in* "I will use my aura to soothe diddy's anxiety and fear, he will be more relaxed once the machine is active" Diddy: I hope this works.. Slippy: The machine is a success. I tested it out on Peppy and there will be no malfunction. *Walks in to set up the machine* Lucario: *Hold my paws out and uses my aura technique onto diddy to soothe his entire body* Diddy: Mmmmmm....this feels really good. Lucario: Yeah? Diddy: Yeaaaah. ^_^ Lucario: "Good. Now close your eyes and relax." Peppy: As you're doing that we'll go ahead and set the machine up on you. That way you don't get startled. Diddy: Okay. *Takes a deep breath and close my eyes* Peppy: *Puts the dream machine on diddy's head and turned it on*

*Instantly diddy went into a deep sleep*

Krystal: Oh wonderful it works. ^_^ Falco: *Spoke through Krystal mic* Krystal I need your help with Fox! Fox: How dare you knock me out like that! *Tackle Falco* Krystal: *Sighs* On my way. *Walks off* Fox: I am going to beat the crap out of you for this!! Falco: Oh yeah?! Not if I knock you out again! Fox: Oh no, I'm not falling for that! Roxas: Well things certainly got interesting. Guntz: Hehe, he's beating him up good. Link: So what's the distress call? Banjo: We need more heroes to combat against the shadow alliance while also finding the fruit gems. Sora: Oh, fruit gems? How do they taste? Roxas: Sora, if they are gems then I'm sure they're not supposed to taste like anything. Sora: Oh, right. Yoshi: We'll definitely help you. It's been a long time since I had a great adventure. Kazooie: PLEASE tell me Ganon isn't going to join them. Link: Ganondorf has no need for fruit gems nor does he care for K Rool's ambitions. All he wants is the triforce. Banjo: Wait, which era are you from? Link: Ocarina of time. Spyro: And aren't you usually silent? Link: Yes, but for some reason, I can talk in this world. Yoshi: So can I, which is all well and good. Krystal: What are you doing?! *Got fox off of falco and restrain his arms* Fox: Let me go! I'm gonna kill him! Krystal: You needed your rest fox! Same as everyone else! Roxas: So does this usually happen? Banjo: Not frequently, no. Usually, we're pretty chill unless we need to be serious, and of course, crash and donkey kong are sometimes burping and farting. Roxas: Gross... Yoshi: Speak for yourself. *Wags my tail* ^_^ Fox: I don't need any rest! What we need is to finish this mission and retrieve those gems to cure DK and corneria! Krystal: *Turned Fox around and hugs him tight* Fox: We're heroes damn it! We're suppose to win! *Starts to cry* My home.. I-I couldn't save it.. but it's not about me. It's about everyone. *Fall to my knees* We had a chance to save DK when he was begging for help but I was foolish enough not to! Falco: Some reason he's feeling everyone's pain. Diddy for not saving DK. Lucario for not saving his world and Spyro for losing a friend. Krystal: *Pick up Fox and kiss his forehead* You rest now. We have new members on board as we speak. No more worrying promise? Fox: *Wipe my eyes then closed them as I nod* Klonoa: You lost a friend? Spyro: It's a LONG story...slippy will fill the rest in for all of you. Sora: Listen I know how you guys feel. We all experienced loss including me. I lost my island home and my friends but after defeating xemas, I reunited with my friends. But the Roxas that's with me was when everyone was and the 13 darknesses including master Xehanort was destroyed...well, I was transported into another world after the second keyblade war... Roxas: That is a paradox. Sora: Tell me about it. Falco: *Walks in* Whoa.. Sora: Hai!^-^ Aku Aku: We have more recruits to help. Falco: Well I know who all of you are but...I don't recall you two. Klonoa: I'm Klonoa and this is guntz. Guntz: Sup. Krystal: *Walks back in* Okay so fox told me why he hid the crystal coconut in his room. It was the only way to keep it away from K Rool and anyone else's hands until we gather all the fruit gems. Plus if it ever comes down to it, he'll wish for his planet to be restored to normal. Sora: A single coconut could do that? Roxas: It's crystal so yes it can. Sora: Oh. Daisuke: *Barks while running around the newcomers, wagging my tail panting* Guntz: *Pat Daisuke's head* Good boy. Koriju: He gets very excited to meet new people. Sora: Hey big guy! *Plays with Daisuke and laughs* DK: *Stomach rumbles as I'm starving and hoots sadly* .... Krystal: Poor dear.. he can't even eat with the pain he's in. DK: *Thinks* "So hungry...can't move...can't even talk....I gotta contact dad..."

DKJR's Practice in the Rain - MKMS - Wind God [Fujin Theme]

*Meanwhile on DK Isle, it is a dark and stormy night, filled with heavy rain and lightning, DKJR is practicing karate on the beach to while utitlizing his pure chi to help himself grow stronger then stopped fighting for a moment then clinch his right fist and focused my pure chi into my hand then ran toward the tree and punched it into pieces, make it exploded while pieces of branches fell down from the sky, then he focused his chi again and decided to do a flying chi kick and broke another tree down then the music stopped as he relaxed with a sigh*

DKJR's Meditation in the Rain - Enya - It's In The Rain (Instrumental)

DJ: *Walks over to sand then sat down and to do Shikantaza zen meditation and closed my eyes*

*For a moment, there was nothing but rain, thunder and lightning as DJ listened to both of them*

DK: *Voice* "Dad! Dad!" DJ: *Opened my eyes quickly* Son? Hmm... *Closed my eyes again then enters astral projection into DK's mind then saw him lying in stasis* DK! Son, are you alright?! DK: Yeah dad...I'm alright... DJ: Did K Rool do this?! DK: No...it was someone else...possibly more stronger than him...kaliga is his name. DJ: I knew I should have been there with you, I should have never let you go alone! DK: Come on dad....gotta let me grow up sometime right? *Chuckles then groans in pain* Owwwww....even laughing hurts so much, owww.... DJ: ...As much as it pains me to admit this but you're right....you're friends will find a way to restore you to full health. DK: I sure hope you're right. Though my team is suffering right now. Even Diddy is struggling to sleep. If we use the crystal coconut now those villains will find it. DJ: Then don't use it until then. *put my hand on DK's chest* I'm going to stay by your side no matter what. DK: It doesn't feel like you're next to me.. Father I am homesick. *Stomach rumbles* And hungry. >~< DJ: I know...*sighs* It's about time I told you the truth about kaliga. You've met him before, but you were a baby kong back then. When I and your mother used to go on adventures, you were captured by K Rool's family and were put in a cage. Kaliga Rool was the one that killed your mother after I rescued you. Now it seems he's gotten more stronger and dangerous since the last I saw him. Diddy would have to face him in order to not be afraid anymore. DK: Wait, Kaliga killed mother? That jerk will pay for this! *Grunts* I want to reach out to Diddy but i can't.. maybe you can help. DJ: I will attend diddy, just keep resting for a little while longer. DK: Not like I can go anywhere else...or even talk...bye dad. DJ: ... *Nods then Teleport into diddy's mind* Diddy: *Sleeping peacefully*

*In Diddy's Dream*

Diddy: *Sat on the flower fields watching the sky as well as birds chirping while flying. I yawn and lay back* DJ: *Bend forward looking down on diddy* Diddy: WHOA!! *Sat up straight fast then turned around* DJ: *Chuckles* Diddy: Give me a break, grandpa.

Grandfather DKJR's Wisdom - Shenmue Music: Dawn (Game version)

DJ: Starting to pick up your uncle's bad habits I see. Diddy: Grandpa DK I had this nightmare that DK died in front of me, kaliga was- DJ: I know diddy, relax. *Sat down on the ground next to diddy* You're going to have to face kaliga sooner or later you know. Diddy: I know but...grandpa I'm scared... DJ: Because of what kaliga could do? Diddy: Yes... DJ: Diddy, let me share my wisdom with you, it's okay to be afraid, everyone has fears including me or your great grandfather's cranky. But if you let the fear get to you, even control you, your enemies will use it against you until you'll become weaker and weaker, leaving no way to face the fear in front of you. I was afraid of DK traveling outside of the island, the people could not understand how special donkey kong is or how he is like I do...heck how his family would. But....knowing that everyone kept him safe for this long means I can trust DK to be on his own, he's an adult now after all, but you diddy kong, you are still a teenager, still have much to learn but you were always a peace seeker compared to your uncle, you rarely show fear until now. Diddy: But what can I do? DK barely laid a scratch on kaliga so how could I? DJ: A warrior always finds a way to overcome any obstacle, including those that are brought before him or her. Having something to fight for makes anyone stronger, even you diddy. You must learn to adapt to your fear and keep going from there. Always remember that. Diddy: I will grandpa DK. DJ: And besides the ancient kongs bestowed you the super kong form for a reason, same as they did for me and funky. Diddy: Wait what?! Funky's got one too?! DJ: Yes but he only uses it if he needs to. He does help people by other means than violence. Anyways back to what I was saying, the kong family didn't raise you to be a coward, we and everyone else raised you to be strong like your uncle, so if it comes down to it, you will have to defend yourself without the help of my son. It's the only way to truly feel independent is to fight on your own. Do you understand? Diddy: Yes, I do. DJ: Good. *Hugs diddy* I've missed you grandson. Diddy: I missed you too grandpa... *tears came down my eyes* DJ: *Stands up* I best get going, the island is currently in a rainstorm and I'm meditating outside. Don't want to catch a cold. *Walks off* Diddy: Thanks Grandpa. *Looks back into the sky then closed my eyes*

>>>The next morning<<<

Diddy: *Sat up straight and yawned as I stretched, took the machine off my head, and got out of bed and out of the room to meet everyone* Morning everybody! ^_^ Fox: Oh good you're up, we're approaching planet fichina. Slippy: You look like you're in a chipper mood this morning. Diddy: That's because the machine worked. I slept like a baby. No nightmares whatsoever. Slippy: Wonderful news. Another news is we got more recruits while you were asleep. Diddy: Really? Who? Sora: Us. My name is sora and he's roxas. Roxas: Hey. Klonoa: I'm Klonoa and that's guntz. Guntz: Sup. Diddy: Yoshi and link! You guys are here too? Link: Yeah. K Rool seems to be getting stronger so we decided to lend you a hand. Yoshi: Or two. ^_^ Diddy: This is awesome. If DK was here he would have been excited to see you. Fox: Okay guys focus up, we're here.

*The great fox moves closer to the planet*

Meanwhile in Fichina / Soldiers in the Snow - Final Fantasy X OST - Illusion (extended)

*Meanwhile with K Rool and the Shadow Alliance, gnorcs, rhynorcs and kremling soldiers walk around in snow gear while wielding energy rifles, but not kaliga since his body is strong enough to handle harsh cold weather*

Kaliga: *Fold my arms, giving off a serious look as I glare around the snow blizzard planet* ..................

*The great fox flew passed everyone using stealth mode with a cloaking system*

Falco: Looks like K Rool made it here before us. Diddy: ..... Fox: Hey, you okay? Diddy: Yeah...just a little scared... Fox: Don't be. We are all here for you even DK. Despite his presence I'm sure he's in here within. *point to Diddy chest* You are just as strong and powerful as he and don't you forget. Sora: He's right you know. Donald and Goofy may not be with me but I'm still strong since they're here from within my heart. Roxas: Funny enough I used to live inside sora since technically I never had a body. Sora: Besides I gotta be independent at some point. Diddy: Yeah, you guys are right, I can do this. Krystal: That's the right attitude to have. Roxas: Look sharp. Diddy: Thanks everyone, I will. Peppy: Alright I'm opening the doors now.

*The automatic doors opened as cold wind instantly came blowing inside*

Sora: It's cold!! *Hold myself together* Roxas, give me a jacket! Roxas: I don't have that kind of power to do that dude. ^^; Slippy: Brrrrrrrr! It makes me hibernate! *Rubs my arms together while shaking* Krystal: It would be best if some of you wear some snow gear before heading out Slippy: I'll get'em! *Ran off* Koriju: ..... *Simply walked out of the ship first* Daisuke: *Barks while following Koriju* Kota: *Follows Koriju as well* Koriju: *Stops for a moment* Do not worry friends. とにかく寒さは私を悩ませることはありませんでした Falco: English, please. Koriju: "The cold never bothered me anyway" *Walks off* Everyone: *Some of them went "-_-" while others went "^^;" Slippy: Alright enough snow suits for everyone! Sora: Thanks! Diddy: *Held mine and put it on* Wait, someone has to stay back with DK. Krystal: I will. Peppy: So will I. Besides ROB can't fight. ROB64: Affirmative, physical combat is not in my databanks. Falco: Slippy and I will be in our arwings for air support just in case. Fox: And while you guys fight, I'm going to find the fruit gem. It's in one of the ice caves. Russ: Yeah Dillon's staying here, him and snow don't mix. Dillon: *Fold my arms and sleeps on a chair* ZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzz..... Slippy: Good enough I guess.

*Falco and Slippy ran off the other way while everyone else walked outside*

Spyro: So which way are we going anyway?

*Suddenly everyone noticed Daisuke and Kota peeing extremely long on the snow after holding it in for so long, everything went into an awkward silence as they had no choice but to watch until they finished. Daisuke and Kota finally finished urinating and shake it off, satisfied*

Koriju: ....We go straight. Spyro: Okay.

*Everyone resumed walking forward while Daisuke and Kota followed Koriju. Falco and slippy flew into the sky*

Falco: I'm seeing kaliga and everyone else down there but not their army. Slippy: Yeah he's right, that's strange. Krystal: Do you think it's a trap? Peppy: Possibly. Use extra caution. Spyro: Got it.

*Everyone walked across the snow until several spots around the snow started moving slowly and carefully to the heroes*

Slippy: *Scans the area everyone is in until he spotted enemy signatures* GUYS IT'S A TRAP!!!

Everyone: !!

Battle in the Snow - Final Fantasy XIII - Desperate Struggle

*Rhynorcs, Gnorcs, and Kremlings came out of the snow in their white snow gear and shot fire until Koriju used an ice wall to protect everyone from blaster fire*

Koriju: They're forgetting one thing. Ice is my element, we are at an advantage here.

*Sora and Roxas teleported everyone out of the ice wall and right to where the snow army are and attack them all at once*

Ripto: Rats! The Sorceress: The trap didn't work! Kaliga: Doesn't matter! Cortex, send your team in now! Neo Cortex: You got it!

*Fake Crash, Tiny Tiger, and Dingodile rushed in along with reinforcements while nefarious trophy tried to use his time powers but Koriju freezes him using his ice fart attack and cuts through him using his dragon katana. Crush and Gulp used their blaster packs on their backs and fired a huge laser blast at everyone*

Sora and Roxas: REFLECT!! *Used reflect together to bounce the lasers back at crush and gulp* Ripto: No! Crush! Gulp! Grrrr, how dare you?!? The Sorceress: Ember, you know what to do. Dark Ember: With pleasure, old lady.

*Dark Ember flew up in the air and fired a charged vanquishing blast and fires, everyone dodged the destructive blast. Crash and Banjo teamed up against a fake crash and tiny tiger while nitrus brio throws chemical potions at everyone, guntz shot them with his twin handguns. Nitrus Brio throws more but Klonoa used his wind ring to bounce it back at brio, he got hit and became nothing more than a skeleton*

Neo Cortex: N Brio! N Trophy! No! Falco: HAHA!! We got'em on the ropes now! Wolf: That's what you think!

*Star wolf came flying out of the sky and shot fire at both falco and slippy as they both dodged and flew around*

Falco: Oh so that's how you wanna play it?! Alright then, have it your way! Leon: Don't expect a fair fight bird boy. Falco: Who you calling bird boy, lizard lips!? Leon: Why you little!!! Panther: Ready to croak Toadie? Slippy: Not in your life! Kaliga: *Looking around the fight and noticed diddy as I growl then teleports* Diddy: WAO!! HOWAH!! WATCHA!! *Kicked and punched rhynorcs and gnorcs* Kaliga: YOU!!!! Diddy: HUH?!?

Kaliga's Hunt / Diddy's Anxiety and Fears - Shenmue Music: Chai

Kaliga: *Growling as I clench my fists* I thought I made it clear that I would kill you if I see you again!! Diddy: *Trembling and shaking* Kaliga: Now you're going to see what hell looks like when I'm done with you. Diddy: S-stay back! I-I'm not afraid of you! Kaliga: Oh? Then why do you look so surprised when I came towards you? I'll tell you why, it's because my fight with donkey kong has proven to all of you that I'm not to be trifled with. You should be honored to die at the hands of prince kaliga rool, the strongest warriors among the kremling race! Diddy: Wait! Did you say rool?! You're K Rool's son?!?! Kaliga: That's right. Now enough stalling, prepare for your death. *Walks over to diddy* Diddy: *Whimpers as I walked backward* No! Please! Leave me alone! Kaliga: You're fear of me only makes me stronger, and your cries for mercy assume me even more! *Evil laughs* Go ahead and coward before me, it'll do you no good! Slippy: *Looks down from below* Falco, diddy's in trouble! Falco: Diddy kong! Come on man! You gotta fight him! Diddy: *His words begin to tremble as he cannot speak while moving away from kaliga* Kaliga: What's the matter? Don't have the stomach to face a true warrior?!? *Evil laughs* Diddy: Stay away from me! Agh! *Tripped over then covers my face with my arms with tears in my eyes* No...No, please don't do this... Kaliga: *Stopped walking* That's right. Cover your eyes, it'll make it easier for you. *Is about to punch diddy kong straight through his skull*

*Flashback*

Koriju: You must learn to control your fear. If you let the fear control you, it will weaken you to the point where you cannot become strong. *Speaking Japanese* Diddy: ...In English, please? Koriju: It means, learn and live, courage and strength are a part of you, use them well. Lucario: "And besides, what would DK do if it was you instead of him?" Diddy: ....He would keep going.

*Flashover*

Diddy: *Thinks* ....Yeah...he would keep going...I may be afraid, but that doesn't mean I can't fight back!" Kaliga: Say farewell to your life!!! RAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

*Kaliga punches diddy but in a swift moment, diddy grabbed kaliga's fists with a shockwave that's been sent all over the place*

Peppy: Krystal, did you feel that? Krystal: I did. It was intense. Falco: DIDDY!!! Slippy: Ohhh I can't watch... Kaliga: ....Wait...how did you... Diddy: *My eyes glowed sliver as I clenched my fist as pure chi flows around me* You, can't control my fear, anymore!!! *Transforms into Super Kong Platinum and punched kaliga straight in the face*

Super Kong Platinum Diddy Form - Glimmering Gift (Super Transformation) - Sonic Mania [OST]

*Kaliga flew straight back then SKP Diddy flew towards kaliga and started beating him up extremely fast*

SKP Diddy: WATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA!!!! ORAAAA!!!! *Uppercut kaliga straight into the air then flew up and continues to beat him up then spin kick him aside* Kaliga: *Flew back hard crashing against the snow mountain* K Rool: What?! Dark Ember: Your army is failing Rool. I'm going to deal with the others. *Flew down over* Spyro: *Pulled out the dragon crystal, closed my eyes and absorb the power* Let's go Sparx. *Got up and flew off towards Ember* SKP Diddy: *Flew down to the ground while panting heavily*

Eyecatch A/Donkey Kong Z will be right back - Donkey Kong Country OST - Stage Clear

Eyecatch B/Now back to Donkey Kong Z - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Soundtrack - World Clear

Ice Caverns - Castlevania - Symphony of the Night - Crystal Teardrops (Original Version)

Fox: *Walking further into the ice caverns while my green laser blade is activated since it's dark*

*There is a large crystalline bridge that fox walked forward into then in another ice-filled room, there is the Star fruit gem on an ice pillar*

Fruit Gem - A Chance To Grab A Star 1 Super Mario Galaxy ... [Music OST][Original Soundtrack]

Fox: Gotcha. *Walks up to the mango fruit gem slowly then slowly reaches it*

*Emperor Andross tries to cut fox's hand off with his red laser blade until fox was quick to react and dodged the slash*

Androsses Pressense - Snatcher (PS1) Music - Danger Dance and Justice All

Emperor Andross: *Grabs the fruit gem and puts it away* Did you honestly believe I wouldn't find you here fox? Fox: Andross you bastard! Emperor Andross: There is nothing to get upset over. We're just one step ahead of you all thanks to k rool and kaliga. Planet corneria is now gone and I didn't even have to lift a finger to destroy it myself. Fox: *Growling* Emperor Andross: That's right, give in to your anger, you can't be a righteous person forever. But just think, first your father, now your home. But just wait, because soon your friends will be next.

Fox Vs. Emperor Andross - Snatcher (PS1/Saturn) Music - Danger Dance and Justice All (Version 2)

Fox: SHUT UP!!!!

*Fox and Andross engaged in laser sword combat as they clash and block each other's attacks then hold each other's stance while locking each other's blades*

Emperor Andross: Just think of what you can do as general of my army, or perhaps Krystal would be better suited instead? Fox: If you touch her, I will kill you! She and my friends are all I have and I won't let you take that from me like you took my father!! Because I'm not going to hesitate anymore! I just act! *Got out of the blade lock and cuts through Andross' torso* Emperor Andross: RAAAAH! *Stepped back holding my chest* Yes, give in the anger. Raise up your darkside! Fox: *Noticed the star fruit gem was dropped as I picked it up, put it away, and turned off my laser blade* As if I would ever amuse you by killing you unfairly. So how about you go to hell. *Ran off* Emperor Andross: Fox! You fool! The evil side was meant for you! Don't act as if you didn't feel it! I won't hesitate to kill you too!!

*Fox kept running while Andross' voice echoed. Meanwhile back to the fight*

SKP Diddy: *Panting* I...I actually did it. I conquered my fears and beat kaliga!! WOOHOO!! In your face kaliga rool!! *Laughs while hooting as I beat my chest* That felt SO good to be brave again, I didn't think I could do it! *Laughs* Super Kaliga: *Flew out of the snow and landed in front of diddy* What the hell are you gawking at?! SKP Diddy: HUH?! O_O

Kaliga's Theme - Vegeta's Theme (Extended) - [Faulconer Productions]

Super Kaliga: What did you think was going to happen? That I would simply crawl over and die from attacks like that?! SKP Diddy: Wha...but how...you shouldn't even be up man! Super Kaliga: I will admit, you caught me by surprise, but never again will I underestimate you! Such attacks like that won't destroy me that easily! I am a warrior! The kremling prince kaligaaaaaaa!!! SKP Diddy: Well bring it on, kalidoofus! Super Kaliga: You're asking for death, well now you got it!! *Roars as I flew towards diddy to punch him*

*Both Kaliga and Diddy fought and dodge each other's attacks*

K Rool: I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. But it seems they've given me no choice. *Snap my finger*

*Shadow Heartless appears in front of the heroes as well as next to K Rool*

Heartless Theme - Sinister Shadows - Kingdom Hearts II Extended

Sora: Heartless?! Here?! How?! K Rool: Oh this? That's the benefit of having dark magic I've improved while we were traveling. And here's the best part. Fox: *Running out of the ice cavern* Krystal: *Screams* FOX!!! Fox: Crystal!? What's wrong?! Krystal: Something's attacking the help! Falco: *Saw heartless scratching the ship's door to go inside* Sora! Roxas! You got to get to the ship! They're after DK!! Roxas: Say what?! K Rool: And it looks like it's happening already. Sora: If those heartless get DK, he'll become heartless, just imagine how powerful he'd be if the heartless took control of him! Roxas: We can't let that happen!

*Sora and Roxas ran off*

K Rool: You better run! *Evil laughs* Peppy: The door won't hold much longer! Russ: *Runs around screaming* Dillon: *Growls as I prepare myself*

*The door was destroyed as the heartless came rushing in, Krystal and peppy used their blasters to destroy the heartless while Dillon rolls onto them while slashing his claws to break the heartless apart*

Peppy: Why are these things here anyway?! Krystal: It's K Rool, he wants to finish the job that kaliga couldn't do! Peppy: That coldhearted reptile would go this far into killing DK in stasis?! That's a whole new low even for him!

*While DK is still in stasis, some of the heartless managed to get into the medic lab, one jumped onto DK then Sora and Roxas teleported in along with Lucario as they fought the heartless to keep them away*

Sora: There's too many of them! Roxas: We need to power up. Lucario protect DK! Lucario: "Will do." Koriju: *Rushed inside and used ice breath to freeze all the heartless then went into sumo stance and smashed them aside using my fist and my palm* DOSUKOI!! Super Kaliga: RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR!!!! *Charged at Diddy and bashed him through the chest then grabbed his tail and slammed him down into the ground*

*Diddy flopped onto the floor as his super kong platinum form went away*

Super Kaliga: You and that piss stain of an uncle have no discipline in being true warriors! How could any of you hold to defeat a prince!? Yet here's another question, how is it you managed to defeat my father so easily? Time and time again you have been a constant embarrassment to the kremlings and made them a joke! Not anymore. Diddy: Don't...you talk...about my uncle like that! *Got up fast to punch kaliga* Super Kaliga: *Simply grabbed diddy's hand then crushes it and twist his arm* Diddy: *Screams in pain as I fell over and held my arm* My arm! I can't move my arm! Super Kaliga: That's the idea! RUGH!! *kicked diddy's stomach* Diddy: Hooough!! *Flew up from the intense kick and fell down crying in pain* Super Kaliga: Now you're going to know exactly how donkey kong feels, but you won't live this time.

Sora and Roxas Cures DK / Donkey Kong Awakens - Shenmue Music: Borrowing Naoyuki's Bike

Sora: Thanks. Koriju: You are welcome. Krystal: We need to get donkey kong out of stasis now! Diddy's getting slaughtered by kaliga! Roxas: Sora, let's use curaga. Sora: You got it.

*Sora and Roxas walk over to DK and points their keyblades at him*

Sora and Roxas: HEAL!!

*The bells above DK gave him green energy to completely heal all of his wounds and bruises*

DK: *Groans as I move my hands then opens my eyes then took the breathing mask off* Krystal: Donkey Kong? How do you feel? DK: *Open my eyes wide then jumps out of the medic bed while hooting excitedly* Awe yeah! I feel so much better! *Stretches my entire body* It's like all my injuries just melted away, that was some good healing you guys did. What's it called? Sora: Curaga. DK: Nice, so what's for dinner? I'm starving. Krystal: Now is not the time for that! Kaliga's going to kill diddy! DK: No! I won't let him! *Ran outside*

>>>>>

Super Kaliga: I'll be sure to send your grandmother your regards, monkey. Diddy: Grandmother? What do you know about her?! Super Kaliga: Everything.

*Before kaliga could punch diddy, DK came in and punched kaliga straight into his face as he rolls into the snow*

Diddy: *Gasp* ....Uncle DK...

I'm here now, leave it to me / Rest Diddy - Policenauts Soundtrack [PSX][Sega Saturn][PC98] - 04 - I amour impossible

DK: It's okay diddy, you did all you could. Diddy: *Sniffles as tears came down my eyes* DK!! You're actually here! DK: *Hugs diddy carefully* Diddy: *Cries into DK's chest* DK: Man, he really hurt you pretty bad. Diddy: DK I....I...t-tried everything but he just...he just...! DK: Shhh, shhhh. It's okay, I'm here now, it's okay now. *Rubs diddy's head and back* Now you can rest. Leave the rest to me okay? Diddy: *Sniffles and wipes my tears* Okay... DK: No more tears, just be happy like me. ^_^ Diddy: *Weak chuckles* DK...I don't know what I'd do without you... DK: *Kissed diddy's forehead*

Kaliga's Theme - Vegeta's Theme (Extended) - [Faulconer Productions]

Super Kaliga: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! *Blows the snow into pieces* DK and Diddy: !! Super Kaliga: *Growling intensely* Of all the insufferable....how could you possibly still stand after I crippled you!?! DK: Because unlike you I have friends that are willing to help me get better. You can beat me up as many times as you want, maybe even injure me, but when you mess with my nephew or anyone else in my family and even my banana hoard that's where I draw the line!! And you know what's funny about that? You had a hand in killing the mother that loved me for who I am and how special I am and even made my father a widow just to be like you're father, maybe even worse. That was completely unforgivable of you, you'll pay for her death!!! Super Kaliga: So you do know about that. Here I thought that tiny brain of yours was too young to remember our encounter as kids. Once I send you to the afterlife, I'll have your "buddy" join in with you. That way you and you're mother can reunite dead. DK: !! Super Kaliga: How does that sound?

Acquiring a New Super Kong Form - Bruce Faulconer - DBZ Volume 1 - The Dragon Theme

DK: *Clinch my fists while growling as become furiously angry* Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!! Diddy: DK?

*The entire planet started shaking as everyone started fighting and noticed what was going on with DK and Kaliga. Red energy begins to glow around donkey kong as it changed his fur off and on*

DK: I'm not...gonna...let you get away with any of this!!!! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR!!!!! *Hooting while beating my chest to generate red chi energy* RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

*DK's entire fur changed into red along with his eyes being red as well*

SKR DK: Diddy, listen to me very carefully cause I'll only say it this once. Go get healed by sora and Roxas and stay out of way for right now, got it? Diddy: But DK... SKR DK: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M GOING TO TELL YOU!!! GET OUT OF HERE NOW DIDDY!!! Diddy: *Yelps as I ran off* Okay I'm going! SKR DK: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! Super Kaliga: Awwww, I made the big ape upseeet. So....still think you can beat me? Puny kong?

Super Kong Form Red DK Vs. Super Kaliga - Shenmue Music: Rush to the Harbor

*DK and Kaliga got into a fighting stance as they both flew toward each other and clashed while flying straight into the air while punching and blocking each other's attacks lightning fast*

Slippy: Holy cow! Look at DK go! Falco: Where?! They're going too damn fast!

*SKR DK and Super Kaliga started teleporting attacking into multiple directions all over the planet and continued flying further into the air while there are shockwaves and soundwaves of intense punching heard in the sky*

Diddy: *Limp ran back to the ship but stumbled over* Daisuke: Woof! *Ran over to him and helped him up onto my back and ran back to the ship* Krystal: Diddy! My goodness. *picked him up* Diddy: I was doing so good but.. fear overtook me again... I.. Krystal: Shh you're safe now and DK is all better and he went to help us.*Kiss his forehead and walk back inside* Sora! We need your help. Sora: It's okay guys, I got this. Heal!

*The bells came above diddy and drops green energy on him to heal him completely*

Diddy: Whoa that thing is awesome! Sora: You're welcome ^_^

*Spyro and Dark Ember fought in the sky along with DK and Kaliga*

Spyro: Ember listen to me, I didn't mean to neglect you! It's just that cynder really gets me! Dark Ember: Don't you dare bring her up just to make me spare your ass! Spyro: And what you're doing right? Only further proves my point that you're just a pathetic, envious stalker! You don't deserve anything from me! Dark Ember: SHUT UP!!! *Fires a vaporizing shot at spyro* Spyro: *Dodged quick then shot out lighting fire ball* Ember this isn't you! You're doing this out of rage! *Dodged her claws strike* You have to stop this! I thought we were friends! Dark Ember: Friends?! Why should I believe you?! When all my life you've ignored me and treated me like I was some freak!! Spyro: You forced me to love you when we both know I didn't! You don't have any idea how hard it was to just talk to you when all you do is chase after me for a kiss or a marriage! Dark Ember: *The darkness in me grew even stronger with every anger and rage I have as I scream but all of a sudden I stopped and now become insane* But...I love you Spyro...I always have! *Psychotic laughter* You WILL love me!!! Lucario: "Spyro, please! You have to stop her! The more darkness she consumes the more it'll affect her drastically! If this keeps up she will destroy us all! End it now!" Spyro: But I can't just kill her! Lucario: "You must! It's the only way to save her! I'm sorry Spyro but she's too far gone now. Do what you have to do to protect everyone else" Dark Ember: NO ONE WILL TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME!!! *Flew towards Spyro then charged into him*

*Before Spyro could do anything Ember took him down causing them to crash onto the floor creating a huge crater*

Lucario: "SPYRO!!" Dark Ember: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *Exhales deeply* KILL THEM ALLLLLLLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Neo: Using the pink dragon was the best idea your son could come up with. K Rool: This is why he makes the perfect successor continue the family business. Now there's only one thing left to do. *Used the walky-talky* Activate it.

*A Giant orbital mech flew out of the warship and opened its eyes then start the timer for five minutes*

Falco: Hey, you guys seeing this?! Krystal: What is that? Slippy: That's a doomsday device! It's programmed to destroy the whole planet! Along with US in it!! Fox: We have to destroy it now! Krystal, peppy, get to your arwings, we're going to help! Krystal: Yes fox! Peppy: Keep an eye on the great fox would ya? Russ: Roger that! Kaliga: *Flew straight down to the ground, created a crater and my super form ran out as I revert to normal* DK: *Flew down back on my feet and revert to normal as I sigh* Kaliga: *Slowly stands up* DK: If you know what's good for you, you'll learn to stay down or I'll make you. Kaliga: I don't understand this...I've spent my entire life training to become a warrior just to get rid of you! DK: And yet here I am, with even less training, still managed to beat you. That has to be humiliating for you doesn't it? ^_^ Kaliga: *Coughs out blood then wipes it off my mouth as I held my chest* I will admit, I'm impressed. You've gotten stronger since the last time I crippled you. Maybe we are destined to die on the field of battle after all. DK: Well I'm not dying today nor ever. I still have a lot to live for, unlike your so-called father. Kaliga: *Weak laughter as I'm breathing hard* Do you see that. *Points to the doomsday device* DK: !! Kaliga: That mech device is set to self-destruct, destroying this entire planet along with YOU in it! In less than five minutes, this planet will be nothing but pieces. You can either stop that machine or you can stop me. The choice is your "hero". But mark my words I will never forget this! *Walks off limping* DK: Ugh! I can't let him get away! But if I don't stop that device the results could be catastrophic! I have to stop that machine and save this planet, no matter what it takes!

Eyecatch A/Donkey Kong Z will be right back - Donkey Kong Country OST - Stage Clear

Eyecatch B/Now back to Donkey Kong Z - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Soundtrack - World Clear

Andross Empire Doomsday Machine / Hurry before it explodes - Boss 1 - Star Fox: Assault Music Extended

*Five of the arwings fired at the doomsday device but the shield protected itself*

Slippy: It must have some kind of shielding! Fox: Can you hack through it? Slippy: I could try! Doomsday Mech: Destroy! Destroy! *Laser drones came out of me as they fired at the star fox arwings* Koriju: *Used cryokinesis to summon an ice shard and throws it at the doomsday to impale through its shields*

*The last remaining rhynorcs, gnorcs, and kremling soldiers retreated to the shadow alliance warship and venomian soldiers carried Andross back inside*

Gnasty Gnorc: What happened to you? Emperor Andross: That sly fox took the mango fruit gem from me. K Rool: We'll have to get the next one from another planet. Let those heroes sort this problem out. *Walks back inside* The Sorceress: What of the dragon girl? Kaliga: Leave her! *Limps back inside the warship* That mentally damaged girl is of no use to us. She's collateral damage now. Crash: *Ran out into the field to find Spyro* Aku Aku: Crash wait! *Flew after him* Spyro: *Groans in pain as I can't get up* Dark Ember: It's time I end your existence and fulfill what that witch and shrimp couldn't! Dark Crash: Not if I can stop you!! *Jumped up with a sharp ice shard and slashed through Ember wings* Ember: *Scream in agony as I flew down and crashed into the floor* My wings!! You arrogant fool! Dark Crash: Arrogant yes, fool no. You best scram before I end you myself! Lucario: *Ran and slid down towards Spyro* "Spyro." *Picked him up* "Spyro look at me. You're not leaving us you hear me? Spyro!" Spyro: *Looked to Lucario with a blur vision only hearing echoed voices then closed my eyes unable to move*..... K Rool: As for you, you need your rest. We done enough of now.

*The villain warship flew off*

DK: *Ran towards the machine and bashed it through* Diddy: *Ran up to the machine as well to help* DK! We have to use the double banana blast! DK: Alright, let's do it!

*Both DK and Diddy focused their chi into their hands as the energy grew even bigger*

DK and Diddy: DOUBLE BANANA POWER CANNON!!! *Thrust their cupped hands forward and fired a blast that turned into a piercing twister to bust through the shield, destroying the doomsday machine* Slippy: They did it!! Peppy: We're all safe!

*Everyone cheered for DK and Diddy*

Dark Ember: Why.. why are you working for them? Dark Crash: Because unlike you I work alone. You have no rights hearing my say. Koriju now!

*Koriju created a large sharp icicles underneath Ember killing her on the spot*

Fox: *Sighs in relief* We won but we're still not ahead. Lucario: "Fox!" *Ran up to him* "We have to get back to dragon kingdom now. Spyro, he won't make it!" Fox: .....

*Meanwhile in the Dragon Realm*

Nestor: It's a good thing you brought Spyro here as fast as you could. Fox: Is he going to be staying here until he recovers? Nestor: It was his choice. He does not wish to be in the way of your mission. Fox: I understand. Tell him that we all appreciate his help and is welcome back anytime when he gets better. Nestor: Of course. Fox: *Walks through the portal back to planet fichina* Spyro: *Moans* .... Hunter: Spyro, man what happened to you? Spyro: It was ember...she went evil and...I couldn't save her... Cynder: You mean that cringy girl that's been stalking you? Spyro: All she ever wanted was to feel loved, and no one gave it to her...and it made her crazy...and now she's gone. Hunter: Had to be done, man. There was no other way. Cynder: Spyro, this is not your fault. She put this apon herself. She chose not to move on unlike you. *Nuzzle Spyro face* Don't create this as a burden. You've done everything you could. Spyro: Thanks dear but.. I can't even help my friends on their mission without Sparx. Im.. not that strong enough. Nestor: Well then it's a good thing I brought this. *Gives the invulnerability gem to Spyro* Spyro: The invulnerability stone! Are you sure? Nestor: Of course, Just bring it back to the treasury soon as you get back. Hunter: Wait a minute. That stone is ultra rare. One of its kind. How did you get that? Nestor: We took it away from Ripto during Spyro days. Since then it has never been used. Spyro: Wow! Thank you Nestor. *Got up and bows* Nestor: Of course.

*Meanwhile back on planet fichina*

Nice work team / Fichina is safe - Star Fox 64 Soundtrack - Mission Accomplished

*DK, Diddy, and Sora are playing in the snow with crash, banjo, and Daisuke*

Diddy: Think fast! *Throws a snowball at sora* Sora: *Dodged and laughs while throwing a snowball at diddy* Crash: WEEEE!! *Slides down on the snowy hills* Koriju: *Meditating while petting Kota* Fox: *Sips on my tea as I watch outside* It's nice to finally relax. Krystal: Most definitely. Russ: So how many gems left? Slippy: Only three left. Falco: We're one step closer into finding out what the fruit gems can do. Fox: DK said you can wish literally anything and it'll come true. From ruling the galaxy to bringing back the dead. Krystal: Fox, would you wish your father back if you could?

Fox's Resolve - Cure - Snatcher - Sega CD

Fox: Yeah, I do. Which is funny because I've been fighting in the lylat system for so long, I guess it's just hard to let certain things go. This team that I brought back, was just to avenge my father, but it didn't make it better, all it ever did was made things worse, emotionally and mentally. Star Fox Team: ... Fox: All I ever wanted now was to be the solution to this world's problems. We've been the answer to the lylat systems problems and accomplished so much because of it. I think my father would have wanted that of me instead of just being....normal and safe. And I fought Andross while trying to get the star fruit from him. All I could see was anger and rage and I didn't want that to consume me as it did for kaliga kool. *Looks at the star fruit gem in my hand* I could have killed him, but if it meant turning into something I'm not then I won't do it. If I ever wanted my father back then I would want my mother back too.

Fox's Childhood / A Distant Memory - 25 - Final Fantasy VII - On Our Way

Vixy Reinard: *Watching fox play with his toys as I read my book* James: *Answers the phone* Yes peppy? Another mission? How urgent? General pepper said that huh? Okay then, I'm on my way. *ends the call and puts the phone away* Vixy: *Went over to James* Honey please, don't do this... James: I have to fix it. Vixy: NO!! You can't leave again! You said you would take a vacation after the last mission! James: Peppy says it's urgent. Vixy: Of course, it's peppy, what would happen if you die out there?! You know how fox can be! James: He has to be strong if I'm gone. Vixy: James I can't- Fox: Daddy? *Walks over to James and vixy* James: *Kneels to fox* Listen kiddo, I'm gonna be gone for a bit okay? I have a mission to do. Fox: But why? James: It's my job son, it helps to keep this place running. Vixy: What is this mission that's so important? James: An experimental bomb, plus I have to infiltrate into planet venom about the disappearance of doctor Andross. General pepper suspects, he could be conspiring with the enemy. Vixy: James, you know how dangerously smart Andross is, you have to call it off! James: .... *Hug's fox* I'll be back, I promise. Take care of mother okay? Fox: Okay daddy. James: Good boy. *Stands up and kissed vixy's lips and walked off* Love you, babe. Vixy: James!? James! Fox:...

Troubling News - 4 - Final Fantasy VII - Anxiety

*Next Flashback*

Fox: *On my bed looking at the stars in the sky* Vixy: Ugh!! *Slapped pappy's face* How could you just run and leave my husband to die!?! Peppy: Vixy, there was nothing I could do, we were ambushed! Vixy: James might be still out there! Peppy: Vixy I'm sorry. But general pepper already called off the search and say that he was dead. Vixy: So that's it then huh? They're giving up?! Peppy: .....It's out of my hands. Vixy: *Gasp then ran off crying* Peppy: *Sighs then walks into fox's room* You mind if I come in? Fox: *Turned around and sat on my bed* Yes. Peppy: *Walks over to fox and sat down* Fox: Why was Mommy crying? Peppy: It's the reason I came to you, you're father James...he's dead kid. Fox: ...What? Peppy: He's gone fox. Fox: Why?! He promised he would be back! He promised!! Peppy: ...I'm sorry. Fox: *Hugs peppy while crying on his chest* Peppy: *Hug's fox*

*Flashover*

Fox: *Continues looking at the star fruit gem with tears in my eyes* Krystal: Fox? Slippy: You okay? Fox: !! *Wipes my eyes* Sorry... Krystal: Don't be. It's alright. *Kiss Fox* We'll get those gems even the ones they have. Crash: Wahoo!! *Crashed into the snowman Roxas made and became the snowman* Roxas: Hey! Diddy: I'm gonna get you DK! *Has my peanut popguns in my hands and shoot snowballs out of it* DK: *Laughs as I dodged then pulls out my coconut gun and shoots snowballs out of it* Gotcha! Lucario: *Used aura to block the snowball then created a large snowball and shot it towards DK* DK: WAH!! *Fell from the snowball attack* Diddy: *Laughs* DK: *Came out while shaking myself* Lucario that is so not fair! Lucario: *Chuckles*

*All of a sudden billions of snowballs came out of the ground as everyone stopped what they were doing then all of them got hit by them*

Koriju: *Puts my hand down while still petting Kota* Childs play. Kota: *Purring* Lucario: "Now that was unfair."

*A portal opened up as Spyro flew through*

Spyro: Guess who's back! Falco: Hey! Fox: Welcome back. But.. why? Spyro: *Flew down in front of Fox* Nestor gave me a crystal of Neverending life. Aku Aku: That's fantastic news. Spyro: So now i can be helpful with the mission ^^ Fox: You were always helpful to us Spyro. Slippy: Most definitely. Krystal: Crystal or not, you're a part of this team and we value you all the same. Spyro: Thanks guys, that really means a lot. DK: Oh! Can we eat now?!

*Everyone turned to DK who is panting while a river of drool flows out of his mouth, he swallows for a moment then continues panting and drooling then the ice froze his drool as well as his tongue*

DK: AH!?! My tongue's stuck! Diddy: Yeah probably not a good idea to drool or urinate anywhere out here. It'll automatically freeze both of them. Krystal: Of course. Dinner is on me. ^_^ Fox: In that case I know the best buffet in the galaxy. Basically no one could judge you or tell you what to do. Just eat and enjoy yourselves. DK: *Hoots excitedly* Let's go!

*Moments later, the great fox is now flying into space, everyone is talking amongst themselves while diddy stares into the giant glass window*

Uncle and Nephew Talk - Policenauts (OST) - Innocence White [Extended]

DK: *Walks over to diddy* Okay diddy, I think it's time we have a little talk. Diddy: What talk? DK: You know what I mean. Diddy: *Sighs* Okay...

*They both sat down*

DK: You were great out there ya know. You stood up for yourself on your own and you didn't need me to do that for you. Diddy: Yeah but I still couldn't beat him. DK: You'll get stronger and so will I. Diddy: DK....kaliga rool is so much stronger than k rool...what if- DK: Don't say that. There is no what if. We're going to beat him and K rool, no matter what the cost. All thanks to everyone including dad, you've managed to face your fear head-on. Diddy: Yeah...I guess in a way I'm no longer afraid of him anymore. DK: Good. Diddy: ..... DK: I cannot wait to get back home. Going to these new places as well as eating all kinds of different foods is great but nothing beats the island or its rich source of bananas or vegetables to eat. Diddy: Homesick? DK: Yeah. Diddy: Me too. DK: You know I'm nothing but proud of you right? Diddy: Yeah. DK: Nothing will ever change that either, right? Diddy: Yes. DK: *Hugs diddy close to me* I'll always be proud of you. Always remember that, okay? Diddy: Thanks DK...

*Meanwhile at the Shadow Alliance Warship*

One step closer... - Policenauts Soundtrack [PSX][Sega Saturn][PC98] 07 - The end of beyond

Kaliga: *Glares into the window with my arms folded* One step closer to gathering the rest of the fruit gem. Those apes will face death's cold embrace and when they do, my army will rise to glory once more.

Find out what happens next - Dragon Ball Z Episode Ending Theme

Narrator: The desperate struggle to find the last of the fruit gems draws ever closer to the brink of war. The heroes managed to seize one victory, but more work is still done. Without notice that the crystal coconut is safe inside fox's room and out of K Rool's reach is safe, for now. DK becomes much stronger than he has in his new super kong form, same as diddy when he discovered super kong platinum. Now with the final battle drawing ever so closer, it's only a matter of time before K Rool's Fury becomes even more merciless. How will the heroes fair against K Rool this time? Find out what happens next on donkey kong z!

Next Episode/Last Episode - The Saga Continues (Alternate Variation) - [Faulconer Productions]

Narrator: Next time on donkey kong Z! DK and his friends now go on an underwater mission on Planet Aquas to find the Orange and Honeydew melon fruit gems. Much to their surprise, K Rool and Neo Cortex have something in store for them and it looks like the heroes are in for a dive n splash of a fight! Join us next time on Donkey Kong Z!

ED - Dragon Ball Z Funimation Season 3 Outro (Short)

#donkey kong

0 notes

steamed-cogs · 4 years

Text

so do steambots make their own clothing or use old human stuff they find, what we thinkin

#Steamworld Dig #Steamworld Dig 2 #steamworld #they got scarves on so #hats #the image of steambots weaving and knitting is very endearing #'no rusty like this'#'oh dear I made another doomsday device'#if you get this reference ilu

14 notes · View notes

thisnameisnotspokenfor · 2 days

Text

Kingdom of the Stars: Chapter 34: The Game

Previous: Chapter 33

Next: N/A

The star’s smile vanished as he looked at her with…scrutiny?!

Oh, she was in for it now wasn’t she?

“Corvias?” Asha repeated, watching with surprise as Corvias adjusted her position on his shoulder. “Ah, hi.”

Corvias bowed her head in acknowledgment, as the rest of the crows leisurely watched, anticipation teasing in their eyes once more.

Wait….

Hadn’t Amala said that it was believed that crows were messengers to the stars? Judging from just how comfortable the crows and star had been around each other, she was willing to be that maybe there’d been more truth to that story than she’d initially suspected…

“Well, well, well,” he started, tilting his head as he examined her from head to toe. “if it isn’t the slanderous wicked poor-visioned miss skeptic, come to kick a man while he’s still down, have you?” He said in a scolding manner that Asha wasn’t quite sure was serious or joking.

“Not unprovoked,” she huffed as she crossed her arms. The surrounding crows’ caws sounded suspiciously like laughter as she added, “And my vision is fine…you’re just salty that I completely annihilated you.”

“Salty? My dear, we were on a boat in the middle of that ocean and neither sea nor person was as salty as you. Even in the ocean of all places Asha! THE OCEAN!” He exclaimed as a few crows cawed in surprise before taking off.

“I wasn’t salty!” She protested.

It…it was true! Sure she’d been feeling…off but to say she’d been salty was just wrong! Right?

Unfortunately for her, the star didn’t seem to back down as he smiled and slowly began to approach her.

Uh oh.

She didn’t know when she’d start backing away, nor just where she had planned to run to, but any instinctual attempt at escape had abruptly ended when she’d felt the cool surface of the brick pillar behind her, effectively trapping her as he’d rested his hand on the wall next to her head. His finger patiently tapped the stone surface with a dark sharp claw-like nail.

Tap. Tap.

Then she heard him ask, all too smugly “Really? So why couldn’t you take your eyes off me?”

An ironic question she’d thought given how now She couldn’t, no wouldn’t take her eyes off him, not when he was practically so close to her.

Tap tap, tap.

He was a star, a being of otherworldly power and temperaments with secrets that had made the doomsday clock start ticking once more.

Friend or not, she couldn’t afford to lower her guard, not when Rosas' future depended on it.

Tap tap, tap.

She drew a quiet, deep breath, willing herself to stay calm as she finally answered, “I was watching everyone. Not just you… I need to be aware of my surroundings at all times now, given how we were attacked by hooded assassins, who could literally be anywhere or anyone don’t you think?”

Tap….Tap…..

Now their corner of the market had quieted, as she felt the gaze of the onlooking crows rest on her shoulders. What they were waiting and watching for, was beyond her, but she doubted she’d like it anyway.

“Fair enough,” the star finally shrugged, breaking the silence as he took a step back just as Asha remembered to breathe.

“Paranoia is a usual side effect of your first assassination attempt. But after the first thirty or so it’ll just feel like another Wednesday-,” he promised as Corvias readjusted herself on his shoulder again. “Or was it Tuesday?” The surrounding crows shrugged as he scratched his head. “God forbid you die on a Monday though, that’s just evil-,”

Wait. Someone had tried to assassinate him before? Multiple times? Why would someone bother to assassinate a peasant star? Granted she knew she wasn’t in any position to talk, given her current circumstances but at least the assassins had wanted her dead because of her knowledge and witness to their crime. What could anyone have wanted Cepheus, a self-proclaimed peasant star dead for?

She’d been half tempted to point this out, but come to think of it, he was a blue star, wasn’t he? The natural enemy of the infamous crimson court who, by all records, sounded as if they’d been anything but tepid when it came to their hostility against their sworn cerulean enemies.

They’d wanted Sirius and Rigel dead, and by extension, possibly her father…..all with royal blood or close ties to royalty, so as needless as it sounded, it wasn’t completely out of the question for them to want a star peasant dead, right? She contemplated as she glanced at Cepheus.

He stilled, looking at her and asking, “What were we talking about again?”

“Uhh,” Asha paused nervously looking from him to the distant crowd of playing children before nodding, “you agreed to help me!”

“Asha you are such a bad liar,” the star disapprovingly shook his head.

“You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing!”

“It could be, especially if you’re not an inherently honest person either,” he huffed while crossing his arms.

She sighed. Now she could see it. Defeat and the end of her sanity, lingered on the distant horizon as she grumbled, “Don’t get mouthy with me Cepheus, I need your help with the children! I want them to have fun so that they can be acquainted and become friends with each other!”

She hadn’t expected to see the star’s expression shift as his eyes widened and he glanced from her to the table where Mrs. Nora’s son lingered by himself.

Panic nearly gripped her as she recalled the morbid curiosity that she’d seen in the star’s eyes when he’d earlier noted the magical potential of the Ischanian people. ”What is it?”

“Well, I was going to say no,” he started, quickly silencing her with a wave of his hand. “But-,”

“But?”

The edge of his lips twitched as he carelessly shrugged, “I suppose if the wicked Miss Skeptic wants to do good then I can play nice.”

Play nice? Okay, she could work with that! Nice meant that he’d be working with her for the greater good, right?

Not having the courage nor strength to see her doubts through, she’d nodded, “Okay, then. I’ll go rally the other children and get them ready. In the meantime, do you think you can convince Mrs. Nora’s son to come over and play with the other children? He’s really shy.”

“Noted,” the star replied as he confidently stretched, watching as Corvias swiftly departed from her side at his shoulder. “No worries, I’ll have your little friend ready in less than three minutes!”

He must’ve seen her expression as he unamusedly asked, “What? You don’t think I can do this without it ending in partial or complete total disaster, don’t you?”

She hurriedly shook her head, “What? Noo-,”

“Asha,” he started. “We’re friends now, and the least friends can do is trust each other, right?”

“Right,” she hesitantly agreed. They were friends, and certainly…nothing more than that. His encounter and intimacy with other girls had…told her that much.

“So-,” he continued. “I’m a changed being, now, Asha! So just because I’ve made some less than ideal decisions in the past, and present, and-....well let's be honest, maybe the future too….okay so maybe I’m not the best at making sensible decisions but that doesn’t mean I won’t be able to get it right this time! I’m a very persuasive person!”

“To teenage girls, maybe,” she grumbled under her breath.

“What was that?”

“I said, You’re rather…passionate about this,” she started slowly. “Is there any particular reason why?”

“Does there need to be?”

“Uh-huh,” he was deflecting now, something he only did when he was either hiding something or scheming. “You answering my question with another question is not going to placate me.”

“Then let my actions do what my words cannot. C’mon Asha, have a little faith in me! I won’t let you down! And besides, you’ve trusted me with more important things before, right?”

Well, that was true… she had asked him to help her and save for the market incident he’d done so without fail….

Maybe she was being unfair to him now, but a part of her wasn’t willing to take any chances, not after she’d seen how the whole incident with Julian and his wish had played out. But she was desperate. Unlike him, she had no grasp on the Ischanian language, and no natural ability to draw the people towards her. But he did, and from what she’d seen he’d always been more or less…gentle with children. So with no better options, she’d relented, quietly promising herself to keep an ear out for any signs of trouble, as she’d replied, “Alright. Just do your best and be sure to be respectful of the kid’s emotions. Don’t feel bad if you can’t convince him to join us for the game. Okay?”

“Understood!” the star smiled as they began to go their separate ways. “Don’t worry Asha! I’ll have him ready in no time!”

It hadn’t taken long for the children to notice her as Edda pointed to her with her wooden sword and called, “Hey it’s Asha!”

“Where’s your friend?” Diego asked as he squinted at her suspiciously.

“He’s busy,” Asha simply answered, glancing in the direction where she’d last seen Mrs. Nora’s son. To her surprise and relief, the boy had crawled from behind his hiding place and was now talking to the star.

“Do you miss him?” Phoebe shyly asked, bringing her attention back to them.

“No,” Asha replied, nearly giving the little girl a strange expression. “I was literally talking to him less than ten seconds ago, and like I said he’s busy now.”

“And you’re not?” Edda asked with a smile that could only be classified as mischievous.

“I don’t know how you came to that conclusion. I’m always busy.”

“Always?” Phoebe repeated.

“Yes,” she nodded as the children gathered around her and listened. “When I’m not doing work on behalf of the king, then I’m usually doing other things, like helping around the castle library, or you know, the castle bakery.”

“The castle bakery?” the kids repeated, curiously glancing at each other.

“Isn’t that where your sister is?” Daryll asked as he glanced at Kelsie who nodded.

“Yep!” Kelsie beamed proudly before turning to Asha as she began to fidget with her fingers, “How…how is she? The last I heard from her was before the prince returned…he’s all she ever talks about most of the time anyway…”

“She’s doing well,” Asha assured the girl as she quietly made note of the small revelation of the primary content of Dahlia’s letters. She’d have to remember that for later; she still owed Dahlia for those ‘intimate meeting’ comments. “Things are probably hectic in the castle right now given the upcoming astral ball, but she’s been helping me out quite a bit with the royal family’s pastries.”

“The royal family’s pastries?” Kirk wondered aloud as his eyes widened with wonder. “Are they delicious?”

“Very.” Asha looked away as she tried to hide her grin, “Maybe she can teach me some more recipes when we have time-,”

“Wait, Dahlia shares her recipes with you?!” Diego asked in disbelief.

“Sometimes,” Asha shrugs, “And I’m sure she wouldn’t mind it if I were to share the end products of them with you guys if-,”

“If-,” Edda repeated as all the children leaned forward.

“You guys were to do one small favor for me.”

“What sorta favor?” Diego asked suspiciously.

“Well,” Asha cleared her throat as she turned around to face the children. “I need you all to play a game with someone who I’d like you to meet. He just arrived today and might be a little shy at first as he gets the hang of things, but I have a feeling that you will all be friends in no time! How does that sound?” she excitedly asked, only to be met with an uncharacteristically strange silence from the once lively group of children. “ah…Is…is something wrong?” Asha asked, looking around at the kids who uncomfortably shifted before looking at one another.

“Well…” Diego started uneasily. “Yesterday, there was a meeting…”

“A meeting?” Asha repeated, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. Given everything that had transpired the day before with Julian and his family, a meeting shouldn’t have been completely unexpected, but its sudden mention had caught her by surprise.

“Yeah, The adults had one, a private one” Daryl added.

“It was in the big fancy building,” Edda commented as she pointed towards the building.

The town hall? Hmm, the nobles and officials only held meetings in there when the situation was…dire. But what could have made them feel like that? Julian and his family had been dealt with, so nothing she could’ve thought of would’ve required a meeting of that caliber unless they were still talking about a certain light that had fallen from the sky…

As if to confirm her fear, Phoebe nodded before hugging her doll tightly and whispering, “They sounded unhappy…”

“Unhappy,” Asha repeated. She didn’t like the sound of that. “You were eavesdropping on their meeting?”

“Maybe,” Thatcher confessed after a second or so of guilt-filled silence.

“What did they did say?”

Silence.

Silence?! She looked around the crowd of surrounding children, stunned. What in the world could have scared these kids, the same ones she’d seen fearlessly take on a pyromaniac arsonist, so badly that they dare not repeat it? It wasn’t as if they hadn’t or couldn’t remember it, as when it had come to eavesdropping, her grandfather had trained them to be far more observant than most would expect.

“Guys?” she started. “Guys c’mon, what did they say? Uh…hello?-,”

“It’s not polite to gossip,” Edda started as she kicked a pebble near her foot.

“And funny enough, it’s not exactly polite to eavesdrop either, but did that stop you?” This time there was no response as the children stood there, staring at each other awkwardly. Sensing that she was getting nowhere she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She should’ve seen this coming, and in a way she had, which was why she promised, “If you tell me what you heard then I will bake you all royally approved brownies at the feast-”

“Deal!” they cried in unison, looking far brighter than they did a few seconds ago as she sighed. They were so lucky that she was this desperate…

“Hey don’t celebrate yet!” she warned the cheering kids. “You guys still have to uphold your end of the bargain, remember?”

“Right, right!” Edda nodded as they stilled themselves before glancing around and speaking in low voices. Then Daryl and Kelsie ran forward, taking Asha’s hands as they gently guided her toward their favorite gathering spot which was near a small stone table. “So what do you wanna know?”

“Everything,” Asha answered as they all sat around the table. “Tell me everything.”

“Well….there’d been a public announcement that morning,” Edda began. “Everyone was invited to that one, but not this one. We wouldn’t have known that this meeting was happening if it weren't for Miss Alina, Mrs. Akinemi, and Mrs. Zahra. We saw them walking towards the building and…”

“You followed them,” Asha finished, surprised to hear that her teachers of all people had been invited to a secret meeting held by the nobles and officials.

“Yeah…at first the nobles were talking meanly about the Clarieavus,” Diego started as his nose wrinkled in disgust. That was unsurprising. Given the Clariveau’s heavy influence and legacy in the merchant side of Rosas, most nobles would have to be on their good side if they wanted a chance at having any sort of involvement with the merchants’ business. So with the Clariveau’s absence had not only come a chance at economic ascension but one less figurehead for the nobles to answer to.

“Did they speak about anything else?” she asked as the kids nodded.

Now Kelsie spoke, “They spoke about the Astral Ball and some fairs that the nobles from the west side are trying to invite the king to. Then they talked about boring stuff like housing and food…It was okay at first until he came in….”

“He? Who is he?” Asha asked, crossing her arms.

“They called him Mister Velius.”

“Mister Velius?” Asha repeated. The name hadn’t sounded familiar…”Do you know who he is?”

“Yeah, he’s a really old guy. Mr. Sabino said he was one of the original town criers here before he eventually moved to Banquo, I think,” Kelsie nodded as she scratched her cheek thoughtfully.

“A town-crier?!” Asha spat. “Are they just handing out invitations to anyone now?!”

“I know right!” Edda agreed as Kelsie glanced at Asha curiously.

“What's wrong with a town-crier?”

“Other than the fact that they’re superstitious conspirators who make money off of needlessly driving people paranoid with their fictitious drabble then not much. But the last head official wasn’t particularly fond of their…conspiracies, so he made it a point to not include them at important meetings,” she replied, purposefully leaving out how the town criers had also earned her ire by proclaiming astrology to be superior to astronomy.

“How come you weren’t invited to the meeting?” Kirk asked.

“I was….but I was busy at the castle,” Asha coughed, which technically hadn’t been a lie. “But anyways tell me more about this Velius guy.”

“Well…He must’ve been important…all the nobles were polite to him. Even Lady Allard…” Thatcher murmured thoughtfully.

“He must be a former noble of sorts then,” Asha mused. How he’d managed to stay in favor without a recognizable title was beyond her, but she had a feeling that she had bigger things to be worried about. “Did he say why he’d come to this part of Rosas?”

“Not exactly,” Edda answered. “But he spoke a lot about the light that he’d seen a few days ago. He thinks it was a star…and that it’s the start of an attack…Then he said that it had something to do with the people from Ischania….”

“He said that Ischanian were…star lovers,” Kelsie whispered as if she was fearful of someone else hearing.

“Star lovers?”

“Yeah, like people who like the stars-,” Edda explained. “They think the stars are good! But that wasn’t even the craziest part! He thinks they’re to blame for the bright light we saw in the sky the other day! He also thinks they’re responsible for some strange dark hooded shadowy figures that haunt the streets at night. He says they have evil powers!”

‘Strange dark hooded shadowy figures with evil powers on the western side of Rosas? It couldn’t have been, could it? No, the timeline didn’t match up. If those figures were who she suspected then there was no way they could’ve been Ischanian,’ she thought before the children continued.

“Mrs. Alina denied it, though,” Phoebe interjected. “She said it wasn’t true! But Mr. Velius didn’t care. They argued really badly when he said the people from Ischania don’t belong here and that Lady Allard was making a mistake in welcoming them.”

“And what did Lady Allard say?”

“Nothing nice,” Kirk replied with a small grin. “She is Lady Allard after all.”

“But we didn’t get to hear all of what she had to say because someone wanted to fight the old guy-,” Kelsie said as she sharply glared at Thatcher and a few other kids.

“Hey!” Thatcher protested. “If the king can fight stars for wishes then I can fight wrinkly cowards for Miss Alina and Miss Akinemi!”

The other kids nodded, as Kirk proudly added, “We may not be the best students! But no one talks to our teachers like that!”

“Yeah!” the children cried in unison which nearly startled Asha.

“Especially those meanie westerners!”

“Yeah!”

“You saw how sad Miss Alina looked!” Phoebe cried, looking more angry than shy.

“Ischanian or not Miss Alina didn’t deserve that! She’s always been nice to us!” Diego declared as the other children nodded in agreement.

“She has,” Kelsie agreed. “But we coulda heard more if you guys didn’t just rush in like that!”

“Eh it’s not like we got punished for it,” Edda shrugged. “Miss Akinemi gave us candy afterwards, remember?”

“Yeah it was pretty good candy,” Kelsie conceded as all eyes turned to Asha.

Edda shifted uncomfortably as she started, “We know it’s not as much as you’d like, but we really did try-,”

“It’s fine,” Asha leaned back. Granted she hadn’t condoned the violence of their actions, but she had found the children’s loyalty toward their teachers to be rather...touching. And the revelation of this Velius guy had certainly given her something to think about. “Thank you guys for your help.”

“You’re welcome, but Asha,” Edda spoke. “while we were on the ship we saw you talking to one of the Ischanian people.”

She nodded, quite certain that they’d been referring to Amala as she answered, “Yeah, I was.”

“Was she nice?” Kelsie inquired.

“She was.”

“Is it true….do the Ischanian people actually like stars?”

“No, of course not,” Asha replied. “They never have and I doubt they ever will.”

It was another half-truth, but if they were to fully welcome Mrs. Nora’s son into their fold then she would have to ensure that they were oblivious for the time being.

“Do they like the king? Mister Velius and some nobles said they once heard them saying mean things about the king!”

“That’s not true either. And even if they don’t like the king, would you guys have a problem with that?” Asha interjected. She wasn’t sure why she’d felt as defensive as she had when she’d bluntly commented, “My grandfather doesn’t like the king, but that doesn’t stop you guys from hanging around him and the bakery.”

“Well no, but Mr. Sabino doesn’t like stars either.”

“Fair point,” she conceded. Her grandfather’s commentary on the recent doom of his bloodline could attest to that. “But sometimes you shouldn’t take things at face value just because certain people feel that you should. Always keep an open mind when you look into things yourself before you make a conclusion. So let’s give the people from Ischania and abroad a fair chance before we start forming our own opinions, okay?”

“Yes ma’am!”

“You know, Lady Allard did say that the king himself approved of the people from Ischania coming-,” Diego smiled.

“And The king is the strongest and wisest guy we know! If he can approve of them! So can we!” Thatcher decried as he proudly held up his wooden sword and the children cheered in unison.

“Yeah! The king can handle this!”

Ugh. She rolled her eyes.

So close. She’d been so close, but of course, she’d fallen short.

The influence and power the king had on people was… begrudgingly impressive to say the least.

But come to think of it these values had been practically indoctrinated into them, hadn't they? None of the kids before her were older than eight, and yet here they were placing all their trust and faith in the king and his decisions above all else.

How hadn’t she noticed this sooner? It was one thing to hear the noblemen say it but to hear children repeat the same ideology… the same dependency and complacency she’d grown to despise.

This…this wasn’t normal, was it? But maybe she was overthinking it. Surely it was expected for a kingdom’s subjects to feel this way about their monarch, right?

The question would remain unanswered as the star appeared with Mrs. Nora’s son in tow, shyly looking away as he scrambled behind the star’s cloak.

“Hey Asha!” the star smiled. “We’re here!” Turning around, he gestured to the boy standing behind him. “Guys meet Cassian Aelar! But you can call him Aelar! He’s seven years old hailing from the land of Ischania!”

“Yeah, we know,” Edda started as she cast Asha a sudden glance before looking back to Aelar. “Aelar is a pretty cool name.”

Aelar said nothing, opting instead to lower his gaze before Kelsie cleared her throat, and politely asked, “So Aelar, what’s your favorite color?”

Aelar glanced at the ground thoughtfully before tugging at the star’s cloak, gesturing for him to lean down closer before he whispered his answer.

“Really?” The star replied as his nose wrinkled in distaste. “That’s your favorite color?”

“What did he say?” Diego asked.

“He said his favorite color is carmine,” the star sighed.

“Carmine?” Thatcher repeated. “What's that?”

“Red, unfortunately,” an unamused star replied as he crossed his arms.

“What's wrong with red?” Kirk challenged, probably on account of his own red hair.

“The real question is what isn’t wrong with red,” the star retorted.

“I think red is nice,” Phoebe said as the star gagged.

“Me too,” Kelsie agreed as Asha quietly snickered at the star’s unhappy expression.

“Wait, can Aelar understand us?” Edda asked.

“He can, but he’s still learning your language, hence why I’m here,” the star gestured to himself. “To be his translator.”

“Hey, Aelar….do you want to play a game?”

He nodded, his eyes still not meeting hers as the children stepped forward.

“What game should we play?” Kirk asked as the other kids shrugged.

“Maybe we could play hide and seek?”

“In the market? There’s nowhere to hide!”

“Maybe naughts and crosses?”

“There’s too many of us for that…”

“How about tug of war? I’ve got some spare rope we could-,”

“Actually,” Asha nervously interjected. “I was thinking that for this time we should let our new friend choose what games we play! I have heard that Ischanian games are pretty exciting! Right, Aelar?”

He’d quickly looked up and nodded as the other children exchanged curious glances.

“Really?” Diego asked.

“Are they super exciting?!” Eda questioned.

“Pssh! of course!” Asha lied. Truth be told she didn’t know a thing about any Ischanian games. But they couldn’t have been that bad could they?

Cepheus turned back to Aelar, quickly translating as the boy nodded and replied in Ischanian.

“What did he say?” Phoebe asked.

“He says we should play Dragons and Knights.”

“Dragon and knights? That sounds pretty cool!”

“How do you play?” Edda cautiously asked.

Cepheus paused, listening to Aelar instructions before nodding, “It’s simple! One person plays the dragon who has captured the beautiful princess,” he paused, staring at Asha all too expectantly. “Taking her away to the highest tower, in a dangerous land, where brave knights must attempt to save her by either recapturing the princess or ‘slaying’ the dragon.”

“Oh! Oh! I wanna be a knight!” Phoebe cried, eagerly jumping up and down.

“Me too!” Diego added.

“I think I’d make a great knight,” Edda proudly nodded as the crowd of children continued to excitedly chatter as Aelar cautiously neared.

He still looked somewhat unsure of the situation, but at least he was no longer hiding, Asha thought as she smiled.

“Okay, so who’s gonna be the dragon?” Asha asked as they quieted, looking at each other, then their eyes focused on Aelar who took an uneasy step back.

“Aelar do you want to be a dragon?” Kirk asked.

“I-I-I,” he started. His voice wavering as he trembled.

“You don’t have to be one if you don’t want to,” Phoebe firmly interjected as Daryll frowned.

“But if he isn’t the dragon, then who is?”

“Not me!” Edda interjected.

“I’m too cute to be a dragon,” Kelsie pointed out.

“That’s highly debatable,” Diego yawned as Kelsie bristled.

“Says you!” she snapped. “You practically look like an ogre!”

“Hey!” Diego yelled. “I do not!”

“Yes, you do!”

“Alright! Alright,” Asha called as she held up her hands to silence the arguing children. “Guys please calm down! Right now we need to figure out who’s gonna be our-,”

“I’ll do it!” The star interjected with a smile that was all too pleasant for Asha’s liking.

“You?” Asha repeated in shock. He certainly had the claws, er, nails for it, but his eagerness had been all too frightening as he nodded.

“Why would you wanna be a dragon?” Thatcher asked, looking as surprised as Asha felt.

“I guess you could say that I’ve decided to pursue a new career path!” he smiled brightly before giving Asha a subtle yet venomous side-eye. Oh yeah, he was still mad. There was no doubt about it. He was going to be one very spiteful dragon.

“Really?”

“Yes, and I’ve also been recently informed that evidently, I’m not handsome enough to be a prince.”

“Who told you that?” Phoebe questioned, her expression looking serious.

“Asha,” the star answered, as he pointed to her.

“Snitch!”

“Really?” Edda asked, looking completely bewildered. “But she’s always staring at yo-,”

“So let me get this straight,” Asha interrupted as she gently shoved Edda to the side. “Just because I said there were no handsome men on that boat you decided to be a dragon instead?”

“Well it’s a nice change of pace, don’t you think?”

“But I thought dragons were nothing more than a symbolic representation of humanity’s greediness to horde wealth that they’d unethically obtained and never used by destroying the world around them!” Asha interjected as the star stopped.

He said nothing as he stared at her for what felt like a good three minutes in pure silence. He couldn’t kill people with looks, could he? She certainly hoped not.

“ANYWAYS” he declared, abruptly breaking the silence as Asha sighed. Why did she have a feeling that this wasn’t going to end well? “Now I know that I may not be a match for any of you brave knights-,” the star continued as he placed a hand over his heart.

“Ha! You can say that again!” Thatcher grinned.

“-but rest assured I know a beautiful princess when I see one-,” The star’s eyes met hers as the afternoon sun began to feel dangerously hot once more.

“M-me?!” Asha stammered. “You want me to be the princess?!” She’d immediately started backing away from the incoming crowd of children as she nervously smiled. “I…I can’t be a princess!”

“Why not?”

“I…I’m not royalty! See, look at my outfit!” She gestured to her clothes that had looked more modest than extravagant. “This isn’t up to princess standards! Heck, I’d be lucky if it met noble standards!”

“Well to be fair, I don’t think our dragon is fairly an accurate representation of his species either,” Kelsie commented as Cepheus nodded in agreement.

“She’s right. Come now Asha, why the dissent? You trust me don’t you?” he asked as he held out his hand to her.

She glanced uneasily at him, then at his hand. “Usually yes, but for now I trust you about as far as I can throw you!”

“If you weigh anything like Julian then that’s pretty far!” Mr. Leitus called as the surrounding adults nodded.

“I didn’t throw Julian! No you see that was different I didn’t throw him like that I just tripped him-,”

“You pulled him off his feet,” Diego pointed out. “It was amazing!”

“Well yes but-,” her voice trailed off as she failed to reach a conclusion to her argument as the sounds of the children pleading began to grow.

To her horror this had only made the star’s smile grow wider as he’d stepped closer, “You’re not going to change anyone’s mind, Asha. So it’s probably for the best if you just go with it.”

She shook her head, as the words left her lips without thinking “Why me? Why don’t you bother Amala to be your princess instead? I’m sure she’d be more than happy to take you up on the position.”

“Amala? What does she have to do with this?” Cepheus asked as his brows furrowed.

“Who?” the children whispered as a few shrugged before looking to Asha earnestly.

She frowned, unable to answer his question while the children were still within earshot. Why had she brought up Amala? She didn’t know. It had just been what she’d felt like doing, but come to think of it she’d been feeling rather odd lately, no doubt because of the assassins and spiteful star before her.

But any hope she’d have at escaping died as she felt her knee gently hit the fountain, effectively cutting off all methods of escape.

“You want to look like a princess? I think I can help you with that!” The star sweetly smiled, nearing her as she gulped.

Regret instantaneously filled her as the children cheered.

What had she gotten herself into?

——————————————————————-

“There,” the star smiled as he carefully slid another flower into her hair, finally finishing her flower crown of Lavandula and bougainvillea. It had been a compromise they’d reached after she’d abruptly shot down his idea of tying her up to give the game more realism. “beautiful, aren’t they?” He’d whispered as his clawed fingers gingerly reached forward, and gently tucked a braid behind her ear. Her heart was thundering in her ears as she struggled to make out his next words. I knew from the first moment I saw them that they’d look rather stunning on you.”

“See Corvias?” he grinned in self-satisfaction at the crow perched on his shoulder. “What did I tell you?”

“You were thinking about me when you were staring at flowers?” Asha asked as a sudden thought struck her. “wait, were these the flowers you were talking about when Mrs. Bellerose gave you her flower-healing tonic? The ones you claimed caught your attention because they reminded you of something? Was I that something?” The star stilled, his expression faltering as she stared at him curiously.“...Cepheus?…uh Cepheus?”

He cleared his throat, looking away from her as he muttered under his breath, “... I’ve said too much.”

Elsewhere in the market clearing, a good distance away from the captive princess and her rather dastardly dragon resided the knights.

“Okay,” Daryl sighed as he finished examining his wooden sword. “we need a plan.”

“Right!” Diego nodded as he tugged on the last remainder of his makeshift armor. “A plan! What’s the plan?”

“I dunno,” Daryl shrugged as he looked around at his equally confused friends who held their own wooden swords. “I was hoping that maybe you guys had one.”

“Does anyone have a plan?” Thatcher asked.

“W-well,” Aelar began so softly that only Phoebe who stood nearby could hear.

“We could just do the old overwhelm and pummel trick- that always works!” Edda suggested.

“Yeah!”

“He’ll never see it coming!”

“B-but-,” Aelar started. “The princess,”

“She’ll be saved, easy peasy!” Thatcher assured him as he frowned.

“We’ll pummel the dragon while you two,” Edda gestured to both Aelar and Phoebe “Go and grab the princess! Got it?”

“Well…If it’s okay with you Aelar,” Phoebe started.

“Y-yes,” he nodded.

“Watch and learn Aelar!” Edda grinned. “This tactic never fails!”

“Hey, Cepheus!” Kirk yelled.

“Hmm?”

“Surrender our princess to us now you foul beast!” Kirk demanded as he pointed his wooden sword towards the star’s chest.

“Are you asking or telling me?”

The kids lowered their makeshift swords as they exchanged glances. “Will you give her back if we ask nicely?” Phoebe asked

“Hmm let me think about it,” the star hummed as he tapped his chin with his finger. “Hmm no I don’t think I will.”

“Well, then we’re definitely telling you to give her back!” Thatcher affirmed as the other children nodded confidently.

“Why tell when you can take?” The star asked as he gestured to Asha sitting on the fountain next to him. “Come. Retrieve your princess.”

The kids were rightfully hesitant as they once again exchanged glances.

“Are you sure the pummel strategy is our best option?” Phoebe frowned as she glanced at Aelar.

“Well, there is only one of him and a lot of us,” Edda noted.

“He also looks kinda slow,” Kelsie whispered.

“He probably is,” the star drawled as the children sheepishly quieted, watching as he turned his attention back to Asha.

“So,” he started, leaning against the space on the fountain next to her. “You come here often?”

“Cepheus I live here.” she’d replied, using every ounce of self-control to not seethe or panic.

“In a fountain? I’m very sorry to hear that.”

“Cepheus that’s not what I meant and you know it!” she snapped, as the star pushed himself forward. It was only at that moment did she noticed that all the children had disappeared, where they’d gone so quickly was-

“We warned you!” came Diego’s voice as they reappeared, quickly surrounding the pair on either side of the fountain. “CHARGE!” he screamed.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!” screamed Eda.

“Have mercy on me! Please!,” Cepheus cried, swiftly side-stepping her, before he’d quickly moved out of the way of an incoming Thatcher. He took a few steps back, focusing on the children ahead of him as he lifted his arms in the air, simultaneously catching Diego and Kelsie who’d attempted an overhead attack.

Neither kid said a word as Cepheus set them both back on their feet, evidently too stunned to speak as Daryl began his attack, wildly swinging his wooden sword at the star. “Hey! Hold still!” he protested.

“I’ll try,” Cepheus sniffled, moving out of the way just in time for Thatcher and Daryl’s blades to abruptly clash, to both boys’ astonishment.

“Princess,” whispered a soft voice as Asha turned, catching sight of Phoebe and Aelar crawling towards her. “We’re here to rescue you!”

“So the others were-?”

“A distraction!” Phoebe proudly smiled. “Now c’mon we have to go before-,”

“CAW! CAW CAW!” cried Corvias and several other crows as Phoebe covered her ears.

“AAAHHH” she screamed before grabbing Aelar and pulling him backward from the angry birds that now separated them from Asha. “Run!”

Asha wasn’t sure just how long Corvias had been here but her cries were all it took to summon the star who leaped over Daryl and Thatcher, nearly far higher than any normal person should have as he landed next to Asha.

“How..how are you moving like that?” Phoebe exclaimed.

“Vegetables,” the star humorlessly replied as the children gagged in disgust. “Lots and lots of vegetables.”

“You’re lying!” Diego yelled. “Eating vegetables does nothing!”

“For you maybe, now if you’ll excuse me,” his arm wrapped around Asha’s waist before quickly pulling her to his chest. “I think I’ll be keeping this princess. Thank you.”

“Oh no, you won’t!” Edda cried as the children regrouped.

“Care for another dancing lesson, Asha?” he asked, moving Asha out of the reach of her soon-to-be rescuers and onto the fountain’s edge in one fluid movement.

Had Asha not been so distracted by the star’s smile, then she probably would’ve felt a modicum of pity for her rescuers who hurriedly climbed onto the fountain with them, moving this way and that as the star continued to dodge, using one hand to keep her from their reach, while using the other to every now and then catch and balance the attacking children.

“Thank you,” Diego grumbled as he was safely lowered to the ground by the star.

“You’re welcome,” the star smiled, sweeping Asha off her feet before catching the collar of Thatcher who’d dove from the other side of the fountain towards them. In a split second, he’d lowered Thatcher carefully onto the ground next to Diego and the rest of the very defeated-looking children, before placing Asha back onto her feet.

“Are you alright princess?” he’d asked her, his eyes lingering on her arms that had placed themselves around his shoulder.

A part of her had hated how he’d smiled at that moment, as she’d angrily shook her head, and quickly removed her hands from the star. “Well seeing as how I’m still captured, I’d say no. I am not alright.”

He laughed, evidently oblivious to how her heart had begun to race as she felt his hand rest on her shoulder. It hadn’t been as intimate as how he’d held Amala, nor how he’d held her before they’d come across Silver’s ship. But his warmth was a much softer feeling than the one that currently ate away at her face. She frowned, trying to ignore the strange heaviness swelling within her chest as she pressed the back of her hand against her cheeks and forehead. “I think I must be coming down with a fever-,”

“A fever?” the star stopped laughing as he’d looked her over. “Are you sick? Do you need medical attention? Food? Water? Maybe I could-,”

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHH SECRET ATTACK TIME-!” Daryl yelled, charging forward with his sword in one last attempt, as a sudden stream of water quickly emerged from the fountain and splashed him in his face. “Retreat! Retreat! Ahh!” He cried.

“Did you seriously just announce your surprise attack?!” Asha exclaimed as she looked past the concerned star to the still stunned-looking group of children. “Why!?”

“I didn’t expect him to counter it…but he’s too strong.” Daryl sniffed. “He’s even got the fountain on his side…”

Cepheus laughed, the concern in his eyes melting away as he faced the crowd of children. “A valiant effort, my young little knights! But as you can see- ultimately futile.”

“It wasn’t futile!” Diego complained as Daryl wiped some of the water from his face.”It just….didn’t work as intended….or at all, honestly.”

“Ah forget it, this was a terrible plan,” Edda complained as she angrily tapped her wooden sword against the ground. “The pummel strategy, who’s idea even was that?!”

“Yours,” Diego pointed out as her cheeks reddened.

“Oh…”

“I don’t understand how he moved like that…” Phoebe whispered as all eyes turned to her.

“He literally caught me mid-air!” Thatcher added, staring at the star in awe.

“He’s definitely not slow either,” Edda pointed out. “I’ve never seen anybody move that fast!”

“Too strong?! Too fast?! You guys aren’t giving up on saving me are you?!” Asha cried.

Edda shrugged, “I dunno, I hear democracy is all the rage nowadays. Maybe we don’t-,”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” Asha snapped as the star barely stifled his laughter.

“Looks like you’ll be here with me for a while,” he commented as he took his seat back on the fountain once more. “Or who knows. Maybe even longer.”

“Longer?” She sputtered.

He nodded. His smile vanished as he leaned forward, staring deeply into her eyes. “Yes. Days. Nights. Weekends. Maybe even until the end of time Asha.”

“No-,” she stammered, quickly looking away.

“Yes.” He grabbed her hand, looking somewhat serious.

She shook her head, “No! Please!” She turned her gaze to the onlooking crowd of adults who’d looked on in amusement. “Please! I need an adult-,”

The star smiled, “I’m an adult,”

“A responsible one!”

“Never mind,” his expression soured as he released her hand.

“Guys please!” she begged. “You can’t leave me with him-,”

“How are we supposed to save you then?” Edda frowned.

“Strategy!” Phoebe cried. “We need a new strategy.”

“Alright. But what?”

“I think-,” Aelar softly began.

“Hold on Aelar, I think I’ve got it!” Kelsie interrupted with a grin as Aelar frowned. “I know what we could do!”

“Really?” Edda smiled. “What is it?”

“Well first we could-” Kelsie began as The children huddled together, murmuring in low voices that Asha was certain the star could still hear.

She’d nearly been about to warn them of this when she’d realized that he’d been distracted. Instead of watching the kids, he’d opted to turn his attention to Mrs. Bellerose’s stand, where Amala and her friends stood, examining the flowers.

“I think they should buy Tiger Lillies,” Cepheus muttered to himself. “Don’t you think it would look beautiful on her Corvias?” he asked the crow that had now reappeared next to him.

Truth be told, Asha thought those girls would look good wearing any of Mrs. Bellerose’s flowers, but as she caught sight of the less-than-friendly looks the kids were giving the star, she had a feeling that those flowers would be the least of her worries.

Maybe allowing a bunch of competitive kids to fight an equally competitive supernatural entity wasn’t such a good idea. But there’d been nothing against the rules that had said that the princess couldn’t help the knights out right? Surely she could save herself! After all who didn’t love and admire a princess who could save herself?

All she had to do was make her way back to her determined knights, which should be easy, given how distracted the star was by other girls.

Carefully she took one step. Then another, only briefly pausing to ensure that Cepheus’s attention was still primarily focused on the kids and Amala.

“You really think that will work against me?” the star asked, sounding less amused and more insulted as she braved another few steps away from him.

Oh no. She hadn’t meant for the star to catch her so soon! Not when she’d just started escaping! But to her relief, Edda had called “It’s worth a shot!”

Oh, thank goodness. That had meant he was still distracted she thought as she began putting some respectable distance between herself and the star. Now all she had to do was circle around the stalls and then she’d- “Asha?” Cepheus’s voice cut through her thoughts like a knife as she halted. Now both ‘dragon’ and knights were staring at her.

“H-hello Cepheus,” she smiled, giving him a small wave.

“Hi Asha!” he smiled as Corvias stared at her.

“...Bye Cepheus.”

“Bye Asha!” he called as Corvias incredulously looked from him to her before fervently hopping. “Oh….OH- WAIT A MINUTE- PRINCESS GET BACK HERE!” Cepheus yelled as he took off after her.

“HELP!” She screamed once again as the star continued to chase after her. “THIS WAS A MISTAKE AAAHHHH-,”

“After them!” cried the children who followed in pursuit.

“No, you silly kids don’t follow me! How am I supposed to get to you if you’re behind him?!” She cried watching as they charged after the star. “Nooo!” she groaned.

“Keep running Asha!” Mrs. Zahra called as she fervently played her violin.

“Circle around! Do a backflip!” Mr. Armin called.

“I can’t do a backflip!” She wailed as she continued sprinting around the market, watching as the star grew closer and closer.

“He’s gaining on you!” Mrs. Akinemi laughed as she tore past her.

No kidding.

Her headstart had done her little good as he quickly gained ground, somehow managing to nearly close the distance as she ran both through the crowd and around the stalls. No wonder the king had found stars terrifying. For someone who’d claimed to be so weak amongst his own kind, Cepheus’s strength and speed were insane!

“SOMEBODY SAVE ME!” she screamed, taking a sharp turn around another stall as the star continued following. “PLEASE!”

She shrieked as the audience roared with laughter and cheers as she continued running, silently cursing at the fact that she hadn’t worn better shoes.

“That’s what we’re trying to do!” Edda called in between pants as Aelar said something in Ischanian.

“Bob and weave Asha!” Phoebe advised as the children trailed behind.

“What do you think I’m trying to do?!” she called, running past Mr. Armin’s stall, where he was currently talking to Mr. Kurkaus and Mr. Leitus.

“I’m telling you, Armin, you give it a day or two and I bet you hot chocolate will take off in Rosas!”

“In this weather? Hmm, not likely,” Mr. Armin shook his head as Asha dashed past Mrs. Kurkaus’s stall.

“What?! But we’re drinking tea right now!!” Mr. Kurkaus exclaimed as he incredulously gestured to the tea set on Mr. Armin’s stall. “ How is hot chocolate any different?!”

“Asha he’s hiding behind Bellerose’s stall waiting to ambush you!” Mr. Leitus called as he poured himself a cup of tea.

“Traitor!” the star indignantly called to Mr. Leitus as he reappeared a few yards in front of Asha. “I’ll remember this! You’ll see!”

“Thank you, sir!” Asha yelled as she took off in the opposite direction as the star continued giving chase.

“Asha,” the star sang sounding too close for comfort. Oh God, she wasn’t going to make it, was she?

“No- PLEASE-,” she screeched.

“Scream louder Asha, I don’t think all of Rosas has heard you yet,” the star called, sounding far closer than she wanted.

She didn’t know where she was going, just that she needed to get back to the children. The children who were now behind- “AAAAHHHH!” She screamed as she felt arms wrap around her, pulling her to a stop.

“Yep. There we go!” The star called, his voice filling her ears as she struggled against his grasp.

There was no way she was going down without a fight, not after she’d put this much effort into escaping!

Shifting her arms and legs around his, she’d kneeled down. Then she’d turned herself around and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, and slowly began to squeeze. Her legs wrapped around his sides, nearly straddling him as she used every ounce of strength to tighten her hold.

Somewhere behind her, she could hear the children’s footsteps halt as the star released a strangled gasp.

A choir of groans and gasps greeted her from her surrounding audience as she continued tightening the choke hold. The adults winced as Aelar and the other children jumped in excitement.

“Cool!” Diego called as they struggled against one another.

“That’s a nasty chokehold,” Mr. Armin grimaced as Mrs. Akinemi whistled.

“There goes the windpipe,” Mrs. Zahra winced before playing a small tune on her fiddle.

“No wonder Sabino didn’t bother with him! He knew she’d put him down herself!” Mr. Leitus called as the crowd laughed.

“I think he’s still conscious!” Mrs. Bellerose cried. “Poor kid!”

“Go easy on him Asha!” Mr. Bjorn commented.

“If you insist,” Asha replied, quickly removing her legs from the star’s waist before firmly planting them back on the ground. She still hadn’t released her hold on his neck, nor had she planned to as she’d carefully regained her balance before tightening it even further.

The star’s body nearly slackened for a moment before she’d felt him move, this time far more vigorously as he’d tried to tear himself away from her hold, hurriedly grumbling something in Cosmelathian.

“Fight princess! Fight!” Edda screamed as the star had placed a hand on her side. Fear had engulfed her as for a moment she’d wondered if he’d scratch her with his nails. But He’d offered no further resistance as the crowd continued to grow, shouting and cheering.

‘Fight princess! Fight!’ They’d sang as she grunted trying to secure her chokehold.

Oh, she was fighting all right.

A raspy sound had escaped the star as he’d staggered forward once more, moving his head as she’d nearly wrestled him to the ground.

He was trying to prevent her from locking her hold in.

A wise decision on his part as she’d continue to struggle to secure it. he definitely knew his way around combative maneuvers, confirming to her that his counter in the library had been anything but coincidental. He’d only feigned ignorance, probably to hide the fact that he was a far better combatant than he’d purposefully misled both her and her grandfather to believe.

Combining technique with his strength was a monstrous combination, but she hadn’t gained the reputation for being one of the best wrestlers in a tavern full of warriors and criminals for working strictly under ideal conditions.

She’d dealt with worse just like she was going to deal with him.

“Cepheus!” She called over the sounds of their struggle and the crowd’s growing excitement as they’d taken sides cheering either her or the star on. “You thought this was going to be easy? Didn’t you?” she’d whispered to the star as she’d refused to let go.

The star laughed, moving in a near blur as she felt him suddenly slip and vanish from her hold. He’d moved so fast that she’d barely seen how he escaped, but it didn’t matter as the now freed star stood mere inches in front of her with his smile noticeably absent.

What was he-?!

She’d screamed as he stepped forward, his arms wrapping around her and lifting her.

First, she saw the sky.

She’d nearly thought he’d thrown her into the atmosphere until she’d felt the pull of gravity again as she’d felt herself being hoisted down as the star hummed.

He hadn’t- he couldn’t!!!

She gasped as she saw the children’s shocked faces staring at her as his hold had tightened around her knees.

Oh no.

She had no idea what sort of move he’d used against her. But she doubted it mattered when she’d now found herself firmly planted on top of the star’s shoulders.

“What the-?!” She’d cried incredulously, as she helplessly flailed her arms. Oh no, no, no, no!

“Just another wonderful day in Rosas!” The star victoriously sang as he’d shifted her on his shoulder.

Oh, the grin she’d pictured on his face was too much as she’d struggled in vain against his iron grip once more.

This wasn’t supposed to be how it went! She was supposed to be free! Not captured- like- like this!

“That was amazing…” Diego whispered.

“What kind of move was that?!” Phoebe cried as the crowd watched in awe, a few even cheering for the star as he held her victoriously.

“He lifted her like she was a bag of feathers!” Kelsie exclaimed.

She paused, looking at the faces of the children who looked as if they couldn’t decide on whether or not to laugh or to cry. “Not one word,” she threatened.

“Uh…Can we negotiate?” Phoebe asked as Asha felt the last bit of sanity leave her. The children had begun following after the star as he’d headed back towards the fountain.

“Please!” Phoebe begged as the star paused in front of Mrs. Kurkaus’s stall. Her snow cloud from the previous day was still there, releasing a rather heavy snowfall as the star shifted Asha once more on his shoulder.

“Reverting to diplomacy now?” Cepheus looked unimpressed as the children shrugged.

“It’s worth a shot,” Diego spoke.

Now Asha was desperate, and desperate times always called for desperate measures. That’s why she’d reached out, collecting the flurries and snowflakes that had accumulated between her fingers.

This was her last chance.

Her last chance.

If this didn’t work then nothing would.

“Hmm unless it’s food, I don’t think there’s much you all could- ACK!” he yelled, as the snowball collided with the side of his face. The whole market fell silent as he immediately released Asha who more than happily scrambled away from him.

It had only been when she’d put a few yards between them had the reality of her situation truly hit her.

She, Asha, mild manner peasant of Rosas, had just hit a reality-bending supernatural being who possibly wanted to destroy Rosas, in the face, with a ball of snow.

…What had she done?!

There was no way she’d just willingly pelted Cepheus, of all people, with a snowball!!!

“Uhh,” she started as the star slowly turned towards her. Snow fell from his face as he stared at her.

Was it too late to say sorry?

The answer to her question had come when a snowball had suddenly appeared in the star’s hand. His claw-like fingers tightly gripped it as he took one step towards her. Then another.

Uh oh.

“Cepheus- I,” oh he was coming now.

“Asha,” he sang.

“Cepheus no!” She squealed, narrowly dodging as something white and small raced past her before colliding with a surprised Mr. Leitus.

“Oops,” the star murmured watching as the man blinked in shock. Mr. Kurkaus cackled with laughter as Mr. Leiutus glared. “Let me try that again,” he sighed reaching for more snow.

Wait again?! “No!” Asha wailed as she ducked behind Mr. Armin’s stall. “I repent! Please!”

“Oh no you don’t,” Mr. Leitus interjected as he ran to Mrs. Kurkaus’s stall and created his own snowball. “Thought you could pull a fast one on me did you?!” he yelled to the star who pointed to himself in confusion. “Take this!” He yelled, hurling the ball at the star who promptly ducked as the ball instead hit Mr. Kurkaus.

“AUGH!” Mr. Kurkaus cried, wiping the snow from his face. “You did that on purpose!”

“Partially!” Mr. Leitus confessed. “I was aiming for him!”

“How were you aiming for him when he’s to your right but I’m to your left?! That makes no sense Alaric!”

“I don’t know, I just threw a ball! If you don’t like it do something!”

“Alright then!” Mr. Kurkaus replied, racing towards his wife's stall as Mr. Leitus tensed.

“Uh oh,” he panicked before hobbling away. “No! I can’t run! Please!” he yelled as Mr. Kurkaus reappeared, now holding several snowballs of his own.

“HA!” he yelled, hurling four snowballs toward the screaming Mr. Leitus.

But instead of hitting his target, the first one hit Mrs. Zahra and her violin, abruptly ending her tune. “Ack!” she’d cried, lowering her violin as her husband snickered, before promptly being hit as well.

“Aah!” cried Thatcher as the third snowball hit him in the shoulder, an impressive feat considering that he’d never been remotely close to Mr. Leitus to begin with.

“What the-,” Maria started, narrowly ducking the snowball as it instead hit Moireach.

“Hey!” Moireach yelled, as she tossed some of the snow out of her hair and toward a laughing Maria’s head. “What the heck-?!”

“Ah!” Maria screamed, poorly dodging the incoming snow.

“Sorry!” Mr. Kurkaus called. “I don’t know how that happened. I’m usually pretty good at snowball throwing…”

“Pretty good? Aldo, you’re worse than me!” Mr. Leitus teased as both Mrs. Zahra, Moireach and Thatcher raced towards the stall, quickly making their own snowballs as Mr. Kurkaus began to back away.

“Hey now…it was a mistake! I didn’t mean to hit you! What are you doing?! Stop! Stop! Ah!” He screamed as the trio began to chase him, all hurling snowballs in his direction.

“Don’t worry love!” Mrs. Kurkaus called, leaving her stall’s side to grab a snowball of her own. “I’ll save you!”

“Oh no, you won’t! Not on my watch!” Mr. Armin replied as he joined the fray.

Soon the market was in complete and total chaos as snowballs soared overhead. The sounds of laughter and screams filled the air as people raced to and fro trying to pummel each other with the ever-growing snow cloud that had begun to spread over the market square.

“Okay, knights!” Edda called to the children who’d huddled behind the fountain, and away from the flying snowballs. “Our distractions don’t get better than this! Operation save princess attempt 3 is ready!”

“Just attempt 3? I could’ve sworn it was at least attempt 5-,” Thatcher started.

“Look it doesn’t matter okay? We just need to save Asha! Does anyone have any ideas!”

“I got nothing…” Daryll shook his head.

“All my ideas have failed…” Kelsie confessed.

“Seriously?! No one has a plan?!” Edda incredulously cried after a moment of uneasy silence.

Phoebe glanced at Aelar before firmly nodding as she spoke, “Aelar’s been trying to suggest something since the start!”

“Wait really?”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?!” Thatcher exclaimed.

“He tried but you guys couldn’t stop talking over him! You even told him to wait when he tried to help, remember?” Phoebe frowned as the kids looked around sheepishly. “Mr. Sabino says that if we wanna be a team we need to learn to listen and work with each other, not talk over each other!”

“Oh…sorry about that,” Kelsie apologized. “I didn’t mean to talk over you Aelar.”

“Yeah I’m sorry…too” Thatcher murmured as he scratched his neck.

“It’s…it’s okay,” Aelar said softly as he looked around the now chaotic market clearing.

“I think….I might have an idea…But we are going to need help.”

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now was this Asha’s fault? She wondered as she’d taken shelter behind an overturned table, safely away from the heart of the now snowy chaos.

Probably.

Was she going to take responsibility for this? Absolutely not!

But as she’d looked over the tabletop and took in the sight of the laughing people, playing with each other, she could scarcely believe that just a few days ago, so many of them had been sad and bored, wishing for a change. A change, that despite its terrible catalyst had now made life in the once very quiet city of Hamlet…exciting.

It was just like the star had said, wasn’t it? Their wishes had been granted, and for the time being, they’d all seemed happier because of it.

Had there been some truth to his words? None of this would’ve been possible without him or his power and yet, no, she shook her head, promptly dismissing the thought and the dangerous implication it carried. Right now she had bigger problems to worry about, like the crazy star that she had lost sight of in the crowd.

“Um excuse me, sir,” came a voice as she felt her heart stop.

Speak of the devil’ she thought, listening to Cepheus’s voice in Latin as her eyes anxiously searched the snow-filled market for him.

“Have you seen a young woman named Asha? Oh? What? Hmm well, imagine the snarkiest and meanest know-it-all all you know, trapped in the body of a pretty girl. Yeah, she looks like that. That’s her!”

“Snarky?!” She snapped, nearly crawling out of her hiding spot before seeing him standing on the other side of the market with his back turned to her talking to no one.

No. There was no way he’d almost lured her out of her hiding spot like that. What was wrong with her?!

Diving back behind the table she began to mentally berate herself. How was it that he of all people was always the one to somehow always get underneath her skin? Better yet, why did she let him? She was better than this! Sure she didn’t want to get pummeled with snow but…ugh she shook her head, willing herself to concentrate on getting out of this.

First, she’d need her knights…. Where were her knights?

“Asha-,”

They better not have given up on her!

“Hey, Asha!” came a harsh whisper, snapping her out of her thoughts as Edda suddenly appeared at her side, startling her.

“Edda?!” she exclaimed before the girl hushed her.

“Not so loud! You don’t want the dragon finding you!”

“Right,” she nodded, somewhat annoyed that she’d forgotten his super hearing. “What are you doing here?”

“Aelar has a plan.”

“He does?”

Edda nodded, reaching into her pocket, “he does. But if you wanna be rescued, we’re gonna need your help.”

“Isn’t that cheating?” Asha asked.

“Do you wanna stay with him for eternity?”

“Fair point,” she conceded as Edda anxiously looked around the clearing once more. Then when she was certain they were alone, she held one of their wooden swords forward.

“Are you in?”

It had been ten minutes since Edda had told her the plan, and ten minutes without any sign of the star. Now she was worried, if not for the game, then for the possibility that the star had possibly used the game as a distraction to sneak off to somewhere she wouldn’t want him to be. But he wouldn’t do that, right? At least she hoped not, given his recent speeches on trust.

Her eyes scanned the still chaotic marketplace, watching as Abigail had thrown one snowball only to be immediately pelted by three incoming ones. Her shrieks filled the air as Amala and her friends laughed, dragging their friend back behind their makeshift shelter as more snowballs were exchanged and thrown.

Where was the star? Better yet where was Lady Allard?! Surely the hour had been up and the food was ready!

Her last question had been answered as she’d heard Lady Allard’s ill-fated voice. She’d peaked over the tabletop, as the crowd of officials and arrivals came into view.

She’d meant to warn her. She did. She wasn’t sure how she was going to, but she never got the chance as Lady Allard stepped forward gesturing to the market. “And as you can see this is the market- the quietest place in to-,” her voice came to a halt as a snowball collided with the side of her face.

Now the once chaotic market had gone quiet.

All watched with bated breath as the noblewoman slowly wiped the snow from her face.

“Who….threw that snowball?” She started as she trembled. “Out with it!” She screamed. “Which one of you hit me with that snowball!”

No one said anything as they exchanged glances.

“It wasn’t me-,”

“I didn’t have a snowball in my hand-,”

“Keeping your comrade’s silence, huh? Fine then! I’ll just have to destroy all of you!” She cried, storming towards the nearest pile of snow, before taking a handful. She stopped, looking towards her officials angrily as she yelled, “Don’t just stand there! Avenge me you fools!”

“Oh…OH RIGHT! Yes! Of course!” They nodded in agreement, nearly stumbling over each other as they reached her pile of snow before charging after her toward a group of people.

They’d all screamed and scattered as the chaos resumed.

The people of Ischania and Rosas ran and laughed alongside each other as they took turns throwing and making snowballs. They’d all been having so much fun that it was almost hard for her to believe that some of the people here had ever been worried about the Ischanians, to begin with.

All things considered, it would’ve been a rather heartwarming sight to see if she hadn’t needed to hide from the still vindictive star.

“Oh gosh, what have I gotten myself into,” Asha groaned as she huddled behind the fallen table. She couldn’t see the star anywhere…. Should she attempt another escape? Ugh, she hoped the ground wasn’t icy, but come to think of it, despite the amount of snow that had been accumulating, the weather hadn’t felt colder than normal, which should’ve been impossible given Rosas’s geographical position.

She shook her head, grumbling, “It’s literally snowing in Rosas. It never snows in Rosas. Of course, it wouldn’t we’re way too close to the equator for this. how is it snowing?!”

“Take an educated guess princess,” the star answered as he pulled the stone table away from her with ease. A fairly sized snowball sat in his right hand as he looked at her thoughtfully.

“Cepheus!” she screamed, doing her best to scramble away from the star as far as she could. Of course, she hadn’t gotten far, she knew she couldn’t, not when she’d felt that familiar telekinetic hold on her, purposefully slowing her down as he calmly walked towards her.

Now she began to understand how Safi’s mice had felt whenever they’d been cornered by

Charo, who’d been all too willing to drag the process out.

But she needed to stall. She’d deduced that much as she’d caught sight of Phoebe’s figure sneaking closer, her eyes pleading with her to give them time. Fine.

It was time to get unethical again…

“N-now let’s not get too hasty here Cepheus!” she started with an uneasy smile. “Surely we can resolve this without resorting to violence!”

“Says the woman who threw me in a chokehold for five minutes,” the star murmured as he neared.

“Which was admittedly not the best decision I’ve made today, but I’ve now seen the error of my ways!” She grinned nervously.

“Have you, princess?” he was still coming closer. She’d contemplated begging him to accept defeat, but knowing those children, there was no way they’d be satisfied with a simple victory over the star.

So she nodded, “Yes I have! And you know! I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately-,”

“Mmhm.”

Think Asha! Think! The moment he grabs you, it’s over! But what could she say to make him stop?

Nothing seemed to work, nothing save for- “ her eyes landed on Mrs. Bellerose’s abandoned flower stall behind him as an idea hit her.

“Vincas!” she screamed, pointing to the flower stall.

He stopped, looking at her as if she’d grown two heads before repeating, “Vincas?”

She nodded, thanking God that he’d actually come to a stop. “yeah you know, I was trying to think of which flowers reminded me of you and I settled for vincas.”

The star stopped, looking back at the beautiful flower stall. He wasn’t smiling anymore as he examined the flowers in question, completely missing when Asha quietly pulled out the wooden sword that Edda had given her. “Little red flowers remind you of…me?”

She couldn’t tell if he was shocked or disgusted. Knowing how he’d felt about red stars and the color red, maybe both.

So she nodded, holding his attention as the surrounding children continued to creep closer amidst the chaos. “Of course they do. You know, here on earth they have a really good meaning.”

“Protection, friendship, happiness, and love.” she’d shrugged as she slowly eased herself to her knees and back onto her feet. “Just to name a few.”

oh, she was shaking now as she neared him.

She hadn’t missed the frown on his face as she’d said the word ‘love’ but it had given her enough strength, or rather spite to charge towards him.

Immediately his arm flew forward, catching her hand with the wooden sword in it, just like she’d anticipated. Shifting herself around, she’d pushed herself downwards, and used her momentum to trip the star. She’d been shocked when he’d actually gone down with her, wrestling and rolling around in the snow as she’d pinned him beneath her.

He blinked in surprise, looking at her and the wooden tip that hovered a few inches over her chest as his hand still gently held her wrist. Leaning his head back into the snow, he lazily grinned as his stormy gray eyes met hers. “Hmm, call me crazy, but I think I’m getting a sense of deja vu here. A rather pleasant one, really.”

“Deja vu, huh?” she spat, trying to push against the star’s strength as she felt his other hand gently brush against her leg, and arm as her face warmed.

“Asha,” he sang, his smile growing as her grip on him weakened. “You remember how this ended last time, don’t you?”

“No-,” she gasped, as she struggled to keep him beneath her. “Because this time…will be…different!”

Why was he so strong?!

“You know Cepheus…” she grounded out. “If you think I look beautiful in defeat, you should see how I look in victory-,”

“Victory?” he asked, looking shocked as the sound of the children’s screams cut through the air. They’d flung themselves all over his limbs, as she’d held him down.

“Now!” thatcher cried as Aelar appeared with his wooden sword, tapping it against his chest before he firmly planted it beneath the star’s arm.

“AAAAAHHHHH!” the star screamed, as the surrounding snow fight ceased. Asha and the children quickly crawled off of him as he sat up, clutching his chest.

All eyes watching as his trembling hand reached for the wooden sword, unable to pull it out before he wailed “BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!!” He tumbled dramatically as he reached toward Asha, imitating the movement of what she guessed was…a dying dragon? She didn’t know. She studied stars, not dragons. “AND DEATH!” he’d finished before going completely still as the market erupted into cheers.

“WE DID IT!” Thatcher screamed.

“We saved the princess!” Phoebe cried, excitedly hugging her doll.

“Aelar your plan was genius!” Edda exclaimed as the other children nodded in agreement. “But How did you know it would work?”

“Yeah! How did you know that the evil dragon wouldn’t hurt the princess if she tried to fight back?” Thatcher added.

“When he let her choke him,” he answered as he gestured to his neck. “I knew.”

The star had let her choke him? Funny enough Asha hadn’t thought of it that way as Kelsie grinned and declared, “And now he’s dead! Three cheers for Aelar!”

“Hip hip hooray!” The audience cried as Aelar’s face reddened and his mother looked on with pride.

“Thank you,” he began, smiling shyly. Before turning to Asha, “Thank you for playing with us miss.”

“It was no problem,” she said with a small curtsy, before kicking the star’s foot with hers. “I knew I could count on you all to put the wicked dragon down. Thank God for that.”

“Three cheers for the knights of Rosas!” Mr. Leitus exclaimed, “Hip-hip!”

“Hooray!” yelled the crowd as they lifted the knights into the air.

“Hip-hip!”

“Hooray!”

She couldn't quite stop the smile that came to her face as she watched Aelar excitedly talk to the kids who’d eagerly nodded before he introduced them to his mother. Maybe it had been too early to decide, but she had a feeling that he would fit right in with the other children of Rosas.

Sensing that the crowd was now headed towards her grandfather’s decorated bakery, Asha leaned down towards the star, “Hey are you okay?”

He smugly grinned, removing the sword from his side, “Never been better. That was a pretty convincing performance wasn’t it? Hmm maybe I should take up theatre.” he took her hand as she helped him up. “I would be amazing in theatre. I can see it now!”

“Eh, I wouldn't quit my night job if I were you,” she joked, earning herself a string of

Cosmelathian words as the pair followed after the crowd. Her eyes slowly trailed to the now-changing sky. “Hey, where did Corvias and the others go?”

“Corvias?” the star repeated as he brushed himself off. “Oh, she and the others flew south. They’re not a fan of cold climates, you see.”

“Why didn’t you go with them?” she asked, glancing at the sky that had begun to change. “You do have the feathers for their kind of company.”

“Who me?” he pointed to himself as she nodded. “Well you always do tell me I should avoid murder sooo-”

“Ugh, a pun, really?” Asha rolled her eyes with a small smile. “And you wondered why I was so insistent on getting away from you earlier-”

“Oh Come on, princess, After giving me a chokehold and a near knife to the chest, surely you can find it within your little shriveled heart to give me one nice little compliment for that pun, can’t you?”

“Could I?” she grinned. “I do have a reputation for being wicked you know.”

“Wicked, skeptical, and fair, unfortunately,” the star sighed, feigning sadness. “I’m afraid it’s a very deadly combination.”

“Noted. But speaking of a chokehold, why didn’t you break out of mine? It’s not like you couldn’t have if you wanted to-,”

“I could've, couldn't I?” He mused as he rubbed his chin. “All things considered, I had the advantage. But rescues are funny things, aren’t they? They’re often regarded as acts of strength, bravery, and endurance and they are. But too often they are also regarded as a sign of weakness.”

“Weakness?” she repeated.

“Yes,” his eyes lowered as his smile vanished and his eyes turned upwards. “Growing up I’d always heard tales and myths from all over of the weak and helpless who needed to be liberated by those stronger than them. But the older I’ve gotten the more I’ve learned that sometimes the strong also need saving as well, and despite what some think it doesn’t make them any weaker when they do.”

His smile returned as he eyed her mischievously, “For example, you were the princess who needed help, but you certainly weren’t weak nor helpless were you?”

“Of course not!” Asha proudly retorted as she placed her hands on her hips. “I had you on the ropes!”

“For half a split second,” he teased. “But that’s why I chose you to be my princess.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” she asked, trying to ignore how her heartbeat had quickened at his words.

He carelessly shrugged, “Well I thought that if there was any girl in Rosas who’d be able to successfully prove my point to those children, then who better to pick than the only girl here who’d ever think about putting me into a headlock because I wanted to hold her captive for all eternity?”

“Ha!” She grinned in spite of herself. She did have to admit that she too didn’t think any other girl would choke him out for that. In fact, they’d probably be fighting the knights for him.

She chuckled, allowing for a beat of silence to pass before she spoke once more, “I’m surprised you thought those kids would be smart enough to see your point, given how you used to be Mr. Humans-are-simplistic-creatures-who-just-want-wishes! Just a few days ago.”

“Eh, what can I say? Being around you has taught me just how miserable and terrible humans can be.”

“Oh please as if you needed me to teach you that when my grandfather was the one who dragged you outta bed twice!”

“True that,” he conceded with a nervously strained laugh. “Your grandfather is pretty mean to me.,”

“It’s what you deserve, you little nuisance,” she laughed, before playfully poking him. “But going back to your point from earlier, I’m glad you wanted to teach them that lesson.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I can’t promise you that they’ll fully understand it now, but, it is kind of incredible that you were even willing to throw the game for it-,”

“Eh not quite,” the star confessed as they crossed the cobblestone street together. The sun was now sinking below the horizon as they stood outside of the bakery. “I mean don’t get me wrong, I did want to win that and obliterate those tiny humans’ chances of victory. And I would have if it weren’t for someone trying to stab me-,”

“Which given all things considered was once again, well deserved,” She grinned as he laughed.

Then she turned her gaze back to hands as she felt her smile falter, “But I do see what you mean, everyone is seen as a good and capable person when they’re able to help people and themselves, and so many times we cherish those who are able to help those in need, but when the time comes around for them to receive help themselves…that’s when the skepticism and judgment starts. Asking for help is never an easy thing, especially when you need it the most…”

She stilled, leaning against the bakery’s wall as she listened to the sounds of the crowds and servants getting situated inside.

She hadn’t meant to make the situation about herself, but as a person, or rather inventor who’d tried for ages to sell her ideas on the promises of helping others, she’d been no stranger to the skepticism in the official’s eyes whenever they’d remember just how much assistance she’d need due to her lack of potential.

She could only imagine what they’d think of her if they’d seen just how many tears she’d shed in the past few days. They’d probably call her weak, and fragile, too fallible to help anyone else when she couldn’t even help herself.

And she supposed that maybe they were right, but it still hadn’t felt good to hear. If it had hurt that much to hear as a mortal, then how had it felt when you were someone like Cepheus?

“This is about your meeting with the king, yesterday isn’t it?” the star quietly spoke as he took his place next to her. “I feel that you have a lot on your mind lately, do you wish to talk about it?”

She shook her head, and crossed her arms, “No….I’ll get over it. I always do.”

“And then what? Will you wait for him to tell you no again? Send you around the island on more broken promises?”

“He’s a king, Cepheus. He doesn’t have to do anything for me-,”

“You’re a human, you’re entitled to a basic degree of respect and decency.”

She frowned, not missing the tiny note of irritation within his voice. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If he’s never going to grant you funding then he should at least respect you enough to not waste your time on it anymore. Why do you work for him anyway? It’s not like he respects you or you have the magic potential that the other apprentices hold so why bother? Surely the pay can’t be that good-,”

“For someone who’s only been in my life for approximately two or three days you certainly have a strong opinion on the way I handle things, don’t you?” She asked, her voice teasing with anger. Such anger was misdirected. But it was far easier to get angry than to concede that maybe, just maybe she had a problem.

He was only trying to help, but that’s what she thought the prince and king had been doing as well, and look at how far that had gotten her in the past five years of her life.

Sure she trusted Cepheus to be better, but deep down she knew, she couldn’t afford to be open with him. Vulnerable even. He’d only hurt her, just as so many others had.

“Well it would certainly be a problem if I didn’t,” he remarked as his tone became slightly flinty. She could tell he’d taken issue with her words as he quietly asked, “Is there something wrong Asha?”

She shook her head, tearing her gaze away from his as she leaned from off of the wall. “No, I know…look, I’m sorry okay? I know you’re just trying to help me but you need to understand that there are rules here Cepheus, rules that people like you and me are born to follow, and rules that most who lead wouldn’t take kindly to us breaking.”

“But your wish-,”

“Is just that and nothing more! Not all wishes come true, Cepheus!” she cried as her voice grew louder.

“Then why go through the trouble of granting so many other people’s wishes?”

She stopped, dread spreading through her veins like ice as she took a step back from him. “W-what? What are you?”

His eyes narrowed as he examined her, “As a creature of supernatural origin, I always try to be open-minded when it comes to believing in things. But coincidences have never been one of a thing I could particularly swear by.”

He’d leaned from off of the wall as well, sharply tugging his cape behind him before he began.

“You granted Mrs. Nora’s wish today, right? It was the reason why you had the children playing together. She wished for her son to have a friend and you made sure to introduce him to kids who you thought could make it happen. Amala and her family wished for their grandmother to be well, and now you’re having me heal her. Your grandfather wished for his music box to play once more and we fixed it. And then a few days ago you were the key to your school teachers’ wishes getting granted as well. They wished for a change in the festival and together we created it. None of those were coincidences were they?”

When she’d failed to answer he shook his head speaking softly “I thought as much,”

Now she panicked, quickly looking around as she pleaded, “You can’t tell anyone about this!”

“Why not?”

“Cepheus this is treason! If the king were to ever find out that I did this, and that I broke the law-,” she shook her head unable to finish the sentence.

Now he looked confused, “So why risk it? You know the penalty-”

“I do, but I also know what it’s like to not have a wish granted….” she breathed as she looked away. Her arms tightly wrapped around herself as she whispered, “I know how crushing that can be.”

“Asha?” came her grandfather’s voice as she heard the bakery’s door slowly creak open. The wonderful scents and smells from its interior drifted into the cool night air as he called, “Asha are you there?”

“I am,” she replied, grateful for the distraction that his entry provided her. She wasn’t sure that she’d have been able to keep her composure if the conversation had continued down this path.

As if reading her thoughts, her grandfather released a sigh of relief, “It’s time to work! You know the drill!”

“Yes Saba,” she replied, taking a deep breath before she turned to the star. “C’mon, we have work to do.”

__________________________________________________________

It hadn’t taken the prince long to enter into the now-empty halls of the lower castle chambers. These chambers were rarely if ever occupied and when they were, the figures he’d found roaming around them had been….undesirable to say the least.

His eyes flitted towards the dark shadows that loomed in the corners of the disarrayed hallway, hoping that they would remain still enough to allow him to continue his venture in silence. Every journey through these hallways was a gamble he supposed, as you were never quite certain what or who you would run into.

On the good days, it was the occasional servant who’d taken a wrong turn and was lucky enough to run into him before anyone else had seen them. On the bad days, it had been new additions to his uncle’s statue collection.

Speaking of new additions, he couldn’t recall seeing the pair of soldier statues that now stood at the end of the hallway, before.

Soldiers were new. But from the look of their armor and the petrified plants near their feet, these two had probably been from Banquo.

He paused, examining them carefully. Who had they been and why had they ended up like this? His guess was as good as anyone’s but he knew that this was anything but an accident.

Shaking his head, he’d pressed forward, trying to force himself to focus on the meeting that he’d arranged between him and the other apprentices. He hadn’t seen them all day and their presence was sorely missed as he’d spent time in his uncle’s presence training.

He wondered what they’d been up to and if they’d missed him just as much as he missed them.

Of course, they did! They were friends, weren’t they? They’d been through thick and thin together! Surely that had to count for something, right?

And yet it hadn’t counted for much when he’d seen how his uncle had dealt with the Clariveaus and so many others.

But he hadn’t been his uncle. No matter what his uncle thought or said, they weren’t alike.

. “I’ve never heard the halls so quiet before,” Bazeema's whisper echoed through the darkness as the flame flickered within Ignacio’s palm. “It was wonderful!”

“The stables were practically empty today,” Safi sighed.

“Same with the gardens,” he could practically hear the frown in Hal’s voice. “I was out there tending to my bees and it was like the place was completely abandoned!”

“Hey, I just noticed something!” Dario exclaimed.

“What? What is it?”

“Isn’t it funny how the one time Asha decides to take a vacation, practically everyone does too?” Dario asked as the room fell silent and the prince came to a stop.

It was an odd coincidence, wasn’t it?

“Maybe she knows something we don’t!”

“Maybe she does.”

“Eh, I doubt it,” Dahlia interjected. “From what I’ve seen most of the servants and chefs are still here, working like crazy to get all of the king’s orders done.”

“The king’s orders for the ball?”

“No, not the ball, for whatever guests he’s invited to the east wing, which is apparently super packed from what I hear. And I don’t think it’s with the foreign diplomats that the king’s been telling us about.”

“Oh? And what makes you say that?”

“Weapons,” Dahlia started rather stiffly as their voices lowered to a whisper. Weapons. Of course, he’d known about said weapons, but hearing her say it hadn’t made it any easier. After everything he’d done, they were still too close to danger. What would it take to keep them safe? From his uncle? From Antares? from…himself?

He didn’t know. But he wished- “Gosh it’s so lifelike-,” came Hal’s voice through the wall as he neared the study.

“I still don’t know how he was able to do it-,” Dahlia skeptically added. “The timeline doesn’t add up. Better yet why? I mean why would you make a statue of the guy who burned the queen as a gift for the king? Isn’t it tasteless?”

“It gives me the creeps just looking at it,” Bazeema quietly whispered.

“I don’t know why Nachos would want it in here of all places.”

“Maybe to motivate him to leave the castle faster tonight? You know secret heists don’t plan themselves!” Dario excitedly replied. “Look! I even got us costumes so no one in Hamlet will be able to recognize us tonight!”

“What sort of costumes?” Came Ignacio’s voice as he appeared.

“Nachos!” They cried in unison as the prince made his way to the table.

“Ready to go to Hamlet, Nachos? Do you like my disguises? I made you one! It’s your early astral ball gift!” Dario grinned, pulling his hood over his face that no longer looked like his own. “No one will be able to recognize us when we wear it! Pretty neat right?”

“Thanks, and yeah it is pretty cool. I could hardly recognize you,” Ignacio chuckled at his friend’s strange mustache as he took his own cape and mask. “So-,” he started as he placed the mask on his desk’s surface. “What are you guys looking at?”

“Well speaking of gifts, the king left you something,” Dahlia grimaced.

“Oh?” Ignacio asked before his eyes landed on the object that they’d been talking about. There standing in the middle of the room had been the statue of Julian with his body angled perfectly towards him.

His once outstretched arm that had been raised at the king was now reaching towards him.

“Yeah,” Dahlia nodded. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about it, would you?”

He shrugged, turning away from the statue. “My uncle with excessively expensive taste likes statues. Go figure.”

“Okay, but a statue of Julian? Really?” Dahlia asked eyeing him carefully. She was probably watching his left eye to see whether or not it twitched.

“An artist's perspective I guess,” Nachos answered as he picked up another tart and closed his eyes.

“You almost feel like a normal person, don’t you?” The king’s voice asked him. Of course, he did. He was a normal person, well as normal as a prince could be anyway.

And yet he had just lied to them all. Granted it hadn’t been the first time he’d done so, but lately, it had gnawed at his conscious more often than not.

His uncle lied a lot too. But this…this was different.

He protected. His uncle…well- “What’s the secret to making them so…lifelike?” Safi asked as Dario nodded.

“Yeah,” Dario started, carefully reaching towards the statue. “It’s almost like they were once real people.”

“Don’t touch that!” He cried, watching as everyone turned to look at him in shock. Almost like how they’d stare at…the king…

“We share far more in common than just our resemblance, Ignacio. Remember that.”

No, they didn’t. He’d venomously thought as he tersely poured himself a cup of tea and cleared his throat.

“It’s a new statue, Dario They’re fairly fragile at this point.”

“They are?” Hal asked as her brows furrowed. “But they’re made out of rock?”

“Rocks can be soft,” he argued as he weakly collapsed into his chair. He couldn’t find the strength to glare as he’d taken another bite of his tart and weakly retorted, “They can be very soft! And sensitive too!”

Hal and Dahlia exchanged looks before Dahlia asked, “Did something happen with the king today?”

Finally, an opening, he’d sighed before sitting up in his chair, placing down the envelope full of fair tickets. “As a matter of fact it did! I think I may have found the answer to what we’ve been looking for.”

He couldn’t quite stop the smile that had come to him as he watched his friends curiously examine the tickets.

“Tickets to the royal fair?” Hal asked as she held one up for all to see. “In Banquo?”

“Mmhmm,” he nodded taking a sip of tea.

“But we don’t need these,” Safi pointed out. That had been true, given the noble title they’d all obtained upon accepting their apprenticeship offer, they like any other noble of the court technically didn’t need an invitation to go.

“But, we both know someone among us who would need an invitation to go,” he smiled as he placed his teacup down. “Pack your things, my friends. We are extending a royal invitation to some very special guests.”

______________________________________________________________

#the kingdom of the stars #wish au #writers on tumblr #kingdom of the stars #a03 fanfic

7 notes · View notes