doofycoin

[yudol-skorbi]

fave cringe fail loser girlboss

[bugbeee]

Pyrrhic for Pale King or rubatosis for Nightmare King Grimm? Hireaeth for Hornet or liberosis for Hollow/Pure Vessel? Morituro for Ghost or scrosciare for Quirrel or Lemm? So many of these prompts are so good for Hollow Knight--I can't make up my mind which ones I like the most. Feel free to do however many you feel up to--don't feel pressure to do every single one. Pick and chose!

Cookie, you are the light of my life and I adore you. I hope you enjoy these! Prompt list from here!

Pyrrhic (won at too great a cost):

Sitting on his throne, the Pale King wondered if he should be happy. They had won. He had won. The Radiance was sealed, and the infection would no longer plague Hallownest. And yet, the roiling in his stomach would not cease. Abruptly, he stood up, unable to keep himself still any longer. The palace halls were silent save for the swish of his robes. His daughter had been sent to train with Vespa a scant few cycles ago, and Root...

Well. Root had left long ago.

Only his retainers remained, and even they grew quieter and quieter with each passing day.

Despite the sealing, he knew that something uneasy continued to lurk within his kingdom. In the end, he truly was a blind fool, despite his foresight. He had seen it when he first saw the Pure- the Hollow Knight before him, and he had seen it again as he sent it to fulfill their duty.

No cost too great, he had said. And yet, he could not stop himself from weighing the innumerable sacrifices he made for... for nothing. Root had left a scant few cycles before the Knight’s sealing, though she had confided in him that it was not because of love for her hollow child. After such a harrowing experience, she needed to retreat. She would return soon, she said.

Wyrm didn’t need his foresight to know that was not true.

The Gendered Child had been sent away for her own safety, and for his own sanity. She raged with the loss of her mother, and after the attempt on her life, she could not sleep without being plagued by nightmares. He knew that the palace was unhealthy for her, that every waking moment was torture-

So he sent her away. Despite the betrayal on her face as he did so. Despite her screams of abandonment.

But he had to. He had to, because the assassin brought rumours of an orange plague, because bugs were acting strangely and mentioning dreams of gold, because-

He had already failed once as a father. He would not give her a parent she didn’t deserve. Not when she already had the love of her mother and step-mother.

Unable to keep walking, Wyrm collapsed to the floor, burying his face in his hands.

This was meant to be victory, he thought bitterly. So why did it feel so much like loss?

Morituro (someone who is destined to die):

Elderbug had been the only resident of Dirtmouth for a long time now. He had seen travellers come and go, always waiting for a familiar face to pop back up and return. Hoping, that perhaps one of them would stay. But no. His town remained empty, and had done so ever since the cloud of sickly sweet rot and sickness had risen from the well on the outskirts of town, luring bugs in with enticing promises of riches and glory. He had never seen the city below that travellers spoke about with such fervent excitement, never felt the own tug of wanderlust pulling him down into the depths of the forgotten kingdom.

No, he was always happier at his home, welcoming those who came by, and hoping that perhaps this time, one of them would stay. Once upon a time, his town had been filled quiet contentment, bugs living in comfort and harmony. It had been a happier time, even with the quiet whispers of Hallownest’s fall. But the days of life within his village had been long gone, and soon enough, he was the only one remaining, waiting in vain for someone, anyone to return and stay. While he enjoyed the quiet, he preferred to spend it with another person. The loneliness and isolation that had spread across his village like an infection had changed that quiet into an empty silence.

And yet... that had slowly begun to change, all thanks to his small masked friend. They had introduced new bugs into his town, had rekindled the flickering life of Dirtmouth, had given him new hope. Shops began to reopen, people moved back in, and he was no longer alone. There was still the gentle quietness of his town, but no pervasive silence that gripped his very carapace. Just for that, Elderbug owned them a debt, yet they never asked for anything in return, instead being content to simply sit on the bench beside him and bask in each other’s’ presence. His fondness for the childlike bug was not unlike that of a grandfather, and he could not help the soft affection that rose within him whenever they returned.

Despite the stench below, despite the dead kingdom beneath his feet, Elderbug was content again. His town was full, gentle life having drifted back in with the appearance of his friend. He wondered when they would cease their wanderings in the caverns below, and finally join them all above. He would not keep them from exploring, but their increased disappearances made him worry all the same. He hoped that soon, soon they would settle down. Was a quiet life not enough? Was being surrounded by friendly bugs not an adventure in itself?

But it was not his place to give voice to these thoughts, not when his friend was so eager to travel. He gave a soft sigh, watching the gentle lights sway in the quiet breeze, eyes flicking between the well and the Stag Station. And then, finally, the door of the Station opened, and out hopped the little traveler, something small clutched within their claws. Relief and joy warmed Elderbug’s heart, and he eagerly welcomed them to the bench.

“Hello, my friend. It is good to see you in good health. I admit, I grew worried when I heard the screeching from below, but seeing you whole is reassuring,” he said softly as they approached him.

His eyes fell upon the delicate flower in their hands, and Elderbug blinked in surprise.

“Hm? What a beautiful flower!” he exclaimed. “Why are you carrying around such an exquisite bloom?”

They looked at him, eyes unreadable as ever, but there was a quiet sadness in their posture, lit up with the slightest hint of affection as they reached out to offer him the bloom. Elderbug choked at the gesture, tears springing to his eyes as he took the flower with trembling claws.

“Thank you, my friend. Suddenly, the world seems a little less faded. I will take care of this flower while you are gone, so we can enjoy it together when you return,” he said hoarsely, so touched by the gesture that he missed the hint of sorrow and regret within his friend. The little one carefully sat down in their usual spot, shuffling slightly as they became comfortable.

Elderbug smiled softly at them, and took up his usual position beside them, basking in their quiet presence, but they patted the bench.

“Oh? Do you wish for me to sit with you? I am quite happy standing, especially if you wish to rest after such an adventure,” he explained, but they shook their head, and patted the bench again.

“Very well, my friend. I would be happy to sit by your side.”

He let his old, weary body sit beside them, the cold metal a comforting balm on his aching limbs. They rested together until Elderbug could feel his strength returning to him and his friend’s slumped body straightened. They turned to look at him, tilting their head at the flower tucked close to his arm, empty eyes seemingly cataloguing every piece of him.

He chuckled softly at their examination, and opened his mouth to say something, but stopped as his friend placed a claw over his. It was a fleeting gesture, yet comforting all the same, and Elderbug was reminded of a child grasping onto someone close for a shred of reassurance. They leapt off the bench before he could respond; only turning to look at him once as they headed towards the well. His friend lifted their hand in a small wave, and he could not help but think they looked so sad as they did so.

As though it was a final farewell.

“Next time,” he muttered, despite the hollow stone sat in his chest. “Next time I’ll ask them to stay.”

(Perhaps, had he known, he would have clung harder.)

Scrosciare (rain pouring down or waves hitting rocks):

Quirrel stared out beyond the lake, the soft crash of water against rocks echoing within his emptied mind. His tired eyes caught on the shimmering waves illuminated by the distant glow of lingering lumaflies. How strange to think that after all these years he would be in Hallownest again. His departure had been abrupt, spurred on his Madam’s eternal slumber. One end began there, and today, it would finally reach its conclusion. Even now, his memories were disjointed, caught on fragments of confusion and fog, but she still shone like a beacon in his mind, a gentle light guiding him within the tangled memories. If she were still here, she would disapprove of his plan, he thought. But she was not here.

She had been gone for a long time.

The soft patter of footsteps broke his musings, and he tilted his head towards his little friend, though his eyes never left the blue shore. It warmed him to know that despite the slow, stumbling death of Hallownest, he had still made a friend, and a dear one at that. Their silent presence had been a comfort throughout his journey through the decaying kingdom, and he had found himself eager to see his friend in every new place discovered. And now, they sat by him as he spoke fondly of being able to relive the beauty of Hallownest, of being able to meet them. They stayed as quiet as ever, and he couldn’t help but smile.

There was a quiet sadness about them, Quirrel thought to himself, and he wondered if they knew what he planned. His friend sat unmoving next to him, staring across the waters just as he had done a bare few moments ago. Together, they let the time slowly drift by, only the gentle flow of the waves giving any sense as to how long had passed. He sighed softly, and turned to face their friend, words ready to spill, but he paused. They were looking at him, eyes as empty as ever, but there was a mournful air around them, and a part of him thought that, were they able to, they would be crying.

“Friend?” he asked hesitantly.

They did not look away, studying him as intently as his Madam had shortly before-

Ah. So they did know then. Or at least guess.

“Do not worry about me, my small friend. I have wandered this world for a long time, have been lucky enough to experience more wonders and beauty’s than most bugs do in their life time. Mourn not for me, my dear friend. My duty has been fulfilled, and now I shall rest,” he said gently, letting his claw rest uncertainly on their head.

They seemed unconvinced, and took his hand with their own small ones, mask shaking in silent disapproval. Quirrel chuckled.

“Even without a voice, your scolding is clear. Tell me, what is there left for me to see?”

For him to live, went unspoken.

They swept a claw to the world around them, before pointing up, up, upwards.

“Hallownest is gone, my dear friend, choked by this infection. The village above will soon follow,” he murmured gently, but they shook their head vigorously again.

They grabbed their nail and swept it as though fighting some invisible foe.

“Oh? Shall you fight off the rest of this sickness then? Do you even know how?”

Do you know what it will cost, he did not say, instead staring at the little fellow besides him.

They nodded, dropping their nail and grabbing his claws again, staring hopefully up into his own face.

Well then.

“I see you won’t let me go that easily. Very well, my dear friend. I shall wait until you fight off this infection, so that I may see a clean Hallownest again. And who knows, maybe there will even be life again,” he said begrudgingly, but a small part of him was intrigued. Perhaps even excited. His Madam surely would hate for him to waste his life, certainly before even giving the revival of Hallownest a chance.

Waiting wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Not with his friend by his side, not with the quiet hope they still inspired. Quirrel had long since forgotten how or where the infection came from, or even how it was contained, aside from the Dreamer’s Seal, but he believed in his small friend. If anyone could do it, then surely, surely them.

“If that is the case, then I shall meet you above in Dirtmouth, once it is all over. But for now, I will enjoy this moment for a while longer. You are welcome to stay, or continue your quest, but your company is never unwanted.”

The little Ghost plonked themselves back next to him, and the two of them watched the lake together until Quirrel could feel his eyes closing, lulled into a gentle sleep with the steady comfort of his friend.

The waves lapped gently against the rocks.

[fivefeetfear]

Chapter 4

.............................

(Y/N) spent about an hour showing Spinel around the small town, giving the pink gem a rundown of the tiny metropolis. At some point Spinel stopped processing the words the short girl was saying since her brain seems to be on the fritz as alarms went off in her head. Because at this very moment (Y/N) was holding her hand. She was holding (Y/N) hand. They are holding hands! This was all she could think about for the last hour; they're laced fingers locked together. It felt nice. However, as a means of distraction from the hand holding, the pink gem began to pay attention to (Y/N) facial expressions. The taller gem admiring every smile line whenever she smiled, or the way her eyebrows knitted together or the way her cute nose scrunches up! This isn’t helping. Spinel averts her eyes when the (Y/G) would glance up at her. She could feel her cheeks glowing pink. Shit she was almost caught staring! Little did Spinel knew, she was, a few times, and it only made (Y/N) smile as she walked closer to Spinel; their arms brushing against one another every so often.

"Ok, I think it's time for us to take a break. I'm going to take you to my favorite ice cream shop! They have the best (F/F) ever! It's so creamy and sweet, I know you'll love it." She sighs softly ready to have her favorite frozen treat.

"There it is!" The (C/G) gem calls out happily, (Y/N) picks up her pace as she tugs the pink gem along. Spinel grins to herself eagerness; she had a feeling she has to get used to the idea of her arm possibly be dislocated. And she was ok with that. The two approached a cute yellow shop with a large neon sign reading "Scoops". Before the two made it to the door, the tall gem used her stretching abilities to open the door and gestured for (Y/N) to go first.

"After you ." Spinel says softly.

"Thank you." Y/N replies as she walked into the chilly shop. The two made their way to the front, standing at the register was a short teal Opal gem, she waves at them politely as she glanced at the familiar (Y/G)

"Would you like your usual Ms. (Y/N)?" Opal asks getting ready to punch in the order.

"Yes!" the (Y/G) answers nearly rocking in place, eyes wide with childlike wonder. The teal Opal looks over at Spinel and asks her for her order too.

"I'll take a raspberry cone please." The magenta gem orders. The list was huge so she just called out the first one she could see. Food wasn’t her thing but she enjoys sweets.

"Ok, your total will be $7.45." Opal confirms with a bright smile. Spinel reached into her sweater pocket to pull out her money, Steven had given her some for the outing. The slim gem then glances over sees (Y/N) pulling out her wallet from her dress pocket. Um no? She was not about to let this cutie pay for her, not on her watch. With a heavy sigh, Spinel begrudgingly releases the short gem's hand. The pink gem stretches her arm around (Y/N) and swipes the wallet from her grasp. (E/C) eyes widen as they followed the hand as it springs back to Spinel. The pink gem tucked it away in her sweater for safekeeping.

"Spi-"

"I gotcha covered." She says coolly giving the cashier the proper amount of money.

"But you're my guest; I'm supposed to treat you." The (Y/G) explains as she pouts gazing up at the pink girl. God, she's too damn cute for her own sake. It wasn't fair on how big of an impact (Y/N) has over her already. Spinel averts her eyes away as she rubs the back of her neck.

"It's the least I could do for you for being so nice to me." Spinel informs as she gives (Y/N) a shy smile. (Y/N) chest tighten as her cheeks lit up. This was the first time she has seen Spinel smile! And it was so cute! The (E/C) eyed female could feel the gem on her neck grow warm as she memorized the wrinkles by Spinel's eyes. The short gem hums thoughtfully before taking the frozen treats.

"Fine, but next time I'm treating!" she says, playfully bumping hips with the taller gem. Spinel's left brow quirks up as her orbs followed her retreating figure. Next time? She wanted to ask what she meant by that but decided against it. Maybe when they were lone.

................................

The pair made their way across the street to a large park in the middle of Little Homeworld. They sat on a bench as they finished their frozen treats in a comfortable silence. Spinel watched as other couples wander the park enjoying the warm weather. Her eyes spotted two gems holding hands as they sat on the swing beside each other. Her eyes drifted down towards (Y/N) petite hands that rested next to hers. Feeling warm under the collar, Spinel tried to summon the courage to touch her hand, but she couldn't do it! The pink gem was in an internal war with herself as she trembled in her spot wanting to have physical connect with her again. UGHHH why was she so pathetic!

"Spinel?"

"Yes!" the pink gem shouts nervously startling (Y/N).

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean t-to shout." (Y/G) waves it off as she leans in closer into Spinel's personal space.

"Don’t worry about it, I just wanted to make sure you were having.” (Y/N) hums sweetly as she swings her short legs, her feet barely touching the ground.

"Y-yeah, I'm having f-fun, but I've b-been meaning to ask y-you something. S-something that d-doesn't make any sense." Spinel informs, her voice trailed off at the end. (Y/N) stops swinging her feet and turned her body to let Spinel know she has her full attention.

"Sure, what is it?" Spinel could feel every atom in her body shaking with fear, her chest constricting tightly with each second that goes by. Relax, she needed to....relax. The pink gem took in a deep breath holding it for ten seconds and slowly releasing it. Ok, she could do this. Spinel lifts her head higher as she shifts her magenta orbs to look directly into (E/C) eyes.

"At the ice cream parlor you said, you’ll be treating next time. What did you mean by that?” (Y/N) blinks her eyes several times as she tilts her head to the side.

“Well it means I would like to hang out without with again.” The curvy gem answers like it was obvious. Or at least she thought SHE was being obvious about her crush towards Spinel.

“See thats what I don’t get? Why do you want to hang out with me again?” Spinel quips anxiously back needing more clarity. Why would she want to be around her! Spinel knew (F/N) and everyone in Little Homeworld knew who she is! They have to know what she has done! And if she does why does she wants to be even near her!!

"Because you're nice." (Y/N) answers simply as she waited for the slender gems reaction. The (Y/G) didn’t understand why this was so important to Spinel. It seems like she wants a life altering answer on why she wants to be spend time with her but she doesn’t have one.

The dots were not connecting for the pink gem and it was beginning to irritate her. Spinel sat unmoving on the bench as she stared down at the (Y/G), her expression completely unreadable. (Y/N) began to shift her eyes around growing nervous under the magenta hues. Did she say something wrong? Before (Y/N) could speak, Spinel started chuckling to herself, it gradually got louder and it threw (Y/N) completely off guard. It was not a happy laugh either, it was a laugh empty of joy and filled to the brim with bitterness.

"W-what's so funny?" (Y/N) asks meekly. Spinel quicks her laughing then snaps her attention back to the short gem as she frowns in disdain.

"You. You're what's funny!" she responses mockingly. Ok? The short girl's eyes widen with confusions as she grips the hem of her dress in firmly completely confused what is happening. Spinel resumes her spiteful laughter as she leans forward placing her elbows on her knees. The pink gem felt like she had completely crashed and could not help the uncontrollable laughter that erupted from her form. Spinel has spent the majority of the day thinking about why a talented and beautiful gem such as (Y/N) wanted to hang around her? A gem that is twisted and completely unstable! And to hear her say it was because she thinks she is nice! What a joke! Where on earth would she get that idea from? Spinel hasn't done anything nice in her life! All she has ever been was a burden!

The self-hatred laughter died down, she then sharpens her eyes in a scowl. Her teeth gritted down as the pink gem felt the fire of distrust burn within. Was she toying with her? (Y/N) has to know who she is and what she has done, right?! Of course, she knows! She is friends with the Crystal Gems! Maybe this was a setup! Was she using some form of reverse psychology? Maybe this was all some elaborate plan to see if she is still as unhinged as the day she left.Why else would she be gaslighting her like this? Paranoia floods her mind drowning any rational thought she had left. Spinel felt her eyebrows twitch uncontrollably as she let her insecurity devour her.

"Did you hit your head or something? Or are you always this full of shit? Why would you think that? I know you heard about me and what I've done. I gave you no reason to believe I am nice. Was it because I bought you ice-cream, mmhm!? If that's your only proof then you set the standards for yourself pretty damn low! It's sad really! If that's all that it takes for you to consider ME nice to consider hanging out with me, I can’t imagine what I have to do to get between your legs." Spinel cracks with a sadistic grin.

(Y/N) eyes widen in anger as she stood up from the spot on the bench, her hand glowing a bright (F/C) as she reeled it back as far as she can and swung it forward with all her might. She refused to let anyone talk to her like that.

SLAP

Spinel head swirls around from the powerful impact as she hisses in pain. Damn, that really hurt, she knew it was going to leave a nasty bruise. The pink gem unwind her neck as she cupped her injured cheek, her eyes meeting teary (E/C) ones. (Y/N) breathed heavily in anger as her tiny hands shook with rage.

"You are such-"

"A bitch? Asshole? Monster?!" Spinel suggested with a crooked smile. The pink gem felt her figurative heartbreak knowing this was her defense mechanism trying to protect her. Protecting her from any more pain. The hatred that she harbors for herself had completely overruled Spinel's hope for any potential relationship with (Y/N). She knew she was already attached to the (Y/G), and it scared her on how quickly it happened. The magenta gem refused to let anyone have that kind of hold on her again.

(Y/N) seethed in rage as her fists glowed once more, angry tears building up in her eyes.

"To t-think you...you...fuck!" (Y/N) growls under her breath, choking on her tears. How did this happen? How did this day take a wild one eighty!? (Y/N) saw a crowd begin to form and it took everything inside her to ignore the stares.

"To think what? That I was NICE?" Spinel snaps as she reaches over and grabs (Y/N) wrist.

"Oh I'm a swell gal alright. I'm sooooo nice that I brought an injector to earth filled with Bio-Poison to kill your precious Steven! To completely wipe him out from existence right along with the planet and his friends! YOUR friends! So please tell me what it is that you?!” Spinel demands as she glared harshly at (Y/N). The furious gem began to tower over the (G/C) girl as she grabs her other wrist to yank her closer, staring directly into (E/C) hues trying to figure out what her aim is.

"ANSWER ME!" She screams into the short gem's face, panic laced within her words.

"To think you were the one that found me!" (Y/N) roars back into the Spinel's face refusing to let the pink gem intimidate her. Spinel's face contours in confusion when her words-processed in her head. Found her? What did she mean by that?

(Y/N) growls as a blinding white light consumed her form, this startled Spinel as her grasped loosen around her wrist. The (G/C) gem latched her hands onto Spinel's forearms keeping her in place.

"Let go of me!" Spinel yells frantically trying to escape the iron grip of the short gem, but no dice. The light then creeps up onto the base of Spinel's forearms and spread to the rest of her body. This kicked her into panic mode as her eyes dilated in fear, feeling her skin heating up.

The two then vanished into thin air.

[1-2-4sudoku]

Snapped Restraints: Chapter Four: The Last Straw

AU: This is a long chapter, folks. If you’ve been waiting for the ‘snapped’ part of Snapped Restraints, this is where your wish comes true.

“What happened to your room?” Alfred asked me suspiciously.

“Um, I had an emotional breakdown.”

“I’m well aware of that, but I was told it happened at school,” he replied with one eyebrow raised.

I shifted my weight from one leg to the other and twined my brown hair around my finger anxiously I wasn’t stupid. I knew that Alfred knew that I was lying.

“You’re sure, Miss Juliette. that it was you who destroyed every one of your precious origami, which you spent hours on, which I’ve heard you refer to as your ‘pride and joy’?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and said:“Yes, Alfred. I just lost my temper, is all.”

I felt bad for lying to someone who had been good to me. He had saved me from training sessions, defended me, made me my after school snacks, and so much more. I knew he wanted to help me, and I lied to him.

He couldn’t prove I was lying, though he knew I was. There weren’t any cameras set up in my room, no honest eye witness report. If he tried to dig deeper with no solid evidence, he could fail and Bruce would be angry and it would be worse for me.

On Friday, Dick picked up Damian to spend the weekend with him in Bludhaven. When Dick brought him back, he talked to Bruce. That freaked me out. I thought that Damian told our brother about Bruce hitting us. I felt it was my fault for encouraging him to stand up for himself.

I came into his room without knocking, and discovered that Tim and Cassandra were already there. Damian saw me come in and immeaditely blurted out: “I didn’t tell Grayson what you think I did. I only said anything at all because he asked me why I was sad!”

“Fill me in,” I demanded.

“I only told him about what happened at school and Father being angry with us, not that he hit us, and now Grayson is angry with Father.” Damian looked scared and pale and very small. He was on his bed with his arms around Titus, who he was holding onto like a lifeline.

“Okay. Okay.” I began pacing rapidly with my fingers woven tightly in my hair as I desperately wondered: What now? What the fuck do we do now?

Cass was sitting next to Damian, looking just as lost as he did. Tim sat in a desk chair with his elbows on his knees and his hands supporting his gaunt face.

After a few long moments, Damian inquired in an appropriately childlike voice: “Are you angry with me?”

Tim responded the fastest and the most harshly. “Um, YES!”

“Zip it!” I told him. “I need to think.”

“That’s funny,” Tim stood up. seeing his face, I noticed that he seemed to have worry lines despite his age. He started towards Damian. He wasn’t replying to me. He had concentrated his anger on Damian. “Because you know what I’m thinking? I think-”

“Quiet!” Cass snapped.

“Thank you!” I said empathetically. “Don’t try to redirect your anger at anyone else, Tim. It’s Bruce who hurt us, Bruce we should be angry with.”

“Hero. Helped me.” Cassandra interjected quickly.

“He hurt you, too, Cass,” Tim replied. “After all you’ve been through, of course you’d like the world to be black and white and Bruce a hero. But it isn’t and he’s not.”

“Tim is right,” I agreed. 

Tim inhaled deeply. “When he found out that you were suicidal, Bruce should have tried to find you therapy. Instead, he locked you in a sinking ship to make you want to live.”

“Got out. Lived.” Insisted Cassandra fervently.

“What if you didn’t?” Tim demanded of her. “What if you had wanted to die so badly that you lay on the floor and let yourself drown?”

“You were suicidal?” Damian asked. “Why?”

Cass nodded. After a period of silence she admitted: “Killed before. Hated myself.”

Cass’s feelings were a welcome distraction from my own panic and turmoil. I instantaneously jumped on the new topic.

“You stayed with Barbara for a long time, right?” I asked. “Did she try to help you with those feelings?”

She nodded.

“Tell me about that.”

This time Cass waited a long time to talk and said a lot when she did. “Barbara was kind to me. Tried to teach me words. Helped me... socialize. 

“She told me everyday that I was good. Said I wasn’t my father. Wanted to know my feelings. If I said I was bad, Barbara told me all the good I did.” 

After that speech, Cassandra brought her knees up to her chin and and wrapped her arms around them. She closed her almond eyes, clearly exhausted from saying so much, and put her head down. She told me without words that she was done speaking.

“Cass,” Tim concluded gently. “Barbara loves you like a daughter. Bruce appreciates you as a weapon.”

“Amen,” I verified with passion. “Bruce doesn’t love us. The sooner we come to terms with that, the better.”

Damian muttered something from his bed.

“What’d you say?” Tim inquired tiredly.

A short pause. A child’s voice muffled by his sadness. “I’m difficult to love.”

“You only think that because Bruce never tried to love you!” I cried. “I know! Tim filled me in on everything about this family when I got here. Bruce didn’t try to know you, didn’t try to be patient with you, didn’t try to help you, didn’t try to bond with you. If that shitbag can’t love you, he’s got no one to blame but himself.”

Damian started crying. The tears streaking his face and his runny nose were good reminders as to how young the little soldier was. 

Without a word, Cassandra and I wrapped our arms around him. After a few moments, Tim did the same with an accepting mutter of, “Oh, what the Hell.”

Silently, we all agreed that we were going to stick together through whatever happened.

As for what all Dick said to Bruce, I’m not sure what exactly it was, but I know it made him angry and I know it affected Alfred’s view of him.

After that day, he was never not home when Bruce was. And sometimes, when the Batman looked at me, I could see it in his eyes that he was full of burning hatred of me. I knew he wanted to hit me. The feeling was mutual.

Three weeks later, Alfred decided that is was safe to leave all us kids alone with Bruce while he went to the library. Big mistake.

That fateful Tuesday afternoon,  I  was working on a puzzle at my desk. As I did, Nadia chased a small rubber band ball across the floor.

Foolishly, stupidly, absolutely moronically, I had left my bedroom door wide open. I felt Bruce come in before I turned and saw him, because kids like me have a sixth sense for danger.

I stood up and we looked at each other silently before that bastard spoke. He watched Nadia studiously. She was stock still with quivering whiskers; a deer in the headlights. “I know you love that rat.”

A lot of things happened in the ten to fifteen seconds following his words. They didn’t blur together to me; instead they were all very clear in my mind.

I knew exactly what he was thinking. I thought: Hell no, you motherfucker.

Adrenaline flooded my system immeadietly. I started moving, and moving fast.

“It would be a sha-” Gargoyle Face began, but I interrupted him, yelling: “OVER MY DEAD BODY!!!”

As I uttered those words, I pinned my beloved friend to my chest with my arms and arched my back over her with my legs bent beneath me.

Gargoyle came at me screaming bloody murder at the top of his lungs, but I didn’t try to run.

He kicked me hard in the side. He grabbed the back of my shirt and pulled me so my back was to the floor. I must’ve learned something after all from all the training, because I manged to kick him fairly hard in the balls.

After that was when everything started to blur together. I think he threw me across the room to try to shock me into loosening my hold. I think he tried to stomp on my hands to break them. I think it’s a miracle that he couldn’t, a miracle that I somehow kept Nadia safe.

I know that I was crying hard and swearing and Nadia was screaming and shitting herself and the demonic excuse for a hero was yelling and beating me and I knew better than to try to fight him and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw Cassandra and then suddenly it stopped.

She knocked out Bruce with a nerve paralyzing move on, I found out later. She finally stopped standing by and helped me.

Tim and Damian came in moments later.

Tim was the first to speak. “Oh, Jesus Christ!”

Cass said: “Bruce hurt Juliette. I hurt Bruce.” She said this in a very quiet and flat voice, like she was in shock. Later I decided that she probably was.

“Damian, try to take Nadia from her, and you take care of her,” Tim ordered. He spoke in a calm, professional manner. “Cass, you help me move Bruce to his bed.”

After a long time, Damian somehow managed to pry Nadia from my grasp and hold her for me so that I could take a hot bath.

Most of one wall in my bathroom was covered in mirror. When I stood up and looked at my body, the bruising was so bad that the freckles that covered every inch of my skin were no longer visible in some places.

Damian began cleaning my room while Tim looked for pain medication and cold packs. 

“I’d give you morphine if I could, but that means an IV, which there’s no way Alfred wouldn’t notice,” he said miserably. Then Tim helped Damian clean up.

My brothers and sister put me to bed and arranged ice packs around me. They planned to help me fake being sick so that I could stay in bed and recover.

I lay there staring daggers at the ceiling, nowhere near sleep. My wounds pulsed to the beat of my heart, as rage simmered and boiled inside of it.

One thought played on repeat in my head. That’s it. You don’t fuck with me or the people I love, because there’e Hell to pay if you do. Oh, that bastard’s gonna pay.

[timetrickster]

Aloha Oe X Edith Nox Crossover Episode 6: Emotions

@cometworks <--- She made Edith Nox!

Tag: @coloursintheblur , @thelysstener

Note: Robyn’s character is deaf! It shows in Italics! And “Mellow” is Edith’s Universe of saying Yellow.

As always I hope ye enjoy it!

FADE IN

EXT. PATH TO EDITH’S HOME. MORNING

It was the morning, JUSTIN holds a knocked out EDITH in his arms out cold from their fight. With VIOLET following behind, the feeling surrounding them felt somber. Returning to her home, NOEMI had awakened as soon as they walked through the door. He rushes over to check on EDITH.

NOEMI

What happened?!

It was clear his voice was worried.

JUSTIN

Her rage took over.

NOEMI

Oh, my Fate…

JUSTIN motions them to follow him, going back to the Eternity. They take her to the medical bay, placing her into a bed and hooking her up to a life support system.

JUSTIN

She’ll be fine for now.

He leaves the room and enters his private quarters.

JUSTIN

Enoch! Any known research on magic?

ENOCH

There are a couple of notes on magic.

JUSTIN

Good.

ENOCH

Unfortunately not this universe’s magic. Although it shares similarities with the fact you are born with magic. The Blackwood Universe has a special organ which allows magic abilities. Whilst the Nox Universe is due to mutation after its apocalyptic event.

JUSTIN

I know Enoch…

Frustrated he hits his desk.

ENOCH

Captain, are you alright? Your vitals show me emotional distress.

JUSTIN

I’m fine Enoch. Just… frustrated.

ENOCH

I can tell.

JUSTIN sits in his chair and rubs his face as if he was trying to rub away something that he couldn’t shake. He holds both hands to his forehead and looking at the ground.

DARK JUSTIN (V.O)

Once again, you managed to destroy the people you touch. You’re no hero, you’re a monster.

JUSTIN didn’t bother to look but knew he was losing it again.

JUSTIN

I know. But I’m neither hero or monster. I’m just a good person who always lends a helping hand.

VIOLET enters his quarters seeing him losing it.

VIOLET Hey…

JUSTIN

What happened?

VIOLET

Nothing… just wanted to see how you were doing. I know you wanted to calm her down and not fight her but…

JUSTIN

I understand… when I need to fight, I fight. How are you?

VIOLET

I’m… okay, I guess.

There was awkward silence between them, VIOLET dares not to show emotion herself, trying to hold back and hide behind her heart of steel. JUSTIN breathes in and relaxes, his eyes glow orange and sees her emotions of sadness. Knowing her and her heart of steel, he stands up and gets close to her placing both hands on her shoulder and looks at her eyes.

JUSTIN

It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.

She nods and JUSTIN goes back to the medical bay. EDITH was still knocked out, but still breathing and alive which was a good sign. JUSTIN pulls up a chair and sits next to he, being watchful over her. NOEMI sits opposite of JUSTIN on EDITH’S left side.

NOEMI

She’ll be fine.

JUSTIN

I hope so.

VIOLET also sits next to him.

VIOLET

I’m worried about her.

JUSTIN

I know… I saw it. I felt it.

VIOLET

How? You don’t have patho magic.

JUSTIN

Yeah, but one of my fathers on Gaia taught me his aura manipulation. There are seven spiritual points of the body that deals with unlocking some spirituality in oneself. It also allowed me to have new abilities and the orange aura allows me to see emotions.

JUSTIN’S eyes rise.

JUSTIN (cont’d) Oh my god.

VIOLET

What?

JUSTIN

I think I can help Edith. (He faces toward her with a slight smile and surprise in his eyes)

JUSTIN gets ups from his chair and tries to find a certain device.

VIOLET

What are you thinking?

JUSTIN

My aura manipulation! The 6th aura deal with mental communication. I haven’t unlocked it that far, but I have a device that could allow us to talk to her mentally.

He finds the device he’s looking for, to crown like devices with an oval in the middle. Finding three of them. JUSTIN places it on EDITH’S forehead and he himself puts one on.

JUSTIN (cont’d)

Anyone want to join? Someone has to watch over, just in case.

NOEMI

I’ll go.

JUSTIN hands NOEMI the crown and places it on his forehead.

JUSTIN

(Turning his head toward Violet) We’ll be fine. Just make sure our physical bodies are okay. Enoch will help and guide you through it all.

JUSTIN lies down on a bed and NOEMI sits on a chair against the wall.

JUSTIN

Enoch, activate the Mind Crowns.

CUT TO:

EXT. EDITH’S MIND.

JUSTIN & NOEMI appeared outside of EDITH’S home.

NOEMI

Where are we?

JUSTIN

Wherever Edith feels most safe.

They turn to see EDITH walking toward her in her garden, but it was different. There was a humongous greenhouse. They walk in, to find a rainforest of trees and a variety of multitudes of plants.

JUSTIN

This is new…

NOEMI

She always wanted this, a gigantic garden.

JUSTIN sees a sign, he smiles.

JUSTIN

Eden.

They continue their walk as they walk between a path of colorful flowers. They find an open space with a field shaped like a circle. Surrounded by aquamarine flowers. A figure colored in the same colors as the flowers tends to them. They rush toward her.

JUSTIN

Hi… were kinda lost here. Who are you?

She turns to look up at both of them revealing to be EDITH but wearing aquamarine colored clothing.

CURIOUS EDITH

What are you talking about silly? It’s me, Edith.

Both shocked by her sudden appearance in her own mind.

NOEMI

Hey Edith.

CURIOUS EDITH

Hi Noemi! Oh! What happened to your wings? What’s that on your shirt? It’s shiny!

CURIOUS EDITH had shown such an increase of curiosity into both her friends.

JUSTIN

Edith, are you okay?

CURIOUS EDITH

Just curious as always. Ya know me! A curious girl! (She hears birds chirping in the distance.) Ooh! What kind of bird is that?!

She runs off, JUSTIN realizes the situation in EDITH’S brain.

JUSTIN

That’s what’s going on…

NOEMI

What? What is happening to Edith?!

JUSTIN

Right as the fight was about to end, Violet had to knock Edith out for good measure. The punch must have given her a concussion and her patho magic must’ve reacted and shattered her into her core emotions. We just met Curious Edith.

NOEMI

Oh, my Fate.

CURIOUS EDITH sneaks up behind them.

CURIOUS EDITH

What ya guys talking about?

Turning toward her, they try to answer with a lot of ease.

JUSTIN

We’re trying to find the others? Like you… but in different colors?!

CURIOUS EDITH

Oh?! THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE ME?! WHERE?!

NOEMI

We were hoping you knew, Edith.

CURIOUS EDITH

Oh, aw. I’m sorry Noemi. I don’t know where they are.

To not make her upset with herself, JUSTIN plays with her childlike wonder. Due to being inside her mind, JUSTIN pulls out an aquamarine flower from his coat pocket which fills her with joy and curiosity.

JUSTIN

This flower comes from my home planet, it’s called the Shining Sapphire.

CURIOUS EDITH jumps for joy and takes the plant and starts examining it. NOEMI sprouts his wings and grabs onto JUSTIN, both fly high over the forest and finding different glowing pieces of land in different colors. At least six more were in place.

JUSTIN

Her core emotions separated by colors. Curiosity is aquamarine. Anger is red. But there are six more that we should investigate.

NOEMI

Uh… I’m not sure about this.

JUSTIN

Noemi, I know you’re nervous but we have to do it for Edith.

NOEMI breaths in and out and shakes his head a bit and puts on a serious face.

NOEMI

You’re right, this is for Edith.

JUSTIN

Let’s split up. Drop me off at that yellow spot, check out that navy colored spot.

NOEMI

What’s yellow?

JUSTIN

(Points to the yellow colored glowing spot) That. That’s yellow.

NOEMI

Oh… is that what you call it in your universe?

JUSTIN

Yeah… do you not call it that?

NOEMI

No… it’s called mellow.

JUSTIN

Fascinating.

They soar through the forest air, and JUSTIN drops into the mellow glowing spot, finding another EDITH jumping around in her mellow flowers. The field was covered in books stacked nearly high as the trees. As well as puzzles from actually puzzles and toys scattered around. EDITH finally grabs a book and a toy and one flower. Then lying down on her mellow field of flowers.

JUSTIN slowly walks toward her when she turns to see JUSTIN she jumps for joy. She wore mellow colored clothing.

HAPPINESS EDITH

JUSTIN! HI!

HAPPINESS EDITH had a huge smile on her face… she seemed happy.

JUSTIN

Happy as always Edith.

HAPPINESS EDITH

Of course! Happiness is me!

She laughs.

HAPPINESS EDITH (cont’d)

Want to read a book? I have… (grabs her book off the ground and looks at it, turning toward Justin) The Girl and The Fox.

JUSTIN

That sounds interesting but I’m far too busy at the moment.

HAPPINESS EDITH

Aw, that’s okay. Do you have any stories from your homeworld?

JUSTIN

I have tons… mom always knew I loved books and stories. There is Alice in Horloges. Uh, Lost In Time. The Time Beasts. The Time Walker & his three Clockworks.

She smiled happily. JUSTIN realizes which emotion she was.

JUSTIN (cont’d)

That’s what you are. You’re Edith’s happiness!

HAPPINESS EDITH

Of course, I’m happy! Why would I not be?

She smiles big again.

CUT TO

INT. NAVY SPOT

NOEMI lands on the Navy colored glowing spot and finds a SORROW EDITH. Concerned he rushes over immediately, he kneels down to talk to her as she is on her knees crying.

NOEMI

Hey… you okay?

SORROW EDITH turns with tears full in her eyes.

SORROW EDITH

Hi Noemi… (sniffles)

NOEMI

What’s wrong?

He asked calmly.

SORROW EDITH

The… (sniffles) the plant won’t grow… it’s sick.

NOEMI

Oh… it’ll be okay. It’ll get stronger and become a pretty plant.

SORROW EDITH

You think so?

NOEMI

I know so.

SORROW EDITH

But will it grow back now?

NOEMI

It’s not gonna grow back right away… you need to be…

SORROW EDITH cries some more and NOEMI not knowing what to do looked confused.

NOEMI

Oh dear.

JUSTIN instantly teleports to NOEMI out of nowhere scaring him.

NOEMI

How did you?!

JUSTIN

We’re in her brain. Anything can happen.

They teleport away and end up in a random spot. They end up in this sharp orange-red circle field. They find a FEARFUL EDITH wearing the same color surrounded by the same flowers.

FEARFUL EDITH

No… (she is talking to an unknown figure unseen) Momma… I don’t want Mom to go! What if she gets hurt?

They teleport again and find themselves in a deep purple colored spot. A DISGUSTED EDITH was there.

DISGUSTED EDITH

You think you’re so better than everyone?!

Another EDITH had walked in, it was WRATHFUL EDITH. Her menacing and evil scary voice.

WRATHFUL EDITH

I am better than everyone! Where are they?!

DISGUSTED EDITH

Where is who?!

WRATHFUL EDITH

The two people that aren’t supposed to be here.

DISGUSTED EDITH sees them and both JUSTIN & NOEMI wave signals saying “No!” “Please! Don’t say anything!” and so many more begging. WRATHFUL EDITH notices her gaze and turns instantly. Then does this weird hypnotism on DISGUSTED EDITH making her eyes glow red.

JUSTIN

(To Noemi) I think we drew attention to ourselves.

NOEMI

Yup.

WRATHFUL EDITH lights her fists on fire and rushes toward them. NOEMI spreads his wings and both fly into the sky with JUSTIN holding on to his hand as they soar. WRATHFUL EDITH throws a fireball which NOEMI dodges but accidentally let’s go of JUSTIN. They land in a gray area where they find EDITH, regular and plain old her. They rush to give her a hug.

EDITH

Guys?! (Surprised she hugs them both) What happened?!

JUSTIN

You let your wrath take over. You almost killed me, Violet, and tried to destroy the Fates.

EDITH

No… no… that can’t be. I would never do that to you… or Violet… no one.

EDITH felt afraid of what she was capable of. After hearing JUSTIN’S recap of the previous night. The surroundings started slowly turned to the sharp orange-red of fear.

JUSTIN

She’s getting scared.

NOEMI looks around feeling nervousness all around.

NOEMI

What do we do?

JUSTIN

Try and calm her down.

They take one step then all of sudden, FEARFUL EDITH appears.

FEARFUL EDITH

GO AWAY!

She wasn’t afraid this time, she was fearless and more menacing. Her eyes were glowing red too.

JUSTIN

Oh shit… Wrath hypnotized her too.

She raises her left hand and fires a ball of magic. JUSTIN & NOEMI dodge it and see its effect on the plants, the plants suddenly coming to life and being affected by the fear. The rest of her core emotions appear now ready to hunt them down.

JUSTIN

Noemi… you have to get out of here.

NOEMI

I’m not gonna leave you!

JUSTIN grabs NOEMI by the shoulder and presses his forehead. NOEMI disappears and JUSTIN makes a run for it while being blasted with emotional magic.

CUT TO

INT. MEDICAL BAY.

NOEMI suddenly wakes up, which VIOLET rushes over.

VIOLET

What happened?

NOEMI

Edith’s core emotions are shattered. Her Wrath became sentient and is hypnotizing her Core Emotions. Despite our attempt to help her. She reacted quickly and her Core Emotions attacked us.

VIOLET

What do we do now?

NOEMI gets off his bed and sits with VIOLET watching over JUSTIN.

NOEMI

We wait.

CUT TO

INT. EDEN

JUSTIN is running through the pathways whilst being chased by the Core Emotions. He closes his eyes and thinks of teleporting and does so. Ending up outside an entrance of a building made out of a tree, he gets up dusting off his long coat.

JUSTIN

Evocation Hall (He says while reading a sign then enters the building) This feels like Inside Out, except with magic and the Core Emotions are trying to kill me!

He finds himself within a library there are plants as the books. Suddenly a Dryad figure appears before him as the Librarian.

DRYAD

Welcome, you are?

The DRYAD was more human than tree-like. Parts of his body was covered in moss, he had pointy ears. Wearing ragged clothing that had many crinkles and tiny hairs of string like leaves.

JUSTIN

Justin Oras.

DRYAD

Oh my, nice to meet one of Edith’s friends physically. (He reaches his hand out for a shake)

JUSTIN returns the shake and smiles.

JUSTIN

Your name is?

BERRY

I’m Berry, Edith’s imaginary friend.

JUSTIN

You seem decent…  dryad? Is that what you are? Cause in my universe the closest thing to Dryads are Floreo. They’re these amazing humanoid tree people it’s insane!

BERRY

That sounds lovely, you here for a particular reason?

JUSTIN

Yes! Actually! Yes… um, Edith is in trouble! Her Core Emotions have split due to a fight, now her Wrathful version of herself is hypnotizing her Core Emotions and now they’re hunting me. I have to find a way back to put her together. Are there memories that make her happy?! Or are there people in her life that can help her?!

BERRY

Oh my, so many questions… to answer that last one. She has two mothers, her guiding figures but minor characters in her story…

JUSTIN

Minor?

BERRY

Sorry weird word choice… but this way.

He motions JUSTIN to follow him and they travel down an aisle labeled “Happy Memories”. It was filled with mellow colored plants. They come to a stop after three steps and go to a specific plant labeled “Mommies” BERRY he waves his hand point to the plant. JUSTIN walks up to it,

JUSTIN

What does it do?

BERRY

Pull a leaf and look into it and see her memories.

He does so and looks at the pull leaf. The memory magic sends him into an old memory, showing little EDITH with a woman. She was pale with rather thin, dirty-blonde hair reaching her shoulders. she generally wears half of it in a knotted-bun. She has what appear to be hearing aids on both ears.

The two were gardening and the little EDITH was enjoying the time with her mother. The memory ends and JUSTIN pulls another leaf and thrown in another memory. Seeing a dark-skinned woman with long, black hair that coils to her hips. She’s carrying a little EDITH in her arms, holding her so tightly and have fun.

JUSTIN

Her mom… oh my! I have to get back!

All of a sudden a window breaks and JUSTIN ducks and rolls into cover. BERRY somehow dodged it without having to move at all. He was calm as ever.

BERRY

I’ll hold them off, plus they don’t know I’m an excellent fighter.

BERRY suddenly turns into true form, a true dryad with wooden skin. His wooden skin turns into armor and a snaps a branch off himself. As it becomes a sword.

BERRY (cont’d)

Go on! Save Edith!

He says with a chipper attitude and a smile as he goes off to fight The Core Emotions. JUSTIN nods and presses his forehead and wakes up in the medical bay. VIOLET & NOEMI stand from their chairs to check up on him. JUSTIN breathes really heavy.

JUSTIN

We need Edith’s moms.

CUT TO

INT. COMMUNITY GARDENS

NOEMI walks into the gardens, seeing one of EDITH’S mother. The pale woman with dirty-blonde hair and hearing aids. He walks up to her and she recognizes him instantly. She smiles and waves at him and gives him a hug.

NOEMI

Hey Ms. Robyn! (He says while hugging her)

ROBYN

“Hello, Noemi! How are you?” (She says with ASL)

NOEMI’S face turned serious for a moment with a touch of sadness mixed in. Concerned ROBYN looks at him.

ROBYN

“What’s wrong sweetie?”

NOEMI

Uh… It’s Edith.

Her face grew paler as she heard her daughter’s name.

CUT TO

INT. THE CASTLE THRONE ROOM

VIOLET enters the throne room in a rush as sees EDITH’S other mom standing with her arms behind her back and looking serious. VIOLET stands before her and EDITH’S MOM salutes her.

VIOLET

Commander Umi Nox… um…

UMI

Admiral Violet, what’s wrong?

VIOLET held a serious face for a bit but started to crack over the thought of EDITH.

VIOLET

It’s Edith.

Horrified and worried instantly, UMI’S face lit up.

UMI

What happened?!

CUT TO

INT. MEDICAL BAY

NOEMI & VIOLET had brought over ROBYN & UMI to the Eternity. They introduce them to JUSTIN who sits in wait by EDITH. He stands as respect to both parents.

VIOLET

Commander Nox, Ms. Lux, this is Captain Justin Oras.

UMI

Please to meet you, Captain Oras.

ROBYN

“Hello, Captain.”

JUSTIN

Hello! Commander! Ms. Lux! It’s nice to meet you both! Justin Oras.

UMI

Are you a captain in our military force?

JUSTIN

Unfortunately no I am not. I am however the Captain of this ship. I also am from another universe and I’m an alien.

They stare at him in disbelief, to which VIOLET & NOEMI come by their sides.

VIOLET & NOEMI

He really is.

UMI

You? Are from another universe? And an alien? Impossible.

She hadn’t believed a single word he said.

ROBYN

“HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!” (She emphasizes her signing loudly.)

They instantly become surprised after that statement.

JUSTIN

Very… very, long story.

JUSTIN hold the two minds crowns and hands them to ROBYN & UMI.

JUSTIN

Okay, Ms. Lux, Commander these are Mind Crowns. They will transport your minds into Edith’s in order to help her. I will help guide you through her “Eden” and hopefully, you’ll get through to her.

They all placed the Mind Crowns on their heads and lay in separate beds. He breathes in.

JUSTIN

Enoch, activate the Mind Crowns. Pull us out in case something goes wrong.

ENOCH

Yes, Captain.

ENOCH does so and sends JUSTIN, UMI, & ROBYN into EDITH’S mind. They fall near the entrance of Eden and brush themselves off.

UMI

What is this place?

JUSTIN

The place that Edith is most comfortable.

ROBYN

“Eden.” She says.

They walk through the entrance, following the path. Slowly but on guard. ROBYN taps JUSTIN’S shoulder.

JUSTIN

Yes, Robyn?

ROBYN

“The forest is screaming. It’s afraid.”

UMI

What did she say?

JUSTIN

The forest is screaming and it’s afraid. It must be her Core Emotions, their sentience is scaring this place.

JUSTIN places both hands on UMI & ROBYN’S shoulders. He thinks about teleporting to EDITH. She was frightened still and sat in her corner, murmuring and whispering words. JUSTIN looks at both UMI & ROBYN.

JUSTIN

Go to her. She needs you both. I’ll be looking out.

UMI & ROBYN rush over to EDITH as she was cradling herself hiding her face behind her knees and she holds them. Tears and sniffles were hidden behind them.

EDITH

Go away, Justin!

UMI

Sprout?

UMI had worry tone in her voice. EDITH stopped crying for a moment and looked up to find both her moms.

EDITH

Mom? Momma? Is that really you?

UMI

Of course, it is Sprout!

ROBYN shakes her head saying yes, with some water twinkling in her eyes. EDITH stands and rushes into the arms of her parents. Happiness started filing their hearts and the field around them turned into the color Mellow.

ROBYN

“What happened, sweetie?”

EDITH

I… uh…

UMI

It’s okay Sprout. You can tell us.

EDITH

I hurt my friends… I let my anger out at the Fates and I… I (her voice starts to break, sounding more sadder by the seconds she spoke) I hurt my friends. I lashed out at the Fates and then my rage… it…

UMI

It’s okay sweetie, keep going.

EDITH

It took over and I hurt Justin and Violet…

She starts to cry once more and hides in ROBYN’S shoulder. They rubbed her back to make her feel better. While ROBYN places her head on top of EDITH’S wild hair. UMI hugs both of them as they both sit in the field.

UMI

I know it hurts sweetie… the pain… all of it. I know it hurts so bad and you feel so… afraid of what you’re capable of, but… your friends. Violet and this new boy Justin. They forgive you… you just need to forgive yourself. Okay?

EDITH

(Sniffles) But what if I can’t control my emotions? (Sniffles) What if I let it happen again? I don’t want it to happen again! (She holds her face in shame.)

UMI

No, no, no, no. Look at us, sweetie. (She holds Edith’s face in her hands.) You can control it, all of it, it will take time but you will learn how to harness your magic properly. You’re the daughter of a warrior, for Eden’s sake, my little Sprout is strong!

Calling her “Sprout” made her smile.

ROBYN

“We will always. Always. Love you. No matter what happens.” She says.

EDITH nods while holding her tears back and hugs both of them. Her sadness morphed into a slight smile which brings here back into who she really is. She sees JUSTIN then rushes over to hug him. By sudden surprise, it scares him a little but he a slight smile was on his face which was a relief to him.

JUSTIN

It’s good to have you back.

EDITH

I’m sorry.

He holds her face and smiles.

JUSTIN

I will always forgive you.

She hugs him again and he pats on her head. Her parents walk behind her seeing her usual cheery self once again.

UMI

There’s the daughter we love.

ROBYN

“My beautiful little Sprout!”

EDITH responds back in sign.

EDITH

“I love you too momma!” (She gives her a little smile)

ROBYN hugs her.

WRATHFUL EDITH

Aw, Mom and Momma are here. Oh and Justin? Can’t wait to burn through your chest and roast your heart.

The Core Emotions have arrived, finally finding them all. Their eyes glowing red with WRATHFUL EDITH’S magical wrath inducement.

CURIOUS EDITH

Ooh, I wonder what kind of blood do you have?

HAPPINESS EDITH

I’m so happy to be able to kill you all. (She had this huge smile on her face)

SORROW EDITH

Sad… so sad… death is coming.

FEARFUL EDITH

I hope you like torturous and endless nightmares.

DISGUSTED EDITH

YOU ALL DISGUST ME! (She snarls)

LOVELY EDITH

Aw, this is gonna be so sweet!

CONFUSED EDITH

What are we here for again?

The Core Emotions made their remarks as they surrounded the Nox Family and JUSTIN in the true EDITH’S circular field.

JUSTIN

We can’t return without putting back her Core Emotions in her.

UMI

How do we do that?

JUSTIN

Have Edith absorbed through touch, since this is her mind. Edith, Ms. Lux you might what to run. Go to the Evocation Hall. (To Edith) Edith! Your imaginary friend, Berry will be there, he’ll protect you! Go!

EDITH & ROBYN run for it leaving behind JUSTIN & UMI.

JUSTIN

Commander?

UMI

Yes, Captain?

JUSTIN

Please tell me you have magic and that you can fight with it?

UMI

Yes, Earth Magic. Yours?

JUSTIN

I don’t have magic… but I can manipulate time.

UMI

What?!

JUSTIN summons blue time energy into his hands and blasts a few warning shots at the Core. UMI evocates a spell covering her body in rock like armor. Both back to back, the Core charges them, both balancing and taking four emotions at a time. JUSTIN takes on Wrath, Curiosity, Happiness, and Sadness. While UMI fights Fear, Disgust, Love, and Confusion.

UMI being the warrior that she is, had the highest advantage. FEARFUL EDITH summons nightmarish monsters to her side to attack. DISGUSTED EDITH becoming an even more disgusting version of the Black Beast. LOVELY EDITH battles with a sword fueled by her now corrupted love to kill. CONFUSED EDITH surrounded herself in a dark green aura, trying to blast endlessly with confusion beams.

JUSTIN without any weapons activates his time powers. His hands glowing a midnight blue color along with his eyes. His face became scary serious, and he charges toward the Core Emotions first. First dodging the fiery flames of WRATHFUL EDITH. Firing a blast of time energy at CURIOUS EDITH, then knocking down HAPPINESS EDITH with a single punch.

JUSTIN

Sorry… no holding back.

SORROW EDITH was nowhere to be found, then continues to fight with WRATHFUL EDITH. They go for round 4 of their fist fight, round 4 because JUSTIN reversed time after 2nd round making it the 3rd. Fire vs Time.

WRATHFUL EDITH

You stopped me from killing the Fates! (Punches and pushes Justin back)

JUSTIN

(Slides on his feet and stops after the push) It was the only way to keep you from doing something you’ll regret.

WRATHFUL EDITH

I don’t care! (Rushes at him and continues the fight) They put all that destiny crap on me!

WRATHFUL EDITH brings JUSTIN on his knees after kicking his leg. She tries to grab his face while her hands were ablaze, JUSTIN grabs both hands but her anger proved stronger. Her right-hand touches the left side of his face and burns him. He screams in so much agony, that in the medical bay the left side of his face starts to melt off.

WRATHFUL EDITH

I can’t wait to see your skull!

The left side of his face melted but there was no skull. There was a second shell beneath his organic face. It was metallic and glared a shiny bronze, with glowing blue eyes. It surprised WRATHFUL EDITH who stops in that very moment.

JUSTIN

SURPRISE!

He headbutts her which gives her a major headache. JUSTIN blasts her with his time energy, then gives her one last punch to knock her out for one good measure. UMI had just defeated her side of Emotions, she turns and sees JUSTIN standing but a bit dizzy and failing to control his body after the fight. She rushes over catching him before he falls to his knees.

UMI

You okay sweetheart?

JUSTIN nods then UMI checks his face, seeing the metallic skin beneath his organic skin.

UMI (cont’d)

You really are an alien.

JUSTIN

Yes, ma’am.

He lays on the ground and calls out.

JUSTIN (cont’d)

Edith! Ms. Lux! You can come back now!

They arrive and EDITH rushes over to JUSTIN now seeing his face too.

EDITH

What happened?! Your face…

JUSTIN

Time Walkers are organic mechanical beings. We have organs and squishy stuff inside but my bones and second skin are metal and a few gears. (He smiles) I’ll be fine. Now… go get your emotions together and be you again.

EDITH does what she is instructed and absorbed the beaten Core Emotions. JUSTIN stands along with UMI & ROBYN as they wait for EDITH to finish becoming herself again.

EDITH

Done! All 7 of them.

JUSTIN

Seven? No… where’s Sorrow Edith?!

SORROW EDITH appears so suddenly like she were a ghost. She appeared behind JUSTIN whom she automatically attacks. Holding both hands and affecting his mind. Images of pasts ghosts from JUSTIN’S history appears, there were millions upon millions of ghosts. UMI, ROBYN, & EDITH see them as well.

JUSTIN

No! No!

SORROW EDITH

Sad… so sad. They all died. The Time Walkers are no more.

JUSTIN falls to his knees looking down in shame. EDITH rushes over and absorbs the emotion, finally returning to normal. She comforts JUSTIN as he holds his face from the returning of a long lost pain.

FADE TO BLACK

END OF EPISODE 6

[dudesorriso]

Chosen (Reader x Michael Langdon) 1/3

So here’s the first part of Chosen, based on my very own ask. I’ve fallen on the Michael bandwagon and I don’t regret it at all. Part one of a Three part series.

'He looked like an Angel.'

 That's what Mommy said. What did an Angel look like though? She honestly wasn't sure and asking the adults her Mother usually put in charge of her yielded no answers. Nor did her wobbly lip and giant eyes. (Though it was known that flashing those beauties at the un-proclaimed Leader of Neutrality, Papa Midnite, one might find herself with more sweets before dinner.) Pert little nose twitching, the young girl scratches with gritty nails as twinkling blue eyes dance across the stoop. LA smelled funny. With festering heat, cold people, sewage and the all-around darkness that hung in its underbelly. She could feel the grasps all around her, like a black fog they hung on the outside of her vision. Waiting to plunge their gloom into some unsuspecting person. Tapping her sneakers against the cracked cement below her, careful little fingers worry at the edges of pavement next to her. A sprout of flowers beginning to grow, weak little things they were and in her Uncle Chaz’s opinion; weeds. Their golden color brought her joy though, especially when the sun hit them just right. That glow that bounced off was what she believed her father's hair looked like. Angels had gold hair, right?

 Fingers grazed across the edges, the dandelions petals flourishing just the tiniest bit under her gentle hands. Mommy said she had his eyes. Blue, the color of the sky on a clear warm day. Uncle John didn't like her Daddy too much she could tell. Anytime she'd brought him up around the older man had his fists tightening, mouth twisting like he'd eaten a sour candy and his eyes... Uncle John's eyes turned dark with rage. Like one of those inky mists had grabbed hold of him for just a second till he shrugged his shoulders, kissed her head and walked off. Sometimes she'd hear Papa Midnite and Uncle Chaz whispering about it till the former sensed her. Something about lost and fallen. Was her father lost? Did he fall off something and never come back? She knew some of the children at her school said that their parents 'fell off the wagon', did her father fall off one? Puffing a sigh, she rises from the steps to skip in front of the apartment building. While normally being in Chaz’s care was fun; filled with movie binges, greasy food, candy and video games she found a want to be outside. Something inside told her she needed to be there and even with her Uncle's confused, "Have fun?" She remained resolute, waving with a smile every time the older man peeked out from his second-floor curtains.

 ~*~

 Her feeling hasn't gone away. Three hours have passed since she over took her mission and even as she grows bored, she keeps going. Skipping, hopping, cartwheeling back in forth and stopping occasionally to touch that little weed... It was important. She wasn't sure how she knew that, but it was.

 Shadows grew, lights flicked on with a distant hum. The cicadas of the city, it brought some comfort to her. She could almost pretend she was home with her Momma in their small house with fields of green in every direction. Almost. The sound of a window plus her Uncle's voice calling down to her has her turning on her heel at the end of the street. Ten minutes she begs, but really, she doesn't know why she waits anymore. Slow foot falls, shoulders in a slump as she twists her braids, she makes her way back. That feeling in her chest still present, growing ever more as the hours waned on. Sighing dejectedly, even a bit sadly though unknown to even herself she starts up the stairs to head inside-- pop. Dust from the asphalt beneath her feet fluffs up the air, and she’s staring. Staring into the darkness, hands gripping the cement arms of her stoop as she leans over to peer.

It's like he's surrounded by light and dark at the same time. His hair a curly messed mop upon his head, golden in its glow of the street lamps. The haze of its light makes her eyes twinkle in awe. Eyes so like her own stare down the road past her, not even noticing the young child that stares so resolutely in his direction. Their color she can make out, blue like a summer sky, but right now they seem so dark. Cloudy and it makes her sad for a moment. Why was her father sad? He'd come home, almost, he had found her. Maybe it's because Mommy wasn't here? Her father probably didn't even know she existed, Mommy had said he was gone before she even knew about her. All she knew was that his face was meant to smile. A look so sad and empty didn't belong on his visage, she was sure her Mother fell for her Daddy's smile. She barely noticed his clothes, still too young to properly understand the dark congealed wetness that clung to his untucked shirt. His entirely unkempt appearance, so lost was she in this beautiful stranger that she saw her lost father. Nothing else mattered. The flower. Her hand grasped its stem, breaking it at the ground and then she’s off. In front of her beautiful father, a bashful smile on her face. She knows she filthy, hands covered in dirt, grime under her nails, her clothes sweaty from heat and playing on the ground. She's always dreamed of meeting her father, but never like this. She feels so small and inconsequential next to him.

 At first, he wanders right past her, unseeing oceans glazed over in pain. Flower in hand, head tilted the slightest bit she rushes after him, his almost silent elegant footfalls and her quick rushed one’s echo on the street. It's like he doesn't even know she’s there and honestly her heart wrenches in her chest, her eyes gathering tears.

 "P... pa..." if only she could get it out. Her throat feels like its closing though, her eyes running with fresh fallen tears all that can escape are choked whispers. She needs to be strong, just like her Mommy.

 "D-d--daddy!" It rings in the silence of the street, one word that brings everything to a standstill. Finally, finally the man is straightening up; his movements more refined like a well-oiled machine. She watches as his shoulders lift; his neck goes straight and that almost wobbly gait change. And then he's facing her, and she’s lost in the eyes that look so much like hers, not even noticing the confused lilt that gathers above his brows.

 His mouth is open no doubt to voice a question, but it closes as he processes her word. The one that entered his darkness and disoriented mood, it knocked him back to this hellhole, but he couldn't find it in himself to feel angry at the small child before him. Not as she looked at him with eyes glittering like pools of a midwinter sky. Even full of tears they looked upon him as if he hung the stars and brought about the sun. She sniffled, drawing even more of his attentiveness and how could she not? When it was as if he was looking into a portrait. It was only a few steps to her that had him crouched before the small child; she couldn't have been more than 4 or 5, and as his gaze trailed her face, he hated to say he had to deny her. He'd never so much as touched another human, there was no way the child was his. And yet their similarities were borderline uncanny. His shade of hair twisted into two chest length braids, now a tiny bit ratty most likely due to her activities. Blue jewels that stared at him in awe, hopefulness and... love. Her chin was strong, much like his own with a feminine grace that she would no doubt grow into. But she was not his. It was only after he opened his mouth after the minutes passed of careful scrutiny that she interrupted him with a flower in his face. More though a weed, its yellow gold shining vibrant and... quite healthily in her grasp.

 "You're my Daddy!" She whispers reverently, her eyes glistening more as she offered him the flower. "I've been waiting for you forever... Mommy said one day you'd come back."

 Him? A father? He had never even thought much on it, maybe when he was younger and a lot more innocent to this festering cesspool, they called a world but for years it hadn't crossed his mind. Once upon a time he had dreamed of maybe a wife, someone to share his life and love with. To bring home to Ms. Mead and proudly call his own. But no more than that had ever crossed his mind... Oh Ms. Mead, what would she have done in this situation? Long fingers took the flower offered to him, digits spinning it this way and that to the child’s amusement. He watched as her bangs framed her cheeks and the slightly gapped teeth rewarded him with a smile. It was there he saw it, how could he have missed it, truly he was an idiot. She radiated it so clearly now, the purity roared from her in waves and he had missed it. Its glow shifted from in her chest to her whole being that he could almost see her ghostly wings. Soft feathered and the same shade as he-- their hair. And this sparkling, unadulterated being was choosing him.

 Briefly a thought entered his mind, Nephilim as they were could be dangerous to a being such as he. And yet he could sense no trickery or deceit from her. No half-truths when he glimpsed her mind and as all doors once opened, they could be entered from both sides. She did not shy away, nor did terror grow once she had touched the darkest part of his mind.

 "I did," he said simply. She chose him. He would not disappoint her. Not when his reward for such a simple sentence was her arms about his shoulders and that purity and warmth pressed into his side. All too soon she was pulled away by a voice above, her excited smile stretching from ear to ear. He hated to but, one finger on her mouth and she closed it, confusion swimming in her eyes.

 "They can't know yet. Our little secret, yes?" He almost missed the childlike joy and blind trust of his younger days. It had her nodding rapidly so much her braids flapped and brought a tired half smile to his face. And then she was frowning, and he ached to bring back that smile. "But... you just got here. Why do you have to go again Daddy?" Her tiny voice filled with so much sadness had his brows turned down.

 "I have some things to do," he decided for honesty. Or as close as he could get, "Things that you and..." "Mommy?" "Mommy," he tested it out, finding some small thrill run through him. Eyes darkened mischievously, she had been claimed and didn't even know it yet. It was exhilarating for the most part, a game of cat and mouse was beginning, and she had no idea. "You and Mommy can't be around for them. It's too dangerous." 'And lonely,' he added in his head before looking at his daughter, 'Though not anymore.' His free hand tucked between her cheek and bangs, thumb brushing across her feature's gently. "Understand?" Blue depths took in his face, before one small hand touched his own cheek in mimicry. A sweet moment he would remember forever and be sure to replicate every chance he saw her. "I understand."

"Good, now go inside."

She was gone, turning at the door with a wave, that had him answering in kind, and bright smile before she disappeared within its depths and at once he was alone again. His hand dropped to the side, while the other twirled the flower once more before he tucked it in his pocket. Days came and went as he went on his way that not even the thought of his child could keep his previous sadness quelled. In a haze of some kind he found his way to a door, "You lost?"

 Weren't we all?

 @stuck-on-writing

[monicalorandavis]

Hello Kitty Friends Around the World Tour is my Shenyun

I didn’t know that when my sister asked me a month ago if I could make it to a Sanrio event on Wednesday, October 16th at 2pm that she was inviting me to the promised land. But I am now a different person than I was yesterday. Today, I’m a sweet, childlike being full of wonderment and joy. Thank you, Hello Kitty. Thank you.

The Hello Kitty Friends Around the World Tour is not to be missed. Please buy tickets if you can attend it. Weekend tickets are apparently scarce to say the least. But if you can swing it, here are some tips:

Wear something festive. It helps you get into the spirit and let loose. Be polite to other guests. They are dorks, like you. And last, but not least, eat some edibles. Speaking from experience, ooh baby, that was fun.

The exhibit is designed to be an international tour of Hello Kitty’s favorite places. You enter and present your tickets to a flight attendant who then presents you with a Hello Kitty passport, boarding passes and a Hello Kitty headpiece. I promptly threw the passport around my neck but struggled to put my phone somewhere without dropping all of my things to the ground. (Being stoned sometimes makes me lose the most basic functions of my hands. But, gotta say...worth it!) Once I remembered how to put my phone in my backpack, I threw the headpiece around my large dome, then helped my younger sister do hers. She was pleasantly surprised to find that her head was not too big for the headpiece which has literally never happened before. Things started strong!

The flight attendant told us to hang tight and that our flight would be departing in 8 minutes. At this point, I started getting pretty stoned. “Did she say flight?” The technicolor suitcase display and annual Hello Kitty banners that decorated the foyer were a feast for the eyes. Not to mention, everywhere I looked there was some new, limited edition merch - tour tee-shirts, letterman jackets, hats, stuffed animals, bracelets, keychains, water bottles, sodas, YOU NAME IT. At this moment I knew I was about to spend a million dollars on some stupid shit and I wasn’t even afraid.

When it was time to depart (exactly 8 minutes later) another flight attendant, in head to toe Hello Kitty, ushered us into the first city, HK’s hometown of London. It was poppinggggg. I don’t want to go through every city because it’ll be boring but London was a strong start. They had the stereotypical London sights: cute red double decker buses and a Queen’s guard that my sisters did not let me twerk on. Again, I was high, but I think objectively this was a very, very good time.

Everyone was a full ass grown-up ready to rage except for a mother of a 6 year old. Neither of them were a fun time. And I know I’m talking shit about a 6 year old buuuuuut she was super shy and not loving the spotlight nearly as much as I would’ve at her age. It was like pulling teeth with her for the poor flight attendant who just wanted the kid to be adorable and take some of the pressure off of her to be entertaining for the next 45 minutes. Luckily for all parties, our flight attendant, April, was a fucking delight. She did give us Hello Kitty madelines when we got to Paris so could be the cookie talking. But the same could not be said for her side kick, what’s her name. I know being a fabulous host is not easy - I host a monthly hip-hop bingo night! (Feel free to attend, Los Angeles.)

But back to the main event. The exhibit was comprised of 5 cities - London, Paris, New York, Honolulu and Tokyo - and the only letdown was Honolulu. I know I will not make any fans with this hot hot take, but, Hawaii is sort of not for me. The aesthetic is really not my jam. Bad tank tops and bare feet. (And you know some people’s feet simply must be covered up!!!!) Honolulu was mainly empty walls with a couple tan Hello Kitty’s thrown around and a sad display of hoola skirts that we were supposed to take pictures with but they looked like they’d gone through a particularly rough Mardi Gras. I passed.

While the whole thing was marvelous, I do need to make one point about some of the other tour guests. They were - how do I say, old? Like in a surprising way. Granted my sister is 41 and a diehard fan. So I was expecting women her age. However, these ladies were well into their 50′s. And if Hello Kitty came out in 1974 that means that they were 10ish years old when it came out. I guess that math adds up fine. There’s plenty of things that I still like from when I was 10. Gwen Stefani comes to mind.

It could also be that these were women who were perhaps younger than they appeared and that’s just fine. Maybe Hello Kitty was their little spot of sunshine in their otherwise difficult lives. I have a feeling it’s the latter. The fanaticism was on a level 10. April was throwing out trivia questions that were real head scratchers. Needless to say, I knew not a single correct answer. Yet, these women were like the Ken Jennings’ of useless Sanrio trivia. Only difference is Ken Jennings won some frickin’ money with his knowledge. These women got 4 seconds of recognition from 10 strangers. And, fuck it, let them have it. Today was about embracing the dumb shit. What is celebrating a cartoon cat if not celebrating dumb shit???

I had such a blast spending big money on some swag that I don’t know (I do know) that I’ll ever wear again. My sister spent $200 on a matching sweat suit, a tee-shirt and three pop sockets. She’s planning on keeping the pop sockets as collector’s items. And, I don’t know why! That is a technology that is already on its way out! (Mind you, my sister also thought Crystal Pepsi was cool. But, whatever.) My other sister spent $140 on a jacket that she’ll (hopefully) get two wears in. We were not making grown-up decisions today, people. We were behaving like children with credit cards. And what else could you really want?