twig-draws - Tumblr blog

twig-draws · 9 days

Text

Hermitcraft Pokemon AU thoughts!

(If using this as reference please tag as 'Hc poke au' so I can see, also feel free to tag me :))

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This has been haunting me for a while so I figured I would throw them here for some people to enjoy

Basically this region would have a gym for each type, and the order is pre determined so each gym holds pokemon of a certain level. Once you get through all of them four are randomized to be your big trail at the end, with their real Pokemon.

The pokemon trial is a BIG DEAL needing to be signed up for and then selected as it is so intensive.

The main antagonist is an organization researching 'Sculk' who got infected :)

As well as an unusual myth that seems to be interested in a few of the members. The Watcher.

Now onto hermits and the rough order of gyms!

OTHER ROLES:

Rendog-

He is the host for the trails, the charming man who will guide you along your journey. However, somethings seems a little off about him...were his eyes always red? He is not infected with Sculk like the others think, instead The Watcher is using his eyes to gain information about its victims.

Xisuma-

Head pokemon professor, oversees all other branches of research as well as the trail. Elusive to the public, who has never seen his face, but close with the gym leaders as he is the one who calculates pokemon level for that year. Absolutely distraught at the appearance of Sculk, and values the safety of his friends over himself.

Cubfan-

An odd pokemon professor, researching the effects of pokemon moves on humans. He is considered odd, and many protest actually using people for his trails, but he is very careful and ensures consent. Was chosen to go and supervise the Sculk trials alongside the company to see if its harmful to people. (wink wink nudge nudge)

Mumbo-

The youngest pokemon professor, he focuses mostly on the evolution of pokemon and how and when it occurs. He is likely the professor you would see the most, interacting with gym leaders and Ren. When Xisuma begins to evacuate things, and Cub goes missing he is forced to run everything himself. On top of that, his close friend Grian goes missing. Absolutely crumbling under the pressure of the many tasks.

DocM-

The head of the organization researching the Sculk, he seems unaffected by the possession. (Until too late hehe) Cold on the outside, friendly on the inside he won favor of many gym leaders, even if the HEP and public are skeptical of his involvement. He is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Cleo-

She is the head of HEP (Human, Environment, Pokemon) who focus on the human treatment of pokemon and the protection against pokemon rampages. They were tasked with monitoring the Sculk situation. With their 'no bs' attitude, you'd think they would have no friends with all the goofballs around, but its actually just a front for their pure sarcasm.

Joe Hills-

A member of HEP who came from distant lands, wont tell you exactly how or why but will spin fanciful tales of adventure. Actually under arrest for breaking pokemon out 'illegally' in his original region. Protected by HEP now, at least for a while.

XbCrafted-

A field expert HEP member, usually taking care of water based missions. He is close friends with Keralis and beef, often teasing that he could defeat their regular teams easy. During a mission to investigate Sculk along a beachfront, he goes MIA. He is eventually found stranded on an island with all his pokemon fainted, talking to a volleyball with Keralis's face on it. He is fearful of the man after being haunted by the small volleyball child.

Zedaph-

The last member of HEP, hard to spot and even harder to understand in a conversation. Smart enough to be offered a spot as a professor but denied it as he 'doesn't want his creativity limited.' Takes care of the technical aspects.

Etho-

Former Champion, held the title for many years before willingly giving it over to his apprentice. He is many peoples spark for wanting to be a trainer, and he is still incredibly talented. (Despite Gem's boasting.) Now he wanders across the land to revisit friends and watch the youngsters train.

Gem-

Current Champion! Rumored to be Etho's sibling or otherwise related she takes great pride in her title. Known as GeminiSlay, her pokemon are ruthless, mostly tanks and quick attackers. She often worries about how the public compares her to Etho despite their obvious differences. She takes care of her gym leaders, but always looks for opportunities to drop in for surprise battles, especially with Pearl and Joel.

Grian-

Very close with Pearl, former water gym leader but retired the position to her after she defeated him. Now he takes joy in annoying the other gyms and assisting Mumbo is his research. Still an expectedly powerful trainer. Snail, marine biologist man, surprisingly smart. Goes mysteriously missing during the Sculk breakout, and is found stolen by one of the legendaries of the region (the Watcher.)

GYM LEADERS:

BdoubleO- Grass

Disgruntled about being the first gym leader faced, but takes great pride in wowing the trail-goers and being a difficult first challenge. He takes excellent care of his gym, and enjoys his trail. He claims to be the only Gym leader who defeated Etho. One of the longest standing leaders. During the Sculk infection, he helps to maintain a safe area and contact Etho for help.

Pearl- Water

Takes excellent care of her pokemon and it shows, they are fiercely loyal and in tune with her. Sometimes seeming to move as one entity. Admires Gem for her determination and skill, the pair have a joking rivalry. Also very close with Tango, she likes having the upper hand in battling. She pushes Tango to train his pokemon better against water types. She leads the search for Grian when he goes missing, facing off against the legendary by herself.

Tango- Fire

A bit hot-headed, he can sometimes gain a one track mind when it comes to his projects and forget about his responsibility as a gym leader. He created his own trail, and ensured it was as far from the scorching flames the trail-goers would expect (Decked out themed.) Close to Zedaph, and often helps in HEP contraptions. When his dungeon starts to gain a consciousness of its own, he is surprisingly delighted, even if it costs him possession.

Impulse- Rock

Stubborn, vengeful, and critical he relies on his combined Gym to help even out his flaws. Despite what he considers fatal flaws, he is intelligent, loyal, and protective of his friends which compliment his other half. Like earthquakes he is a powerhouse with his pokemon, often intimidating trail-goers. Although they are very quickly shown otherwise with his welcoming personality.

Skizz- Ground

Overly trusting, friendly, and slack he relies on his combined Gym to help even out his flaws. Impulse pushes him to grow and match his level, as well as not immediately giving up on a grudge. While he calms and grounds Impulse's intense energy. The pair make a deadly duo and are the trial-goers first introduction to the concept of double battles. Warm and welcoming he surprises a lot of people with his demeanor.

Scar- Normal

While normal types seem boring, Scar would adamantly disagree. They have very few weaknesses, and have the potential to learn to many moves outside of their type! A lover of all pokemon trail-goer expect scar to be easy, but are very wrong. His Persian, Jellie, is not as friendly as her trainer. Distraught by the loss of Grian he is incredibly frustrated he cant go to look for his friend due to his wheelchair.

Keralis- Bug

Wide eyed and not that competitive Keralis aims to just have a good time. He showers any trainer who makes it to his gym with compliments luring them into a false security. Despite not being competitive, he is ranked higher than the rest for a reason. Bug types are underrated. Keralis was terrified when XB goes missing, he completely closes his gym to go looking for his beloved princess.

Ijevin- Poison

Goopy spooky guy, takes great joy in being so relaxed and still absolutely destroying people. Stock up on poison heals and hope he's having a good day! He is also one of the original leaders, and has fallen into a comfortable groove and gained mad skills. Overall reliable, and sturdy.

Beef- Fighting

His bulky figure leads most people to believe he is a ruthless fighter, and while this is true, he also has a heart of gold. During XB's disappearance he too closes his gym, strong arming any authorities away as he searches for his friend. He is the one to first find XB, who is fearful of Keralis after being haunted by the ball man.

Hypno- Psychic

A slinking, cheeky figure. No one has ever seen his eyes, and it is rumored that he can brainwash people with his gaze. It is of course not entirely true, but he continues it as it tons of fun watching trial-goers squirm as he watches them. Close with Wels and Ijevin, who takes great pride in making fun of being super effective against his pokemon. One of the older gym leaders.

Welsknight- Steel

What better category for a knight? With speed and tactic he tears down those who get in his way. He takes pokemon battling very seriously, but only because the competitiveness brings him joy. If he wins or loses, he had an amazing time. Although it can be hard to tell, the glare he gives while focusing would make anyone nervous. He plays heavily into the knight bit, people are unsure if je truly believes it (he doesnt.) But...recently he seems a tad more aggressive. And was he always so fascinated with the colour red? The watcher has taken a particular interest in the knight, and is attempting to use him in much the same way as Ren.

(Joel) Smallishbeans-Dark

His sarcastic ease makes most trainers doubt his skills, and he takes great pleasure in watching their faces fall as they realize it is NOT an easy fight. He is not what you'd expect for the Dark element, and he enjoys using contrast to highlight the shadows rather than just cast everything into night. One of the newer Gym leaders, he insists Etho would not get past him in a pokemon battle, and has spent most of his carrer jokingly threatening the man, and trailing after him to beg for a battle.

Iskall- Dragon

With a cackle he unleashes literal dragons upon trainers, likely named something ridiculous (such as The Sweed). He is very close to Stress, and the object of her terror via adoration tiny pokemon. He is also close with Mumbo, yet they drift apart as Mumbo takes on more responsibilities, due to the secrecy of projects he starts to feel resentment towards Mumbo for ignoring him in favor of Grian and Scar. However that quickly changes as the Sculk is revealed and Grian goes missing. Still reminds Mumbo that he wont judge him and wants to help when things get to be too much.

Stress- Fairy

She finds it absolutely hilarious that fairy types are stronger than dragon, and often terrorizes Iskall. Using the 'pretty but deadly' motif she dances circles around her opponents. Her pokemon are absolutely gorgeous! :) She cares deeply for the other leaders, and helps to calm and care for their mental health as the Sculk attacks happen.

False- Flying

The strongest of the gyms she is known as the 'Queen of hearts', as she often destroyed the dreams of those who dared to face her. She is the last hurdle before the final stretch, trainers often get sloppy now and she takes advantage of it. The longest reigning leader, she doesn't seem to want to retire anytime soon. Very close with Ren, but too busy to immediately notice his changes.... She is vital in helping drive off the Sculk, her powerful team helping to clear infected Pokemon and trainers.

83 notes · View notes

twig-draws · 10 days

Text

Family tree I guess??????

Lizzie: Hi I'm Lizzie and this is my husband Joel and this is his boyfriend Etho and his boyfriend Bdubs and his boyfriend Ren and his boyfriend Martyn and his boyfriend Jimmy and his husband/boyfriend/whatever they are now Scott also Tango is Jimmy's current boyfriend and Scott's ex Pearl and Pearl's girlfriend Gem and Gem's best friend Cleo who is Scott's partner? I think? Also they are Etho's ex wife, become wife and adopted both Bdubs and Scar.

Tango: It gets worse

Lizzie: How?!

Tango: Well, I'm dating Skizz who's dating Impulse who's dating Zedaph.

Lizzie: so it goes me, Joel, Etho, Bdubs, Ren, Martyn, Jimmy, Scott, you, Pearl, Gem, Cleo, Skizz, Impulse, Zedaph?

Tango: Yup. Oh and Ren is with Doc.

Lizzie For fucks sake!!!

Joel: I kissed Jimmy!

Lizzie: Joel why?!

Joel: Just gonna add more to this. Also I love you!

Lizzie: *huffs* Love you too

Jimmy: Lizzie?

Lizzie: What now?

Jimmy: Well Joel and I were bad boys with Grian and he's with Scar who is dating Cub and Grian's also dating Mumbo who's with Iskall who is with both Beef and Stress I believe.

Lizzie: It never ends!!!!!!

Grian: I'm still with BigB who's with Ren~

Lizzie: GRIAN!!!!!!!!!!!

#OH MY FRICKING GOSH

470 notes · View notes

twig-draws · 10 days

Text

The Hermitcraft Season 10 VOD Archive Is Here!

There are now a spreadsheet and a playlist containing the hermits' VODs from February 2024! [SPREADSHEET] [PLAYLIST]

The team could still use more help, so if you're interested, let us know via [THIS FORM]. We particularly could use archiving help for FalseSymmetry, iJevin, and Joe Hills.

Archiving experience is not required, and not all roles require directly downloading and reuploading VODs. If you have any questions, send them to the ask box, or join our Discord for more information: [DISCORD LINK].

148 notes · View notes

twig-draws · 16 days

Text

don't ask questions

[sequel to come downstairs]

“I’m worried about Grian,” Gem said thoughtfully, swishing her legs back and forth in the water. She liked to hang her bare feet in when she wasn’t fishing, still be connected to the river.

“I don’t think you need to worry about him,” Pearl replied, and her voice sounded a little lower, like she might be getting sick. She’d been off today, but Gem hadn’t been able to really put her finger on why.

Things were weird. Grian had torn apart his secret room and hadn’t come out of his base for days. She’d thought he would feel better getting the mending book but it was almost like he was hungover from it.

Or, he was sick, and now Pearl was getting sick too. Illnesses tended to travel quick around Hermitcraft considering everyone was so close.

“He’s just been so reclusive, which isn’t like him,” Gem continued. “He hasn’t even checked his mail. I tried to bring him some soup but he didn’t even seem to be listening to me.”

“He’ll be fine,” Pearl said, and Gem turned to study her, really look at her.

Her forehead was a bit shiny, was she sweating? “Are you okay? You sound like you might be coming down with something.”

Pearl sighed. “Gem, you should really stop asking so many questions,” she said, and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just, go about your business, mate.”

Off. Wrong. What the hell was going on? “What is that supposed to mean?” This was Pearl. Her Pearl. She’d never been so, cryptic so…ominous.

“Well, gotta get back to work,” Pearl said, slapping her knees before getting to her feet. “Later, Gem.” She didn’t come in for a hug, or wave or wink or even look back, and Gem shivered despite not being cold.

Over the next few days, Gem watched Pearl. She tried to be casual about it, just dropping by the post office, sending her funny messages, trying to see if her friend was getting sick or how she was acting.

Pearl just got colder and colder. Gem tried to visit with Grian but he wouldn’t even open his door anymore.

She finally lost her patience, deciding to talk to someone about it. Hermitcraft had been so quiet lately, it was eerie. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Mumbo around, and usually he was zinging about doing some kind of weird task.

“Etho,” she called, hoping she still sounded casual and friendly as she landed outside of his house. It was gorgeous, of course, because he had to be a redstone genius and an artistic builder. Was there anything this man wasn’t good at?

She blushed. No, there really isn’t, she thought, thinking back to their last sparring-turned-sex match.

Usually he responded to her call pretty quickly, with a teasing “Geeemmm,” but there was nothing. She’d thought for sure he was home, he’d said earlier in the chat he was working on his storage system.

“Knock knock,” she called, letting herself into the house. Just beyond the threshold, her heart stopped and her legs turned to lead at the sight of red splashed on the floor.

Not redstone. Not redstone not redstone not-

She sank to her knees. Why was there blood on Etho’s floor?

A folded piece of paper lay next to the splatter, corner of it soaking up a blotch of crimson. She reached for it with shaking hands, unfolding it, and her pulse roared in her ears at the words scrawled across it.

stop asking questions, gemstone

Gem didn’t bother knocking – she kicked Grian’s door in.

“What the hell?!” Grian mumbled, squinting as light from outside bathed the dank space. He clutched a blanket to him – had he been sleeping on the floor?

No time for that. “I need to know what the hell is going on right now,” she demanded, and tossed the bloodied note onto the floor in front of him.

He blinked at it, cringing away as if it might bite him. “I told you-”

“I know what you told me, and I want to hear the truth now,” she snapped. “Pearl’s been acting super weird, you’ve been acting super weird, and now Etho is…” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “Etho is gone and it’s because of me. And I think you know why. So spill.”

Grian stared at the paper, still not touching it. Gem huffed and knelt on the floor, unfolding and flattening it on the floor.

“Gemstone,” she said. “Skizz calls me Gemstone. I can’t find him anywhere, and his chests have cobwebs like he hasn’t been back to his base in awhile. The last time I saw him, he was hanging around here, before you started locking yourself inside like an agoraphobic.” She glared at his quivering form. “Tell me. What. Happened.”

Grian rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms, groaning softly. “I…” he ground out. “Beef has gone fucking crazy. He thinks he works for some fish mafia and he had Skizz torture and murder Mumbo in front of me.”

Gem’s blood ran cold, and she sat back hard on her ass, bringing a hand to her mouth. Out of all of the things…she hadn’t expected him to say that. She didn’t know what she’d thought, but…not that. “Beef?” she asked dumbly, unable to fully form sentences.

Beef was one of the sweetest guys around. Skizz too, for that matter. And Pearl. Her Pearl. Who had warned her not to ask questions. What had happened to them?

“He told me to rip down my cod sculptures because…void, I don’t know, Big Salmon, it’s all so insane. And Skizz looked…” Grian gnawed at his fingernails, gaze darting around everywhere but at her. “He looked like a fucking fish, Gem, his eyes…” he trailed off with a shudder.

Her heart thumped hard against her ribs. Pearl’s forehead, she’d thought it was shining with sweat but…had it been scales? Was she infected with whatever thing was happening to Skizz?

“Grian, they have Etho,” she choked out, and her voice sounded so weak she hated it. But she couldn’t say the words without tears pooling in her eyes, without her heart threatening to shatter into a million pieces. What were they doing to him? There had been blood left behind, his blood, they could be-

She gritted her teeth, taking in a deep, ragged breath. Panicking wouldn’t help anything. “Do you know where they are?”

“No, no,” Grian said, voice barely above a whisper as he drew his knees to his chest, clutching the blanket back around him. “I did what they said and I just…I did what they said.”

She wanted to shake him. Scream at him to get his shit together. But she didn’t think that would help. Mumbo had been his everything. To have that happen, in front of him…and given his state they’d clearly terrified and traumatized him with more threats.

No, Grian wouldn’t be any help to her. She’d only endanger him if she tried to bring him in on this…this what? Rescue mission? She didn’t even know where to start looking.

If it were Beef, Skizz, and Pearl, she was outnumbered, and that was if they hadn’t recruited any more people. She was pretty sure if she needed to she could hold her own against Beef and Skizz in a 2v1, but not Pearl. Her bestie was skilled as hell, and…god, it was Pearl. Could she fight her? Potentially kill her?

Her heart clenched, and she dug her fingers into her hair, tugging at the scalp. How had this happened? Images popped into her head, unbidden, of Etho, hurt. Bleeding. Worse.

A strangled cry tore out of her throat. Etho. She’d burn the entirety of Hermitcraft to the ground to save him. Yes, she would kill Pearl if she had to. If she had to.

But she’d need backup.

“Gem, sheesh, you scared the crap outta me,” Bdubs gasped as he game around the corner of his shop with an armload of scaffolding. “Wanna come play-” Whatever he’d been about to ask her to do died on his tongue as his expressive brow furrowed with concern. “Are you okay?”

She must have looked wild, her hair mussed from tugging at it and her eyes still red from the little bit of crying she’d allowed herself before leaving Grian’s.

She didn’t answer him right away. She studied his face. His skin. His eyes.

He didn’t feel off. Her gut told her he was himself.

“Gem,” he repeated, dropping th scaffolding on the ground haphazardly. “What happened?”

“Have you seen Beef lately?” she asked, voice coming out hoarse.

His brows furrowed further. “Beef? Not in a few days. He was wearing a snazzy pink suit.”

She shivered, imagining a sick suit made out of fish scales. “Something’s happened to him,” she said. “And Skizz and Pearl. They killed Mumbo and traumatized Grian.”

“What?” he gasped. “What? No. Beef?”

She’d known this would be the reaction because it had been hers, too, but she was impatient. Every second that ticked by was a second they could be hurting Etho, or worse.

“They have Etho,” she said, urgency in her usually carefree voice. She didn’t even recognize herself anymore.

“No.” Bdubs’ arms fell slack to his sides, and he shook his head slowly in shock. It was a lot to process, she knew. “No.”

“They do. I need to find them and save him and I need you to help me.”

He made a strangled noise and looked at her helplessly, desperately. “Are you sure? Gem, I – Beef? Skizz?”

“There was blood on his fucking floor, Bdubs.” She drew the soiled note from her pocket and shoved it flat against his chest. He fumbled for it and stopped breathing as he read the words.

“Jeezus,” he breathed, and lowered the paper, looking lost. “What do we do?”

Her gaze hardened. “We find him. And do whatever it takes to get him back.”

They landed at the top of Joel’s massive staircase almost in unison.

“Joel!” Gem called, impatient to get past the storytelling part so they could get on with the finding Etho part.

“Sup, Gem?” Joel asked from up on one of his ledges, reaching up to smear glow ink on one of his decorative signs. “Hey, Bdubs.”

Before Gem could open her mouth, Bdubs cried, “Etho’s in trouble!”

Joel dropped down to the cobbled street, not even wincing at the fall damage. He straightened and drew his sword. “Where?”

Gem filled Joel in as they traveled, and he stayed silent, eyes hard. She’d never seen him so serious, jaw gritted, without a hint of that playfulness he always wore. It might have concerned her but he didn’t feel off either. This was Etho.

If anyone would go to the ends of the earth with her for Etho, it was Bdubs and Joel.

“So we should go to Grian’s and kick his door in,” Joel finally spoke, and Gem shook her head.

“I already did that, he’s been as helpful as he’s able,” she said.

“So where are we blumming going?” he demanded.

“Doc’s,” she said, veering her wings slightly to the right. “Bdubs said he heard something about him trying to blow Beef and Skizz to hell.”

“They made him build some salmon monument,” Bdubs added.

Gem might have snorted at that before all this, the thought of anyone trying to make Doc do anything. But now all she could hope for was some kind of clue.

They landed in the swamp, next to a giant machine that Gem couldn’t fathom the purpose for. But she didn’t spare it another glance when she saw the crater.

And Pearl, standing at the edge of it. She clutched her stomach as if she were going to vomit, and when she turned her head Gem recoiled – she looked almost alien, her eyes too far apart, bulging, flesh shiny and sparkling in the sun.

Joel stormed forward, sword firmly in hand. “Where’s Etho?”

“Joel, wait!” Gem cried, grabbing his arm. Pearl looked like she was in pain.

“Let him do it,” she rasped, and her voice sounded deep, like her throat was too thick. “Before it takes over again.”

“What’s happening to you?” Gem breathed.

“Big Salmon,” Pearl moaned, clawing at her stomach. “It made me…it made me…” She doubled over, groaning, and Gem couldn’t help it, even though she knew it was stupid to get too close, it was Pearl. Her Pearl.

“Gem!” Bdubs cried as she lunged forward to catch her best friend.

They crumpled to the grass, Pearl half-limp in her arms. Up close, she smelled putrid, like rotting ocean, her eyes glassy and mouth looking painfully stretched.

“Pearl,” Gem whispered, running a hand over her slimy, matted hair. “Where have they taken Etho?”

“Coords,” Pearl gasped, “pocket.”

Gem rifled in Pearl’s slacks pocket, the fabric damp and sickeningly slick. Somewhere behind her, Bdubs retched, and Joel moaned, but Gem focused on finding the tiny piece of paper in her pocket, pulling it free.

“You have to kill me, Gem,” Pearl pleaded, “I can’t – I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t-” She cut off on a moan, curling in on herself, and Gem’s heart broke.

“She killed Doc,” Joel called, voice with an edge of hysteria. “He’s-”

Bdubs retched again, and she realized they had been looking over the edge of the crater.

“I didn’t want-” Pearl shrieked then, fingers clawing at Gem’s shirt, and she reacted instinctively, shoving her sword through flesh and bone, spearing her best friend on her diamond blade, and a sob racked her body as Pearl’s limbs went limp.

She fell back, and Gem went with her, burying her face in her postmaster clothes, uncaring that they reeked of rot and bile, mingling with the coppery scent of blood now because she was dead-

Gem screamed, she couldn’t keep it in, she screamed til her throat was raw and it hurt-

Arms pulled her back and she thrashed, flailing, sloppy, her sword hit the grass, but it wasn’t an attack, it was an embrace, and Bdubs and Joel were there, and they held her as she cried for the fucking wasteland the world had become.

“Where do we look now?” Bdubs asked, wiping furiously at his eyes once Gem had calmed down enough to disentangle herself from them.

She uncurled her fingers from their death grip on the paper in Pearl’s pocket. She blinked back the last of her tears as the scribbled numbers came into focus.

“She said they’re here,” she said hoarsely.

“So what’s the plan?” Bdubs asked.

Joel stood up, swinging his sword in a sharp arc. “Fly in and fuck shit up.”

“Tempting, but Bdubs is right,” she said. “If they’re possessed by this salmon thing too...”

“We can take Beef and Skizz,” Joel scoffed.

“But it’s not Beef and Skizz,” Gem argued. “It’s this thing that’s possessing them. Pearl went feral.”

“And they could be going feral on Etho right now!” Joel cried, voice crazed.

Bdubs clenched his fists. “Stop it.”

Gem got to her feet, facing Joel. “I get it, okay? I can’t stop picturing…” She shuddered. “But we’re no help to him if we fuck this up. We might have the element of surprise here, and we should take advantage.”

“Or it’s a trap,” Bdubs pointed out. “As if they’d think nobody would come after Etho.”

“So I fly in and fuck shit up, and you two use the distraction,” Joel said, tapping his sword against his thigh impatiently.

Gem shook her head. “No, it should be me. If it is a trap, it was for me. They won’t be expecting you guys.”

“So I’m supposed to just sit back and blummin’ watch?” Joel cried.

“No, you’re supposed to save Etho,” she said, staring him down.

“Gem, no-” Bdubs said, but she whirled on him, eyes blazing.

“You want a plan or not?” she snapped. “That’s the plan, take it or leave it. His best chance is if they think I’m alone.”

Silence. They knew she was right. Gem knew the risks, knew they cared about her. They also knew that she was willing to die to save Etho. Because they were, too.

Joel curled a hand around the back of her neck and pressed his forehead to hers. “Fuck them up.”

Bdubs grasped her hand and squeezed. “GeminiSlay,” he said hoarsely.

“Get him out,” she whispered, struggling to keep her voice steady.

Joel stepped back and nodded. “We will.”

Gem soared closer to the coordinates and her heart sank. They’d been expecting her. Beef and Skizz stood on what on any other day would have been a beautiful grassy island in the middle of the ocean, a crumpled form between them, white hair splattered with blood.

No. No, no no no… Her gut roiled, vision going red with rage, and she drew her sword while still in the air.

“Careful, Gem,” Beef called, and Skizz grabbed a fistful of Etho’s hair, exposing his slender throat, flashing a glittering blade too close, too close to her love’s perfect skin.

She skidded her landing, holding out a hand, voice strangled. “Don’t!”

“Drop the sword, Gemstone,” Skizz said, and what was wrong with his voice, and his face looked horrifying, he was farther gone than Pearl, so distorted he looked more fish than man.

“Didn’t I tell you she’d come?” Beef asked, his hands clasped together behind his back as if this were a casual business meeting.

Etho looked dazed, bruised, one of his cheekbones purple, his mask gone, eyes glassy. He hissed as Skizz wrenched him closer, writhing a little, arms bound cruelly behind his back. His coat was gone too, leaving his arms bare, his black shirt ripped in places, fuck, what had they been doing to him?

“Drop the sword,” Skizz snapped, pressing the blade under the slope of Etho’s beautiful jaw.

She dropped her weapon, diamond thumping uselessly in the grass, and prayed that Joel and Bdubs would stay away for the time being. This was too precarious of a situation, one slip and all was lost.

“Gem,” Etho rasped, “get out of here.”

Not a chance, she thought, and silently begged him to just stay quiet.

“No, she wants to party with us, huh?” Skizz drawled.

“I want you to let him go,” she said firmly, hoping it was firm, hoping she didn’t sound as fucking terrified as she felt inside.

“I didn’t have high hopes for Pearl convincing you,” Beef mused, and at the mention of her name Gem’s gaze flicked to him. “She didn’t take as well as Skizz here.”

“Loyal to the cause, boss,” Skizz chirped.

“Pearl’s dead,” Gem choked on the words.

“Yes, I assume she is if you’re here,” Beef replied, still calm as ever. “I’ll cut straight to the point, Gem, Big Salmon wants you on our side.”

He was delusional. She could have almost laughed at the absurdity of it all, if Etho wasn’t bleeding on the ground. If her friends were still alive.

“This is a hell of a way to proposition me,” she said, flicking a wrist in Etho’s direction.

“We thought you’d need some motivation,” Beef said.

“All you’ve done is severely pissed me off,” she replied. She tried to sound strong, in control, stall for fucking time because she didn’t know what to do.

“You asked too many questions, and pissed off the big boss,” Beef said with an almost apologetic shrug. “I had to take steps. The best way to motivate someone is to threaten something precious to them.”

As if for effect, Skizz kicked Etho in the stomach, and Gem screamed as he doubled over. “Stop!” she cried, and took a step towards them, but Skizz quickly resumed his original grip, jerking Etho’s head back as he grunted in pain.

“Ah ah ah,” Skizz sang.

“What do I need to do?” she asked, head swimming. Even if she pledged her allegiance to Beef right now, how could they trust her? They weren’t going to let Etho go just because she declared she was on their side.

“Just a little procedure,” Beef said, holding up two fingers close to each other. “But you have to be a willing participant. Hence the motivation.”

The word procedure swirled in her brain. Of course it wasn’t just pledging her loyalty. They were going to turn her into whatever Skizz was, whatever Pearl had been.

“Gem, no-” Etho gasped, and there was a sickening crunch as Skizz slammed his boot down on one of his legs.

“Stop hurting him!” Gem cried, and tears threatened because this was all so hopeless, what the hell was she supposed to do? The longer this went on the more he suffered. “Just tell me what I need to do!”

Beef grinned, stepping aside and motioning to the ocean behind him. “All you have to do is walk in there. Big Salmon will determine your loyalty.”

Gem’s head swam as she gazed at the sparkling water. “How do I know you’ll let him go? I know what happened with Mumbo.”

“You don’t,” Beef said with a shrug. “But Skizz can just kill him now in front of you, if you prefer.”

“No,” she held out her hands. “No. Please. I’m going to do what you want.”

She took a step towards the water, despite not wanting to leave him. Guilt gnawed at her guts. Etho was here because of her. Because she hadn’t listened to Pearl. Pearl was dead now, also because of her.

“Probably best to leave your gear,” Beef added, and it didn’t sound like a suggestion, but a requirement.

Gem stared at Etho as she unclipped her elytra and let it fall to the grass.

No, he mouthed, his voice either gone or staying silent to avoid more broken bones. His eyes were desperate, pained, and it broke whatever shreds of her heart were left.

She dropped all her armor, emptied her inventory, none of it mattered anymore. “I love you,” she whispered, because she knew he’d hear it, and it was just for him, and she didn’t know if she’d ever get to say it again.

She turned towards the water and it bulged – bulged? – and she froze in shock as something emerged. It was a monstrosity, like a giant fish had been through the nuclear apocalypse, with sickly pink-green scales and lopsided gigantic eyes. Its mouth puckered at the edges, like ruched fabric at the bottom of a dress, and its mouth was mottled and black and smelled like death and decay.

She knew she had to go in there. She didn’t know how she did. The thing didn’t quite talk, but she felt its essence sliding around the surface of her brain, leaving a slick feeling in its wake. She shivered.

She knew it wanted her to walk into its mouth. It wanted her to become a part of it. She also knew if she didn’t, Etho was dead.

At least if she did, he had a chance, however slight.

“Gem!” he screamed as she stepped up onto its pulsing, spongy tongue. She didn’t look back. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep going if she did.

The rancid lips closed around her.

“-it’s not gonna work, Bdubs!”

“-they’re too close together-”

“-plan was if Etho wasn’t RIGHT THERE-”

“-she’s not gonna want us to-”

“-fuckin’ just go they can’t take all of us-”

“They’ll kill him!” Bdubs roared, and Joel’s mouth snapped shut. He’d never seen his friend so angry. Playfully annoyed but not proper angry. “I want to rush in there too, but we have to be smart.”

Joel let out a frustrated yell, scrubbing a hand down his face. They were perched on a tree a safe distance away, Bdubs having convinced him to stop and look through his spyglass to get a lay of the land.

The lay of the land didn’t look good. From what they could see, Skizz had Etho and Gem stood before Beef, her sword nowhere to be seen.

With only ocean between them and the island, there was no way to get closer, no cover, no way to have any element of surprise.

Joel knew Bdubs was right. But he hated not knowing what to do. He hated all of this. He was used to just running headfirst into danger and hoping everything worked out. It had gone fine for him so far but this time…this time other people’s lives hung in the balance. People he cared about deeply.

“I know what to do,” someone said, and both men startled, and it sounded like Grian but not Grian at the same time.

How could it be Grian?

Joel looked down at the water, and it was Grian, only he looked…wrong. His eyes were pure black, too large, glassy as if staring into space. He was standing in the water as if having just emerged, hair plastered to his forehead, dripping everywhere.

“Grian, what the hell, man?” Joel asked, and it came out far less forceful than he’d meant it to be. He hadn’t thought anything else could shock him today. He’d been wrong.

“Fly high above the island where they can’t see you,” Grian continued in a monotone voice as if he hadn’t heard anything. “Divebomb them as accurately as you can. Focus on Skizz, you will have to be fast if you want Etho to live. I will take care of the Salmon.”

The hairs on the back of Joel’s neck stood on end, suddenly struck with the feeling that this wasn’t Grian. That something else was using his mouth.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“Follow my instructions or not,” Not-Grian said, then began to retreat into the water. He didn’t swim, didn’t turn, just began to move back, deeper, deeper.

“Wait!” Bdubs cried, but there was no response, and Grian’s head went under the surface, disappearing into the dark. “What the hell was that?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Joel said, brandishing his sword. “It’s a plan, and it’s the only plan.”

“What about Gem?” Bdubs asked, voice strained.

“Gem knows what she’s doing,” Joel replied, and though guilt twisted his guts at the dismissal of his friend’s safety, he wasn’t wrong. When she’d parted, they’d both known that she was willingly going into a situation that would likely kill her. Their priority was getting Etho out. And he wasn’t going to shatter her last wishes, make her risk be in vain.

“Got rockets?” Bdubs asked, sounding defeated.

Joel nodded sharply, pulling out his stash.

Etho felt like he was dying. As the fish monster’s lips closed around Gem, he screamed, fuck whatever Skizz would do to him. His body was already so broken, but nothing hurt worse than losing her.

His mind tortured him, replaying the look on her face before she turned away from him, the cold fear in her eyes as she’d whispered I love you. He knew Gem. Knew when they’d taken him that she’d come. Knew that she’d do anything to save him, even sacrifice herself.

Knew that Gem loved fiercely, her stupid, beautiful, selfless heart. She had to know he was dead anyway. Beef wasn’t going to actually let him go. But she’d taken the chance, just in case, and even though he hated it, he understood. He would have done the same in her shoes.

Fuck if it didn’t destroy him, though. He hoped that they would end him fast. Hoped that she wouldn’t emerge as some brainwashed fish monster that they’d make kill him. He didn’t want that to be the last thing he saw. He didn’t want her fear to have been the last thing he’d seen, either, but at least she was still her.

He closed his eyes, imagining a better time, being wrapped around her, the feel of her kisses, her soft mewls when she’d bury her face into his neck.

Somebody shouted, and it was as if time blipped. One second, Etho was on his knees, scalp burning beneath Skizz’ grip, diamond blade kissing his throat, and the next he was on his side in the grass and Joel was there, looking feral, covered in blood, holding Skizz’ disembodied deformed fish monster head in his hand.

Etho opened his mouth but couldn’t make words. He met Joel’s eyes, and what the fuck was Joel doing here, and how did he just appear and-

Beef screamed, angry-sounding, and it was jarring after hearing him so calm and collected in the face of all of this insanity for so long. Etho arched his back, ignoring the screaming pain in his body so he could see what was happening.

Beef was on his knees, one of his shoulders spurting blood, his arm in the grass, still twitching despite being removed from his body.

“You – you fucking bastards deserve-” Bdubs grunted as he swung his sword, “-so much worse than this!” The diamond blade connected with Beef’s collarbone, and he wrenched it through and down, slicing him in two.

Etho’s brain short-circuited. Joel and Bdubs were here? How? Where had they come from?

“Eefo,” Joel said, working at the ropes bringing his wrists behind him, and it sounded so strained, so fucking defeated.

Bdubs limped over, collapsing to his knees next to Etho’s face, muttering obscenities under his breath. “-fuckin’ landing sucked,” he huffed, and then his hands were on Etho’s face, brushing his hair from his forehead.

“Gem,” Etho rasped.

“Where is she?” Joel asked as he gave up on trying to untie the ropes and sawed through them instead.

The relief in Etho’s wrists and shoulders was palpable but his heart rate tripled as he gripped Bdubs’ forearm. “She’s inside the Big Salmon,” he said, and the wide-eyed stare of his friend held utter confusion. “Behind us. In the water.”

“Etho there’s nothing there,” Joel said, uncharacteristically gentle, as if speaking to a frightened child.

Bdubs opened his mouth, but before he could say anything an inhuman screech pierced the air, making them all wince. Bdubs’ jaw dropped open and he gripped Etho’s shoulders, dragging him into his arms as if to stand up and run. But his legs had been hurt from his fall, and Etho knew he’d be useless with one of his calves broken let alone all of his other injuries.

But it turned him around, at least, and he could see what they were gaping at. The Salmon was back, or whatever it was, the giant fish monster that had eaten Gem, and it wasn’t alone.

Blood pooled in the water as another monster breached the surface, this one shades of beige and – was that Grian on its head?!

“Grian!” Joel yelled, but Grian didn’t react, didn’t move, he was like a statue on top of the thing as it lunged for the Salmon monster with razor-sharp teeth.

“Is that a fucking cod?” Bdubs breathed, and of course it was, anything was possible at this point Etho couldn’t question any of it.

His concern was that Gem was still inside the Salmon. Was she still alive in there, if they could…get in there?

“Gem is in that?” Joel asked, pointing to the Salmon with his sword, apparently on the same wavelength.

Etho could only nod. He wanted to go, too, and he hated that he couldn’t. As if reading his mind, Bdubs tightened his embrace, as if to hold Etho back, as if he was fucking going anywhere.

Joel took off running for the water, but at the last second the Cod-thing lashed out with a giant fin, slapping him back, sending him sailing back into the grass.

The Salmon took advantage of this and lunged, burying its own rotting teeth into the Cod’s side, and Grian screamed, or something screamed and it came out of Grian’s mouth. Etho didn’t thing Grian was Grian anymore. He didn’t think anything was fucking anything anymore.

The Salmon held fast even as the Cid thrashed, but then it flinched and began to shudder. It disengaged from the Cod, slithering and quivering, and then its eye began to bulge and it looked like it was going to explode and then a bodyemerged, covered in blood and viscera and wielding something and it was Gem, oh god, Etho wondered if he were hallucinating because how was she here-

“Gem!” Joel cried, and he saw her too and Etho’s heart soared with hope.

She leapt from the twitching Salmon onto the Cod, grabbing Grian around the middle. “Let him go!” she shrieked. “Leave us alone!”

The Cod tried to shake her off, but she held fast to Grian who seemed attached to it somehow.

“Let him GO!” Gem roared, and finally Grian tumbled, and she curled around him as they hit the water.

Etho’s ears rang, panic shrieking in his blood, and he did struggle against Bdubs this time, his busted body be damned.

“No, you can’t,” Bdubs grunted as he held him tight against his chest, and Joel was running again, and Etho thought the Cod monster would just smack him again, devour Gem and Grian and he’d have to lose her again-

But the giant fish retreated, disappearing into the bloodied water and leaving the dead Salmon beached, gills still fluttering but growing weaker and weaker.

Joel splashed into the waves, dropping his sword and reaching down into the water, dragging up first an arm, then a torso, then another body came up under the other arm, and it was Gem holding a very dazed-looking Grian, his eyes finally the normal size, face fear-stricken as he coughed and sputtered.

Joel hefted Grian into his arms, waving Gem off. “I’ve got him,” he said, “don’t I, buddy? You look like shit.”

“Fuck you, Joel,” Grian rasped, and received a laugh in return, and that fucking laugh made Etho’s heart clench because if Joel was laughing everything was okay now.

And Gem was running towards him, soaking wet, still holding whatever the hell that weird weapon was, and she dropped it when she fell to her knees in front of him, sobbing as she threw her arms around both him and Bdubs, crushing them both in a desperate hug.

“Careful, careful,” Bdubs chastised as Etho groaned, even though he didn’t want to, he didn’t care how much pain he was in, she was here, she was alive.

She pressed her hands to Etho’s cheeks, staring down at him, as if she couldn’t believe it either.

“What the hell is that?” Bdubs asked, toeing the slick thing she’d dropped.

“One of its ribs,” she replied, without taking her eyes off of Etho.

And he laughed, even though it hurt. She’d been swallowed by a fish monster and ripped out one of it’s fucking ribs before using it to bust out its eyeball from the inside. Void, he loved this woman.

“You’re a lunatic,” he rasped, even though he’d meant to say I love you.

She seemed to get it, anyway, because she kissed him.

His heart slowly stitched itself back together. Because if Gem was kissing him, everything was okay now.

[read on ao3]

#cw blood #cw amputation #cw decapitation #THIS IS SO FRICKING COOL

22 notes · View notes

twig-draws · 17 days

Text

You. You don't get to do this to me T-T

This is such amazing writing but WHY

COMMS AU CHAPTER 34: EARTH AND SALT

[COMM RECORD: E#001] [COMM: SYSTEM RECORDING, RECORDING START] [tapping] [fabric rustling] BDUBS: —tho? Etho? Come on, guy. You come on, now… wake up. Wake up, Etho… [groan] BDUBS: Etho! ETHO: Wh… huh?

I am a mess. Reblogs and comments appreciated <3 !

18 notes · View notes

twig-draws · 18 days

Text

I unfortunately can't commission or donate, but I hope things get better soon!

Emergency Commissions and Donations

Hi! Hopefully this will reach a wider audience. I'm Bee, I'm a 24 year old bi transmasc artist and designer from Guatemala. I just got kicked out of my house yesterday.

Thanks to some amazing friends I'm safe and have a place to sleep, but I have to raise money to cover expenses, get luggage to put my belongings I was able to take with me into, and get a plane ticket to the United States, where I have a job offer thanks to another amazing friend and my lovely fiancé. I don't have access to a drawing tablet at the moment, as I had to leave that behind, so I'll be doing traditional sketches and drawings for the time being! As such, my regular commissions sheet is currently non functioning, and I'll be lowering my prices to a pay what you can basis, with doodles and lined art being around $5. I'm also taking donations, and I'll be linking all my info down below.

If you can't commission or donate, please consider reblogging and sharing this to hopefully get the word out.

This is me (left) and my lovely fiancé (right) https://linktr.ee/lavenderhoneybee ^Here are the links to all my information!

12 notes · View notes

twig-draws · 18 days

Text

The Rift

From the forming rips in the earth’s beautiful skin glowed purple; brilliant rays of lavender and magenta combined, with beams of light matching the stars, created wounds that expanded across all of the horizons. Buildings were cracked in half, shattered like feeble glass, and others disappeared entirely, neverminding who or what was inside. Villagers and animals ran from the purple, many unable to escape, crying out for the guardians of the continent.

The Hermit of the mines, TFC, had felt the earthquakes long before they arrived. He noticed the way the monsters began to cower, even ran past him, and how the bats flocked to him for protection. The older man was the first to encounter a rip in the underneath. It had nearly swallowed him whole if not for his quick thinking. TFC gathered up everything he could as the earth rumbled - including the bats - and scrambled out of his mines. Thankfully, the miner sustained few injuries. It was TFC, accompanied by a bird, who reported the strange phenomenon that allowed the other Hermits - the supposed guardians - to act.

Several Hermits had spread out, saving who and what they could. False had led the recovery charge, commanding her fellow Hermits with the grace of a true warrior. However, even with her leadership on the surface, many were unable to be helped. For every shulker of valuables Etho gathered, Beef lost several cattle. For every villager Stress saved, Tango wasn’t able to save entire farms - losing pounds upon pounds of redstone. It was a game of balance, an ability to win but with cost, and no Hermit knew how long they had.

In the meanwhile, the Admin had the rest of the Hermits at the source - as close as they could be, housed in the Entity that seemed unaffected. The Rift had grown significantly bigger, swallowing Grian’s base whole without thought, creating a massive crater. As if it couldn’t get any worse; Xisuma had started looking through code hours ago, but what was dubbed the Rift left no error in the code. There was nothing he could trace, nothing he could find, and nothing he could do. Xisuma looked at the Hermits who were’t on recovery. Iskall and Mumbo were some of the best redstoners, Doc was immaculate at breaking the established universe, Grian caused the entire mess, and Scar was leaning out of the Entity, trying to touch the Rift.

“Scar, no!” Grian grabbed Scar and pulled him back.

“Get a hold of yourself, Scar!” Doc yelled, pausing his pacing to do so.

Scar blinked. “But it reacts!-”

Xisuma shushed them. “We can’t lose a Hermit. Scar, stay away from any exits.”

“Why am I here then?!” Scar asked, confusion painted in his face.

“You’re-...” Xisuma stuttered. “You’re a terraformer! The Rift is terraforming the earth! We might- we might need you…”

“It reacts…?” Iskall mumbled, grabbing a piece of wood from a chest. The redstoner knelt by the entrance and threw the wood toward the edge of a deep chasm. He jumped back in surprise when a wave of purple snatched the piece of wood, pulling it into purple. “You guys saw that, right?”

Mumbo nodded, kneeling beside Iskall while Doc stood over them. “Why isn’t it doing that to the Entity?”

“It’s the Entity.” Grian answered, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“It could… be a safe space.” Doc said, moving the two redstoners aside to stick his hand out, only to pull it back when part of the Rift extended toward him. “It’s a safe space, oh dear malarky- Grian, how did you do this?!”

Grian scrambled. “I-I built it! It’s just colored glass and ender rods!”

“Ender rods…” Iskall tapped the side of his index to his lips. “Ender rods don’t have a history of teleporting items or people… but maybe there’s something in the glass its reacting to?”

“Glass is just sand-” Mumbo pointed out.

Doc let out a frustrated hiss .”Sand heated at one thousand degrees celsius - four thousand at fahrenheit… All of that done in furnace without us interfering. Nothing should’ve gotten into the glass-”

“Well, something did.” Mumbo said.

Xisuma checked the coding once more. “I still can’t find anything wrong with the code. We’re gonna have to go with the natural world explanation - as much as we hate it.”

“Or the unnatural.”

The Admit and Hermits looked at Grian, who approached the entrance with hesitation. His eyes of lack coal stared at his creation, his wings and body tense.

“Grian…?” It was Scar who called out his name.

With a sigh, Grian rapped his knuckles against the stony walls of the Entity.

“Get us down there.” Grian commanded, a faint purple glow appearing on his forehead, under his mess of curled bangs.

The Entity slowly began to move, its heartbeat becoming more alive, surprising the Admin and other Hermits. While the others grabbed on for dear life, Grian stayed standing at the entrance. Once the Entity stretched its legs, it began to crawl toward the crater, walking on the Rift as if it was another floor. Several chests slide around, but never went far, unlike the panicked screaming of the others.

Finally, the Entity stood at the bottom of the rift crater, where the living galaxy’s stars were most intense and clear.

Grian patted the Entity with a smile. “Good interdimensional being, good Entity.”

There was rumbling in the walls of the Entity, mimicking that of a purr.

“G-Grian… what the heck?!” Xisuma was panicking, more than he should. He witness the entire moon crashing onto a continent, yet a moving rock with legs is what scared him most.

“One problem at a time?” Grian looked down at the portal-esque galaxy. “This is as close to the source as we can get without getting absorbed.”

“As close, he says.” Iskall rubbed the stress away from his eyes.

“Yeah,” Mumbo followed. “As if we aren’t standing on it!”

Doc went by Grian’s side. “Wow… it’s kinda pretty…”

“Don’t get pulled in.” Grian warned, sending a glare Scar’s way. “This should help, right?”

“Grian…” Xisuma said, slowly, as if a warning. “Come here.”

Confused, the avian approached. “What is iiiiiiit- oh my Void-”

On the screen of code, the code had switched from the common tongue the hermits agreed on using, to one of ancient history. Grian’s eyes grew wide seeing it.

“Why would it…”

“And,” Xisuma added. “Yours and the Rift’s coding is the exact same.”

There was a moment of silence.

“What?” Mumbo was the first one to speak.

Xisuma nodded. “Furthermore… only a section of the Rift is present. The rest of the Rift - all the chasms and holes - are not showing up. Does this symbol look familiar?”

Grian tared at the screen, slowly nodding. “That was the original Rift…”

“As much I don’t want to say it… G, the Rift is connected to you-”

“I know.” Grian cut Xisuma off. “I know what I have to do.”

“What do you have to do?” Iskall asked.

Grian went back to the entrance then tapped on the Entity’s walls. “Let me leave. Get them home.”

“G?” Scar took a hold of Grian’s arm, pulling him back. “What are you doing?”

Grian paused, avoiding looking Scar in the eyes. “S-... say hi to Jellie for me, okay?”

“Wh- Grian, what are you talking about? What are you planning?” Scar cupped both of Grian’s cheek, forcing the avian to look at him. “What are you doing…?”

“I-...” Grian closed his eyes, sighing out a deep breath. He took Scar’s hands and set a small, rectangle shaped device in them, not allowing Scar to see. “You and Mumbo take care of him, hear me?”

“Grian?-” Before Scar could utter another word, Grian jumped out of the Entity. “Grian!”

A chorus of Grian’s name could be heard following Scar, all in vain. At once, the Entity scrambled out of the crater. Xisuma and Doc held back Scar, not allowing the terraformer to join Grian. The sudden sound of infinite glass shattering echoed in the Admin and Hermits’ ears, mixing with the quickening thump thump thump of the Entity’s heart.

The entire world shook at its core, sending waves of pulsing energy, rattling the ground and knocking down all, even the birds and Hermits who were using elytras. Even the Entity lost its footing, causing the few inside to spiral. It seemed to last hours until, finally, everything stopped. The earthquakes ceased, the wounds had healed themselves, leaving no trace of the Rift.

“Ow…” Scar shoved a dazzed Mumbo off of him. He attempted to stand, but a rush of nausea hit him like a bullet train. His head spun in the worst of ways, so Scar remained lying on the floor of the Entity.

“Is… everyone okay…?” Xisuma sat up, shutting his eyes tightly.

“I’m alive, if that counts…” Mumbo groaned. “I might need to go on another vacation…”

Iskall held up a thumb and Doc hissed lowly.

“Grian…” Scar tried once more to get up. “Where’s Grian…?”

“I don’t know-” Xisuma was the first to stand, stumbling toward the entrance. “... everything looks normal. I think we’re at Mumbo’s vault?”

“Impossible…” Mumbo was second to stand, peaking his head out of the entrance. “I don’t see Grian’s base.”

Doc pulled up Iskall, allowing the shorter man to lean on him. “Wasn’t it swallowed up?”

“I-... excuse me, Mx. Entity?” Mumbo wasn’t entirely sure who - or what - he was speaking to. Or if it would listen. “Can you move? We want to see the bridge.”

Slowly, the Entity hopped down from Mumbo’s vault and turned toward the bridge. The Admin and Hermits felt collective sorrow. Grian’s base wasn’t there, nor was the bridge. Any trace of it was left in the moon shaped portal, more damaged than it was previously.

Xisuma hopped out of the Entity, making sure it was safe before helping the others out. He pulled up the code, finding nothing. “No sign of Grian…”

“Nether?” Iskall asked.

“Where’s the nearest portal?” Xisuma glanced at the moon portal.

Even in the Nether there was no trace of Grian or his influence on the continent. Everything he has built, apart from the Entity, were erased, while every other building was repaired with subtle cracks - like scars. However, all the villagers and animals lost did not return. No amount of searching gave results.

“The only thing left to do is… rebuild.” Xisuma said, once every Hermit was in attendance for the gathering.

They were not about to abandon this continent. Not like the last one.

This time they all could do something.

“Hey, Scar?” Bdubs approached the unusually quiet terraformer. “Guess who I found!”

Scar looked at Bdubs, expecting nothing, but being filled with painful joy. “Jellie!”

“Yeah!” Bdubs handed the beautiful cat over, holding back giggles as Scar held her close. “I found her on a tiny island surrounded by the purple stuff before it poofed! She was totally unbothered! She has the luckiest nine lives ever!”

“Thanks, Bdubs…” Scar felt a lump swell in his throat. Cool tears rained down his heated cheeks, falling onto Jellie’s fur. “You… you didn’t see Grian anywhere, did you?”

Bdubs pouted his lips. “No… I didn’t… I’m sorry, Scar.”

“It’s fine.” With a small sniffle, a wipe of his eyes, Scar forced a smile. “He’ll show up, I’m sure of it. Hey, I’ll catch up with you later to help with rebuilding. I gotta do something.”

Bdubs didn’t look convinced, but he nodded anyways. “Okay, dude…”

Scar carried Jellie away, chewing on his lip and peeling the skin off. Jellie mewled in protest, shoving herself against Scar’s mouth to get him to stop. It worked, mostly. At least his hand her occupied. He never opened his other hand, where Grian’s strange rectangle was still waiting to be revealed. Scar wasn’t sure if he should look at it.

It was Grian’s. He said to take care of it- him. Take care of him.

Slowly, hesitantly, Scar unraveled his fist.

“A… tomogatchi?” Scar furrowed his brows in confusion, turning on the rectangular tomogatchi to see if there was anything else. The screen flickered blue, then three lighter blue dots appeared, doing the wave for a few seconds. “What in the Vex- OHMYELVENKISSES-”

Square eyes opened on the device, blinking at Scar as its mustache appeared. Scar nearly dropped the poor thing as text appeared.

Hello!

“Oh my Vex, it talks-”

My name is Grumbot! Of course I talk! He/They please!

“Grumbot…?” Scar could physically feel the buffering circle in his brain. “Oh, from the mayoral campaign! That was a long time ago, oh my Vex-”

Hello, Mr. Scar! Hello, jelly kitty!

“Hi, Grumbot, how- why- I thought you were left in your box?”

No, sir! Not for long! Fathers brought me with them!

“Fathers- right, Mumbo and Gr…Grian…” Scar couldn’t help but frown.

Yes! Where are my fathers, sir? I want to see them!

Scar looked around at the remaining Hermits, seeing if Mumbo was around. It wasn’t hard finding the tall, lanky man of black and red, and Scar nearly sprinted over. “Mumbo! Mumbo, hi!”

“Hi, Scar, I was looking for you-”

“What a coincidence! I was looking for you!” Scar held up Grumbot. “I think- I think Grian meant to give him to you.”

Mumbo took Grumbot-gatchi and gave the little device a gentle kiss. “Hi, buddy…”

Scar watched Mumbo talk to Grumbot, unable to see the text.

“I’m, uh, I’m alive, Grumbot… Yes, I’ve been eating- no, no projects have been keeping me up. Grumbot-...” Mumbo was silent for a long time. “Grian is gone, Grumbot… we don’t know where he is. And… Grumbot, don’t overheat, we are still looking… Of course I’m not going to abandon you- Scar is gonna help me take care of you, okay?”

“I am-?”

Mumbo looked at Scar with an unreadable look - a mix of glaring and desperation. “Yes. You are. Grian asked you to.”

#I love this???#Please save me this is so cute but it's sad #Like Grumbot is so cute but also what happened to Grian?

29 notes · View notes