#Galahad the hamster | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

alphashley14 · 1 year

Text

One Of Us

A Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated/Mystery Skulls Crossover

Chapter Eight

555

“Lewis! Calm down!” Vivi snapped.

“Calm down? Calm down? Vivi, there’s no way we can let Arthur go through with this!” Lewis roared.

“Like, dude,” Shaggy said with a bit of caution, “I know that you’re like, worried about Arthur. But like, it isn’t up to you.”

“The hell it isn’t!” Lewis snapped. He paced anxiously, running his fingers over and through his hair as he struggled to maintain his mortal illusion through his emotions. “Arthur, you idiot! Why would you offer to do such a thing? He could be seriously hurt, or killed! And without us to protect him-”

“I told him the same thing.” Ricky said, wringing his hands. “I tried to talk him out of it. I swear I did. I made it clear what the risks were, I offered alternatives. But he was very insistent and all I could do in the end was tell him everything he wanted and needed to know to get it done.”

“And why should we believe you? ” Lewis rounded on him. “It’s your mess Arthur’s caught in. You’re probably glad he’s stuck dealing with it for you!”

“Like, hey! Uncool, man!” Shaggy said. Ricky looked over at him bewildered that he was being stood up for. “Like, I get it. You’re upset about the situation and worried about Arthur. But like, I was there, man. And that’s like, totally not how it went down! Mr. E’s telling the truth. About like, everything. Arthur confirmed it. Which is why he wanted to do this.”

“I don’t know about this Shag,” said Fred. “Mr. E’s lied to us a lot in the past.”

“Yeah Shaggy,” Daphne agreed. “Mr. E gives me the creeps- uh… no offense?”

“Some taken.”

“And anyway, how do we know we can trust him this time?”

“Like, um…?” Shaggy glanced over at Mr. E and rubbed the back of his neck. “Things got like… pretty deep while we were in the Sitting Room. I don’t think it’s my place to say all that was said but like, he’s earned my trust. And Arthur’s- And like, Angel had some faith left in him, too. Right to the very end. And like, we all know we should have trusted her! So like… can’t that be enough?”

“You don’t have to hold information back on my account Shaggy,” Ricky mumbled, swallowing to chase away the feeling rising from the back of his throat at the mention of Cassidy. And that she’d had faith in him. “It’s not like I’ve earned it.”

“Hey man. Like, you opened up a lot back there. This isn’t an ‘about you’ thing more as a ‘having basic respect for other people’ thing.”

Even so, it was pathetic how touched Ricky was by the gesture. “Even so,” he gulped, “There’s nothing I told you back there that I don’t want the specific people here at this moment to know.”

“Thank you for that. And I’m sure we’ll have a discussion about that in the near future. But not here and now. Our focus right now needs to be on Arthur.” Said Mystery.

“Mystery is right,” Vivi agreed. “We may not like it, but if Arthur’s decided to do this, then as his friends all we can do is support him from the sidelines.”

“You’re seriously agreeing to this? Vivi-”

“It’s non-negotiable, Lewis.” Vivi interrupted her boyfriend. “However, you do have a point that doubt is warranted.”

“He knew you’d have doubts.” Ricky said. “He told us: ‘he wanted to be brave like Galahad-’ sorry- ‘ Gala-ham ’.”

The Mystery Skulls looked at each other.

“I didn’t mention Galahad to anyone. Did you?” Lewis asked.

“Nope. What about you?”

“I did not.”

“Then this confirms it. They’re telling the truth. They really did talk to Arthur.”

“Wait. Time out. Sorry, am I missing something? Who or what is Galaham?” Velma asked, hands on her hips.

“Arthur’s handicapped hamster.” Lewis explained. “He travels with us sometimes, but he’s back home with Arthur’s Uncle right now. There’s no reason either Ricky or Shaggy should know he exists unless-”

“Oh, come on! This is ridiculous and has gone on long enough!” Velma cried. As hard as she was denying it, Velma was seriously beginning to freak out. Body swapping? Interdimensional beings? Parallel Universes? If it was true then it would change everything she’d ever known about the world, and her knowledge was how she kept her reality grounded. To have it ripped out from under her feet in such a way would be… devastating.

So what could she do but deny it harder?

“Seriously, Velma? I think we’ve all established that what we’re dealing with is the real deal.” Said Fred, exasperated.

“Oh, please ! There are so many holes in this story and so many ways this all could have been faked that it’s not even funny.”

“There’s a skeptic in every family,” Mystery grumbled, rolling his eyes from where he laid in the open back of Arthur’s van.

“Name them.” Ricky challenged.

“Name what?” Velma asked.

“Name the holes. Because it’s clear to me Velma, that you might be one of the smartest people here, but you’re going to be of absolutely no help until you’re on board.”

“Alright. Fine. To start, Shaggy, it’s impossible to prove that you’re actually Mr. E. A good actor could easily pull off acting like another person.”

“Like that’s easy to explain: I can’t act.” Shaggy laughed in Arthur’s body. There were nods of agreement from Fred, Daphne, and Scooby as well.

“Even so, you could easily have gotten everyone else in on this as part of some elaborate conspiracy or prank that I can only assume that I’m the target of!”

“Velma, we’re not pranking you,” Daphne said.

“There is no conspiracy,” Said Vivi.

“Nope,” Lewis nodded.

“We’re really not,” Fred shrugged.

“It’s not a prank. That’s not Raggy, so it must be Mr. E.” Scooby said.

“Of course you would all deny it!” Velma shouted. As ridiculous as she was being, Ricky couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She was so frustrated that everyone could see tears in the corners of her eyes.

Ricky took a deep breath. “I understand that this is a difficult thing to definitively prove for you Velma,” he said, “But what we’ve been telling you is the truth. So. What can we say or do to make you believe it?”

“Just- prove it . Prove that you’re really Mr. E!”

“Very well. Ask me a question. Any question. Something Shaggy wouldn’t be able to guess or make up an answer to.”

Velma thought for a moment.

“Shaggy- ‘Mr. E’ , if that’s who you’re supposed to be - you keep saying that you regret your decisions. That you’re on our side now, and that you never should have left it. So answer me this: what changed? And don’t just give me the enslavement story, because there’s presently no way to prove that . Even if it were true, there would still have to be more to it than that. If you’re so remorseful, then why did you agree to partner up with Professor Pericles again in the first place, when you knew what he was really like and what he was willing to do?”

Ricky knew he had to answer… but he really didn’t want to. “Um… wow. There are… a lot of layers to that question.” He finally got out, fidgeting. Ricky crossed his arms to stop himself from messing with his hands too much, and he felt himself involuntarily shrink a bit. Where should he even start with this one? “First off, everyone. I want to make it clear that I’m not making excuses. At least I’m not trying to. I’m… attempting to explain my behavior. It’s a long story, and this isn’t exactly a conversation I thought I would be having or a box I thought I would be opening today, so there are some things I might struggle to put into words and-” Ricky’s nervous rambling was cut off by a small body nuzzling against his calf.

“There’s no pressure. It’s a very personal question,” Mystery looked up at him through gold spectacles. The dog gave him a nudge, then jumped back into the Mystery Skulls’ van and sat down on the edge, indicating for Ricky to sit beside him. “Just take your time.”

Ricky followed Mystery and fell back to sit inside the open van. Then he took a few deep breaths, avoiding the expectant gazes of the others, and began. “I guess the first part of my explanation goes back to my youth, as cliche as that might sound. My family was close when I was young, but then my Mother got sick. Cancer. Stage three. And we all… drifted apart. She tried to be a good mom even while fighting for her life, but eventually she ended up in the hospital and never left. And my father was so hellbent on her that he ignored me. Even after she died when I was fourteen, I think… Either I reminded him too much of her, or maybe he felt guilty for not being there for me when she was still with us. But we were never close again. It was a lonely time for me, and that’s when I met Professor Pericles. I was eight, playing in my front yard, and he crash-landed right in front of me with a broken wing. I nursed him back to health, but when he got better he just… stayed.

“I know your only frame of reference for imagining our relationship is by comparing us to Shaggy and Scooby, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You two are mentally about the same age, so you’re such close friends that you’re practically brothers. But Pericles was decades older than me. Hell, he was older than my parents. And mine weren’t around. So Pericles practically raised me. He was my best friend and my surrogate parent all at once. Given such, he… knows me. I know it’s pathetic but… he’s- just-”

“Manipulative.” Mystery growled helpfully.

Ricky groaned and ran a hand over his face. “... Yes. Which… brings me to the next part of my explanation.” Ricky had to look away for a second, rubbing the back of his neck and anxiously tapping his heel as he searched for words. “I… I don’t do well on my own. Never have. As much of my life as I’ve spent pushing people away, the truth is I hate it. After my frien- after Brad, Judy, Cassidy, and I left Crystal Cove twenty years ago, we stayed together for… all of two days.”

Mystery Incorporated’s interest was immediately peaked. They had solved the mystery of their predecessors long ago, but they’d never heard a thing about what had happened after the original Mystery Inc. had disappeared.

“We drove for an entire day when we fled Crystal Cove, getting as far away as we could. Then we rented a cheap motel room and hid the Enigma Engine. At the time all of us were just- reeling. We’d just lost everything apart from the van, each other, and the clothes on our backs. We were angry, hurt, scared, confused, and none of us had any idea what our next steps were. Then when Cassidy and I woke up the next morning, Brad and Judy had ditched us. For the first few years, it was just Cassidy and I. Then… I guess life happened,” he sighed.

“We each had our own bullshit- okay, no. It was mostly me. Pericles’ betrayal… It really messed me up and affected all of my relationships going forward. And not in a good way. Because if he could betray me, then in my mind anyone could. And eventually, it pulled Cassidy and I apart. I had a few girlfriends after her, but I didn’t- couldn’t love any of them. Because truth be told, I never stopped loving her. I just- one of my biggest regrets is not making sure she knew that when I had the chance. Anyway, I tried to move on. To make other relationships work, but I was in love with someone else and so afraid of being betrayed or abandoned again that none of them went anywhere. So eventually I gave up, leaving the only relationships I had left work-related.

“After I founded Destroido, I had a string of PAs until Ed finally stuck. He was there through… some hard times for me. He was my employee, yes. But he was also a friend. And the only person apart from the original group whom I ever told my true identity. Eventually, I worked up the courage to move back to Crystal Cove and built my main facility here. Once I knew it was safe and my cover was good enough that the Freak wasn’t coming after me, I reached out to Cassidy. Then she moved here and we started working together again, so for a while I had her and Ed… and you kids, if I’m being honest with myself.”

God, this was so humiliating to admit. Ricky ran a hand over his face. “Looking back, I regret not reaching out to you in person. I know this is going to sound stupid but…”

Ricky thought back to the dark times he’d put himself through, before them. All the pills he’d had to take just to get out of bed in the morning, the constant temptation of the bottle, the eating, and the suicidal thoughts. Then one day, on the cameras he’d taken to monitoring in lieu of going out and actually interacting with people, he’d seen them. Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby. And they had looked so much like- that for just a moment, it was like he was a meddling kid, again. For a while after that, he observed. Updated and upgraded his cameras, and had more installed. He saw mystery unfolding in the town below, and he watched with glee and pride as his successors solved them one by one. Until one day, the temptation became too much.

And ‘Mr. E’ sent Mystery Incorporated his first clue.

Within a month, he didn’t need the pills anymore.

“Helping you kids with those early mysteries was one of the greatest honors and pleasures of my life,” he admitted solemnly. “I won’t go into it, but I was in a very dark place back then. And if I hadn’t worked up the courage to start sending you those clues… I might have never gotten out of it.”

He looked up at them at last. Mystery Incorporated looked very taken aback. Even Velma, in all her skepticism, looked… honored? And the Mystery Skulls, just as Arthur had, looked as though they understood.

“Anyway,” he cleared his throat, “You all know how it was. At least for a while. Then… I ruined it. I think it started when you found your first piece of the planispheric disk. And I started to think about that damn treasure, again. But I think the nail in the coffin started when Pericles got out. I was so angry and also so terrified when he escaped. It brought back so much that I’d finally managed to lock away, and I couldn’t force it back in the box. From that moment on, it wasn’t about you and your mysteries, anymore. You were pieces on the table in my war against him.

“Then everything really started to unravel after Ed was murdered. At the time, no one knew who’d done it. I only realized recently that it was Pericles. Even that far back, he was trying to get me isolated and desperate, because he knew exactly how to get what he wanted from me.

“And because I had abused the trust you kids had in me, you stopped trusting me too. Then not long after that, Cassidy and I had another falling out. Over you kids, actually. From the start, I had kept my distance. I thought it would be better that way. But Cassidy was never the coward I was. She met you, became your friend, and cared about you. And she wouldn’t have any part of it. So then, for a while after your gang split up, I had you and Marcie, Velma. Until… I didn’t. And it was my fault because I should have treated you better. Having the two of you agree to work with me was a privilege, and I abused it.” Ricky shook his head at his past self and scoffed, “Then I had the audacity to approach you, again-”

Velma looked up sharply. “Say that again.”

“I approached you again and asked for a partnership. With you, if not all of Mystery Inc. Outside the ice cream shop. Remember?”

“What’s he talking about, Velma?” Daphne asked.

But Velma didn’t answer. She was looking at Shaggy- Mr. E with opened eyes. Oh my God. “No one- I never told the gang about that. No one knows except… Jinkies! You’re not Shaggy!” She blurted out.

“Told ya,” Vivi, Lewis, and Mystery said at once.

Ricky looked up at the sky and put his hands together in a mock prayer, “Praise the heavens above, she finally gets it.”

“Seriously, Velm? Out of everything he just said, that’s what convinces you?” Fred exclaimed.

“Like, we’ve been trying to tell you that all day.” Shaggy laughed from Arthur’s body.

“So y-you’re really- Mr. E!” Velma cried, “But you can’t be, and you have to be Shaggy, because body-swapping can not happen ! There can’t be inter-dimensional beings or curses because magic isn’t- can’t be real! But it is, so it has to be, and that doesn’t make sense. I need it to make sense!”

Velma started to hyperventilate. “Everything I know is wrong! Science is useless! So I’M useless! My life is a lie-”

“Velma! Velma! Velma, sweetie! Calm down!” Vivi said, placing a hand on her counterpart’s shoulder. “You’re not wrong or useless and neither is science- oh crap. How did Arthur always put it?”

“What are the three primary colors?” Mystery asked, hopping down from his seat next to Ricky to lean against Velma.

“Colors?” Velma cried, hysterical. “The universe is falling apart, and you two want to talk about colors ?”

“I can assure you, the universe is not falling apart.” The little dog chuckled. “It is exactly as it has always been. Now, humor us. What are the three primary colors?”

“Well, that depends.” Velma said, straightening her glasses from where they’d gone askew on her face. “Light or pigment?”

Mystery laughed, eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. “Both. More artistic people would reply red, blue, and yellow. The sciency sort would say red, blue, and green. Mix all pigments together, you get black. Mix all light together, you get white. They are different, sometimes even opposite. And yet both are valid.”

“What’s your point?” Velma sniffed.

“That magic is real;” said Mystery, sounding every bit his true age at that moment. “It’s a part of this world, and always has been. It’s older than you and I, older than the curse on this town, older than the beast behind it or the others of its creed. And it will continue to exist until long after the Andromeda galaxy collides with our Milky Way in about three or four billion years. It doesn’t follow any rules you know, but that’s not to say it isn’t lawless. Just as math is different from art, yet at times intertwined with it, similar is the relationship between magic and science. Its existence does not negate the science and logic you know. It just means that the way the two coexist isn’t fully understood, yet.”

Velma looked pensive for a moment, before the shame became apparent on her face. “You must all think I’m such an idiot,” she said, “The rest of you knew almost immediately that you two weren’t who you appeared to be. Oh, Shaggy. I’m so sorry!” She exclaimed, rushing over to give Shaggy a hug.

“Like it’s alright, Velma. You didn’t know.”

“That’s no excuse! You were so scared, and you needed your friends more than ever. And I wasn’t there when you needed me! And you!” She stormed over to Ricky and grabbed him by Shaggy’s green shirt. “I know you’re denying involvement and I heard about the Sitting Room with everyone else, but if I find out you had anything to do with this, they’ll never find your body, Ricky Owens!”

“As you should.” Ricky said defensively, nodding profusely.

Velma let him go, and he fell back on his butt in the van. “Still,” she said, hands on her hips. “For the record, if Professor Pericles really has weaponized cobra venom, and if he really is using it to hurt you as you said… then I’m sorry. Even after everything that’s happened between us, and everything you’ve done… you don’t deserve that.”

Now it was Ricky’s turn to be taken aback.

“Now, assuming the latter is the truth,” Velma said, “what can we do to help Arthur?”

“Like, he has a plan,” Shaggy said. “Mostly, he wants us to leave it to him. But there are a couple things he asked for specifically.”

“The first and most important thing he said he wanted was…” Ricky made a face. “He wouldn’t tell us exactly what it is, but he said you guys would know. He needs to borrow a couple of… ‘deadbeats?’ From Lewis? Does that mean anything to you?”

Vivi and Mystery both turned to look at Lewis. “Yes,” he cleared his throat, “we’re all quite familiar with what a Dead Beat is.”

“Well, what is it?” Asked Daphne.

“One of the ‘secrets’ Arthur mentioned,” Lewis explained, folding his hands behind his back, “and not a conversation to be had here. Just know that I’ve got it covered.”

And indeed, at that very moment, so discreetly that none save Vivi and Mystery noticed, three orbs, aglow with pink light, appeared in Lewis’ hand behind his back.

“You know, you guys are still withholding a lot considering that you swore to be more upfront from now on.” Velma said cynically. Behind Lewis’ back, the three Dead Beats bounded from his palm and raced down the hillside, bound for Destroido to fulfill their Master’s silent order, swerving to and fro like serpents rushing through blackened underbrush.

“The secret we’re keeping is… a big one. I don’t know what to say other than that,” said Vivi. One of the Dead Beats paused and looked back, causing the one behind it to bump into it.

“It’s a cryptic answer, but that’s about right,” Mystery shrugged. “What we’re hiding is huge, hard to believe, and connects to a lot of other things. It is, in essence, the true nature of the Mystery Skulls.”

The two Dead Beats stopped momentarily to fuss at each other, before the third reappeared from the front and roared quietly at the two of them, pointing ahead with a nubby arm. Then the three were winding down the hill towards the toxic fortress once again.

“It’s a lot to unpack.”

“Whole other box of worms.”

“This is not the time nor the place.”

“You’re just gonna have to trust us.”

“Back to Arthur. Did he have any other directions?”

“He said he wanted to talk to Lewis directly about the final stage of his plan. But like, I don’t know how you’re supposed to do that.”

“Like, he also said he wanted us to keep an eye out for Hot Dog Water,” Shaggy said.

“Marcie?” Velma perked up.

Mr. E nodded. “Marcie’s only still working with- ‘me’ and the others because she’s being blackmailed. She works with me, she stays out of jail- I know, I know! Don’t look at me like that! The point is, that this works in our- or rather, Arthur’s favor right now, because she’ll be trustworthy and willing to betray Pericles at the drop of a hat. It’s not like she hasn’t done it before.”

The three dead beats were cautious to not be seen as they approached Destroido. They swerved under and between cars as they crossed the parking lot.

“Of course! Hot Dog Water can help him from the inside!” Fred said.

“And knowing how much she has in common with Velma, she’ll probably want to confirm the body-swap for herself. Which will send her looking for us,” said Ricky, pointing between himself and Shaggy.

“And like, if he has more instructions for us, then he’ll probably send them through her,” Shaggy added.

“Apart from that, he just wanted us to stay together.”

At the bottom of the hill, the Dead Beats came around the side of the building and split up, searching in serpentine patterns for a way in where they could avoid being seen.

“Like, don’t forget the other thing. He seemed pretty insistent about it.”

Ricky sighed, “He also said that I should talk to Lewis and Mystery… about some things.” Ricky said nervously.

Mystery tilted his head. “About what?” Mystery asked.

At the bottom of the hill, one of the dead beats found an air vent. Too small for any human, covered in stainless steel mesh too strong and fine for any device. But not too fine for the Dead Beats - manifestations of energy with no solid body to keep out by such mortal means. With a howl, the tiny creature called for the others.

“Nothing important. Personal matters.” Ricky said quickly. He cleared his throat. “We shouldn’t stay here any longer. We’ve been here way too long as it is. The longer we stay, the higher the chances that Destroido detects we’re here. And if that happens, it could put Arthur in a very precarious position. Which is saying something, because his position is already precarious enough.”

Lewis tensed anxiously. “He’s right Lew,” Vivi said soothingly, hooking her arm with his. “I hate to leave Arthur like this just as much as you, but trusting him is probably the best thing we can do for him.”

Down below, the three Dead Beats, one after another, passed through the mesh as easily as air, slipped into the vent, and entered the dark labyrinth to look for Arthur.

Lewis released a long breath. “You’re right. Let’s just- get everyone back to the mansion. We have plenty of rooms, and it’s well-protected and hidden from Destroido’s sight. Is that alright with you all?”

“You guys are staying at a mansion?” Fred exclaimed, surprised.

“Correction: we have a mansion. Or rather, Lewis does,” Mystery corrected.

“Here in Crystal Cove?” Daphne asked.

“Yep. And we’ll lead you there,” Lewis said. “Just follow us. Same seating arrangements as before.”

“When we get there, we’ll scour our tomes for any information that may be useful. And the materials we took from the Burlington Library - we still haven’t had time to look through all of those. And Velma, it would be helpful if you could check your mother’s collection. As well as the Crystal Cove Library and the library at Darrow University. It’s a longshot, but you never know. And I think I’ll contact our network to see if they know anything. And to give them a heads up about Nibiru.”

“Your network?” Scooby asked with a tilt of his head.

“We’re far from the only supernaturally inclined people in the world,” Vivi said excitedly. “Over the years we’ve collected contacts of others with experience in the paranormal.” She counted off on her fingers, “The Addams Family in New Jersey, Sabrina in Greendale, Lydia and Bee- BJ in Peaceful Pines... There are a couple others. And they’re invaluable sources of information.”

“And sometimes backup,” Lewis added.

“Though,” said Mystery with a pinch of smugness, “we seldom need it.”

“Then this evening,” Vivi said, “seeing as we will all be staying together until we see this through, we’ll have dinner. Which will be a real treat. Lewis’ food is amazing.”

“Vivi…” the ghost blushed.

“Like, oh boy! If it’s half as good as breakfast was, then like, count me in!” Shaggy said, already starting to drool.

“Oh boy!” Scooby licked his lips.

“Then after dinner, we’ll come clean.” Mystery interrupted. “Given today’s revelations, I think it’s best that you all have a few hours to process and brace yourselves before a whole new bomb explodes in your faces.”

“There is however, something you all need to be made aware of before we arrive at the manor,” Lewis said sheepishly.

“What’s that?” Fred asked.

The Mystery Skulls looked at each other.

“Well…”

“It’s kinda-”

“Sorta-”

“A little-”

�� Extremely-”

“Haunted.”

At this point, ‘Zoinks’, ‘Jeepers’, and ‘Jinkies’ did not begin to cover it.

༻˚⁺･⚉｡○✼༓☾⦾♫෴♡💛♡෴♫⦾☽༓✼○｡⚉･⁺˚༺

Within the labyrinth that was Destroido Corp, Marcie Fleach sat in her room, stared at her computer, and tried to quell her rising panic.

Mr. E had sent her an email. Asking to meet with her in a very particular hallway.

Not just any hallway.

The hallway where, near the ceiling, there was concealed a small camera that Marcie had installed for Velma in secret some weeks ago.

It was too specific to be a coincidence.

But Mr. E couldn’t possibly know. How could he? She’d been so careful . She’d worn stealth tech while installing it! She’d literally been invisible.

If he didn’t know, and it was a coincidence or a test, then Marcie’s only hope was to play dumb.

But if he did know… then this was bad. Like, really bad. He’d given her so many chances, and she’d betrayed him so many times. And Pericles had been acting so much more deranged lately. If they found out she’d betrayed them again… they might just kill her this time.

But.

Something was off.

First of all, Mr. E had sent her an email. Usually, he called or sent someone to fetch her directly when he had an assignment for her or wanted to see her.

Second of all, in said email, Mr. E just… did not sound like himself. Something about his wording was just way too… polite? Mr. E didn’t ask Marcie to do things. He gave orders. But this didn’t read like an order. More like an urgent request.

Third of all… there was the link. At the bottom of the email, Mr. E left her a link. When she clicked on it, it took her to a video on a website called MysterySkullsBand.com. The Mystery Skulls were, according to the website, an indie pop/electronica band. And if she wasn’t mistaken, this was the group who had defeated Rude Boy not too far back. To her knowledge, they were still in Crystal Cove. Then when Marcie clicked on the video, it showed her one of their performances from about a year ago of a song called 555.

It started with special effects. Thick pink, blue, and orange smoke that cleared to reveal the band’s members. The song began with a girl in blue on the electric guitar, and a young man in orange on the synthesizer. Then in the center of the group, the band’s vocalist, dressed in pink, began to sing.

"Yeah.

So please don't look into my eyes.

You might just see the other side.

There lie some secrets deep in mine.

Can't you pretend it's all okay?

"But I know it's not what you wanted.

And you just wrote this, fucking bought it.

It's like I haven't got a clue, and-

Yes, things just might be strange

Keep pretendin' it's okay!

"And my mind keeps on changin',

I've gone blind, I can't see it through!.

And my minds fully fadin',

And I know this might seem strange

Keep pretending it's okay!

"You're probably right to think I lied.

There's something 'bout it, but I tried.

And we can't pretend it's all okay.

What a nightmare love becomes,

When the way up fills your lungs, hoooh!

"And I'm tryin' to leave you, let you choose it.

Cause you were right, I'm a bit confusing!

I'm driving fast, heartbeat's improvin'.

But the way out's just the same,

Keep pretendin' it's okay!

"And my mind keeps on changin',

I've gone blind, I can't see it through!

And my minds fully fadin',

And I know this might seem strange

Keep pretending it's okay!"

Mr. E liked puzzles, she supposed. But after watching the video multiple times, Marcie… still had no idea what the point of it was. He said nothing about the link in the email (except the obvious - “PS: Watch this”), leaving the video and website itself as her only clue.

It was too deliberate to be random. She knew he was trying to tell her something, but didn’t know what. Was he planning to use the Mystery Skulls, somehow? Or was he suspicious of them? Or was there some sort of message in the lyrics or notes of the specific song he’d made her listen to? Because from the look of it, 555 was far from one of the group’s most popular songs. If he’d wanted to give her an idea about the group and their music in general, it would have made more sense if he’d made her watch one of their more popular songs, like Magic, Freaking Out, Money, or The Future.

The possibility prompted Marcie to listen to the song another couple of times.

She couldn’t discern anything from the notes. But then again, Mr. E was far more musical than she was. So maybe he’d taken something from it that she just couldn’t see. Which left her the title and lyrics.

555 was known as an angel number among the religiously minded. But Mr. E wasn’t religious (that she was aware of), and she was pretty sure it wasn’t relevant.

On to the lyrics. Was it a request to pretend everything was normal? “Yes, things just might be strange. Keep pretendin' it's okay!” Was a memorable line from the chorus that was repeated multiple times throughout the song. And there were similar lines in the other verses, too. If that was the case, then was there something going on she wasn’t aware of?

She couldn’t tell.

There were countless other lines in the lyrics that could also be a message. She checked the email and the song for some kind of cipher, but couldn’t discern one. And Mr. E knew her capabilities. He wouldn’t send her a cipher she couldn’t solve in an hour if that was the amount of time he gave to meet her. Which meant there probably wasn’t one.

One thing was for sure, it was very unlike Mr. E.

It was weird.

Too weird.

Weird enough that it prompted Marcie to trace the email back to its original sender just to make sure that it actually came from Mr. E.

Sure enough. It was sent from Mr. E’s account. Right from his personal computer at Destroido. The question was: did Mr. E, himself send it? Or could Pericles, one of Fred’s parents, or someone else have hacked his account?

Marcie couldn’t find out without hacking into Destroido’s security cameras and checking the footage that aligned with the timestamp of the message. But that, she didn’t dare do. They didn’t trust a hair on her head as it was. If they caught her hacking their security…

Unfortunately, all that left for Marcie to do was as the email asked. She had watched the video. Several times. Next, she still had about an hour to kill before she had to meet Mr. E, but in the meantime she had to wonder: what was Mr. E trying to tell her with that link. And if Mr. E didn’t send that email… then who did?

It took me forever to find a song that fit for this chapter, but then I listened to 555 for the first time and just sat back SHOOKETH. It's as if it was WRITTEN for the express purpose of being Arthur's hidden message to Marcie for this fic. Most of the song's lyrics fit with the context! I could literally make a whole post about it. (And maybe when I have the time to, I will!) And it's sadly true that 555 is extremely underrated. But I for one think you ought to give it a listen if you haven't heard it before, because it is a BANGER. - Or maybe it just tickles my neurodivergent brain just the right way. I can never tell. Lmao

Chapters One through Ten of 'One of Us' are presently posted on Archive of Our Own

20 notes · View notes

kingarthurtournament · 1 year

Note

Arthur Kingsmen propaganda: his name is ARTHUR KINGSMEN. He has a hamster named Galahad and an uncle named Lance. That’s about all of his Arthurness, but also he’s just really great. He’s always scared but he’s trying his best, he’s searching relentlessly for his friend and when said friend tries to kill him Arthur reaches out to him anyway, he’s afraid of the team dog because said “dog” bit his arm off (long story) but gives him head pats when he’s stressed, he’s an engineer who created his own mechanical arm and a wheelchair for his hamster, he likes “Surf’s Up Surprise” pizza, he has pins representing his friends on his vest, he’s a very good boy who deserves good things (like winning this poll).

#King Arthur tournament #round 1 #propaganda #arthur kingsmen #mystery skull #Ask

15 notes · View notes

dulcetdelirium · 7 months

Text

I am probably SO late to the party but I just realized something about Arthur...

His uncles name is "Lance", and his hamsters name is "Galahad".. I just suddenly sparked a childhood memory of learning about KING Arthur (and having a phase where I LOVED learning about him.), the knight who had betrayed him was Sir LANCElot, and the (illegitimate) son of Sir Lancelot went by the familiar name of GALAHAD.

I'm stretching so much, I know, but the words "Arthur" and "King" being so close made me think of it and make said connection.

#arthur kingsmen #msa arthur

6 notes · View notes

mysteryideasgroup · 10 months

Text

Sarah gets two Hamsters for Arthur X Vivi's Sons of One of Twins and Younger Brother

Sarah: Hmm... what I got ideas... Oh, I want to get two Hamsters.

Sarah went to the Pet Store and I looked to find Hamsters. I noticed Hamsters in the glass of the cage.

Sarah: I got it. I think Arthur loves Galahad, and Arther loves his pet, Gill. Now two sons of Arthur and Vivi, one of the twins and younger brother.

Sarah looks at two hamsters that look like Galahad but they have different colours of fur and markings backs.

Sarah: Hey, I want two Hamsters for two kids, please?

Worker: Oh, right. I got two hamsters for them.

Sarah: Thanks.

Sarah got a blanket over the cage of two Hamsters. She gets foods of Hamsters. I went to find Arthur and Vivi's Home.

Sarah: I’m going on?

Arthur: Right, come in.

Sarah goes inside Arthur and Vivi's Home. She noticed three Kids.

Sarah: Heys, kids.

Takeo: Auntie Sarah.

Tetsuya: ? (Noticed that blanket covered in a cage) Hey, what are you got to?

Hector: ? Sarah. You have got?

Sarah is confused, remember. She put blanket covered cage.

Sarah: Right, I brought two Hamsters to give them. See it.

Sarah gets the blanket out to reveal two Hamsters.

Sarah: Ta-Da. Good better, now owner to your new pet owner.

Sapphire and Samantha are smiling at Sarah giving Takeo and Hector new pets Hamsters.

One Hamster hugs Takeo

Takeo: Aw! Thanks, Sarah.

One Hamster hugs Hector

Hector: Love it! Thanks, Sarah.

Sarah: Soy bienvenido.

Tetsuya: Eng: I'm welcome.

Sarah: Si, thanks.

Sarah hugs Takeo, Tetsuya, and Hector.

Arthur noticed new pets owners of Takeo and Hector; Hamsters. Remind me of my beloved Galahad.

Arthur: Sayas, Thanks. You gave my sons new pets Hamsters.

Sarah: Welcome.

Sapphire: Hehe. Better love.

Samantha is smile.

----

For @lauritanaomystery

Sarah Cabanas belongs to my msa style oc sona

Arthur Kingsmen and Vivi Yukino belongs to Ben and MysteryBen27

Takeo and Tetsuya (Twins) and Hector of Arthur X Vivi belongs to her msa ocs sonas next gen Family

2 notes · View notes

derailedfiction · 6 months

Text

Lonely boy | 1. An Coineachan

Characters: Merlin | Hamish Mycroft, Galahad | Harry Hart, Merlin | Richard Mycroft (OMC), and other

Warnings: sadness, parents loss, abandonment, anger issues, swearing, death

Word count: 1942

Summary: it is a prequel to Run boy, run

A/N.: An Coineachan (en. Highland Fairy Lullaby) a Scottish lullaby, supposed to be sung by a disconsolate mother whose babe has been stolen by the fairies. Translated by L. MacBean, author of "Songs of the Highlands"

It was an unusual night. After a long day of heavy rains, it finally calmed down and the ground started to release accumulated moisture, forming dense and heavy fog around a mansion. When everybody should be sleeping one person, a child actually, was awake and waiting. Left alone with its nanny, in an extravagant and big mansion, the child was waiting for its parents to return. Despite being asked to go sleep a little boy refused to do so. Something wasn't allowing him to sleep, some kind of anxiety that made his tummy hurt a little bit. At once he became scared and stressed and looking through the window, searching for the lights of his parents’ car didn't help. All he could see was a milky cloud tightly hugging his home. The nanny took the snivelling boy in her arms and carried him to his bedroom. She put him in the bed and covered him carefully with a duvet and a blanket.

"Sleep now little one. Papa and Mama will be home soon," she tried to calm down the boy, but she only received quiet sobs in an answer. "Come on boy. Do you remember what Papa promised to you?" he nodded with trembling chin.

"We'll go flying", the boy said calmed down a little bit.

"That's right. So, think about flying in a nice plane and going to sleep and in the morning, you'll hug your parents. Sleep little one," the nanny kissed his forehead and left.

He had a hard time falling asleep. Those strange figures out of the window were making him wonder where his parents were and why they hadn't already come home to him. He curled up into an embryo and lay in complete silence. Even his hamster usually noisy at night was quiet as if something big was oncoming. The boy cried a little bit more but after a while, he fell asleep.

***

In the other part of the country, a man was woken up by an unexpected phone call. It was nearly two in the morning when he answered the phone, shrugging the sleep remnants almost immediately.

"Yes, yes of course. What happened?" he sat up trying to understand what was said to him. "What? Is there any chance...", the speaker interrupted him with new information. "Are you absolutely sure?" He was listening carefully, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was hard to believe in such terrible news. "All right I understand that", but of course he understood. He heard the words, but their sense was lost to him, "Is there any chance that the child will live? The woman... His wife was pregnant... Oh Lord..." He felt all of a sudden numb, unable to speak.

Such tragedy, no one was expecting. His brother was dying, and his lovely wife was dead as the child she was carrying. His mourning thoughts concentrated on the boy they left alone in this world. Quickly he put himself together. He had things to be done.

"Is there any chance for me to arrive there just in time to see my brother?" the hope of seeing his little brother for the last time enlightened his face but it disappeared as fast as it came. The doctor on the other end wasn’t giving him great chances to survive the surgery.

"I'll arrive at the hospital as soon as I can. Yes, thank you," he got up and dressed in extreme rush.

The boy can't wake up alone, that was the most important thought for him at the moment.

"Arthur? It's Merlin. I need to borrow one of the helicopters. It's crucial. My brother and his wife just died, and they left a four-year-old boy after. I would be grateful. I need to get to Scotland as soon as I can. Thank you I owe you that, Arthur."

He was relieved that it went so smoothly. Just one more call and he was free to go but that was the hardest one. He dialled the number and waited.

"Hello?" the sleepy voice answered, he easily recognised Amelia, the nanny. "Amelia, it's Richard, Thomas's older brother." he was trying really hard to remain calm.

"Oh, good night, sir. Is everything all right?"

"How is the boy?"

“He had some difficulties with sleeping earlier this evening but eventually he is sleeping now," he could sense that she was suspecting something.

"Don't wake him, I’ll be there tomorrow. I have bad news, unfortunately."

Richard arrived in the early morning, quiet like a ghost. Of course, before arrival, he had taken care of things of practical matters like preparing necessary documents and contacting a lawyer. Some papers need to be changed. No sooner had he finished those small preparations than he went to the headquarters for the helicopter. The flight was surprisingly short, or it was due to the adrenalin and emotions building up. He didn’t pay attention to it deep in his thoughts looking at Glasgow bathed in the glow of the rising sun. The day looked promising, which even deepened the excruciating pain the man felt.

He tried to remember the last time was, he spoke to his little brother as he stood over his cold body, nodding to the mortician that it was his relative. It was not the first time he had to identify the body as the quartermaster of Kingsman, he got used to it. The coldness of the room and its sterility made him shiver.

Then Richard was presented with his sister-in-law's corpse, and he couldn’t take it anymore. Harsh gasp escaped his mouth as he helplessly tried to compose himself.

“Yes, that’s her,” he mumbled on the way out.

This was not supposed to happen. Never in his worst dreams has he imagined outliving his brother and being the one to determine if it’s the right body. He always thought it would be the other way around or that Thomas would end up getting a fancy letter with golden Kingsman’s emblem on it, informing with great sadness of his passing.

“Mr Mycroft?” he stood still observing the white-tiled floor with an empty gaze, “Mr Mycroft, are you alright?” a doctor touched his arm to get his attention, “I’m sorry for your loss, were you close?”

“We used to be. Unfortunately, my work wasn’t helping with keeping the relationship more devoted. At least at my end,” he cleared his throat and looked at the doctor, “How it will look like?”

“Well, we have to perform an autopsy but given it was a fatal car accident, it won’t take long. After that, the bodies will be transferred to the mortuary of your choosing for the funeral, Mr Mycroft. It will take a few days.”

“I see, you got my contact info?” after the confirming nod, he continued, “Good then I’ll wait for the call. I have to inform their son.”

“Mr Mycroft. Once again, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Yes, thank you, doctor,” he brushed it off on his way out. The man’s thoughts were occupied and empty at the same time, already thinking how to deliver the news to his nephew.

***

“Amelia, is my mommy coming soon?”

“I’m sure she is, darling. Do you want to eat your breakfast?” the nanny showed him a plate of small pancakes with some berries on top.

“Pancakes? But it’s not Sunday,” the boy frowned puzzled with this offer, “I’ll eat them,” he added fast with a disarming smile.

“Very well, Hamish. Sit up and eat up, young gentleman,” Amelia put the plate with cutlery in front of the child and added a glass of juice after a moment, “When you finish you can go outside and play in the garden. How does it sound?”

“Mhmm,” he answered the best he could with a mouth full of food. He finished his meal excitedly, in his mind, already running on the barely dry lawn with a toy plane that would undoubtedly crush into the ground, “Thank you,” with a loud rumble he moved the plate away from him and ran away to dress up.

“Put your hat on, it’s rather chilly!” she shouted after her protegee. After a moment she heard a joyful scream as he ran out into the garden with his toys. She smiled to herself and started to clean up after the breakfast.

“Good morning, Amelia,” she jumped surprised.

“Good morning, sir. Quite an entrance,” she responded with a nervous laugh, “Can I get you anything?”

“Coffee, please. How is the boy?”

“He woke up in quite a cheerful mood. Is everything alright?”

“I’m afraid not,” he smiled softly, accepting the cup, “His parents had a car accident. They didn’t make it.”

Amelia gasped terrified, her eyes filled with tears, “My God, this is unbelievable. Oh, this poor boy. What will happen to him?”

“I don’t know, I spoke to the lawyer, I’ll become his legal guardian. We just need documents to move it further,” he heard a sigh of relief from the nanny, “Where is he?”

“Garden, playing with his planes,” her voice trembled as she tried to hold back tears. She was unable to imagine how he would feel when he finally heard the news, “Are you going to tell him, sir?”

“Unfortunately. I have no conscience to put you through it, Amelia,” Richard came closer to the window observing his nephew’s last moments of child’s light-hearted plays, “Let's give him some more carefree childhood. I’ll talk to him when he’s back home.”

Within half an hour a breathless and sweaty youngling stormed the house like a tornado, loudly demanding something to drink. Boots, hat, and jacket were left like a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the kitchen where he bumped into two adults conversing quietly.

“Uncle Rick!” he exclaimed throwing himself in welcoming arms, for a tight hug.

“Hello, dear boy,” the child nested himself comfortably in his arms and with cold hands touched his relative's face with naïve pietism, “What are you looking for, Hamish?”

“You look different, older…” he paused frowning, “Sadder.”

“Well, I am really sad today, lad,” Kingsman smiled softly, which puzzled the boy even more, “Let’s take our drinks and maybe we’ll go to the playroom?” he passed a plastic cup to the child and ordered to hold it tightly. With his other free hand, he took a half-finished coffee and they headed to another room.

“You stopped coming often, why?” nephew inquired, focused on not spilling his drink.

“I had a lot of work,” now I regret it, he thought to himself, “Alright, now off you go.”

As soon as Hamish stood on the floor, he greedily drank up the juice and gave back the empty cup to his uncle, eyeing a particularly soft teddy he wanted to play with. Richard sat down heavily on a black sofa and sank into it. He didn’t want to have this conversation with the four-year-old. All he wanted was to disappear or wake up from this nightmare.

“Hamish,” the boy looked at him expectantly, “Come here,” he stretched out his hand encouragingly, watching the child coming quickly holding teddy’s paw and dragging it behind him.

“Are you crying, uncle?” it was impossible not to hear how concerned the boy was, “Is it because you’re sad?”

“Yes, lad,” he lifted him and sat down on his lap, “I’m sad because something happened and I’m even sadder because I have to tell you about it,” as best as he could, Hamish tried to hide behind his teddy. If such a big adult was crying about something, what would be with him?

“What is it?” he whispered.

“Your parents won’t come home, boy.”

#merlin kingsman #merlin prequel #why do i hurt him so much #baby merlin #baby hamish #kingsman fic #8 years too late

0 notes

trustze · 2 years

Text

Monity python quotes

#Monity python quotes movie#

“When I first came here, this was all swamp. “Well, now, uh, Launcelot, Galahad, and I, wait until nightfall, and then leap out of the rabbit, taking the French by surprise – not only by surprise, but totally unarmed!”- Sir Bedevereġ5. “Oh, but you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!” – Dennisġ4. “I don’t want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough water! I fart in your general direction!” – French Soliderġ3. “You don’t frighten us, English pig dogs! Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person! I blow my nose at you, so-called “Arthur King,” you and all your silly English K-nig-hts.” – French Soldierġ2. ‘Tis a silly place.” – Arthur Classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail quotesġ1. “On second thought, let’s not go to Camelot. Related Freedom of Speech Quotes on Protecting our First Amendment Rightġ0. “No, now go away before I taunt you a second time.”- French Soldierħ. “Well she turned me into a newt…I got better” – Peasantĥ. “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!” – French SoliderĤ. “Every time I try to talk to someone it’s ‘sorry this’ and ‘forgive me that’ and ‘I’m not worthy.’” – Godģ. “We are the knights who say ‘Ni!’”- Knights of NiĢ. Monty Python and the Holy Grail quotes that will make your dayġ. We hope you enjoy this list of the most memorable Monty Python and the Holy Grail quotes.ĭon’t forget to also check out these hilarious Blazing Saddles quotes.

#Monity python quotes movie#

This extremely silly take on the classic legend of King Arthur and his quest for the holy grail is a staple in the family movie collection. In 1975, Monty Python and the Holy Grail became the group’s first proper feature film. The group originally became popular from their sketch comedy show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Monty Python was a British comedy group starring John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, and Terry Jones. Released in 1975, the film has since gone down in history as one of the best comedy films of all time. Like so many of us, you probably grew up quoting Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

#Monity python quotes

0 notes

yepiamthesmileyface · 4 years

Text

mermay may be over but i’m still on my merm au bullshit and i think that Galahad should be a pufferfish, specifically a southern puffer

i don’t really have a big ol meta reason for this, just that southern puffers live near texas and louisiana and also they look like this

#smiley soliloquy #merm au #MSA #mystery skulls #mystery skulls animated #galahad the hamster #galahad msa #galaham #also i think lionfish arthur is very neat and some fish owner forums say that you can keep lionfish and pufferfish together #i mean it's probably bullshit but this is merm au and my city now

9 notes · View notes

anartisticexpression · 5 years

Photo

He’s a growing boy!

If you liked this, please think about buying me a coffee on Ko-fi or check out my other artwork at the links below!

Ko-fi / DeviantArt / Red Bubble / Pinterest / Youtube / Commissions

#mystery skulls #mystery skulls animated #kitsune mystery #galahad the hamster #hamsters #kitsune #expressionsartwork

227 notes · View notes

starlitskvaderart · 6 years

Text

post it note doodles!!

I like the idea of the gang getting to interact with the Dead Beats on a friendly level. I especially like the idea of Sad Dead Beat just hanging around Arthur as his personal Beat Buddy.

Also as a fandom we need to appreciate Galahad more.

#mystery skulls #vivi yukino #arthur kingsmen #dead beats #galahad the hamster #galaham

146 notes · View notes

lauritanaomystery · 3 years

Photo

Kitsune Galahad!!!

Character versioned of @haedonr0cks ´s

Desing by me!

It was funny to cover a tiny hamster in a gigantic kitsune, obviously it has Mystery influence but the difference is the visible whiskers, the mechanical back legs and his eyes, the spots were my idea! I hope you like it friend!💖

#msa #mystery skulls #mystery skulls animated #msa galahad #lauritanaomystery #haedonr0cks #to friends #request #collaboration #kitsune #hamster

205 notes · View notes

genkooii · 3 years

Photo

(Don’t repost / remove the caption or use without permission).

So I got an anon on my sideblog asking about whether I was gonna make my own human version of Galahad (Arthurs hamster) and after receiving it I realised, I SOMEHOW FORGOT ABOUT THE HAMSTER!

I heavily referenced Arthur and Lance as inspiration for Galahad’s design. Galahad is Arthur’s loyal assistant, despite not knowing a lot about mechanics and robotics. He’s energetic but also a little forgetful. He really loves to help despite unintentionally causing things to fall apart at Kingsmen Mechanics. I designed him with a age range of 11-13 in mind.

My interpretation of human Galahad is autistic (His special interest is aviation so he really likes model airplanes and everything about flying! Arthur helps him put together his model airplanes.)

#mystery skulls #mysterybensmysteryblog #mystery skulls animated #arthur kingsmen #mystery skulls gijinka #mystery skulls arthur #|| kooii art ||#(galahad I'm so sorry I forgot to make a gijinka for you)#(but! This should be all my msa gijinka plans now unless any new designs are released or I get any ideas)#( I haven't decided if Galahad in this scenario is Arthurs little brother - cousin or adopted younger brother )#( regardless the two have a brotherly dynamic )

344 notes · View notes

mysteryideasgroup · 3 years

Text

Gill meets with Galahad in Kitsune form with six tails

Gill is very fearful and horrified that Galahad is not happy.

For @lauritanaomystery and @haedonr0cks

Gill the Hamster belongs to my new msa oc sona

Galahad the Hamster/Tanuki/Kitsune belongs to Mysteryben27 and Mystery Skulls Animated

#mystery skulls animated #mystery skulls #mystery skulls ghost #msa oc #mystery skulls oc #msa sona #mystery skulls sona #galahad #msa galahad #gill #msa gill #galahad mystery skulls #galahad the hamster #gill the hamster #gill the hamster my msa oc #gill the hamster my msa sona #hamster #kitsune

52 notes · View notes

salenakingston · 3 years

Text

Some Dance to Remember, Some Dance to Forget

“A party?”

Arthur batted at his tongue for what felt like the millionth time. He hated it. He and ‘Rev’ had been meeting up regularly since his incident… or at least more so than they had been previously. Progress had actually been made. There were a few times when the ‘snake’ was bleeding through to his human form, but the simple chanting to remind himself of who he was in his head made them fall away…

All except for his stupid tongue.

It was not as thin as a snake’s, but it was still forked. Even ‘Rev’ seemed confused as to why it hadn’t changed back. Something permanent then… a reminder of his stupid mistakes.

“Indeed. You seem like someone who could use a night to relax, getting out of your own space. Hanging around some like-minded individuals.”

“I don’t know… I don’t have a good track record with other people…”

“You’ll be in my company. You’ll have nothing to worry about there. Promise.”

He hesitated. He shouldn’t… he knew he shouldn’t… He would be going further and further down the rabbit hole he was already sure he wasn’t going to be able to climb out of. Why would he want to go even further? Every nerve in his brain was sending the message that this was a terrible idea… but…

‘Rev’ always did seem to have a way with words.

Maybe… maybe one time would be alright… If he didn’t enjoy it then he could always skip out next time right?

“If you sssay ssso.”

“Atta boy. I’ll give you the address when we next meet up. No offense to your usual get up, but you’re going to have to dress a little nicer than you usually do.”

“I figured…”

“Relax Artie. It’s going to be fine.”

“Ok…”

“See you soon, my dear apprentice.”

He hung up after that, as he usually did. The blond never got the last say in anything. He gave a gentle sigh, laying his phone down on desk, and placing his head in his hands. ‘No.’ That’s all he had to say. Why was he so spineless? Why did he just bend to whatever ‘Rev’ asked of him? His head turned over toward the hamster cage sitting at the other end, Galahad tilting his head at him. A small smile came to his face, glad to see he wasn’t always hiding anymore. At least some things had gone back to the way they were…

“Why can’t I jussst… ssstand up to him?”

A squeak was what he got in response. He gave another sigh.

It would be alright… that’s what he kept saying… he just had to believe that…

Time seemed to pass by at a much faster rate. Of course it would… At a time when he had something planned. He stood in his room, staring at himself in the mirror. He’d recalled ‘Rev’s’ words, having abandoned his favorite vest in place of a black waistcoat style vest. He decided on a white dress shirt to wear under it. At least that tracked with his normal look. A squeak drew his attention to his desk. Galahad was outside his cage, an orange bowtie in his tiny arms.

He managed another smile. He could always count on his little buddy for that. One finger moved gently along the hamster’s head while the other took the accessory, “Thanksss Galaham. You alwaysss know how to cheer me up.”

A happy squeak was giving in reply, head pressing against the palm of his hand. He even managed a chuckle. Maybe everything was going to be alright after all…

It wasn’t much longer after which Arthur was pulling out with his van. He didn’t feel the need to drive when so many places he frequented were within walking distance. This was a different matter. The address ‘Rev’ gave him was unknown, and after checking a map of the directions with his phone, determined it was going to be far too long to walk. Truth be told, it was nice to be behind the wheel again.

He was in a good mood. Everything was going to be alright.

The further along the blond drove, the more a sinking feeling began to eat away at his chest. He’d driven outside Tempo at this point, seeing nothing but a wooded area as opposed to the desert around town. The signal on his phone was going in and out, which meant he had to be somewhere remote. The incline was up a hill that kept winding back and forth, so much so that the path he was driving on had become dirt rather than pavement.

Everything was going to be alright…

When he finally reached his destination, he blinked. A cabin? In the middle of nowhere? Seemed… cliché. That sinking feeling came back again, but he was already here… Once he found a place to park, he slipped out of the driver’s seat, hesitant to make his way to the front door. There were a few others, turning their gaze on him. He didn’t like it… and ‘Rev’ was nowhere to be found. Inside… he had to be inside…

One step inside the cabin and he immediately wanted to head back out. Everyone had turned and was looking at him… Please, stop looking at him…

He felt as if he was cowering under their massive figures. He wasn’t even sure what he should say… What could he even say?

“Artie! You made it!”

Amber eyes moved to the side, a familiar figure pushing his way through the crowd. He was wearing a dark suit with a green tie, one almost matching the same color of his eyes. One arm wrapped around his shoulders, a grin on the other man’s face, “Relax, it’s alright.”

“Sssorry… jussst… nervousss,” his voice was soft… small… not sure how the others would think of his strange speech.

“No need to be so nervous. Just stick with me.” He finally seemed to give the blond a good look over, his grin growing, “Anyone ever tell you that you clean up nicely?”

He blinked, a tiny flush moving over his cheeks, hiding his face away. It caused ‘Rev’ to laugh.

Everything was going to be alright.

The rest of the night after that point had gone… surprisingly well. It helped that he was with ‘Rev’ the entire time, but it did help to make the nervousness die down. No one seemed bothered by the fact that he spoke weird, nor that he was new compared to most others. They were just… talking. More than once the mention of him being ‘Rev’s’ apprentice came up in conversation. That didn’t seem too suspicious. It was clear his ‘master’ ‘teacher’ knew these people better than him. ‘Rev’ was probably telling them about him even when he wasn’t around.

One other curious matter was talk about was about something that was going to happen at the end of the night. It had been mentioned to ‘Rev’ more so than himself, others asking if he was as excited as they were, to which he would agree. It made him wonder the more times it began to come up, “Rev?”

“Yes, my apprentice?”

“What’sss everyone talking about? The ending ssshow?”

“I’d like for it to be a surprise.”

“Oh. Isss there anything you can tell me about it?”

“It’ll be one to remember, Artie.”

“Ok…?”

Everything was… going to be alright.

There really wasn’t much else of note, not until it had come time for the ‘show’ to start. The pair stood closer to the front of the crowd, a singular person standing in front of them. One of Arthur’s eyebrows raised. There was something… off about them. He wasn’t a… what were they called? Empaths? He wasn’t one of those, but his continued practice with ‘Rev’ had given him enough to sense the kinds of ‘energies’ around him. Everyone, in one way or another, felt in a similar way to himself and ‘Rev’.

This person did not. In fact, it was almost as if they didn’t feel like anything.

It was almost like Lance… he didn’t feel like anything either…

There was that sinking feeling in his stomach again, coming back in full force.

He felt one hand being placed on his shoulder, amber eyes turning to see it was ‘Rev’ that had done so. Truthfully, he couldn’t tell if he had done so to reassure the blond, make sure he was paying attention, or keeping him from bolting. He really didn’t like two of those implications…

He wasn’t paying too much attention to what was being said, the surging of energies in the room taking his attention. Before he knew it, there were shadows of towering figures blanketing over him and his ‘master’ ‘teacher’. He looked back to the one standing alone, seeing nothing but fear in their eyes. That feeling was growing more and more as the others inched closer… And before he knew it, they were on the lone one. Bile rose up in his throat, hearing the screams, but a hand tightened on his shoulder, making him stay put.

He was going to be sick…

Everything was not going to be alright.

The moment he felt the hand loosen, he bolted out of the cabin, racing back for his van. He wanted to go back home… This was a mistake… he should have listened to his gut feeling… he should have just stayed home… told ‘Rev’ no…

He was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t hear another approach, “Artie.”

His eyes turned to the open door, ‘Rev’ was standing there.

His body began to tremble, “W-Why…? Why did they kill them…? T-They didn’t do a-anything w-wrong… Y-You… why did you make me w-watch…?” He could feel another wave of bile in his mouth, doing his best not to expel it at the images of the sight in his head… a broken body… monsters hovering over it.

“I apologize my dear apprentice. It takes an adjustment period to get used to.”

“G-Get usssed t-to? W-What are y-you talking about?”

“Well, you’ll be coming back.”

“Y-You can’t b-be ssseriousss! N-No! I-I’m never c-coming back!”

There was a beat of silence, “Is that so?”

“Y-Yesss!”

For a while, there was nothing said. One stood there, and the other sat in silence. He wanted nothing more than to shut the door and return home. His head moved up when he heard ‘Rev’ speak up again, “I see. Such a shame. If that’s what you truly want.”

“It isss.”

There was a pause, “You know, we send out invitations to those outside our kind Artie. It would be a shame if your uncle ended up with one.”

That snapped the blond up. He hung out of the open door, his own fear dancing in his eyes, “You wouldn’t!”

“What’s to stop me? Or someone else? You wouldn’t be here to help him.”

Fear clung to him, so much that logic was thrown out the window. No… he couldn’t put his uncle in danger for his own mistakes. He’d already done enough to damage things… he couldn’t add more onto it. He’d never forgive himself. He couldn’t lose one of the only other people he had in his life. His voice grew soft, “I’m sssorry… I’m sssorry… I’ll keep coming… jussst pleassse… don’t sssend one to him… pleassse…”

“Good boy. Go home and rest. I’ll see you soon, my dear apprentice.”

Arthur wasted no time in shutting the door, racing to get back home. Tears were stinging his eyes. How could he let himself keep getting into these kinds of situations? As soon as he reached home, he went to his room, crawled into bed, curling up tightly as the tears ran down his face. He knew… he knew this would happen… but he still went anyway…

He pulled out his phone, placing the soft flute tunes to play to help him sleep… hoping that once he did, he could forget about everything that happened tonight…

But they would never go away… he had to keep going back…

Everything was never going to be alright…

#mystery skulls animated #msa au #monster msa au #my writing #tw; death #tw; death mention #arthur kingsmen #reverb #galahad #one more after this

11 notes · View notes