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mc-survivalist-steven · 3 years

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“The Switch” - Discord RP

[RP with @rnotsleeping, posted with permission]

[Happens before “The Monstrosity of the Night” event and after this happening ]

[Steven] Steven hated how noisy it's being as of late. Everything is happening everywhere, news and rumors condensed in the air. It sucked, and it's not helping how he's feeling.

So he's been trying to distance himself further away from the hubbub and the problems. Needing a quieter place to mull over his guilt and sort out his feelings. He has to pull through. It's what he has to do.

[Ann] The sky filled with a flap of wings, one, two before falling silent the other circling around some memories and thoughts that were familiar and some new.

This was. He tilted and slowly descended and like before plopping himself nearby.

“No campfire this time? Or tent?” He’d ask, the phantom also had a bit of a different look than before. A new outfit, he didn't seem to be as fearful but, he did keep wary.

[Steven] ... [Ha.] Came the answer. Steven, too, looked different. In fact, it's almost unrecognizable to who he used to be. White hair, horns covered in bandages, a tail with a different tip... and he's staring quietly at the different looking phantom, too. [I just borrow villager homes.] His eyes narrowed. [They're too scared to protest anyway.]

[Ann] He wouldn't comment on the obvious but he did have the forever smile on his face. “True, there isn't one far away,” he pointed to the source of some voices. “….you’re exceptionally loud now..” he did take notice, “almost as loud as nova.” He lifted himself to float next to Steven. He wasn't trying to look cute this time keeping his standard size.

Steven wondered if the phantom has always been this tall. [Am I now?] He smiled grimly. [Well, not like I can deny that I am indeed, feeling like shit right now. Is that how you find me?]

[Ann] “Yes, right in the dot. It seems you've remembered. That's too bad.” He floated around the other. He would seem to put a claw into his cloak before moving along forward to lead the way to the village. Interested in seeing Steven scare off the others. “Which name do you prefer?” He asked looking forward he didn't need to see Steven. He could easily hear him.

[Steven.] He said almost instantly. Almost sounded like he's afraid. Afraid of losing that name. [I go by Steven. Now, and until I die.] He snapped softly, brisk walking forward. [You know all of that is in the past, right.]

[Ann] The phantom kept pace floating idle. The smile was still ever present. A green eye opened up to look at him.

“Steven it is… and I know. The past is the past and now is now.” He comforted the other with a lie. Letting Steven run away from his past, if that's what he wished for. He didn't want to make this being mad. They would come up to the village a golem, and a few regular villagers who seemed busy.

---

[Steven.] It's a crazy sight to see the one scrawny guy who used to be frequently chased away by golems and villagers now just calmly strolled by. Those who looked at him just stared, unmoving. Nobody did anything towards the smaller brine gracefully walking down the road, turned around, and pointed at the largest house around.

[This is mine for two days.] He declared. [I'll use it to sleep and rest. I won't touch anything else.] The villagers quietly nodded, and brisk walked away, keeping distance as the golems not move from their positions.

[...So what brings you here asides checking up on me,] He sighed, opening the door as a little villager kid scampered out, white as a sheet. [Annoyance?]

[Ann] He followed the other, enjoying the show be he wouldn’t say that. It really was such a vast difference. A confidence, a stride, an understanding of power. Yet there he was, all of it covering how scared he was. He float in and the claw pulled out.

“Since you were around I borrowed it anyways. But its spic and span. And available to…distract you from things.” He said, a Switch floated in his claw. A slight glow of pink to it. He has been learning some magic and with the shards he’s gotten much better. “We’re still friends aren't we? Playing video games, enjoying our time?” He asked slowly.

[Steven.] [...You're still keeping this?] He asked, looking at it with narrowed eyes, taking it without a second thought.

[...Well, alright. it is mine, honestly... I guess I've kind of forgotten about this.] He deeply sighed. [...I don't mind playing video games.] He said. Though he's quiet at the friend thing. It's hard to consider anything friends when your entire life has been a lie.

[Ann] “….better than stewing.” He said as he would place it into the others hand.

Seeing that there was a couch and some tables along with misplaced food. He would go to sit down and sighed relaxing. The place looked warm but who knows.

“Were you happier not knowing?” He asked picking onto the others mind. Unlike Sigma and Sephilar he’s met earlier. Steven and Nova were open books. Their thoughts were almost script ready for him to say out. It took lots of his willpower now to just spill it all out. Such a difference in how one used their powers. Though then again. Fire…both had fire aspects to them. Maybe it was that.

[Steven.] [....I can't answer that yet.]

The place is... as large as a villager house could be. Probably about 10 blocks x 6 blocks wide. He, too, rested against the couch, using his feet to push away a children's toy on the floor to the side.

[I'm... I want to be.] He murmured. [Believing in trust is ideal. Knowing who you were supposed to be a good eye-opening. Like books. Like fiction.]

...

[But it hurts right now.] His eyes narrowed, flicking the console on. [And I don't know if I'll be strong enough for this.]

[Ann] “Books are cute. Fantasy, even a bit of wish wash.” He said as he chuckled at that. He then leaned forward.

“Lets play a fighting game while we chat.” He said offering a claw to have the other side of the controller. “You’re strong. You’ll get through this. Even if you think your friends are fake. You need them.” His claw did a give me motion.

[Steven.] [...I don't want to think they are.]

Smash Bros was picked.

[...I refuse to believe they're fake.] In fact, are any of them fake? His problems are real, he knows this. But it's just piles upon piles of memories and emotions and the question of whether he's still Rahauel, or if he's finally Steven. it wouldn't leave his mind. He knew. He knew nobody likes him because they're fake. He knew not even Rudell is fake.

But it's because they're real...

...he's afraid to look at them in the eyes.

[Do you have friends, Annoyance? Asides me, somewhat.]

[Ann] “A couple…I'm trying, friendships a bit of a hard concept for me to grasp. But I think I'm doing well.” He said tooting his own horn a little bit. Having a controller he picked the pink blob named Kirby. “Would you want to hear about them?” He asked as he waited for the other to select. “I think most you would know. “ he chuckled lightly his eyes opening up to see the screen better.

[Steven.] [...Shoot.] He said, picking Mario as a player, leaning against the sofa.

[Ann] “I believe the first friend I've made around here legitimately is Geo. An Enderman. He came to me randomly praising me for my personality. At first I thought he wanted to use me for things and I was all for that.” The stage was randomly selected as the two began to play. “Yet he earnestly wanted to be a friend. It was the first time anyone's done that.” He would chuckle lightly. He was giving Steven a bit harder time; he wasn't a newb. He’s been practicing.

“Nova, I'm sure you know. They took me in as a mentor teaching me magic, they seem to also enjoy my shenanigans. I think they both just like my charm.” He joked lightly. “Then there's you we would play video games and you even gifted me candles and oil. I've treated it as a reminder. Of things I could have.” He said as his claws clicked away at the buttons.

“Sephilar, an enderman, they helped make my outfit on a whim, their singing is calming…though I have only caught them in rare chances…they calm me.” He lost a lift and chuckled getting back in the game.

“Then, Sigma, I would hang out with him when you were busy or doing things…he was so lonely. I thought I could take him to be my friend but turns out saying you have use for them. Doesn't seem to be friend material…but you did it so I thought I could.”

[Steven.] He was playing smoothly until that last bit. And he froze. Just enough for Ann to land in a killing blow.

...

[...You're friends with... Sigma?] He asked softly, eyes not leaving the screen. [...Are you currently spying on me or what.]

[Ann] The phantom laughed a whisper of voices in it grinning away.

“Why the hell would I be spying on you? I that your first question?!?!” He used a special move on him. “Not even if he’s okay or how is he? “ the clicking as he concentrated on the screen. Went a bit harder.

“Isn't he your actual friend?”

[Steven.] [He's-] Words cut short. He tried to defend.

Rudell was his friend. They picked him out of the muscly, straight-backed, rows and rows of men and women standing proudly to gain his attention. Rudell was a small child. He likes quietness. He likes to read books and ramble about bugs, while They loved fishes and especially the koi fishes. They'd hide under blankets and read books over the curfew. He has a round, lovable face, they're usually soaked in tears and ointment and covered in bandages. He bit his lower lip. He tapped on the controls faster.

[Shut up.] He's worried. [Just focus on the game.]

He wants to see him.

[You're just patronizing me, aren't you?]

But can he face him, after everything that has happened?

[Ann] “I am, but its your fault for asking if I was spying first instead of asking otherwise. “ he watched as he was starting lose.

“You do make me feel a bit better…the reason I'm terrible with friendship is cause all I know is the dark side of it.” He smacked the buttons. “Is that how you’re supposed to treat your friends? Or is it wrong.”

[Steven.] And Steven went silent.

No. His mind resounded. No, it's wrong.

[...I think he and I needed some time separated.] He concluded. Not now. he'll see him later. (Until when?)

[I'm still processing this change he gave me, and he killed Ghost. If we meet,] If I think about him [things might go bad.]

I just don't want to see how he was after Nova hurt him. Because I caused it.

[...How is he treating you?]

[Ann] He would smile a bit. “He was treating me very well, I thought i could get him out of that cage he’s in. But it seems he wanted to stay…..I could have made him happier…he deserves that much. After all that.” He spoke as he clicked away at the game.

“Though we would sit while he typed away, making sure you were happy and content. I don’t think anyone else talked to him much.”

[Steven.] He wanted to stay. And he has been here all along. [...Why did he want to stay?] He asked.

[Ann] “Im not sure. He was crying though.” He said as he beat up Steven in game. “Very different from the cool and collected sigma I know.” He would have asked why but he knew. He knew. He didn't have to ask, nor have Steven spill anything. In fact all he had to do was play this game.

[Steven.] He, too, knew. He knew all too well.

[...did he say anything about me..?] He asked. The letters tiny, like he's whispering. He's faltering, teetering at the edge of the stage. The blows were hard to defend. He's almost at 250%.

[Ann] “….a few things. All of them good. But talking to him in that cage. He asked” Kirby moved forward for the finishing blow.

“Is that all I am to you? Is that all I all I am to everybody?”

“Just an object to do their bidding? “

“Are you going to use me and then throw me away, too, Just like they did?”

“Will you trample on me when Ive outlived my usefulness?”

He repeated each word the voices whispering and wailing. The grin ever present and his brows furrowed as he tried to knock them out in game.

[Steven.] A clean K.O.

His mind couldn't keep up with all those blows, and instead just felt like a bundle of bullshit in his head. Like a really messed up, convoluted, tangled ball of yarn, and while these past days he has been twisting and pulling and trying to get them undone, he just... halted, this time around.

Should've just said straightforward that he's hated.

...and honestly? Deserved. He deserved that.

"...I didn't know..." He croaked. "I really didn't."

[Ann] “Want to play again?” He asked as the Kirby did its victory dance. “And its okay….I mean I'm sure you guys can talk it through. “

“If you talk. That is. If you visit.” He leaned his head a bit to the side. “If not then it doesn't matter. It never will.”

[Steven.] The switch slipped from his hands and gently slid onto the floor. A hand, bound by Redstone, ran itself over his hair. He's quiet. Either it's thinking, either it's silently regretting. Maybe both.

Steven shook his head. "....Why are you doing this?" He asked with a shaking voice.

[Ann] He would put the controller back on the switch. Resting back on the couch his claw rested under his own chin both eyes closed in thought.

Why was he poking he bear. Why did he bother to come here. He hadn't even touched him to feed off him. Out of all of this it could be….

“Sigma went through it. Too, I guess I wanted to give you a taste. That's all i had to say really. I think the words given to me were meant for you.”

“It was for you.”

Sigma didn't think of ann when he answered no….his thoughts were on this being in front of him. Raha.

[Steven.] "What a horrible way to deliver a message." The powerful, but defeated herobrine, croaked. "Are you delivering his anger, too.... or are you delivering yours?"

.... A sigh.

"It doesn't matter." His voice cracked a little. It sounded almost like a young adult. Steven sounded young. "You did it. I heard it. The question now is just whether or not I do it, right?"

[Ann] He just smiled to answer if he had delivered his own anger too. That smile stayed though, his brows quirked at the younger voice. Wait…when did he speak vs text now… his brows his smile twisted a bit. Was he talking too…

“right.” The phantom confirmed. He would move and lower to grab the switch to check if it was okay. It seemed fine…he would wipe the screen to clean it before handing it back.

“Dont break this. Its from sigma.”

[Steven.] The switch was taken ever so gently. "...Right." He murmured. "Thanks." The words were hollow. But there's thought behind those eyes. "...are we done here?"

[Ann] “Only if you wish, i don't have more to say but i wouldn’t mind watching you play some more monster hunter. i know you liked that game.” He said brows lifting and a claw. “Don't worry im not here to poke at everything.” He reassured the other a chuckle in his voice. He didn't have too.

[Steven.] Monster Hunter... what, is that some sort of new diss hidden behind soft words? He can't agree more, though. With everything he's heard, he started to believe that he's probably a monster.

More monster than Rudell. Rudell was never the monster.

He is.

[...Fine... stick around.] He said.

I wanted you to tell him how sorry I am. But what's the point of that? It's not your responsibility to do.

[...Do what you want.] There's droplets of tears on the switch screen. He wiped them off with the poncho, and wiped his eyes with an arm as he continued playing. They don't stop.

[Ann] He did, he would go to the side of the other and watched him play. A green eye watched him for a moment before slowly going onto the screen. He did feel a bit better one due to the touching he got to feed and two…seeing him cry was worth the earlier hassle with Sigma.

end.

#discord rp #mcss #steven #annoyance #phantom #herobrine #mcaskblog #arc 4

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emergency-plan · 4 years

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Breaking news, teen becomes father to weird cat he found

I saw that post by @moonpaw with the scenario where Aizawa found feral!Izuku when he was three and I have not known rest since until I wrote this.

--------

Shouta was having a day.

It started off fine, with him managing to get out of bed with enough time to eat an actual breakfast, but got worse from the moment he stepped out the door.

He’d left early, planning on taking a detour on his way to school. He’d seen a lot of stray cats around the edge of a forest that he liked to walk by for fresh air. He’d brought two bowls, a tray, some cream, and a bag of cat food in a plastic bag, and his plan was to set them out before making his way to school.

He was making good time, and might’ve even gotten to school a few minutes early, but a villain decided that early morning was the best time to rob a store.

After Shouta had helped stop the robber and tried to leave, a hero stopped him to berate him about laws against public quirk use and how he shouldn’t have gotten in the way of the pros, ignoring Shouta’s complaints that he’s going to be late. The hero finally shut up after he showed his Provisional Hero License.

He checked the time, seeing that he could still make it to school on time if he didn’t take his detour, but if he did, he’d have to carry another bag with him all day. He’d rather deal with being a few minutes late than risk losing the supplies.

He carried on his way, dodging people on the street and trying to hold the bag where it stopped hitting his leg. Eventually, he spotted green poking around buildings.

He found a place just off the side of the sidewalk. It was out of the way of foot traffic and, unless someone was looking for it, they’d probably miss it.

He set out the tray, placing the bowls on it and pouring the food into one. He unscrews the cap of the cream carton and is about to pour it into the other bowl, but he hears a rustling in the bushes in front of him.

A small, black nose pokes out from between the leaves, followed by bright green eyes. Once those eyes lock onto his, two long, green ears poke out of the brush. It slowly pads into view, revealing the weirdest looking cat Shouta has ever seen.

It has large, furry forepaws and curly fur running down its neck and onto its chest. Two long, rabbit-like ears stretch from the top of its head and its eyes are slits. One of the weirdest things about it is that almost everywhere else is covered in scales. The most striking thing is that every aspect of the animal is green.

“Hey, little guy,” he calls, causing its ears to raise even more. “Do you want some cream?”

The presumably quirked cat’s tail starts to wag as it bounds over, its pupils getting wider in excitement. It waits excitedly for Shouta to pour the cream in the bowl.

The moment he’s done pouring, it plants its face is in the bowl, happily licking up every drop.

He only has a moment to smile at the little creature before he feels a cold splash of water on his neck. He looks up just in time to get another rain drop in the eye.

Wiping the water off his face, he reaches for his umbrella on his bag. Once safe from the downpour, he looks back down at the odd cat.

Its only rained for a few seconds, but its tiny frame is basically soaked. It futilely tries to shake off the water to stop its shivering. Shouta can imagine that, given the scales, the creature’s quirk probably makes it part reptile.

Suddenly, he finds himself with a familiar dilemma. Animals wouldn’t be allowed at school, but he didn’t want to leave the poor thing in the cold. He looked up at his umbrella, the one he’d expected to lose only to have it given back to him by the one who did what he hadn’t.

In the end, the decision was made for him. The cat latched onto his ankle, glaring at the puddles around it. Shouta sighed.

“My teacher is not going to be happy,” he informed, picking the maybe-rabbit up. He laid it on its back it the crook of his arm, where it settled comfortably. He was pretty sure that it had started smirking at his comment.

As expected, his teacher told him off for being late, asking him his excuse this time. He help up the bundle of fur and scales in his arm and said that he found it on his way to class. When questioned on what it was, he answered with a monotone, “Cat,” much to everyone’s disbelief.

The green creature jumped out of his lap and wandered the classroom for a bit, occasionally getting the attention of some of his classmates. When his teacher told him to stop the animal from distracting everyone, he was surprised to learn that it knew how to respond to commands when it happily returned to underneath his desk. It spent a few hours playing with his shoe laces.

When it was time for lunch, he picked up the chimera-looking creature and tucked it under his arm. He was going to skip lunch and find a corner of the school to nap in, but the wide starry eyes looking up at him at the mention of food convinced him otherwise.

He ordered some fish and a bowl of rice, having to put the cat on his shoulder to carry his tray. He had to fight the gremlin to stay away from the food until he found a quiet corner in a secluded hall. He set the plate with the fish on one side of the tray and put the cat in front of it. He took a bite of his rice and looked back to see the other’s food completely disappear. It was giving him big puppy-dog eyes, occasionally glancing at his food. He gave it a soft smile, pouring some onto the plate.

When they were both done with their food and the cat had cleaned up the mess it made, Shouta checked the time. There were still thirty minutes left in lunch, enough time to take a ten minute nap and take the cat on walk around campus. He set the tray aside, stretching out his legs and leaning against the wall. He pat his lap as an invitation, satisfied when a weight set itself there.

A few more minutes than expected later, his eyes cracked open. He sees familiar bright green eyes and ears. He also sees a small freckled face with a wide grin.

His eyes closed in a slow blink before flying open again.

The small child that had somehow appeared in his lap looked up at him with a delighted smile.

“Papa!” he cried, reaching up for a hug. “Your hair got long! I didn’t think I was waiting that long! But you came back!”

Shouta was trying not to have a heart attack while the child excitedly babbled.

“H-how’d you get here?” he asked the kid. He giggled in response.

“You brought me here, Papa. Did you forget while you were sleeping?”

Shouta, lost for a moment, finally notices the kid’s long, rabbit-like ears and the tail poking out of his pants to realize.

“Oh,” he says. Dear god, I thought it was a cat, not a child, he thinks. “What’s your name?”

“Izuku!” he near-shouts excitedly.

“Ok, Izuku. How’d you end up in the forest? Where are your parents?” he asks, hoping the kid would know.

He quirks his head to the side, looking confused. “You left me in the forest a few days ago. Mommy hasn’t been around in a while. Do you not remember this, Papa?” Shouta felt a stab to his heart at the realization. The kid had been abandoned.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, kid, but I’m not your papa.” He felt guilty when his ears fell and tears built up in his eyes. “But I can help you! Don’t worry; I won’t put you back in the forest. What kind of hero would I be if I didn’t help someone in trouble?” Izuku’s eyes lit up.

“You’re a hero?” he asked excitedly, tail wagging behind him.

“Technically still a hero in training, but yeah,” he chuckled, relieved that the kid had cheered up. “Speaking of,” he checked the time, “I only have a few minutes until class starts.” He knew that he’d be in even more trouble if he brought a child on campus than if he brought a cat, but he didn’t want to let Izuku crawl around on the floor now that he knew the “cat” is a person. An idea popped into his head and a smile grew on his face.

“Hey, Izuku?” The kids ears stood in attention. “Do you want to see the support department?” At the nods that caused the boy’s ears to flap, Shouta picked him up, leaving the tray for someone else to take care of.

A minute before before lunch ended, the teacher huffed in annoyance. All students were present except the known problem child. Expecting him to be late, he was about to start the lesson.

Before he could get the words out of his mouth, said child walked through the door, the cat from earlier strapped to his chest in a baby carrier and a rare smile on his face.

#bnha #bnha au #moonpaw #feral #feral izuku #midoriya izuku #aizawa shouta #feral au

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downywrites · 3 years

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If bird has time to write, then i have had this (weird) creative idea for a while

Prompt: philza hasn't been getting sleep, and chat (the crows) was determined to convince (force) him to rest

Bird says enjoy. Sorry for not posting earlier.

Coffeeee please

Sighing, he got up to close the window, wings dragging almost lifelessly behind him in his tiredness. The windowsill creaked as he leaned on it, the flowers outside of it long withered and rotten. The scent of the flowers made his nose scrunch up, but he ignored it in the pursuit of the top of the window. Pulling it down as much as he could, he slipped through the gap in the window to get back inside the house, careful not to get his hair snagged on any of the splintering areas of the wood. The window closed with a small ‘shunk’, allowing Phil to bask in the warmth of the room once more.

One of his crows fly-hopped over to him, crowing quietly. He knelt down, wincing at the way his knees cracked as he descended, and stretched out his arm to the nodding corvid. It climbed onto his arm, waddling slightly and flapping its wings when it lost balance on his shoulder. He got back up, silently wishing he had a cane right about now. The crow on his shoulder cawed softly, this time with a bit more urgency in its tone. Phil paid it no heed, choosing to drag himself towards the fireplace to warm up a little. He spread his wings fully, relaxing a little more as the warmth coated his bruised, ripped wings. He let his eyes flutter closed, unconsciousness taking over his mind like one of the Egg’s tentacles. The Egg… Philza’s eyes snapped open again. ‘How am I ever going to feel safe around that thing? No, I’m going to stay awake for a little while longer.’

The crow on his shoulder looked disappointed. It ruffled its feathers, puffing up for a moment, before a voice, much more humanoid than before, came out of its mouth. “Dadza, you need sleep.” Phil scoffed quietly. “Sorry, chat. Can’t do that for you.” He absentmindedly pet the crow’s head, rubbing the feathers between his fingers. The crow tilted its head, nuzzling into the fingers for a moment, before shaking itself off. Hopping down to the floor, it skipped across the floorboards, cawing happily. Phil smiled at it, eyes fogging up slightly in his exhaustion. He yawned loudly, eyes tearing up a little as he did so. He wiped his eyes, shuffling towards the kitchen. ‘Might as well make myself a midnight snack.’ The sound of the crackling fireplace faded for a moment, prompting him to turn around. The resulting scent of burnt feathers made him gag slightly.

“What the fuck-”

“CAW!”

A cacophonic murder of crows slammed themselves into him. Some of them were still smoking from their entrance through the (still very much on fire) fireplace. Phil burst into wheezy laughter at the sight of the rather disgruntled looking birds. “Hehehey, chahat! What the hell was that?” The standing birds bobbed their heads, fluffing up their feathers and trying to put out any smoldering down. “Dadza needs sleep. Sleep now.” Other birds alighted on the ground and on the dining table nearby, tilting their heads and agreeing with the other bird.

“Yes.”

“Sleep. You need sleep.”

“Philza sleep arc pog?”

“Sleep. Now.”

Philza shook his head, stray hair flying just about everywhere. He combed his hands through his hair, the slightest feeling of frustration bubbling up deep in his chest. “It’s not that I don’t want to right now. I just...can’t.” The flock grew more insistent. They nuzzled into the hardcore warrior’s shoulders, trying to nudge him towards his bed/nest. Unfortunately for them, the man stood firm, looking at the most insistent ones with an air of amused annoyance. “Guys.” One of the most mischievous crows pecked gently at his shoulders and arms, trying to piss him off enough to listen to the horde of chanting crows.

Philza hummed underneath his breath, trying to signal the corvids of his irritation. “This won’t get me to sleep any faster, you loud, dumb fuckers.” Some of the birds look offended. Crows flew onto the man’s pyjamas, clinging onto his thin shirt with their talons. Carefully, as to not scratch him, they climbed up using the holes in the fabric, wiggling their tails as they moved. “Don’t. Chat, do-ehehe, who-?” Emboldened by the reaction it got, a stray crow pecked softly at his side, looking up to see his reaction to it. He giggled slightly, covering his mouth with one of his hands. “...cuhuhut thahahat ohohout…” Another crow began to peck at his neck, making him scrunch his neck up. His wing-ears fluttered slightly, trying to bat away the curious creature.

“Stohohop, plehehease dohohon’t..” Philza was a little torn on telling them to stop. On one side of the spectrum, he knew that letting the crows tickle him to bits would definitely make him pass out. At this level of tiredness, it would be a miracle if he could stay up after a good wrecking. On the other hand…..he sighed quietly through his laughter, making one of the crows tilt its head and caw in concern. He wasn’t sure whether or not sleep would be a release for his paranoia. Regardless of how many crows were in the room, anything would be able to kill him in New L’manberg. His house was still damaged from when the Butcher Army went through his items. If anyone plotted to kill him, he would be caught unawares. He pondered over it a little more, before shoving the thoughts further into the back of his mind. ‘I can’t think like this. What am I, an old man?’

The crows, realizing his inner turmoil, slowed down their flailing and poking. They stared at him, waiting for him to consent to the wrecking that he was going to get. One bird landed on his torso, whacking him in the face with his wings like a wake-up slap. “Dadza?” “Yeah, I’m here guys. Don’t worry.” He gently grabbed the bird, pinning its wings playfully for a moment before releasing it. The crows tilted their heads, waiting for him. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” At his word, the birds swarmed him, pushing him down to the ground by the sheer force of an entire flock of crows shoving at him at the same time. “Oof- hey!”

Some of the birds closer to his body burrowed under his clothes, flapping their wings over his tummy and ribs. “Ehehehehe, nohoho!” Pecking lightly at his neck and wing-ears, they did their best to tickle the warrior with their limited toolset. His giggles and laughter filled the room. Philza pushed himself onto his side, trying not to squish any crows trapped underneath. He stretched his wings open, hoping that any trapped corvids would wiggle their way out. The crows did nothing of the sort. “Tickle tickle, Dadza!” The crows immediately attacked the man’s back and wings, forcing him to arch his back away from the sensation. “Nahahaha!” He flapped his wings in joy, exposing more spots that the birds took advantage of as quickly as they could.

Some of the more vocal avians cawed out little teases, trying their utmost to fluster the hardcore warrior. “Who’s a little cutie? You are!” “Aww, Dadza is adorable!” His cheeks pricked with heat. “Ihihihi ahahaham nahahat!” He shook his head for good measure, trying to roll back onto his back to conceal the seams of his wings. The birds cawed in annoyance, not wanting to lose the valuable tickle spots. The most active corvids pecked lightly at his back, hoping that his would melt under the tickles if they did it correctly. Phil glared softly at them from his position, craning his neck to make sure no funny business was being done behind him. “Dohohon’t yohohou dahahare, chahahat. Dohohon’t yohohohou dahahaRE-”

A singular crow found its way up his shirt, flapping its wings and scratching its talons gently over his back. He went limp, giggles going up an octave. “Ahahaha! Doho- Nohoho- Stahahap!” His limbs felt surprisingly heavier, as if he had weights tied to his wings. He attributed it to his melt spot being tickled. Small tears of mirth welled up in the corners of his eyes as he laughed. One of the crows hopped over to him, ruffling its wings as it went. It wiped his eyes with its wings, brushing his feathers over his face. The soft caress of feathers on his face made him laugh a little more. Even though his face wasn’t the most ticklish place to go, it still felt pretty nice on his nose and cheeks. He trilled happily at the bird, hoping it would understand his gratefulness. Turning around, the bird trilled back, waggling its tail a little and hopping in place.

Phil’s attention was ripped from the other bird forcefully at the feeling of a beak tracing the seams of his wings. “Nohohoho, plehehease…” The birds on his back paid no heed, continuing to circle the trembling muscle beneath them. He carefully rolled himself onto his stomach, allowing them more comfortable access. “Does Dadza like the tickles?” Phil covered his face with his hand, flushing a deep pink. “Shuhuhut uhuhup…” The crows on his back cawed quietly in happiness at Philza’s obvious enjoyment, before continuing the light tickles on the spot where feathers and skin meet. He shook his head slowly, giggles slowly getting louder and louder as anticipation fluttered in his stomach. His wings fluttered similarly, making some of the crows perching on his wings a little fright.

The birds finally decided not to torture their friend any longer. They rubbed their fluffy heads over the seam, kneading at the flesh with their talons. All the while, other birds tickled the man’s sides and wings. Phil’s resulting wheezy laughter was instantaneous. “CHAHAHAT! NAHA-NAHAHAHA! IHIHI-IHIH- TOHOHOO MUHUCH-” The birds slowed down within minutes, nuzzling into his back and cooing softly though the man’s aftergiggles.

“Good Dadza.”

“You did good!”

“Giggle pog.”

The edges of his vision were beginning to flicker. Panting, he sank into the floorboards, eye fluttering closed. “Thaha-hanks…” The birds chirped happily, alighting on top of every spot they possibly could around him. Arranging their feathers and nuzzling their beaks into their chest fluff, they began to doze off, one by one. Through half-lidded eyes, Phil watched as they drifted off, smiling sleepily. His eyes closed by themselves, allowing the man to rest for the first time in several days. He trilled softly in his sleep, wings fluttering slightly as he shifted to get into a better position.

“Finally. I thought the dude would never sleep.” A shape sneaked into the kitchen, stepping carefully over the birds to reach the sleeping avian. Scooping him up into their arms, they carried him with ease over their shoulder. They moved around the birds again, cursing slightly with their foot jostled a few. Thankfully for them, they didn’t awaken from their slumber, simply rubbing their feathers together and snuggling deeper into their wings. The shadow opened the door, wincing as the hinges rubbed against each other. “That needs oiling for sure.” Once they cleared the doorframe, they breathed a sigh of relief. In the moonlight, the shape’s fins gleamed tawny gold in the moonlight.

“Dang, who knew it would be so hard to get him out? Now to deliver him to Ranboo..” His gold-threaded clothes glimmered softly as he ran through the area, footsteps hidden by soft leather moccasins. His tail fin wiggled in the air, helping him keep his balance as he ducked in between branches and hopped over ravines with ease. “Hang in there, Phil. We’ll get there soon.” He glanced down at the man in his arms, tilting his head to the side with one clawed hand. His lips pursed at the sight of familiar red veins growing underneath the skin. “He’s been fighting it for a while, but we need to give him treatment as quickly as possible. Oh, if only my powers were useful here..”

The familiar sight of the mansion wrested him from his thoughts. He weaved through the last trees with practiced ease, feet digging into the gravel path. He skidded to a stop outside the doorway, tail digging into the ground to slow himself down before he slammed his snout into the wall. He used his tail to knock on the door three times in a row. “Ranboo? I have him!” The sound of shoes running down the footsteps made him grin. The door creaked open, revealing a slightly winded enderman hybrid. His twin tails swished anxiously. “Status, Foolish?” Foolish shook his head slightly, smile dimming slightly. “He’s infected. We need to help him. He hasn’t been sleeping. I think it delayed the growth, but not for long.” Pitch and ivory horns bobbed in acknowledgement. “Understood. Get him to the table.”

The taller of the two walked into the area, looking for the so-called table. Unable to find it, he shrugged, placing the winged man on the floor. Ranboo sighed in resignation. “Ah, well. Close enough.” He pulled out a small potion from his inventory, uncorking it with a single tipped claw. The enderman gently opened Phil’s mouth, pouring half of the contents in with a small flourish and a shake. He corked the bottle, pushing it in with a little more force. He craned his neck to look at Foolish’s eyes. “You think he’ll be alright?”

“I think so, as long as the potion’s effects take hold.” Foolish stood there for a while, before turning around and lumbering away slowly. “I’ll get some food for us.” Ranboo made no attempt to answer, sitting down next to the other man’s prostrate body. He gazed at his face affectionately, mismatched eyes softening at the sight of the usually intense and powerful avian so vulnerable and soft. “Hang in there, Phil.”

“Hang in there.” The sounds of the crickets have never been quieter.

#downywrites #dsmp tickle #mcyt tickle #my writing #lee!philza #ler!crows #or something #bruh what even is this tag #sfw tickling

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tallstars-rewrite · 3 years

Text

Chapter 34

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Recovery did come, slow as it was. Some days later, Talltail sat by the big glass window. Jake was curled up pressed against his side, snoring loudly. It still felt a bit strange that the kittypet didn’t have even a small qualm about letting a stranger into his home, and treating him as though they were clanmates their whole lives. Talltail certainly didn’t dislike it. It felt safer than sleeping alone, and even if the water the twoleg put down had an unpleasant metallic tang to it, at least he could be sure it wasn’t going to kill him.

Another oddity he’d found in the den was the twoleg sometimes lit a small fire inside at night, in a little stone cavern in the sitting room, and somehow kept it contained. It was more than a little frightening at first, but also incredibly warm. It was his first sight of real fire. Talltail couldn’t help but be mesmerized at the rare opportunity to closely watch such a dangerous unpredictable thing, feared by all the clans, without having to worry.

But that was about where the benefits stopped.

In the couple days he’d been there, he had also suffered getting slobbered on by a dog multiple times, and the twoleg constantly trying to stroke his fur. Once it had made the mistake of trying to pick him up, but Talltail had quickly made it clear that was not going to fly. He also had to deal with letting it take on and off the uncomfortable soft wraps and smearing his cuts with a foul smelling goo. The twolegs paws where clumsy and shaky. It made him long for Briarpaw’s much more gentle touch. I will never complain of the smell of herbs again, Talltail thought. Not that he’d get the chance either way. But however unpleasant it felt, he suffered captivity with as much dignity as he could manage. And his wounds did feel a bit better.

The twoleg came up behind them and crouched down, making strange high pitched noises at Talltail, a sound he noticed the twoleg only made at cats. Talltail ignored it, tail lashing when it had the nerve to start touching his back. He turned slowly with a searing glare.

“You are an ugly hairless lumbering fool. You smell of fox-dung. I’d rather sleep in the dirt place than breathe in your stench.”

The twoleg made a pleased crooning sound and went on stroking his fur.

Talltail continued, “you have a kits’ senses and wouldn’t be able to find your own stupid ugly nose even though it’s attached to your face. You are lower than a worm, and I despise you and everything you stand for. You are too flea-brained to understand a word I’m saying, aren’t you?”

The twoleg meowed back at him. It sounded like garbled nonsense.

Talltail narrowed his eyes. “What is that supposed to mean? Are you mocking me?”

The twoleg meowed again.

Talltail bit its paw.

Jake snored himself awake while Talltail still held one of its long digits in his jaws.

“Are you getting along?” he yawned.

Talltail spit out the paw and the twoleg made an amused sound and lumbered away. “We are getting along great,” he said through gritted teeth.

“That’s good. You’ve only bit him five times so far, that’s much better than the last cat he tried to take in,” Jake purred.

“Your twoleg does not take hints very well.” Talltail replied, ears flat in annoyance.

“Well I never claimed he was wise. He’s really very fond of you though.”

“Then he truly isn’t wise at all."

Jake yawned and stretched “How’s your brooding going? Anything go by outside?”

“Nothing more than some birds,” Talltail sighed.

“Oh!” Jake said suddenly. “I forgot to mention...I had an idea about what you can do. My friend Nutmeg has seen lots of strays go through here in the past moons. There’s a chance the cats you're looking for were among them.”

“You forgot to mention that?”

“In my defense, there’s been a lot of other things to think about.”

“In which case,” Talltail stood. “I think I have stayed here long enough. My cuts aren’t bad. I can manage on my own without that terrible goo.

He expected Jake to argue, but instead he nodded. “I’d never expect you to stay in a house like this, even I find it a little cramped sometimes. A promise is a promise. Follow my lead and you can sneak out.”

Jake took a couple paces towards where the twoleg was sitting and let out a very loud yowl.

“Hey! Time to open the door!”

Eventually the twoleg grumbled, stood up slowly on creaking limbs, and shambled over to the side door. He looked down at Talltail and tried to nudge him back with his long hind leg. Talltail let out a small hiss. Who does it think it is, pushing me?

Jake winked at Talltail. “Just be casual. Act like you don’t care.”

Talltail pretended like he was busy grooming his chest fur. As soon as the door was open, Talltail shot out faster than a hare, across the yard, and clammered through a gap in the fence. Jake squeezed after him a heartbeat later. The twoleg made a hooting sound, but Talltail was already out of sight.

He huffed in the fresh air as soon as he set paws on grass. Never had he been so relieved to feel it.

With a contented sigh of relief, he turned to dip his head to Jake. “Thank you for everything. I’ll think of you often for being so kind to me. You’ve more than repaid your debt.”

Jake blinked at him. “It wasn’t just to repay a debt! And I want to go with you.”

Talltail stared. “G-go with me? This could be really dangerous. I may not like your home, but you're safe here. Where I’m going isn’t, and who knows how long it will take. Do you even know how to fight?”

Jake puffed out his chest “I’ve been in a fight! I got into a tussle with an old stray once, sort of by accident, but I held my ground! See this scar on my ear?”

He turned his head to show off the very, very small nick in his right ear.

When Talltail didn’t respond, Jake gave a dramatic sigh of defeat. “Well, all right. I can’t make you take me. But be careful of the neighbor dogs. And the alley cats. And the rude twolegs. And the cars. The paths and alleyways can get really confusing if you don’t follow them all correctly, and you can end up turned around and running nose first into all kinds of danger. You know where to watch out for all of that, right?”

He was giving Talltail a very pointed look as he spoke. Talltail flicked his long tail in annoyance, but couldn't help looking out at the town with unease. This place was unfamiliar and completely strange to him, not anything his warrior training had prepared him for. Obviously, because warriors aren’t supposed to come out this far in the first place.

It was hard to admit to himself after he’d been so determined to do this on his own that weaving through this loud foul smelling town made him nervous, and he didn’t even know where to start.

Jake had an amused glint in his eyes. “I know you’re on a super important mission, but if you want to accept this 'kittypets' help, I'd love to show you around.”

Talltail eventually had no choice but to accept that maybe he did need a guide. For a little while at least.

Jake perked up immediately. “Great! Then I’ll take you to see my friend Nutmeg. You guys seem like you're a similar breed of paranoid, maybe you’ll get along. You can describe those cats to her, and we’ll decide where to go from there.”

Talltail still wasn’t sure about this. He felt deep down that he really did want Jake’s company, remembering a time when it felt like such a relief to go see him. And he didn’t realize until after he left WindClan how empty it would feel to be completely alone for so long. But at least unlike back then, he didn’t have to feel guilty about seeing Jake because it was no longer a simple excuse to get away from his clan duties. But still... I came out this far because I needed to do this on my own, didn’t I? Why should another cat be bogged down with it?

“This could take a while, Jake,” Talltail warned again as they walked. “Are you sure you don’t have anything more important to do?”

Jake’s eyes smiled brightly in the greenleaf sunlight. “I assure you, I have absolutely nothing better to be doing.”

***

Talltail followed Jake, leaping down off the fence into Nutmeg’s yard.

“Wait here, I know how to get her attention,” Jake said, trotting up to a tall glass opening in the nest. He began pawing at the window until a disgruntled looking tortoiseshell poked her head through an opening flap.

Nutmeg pushed her way into the yard and regarded Jake suspiciously. “I haven’t seen you in a couple days. Is that weirdo still in your house?”

“Actually he’s in your garden.” Jake replied.

Nutmeg’s eyes bulged as she had apparently only just noticed Talltail sitting with his tail wrapped tightly around himself, trying not to look awkward.

“Um. Hi.” Talltail said.

The bristling tortoiseshell flicked her gaze from him back to Jake, not hiding her obvious unease. “Ah. I see.”

“I know, I know, you don’t like strangers in your garden, but I promise we’ll be gone quick. We just wanted to ask about the cats you’ve seen.” Jake looked back at Talltail. “Nutmeg keeps tabs on all the cats in the area, she sees everyone that goes by. Spying is like, her main hobby.”

“I am not spying, it’s a matter of safety. When I see dangerous looking strangers, the cats that go outside ought to know.” Nutmeg’s tail lashed and Talltail knew she was clearly still unhappy about him being there. He remembered suddenly, now that he’d caught her scent, that she was almost certainly one of the kittypets he had frightened not long after arriving.

“Right I'm er...sorry for scaring you before, I suppose.” Talltail muttered. Nutmeg simply flicked her tail in vague acknowledgement.

Jake nudged her and she sighed. “Fine, I suppose I'm sorry for calling you weird.” She then added, quieter, “but what exactly am I supposed to think when a big stranger shows up covered in blood and talking to himself?”

“Anyway,” Jake interrupted before Talltail could respond, “his name is Talltail and we’re going on a quest to find a group of strays.”

“‘We’?” Nutmeg stared at Jake. "Why are you going?"

“Yes we, because we’re friends and I’m a good guide.” Jake retorted. Nutmeg looked very doubtful, which made Talltail a bit nervous. He hoped Jake wasn’t exaggerating his navigation knowledge, but it was too late to turn him down now.

“Well…” Nutmeg hesitated, “A lot of strays have passed by here. Who exactly are you looking for?”

Talltail did his best to describe the five cats. “The only one I need to find is the smallest of them, dark brown almost black, sort of long messy fur, one ear tip sliced off. His eyes are two different colors. Looks obnoxiously aloof all the time. It would have been a couple moons ago.”

“A couple moons ago, that’s not encouraging.” Nutmeg said. “But surprisingly, I think I know who you mean. They’d passed by here before. Made themselves very known, weird bunch, too friendly for their own good if you ask me. I remember because it was a little before I met Jake. Before him, they were some of the oddest cats I’d ever seen. And before you I guess. They stopped to talk to Quince, I think they mentioned something about staying in the big wooded park in the center of town. It’s supposed to be a big area with no cars, and there’s lots of food, and apparently housefolk will feed you too if you know the right ones to ask. I overheard them saying were going to stop traveling for a bit, I guess they just had a loss or something. Mind you, that was some moons ago, I don’t know if they’re still there, but that’s what they said last I saw them.”

“Wow you remember all that? You’re positive?” Talltail asked.

Nutmeg sniffed, as if she were offended. “Of course I’m sure! I’m sure of every cat I see, especially weird ones.”

“Alright, alright. Do you know where this park is?” Talltail pressed.

“Um...well no, I have no need to go that far outside my house myself.”

“I think I know!” Jake piped up, “I haven’t been there, but I’ve seen it from a distance. We just have to cut through some alleyways to avoid the cars.”

“If you think it’s safe to do that…” Nutmeg narrowed her eyes, “Not every stray likes you, you know.”

“I’ll be fine. I know exactly where I'm going.” Jake nudged Talltail “See, aren’t you glad you have me?”

“Sure. We should get going though. Thanks for your help. As a reward, I promise never to come into your garden again.”

She snorted. “Actually, as my reward, you can try to keep Jake from doing anything fluff-brained.”

“I never do anything fluff-brained!” Jake purred as he turned with a flick of his tail. “Come on, no time to waste.”

He scampered back up the fence and beckoned Talltail to join him. Jake was far too excited about the grim mission, and Talltail was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable about not giving him all the details. “You’re only going with me a little ways,” Talltail reminded him quickly. “Just to the park. Then I have to continue on my own.”

“Sure, sure, but let's get going! You’ve never seen a town before, I remember how intense it felt the first time I saw it, I’ve got so much to teach you!”

Talltail allowed himself a small purr of amusement. There was still a distance to go. No need to be a drag the entire way when Jake was being so helpful, right? As long as he didn’t slow down.

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#FRU34 #chapter 34

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wannabetwins · 3 years

Text

White String of Hate

Summary: In which Taehee, the resident clean freak, is driven to the brink of insanity.

***

It started when he found pieces of white string on his clothes.

At first, he thought nothing of it. He had just re-organized the closets in the house. Maybe some stray cobwebs had floated into the room—nothing his duster couldn’t handle.

But then he started seeing them elsewhere. In his potted plants, the kitchen counter, the floor… And every time he mentioned it, his housemates merely shrugged it off and dismissed it as him being too much of a “clean freak”. He knew he had a tendency to be more sensitive to these things, so he let it slide, and told himself he was just thinking too much... before wiping down the surfaces till they were back to their pristine, clean state.

Still, the white strings continued to appear. He couldn’t even wear black shirts anymore without feeling irked to the bone. Even his trusty lint roller wasn’t enough to keep them at bay. "Maybe it's a lint mutation!" Hansol suggested. That was a ridiculous suggestion, of course… but Taehee did buy a new roller. Still it proved to be of little use; the pesky little strings kept coming back like scheming parasites.

By the seventh day, Taehee was beginning to question his sanity. Maybe he’d just worked too many long hours. Maybe his eyes were just tired. Maybe all he needed was a long night of sleep.

For days, the strings plagued his sight, their appearances growing more and more ridiculous. One morning, he even found it on his toothbrush. However, just like before, his housemates responded to his questions with that same indifference.

But he couldn’t get it out of his mind. The white strings consumed his every thought, and it was impossible to avoid them in the house when they seemed to have plagued every corner of his home.

There had to be a scientific explanation behind it—a sickness? But everyone was perfectly healthy. White hairs from stress-induced aging? But he was a goblin.... The others certainly didn’t seem to have developed white hairs either. He got MC to check his head on multiple occasions too, and she had assured him that he wasn’t growing any. He could only take her word for it.

What else could it be? Cobwebs? But cobwebs didn’t form so quickly after being cleaned. And they wouldn’t come in such huge numbers.

The question remained in the back of his mind as he struggled to come up with a reasonable answer, other than one involving him hallucinating. Because he wasn’t. His housemates who weren’t seeing these white strings were clearly going blind.

The last straw was when he was having his morning coffee. One of the rare times he could sit down in peace, take his time to savour the bittersweetness of his special brew. Needless to say it was one of his favourite times of the day.

Until he saw it. The thin white line of his nightmares now floating in the middle of what should’ve been delightful blackness.

Despite the sting of the heat, his fingertips pressed into the ceramic mug in a last attempt to keep his composure. But it was too late. He had reached the end of his tether, and his brain was beginning to tatter.

“Hey, clean freak,” Yooha’s usually unwelcomed voice slashed through the muddled swirl of Taehee’s angry thoughts. The latter looked up, finding the fox waving his open palm in front of him. “What’s with that face?”

“What?” Taehee rasped, brows furrowing in annoyance. He could already sense the stupid comment on his upturned lips.

“Usually, when you drink your coffee, you turn all pensive—like an old man,” Yooha shrugged. He took a casual sip of his wine. What lunatic even drank this early? “But you looked really pissed just now.”

Taehee blew out a sharp huff. If this fox knew what was good for him, he’d stay away. Anger was coursing through his veins and Taehee had been wound up too tight; he was this close to snapping.

“Oi. Kim Taehee. You okay? Why aren’t you—”

“I can’t...” Taehee mumbled through his gritted teeth.

“—drinking your coffee?”

“I CAN’T!”

Taehee’s shout echoed in the empty living room, and for the first time Yooha actually looked a little scared of him. The fox’s speechlessness made an awkward silence settle between the two as Taehee mentally berated himself for losing control over his temper like that. He had to stay calm. Be calm. Calm...

“Woah… yeah you’re definitely not okay. Wanna talk about it?”

The sound of Yooha’s voice ignited yet another spark of rage within him, and before he could do something else he would regret, Taehee grabbed his cup and emptied its tainted contents into the sink.

Yooha gaped at him expectantly, though a trace of awe and fear were still visible between his furrowed brows. He probably thought Taehee was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

Oh, God...Taehee hoped he didn’t go into one of his rambles praising his own wisdom guised as shoddy advice. Not now.

However, the goblin was saved from such torture by the soft pad of footsteps down the stairs.

“What’s going on? I heard yelling.”

MC’s voice drifted from the stairs, and soon she came into view, bed head still fresh and her eyes smaller than usual, groggy with sleep. Taehee’s heart gave a small leap in response. As usual.

And apparently, it wasn’t alone.

The fox perked up, sitting straighter in his seat and his previously lazy demeanor turning almost puppy-like.

“Ah, MC,” he said, a grin now stretching across his lips. Taehee barely held back his own smile at her presence which now whittled away at his annoyance. “Good morning! Did you dream of me?”

Taehee rolled his eyes at Yooha’s unnecessary wink. MC was equally unamused, tired as she was, though she did spare him a chuckle.

“Yeah, yeah, sure did,” she replied with a brief smile, before her attention turned to Taehee. It was strange how easily she could calm him down. Just one look from her and he felt his breathing start to slow down, and the angry, scrambled thoughts in his mind began to scatter. All that was left was a pounding in his chest as he met her concerned stare.

“Is… everything okay?”

With practised ease, the corners of his lips lifted into a smile, erasing any and all traces of irritation from his face. “Yes, everything’s fine.”

“Fine?” Yooha snorted. “This guy nearly had an aneurysm.”

“What?” MC said, her gaze once again snapping towards the goblin. His cheeks heated under the sudden scrutiny.

Feeling slightly embarrassed now at the reason behind his outburst, he waved his hand dismissively. “No, no,” he stammered. “I’m really fine. I’m just… feeling off this morning.”

The girl seemed unconvinced. Her eyes drifted to the dumped coffee in the sink, and Taehee could practically see the calculations behind her forehead.

Abruptly, MC turned to the fox. “Yooha,” she began, startling when he suddenly transported behind her back.

Taehee’s skin tingled when the man slid his arms around her waist.

“Yes, MC?” Yooha hummed.

She promptly swatted his hands away. Taehee smirked in amusement...or maybe triumph.

“Did you make him mad again?” she went on.

Yooha stumbled back in offense, hand over his chest. Dramatic…

“What? No!”

MC crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one hip. Her lips pressed into a fine line as she flayed him with a hard, interrogative stare.

Yooha let out a sharp sigh. “I didn’t! Really!”

He glanced at Taehee, no doubt to clear his name. The latter pursed his lips. Should he clear the air? Technically, Yooha did add to his frustration. His presence alone could sour Taehee’s mood considerably any day, and especially today.

In the span of silence he took to think, MC seemed to interpret it as a confirmation of Yooha’s guilt, and his sentence was passed immediately.

“Go on, apologise to Taehee. You two should make up and at least try to get along.”

“But I didn’t do anything!” Yooha argued, genuinely looking quite upset now. Even MC seemed to be surprised by his reaction.

“Master, you don’t believe me? That’s hurtful…”

And then it happened.

Like a snake, his nine tails unfurled behind him one after another, practically glowing with the blindingly white sheen of his fur.

White. Fur.

The answer had been right in front of him the whole time, the source of his nightmares for the past week right under his nose and Taehee hadn’t so much as noticed.

He should’ve known. Ever since that stupid fox materialized from that scroll, nothing and no one else in this house rattled him as much as he could.

And at this very moment, he was downright pissed.

He hadn’t even realized his outstretched hand. His tense fingers were bent into a claw, ready to strangle one of the nine hydras sweeping through the air, further tainting the cleanliness of the house with those loose strands of white.

Rage coursed through his veins, and somehow, his magic followed suit with blue fire flaring into the center of his palm. Taehee hadn’t meant to move his hand any closer to the infuriating white fur. But his fight-or-flight instincts had kicked in, and little by little, those flames licked perilously close to the thin strands until…

“OW!!”

Taehee recoiled as the sharp sound pierced his ears, his anger subsiding enough for him to return to the present moment. He saw MC’s reaction first. Her eyes were wide in shock, and her mouth was frozen in a perfect “o.”

When his gaze fell on the fox again, the tails had vanished. Yooha was storming over to him, anger etched on his usually laidback face. He looked feral.

“Did you seriously just try to burn my tails? Kim Taehee!”

Taehee knew he should apologise. Clearly he was in the wrong here. But his mouth began flapping, retorts bubbling in his throat, unable to restrain himself in front of the fox. Especially when he was the cause of this whole mess in the first place.

“Would you prefer for me to shave them clean instead? Since you’re shedding anyway.”

“You-” Yooha’s voice cut off, confusion flickering in his eyes. “What are you talking about? Me? Shedding? What do you think I am? A common dog?”

“No,” Taehee returned with more composure than he felt. “Dogs are more likeable.”

“Why, you—” Yooha began, though he stopped himself again. His fist was balled tightly at his side, but he seemed to have enough restraint to keep it there. A tense breath wisped from his lips. “Look, you’re having a bad morning. I get it. But just because MC likes my tails more than you doesn’t mean you can abuse your magic fire trick.”

Several unintelligible syllables spluttered from Taehee’s mouth.

Words...he needed to use words.

“MC doesn’t— Fire trick? You don’t—”

No, no… sentences. He needed sentences. But his brain was too muddled with his emotions, and that stupid simper on the fox’s face was only making it worse.

“Or maybe… If you wanted to touch my tail so badly, you could’ve asked.”

Taehee was about to open his mouth again when MC’s face appeared in his line of sight, blocking the fox from his view.

“Enough, both of you. It’s too early in the morning for this, let’s just stop here, okay?”

“Hey, I wasn’t the one who resorted to violence,” Yooha added stubbornly, shooting a glare in Taehee’s direction.

“It wouldn’t have gotten to this point if you would’ve cleaned after yourself,” he spat. To emphasize his point, he swiped his hand over his sleeve, sending a few tufts of white fluttering into the air.

Yooha squinted at the hair, his features once again contorting in offense. “You think that hair is mine? Is that what this is all about?”

“Think?” Taehee scoffed. “I think we all saw how much hair fell off that fur trap of yours.”

MC groaned and flopped back onto an empty chair. “Guys, can we not—”

“This,” Yooha interrupted, holding up his pinched fingers where Taehee assumed he had caught one of his hairs, “is not mine. Look how coarse and short this is! My fur is softer and longer than this—and whiter!”

“You can’t compare anything when you can barely see that hair between your fingers.”

“Maybe you can’t, since it’s obvious there’s something wrong with your eyes.”

“Oh? Let’s pluck out some of your hair and check then.”

“What? You think this is some kind of game? My tails aren’t for you to screw around with!”

“You always take them out when MC is here anyway. Like a dog wagging its tail for its master.”

“You- Did you just call me a dog again?”

“So on top of excessive shedding you can’t hear right either? Maybe it’s time to take you to a vet.”

“I told you that fur isn’t mine! I’m not shedding!”

Taehee slammed his palm onto the counter. His adrenaline was waning, and he hadn’t even had a sip of coffee. He was getting more exasperated by the second...

“Then what?” he sighed. “Do we suddenly have a cat in the house or something?”

A soft meow interrupted the growing tension between them, and both men turned to MC who was still innocently sitting at the table.

Yooha clicked his tongue, a smile unbefitting of the situation rapidly overtaking his previous scowl. “That was cute, MC, but this is serious,” he said. His palm rested against her mussed hair. “My honor is at stake here.”

“It wasn’t—”

“Yeah MC, I know you’re trying to help us but we need to work this out,” Taehee added, slapping Yooha’s hand away from her head.

She huffed and pushed both of their hands away from her face. “Guys, I said it wasn’t me.”

“Yeah.” A tuft of red hair appeared from the corner of Taehee’s eye. Biho shuffled meekly into the kitchen, and three pairs of eyes followed him curiously. “It was me.”

Yooha’s gaze shifted from Biho to Taehee, then back to the younger goblin. “You...meowed?”

The redhead’s chest heaved in a deep, forlorn sigh. He pressed a hand over his heart and shook his head. “I am deeply sorry for my actions. I didn’t intend for it to go this far.”

“What are you talking about Biho…” Taehee’s voice trailed off when they heard another meow. The younger goblin’s mouth was closed however, and the sound seemed to be coming from his head.

Was this a new power? Taehee had never seen anything like it. Hansol never mentioned anything about Biho’s new ability either.

However, the explanation for the strange occurrence soon made itself known… with its tiny, white ears peeking over Biho’s bright red hair.

Another one of his doleful sighs filled the stunned silence in the room. “I woke up and heard you guys arguing about Yooha shedding.”

“Like I said, I’m not—” Taehee slapped his hand over Yooha’s mouth to shut him up, wanting to listen to Biho instead of that annoying fox’s voice.

“I think it was actually this kitten’s fur… Sorry Taehee, I know it’s been bothering you this whole week.”

Taehee deflated half in relief and half in exhaustion. “Why didn’t you just say something earlier?”

“I was going to, but then you looked very angry about the hair, and I thought you would ask me to get rid of it.” Biho picked up the kitten from his hair and carefully placed it in his arms, cradling it like it was a baby. In return, the kitten nuzzled its face against his hoodie.

“Where did you even get it from? Did you buy it?” Yooha asked, defensively raising a hand up in case Taehee tried to physically shut him up again.

“I found it by the road on the way home,” he replied. “It was in a box all alone and it was raining. It looked like it had been abandoned, and I couldn’t leave it there like that.” His eyes drooped, his gaze turning sad as he gently stroked the kitten in his arms.

MC cooed at the explanation, joining the coddling of the little animal.

Taehee admitted it was touching...and understandable knowing Biho’s story. Still, the fur sticking to the younger goblin’s sleeve was giving him a fresh surge of anxiety.

“Biho,” he began, making sure his voice was gentle lest he upset him with what he had to say. “What you did was good. You probably saved its life, but…”

“We can’t keep it,” Yooha interrupted bluntly, earning him a slap upside the head. And it wasn’t even from Taehee this time.

“Hey,” MC hissed, casting a worried glance towards Biho.

Thankfully, the redhead seemed to expect this. Slowly, he nodded, though he cradled the kitten a little closer to his chest. “I know,” he said. “But can we keep him until we find him a home?”

Taehee opened his mouth to protest but MC held her hand up, no doubt guessing his answer.

“Of course we can,” she said. “We can post it online. I’m sure we can find someone.”

Biho shot her a grateful smile. “Could you help me with that?”

“Sure!” MC jumped up with a grin, before pausing. “Give me ten minutes. I should brush my teeth and wash my face first.”

“Okay, I’ll be in my room.”

Then the both of them left, although MC made sure to elbow Taehee in the side. He didn’t have to look at her to know what she wanted him to do next.

An awkward silence settled once more, now that it was just him and Yooha left in the kitchen. Briefly, he made eye contact with the fox, and Taehee fought the urge to roll his eyes. He doubted they would be able to make up even after this.

“Well? Don’t you have something to say?” Yooha asked with his chin up. Taehee wanted to wipe off that arrogant smirk from his face. But a wrong was a wrong, and he knew what he should do as the more mature one between them.

“Fine. The hair wasn’t yours, I’m sorry.”

“Good.”

“But it doesn’t change the fact that you shed. A lot.”

Silence. Presumably, Yooha was attempting to choose his words carefully, lest another argument broke out. He sighed heavily before speaking again. “Is this your idea of an apology?”

“I did apologise. But I also stated a fact. I clean your closet, you know. Your hairballs are disgusting.”

“I’ll have you know that my tails are amongst the most beautiful—”

“Just make sure you clean up after yourself from now on,” Taehee said, turning to leave. “Or I will personally shave you myself.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Yooha narrowed his eyes. “A mere goblin like you? Hah.”

“Hm. But a fox like you can’t disobey its master, right? All I need is to get MC to agree to it.”

Taehee felt a sense of satisfaction when he saw Yooha’s confident smile falter. Having said his piece, he turned and left for his room, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips as he heard his name echo angrily behind him.

#wannabe challenge #wannabe challenge fanfiction #kim taehee #wannabe challenge yooha #wannabe challenge biho #kang biho #wannabe challenge fanfic #prank war #taehee #biho #yooha

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here4theheartbreak · 4 years

Text

Firelit First (TaeKook)

AO3 Link Here!

✩ Relationships: taekook (Taehyung x Jungkook)

✩Genre: angst, smut, hybrid au

✩Rating: Explicit

✩Tags: smut, hybrid au, dragon-dog hybrid Taehyung, bunny hybrid Jungkook, first time, established relationship, bottom Jungkook, mating, licking, knotting, Bad Dragon, insecure Taehyung, fire breathing

✩Summary: They said a bunny and a dragon-dog would never work out. They were wrong in every way except for one. Jungkook’s need for physical intimacy - and Taehyung’s insecurity surrounding it - was driving a wedge between them.

✩Word Count: ~6.5k

✩A/N: Written for @btsholidaybingo - Square: Bonfire

What do a helicopter eared bunny rabbit and a dragon-Newfoundland fusion have in common?

According to Jin, the world’s sassiest hyena – nothing… Save for the fact that they both have crappy taste in boys.

But Taehyung, the dragon-Newfoundland in question, believed that was wrong. His bunny boy, of course, did have a bad taste in men. He was dating him for God’s sake. But Jungkook was perfect. The two had grown up together, attending a prestigious hybrid boarding school in Seoul, along with Jin and Hoseok, and the rest of their little gang. As young children, the were separated by diet – the squirrels and chipmunks and bunnies and other pretty prey hybrids in one class; and the wolves, dogs, hyenas, tigers and yes – dragon, in the other. They were allowed to play together during recess, sternly supervised lest a wolf decide biting one of their gentle classmates was a better plan than playing tag. It was during these recesses that the group met, and stayed strong throughout the grades. As they aged and became more in control of their less human urges, the classes combined, and their friendship grew even deeper.

Not that Jungkook’s parents were very happy. The first time he brought home a damned dragon playmate for a weekend trip back home they nearly called the police. Dragons were rare hybrids, only a few families existing worldwide. And Taehyung – a dragon crossed with a dog – was a medical miracle. Fusions were one in a million, especially fusions of such a different species type.

Yet there he was, all arms and black hair and wings, even folded up tightly, too big for his gawky body. His tail was long and thick, covered in shaggy black fur, always wagging. Across the bridge of his nose and streaking down his arms was a smattering of sparkling emerald green scales. His eyes were a striking, unnatural gold color and – when he got extra excited, angry, or otherwise, puffs of hot smoke would bubble up from his lungs. Though the rumor was he could easily burn down a town with one breath, actual fire was far harder for Taehyung to form; the limitations of his human and dog DNA interfering with the dragon inside him.

Despite the worries that Taehyung would injure Jungkook in some way, their friendship blossomed, and formed something far more intimate by the time they reached high school. As other hybrids paired off and found boyfriends and girlfriends of similar species, or of humans, their group of misfits remained mostly together. Jin was found making out with the shy, soft-spoken squirrel, Hoseok. Their broody, panther Yoongi, took the fiery, hyper fox Jimin to their first prom, and intelligent, and quick bat Namjoon ended up with the feisty meerkat Halsey. It was only natural that soft, gentle bunny Jungkook with ears too long and body too big for his prey DNA would end up with the dragon-dog.

They stayed together throughout high school, college, and moved in together as soon as they both graduated. Everyone knew someday they probably would consider marriage, though both of them thought the idea of it was somewhat outdated and unnecessary. And now, as young men in their twenties – they could not be happier.

It was a Friday afternoon, and Taehyung had finished his week’s work early. He decided it would be great to go home and surprise Jungkook, who had the day off. Maybe they could go down south for the weekend to visit Jungkook’s parents. It had been a while since he had a full weekend to himself.

As he rounded the corner to head to their bedroom, he heard a deep, low moan. Taehyung hesitated. That… Sounded like Jungkook. Panic clenched his chest. Surely Jungkook wouldn’t do that. They’d been together for too long, and there’d never been a hint of an affair. Taehyung knew he was lacking in bed… But he worked hard to make sure Jungkook was satisfied. Not easy, given his boyfriend had the sex drive of the animal side of himself, but Taehyung did his best. An affair wouldn’t be unexpected, Taehyung supposed as he crept closer to their shut bedroom. He could hear Jungkook panting even through the closed door, punctuated by soft moans and the creak of their bed. Taehyung’s heart sank. Who was it going to be? One of their friends? A stranger? Another rabbit? Another gentle, soft prey animal hybrid? Scenario after scenario raced through his mind as he reached for the doorknob. He could just wait, he supposed. Sit in the living room, let the guy leave. But he needed to see with his own two eyes.

He grabbed the door and opened it slowly, trying not to make it squeak. Another creep forward and he peeked his head into the room.

Jungkook was on his hands and knees on the bed, nude. His tan skin was glistening with sweat. His head was hung, one ear folded back comfortably, the other – which had been damaged when he was younger and always stood a little crooked, was hanging down more like a lop ear. Even from the doorway Taehyung could see his mouth hanging open, nose – dusted with a fine, silky fur and dotted with little white spots, twitching with excitement. But behind him, where his white nubbin tail stood high as it could go, was not a human, or hybrid, or anything living. Rather, it was a dildo, attached to the wall by suction.

When he went forward, exposing more of the toy, Taehyung could see that it was thick and bulbous, with what looked like scaled ridges along the base. The color faded from purple to green to a blackish near the tip, with a glittery silver that seemed to sparkle in the lights. Jungkook was thoroughly enjoying himself, his cock twitching and leaking between his legs, moans and whimpers slipping from his mouth as he fucked himself onto it. It wasn’t human, that was for sure.

“Jungkook.” Taehyung spoke firm and clear.

Jungkook yelped, pulling off the large toy. He scrambled to cover himself with a sheet, as if the dildo on the wall didn’t give away what he was doing. When he was totally off it, Taehyung was able to see the severe curve and the ridges more clearly, as well as the pointed tip and the base, which was covered with scales. It was reptilian, for sure. It looked, much to Taehyung’s disgust, like a horrible rendition of a dragon.

“Taehyung! You’re home early,” Jungkook stuttered.

Taehyung entered the room. Jungkook reached for the toy but Taehyung was faster, swiping it and yanking it from the wall. He held it in his hand, gauging the thickness. His wings gave an annoyed flap, ruffling Jungkook’s hair and a few papers on the desk.

“What is this?”

“It’s a dildo, Tae.” Jungkook pouted. “I’m a grown up, I’m allowed to own a dildo.”

“Is this a dragon?”

Jungkook clenched his jaw. “So what if it is?”

“You’re dating a dragon. Do you realize how offensive this is?”

Jungkook crossed his arms, his ears flattening down in annoyance. “A dragon that won’t give me his dick no matter how much I beg. Least I can do is feel it through a toy.”

Taehyung blinked in surprise. His shoulders sagged a little. “Jungkook…”

“I don’t want to hear it.” Jungkook rose and grabbed the toy from Taehyung’s hands. He brushed past him, pulling on his shorts.

“Where are you going?” Taehyung called, chasing after Jungkook as he walked out of the room.

He went into the bathroom, washing the toy gently. He met Taehyung’s glare in the mirror. “What?”

“It barely looks like me,” he mumbled.

“Not that I would know. You do everything you can not to show me your dick.”

“I make you come other ways.”

“So?” Jungkook turned, splashing water as he did. “You think that’s the same? We’ve been dating forever, Tae. How do you think it makes me feel when you refuse to fuck me? All of our friends lost their virginity years ago. Making me come with your fingers or mouth or our toys isn’t nearly the same. And, you never let me pleasure you. You always go hide out in the bathroom and jerk off. Are you really so disgusted by me? Is it because I’m a bunny? Am I not good enough to turn you on?” As Jungkook ranted his anger shifted to something desperate His eyes, big and doe-ish on a good day, were even larger, wet with unshed tears of frustration.

“Jungkook, no,” Taehyung said, closing the gap between them to try and hug his lover. Jungkook pushed him back, turning back to the sink. He began to scrub the toy again with a renewed vigor.

“I don’t think you’re disgusting, Jungkook. I—” Taehyung saw Jungkook’s shoulders shake, his ears hanging down dejectedly.

“Don’t cry, bunny boy,” Taehyung pleaded. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s shoulders, burying his face in the crook of his neck. He kissed and licked gently at the soft skin there, whimpering. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Why won’t you take me to bed?” Jungkook whispered. “I try not to let it bother me, but I—You know what I am. You know how I am.”

“I know. I thought I was doing a good job satisfying you. I’m sorry, Jungkookie. I’ll try harder.”

“No!” Jungkook jerked away, shoving Taehyung back. “Get off me. I don’t want you to try harder. I don’t want you to finger fuck me or suck my dick.”

Taehyung’s entire body sagged, his tail and the ends of his wings brushing the cool linoleum. “What do you want?”

“I want you to fuck me!” Jungkook cried, whipping around. “I want to feel that connection with you. I want to know I don’t disgust you. It’s been a decade. Why won’t you tell me the truth? What are you so afraid of?”

“Hurting you,” Taehyung said, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m scared of hurting you.”

“I’m not some tiny breakable baby,” Jungkook said, his hands clenched in tight fists at his sides. His ears were flattened to his head, brows furrowed. “I’m sick that you even think that. You know that predator-prey shit is bullshit!”

“It’s not because of that, Jungkook. Don’t you dare accuse me of that.”

“Then what is it?!”

“I have a knot!” Taehyung shouted, finally losing his temper. “All these years I hid it from you because my cock is deformed. It’s hideous and it’s scary and nobody would want that. I’m a monster, Jungkook. Your parents said it enough while we were growing up and it’s the truth. You wouldn’t want to fuck me if you saw my cock and I wouldn’t blame you for packing up and leaving.”

Jungkook’s expression softened, his shoulders and fists relaxing. “A lot of hybrids have knots, Taehyung. Why would you be so scared of that? You’re half dog. It makes sense.”

“Because it’s a dragon’s cock. But it has a knot at the base. It’s horrible. And it’s…” He drifted off. It’s big. And even bigger with the stupid knot. And I can’t prevent it from happening. Every time I come it… Just … Pops and I—” He shrugged, wrapping his arms around himself. His wings fluttered, folding in front of him like a leathery cloak. “I know you’re not a tiny baby, but I’m afraid it’ll hurt you,” he finished.

Jungkook pouted a little, tilting his head. His one floppy ear tilted further, hanging down. His nose twitched in thought. He reached back, grabbing the dragon toy in the sink. He held it out to Taehyung.

“Is it bigger than this?”

Taehyung nodded.

“By how much? Without the knot.”

Taehyung reached out and looped his forefinger and thumb around the biggest part. He added another few centimeters.

“And with?” Jungkook pressed.

Another hand slipped out of his wing cocoon, first fingers together and thumbs together, around the size of a softball.

Jungkook’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Taehyung folded back in on himself, his cheeks mottled red with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. I—I think I’ll go stay at Jin’s tonight. Give you a chance to… Decide.”

Jungkook frowned further. “Decide?”

“If you’re gonna leave me. And pack up, when you do…” Taehyung felt tears burning his nose and whimpered softly. He huffed and shook a little, folding his wings back and holding his head high. “I’m sorry I strung you on this long. It wasn’t fair of me to assume you’d be okay with what I couldn’t do.” He tried to smile, but knew it likely fell flat.

Jungkook’s face drooped further. “Are you dumping me?”

Taehyung looked down. He knew it would be for the best. Just end it, stop stringing him along, promising something he’d never be able to offer. “I just want you to be happy. And satisfied. And I can’t –” He looked at the dildo in Jungkook’s hand. “I can’t do that for you.” He smiled weakly and shrugged. “Your parents were right after all.”

Jungkook’s head tilted in confusion.

Taehyung shrugged. “I’d never be able to give you a happy life. I’m just dog.” He turned to go, brushing past Jungkook. He considered heading to the bedroom, grabbing a few things, but decided against it. Best just to leave. He was so humiliated and ashamed. He should have come clean with Jungkook early on in their relationship, he knew it. He felt horrible for lying the way he had.

Jungkook bounded out of the bathroom, skidding to a stop in front of Taehyung. He shoved him back. “You don’t get to break up with me.”

Taehyung blinked lamely. “I—”

“Shut up.”

Taehyung closed his mouth.

Jungkook smiled a little. “You really are noisy. I thought big dogs were supposed to be quiet.”

Taehyung huffed, twin puffs of smoke coming from his nostrils. It was a common joke between them – his hyperactivity was nothing like the large, laid back Newfoundland that made up a part of his DNA.

Jungkook smile grew, his nose crinkling. “Since you wanna be noisy though…” He sank to his knees, his hands going to Taehyung’s belt. He managed to unhook it and begin working Taehyung’s zipper down before Taehyung realized what was happening. He yelped and jumped back, his wings spreading fast enough to knock over a pile of books on the nearby shelf. He flapped them once, and Jungkook giggle, shaking his head. “Come back here. I’m gonna suck your dick.”

“Jungkook!” Taehyung cried, surprised at the brazenness of his boyfriend. Undeterred, Jungkook crawled forward, nuzzling against Taehyung’s crotch.

“I want it, Tae.” He looked up at him, his mouth pressed against the bulge of Taehyung’s cock. “I want you to take me. Tonight. I wanna feel you inside of me.”

When Taehyung didn’t respond, Jungkook sighed. He rose and grabbed Taehyung’s hands. “I get why you hid it. I’m not mad. I’m sad that you felt you had to, that you were scared of what I’d do… I get it.”

Taehyung lowered his gaze.

“But,” Jungkook pressed. “That doesn’t mean you get to go back into hiding. You told me what it is you’re scared of, and I didn’t go running for the hills. And I’m not going to. I love you, you big dumb dog. And I still want you. Both as my boyfriend… And as the man who takes my virginity.”

“Jungkook—”

“It won’t hurt me. I might have bunny DNA but I’m not some tiny little thing that’ll tear in two. I know I can take it. Didn’t you see me taking Kelvin?”

Taehyung spluttered. “It has a name?”

Jungkook giggled and nodded. “It does… But I’d rather be taking Taehyung.” He cupped Taehyung through his jeans. “Please trust that I know my body. That I won’t break.”

Taehyung bared his teeth, another puff of smoke breaking over Jungkook’s face.

Jungkook giggled. “I can feel you getting worked up.”

“You’re grabbing my dick, of course I’m getting worked up.”

“Then will you do it? I don’t mean to push you. But … Is the knot and the size the only thing keeping you from taking me?”

Taehyung nodded. “I’ve wanted for so long to make love to you,” he admitted.

“Then if those weren’t an issue…”

Taehyung nodded, his eyes slipping shut. Jungkook was on the nose – if it weren’t for his anxiety surrounding his dick, he would have made love to Jungkook years ago.

“So say they’re not. If they end up being an issue, fine, we can deal with it. Better to have tried and failed than not have tried at all, right?”

“You shouldn’t be so wise with your hand on a cock,” Taehyung mumbled with no venom. Jungkook laughed.

“So is that a yes? You’ll try with me?”

Taehyung hesitated. He opened his eyes searching Jungkook’s bright, perfect face. He reached up, stroking over his ears. “Yeah, it’s a yes.”

Jungkook’s grin widened. He sank back to his knees, but Taehyung grabbed him, hauling him back up. “But not right now.”

Jungkook’s pout was so adorable Taehyung nearly gave in. He shook his head though, thumbing Jungkook’s velvety soft nose. “Tonight. If you’re going to have sex with a dragon we’re going to do it right.”

“There’s a right way?”

Taehyung nodded. “A way all the men in my family took their lovers for the first time. It’s tradition.”

Jungkook grinned and nodded. “Of course. When?”

Taehyung glanced at his watch. “It’s three now. Why don’t you go take a shower. I’ll go out, get a few things. And then be back home by five to pick you up for dinner and then… After…”

Jungkook nodded eagerly. He backed up, heading to the bathroom, but Taehyung grabbed his wrist.

“No using that horrible Kelvin. No jerking off before tonight, okay?”

“I promise,” Jungkook said.

“And… Prep yourself a little, in the shower.”

Jungkook nodded again. He approached Taehyung folding himself into his arms and kissing over a spot of scales on the curve of his neck. “I’m so excited for tonight.”

“Me too,” Taehyung whispered. And he was, if he was being honest. Scared… But excited.

He let Jungkook hurry off to the bathroom before grabbing his keys and slipping his shoes back on, heading out to buy a few necessary items and plan for the evening.

When Taehyung returned, he could hear Jungkook singing from the bedroom. The sound warmed his heart. As quiet as he could, he snuck up and peeked in, watching Jungkook apply just a little makeup to his eyes. He didn’t need it, Taehyung had told him a thousand times, but it did look beautiful.

“Ready?” He asked when the eyeliner pen was a safe distance from Jungkook’s eye. His boyfriend jumped, his ears twitching back.

“You scared me,” Jungkook complained.

“Sorry.”

Taehyung entered fully, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s middle. He nuzzled his neck, kissing it gently before curving his neck up and letting his teeth graze Jungkook’s fuzzy ear. “You look great. And smell even better.”

“It’s the cologne you like,” Jungkook said, smiling at him through the mirror. “I’m ready. Where are we going?”

“Just someplace to get some food. A nice dinner and then we’ll be headed to a more secluded spot.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows shot up, his nose twitching. “What do you mean?”

“Trust me. Get your coat on, I gotta change really quick.”

Jungkook nodded. He grabbed lip balm, applying a little before pocketing it and bouncing out of the room.

Their dinner was quiet and smooth, a natural ease of just being together that had been formed from the number of years spent in one another’s company. Despite the knowledge of what would be (hopefully) happening later that evening, the meal flowed with no tension or awkwardness, even when the waiter did a double take and very nearly dropped their drinks at the sight of Taehyung’s thick, leathery wings, topped with fur. It wasn’t a new thing; there weren’t many dragons and Taehyung, despite his kind, timid nature, was eye catching.

When dinner ended, Taehyung began to drive, still keeping Jungkook in the dark about where they were going. He knew Jungkook trusted him, and hoped this was a pleasant surprise. Up, toward the mountains they went, and Jungkook’s excitement and curiosity was beginning to bubble over.

“You won’t give me any hints?” He asked for the fifth time.

Taehyung only smiled, reaching over and stroking his floppy ear. “I will not. Settle down, would you? You’re wiggling all over the place.”

“I’m curious,” Jungkook whined.

“We’re almost there.”

Jungkook huffed, pouting a little and looking out the window. “Are we going camping?”

“Something like that.”

Jungkook wiggled excitedly, grinning. “We haven’t camped in forever. It’s such a nice day to do it too.”

Taehyung nodded, turning a curve. He parked in front of an open field. Jungkook tilted his head. “Here?”

“Here.” Taehyung got out and circled around to the trunk, pulling out a few bags of things he’d purchased. He heard Jungkook get out and take off, and glanced up to see Jungkook darting into the field, burning off some of the nervous energy he must have built up in the car.

He rushed back, breathing heavily. “What is that big black spot in the field? The dirt one.”

“That’s for a bonfire.”

Jungkook’s eyes lit up. “Are we gonna have one?”

Taehyung smirked. He shut the trunk and set the bags down, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s waist. He dragged him close. “What kind of dragon would I be if I didn’t make love to my mate in front of a fire?”

“Mate?” Jungkook squeaked.

Taehyung smiled shyly. He let go of Jungkook’s waist and grabbed the bags, hurrying toward the center of the field. He had worked hard to avoid that term. It was outdated and he knew a lot of people took offense to it, especially since it was so animalistic in some people’s minds. But for dragons – mate was the highest honor. He wondered it Jungkook knew that, or if he’d be offended. When they were a new couple, Taehyung’s parents had warned him that a prey animal would never make a good life partner for someone like Taehyung… But to a dragon, isn’t everything prey? He loved Jungkook. And this felt right. He was terrified, he knew, as he set up a little base of padding and some soft blankets near where the fire would be. It could all go south fast, but he was trying to remain optimistic. He could feel Jungkook watching him, but continued to putter about, laying out a little cooler of snacks and drinks for them, a little black bag with some more adult natured items, and finally walking around to gather up some firewood and kindling for the bonfire.

“Can I light it?” Jungkook finally asked, crouching next to Taehyung as he set up the wood. Taehyung grinned and huffed, puffing a little smoke from his nostrils.

“Can you breathe fire?”

Jungkook’s eyes widened. “You’re gonna? You almost never—”

“Tradition.”

Jungkook nodded. He scooted back, watching Taehyung eagerly. Taehyung chuckled.

“You’re gonna give me performance anxiety.”

“Sorry… I just never get to see you do it. You’re so shy about it.”

“It takes a lot of effort is all.” Taehyung looked over. “But you’re worth it.”

He let his wings splay out, flicking gently as he inhaled deep puffs of air. He began to puff out smoke, first light – almost white puffs, and slowly darkening.

Little sparks appeared next, stinging the soft meat of his tongue. He furrowed his brows and blew out again, a warmth growing in his chest. And again, it was almost uncomfortable now – there it was. A third time, his mouth open wider now, tongue flatted against the bottom of his mouth to avoid scalding as a lick of flame, vibrant red and green shifting in a way only the fire of a dragon could, shot out. It caught the small stick in his hand and lit it, chewing through the wood fast enough that Taehyung had to throw it onto the fire lest his hand end up singed. The kindling caught immediately and Jungkook gasped next to him, falling back on his butt. Taehyung smirked, pride swelling in his chest as the fire sparked green and purple and red.

“It’s so pretty,” Jungkook praised.

“All for you,” Taehyung said softly, reaching out and stroking Jungkook’s cheek. “It’s tradition to take your mate beside a bonfire made just for them. Usually it’s in front of a cave but I couldn’t find one I felt safe sleeping in with a dragon’s fire, so a camping field will have to do.”

“It’s perfect, Tae.” Jungkook moved close to him, snuggling against his neck. Taehyung’s tail thumped happily on the dirt, and he nuzzled Jungkook’s soft, floppy ear.

“Mate,” Jungkook whispered. “Do you hate me calling you that?”

“Why haven’t you before?”

Taehyung shrugged. “I didn’t want to offend you. I know a lot of people think it’s gross.”

“But I know it means something special for your species. I’m honored. Don’t stop using it, okay?”

“I won’t.” Taehyung kissed along Jungkook’s neck. “Never.” He pushed him down onto the soft blankets next to the fire and laid over him, kissing him deeply.

The kiss deepened naturally, as it tended to between the two. Taehyung slid his hand down, cupping Jungkook through his jeans. He began so squeeze and rub gently, feeling Jungkook begin to stiffen under the rough denim.

Jungkook slid his hands down Taehyung’s hips.

“Lemme see you,” Jungkook whined when Taehyung instinctively twitched his hips away from the hand wandering toward his crotch. “Lemme see your cock.”

Taehyung hesitated. He needed to show it one way or another, maybe it was best to get it out of the way now, so they could stop if they needed to with less damage.

Jungkook, seeming to sense his hesitation, whined again. He spread his legs, squeezing his own cock, the outline visible in his jeans. “You’re gonna fuck me for the first time tonight,” he panted. “Bet you’ve got so much to give me. All these years just jerking off... You can’t come as well when you’re just using your hand.”

Taehyung shuddered, his tail wagging. His own cock throbbed in the confines of his jeans, the dirty talk twisting his stomach up in knots.

Jungkook giggled. He reached out, cupping Taehyung’s thickening bulge.

“Already so big. This is what you’re gonna knot me with? Make me your mate? Ruin me for anything else?”

Taehyung growled low in his chest. “Your ass is never gonna have anything in it except my tongue and my cock.”

Jungkook smirked. “Oops, I broke that rule. Take off my pants and I’ll show you a present.”

Taehyung obeyed, stripping his jeans and boxers. He gasped when Jungkook spread his legs. Peeking out of his hole was a silver anal plug, buried deep inside him.

“I wanted you to be able to fuck me faster. It’s the biggest one I own, just a little smaller than my toy.”

Taehyung swore, tugging the silver base until Jungkook’s hole began to stretch around it and he moaned sharply.

“Please. Lemme see it,” Jungkook begged again.

Taehyung nodded, relenting this time. He rose and stripped down to his boxers. Jungkook sat up, pulling his remaining clothes off. He grabbed Taehyung’s boxers and tugged them off slowly.

Taehyung’s cock sprang free, stiff with the promise of sex. It was thick and long, with a pointed tip and a flared head. Running down the shaft were thick, green oblong scales forming firm ridges and matching his facial scale color. At the base of his cock was a patch of skin, loose and moveable, but slowly filling and swelling already.

Jungkook moaned needily, stroking the shaft. “Lemme suck it?” He begged.

Taehyung’s mouth hung open, mostly shocked that Jungkook didn’t run at the first sight of his ugly cock. He nodded lamely.

Jungkook went forward, easily swallowing half of his cock down. Taehyung’s hips jerked forward. He bit back a moan, his tail wagging gently.

Jungkook pulled back. “No need to go gently. I don’t have much of a reflex.”

Taehyung nodded. He stroked Jungkook’s soft ears before using them to drag him back onto his cock. He held him still as he thrusted forward three times. Jungkook’s throat fluttered the first time, and the second he gagged softly. By the third he was relaxed, easily letting Taehyung’s cock slip down his throat.

Taehyung couldn’t look away as he used Jungkook’s willing, warm mouth. His cock was out, it was in Jungkook in some form, yet he was unphased. His cock was still hard between his thighs, his eyes crinkled up in a smile as he swallowed around Taehyung’s cock and snuck quick breaths of air between the thrusts.

Taehyung pulled back, drawing in a shaky breath. “Gotta stop or I’m gonna come.”

“Then it’s time,” Jungkook said eagerly. He laid down and grabbed the little black baggie nearby. He passed Taehyung the lube, relaxing.

Taehyung took a shaky breath. He pulled the plug free, smirking at the wet pop it made. He drove three lube slicked fingers into Jungkook’s ass. He stretched him a little more, determined to make sure this wouldn’t hurt Jungkook in any way if it could be helped.

When he determined he was stretched enough, he withdrew his fingers, slicking up his cock instead.

“Just relax,” he said lining up his cock. Jungkook’s hole was tight around Taehyung’s cock as he nudged the tip in for the first time. He could feel Jungkook’s rapid pulse, fluttering the tight rim. Jungkook remained silent, his bottom lip between his teeth. His hands were relaxed on Taehyung’s thighs, and his cock remained hard, dribbling precome onto his smooth belly.

Slow and steady; Taehyung knew this was no challenge for Jungkook, based on that toy he’d had buried in his hole earlier in the day. The thought made a small flame of anger bubble up, and he snapped his hips forward. Jungkook’s hole was his.

Jungkook gasped, the motion causing his tip to slide fully in, the flared head nestling tight against the rings of muscle in Jungkook’s ass. Their gazes met and Taehyung smirked.

“My little bunny boy’s no longer a virgin.”

Jungkook giggled, his folded ear twitching up.

“And I didn’t break in two. I’m still so hard,” he whined, reaching down to stroke his cock. “I need you, Taehyung.”

“You sure?” He teased, pushing forward. The ridges of his cock slid in slowly, making Jungkook whine on each one. “Maybe you’d rather your toy dragon still?”

“Never, oh!”

His short nails bit into Taehyung’s hips when he slid another inch in, nestling the spot where his cock would swell with a knot against Jungkook’s opening.

“If I go all the way...”

Jungkook grinned broadly. “Make me take your knot? Is it big?”

He reached down, trying to feel for any indication of the size. Taehyung shivered, his tail giving a tentative little wag.

“It’s about softball sized,” he panted.

Jungkook’s eyes widened. “Softball?”

“You don’t have to take it. We can just do this.” He pulled back and slid in until he reached the swelling spot again. Jungkook moaned softly.

“No, I want it,” he panted. He spread his legs further and reached up, grabbing the firm bones at the top of Taehyung’s wings. “I know why you’re scared.”

Taehyung looked away, staring into the bonfire roaring next to them.

“Dragons — they mate for life.”

Taehyung’s jaw twitched. He hesitated before answering. “Only in certain cases.”

Jungkook slid his hands over the soft fur covering Taehyung’s wing bones. “Your dad did. And I know there’s not many of your kind left. Dragons. Or fusions. I’ve been by your side since we were kids, Tae. You were my best friend in school, my first kiss, my first everything. I can’t imagine a future without you. I know the meaning of this. The fire, us...” Jungkook cupped Taehyung’s chin and turned his head to make him look at him. He smiled.

“This is for life.”

Taehyung’s heart clenched at Jungkook’s words. He leaned forward, catching his mouth in a deep kiss as he pushed his hips forward, driving the last three inches deep into Jungkook.

Jungkook shouted into his mouth, holding tight to his wings as Taehyung began to fuck him. He was aware, in the back of his mind, that he was being rough, but Jungkook was egging him on, moaning and shouting for it. His channel was hot and warm and perfect, molding itself to Taehyung’s cock as he pumped into him.

Taehyung pulled back then and sat on the ground, his tail swiping up a dust cloud as it wagged rapidly. He pushed a finger into Jungkook’s beautifully gaped ass.

“Come on, bunny boy,” he cooed, puffing a breath of smoke in Jungkook’s direction.

“Hop for me.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes deeply. He grinned as he did, scrambling up. Taehyung slid a hand down his back when he settled onto his lap, grabbing Jungkook’s sensitive tail. He used it to guide the younger onto his cock once more, moaning in harmony with Jungkook.

As he demanded, Jungkook began to bounce on his lap, his ass easily and eagerly taking the full length of Taehyung’s aching cock. His ears flopped as he moved, his front teeth bared as he huffed and whined, giving him quite an adorable appearance despite the fact that he was being fucked by a cock almost too big for his body.

Taehyung wrapped his arms tight around Jungkook, licking at the spot right behind his jaw that drove him crazy. His ass clenched around Taehyung, and he whimpered his name.

“It’s starting,” Taehyung warned. He shoved forward, knocking Jungkook back onto his back on the blankets. He laid over him, huffing softly as he sped up. Jungkook hooked his legs around Taehyung’s middle, his back arching as Taehyung’s knot began to swell, catching on his rim. Taehyung could feel his body twitching, tugging, trying to adjust, but knew it was futile; once he came he’d stay buried inside his sweet lover for as long as it took, emptying himself of come and - ideally - pleasuring Jungkook until he could take no more.

And he was well on his way it seemed. Jungkook clawed Taehyung’s back, sobbing his name.

“Please— I’m so close—“ He begged. He made an effort to grab at his cock, but Taehyung caught his wrist and pinned it, driving in particularly hard.

“Don’t touch yourself when I’m fucking you,” he growled, a puff of smoke slipping from his nose. Jungkook’s eyes rolled back at the command. He let his legs fall open further and let out a high, needy whine.

“Please— Taehyung,” he begged. Taehyung smirked. Jungkook had always liked being bossed around.

“Come on my cock.”

Jungkook nodded. He began to writhe under Taehyung, meeting his thrusts.

Taehyung knew it was coming to an end, far too soon, in his book. His balls were drawn tight, pressure building in the base of his cock and his stomach like a balloon filling with water. His knot began to swell faster and he whined.

“Jungkook—“ He knew he sounded desperate and strained... He was.

“Jungkook, please. It’s— I’ve gotta... Tell me.” He huffed, meeting Jungkook’s gaze. “Tell me if you want it or not.”

Jungkook smiled softly then, looking surprisingly relaxed for as worked up as they both were. “I want it. I want you. Knot me. Come in me. I’m yours.”

Taehyung roared, sounding more dragon-like than he ever had before. He tossed his head back, a burst of fire and smoke slipping from his lungs as he drove deep into Jungkook’s ass. His knot swelled to its maximum, too wide to slip free. His balls throbbed, tickled by Jungkook’s tail, as he spilled rope after rope of hot, thick come inside him.

Under him, Jungkook screamed until his voice broke. Taehyung felt his cock jerk between their bellies, coating them both with splashes of come. He looked down, panic streaking through him when he saw tear tracks marking Jungkook’s cheeks. A second look though, and he noticed Jungkook smiling broadly. He looked up at Taehyung, his eyes wet.

“Why are you crying?” Taehyung asked, his voice shaky as he tried to speak normally.

“You did it. You took me... I feel so good. I’m gonna come again, I—“ he gasped, screwing his eyes shut. Another tear slid down his cheek as his cock twitched and spilled, signaling a second orgasm.

Taehyung leaned down, licking the tears from Jungkook’s cheeks. He giggled then moaned. He whined. “I can’t come again—“

Taehyung chuckled, leaning back to watch Jungkook’s cock dribble weak spurts of come.

“I’m gonna have you coming for a while,” he warned.

Jungkook groaned, burying his face in his hands. He began to shudder softly, whining as Taehyung’s cock pulsed inside him.

Taehyung scooped him up, wiggling a little closer to the fire and wrapping his wings around him, safely cocooning Jungkook with him.

He felt Jungkook’s tears on his shoulder even as his cock dribbled more come, shivering hard in Taehyung’s arms.

“I’m not sad—“ Jungkook panted.

“I know.”

“Just so— Ughh...” he sobbed weakly. “Overstimulated.”

“I know baby. Just let it out. So proud of you,” Taehyung cooed. His orgasm as faded, leaving behind just a pleasant tingle as his balls drained themselves inside Jungkook. He began to groom his shivering lover, nuzzling and nibbling his soft ears, scratching the sensitive skin of his lower back and tail.

Finally, the intensity of Taehyung’s throbs decreased enough to stop steadily milking Jungkook’s prostate, allowing him to relax in Taehyung’s arms.

“How long?” He asked in a surprisingly small voice.

“Another ten or so,” Taehyung said. “Are you comfortable?”

“Sleepy.”

Taehyung chuckled. “Wonder why. Sweet little bunny just got railed by a dragon.”

Jungkook laughed tiredly. “Love story for the ages.”

“You can sleep though. You should sleep. I’ll be here.”

Jungkook looked up at him, smiling softly. “I love you, Taehyungie.”

“I love you too, Jungkook.” They shared a gentle kiss, and Jungkook drifted to sleep in his arms, leaving Taehyung alone with his thoughts.

They had finally made love. It was better than Taehyung had ever imagined it could be. Jungkook wasn’t scared of him – he seemed so pleasured by his cock, even though it wasn’t exactly dog, nor dragon, nor human… Their bodies just seemed to fit. And even now, as his knot softened inside Jungkook, the fear was leaving his body. Jungkook was his mate. Was the man he loved and would be with for the rest of his life. His parents – the world – they were wrong. Jungkook may have been a bunny, and he a dragon – but their hearts were human. And they were in love.

#btsguild #thebtswritersclub #bangtanmxm #networkbangtan #bangtanarmynet #taekook #jungkook x taehyung #taehyung x jungkook #vkook #hybrid au #smut

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kathyprior4200 · 3 years

Text

Haven Hotel: That’s Disengagement!

A princess with long black wavy hair walked out onto a high balcony. She wore a black undershirt with a white bow tie on top. A dark teal shirt, long white pants and white high heel shoes completed the look. Her face was pale white and teal blushes were present on her cheeks. Her eyes consisted of white pupils and dark blue sclera. Perched on her head was a black spiked crown. She was the inverted, antithesis of Charlie, the princess of Hell in a parallel world.

“For all my life, I’ve been taught that all angels have good inside them. But I know that to be a lie. Ever since Lucifer and Lilith, God’s closest angels betrayed Him… I don’t think I can believe in these flawed teachings anymore…”

The princess was Coerciona Egnam, Coercia for short. She was born and raised in Heaven…though she was not at all one would expect her to be in such a place. Self-entitled and pessimistic, nothing much could cheer her up except heavy metal music, rebelling against the rules and the occasional brawl.

“It makes sense that only a worthy few are able to be here in Heaven. Choosing them out of the sea of sinner scum. Yet ironically, even the saints and Heaven-born aren’t flawless all the time. It’s inevitable that all those imperfect beings will go to Hell. They deserve to deal with suffering and challenges. Best of all, they wouldn’t be bound by social expectations. Heck, I wouldn’t be too surprised if it were me. I do enjoy my comfortable life here, just not these restrictions.”

Her servants Pub and Chub were fat white naked cherubs with horns on their heads, small white feathery wings, and black eyes. One tested the strings on an electric guitar while the other shot out torpedoes from a small cannon.

Outside was a white clock tower standing tall against the blue sky. The numbers read 0 then changed to 365 days. Writing above the numbers read “Days until the next cleanse in Hell.”

The black Exorcists did their job in eliminating part of the demon population in 2P Hell like they did every year in the canon Hell. But at the same time each year, the Anti-Exorcists, risen white demons with white bat wings and horns, invaded 2P Heaven. They carried glowing black pitchforks and turned innocent denizens into demons. The Anti-Exorcists would carry books and tempt angels with their innermost desires. Sex, sin, self-expression, sorcery, whatever that need was. Then, once they were hooked, they were stabbed with the pitchforks, causing their wings to burn off and sending them plummeting down to Hell. Nearby families would grieve at their loss.

It was quite the entertaining show for Princess Coercia!

Coercia leaned against the marble balcony and began to sing in a low growl.

(“I’m Always Evading Shadows”)

“At the end of the journey, there’s suffering

Denying it, how often I’ve tried

But my life’s a disgrace

Just a slap in the face

And the harsh truths have all been denied”

“A sliver of despair in this world of light

I know this world’s not free of sin

I search for the good

But get misunderstood

And reality will always win”

“Why have I always been imperfect?

Lost in this brainwashed sea

I wonder if the world’s to blame

I wonder if it could be me”

“I’m always evading shadows

Trapped, drowning in the social flow

Free-will forbidden, my answers are hidden

Lying down below”

“Some people sugarcoat their speeches

I always blab out what I mean

I may be cruel but I am no fool

Things are never what they seem

Believe me”

“I’m always evading shadows

Waiting for people to awaken

In vain”

A nearby portal opened and out came the Exterminators, bloodstains over their wings and bodies and harpoons. They took off their creepy LED masks, their white angelic faces revealed. One by one, the citizens clapped and cheered. One of the Archangels with four black wings flew up to the front, his spiked halo glowing. He took off his mask, revealing a white stern face with yellow eyes and short black hair. In his utility belt were a few daggers, whips, chains and a bottle of emergency holy water.

“Another successful purge,” their leader Samael (Venom of God) praised. “You cleansed more sinners while still keeping the population in a good balance. Well done, all of you.” He cleared his throat and made a cross symbol over his heart. “For the greater good in the name of our Lord.”

The angels repeated the phrase.

“Until next year. Dismissed.” The Archangel soldiers saluted and then flew off separately to see their families. Several of the angels, having been brainwashed in their Exterminator states, shook their heads sadly at what they had done.

All around Coercia, Holy City was basked in a heavenly glow. The city was located up in the sky among the clouds, but no one had to worry about falling, even the ones without their wings out. A large church with the appearance of the Notre Dame Cathedral stood proudly in the city square, made of polished marble. Choirs and songs floated through the stained glass windows as the regular angels went in and out to pray and visit with their neighbors. A large fountain sprouted non-alcoholic wine of a golden color. It had a white statue of Mary and Jesus as a young boy at the top, both with welcoming faces.

The streets were spotless and clean. Roofs and roads were powered by the sun’s rays. The Cloud 9 supermarket had endless amounts of food for sale…no one ever had to worry about going hungry. Charity workers and volunteers worked by the dozens, passing out food and bestowing miracles for those who needed them in the lower levels of Heaven. Metatron, the highest ranking angel, was busy keeping records of human lives, deaths and the messages of God.

This version of Heaven was very similar to the Heaven in the realm next door, the one above the familiar Hell with the Hazbin Hotel. The architecture was almost the same. But unlike those angels with their blonde hair and red blushes, these angels most often had black hair and teal blushes on their pale cheeks. Like in the other Heaven, some of the bipedal angels displayed animal-like characteristics: some had heads of doves, others had swan wings and mannerisms. Many of them had fur, ears, and fluffy tails of dogs and wolves. It was the only place where dogs and cats could dance and prance together without conflict. Still a few others had faces of flowers or even objects like harps and musical instruments.

God’s Palace was the grandest place of all: it was settled at the highest point of Heaven like Mount Olympus. Only a few angels were allowed to visit there. God’s abode, the Empyrean, had an elite group of angels guarding it. Seraph angels with six fiery rainbow wings guarded the throne of God, chanting “Holy, holy, holy!” much to the annoyance to those nearby. There were rumors that in the palace gardens, the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge were grown there, heavily protected.

Lucius and Lilian were Coercia’s parents, those who took the place of Lucifer and Lilith after they were banished. They were named the new king and queen of heaven (Under God and a few Archangels), thus Coercia became the princess.

Lucius had a white face, teal blushes on his cheeks and short dark hair. Lucius wore a gray suit with a dark blue bow tie and a black top hat with two white feathers attacked to the brim. Lilian’s hair was long and black, and she too had the teal blushes and typical angel features. She wore a golden halo crown and an elegant white sequined dress. Both had white wings which could turn black when they were angry or defensive.

In a nearby movie studio, Valentine the butterfly producer, Nil the TV angel and Ashen, the doll angel sat together playing a board game. Despite liking old fashioned shows and the like, they still controlled much of Heaven’s technology and media. Iris, owner of an emporium, cried as she crossed out the name of her former female colleague, Francesca.

Along the street, a red car stopped beside the sidewalk. A tall creature opened the car door and stepped out. The spider angel had a furry dark gray face and body, plus multiple slender arms: six in total. He wore tall boots, green gloves and a shirt with a teal bow-tie near the top. His shirt and sleeves had black and dark green stripes. Green dots resembling eyes were located under his eyes.

“Thank you for the ride,” said the spider angel.

“No problem, Devil Grit,” said the driver Sivart, a white furry owl guy wearing a top hat. He tipped his hat to him and drove away.

Devil Grit walked over to a vending machine and bought himself a granola bar. He then gave it to a homeless guy leaning against the wall.

He walked inside a building and onto a stage in an auditorium. His opponent was already standing nervously at his spot, a microphone rising from the ground and stopping in front of him.

Sir Anguis was the nervous white snake. He had a white face with large slightly teal eyes with white pupils. He wore a white bow tie with a blue circle in the center below his thin neck. Surrounding his face on a flap of skin were bright teal eyes against dark purple. His suit was light gray with dark purple vertical stripes. Finally, he wore a large light gray top hat with a large green moving eye in the center.

The crowd settled into their seats and the debate began.

“Those other brave do gooders will do great with helping me with my presentation. Anyone want to try?”

A couple of hands shot up. Mechanical eggs on robotic legs moved around to help out the white snake lord.

“Oh thank you, my Nestlings,” he said.

Air Anguis pushed a button and a presentation showed up on a screen titled “Heaven Economics and Invention Ideas.”

“I don’t like to fight,” Sir Anguis said, clearing his throat, “and I’m super nervous up here…”

The Nestlings rolled their eyes.

Devil Grit glared at his cowardly opponent who then yelped, “Don’t look at me like that!”

“Heaven doesn’t need any future technology,” Devil Grit argued as he stepped to his podium, “because we already have better things: friendships, food, and fun.”

Sir Anguis glanced down nervously at his note cards and read from them. “At this rate I will persuade the entire East end of Holy City by night’s beginning. Or was it day’s end? And nothing, not a single beauty in this paradise of bliss, will be able to change my mind or escape the constrictive grasp of persuasive argumentation.”

“Heaven will be ours, though it’s mine in my mind. And everybody will know the name of…”

“Scared Snake,” said a female voice.

“W-who said that?” Sir Anguis asked.

“You ready for a debate, old man?”

The voice belonged to Berri Blossom, the opposite of Cherri Bomb in Hell. She was a tall cyclops with black skin, with a single green eye with a black cross in the center. She wore a long dark green dress and white high heeled shoes. Her black skin was decorated in some areas near her shoulders with tiny teal specks. Her long hair was curly, blue at the top and black near the bottom. She pushed her thin dark rimmed glasses up to her face, looking at her organized set of notes in front of her.

She walked over beside her academic partner Devil Grit. “Why don’t you play with your tinker toys somewhere else while I go over the logistics of divine law school?” She looked professional and poised. “Seven Reasons Why Heavenly Traditions Never Fail.”

“You want to go, madam?” Sir Anguis asked, a spark of rebellion in him. He fiddled with a few gadgets before the well-dressed Nestling eggs…egged him on to continue. He flicked his hood back. “Well, let the battle for tenure and status begin!”

A neon logo appeared on the screen, saying “777 News” surrounded by a halo. The names of the news cast appeared on the bottom of the screen.

“Good afternoon, Holy City!” smiled a pale woman with short black hair, wearing a light blue dress. “I’m Catie Carejoy!”

“And I’m Ron Wrench!” said the man next to her, wearing a business suit and who had a wrench for a head.

After discussing the weather, various humane societies, and legends on Earth, Catie continued, “The debate battle is underway between inventor and coward Sir Anguis and professional economics expert Berri Blossom. Coming up next, we have an exclusive interview with the daughter of His Majesty Lucius, who’s here to discuss her brand new passion-project! All that and more after the break!”

Inside the break room, Phalla the romantic butterfly angel adjusted Coercia’s white bow tie. Nearby, a blue tinted sign read “No smoking.” Another sign read “In The Air” in large letters.

“Okay, you remember what to say?” Phalla asked Coercia.

“Yes, I’m ready,” Coercia stated.

Phalla brushed her long black hair from her face, the ends of her black hair teal. Like Vaggie in Hell, Phalla’s thick hair extended down to her legs, giving her hair the appearance of moth wings. She had a glowing green cross over her right eye and her left eye was purple with a white pupil. A teal bow was perched on top of her head. Her skin was light gray and she wore a dark gray crop top with white Xs over her breasts. She also wore leggings, her right legging striped dark green and light gray, her left legging light gray.

“Oh this is gonna be great!” Phalla squealed happily. “How about you make your speech sound more exciting?”

“Come on, Phalla, I know what I’m going to say,” Coercia answered, crossing her arms.

Phalla walked over to the pitcher of ambrosia punch on the table. Pub and Chub ate bagels from the table. Phalla got an idea. “Oh! What if you…”

“Sing a song about it?” Coercia asked, with a roll of her eyes. “I’m not going to. This is serious!” She curled her hand into a fist and brought it down on the palm of her other hand. “They won’t take me serious if I start belting out some random song. Life isn’t a musical.”

“But neither is it an emo tragedy,” Phalla pointed out. “Life is great, especially with all the cute guys around.” Her single purple eye shinned.

“Romance, bleh,” Coercia made a face and Phalla giggled.

“Hey,” Phalla brightened, pulling out a piece of paper. “I have some ideas about what you could say.” She bounced up and down. “The highlighted bits are the best parts!”

“They’re all highlighted,” Coercia replied, scanning the paper. “You call your childish drawing your ideas for me?”

“Sure!” Phalla said. “Look here.” It showed a list of different terms “sinners = winners” “Misunderstood are still good” and “demons and angels party between worlds!” Skulls were lined up at the bottom of the page: “we’re all connected by death.”

“Say, that’s actually pretty good!” Coercia said with a smile of sharp teeth.

“Thanks!” Phalla beamed.

Coercia snatched the piece of paper from her friend and tore it in half, much to her shock. “But you should know my ideas are always better.” She tossed the pieces of paper aside, gave a salute and walked out the door.

Catie waved with a smile. “Hi. I’m Catie Carejoy.” She held out her hand but Coercia didn’t take it, instead remarking, “You can put that away. I don’t touch commoners, I have standards.” Catie, looked stunned, pulling her hand back. “So this project of yours, when did you come up with this idea of creating a hotel in order to…break the law as the rumors say?”

The angel crew murmured nervously.

“I’m gonna keep this short,” Coercia said as she walked over to the desk. “You might think my idea doesn’t hold water, but that doesn’t matter to me. I’m too influential to give a flying feather about what some stuffy old news lady thinks of my proposal.”

The crowd gasped. Ron shook his head.

“Well, if you can’t take constructive criticism and be polite…”

“…and we’re live!” called a voice as a buzzer sounded.

“And we’re back!” Catie said, rushing over into her seat. “So, Carrie…”

“It’s Princess Coerciona Egnam,” said Coercia, sitting in a chair beside her and Ron Wrench.

“Sorry. So tell us about your project.”

Coercia took a deep breath. “As most of you know, I was born here in Heaven, and growing up, I’ve always tried to see the good in everything around me. But recently, I don’t believe that’s always the case. We just completed another Extermination. So many sinful souls lost but for what reason? God said in the Commandments “thou shall not kill,” yet killing random people is okay? If we can’t even trust ourselves with our actions and thoughts, is Heaven truly paradise? Not to mention that ever since Lucifer and Lilith betrayed Him, we don’t know who to really trust. Some people are given too many chances!” She pounded her fist on the desk, startling Catie.

Coercia stood up and made her way forward. “No one is truly flawless. Mistakes are made, but we get blamed for doing things we sometimes enjoy. Sex, drugs, partying, swearing, even violence. All because we don’t live up to impossible standards imposed upon us, both here and on Earth! I can’t stand idly by while the place I live is subjected to such lies and propaganda! So, I’ve been thinking…isn’t there a more liberating way to hinder forced compliance here in Heaven? Perhaps we can create an alternative way to express change through…recreation?”

The angels talked quietly amongst themselves. Phalla nodded in appreciation.

“Well I think yes,” Coercia continued. “So that’s what this project aims to achieve.” She walked back to the desk and sat down. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m opening the first of its kind, a hotel that encourages moderate amounts of so-called sin!” She spread out her arms.

The audience stared in stunned silence. Many of the adults were shaking their heads.

“Who is that girl?” asked a dragon watching from inside a soup kitchen. “What’s her deal with trying to cause more trouble for this world?”

“She’s nuts!” added another angel with an eagle’s head and wings, wearing a suit.

Coercia added nervously while still trying to keep a glare, “I figure it would serve a purpose…a place to work toward self-expression. Yay.”

Among the crowd of angels watching the news outside, a tall man with a thin pale face stood toward the back. He wore a light blue dress suit, had blue and white hair, fluffy deer-like ears, and large blue eyes. His white wings were folded behind him. He watched the program with a look of worry. A deer creature made of light appeared beside him. A sign posted on the wall showing the same man as a DJ read: “Counseling and good times with the Techno Angel!”

A camera man shook his head at Coercia. Phalla walked up to him and pleaded, “Please give her a chance.”

Coercia sighed. “Look, I know every single one of you has insecurities and issues that need not be bottled up. If you could just embrace those sides of yourselves…”

Coercia then smirked. “Maybe I’m not getting through to you.”

Phalla clapped her hands and “ooohed” in excitement as Rub and Chub got the electric guitar ready.

Coercia showed a pair of sharp white teeth and black curved horns emerged from her head. Black feathery wings sprouted from her back and an X appeared over her right eye. A harpoon appeared in her right hand and a spiked halo appeared over her head. She was in her dark angelic Exorcist form. She posed over the desk and began.

(“Inside of Every Angel is a Sinner”)

“I have a dream

I’m here to tell

About a fantastic mind-blowing hotel

One of a kind, go and yell

A great place to dwell

Catering to specific clientele”

*Guitar starts and scream vocals*

“Inside of every angel is a sinner

Inside of every do-gooder is a beast

Inside of every jolly go-lucky mentality

Is a subconscious portion we know the least”

“Resist all the rules

You’re not passive fools!

With just a little time

Down at the Hazbin Hotel!”

“So all you rescuers, priests, and heroes

Gifted athletes, jocks, and cheerios

And the sheep citizens, relief is here!

All of you angels, leaders, and stars

Traditionalists with fancy cars

And the activists on Mars

Show no fear

No taboos, no laws

Embrace your flaws

You’ll be truly free

Check in with me

It’s the right path, you’ll see”

“There’ll be no more pressure

And no more status quo

Just friendship, fun, and endless bags of dough

Establishment put to rest

You’ll be like, “Yes!”

In the tunnel of darkness you’ll go!”

“So all your hierarchies, GMOs, politics, and isms

Lectures, labor standards, and diamond studded prisms

Ancient Indian elitisms

All must die”

“All you fantasizers, artists, servers, and lords

Spoiled children, winners of awards

Imposers of chores

Face your fear!”

“Be who you are

And you’ll go so far

Our service will raise the bar

You’ll be the star

Come from near or afar at the Hazbin Hotel!

Yeah!”

“Wow,” said an angel in a top hat. “That was…alright.”

The crowd clapped half-heartedly.

Catie shook her head. “What in the Nine Levels makes you think a single denizen of Heaven would give two feathers about becoming a sinful person? You have no proof that your little experiment even works! You want people to disobey God and the rules just…because?!”

Coercia lifted up her head. “Well, we have a patron already who believes in our cause.”

“And who might that be?” Catie asked.

“Oh just someone named…Devil Grit.”

“The grumpy old spider?” asked Ron Wrench.

“He’s not old,” argued Catie. “He just acts older than he is.”

“Anyway,” said Catie to Coercia. “You couldn’t even get that guy to do something bad, even if a gun was pointed at his head.”

“Oh I beg to differ,” Coercia argued. “He’s been troubled, dirty, and having conflicted thoughts for two weeks now.”

“Breaking news!” called a voice as the screen changed to a recent debate shown in a building.

The news came on, detailing Devil Grit and his recent TED talk about the 7 Heavenly Virtues.

“Well, it looks like the one discussing the Heavenly Virtues is none other than…conservative Devil Grit! What a coincidence!”

She and Ron did a “ratings!” and jazz hands.

Corceria rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry to say, but it looks like your plan’s departed on arrival,” said Catie. “I hope you learned a good lesson here.”

Coercia’s eyes twitched, her teeth barred. “Lesson?! I’ll teach you a lesson, bitch!” The princess and Catie fought fist and claw on the desk. Ron called for security.

After Coercia was kicked out, Phalla followed her wordlessly to the white limo. Devil Grit, Phalla, and Coercia rode back to the hotel.

Devil Grit lounged in the far seat, wearing an outfit of black with green stripes and green gloves on his four hands.

“Devil,” said Phalla with concern. “I know you were trying to do good by doing your professional speech. But could you please try not to help society in public? Now people won’t believe us when Coercia says that people are free to express their earthly desires.”

“I’m sorry Phalla,” said Devil from the other seat, “But I have a reputation to keep up. Helping the greater good is His plan for all of us. Besides, a good professional debate is a reasonable form of self-expression right?”

“Not to everyone,” said Phalla. “What about the hotel? People are thinking that you don’t care about Coercia’s project at all.”

“I do care, senorita,” said Devil. “I just don’t think it’s going to be easy to accomplish in such a short time. So many angels are fixated on tradition, myself included.”

“I do appreciate all of your help,” said Coercia, still fuming after the interview, arms crossed. “But I will make this project work, even if I have to do it myself.”

The white limo pulled up in front of the hotel, a pristine building made of glass and marble. The group got out of the car and stepped inside.

White wings made of rainbow scales posed as part of the structure on the roof. The stained glass windows by the door were decorated with apples, a tree of life, and many shades of blue and green. The sign above read “Hazbin Hotel” in big letters on the roof. Inside the lobby, a painting of Adam reaching toward God was displayed on the high ceiling. The hotel had seven floors with seven rooms on each floor. There was even a lab down in the basement which belonged to a man named Baker, the opposite of the demon fish scientist Baxter from Hell. A bowl of blue berries and blue raspberries sat on a table below a welcome banner. Phalla rested on a couch while Devil Grit munched on a granola bar.

“It’s probably a good idea to stock up some more food in this place,” said Devil Grit. “Good or bad, people always seem to be greedy when they’re hungry.”

Devil Grit pulled out a chart and went over probabilities and graphs regarding the hotel and the potential number of visitors. Coercia just sighed and walked away toward the door. She went outside and took out her cell phone, calling her mom.

“Carol cakes!” called her mother through the phone. Coercia cringed.

“Mom, I told you not to call me that! I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“Sorry, I can’t help it,” said Lilian with a giggle. “How was the interview?”

“Meh. It was alright. I proposed my idea, but nobody seemed to buy it.”

Lilian’s tone turned more serious. “Coercia, why do you insist that everyone must go down to that horrible place? Why can’t you just see the good in people?”

“Because,” Coercia said, “Everyone has flaws and they don’t realize it.”

“Yes, but that also applies to you, too. Before you get involved with the lives of others, you need to look inside and critique yourself.”

“I’m a princess. Everyone else has more flaws than I do.”

Lilian let out a long sigh. “Young lady, we’ve been through this I don’t know how many times. You have to push your selfish thoughts aside and just accept the way things are. It’s part of a higher purpose.”

“And what is this “higher purpose” anyway? To be His flock of dazed sheep, dancing around without any care in the world? To not experience ecstasy and adventure, even for just a moment?”

“That stuff is dangerous and forbidden. Thousands of souls would do anything to get up to this level of Heaven. And you just want to throw your life away?”

Coercia paused in thought. “If it means proving myself and serving Him in a way I see fit, then so be it.”

“You have delusions of what entertainment and happiness is, Carol. Sometimes, you need to take the time and appreciate the beauty that’s in front of you.”

“Other than my own refection, I don’t really see beauty in many other things. Well, heavy metal and watching battles…oh and watching sinners beg for their last breaths…”

“You have a lot to learn, dear daughter,” Lilian replied. “I’ll leave you alone to think about it.”

“Whatever.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

Coercia hung up and went back inside, shutting the door behind her. She leaned against the door frame, closing her eyes in frustration…trying to hold back a stream of tears from the stress.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Two knocks, four ones, then a last one. Coercia turned around with a sigh to answer it. She swung the stained glass door open. From outside stood a tall slender man with a pale light gray face, wearing a light blue pinstriped dress coat. A white upward cross was part of the design on his light blue undershirt. He was carrying a modern microphone atop a staff in his left hand. His small antlers were white and his hair and deer ears were blue with white tips. A monocle rested under his left eye. Coercia narrowed her eyes.

“Hi, excuse me…” he spoke quietly. “Is this…”

Coercia angrily slammed the door in his face.

She opened it again.

“…the right address?” finished the man.

“No!” she shouted, slamming it again.

“Hey Phalla!” called Coercia.

“What?” her friend asked.

“The crybaby Deer Man is at the door!”

“What?!” she asked, blushes appearing on her cheeks.

“Who?” asked Devil Grit.

“What should I do?”

“Well…let him in!” Phalla cried, eye shining.

Coercia rolled her eyes and scoffed. She sighed and opened the door again.

“May I talk now?” the man asked in a radio voice.

“Sure, whatever,” Coercia said.

The man held out a white gloved four-fingered hand. “Rotsala, it’s a pleasure to meet you, miss.” He walked in. Worry was etched on his face. “I saw your interview on the picture show and I was worried sick! I was afraid you were never coming back after your argument. Why I haven’t been that upset since the 1929 Stock Market Crash!” He sniffed, “So many poor orphans…”

“Hello there!” Phalla called with a smile, staring up and walking in front of him. She greeted in Spanish. “I’m so glad you’re here to help out my friend with this new hotel! I’m a big fan of yours and just being in your presence is just…” She swooned. “Oh just take me already you cute, pompous, talk show, blueberry pimp lord!”

She embraced him and he stood stunned, his face blushing. “I do love hugs,” he whispered as she stepped back. “I bet all of you would be so nice and soft after we get to know each other for a while…”

Phalla blushed while Devil Grit and Coercia made disgusted faces. “Not gonna happen, creep,” Devil Grit said.

Rotsala gave a nervous laugh, and popped a strawberry and blueberry into his mouth.

“You’re not gonna cling to us are you?” Phallas asked. “Or, you know…”

“Dear, if I wanted to screw anyone here…I would’ve done so already.”

Rotsala tilted his head. His blue eyes briefly glowed with blue upside down radio dials in them. Electricity sparked around cyan colored voodoo symbols in the air. His eyes filled with tears, tears spilling down his pale gray cheeks.

Phalla watched in bliss, while Devil and Coercia rolled their eyes at the show-off.

Rotsala shook his head and his eyes returned to normal blue.

“No, I’m here because I want to relax and help out.”

“Say what?” Coercia asked, eyebrow raised.

Rotsala held up his staff which glowed blue. He said with a sad crack in his voice, “Goodbye, is this thing off?”

He tapped it. A blue sad looking eye appeared in the center of the microphone. It spoke in a mechanical voice. “You’re silent, quiet and unclear!”

“That’s your motivation motto every day?” Devil Grit asked, crossing his four arms. “Pathetic!”

“Tragic and mysterious, I love it!” Phalla squealed. “It’s like the opposite of announcing. It’s…denouncing.”

Devil Grit elbowed her. “Hun, could you not get attracted to every other man you see? I’m your boyfriend.”

“I can’t help it, love!” she cried. “I just get so distracted easily.”

“Um…you want to help?” Coercia asked.

Rotsala appeared behind them after morphing into light.

“With…” he spoke in her growl then his normal shy sounding voice, “…this random thing you’re trying to do. This hotel. I want to help you run it, if that’s okay.”

“Uh…why?”

Rotsala choked a bit on his words. “Why doesn’t anyone do anything? Sheer absolute lethargy! I’ve been partying around and keeping busy for decades. I would like to do something more relaxing and easier.”

“My work became overwhelming, lacking focus. I’ve come to crave a new form of disengagement!”

Coercia rolled her eyes. “Does getting into a fist fight with a reporter count as disengagement?”

“No,” Rotsala said. “It’s violent and messy, not really my thing. Life is truly strange…reality, fantasy, true tragedy. After all the world is a grave, and the grave is a world of disengagement!”

Coercia brightened a bit. “So, does this mean you think it’s possible to taint an angel? That life is meaningless without your own self to temporarily control it.”

Rotsala sniffed and held up a hand. “Who knows? Anything’s possible. Sinning, oh the vice of humanity! I think there’s plenty left that can change such marvelous saints. But then again, the chance that was given to them was the life they lived before. The reward is this!” He spread out his arms. “According to God, there’s no undoing what is done…or at least that’s the way it should be.”

“So then, why do you want to help me if you don’t fully believe in my cause?” Coercia asked.

Rotsala turned around to look at her. “Consider it an investment in ongoing knowledge for myself and others.” He let out a small smile. “I want to watch the blessed of this world struggle to give into temptation, only to repeatedly realize and raise themselves up the golden ladder of success!” His eyes glowed blue.

“Right…” Coercia began.

“Yes indeed,” Rotsala said, both of them walking off to the side. “I see you taking risks and who better to keep you grounded than I.”

“Ah, so what’s the deal with Mr. Frown over there?” Devil Grit asked.

“Wait, you’ve never heard of him before?” Phalla asked. “You’ve been here longer than me!”

Devil shrugged his shoulders.

“The Techno Angel, one of the most complex beings Heaven as ever seen?”

“Eh, I’m not too big on people.”

Phalla sighed and leaned in close to explain.

“Decades ago, Rotsala manifested in Heaven, seemingly in one day. He began to catch the attention of overlords and archangels who had kept to themselves for centuries. That kind of attraction and magic power had never been harnessed by a mortal soul before. Then, he broadcast his adventures all throughout Heaven just so everyone could experience some joy, tragedy and emotions. Saints starting calling him the Techno Angel, (as unoriginal as that is). Many have speculated what unimaginable force enabled him to rival our world’s most ancient and constructive heroes. But one thing’s for sure: he’s an unpredictable source of silliness, a depressed spirit of mystery and a loving being of order…or disorder, the likes of which we can get involved in, especially if we want to end up aroused!”

“You done?” Devil asked. “He looks like a blueberry businessman. Or a shady con-man. Either way, you’re delusional.”

“Well, I trust him completely!”

“Do you blindly trust any man? All men?”

Phalla skipped over to Coercia. Rotsala examined a family portrait of Lucius, Lilian and a young Coercia in the center. Young Coercia wore a white dress with a turquoise top to it. Her hair was jet black, braided in black barbed wire, her cheeks had teal blushes. Her mother had long black hair and wore a fancy white dress and a round gold crown. Her father was dressed in a dress suit of white and blue, with blue and black stripes in the center below a white bow tie. He wore a large light gray top hat with a dove and a green apple on it. His cane also had a green apple on the top. Both of them were smiling, showing rows of sharp teeth, white wings folded behind them.

“Coercia, listen to me, you can believe this dreamer. He isn’t just a sad face. He’s a miracle maker, pure good! But… don’t count on him to believe in your cause. He could be tainted and rebel, but we don’t know that. He could very well side with God and your parents. And he’s most likely looking for a way to hinder everything we’re trying to do if it means following God’s rules. But still, give him a chance. He’s really sweet.”

“I…” Coercia began. “…we don’t know that. Look, he’s a crying bitch, and he probably doesn’t want to change.”

Phalla put her hands on her friend’s shoulders.

“The whole point of your hotel is to give people a chance! To have faith things will be better and people can embrace their flaws, their true selves! How can you turn someone away? You can’t. It goes against everything you’re trying to do. Everything you believe in.”

Coercia looked downcast. Her friend had a good point. She hated when people made good arguments against her. But it also gave her a chance to consider her thoughts. Phalla kept her grounded and added some cheer to her overall fake afterlife. Coercia smiled at her.

“You take care of yourself,” she said to Phalla.

“Coercia,” warned Phalla, “Unless you are serious about responsibility, do not make a promise with him!”

Demons often made deals with each other that often resulted in gaining power at the cost of one’s soul or freedom. Usually the one who initiated the deal would gain advantage. A demonic deal was bad in and of itself. Breaking an angelic promise could result in rejection, eternal torture and damnation.

“Don’t worry,” said Coercia. “I learned one thing from my dad.” She mimicked his low voice, “Ya don’t break trust with other angels!”

Coercia marched over to the Techno Angel.

“Ok Mr. Rot... You’re prissy as fuck, and you clearly see what I’m trying to do here is a too-dangerous risk. But I don’t.”

Glowing blue symbols briefly appeared around a concerned Rotsala, then vanished.

Coercia continued. “I think everyone deserves a chance to prove they can be themselves. After all, it’s in their nature and the sooner they realize it, the better. So, I’m taking your offer to help. On the condition there be no lessons or lovey-dovey speeches made.”

Rotsala twirled his cane and held out his smallest finger from his right hand.

“So, it’s a promise, then?”

The room was surrounded by a pink aura as light spirits roamed around the walls. The wind blew against Phalla’s and Devil’s faces.

“Nope!” Coercia yelled, holding out her hands. The energy stopped. “No shaking, no promises! I…hmmm…”

She paused in thought.

“As Princess of Heaven and heir to the throne, I hereby order that you help out with this hotel for as long as you desire.”

A moment of pause…

“Sound fair?”

“Fair enough,” Rotsala said with a slump of his shoulders and walked on. His cane vanished.

Rotsala stopped and spotted Phalla to the side.

Phalla went up and tickled him under the chin, much to his shock.

“Smile, deer man!” she said.

Rotsala walked on, speechless.

“So…where is your hotel staff?” Rotsala asked Coercia.

“Uh well,” Coercia began. Rotsala peered at Phalla through his monocle below his left eye.

He stuttered. “You’re going to n-need more than that.”

Rotsala walked over to Devil Grit, who was sitting on a stool.

“And what can I do, my business fellow?” asked Rotsala walking over to the dark furred spider, blushing.

“You can suck a dick,” Devil retorted in a grumpy tone.

“AH! Ok,” said Rotsala, blushing and stepping back. “Can it be yours?”

“Fuck off,” Devil added, pulling out a long knife from his belt.

Rotsala summoned his cane. “Well this just won’t do. You want others to cause trouble, yes? I suppose I can cash in a few favors to deaden things up!”

He snapped his fingers and the wall beside the fireplace cracked. The circle went dark, the fire going out. Ice cold water appeared to fill in the circle and a shadowy figure solely formed inside. Rotsala walked over and removed the dripping figure from the water. A large single purple eye was revealed.

Devil Grit, Phalla and Coercia peered at the creature. With a balloon deflating sound and a puff of white smoke, the figure was revealed.

“This little rascal is Klutzy!” Rotsala announced with a worried smile, dropping the figure.

A black-skinned short cyclops female landed on her face on the floor. She stood up with a grumpy look on her face. She wore a dark green skirt with a white stray cat off to the left side. Her arms and legs were white and stick-shaped. Several blue dots stood out from the lighter green color of her skirt. Her shirt was black with cyan paint spots off to the right. Her large eye took up much of her pale white face; it was dark blue with a white pupil. Her short hair was teal with a dark blue spot off to the left.

“I’m Klutzy,” she grumbled, clenching her fists. “It’s a waste of time to meet you. It’s been a while since I’ve seen strangers.”

Her pupil narrowed from side to side.

“Why are you all men?” she asked. “Have any women here? Or video games? Screw this place.”

She briefly picked up Coercia, then let go.

“Oh man, this place is boring!” she exclaimed. She ran over to a vase and proceeded to knock it over with her elbow. It shattered to pieces on the floor. She tossed couch cushions aside.

“It really needs a more manly touch, disorganized clutter’s more fun.” She grinned as she poured dirt from a flower pot onto the rug.

“Yes, yes, yep, yeah!” she yelled as she proceeded to break windows and knock down more stuff. Then she plopped down on a couch once the room was messy. “I’m bored. Make me some food or something.”

Phalla, Devil, and Coercia looked on in worry, Rotsala just stared off into space. “She has quite the temper sometimes.”

A cat angel was working on a Rubik’s cube with colleagues. His furry face was black, framed by white fur. His little top hat was white with a blue band across it. A big teal bow tie was under his neck, over his black furry chest framed by white fur. His wings were a brilliant blue, with black and red mathematical symbols on either side: the pi symbol, E = mc squared, signs for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, among others. More symbols were visible within his two pointed ears. His teeth were sharp and purple and his long eyebrows were teal. His eyes were purple and sclera white. The angel placed a Rubik’s cube in front of him. “Ha!” he declared in triumph. Read ‘em and weep, boys! Full…whoa…”

He felt himself being transported in a flash of light to the hotel. Part of the science room that the cat had been in was merged with the hotel lobby…posters of the elements, the solar system and Biblical works of art.

“What in Heaven’s name is going on?

Then he brightened when he saw Rotsala. “You!”

“Ah, Core, my old friend,” Stalaro sniffed, his head briefly looking like it was in between antlers from a stuffed deer head on the wall. “You made it.”

“Glad to see you, you son of the sun!” Core said. “I just completed my Rubik’s cube after just an hour.”

The cube vanished as Rotsala looked on.

Core raced over to Rotsala and embraced him in a side hug. The deer-like man blushed. “So, what can I help you with this time?”

Rotsala blinked nervously. “C-Can we snuggle?”

Core laughed. “I mean, seriously, why’d you bring me here?”

“My friend, I’m doing some dirty work, so I took it upon myself to volunteer your services. If that’s okay?”

“You must be joking,” Core said, laughing nervously.

“I don’t think so,” he replied.

“You thought it’d be a great idea just to pull me out of nowhere? You think I’m some kind of tragic boy?”

“Maybe,” Rotsala sighed, as crying sounds came from his microphone.

“I ain’t doing no dirty work.”

Rotsala appeared behind him. “Well I figured you would be the perfect face to greet and critique the guests at this fine establishment.”

He pointed his staff off toward a stand with vegetable drinks as claps and boos sounded from his staff.

“With your grumpy cat face and love of solitude…”

Core lifted up the corners of Rotsala mouth with his paws. “Aw come on, Al, Don’t forget to smile once in a while!”

His mouth frowned once he let go.

Rotsala walked over to the stand. “Don’t worry, my friend. I can make this more interesting…if you wish.”

He conjured up a bottle of catnip with his finger.

Core stared with wide happy eyes. “What, you think you can buy me with sad eyes and some cheap catnip? Well, you can!” He purred and took the bottle with him.

Coercia, Devil, and Phalla arrived.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Phalla squealed. “Brilliant idea to have healthy drinks!”

“No!” Coercia protested. “This is supposed to be a place that encourages sin! Not some kind of, frilly, Zen, child’s play…”

Core noticed Devil Grit and slid up to him. “Hey cutie,” he flirted.

“Go screw yourself,” muttered Devil Grit.

“Only if you watch me,” Core joked. “Or more likely, Rotsala will watch you.”

Coercia leaned in close to Core. “Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel! You are going to go insane here!” She grinned, her teeth sharp.

“We’re all mad here,” Core replied, sniffing the catnip.

Rotsala walked in, an ever-present frown on his face. “S-so, what do you think?”

Rotsala ran over to him. “This is horrible!” she spat.

“It’s amazing!” Phalla beamed.

Phalla leaned in close between Coercia and Rotsala, embracing them in a hug.

“This is going to be very disengaging,” Rotsala exclaimed. Dubstep sounds emitted from his mouth as he stared around with worry. He stepped away from Phalla. “Coercia, I can’t lose you. We can’t lose you.”

Rotsala changed his light blue suit into a dark blue funeral outfit with a matching top hat. He did the same with Coercia, Devil Grit, Core, Klutzy, and Phalla, who were all wearing black clothing from the early 1900s. Coercia wore a short tan flapper dress and a round matching ladies’ hat. She and Klutzy stared at their outfits in disgust, while Devil Grit, Core and Phalla smiled as they stared at theirs. The room changed, the walls now covered with Voodoo symbols, Christian crosses and deer antlers.

“Take it boys,” Rotsala said. Light spirits appeared and played violins, a piano, and a flute in a sad symphony.

Rotsala sang his reprise to Coercia as they did a slow dance. Coercia looked annoyed but Rotsala smiled.

(“Stalaro’s lament Reprise”)

“You’re on a mission

Your innocence fell

And it’s so dangerous but hey, I wish you well

Yes your blunt protests

Will send you straight to Hell

And I can’t bear to see you banished, or your soul up to sell”

“Don’t bring your life to an end

No matter what you say, I’m still your friend

We all have our wounds to mend

And you’re vulnerable feelings are real, don’t pretend”

“Inside of every angel is love and emotion

They have values and lasting devotion (devotion to God)

While you recruit those around

Don’t be swallowed by the ground

The authorities can retrieve you tight and bound (no turning around)”

“Here above the sky

Spread your wings and fly

They’ll spend a little time

Down at this Haven Ho…”

An explosion rattled the windows. Klutzy saw a door flying toward her face and she broke it in half with a karate chop.

The room and everyone’s clothing returned to normal.

Everyone looked outside and saw a podium in the air, held up by flying metallic eggs. A familiar snake debater appeared.

“Look who it is harboring the striped annoying opponent! We meet again, Rotsala!”

“Do I know you?” Rotsala asked.

Tears came to Anguis’ eyes. “Oh yes, you do! Watch this presentation!”

The eggs danced in the air, singing a song about Sir Anguis trying his best to rule Heaven. He read from notecards. “You all can’t compete with me. Your hotel sucks. I…shall…destroy it…with… my…”

Rotsala giggled and blushed. “Your baby weiner havor?”

Anguis looked up from his cards in anger. “Not like that, pervert!”

Rotsala snapped his fingers. A portal appeared and white tentacles shot out, knocking the podium off balance. The metal eggs knocked into Sir Anguis and he yelled, “Ow that hurt! Show mercy!”

Rotsala used a drop of his blood and the podium exploded in green smoke.

Sir Anguis emerged from the crater, arm shaking, fangs shattered. Rotsala waved a hand and the snake was healed.

“Shoot me with your ray gun,” said a metal egg beside him. Sir Anguis face-planted on the ground.

Rotsala looked on, sadly while everyone else stared, stunned.

“Anyone hungry?” Rotsala asked turning around. “Please don’t make me cook jambalaya. It’s way too spicy and it nearly killed me! I much prefer tea and sugared strawberries, oh the way they melt in my mouth… but anyway, you could say the kick brought me straight into Heaven.”

Rotsala lead the way back to the hotel, the group following him.

“Yes sir, new changes are about to take place. Now…”

Rotsala waved his finger at the lit up sign above the glass, gem-encrusted building on the roof.

The sign changed from “Hazbin Hotel” to “Haven Hotel.”

“Stay tuned.” He finished with low whimpers.

#2PHazbinHotel #heavenhotel #havenhotel #2p

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thdorkmagnet · 4 years

Text

Hey all!! Hope you are having a great day today! Decided to make a little gift for my good friend @phantomnationdraws to say thanks for the amazing cover. So I made a short fic about their Monster Swap AU (which I highly recommend checking out) featuring everyone’s favorite Monstar!! I did my best to get the details right and hopefully it is accurate to their AU. But anyways, hope you all enjoy!

Star searched the entire castle for Marco. She checked in all the places he usually was, his room, her room, the kitchen, the room filled with nothing but laser dragons, everywhere! But there was no sign of him.

She should probably blame herself for not keeping a close enough eye on him but how could she? Between being the general of the entire monster army and fulfilling the endless number of royal duties her mom insisted she had to do, Star barely had time to breathe! Marco was easily the most relaxing and fun part of her day. He always managed to cheer her up and she loved spending any amount of time with him. It didn’t matter how horrible or awful her day had been, all she had to do was look into the sweet, innocent eyes of her bestie and her mood was instantly brightened.

Which was exactly why she was looking for him, at the moment. She needed some Marco time, cause Star had definitely had what some might call ‘a day’. First, Sir Lavabo had taken a million years to finish cleaning up her armor making her late for her meeting (okay so maybe it was her fault for waiting till the last minute to have it cleaned but still!) and then she had been firmly and annoyingly reprimanded by her mom…. Again. And well, it was just a tough day, okay! And she needed some Marco cuddles- I mean time to make her feel better.

But somehow Marco had disappeared off the face of Mewni! And the more Star searched, the more frustrated she grew. Where was he? He couldn’t have just up and left right? Maybe Hexpen decided it would be fun to take him on a field trip to the most dangerous dimensions possible against his will… again.

Star let out a groan, crossing her arms angrily in front of her chest, leaning against the smooth stone wall of the castle as she gazed around yet another dead end: the lavish castle garden. At this point the Monster girl was close to giving up and just drowning her sorrows in sugar seeds but she happened to look up and spot a pair of skinny legs up above her, swinging back and forth in a steady rhythm, perched on top of one of the spires.

Star grinned. She would recognize those legs anywhere, the black slacks and green sneakers could only belong to one Marco Diaz. The girl held back a squeal of excitement, deciding to sneak in on the boy and catch him by surprise. She silently spread her wings out, letting them stretch to their full width as she prepared to launch herself up to the teen. With a single, powerful flap she was air-borne, the force from her take-off causing the plants and flowers around her to be wind whipped, sending pollen and flower petals scattering into the air around her.

The girl quickly flew up the side of the tower with smooth, steady beats of her wings, doing her best to stay quiet and out of sight. She hovered for a few seconds underneath the boy, covering her mouth with her claws to stifle her laughter. He was gonna be so freaked out.

Then, sucking in a deep breath, she flew into his line of sight, letting out a loud roar of fake anger. The boy screamed and fell backwards, nearly sliding off the loose scaffolding but somehow managing to keep himself from plummeting to the ground. The boy panted in surprise, his eyes wide with fear as he stared into the laughing face of Star. But Marco was far from amused by the prank, frowning as he snapped in annoyance, “Star!”

But the Monster showed no remorse, instead leaning in closer to Marco until their noses were mere inches from touching as she said in a sweet, innocent tone, “Hey Marco, what’s up? Other than you, obviously.” The girl flashed her companion a bright grin, her fangs lighting up in a brilliant and blinding smile.

Marco blushed from the close contact, his heart beating so hard in his chest he was sure Star’s sensitive Monster ears could easily pick it up. But he managed to (somewhat) keep his cool as he replied in forced annoyance, “Star, why did you scare me like that?!”

Star shrugged as she settled down on the rooftop beside Marco, her tail wrapping around her legs on instinct. “Well I was looking all over the castle for you and I just figured-”

The girl stopped mid-sentence as she suddenly took a good look at Marco’s face. She had been so distracted by her prank (and not at all his beautiful brown eyes that she could get lost in and stare at for hours) that she hadn’t noticed the side of Marco’s face was bright red. And not from a blush, either. The whole left side of his face was swollen and the skin looked blotchy and almost sickly, parts of it bruised and discolored.

Star’s smile instantly switched to a concerned frown, her eyebrows pinching together as she leaned closer to inspect his cheek. The boy noticed her staring and instantly grimaced, turning away from her and putting a hand over the obvious wound.

“Marco, what happened to your face?” she blurted out, panic and fear in her voice as she tried to push Marco’s hand away. Marco instantly flinched at Star’s raised tone and the girl instantly regretted the outburst. She didn’t mean to scare him by overreacting but seeing him hurt like that just caused her to freak out.

“It’s nothing,” the boy mumbled, drawing his legs up to his chest so he could hide his face.

“Nothing! Marco, you're hurt!” Star argued, unable to control herself. Her protective instincts were starting to kick in, big time. And if worrying for Marco wasn’t enough then the anger slowly beginning to boil in her chest made it impossible for her to stay calm. She had a sneaking suspicion where that bruise had come from. Her eyes narrowed in anger, her claws begging to dig into her palm as she let out a small hiss under her breath. “Who did this to you?” she asked in a low, dangerous tone.

“No one!” Marco quickly shouted, seeing his bestie losing her temper. “I just… tripped is all.”

Star scoffed, clearly not buying the halfhearted lie. “Marco, there is no way you could get a bruise like that from tripping. Someone hit you, didn’t they!” The girl’s teeth were now bared, she looked ready to tear someone in half. Which she very well could.

“Star, it’s not a big deal,” Marco tried, pointlessly, hiding his face in his legs once again. He really didn’t want to talk about it. That’s the whole reason he came up in the first place.

“Just tell me who did this and I’ll-” Star started to spread out her wings ready to go confront whoever dared to lay a finger on her Marco, when the boy quickly grabbed onto her arm to keep her from leaving.

“No wait!” he screamed, the panic in his voice causing Star to pause. She stared at him in concern for a second, waiting for him to continue, not wanting to alarm him anymore than she already had. The boy took a few deep breaths, calming his frazzled nerves before saying in a broken, sad tone, “Just don’t, okay. You’ll only make it worse.”

Star bit her lip, she wanted so badly to object, to find the jerk monsters who had hurt her friend and make them pay, but as much as Star hated to admit it, Marco was right. Violence was not the solution to this problem… sadly.

The girl let out an annoyed huff, sitting back down with an angry scowl. “Fine.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest, fuming with rage. “But they deserve it for treating you that way.”

“I know,” Marco mumbled in agreement, staring off into the distance. “I just… know how this ends. We gotta be the bigger person, y’know.”

“I’m still having a talk with my mom about the castle staff in the morning,” Star replied. She may not be able to physically hurt them but she could guarantee they stay as far away from her friend as possible.

Marco didn’t reply, just gazing sadly at the setting sun, even the breathtaking beauty of it all unable to lift his spirits.

Star saw the boy’s depressed demeanor and wanted to do something to help cheer him up. She bit her lip, searching her mind for some kind of idea but she was currently drawing a blank.

“Are you… okay?” she finally asked. But she nearly face-palmed at how stupid the question was. Duh, of course he wasn’t.

“I’m fine,” he said, completely unconvincing.

“I’m sorry those guys did that to you,” Star said, giving him a sympathetic look. “I wish I had been there, I woulda stopped them.”

“I know you would have,” the boy said softly.

“Why didn’t you come get me?”

The boy took a second to answer the question, his face unreadable. “I didn’t want to bother you,” he finally said.

“Well that’s stupid,” Star blurted out and the boy turned to her with a surprised look.

“What?” he muttered, he hadn’t been expecting that.

“I’m your friend, Marco. I’m supposed to help you with stuff like that. But I can’t do anything if you don’t tell me,” Star said simply.

“Yeah, but you're always so busy,” Marco began but Star wasn’t hearing it, shaking her head vigorously.

She gave him a scolding look, putting her hands on her hips as she said firmly, “Now you listen here, Marco Diaz. I’m never too busy for you. You are my best friend and it’s my job to take care of you. So enough of this whole ‘I have to suffer on my own’ act and start telling me when something is bothering you, okay?”

Marco stared at her long and hard, his mouth hanging open in surprise. He didn’t know what to say to that, the words getting choked up in his throat as he tried to reply. Tears began to form at the edge of his vision but he quickly swiped them away.

Star smiled sweetly at her dear friend, wondering what she would ever do without him. And now she knew the opposite was true, too. He needed her just as much as she needed him and she swore to herself she would be there for him, no matter what. They needed to be together. They depended on each other in one way or another.

“So how about we shake on it?” Star offered, holding out a claw to the boy. Marco eyed the hand in confusion for a second, before asking, “Shake on what?”

Star shrugged. “We promise to take care of each other and go to the other when something is wrong. That sounds fair.”

Marco’s eyes slowly raised to meet hers and the Monster felt her heart skip a beat at the amount of tenderness and trust in his innocent gaze as he looked at her. He gave her a small smile, before finally gripping her claw in his own warm hand. Goosebumps jumped up Star’s arm from his soft skin but she smiled brightly as they shook hands.

“Deal,” the boy said, the joy returning to his face and tone and Star felt her own heart leap with the emotion. Yes, success! she thought proudly to herself.

Eventually, Marco let go of her claw and Star nearly groaned in dismay. She liked holding Marco’s hand. She nearly flushed at the thought but willed the heat from her cheeks.

Now that the boy was properly cheered up, a comfortable silence spread between the two, Star and Marco turning their attention skyward, watching as stars blinked into view in the darkening sky. Star’s eyes glittered like her namesake as she enjoyed this peaceful moment. She held her tail against her chest as she sometimes liked to do, comforted by this for some reason. “So uhhh, what were you doing up here anyways?” the girl finally asked, breaking the silence of the moment.

“I like to come up here sometimes to think,” he replied softly, his eyes still pointed skyward.

“How’d you even get up here?” the girl asked, curiously. Sure it had been easy for her but she had wings.

The boy shrugged. “I climbed,” he answered simply.

Star couldn’t help but be impressed by that. Marco really was amazing. He never failed to surprise her with something.

“I like it up here,” Star commented, looking around the spire with a pleased expression. “We should do this more often.”

“Yeah, we should,” Marco agreed, flashing her one of his winning grins and Star felt her heart melt all over again. But a look of concern crossed his face as he asked, “But, uh, shouldn’t we head back down? I’m sure your mom is wondering where you are?”

Star let out a groan of annoyance, rolling her eyes. “Ugh, no way, I am not ready to be yelled at again,” she muttered. But the smile returned to her face as she added, “Besides, I’d rather be up here with my bestie.”

Marco’s face softened at that, his cheeks turning slightly pink and Star couldn’t resist the urge to pull Marco closer to her, using her tail to move him over to her side. The two’s sides were now touching and Star found she liked having Marco this close to her. It felt nice.

But then Marco surprised her by putting his arms around her in a sideways hug. The girl tensed up in surprise but she felt joy fill her body as the boy leaned his head on her shoulder. Star slowly relaxed into the touch, even putting her claws on his arm in a return gesture. The girl was so busy loving every second of the warm hug that she almost didn’t hear the boy whisper, “Thanks, for cheering me up, Star.”

Star smiled, a blush on her cheeks as she replied, “No problem, Marco.” She paused before adding, “And if those bullies ever hurt you again, I’LL KILL THEM!!”

Marco rolled his eyes, used to Star jumping between her warrior mode out of nowhere at this point. “Stttaaarrrr,” he scolded.

The girl just giggled and replied, “I’m just kidding.... Mostly.”

Marco shook his head, before giving her a tight squeeze. “You’re impossible, you know that,” he said playfully.

“I could say the same about you, Mr. Diaz,” Star said, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she gave him a sideways glance.

“Well where do you think I learned it from,” Marco commented, finally pulling out of the hug to give her a knowing smirk.

“Shut up!” the girl exclaimed in embarrassment, giving him a playful shove.

The two broke out into laughter, giggling to themselves as they just enjoyed this time together.

The two spent the rest of the night up on top of the tower. Eventually, Marco drifted off to sleep and Star wrapped her wings around him in a soothing manner, letting him lay against her chest as he dreamed peacefully. His breathing was soft and gentle and Star let the sound wash over her, Marco’s warmth causing her own eyes to slowly close. The last thing she saw before drifting off to sleep was a view of a thousand bright stars and she smiled to herself as the realm of sleep claimed her mind.

The two slept in peace all night, surrounded by a million burning stars and the warmth of each other. The next day would bring more challenges and trials as it always did, but for that night alone the two were free to rest. The world around them no longer existed, there was just Star and Marco… Monster and Mewman, together under a thousand blinking stars.

And really that was all they ever needed.

#Star vs #Star vs AU #My Writing #monstar au #Starco #hope you enjoy Sam!

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spectralscathath · 4 years

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In Another Perfect Life

Fair Game Week, Day 4: Soulmates/Birds

Everyone on Remnant has a leitmotif, a soul melody that they know from the moment they’re born. It was said that singing or humming your leitmotif causes it to play in your soulmate’s head. It was lucky to have a soulmate, some said. Someone who had a deep tie to you, beyond the limits of friendship and family and even romance, in some cases.

Qrow, since the universe saw the word ‘lucky’ and cackled maliciously, had no less than three damn soul melodies in his head, aside from his own.

He wanted to file a complaint.

Ao3 Link

Qrow heard Tyrian’s stupid fucking soulsong start up in the back of his head and viciously kicked the wall. Stupid fucking murder soulmate. Raven’s bitch ass tune he could deal with, she was his twin, even if she was a goddamn fucking harlot who fucked off and also tried to kill him. At least she almost never hummed her stupid melody.

Tyrian, though? Every. Fucking. Day.

It wasn’t until Qrow had heard Tyrian humming it under his breath as they tried to kill each other in Oniyuri that the creepily cool leitmotif had turned into a source of unending annoyance.

Apparently murder soulmates were definitely a thing, and Qrow was going to wring Tyrian’s neck until he never had to hear that damned tune in his head again.

It would be nice if Number Three could start doing their thing again. Qrow hadn’t heard that person do anything with their melody in a while.

Knowing his luck, Person Three would also try to kill him.

Tyrian started in again on another rendition of his stupid theme song and Qrow gritted his teeth, pursing his lips as he whistled his own melody to try drown out Callows, and maybe annoy him as well.

The next reprise of Tyrian’s soulsong sounded smug. Qrow was gonna rip off what was left of his tail and shove it so far up Tyrian’s arse the faunus would be tasting his own venom for weeks.

Screw it.

He stomped past the briefing room where everyone else was waiting, shoved open the nearest window, and jumped out without the slightest hesitation. If nothing else, he could at least try to clear his head with a flight.

Or, he thought as he shifted forms with a touch of magic, he could hunt down the maniacal bastard and pay him back for the poisoning.

His wings flapped in the cold breeze as he headed off, unfortunately missing Clover looking outside the briefing room with a confused-yet-hopeful grin.

------------

In the Xiao Long household, there was a bookshelf that was stacked with books that were all about animals. Lots of illustrated guides and glossaries. At least three were about bugs, Ruby had a fascination for creepy-crawlies as a kid, with another devoted specifically to the different species of arachnids. There was a book on dogs, birdwatcher guides to just about everywhere Qrow had visited when he’d had the lien to pick one up, a couple of others about wildlife in general, and then there was one that sat, not on the shelf, but on the coffee table.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Remnant’s Corvids, by Dr Jay Jackdaw.

A gift from Summer, once she and Tai had calmed down about the whole ‘turning into birds’ thing. She was such a brat.

He’d ended up reading it, cover-to-cover, just to make sure that nothing would surprise him about any possible side effects. Ozpin had said there wouldn’t be, but hey, turned out he was wrong.

Qrow didn’t know if it was his natural thief tendencies, honed from being raised as a bandit and a scavenger, or if it was bleed over from his corvid form, but he had a fascination with shiny trinkets. One look at a small treasure hoard stored in a box in Tai’s room gave that away.

But it wasn’t just his tendency to purloin new sparklies, it was all the other random stuff. The way he liked to mess around with people’s hair if he liked them, from messing up Ruby’s do to scruffing Tai’s mop with both hands, gentle carding of calloused fingers through Yang’s golden locks as he treated it with the same care that she did.

Even James got it, with playful flicks to that one piece of his hair that always fell over his face. Then there was the slightly weirder things that couldn’t be brushed off as normal quirkiness, like how he had a tendency to squawk when he got surprised in a sound that was way too similar to a caw.

There was the way his pupils pinned when emotional, which wasn’t technically a crow trait, it was a parrot thing. Tai, resident nerd, had brought that up with Ozpin and gotten a shrug and the answer of ‘it’s magic’. Summer had always liked how his hair fluffed out sometimes, like a bird’s feathers. Head cocks were fairly standard, and he couldn’t really complain about the other eccentricities either.

Not when the usefulness of his bird form far outweighed literally any downside.

It was a weird, nonsensical train of thought,stupid and really irrelevant to his current hunt, but thinking about bird facts and the effects they had on himself was still better then Tyrian’s fuckin-ass clown music.

He hated that guy.

He broke out of his musings as he heard Number Three’s soulsong enter his head, clear as mud, the sound dimmed by his different form. He flapped his wings as he scanned for a good perch, landing on a streetlight as his talons clicked on the cold metal. He cocked his head, listening to the melody in his head.

It was a lot more jaunty and triumphant to Raven’s dirge and Tyrian’s whatever-the-fuck. He knew his own was able to be both victorious and melancholic at the same time, depending on how fast he strung the notes together in his head.

Number Three reminded him of an honest-to-gods sea shanty, sometimes. Made him think of rolling waves or still waters. Raven’s put him in mind of cold shadows and moonlight scattered by clouds, and Tyrian’s was fucking clown music or something stupid like that, fuck, Qrow hated that slimy bastard.

It was nice to hear Person Three was still around though.

Speaking of, it would be smartest to head back to Atlas. He’d missed whatever mission he was assigned for today, instead hunting down Tyrian himself from the skies. Nothing, not that he expected to spot the faunus when the sun was out. Tyrian was a predator, he’d probably stick to the natural advantage the darkness gave his faunus eyes.

Not only that, but people feared the night, as a whole. Night time was when people were vulnerable, when they slept, when they locked up their homes and tried to avoid the unsavoury types lurking out in the shadows.

Only two people worked at night, in Qrow’s opinion. Criminals and Huntsmen.

He flew in through his own window, always left open just in case, and landed in a crouch, straightening up and fixing his hair before he opened the door to a set of seafoam green eyes and a shiny clover pin.

Sometimes he really wanted to nick that pin, but he refrained. Personal trinkets to others were something he’d long since made off-limits to himself.

Still, this was a surprise. “Clover. Hey. What’s up?”

“You missed briefing,” Clover’s hands were folded behind his back, but there wasn’t accusation on his face. Rather, he looked pleased and like he was trying to hide it. “Any reason why?”

“Went looking for Tyrian.” There was a vibrant purple scar on his side that was going to be a permanent reminder of their first duel. “Didn’t find him.”

“You should be more careful, instead of going off alone. Our records show that he’s a very dangerous individual.” Clover’s hidden enthusiasm faded to concern.

Qrow shrugged it off. “Yeah, I know. He and I had a fight.”

“In Oniyuri? That’s what Ren, Nora and Ruby said after the rally.”

Qrow crossed his arms. “Bingo.” He should probably invite Clover into the shoebox that James had given him access to. Letting him stand in the doorway seemed weird. “You coming in?”

Clover blinked and recovered. “Oh- yeah, sure, of course.” He stepped in and waited for Qrow to give him the nod before sitting down. “You fought him and he apparently nearly killed you. Next time it would be best for you to bring back up.”

“We had a mutual aura break.” If Ruby had just stayed out of the way then he would have won, or at least taken the freak down with him. “I’ll get him next time.”

“I see. Well, next time, make sure you call it in so that-” there was a moment’s hesitation as Clover seemed to skip over whatever word he was about to say, before continuing smoothly like the break had never happened, “there can be back up ready to cover for you.” Clover looked him in the eye. “Alright?”

Qrow looked back, and realised that Clover was offering to be that back up. That he was asking Qrow to promise not to go in alone. Qrow’s mouth felt a little dry as he nodded, before deciding to not be a jerk and actually answer. “Yeah. Okay.”

Clover’s determined look softened a little as he smiled, laugh lines creasing in his face. They were similar to the crow’s feet that were forming at the creases of Qrow’s eyes, and they suited Clover, made him look steady. Steady was good, compared to Qrow’s life of unpredictability.

Qrow realised he was maybe staring a little bit when Clover quirked a brow curiously, his greying hair fluffing up as he dropped his eyes to his hands, fiddling with his rings and spinning one on his finger. “So. Anything else?”

“No, that’s everything.” Clover was still smiling, and Qrow had a mad thought of inviting him to stick around and hang out for the night.

He shook that off too. Probably wouldn’t be a good idea. “Cool. I’m gonna head out, check on the kids. See you at the briefing?”

Clover looked almost put out by that, but he smiled gracefully and stood, brushing off his uniform and flicking his pin. Weird. Qrow thought he only did that when he wanted to be extra lucky. Clover paid no heed to Qrow’s cocked head and raised brow as he spoke. “I’ll see you there. Enjoy your evening, Qrow.”

“You too, Shamrock.” He gave him a wave off as the ace operative walked by, hands folding behind his back as he stepped out. Qrow couldn’t help but watch him go, noticing a faint bounce to Clover’s steps before he heard the man humming something, the sound fading into the ambient noise as he left.

That was Soulmate Number Three’s tune.

Qrow grinned. Son of a bitch.

-----

I’m very excited for tomorrow. Thought you ought to know.

#Fair Game #fairgameweek2020 #Clover Ebi #Qrow Branwen #rwby #Was this an excuse to look up facts about crow behaviour? yes #am I sorry? no #my writings

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shatteredglassanimated · 4 years

Text

Shattered Glass Animated Season 1 Episode 6 - Blast From The Past

Overlord Sumdac is preparing a new kind of battle-drone to take out the Resistance and with his new unholy alliance, the threat is getting greater. Meanwhile, Blitzwing tries to teach Lugnut to be more amicable.

“Aw, come on!” Penny pouted up at Lugnut, hands propped on her hips. Miles was cowering at his usual place behind her. He threw nervous glances up at the Decepticon. Unlike his human companion, he was well aware of Lugnut’s annoyance.

“I am busy, human,” Lugnut snapped. “Find someone else for your rituals.”

Penny threw her arms up in frustration. “Who? All of you are always busy talking to Aaron or Cyrus lately! It’s boring.”

Lugnut turned away from the platform he’d put his damaged arm on to give Penny a one-optic glare. “Hard as it may be to believe, we all have more important things to do than participate in meaningless activities for your enjoyment! If that is a problem to you, I suggest you find a way to make yourself actually useful and leave me be.”

Penny stared at him for a moment. Then her eyes started watering. She sniffled, turned on her heels and ran out of the room, Miles hot on her tail. She passed Blitzwing on her way out. The Triplechanger looked after her with a worried expression.

“Did something happen?” he asked.

Lugnut shrugged. “Organics. Always leaking over every little thing.”

Blitzwing frowned. “What did you say?”

“Evidently something she didn’t like,” Lugnut grumbled, turning back to his arm on the table.

Blitzwing ex-vented and leaned against the door-frame, crossing his arms. “Lugnut, would it really put you off-line to be a bit more friendly?”

Lugnut huffed.

“I am just saying, it might be hard to get the rest of the humans to like us if you keep being so hostile.”

“I do not need to be liked,” Lugnut snapped.”What use is bonding with them in any case? We’ll be leaving this planet eventually.”

“But we still don’t know when that’ll be,” Blitzwing retorted. “Megatron, Blackarachnia and Professor Black are still working to establish a way for us to communicate with New Kaon. We need what help we can get.”

Lugnut said nothing, though his movements grew a tad more aggressive. Blitzwing walked over, picked up the bigger mech’s arm, ignoring his protests and firmly put it back in Lugnut’s empty socket.

Lugnut stared at him for a bit, then moved the arm around. It stuck.

“..Fine. What would you have me do?”

Blitzwing smirked. His faceplate switched over to Hothead, who gave a bellowing laugh. “Oh, you will hate this next part!”

---------------------------------------

“I’m failing to see how this relates to my new body,” Optimus Prime said drily, his single intact optic narrowing.

Sumdac chuckled, tightening another screw on the gigantic, metal structure before him. “Oh, quite a lot my decapitated friend. What I am constructing here, is a new form of battle-bot. Once it’s finished, it will give us the edge we need to overpower the resistance and your metallic “friends” aiding them.” He took a few steps backwards to admire his work. Three gigantic metal bodies stood against one wall of his laboratory.

Optimus narrowed his optics at the things. To him, these creatures looked laughably boorish.

The one in the middle was the biggest, with a square body, ending in a long tail, two powerful hind legs and, as if to offset them, two very small arms with three claws on each one. It’s head was almost as big as it’s body with jaws the size of a scrap press. The one to the right was smaller, with more equal proportions and stood on all fours. It’s head was framed by a shield-like plate. It had two horns on it’s forehead and one were it’s nose should have been. The one to the left seemed tiny compared to it’s companions. It was barely two heads taller than Bumblebee, with two long winged arms and a narrow head that seemed like it had been pulled apart on both sides, forming a pointy beak and a crest. It stood upright on two spindly legs with sharp talons on it’s pedes.

“Stunned speechless, I see,” Sumdac said, grinning. “Not that I would fault you for that. These new models were made to resemble creatures from our earths’ Jurassic era. Roughly two hundred million years old.”

“That’s hardly impressive,” Optimus replied bluntly. “Cybertronians have existed for ten billion years.”

Sumdac’s face grew red and he took a deep breath. It was at times like these that the concept of just pulling the plugs connecting the head to his building’s systems grew ever more tantalizing.

“In any case,” he continued through gritted teeth, “These dinosaurs, as we call them, especially the three I modeled these drones after, were apex predators and fighting machines. If properly motivated. Luckily, all the motivation my creations require, is the push of a button. And once they defeat and capture the Decepticons, I will have all the blueprints I need to construct you the body you so desire.”

With a self-assured smirk, Sumdac stepped up to a control panel positioned in front of the drones and pressed down a few buttons.

The drones’ eyes lit up red. They started to twitch, moving their limbs. Then the drone in the middle let loose a roar that echoed off the walls of the lab. Sumdac’s grin grew downright manic as he watched his creations come to life.

Then the drone on the left flapped it’s wings a few times and rose into the air. Sumdac’s grin vanished.

“Not in here you imbecile,” he shouted, waving his arms. “This room is nowhere near big enough to-”

The drone, in it’s eagerness, shot up and crashed right into the ceiling. It’s head got stuck in the countless cables in the air. It flapped, screeching furiously. Finally, it’s thin neck snapped under the unevenly distributed weight. The screeches subsided. It’s body crashed into the drone in the middle, taking one of it’s small arms off. The middle drone roared again, stumbling to the side.

It stumbled over the right-most drone and buried it beneath itself, completely crushing it’s body in a mess of bent metal and sparks. Smoke filled the laboratory. Right on cue, the sprinklers set in, immediately extinguishing the small flames coming from the mangled bodies.

Sumdac quietly stood there and watched the mess, fists clenched so tightly they shook.

“Evidently there was a reason they died out so soon,” he heard Optimus snark behind him.

---------------------------------

“Alright,” Blitzwing announced, hands propped up on his hips. “Before you start being friendlier to humans, I believe we should practice with you being more friendly to fellow Cybertronians!”

“I’d just like to remind everyone that I have things to do,” Blackarachnia spoke up, arms crossed and a scowl on her faceplate.

She, Blitzwing and Lugnut were standing in one of the mine’s empty tunnels. Blackarachnia and Lugnut were standing across from each other, with Blitzwing positioned in the middle.

Lugnut’s optic narrowed and he opened his intake, but Blitzwing quickly stepped in front of him. “Which is why Lugnut is very grateful you took the time to help us anyway.” He elbowed the bigger mech slightly. “Right?”

Lugnut rolled his optic, but relented. “Yes, my gratitude knows no bounds.”

“Well that didn’t sound very nice,” Blackarachnia said, giving a mocking pout.

Lugnut’s optic narrowed again, but Blitzwing shot him a warning look and he ex-vented, shoulders drooping. “Thank you, I suppose.”

Blackarachnia shrugged. “Eh, it’s a start.”

“Alright, let us begin,” Blitzwing said quickly, clapping his hands together. “We’ll start with something simple. Lugnut, imagine Blackarachnia had done something to irritate you. Something like, taking the last energon cube. What would you do?”

Lugnut gave a long vent. “Blackarachnia, I wanted to take that cube. That was quite rude of you.”

“Didn’t see your name one it, big guy,” Blackarachnia smirked.

Lugnut’s optic narrowed. “Why you-!”

“Lugnut,” Blitzwing said warningly.

“I... suppose there is some truth to that,” Lugnut said through gritted denta. “Still, I really wanted that cube. You know I am a flight frame. I need more energon than you.”

Blackarachnia put a hand to her chin as if in thought. “Hmm, you’ve got a point there.” She let her servo drop to the side and grinned. “But then again, you could stand to lose a few megatons. Maybe you would actually hit something, if you were lighter.”

Lugnut lunged at her before Blitzwing could stop him. Blackarachnia jumped out of the way with ease, grin never leaving her faceplate. Lugnut crashed against the wall. The impact knocked several rock loose. The three of them managed to vacate the tunnel just in time before it came down.

They were still busy padding off dust from their frames and peeling smaller rocks out of their systems when Megatron, Starscream and Professor Black came running around the corner, the two Decepticons with their weapons raised and the mutant with one acid-dripping arm out of the sleeve of the special suit he’d taken to wearing.

“We heard an explosion! Is everything alright?” Megatron asked.

“Yeah, we’re good. That was just Lugnut trying to be nice,” Blackarachnia answered drily, flicking a pebble off her shoulder plate.

-------------------------------

Optimus let his optic wander over the destroyed bodies of the drones, deep in thought. For all his taunting, he had to admit the drones were commendable for what they were. Though he wouldn’t be caught off-line admitting that to Sumdac.

The human had stomped out in a huff after his inventions had chosen to destroy each other instead of their shared enemies. Which had given Optimus ample time to study what remained of their body and circuitry. Like everything else on this planet, they were far too primitive as constructions to serve as potential new bodies for him.

But they were formidable enough to serve as his arms, metaphorically speaking. All they needed was a steady servo to guide them. Also metaphorically speaking, given his current situation.

Optimus let parts of his consciousness seep into the laboratories’ computers and machinery. It didn’t take long to reassemble the bodies and implant a signal beacon. They would be at his beck and call at a thought now.

When Sumdac re-entered the room, he found his drones fully repaired and operational.

“Spare me the thanks,” Optimus said, feeling a smug satisfaction at the sight of Sumdac’s disbelieving expression. “I suggest you have these things brought to the city. I’m sure our heroic friends would just love to meet them.”

------------------------------------------------

Blitzwing looked out over the water from the spot on the beach he was standing on. He had to admit, the way this planet’s sun reflected off the gleaming surface made for a very calming sight. Almost peaceful. Neither the Cybertronian colony he had been forged on nor New Kaon had a sun as bright as earth’s.

The sound of Lugnut barrelling through through the thick foliage behind him tore him out of his thoughts.

“Oh don’t complain,” Blitzwing said, as Lugnut opened his intake. “I told you to land on the beach. This island will be the ideal place to train you. No humans to watch us and nothing else you could break or cause the collapse of.”

“I suppose,” Lugnut huffed, bending a small tree out of the way.

“Since practicing doesn’t seem to agree with you, I guess we’ll just.. talk about this.” Blitzwing scratched the back of his helmet nervously. He had to admit, this hadn’t been going how he’d planned it out to. “Let’s star with, um... why do you feel you have to be so harsh to the humans?”

“I am not being harsh, I am being straight-forward,” Lugnut said, crossing his arms. “Would you want me to tell them sweet lies and deceive them, like an Autobot?”

“No, of course not! But Lugnut, there is a middle ground between lying and being polite.” Blitzwing ex-vented. “Humans have feelings and thoughts just like we do. And perhaps you should consider that the next time you speak to them. A little empathy can go a long way.”

Lugnut went quiet for a short time. His optic expanded a little. “Blitzwing-”

“Lugnut, Blitzwing, come in!” Both Decepticons flinched slightly at the sound of Megatrons voice in their comms. They both reached up to their aduials.

“Where are you?” Megatron asked.

“At an island not far from the city,” Blitzwing responded.

“What? What for?”

“That is.. a bit hard to explain,” Blitzwing said, fiddling with his insignia and hoping the embarrassment didn’t seep into his vocalizer. He had completely neglected to tell anyone but Blackarachnia about his and Lugnut’s little trip.

“In any case, we need you back here and fast! It seems Sumdac’s machines are attacking the city!”

“Understood,” Blitzwing replied. “We’ll be there immediately.”

Him and Lugnut nodded to each other, then transformed and took off.

-----------------------------------

Downtown was chaos. Civilians were running through the streets in a panic, screaming and crying. Three humongous drones were rampaging through the streets, overturning vehicles and trampling everything in their way.

The drone who resembled a Tyrannousaurus, turned it’s head back and forth, as if looking for something, even sniffing the air a few times. It completely ignored the panicked young woman trying to dodge it’s claws. Before it could squash her, a laser-blast collided with it’s chest throwing it back.

Megatron lowered his arm cannon and turned to Blitzwing and Lugnut, who had just touched down a few feet away, already turned back into robot-mode.

“Blitzwing, Lugnut, evacuate the humans! The rest, help me contain these drones!”

The other Decepticons nodded. Blitzwing and Lugnut split up, each leading a group of humans away from the fight. Lugnut suppressed an annoyed growl. It was like these organics didn’t want to be saved! Every few steps they would stop to turn back and gape at the fight. Some managed to stumble over their own feet so often, Lugnut wondered if they perhaps hadn’t been assembled right at forging.

“Will you move, humans?” he finally snapped, when one of them once again threw a hasty look over their shoulder instead of running. They stared at him, eyes big and fearful. Lugnut flinched a little, remembering Blitzwing’s words.

“Now look,...The situation might be less than ideal, but, um...” He was no good at this. And now what little movement he had managed to bring into this group seemed to have stopped entirely.

He heard a noise behind him and extended his right arm just in time to catch a van that had been sent flying by the fight.

“Lugnut, what are you doing?” he heard Megatron shout behind him. “Get those humans away from here!”

“Do you think I haven’t tried?” Lugnut snapped back, turning around with a narrowed optic.

His anger lowered his spacial awareness. The servo currently clutching the damaged van collided with the wall of a nearby building. A part of the wall broke in, with a couple pf brick raining down on the streets and the still terrified humans. The sight of several heavy objects seemed to kick them into gear at least.

The humans started screaming in fear again and ran into the alleyways and side-streets. Lugnut stared after them, feeling somewhat guilty. He hadn’t meant to frighten them or put them in danger. At the very least they weren’t in harms way anymore. He turned to go back to the fight.

Megatron was busy engaging the drone with the enormous jaw, holding it back with his swords. Blackarachnia and Blitzwing were trying to subdue the other two, together with the humans. Starscream was currently chasing the sole flying drone through the air, trying to shoot it down with his pulse canons. being a seeker, Starscream was a fast flyer, but the drone was small and very agile, dodging his shots at every turn.

When the drone bearing three horns on it’s head tried to snap it’s jaws around Blitzwing’s servo, Lugnut punted it in the stomach, sending it flying into it’s companion and away from the Decepticons and the humans.

“What are those things?” Blackarachnia asked, looking down on Cyrus and Amicable Archer. “I thought you said this planet didn’t have any Cybertronian life-forms except for us.”

“It does not,” Archer responded, setting in an explosive arrow. “‘Tis another ploy of Overlord Sumdac! He built these vile beasts in the image of animals long perished.”

“Just without the skin,” Cyrus shrugged. “We call ‘em dinosaurs.”

“And what weaknesses do these ‘dinosaurs’ have?” Megatron asked, readying his sword at the sight of the two drones slowly picking themselves back up.

“Err, I dunno. They died out, like, billions of years ago,” Cyrus replied, assuming a battle-ready stance.

“Then we shouldeth repeat that process,” Archer grinned, letting his arrow loose.

The explosive hit the three-horn in the head, but did little but make it stumble. Starscream touched down beside the group, frowning.

“I hate to admit it, but this thing is too small for me to hit. You’d think fighting Autobots for stellar cycles would have prepared me for that.”

“And those other two seem particularly stubborn, for all that they have no combat skills, “ Blitzwing added, rubbing a new dent on his side. “We should-”

The tyrannosaurus charged without warning, aiming right for Megatron. Megatron pulled his sword up just in time to block the drones jaws. The drone let out a furious roar, before clamping down on the blade, tearing it out of it’s owner grip and tossing it across the street. Before Megatron could react, the drone buried it’s jaw into his now weaponless servo, biting hard enough to make the plating crack and draw energon.

“Get away from him!” Starscream shouted. A bright light flashed from his eyes and the next second, his intake shifted. A sound-projector-like device assembled itself inside of it and shot a mixture of a strong acoustic wave and proton blast right at the drone.

The drone screamed as the blast hit it, letting go of Megatron. The blast threw it backwards, right into the three-horned drone who had just started to get up again.

Starscream’s intake transformed back to normal. The Decepticons and humans stared at him in shock. Starscream himself seemed just as shaken. He brought a hand up to his now regular intake, as if to make sure it was still there.

“Wow. Guess I know why they call you Starscream now,” Cyrus joked, crossing his arms.

“Starscream” Blitzwing said, “I’ve known you for stellar cycles and this is the first time I’ve seen you use this power. How did you do that?”

“I..I don’t know,” Starscream admitted. “I suppose I was just really angry and then... this. But, that never happened when I fought before!”

“In any case, it is a useful power to have,” Megatron said, laying a hand on Starscream’s shoulder-plate and giving him a smile. “I would have been short of a servo if not for you.”

“Ha, yes,” Starscream chuckled, face-plate flushing a little. “Though we were pretty lucky I made the thing let go before blasting it into a wall.”

Megatron looked thoughtful for a moment. “Do you think you could do it again? At will?”

Starscream hesitated for a second. “I think so.”

Megatron smirked. “Then I believe we just found a way to deal with these ‘dinosaurs’.” He turned to the others. “Round up the drones in one place. Make them as easy a target as possible. Starscream, do you think you could do the same with the flyer?”

Starscream grinned. “I said I can’t hit it. I didn’t say I couldn’t scare it.”

With that, the Decepticons and the humans took off.

Lugnut lowered his arm to allow Blckarachnia to download. When she was finished, the two of them with additional help from Cyrus, surrounded the three-horned drone. It lashed out for Cyrus, only to be kicked aside by Blackarachnia. When it tried to lunge at her, Lugnut and Cyrus tackled it towards the middle of the street.

The drones with the large jaws tried it’s luck with Blitzwing, only to slip on a pool of ice suddenly appearing under it’s feet. It screeched and dug it’s claws in, trying to anchor itself. A blast of energy hit it in the side and propelled it towards the same spot the three-horned drone was currently busy fighting off Blackarachnia, Lugnut and Cyrus.

The flying drone was back to dodging Starscream’s proton-blasts, though it’s movements were a fair deal more frantic now. When a shot grazed it’s right wing, it let out an ear-shattering screech and dropped down onto it’s two companions.

“They’re all together! Now, Starscream!” Megatron shouted.

Starscream opened his intake. There was no light this time, but the sonic canon appeared anyway, firing a blat that seemed even stronger, now that it’s owner knew what he was doing.

The drones screeched, trying to cover their non-existent ears. Sparks jumped over their frames and they collapsed on top of each other, motionless.

“Sumdac’s really upping his game,” Cyrus commented, walking over to the drones to get a closer look. “That’s the first time he tried Dinobots.”

Blackarachnia raised an eye-ridge. “‘Dinobots’?”

Cyrus blushed a little. “We gotta call ‘em something, don’t we?”

“In any case,” Megatron said, re-sheathing his swords. “We should retreat back to the mines fro now. These things don’t pose a threat anymore.”

“Shouldeth we not take them with us?” Archer asked. “They seemeth to resemble your kind a great deal.”

“Not exactly,” Blitzwing said, picking up his human friend. “They have a semblance of a spark in them, but... they don’t have free will like we do.” He hesitated for a second. “I think.”

“Decepticons, transform and rise up!” Megatron commanded.

The group transformed into vehicle mode and took off towards the woods. Blitzwing couldn’t help but throw a glance back at the seemingly lifeless bodies of the Dinobots before following.

-------------------------------------------

Optimus scowled at the pathetic scorching husks that had once been his attack drones. When the one wit the large jaw had sunk it’s teeth into Megatron he had almost been able to taste victory. But then came that annoying second-in.command and his sonic pulse.

Through their link, Optmius had felt it when it hit the drones. It had been... unusual. There was something else behind the sonic waves, an energy comparable to a spark. But as his connection with the drones had been severed shortly after, he hadn’t been able to analyze it further.

Sumdac had raged and huffed and thrown tools around and in the end he had retreated to his private quarters, not even bothering to look at the re-captured drones. For once, Optmius couldn’t fault him for his behavior. If he’d had a body, he would have done the same.

The drones had been the closest he’d come to being mobile again in solar cycles. Now they wouldn’t even twitch at his signal.

“If even the greatest mind of this planet can only produce you,” he told their still bodies, “Then my chances of ever getting my body back are grim. Locked in this lab-”

“’Grimlock’? I do say, ‘Grimlock’... It’s quite a nice name.”

Optimus’ optic widened. The drone with the large jaw had talked. And now it moved. Slowly, carefully, like a proto-form making it’s first steps, the drone pushed itself back onto it’s legs and turned it’s head from side to side, as if seeing the room for the first time. It’s two companions followed suit.

“Looks like the Decepticons didn’t destroy you after all,” Optimus said slowly. “So what did they do?” His optic lit up for a split-second, then dimmed again. “You don’t respond to my Cybertronian commands anymore either. But you still function. As if you had sparks.”

The big-jawed drone, tilted it’s head from side to side. “Yes, that’ll do nicely. I am Grimlock,” it muttered, as if it hadn’t heard.

Optimus fought down a surge of annoyance at the thing ignoring him. “Well, Grimlock, my name is Optimus Prime. And I am your leader.”

Grimlock turned to look at Optmius, his own, small, blue optics narrowing just the slightest bit. “Beg your pardon my good Sir, but I am quite certain that I, Grimlock, am the leader of our trio. Though I admit I do not know much else...”

“Obey me!” Optimus snapped, optic lighting up again.

To his anger, the drones once again did not respond. But one of the many screens on the wall switched on, rattling off a documentary.

“-and so the remnants of the dinosaurs, known as fossils, serve as fuel for today’s cars, trucks and air transports. Furthermore-”

“Not you!” Optimus groaned.

He prepared to retract from the system to shut the voice down. But then he noticed the drones. All of them seemed focused on the screen now. Grimlock’s expression, what little of it could be read, seemed apprehensive now, almost disturbed.

“How barbaric!” he exclaimed, the other two drones squawking in agreement. “So these... ‘cars’, ‘trucks’ and ‘air transports’ consume our kind?”

If Optimus still had an intake, he would have grinned. “They do! Airs transports especially consume a lot of fuel. They feed off your fossils and at the rate they’re currently going, you’ll be extinct in no time. Your only chance of surviving is to destroy them.”

Grimlock’s optics narrowed. “It would appear so.”

“And do you want to know what’s worse than air transports?” Optimus asked amiably. “Air transports that transform into robots!”

He pulled up the security camera feed, showing the Decepticons in battle. The Dinobots seemed to believe him.

“It makes you angry, doesn’t it?” Optimus asked. “Use that anger. Let it out!”

Grimlock and the other two drones roared and opened their jaws. Three streams of fire surged through the air, consuming the screen on the wall until their was nothing left but melted metal.

“My word!” Grimlock said, examining the said remains of the monitor. “Were we always capable of such destruction?”

“Yes,” Optimus lied. “I built you like this. And if you manage to destroy the air transport robots, I’ll built and entire army of drones just like you. What do you say to that?”

Grimlock drew himself up to full height, snorting out a small fire ball. “I say, to battle, fellow Dinobots!”

--------------------------------------------

The gate to the Terrordome opened. A procession of huge vehicles exited the building, driving towards downtown. The few civilians that had come back to garner what was left of their belongings saw the ironclad trucks and quickly retreated.

The trucks stopped side by side in the middle of the streets. The police drones that had accompanied them stood aside. The trucks transporters opened.

The Dinobots stepped outside, looking around curiously, as if they hadn’t been there only hours ago. Captain Fanzone exited one of the driver’s cab and looked up at his cargo with a wide grin.

“Well fellas,” he said. “Knock yourselves out! Just give us a call once your done!”

He re-entered the vehicle and gave the driver the sign to drive off. As the trucks rolled back towards the Terrordome, Fanzone heard a roar behind him. When he turned, he saw the Dinobot he had been told was named Grimlock pick up one of the parked cars and sever it in half with a single bite.

Fanzone chuckled as he settled, shaking his head. “This is why I love machines.”

------------------------------------------------

“Don’t these things ever learn?” Lugnut asked, irritated, as the Decepticons once again made their way through the sky and towards downtown.

Below them the Dinobots were on a rampage, tearing up streets and throwing cars around.

“No longer shall we, the Dinobots, be food!” screamed the one with the large jaws.

“Apparently they learned how to talk,” Blitzwing said nervously.

In that moment, the flying drone opened it’s beak and released a stream f fire into a nearby car underneath it.

“As well as a few other tricks,” Megatron commented.

“Well, what’re we waiting for?” Cyrus spoke up from withing Lugnut’s cockpit. “Let’s give ‘em the old sonic shout and send ‘em back to the stone age!”

“Wait!” Lugnut called. “Perhaps we should lure them away from this area first. I’ve seen a few humans who have not yet evacuated when we flew over these buildings.”

“That... is a very good idea, Lugnut,” Megatron answered, sounding surprised.

Lugnut huffed, hoping his vocalizer wouldn’t give away his embarrassment. “I simply think the humans would be very grateful if their housing units stayed intact this time. And it will be easier for us to fight without them getting in the way.”

“Aww, no worries big guy,” Blackarachnia cooed mockingly from her sitting spot on Blitzwing. “We won’t get any crazy ideas about you having a spark after all.”

With that Megatron swooped down close to the ground Starscream and Lugnut following after him. Each of them rammed into one of the Dinobots, hard enough to knock them over, but not hard enough to do damage.

All three of the Dinobots let out infuriated roars.

“You wish for a fight?” Grimlock growled. “You shall have it!”

The Dinobots spit fire at their attackers, but the Decepticons had already taken to the air again, easily avoiding their attacks. Letting loose irritated snarls, the Dinobots followed suit. The Decepticons led them well outside of town, onto the road.

There, they touched down to the ground and transformed back into robot-mode, weapons out and at the ready.

The Dinobots stopped dead in their tracks, seemingly dumbfounded by this chain of events. Their optics wandered over their opponents, then came to a halt at Blackarachnia.

“Um, wereth they not going to attack?” Archer whispered to Blitzwing, confused.

“They were supposed to,” Blitzwing said.

“And what are they staring at me for?” Blackarachnia asked indignantly. “It’s not like I’m the only organic thing on this planet!”

The Dinobot in the middle perked up at her voice, then shook his head. “Ah, you must forgive me, fair spider-lady. I, Grimlock, seem to have been awestruck by your beauty.”

Blackarachnia blinked. “What?”

The three-horned Dinobot and it’s flying companion made a sound that sounded a lot like gurgling and pressed themselves on the ground.

“But how can this be?” Grimlock asked, seemingly talking more to himself than anyone else. “How can such a lovely creature be accompanying the vile flying transport robots who consume our kind?”

“Er, I’m confused,” Cyrus admitted, scratching his bald head. “Are we gonna fight or what?”

“We might not have to,” Megatron said grimly. he turned to Starscream. Starscream, do you think you could hit all of them at once with that new power of yours?”

“Starscream blinked. “I... yes, I think so but...will that be necessary? They’re fairly peaceful now.”

Megatron shook his head. “We don’t know if it will stay that way. We need to at least put them out of commission for now.”

Starscream hesitated, the nodded. He took a step forward. His intake transformed into the sonic gun. The blast hit the Dinobots with full force. With a pained screech, they stumbled backwards, then collapsed.

“Blitzwing, freeze them,” Megatron called.

Blitzwing lowered his ice cannons and encased the Dinobots in a wide block, big enough to take up most of the road.

“Well that was easier than I thought,” Cyrus commented. He looked up at the frozen Dinobots, frowning. “What do we do with ‘em now?”

“We destroy them,” Megatron said curtly.

Blitzwing flinched and turned towards his leader, optics wide. “Wait, what?”

“Blitzwing, you’ve seen what they can do. What they did. They are dangerous. We can’t allow Sumdac to find and repurpose them again,” Megatron said gravely.

“But...but,” Blitzwing stuttered. “Isn’t that a little extreme? You heard them, someone clearly told them we were some sort of threat! And besides that...” He looked at the Dinobts, optic thoughtful. “I felt like something was different about them this time. They seemed like they were aware. Like... like they had sparks. What if they’re more than simple attack drones?”

Megatron shook his head. “These are far too many ‘what ifs’ than we can afford right now. I would be lying if I said it didn’t irk me a little bit, but it has to be done.”

“I agree,” Lugnut spoke up, stepping forward. “I propose me, Blitzwing and Blackarachnia stay behind to take care of matters. You and Starscream should fly Cyrus and Archer back to our base in the meantime. Just to be safe.”

Megatron gave him a surprised look, then quickly got ahold of himself and nodded. “Thank you, Lugnut. I’ll believe we’ll do just that. Come along, Starscream.”

Starscream nodded, throwing a suspicious glance at Lugnut as he did so. Lugnut didn’t blink. Starscream shrugged, transformed and let Archer enter, before following Megatron, who had done the same with Cyrus, into the air.

Blackarachnia, Blitzwing and Lugnut watched them fly away.

“Now,” Lugnut said, when the two of them were out of sight. “I believe we have work to do.”

-----------------------------------

“Gotta say, big guy,” Blackarachnia commented, looking down the edge of the giant crater into the lush, green valley before her. “I really wasn’t expecting that.”

Donw below her, the Dinobots were roaming around through the grass, sniffing here and ther and letting out a joyful squawk or screech now and again.

“Me neither,” Blitzwing admitted, smiling slightly. “I was sure you would actually destroy the Dinobots, when you proposed it to Megatron.” he turned to look at Lugnut, who was watching the Dinobots as well, expression unreadable. “May I ask what made you change your mind?”

Lugnut huffed, crossing his servos. “I have seen Cybertronians like the Dinobots during the war. Young, naive, still barely protoformed. Easy to manipulate in their youthful zeal. It was obvious they had no idea what it was they were getting into when they fought us.” He lowered his head a little. “Had we destroyed them, Sumdac would have found their remains and rebuilt them eventually. And then they truly would have had a reason to despise and fight us. What good will it do us to make more enemies on this planet than we already have? This island is remote enough to be a good hiding place from Sumdac. Here, they’ll be able to carve their own path, their own identity. Far away from any wars.” He looked up again. “A respected fellow Decepticon once told me ‘A little empathy can go a long way.’ I suppose I decided to heed that advice today.”

Blitzwing’s smile widened a little.

“Welp,” Blackarachnia said, stretching. “Since that’s all wrapped up for now, we should get going. It’s been a long day and I have a comfortable berth back at the mine with my name on it.”

“And I need to find a certain small organic,” Lugnut said quietly. “Whom I owe an apology.”

Lugnut and Blitzwing transformed, Blackarachnia jumped onto Lugnut’s wings and the three of them departed.

Back in the valley, the Dinobots were still wandering around. Grimlock looked around.

“I, Grimlock, must say I quite like this ‘nature’.”

He took another step forward. The humming of machinery inside of him intensified. His claws retracted. His massive jaw pulled in and onto his chest. His small, scrawny arm stumps were pulled into his body to be replaced by two mechanical arms. A helm with a red visor and a riffled intake popped out where his jaw had been pulled down from a second ago.

“But I must say. I like this even more,” Grimlock said, grinning.

He pulled a sword out from his back and watched as it engulfed itself in flames.

#shattered glass animated #sga #episode 6 #transformers animated fan-write

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writingpaperghost · 3 years

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The Power of Our Bonds Will Persevere! (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3: In Order to Protect the Promise We Made That Day and Our Future

There’s monsters to fight and investigating to be done.

This one's a bit long. And we're about halfway, now.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28124817/chapters/69331905

It seemed as though the pair of monsters, the statue and the dragon, were waiting for something. They hadn’t been there long, sure, but they hadn’t done anything. The statue monster stood still, almost like it wasn’t alive at all. The dragon monster was less, still, eyes closed, simply wrapped around the legs of the statue monster. For a moment, Asahi wondered if they were even still alive.

Her brothers arrived first, she was following just behind, but the moment they appeared, the dragon’s eyes opening. It watched them for a moment, examining them, then uncurled itself and stretched, with what might have been a small yawn. It had a sort of staring contest with Rosso and Blu, as though it might be sizing them up, determining whether they were threats or not.

Then, after a moment, the statue monster stirs, dark eyes lighting up. It doesn’t move, but even the change in its eyes are enough to show that it was paying some attention to what was occurring now. It’s not entirely clear what it is, exactly, or what it might do, but if anything, that only put the three Ultras more on guard.

Finally, after another few moments of tense silence, a voice rang out, the statues eyes flashing with every sound, “A surprise…” It said, the dragon monster’s tail began to swing back and forth, “Three unexpected guests… You are no monsters, as well.”

“Hey!” Blu calls out, “Are you two the ones causing the monsters to go crazy or whatever?”

The statue tilts its head, “Perhaps we are…” Its hand at its side shifted, raising to rest on what might be the handle of a weapon. It’s hard to tell what it is, though. The statue continues to speak, “Though our actions should be of no concern to you.”

Rosso is the one to talk next, “And why not?” He asked, placing a hand on his hip, “I mean, if you guys are trying to harm the people on this planet, then why shouldn’t we try to stop you.”

“Harm the people of this planet?” The statue echoed, its voice holding a hint of either confusion or amusement, still unmoving. The dragon beside it seemed to be preparing itself, though for what was unclear, though it was most likely a fight. The statue began to speak more, “And what of us? We could very well be of this planet as well… You’d have no way of knowing.”

While the statue certainly had a point, to some extent, there was no denying that it and the dragon that was with it seemed to pose a threat to everyone else. “It doesn’t matter if you’re from this planet or not,” Grigio called out, moving closer to her brothers, who were acting as a barrier between her and the monsters, “If you’re going to harm others on this planet then we’ll stop you.”

With what might have been a chuckle, the statue countered, “And what makes that your duty? You most certainly are not of this planet.” It seemed about ready to pull its weapon, going so far to begin to do so, before stopping, returning the weapon to where it belonged, and turning its attention to the dragon. The dragon looked up, meeting eyes with the statue, and smiled what was certainly a toothy smile. The statue added, “Yes… I believe you have little say in what occurs here. The actions of those of this planet are none of your concern and it would do you best to leave now. Drabestia?”

At what must have been its name, the dragon, Drabestia, turned its attention to Rosso, Blu, and Grigio and shifted its position. The statue slowly moved a few steps away, giving the dragon room to unfurl its wings, which had vines and foliage wrapped around them.

“I think,” Grigio began, “We’re going to have to fight them.”

Blu nodded, “Probably,” The two moved into a fighting stance in front of her, while she moved back a bit, summoning her bow.

Drabestia roared, then with strong flaps of its wings, took off into the sky. Rosso and Blue wasted no time in following, though Grigio hesitated a bit. She wasn’t quite so good at fighting while flying – it was mostly the lack of any sort of solid ground for her to use to keep herself… orientated – and it made it hard to keep track of what was going on, because it could be occurring anywhere around you. She was half tempted just to let her brothers deal with it – they were, after all, better at fighting in the sky than she was – but at the same time, with this statue guy still on the ground and this overall just bad feeling she had, she really didn’t want to do that.

Choice made, Grigio jumps into the sky, gripping her bow ever so slightly tighter. In the small amount of time that she’d stayed on her ground, her brothers had already begun to fight Drabestia. She found them just in time to see Blu counter the dragon’s flame breath with a jet of water. Taking a deep breath, she aimed her bow, preparing an arrow in her hand. Just aim at the dragon and fire, it should be easy.

Unfortunately for her, by the time she’d created the arrow, the dragon had spun itself around, using its tail to knock Rosso and Blu away from it. Then, wrapping its wings in slightly, it changed from simply staying in one place to flying away, closer to her. That… wasn’t good. Bows get a bit less effective the closer your target gets, but she was so close to firing.

The arrow still flew out of her hands, the bow launching it towards Drabestia. It landed on the front shoulder of one of the legs, but seemed to do little. As a matter of fact, Drabestia didn’t even seem to notice that it had just been shot by an arrow. It just continued flying toward her.

Shit. See, this is the sort of situation that tended to slip her up while flying. In theory, she knows all she has to do is move out of the way, but for some reason, it seems all the harder when she doesn’t have some sort of grounding. Still, she does her best to move, barely dodging Drabestia’s open jaw – filled with sharp teeth – and claws – equally as sharp as the teeth.

Though Drabestia flew past her, it was quick to make adjustments to its flight path, coming right back up towards Grigio. At this point, though, Rosso and Blu had wasted no time in joining her, pushing her behind them. There’s a twinge of annoyance at how her brothers did that, but she chose to ignore it, for now. There were more important things to worry about.

Blu flies forward, punching the dragon in its side. In retaliation, the monster turns itself and claws at him, managing to get a few slashes in before Rosso kicks him away. The two continued to fight the monster while Grigio took a moment to collect herself. Flight or not, now was not the time to get flustered, she had to stay focused. She attempts to shoot another arrow, but Drabestia and her brothers are moving around too much and she didn’t want to risk shooting Rosso or Blu.

With a groan, she abandoned her bow, instead choosing to summon her sword. It really wasn’t her preferred method, but it would have to do. She thought for a moment, while she had the time, about summoning one of her Kaijus. Most couldn’t fly, but she had Bemstar and Litra, which both could. They could prove to be helpful… But her brothers weren’t used to fighting with them, she was worried that might cause some confusion. She shook her head, deciding that for now, at least, it was best she didn’t, as much as she might have wanted to.

She dodges out of the way of some errant flames from Drabestia and returned her attention to the fight. Rosso and Blu both kicked Drabestia, causing the dragon to get pushed into some clouds. There was a pause, everyone waiting for the beast to emerge. Nothing. No roar, no wing flaps.

Nothing.

Blu scratched the top of his head, “Did we beat it?”

Somehow, Grigio didn’t really buy that. She looked around, realizing that the bank of clouds Drabestia had been knocked into was a lot bigger than she initially thought. Really, it could be anywhere in there.

“I don’t think so…” Rosso responded, also looking around for the monster, “It must be hiding in the clouds.”

“Wouldn’t we notice it?”

Grigio sees something, movement, in the clouds. It’s off to the side, just out of her brothers’ view. But she was farther away, she had a bigger view, she could see what they couldn’t. Springing into motion, she called to her brothers and thrusted her sword out, hoping she correctly figured out where the monster would be. She can feel that she made contact with something, and that something was moving, not really stopped by her attack.

Drabestia roars, veering off course and ends up flying right past her brothers. It heads towards the ground, for one reason or another. The three of them follow, Rosso and Blu arrive first since they were closer, though their Color Timers began to flash when they neared the ground. They took attacks from the monster, so they unsurprisingly had less time left than Grigio. Drabestia is now at the feet of the statue, an annoyed look on its face. One wing is folded in, but the other is held out, like the way one might hold out a particularly offending item.

It’s clear, now, why it had to land. There’s a rather large gash in the wing, which clearly made flight hard, if not impossible. Grigio must have made it with her sword when she stabbed at Drabestia.

The statue took a moment to examine the damage done to Drabestia, “They damaged your wing?” It inquired, “Hmm… I see.”

Blu glanced at Rosso and the two nod. Quickly, they send out a beam attack at Drabestia, most likely hoping to finish it now that it had been forced to the ground. In a movement far too fast for what the statue appeared to be, it drew its weapon and destroyed the attacks in one movement. Now, in the statue’s hand, it was clear that it wielded a staff of sorts, though it too was covered in moss.

“It is clear to me what must occur now,” The statue mused, though its tone still seemed to hold no emotion, “It is time to do what we did when we first awoke on this planet.”

With what might have been a grand sweep of its hands, were the movement not so stiff, the statue declared, “The inhabitants of this Earth shall fight to decide who shall live. And this time,” There seemed to be a pointed sort of look, though it was unclear who it was aimed at, “We shall not let a ‘compromise’ come to pass.”

There’s some sort of flash, it’s not clear what exactly happened, and the two are gone. “What?” Blu startled, “Where’d they go?”

But Grigio couldn’t help but echo the statue’s words, “A compromise?” Whatever could that mean? And what did it mean when it said that the inhabitants would have to fight to decide who would live? And what was that about that happening when they first woke up?

If Grigio recalled correctly, Kaijus had always been on Earth, but around a few hundred years ago, they woke up, resulting in the way Earth was now. That was what was known as “The Awakening”. But there was something else, wasn’t there? Something she’d read about in one of Tomomi’s books and meant to ask him about but never did. But just what was it? She couldn’t precisely recall, it had been months ago, after all.

Rosso sighed, seemingly unaware of Grigio’s ponderings, “Let’s just… Go back to that base, yeah?” He stretched slightly, “We’ll figure out what to do from there.” He has the right idea, really, there’s not much to be gained from sticking around, especially with Rosso and Blu’s timers flashing.

Blu and Grigio nod and the three siblings return to their human selves.

---

“So, do we even know what that guy was talking about?” Isami inquired, watching idly as footage of the conversation with the statue and the fight with Drabestia played on screen. “That statue guy, I mean,” He clarified, though it was likely everyone knew what he meant.

Katsumi watched the screen for a moment, before saying, “They said something about doing what they did when they first woke up?” He tilted his head, “That they’d make everyone on Earth fight each other to decide who’d live and that they wouldn’t allow for a ‘compromise’ like before.”

“We heard,” Fuyuko frowned, crossing her arms, “As a matter of fact, it seems like nearly everyone in the country did, if not the entire world.”

“It does kinda pertain to them,” Rin notes with a tug of their scarf and a neutral tone, “Although I’m more curious about the implication this has all happened before.”

It’s then Tomomi speaks up, walking over with a book. Asahi thinks she recognizes it as one of the books in his apartment, but she’d not entirely sure. “It’s not so much an implication as a fact,” He says, opening the book to a page with a scrap of paper between the pages. “It was an event known as ‘The Terrible Fights’. A couple decades after The Awakening, when Kaijus awoke on this planet, there were many reported instances of Kaijus suddenly attacking humans and human settlements, as well as humans suddenly trying to attack the monsters.”

“They didn’t always do that here?” Inquired Isami, a certain light of curiosity in his eyes.

Tomomi shook his head, “No, when they first appeared, they were peaceful, much like they are now. At that time, though, no one had ever really heard of a Kaiju attack. So the suddenness of them all starting to occur caused quite the commotion, on top of the attacks themselves.” He flips the page of the books, “While it’s rather recent history, a lot of the details aren’t entirely clear. No one ever learned why the attacks started happening. But we do know how things came to be like they are today, to some extent, at least. Those involved in the matter didn’t really give a lot of specifics.”

“What happened?” Asahi prompted.

“A group of humans came together and somehow managed to speak with the monsters to calm them down.” He explained, adjusting his glasses with his free hand, “Like I said, we don’t really know the details and those humans should be long gone…”

“I feel like there’s going to be a but in there.” Jun noted in a sour tone, arms crossed.

After seemingly debating with himself for a moment, Tomomi tentatively spoke, “Well, there’s something of a rumor… Or something like that. Anyway, some people think that one of those humans wasn’t actually human, that they were an Alien and that’s how they were able to communicate with the monster.” Quickly, he added, “Although, that’s just a rumor and there really isn’t any evidence to support it.”

There’s silence, “So what you’re getting at,” Asahi began, “Is that these monsters might be the cause of The Terrible Fights before and are trying to start them again?”

“Yeah,” Tomomi nods, closing the book, “Or something like that.”

It would certainly make sense, at least given what the statue had said. Not that knowing that did them a lot of good, all it gave them was an idea of what the statue was planning. Regardless, they needed a bit more to go off of if they were going to try to do anything other than to wait for the statue and Drabestia to show up again.

Fuyuko stands, “Well, now all we have to do is figure out what to do next,” She seems contemplative, drumming her fingers on her desk, “We don’t have a lot to work with, which makes it hard to determine a course of action.”

Though he may have been quiet the entire time Tomomi was relaying information, Matsuoka chose now to speak up, “While there isn’t much we can do,” He said, nodding slightly, “I believe there are a few things we’ll need to do. One, we’ll need to look into the connection between those two monsters and The Terrible Fights. Two, we’ll need to look into the possibility that one of those humans wasn’t actually and may still be alive. Three, we mustn’t forget what brought Asahi and her brothers here, even if they are able to help us with these two Kaijus.”

“In that regard,” Isami begins, “There isn’t much we can do until Kenshin shows himself, we have very little idea what his plan is.”

Asahi pipes in, “Yeah, all we really know is that he wants revenge on at least Rosso and Blu, if not Grigio as well.”

That statement sits there for a moment, before Tomomi sighs, “We’ll need to do something about those two monsters before they can actually cause damage. Directly or indirectly,” He glances out the window, “But if monsters start rampaging, we’re not going to be able to stop them all at once, even with the help of Ultras.”

“So then,” Rin said, their expression a bit more serious, “We can’t waste time in trying to stop them.”

Tomomi nods and Matsuoka begins to speak again, “I think we’ve figured out enough of a course of action, then. Tomomi, you’ll look into the two monsters’ involvement in the past,” He looked at Katsumi, Isami, and Asahi, “I’d like you three to look into this possible Alien, since you’re not known as a member of KPaRS, other Aliens may be more willing to talk to you. Fuyuko, keep an eye on the going ons in the city, we need to be able to know if humans begin to become agitated. Hisoka will be keeping an eye on known Kaiju, Rin and Jun will stay here in case there’s a Kaiju attack. Chikako and Katsuhito, along with the rest of their team, will be on standby for any needed emergency repairs.”

Everyone nods and sets about to do their job. Tomomi left the room to do his research and Fuyuko also left, though for different reasons. Asahi smiles and calls for her brothers to follow as she begins to leave the room. The best place to look for Aliens is among Aliens. There’s a few places in the city that are essentially Alien neighborhoods, those would probably be the best place to start. She relays such to her brothers, glad to be able to do something with them to help.

They were out and about the city, now, a bit outside of the first of the neighborhoods. If they were lucky, they might find some lead or another, though it was pretty unlikely on the first try. “Well, it’s great you have an idea where to start looking, Asahi,” Isami began, tentatively.

“You didn’t get too hurt during that fight, right?” Katsumi finished, “If you did it’s fine to stay behind…”

Asahi stops in her tracks, turning to look at her brothers, her lips arching ever so slightly into just the smallest form of a frown. “I’m fine.” She said, “You two are the ones who were actually getting hit.”

It hadn’t avoided her notice how quickly they’re Color Timers had began to flash when fighting Drabestia, at least compared to hers. Nor had she missed how they seemed to be a bit sore – and she imagined were it not for their sleeves and shirts, she’d be able to see plenty of bruises. She could actually see a few on Isami, as his shirt had a bit lower neck than Katsumi’s button up. She understood their concern, but as far as she could tell, they should be more concerned about each other, or her about them.

“We’re fine, a little sore but we’ve had worse.” Katsumi responded, though she knew he was fudging the truth. Yes, they had been through worse, but they were certainly more than “a little sore”. They were trying to make themselves seem better off than they were.

With just a slightly irritated sigh, Asahi fought to keep her ever so small frown from growing any bigger. “Sure, a little sore. But you don’t need to worry about me too much, I’ve fought monsters on my own before, or with my Kaijus, I can take a few hits, if I have to.” She didn’t miss how both Katsumi’s and Isami’s lips formed into a frown. “I’m an Ultra too, after all. You don’t always have to worry about me.”

“Well, I mean, yeah, but…” Isami had a bit of a habit of stumbling his words a little when he was getting a bit worked up. It usually happened when he and Katsumi got into a disagreement about how to do something. That made it odd to hear directed at Asahi. “You’re our younger sister, of course we’re going to worry.”

Deep breathes, Asahi had to remind herself, they’re allowed to worry. Though their worry wasn’t really what she had a problem with. What often happened was that they wouldn’t let her help much, because they were so worried about her getting hurt. But she was just as capable as them, just in different ways. Not to mention she had her Kaijus. She just had to figure out how to explain that to them, which was always harder than knowing what she the point she wanted to get across was.

“That’s fine,” She said, steeling herself, “But please, let me help. With these two monsters, with Kenshin. I’ve protected this Earth before so let me do it again. I know you worry but that doesn’t mean you can try to keep me from helping.”

Katsumi tilted his head, “Asahi, fights are dangerous and you don’t have a lot of skills that are good for actual fights.” Asahi’s expression most certainly held a not so small frown, now. “I know you’ve protected this planet before, but maybe you should just leave it to us, this time.”

“Yet you let me help so we can become Grube?” She asked, clenching her fists. “You let me help when the two of you are still doing most of the work.”

Katsumi reached a hand out as Isami tried to begin, “That’s not-“

With a groan, Asahi cut him off, “That’s not how it is? Sure it’s not.” She turned around, knowing this wasn’t a conversation she was going to be able to continue. It seemed like her brothers weren’t moving on the matter. “How about we stop wasting time? You two want me to stay safe? You can go and ask around.”

There’s silence for a moment, she thinks she can hear Isami begin to speak again, only for Katsumi to whisper something to him. They whisper back and forth for a bit, before she hears their footsteps going away from her. At least some work would be gotten done.

Asahi plopped down on a bench and leaned her head back, closing her eyes.

“Are you, uh… Are you alright?” A voice asks, sounding like it belongs to a child. Opening her eyes, Asahi is greeted with a young, but concerned face. It belonged to a girl, probably no older than twelve – Asahi was still bad at guessing children’s ages – with brown hair held in pigtails, glasses over her dark brown eyes. She wore a button up shirt with a little bow around her neck and a red hoodie, with a pattern on the hood – the same pattern seemed to be present on her skirt as well. “You, uh, well, I couldn’t help but notice, that you, uh, had a bit of an argument there.”

The girl sat next to her on the bench, peering at her. The girl examined her, waiting patiently for her to respond. Asahi took a moment to think. She didn’t know this girl, but she felt as though she needed someone to talk to right now. It wasn’t like she hadn’t spoke to people she didn’t know when things were bugging her before. A stranger showing concern wasn’t necessarily trustworthy, but not knowing them didn’t make them untrustworthy, even if it was hard to tell.

After that moment of thought, Asahi sighed, “My brothers and I had a bit of an argument, that’s all.”

Beside her, the girl frowned, “I see… I don’t know much about siblings, I don’t have any of my own… But I have some friends who are siblings… They argue sometimes too…” The frown deepens, “I’m sorry. I’m trying to be helpful, but I’m afraid emotions like this aren’t exactly my strong suit. I’m more of a science kind of girl, rather than feelings.”

“Oh! Don’t worry about it!” Asahi waved her hands, “You don’t have to worry about me. Arguments are normal and my problems aren’t a big deal for you.”

The girl takes a moment to think about Asahi’s words. She looks around, as if in thought, “I see… Oh, um… You can call me Starry,” She said, looking over again, “And I have to ask, what brings you around here? This isn’t exactly a place that humans tend to be. Unless you’re not human…?”

It takes Asahi a moment to process Starry’s words. Frankly, she hadn’t really thought about anyone questioning why she was here, really, she just figured everyone would either keep to themselves or assume she was an Alien. With a name like Starry, she could assume that this girl was an Alien herself – it would certainly explain her presence here. But Asahi still had to figure out what exactly to tell Starry. Or maybe she could just be honest, or something.

“My brothers and I, we’re looking into some rumors about stuff that happened at the end of The Terrible Fights,” The truth it is, it seemed. “So we thought this would be a good place to, well, ask around.”

Starry is contemplative, for a moment, tilting her head as she hummed in thought. “I see,” She muttered, then her eyes brightened, ever so slightly, as a smile formed on her face, “I’ve also been doing a bit of research into The Terrible Fights. Perhaps I can help you?”

That was… a surprise. “Oh, well, uh, I don’t know…” Words stumbled out of Asahi’s mouth at the unexpected offer. “I, uh, I suppose? We’re trying to figure out how exactly the humans and monsters were able to reach a peace.”

“Well, while I don’t know that, I think I can point you in the direction of someone who might,” With cheer, Starry supplied her information, “You see, I happen to know of the existence of an Alien who lives in a town not too far from here. He lived through The Terrible Fights, from what I’ve heard. Maybe he can help you?”

Asahi contemplated Starry’s words, it was curious that she knew this and Asahi wondered how. Still, she found herself replying, “It might,” Starry beams, seeming inordinately happy at providing such a small amount of information. Asahi continues, “I guess we’d have to look into it.”

“Happy to help!” Starry chirps, then pulls a cellphone out of her pocket. The screen lights up and she frowns, “Ah, sorry, I have to go. My friends will worry if I don’t get back soon.”

Standing up, she runs off with little else said, leaving Asahi to watch her leave. Asahi can’t help but wonder how accurate the information she’d been given was. It came from a child, after all, though that has never really mattered before. She figured she wait and see if her brothers found anything, then she could relay the information to them.

With a sigh, she tilts her head back again. Now she just had to wait, hoping that they’d be able to find a way to deal with everything. Then there was Kenshin – who knows what he’ll try to do. If they’re lucky, it’ll wait until these two monsters were dealt with.

#ultraman rb #asahi minato #ultrawoman grigio #the power of our bonds will persevere!#waiting at the end of the road is happiness #my writing

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