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patchworkorphan · 4 months

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Heroic Betrayal: part two

Continued from this

Hero stared at them; mouth open in silent confusion. Which all ended when they felt cold metal press against the back of their skull. Other Hero beamed at someone behind Hero, then fixed their smug gaze on Hero’s eyes.

“You won’t because you’re coming with us.”

*~*~*~*~*

“Don’t move,” came Villain’s voice over Hero’s shoulder. Hero lifted their head slightly, only to have the barrel press into their head and push it down again to face Flynn. “I will shoot you. Give him your handcuffs.”

Hero glared down at Flynn who looked entirely too pleased with himself. The barrel pressed Hero’s head down further impatiently.

“Now.”

Still Hero didn’t move. They didn’t know what to do but they knew they couldn’t just stay frozen like this forever. It was so hard to think with their heart beating fast against their chest. They needed to do something.

Flynn was a villain…

Forget it. Focus.

Flynn moved below Hero drawing them out of their trance. Flynn removed his hands from behind his head, reaching up to Hero’s waist and slid his hands to Hero’s back, unclipping the power dampening cuffs from their belt. He opened them with an easy flourish of his wrist.

Hero dodged to the right, one foot on the ground while they rounded their other foot out to Villain’s hand kicking the gun out of it. They followed the movement through, their second foot landing on the ground behind them so they stood with their knees slightly bent. Hero pressed their heels down into the dirt and lunged for Villain, catching them around the waist and they went rolling. Hero threw a punch once they stopped, but Villain caught it and clamped their fingers down on Hero’s fist, not letting go.

The corner of Villain’s lips quipped into a smile before shadows engulfed Hero's fist like a glove, and Villain squeezed Hero’s fist crushing it with their shadows. Hero cried out, ripping themselves away and stomping a heavy boot down on Villain’s armpit. Villain let go with a grunt, and Hero fell backwards, catching themself before they hit the ground. Hero stepped back, their shoulder hitting a tree, as they cradled their fist against their chest.

From Hero’s position they could see Flynn who was now standing, smiling, holding Hero’s handcuffs in their hand like it was a sure thing, like they weren’t afraid of Hero getting away from them. It made Hero’s skin crawl and blood boil at the same time.

How could he just stand there and be so nonchalant about being a villain. How did hero never notice? Never see! They were such an idiot.

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” Flynn said as Villain got to their feet. Hero had to fight. They had to.

Hero stood up straighter, shaking out their wrist before reaching one hand behind their back, the other over their shoulder and drew their long, curved daggers from their sheaths. The black blades glinted beautifully up at Hero, an extension of their arm and the world seemed to right itself once more. The familiar click of their power humming once their blades settled comfortably in their palm.

Hero set their jaw, glaring at Flynn, and said: “go fuck yourself.”

Villain rolled their eyes, reaching down to pick up their gun. “I told you they’re more trouble than they’re worth,” said Villain, tone bored.

Flynn’s head tilted to the side. “I know, but aren’t they just adorable?”

Hero lunged for Flynn, and Flynn ducked out of the way. Hero manoeuvred back easily, shooting their right up in a feint, Flynn dodged to the left and Hero grinned as they got the blade of their left under Flynn’s throat.

“Hero…” Flynn said with their beautiful voice and Hero could feel the edges of their vision blur. They shook their head quickly, shoving Flynn away. “Stop fighting us, Hero. Come willingly.”

Hero stopped, feeling weak, their guard lowering just a smidge. The compulsion moving through their mind like molasses, making them sluggish. Hero bit down hard on the inside of their cheek, drawing blood and the taste of iron sharpened them again.

They drew their daggers up.

Only one blade raised. Hero frowned, their head turning slowly down to their side to see a glove of shadows enshrouding their arm up to the middle of their forearm.

The shadows pulsed darkly and squeezed around Hero’s wrist until they let out a sudden painfilled cry. Hero reached over trying to claw the shadows away with their free hand, but their hand went straight through the shadows to their arm. The shadows intangible. To Hero’s horror when they pulled their hand away the shadows had wrapped around both.

Hero had barely a second to register it before the shadows pulsed again, a deep all-encompassing black and the pain intensified tenfold. The shadows were so cold, too cold and empty but they burned, as if Hero was submerged in the Arctic ocean. It felt like the shadows were burning cold under Hero's skin. Ice raced through their veins as white flashed behind Hero’s eyes, and they were screaming the only thing that seemed to bring any heat back into their body. Hero didn't even notice that they dropped their precious daggers beside them.

Every muscle in their body seized up with the blinding pain as Hero fell to their knees, gasping in shaky breaths as the excruciating pain ebbed into a sickening cold that left Hero shivering. Tears they didn't know had fallen turning cold on their cheeks. Hero was exhausted, even breathing was too much effort: their breath dredged up from their lungs, Hero heaving in heavy air. Even the darkness seemed too bright all of a sudden.

A pair of boots advanced before them, a hand went under their chin tilting their Head up to see Flynn standing above them, regarding them with a mimicry of pity. “I told you to come the easy way, Hero,” he said.

The cuffs of shadow raised Hero’s wrists to meet Flynn’s hands and he locked the cuffs down snug against Hero’s wrists. Hero felt the familiar sizzling of power beneath their veins fade and become nothing but a knowing ache, like there was something missing that is supposed to be there. Powerless. Hero barely had it in them to care, mind still hazy from the pain as the shadows dissipated under the cuffs.

Flynn reached down, scooping up Hero’s daggers and sheathed them behind Hero’s back. The action alone made Hero want to sob, the cruelty of having the opportunity to fight back so close and not being able to reach it.

“Let’s not dally any longer, Flynn. We don’t know if they called for reinforcements.”

“Don’t worry,” said Flynn, looking down at Hero with a fond smile. He tucked a stray piece of hair behind Hero’s ear as he said: “they didn’t.”

Hero shivered at their easy confidence. Hero knew Flynn and Flynn knew Hero, inside and out, they were partners... Flynn put their hands under Hero’s elbow and started guiding them up, but Hero pulled away. “Get away from me,” Hero spat, venom lilting every syllable.

The shadows reappeared at Hero’s arms, and they glared up at Villain, though they thought they were going to have a heart attack at the simple threat.

“He likes you. He wants you. He is the only thing keeping me from unleashing the shadows to wrangle some more of your pretty little tears, and cute little screams from your lips. So, if I were you, I’d listen to him and stand the fuck up, Hero.”

Hero glared at Villain, then looked down to the shadow still clinging threateningly to their arms and sucked in a sharp breath. When Flynn offered to help them up again, this time Hero let them. Hero felt bile rise in their throat when Flynn touched them, but they sucked it up for the moment. It was better than having Villain’s shadows torture them.

“There you go, Hero. See how nice it can be when we’re civil? Trust me, we’ll have fun together,” Flynn said, disgustingly chipper. “The three amigos!”

The cold air bit into Hero’s skin as they walked through the woods, Flynn walking beside them and Villain striding ahead, alert, and ready. Their muscles still shaking after the unnatural use of Villain's shadows on them.

“How long?” Hero croaked. They didn’t mean for it to come out as broken as it did; like they were a wounded dog, a stupid puppy who got kicked and kept coming back for more.

Flynn was gentle as they said: “as long as we’ve been friends, if that’s what you mean. Longer, before I even joined the academy. I guess I’ve always been a Villain, the rouse was the hero business.”

“We met at the academy. When you told me that you wanted to help people from the dregs—”

“I do,” said Flynn sincerely, and it sounded so convincing. “I just don’t think being a Hero will let me do it. Supervillain—”

“Terrorises the city!” Hero bit out. Flynn just sighed.

“Well, you’ll understand when you meet them.”

Hero’s blood ran cold, their feet slowing to a stop. Flynn glanced at Villain’s back, then stepped in front of Hero, their once kind eyes that were so reassuring now only served to terrify Hero, as if they looking into a stranger's. “You’re bringing me to Supervillain?”

“Of course. After I told Supervillain who was single handedly thwarting our every attack, seeing through every diversion…” Flynn said with a coy smile, eyes flashing with something Hero had never seen in them before. Flynn’s voice dipped as they said, “well let’s just say they were intrigued.”

Hero’s blood was pumping in their ears as they swallowed the lump in the throat, forcing themselves to speak, not to cry. Don’t cry.

“You… you were always with me… following my lead. I thought you trusted me. I thought— but after,” Hero’s eyes hardened as they shoved Flynn in the chest, pushing them back a step. “All this time you were just keeping an eye on me! You fucking— you knew Sidekick was—”

Hero’s eyes widened then, and they wanted to get sick. “You went with Sidekick… they didn’t meet Other Villain at all, did they?”

Flynn’s intelligent eyes turned cruel, drawing a sadistic smile onto his face. He reached up and grabbed Hero’s chin between his index finger and thumb, pinching it. He didn’t let Hero escape as they tried to move their head back, he just tightened his grip until it turned painful. Hero reached up again to shove Flynn back, but Flynn caught their arm and held them down, as if Hero's struggles were non-existent.

“See what I mean, Hero? So intelligent. So clever. Supervillain will love you.”

Flynn grabbed Hero’s elbow again. This time his grip was harsh and tight as he dragged Hero along with him to catch up with Villain, and Hero didn't bother to waste their energy struggling anymore. They had to relax and save their energy for the right moment.

*~*~*~*~*

Continued here

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abhainnwhump · 25 days

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IMYM Chapter 27:

I Can Fix Him: Ribbon

(Content warnings: Amputation, non-consensual body modification, torture, non-consensual drug use, forced addiction, implied branding, waterboarding (?)

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Ribbon stretched and yawned, flipping through the wedding dress catalog on his vanity. He drew hearts on the ones he liked with a pink gel pen. He loved the ones with the super long trains and lace sleeves. He knew no matter what, Nightmare was going to pick what he wanted him to wear. But it was fun to see all the pretty options, and Nightmare wanted a little input from Ribbon. It was his wedding too and he wanted him happy.

Mrrow?

Ribbon looked up as he heard the strange noise. Ribbon looked up from his vanity. The sound came from the window in the room. He got up and cautiously walked up to it, was it one of Killer’s pranks again? He liked cats and it seemed like something he would do. Ribbon opened the pink lace curtains and looked outside. He took a double take. Outside was a white cat with thick fluffy fur and big black eyes hanging from blue strings. Ribbon tilted his head and pressed his hands against the glass. As soon as he did, the cat moved and landed on a nearby ledge. He waved his paw and Ribbon tapped his finger against the window. Ribbon narrowed his eyes and the cat lifted in the air, jumping from ledges and running to the garden.

“Wait, come here! What are you?” Ribbon pulled his neck charm, grabbed his parasol, and ran out of his room. He made his way through the castle and into the gardens. He spotted the cat rolling on the ground in a field of tulips. with the strings still attached. He looked around in case anyone would try to attack him. But he knew couldn’t happen because of Nightmare’s magic. Still . . . he felt like he was being watched. The sharp end of his parasol glinted in the light.

Before he knew it, something wrapped around his waist, wrists, and legs. His parasol almost fell out of his hand. More blue strings. Wait, like the strings of-

Ribbon couldn’t finish that thought as he was flung backward and through a portal. Going faster, the doll screamed until he came to a sudden halt. He hung from his wrists. His breathing raced as he looked down. He was at least fifty feet in the air of a . . . oh stars, not more white! He hasn’t been in the Anti-void in forever. How did he remember the name? Ribbon kicked and tried to curl up into a ball, terrified of falling. Would he shatter? His porcelain body was strong, but he didn’t know if it could handle fall damage. He looked around at the blue strings, souls, and puppets around him.

“Gotcha. You can thank me later, Ink.” Error said. He sat on a blue string swing and lowered Ribbon to his level. His fingers were so tight around it that it looked like they would break. Ribbon couldn’t tell if he was angry, happy, or both. Was he angry at him? His grin and glitching eye sockets made Ribbon squirm and cower. Error stared at the cat and threw it through a portal. “Underfell was actually useful for once. I stole Fell’s cat, Doomfanger. Now to the point.” He threw the cat through the portal and brought Ribbon closer. He looked him directly in the eyes. “Look, I’m not standing by and watching as Nightmare breaks everything out of you and by extension, me. I’m going to end this right now. If you fight against me, I’ll hang you. No, scratch that. I’ll hang Nightmare first, then you’re next. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”

“Yes, sir!” Ribbon nodded quickly. He noticed Error’s distaste for the word. “I mean, yes Error!” There, that made him happy. Error lowered both of them to the ground and Ribbon took a breath of relief. Error picked up something from behind his bean bag and threw it at Ribbon. Something brown covered his face and he shook it off to see what it was. It was an outfit. A white shirt with a brown shoulder jacket, heavy brown pants, and a brown scarf. They all had very noticeable blue stitches. The outfit looked familiar and Ribbon had to think. Then he remembered it was his old uniform, back before Nightmare fixed him.

“Put that on and then we can get going. I made it for you.” Error said. He turned around so he didn’t watch Ribbon change. Knowing he had no choice here, Ribbon took his dress, beret, and stockings off. He put on the outfit Error gave him instead. It wasn’t as comfy as his dresses and it felt too tight and too big at the same time.

“I’m done . . .” Ribbon whispered when he finished. He rubbed his hands together, looking around in the hope Nightmare would save him. He looked at Error’s multicolored eye lights and had no will to protest.

Error relaxed a bit when he put the outfit on. “There, now you look normal. Almost, it doesn’t fix your proportions. Can you change your eye lights to something that isn’t those creepy pink hearts? Why haven’t they changed at all since I brought you here?”

“I can’t, Nightmare fixed my eyes and gave me pretty mechanical ones! They’re always this pink!” Ribbon blinked his mechanical eyes. He knew they were lilac, but pink was close enough. The white pupils made Error grimace.

“. . . I don’t want to know.” Error sighed. He created a portal out of glitches and dropped them both through.

They fell into the Doodlesphere. Ribbon hasn’t been in the endless yellow void for so long that it felt like new territory. Some of the islands were pitch black from their corruption. Part of him wanted to do something about it, but the louder part was pleased. Nightmare’s plan was working! Error lowered himself with more carefulness than he did with Ribbon. His glitches increased as he got to the ground.

“What do you think of this? I destroyed twenty-eight AUs so far because of the mayhem you and Nightmare pulled. I know you don’t care, but it’s ruining the monsters and the code.” He looked at Ribbon for a response. Ribbon didn’t move a muscle. Error’s mouth held slightly agape. “Seriously? This is your life’s work and you feel nothing?”

“No . . .” Ribbon knew he shouldn’t, but he thought harder. Yeah, he should help here . . . but he also didn’t want to. Nightmare wouldn’t like that. Ribbon pulled at the scarf on his neck. He didn’t like how big this outfit was. He was so used to dresses that not wearing a skirt felt wrong.

Error facepalmed and groaned. He made a hand out of string and smacked Ribbon’s hand away from his scarf. “Don’t take that off. I can’t believe I’m going to try and fix something.” He opened a giant rectangle box beside Ribbon. His eyes went wide at all the white code moving. It was so pretty! Error looked bored. His fingers flashed across the screen, moving stuff around and deleting it. Ribbon’s body jolted each time it did. It reminded him of the shock collar. Was this Error’s way of punishment?

“Huh . . . why isn’t any of your Guardian of Creativity code in here? Almost all of your code is broken, like you.”

Ribbon thought about it. He tried to pretend breaking that sphere didn’t happen, but it was a hard thing to forget. “Um, I don’t know. A few months ago, I was on a mission with Dust, Killer, and Horror, and I wandered into this strange place. There was a big sphere in the middle of the room and . . . I kinda broke it . . . please don't be angry! I just said it because I felt weird since then!"

“The creativity sphere you told me about? You shattered your magic?” Error muttered in disbelief to himself. His eye sockets went blind with glitches. “Oh . . . that's why Fresh replaced you so easily. How could have you been that stupid? Whatever, it's not important. This isn't working either. Crap, Nightmare is going to be here . . ."

The rectangle disappeared and Ribbon took a deep breath. It felt good on his plastic lungs. Error snapped his fingers again and they fell through a portal. They crashed back into the Anti-void. Ribbon barely saw what he was doing as he landed flat on his face. Ribbon lay there for a moment, contemplating his life, then he heard Error drop a set of papers down.

Error spread a set of drawings on the ground. Someone with a lot of talent must have made them. One of them had someone who looked like Ribbon, sort of. He wore the same outfit he did now, but his face and body were wrong.

Error kept his arms crossed and stared down at him. “Hurry up, do you recognize any of these? You made that one for my birthday. It looks stupid.” He tapped his foot on the drawing of a chibi Error with a massive chocolate bar. He kissed and cuddled it.

The drawing was silly and he laughed a little, but Ribbon didn’t recognize it. He shook his head. Error huffed and tapped another drawing. “This one? It was a consolation prize you made me when I got stuck in your trap for five hours.”

He didn't recognize that one either. He had a tiny glimpse of something, but that could easily be his imagination. “I- I don’t even draw that much anymore. I usually sew. I’m not this talented either . . .” Ribbon crawled backward. He looked around for Nightmare again. He had to notice he was missing by now, right? Sure he was at a business meeting, but he had to find him!

Error gathered the drawings with his strings and sent them into the air. “I have one more idea. After this, I’m sending you to Dream and the Stars and letting them deal with you.”

Ribbon shook his head. He didn’t want to go back to his kidnappers! They were going to punish him for getting away. “I’ll behave, I’ll be good, I promise! I’ll do my best! What is it?”

“Fight me.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Error snapped his fingers and teleported them back to the Doodlesphere. He chose the islands floating around, not any real AUs. The other islands came from AU pieces breaking off and debris from the Creators and Error. The destroyer landed on the ground. He picked up a big stick and threw it at Ribbon. “Pretend that’s Broomie since Nightmare destroyed it.”

Ribbon looked at the stick. Error gave him digital artist gloves with his outfit and it made the stick feel slippery. Or he was just weak, he had almost no muscle after his surgeries. His parasol was lighter and easier to use. Ribbon swung it and fell over on the ground. Error wrapped his strings around him and made him stand up.

Error stood in front of Ribbon and sighed. "Hit me with the stick." I'm standing right here and I'm not even defending myself. This isn't hard, even a baby Asriel could do it."

Ribbon tried to hold it better, but then he panicked. He remembered his training and how Nightmare didn't like it when he landed a hit on him. “I’m sorry! I don’t know how to use this, it's too heavy. Can I have my parasol back? Please please?"

"It's the same size as Broomie! How are you . . ." Error rubbed his hand on his face. His tight voice made Ribbon worry he was in trouble. “Okay squid, I need you to listen to me very carefully. First, take the stick and hold it like a weapon. Now, I’m going to destroy this AU and you need to stop me by any means possible. You need to save the world and the people inside before I kill them all. Don’t beg, don’t argue, don’t stammer, don’t cower, and don’t be a crybaby. Just don’t . . . whatever Nightmare told you to do, do the opposite. There, that’s the easiest way I can explain it.”

Ribbon took a moment to absorb the new information and nodded. Opposite? Nightmare liked obedience, silence, trained helplessness, and sweetness. So Error must want defiance, noisiness, independence, and . . . him to act like an asshole? Rude was the opposite of sweet. The thought of acting like that was scary, but he could try if it meant he wouldn't get hurt. It’s like playing make-believe! "Um, Error? When I’m done, can you please send me back home?”

Error laughed without humor. “No! You’re not going back to him! That man is crazy."

Ribbon switched his mannerisms. He narrowed his eyes and changed his stance to one hand on his hip. “Or what? You’re going to use your puppet strings on me? You're too slow to catch me, I'm- I'm better! Faster?" Ribbon wasn't sure what to say.

Error’s mouth froze open before turning into a grin. “There’s the Ink I know and hate! We’re trying this again.”

Ribbon faced him with more of a strut than usual. It felt so wrong, but also natural in a weird way. It’s like he was a confident person.

No, what was he thinking? This was bad, bad, bad! Confidence was a person feeling and Nightmare warned him not to think like a person. When Error wasn’t looking, Ribbon switched back to the way he always stood. Prim and proper. He hit himself for misbehavior.

Error noticed but said nothing, throwing more bone attacks. Ribbon bounced around. "Missed me! Missed me! You call yourself a destroyer? Your aim is awful!” The doll dodged all of his attacks. Being confident, even as an act, was actually . . . fun? A little bit fun, he never played this rough.

Error smirked and doubled down on his Gaster Blasters. Ribbon leaped in the air and ran to go hit him with the stick. He almost laughed, but then Nightmare’s disappointed face flashed before his eyes. Ribbon lost his smile. He would be so mad right now.

Error threw his string of bones at him. Ribbon wasn’t paying attention and was hit in three spots, both shoulders in chest. He flew and slammed against the wall, tangled in bones and string. His shoulders popped and throbbed with pain.

“Nighty . . .” Ribbon moaned, falling flat onto the ground.

The destroyer teleported in front of him and scowled. “Come on, Ink! You were so close that time! Why did you have to screw it up?" He paused and his glitches increased. "He really did reduce you to a damsel in distress who can’t even fight for himself. Can you do anything without him?”

Ribbon curled up in a ball, feeling guilty and embarrassed. “N-no. I can’t. I need him. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry . . ."

“You’re not a doll, Ink! I want you back to normal!” Was that worry in his voice? Ribbon couldn’t tell. Error's glitches covered his eyes. He grabbed Ribbon’s collar with his strings and brought him closer. “Snap out of it! I- oh screw it, I miss you! I miss fighting and hanging out with you! You annoyed the hell out of me, but I would take that a million times over whatever this is!"

Blue magic wrapped around Ribbon’s body and he was ripped away from Error. He floated away until he fell into Horror’s arms. He looked up and grinned, snuggling up to the bigger skeleton. Horror looked confused, but he gave him a nice head scratch. If Horror was here, that must have meant-

Error couldn’t watch for long as a tendril pulled him to the ground. Error fired a Gaster Blaster at it. Nightmare pulled his top tendril away. He used the bottom two to stand. Error readied his strings and Gaster Blasters. Nightmare prepared his tendrils.

“Nightmare? How did you know where we were?”

Nightmare stood on his tendrils. “I can find Ribbon anywhere in the Doodlesphere, I've been around his aura long enough to recognize it. And we used to fight near the same planes and areas, I remembered this one."

“Should've known," Error grumbled.

“Starlight!” Ribbon struggled in Horror's arms to get to Nightmare. Nightmare held up his hand and while it usually meant to be quiet, he assumed he wanted him to stop.

"Hold still . . . they got this. Nightmare . . . says he wants you . . . with me." Horror said. Ribbon did feel safe with him, so he relaxed. Right, they could handle this. He had to stay safe and then cuddle Nightmare when this was over.

Sneaking from behind, Killer and Dust jumped Error. Killer stabbed his shoulder. Error rolled over and jammed his elbow into his chest, kicking Dust away. He wrapped his strings around their souls and threw them to the other islands. Error fired his Gaster Blasters at the three of them. Horror tightened his grip on Ribbon and hid behind a portal. He still squeezed him as they watched the four of them fight.

Dust teleported around and fired his pistols in the air to confuse Error. Killer ran around and threw knives and bones. Nightmare waited patiently for the perfect time to strike. Dirt and dust blew into the air and made Ribbon cough. Error levitated out of the heavy cloud and targeted Killer. Error turned around and Nightmare struck him from behind. He wrapped his tendrils around Error and pulled him out of the sky. He grabbed him by the skull, making him glitch and kick, then he summoned his sleeping magic. Error screamed and worked to fight it off, but he couldn't. His eye sockets went heavy and he fell asleep. Nightmare's magic always felt good, so he didn't worry about Error.

"Well now I'm not the only one with a concussion." Killer spat at Error's feet. "Dang, I kinda liked you before all this."

Nightmare watched as Killer and Dust tied Error up with his own strings. Then he looked over at Ribbon and Horror. Ribbon reached out for him. Nightmare only noticed his outfit now and Ribbon couldn't read his expression. Anger? Shock? He didn't know, but he didn't think he was in trouble. Nightmare kissed Ribbon's head and looked up at Horror. He nodded at him. "Good work, you may carry him back to the castle and we will deal with this. I need your help."

==============================================================================

“Come on, Error! Wake up! Wake up!"

Error groaned and stretched. “Ugh, my head . . . wait. Where am I?” He looked around and found himself shirtless and shackled in a dark dungeon. He tried to summon his strings, but the Anti-Magic cuffs He shot toward the bars and shook them. “Ribbon, what did you do to me? You bastard!”

Ribbon smiled and tilted his head. He struggled to contain his excitement, not only because Nightmare refilled his paints. Nightmare promised he would punish Error for everything he did to him. He and Horror were out of the room gathering supplies. Ribbon even got to help! His creative mind already had ideas, like he was the one who got to hold him down.

“Nightmare said he might be able to help you! He's mad at you for taking me, hurting me, putting me in those clothes." Ribbon patted the skirt of his dress, the one he had before Error made him take it off. Killer found it.

"Help me? What is that supposed to mean?"

“I . . . I don't know yet. All he said was that you would never hurt me or anyone else again. If I had to guess . . . I bet he's going to do the same thing he did when I misbehaved. Punish you.” Ribbon looked down at the moon brand on his chest. “I'm not allowed to make the big decisions on what happens to prisoners, Nightmare does all of that. I only help do the little things like tie them up and bring food or water."

Error looked horrified instead of happy, which surprised Ribbon. Why wouldn’t anyone want this life? “Why . . . what are you allowed to do? It sounds like Nightmare doesn't let you do anything,” he asked.

Ribbon had to think about that question. He counted on his fingers and pulled his string. “No talking to strangers, no wearing boy clothes, no leaving the castle, no spending money." He took a deep breath. "No speaking without permission, no alcohol, no drugs, no sweets unless on special occasions, and no friends. Oh, never talk back, never disobey, never complain, act sweet and smile, remember my place . . ."

"I would need drugs to put up with this." Error leaned against the cage, looking nauseous.

“I think that's all the things I'm not allowed to do. It might sound bad, but it's actually a good thing! Having all those things made me act out and disobey. I need strict rules to follow! I got used to them, and Nightmare became much nicer once I stopped thinking for myself. Maybe you'll be happy here if Nightmare decides to train you like he did with me! I can teach you to avoid the same mistakes I made. We can even be friends if he says it's okay!”

That was the part Ribbon was most enthusiastic about. He could have his very first real friend. Could. He felt safer knowing Error was behind bars and he couldn't hurt him. He could watch someone else go through his training. He could shape him into the perfect BFF. He wanted to play with him so badly.

Error took in a long breath. “Oh for the love of the Creators, Ink! Open your eyes! I don’t believe for one minute you’re happy like this. I haven’t seen you this pathetic since you tried drinking your blue and red vials at the same time. You’re fifty times worse now. You’re jumpy, you’re scared, you’re confused, you always look like you’re about to cry, and Nightmare treats you like an object! You just listed a bunch of normal things you're not allowed to do! Admit it, you’re miserable! What happened to the annoying Ink who used to cause mischief and never let others boss him around? Oh wait, I know! NIGHTMARE BEAT HIM INTO HIDING!”

Ribbon’s enthusiasm faded and his left eye twitched. He didn’t care that he said bad things about him, he got that a lot, but he wouldn’t let bad things about his fiance slide. “Hey! You don’t know anything! Nightmare doesn’t beat me, it was only when I was bad, and that was months ago!” He wasn’t allowed to use the word Error says. He remembered what Error said “He’s the one person who’s ever loved me! Once I become his wife and queen, he’ll love me even more!”

“Bullshit! Nightmare doesn’t care about you, he’s just crazy! He cares about your powers and how easy you are to control. If he loves you as much as you say he does, then why does he treat you like some puppy? Why does he make you feel like you’re nothing compared to him? I’ve never been in a relationship, but I don’t need to be to know that is a major red flag.”

“I am less than a person! I explained this a few minutes ago! I am a doll. I was supposed to be a doll all along, being a person only made me worse! I think that- that will help you too! You'll be better once Nightmare is done with you! Listen to me! This is why NO ONE LOVES YOU!" Ribbon's mind started to spiral and he took a breath.

Error’s scowl tightened. He growled and lashed out, but then changed his mind, sinking back down. “You’re a liar, Ink. I choose not to care about others and vice versa."

Ribbon cocked his head in confusion. “Why does everyone keep calling me Ink? I’m not Ink anymore!”

“Yeah, I know. I’m sure as hell not talking to him and it was a mistake to try and save you. Until he comes back to his senses, I’m not saying a word to you.” Error turned around and slumped against the cage wall.

“Wait, Error! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean what I said.” Ribbon pleaded, but Error didn’t budge. His scowl increased. The doll sniffed. “I’m sorry, I just want to be friends! I can be better! I swear I can fix it!"

He kept apologizing and trying to get Error to talk to him until his pull-string retracted. Nothing worked. He did want Error to be happy. He was sure he would be happy and make a good doll. But Ribbon failed to be a good friend first. Another thing he’s worthless at. Maybe he had to use a different persuasion method to prove being a toy was better than being a person. A direct comparison. What would Nightmare do in this situation? Probably turn to violence . . .

The door to the dungeon opened. Ribbon looked up to Nightmare walking down the steps. He had his arms behind his back and looked as handsome as ever, even in the creepy dungeon light.

“Well, well, well, this is interesting. Ribbon, how are you-” Nightmare noticed the tears on his cheekbones. “Did Error make you cry?”

Ribbon nodded, wiping his eye. Nightmare frowned and picked him up, rubbing his skull and shushing him. Ribbon clung to him, trying to ignore what Error said. Nightmare hummed and kept rubbing his head.

“Shh, tell me what happened.” His voice was quiet and gentle, calming Ribbon down almost instantly. He snuggled onto his lap and whispered the entire conversation. Error’s face scrunched from disgust.

“Can you stop cuddling him in front of me? It's gross!" Error shouted, grabbing the bars and trying to shake them. “Let me go!”

Nightmare glared at Error as he set Ribbon back down. “My little doll, could you do me a favor? Go into the storage room and bring the blindfold and bandages. I have a plan.”

“Yes Nighty,” Ribbon said. He slipped off his lap and skipped through the dungeon. He looked around a big room filled with weapons, restraints, spikes, and a few medical supplies. It was like his training room, but bigger. Ribbon picked out a black blindfold from a drawer and picked up a roll of bandages.

Ribbon carried both items through the dungeon, which wasn’t as scary as it once had been. Probably because Nightmare hasn’t sent him to the white room in that time. He hoped to never go in there again.

Ribbon slowed down when he heard them arguing. More screaming, mostly from Error. He peeked from around the corner at them. It looked the same as before, but Horror showed up this time. It was only for a moment, then he disappeared into the dark. Not even his red eye glowed.

“-you’re the one who decided to ruin my plan. I gave you a warning in advance, yet you ignored me. I don’t want to hurt him." Nightmare looked up and smiled when Ribbon arrived. "There he is. Oh, you chose an excellent blindfold. Good work." Nightmare picked up the rough fabric and pet Ribbon's head, making him purr.

Error pulled his head back and screamed. Nightmare brushed his fingers along his cheekbone and held back a laugh. “My, my, the great destroyer being brought to his knees over a single touch. This is going to be interesting. Ribbon, would you like to do the honor of preparing him for torture?"

“Don’t do it, Ink! If you want me to be your friend so bad, you’ll get me out of here!”

Nightmare kissed him on the head, then on both cheeks. “Go on, do it for me?"

Ribbon didn't even need to think. Nightmare's kisses made it so he didn't have to think about who to help. It did make him feel ashamed for having those thoughts about friends. Nightmare was right, again. He had to put his loneliness aside and focus on the team, friendship did nothing good. Or he could give all of his stuffed animals names and stories and treat them as friends, more than he already is. He liked that idea more. Ribbon tied the blindfold around Error, nearly getting bit by him. Nightmare pulled Ribbon out of the way with his tendril and set him by his side. Nightmare made a hand gesture.

Horror stepped out of the shadows, holding a massive chainsaw. He pulled the cord and revved it up. Error's mouth went agape at the sound and he shuffled back, fighting his Anti-Magic bonds. "Why the hell do you have a chainsaw?"

Nightmare's mouth curved up as he stared down at Error. "To teach you a lesson. Ribbon told me what happened. You forced him to fight you and you put your hands on him. I don't want to cut both of your hands off in case I need you later, but I have another idea. Horror, go ahead."

Nightmare covered Ribbon's eyes with his tendrils and held him, but he listened. It was a mix of screaming, glitching, chainsaw sounds, and bones breaking. He thought it would only be a few seconds, but it seemed to last way longer than that. Horror took his time. Error's screaming stopped and Ribbon worried. Did Nightmare and Horror go further than his arm? Something heavy clattered on the ground.

"Close your eyes if you can't handle it." Nightmare removed the tendril after a moment and let Ribbon see. Oh, that's why he went quiet. Error crashed in the middle of getting his arm chopped off. A loading bar hovered above his head and his arm lay on the ground. Yellowish-blue blood leaked from his shoulder. His arm glitched on the ground, almost dusting.

Nightmare wrapped his strings around Error's soul and snapped him out of his crash. Ribbon's heart fluttered over Nightmare showing off his power like that. There wasn't a single thing that could hurt him when Nightmare was around. The dark king summoned malice in his hand, forcing it into Error's soul. Well, half of it went into his soul. The other half went down his throat as Nightmare shoved his hand inside. The move woke Error up all the way. Error gagged and curled up into himself. He stared at his bleeding arm turning into dust and glitches. "Nightmare, stop!"

“Oh I’m sorry, I thought you said you needed drugs to put up with this?” Nightmare chuckled under his breath, then he forced the malice down his throat again. Error sputtered and tried to cough it out. Glitches burst around his body. The liquid leaked out of his eyes and mouth. "Were you bluffing? Oh well."

Nightmare smiled at his doll. “Ribbon, sweetheart, bring me my branding iron, it's in the living room by the fireplace. This is going to be a long night.”

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enhasfever · 1 year

Text

catch fire — p. jongseong

˗ˏˋ TEASER ´ˎ˗

╰┈➤ [ navi.pdf ] here!

╰┈➤ [ word count.txt ] 0.8k

╰┈➤ [ summary.txt ] in which you and jay have been competing with each other since you were in primary school, and it can't possibly get any worse when you're paired for a project. that is, until you're suddenly planning for an unsolicited wedding.

╰┈➤ [ notes.txt ] part of the bloodline enhypen hyung line series!!

"yah, park jongseong!"

you lifted your head and peered over the top of your macbook as a familiar girl came storming into the library. what was her name again? chaewon? chaeyeon?

"yeojin hush, we're in a library," jay hissed, taking her by the arm and yanking her down into the open seat beside him. dang, you hadn't even been close.

"i don't care if we're sitting in the front row of a church sermon," she bit back harshly, "i'll scold you wherever i want!"

your eyebrows lifted in amusement and you glanced back and forth between jay and this yeojin girl who seemed to be blind to your presence at the table. jay let out a defeated sigh and ran his hands through his pristinely styled hair, ruffling it enough to have a few locks of hair falling in front of his face attractively... not that you were admiring him or anything.

"look jinnie, i'm sorry–"

"don't you jinnie me, park jongseong!" she seethed. "how dare you try to dump me? and over a text, too?" she swatted his shoulder roughly and scowled deeply at him.

your mouth fell agape at this new revelation and you couldn't help but continue to watch in awe as the scene continued to unfold. you hadn't been aware of any girlfriend of his. why did it bother you the more you thought about it? surely he would've mentioned a girlfriend to you by this point, right? you two didn't have to be madly in love to at least have the decency for clear communication.

"i'm sorry, i didn't want to do this, believe me. there's nobody else i'd rather be with," he sighed, reaching over to take her hand in his which she surprisingly let him do.

ouch, okay.

"then why are you doing this?" she demanded with glossy eyes and a trembling lip. maybe you were starting to feel bad now, but it wasn't like you had much of a choice in the matter.

"you wouldn't understand, jinnie..." he trailed off sheepishly.

"come on, park," you finally interjected, "she deserves to know."

both of their attention drew to you and yeojin seemed to only then notice you sitting there. "sorry, who are you?" she demanded, quirking a scrutinizing brow at you as she briefly took in your appearance.

you glanced over to meet jay's eyes and he subtly widened them, shaking his head at you. "should i tell her or would you like to break the news?" you prompted, primly folding your hands in your lap.

"y/n, don't," jay warned.

yeojin's gaze bounced back and forth between the two of you wildly, her expression forming into one of utter confusion. "tell me what?" she asked, her voice pitching slightly higher as her eyes began filling up with more tears. you really did feel bad for her, truly.

"she's just trying to mess with us," jay grumbled, fixing you with a hard glare that told you to shut your mouth before you could make things worse. but, that was what you were best at when it came to park jongseong, and in the end this poor girl did deserve closure on why her supposed boyfriend suddenly dumped her.

"who do you think you are?" yeojin turned back to you with a matching icy glare to that of the man sitting beside her.

you clicked your tongue and tried your hardest to bite back the smirk that began to tug the corner of your lips upward. "his future wife," you answered nonchalantly, sitting back in your seat.

you saw the way jay's eyes grew even bigger as yeojin suddenly stood from her seat, knocking the chair backwards and slamming her hands against the tabletop as she leaned in dangerously towards you. "you're his what?" she all but shrieked, causing more heads to turn in your direction.

"listen, i'm just as happy about this as you are," you held your hands up in defense.

she whirled around to face jay and loomed over him while he shrunk down into his seat in mortification as he, too, noticed the stares. "when were you planning to tell me you were in love with someone else? were you just going to lead me on for the rest of my life?"

she suddenly lifted her hand and you held your breath as you waited for it to make contact with his face but were greatly disappointed when she did no such thing. she aggressively ripped off one of the few rings adorning her fingers, angrily throwing it on the tabletop in front of him.

"if i ever hear from you again, park jongseong, it'll be too soon!" you watched as she stormed back out of the library and bit back a satisfied smile at the enraged look jay threw at you.

"you just love making my life a living hell, don't you?" he bit out viciously as he began to hastily pack his things up.

"i do get my daily dopamine boost through it," you quipped back easily as you returned to the word document on your screen.

without another word, jay rose up from his seat and left you at the table alone, presumably to go after yeojin in an attempt to patch things up.

'he's cute when he's angry.'

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chaotic-orphan · 1 year

Note

Hey would you ever consider writing a second part to heroic betrayal? I absolutely loveeddd that snippet I keep re-reading it I adore heroes turned villains!

Heroic Betrayal: part two

Yes of course!! I actually forgot about this prompt but i loved writing the second part so expect more soon!!

Continued from this:

Hero stared at them; mouth open in silent confusion. Which all ended when they felt cold metal press against the back of their skull. Flynn beamed at someone behind Hero, then fixed his smug gaze on Hero’s eyes.