Tumgik
#bring back villagers that move in 2 foot away from me and call me horrible things
squea · 15 days
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theres rumours that animal crossing new leaf is being ported to the switch and when i tell u i will cry and scream and throw up i love that game soo much
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static-fanatic-1 · 3 years
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Chrollo + Phantom Troupe Teaser
Word Count: 5.2k
(Teaser my ass, holy shit this is going to be a long one)
Name: (y/n) Kurta
Nen Type: Conjurer
Nen Ability: Terracotta gauntlets with a lion head on top of the hand. The lion head can detach from the clawed gauntlets and act as physics-defying grappling hooks.
Example of Ability: You can use the grappling hooks to grab and throw whatever is caught, this can include people or other large objects. It will feel fairly weightless.
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| Part 2 |
~~~
You remember the day perfectly, it was humid and moist, yet just cool enough to stop you from sweating. You had on your usual Kurta garb, purple and yellow with symbols and designs in honor of your heritage. You stayed home that day, being two months pregnant with your future child made your father worry too much.
You were barely showing at this point, but he still kept you home despite your line of work. You were a protector of sorts, a guard to your clan, keeping everyone protected as well as leaving to explore the world and bring back new things. You enjoyed your job, but your sweet old man didn't want you to over exert yourself.
"When you leave again you'll have to bring your secret lover." Your father would constantly start. "I bet he's a gentleman considering what your mother taught you." A fatherly smile gleaming over his wrinkling features. "If he runs off I'll hunt him down and strap him to our dinner table." He would joke.
You would lightly scold your father, knowing he would surely follow his words. "Stop. Keep acting like that and you'll chase him away."
You sighed at the fond memories, glancing out the window of the kitchen to watch the bright sun set below the horizon line. Deep purples and rich oranges decorated the clouds in a comforting glow. Another color, rich and warm, too warm, littered the skies. Coal black smoke rose above the tree tops and covered the beautiful sky in a suffocating cloak.
A lump got caught in your throat at the sight, you knew the colors and smoke anywhere, the burning trash of Meteor City making it a familiar sight. The smell too, burning your nostrils and making you cringe further confirmed what was happening.
Fire. Burning, raging fire was engulfing the village and eating it whole. Screams and cries for help filled the air as buildings crumpled into the ground. That was your call to action, you jumped out of your window and summoned up your nen, claws outstretched and prepared to slice any unknown mother fucker you could find.
You found one, a dark silhouette in the night with a slim build and intense pink aura coming from their hands. It felt familiar, the aura, but you didn't pay it any mind before shooting out the lion head on your gauntlets.
With chattering teeth they by harshly into the figure's forearms, dragging them across the floor and above your head into a burning building behind you. You cried and quickly jumped on the figure, slicing at their chest. Large, long gashes oozed out buckets of blood, and you quickly silenced the figure's cries with a even deeper gash to the throat... their head now hanging by a thin thread of flesh.
The blood that coated your nen gauntlets were nothing compared to the crimson that flooded your eyes. You would slaughter anyone that was not a clan member, you swore on that. Looking around your red tinted gaze fell upon the horrors caused by the raiders.
Bodies, bloodied and broken beyond recognition littered the ground. You wobbled over to one of them, barely making out who it was, an elderly woman you could almost call a grandmother. Her wrinkled features were slack and littered with blood, but the empty, oozing sockets where her eyes should be haunted your nightmares. You wailed louder than the dying screams, fat tears streaming down your cheeks and landing in the empty holes.
"Papa!" You shrieked, stumbling up off the ground and rushing further into the carnage. Your legs barely kept up as you rushed past the fire ridden village. "PAPA!" You screeched into the crackling night.
You paused, breath caught in your throat making you choke on the smoke. There was a silhouette shrouded by ash and darkness and flames, a distinguishable fur coat lining its figure. You gagged at the smoke, hiding behind a broken building to listen to the mumbling figure.
"Has anyone found her?" A smooth, honey like voice echoed past the dying screams.
Chrollo? Wha-? What's going on?! You stumbled on a piece of debris, tripling and falling onto a warm, bloodied corpse. You gave out a strained whimper, almost a shriek, as you tried to collect yourself and run away.
You could hear him behind you, you could almost feel him behind you. His nen spilled from his pores and surrounded you in a suffocating hold. You quietly gagged, hand over your mouth as you held back the bile rising in your throat. Tears pricked the edges of your eyes, blurring your vision with smoke and tears.
~~~
You bit your bottom lip, whipping your hair over your shoulder and staring at the man across from you. He was large, muscles bulging through the thin black shirt he wore, yet he was no where near strong enough to take you down. Theoretically, the only person out of this year's batch of hunters that could possibly stand against you was yourself and that clown whom got his ass kicked out for attacking one of the wardens. This guy was no where near your level, you couldn't even sense any nen.
"What's wrong little girl?" He spat, crouching down and preparing to bulldoze you. "Shaking in your boots?"
You narrowed your eyes with a scowl, scoffing and looking at the chairman across the plaza. "Hardly."
The large man growled and dashed with his arms out stretched. Typical. You jumped high into the air and twisted around, your leg coming back down on his thick skull. Your foot clashed against the crown of his head and shoved his face into the ground, bringing him to a dead stop. Jumping back to the ground you inspected the damage, the floor was cracked and you could barely see his head past the new hole in the ground. The man wasn't moving, you knocked him out.
There was some clapping from the end of the plaza, shoes clacking against tile as he wondered closer. His steel grey eyes trailed down to your chest as he neared, old perv. "I'm a little disappointed." He mused, looking back up to meet your stern gaze. "I thought he would have a better chance against you. Though, it's always a treat to see a first timer beat the Hunter Exam."
You lightly smiled at the praise, a small memory of your father coming into mind. "I appreciate it."
Netero grinned at your words, but it slightly faltered when he glanced back at the designs of your clothes. "So, what hunter are you aiming to be?" He started as he shuffled through his clothes.
"Bounty Hunter, there are a few people I want to find."
"The Phantom Troupe, hm? I can't blame you, they have done some pretty horrible things."
You glanced over at the old man, your gaze being met with a knowing expression and a Hunter License. "Thanks...." You warily replied, taking hold of your new license. It should serve you well, you hoped.
A few hours later you wondered into the fancy hotel you were staying at. A few strangers glanced at you with a disgusted look, you couldn't blame them as you were still covered in dirt, leaves and a few splotches of blood. A tired sigh escaped your lips once you finally got to your room, taking the card and swiping it you entered with a delicate smile. "Kurapika! (S/n)! Where are you guys?"
A tuft of blond hair wizzes past the corner of the small living room. Dark grey eyes quickly following and staring back at you with a disgruntled expression. "Your son is a handful." Spat Kurapika.
Behind him a small, pale skinned figure peeked behind the corner, a cheeky grin plastered on his chubby face. "Momma!" He screeched, rushing over and running into your waiting arms.
You gave him a kiss on his forehead, using your hand to push away his fluffy raven hair. "Pretty sure you were the handful Kurapika, no way this little angel was was trouble."
Kurapika slightly smiled, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Only when you are around, anyway, how did it go?"
You sighed and sat on the marble flooring. "It was really easy, but I've had the training for it to be easy. You will probably have a hard time, especially if that clown shows up again." You mumbled the last part, moving to the kitchen to grab you a snack, you were starving.
"Then teach me the "magic" you claim to know."
"I wanna see magic! Momma can you teach me too?" You took a big bite out of your snack, giving a glare to both of the kids.
"Sorry squirt, when you get older I'll teach you."
Kurapika furrowed his brows. "You keep telling me that if I pass the hunter exam you'll teach me."
"Change of plans-"
"Change of plans?! What do you mean change of plans? I still don't understand why you won't teach me this "magic" you keep talking about! I would be strong enough to fight the Phantom-"
"Kurapika." You sternly glared in his direction, the look in your eyes forcing everyone to quite down. "You know I don't want you to even get involved with this. Besides the change of plans isn't that bad, I want you to figure out this "magic" thing yourself and return when you are ready. I still want to teach you, but I don't want you to get killed in the process.
"I have a plan to find and hunt down the Troupe, but it will take time. If you aren't ready by the time I am, you will not be permitted to help. Instead you will stay somewhere safe and take care of (s/n) for me."
Kurpaika's dark grey eyes stared into the back of your head and burned holes into your skull. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, yes I am. Even if you learn this "magic" there is no telling how powerful you will become. Even with years and years of rigorous training like myself, I won't stand a chance against more than two of them at a time." You kept your stance, standing tall above the blond you called a little brother. "I don't want to see you get hurt, Kurapika. I can't see you get hurt."
Your son waddled over to your tense form and wrapped his shirt arms around your thighs. "He won't get hurt momma, I'll make sure of it!" A beaming smile did it's best to comfort you.
"I know you will, (s/n)." You turned your attention back to the blond, giving him a stern stare that told him you meant what you said. "I want to protect him too."
Kurapika growled, you knew how important finding and slaughtering the Troupe was to him, so why make it so difficult? Wouldn't it be easier to teach him and make him stronger so the both of you can fight?
You looked away from the blond as he stormed into one of the off rooms, you knew what he was thinking, but that wouldn't change your mind. You blamed yourself for your clan's slaughter and you wouldn't be able to live if he was to die too. You didn't want him to get involved in our own affairs, especially when they were so dangerous.
"Momma," You glanced down at the head of fluffy black hair still clinging to your legs. "Why do you and Uncle Kurapika argue so much? Who is this Phantom Troupe?" His chuffs cheeks puffed out, his brows furrowing in thought.
"(S/n)... it's a long story. One you aren't old enough to hear I'm afraid." You leaned down, picked him up, and rubbed your nose to his own rosy one. "Till then I'll keep you safe."
"From the Troupe?"
You glanced away form his coal black eyes, the painful memories a bit too much to handle at the moment. "From monsters that want to hurt you." You planted a kiss on his forehead, wiping away some of the scars burned into your mind.
~~~
You were going to strangle that boy when you find him. With gritted teeth and blazing eyes, you haven't been this pissed off in years. You stomped over to the glass window of the hotel room your all too kind employer provided.
You gave him simple instructions, go off and figure out the basics of "magic", and then return for more training. It was supposed to be a test for the rebellious teen.
That's what it was supposed to be. Instead, he decided he had enough of you and left to find the Troupe on his own, leaving your precious son to be alone in a secure hotel room while you worked. You might just kill Kurapika next time you see him.
You fanned down the small wrinkles on your slim dress, straightening out the slit that trailed to your thigh. It was black and long enough to trail behind your tall heels. Around your neck was a pearl necklace and a fur scarf hanging on your shoulders. Your hair was curled and allowed to flow freely behind you. You also had some pearl earrings and a pearl bracelet.
Swiping the last of your lipstick on, pursing your lips and giving them a little smack before turning to the small child on the couch. His eyes were glued to a puzzle he decided was more interesting than the television. "(S/n), I'm going to have to go in a minute. You'll be fine right?"
Doe eyes glanced back at you, a puzzle piece tightly held in his hands. "I'll be fine!"
"You remember the rules right?"
"No leaving without you or Kurapika, don't answer the door unless it is you or Kurapika, make sure I call you if something is wrong or when I go to bed,-"
"I get it." You waved a hand in his face, a gentle smile etched onto your painted lips. "My smart little boy remembers everything."
He nodded, leaning into the backside of the couch to wrangle you into a hug. "Come back soon!"
"I will, don't worry. Love you."
"Love you too."
You were off, leaving and meeting with your employer at his hotel before making your way to a dinner with a few high end Mafia men. You quickly met up with the man, he was a son to one of the ten dons and hired you as both a body guard and a rental girlfriend. A little demeaning in your eyes but anything to get close to your targets.
"You look stunning." Mentioned the man, his arm linking with your own. He was a handsome man, that was obvious, a real charmer too. With chocolate brown hair slicked back and bright green eyes you could stare at for an eternity. He was broad shouldered and muscular underneath his crisp dark grey suit, a pale yellow under shirt and a maroon tie adding to his attractiveness. The poor flirt would be dead if you outwardly admitted that though.
"Likewise." Your hand placed itself on top his forearm, letting him guide you to the fancy limousine he had for the two of you.
You decided conversation would be the best thing at the moment, as getting to know a man you are supposed to temporarily date would be best for the illusion. "Where are we going to meet your father?"
"Ah, a nice restaurant just a few blocks uptown from the auction site." He directed his head to take your facial features in. "They have the best steak I've ever had, amazing garlic butter."
You were beyond tense, but a relaxed smile crept onto your lips. "I just might have to try that. Who else is coming?"
"My father's friends, one is another don, and my two other brothers. I wouldn't worry though, they might ask you a few questions but I would just let me do the talking." He gave you a kind smile, turning back to the driver and telling him the name of the restaurant.
"I don't mean to be rude, but if anything happens I'll have to leave and take care of it."
"Oh! I know, they know. My family actually told me to, uh, rent a girlfriend for the auction days." He ran a hand through his chocolate locks, a sigh escaping his lips and he relaxed in his chair. "Rumor has it that something bad might happen during this auction. Something about sleeping? Like death."
"If that's the case, then I might have to take an early leave."
He gave you a cocky grin. "Just tell me what's happening outside the restaurant, I'm curious about what kind of stuff a hunter gets into."
You returned his gaze, finally relaxing just a bit more. "I'll make sure to keep you posted."
"Sir," alerted the driver. "We're here."
"Good! Let's get something to eat, shall we?"
You nodded, sliding your dress to the side to exit the vehicle. "Oh! Please, don't make me look bad." He jested, quickly shuffling to your side to open the door. "I'll embarrass myself in front of my dad."
"About that, I never introduced myself did I? My name is (y/n)."
He gave a dopey grin. "Right, I'm Jason, it probably would be a good idea to know each other's names, huh? Well, let's go before my dad thinks we are doing something suggestive." He winked and held out his arm for you to take, in which you did with a small scoff.
The two of you walked into the restaurant, a grand archway with a fancy chandelier lighting up the entire entrance with a warm glow. Black marble coated the floor with a glossy reflection, and your heels clicked against them with an elegant sway of your dress.
A man stood at the enterence, another shorter version of Jason. "Ah, Jason! How've you been?" He glanced over at you and gave a devilish grin. "Wow, what a catch. Maybe she'll decide to stay?"
The new stranger sauntered over, a shoulder being wrapped around your shoulders. "If he isn't your type I'm always available. Jackson, by the way." He whispered in your ear with a raspy tone.
"Ignore him," Jason mumbled to you, his cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment, "He's always like this with any human of the female gender."
Humor yourself, or let the poor man walk away with some of his dignity intact? Nah, if you were going to give some of your dignity with these men you might as well have some fun. "You poor thing," You began, turning with a gentle smile to the brother. "Can't keep it in his pants, hmm?" You softly patted the fluffy hair on his head and pouted, shuffling out of his grip and wrapping your arm back with Jason. "Better luck next time." You retorted with a little wave.
With his breath caught in his throat, he coughed and turned to the direction of where their table was. "The tables this way, dad's already there." His mumbling quieted down as he led the way.
Jason turned to you, kept in a laugh, and shrugged. The restaurant was warm along with the cozy glow of the chandeliers hanging from the tall roof. There were many tables, black with cushioned chairs and blazing candles.
Your eyes zeroed on the candles, the beautifully dangerous flame causing you to start sweating. You gulped down the lump in your throat and forced yourself to relax your tensing limbs. 'It's just a small flame, nothing to be afraid of.' You scolded yourself.
The two of you wondered into a private room in the back. There was a large, round, black table in the center of the room, a few couches on the walls with side tables. There were a few candles in the center along with a crystal vase filled with blood red roses. As much as you loved the roses, they reminded you of him.
To distract yourself you glanced around the room, the father and Jackson were conversing, the other son sitting and listening. Jackson pointed in your direction, a sly smirk on his face.
Jason leaned in. "That's my dad," he pointed over to one of the other walls near the couch. A man was leaning on the side, his crisp suit wrinkling with his crossed legs. He had a beard, small but neat, with deep blue eyes and tan flesh. "That is Manchile, he's the Don I was talking about."
There were a few other notable people, but when Jason and you entered the entire room lightened up. The father stood and sauntered over, a sleazy smile gracing his gruff features. "I hope Jason didn't make a move on you?" He extended his hand, slightly calloused from use, but large and warm.
You took it with a gentle smile, time to suck up your pride and be a darling. "I wouldn't worry about him, he's quite the gentleman." Your hand was in worse shape than his, more rough, and must have noticed. The father's face changed into one of surprise and respect. "I'd watch out for that one though." You pointed to Jackson, the man lightly scoffing with a grin.
"Will do." He said with a chuckle.
Manchile joined the table, a few of his men sitting down too. "I'm starved, let's eat."
"Sure thing." The father returned his attention to Jason and you. "Ladies first."
The table was filled, and you ended up being sandwiched between Jason and Manchile. Your eyes would periodically go back to the candles in front of you, and all you could do was twist a small bit of your dress skirt to calm your nerves. You all ordered, and you took your date's advice with the steak.
As you were waiting, the unknown brother, leaned in and gave you a curious smile. "So, a hunter huh? I've never met one, what's it like?"
All eyes were on you now, and you relaxed with the distraction. "It's dangerous work... but if you were trained correctly then it is worth it. Plenty of benefits as long as you hunt something."
"Who trained you?" His green eyes gleamed begins his thin glasses. "Sorry if I'm prying, just curious."
"I don't mind. I trained myself. I've always wanted to become a hunter."
"Really? Ooh, what about the test? I've heard it's impossible!"
You slightly smiled, Manchile leaning in and joining the conversation. "Some of my men are hunters, they talked about fighting each other and impossible puzzles. My best man had to find the damned test four times before he made it."
You cocked an eyebrow. "Well he's not wrong. All the tests are different but we did have to fight each other. There were some puzzles but I didn't think they were that difficult...." You locked your lipstick and took a sip of your water, keeping your posture and chin held high. "Four times huh? I got my license on my first try."
Manchile cackled in his water cup. "Really? You make my best look like babies." The waiter returned with a large bottle of red wine and began to pour it to everyone who wanted some. You declined, drinking on the job wouldn't bid well if something happened. "Next your going to say you could win against one of the beasts."
You stayed silent, doing your best to keep your smile hidden behind your glass of water. Jason peeked over and noticed your curled lips. "No way, seriously?"
"Not sure, never tried." You commented, giving him a cocky side eye. "But probably."
It was the father's turn to laugh, Jackson joining in with some bread in his hands. "Come on, no one's stronger than the beasts. You've got to be crazy."
The father butted in with a joke. "You're a bounty hunter right? You didn't come here to take us out, hmm?"
"No, no, that'd be bad for business. I'm actually after the Phantom Troupe." The table quieted down, so you continued. "Rumor has it some people will 'sleep' tonight, take that as you will, I'm just here for security purposes. More or less."
Manchile waved over a waiter and asked for another bottle before asking some more questions. "You think they will attack? What makes you think they are crazy enough to challenge the mafia?"
"Well, I will admit I don't have proof, but it would be a missed opportunity. I mean if people are going to 'sleep' then the only criminals crazy enough to try anything would be the Troupe. They are also strong enough to do so. I guess you could say it's a hunch."
A few new waiters entered with the food. They set it on the table, asked if we needed anything else, and left.
"Well, son, you found one interesting woman, huh?"
Jason gave a breathy laugh, as if he was trying to keep his nerves together. "Yeah, I guess I did."
The current conversation died out and turned into useless banter. What they wanted to get from the auctions, who they would be fighting it for, money, fame, glory, all of it. Jason leaned over and asked if you wanted something, but you declined the generous offer. You knew there would be Kurt's eyes, but buying them seemed a bit off. Almost like cheating.
You wanted to collect them through force, just like they did, only then will you be satisfied. Still, you appreciated the offer and made sure he knew you did.
Everything was calm, the food was hot and the candles became a later memory from the conversations you were listening in on. That was until a sudden ding echoed in the private room. Then another, and another, and quickly everyone's phones rang of emergency alerts and messages.
You didn't have to glance over Jason's shoulder to see the message, you already knew what happened. Still, a part of you checked to make sure you didn't have to leave the welcoming lot of individuals.
You didn't know wether to be disappointed or excited, but either way you faced your date. "I'll head over to the auction house to investigate—"
"We all will." Commanded the father. "The merchandise is missing, as well as everyone else."
"Everyone else?"
Manchile pulled himself from his seat. "Owl grabbed the stuff before shit went down. But everyone in the auction house is gone, poof, missing." There was another synchronized ding. "There's a hot air balloon heading south."
"In the direction of Meteor City?" You commented, already heading towards the door. "I'll head over there. Keep me informed, I need a list of the people missing and a list of people chasing down the balloon. Anything else of importance will help." You pointed to Jason, but he held out his hand.
"Do you think it's the Troupe?"
You turned and stared into his chocolate eyes, his brows furrowed with worry. So you smiled kindly. "I know it's the Troupe."
"Get the Shadow Beasts." The father's voice trailed off behind the door.
You were calm as you walked through the restaurant, the hectic banter of the trailing mafia men closely behind. They passed you and exited, you quickly following suit. The outside air was crisp and humid from an old rain and the clouds coated the sky like a blanket.
"Are you calling them Jared?"
"Hurry and get worm on the phone Jackson!"
"You already have the merchandise? Good, good, keep it safe and get the others. Worm, Rabid Dog, Porcupine, and Leech are already on their way."
"(Y/n)! If it's the Troupe you should wait for the other beasts and go with them. Just to be safe." Jason held your hand, finally noticing the toughness of your overworked hands. His were soft, raised with little trouble unlike yourself.
"I'll be fine, I'm strong enough to last against one, maybe two of the members if I'm lucky." You slipped your hand from his grip and tore off your expensive heels, no need for them to get ruined like your dress. "Can you hold these for me? I'd hate for them to get dirty." You handed him your pearls, leaving the earrings because they wouldn't get caught on anything. "I'll have to come back and get them."
You smiled at him again and summoned your gauntlets, dashing off to catch a hot air balloon. He stared at your disappearing form, a clear as day blush spread across his cheeks.
~~~
You made it after a while of running, but the battle had already begun. You stationed yourself on top of the plateau surrounding the battlefield, and already you scolded yourself for not trying to keep the beasts as back-up.
Their bodies littered the floors and blood soaked the dry earth. Biting your lip, you assessed the playing field. Uvogin sat alone, a hairy man you could only assume was the Porcupine character stuck to his fist. The rest of the Troupe members, not all of them, sat along the sides with cards in their hands. Machi, Nobunaga, Feitan, Franklin, Shizuku and Shalnark. You wondered if that was everyone or if someone was hiding.
Next was a few mafia men smart enough to not engage in battle, but why haven't they run off yet? You would have taken more care in who they might be, but you were quickly cut off with an ear piercing scream. You covered your ears and crouched down further, wincing at your late reaction.
Uvogin smiled and waited. Blood spurt from Porcupine's ears and not a moment later he fell to the floor with a dead eyed thud. The mafia men began to make their move, so you wondered closer to where they were stationed.
Then it happened, chains tightly wound themselves around Uvogin and tugged him into oblivion. Chains... chains! Kurapika! With your new revelation you ran towards the car everyone was piling into. But in no time Uvogin was packed in and they began their drive away.
With a low growl you sprinted faster and jumped off the cliff side and towards the first car. You tumbled onto the roof, denting it underneath the impact, and attached yourself with your gauntlets.
Your burning rage dismissed the passenger's window, and you smashed into it without care for who was on the other side. Gripping their shirt and almost pulling them out, the frightened girl screeching. "Kurapika!"
Two pairs of red eyes stared into each other's souls. He knew he was in deep shit. "(Y/n)-"
"Don't you fucking dare." You snapped, pointing your finger to the man tied up in the backseat., but your eyes stayed glued on the blond. "I swear to god if I hear any bullshit I'm going to tear a tongue out!"
"Someone's in a pissy mood." A deep voice reverberated through the small confines of the black car. Finally, you glared at the man in the back seat, his entire body tied under nen chains.
"Eat lead Uvo."
"Already checked off the bucket list (y/n/n)."
God, you hated that nickname.
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fedeipox · 3 years
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The Way of Time (Rdr2 fanfic) - Chapter 1 (4/4)
It’s the 1st of December! It’s officially Christmas! I can hear Michael Boublé sing in the distance! I must take out my Christmas tree! Did you decorate already?
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Arthur shook his head. “Can’t say I have” he said.
Part 1 here: https://fedeipox.tumblr.com/post/635776269297008640/the-way-of-time-rdr2-fanfic-chapter-1-14
Part 2 here: https://fedeipox.tumblr.com/post/635940052459995136/the-way-of-time-rdr2-fanfic-chapter-1-24
Part 3 here: https://fedeipox.tumblr.com/post/636045456674308096/the-way-of-time-rdr2-fanfic-chapter-1-34
Chapter 1 (4/4) - A smelly shack full of assholes
Words: 1,7k
She wrinkled her nose in an expression of pure disgust and that sight amused Karen more than anything in the world. That girl thought herself to be smarter and better than them? She truly believed they were going to buy all that shit? Pearson’s stew was a fair punishment, at least for now. 
Some chairs away from Karen, Tilly was still thinking about what that girl had said before, how she apologized, and she had to admit, she wanted to hear what else she had to say about it. If she was crazy or lying Tilly didn’t care, she was curious about her anyway.
“What were you saying before? About your time?” she asked.
“Tilly! Even you?” exclaimed Karen.
Tilly turned to look at her. She knew Karen had no patience for this kind of things, but she wanted to know all the same, so she just shrugged before looking again at the new girl. 
“I was saying… In my time, we don’t make these discriminations anymore. Black, white, man, woman, we don’t care, we’re all the same. For most of us, at least. There still are people who think they live in prehistoric times, but they are just a little part of the world population” she explained. 
Tilly couldn’t believe what she was hearing: a world where all people were the same. Nonetheless, women and men were equal! That couldn’t be, she was certainly lying, such a thing could never exist, not now, nor in the future, nor ever.
“Right, and I am a princess ready to go to the ball and meet my Prince Charming” said Karen with strong sarcasm.
All the people in the room didn’t move their eyes from the girl seated at the table, who now shook her head at Karen’s provocation. 
She had definitely lost it, delusional, making up things that couldn’t exist. What would be the next fantasy? Unicorns? Leprechauns? Dragons? 
“You have too much faith in the future” murmured Javier.
He had spoken so softly he didn’t expect anybody to hear him, but the new girl did and turned on the chair to smile at him.
“Or maybe you don’t have enough” she simply said.
The door distracted them, opening again for the hundredth time. If they kept going in and out all the heat would go away and that night John would have frozen sleeping inside that room, or at least that was what he was complaining about in his mind. 
Miss Grimshaw came inside telling the new girl she had found a place for her in the girls cabin and at her words the newbie exchanged a look with Karen. Those two didn’t seem to get along and that was probably going to be a problem if the new girl decided to stay with them. Karen already could barely stand Miss Grimshaw and Miss O’Shea, another hostile relationship could push her on the verge of cold blooded murder, both Tilly and Mary-Beth knew that.
Silence fell inside the room, just like they didn’t know what to talk about anymore. In fact, there wasn’t anything to talk about, anything positive at least. Those last few weeks had been tiring and a little rest and quiet was just what they needed.
Charles noticed the new girl kept scrambling Pearson’s stew, but she didn’t bring anything to her mouth. How could he blame her: that day the stew was even worse than usual, with just that little Pearson could put in the pot. But she had to eat something, she already was so skinny the bones of her shoulders were visible under her clothes.
She huffed and left the spoon on the table before she stood up.
“Okay, I think I’ll go to bed” she said looking at the people in the room.
When no-one did nothing but simply stared at her, she cleared her throat with embarrassment and spoke again.
“Can someone show me were I should sleep?” 
“It’s the second cabin on the left when you go outside. The main room, next to Mary-Beth’s things” Miss Grimshaw explained while she was seated in front of the fire warming her legs and hands.
“Okay” she mumbled, but still didn’t move, looking around her and rubbing her hands together. 
What did she want? Someone who held her hand? A good night kiss? Really, the more she looked at her the more Karen couldn’t help but thinking she acted too childish to be in her twenties. Or maybe she wasn’t and just looked older.
“Does anybody, erm, need to go outside for any reason?” she asked.
“Why, you afraid of the dark?” joked Karen. 
This was irresistible for her, she was serving her those puns on a silver platter. But maybe she had pushed too far this time because the expression on the girl’s face changed.
“Hey, that man talked about wolves. I have no intention to go out there alone” she said angrily pointing her finger at the door. 
“Oh God… Are you really that stupid?” Karen scoffed shaking her head.
She couldn’t believe she didn’t understood Hosea was saying those things just to keep her inside that goddamn room. 
Yes, Karen had pushed too far. With those last words, she had hurt the new girl and her eyes started to fill with tears. Tightening her lips and with a final look full of loath she run outside, slamming the door right behind her.
“Well done, Karen” Tilly reproached her, and Karen didn’t reply. 
She knew she had made a mistake, picking on her without a solid reason, but she was so stressed in those days. The run, the cold, the hunger, the people they had lost, Sean, who she still didn’t know if he was alive or just captured. And moreover, there wasn’t a goddamn drop of liquor on those mountains!
...
Emily ran out of that smelly shack full of assholes and stopped to dry her tears among the high snow.
Why they had to be so horrible with her? She thought she had clearly told them she had just lost everything. Her situation wasn’t good so why were they acting so cruel? Were those the kind of people that existed in 1899? So cold, disinterested, selfish and mean? Or maybe only those people were like that, because they were criminals? 
Of course, that was it! She had never heard of kind and compassionate criminals. So maybe, if she found some other people, they would have treated her differently.
Emily raised her gaze and looked around her. She could go, run away from that place and those people. But in the dark? In the cold? On foot? Without any idea of where she was? That would be stupid and the last thing she had to do was some foolishness. 
And then, she had to admit, it was a beautiful view. The night was cold, but calm and silent. The sky was full of stars and the little light that came from the lanterns next the door of each cabin revealed the forest all around the village. 
She wasn’t used to that quiet. The city was always alive, every hour, day and night, with cars, bikes, barking dogs, crying children or yelling people who walked on the street under her window, waking her at night or disturbing her during the day. 
The door behind her opened and Mary-Beth came out.
“Hey, how are you?” she asked.
“Do you really care?” Emily replied, turning her back at her and crossing her arms on her chest. She was freezing again.
“Come, I’ll show you the way” said Mary-Beth walking past her.
In some sort of involuntarily obedience, Emily’s legs started moving and she followed the girl in the semi-darkness. They passed the first cabin, from which windows came some light and voices, and peeking for a second through the glass, she recognized Hosea’s back while seated in front of the fireplace.
“This is it” Mary-Beth informed her when they reached the second cabin.
It was smaller than the other two she had seen and it had no window on the front, so when they got inside, Emily was surprised to find a figure sitting in front of the fire.
“Hi, you must be Emily” said the girl with black hair turning on the chair to look at them. 
“Emily, this is Abigail” Mary-Beth made the presentations closing again the door. 
Emily gave her a small smile and a nod of her head. Was she going to be rude with her too?
That room was warmer that the other and this was because the fire there had bigger flames that spread both light and heat inside the small ambience. Looking around her, Emily also noticed there were no beds nor cots, just four blankets which looked a lot like sleeping-bags. Three of them seemed already used, one, which she supposed to be hers, was untouched. 
So she had to sleep on the ground? Among all the dirt and the bugs? Very good, a new terrible experience, just like she hadn’t had enough. 
A sudden rustle of cloth from her left made her turn in that direction and she noticed another tiny room just next to the main one, but so dark she couldn’t see anything on the inside. 
“Mom” she heard a very young voice calling.
Abigail gave a quick glance at her before she stood up and walked to the other room followed by Emily’s eyes. She disappeared from her sight, fading into the darkness and right after she heard more rustle of what now she thought to be bed sheets. 
“What?” Abigail asked gently.
“Who’s she?”
“A new girl.”
“What’s her name?”
“You’ll meet her tomorrow. Go back to sleep.”
Emily moved her eyes away from the door that leaded to the other room and took a step towards the fireplace watching the lively flames. 
That girl had a son, and from his voice he must have been very young. How could it be? When she had met those men outside she could perfectly tell they were criminals: they had mean faces, tough looks, rough manners. But what kind of gang had so many women and even a child?
“I’m sorry for Karen’s behavior. She ain’t always like that. We’re getting through a lot right now” said Mary-Beth. 
Emily looked at her freckled face. So not everybody was like Karen, she was a special case.
“Never mind” she replied showing the palms of her hands to the fire. 
“I think Miss Grimshaw settled you here” stated Mary-Beth pointing at the covers on the ground.
Yes, that night was going to be tough. 
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ragingbookdragon · 4 years
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To Challenge The Flow Of Fate PT. 2
An Adrian Tepes (Alucard) x Reader Story
Warnings: Explicit Language, Mentions of Violence Author’s Note: Since this is my hyperfixation ATM, Castlevania is all y’all are getting rn. So, have fun! -Thorne
She squinted as she stared into the clear sky. Most of the damage around the Speaker house had already been cleaned out, but the scent of the dead still remained, hanging in the air. She shifted her weight from foot to foot, careful to not move too much from her position. Trevor hadn’t been overly fond of leaving her alone with the vampire, and she had to admit, that on some level, standing with her back to him didn’t exactly bring fondness to her either. However, he was a warrior, and his swear to not kill them counted enough for her to trust it. The two hadn’t spoken since they’d left the crypt, but when he finally started to speak, it wasn’t to her. His voice was so quiet that she had to strain to hear him, and she held her breath, determined not to make a sound. “Alucard, they called me. The opposite of you.” He shifted, and the sound of scratching reached her ears. “Mother never liked that. Did you know that? She hated to idea that I might define myself by you…even in opposition to you. She loved us both. Enough that she wanted us to be our own people. Living our own lives. Making our own choices.” She drew her gaze from the sky to the ground, her own memories clouding her mind.
           “Mistress (Y/N), are you paying attention?” Her eyes darted from the window to the older man standing in front of her.
           “Not if I can help it Alders.” He frowned and placed the parchment down on her desk.
           “Then help it. You need to learn how to distinguish this monster from-” (Y/N) frowned, voice nonchalant as she cut him off.
           “Striga’s are distinguishable by their agility, strength, and the way they move as well as they look. All fours and gray skin. They sleep in crypts during the day, hunt at night, are resistant to steel but susceptible to silver.” She leaned forward, glaring at the scholar. “Have I missed anything?” He raised a white eyebrow and asked,
           “How do you kill one?” (Y/N) looked down at the parchment and murmured,
           “If you can keep the Striga from returning to her crypt by the third crowing of the rooster, she will turn to a human again.” The old man sighed, dragging a hand down his face.
           “Mistress (Y/N), you are apart of the Belmont family. It is your duty to kill monsters, not cure them. How would a something like that be capable of functioning after a life of being a monstrosity?” She glanced out the window, watching her brother fence with his trainer and whispered,
           “Probably the same way we’ve survived being murderers.”
           A sharp stab brought her back to reality, and she tipped her head to the side, listening to Adrian murmur, “And so here I am. Choosing to honor my mother by killing my father. No longer Adrian Tepes. Choosing to be Alucard of Wallachia, the name of my mother’s people. I’m sorry mother.” (Y/N) frowned at how heartbroken he sounded but wiped the look from her face as she saw Sypha and Trevor approaching. She nodded at them, flashing Sypha a sad smile. “And so, we begin again.” The two entered the house, and Sypha stepped forward asking,
           “So, how do we proceed?” Adrian glanced back at them.
           “Have the Speakers left?” Trevor nodded.
           “Yeah.”
           “I’m sorry,” He offered the Magician. “In success, you will see them again soon, in far happier circumstances.” At that, Sypha glared at Trevor, gesturing to the vampire.
           “See? He knows how to be nice.” She paused a moment. “Is it true, then? The castle can travel somehow? We know the stories, but sometimes it’s hard to separate myth from truth.” (Y/N) watched her brother bend over and open a box, beginning to rummage through it.
           “Tell her about Dracula’s castle, Alucard. Her day can’t get any more ruined.” Adrian looked passed them for a moment.
           “Dracula’s castle moves. How to describe it? It travels without moving. It appears at locations as if…well, as if my magic.” (Y/N) almost let out a laugh as Trevor picked up a broken bottle, but kept quiet as Sypha said,
           “There has to be some way to trap it. How do we start?” Trevor frowned and muttered,
           “I want to go home.”
           “Have you been drinking again?” Trevor glanced over his shoulder.
           “Some chance. But no. I want to go home. The old Belmont estate.” This caught (Y/N)’s attention and she stared at him as Adrian countered,
           “I was under the impression it was destroyed. Villagers, pitchforks, and torches, that sort of thing.” Both (Y/N) and Trevor’s faces drew dark.
           “It was. But the value of the old house wasn’t the house itself. It was-” (Y/N) cut him off.
           “The Belmont Hold.” Trevor glanced at her and nodded.
           “The family library and trove.” Adrian blinked, but then nodded.
           “The collected knowledge and material of generations of Belmont’s who fought the creatures of the night.” His golden eyes narrowed, and his tone took on a hint of intrigue. “That sounds interesting. If it survives…” Her brother raised his hands.
           “If there are solutions to the problems of finding and killing Dracula, they are in the Hold.” The vampire crossed his arms, turning his gaze to Trevor.
           “You’re guessing, though.” (Y/N) turned around, looking at the three.
           “He is guessing. Trevor can’t read or understand magic, but our family stored everything they found, books of magic, potions, weapons, and whatever other weird shit they came across.” Trevor nodded and she added, “He can’t do anything with it. But we three can.” For a moment, no one said anything, then Adrian quipped,
           “Fortunate indeed, then, that I choose not to kill and eat you two Belmont’s.” (Y/N) snorted unwilling to take the bait, but Trevor couldn’t resist it as he glowered at the vampire.
           “And that I decided against gutting you, flaying you, and,” Trevor bent over, motioning to his foot, “turning you into shoes, Alucard.” Sypha sighed, turning to leave.
           “Such a merry band we are. I will find us a covered wagon and horses, if you two can manage not to kill each other while I’m gone.” Adrian scoffed.
           “Oh please. We’re not children.” Sypha glanced at them over her shoulder with a look of doubt before turning to (Y/N).
           “Please keep them from killing each other.” She walked off as (Y/N) raised her arms in the air.
           “Wait! I am not playing mediator for these morons!” The Speaker simply waved a hand back at her and she sighed, propping up against the wall as Trevor muttered,
           “Eat shit and die.”
           “Yes, fuck you.” The two began chuckling as (Y/N) groaned, and after a moment of silence, Adrian questioned,
           “Do you two really believe we could find the tools to kill my father at your old home?” Neither sibling said a word until Trevor responded,
           “I’ll be honest with you…I don’t have a better idea. I just know that right here, right now, we are under-equipped for the job.”
           “And you, (Y/N)?” She looked at Adrian, her shadow obscuring his face; she shrugged and stated,
           “Trev’s right. None of us are equipped to fight Dracula and whatever horde he’s got in his castle. The hold has armors and weapons we can use, and knowledge we can learn.” She met his eyes. “We need into that hold if we want to win this.” Adrian went quiet for a moment, then nodded, looking between them.
           “I’m trusting you two Belmont’s. Don’t make me regret it.” Trevor scoffed, but kept silent, and (Y/N) announced,
           “A horrible decision really. You’re stuck with the two most annoying people in the world.” She caught sight of the smirk that played Adrian’s lips, and reminded, “It won’t take Sypha long to get the horses and wagon, and since it’s still midafternoon, we should probably wait for sundown to leave.” Her brother studied and asked,
           “Why?” Her eyes narrowed into a glare and she deadpanned,
           “Hmm, I don’t know Trevor. Maybe it’s because we’re traveling with a child of the night? Who can burst into flames if he steps into the sun? You know, what happens during the day? The sun is up. It would be counterproductive to kill the only one who could actually kill Dracula.” Her brother’s face pinched and he muttered,
           “I could kill Dracula.” Adrian and (Y/N) both glared at Trevor and retorted,
           “No, you can’t.” The two looked back at one another and laughed, then Adrian asked,
           “Is that why you’ve been standing there the entire time? To shield me from the sun?” (Y/N) nodded, but went still as he stood, walking over to her. He stopped and gazed at her as she stared in shock.
           “You can…you can walk in the sunlight?” He nodded and thanked,
           “Despite the fact that you didn’t need to, I appreciate you thinking of my safety.” When she didn’t respond, Trevor leaned over to look at her and barked a laugh.
           “Good job vampire. You’ve pissed her off.” Adrian barely had time to mutter, ‘what?’ before (Y/N) set into him, an annoyed look on her face.
           “You mean to tell me that I woke up at the ass crack of dawn, got into a position where I could block the sun from hitting you, only to find out like nine hours later that you can be in the sun?” She leaned forward. “It didn’t occur to you to mention that earlier?” Adrian blinked at her before shrugging.
           “You didn’t say what you were doing.” (Y/N) could feel her eye twitch as she took a step closer.
           “You didn’t think to ask me? Do I look like the type of person who stands around looking like a jackass?” Adrian opened his mouth, but she pointed her finger in his face and threatened, “That was rhetorical, and I swear to god if you answer that I will shove your head up his ass.” She ended the threat by pointing at Trevor who raised his hands defensively.
           “Oi, don’t drag me into this. I didn’t do anything wrong.” She ignored him, turning away from the two, and griped,
           “I can’t believe I skipped out on valuable sleep to shield a vampire that can walk during the day.” (Y/N) crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her foot impatiently when a hand rested on her shoulder; she looked over to see Adrian smiling at her.
           “Thank you (Y/N). Your concern is greatly appreciated. Truly.” (Y/N) swallowed thickly before clearing her throat, waving him off.
           “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” She pointed towards the way Sypha went off. “I’m going to check on Sypha and see if she needs help. Don’t kill one another while I’m gone.” The two men nodded as she left, then a moment later, Trevor warned,
           “Don’t touch my sister Alucard.” He turned around and scowled at him.
           “What are you her father?”
           “I will kick your ass.”
           “As if you could.”
Some Time Later:
           The fire snapped and popped as (Y/N) dropped another log into it before moving back to her spot between Adrian and Trevor. “I’m still not completely clear on why you don’t catch fire in the daylight.” Sypha’s words drew their attention to Adrian.
           “I am half-human.” He looked away from them as if remembering something important. “My mother’s name was Lisa, and she was mortal.” The speaker let out a laugh.
           “I would very much like to hear the story of how that happened.” Adrian chuckled softly and explained,
           “She actually showed up at his front door. She found the castle and banged the door with the pommel of her knife.” Sypha smiled.
           “She sounds interesting!” The vampire nodded, smiling faintly.
           “Oh, she was remarkable. She beat on the door until my father let her in, and then demanded he teach her how to be a doctor.” With the revelation, Trevor sat up and wondered,
           “Wait, Dracula taught a human woman how to be a doctor?” He scoffed. “What was first? Blood-letting?” Her brother broke into laughter, and (Y/N) reached over, socking him in the arm.
           “Would it kill you to not be a shithead for once?” Trevor stuck his tongue out at her, but she rolled her eyes, gesturing for Adrian to continue.
           “My father-” He was cut off as Trevor included, ‘Dracula’, but kept going. “is a man of science, a philosopher, a scholar, and knows things our society have forgotten three times over. Do you still not understand the enormity of what we’re doing?” Adrian turned his gaze to the fire. “He’s gone mad. And from that, there is no recovering him.” Trevor rolled his eyes and muttered,
           “Shame.” (Y/N) reached over socking him again, and he pulled away from her rubbing his arm, but Adrian nodded.
           “It’s a tragedy. He’s a repository of centuries of learning. He could’ve changed the world. I think he might have, if mother hadn’t died. She’d sent him out into the world. And that’s why he wasn’t there when the bishops took her.” (Y/N)’s lips pulled down and she whispered,
           “Oh god…they burned her at the stake…” Adrian didn’t respond, but she knew the silence was her answer.
           “She sent him away?” Adrian glanced over at Sypha and nodded.
           “She sent him to…travel. To learn the true state of the world, the true nature of humans and how they live.”
           “She was turning him.”
           “Imagine if he could have aimed all that knowledge at improving lives. If the religious inquisition hadn’t proved true all of his worst instincts about humans.” Trevor, who’d been silent up until that point, interjected.
           “And now he’s going to use her death as an excuse to destroy the world.” The vampire huffed, gazing away.
           “Oh, the world will still be here, Belmont. Trees will still grow, birds will still sing, animals will still hump away in the undergrowth. But you won’t be here Belmont.” He glanced at Sypha. “You won’t be here.” Finally, he turned his gaze to (Y/N). “And neither will you.” He paused. “The sun will still set, but you will not see it rise. There will only be Dracula, and his war council, and the hordes of the night. He writes in great books, you know. He hews the covers himself from oak, and wraps them in the preserved skin of the people who he hated most. And he writes plans. I’ve seen them. Ideas for darkening clouds and making them as permanent in the air as the frost of the north. Create strange flying machines that pull shrouds across the sky to block out the sun. Imagine it. A world without humans, under endless invented night. And Dracula in his castle, his revenge so horribly complete that there is nothing left to do but look out over a world without art or memory or laughter and know that he did his work well. That he did it all for love.” The silence was heavy and the atmosphere so awkward around them, that no one seemed to be able to break it until Trevor said,
           “He needs a hobby.” (Y/N) nodded, not even upset at his disregard. They fell silent once more, then a moment later, low growling sounded from a distance followed by rustling branches. Trevor looked at (Y/N). “Did you hear that?” She nodded, but Adrian simply waved a hand.
           “Animals humping in the undergrowth.” The growling seemed to spread, and (Y/N) reached beside her, pulling the silver sword from its sheath, and rose.
           “It’s not animals. I sense darkness.” She looked down at them. “Get up. Get up now and get ready.” Her brother kicked the fire out and looked at them.
           “Which is the nearest town? Is it still Gresit?” Sypha shook her head.
           “Arges is closer to us.” The snarling became louder, and (Y/N) turned, staring into the distance.
           “I can’t see them, but I can hear their steps. There’s at least twelve out there.” She looked at Trevor. “Go high, Adrian, you hit them head on, and Sypha…well, you do what you do best.” The three nodded, and (Y/N) turned, moving towards the trees.
           “What is she doing?” Trevor waved off Sypha’s question as he moved to the tree.
           “Don’t worry about her.”
           Minutes later, the three stood amidst the destruction. Adrian peered at the damage. “(Y/N) said there was twelve. I count eleven.” A dark snarl echoed in their ears and they turned, seeing a bigger beast moving towards them, it’s teeth and claws sharp and glinting in the moonlight. Trevor pulled out his whip, beginning to twirl it as the beast hurdled towards them.
           “There’s the twelfth one.” The three readied themselves when a silver chain shot out through the air, wrapping around the beast’s stomach. It recoiled, screeching as the chain burned into its skin. A figure appeared from the side and darted towards it, a longsword gleaming along with it. The figure wrapped their arm in the chain and pulled with such strength, that the creature slammed into the ground. Not wasting a second, the figure leaped to the creature’s backside, climbing up its shoulders. The beast raised its arms, but it was too late as the figure brought the longsword down in a large arc.
A moment later, the beast’s head dropped to the ground, and its body went limp. The figure jumped off and yanked the chain back, watching it recede into the handle before moving towards the trio. Trevor eyed the handle in their hands and quipped, “You know, I forgot that you had that, and I’m still jealous of it (Y/N).” She grinned at him, tucking the tool back into her belt.
           “Then you can stay jealous, because it’s mine.” She looked at the other bodies around them. “Sorry I wasn’t here to help you fight these ones.” (Y/N) nodded at the one she’d killed. “I sensed that one lagging behind, so I went to get ready for it.” She glanced back at them. “Is anyone hurt?” They shook their heads, and she moved past them. “Then we need to get moving. If he’s sending parties this far, chances are we’ll encounter more on the way, and we still have another day until we reach the estate.” Sypha followed after her, but Adrian nor Trevor moved.
           “You sister is powerful.” Trevor side eyed the vampire and nodded.
           “She is…she’s the most powerful person I’ve ever seen.” Adrian gazed at (Y/N)’s back and murmured,
           “She really would’ve cut my head off if I hadn’t stood down.”
           “Probably cut your cock off too.” The vampire turned to the brother who snorted at him. “I’m joking…mostly.” He coiled the whip around his arm and began walking off, leaving Adrian alone. The vampire gazed at the beast before turning away, heading to the wagon.
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Beauty and the Beast Ch. 7 (Bucky x Reader)
Guys, this was so sweet, but also it kinda hurt to write the end. Y’all know the story. See what happens and tell me what you think!
Masterlist
Links to: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6
Summary: It took the kingdom of Hydra five years to finally take advantage of the disappearance of the Stark Kingdom. It took Prince Brock two weeks to make the small, unprotected village of Marveline hate his existence. His ways left Captain Rogers to go looking for help, hoping to find a royal family that could protect the people. But what happens when he hasn’t come back? It’s up to Bucky to find out what happened to his best friend and the royal siblings, but he never expected what’s to come.
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Chapter Seven
How did Sam talk her into this? How did she believe that this was an actual good idea? Y/N stared at her drenched appearance in the mirror and grimaced. This was…horrible. She’d strangle Tony when she got the chance. That was for sure.
Claws running through her fur, she quickly looked away from her reflection. Why was she trying this? Huffing, she already knew why. She just didn’t like it. The question was, how did they even get Bucky to agree to it? The idea of the man stumbling around a ballroom didn’t exactly sound like a good idea. The man spooked easy and this was so far out of both of their comfort zones, she wasn’t sure why Tony came up with it.
“Y/N!” Sam grinned as he stepped inside. He noted the garments in the far corner and knew not to press his luck about getting her to wear a dress. She had been more comfortable in pants as a human. What made moments like this any different? Shifting his gaze to her, he offered a friendly smile. “You look so…” He struggled to find the right word. After all, outright calling her beautiful was a blatant lie. She was changed to look ugly. It was part of the damage. Still, he could try to find the right word. “So…”
She glanced back at her reflection, the fur underneath her eyes now damp from tears shed. Someone had to be honest, right? Her voice soft, she said what he couldn’t bring himself to admit. “Stupid.” 
Sam frowned as he moved directly in front of her. “Y/N, this is a step in the right direction. Tony wouldn’t have suggested this if he didn’t think it would work. Now, we might not be in all of our human glory, but you better believe that you do not look stupid.”
Blinking away a new onslaught of tears, Y/N refused to allow herself to fall to a bunch of sniffles. Instead, she brushed the waterworks away and offered Sam a smile. “Thank you, Sam.”
“Of course. Now, let’s get you dressed, hm?”
Meanwhile, Bucky couldn’t understand who came up with this idea. He was curious, but no one would spill the name. It wasn’t something Y/N would come up with. Surely not. Bucky might not know her as well as he would like or as well as others in the castle did, but he knew well enough that this wasn’t her style. She enjoyed the gardens, reading, spending days warmed by the sun and content with a story in hand. The woman he had grown used to spending time with didn’t seem all that enthusiastic about spending her days as a typical princess.
So who planned this idea? And what was the importance of it?
He fidgeted with the cuff, the overwhelmingly rich and soft fabric foreign to his skin. Bucky had gotten used to itchy fabrics and worn clothes. It was part of his lifestyle as a peasant. This was something else entirely. Even the rich blue fabric was something different to the whites, browns, and blacks that he’d grown accustomed to. Shifting from one foot to the other, he finally released the fabric and chose instead to run his fingers through his hair. He knew it wouldn’t stay in place and part of him wondered if he should do something about it. Would he look better with it pulled back? Was it necessary for this? Would Y/N mind if his hair was constantly falling in his eyes?
And then the curiosity — why did he care if she minded?
“Need some help?” 
The sound of the familiar voice forced Bucky to look to the door. Peter was standing there with a feather duster behind him. “MJ, right?” he asked, quickly dropping his hands. The last thing he wanted was for someone to see him so fidgety. 
“That’s me.” She watched him carefully as Peter offered a sheepish smile.
“Rhodey sent us to check on you,” he admitted. “Are you ready?”
Bucky nodded, not knowing what else to say. Strands of hair fell in his eyes as he glanced at his reflection in the mirror. He looked…okay. Right?
 However, Maryjane seemed to have something on her mind. She gestured to the bed. “I’m sorry. You need to sit. I’m all for being supportive, but you aren’t going anywhere until we do something about that hair.”
The sound of music could be heard even outside the ballroom. It was welcoming and warm, wrapping the servants in memories calling back to a moment when celebrations were all too common within the castle’s walls. Now, it was a different sort of dance. A different sort of celebration. 
A small crowd of curious eyes attempted to peek through the doors, blocked by Rhodey. “Enough,” Rhodey hissed. “They need privacy.”
“We just want to see,” Peter told him, pouting.
Rhodey raised an eyebrow at him, crossing his arms. “No. Let Wanda and Sam do what they do best, Pete. They know what they’re doing.”
Inside, Bucky’s feet left a soft thud with every step he took. It wasn’t until he finally had the courage to look up, that he saw Y/N standing on the opposite set of stairs. He couldn’t stop himself from smiling, proud of the sight. She wasn’t wearing some ridiculous dress that would make her trip over her larger paws and claws. Instead she wore clothing similar to his except in gold. It was a stark contrast to the darker colors she often wore and compared to her darkened fur, it looked complimentary on her. Though not the typical definition of what one would assume the word ‘beautiful’, Bucky had to say that she looked…breathtaking.
His gaze met hers and he shared with her the smallest, most nervous of smiles. They came to a stop in front of each other, as if taking a moment to realize what exactly they had been corralled into. 
“You’re wearing a suit,” she murmured, head tilted with the faintest hint of curiosity.
Bucky smirked, turning and offering his arm. “And you’re not hiding behind a cloak.”
“Bucky, you don’t have to —“
“Do us a favor, Y/N?” She paused, waiting for whatever it was he could possibly have to say. “Take my arm.”
Y/N hesitated only for a moment before doing as he asked. She was gentle, making sure her claws didn’t catch on the fabric of his arm. “I wouldn’t have expected you to be someone who knew their way around this sort of situation, Bucky.” 
“I might not recall the name of the king I served, but I do have the memories of moments like these. Even a knight was supposed to know their way around a ballroom, Y/N. Or should I be calling you ‘princess’?”
She grimaced, earning a laugh from him. “Please, don’t. ‘Y/N’ is most fine with me.”
They made their way down the stairs together, Bucky surprising the both of them with the initiation he was currently taking. Neither of them expected him to have such a confidence.
As they came to the center of the room, the music slowly came to a stop. Bucky spared himself a moment before he looked up, noting how the ceiling was painted with cherubs and a cloud-filled sky. The baby blue that peeked behind infant faces and clouds was a stark contrast to the radiant gold that made up most of the room. It was ornate and extravagant. Nothing like Y/N and yet… Bucky had to admit, he could imagine a young Y/N — minus the fur — causing all sorts of mischief in a ball that were to take place in this room. 
“It’s gilded,” she whispered, earning a surprised look from him.
“So your family isn’t made of the finest golds and jewels?” His tone was teasing and enough to earn a smile.
“Oh, sure, we are.” A moment passed and he wondered if maybe she was speaking the truth. Maybe all there was to her was wealth? Maybe the parts he had come to appreciate were all a lie? Her voice broke through his thoughts, soft as she explained, “But we’re just as gilded as these walls. False fronts made to protect the turmoil within.”
Bucky watched her, several questions running through his mind at an almost violent rate. “Is that how you explain the fronts?”
“No.” Her voice dropped, the lingering sadness laced in that one word enough of a punch in the gut. “That’s how I explain who I am.”
Sam and Wanda watched from the far side of the room, a broad smile on Wanda’s face and a nervous fidgeting going about Sam. “They’re just talking, Wanda.” Where he was normally a confident man, it seemed Bucky was currently borrowing that courage so as to make it through the night.
It was fine. That was most certainly fine. Sam was sure that he could manage.
“Oh, I can’t look. One of them is going to slip, I know it.”Sam turned away, shielding his eyes as Wanda scoffed.
“You’re a child, I swear.”
“No, I am watching them destroy any romantic mood we created. If we let them at this too much longer, they’ll be a blubbering mess.”
“Then let me fix that.” Wanda made her way over to the orchestra, catching one of their ears and whispering the name of a song that Sam couldn’t quite place. Instead of trying to figure it out, he turned his attention back to the couple. This had to work…This had to take a step in the right direction.
Music filled their ears, low and comforting. It caught Bucky’s and Y/N’s attention and Y/N was quick to take a step back. Bucky caught her wrist, his hold on her gentle. “Don’t get skittish on me,” he teased, taking the smallest step closer. He guided her arms to their proper places, his own then landing on the small of her back. “Do you remember how to dance?”
She laughed, sending a playful glare his way. “Do you?”
He couldn’t stop himself from grinning. Bucky couldn’t place it. There was something about her. When he got past all the growling, the temper, and the determination to push him away at every turn, she was as easy to be around as Steve was. He enjoyed her company — genuinely and completely. “Careful, Y/N, you might find yourself enjoying my company more than you expected.”
Bucky led her around the dance floor, his movements easy to follow. He was slow and controlled, deliberate with his steps in a way that wasn’t clunky. Y/N never would have expected him to sweep her around a ballroom and yet he was doing it as if he had been dancing all his life. She watched, following in stride and biting her tongue to refrain from any sarcastic comment that could ruin the moment.
Y/N liked this. She liked him and being with him. She liked that he didn’t tread carefully when they talk. Instead of letting her push him away, he weaseled his way into her thoughts and emotions. He made it impossible to ignore him because all she wanted now was to be with him. Even in utterly ridiculous moments like this where both were stepping out of their comfort zones and trying to make the other feel at ease. Yes, definitely, even in moments like this.
“What song did you pick?” Sam asked, unable to take his eyes off the laughing, smiling, and dancing pair before them. It was like seeing an entirely different part of them. “I know it. I mean, it sounds familiar, but I can’t remember the name.”
“Tale as old as time.”
“All right, I know I don’t have the best memory, but —“
Wanda nudged him gently, chuckling. “No, the song’s name is, ‘Tale as Old as Time’.”
“Oh.” If Sam could blush, he most certainly would be. Shaking his head, he looked back at the pair as they made their way onto the balcony. “Where are they going?” 
He moved to take a step forward, blocked by Wanda. “Let them have more than a moment, Sam. Let them have a memory.”
Sam fixated his gaze on the balcony, knowing they were too far away to be heard. Y/N and Bucky were on their own. They simply had to hope for the best. And it was absolutely terrifying.
The music slowly drifted to the back of their minds as Bucky and Y/N took a seat on the balcony.  They were silent, simply enjoying the sight of spring peeking through the branches. Though there was still a chill in the air, it was clear by the buds of flowers that winter was finally coming to an end. Warmth would soon greet their every morning, their every day.
Until then, they could at least find that needed comfort in one another. 
“I didn’t step on your feet,” Y/N told him, earning a cheeky grin from Bucky.
“I told you I knew my way around a ballroom.” Glancing back at the shimmery floor, he added, “It’s been a while, but I guess some things are never forgotten.”
“Yes,” she agreed, voice barely above a murmur. “Some things aren’t.” 
“I never would’ve thought I’d consider this place anything remotely close to a home. I expected to be a prisoner, frozen in your dungeon, or…or…”
“Dead?”
Bucky ducked his head ever so slightly, nodding. He didn’t want to admit it, but that had been a fear for quite some time. “You surprised me, Y/N. I never — I didn’t give you a chance at first and I should have. I shouldn’t have judged you based strictly on a history I had with other royals.”
Y/N paused at the mention of other royals. She knew the ones Bucky was talking about. They were her family. Her father and mother. Maybe even her brother was one of them. Someday soon, she would have to tell him. She had to be honest.
Someday. Now was not that moment.
Instead, she asked a question that had been haunting her for a while. “Are you — Do you like…being here? With me, I mean?”
Bucky looked surprised, watching the way she avoided looking at him. Y/N wasn’t one to show fear, but in this moment she certainly was. She looked utterly terrified, desperate to be assured. Was Y/N scared of whatever his answer may be? 
“Yes, I do.” She jerked, eyes meeting his in a look he could only describe as pure shock. Never had her emotions been so open and raw before him. However, he wouldn’t take advantage. No, he respected her too much for that. If she would be raw with her emotions and fears, then he could be honest with his thoughts as well. “I’ve enjoyed every moment here. It’s closer to a home than anything I’ve ever had before. But…” Bucky glanced at the forest, strands of hair falling from the bun and framing his face. Y/N watched him intently, wishing in that moment that she had the fingers to run through his hair, to tuck it back into place.
“But what? Is there something I can do?”
“No, it’s nothing you did or can do. I — I’m worried about Steve.” Finally, Bucky met her gaze. “He’s my oldest friend and the closest thing I have to family. We’ve been side by side for years; been through everything together. ‘Till the end of the line’ was a promise we made when we were kids. I expected the war to be that line and when it wasn’t, we stayed as close as possible when we came back. I told you how he was always sick as a child and every day I’m —“
“You’re terrified he’ll get sick again?”
Bucky shook his head, knowing very well that Steve was healthy. But Hydra was there which meant Steve wasn’t necessarily safe. “There’s a kingdom there that has been torturing the people of my home. They’ve been cruel and vindictive and…” He took a shaky breath, trying to calm his racing heart. “I’m terrified that he’s gone and fought a bully he couldn’t beat.”
Y/N watched him carefully, noticing the unshed tears in his eyes. Steve was Bucky’s world. And Bucky was a part of hers. She would do anything to help him. Taking his hand in her paw, she gave a gentle squeeze. “Come with me.”
———
“What is this?” Bucky held up the small mirror. It wasn’t as extravagant as some of the items he’d seen in the castle. It wasn’t even as extravagant as most of his room. He felt the etchings of something against his palm, but other than that, there was nothing from the silver mirror. 
“A not-gilded mirror.” Y/N watched him carefully, the glow of the Rose illuminating his face in a warm yellow. It seemed to flicker, reminding her of something akin to a candle. “All you have to do is look at it and ask it to show you what it is you want.” He eyed her skeptically and Y/N rolled her eyes. “You’ve spoken to talking objects, spent your days with a beast, and are now questioning magic? Trust me, Buck. I’m trying to help you.”
Bucky’s fingers tucked around the edges of the mirror as he stared at his reflection. “I’d like to see Steve…if that’s okay.”
The mirror’s reflection rippled, washing away his image and replacing it with something else. Something much darker. Bucky tensed at the sight, tears welling in the corners of his eyes. Steve was pinned against a wall. Blood and mud caked his face, barely hiding the busted lip and bruised eyes. His nose was bent awkwardly, making a shudder run down Bucky’s spine. 
However, as the image moved further back, showed him more, guilt settled in his gut and heart. Two Hydra soldiers had him pinned, unable to move. A third was the one that had beaten his face and, judging by the way he struggled to breathe, there were more injuries hidden behind his tattered shirt. What made it worse was there were more and one in particular was watching with the sickest smile on his face.
Brock Rumlow. 
Stomach twisted, heart racing, Bucky knew all too well that this was his fault. He traded places with Steve. He had been enjoying himself, living a life where he felt whole, and his friend was suffering.
“Hydra,” Y/N whispered, catching his attention.
“You know them?” Bucky looked up at her, searching her eyes and earning a pained expression that he couldn’t quite read. He’d never seen such a look from her before. It was the second time she left him with a new emotion. His heart twisted, but this time it wasn’t from guilt. It was pain. Heartbreak? “Y/N?”
Words were lost in her mind. She couldn’t piece anything together. They seemed to be lodged in her throat, twisting her windpipe and leaving her breathless. What could she say? That her family was the one that first fought Hydra? That their disappearance was why Hydra was tormenting his home? Why they were currently hurting, possibly killing, his best friend?
No, taking his attention off of Steve was selfish. She’d been selfish long enough. Just be keeping him here, she’d been selfish long enough.
“Everyone knows about Hydra.” Squeezing his free hand, she let it go and took a step back. “Go to him,” she whispered, surprising him.
“But I thought —“
“Go. He needs you. And you clearly need him. Use the mirror and it will show you the way.”
Bucky glanced from the mirror to Y/N and back again. He wanted to go to Steve, but he couldn’t simply walk away from Y/N. She was important to him, a part of his life that he couldn’t forget. Taking a slow breath, he nodded. He didn’t have to walk away from Y/N forever. Just long enough to help Steve.
He rose, moving to hand her the mirror, but she held up a hand. “Don’t. I want you to keep it. Something to remember me by.”
Bucky watched her, the frown on his face breaking her heart. Y/N couldn’t stand the sight of it, looking away as Bucky wrapped his arms around her. She tensed in his grasp, relaxing after a brief moment and wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you, Y/N.” She swore she felt his lips press a kiss to her cheek, but she wasn’t sure. And she refused to assume.
“Go, please.” She was lucky her voice didn’t break. “Steve needs you.”
Bucky pulled away from her, knowing he couldn’t meet her gaze. If he did, he might not be able to bring himself to leave. He wanted to say something, to promise he’d bring back, but for some reason…the words wouldn’t come. So he left swiftly, almost silently, and Y/N was left to her tears.
Standing, Y/N walked to the balcony overlooking the forest. Tears ran through her fur and she shuddered. She didn’t feel the warmth from outside anymore. No, it seemed the bitter chill was stronger than ever. It was only made stronger when she saw Bucky borrowing one of the horses and riding off into the night.
“What happened?”
Sam’s voice earned no flinch, no turn or look. She remained fixated on Bucky’s retreating form as Sam came closer. She knew she needed to explain. What she had done was to better the life of two men, leaving her servants and friends, leaving herself and her brother, completely in the dark. Taking a shaky breath, she whispered, “I let him leave.”
“I heard.” He waited for a moment, wondering if he should ask.“Why?”
Y/N hesitated, scared to admit those emotions. They were real. She couldn’t ignore them any longer. Bucky had slipped past the walls that guarded her heart, making himself at home. And she let him leave. Looking over her shoulder, teary eyes and tear stained cheeks showed Sam just how broken she was. “I had to, Sam. I —”
“Oh, Y/N…”
“I love him.”
----
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Text
A Smash Kid Halloween Pt 2: Night of the Living R.O.B
After the group finished their candy rounds and split up, Dark Pit’s group cut through the dark woods to get to the graveyard. For about a solid hour, they’ve just been lying in a circle staring up at the sky.
“You guys ever wonder why some of us can’t touch our hands over the top of our heads?” MegaMan asked.
And questions. They also asked questions
Dark Pit shifted his gaze to the right, where he saw MegaMan in his Phoenix Wright outfit and the open spot where Bowser Jr was sitting until he said he went to use the bathroom. He sighed. “Maybe because some of us are built different.”
Dark Pit came thinking that this would be somewhat thought provoking, or somewhat scary. But so far, the only thing they’ve done tonight was go to a lot of homes and get candy. Now they’re in a middle of a graveyard, asking questions. Most of which didn’t require much thought. 
“If Ditto turned into the Ice Climbers, would he turn into one of them or both of them?” Leaf asked.
Dark Pit looked to his left. Leaf had changed her Attack on Titan soldier outfit to an outfit resembling the Platelets from Cells at Work. Beside her was Blue, who was sporting an Ike outfit with his roller on his back, and Young Link in his Skull Kid outfit, who from his viewpoint fell asleep.
He was about to answer her question with a sarcastic response, but paused. No matter how he thought about it, that was a good question. This was one of the questions that he had to think about.
“Okay, D.P. Your turn.” Blue told him.
Dark Pit looked at the Inkling. “Uh…I haven’t thought of a question yet. You can go next." 
Blue shrugged and sat up. "You ever wonder…what’s going on at our homes? Like, do they notice we’re gone and are freaking out about it?”
“I can tell you that.” MegaMan told him. “Red and I asked Master Hand about that a while ago. He said he and Crazy already took care all of that.”
“How?” Leaf asked.
“Dunno. Crazy Hand said not to think about it too much.” MegaMan said. “They probably have clones or something.”
A few seconds after he had said that, Dark Pit rose up and stretched. “Oookay, this was a slightly fun thing we did. I’m gonna go to the candy site or whatever.” He then walked off to the woods.
Blue, Leaf, and MegaMan all exchanged worried glances.
————————–
“They probably have clones or something.”
Those words echoed through Dark Pit’s head as he walked through the dark woods with his arms crossed. He flinched during every step since for Pit’s costume idea (KO and TKO), they had to be barefoot for it. “Tch! Stupid Pit. Making me walk around a forest with no footwear. Not knowing that this hurts a lot.” He muttered.
“Yo, D.P. Everything cool?”
Dark Pit turned around and saw Leaf and Blue standing behind him.
“…Peachy.” Dark Pit answered.
“It’s just…you stormed off after what MegaMan said and-” Blue started.
“It’s fine.” Dark Pit told him, in a slightly angrier tone. He turned around again.
“D.P. Be real with us. Is everything fine?” Leaf asked.
“……” Dark Pit sighed and turned back to them. “Loo-”
He was about to speak before MegaMan came running to them. “Guys! Something happened!”
……….
“So what happened exactly?” Leaf asked as the four of them walked through the graveyard. 
“Well, Young Link and I were chilling at our graveyard spot while you two left to find Dark Pit. He said he noticed Bowser Jr. has been gone for a long time, so he’d find him. He went searching, but a few minutes later, I heard a scream. So I went to check it out. That’s when I found…” MegaMan led them to a spot in the grave yard. Young Link was seen lying on the ground. “This.”
Blue and Leaf gasped. Dark Pit raised an eyebrow and walked over to Young Link and nudged him with his foot. “You sure he didn’t just leave him here for the sole purpose of you getting scared?”
“W-What do you mean?” MegaMan asked.
“I mean, he conveniently left his car here, and got Young Link to join in on this too.” Dark Pit told him. He then kicked Young Link. “Wake up, Elf Shrimp!”
Young Link sat up and rubbed his head. “Ow…what happened?" 
"Don’t play dumb. You and Jr. tried to scare us.” Dark Pit told him.
“Huh? All I remember was looking for B.J, then something bit…or maybe stung me?” Young Link told him, pointing to his arm.
“Riiiight. And you’re gonna turn into a zombie.” He replied with utmost sarcasm.
MegaMan turned around. “Oh, its R.O.B!”
Behind them, R.O.B was slowly moving towards them, shuffling ever so slightly, as if his wheels weren’t working right. And the noise he was making made it seem as if he was malfunctioning. Not to mention how…off he looked
“Isn’t R.O.B supposed to be in sleep mode?” Blue asked. MegaMan looked again and his pupils shrank. 
“Uh, guys? Correct me if I’m wrong, but R.O.B is the last of his kind, right?” MegaMan asked.
“That’s what it says on his description at the boxing stage.” Leaf told him.
“Then why are there more than one R.O.B?!” MegaMan asked.
The others turned around to see that they have been surrounded by about 50 R.O.B’s.
“This is…unsettling.” Dark Pit admitted. “Run!”
The group ran into the forest. Dark Pit knew that running into a dark forest in the middle of the night while zombie robots were chasing you was a horrible idea, but he was in the heat of the moment.
“Dude, why are there zombie R.O.B’s? Didn’t Fox say they were all destroyed a long time ago?!” Blue shouted.
“I don’t know! I wasn’t there!” Leaf shouted back.
“Calm down! We just have to keep running and tell everyone to meet back together. Then, we tell the Hands about this and they’ll know what to do!” Dark Pit reassured them.
MegaMan turned around and noticed Young Link was slowing down. He then fell. “Little Link!” The ran back to check on him.
“Guys…I don’t feel so good…."Young Link told them.”
“Wait, didn’t he say he got stung earlier?” Blue asked. The exchanged worried glances.
As soon as they put their attention back to Young Link, they saw robotic armor slowly begin to cover him from the spot where he got bit. When he glanced up them, he had R.O.B’s face covering his eyes, and had cyber-genetic parts on his arms.
“Farfetch’d Unknown Charizard Kingler!” Leaf shouted as they all screamed. Blue then beat the now Zombie Young Link with his roller until he wasn’t moving and was covered in blue ink. They looked over at Blue.
“What?’ Blue asked.
”…Nothing, lets keep running.“ Dark Pit said.
The four of them ran deeper into the forest as fast as they could. Soon, they had to give into exhaustion and take a minute to catch their breath. They hid behind a few trees.
Leaf glance out from behind the tree. "I don’t see them…” She then turned to Dark Pit. “Don’t you have arrows or something? Can’t you shoot them?”
“If I had arrows, I would’ve been shooting them for a while now. He wouldn’t shut up unless I promised not to bring my weapons.” Dark Pit groaned. “Where’s Ivysaur?”
“I am NOT going to subject my Pokemon to fight zombies!” Leaf told him.
“I’m trying to call the others. Lucas’ signal is being jammed, and I called Meggy’s group, and I just heard screaming about a ghost.” Blue told them
They all stopped talking as they could hear the distorted noises of the R.O.B’s slowly approaching. They peeked out and saw Bowser. Jr, who was now turned into a zombie cyborg that fused with his clown car, hovering next to them.
“Bowser’s gonna kill us.” Leaf said.
“You mean if we get of this or if we get turned into zombies?” Dark Pit asked
“…I’ll hold them off.” MegaMan announced as he rose up. “I come loaded with weaponry. As long as I don’t get bit, I’ll be okay. I don’t know how I’ll survive, but-”
Blue shoved him from the tree. “Dude, less emotional speech and more shooting!” He whispered.
MegaMan glared at him for a moment and ran out firing his Mega Buster. The three watched from the tree.
“OBJECTIO-”
MegaMan didn’t get to finish his battle cry as a creature suddenly swooped down and grabbed him, flying back into the sky. The three stared off into the sky with pale, terrified expressions as the creature flew off with MegaMan, his incredibly high pitched screams filling the night sky. They glanced back at the robot horde that was slowly approaching.
They took off running again, soon hitting a wall they couldn’t climb over. It kept climbing into the sky. As they turned around, they saw the horde slowly approaching
“Fishcakes! D.P, can’t you just fly us over?!” Blue asked frantically.
“This is a literal mountain! I can’t fly over it and carry the both of you at the same time!” Dark Pit shouted.
“Then what do we do?!” Blue shouted back. 
Dark Pit looked around. They were surrounded from all sides and the horde was getting closer. Escape seemed impossible.
“G-guys…” Leaf said. The two turned to Leaf, who had tears in her eyes. “I-If this is how we go out…I want you to know…You guys are awesome!!”
“…My only regret was that i didn’t get his by all of the Final Smashes. Those seem pretty cool.” Blue said, accepting his fate.
Dark Pit looked at the two, then looked back at the horde. “Guys…since we’re about to get turned into mindless drones, I need to say something…”
“We already know you’d rather be doing anything else then hang out with us! You don’t need to say it.” Blue told him.
“No!” Dark Pit shouted as tears welled up in his eyes. “I wanted to say…you guys are my best friends! You two, MegaMan, Ness, Lucas, Meggy, Villager…all of you guys! I even think Pit is tolerable from time to time! I act all cold so that I wouldn’t get attached, but I can’t! All the times we did stupid stuff together! All the times, you’d drag me into whatever you guys were doing…I actually enjoyed myself!”
Leaf and Blue looked at Dark Pit as he was pouring his heart out, tears now rolling down his face. The R.O.B. zombies lunged at them.
“The truth is….” Dark Pit said, the R.O.B. zombies now only a foot away from them, “…I LOVE YOU GUYS!”
————————
Dark Pit had his eyes closed, preparing for the bite. But the bite never came. He opened an eye and saw the R.O.B’s and the two cyborg zombies had all stopped moving. The R.O.B.’s then fell apart piece by piece. The robot parts on Bowser Jr. and Young Link fell off as well.
Young Link and Bowser Jr. fell to the ground. “Ughh…what are we doing out here?” Bowser Jr. asked.
“They…just broke?” Dark Pit muttered to himself.
“You…”
Dark Pit glance at Leaf and Blue, who both had sparkly eyes. 
“You love us?” Leaf asked. Bowser Jr. and Young Link both shot up and did sparkly eyes as well. 
“He what?” The two asked.
Dark Pit blushed. “No. I didn’t say that." 
"Yeah you did.” Blue told him. “I recorded the whole speech.” The blue Inkling pressed a button on his phone, playing back what Dark Pit said moments ago.
“I LOVE YOU GUYS!!”
A smile grew on all of there faces hearing Dark Pit say that about them.
Dark Pit blushed even more. “I-I didn’t mean it, you idiot!”
But it was too late. The four of them all tightly hugged Dark Pit. “You do care!”
“No I don’t! It was in the heat of the moment!” Dark Pit shouted.
“Too late. We already know you’re a softie.” Leaf told him.
“Grrr…whatever!” Dark Pit huffed.
“But this does raise the question.” Young Link said. “Why were there more R.O.B’s when Mario and the others told us that they were destroyed?”
“Yeah. And why’d they attack us?” Dark Pit added.
Bowser Jr. looked around. “Where’s MegaMan?”
And as if to answer his question, MegaMan fell out of the sky looking pretty beaten up.
“The heck happened to you?” Leaf asked.
MegaMan pointed upwards in response. The group looked up and saw a long, green dragon coming down towards them. Leaf was the only that was smiling. She threw her PokeBall, and Ivysaur came out. 
“Ivysaur, let’s catch a Legendary Pokemon.”
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wth-am-i-writing · 7 years
Text
Title: Promise ~Part 11 Protagonists: N, Ravi, Hyuk (eventually the rest of VIXX too) Warnings: Fantasy, Fighting, N/Ravi, Angst? Word Count: 7446 (out of 65,426) Summary: N couldn’t remember why he was traveling, but he had a feeling it was important. Author’s Note: The final part. I started this fic on 2/1/16, and now just over a year later it’s done and completely posted... With how much this fic tortured me in 2016 I feel like I should have more to say but .~. anyway... I hope you all have enjoyed this piece.
-.-.-.-.-.-
 The soul cradled in N’s hands was warm, it’s glow soft. He could tell by its energy that it was good.
“These souls are set to be reborn soon. Based on their actions in previous lives, they have been selected as possible heroes in the upcoming tribulation,” N’s superior called out. N glanced around at the others; most were looking at the superior, but Leo was fixated on the soul in his hands. It was rare that they got to see souls up close, let alone hold them, so N couldn’t blame Leo. “You are to watch over your assignment until it’s time for their the tests to begin.”
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 N crouched down next to the bed, staring at the small infant cradled in his mother’s arms. The child was only a few days old, still so tiny. N had been there for the birth. The labor had been so long that N had worried the mother might die of exhaustion or other complications, but in the end, the child was born safely. A healthy baby boy. The child’s parents had been overwhelmed with joy.
The baby’s breath stopped for a brief moment before he started panting, his breath quickly evening out again. N supposed that this would be his next twenty-something years if everything went according to plan.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 N sat on the edge of Ravi’s bed, stroking through the child’s wet bangs. Flushed from fever, Ravi slept, oblivious of the world around him.
“You’ve had quite enough of that fever,” N hummed before leaning down and placing a healing kiss on the child’s forehead. “It’s time it broke.”
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 “Eeeeww, don’t touch me!” Hyuk squealed, jerking away from Jiwon.
“Why not?” Jiwon asked, shocked and hurt.
“Because girls have cooties,” Hyuk exclaimed. N snorted to himself; he’d seen countless boys go through similar stages, all equally ridiculous in their implausibility.
“Cooties? What are cooties?” Jiwon asked in bewilderment, brows knit in concern.
“You doofus, Jiwon doesn’t have cooties,” Ravi hissed, tackling Hyuk to the ground. Hyuk flailed, trying to push off Ravi in vain.
“If you don’t like cooties so much, you can have them!” Jiwon chirped, jumping in and shoving her hands in Hyuk’s face. Hyuk screamed and N could barely contain his laughter. Children were the darndest things. He was starting to really see what Leo adored about them.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 “How is Mrs. Joo?” Hyuk asked, looking to the door when Jiwon entered the sitting room. Jiwon smiled at Hyuk tiredly.
“Resting with her healthy baby girl,” Jiwon answered. “Though I didn’t get to do much this time because of how quickly it happened. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone give birth that fast.”
“Is Mom still over there?” Ravi asked, standing up.
“Yeah. She wants me to start dinner. Can you go round up our chickens for the night?” Ravi looked back at Hyuk and the books spread across the coffee table and sighed. They’d borrowed them from Hyuk’s uncle’s library. His eagerness to learn from the magic texts had been obvious in the bounce in his step as they’d carried the books from the library to Hyuk’s home, and N found it incredibly endearing. Ravi had been going through them with such deep concentration all afternoon, but it all dissolved away the moment his sister had entered the room. Ravi was so soft for his sister, so protective, it reminded N of how he and his brothers felt about their charges.
“Yeah, I’ll get the chickens,” Ravi agreed, turning to Jiwon. “We can continue tomorrow, right?” he asked, looking back at Hyuk.
“Yeah, it’s not like the books are going to walk away,” Hyuk said, pushing himself up.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 Sobs wracked Ravi’s shoulders for days after Jiwon was taken. A flower for the underworld, candidate bride of the King of the Underworld, the rest of the village had little hope they’d see her again. There were legends of such a reaping of women in the past, far out of everyone’s mind until Jiwon had been taken. The last tribulation, the last reconciliation, had been centuries ago, of course they’d consider it a legend. But the legend that fell from the local priest’s lips did nothing to soothe Ravi’s regret. N wanted nothing more than to tuck Ravi beneath his wings, to protect him from the cruelty of it all, to return Jiwon. N didn’t want him to be a hero if it meant Ravi had to suffer like this.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 N blinked his eyes open, the presence of nearby demons drawing him from his sleep. He moved to sit up, but strong arms kept him in place.
“Waol,” Ravi said, startling N. His voice was hushed, gruff with sleep.
“You’re awake,” N said. Ravi opened his eyes, meeting N’s gaze.
“Nightmare,” Ravi explained simply. N sighed sympathetically and snuffled into Ravi’s shoulder, holding him tightly. If pattern held, he wouldn’t be able to find the right words, but he could at least provide physical support.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 The ground at the base of the cliff was relatively flat. Pools of shallow water and barren trees dotted the misty landscape. Glowing souls weaved between the trees, reminiscent of fireflies. Whispers filled the air, undecipherable but filled with grief. N shivered, the atmosphere making him nauseous. Ravi stepped forward first, back straight and shoulders stiff.
“The gate to the underworld is located somewhere in here,” Ravi said, voice shaking.
“It could take days to find in this mist,” Hyuk said cautiously.
“I’ll search years if I have to,” Ravi declared, starting to walk. Hyuk followed, quickly going to Ravi’s side. N watched their backs, his stomach knotting painfully. With each step, Ravi was closer to possible death. He balled his hands into fists and forced himself to move forward.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 Hours of walking resulted in no sign of the gate or pathway Ravi was looking for. He seemed to wander through the mist as aimlessly as the lost souls. The terrain was mostly featureless, making it hard to find bearings other than the sun, dully visible through the mist. Hyuk forced them to stop occasionally to mark trees in hopes of helping in the event they walked in a circle. They’d yet to encounter one of Hyuk’s marks, but that did nothing to ease N’s discomfort. Ravi pressed forward, and N’s eyes stayed trained to his back.
All at once, a crippling wave of nausea washed over N and his head started throbbing, the unmistakable presence of demon in the air. N dropped to his knees, hand coming to his mouth as he felt himself gag. He forced the vomit back down as he frantically searched the mist for the demon. Ravi and Hyuk hadn’t noticed he’d gone down--they continued walking, Hyuk veering to the left, farther and farther from Ravi with each step. In the distance, far beyond the pair, there was a figure in the mist. They hadn’t seemed to notice it, their steps and posture the same as they’d been since setting foot in the heart of the valley.
N attempted to push himself up--he had to get to Ravi. A ripple of energy ripped through him, and he fell back to his knees, unable to keep the contents of his stomach this time. He wretched until nothing was left in his stomach, dry heaving twice before he was able to regain himself enough to look up. Ravi was knee deep in a pond of water, sinking deeper with each step. Souls swooped in close to him, guiding him into the water. Hyuk was no where near him, and when N turned in search of him, he spotted wings--wings--the demon had wings. N pushed himself to his feet, the action taking every bit of his strength. This wasn’t good. He had to get to Ravi. He stumbled forward desperation taking over him.
“Hakyeon,” a voice, deep and familiar, called out to him from behind. N froze. The demon was no longer in the distance. “It’s good to see you again.” N turned around slowly, coming face to face with the sandy pink-haired demon from Ajol--from his memories--
“I’ll give you a human body so you can walk beside him,” the demon said. “And if he should find himself dying, you will take his place in the underworld. This the best we can offer while maintaining the balance.”
“You’re going to make me fall?” N asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“No--not quite,” the demon said. “I can’t strip you of your position or powers, but you’ll be bound in a human body just like the fallen. Heaven won’t be able to touch you as long as you’re confined in such a fashion.”
“The end result is the same,” N said.
“Oh, it’s much more favorable--If Ravi doesn’t die, then you can stay by his side until your flesh prison dies, even if you truly fall in the meantime.”
“What is the catch?” N asked sharply. The demon grinned, bringing a finger under N’s chin.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?”
“Stop playing games.”
“You don’t?”
“Hongbin,” N growled in warning.
“Our type never does until we’re told. Vanity is something you were taught to avoid, wasn’t it?” The demon cupped N’s cheek, looking at him with hooded eyes.
“Hongbin,” N growled, hand going to the hilt of his knife.
“I see your memories are coming back properly,” Hongbin said, a wide grin spreading across his lips as he brought his black feathered wings to rest comfortably behind him.
“Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Waol?” Hongbin asked, watching the droves of Waols wandering the battlefield collecting the souls of the dead.
“Probably boring,” N hummed, kneeling down next to an unconscious soldier. He was injured badly and would die before the medics got to him.
“I prefer not to think about it,” Leo said from where he kneeled next to a fallen battle horse. The tribulations were horrible this time. N reached out and ran his hand over the fallen soldier’s wounds, easing the bleeding enough that the medics would get to him in time.
“Why are you here?” N growled, drawing his dagger.
“Administering a test,” Hongbin answered simply, folding his arms across his chest. “Despite our deal, you can’t expect me to let them just walk right into the Underworld.”
“Test,” N mumbled. The meaning clicked in his head and he whipped back around to look at Ravi--the water was up to his chest. He made a run for Ravi, but Hongbin was suddenly in front of him. N skidded to a stop and scrambled backwards as Hongbin stepped towards him.
“I can’t let you interfere yet,” Hongbin said as he lifted his arm, steps quicker than N’s. His fingertips brushed N’s chest and a wave of energy wracked through N’s body.
N jerked back, his knees feeling weak and the breath knocked out of him, but Hongbin pressed forward, hand coming to rest fully on N’s chest. The force of the second energy wave made him feel like he was burning from the inside, the pain so intense it ripped a scream from his throat. The pain converged on his back with white hot searing pain, making him feel like his body would burst. Then Hongbin’s hand was gone. N fell to his hands and knees, trying desperately to push through the pain, to not black out, to breathe. The pain started to subside, but in its wake, and electric thrum coursed through his body.
“Wh-what did you do?” N stuttered.
“Unlocked one of the seals on your powers,” Hongbin explained, wicked grin audible in his voice.
“Why--” N croaked, attempting to push himself up. Hongbin began to circle N, his footsteps crunching in the dirt.
“You looked like a sorry mess,” Hongbin hummed. Grabbing N by the hair, he yanked N into an upright position. “But now things will be more interesting.”
“More--” N broke off as Hongbin flung him into one of the near by pools of water. He crashed through the surface of the water, but when he made contact with the ground, everything was dry. Sitting up, N looked around. Flat, barren land in every direction save for the occasional pool of water. Hongbin was nowhere in sight. The mist filled air had an eerie stillness. N stood, not nearly as nauseous as he’d been earlier, and turned slowly, looking for any sign of where to go.
“Jiwon!” Ravi’s voice echoed through the landscape. N stilled, trying to determine which direction it had come from. “Jiwon, behind you!” From his left, N realized, bolting in that direction. As he ran, he was able to make out several figures in the distance. Ravi surrounded by black shadows, demons like the ones from the maze. The demons were mobbing him, but Ravi was fighting back. N gripped his dagger tighter, raising it to strike as he neared. He stabbed the first demon he reached in the the back, burying the dagger hilt deep until it squealed and stopped moving.
“N, you’re okay,” Ravi called when he realized N was there, relief in his eyes. He moved the demon he was deadlocked with in the way of another, using it as a shield. N pulled his knife from the demon’s back and left it fall to the ground. Two demons lunged at him. N went for the one on his left, aiming for the heart but striking it’s stomach instead. It grabbed his shoulders, clawing in, pinprick burns developing where its claws touched N’s skin. N jerked it into the path of the other demon, stumbling back when it collided into the first. There was a cry and the first demon went limp before both were pulled off N. Ravi tossed the bodies to side, panting as he looked N in the eyes.
“Where is Hyuk?” N asked.
“I don’t know, but they have Jiwon,” Ravi said, voice twinged with panic as he reached out and grabbed N’s hand. He turned, dragging N behind as he ran after two demons. After several meters, he let N’s hand go, and called out “Jiwon!” The smaller of the two demons stopped, turning back to Ravi and pretending to struggle against the other.
“Ravi!” the smaller demon screamed, voice sounding wholly inhuman.  
“Jiwon!” Ravi called again. That wasn’t Jiwon, N realized with a sinking feeling. N rushed forward, barely managing to grab Ravi’s wrist. He came to a full stop, the momentum causing Ravi to stumble back into him.
“You have to stop,” N warned. Ravi tried to jerk out of his grip, but N held on tighter.
“What the--” Ravi growl, words cutting short as the larger demon lashed out with a shadow tentacle, it’s form shifting from humanoid to amorphous. Ravi struck down the tentacle, but three more replaced it. N released Ravi to strike down one of the tentacles and Ravi went for a second, but the third wrapped around N’s leg. N went down, knocking Ravi down with him, as the tentacle started to retract. As soon as Ravi regained his sense of orientation, he rolled off N and cut the tentacle off.
“Ravi!” the smaller demon called out. Ravi snapped his attention to the demons just as another tentacle wrapped around his neck, jerking him back. N scrambled up, reaching behind Ravi and grabbing the tentacle despite the burn. He cut the end off quickly before stumbling back and slashing at another incoming tentacle. Ravi gasped for breath, hand going to his throat as he turned to face the demons. He shoulders shook and he straightened. Bringing his other hand to the blade, he charged forward. N lunged after him. He managed to grab Ravi’s right arm and jerk him back.
“What the hell are you doing?” Ravi growled, trying to shake N off. “I have to get to Jiwon!”
“That’s not Jiwon, you have to stop!” N cried out, putting all his weight in strength into holding Ravi back.
“Are you blind!” Ravi growled, lashing out as the larger demon attacked again.
“Ravi!” N called, stumbling back, dagger raised to strike, but Ravi didn’t heed him. He ran in front of Ravi, striking down another tentacle before spinning on his heels, glaring at Ravi. “You have to stop.”
“Get out of my way.”
“Listen to me!” N shouted.
“Are you blind?” Ravi yelled back.
“That isn’t Jiwon. They wouldn’t make it this easy,” N warned stepping towards Ravi. Ravi stepped back, stance turning defensive.
“How would you--” Ravi cut off, something clicking in his expression. “Get out of the way.”
“They’ll kill you.”
“That thing’ll kill Jiwon! And it’s getting away!” Ravi yelled, sidestepping to go around N. N followed, stepping in close to Ravi, hands coming to Ravi’s chest. “Move.”
“Listen to me!”
“You’re one of them!” Ravi hissed, shoving N back. N stumbled back, mouth falling open in shock.
One of them.
Ravi sidestepped again, charging at the larger demon. It attacked; the sound of chopped off tentacles dropping to the ground drew N back from his stupor. Ravi was walking into a death trap. N swallowed and ran after Ravi.
“Ravi!” the smaller demon screamed. N raised his hand to grab Ravi’s shoulder, but Ravi spun around, thrusting his sword in N’s direction. N stilled, his dagger slipping from his grip, pain blossoming in his stomach. He dropped his gaze to Ravi’s sword impaled in his stomach. When he looked back up, Ravi’s eyes were wide, filled with guilt and regret. N swallowed. This was the length Ravi would go to for Jiwon. He brought his hands to the blade, numb to the pain of it cutting into his palms and fingers. He stepped back, wrenching the blade from Ravi’s grip.
He pulled the blade from his stomach, spinning it so he could take it by the hilt. This would be the length he’d go for Ravi. He shoved past Ravi, throwing all of his energy into charging at the demons. The smaller demon attacked, an energy wave that N barely registered. A shadow tentacle came from his left and he struck it down. As he reached striking distance of the smaller demon, he was jerked back.
“Stop,” Ravi growled, trying to drag him backwards. N lashed out, knocking Ravi in the face with his elbow. He sprinted forward as soon as he was free. Another weak blast from the smaller demon, a tentacle aimed at his legs. N jumped, lifting the sword and stabbing the smaller demon through the heart. Before it screamed, there was a burning, searing pain on his neck, in his throat.
N dropped the sword, his entire body going weak. He fell to his knees, reaching up to touch the fresh cut on his throat. A piercing scream rang through the air. He slumped forward, unable able to stay upright any longer, and he wondered vaguely if this was how he’d die.
“Fuck,” Ravi hissed, pulling him upright and kneeling down in front of N. “Fuck.” He brought his hand to N’s neck, putting pressure on the wound. “I’m sorry, I should have listened--Fuck, fuck.” He lowered N down, hands scrambling at the small pouch at his waist as soon as N was horizontal.
He pulled a potion bottle from the pouch and poured it’s contents on N’s neck wound, hands visibly shaking. N hissed, the potion burning. Ravi moved down, pushing N’s shirt up to get a better look at the stab wound. He poured the rest of the potion on to the stab wound. N hissed again, but the pain of his injuries faded fast.
“I should have trusted you,” Ravi apologized as he moved to N’s hand, lifting it to observe the damage. He stilled, jaw softening as he ran his thumb over N’s palm, his touch causing no pain. “You’re already healing,” he mumbled in disbelief. This was what Hongbin had meant by releasing some of his power. N forced a swallow, the action painful but possible.
“Good,” N breathed. “I’m not ready to die.”
“I almost killed you,” Ravi said, looking away. N brought his hand to his throat. There was nothing left of the wound but a shallow cut. How much was the potion and how much was his natural ability to heal, he didn’t know, but he was grateful. He was in this kind of situation too often to complete his goals otherwise. He relaxed, closing his eyes, feeling absolutely drained.
“Demons can change their appearance,” N whispered. “You couldn’t know.” The words were more a comfort to himself than to Ravi. Ravi was just confused like any human would be in that situation. It made it easier to swallow the accusation that he was just like the other demons.
“I should have,” Ravi snapped.
“But you didn’t.” N’s words hung heavily between them. Ravi sucked in a deep breath, and N opened his eyes to look at him.
“I should have trusted you.”
Yes. He should have. N closed his eyes with a sigh. But this was Ravi, and deep down, N had expected exactly that response in a test like this. Maybe he would have figured it out before it was too late, but his chance of dying was high. This was why he’d made the deal with Hongbin.
“We need to find Hyuk,” N rasped out, unable to go on with that line of conversation.
“Hyuk can handle himself. You need to rest right now,” Ravi protested.
“What makes you think they aren’t doing the same thing to him?” N asked, opening his eyes and frowning. Ravi frowned back, hands clenched over his knees. “I’ll heal,” N said as he pushed up. “And Hyuk has most of the medical supplies anyway.” Ravi sighed before giving a reluctant nod and getting to his feet. He held his hand out to to N and helped him up. N wobbled, legs still feeling weak. Ravi tightened his grip on N’s hand, lips pressed in a tight line, guilt heavy in his eyes.
“Do you need help walking?” Ravi asked after moment. N swallowed, debating the offer before nodding with a sigh.
“Just for a bit.” Ravi moved to N’s side, placing N’s arm over his shoulder.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 They walked aimlessly through the barren terrain looking for any sign of Hyuk. N wasn’t sure how long they walked, but the wound on his stomach stopped hurting and his energy was starting to return, an electric thrum that coursed through his body. Ravi halted, looking off to the right.
“Do you see that?” Ravi asked. N craned his neck to look. There was a figure in the distance.
“Hyuk?”
“I think so,” Ravi said, starting to walk in that direction. N stumbled at the sudden movement, and Ravi paused, leaning back to catch him. “Sorry, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” N said, straightening. “I think I can walk on my own--go ahead.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, go. I’ll catch up,” N insisted, letting go of Ravi’s shoulder. Ravi nodded, stepping away, hand lingering for a moment before he turned away, pace brisk. N followed, much slower but steps steady. As he got closer, the figure in the distance became clearer--by the height and breadth of it’s shoulders, it was definitely Hyuk. Ravi stilled a few feet away from Hyuk, unmoving until N reached his side.
Hyuk stood over the dead body of a demon, sword in hand and tears welling in his eyes. Ravi called to him softly, but Hyuk didn’t move or acknowledge them. Hesitantly, Ravi reached out and brushed Hyuk’s shoulder with his fingers. Hyuk startled, jerking away and swinging his sword around. Ravi raised his hands in a placating gesture.
“What did you see?” N asked softly. Hyuk’s eyes went to N and he softened. He sheathed his blade and lifted a hand to wipe the tears from his eyes.
“My mom,” Hyuk answered after a moment. N swallowed, dropping his gaze to the ground. As far as N remembered, she’d been alive when they’d left, so the shock of seeing her must have been strong. The shock of realizing it wasn’t actually his mother must have been even worse. Ravi stepped forward, tentatively putting a hand on Hyuk’s shoulder.
“I saw Jiwon,” Ravi said sympathetically. Hyuk nodded, stepped back, away from Ravi’s touch.
“At least we know that Jiwon’s probably okay,” Hyuk sighed. “I barely thought of my parents when we left but…” Hyuk rubbed his hands over his face, turning away. “What if something happened to them?” Ravi looked at the ground, shifting uneasily. N clenched his fists, stepping forward.
“I think the nature of their attack would have be different if something had happened to them,” N said. Hyuk turned to look at him. N stepped forward, cautiously reaching out to touch Hyuk’s arm in comfort. “I’m sure she’s fine. Why send demons when they could set a trap with the actual souls? They’re trying to mess with our heads.” Hyuk swallowed.
“Right,” he sighed, running his hand through his hair. He looked around before turning back to Ravi and N. “What now? There’s nothing out here.” N shifted nervously, turning to look around himself. “It looks like we’re not even in the valley anymore, but I didn’t even realize it until I was fighting.” N spotted a pool of water in the distance.
“We haven’t left the valley,” N said. “The demons just split us up and sent us to another area. The demon that got me threw me into one of the pools of water before I had a chance to kill it. That’s how I got here.”
“Pool of water?” Ravi asked, turning to look at the pool of water in the distance. “Do you think that one could get us out of here too?”
“It’s worth a try,” N said. Hyuk moved first, Ravi following quickly after, and N more sedately. Hyuk knelt down next to the pool of water and swiped his hand across the surface.
“It seems like normal water,” Ravi said, hands on his hips as he stared down at the pool.
“Any volunteers to jump in first?” Hyuk asked, standing back up.
“I’ll go,” N volunteered, stepping up to the edge of the pool.
“Are you sure?” Ravi asked. His fingers brushed the back of N’s hand.
“Yeah,” N nodded. He took a deep breath to brace himself and stepped forward. The water seeped into his shoes unpleasantly, and he resisted making a face as he continued forward.
“It’s deeper than it looks,” Hyuk commented when N was waist deep in the water. N turned to look back at them.
“If I don’t come back up, follow me,” N instructed. Looking as if he wanted to say something, Ravi shifted forward. He started to open his mouth but snapped it shut and swallowed.
“Hearing you say that is scary,” Hyuk supplied for Ravi. “But if you don’t come back then that should mean it worked? Hopefully we all come out in the same place.”
“And if it doesn’t work?” Ravi asked.
“Then we figure something else out,” N replied matter of factly. He softened his knees, submerging his torso under the water. Before dunking his head under the water, he gave the others a reassuring smile and took a deep breath. Folding his legs underneath him, he sat at the bottom of the pool for a moment. Nothing seemed to change, so when his lungs began to burn, N stood up. He gasped for breath, hands quickly coming up to wipe the water away from his eyes.
When N opened his eyes, the rock shore line was empty. He waded out of the water, looking around to take in his new surroundings. He was in a large cavern--a cathedral--the ceiling so high as to be unreachable without wings. Cracks in the ceiling allowed light to pour in and illuminate the cave. There was an opening in the cathedral wall ahead of him, torches on both sides. The body of water he’d surfaced from was part of a large, slow moving river. He could see the other bank, but he doubted it could be easily reached by swimming. The far bank narrowed into a pathway that looked like it led upwards and out of the cavern system.
N swallowed. The pathway to the Gates of Hell. He hadn’t ever been there before--at least not in his recollectable memory, possibly not even in a past incarnation--but the stories of it were starting to come back to him. Waol ferried souls across the river to the gate to rest, and in return the gatekeeper released souls to be reborn. A balance. A contract between Heaven and the Underworld. A cycle of death and rebirth. N swallowed again. This would be the hardest test. Jiwon wasn’t dead, but an exchange would still need to be worked out.
Two splashes drew N from his thoughts.
“It really worked,” Ravi said in awe, looking around.
“You made it safely,” N said, coming to the edge of the water.
“I could have done without the wet clothes,” Hyuk complained as he waded to shore.
“Where are we?” Ravi asked, trudging out after Hyuk.
“Underground?” Hyuk suggested as he looked around. “Maybe this is the path to the gate we’ve been looking for?”
“I get that feeling too,” N agreed, turning to the opening in the cave wall.
“So the only thing we can do is to move forward,” Ravi said, coming to N’s side. He turned to N. “Are you okay?” N nodded, glancing at Ravi.
“Yeah,” N answered dryly.
“Then we should move,” Ravi directed. N nodded and stepped forward.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 They followed the path from the cathedral, guided by torches on the cave walls. The path narrowed and curved, the temperature dropping with each step. N shivered, his wet clothing increasingly uncomfortable.
The path ended in another grand cathedral, smaller than the one with the river, but no less intimidating. Torches lined the walls and freestanding torches created a path deeper into the cathedral. A large stage took up the rear of the cathedral, a line cutting the ground just in front of it, veiled by a barrier that gleamed almost imperceptibly in the torch light--the threshold of the underworld. A gold altar sat in the middle the stage. Behind it the gate to the underworld crackled with energy--a large gold ring, raised above the alter. Ravi let out a small gasp at the sight, his footsteps quickening and Hyuk speeding up to keeping up. N followed sedately, his insides in turmoil. This was the real test.
As they neared the threshold, Hongbin appeared in front of the altar, black wings spread to full breadth. Ravi stilled a few feet from the the threshold, Hyuk a few steps behind him. N stood several meters back, to the side, eyes sharp as he eyed Hongbin suspiciously. Hongbin looked out over them, expression serious, lingering just a moment longer on N as if to say don’t interfere. Hongbin’s gaze snapped back to Ravi and Hyuk.
“Humans,” Hongbin said. Ravi tensed. “Have you come all this way to throw yourselves into hell?”
“I came to get my sister back!” Ravi called. Hongbin broke into a smile, wings coming to rest behind him.
“Your sister?” the demon asked. “Which sister would that be?”
“Don’t play fool with me! Jiwon! She was taken as a candidate for the wife of the King of the Underworld!” Ravi called angrily.
“Jiwon?” Hongbin hummed, crossing his arms over his chest and tapping his finger on his chin in an exaggerated show of thought. He really did enjoy messing with humans. “Jiwon… You mean this Jiwon?” He waved a hand and a shadow bubbled up from the ground. It parted into the form of a cage, Jiwon inside--the real Jiwon.
“Jiwon!” Ravi yelled. Her attention snapped up and she scrambled to the cage bars, gripping them until her knuckles turned white.
“Ravi!” she called back, expression awash in shock. “What are you doing here? Oh god, don’t don’t tell me you died--” He stepped forward, but hesitated and glanced at N, eyes questioning. N nodded.
“She’s real,” he said quietly. Ravi nodded back, turning forward and puffing out his chest.
“I’m fine,” Ravi assured. “I came to get you out of here.”
“Came to get me out?” Jiwon yelled as if she thought it was a stupid idea. Hongbin tsked, waving a hand, and the front of the cage closed off.
“I’m sorry, but dead or alive, once you’ve passed the threshold of the underworld, you can’t just leave whenever you want,” Hongbin said, shifting his weight to one leg, affecting a bored expression. “There are rules, conditions that must be met.”
“Conditions?” Ravi asked, taking another step forward. “What conditions have to be met?” Hongbin’s smirk returned.
“Jiwon means a lot to my master, so he won’t give her up so easily,” Hongbin said.
“I will fight him, every demon in the Underworld if it means getting Jiwon out of here,” Ravi growled. N’s stomach swooped. The demon howled, crumpling forward and hitting his hand on his thighs. Black feathers drifted to the ground as his wings shook with the force of his laughter. After a few minutes, Hongbin straightened, stifling down his laughter as he wiped a tear from his eye.
“Little human, that won’t be necessary,” Hongbin said, amusement clear in his voice. “You wouldn’t be able to defeat this lowly gatekeeper, let alone the King of the Underworld.” Ravi growled in anger, hand going to the hilt of his sword. “I propose a deal instead.” N’s chest tightened and he balled his hands into fists.
“A deal?” Ravi asked, posture straightening slightly. “With a demon? How can I trust you? It was you demons that kidnapped Jiwon. You’ve been playing mind games since I entered the valley.”
“I can assure you, this is the only way to guarantee your sister’s safe return,” the demon hummed, hand coming to his hip. “But if you aren’t interested…” He moved to wave his hand.
“Wait!” Ravi yelled. “What kind of deal do you propose?” The demon stilled. He turned his gaze to Ravi, a shark like smile spreading across his lips.
“Ravi, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Hyuk objected, putting his hand on Ravi’s shoulder. Ravi shrugged it off, taking another step closer to the threshold.
“I want to hear his offer,” Ravi said, tone hard. Hyuk looked back at N, brows knit in concern, obviously wanting N to back him up. N focused his gaze on Hongbin, fists clenched so tight his arms were shaking.
“We’ll return your sister to you, but in return you’ll have to give something up that’s of equal value,” the demon said, expression serious.
“Anything,” Ravi said firmly. Every muscle in N tensed, his stomach dropped.
“Anything?” Hongbin parroted, eyebrows raised.
“Ravi,” Hyuk tried to warn again, but Ravi shrugged him off again.
“I’ll do anything, give up anything to get her out of here,” Ravi clarified. This was the length he’d go to save his dearest little sister.
“Anything?” Hongbin parroted again, straightening and spreading his wings. “You can’t take those words back.”
“I won’t,” Ravi asserted, his conviction solid. The demon smiled and waved his hand. The shadow cage dropped Jiwon across the threshold and Ravi rushed forward to pull her into an embrace. N watched, jaw set and gaze sharp, pushing down the storm of emotions roiling inside. Ravi sobbed, squeezing Jiwon tight. They murmured to themselves, and N forced himself to watch the reunion, tried to etch the image of Ravi’s pure happiness and relief into his memories. He could feel the shadows swirling around his feet, could feel them snaking up his ankles.
“A deal is a deal,” Hongbin said, and Ravi tensed. He pushed Jiwon away slightly and looked up at the demon. The shadows surged and N let it engulf him without a fight--a deal was a deal.
“I’m ready,” Ravi’s voice rang clearly through darkness.
“I’ve taken what I need,” Hongbin said, and N was hurled up as the shadows parted to form a cage. Tendrils formed shackles around his wrists and ankles, forcing him to remain still.
“You--” Ravi broke off in shock. He was standing at the threshold, Hyuk holding Jiwon protectively a few paces behind him. The expression on Ravi’s face was broken--an expression N had hoped he’d never have to see on Ravi’s face again after Jiwon had been taken.
“You said anything,” Hongbin reminded Ravi. Horror overtook Ravi’s features as he realized how foolish the words had been. He started to tremble, tears welling in his eyes. The demon grinned, wicked and toothy. N looked away but the demon reached into the cage and grabbed N by the chin, forcing their eyes to meet, touch burning. “And this fulfills my end of our deal, doesn’t it?” N grit his teeth and refused to meet Hongbin’s gaze. The demon roughly jerked N’s face closer, the shadow cage caving way to its master, and leaned in until their lips were almost brushing. “Doesn’t it?”
“It does,” N growled, lashing out with what energy he could muster. Hongbin cackled, barely flinching at the attack.
“What are you talking about?” Ravi asked, tone a mix of confusion and anger and a myriad of other emotions N couldn’t pick out. N forcefully turned his head to look in Ravi’s direction.
“I’m sorry--” was all he managed before the demon yanked his head by the hair and tossed him into the darkness.
“He fell to save you. You should feel honored--” was the last thing he heard before the silence of the darkness overtook everything.
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 “We don’t have any real power,” Hongbin murmured, body shaking. “As long as we play by the rules, we’ll never be able to change the grand scheme of things.” He slammed a fist into the pool of blood surrounding him. “I can’t keep doing this, Hakyeon. I can’t keep pretending I’m actually making a difference in these humans’ fates.”
 -.-.-.-.-.-
 When N awoke he was on a cold floor. He groaned, shifting and pushing himself up. The dark energy in the room made it hard for him to find purchase, but he forced himself up.
“You are very determined, little angel,” a voice rang through the air, smooth and chilled. “I quite like it.” It’s tone dipped low with desire. N snapped his head in the direction of the voice, only to reel in dizziness at the sudden movement. “I don’t think Heaven quite deserves a servant  like you.”
When his vision focused, the weight of his current situation crashed down on him. He lay at the foot of a throne, before the feet of the King of the Underworld. He was a perfect mirror of God, bleached blond to mark his opposite nature. He sat comfortably reclined in his throne, legs crossed, hair slicked back, and dressed in a pressed suit.
“Ken,” N breathed out, a mix of trepidation and awe.
“Ken?” the King of the Underworld said, tone amused. “Did you hear what he called me Hongbin?”
“I did, my lord,” Hongbin said, somewhere behind N.
“Ken,” the King laughed. “He has gall.” The King sat forward so he was closer in level to N, and N flinched back. “You’re just as cute as Hongbin said you’d be. But that doesn’t excuse your need to address me properly. From now on, I’m your king, your god.” N swallowed, trying his best to hold the King’s icy gaze.
“My--lord,” N corrected meekly. The King smiled, his eyes crinkling.
“Good boy,” the King purred. “Now, let’s get you out of that nasty little shell, hm?” The King reached out and bopped N on the nose. An inferno lit inside N’s body, the pain a hundred times worse than the pain of Hongbin releasing one seal of his power earlier. Clawing into the rock beneath him, N screamed. He felt as if he was dying, and perhaps that’s exactly what it was--the death of his flesh shell. The pain converged on his back, building tight and painful, feeling as if it would explode. And explode it did, ripping his back open, the energy venting until N was left with a comfortable electric thrum coursing through his body.
“Huh, I’d thought they’d be completely black by now,” Hongbin said from somewhere off to the side. N pushed up, only to be caught off balance by a new weight on his back. He jerked his head to the left, his breath leaving his body when he caught site of wings. Broad white wings mottled with black. He dropped his gaze back to his hands--the earthly pallor was gone, replaced with an ethereal glow.
“Jiwon may have been a pawn in the game, but she’d become quite dear to me during her time here,” the King said, pulling N’s attention back up to him. He was pouting. “I’ll miss her, though, I suppose you’ll be occupying my time for the moment.” N swallowed and forced himself up into a kneeling position.
“What are you planning to do with me--my lord?” N asked.
“Finish what you started,” the King answered dully. “You can’t return to your post in Heaven, and even if I sent you back to them, you’d just return to me as a Waol. And you’re too pretty to become an amorphous blob.”
“So you’ll make me fall,” N said.
“You’re already as good as fallen by your own actions,” the Kings said tone turning amused. He reached out and grabbed N by the chin. He sat back, tugging N up with him so their faces were mere centimeters apart. “Tell me, how sweet was the forbidden fruit? Was it worth dying your wings black?”
“I have no regrets.” Ravi was alive. He’d survived the hardest tests. N could say it with absolute confidence.
“Fucking is fun, right?” the King asked, breath hot on N’s lips, voice laced with lust. N made a noise in the back of his throat. “A beautiful and pure child, tripped by lust for what you can’t have, fallen at my feet and vulnerable. I think that lust will be an appropriate fate for you.”
The King leaned forward, lips capturing N’s. All the warmth disappeared from N’s body, a new energy lighting deep within his chest, burning cold. When the King pulled away, N was overwhelmed with hunger, carnal and raw. The energy in his chest dimmed with the loss of the King’s lips, leaving him too cold. N chased after him on instinct, locking their lips together in a deeper kiss, leaching energy from the King, warming his chest, sating his hunger ever so slightly. The King kissed back, and the amount of energy flowing into N increased. N pressed closer, clung to it, craved more. He was so hungry.
“Oh, Hakyeon,” the King moaned, breaking the kiss. The warmth in N’s chest started to recede, and he was so hungry he felt dizzy. “You’re gorgeous like this. Blond really suits you.”
“Not Hakyeon,” N panted, trying to orient himself.
“Oh?” the King cooed. His finger brushed over N’s lips. “Then what do you wish to be called?”
“N.”
“The name that human gave you?” the King hummed. “It does create a nice distance from your past.” He pushed his finger past N’s lips, and N latched onto it, suckled it without thought, hoping for hunger sating energy. “Alright, N.” The finger provided no energy, so N let it go easily when the King pulled his hand away.
“What have you done to me?” N asked, looking up and meeting the King’s gaze. The King smiled, mischievous in a way that made N’s empty stomach swoop.
“I’ve made you an Incubus. A slave to the desire of fleshly pleasure.” N swallowed, dropping his gaze to his hands. Hunger for pleasure, for physical contact-- “Hongbin.”
“Yes, my lord?” Hongbin said from N’s left. N jerked around to look at him.
“Give him a proper feeding before he loses his mind. He’ll burn through what little energy he has quickly,” the King directed. A saccharine smile spread across Hongbin’s lips.
“My pleasure, my lord,” Hongbin agreed, stepping forward and grabbing N’s arm with bruising force. The King snorted. Hongbin pulled N up to stand, directing him to a door opposite the throne. N dug his feet into the ground and turned to look back at the King, refusing to move.
“I want to see him,” N demanded. “Ravi.” The King hummed, resting his head on his hand.
“Not until you’ve learned to manage your hunger. Otherwise you’ll accidently kill him and mope about it.”
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renlyisright · 6 years
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Season 7 Episode 2: Many Meetings, The Council of Daenerys, and The Plan Goes South
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A large-scale battle scene, already? I the second episode? Yes, I predicted that things will move quickly and action-y, but it’s one thing to say it and other to witness it.
At one point when I watched this episode my roommate (who has of course seen this a long time ago) entered and asked “What episode is this? Oh yes, it’s the one where that one guy dies”. Dude, spoilers. When I neared the end I thought “Well, no one has died yet, and actually no one died in the first episode either, things are surprisingly peaceful.” Summer child alert.
There’s a storm in and above Dragonstone. Daenerys plans the future with her Small Council. Invading Westeros would be easy if they wanted to just wreck it. But Daenerys is no Littlefinger, ashes are not enough for her.
She accuses Varys for betraying the kings he served the moment he thought he could get a better one. He answers that his loyalty is to the people. Now I’m wondering how he would have dealt with the High Sparrow if he had been in King’s Landing during that mess.
Sidenote: A big deal was made of the Dothraki crossing the saltwater before it happened, but now afterwards it apparently was not that big a deal. The Dothraki and their horses are not any worse sea travellers than anyone who hasn’t done it before. Especially with the Ironborn manning the ships.
They have a visitor. A red priest from Asshai. Asshai is so far to the east it doesn’t show up on any maps, and there’s little to none information about it in the books I have read. The Lord of Light seems to be major religion there, but it hasn’t had a foothold yet anywhere else, just some red priests and some places of worship. But then at least two red priests in Westeros started to create miracles and call people chosen ones, because the Lord of Light wants to save the humans from the dead. I dislike his methods, but how much has he accomplished in Asshai? Is that place a paradise because they have connections to a god who does something, or is it like everywhere else except they burn people once in a while?
Melisandre tells Daenerys of Jon Snow, King in the North, and how he would be a great ally against their common enemy. She alludes to the white walkers, but doesn’t mention them by name. If Daenerys knows about them, she doesn’t yet care about them enough to try Stannis’ “Save the world to get the throne”-strategy.
That’s why Melisandre wants her to meet Jon. And Daenerys starts with a wrong foot, of course. “Summon Jon Snow to bend the knee.” What if he asks for independence, like Yara? A thought of alliance by marriage must be in Daenerys’ mind as well, that’s why she came to the continent as a single. A king in the North would be a good pick, especially if he is also a good man.
…And he’s also her nephew, which would make the marriage extra-Targaryeny. Oh boy, if they ever find out.
Having Daenerys in Stannis’ old place makes me sad that they never got to talk to each other. An Irresistible force and an unmovable object if I ever saw one.
Jon takes the bait. He leaves Winterfell to Sansa, after grabbing Littlefinger by the throat and threatening him. What did Petyr say about Starks right after Ned did the same to him? Something about how Starks are easy to anger and predictable. Jon rides South. Like Ned  before him, and his father, brother and sister, Catelyn and Robb. Maybe Starks should stay in the North.
Arya thinks so. When she hears that Sansa and Jon are in Winterfell, she gets homesick and abandons her mission to kill Cersei for a while. Time for a reunion!... Jon goes away. Stay in one place, people, please.
Hot Pie! Nice to see him still alive. Hopefully no war comes to Riverlands again so he could be safe for the rest of the show. And now I have jinxed him, right? Arya tells him not to killed, too.
And then there’s another reunion! Arya is surrounded by wolves… oh my god! Nymeria! She has a pack of wolves, and seemingly a good business going on. So when Arya asks her to come with her to the North, she declines. She has a life here. Another happy ending, which hopefully lasts.
For so long I wanted Arya to meet Nymeria again, but I never thought of “what about when they do?” I’m satisfied with this. Goodbye Nymeria, stay alive and don’t eat too many little kids. Oh, they grow so fast.
Speaking of direwolves, Ghost is the only other one still alive, and Jon once again leaves him behind. I wonder how much harder they are to work with than dragons or skeleton warriors.
Cersei rises to the challenge, she has called the nearby living lords to her and is quickly making them join her against Daenerys. Daenerys did kill the masters in Astapor and Meereen, so the rulers in Westeros have a good reason to fear her. They also have a good reason to fear Cersei, as Randyll Tarly points out. Jaime has a private talk with him, promising him the Reach if he betrays Olenna.
Randyll may be a horrible person, but is he an oathbreaker? The Lannisters and their former allies Freys and Boltons have broken oaths, killed people in a wedding and blown up hundreds of people, does Randyll want to join them?
The Dothraki and the Unsullied are the biggest imago problem for Daenerys. She can’t have them out there pillaging villages and torching cities. So she plans to use them only on Casterly Rock, and have Dornish and Tyrell forces to siege King’s Landing.
Olenna! Daenerys gets a bit of wisdom from the rude old woman. Margaery was loved by everyone except Cersei. Now nobody loves Cersei, but she has the throne and Margaery is dead. Tyrion has tricks, but tricks don’t always work. Daenerys must not be a sheep, but a dragon.
Grey Worm and Missandei finally confess their feelings to each other, which bodes bad for Grey Worm’s survival. He may not come back from Casterly Rock, he doesn’t have Sam’s gift for survival. Oh, and time to breasts this season was 81 minutes, which is a record by a very wide margin.
Archmaester Ebrose examines Jorah and says that he’s a goner. He could either go to Valyria or euthanize himself. Sam doesn’t give up, and tries a very experimental cure in secret. No milk of the poppy, just a few sips of alcohol as anesthesia, and he starts flaying him. If any Bolton has become a maester he perhaps could have done better job. Anyway, next episode will show if he’s still alive, but I expect Sam to be reprimanded no matter the result. Unless he manages to smuggle Jorah out in secret after the procedure, which I doubt.
That procedure also looks like Jorah will soon die from infections, but it’s a fantasy disease so I’m allowing for a fantasy solution. If that even works instead of just allowing him to see Daenerys one more time and then dying in her defense.
By the way, I love the little glimpses to the Citadel’s everyday life (well, the parts not dealing with horrible illnesses and chamber pots), as when Ebrose talks about the writing styles of various maesters.
Speaking of people who do experiments the archmaesters don’t approve of, Qyburn shows Cersei his current handiwork. He has led the creation of a black arrow shooter as a defence against dragons. It manages to break the skull of Balerion the Dread, who, if I recall correctly, was the largest of dragons. Daenerys’ dragons are about the same size, so they don’t grow that much larger (and get to that size very quickly).
At this point I wondered if anyone would die this episode. The first episode was build-up too, so the death count was much lower than I expected. But then came the first big battle of the season (I’m expecting several).
Euron surprise attacks the Greyjoy fleet as it’s sailing to Dorne, and does great damage to it. He personally kills two of the Sand Snakes, raising his own villain status, and captures Ellaria, Yara, and the third Snake
I don’t like Ellaria. Her actions may seem similar to Olenna’s (both have poisoned a child, and both are waging war on the Lannisters for killing their loved), but they are not. Joffrey was a king actively doing horrible things, Myrcella was definitely not. Olenna is waging war on Cersei for murdering her family, not because her husband got himself killed in a trial by combat he voluntarily entered. But I could tolerate Ellaria as long as she brings her soldiers.
Now that’s not going to happen. I wouldn’t have grieved if she had died now, but I’m glad it didn’t happen right after the reminder that she is bi.
A big setback for team Daenerys. That’s what you get for not wanting to be the queen of the ashes.
Last season made me very optimistic, I thought that the situation could get bad before the end, and many good characters will die before it, but the end itself could be optimistic, with the dead destroyed and the living finding some peace after everyone who wants war has died.
It’s still very much the possibility. Cersei has her black arrow now, that will certainly be bad for one of the dragons (Drogon is the main dragon so likely that one), Euron has won one battle and could perhaps win another before he dies, and the dead will visit the North before the end, but… I’m still optimistic.
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