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halloweennut · 2 years

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Once Shattered, Now Whole: Chapter 2

oh heck, backstory. Mara, Chiro and Sprx go to a smuggler planet for supplies and Mara confronts some ghosts from her past. Skeleton King snoops. cw: almost murder.

Mara told Antauri that meditation with him felt like it had when she was in limbo. It made sense: he and the Alchemist had been taught the same techniques by the Veron Mystics. Then there was the very fact of the Power Primate being present in her mind. That confused Antauri to no end. How had she never noticed it, how had no one picked up on the connection? The Veron Mystics should have welcomed her to their temple... unless their corruption began years ago. Perhaps it was because the presence was weak...but one would think they would have sought Chiro who was so strong- his spirit and connection burned so brightly. They may have taken a different approach to gain their initiates, waiting for them to grow into their own before finding them.

Whatever the reason, it was still there. Faint and dim like an ember but warm.

Regardless, meditation and Mara went together like a fish to water. She fell back into the habit, but now there was no other reason for it than for self-care. Since they had started, Antauri saw fewer instances of sleep disturbances, and the tension she carried was slowly unwound. She was still cautious, but that was more than understandable. Mara still held back from talking about some things. Her time on the prison planet was off-limits, as were some parts of her childhood. But she did admit to gaps in her memory - she just assumed they were due in part to a head injury or blocked out from some sort of trauma. Antauri knew that in time they would have to work on those, but not then.

"How are you feeling?" Antauri asked after a few minutes. They were sitting in his quarters, being the quietest place on the ship.

"Worried still, but that's mostly for the new blockades," Mara replied after a moment. "But that's for the Main Bridge."

"What else is worrying you?"

"Chiro is no longer on the sidelines," Mara replied. "I'm worried that I won't be able to protect him."

"He is a very capable young man," he said. "But I understand your worry. I also worry for him, as well as the rest of the team. But he has all of us - and now that he is back on the field, we're employing more protective formations."

Mara sighed at that. "You all have been so protective of him...I know he's safe with you all."

Antauri hummed at that. "What else is on your mind?"

There was a pause. "Some little things...but I'm not sure if I can talk about them yet. Maybe next session?"

"Of course. Shall we continue in silence?"

"Yes please."

The new blockades had been only sent up recently. The Skeleton King apparently wanted Shuggazoom to be completely blocked off from the universe, which, considering the dwindling supplies they had, would help put the city at his mercy if he went undefeated or the blockades were evaded. However, there was also the issue of no one wanting to come near Shuggazoom because of the war and the threat the Skeleton King posed, not wanting to risk their own home planets.

"There has to be a way through or to at least destroy part of a blockade long enough to get supplies in and out," Sprx said as the team scanned a projection of the new blockade encircling their planet.

"Any destructive measures would have to be extremely well planned, "Antauri said. "Debris could injure those on the ground, not to mention the other ships would attack immediately."

"Maybe we can do something to scramble their signals?" Gibson offered, watching out of the corner of his eye as Otto had already set to the task. "If we could block transmissions from the Black Spire and from between the ships, we may be able to create openings. We would just have to configure it to the rest of the Horde."

"And done! One modified signal jammer, courtesy of yours truly," Otto announced. "Tada!"

"Perfect!" Chiro said. "But the suppliers are another issue..."

"True," Nova replied. "We've been reaching out more and more, but less and fewer people come to help. Not to mention we need that iron alloy for ship repairs, and no one can get that in right now."

"Why don't you use smugglers?" Mara asked from across the room. The team looked up at her. "They're good at breaking blockades and are loyal if you pay them. Hell, I've cracked a few blockades of my own."

"That's...not a bad idea," Nova replied. "Do you still have your old contacts?"

"I'm a bit out of the loop, honestly," Mara replied. "Not to mention most probably think I'm still in the clink or dead, so I doubt any communication I send would be answered. The only thing I can think of would be to go to the Vault..."

"The Vault? Isn't that the smuggler's den?" Sprx asked. "I thought that place was a myth!"

"It's real. Just...very protected. You need a special access code to even get in and land, let alone get into the main city," Mara replied.

"One of us can go," Chiro said. "That way-"

"Chiro, sweetie, it doesn't work like that," Mara interjected. "Only smugglers and a few guests, if they're clients, can go. The rules are strict, and we don't have time to establish ourselves as clients - too much paperwork, and too many mouths to feed."

"So you...you would have to go," Chiro sounded distant. "I'm not sure that's a good plan."

"It's the only one we have, star sweeper," she said. "I have the access code and know how to get in and around the place. Not to mention I still might have some sway."

Her son sighed at that. "I know. But you aren't going alone."

"I volunteer, Chiro," Sprx replied. "I can fly the fastest - if something goes wrong we can make it back quickly."

"Chiro, I believe you should go as well," Antauri said. Chiro looked shocked at that.

"But, Antauri-"

"I believe this will be good for you both. You could also provide a voice for Shuggazoom if Mara cannot," Antauri explained. Chiro sighed - he was right.

"Alright. How long will the trip take?" he asked.

"If we leave now, we might be able to make it back home in the middle of the night," Mara replied. "Once we hit hyperspeed and catch a universal current, we'll be there in no time. But we need to grab one of my freighters. If we are able to come back with things, we'll need the room."

"As long as my ship fits, we're good," Sprx replied. "Meet you at the hangar!"

As he sped off, Mara and Antauri turned to Chiro.

"Don't worry, Chiro, we'll be fine and back before you know it, okay?" Mara said, kissing his forehead. "Antauri and Nova will hold down the fort."

"Contact us immediately if anything is needed," Antauri added.

"We will, and please let us know immediately if you need us," Chiro softly replied before quietly following his mother out of the robot.

It was odd to Mara to be in the captain's chair of one of her ships. It wasn't the Tomorrow's Destiny but it served its purpose well. A little smaller, but easily held Sprx's ship and would hold everything they needed. The new signal jammer was installed, and worked like a charm and a half, the Formless ships drifting out of formation long enough for them to pass through and then off like a shot.

"Computer, assume auto-pilot. Navigation to the Vault. Access Code: 100526MD upon entry," Mara ordered the ship. "Enter hyperspeed."

The computer affirmed the commands, and immediately they were well on their way to the Vault. She tried to settle into the chair, but couldn't. It had been a while since she had been to the smugglers' planet last. Mara hoped some of her old friends were still in the business, otherwise, she'd have to run on prestige alone. But it would be worth it.

"So...smuggler planet," Sprx said slowly. "What's it like?"

"Part ritzy nightclub, part seedy underbelly," Mara replied. "With a lot more security."

"A lot of secrets, I bet," he replied.

"Oh you don't know the half of it," she leaned forward in her seat. "There were markets I refused to touch. A lot of people keeping their identities hidden, a lot of stolen, rare items...the one thing no one I knew got into was slavery or otherwise. People aren't cargo but...a lot of rich people don't care about that. They see some pretty young alien and want to keep it as a pet."

Mara's voice was a snarl at the end. "I may or may not have made a few enemies in that circle."

"Damn," Sprx said after a moment. "You think Chiro should stay on the ship? This doesn't sound like the best place to bring a kid."

"I brought him here when he was one," she replied. "And I was mad about it."

"What? Why?" Chiro gasped.

"So, there is some honor amongst thieves," Mara said. "All the head smugglers or captains meet at least once a year, but we have exceptions called 'parlays,' where tension or arguments are settled between captains. I was the mediator for a good share of them in my time, and hell, I was called upon to do them most of the time. That was the last parlay I did."

"Why's that? It sounds like a nice job," Sprx laughed. "Solving other people's problems."

"Oh, it was my last one because I was a mother and didn't want their nonsense. I had told them I was done, and still, I get an urgent summons to the Vault," Mara rolled her eyes. "So I stroll into the meeting chamber, mad as a bull, with Chiro on my hip, and I laid into them. Absolutely decimated them and told them I didn't want my son around this. They didn't know who to apologize to first, me or Chiro!"

Sprx and Chiro laughed at that.

"And Chiro was none the wiser," Sprx replied. "More confused than anything."

"He was busy with a toy most of the time, babbling away all the while," Mara smiled. "After that, they never called on my attendance. I sometimes consulted a mediator or two, but otherwise, that part was over."

"Are you going to be alright going back?" Chiro asked. Mara thought about it for a moment but nodded.

"I will be. We'll only have to see maybe two or three people at most," she replied. "I hope at least..."

She knew that she'd have to talk more about her life as a smuggler soon enough. Mostly with Antauri - there were some things she didn't want Chiro to know yet, but she knew being here would bring up fresh memories. But that would be for later. Soon enough, they were orbiting the planet.

"This is the Vault? It just looks like a garbage planet," Sprx scoffed. Mara smirked.

"Good security system, eh? Computer, enter access code," Mara ordered. There was a series of beeps, and a small section of the projection on the planet faded away, revealing a sprawling cityscape, glowing in lights from golden to neon from the pitch black. "Where's the garbage planet now?"

"Wow...," Sprx said. "This is amazing!"

"It is beautiful," Chiro replied. Mara nodded, eyes scanning over the planet with some affection, some nostalgia, and a little anger if she would be honest. She pressed a few buttons on her console, and landing protocols engaged. The ship descended onto the planet's surface, veering away from the city to a large hangar.

"It's a private hangar. I own space here," Mara said, watching as the ship came to a stop. "Heads up, the owner of the hangar is going to run out. He's probably confused. But Zorad is nice."

True to her words, as soon as they walked down the platform to the hangar proper, a slim, worried-looking alien ran up to them. He wore a mechanic jumpsuit, somewhat greasy, but it was hard to tell what was oil and what was a hole as his skin was an iridescent dark gray that shone like oil. "Holy Zyzsgy...Mara! Mara you're alive? We heard you died!"

"Rumors of my death were exaggerated," Mara replied, calm, cool, and a little intimidating in how she straightened her spine and shoulders. "More of a...deep coma."

"Damn...and after you sprung out of jail? Talk about one thing after another!" Zorad replied. "The Guild will be pleased-"

"The Guild isn't to know," Mara said quickly. "Not yet."

"Of course," he replied with a bow of his head. "I won't tell anyone."

"I appreciate it. My friend, my son, and I should be back later with cargo," Mara replied. "We'll need a few hands with transport."

"Oh, little Chiro! I wondered what happened with him...I'll call in staff," Zorad said, pulling out a tablet. "How much cargo?"

Chiro cleared his throat. "Three tons of iron alloy, and enough provisions for a city, including medical supplies."

Zorad let out a low whistle. "The War on Shuggazoom, right? Didn't expect you to get involved, captain."

Mara didn't respond to that. "Just have things ready, alright?"

Zorad nodded, running off to get the crew needed for the work. Mara gestured for Sprx and Chiro to follow her, leading them to a walking speedway that took them straight into the city. "We're going to head uptown. An old friend of mine is a huge supplier, more than likely we'll be able to make this a one-stop-shop."

"What was that about you and wars?" Sprx said.

"I kept my nose out of some warfronts when I could have made a pretty penny, let alone be an active participant," she replied. "Makes me an outlier, I guess."

"Well, no time like the present to go right into the deep end," he laughed, elbowing her leg. She smiled at that, but as soon as the end of the speedway came to view, it faded, and with a single tap on her ear clasps, her facemask deployed, covering the entirety of her face. Safety first, Sprx thought, if she wants to stay low. Would having a brightly colored monkey and a teen spark too much attention?

The answer was no. There were odder aliens with odder and more eye-catching companions and accessories walking past. Stores and stands were lit up, displaying wares from across the universe - Chiro thought for a moment he saw knock-off toys of him and the rest of the Hyperforce but decided to move past that as they wove through the crowds. It was an odd beauty about the place. The crowds, the noise, the lights, the smells of food stands...it was intoxicating! Mara smelled a few familiar stands and her stomach protested walking past them. But there were more important things at hand.

Going up an alley, they emerged into another street. It was quieter, a bit posher. Mara led them across the street to a tall, monolithic building, studded with windows displaying goods. It felt intimidating and out of budget for their needs. Regardless, Mara went to the buzzer on the door.

A loud voice answered. "No walk-ins!"

"Ay, come on," Mara replied. "Tell Rufo that Destiny's here."

They grunted at that.

"They were...pleasant," Chiro said. "Are you sure this Rufo will allow us in?"

"Oh, he will," Mara said, raising three fingers and slowly dropping them one by one. "Three, two, one-"

The doors flew open. "There we go!"

The three were barely in the door when a large, humanoid flower ran to them. He had a large rose-like flower for a head, and his body seemed to be made of twisted green vines and petals, covered by a fine suit. "My Mara! My Captain!"

The facemask dropped with a tap, and Mara extended her arms. "Rufo!"

Vines extended forward, grabbing her and pulling her close into the petals that made up Rufo's head. Rufo cooed in his mother tongue, a dozen worried-sounding phrases, clearly fussing over his friend. Mara only smiled as she endured the onslaught before Rufo carefully placed her back down. "I missed you too, pretty boy."

"You darling-darling sweet," Rufo replied, cradling her face with two gentle hands. "I worried I wouldn't see you again! Oh! And you brought friends!"

"Rufo, this is Sprx, and this is Chiro," Mara introduced proudly. Rufo gasped before rushing at Chiro.

"Oh roots and bulbs, little Chiro!" Rufo exclaimed, scooping him up under his arms, despite the boy's cry of alarm. "I haven't seen you since you were a sprout! And look at you! So big and so handsome, just like your mama!"

"Very nice to meet you, Rufo," Chiro smiled as he was placed down. "Well, meeting you again, I guess?"

Mara pulled him close in a side hug. "Rufo gifted your entire nursery and was one of the first people you met outside of my crew. I had a little bassinet and dresser chosen, and he had to go and spoil us."

"How could I not? Your mother was one of my closest friends and best business partners!" Rufo replied. "I was always trying to send more as you got older, and then..."

He cleared his throat into a hand.

"No matter! You're here again, safe and sound and alive!" Rufo cheered before looking at him and Sprx, who had barely managed a hello. "I'm going to assume you're the same Chiro that's protecting Shuggazoom with the Hyperforce."

"Yep, that's our Chiro," Sprx said, just as proud as Mara was. Rufo tsked.

"Had I known I would have started sending supplies. Or come to Shuggazoom myself!" Rufo said. "I'm just so rooted here, and I didn't- I honestly assumed that one of your old crew would have taken him in. But I suppose I would have seen him ruling the roost here."

"Well, you can make up for it now," Chiro said. "Shuggazoom needs supplies. The Skeleton King has a blockade that's preventing trade, and we're running low."

"Not to mention we need a lot of iron alloy to fix our robot and other defenses," Sprx added.

"Consider it done," Rufo said with a snap of his fingers. A well-dressed violet came from the back of the store. "Viko will assist you. Tell her everything you need supply-wise, and I will have it sent to your ship. Same hangar as always?"

Mara nodded. "We need to get in contact with some other smugglers to see who would be willing to work with us. I'm just apprehensive about revealing my status as being alive."

"What about the iron alloy?" Chiro asked.

Rufo shook his head. "I'm afraid I sold my last shipment. But he might be willing to part with some! He was your mother's scout on Tomorrow's Destiny-"

Mara immediately stiffened, face cold. "Rufo, can we speak privately?"

"Oh? Of course- Viko, take care of these two?" Rufo asked before maneuvering himself and Mara towards his office. "We'll be right back! And if you both see anything, please add it to the order! I have birthdays to make up for!"

Chiro and Sprx paused, a bit put off by Mara's sudden shift.

"Is she okay?" Sprx asked.

"I don't know...I know someone on her old crew betrayed her...I think that was her scout," Chiro replied. Mara had explained everything but hadn't gone into detail about titles or job positions, just that he had been in charge of checking in on bounties and making sure the crew was safe. "Come on, I bet she's just going to talk about how we definitely can't go to him. Maybe there's another vendor."

"Yeah...come on, let's get the shopping done. And since he did say anything else we wanted," Sprx smirked, pulling the boy's attention from the direction of the office. "Maybe you can get something for Jinmay~"

"Hey!" Chiro flushed. "This is a mission for Shuggazoom - but you can go ahead and get something for Nova!"

Sprx sputtered, getting impossibly red. "H-hey!"

"That son of a rotted-," Rufo spat. Mara had divulged what had truly happened the day of her capture, how her scout had betrayed her and her crew.

"I know," Mara said sourly. "If I ever see him again, I don't know what I would do. I want to expose him for what he did, but I know that won't happen anytime soon."

"You actually might," Rufo replied. "There's a parlay tonight. Everyone will be there. He has been called to mediate."

"So...he sold my life, only to take it over," she said. "After everything-"

Mara cursed under her breath. Rufo gently gripped her hand. "I know. But maybe this can get some vengeance for your crew. For you. He violated so much trust, so much honor."

She could only nod. "I'd be recognized in two seconds. I want them all to be shocked. I want them to think I'm a ghost for how they all let this slide, didn't look into any of it."

"And a ghost you shall be," Rufo replied, patting her hand. "I have had a gift for you, saved for years for when you came back - if you came back into the captain's seat."

"Rufo-," Mara sighed. "You sentimental thing."

"I have accessories too," she could hear the smile in his voice as he rooted through a grand chest of drawers for a large, white box. "Petals forbid I let you go looking so out of fashion."

He placed the box on her lap, and she opened it happily. "Oh...this is...it's lovely."

"I know."

"Think you can keep Chiro and Sprx occupied? I don't want them to see me go, and I definitely don't want them to see how I'll act there," Mara asked. Rufo nodded.

"Easy. You get dressed, I'll distract them - just be back soon," he replied. As soon as he left the office, Mara unpacked the rest of the box, quickly changing, and slipped out the window, a sliver of white and gold heading uptown. Her feet led her quickly through the streets, old muscle memory taking over as she made her way uptown. The Guild building was one of the oldest and grandest buildings, demanding respect from the rest. She paused in front of it, and the world she had wanted to leave crept back in. Every cocky behavior, every backstabbing move, every silver-tongued word on the back of her teeth came flooding back. She needed them again. Mara took a breath, fixed her stance, and released the new golden mask over her features. Requiem-solemn bells rang from the impressive tower above her - the parlay was starting, and now, she had to lay and wait.

The bells could be heard all over the city, hitting Rufo's shop in their echo. Chiro and Sprx looked up from the paperwork for the supplies in surprise. Chiro looked to Viko and Rufo curiously. "What was that?"

"Parlay meeting bells," Viko said pleasantly. "The Guild must have started the talk."

"Think they could be louder?" Sprx asked sarcastically.

Rufo shrugged. "It's to get all the captains together, and it certainly needs to reach the depths of the city considering some of their predilections. Hopefully, none of them show up sloshed - no decorum, truly."

"So they all just have to sit there while two people shout it out?" Sprx asked. "Thrilling."

"If your mother was mediating, it would be over in an hour. With this guy? I swear it just draws on," Rufo complained. "Stops trade for too long, but I guess that certainly doesn't bother him. Lets him get another vacuum of power to take advantage of."

"Like after he hurt my mom?" Chiro asked. Rufo stilled at that, then sighed.

"Yes. What hurts most is that we thought- he told us he was the only one who escaped, so we extended our contracts to him. We helped him after he did something so awful," Rufo replied. "Marsos, your mother's scout, was her closest friend too. She won't say anything to you, I know that much, but that betrayal cut her deep."

"I couldn't ever think of doing that willingly," Sprx said. "I don't want to think what Mara would say or do to the guy if they crossed paths."

"Probably shoot him out an airlock," Rufo shrugged. "Or drag him to the Guild and demand her pound of flesh."

He froze at that, realizing that: 1. That was certainly what Mara was doing right at that moment. 2. Chiro had definitely noticed that Mara hadn't emerged from the office. 3. He had given up the plot. "Forget I said that."

"Rufo. Where is my mom?" Chiro asked.

"She asked me not to say-"

"Rufo. She's at the Guild building, isn't she?"

Before Rufo could confirm or deny, Chiro raced towards the door. "Chiro! You don't know where the building is!"

"I think we can figure it out," Sprx replied quickly, chasing after him. "We'll finish this up in a bit."

The Guild building was easy to find after asking a few people, but what was difficult was entering. The building was armed to the teeth with guards and defenses, but somehow, Mara had gotten in easily. All Chiro and Sprx had to do was figure out how without attracting attention. Flying up to the roof gained them access to a pried-open air duct and disabled cameras, undoubtedly his mother's handiwork. Chiro couldn't tell if he should be worried or angry at her - she had promised no more secrets, but there they were. But then again...if someone so close to him betrayed their team, Chiro guessed he wouldn't exactly stay in pocket.

The air duct dropped and leveled out again, the thin grates looking out over an assembly of fifty or so people seated in front of a long table with three seated at it, two at either end and one in the middle - the captains with grievances and the mediator. Chiro now had a face for Marsos. He was a fellow humanoid, but with sharper, more animalistic teeth. He was finely dressed, looking polished and brilliant.

'Traitor,' Chiro hissed in his mind.

The parlay was in session by the time they settled in, one captian finishing his side of the argument, which the other stood up to shout his retort at, only ending in a shouting match. Marsos pinched his brow. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, please. Getting angry never solved anything."

The two captains seethed but sat down, backed only by the quiet muttering from the crowd. Marsos continued. "Now Captian Mobius, Captain Harmill, as we have demonstrated, you both have contracts with the same planet for the same goods and same services, both for the same payment. Why does sharing the market plague you both?"

"Because they're getting scammed."

A new voice rang out. The doors to the meeting room slammed open, and a person dressed in pure white and gold strutted forward. The two guards in the hall lay unconscious behind her as she continued forward. The crowd looked on in shock and confusion at the sudden interruption...but something felt familiar about the new addition. Marsos looked at her in feigned politeness. "You must be a new captain, but this is not how a parlay works."

"Oh, I know how it works," she replied. "I've sadly been...indisposed of for the past eight years. But I see that you don't know how one works either."

Before he could say another word, she turned to the captains. "Your issue isn't with each other, it's with the person you have a contract with. He's using you to get more product out and more money in while only paying you a fraction of the cost."

The two looked at each other. Harmill spoke up first. "I suppose a collaboration to renegotiate those contracts may be in order?"

Mobius nodded. "Just this once, then we go back to hating each other's guts. Deal?"

"Deal."

The new guest turned to Marsos. "That is how it is done. Now...I have come to demand satisfaction for a slight brought onto me and mine."

"I'm sure I can be of service-" Marsos tried to say, but the captain grabbed him by the lapel and pushed him down into his chair. He could feel her eyes boring into him.

"You will, but first, let me tell you, all of you, a story," the captain said, voice booming. "There was a captain and her crew. Illustrious, powerful, could outfly half their league. Now, she had retired to raise her child, but was called in one. last. time. Sound familiar, Scout Marsos? It was your crew, afterall."

Marsos gulped, and the murmur of the crowd grew louder. She continued. "The last mission was successful, lining their pockets. But someone had betrayed them. Someone that Captain Mara trusted above all others. Someone she called best friend. Her very own Scout!"

The captain turned and pointed at Marsos. "Marsos turned in her and her crew's bounties in exchange for his freedom and the money, leaving them all to rot on a prison planet for eternity."

The assembly grew into an outroar. Marsos stood, face red. "How can you even know this is true? You're lying?"

"How can I lie...when I was there?" the Captain replied. The golden mask folded back, revealing Captain Mara to the whole guild. Marsos looked fit to faint. She turned to the crowd. "Marsos has deceived you all. He betrayed his crew and his captain, and profited from it."

Mara looked at him in anger. "I want my pound of flesh, Marsos."

"Mara- please, I beg you-," he begged, rushing to kneel in front of her. "Spare me, please- I loved you-"

There was a soft clatter above, unnoticed by all save Mara who glanced up to see her son and Sprx climb from the air ducts to the mezzanine, undoubtedly ready to stop her if she pulled her blaster. She sighed, moving her hand from the holster. "I know. If you had waited...only a few days, Marsos...things could have been different for the both of us. But now? All I feel is hatred for you. You ruined every good memory I have with you. I could kill you and be justified in doing so. But you know what? It doesn't take the years away, it doesn't absolve my pain. My crew is still there, part of me too, stuck in that prison cell. My son grew up without me. I can never forgive you for that. There is nothing you can do to make up for it, and I'm sure the Guild agrees."

There was a clamor of agreement, of anger, from the crowd. Marsos looked at the sea in front of him. "Please, Mara, take whatever you want from me - my ships, my money, my hands- just don't leave me to the Guild."

"Alright then. I want it all at my disposal then. Including the iron alloy you purchased today. The money can be used to get the rest of my crew free. Your ships? Belong to the Guild now," Mara decreed before turning to the rest of the members. "I, Captain Mara, declare satisfaction and depend on you to make sure it is kept. I want this man to live, just so he can live with the guilt of his actions with none of the luxuries he was afforded by them."

An older captain stepped forward. "We agree to those terms, Captain. We're relieved to know you lived."

Mara nodded. "Thank you. I have one more request of the Guild. Shuggazoom needs supplies - we're in the middle of a war and our people are starving. The money taken from our traitor may be used to counter costs."

"War with the Skeleton King and the army of the dead?" came one voice. "That's insanity."

"We don't want to join that fight, Mara," another called.

"Then don't do it for Mara, do it for everyone!" Mara looked up to see Chiro shouting from the mezzanine. "If the Skeleton King is able to try and take over the universe again, he will be unstoppable once he has Shuggazoom, if he wins. No one would be safe - he's almost done it before, but even me and the Hyperforce need allies. We can provide signal jammers and security through our atmosphere. You aren't helping one planet, you're helping a galaxy!"

Mara smiled, proud, and turned back to the crowd. "Well, are you going to tell my son no?"

The older captain turned to the rest, and slowly turned his gaze back to Mara. "Shuggazoom and the Hyperforce have our aid. Consider it a gift for the past eight years of abandon."

Mara nodded her head deeply. "Thank you."

She turned back to her son, and in an instant she knew they needed to talk. Once she evaded the rest of the Guild and their questions, she made it up to the mezzanine. "Sprx, maybe you could get back to Rufo? I need to talk to Chiro."

Sprx nodded and flew up and out through the main doors now that the need for secrecy was gone. Chiro didn't look up at her. Mara sighed, sitting down next to him. "I know I messed up."

"You think? You ran off to get revenge!" Chiro snapped. "You didn't even tell me."

"I didn't tell you because I....," Mara trailed off. "I don't like the person I have to be here. I don't want you seeing it."

Chiro looked at her confused. She had commanded a whole room.

"I know, I know, I was in control. I had power. But I don't really like how I have to put my head to be able to do that," she continued. "Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having the sway, but I don't like who I am when I do. I almost killed Marsos, I would have. I would have gotten my pound of flesh knowing that it would do nothing."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I saw you. And the last thing I want to be in front of you is that version of me. So...I was myself. It's less cocky, sure, less mean, absolutely, but it gets the job done and done right," Mara said. "Chiro, the minute I knew you existed, I wanted to be better. I am better. I fly off the handle still, but-"

She stopped once she felt Chiro hug her. "Just tell me things, please? Especially this kind of thing."

"Okay, star sweeper I will...," she replied, pulling him close. "Where do you want me to start? You deserve to know who I was back then - just don't let it change how you see me."

"It won't, I promise."

"And I promise to not do this anymore."

And until the ship was loaded, Mara told Chiro nearly everything about her days as a smuggler, continuing all the way back to Shuggazoom. But once he fell asleep, safe in his quarters, Mara made her way to Antauri's room with the simple phrase: "I'm ready to talk about everything."

The blockade certainly did wonders for Shuggazoom's morale. But for the Skeleton King, it was an even better cover for him to take his personal ship off-planet, hidden amongst the horde. Corolla Dawn was set in his sights. While he could have easily done this through hologram, the situation called for a more personal approach. The ring sat warm in his fist still, almost bitingly so as if it was trying to sting him. Usually, the Verron Mystics were so protective of their artifacts, even under his control, so how this ended out of their grasp was truly a mystery.

Landing on Verron, the bright sun of the planet system stung his eyes - the Power Primate undoubtedly trying to make him miserable while unable to attack him. It had, apparently, closed the inner sanctum, sealing itself shut and away from the Mystics who now could only extend their former gifts so far without its presence. The Skeleton King couldn't care, as long as they obeyed, and certainly now without the Power Primate, what choice did they have?

The Mystics bowed as he entered the temple, walking past them with no acknowledgement until he reached the meditiation hall, where the Master Mystic stood waiting. He bowed deeply. "My king, what brings your emminence here today?"

The Skeleton King held up the ring. "How did this get to Shuggazoom?"

If the Mystic was surprised, it didn't show as he took the ring, gently holding it aloft in a soft glow of magic. "How curious...this ring disappeared more than 80 years ago."

"Who had claim over it?" the Skeleton King demanded.

"I am unsure. Since I no longer have connection to the Power Primate, I can no longer see the memories of Master Mystics past. The records are also lacking for it," they replied. The ring seemed to glow and shine more than ever, probably in response to being home. "It has a match we have records for at least. This pair of rings is rare, not even because of their components. They're only used for special ceremonies, but we only have record of the match being given, but no ceremony."

The ring floated back to the Skeleton King's hand. "But I'm sure you remember, due to the Alchemist's memories-"

"The Alchemist is dead. Watch yourself unless you want to be replaced," the Skeleton King hissed. "I shed those memories with his skin."

"My apologies, my King," the Master Mystic prostrated. "The rings are used for connubiality rites, worn for a few months and then returned to our halls."

"This was found in the home of the Chosen One, with his mother," the Skeleton King replied. "Perhaps an ancestor."

"The Alchemist was the only human to come here," the Mystic replied. "He was the last person to wear the match as well, but there are no records in memory or our archives about why or how."

The Skeleton King paused at that. "Isn't that curious...bring the other ring here. I believe I would prefer to have the set. Perhaps I can fill some holes in this plot."

#srmthfg #srmthfg skeleton king #chiro srmthfg #srmthfg oc #marsos literally almost could have had a girlboss wife but no

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