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a-crash-in-time-collection · 2 months

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Chapter 51: Reunion

Why wasn't this a nightmare? The cold wall, the smell of the beer below him, the faint pain from the shackles on his wrists. Randy was hoping it was a nightmare, despite how real it all felt at first. But he fell asleep and woken up too many times for him to be dreaming. He just didn't understand how it was even possible. Any of this. He still wanted his answers for how one moment he was on the airship, and the next he was here. Chained, with no way out, not even human anymore...

He didn't want to make discoveries about his new form, but he had to if he was going to be stuck in it. It seemed like he didn't need food and water as often, and he found himself able to stay up later if he chose to. He felt stronger during the night, not that it was useful for breaking out of here when he couldn't get the shackles off... He could float now as well. It took him forever to realize that he had been since he could move his hands freely. Was that why he no longer had legs?

He didn't know. The only one he could ask questions to was the strange woman. She was the only person he had seen or heard from since he woke up here. The one who claimed he was her Prince, and got furious whenever he dared to be honest with her. The only reason he played along was because he was scared for his life. And that maybe, one day, he'd be allowed to be free from his chains. And then use that as a chance to get away. Even if he couldn't find the clan, he needed, and wanted out of here.

However, she seemed keen on keeping him chained here. He was only removed from the wall once in his time here so far when she took him around the manor to try and spark memories he never had. He was horrified when he saw the frozen people and creatures, even more so when she just brushed it off when he pointed it out. It was like she never saw them as people. He would have run then, but she had her grip on his chains the whole time. And even if she didn't, he was still trying to learn how to move and keep his balance while floating.

He'd lost track of the days by now. He tried to keep track at first but stopped after two or three. Because what would it matter? He wanted to get out, he tried anything he could when the woman, Vanessa, wasn't around. But nothing worked. And he didn't see how keeping track of time would help. It would only discourage him if he knew how long he had been in here with no progress towards freedom. He was Randy Radman. He had to stay positive in any little way he could. Give himself hope.

"Hmmm, I should check on how the Amara flowers are doing. Some pests were messing with them earlier." Vanessa spoke as she finally leaned away from him, Randy letting out a breath he had been holding. He never liked how close she got to him, scared she would freeze him, or worse, at any wrong move he made. It also gave him a rough time for how long he'd be allowed to breathe in peace. "I'll be back soon, my Prince." She spoke in a hauntingly cheerful way as she walked up the stairs.

"Oh, no need to hurry, dear!" He called in the most cheerful tone he could manage, forcing a smile onto his face in case she looked back. Only to drop it and let out a shout of frustration when he was sure she wasn't in earshot. Why did he have to be here? He was going to go crazy if he stayed here any longer! "If only I could just snap myself away!"

He snapped his fingers in frustration, and to create a new sound in the familiar environment. He didn't expect anything of note to happen, so he found himself backing away when a red light entered his view. He glanced at his hands. Magic. Red, string-like beams of magic came from just under his fingertips. He brought up his other hand and thought about them, getting the same result, a faint warmth coming from the spot the strings came from. They almost felt like a part of him. He felt his heartbeat speed up a bit, a bit of fear filling him. He knew of magic, but he never had it himself.

"Had I had this since I woke up here?" He whispered as he watched the strings float up and down aimlessly. Were there other things he could do? How much? Was he stronger than Vanessa, could he force her to let him go? But then again, she had experience with hers for much, much longer. Even if he was stronger, she could probably overpower him. Keep him from getting free, getting too... "The Key." He turned to see the key on the barrel across the room. "Can I, reach it now? Will this work."

He had to try, going as far as his shackles would let him and holding his arms out.

"Come on, weird magic stuff. I know I just learned you exist but you gotta help me out." He whispered, watching as the strings slowly floated around, getting close to the key. He focused on the key with his vision, some instinct taking over and having him guide the strings to the key. They were shaky, but he eventually got a few to wrap around the key and lift it. "Yes!" He shouted, before covering his mouth and turning to the stairs. He didn't know if Vanessa heard that. He had to hurry.

He brought the key back over to him as fast as he felt comfortably able to. The key kept trying to fall out, it seemed. And he didn't want to risk dropping it, he didn't know how the magic would react with the beer that covered the ground. Once the key was safely in his hands, he had the strings disappear, and he began to use it on his shackle. The pressure faded the second it was detached from his arm, and he let out a breath. He didn't realize how good that would have felt.

"My Prince?" He froze when he heard her voice. It was an echo of it, so she was still a bit away. But the fact he could hear it at all was worrying. He made quick work on the other shackle. "Is something wrong? I thought I heard something?"

"N-Nothing dear! Just, saw a spider!" He called as he rubbed his sore wrist for a moment, before bolting to the cellar exit. Or, tried to. He still wasn't used to floating and barely stopped himself from crashing into the wall with his arms. It felt so weird, but he could worry about that later. He needed to get out now. He began to float up the cellar exit, using the stairs to help keep his balance as he did. "I'll be perfectly fine once I'm away from you," he spoke, glaring down the stairs.

Once he got to the top, he brought the key to the lock that was placed there, silently hoping there wasn't one on the outside. He was right, as the doors burst open the second the lock was removed. He crawled out, shivering at the snow all around, but he was free! He glanced around, seeing a wall of ice all around, until he glanced behind the wall behind him. He spotted a single path out, and he raced to it. He didn't care if he crashed into something and got hurt now, he had to get as far away as possible. And nothing was going to stop him this time.

"Don't look back." He told himself as he raced forward, barely managing to stop himself when he was about to crash into some ice. Or at least he softened the impact at the last second. He whined but shook his head and glanced to the side, pausing at the hole in the ice. It just looked a little bigger than Vanessa. Did that mean she would know where to look for him... "No, don't let that worry you!" He said, taking another breath before he went through the hole. He ran through another soon after.

He froze when he found himself at a purple wall of magic. There wasn't any hole he could get through here. He could float above it, in theory. But he didn't know if he would even be able to. He felt a little sick just getting up from the cellar, and he had the walls and steps to help him there. He might pass out if he tried to get over it that way. He glanced around for any other way, but he couldn't find any. He tried holding his hand out, hoping some sort of instinct would take over again.

"Please!" He said, the wall getting hit by a ball of magic that came from his hand, turning transparent and green. He rushed through, it returning to normal behind him. He took a breath as he glanced behind him. "She can't get past that. Can she?"

She couldn't. It was impossible... He found himself chuckling as he fell to the ground in relief.

The snow froze him on impact, and even as he shivered and rubbed his arms for warmth, he couldn't help but smile and even laugh a little. It felt a little crazy, but it felt so good to be out of there. He could see the stars again, the moon... that felt more like a painted picture. He shook that thought from his mind. Don't worry about the small details like that. Just be happy for a while. Happy he wouldn't have to worry about that woman ever again. Happy he could finally be himself again!

Even if it was.. without the Toppats, a frown formed on his face. He had to force himself to stop thinking about them while in the cellar, every time he mentioned them he was met with rage and sometimes hits. Never too strong, but he knew they would've gotten worse with time... He glanced around. There was a broken bridge nearby. Leading away from this wintery land and into what looked like a haunted forest from some kid's cartoon. Well, he didn't seem to be on his planet or realm anymore.

But maybe there was a way to get back to them. A portal? He had to at least try. He was their leader! They needed him! Java wasn't old enough to lead alone yet!

"Java!" He shouted, sitting up as the name crossed his mind. Oh god, the kid! He was only Seventeen. They just talked about him being made Randy's right hand a few days ago! Randy could have been in the cellar for weeks, maybe months! How was Java doing?! Was he handling the stress well? Was Lynna helping him? He floated up, sticking out his arms to help with his balance. "Oh, I need to get back! I'll worry about how to tell them about this when I get to them!" He spoke.

Of course, he was still clueless about how this happened. Would they even believe him? He had to hope they did. He should be able to prove his identity if need be... but he could worry about it once he found a way back home. He floated over the bridge, closing his eyes as he floated over the crack. He didn't fall. He didn't know why he thought he would. His brain must still be processing the fact he could float now. Would help him focus if his heart didn't pick up in fear. Even if it was helping bring a bit of warmth to him.

"Now... which way do I go?" He had no way to tell where he was in the forest. Where to go to try and find something, anything, anyone that might help him get home. He didn't even know if there was anything else here... Yet he had this strange feeling that part of him had been here before. He shook those thoughts out of his head as he floated forward. He knew he had never been here before. "You just got away from Vanessa, don't let her tricks mess with your memory now! You're closer than you were yesterday."

He didn't like feeling like this. He didn't like dealing with stress, even his own. He just wanted to get home so he could be himself again. So he could get back with his family. He floated through the forest, occasionally calling out to see if he would get a response. He could have sworn he could hear an occasional voice in the distance, but whenever he went the way he heard it, he found nothing. He had this strange feeling like he was being watched. He didn't like it. He wanted it to stop.

"Come on, don't go insane now," He said, head in his hands as he floated ahead, not seeing the purple vines rising from the ground. "You have to get back to your family. Your clan! You can panic later-"

He was caught off guard as suddenly a light came from the ground. He suddenly felt a bit more tired... or at least his body did. His mind was still as awake as before the light, but his body didn't react as quickly as he wanted it to when he tried to back away from the vines. That allowed them to quickly wrap around him, mostly focusing on his arms and torso. By the time his body seemed to awake, the vines were around so tight he could barely move. He tried to summon the strings again, but the vines glowed, and they didn't come.

"A-Are these absorbing the magic?!" He panicked. He looked around, trying to see if anyone was nearby, but he couldn't see anyone. He tried to get free, even beginning to bite and tear off little bits of the vine. It tasted awful, but he needed to get out. He just got- wait. He blinked, and it suddenly seemed like he was in a different area. One that looked higher up, like part of the sky. "What in the" He froze when he noticed a shadow casting over him, slowly turning around to see what was there.

"So, you finally decided to show your face." A large, snake-like shadow hissed, his eyes glaring at him with a hint of... curiosity? "You had everyone waiting. It's been two weeks since the night sky signaled your arrival."

"Night sky signaled my arrival?! You gotta be crazy! I just got out of some crazy lady's place, I don't need this!" Randy shouted, angry. He was scared, but he was also mad. He just got free, he didn't need to be trapped again. The phantom seemed to back up, as if in genuine surprise by his words and tone. Randy glanced down and kept biting at the vines to try and get free. He spat some out before looking at the ghost. "Just let me go! I want to leave this place, I have a family to look after!"

"Well well... This is different from how it went in my head." The phantom admitted, almost a hint of embarrassment in his voice as he snapped his fingers. The vines quickly disappeared, and Randy gasped for breath. He backed away, keeping his eyes on the phantom, strings just barely coming from his hands. He couldn't run, not yet. He was still in this strange plane. "I guess I know what happened to my body then... It's a little weird to think about. But at least I can stop wondering."

"Your body?" Randy asked, confused, glancing down at himself before looking up at the phantom. He tilted his head, lowering his guard a bit. "Are you Prince AJ? Because that's what Vanessa’s been calling me."

The Phantom rolled his eyes. "Technically yes, but I stopped using that name after my death. It's Snatcher now." Snatcher said, placing a hand on his chest and giving a smirk. Randy suddenly felt a lot of pity for the ghost. He didn't remember if Vanessa told him how he supposedly died or not, but he had a feeling she was behind the prince's death. And even if she wasn't, just being around her seemed like a nightmare. "She tried to revive me, but the spell doesn't work if the soul is already around as a ghost."

"And it just pulled me in? Geez, what are the odds?" Randy asked, shaking his head while Snatcher shrugged, looking to the side ever so slightly, tapping the tips of his fingers. Randy shook his head and sat down, rubbing his wrists again. They were still sore from the shackles, and the vines just brought back some extra pain. Not to mention the faint ache around his torso. "Well, I don't know how to give it back. So uh, sorry about that." He said as he looked up. "Would if I could."

"Please keep it, having a body is overrated," Snatcher said, waving a dismissive hand, before humming. "Why don't you come to my place? I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and we have a lot I feel needs to be discussed."

"I'm assuming I don't have too much of a choice in this?" Randy asked, to which Snatcher shook his head. Randy let out a sigh as he glanced down. He didn't have time to mess around for once, he needed to get home! But then again, maybe if he played along with Snatcher, he might be able to help. He seemed a lot more bearable than Vanessa, at the very least. He has a personality. "Alright then." He said, floating up, losing his balance, and almost falling. "Gah, still not used to this."

"Every time you think you got ahold of it, you mess up something basic?" Snatcher asked, holding in a chuckle. Randy nodded, giving a small chuckle as well. He could see how it could be funny. "Yeah, I get it. Although I do think I had an easier time, the tail helps with balance." Snatcher said as he gestured to his tail, before snapping his finger, the realm around them slowly fading away. "My home isn't too far from here. Just, be aware. My daughter may ask you a few hundred questions."

"You had a kid?" Randy asked, Snatcher, giving a nod before turning away to begin to lead him to his home. Gah, how badly was he treated? Was his kid dead as well? "Wait up!" He called once he noticed the distance between them. "I don't want to keep crashing into stuff!" He shouted, earning a small fit of laughter.

-------

Turns out his daughter wasn't the only one. There were dozens, maybe hundreds of small, ghostly figures around the tree where the phantom lived, all curious about Randy. It broke his heart when he learned they were all children. All were killed in one quick instant, with no adult souls other than Snatcher to watch over them all. Most of them couldn't even talk. But the ones that could seem so excited, so curious. Ask Randy questions he didn't even know how to begin to answer. He wasn't some magical being after all... well, before two weeks ago, at least.

Snatcher did eventually manage to get them all to give Randy some space, after a minute or two of watching to amuse himself. They all stayed just outside the tree, except for his daughter, who sat on one of the steps. Randy took the chance to warm himself up from the coldness of the cellar and the snow, Snatcher being kind enough to get him some sort of tea to help with that. However, Randy had this weird feeling that he was doing it more as some show of good faith, rather than being of good faith.

"Hey... was Vanessa behind what happened to... you know." He glanced towards the kid. "Because she seems like the type to do this kind of thing."

"I'd... rather not go into all the details for their sakes, but yes," Snatcher said, glancing to the side ever so slightly as he sat in his chair. Randy rested himself against the wall, floating down a little lower. Snatcher had given him a few, vague tips on the way over to the tree and it was helping, even just a bit. It was going to be a long time before it felt like walking to him, though. "But anyway. You're the second version of yourself... Shadow, want to tell him about the first?"

The girl let out a gasp. "Yes, Papa!" She said, jumping from her seat and turning to Randy, earning a chuckle from both men. "Long ago, like very long ago before my Papa's Grandpa's Grandpa's- or was it-" She shook her head. "There was the first Moonjumper. A deity of the Moon that was found here in Subcon and protected it until the day he was killed after healing the prince! But he had visions of his death before he died, and what would happen after, and here you are! Like he said!"

"He was... murdered?" Randy said, giving a gulp. Shadow nodded her head while Randy turned his attention to Snatcher. "Why? It sounded like he was a good guy."

"He wasn't killed by the people of Subcon, or even by a mighty foe. Some man wanted his powers and thought he could get them if he killed him first. Not sure what his logic was, but he was caught after the creations of the fire spirits, what killed Moonjumper, was traced back to him, and executed." Snatcher said, Randy, giving a nod as he drank his tea before it went cold. "So yeah, I would stay away from anything that looks like fire here until the last of them die off. Luckily that may be sooner than we originally thought."

"That sounds cruel," Randy stated, raising a brow. How did Snatcher know the Fire Spirits wanted to kill the original Moonjumper? Maybe they didn't, but had no choice. And what about them almost dying off completely? He didn't like the sound of that. Snatcher just shrugged in response as Randy sighed, shaking his head a bit. He looked at one of his hands. "Thanks for the warning, but I don't intend to stay too long. I don't care if I'm part of some prophecy, I'm not some deity."

"I mean, technically." Shadow Kid whispered over to Snatcher, the phantom giving a nod as Randy rested his head in his hand.

"I just need to get back to the Toppats," Randy spoke, shaking his head. "I'm Randy Radman for crying out loud, I'm normally at the top of whatever life throws at me. Why am I struggling so much now?" he asked, glancing up at Snatcher. And was confused. The ghost looked surprised, maybe even shocked. He turned to Shadow Kid, and she had a similar reaction, although there was also some excitement in her eyes. The minions (as Snatcher called them) started whispering among each other. "Uhh... why are you guys looking at me like that now."

"So uh, the toppats are on this planet." Snatcher started with an awkward smile. Randy barely caught the cup when he dropped it from shock. Firstly, confirmation he had to be on another world since he said 'this planet' and not something like 'in the area'. But also, they were here?! He could get back to them without relying on otherworldly magic. That alone brought a smile to his face. "Don't get too excited pal, you're probably going to be shocked. From what I heard, it's been decades since your death."

He froze. "My... what?" He asked, looking at Shadow Kid, who seemed to glance to the side, then back at Snatcher. He knew Vanessa claimed to bring him back from the dead, but... "Y-You gotta be joking, right?" He chuckled. "You are joking."

"That would be something I would do, but I'm being honest with you, pal. It's even in the records of the orbital station, I snuck in and read them out of curiosity before." Snatcher spoke. Randy felt his body shake and took some breaths. "See, the spell only works on dead souls. It will pull in the closest dead soul that meets the conditions of the body. For reasons that may or may not involve some past spells," Snatcher glanced to the side "That was you. You probably don't remember your death or what happened before, that seems to be normal based on people brought back through similar means."

"Hey, it's ok, Mr. Radman." Shadow Kid said as she walked over to him, jumping up and taking one of his hands. He looked at her. "The current Toppats are nice, I'm sure they'll let you back in without much worry." He gently patted her head. He was sure she was right but... Knowing he died...

"I think it'll be best for you to go and explain yourself. Normally I would say something like that is a dumb idea, but, I don't think you have anywhere else to go either way." Snatcher said, Randy, giving a small nod. Snatcher had to hide his smile. He felt bad for the man, he did. But he wanted things to stay as they were in Subcon, he didn't want any Moon deity bringing in unwanted attention. "Well then." He said as he floated up from his chair. "I suppose we should get a move on then."

"Yeah... the sooner the better," Randy said, slowly floating up and following him. Shadow Kid quickly raced over to jump on her father's back, Snatcher rolling his eyes as she climbed up to around his head. That gave Randy a small chuckle before he glanced to the side. "God, what do I even say... Hey, I'm a dead leader brought back as this thing! You can trust me!" He shook his head with a chuckle. "And you said something about an orbital station? We're in space now? Is that just common tech?"

"I think they had to steal it to get it." Shadow Kid said, to which Randy nodded. He supposed that was true, knowing the clan. They were criminals at the end of the day. "Papa, shouldn't we give the Toppats a heads up?"

Snatcher chuckled. "Hey, Carson," Snatcher called out, making Randy tilt his head. "We're bringing the Moonjumper to you guys, go let Reg know. He's nothing like we expected, I don't think you need to worry about being a prophet!"

"Wait, Prophet?" Randy asked. "I just said I wasn't into any of that deity stuff. And why are you speaking out loud?"

"I revived a toppat in the past, part of the reason why you're here since part of your soul slipped through the crack. Part of the spell, or at least my version, is he can hear me in his head. Used his middle name since it should have caught his attention more since it's been months." Snatcher admitted, glancing to the side slightly. Randy gave him a small glare, would have been nice to know. "And according to some stuff about the prophecy involving you, he's supposed to be your prophet. But you made it clear you don't want that."

"Exactly," Randy said, sighing as he glanced forward. He whispered under his breath. "I just hope Java is still alive..."

-------

Randy didn't know how long it took them to leave Subcon. He didn't keep track. He just knew the forest slowly turned alive, and the night sky brightened today. Subcon had been in eternal night for centuries; at least according to the ghostly prince. Such a sad life, it sounded like. The night sky was beautiful, but so was that of the day... He felt a strange shift in the air as they slowly approached a clearing, making him pause.

"Getting goosebumps or something?" Snatcher asked, raising a brow. Randy shook his head, he didn't know what it was. It was like they were surrounded, but not in a bad way. Almost like a warm blanket, but not wrapped directly around him. "Well, too late to go back, we're here."

Snatcher took one of his hands and moved a larger bush in their way to the side, revealing the full clearing. Randy paused. There were large pieces of metal, parts of what seemed to be a rocket, dotted about, as if broken.

"Oh god..." Randy whispered as he floated a little closer, trying to remain hidden just for the moment. How long had they been here? Were they all ok? He could see a few groups of toppats out of the station. Some walking around chatting, others working on repairs from the looks of it. And he didn't recognize any of them, at least at first glance. Was... everyone he knew gone? "Are they all ok?" He floated a little closer, only to suddenly be tossed to the ground, "What was that-"

"I got a few words for you, Moonjumper." A woman with black hair asked, glaring him up and down. She didn't have any weapons drawn, but Randy knew better than to assume she didn't have one. Snatcher quickly got between them both as Randy backed away, raising his hands in the air slightly. He didn't need to look around to know they just got everyone's attention. "Snatcher, what are you doing, get out of the way." The woman said, peaking around to glare at the moon deity. "I don't know who-"

"Randy!" He shouted quickly. "My name's Randy, I'm one of you! I don't mean any harm, I just wanna go home!" He lowered his voice as he saw her brown eyes widen ever so slightly. "...Sorry... I panicked."

"Cross, I thought we told you not to attack." A voice said from nearby, Randy looked over to see a man with two toppats on. He wanted to roll his eyes badly, the mer look reminded him of Wilford. But he didn't want to ruin his impression even more. "I understand your worries for you fellow elites, but now isn't the time." Cross glanced to the side with a huff as the man looked at Randy. "I apologize on her behalf... You said you were Randy, right? The one who almost drove the clan to..."

"Bankruptcy, yea." Randy awkwardly chuckled as he glanced to the side. "That's all on me, I never should have been put in charge of that stuff. I had my reasons at the time but, hindsight is twenty-twenty?" He shook his head. "Sorry, I'm still so… shaken. I was locked in this cellar of his ex," He pointed to Snatcher. "The past two weeks, just got out this morning. Then found out about the prophecy... and being dead... and that a lot of time has passed." He shook his head. "I swear I can be more professional, I'm just shaken. You probably can't even believe a past leader came back to life-"

"Well, it's not the weirdest thing that happened, believe it or not." Another voice said, Randy, turning his attention from the man to another that had stood on the side. And froze in shock. Jaques? But, he disappeared years ago! And he still looked the same age as in his painting. Just more, livelier? Jaques walked up to Reginald and nodded. "There's a faint echo that changes his voice slightly. But his personality, the way he moves, the way he speaks. He's Radman, no doubt about it."

"Thank you, Jaques." the man said, letting out a sigh of relief as he glanced back at Randy. "He was stuck in his painting for years. Snatcher was the one who found out and freed him" The man said, the ghost nodding with a proud look on his face. Randy looked back at the two-hatted man, who gained a more friendly smile and offered his hand to him. "I'm Reginald Copperbottom, the current leader of the Toppat clan. I'm assuming you wish for a place in our ranks again?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Anything that doesn't involve finances, please." Randy sighed as he took his hand, resting his head with the other. He felt relieved. It wasn't a perfect relief, he still had a million questions and worries inside of him. But he at least had somewhere to stay, with people he knew he could belong with... He let go of Reginald's hand, and glanced at Snatcher, offering a smile. "Thanks for bringing me back here, means a lot." He then hummed. "Although it would've been nice if you spoke up as a backup."

"Hey, it's more entertaining to see how it all goes down," Snatcher said, letting Shadow Kid down as she asked to go find the other kids to play with. Reginald gave Snatcher a small glare as the ghost shrugged. Randy gave a small chuckle, so this was how things would be until they got to their home planet, if they could. Living in a forest clearing with a tricky ghostly prince as a neighbor? That didn't sound too bad. Could be worse. "Say Carol," he turned to the woman "Aren't you one to listen"

"I didn't want him taking part of our family away." Carol said, "Not his fault density tried to make him a prophet." She then glanced at Randy letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry, sir. We already lost him once. And we weren't told who you were." She eyed the ghost. "I know he didn't just forget to mention it."

"Listen, if I was in your shoes, I would've done worse," Randy said, shaking his head. "Don't apologize for caring for the clan above all, that's a good thing for any toppat." He said, Carol, giving a small nod as she backed away to give him more breathing room. He sighed as he glanced to the side, holding his arm a bit as he tried to think. "It might take me some time to get with the program, so to speak." He chuckled sadly. "I'm sure most, if not everyone from my time is gone now..."

"There's still a few, it's only been a little over thirty years since your death," Reginald said, Randy looking over quickly. Only thirty? They moved from the air to space in only thirty years?! That wasn't even a dream when he was around! Wait... only thirty... One soul came to mind, and it was apparent that he didn't need to say his name. "Java's still around," Reginald spoke. "Just... be careful with him. A lot happened to him since your death... I think he's still-"

"JAVA!" Randy shouted, racing towards the station as fast as the wind could take him.

Jaques glanced at Reginald, putting a hand on his shoulder before the man could speak. "Let me, it'll probably be best if I helped him. He used to hang out around the paintings a lot. It almost felt like we were friends back then." He smiled a moment at the memory before he raced off. "Randy!" He called, the Moon being stopping at the edge of the station's entrance for the man to catch up. Reginald let out a sigh as he shook his head, but he couldn't help but smile. If that didn't prove Randy's identity, would anything?

"Wait, Macbeth's first name is Java?" Carol asked, Reginald, nodding. "Huh... Not what I expected... Did you tell him about what happened to him, Snatcher?" She asked as she eyed the ghost.

"I mean, I did tell our friend what happened to Java," Snatcher said, before whispering. "I just didn't want to ruin the surprise. I mean, can you imagine Macbeth's reaction to all this? Oh, I would go watch if I didn't have basic decency." Carol tilted her head. "What? I do."

"No offense but, you don't show it too often," Reginald spoke.

Snatcher rolled his eyes, deciding to shut up before he potentially spoiled things more. Reginald glanced at the station. He was curious as well... He wondered how they'd both react.

-------

The Snatcher was hiding something. Macbeth knew. It felt so strange. He was so clear about Moonjumper being here. So clear about him not being a threat. So why else was his voice sounding so strange, acting so strange? What could he need to hide... How could he ever guess what was about to happen?

...

Jaques led Randy through the orbital station, trying to make some small talk with him. Help study Randy's emotions a bit more. Randy only agreed to go slower because he didn't want to risk breaking Java's bones when he saw him. To him, it was just too weeks, but it felt like the three decades they were apart. He considered the teen his son...

Well. He supposed he wasn't going to be a teen anymore.

They eventually walked into a large area, the paintings of past leaders lining the walls. It was ever so slightly tilted, but the false gravity had been repaired enough to where it wasn't an issue for Jaques. Randy scanned around, in awe, before his eyes locked down the hall, where his painting was kept.

But it wasn't his picture he locked onto.

A man was leaning against the railing across from the painting, staring blankly at it. His ghostly purple fingers tapped against each other like he was counting in his head. His eyes looked so... tried. There were bags under his eyes that lit up along with his wrinkles. They looked like almost all their life had been drained years ago.

Randy knew him instantly. There was no doubt in his mind. The only thing was pain.

"Yeah... that's what Reginald tried to warn you about." Jaques leaned in and whispered next to Randy. "Go easy on him."

Randy felt Jaques back away into the hall, giving him more space. It was just the two of them there now...

Randy floated forward, gently, carefully. He was who Snatcher revived? He was the one who fate tried to make a prophet? What happened to him, why did he die? He looked only in his late forties, maybe early fifties at most. The clan life came with a death risk, so for most, getting to that age was considered an achievement. But for Java, it felt too young. Far too young. How long had he been dead before he was revived? Was it quick?

He couldn't ask those questions, at least right now.

"Java?"

He saw the man's eyes snap out of a trace, going wide. With want seemed to be genuine surprise, and maybe a hint of fear. He looked over, spotting Randy. And then he glared. "Using a dead toppat's voice on me?"

"No, Java, it's me!" Randy spoke, offering a smile. "I know I look different, but I-"

"I know I'm your prophet, I already accepted that," Java said, turning to the side. "You don't have to try and guilt trip me into playing that role." He sighed as he glanced down, before pausing when he suddenly felt a hand on his chin. It felt so familiar... He shook his head and backed away. "What do you think yo'-"

"You look so tired... So hurt... The years weren't kind to you, were they?" Randy asked, tilting his head.

Macbeth glared as he glanced to the side, his hand shaking faintly as he tried to control himself. "You can't be Randy."

"Why-"

"BECAUSE HE WOULD HATE ME!" It was so sudden, the way he turned to Randy, tears going down his eyes. Randy felt like he was physically knocked back by the words. He looked at Java's eyes and saw nothing but pain, sorrow, and hatred. Hatred for one's self he never thought he would see in Java's eyes. "He got killed because I interfered! Wilford used ME to lure him out! I saw him get shot in the head mere feet away from me! He didn't think to protect himself because of ME! He lost everythin' because of ME!"

Tears started to fall down his face more, his legs were shaky. He grabbed onto the railing so he wouldn't fall to his knees.

"Wilford told me he only killed Randy because he was going to make me his right hand! That I would r-ruin the clan if Randy hadn't already!" He wiped at his eyes, trying his best to hold in sobs. "H-He ruined everything. He ruined Randy's name, I didn't even try to stop him. I just sat in my room for over a decade until Mom pushed him into the airship's blades-"

His hand was suddenly grabbed. He went to pull away but stopped. There was something about the way he was grabbed, the faint rubbing and the pattern that felt so familiar.

"Have you been practicing your magic?"

The question surprised him, and he looked to the Moon creature. "What?"

"Your magic? The way you used to be able to read souls. You were always scared of it, but you wanted to learn. We used to try seeing what it may be connected to, like that Astrin deity." Randy glanced to the side with a smile, before looking at Macbeth. "Has it improved? Can you show me?"

Macbeth didn't respond, he didn't know what game the Moonjumper was trying to play now. But he decided to play along. He closed his eyes. It was so long since he last did this. He felt the world around him go black and was able to feel the soul of the being in front of him... It all faded when his eyes snapped open, and he took some breaths. He looked at the figure.

"Hey."

Macbeth just broke down then and there. Part of his rational mind tried to deny it, but he had memorized the soul he could sense inside the body. It shouldn't have been possible. Even with Macbeth himself revived, it sounded like it would never be possible to get Randy back. Too far of different conditions. Yet here he was.

"I-I-I'm-m.." He could barely think, he hadn't cried this much, allowed this much emotion to run through him in so long. It was like decades worth of tears, and joy, everything was coming through all at once. Randy took his hands and Macbeth clung to him, wrapping around him as tight as he could. "I-I didn't mean to, I'm sorry. I-It should've-"

Randy pulled back, tears forming in his eyes as well. "Don't finish that Java, I don't want to hear." He started, "It's my own fault I got killed. I don't want you blaming yourself for me and Wilford's actions a second longer. I can't imagine the pain you went through..."

"But-"

Randy hugged him back, tighter. "I know me being back isn't going to erase your trauma overnight. I know. But please, we're both here again now. Fate may have brought us together again in a.. strange way." He heard Macbeth chuckle at that while he glanced down at himself briefly. "But it still brought us back. We can go back to being the family we were... If you still want that-"

"Why is that even a peckin' question, of COURSE!" Macbeth exclaimed, pulling away and looking at him. His smile was pained, but it was the smile Randy remembered seeing from the Java he knew. He was still there, just... changed. Grown-up. He placed a hand by his face and rubbed it. "Ow, I'm, how does this even work? I'm dead."

"Don't question it." Randy chuckled.

The air fell quiet for a moment as the both of them allowed themselves to settle down. Mostly Macbeth, oddly enough. Randy wasn't sure what overcame him to handle the situation as well as he did, but inside he had been a trainwreck of emotions.

It just felt... so good for them both, to be home again.

"So... I already talked with Reginald, and he said I'd be good to stay," Randy said after a minute or two. Macbeth glanced at him, his tears had dried, but his face was still stained, and he had a smile. One that was so genuine it made every smile in the past feel fake.

"You can stay with me until we get you a place of your own." Macbeth offered. "I might have to move some stuff around but I should have enough space for another bed, or at least a couch." He paused as his hat shifted. "Oh god," he said as he took the hat off, a tired Dweller floating from it. "Alex, I'm so sorry I forgot you were there-"

"One of those kids' ghosts, Dwellers right? That's what Snatcher called them?" Randy said, getting a nod from Macbeth, "Why do you have one in your hat? Not even one of the Bunny mask ones."

Macbeth chuckled at that but still looked mad at himself. "They're Alexsandera, you heard the last part of the name right. They're shy so they stay in my hat since they don't like to leave my side. Normally I'm a brick wall anymore so it's no big issue... I'm sorry you had to hear all that Alex.."

The Dweller just blinked tiredly, giving a head tilt, as if genuinely confused. They just woke up, it seemed. They then glance around, before spotting Randy. They looked excited, and floated over, a little hesitant. Randy offered his arm to them and they wrapped around.

He chuckled as he booped the small nose on the mask, the Dweller letting out a small, wisp-like sound that almost sounded like giggling. "Did they sneak out?" he asked as he turned to Macbeth. "Snatcher seems like the type to want everyone in his forest, well, in his forest."

"He is but, this little one just wormed their way in my heart," Macbeth explained. "So I talked things out with Snatcher and I, well, took them in as my own."

Randy's eyes lit up with joy. "I'm a grandpa?"

Macbeth let out some laughter and the Dweller seemed to let go of his arm, looping in the air in joy as Randy's eyes widened when he realized what he just said.

"I mean-"

"You were always my Dad, Randy," Macbeth admitted once his laughter finished. "Just because it was never official doesn't mean anything. I'm sure Mom would agree as well..."

Jaques gave a smile as he listened to the two talk. He had been worried when he heard how it started but, it seemed things were perfectly fine now... He went to leave properly and had to stop himself from shouting. "When did you two get here?" He whispered.

"You think I was going to learn the Moonjumper was here and was a revived leader and NOT come check it out?" Hat Girl whispered, Rumbi beeping in agreement in her hands as Platinum chuckled. "Remember, I was tied into the prophecy as well."

"I doubt we have to worry about that anymore, sis," Platinum whispered. "Besides, maybe for once, it's probably best to let these two have their moment."

"Exactly, so let's go," Jaques sighed, taking both of their hands gently and leading them away. "Also, Platinum, you're not allowed to have Radman help you with a tank heist."

Platinum's eyes widened. "How long has it been since I did one of those?!"

The other two quickly rushed him as they kept walking away. The shout could be heard from the room, and Macbeth rolled his eyes with a small blush on his face. He could afford to be a bit more open now, he thought as he glanced at Randy. Randy wrapped his arm around Macbeth and smiled. He had a feeling everything would be ok.

He was a deity now, on all technical notes. What could tear them apart again? Fire?

Oh.

How naive he was to think the story ended with him.

#a hat in time #the henry stickmin collection #hat girl #hat kid #henry stickmin oc #a hat in time fanfic #henry stickmin fanfic #ahit snatcher #moonjumper #randy radman #queen vanessa #mr macbeth #reginald copperbottom #carol cross #ahit subcon dwellers #shadow kid #shadow puppet

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