Chapter 6 - Blog Posts

It kept being stuck in my head how Mia just smiled knowingly at her Oppa, and I could only picture Anya (Spy x Family) and her "diplomatic" smile, so here is some rushed fanart~

IDW Starscream X Reader

Rendezvous Part 6

Warnings: none

Slowly your brain came back to life as you rested clutched in the servos of that creature. It said it was from the government. But that didn’t make any sense either. ***you*** work for the government. Granted you work for a research branch that deals with strange anomalous geological formations, but surely you would have heard office gossip about literal sentient mechs being developed. The guys you work with couldn’t keep their mouths shut once they got a few drinks in them. Lucky for them, the government kept them far away from anything sensitive. Still, this didn’t add up in your head. There was no way you were going to argue with a giant robot though so you just smile weakly at him. Hoping he’ll put you down soon as his grip was digging uncomfortably into your ribcage. He just looked at you with that odd expression you can’t really place.

Thanking him for rescuing you? Of course you are. What else would a helpless creature like you do? He grins back at you. Baring his denta in what he hopes is a genuine looking smile. slowly lowering you back to the frozen ground where he snatched you from. He’d let you go of course. Only because he knew no one would believe you, and killing you would be more suspicious than not. “Don’t tell anyone about this or there will could be horrible repercussions.” He said, voice rumbling through you as he let you drop the last ten feet to the ground. Standing back to his full height, he lifts his wings and makes himself look bigger for emphasis.

You drop painfully to the ground. The fall knocked the wind out of you for a brief moment, making you wheeze as you try to stand. He’s standing there now. Towering over you as you slowly back up towards your car. Making a mad dash you start the engine and nearly peel out on the ice as you throw it in drive. Down the icy dirt road and onto the pavement, you take a deep breath and try to convince yourself that what you just saw was real. You shake your head. Your brain telling you that there was no way you should have gotten out of there alive. The tremors in your hands refusing to cease as you break the speed limit by at least thirty. Giant robots? Now this was something your coworkers were going to want to hear about.

He watches you go. Tracking your vehicle as it speeds away. He had found out where you lived. Just in case he had to get rid of you. No other reason. Definitely not out of concern for your safety. He vented heavily and sat down in the clearing. Finally some alone time. What he had come for in the first place. His place to think wasn’t sacred anymore but at least it was just some random organic. He couldn’t stop thinking about your little face, your curiously Cybertronian expressions and how you didn’t scream. Just sat there in his servo and stared. He scoffed. No sense of self preservation at all. Turning his attention to his most recent scheme to usurp Megatron, he puts you out of his mind for now. If all goes according to plan he won’t have to deal with you ever again.

***the next morning***

You hadn’t slept a wink. Tired eyelids sticking together as you drag yourself into work. You wave at the few people you pass, looking rough and a bit out of it. Your mind was filled with questions as you sit at your desk across from your research partner. He peers at you from his place sitting with his feet propped up on his desk. Th pile of paperwork un-filed in front of him and slightly stained by his third cup of coffee this morning resting on top of it. “Something happened. Spill.” You nearly startle at his voice. Your mind still racing as you plop down in your desk chair. “You don’t know if Weapons is developing anything….ai related do you?” He pauses and looks up, seemingly wracking his brain. “You know those guys. They don’t like to talk about anything. It’s all “classified” or something.” He rolls his eyes and scoots his chair back from his desk. Placing his face in his hands and elbows on either side of his chair, giving you his full attention. “Why? Did you hear something?”

Me trying to avoid Chapter 6 Twisted Wonderland Spoliers, even though I’ve already seen quite alot:

Twisted wonderland ⚡: Theories, Predictions and Why I think that Idia may Overblot

Hello everyone, so I am kind of new to Tumblr, like, I had been here for a while but I just didn't feel the need to say anything; well, that is not why I am writing this for.

You see, the thing here is that I have been like super obsessed with Twisted Wonderland for a while and just the other day I was reading theories and stuff and I happened to find the one that says that Ortho is the one who will Overblot, and man I was like shocked because it seemed so perfect.

However, the more I look into it, the more I realize that something seem off of it.

You see, the theory said that the dorm "Symbol" (may I say it like that?) had the flame thingy in it, which is true, but you know what it also has?

The skull, Idia's skull.

It may just seem like it is representing Hades (which I mean is indeed doing) however, in the official merch, specifically, the metal charms, you can see that the skull is the one representing Idia, and yeah the little flame is Ortho.

Now, I have realized that certain characters that overbloted have their symbols in the dorm symbol, for example, we have Jamil's Cobra in Scarabia.

Then we have Azul's octopus in Octavinelle , and Leona's lion in Savanaclaw.

And with Riddle, even though the symbol of Heartslabyul isn't a rose, we understand that his rose represents the queen of hearts, and so, he was the one that overbloted.

Then we have Pomefiore, which symbol doesn't just have Vil's, but also Epel's; but the thing here is that Vil was the one Overbloting, because even when the apple is very important in the movie, the Evil Queen is the Villain.

And here is where things start to get complicated, because as far as we've seen both Ortho and Idia could be Hades.

Because first, both of them have hair that resembles to fire, sure, Ortho's is shorter and more similar to Hades, but still, they both have firey hair.

Then are the board games, man, they both like board games, I mean sure, it is said that it is Ortho's Hobbie, but I think that this is more because he isn't a student and he can't be part of the club, rather than this being his only Hobbie.

I have reasons to believe these, for example, it is said by Cater that they both attend to the same classes, to which Ortho replies that the principal gave them permission, and in the Stargazer event, Ortho also says that they're one student, which means that while Crowley let both of them be in the school the only one considered as a student is Idia.

This could explain that yes, Ortho can go to the board game club, but he isn't a member, which is why this is just his Hobbie.

Then in the fears, specifically with Ortho, he is said to be afraid of lightnings, which yes it may represent Zeus.

But then again Idia doesn't stay behind, because of his teeth, his teeth? You may ask, sure, his teeth, have you seen the form of his teeth? , if you don't understand I will explain, you see, both Idia's and Hades' teeth are spiky, on the other hand, Ortho's isn't.

(I edited this images just so you can compare Idia's and Ortho's teeth with Hades')

Also, it is said that Idia's best subject is summoning, which at least I think that is something very much related to Hades.

Now I will start with my opinions.

Do I think that Idia will Overblot?

I'm not really sure, but I think that there is a high possibility, I think that maybe the game will try to explain more clear all the Overblot stuff; also, I don't know if this is just my perception but when some character is gonna Overblot they usually aren't introduced to the MC in the previous chapter, but another people of their dorm may be, like, you can see them, but they won't have dialogues, at least with you (I know Tsunatarou does, but he is kind of different from everyone else XD) , for example, in the prologues we met Deuce and Ace but not Riddle, then in the chapter of Savanaclaw, we see Azul, Jade and Floyd although we just interact with Jade and Floyd.

And yet in the chapters we haven't interacted with Idia so I think that he is more likely to Overblot than Ortho, because in that way he can be introduced and we can know his past, also, the end of chapter 5 make me think that way, because at least I think that it was very much Idia-centered.

What will happen with Grimm?

I'm not really sure, but I think that maybe he'll be the final boss, so he may just start feeling "well" at the start of chapter 6; I think that we will have to fight Grimm when we have had defeated all the dorms; but that is just a personal theory.

Paper, Scissors, Rank (Ch: 6)

CHARACTER/PAIRING: Modern!Carrillo x Army!OC (eventually) 

WARNINGS: maybe some swearing, military slang, more military talk,  spelling and grammatical errors. Flippy floppy points of view and tenses. Could be very OOC/AU for some. Carrillo may not be narcos accurate as this is an AU. Some OC x OC 

AUTHORS NOTE: not too much happening this chapter, again a big thank you to @1zashreena1 for helping me with my ideas for this chapter. finally a first name for the OC, and Sinclair being a dick. hope yall enjoy

WORD COUNT: 3.1K

CHAPTER: 6 OF ?

TAG LIST(OPEN): @girlpornparadise @1zashreena1 @xxidontwikeitxx @nicke0115 @allalngthewtchtower @lettherebrelight

Greyson woke with a gasp, her head was pounding like she’d been on a week long bender, and her jaw ached beyond measure. She went to sit up only to fall back clutching her side in pain, Ugh what the fuck.  Shaking away the blurry vision that came with waking up, she allowed her eyes to adjust to her surroundings. She took in the clinically white walls and curtains, the bed that looked too medical to be her own and finally her eyes landed on the tubes in her arms. Why the fuck am I in the hospital!. A fresh wave of panic shot through the cadet as she went to climb out of the bed and find someone to explain to her what the hell she was doing here. But as she went to sit up again a pair of large, strong hands softly pinned her back in place. She swung to her right ready to give the person a piece of her mind, only to make eye contact with a pair of tired looking deep brown eyes. What’s Colonel Carrillo doing here?

“Don’t move Second Lt Greyson, you’re not in good shape” He offered softly. “I’ll go grab the medic in charge. Stay put” the last bit was said as more of a light order. He knew from her grimace when she woke that she was in more pain than she let on. He’d seen a similar look on his own face one to many times. He patted her gently on the shoulder, as to not aggravate her injuries any further, and turned to walk out the door and alert the medics, only to be stopped by a smaller, softer hand grabbing his own.

“Sir, what do you mean Second Lieutenant? I haven’t graduated yet!” Anger, always her go to emotion, bled through the initial confusion in her tone. There was no way she had graduated, she would remember that surely. She dared a glance at his face but first noted the way she was gripping his hand with such force she was probably hurting him. She dropped his hand like he was made of fire. Eyes dragged over his torso slowly, his shoulders were slumped, his posture nothing like the Colonel she was used to seeing, if only briefly. What the fuck has gotten into him?. “Sir, is something wrong?” her tone was soft enough to shock herself, was she subconsciously trying to comfort him, she shook that thought off, now is not the time for that you idiot.

Carrillo sighed, running a hand over his face like he was trying to wash away the hours a day he had spent reading over files while keeping a watch over her. He knew that when she came to, she would waffle off questions a mile a minute, without much of a care from her injuries. He had read over any report that contained highly detailed information about her. He had sat down with each cadet and discussed what she was like in training before he arrived. Most of the cadets enjoyed her company, looked up to her and envied her unparalleled skills. Yes some of the females were jealous of how she seemed to fit in with some of the boys and how many of the male instructors paid attention to her, but none displayed the attitude or mental instability  to want to physically hurt the cadet who laid awake in the hospital bed before him.

One way or another he knew the truth would come out, he could only hope that she would not try and seek vengeance when they finally found the culprit, or maybe it would help her , he mused.  “You’ve been laid up in bed for just over a week Greyson, whoever did this to you knew what they were doing and hit you hard. I’ll let the medics cover most of it but, you're a permanent member of my team now, your position in the army is safe. Congratulations for graduating” The last bit was added as a kind of after statement and accompanied with a shrug. He didn't really know what to say to the young officer before him. The attack on her had put the base, and his team who were currently scattered on deployments, into high alert. He didn’t know how to explain it but the sinking feeling at losing a team member, one as talented as she was, so soon had cut him deeper than he’d ever admit. Strange for only having known Greyson for no longer than a few weeks.

Greyson lay there stunned while watching him leave the room. Out for over a week, everyone has graduated, and she’s a permanent member of his team?. Who knew so much could happen while being unconscious for a week. Her side was itchy, too itchy. Lifting the blankets that covered her body and taking in a relatively large white bandage on her side has her eyes growing wide. The fuck happened to me.  Obviously her injuries were worse than the Colonel let on. He had said she’d been targeted, so whoever had done this had motive. The only motive against her she could think of was her tarnished last name because of her father. Of course that prick's mistakes would come round to bite me in the ass. Greyson laughed and regretted it instantly. The pain that radiated from her left side was some of the worst she’d felt since breaking three of her ribs in a kickboxing tournament, actually, now that she thought about it, the pain was the same. It wouldn’t surprise her if she had broken those same ribs again.

Turns out, she was, in fact, correct. The medics had entered the room a short while after the Colonel had left and detailed her injuries. Four broken ribs, a split eyebrow, forehead split from the opposite eyebrow to the scalp, a concussion that she would be nursing for another week or so, a broken nose that would soon be healed and last but not least, an inch deep stab wound to her left side that went from just above her hip to just below her ribs. Whoever had done this really did a number on her, that was for sure. The list of injuries sure came as a shock to the soldier, it was clear that the person who committed this crime was out for blood, and it was almost as though they had sought to kill her but had been spooked by someone entering the gym. She definitely had to see Calliope and thank him for saving her life, and thank Carrillo for saving her damn career.

It was around an hour or so later that her door opened again, presuming it was just the Colonel coming to check to make sure she hadn’t carked it since he last left the room, she didn’t bother to open her eyes or lift her head from the position of comfortable rest she was in. A mistake on her behalf, she tensed when a hand grabbed her own and began rubbing small circles on her palm. There was no way this was the Colonel. The hands were arguably smaller and not as calloused as the aforementioned mans were. Not that I paid attention to that, she told herself. Or more accurately, lied to herself. It was practically the only thing she had focused on when she had reached out to grab a hold of him. She could not shake the feeling of those strong, calloused and oh so large and warm hands travelling across other parts of her body. Ok seriously, not the way to think of him, even if he is a god of a man.  

Daring to open an eye just enough to get a glimpse of the person in her room, she nearly clambered from the bed in shock, although it really should not have come as a surprise to her that the Lt. Colonel had found his way into her room. She observed the fact that he looked shattered. Big dark circles under his eyes, slumped posture, and eyes that made him look less like the jovial forever joking around man and more like the man who carried the rank of Lt. Colonel. She heard what sounded like a sniffle come from the man, is he really crying right now?

Sinclair was indeed crying. He felt partially responsible for what had happened to the young officer in the bed before him. Maybe if he hadn’t have pushed her then she would have graduated with her pairs and be running round learning the ways of her new team. But no, here she was lying in a bed she had no place being, with an amount of stitches he didn’t even want to think about and probably hating his guts. Which he felt was probably the most accurate response she could have to this situation. Still, he had to try his luck. She had, after all, graduated and was now a serving officer.

“I’m fucking sorry, Ash. I should’ve gone after you and talked it out. I didn't want you to think badly about me because of it” He sniffed, voice cracked, but he continued on, “It's all my fault, i should never have put you in the position, I’m sorry” his voice tapered off at the end, broken slightly by his now croaky voice as the tears began to come full force, emotion over taking him more than he thought possible. He genuinely liked this girl, despite going about it the wrong way, he felt deeply for her and would continue to even if she rejected him, although this time he would cut his losses and attempt to move on. He jumped briefly when he felt her hand close in around his, he didn’t know she was awake. Now he felt stupid for crying.

“Sir, it’s not your fault, I don’t blame you for what happened. If anything, it’s my own fault for continuing to feel something for you even when I knew nothing could ever come of it. And for that I’m sorry” she stopped to gather herself, taking a deep breath before continuing, “But I do think it’s best that we stop whatever this could have been before it even begins. It will not look good for either of us, no matter how much we both might want it, I’m sorry Sir”  Ash cleared her throat before looking up at the man who was still rubbing soothing circles on her hand, his grip had tightened slightly when she said they shouldn’t continue, but he looked somewhat, relieved? And then he was laughing, a full bellied laugh that confused Ash to no end. She tilted her head at him, one eyebrow raised, and an expression that said Care to share what's so funny

“I knew it! I bloody knew it. Of course it wasn’t one sided, I knew you felt something for me” His tone was joyous, his smile was one akin to that of a cat that caught the canary. “Why didn’t you tell me, all this confusion could have been fixed, we could be together, right now, happy. You could’ve been mine already”

A shudder of disgust ran through the young officer, one strong enough for her to yank her hand out of his and bring it closer to her chest, safely away from his grasp. If Ash wasn’t already denying the man before her an attempt at a relationship, then his final sentence would have thrown her over the line. She wasn’t anyone's to keep. Let alone this deranged Lt. Colonels. If anything there was only one person, or team rather, she belonged to. And that was not Sinclair, no matter how bad he wanted that. His expression turned from one of joy to anger in a very short minute, one that scared Ash, not that she let that emotion cross her face, lest he think he’s won.

Ash gulped, gathered some courage and was about to give the LT. Colonel a piece of her mind when the door to her room opened suddenly to reveal Colonel Carrillo. It took Ash a moment to register the look of controlled anger on the Colonels face before she realized it wasn’t directed at her, but the man to her right. He took a calculated step into the room, before closing the door with a deliberate force. There was no denying who was in charge right now, the raw power the colonel was displaying sent a pang of heat straight to Greyson’s gut. Fuck why is he so undeniably hot right now, common Sir, hit him . Ash snorted at her internal thoughts. God, she was a mess sometimes.

The glare Colonel Carrillo leveled Sinclair with would make any sane man start begging for forgiveness on the spot. Sinclair had proven one two many times his intentions with Greyson, and now, having heard from standing outside the room, that he was trying to claim her as his own and convince her that they should be together, it made him irate. Obviously his previous warning was not taken on board by the lieutenant. Worse still, he had felt an unusual pang in his chest when he had heard the second lieutenant confess that she felt something for the dishonorable man standing before him now. “If you don’t get the fuck out of this room within the next ten seconds I’ll put a bullet in your thick skull. Obviously threatening your rank wasn’t enough, so don’t fucking try me this time Sinclair, that's an order!”

Ash gulped at the tension forming between both men. Sinclair had stood from the chair he had resided in and was nearly toe to toe with the superior officer. There was anger rolling off him in waves, his shoulders were pulled back and he was puffing out his chest. Fucking typical males, Ash scoffed.  But from her vantage point she could see that Carrillo was entirely too calm about squaring off with the man before him. He stood just an inch shorter than Sinclair but was broader by far, and carried a strength that surpassed any the lieutenant could ever dream to possess. He was staring down his nose at him, smirking to egg the man on to make the first move. And in the moment Greyson had never seen a more attractive sight. It was thrilling to be this close to such a raw display of power and such a far less man thinking he had a chance to beat the formidable Colonel Carrillo.

If Ash was to recall the day further on in her career she would say it was Sinclair who threw the first punch and started the fight, despite clearly seeing Carrillo mutter something low enough for only the men to hear. Whatever it was had its desired effect. The right hook that was thrown clipped the edge of the Colonel’s jaw but barely phased him, one minute he was registering a small inkling of pain, the next he had the slightly younger officer pinned to the wall, forearm across his throat, and hand grasping his pistol, ready to pull it from its holster and follow through with his current threat. He began to pull said gun from its holster, only to be stopped by a smaller hand covering his own and a quiet but firm voice whispering against the shell of his ear, “Don’t Carrillo, he’s not worth the paperwork”.

It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, what was he even doing?. Greyson was right, the useless excuse of an officer before him really wasn’t worth the paper work. He secured his pistol before ripping his arm off the man's throat, smirking at the way he was gasping for breath and beyond pale. Good  he thought, maybe this time the message has really been cemented in this idiots’ brain . He didn’t need to tell the man to leave, once he had gathered enough breath to move he was all but sprinting from the room, not even daring to glance back at the youngest officer in the room. Carrillo was startled from his thoughts when Ash punched him in the arm, before wincing and pulling her hand back. He glanced at her, a shocked expression on his face, awaiting her next move.

“What the fuck was that!?” she hissed out at him before taking in a deep breath to center herself, her vision was a little blurry but she attributed that to the fact she had practically leapt from the bed to stop the Colonel committing blue force murder. Even if she despised Sinclair and his actions, she honestly couldn’t believe she actually had feelings for a man like that, the idea sent a cold shiver down her back. Ash swayed on her feet, she was getting increasingly unsteady. Warm hands grabbed her by the elbows and guided her back to the bed, she was thankful for that, even if she was partially angry at the Colonel before her.

“Stop being difficult and stay in the damn bed soldier” His gruff voice made her shiver but she obeyed him nonetheless, likely due to the underlying order in his tone.  He seemed to think for a moment, contemplating the right words to say, before he shrugged and announced “The medics decided it would be best for you to be monitored for the next few weeks until you’re given a clean bill of health. So I offered my place, or rather the team's new headquarters. The rest of the team will arrive in a month or so off deployment, it's gonna be just us in the meantime” He ceased speaking for a moment as he made his way to the door, “I’ll go sign your discharge papers, we depart in twenty, chop chop Lieutenant” and without so much as another word, he disappeared out the door.  Ash was stunned, a seemingly normal occurrence while in his presence. A month in a house, alone with Colonel Carrillo, this could be both the best and worst thing to happen to her lately, but she couldn’t wait, this could be a wild ride, or a terrible nightmare.  Greyson hoped it was the former rather than the later.

Bam!Capítulo sorpresa,por eso la tardanza en las publicaciones de los capítulos,así que disfruten un capítulo lleno de sorpresas.

Cap 6:Nuevo comienzo. -Spanish and English-

Las cosas ciertamente iban bien,eran amigos y Once-ler obtenía beneficios por ello.Seguía siendo el niño caprichoso después de todo.

Warden hacía lo que Once-ler pidiese,aunque tampoco es como que Once-ler abuse tanto,solo comodidad,cigarrillos y malvaviscos,evidentemente.Pero quería algo más,quería escapar pero esto no sería fácil.Reconocía que la prisión de Warden era una peligrosamente bien vigilada,vamos!no quería caer en manos de Alice y tener una columna rota.

Once-ler:Genial,cómo escaparé?-Llenándose la boca con malvaviscos y caminando por donde sea,seguía buscando un escape-

Había intentado unirse a los demás reclusos para planear un escape pero sucedían algunas cosas:

1.-Era aliado de Warden,no lo iban a involucrar.

2.-Los planes eran demasiado estúpidos como para funcionar.

3.-Simplemente NO.

Once-ler:-Susurrando-Al parecer escapar es más difícil de lo que pensé…

Warden:Dijiste algo amigo?-sonando naturalmente feliz de decirle amigo-

Once-ler cayó hacía atrás,asustado por la aparición tan repentina.

Once-ler:Aaaa!qué?…cuándo llegaste?-frunciendo el ceño-

Warden:Oh,perdón fui tan grosero…apenas hace unos segundos-sonriente-

Once-ler:Te diría algo por asustarme pero!como notarás -Levantándose,señalando al suelo y con el ceño aún más fruncido-Mis malvaviscos están en el suelo…

Warden:Upss…lo siento,déjame arreglarlo-apareciendo una bolsa en la cabeza del otro-

Once-ler:Uh?…gracias-tomándola y comiendo de nuevo-

Warden:No quise asustarte amigo,es solo que no pude evitar venir contigo por que al parecer no tengo nada que hacer-sonriendo con los dientes-

Una escena de Jared trabajando el triple.

Once-ler:Como sea…qué necesitas?-mirándolo y disfrutando de los malvaviscos- Ok,creo que le daré un punto a tu prisión…tiene malvaviscos ciertamente deliciosos.

Warden:Oh gracias,eres catador de comida también,al parecer.

Once-ler:Pff,resulta que disfruto de el mejor postre de la vida-metiéndose más a la boca-

Warden:Supongo que sí…-encogiéndose de hombros-

Once-ler:No lo supongas-tomando un poco y metiendo en la boca unos malvaviscos al alcaide-come…

Warden no se asustó por la actitud del joven,simplemente aceptó el gesto juguetón.Once-ler solo quería que alguien estuviera de acuerdo con sus gustos en dulces y que tal vez el guardián le compre algunos más.

Warden:-Tragando el dulce-Mmm…sí,están bien.Tal vez con un helado o algo así.

Once-ler:Por supuesto que está bien,si el Once-ler lo aprueba es porque está bien…sí,eso es correcto-sonando presumiendo y comiendo-

Warden:Bien,una vez terminada nuestra plática exhaustiva de malvaviscos,creo que llego la hora de hablar de cosas serias-tomándolo por los hombros y acercándose-

Once-ler:Mmm…qué?-mirándolo un poco serio-

Warden:Bueno,señor once-ler…creo que he oído de tus intentos de escape,mal Once-ler -sonando como un regaño de chiste-aunque…eso podría ser falso,no?

Once-ler:Pff,no…

Warden:Uh?vaya…lo admites así,cómo así?-sonado confundido y un poco sorprendido-

Once-ler se encogió de hombros,mirándolo con esa seriedad de siempre y siguiendo con su camino.Warden sorprendido,el otro no mintió,se lo dijo descaradamente y lo peor…no le molesta.

Warden:T-tú!amm…wow,eres un poco insolente pero sincero-pensándolo y manos en la cadera-

Once-ler:No tengo que mentir con lo que no me agrada,no quiero estar aquí…quiero volver a mi fábrica y hacer dinero,creo que ya los has escuchado y no veo la hora en la que me cumplas el deseo-sonando despreocupado y no importando lo que el otro sienta-

Warden:Pff,qué?para tu información jovencito,esto es más divertido-ceño un poco fruncido-y segundo, no puedo cumplir todos tus caprichos,necesito dinero y tiempo para los míos…

Once-ler:-Rodando los ojos-Cierto,que eres un niño grande,tal vez necesites dinero para tus bloques o avioncitos…

Warden:¿Qué?pff…es obvió que necesito algunas crayolas y…no estamos hablando de eso.Estamos hablando de tus intentos de escape,mal!-ceño fruncido y cruzado de brazos-

Once-ler:Pff,somos amigos…y como buen amigo debo serte sincero,no me gusta estar aquí…cumplirías un buen papel como amigo sacándome de aquí-sonriendo sarcásticamente-

El otro estaba analizando la situación.Nunca tuvo un mejor amigo y le ilusiona tener uno y no quiere decepcionarlo,pero tampoco es un idiota como para no darse cuenta de las intenciones de Once-ler.

Warden:Nah,mal Once-ler…eso jamás pasará,tendrías que hacer algo para que consideré eso pero JAJAJA,eso es un buen chiste-riendo divertido aún y caminando a lado del otro.

Once-ler frunció el ceño,comiendo aún más sus malvaviscos para lidiar con esto.Quería escapar pero es cierto,tendría que hacer algo para Warden para que consideré el dejarlo ir.

Once-ler:Algo,mmm…-pensando y siguiendo con su camino-

Warden:Oye,se me ocurrió algo para olvidarnos de está plática y divertirnos,¿qué dices?-sonriendo y inquieto-

Once-ler:Bueno…supongo que será divertido

Warden:¡Perfecto!tendrémos una cit…una reunión!porque tú y yo somos amigos-sonriendo nerviosamente-

Once-ler:Claro…-aclarándose la garganta-y qué vamos hacer?

Warden:Pues,se supone que tengo que ayudar a los reclusos de alguna forma…Jared me dijo que tenía que hacer algo,como sus actividades aburridas-viendo la lista con disgusto-Ugg,pero para suerte de Superjail,tiene a un divertido,carismatico y atractivo alcaide!con muchas actividades divertidas-sonriente-

Once-ler:Supongo que será un día divertido e interesante-

El otro lo jalo con él,teletransportando a ambos donde irían.Era una especie de escenario donde habitualmente hacía cualquier cosa o evento extraño.

Warden:¡Genial!estamos aquí-sonriente y brillante-

Once-ler:Dios!eso fue extraño,no hagas eso sin avisarme-aferrándose de un lugar por el mareo-

Warden:Oh,lo siento Oncie…pero estoy tan emocionado de que estés conmigo en uno de estos planes,esto será un éxito contigo a mi lado-pestañeo y entrelazando sus propias manos-

Once-ler dió una sonrisa ante las actitudes del otro,aclarándose la garganta después para fingir que eso no sucedió.

Once-ler:Bueno,qué se supone que haremos?-viéndolo-

Warden:Pues es obvió lo que tú harás-manos en la cadera y viéndolo-

Once-ler:Amm,qué?

Warden:Tú eres parte de el programa de rehabilitación-sonriente y chispeante-

Once-ler:QUÉ?-nervioso,sabía cómo era el tipo con sus planes-no,no,no!yo soy tu compañero,no es así?

Warden:Claro,pero sigues siendo un recluso -tomándolo de los hombros y dándole palmaditas-no te preocupes,te vas a divertir…

Once-ler pasando saliva por el miedo.Sabía cómo era Warden,era un poco salvaje y extremo con sus juegos y proyectos,podría morir en esto de la manera más dolorosa si no se cuidaba o conseguía que Warden se retracte de esa idea.

Once-ler:Oye,amigo…no crees que soy,pff-odiando decir esto-demasiado débil para estos juegos,odiaría cancelar nuestras reuniones por estar muerto,eso sería una pena…no lo crees?

Warden:Mmm,tienes razón…pero eso quiere decir que puedes estar a mi lado ,planeando todo esto-sonriendo con los dientes y dando brinquitos-

Once-ler asintiendo,totalmente de acuerdo y a favor de no acabar muerto.Pensaba que esto no sería peligroso y estaría seguro pero…

Once-ler:Mi Dios!qu-qué es esto?-viendo todo con terror y nervioso-

Warden:¿Qué?me gusta estar lo más cerca posible de los juegos y convivir-emocionado y dando brinquitos de felicidad-

Once-ler:Oh…bueno,pero no crees que es muy peligroso?eso es fuego?-pupilas contraídas y aferrándose al brazo del alcaide-

Warden:Pero será divertido,incluso tal vez te vuelvas más unido a los reclusos,¿no crees?

Once-ler mirando cómo los reclusos lo veían con mala cara,con ganas de matarlo y esperar a que caiga en sus garras.Tenía miedo de morir en eso.Acaso Warden no tenía en cuenta de que él no es parte de Superjail?no es indestructible,no es de goma,simplemente no es Superjail.

Once-ler:Warden no!no quiero…esto…no soy lo suficientemente fuerte como para resistir esto,tampoco un idiota como para hacerlo-aferrandose aún más al brazo del otro y viéndolo con terror-

Warden:Pero no te va a pasar nada,te lo juró-no entendiéndolo y sonriente-

Once-ler:No,no lo entiendes Warden…no soy de goma como tú,si muero es LITERAL-ceño fruncido- aparte…Eso es una cuchilla?definitivamente yo me quedaré aquí a tu lado si es necesario,siempre y cuando no me involucres en eso.

Warden no entendía el porqué Once-ler no quería participar en lo que él considera divertido y asombroso.De todos modos Warden no comprende mucho de ser un “humano normal”,no comprende que estos son más sensibles a muchas cosas riesgosas de las que él disfruta,en general no lo comprende,no comprende el Ser un “humano promedio”.

Warden:Solo relajate…eres un amargado-rodando los ojos y luciendo molesto-pff,débil…

Once-ler:Tú eres un…-dándole una bofetada,luciendo molesto-BASTA!

Once-ler estaba harto,odiaba estar aquí,odiaba todo y quería irse.

Once-ler:Basta!no voy a soportar algo así,no voy a soportar idiotas como tú,¿por qué sabes qué?sigo siendo mejor que tú y mucho más fuerte que tú.Estoy harto de que me subestimes,no soy un idiota fracasado como tú,me das pena…tanto que accedí a ser tu amigo por pena y beneficio,en serio crees que sería tu amigo porque quiero?¡jamás me involucraría seriamente con alguien como tú!-luciendo intimidante y enojado,muy enojado-

Warden solo oyó esto con incredulidad,estaba herido,nadie le había dicho cosas tan hirientes como esas y mucho menos ridiculizado así de horrible,puede que algunas veces pero lo ignoraba pero está vez le dolió y mucho.

Jared y los demás no sabían qué decir estaban sorprendidos,nadie había hecho sentir tan mal al alcaide,era incómodo siquiera hacer algún movimiento.

Once-ler se hizo un poco para atrás,estaba apenado.Dios!Esto era penoso,nunca se sintió tan mal y arrepentido de hacer algo así,se puso a pensar en eso.Warden simplemente se tapó el rostro,teletransportandose a algún lugar.

Once-ler:Mierda qué hice?-mirando a los lados,viendo con pena como todos lo miraban con una especie de asombro-

Esté huyó del lugar,iría a buscar a Warden,ser valiente y afrontar su pena por haber hecho eso.

Once-ler:Warden?dónde estás?-buscándolo con la mirada,por los pasillos-

No sabía dónde estaba,tenía tanta culpa por hacer eso,por haberle gritado cosas tan horribles como esas.Analizó el hecho de que no solo a Warden lo trató así,si no al Lórax y a los demás de su entorno,se había estado comportando tan idiota y engreído con los demás pero…está ves,está vez no se sintió bien hacerlo,es como si le hubiera gritado a alguien muy importante y sensible para él,se sentía horrible por haberlo hecho.

Siguió buscándolo un rato,incluso en el camino perdió su sombrero,no importando,solo quería arreglar esto.Busco hasta que lo encontró,estaba en el Superbar,totalmente triste y derretido en la barra.Entró al bar,teniendo miedo por acercarse pero lo hizo,tenía que afrontar esto.

Once-ler:Ajam-aclarándose la garganta y no mirándolo aún-Warden…

El otro se alejó un poco,tenía miedo y pena de verlo,era incómodo.

Once-ler:Entiendo que te alejes,perdón…lo que grite no fue para nada razonable,fuí un idiota…lo siento,aunque sé que un perdón no arregla nada…

Warden solo oyó eso con sorpresa.Realmente lo que le dijo Once-ler le dolió,se sintió mal porque una persona que realmente quería le gritará todas esas cosas horrible,en otra situación solo ignoraba situación,como siempre lo había hecho pero realmente le agarro mucho cariño a Once-ler.

Warden:Bueno yo…realmente no pasa nada-sonriendo falsamente-

Once-ler:No!necesito que me odies,odiame…lo que hice no fue bueno…ahora que lo pienso no quiero que me perdones,quiero que me digas que me odias,por qué no lo haces?-confundido-

Warden:Realmente no te puedo odiar,eres mi amigo-sonriendo nerviosamente-

El otro se sintió aún peor,el guardián solo quería un amigo con quien estar,se sintió mal por gritarle a alguien ilusionado por tener un amigo.

Warden siempre a sido un tipo solitario,tenía a Jared,Alice a los reclusos y a Jailbot pero nunca se sintió realmente muy identificado con alguien,hasta que llego Once-ler.Once-ler lo entiende muy bien y le parece un tipo agradable,quiere ser su amigo y que por fin alguien lo quiera.

Once-ler:No,no soy tu amigo…te grite cosas horribles,cualquier otra persona me hubiera gritado o golpeado por eso,creo que soy un idiota que cree tener e privilegio de gritarle a quien sea y NO!,realmente no…no es agradable hacerlo,perdón-recargándose en la barra-

Warden:No soy como los demás…soy alguien particularmente distinto en todo sentido,no me gusta recurrir a golpear a mis amigos y menos si es alguien a quien estimo-sonriendo-y aparte soy un tanto extraño,no sé si ya lo notaste…a lo que me refiero es que quiero seguir intentando ser tu amigo,realmente me interesas…

Eso último hizo sonrojar a Once-ler.Wow,alguien realmente lo quiere y desea tener su cariño de alguna forma.Esté analizando todo lo que hizo mal y lo que tenía que cambiar,tomando aire y hablando.

Once-ler:Te prometo tratar de mejorar…lo que hago no es algo muy positivo,solo alejó a los demás con esas actitudes y destruyó cosas…-risita tímida-

Warden:Gracias,aunque creo que tampoco fue muy lindo de mi parte obligarte a hacer eso,supongo que los humanos “normales” son diferentes…aunque no comprendo realmente que es ser un humano-confundido y tratando de buscar una respuesta-

Once-ler:-Sonriendo un poco-Bueno,supongo que te puedo ayudar con eso…tal vez mejoremos nuestra comunicación,¿no crees?

Warden:¡Por supuesto!estoy abierto a nuevas ideas y actividades,siempre y cuando sean divertidas-sonriendo de nuevo y mostrando ese hueco en sus dientes-

Once-ler:-Sonriendo-No te prometo que será fácil y divertido todo el tiempo pero … .trataré de que lo sea,ok?

Warden:Por supuesto,esto será una aventura realmente interesante-otra vez arco-iris y sonriente-

Once-ler le dio palmaditas en la espalda,sonriendo y tratando de animar el ambiente nuevamente.Notó que todavía estaba un poco roja la zona en la que lo abofeteó,sintiéndose mal por lastimarlo nuevamente.

Once-ler:Ammm…oye,te duele?-tocando delicadamente esa parte-

Warden:Mmm…-pensándolo-Oh,sí…eso duele

Sonrojandose por el toque del otro y su preocupación.Haría lo que fuera por tener un poco de atención,después de todo se ha acostumbrado a tener eso y no se quejaría si es de Once-ler.

Once-ler:Lo siento,fuí muy duró con el golpe-mirando la parte afectada y ceño fruncido de la preocupación-

Warden:No importa,algunas peleas,unas muertes y demás,han acostumbrado a este cuerpo a soportar lo que sea…aunque no es agradable quedar cubierto de sangre propia,debo decirlo-sonando como si se tratara de un cuento alegre-

Once-ler:Eso es extraño pero supongo que un ser omnipotente como tú,tiene que estar involucrado en todo tipo de cosas…

Warden:Uff,sí…he hecho cosas extrañas y que cualquiera diría que es parte del efecto de una sustancia pero igual es emocionante-sonriendo despreocupado-Oye amigo y tu sombrero?

Once-ler:Oh,eso?no lo sé…lo perdí cuando te vine a buscar,no importa…

Warden:Mmm…creo que-haciendo como si buscara algo en su mente-aja!

Esté apareció el sombrero,dándoselo al joven.El otro tomándolo y sorprendido.

Once-ler:Wow,gracias-viéndolo-pero creo que ya no es necesario…a veces es pesado de cargar en la cabeza y creo que ya no lo necesito-sonriendo débilmente-igual lo dejaré guardado,gracias…

Warden sonrió con felicidad.Era un poco extraño ver a Once-ler sin su sombrero y solo el traje era como si se estuviera quitando algo grande,dejando ver más de cómo era él realmente.Era cosa de acostumbrarse a eso.

De la nada una alarma sonó,alertando al guardián y de su ensoñación.

Warden:Mmm…QUÉ?agg,en serio?…tengo que reparar lo que sea que haga sonar esa cosa molesta…

Once-ler:Genial,iré contigo…supongo que necesitas ayuda-levantándose y sonriendo-

Warden:Y sí,es molesto cuando Jared se pone a decir cosas molestas y empieza a entrar en pánico-explicando con las manos-

Once-ler:Jeje,supongo-caminando a su lado y llevandose entre las manos el sombrero-

Esto era un nuevo comienzo,uno real y no lleno de conflictos por ahora,realmente querían mejorar su relación.

continuara…

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Bam! Surprise chapter, that's why the delay in the publications of the chapters, so enjoy a chapter full of surprises.

Chapter 6:New beginning.

Things were certainly going well, they were friends and Once-ler benefited from it. After all, he was still the capricious child.

Warden did everything the Once-ler asked of him, although it's not like the Once-ler is that abusive, just comfort, cigarettes and marshmallows, obviously. But I wanted something more, I wanted to escape but this wouldn't be easy. He recognized that Warden's prison was dangerously well guarded, come on! He didn't want to fall into Alice's hands and have his spine broken.

Once-ler: Great, how will I escape? - Filling his mouth with marshmallows and walking wherever he went, he kept looking for an escape -

He had tried to join the other inmates to plan an escape, but a few things happened: 1.-He was Warden's ally, they were not going to involve him. 2.-The plans were too stupid to work. 3.-Simply NO.

Once-ler: -Whispering-Apparently escaping is harder than I thought… Warden: Did you say something, friend? -sounding naturally happy to say friend-

Once-ler backed away, frightened by the sudden appearance.

Once-ler: Aaaa! what?… when did you arrive? - frowning - Warden: Oh, sorry I was so rude…just a few seconds ago-smiling- Once-ler: I'd say I'm not afraid, but! As you will notice -Getting up, pointing to the floor and frowning even more-My marshmallows are on the floor… Warden: Oops… sorry, let me fix it-a bag appears on the other's head- Once-ler: Eh?…thanks- he takes it and eats again- Warden: I didn't mean to scare you friend, it's just that I couldn't help but go with you because apparently I have nothing to do -smiling with teeth-

A scene of Jared working at triple time.

Once-ler: Anyway…what do you need?-looking at it and enjoying the marshmallows-Ok, I think I'll give your prison a point…it definitely has delicious marshmallows. Warden: Oh, thank you. Apparently you're also a food taster. Once-ler: Pff, it turns out that I enjoy the best dessert in life – he puts more marshmallows in his mouth – Warden: I guess so… -shrugs- Once-ler: Don't assume it -he takes some and puts marshmallows in the warden's mouth so he can eat them- eat…

Warden was not scared by the young man's attitude, he simply accepted the playful gesture. Once-ler just wanted someone to agree with his taste in sweets and maybe the warden would buy him some more.

Warden:-Swallowing the marshmallows-Mmm…yes, they're fine. Maybe with an ice cream or something like that. Once-ler:Of course it's fine, if the Once-ler approves it's because it's fine…yes, that's right -sounding bragging and eating- Warden: Well, once our exhaustive talk about marshmallows is over, I think it's time to talk about serious things - he taking him by the shoulders and approaching him - Once-ler: Mmm…what? -looking a little serious- Warden:Well, Mr. Once-ler…I think I heard about your escape attempts, bad Once-ler-sounding like a scolding joke-although…that could be false, right? Once-ler: Pff, no… Warden: Uh? Wow… you admit it like that, how like that? -sounding confused and a little surprised-

Once-ler shrugged his shoulders, looking at him with his usual seriousness and continuing on his way. Warden was surprised, the other didn't lie, he told him blatantly and the worst thing… it doesn't bother him.

Warden: Y-you! amm…wow, you are a little insolent but sincere-thinking about it and hands on the hip- Once-ler: I don't have to lie about what I don't like, I don't want to be here… I want to go back to my factory and make money, I think you've heard them already. . and I can't wait for you to fulfill my wish -sounding carefree and not caring what the other person feels- Warden: Pff, what? For your information young man, this is more fun – he frowns a little – and second, I can't fulfill all your whims, I need money and time for mine… Once-ler:-rolling his eyes-Right, you're a big kid, maybe you need money for your blocks or airplanes… Warden: What? Pff… it's obvious that I need some crayons and… we're not talking about that. We're talking about your escape attempts, bad ones! - He frowned and crossed his arms - Once-ler: Pff, we are friends… and as a good friend I must be honest with you, I don't like it here… you would do a good job as a friend getting me out of here- smiling sarcastically-

The other was analyzing the situation. He's never had a best friend and he's excited to have one and doesn't want to disappoint him, but he's also not an idiot to not find out or pretend not to notice the Once-ler's intentions.

Warden: Nah, bad Once-ler…that will never happen, you'd have to do something to make me consider that but HAHAHA, that's a good joke-laughing funny still and walking side by side.

Once-ler frowned, eating even more of his marshmallows to deal with this. He wanted to escape but it's true, he would have to do something for Warden to make me consider letting go.

Once-ler: Something, mmm… -thinking and continuing on his way- Warden: Hey, I thought of something to forget about this talk and have fun, what do you say? -smiling and restless- Once-ler: Well…I guess it will be fun Warden: Perfect! We'll have a date…a meeting! Because you and I are friends-smiling nervously- Once-ler: Sure…-clearing his throat-and what are we going to do? Warden: Well, I'm supposed to help the inmates in some way…Jared told me he had to do something, like his boring activities-looking at the list with disgust-Ugg, luckilyfor Superjail, he has a fun, charismatic and attractive warden! with many fun activities-smiling- Once-ler:I guess it will be a fun and interesting day-

The other pulled him with him, teleporting them both to where they would go. It was a kind of stage where he usually did any strange thing or event.

Warden: Great! we're here -smiling and bright- Once-ler: God! that was strange, don't do that without telling me - holding on to a place because of dizziness - Warden: Oh, I'm sorry Oncie… but I'm so excited that you're with me on one of these plans, this will be a success with you by my side - he blinked and clasped his own hands -

Once-ler gave a smile at the other's attitudes, clearing his throat afterwards to pretend that that didn't happen.

Once-ler: Well, what are we supposed to do? -looking at him- Warden: Well, it's obvious what you're going to do-hands on your hips and looking at it- Once-ler: Amm, what? Warden: You are part of the rehabilitation program - smiling and sparkling - Once-ler: WHAT? - nervous, I knew what the guy was like with his plans - no, no, no! I'm your partner, right? Warden: Sure, but you're still a recluse - taking him by the shoulders and patting him - don't worry, you're going to have fun…

The young man salivating in fear. He knew what the Warden was like, he was a little wild and extreme with his games and projects, he could die in this in the most painful way if he didn't take care of himself or get the Warden to back down from the idea.

Once-ler: Hey, buddy…don't you think I'm, pff -he was hate to say this- too weak for these games? I would hate to cancel our meetings because I'm dead, that would be a shame… don't you think? Warden: Mmm, you're right…but that means you can be by my side, planning all this-smiling with teeth and jumping-

Once-ler nods, totally agreeing and in favor of not ending up dead. I thought this would not be dangerous and would be safe but…

Once-ler: Oh my god! What-what is this? -Seeing everything with terror and nervousness- Warden: What? I like to be as close as possible to the games and coexist - excited and jumping with happiness - Once-ler: Oh… well, but don't you think it's very dangerous? Is that fire? - contracted and clinging to the warden's arm - Warden: But it will be fun, maybe you'll even get closer to the inmates, don't you think?

Once-ler watching as the inmates looked at him with a dirty face, wanting to kill him and wait for him to fall into their clutches. I was afraid of dying in that. Did Warden not take into account that he is not part of Superjail? Isn't it? it´s not Indestructible, it's not rubber, it's just not Superjail.

Once-ler: Warden no! I don't want…this…I'm not strong enough to resist this, nor an idiot to do it-clinging even more to the other's arm and looking at him with terror- Warden: But nothing is going to happen to you, he swore to you - not understanding it and smiling - Once-ler: No, you don't understand Warden… I'm not made of rubber like you, if I die it's LITERAL - frown - aside… Is that a blade? I will definitely stay here by your side if necessary, as long as you don't get involved in that.

Warden didn't understand why the Once-ler didn't want to participate in what he considers fun and awesome. Anyway, Warden doesn't understand much about being a “normal human”, he doesn't understand that they are more sensitive to many risky things than he He enjoys it, in general he does not understand it, he does not understand Being an “average human”.

Warden: Just relax…you're bitter -rolling his eyes and looking annoyed-pff, weak… Once-ler: You're a… -slapping him, looking annoyed-STOP IT!

Once-ler was fed up, he hated being here, he hated everything and he wanted to leave.

Once-ler: Enough! I'm not going to put up with something like that, I'm not going to put up with idiots like you, why do you know what? I'm still better than you and much stronger than you. I'm sick of you underestimating me, I'm not an idiot failure like you, I feel pity for you…so much so that I agreed to be your friend out of pity and benefit, do you really think I would be your friend because I want to? I would never get seriously involved with someone like you! -looking intimidating and angry, very angry-

Warden just listened to this in disbelief, he was hurt, no one had ever said hurtful things like that to him, much less ridiculed him like that, maybe sometimes but he didn't know it but this time it hurt him a lot.

Jared and the others didn't know what to say, they were shocked, no one had ever made the warden feel so bad, it was awkward to even make a move.

Once-ler stepped back a little, he was embarrassed. God! This was painful, he had never felt so bad and regretted having done something like that, he started to think about it. Warden simply covered his face and teleported somewhere.

Once-ler: Shit, what did I do? -looking around, seeing with pity how everyone looked at him with a kind of amazement-

He fled the scene, he would go find Warden, he would be brave and face his pain for having done that.

Once-ler: Warden? Where are you? -Looking for him in the halls-

He didn't know where he was, he felt so guilty for having done that, for having yelled horrible things like that at him. He analyzed the fact that he had not only treated the Guardian like that, but also the Lorax and the others around him, he had been behaving so idiotically and conceitedly with others but… you see, this time he didn't feel right. Doing so, it's like he had yelled at someone very important and sensitive to him, he felt horrible for having done it. He continued looking for him for a while, even on the way he lost his hat, it didn't matter, he just wanted to fix this. He searched until he found him, he was in the Superbar, totally sad and melted on the bar. He entered the bar, afraid to approach, but he did, he had to face this

Once-ler: Aha-clearing his throat and not looking at him yet-Warden…

The other moved away a little, he was scared and ashamed to see him, it was uncomfortable.

Once-ler: I understand that you move away, sorry… what I shouted was not reasonable at all, I was an idiot… I'm sorry, although I know that a pardon doesn't fix anything… Warden only heard that with surprise. What Once-ler told him really hurt him, he felt bad because a person he really like would shout all those horrible things at him, in another situation he would just ignore the situation, as he had always done but he really grew very fond of Once-ler.

Warden: Well I… it's really nothing- smiling falsely- Once-ler: No! I need you to hate me, hate me… what I did was not good… now that I think about it I don't want you to forgive me, I want you to tell me that you hate me, why don't you do it? - confused- Warden: I can't really hate you, you're my friend- smiling nervously-

The other felt even worse, the guardián only wanted a friend to be with, he felt bad for yelling at someone excited to have a friend. Warden has always been a lonely man, he had Jared, Alice, the inmates and Jailbot but he never really felt very identified with anyone, until Once-ler arrived. Once-ler understands him very well and seems like a nice guy, he wants to be his friend and for someone to finally love him.

Once-ler: No, I'm not your friend… I yelled horrible things at you, anyone else would have yelled at me or hit me for that, I think I'm an idiot who thinks I have the privilege of yelling at anyone and NO!, really no… it's not nice to do it, sorry- leaning on the bar- Warden: I'm not like the others… I'm someone particularly different in every way, I don't like to resort to hitting my friends and even less if it's someone I esteem- smiling- and besides I'm a bit strange, I don't know if you've noticed… what I mean is that I want to keep trying to be your friend, I'm really interested in you…

That last thing made Once-ler blush. Wow, someone really likes him and wants to have his affection in some way. He's analyzing everything he did wrong and what he had to change, taking a breath and talking.

Once-ler: I promise to try to improve… what I do is not something very positive, I only push others away with those attitudes and destroy things… -shy laugh- Warden: Thanks, although I think it was not very nice of me to force you to do that, I guess “normal” humans are different… although I do not really understand what it is to be a human- confused and trying to find an answer- Once-ler: -Smiling a little- Well, I guess I can help you with that… maybe we can improve our communication, don't you think? Warden: Of course! I am open to new ideas and activities, as long as they are fun- smiling again and showing that gap in his teeth- Once-ler: -Smiling- I do not promise that it will be easy and fun all the time but… I will try to make it so, okay?

Warden: Of course, this will be a really interesting adventure - again rainbow and smiling-

Once-ler patted him on the back, smiling and trying to liven up the atmosphere again. He noticed that the area where he slapped him was still a little red, feeling bad for hurting him again.

Once-ler: Ummm… hey, does it hurt? - delicately touching that part- Warden: Mmm… - thinking about it- Oh, yes… that hurts

Blushing at the other's touch and his concern. He would do anything to have a little attention, after all he has become accustomed to having that and he would not complain if it is from Once-ler.

Once-ler: Sorry, I was too hard on you- looking at the affected part and frowning in concern- Warden: Nevermind, some fights, some deaths and so on, have accustomed this body to bear anything… although it is not pleasant to be covered in your own blood, I must say- sounding as if it were a happy tale- Once-ler: That is strange but I suppose that an omnipotent being like you, has to be involved in all kinds of things… Warden: Uff, yes… I have done strange things and anyone would say that it is part of the effect of a substance but it is still exciting- smiling carefree- Hey friend, what about your hat? Once-ler: Oh, that? I don't know… I lost it when I came to look for you, nevermind… Warden: Mmm… I think so- acting as if he were looking for something in his mind- aha!

The hat appeared, giving it to the young man. The other took it and was surprised.

Once-ler: Wow, thanks - looking at it - but I think it's not necessary anymore… sometimes it's heavy to carry on your head and I think I don't need it anymore - smiling weakly - I'll put it away anyway, thanks…

Warden smiled happily. It was a little strange to see Once-ler without his hat and just the suit, it was like he was taking off something big, letting you see more of what he really was like. It was a matter of getting used to it.

Out of nowhere an alarm sounded, alerting the guardian and his daydream.

Warden:Mmm…WHAT? Agg, really?…I have to fix whatever is making that annoying thing sound… Once-ler:Great, I'll go with you…I guess you need help-standing up and smiling- Warden:And yes, it is annoying when Jared starts saying annoying things and starts to panic-explaining with his hands- Once-ler:Hehe, I guess-walking beside him and carrying his hat in his hands- This was a new beginning, a real one and not full of conflicts for now, they really wanted to improve their relationship.

To be continued…

One Fresh, No Fresh (Chapter 6)

Hey guys! I’m SOOOO sorry that I didn’t get this done sooner. I just got a lot of stuff on my mind, plus I am having a job interview today, so I guess I should get this done while I can. Anyway, let’s get to the story!

Asy belongs to @furgemancs

Fresh, Geno, and Error belong to @loverofpiggies

MommaCQ and herself belong to @alainaprana

Other characters and story belong to me, @leiselpizzatale

After coming back home from dropping Error off, Asy saw Fresh and Alaina on the couch, fast asleep. Smiling warmly, he turned off the TV, which was showing a show with a boy with a star on his shirt, before turning to the couple.

He then picked up a blanket, before placing on the two. Suddenly, his phone rang, and Asy rushed to turn it off, not wanting to wake the two up. When he looked at it, he saw that it was the alarm for his medicine. Groaning, he went to his medicine cabinet in the bathroom, before grabbing two pills. Popping them in his mouth, he filled some water into the cup that was on the counter, before drinking the water, swallowing the pills while doing so.

He might have been out of the mental hospital for about 20 years, but since then, he's been having flashes of seeing his brother die, and the pills were used to help with that. Heading to his room, Asy put on a random t-shirt and pants to sleep in. Lying in bed, he thought about what happened that day. 'So, my nephew, who has been missing for 13 years, suddenly comes back, with a fiancée no less, and before I know it, Error starts talking about Fresh. If he didn't ask about the car, I would've thought that he knew about Fresh's arrival!'

Groaning at his eventful day, Asy dropped his head against the pillow. Closing his eye sockets, Asy decided that he would at least try to sleep, given how tired he was. With a final sigh, Asy finally fell asleep.

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Fresh opened his eye sockets, his eyes bleary. Trying to wake up properly, he stretched, stopping when he heard a grunt, before a hand slapped his skull. Pushing the hand back Fresh opened his eye sockets, getting a few seconds before seeing Alaina curled up on him. Looking at the clock across the room, it read '7:24'.

Yawning Fresh carefully removed Alaina from on top of him, before getting up. Standing up, he laid Alaina back down, before putting the blanket that was on them (that probably was because of Asy) and put it on top of her. Finally able to stretch, he did, first getting his arms, before doing his spine. He never knew cuddling could be kind of uncomfortable for the male. Finished with his stretches, he walked over to the kitchen, seeing his Uncle sitting in the table, drinking some coffee.

"Good Morning. How'd you sleep?" Asy asked.

"Mornin'. And yeah, I slept like a bug under a rug. If that rug was my future wife."

Asy snickered, saying, "That uncomfortable, huh? Trust me, I know the feeling. Especially with you and your brothers, when I spend the night. If I wasn't a skeleton, I would've asked for a muscle massage!" Fresh chuckled, remembering that. After a pause of silence, Fresh said, "Hey, Uncle Asy? While I was watching TV with Alaina, I was thinking that..." Fresh stopped, thinking on how he wants to say it.

"Thinking what, Fresh?" Asy asked, concerned.

Taking a big breath, Fresh said, "I’m thinking that I'm gonna go see ma today."

Asy smiled. He knew that Fresh was ready to see his mom, and that it was going to take some time before he knew it himself.

"How about this, I'll call you mom, tell her to meet me at the park, since it's a nice day out. That will be where you will meet your mom. Are you going to see your brothers then, or later?" Fresh nodded, but then stopped. He couldn't believe his ears! Or whatever he uses to hear. Was he saying that...

"G-geno? He's alive?"

Asy quickly went to Fresh, moving him to one of the chairs. Fresh didn't register it, just kept staring, not believing it. Geno, alive?! But before he left, they said his condition would kill him before his teen years are over. And now he's alive?!

Fresh, after getting out of his state, found himself his head on the table, and Asy fanning his face. He also felt arms around him, and found it to be Alaina, who was whispering where his ear would be. Lifting his head up, he saw Asy drop the plate he was using to fan, and went to get him something to drink.

"Are you okay Fresh?" Alaina asked, worried.

Breathing deeply, Fresh said almost in a whisper, "I-I can't believe it. They said that he wouldn't live and-" Fresh realized that he was crying, and hugged Alaina. Alaina hugged back, comforting Fresh, even though that even with the tears, he was really happy.

Asy then came back with water, which he put down before hugging the couple. After a few minutes, Fresh broke away, sniffing.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me, heh."

"It's alright," Asy said, handing Fresh the water, "You didn't know if he was alive or not. Heh, your pretty happy, aren't you?"

"Y-yeah."

After a bit, Asy went to make them some breakfast. While they were eating their eggs, they discussed on how Fresh and Alaina will meet CQ. After getting a plan set up, Asy pulled out his phone, calling her. After a few rings, CQ answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey CQ." Asy replied.

"Oh! Hey Asy. What's up?"

"So, I was thinking, and I found that we haven't hung out, alone, for a while. Want to go to the park with me?" Asy asked.

There was a pause, before CQ said "Sure. Need some inspiration anyway. When should we meet?"

Asy made a 'hmm' sound, like he was thinking of the time. He actually knew the time, but didn't want CQ to know that. "Maybe 1:30?"

"Sure! See you there!"

"You too. Bye." Asy said, before hanging up. Turning to Fresh, he said, "Alright, it's all set."

Fresh yelled out, 'Yeah!' before fist bumping Asy, then hugging Alaina. He was going to see his mom!

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CQ sat on the bench between two trees, which gave a bit of shade on that warm day. She had a notebook on her lap, and there were a few drawings of trees and various plants on it. Looking around, she saw Asy in the distance.

"Hey Asy, over here!" CQ called out.

Asy heard her call, and went up to her. Sitting down, Asy said, "Hey. Getting any inspiration?" Nodding, CQ replied, "Yeah, I am." Then she turned fully at him, saying, "Alright, I'm here, what do you want? We can't just be here without a reason."

Laughing, Asy said, "Alright, you caught me. I have to tell you something."

Sighing, CQ replied, "I've told you before, I'll say it again. I'm not interested."

Confused, Asy thought for a bit, before shaking his head, almost to the point of knocking his skull off. "Oh, no no. It's not like that. No, it's something else."

Tilting her head, CQ asked, "What is it then?"

Smiling widely, Asy said, "I just met two people yesterday, and one of them you'll really like."

"Oh, really? Who is it?" CQ asked.

Turning his head to the trees in front of them, Asy called out, "Alright, come out!" Slowly, two people came out. CQ looked at the first who came out. It was a woman, probably in her 20s, with short brown hair, wearing glasses. She was also wearing a purple shirt and jeans. She was also wearing flip flops. CQ went to check the other person, and stopped.

The other person was a skeleton, just like Asy. He also looked like he was in his 20s, with a colorful hat on his head, a neon blue shirt on, neon green pants, and sneakers. Looking back up, she saw eye lights in the skeleton's eye sockets, both filled with happiness and tears.

Unconsciously, CQ stood up, walking over to the skeleton. She touches the side of his skull, and he tilted his head slightly toward her hand. Choking on her breath a little, CQ whispered, "Fresh?"

The skeleton nodded, smiling wider. CQ let out a sob, before wrapping her arms around Fresh. Together, mother and son, who have been separated for thirteen years, cried on each other shoulders.

WLC 6.H: The Kids are Alright

Ling forces the passage stone back into place. The smears of viscera weigh upon her mind. "Thanks for... something, ya b*****d."

J: Why would you be upset about him dying. L: Because nobody had to die. I didn't want him dead. I wanted the witches to give up; they hadn't killed anyone yet. They could have ...cleaned the forest? Something to make amends. J: Seems like it worked out just fine.

Ling hurries down the corridor. "Yo, Outie," she yells, "Where're the kids?"

"In time, Wizard Lizard," says a booming voice, "First, the promised boon must be granted. It is unwise for one such as I to remain indebted to one such as you."

"Same."

As Ling approaches the portal, a red stone, with several indentations, the size of her head is launched from it into her claws.

"This seed, once planted, will grow into a tree bearing any material it is first coated in as fruit," says the voice, "May it aid you to your dream."

Ling twists and turns it, inspecting it's odd shape. "Thanks, mate," she says, sliding it into her cloak, "Now, about those kids."

Out of the portal pops seven kids: two smallgoblins (the boy with spiky growths), two kobolds (one is red, the other white), a teen dwarf (with a poorly shaved beard), an elf (with hair of gold), and an orc (fingers covered in burn scars).

"Ripper, the lot's all here," says Ling, before clearing her throat, "We're getting out of this cave, back to town, stop by Gizzard King, and get ya all home. How's that sound?"

"Gizzard King!" yell Hanzy and Grater the smallgoblins, throwing their hands up, "Thank you, Jevoi's Mom."

"I don't..." mumbles the orc presumably known as Matches, "I don't have a home."

"Then I'll find ya one," says Ling, leaning down to eye level. "No worries, got it?"

Loxi (elf) whispers to Genette (dwarf) and nudges her forward.

"Dr. Ling," Genette begins awkwardly, "I- I don't want to go."

Ling almost begins speaking, but looks across the other kids first.

"They know."

"Okay," Ling whispers to herself. After everything thus far, this should be easy. "I can't make ya go back, Genette, but I don't know what ...uh?" Ling realizes she doesn't even know where that sentence was supposed to be going.

"I want to work for Uncle J."

"Who?" Ling conjures chairs for everyone.

"I believe the child refers to me," says the booming voice, "I am in need of new liaisons to your world."

"And why should I allow that?" Ling stares at the portal.

"Besides you," says Genette, sitting down "He's the only adult willing to listen." She sighs. "And I know you only did because you knew no one else would. You never told me that I'm bad or weird for how I feel."

"I'm not going to lie," says Ling, awkwardly laying forward in her backward chair, "Even knowing some others that went thr- are th- ya know what I mean." Ling rubs her head in frustration. "But just 'cause I was the first doesn't mean I'm the only one who'll treat ya the way ya deserve to be, the way everyone deserves to be. See, when I first moved to Rankedge, no one could understand me; I was that fast-talking wizard from Ozzel -er, Ozzelia. And back in Ozzelia, I was that weird lizard from the surface."

Ling takes a moment to look at the kids; while the teens understand, the younger ones are a bit confused.

"No worries, though," says Ling, "Because I always found people who didn't see me that way. Always found mates that treat me right, and that's why I try to pay that forward."

J: Yet you mock me for "walking like an elf." L: 'Cause it reminds me of the drongo I used to be, thinking looking like a mammal would make them see me as a person. It didn't work, like I told those kids back then.

"I don't know if me saying this is helping ya," says Ling. She takes her wig off and puts it into her cloak, "But it's honestly helping me."

"So why don't you trust Uncle J?" asks Genette, "Why judge him like that too?"

Ling thinks for a second and, finding no answer that would sound out of place coming from Mr. Geneson or the late sheriff about her, concedes. "I'll have faith in your faith, but if Uncle J acts up, ya call Aunt Ling."

"Can we join too?" asks Rosen the red kobold.

"Yeah, I think our boss here's... you know," says Graupel, pointing down.

"I guess there's your coven," laughs Ling, "Now, le-"

"Wait," says Genette, leaning forward suddenly, "You said you knew others like me? Who do you know? Why didn't you say that earlier?"

"I didn't know if that'd help," shrugs Ling, "One's a bloke in a billib- swamp, a ways away. Another's a vrow sheila that... may not be a great role model. Then th-"

"Well, maybe I need a bad role model," says Genette with a smirk.

"Ya cheeky little..." Ling tassles Genette's hair, then gets serious. "Why'd ya come out here anyway?"

"I thought my aunt Gudrun would let me stay with her," says Genette, mood falling again, "But her crazy girlfriend dumped me in that portal."

"Aunt Gudrun?" Ling maintains a calm facade. "Anyone else know about her?"

"Mom hates her," says Genette, pulling on her scratchy almost-non-existent beard, "She says we can't let anyone else know about her."

Ling continues to stay calm in front of kids. "I'll let the deputy know."

Loxi interjects. "Deputy? The guards are here?"

Ling nods. "Yeah, hopefully she'll deal with your dad," says Ling to Genette, "I'm still thinking of what to say if he comes knocking."

"Just tell him the truth," says Loxi, wagging her finger, "He's not going to ask about Genette."

Ling laughs, "Just like your aunt..." She whispers to the dwarf, "She's a keeper, girl."

The teen dwarf sputters and fails to come up with coherent series of words.

Ling smiles, "Find mates that'll treat ya right; that's all I'm saying."

Loxi smiles at Genette, who blushes and fidgets awkwardly.

"Are we still going to Gizzard King?" yells Grater.

J: What was the point of this story, Mum? That I should feel bad about killing that lousy sheriff? "Prejudice is bad;" I already know that. L: What message could a yarn about an awful person in power not always bring that way have for an empress? Ya really think I care about that creep that used ya to blackmail me into her bed? J&L: ... J: Mum... L: Let's stop here.

WLC 6.G: Magic Duel 3v3

L: The first rule of magic duels is don't get into magic duels. The second is to remain calm; if ya lose your s***e, ya soon won't have s***e left to lose.

The first to move is Tanglepork. Dodging an opportune swipe of Ioana's claws as she runs away, she reloads her gun. She quickly turns and fires, but her nerves betray her and the bullet barely misses the lycan's head.

Ioana's fierce gaze remains locked on her prey as she commands the air to twist around her. It becomes like a miniature tornado as she chases after the gnome.

Gudrun locks eyes with the minotaur. "Obey me," she says, her eyes alight.

L: The third rule of magic duels is to know what your opponent can do and prepare to counter it.

"Not this time, b***h," says Honeycrisp, shaking off the force trying to insert itself into his mind.

Gudrun pulls out a silver wand. "Fine."

Honeycrisp focuses and magic courses through his body, accelerating him. Sparks dance upon his horns.

L: Corollary: Know what your opponent knows ya can do and don't do it.

Ling raises a wall of ribs, splitting a third of the room away, isolating the lycan and the deputy from the rest of them. The massive ribs connecting ceiling to floor have gaps too small for most of the room's occupants. "This way, Porky," commands Ling, as she positions herself by the passage to the portal room.

J: How many wall of bones spells do there really need to be?

"Ling," whines Zingiber, "You're supposed to be fighting me." She releases a blast of glittery fire into Ling's face, but the gex licks her eyes clean.

Tanglepork takes a liking to the idea of people not seeing things and turns invisible, then attempts to sneak around Ioana to reach the bone wall. Her steps are calculated to match the rhythm of the other fighters.

Ioana sniffs about and detonates a burst of fire where she believes the gnome to be hiding, but by some gnomish trickery (possibly breakdancing), the deputy remains unharmed.

Gudrun fires a purple beam from her wand, but Honeycrisp defects it with his horn. "S***e," she says, calmly. Foreseeing the sheriff's next move, she conjures a shield in front of her.

Honeycrisp charges forward, his horns smash open the shield. While his target is unharmed by that, the hook to her face makes quite the impact, knocking free a tooth, which explodes. The shrapnel then defies physics and embed themselves in the dwarf's neck.

Ling conjures a facsimile of a dryad -a type of tree nymph- that wraps her arms around the elf. "Hey there, cutie," says the dryad with a wink.

L: Preventing your opponent from casting at all is the strongest option. A lot of magic requires somantics.

Zingiber forces an arm free. "Getting off on this, Dr. Ling?" She gestures wildly. "Then check this!"

Unfortunately for Zingiber, her spell fails for multiple reasons: Tanglepork is out of the area, Honeycrisp (bull) and the dryad (plant) don't have the targeted anatomy, and Ling, because of her experiences in Wizard School, always begins the day with protective spells like Genital Mirror Shield. Thus, the caster herself is the only affected person.

Zingiber clutches her guts as her Ovarian Explosion nearly rips apart her insides. "Mistake."

J: Who even crafted that? Why make that?

"Serves ya right," shouts Ling.

Invisible, Tanglepork sneaks up to the ribs while quietly reloading her weapon and squeezes through. Aiming back through, she takes another shot breaking her disguise. The bullet, buffeted by the wind, glances the lycan's shoulder. "Oh, come on," the deputy grumbles.

If Ioana were the beast she looked like, she'd just run up to the ribs and try to smash through, but the witch is smarter than that. The bones form a fence she can cast through and, with the wind making her a difficult target, she's free to do so. She condenses a suffocating cloud around the gnome. "You can't escape," she growls.

"Help me," demands Gudrun to Zingiber, taking a defensive step away. She locks eyes with Ling and a mental bomb causes her to recoil in pain.

J: How many counters do you have? L: One more than I think I'll need.

"Time to put you b***hes in your place," says Honeycrisp.

"Can you shut your f**king mouth for five b****y minutes!" yells Ling.

"Great idea!" Honeycrisp forms a zone of silence around himself and lunges headfirst into Gudrun, impaling her on his horns and lifting her off the ground.

L: A lot of magic requires incantations too.

Now unable to hear, the false dryad looks to Ling for instruction. Ling gestures for her to keep Zingiber in that area close to the sheriff. Ling then condenses the cloud around the deputy into a shield of water.

Zingiber punches and knees the dryad, bashing onto bark-coated flesh. Breaking free, she scrambles out of the inaudible zone.

Tanglepork peers around the shield (reloading) and focuses on that first bullet, the one that's still in the back of the lycan's skull. The tiny piece of lead becomes hotter, burning its way into the witch's brain.

Screeching with pain, Ioana draws in through the floor as much spiritual energy as she can. The sheriff cannot avoid having part of his soul drained and the dryad wilts, while Tanglepork's fidgeting about causes her to be less effected and Ling avoids it entirely by hopping onto the wall, taking note that Zingiber is casually unaffected.

Gudrun thrashes about, desperately trying to free herself from the horns. Her punches and kicks are not enough, however.

A bright light flashes the room as Honeycrisp channels electricity through his horns and Gudrun's body. He then charges at Zingiber slapping her across the room with her dwarven cohort's charred, but still living body.

L: Anything is a weapon. Everything is a weapon.

Ling takes a moment to think. Two of these witches should be dead now; why aren't they? It must be that contract. She commands the weakened dryad to grab the elf again (which she does). Ling yells, "Porky, we need to leave."

Zingiber once again forces her arms free to aim another spell and then shoves the dryad away. The sheriff collapses as his muscles detach themselves from his bones. Ling recognizes her own spell, Tendon Tearer.

As Tanglepork continues to burn a hole through Ioana's head, she yells to Ling, "How?" She takes another shot from the other side of the shield, sinking a bullet into the lycan's chest. "Eat that!"

Ioana retreats to the entrance door, as if daring her enemies to try to get through her. She stomps on the ground, causing the already misshapen cubes of the room to twist around becoming a series of crude pyramids. Now even just standing here is an issue.

Gudrun pries her body off of the sheriff's horns and pathetically crawls away. Her bleeding, burnt body struggling to cross the threshold of sound due to the floor's sudden shift.

Honeycrisp sends a message via vibration directly through the floor and wall to Ling's ear bones. While she doesn't know the exact meaning, it isn't hard to guess the intent.

J: Why would you keep saving him? L: Because it's the right thing to do. A: Meat shield.

Ling restores the sheriff's ability to move -his muscles reattaching themselves- and orders the dryad to muzzle the elf; the dryad's solution is to shove her hand into Zingiber's mouth.

Zingiber bites the hand and pulls a brown jewel out of her robe. She stabs it into the dryad's ear and detonates it. The dryad's mostly headless body dissipates.

Tanglepork pulls a glass bottle out of her pocket and lodges it into the barrel of her gun. The special bottle is launched by the force of her shot and explodes on impact with the lycan, whose whirling winds erupt into flame. "Give up already!"

Ioana quickly draws the moisture in the air (and the water shield) onto her person, suffocating the fire. Realizing her wind had burned away, she conjures a shield to deflect further gunfire.

Gudrun crawls further from the sheriff and attempts to scramble his brain, but cannot tell what effect she actually has.

Honeycrisp leaps with intent to crush the elf, but his vision is blurred and wobbly like a drunkard, and he smashes his fist centimeters away from her head. She weaves around the following blows.

Ling continues to rack her brain. She kicks off a burst of mental energy, accelerating her thoughts. Zingiber mentioned several construction-related spells and this lair is blatantly artificial, that entity needs mortals to interact with this world, and the witches seemed to have thought that sacrificing children into the portal was the point. ...Maybe they built the portal? So, having them harm it would break the contract?

"Porky, this way," she yells as she forms an arrow of light pointing to herself in front of Honeycrisp, "Pull back!" Ling hopes that the witches will follow after them.

While Honeycrisp is distracted, Zingiber sees an opportunity. The sheriff's horns are covered in her friend's blood. Reaching up and grabbing them, the elf drives the blood like knives into his skin and rips his face off.

A: I like this woman. Obviously became a demon.

"You f**king b***h!" Tanglepork's rage cannot penetrate the muted bubble the elf remains in, but her bullet can, barely grazing Zingiber's nose.

"Time to end this," says Ioana, teleporting right behind the deputy. A swipe of her claw slices open the gnome's backside.

"Help me," calls out Gudrun, putting pressure on her bleeding wounds. She tries to lock eyes with the deputy, but the gnome is too wrought with emotion.

Bleeding profusely, Honeycrisp slams his fists into the elf's guts, sparks passing through her organs with each strike.

"Can't get near the k**bhead," Ling grumbles. She calls upon the sheriff's flesh to mend itself, stealing pieces of Zingiber's hands in the process.

Zingiber dodges another swing as she rolls out of the silent bubble and does a wild swinging display spraying her own blood about into floating runes that drive themselves into the sheriff. On contact, the pieces of herself stuck in his face explode, taking his head with them.

Screaming with rage and grief, Tanglepork races toward Ling across the crooked, spiky floor and tries to shoot the blood-dancing elf. The bullet comes nowhere close.

Ioana chases after and commands pieces of the stone floor to erupt as a cage around the gnome, but the agile deputy leaps to freedom.

"Stop," demands Gudrun, but the deputy refuses.

L: But the most important rule of a magic duel is:

"We're getting the kids," yells Ling, ostensibly to Tanglepork, "And then we're getting the f**k out of here." She conjures a massive potato to block the lycan's path.

"No, you're not," yells Zingiber forming further runes. With a great forceful push, the corpse of the sheriff is launched at the doctor, who dives out of the way. The body tumbles into the corridor and explodes, collapsing the tunnel.

L: Never forget why you're fighting.

"Zingiber, you fool!" yells Ioana, but it is too late.

"The final line has been crossed," announces a booming voice, "No simple task was beneath your ability to fail. The violation of the contract has ceded all boons I have blessed upon you."

From the liquid metal in Ioana's brain and the burnt, ruptured organs in Gudrun's body, the two die with no fanfare.

"What?" Zingiber staggers forward in confusion, the blood-loss killing her slowly. "That's not fair."

Tanglepork stops running. Ling and she carefully walk toward Zingiber. "You killed my boss," says Tanglepork, out of breath.

"Whatever," says Zingiber, focusing on Ling, "Going to kill me, Ling? Plenty of ways to make me suffer. You could sta-"

"I'm talking to you," says the deputy.

"I don't want y-"

BANG

The deputy helps Zingiber paint the ceiling a delightful new shade of pink.

"Bl'ell, Porky," mutters Ling, "You didn't-"

"It's over." Tanglepork sits down.

Ling turns to the collapsed passage. "I'll get the kids..." She looks around at the bloody mess that was once three witches. "...And ya... deal with this?"

WLC 6.F: One Last Shot

The lycan, Ioana, stands in her nightgown wearing a simple jacket, Ling's wig in hand. "What is going on down here?"

"Oi, my hair." Ling holds up her hands in front of her, inviting Ioana to throw it her way. "Thanks for that."

"Deputy, where are the others?" asks the sheriff, "Also, my knife?"

"I'm the only one, sir," says Tanglepork, saluting, "And it's in the pond, sir."

"Then why didn't you grab it?"

"The fair lady will only give it to its owner: you."

"A man's got to do everything around here."

"Shove it, mate," says Ling, adjusting her wig, "First is the witches. We con-"

"Oh, new guests!" shouts Zingiber, twitching with excitement, Gudrun right behind her.

"Which one do ya want, Doctor?" asks Gudrun, "Ya've earned it."

"The bl'ell are ya spouting now?" yells Ling.

"Wait, who's what?" sputters Tanglepork.

"Deputy, get the men," says Honeycrisp, his nostrils flaring, "I'll handle this brainjacking b***h."

"Ya took control of him?" asks Gudrun.

"Are you throwing us under the cart?" asks Zingiber.

"Officer," whispers Ioana to Tanglepork without looking away from the witches, "I think we need to get out of here."

"What are ya trying to pull, Gudrun?" Ling adjusts her cloak.

"Porky." "Deputy." "Officer." "Gnome." "Little thing." The voices blended together, contradictory commands overlapping pulling the gnome's attention apart in a dizzying cacophony.

BANG

"Oh," says Ioana, stumbling forward, "Why?"

Tanglepork's gunhand trembles as she stares into the hole in the back of Ioana's head. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Yes," growls Ioana, turning to face her attacker, her face contorting savagely, "I do."

"Why did you do that, idiot?" barks Honeycrisp, "You really trying to kill an eldritch witch with a gun?"

"Bl'ell, everyone wait," says Ling, "I talked to your boss, witches. The kids are alive; we can work this out."

All attention turns to the doctor.

"Why would you trust it?" asks Honeycrisp, "The thing's helping these-"

"It said... something that meant it was talking to the kids," says Ling, nervously, "Or, at least, knew them."

"Is this about the brat you're selling drugs to?"

"I'm not selling drugs."

"Right," says Honeycrisp, "Giving drugs to."

"Not the time, Sheriff."

J: Why didn't you ever just use that surgery spell you crafted on her? L: Because she didn't want it? J: ...Valid.

Zingiber interrupts. "Oh, if they're still alive, we can kill them ourselves!"

"The screaming was nice," says Gudrun, fondly, "We can make a whole choir this time."

"Hate to waste that meat," mutters Ioana.

"What is wrong with ya?" yells Ling, "I'm trying to get ya c**ts out of this!"

"If you think I'm letting these c**ts go," yells Honeycrisp, "You'd best be ready to share a grave with 'em!"

"Ugh, so glad my son doesn't talk like this," mutters Gudrun as the doctor and the sheriff resume cussing each other out. She turns to her elven cohort. "Ioana's got the gnome, I'll take Captain Bulls***e, and-"

"Dr. Ling will feed me my own a**e," says Zingiber with a chipper enthusiasm more appropriate for boarding a carnival ride.

"Or ya could try winning," says Gudrun, exasperated.

"Love the confidence, and I will try," says Zingiber, "But she's going to destroy me, just like she did earlier."

The deputy is unfortunately not forgotten in this mess. The lycan looms over her. What they have to say transcends language, visible by a glance: Ioana expresses an intent to eat and Tanglepork expresses a need to change her pants.

And thus, the fight begins.

WLC 6.E: Bull-headed

"Listen fast," says Ling to the still dazed minotaur, "The kids are alive, there's one witch coming, and the second's getting the third. I've infily'ed their coven and ya're brainwashed. Play along."

Sheriff Honeycrisp has several questions. Unfortunately for him, Zingiber footsteps were slowly growing louder. He lies back into the junk pile, feigning unconsciousness.

"Water for the lady." Zingiber presents a chalice to Ling as if it contained wine or nectar.

"Thanks, mate." Ling chugs it immediately.

"Ready to see my work?" Zingiber sways with glee. "My latest I call Marrow Radiance."

"Can ya make him do stuff?" Ling puts the empty cup down.

"Oh," says Zingiber, deflating, "Like what?"

"I was just wondering if ya knew mind s***e."

"That's Gudrun's thing."

"So, she had him blame someone in town, then?"

Zingiber giggles, "Sort of. She let him just pick someone who'd fit."

"Really now." Ling resists the negative urges rising in the back of her mind. 'Think of the kids, Ling,' she thinks to herself.

"Sheriff, walk to the main room," Zingiber commands, "Any ideas, Dr.?"

Honeycrisp rises and stumbles his way out, quietly grumbling all the while.

As the ladies follow him, Ling asks, "I thought coven's shared magic. Are ya all studying extra things?"

"Yeah, the coven stuff is mostly utility: reshaping land, portals, material conversion."

"Sounds like your boss wants a construction crew," says Ling, carefully navigating the misshaped hall, "Any idea why?"

Zingiber shrugs. It wasn't going to be that easy.

"Can ya make the sheriff do cartwheels?"

"Yeah, but why?" asks Zingiber, "I can do soooo much worse."

"Gotta start small, mate," says Ling as they enter the main room again. "If ya do your big evil s***e now, how do ya top it?"

"Point taken," sings Zingiber, "Alright, moo-man, do s-"

"Zinj, I need to talk to ya," says Gudrun, standing by another door. She scowls at Ling. "In private." She looks to the sheriff. "Watch the doctor," she commands.

"Sure, what's up?" Zingiber dances across the room and follows her coven-mate into the darkness.

"Cartwheels, really?" angrily whispers Honeycrisp.

"Ya want her to pull your skeleton out your a**e?" whispers back Ling, "That one's a loon."

"All you b***hes are loons," says Honeycrisp, "Chaotic w***es the lot of you."

"Ya got a f**king problem, mate?"

"Yeah, c**ts like you!" shouts the sheriff.

"Of course, they do, b*****d," shouts back Ling, "They wouldn't hate ya if ya'd stop being a sack of s***e!"

"You diseased s**t!" Honeycrisp steps forward, his figure towering Ling. "Just here to bang the kidnappers."

"B****y f**kwit!" Ling stands as tall as can, glaring into his eyes. "Just mad ya've been saved by a woman; ya hate us so much."

"You barely count as a woman, p***y-sucking lizard."

"Says the cuckold farm animal!"

"What is this language?" asks Ioana, who had slipped into the room unseen.

"Wow," mutters the diminutive deputy behind her.

WLC 6.D: Am I Glad that We're Not Frozen in Here

After getting their clothes, Ling once again plots a course.

"Question, mate," says Ling, following Zingiber into the junk-filled chamber, "Heard some kids have been coming out this way. They with you?"

"Oh," Zingiber squeaks slightly and giggles, "Yeah, those kobolds have been a huge help. Huge help." She laughs quietly, but, as Ling can no longer deny, evilly.

The comatose bull still stands in silent indignity, yet still towers over the elf and gex.

"I've been practicing a few spells on this dummy," says Zingiber, "But Gudrun still needs him for her plans, so I can only do weak reversible s**t to him, like Torsion spells."

Ling laughs. "Ah, reminds me of school," she says, secretly casting a spell, "B*****ds spamming that spell so much, that the whole place had Genital Shield Mirror up at all times."

L: Morality classes really should mandatory at wizard schools, to introduce the concept at least.

"You must have SO many stories about spells," says Zingiber, getting too close for Ling's sense of safety, "Especially about the o̶̢̡͇͇͚̣̮̖͍̠̗̱̍͋͑̔̿̉̿̌̀̎̕͜r̶̛͈̜̭͉͍͚̃̋͐̆͛̐͗̈́̎̏̕c̸̢̨̞̹͈̙̠͉̋́̀͝ ̴̗̱͈̙͉̪̝̳̣̝͕̩̮͉̫̖͒̽͊̓̓̅͊̆͌͜w̴̛̝̟̤͊̏͐́̌̓̄̑͒̒͗͗͗̃̚͜͝ả̶͔̣͖̘̳̫̜͓͕͒̇̉̇̕̕͘͝r̶̢̧̢̛̜͇̯̖̘̘͉̗͗̅̎́͑̈̋̌͆̅͛̕̕͝."

L: Aargh. J: What's wrong? About the what? L: Don't remember...

A sudden pounding pulses through Ling's brain like SONAR through unlucky fish. She grips her head and hisses.

"What's wrong?" The elf takes a step back. "Do you need something?"

"Water," says Ling, scraping her claws along her head-scales, "Get me water."

"On it!" sings Zingiber, "Be right ba-ack." She prances down the corridor.

Ling immediately turns her attention to the sheriff, fighting to clear her thoughts. "Alright, cavebull, time to unf**k your brain." Harnessing her knowledge of physical brains, Ling attempts to counter the hex holding Honeycrisp. Grabbing his head, she channels a torrent of magic through it. The process puts her own mind back at ease.

The light returns to Honeycrisp's eyes. They dart about his head in confusion before settling on Ling. "Get your w***e hands off me," he growls, pushing Ling away.

"Ya're welcome, ya b*****d." Regret surges forth like an open wound.

WLC 6.C: Or Not Sexy

Having defeated the witches in honorable combat, Ling now has the chance to explore their lair.

Wasting no time, Ling crawls from the bedchamber back to the main room and enters the next corridor clockwise. These tunnels are as unsafe to navigate as the rooms are: misaligned walls, ceiling overhangs, random steps in the floor.

In the chamber Ling chose arbitrarily, she discovers a yellow-furred minotaur clad in leather armor lying amongst piles of random junk.

"Sheriff Honeycrisp?" asks Ling, "What the- How long have ya been down here?" Ling approaches and shakes the bull.

The sheriff is neither dead nor asleep, but trapped in magical stasis. As he would become an issue in-and-of himself, Ling decides to simply make a note of him.

L: Sleeping bruty would have to wait.

Silently scurrying, Ling looks for another passage. After discovering the kitchen, toilet, and a braintree arboretum, Ling stumbles upon a portal chamber. The dark spiraling tentacled maw shines an unnatural light onto the ceiling.

"Wait there, Dr. Ling," echoes a deep baritone in Ling's mind, "I have been expecting you." As Ling tries to think questions the voice answers them. "I am the entity those witches have attempted to sacrifice children to. Worry not, for I am holding them safe in a private subdomain. However, I cannot safely return them yet; unless I place them back in this specific cave with their kidnappers, they will be flung randomly into your plane. The contract I have mistakenly made must be undone as the trio have gleefully misrepresented my will. Connive a means for them to violate the pact (of which you must uncover yourself) and I shall strip them of the boons they have misused. Be warned, they have studied further arcana; at no point will they truly be defanged. I am asking a lot of you, but I will give you the proof you seek, for I am the teacher you were told of: the missing total six girls and a boy." The vortex adjusts showing Ling the missing children held in a weave of tentacles, eyes, and teeth. "Destroy this coven where my prior agent could not, Wizard Lizard, and I shall reward you."

Ling steps back out of the room, contemplating on both how to confront the coven and how much faith this elder god can afford.

J: And you trusted that? L: It was right; Hanzy was the only boy missing. I was still holding out hope that it was all a misunderstanding and no one was actually evil.

"What're ya prowling around for?" asks a tired Gudrun cloaked only in darkness, causing Ling to jump.

"Water," says Ling, recovering, "Forgot my water."

"Why'd ya come here?" asks Gudrun, low-key irritation growing in her voice.

An idea forms in Ling's mind. "Something called me," she says softly, walking ever closer to the dwarf, "Dark, dangerous." She stops right in Gudrun's face, "Deep." She licks the dwarf's ear. "Do ya feel it down here?"

Gudrun attempts to respond, but emotions and exhaustion cut off all attempts. She sputters, red in the face. Fortunately for her, it is at this exact moment that Zingiber prances into the scene.

"What are you two up to?" she sings, "Ready for round two?"

J: Do you really have to talk about this in front of Dalini. L: She's not listening to this story anyway. Not since ya put that huge cake in front of her. D: CAKE CAKE CAKE NOM CAAAKE L: Great parenting, by the way.

"Always, but I've got a question: what are ya beauties doing down here?" Ling says backing away from Gudrun. "Most witches I know stay clear of the Underdank."

"We're working with someone special," says Zingiber, "He's kind of a pain, though. He speaks in riddles and code. He'll say not to do things when he clearly wants us to do them. The eldritch are silly like that."

Ling nods along. "When's your mate showing up?"

"I guess I can message her; she'll want to meet ya." Gudrun heads back to the bedchamber. "Zinj, ya watch her."

"Absolutely!" shouts Zingiber, "I can show her all my cool murder and torture spells." The elf dances about, like a schoolgirl or an electrified worm.

"Ripper," mutters Ling, her hope bitterly dying.

WLC 6.B: And They Were Broom-Mates

As Ling approaches the metal windmill, the ground under it groans and shifts. A chunk of land rises up, revealing a crude staircase.

"If anyone is still alive up there," demands a young woman's voice from the dark, climbing upward, "Identify yourself."

"A passing wizard," says Ling, "Who's asking?"

"I am the Gr- hold on, give me a second," says the voice, hurrying up the stairs. As she reaches the surface, she announces, "I am the Great Witch Zingiber, Herald of Calamity."

Zingiber is a tan elven woman, barely a few centuries old, with fluffy red hair. She wears an extremely dark red cloak. Her ruby earrings are so large that the bend her long pointy ears (as they are hooked into the tips). She posed dramatically when she emerged and sneaks a look with one eye to see what reaction she garnered.

"By the Gods," says Zingiber, dropping the pose into one of exaggerated shock, "You're Dr. Ling, creator of Tendon Tearer! It's such an honour!"

L: It was a nice feeling being identified for magic for once. Wish it had been my food magic...

"Ripper, my rep precedes," says Ling, "Sorry 'bout ya're spell minefield, but I couldn't give ya a bell."

"Don't worry about that," says Zingiber. She turn around and waves for Ling to follow, "Come in, please." She giddily kicks about before squealing and charging in.

Into the darkness, Ling descends. Her orb's shine guides her until a distant glimmer sparks into view. This staircase must reach into the Underdank. If that's the case, then the sheriff was half-right.

The room at the bottom is bare, lit by the single smokeless torch hanging on the wall. A large metal door stands in the far wall inscribed with runes.

"Apple crumble and filch," says Zingiber to which the door opens. "Let me show you around."

The cavern was carved in an uneven yet cubic way, a chaotic and artificial mess. The dark stone lit by yet more smokeless torches and splattered with dried blood. An arrangement of mini mesas form a set of table and chairs with small cushions set upon them.

L: The room was a tripping hazard deathtrap. One wrong step and there's a pointy corner in your face.

"This is our main room- oh, I NEED to introduce you to the rest of the coven!" Zingiber turns down a corridor and yells, "Gudrun! You'll never guess who's here!"

"This better be good, or they better be dead," grumbles a distinctly dwarven voice from down the way.

Stepping into the room in an extremely dark green variant of Zingiber's witchy robe is a brooding pale middle-aged dwarven woman. Her hair, beard, and overdone eye shadow are as black as the stairwell Ling just crawled down. Both her long hair and beard run through simple sapphire bands.

"Why'd ya let a stranger into our lair?" asks Gudrun, "What part of secret is escaping yer erratic brain?"

"But this is Dr. Ling," whines Zingiber, "The genius that created all those body horror spells I've been practicing. She's my inspiration."

"So, ya're the lovely partner to this little psycho?" asks Ling, "Where's the third?"

L: Not a fan of being labeled a body horror wizard.

J: Then stop making new body horror spells.

L: Those are my "stop trying to kill me" spells; ya have to keep making new ones or your enemies will learn how to counter ya. Anyhow, I knew I had to distract these two to search the place.

"Elsewhere," says Gudrun, "How'd ya guess?"

"All covens have at least three witches," says Ling, "But I guess I can be your third 'til morning." Ling licks her eyeballs.

Zingiber squeals again, but Gudrun seems hesitant.

"One of my idols wants my body," she says to no one specifically. She swiftly spots Gudrun's face and falls to her knees before her. "Please, please, please, please-please, pleeeeeeeeease. We HAVE to."

Gudrun shakes her head, "We shouldn't. Not without her."

"Well, if she wants to be an equal part of this relationship then maybe she should be living with us instead of leaving us alone."

"Fair," says Gudrun, "Alright, lizard, hope ya're better than my ex-hub."

"I'll get the honey and the chaaaains!" says Zingiber darting off.

"Wait," says Ling, casting a spell on the elf. The confirmation sign appears over her head. "Carry on." She turns to the dwarf, "So, ya and this one, huh?"

"Ma always said not to stick yer tongue in crazy," says Gudrun, "But what Ma don't know won't kill her."

"Strewth."

WLC 6.A: The Real "Disarm Traps" Spell

Ling looks upon the runic circle and scans the area. As she expected, the big trap is filled with various smaller traps, some more cleverly hidden than others.

"Bl'ell," says Ling, "Only one way to deal with this."

Ling conjures a herd of false deer. She directs the biologically accurate meat puppets to charge through the field while she hides a magic shield-tree. The traps and curses detonate with explosions of various flavors of energy. Flaming chunks of meat fly into the air.

When the cacophony ends, Ling peers out onto a wizardly warzone. Stone and ice statues stand over struggling half-sunken beasts, all coated in viscera amid the burnt field and corrosive pools. Several deer suffer from various disfigurations: extra limbs and openings (like Ling's own spell "Unwanted Orifices"), inside out (Sir Kenra's "Bodily Inversion"), and a torrent of diseases - both natural and magical.

"Guess I have a fan," mutters Ling.

A: You created that spell? Wouldn't have expected you to craft such a horrifying transfiguration. L: It only lasts a few seconds. J: Enough time to cause mental damage, sensory discordance, and intense physical pain. L: Yeah, that's how suddenly gaining and losing fully functioning body parts works.

The meat and deer dissipate, causing the crumbling of the now hollow statues. Holes remain where they had been trapped.

Ling still keeps her attention focused for more hazards as she approaches the broken windmill, carefully stepping around the lingering hazards.

6.8: The Woods, Man

L: What Ioana said was suspicious; so after she and Tanglepork fell asleep, I took a look 'round.

While setting off magic detection like a radar, Ling creeps through the house. She scrutinizes every trinket and trophy that crosses her sight. The house is too small to hide anything, but, alas, her search finds naught.

Stepping outside, the cold night air greets her bare head. It is an annoying reminder that she left it in the bedroom, too risky to fetch now.

Ling circles the cabin, checking the walls. However, the building is quite normal. While a part of Ling is relieved, another is frustrated. This dead end was a waste of the children's precious time.

Suddenly, the woods grew quiet. The wind stops, the bugs fall still. A presence, Ling feels; someone lurks amongst the trees.

"Yo," Ling calls out to the unknown. She quickly walks in its direction. "Wait, mate."

The presence does not wait.

When Ling reaches where she felt it, there is only a piece of parchment stuck to a tree. It says: Beware the Witches.

"What witches, mate?" asks Ling, "Gonna need a better b****y clue than that."

D: What are witches? J: It depends on the time. It was originally a political term used to oppress: an accusation of subservience to evil power. L: Then some claimed it as a rebellious term and some drongos thought 'evil power' sounded cool. A: And then evil powers thought more mortal servants sounded cool. J: Then other powers decided to do it too. L: So now it means a mortal who gets magic from some boss. J: Or feminist alchemists. A: Morality of any party involved: undefined. D: ...So, bad? L: Yes, this time bad.

Again, Ling could feel something deeper in the woods. She opens a door in space to its location.

The entity, a well-dressed, elvenoid over twice Ling's height with lanky limbs to match, stands hunched over affixing another paper to a tree. Its head twists around bearing Ling's own face.

"G'ev'ning," says Ling, "Nice to meet ya."

WLC 6.7: House Call

The shady little lady suddenly grew twice as large. Her outfit pulls apart as she returns to her natural size, exposing scaly limbs and belly. The dark cloak is barely a cape now. The gex licks her own eyes. "G'day, mate," she says, "This do?"

Dr. Ling puts her claw on the fake lycan, whose image fades away, leaving only a blonde gnome guardswoman behind.

"Sorry for wearing your daughter's face, Ma'am," says Tanglepork, "But we had to make sure the trail was safe."

"Why wouldn't it be?" Ioana squints her eyes.

"Chil-"

"Claims of a strange svelte man lurking out here," says Ling, "Leaving messages about."

"Oh, him," says Ioana, opening her door wide, thus allowing to see her fully. An elderly lycan, her fur is greying in numerous places. She is clad in a thick pastel floral-print nightgown. "Come in, dears."

They do.

The old cabin is decorated in many old furs, hunting trophies, and small bookcases. It is divided into three rooms a simple kitchen, a comfy bedroom, and the main room with a rocking chair and a stool by a fireplace.

The elderly lycan sits in the rocking chair as Ling closes the door behind her. "Come, sit," she says.

Tanglepork sits on the stool, while Ling manifests a bone chair.

"Now, what's this about that night creeper?" asks Ioana, "What has he done?"

"We're not certain yet," says Tanglepork, "But we suspect him of the kidnapping, or worse, of several children."

"Ya wouldn't have seen any kids of late, right?" asks Ling.

"No, only my little Loomy," says Ioana, rocking, "Last week exactly."

"How long has Note-boy been out here?" asks Ling.

"And what's he look like?" asks Tanglepork.

"Less than a week," says Ioana, "He's a tall elvenoid — twice an elf, in fact — in a fancy suit, like from the old cities, but his face: it's wrong." She rubs her paws on her face. "He looks like you- er, like whoever is looking at him."

Ling leans to the side and asks, "So ya've spoken to someone who's seen him too?"

Ioana face droops. "Y-yes, a few neighbors."

"Can you tell us where these neighbors live?" asks Tanglepork, "The woods are pre~tty~ big."

"Of course, I can, dears," says Ioana, eyeing them with a sigh, "But it's so lonely being so far out here. Could you stay a while longer?"

J: Mum, tell me you didn't. L: Does it really surprise ya...

WLC 6.6: Over the Hill

The duo took a moment to admire the tranquil pond. The sun and clouds reflect clearly on the slow water.

"So, that's a 'no' on the silver?" asks Loomy to the pond.

"Doesn't matter," says Bacon, "We should keep on."

So they do.

"No idea what you're talking about," says Bacon, glancing about the forest, "What kind of forest is this anyway?"

"Uh, cedar, i think," says Loomy, looking about for what prompted that question, "What about it?"

"It's nice, isn't it?" asks Bacon, face still hidden, "Trees are nice; I need to spend more time with them My favorite is cherry. What's yours?"

A: I'm fond of the candelabra spurge. D: Palm trees are cool, too.

"I don't.. have one...?" says Loomy, "Who does? How old are you?"

"Are you really asking me that question?" Bacon's voice strains against an unwanted emotion.

The bugs chirping and birds calling echoed over the silent valley between them. It would be another half hour before either would speak again. There were no encounters, no odd sights, nor clues of any kind.

"How far away does this woman live?" asks Bacon, "We have to be close, right?"

"Yeah, right over this next hill," says Loomy, "Wish she lived closer."

As the two top the hill, Bacon sees the old cabin. And if the old woman who lives here doesn't know anything, then this, the only remaining straw to grasp, is a dead end.

J: Mum, we know this woman did something. L: But ya don't know exactly what yet.

Loomy knocks on the door and something inside shuffles, muffled within.

As the door creaks open, an elderly voice beyond calls out, "Is that you, dear Luminița?" An eye peeks through the slowly widening gap. "You look like Loomy," says the old wolf, "But you don't smell like Loomy."

"Your granddaughter couldn't make it this week," says not-Loomy, "I can explain if you let us in."

"Ya must be Ioana," says the mysterious person formerly known as Bacon, "Nice to meet ya."

"Who are you? Where is she?" asks Ioana, words sliding toward a growl "Take off that disguise."

WLC 6.5: Weapon Identification

"To what end are you traveling, Loomy and Bacon?" asks the radiant lady of the pond, looming above the water, staring down at them. The two speak over each other.

"Visiting my bunica," says Loomy.

"Searching for danger," says Bacon.

"Both of these things?" Ms. Aurocor tilts her head, "And nothing more?"

The duo look at each other for a moment, understanding the risky nature of their situation, then Loomy says, "Some kids are missing. Have you seen any come by?"

"No, I have not," says Ms. Aurocor, "But, alas, I have been here nary a week." She sits in midair, crossing her legs. "And of that time, my focus has been inward. Only these discarded blades have stolen my attention, cast into me by parties unknown."

"Can we see them?" asks Bacon.

"Verily," says the lady diving into the lake, "Mayhaps, you can identify their owners." She emerges four swords held awkwardly in her arms.

The iron sword is a straight short-sword with a typical elven hilt, somewhat fancy, but not overly so. This could belong to anyone who could afford a blade.

D: What's a short-sword? L: A big knife. A: Technically, not wrong. They're usually no longer than sixty centimeters and are built to be used with one hand.

The steel sword is a great-sword with a dwarven-style hilt, a weapon for a true warrior. Unfortunately, warriors are common to Rankedge, but someone who lost a blade this well-crafted would surely be searching for it.

D: What's a great-sword? L: Bigger sword. A: Unhelpful, but still not wrong. It'd would be longer than you are tall, Dalini.

Held carefully between the other weapons, so as to avoid direct contact with Ms. Aurocor, the silver sword is a horrifyingly serrated bastard-sword of crude goblin-make; more an instrument of torture than anything else. It is stained with hardened blood. The girls cannot identify its owner, nor would they care to meet them. Yet, still, this may prove useful.

D: What's a bastard-sword? L: It's a b*****d's sword. J: Mum, don't say that. L: What? This bloody bastard-sword belonged to a b****y b*****d. A: It's just a weapon of a very specific size; longer and heavier than one-handed weapons, but shorter and lighter than two-handers.

Finally, the gold sword is a not a sword at all. It is a wave-bladed dagger with an upturned spiked hilt. This weapon is easily recognizable.

A: Silver, I understand, but why gold? L: Gold's a good conductor. Mages are creative.

"That's the sheriff's Tei Zing dagger," says Bacon, "Who could have taken that?"

"Whose to say she didn't drop it?" asks Ms. Aurocor.

"No way the sheriff would've thrown his favorite weapon away," says Loomy.

"Oh, 'his'?" says the lady of the pond, "Then it can't have been; I've only heard two fellows around here. One I know is not your sheriff, and the other I should hope isn't."

"Who are these blokes?" asks Loomy.

"My friend has business around here; he's an educator, of sorts," says Ms. Aurocor, "The other is a svelte ne'er-do-'ell who comes forth, looming around at night. He leaves strange notes and letters on trees. Avoid him."

"Is he dangerous?" asks Bacon, "That sounds important."

"No, he's just... annoying," says the lady of the pond, she retreats, blade in tow, back into her aquatic home, "Good luck, honest travelers."

WLC 6.4: They're on a Path in the Woods

Adjusting the tie on her red hood, a young lycan, barely a gnome tall, looks down the trail into the woods. The birds are singing, bugs are buzzing, and sun shining through the canopy. She picks up her picnic basket.

"Do you really have to follow me?" she asks the dark-hooded figure behind her, "It's just my bunica's house; I go every week."

The masked figure nods. "It's not safe to go alone," she says.

"You're shorter than me," says the lycan, "I'll have to protect you if anything is actually out here."

"Not the poi~ent~," sings the masked figure.

"Don't do that." The lycan skips along the path and her shadow drags behind.

"Just keep your eyes open for any queer sights."

"Like a pond that wasn't there last week?"

"Right~io~," sings the shadow, "Wait, is that it?"

The two stop and cautiously approach the waterfront through the grass. Because of their tall boots, the two feel safe from ticks and other bugs.

The shadow skips a stone across the pond. "Seems like real water to me," she says, "But where's it from?"

"Oh, you two, right there," says a sweet voice from the lake, yet unimpeded by the water itself "You wouldn't have happened to drop a sword in here recently?"

"No?"

"Are you sure?" asks the voice, sounding closer to the girls, "There are a few down here; one is iron, one is steel, one is silver, and one is gold."

"Not ours, sorry," says the lycan.

"But the silver could be useful," says the shadow, "Can we borrow it? Just for today?"

A light shines from the lake as an elf-like woman emerges. Her skin shimmering silver, her hair gold. The water flowing around her as a shawl, barely concealing her dignity. She stares down at the children. She attempts to smile warmly to them, but it just creeps them out.

"Greetings, honest travelers," she says, extending out an open palm, "You may call me Argentalms Aurocor. May I have your names?"

"I'm using it," says the lycan, stepping back, "Sorry."

"Mine was a gift," says the shadow, stepping forward.

Ms. Aurocor rolls her beautiful pearlescent eyes. "Then what may I call you, travelers?"

"You can call us Loomy and Bacon," says the lycan, "It's nice to meet you, I guess."

"Really nice to meet you," says the shadow presumably called Bacon.

WLC 6.3: Clueless

"I assume ya've checked with the few dwarves in town already?" asks Ling, pulling a pair of chairs out of the ground.

"Yeah," says Tanglepork, "None of them were hiring kobold kids for anything." She sits down. "So, it doesn't help."

"It does," says Ling, "At minimum, this dwarf comes near town every couple days. Likely lives nearby."

"That could still mean anything," says Tanglepork, annoyed, "Woodsman, hunter, bandit, merchant."

"So who'd hire a pair of schoolgirls?" asks Ling, "And for what?"

"Why are you so focused on this one?"

"If we know where this dwarf is, then we have a direction to start looking," says Ling, rubbing her temples, "Those two are the only clue ya've given me."

"We can't even confirm if this dwarf is real, Ling," says the deputy, shaking her head, "We've narrowed it down to only one possibility: the kids walked out of town. No magic residue, no un-alibi-ed adults, no signs of violence, nothing."

A: What's the point of this? If the wolf was killing kids, just say that. L: Who said she did? J: The story of us meeting on an eldritch cruise started with me doing a drug deal in the woods; give her a chance to set this up right.

"So why'ren't ya searching the bush then," asks Ling, "Why is the most secure exit being blamed? Something magical obvy happened to those kids, we just need to find where."

"We've already asked all of the parents," says Tanglepork as she sets her notes aside, "And none of the other kids are saying anything either. The only thing we could do is search blindly."

The two sit in silence for a moment.

"What if the culprit came to us?" asks Ling. As Tanglepork's eyebrow raises, Ling asks, "Any other kids leave town on the regular?"

"Tanglepork flips through her notes. "There's a little lycan who visits her grandmother every week," she says, "But we've told her parents not to let her while we're investigating."

J: Why would the sheriff bother if you're being blamed? L: Because if she went missing in the woods, that would mean... J: Understood, not the Underdank. Town would force the sheriff's hand. L: Town would've the sheriff's head.

"Does Nana Lycan know?"

"...no..."

"Then I've an idea."

WLC 6.2: Amber

Deputy Tanglepork steps inside, but hesitates. "Is that safe?" she asks of the glowing crystals lighting the room.

"Yeah," says Ling, "Ya want to stay outside?" Ling gestures and a bubble forms around the pair, both in and out of her house.

"What is this?" The deputy looks about in awe of the shimmering shield and the distorted view of the world outside.

"Privacy bubble: people can't see or hear through it."

"That sounds threatening," says Tanglepork, "And probably illegal."

"Not yet it isn't," says Ling, sticking her hand out and in the bubble, "But I get it. Fortunately, my own invention; haven't taught a soul." She returns her focus to the deputy. "Now, why ya here?"

J: She really called that one. L: Strewth, I'm impressed ya figured it out on your own.

"I need to know who's entered and exited the Underdank."

"I gave those file to the sheriff," says Ling, irritation rising in her voice, "I just said that."

"There are children missing, Ling," says Tanglepork, looking her dead in the eye. "The sheriff is blaming you."

"Sprogs on walkabout and that c**t's playing blamsies?" growls Ling, "What are your leads? Macca's way or Splish-Splash?"

"Can you... repeat that?" asks Tanglepork.

Ling takes a deep breath, "If the sheriff's not looking for the kids, then I will. So, what are your other leads? Could they have gone past Old McDonald's farm or Splish-Splash River? Whose tykes are missing, too?"

"You wanna help?" says Tanglepork, taking out a notepad, "Okay, yes, it's six kids, maybe seven."

"Maybe seven?"

"Sheriff's not counting Matches."

"Who's that?"

"Homeless orphan, lurked around the other side of town for about half a month. May be unrelated."

Ling sighs. "Next time ya know someone who might be starving, send them my way."

"Will do." The deputy begins reading her notes. "First, we have Hanzy and Grater, Toothfist's kids; last seen leaving school last week. Never made it home."

"Goblins," says Ling, "That's why it's taken this long to notice. Hanzy's the one with the weird spiky growths."

"Second, Graupel and Rosen Rotweiss, twin kobolds, allegedly assisting 'a dwarf' every couple days, disappeared earlier this week."

"Any I.D. on this 'dwarf'?"

"Not yet. Vague enough to be in any direction too... including the Underdank."

Ling shakes her head; it's not worth commenting on.

"Third, Gene Geneson Jr., parents claim he ran away a few days ago."

"Genette? Yeah, I can take a swing at why she'd do that."

Tanglepork checks her notes, "She?"

"Not your business," waves Ling, "Shouldn't have said it. Regardless, possibly our 'dwarf.'"

"Uh, finally, Loxi Goldberry, mayor's niece, went out looking for Gene yesterday."

J: Oh, Loxi... A: Who is she? J: Nothing, no one really. L: Jevoi's first crush. She was in tatters when Loxi and Genette started dating. J: I was not! D: I thought it was Gank. J: That is also false.

"There we go," says Ling, "The reason the sheriff's acting now. Have anything from the kids? Hair or nails?"

"I know what your thinking," says Tanglepork, pulling a pink hairbrush out of her bag; it is covered in blonde elven hair, "We already tried this."

"That's curious," says Ling, snatching the brush, "But let me try first."

Ling focuses on the girl's discarded hair and sends a pulse of magic through the world. There is no reaction from anything.

"Told you," says Tanglepork.

"This is a big clue," says Ling. Noticing the deputy's confusion, she continues, "If the location pulse isn't detecting her, it means something, or someone, is actively blocking it."

"Or she's not on this plane of reality."

"Both directions worth looking into," says Ling, handing the brush back, "Anything for the other kids, just to be certain?"

L: We checked; no signal for any of them, not even Matches.

WLC 6.1: A Scientist in Her Natural Habitat

L: Less than a year after the worm incident, I's in my lab working. Jevoi was off playing with Gank, when I had a visitor.

In the lab-cum-store sits twenty potted pepper plants across four tables with protective domes. Each table has the same arrangement of five different types pepper. Between each set, stands a different colored glowing crystal; between the tables, a cross wall containing safely coated lead plates.

Dr. Ling sits at her counter with a red pepper cut open on a tray, seeds carefully extracted in a pile. Her writing notes for each plant's current condition and exposure schedule next to it.

"After three weeks, the peppers appear to be unchanged externally under the red light," she mutters to herself, "But the seeds have grown in size. Taste testing will need to be redone."

She sighs, for she is unable to taste a difference in these supposedly hot peppers. The capsaicinoids have no effect on her, nor her current assistants, but to the mammals it was intended to repel, its flavor is valued highly. If the taste is too different, or worse, unpalatable, her work will never be accepted; it's already hard enough to assure most people that her food is safe. Sure, goblins will eat anything, but elves and dwarves? They have standards, traditions. No matter what affects she's had politically, she still had to fight for every plant, for every scrap of funding. Three steps forward, two steps back, until she dies. A never-ending-

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The sudden rapping on her door awakens Ling from her thoughts. The stress is getting to her again. She walks to the door, preparing how she'll react. Is this for passage or medicine? 'Or maybe love?' hopes Ling. She opens the door slowly. "Who's it?"

Standing outside Ling's house is a uniformed gnome woman. The curly haired cutie is someone Ling vaguely recognizes, "Good eve~ning~, Dr. Ling," she says.

"Tanglepork?" Ling asks, "I already gave your boss my files. Did ya come just to come?" She licks one eye in her approximation of a wink.

"That's Deputy Tanglepork, now," says the gnome, gesturing to her badge. "I need to ask you a few questions; it's serious. May I?"

"Come on in, Porky," says Ling, "Need a break from plants."