I’m a relatively new account and haven’t written anything yet. As of right now, I just enjoy reading fandom g/t and write ideas when I have time. You guys are welcome to follow me. I’m hoping to write g/t stories for underrated fandoms and characters. Feel free to request headcannons or one shots in the meantime. I still gotta update my fandom list, but feel free to ask about a fandom.
Fandoms I write for:
• Marvel / MCU (Avengers, etc)
• X-Men
• DC
• Supernatural
• Sherlock
• Charmed (Reboot, 2018)
• Only Murders in the Building
• Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
• Ghostbusters (1980s & 2021)
• Oz the Great & Powerful
• Indiana Jones
• School Spirits
• Miraculous Ladybug
• Harry Potter (films)
• Teen Wolf
• Power Rangers (specifically Mighty Morphin, Jungle Fury, SPD, Dino Charge atm as I’m currently trying to watch the others)
Adelaide stilled, her body too distracted to move as she diverted all her energy into placing those names. They were so familiar, and the list of Bean names she knew was only so long.
Maisie continued. “You were at Jurassic Park. What are you doing here?”
It all snapped into place. Jurassic Park.
Ellie Sattler. The kind scientist whom Adelaide had a stupid little crush on so long ago. The only person Adelaide thought to call after her adventure on Isla Sorna. Alan Grant. The grumpy, awkward scientist whom Adelaide was stuck with during her adventure on Isla Nublar. The man who kept her safe and got her through a whole island full of dinosaurs.
She knew these people. She couldn’t believe she knew these people.
Unaware of the tiny person listening in on them, the conversation continued above her.
“What are you doing here?” Ellie asked.
“I’m Maisie Lockwood.”
“Hey…We don’t, uh……we’re not - we don’t work for Biosyn.”
“I can tell.”
Adelaide’s only hindrance beforehand was the knowledge that the hazmat-suit wearing Beans were hostile or dangerous, but with the confidence that they were at least relatively safe, her efforts to get out of Maisie’s hand doubled.
At last, Maisie finally seemed to notice the relentless squirming against her stomach. She glanced down briefly and flexed her fingers to combat the weird feeling.
While it was only a small, instinctive motion for her, Adelaide froze when the fingers contracted ever so slightly around her. Was that Maisie telling her to cut it out? Did the girl even notice she did that? Regardless, Adelaide stayed completely still, not wanting to trigger another, stronger twitch.
“What’s in your hands?” Ellie asked.
Time slowed to a complete stop. Maisie didn’t know what to do. Adelaide didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t much Adelaide could do, besides mentally will Maisie to make the correct choice, though even she didn’t know what that looked like.
Maisie vowed to protect Adelaide. It was her fault they were in this situation to begin with, and she felt responsible for the tiny life she held in her hands. After their short talk where they related over being looked down on, she didn’t want to just assume Adelaide was incapable of taking care of herself, but she also couldn’t see how she could survive on her own in a situation like this. In any case, it was clear that, one way or another, Adelaide was going to be revealed, and she knew that now was the safest time for that to happen. Maisie presently had control over the situation, and she couldn’t guarantee that it would stay that way for long.
Slowly, Maisie tilted her hand horizontally so that Adelaide spilled out into her palm. She kept her eyes trained on Dr. Sattler and Dr. Grant, anticipating a quick, hostile reaction.
Adelaide wanted to be let out. She needed to breathe, but also needed to see if what Maisie said was true, that Ellie Sattler and Alan Grant were right there in front of them. But her lack of control over the whole situation was daunting. Those were Beans she hadn’t seen in almost thirty years, and though she established a delicate sense of trust with them a long time ago, she wasn’t sure if that trust still existed today. They needed to be treated as strangers, and so, even as Adelaide rolled out onto Maisie’s palm, her defenses instantly went up. There was no time to take it back. Adelaide was being revealed whether she wanted to or not.
She peered up at the two giants from her very low vantage point. Her breath hitched when she saw how they towered over her with mirrored expressions of shock plastered across their faces. Beyond that, it was anyone’s guess what they were thinking. Adelaide widened her stance and held her knife in front of her, its blade shaking slightly. She realized it only did so because she herself was shaking.
If Maisie didn’t identify them aloud, Adelaide wasn’t so sure she’d have recognized them. But equipped with that knowledge, she knew it to be true. Ellie’s blonde hair. Alan’s piercing blue eyes. It was them.
Alan leaned down for a closer look, and Adelaide flung herself backwards, bracing against Maisie’s stomach, trying to get her heart rate under control.
Alan stopped, awkwardly stuck between a stand and a crouch. He turned his gaze up to Maisie. “How did you-”
“It’s me. Adelaide,” Adelaide said as loud as she could. Silence stretched out between them as everyone took it in.
“Oh my gosh,” Ellie breathed. She slowly knelt down, putting herself at eye level with the tiny person. As she did so, Alan stood back up, his back already protesting.
Adelaide stayed pressed as far back as possible. Ellie’s face took up all of her vision, and her eyes desperately flicked around to avoid eye contact.
“We didn’t think you’d be here,” Ellie said, briefly turning back to gauge Alan’s reaction.
“Yeah…me either,” Adelaide said. She didn’t mean for it to be a dig at Maisie, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she knew it came out that way.
“We gotta get out of here,” Ellie decided. There’d be plenty of time to catch up later.
“Yeah, we should go,” Maisie agreed.
They ran off, ditching the suits along the way. Adelaide began to climb Maisie’s coat back to her shoulder so that she could at least be out of a hand, but also to gain as much height as she could. At this size, every inch helped.
“Oh. Here you go,” Maisie said when she noticed the small weight leave her hands. Without much thought, she scooped Adelaide up and set her back on her shoulder.
Adelaide held her hands out to stabilize herself, recalibrating from the abrupt change in her surroundings and altitude. A gripe was on the tip of her tongue, but she forced herself to take a deep breath. She’s just being helpful. She’s just being helpful, she repeated to herself.
They hurried along, right up until they couldn’t go any further. Some sort of transportation pod sat in front of them, and the Beans said something about a code, blah blah blah. Then they heard footsteps.
Maisie ducked behind a stack of crates so fast that Adelaide was sent into the air. She crashed back on Maisie’s shoulder, and the girl offered a hand to keep her steady. Adelaide pushed it away, though it took a moment for Maisie to realize the intent, and she belatedly pulled her hand away for her. The feeling of tiny hands pushing on her own tickled, and once again she flexed her fingers to get rid of the sensation.
“Do you have the sample?” a male voice asked. “The DNA sample. Biosyn’s responsible for the locust epidemic. Dodgson’s covering it up. You were right. I - I’m here to help you. Do you have it?” A pause. “Good. This pod will take you straight to the airfield. You gotta go.”
Adelaide understood nearly none of those words, but she knew the important thing - they had a way out of there.
Maisie understood the urgency and cautiously stood up, her senses on high alert for anything fishy. But the man that stood in front of them was just that…a man. He blinked as he regarded both Maisie and Adelaide. Whatever he thought, he didn’t voice it aloud, but he was definitely taken aback by at least one of them, probably both of them. “Go,” he repeated, and they all stepped into the tram.
As soon as the door closed, Adelaide took a long, deep breath. First she wiggled her fingers and toes. They ached. Then her hands and feet. Then her arms, legs, and head, hoping to ease some of the tension that festered during that interaction. If it wasn’t easy at this point in her life, meeting new Beans would never get any easier.
One by one, each Bean plopped into a chair. Maisie sat across from Ellie, who sat next to Alan. Adelaide took it upon herself to climb down Maisie’s sleeve toward the empty seat next to her.
“Here-,” Maisie began, reaching for her with her free arm.
“I got it!” Adelaide snapped, sick of being manhandled all day. The train fell into an uncomfortable silence as she finished her descent. As soon as her feet touched the plush seat, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her own two feet underneath her again. Thank God.
“How are you? Are you alright?” Alan tried.
“Not really,” Maisie said, and at the same time, Adelaide said, “No.”
Alan looked to Ellie for assistance.
“Hey,” she said. “I, uh…I knew your mom.”
Maisie’s eyes lit up ever so slightly. “You did?”
Adelaide tried to listen as Ellie told story after story about Maisie’s mom, but she suddenly became very preoccupied with maintaining her footing in the moving vehicle. It rocked back and forth as it barreled on, and turns came pretty much out of nowhere. And there was absolutely nothing to hold on to.
A particularly sharp curve sent her flying right off the edge of the seat. Before she even had time to cry out, a hand cupped underneath her. It was big. Each finger was huge. Adelaide scrambled to a seat, chest heaving, and she looked up into Alan Grant’s eyes. They both wore a slightly panicked expression, both well aware that Adelaide could have just died.
“Put me down,” Adelaide said. Alan knew better than to argue and did as he was told.
Adelaide stumbled forward as his hand went vertical and gave her an infinitesimal shove. Her arms pinwheeled, and she willed herself not to fall. He probably didn’t even notice what he did. She grumbled to herself, muttering something about Beans not knowing their own strength.
Adelaide set her sights on the crevice between the back of the chair and the seat itself. That would probably be the most stable place to hang out until they reached their destination. But not two steps into her journey, another bump launched her into the air. She felt her feet leave the seat, she felt the weightlessness in her body, and her body compensated by flailing as she hurtled toward the ground. Yet again, she landed in Alan’s palm. This time, she closed her eyes, refusing to look at him. She knew the embarrassment showed on her face clear as day, her cheeks probably the color of a tomato.
“Okay, you can put me down now,” she said impatiently.
“I’m not sure I should,” he said slowly.
Adelaide let out a frustrated noise and took matters into her own hands. She shakily got to her feet and ran forward, using his thick fingers as a launch pad, but as she placed her last step onto the tip of his middle finger, he tilted his hands back, forcing her knees to buckle. She fell forward, and he caught her in his other hand.
“Adelaide…,” he pleaded, annoyed that she wouldn’t sit still. He couldn’t say he remembered a ton about her, but the memories he did have were loaded with exasperation and impatience. She was stubborn, that was for sure.
“I can stand on my own, thanks,” she said through gritted teeth, aggravated by the cycle of falling from one hand to another as he tried to keep her in one place. His hands were huge compared to Maisie’s, and rougher, too.
“I uh, I don’t want to hold you any more than you want to be held…if I’m being honest.” Alan was also aggravated by the cycle of shifting her from one hand to another as she tried to escape.
All the while, Maisie and Ellie continued their conversation about Charlotte Lockwood, paying Alan and Adelaide’s shenanigans no mind. They’d be fine.
Alan was about two seconds away from pocketing the tiny being when all the lights shut off and the train came to an abrupt halt. The door slid open, and even Adelaide knew that this was not the intended destination. The world beyond was a dark, damp cave. Even her eyes, accustomed to the dark, couldn’t see very far, but she could hear every noise echo throughout the vast cavern.
Alan and Ellie calmly exited, Adelaide just along for the ride. She righted herself in his palm, trying to ignore just how thick each finger surrounding her was. “These must be the old amber mines. We’re inside the mountain,” Alan concluded.
Ellie turned to Maisie, who seemed stuck in the doorway. “You ready?”
“I’m good,” Maisie said shortly.
“Look, uh…I know how you feel,” Alan tried. “It’s, uh…scary. It is. But trust me. Moving forward is better than staying still and Dr. Sattler here is a good person in a tight spot. This is a tight spot. So. You coming?”
Maisie stayed rooted to her spot.
Adelaide figured that she should at least give it a good attempt. “C’mon. I’m three inches tall. If I can do it, you can do it, yeah?” She was rewarded with a small smile from Maisie. And then, to seal the deal, she offered, “Here. We’ll go together.” She looked at Alan to see if he understood, but he didn’t even return her glance before he eagerly handed her off to Maisie. He wanted nothing to do with her, and that was fine by Adelaide. She didn’t want to be traveling with any of these humans, but it was clear Maisie needed her the most.
“Alright,” Maisie decided, absentmindedly collecting Adelaide from Alan. “Do you want to sit on my shoulder?”
“Sure.”
They wandered through the caves, and Adelaide felt a faint breeze on her neck. There had to be a way out nearby. Alan and Ellie lit a torch to illuminate the path ahead, and she could not only see much better, but the sheer amount of heat it emitted was nearly enough to put Adelaide at a comfortable temperature. Almost.
To pass the time, Alan wondered aloud about the age and makeup of the mines, while Ellie voiced every fear that passed through her head. “Just breathe,” she said. “Nobody panic. Just watch out for bats.”
“Who said anything about bats?” Alan scoffed, while Maisie declared she hated bats. Adelaide scooched closer to the girl's neck, just in case. She didn’t particularly want a bat to snatch her up and fly away with her.
Ellie course corrected. “Well, there’s probably no bats. No falling rocks. Just the possibility of toxic gas, dehydration, hypothermia. Just possibilities, nothing for certain.” She sighed. “Oh, I should’ve left you where you were. Why did I bring you into this? You were happy in your element!”
Alan correctly assumed she was talking to him. “What? Ellie. I wasn’t happy.”
“Do you guys have kids?” Maisie interrupted. Adelaide nearly fell off her shoulder. She had her own questions regarding Ellie and Alan, but she wanted to wait until they were out of danger, or more likely, never voice them. Maisie’s blunt question made her laugh.
“Uh…no,” Ellie stammered. “I - I do. Two.”
“But not with him?” Maisie clarified.
Ellie and Alan made sure to emphasize that they were just old friends.
Hm. Adelaide’s memory was pretty fuzzy, but she remembered those two getting along a little too well during their time at Jurassic Park. She thought for sure that they would…But then again, what did she know? It was becoming more and more clear that a lifetime had passed in the time since she last saw them. The same way she had a whole life behind her now, so did they, and quite literally anything could have happened between then and now. But the way that they looked at each other…
“You could’ve fooled me,” Adelaide blurted. She shifted uncomfortably when everyone turned their attention toward her.
Ellie jumped on the opportunity to change the subject. “Adelaide, what about you? How did you get here?”
Adelaide wasn’t able to catch Maisie’s eye from where she sat, which was probably a good thing. “Uh, I came with Maisie…… Honestly, it’s a long story. But no, I don’t have any kids either. And certainly not with him,” she pointed to Alan. Adelaide didn’t feel like recounting the details for a second time this evening. It was her turn to change the subject. “Um, I do have a question though…when - how did dinosaurs end up…here?”
“Also a long story,” Alan chimed in. “You ever hear of Jurassic World?”
“Jurassic…Park? Yeah, I was there.”
“No. Jurassic World.”
Adelaide shook her head, then remembered he wouldn’t be able to see her very well, and that was if he was even looking. “No.”
“Consider yourself lucky.”
Lucky was the last thing Adelaide considered herself, though she supposed she was still alive in her 50s. Being a borrower, especially one that moved around so much, that was an achievement all on its own. Beyond that, she’d have said she was dealt a pretty shitty hand.
They happened upon a manmade, rusty ladder. Alan traded his torch over to Ellie and jiggled the ladder, testing to see if it would break. When it seemed solid enough, he began to climb.
As the torch moved around, Adelaide felt a drift of heat pass her by. She relished it for the few brief seconds it was there, but she quickly began to shiver again.
“Ellie,” she called, before she even knew what she was doing. She indicated the torch. “Can I-?”
“Oh, yeah,” Ellie said, and she reached to scoop Adelaide up. Adelaide tensed, but impact never came. Her hand waited nearby for Adelaide to climb on herself. She breathed a long sigh of relief, grateful that one person didn’t just snatch her up the second the opportunity presented itself. That alone warranted a ton of trust, but there was still a slight hesitation in the way Adelaide climbed on, always on edge around new giants.
Ellie cupped her hand to her chest, close enough to the torch that Adelaide should be plenty warm but far enough that a stary spark wouldn’t land on her. In the best way, Adelaide nearly melted into a puddle. She probably could have fallen asleep if she really tried.
That was, if Alan didn’t let out a sharp scream, startling them all. He fell off the ladder onto his back, and Ellie and Maisie rushed over to check on him. Not long after, the unmistakable shriek of a dinosaur echoed from the ledge above. And then one appeared on their far right. And then another. And then another.
They were small, relatively speaking, maybe the size of an average dog. It was lizard-like in appearance, with its scaly skin and the way it crawled low to the ground on all fours, and its teeth were nothing to be messed with. A tall, bright red frill decorated its back.
The dinosaurs closed in, roaring and screeching at them. The Beans armed themselves with what they could - Ellie violently swinging the torch back and forth, Alan with what looked to be a bone, and Maisie a large rock. No, not a large rock. A skull of some kind. There was no time to ponder who or what it belonged to.
The dinosaurs were undisturbed by the commotion and everyone collectively decided to retreat. They took off, and the last thing Adelaide saw was a blurry streak of green and red. By now, Adelaide was easily able to recognize when she was dropped in a pocket. The claustrophobic feeling of fabric enveloping her body, the sudden lack of sight, the inability to right herself, the massive, pounding heart hidden behind her.
Adelaide understood why it happened. She understood most Bean actions, actually, from a logical standpoint. But logic was no match for the overwhelming panic of being trapped. Whatever pocket Ellie had dropped her into, it was not stable. The silky material of her blouse prevented Adelaide from weaving her cramping fingers into the fabric, and the shallowness of the pocket itself threatened to spill her out onto the cave floor far, far below for a dinosaur to either eat her or step on her. Each step Ellie took sent her sliding around as if her surroundings were coated in oil. She couldn’t hear anything over the screaming and shouting and Ellie’s strong heartbeat and the blood rushing in her own ears.
The sickening motion didn’t stop, per se, but it significantly slowed down. Even then, she couldn’t pull herself to the lip of the pocket. She heard banging and the distinct whine of straining metal. Wherever they were, they were stuck, and from the sound of it, the dinosaurs were approaching fast.
Adelaide wished she could do anything. She actually wished she was back home, having nothing to do with this. It was nice to see familiar faces, but not nice enough to make up for anything that was currently happening. Just once, Adelaide wished she could avoid dinosaurs. They seemed to follow her wherever she went, as if it was her curse to bear.
But given that she wasn’t at home and she was in immediate danger, she wished she could do something about it. Let it be known, if danger was around, Adelaide was sure to be in someone’s pocket while they figured it out and got everyone to safety. She couldn’t even pull herself out of said pocket unless Ellie stopped moving, and it would still be difficult. So useless.
A vehicle engine revved in the near distance and squelching mud signaled the approach of another Bean. Adelaide hoped it was that helpful man who got them onto the train. He looked like he knew what he was doing.
“Oh my God! Ian!” Ellie cried. “Please!”
“Ian, over here!” Alan echoed.
All time stopped. Her ears rang. Ian, they said.
The words barely escaped Adelaide’s lips. “...what.”
Prev
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Temporary A/N: So sorry for the delay in posting! School started and it hit me like a truck. Back to regularly scheduled posting.
hi! i had multiple asks for this so i finally wrote something for it!! i hope i can deliver, based on what i made last year. i wanna continue this story :) ugHh! summary is, dustin finds you, and its misery. until TADA steve harrington swoops in to save you. also the borrower is a fellow girly.
borrower!reader x steve harrington
pov: you're a borrower who got herself stuck in a trash can
Stuck between plastic you tried to pry yourself out of the darkness. The stench of rotten foods you’d wished you’d gotten your hands on before made you gag. Sure, you could take the smell of a dead mouse stuck inside a trap but still cry at its death. Yet this food, it smelled foul and your hand sunk into it. It collapsed under your fingers as you gingerly pulled your hand back. You grabbed onto a piece of black plastic and pulled yourself up.
I’m such an idiot.
You continued to climb up the mountains of garbage bags while trying not to fall. It was slick or sticky depending where your hand landed. You recalled yourself earlier in the day when no one was home, other than for that stupid cat. You’d climbed onto the tabletop and were stuffing your bag with bread crumbs. A victory you awaited to celebrate in the coziness of your walls.
Yet when that beast meowed at you from below, it scared the shit out of you. Foolishly you misstepped and fallen into the depths of rotten peels and papers. Your hook had gotten stuck on thick brown paper and wouldn’t let go, and then the worst of it happened. That damn door to the entrance boomed making you freeze up. Your grip tightened on the hook as footsteps boomed in your direction. A familiar high-pitched voice of the house owner was talking to the devil cat. Then she muttered something about the trash being taken out. That's when you hid under the flesh of fruit and held your breath.
Next you found yourself trying to crawl out from this mess. It had taken far too long to break the garbage bag, but journeying to the top of the tin became hard labor. You were dirty, sweating, and really wanted a breath of fresh air. Things you were used to feeling, but this time you weren’t sure if you’d make it. These humans, you weren’t sure where they threw out so much food waste in the first place. Your hands trembled. Would you suffocate in this pile of trash, or worse?
You climbed up the last black bag closest to the lid. Yet you were so far away, and when you jumped your flicker of hope vanished.
“Shit,” you squeaked as your foot slipped on a puddle of mystery liquid.
You fell on top of another bag in the darkness and looked up at the ceiling. The longer you looked at the dark metal caved lid your eyes welled up. This couldn’t be it, to die due to your own foolishness. You’d expected to die due to a fight with the whiskered beast, or crushed by the hand of a human. Not being dumped into the trash due to your own skittishness (or stupidity).
“No,” you said to yourself. You got up and slid down the trash to hit the metal can. You started to bang it in frustration, like you could punch a hole through the wall. You shouted till your throat got sore, not remembering when you’d even shouted last. Hot tears slipped down your face, at least you wouldn’t go down quietly. Yet no one would know, the mad little borrower, screaming till they could no longer breathe.
Your knuckles stung and your tears had stopped. You jumped when a loud groan came from above and you were soaked in golden light, making you gasp. Tearful again you turned to look up and your eyes went wide. The house you borrowed from, the boy that lived there, stared down at you in awe.
“Holy shit,” he said.
You pursed your lips together and leaned into the wall.
I think I’ll die actually.
Your thoughts were not answered as a large hand loomed over you. You ran and tried to dig your way into the garbage. When you tried to dive in further into the trash he’d gotten your leg. Pulling you out painfully slowly and you sighed. This was worse than trash death, this was so much worse. You were held upside down and you were met with his dark brown eyes. His fingers pinched your ankle and you were terrified it would break.
“What are you?” he asked.
A warm cloud of air hit your face causing you to swing. You stayed silent, not daring to give this kid more reason to keep you around. You hoped. Again, your hopes were crushed as he dropped you into darkness. The small space had even you feeling cramped in as you kicked the doors of it. He shushed you but that only made you kick harder. The doors wouldn’t budge but when you heard two voices you stopped.
Suddenly it was quiet, and you stood still. Then something zipped and you hit the ground.
“Ow,” you muttered.
The ground under you was colored red and felt like dust. You became distracted for a moment as you put it between your fingers. Tiny rocks slipped past your fingers, and your lips parted. You realized it was quite warm as well, and when you looked up you hissed. It was a bright light that packed a lot of heat it seemed. You’d never seen it before, or maybe you had. You looked away and blinked. Seeing the outline of the light in dark colors everywhere you looked. Then you saw the kid again, staring at you.
You stood up and already scurried off under a piece of wood. Yet he knew you were there but you couldn’t help yourself. You’d rather die trying to survive than playing his game.
“Aw, hey buddy. I’m not going to hurt you,” his voice was now above you.
Buddy? You scoffed with a brow raised.
This kid was trying to act like a nice guy?
“Look, uh. I don’t know if you know English actually,” he said. You looked to the other exit of the wood tunnel and started to crawl through it. “But I’m not going to hurt you, okay?” he said. When you crawled out you saw him, staring right at you. He frowned but then his face lit up.
“Maybe you’re hungry,” he seemed determined as he scurried out of the room. You looked back at the red dust to see it stopped at… glass. Your heart dropped and you got out of the wooden tunnel. You looked around to see your worst nightmare. You were trapped in a glass box, and the only way out was up. Your heart started to pound against your chest and your hand touched it. You wanted to cry again, and you weren’t sure if it was possible to.
Then something fell right beside you, and you looked back up. The kids' fingers pulled away and you looked back down. There was a pile of food beside you and you licked your lips. The kid told you to go ahead and eat. He called it a, KitCat? Whatever it was, it took you a moment but you dug right in. It tasted like heaven to you, it melted in your mouth and was sweet. A different kind of sweet from that one time you had the peel of an apple or any other food.
You’d sat down beside it and ate away till you were full. When you were done, you could feel his eyes burning the back of your head. You sighed, now full, at least feeling a little better, but what now?
“My name is Dustin,” he introduced himself.
Your brows shot up and you looked up at him.
“Dustin,” he pointed at himself.
The giant child was trying to have a conversation with you. You sighed, defeated, and took in a deep breath. You stood up and told him your name. This sent him into being a crazed maniac. He was giggling, gasping, and practically shouting at you. You just stared back up at him in shock at how overjoyed he was to hear you say a couple of words.
You decided to stay quiet afterward, already regretting those words. You’d hidden under the wooden log and curled yourself up into a ball. You didn’t even have your damn hook anymore, you felt exposed, useless. Eventually, the kid gave up, told you goodnight, and turned the lights off. Except yours. Thankfully it was a quiet night as you tried to fight off heavy eyelids. Eventually darkness, once again, got the best of you.
You felt weightless and then your face crashed into something. You blinked your eyes open and realized you were trapped in darkness. You rubbed your eyes and your body flung toward another wall in the darkness. You hissed in response and backed up to the other wall. You steadied yourself and then your heart sank.
Last night flashed before your eyes and now you were here. Stuck inside the trap he’d put you in last night. Going who knows where, and you couldn't fight it. You couldn’t do anything so you kicked the opening again. Nothing happened, but you did it again. You kicked again and again until you got tired.
Being thrown into a bag and tossed around was not ideal. All the while this kid, Dustin, said nothing to you. You sat, defeated in his trap, as loud muffled noises met your ears. It scared the hell out of you, to be in this position. Would he tell other humans about you? What was he going to do with you? It made your head hurt.
Time passed, and finally, the bag opened. You squinted your eyes and hissed. You were lying down and were immediately met with new faces. They all looked wide-eyed, mouths dropped and they were all children.
“Oh what the…” you stood up while trying to sink back into the bag.
“What is that?” the pale boy with thick black hair asked.
You raised a brow at that, that. They are referring to you as it?
Dustin told them your name and you rubbed your temple. Your neck strained looking up at a total of five new faces. Oh, you hated this, this is bad.
“What? Did you name it?” the boy with a bandana tied around his head asked.
“It’s my own name,” you spoke up.
All eyes snapped to you and you stayed seated. You looked over your shoulder and your eyes went wide. All you could see were patches of long thick green grass in front of you.
“This is insane,” the redhead girl said.
“Isn’t it so cool?” Dustin said giddily.
You followed the conversation, kinda, but eventually, you lost track of the topics. Something about a creature named Dart, maybe another victim like you. Then how Dustin found you. You hopped over the ledge and your feet were met with a soft soil ground. The blades of grass met your height and the edge of your lips tugged upward. You reached a hand out to touch it but then you got scooped up into a warm hand.
Damnit.
You struggled against their grip but their fingers just tightened around you. The world spun until you were met by the kids' faces again. They started to blur in front of you and your breath started to get shallow. Once again you’d faded into darkness.
—
It had been a couple of days of being handled and biting your tongue. You’d still been staying in Dustin’s glass box, which was called an “aqua-something” you couldn’t remember. You’d occasionally see his pet “turtle” slowly walking around on the floor. You sat on the log with your head in your hands. Trying to think of a way out of the cage, since Dustin put down the mesh top on it. You were close to escape two nights ago but had managed to mess up your leg. It wasn’t till you were awkwardly walking around in the morning he’d made the connection.
You perked up when you heard the door and slid under the log. Your head raised slightly above the log, watching. You saw Dustin walk in on his lonesome. That was odd, usually the other kids joined him to just watch you at this time of day (creepy). He flopped onto the bed and huffed. You rested your hands on the log and watched him look sad. It actually made your heart crack at the sight. Dustin hadn’t treated you horribly, but not amazingly either. Yet, you knew human children were complicated. You’d heard his mom complain about his current teenage years when you were still in the walls.
Your brows furrowed and you huffed. Yep, now you remembered why you hated him. He took you away from your quiet, peaceful life which would have ended in a trashy death. When you zoned back into reality Dustin was no longer in bed. The hairs on your neck rose as a shadow loomed over you. Exhausted, you just let him pick you up into his warm palms. He held you in a loose fist and you stared up at him.
“You’re still mad at me?” he asked.
You didn’t say anything and he sighed. Clearly, you were still upset over him holding you so tightly you’d passed out. The first time he showed you to his friends, he’d left bruises for days all over your ribs. They were sore alongside your pride, now with the addition of a possibly broken leg.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated for the millionth time. You looked away with little to no interest in his words. If you had any power over him, it was this. You didn’t give him what he wanted, and he’d leave you alone. Most of the time. This time he’d placed you in his backpack which had duck tape all over one side. You were surrounded by duck tape on the inside as well and pressed yourself up against it. He’d travel in silence the entire time and that freaked you out. The kid was always talking your ear off, even when you were pretending to not listen. Honestly, the things he said confused you but again, interested you.
In the darkness, you finally heard Dustin whispering. Another voice whispered back and soon enough you were jostled in the bag. You landed on your bad leg and bit down a yelp. The sound of the zipper was followed by light. You dragged yourself to the corner of the pocket and large shadows covered you.
“Dude, what are you talking about? There's nothing here,” a guy said.
“They’re probably hiding, hold on,” Dustin said.
Damn right, I am.
You pressed your back against the wall and hugged your knees to your chest. You blinked in surprise as the surface below you tipped. You started to slide and you had nothing to grab onto. Your good leg met with a hard surface and the bag disappeared. Your eyes darted around you and you found out you were on an open table. Escape was possible.
“What the–” you heard as Dustin cut off the voice.
“Right?” Dustin introduced you to the voice.
You slowly turned around to be met with someone older for once. You take a step back and cringe at the pain shooting up your leg. The guy looked at you with wide brown eyes but they softened. His tense shoulders relaxed and his brows furrowed. He put his hands on the table and he stared at Dustin.
“They’re scared, and look like hell,” he said. Soon enough loud voices filled your ears as you started to step away to the edge of the table. You looked down at the drop which would surely end you. A shiver ran up your spine and you looked over your shoulder.
…
Steve watched you and his chest cracked at the sight. You were pale and shaking like a leaf. Not to mention the limp in your walk. You’d been handled by Dustin and his knucklehead friends. He ran a hand through his hair and put a hand on his hip. He’d dealt with weird shit before but you were something else entirely new. He didn’t want to freak you out, considering Dustin had helped in that department already.
“Okay okay,” Steve tapped the table, “Dustin, I’m taking them.”
“What?” Dustin asked and your head snapped to Steve.
Steve’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “I mean, they’ll just stay with me. Dustin, clearly you’ve done enough.”
…
Dustin tried to fight his idea, claiming you’d been “found” by him. You bit down the inside of your cheek, pissed at his tone. You weren’t something to be claimed, you still were someone. You continued to shake, mostly due to panic but also anger.
“Dustin, just look at her,” Steve pointed at you.
Dustin’s anger washed away but no words followed.
“Steve!” Robin shouted from the other side of the doors.
“Coming!” Steve shouted back annoyed.
You jumped and he apologized immediately. Your tiny face finally looked up at him but he couldn’t detect your emotions. Once Dustin recapped Steve on what had happened up to this point, Robin burst in.
“Jesus,” Steve jumped and turned around to face her. He moved himself to cover you from her vision as Robin started to complain to him.
“C’mon doofus, it's my break time,” Robin exclaimed and continued to complain.
Your heart raced as you let Steve’s silhouette cover you from her eyes. Dustin kept looking at you but you could never meet his eyes. You sidestepped closer to Steve and the edge of the table. Your head was spinning, and you were losing sight of your escape plan “the plummet of doom” you’d called it 5 minutes ago.
“Oh my god, what is that?” you heard and you looked upward. Robin, Steve, and Dustin loomed over you. Your heart plummeted to your stomach and you slid off the table. You hugged a leg of the table and made your way down.
Shouts followed and then your fingers gave out. Hair whipped your face as you shut your eyes tight. Instead of being met with a hard floor you were met with something soft. You opened your eyes to see Steve staring down at you, inches away. Your face flushed at the closeness while he looked startled. His fingers cave in around you to hold you still and you didn’t move.
“Jesus, who jumps off a ledge like that?” was the first thing he blurted.
One of my all-time favorite G/t tropes is the tiny waking up to having been held by a giant while they slept for the first time. They could either have passed out on the giant, or the giant notices it’s far too cold for them otherwise, or any other scenario leading up to it.
I love the potential panic the tiny undergoes as they wake up and have to process the entire situation, trying to figure out why they’re there in the first place, and the giant having to calm them down and reassure them that everything’s okay, they’re safe, this was intentional/not a problem for the giant, they were happy to do it, etc.
It’s so great in a slow-burn situation if this is when the tiny realizes they can truly trust the giant, that they had the opportunity to easily hurt the tiny, but they chose not to. Instead, they were gently held and kept warm through the night, protected from the cold and anything else that could have hurt them in such a vulnerable state.
Then the tiny gets all flustered and shy about it, too nervous to ask for it to happen again, but the giant notices this and finds it really sweet.
more actual story updates will hopefully come out soon now that I’ll have more time and I’m at college. I prefer writing during that time cause it gives me a break from all the homework and other stuff 💗
hoping to continue and finish the Airlea/Johnny Cage/MK1 story soon so I can start other projects that I’ve been planning all summer long ☀️ so excited to show you all eventually
I’m bored & don’t feel like studying for my organic chem final atm (last day is May 14th 😝 so hopefully I’ll be more active with more free time to write).
So in honor of that I’ve been thinking about power rangers gt lately so I’ve been watching more seasons. Currently watching Mighty Morphin and SPD for the first time- anyone wanna hear my headcannons for either?
also feel free to send questions/requests and I’ll get to them when I can 😌💗
been awhile cause organic chemistry is taking over my life atm 😵💫
anyways, anyone seen teen wolf (tv show) and have any gt related headcannons or thoughts, please share 🥹💜 cause I’m bored & need some more gt ideas when orgo isn’t driving me insane 🥲
also anyone into school spirits? would love to hear gt thoughts there too
updates for through fury and fire will continue after January 22nd when I’m back in college + along with any possible unread messages in my inbox (I haven’t looked so i apologize) ‼️🫶🏻
✨ A NEW YEARS SPECIAL (disclaimer: this has not been edited nor proofread. I also posted this on my phone, so the layout may be a little different. I’ll update it when I have time later this week on my laptop cause I don’t want my family to know about this 🫣)
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Johnny Cage’s New Year’s Eve celebration wasn’t just a party—it was a Hollywood production. Held on the rooftop of his sprawling mansion, it boasted a breathtaking view of the city skyline, complete with dazzling lights and the promise of fireworks at midnight. The Mortal Kombat crew—Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Kenshi, and Airlea—had all been invited, and though the idea of a grand party seemed more Johnny’s style than theirs, they couldn’t resist his insistence.
Airlea had been hesitant about attending. “A rooftop party? Really? Do you know how easy it would be for me to get blown away up there?” she’d quipped earlier in the day. Johnny had waved her concerns away with a grin. “Relax, Tiny Champ. I’ve got you covered. You’re not going anywhere without me.”
True to his word, Johnny had gone all out to ensure Airlea felt included and safe. Near the food table, he’d set up a special perch just for her: a small, secure platform with tiny streamers, a sparkly banner that read *2025*, and a miniature noisemaker. He even had a tiny cup for her cider and a gingerbread cookie the size of her torso. “See? VIP treatment,” Johnny had said proudly as he showed her the setup.
Airlea, perched comfortably, sipped her cider from the thimble-sized glass and watched the others mingle. The evening began with Kung Lao challenging everyone to a dance-off. “I’ll show you moves that’ll put your Hollywood choreography to shame, Johnny,” he teased, spinning his hat dramatically.
Johnny, never one to back down, smirked. “You’re on, Hat Trick. But be warned: my moves are box office gold.”
The music started, and Liu Kang surprised everyone with his smooth, precise moves. Kung Lao followed with an energetic routine, while Kenshi, after some prodding, proved he had rhythm despite his protests. Raiden, ever composed, simply watched with an amused smile.
Airlea cheered them on, her voice somehow cutting through the music. “Kung Lao, you call that dancing? I’ve seen better moves from a wind-up toy!”
Johnny laughed and scooped her up, placing her on his shoulder. “Careful, Tiny. That’s my dance partner you’re roasting.”
Airlea clung tightly to his shirt collar as he spun around dramatically. “Johnny, you’re going to make me spill my cider!” she protested, though she couldn’t help laughing.
As the night progressed, the group moved to the edge of the rooftop to enjoy the view. The city sparkled below them, and the anticipation of midnight hung in the air. Johnny handed out party poppers to everyone, including a mini one he’d specially ordered for Airlea.
She eyed it skeptically. “This better not backfire.”
Johnny grinned. “Relax. It’s Cage-approved. What could go wrong?”
When the countdown began, the group gathered together, their voices joining in unison.
“Ten... nine... eight...”
Raiden took a moment to make a heartfelt speech. “As we step into a new year, let us remember the strength of our bond and the importance of our mission. Together, we will protect Earthrealm and face whatever challenges come our way.”
“Cheers to that,” Johnny said, raising his glass.
As the clock struck midnight, the sky erupted in a dazzling display of fireworks. The colors lit up the night, reflecting off the glass of the nearby skyscrapers. Airlea tugged the string on her party popper, and it went off with a satisfying *pop*, sending tiny confetti into the air. She laughed, the sound light and joyful.
Johnny glanced at her, his expression softening. “Happy New Year, Tiny Champ.”
“Happy New Year, Big Showoff,” she replied, tapping her thimble-sized glass against his.
The fireworks continued, and Johnny leaned against the railing, Airlea still perched on his shoulder. She admired the view, her tiny hands gripping his shirt for balance as the occasional gust of wind made her sway.
“You know,” Airlea said, breaking the silence, “this is kind of nice. Way better than I expected.”
“Of course it is,” Johnny replied. “Everything’s better when I’m involved.”
Airlea rolled her eyes. “Don’t push it.”
Nearby, Liu Kang and Kung Lao were engaged in a friendly argument about who had the best dance moves, while Kenshi stood with Raiden, discussing plans for the year ahead.
As the party wound down and the first light of dawn began to paint the horizon, the group lingered, unwilling to let the moment end. Johnny turned to Airlea. “Next year’s gonna be big,” he said, his voice filled with confidence.
“For Earthrealm or for you?” she asked with a smirk.
“Both,” Johnny replied, flashing his signature grin.
And as the sun rose, casting a warm glow over the rooftop, the group knew that whatever the new year brought, they would face it together, stronger than ever.
A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (disclaimer: this has not been edited nor proofread. I also posted this on my phone, so the layout may be a little different. I’ll update it when I have time later this week on my laptop cause I don’t want my family to know about this 🫣)
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Snow fell softly outside Johnny’s sprawling Hollywood home, the kind of picture-perfect scene that belonged on the cover of a holiday card. Inside, the gang had gathered, filling the house with laughter, warmth, and the unmistakable aroma of hot cocoa.
Airlea sat cross-legged on the kitchen counter, her tiny size making her the perfect candidate to oversee the gingerbread house construction. Johnny leaned against the counter, sipping from a mug emblazoned with "World’s Greatest Action Star."
"Careful with the frosting, Raiden," Airlea called out, her hands on her hips. "You’re supposed to glue the walls together, not turn it into a snowstorm."
Raiden gave a sheepish smile, holding up the frosting bag. "It’s harder than it looks."
Johnny chuckled, reaching out to Airlea. "C’mere, Tiny Architect. Let’s get you closer to the action." He gently scooped her up, setting her on his shoulder.
“Much better,” Airlea said, steadying herself by holding onto his shirt collar. From her new vantage point, she pointed at the lopsided gingerbread house. “Okay, now add a gumdrop there… and there… perfect!”
Meanwhile, Kung Lao and Kenshi were locked in a heated debate over which Christmas movie to watch next.
“Die Hard is the obvious choice,” Kung Lao argued, crossing his arms.
“It’s not even a Christmas movie,” Kenshi countered, shaking his head.
Johnny, never one to miss a chance to chime in, called out, “Die Hard is *the* Christmas movie. Case closed.”
Airlea rolled her eyes. “How about something festive that doesn’t involve explosions?”
Johnny smirked. “Explosions are festive.”
Liu Kang interrupted, carrying a tray of steaming mugs. “Perhaps we can compromise. I’ve heard this ‘Home Alone’ is quite entertaining.”
“Now you’re talking!” Johnny said, plucking a mug of cocoa from the tray. He offered it to Airlea, who eagerly took the smallest sip she could manage from the oversized cup.
Later, they gathered around the tree, its lights twinkling like stars. Johnny passed out presents with dramatic flair, announcing each one as if it were an award at a movie premiere.
“For Kung Lao, the man who takes hats to a whole new level!” He handed over a neatly wrapped box.
“For Liu Kang, our fearless leader and part-time fire god!”
When it was Airlea’s turn, Johnny held up a tiny box with a grin. “And for our resident pocket-sized powerhouse…”
Airlea raised an eyebrow. “It better not be a thimble.”
“Open it and see,” Johnny said, lowering her into his palm so she could unwrap it. Inside was a custom-made ornament: a miniature gingerbread house with her name painted across the roof.
Her face lit up. “Johnny, this is… actually really sweet.”
“Don’t get used to it,” he teased, placing her back on his shoulder.
As the night wound down, they all settled in for one last movie. Airlea curled up in Johnny’s scarf, her tiny form snug against his neck.
“Best Christmas ever,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Johnny glanced down at her with a grin. “Told you explosions were festive.”
THANKSGIVING SPECIAL (fair warning, this has not been revised or edited since I originally wrote this)
It was the first Thanksgiving that Johnny Cage, Airlea, and the rest of the gang had spent together, and Johnny was determined to make it memorable. The large dining room in the mansion was filled with mismatched decorations—fake turkeys, paper garlands, and a few plastic pumpkins that looked like they came straight out of a bargain bin. But Johnny didn’t care about the aesthetics; he cared about the experience. And he was going all in.
Airlea, sitting on the kitchen counter, was watching Johnny and Liu Kang wrestle with a turkey that was far too big for their oven. “I don’t get it,” she said, her tiny voice cutting through the chaos. “You’re a famous actor, Johnny. How do you not know how to cook a turkey?”
Johnny shot her a grin, wiping his hands on his apron. “Cooking’s not my thing, kid. That’s why I brought in the pros,” he said, motioning to Liu Kang, who was currently trying to shove the oversized bird into the oven. “Liu Kang’s the one who insisted on doing everything the traditional way.”
Liu Kang, his brow furrowed in concentration, grunted as he finally managed to squeeze the turkey in. “It’s about honoring Earthrealm’s traditions,” he said, clearly proud of his efforts. “This will be a feast fit for kings.”
Airlea raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t think about how many people you’d be feeding before you bought a turkey the size of a small car?”
Johnny laughed, tossing a dishtowel over his shoulder. “Hey, we’re feeding a lot of people. And if we have leftovers, I’m all for it.”
Raiden, who had been watching from the doorway, chuckled. “Perhaps next year, Johnny, you should leave the cooking to others.”
Johnny waved him off. “I’m more of a ‘bring the wine and make the jokes’ kind of guy. You know, the important stuff.”
Meanwhile, Kung Lao and Kenshi were setting the table, their movements precise as always. “I’m not sure this is the time for jokes, Johnny,” Kung Lao said, adjusting the place settings. “The meal should be about gratitude and reflection.”
Kenshi, who had been quietly preparing the mashed potatoes, added, “And maybe less about chaos and disaster.”
Johnny smirked. “Hey, if we’re going to have a memorable Thanksgiving, we need a little bit of chaos. Besides, who else is going to entertain you guys?”
Airlea, now perched on the edge of the dining table, crossed her arms and looked at Johnny with a smirk. “I think we’re all entertained by how badly you’re failing at this.”
Johnny shot her a mock glare. “Alright, alright, kid. You’re just lucky you’re cute. Otherwise, I’d have you cleaning the dishes.”
Liu Kang, finally satisfied with the turkey, turned to the group. “The turkey is ready. Let us gather around and share what we are thankful for.”
Everyone gathered around the table, and the food was served. The turkey, while slightly overcooked, was still edible, and there were mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a variety of pies. It wasn’t a five-star meal, but it was a meal made with effort and heart.
Johnny raised his glass of wine. “Alright, here we go. A toast to Earthrealm, to friends, and to family—whether by blood or by battle. And, of course, to me for making this whole thing happen.” He winked at Airlea.
Airlea rolled her eyes but smiled. “Yeah, yeah, you’re the hero of Thanksgiving. We get it.”
Raiden nodded solemnly. “It is important to be grateful for the small things, the moments of peace amidst the chaos. We fight together, and we stand together.”
Liu Kang added, “And we share these moments as a family, even if we are not all from the same world.”
Johnny raised his glass again. “To family,” he said, his voice sincere this time. “And to making it through the weirdest Thanksgiving ever.”
Airlea, not one to let Johnny have the last word, raised her own tiny glass of apple cider. “To the weirdest Thanksgiving, and to Johnny for making sure it was memorable.”
The group laughed, and the warmth of the moment filled the room, despite the occasional clinking of silverware or the muffled sound of the turkey sizzling in the oven. They ate, joked, and shared stories—some from their past, others about the future. It was a Thanksgiving like no other, and though they were from different realms and different walks of life, they were all united in the spirit of the holiday.
Later, after the meal, they all settled in front of the fire. Airlea sat on Johnny’s shoulder, sipping her cider as the rest of the gang lounged around. Johnny, leaning back in his chair, threw an arm around Airlea. “Next year, we’re doing this again,” he said, his tone playful but content. “And I’ll make sure the turkey’s a little smaller.”
Airlea snorted. “Sure, Johnny. Maybe you’ll even let someone else cook.”
Johnny grinned. “Maybe.”
As the fire crackled softly in the background, the group relaxed, full and content after their first Thanksgiving together. Johnny leaned back in his chair, his arms stretched out behind him, looking around at the group with a smile.
"You know," he said, breaking the comfortable silence, "this is actually kinda nice. I mean, who would've thought that a bunch of warriors, a few gods, and a tiny person like you," he glanced at Airlea, "would make such a great team?"
Airlea snorted, rolling her eyes. "You're just saying that because you’re full. You wouldn’t have said that if you had to cook the turkey."
Johnny chuckled. "Hey, it turned out better than expected. Right, Liu Kang?"
Liu Kang, who had been quietly enjoying his slice of pie, nodded with a smile. "It was a good effort, Johnny. You may not be a chef, but you are a good host."
Raiden, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, gave a slight nod of approval. "The meal was… acceptable. But it is the camaraderie that makes this day special."
Kenshi, who had been sitting near the fire, shifted in his seat, looking around at the group. "I’ve never had a Thanksgiving like this before. It’s strange, but… it’s nice."
Johnny grinned, raising his glass. "I think we’ve all got a lot to be thankful for. Earthrealm’s still standing, we’ve got each other’s backs, and—" he paused dramatically, looking around the room, "—we survived my cooking."
The group laughed, and even Raiden allowed himself a rare chuckle. Airlea, perched comfortably on Johnny’s shoulder, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "I’m just glad I didn’t have to save you from burning the house down, Johnny."
Johnny shot her a playful look. "Hey, I saved myself. You’d just be there to take credit for it."
She rolled her eyes again, but there was no hiding the smile tugging at her lips. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."
The conversation drifted from lighthearted banter to more serious reflections as the evening wore on. Liu Kang spoke of his memories of past Thanksgivings in Earthrealm, sharing stories of his family and the simple joys of the holiday. Raiden, though more reserved, shared a rare glimpse into his own history, explaining how he had come to appreciate the small moments of peace in between the chaos of defending Earthrealm.
As the fire began to die down, Johnny stood up and stretched, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright, alright, enough of the deep talks. Who’s up for some post-dinner entertainment?"
Airlea perked up at the mention of entertainment. "What do you have in mind, Johnny?"
He winked at her. "How about a little game of Mortal Kombat? Nothing too serious—just a friendly sparring match. You know, to work off the turkey."
Liu Kang raised an eyebrow. "A sparring match? After all the food?"
"Come on, Liu Kang," Johnny said, grinning. "It’s not like we’re about to start a tournament or anything. Just a few friendly punches. What do you say, Raiden? You in?"
Raiden, his expression unreadable, glanced at Liu Kang, then at the rest of the group. "Perhaps a light spar would be acceptable. But we must remember to keep it friendly."
Johnny's grin widened. "Friendly? Sure. That’s what I meant. Just a little fun."
Kenshi, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "I’m not sure how ‘fun’ it’ll be when Johnny gets his face smashed in."
Airlea leaned forward, her tiny voice barely above a whisper. "I bet Johnny’s gonna get his butt kicked. He’s been talking big all night."
Johnny shot her a look. "Oh, you’re on, kid. Just wait. I’ve got moves you haven’t even seen yet."
The gang began to gather around, the excitement building as they prepared for the impromptu sparring match. Johnny and Liu Kang squared off first, both of them stretching and cracking their knuckles, while the others found places to sit or stand around the room, eager to watch the showdown.
As the fight began, it was clear that Liu Kang’s martial arts skills were a cut above Johnny’s flashy moves. Johnny threw a punch, but Liu Kang dodged effortlessly, countering with a roundhouse kick that sent Johnny stumbling back.
Airlea, perched on a nearby chair, leaned forward, her eyes glued to the action. "Told you," she muttered to herself, her tiny form bouncing with excitement.
Johnny, however, wasn’t one to back down. He grinned and charged forward, throwing a series of punches and kicks in rapid succession. Liu Kang blocked and dodged, his movements fluid and precise, but Johnny managed to land a lucky hit, knocking Liu Kang off balance.
The room erupted in cheers, and Johnny did a quick victory dance, though he was clearly out of breath. "See? Told you I had it in me."
Liu Kang smirked, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "That was a good hit, Johnny. But you’re not going to win this easily."
The rest of the gang took turns sparring, with Kung Lao and Kenshi getting in a few good hits on Johnny, who was starting to feel the effects of the food coma. But through it all, the laughter and friendly banter never stopped. Even Raiden, who was usually so serious, couldn’t help but smile as he watched the group enjoying themselves.
As the night wore on, they all gathered around the fire again, tired but happy. Airlea, now curled up in Johnny’s lap, looked up at him with a mischievous grin. "I guess you’re not so bad, Johnny. For a guy who can’t cook."
Johnny chuckled, ruffling her hair. "You’re lucky you’re cute, kid. Otherwise, I’d make you do the dishes."
She snorted. "Yeah, right. I’d have you begging for mercy by the time I was done."
Johnny laughed, looking around at the group of friends who had become like family to him. For all the chaos and danger that came with their lives, moments like this—simple, joyful, and full of laughter—made it all worth it. And as he looked at Airlea, who was still clutching his shirt with her tiny hands, he couldn’t help but feel thankful for this weird, wonderful, and unexpected family they had all built together.
"Next year," Johnny said, his voice soft but sincere, "we’re doing this again. And maybe next time, I’ll cook a little less… aggressively."
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (fair warning, this has not been revised or edited since I originally wrote this)
Johnny Cage’s mansion buzzed with life, transformed into a haunted house worthy of his Hollywood flair. Elaborate cobwebs draped the chandeliers, fog machines hissed across the marble floors, and eerie music echoed through the grand halls. Life-sized animatronic skeletons and zombies sprang to life with every passing guest, startling even the most seasoned warriors of Earthrealm.
Johnny, decked out as a vampire complete with a cape that swirled dramatically every time he turned, struck a pose in front of Airlea. She stood on a tiny custom-built platform decorated as a miniature pumpkin patch, her witch's hat tilted slightly to one side. The hat, like everything else, had been meticulously crafted to match her diminutive size.
“You sure you don’t want to join me in the couple’s costume idea?” Johnny asked, flashing his plastic fangs. “You’d make an adorable Countess Dracula.”
Airlea crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Hard pass. I like the witch vibe. Besides, I’d rather be the one casting spells than getting staked in the heart.”
“Fair point,” Johnny conceded, chuckling.
Raiden strolled by, his usual stoicism slightly undermined by the fact that he was dressed as a zombie monk. Kung Lao followed, wearing a pirate costume complete with an oversized tricorn hat. “Johnny, your decorations are… excessive,” Raiden remarked, side-eyeing an animatronic werewolf that howled as they passed.
Johnny grinned. “Excessive is my brand, Raiden. You should know that by now.”
“Actually, your brand is Carlton,” Airlea quipped from her perch, earning a rare chuckle from Raiden and a snort from Kung Lao.
Kenshi, who had chosen a samurai ghost costume, leaned down toward Airlea. “Need a lift to the snack table?”
Johnny stepped in, scooping her up before Kenshi could. “I’ve got this,” he said, placing her on his shoulder with practiced ease. “We’ve got a system.”
Airlea clung to his cape for balance, rolling her eyes. “You just like showing off.”
“And you like the view,” Johnny countered, smirking.
The group moved to the game area, where pumpkin carving quickly turned competitive. Airlea used a toothpick to carve an impressively detailed skull into her tiny pumpkin, earning cheers from the crowd. Meanwhile, Kung Lao and Johnny turned bobbing for apples into an all-out splash war, soaking Raiden in the process.
“Enough!” Raiden said, his voice booming as lightning crackled faintly around him. “You two are worse than children.”
Before anyone could respond, the room suddenly darkened, and a gust of cold wind blew through the mansion. The animatronics stopped moving, and the eerie music warped into an unsettling static. Everyone tensed, instinctively reaching for weapons that weren’t part of their costumes.
The front doors burst open, and a shadowy figure stepped inside, flanked by two Tarkatan warriors. “Happy Halloween, Earthrealmers,” the intruder sneered. “I thought I’d crash the party.”
“Shang Tsung,” Liu Kang said, stepping forward in his knight costume, his expression grim. “You are not welcome here.”
“Relax, Fire God,” Shang Tsung replied, his voice dripping with mockery. “I’m just here for some… festive entertainment.”
Johnny placed Airlea on a nearby table. “Stay here,” he said, his tone unusually serious.
“Like hell I’m staying out of this,” Airlea shot back, but Johnny was already moving to join Liu Kang and the others.
The fight erupted in a blur of movement. Liu Kang unleashed a flurry of fiery kicks, while Kung Lao’s razor-sharp hat flew through the air, narrowly missing one of the Tarkatans. Kenshi drew his spectral sword, cutting down another attacker with precise strikes. Raiden summoned bolts of lightning, illuminating the chaotic scene with flashes of blue and white.
Johnny, ever the showman, leaped into the fray with a dramatic spin-kick. “Welcome to Earthrealm, baby!” he shouted, landing a punch that sent one of the Tarkatans sprawling.
Meanwhile, Airlea used her small size to her advantage, darting between the legs of the attackers. She focused her energy, sending a gust of wind strong enough to knock one of the Tarkatans off balance. “Not bad for someone your size,” Kung Lao called, grinning as he decapitated the disoriented warrior with his hat.
“Focus, Lao!” Liu Kang barked, blocking a strike from Shang Tsung.
The battle raged on until Raiden landed a powerful lightning strike, forcing Shang Tsung to retreat. “This isn’t over,” the sorcerer snarled before disappearing into a swirling portal.
As the dust settled, Johnny retrieved Airlea, placing her back on his shoulder. “See? Told you we make a great team.”
Airlea smirked. “Sure, if you count me cleaning up your mess.”
The group laughed, the tension easing as they returned to the fire pit. Despite the interruption, the night carried on, cementing this as a Halloween none of them would forget.
The mansion was quieter now, the eerie music replaced by a low hum of conversation as everyone gathered in the lounge. The fight had left the group disheveled but unbroken. Liu Kang stood near the fire, his knight costume slightly singed, while Kung Lao inspected his hat for damage.
Johnny Cage, still wearing his vampire cape but now missing one of his plastic fangs, slumped onto the couch with Airlea perched on his shoulder. “Well, that’s one way to spice up a party,” he said, tossing an apple from the bobbing station into the air and catching it.
Airlea glanced at him, her tiny witch hat slightly askew. “You call that spice? I call it a mess. Shang Tsung really knows how to ruin a vibe.”
Kung Lao sat down across from them, propping his boots on the coffee table. “At least he didn’t bring the whole Tarkatan army. That would’ve been a real buzzkill.”
Kenshi, still in his samurai ghost costume but now holding a glass of water, walked over. “I’m more impressed that Airlea managed to trip a Tarkatan twice her size. How’d you pull that off?”
Airlea shrugged, adjusting her hat. “Wind powers, baby. Sometimes it’s not about size; it’s about strategy. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
Johnny laughed, leaning back. “That’s my girl. Quick on her feet and quicker with the comebacks.”
Raiden entered the room, his zombie monk costume somehow still intact despite the battle. He carried a tray of drinks, setting them on the table. “We should discuss what happened tonight. Shang Tsung’s appearance was no coincidence.”
Liu Kang nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed. The tournament is only days away. This attack was likely meant to rattle us.”
Kung Lao waved him off, grabbing a drink. “If anything, it just proved we’re ready. We handled it, didn’t we?”
“Barely,” Raiden said, his tone sharp. “Overconfidence will not serve us in Outworld.”
Johnny raised his glass. “Okay, okay, enough doom and gloom for one night. We fought, we won, and now we celebrate. That’s how Halloween works, right?”
Airlea rolled her eyes but smirked. “You just want an excuse to keep the party going.”
“You know it,” Johnny said, grinning. “Besides, I’ve still got that haunted house tour set up. Can’t let all my hard work go to waste.”
The group exchanged glances, the tension in the room easing. Finally, Liu Kang sighed. “Very well. But only for a short time. We leave for Outworld in the morning.”
Johnny jumped up, scooping Airlea off his shoulder and placing her on the table. “You heard the man! Haunted house time. Airlea, you’re leading the charge.”
She blinked up at him. “Why me?”
“Because you’re small and sneaky,” Johnny said, grabbing a flashlight. “If there’s a ghost hiding in there, you’ll find it first.”
Airlea groaned but hopped onto Kung Lao’s hat, who offered it as a makeshift platform. “Fine, but if I get haunted, I’m blaming you.”
The group made their way through the mansion’s haunted corridors, laughing and teasing each other as they navigated the elaborate decorations. Every now and then, an animatronic monster would jump out, earning a startled shout from one of them—usually Johnny, much to everyone’s amusement.
By the end of the tour, they were back in the lounge, the fire crackling warmly. Johnny flopped onto the couch, pulling Airlea onto his shoulder again. “Best Halloween ever,” he declared, holding up his drink.
Airlea snorted. “You say that now. Wait until Shang Tsung crashes Christmas.”
The room erupted into laughter, and for a moment, the looming threat of the tournament felt far away.
Author's Note/Update: thank you for all the support for this story cause it's literally my first g/t story ever. In honor of me finally finishing all my finals for this semester (my last one was today at 5pm), here is the long awaited next chapter! As of rn, this is all I have that's prewritten, so you'll have to give me time to come up with future chapters! (also fair warning, this is not edited)
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Just as Airlea processed Liu Kang’s words, her gaze fell to her tiny feet, and a sudden realization hit her. If they were about to leave—especially at the speed Liu Kang was moving—there was no way she’d be able to keep up.
She called Johnny’s name causing him to glance down. “I, uh, hate to break it to you, but if we’re going anywhere fast… I’m gonna need a lift. There’s no way I’m getting there on my own.”
Johnny’s face lit up as if she’d just given him the best news he’d heard all day. “Wait—are you saying what I think you’re saying?” His grin widened mischievously, excitement practically radiating off of him. “You want me to carry you again?”
Airlea rolled her eyes with a small smirk. “Well, it’s either that or you leave me behind, and let’s be real—I'm not risking getting stomped on.”
Johnny didn’t need another word. In an instant, he swooped her up, cradling her in his hands like she was a VIP guest on his latest movie set. “Boom—front-row seat to all the action. Now, this is even better than the movies! Who else can say they’ve got a size-shifter sidekick?”
“You know you’re enjoying this way too much, right?” Airlea teased, though she couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm.
“Hey, what can I say? I’ve always been good at lifting spirits—and apparently, tiny people.” He winked, giving her a playful bounce in his hands as he jogged to catch up with Liu Kang.
“Just don’t drop me, Cage, or we’re gonna have a problem,” Airlea warned, her voice carrying a mock seriousness.
“Are you kidding? You’re in good hands—literally!” Johnny beamed, holding her closer as they prepared for whatever danger lay ahead. "Plus, if Shang Tsung shows up, I’ll just throw you like a ninja star. It’ll be awesome!”
Airlea chuckled, shaking her head. “You throw me at anyone, and I swear, I’ll make sure your next red carpet is a disaster.”
“Noted.” Johnny winked as he jogged to catch up with Liu Kang, who was waiting by the door.
As Johnny jogged down the path, Airlea felt the familiar rush of exhilaration mixed with a hint of vulnerability. At her tiny size, the world around her seemed enormous, every sound amplified, every movement a new adventure. With each step Johnny took, she had to hold on tight to the fabric of his shirt, her little fingers gripping the material like it was a lifeline. The rhythmic sway of his shoulder felt like riding a roller coaster, and she couldn’t help but giggle at the absurdity of it all.
“Hey, are you okay up there?” Johnny called out, glancing up at her with an amused expression.
“Yeah! Just… hold on a second!” she laughed, feeling the world sway beneath her as he ran. “It’s a little bumpy up here!”
“Bumpy? Come on, this is a smooth ride!” he teased, adjusting his stride to be a bit steadier for her sake. Airlea appreciated the effort, though the motion still made her feel like she was on a ship navigating choppy waters.
As they approached a clearing, Liu Kang stood waiting, his presence commanding under the moonlit sky. He focused intently, channeling his energy as he prepared to open a portal. “We don’t have much time,” he said, his voice steady and serious. “We need to get to the Shaolin Temple so you all can train.”
With a flourish, Liu Kang opened the portal, and a swirling mass of energy erupted before them, shimmering like a mirage. Airlea peered into the glowing vortex, the colors shifting and pulsating, making it look like a gateway to another world. The air buzzed with anticipation.
“Ready?” Johnny asked, glancing back at her.
“Just don’t drop me!” she replied, laughter bubbling in her throat. She felt both exhilarated and terrified at the prospect of stepping through the portal, but with Johnny’s reassuring presence, she felt more courageous.
“Never!” Johnny declared, carefully positioning her to hold on as he took a step toward the portal. “Let’s do this!”
With one last look at Liu Kang, who nodded his encouragement, Johnny leaped through the portal, Airlea clinging to him tightly as they were engulfed in a kaleidoscope of light and sound. The sensation was surreal—like being wrapped in a whirlwind. She felt the rush of wind against her face, her heart pounding with every beat.
When they emerged on the other side, the vibrant colors faded to reveal the serene landscape of the Shaolin Temple, surrounded by majestic mountains and ancient trees. Airlea looked around in awe, the temple’s stone structures towering over her, their intricate carvings a testament to the artistry and history that thrived here.
“Welcome to the Shaolin Temple,” Liu Kang said, his voice echoing with pride. “This is where you will learn to harness your abilities and find your strength.”
time skip (it doesn’t specifically say, so for this story we’ll say a few months) -
As the sounds of monks training echoed through the temple grounds, Airlea perched on Johnny’s shoulder, feeling the vibrations of his every step as he strode across the courtyard. The sharp thwack of wood being hit and the soft sifting of sand underfoot filled the air, mixed with the unmistakable clash of Raiden sparring with the warrior monks nearby. Airlea watched in awe as Raiden’s lightning-fast movements struck through the training dummies with precision.
“That is not a good idea,” Raiden said, his calm tone belying the intensity of his movements.
“It is genius, Raiden,” Kung Lao countered, confidently. “The next time we see Sub-Zero, I will have to thank him for inspiring it. Ow!”
Raiden didn’t miss a beat. “See? It won’t be effective.” He tossed his hat, and it sliced effortlessly through another training dummy. “Maybe it’s too effective.”
Johnny shook his head with a grin, feeling Airlea tighten her grip. “You seeing this? Kung Lao’s getting schooled by his own trick,” he whispered to her. Airlea couldn't help but smile, though her focus was split between the fight and holding on.
“We just need to get on with it. We’ve been cooped up here for months. I can’t base a cinematic universe on Outworld’s monsters and magic if I don’t ever see them.”
“That’s why you’re here?” Kenshi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Johnny nodded. “Liu Kang said this gig would change the arc of my life. That’s how it gets done. My ex’ll rue the day she gave up on me. Plus I’m here for Tiny Tim over here too.”
Kenshi smirked. “So selfless.” Airlea rolled her eyes at the new nickname, even if she’d tell him not to call her that, he’d do it anyways.
“Oh please, Tattoo. You’re just here to get your sword back.”
Raiden, ever the mediator, stepped in. “We all have our reasons for being here. Some better than others. But we are not here to fight among ourselves. We are here to fight for Earthrealm.”
The low ring of a gong echoed through the courtyard, catching everyone’s attention.
“It’s about damn time,” Johnny muttered.
Liu Kang entered, his expression as steady as always. “And today one of you will be chosen to fight for Earthrealm at the tournament.”
Raiden frowned. “Only one of us, Lord Liu Kang? Isn’t Outworld fielding several champions?”
Liu Kang nodded. “The tournament’s rules give the host realm that advantage. And it is Outworld’s turn as host.”
Johnny, always curious, asked with a laugh, “You know, I don’t know why I’ve never asked this, but... uh… what’s our record at this tournament?”
Liu Kang’s voice was calm but firm. “Earthrealm and Outworld have long been evenly matched. But Outworld is gaining strength. Should it win, its more militant factions will be emboldened.”
“I thought you admired Outworld,” Raiden said, raising an eyebrow.
“It is a place of great knowledge, wealth, and beauty. But our realms do not share goals and beliefs. We coexist peacefully because Outworld respects our strength. Should we show weakness… our rival will become our enemy.”
“I will not lose, Lord Liu Kang,” Kung Lao said confidently.
“First, you must win the right to represent us. Whichever one of you outlasts the others will be chosen. Raiden, step forward.”
Johnny chuckled, shifting slightly so Airlea wouldn’t lose her balance. “Good call. Call the weak first.”
“You shall face him, Johnny Cage.”
Kenshi smirked. “Ready for your close-up?”
Johnny puffed his chest out, full of bravado. “All right, let’s do this. But remember, farm boy, I’m a global martial arts icon. I don’t think you can handle this much boom.”
Raiden, ever calm, replied, “I am ready, Johnny Cage. My mind and spirit fight as one.”
Before Johnny stepped up to fight, he looked to Airlea, still on his shoulder, and grinned. “Hey, tiny fan, I’m about to knock Raiden out of his sandals. Need to stash you somewhere safe.”
He reached for his pocket, but Airlea, already wary, held up her hands. “Oh no. Not again. You are not stuffing me in your pocket.”
Johnny hesitated, then looked at Kenshi with a mischievous grin. “Hey, Kenshi, can you watch her while I fight?”
Airlea crossed her arms, giving Johnny a look. “That ain't happening either. Just put me down, Cage.”
Johnny sighed dramatically, setting her down gently on a nearby ledge. “Alright, alright, down you go. But don’t say I didn’t offer you front-row seats.”
As Johnny stepped up to face Raiden, Airlea settled herself on the ledge, legs dangling over the edge as she watched intently.
The fight between Johnny and Raiden was quick, with Raiden's skills clearly overpowering Johnny's flashy moves. After Raiden’s victory, he stepped back and offered Johnny a respectful bow.
“This fight was an honor,” Raiden said.
Johnny, never one to lose gracefully, responded with a cocky grin. “You’re welcome.”
After Johnny's defeat at Raiden’s hands, he slowly picked himself up from the ground, brushing off his ego as much as the dirt on his pants. Airlea, sitting comfortably on the nearby ledge, couldn’t resist.
"So, that was the knockout you were so confident about?" Airlea quipped, crossing her tiny arms with a smirk. "Big talk, Cage. What happened to ‘too much boom’?"
Johnny, still rubbing his sore jaw, shot her a half-hearted glare but grinned. “Yea, yea, tiny fan. Everybody’s a critic.” He stepped over to her, scooping her back up and placing her on his shoulder with ease. “Let’s just pretend I let him win, okay?”
Airlea held on tight as she settled back into her spot, chuckling softly. “Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
Johnny rolled his eyes as Kenshi stepped forward to take his turn, the sarcasm still hanging in the air between them.
Liu Kang moved the match along. “Kenshi Takahashi, you are next.”
Kenshi, drawing his blade, looked at Raiden. “You have skills, Raiden, but you’re inexperienced.”
Raiden kept his composure. “Whatever experience I lack, I make up for in heart.”
Kenshi’s smirk widened. “It’s nerve, not heart, that wins fights. I should know. I’ve been in hundreds of them.”
Once again, Raiden triumphed, his victory earning a respectful nod from Kenshi.
“Do you still question my nerve?” Raiden asked.
Kenshi shook his head. “I do not. Yours was a well-earned victory.”
Liu Kang approached the group. “You may rest, Raiden. This evening you will face your final opponent.”
Johnny, still recovering from his earlier defeat, smirked. “Fifty bucks says Kung Lao wins.”
Kenshi chimed in with a challenge. “Make it interesting. Bet me Sento.”
Johnny shook his head with amusement. “Ha! Not on your life.”
Liu Kang turned back to Raiden and Kung Lao, his tone grave. “Raiden. Kung Lao. The winner of this match will represent Earthrealm against Outworld. It is a grave duty, not to be undertaken lightly. You may step back now and suffer no dishonor.”
Raiden, resolute, stepped forward. “I choose to fight, Lord Liu Kang.”
Kung Lao, ever confident, nodded. “As do I.”
“Then may the best person win,” Liu Kang said.
Kung Lao laughed, readying his stance. “Concede, Raiden. You have never beaten me. That won't change today.”
Raiden stood tall. “No? If the monks have taught us one thing... it's that the only constant in the universe is change.”
The fight was intense, but Raiden, true to his growing strength, finally bested Kung Lao.
“There is a first time for everything, Kung Lao,” Raiden said, offering him a respectful nod.
Liu Kang, impressed by Raiden’s display, stepped forward. “Although you have all trained well, Raiden has excelled. This outcome does not surprise me.”
Kung Lao, still in disbelief, managed a respectful nod. “How could I have… Congratulations, Raiden.”
“For the tournament, you will need this,” Liu Kang said, his hands glowing with electricity as he summoned forth an ancient relic. “Forged by the Elder Gods, it gives the wearer power over lightning and thunder. Go ahead. Try it.”
Airlea watched from Johnny’s shoulder, amazed by Raiden’s growth and the weight of what was about to come. Though she had chosen not to fight, she felt an unexpected pride in the path her allies were forging. With Earthrealm’s fate hanging in the balance, she knew they all had a part to play—even if her role was yet to be fully realized.
Johnny Cage exclaimed, "Holy Ark of the Covenant!"
Raiden gazed at the amulet in Liu Kang’s hand, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. "It is incredible. But is it necessary?"
Liu Kang nodded. "The Outworlders you will face possess not only great strength but also powerful magic. The amulet will help balance that."
Kung Lao, ever cautious, added, "You must be careful, Raiden. This could be dangerous. Even deadly."
Liu Kang shook his head calmly. "No participant has ever been seriously injured or killed during Mortal Kombat. I wouldn’t send you into battle unprepared. We depart for Outworld’s capital, Sun Do, in seven days. The tournament will take place at Empress Sindel's Palace. Outworld may seem both alien and alluring to those from Earthrealm. Do not let it distract you. Stay focused on the mission."
On Johnny's shoulder, Airlea sat, her tiny form almost blending in with the folds of his shirt. She wasn’t used to hearing about inter-realm battles and deadly tournaments. As Liu Kang's words sank in, the reality of what they were about to face hit her harder than she expected. She gripped Johnny’s collar tightly to steady herself, feeling every slight sway of his movements as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Her gaze flicked toward the others—towering warriors with their centuries of experience—while she still struggled with the very basics of her newfound abilities. The size difference wasn’t just physical; it felt like the gap between them and her was impossible to bridge. And yet, she was here. Part of the team. Liu Kang’s words lingered, hanging in the air as the group prepared for their next steps, each one burdened with their own silent thoughts.
