ON HIATUS

Homestuck fanfictions here, decided to make a writing blog cause not everyone goes on FF.net/AO3 and I see that lots of people are here on tumblr. All stories here are mostly oneshots of pairings. Some popular some not. What comes next could be completely random. Well I hope you enjoy your stay none the less. My icon was drawn by the fabulous Blimpcat body, a, a:hover { cursor:url(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mclpn3cuf11qg3bod.png), auto } I get fanart?? background credit

[obsessedstuck]

Are you going to write more for that shadow dave au?

Hello!

Wow when's the last time I did anything on here. A year ago....

As much as I'd like to it's sad to say that I may have fallen out of this fandom. Not completely but enough to write anything for it anymore it seems. I'm going to play safe and honestly say no I won't be writing anymore for it. But who knows when I randomly get the feeling of writing for it again if I go through my writing folders for nostalgia.

[obsessedstuck]

do you take requests?

maybe this is a thing i should do, take requests for short oneshots to get me writing again.

go ahead and try requesting something. if it takes my interest enough i'll write it, or try my best to

[obsessedstuck]

hey, I have a question! on your Homecraft AU fanfic What Cannot Be it says 'an alternate ending' to your Homecraft AU. is there another ending to it? plz say yes because that made me really sad and I couldn't sleep because I was crying all night >.<

right this blog still exists

well that was called an alternate end because that's not going to be how i'm going to end the original way i want to write the series. it was spur of the moment sadstuck davekat.

unfortunately the past semester hasn't been that nice to me and i think at the moment i have lost my will to write anything. it's upsetting because i still have so many ideas and things i want to work on

/sobs at all these unfinished AUs i keep starting.

[obsessedstuck]

Sometimes You Just Gotta Relax

Rating: T (cause Karkat) Pairing: Dave/Karkat Summary: Everyone needs a break every once in a while. Word Count: 1.4k

A typical evening on a typical Friday and all you can here is the sound of a keyboard clicking away in the bedroom of a stressed out troll. Karkat grumbles as he types. He scratches his head with a frustrated sigh before clicking through internet resources and then typing again. The troll doesn’t even hear his bedroom door open behind him when his housemate enters. Dave raises a brow at the troll hunched over the computer angrily typing away. Seeing that Karkat still hadn’t noticed him, he walks over and taps him on the shoulder.

“You know frowning at the screen up close like that will not only give you wrinkles on your forehead but make you need glasses too.”

“JESUS FUCK!” the troll practically jumps before he pushes back his chair to growl at Dave, “Ever heard of knocking shitstain!?”

“I wasn’t even trying to sneak up on you man. I didn’t even open the door that quietly. You were just too absorbed with whatever you’re doing,” Dave shrugs before sitting on the troll’s bed.

“I don’t have time for your crap right now Dave. Bother me some other time. I have three essays due next week so get out,” Karkat turns back to his laptop.

“Oh come on. You’re being that typical worried college student. I think you need to relax a bit.”

“Dave get out.”

The human raises a brow at him as he’s ignored. After a few minutes he gets up and closes the laptop in front of the troll before taking it away. Karkat looks at him with rage before jumping up and trying to reach for the device. Dave holds it high above him while pushing at the troll’s face to keep him down. At that moment the Cancer cursed his short stature.

“DAVE FUCKING STRIDER GIVE BACK MY HUSKTOP RIGHT NOW OR SO HELP ME I WILL THROW YOUR TURNTABLES OUT THE GOD DAMN WINDOW. I AM NOT IN THE MOOD FOR YOUR HOOFBEAST SHIT RIGHT NOW. I NEED TO COMPLETE THOSE ESSAYS,” Karkat growls again as he tries pulling away the hand on his face while trying to swipe at the hand that was holding his important essays away.

“Dude you are way too stressed out. I’m not joking I think you seriously need to relax. I’m pretty sure those bags under your eyes are getting darker than usual.”

“Shut up this is how I always look. Give. Back. My. Husktop!” the troll manages to get the hand off his face and moves in closer to reach for the device that was barely a hand’s reach away before his lips were suddenly captured by the human. With a sputter and his face turning red Karkat quickly backed up with his hands over his mouth until he fell back sitting on his bed, “Fucking cheater…”

“Alright how much of these essays have you done already?”

“… finished one, almost done second, outlined third.”

“You’re fine stop stressing yourself out holy crap. Tonight is movie night. Break time. When was the last time we even watched a movie together?”

“Wasn’t that like last week?”

Dave crosses his arms and looks over his sunglasses, “More like last month. You’ve been holed up in your room doing assignments ever since.”

“Well I have no time! The amount of time those stupid professors give me to do all these impossible assignments are just too little!”

“Make time. That’s what’s scheduling for. You’re kind of all over the place man.”

Karkat gives him a look with narrowed eyes, “I don’t want to hear that from you. Not like you had any sleep during fina-”

“We agreed not to talk about it. But hey I’ve gotten better now. Scheduling is a thing of beauty. Just look at me. I don’t look like the dying college student in the middle of midterms.”

“You still look like a huge douchebag.”

“You love it.”

“Can I get back to my essays now?” Karkat holds out his hand for the laptop.

“Have you been listening at all? You need a break. I’m putting this away and we’re having movie night. Now go pick out what you want heck maybe even more let’s marathon. I’ll go make popcorn,” without another word Dave leaves the room with the device.

Karkat sits there dumbfounded for a moment before letting out a sigh. One night off shouldn’t hurt…

Dave comes back in minutes later with a bowl of popcorn, “Wow I honestly expected more screaming or yelling. Thought you were chasing me so I looked back to find an empty hallway.”

“Not like you would’ve let me work if I did anyways,” Karkat rolls his eyes already sitting comfortably on his bed, “I already put the movie in get over here idiot.”

“Sweet,” Dave turns off the room light before he sits close behind Karkat with his legs up at his sides and chin resting on the troll’s head. A smile appears on his face when he feels Karkat lean back on him. He put the popcorn bowl on the troll’s lap before wrapping his arms around his waist, “A yes the perfect comfortable hugging troll. My favourite size, fits just right.”

Karkat feels a blush creep on his face as he reaches up to take off the human’s sunglasses, “Shut up you corny doofus.”

He then puts on the sunglasses and looks at the TV screen still waiting on the DVD menu, “Were you planning on watching with this stupid things still on even with your terrible human vision?”

“Maybe. Gotta keep the cool look 24/7 you know,” Dave took the sunglasses back and put them to the side before snuggling in closer to the troll, “Alright I am ready for action. Or romcom. Whatever you put in.”

Karkat presses play and the marathon begins.  It really had been a while since they had last watched a movie together. The troll had missed this and really enjoyed the comfort of watching movies with Dave along with the fun commentary or casual debate here and there.

He didn’t even realize when he fell asleep.

When the troll wakes up he finds the face of a sleeping blonde right in front of his and an arm over him. Ever so slowly he turns and shifts to get off the bed but just as he nears the edge the arm pulled him back.

“Go back t’sleep,” the voice behind Karkat mumbles.

“The movie night was fun and all but I should get back on working on those essays.”

“Shut up and sleep. Plus I hid your crap so even if you do leave you won’t be able to find it without me.”

“It’s under the couch cushion in the living room isn’t it.”

“No.”

Karkat shifts again and then a leg went on top of his hooks around them and pulls him back making him trapped, “Dave I also have cla-”

“Holy fuck it’s a Saturday just sleep IN for a FEW more hours.”

“... You’re not much of a morning person are you?”

Dave groans before tightening his hold on the troll, “No now go back to sleep.”

Karkat slowly moves his hand up to the human’s so that he could pry it off.

“Karkat Vantas if you move one more time I will lay on top of you until we are done sleeping in.”

The troll lets out a sigh before giving up, “Hey let go for a second.”

“Hell no I’m not going to let you book it.”

“I won’t just for a second.”

Dave pauses for a moment before letting go. Karkat turns around and looks at the human who had his arms still reached out above him ready to grab him if he did run. A small amused smile appears on his face before he moves back in close into Dave’s embrace. Then human lets out a satisfied hum before wrapping his arms around him again.

“You know I was trying to finish those essays so we could go out later when I finished before the deadline.”

“I was having troll cuddle withdrawal. You kept me waiting too long and I’m sure you can finish it before next weekend for a date before you get new crap to work on. You’re a hard worker.”

“Thanks. I really did need this.”

“Me too,” Dave buries his face into the troll’s fluffy hair, “Now hush only cuddles now.”

Karkat smiles and closes his eyes letting rest over take him once more. 

[jjonghyun]

the first harry potter book is only 76k words

i’ve read gay fan fic longer than harry potter

[lorettylynns-archive-blog]

i’ve written gay fan fic

longer than harry potter

[bluepuffycat]

I’ve written gay fan fic about Harry Potter longer than Harry Potter

[kneelbeforemistressphil]

bless you all

[obsessedstuck]

A Clingy Boy Sticking for 15 Years

Rating: G Pairing: Dave/Karkat Summary: Love can be one of the most powerful things in the world. Word Count: 3.1k

Start Reading

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 25: Graduation

­2 Months After Awakening

“For freedom from the hemospectrum!”

“For freedom!” the adults and children cheered as they held their glasses up.

After finally setting up the voting polls and the campaigns for the ones who would run in the new troll council, Feferi rented out an entire restaurant to celebrate. Everyone in their group was invited, even the entire human family. Dualscar for some reason was the only one that didn’t go.

“Don’t do it Bro, he’s got a girl. A scary one too,” Dave took a sip of his drink as he looked around at the happy group, “Plus we don’t know how old they actually are and stuff. He could be like John and Jade’s gramps’ age for all we know.”

“Gramps was mighty fine looking in his picture too though.”

“Yooooooo. What the fuck, dude, Bro gross.”

“What’th groth?” Sollux asked as he wheeled over to them after getting an earful from Karkat.

“Just talking about how hot as hell your dad is,” Dirk gave a nod as he scoped out the Psiionic. The elder Gemini visibly shivered as he ‘looked’ around. The Handmaid asked him what was wrong before looking at the Striders with a raised brow. Dirk gave her a friendly smile and waved.

“Um,” Sollux wasn’t sure what to feel or say about the situation.

“Don’t worry he’s just kidding,” Dave tried to reassure him, “He’s just teasing me cause I’m dating you.”

“Thure . . .” Sollux answered unbelievingly as Dirk began to whistle.

“That was quite the feat you did Mr. Vantas. You made such an impact on your society too,” John’s father complimented.

“Yes, a parent will do whatever it takes to let their children have a brighter future. Although, I do apologize for letting your own children get involved in our mess.”

“We’ve been over this. It is alright. They are growing up so fast we don’t realize how strong they are. John was the only one who had the worst of the wounds but he has healed,” Mr. Egbert smiled as he watched John pester the annoyed Karkat.

“Yes that is true, children grow up so fast,” the Disciple poured a glass of wine for Rose’s mother.

“They grow fast and then you wonder if you’ve ever done anything right for them. Of course you guys have nothing to worry about since your whole life’s devotion for your children is out there for the world to know,” the Lalonde took a sip as she looked at Rose sitting comfortably with Kanaya.

“Whatever are you talking about? I am sure you have done many wonderful things for your children. Rose looks like such a dignified child after all,” the Disciple looked over to Nepeta who was sitting with Equius giggling and blushing as the Sagittarius looked away with a smile and a blush.

The bottle in her hands suddenly disappeared and she looked up to find the Grand Highblood chugging it down.

“Friend I do not think it is wise to be drinking it like that,” the Signless suggested.

“Shut up, you did not just have some FAIRY ASSED BUGGER lecturing you about his MOTHERFUCKING SON and his matespritship alright. I mean I’m not even dating the motherfucking kid it’s my fucking son so why in the motherfucking hell is he LECTURING ME!?” the large troll stopped drinking for a second to let out his ramble before drinking again.

“I apologize for him,” the Signless let out a nervous chuckle.

“It’s alright we’ve heard of him already, we understand,”Mr. Egbert chuckled as well as he watched the Grand Highblood stagger away to find more alcohol to help him forget and probably help him resist the urge to pummel the Summoner.

“Vriska is there something on my face? Do I have a strange scar of some sort?” Zylpha asked her moirail.

“What oh no.”

“Then why have you been staring at me every time we’ve met since the trial?”

“I was staring? Oh sorry. No nothing’s wrong with your face.”

“Then why do you keep staring?”

Vriska recalled the memo from a month ago with the strange and supposed future Zylpha that accidentally joined in, “It’s nothing really, just wondering about the future I guess.”

“Hm.”

“No seriously.”

“I never said I didn’t believe you.”

“Right whatever,” Vriska dismissed it.

“Does it feel better since you’re not in a wheelchair anymore?”

“Fuck yes god I felt so useless,” she was free from her wheelchair but was still pretty weak.

“Have you apologized to Tavros yet since you know how he felt after all those years?” Terezi asked as she sat down with them after getting some desserts.

“What is it to you Tez? I don’t have to apologize, he’s fine now anyways.”

“That’s because she uh, already apologized to me a long time ago. About a year I think, after the uh, incident,” Tavros suddenly exclaimed from behind the girls as he walked by with Gamzee.

Vriska let out a startled squeak, “Oh my god Pupa I told you not to tell anyone!”

Gamzee and Tavros smiled along with the two other girls as they giggled at Vriska who slouched in her chair.

“Come on we have to talk,” John declared as he began to pull Karkat outside.

“Ow hey slow down I just recovered!” Karkat complained as he was dragged out. He didn’t need the crutches anymore but his leg was still sore. John ignored his complaints as he pulled the boy to the entrance of the fancy restaurant. He didn’t stop pulling until they were outside and there he stood in front of the door with crossed arms to make sure Karkat wouldn’t escape back inside. The night air was cool from the beginning of the spring season.

“Alright, no more beating around the bush Karkat. You’ve been avoiding this for two whole fucking months already and I am not going to let you get away from me this time until you tell me. Why. Did. You. Kiss. Me.”

“To distract you duh. How else was I going to get you to let go of me back there,” Karkat kept his gaze trained to the floor.

“I don’t think so. It felt different or something or there was something more to it. Okay I’m just really confused as fuck about this whole thing. You could have distracted me in so many other ways so why a kiss?”

It didn’t sound like John talked to anyone about this and his pent up feelings were finally bursting out, “I . . . I thought that would be the last time I got to see you okay. The last time I saw anyone.”

“But we would have gone to save you no matter what. None of us would have let you die and you know it. We’re the idiots that put ourselves in danger to protect others. You know that so what was it really for? Tell me!”

“Fuck John you are so stupid!”

“I’m stupid!? Well then clear up my stupidity Mr. Vantas. Clear it all up by telling me why-”

“IT’S BECAUSE I HAVE FLUSHED FEELINGS FOR YOU ALRIGHT YOU DUMBASS OF A HUMAN!” Karkat screamed with his eyes shut tight.

John stared at with shocked eyes, “. . . . F-flushed? Th-that means like you . . . like . . .  me? . . . Red?”

“. . .yes,” Karkat kept his eyes shut with his head facing downwards. His cheeks feeling evidently warmer.

“H-how long?”

“Since first year of high school . . .”

A long silence.

“W-wow Karkat I um-“

“NO. Just don’t say anything. I know what you’re going to say so just spare me and don’t say it,” Karkat pushed John to the side and ran back in.

“Wha- Wait Karkat!”

*********************************************************

5 Months After Awakening

“Gamzee is graduating too?” Karkat looked disbelievingly at the Capricorn, in his graduating gown and hat, who had an arm slung over Tavros’ shoulders.

“Yeah best friend. I studied long and hard so I could make my pops proud,” Gamzee looked at his father who was standing and looking uncomfortable in the clothes the Dolorosa picked out for him. The Summoner, who was sporting a black eye, was standing behind the Signless and using him as a shield because when he made fun of how different and out of character the Highblood looked he got a punch to the face, “Even if I did want to spend another miraculous year with the rest of you, you all are still going to come up to the university later so I might as well beat you there.”

“But how?” Karkat asked, completely bewildered.

“We missed the final exams from the first semester because of the incident but thanks to Dualscar we all got to take deferred exams. Gamzee was very intent on studying so we all helped him. He even studied enough to reach honours,” Kanaya said proudly.

“That’s right, got myself some motherfucking As in art, strife and cooking.”

“Wow Gamzee that’s awesome!” Nepeta, who was practically stuck to Equius’ side, complimented.

“Wait honours? Him? Really?”

“Yes really. You should have more confidence in your moirail,” Rose gave him a smirk.

“Yes, Makara has done an excellent job in his studies and it is pleasant to be all graduating together like this,” Equius complimented.

“Aw thanks strong bro.”

“Ah there’s my graduating girl! I’m so proud of you!” Rose’s mother suddenly appeared and hugged her daughter.

“Thank you mother,” Rose smiled as the rest of her family approached them.

“Hey Karkat what’s up,” John greeted with a fist bump.

“Nothing much except the usual,” Karkat returned it.

Strangely enough, John never brought up the confession after Karkat had run off and just acted like nothing happened. He didn’t go around telling everyone or make fun of him like how he expected him to do either. It was fine with Karkat if it meant that it would keep their friendship intact.

“Hello, beautiful day isn’t it. Perfect weather for a convocation,” Aradia approached them with smiles. Behind her followed the Psiionic and Handmaid (who were holding hands) along with Sollux. The Gemini was out of his wheelchair for two weeks already so he was faring well. His father was slowly getting used to his blind state and his psionics helped out a lot.

“Alright you guys wwe havve to get to our seats pretty soon here,” Eridan warned as he looked at his watch.

“Calm your tit’th mith’ter valedictorian. FF hathn’t even arrived yet.”

“Oh you’re here,” Eridan said with disdain when he looked at Sollux, “I don’t knoww if Fef has the time to evven come. She’s so busy after all.”

Feferi stayed in her place of ‘rule’ since many were still insecure about the new governmental system. They felt that they still needed her to be there so only her position didn’t change. Other than that, the current troll council had trolls with all sorts of blood colours.

“At least wait for your family geez,” Terezi called out as the scourge family approached them with Zylpha.

“I know I wasn’t really there to raise you but I’m proud of you,” Mindfang ruffled his head.

 Eridan quickly pulled away and tried to fix his hair, “Gah mom come on I havve to talk on stage and evveryfin.”

“Oh shut up and come here,” Eridan let out an ‘oof’ as Mindfang pulled him into a hug. Terezi cackled as Vriska stood looking bored.

Once he was let go, a blur of pink and greenish-grey zoomed past them and tackled Eridan down. Feferi’s pink wings fluttered behind her as she sat up with a big smile and regained her breath. The entire group quickly circled around her.

“Feferi you’re not supposed to show your God Tier in public!” Aradia scolded.

“Sorry sorry!” Feferi’s god tier outfit disappeared and was replaced with a semi-formal dress, “It was the fastest way to get here. I finished all my work so I could make it to your graduation!”

She hugged Eridan as the sea troll sat up and he let out a breath, “Are you shore you can be here Fef?”

“Yes! I finished my work and checked with the council and everything! I flew here as fast as I could so I wouldn’t miss anyfin! I’m totally not being shell-fish about this at all okay. I did everything for the troll society first before coming here.”

“Haha okay okay I get it,” Eridan gave her a quick peck on the lips before the two sea trolls were helped up.

“Uh I think we should all, go to our seats, now. The ceremony is uh, starting soon,” Tavros pointed out.

“Eridan wwhere are you?” Dualscar called and looked around. He saw the group and froze in spot.

“Get to your seats, hurry it’s startin’ soon!” he called once more before attempting to abscond. Mingfang easily caught up to him and put an arm over his shoulder.

“Come on Orphaner. We’re all friends now, quit avoiding us, we don’t bite.”

“Aranea I have a convvocation to start and the children must go to their seats right this minute.”

“Who gave you the right to use my name huh?” Mingfang put the man into a headlock with a smile making Eridan rush over.

“Mom you can bother him later! Wwe should really go noww.”

“Hmph,” Mindfang let go and Dualscar quickly left towards the stage. The rest followed after.

“I can’t wait for this summer! We’re all going to have a blast at Zylpha’s hotel!” Jade exclaimed. Feferi had sent her some drones to use to fix her mother’s hotel and so the construction was finished and newly refurbished. A little different from how it was before but at least it was no longer run down. A few of the old workers even offered to return.

“Thanks for the sweet hook up sea troll chick,” Dirk gave her a thumbs up.

“It’s not a problem at all. That’s what I was planning on doing since I caused so much trouble before.”

“What trouble? You helped us out so much. Quit talking like you were the problem god,” Vriska swatted her arm.

“We have to set up for mother’s and father’s wedding as well,” Aradia smiled as her mother blushed along with her new father.

“So Ara’s goin’ to be your sister noww huh.”

“Don’t even th’tart ED. It’th wath worthe for you becauthe th’he wath already your thith’ter.”

“WWhat the fuck Sol! That wwasn’t wwhat I wwas tryin’ to bring up at all!”

“Hey we never got the name of that hotel. What’s it called?” John asked.

“Well it never really had a name. It was just a place where travellers of all kinds came to rest during their travels.”

“You should give it a name then!” Jade suggested.

“I should shouldn’t I,” Zylpha thought about it for a minute before a smile grew on her face, “I’ll name it after my mother . . . The Siren’s Call.”

*******************************************************************************

This chat takes place while Zylpha is still in the hospital.

silentConcerto [SC] began pestering immaculateSerenade [IS]

SC: How’s the hospital patient~? IS: sorry ! am not !n the mood to speak today IS: perhaps another t!me SC: Wait what’s up~? ): SC: You can talk to me you know~ IS: !’m ser!ous|y not !n the mood . . . SC: Come on a feelings jam always makes someone feel better~ SC: I know it’s supposed to be your moirail’s job but come on you can tell me~ IS:  . . . IS: ! just found out that my mother has been dead for a sweep SC: D: SC: Wait you’re Zlypha right? IS: yes ! to|d you th!s a wh!|e ago SC: Man you totally should have to me sooner! SC: Your mom has been living at my place for like 3 years before she died! IS: what? but karkat to|d me that the condesce had k!||ed her SC: Uh no she was at my place :| SC: She wasn’t murdered. She kind of died of cancer. IS: what do you mean k!nd of SC: Okay she did die of cancer. SC: She told me her only regret was being unable to see her daughter before she died. SC: I had no idea you were her daughter. SC: Sorry. ): IS: no !t’s a|r!ght IS: . . . ! am just IS: happy ! th!nk? know!ng that she was not k!||ed by that psychopath SC: I know the whole internet friend thing is a little sketchy but I’m telling the truth. Honestly. SC: We’ve only talked and haven’t really shown each other who we are and stuff but I feel like I’m a really close friend of yours you know~? IS: yes ! understand IS: ! on|y revea|ed myse|f s!nce you a|ready saw me on the news IS: a|though !t !s sad know!ng that ! cou|d not see her !n her f!na| moments, ! fee| better that she was !n a safe p|ace and perhaps d!ed !n peace? SC: Well peaceful enough if you don’t count the part where she missed you. SC: Your mom was a totally nice troll though~! Really nice and kept telling me stories about her wonderful daughter~ SC: About how she met the Singless and helped him out too~ SC: She escaped to my city to hide from authorities but she regretted leaving you behind. SC: She didn’t want you to be involved yet you were anyways. SC: I guess you could call it fate~? IS: fate !s one way to put !t IS: !t’s strange sudden|y hear!ng !t |!ke th!s SC: I’m sorry. ): IS: !t’s not your fau|t IS: ! shou|d be thank!ng you for tak!ng care of my mother SC: It was no problem at all~ and well I think she took more care of me than the other way around~ (: IS: but she was happy r!ght? SC: Whenever she was talking about you I guess, but that wasn’t very often. ): IS: ! see . . . IS: may ! ask why you jo!ned that one memo back to before the !nc!dent? SC: What~? :\ IS: there was th!s one memo where at the end you went ‘you’re all fucked~’ SC: I don’t remember doing that. :/ SC: How can I join one of your troll memos when I wasn’t friends with any of the other friends of yours? IS: hm we|| !t d!d have a quest!on mark on your name as we|| at the t!me so !t cou|d e!ther be you from the future or not you at a|| SC: Well I dunno~ We’ll just have to wait and see won’t we~? SC: Do you want to know who I am yet~? IS: yes, !t’s on|y fa!r s!nce you know who ! am SC: Well I’m not telling~ IS: excuse me? SC: If you want to know who I am and find out where your mother’s grave is then I suggest you come and find me~! IS: how on earth can ! f!nd you? SC: I’ll give you a hint~ SC: Come to Skaiternia University~

silentConcerto [SC] cesased pestering immaculateSerenade [IS]

****************************************************************************************

Start Over | <==

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 24: Freedom

“Thank you for your interesting input mister Makara,” the legislacerator said flatly. To Karkat it sounded like he was mocking the Capricorn and probably thought the troll was an idiot.

“No problem man,” Gamzee smiled before going back to his seat.

The trial from then on consisted of arguments back and forth and to Karkat it felt like they were getting nowhere. The legislacerator was pretty good at making rebuttals and keeping the jury on his side. The place ended up being a debate room where they eventually just ended up shouting opinions from their seats. Even the jury joined in. A few were on their side and talked about dreams being crushed because of their caste and such.

It was weird when they began to talk about the situation at the prison and how the Siren was a part of all this. Zylpha was called up for her testimonial.

“So your mother helped the Sufferer get away and you were there with her?”

“Yes,” she responded calmly.

“And then she sent you away when Her Imperious Condescension sent guards to you mother’s hotel?”

Zylpha nodded.

“Where is your mother now?”

“. . .  She is dead.”

“Oh and do you know how she died and for how long?”

“She has been dead for a sweep . . . A friend of mine told me that she died of a disease.”

Wait what. That’s not what Karkat said to her. The Cancer gave her a confused look. Why was she lying? But then he recalled the words the Condesce said when he was caught again.

The best part is, her mother has been dead for a sweep already.

The woman never said she had killed her mother, Karkat just assumed. He wondered where she had gotten that information.

“Is this ‘friend’ that told you of your mother’s death here?”

“No.”

“Very well then, how about you share to us your opinion on this ordeal.”

“It is ridiculous. We cannot even compare to the humans. Before we thought we were above them and thought they were weak and now we are trying to become equal with them but I believe we are wrong. The humans are above us. They do not separate themselves through ridiculous castes. We are like animals, striving for dominance with our violent troll nature. This needs to change or else the humans could look down on us and not even deem us as equals to them. Many fear us still even after our peace treaty. We wish to be equal with the humans? How outrageous. How can we do that if we cannot even be equal among ourselves. It is a wonder how they ever agreed to live harmoniously with us.”

One of the lowblood janitors suddenly broke out it tears and loud sobbing. The girl with the yellow insignia on her sleeve took off her shoe and chucked it at the legislacerator before running out of the court room. A few of her friends followed after to see if she was okay. The legislacerator stared dumbfounded at the shoe on the ground that had hit his head earlier and an awkward silence took place.

The judge broke the silence by hitting her mallet on her desk, “Well it has been a long day and I think that is enough for now. I will speak further with the council and a few of the jury and we will see if we need another court date. For now you are all dismissed. The Sufferer’ group shall be under house arrest until further notice.”

Everyone began to file out as a few guards escorted the others. The legislacerator picked up the shoe with a sigh before leaving. Karkat looked at the clock. They had been in there for 8 whole fucking hours just talking and arguing and getting absolutely nowhere. His stomach growled.

“Hehe, let’s go home and we’ll cook a nice hearty dinner for all of you,” the Disciple suggested as she helped Karkat up.

“Mom’s cooking? Yay!” Nepeta exclaimed with glee.

“Cooking huh. Haven’t done that in a while,” Mindfang mused to herself. Vriska and Terezi exchanged horrified expressions.

“Mom no, do you remember last time? You almost-” Vriska suddenly got a hand over her mouth by her mother and her wheelchair was swiftly pushed away.

“Hehe well see you all later,” Terezi waved to them as she left with her family, “We’ll be online if you need to talk.”

“Peace out motherfuckers. I’ll be online too alright best friend?” Gamzee patted Karkat’s shoulder before leaving with his dad.

“Is that boy really your matesprit?” the Summoner questioned Tavros as they walked out.

“D-dad n-not here!” Tavros quickly shoved his dad out as he waved to the others.

Everyone left with their respective families as the sea trolls stayed back a bit and chatted with each other. Escort guards waited for them and left when they were ready. With the Psiionic and Sollux being invalid, Aradia and the Handmaid were allowed to take care of them.

“Hey Karcrab,” Karkat turned to see that the four sea trolls had migrated over to them. Dualscar looked away and tried to keep some sort of distance from them.

“Hey. Thanks for everything.”

“But we didn’t win yet. There’s a meeting after this too which we will be going to. Whale after dinner of course, but don’t worry I will do my best to make shore they agree with your Dad’s teachings.”

“You are working hard to help us. Thank you very much,” the Signless smiled and patted her head.

“Hehe it’s not a problem at all. I want all of us to be able to live comfortably after all. We’re all precious fronds and it’s a shame to be separated by this stupid hemospectrum. What Zylpha said before was right. It’s a wonder how the humans ever agreed to live in peace with us crazies.”

“I-I only said what I thought,” Zylpha felt embarrassed from the recognition.

“Thank you too Dualscar,” the Dolorosa smiled at the man who quickly glanced at them before looking away.

“I’m just doin’ my job. Servin’ the Empress an’ following her wwishes is my duty,” he turned and headed for the exit, “I wwill be wwaitin’ in the car.”

“Did you get to talk to your dad yet?” Nepeta asked Eridan.

“Yeah I did. It wwas mostly yellin’ at each other but wwe did come to an understandin’ in the end.”

“Yelling? More like sobbing each other’s eyes out and hugging each other. Dualscar was all crying and apologizing to him. I guess he never realized what he had until he almost lost it,” Feferi held Eridan’s hand and gave it a squeeze as the Aquarius blushed.

“Fef! I told you not to tell anyone! M-My dad does not cry and neither do I. WWe had a serious convversation about the wwhole ordeal and came to an agreeable conclusion.”

“I’m glad you were able to work things out with him,” the Disciple smiled with a small chuckle.

“Right wwell wwe havve to go. Don’t wwant to be late and all,” Eridan quickly pulled Feferi out with him.

“Eridan hey! We don’t want to leave Zylpha behind. Bye guys! I’ll update on anyfin that I can.”

“Don’t worry about us. Good luck with your meeting,” Kanaya waved farewell.

“Wait Zlypha, how did you find out about your mom?” Karkat questioned before she followed the other two out, “Sorry for assuming before and all but seriously how?”

“I made a friend online about a year ago and we were just chatting buddies and he didn’t find out who I was until recently. He told me that she had escaped to his home in another city after she had helped everyone else at the hotel. She was healthy until a sweep ago where they found out she had cancer. I haven’t been able to ask him where he is so I’m not sure which city her grave is at the moment.”

“Well it’s better than having your mother killed by the Condesce um right? Sorry that didn’t sound right,” Nepeta attempted to cheer her up.

“It’s fine. Thank you for your thoughts but I’m alright,” Zylpha attempted a smile but failed and awkwardly looked away.

“Zyl let’s go! I just said wwe don’t wwant to be late!” Eridan called from the hall.

“I should go. We will definitely persuade them to take your side.”

“Thank you. I am sorry for your mother but she was a wonderful woman and she helped us greatly,” the Signless stated.

“Yeah I know,” Zylpha gave them a genuine smile that time and then left.

Nepeta yawned and rubbed her eyes.

“Let’s go, you all must be starving,” the Dolorosa ushered them out.

******************************************************************

The first thing Karkat did when he got home was call for Crabdad. There was no response and Nepeta ran all over the house before telling him that she couldn’t find him or Pounce anywhere. The family then checked the backyard with guards watching them closely. They reached the Mother Grub’s cave and there they found three little posts. Karkat fell to his knees before them as Nepeta buried her face in her father’s embrace. They were really gone . . . before he could let the depression wave over him he found a little note stuck to one of the posts and took it off before unfolding it.

Hey kid,

Not sure if you remember us but we’re the two guards that met you at the convenience store, visited your house and tried to pull you out of school before you friend blasted us away. To be honest we were actually followers of your dad. Before heading over to your school we had to scope out your house after some other group had raided it and walked out with the matriorb. We’re sorry for one of the lusus but you don’t have to worry about the other two. They’re not dead. You’re a little old to be still having a lusus so we took them back to the lusus grub assigning facility. It was the only way we could keep them alive since the other guys wanted to kill them completely. Sorry for taking them away but we thought we should let you know that they’re still alive.

Grow up good kid.

The letter wasn’t signed so he never found out the name of the guards but he was thankful. He passed the letter on to Nepeta to cheer her up. Having Crabdad assigned to a new grub was a lot better than having him culled so he was okay with this now that he had his parents back. He just hoped Crabdad was happy where ever he was now and somewhat felt sorry for the grub that would get assigned to him. So this grave here was only for the Mother Grub and the other two posts were just there as a memorial. Kanaya stood there solemnly but recovered after she remembered the matriorb. Her lusus would always be with her and it was her duty to raise the new one.

It was nice to finally have dinner as a full family. It had been so long since they last sat like that and ate like a real family. They even all sat in the living room and watched TV together with him, his father, and mother sitting on the couch with Nepeta sprawled on top of them asleep. The Dolorosa sat in an armchair and fell asleep within a couple of minutes. Kanaya went upstairs and came back with Karkat’s husktop as well as her own.

“It appears John has attempted to contact you many times,” she gave him a knowing smile as she handed the husktop to him before putting a blanket onto the Dolorosa.

“Ugh great. Time for the spam of blue to blast into my fucking face,” Karkat opened Trollian and within a millisecond John messaged him.

ectoBiologist [EB] began pestering carcinoGeneticist [CG]

EB: hey dude! how was the trial? did you win? CG: FUCKING BORING AND IT GOT NOWHERE CG: HAD TO SIT IN THAT HELL HOLE FOR EIGHT FUCKING HOURS OF NOTHING AND STUPID ARGUMENTS CG: FOR A TROLL THAT HATED HIS JOB THAT FUCKER ACTUALLY DID HIS JOB PRETTY WELL. EB: what? CG: THE LEGISLACERATOR THAT WAS AGAINST US. EB: so you lost? CG: YES WE LOST EGBERT THIS IS WHY I’M SITTING AT HOME WAITING FOR THE CALL OF WHEN THE NEXT FUCKING TRIAL WILL COME SO I CAN GO TO IT AND HAVE IT GO NOWHERE AGAIN AND BE PISSED OFF AT STUPID TROLLS THAT DON’T UNDERSTAND SIMPLE CONCEPTS AND WISH TO MAKE ALL OUR FUCKING LIVES MISERABLE. EB: wow you need like sleep or something EB: i just wanted to check on you if you were okay but man you’re grouchier than normal CG: FUCK JOHN JUST CG: I’M SORRY ALRIGHT IT’S BEEN A LONG DAY. EB: wow you must be really tired if you’re apologizing to me

“So this is the boy you’re flushed for? The nice boy clad in blue? Have you confessed yet?” the Disciple commented as she looked onto his screen.

“Gah mom!” Karkat held his husktop up and away from her so that she couldn’t see, “N-no I haven’t confessed.”

“Why not?” she gave him a playful smile.

“Human problems alright,” Karkat blushed and put his husktop at an angle so that his mother wouldn’t look on. He moved causing Nepeta to shift and curl up.

“It’s worth a shot isn’t it? He appeared to be a very nice boy,” the Singless picked up Nepeta, “Go for it Karkat. Try and see first before you make assumptions. I’ll take Nepeta to her room.”

Karkat narrowed his eyes at his screen as the man took his sister to her room.

EB: dude you still there? EB: don’t tell me fell asleep on me EB: alright whatever talk to you tomorrow EB: glad you’re alright for now i guess

ectoBiologist [EB] ceased pestering carcinoGeneticist [CG]

“Aw there goes you chance,” the Disciple moved to watch again since Nepeta was no longer in her lap to obstruct her.

Karkat sighed and closed his husktop, “It’s not the right time . . . we’re in too much stuff right now and I don’t know I’m sure he’s going to reject me. He’s only interested in girls after all.”

“But you’ll never know if you don’t try darling,” the Disciple gave him a hug as he rubbed his eyes, “Hm well it’ll probably best to dwell on it tomorrow. You should sleep now.”

The Disciple gave him a kiss on the head and stood up. She stepped away and felt a tug on her shirt. She looked back to see Karkat looking down and holding on to it.

“You . . . will be here tomorrow right? This isn’t a dream? I’m not going to wake up tomorrow and just live some high school life without knowing where you are r-right?” Karkat choked on the last word.

“Yes I will be here,” the Disciple knelt down and held his head to look at her, “I will be here when you wake up and so will your father. We won’t ever leave you again. I promise.”

Karkat will deny anything Kanaya said. He was not picked up and carried like a wriggler to his room in the arms of his mother. He was helped up since it was hard for him walk up with his injured leg. He did not cry. He was a strong leader no matter the situation and he definitely did not ask for a goodnight kiss.

But there was nothing wrong with missing and loving your parents when they had been gone for so long.

*****************************************************************************************

­CURRENT carcinoGeneticist [CCG] RIGHT NOW opened memo on board NOT OUT OF HERE YET.

CCG: WELL YESTERDAY WAS A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME CURRENT twinArmageddons [CTA] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CTA: agreed CTA: that wa2 the longe2t ii’ve ever been iin a room where ii diidn’t have a computer iin front of me CCG: THAT HIGH STRUNG STUBBORN HOOFBEAST SHIT OF LEGISLACERATOR WAS SUCH A FUCKING PAIN TOO CCG: HE SOMEHOW JUST KEPT EVERYONE ON HIS SIDE AND DODGED SHIT AND KEPT MAKING US LOOK BAD. CTA: yeah and he even made you choke CTA: you almost told them about ED and the god tiier 2tuff CURRENT gallowsCalibrator [CGC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CGC: H3Y H3Y NO N33D TO BL4M3 OUR F34RL3SS L34D3R CGC: W3 4LL D1D OUR B3ST 4ND F3F3R1 1S ST1LL F1GHT1NG FOR US R1GHT NOW CURRENT arachnidsGrip [CAG] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CAG: Hey don’t forget a8out what happened yesterday with that legislacer8tor. ::::) CGC: H3H3H3 OH Y34H TH4T CCG: WHAT DID YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT ABOUT HIM YESTERDAY? CGC: YUP R3M3MB3R TH4T Y3LLOWBLOOD THAT R4N OUT CRY1NG Y3ST3RD4Y? CCG: YEAH. CAG: We found the legislacer8or talking to her after the trial. Looked like they were secret m8esprits. CGC: TH4T G1RL K3PT C4LL1NG H1M 4N 1D1OT 4ND W4S 4SK1NG WHY H3 W4S 4G41NST US WH3N SH3 KN3W TH4T H3 W4NT3D TH3 H3MOSP3CTRUM TO 3ND JUST 4S B4DLY 4S W3 D1D CGC: H3 S41D SOM3TH1NG 4BOUT 1T B31NG H1S JOB OR SOM3TH1NG CURRENT apocalypseArisen  [CAA] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CAA: it is understandable as t0 why he did such a thing CAA: there are many 0ut there wh0 are afraid 0f judgement by the highbl00ds which is why they keep it a secret CAA: and even with them being against the caste system, there is n0thing they can d0 ab0ut it CAA: if they d0 anything suspiciu0s then it c0uld mean tr0uble f0r them and the 0ne they pity CURRENT terminallyCapricious [CTC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CTC: mAn ThAt WaS wHaT i WaS aLl Up AnD tAlKiNg AbOuT yEsTeRdAy :0( CTC: So MuCh MoThErFuCkInG lOvE kEpT oN tHe DoWn LoW cAuSe BrOtHeRs AnD sIsTeRs AlL sCaReD oF tHe BiG LaWs CURRENT arsenicCatnip [CAC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CAC:  :33 < *ac contemplates on how they feel* that’s just so sad though CAC:  :33 < that would mean that they wouldn’t be able to have any sort of relationship at all CAC:  :33 < if your blood colour is what decides who you can hang out with or like then that’s just dumb CAC:  :33 < it’s like saying trolls can’t like humans or boys can’t like girls CCG: NEPETA DID YOU REALLY HAVE TO BRING THAT UP. CGC: OH K4RK4T W3 W3RN’T 3V3N T4LK1NG 4BOUT YOU CTA: yeah KK not everythiing ii2 about you CCG: SHUT UP I KNOW ALL OF YOU WERE THINKING IT. CURRENT grimAuxiliatrix [CGA] RIGHT NOW responded to memo. CGA: Karkat Rose Is Telling Me That She Cannot Join In CCG: THAT’S BECAUSE I BLOCKED THE HUMANS FROM ENTERING CCG: THIS IS TROLL BUSINESS. CTA: you ju2t don’t want JN two 2ee how you’re embara22iing your2elf wiith your flu2hed feeliing2 for hiim CCG: CAPTOR I WILL KILL YOU. CTA: ED already almo2t diid CCG: I WILL KILL YOU HAVE FEFERI REVIVE YOU AND KILL YOU AGAIN.

A knock was heard along with the sound of the handle attempting to turn. He had locked his room of course, “Karkat let them talk with us.”

“I said no!” the Cancer called back before looking back at his screen.

gardenGnostic [GG] began pestering carcinoGeneticist [CG]

GG: hey fuckass let us in :( CG: NO.

carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling gardenGnostic [GG]

ectoBiologist [EB] began pestering carcinoGeneticist [CG]

EB: duuuuuuuude CG: I SAID NO.

carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling ectoBiologist [EB]

CTA: ii am 2o 2aviing the log and 2howiing JN later CGC: GOOD 1D34 CGA: Karkat This Is Very Immature Of You CCG: WHY THE FUCK SHOULD I LET THEM IN AND ARE YOU SERIOUSLY SAYING THAT I’M THE IMMATURE ONE!? CAG: Just let them in geeeeeeeez we’re all just going to end up telling them everything l8er anyways. CCG: I SAID THIS DOESN’T CONCERN THEM AND CAPTOR I AM NOT KIDDING I WILL KILL YOU AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES CCG: WHY SHOULD I LET ROSE IN? SO SHE CAN PSYCHOANALYSE THE FUCK OUT OF ME? CTA: ii could just let them iin right now you know CCG: I DID NOT CREATE THIS MEMO FOR THIS CCG: WERE SUPPOSED TO TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED YESTEDAY AND WHAT THE FUCK WE’RE SUPPOSED TO DO NOW. CAA: but what can we d0 karkat? we’re under h0use arrest there’s n0t much we can d0 CTC: bRo YoU nEeD tO sLaM a FaYgO aNd ChIlL CTC: mAyBe ThRoW sOmE sIcK rHyMeS aNd ShIt CTC: GiVe YoUr ThInK PaN a ReSt YoU kNoW? FUTURE immaculateSerenade [FIS] ? days/sweeps FROM NOW responded to memo. FIS: so what the he|| !s go!ng on now FIS: why are you a|| keep!ng secrets from me CAG: W8 what, why does it say future? FIS: oh sh!t wrong one FUTURE immaculateSerenade [FIS] ceased responding to memo. CAG: What was that all a8out? ::::| CAA: is she n0t supp0sed t0 be with feferi and Eridan all day t0day? CGC: TH4T’S WHY 1T S41D FUTUR3 BUT NON3 OF US R34LLY US3 TH4T F3ATUR3 3XC3PT FOR K4RK4T WH3N H3 US3S 1T TO Y3LL 4T H1MS3LF CCG: I STOPPED DOING THAT A LONG TIME AGO CCG: WHY ARE WE ALL BRINGING UP UNECESSARY TOPICS CCG: FUTURE ZYLPHA PROBABLY JUST CLICKED THE WRONG THING CCG: SO SCREW UP ASIDE. CTA: hey diid you guy2 get the text from FF yet? CAC:  :33 < oh I just did! CGA: Yes It Appears We Should All Go Watch Television Now CCG: WAIT WHAT’S GOING ON. CTA: KK you 2eriiously need two get a new phone CTC: LoOkS lIkE LiL sIs Is AlL oN tHe UrGeNt SiDe AbOuT tHiS mOtHeRfUcKeRs CCG: ALRIGHT I JUST GOT IT CCG: WATCH THE NEWS BROADCAST AND COME BACK HERE AFTERWARDS I GUESS.

Karkat pushed away from his desk and grabbed his crutches as he looked at the message on his phone once more.

Quick you guys )(ave to watc)( t)(e news rig)(t now!!!!! 38)

Karkat put his phone in his pocket and glared at the staircase. He threw his crutches at the bottom before hopping down each step one by one while holding the railing. The loud noise had startled the Dolorosa and she looked out from the living room.

“Karkat do you require assistance?”

“I’m fine Gran!” he called out to her as he hopped another step before he was suddenly hoisted into the air and slung over his father’s shoulder, “Gah Dad I said I was fine!”

“You’re throwing your fucking crutches down the stairs. What if it hits one of the pictures. You mother would not like that and your grandmother would definitely not want you breaking your neck from falling down the stairs.”

Karkat looked at the set of pictures hung up on all the walls as his father carried him down. That morning they had put all the pictures, that Karkat had put away in boxes, back up on the walls throughout their house. The hive looked like back when his parent’s weren’t fugitives and fighting for a good future.

“So where are you heading?” the Signless asked when he crouched down to pick up the boy’s crutches.

“Living room. Feferi said to watch the news.”

“Oh Princess give you any updates on the situation?”

“Not really. Just that. Guess we’ll find out when we watch the news.”

Karkat was placed onto the couch and the crutches beside him as his sisters entered the room with some snacks.

“Karkitty that wasn’t very nice leaving the humans out of the memo,” Nepeta sat beside him and held the plate of cookies in her hand away from him when he tried to take one.

“Whatever someone just change turn on the news channel already,” Karkat slouched in his spot with arms crossed and a frown.

Kanaya turned on the TV before calling the Disciple and her mother from the nutrition block and they all sat together. The first thing they saw was the group in the court room. Karkat’s phone began to ring. It was the Ghost buster’s theme song that John had pre-set for himself when he stole Karkat’s phone one day.

“What the fuck do you want John.”

“Are you watching the news? You’re on TV!”

“Yes we all got the text from Feferi now shut up and let me watch,” Karkat quickly hung up before the human could continue chattering and concentrated on the screen.

The broadcast showed a few brief clips of what they said the other day before it showed Feferi standing before the press with the other sea trolls standing beside her. At the bottom it said ‘LIVE’ so that meant Feferi just texted them before confronting the media. Dualscar said something about the press saving questions for the end as cameras continued to flash.

“It has been a month after my mother’s disappearance and no one has been able to find her yet. The ocean is vast but we are still searching for her. In the meantime I will take over her reign until she is found. Now during this time I believe there must be changes. As you have just seen, yesterday there was a court session with the group of the Signless along with a few others.”

“Has the Sufferer’s group been persecuted for their crimes?”

“Please, questions at the end,” Feferi asked sweetly as Dualscar grumbled to the side.

“The Signless did not commit any crimes so there has been no sentence placed upon them,” the crowd began to murmur to themselves, “I am here to tell you that the hemospectrum is no more.”

Karkat felt Nepeta grab onto his arm and tighten her grip. Her gaze concentrated on the TV. Like him, she wasn’t sure if this was really happening or not.

“There will be no such thing as lowbloods or highbloods. We will live like the humans where we will all be equal. For now the highblood council will be the same until we can adjust to this and then we will hold voting campaigns like the humans where everyone will get the opportunity to vote for the new council. We don’t need the hemospectrum and we never did. We have grown. If we have changed from the old times where parents were not something we even heard of, if we can live in harmony with the humans, then we must continue to change and adapt until we are like them and living in peace. This caste system is a thing of the past and we can live without it. Yes it will take some time to adjust but I believe we can do it.”

“Did the Sufferer’s group force this ideal on you?”

“No, this is what I have believed all my life even before I knew of who the Signless was and what he was doing. I did not like how I could not make friends with anyone that was of a lower caste than mine. My moirail is what you call a rustblood and I am proud of it. She should not be looked down upon because of her blood colour and neither should anyone else. I did not make this decision all on my own either. I have talked to many trolls of all blood castes and many agree with me.”

“If you wish to live like the humans then why are you staying in rule as the Empress?”

So much for questions at the end.

“I will only stay in rule if others wish for it. I prefer to think of my position of like how the humans have it,” Eridan whispered in her ear, “President! Yes that. I will only stay in this position until we hold a voting session and have everything organized and under control. The time to change is now. The Signless’ group did nothing wrong. My mother was too stuck on the old ideals and when we find her we will have her understand what we have done here today. The time to change is now or else the humans will look down upon us. As my friends have said, ‘We cannot be equal with the humans if we cannot be equal among ourselves’.”

“When will this ‘voting’ begin?”

“We are currently working on a system for it and working with the humans right now to get everything in order. People who wish to be candidates must meet certain requirements before applying. More information on this will be released in a week.”

“That’s all for today. Miss Peixes has many other press conferences to attend to. Good day now,” Dualscar began to usher her away.

“Wait!” Feferi went back to the stand and looked straight at the camera. Karkat could see that she looked really tired and had worn make up to try to cover it up, “Karkat! Everybody! You’re all free. No more house arrest! No one is convicted for anything so you can finally live a normal life!”

Nepeta’s hold began to shake. One could see Eridan standing behind her with a smile and soon Feferi was ushered away as the broadcast switched to a commercial. The living room stayed silent.

“We did it,” Nepeta whispered before jumping up and toppling the plate of cookies in her hands, “WE DID IT!”

Karkat’s phone began letting off a plethora of notifications.

holy 2hiit diid that really happen?

you all did it karkat! you can live without worry any more :D

C4S3 CLOS3D! FR33DOM WOOHOO!

Congratulations. All your work has paid off.

MoThErFuCkiNg MiRiCaLeS bRo! LiL sIs CoNvInCeD tHeM!

hEY UH, tHAT MEANS THAT WE CAN LIVE LIKE THE HUMANS RIGHT?

You totally have to invite us out to dinner or something since we all helped you out so much. ::::)

D-->Vantas your e%cellent leading skills have made us victorious.

we d0 n0t have t0 run anym0re 0u0

hey since you all won and everything you ready to tell me why you kissed me yet?

Haha shit.

*************************************************************************************

Start over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 23: Hemospectrum

1 Day After Awakening

 “So how’s Sollux?” Karkat asked the next day when Aradia came to visit him.

“He’s alright. He doesn’t like being bed ridden but he has no choice like you,” Aradia explained as she cut apples for him.

“I’m not a complete invalid like him. I can cut my own fucking fruit you know.”

“Yeah Karkat careful, Aradia’s pretty unpredictable,” John commented, eyes glued to the TV.

“Oh come on I know you’re not clumsy. I’d be scared if it was Gamzee or something but AH JESUS FUCK,” Karkat pressed back against his mattress when the knife in Aradia’s had flew from her hand and towards his face. It stayed in midair right before his nose for half a minute before it slowly drifted back to her. She let out a small laugh before continuing.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” John laughed as well.

“Not. Funny.”

“Honk honk, delivery from the carnival,” Gamzee stated as he came in with Tavros following behind.

“All items from any carnival, dark or not is rejected,” Karkat replied flatly.

“Oh well then I’ll take these delectable apple treats I got for you someplace else,” Gamzee turned.

Karkat glared at the Capricorn realizing his friend had deliberately gotten all his favourite apple flavoured snacks. After a sigh he complied, “Alright alright come back god.”

Gamzee just chuckled before coming back and placing the small bag onto the table and plopping himself into a seat.

“Uh hi guys,” Tavros greeted.

“Tavros you were discharged already?” Aradia asked with concern.

“Yeah it was just a scratch. It wasn’t deep, or anything, so I’m okay.”

“What happened?” Karkat felt out of the loop.

“Tavbro got a cut along his stomach . . .” Gamzee explained while looking out of the window.

“I’m fine though, nothing to worry, about. Everyone got hurt so, uh it would feel weird if I didn’t get hurt. It would feel like, uh I didn’t help with anything.”

“No you helped a lot. All of you did even though you didn’t have to. I would feel better if none of you got hurt. I dragged you all into this and you all went along with it even though you shouldn’t have,” Karkat gripped his sheets and looked down.

“But that’s what’s friends are for right?” Tavros said with a smile. Karkat looked up at him in surprise. He didn’t even stutter at all in that sentence. He looked at Gamzee who was wearing a proud smile. Aradia went back to cutting her apple also with a smile on her face.

“Right . . . thanks.”

************************************************************

2 Weeks After Awakening

“I’m so glad I finally get to sea you!” Feferi exclaimed as she hugged the injured troll.

“Yeah hi,” Karkat awkwardly hugged her back, “Sounds like you’ve been busy.”

“Unfor-tuna-tely yes,” Feferi sighed as she sat back down, “I’ve been running around like crazy with Dualscar trying to clear up this mess but all those higher ups are so glubbing stubborn.”

“You’ll get through to them. I know it! Because Feferi is the Empurress now and they can’t say no to you!” Nepeta cheered.

“I wish it was that easy but well I’ll keep on trying. For all of you,” Feferi stated with determination, “No, for all of us. For a betta future for everyone.”

“Thank you so much for doing this. It must be so hard for you right now and yet you’re trying so hard. Have you gotten any rest? You look quite tired,” the Disciple pointed out.

“I’ve been pretty busy but I have gotten rest every now and then because Eridan makes me even though I have so much to do.”

“Then you should be resting instead of wasting time with us,” Karkat looked at the Pisces with narrowed eyes. She appeared to be energetic as usual but the bags under her eyes were pretty hard to miss, “You know what, go sleep now. You can take John’s empty bed. He was discharged a few days back and is at home right now so go rest.”

“But I came all this way to visit you, not to sleep! And don’t you want to know what’s been happening these past few days? Like the humans! I know you’re probably wondering how John and the others are doing.”

Karkat fought back a blush as he heard giggling from Nepeta and his mother. He looked unbelievingly to his father who also had a small smile and was looking away, “Nepeta don’t tell me you fucking told them!”

“She didn’t have to tell us dear, we could tell from your actions with him while he was still here,” the Disciple giggled.

“And don’t furrget about that time we found you in the same bed,” Nepeta purred and the Signless snorted.

“Dad! Oh my god you guys are just! Gah fuck my life!” Karkat grabbed a pillow and shoved it in his face to hide his reddening face.

“Did you confess to him yet?” Feferi asked curiously.

“No. . .” he mumbled from his pillow, “Fucking still not a homosexual crap and just shut up and tell me how the humans are doing.”

After a few more giggles from the girls, Feferi started, “Whale, their parents were pretty upset about how they left home to do something so dangerous and got hurt, but the Handmaid talked to them about everything and their powers and apologized too. They’re kind of almost like grounded for the rest of their lives but are of course still able to hang out with us if we get this whole society problem of ours under control.”

“Hehe you forgot the part where that big brother of theirs said ‘hey how come you guys never told me about any kind of prison break. I totally would have come along too’,” Nepeta giggled after her imitation.

“Oh yes and then their mother hit him in the back of the head.”

“Any sensible mother would,” the Disciple sighed, “I’m sorry for not being able to give you a normal life Karkat and Nepeta.”

“We are sorry,” the Signless apologized as well.

“We didn’t need a normal life. Actually with this hemospectrum I don’t think we could have had a normal life and that’s why you travelled right? So don’t apologize for trying to make a better world for us to live in,” Karkat put the pillow down and looked at them with confident eyes. The two just smiled at him.

“Anyways,” Feferi continued, “Rose and Kanaya still hang out even though all of you are still kind of trapped in this hospital.”

“Secure not trapped. Trapped is like when we were in that fucking prison,” Karkat corrected.

“Right,” Feferi smiled warmly at him, “Dave comes about every day and sometimes sleeps over when he’s allowed and Jade comes to visit everyone when she’s allowed with John but for the most part they’re doing okay. I have talked to the human government about them and we agreed it is best to say that they were not involved what so ever.”

“That’s good. We were able to apologize to the human parents as well. They are very nice people and so understanding when it comes to Rose and Dave so I don’t think they’ll have a problem if you confessed Karkat,” T\the Disciple looked expectantly at her son.

Karkat could feel his face heating up again, “Mom! It- it’s not the parents who are the problem alright. It’s John, god just leave me alone on this okay let me do this on my own.”

“Sorry, I just want what’s best for you,” the Disciple patted his leg.

“Nothing to be sorry for . . .”

“Karkat! We’ve come to visit!” two energetic voices called as they entered.

“Hehe speak of the human.”

“Don’t say anything about this. None of you, nothing alright!” Karkat warned them with a whisper.

“Do not worry, we will say nothing,” the Signless promised in an amused voice.

“Say what? Are you guys keeping secrets?” Jade asked as she walked in and was hugged by Feferi.

“Secrets? I want in!” John exclaimed.

“There are no secrets here Egbert, just family talk,” Karkat crossed his arms and looked out the window.

“How are your legs?” John asked.

“ . . . My twisted ankle is fine, think I can walk on it in a week or so but the other leg will take longer,” Karkat looked at the casted right leg hanging at the end of his bed.

“It will heal, everyone will heal. Don’t worry about it Karkat. It’s not your fault and everyone’s alive. We’ll get through this!” John tried to cheer him up.

“I know but-”

“No buts mister.”

“Hehehe,” Karkat quickly glared at Nepeta and she quickly stopped giggling by putting her hands over her mouth but he could still see the big smile she had on.

John looked at the two with an innocent and confused look.

************************************************************

1 Month After Awakening.

“Oh my god being in a wheelchair sucks so much! Just sitting there and doing nothing and getting pushed around by everybody just UGH!” Vriska complained.

“Now you know how Tavros felt,” Terezi stated as she pushed Vriska towards the back door of a large political building. The Scorpio looked at Tavros who was walking beside her with the Summoner and for some reason he was giving her an apologetic look. The other scourge sister slunk into her seat and crossed her arms with a pout as she was pushed along. There was really nothing she could say after that.

Well she stayed silent until she saw Karkat on some crutches waiting by the door with his family plus Equius, “Hey Vantas I got a bone to pick with you!”

“Oh look it’s the invalid,” Karkat gave her an annoyed look.

“Thankth KK that maketh me feel tho much better,” Sollux teased from his wheelchair that was being pushed by Aradia. Behind them was the Handmaid holding the hand of the Psiionic who had a cloth band over his eyes.

“I wasn’t talking about you and you know it. What do you want Serket?”

“Did you really have to tell her? She’s been depressed in her hospital room ever since! She wouldn’t even let anyone come in and visit her. She might not even come today.”

“What did you expect me to do? Keep it a secret forever? Let her live her life without the knowledge that her mother has been dead this whole time? She had the right to know. Like how we had the right to know what happened to our fucking parents alright. If you don’t understand this much then you’re not a very good moirail are you.”

“Why you-” Vriska stopped when a hand went on her shoulder. She looked up to see Mindfang shaking her head at her and she slouched in her seat once more.

“Now is not the time. If she comes then she comes, but for now we have the entire troll society to face,” Redglare walked past the loitering group and walked in. The others exchanged a few glances before following her in.

The political building was a legitimate troll court room. Unlike the makeshift one that they were thrown into at school, this one looked a lot more professional. It was considerably larger and it actually had seats for them instead of making them sit on the floor. Why were they here? Well to put it short, it was judgement day.

The group would sit before the troll council along with the empress and many other highbloods along with a few commoners as jury/witness. It was the day where they would either be persecuted as severe criminals or heroes. There was no middle ground here. This being a troll court meant that no humans were allowed to interfere or to witness. But Karkat could see cameras everywhere so it would probably be broadcasted later.

As Karkat slowly walked to his seat a few rotten foods were seen flying towards them.

“Heretics!”

“Freaks!”

“Die mutants!”

A few voices called. A couple of the guards in the room stood up and sliced at the rotten foods before it could hit anyone.

“Whoever disturbs the court shall be removed,” Darkleer stated and waved his hand at the guards who promptly went over to the trouble makers to take them outside.

A few lowblooded trolls quickly ran over to clean the mess before the smell could stick and the rest took their seats once they were done. Karkat looked up at the intimidating highbloods as things began to settle down.

You could tell who the highbloods were because they were all seated in elevated areas all around the court. Feferi’s booth being the highest right beside the troll judge’s area. In her booth was Eridan to her right with Dualscar beside him and to her left was Zylpha. Vriska looked glad that she was there while the sea troll looked irritated at what had just happened. Her gaze was narrowed towards the door as the judge walked in and took her seat.

The judge was an old troll woman who looked wise and perhaps neutral to the whole ordeal. She of course was a highblood, perhaps a level lower than Gamzee, but Karkat could tell she was one that saw many events that took place in this court. This may be the biggest case she had the honour of judging but she appeared to be impassive about it. Like it was just another everyday session that she had. Maybe they could work with that.

“Looks like we have quite a large case today,” the woman looked at the sheet of paper before her, “Case of the hemospectrum appeal to be revoked, judgement to the Singless’ troupe, and the sudden disappearance of Her Imperious Condescension.”

The woman looked down at the group before her and Karkat looked back at her without any hesitation. She raised a brow of interest and held back a smirk, “Let’s begin shall we?"

­“We will begin with the last point since the first two appear to go hand in hand,” the judge looked at Feferi.

“Right then, I call Miss Peixes to the stand,” a male troll legislacerator, who looked like he really didn’t want to be there, called her up. She nodded and walked to the small booth by the judge, “You swear to tell the truth and only the truth?” she nodded, “Please start us off by telling everyone here what happened to your mother.”

“Well during the incident at the prison last week, she had fallen of a cliff into the water and-”

“The mutant bloods killed her! Murderers! They wish to ruin the order!” a blueblood stood up and yelled as guards quickly pulled him outside.

Once he was gone and everyone’s attention went back to her, the legislacerator urged her to continue, “Well she fell and I jumped in after her. She fought me and Zylpha because she was mad at us. She suddenly got sucked into a whirlpool and I tried to save her but the current was too strong. She got sucked in and no one could find her after that.”

“Now, how did she fall off the cliff?”

Feferi looked forward with determination but was at a loss for words, “. . .She-”

“I tackled her off and fell with her,” Karkat proclaimed as he stood. No one shouted out or said anything from fear of being taken out. They all wanted to stay and see what happened.

“Alright then Karkat Vantas, since you are so eager to speak then you can take Miss Peixes’ place,” the legislacerator raised a brow at him. He proudly walked forward with his crutches up to Feferi.

“What are you doing?” she whispered to him.

“We can only tell the truth and that’s what we’re going to do,” he whispered back.

Feferi nodded and went back to her seat. Karkat took his place at the booth and put his crutches to the side, before clearing his throat, “Your honour I’m sorry to say this but you’re wrong. All three of those points go hand in hand. It’s the entire reason we are here and why the events in the past three sweeps have happened. This blood caste system is absurd and the Condesce was only using it so that she could stay in power over the trolls. We’ve changed so much and even became one society with the humans yet we can’t even abolish this stupid system? Look at the humans, they all see each other as equal so why can’t we?”

“Is that why you pushed Her Imperious Condescension of the cliff? To get rid of her so that her daughter can take over to fulfil your wish?” the legislacerator asked.

“What no! What the hell? I didn’t mean to push her off the cliff I just meant to tackle her down so that she wouldn’t kill yet another one of my friends! And-” Karkat stopped. He couldn’t talk about the humans. They weren’t supposed to be involved.

“Another? So she had already killed one of your friends?”

Shit he just put himself in a bad spot. The Handmaid had told them earlier that it was unwise to talk about the God tier powers and so that meant he couldn’t actually talk about half the things that happened, “N-No but she almost did.”

“Hm this is getting messy. How about we start from the beginning of this problem. Back to when the Sufferer was deemed as a criminal. Now tell me son of the Sufferer, tell us your opinion on what your father has been doing all these years.”

“He is not a criminal. If you’re branded as a criminal for just talking to people and sent to prison just because you exist then our society is the one that’s messed up. He didn’t do anything wrong, he just talked to trolls. He never killed anyone and just wanted a better world for everyone.”

“Right thank you, you can sit down now. Now then I call the Sufferer up,” Karkat left the stand and walked back with ‘shit I fucked up’ in his head. The Sufferer patted his shoulder as he walked by as if to say that he did fine.

The legislacerator noticeably looked at the burns on the Sufferer’s wrists before looking up and addressing him, “You have made quite the commotion over the sweeps. Care to tell us why?”

“I am sure all of you are quite familiar with what I have done, but you all appear to have twisted things around.”

“Whatever do you mean?” the legislacerator asked.

“Why don’t you tell me what you think I have done or what you have heard about what I have done first?”

The legislacerator looked oddly at the Sufferer. He then looked at the judge who gave him and nod, “Well, from what I’ve heard, you were trying to gather people to help you over throw the throne. You didn’t like the rule so you wanted to get rid of her so that you could take it for yourself.”

Karkat gripped his seat. Sure he heard it around a lot but he hated it. They were so wrong and over the sweeps he couldn’t yell back and tell them they were wrong or else it would have revealed who he really was.

Everyone was surprised when a few of the highbloods adults in the group on trial began to laugh or try to hold back laughs. The Grand Highblood snorted, Mingfang and Redglare let out little giggles. Only Dualscar and Darkleer didn’t laugh.

“Is something amusing?” the judge asked.

“No your honour, forgive them,” the Handmaid answered with a smile, “We all see the Signless as a leader but his intentions were never for the throne.”

“By all means, do share to all of us as to what you were actually doing,” the legislacerator said in a tone Karkat didn’t like. It was too sarcastic to his tastes.

“I was travelling and talking to trolls about the hemospectrum. Do you like how it is mister legislacerator? I am sure you do. You are rewarded with a high position just from being born with the blood of a certain colour while there are others who are not able to achieve your standing at all, no matter how hard they try and no matter how hard they work. No matter what they do it is impossible to even get a fucking prosperous job just because of who they are.”

The Sufferer then addressed the jury and witnesses, “No matter how brilliant a troll is, if they are a lowblood they’ll never amount to anything because no one will let them. A troll is a living being regardless of blood and it is unjust to set their lives in stone at the moment they are born. And it is not just the lives of the lowbloods that are unfortunate due to this ridiculous hemospectrum. Highbloods as well are restricted because of these rules. High expectations are put on them and they are expected by society to be hierarchal beings that they may not wish to be. With this caste system, no can live the life they want.”

“But there are those who do like their positions and what they do for a living right?” the legislacerator looked at the janitorial lowbloods and the quickly nodded in ‘oh my god if I don’t nod I’ll get culled’ agreement.

“Really cause it looks like you hate your job,” the Summoner pointed out with a smug grin. Redglare had a fanged grin herself and gave the Summoner a fist bump. The legislacerator turned and gave them an infuriated look, his face turning blue.

“What I think about my job has nothing to do with this,” he snapped before trying to recompose himself.

“Your honour, if you don’t mind me asking. How do you feel on this matter?” the Singless boldly asked.

The legislacerator looked at him with disgust, “You mutant how dare you ask-”

“I will answer,” the judge stopped the legislacerator before he could go into a frenzied rant, “I actually do quite enjoy what I do but there are times where I don’t like how it is. It is the same with everyone else. I do not believe there is a way where one is truly happy for their entire lives without any sort of discomfort or hardships. I understand where you are coming from Sufferer but that is how life is. Even in the human world there are many expectations of others.”

“Yes but we can lessen them from getting rid of this caste system. There are children who are raised with complete unhappiness because of these expectations. Do we really want to raise them to live and serve a world that they complete and utterly hate?”

The legislacerator looked at the Signless before the jury, “So, you are saying that you want to give the children freedom so that they can do whatever they want, without any rules and regulations, so that they can run amuck and cause more chaos in our world? And ruin the peace that Her Imperious Condescension worked so hard to achieve for us between the humans?”

Karkat grit his teeth and fought back a growl. For a fucker who hated his job, he was pretty good at it. He was going to stand up and yell at him but someone beside him stood and beat him to it.

“Stop twisting his words around! That’s not what he said!” Tavros stood and cried with fury. Everyone looked at him with complete surprise. Especially his father. The Taurus’ eyes dilated with realization at what he had done and he shook in fear when the legislacerator looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“What is your name son of the Summoner?”

“T-Tavros Nitram.”

“Seems like today people would rather speak out right away rather than wait to get called up. Come up then Mister Nitram.”

Tavros with his hands held close to his chest slowly walked forward and took the Signless’ spot. The poor boy looked scared out of his wits. He had not been expected to get up and speak in front of everyone at all. Gamzee looked on with worry.

“So tell us what the Sufferer meant,” the legislacerator looked at him expectantly.

Tavros put his hands down and took in a deep breath, “H-he was saying that he wants a better uh future for us. It’s not like, he uh, is saying that all rules will go away and uh stuff. I-I didn’t like it, knowing that, I couldn’t become something better, because of my blood. There was nothing I could uh do about it and uh was forced to live, knowing that uh, highbloods controlled my l-life.”

“Do you hate the highbloods?”

“N-No! I-I just don’t like h-how th-this system has to separate us.”

Gamzee shot his hand up like he was in a classroom. The legislacerator quirked an eyebrow at him oddly, “Um yes Mister Makara?”

“I want to get my motherfucking talk on too.”

The legislacerator frowned at him, “Alright then . . .”

Gamzee hopped over his highblood booth and skipped over to the stand. The Capricorn gave Tavros a comforting smile as he dismissed him to go back to his seat. Tavros gave a sheepish smile and quickly returned to his seat with his head hung low. Once he got back to his seat the Summoner patted his head.

“So my opinion on this whole motherfucking ordeal is that this caste is completely not in the need,” Gamzee started without the legislacerator asking him to, “Because of this system I’m judged for being friends with different colour blooded trolls even if they’re really cool. Because of who I am motherfuckers are telling me I can’t be a diamond brother to a red blood or have a matespritship with a rust blood. My si- . . . Little princess can’t even have a proper moirallegence with a rustblood either. Why is it so wrong?”

Tavros blushed at the fact that his matepsritship was just announced to the world. The Summoner didn’t have an approving look but he couldn’t really do anything about it now.

“I just want to live in an unjudging world where we can be friends with whoever we motherfucking want. No harsh judgmental stuff and just live a life where we can all get along.”

Karkat looked at his moirail unbelievingly who noticed his look and just gave him a big smile.

“I’m sure there’s been a lot of quadrants left empty because some motherfuckers are too afraid of our society,” Gamzee pointed out. The witnesses began to murmur among themselves.

Did he have any pie that day? He looked sort of aloof yet, really aware and actually said something really reasonable and smart.

“You have quite the moirail,” the Signless whispered to Karkat with a smile.

“Yeah. . . I guess I do.”

*************************************************************************************

Start Over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 22: Finally Rest

“Fucking lowbloods always getting in my way,” the Condesce flicked her trident to the side making some of the plum blood on her trident splatter to the ground.

“Eridan, oh my god E-Eridan,” Feferi shakily picked up the wounded sea troll, “Eridan please please o-open your eyes. E-Eridan p-please. This isn’t funny. Open your e-eyes.”

Her voice croaked and she looked down at his stomach before sobbing and holding him closer, “E-Eridan.”

“Oh look mommy to the rescue. Too late bitch,” the Condesce threw her back and dodged when Vriska came up behind her. The Scorpio was glowing and was currently wearing an outfit similar to her mother’s, “How cute you two match. And so will your blood when I skewer you both to the ground. But you will have to wait your turn, I’ve got bigger fish to fry right now.”

A giant imp caught the young Scorpio by surprise and picked her up as it slowly began to crush her in its large hands.

“Vriska!” Mindfang became conflicted. She wanted to check on Eridan but Vriska was also in grave danger. She didn’t have time to worry about the two though because a bunch of the flying imps surrounded her and kept her in one spot.

As soon as Mindfang was occupied the Condesce turned to take care of Feferi but a blast of energy caused her to jump back. She turned to see that the blast came from Dualscar.

“What do you think you are doing?” she glared at him, “Are you angry? Why? I helped you. I got rid of your worthless son. The boy that you continued to complain about, the piece of shit that would have never amounted to what you wanted. I did you a fucking favour.”

“He wwas still my son!” the man shouted as he fired again. The Condesce easily dodged, “A parent disciplines their child! A parent makes sure they stay on the right path! That wwas wwhat I was tryin’ to do no matter wwhat he did! He still had a path and I wwas tryin’ to lead him towards the right one! But you took it all awway! I’m not like you, he may havve been a disappointment but that nevver made me givve up on him! I tried to raise him so that he could take care of your daughter and to followw your wways and you go and fuckin’ kill him!”

Dualscar continuously fired at her until she got close and attacked. He blocked with his gun.

“They say the apple does not fall far from the tree. He had to get his worthlessness from somewhere,” the Condesce sneered.

“If your daughter is such a disappointment then the same goes for you and the same thing applies to your son as well,” he snapped back.

“I HAVE NO SON! I HAVE NO DAUGHTER! I HAVE NO CHILDREN!” the woman shrieked and hit Dualscar’s gun away before stabbing him. He moved to the side so that he got a deep graze in his side instead of a hole in his stomach.

“Y-You . . . are insane . . .” Dualscar managed to mutter.

“I’ll deal with you later,” she kicked him in the chest making him fall over clutching his side. The Condesce turned to take care of Feferi but standing in her way was Zylpha in a ready position with her weapons.

“Let her go!” Aradia flew up towards the giant’s face, her arms linked with Terezi. When she was high enough, she let go and Terezi kicked the giant in the face making it drop Vriska. Aradia flew around and caught Terezi again while Redglare caught Vriska.

“I’ll help Mindfang, you help Zylpha! My mom will take care of Vriska!” Terezi shouted.

“Right!” Aradia dropped Terezi off to swat away some of the flying imps and she flew over to help Zylpha who was already fending off attacks and trying to get the battle away from Feferi.

 “You brats are so annoying! Like those fucking human cockroaches that never die no matter how many times you try to get rid of them,” the Condesce continuously attacked.

Zylpha looked weak but she managed to keep the Condesce at bay and even managed a mocking smirk, “And the thing about human cockroaches is that when you see one, there is always bound to be many more near it.”

The Condesce shouted in rage and her attacks became more ferocious. Zylpha got pushed back very easily and almost lost her balance until Aradia flew in and kicked the woman in the head. As Aradia flew away, the Condesce turned and grabbed her leg. The Aires cried out in shock before she was thrown to the ground hard. Her Imperious Condescension held the girl down and raised her trident to attack. At the corner of her eye she saw a glint and quickly leaned back as a sickle flew by. She turned and saw Karkat standing a few meters away with great difficultly. Aradia took the chance to kick the Condesce in her chin with her free leg. The woman let go and Aradia quickly escaped.

“What is with you kids and kicking my face?” the woman got up with a bit of a stagger with her hand on her chin.

“When your ugly face is too close we have the instinct to kick it away,” Karkat said with strength and determination. Even if he was broken, he would not falter before her, never again.

“Are you sure you can be standing like that for much longer?” the Condesce asked hysterically, “Let’s see shall we!”

The maniacal woman charged towards Karkat. He stood his ground and prepared for the attack. A chain wrapped around the Condesce foot as she ran and she fell forward. Aradia swooped in for another attack. Unfortunately she didn’t fall all the way. The Condesce stepped forward and crouched down to stabilize herself and turned her body halfway to catch Aradia yet again. This time when she threw her down, she made no hesitation in stabbing the Aires in the leg. She left her trident in the girl as she got up and pulled the chain off her leg and pulled Zylpha towards her to knee her in the stomach. Zlypha fell to her side once she was let go and groaned in immense pain for her ribs were hit again.

Aradia boldly pulled the trident out of her leg and swung it at the Condesce hoping she was distracted enough but she wasn’t. The trident was caught mid swing and the Condesce swung it to the side flicking Aradia off like a bug. She jumped back upon hearing gun shots and bullets were seen in the ground where she used to be. Looking around she saw Jade standing beside John’s unconscious body aiming at her.

“Jade behind you!” Karkat called out to warn the girl. She quickly whipped around and shot a few flying imps that tried to attack her from behind.

Karkat looked back at the Condesce and looked at her in horror. The wind picked up and her large mass of hair became disheveled, she actually looked out of breath but that just made her look scarier. Her eyes burned with fury and her face said that she wanted everyone dead. She was the true monster here.

The Condesce pulled her arm back and prepared to throw her trident at Jade. Karkat used all the strength he had to run over and tackle her down.

They didn’t hit the ground.

Karkat didn’t realise how close she was to the edge of the cliff and the two ended up falling over the edge, down to the raging ocean below. He vaguely recalled someone shouting his name. And it wasn’t a voice that belonged to a girl.

The two crashed into the water. He had expected pointy rocks at the bottom but they flew a bit far so they just missed most of them. Lucky for the Condesce not him. They were in her element now meaning that he would be at a major disadvantage, add the fact that he was wounded and couldn’t breathe underwater equaled his death. He began to swim upwards to get some air and saw the Condesce swimming towards him with great speed. He knew he wouldn’t make it.

Someone else fell into the water and she quickly swam down to Karkat and pulled him with her when she swam further down, the Condesce’s trident barely grazing her. Zlypha breathed in the sea water and when she breathed out some of her blood flowed out of her mouth. She was bleeding internally and that wasn’t good for the two of them. Karkat flailed a bit to indicate that he needed to breathe but the Condesce attacked again. Zylpha tried to bring Karkat to the surface as she dodged but with the way the Condesce attacked it made her dodge downwards.

The Cancer began to feel the pain of his chest from the lack of air when Feferi appeared and attacked her mother head on. Plum blood on her clothes washed off and faded in the water until it disappeared, her tear stained face showed fury as she attacked. This gave Zylpha the chance to bring Karkat up for air. The boy took in a big breathe of air and coughed when he hit the surface. Zlypha let go of him and he began to swim on his own while his entire body screamed with pain and he just wanted to pass out right there. He looked up and saw Jade and John looking down from the cliff. John? Why was he awake? No he mustn’t move, he lost too much blood already.

Karkat sucked in a breath and looked underwater to assess the situation. Zylpha and Feferi were both fighting the Condesce with great difficulty, she was just too strong. It looked like Feferi was shouting something at her and the woman just got angrier. From the way their mouths moved, Karkat could see Feferi say the word ‘love’ and the Condesce said something about humans and corrupting once more.

When he went back up for air again and looked up, he could see John flying down. He was about to yell at the boy to stay away but he was suddenly pulled down under. The Condesce pulled him down near the ocean floor and wrapped her hands around his neck. He desperately looked around to find Feferi and her arm stabbed into a rock nearby and Zylpha lying faced down beside her, light purple-pink blood escaping both their bodies. Air escaped his lungs and bubbled above him, some blood escaping with it. The Condesce appeared to be laughing as his vision slowly began to black out.

Something happened, he couldn’t remember. He was suddenly let go and his body drifted to the ocean floor. He forced his eyes to open and he saw the Condesce getting sucked into a whirlpool of some sort quite a bit away from him. There was a large crevice open in the ocean floor and a whirlpool came from it, sucking everything around it deeper into the darker part of the ocean. Feferi was trying to pull her out with the trident and Zylpha stayed far back, the end of one of her weapon latched on to Feferi’s leg to make sure she didn’t get sucked in as well. How did they get over there?

The Condesce couldn’t hang on and the trident slipped from her hands as the whirlpool sucked her in to the crevice. Feferi screamed and swam forward but Zylpha pulled her away. Karkat closed his eyes, consciousness slipping as he felt his body get pulled up. He got pulled out of the water and was pulled through the air for a bit until he felt his body was laid gently onto a hard surface. A violent gust of air invaded his lungs and shoved all of the water out making his eyes shoot open wide in pain and made him sit up.

He coughed violently to the side as he spit out the water and his lungs filled with air. He felt like puking but there was nothing to throw up and the pain seared through his body once more. Beside him he saw Zylpha lying on her stomach breathing heavily. In front of him Feferi was crawling towards Eridan until Aradia flew over and helped her. Many others were still trying to fight the monstrous imps.

“You’re . . . alright . . .” a weak voice chuckled. Karkat turned to see John grinning at him, sitting closely to his side. Blood ran from the human’s forehead down the side of his face and onto his shirt. His skin looked so pale. The boy soon fell backwards and passed out.

“Jo-” suddenly dizziness and pain throbbed in Karkat’s head and he fell forward on top of John. His body refused to move and the pain numbed when his vision completely blacked out.

The last thing he saw was a light glow coming from Feferi’s direction.

*************************************************************************************

­Steady beeping. A large comfortable white bed. A large white room with a nice big window. Right leg hung up in a sling in a cast, left leg on the bed in a smaller cast. Some cord sticking out of right arm. Nepeta asleep in a chair and on the bed to the right. The Disciple in a similar position on the left. Both have bandages on arms and such. The Signless sleeping in a chair in the corner, arms crossed, head resting on the shoulder of the Dolorosa. Beside them were Rose and Kanaya sleeping on each other as well. All of them with treated wounds.

To the left was the window and to the right was another bed. Jade sleeping half on it and half in a chair. John the occupant of the bed had the mattress in a sitting position, a book open and facing up in his lap, hands still holding the sides, and his bandaged head hanging to the side. Looked like he fell asleep while reading. All was peaceful.

Huh since when did the hospital let so many people stay overnight in one room? Not like it was small, it was actually pretty big.

Wait one fucking minute.

Hospital?

The heart monitor began to beep rapidly as he sat up with panic. Screams, cries, and maniacal laughter filled the Cancer’s head. Visions of monsters and people getting stabbed, beaten, and maimed flashed before his eyes. He wanted to scream but his throat was dry and it hurt. His head throbbed and tears fell from his eyes. He managed a choked garble of some sort before he felt hands on his arms holding him steady. Through the screaming voices in his head, Karkat could hear someone calling his name.

Warm hands held his face and wiped his cheeks. Karkat held onto the arms that extended to him for support as he continued to cry. The screams in his head slowly began to die down and a calm steady voice over powered it.

“Shhh Karkat baby everything is okay. It’s over. I’m here you’re not alone,” Karkat looked past his tears to see the Disciple trying to calm him down.

“M . . .o . . . m . . .” a voice shrieked in his head and he clutched his head with one hand.

“I’m here it’s okay. Calm down,” the Disciple pulled him into a hug and rubbed his back soothingly.

They stayed like that for a while and the voices and images finally dispersed. The heart rate monitor’s beeping returning to normal. Karkat pulled away a tiny bit to wipe his eyes, he didn’t want to leave his mother’s comfortable, secure, and warm embrace. He looked around to see everyone awake and looking at him with worry. A nurse had entered the room as well to see if he was alright.

After regaining his breath and a cough he sat there and let his arms lie loose beside him, “I’m . . . okay now . . . water . . .please.”

The Disciple moved to his side but didn’t let go. That was okay, she just gave him enough room to maneuver. Nepeta gave him a cup and he drank slowly. Once he was finished he let out a relieved breath before looking around again.

“We’re fine now, we’ll take care of him,” Kanaya told the human nurse. The woman nodded and left. Nepeta pressed buttons on the side of the bed to put it up into a sitting position to let Karkat sit in comfort.

“It’s over right?” the young troll whispered, “We’re all alive?”

“Yes it’s over. We are all alive and well,” the Signless spoke, “The Condesce disappeared and our fight is done. You have done well Karkat.”

“Fuck,” Karkat wiped his face again. Tears continued to flow out of his eyes, “It won’t stop.”

“It’s alright dear, cry to your heart’s content. It’s fine, you deserve to cry after being so strong for everyone all this time,” the Dolorosa stated.

“Come on Gran,” he let out a slightly choked chuckle and he put an arm over his eyes, “I have an image to keep. I haven’t cried all this time, I can’t just start now. L-leaders don’t cry no matter what.”

“It takes a strong leader to cry for others.”

“Your dad’s right Karkat, nothing to be ashamed of,” John stated with a smile and tears forming at the corners of his eyes as well, “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

The sniffle fest continued for a while before Karkat finally recomposed himself. Was it really over? Was the Condesce gone for good?

“I want to ask what happened but I don’t know if it’s the right time or not,” Karkat frowned at the empty cup in his hands.

“No now is the best time to ask. Don’t worry about it,” the Disciple let go and gave him a reassuring smile.

“How long was I out for?”

“About a week,” Jade yawned and stretched, “Most of us have been discharged already but we either don’t want to leave the hospital or we can’t.”

“What do you mean can’t?”

“Well . . . there’s still a bunch of political problems right now for your society,” Jade began, “You’re all safe here under the protection of Feferi and the human government so we don’t really know what will happen if you all leave. Okay I guess it’s best to start at the beginning. About a half hour after you and John passed out it looked like we were going to lose because of those freaky monsters, but then the military came! Like our human military not yours. There was a bunch of them because somehow they were informed of a terrible disturbance in the area so they came and shot all those monsters down.”

“They asked for some high authority to explain what happened and Feferi stepped up but no one believed her because she was so young,” Rose continued, “Dualscar surprisingly backed her up and told them that she was still an empress to be but at the moment she was temporarily the highest authority because of the other empress’ sudden disappearance. Right now the two are out trying to talk to the human government and the higher ups in your troll society on how to deal with the situation. Many of the trolls wish to have you all arrested because of the ruckus and the fact that the Condesce all wanted your heads before but Feferi is trying to deal with it now. The humans were able to cover up the fact that we humans were involved so to society we are just some human friends visiting the ‘convicts’ as society is currently calling you.”

“It’s not fair. We were there too, they should let them know! It could be easier to convince the others that they’re not in the wrong if they knew we helped wouldn’t it?” John complained.

“Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. If it was known that humans intervened then it could start something terrible. Trolls could say that it was the human’s fault and start a war. They would use human intervention as an excuse so that troll society isn’t looked down upon for such a terrible commotion,” Kanaya explained, “Do not worry though. Feferi is strong and has great determination. She will be able to clear this mess and all will be well again.”

“. . . How is she?” Karkat asked with concern, “Feferi. How is she working so hard after all of this?”

“She’s doing fine really. Her arm was pierced but it’s healing. She’s not letting the event faze her and she’s being really strong for all of us,” Nepeta said proudly.

“Really? Even after Eridan . . .”

“Hello?” the door to the room opened and there standing at the door was a male sea troll with his usual annoying thick rimmed glasses and stripped scarf holding a large bouquet of flowers. He was perfectly healthy.

Karkat stared at him with wide shocked eyes before shouting, “I THOUGHT YOU SAID WE WERE ALIVE!”

“K-Karkat settle down,” the Disciple flinched.

“But he’s dead! I saw it! The trident went right through him and he fell and he’s dead! The only explanation on how I can see him like that is that I’m dead or I’ve gone crazy and started hallucinating!”

“I havve no idea on howw to react to that,” Eridan blinked before casually walking in and putting the flowers into a vase.

“Oh maybe we should have told him that first hehe,” John just laughed, “Feferi went to God tier and revived him!”

“God what?” Karkat looked at the troll that was supposed to be dead with furrowed brows. Eridan didn’t look back and just continued to set the flowers.

“God tier. That’s what it’s called when we get those awesome powers and clothes. The Handmaid said her title was Witch of Life and she was able to bring him back to life perfectly unharmed. It was a big shock to the rest of us but well it’s good for her or else she would be so devastated that she wouldn’t have been able to go out and clear your names and sort out this mess with the troll society.”

“No Fef’s stronger than that. My death may havve been a bigger push in her determination to clear your names so wwhatevver happened to me wwould not havve mattered,” Eridan had finished with the flowers and stood there, hands flat on the table and just staring at the plants.

“Women can be unpredictable when they lose someone they love,” the Disciple said solemly. She was staring down at Karkat’s sheets and when she noticed the awkward silence she stood up, “Haha sorry about that, you must be hungry Karkat I’ll go get you some nice food from the cafeteria.”

“I’ll go with you,” the Signless followed her. Nepeta looked at her leaving parents and then at Karkat. The boy nodded sideways towards them and Nepeta smiled before giving him a light hug.

“Wait up!” she called as she followed the two.

“I think I shall go take a stroll, Rose, mother, accompany me?” Kanaya asked as she got up.

Rose nodded and got up. The Dolorosa got up and gave Karkat a kiss on the head before ruffling his hair and following the two girls out.

John stretched and hopped out of his bed, “I feel like I need to walk around a bit too, Jade come with me.”

The human boy dragged his sister out leaving Karkat alone with Eridan. The male sea troll took the seat beside his bed where the Disciple was sitting before and looked down as if concentrated on his hands. A silence over took the room as Karkat looked out the window. It was snowing. He watched the small flakes of frozen water slowly drift down until Eridan finally spoke up.

“She wwas cryin’ a lot . . . she hit me too sayin’ nevver to do somethin’ so stupid evver again,” the Aquarius let out a light chuckle, “But if I didn’t she wwould havve been dead. I don’t think I deservved to livve after all I did though.”

“So you’re telling me that protecting your dad, betraying him afterwards to help us, and saving your matesprit’s life means you don’t deserve to live?” Karkat frowned at him

“But I’m the one that betrayed all of you first! And I evven put Sol into critical condition,” Eridan finally looked up.

“And he forgave you for it dumbass.”

“But.”

“Is your think pan damaged? The reason why you’re alive now is because no one wanted you dead. You’re the one that brought Feferi’s powers out so stop moping like an abandoned wriggler and be fucking thankful.”

Eridan became silent again. Karkat scratched his head and sighed, “How is it with you and your dad? You know he didn’t want you dead either.”

“. . . Yeah I knoww. WWhen I was revvivved  he hugged me and evveryfin. It wwas wweird but comfortable. I don’t think my dad hugged me since I wwas like twwo swweeps or somethin’. Evven Mind- er I mean mom hugged me too. It wwas nice I guess evven if it did feel a little awwkwward,” Eridan sighed and sat back with arms crossed, “But evver since then he hasn’t spoken to me. He’s been busy runnin’ around tryin’ to help Fef and he wwon’t let me help for some reason. Evvery time I try to talk to him he finds some sort of excuse and leavves.”

“He doesn’t know what to do after how he treated you after all this time. He must have realized how terribly he raised you from almost losing you and is trying to atone somehow by keeping away from you. I wouldn’t be surprised if he forced you to move in with Vriska and Terezi.”

“I’d go and livve on my owwn before that could happen,” Eridan quickly retorted and the two exchanged small laughs, “WWell I don’t knoww, I think wwe should at least talk or somethin’.

“Good luck with that, otherwise I guess it’s good to see that you’re not dead.”

“Heh same here Kar.”

“Oh sorry am I intruding?” a voice came from the door. Eridan and Karkat turned to see Zlypha standing there with Terezi. The Libra was wearing casual clothes while the sea troll was in hospital pajamas and was holding onto an IV stand that was hooked to her arm.

“Nope I’m done,” Eridan got up, “You can go ahead and havve your turn wwith him noww Zyl.”

“Wait Eridan come here,” Eridan gave him a puzzled look as Karkat motioned the sea troll to come closer. Eridan leaned forward, Karkat pinched Eridan’s cheeks hard and pulled them apart. Eridan pulled back with a yelp.

“WWhat the fuck wwas that for Kar!?” Eridan stepped back while rubbing his cheeks.

“You really are alive.”

“Oww you didn’t havve to do that to make sure Cod,” Eridan, who began to pout, quickly walked past the two girls with his hands on his cheeks.

Terezi cackled as she helped Zylpha into the unoccupied seat because it looked like she had difficulty walking but didn’t want a wheelchair.

“Hey.”

“Hello.”

“So how’s my favourite crabby troll feeling?”

“Alright I guess even if I can’t feel my legs.”

“Lovely, well I’ll leave you two to chat. I still have to go back to being Vriska’s slave since she’s stuck in her bed. Her bones weren’t totally crushed like Sollux but it’s still pretty bad,” Terezi waved and turned to leave.

“Wait, how are you? How are your wounds?” Karkat asked quickly when she was at the door.

“I’m fine just a few scratches. That one on my back may leave a scar but whatever I’m good. Don’t worry about it.”

“One more thing. I forgot to ask Eridan, is the Condesce really gone?”

“Well we don’t know. There are submarines and stuff looking for her. Many looking at beaches around the area but so far she can’t be found anywhere. It’s only been a week, I dunno. We’re all hoping that she can’t be found but I feel kind of bad for Feferi. She found out she was crazy and all but still, having her mother disappear like that is pretty harsh.”

“Yeah . . . thanks.”

“No problem Karkat,” Terezi gave him a fanged grin and then left him alone with Zylpha.

A silence befell the room once more. Karkat wasn’t sure if he should start or not. The first thing that came to mind was the death of her mother and that was probably not the best conversation opener. He peeked over to Zlypha and saw that she had balled her hands into fists and was clutching onto her pant legs. Her body was slightly shaking and he saw some light purplely pink tears fall from her face.

“I-I’m sorry,” she refused to look up at him, “For everything I have done. I shouldn’t have broken my promise with your father.”

She hiccupped and let out a small sob, “I sh-should have tried to do something before you were thrown into that prison. I should have gone to get Feferi on my own so that S-Sollux and the rest of you wouldn’t have had to get hurt back at my hive. I shouldn’t have traded y-you in for my m-mother that wasn’t even there. Ever since we’ve met all I have done is cause tr-trouble for you and your group. ”

“You done?” Karkat asked once she paused long enough.

“Y-yes?” so looked at him confused and wiped her eyes.

“Good my turn,” Karkat let out a breath and then took a deep breath in, “We wanted to know what happened alright plus we kind of pushed you into telling us and my dad won’t get mad at you for breaking his promise. He’s a really understanding troll. You had no choice but to play along back at school or else Dualscar or the Condesce would have killed you or thrown you in with us. If you hadn’t been free then Mindfang and Redglare never would have found us in that prison and would have waited till our culling ceremony where I think some of us would have died before any saving could be done. Okay maybe Rose could have found us using her seer powers but she didn’t really understand her powers then so probably not. We all wanted to go and get Feferi with you. Vriska definitely would not have let you go by yourself.”

Zlypha looked like she wanted to speak but Karkat held up his hand to stop her, “What happened at the hotel was understandable. I personally wouldn’t turn on a friend because I’ve known them longer unlike you and I knew where my dad was sort of so yeah. What happened back there, I don’t blame you. No grudges here alright. Plus you said sorry to my dad when he broke me out with my mom and saved me when I fell over the cliff with the Condesce so you made up for the hotel betrayal thing.”

Zylpha just stared at him and he continued, “I just want all of this to stay behind us alright. Let’s start over again like we did after our first visit to your hive.”

She blinked a few times before she started letting out small laughs and giggles. Karkat didn’t find anything particularly funny so he just frowned.

“S-sorry I’m not laughing at you. I just, didn’t expect that,” she wiped her eyes and gave him a small smile, “I thought you would have told me to leave or like ‘I never want to see your face again’ sort of thing. Hehe, you’re much nicer then you let others believe.”

“So, you got a fucking problem with it?” Karkat looked away, with crossed arms.

“No,” Zylpha shook her head, “Starting over sounds good.”

“Alright then, good we’re in agreement.”

“Karkat! I got you food!” John came back in with two trays, “Oh hey Zylpha! I brought lots of food want to stay and eat with us?”

“Hello John, no it’s alright. I’m sure I have some food waiting in my room. Thank you anyways,” Zylpha got up and staggered a bit before standing straight and holding onto her IV stand.

“Oh do you need help back to your room?” John put the trays down and walked over to her.

“No I’m alright. I want to walk.”

“Wait Zylpha I have to tell you er it’s about your mother . . .” Karkat looked down as the two turned to look at him.

“You know something about my mother?” Zylpha looked at him confused.

“. . . The Condesce . . .  She told me she killed your mother a sweep ago . . .”

Her eyes widened a bit and tears streamed down her steadily streamed down her face before she looked down, her bangs covering one of her eyes, “I-I see . . .”

John looked at her before looking at Karkat with uncertainty, “Uh you sure you don’t need my help back?”

“N-No I . . . I wish to be alone,” Zylpha turned and left.

John waited until she left before he sat in the chair beside Karkat’s bed and pulled the wheeled table over so that the top was in front of Karkat with his food. He silently began to dig in.

“She had the right to know,” Karkat looked at John. The human didn’t say anything but the troll knew what was on his mind.

John sighed, “Yeah, I know.”

John said nothing more and the two ate silently. Once they were done, John moved the table to the side and crawled into Karkat’s bed.

“John what are you doing?” Karkat asked with surprise.

“Move over a bit.”

“John.”

“I want to sleep.”

“Your bed is over there.”

“You need to sleep too and you don’t have any of your slime stuff since this is a human hospital and I was told that some of the horror whatevers don’t come as often when someone is close to you when you’re sleeping so shut up and move over.”

Karkat blinked at the boy before scooting over to the best of his ability. He wanted to know who the idiot was that told John the false fact but he wasn’t in any position to complain. It might actually work though since he never tried it before.

John pressed the buttons on the side of the bed to make it lay back down and then he lied there with his back facing Karkat. Drowsiness began to overtake the troll. It may have been that weird juice he drank earlier but whatever as long as he wasn’t in pain. Everything was over, they had wounds and scars but they could heal over time, everyone was alive and well and everything could go back to normal. And this time their parents would be with them.

“Hey Karkat . . . other than trying to distract me, why did you kiss me back at the hotel?” John asked.

Karkat said nothing and turned his head to face the window, his eyes closed. He could feel some heat start to form at his cheeks but he was trying to feign sleep so that was the least of his problems. He felt and heard John shift beside him, felt the boy hover and look at his face for a moment before the boy sighed and lied back down.

Right the kiss. He had forgotten about that. He would deal with that later but at that moment he just wanted to enjoy the peace while it lasted.

John sleeping beside him was a bonus and he was right. No horror terrors appeared in his dreams.

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Start over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 21: Massacre

How many hours had passed, he did not know. He regained consciousness but the pain was overwhelming so he kept his eyes closed. Better to let the guards think he was still sleeping just in case they decided to be sadistic bastards before his culling ceremony. The constant dripping water was annoying like a ticking clock. Time passed with him listening to the repetitive sound. 

Deep inside he just wanted it to be done and over with already so he wouldn’t have to suffer the pain any more. On the other hand, he would not give the Condesce the satisfaction of killing him as a compliant weakling. He would continue to defy her until the very end. Attempt to humiliate her, but after that, he knew it would be the end of him.

Are you ready? A soft but energetic voice rang in Karkat’s ears.

A crackle, surprised guards, fighting, silence.

The bent door of his cell creaked open and two people stepped inside. To whoever these fools were, he wanted to scream at them, call them idiots, tell them to leave him, but his throat was dry and he had no energy to speak.

“Oh my god,” a voice whispered. The voice was so quiet he could not figure out who it was. All he knew was that it was female.

Warm hands unlatched the shackles on his wrists and he fell forward to be caught in warm arms. He shivered, Karkat didn’t realize how cold he really was. The feeling of being embraced was comfortable and familiar. The figure held him closer as warm liquid drops fell on to his cheeks. Karkat forced his eyes to open despite the fatigue and he saw the gaze of bright green eyes looking back at him with great sadness. Green tears ran down her face as the woman held him close and rubbed his arm to warm him up. She bit her bottom lip and gave a small smile when she saw Karkat open his eyes. Yeah he couldn’t yell out ‘You’re an idiot’ to that face even if he was perfectly healthy.

“Hello dear,” she whispered and put her hand to his cheek. Karkat couldn’t help but lean into her warmth and his eyes fluttered closed once more.

“I’m so sorry, for leaving you like this,” tears continued to flow down the woman’s face. Karkat shakily raised his hand and wiped a few away.

“Don’t .  . . cry  . . . om.”

“Here drink,” the woman held a bottle of water at his lips and he drank quickly. It felt cool and refreshing and he choked a bit from drinking it too fast. The woman let out a little chuckle when he coughed a bit and she wiped his face of the excess water. A different hand ruffled his hair before reaching over and wiping the other tears off the woman’s face. Karkat stared at the burn scars on the wrist before looking up to see a pair of calm red eyes look back from behind a hood.

“You did good son, you’ve been very strong.”

“D . . . ad . . . glad . . . re alright . . .”

“Save your strength. You have done well,” the man with red eyes turned around and the Disciple put Karkat onto his back. Karkat hissed when his leg was moved.

“M-missed you . . .” Karkat tried to ignore the pain and moved to get on his dad’s back properly.

“We missed you too . . . we’re sorry,” the Signless carefully lifted Karkat up.

“Oh my god his leg,” the elder Leo trailed her hand over his leg and he winced and pulled away.

“I’m fine, let’s just get out of here . . . please,” Karkat wrapped his arms over the Signless’ shoulders a little tighter.

“Yes, everyone is waiting,” the Signless walked out and looked both ways down the hall before leaving carefully. The Disciple followed close behind

“Everyone? All the parents and kids and the humans?” Karkat asked unbelievingly. Even after that drink of water his voice still sounded hoarse.

“Of course, they all came to rescue their brave leader that sacrificed himself for everyone after all,” the Disciple stated with a slightly proud tone.

“They’re all idiots. You could have gotten away and planned a better attack plan or whatever. You’re just putting yourself in danger, saving me like this,” Karkat buried his face into his father’s back.

“They are the ones that said saving you was first priority. Especially Nepeta, Kanaya, and that one human in the blue. Everyone agreed that it would be better to come up with an attack plan later,” the Disciple cautiously looked around the corner before signalling it was okay to continue, “We could attack here though, we have everyone waiting and about half of the prisoners here were arrested because they were our followers.”

“Are you serious?”

“It’s better to let this end now rather than have it drag on don’t you think? This has gone on long enough and I have let you suffer all this time.”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me dad,” his throat hurt but he wouldn’t stop his argument just because of that, “I’ve been suffering? That’s your fucking name ever since that day. All I had been doing was go to school like a fucking ignorant wriggler living a normal life completely unaware of what was really going on with you and everyone else. Yes I want it to end but I don’t want anyone getting hurt any more or dying.”

The Disciple looked at her son with grief, his face hiding in his father’s back and his body shaking, “I promise, after this, no one should be getting hurt any more. This is why we fight, to end this.”

They continued to walk through the prison in silence. Apparently they were in the same prison but underground. Right after Karkat had been taken away, the Disciple and Signless had arrived to find the hotel in a bigger mess than it was in before and they met John there all alone. John had volunteered himself to go back to the hotel and wait for them to come and lead them to the others. He along with Nepeta and Kanaya urged them that the first thing they had to do was to save Karkat so using Rose’s seer powers and Jade’s spacey whatever powers, the two were sent to Karkat’s cell.

The distant sound of an explosion made the three hide in an unoccupied cell. It was dark so they hoped that no one would notice them in there. It worked because they crouched together in a corner and a bunch of guards ran past to see what the commotion was.

“Looks like they’re beginning the attack,” the Disciple peeked out once the guards were all gone.

“Then we should hurry and meet up with them,” the Signless carefully stood up again and followed the Disciple up.

“Wait,” the Disciple held her hand up and the Signless stopped.

“What is it?” he looked around cautiously expecting an attack.

“There’s blood here . . .” the experienced hunter crept forward with her gaze to the floor.

The Signless waited and watched her as she carefully stepped forward. She turned the corner and instantly jumped back, dodging a flying object. The Disciple ran back to the Signless and stood in a ready position as the attacker turned the corner and dashed straight towards her. That’s when Karkat saw a familiar pair of strangely curved horns, fin ears and a set of tonfas with chains.

“Zylpha stop,” Karkat’s voice croaked quietly. The Disciple heard him so her defense stance went down but he wasn’t sure if Zylpha heard him.

He pushed himself up a bit so he wasn’t covered by his dad and tried to look at her directly. Bright red eyes met light violet pink ones and she stopped, dropping her weapons in the process. She stepped back before falling to the side into a wall and sliding down into a sitting position. Zylpha took the time to regain her breath.

“Zylpha? You mean the girl whose mother owned the hotel? Oh that’s why we were told to meet there. Are you alright?” the Disciple crouched down and looked at the girl with concern. Her arm was bleeding, that was probably where the trail of blood came from.

“I’m sorry,” Zylpha whispered and put her face into her hands.

“What?” the Disciple placed her hand on Zylpha’s head and she flinched. Zlypha looked at her with devastated eyes before getting up and grabbing her weapon off from the floor. She ran to the corner and looked back.

“I told him. I told everyone. I’m sorry,” Zylpha looked like she was about to cry, “I shouldn’t have done that, I . . .”

“Wait what?” the Disciple got up and took a step towards her. Zylpha quickly dashed away like a frightened animal.

“Mom, don’t,” Karkat called when it looked like the Disciple was going to follow her, “Just leave her . . .”

“Everyone is attacking already we should hurry and join them,” the Signless stated.

The Disciple had a confused and worried look, “Alright . . .”

She looked around the corner anyways but couldn’t see her. They continued onwards, sneaking past panicked guards, and up stairs to the main floor until they reached a large commotion.

“They’re breaking out the prisoners and they’re fighting back! There’s too many of them sir!”

“Hold your ground! Her Imperious Condescension is here! We must keep hold of the situation!”

“Honk Honk motherfuckers.”

A giant spiked club swung and a group of guards flew into a wall. A few more went flying when a smaller figure ran through the crowd of guards and smacked a few here and there.

“The DARK CARNIVAL IS IN TOWN MOTHERFUCKERS!”

“Karkat . . .”

“Yeah dad?”

“That’s your moirail right.”

“Yeah.”

“So, how did the Grand Highblood end up with you guys?”

“During our first prison break we found him.”

“First?” the Disciple cried with shock, “You were thrown in this hell hole before!?”

“It’s the Sufferer! They broke out the little mutant! Get them! Bring them to me for the Empress!” Dualscar’s voice suddenly boomed.

Guards began to approach them and the Disciple hissed at them until a blast blew them away. They turned to where the blast came from and saw Eridan with Ahab’s Crosshairs in his arms. Dualscar’s eyes widened.

“Eridan wwhat are you doing!?” he screamed with fury.

Eridan just flipped the bird at his dad before running over to the Signless, “This wway quickly.”

“Eridan . . . turn around,” Karkat let out weakly.

The sea troll turned quickly with his gun pointed at the ready but no guards were around them. Instead he saw Dualscar aiming at the Signless and Karkat. Eridan stood in front of them and gave his father a defiant look. The elder Aquarius’ hands shook before he pointed his gun downwards.

“Eridan get out of the wway!”

“Quick go, evveryone’s wwaitin’.”

“Ampora . . . thanks.”

“Heh wwoww Kar thankin’ me. You must be on the brink of death.”

“Almost,” Karkat let out a light chuckle.

“Cod you havve to get him out of here. If he’s laughin’ at my jokes then he’s in a real serious condition.”

“Thank you,” the Disciple nodded at the Signless and the two ran off to the hole in the wall that the Grand Highblood and Gamzee had made earlier.

Dualscar aimed at them as they left and fired. Eridan fired as well and the blasts cashed before it could even get near the escapees.  The man threw down his gun and let out a string of expletives as they managed to get through the hole.

“Mom! Dad! Karkat!” Nepeta cried. She kicked a guy in the face before running towards them. Her face changed from joy to fear, she stopped in her tracks, “Mom watch out!”

The Disciple turned to see a tall figure behind her, arms raised high, ready to strike down with her trident. She fell on her side in surprise and looked at the furious woman in horror. The Signless stopped running and shouted something Karkat couldn’t catch. His heart was pounding too hard as time appeared to move slowly.

The sound of metal hitting metal brought time back to its normal pace as the Disciple quickly scrambled away. The Condesce looked up at her trident and saw a baton and a chain wrapped around the base of the other end that had stopped her from impaling the elder Leo. She twirled around and snapped her head back, gaze following the chain’s trail until it went up to the hole in the prison. On one floor up was Zylpha holding the other end of her weapon, she had used all her strength to stop that attack.

“Look who we have here,” the Condesce pulled her weapon downwards hard, pulling Zylpha down with her weapon and making the young sea troll fall to the ground. She walked over to the panting troll and held her trident up once more.

“You look tired, let me help you with that.”

Zylpha barely had any strength to even push herself up. She just stayed there, lying on the ground as the Condesce was ready to attack. The woman brought her weapon down and it clashed with another trident. The spikes were so close to Feferi’s face with the way she blocked it, arms outstretched and the double sided trident’s length facing her mother. It was a dangerous move.

“Mother stop this!” Feferi cried and shoved the attack to the side. Her Imperious Condescension looked at her in shock before rage over took it.

“You. You have become so corrupted from being around these lowbloods all the time. I should have raised you better. I should have kept you away from this horrible world. You have become so different,” the Condesce looked down with slight sorrow before suddenly attacking again. It surprised Feferi but she still managed to block, “I do not know who you are any more. You are no longer my daughter.”

Feferi’s eyes widened with devastation as the Condesce pulled back for another furious attack. The Pisces lowered her weapon as she saw the trident come towards her. The woman suddenly stopped in midair.

“Feferi what are you doing! Get Zylpha out of there!” Aradia called, arms outstretched. A faint image of a clock could be seen on the Condesce. Feferi snapped out of it and quickly turned around to help Zylpha up.

“Are you okay?”

“You sure I shouldn’t be asking you the same thing?” Zylpha replied and supported herself on Feferi. The two tried to get away as quickly as they could as the Condesce broke free of Aradia’s powers and smashed her weapon down at the area where Feferi used to be. She turned and ran after them but was blown away by a blast of wind. She looked over to see John floating in the air and ready to send another gust of wind at her.

“DUALSCAR!” the woman screamed. The man was seen at the hole in a struggle with Eridan. The young Aquarius was trying to get his father’s gun away from him. Upon hearing his name, Dualscar kicked Eridan away and pulled out that strange black box from before. He made sure a few guards kept Eridan occupied before stepping away and turning the device on.

“Shit!” John cried as his blue outfit disappeared and he fell to the ground.

“Not again asshole!” Vriska with her right hand threw a rock towards Dualscar while her left hand rolled her die. The rock hit the device spot on and John’s blue outfit returned. Dualscar aimed his gun once more but was tackled down by Eridan.

“That was awesome Vriska!” John shouted and got up, he turned to give her a victorious high five but stopped and looked at her, “Whoa.”

“Now that’s what I call a lucky shot,” Vriska grinned and looked down at her newly attained yellow outfit with the same symbol as Rose,  “This is more like it!”

Vriska’s blue wings flapped behind her and she flew over to Zylpha and Feferi to get them away faster from the sea troll immersed by rage who was chasing them.

A group of guards rushed at the Signless. The Disciple and Nepeta got ready to take them on. A gust of wind blew them away and John flew over to them, “Karkat are you okay!?”

“What does it look like idiot.”

“Don’t you fucking dare call me an idiot! The idiot here is you alright! Especially with what you did before! What were you thinking!? And what was that k-”

“Now is not the time to be fighting among ourselves children!” the Disciple took Karkat off the Signless’ back and put him in John’s arms. She gave Karkat his retractable sickles as well, “These are for just in case. Take him to the Dolorosa! Hurry!”

John nodded and flew off.

“No fuck John wait, I can’t leave them.”

“Don’t worry she’s nearby. Only Sollux and the Psiionic aren’t here because they’re in critical condition but everyone made sure that they would be here to help and fight.”

“Alright then you little fuckers!” the Condesce screamed with fury, “This is the last straw. You all are going to die right here and right now!”

The Condesce snapped her fingers. There was a loud thud and everyone went silent. The sounds of large heavy footsteps continued for a bit before stopping. Another wall in the prison blasted open and large grotesque creatures filed out. They all looked deformed, some were giants, some were small, some had wings, but all of them had weapons.

“What the hell are those?” Mindfang cried out and became confused when the guards began to run away.

“They’re modified imps! They’re war creatures my mother has been working on but she was supposed to have scrapped the project because they go out of control and just attack whatever!” Feferi looked over to her mother who was laughing hysterically.

“Now my creatures, destroy to your heart’s content! Kill them all!” the Condesce raised her arms and threw her head back. The monsters dashed ahead to attack all the prey before them. They all ran towards the Signless’ group. A few of the prisoners that they had broken out began to run away.

“What are you doing!” Redglare shouted at them, “If you run away now none of this will ever and!”

“Leave them Neo, let the week run away. It shows who truly wishes for this hierarchy to end,” Mindfang rushed towards the monsters.

“Attack!” the Singless called, “Fight for our peace! Fight for the end of this hierarchy. Fight for our children and generations to come so that they never have to endure such cruelty ever again!”

The Condesce continued laughing until Dave came up behind her in an attempted sneak attack. She blocked easily and grinned at him, “Oh? Trying to get revenge for the Psiionic and his little one are you? You can’t possibly think a troll and a human can have a relationship can you? It’s just not meant to be, it’s unnatural. He’s just playing with you until he gets bored.”

“Shut up!” Dave lashed out and attacked again.

The Condesce giggled and dodged before jabbing her trident towards Dave’s stomach. Rose pulled on his cape making him fall out of the way before it hit and the Seer sent a blast towards the woman making her jump back.

“Dave do not get in over your head. Stay calm, this is unlike you.”

“Fuck she’s just so- shit,” Dave shoved Rose to the side and jumped back as one of the giant imps smashed its hand down at them.

“You’re in out of your league human kiddies. Escape now while you can and maybe I won’t go to war with your kind.”

“Save your lies. We all know you just want to pick a fight at any chance. I call bullshit on your fake promises to Feferi about molding this world for her. You’re only making it for yourself! A real mother wouldn’t be disowning her kid so easily like that!”

“Pretty shell fish of her don’t you think.”

“Really Rose? Now?”

“You’re too intense. Where’s the brother that I know and love that likes to piss people off for his enjoyment? I didn’t know Dave Strider was one to be easily provoked.”

“Hey when you put it that way it makes me sound like the bad guy,” Dave couldn’t help but smirk as he recomposed himself.

“Oh look at this what a nice brother sister moment. I hoped you enjoyed it because it’s your last,” the Condesce stated before a giant picked her up and put her on its shoulder. Many more giants surrounded the blonde siblings and attacked.

********************************************************************

“John look out!” Karkat warned.

John weaved to the side as a few of those strange flying imp creatures flew past and hissed at him.

“Jesus fuck what are those things?”

“Just be careful, shit we’re being surrounded!”

John weaved through the air and tried to blast away as many as he could while holding Karkat but the creatures recovered quickly and continued their relentless attack.

“John if my grandmother is taking care of the wounded then it wouldn’t be smart to lead these things to her and the others! We have to lead them away.”

“But your leg!”

“John we’d be putting the invalid in danger!”

“Tch,” John turned and led them away, weaving through the other fighters and monsters. He was able to get a few distracted or have them run into other monsters but many of them still followed closely.

They flew by and between many of the battles. It looked like they were losing. The monsters were unnaturally strong and had great endurance. The trolls that didn’t run away earlier looked like they were losing energy and were getting pushed back. Karkat looked around wide eyed. Where ever he looked he saw people getting hurt. Trolls smacked easily to the side, limbs pierced, bones broken, painful screams echoing into the air. It was worse than a war field. It wasn’t even a war at this point it was a massacre.

And he was just putting John in danger like this. He needed to be left with the others. The humans could still make it if they all flew away right now.

“John you should p-”

“Shut up! Do not tell me to leave you behind again! I am never doing that ever! I wouldn’t have done it in the first place if you hadn’t shoved me off the building like that!” John held on tighter to Karkat as he continued to fly. His expression was heartbroken and confused. Tears began to form at the corners of the human’s eyes, “And it wasn’t fair startling me like that with that ki-”

John wasn’t looking where he was going at that moment and didn’t realise he was flying towards one of the giants. And it had to be the giant with the Condesce on its shoulder. The large beast smacked John downwards with such great force that their bodies made an imprint into the cold hard rock ground. Karkat groaned and pushed himself up after a minute, he looked down to see John under him. The idiot had turned at the last second to take in the full impact with the ground to protect Karkat.

The Cancer froze as his heart threatened to jump out of his chest as he looked at John. The human’s head was leaning on its side, blood fell from his mouth and a pool of blood began to form at his head, bleeding though the hood and making the blue fabric turn red.

No no no no no. Karkat’s mind froze as he stared at the blood. He didn’t know what to do. Would it be worse if he lifted the wounded head? What if every other bone in his body was broken from that harsh impact? Would moving him make it worse?

That familiar bone chilling giggle filled the air as the giant let the Condesce down and left to take care of the other pests.

“Oh how heroic, the human saving the prisoner. How idiotic even after all your efforts of saving him before.”

Karkat didn’t hear her. He was still in shock seeing John in such a state. He didn’t snap out of it until he felt something poking at his back.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you. I will stop his pain and you will be able to join the one you pity so much.”

“NO!” Feferi jumped in and attacked. The Condesce backed away from Karkat and blocked her attack.

“You dare attack your mother?” she shrieked.

“You’re not my mother if I’m no longer your daughter!” she cried back, tears openly falling down her face. Jade, who was fighting with Feferi earlier, ran over to Karkat and gasped when she saw John.

 “Oh my god. Karkat. Karkat? Hey!” Jade waved her hand on front of his face but he made no reaction.

“KARKAT!” she clapped her hands in his face and screamed. He flinched a bit and turned to look at her slowly.

“I need you to get off him okay?” Jade said slowly and softly.

Karkat looked down at John again and quickly scrambled off him in realization. Jade carefully looked him over and lifted his head slowly. Using his hood she applied a bit of pressure on his head where she found the wound to try to make the bleeding stop. She let out a small relieved sigh after looking him over once more.

“It seems only his head was hurt badly. His body may be really sore when he wakes up and he will have bruises but nothing is broken.”

It sounded nice but getting hit in the head was already pretty fatal. What if he never woke up? Karkat looked back around him at the chaotic battle. Tavros’ legs looked like they chose a bad time to stop working, The Summoner had a few creatures helping him fight but it was hard to control them while protecting himself and his son. The Grand Highblood’s and Gamzee’s frenzy helped a bit but not much. There were too many of them. The scourge family looked like they had gained injuries along with Equius and his father. Dave and Rose were nowhere in sight, his family was barely hanging on, the Handmaid and Aradia looked like they couldn’t hold on much longer and Dualscar was fighting too. He had stayed behind to stay with the Condesce but the imps also attacked him. The only person they wouldn’t attack was their creator the Condesce. Eridan was fighting his way through with great difficulty. It looked like he was trying to get to Feferi.

Back to the mother daughter battle, Feferi continued to fight with tears. She really didn’t want to fight her own mother but the crazy woman didn’t really give her a choice. The battle didn’t last long. The Condesce was too powerful and soon Feferi was on her ass and her trident was wedged into the ground a couple of meters away from them.

“You were the biggest mistake in my life and I will never make it again,” the Condesce raised her weapon.

No, no. Dualscar fought through the imps and arrived at the edge just at the moment where the Condesce was about to bring her weapon down. He was shocked at the sight, would she really kill her own daughter? A small figure ran past him, Ahab’s Crosshairs dropped beside him.

Feferi’s eyes went wide as plum blood splattered onto her face, her tears never stopping. Hands on her shoulders had pushed her back and a smile was on his face, plum blood dripped from his mouth. Large rimmed glasses fell onto her lap. Eridan had come out of nowhere and saved her. Dualscar dropped his gun in shock.

“G-good, y-you’re safe,” the shaky voice stated. The trident was pulled out of his body and he coughed out some blood before collapsing forward on top of the young heiress.

Feferi’s hands went up to her head, gripping onto her hair and she screamed.

*************************************************************************************

Start Over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 20: Give Up

“Hm so this is where you disappeared off to, didn’t think you were still alive after rotting in my prison for almost 3 sweeps. I’m actually quite surprised to see you here with this lot,” the Condesce’s bored face said otherwise.

“Well BITCHTITS when you see an opportunity, YOU MOTHERFUCKING TAKE IT.”

“Still crude as ever,” the Condesce gave him a disgusted look, “Don’t move now or else.”

A few guards got closer to Gamzee and the Capricorn growled at them while holding Tavros closer to himself.

“Or else what? You’d KILL YOUR OWN MOTHERFUCKING SON!?”

“Well guess what GO RIGHT AHEAD. I am no motherfucking father. I’M NOT FRIENDS WITH THESE PEASANT BLOODS. They have nothing to do with me SO WHY SHOULD I MOTHERFUCKING CARE.”

Her Imperious Condescension just glared before waving her hand towards him. The guards that weren’t surrounding the group rushed forwards towards the Grand Highblood and he easily smacked them away. A few guards pointed their weapons closer to the kids and the elder Capricorn began to run through as many as he could, smacking them away like a charging bull.

The adults took this chance to break free and get the other guards away from the others. All but the Handmaid who went straight for the Condesce. The two clashed, trident blocking two wands and sparks flew.

“I am going to kill you this time,” the Handmaid’s eyes burned with fury.

“That’s my line bitch and I’m not going to let you get away a third time. I’ll make sure you’ll be counting woolbeast for the rest of your life,” the Condesce pushed back and the powerful match began.

“Kill evveryone but the mutant and bring him here!” Dualscar ordered.

“NO STOP! STOP THIS!” Feferi screamed and struggled in Eridan’s hold.

“Eridan, get her out of here,” Dualscar ordered.

“No Eridan we have to help them! We can’t let it come to this! We have to stop this!” Feferi cried. Eridan stayed silent as he pulled her out, he didn’t even look back.

A guard grabbed Karkat by the hair and pulled him up, “All this mess for a disgusting lowblooded mutant.”

“Your face will be a mess if you don’t put him down!” John threatened.

The guard just laughed, “And what can a puny human like you do?”

His answer was John’s hammer to his face. Karkat was let go and John caught him, “John you have to leave now.”

“You think I can leave you like this? Forget it I’m not going to listen to your fucking arguments so shut up until we’re all safe again,” John demanded. In a situation like this, they could really use the help.

“Everyone this way!” the Summoner called. He was by a large broken window, beckoning everyone to escape through there.

“AA, my dad!” Sollux called. He felt utterly useless being stuck in that chair and being defended by Aradia and Dave.

“I’ll get him. Dave get Sollux out of here,” Aradia flew up and Dave nodded.

“No my dad! Him firth’t!”

“She can get him by herself, she’ strong. Sorry this is going to hurt,” Dave immediately hoisted Sollux out of his chair causing the Gemini to wince and gasp in pain before flying towards the broken window.

Gamzee and Tavros were standing back to back and were surrounded by a bunch of guards. Everyone else was busy with their own groups so there were stuck on their own. Well that was until the Grand Highblood ran and bowled half of them over. He then proceed to pick up Tavros and chuck the boy through the air before the little Taurus or Gamzee could do anything about it.

“HEY SHITBLOOD, HEADS UP.”

The Summoner turned to see Tavros fly towards him and he almost dropped the frightened troll instead of catching him upon impact.

“P-Pops?” Gamzee gave his father a confused glance before fending off other attackers.

“Your turn,” The Grand Highblood picked Gamzee up and tossed him at the Summoner as well. Instead of being caught, Gamzee just toppled the flying troll over instead.

“Dad! Gamzee! Are you alright?” Tavros asked worriedly as he swung his lance around.

“Fucking hell GHB you do not play catch with kids!” the Summoner grumbled as he got up, “Tavros take him and get out of here call as many creatures as you can to get ready and get us out of here I’ll stay back to make sure no one follows you and the rest gets out.”

“Uh o-okay,” Tavros helped Gamzee up and climbed out the window. The two took a few seconds to scan the crazy fight and watch the Highblood smack some more guards around before running of towards the beach.

John attempted to just fly Karkat over to the window but a few guards grabbed their legs and pulled them down making them fight. Aradia managed to pull the Psiionic away from the battle between the Condesce and Handmaid. The Dolorosa and Jade helped the wounded troll out as Aradia went back to her mother.

“Kanaya where are you going?” the Dolorosa asked when she saw Kanaya head in a different direction with Rose.

“Don’t worry mother just go! I have to get the matriorb!” Kanaya pulled out her lipstick and changed it into a chainsaw. A couple of guards that were approaching to stop them stood before her and stepped back once she revved her weapon.

Karkat was distracted from watching Kanaya cut a row of guards in half when another one came up to his side and attempted to knock him out.

“I don’t think so!” Nepeta jumped in and clawed at the guard’s arm causing him to drop his weapon, “You’re not going to get to my brother unless you get through me first!”

Her eyes were narrow and constricted showing the animalistic feral in her gaze.

A guard flew above them and Equius appeared at her side, knuckles covered in colours, “We must make haste to the exit. We will not be able to keep this up for much longer.”

A few more guards fell around them from being shot down by Darkleer’s mighty bow, but more continued to come. Their amount was endless and in a few minutes they could be taken over.

The scourge family plus Zylpha seemed to be faring better than them. They were slowly inching closer to the exit as they fought. Back to Kanaya, she had successfully gotten to the lobby desk and she hopped behind it while Rose protected her. When she came up again the matriorb was in her hands. The Condesce saw it from the corner of her eye and she managed to redirect a blast from the Handmaid towards Kanaya. It didn’t get far though. Aradia levitated a couch to intercept the attack just as it was redirected.

“Do you think you can win just because your daughter joins in?” the Condesce chuckled.

“Mother we must leave now,” Aradia exclaimed, “I’ll stop everyone like before, but you must leave.”

“Oh I don’t glubbing think so. Dualscar!”

Upon hearing his name the elder Aquarius pulled out a strange looking device. It was palm size and looked like some strange black cubed object. Once he turned it on, it made a strange whirring noise.

“Wh-what’s going on?” Aradia panickly looked herself over. Her wings and her red outfit disappeared and her normal clothes were back.

“Ah what the hell?” John cried in surprise when his blue pajamas were replaced with ordinary clothes as well. He raised his hands towards the guards and nothing happened, “I-I can’t do the windy thing!”

He ducked when the guards attacked but they were quickly blasted away. Rose from beside the exit had sniped them from there with one of her wands. Her yellow hooded outfit was replaced with her dark dress as well, “John hurry get over here! That strange device is blocking our powers!”

“Oh crap this is bad! I can’t fly either!”

Karkat looked around, they were too far from the exit but they were near the stairs. That gave him an idea, “You guys just go ahead! We’ll go this way!”

Karkat pointed at the stairs and Rose nodded. Karkat led Equius, Nepeta and John up the stairs. It would be easier to get to the roof and escape on one of the dragon’s or Zylpha’s lusus. Rose escaped with Kanaya and the scourge family made it to the exit as well.

“Mother everyone has left, we must go!” Aradia pulled on her mother’s arm.

“Don’t think I’ll let you get away!” the Condesce charged forward with her trident but the Grand Highblood caught her mid lunge. He picked up the trident, lifting up the Condesce along with it and threw her across the room right into Dualscar.

“This party is motherfucking over,” when the large troll turned to the ladies, they just stared back at him, “GET OUT MOTHERFUCKING BITCHTITS. YOU WANT TO GET CULLED ON THE SPOT!?”

The Handmaid took a step back and pulled Aradia close when he yelled at them. Once he was done she looked around and flew out the broken window with her daughter.

“Now I can finally go all out,” the Grand Highblood cracked his knuckles and a large fanged grin grew on his face.

“Pops don’t fight! Come with us!” Gamzee called from the window. A guard chucked a spear at the window and Gamzee dodged before chucking one of his clubs at the guy’s face hard, “Pops come on!”

The Grand Highblood chuckled, “Guess it’s time to change.”

**************************************************************

“We’re here!” Nepeta slammed the door of the roof open and ran out. Equius and John followed after, the two were helping Karkat for his ankle began to hurt too much from all the strain he was putting on it. The Leo ran over to the edge of the roof and looked down. At the beach were some water creatures with everyone else riding on them, a few were still escaping towards the beach like Gamzee and his father. Above were Mindfang and Redglare riding on their dragon. Jade and Dave appeared to have lost their clothes with special powers as well. Also near them were a few dead lusus that looked like they belonged to the imperial guards. Eridan was riding his lusus with Feferi near them.

“Eridan’s on our side again!” Nepeta cheered.

“Jump you guys!” Terezi called, Nepeta looked straight down and saw the scourge sisters below. Dragonmom and Zylpha’s lusus were waiting with them. It would be awkward for the dragon to fly and catch them from the side of the building like that because its wings were wide so it waited on the ground.

“Is Zylpha with you!?”Vriska asked.

“No! I thought she was with you!” Nepeta became worried. Vriska cursed to herself.

“There’s no time! She can take care of herself or she went and hid. You guys have to jump now!”

“Just jump Nepeta!” Karkat called. The roof door burst open again and guards ran through.

“But Zlypha!”

“Equius!” Karkat yelled at the Sagittarius. The strong troll nodded, picked Nepeta up and jumped off. Karkat and John were going to jump next but a chain suddenly wrapped around Karkat’s leg.

“Karkat!” John panicked and crouched down but Karkat pulled him up.

“Jump!”

“No Karkat I’m not leavmrph!?” Karkat pulled John into a quick kiss before pushing the boy off the edge. John was too confused to cry out afterwards.

“Where’s Karkat!?” Nepeta asked frantically.

“He . . . up top . . . still caught,” John let out breathlessly. He didn’t realize how out of breath he was.

“Shit get on!” Terezi called and the rest filed onto Dragonmom while Vriska got onto Zylpha’s lusus. They all flew up over the roof to find all the guards that weren’t wounded or dead, surrounding Karkat who was kneeling and wrapped up in a chain.

“Get out of here!” Karkat called to them.

“No Karkat! Terezi we have to save him,” John urged the troll, “Quick we just gotta- Watch out!”

A beam of energy almost hit them, it barely grazed the dragon who growled at the attacker. Dualscar readied his gun again.

“We can’t I’m sorry,” Terezi with great regret and clenched fists led Dragonmom towards the sea.

“NO! Terezi no! Turn around! We have to get Karkat! Terezi! Terezi Stop!”

“DON’T YOU DARE FUCKING TURN AROUND!” Karkat yelled. He looked to the side to see Vriska still hovering there with wide and shocked eyes, “VRISKA GET OUT OF HERE!”

She just continued to stare, not at him or the guards but the one holding the chain wrapped around Karkat that had batons stuck to the ends. The capturer looked back up at her with impassive eyes. She held no emotion; there was no grin, smile, frown, fear, anger, sadness, nothing. It was a completely emotionless face. The Condesce walked over to the capturer and put a hand on her shoulder as she looked up at the Scorpio with a grin.

Dualscar fired another beam at Vriska. The nightingale dodged and squawked, it was about to dive down and tackle something or someone but Zylpha whistled. It was a quick and long whistle, one that gym teachers would do to shut up their class. The nightingale stared at Zylpha for a second before flying off, following Terezi.

“What the hell are you doing you stupid bird? Turn around no! Where are you going! Fuck! What the hell!?” Vriska screamed and hit the bird but it never faltered and continued to fly.

“I knew you were not one to trust fucking bitch,” Karkat growled when she tugged on the chains.

“It’s alright, I never liked you either.”

“Your fucking son is escaping with my daughter,” the Condesce hissed as she looked out to the sea. She saw Eridan and Feferi look back but after Feferi spoke, the two followed the rest. Dualscar had nothing to say.

“Shall we proceed to follow them?” a guard asked.

“No we have what we need for now, we can always get them later,” the Condesce turned and grinned when she saw Karkat’s defiant face.

*****************************************************************

That voice. That fucking voice. It made him want to vomit more than hearing the Condesce’s voice. No wait, both equally made him sick. But at the moment it was the voice of Zylpha that he had hated platonically. Her voice continued to ring through his head as he passed out from some strange soft melody that she was singing softly and quietly so that only he could hear. Well it was better than getting smacked in the head.

The voice was replaced by the sound dripping water and cold air made him shiver. When he woke up, he found himself in a cold and damp cell, arms chained to the wall, ankle throbbing with pain. The chains holding him forced him to stand, the blood circulation in his wrists were cut off enough. Karkat wasn’t sure if he was in the same prison as last time or a new one. All he knew was that he was exhausted and in pain and hungry. Yeah life really sucked at the moment.

His vision came into focus and he looked around. It was quite a small cell. Cement walls on the side and the usual bars in the front. A figure of a sea troll girl, stared at him silently, her bangs covering one of her eyes.

“So are you fucking satisfied?” he asked the emotionless girl. His voice sounded weak and it croaked a bit. She didn’t respond.

“You must be laughing at us now huh. You sure fooled all of us. Look I’m a fucking sheltered sea troll that actually gives a shit about the world. Boo hoo my mother disappeared. What a load of fucking lies. Let’s continuously play the double agent card and confuse the fuck out of everyone on whose side I’m on. I can’t believe I actually fucking trusted you!”

Zylpha said nothing and just continued to blankly stare at him.

“Aren’t you going to fucking say anything? Laugh in my face like the bitch you are!” Karkat thought to himself that he must be going insane, yelling at a girl that wouldn’t even reply.

A loud and long creak made him silent. Footsteps indicated more people entering and three tall figures appeared beside Zylpha.

“Oh perfect he’s awake,” the Condesce opened the door to his cell and walked in casually. His gaze was concentrated to the floor until the cruel woman wrapped her hand below his chin and pulled him up to look at her. He snarled.

“Feisty one aren’t you, a little more bite than your father. Annoying,” she gave him a disgusted look and Karkat swung his good leg up to kick her. Unfortunately she caught it easily.

“Little brat. Being feisty isn’t a good thing. Let’s fix that,”­ the Condesce quickly pulled his leg into an awkward angle and the cracking sound echoed off the concrete walls. Karkat’s scream rang through the prison block along with the Condesce’s inhumane giggling.

“Hm let’s make sure you aren’t able to run away again,” the Condesce grabbed Karkat’s other leg. The Cancer gasped, shut his eyes, gripped onto the chains of his shackles, and bit his bottom lip.

“Your Majesty,” Zylpha interrupted, “You will keep your promise right?”

The Condesce let go of Karkat’s leg and gave Zylpha a sweet smile, “Of course dear! You helped me so much after all.”

Karkat slumped against the wall and the chains were the only things holding him up. He couldn’t put weight on his legs any more, not after that.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

“These two will lead you to what you want,” the Condesce clapped her hands and the two guards that had accompanied her led Zylpha out, “Thank you again deary!”

Zylpha looked back once before following the guards out. The Condesce began to giggle quietly and hysterically.

“A good trade don’t you think?” she whispered into Karkat’s ear, “A mutant blood for her mother.”

Karkat’s eyes widened a bit. The elder Pisces saw his reaction and giggled some more, “The best thing is, her mother has been dead for a sweep already.”

Karkat gripped the chains once more.

“I promised her that if she brought you to me, she would get to meet her. And now she will. If you stay quiet you can listen,” the Condesce giggled some more before going silent.

The sound of dripping water and footsteps could only be heard before a confused voice cut through.

“What are you doing?” Zylpha’s voice went from soft to normal to panic. The sounds of clashing weapons rang through the hall into his cell. He heard every movement, every attack attempt, a snap, a grunt, and a pained cry.

“Do you feel bad for her? Do you regret calling her a bitch now? You poor thing,” she mocked. Karkat pulled himself up with the chains and slammed his left knee into her chin.

She stepped back and held her chin for a second before her face twisted with rage. She grabbed the wounded troll’s hair and pulled him up before punching him hard in his stomach. He let out a choked pained gasp. When she let go he fell against the wall.

“Know you place fucking freak. Don’t worry you’ll be able to apologize to her in the afterlife.”

Karkat glared at her from under his messed up hair. She twitched from seeing those red eyes glow in the darkness, staring at her like that, boring into her soul, holding no fear, just like that man. The Cancer then proceeded to spit on her face. She didn’t even see it, all she knew was that there was a sudden damp feeling on her cheek. When she touched it and looked at her hand she saw red.

The Condesce’s body began to shake and she looked like she was about to lash out at Karkat at any second.

“Empress!”

“WHAT?” Her Imperious Condescension turned with a face of fury. The guard took a step back.

“Th-The Siren’s daughter escaped.”

“DO I HAVE TO DO EVERY FUCKING THING AROUND HERE? YOU CAN’T EVEN KILL OFF A STUPID LITTLE KID?” the guard apologized and ran off when she slammed her fist on the wall causing it to crack. She stood there for a moment before wiping the blood off her face and recomposing herself, “Your grand culling ceremony will be tomorrow. Enjoy your last hours fucking mutant.”

The angry woman slammed the cell door so hard that it bent and creaked back open a bit. It wasn’t like he was going anywhere though.

“YOU stay and keep watch. If he tries anything funny go ahead and break his puny bones but make sure the little monster is alive and in this cell by morning,” the Condesce ordered one of the guards nearby before storming off.

Karkat was left in the dark and in pain to dwell on past events. He hoped everyone was alright and that they met up with his parents. It would be alright if they didn’t even come to save him, as longs as they were all safe. He had misjudged Zylpha all this time, she was like every other crazy troll kid in his group with their parental issues. Did the girl even realize that her mother was dead? He would have felt pity for her but he was just too tired to give any fuck.

Whatever, it would all end tomorrow. Well for him, whatever happens next all depends on his surviving family and friends. Fatigue began to overpower the pain and he began to drift off, not even caring any more.

Yes this was the end.

Karkat Vantas decided to give up.

************************************************************************************

Start Over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 19: Nothing Goes Right

Trigger warning: Gore

******************************************************************************

“So you’re telling me that you saw a dream that had bits of the future about us getting into deep shit and you didn’t fucking tell us?”

“Karkat don’t blame her, I probably had a dream similar to it but the thing is I didn’t think it would come true,” Terezi attempted to calm him down, “But I don’t know why I saw that.”

“Fuck, you should’ve at least told someone! We could have avoided the whole prison bit and got us the fuck out of there earlier!”

Karkat cursed under his breath, “Then what’s with the apology?”

“I thought it would make you feel better.”

“No it doesn’t cause we’re still up to our necks in hoofbeast shit.”

“I assume that John has already told you what I am capable of.”

“Seeing shit that doesn’t help us one fucking bit.”

“So you do not wish to see what certain people are doing right now?”

“You can do that?” Feferi suddenly exclaimed, “Like you can see how Eridan is doing right now?”

“Yes, I can,” Rose put some white orb on the table and to Karkat she did look like one of those phony ‘fortune teller’ people John loved to drag him to sometimes, especially with how she put her hands around the orb.

The ball began to glow and an image began to appear. Feferi sucked in a breath when she saw Eridan. Dave looked like he was glaring at the orb and his hands were clenched, the Psiionic had a similar glare. When Karkat glanced over to Sollux the Gemini was just looking at the image of Eridan impassively. Concentrating back on the image, Karkat saw that the sea troll was standing by a body of water of some sort and in front of him was his seahorse lusus. Eridan was just staring out at the body of water with his eyes looking dead.

“He appears to be doing alright,” Aradia commented. She held no malice for him, she knew he was just protecting his dad. He appeared to be doing okay, it looked like he had less bandages than before so that meant Dualscar didn’t use him as a piñata after they escaped from Zylpha’s hive.

“Can you see what the Condesce is up to? So we can see if she’s planning anything and prepare?” Vriska asked.

Rose shook her head, “I have tried before but all I got was darkness. I couldn’t see anything when it came to her, like something was interfering with my powers.”

“Great this totally helps us so fucking much.” Karkat grumbled.

“Hey this ability can help us a lot you know. She can figure out where people are and that can be advantageous to us!” Jade defended Rose.

“Because it’s been so fucking helpful to us before.”

“Karkat that’s enough,” the Dolorosa frowned at him. Karkat crossed his arms and looked away.

“So what are we going to do now?” John asked.

“We’re going to plan a counter attack. Although we’re still waiting for the Signless and Disciple to show up, we should plan now,” Redglare took over.

Karkat was worried, his parents still hadn’t shown up at such a crucial moment. What if they had run into trouble on their way here?

“How can we counter? The Condesce, has so many guards and uh stuff. We’re greatly, outnumbered,” Tavros made a very good point.

“Actually we have a secret weapon. What the hell do you think we’ve been doing for the past sweep? Creating a secret rebel army of course,” Mindfang said proudly.

“That’s right, Signless’ Bitch Upheaval Rebellion Brigade ready for action. We just gotta find out the perfect place to attack and the Condesce is going down,” the Summoner exclaimed.

“We already told you we are not going with that dumbass name!” Mindfang’s proud smile turned into a frown.

“It’s fucking awesome and you know it.”

“Ugh not this fight again you two,” Redglare put her head in her hands.

“I may have to agree with Marquise for once on this. That is the most terrible name for our group.”

“What? D, you seriously going to take her side on this? Wow that’s a shocker, Dolorosa and Mindfang agreeing on the same thing,” the Summoner blinked ahead in shock.

“Only because that really is a terrible name,” Vriska added.

“Alright then how about a vote, raise your hand if it’s terrible,” the Summoner looked disappointed when everyone put their hands up, “Tavros!?”

“Uh sorry dad, but I don’t think, the Signless would like a name ,like that for his uh, righteous group.”

“Righteous hm, how about Signless’ Guardian’s Righteous Uprising Brigade?” John suggested.

“Oh that sounds much better!” Feferi clapped.

“Ugh fine god,” the Summoner sat back and grumbled to himself.

“Stupid names aside, do you know where to attack yet?” Karkat moved the conversation on.

“No, that’s kind of why we decided to wait for your father. Going straight to her palace would be suicide. We must find a way to pull her out somewhere, somehow,” the Handmaid explained.

“Um what do you mean by attack? How will fighting solve any of this?” Feferi asked with worry. She was the daughter of the prey and like the loving daughter she was, she didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Including her crazed mother.

“Well, there will be a battle of some sort that has to take place before any kind of negotiation can be made. It cannot be avoided considering who we’re up against.”

“Right sorry,” Feferi glanced at the orb again. The image of Eridan had been gone for a while now, but she was still feeling uncertain about the whole ordeal.

“We’re the ones that should be apologizing since you’re bring dragged into this terrible mess,” Jade patted Feferi’s hand.

“No it’s alright, I understand. What has to be done has to be done right?”

“You know you could alwayth hide thomewhere and wait until all of thith ith over,” Sollux suggested.

“No I will stay and see this through to the end. It just wouldn’t be right for me to hide and do nothing and suddenly take over when she steps down. I have to be there to let them know that I want her to step down along with all of you. I know she’s crazy but I don’t think she would go so far as to disown me. I know she still cares about me.”

Everyone went silent. No one knew what to say, it would not have been right to scoff or make some crude comment about not believing that statement. Everyone was sure to think that the Condesce was a cruel and heartless monster but of course Feferi did not. Sometimes that was her weakness, being too kind.

“So this means we can’t do anything until my parents get here,” Karkat changed subjects somewhat.

“Unfortunately yes,” Redglare sighed, “But we haven’t heard from them yet so we don’t know when they’ll be here.”

“But they will come right?” Nepeta finally spoke up.

“Yes, they said they would meet us here for sure,” Redglare smiled at Nepeta. Now that Karkat thought about it, everyone got to see their parents except for him and Nepeta. The little Leo must have been missing them a lot after seeing everyone with their own parents around her.

“Karkat do you wish to see where they are?” Rose asked and put her hands around the orb readily.

“ . . . No, we know they’re coming. We’ll see them when they arrive,” it felt a little wrong to just see an image of his parents after all these years. It would just make him miss them more from just seeing them and not being there with them. It would’ve been better if they just waited and saw them again in person.

“Do not worry young one. That father of yours is one that will not die easily. Even on death’s door he manages to elude the reaper and lives on to spread his words. Even though I fired an arrow near his heart he did not die.”

“Father!” Equius gave Darkleer a wtf look. His face practically screamed ‘omg dad you do not let everyone know that you almost killed my girlfriend’s dad.’ Darkleer soon realized his mistake when Nepeta gave him a terrified and shocked face.

“No I didn’t mean-,” Darkleer began to sweat.

“Ahem I think it’s a good time to say meeting adjourned,” the Dolorosa clapped her hands, “Now Darkleer I would like to have a word with you.”

A dark aura was emitted from the Dolorosa as she got up. Her intense look made Darkleer sweat some more and the two quietly exited the room.

“Wow I did not think he was that stupid,” Mindfang scoffed.

“D-do not heed the words of my father. He was just merely stating that.”

“It’s okay Equius, he’s on our side now. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine really and Zylpha did mention Dad getting hurt with an arrow in her story but that was a long time ago. My dad is okay and your dad won’t be doing again so it’s alright.”

Equius was silent before pulling Nepeta into a gentle hug, “I apologize for my father’s rude actions.”

“Hehe I said it’s okay,” Nepeta giggled and hugged him back.

“Get a room,” Dave called.

“Dave don’t be an ath,” Sollux would have smacked him if he could have lifted his arm.

Karkat just sighed and got up as the rest began to chat among themselves. He left with John following him.

“Hey did you know Zylpha has been trying to build this place up all by herself for the past 5 years? All by herself!” John exclaimed.

“So what about it.”

“We should all come back and help her finish it once this is all over. I mean she’s helping us by letting us hide out here after all. And it’d be pretty awesome to have a friend owning a hotel. We could stay here in the summer and bring all of our family! It’d be an awesome vacation.”

“John.”

“What?”

“You should go home and take the other humans with you.”

“Um what?”

“This is too dangerous and it doesn’t concern you. I already told you not to interfere. You even promised so what the fuck are you even doing here.”

“We’re here to help that’s what! You said not to interfere if anything went bad and yeah we didn’t when you were first taken away. Things settled down and you were sent to the prison so we busted you out. I didn’t break our promise. We know the danger and we wouldn’t have come if we didn’t have these powers alright. I know we were weak compared to you guys but not anymore. We can help.”

“This is none of your business and you being here will just get yourself and the other three hurt. I don’t fucking care if you all have some weird ass powers. Go home.”

“No. We’re here to help and you can’t make us.”

“John why are you so fucking stupid? It’s not just the danger you four will be in but your families too. Heck even your fucking race! If the fucking Condesce finds out that humans were involved then she can wage war against them and then everything my dad had been working for would be for nothing! Just go home John please.”

“Karkat why are you so bent on working alone? You’ve always been like this. Can’t you just accept help when it comes to you?”

“No because when I do the people around me get hurt alright! Don’t make me say it again John. There’s no point in arguing and all the other trolls will agree with me so leave. I don’t want to see your fucking annoying face around here anymore. You and the other three had better be gone by tomorrow morning or we will force you.”

“Force us how? I said we’re staying and there’s nothing you can do about it. We made our decision and we’re sticking with it. What happened to being friendleaders and sticking together?”

“That was a fucking joke. I didn’t realize things would come to this. All that is irrelevant now.”

“All of it? Are you saying our fucking friendship is irrelevant!?” John began to scream.

Karkat looked away, “Yes.”

“What the hell man!? You’re just going to drop our friendship when it’s convenient for you?”

“A real friend would know when they should butt out and stay out of personal business.”

“If it weren’t for us you wouldn’t have gotten out of that prison or gotten here a day early!”

“I never asked for your help! The adults already had a plan to help us escape!” Karkat began to feel a headache coming on.

“That plan was risky! It might not have worked at all and you could be dead by now along with everyone else!”

“I would have been able to at least get everyone else out before that could have happened. The fucking Condesce only wants me after all.”

“So you’d just die over getting help from us!?”

“I’D RATHER DIE THEN LET MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY GET HURT BECAUSE OF ME. EVERYTHING SO FAR HAS BEEN FUCKING HELL ALRIGHT. LOOK AT SOLLUX. HE CAN’T EVEN MOVE FOR FUCKS SAKE. FEFERI IS TORN BETWEEN US AND HER MOTHER. ERIDAN LOOKS LIKE HE’S FUCKING DEAD. THE PSIIONIC WAS USED AS A WEAPON. MY SISTERS HAVE BEEN DRAGGED INTO THIS EVEN THOUGH THEY SHOULDN’T BE. TEREZI HAS A DEEP CUT ON HER BACK. ZYLPHA’S RIBS ARE BROKEN AND WE’RE BEING CHASED TO THE END OF THE EARTH. NOTHING WILL EVER BE THE SAME FOR US AGAIN!” Karkat stopped and took a breath. John looked at him surprised and hurt, “Just go home. You never should have been friends with us in the first place. I shouldn’t have made any friends in the first place. Then none of you would be dragged into this mess.”

“Karkat I-”

“Here you guys are!” Zlypha approached them. It looked like she had been looking for them for a while now.

“John go home, now,” Karkat demanded before turning to Zylpha, “What is it?”

She gave the two an odd look before answering. Karkat looked extremely annoyed and John was looking away, fuming, “Um in the lobby- did you two just fight or something?”

“None of your fucking business. Get to the point.”

Zylpha scratched her head, “Ampora’s in the lobby.”

“Eridan’s here? Right now?” John asked unbelievingly.

Karkat began to speed walk towards the lobby with the other two following him, “What the hell is he doing here, better yet, how the fuck did he find us.”

“I don’t know, no one has spoken to him yet. I just saw him and thought it would be best if I had someone with me before I talked to him,” Zylpha explained, “But it kind of makes sense. All we saw in Rose’s orb was him with his lusus near water. After the image disappeared he could have rode his lusus all the way here.”

“Fine let’s go quickly before someone else sees him,” Karkat didn’t know why but he wanted to make sure he was the first to talk to Eridan before anyone else, “John go get the others and go home.”

“Fuck you, I do what I want,” John gave Karkat a glare before he flew ahead.

“Tch fucking idiot.”

Unfortunately seeing Eridan first didn’t work. Everything that happened right before them had the span of about five seconds. As soon as they took a step into the lobby, Eridan heard their footsteps and turned to look at them just as Dave stepped in, saw him, flashed stepped over and punched him in the face. Feferi was right behind him with Aradia and looked on in horror. As soon as Eridan hit the floor, Dave picked him up by the collar and was about to punch him again but John tackled him down.

“Dave don’t!” John held Dave down but the Strider didn’t even resist.

“Eridan!” Feferi screamed as she ran over to the wounded troll and helped him sit up.

“It’s alright, I fuckin’ deservved it,” Eridan sat up and held his bruised cheek.

“Eridan . . .” Feferi began to tear up and she hugged him right away.

“What ith fith fathe junior doing here?” the Psiionic hissed. Soon everyone but the Grand Highblood filed into the lobby. The Handmaid levitated Sollux in last. He was still in that stupid comfy chair. There weren’t any wheelchairs around so they had to work with what they had.

Feferi let go of the Aquarius as soon as Sollux entered leaving the two to look at each other. Eridan gave Sollux a horrified look after seeing him all bandaged up like that.

“Oh Cod, Sol I- I,” Eridan choked as he began to sob, “Fuck Sol I’m so sorry. I’m so fuckin’ sorry.”

“Oh thut up.”

Everyone looked surprised at Sollux.

“Dude I’ll heal alright. Thith ithn’t even ath bad ath the fight we had when we were both cruthing on FF. We were both out for like a week. I woke up after a day or two tho I’m fine compared to lath’t time. Hey I would have attacked you too if I had the chanthe but I dethided to thave my dad firth’t. That’th what we were doing, thaving our dad’th tho th’top with your th’tupid crying. That’th not the th’tuck up Eridan I know. You don’t apologize and you’re a pompouth printhe who thinkth he’th alwayth right, tho get up and wipe your fathe.”

Eridan blinked at Sollux with surprise. He had expected the Gemini to hate his guts after what he had done and rage at him like before. A minute of staring later, Eridan got up and wiped his face.

“Cod Sol you’re such an ass,” he chuckled a bit, “But you’re right and I’m still sorry. I’d probably feel better if your matesprit beat me up some more though.”

“Dave did what now?” Sollux being the last one that came in, of course did not see Dave about to maul Eridan.

“Eridan don’t say that. I’m the one that should be sorry. I shouldn’t have left you behind like that,” Feferi hugged him again.

“Fef . . .”

“Eridan should be sorry. You shouldn’t have saved that man after all he had done to you, even if he is your father,” Mindfang spoke up.

“Mindfang . . . but . . . he’s my only family aside from my lusus,” Eridan looked down. Feferi let go of him once more and looked heartbroken knowing how shaken up he was. They were all messed up and they all knew it.

Mindfang clenched her hands before walking over to him, “I shouldn’t have left you with him alone like that. I should have taken custody and let you live with us but that stubborn narcissistic sea dwelling asshole wouldn’t let me. I thought you would be okay with him but obviously I was wrong. I’ve left you to grow up into this and left you in the most terrible situations.”

“Mindfang . . .”

“You can’t even call me mom! This is how bad it is! HA!” Mindfang put her hand on her eyes and threw her head back, “The one who should be apologizing is me.”

“Perhaps all of the adults are the ones who should be apologizing for leaving all our children behind on our own whims,” Redglare stated.

“It’s not like you left for no reason and in the past there weren’t even such things as parents for trolls. It became a new thing a couple of generations ago so no big deal,” Vriska pointed out.

“Still, we weren’t there for you in your times of need. I just want to let you know that it will never happen again,” Mindfang pulled him into a hug as if to say things will get better from now on.

“Mo- NO!” Eridan shoved Mindfang away and backed up, “No I don’t deservve your lovve. Not noww and not evver!”

Everyone looked at him completely bewildered.

“Eridan what are you talking about? You can be safe here with us now. Things will get better,” Feferi took a step towards him and he took a step back.

“No, no it wwon’t I’m sorry I can’t- things are just-”

“Eridan how the fuck did you get here and how the hell did you know we were here,” Karkat asked with narrowed eyes. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach after seeing Eridan panic like that.

“Hah alwways the one that gets straight to the point Kar,” Eridan gave a slightly hysterical chuckle before turning to Feferi and giving her a somber look. He put his hand to her hair gently, “Fef, this hairclip. Wwhere did you get it?”

“I-It’s from my mom . . .”

Eridan gently took the beautifully designed hairclip out of her hair before throwing it to the ground and stomping on it. After pressing down hard and sliding his foot off it, one could see tiny sparks and cables within the clip, “It’s a tracking devvice.”

Feferi’s gasped in horror as everyone’s eyes widened. He was led here by that and he was probably not alone.

“I’m sorry Kar, I’m sorry to evveryone,” Eridan quickly grabbed Feferi’s hand and pulled her close as the front doors burst open and guards dashed inside. There wasn’t any time to escape. They were all trapped.

“NO!” Feferi screamed as she fought against Eridan’s hold.

Those assholes deliberately went for the ones that were wounded first. Karkat tried to fight back but there wasn’t much he could do with a twisted ankle. With blades held at the necks of the wounded, the powerful ones could not attack back and they were soon restrained and held captive.

“Eridan no don’t do this, please.”

“I’m sorry Fef, but it’s not me.”

“Good job son, noww you havve your matesprit back,” Dualscar entered and he was greeted with the glares from the group.

“Honestly, if you want a job done right you have to go and do it yourself,” a cold yet sweet voice rang through the room and everyone went silent as Her Imperious Condescension stepped in, “I finally find the key to stopping this rebellion and then what happens? My prison gets broken, my daughter gets kidnapped and I am forced to take matters into my own hands.”

“They didn’t kidnap me! I left on my own!”

“Feferi please don’t say anythin’ more,” Eridan whispered. She would have yelled at him but she could feel him shaking in fear.

“And then the girl that had the greatest potential to be my daughter’s moirail goes and betrays me,” The Condesce continued as if she hadn’t heard Feferi.

“I can’t betray you if I was never on your side in the first place now can I?” Zylpha said boldly. It gained her a kick to her ribs from a guard and she fell over with a pained gasp.

“Hey fuck off!” Vriska cried, a guard put one of their spear heads to her neck to stop her from making any movements.

The Condesce looked around impassively, “Hm looks like the whole idiot troupe is here, all but the most important one. Where is he?”

Karkat had never been so glad in his life that his parents were not with him right now. If they were, they would have all been killed on the spot or tortured until an official culling ceremony.

“Lucky for us the big man ain’t here. Sucks to be you,” Dave didn’t even flinch when the pointed weapons got closer to him.

“Humans? Now when did you get involved?”

“They have nothing to do with this! Let them go! We forced them to come. We-” Karkat was shut up when a guard hit the back of his knees causing him to kneel down.

“Silence mutant. I will have the say if they are involved or not and I believe they are very involved considering the fact that they were the ones who broke you out.”

Jade, who was close to Rose, held the older girl’s arm tighter. Karkat cursed at himself. They shouldn’t have been involved at all.

“Darling little Dolorosa’s child, where is the matriorb?” the Condesce asked Kanaya in a sickly sweet voice.

“Hidden and if you try to find it, it might end up being destroyed thus ending our race,” she defiantly stood as tall as she could showing no fear at the woman and her smile twitched.

“You lot, go look very carefully around this place. Don’t destroy anything, I may have it fixed up later to my own tastes and have it for myself,” the Condesce ordered and a few guards left, “Now then. I think I have to punish you all to make sure you don’t try to break out again when I send you back.”

Punished? Haven’t we’ve been punished enough you fucking bitch.

The Condesce tapped a finger on her cheek as she hummed and looked around. Her eyes fell upon the the Psiionic and her grin grew. With one finger she beckoned the guards to bring him to her. As the Psiionic was led to her a few guards brought their weapons closer to the Handmaid, Sollux and Aradia.

“Kneel down and don’t resist or else someone may get hurt,” the Condesce ordered. The Psiionic looked back at everyone before clenching his fists and doing as the woman said.

“Very good. If only you were this obedient before. I wouldn’t have had to use that horrible device on you,” she put her hands on the sides of the Psiionic’s face, making him look at her. Her thumbs smoothed against his temples and then rested at the side of his eyes, “I gave you a chance, I even told you my feelings yet you kept looking away. Looking away with these fucking eyes at another. These fucking eyes.”

The Condesce’s long nails began to dig in and the Psiionic’s eyes widened in complete horror. Everyone looked on with mortified expressions. Sollux began to shake.

“Th’top,” he whispered, “Pleathe oh my god th’top!”

“Mom NO! STOP IT!” Feferi screamed at the top of her lungs.

Eridan turned her around and held her close, “Don’t look.”

A sickening squelch and a painful cry rang through the air. Karkat wanted to throw up right then and there. Terezi covered her mouth and slid down into a sitting position once the smell of blood reached her senses. Tavros buried his face in Gamzee’s arms and Jade did the same to Rose. Equius made Nepeta turn around in the same fashion Eridan did to Feferi. The Handmaid shook in place.

Once the screaming subsided the Psiionic held his hands over his face as the yellow blood began to flow from his sockets. Two small orbs sat in front of him, one red and one blue. The Condesce stepped to the side and Dualscar gave her a cloth to wipe her hands. He had the biggest look of satisfaction on his face and Karkat wanted to blast it away with his own fucking gun.

“Right then, let’s go now. We have a mutant rebel to lure out,” the Condesce turned and dropped the bloody cloth on the floor.

“My lady!” a guard ran back into the lobby and shouted in distress.

“Ugh what is it now. Did you find the matriorb yet?” the Condesce whined.

“N-no someone got in our way and he’s tearing through all the other guards.”

“Who else is here?” she asked with furrowed brows. Her question was soon answered when that guard was smacked into the wall beside her, his pale green blood splattering everywhere. Her eyes narrowed at the entrance where the large figure appeared.

“Honk Honk MOTHERFUCKERS I think you all up and forgot to invite me TO THE PARTY.”

***********************************************************************************

Start Over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 18: Decide

Karkat got about fifteen minutes of shut eye before the sounds of screeching and roaring woke him up. It woke everyone up. The sounds were coming from the lusus and everyone dashed outside to the barn, well Karkat rushed as best as he could awkwardly using Terezi’s cane, to find Feferi trying to hush them.

“Feferi what are you doing?” Aradia had woken up as well. Looked like she rested enough.

“Just give me two hours, let me borrow one of the lusus real quick,” Feferi quickly stood in front of Zylpha and Terezi, “We’re only an hour away, please I have to go back. I have to get him. I don’t know why I left him behind.”

“No! That’s not true! He didn’t attack Sollux on purpose!”

“But he still attacked the Psiionic without a second thought.”

“He was just trying to protect his dad! No one wants their parents to get hurt no matter how crazy fucked up they are okay! I have to go back and get him! Please, you didn’t see his face! He was so shocked. I know he regrets attacking Sollux. Please please please let me go back and get him, please,” Feferi begged on the verge of tears, her voice shaking, “We should have just left when he told us to and none of us would be this badly hurt! Please I have to go back, who knows what’s happening to him right now.”

Her voice broke into a whisper when she finished as she fell to her knees and began to cry.

“Feferi . . .” Aradia knelt down beside her, “We can’t-”

“WHY NOT!?” she screamed, causing Aradia to flinch and back up a tiny bit, “Don’t you dare tell me how dangerous it is! You all went back to get me and you knew of the danger so why can’t we go back for him!? You should have gotten him before me or even better yet just him! He’s been beaten every day ever since the trial by his dad. You saw him didn’t you? He’s the one that needs to escape not me. I’ll go alone, I’ll go quickly just please. Let me get him.”

“If you go then you won’t be able to come back. Dualscar and Eridan are likely to be surrounded by guards so if you go, they will keep you there.”

“Then let me stay with him at least. I’ll go back and convince my mom to stop all this. Please.”

“Do you really think she’ll listen to you?” Karkat clenched his fists, “After all these fucking years you think she’ll listen? You’ve been trying to convince her all this fucking time and now what? She sends out posters, she tried to kill my dad, we were thrown into prison, and now we’re all running for our fucking lives. You just happened to be guardless at the time so we decided to get you and for what? Sollux probably half dead and the rest of us injured. I’m going to probably sound like a fucking douchebag for saying this but I’ll let you have a choice. You can go ahead and go back to your matesprit right now by yourself and spout unhearing words once more to your insane mother, that human will probably be nice enough to take you. Or you can come with us and help us figure out a way to take over the Condesce completely so that none of this hoofbeast shit will ever happen again. There’s no going around and coming back for this one. It’s one way or the other. Unlike you, I haven’t seen my dad for two and a half sweeps and I am going to see him whether you’re coming or not.”

Karkat walked over to Dragonmom and climbed on, looking away from everyone. Feferi stared blankly ahead as he walked by.

“Guess we should get going then, it’d be safer to get some distance before day break, we’re still pretty close to the city,” Mindfang yawned and stretched a bit before hopping on her own dragon. Dave and the Psiionic went back to get Sollux.

“Feferi, although Karkat’s words were a bit harsh, he actually means-”

“No it’s alright, I understand. He’s just looking out for me like always . . . You freed everyone right? Gamzee and everyone?”

“We even got the Grand Highblood,” Karkat looked back at Feferi this time, “Eridan would feel better if you were with us. I don’t know why you’re neglecting your wounds. You looked like the Condesce punished you too. Eridan has changed and he is strong, once we free everyone else from the hemospectrum then he will be freed too and we’ll all get the normal lives we deserve. We don’t know what will happen if you go back. The Condesce might think you went along with us. Eridan may be in a better position than you because he saved his dad so you shouldn’t be worrying about him. Protecting your dad should not earn you a beating so he’s fine for now. The faster we meet up with everyone else the sooner we can plan a counter attack and go home.”

“Right I’m sorry,” Feferi shakily got up, sniffed and wiped her face, “I’m not acting like a good future empress. We’ll make my mother resign so I can take over and change the laws.”

“And we will be there to help you every step of the way,” Aradia patted her back with a smile.

Everyone got onto the lusus and prepared to leave, Aradia’s interesting clothes reappeared along with her wings. She would be flying alongside everyone with the Handmaid. Sollux was still out and the Psiionic was silent the entire time.

“Here take this, it’s the dinner you guys didn’t eat,” Cia gave a bag to Zylpha.

“Thank you again you’ve helped us so much.”

“Don’t worry about it. You could say the hotel business became a habit. Service with a smile right? No asking personal questions about the guests and serve them well. If you’re lucky they’ll come and visit again,” Cia’s blue eyes sparkled with her smile.

“We’ll come back to return your shirts!” Terezi called out.

“Haha keep it! Looks better on you guys anyways!”

“Cia. . . I’m rebuilding the hotel. When this whole conflict is over would you like to come back?” Zylpha asked hopefully.

“I would love to,” Cia smiled and waved as they flew off.

“Hey Zylpha, where is this safe place anyways? And why is it so fucking far to require a two days flying journey?” Karkat asked once they were in the air, the sun beginning to peek over the horizon.

“The farther away the safer isn’t it? And didn’t you hear me? I said I was rebuilding my mother’s hotel.”

******************************************************************

No one said a word for the entire day. It was a peaceful kind of silence, flying above the land watching as they passed the scenery. They took a small break once to let the lusus eat and drink before flying again. The food given by Cia was all eaten. No one complained or denied the food and they continued to travel quietly. Aradia and the Handmaid switched flying in the air with Dave and the Psiionic when it began to get dark. They day had gone by quickly and soon they were halfway there.

Maybe . . . . can . . . . try . . . . Karkat.

Karkat heard some strange whispering and looked around. His brows furrowed when she saw no one even had their attention directed at him. He would have suspected Dave being a dick from boredom but the boy didn’t look like he was in the mood and was still worrying over Sollux.

Dave . . . location.

This time he saw Dave look around confused as well.

Guys . . . hard . . . patient! John . . .

“Okay either someone is sounding a lot like Jade and whispering to be an ass hat or I’m going crazy,” Dave looked around and got confused looks from everyone.

“Wait I heard it too!” Terezi put a hand to her ear.

“I found them!” Jade’s voice rung through the air.

The space in front of them crackled with green energy before a broken looking building suddenly appeared in front of them. Zylpha’s lusus squawked in surprise and stopped suddenly, causing the two girls to fall off. The dragons quickly veered around it and floated in the air. Dragonmom turned sharply and for some reason only caused Karkat to fall off even though he was riding in the front. The Cancer fell straight into the arms of a boy clad in blue.

“You did it! That was awesome! That’s so cool!” John cried and swung Karkat around in the air.

“PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN!” Karkat cried in horror holding onto Terezi’s cane like a lifeline.

“Me too please,” Vriska was being held bridal style by Rose in the air and did not like her position. Jade was holding Zylpha by her hands and was just hanging there, but the sea troll was biting her lip and looked like she was in pain.

“Whoa what juth’t happened,” the Psiionic looked around at the complete change in scenery.

“Your trip was just cut off by a day!” Redglare called from the roof. Everyone looked down to her grinning at them. The dragons landed beside her along with everyone else. Her grin disappeared when she saw the state everyone was in.

“I don’t care how the hell we got here but thanks a lot. I don’t think it’s healthy for Sollux to be riding dragons in his state,” Karkat stated and cursed once he was put in the roof. His ankle throbbed and he almost fell over if it weren’t for John still holding him.

“You guys look terrible,” Jade put Zylpha down and gasped when the sea troll doubled over.

“Everyone get inside,” Redglare directed them to the door and they filed in. The lusus stayed on the roof and rested.

The hotel looked really run down. The outside had a couple of missing pieces but it was pretty sturdy. The inside looked like it had more work done even though some parts were still broken. Sollux and Zylpha were put into some rooms to rest and to have their wounds looked over once more.  The rest followed Redglare to an open dining room where everyone else should be waiting. Dave had disappeared, probably to be with Sollux, but the rest stayed with the group. They all looked worried.

John bit his lower lip and looked around before whispering to Karkat, “Hey, where’s Eridan.”

“We couldn’t get him, we were attacked at Zylpha’s hive,” Karkat swiftly explained and quickly glanced over to Feferi. Aradia had overheard them and looked over to Feferi with worry, thankfully the princess didn’t hear. Either that or she was pretending not to hear.

“Karkat!” Nepeta instantly jumped and hugged Karkat when he walked in. He stepped back and hissed when he put weight on his twisted ankle. Nepeta let go.

“Are you okay?” Nepeta stepped back and looked him over. Her gaze trailed over to the cane in his hand and then back to his face. John was hovering over him, ready to catch him if he would fall.

“I’m fine,” he forced himself to go forward.

“I’m glad you are safe,” Karkat looked over to see Kanaya and the Dolorosa. Both of them looked exhausted. Even looking at the humans again he could see that all of them looked like they got no sleep what so ever.

“I’m glad you’re safe too, where is everyone else?” Karkat scanned the room, Equius was nearby and Darkleer was looking out the window in the corner but that was it.

“Tavros is holed up in some room with Gamzee because Gamzee refuses to come out of the room he picked and doesn’t want to be alone. The Summoner left to go look for some supplies and the Grand Highblood is in some room by himself too. Everyone’s kind of afraid to approach him,” Nepeta explained.

“Where’s mom and dad?”

“They have not arrived yet. We have not received word from them either so we don’t know how long it will take for them to come. But they should be here, soon,” the Dolorosa explained.

“I see . . .” Karkat looked down. It was alright. Even if they weren’t there it was fine. Everyone else was safe, for now. The Cancer suddenly went weak. His vision went blurry and he lost his balance.

As he fell over, he could hear the voices of his friends and family calling his name but they soon just faded away into silence.

*****************************************************************************

“Hehe they look so cute.”

“Shh, you don’t want to wake them.”

“They need their rest after all.”

“It’s just so adorable.”

“Mrn.”

“Ah he’s waking up, quick quick get out before he sees us hehehe.”

Light footsteps exited the room as the Cancer stirred. Karkat woke up to find himself in a recuperacoon, arm sticking out of the entrance. His first thought was that he was at home until he scanned the room and saw the fancy furniture and decorations. With a sigh he lifted his arms to stretch, but he found that something was holding onto the hand of the arm sticking out of the coon. With a yawn he rubbed his eyes and slowly peeked out of the recuperacoon to see John sleeping on a chair, leaning against the coon.

And holding his hand.

It took exactly three seconds for Karkat to process the information before his quickly snatched his hand away and backed up into his coon. He could feel his face heating up. How long was he sleeping? How long was John there? Did John intentionally hold his hand the entire time or was it subconsciously? Crap did that wake him? The Cancer cautiously peeked outside of the coon to find John had just flipped over and had his back facing the entrance. He wasn’t wearing his new blue pajamas and just some ordinary clothes. Karkat let out a breath. It was probably a subconscious action, meaning that John wouldn’t remember when he woke up.

After stretching he began to climb out of the recuperacoon. First his right foot came out and then his left. He had completely forgotten about his twisted ankle, it didn’t hurt as much as before but the pain was still there. Once he put pressure on it he cursed and quickly put weight on his other leg. He was still groggy so he ended up falling over instead, right into John’s lap.

“Wha huh what? No that wasn’t me didn’t do it,” John suddenly sputtered. He blinked and looked around before looking down at the sudden weight change on his lap, “Oh morning Karkat.”

“Ugh fuck I’m too tired for this. Fucking ankle,” usually in this kind of situation, Karkat would have shoved himself off John and risked hitting the floor, but this time he decided not to since he was still in a sleepy state and his ankle hurt like a bitch.

“Haha I’ll help you,” the human wasn’t freaked out at all, even if he was covered in spoor slime thanks to Karkat.

John helped Karkat over to the ablution trap and then left to find Karkat some clean clothes. When Karkat looked in the mirror he realised that all he was wearing was boxer shorts and that made his face go red. He quickly got into the shower and turned the water on, cursing at the water’s temperature and cursing some more when it didn’t get to the temperature he wanted. When he finished he peeked outside to find a set of clothes neatly folded at the sink. That Cancer shirt he was wearing before was thankfully washed already. Once he was done and changed, he found John had cleaned up as well. The blue pajamas and ridiculously long hood returned.

“Here,” John handed him Terezi’s cane, “Red looks good on you. So apparently it’s not even morning any more haha, it’s a little past lunch. You hungry?”

Karkat’s stomach growled on cue, “Yes.”

“To the dining room it is,” John headed out and Karkat followed.

“Hey how long have I been out and how is everyone?” Karkat asked as he looked down at the red insignia on his shirt.

“Mmm about a day and a half I think. Sollux is still out though. Zylpha has been walking around even though she shouldn’t be. Feferi’s kind of mopey but otherwise okay since Jade and Aradia are hanging around to cheer her up. Gamzee came to check up on you once and everyone else is okay.”

“So how the fuck did we even get here? You guys shouldn’t have even arrived at the hotel yet or just barely arrived.”

“Yeah we just arrived and we didn’t want to wait a whole day or two for you guys so Jade used her awesome powers combined with Rose to find you guys. She has like spacey powers and stuff that she used to I guess teleport you here. She’s the witch of space after all,” John explained.

“So what the hell is Rose.”

“Seer of Light.”

“That sounds like the dumbest title of all. Does she even have any powers related to her title at all? From what I’ve seen, she turned into a fucking wizard and blasts through walls with her wands.”

“Well she can see a bit of the future or see what’s going on in different places right now. Hence the word Seer.”

“She can see anything?”

“I dunno, depends I guess.”

Well that was an interesting bit of information. Karkat didn’t dwell on it longer for his stomach growled again. John chuckled and the two entered the dining room. The only ones there were Gamzee and Tavros who were sitting at a table, spoor slime pie in front of them and Gamzee was poking it with a fork.

“Oh uh hi Karkat, hi John,” Tavros greeted and Gamzee immediately looked up.

“Hey there best friend. We were all worried about you ya know. Glad to see you up and about,” Gamzee greeted. It was different, his voice wasn’t wavy like usual, it even sounded a little shaky.

“How many pies have you eaten since you got here?” Karkat asked. Gamzee just looked back down at the pie in front of him and continued to poke it.

“He uh, just ate one yesterday, that’s it. He keeps saying uh he’s not in the mood for it, or something,” Tavros explained, “But um he’s been okay, hasn’t flipped out or uh anything.”

“Not yet. Gamzee just eat the thing already.”

“Not in the mood bro.”

“. . . . Fine as long as you don’t flip out at me or anyone else then whatever,” Karkat sat down at a table a few away from theirs by a window.

“I’ll get us some food and be right back okay?” John offered and smiled.

“Yeah yeah,” Karkat waved him away and looked outside. He scanned the area and found that there was a nice field extended along the hotel before it turned into a beach. He looked down and saw a cool rock setting that looked like seats and tables. Occupying those rock tables were the Dolorosa, Mindfang, Redglare, Kanaya, Rose, Vriska, Terezi, and Zylpha.  They all looked like they were discussing something important. Down at the beach Karkat could see the backs of Aradia and Feferi just sitting there. Running along the beach were Nepeta and Jade, carrying bu- containers of water and making a sand castle with Equius and surprisingly Dave.

“Hey bro, my pops said something about wanting to meet you. I’ll go along with you after you get your nutrition on and done,” Gamzee suddenly appeared. Karkat jumped in his seat and pressed his back against the window.

“Fuck Gamzee! Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Karkat yelled. Suddenly he felt a bunch of gazes directed at him so he looked back down out the window to find all the ladies looking at him. All of them were either smiling or smirking at him, except for Zylpha, she looked away as soon as they made eye contact.

“Oh hey what are you looking at?” John returned and pressed his face to the window. He waved when he saw the girls and they waved back. Their food was already placed out on the table.

Karkat dug in right away, “Why the hell would your dad want to see me?”

“Dunno, pop’s just saying he wants to see you.”

“Fine after I’m done,” Karkat looked back at the table where Tavros sighed and got up from. The pie was still sitting there.

“Oh I’ll come too. Me and Tavros,” John volunteered.

“Uh sure I guess. Not like we have anything, better to do.”

Karkat ate and kept an eye on Gamzee. The clown didn’t look dazed like he usually did. This time he looked awake and sensitive to the things around him. That’s when Karkat noticed the big purple bruise on the Capricorn’s arm.

“Where the fuck did you get this?” Karkat pointed with his spoon.

“Hm? Oh yeah, pops kind of went berserk instead. He hit me by accident when we were trying to calm him down.”

“Please do not tell me he wants to meet me because he wants to maul me into a wall as revenge for saving my dad causing him to end up in prison.”

“Uh no don’t think so,” Gamzee’s brows furrowed at the thought that never crossed his mind.

“Karkat,” a soft voice called. Karkat looked up, looked down out the window to find the stone tables empty and looked up again to see at the ladies file in.

“About time you woke up,” Vriska walked ahead and sat at the edge of the table.

“Hi Vriska!” “Sup bitchtits.” “Uh hi Vriska.” The three boys greeted.

“Would you mind getting off? I’m losing my fucking appetite knowing there’s spider bitch ass on the table,” Karkat looked at her flatly.

Vriska merely flipped her hair, “He seems perfectly fine to me.”

“I’m glad you’re alright,” the Dolorosa came over and kissed his head, “You shouldn’t have scared us like that. We thought you were seriously injured but it looked like you just passed out from lack of sleep and stress.”

“Yeah sorry for worrying you Gran,” Karkat continued eating but then stopped and glared at Vriska, “Seriously get off.”

“Vriska do you like tormenting him that much?” Zylpha asked.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Vriska frowned and got off.

“I asked first.”

“If all you’re going to do is be annoying then you can leave,” Karkat said loudly.

“Yup perfectly fine,” Terezi chuckled.

“ . . . How’s your back?” Karkat asked when he felt Terezi ‘looking’ at him.

“It’s fine,” she smiled.

“Come on bro let’s hurry and go before pops gets all mad. You were all in dream land when he said he wanted to see you so he’s in grump mode right now. Any longer and it’ll change to subjugglator mode,” Gamzee had crouched down and rested his head on the table so when he looked up to Karkat it looked like he was making puppy dog eyes.

“Alright alright almost done.”

“Where are you going?” Kanaya inquired.

“Gamzee said something about meeting with his dad,” Karkat waved it off as nothing and continued eating. He didn’t notice the glances that Redglare and Mindfang had exchanged.

“Maybe we should go with you,” Terezi offered.

“What is everyone going to come along?”

“No,” Rose declared. Karkat wasn’t surprised.

“Well the Grand Highblood isn’t exactly safe to be around. Especially with what happened yesterday,” Mindfang had a look of discontent.

“Whatever, whoever is coming should just come,” Karkat finished his food along with John and stood up.

“When you’re finished could you gather everyone back here? I have something that I need to share with the group,” Rose requested.

“Sure thing Rose,” John replied as everyone else headed out. They were intercepted by the Psiionic who looked out of breath like he was running around.

“Hath anyone theen Dave?” the elder Gemini asked.

“Why the hell are you looking for Dave?”

“Oh little Thignleth ith awake. Ah any wayth Tholluckth woke up.”

“Jade had taken Dave out to the beach to get some fresh air and to try to cheer him up,” Rose pointed out the window.

Karkat’s eyes widened, “Wha, so soon!? Gamzee we’ll go meet your dad later I’m going to see Sollux first.”

“Sure thing bro I’ll meet you there,” Gamzee headed in a different direction as Karkat hobbled off.

“Dude do you even knew where you’re going?” John asked as he easily matched the wounded troll’s pace.

“No show me,” Karkat demanded.

John just chuckled before grabbing Karkat’s free hand and pulling him down the hall. Karkat would have blushed if his mind wasn’t preoccupied with Sollux. Karkat soon found himself in front of a fancy looking door. John slowly opened it to find Sollux lying on the bed and the Handmaid sitting in a chair beside it.

“Looks like your father got excited and went and told everyone,” the Handmaid stated in an amused tone.

“Great, any minute now KK and Dave are going to come crath’hing in and thobbing and calling me an idiot.”

“That’s because you are a fucking idiot.”

“Hey I heard you pathed out too fuckath.”

Karkat felt relieved to hear the lisping troll’s comebacks. The Cancer carefully came in and looked at the Gemini, the skinny troll practically looked like a mummy.

“How you feeling.”

“Like thomeone ran me over with a truck at full thpeed and wath thuch an ath’hole that he backed up over my body and ran me over again.”

“Yeah looks like it.”

The door suddenly slammed open behind them. Karkat turned to see Dave panting and out of breath. He obviously booked it over there.

“Thup,” Sollux turned his head and looked at Dave with his red and blue eyes. He would have waved if he could feel his arms or the rest of his body for that matter. Karkat and John stepped to the side as Dave walked over and fell to his knees at the bed. He didn’t even care at how uncool he looked at the moment.

“Fuck don’t ever do that again,” Dave put his face into the bed sheets.

“I can’t make any promitheth.”

“Not fucking funny,” Dave voice said, his voice muffled by the blanket. Sollux chuckled weakly.

“So uh Rose wants all of us to meet in the dining room soon so whenever you guys can we’ll see you there alright?” John began to lead Karkat out.

“Yes we’ll be there, thank you for informing us,” the Handmaid smiled at them as they left.

“So next is visiting Gamzee’s dad and meeting up with everyone in the dining room,” John checked off an imaginary list before pulling Karkat off into another direction.

Karkat stopped when they got to the room the Grand Highblood was supposedly in. The door looked fancy like the Sollux’ room but it just gave of a scary feeling. Tavros was seen waiting outside with the Summoner.

“Everyone is already waiting, in the dining room and, Gamzee is uh, in there with his dad.”

“If anything happens just scream and we’ll come in to get you,” the Summoner ordered.

“Right, John wait out here,” Karkat took the door handle and inhaled.

“You sure?”

“Yeah best not to rile up the crazy guy. He asked for only me after all,” Karkat exhaled and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” a low gruff voice called.

Slowly, Karkat turned the door handle and peeked in side. The lights were off and it was dark, Karkat could see the Grand Highblood’s enormous figure sitting on a bunch of furniture that was put together to make a large chair like a throne. Standing beside him was Gamzee, he looked so small compared to his father.

“I said come in,” the voice demanded.

After glancing at John once more, Karkat slipped in and closed the door behind him, blocking off all the light in the room.

“Come closer.”

Karkat quietly steeped forward until he was standing before the large troll. Even when he was sitting, Karkat still had to look quite a bit up to him. He glanced over to Gamzee who was looking at him with violet eyes. When he looked back at the Grand Highblood the subjugglator looked back at him with darker glowing violet eyes.

“You look just like your father . . . Those motherfucking red eyes.”

Karkat noticed Gamzee quickly look between him and his dad as if he was ready to do something if something happened.

“So, what made you decide to help my dad? I thought you fucking hated lowbloods.”

The Grand Highblood let out a low dark chuckle that made Karkat shiver. It sounded so strange, dark and scary yet for some reason, comfortable, “Straight forward. You are exactly like him.”

“No fucking duh he’s my dad.”

“Not everyone is like their parents. Take my shit son for motherfucking example.”

“Your son is not shit. He may be out of it all the time but he’s a good moirail and a matesprit. You have no fucking right to say anything about him since you don’t know anything about him. You haven’t even been around to fucking take care of him! His Goatdad visits probably ten times more than you do and that’s saying a lot because his Goatdad barely visits. Guess what it’s probably best that he didn’t turn out like you or else he’d be some fucked up killer and not have any friends at all like you.”

Gamzee looked at Karkat with wide eyes. Well most trolls would if they saw some short little red blood telling off the Grand Highblood. They both were taken aback when the man in question let out a loud hearty laugh.

“Your father told me off in the exact SAME MOTHERFUCKING WAY,” the Grand Highblood put his finger to his face as if he was wiping away a tear of amusement. Karkat took a step back cautiously.

“It’s a good thing sometimes when the kids AREN’T like their MOTHERFUCKING PARENTS. Like Feferi. How on earth she is her mother’s daughter, I will never know. First troll I motherfucking see when your group got here was her. Running up to me all motherfucking SMILEY. . . and calling me Dad. Me, THIS MOETHFUCKING MESS, a father to her. IT’S A MOTHERFUCKING JOKE. But she doesn’t give a hoofbeast shit. I’m still her motherfucking dad even though THAT BITCH keeps telling her she has no father. Haha . . . I don’t deserve to be a dad at all.”

And awkward silence hung through the air. Gamzee was looking down now.

“At least you fucking realize what’s wrong with you.”

This time the elder Capricorn looked at him with surprise.

“You made a decision and your decision was ‘fuck the empress’ and you did your own thing. You realize that you’ve been neglecting Feferi and Gamzee unlike the Condesce. That woman doesn’t even let herself believe Gamzee even exists. You probably deserve to be a dad a million times more than that fucking woman deserves to be a mother. You’re not the worst out there. You should be happy that someone even considers you as father so take it and go instead of feeling sorry about yourself and moping around like a wriggler thinking that you don’t deserve kids.”

The Grand Highblood was speechless. He didn’t respond and just blinked at the small troll before him.

“Well if we’re done here, there’s a group meeting I have to go to. If you want to mope around here by yourself then I’ll leave you too it,” Karkat turned around, “You coming Gamzee?”

Gamzee shook himself out of his shocked state, “Uh yeah.”

The Capricorn followed the Cancer out into the hall.

“Vantas,” the Grand Highblood called making Karkat stop and wait, “Take care of them.”

Karkat let out a huff, “I’ll do my job like I usually do as a friend and a moirail. You’re the one that should be doing his job as a dad.”

Karkat opened the door without another second thought and exited with Gamzee. John and Tavros were there waiting with smiles.

“The Summoner already went ahead to the dining room, we should go too,” John informed.

Karkat nodded and the four headed to the dining room.

“Thanks best friend,” Gamzee said with a small smile.

“Nothing to thank me for, all we did was talk.”

Everyone was already waiting in the dining room. Even Sollux, the Gemini was sitting in a comfortable chair with a blanket on his lap. It didn’t look like he could move though. The Handmaid and Psiionic probably levitated him there from his room. The tables were moved around and put together to form a large table and the seats surrounded it like it was some big meeting room table.

“Jeez about time Karkat,” Jade teased with a smile.

“My speed limit has a fucking limit thanks to this,” Karkat motioned to his foot before he sat down with the rest.

“Um is Dad not going to come?” Feferi whispered when Gamzee sat down next to her.

“Naw don’t think so, he’s getting his think on after his chat with Karkat.”

“Glad you all could make it,” Rose started, “I would like to start off by apologizing to all of you.”

“Whatever for?” Kanaya quirked an eyebrow at her matesprit.

“I knew what was going to happen the week before you were taken away.”

“I sort of knew too,” Terezi guilty confessed, “But I didn’t think it would have actually happened.”

“Then you saw it too.”

“What I got lost, saw what? How did you two know?” Karkat interrupted.

“I didn’t see everything but I saw the basics.”

“Hey Lalonde guess what, a proper fucking explanation would be nice.”

“It seems I saw the future in my dreams.”

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Start Over | <== | ==>

[obsessedstuck]

why did you sadstuck? i knew what was going to happen from the beginning but why? it was so sweet... thanks for sharing it!

it's the only way i know how to davekat most of the time

sobs

i'm a terrible person

[obsessedstuck]

A Clingy Boy Sticking for 15 Years

Rating: G Pairing: Dave/Karkat Summary: Love can be one of the most powerful things in the world. Word Count: 3.1k

Start Reading

[obsessedstuck]

Chapter 17: Broken Hope

Eridan looked at the group completely mortified. For some reason he had Ahab’s Crosshairs on his back.

“Perfect he came to us, saves us the trouble. Let’s get out of here now,” Mindfang stated.

“M-Mindfang?” Eridan choked out, “Oh Cod the Handmaid too. Fuck Fef you didn’t take off that headpiece did you?”

“Whoa it’th like fithfathe junior over here.”

“Oh fuck you did. Fuck fuck fuck. You havve to leavve now,” Eridan tried to push everyone towards the back frantically while looking behind him.

“No no no no, I havve to stay I havve to make sure they don’t followw, fuck just get out of here!”

“Eridan what’s going on?”

“My dad is in his car right fuckin’ noww right outside the hivve and guards wwill be comin’ soon because you took the fuckin’ headpiece off the Psiionic! It has a tracker that transmits a signal if anythin’ happens to it! Any second noww my dad’s goin’ to receivve the signal so get the fuck out of here noww before he comes in!”

“Hey he’s alone right now so even if he does come in there’s nothing he can do, we out number him,” Mindfang said casually, “You’ve been sticking around him too much and you’ve come to fear him. That’s no good, come with us so we can help you get over that.”

“N-No I can’t if I do he-”

“Eridan? WWhat’s going on? Miss Maluna? Feferi?” Dualscar’s voice could be heard calling from the door.

“Fuck leavve now!” Eridan whispered and pushed more urgently.

“Everyone get out to the dragons, Feferi and I will stay here with Eridan, I’ll distract him so please leave. We’ll follow you after we get rid of him,” Zylpha walked out and greeted the older Aquarius at the door, “Dualscar, what a surprise to see you here. I didn’t expect to see you come with your son.”

“We can take him, I want pay back for that dirty trick he uthed on me before I became a fucking tool for that bitch,” the Psiionic hissed.

“Dad no there’th going to be guardth coming thoon. Come on,” Sollux pulled his dad away.

“Out of my wway treacherous wwench!” Dualscar’s voice cried before Zylpha was blasted through the living room wall.

“Oh my god!” Feferi quickly rushed over to her.

“You, you all escaped!?” Dualscar held his weapon ready but quickly held it up when Mindfang attacked with her sword.

“Marquise!” Dualscar exclaimed in surprise.

“Orphaner,” the woman gave him a smirk.

“I should have known,” Dualscar shoved her back and whistled. A bunch of imperial guards suddenly bust in through the windows and entered through the front door.

“Wwhat? Dad stop!” Eridan ran over to his father and was smacked to the side.

“Shit, guess fish face likes to carry around a set of guards with him where he goes,” Dave backed up into a circle with the group as the guards surrounded them.

“Don’t evven think about escapin’, I’vve got my men surroundin’ the hivve so it’s impossible for you to escape a second time. Hm looks like not all of you are here but that’s fine, wwe only need the Sufferer’s son after all.”

“Y-You dare to attack someone who is higher caste of you?” Zylpha slowly sat up in pain, with Feferi and Vriska helping her, trying to see if she could get Dualscar to give in.

“Your blood shouldn’t evven exist! Only mine should be the second highest! The Condesce wwill listen to me wwhen I tell her you’re a traitor.”

“Oh really? Who do you think she will listen to? The man whose son dared to propose to her precious daughter or her daughter’s ever trusting moirail?” Vriska helped Zylpha up. She had a point.

“There wwon’t be anyone to listen to if you aren’t here noww wwill there?” Dualscar pointed his gun at Zylpha. Feferi and Vriska stood in front of her.

“Feferi come over here this instant and wwe shall bring you home,” Dualscar lowered his gun a bit.

“No! Not unless you let them all go! All of them!”

“I can’t do that princess. I need to bring at least the mutant blood back.”

“Then you can forget about me going back. I’m never going back to that fucking place ever again. Not until they’re not branded as criminals for living.”

“Then you leavve me no choice. I must use force.”

“Force this fuckass!” Karkat threw one of his sickles at Dualscar. It flew over and cut his hand, causing him to drop his gun.

“You fuckin’ mutant,” Dualscar hissed, “Attack! Bring him and the princess to me alivve! Kill all the others!”

“No! Stop!” Eridan got up but was held back by guards.

“Do not interfere Eridan,” Dualscar glared and picked up his gun again as the guards attacked.

“I don’t think so,” the Handmaid spoke up and shot a blast of energy from one of the wands in her hands towards Dualscar. His rifle exploded in his hands and made him fly back.

“Dad!” Eridan struggled against the guards but they didn’t let him go.

“Take him out of here,” Dualscar ordered and got up as Eridan got dragged away.

“Shit Karkat if you have a plan one would be great right now,” Dave was holding back a guard with his back to Karkat doing the same thing.

“Why the fuck am I expected to have a fucking plan?”

“You’re the leader aren’t you?”

“How about don’t get killed and let’s get the fuck out of here.”

“Sounds good to me!” Terezi had pulled the blade out of her cane and was smacking the adults around.

“Fuck my dad’th th’till recovering. How are we going to get out of here? There’s too many of them and thome are th’till out’thide!” Sollux was picking guys up with his psionics and throwing them through walls.

“Sir! Our men outside are getting attacked by three lusus! Two are dragons!”

“We just have to get out of here and we’ll be home free,” Dave smacked down another guard and the group slowly began to head to the back door.

These guards were adults and quite hard to fend off. Everyone got a few cuts or hits now and then. If it weren’t for Mindfang and the Handmaid they may have barely been able to fight back at all. Karkat hissed as more of his blood stained his clothes. The accursed red blood that was the reason for this whole fucking mess. His mind was only preoccupied for a second but that was enough for a guard to find an opening and attack head on with a spear. He would have been able to stop it if he had his other sickle, but he had thrown it at Dualscar earlier.

The spear head was right at his face until he was suddenly tackled down. A cry of pain was heard above him and the guard was blasted away. Karkat winced and opened his eyes to see teal blood dripping to the floor.

“Terezi!” he cried and sat up. The Libra rested against him before pushing up and standing again.

“I’m fine!” she turned around and blocked an attack revealing the long cut on her back to Karkat. The Cancer couldn’t even say anything in response because another guard attacked him right away. He twisted around and blocked the attack but also twisted his ankle in the process. After he shoved the guy off he bent down and hissed in pain.

“Fuck this is too much!” Vriska was about to roll her die when she was punched in the face and her glasses flew off.

“Everyone cover your ears!” Zylpha shouted.

Surprisingly everyone in the group did as they were told. Karkat looked at Zylpha and wondered what was going to happen. All he saw was her opening her mouth before all the guards around them clamped their hands on their ears and fell to their knees. Only until she closed her mouth did everyone else cautiously take their hands off.

“What did you do?” Vriska asked.

“It’s a power of mine aside from singing. It’s a sort of screech where it bounces off walls and barriers and into open ears and will stay ringing in your head for a while,” Zylpha stepped forward and winced holding her side.

“That’s our ticket out of here, come on there’s still a bunch of them outside,” Dave pointed out.

“Not before I give thith ath’hole what he detherveth,” the Psiionic walked over to Dualscar with crackling eyes. The older Aquarius was on his knees and it looked like he was in from Zylpha’s last attack. His eyes widened when he saw the Psiionic approaching him.

“Dad no! Th’top!” Sollux cried out.

“Out of my wway!” Eridan ran back in after shoving some guards away, in his hands was his rifle ready to shoot any guards that tried to stop him again. Then he saw the Psiionic preparing to attack his dad.

“Eridan!” Dualscar shouted to his son. Eridan’s eyes widened in horror as energy crackled around the Psiionic.

“No!” Eridan fired his gun at the Psiionic just as the troll fired a psionic blast.

“Dad watch out!” Sollux ran in and tackled his father away making the blast fire off into a different direction and the young Gemini took the full blast of Eridan’s gun.

“Sollux!” Feferi screamed. Eridan immediately dropped his gun after Sollux flew through a few walls. He stood there in utter shock at what happened.

The guards groaned and began to stand up again.

“No! A loud sound counters the ringing in their head. We have to get out of here before they recover!”

“Don’t let them get away!” Dualscar cried.

“STOP!” Aradia cried. Everyone suddenly stopped. Literally, they all froze in place. All the guards, Eridan and Dualscar. Only the group could move freely.

“Let’s get out of here now,” Aradia’s voice shook.

Dave immediately went to Sollux, “Shit. FUCK.”

After punching a wall, he picked up the troll’s broken body and ran outside. Vriska helped Zylpha while Terezi helped Karkat and everyone followed. Mindfang went over and took the chance to kick Dualscar’s frozen body hard before picking up Karkat’s other sickle and following the others. Feferi looked at Eridan’s frozen and shocked state one last time and held back a sob as she ran outside. Aradia stayed back.

Even outside the guards were all frozen and the group quickly boarded the dragons. The Handmaid decided to fly and let the Psiionic ride instead, he was exhausted from his missed attack. Dave held Sollux close as the Dragons took off. Karkat rode with Terezi again except this time he was in front, Feferi was in the middle and Terezi was behind her. Vriska stayed with Zylpha. Once they were far enough the Handmaid went back to get Aradia.

“Hey kid you forgot this,” Mindfang tossed Karkat’s sickle over to him. He caught it and put it away without a word.

The Handmaid soon caught up with the group with Aradia in her arms. She had passed out from using too much of her new found powers and her new outfit disappeared as well. Karkat scanned the group and saw that everyone was a mess. They were all wounded and broken. He could feel Feferi shaking behind him.

“Go ahead and cry. There’s no need to hold it in. No one is going to judge you, so go ahead.”

The sea princess sucked in a breath and shook her head but ended up sobbing anyways. She clung to the back of Karkat’s shirt and buried her head in it, using it as a hold of some sort to try to stop her tears but it didn’t work.

The echoes of her cries filled the air as they flew away.

*****************************************************************************

“Everyone please follow me,” Zylpha announced after an hour of flying. They had to stop somewhere, too many of them were wounded and needed to be treated.

They were above the country side when Zylpha had her lusus head to one of the homes. It was a simple house with a barn and some crops. Obviously it belonged to a human since it looked nothing like a hive. She landed on an empty field and the others did the same. She had everyone follow her to the house.

“Do not tell me we are just randomly breaking into some poor human’s home and scaring them the fuck out of their house.”

“I’m not a cruel idiot Vantas. I know who lives here and she will gladly help us for the night,” Zylpha rolled her eyes at the Cancer wondering how he could still make crude remarks at a time like this.

“Are you sure the human won’t just freak out at us?” Vriska asked with worry.

“No, she’s used to trolls. She used to be a worker for the hotel. I visit her from time to time,” Zylpha explained. The door opened before they even reached it and a human woman came rushing out.

“Oh my gosh Zylph come in quick! You all look terrible!” the woman ushered everyone in, “Go inside and make yourselves at home, use whatever you need. I’ll go hide your lusus in the barn.”

“Thanks Cia. You heard me coming from a mile away again didn’t you.”

“As always, enough chit chat, get in now.”

The short haired blonde human walked over to the lusus and Zylpha’s obediently followed the woman. The dragons exchanged glances and looked at Terezi. The Libra waved them to follow and they did. Everyone stopped at the door once they got inside.

“She said we can use anything, don’t worry about it. If she sees you all just standing around then she’ll scold you. Find an empty open room and just start fixing everybody up.”

“Are you certain?” the Handmaid looked at Dave who hadn’t let go of Sollux yet before looking at Zylpha once more.

“Yes go ahead. You saw how urgent she was about getting us inside right?” with that, Dave hurriedly rushed to find an empty room and the Handmaid followed.

Zylpha went into the living room and sat on a couch. Vriska sat beside her, “You okay?”

“I think I have a few broken ribs but otherwise I’m fine. You should take care of that cut on your sister’s back.”

“Karkat are you okay?” Feferi helped the troll over to a seat.

“Just a few cuts and a twisted ankle. How about you.”

“Not a scratch . . .”

“We’ll be fine, go ahead and go help with Sollux.”

Feferi nodded and dashed off to the rooms. Mindfang had disappeared somewhere along with Terezi, probably to take care of that big cut. The human returned soon after.

“Can I borrow your phone?” Zylpha asked.

“Yes of course,” Cia went into the kitchen and grabbed a cordless before returning and giving it to Zylpha. The sea troll dialed a number immediately.

“Aren’t you going to ask us what the hell is going on?” Vriska looked at the woman curiously.

She laughed, “When it comes to the Maluna’s it’s always no questions asked. Hotel policy. Her mother was always so secretive about stuff and didn’t even let us ask questions. Especially with what happened five years ago. The wind always sounds different when Zylpha’s lusus flies by so I could tell she was coming. It’s always been like this and I sort of understand your situation since you’re kind of on the news.”

“We’re on the news!? Since when!?” Karkat cried in horror.

“About a half hour ago. Escapees from the troll prison and cohorts of the long wanted fugitives or something. Crimes are disobeying troll laws, breaking out from prison and kidnapping the princess. As soon as I saw Zylpha shown in the pictures I knew it was bullshit.”

“There’s fucking pictures of us? FUCK!” Karkat threw his arms up and then let them flop down beside him as he sat back with a groan.

“Yeah that was just Karkat, don’t worry about it we’re fine. We’re going to be a day late so tell John before he decides to fly back and get us. No that means don’t let him do it. Yeah we’ll see you in a few days. Bye,” Zylpha hung up and saw Karkat looking at her, “What?”

“Nothing,” Karkat looked away with arms crossed.

Cia suddenly grinned, “Oh ho ho do I sense a-”

“NO!” Karkat and Zylpha both shouted.

“Geez with the way you’re acting it looks like it,” Cia put her hands up in defense when Zylpha frowned at her, “Alright I’ll say nothing more. Now how bad are your wounds.”

“Mine is nothing, you should go provide treatment to the others. One is fatally wounded, one has a scratch across her back and grumpy twisted his ankle,” Zylpha calmly listed.

“Nothing!? You broke a couple fucking ribs! Maybe more than that with the way Dualscar blasted you through your wall,” Vriska cried. Zylpha sighed and put her hand to her forehead.

“Excuse me? Pompous fish troll did what now?” Cia walked over to Zylpha and lifted one of her arms that were crossed. Zylpha instantly hissed in pain and pulled the arm back over her ribs.

“There’s nothing you can do, just take care of the others first. All I really need is rest. Trolls are tougher than humans, I’ll live,” Zylpha pulled her legs up onto the couch in an attempt to make it a barrier between her broken ribs and Cia.

“Ugh and my boyfriend just had to go into town tonight.”

“You have a boyfriend?”

“Yup and he’s a surgeon, if he was here he could fix all of you up with a blink of an eye. Even if you are troll, your anatomy should be similar right?”

“I don’t know about that . . .”

“Whatever fine, I’ll go tend to the others. You’re stubborn like your mother,” Cia then left.

Vriska watched the woman go before heading into the kitchen and getting some ice for herself for her bruised face. Zylpha grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. It was on a news broadcast about the prison break, helicopter cameras were zooming in and out of the blasted hole where Rose destroyed to get Kanaya out. The channel was immediately flipped to some romance movie and Zylpha tossed the remote back to the side. They watched in silence for a few minutes before Terezi came into the living room shirtless, her chest was wrapped up to cover the wound on her back, glasses were off and her hair was damp, it looked like she just got out of the shower.

“Tez have some shame!” Vriska jumped up from her spot beside Zylpha and put her ice down. She walked over to her sister and pushed her out of the room.

“But I need a new shirt, mine got ripped! I was looking for that human lady.”

“Yes yes I’ll help you, come on,” Vriska pushed her sister out of the room. Cia came in a few seconds after they left and headed to the kitchen. Karkat gripped the arm rest when he saw her walk by like that, hands covered in yellow.

The water turned on and the human washed her hands before peeking out of the kitchen, “The others are treated now, can I check on your wounds now Zylph?”

Zylpha pointed at Karkat and Cia rolled her eyes. She disappeared back into the kitchen for a bit and then came back out with a first aid kit. She knelt down in front of Karkat and opened the box, “Alright which foot.”

Karkat just glared at her, “You’re even weirder than the humans I know. And they’re pretty weird. Most humans are curious aren’t they? You didn’t even bother to ask a single fucking question.”

“I did, I asked which foot,” Cia looked at him expectantly with a smile, “Sometimes it’s better not to ask too many questions. There’s the rare chance that the one asking or the one being asked can break.”

Karkat stuck his left foot towards her, “Break how?”

“Not physically but mentally,” Cia said nothing more as she began to wrap Karkat’s ankle.

Terezi came back in with Vriska and Mindfang when Cia finished and put the kit away. Terezi was wearing a light blue tee with her symbol on it and the word Libra in fancy letters above it.

“Oh she’s in here. Hope you don’t mind, I gave my daughter one of your shirts,” Mindfang pointed Terezi to Cia who waved.

“No problem,” Cia just smiled back.

“Karkat I got you a new shirt too! Yours is all torn and bloody so here!” Terezi tossed him a black tee and on it was his symbol with the word Cancer over it. He instantly threw it back.

“Hey rude much,” Vriska glared as Terezi gave him a confused look.

“I’m not wearing that stupid thing. And I prefer long sleeved shirts.”

“But it has your symbol and everything,” Terezi held the shirt out in front of her. It probably belonged to Cia’s boyfriend.

“Yeah and it’s in red,” Karkat said with malice.

“Your current shirt has more red on it than this one does. Quite being a wriggler and just wear it.”

Karkat was about to snap back at her but Cia stopped them, “I’ll go get him a different shirt, I’m sure my boyfriend can spare a black long sleeved shirt. Although it might be a little big.”

Cia took the t-shirt from Terezi and left. Terezi frowned at Karkat and poked his arm with her cane.

“What,” he stated not looking up at her and glued his attention back to the TV.

“Here,” she held the handle of her cane towards him.

“Why are you giving me your cane?”

“You need it more than I do right now, take it before I force it on you.”

By force she probably meant continuously whacking him with it until he took it so he slowly accepted it.

The night went by quietly. Cia made dinner but no one really ate, no one was in the mood. Karkat didn’t see anyone else besides the scourge family, Cia and Zylpha that night after they first entered the house. After patching everyone up they must have occupied the rooms, which left the rest to stay in the living room. Cia provided some blankets and pillows for everyone before retiring for bed herself.

“Thank you Cia,” Zylpha said, “Thanks so much.”

“No problem, I owed your mother anyways.”

The house became silent after that. Karkat continued watching the romance channel as the girls one by one began to fall asleep. Zylpha first on the couch and the scourge family afterwards on the floor all bundled together. Karkat had a blanket wrapped around him and was pretty comfortable in his armchair just watching the night away with movies and TV shows.

In the dead middle of the night, Cia came back out.

“Can’t sleep?” she asked as she sat down beside his arm chair on the floor. Karkat just murmured in response.

“You need that slime thing right? Sorry I don’t have any but it looks like everyone else was able to fall asleep.”

“I am greeted by horror terrors easier than others so I won’t take that chance thank you.”

“Yeah I’m going to pretend I understood that,” Cia chuckled softly.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Can’t sleep either. I can’t help but worry you know. Ever since the hotel was suddenly demolished like that. I don’t know the full details but I know more or less about what happened. She got into some trouble with your troll society and left Zylpha behind to protect her. And that’s about it.”

“You could have taken the chance to have her explain everything to you right fucking then and there when we first came.”

“But you were all injured, you needed to be treated first. And I told you before, it’s better not to question too much. It can break people inside you know. Not everyone likes to relive past events, especially scarring ones. So seems like she explained stuff to you but did you ever think that it was hard for her?”

Karkat went silent.

“Well whatever this isn’t really any of my business so night,” Cia got up and yawned.

“Hey wait.”

“Hm?”

“Can I have that t-shirt?”

“The one blind girl picked out for you earlier?”

“Yeah . . .”

“Thought it was too red for your tastes.”

“I thought about it and it’s not really about the red. It’s about the symbol. My dad has been travelling around being known as the Signless for all this time yet, when I was born, he gave me a symbol. It’s supposed to be a symbol for both of us but he never used it. He tried to give me a normal life as best as he could. Thinking about it now, it would feel wrong if I went out now without it.”

Cia just smiled, “Alright no worries, I’ll get it for you.”

She went to the hall and stopped, “In my opinion though, I don’t think you should be ashamed of your blood colour. Everyone is different, humans too. We used to have a big problem with the separation of our skin colour. Well we sort of still do but it’s way better than it used to be. So chin up and keep fighting for your beliefs. You’ll get there, one day, like we did.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“No problem, always here to be of service,” Cia went towards her room while humming softly.

Karkat looked back to the TV but quickly glanced over to the girls in hopes that none of them were awake to hear what he just said. Cia came back and gave him the shirt before bidding him good night once more and going to bed.

From the corner of his eye, he could see Terezi smiling.

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Start Over | <== | ==>