Her heart nearly stopped when she saw them floating eerily still in the water, but she kicked with all her might to catch up and bring them to surface. It wasn't easy, and every part of her body burned with effort, but she was at least able to get both of their heads to surface.
AKA
Susie found Kris' hand sticking up and rushes to save her friends from drowning, taking them to the Dark World to (hopefully) heal what's broken.
tw for psychosis, mental breakdowns, and character death
Not quite inspired by, but a similar concept to fanart by @m4g0hun !! Give it some love !!
Ao3 Link
What do you do when you find your best friend and your now maybe-girlfriend drowning in a lake?
For Susie, it took only a moment for the ice cream to hit the sand before she dove right in. She wasnāt a great swimmer, having never been technically taught, but adrenaline and maybe monster DNA kicked in as she moved like a torpedo to them (her tail assisting, despite her embarrassment).
She knew something was wrong. She knew Kris was upset, butā but this was crazy! It wasn't like themā theyā and Noelle??? What could possibly be going through their heads???
Her heart nearly stopped when she saw them floating eerily still in the water, but she kicked with all her might to catch up and bring them to surface. It wasn't easy, every part of her body burned with effort, but she was at least able to get both of their heads to surface.
āF-fuck,ā Susie cursed, struggling to keep even herself up. She was by no means a weak monster, but two people were a lot harder to carry and swim with than one. Still, Susie had to try.
āC-cāmon, you two, this can't be the end yet,ā Susie urged, pulling and pushing them along. āW-weāre justā getting started!ā
Her chest grew tight, threatening to make her give up and cry, but she couldn't afford the energy loss, and just kept moving. She ached for her powers like in the dark worldāshe felt so stupid and weak like thisābut it wasn't like she could give up, they needed her to save them. Everyone else was too busy partying, isn't that always the truth?
Susie shook her head. No time to think about that. She needed to get them to shore.
Godā it hadn't looked that far when she had noticed Krisā hand, but now it felt like the lake went on for milesā miles where she wasn't perfect and Noelleās head kept tipping over, and her makeup was all ruined, and Krisā
Kris for a brief moment seemed to look at her, their eyes appearing red through the golden sunset and their soaked mop of brown hair. Their eyes looked heavy and dead, before they shut again.
Susie just growled, letting their look push her to save them even harder.
She gasped in relief when her foot finally hit rocks and mud againā though she rapidly had to cough up water. Now with a more stable position, she was able to get Kris on their back (damn, they were light), and Noelle more in her arms. She could feel her heart beating rapidly, which wouldāve been kinda sorta maybe cute if not forā¦
Still, with her feet touching ground it was a lot easier to slow drag Kris and Noelle up the slope, before collapsing onto the rocky lakefront.
The thought of getting up and rolling over made Susieās muscles burn like hellfire, but still, she knew she had to check on Kris and Noelleā whose chests were slowly rising in shallow breaths, but eyes still shut unconsciously.
āFuck,ā Susie cursed, looking around. āFuck! I-I donāt know how to fix this!ā
The dark world. Susie was a master healerā
Noā the nearest shop was Krisā dadās, she couldnātā but maybe he could help? Or maybe he was at the King and Queen of the festival thing? Then the shop would be fineā or locked. Not that Susie didnāt have experience breaking that kind of stuff butā but it was wrong, but they werenāt moving and they probably had water in them somehow andā fuck, why did this happen??? What went wrong? What were they even talking about? What was wrong with Kris?
Susie didnāt have any time, and this was the closest thing she was gonna get to a plan. Krisā dad was just gonna have to forgive her for the mess. Or fight her over it, whichever worked.
Her body screamed in protest as she tried to quickly get Kris back on her back, her knees shaking now that they were in full gravity. Getting Noelle back in her arms was worse, so she ended up half-dragging her, cursing herself for not being stronger.
It was then, with Krisā arms around her neck, and dragging Noelleās lower body against the rocks the scent of copper overwhelmed her nose. She tried her best to ignore it, but when she had to slump Kris back up, it was impossible not to notice.
Blood. A lot of it too, all dripping from a straightā
Susie had to hurry.
Susie dragged her feet as fast as she could, despite the feeling she was actively sinking down. She knew she could do it, so long as she could drag one foot after another, past the park benches, past the trees, onto the sidewalkā¦
She kicked the door open in one shot, not even bothering to check if it was locked, or even closed all the way. She set Noelle and Kris down as gently as she could, her eyes scrambling for some kind of sharp object. All that was out was a rusty pair of plant shears, but that was just gonna have to work for now.
She took one glance back at Kris and Noelle, before muttering, āplease workā this has got to work,ā before leaping as best she could to then strike the ground.
She fell to her knees in relief when the refreshing cool of the dark world rapidly spilled out, swallowing the three of them and the flower shop whole.
She opened her eyes as she took a deep breath of cool air, relieved to find Kris and Noelle still behind her, both in their dark world forms (though Noelleās was certainly more disheveled than last time).
āAlright, Susie you got this, you got this.ā She crawled her way back to them and shakily stood, still feeling completely depleted. Despite this, she still reached from within to summon all the healing magic she could, quickly shooting the soft energy their way before collapsing.
+16 HP
āN-no,ā she muttered, gripping the shady black grass desperately, trying to sit up. āI can fix thisā I can fix this.ā
Again, she tried to stand, but her knees instantly buckled in protest. Susie growled, quickly going to give it another shot when a gust of wind flew by andā
Green sparkles glimmered by, causing Susieās strength to quickly return.
āSusie, what happened?!ā Ralsei cried, rushing to Krisā side. āKris, are you okay? Youāā the princeās eyes fell on Noelle, and he practically leapt back.
āWoah, Ralsei, it's okay, it's just Noelle, sheāā Susie went to check on the deer, but noticed she was still weak like before.
Weird. Why wouldn't Ralsei heal her?
Whatever, Susie was strong enough now to do it herself.
āNo, Susie! W-wait, weāā
Susie gave him a weird look. āWhat? It's just Noelle.ā
Ralsei hesitated, meanwhile Kris finally stirred.
āYo, Kris! What the fuck happened?! Why were you justā what is going on?ā Susie grabbed their shoulders.
Their eyes couldn't meet hers, looking at their now glove covered wrist. It takes a moment before their eyes widen, and they take out their sword, rapidly tossing it as far away as they could.
āKris!ā Susie and Ralsei both cried.
Immediately, they started runningā only to trip and fall five steps away.
āKris!ā Ralsei quickly went to their side, helping them stand. āKris, it'sā it's okay, youāre safe.ā
āYeah, it's just us.ā Susie stepped up too. āWe aren't going to hurt you.ā
Kris shook their head, a hand gripping their armour plate tight.
āKrisā¦ā Ralsei tried to soothe. āI-I know it's hard, butāā
āYou don't know anything!ā they suddenly shouted, sending him back a step.
Ralsei blinked, before his eyes lowered. āKris, please, justāā
āKris..?ā Noelle suddenly spoke up. āWhere are we? Did we make it?ā
Kris was frozen in place.
āMake it?ā Susie turned around. āNoelleā you and Kris, youāā
āSusie!ā Noelle jumped up, stumbling over her white robe. Susie tried to help her, but the deer stepped away. āK-Kris, whatā what are we doing next?ā she asked, a smile on her face that made Susie shudder.
āNoelle, Iā what are you talking about? What did you talk about? Why did you go into the lake? What happened?ā Susie asked.
Noelle smiled again. āYou should've seen it, Susieā we almost made it to the other side, we were so close!ā
Susie glanced at Kris, who avoided her gaze. āYouā you almost drowned! You never could've made it acrossāā
āNo!ā Noelle shouted. āNo, not with Kris by my sideā together we can do anything.ā She held their hand, causing them to go unnaturally still.
Susie stepped back, a sharp pang stabbing her gut. āWhatā what are you talking about?ā
āYou should've seen it, Susie!ā Noelle let go to grab Susieās hand, her skin ice cold. āWhen we were in the cyberworld, Kris led me on this beautiful journeyā a journey where I finally learned I don't have to be what everyone wantsā! That I don't have to do āNoelle thingsāā That I can be free!ā
Susie frowned. āButā¦ you don't need Kris to be your own person.ā She glanced at them. Their expression was dead and glossy.
āRightā¦ and that's why you let them lead you around too?ā Noelle asked with a biting tone that was highly unusual.
Susie crossed her arms instinctively. āI don't need Kris to tell me what to do, I can make decisions on my own.ā
āBut you're more powerful with them, aren't you?ā Noelle asked, desperation replacing any previous malice. āDon't you see, Susie? Kris is the key! They know how to break free! They learned how to stop being Kris, and I've learned to stop being Noelleā don't you want to stop being Susie?ā
Susie gripped her arms. āIā¦ I have, in the past butāā
āBut Susie is a great person, as are you, Noelle,ā Ralsei interfered. āWhatever bad parts you're running from, it's still a part of youāā
āThat's the thing, I'm not running at all! I'm finally embracing meā the real me! The one that exists underneath all those christmas cookies, and candy cane pencils, and collared shirts, and knit sweaters! I'm done being what my mom and dad and everyone else in that stupid town expects from me!ā she shouted, a cold wind starting to rapidly pick up.
Ralsei 's eyes widened. āSusie, Kris, we need toāā He tried to grab her arm.
āWhat?! Like hell I'm going anywhere.ā Susie swiped it away. āNoelle, Iā what about me, huh? What about this morningā was that just ādoing what people expectā?ā
Noelle looked away. āSusie, it wasā¦ it was nice, spending the day with you. Itā¦ it was something I wanted for a long, long time.ā
The pain twisted.
ā...āWasā?ā Susie looked back at Kris, who was visibly shaking.
Noelle smiled again. āMaybe if you came with us, you'd understand. You could see what I'm capable of!ā
The air grew colder.
āWhat are you talking about?ā Susie asked. āIf it's just dark world stuff, I-I don't need it! I already think you're, likeā awesome, and stuff. You don't need anything elseā¦ā
āKris knows,ā Noelle chuckled. āWith their command, I can do anythingā I could sprout wings, and fly up to the heavens, a-and introduce myself to the Angel themself.ā Her eyes sparkled with the distant vision. āWith Krisā¦ with Kris I can find Dessā¦ save my fatherā¦ fix everythingāā
Susie stepped forward. āNoelle, thatā that doesn't make senseā Kris isn't a doctorāā
āYou don't get it!ā Noelle cried, the room dropping ten degrees. āMy entire life has been full of nothing but loss and pain a-and control!ā She started to levitate, snow falling all around the four of them. āI can be more, Susie! Kris just has to give the word and I can topple entire kingdoms!ā
Susie finally looked back at Ralsei, who looked ready to cry.
Susie had to think of something, and fast.
āNoelle, Iā I know how tempting it is to justā to lash out at everything that pisses you off, but it doesn't fix anything,ā she argued. āIt justā it just makes it hurt more.ā
Noelle shook her head. āNo! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! You don't get it! You aren't listening to me!ā She cried, though her tears froze to her cheeks. āI'm beautiful like this! Kris, tell her!ā
Susieās eyes landed on their friend, who was still all too frozen in place. The look in their eyes, though, was enough to make Susie stumble back and make her desperation increase more.
āWh-whats wrong with them? Kris, why aren't you moving?ā She asked, going to touch their shoulder when they stepped back robotically.
Ralsei quickly ran to her side. āSusie, I-I can explainā but we have to goāā
āI'm not abandoning them,ā Susie repeated before grabbing Noelleās icy handā pricking herself on the ring of thorns. āNoelle, let's just talk about this, pleaseā you could have died out there! What if I hadn't seen Krisās hand sticking out? Or seen the bread crumbs? What about your parentsāā
āMy parents are gone!ā Noelle cried, the snow turning to hail momentarily. āMy dad is dyingā a-and my momā she just holds me back! A-always expecting nothing but perfectionā! I can't do it! Once my dad is gone, I'llā I'll have nothing!ā she wept.
Susieās heart sank. āNoelleā¦ā
The deer shook her head. āButā but with Kris, I have everything. I can do anything! Together, we are going to go farther than any human or monster has ever been! Weāll destroy barriers, fly beyond horizons, a-and fix everything!ā
āNoelle, that isn't trueā Kris isn't some kind ofā of God! And you need more than just them to be the best you can be, I know from experience!ā Susie argued. āI used to think I had it all under control when I was alone, and with Kris things got better, sureā but it got greater with Ralsei, and Lancer, and all the other Darkners I've become friends withā a-and you! Godā Noelle, I-Iāā her face grew warm. āYou make me want to be a better person!ā
āThen join us! See what Kris can do! Break your āSusie chainsā, and hear the Angelās call! It's in the lake, and Kris and Iā we were so closeā so close to heaven, I could hear it.ā Noelle looked off, distantly.
āNoelle, please, you'reā you're kinda freaking me out,ā Susie pleaded, stepping forward again when Kris drew their sword.
āStay out of our way.ā
Susie blinked, heavy breaths now appearing in the cold air. Krisās voice, itā something was wrong with it. It was hollow, almost echoey. It wasnāt right. It even had Ralsei gasping, his face somehow even paler than normal.
āKris, youā you can't be serious,ā Susie tried to play it light, but the sword was pointed right at her. How they even got it back, she couldn't fathom, but sheā what the fuck was going on?
āK-Kris, cāmon, it's me. Youā you wouldn't hurt meā¦ would you?ā Susie pleaded.
Kris lowered their head, but the sword remained, pointed with a slight tremor.
āStay out of my way.ā
Ralsei suddenly shook his head. āLet them go already! What have they ever done to you?!ā he cried.
āBack off!ā Noelle warned, sending an ice attack his way, which he managed to side step.
āWoah, woah, woah! Let's all justā likeā fucking calm down, guys?ā Susieās head was spinning.
āI don't want to hurt you, or Noelleā pleaseā justā just bring an end to this!ā He begged, completely ignoring her.
Kris began to shake violently, their struggle evident in their body.
āCāmon, Kris, I know you can fight them off!ā Ralsei cheered. āYou're stronger than this! Your love for everyone is stronger than this!ā
Noelle looked down in horror. āKrisā? Kris, what's going on?ā
Kris fell to their knees, gripping the dark blue snow-kissed grass so aggressively it tore.
āC-c'mon! You can fight it!ā Susie went along with Ralsei, not having any better ideas.
A scream escaped Kris, raw and hollow. It was enough to turn Susieās blood to ice, as she instinctively held onto Ralsei protectively. Her friend clawed at themselves again, desperation consuming them as they tore off piece after piece of armor, untilā
Until a sudden stillness came over them. They stopped screaming, breathing heavily as snowflakes landed on their hair. Susie and Ralsei both waited with bated breath as they slowly came to a stand.
Noelle floated her way back to the ground, slowly putting a hand on their chest. Susie was tempted to join them, but Ralsei stuck out their arm protectively.
Kris whispered something. Noelle did too. A nearly silent exchange, punctuated with delicate snow fall, before the deer locked eyes with Susie.
āWill you join us?ā she asked, the area shifting in a way that was hard to see due to the snow.
Susie looked at Noelle, then Kris, then Ralsei, before looking at Noelle again. āN-noā¦ you'reā you're sick, Noelleā you need helpāā
Kris interrupted with a spell command turning their back as they usually did.
āSnow grave.ā
Immediately, the wind began to howl, the snowfall turning into a full blown blizzard in seconds.
āSUSIE!ā Ralsei cried, grabbing her hand and running.
āWhatā?! What's going on?! Take me back! We have to save them! I-Iām sure we canāā the snow became almost too thick to see through, not helped by the omnipresent darkness that painted it grey. There was one point of light thoughā a little deer girl holding light in her hands as she threatened to swallow everyone in the cold. āRalseiā whatā?ā
āThere's no time! I-I have to get you back to the light worldā Iāā the chiming came to a peak, a sudden column of bright light forming above Susie's head.
Ralsei screamed her name, shoving his full force into her and sending out a ball of flames that scorched her skin and singed her hairā but after the fire died, so too did the wind and snow, andā
āJesusā thanks for the save, man, but a little warning about fire powers wouldāā Susie got herself back up, only to fall to the ground again at the sight before her: a goat prince encased in ice.
āR-Ralsei?!ā Itā It didn't make sense, if Ralsei was the one with fire powers thenā then he should be able to just melt out of there! It should be no big deal! He was fine! Ralsei couldn'tā whenever he fainted in battle, he'd just turn to his scarf and glasses, or whateverā this wasn't like thatā he was stuck withā with a pained expressionā stuck halfway through pushing someoneā
āR-Ralseiā cmon, Ralsei, it's me, it's Susie.ā Susie touched the ice, despite the bitter cold threatening to stick to her skin. āRalsei, it's okay, y-you can come outā Kris and N-Noelleāā
She turned to them, finding Noelle on the floor next to Kris. Their friendās eyes couldn't be seen behind their thick bangs with the angle their head was at. Noelle, however, seemed āhappyā.
Nerdy Prudes opening: I'm dead I'm bleeding out in the bathroom I was brutally murdereeed highschool sucks
Black Friday opening: BUY BUY BUY SPEND SPEND SPEND UGLY GREEN BASTARD GO!
TGWDLM opening: We all HATE this fucking guy come and see why
I have a headcanon that Ruth is a very big fan of the horror(especially psychological and hidden) in media and Max is scared AS FUCK of anything slightly horror related, so after they became friends she tricked him into playing DDLC by saying "you could hit on a sexy girl there" and this king turned out to be the first person to genuinely blindfoldedly play Doki Doki literature club in 2021
my mom says im too negative so im gonna reblog this oneš
@alien-in-washington @samthelocalshadow @cobroxxzkorvid @clownsbug @ehiaint2worriedabtit @spoik-is-here @trash-monkie @dooooomed @styles-vast-empty-mind @ladynoirxadrinette @etherealcookyhex <- hi cookie we haven't talked in a while
@pickljar @carmenso <- mars and carmenso are pretty busy tho heh
