My first fishbride fic!!! So excited to share more of this ship with you guys cuz I love it sooo much!!!!
Summary: Khalis revives Nina! Her and the Bride have a long talk.
Read it on Ao3 or below the cut!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
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And suddenly there was light.
Nina sat up quickly in the bed she was placed in. Her vision was blurry as the bright fluorescent lights reflected greatly against the white walls. Her body plugged in with several wires.
The lab… she was back in that damn lab… In a panic, she thrashed about the bed. “DADDY!” She called out. To her this was a flashback. Some sick cruel nightmare about the night she became her slimy aquatic self. “DADDY!” She yelled out again violently. She was about to rip the wires off of her body and run before a gentle bandaged hand stopped her. And a voice, “Whoa…! Easy there…”
This bandaged hand was connected to a bandaged man. Underneath the bandages was a corpse, much like the bride, but dried out, with a golden Egyptian crown on his head. He smiled warmly at the girl. “Ha! I’ve still got it!” He laughed quietly to himself.
Nina looked around the room. Several doctors in stark white lab coats stared in awe. But for once, not at her jarring appearance. It was a different kind of awe. Like they had discovered something grand.
“What… What am I doing here? Who are you? Where am I?” Nina began her barrage of questions.
“Ms. Mazursky,” a doctor spoke out and walked towards her. “My name is Doctor Alandy. You were attacked during you and your comrades’ mission in Pokolistan-“
“Don’t sugarcoat it, doc,” the mummy interrupted. “She died.”
Nina’s eyes widened. “What…?”
“Do you remember what happened to you when you ambushed Princess Ilana?” The doctor continued.
Nina did remember slightly. It felt like a blur. She remembered the princess’s swift evasion of her attack. She remembered the blade slashing into her stomach repeatedly. She remembered the world fading to black.
She simply nodded.
“You were killed, Ms. Mazursky. But, with Khalis’s magical powers, we were able to bring you back.”
Nina didn’t know what to say. She… died? And now she’s back? With the power of this mummy’s magic? She touched her face with her hand. But something was missing. She hastily searched for her water suit. She began to hyperventilate which caused her to panic even more.
“No worries, Ms. Mazursky. For whatever reason, Khalis’s powers took away your need to breathe oxygen through water,” Doctor Alandy assured her.
Nina took a deep breath. And breathed out. She couldn’t believe it.
“I’ve… I’ve been cured,” she squeaked out. Tears stung her eyes. If only her father could see her… breathing without the need for a suit.
“Cured as much as possible, my girl. There’s no cure for that fish face of yours!” Khalis chuckled. Alandy gave him a dirty look. She turned to her fellow medical staff. “Please give Ms. Mazursky some clothing and food. Khalis, follow me. She needs to be well rested for her visitors later today,” Alandy said as she marched out of the room. “An honor to finally meet you, Ms. Nina. Our comrades told me a lot about you. They will be overjoyed to see you again,” Khalis bowed to Nina. Nina bowed her head to him, “Thank you.” He slowly walked out of the room as the nurses and doctors began to feel and clothe Nina.
———
Nina sat nervously in her bed. She ran her hands across her arms, amazed at the sensation of dry skin touching her own dry skin. She was given some bread and water. Bread tasted so much better dry. And drinking water felt strange to her. It’d have to take some getting used to.
The door clicked open and she whipped her head. Alandy peeked her head in. “Ms. Mazursky, you have visitors,” she announced as she opened the door. Weasel was the first to scurry in. He quickly ran up to her and began sniffing her. Nina giggled at the sight of her old friend. Weasel licked her face in greeting which caused her to laugh harder. “Hi Weasel!!! How’ve you been, buddy?” She smiled as she held his face in her hands. He panted and wagged in his tail in response.
“Down, boy,” a familiar voice chimed in. Weasel obliged, still ever so happy. A limping Rick Flag with a cane and Phosphorus walked in. Phosphorus got close to her bedside and looked deeply into her eyes in awe. “You’re… you’re here… you’re really here… you’re back…” he whispered softly. “Are you smiling because you’re happy to see me again or because you always just look like you’re smiling?” Nina responded playfully. Phosphorus chuckled. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you again, kid,” he muttered as his voice cracked. He quickly turned away and coughed to try to cover up his emotion.
“Nina,” Rick caught her attention. “The team told me about your excursion. Great job, soldier.” He saluted. She saluted back.
A large clanking came from the door. A, now huge, GI robot marched into the room. Nina gasped. “GI!!!” She cheered. “Friend Nina!!!” GI Robot called back. Nina reached her hand to him. GI stared her hand and grabbed it awkwardly. “Hello!” He replied. “He was easy to rebuild, it just took a while for his upgrades. Unlike you, young lady,” Flag chimed in. “Now instead of being able to kill 120 nazis in one battle, the scientists say I may be able to kill up to 598 nazis in one battle! Perhaps even 599,” GI informed. “Oh, friend Nina, will you accompany me again to kill Nazis once again? As we did in Pokolistan?” Nina nodded. “I’d love to, GI.”
The slow clacking of heels emerged. Everyone turned to see who had arrived. The Bride stood with her eyes widened in shock at Nina in the bed. Her legs, visibly trembling. “Bride!” Nina called out. Tears instantly streamed down Nina’s face. The Bride remained still. “It’s so glad to see you again!” The Bride slowly walked to her. Nina felt a wave of guilt creep into her. “I’m… really sorry I messed up the mission… I tried to kill the princess. I really did try… I just-“ The Bride finally arrived at the side of her bed. She reached a hand out to cup Nina’s face. Her touch was… soft. She rubbed her thumb against her cheek. Nina leaned into her hand. “You’re… here…” was all the Bride was able to mutter out. Nina nodded with a soft smile. “I missed you most of all, scarecrow,” Nina whispered playfully. Suddenly, the Bride pulled her into a tight hug. Loud messy sobs slowly erupted from the Bride. Nina could feel her shaking.
“Oh, my Nina… I’m so sorry…” The bride whined out in between cries. Tears sprinkled into Nina’s neck. “I should have never made you try to kill her. You weren’t prepared…” Nina didn’t know what to say, but she hugged her back. “Bride… it’s ok… I forgive you-“
“NO!” The bride yelled which startled everyone around her. “I sent you out to die… I killed you.” Nina replied sternly, “No, you didn’t, Bride. Ilana did. You were just doing what was best for the mission.”
“You didn’t deserve to die. You’re the kindest one out of all of us. The kindest being in the universe,” the Bride mumbled. “Guess it’s good I’m back then, huh softie?” Nina replied. The Bride chuckled ever so softly. “My friend…” Bride breathed out. “My best friend…” Nina answered as she held her even tighter.
———
The commandos stayed in that hospital room chatting for hours, that to them passed like minutes.
Soon enough, Dr. Alandy asked the Commandos to leave. Nina pleaded that they’d stay longer, but they all assured her that they needed to rest.
“Wait!” Nina grabbed the Bride’s arm. “Can the Bride at least stay?” She asked Alandy. “I'd rather not be alone here.”
“As long as the Bride agrees and promises not to become violent, then she may stay,” Alandy affirmed. The Bride nodded in agreement which made Nina giddy.
The Bride sat in a chair next to Nina as they continued their talk.
“Wait, so you killed the princess?”
“Yeah, it's a bit complicated though. We thought she was evil. Then they called off the attack too late. Then it turns out she was evil. It’s really weird,” the Bride explained.
“I’ll say… But why did you kill her? I mean you saw the tapes and caught her with Clayface, but… if Waller didn’t have a directive to eliminate her anymore, why did you do it? Surely, you didn’t have some kind of moral shift.”
The Bride smiled at her comment, but quickly changed her expression to one that was serious.
“No… not exactly a moral shift, I suppose. After my father’s death, I never cared for much. I wanted to be alone. Away from that filthy creature that claimed I was his to own. Away from the entire world around me. I never held onto anything… anyone… I could care less if the princess was going to destroy the world. But… she took you away from me. My only friend. The one thing I’ve cared about in hundreds of years. It enraged me. I had to do something. Not just because of our relationship, but because you truly didn’t deserve to die. I meant it when I said you were the kindest being in the universe. I didn’t care for justice. I just wanted vengeance.”
Nina’s heart tugged at the Bride’s words. “Oh Bride… you…” The Bride wiped tears away from her eyes. “Goodness me, I haven’t cried like this since you… since you left.”
“What… What did I look like? When I died?”
“A body floated up to the surface and with blood leaking all around. I ran to see who it was. I… I have no words to describe the emotion I felt when I saw it was you. Shock, horror, despair… Those words can’t even begin to explain how I felt when I saw your lifeless body. I was the one that carried you out of the water. You were limp in my arms. Blood gushing out of your stomach. I’ve carried much heavier things in my times, but… when I held onto you… it felt like I couldn’t move. There was a weight holding me down inside of you.”
Bride’s voice trembled. Nina grabbed her hand, reminding her she was here again.
“We held a service for you in Pokolistan. The princess’s ‘gift’ as an apology for killing you. I wanted to tear the place apart, kill everyone there, rip you from your coffin, and wake you up.”
Nina leaned onto the Bride’s shoulder. “That’s so sweet of you, Bride.” The Bride leaned into her as well. “I’m just glad you’re back.”
“”I’m glad to be back too. What’s the new team like?”
“They’re all a bunch of brutish, morally gray losers. Like us.” Nina giggled at her response.
“You’ve met Khalis. He’s an old geezer, but a solid magic user. Then there’s Nosferata. That bitch who knocked your food out of your plate with that stupid ape friend we broke the jaw of. I still haven’t fully forgiven her, but she’s fine for the most part. And then there’s Nanawe. I have a feeling you’re gonna like him.”
“They all sound nice,” Nina yawned as she rubbed her tired eyes. “Someone looks sleepy,” The Bride smirked as she stood up from her chair. “I’ll leave you to rest, Nina. Being alive takes a lot of energy.” Nina’s hand grabbed her arm again. “Wait! Stay!” She cried.
The Bride stopped.
“I… I don’t like being in hospitals. Can you stay the night with me? Please?” Her voice littered with desperation.
The Bride shrugged. “Why not? Not like I got anything better to do. I’ll ask the nurses if they got an extra chair around here somewhere so I can prop my feet up.”
“You can stay in my bed… if you’d like. You’ll fit!” Nina chimed.
The Bride hesitated. “Are you sure? I want you to sleep well.”
“Cmon, Bride! It’ll be like a sleepover! I’ve never been to one, but I heard they’re fun.” Nina smiled. The Bride still looked hesitant.
“Please… I don’t want to be alone again,” Nina pleaded. She trembled slightly. She remembered the long lonely nights at hospitals from her childhood.
The Bride signed softly, “Alright. But just because it’s been a while since I didn’t sleep in those shitty cardboard beds at Belle Reve.”
Nina squealed in excitement. She scooted over to allow space for the Bride, who took off her shoes and jacket.
They nestled into the bed, fitting together perfectly like puzzle pieces. They positioned themselves facing away from each other.
“Rest well, Nina,” the Bride whispered as she turned the lights off from the bedside control.
Several minutes had passed. There was still an air of restlessness. Nina kept staring at the clock on the wall. 11:54 pm. They turned off the lights twenty minutes ago. But as tired as her body was, her brain kept racing, unable to let her rest. She squirmed and moved around. She nudged at the Bride who grumbled in response.
“Mmmm… what’s going on? Are you okay?” She mumbled annoyed.
“I don’t want to fall asleep,” she whispered in response:
“Oh for fucks sake-“ she moaned.
“I just… I’m worried this is all a dream. A sick beautiful dream. Or worse, I’m still dead… And I’m in heaven and I’ll never see you or the rest of the commandos again. What if I fall asleep and never wake up?” Nina’s voice shook which caused the Bride to go full alert.
“Nina… shhhhh…” she shushed, wrapping her arm around her and pulling her in close. “I promise you’re not dreaming. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere else.”
“Can we keep talking? Just until I fall asleep?”
“Sure,” The bride shrugged.
“So we’re both zombies now?”
“I beg your damn pardon?”
Nina elaborated, “Well you know… we’re both reanimated corpses. Doomed to walk this Earth for the rest of time and space. An affront to God and humanity.”
The Bride scoffed sarcastically. “Ok drama queen, if anything is an ‘affront’ to God, it’s Weasel’s existence. This life is not as existential as you might think it is. You’re just sort of… there. Your heart beats but almost too rhythmically.
“Like someone else is pumping it, not you,” Nina finished.
“Exactly.”
A pregnant pause filled the air.
“Can we be zombies together?” Nina suggested.
“Is that not what we’re doing currently?”
“You know what I mean…” Nina gently elbowed the Bride’s side. “forever. I want to be your best friend forever. I want to be with you forever. Kicking bad guy butts and taking Weasel out for walks and making fun of Flag…” Nina yawned yet again. She rested her head on the Bride.
“I hope you know I have a stalker that has been following me around for hundreds of years now and he’s shown no signs of stopping,” she reminded her.
“And I’ll fight him. I’ll kick his ass every time. He’ll scurry away like a dog with a tail between his legs. And I’ll be just as ready for him the next time he rears his ugly head.”
The Bride laughed at Nina’s offer. “No, no… remember the last time we tried making you fight?”
“I’d do it again,” she sleepily assured her. “If it meant saving my friends, I’d die a million times to make sure you’re ok.”
“You’re too good for this world, Nina,” she sighed.
“You’re good too. You just don’t realize it yet,” Nina replied, barely making any coherent words as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Nina picked herself up for a brief second and placed a quick kiss on the Bride’s cheek. She then settled back into her sleeping position up against her. “Goodnight, softie,” she murmured.
The Bride felt taken aback by her friend’s action for a second. For once, her heartbeat felt like her own, as it picked up its speed exponentially. She stared at Nina, who was fast asleep. The last time she saw her close her eyes, she believed she’d never see them open ever again. But here she was. Back with her. The Bride placed a soft and tender kiss on Nina’s head. She pulled her even closer.
“Goodnight, fish,” she whispered.
———
Nina woke up. She quickly looked around.
The sunrise shone beautifully into the hospital room. It cast beams illuminating her freed, dry skin. She turned to find the Bride slowly waking up as well. The light shone magnificently onto the Bride’s face, casting shadows from the hard edges of her chiseled face. Her black hair, messy from sleep with strands of her white stripes peeking around. She gave a big stretch and yawned as she sat up. She too looked at the sunrise and gave a faint smile as she noticed Nina sitting up in front of her.
“So it wasn’t a dream…” they said at the same time. They laughed at themselves for it.
Nina leaned into the Bride as they watched the sunrise. Together. Again. For good.
I am here to tell you about our three latest blogs! Khalis, The Batman TV Series and The Terrible Trio - we discuss it all on https://worldofmetahumans.com/ ! And did you know you can even get a comic book pack if you leave a comment on the blogs?
I know Khalis in the comics helped revive Nina and gave her a healing factor alongside the ability to breath air. If that happens, I can imagine Nina growing unhinged and angry at the same time while becoming more combat trained eager to kill but in the end, can’t.
Holy shit I hope that happens because that would change her and her entire world view. I would love if Nina came back but instead of sweet innocent Nina she now believes the world is cruel and wicked and becomes more cynical towards the world as a result and is less forgiving and less hesitant to hurt people.
Had a little bit of time to draw this pic that has been dancing in my brain for a few weeks. And yes, Harpy Aloy would build a giant nest for her and Talanah…and Khalis. And she would snore loud
