#king failkov

[hoodie-2]

I'm kinda editing my Morando's prodigy au. So there may be new skits of similar scenes that I'll eventually get around to posting.

Until then, have a snippet of the next chapter in Fly me to the Moon!

[hoodie-2]

Hours had passed since the "math duel" and the sun had began its descent, setting the town ablaze with a warm orange glow. Krel had spent a portion of the evening exploring, or rather wandering, throughout more of the town, observing it's people. Many of the humans were out in pairs at this hour, some of the pairs had included smaller versions of themselves in whatever activities they were partaking in. He had spied a young pair of, well, human girls at the park, almost identical except in the tones of their skin and the color of their hair, and a pair of adults he assumed were their parents seated on a bench not far away, sitting at polar ends from each other on the bench conversing on their communication devices, otherwise leaving the two children on their own.

The girls themselves didn't appear perturbed or at all bothered by their parents behavior, more entertained by the images on the platform they made with the unusual writing untensils in their tiny hands. Well, all Earthly untensils were unusual in Krel's perspective; pencils, pens, markers, but ones that the two girls used were different even from those. These were maybe the length of an unused pencil but far thicker than a marker and... powdery? His head tipped as he watched one blow away part of her line, the colorful powder pushed into the air in one big gust, as she redrew the line. Her fairer toned sibling patted a hand on her clothes, a blue colored handprint left behind on the green fabric. Both girls took notice of the mark and giggled, the first girl Krel was watching pressed a hand to her own clothes and left a pink handprint similar to the other's blue. The action brought a smile to his face, it has been a while since that happened.

He eyed the girls' parents again. Would it be rude if he just started talking to the children? Their parents didn't seem to be very attentive at the moment. Doesn't that sound familiar? But he was curious about their weird, colorful writing tools. Hm, maybe if he just kept a decent distance as he spoke to them. He didn't want to come off as strange.

"Excuse me," he approached the girls, kneeling to their height at what he believed was a respectable distance. Both girls looked at him, shifting as if they were preparing to run at the first opportunity, Krel wasn't exactly surprised by the reaction seeing as a lot of the commercials on the picture box involved something called 'stranger danger' and he was, afterall, a stranger to them. But he pointed at their drawings, from a closer examination the colorful etchings turned out to be crude imitations of other Earth creatures, a lot of them with long ears and roundish tails and a few like clouds with legs. "What is that you are writing with?"

The wariness in their eyes wavered as they looked down at the drawings around them and then at the untensils in their hands.

"You mean chalk?" The yellow-haired one asked, pointing her free hand to the blue powdery stick she held.

"Chalk," Krel echoed thoughtfully. "And you, ah, draw with it?"

"Yea, dummy," her sister answered. "Haven't you used chalk before?" They gave him identical looks of confusion only someone their age could.

"No, actually, I haven't." Krel answered back quietly. "We don't have anything like 'chalk' where I am from." He looked down at their drawings again, noticing colors other than pink and blue, there was a yellow circle he figured was the sun judging by the green landscape below it and many other colorful dots he supposed were plants. His head tilted so the image wasn't completely upside down in his perspective. "You have some very pretty drawings."

"Do you want to try?" The yellow-haired girl asked, holding out her chalk stick to him.

He eyed the shrunken piece of blue in her open palm. "A- are you sure?"

"Sure!" The girl chirped, a smile spreading over her features, a matching one on her sister's as well. "We do this all the time, its fun."

Krel took the chalk from her, rolling it and turning it in his hand, blue powder stuck to his palm wherever it touched. He looked up to see the girl reach behind her sister and pull out another stick of chalk, purple this time. They went back to scribbling on the bricks around them. He watched as their creativity grew and spread, narrowly crossing over each other's work and somehow still blending together.

Looking down at the emptiness around him where their chalk hadn't yet touched. What would he draw, he wondered. Things considered artistic escaped him, even on his planet; he couldn't understand poetry, the closest he gets to crafting is inventing gadgets, even basic drawing on a telepad wasn't something he had much skill in. What could he draw? Well, shapes are pretty simple.

He started with a triangle, Earth's history was full of them according to Kubritz and her research teams. Ancient tombs and monuments to societies that have long since passed, the triangle was acknowledged as the strongest structure, those words rang true clearly. A square, the basic form of most present day structures; there wasn't anything too spectacular about it, a little more space than a triangle, sure but meh. Then a circle, a shape Krel was most familiar with, there wasn't a screen or viewing monitor in Akiridion-5 that did not have circles, and even then there were links that connected them to more circles. On Earth, circles meant unity to some and a means of 'alien' communication to others - Kubritz.

"Can't you draw?" The brown-haired girl asked as she crawled over to look at his work.

"I am not very talented." Krel admitted. "But drawing with chalk is fun."

"Try drawing your family." Her sister suggested as she joined them. "That helps me sometimes."

Krel hummed at that logic. It was sound enough, even if he was currently at odds with his family and it was an extremely delicate situation. But they are human children, it was probably best to go along with it.

He started with Aja, forcing himself to recall her human form; it wasn't perfect, especially since he was limited to one color but he knew. Next his mother, whose disguise he's only seen a handful of times so this may be a little more difficult. That was nothing to drawing his father. How does one draw face fur?

The girls giggled at the etching.

"That one looks like a monkey." The yellow-haired one pointed to his etching. His gaze roamed over the attempted drawing and felt laughter bubbling in his chest.

"It seems you are right." Oh, how was Krel going to look at his father's face without laughing now?

He looked around them, seeing that the sky was gradually getting darker, getting closer to the time that younglings would be taken back to their homes. The girls' parents were still occupied with their own priorities, poor girls.

"I suppose I should go," he sighed, giving back the chalk he was given, "you will be going home soon." Krel did not expect such saddened expressions at his words.

"Do you have to?" The brown-haired girl asked, watching him stand up.

"I'm afraid so." He dusted the blue powder on to his jeans. "But I'm sure we will see each other again."

"Really?" The yellow-haired girl asked excitedly.

"Of course," Krel chuckled. "I wander around when I have free time." He watched as they shared a look, tipping his head as they stood as well, the yellow-haired one picking up the blue chalk and holding it out to him again.

"My name's Abby," she said, bouncing a little on her heels as she shook the chalk at him.

"And I'm Gabby." Her sister added proudly. "You can have the blue one, then we can draw again next time. Right?"

A smile pulled at his lips again. It would be a shame to see their faces fall again in sadness. He took the chalk from Abby. "That sounds fun. My name is Krel, it was nice to meet you both."

They waved at him as he walked away, pocketing the chalk he was gifted. Maybe he can find out where they get it next time so he can obtain more himself. He admired the blue powder that tainted his palm, opening and closing his hand, it was somehow amusing how the color clung to his flesh. It was almost as if his real body was peering through, if only.

After a bit of wandering, the sky growing darker, and some of the street lights were blinking to life Krel found himself at a back alley behind some stores that surrounded the park, if his memory of the town map was correct. It was empty of any lifeform that was human as he stepped in, looking around at his surroundings carefully; four-legged creatures that he was told were cats saw his approach and ran off into hiding; even smaller creatures scurried away behind them, leaving Krel alone with the garbage bins of two different sizes, the walls of the buildings were clean aside from the occasional stain near the bins or moss that grew more toward the ground.

He wasn't sure what compelled him to do so but he pulled the piece of chalk from his pocket and wrote the equation from the math duel, following it with his correct work and answer. Satisfaction washed over him as he wrote his answer, the right answer, his original answer. He was still a bit stuck on his why's during the duel, he knew he did a good thing for Seamus so what did it matter anymore. Why did Seamus stare at him when it was over?

Krel's hand moved to write another equation, it was more complex but watching the letters and numbers come into being it made sense to him, it always made sense to him, similar to cataloging past events and his planning for the future. It was comforting as he continued the equation, spreading it further along the wall, blue clear against the red brick but still convoluted. Had he been less taken in with his work he probably would have felt more guilty about how much of the chalk he was using up. He didn't notice the approaching person behind him until they addressed him.

"Kubritz?"

Krel whipped around, instinctively taking up a defensive battle stance startling the newcomer. That was... Seamus? And was holding an item in each hand, they didnt seem to be weapons though so he could relax somewhat. Not completely though, he has noticed around the education prison that some human males in their age group tended to be, well, boorish and found amusement in harassing other males they perceived as weak, and Krel's human form unfortunately suited that perception. Primitive. He'll be sure to correct that.

"Uh... hey," Seamus waved one of the things he held, the action stiff. His eyes flicked beyond Krel, looking over the equations behind him. "What're you working on?" His gaze followed the equation to the start, lingering on the work shown. "Looks complicated."

"You have no idea." Krel wasn't trusting this interaction, not that there was any reason to.

"Hey- Look, you can relax, uh, whatever move that is," Seamus gestured to Krel's posture with whatever it was he held. "What is that anyway? Judo? Jujitsu?"

Krel eased his stance but kept a leery eye still on the human. "Nothing you have ever seen, I assure you." He answered in little more than a monotone.

"Ookay...?" The human coughed, taking a few meeger steps toward him with a hand extended outward. "You want a burrito? I dunno if you've eaten yet or anything but it's an idea right?" He gave a pitiful laugh as he stopped only a few feet away, the thing in his hand slumping over his fingers like it was trying to slip out of his grip.

As a being of energy, Krel had no need to consume organic materials, but he has been curious. On another hand Earth has a history in poisoning consumables for enemies, again not that it should affect him, maybe.

A sigh escaped Seamus, seeming to notice Krel's reluctance. "I just want to apologize for my behavior." He said, "You didn't deserve it. You earned the grade fair and square."

"I suppose I should say that I'm relieved you've gained some sense." Krel retorted, not completely convinced.

"Okay... I earned that." Krel saw Seamus' grip tighten around the 'burrito', his restraint was admirable. "But you didn't have to let me win, so why did you?"

Krel finally took the burrito, examining it for a moment before tearing the aluminum wrapping like he's seen other humans do and bite into it. The texture was strange, soft, soggy; the taste was savory, it was weird feeling the crunch of vegetables but overall it wasn't bad but he didn't have much in expectations, so, another point for Earth.

"Wanna sit?" Seamus gestured to the the sidewalk. Krel didn't object, taking another bite of his burrito and joining him on the cold cement just a yard or so from a flickering lamppost.

"I had nothing to gain," he answered finally, getting a startled look, "from winning the math duel. Nothing to lose either, unlike you."

The human's head ducked almost sheepishly. He must have recalled how loud his father was in bellowing their agreement. If it could have been called that.

"Again, I'm sorry," he declared. "My dad just has high expectations. Very high."

"Understandable."

"Is it really?"

Krel frowned at him. "Just because my parents are not present does not mean I don't have my own problems with them."

Seamus' face turned even more guilt ridden. "R-right, sorry," he stammered, a red hue spreading over his features. He was quiet for a moment, taking large distracting bites of his own burrito. The silence allowed Krel a moment to gather his thoughts about the present situation, and possibly plan for what could happen next. Maybe he could somehow make Seamus an ally, like Aja had with the majority of their peers, to keep his disguise here. It certainly would make things easier than researching every tidbit about this mudball to blend in while Morando outsources the search for Gaylen's core. The question was how to do so.

"You," Seamus spoke up again, breaking the silence between them, "you came from a warring country, right, like Aja Tarron and her family?"

The words brought a bitter curl to his lips. Her family, may as well be, ironic, consider she used to run away from her family at every opportunity.

"Yes," Krel answered softly. "Maybe even the same country, if luck would have it." Some luck that would be.

"What happened? I-if you don't mind me asking."

The expression on Seamus' face was different from before; softer, solemn, perhaps even sympathetic. It's been a clear background to his class that Krel escaped from a war torn country with no family besides Morando who was discharged due to injury during the fight. Could this be the opportunity he needed to make Seamus his ally? To make a 'friend'? In one quote Krel had heard, he now understood. When opportunity knocks, it would be wise to open the door.

"I-it all happened so fast," Krel began, quickly coming up with details to twist the story from the traumatic reality. "It happened on the coronation day for the royal heirs; my parents both had high political and military positions so my sister and I were allowed good seats to see the crowning," he kept his voice low, allowing some of the emotion he kept at bay to fill his words, "everyone was excited, we all had high hopes. The princess hadn't made her appearance yet when the attack happened." Krel swallowed thickly as the real memory came to mind. The running, his parents ordering him and Zadra to find Aja, falling behind, and being left behind. "It was chaos; people were running everywhere, trying to find each other and to find shelter, soldiers and their weapons, the cannon fire..." his eyes were leaking again, it was too much already with so little spoken. What was wrong with him? "I- I was too slow, my... my parents- my sister, gah, what is wrong with me?" He took the fabric of his shirt, quickly trying to wipe away the streaming liquid, his chest felt heavy, his core ached. Krel hadn't felt like this since he first found Aja and their parents on Earth. His head hurt.

A hand touched his shoulder making him freeze up. "It's okay." Seamus' voice was calm, relaxing even. "You've been through a lot, huh?"

Krel sniffed, trying to regain some composure before answering. "You have no idea."

[hoodie-2]

This challenge was meaningless, or, more rather, it was pointless. Krel knew he had earned the grade fairly, the assignments were boringly easy by Akiridion standards. Somehow, the flesh color of his disguise was reason enough to be accused of cheating? If Krel really felt like cheating he would have hacked into the school's mainframe and excel his grades that way, but even then that would be showing off his intelligence.

Morando's hand curled over his shoulder, copying the gesture Mr. Johnson had done to his son, it probably seemed like a colder version in comparison. The way that the man clapped his hand heavily on Seamus' shoulder, Krel noticed how the human teen seemed to tense and stayed so while the appendage was on him. Will he ever stop talking or does he just like the sound of his own voice? There are better things to be done. And it is tiresome listening to the man brag about his son's intelligence as if it were his own. His own was more likely less so.

Krel crossed eyes with Seamus, blankly watching blonde brows furrow in anger but it was weak. He clearly didn't want to be here either. He was only here to save his path to Space Camp as Krel recalled from his stroll through town yesterday, rare that he ever left the house except to go to school. He did discover the wonder of Earth music though, that was a point for the mudball.

Morando responded to Mr. Johnson's claims, not in his usual confident purr but more formal and bored, like when he spoke to Commander Kubritz. Speaking as if the humans were a nuisance, well, it wasn't like they weren't.

"I agree with challenging the youth," he could hear Morando saying, "to make them stronger, smarter. However, claiming that it is not possible with your reasoning of darker complexions as if it were a mental defect is completely illogical." Mr. Johnson started with a growl, puffing his chest as if he hoped to reach Mornado's height. It was laughable to watch as his mouth opened to speak. Fortunately the class mentor stepped between them, silencing the man with her clipboard.

"Let us remember this is between the students," she crowed, pointedly glaring at Mr. Johnson. It has been made apparent that none of the teachers agree with his perspective of the situation. "There will be one equation of my choosing to solve, the student solves it correctly first gets the grade. Remember to show your work." She moved her clipboard to point at the whiteboard. Krel and Seamus stepped out from under their guardians' hands, each picking up a marker. The sound of chairs scratching the floor tiles signifying that the adults had taken two of the desks to watch them.

Miss Janeth stepped up between the two teens and scribbled an equation on the board above their heads. It was simple, more difficult than the actual school work but simple still from what Krel was used to. Both he and Seamus readied their markers as the teacher stepped away. The math was done already, Krel needed but a moment but he wasn't allowed to just write the answer. He had to show his work. Ridiculous.

"Begin."

Markers squeaked twice over across the whiteboard. It was annoying, writing utensils were annoying, the equation was annoying, and the overall problem was insulting. Why was he even bothering? Boredom? Pride? An unreleased sense of anger?

Sparing a glance at the blonde beside him. At least Seamus knew why he was doing this, as misguided the reasoning behind it was. Something was at stake for him. There was nothing at stake for Krel, he had no reason to worry, no reason to doubt his own skill in a subject where he excelled. Seamus wasn't his sister or his parents, he certainly wasn't Morando. There was nothing for him in this moment. No point in fighting when there was nothing to fight for.

The answer in black ink stood before him, not yet written but undeniable there. He wasn't fighting to keep his people safe from this human. His hand moved automatically to put in the answer. If Krel turned around now, Seamus would lose his right to Space Camp and Krel would gain nothing. This fight wasn't worth it.

He wiped away his answer and wrote a new one, not too far from the truth. Turning around, he noticed at Seamus saw what he had done but remained silent as he turned as well. They both stepped aside to show their work. Krel only need to glimpse at the unimpressed expression on Morando's face before bowing his head. He couldn't find it in himself to feel shame for disappointing Morando, keep his own expression neutral.

Miss Janeth examined each of their works, giving a confused face at the end of Krel's yet didn't question it. "Both did well, however, young Mr. Kubritz is short one point."

"Of course he is," Mr. Johnson huffed, rising from his seat. Morando followed suit, silently approaching the front of the classroom. "There was no doubt my Seamus would win, I wasn't it expecting it to be so close, but nonetheless," the man was puffed up with pride that Krel wondered if he would float away with so much hot air in his head. Seamus appeared only a bit pleased by the half praise.

A hand on his shoulder, Morando guided Krel out of the room, Mr. Johnson's voice following after them.

"You lost with intent." Morando stated, a lighter tone than when he spoke to Mr. Johnson. "Why."

"It was a pointless fight," Krel answered, staring ahead. "The mathematics and physics of this planet are still so premature. I would not have been satisfied with this win, it would be unfair." He heard Morando hum as they exited the school building.

"You are still young, princeling," Morando spoke calmly, patiently like he does when he is actually teaching Krel something important. "But you will learn that every fight must be won, and that every win is important." They stopped beside a shiny, black vehicle parked beside the curb. Mr. Johnson's voice became more clear as they too left the building, Morando's hand left his shoulder. "And do not mind the primitivity of this planet, under our control it will be caught up one way or another."

Krel nodded his understanding. When they welcome Earth under Akiridion influence, Earth will be able to join the interplanetary alliance. "Are you meeting with the commander again?" He asked as one of the disguised OMEN opened the rear door for Morando.

"Yes." The older Akiridon answered. "Your 'pet' is finally cooperating with its extra training."

Letting the blankness in his expression slipped, allowing Krel to roll his eyes. Buster obviously was conscious enough to hold a grudge against his captors. Humans and their carelessness. So long as they are not using any of their energy blasters on him.

"You be alone tonight." Morando added as he settled into the seat.

"Of course." Krel replied watching the door shut. The OMEN that shut the door lowered an open hand to Krel's view, there were a few bills of local currency in its hand. He knew he had expressed interest in a select few on Earth's cultural amenities like the music, Sergeant Costas had gifted him a set of headphones to isolate the music so it wouldn't be disruptive to others, it was useful to tune out Kubritz.

Krel took the bills and pocketed them, stepping back from the car, watching as OMEN climbed in and as the vehicle pulled away. Until now, he didn't register that Mr. Johnson's voice was still booming and actively annoying, he turned around to the bigger vehicle parked farther away. It tipped and bounced as the man climbed in on side, Seamus stood on the other side. He had on hand on the door of the vehicle, but he was staring at Krel. It was unsettling.

Krel pulled his headphones over his ears and walked away. This was over.

[hoodie-2]

He paid no mind to the screaming and the hands banging against the containment orb behind him hanging from the bunker ceiling, humming a catchy melody he heard from a local band as he inspected the disc he was working on, curled up comfortably in a hover chair he smuggled from Morando's ship.

It felt familiar to a time before coronation day, Aja being dragged back home after running away again screaming about how she wanted a "normal life" and how she wanted to make friends, or to actually see their home planet outside of the palace. It really was too easy to capture her, Krel wondered how Zadra and Varvatos struggled on Akiridion-5. Granted he captured more than just his sister, some of her human allies got caught too, but he released them, of course, he had no use for them.

"I am Aja Tarron, of House Tarron, heir to the Akiridion throne and I demand you release me at once!" He sighed at her childish command, tiresome. "Do you hear me, Loyalist scum!"

Krel pondered for a moment, tossing the disc in the air like it was a coin, if he should have had her strapped down like Kubritz wanted to do. But no, it had to be Krel's way, since he was charged with capturing his twin. They are planning to use her as leverage to get information from his parents, but he had other thoughts. He wanted to send a message.

Another scream. Does she ever stop? Memory serves to say no.

"Well that isn't nice," he spoke finally, making the chair swivel around to face her. He revelled in the way her fury melted into shock. "I am your brother after all, such an insult hurts."

"K- Krel?" She sounded so hoarse from her screaming, she buckled against the transparent wall between them. "You're alive."

"Yes," Krel hummed, unimpressed by the statement. "Unfortunate, I am aware."

"But... but Morando's forces, you were captured."

Krel nodded, eyes rolling. "Captured and spared, later allied. You know how it goes." He shifted the chair so he could sit upside down, looking at the disc in his hand as if it held more interesting value.

"Allied?" Aja echoed. "You allied yourself with our family's enemy?" Anger scrunched up her lovely features again. "You put our planet in danger!"

"I kept our people safe." He frowned at her. "Morando listens to my council, he leaves the innocent alone."

"All of the people on Akiridion-5 are innocent."

"The Rebellion are not innocent, I'm afraid." Krel let his expression smooth over. "They break laws that were in place before I gave Morando the throne. Nothing has changed, just who is in charge."

"You... WHAT?" Aja's hands slapped against the curved wall of her prison. "You GAVE him the throne!"

"That is what I said, yes." Krel nodded. "I will succeed after him. Seeing as I am the only remaining heir." He sat his chair upright again.

Aja's expression morphed into a cross between confusion and insult. "You are not the only heir, I am still here Krel!"

"Ah ah," he wagged a finger at her before pointing at the arch on his forehead. The arch she lacked. "You are heir only in name. I, however, have the royal mark, have made actions for the sake of Akiridion as acting king, and continue to do so."

"As a traitorous prince!" Her four hands fisted against the wall.

"Unlike a cowardly princess!" He shot back, watching her flinch at the words. She opened her mouth to fight them but he cut her off. "I have done everything you never even wanted to do. All for the sake of our people! You do not get to call me a traitor when you have abandoned your own home long before Morando invaded!"

Anger faded from her face again, leaving her thoughts vulnerable, clear in her eyes. He would not let this soften him, not again, not ever.

"Krel-"

"This pitiful mudball has changed you, sister." Krel turned his gaze back to the disc, flipping it over and over in his hands. "You forget yourself, playing pretend with the humans."

"I am not the one who forgets them self." He heard her hiss, at the edge of his vision, he could see her gather herself up against the curved wall. It was a good choice to use a spherical prison. "After all, you sit in the enemy's hands."

Krel huffed a dry laugh. Oh, if only she knew.

"Oh, what must you think, sister? That I dance for a false king? No no, you have no clue." He taunted her. "He commands for me, one delson he will see this. After all, he agreed with my plan to release you."

"What?" She pulled back from the wall, confusion furrowing her brow. "Is it to find Mothership? You plan to follow me don't you?"

Krel slumped back in the chair, making it sway as he eyed her with amusement. "I have now need to find Mothership, I did find you easily enough on my first outing. Mama and Papa too."

Aja's eyes widened with shock, her jaw slack. She tried composing herself again, tried to keep herself angry, tried to hide her fear. But Krel knew better, better than anyone else.

"What do you want then?" She demanded through clenched teeth.

Krel showed off the disc he's been playing with, it flashed a gentle blue. "You all must be behind on the events after Coronation day, I need you to deliver this to Mama and Papa."

"And why would I do that?"

A grin curled across Krel's face, his eyes unfazed by her demeanor. "Because it is the only way you will be leaving this place. Mustn't make Mama and Papa worry, their precious child staying past curfew again." He chuckled mockingly.

"Why are you doing this Krel?" She demanded this, pain streaking over her features. It stabbed deep into his core. "What have I done, what have we done for you to do this?" Liquid started to trickle down her face, the streams glittered like starlight on her cyan skin.

"It is more of what you haven't done than what you have." He replied, tipping his head to the side. "But on the subject of what you have done," his eyes grew colder as they returned to focus on his sister. His twin. His other half. "You have forgotten me while you reside here. You have abandoned me to my potential demise. Mama and Papa too."

"No," she spoke barely above a whisper, her head shaking frantically. "No, no, little brother- Krel, you are not forgotten, I promise. We mourned you, *I* mourned you. Zadra wanted to go back for you, I tried to convince Varvatos, but he said it was too late." More liquid spilled from her eyes, the streams becoming thicker down her face. "We thought you were dead."

"Hm," he kept his expression even, untouched by the display. "And I prayed that you lived." He shrugged carelessly. "At least one of us didn't lose hope." He stood up on the chair, pressing the disc to the wall, pushing it through.

"See that Mama and Papa get this. It will only play once after activated."

He startled when she grabbed his hand that had pushed through the wall, gripping it tightly in three of her own.

"Please, Krel," she pleaded, pressing her head to the ball of hands. "Come with me. Mama and Papa will be overjoyed to see you. To know that you live. To know that our family is whole."

He said nothing immediately to respond. Pressing his three free hands against the wall but not pushing through, using them as leverage to pull his fourth from her grip, releasing the disc into her hands.

"That is the problem, Aja," he spoke mournfully, meeting her face of disbelief with no emotion of his own. "Our family isn't whole."

Aja's prison started moving upward into the ceiling, causing her to panic, pressing herself against the lowest parts of the wall. Anything to get closer to her brother.

"Littler brother!" She cried. "Please don't do this! Think of Akiridion!

"I am, sister dear," he answered lowly. "More than you ever have."

[hoodie-2]

"He's starving." Krel noted softly, pressing one hand to the thick glass wall that separated him from the giant creature. Fog covered the glass around his hand when it breathed, a deep, pitiful whine echoed around them.

"How can you tell?" The human lieutenant asked, basic curiosity in his tone.

"When did you last feed him?" Krel asked, sparing a glance to the human. The blank expressions noticeable even from the living hazmat suits gave the anger-inducing answer. Were all humans this careless? Or this stupid? He turned back to the cage. "Does he have a name?"

"Ah, a former specimen called it Buster." The lieutenant stammered.

Specimen. The word quickly became an insult to Krel after they had landed. Morando told him to ignore it, that one day the humans would become the specimens, maybe pets if any were so merciful. Hmph, Krel didn't care much for either idea.

----------

"Open the cage." Krel ordered the walking yellow suits hard at work around him. Somehow none noticed the hefty black and white beast he brought with him.

"W-what?" One suit questioned for the collective.

"Are your sound receptors defective?" Krel snapped in annoyance. "I said, open the cage." The creature beside him crowed with a loud belch of a sound.

"Commander Kubritz told us strictly to never open the specimen's cage." The same suit explained.

"And she is a soolian," he spat, "open the cage. Unless you would like to continue to starve your one living 'specimen'." Scowling down at the living suit that dared speak, watching it shrink in on itself and look to it's companions for assistance. Another one, farther away, stepped toward a lit button and pressed it.

The glass wall raised with a hiss and stale air washed over Krel. Behind the glass, Buster watched the wall rise closely, tail wagging, each of his spider-like feet tapping the pavement with excited movement. Once the wall was completely out of the way, Buster stepped one foot out, glowing eyes looking over the many little suits watching, some reaching for near by weapons.

"Ignore them," Krel spoke quickly, reaching up his upper right hand to get his attention. "They won't hurt you, I promise."

A deep rumble came from Buster as he looked back at the many suits, creeping slowly out of the cage, focusing more on the princeling. Lowering his beak to Krel's extended hand, his eyes seemed to dim calmly.

"Yes, that's it," Krel's hand stroked up the horn of his beak, another pet the underside on his chin. "You must be starving, friend. I brought you something." He tugged gently on Buster's beak, gesturing with his free hands to the animal beside him. The creature stared off absentmindedly, not seeming to realize it's coming end.

Warm air washed over Krel, heavy liquid rained from Buster's beak and pooled around the princeling's feet. Red eyes looked over the smaller creature glowing bright with excitement, darting back to Krel for certainty. Krel stepped back, feeling the rare smile spread over his face, he nodded taking back his hands.

In just a single moment Buster picked up the earth born creature, it squawked with fear as it was swept off of it's cloven hooves and tossed into the air, and down Buster's throat. Gasps went around, whether they were in awe or fear Krel didn't know or care.

"Very good," he praised, raising his hands to pet his beak again. Laughing giddily as a slimy tongue slicked him from foot to head. "I have more for you, just outside." He stepped back, tugging lightly on the hook of Buster's beak for him to follow. Buster was reluctant at first, especially when the weapons that some of the hazmat suits held started humming.

"Put down your weapons." Krel ordered firmly. "You are making him nervous."

"W-we cannot let it escape the compound." A new suit raised it's blaster. "Commander's orders."

"Your 'commander' currently answers to my king," Krel reminded, forcing more authority into his voice. "And as prince, I order you to lower your weapons." His right lower hand brushed over his serator, prepared to fight if need be.

The suits shared looks amongst themselves, none lowering their guns. Just what has Kibritz done to earn such loyalty? Wavering at one moment and steadfast the next. Humans are incredibly weird.

"What is going on!" Kubritz stormed into the building, her lieutenant at her side. "Why is there a barnyard of animals outside? And where is that little alien, Morando is looking for him!" She noticed how her underlings stood, then she noticed Buster. "Why is the specimen out of it's cage!"

She spotted where Krel stood beside Buster's lowered head and collected herself, almost as if she never lost her composer in the first place.

"Your majesty," Kubritz addressed him, taking a step forward. She paused at Buster's growl. "It seems you are not aware, but you have released an incredible volatile specimen. It must be returned to its cell."

Krel's hand slid over Buster's beak, soothing another low growl. "I would be angry too if I were starved for so long." He replied. "I am the one that had the animals brought here. So Buster can finally eat. Your people, however, seem insistent to stop that simple idea."

Kubritz looked over the hazmat suits, nodding once, and those that held weapons lowered them. "We just worry about the specimen escaping the compound. Please understand, we cannot let the rest of the populus find out about the existence of extraterrestrial life."

"And yet you are so terribly eager to use our weaponry and abuse lifeforms you fear will oust your research," he returned with a roll of his eyes. "Its no wonder how this planet is so far behind if all of its 'trusted' officials keep such advances a secret."

"Some are just not ready." She defended.

"And who are you to decide that?" Krel questioned, positioning himself more in front of Buster, eyes narrow. "To decide when one is ready or not. Join in the current times or fall behind, I believe that is a famous phrase in your moving pictures," he laughed, "but, then, I suppose it must be difficult to join when you do not know anything."

Kubritz scowled, but maintained her composure. "Please remember you are but a guest to my planet, I only ask that you respect our rules."

"Your planet?" Krel tipped his head, amusement clear on his face at the strain in hers. "Such a possessive phrase, I must say." He approached her, all four hands behind his back. Bending at the waist to her height, speaking in a low, quiet tone. "And you ask for far more than respect, far more than you are prepared to handle, commander." He stood up again, grinning broadly down at her. "I am taking Brutus for a walk after he finishes eating." Then he walked off past them, whistling sharply for the insectile creature to follow. Which he did, for the first time in who knows how long into the sunlight.

[hoodie-2]

"People of Akiridion-5, my people, a great tragedy has struck us on the of mine and my sister's coronation. Only myself of the royal children have received the claim to the Akiridion throne, House Tarron was attacked by General Morando and his forces, my mother and father -- Queen Coranda and King Failkov fell in battle protecting their precious princess alongside General Varvatos Vex and Lieutenant Zadra. All have escaped. The Tarrons have fled, but myself.

Like you all, my brothers and sisters, I have been abandoned while our 'royal family'- two head or their own dictating families and their duty shirking daughter - save themselves while our lives, our very cores, were endangered.

As acting king, I was imprisoned for crimes committed long before I first learned my own name, crimes committed by my parents - our king and queen in the name of 'peace'. I have listened from my cell your cries for mercy, your cries for help. Your cries for a king and queen who have not only abandoned their people, but their own essence.

However, I am here. I will not forsake, brave and proud citizens of Akiridion-5, as my family has. I will stand with you.

But I cannot without guidance. Therefore, for the sake and safety of you, my people, I renounce the name Tarron as sole heir to the Akiridion throne and reclaim it in the name of King Morando, to succeed after him.

Soon may House Tarron die."

Just a little scene I had in mind for my Morando's prodigy au.

[hoodie-2]

I realized that I never showed off the Tarron's human disguises for my Morando's prodigy au. I mean, Aja is pretty much the same, she just gets a new wardrobe, but still.

Mother didn't take too much damage like in canon so Coranda and Failkov regenerated faster. Upon discovering that only one of their children escaped Akiridion-5, they did mourn their lost child. Failkov made sure Aja was never left under Varvatos' lone supervision, he doesn't speak as of why.

[hoodie-2]

"Aja? Mama? P-papa?"

He... he found them. Finally, after some many delsons of missing, of wondering, of worrying, he found his family again. Aja, and Mama and Papa! They were okay now! Yes, they too had on transduction disguises but their core signatures could always be recognized! They were alive and safe. And on this dump heap of a planet no less. In some sort of local social place, serving strangely decorated sweets.

Krel chuckled, watching the beautiful disguise of his mother dabbing some of her treat on to his father's nose with her utensil, watching as Aja laughed at them. They were okay, praise Seklos, they were okay. He felt his eyes sting and burn, and he realized something.

They were okay. They were alive. They were safe. But... he wasn't there with them. They were safe. They had escaped into Mother, to Earth. They were alive. Mama's and Papa's cores were healed. They were okay. Varvatos Vex and Zadra were guarding them, protecting them from Morando's bounty hunters.

Krel wasn't with them though. He wasn't there seated with them, talking and laughing with his family, enjoying the simplicities of this mudball. And... and they were okay with that fact. His family was okay with his absence, they were happy even. Did- did they not miss him? Did they not mourn that he could have died? His own twin did not care about what fate he could have had?

His grip around the little device in his hand tightened, his other pulled away from the window. His core ached. Liquid spilled and poured from his eyes, he wiped away one stream, confused. What is this? He was leaking? What was happening?

Another musically familiar laugh leaked through the glass, making his core ache worse. They were fine without him. They didn't miss him. They didn't care what he had become.

Morando was right. They had their precious princess, that's all that mattered. Not Akiridion-5, not their people, not the war, and absolutely not Krel.

He wiped away more of the insistant liquid, casting one final look at what was his family, he remembered what Papa had told him before the coronation. That he would be fine so long as he and Aja were together.

Well, he will be fine without her too.