MSPA Fanfiction III

[DJ-P0N3]

@wolfofoblivion
I normally don't read such long stories, but after seeing "OFF1C3R 4PPL3B3RRY" I couldn't refuse.
Welcome to the forums!
It was darn good really.

Only critique I can give is that at times you had spelling errors or missed a quirk.
But those are minor, and nothing big.

[sebastian]

@wolfoblivion: cool first post and cool story, please, continue.

[QuetzaDrake]

Ooh, you should show Deeum, I'm sure he'd be pretty happy to see his cop drawings to have inspired fanfiction!

Speaking of which, pretty cool! I like the setting you came up with, and I'm hoping this'll develop into a thrilling police adventure and stuff.

[wolfofoblivion]

@wolfofoblivion
I normally don't read such long stories, but after seeing "OFF1C3R 4PPL3B3RRY" I couldn't refuse.
Welcome to the forums!
It was darn good really.

Only critique I can give is that at times you had spelling errors or missed a quirk.
But those are minor, and nothing big.

Thanks, glad to be here. I'm constantly amazed at how talented the community here is. After lurking for awhile and seeing all the cool projects and art that MSPA has spawned, I kind of felt like I need to give back to the story/community that I have come to love.

I'll be honest, the editing/proofreading on that bit I wrote lasted all but five minutes. My insomnia came back with a vengeance last night and I had to do something to fill the time. In fact, even though its 8:00 in the morning here, I'm still considering it to be last night. In the end, I really didn't have much in the way of energy left to read the huge wall of text I produced. I will try to be more diligent in the future though. Nobody likes half-assed manuscripts. Especially me.

I'm not sure if I'll keep up with the troll typing quirks in the dialogue though. That is requiring a considerable amount of effort to replicate.

@wolfoblivion: cool first post and cool story, please, continue.

Thanks, I'll run the string out a little more and see where this goes. The hard part will be getting me to sit still in front of a keyboard long enough to actually do so.

Ok, Tylenol PM, work your magic. Later all, thanks for reading.

[DJ-P0N3]

@wolf of oblivion
this will help with the quirks

[raequiem]

You guys must get sick of my GUSHING PRAISE ALL OVER THE THREAD ALL THE TIME. I'm sorry. But sometimes praise needs to be gushed with GREAT FORCE.

@Satai: Nice Davefic! The line about "youre the hero and i break stuff thats how it works" hurt my heart in the best way. Oh Dave, you angsty boy you.

@saras: GUHHH. Never stop writing.

@Ganato: Huge bitch bluh bluh Vriska is pretty good. Poor Sollux

@frolic: ... that may be the best interpretation of Cal ever. Makes me feel bad for the creepy piece of shit.

@wolf: AAAAA COPFIC! Needs more weewoo.

[/GUSH]

[Decker]

@decker: I'd rather read a dozen of Wigmund's Calfics than another fanfic like that. they would be less traumatizing.

I'll take that as a compliment.

[Katrika]

Wolf: That was AMAZING. I can't wait for the next part!

[Decker]

Wolf: That was AMAZING. I can't wait for the next part!

I am Katrika's echo.

[DeadBrain]

Demise

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You do not see.

You do not see the expression of everyone.

You do not see the blue headwear falling to the ground.

You do not see the dust that swirls in the air raised by force of the fall.

The only thing you can see is the monster in front of you, it's carapace (fur? flesh?) lit by the cracking energy. His blank white eyes, hid behind these black glasses.

And the green blood on the black blade, so contrasting like the reality itself rejected those to be near each other.

You do not hear.

You do not hear your own voice.

You do not hear the pleas and screams of everyone. These angry, worried, shocked, voices urging you no, no, no.

You do not hear your own footsteps, as you run.

You do not hear the faint sound of the blade swinging though the air.

The only thing you hear is the sound of cracking, so familiar to your ears, sound that has always made you uncomfortable. Sound that made you look at your arms, so many times before.

You do not feel.

You do not feel the pain. The feeling of cold metal, going through your stomach, your intensities.

You do not feel the blood moistening your shirt, making it cling to your chest.

You do not feel the force that slightly lifts you off the ground.

The only thing you can feel is the surface going under the pressure of your hands. And this time it is satisfying. The feeling of warm, red, blood, shining with energy, covering your fingers and knuckles, that go deeper and deeper into the flesh.

You do not see. The other trolls running.

You do not hear. The noise as the body falls to the ground.

You do not feel. As your back connects with the ground.

You see these eyes. Staring into yours. And you are happy to see them still lit by life.

You hear the voice, this voice that held you back so many times. Saying your name.

You feel the warmness of her hand as she touches your face.

And you do not. Feel. Hear. See.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Why have I even wrote this. That's way too many "You"s.

[Ganato]

Goodnight, sweet heir.

-Edit: Oh wow did I misunderstand the whole story?

[Wigmund]

@Nanakii, ceruleanTresses, Aerodactylus, mythmonster2, SkaianRedeemer,raequiem, twinTempo, QuetzaDrake, Raphaël Lafarge, and Ganato: Once again, thanks for the compliments. I do have to admit that I teared up while writing The Gift of Happiness. Of course, I get sniffly while watching sappy movies so that's not a hard thing to accomplish.

@SataiDelenn: Great story, now I can't wait to see what Dave does in-canon so we can see if he can go through with shanking himself or not.
@sarasvati: I liked that, it was confusing - but death/reawakening flashbacks should be.
@Ganato: oh no...did Vriska just manipulate ( not manipul8 ) Sollux into killing Terezi?
@frolic: Oh wow, that actually made me slightly sympathetic for Lil Cal. The terror of reliving the same thing over and over and over again...
@wolfofoblivion: Yessssss! You better write more Police Terezi/Sollux stories. Can't wait to find out who the body was.
@deadbrain: *sniff* Goodnight sweet Heir of Void. You've done your job and now you can claim your reward.

[Sionnan]

If I haven't said it yet, I just want to thank all of you guys who've been reading, and checked out my last fic. You guys are great.

I've kind of started on the birthday!fic that was suggested. However, I feel as if I might not be up to my usual standards, so I'm going to post a little of what I have here so far. That way I can brush it up and post the rest of it later, or just keep going with what I have. Any input/critique would be greatly appreciated.

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In his dreams, no matter what they were, everything smelled like ashes and sulfur. And just as his older brother looked over his shoulder, face bathed in that angry red like some weeping wound, his face began to gray under the crimson patina, and he opened his mouth to speak. Ashes scattered from his lips, clinging to his cracked lips and tumbling down his chin, as he said, "You know I'll always-"

"Happy birthday, Dave. Would you like to play a game?"

The low, distorted voice was the equivalent of shooting the morning from a canon. Dave bolted upright in bed, already fully awake before his eyes could correspondingly open. The Saw doll sat comfily at the end of his bed, wide, glassy eyes fixed directly on him, propped up by only God knew what. Its head was canted slightly, as if it really were waiting for a response.

Dave and the doll traded stares for a while.

Finally, when no other quip was forthcoming, he let out a gusty breath. Holy shit, that was the worst way to wake up ever. Except maybe for waking up with Cal sitting at the end of his bed. That pretty much would have sealed the deal between him and a potentially embarassing full bladder.

Okay, so he had to admit, that was pretty much a great shit your pants moment. Dave mentally credited his brother's creativity as he scrubbed his hands across his face, trying to shake off the lingering smell of nightmare fuel. As he shifted to get out of bed, the doll lolled off to one side, revealing that there was a plain brown box that had been serving as a prop, with a sheet of white paper attached.

Now halfway out of bed, Dave regarded it, and weighed the possibilities.

Generally, his brother had a really great sense of equilibrium. Scaring the shit out of someone could verge on the sadistic if you took it too far, and bro was acutely aware of that. On the other hand, Dave was pretty much used to this kind of treatment, so he was never really sure where his brother drew the line on this crazy fucking prank train. Option a.) this box was yet another prank, and housed something that would make Dave late for school because he'd peed on the rug like a puppy. Option b.) this box was actually a birthday present.

He hated these conundrums. If he guessed wrong, he felt stupid and vulnerable, or stupid and cynical. So there pretty much was no safe ground.

[Aerodactylus]

Man, every time I sit down and F5 this board, there's like three more cool fics to read! Ganato, I loved yours, and I can't wait to read more. I'm hoping Sollux figures out a way to subvert Vriska's plot though; I've become really fond of him recently for some reason. Wolf, same to you, looking forward to more, and welcome to the forums! Now if only I could find time to bang out the next part of my own fic...

Oh and Sionnan? Don't change a thing. I'm loving how Bro has trained Dave to be so acutely alert about something as seemingly innocuous as a birthday present. It says a lot about their relationship.

[Ember]

Satai, I love that! I really the "shrimp cocktail" bit because it is such a bizarre and emotionally inappropriate metaphor and thus very much like something that would spring from the Mind of Dave Strider. And that he has a mental voice for John — an obnoxious mental voice. I... actually really hope he does go through with it, though. Because I am a bad person.

Frolic. Haha, okay, wow. That is thoughtful and well-written and played completely straight which makes it so funny as well as more than a little sad and oh my God I think I love you for that.

[QuetzaDrake]

@DeadBrain Aw, heroic sacrifice by Equius. ;~; Poor strong guy... at least he was able to save her. :c

[Graven_Image]

So many people want more of what I did. So, I'll do more.


Half and Half

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You take her home, playing the song that has heralded your return to this house for going on a month. She's not in good shape.

She's thin, emaciated almost. The skin over her joints is gone, revealing that golden Prospitian metal underneath. Her entire jaw fared no better. How much of her is still human and how much was replaced with a laser battery is anyone's guess.

You set her down on the bed. She's got no problem falling asleep now. In fact, you're pretty sure she's been asleep since she stopped trying to convince you that she wasn't worth saving. Trying to get you to let her die.

But no. You have to keep her here. You have to oversee her recuperation. There's only 36 of you in this twisted parody of a battlefield. That's not nearly enough to begin sacrificing perfectly salvageable troops.

That's what your leader tells you, at any rate.

---

On a whim, you alchemize an album of yours with one of the strange regeneration potions the locals brew around here.

It tastes like cherry.

You hate cherry.

But the results can't be argued with. The alchemiter produces a single disc, with two purplish circles on the face as its only indentification. It happens to contain some of the most relaxing house techno you've ever heard. And it seems to be doing its job.

Her rejuvenation is not instant. But she starts getting better almost immediately. Her breathing steadies. She relaxes into the foam of the mattress a little more. She seems more at ease.

She sleeps for days.

---

You admit, you fell behind in watching her. Your sprite promised on its reasonable facsimile of a life that it would contact you the minute something went wrong.

So you forgot about her.

You and the other 34 debated on whose side to take. Derse was evil, by any standard, but Prospit...

Well, they had done this. And you couldn't just take that sitting down.

By the time your sprite told you she was waking up, you almost didn't remember she existed.

---

You play the song again, the music jerking you through space and back to your home. It's no different on the outside. That's good, right?

The first floor shows no differences, either. Nothing's come through here since you last did, almost two days ago. That music is still playing, three floors up.

Right now, you could be at any point in the last month. Nothing changes much. The imps have made sure to keep away from the tower ever since you offed the Denizen.

Man, that was, what, three weeks ago?

Your sprite floats down gently, landing on the tile with a soft THUD. It chirps.

In retrospect, throwing a boot at a particularly annoying killdeer while there was still a sprite floating around was not your best idea.

You ascend to the floor where her room is. You open the door, and there she sits. She's crying.

What she looks like was not what you expected. But you're not surprised.

---

There was simply not enough of her left. Before you exiled her, Diamont had filled her with this golden machinery. And now you see the extent of her operations.

The song couldn't simply rip out the metallic parts. That would kill her. But growing flesh over the metal would end up metabolizing too much of it, and she'd likely die of Iron poisoning.

So the song compromised. It couldn't remove the metal. But it could mold it.

The metal now covers her legs and hands, embellished with whorls and studs evocative of the symbol she wears. The metal itself is pure white, pearly in luster, almost the same shade of her robe, and eerily close to her skin, which has grown pale over weeks of staying indoors.

Her jaw was molded into a form as close to the original as possible. But it's still off-white and decorated with black lines.

What happened to me, she asks. Why aren't I back to normal?

You apologize. This wasn't the best outcome, you tell her. But it's as fixed as she's going to get.

---

She despairs for a time. She thinks she's ugly, that she's some Frankensteinian monster created as a byproduct of a misguided Archagent's scheming.

You think she's as beautiful as ever, but you wouldn't dare tell her that.

You wondered how much of her was metal and how much was human.

But now, you don't mind if she's just half and half.

[ceruleanTresses]

Half and Half

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You take her home, playing the song that has heralded your return to this house for going on a month. She's not in good shape.

She's thin, emaciated almost. The skin over her joints is gone, revealing that golden Prospitian metal underneath. Her entire jaw fared no better. How much of her is still human and how much was replaced with a laser battery is anyone's guess.

You set her down on the bed. She's got no problem falling asleep now. In fact, you're pretty sure she's been asleep since she stopped trying to convince you that she wasn't worth saving. Trying to get you to let her die.

But no. You have to keep her here. You have to oversee her recuperation. There's only 36 of you in this twisted parody of a battlefield. That's not nearly enough to begin sacrificing perfectly salvageable troops.

That's what your leader tells you, at any rate.

---

On a whim, you alchemize an album of yours with one of the strange regeneration potions the locals brew around here.

It tastes like cherry.

You hate cherry.

But the results can't be argued with. The alchemiter produces a single disc, with two purplish circles on the face as its only indentification. It happens to contain some of the most relaxing house techno you've ever heard. And it seems to be doing its job.

Her rejuvenation is not instant. But she starts getting better almost immediately. Her breathing steadies. She relaxes into the foam of the mattress a little more. She seems more at ease.

She sleeps for days.

---

You admit, you fell behind in watching her. Your sprite promised on its reasonable facsimile of a life that it would contact you the minute something went wrong.

So you forgot about her.

You and the other 34 debated on whose side to take. Derse was evil, by any standard, but Prospit...

Well, they had done this. And you couldn't just take that sitting down.

By the time your sprite told you she was waking up, you almost didn't remember she existed.

---

You play the song again, the music jerking you through space and back to your home. It's no different on the outside. That's good, right?

The first floor shows no differences, either. Nothing's come through here since you last did, almost two days ago. That music is still playing, three floors up.

Right now, you could be at any point in the last month. Nothing changes much. The imps have made sure to keep away from the tower ever since you offed the Denizen.

Man, that was, what, three weeks ago?

Your sprite floats down gently, landing on the tile with a soft THUD. It chirps.

In retrospect, throwing a boot at a particularly annoying killdeer while there was still a sprite floating around was not your best idea.

You ascend to the floor where her room is. You open the door, and there she sits. She's crying.

What she looks like was not what you expected. But you're not surprised.

---

There was simply not enough of her left. Before you exiled her, Diamont had filled her with this golden machinery. And now you see the extent of her operations.

The song couldn't simply rip out the metallic parts. That would kill her. But growing flesh over the metal would end up metabolizing too much of it, and she'd likely die of Iron poisoning.

So the song compromised. It couldn't remove the metal. But it could mold it.

The metal now covers her legs and hands, embellished with whorls and studs evocative of the symbol she wears. The metal itself is pure white, pearly in luster, almost the same shade of her robe, and eerily close to her skin, which has grown pale over weeks of staying indoors.

Her jaw was molded into a form as close to the original as possible. But it's still off-white and decorated with black lines.

What happened to me, she asks. Why aren't I back to normal?

You apologize. This wasn't the best outcome, you tell her. But it's as fixed as she's going to get.

---

She despairs for a time. She thinks she's ugly, that she's some Frankensteinian monster created as a byproduct of a misguided Archagent's scheming.

You think she's as beautiful as ever, but you wouldn't dare tell her that.

You wondered how much of her was metal and how much was human.

But now, you don't mind if she's just half and half.

...Is it messed up that I think the whole half-metal thing sounds awesome? If I were her, I would be like, "Aww, sweet! This is the coolest thing ever!"

Also, awesome fic. I really like the mechanic of using music to accomplish things!

[Graven_Image]

...Is it messed up that I think the whole half-metal thing sounds awesome?

Who said I didn't?

[Katrika]

Graven, that was beautiful.

[ceruleanTresses]

...Is it messed up that I think the whole half-metal thing sounds awesome?

Who said I didn't?

You do? Well that just makes the fic EVEN MORE AWESOME.

[Ganato]

Sionan: I've never seen Saw and I would probably still shit my pants if I woke up to that.
Bro, you sure have a weird way of showing you love him...
Really like the dillemma he has.
"Open the box. No wait, might be a trap. But what if it's not? Adkjashd."

Graven: Is this going to continue? 'Cause I think we're finally getting to know what this is about.
I clearly understand why this comes as a shock to her. I doubt it would be awesome just waking up and see that you're now part metal.
Also it would suck to be magnetic.

@Ganato: Huge bitch bluh bluh Vriska is pretty good. Poor Sollux

Indeed. And it's only going to get worse. Thanks for reading.

@Ganato: oh no...did Vriska just manipulate ( not manipul8 ) Sollux into killing Terezi?

Maybe, maybe not.

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Actually no, but someone is going to die.

Thanks for reading

Ganato, I loved yours, and I can't wait to read more. I'm hoping Sollux figures out a way to subvert Vriska's plot though; I've become really fond of him recently for some reason.

I'm guessing it's the fanfics. He's pretty much non-existant in the story as of right now. Thanks for reading and I hope you won't be disappointed.

[SataiDelenn]

Thanks for reading, all.

@Ember: Yeah, the inner John voice seemed to me something Dave would have for a few reasons. They're best bros but it's more than that, Dave knows that John is the "hero" who does the "best" thing in the "right" way, and Dave so often defines himself in terms of others despite his show of stoic independence. And from a reader perspective, John is the guy who changes people for the better without even really trying. That Dave's inner "wtf are you doing" voice would be John made so much sense to me.

@Graven: The idea of wielding music to fight, to heal and to travel makes me so happy. I love this.

Also, last night I finally caught up with reading all of Wigmund's karaoke series...including Nightmare. >_> go awaaaaaay cal aaahhhh no amount of interesting sympathetic cal writing will fix this

edit: whoa my 42nd post at 3:14 pm. How cross-media-auspicious.

[[S]: Senator Lemonscout]

The Gift Of Happiness

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"SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH ALL OF THIS?"
"All of what Karkat?"
"THE FUCKING FANCIFIED TREE, THE CREEPY SMILING FAT ASS IN RED AND ALL THOSE DAMNED COLORFUL BOXES."
"It's Christmas Karkat...well, it would be if it was December back on Earth."
"BLUH"
"Karkat?"
"WHAT?"
"What did I say about you screaming everything?"
"Oh...sorry..."
"And try to enjoy this. John, Dave, Rose, our parents and myself have put a lot of effort into making sure you all happy."
"Well...okay.
I'll give this a chance."

Jade took Karkat's hand and led him into the dining hall where everyone else was gathered. The others had already arrived and were waiting for the lollygaggers. Everyone was eager to open their presents.

Jade ran over to Mr Egbert and Mrs Lalonde to give them a hug, then she sat down with the other kids. Karkat made room for himself amongst the trolls who had clumped together far from the tree and the open fireplace. Well, except for Nepeta who had to be held back by Equius to keep her from scaling the evergreen covering in shiny ornaments and plastic bits.

The kids conversed amongst themselves and then called out to the trolls.

"Hey guys, we're gonna let you all open your presents first.
"Exactly, seeing as this is your first Christmas and we've had 13 of our own.
We want to see your reactions before we tear into our own gifts."
"And it's definitely not due to me still trying to wrap a gift over here."
"You had a week to get this done Dave...What the hell?"
"Shut up. I've been busy."
"Is that what you call all the time you've been spending with Terezi in y-"
"You two just shush up."
Jade bounded over to the tree and picked up a box covered in gray wrapping paper.
"Here Karkat, open your gift first."

Karkat eyed the package suspicously.
"Great, color-coded packages.
So...what do I do?"
"You tear the paper off and open the box you dunderhead."
Karkat flinched.
"Sorry."
He carefully took over the wrapping paper, taking pains to make sure to not rip the paper.
He folded the paper off to the side.

He then glanced at Nepeta who was eagerly eyeing the wrapping paper so he tucked the paper up underneath his seat.

He opened the box to find...

A stuffed doll...

That looked just like his lusus...

"Whuh...what the hell..."
"I know you were missing your lusus so I thought...
Why don't I create a stuffed version of him so you can be reminded of the happy times?"

Karkat looked at the stuffed Crabdad.
Then at Jade.

He placed the doll back in the box, got up and left the room.

"KARKAT! Wait a moment!"

She chased after him as the others buzzed amongst themselves.

"Oh shit Rose, are they all gonna react like that to their gifts?"
"I certainly hope not, we don't need twelve mopey trolls to deal with tonight.
All right, let's hand out the rest of these gifts..."

The other trolls opened their presents to find that they too had received stuffed versions of their lusci.

"Are...are you all okay with the gifts?"
"Terezi? You cool with the Lil' Dragon?"

They watched the eleven remaining trolls who had all clustered together clinging their lusci-dolls. The trolls looked at them and then started whispering to themselves.

Eventually Terezi walked forward to Dave.

"1 don't know why you 4ll d3c1d3d to do th1s for us..."
"Well, we noticed that you guys missed you lususeses..."
"Th3 plur4l you 4r3 look1ng for 1s "lusc1"."
"Oh, cool.
Well, we noticed that you guys missed them and we kids decided that we should get you all something that let you have them again in a way."

"We're sorry we fucked up your first Christmas..."

Dave looked away from everyone to covertly wipe away a tear. Can't let anyone see you get all soppy over this man. What would they think?

He looked back at Terezi and noticed light teal streaks running down her face.

"Terezi? You al-"
He was interrupted by the blind girl throwing her arms around him and nearly crushing him in a hug.
"Th4nk you D4v3. Th1s m34ns so much."
She sobbed into his shoulder.

The other trolls came up to the kids and hugged them while they clung to their new toys. Well, except for Equius.

Vriska grabbed John from behind and wrapped him up in an embrace so that he had her on his back while her luscus-doll was in front of him.
"Joooooooohn!"
"Yes Vriska? What's wrong?"
"You couldn't make my Mother 8igger????????
She deserves to 8e the l8rgest doll! She was the gr8est lusus ever!"
"I thought you really didn't care for her considering how you had to-"
"That doesn't m8ter! Don't I deserve the 8est!?"
John reached back and rubbed his hand in Vriska's hair, smiling at her while she whined in his ear.
"Sure babe, whatever you say."

He looked down at his feet to find two large yellow eyes beneath a blue hood staring up at him.
"Did I get your Pounce doll correct Nepeta?"
Nepeta was holding her kitty lusus doll in her mouth.
":33 < mmph mf mumble mmph"
"Huh?"
":33 < Oh sorry...
:33 < This kitty doll...it's...
:33 < It's the best gift efur John!"
Nepeta flung her arms around John's waist and sobbed into his shirt.

Rose watched John try to keep from toppling over due to the troll girls piling on him...and failing.

She started to giggle, but was interrupted by a soft cough behind her.
"Oh hey there Kanaya.
Is your Mother Grub doll to your liking?"
"Rose...
I Am..."
"You're welcome Kanaya. I'd figure you would like this.
It was quite difficult to knit that doll considering the unusual design compared to what I'm used to...scarves."
Rose giggled at her little joke. Kanaya just sat there and stared at the doll.

Then she turned to Rose.

And kissed her.

"Merry Christmas Rose."
Rose sat stunned for a moment and then returned the kiss.
"Merry Christmas to you too my love.
Now if you will excuse me just for a moment, I have to save John from himself."

Rose got up and went over to the pile John was buried under and pulled him out to safety. Kanaya smiled as she watched the human girl tried to keep Vriska and Nepeta from tackling him again.

Nearby, Sollux and Feferi had gravitated back to each other like they always do after thanking the kids for the wonderful gifts.
"Aren't these gifts just the GR--EAT--EST?!"
"Yeah. Maybe thiith luthuth wiill be eathiier to keep care off than my old one."
He held the two-headed doll out in front of him. He did miss that lummox didn't he?
"But who am II to carp about my giift. II don't thiink the kidth would appreciiate that."
Oh dear. Fish pun. He just had time to brace himself before Feferi tackled him and covered him in her lovely kisses.

Near the dogfishpile, Tavros and Aradia laughed and ran around as they tossed the doll versions of their long-missed lusci in the air. Aradia was particularly overjoyed because unlike the others, she didn't have a chance at a last reunion with a sprite version of her lusus. She was actually confused how they knew what her lusus looked like. She had forgotten herself.

Tavros noticed her look of concern.

"uh, What's wrong Aradia?
Don't like your gift?"
"Huh? 0h n0, I l0ve it.
I was just thinking ab0ut s0mething."
"umm, what?"
"H0w did they find 0ut what my lusus l00ked like?
I had f0rg0tten what she l00ked like myself.
It had been s0 l0ng...
I f0rg0t h0w much I missed her..."
Aradia wiped away the maroon tears that started running down her face. Tavros put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close.
"Actually Aradia..."
"What?"
"I told the kids what our lusci, umm, looked like."
"Y0u did? Then why are y0u s0 sh0cked t0 find the Tinkerbull d0ll?"
Tavros scratched his head and laughed.
"uhh...It's because I forgot about them asking."
Aradia smiled at the lovable lug and nestled in close to him.
"Silly thing."

"ChEcK oUt My OlD gOaT mY fUcKiNg BrO!"
Eridan flinched back as the sopor-addled clown shoved an amazing accurate rendition of his sea goat lusus into the sea troll's face.
"Wwhat the fuckin hell Gam. You don't havve to shovve it in my face.
I could see the fuckin thing just fine when you were over there."
Gamzee looked crest-fallen.
"Oh...I'm SoRrY mY pAl...
I jUsT tHoUgHt YoU nEeDeD a FrIeNd To BuLlShIt WiTh SiNcE yOu WeRe SiTtInG hErE aLl By YoUr LoNeSoMe..."
Eridan rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Oh fuck Gam. Don't get all fuckin wwhiny on me.
Sit down and 'let's bullshit'.
Gamzee wiped away a few lingering tears from the miraculous joy of receiving such a fucking awesome gift on this amazingly miraculous holiday.
"So Is ThAt YoUr LuSuS? I nEvEr SaW yOuRs BeFoRe."
"Wwhat the fuck, yes you did. Remember my awwesome and powwerful sprite?"
"Oh ShIt, YeAh! WeLl, NiCe To SeE wHaT yOuR sEa StAlLiOn lOoKs LiKe AlL NoNe-SpRiTiFiEd."
Eridan looked at the doll he was holding in front of himself and smiled...
"Yeah...yeah it is."

Dave managed to disentangle himself from Terezi and walked over to Equius who was sitting in front of the fire, just staring at his doll.
"So horsenuts, what do you think of your gift?
Or is it too foolish for you?"
Equius turned slightly towards Dave. Dave took a step back when he noticed the snot and tears running down the strong troll's face.
"D--> It is most certainly not a f001ish gift Dave."
"D--> In fact, it is the STRONGEST gift I've ever received."
Equius raised the doll in front of himself...well maybe doll isn't the right word considering it was made of the same materials as his robots.
It was a perfect representation of Aurthour...right down to the udders and mustache...in unbreakable metal.
"So I take it you like it then?"
"D--> Of course, lowb100d.
D--> And..."
Dave smiled at the now visibly upset troll.
"Yeah?"
Equius stood up and embraced Dave in a bear hug.
"D--> Thank you for this."
"Gah! What it! I might be tougher than you trolls, but you're still crushing my spine!"
Equius let go of Dave and put his arms behind his back. He was blushing as Dave tried to catch his breath.
"D--> I apologize for that outburst."
"No problem, now let's join the others before Terezi hunts me down over here."

Meanwhile, Jade had followed Karkat to his room.

The door was shut.

She knocked on it lightly.
"Karkat? You in there?
It's me, Jade. Can I come in?"

There was a moment of silence and then the door cracked open.

A puffy red face peeked from behind the door.

"Yes?"
"Can I come in?"
"I don't know...I..."
"Come on Karkat. Please talk to me.
Don't hide up here in your room.
It's Christmas. You shouldn't be this sad right now.
I don't want to see you this sad..."
Jade choked back some tears of her own.
"It hurts to see you this sad."

There was a sigh from the other side of the door and it opened the rest of the way.

Jade walked into Karkat's room and sat down next to him on his bed. She saw a small pile of tissues in the trash bin next to his bed.

"I'm sorry the gift upset you Karkat. That wasn't my intention.
I...
I just figured you would like a reminder of your old lusus.
You talked about him quite a bit, and it always sounded like you missed him..."
Karkat choked back some tears and sniffed loudly.
"And I...and I just thought that maybe if we made dolls of your lusci, that it would help a bit of the pain to go away."
Karkat looked at Jade who was now started to choke up.
"I didn't mean to ruin your Christmas Karkat...
I just wanted to make you happy...
Because it hurts me to see you so sad all the time..."
She cupped her face in her hands and started to sob uncontrollably.
Karkat shrank down a bit more.
"Don't cry Jade...
Please don't cry."
He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close.
"You didn't ruin anything at all."
He stroked her long hair as she cried into his shirt. It was getting rather wet.
"I...I can't thank you enough for your gift Jade.
She looked up at him with puffy red eyes. He smiled down at her despite his own tears.
"I was upset because I was reminded of all I lost back on Alternia due to that damned game.
But it also reminded me of everything I gained thanks to that same damned game."
He wiped his eyes and tried to keep from sobbing himself.
"You've given me the greatest gift ever Jade."
Jade wiped her eyes and sat up straight.
"What's that Karkat?"
Karkat looked around his room as he tried to figure out what to say. He knew what he wanted to say. But it just sounded so corny, just like something from his romantic flicks or those Christmas movies John had been forcing him to watch recently. He laughed a little at himself and then looked directly at the girl who was responsible for all of this.
"For the first time in my life..."
The tears started rolling again as he embraced Jade.
"I'm truly happy.".

No notes, I can't think of anything else to say right now.

; _ ;

wwaaaaahhhhhhhhh

[Wigmund]

Hey guys! Guess what time it is? If you guessed time for more happy, heartwarming fics - you're damned wrong.

Resolution

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It couldn't be true.

It can't be true.

Mr Egbert slumped down next to the mutilated body of his only boy. He reached out hesitantly in disbelief.

That body cannot be his son. This can't happen. They were safe here. The Demon was gone. There were no more threats left.

He rolled over the body and crawled back to the blood-soaked doorway in terror.

What kind of monster would do that to a child?

He curled up and started to weep. A caring hand caressed his shoulder. Mr Egbert looked up into the kind, caring face of the woman he had come to love since running into her during the game session. She gave him a pained smile and indicated that they should look for the others.

He had received the notice from the lead troll, Karkat, that there was an emergency meeting. But Mr Egbert and the other two guardians were asleep at the time and awoke less than a half hour after the message was sent.

How could he have slept through that. He could have done something for his son. He would have been there to protect them. He would have protected them all.

They left the horrible room after covering the remains of the two boys with some sheets. A small dignity after the obvious insults inflicted on their bodies.

Mr Egbert wanted to find the being responsible. Not even the Horrorterrors would be able to hold him back.

They made their way down the hall and entered the kitchens. Which is where they found Gamzee.

Another innocent lost to the monster's rampage.

Another series of dorms, another series of bodies. Tavros and Vriska. Both in their respective rooms. Both would be avenged.

A short distance down the hall from Vriska's dorm they found Equius....
or they guessed it was him if the body wasn't twisted beyond recognition.

Mrs Lalonde had pulled out her blaster by this point. Hass had joined them with his musket. Mr Egbert didn't need any weapons.

His rage would be enough.

They found the carnage in front of the rec lounge...and the horrifying scene inside.

The tunnels twisted and turned and the three guardians found themselves in the ecto-fluid resevoirs.

They heard a scream of terror from up on the catwalks and Mrs Lalonde got to watch in terror as her daughter fell to the dark influence of something just out of sight.

The guardians made their way up to the catwalks and tracked the gunfire to see Jade and Karkat fall...

And to see the foul puppet that belonged to Dave's Bro leering at their sinking forms.

The puppet turned to the three adults.

Its blood-stained face frozen in that horrible smile, arms and legs writhing like snakes.
HAA HAA
It wormed its way up the catwalk supports into the darkness above. Hass and Mrs Lalonde firing at the damned thing, but missing with every shot.
HEE HEE
The damned thing's haunting laughter echoed throughout the chamber as Mr Egbert clenched his fists in frustration and rage.
hoo hoo
The sound of warping metal announced that the thing had entered the air vents to escape this damned room.

Mr Egbert and Hass looked over the railing into the ectobiological fluid vat. Only a few strands of long black hair floating up towards the surface announced the horrible contents within.

Hass shuddered with grief. His granddaughter...
His flesh and blood due to paradox shenanigans...
gone.

He collapsed to his knees and leaned against his musket and cried openly.

It may have been unmanly, but there were times that excused this for the mighty.

Mr Egbert patted his uncle's shoulders and turned to look for Mrs Lalonde.

She was on her knees as well. But unlike Hass, she had the body of her young ward to grieve over.

Tears ran down the beautiful woman's face and she stroked the blonde hair of her little girl. Her hand jerked back when she brushed up against the needles that were...that were protruding...oh god, her little girl was gone.

Mr Egbert kneeled next to his love and cradled her as she shook with grief and rage. He hugged her and tried to comfort her.

But how could he? They had lost their children. Both their own and their new adoptees.

Hass had stood up and walked over to the two younger guardians. His grip on the musket was white with rage.

They would track down the puppet and destroy it.

It was the least they could do.

Mr Egbert and Mrs Lalonde looked up at the angry old man and agreed. There had to be a resolution to this.


They stalked the dark, twisting hallways of the asteroid. Searching for Lil Cal.

All they found was his haunting laughter and mockery.

Occasionally they'd see a flitting shadow at the periphery of their vision, but all they would find is the blasted remains of pipes and vents and walls after Lalonde and Harley would open fire with their powerful weapons.

They found that they were moving deeper and deeper into the core of the research station the trolls had fled to for safety.

Thick, foul dust covered everything. Undisturbed except for the rare squirming tracks left by the puppet as it led them somewhere deep in the dark.

Perhaps they had tread too deep.

But that didn't matter.

They had to stop the reign of terror.

Or die trying.

The hallway ended with a large, sealed vault door blocking their progress. Odd runes covered the door. Mrs Lalonde pulled a small computer from her pack and began to work her technological wizardry upon the Skaian technology. Mr Egbert and Hass Harley stood guard.

Nothing revealed itself.

Nothing but the mocking laughter as the tired angry woman worked her magic.
HOO HOO
The computer in Mrs Lalonde's hand beeped happily as she found the proper code to open the door.
HEE HEE
The three adults stood together as the vault opened.
HAA HAA
And revealed their quarry waiting for them.

They stood in awe as they took in what they saw.

There before them was the body of the Demon.

The foul thing's corpse was down here. How? They had watched it rot before their eyes after the kids and the trolls teamed up after crossing the Scratch.

Why was it in the core of the asteroid?

And why was the puppet feeding upon it?

Lil Cal looked up at the three adults and smiled at them.

Green energy coursed over the puppet's body.

"I guess the gig is up."
The puppet stood up straight and reached for the foul blade protruding for the corpse in front of it.
"Pity, I was enjoying reaping my vengeance upon those fucking brats."
No one could move as Lil Cal moved towards them.
"I truly wish you could have been there to watch your wards weep in terror as I killed them."
He shuddered in pleasure.
"It was quite wonderful."

Cal cocked his head towards Mr Egbert.
"I especially enjoyed killing your boy.
He wept like a small girl as I ate his eyes before he died."
Egbert's fists flexed. He wrenched a computer terminal from the wall within reach and threw it at the foul demon.

That broke whatever spell the puppet had over them.

The puppet moved to dodge the flying machinery only to find that Harley had it in his sights.

The musket blasted almost missed, but it shredded the puppet's legs.

"Dammit!"
Lil Cal started to pull himself to a nearby vent with his arms. He was still unnaturally quick.

But not fast enough.

Mrs Lalonde was waiting for him.

She placed her blaster between the puppet's shoulders and pulled the trigger.

Lil Cal screamed in rage as his head rolled away from its burning body.

"Damn you all you damned fuckers! I shall not be denied my venge-"

He didn't get to complete his hollow threats as Mr Egbert stomped on the puppet's head.

Bits of wood and plastic ricocheted around the room.

A ghostly green glow briefly filled the room and then faded away.


It was over.

The adults held each other and wept in grief and relief. Relief that this horrible nightmare was over. Grief over the loss of the innocent.

Mrs Lalonde wiped her eyes and told the two men that they should gather the bodies in the ectobiology chamber.

She left them to their grim task as she hunted through the station and found what she was looking for.

The shattered remains of the robot girl.

Mrs Lalonde carefully removed the memory core that the girl's spirit was locked away in by the malice of the puppet that chose her as it's first target.

She met Mr Egbert and Mr Harley in the laboratory as they finished hauling in the final bodies.

Mrs Lalonde had never tried this before. But this machinery worked miracles.

Maybe it had twelve more left.

Lights flashed as the ectobiology machinery got to work.

The twelve vats that contained the fifteen bodies and one computer core filled with fluid and pulsed with energy.

The three adults watched in anticipation.

The machinery wound down and the vats opened up.

Twelve bodies tumbled out.

Mr Egbert and Mrs Lalonde held each other as they watched the sixteen bodies on the floor.

They let out a sigh of relief as the first child twitched.

"Oh what the fuck happened?"
Dave stood up and stretched.
"What the hell are we doing in here?"
"Uh, Dave."
"What?"
"Cover yourself."
Dave looked down and realized that his third worst nightmare was coming true.
Karkat had propped himself up, pointed at Dave's shame and started to laugh.
Jade covered her eyes...and then realized that they were all in a similar situation and curled up to cover herself.
Terezi appeared behind Dave.
"Hmmm, 1 l1k3 wh4t 1 sm3ll h3r3."
She giggled in Dave's ear as his whole body turned a lovely shade of red.

Hass Harley brought down a supply of blankets so everyone could cover themselves.

"Does anyone remember what the fuck happened last night?
And how we all ended up in here? Nude?"
Karkat scratched his head as he looked around.

Then he froze.

"What the flying fuck is this?
Whuh?...who?...how?..."
He pointed at the sixteenth person.
"What in the w0rld is g0ing 0n?"

A/N:

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Welp, that's the end of the TerrorCal fics. He's dead and gone.

And Aradia is alive...along with everyone else.