Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

OoO

    The world was normal, people hung out with their family, friends or even acquaintances. Now the key word here is was, the world was normal, now it was completely different or at least for a few people in the world. 

   This past year had been hectic, stupid and downright depressing, for the Lyncans it had been the lose of their family, for the Ro'meaves it would have been Ein and what they did to them, while everyone else it was the backlash, the entirety of the mystreet was different, 

   Garroth and Zane stayed with Laurence, kim and their mom, Zianna while their dad, Garte was missing, Kawaii Chan often stayed with them but opted to stay with Aaron and Aph more. 

    The lycans mostly stayed at the hospital with Kawaii-Chan, waiting with Aphmau and Aaron whose memory was still partially gone. 

    Travis and Kaitlyn stayed with Dante and his older brother, Gene. Mostly keeping to themselves, they both brought pain to their friends and as much as they wanted to they couldn't forgive themselves, Lucinda often stayed with them as well but not all the time

OoO

    The shadowknight army stood in the nether staring up at the podium. Their leader a ghost, his physical body destroyed. They could see the outlines of his blood red eyes that matched everyone else's. 

    Gene stood upon the stand, "We have a ritual," He spoke loudly, "However, we need three things, a reincarnated soul, a relic and the soul of a relic wielder. We have no info on where to get these items only that we will gain them by any means necessary, anyone think of something we could use." 

  "Why don't we use someone from the future?" A voice rang out. A woman, blonde hair and bright green eyes, said, An elf. Gene could faintly remember her name. Alucard.  

    The crowd of Shadowknights, evidently confused but supportive throughout their own outcries of confusion. 

   "What do you mean by that?" Sasha commanded. 

  "I mean what I said, why don't we use someone from the future, if they're from the far future than don't you think someone would, I don't know who happens to be a reincarnated relic wielder?" She asked, her eyes staring right into Shads barely noticeable ones. "And, I assume the ritual will kill the person but why not the soul of... a traitor perhaps?" Her mouth twisted into a smirk. 

   "You seem to have an idea of who it should be." Gene nodded in her direction, "and May I ask how we would get this person from the future." 

    "Zane Ro'meave. A relic wielder and someone more than likely to be reincarnated. As a ex-elf I had many chances to go through many different types of magic, one being time travel." Many shadowknights agreed with her, "and... some have said that their teleportation spells brought them to the future, we can either use the time travel spell to attempt to teleport to Zane Ro'meave in the future." 

  "Which one costs less magic?" Sasha asked her curiously, a gleam shining in her eyes. She enjoyed watching magic work, even just to gain knowledge of it. 

  "The teleportation one, because you'd have control of the right year." Another shadowknight told them, this time with Raven hair and blue eyes. 

    "How long would the preparation take?" Shad mused, and loudly. His face easily able to be seen. A grin struck on his face. 

   "A day, but you need to gather 'normal' clothes, unless you plan on kidnapping." The raven haired knight said again. The blond elf nodding as if agreeing. 

    "If you don't need to pack we can start the spell now of people of our Lord's choosing, including myself." The blond elf said. 

   "Gene, Sasha, you and myself shall go, I'm leaving Zenix in charge," Shad told them floating over to the elf. 

OoO

   "Ready?" She asked them, Gene nodded. She raised her hands, "hold on to each other." They each held each other by the hand, while  Gene placed his hand on her shoulder, gripping hard. 

   The magic started to work, come on, Zane Ro'meave. She thought closing her eyes hard. She felt the wind blow past her and 

CRASH. 

    They landed outside a house, it was larger than most of the houses in the overworld but not to big. "Here we are," she panted, "he should be here. I made sure we're invisible to anyone looking, we should go in, go out as quick as possible." Sasha grunted making her comment noted. They each got up, Shad looking more human like that the ghost form he had before. 

  "There is so much magic here, the untapped potential this land has.... its extraordinary." Shad grinned, his eyes gleaming with possibilities. "This place reeks of relics for an odd reason." 

   "Lets go," Gene told them motioning to the house. They silently entered the house, laughing being heard from the other room. 

  They each looked at each other and nodded, to somehow get inside the room would be a miracle. 

   Thankfully someone opened it, just the person they were looking for, Zane Ro'meave. 

    Zane looked odd to them, he had a smile on his face, no mask which was unusual, they could see freckles all over his face, a shirt that had one long sleeve on his right side the other one only going partially off his left shoulder. His sweater was dark blue and he had the same colour shorts. He was also carrying a bag with what seemed to be another set of clothes and an odd box with his name in light blue writing on the back in his other hand. 

   This was a perfect chance, they followed him outside where they waited by a weird metal machine and a few cans of something Alucard didn't want to know of. 

     Alucard pushed over one of the trashcans making a loud noise, Zane looked behind him, before waving goodbye to whoever what inside, he closed the door and headed towards the can picking it back up and placing it back where it was, he looked around attempting to see an animal of some sort or something which could have knocked over the bin, he felt someone grab his arm before his surroundings were distorted, his mind blanched, he had half a mind to hit the person holding onto him but stopped and subdued himself, whenever it was common sense or even just shock of what was happening, 

   He felt the person's arm move so he was holding him by the hood, he looked down and the ground wasn't under his feet.

  "Put me down!" Zane yelped, he kicked futility, fear in his eyes. "If this is a joke I'm not laughing!" 

   "None of this is a joke, now, shut your mouth before I cut off your tongue." Gene snapped. Zane just stuck it out at him mockingly. Gene growled at him, glaring. Sighing Gene placed him down on the ground holding Zanes arm in place so he wouldn't run. 

    Their surroundings were bright and green, a castle was only a little ways away, it glowing bright and vibrant. Shoot Zane thought, this was giving him starlight vibes all over again, this couldn't be mystreet and the outfits that Gene gave it away, this is the past, but how far back are they. For Gene to be alive it shouldn't be that far he was only four years older than him. 

    "The soul of a relic wielder, and a reincarnated soul in one, now all we need is a relic." Gene said, bored. 

     Shoot, Zane thought, at least it was good they didn't known about him being a relic. But what were they talking about. "What the hell are you talking about Gene, Reincarnation? relic wielder? I'm none of those, none. Whats a relic while I have time to ask." He rolled his eyes, playing it off. He heard that term before, relic wielder, Aphmau was one, her wielding Aaron, Lucinda and himself was proof of that claim, but for him, for Zane Ro'meave, the least noticed son in the Ro'meave family, to be a relic wielder, Absolutely impossible. 

    Gene looked at him as if he were stupid. Zane just sighed, "well it's obvious this is more than 100 years before I was born, dude." Did I just call him dude? I'm turning into Dante, he thought horrified before continuing. "Either they don't exist anymore or.... its a super old term that no one uses ever. The way your dressed in considering the later option." 

   "Did you just call him old?" Someone else asked, Sasha, she looked at him amused, her eyes normal but tinted a red colour. She was also wearing a weird red coloured armour piece. 

"Yeah, I did. Do you see what he's wearing, everyone knows that cosplaying as a demon is old as heck." Zane complained. "And its Gene, he is definitely older than me, and he looks even older for some reason, what are going into your Forties?" He teased honestly. 

   Someone else close by laughed, he looked around trying to spot anyone else, but to no avail. A ghost? He thought worried, Lord Enki knows how much trouble ghosts have been giving him. 

    Someone picked him up by the hood again, Lord Enki! Whoever picked him up was tall and strong as heck. He struggled but failing, "put me down!" He yelled. Gene had let go of his arm the moment his hood moved. 

   "I think we won't need to find anyone else to resurrect my body. I knew Zane was odd but,  A relic wielder, a reincarnated soul and a relic." The ghost grinned maniacal. 

   "What are you talking about, Relics? Reincarnation?" Zane looked at him honestly confused, acting as though he had never heard the term before, all he has to do is think of a time before the incident which was only a few weeks ago. As he told Aphmau a long time ago, He was a good liar. 

   "A relic is a weapon people, Relic users use to fight, it enhances their ability to fight, much like potions or training except at a level people wouldn't ever reach with only training or potions." The ghost explained looking him in the eye. "Now we'll only need you for a couple days, time works differently here than it does where we got your from. A week here would be a day there, no one will notice you gone." 

    "And all I have to do is stay put and I can go home?" Zane asked, "Seriously, if you needed help all you had to do is ask, Lord Enki help me." He sighed, "Fine. Just put me down, you're freakishly tall and I don't like being carried and what about the reincarnation part of this." 

   The ghost looked at him, his face asking, 'are you serious?' Gene stopped talking to Sasha before the both of them looking at him in the same way. "What? It be rude not to help someone, and it's obvious even if I do decline you already kidnapped me and thus can literally do whatever and I honestly can't fight. All I want is information on what your talking about, I don't like being left put of conversations." He said honestly, shrugging his shoulders. 

    The ghost placed him down on the ground still confused. "You're being serious," he said making Zane blink.

   "Why wouldn't I be." 

   "We know the other version of you, the one who your soul was reincarnated from. You are different. Very different. Its weird," Gene said making Zane sigh. 

   "Weird has been my entire year this year. So? Do you want me to follow you or where are we going?" Zane said making them get out of their stupor, the ghost laughed maniacally. His smirk going unnoticed. 

Chapter Text

    Zane followed the quartet throughout the entire fortress, only one question in his mind, "where's the kitchen?" He smiled awkwardly, when the four looked at him he explained, "I like cooking. It's fun." 

   The four took it in stride, though Gene had a look of surprise before shaking it off, more than likely remembering this was a different Zane. 

   "I guess we'll go there after the dungeons," Gene shrugged. 

    "You guys have a dungeon?"

    "Yes we do," Gene sighed. 

   "That's kind of cool." 

   Gene looked at him dumbly, restraining himself from laughing, "Okay?" 

OoO

       "I honestly think I would feel bad if we actually killed him and not turn him,  Which is odd." Gene muttered narrowing his eyes at the middle Ro'meave who was absently humming a little ways ahead of them. 

  Shad nodded, "One thing I'm confused about is the fact he's a relic and he didn't even know." 

  "He could have been lying," Sasha said walking close to Gene.

   "To have fooled me?" Shad asked, "that would take years of practice, though he may have been lying about the fighting part."

    What they didn't notice was the outlines of someone close to them  disappearing into the overworld. 

Sasha left, she needed to tell Laurence and Zenix about Zane. She took Alucard with her, pushing her up the fortress stairs. 

OoO

    "So whats the deal with the ritual," Gene stopped, he closed his eyes and sighed. 

"What do you want to know?" He asked. 

"Will it kill me?"

"No," Gene said unable to look Zane in the eye. Zane didnt notice, he was to busy looking at the lava. The way it moved, it looked like the slime that people made in the DIY videos. 

 "Is the lava real?"

"Yes, dont fall in."

"Hm, I'll try." Zane muttered dryly, a glint in his eye, he had the urge to ignore what Gene said and put his hand in before stopping. "Oof," he blurted out. 

"Pardon." 

"Hm?" 

"You said.. Oof?" Gene asked, confusion radiating off of him. 

"Yeah," 

"What...? What does that even mean?" Gene cried out, his voice echoing through the Nether. 

"No idea," 

"No idea? Like none at all."

   "None, i think its from a game, no idea, Vylad started saying it and now its stuck in our vocabularies." 

"Really?" 

    "Yeet, The world is screwed up in our time," Zane said before stopping himself. "We call fireplaces Enslaved heat." Gene covered his mouth looking Amused. "Or at least the internet does," 

"Enslaved heat?" Zane nodded. 

    "I mean, water bottles are enslaved moisture and ACs are called domesticated wind for some reason." Zane rolled his eyes, "the future is messed up, and the whole, I'm gonna destroy the earth and people getting possessed but that's normal." 

     "Possession is normal," Gene wondered quietly, Zanes ears perked up before answering, "Yep, and potions, though I like how you took possessions as normal and not the whole I'm gonna destroy the earth thing out of that." 

  "People wanting to destroy the earth are normal." Gene said stopping. 

   "Amen to that." Zane muttered still walking behind Gene, until he stumbled into his back before stepping back and apologizing, "sorry!" 

   "You should really watch where you're walking." 

  "Maybe," he replied easily to Gene. Zane looked up, "Is that the dungeon," 

"It is," 

"It's not as you know, standoffish I thought it would be." 

"Really?" Gene asked. 

 "Really, I've seen a few dungeons. Or well, one." Zane said thinking back to the dreaded cabin, 

   Zane shook his head. He tried not to think of what happened. Worse month, or was it week of the entire year, it beat having family dinner. Those sucked, one thing he could do without, even though he loves his family, those dinners will be the death of him. It's nor his fault he can't keep a job longer than two weeks. Though he doesn't need a job anymore, seeing as their lives are paid for thanks to the guardian forces after the starlight incident. 

  When he first walked in he had to sweat drop, 'Dad?' He questioned his mind, he couldn't really say anything seeing as Gene was here, but Zane knew, it was his dad, his freaking father in a dungeon, he sighed before groaning, 'mom's going to kill us,' he thought horrified. 

  Their eyes locked onto each other, "Zane?" Garte mouthed making Zane fiddle with his pockets before smiling nervously. 

   "The kitchen," Gene intercepted smoothly, "is through the next door," 

  "Still not as decorative as I thought," Zane replied, Eye peering at his father who decided to question what was happening. 

   "Not everything can be as you thought it is." Gene said making Zane sigh wistfully as they walked out, "yeah, then I'd be sleeping right now," 

OoO

    Garte looked at where his son, his son had been minutes ago, he had no idea how Zane had got here seeing as the way he got here was well, unable to be gone through again, he made sure of that. 

   It's why he was here and not a shadow knight, because he destroyed one of the only ways out which was being slowly smaller. The amount of portals could be counted with one hand now, and they had no way of getting out besides them. 

  He groaned before looking at the others in the cages, "anyone up for poker?" He asked pulling out a deck of cards, a few hands went up, he smiled, it was always boring in here. But... he knew how to make it fun. 

OoO

"It's not bad," Zane shrugged. 

"Do you always have big standards,"

"No, just for kitchens," Gene started at Zane with a 'are you being serious" face, "and dungeons." He added hastily, "Can't forget dungeons." 

Gene nodded, "You can't forget the dungeons." 

    "But seriously, what do you even have in here," Zane asked before opening a cupboard and coughing waving the dust away. With no mask on the dust got in his nose, sometimes he missed wearing a mask, others..... not so much. "Flour, Sugar," he read off, "corn starch, do you have vanilla?... Oh! Nevermind, there's some here." Gene sighed for what seemed like the millionth time today, Zane was annoying, he'll leave it at that. 

    "Do you have an oven?" He asked getting a blank stare, "am I allowed to go near the lava?" 

"Why?" 

   "How do you bake without an oven?" He asked getting no answer. 

 ".....whats an oven?" He asked making Zane fall over. 

  "Ya know, to cook food?" 

"A fire?"

"I'm never trusting you to bake."

Chapter Text

     "They've done something unforgivable, they tampered with Zanes soul." The ghost of Janus said. 

   "What are you talking about, Zane is dead." Kaitlyn's eyes squinted towards the ghost. 

   Janus craned his neck, "No, other Zane. Future Zane." Janus's eyes brought back memories, the anger that Kaitlyn saw in them made her hair stand on end and her body shiver. "They're going to use him for a ritual and then turn him into a shadowknight." 

   "He already is a shadowknight." Kaitlyn rebutted. 

   "No!" Janus said firmly, "It's not this Zane, it's his reincarnation. Get anyone to help, I wouldn't even care if it were the green eyed shadowknight that hates him, They're going to kill him and they have everything they need." 

   "What's this ritual you speak of? And what do they need for it?" Kaitlyn asked worried. 

  "To bring Shads body back again. They need the soul of a relic wielder, a relic and a reincarnation. But not any relic one not attached to someone already or else they would have had that, they needed a relic that no one could use, case in point they already have it." The ghost sighed, "they're going to do the ritual on the full moon in a couple days, and you need to get Zane away or else Shad is going to have a body, and you may not win this time." 

Oh, Kaitlyn was definitely going to tell lady Aphmau about this. Definitely 

OoO

     Kaitlyn breathed in, the info she had gotten didn't seem right, Zane was dead, and now he was back. But, No, Zane is dead, this is another Zane, Janus, had said so himself, this Zane was Zanes reincarnation, much like how Aphmau was Irene's reincarnation. Oh how she wished she could explain it properly in her mind. 

    She sighed deeply, what a predicament, she motioned her officers, "I need a boat to Phoenix drop, Immediately!" 

   "Well get one right away, Lady Kaitlyn." One of her men scrambled off. What a prediction indeed, "I also need a messenger fairy!" She said afterwards, her voice firm and loud. 

   "Got it, Lady Kaitlyn." Another said. "Someone get me Vylad Ro'meave and Garroth Ro'meave." Thank god the both had stayed in BrightPort to stay with their mother, their mother! "And Lady Ro'meave!" Another knight ran out as quick as possible. 

OoO

     The three Ro'meaves has gotten there quickly, worry in their eyes. "What's wrong Kaitlyn?" Garroth asked her, his blue eyes shining. 

   She breathed in deeply, her face contorting into a grimace, "Zane." She said, turning around. Behind her on the wall was notes, many notes, each one a word bolded, the same word, The Nether.

   "What are you talking about," this time it was Lady Ro'meave. Regret was something that was always in her tone when talking about Zane. 

   Kaitlyn looked at her, her eyes blank, as if it were pointless. "Earlier this morning Janus came into my room to tell me some information, Zane's reincarnation was brought from the future to the Nether, and here's the kicker," her eyes showed pity, "they're planning on using him for a ritual, one to bring Shad back, and according to Janus , they plan on." She stopped, seeing their eyes, the pure emotions coming from them. "They plan on turning him into a shadowknight." 

    "Isn't he already a shadowknight though?" Vylad asked worried, but anger was on his face. 

  "According to Janus, No he's not. In Fact he's unaware of what Shadowknights are, he called them gang. Some more useless information Janus gave is that he's definitely younger than our Zane, maybe take 5-10 years off." 

   "He's completely unaware or what they are." Vlayd asked unconvinced. 

  "Completely," Kaitlyn said to Vlayd. "He agreed to help them because he thought they were nice people. Even though they, 'kidnapped' him they seemed nice enough, that he..." she stopped again this time laughter was on her face and she spoke with a smile, "called Gene old, Shad 'Freakishly tall,' and told them 'weird has been my entire year.' Before following them, or thats at least what Janus heard before he was almost spotted." 

   "You're being serious," Garroth asked dumbfounded, his eyes widened slightly. She nodded, a smile, a sad one, still on her face. 

      She sighed once again, something she seemed to do a lot recently, "We have a Ro'meave to save." She said finally, looking at all three of them, "I have a boat ready for us to all go to Phoenix Drop to gain supplies and the Nether portal, we are going to inform Lady Aphmau with a messenger fairy. I just need help preparing it." 

Chapter Text

I do not own Aphmaus' series' Minecraft Diaries nor do I own Mystreet. 

200 Hundred years or so in the future.

    Gene sighed slamming his head against the table, everyone was boring. His absently noticed the sounds of Travis and Dantes loud yelling as they played Mario Kart. He groaned, everything was so loud, he looked around for something to do when he noticed Lucinda carrying boxes. Shrugging and hoping to get away he nodded to her, "yo, need help?" 

   "Please," she said, she had bags under her eyes. She must not have been able to sleep, he absently wondered if anyone was able to sleep well, with what happened be doubted it. 

  "No luck with your magic?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. He was worried, he thought back to Aphmau and Aaron's faces in the hospital, they were so strange, tense and worried, as if someone was going to attack them, even with Aaron's memories gone he seemed to know that he wasn't safe. 

     "None," Lucinda looked down at the ground, "it’s as if it never existed, nothing I do works, it's just Flat as if it can't wake up." He could see her shoulders tense and her eyes glaze over, she blinked trying to stop herself from crying. 

      "Bummer," he muttered before grabbing one of the taller crates, "here." He smiled, and started moving to the stairs leading to the basement. Oh my Irene this thing is heavy. He stumbled slightly stopping himself, he looked around the crate and slowly walked down again, he ignored Lucinda's slight giggle as they both carried the crates down. "So what's in here?" He was a little happy that she was feeling better, he let out a small laugh as well. 

     "Just a few potions, I need to save them, Seeing as I can't do magic anymore," she slouched, the tenseness returning making him sigh, "I can't make potions as well." 

    Gene narrowed his eyes slightly before offering a small smile instead, "Hey, don't worry. Your magic will come back, I'm sure it will." 

   "Like Aarons' sight and memories or Zanes' Impulse control and the fact he can't focus on anything for long periods of time," she snapped at him, some of the tension she was holding left. "I stole a cupcake from him and not even an hour later he forgot about his grudge! An hour Gene! You know him, he loves cupcakes! He would swear revenge on someone for a cupcake, and he forgot, I can't live happy knowing I Can't do magic anymore! Okay!" As she said that one of the glass vials in Genes container broke from the inside out, it breaking caused many more to shatter and the crate imploded the contents of the bottles onto Gene, 

   Lucinda reached out to where Gene was, her  anger fading and nothing. The crate smashed to the ground, She blinked, "Gene?!" She yelled loudly. "Gene! Where are you!?" She nervously looked around the basement, "Dante! Travis! Gene's gone!" 

     A few crashed came from upstairs but she ignored them, panic sunk in, where could he be, he could be in danger, dead or worse, being held captive all because she. She stopped, what happened, was it? Did she have her magic back? Did she...? Cause Gene to disappear, she didn't mean to, she just got angry. 

     "Lucinda! What happened, what do you mean Gene's gone?" Dante looked worried, he had a right to be. 

    "I..." she froze, "I got so angry and I lashed out then the bottles exploded and Gene disappeared, I don't know what happened, he could be hurt." Her body trembled, she felt someone grab onto her making her freeze, Dante was hugging her. 

   "Hey, don't worry, he's my brother, He'll be fine." 

     That did nothing but worry her more.

                                OoO

     200 years or so in the past,

      Gene groaned rubbing his head when he felt the metal that he sat on. Slowly he opened his eyes, well this isn't the basement, he thought to himself. Looking below he saw someone underneath him, he scrambled up before kneeling down and shaking the body over, Brown hair brushed in front of his face, is that? "Vylad?" 

    Green eyes opened looking at Gene before he felt a sword be pushed up against his neck. He jumped backward pointing accusingly at him, "What the heck was that for!" His other hand went to his neck which thankfully didn't get injured, he shivered. 

     Gene grumbled, raising his hands. Vylads eyebrows raised, "What..? Are you doing?" 

  "Surrendering," he said dryly, making Vylad narrow his eyes. 

   "Why?"

"You have a sword!" Gene accused, eyes staring right in the green blade in his hands. 

   "And you don't?" 

 "No I don't!" Gene yelped, eyes widened, "Why would I have a sword? They're dangerous!" Knowing his luck he would stab someone, most likely himself. 

    "Pardon?" Vylad asked, Gene is a shadowknight, he always has a sword on him, or at least he should, unless, he widened his eyes, he's trying to trick me.

   "Are you mocking me?" 

  "No?" This wasn't right, why was he asking that, wasn't he the one mocking him. By Esmund, couldn't they have a normal day, where Zane wasn't from the future and now Gene was acting like a brat. 

  "Yeah, right. "Gene muttered sarcastically before asking, "so... where are we?" 

  "Brightport." Vylad said. Vylad looked at him, like really looked at him, his choice of clothing was odd, a flannel overcoat and a white shirt, he had cargo shorts on, and running shoes, something Vylad didn't know the name of. He looked the same age but his eyes held an innocence Vylad has never seen before. 

  "That doesn't help!" Gene snapped, Brightport? Where was Brightport? He's never heard of a Brightport. 

   "You know what, you just follow me," Vylad snorted, notioning through the door, Gene followed.

      Zanes younger brother had a sword, and swords are dangerous.

                                 OoO

    Katelyn felt her heart drop when she saw Gene alongside Vylad in her office. "Vylad?" She asked, worry in her voice. 

"He says he's lost," 

  "Wow," Gene said looking at her, "Is that Katelyn? She looks so different, I'm gonna guess the hair? Wait! No it's the outfit," he decided, nodding, his eyebrows twitched up, before admitting, "your boyfriend is loud.” It was the only time he had to get this off his chest. And Oh boy, did it feel good. 

"Boyfriend?"

"Travis." He shrugged nonchalantly. 

"We're not dating." Katelyn said, hand over her mouth. The day she argued with Gene over Travis being loud, that was a day she's never expect to exist. 

  Gene raised his eyebrows, "Really?" 

"Yes?" She said, plainly confused. 

  "That was a question," Gene noted, "Anyway, your 'not boyfriend' is really loud." He told her using air quotes when he said the ‘not boyfriend’ part.

     "You've seen him?"  Travis was in Phoenix Drop last she's seen of him. It wouldn't make sense for him to be here. 

"What are you talking about?" He asked flippantly, "We live together." 

   Katelyn froze as Vylad watched them, she breathed in heavily, "What is the year?" She asked him. 

  "Its 20**," they both froze when he answered, Vylad looked Katelyn in the eye, who stared back. 

     "What?" Gene asked, 

  "What if we told you, you aren't in 20**." Katelyn questioned slowly, not knowing how he would react. 

    "Lucinda," he groaned, shoving his face in his hands. Katelyn blinked, he was taking it surprisingly well. 

    "Are you okay?" 

  "No, my brothers probably worried, and I dont have my phone on me and, I'm supposed to meet up with Zane and Kawaii-Chan later, and we were going to go to the hospital." Vylad shrunk slightly at Zanes’ name. 

   "Zane? You two are friends?" She asked, 

     Gene shrugged, "no idea, were more like mutual acquaintances who have seen the cringiest part of each others life." 

  "Pardon?" Katelyn asked. 

  "We were 'friends' in highschool." He said putting his fingers in air quotes. "Well more like I bullied him and He liked me. Weird I know." 

   "Why is that relevant?" Katelyn asked. 

   "Its not really, he's nicer, now that he doesn't have self esteem issues." 

 Katelyn sighed before pinching the bridge of her nose, "And what does Lucinda have to do with this?" 

   Gene's eyes widened in realization, "Lucinda has her magic back!" A grin fresh on his face, his eyes shining, before falling flat another realization hitting him, he felt the urge to scream.  "Kawaii-Chan's gonna be waiting at the café!" 

F*ck

                                  OoO

     Back in the Future,

      Kawaii chan stood alone in the Café that Zane, Gene and her were supposed to meet up in. 

      She sighed covering her ears, she fumbled into her bag and grabbed her phone. No answer, neither Zane or Gene were answering. Did they ditch her? She asked herself before shaking her head, no, neither of them would skip without a real excuse... unless. 

   Quickly she dialled a number. No answer, she retried, "Hello?" A voice asked on the other side. 

   "Garroth! Thank Irene," she smiled gleefully, "Where's Zane? And do you know where Gene is?" 

   She could hear a little clatter on Garroths' side of the call. "What?" He asked, "Zane left Twenty minutes ago, he said he wanted to be early." 

   She looked around, "I don't see him anywhere and he won't answer his phone. What about Gene?" 

    "I think I heard Something, uhh, Oh! Yeah! Lucinda teleported Gene away somewhere and they're looking for him." 

Kawaii-chan frowned, "What about Zane?" 

   "Huh? Did you call him Zane?" Garroth asked his voice muffled, "anyway, I'll try and get in contact with him, and If he doesn't answer I'll look around to see where he could be. Call if you hear anything." 

   The call ended and she sighed in relief. 

Chapter Text

200 Hundred or so year in the past, Two days after Gene's appearance in the past. 

     The rocky waves crashed upon the ship. The rain dropped onto the ship pelting on the sailors, "Lady Kaitlyn," one of the guards said, "We are to be in Phoenix Drop in a matter of hours." 

   "And of the storm?" She asked, head held high. 

   "It shall pass in a matter of hours," the knight replied looking towards the sky. "Maybe thirty minutes, or so." 

   "Good," she nodded, Gene was looking out at the sea with discomfort in his eyes, she stalked towards him, smiling at him, "you okay?" 

    "No, not really...." he sighed, putting his head in his arms. "My brother is older than me and has kids, I don't even know what to say." 

  "Then don't," she said evenly, "Dante focuses on actions more than words, one thing I've learnt is to show you care and dont tell him." 

   Gene slowly raised his head, "really?" A soft tone of amusement in his voice, when she nodded he let out a sigh of relief, "I wonder what they look like?" 

    "There's Nekoette-Chan and Demitri. They both have Dante's hair, Nekoette-chan's less vibrant and more lighter but blue nonetheless." 

   Gene smiled, "they sound...." He lead off. 

  "Odd?" Kaitlyn prompted. 

   "Wonderful." He decided, "I've always wanted more family." 

   "Really?" 

  "Yeah...." the smile stayed, it turning more soft, "I always thought of adoption." 

   "Really?" She asked, the way he acted confused her, still some things were adding up, even if it wasn't clear, it was sending out a sign. 

   They stood there ignoring the rain and watched the horizon, nothing else to do. They shared awkward looks, "yeah." Gene said lamely. He wasn't one to share things but ...this time he didn't mind it. 

OoO

200 hundred years in the past. Or so at least.

     Janus looked back at his door. He sighed, idiots, he shook his head. He enjoyed helping Zane, in both worlds, but sometimes, sometimes he could be an idiot. He froze, shoot, if this went the way it was heading than ... his heart stopped, he clenched it in pain, he gasped. 

    A power he hadn't felt in a long, long time erupted from his chest. Shoot, he bolted up before running out the door and slamming the door behind him. All pains forgotten. The blue glow began to fade as he jumped into his car and drove to the café he remembered Zane talked about. 

   He had to get there, and find the pink haired  meifwa' and the Ro'meave brother or else ... lets just say the end was among us. 

OoO

      He coughed as he ran into the café, exhaustion seen on his face, he looked around attempting to look for the meifwa. 

    A glimpse of pink caught his eye, he walked over in stride before sitting down, the meifwa was fiddling with her phone worry in her eye, she straightened with a confused look in her eye, "uh, sorry?" She questioned, "I'm waiting for a few friends of mine." 

  "I know," he claimed, "they're..." he lead off. 

    She froze worried, "are you saying you kidnapped them?" 

  "No!" He recoiled back, "I didn't kidnap anyone, I'm Janus, Zanes' friend," he introduced himself, "you're Kawaii-Chan right?" She nodded, eyes narrowed, he groaned, "don't know how to say this but they're in the past." 

    "The past?" What kind of idea was that? Is he playing a prank on me?

   "Yep," oh my Irene, he's being serious!

   "And you expect me to believe that?" Is he though? I actually thought back to the past few months, now that she actually thinks about it, time travel isn't that far fetched. 

  "Yep," he grinned wickedly, humour lacing his voice. 

   "How?" She questioned, peering at him.

    "Short story or long story?" He asked, he didn't really know what to say. 

  "Short." A shorter story was one easier said, Kawaii-chan thought as she looked away. 

   "Shadowknight Gene kidnapped Zane for a ritual to bring back their god, Shad. While Gene?" He sighed, "he was teleported after Lucinda got angry and a potion exploded." 

      Kawaii-Chan blinked, her mouth agape. "And how do you know this?" 

   "I'm Janus." He said as if it made any sense, 

   "I know, what does that have to do," 

   "The two faced god. Also known as The god of time," she froze, "I can make a portal but only one person can go through, and it takes a few days to recharge," 

  "How?" She questioned, 

    "Through a doorway," he said sarcastically, " I'm also the god of doorways. I could try two people but they might not be sent to the right time. And from what I know it will take a little while to get to Zane." 

   "Can you send me?" She asked, leaning forward. 

   "When?" He replied easily, he figured this would happen. 

  "Right now," she said firmly. Her voice held strong unlike what he imagined before hand. 

  "No supplies?" He asked her if she went without supplies than she was as good as dead. 

   "Fine, I'll get supplies and food and...." she stared him in the eye, "you're coming with me." 

  "I told you, I can only make a portal for one person," 

  "I meant to my house so I could get stuff, and then in a few days you can send someone else, right?" She prompted, a smirk laid on her face slightly. 

    Looking at her he froze. "You and Zane would have been great friends in highschool, if you acted like this." 

    She shrugged, "we're friends now." He let out a small laugh, of course they were, "I have to pay for my drink," he nodded and she walked over to the counter, purse in hand, she gave the man the money and motioned for him to follow. 

OoO

      "The past?" Garroth asked after they filled him in, "and you're going alone?" She nodded. 

    "I mean, you can come after I get settled, Janus said it would only take a day or two before he can make another portal." She bargained. 

   "You said SKGene is planning on killing Zane after the ritual?" Garroth continued, "Then you're going to need a weapon." 

       She slumped, I've never owned a weapon before, she thought glumly, sighing. "Hey," Garroth quickly said, "I know I have a spare sword, and I know Kaitlyn also has a few knives, and If you look in Zanes' room, he's sure to have a weapon." She looked at him confused, "we decided to try and learn how to fight, Zane prefers not using a weapon, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have one." He clairified, "I still have my sword from... ya know." 

   "Thanks," she mumbled. Embarrassed, he just smiled up at her. "I have a flashlight with a pack of batteries, a charger to keep my phone alive, a battery for it, uh, I have two boxes of goldfish," her face flushed, "some buns, like two bags of buns, two bottles of water, a week's worth of clothes. A tent, a lighter and some kindle." 

   "Don't forget a blanket and a sword," Janus piped in, "you're going to get cold at night, and a map. I drew up what I remembered, so." 

      He pushed a map in her hands, she sweatdropped, that... that looks like a kindergarten made it. She looked at him worried, "I don't know what any of this says." 

Janus pouted, "fine, I'll look up a map online and download it." 

  "No its fine, I played D&d." She stated, confidently. "All I have to do is steal one." He sweatdropped, 

   "You're confident in that?" He asked horrendously. 

   Peering at Janus' eyes, she purred an "absolutely." He shivered in fright of who has to deal with this woman. He blinked, my plan isn't so far fetched at all. 

    Garroth finished packing the bad before putting a small pistol with a few bullet rounds in the side pocket and a blue sword that looked to be made of diamonds on top so she'd have a close combat weapon. Smiling he looked at the final product, "you going to head out now?" 

     "Absolutely." 

   "I'd honestly disagree with this as I want to be the one to save my brother but.... make sure he's fine after, okay?" Garroth asked, a pain to his voice. Nodding Garroth smiled at her and have her a hug, "take care, and don't worry, I'll join you in a few days time." 

OoO

Chapter Text

A doorway in front her glows a bright blue colour, she smiles at the two behind her before walking in.

     Instantly she's alone in the wilderness,

Looking around she sees a huge tree in the distance, shrugging she starts walking towards it. "Maybe I should have asked for a map." Instead of pondering on it she keeps going. 

    By the time she got there the sun was setting over the horizon, its red tint turning the sky purple. looking around she was surprised to see a huge gate in front of the tree, there were a few people there. Is that Dante? 

     One of the guards had blue hair and blue eyes, his outfit was bronze. Holy Irene, she thought, that is Dante! Or is it? Walking up to one of the guards she asked, "Hi, could you tell me where I am?" 

    "Phoenix drop, m'lady." 

    She sweatdropped, "I don't know where that is." 

  The guards eyes were wide, "really, m'lady? Oh, well it's the city of the great Irene," he gushed. 

    "The goddess, Irene?" She asked. "Like the real goddess?" 

    "Yes!" The guard said happily. Nana really lucked this guard, he was happy and it obviously showed, she sighed. She wished she could act the same as before but, no, she couldn't. She and Zane were trying to help each other to talk to others and act the way they wanted and not how they always have been. Smiling at him she asked for directions, "do you know where I can talk to someone higher up. It's very important."

    "Dante!" The guard said, beckoned the bluehead, she straightened, shoot, it was Dante, she should have realized this when Janus said Reincarnation. "She needs to speak with you in private." 

     Dante looked at her in shock, furrowing his brows slightly, "uh, yes, of course. Right this way," he motioned into the gate. 

    Once out of ear reach of the overly enthusiastic guard she spoke, her voice quiet, "I need to find two of my friends. I can't tell you their names, only that I need to find them or our future itself is gone." 

    His eyes softened, "My name is Nana," she said, "you know me as Kawaii-Chan, right?" He nodded. 

    "Yes, though I wonder why I haven't brought you to my lords house yet," his voice was just as soft, the breeze passing by as if nothing was wrong. 

      "We just finished fighting a war, and I want to stop the next one before it can breathe." She said, grabbing his hand pulling him to a stop, "the only way to do that is to find Garroths brother, Zane. From what I heard is he's evil here." Her eyes were darkened, the normal orange you'd think was the colour of the sun was as dark as a dead leaf you'd find in the middle of autumn. 

     "I think we should go to Aphmau," she sighed, letting go of his hand, her eyes lingered on his hand before shaking her head. 

     "Fine," notioning her head he continued walking down the path, staring at his hand she wondered, "Who are you married too?" 

      "Her names Kawaii-Chan," she looked up startled, 

     "We're married?" She shoved her face into her hands, snorting "You know what, Thank Enki it was you and not someone else." 

    He snorted, "what's wrong with me?" 

    "I think other you likes Lucinda, or even Kim." Nana stated. "Honestly, I'm betting on Lucinda, You'd be a cute ship." 

OoO

In the Nether. 

     Zane stared at the oven in front of him in horror, cupcakes were sprawled against the counter, hundreds. he laughed, okay, maybe that was too much. Grimacing, he nodded to himself, still letting out small chuckles. 

  Way to much. His laughter halted, I understand why Garroth complains of my stress baking. Too much food. 

       He thought horrified, shaking his head, no that couldn't be it. Absentmindedly he put another tray into the oven.

     A few moments later, Sasha and Gene walked in to see Zane sitting at the counter head in hands while cupcakes lay on every surface in the room. 

    Slowly they exited, seemingly wanting to evade what was happening in the kitchen. Them leaving didn't alert Zane of their presence, at all. 

OoO 

Back in the Overworld

      A bright fairy glowed as it made its way to the Lord's house. It twinkles as it flew by, a few villagers stayed away from it not wanting to get rid of the message it was to bring. 

     A few kids ran by, one of them bumping into the fairy sending it flying, thankfully it got right back up and continued to the lord's house. 

     Aph stared at the fairy in confusion. Why was there a messenger fairy, unless, sighing she brought the fairy into house allowing the fairy to speak. The tiny voice said in an obvious distorted voice, "Zane but not Zane and Gene, rItUAl... ShAds gHosT, Bad ThInGs HapPEnIng, Janus, hEadiNg TowArds PhoeNix DrOp SOon, WiLl bE ThEre IN tWo dAys TIme, FroM KaItLYn." 

    "What?" A voice said beside her, she jumped a little, Levin stood horrified, "what did that mean?" 

    "I, I don't know." Aphmau stammered. "It's from Kaitlyn, but something is happening, and It doesn't seem right, Zane and Gene, Shad and Janus, something or someone is heading here in two days." 

    "Maybe Kaitlyn?" Malachi murmured. 

      She let out a dry chuckle. "If its not them, then we might not be prepared." Aphmau sighed, looking at her two sons, smiling, "if so, we shall prepare, make sure none of this gets out to the public, we don't need needless panic. Check the portal for anyone inconsistencies. Double the shift on the walls and docks. If Katelyn is coming, then." She sighed, closing her eyes. "We need to be ready." He eyes were soft; she was worried. 

OoO

     Their boat rocked back and forth as the storm passed, "This is it." Katelyn told them, "Our one chance at stopping this mess." 

    Genes mouth quirked upwards ever so slightly, "Yeah, It is." He watched closely at the mainland, huge boats were everywhere, swaying over the sea. "Raise the flag!" Katelyn commanded. 

     One of the guards quickly pulled a rope, the flag flying in the wind.

      Katelyn shoved a cloak in his arms, "You're going to want to put it on." She advised. The cape was a light blue with a symbol most of these men had on their armour right by the heart. 

      Nodding, he swung it over his shoulders; clasping the cape together. He then flicked the hood over his head covering his face. 

 OoO

Chapter Text

"What do you mean my lord?" Gene asked Shad kneeling. "You need two people for the ritual?" 

    "Yes, it seems so and I wish you to be the second." The Shadowlord said, his ghostly figure flickering in and out of existence. "He wants free." His lord whispered, grimacing. "We need to hurry up, If I get my body back then the stupid Falconclaw will shut up." Gene froze, worry in his eyes before ignoring it. His lord could deal with it.

    Someone needs to tell Zane, he thought after.  Blinking he decided, he'd be the one to tell him. "Any progress on Zane being turned?" He asked instead. 

     "Yes. I've decided to blame it on his brother, Vylad." Shad told him, "Vylad is a well known Traitor to the Shadowknights. If we spread that rumour around and it gets to Zane well?" His mouth turned sinister. "He just might believe that Vylad would kill him, thinking him to be their Zane." 

    "How would we start." This was a bad idea, who knows what would happen, Gene didn't dwell on it and continued listening to what his Lord had to say. 

   "I want you to ask about his family, and go from there. Tell him what he wants to know but not fully." Shad commanded, "Rise, you may go." 

OoO

Phoenix Drop

     Nana and Dante walked up the hill together towards the purple house, she raised her eyebrows. "This is Aphmau's house?" She questioned, staring shocked. 

      "Yes? Is it supposed to look different?" Dante asked, smiling slightly. Oddly, It looked more like a grimace than a smile. 

    "I thought it would be more..." she stopped, "red." She decided, her hair swayed as a burst of wind passing by. Nana tensed. The wind was off, it smelt of fire, or something at least equivalent to it. She turned towards the water, a huge boat sat in the water, a light blue flag raised to full height. 

    She felt the urge to move towards the harbour instead of Aphmau's house. Dante moved forward, raised his hand and knocked. No one came. The house was empty. She turned once again towards the harbour, "how about down there?" She said, tilting her head towards the water. 

    "Would you like to take a short cut?" Dante asked looking town the small hill and again looking towards the clear path. 

     She snorted slightly nodding. "I didn't think any different." She said before jumping down the hill, Dante followed suit and jumped. 

  OoO

    Gene stood close to Katelyn as she spoke to one of the guards, a flash of blue and pink hair came tumbling down the hillside. Dante? He stood straighter. 

    Katelyn took a quick look at Gene, before turning her gaze to where Dante was. She closed her eyes before opening them again. Her conversation with the two guards came to a halt. "I just need to speak with Dante, Immediately." 

      The two guards looked at each other uncomfortably, "We were told to not let anyone pass through." 

    "Well I'm telling you, to let us through." Her voice grew in anger before she took in a deep breath sighing. 

   Dante walked towards them Kawaii-Chan in tow, only she looked different. She was smaller and looked younger. She looked back to Gene and at her again, they looked around the same age. "What's wrong here?" Dante asked, his voice smooth compared to what Gene normally heard. 

     "We were told to not let anyone through at the moment." One guard stuttered. 

     Dante frowned. "I'm sure Lady Aphmau wouldn't want her friend to have to leave, especially when she was the one to give us the information we have." Dantes' eyes were cold as he spoke to the guards. 

     Kawaii-Chan just smiled in a cold way, she stared at them. The guards shivered. No one, and when I write No one I absolutely mean it, No one has ever made Kawaii-Chan Angry enough to make the ground feel cold. (Or at least to the guards.) 

Her eyes turned towards the man in blue, she saw familiar blue eyes and black hair. She waved, smiling. 

    He waved back, his movements small as he waved slightly shaking. 

    Dante didn't see, but Katelyn had. The guards thankfully went away, and they were free to unload the ship. 

 OoO

    Dante relaxed slightly, Irene, sometimes I wish I wasn't so old. He thought groaning. People often didn't take him seriously because of his age. 

    Katelyn had went back on the ship helping unload while Nana and Katelyns mysterious friend stood by watching. Dante's eyes caught a glimpse of familiar blond hair. "Garroth!" He yelled waving. 

    Garroth smiled back at him before turning to Vylad and continuing their conversation. 

     Nana hugged the stranger, Dante felt weary. "Shouldn't Aphmau be here by now." 

    "She's on the ship," The stranger said. The blue hood covering his face, making it hard to see the basic outlines of his face. "She got here a few moments before Katelyn got into that conversation with those two guards. If she had been outside, then maybe we wouldn't have had that trouble." Dante felt a sense of dread and wonder as he saw a familiar gaze from the hooded figure. 

    "Maybe." Dante replied awkwardly. He was awkward, this whole situation was awkward. Sometimes Dante wished he went on vacation, like his wife had suggested. Dante grimaced, his tone turning more casual. "So you know Nana?" He wants to say Kawaii-Chan but he knows that they are different, very different. 

    "Yes, I do. I was supposed to meet her a café downtown when I got sidetracked and ended up in Brightport." The stranger said. "Honestly, I'm happy seeing my younger brother, even if he is older than me."  The stranger—no, Gene smiled at him as Dante froze. 

     He wanted so badly to scream, yell, or even attack Gene. His shoulders shook. Here his brother was, his own fucking brother, who ruined his life over some girl he fell in love with. But it wasn't. It wasn't Gene was it, he admitted it, He wasn't his fucking brother. He was his other selfs brother, and younger than him. 

        Gene stood awkwardly, he looked uncomfortable. "Sorry." Gene said looking down. Instead of doing any of what he had thought of doing, Dante walked over before pulling him into a hug. 

        Dante awkwardly released his, younger? Older? Brother. Oh my Irene, his brother was short. Of course he's shorter, he's practically a decade younger. He didn't let that deter him, but Irene! He was livid, last thing he thought he would do to his brother was hug him, even if it wasn't actually his brother.

      "Awkward I know." Nana hit Gene on the shoulder, hard. 

     "Gene," She hissed. "Don't be insensitive!" 

      Dante slowly raised his arm and pinched his arm, hard. Oww, that hurt. This isn't fake. Fuck.

 OoO

Chapter Text

In the Mod Mod world 

(I said it was happening didn't I?) 

    Professor Modmod smiled at his son and friends as they he activated a portal sending them through time and space away from the void. 

     The void, a destructive force that destroyed worlds creating chaos and freezing the people in that world. It destroyed his world along with his life. However, He kept smiling, at least his son and clone, Tommy would make it out. 

OoO

     Laurence glared at his clone with anger, a strangled snarl rose from his throat as he yelled. "Ahh!" He threw his sword upwards in an odd angle, the thing moved back, his head twitching in a motion to the side. 

     Professor Modzilla flinched back before running towards the clone, Laurence realized what was happening and grabbed onto the clone before a blackness surrounded him. 

OoO

      In another place in the blistering hot world called the Nether, two bright red eyes glowed as he looked over at his two companions. His head felt faint and he let out a humm. 

   One looked up at him, grinning. Irene, he groaned, He hated that look. 

    "What do you want Sasha?" 

   "Well, well, Laurence. Don't give me that look, anyway Zane Ro'meave is back. Only this time from the future." 

OoO

     Garte stared at the three people in the jail cell with him, holding out cards, "Wanna play a game?" 

   The younger one stared at him oddly, Garte shrugged. "What? I need something to do." He said defensively. 

      One of the ladies the rainbow haired one, smiled at him. "Sure, I wouldn't mind." The blonde haired woman just grumbled before nodding. "Sorry, she's just grumpy her Hypothesis didn't work." 

      Hypothesis? What are they scientists? Garte stared at them oddly before he took in their outfits.  "You're scientists?" They had the white coats and the rainbow haired one had goggles on. How didn't he see that before? 

    The boy looked at him shocked, "you know what a scientist is?" He asked him, hope in his voice. 

   "Yep, I'm a real estate agent." Garte snorted, "so how'd you folks get here?"

     "We opened a portal to another world," the blonde one said, "it wasn't good and we had to leave. We ended up here a good few months later, instead of having to run away." 

Garte grimaced, "That... sounds bad." 

   "Yeah," she said instead. "But, at least we're safe." He nodded along with her words. "So how did a real estate agent get to this place?" She wondered. 

    "Oh! Well... someone I knew brought me here because something happened..." he ended lamely, his face turning into a grimace.  Instead of going into details he raised his hand, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Garte." 

      "Laila, nice to meet you too." The rainbow haired one, Laila introduced herself. "The kid is Tommy and she," she said, nodding her head to the blonde who looks like she was attempting to pull the bars open, "is Polly."

OoO

Chapter Text

The identity of Gene had been disclosed to all of the main generals in Phoenix Drop. Many people glared but quickly stopped when they heard the implications of what was happening and why he was there. 

     Gene ignored them as he fiddled with his phone an Idea coming to his mind. He switched open the messenger app and scrolled to the name Zane. Clicking on it he gained a small smile. 

        "Hello?" He texted, waiting impatiently for a reply. 

     The Dot dot dots appeared on the other side of the screen. "Hello? Gene?" The text said, Genes eyes widened in victory. He let out a giddy laugh. 

"R you In rhe Nether?" Gene texted. 

"Uhh, yeah. How'd you know?" 

"Me and Kawaii-Chan are in Phoenix Drop in the Overworld." 

"Thats nice??"

"We're gonna come into the nether to get you out." 

"So you can give me answers right?" 

"Answers?"

"Who is Shad, are these people sane? Why is the Nether the perfect place to have a vacation. If this was in our world I'd totally move here."

"I think Shad is supposed to be Aaron but Evil or at least that's what I have for info. No, they Are Not Sane, in fact they're insane. And I've never been there, don't know how nice it is." 

"I think you'd like it, no sun but warm. They have a dungeon."

     Gene closed his eyes, groaning. The top of his phone marked 20%. "They have a dungeon?" 

"Uh, I'm at 20% just make sure to pack your stuff and get outta there when we come in, or at least hide." 

"My dads here as well."

Gene froze. "Yeah, I'll make sure to keep my stuff in a bag, what's the deal witg the ritual though?" 

"Just, try not to die. Please?" Gene texted quickly, he thought back to Kawaii-Chans conversation with him about Janus. "Apparently something really bad will happen."

"Yeah, I'd be dead is what would happen." 

      10% flaunted on his screen. Shoot Gene grimaced, wish I had a better phone, he thought. "I have to go, but Garroth is gonna head through to this place soon, dont do anythubg stupid?" And sent. 

OoO

     Zane gave a small smile to his phone. By the Gods, if Garroth came here he'd really do something stupid. His smile turned into a frown. 

     "Ro'meave." A voice yelled. He quickly turned his head to look Zenix in the eye. 

     "Yeah?" He asked him politely, the smile returning. 

      "Gene and Shad want to go through the Ritual with you. Come on I'll bring you there." Zenix put a hand on Zane's shoulder pushing him in the direction. 

     "Actually I have a question." Zane said, Zenix's eyes narrowed and he tensed. "My dad is in your dungeon." He blurted out before he could stop himself. "I was actually wondering if he could come home with me after this whole thing is done." Zenix slouched as he gave a sigh of relief. Zanes head twitched, Odd, he thought. 

      "I'll see what I can do, It's more than likely you'd both be allowed to go." Zenix said a tense smile appearing on his face. Zane ignored the feeling his gut had instead to look at the lava flowing. 

OoO

        Nana stood tall in front of the soldiers.This wasn't actually so bad, she thought tensing. She ignored the piercing stare Vylad gave her. She couldn't put up her act. She was so close to finally telling everyone her real name, to act as she wants to act but... she couldn't. Anytime she tried her stomach did a 180 and completely flipped. It was draining her. She shook her head and walked towards the door. To get fresh air, she told herself. 

     The cabin was either used frequently or was really old. She stared out at the sea in hope, her face grew relaxed. I just want to go home. She whined. 

      "Hello?" A voice shocked her out of her whining. Vylad, she remembered. 

      "Yes." She said, what should have been a question was a statement. "You do know staring is rude." She claimed, wasn't he supposed to be a prince. 

     Vylad faltered, flinching back. He let out a soft chuckle, "Yeah." He muttered lamely. "It is rude of me. Sorry." He shook his head. "Actually I was wondering if I could ask you questions." 

      Nana nodded, she knew they were gonna ask eventually. It was quite obvious that their world was different, in fact it reminded her of highschool. Her being Ditzy, liking Dante, Aaron, Aphmau, The Shadow Knights and Zane. "Sure, ask ahead, I don't mind much." 

      "Is he nice?" 

      "Zane?" She asked him. 

      "Yeah." 

      "I think he is. He doesn't enjoy a lot of things and people don't like him because of it. In fact we wouldn't be friends if it weren't for Aph." 

       "Really?" 

      "Yeah, Actually we both really enjoy sweets and the same show, and if it weren't for Aph we wouldn't have known that."

       "It sounds nice." Vylad said content, he often worried about his family, even before Zane going off his rockers, but he didn't care about that at the moment. 

      "It is." She said simply. 

      "What about us?" Vylad asked, this was a question he needed answered. If he was going to do this, he wanted to know about him and them. 

      "The three of you together or just descriptions of yourselves?" She asked teasing. 

     "Can you answer both?" He said flushing slightly. 

     "Well you're a loner and don't come around much. You're pretty smart, and quite funny, though you travel a lot so that's probably why you're a loner." She tried to explain. 

      "Garroth is overprotective in the least, he's strong and can be smart, not much but still smart. He doesn't like doing things he's told to do, both him and Zane have that quality. He's nice but can't control his strength, he also tries really hard to give people relationship advice." She knew a lot more about Garroth than Vylad. 

      "Relationship advice?" Vylad couldn't believe it. His older brother who hated the idea of a relationship with anyone other than Aphmau. 

      "Yeah, he had an obsession with feathers for like a month before he blew up his house." She said making Vylad laugh. 

      "Really?" He couldn't see that happening, Garroth doesn't like birds much. 

      "Yeah!" She laughed, "I couldn't believe it, but it's true."

      "And the three of us?" He was a little excited to know this. 

      She thought about it. "Well, I don't really know about you much, but Zane and Garroth live together. I'd call them Best friends, if one is in danger, the other one is sure of their way to help. They won't fight each other on their own will, While Garroth is fighting headstrong Zane would be the one looking back for any dangers, I wish I had their relationship with my family." 

        "Oh," he said simply. 

       "I know Zane had a grudge against you because your parents cared more for you when you were younger but he's gotten over that. I think he keeps trying to get you to come over for Christmas but it never works."

       "I think that would be fun." He said instead, looking up at the sky. 

       "Their christmas dinners are always festive." She joked, "especially when Aaron and Aphmau are there. Then they go all out." 

"Are Aaron and Zane friends?" 

     "Yeah, they are. Well they were. Aaron doesn't really remember anyone but Aph. But even then its when they only talked online. I would have called them best friends. He still goes to visit them in the hospital."

        "Are they hurt?" Vylad asked. 

        "Yeah." She said solemnly. "Aph is paralyzed slightly waist down though its supposed to get better. And as I said before Aaron doesn't have many of his memories." 

        "How'd it happen?" He asked, he didn't mean to be rude he just wanted to know more. 

        "Er, I don't really know much other than Aaron's family had a power that can turn people into Werewolves so people wanted them dead, then there was the whole Micheal and Travis incident where Micheal took control of Travis and he used the government, Garroth and Katelyn to take over the island we were on. Long story short Aaron, Zane and Lucinda were turned into, uhh." She faltered, "I don't really remember what, Artifacts? No, uh." 

      Vylad froze in horror before asking. "Relics?" His voice cracked as he spoke. 

        Her eyes lit up in surprise. "Yeah!" She grinned at him, making him stare in horror. "They were turned into relics and helped save Travis from being an evil conqueror of the world. Or something like that, I was injured and didn't really get much info out of that." She let out an awkward laugh, this was getting long. 

        "Because of the whole turning into and back out of relics they each lost part of themselves or at least I think so. Lucinda can't do magic, or at least now she can. Aarons memories of his friends and family is gone and Zane couldn't do things for himself for a while, it was almost as if he completely changed." 

       "Completely?" Vylad interrupted. 

       She slowed her pace, "Yeah. Instead of being snarky or rude to someone he didn't like he'd just accept it. Like his brain switched off, he also called people by numbers for the first month. If someone told him to do something, I think he'd just do it." 

       They continued talking until the sunset came upon them, telling each other of their hardships and travels before heading towards the portal which people were probably gathering by now. 

Chapter Text

Aphmau looked at her soldiers in contempt, the sun was setting making her more nervous. "From what we remember of the nether we should be coming from here," she said pointing to their roughly drawn map. 

      "And from what we have we know the fortress is just over here." She said moving her hand across the table. "Is we start heading in now, we should make it just before the sun is completely down. Now our jobs are simple. Secure Zane Ro'meave and bring him back before the ritual is completed, if we don't then...." she lead off, making her soldiers think of an outcome. 

      Many faces became pale and whispers went around. "The groups will be Vylad and Garroth heading towards the main part of the fortress while Katelyn and I head towards the outer edges. Kawaii-Chan and Gene of their world will be with Katelyn and I. Our groups will be capturing, not killing unless we have to, the Shadow Knights. Got that." 

      The majority of people present nodded. "Anyone need any clarification?" She asked instead. One person raised their hand slightly, "yes?" 

      "What are the groups?" The man asked, she stared at him with a smile. 

      "Glad you asked." She told him. The man, she faltered in her assessment, grinned, the man couldn't look older than someone who would just come out of schooling. She flinched, still staring. "The main artillery will be with Garroth and Vylad but long ranged fighters will be with me and Katelyn. 

   "And now," she turned away staring at the purple glow that came from the dark portal, it was mocking her. She clenched her hands tightly in anger. "We go through." She practically growled. 

       Behind her Katelyn gave everyone a reassuring smile as they all went through the portal one by one until it was down to Dante and Gene. 

     Dante smiled at him before walking through the portal. 

OoO

        Zane walked with Zenix along the bridge, his book bag(backpack?)  laid gently on his back. he could faintly see Shad and Gene up ahead. He faintly looked back at his phone that he kept safe in his pocket. they Are Not Sane, in fact they're insane, rang through his head. 

      "Are you okay?" 

       "Yes." He claimed, "I'm fine just tired. Didn't get much sleep as usual." He lied. 

      Zenixs' eyebrows furrowed, "That is a shame." He said whimsically, his eyes running over the brick lining the bridge. 

      They continued their pace until Zane stopped in confusion, something was wrong. Very wrong. He felt his chest tighten in pain, he closed his eyes faltering in his steps. Zenix placed a hand on his back and pushed him into Gene, The faint sight of blue hair flashing before everything turned black. 

OoO. 

       Travis looked along the walls of Phoenix Drop in content, the breeze was just right today. He could stay here for hours and not feel any different. But something was different, he got the feeling an outcome that no one could change was coming to pass. 

       Travis thought back to the recent events, the whole problem with Gene and Kaw— he stopped himself in his thinking. With Gene and Nana and Zane. He couldn't shake it, it was as though he was drawn to the portal behind him. 

       A feeling of dread washed over him as he stared across the walls and he felt ashamed, his throat welled up and he could feel tears, but they weren't his. Quickly he rubbed them off his face, ignoring everything around him. A ringing joined in and suddenly.... he couldn't. He couldn't ignore it. 

       He didn't want that, he didn't want what he saw. The broken faces of Katelyn and Garroth, the pain on Lady Aphmau's face and sadness on Aarons, but he knew. They weren't his memories, but flashes of his reincarnations. 

       And he knew. He knew why he was drawn into the portal. 

    The tears stopped and a sad smile appeared on his face, he whipped them away once again. Of course he had a relic on him, of freaking course. Zane Ro'meave was in possession of a Relic and an unknown one at that. 

OoO

  "He's going to be my soldier, mine to command, and he is my relic." Shad snapped at Aphmau and Garroth. Zanes unconscious body held over Genes shoulder. "Gene! Take him back to the room for the ritual, and do it quickly." 

       Dante ran up attempting to stop them only for a field of purple to block his path, he hit it hard desperation in his eyes. He'd seen the look his brother held in his eyes, what was even happening. Dante thought despaired. 

    Gene slammed a sword he wedged from another soldiers hand and shoved it through the purple force twisting it and allowing it to crack open. 

    The field shattered but not quick enough for Gene to get away. Dante quickly chased in the direction of his brother. But lost him and Zane just as quickly. 

OoO

Chapter Text

With SK Gene      

       Gene quickly turned into a huge room, thankfully no one saw where he went, and its closed off so he would hear anyone nearby. 

       Gene took a deep breath in anger, and another this time in contempt. Does he continue on with the ritual or does he give up. His eyes narrowed, what a silly question. 

      He looked at the table and slowly placed Zanes unconscious body onto it, Zane's hand fell off of the table laying there a clang evident as his phone was laid on the ground face first. 

     Zane looked peaceful where he laid. Again he sighed and grabbed his sword from his sheath, 

Remember, you have to get close to his heart. 

      He raised the sword above his head and shoved it into Zanes' chest. 

Zanes body convulsed before slumping over. 

     Again, he quickly raised the sword out of his chest and sliced his wrist open dripping it down onto the table. 

A relic, A relic wielder and a Reincarnation.

     A bright light erupted in the room and Gene had to blink. A Child? Was sitting right next to Zane?

      Zane let out a weak groan of pain, he felt like someone grabbed put his rib cage and shoved it back in the wrong way. 

      The giggle of a small child broke his thoughts and shoved him into reality. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw a boy with Black hair and blue eyes that much resembled his own. The kid was lying on his stomach and looked like he was about to start crying. 

    Zane felt a burst of pain in his stomach again but quickly sat up trying to ignore the nauseating feeling he got. 

     His eyes widened in horror, blood coated his chest and backside of the table. What happened here? He tried to remember what happened and drew a blank. 

      The kid laughed at him oddly, lightly grabbing onto his hair. "Why'd you wake me?" 

     "Pardon?" Zane asked squinting his eyes err, eye at the kid. 

     "Why did you wake me, the great lord Shad from my nap." The child Shad said grandiosely.  

      "Sorry?" He asked confused again. 

     "Now Bow for your mistake." The kid said seriously. 

      Zane just raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, no can do." 

     A loud groan made them look over to Gene who had blood running down his hand. Zane flinched at the sight and Shad started tearing up before Zane covered Shads' eyes. "Don't look, Gene are you okay?" 

     "I'm fine, what is wrong with my lord." Gene asked in growing horror. 

      "He's a kid." Zane said plainly, in a sarcastic voice. 

      Shad let out a whimper completely forgeting the previous interaction, "Where am I?" He asked, where am I? What am I doing here, I should be... where should I be?"

     Zane slowly got off the table the pain subsiding and he pulled Shad into his arms as if he were a toddler, even though Shad looked around eight years old. 

     A loud scream was heard close by and Shad shoved his face into the crook of Zanes neck scared. Zane held him reassuringly before an idea came to his mind, he had made a cupcake earlier and it was stored in his bag. He grabbed the container and offered it to the shaking Shad, "here, It's a cupcake." 

     Shad took a tentative bite out of it before giving a small smile. "You're gonna help me take over the world." He said enamoured with the cupcake. 

     Genes eyes narrowed and he sighed. "You both need to get out of here, there is an exit close by, you need to go through the dungeons and go around towards the netherlands, one of our shadowknight will be there to show you where to go." 

     Gene tossed a bag that had a knife on the side of it into his arms before running through the door and turning a corner. Zane didn't have the time to ask what was happening before he disappeared. "Hey," he spoke reassuringly to the kid Shad, "I'm gonna put you down, do you think you can walk or run?" 

     Shad nodded and he eased him onto the ground and grabbed onto his arm holding it as they ran towards the dungeons where his father was kept, forgetting his phone on the ground. 

 OoO

      They quickly ran through the door and hid from the sight of the outside. "Dad!" Zane called out in relief. "We have to get out of here." His voice turned panicked at the end. 

      Garte stared in horror at the blood on his son. "What happened?" 

      "No idea, but whoever is fighting isn't that friendly." He said pointedly, looking down at his shirt 

     "Aren't you hurt?" A voice said confused, it was a rainbow haired girl, Leila, Zane blinked confused. 

     "It did, but that's gone and we need to get out of here." He grabbed the knife that was stored in the extra bag and dug it into the old cell door hinges making it crack. 

     Garte quickly grabbed the cell door and pulled breaking the second hinge and releasing them from the cells. 

      Garte's eyes wandered onto the kid behind him, narrowing he asked in a calm voice that made Zane flinch. "How did you get a kid?" 

     "That was the whole reason I was brought here Daddy." He said sweetly smiling awkwardly. "But now is not the time, we need to get out of here. The exit to the Nether is supposably that way." 

      Zanes eyes wandered to the two girls and kid, "Are you coming along with us?" He asked the awkward tone still there.  

     "If it's no problem, we'd love to join you two out of here." Laila said. He smiled again heading towards the door Shad still holding onto his hand. 

    "We have to go across there," he said pointing to the bridge across from them. "We just need to make it past the people who attacked them." 

     "Why don't we just kill them?" Shad asked, quietly. 

    "Killing people is bad, they probably have people waiting for them at home and we don't want to ruin that." Zane explained quickly walking along the bridge. "Even if they're mean they still probably have a family." 

    "Oh," Shad said simply looking at the two ladies who were obviously whispering frantically at each other.

OoO 

With Mystreet Gene

       He let out a soft "Fuck" before running towards his brother. "Dante." He said worried, "Did you see where they went?" He was panicking. 

       Dante shook his head, before grabbing onto his wrist and pulling him back. "We aren't safe here alone." 

     He agreed with him, "But Zane?" He said his face contorting into a grimace. The clashing of swords returned making them both snap into reality. 

     "We can discuss this later, with Garroth and Vylad." Dante said Instead. "Surely one of them will know what to do." 

      "I hope so." He said disappointed. With a jolt or remembrance he grabbed put his phone and pressed the call button. 

     A loud BRRING BRRING was heard across the nether, he ran towards the sound, Pointing, "There!"  He said, Genes eyes widened slightly as he pointed. 

OoO

Chapter Text

       Laurence looked at the group of people a sharp stinging in the back of his mind. He narrowed his eyes on the two girls and the little boy or a teenager with a purple mark scattered across his face, void burns, his mind hissed. "Do I know you?" He asked grinning down at them. 

      The boys eyes widened in realization, they do, he thought slyly. The blonde one gasped silently and he turned his gaze on her and the rainbow haired girl. 

      Another sting across his mind, he ignored it. He could feel something bad was going to happen and turned away from them, his eyes widening when he saw the army. He looked back at them, "You're running from them?" He asked quietly, unlike he was a few seconds ago. If an army is here? Then? Lady Aphmau? His eyes widened in horror.

       "We need to get out of here," he said in realization. He made a notion with his head, not allowing them to say a word. "Come on! Don't dawdle, they'll reach my fortress in a matter of minutes!" His tone was dramatic in the very least, but still sounded fearful. 

     They awkwardly followed him to the edge of the fortress a small gap in the wall allowing them to pass through. The teenager kept trying to talk to Laurence only to stop every time awkwardly. 

       "Maline!" Laurence yelled making them all stare at him confused and nervous. 

       "Yes!" A girls voice yelled loudly across the room. 

       Laurence yelled again, "If anyone comes here tell them I'm gone." 

"Got it!" The voice said again. "You leaving?" 

      "Nows a better time than ever, make sure you leave as well." He told the small figure who walked in. 

      "Thank you." She smiled, before her eyes landed on Zane, her eyes hardened but she didn't let it show. "Hello Ro'meave." Zane gave a small awkward smile, giving a small wave in her direction, Shad bounced up and down smiling. 

     They each slowly went through the crack in the wall, Laurence going last. He smiled at his fortress before leaving, a somber smile on his face. 

OoO

"You don't happen to be Laurence of Phoenix drop! Formally Metali?!" The teen practically screeched out as they got near the portal. 

     Laurence froze before actually looking at the boy. "it's rude not to introduce yourself when you obviously know who I am. Though its also formally Phoenix Drop now, I'm a Shadowknight now." He said mournfully. Fuck the Shadowknights, he thought melodramatically. 

    "You are!?" The teen preened staring before gaining a bright red mark over his face, cute, he thought nonchalantly before horror rose up into his stomach like a hose filling a sink. This kid better not have a crush on me.  He shuddered thinking of the girl he met years before who wouldn't leave him alone. "oh... I'm Tommy, We're from another world." Tommys face was still bright red while he spoke. 

The two girls looked down as if they knew something. 

     "And how do you know me?" Laurence asked calmly, thought he was panicking. You probably couldn't tell but he's panicking, like a lot. "if you're from another world then I assume I'm not there." 

     "Not at first!" Tommy claimed, "but one day you appeared. Only you were wearing a guard outfit as you put it and Well green." Instead of being weirded out because of what he said he just nodded, practically sighing in relief. 

      "Oh thank Irene. And Esmund, you know what thank the gods. I thought you were going to say something worse, way worse. Portal traveling knight, thats fine and I completely understand."

OoO

With Mystreet Gene and MCD Dante

        Gene cursed as he picked up the phone off the ground, letting out a soft groan. 

      Dante stared at him with pity, placing a hand over his shoulder. "Lets go return to Garroth and Vylad, maybe they'll have an idea where they went." Dante pushed him out of the room before Gene could look around. Dante stared at the large amount of blood coaxing the table before following his brother. 

     "I thought they were here." Gene said softly. 

      Dante smiled, "don't worry, so did I. They're probably fine." He encouraged. His eyes darted back to the room with the blood stains. 

     Gene made a groan of disgust, flinching back from the device. "Something is wet on here." 

     The sinking feeling Dante had grew, Genes eyes widened horrified. "Is this..? Is this?.... blood?" Gene stuttered out, confused. His eyes were wild as if a cornered animal. His eyes darting back and forth before he started running back to the room. 

     Dante cursed slightly grabbing at air, Gene to quick for him. "Shit, shit, shit, shit." He swore, Gene leaving his line of sight, before he started running after him. 

       As  soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by a shell shocked Gene. He gently grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him out of the room once again. "Why didn't I notice?" Gene cried, shaking. Dante gently prodded Gene into sitting. "He could be dead? Hurt? What happened?" 

    Dante sat beside him rubbing his back. "He could be seriously hurt and," Gene heaved whimpering. It was suffocating, the heat was unbearable, sending shivers down to his stomach. 

    "Come on." Dante murmured holding Genes shoulders as he pulled them up, "if we don't leave now he could die. Its more likely he got out and thats Genes blood." 

OoO

      "He doesn't remember." Laila said sadly about Laurence who was walking up beside Garte, the real estate agent. Odd choice of job she thought. She honestly couldn't say anything, she's a scientist. 

      "How do we know he's our Laurence." Polly asked, examining her nails. 

    "Phoenix Drop, formally Metali. Polly, its him, I know it." Laula claimed her eyes shining hopefully. 

     "But then where's Monty?" Polly asked her girlfriend, who signed sadly. 

     "If he's alone then maybe Monty didn't make it." Laila muttered under her voice. 

     "No!" She snapped, everyone looked at them confused. Polly flushed under their gaze. "Sorry, family matters." She claimed making Garte and Zane shrug but Laurences eyes lingered on them before going back to looking for the portal. "He's not dead." She continued, at a much lighter tone. "He can't be. He has a kid to look out for." 

    "He can, you know this. For all we couldn't know this was Laurence before being transported to our world."  Laila said whispering. 

     "Its him." Polly said firmly, "Formally Phoenix Drop." She said tersely, nodding she started walking faster leaving Laila to walk behind them. 

    Laila sighed mournfully, "Couch it is." 

OoO

Back in the Over world, 200 years later in Mystreet. (Warning This is practically Crack.) and Tons of swearing, Janus is a swear lord.

      Laurence looked at Garroth like he was stupid. "So what you're saying is Zane, Kawaii-Chan and Gene are all stuck in the past to bring back the Shadowlord?" 

      "No." Janus said awkwardly to the side. "They just did, but not important. Ever hear of the void." He asked, the two stared at him awkwardly. It is awkward, he literally just told them the Shadowlord who he literally said was gonna destroy the world was back and it was no biggie. "No, well that's normal, anyway It a destructive force here to detonate the entire world and this Sh*T is gonna Fu*k with everything." 

       Laurence made a sour face as he looked at Janus, "one I dont know why you're here, second of all. THEY RESURRECTED THE SHADOWLORD and all you care about is a 'Void?'"

     "First of all, you don't deserve to say that you hypocrite." Janus said before turning his tone to a mocking one, "all you care about is the void, meeh." Laurence glared at him angrily and stepped towards him only for Garroth to stop him. 

      "Why do you think I'm telling you this, your counterpart is the one who needs to get off his Ass and fix this shit." Janus said stressing your, his eye twitching in aner and he seethed quietly. 

      "Me? My counterpart?" Garroth slowly moved his arm away from Laurence but kept it close just incase Laurence decided beheading was something to bring back. 

        "Yes!" Janus snapped before sighing. "I'm sorry for how I've been behaving, everyone is stupid there and the more I see whats happening the more I get angrier. You're brother can be so stupid sometimes." 

     Garroth tensed before asking quietly, "what happened?"

     "He got stabbed!" Janus said groaning, "and he let them release the Shadowlord and now we have Scientists in The Nether." Janus froze, his eyes lighting up, "you're both going next," 

      "What?" Laurence asked. 

      "Get packing, oh and Garroth, your dad is stupid." 

    Garroth made a wheezing sound that sounded a lot like a cat when thrown into a bathtub. (Don't ask.) "stabbed?" He kept coughing, "My dad??" He snapped before asking. "What The Fuck is Up!?"

      Janus shoved his face into his hands, "You're a fucking god, dont fucking swear!" 

That was the wrong thing to say. 

      "Hypocrite!" Garroth shrieked back before realizing what Janus said, "What the Fuck did you just say!" 

    "Dont fucking Swear!" 

"NOT THAT!"

OoO

Chapter Text

      "Where do you think it'll lead us?" Garte asked Laurence. The portal glowed brught purple in front of them. Zane had a sunning feeling in his stomach but ignored it. 

      "Only one way to find out." He replied before jumping through the portal. In hindsight it was probably a bad idea but no matter nothing bad happened when he went through the portal to the overworld. 

      The portal made its normal BROSHSHSH noise as they all made their way through. Pretty, it was very pretty. A small little pond was right beside the portal and flowers, tons of flowers. There were enough flowers to cover Aaron and Aphmaus house in its entirety.

      "Huh." Zane said softly, admiring the scene before him. 

      "Its... bright." Tommy grinned, it looked a lot like his world at the moment. He missed his world, even if it had a psychopathic Laurence and the void and welll, he cant say many things good about it. 

"Wow, whats that!" Shad wondered pointing towards a small flying insect that flew around the bright orange flowers as if it found a prize. 

"A butterfly, they come from caterpillars." Zane explained softly. He watched the butterfly softly admiring its blue wings. Pretty!!

"Pretty!!" Shad smiled. Zane blinked, didn't Shad just say that? He pondered, why'd he repeat himself?

"So?" Polly asked, "What do we do now?"

"Depends. Are any of you wanted." Laurence asked. 

"Nope," Laila shook her head. She didnt think they were wanted, or if anyone knew who they were in this world. 

"Not that I know of." Garte replied. He didnt have any reason too think they woukd be wanted. 

"You two cant answer," he said pointing at Zane and Garte. "They are definitely looking for you," Laurence claimed without hesitation. 

"Why?" Garte asked upfront. He wasnt going to  beat around the bush, he has a family to get back to. 

"King and Prince of Ru'uan? Of course they are going to take this chance to snatch you up." Laurence declared, before making a hand motion at Shad, "and him, he's the Shadowlord. Anyone who doesnt live under a stone is going to know his name!" 

"King?" Garte asked horrified. 

"Prince." Zane asked quietly. "Should we change names?" 

"Right..." Laurence nodded before continuing. "Shadowknights arent keen on sharing." 

"Don't worry," Laurence said in a calm fashion, "If we get to Okasis' we'll be fine-ish." 

"Dont worry, we dont really know anything about this either." Polly said in an attempt to comfort the two now technically royals. 

"They are technically the king and second prince of Ru'aun one of the capitals of the world." Laurence explained waving it off. 

"Oh...." Tommy muttered. This was more than likely bad, for them and the people of this world. "So Zane’s idea of changing names would be good?" 

"Yes, and the fact you're parading around as if its normal is just.. No." Laurence continued. 

"So they're wanted??" Tommy asked. 

"Yep." 

"Fuck." Zane muttered quietly only to have Garte hit him over the head. 

"Language."

OoO

MCD GARROTH AND Vylad

      "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!" Garroth swore looking at the abandoned part of the fortress.

      "Laurence left?" Vylad asked tentatively, it wasn't uncommon for Laurence to completely scatter if he heard even an word of Them coming to the Nether.

      "Yes." He said sharply. 

       "Lets find him." His brother prompted. Maybe he was somewhere around here? Vylad wondered hopefully,

       "He's gone." Garroth snapped looking Vylad in the eyes.

       "I'm sure he's somewhere around here." Vylad tried. He didn't like seeing his brother like this. 

      "He left Vylad." Garroth whispered sharply. Laurence more than likely wasnt coming back and Garroth didnt know how to feel. He was estatic to see his brother and well brother. Even if they werent blood brothers Garroth always thought of him as brothers. 

      "Oh." 

      "He's gone!" Garroth vented, "How could he just leave! He knows we were coming." 

      "He probably left to avoid you." Vylad resoned, it was more than obvious. 

     "I know that." He said quietly. He just wanted to see him one more time, both of them. With their line of work, who knows if they'd ever see each other again. 

      "And he probably feels bad about it." Laurence doesnt, maybe a little worried, he kind of wanted to see him just to fuck with him but Garroth doesn't need to know that. Vylad comforted him. 

     "Maybe." Garroth said sulking.  His whole body slumped slightly in a slouch. 

      "Maybe Gene and Dante have found Gene and Zane?" Vylad tried, making Garroths eyes soften. 

      "Lets go check it out." Garroth said softly. Before giving the building behind him a tired look. 

       Their group had taken most of the fortress if not all of it, much to the relief of the rest if their group. 

      There was still a few stray Shadowknights, some they avoided, for the main reason of them not wanting to fight, and some they fought until they either took them as prisoners or killed them. 

And no sign of either Gene or Zane. Only the phone that was left behind. 

"

OoO

A week Later 

Back with Mystreet Laurence and Garroth

      "So you'll be able to take both of us at once?" Garroth wondered hopefully, it seemed hopeful. 

       "Absolutely." Janus replied easily, leaning back in the conputer chair. 

       "And we wont get lost in the timeline?" Laurence asked. 

      "You wont," Janus said waving if off, "if you do Call me, I'll be here." 

       Zianna looked at her son worried from the doorway. "Are you sure Zane is there?" He asked her tone obviously scared. 

       "Yes, and we need to hurry, I'll answer every question you ask of me." Janus said smiling, "only after we get these buffons to the past." 

       "A weeks worth of clothes?" 

       "Yep." 

        "Food, water, toiletries?" 

        "Yep." 

        "Weapons?" Janus asked. 

        "I have a sword," Garroth Offered. 

        "I have a pocket knife and," Laurence sighed. "I have a gun." Janus flinched, oof 

         "Right, check, check and check." Janus nodded, "You are all set, and in a few second the door will open and all you have to do is walk through, Don't worry, I've sent you close to Zane and Their group."

Both Laurence and Garroth nodded at eachother before smiling and walking through the glowing doorway. 

OoO

       "How bout, Tiberius?" Zane asked, making Tommy raise an eyebrow. "For Shad, is Tiberius a good name? It would more than likely fit this time period right?" 

        Laurence nodded, "I mean, it would fit this time period, Is Shad alright with this?" 

        Shad perked up once he heard his name called, "Un!" 

        "I guess that settles it." Zane said, Laila and Polly were standing awkwardly to the side. 

       "What about your names?" Polly asked, "shouldn't we change your names as well of at least make a nickname?" 

       "I mean that would be a great idea." Garte agreed, "only what would we call ourselves." 

        "Erik?" Polly suggested lightly. 

"No." In fact, Hell no.

      "Aiden?" Laila asked, its five letters? 

       "Doesnt fit." Garte said whimsically. 

       "Erin?" Tommy added, it sounded like a nice name. 

       "Sounds to much like Aaron." Garte said seriously. 

       "They're the same name." 

       "No one's A-a- Ron the other one is E-rin." 

        "Right, okay." Tommy said holding his head in stupidity, its fine dont scream. Zane just smiled as if he understood exactly what was going on in Tommys head. 

       "Connor?" Laila tried. 

        "Eh?" Zane made an odd noise, nope doesnt sound right. 

        "Virgil?" Laurence recommend. It was a more or less common name. With the poet and philosophers writing it was more or less common to hear that name around. 

       Zanes eyes flashed in triumph, "Virgil!" 

        "Is that what we're going to call you in public?" Polly asked. 

       "Its perfect, now for Dad." Zane said nodding. 

       "Kristien?" 

       "That one sounds nice." Garte said with a grimace to his tone, Progress!

        "Kaiden?" 

        "Not so much, I might as well go as Kristien." 

       "So... Tiberius, Virgil and Kristen." Laila asked, making Garte snort.

        "It sounds weird when you say it like that." 

        "How do you say it?" Laila asked him. 

       "Chris-Tea-In." Garte clarified, "not Cris-Ten." 

      Tommy started laughing tears pricking at his eyes, soon enough everyone was laughing except Garte who stood there confused. "What?" He asked defensively. 

       "Its nothing," Zane said comforting his dad, "lets just keep walking, I'd like out of this shirt." 

      The shirt was practically ruined And he didnt have any others so he just covered it with his sweater which sucked because it was kind of boiling out. 

     And sure, he should be used to the whole Sweater in the middle of July shtick but he wasn't, he usually spent the entirety of his summer time indoors with Garroth. 

        "Closest town then?" Polly smiled. It would be hard to not be noticed in their outfits but, they have to make due. 

OoO

Chapter Text

Some say the world was solely created by Irene, the nether by Shad and humans by Enki, and they weren't completely wrong. 

They missed one point, the sky. 

Esmund created the sky for Enki, his friend and brother. 

so Enkis humans could breathe and live. 

Esmund created air and wind and the breeze. 

How leaves traveled place to place, and how seeds could plant themselves far away from where they came from. 

Esmund was the creator of Oxygen, 

But sometimes, 

Sometimes, if not all the time nowadays, 

Garroth felt like he couldn't breathe. 

OoO

     Monty let out a soft groan before completely regreting it. 

     The stinging feeling he got everytine he sicked in a breath, the churning of his stomach when he tried to move, the soreness of his throat when he tried to call for help. 

The only thing he could see were bright red eyes the stupid black haircut the man had and a smirk. 

"Why hello there, I'm Gene. And you are going to be stuck here for the time being." 

'Fucker' Monty thought before blacking out, thankfully. 

OoO

      Aphmau often felt like a terrible parent to Tommy, she tried she really did. And she was happy he got out of their situation as quickly as he did. 

      What she was mad about was the fact, her son was missing along with Polly and Laila. She couldn't blame the scientists, but she did trust her gut when it said to leave as soon a possible from where they were. 

      She knew they didnt leave her behind or take her son, but Come on! 

      She needs to be their for her kid, the one She raised! The one she took care of! The one she went to parent teacher interviews for, the one who went camping with her, its Her son! 

      Even if he is adopted, he is her Child and whoever took him and her friends away was gonna pay. 

OoO 

        Polly couldnt help but regret her idea of finding the closest town. Thankfully they sent Zane and Herself out to do the shopping instead of everyone all together. Who knew how wrong it could have gone then. 

       It wasnt that they stuck out, in fact The blood on Zane's outfit fit in perfect. 

     Of course it had to be a bandit camp, a freaking bandit camp. Instead if crying like she wanted to she walked straight into the place like she owned it. She didnt care at that particular moment, no one cared or even noticed how she and Zane didnt fit in. 

      They didnt care! She was estatic. Until she found out why, they were bandits and she didnt notice. Not until after buying all of their outfits.

     And then they were ambushed, right outside of the camp, just as they walked out. And she wanted to scream, and shout and just, just.... 

      She sighed eyeing the bandit with an are you serious face. "Are you serious." 

     The bandit looked a little shocked, "uh, yeah." He stampered out. 

     "Are you serious?" She asked erendohusly. "You're being serious." 

     The bandit flinched back. "Okay, you're new to this, I can tell." She snapped, "and what else I can tell if you need to get off your high horse and come down to earth before your hubris decides to throw you off Olympus into the ocean where sea monsters will gladly eat your heart out." Zane put his arm on her shoulder in an attempt to get her to calm down. 

       "Are you okay?" He asked her in a hushed tone, keeping his eye on the scared bandit. 

      "I'm gonna kill him." She realized before she attempted to throw arms at the man. "Get over here you bastard I'll show you what I can do! You jerk!" Zane panicked and grabbed her arms and held her as she flailed. Thankfully he was a few inches taller than her and could hold her still. 

      "Polly!" He said his tone frantic, "calm down, please!" She just kept flailing. 

      "Well!" Zane snapped at the obviously scared bandit, "I'll hold her back and you start running, she doesnt like people trying to rob her. Go!" He encouraged the man, who gave him a thankful look before running quickly away from the scene before them. 

     It took a while but after a few minutes after the bandit left Polly stopped flailing, and slumped into Zane. "I'm fine, thanks, you can let go now." 

      He quickly let go of her arms giving a small smile. "Sorry, I didnt want anyone to get hurt." 

      "Its fine, thats a nice thing to say. As if I could hurt him." Polly said modestly. Maybe she would have punched him but that was it. 

     "You gave me a run for my money." Zane complimented her, "you could pack a really big punch if you tried." 

      She started walking back to their group, "really?" She asked whimsically, "I wouldnt mind learning how to fight." 

      "Neither would I." Zane agreed, "neither would I." 

OoO

       It was exactly three weeks since Zane, Gene dissapeared, and only two weeks since Kawaii-Chan went missing. 

     Laurence and Garroth had gone to find them a week ago and hadn't returned. 

      Aphmau sighed quietly, before turning her attention onto Aaron. "Do you remember them?" 

"No." Aaron said quietly, "sorry." 

"Do you want me to tell you about them?" 

      Aaron gave a small smile, "okay, Shu." She cant remember the last time he smiled in the past four months like that. 

      She smiled at him and started telling him Everything, from being kids to teens and later into adulthood, keeping everythung about the Lycans out and dang it, If only she knew who Their father was. 

OoO 

Chapter Text

With Mystreet Garroth and Laurence

They didnt appear for a week after entering the portal. 

      Garroth made a coughing noise that alarmed Laurence, "are you okay?" He asked scared. 

      The portal spat them out beside a small river that more than likely didnt go far. Sometimes he wished he could breathe

     He remembered Zane saying something similar, "I wish I could breaths normally" he remembered quite a but from when he was younger, but the first time Zane said something like that it made their mom worry. 

    Their dad panicked after hearing those words and immediately took him to a hospital. 

      "Garroth!" Laurence said waving a hand in his face, before smiling in relief. "You passed out and I dont know what happened." 

      "Huh," he said softly his voice hoarse from coughing so much, the irony abundantly clear to him, instead of saying what he though, he lied. "Neither do I." 

     Laurences eyes flashed with worry, or something close to it. "Just if something happens like this again tell me." 

     Garroth nodded, trying not to talk. Only for a few weak coughs to escape his throat. 

OoO

     "Right," 'Gene' said, his eyes, his dark blue eyes that reminded Monty of the vast darkness of the ocean, which honestly made him grimace, the ocean's big but he wouldnt mind searching it for Mods or something to help his world. "You are going to help me." 

      "Am I?" Monty said hacking before spitting blood at 'Gene' who stood infront of him. Immediately 'Gene' kicked him back before scoffing. 

      "Did that hurt?" He asked sarcastically, just as Monty opened his mouth 'Gene' sighed, he honestly doesn't believe his name is Gene. Who would name their kids after clothes, unless he spelt his name as the Dna strand. "Dont answer that, you are going to help me, even if you dont want to." 

     "I've already sent out a letter delivered straight to Laurence Z'vali," Monty flinched at the name and 'Gene' peered at him in interest. 

      "You know the name," 'Gene said simply before shaking his head, "we're getting off track, yes. I've sent a letter to Laurence and what was his name?" He pondered, Monty felt dread rub through his stomach like a hoard of Zebras running from a pack of Lions. 

    "Anyway, I dont need to know his name, he looked just like you, but younger." Tommy? 'Gene' continued. "And of course he disappears with the one person I need." 

     Montys eyes narrowed, "Of course I gave them an option. Give me Zane and Shad or I kill you." The ever growing hoard of zebras got larger until Monty pushed down the urge to puke. 

    He felt pity for the two this psychopath was looking for, infact the pity was twice as large as the eiffel tower, and the feeling only grew the longer he stayed with this, 'Gene'. Still a stupid name. 

OoO

     The void didnt give up, that was a given, it destroyed until their was nothing left to destroy, to devour, to dig its teeth into until whatever it was attempting to destroy succumbed to the void. 

    The few who could actually remember and talk about the void compared it to a snake, infact the Inland Taipan, the most dangerous snake in the world, was the one most compared to. Not many survived if any at all, just the few who had dimensional travel up their sleeves. 

     But many couldnt talk about what happened, only they needed someway to fix this. 

    The amount Of surviving dimensional travelers who knew of the void was vastly smaller than what it used to be, in fact you could count the remaining travelers with both hands and feet, twently left, unless you have six fingers or toes then you could technically argue about there being twenty two or twenty four travelers, well don't. I don't enjoy confrontations. 

      Half of these people couldnt even comprehend the power they held but what they did know is they needed and escape and to keep quiet. 

     And so they did. 

OoO

     The purple eyes that reminded him of the void never disappeared, they came back more and more. 

    The grey skinned look a like of his friend that held no emotion, the grey skinned outline of, Monty shook his head, Thinking about the past wasn't going to help their situation. 

     He liked to dwell on the past, It gave him a chance to ignore 'Gene'. He clenched his teeth thinking about that fucker, dont tell anyone, he bever usually swore but this, this was something he couldn't forgive. 

     That bastard was using him to get his son to hurt one of his friends. He couldn't do anything. He wasnt a hero like Laurence, he wasnt a hero like, like, he squinted his eyes thinking about him. 

    Why did Travis sacrifice himself? He could have saved them all, but he had to let his emotions get in the way and help the man. 

    Instantly, he understood. Travis was always a fickle person, his emotions were different from his, and he understood that. Thanks to Travis, he was safe. 

     Without his son beside him. He couldn't blame Travis for what happened, or Laurence. If anything it was his fault for leaving back to his world, instead of staying with his son. 

     Sometimes he saw Laurence, and he knew he wasn't dreaming, he could never really reprocate the eyes, the purple eyes. They were always to dark in his dreams or even to sinister. 

The Void Laurence didnt, he stopped thinking of what to say, he didnt have emotions and He couldn't understand that. 

    How can they not feel remorse for all they did, for everyone they killed. 

    For the lives they ruined and as he pondered that Monty knew, he knew if he let this go on he would be the one ruining a family. 

And instead of pity, he felt hatred.

Chapter Text

      Tommy smiled at Shad, he always wanted a sibling, he knew it would be hard for his mom to take care of another kid. It wasn't something he could ask for without feeling guilty. Maybe if his father had another kid while away he'd have a sibling. 

      He missed his dad, he didn't know how to explain it. Other than he already did, he just wished, his father saw him grow up. It had been four years, four years of his life he could have spent with his father. Even though his father was only there for a few seconds maybe, just maybe, he could see his father again. 

     Laurence, Laila and Garte were setting up a small campsite farther down the corral. He could faintly hear Garte and Laila talking about what peg goes where in the tents. 

      "That is a worm," he explained gently to the boy. 

"So it's not a caterpillar?" Shad asked, they looked so alike. Or at least he thought so. 

       "No its not," Tommy said, watching the worm wriggle its way through the grass. It looked peaceful, like it was going somewhere. 

     He paid no attention to it afterwards. "What about this one," Shad asked, making Tommy look at the bug.

     Ehhhg, "That's a slug." Don't pick it up, don't pick it up, don't pick it up. He repeated like a mantra, thankfully Shad ignored it. After Weeks of staying in a jungle looking for a stupid book made him dislike slugs and other larvae. 

     Even the Nether was better than slugs. 

     A loud crunch of a branch woke him from his stupor, Polly was holding her hands to her chest while staring downwards in anger while Zane walked behind carrying his bag over his back. Zane was also looking down only it looked like he was trying to watch where he stepped. 

     Shad continued looking around the corral they were in and thankfully stayed close enough so that they could easily reach him if someone attacked. 

     "Hey!" He greeted running up to them, "are you okay?" 

     "Fine." Polly grumbled, "just a bandit." Tommy furrowed his eyes confused. 

      "You didn't get hurt?" He asked his tone hushed. 

      "If anyone was hurt, it was the bandits feelings." Zane said amused. Or at least he assumed it was amusing, his tone was higher than usual and he had a small smile on his face. 

      Polly blew the hair out of her face angrily. "Thanks!" She said sarcastically, "I can't believe you would tell him." Her voice changed into something more dramatic. She was fake sobbing at the end, before she burst out laughing along side the smaller laughs of Zane. 

     They both shared a knowing look of amusement. "Okay, now that you are done giggling, what did you get." 

      "Clothes and food, that's what you said to get." Zane said seriously. Polly just shrugged. 

     "Not what I meant, I meant like, show the stuff off." 

      "Once we get over to Dad and Laila." Zane said, before turning towards Shad who was rolling over in the grass. "If there's grass stains I'm not cleaning them." 

       Polly just nodded, "Grass stains." She said in a gravely and threatening voice, her voice had so much venom Tommy couldn't help but flinch away from her. "They ruined my favourite lab coat!" She whined, stomping her foot slightly. 

     This time, Tommy was the one to give a small laugh. "Come on, they've been Attempting to set up the same tent for the past ten minutes." 

     "Really?" Zane cocked an eyebrow, or at least the one they could see. Huh, now that he noticed Zane only showed one eye. That's odd. 

     "Yeah." He said awkwardly before rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn't help it, he just had to ask it was a need. He needed to ask, "why do you cover one eye?" As soon as he said it his face flushed in embarrassment and Polly started laughing at him. He quickly covered his face with his hands and groaned quietly, he was about to apologize when zane responded. 

     "Huh?" Zane asked confused, looking at him oddly. "Oh! Uh, I'm blind in one eye." 

     "Yeah, but why do you cover it up?" He persisted. 

     "I don't know, I've always done it this way, well since I was five." Zane explained weakly. 

     "Is that when you lost sight in your eye or you were born blind?" Tommy asked, these questions just jumped in his mind like the dvd player hitting the corners. 

     Zane smiled awkwardly, "I lost sight at five yeah." Garroth had killer strength, mix that in with iceballs instead of snowballs and a stupid trust for his child brother, you get blindness. 

Tommy shivered, "I don't know how I could go live 24 years with one eye." 

"You get used to it." He said nonchalantly. 

"Yeah but, what do you look like under the hair?" 

"Oh? I don't really know," Zane pondered, "I don't really well besides straightening it ever get it out of my eyes." Tommys eyes lit up, before he quickly brushed the hair behind his ears. Oh... 

"You don't look half bad." Tommy said making him whine in embarrassment. 

"I probably look like a mess." 

"You look fine," Polly encouraged, flipping put a small compact mirror showing him what he looked like. 

"Oh... Is that actually me?" He blurted out. "it's just, I usually have a mask, I have freckles." He said horrified. 

"Are you okay?" Polly asked, her smile looked more like an awkward grimace. Mask? He wore a mask? 

"Fine, I just forgot I had freckles." 

"Oh," she quickly closed the compact mirror and slid it back into her pocket. "Sorry, didnt know it ment that much." 

"Its fine its just, I never go out without a mask on." He hissed the last word as if it meant death. 

"They make you look cute though." Tommy joked, he liked joking around with people lately. It made him happy in a way. Zanes face was flushed a red colour. 

OoO

     Garte stared at Laila in annoyance, "it was this peg." He sighed, thank Irene he never took his kids camping. 

     "This is why I never went camping with my kids." Garte said seriously, making Laila snort. 

     "Why? Would this happen?" 

     "No." He said simply, "everything would be on fire." 

     Laila started laughing, banging a hand on her knee. "You have no faith in your kids." 

     "None." He agreed, "none whatsoever." 

     Laila started howling with laugher as soon as he said those words. 

"I'm just going to say this in good faith, I don't trust any of my children, err maybe Vylad, to be able to go camping." Garte said steadily. 

"You have no faith in me?" A voice said obnoxiously from behind them. "I can't believe you daddy!" 

     Laila couldn't help but keep laughing. She was practically hacking as they spoke. "Caught in the act." She managed to get out before Polly had to hit her on the back to get her to stop. 

     "You are a nerd." Polly said finally. Giving her girlfriend a look of disapproval. Shad just giggled at the scene in front of him. 

"You love me for that though." Laila smirked slightly, raising herself from her hunched postition. 

"I do." Polly agreed kissing her softly on the lips. 

"Ew," Tommy said. "Cooties." He however is wrong, girls kissing girls do not have cooties, it is only boys and girls kissing that gives cooties. His mother should have taught him this earlier. 

OoO

Chapter Text

Zane often felt like he was being suffocated, he wasn't, he knew this. And it wasn't his asthma kicking in, it almost never hit anymore. 

     It was more of an anxiety suffocation. When his emotions got bottled up they just blew up. And not in the regular sense, ever since they were hit by the celestial canon, the suffocating grew larger, his skin often itched with the need to release something, anger, sadness, you name it. 

     Until it actually blew up, a bright blue light covering his body and a small clamg and he felt calm, a calm he didn't realize before. It had been so long, the itch disappearing and he didn't know what to do. 

     Or even where he was. 

     His body felt light and his eyes heavy, in fact it felt as though he was sleeping and this was a dream, he knew otherwise, this wasn't a dream, this was reality. (Easy come easy go.) 

     If not then his dreams were eccentric. He was surrounded by a dark purpley blue colour that made him nauseous when he remembered why he didn't like the colours that much anymore. The colour was glass and he was definitely inside whatever it was, it wasn't a box and more like a circle. 

    He gave a small step and stumbled when the object moved along with him, that wasn't right, this isn't right. He realized. He should be with his father and Tommy and Shad and Laurence not in some, oh... the realization hit him, he should be free instead of in some relic. 

    And that's when the glowing started again, only he was back by the tents just a few meters away. 

OoO

With mystreet Laurence and Garroth. 

     Laurence and Garroth walked up the small hill with ease, they had only been here for a day or so and they were making little to none progress. 

    Janus had said they were going to appear close to a giant tree, but guess what? They haven't they were in a forest that went on forever with average sized trees, trees that went up at the most 6 meters. Not the 24 meter high tree they were promised. 

     Honestly they felt spent, their travel felt longer than it needed to be and made Laurences stomach churn. 

    This place made him sad, walking around made him nauseous, he knew it wasn't him. Maybe if Janus didn't give him a horror story of what happened to other laurence then maybe? Then maybe he'd feel better. Just a smidge though. 

    And that's why the dread he felt disappeared as soon as they saw a huge camp. It was obviously a camp, going by the tents and makeshift walls, the durt was ransacked and driven over messily, unlike those you would find in a city. 

    And that's when they saw the wanted posters. That of a woman wearing a lab coat scientists wore and Zane, even if it said Virgil. It was Zane. Fucking Zane. 

How the hell did he get onto a wanted poster, actually... yeah. Laurence shared a look with Garroth only to have the werewolf stare at him eyes narrowed. 

      "No." Garroth said finally. "We are not becoming fugitives."

       "But Zane is!" 

        "It says accomplice!" Garroth argued back,  "he probably just stood there!" 

        "He really did." Someone said beside them studying the posters. 

        "See!" Garroth said pointedly. 

       "God, that lady said she was going to kill me." They said seriously, "thankfully he held her back and let me run away. I think the only reason they put him up as well is to get him away." The person shivered trying to show how afraid they were. "She is a psychopath." 

    "He's my brother." Garroth explained, "did you happen to see where he went?" 

    "Yeah that way." They said pointing north up towards the forest.

     "Do you know the lady?" The person asked, finally looking at them to reveal bright orange eyes. 

    "No." Laurence intervened, trying to ignore Garroths homesick look. "We don't, Zane was taken from our house and we're looking for him. 

        "Oh." They said softly, before turning away. "I hope you can find him." 

       "Wait! Here!" Garroth said before giving them a few gold coins. "Thank you for telling us where they went." 

    The orange eyes blinked at him in shock before their face flushed staring right at Garroth. Thankfully hidden behind their hood. "Oop, Oh! Thank you!" They said gratefully, smiling at them both before waving goodbye. 

     Both Garroth and Laurence shared a look, before Garroth shook his head, "we still aren't becoming fugitives." 

OoO

Gene and Kawaii-Chan

      Nana sat softly at the dinner table with Dante and Gene, the later who was laying his head in his arms, sulking. She knew how he felt, like it was his fault. It wasn't! She quickly amended in her mind. 

     The only reason he thought that was because it was his counterpart who took Zane. And now we don't know what happened, or even if he was okay. 

     She felt weightless, like she could float away, beforehand. But now, she felt like a rock, a rock beneath the ocean, covered in coral and kelp. Trapped, and fully aware of it. 

    She closed her eyes before opening them again, "lucinda!" She said loudly making both of them stare at her oddly. Thankfully Nekoette-Chan and Demytri were both gone at the moment with Kawaii-Chan, or else she would have been quite embarrassed. 

     "Lucinda what?" Dante asked raising an eyebrow. 

     "Tracking spell!" Nana explained, her voice triumphant. It would work, she knew it. 

      "Doesn't she need something of his though?" Gene asked, rubbing his finger in circle patterns on the table.

 She stared at him dumbly before bursting out with. "His phone, you dolt!" She snapped. 

     Genes mood was getting on her nerves. "Okay, so I know you feel bad about this whole thing, but get your head out of the gutter! If Zane was hurt we would have found him, okie doke." She curved her mouth into a small smile, Gene just stared at her hopelessly. "And don't try to argue, or I will be telling our Dante about this, and he's gonna want to hang out. And quote 'be loud' so shut up." 

      She knew she could have said that way nicer but it was in the heat of the moment and it seemed to work. The same look he shared with her before going into the portal was across his face and it was obvious Dante realized it as well. 

     Dantes face lit up with glee as he realized, yes! Lucinda's in the village. "It could work?" He said slowly, "Yes Lucinda is in the village but would she do it?" 

      "Yep," Nana stated superiority lacing her voice. She gave a small giggle, a small tiny smirk right where her smile normally was. "I can get her to do it." 

OoO

   "When I'm around you." Nana stated, "I can't think straight." 

Lucinda looked at her confused, "what does that mean." Lucinda said making Nana smile wider. 

"Are you an angel? Because I haven't blinked since I saw your face." Nana tried again, she didn't know many pick up lines she could use on girls, but she's trying and by the looks of it, Lucinda caught on. 

"W—what?" Lucinda asked, her face burning. "You know what, you can stop. What do you want." 

"Can you do a tracking spell." Nana asked slyly, her eyes staring wide at Lucinda. 

"Why didn't you ask?" Lucinda said softly, her face was still pinkish. "It would save me from the embarrassment." Nana though inwardly, Travis said flirting was the way to go with Lucinda, she's barely complain if you ask her to do anything after. 

"I'm not embarrassed about flirting." Nana told her, leaning closer. "In fact I'd be completely willing—." She stopped as soon as she saw the bright red the encompassed Lucinda's face. "Right." She stopped letting Lucinda catch her breath. "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable." 

"I'll do the tracking spell just... as much as it is nice I'd rather not be flirted with." Lucinda said finally the red tinge went from her face. 

      Thats different than our Lucinda, Nana tried it with their Lucinda and it worked

      Nana smiled triumphantly. Travis taught her about Lucinda's way about flirting and if she used it against her than who was she to complain about how it worked

Chapter Text

At Mcd Dantes house

      Nana, Gene and Dante went back to Dantes' house after their encounter with Lucinda. Nana sat down quietly tea in hand, watching Dante and Gene attempt to teach Demitri how to play baseball, even though Dante also doesn't know how to play. 

     "So are you dating?" Kawaii chan asked her suddenly, making her wheeze. She almost dropped her cup, before she set it on the table nicely. 

      "No," she coughed out. "No I don't like either of them that way." Kawaii chan raised an eyebrow. 

      "I'm not really into the mood for any type of romantic relationship at the moment, maybe in a year or so I'll be happy to get into a relationship but... not anytime soon." 

      "Relationship troubles?" Kawaii-Chan pressed. 

       "Nothing like that, it's just things are going on and faster than I expected, you know." Nana told her making Kawaii-chan smile. 

      "That's how I felt before I married Dante." She admitted. "I think the only reason we got together was because we were both lonely, and then it came back when I found out about Demitri." 

      "Demitris a cute kid, Gene likes him." 

      "They look alike." Kawaii-Chan noticed, "and when he gets older he's going to look just as good." Nana snorted smiling before Kawaii-Chan added, "or even better."

"Oh, Demitri will look way better than Trashman over here," Nana told her, "way better." 

"You think so?" Kawaii-Chan asked amused. 

"I know so." Nana nodded, taking a sip of her tea. 

OoO

      The loud noises of armour clacking together and creaking were always present in the guard tower. From footsteps to armour to swords clashing together. 

      Issac couldn't help but smile. He had worked in the guard post for three years now and it was always this rowdy. He loved it here, from the people, the sights and the mischief. 

      Something was always going on, from Murders, something he despised, thievery, thankfully almost no war, and Shadowknights. 

      He shivered when he heard the term, Shadow Knights were a nightmare to most, something their parents told them about when they were younger to make them eat vegetables and go to bed. He always remembered when his parents told him, "Eat your greens or you wont be strong enough to fight the Shadow Knights off." 

     Issac loved his parents, they were some of the nicest people he knows. As he walked out of the tower. 

       He smiled at two of his favourite villagers, Donna and Logan, he gave a small smile and greeted them before they chatted and he walked home. 

      A guard ran past him in a hurry stopping quickly to give him a flyer, a wanted poster. A familiar face posted on it, Gene Charleson. Captain of the Shadowknights. Brother of Dante Charleson.

OoO

APHMAU AND JAYDEN (Void Paradox) 

      Jayden looked at Aphmau in surprise, "you're going to go find your kid and our friends without me?" He asked confused. 

      They were still in the outsides of the universe, nothingness surrounded them but a bright yellow portal bursting with a vibrant green. 

     Aphmau's eyes widened before she immediately shook her head, "no!" She denied quickly. "That's not what I meant, I meant I'll go in first and you wait here until I come back." 

     "No." He immediately said, "I promised to help you, and I can't do that without you beside me." 

      "I can take care of myself," she snapped at him angrily. He took it in stride before turning towards the portal they figured out how to make. 

      "I'm going with you." Jayden told her, he needed to be with her, or else he wouldn't be able to keep his promise. 

      "What if they come back!?" She immediately stated, pacing around their small campsite. 

     "Then we can leave a note," Jayden said patiently, "they didn't leave us one so why should we give them that." 

      "They wouldn't just leave." Aphmau said frantically, she looked like she was about to start crying. 

     "Then, let me help." He said, turning away from the portal to look at her. "I would rather die than have you all get hurt." It was the least he could do for Laurence. 

OoO

      "Hey Polly," Lalia said softly sitting down on the grass, brushing her hair out of the way to gaze at the twinkling stars. "Do you think they're okay?" 

      Polly looked at her girlfriend comfortingly still standing, "yeah, I do, I think everyone is fine, great even. We made new friends, found Laurence, and we're keeping Tommy safe until We can find Aphmau and Jayden." 

        Laila gave her a thankful look, before staring back at the stars. "Have you ever thought that maybe the stars were portals to other dimensions." 

       "That's an odd hypothesis." Polly claimed, "but it would be very soothing to know that somethings are common." She took a look at the stars before saying playfully, "Perseus and Andromeda. It reminds me of us a little." She gave Laila a small peck on the cheek. 

      "What would I ever do without you." Laila said lovingly, locking their hands together. 

"You'd perish." Polly said jokingly, before setting herself on the grass beside her. 

"Alas," Laila agreed, "I would." 

OoO

   "Here." Lucinda said she was walking around the cauldron quickly, adding ingredients and stirring quite a bit. "Grab me a map." 

     Quickly Nana grabbed one from the wall, carefully taking the tacks out of the wall. She didn't want to rip the map, did she? 

      She placed it onto the side table in Lucinda's laboratory. Lucinda barely paid attention before the cauldron turned a dark pink colour that resembled burgundy. 

      Lucinda nodded in satisfaction, before grabbing the phone from Gene and put a droplet on the map and on the phone

      The map burst with bright colours, green, blue, pink, Lucinda furrowed her eyebrows. It's not supposed to do that, She thought. 

      The potion was only supposed to make it glow the same burgundy colour as the potion. Her eyes hovered over the map before landing on the brightest spot, before her eyes widen with realization. 

      "That wasn't supposed to happen." She said slowly, looking at Nana and Gene. She shoved the map into Gene's hands to show him what was wrong. "According to this, they're under a blanket, or a spell. It's showing the general location. It's not supposed to do that because the potion I used can go between blankets." 

      Lucinda looked annoyed, she held her hands together in anger. "Either I did something wrong or..." she froze before looking back at the map. She let out a groan. "They're in Tu'la! Tu'la! How did they get into Tu'la!" 

      "What's Tu'la?" Nana asked her, Tu'la no longer existed. Most of the towns and nations were either renamed or taken over by other nations. 

      "Tu'la is the home nation of most Meif'wa." Nana nodded in understanding, most Meif'wa things and places were destroyed back in the day. 

      "And so they're there?" Gene asked hopefully. 

      "Yeah," she sighed. "The only way we're going to get in there is well either the portal they went through or..." she looked at Nana, "you're going to have to bluff your way through." 

       In the back of the room a voice called out, "she won't." They all looked over to Kawaii-Chan. "I said I wouldn't go back, but I do have family there, and they will probably help you." 

OoO

With Void Paradox Aphmau and Jayden in Royal Tale 

      Aphmau glared at the ebony haired man before her, "how dare you say something so sexist!" She snapped before looking at the other woman who had a white lavender hair colour. "Is this how he treats everyone or just me? Because if you say that he's said anything like this to you I will not hesitate to grab Jaydens sword and ram it into your chest." 

"Uh, no. It's just you." The woman said making Aphmau turn her glare back to the shocked man. 

"Call me Babe again, I dare you." 

"Aph," Jayden said. "You're scaring the people we need to ask for help." 

"I really don't care right now." Aphmau said pressingly. "I just want my son back, and maybe my friends." 

The man slowly relaxed before smiling, "oh so it's all a misunderstanding. I thought you were Aphmau." 

"I am Aphmau." 

     "Our Aphmau." The man said calmly. 

      "That still doesn't give you the right to call people names like that." 

     Another voice called out, "Aaron what are you saying to the—" it stopped, Jayden looked up the stairs to see another man only he was blond and obviously looked like a royal. Jaydens nose twitched, royals were annoying. "Aphmau!" He greeted, pleasantly. "I thought you were back at your kingdom." 

"Sorry, sorry, no. Who are you?" She said raising a knife, Jayden didn't know where she got the knife from, and he shivered. She could have pulled that out on him at any time. 

  As soon as she raised the knife the blond stopped on the stairs, "sorry about her she's currently looking for a teenager, about this high." Jayden butted in raising his hand up to his neck height, "and two Scientists, one blonde the other rainbow haired. If you've seen them please say so." 

"Oh, uh, no We havent seen anyone like that around here." Aphmau deflated at the blonds words, "but we can look around, the palace is huge and we can also look around the city." She practically jumped up with glee. 

"Really?" 

"Yeah, is he your friend?" The blond asked carefully, trying not to step on any eggshells. 

"Oh, no Tommy isnt my," she stopped, before growing agitated."He's my son. Tommy is my son." The blond looked confused. 

She just ignored him in favour of staring down the black haired man who was sheepishly rubbing the nape of his neck

Chapter Text

      It was a week after the last incident, he never told anyone what happened. He didn't want anyone to know, it could be an ace up his sleeve if he kept it hidden. 

     Zane woke up again in the blue ball only this time he wasn't alone, I mean he was but instead of nothing being in it alongside him something was. 

      A bright green object that looked like an eye. It looked so familiar, and slowly he could feel his body moving to touch it only for it to move farther away. “Hey!” He yelped as he ran after it, soon the ball changed colours or at least his surroundings did. 

      He was now in a big town, people were talking and instead of it being night it was the middle of the day, he faintly wondered if it was a dream before he saw the eye again. 

     Just as quickly he ran after it again, barely focusing on his surroundings. That was until he saw the name, Scaleswind. 

     He once again focused on the eye only to see it go underground. Right beneath the well. 

    He didn't know where he heard that town or even if it existed but they needed to get there. 

OoO

     Laurence shook Tommy and Laila awake from the tent they slept in. “Come on,” he urged them. “Wake up.” 

      Laila groaned loudly attempting to shove her face into the pillow under her. “Noooo,” she whined. 

      “Laila!” Polly hissed, “wake up, we need to get out of here!” A loud caw was heard and a yelp from Garte. 

      “Stupid bird!” Garte yelped trying to catch it as it swooped in to attack again. They could see a few figures in the background and he grit his teeth in anger. “Creeps.” 

      Laurence just yanked Laila up by the arm making her flail before calming. Tommy slowly got up as well, Laurence could tell it wasnt from drowsiness but as to not alert whoever was outside. 

      The bird swooped again this time towards Zane with its claws open, Garte went to move in front of him only for it to land. Its eyes glowing red, making a letter poof into Zane’s surprised hands. 

     The eyes of whoever was outside disappeared one by one, along with the bird. 

OoO

      Garroth woke up with a jolt, making Laurence jump up. “I heard yelling,” Garroth said softly. 

       “I didn't, but something seems odd about this place.” Laurence claimed making Garroth nod in agreement. Laurence fiddled with the gun he grabbed earlier. 

Garroth started packing his tent when he heard a loud Caw come from a certain direction and turn towards it. He couldn't help but freeze when he saw blood along the talons. “That way,” Garroth said, motioning to the way the bird came from. “I think they’re that way.” 

Laurence nodded before looking back at the retreating bird. “Do you want me to shoot it down or?” 

“No, leave it be, It might have helped us find them.” Garroth said, finishing up wrapping up their tents. And turning towards where the bird came from. He looked at Laurence with a small smile, “let's go find them.” 

    Laurence nodded before gripping Garroths hand tightly, “if you need someone to talk to I’m here.” Garroth pulled Laurence into him before wrapping his arms around him in a hug. 

“Thanks,” 

OoO

Mcd Garroth and Vylad

Garroth stayed quiet as his mother and Vylad greeted the nobleman, he didn't care, even though he should care. He was the first prince and the heir to the throne if Okasis.

      He looked at his brother who smiled at the nobleman and felt something off. A shortness of breath caught his attention and he breathed in and out in a rhythm. In. Out. In. Out. 

     His chest felt heavy but he ignored it. It must’ve been something he ate. “Garroth?” Vylad asked, looking back at him. 

     Garroth quickly smiled at him. “Sorry, lost in thought.” 

Vylad furrowed his brows at him, ‘are you okay?’ He mouthed making Garroth faulter. He just shrugged slightly before turning his attention to the blue haired Nobleman. 

“Nobleman Jeremy of Barabos,” Vylad said, “my brother here is interested on why you made this treacherous journey to Okasis all by yourself.” 

The Nobleman looked stiff as soon as he heard himself being addressed, “My late sister María has recently passed away and I couldn't bear to stay in the city that drove away both of my nephews.” 

“Nephews?” Garroth Inquired, making the blue haired man nod solemnly. 

“My two adorable young nephews went missing over twenty years ago.” The Nobleman continued, “Oh how cute Dante was chasing after his brother at all hours of the day. I really hoped Gene would train him more now that he was a guard.” 

“Dante? Dante Charleson?” Garroth blurted out making them stop. Vylad looked at them in realization. 

“Y—yes, how did you know their last name? I didn't tell you.” The Nobleman looked confusingly at him. 

“Blue hair, blue eyes, two swords?” Vyald

“Yes, he always did favour two blades instead of one.” The Nobleman agreed. 

Zianna finally stopped talking to one of the maids to inquire, “how is Dante? I didn't get to say hi when we visited.” 

“You know where he is?” The Nobleman asked, the worry increased in his face. “Is he okay?” 

“Dante is doing amazing, he and Kawaii-Chan are very happy with their children. How do you know him, Jeremy?” Zianna asked politely, a twinkle in her eye. 

“Oh, Dante is my missing nephew.” 

“He’s Marías son?” Zianna raised her eyebrows, “I didn't know that, If we had known we would have taken him in.” 

The Nobleman looked ashamed, “I am ashamed to say we only remembered them as of Marías’ death,” he shook his head slightly, “I just wish to see them both happy, do you know what happened to them?” 

They each froze before looking at eachother, Garroth steadied his breath, “I’m sorry to say this but your nephew Gene Charleson is a Shadowknight under Shad,” the Nobleman looked shocked by what Garroth just said. 

“What?” He asked making Garroth start to repeat what he said, “—no its fine, I kust needed a second to let what you said sink in.” 

“And Dante?” The Nobleman asked, his eyes looked hopeful. 

“Dante is a loving father of two children, Demitri and Nekoette-Chan, he is also the head guard of Phoenix drop.” The Nobleman looked relieved before softly asking. “Is he alright?” 

“Why don't you ask him yourself, if you don't mind travelling with us one more day to Phoenix Drop. Dante and another counterpart of Gene from another timeline are staying there looking for someone.” 

“I would be honoured,” the Nobleman looked like he was about to cry. “T—Thank you so much.” Be smiled at them before freezing, “another timeline?” 

   OoO

The void went by many names, destroyer, death, god, but it's true name, oh , its true name was the End . 

     Stories were told of the end and the beings that lived there. They were called Endermen or Alters, an alternate person brought to a world to fight against them. 

     The End had a pull on people. The End always made sure to have people above them. 

     The End needed to stay hidden, and under a village where no one would dig was the best option. 

    Only one person knew of the End, 

       Only one person, Shadowknight,  knew of the portal, until it showed itself to another. 

      Until it showed its weakness. 

Chapter Text

Mystreet Laurence and Garroth

     They walked through the forest following the stream until they got to a coralle deep in the forest. It had just become very early in the morning. The moon was still out but was going down fast. 

   Garroth made a scrunched up face when a smell hit him. It had a tangy smell that reeked of copper, Blood. 

     They could see the remnants of a campsite from the footsteps and the still warm but cooling fire. In a panic Garroth yelled, "ZANE!" 

     They could hear it echo for a little while until it stopped. 

      “Garroth." Laurence said softly, before realizing, "that way!" He pointed upwards the mountain. "If we get up there maybe we can see them or yell louder!" 

     Garroth brightened before following the footsteps up the steep hill. They could see many things but because of the moon still in the sky and the sun only barely risen they couldn't make anything out until they saw a town. It was obviously small, but they could see the faint lights.

     Before they started heading towards the town, hopefully after Zane. Garroth cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled to the loudest of his abilities, "ZANE!!" 

OoO

"ZANE!!" They all froze and Garte scrunched his eyes before they landed on Zane. 

"That sounded like—" Garte started before Laurence interrupted him. 

"—Garroth." 

    "Should we stop?" Polly asked, making Laurence flinch away. 

Fire, blue fire. Zane froze, an unsettling feeling grew in his stomach, Garroth, their Garroth, his Big Brother was standing close to him. 

"It's our Garroth." Zane said before he could stop himself. Kicking a small pebble with his foot as he said that. 

They all looked at him confused, how would he know, he thought before realizing, he doesn't. 

Instead of elaborating he looked ahead, "we can stay at the village for a few days and wait if you don't believe me." Polly and Laila looked guilty. "And we could have somewhere to look at the note in peace away from any attackers." Blue fire, burning from his hand.

 It didn't burn, just laid there. 

Buildings on fire. Orange fire. 

Lava. 

Falling. 

Fire?

Blue fire?

Safety? 

Safety .

OoO

Gene and Nana looked at eachother oddly, "we're going to O'khasis, The O'khasis." He said dreamily. 

"How did you hear about O'khasis?" Nana asked him, digging her feet into the ground. 

"Well, one of the last known documents about this timeline was written by someone who frequented O'khasis and they had wonderful things to say about it!" Gene brightened, much unlike his previous emotions the day prior. "They also talked a lot about some of the politics, not a lot thankfully. I would have gotten so bored, so They wrote about the leaders and mostly about one in particular, their captain. They never wrote any names sadly, I'm pretty sure it was a diary." 

"What was the author's name?" Nana asked, making him grin, "I might check this out later when we get back." 

"The author's name was Liochant, I would love to meet them one day." Gene said dreamily. "Apparently they worked as a knight." 

Nana snorted, "how cool is that!" Gene said energetically. He obviously felt better now that he knew Zane was alive. 

     "Why don't you ask Katelyn about any Liochant? If they worked as a knight, maybe she knows him and can introduce you to them?" 

    Gene looked so conflicted. "I can ask her if you want?" As soon as she offered Gene looked at her hopefully and squeaked out a "please!" 

    She was relieved to see him happy, for a while she was worried he was going to do something reckless. Like getting drunk at 2:00 am and jumping off a building in the middle of winter. The middle of winter? It's summer! She shook her head and motioned to Katelyn who was sitting not far from them. 

"Hey Katelyn?" She asked, making Katelyn look up at her. Katelyn Nodded at her to continue. "Do you happen to know a Liochant?" 

    Katelyn narrowed her eyes at them, "yes." She claimed making Gene stare at her, Nana could see stars in his eyes. "What do you want to know?" 

"He's an author." Nana said, "he wrote a few pieces on O'khasis and how wonderful it is." Katelyn looked mildly surprised. 

"Really?" She asked intrigued, Gene Nodded and pulled out his phone before opening an app. She took the phone silently before reading the first page. 

O'khasis is the main city of Ru'an, a large country with large hearts. I love it here because most people are very nice, I have a captain who I care about very much because they don't care about me coming from Tu'la, a rival country and home of the Meifwa and some werewolf tribes. It can be nice but also harsh, refugees are constantly traveling to O'khasis. 

Katelyn gave a smile as she read, "he's a nice kid." 

"The author's a he?" Gene blurted out hopefully. 

"Yes, he is, His name is Liochant The devout blade," Katelyn continued. "He's a sweet kid...” they continued talking about him and other aspects of O’khasis. 

OoO

Lucinda came out with the map in hand, "we might not need to go Into Tu'la after all. Or at least not too far inland." She claimed before flashing the map at them. 

"This is them." She pointed to a small blue dot on the map, it was slowly moving towards the sea. "They look to be headed towards the sea, right?" 

Nana and Gene nodded listening intently, "one of the cities there is called Barabos. We can probably go through there to Alkansa and then to Tankards bay." 

"Barabos?" Dante said in a tiny voice, they could barely catch what he said. 

"Is something wrong?" Lucinda asked him, making him give a small timid smile. 

"It's nothing," he didn't look her in the eyes when he said it, Before turning away. "I'm going to go lay down." 

    "Did I say something wrong?" Lucinda asked confused. 

Gene and Nana looked at each other before shrugging, "no idea." Gene said before turning back to Lucinda. 

OoO

“So…” ‘Gene’ said turning his back from Monty's tied up form. “They will soon answer my letter.” 

“Yeah?” Monty raised his eyebrow, leaning forward. He gave a bloody grin, the blood more likely from the multiple hits to him. “Do you really think they would listen?” 

“I do.” ‘Gene said simply. “Do you?” Gene turned towards him once again, 

    Monty gave a strained laugh, “do I?” He asked himself, “ I don't.” His laughter got louder as Gene slammed the door to the room. But Monty knew they would come. 

OoO

     Laurence shook his head giving a small grunt of pain. He had a headache that burnt slightly, “Are you okay?” He jumped back slightly as soon as he heard the question. Tommy? What is he doing here? 

   “I’m… fine.” He said hesitantly, before letting out a few small gasps of pain. Tommys eyes flashes with worry. 

      “No lying,” Tommy Immediately told him, “you are hurt, what is wrong?” Laurence couldn't help but give a small but pain filled chuckle. 

      “My head.” Laurence admitted, “it’s been hurting since we got the letter.” 

     Tommys eyes flashed with realization, “The one from the bird.” They had not read or even opened the letter yet and were all dreading what was written. When Laurence nodded he gave a small tut, “why didn’t you say so.” 

     Tommy grabbed Laurences arm and dragged him towards the hotel they booked a room in. The old lady running the hotel gave him a quick and friendly ‘hello’ that they both returned. 

     He practically shoved Laurence into the hotel room where Laila and Polly were doing something with a knife, an experiment more than likely. 

     Garte and Zane came through not even a few minutes later before settling down on one of the beds. 

     Tommy just threw the letter on the table before blurting out, “I think we should read what this says.” 

    Shad made grabby hands at it before giving a giggle and saying, “It’s from a shadowknight.” 

     Garte nodded, “that's what I think as well.” He felt dread when looking at the letter, the red eyes he remembered from sitting in a cell for weeks, the same ones from the last few nights that stayed in his dreams. “We should at least read what whoever has to say.” 

    Shad made a pouty face before repeating himself, “it's from a shadowknight.” He said it with such a belief the rest of them just agreed with him. 

     “Does anyone volunteer to read it?” Tommy asked again. 

     Garte volunteered himself, “sure, I’ll read it.” He quickly grabbed the letter off the table along with a dagger Polly and Laila were experimenting with. He cut the envelope open and ripped off the seal before unfolding it. 

“It says, 

To Zane and Laurence 

You think you could leave with the lord without us noticing, running away to O’khasis to be free of the Shadowknights. Think again, we have one if your friends. The scientist, he of course knows who you are and we are inclined to believe the same with you. We will gladly trade Monty for Zane and Shad. We Meet up at Tankard bay off the coast of Tu’la by the border of Ru'aun if you wish to get your friend back.”

     Garte looked a little pale and worried when he read off the letter, his hands were trembling softly, and he hoped no one noticed. 

     Zane looked down at the ground while Tommy stared directly at him. “Are we going to—“ he was cut off by Tommy who practically yelled, “No!” 

     Zane blinked up at him confused, “what about your dad?” Tommy just narrowed his eyes. 

     “We won't sacrifice anyone to that psychopath and if we do, We’d have a plan.” Laurence nodded. 

     “We have no idea if he will uphold his side of the deal anyway, we could go to Tankard bay and it could be a trap, he’s get you two kill the rest of us and then destroy the world.” Laurence stated. “Gene is unhinged, he won't care about anything else.”

     Zane bristled slightly, Their Gene was completely different than what Laurence was saying. Before he realized, yeah, Gene always seemed off when he was in the Nether. 

     He had thought it was because of the ritual, and he felt dread run through his veins. The way he looked around, the glint he got in his eyes, he knew that look, he knew it far too well. He knew the look from Ein. 

     “How did Gene become a Shadowknight?” Zane asked in a horrified realization. They all blinked at him confused, and he looked at Laurence pleadingly, “just— How did he become a Shadowknight?” 

     Laurence gave a grim smile, “He tried to get the lord's daughter to marry him by altering her memories then erased their families memories of Dante because he told an adult.” Zane just stared down at the ground. 

      “We’re doing it.” Zane said finally, making them all freeze, “but not Shad, I’ll go.” His eyes had a look behind them and Laurence couldn't help but freeze when he stared at him. He looked so much like The ruthless High Priest when he looked at them. 

     Garte looked scared, “you can't be serious?” He asked, Zianna would kill him if he let their son go willingly to a psychopath who could alter memories. 

     “I am, and I’m not changing my answer, We’re going To Tankard bay. Or at least I am.” 

     “Then we’re going with you,” Laila said making Polly snap out of her state of confusion before immediately agreeing. Laurence sighed before nodding in agreement. 

     Tommy made a noise of disapproval before sighing and giving in, he looked at Garte who looked terrified. “Did he say when to go to Tankard?” 

      Garte shook his head, mumbling softly. “No, he just said to be there.” 

      Zane felt a little guilty but he knew what it was like to be trapped with someone who could alter your memories. 

Make you forget your family. 

      Someone who had complete control over your life. 

OoO

     Laurence and Garroth walked into the motel where the old lady smiled at him, “oh hello Garte!” She greeted squinting at him slightly, “you look different,” she then looked at Laurence and smiled, “oh who are you dearie?” 

     Laurence smiled politely before saying, “my name is Laurence, miss?” 

     “Oh! You’re so polite, My name is Elaine Hopperson.” 

     “Sorry to ask this but could you tell us his room number?” 

     “Oh yes of course dearie, I sometimes get spouts Of forgetfulness as well,” she said nodding in understanding. “it's the third room down. I hope everyone is feeling well, you all were quite worrying.” Elaine said seriously, “and make sure you all come down for supper, I’d love to see your grandchild again.” 

     Grandchild? A shot of horror ran through Garroth, “o-oh of course.” He replied steadying himself. “Thank you!” He said politely before Elaine smiled and waved to them as they walked towards the room. 

     Garroth looked worried at Laurence before turning towards the door, he could hear faint snippets of conversation. Beat Gene? He slowly raised his hand and knocked on the door. 

    He could hear everyone stop talking and a few people hustling around the room before someone opened it slightly, he instantly recognized who it was, “Dad?” He asked hopefully. 

Garte looked at him confused, “what are you doing here?” He demanded in a whisper before pulling him and Laurence into the hotel room. “What do you think you’re doing here?” He looked frantically at them. 

     “We were told some weirdos who want to destroy the world kidnapped Zane so Janus opened a portal here, along with Kawaii-Chan to find him and bring him home.” Garroth replied easily, before laurence butted in, “we were also told of something called the Void coming here to this world and Janus was all, that's ironic.” Laurences voice raised in a mocking tone. 

     He then lowered his voice in a hushed whisper, “Ironic my ass.”

    Zane stared at Garroth before walking up and hugging him, “what the fu—mm are you doing here.” 

    “We just said why we were here.” Garroth replied easily. Before narrowing his eyes at him, “were you going to swear?” 

“No,” Zane lied. “You forgot didn’t you.” 

    “The speech was a little long for me to remember.” He agreed easily making Zane smile up at him. 

    Laurence gave a wave to the group of scientists before looking up at the other laurence and just nodded, blurting out in astonishment. “You’re pretty Tall.” 

   Shadowknight Laurence snorted and said, “well you’re pretty short.” 

   Human laurence nodded and said dryly. “Yeah, everyone is short in our world.” 

    “So what's this about beating Gene up?” He asked seriously making them all freeze. He raised his hands in defence before pointing at his ears, “I could hear you through the door.” 

    “Don't tell your mom.” Garte Immediately said, Garroth raised his eyebrows. 

“She already knows I’m here, and Zane, and Gene and Kawaii-Chan.” Garroth grinned at his dismayed face, “she also knows you are here and she also knows why you were gone for the past four months.” 

“Four?” Zane asked quietly, Garroth nodded, “Time is still moving normally out there and passing regularly.” 

One of the scientists moved into their conversation. “By all accounts that shouldn’t be happening, Time should have frozen there if you’re from the future.” 

“I think Janus is doing it.” Garroth said hesitantly, Zane raised his eyebrow at him.

“Janus?” He asked confused, Garroth stared at him releasing him from the hug. 

“Yeah, the gray haired one, from highschool? He’s the god of time, from the greek dynasty.” Garroth looked around the room before landing on Shad.

     “Miss Elaine said you had a kid?” He looked at Zane for an answer and when he saw the hesitation on his face he blurted out, “how long have you been here?” 

     “A few weeks?” Zane replied confused at the tone of desperation in his voice. As soon as he said that he slumped relieved. “What are you talking about? Janus? A god? The only thing he is, is a goddamn bastard.”

     The human Laurence snorted as soon as he heard that, “ain’t that right.” He agreed. 

    The scientists who were standing off to the side gave each of them an awkward smile. “I’m Polly,” the blonde haired one introduced herself. 

    “Laila.” Rainbow hair? Sweet. Garroth thought nodding his head. 

    “And I’m Tommy.” The teenager said, he looked around 17 years old. 

     As soon as introductions were done, Garroth said towards Laila, “I love your hair.” 

     She froze a little confused by his comment before giving a small laugh, “thanks.” 

     “So what was the whole ‘Beat Gene up’ thing?” Laurence asked. 

OoO

    “Wait? You’ve been calling me Human Laurence this whole time?” Laurence complained. 

     “They’ve been Calling me ShadowKnight Laurence as well.” The other laurence said easily.

     “Wait?” Laurence asked. “How do you spell your name?” 

     “Spell?” He asked, why would he know that, it isn't as if he actually learnt how to read. “I have no idea.” 

“What?” 

     “I don't know how it’s spelt.” Shadow knight Laurence claimed. 

“Do you want to learn?” Laurence asked, it would be a fun bonding experience. 

“That would be fun.” Shadowknight Laurence agreed after a moment of hesitation. 

     “Okay, let's start with our name. There are many different ways to spell it, here are three ways that I know. L-a-u-r-e-n-c-e, L-a-u-r-a-n-c-e and L-a-w-r-e-n-c-e.” 

     Shadowknight Laurence nodded, “which one would you like to be your name?” Human him asked him. 

     “I like L-a-u-r-a-n-c-e.” He said easily. The spelling of the name confused him a little but but he remembered the letters used. 

     “Then that's how we can differentiate between the two of us. I go by L-a-u-r-e-n-c-e and you go by L-a-u-a-n-c-e. How about that?” 

     Laurance blinked at him before nodding. He smiled at Laurence, and Laurence smiled back before asking. “Do you want to continue, we can also learn everyone else's name and I can help you write them out.” 

Chapter Text

    Krystal took a swig of her ginger ale. “Whenn’s Aphmau coming back?” She asked, her slurred words making it difficult to hear her as she put her head between her arms. 

    “When she gets back,” Kika answered, barely suppressing the urge to remove the drink from her hands. McCloud snorted as he sat beside them, taking a small sip of Krsyal’s drink. Kika raised an eyebrow, questioning him, but shrugged it off. They were here to unwind, after all. 

   “That doesn't answer my question,” Kystal whined, her black hair falling back over her face - almost falling into the cup. 

 Kika gave her a side look. “Your question was stupid.” The urge to grab the ginger ale grew, and before she knew it she was chugging the rest of the bottle. 

    McCloud looked at her appreciatively before pulling another bottle from his pocket. “One of us should be the responsible adult and stay sober for the children.” They all glanced at each other suspiciously, Krystal reaching to grab another bottle from McCloud while staring down the others.

     Kika narrowed her eyes before she snorted. “Thanks for volunteering yourself.” Quickly, she grabbed another ginger ale from behind the counter before popping it open and chugging it completely. 

     Kystal made a sound that was a drunken mix between a laugh and a cough. “You looked so hot drinking that,” she said with a hiccup. McCloud felt inclined to agree with her. Kika gave a small smile before giving a woozy giggle. 

    “You’re cuter,” Kika laughed, flicking her blond hair. 

    “You’re both beautiful,” McCloud claimed, before taking a small sip of his ginger ale.

    “Aww,” Krystal cooed, poking him in the cheek. “Is McCloud admitting he thinks we are pretty?”

    “I am,” he said, “but your grammar makes me want to think otherwise.” Kika blinked at him, practically sobering up before grabbing multiple bottles of her brand-new favorite drink.

    McCloud furrowed his brow, and gestured confused at the drinks. “Why must you take so many?”

    “I am enjoying this drunken hallucination. I want it to continue, so I’m drinking.” Her voice was slurred as she quickly downed another bottle. 

McCloud frowned before smirking, he knew he should have waited on his coup, he was too hasty. He often lamented about how he treated Kika when she first appeared on the island, but decided actions and words were easier than complaining. 

“Ewww.” He heard someone say, he turned and looked to see one of the goonies. “Cooties!” The kid cried before running away. Krystal started laughing in a drunken way that made her look cute. 

“Oh shush,” Kika growled, before swaying back into her seat. 

 OoO

        “Alkansa?” Zane asked, they had decided to stay in the small town, that they had not learnt the name of yet, for a while.

 It had been a couple of weeks, they could barely keep track of the time as they stayed. 

Elaine had offered to teach them what plants were safer to use, Tommy and Garte had gone with her to learn by taking Shad along with them to keep him out of trouble. 

       “If you want to get to Tankard you have to go through the coastal city of Alkansa,” Laurance told him. Zane nodded quickly, before following Laurance to the flat grassy area they had started using as a sparing area. 

     Laurance had offered to teach them how to fight, Zane and himself especially, because of the enemies each of them technically had and what was to come next. Polly had joined in on learning how to fight the moment he asked to teach them. 

       Laurence had used the sparring matches to teach Laurance how to spell. Just small words so far, they had gotten to the basic six letter words like, animal and mother. They had gotten passed colours to the point where Laurance could spell them without hesitating as much as he used to do. 

       Zane smiled at him, looking around for Garroth and Laurence. “Shouldn’t they be here by now?” 

      “I think I heard they were helping out around the farm area.” Laurance muttered quietly, something was odd around here and they didn’t know what. 

      Zane made an oop sound when he looked down at his feet, a rabbit stared at him eerily and he stared back before waving his hand and going, “hello there.” 

      The rabbit made a tch noise before bouncing off, probably to its burrow. Zane gave Laurance a look before motioning back, “that was odd. Do you want to see what they’re doing?” 

“Probably hanging out.” Laurance said. 

      “Mmm, maybe, it's more than likely.” He turned slightly to see a vine covered sign, “I’m pretty sure this wasn't here before.” 

       “It might have been if we weren’t paying attention,” Laurance replied. Before heading towards it, he brushed the vines off easily before scrubbing at the dirt

       Meteora Valley, the sign read. Zane looked at it confused, “is that the name of the town?” 

      “It could be,” Laurance claimed. “Did we not ask the name of the town when we got here?” 

       “No, I don't think we did.” Zane hesitantly said, he felt dread pool in his stomach, “can we just get out of here?” 

      “Are you okay?” Laurance asked quietly, he could see the discomfort that Zane was displaying easily. 

      Zane shivered slightly, before swaying, “oh, don’t panic.” Zane said before disappearing before his eyes. 

      A loud clunk made his eyes look down at the ground, he realized horrified what he was talking about. 

      The nights where Zane would appear from outside, or disappearing for a little while. Quickly he grabbed the blue glass sphere off the ground and held it protectively. He inspected it for any cracks only to sigh in relief when he realized he was fine. 

      A loud crackling made him look up only to see Zane hunched over slightly, holding his chest and when he looked back down at his hand where the sphere was it was gone. 

    “Are you okay?” He asked scared, he quickly grabbed Zane by his arms and helped him up. He held onto Zane for a few seconds before releasing him. “What was that?” He asked in his softest voice, he tried to make it as comforting as possible but only sounded worried instead. 

       “It—it just happens, usually at night when you’re all asleep, I’ll wake up in the relic and just stay there.” Zane said just as quietly, leaning into him. He could feel a burning sensation in his side and didn't think he could walk just yet. “You’re actually the first person to know about that happening.” 

   “That's not comforting at all,” Laurance joked, Zane gave him a grim smile, “It’s not like anyone would believe me.” 

     “Why not?” Laurance challenged, “I would have believed you.” Zane looked taken aback, shocked even, before shifting his outward appearance to a more calm and controlled look. 

      “Yeah well you’re from a time where magic is more mainstream, we barely use it, unless you’re Lucinda. She uses—used it a lot.” He corrected himself, “They’ll probably think I’m doing it for attention.” 

      “I fully believe Polly and Laila would help you.” Laurance told him, wondering how he got from magic issue to social issue, Zane gave a small glare towards him which made Laurance laugh, smile still on his face he lightly placed a hand on the others shoulder. “They would absolutely help you.” 

     “You think?” Zane asked, “Let's go find them and see for themselves.” Laurance leaned in before whispering, “Just between ourselves, They can get pretty excited when doing tests.” 

     “How do you know that?” Zane whispered back, “and why are we whispering?” 

     Laurance blinked, “I can't remember,” he brightened slightly, “maybe it's because of my trip to their world.” 

     “The one with the... void?” Zane coughed, making Laurance look at him. 

     “Yeah, I think they said that.” Laurance looked a little confused, “I’m not entirely sure though.” 

Zane just blinked before asking. “The other you with purple eyes right?” 

      “I have no idea, when did they say that?” Laurance inquired, making Zane squint his eyes at him. The black haired man was pretty sure it had come up in conversation before but the longer he thought about it the more the idea disappeared from his head. 

      “Huh, I really don't remember.” Zane said honestly, tapping a finger against his wrist annoyed, “did they say that?” 

      “Well you remember something along the lines,” Laurance agreed, hesitantly wondering why it felt weird, “so they might have mentioned it in passing.” Laurance motioned back towards the hotel, “why don't we ask Laila and Polly to see what's happening with the whole you turning into glass thing. I’m sure we can trust them.” 

OoO

   Aphmau made a huffing motion towards Aaron before looking at Jayden with an angry expression forming on her face. 

The royal sorcerer, Zane had started to help along with a group named the ‘Freedom fighters.’ Apparently Aaron was the leader of the group and as an apology, they had decided to help out with their situation. It was honestly lucky, if not she would have been stuck there for what could have been an eternity had it. 

     Jenny watched worried as Zane worked on opening the portal, “are you going to be okay alone?” 

      “We’ll be fine, thank you for worrying.” Aphmau said politely, Jenny had been a wonderful help the past few weeks as they tried multiple ways to open the portal. 

    Jenny made a face, her nose twitching with annoyance. It was obvious she didn't like that answer, “Me and Jayden will be fine.” She said calmly attempting to sooth the queen of the land. “We will be regrouping with our friends when we get through the portal, thank you for all your help.” 

      “I don't think we wouldn't have gotten that far without the freedom fighters helping.” Jenny said quietly as if hinting at something. Aphmau made a groaning noise before agreeing, “I’ll thank them for their help.” 

     “Good because according to Zane he’s almost done with the portal,” Jenny gave a sly smile, “All he has to do is stabilize it and you’re ready to go off and find your son.” 

   “I guess I should start this off by saying Thank you then.” Aphmau said, she returned the sly smile as she watched Aaron, Gene - who is a thief - and Jayden attempt to get a book off one of the taller shelves by climbing on each other's backs.

 “They're going to fall,” she said in a hushed whisper as they watched them start swaying before landing on the ground in a pile. 

      They both started giggling, before Jenny composed herself, “here, I can help you finish packing, you’re going to need more clothes if you’re leaving, and money, you’ll need that and food and—“ Aphmau cut her off by giving her a hug. 

“We’ll be fine,” Aphmau said exasperatedly, her voice slightly muffled by the embrace. 

Jenny hummed before saying, “at least take some money with you for your trip.” 

Aphmau gave her a quick and small smile and agreed. It was hard to say no to the other woman, “I’ll pay you back,” she promised and Jenny laughed. 

OoO

     Dante stared at both Vylad and Garroth confused, Gene stood a little ways behind him, also quite confused. “You have a surprise?” Gene asked confused, Vylad and Garroth shared a look that made neither of them feel good. 

Dante sighed, before waving. “Just show us,” they didn't have time for these gam—

Jeremy walked in making Dante freeze, his mouth agape. 

Dante stared at Jeremy in disbelief, he looked ready to cry, he practically looked the same except the now graying blue hair. He rubbed his eyes before collapsing to the floor in sobs.

Jeremy froze obviously not expecting this to happen, almost on instinct Jeremy rushed over to his side and enveloping him in a hug. He rubbed Dantes back before running his hand through Dantes hair. “Oh,” he said in a horrified whisper. “Don't worry,” he soothed, “It’s me, your uncle. Jeremy, I know you might not remember me but—“ 

Dante just wrapped his arms around him pulling him closer. “You’re here?” He said awed, his shaking slowed. 

     Jeremy cupped his face, “you look so much like María,” he said before pulling him back into their little floor pile. 

Jeremy gave mystreet Gene a smile before saying, “you both look so much like her.” In a choked voice. Gene just gave him a small smile. 

Chapter Text

Garroth squinted at the hay bale before coughing slightly as Laurence looked at him worried, Garroth had been coughing a lot recently and Laurence was slowly starting to get scared for his friend. This was different then usual, Garroths’ coughing was becoming more frequent, especially after he had started helping out with farm work. 

   Laurence hesitated before yanking Garroth alongside him, as he walked back to Elaine's inn. He yelled to the other workers, “We’re taking a quick break!” He didn't wait for the confirmation of any of the other workers before pulling him into the hotel. 

      “Hello dearies!” Elaine said sweetly, she looked at them with a confused glance. “Usually you’re out longer? Is everything alright?” 

      Laurence gave a shrug, “Garroth and I were getting tired and decided to try and get some rest before continuing.” He didn’t like lying but that didn’t matter because he was forcing Garroth to take a rest, that much was true. 

As Laurence and Garroth headed to their room Elaine called out, “If he isn't feeling well I can probably find some herbs that will help!” 

     Laurence shot her a grateful smile, before nodding a ‘thanks’ they entered the room quickly to see Polly sitting cross legged with Laila sitting on her lap. They didn't bat an eye when they walked in, Polly was playing with Lailas’ hair brushing it out of her eyes. 

They both looked up at the two entering the room, Garroth who had stayed quiet through the whole ordeal just stared at him confused. “Why’d you go on break?” 

    “The coughing,” Laurence told him. “It’s been getting worse.” 

Garroth looked like he wanted to argue but just lowered his eyes to the ground. “I know your family has a history with Asthma so I wanted to see if they could help with whatever it is.” 

Garroths ears flattened onto his head and Laurence couldn't help but feel guilty. “Nothings wrong with that, I just want to make sure you're okay.” 

    “It’s asthma.” Garroth said, he still didn't look him in the eyes. 

 Polly and Laila looked a little uncomfortable, before Laila asked. “You said your family has history with asthma, right? Could you tell me who?” 

      “Zane, but he grew out of it. Our mom had it as well, and our Grandfather.” Garroth hesitantly said, “I think our grandmother on our father's side had it as well.” 

    Laila nodded, “then let's ask Zane, he might know what to do.” 

   Garroth looked like he wanted to argue, Pollys’ eyes widened in realization before she sighed, releasing Laila from her cross legged mess. She quickly got up before walking to him. 

“You want to be able to protect them right?” 

At Garroths’ confused look she continued, “You think you have to be the stronger one because he couldn’t protect himself.” Garroth froze and he could feel tears start to pool. “Sometimes you can be weak, sometimes you can let yourself be weak. Your family won't judge you, they love you. And how do I know that? Because they say so, in actions, in words.” 

She gave him a small smile, her hand moving to his shoulder as she looked him in the eyes, “everyone is allowed to be afraid of something, and if that something is to be weak then that means you’re strong enough to accept that.” 

   She let him sink into her, the two ended up into a hug. She knew that at most times people thought of her as rude and annoying but she was used to it. She used to think the same, she was always afraid to not be up to their parents expectations and during that time she accepted it. Accepted that her family didn’t actually care, that they only cared about her worth. 

     She didn't want him to become like that, like her. She didn't want either of them to become like that. Polly could see it in the way they acted, they never understood each other, they had thought the other hadn't cared. They thought that the other one hated them, and she didn't know how. 

    She could feel a sob come from her mouth when she thought of her family. She cared about them and they were stuck, frozen in their world, where the void could be consuming them entirely! She allowed herself to cry into his arms as they both got rid of all of the feelings they’ve been holding onto. All the anger, annoyance, fear, sadness and even happiness. 

    Laurence and Laila looked happy for both of them, and they shared a grateful look. 

OoO

Garroth looked at Vylad who was carefully staring at the books before them. Vylad was wringing his hands around his scarf in an anxious way. 

Garroth made a humming sound that made Vylad look at him. What? Vylad shrugged before looking at the books again, Vylad sighed before shaking it at him. “You don't want to go through all of them?” Garroth asked in a teasing voice, Vylad nodded annoyed. 

Garroth gave a small laugh as he realized what was happening, “sucks to be you,” Vylad glared at him before Garroth finished his sentence. “I’m going to have to read them as well. Gene and Nana also volunteered to help. 

Vylad shot him an odd look when he said Gene, “I know,” he agreed. “I also assumed him and Dante would hang out with Jeremy but I guess he wanted to give them space?” 

     Vylad nodded before rubbing at his head, “your hair is bugging you right?” Garroth asked, Vylad just pouted before nodding. “Do you mind me touching it?” 

Vylad nodded again and Garroth went ahead to tie Vylads’ hair into a bun, “is that alright? Or do you want something different.” Instead of nodding Vylad just leant into him and Garroth took that as a sign to pick Vylad up and lay on the bed holding his brother close. 

They tend to sleep on the same bed as a reassurance, they didn't want to wake up to find one of them gone again.They didn't like being far apart, especially after both Vylad and Zane died. 

The space left in the bed made them uncomfortable and they were going to make sure they never felt that way again, and if it meant Garroth used Vylad as a heater on colder nights and Vylad used Garroth as a cooler on the warmer ones then they didn't mind. 

OoO

Garte looked at Zane and Laurence with a raised eyebrow, he practically held Shad under his arm to keep him from running further into the forest. “You guys aren't at the training spot? Did something happen?”  

Tommy poked his head from out of one of the bushes with a confused look, “huh.” He said softly. 

    Zane couldn't help but nod, “yeah,” he said with an anxious undertone. Garte just looked at them before sighing, “we’ll start to pack up but we also need to start heading towards Tankard in case he decides there is a time limit.” 

    Zane just gave an awkward smile, Shad wiggled out of Gartes’ grip before jumping into Zane's arms. Zane just hummed letting him climb over him. “Dad!” Shad whined, before trying to pull him towards the town, “I’m bored.” 

They all looked at Shad with a degree of confusion before Zane let Shad pull him along, Laurance blinked confused before asking, “did he just—“ 

Garte pursed his lips, “I never hoped to become a grandfather this young, but so be it.” They could all see he was super excited about it, as he raised his hand to his mouth to hide his ever growing smile. Tommy was sure that if mushrooms could grow out of someone's ear they would have absolutely grown from his happiness. 

“You’re like 57.” Tommy replied flatly, making Garte stare, eyes widened and mouth opened. 

“ Betrayal .” Garte mock hissed, making Laurence snort, before turning and speed walking to catch up with Shad and Zane. 

“Shush Laurence,” Tommy said almost immediately after Laurence laughed at them, staring Garte down, his eyes narrowing. Laurence waved behind him as he disappeared from both of their views. 

OoO

“Dad?” Shad asked him as they walked up the hill, “Why is Gene being mean?” 

Zane didn’t know how to respond, before just saying, “some people are like that, they don't listen to what others think and that can make them into bad people.” 

“What about your Gene?” Shad asked suddenly, quieter than before. 

Zane blinked before saying. “I think he’s a nice person, he especially enjoys Expressos, he loves his family, he also flirts quite a bit. We’d often go to cafes with Nana when we could. He’d love to meet you.” 

Shad looked up at him before throwing himself onto Zane. Zane picked him up with ease propping him up on his side. “You really think so?” 

“I absolutely know so.” Shad smiled content before letting himself fall asleep in his arms, Laurance caught up with him really quickly after that as he was being pulled by a very small and fast child. 

   Laurance gave him a look, “you didn't tell him.” He accused. 

“They looked busy,” he excused himself, “and we can always talk to Polly and Laila first.” 

Laurance just grumbled before quieting down as to not disturb Shad, “so?..” he tried to start a conversation so it wasn't awkward walking back, “Dad?” 

“I mean, are you okay with him calling you that?” Laurance asked, Zane shifted Shad in an attempt to hold him easier. 

“I mean… If anything, I’m happy with him calling me Dad.” Zane said softly, he looked up at him. “Just look at him, who does he look like?” Their resemblance was uncanny , while Shad still looked eerily like Aaron at times it was likely they were related, any bystander would clearly mistake them for father and son, or even on the rare occasion uncle and nephew. 

Laurance looked at Shad scanning over him before almost gasping in realization, “you actually think he could be related to you?” His hand had flown up towards his mouth before slowly falling back to his side. 

 “I do…” Zane stroked Shad's hair softly. “If anything happens when I’m not with you. Please, take care of him.” He looked at him fondly, and Laurence could see why it wasn’t hard to think of him as Shads’ father. 

“You expect something bad to happen to you.” Laurence quickly caught on as Shad stirred slightly, latching his arms around the cloak Polly had jokingly bought at the bandit camp. 

Zane looked regretful, and stared down at the grass. He gave a small breath before nodding, “I do expect something to happen, just. Please? Promise me you’ll take care of him, or at least help my dad take care of him.” 

Laurance gave him a terse nod, “then you have to promise me something.” Zane straightened slightly as Laurance continued, his tone was both soft and firm. 

“Make sure to try and survive, even if you dont you better make sure you try your absolute hardest to survive.” 

Zane nodded as if agreeing, “thanks,” he looked like he was about to cry and they continued their walk all the way in silence up to Elaines’ inn.

OoO

       Zane and Laurance walked in to see Laila and Laurance doing each other's hair with Garroth and Laila playing a game of cards. They each looked up from what they were doing up at them, and all just greeted each other. 

“Hewwo!” Laurence said jokingly, showing his supreme knowledge of Zane and his counterparts' modern jokes. 

      Laurance startled back, eyes wide filled with confusion, keeping his eyes locked onto Laurence before looking towards Zane; who was busy ignoring Laurence to help him, and just stood there staring at him. 

       Polly Immediately jumped up as if remembering something, “Garroth said that you had asthma, right?” 

      Zane blinked before nodding confused, “yes.” He agreed slowly, “I did have Asthma.” 

       Polly continued her few questions, “so you had a puffer?” 

      “Yep, I think it’s in one if my bag pockets. Why?” He asked, is it an experiment? He had kept a puffer on hand, or at least in a bag in case it ever came back. He can remember plenty of times when he forgot it and regretted it almost immediately. 

      “Uhh, Can’t say at the moment. It’s not my place to tell you, which one?” She asked before he pointed to the smaller pocket at the front. “Y’know, medical privacy laws.” Zane shrugged not really caring about it fully, it wasn’t his place to pry. 

      She quickly opened it and pulled out the full puffer and threw it at Garroth. “I knew we could do something!” 

      Garroth caught it awkwardly, wide eyed staring at her. “Geeze, warn a guy next time.” He mumbled softly. 

     Zane’s eyes widened in realization before he let out a huh and just shrugged it off. “It went away after a few years and I can help you get a proper prescription.” Garroth stared up at him from his position on the floor. “So much for privacy laws,” Zane held his hands together before cracking his sore fingers, Polly wincing at the noise. 

      Laurance tried to get their attention but stopped when he realized Garte and Tommy were gone.

 Laila grinned at him, making him sigh in annoyance. “So what's wrong?” 

     Laurence grimaced, “I’m going to do what Polly did and say it’s not my place to tell you.” 

“Fine.” she said, grinning. “Be that way.”