Chapter Text
But plant your hope with good seeds
Don't cover yourself with thistle and weeds
Rain down, rain down on me
Look over your hills and be still
The sky above us shoots to kill
Rain down, rain down on me
Thistle & Weeds – Mumford & Sons
Planet Osa, millions of years ago
Ikaris was laying on the ground all limbs stretched out, staring at the ceiling of the bridge, occasionally stealing a glance at his mum, hoping she'll have mercy on him and let him go play outside. She wasn't getting the hint thou. He sighed again. He heard his mum chuckle in amusement laced with exhaustion. His mum had told him to stay close a few days ago, so he was really bored out of his mind at this point. He really couldn't understand why he couldn't go flying or even just walk around outside.
No, he was stuck on the Domo.
Urgh.
“Ikaris, darling, I know you are bored, I'm sorry. But I'm pretty busy right now, why don't you see what your dad is up to?” He could hear his uncle chuckle. “Or I could go outside and make sure the beach is still there after that earthquake?” He turned to look at her grinning at his mum in a hopefully convincing way. She was not impressed, she just raised an eyebrow at him, he frowned at that, subconsciously mirroring her expression. Admitting defeat he let out another exaggerated sigh, before getting up, hugging his mum briefly, letting her brush her hand through his unruly curls for a moment before shuffling out of the room, trying to look as pitiful as possible.
His mum wasn't moved.
Outside the bridge he started making his way towards his dads lab, when he stopped in his tracks. He stood perfectly still for a moment, listening if he could hear anyone else. It was pretty quiet, everyone was busy. He had no idea with what, sure his dad was tinkering on one thing or another, but what were all the others doing? Why had mum ordered everyone back anyway? As much fun as the Domo was most days, he would love to be back at their house nestled at the foot of the mountains close to the beach, running wild in the backyard, perfecting his flying skills or practising his aim with his laser eyes. He had tried to do that on the Domo and after cutting a hole into the wall, complete accident, he wasn't allowed to do that inside anymore.
He could hear faint voices somewhere at the other side of the ship, as well as his mum's quiet conversation with uncle Valkin, he could hear the clinging of metal, his dad must build one of his creations. If he was really quiet he could sneak out, just for a moment. A quick spin around the area, just to stretch his wings. He was going stir crazy. No one would notice. His parents wouldn't be too mad right? His dad always joked that he was trouble anyway, and he thought he had been pretty good the last few days, he could go and get some fresh air. Fresh air was healthy. Ikaris rose from the ground just a few centimetres, before soundlessly flying to the Domo's exit. A quick look behind him, the coast was clear, and out he was.
The heatwave was persistent now for weeks, Ikaris really hoped it would be over soon. He waited at the entrance for another moment, no one was coming. Grinning he rose again, higher, taking in his surroundings. He decided he would take a quick trip to the beach, it was pretty close by, maybe jump in to cool down a bit. With that he took off, if he was walking it would take him a good ten minutes to get to the beach, but he was much faster flying, it only took a few minutes. He landed right at the edge of the waterline, the waves crushing around his feet.
Huh.
Weird, he couldn't remember it being so warm before.
No matter, Ikaris wadded deeper into the surf, even with the water being warmer than usual, it still felt nice with the heat in the air. He dove underwater for a moment before coming back up, was it saltier than usual? He wiped the water and salt from his face. Just a few more minutes, than he'd fly back to the Domo, change his clothes and afterwards hang out in his dad's lab.
Just as he was about to make his way back and hopefully sneak in without being seen, the ground started shaking. He lost his balance and landed on the ground. Oh no, another earthquake. How come there were so many in just a few days? Ikaris couldn't ever remember that happening before in his nearly 1000 years of life. The shaking was more violent than the last one. He quickly found his bearing again and scrambled to his feet before taking to the sky again. He watched the waves grow higher, fired up by the shaking earth. It was kinda scary. He rushed to fly back to the Domo, staying above the treeline, they were shaking pretty bad.
Ikaris made it back in record time only to find the Domo gone.
No!
Dread rose inside him. No no no! Maybe they just activated the camouflage?! He landed where the ship had been when he left, but to his horror it wasn't there. It did make sense to not stay on the ground during an earthquake. “Mum!! Dad!!” He was getting a bit scared. Should he stay here? Or at least close by? Should he fly around hoping to find the Domo? Maybe they would notice that he was gone and come back looking for him? His eyes widened, what if they already noticed he is gone and are looking for him already?!
He should have stayed put.
A chilling cracking sound could be heard, Ikaris watched in horror as the ground to his left ripped open, leaving a deep crater. The ground was shaking with more intensity. He immediately shot back up into the air, looking around trying to find the ship. He couldn't see it, if they were close by, they wouldn't stay hidden from him. He flew back towards the beach, they might look for him there. Although he would have passed them by on his way back. “Muumm! Daaad!! Uncle Valkin!!” He couldn't hear anything besides his own rapid breathing, the splintering of wood and the horrible sound of the ground being ripped open. Lava started consuming anything on the ground.
He never experienced anything like this!
Subconsciously, Ikaris rose higher and higher to get away from lava and rocks being thrown into the air. He had rarely flown this high so far. His parents weren't the biggest fans, since he was the only one on the planet that could fly. But he guessed it would be ok this time. He was really scared at this point, some tears were running down his cheeks. He looked around franticly, trying to figure out where the rest of his family could have gone.
For a moment it was eerily quiet, everything stood still, Ikaris flew higher following his instincts. The cracking sound was ringing through the air again, louder this time. The disbelieve he felt while watching the ground rip apart wider and wider till the planet he had called home for all his life split in thousands of pieces. The force of it send Ikaris flying further away, screaming.
It took him a moment to gather his bearings again. Looking around he found a figure in place of his birth planet. He had no idea what it was. His mum would know, she knew everything. He looked around again, but the Domo was nowhere in sight. They didn't leave him here right? Right?!
Ikaris
He froze. Who was calling his name? There was no one the except ... the figure. When he looked at it again, he found to his horror, that it was looking right at him. He had never been this scared before, not even when he had gotten lost in the woods when he was really little. He was frozen in fear when the figure came closer towards him, a hand reaching out for him.
Ikaris.
And just like that the world around him exploded and everything went black.
World Forge.
When Ikaris woke up again, he was in a room, looked up behind force fields. He didn't know where he was or why. Where was his mum and dad? Tears were spilling again. He wanted to go home. Wait … home was gone. Or was that a horrible dream? He looked around again, wiping tears away, it didn't look like the Domo, it was way bigger. How long had he been here?
He took a deep breath, trying to be as brave as possible, before walking to the entrance. Maybe he could see more and figure out where he was. He stopped short of the force fields, his dad had shown him how stuff like that worked once, could he touch it? His hand was shaking when he slowly got closer to it. He yelped and ripped his hand away, hot pain creeping up his arm. He couldn't touch it, Ikaris tried to shake the pain and tingling sensation off.
“Hello?!” He could see no one close by, but maybe someone would still hear him. “Hallo!!!” Nothing. Frustrated, he shuffled back to the cot on the wall and sat down again. All he could do was wait until someone came by. Wait! Could he use his laser eyes on the entrance?! He jumped back up and went closer studying the the mechanism. There was a box on the left upper corner, he was sure that controlled the force field. If he could disable it, he could get out. He focused his eyes and … and nothing happened. His eyes widened. He tried again. Nothing. Could he fly? Again his attempts were futile. What was going on?! He couldn't use his powers! The terror was creeping up on him again.
He wanted his mum and dad.
He heard a door open and scrambled back towards the wall, trying to vanish into the wall. A person stopped in front of his cell, it was a woman, her clothes looked similar to the ones his mum wore sometimes. She must be an Eternal as well. She smiled at him, before deactivating the force field and walking over towards him.
He was terrified.
“Hello Ikaris, my name is Ajak, I'm a friend of your parents. Don't be scared, there is someone who would like to talk to you.” How did she know his name? He has never seen her before! Was she safe? She held a hand out to him. “You know my mum and dad?” She smiled at him soothingly. “Yes, I've known Tulayn and Virako for centuries. Why don't you come with me? Your mum is also waiting for you in the other room.” He was very unsure of what to do, she knew his parents names, but that didn't have to mean anything. But maybe his mum were in the other room, his dad too? He could hear his dad's voice ringing in his ears, warning him about stranger danger.
After a long tense moment he got up from the floor and slowly reached for her hand. “That's better.” She brushed the tear tracks on his face away and lead him out of the room, down endless corridors. He tried to keep up where they were going, but it was pointless. While they walked, he didn't say a single word, while Ajak talked non stop. “We are at the World forge right now. It's the home of every Eternal in existence.” He looked around and frowned. His dad said that Olympia was the home of his people, he had been excited to see it some day. What was a world forge? He was too scared to ask. He barely heard what she said, he was too caught up in his surroundings and trying to figure out what was going on.
They finally reached a huge platform, some more Eternals were gathered there, they all looked at him once they entered the space. He never felt as uncomfortable as he did under their scrutinizing gazes. He saw his mum among the people, she looked at him with concern and relief written over her face. The woman, Ajak griped his hand tighter, but that couldn't stop him from ripping his hand loose and running as fast as he could towards his mum.
He lunched himself into her waiting arms, sobbing. Tulayn held her baby tight, she had been terrified when she found him missing during the Emergence. “Ikaris, I was so worried. It's ok honey. I'm so glad you are ok. Everything will be ok. I love you darling.” She brushed through his hair again, eyeing some cuts and bruises, healing them with a touch of her hand. She held him away a bit to inspect his face, before pressing a kiss to his forehead and hugging him tightly again. His sobbing subsided slowly.
Sooner than she would have liked, Arishem as well as two other Celestials arrived, her stomach dropped. She had hoped this could be dealt with only Arishem, not a extended tribunal. She stood up again and felt Ikaris grip tightening on her dress, partly trying to hide behind her, her sweet boy was terrified staring at the three Celestials.
“Arishem, what happened on Osa was an accident. Ikaris didn't mean for it to happen.”
Ikaris felt a chill running down his back, staring at the expressionless faces of Arishem and his two companions. They looked like the figure that had ripped Osa apart. He stepped even closer to his mum.
I will decide that Tulayn, not you. Ikaris, you stand accused of committing the worst crime, what say you?
Ikaris looked at the Celestials wide eyed. He didn't know that sneaking out of the Domo was such a horrible transgression. Panic rose again. What would they do with him? “I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was just bored and I just wanted to go for a quick swim! I didn't know that I couldn't leave the ship, I thought it would be ok if I was just gone for a moment! I'll listen to my mum from now on I promise!” The word vomiting was interrupted only by his sobbing.
I'm not speaking on you leaving the Domo without permission. After the successful Emergence of Osa you have attacked and killed the Celestial born from the planet. What do you have to say to that?
Ikaris was very confused for a moment. He had never hurt anyone or anything. He certainly hadn't killed a Celestial. How could he possible do that? He desperately looked at him mum silently begging her to help him, he didn't know what the big red Celestial was talking about. “Arishem, I assure you, Ikaris didn't mean for it to happen. He was scared and because of that unable to control his powers. Please, I'm begging you for lenience.”
I was asking your son for his version of events not you. Ikaris what happened after the Planet broke apart?
Ikaris blinked at the question, trying to calm down enough to answer. “There was a blue figure, it looked like you three. Someone was calling my name, but I don't know who or what. And than the figure went to grab me, I can't remember what happened then. Everything went dark and I woke up here.”
The celestials seemed to silently communicate with each other, no one spoke, only Ikaris' occasional sniffs could be heard. Tulayn tried to calm him down, carting her hand through his hair or rubbing his back, he clung close to her, his mums nervousness making him more nervous.
It appears, that Tulayn's view of the situation seems true, the child didn't do it on purpose, let alone knew what was happening.
Ikaris heard his mother letting out a sigh of relief, relaxing, that calmed him down a little bit. She bowed a bit before the Celestials in gratitude. “Thank you.”
There will still be consequences. I will place Ikaris on another team for the next mission.
“Please Arishem, he was supposed to stay with us at least until he turned 2000 years, if not longer.”
That was indeed the rule so far, but considering the circumstances, I want him taught discipline by someone else. Ajak, I believe I can trust you with this?
Ikaris watched the woman, who brought him here, step forward. “Of course. I promise Tulayn, I'll take good care of your son.” His mum glared at the other woman for a moment, swallowing down her protest. “I will hold you to that. May I please explain this to him?”
Very well.
Ikaris didn't really know what was going on as his mum lead him away, her arm tightly wrapped around his shoulders. The other woman, Ajak, followed them at a distance. He really wanted to ask what was going to happen, the red Celestial, Arishem hadn't sounded too happy, but it was such a tense atmosphere he didn't dare to utter a word.
It took no time until they reached a room with a line of capsules to the side, what were they for? They stopped in front of one of them, his mum kneeled down, Ikaris didn't know why but he felt panic creep up on him. The other woman stood back. His mum look upset. She wasn't going to leave him here right?!
“Ikaris ...”
“I'm sorry! I promise I'll behave! I'll do what you say! I was just bored, I'm not leaving the Domo again I promise! I'll be good! I promise!”
The tears in his mum's eyes were freaking him out. He didn't want to stay here. His mum pulled him close hugging him tightly. Ikaris clung to her, crying.
“We are not mad you left the Domo, we were scared for your safety, but I should have explained to you why you shouldn't go. Ikaris, love, I need you to be brave. ... The celestials decided to send you with Ajak to a new planet. She will help you learn to control your powers more. She'll take care of you.”
“No! I want to stay with you and dad! Please don't sent me away!”
“I'm so sorry darling. We can't go against Arishem's word. We love you so so much.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, while she pressed a kiss to the crown of his head. He wanted his dad too. Both of them were crying. But still he could hear the other woman clearing her throat.
“We need to leave soon, so if you could speed this up.”
Ikaris could hear his mother inhaling sharply. “You have time. Waiting a few more minutes isn't going to kill you.” His mum never used that tone of voice with anyone. She brushed some tears from his face before cupping his face with her hands. “We love you, darling. We are very proud of you and I promise you we will see each other again very soon.” She pressed a kiss to his forehead. This whole situation was really overextending him, he had no idea what to do, so he just flung himself into her arms again.
He had no idea how long their embrace lasted, when he felt someone grab his shoulder, pulling him away. “Ajak.” “Let's wrap this up, shall we.” Ikaris felt numb, while he watched annoyance flash over his mum's face, before she focused on him again. “Your dad and I love you so much, never doubt that!” “I love you too.” His mum pressed another kiss to his forehead. “I need you to listen to me, I need you to go into this capsule, it's not dangerous, it's just going to scan you. It's not going to hurt or anything.”
The other woman, Ajak, seemed to have reached the end of her patience. She pulled him away from his mum and firmly leading him to the capsule in front of them. Before he could even react, she had pushed him inside. The door slammed shut, the clear glass frosting over. He starred at it for a few seconds before his brain caught up, panic setting back in. He desperately tried to find a way to open the door again, as the capsule started humming. The tears were back as he banged against the door. “Mum!!!” He could hear his mum's muffled voice. “Honey, it's ok, nothing is going to happen. I love you.” He wasn't reassured by that.
A light flickered on at the top of the capsule, slowly wandering down towards him.
Secret location in Space - Libertas HQ – 223 years after the Emergence on Earth
Ikaris couldn't help but smile while he watched Stella, all snuggled up with her Flerkitten Cassiopeia, fast asleep in her bed. He carefully put the tablet back on the bedside table, before looking at his sleeping child again. He really wished Sersi was here. Stella looked so much like her. He sighed. Tucking the blanked around her again, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, brushing some lock that escaped her braid from her face. He gave a few pets to his daughters trusted companion, before silently sneaking out of the room.
Once the door closed behind him, he rubbed his hand over his face, he was pretty tired. He made his the few steps back to the kitchen area. He wasn't too surprised to see his dad sitting at the table, tinkering at something, waiting for him. He sat next to him, trying to figure out what he was building. “The little one went down alright?” Ikaris smiled at him briefly. His parents had been over the moon when they finally met their granddaughter. His dad constantly build her new toys and told her wild stories from Ikaris' childhood (some certainly didn't happen the way his dad described them!) or adventures from other planets, she was always hanging out in her grandpas lab when Ikaris couldn't watch her. “Yes, we read a few stories, she asked me tons of questions, but in the end she fell asleep in no time.” “Ahh yes, the endless questions. You were full of them too.” Ikaris just rolled his eyes at his dad's remark, laughing.
They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each others company.
“There is a new lead. Your mum is going to give you the details once she is done with her meeting.”
Ikaris head snapped to look at him, trying to suppress the flicker of hope. He had been pretty naïve, when he first woke up on his parents base, thinking it wouldn't take too long before they would locate Sersi and his old team. He absolutely underestimated just how big the universe was, how many planets existed and how careful they had to not be detected by Arishem or any other Celestial. The fact that the locations of current missions weren't locked into the main server at the World Forge this time around was really making things complicated.
All things considered, he was lucky that Stella had been at the World Forge and easy to find, even if breaking her out hadn't been as easy. Of course at the end of the day, for an Eternal, 220 something years wasn't all that long, a blink of an eye really, but to him it was an eternity. He missed Sersi so much. Having Stella back made it easier, but still, he didn't know what to say to his daughter whenever she asked for her mum. He had no answer for her other than 'We'll find her soon' 'She loves you so much, she can't wait to see you again'.
“Did mum tell you anything?” Virako looked at him son with sympathy. “Not really, she was in a rush and we only spoke for a moment. One of the teams had come back, you know how it is, things get hectic. She'll come straight here once the meeting is done.” Ikaris nodded lost in thoughts at his dad's words. Debating whether or not he should request to be part of the team investigating this lead. He didn't leave the base often, for one he hated leaving Stella, even if she was perfectly safe with his parents. It just didn't feel good to leave his child, after having her stolen from them and hidden away for millennia.
Another reason was that he was technically dead, and while the dead do live longer, the general idea was to lay low and keep out of the way, so Arishem won't find out about him being still alive. But is was frustrating to not be as active in the search as he would like to be. Although he was pretty certain that Sersi would prefer him keeping their daughter safe and happy, rather than running around the galaxy chasing after breadcrumbs trying to find her. He would prefer that.
His dad squeezed his shoulder, Ikaris was grateful for the support. He sighed in frustration before straightening and focusing on his dad's project. “What are you building?” His dad grinned at him, giving him an answer already. “Well I haven't made something for Stella in awhile.” That was a blatant lie, unless his dad considered a week awhile. If he kept this up, her room would be too full, stuffed with toys, for her to sleep in.
“Dad, I appreciate what you are doing, but ...” “No, before you tell me she has enough toys or something like that. This is not a toy.” Ikaris just raised his eyebrows, not really buying it. “It's something for her to train her powers with.” “Really? From where I'm sitting it looks like a toy.” “Yes, I can see how an untrained eye would come to that conclusion, but of course it's a device for Stella to train her telekinesis. Nothing else.” Ikaris just laughed at that. “Well I guess you will have to demonstrate the “training device” for me tomorrow.”