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Prompt 35: Inhuman - Alternate Ending

Featuring: Avantasia protags

“I…do not think he likes the tail…” Elderane said, a reluctant smile now forming on his face when Gabriel made another frustrated noise as he glared at it, though it didn’t stop its movement.

Scarecrow’s blood froze when he heard Gabriel let out a low growl as he eyed the tail, the sound almost…creepy. It sounded straight out of a horror movie.

Gabriel seemed to notice what he did as well and let out a yelp, shaking his head as he backed away more, though he yelped again when he knocked over the lamp in the corner.

“Gabe, you need to calm down!” Scarecrow yelled, eying Gabriel as the wolf seemingly began panicking again, their friend not used to his new size as he staggered backwards with fearful cries.

“Gabriel, no, no, no!” Elderane yelled in fear, noticing the giant wolf back away more in fright, headed right for the back glass door.

“G-Gabe, oh, Christ…” Scarecrow grumbled, flinching as Gabriel roughly backed right into the glass door, the door shattering as he fell back through it with a fearful yelp.

“Gabriel!” Enty cried, running forward with the others, carefully stepping over broken glass. Gabriel quickly rolled over back to his feet as be backed into the yard on all fours, looking around in terror.

“Gabriel, are you hurt?!” Elderane yelled, running forward to the giant dog. Gabriel’s breathing was heavy as he backed away, his eyes wide in panic.

Scarecrow cursed to himself as he ran up beside Elderane. Gabriel couldn’t handle this. This was too much for him, and he was shutting down again. Scarecrow felt horrible. Out of all of them, this had to happen to Gabriel. Scarecrow wished he could swap places with him, if to spare Gabriel the trauma, but he couldn’t. He just would have to do his best to help his friend through this.

“Gabriel, please…look at me, Gabriel…” Elderane said softly, reaching up to place his hand on the side of the panicking Gabriel’s head. Gabriel whimpered a moment but finally looked down, meeting Elderane’s soft gaze. “Just focus on me, Gabriel, it’s alright…” He said, holding his hand on Gabriel’s head.

Gabriel breathed for just a moment; his eyes fearful as no one spoke or moved. Finally, he blinked, his breathing calming as he shook his head, looking around him as he became aware of where he was. Gabriel let out a sad whine when he saw the shattered glass door. His doing.

“Gabe, come on…” Scarecrow said sadly, watching as Gabriel lowered himself to the ground, resting his head on the grass with a whimper as he looked away, his eyes shameful. Scarecrow sighed, running his hand through his hair. Gabriel felt bad.

“Gabriel, it was a mistake, it can be fixed…” Elderane said, sitting beside Gabriel’s head, thought the wolf just gave a small huff and a whimper, turning away more.

“Gabe, I’ve broken that glass door hundreds of times. You know this.” Scarecrow said with a smile, sitting beside Elderane.

“Yea! It wasn’t your fault, Gabriel!” Enty said brightly, sitting on the other side of Gabriel. The wolf looked between his three friends and let out a long whine, closing his eyes as he rested his head on the ground.

“It’s alright, Gabriel…it’s alright…” Elderane soothed, his hand still on Gabriel’s head. Gabriel let out a sad whimper and kept his eyes shut, praying this all ended soon.

Scarecrow sat back, looking around them.

“We…really should get him inside…” Scarecrow said, noticing how easy it would be for Gabriel to be seen out here.

“Come on, Gabriel…let’s go inside so I can make sure you’re not injured…” Elderane said, pulling himself to his feet.

Gabriel looked up at his friends and let out a huff, shakily pulling himself to his feet as well. It felt wrong. He was on all fours, in a wolf’s body. He looked down as he followed the group back inside, his gaze locked on his now giant paws.

What kind of monster was he…

~

Gabriel sat back against the wall, his head resting on his paws as he laid down, the blanket from before still draped over him. Jim had stopped by and they had managed to hide Gabriel, though he was still shaken.

He looked down and eyed his paws again, his brown fur covering them up until the black sharp claws that stuck out at the end. He flexed them slightly, the feeling all wrong. It wasn’t him. This wasn’t him. Gabriel felt a sharp pain in his stomach and he let out a faint whimper, huddling in on himself a bit more. Since Jim left, Gabriel had been feeling what he assumed was hunger, as he didn’t even eat breakfast today. He felt somewhat sick.

“Gabe?” Scarecrow said, walking closer to the wolf. Gabriel looked up at him a moment, but then the pain returned, causing him to whimper and close his eyes again.

“What’s wrong?” Elderane asked, worry in his voice when he saw how lethargic Gabriel looked. Scarecrow kneeled by his friend’s head, his immobility a bit distressing.

“Are you feeling sick, Gabriel?” Elderane asked, noticing his friend’s deep and almost focused breathing. Gabriel opened his eyes and let out a whimper, pointing with his face to his body. Scarecrow stood puzzled a moment, but then remembered.

“Ah…I think he needs food, Eld…” Scarecrow said, earning a small confirmational whimper from Gabriel.

“Oh, he hasn’t eaten anything has he…” Elderane sad sadly, looking his friend over. His body was now much larger and required a lot more energy to maintain. Gabriel most likely burned it all up early on, leaving nothing left.

“Alright, why don’t you and Enty-” Scarecrow started, but froze when his heart dropped at a loud sound. Someone had just knocked on the door again.

Elderane and Scarecrow didn’t move, terror overcoming them. They heard footsteps and saw Aaron and Enty come up from the basement, their own eyes wide.

“Did Jim come back?!” Aaron asked in disbelief.

“I…I don’t know…” Scarecrow muttered as the person at the door knocked again. Scarecrow looked down in fright when he saw Gabriel still immobile on the ground, now feeling too weak to get up, though his eyes were nervous.

“Hide him!” Aaron said, walking to the door with Enty.

“Gabe, we gotta go!” Scarecrow yelled, but when Gabriel tried to get up, the sharp pain in his stomach returned with a nauseous feeling, and his legs gave way, the wolf collapsing with a whimper.

“Oh…oh, no…” Elderane muttered, his eyes wide open as tears began sliding down his face.

“Just don’t let him in!” Scarecrow yelled, standing before Gabriel. If Jim didn’t come in, he wouldn’t see Gabriel.

Aaron nodded and took in a breath, hoping to not be as suspicious this time. He opened the door, hoping Gabriel was out of sight.

“Hello, Entity.”

Enty’s eyes widened, his branches immediately covering all of him as he staggered back into the house, his heart pounding in his chest. There at the door was Eleanor, the government agent who had kidnapped him a few years ago.

Aaron’s eyes widened in panic and he quickly made a move to slam the door shut, but a strong arm stopped it, kicking it open as Aaron was pushed back. He looked up and saw a few armed guards enter, all in heavy gear with guns.

“Wh-what the fuck?!” Scarecrow yelled, his face pale as terror took over his mind. Gabriel looked up, a jolt of horror striking him when he saw the guards enter.

“H-hey! You can’t come in here!” Aaron yelled, running after Eleanor as the woman casually walked in. “You can’t, h-hey!!!” Aaron yelled, thrashing when he felt a strong pair of arms restrain him, holding him back.

“I do believe I have full authority to be here.” Eleanor said, eying Aaron as he thrashed, though he was stuck. “I have had surveillance on you lunatics for a while, and now I get word that you have some…otherworldly dangerous creature present…” She said, eying Enty who was standing back in terror. “A threat to our society…”

Enty let out a cry when he too was restrained, the guards holding him tightly.

“Alright you bitch, you have ten seconds to leave before I-” Scarecrow sneered, marching forward as he stopped in front of the woman, hoping to keep her from seeing Gabriel. The woman cut him off, a small smile on her face.

“I wouldn’t take another step if I were you…” She said lightly, snapping her fingers. Scarecrow’s heart dropped when he saw one of the guards with a gun pull it up, aiming it right at the restrained Aaron who froze in terror, the gun barrel inches from his chest.

Scarecrow couldn’t breathe, his mind blank. They didn’t have the upper hand anymore.

Elderane stood back, terror in his eyes when the woman noticed him, looking him over.

“You aren’t human either, are you…” She said slyly, walking forward. Elderane couldn’t form words as he stepped back in blinding fright. He turned and saw a guard move to restrain the frozen Scarecrow; the man’s gaze locked on Aaron as he let himself be captured.

Elderane felt tears slide down his face. They were outnumbered. He stood back, closing his eyes as he saw a few of the armed guards walk towards him.

A shiver went down Elderane’s spine when a low growl shook the room. He opened his eyes and his heart dropped when he saw Gabriel standing before him defensively, wavering slightly on his legs.

“So, that’s what we saw…” Eleanor said, looking the giant wolf over. Gabriel growled again, taking a step closer towards Eleanor, some hope fluttering in his chest when he saw a flash of fear in her eyes.

Scarecrow turned in terror, his eyes wide when he saw Gabriel stalk closer towards Eleanor, his teeth and claws bared. He looked…scary.

Gabriel honed his energy and let out the loudest bark he could, reveling in the sight of Eleanor jumping at the sound. He huffed and kept stalking closer, doing his best to ignore the men with guns around him. He was the only one who could get them out of this. He had to protect his family.

“Right. This is much more interesting.” Eleanor said, snapping her fingers as she regained her composure. Gabriel let out a yelp when he heard a bunch of clicks, and all the guards in the room pointed their guns right at him.

“G-Gabriel!!!” Elderane screamed, running forward, though he was quickly apprehended by one of the guards and dragged backwards. “G-Gamph!” He yelled, though the guard threw his hand over the hysterical Elderane’s mouth, preventing him from screaming more.

Scarecrow looked on in horror when the bulk of the guards began walking towards the now fearful Gabriel, the wolf backing towards where the broken glass door was. He tried to growl a few times, but the men with the guns kept advancing. Gabriel felt his heart quicken when he saw the weapons pointed at him, a familiar ghostly burning sensation forming in his side.

“I am not sure where you acquired such a dangerous creature, but I am sure he doesn’t belong to you…” Eleanor said with a smile as the wolf began whimpering, looking around in terror as the guns got closer to him.

“S-stop! Leave him alone!” Scarecrow screamed, tears streaming from his eyes when he saw the pleading and broken look on Gabriel face, the wolf crying out fearfully as he was forced out of the house.

“He is a threat to our security. Monsters like him must be apprehended and controlled.” She said, eying the shaking Enty. “But…here’s our deal…” She said calmly. Aaron watched her walk closer to Enty, and the guard holding the hysterical Elderane dragged him closer to the group. Elderane was clinging to the guard’s arm, hoping to pry him off, but he wouldn’t budge.

Aaron turned in horror at another yelp and saw the guards force Gabriel out of the backyard, their friend vanishing from sight around the corner towards the fence.

“I am much more fascinated with the intelligent beast than I am troublemakers like you…” She sneered, eying the four as they were held back beside each other. “So, I take the dog, you all live freely.” She said, stepping back.

“N-no! No, you can’t take him!” Enty cried, his branches flaring as he tried to struggle his way free. Eleanor laughed slightly and snapped her fingers. Enty stopped struggling immediately when he saw the guard holding Scarecrow pull a smaller gun out, holding the barrel directly against Scarecrow’s head, the man’s face paling. Eleanor stepped closer to Enty, her expression calm.

“That was not a question…it was a command.” She said, stepping back as tears streamed from Enty’s eyes. They were hurting his friends. Elderane let out a pained muffled yelp when he glanced over towards the door, the other’s eyes following.

They saw the guards still quickly circling Gabriel in the dead street, the wolf looking around in distress and whimpering as he was forced backwards, guns on all sides surrounding him. They could see a small truck there behind him.

They were going to take him away.

Aaron’s tears slid down his face as he watched the scene play out, the man helpless to do a thing as his terror threatened to break him. He could hear Gabriel’s cries, and it almost sounded like he was calling them for help, though he couldn’t form the words, and they couldn’t do a thing to help him. The guards had Gabriel against the truck, with them all pointing their guns right at him. Aaron could tell Gabriel was terrified.

“I hope you all enjoyed your time with that thing while it lasted.” Eleanor said, smiling when she saw one of the guards step closer to the wolf.

Scarecrow ‘s body went numb in blinding terror when he saw the lone guard point an odd-looking gun right at Gabriel, the figure then firing it without hesitation.

“G-GABRIEL!!!” Enty cried, watching as Gabriel flinched with a fearful sharp cry as something hit him, and the group could see something small sticking out of his neck. Elderane let out another muffled scream, thrashing as best be could, but the arms holding him back were strong.

Scarecrow felt sick to his stomach. He watched Gabriel waver on his legs, his cries becoming weaker. Scarecrow felt a sob escape him when Gabriel let out a small whine, the wolf then collapsing to the ground, motionless.

They had tranquilized him.

Elderane was sobbing, though it couldn’t be heard through the gloved hand covering his mouth. The group watched horrified as they got Gabriel up and into the truck, the doors slamming shut. Aaron’s heart shattered when it drove away, out of sight.

Gabriel was gone.

“And let me just remind you…”

All four looked up through tears at Eleanor who stood before them, her eyes cold.

“If we see any of you, or even one single cop on the facility, or if any of you try to break in…” She sneered, meeting the gazes of each restrained person. She gave a small laugh. “I will personally put a bullet through that monstrosities head myself.” She said, causing Elderane to let out another broken muffled scream, his body jerking as he tried to thrash free.

Eleanor stepped back, a wicked sly smile on her face.

“It’s your choice.” She sneered, snapping her fingers as she walked out the door. The group of four staggered forward when the guards restraining them released them, with Elderane falling to his knees as he sobbed, his breath not coming to him as his tears pooled on the ground below him.

Aaron and Scarecrow ran to the door, freezing in the doorway when they saw the last of the unmarked cars pull away, the street once again empty.

All was quiet.

Enty was standing back, his branches flaring dangerously as he shook. This was his fault. Those people had initially been after him. He was why they had been watching them. Now they took Gabriel away, just like they had him.

But Gabriel couldn’t even speak to them to communicate. He was just a monstrous animal to them. And they’d probably treat him like one.

Elderane screamed again from the bottom of his chest, his eyes burning as he sobbed with all he had. He kneeled on the ground, his hand holding himself up as he trembled in place. They took his Gabriel away.

“Oh…oh, god…” Scarecrow muttered, his terror suffocating him as tears streamed from his eyes. Gabriel was gone. Those government bastards took Gabriel.

And they couldn’t get him back.

They couldn’t turn him back.

He was alone and scared, and stuck an inhuman monster.

Aaron gripped his own throat, his guilt making him want to throw up. This was his fault. He did this to Gabriel, and now he was gone. They had no hope.

But Aaron…wasn’t giving up.

The scientist paused, a smoldering fire forming in his chest. He should be broken, he should be like Elderane, but…but he wasn’t. He wasn’t because he refused.

He refused to let them take Gabriel. He refused to leave him stuck a wolf. He refused to lose his friend like this.

He refused to quit.

Tears streaming from his eyes, Aaron ran his hand through his hair as dizziness washed over him, his mind reeling. Something was coming to him, but he couldn’t place what. He felt hope, but he couldn’t place why.

There was a solution to this. He knew it.

But what?

Aaron turned around, eying his friends. Scarecrow leaning against the doorway, sobbing quietly to himself with his face hidden. Elderane was on the floor, still screaming with all he had. Enty was standing in frozen terror, his branches flaring wildly.

Aaron blinked. That was it.

“HA!!!” Aaron screamed, running towards the basement as Scarecrow and Enty jolted in shock. Elderane didn’t react and was just mumbling to himself in an odd language.

“A-Aaron?” Enty asked, his voice small. Aaron threw the basement door open with a bang, a maniacal smile on his face. Scarecrow blinked through blurry vision as he watched Aaron descend the stairs. He could hear him rummaging through his various bins of machine work downstairs.

“Oh, god, he’s lost his mind…” Scarecrow cried, turning away when he heard Aaron storm back up the stairs.

“CROW, GET THE KEYS, YOU’RE DRIVING.” Aaron yelled, a handful of machine parts in his hands. Scarecrow turned with aching eyes and stared at him.

“Wh-what?!”

“DO YOU WANT GABE BACK OR NOT?!” Aaron yelled, putting his screwdriver in his mouth as he flipped through his journal, his eyes crazed.

“Aaron, I-” Enty started, though Aaron turned and faced them, removing the tool from his mouth as he stood by the back door.

“COME ON, WE GOT A FRIEND TO RESCUE!” He screamed, putting the screwdriver back in his mouth as he flipped through the book, the man heading for the garage.

Enty and Scarecrow exchanged glances, not sure what to think.

“COME ON!!!” Aaron screamed; his voice muffled from through the garage. Scarecrow shook his head, his mind reeling as he grabbed his keys. Aaron had a plan. They had to trust him.

“Elderane, come on…” Enty said, standing by Elderane. The elf didn’t look up and kept sobbing, muttering in the odd language.

“Christ, just grab him!” Scarecrow yelled, helping Enty lift the unresponsive Elderane. The duo dragged him to the car, pulling him inside the back seat. Scarecrow got in the driver’s side and saw Aaron in the passenger’s side, a mess of machine parts and tools around him as he frantically worked. “Uhh…”

“You know where the facility is, just drive!” Aaron yelled, pointing roughly towards the street. Scarecrow, not understanding a thing that was happening, obliged and began driving, doing his best to tune out Elderane’s unintelligible prayers and sobs behind him.

~

“STOP HERE!” Aaron screamed, throwing his hand towards Scarecrow’s chest. Scarecrow let out a fearful cry and stopped the car, turning it off. They were on the outskirts of the facility.

“Aaron?” Enty asked fearfully, eying the ominous building.

“Right, out of the car.”

“Aaron, you heard them! If we get any closer, that bitch will kill Gabe before we can even get to him!” Scarecrow yelled, slamming the door shut. He eyed Aaron, the man holding a smaller device in his hands that sort of looked familiar.

“They won’t see us…” Aaron said firmly, fiddling with the device.

“And why is that?” Scarecrow said, crossing his arms. “We don’t have anything! We have no weapons, no inside eyes, no magic keys, we can’t get in!” He said, his heart heavy.

“We don’t need any of those things…” Aaron said, his eyes still crazed as he let out a sharp laugh. “Right, grab the elf and everyone hold on to me and stay behind me!” He spoke. Scarecrow, not daring argue with Aaron when he was insane, helped Enty drag the still unresponsive Elderane out of the car, the two holding him tight as they held on to Aaron’s arms.

“Aaron, please don’t tell me you’ve finally cracked for good…” Scarecrow said worriedly. Aaron shook his head with a laugh, a few tears still sliding down his face.

“No, no, I’m perfectly fine…” He said quickly. Scarecrow saw his eye twitch.

“You’re gonna kill us all…” He said fearfully, eying Aaron’s hands as he fiddled with the device.

“Right…please, god let me fuck up again…” Aaron muttered to himself, activating the device. Scarecrow squeezed his eyes shut when the ringing sound appeared, the sound drilling in his mind as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

But he held Enty and Elderane tighter, not daring let go of Aaron as the sound rang out around them.

After a few moments, the sound faded.

Scarecrow blinked his eyes open, an odd feeling in his ears as he stepped back, rubbing his head.

“HAHAA IT WORKED!” Aaron yelled, stepping forward with his arms stretched outwards. Scarecrow blinked and looked around, trying to decipher what was different.

The world was…quiet.

He looked up and his blood froze when he saw a bird above them, except…it wasn’t moving at all. It looked like it was frozen in the air.

“A-Aaron…” Enty muttered, looking around fearfully. Everything felt…wrong. Off.

Elderane took in a breath, glancing up with wide eyes as a familiar odd feeling came over him. He looked around in panic. He heard nothing but the others. There was no sound. No wind. Nothing.

“Aaron…what the fuck did you do…” Scarecrow muttered, his heartrate quickening when he looked around.

“Time is frozen…” Elderane muttered, his tears not stopping as he looked up. Scarecrow’s eyes widened. Aaron turned and Scarecrow met his gaze.

“YOU…YOU FROZE TIME?!” Scarecrow screamed, gripping his hair.

“I did it accidentally before, Elderane may remember, but I never threw my notes away for the device…” Aaron said with a smile as he turned and began walking towards the facility.

“A-Aaron, where are you going?!” Enty yelled, running after him. Aaron faced the confused group, his smile not fading as he adjusted his bag and pulled out the remote to fix Gabriel, the scientist turning as he began working on it as he walked.

“We are getting Gabriel and taking him home.” He said firmly.

Scarecrow looked ahead in shock as Elderane and Enty ran to catch up with Aaron. Scarecrow smiled wide.

“You goddamn genius…” Scarecrow muttered to himself, catching up with the group.

~

“This won’t even appear as a blink on their security cameras.” Aaron said, patting down a security guard who was outside the door. He smiled when he pulled a keycard off his belt. “They won’t have a clue what happened.”

“What if they come back for us?” Enty said fearfully, watching as Aaron opened the front door with the car.

“We have nothing they can take legally. If they go for you or Elderane, we call the cops. They don’t have any evidence against us.” Aaron said, leading the group into the facility.

“So…how do we find Gabe?” Scarecrow asked, eying a map that was on the wall. The building was huge.

“Ah, maybe here…” Aaron said, leaning over the front desk as he grabbed a notebook from the hands of the secretary, the woman a frozen statue. “Right…ok…” Aaron said, pacing as he flipped through the pages. “Ah! Here…” Aaron said, pointing to a chart on one of the pages. “New arrival, less than an hour ago. That’s gotta be Gabe.” He said adjusting his glasses. “There are no other arrivals.” He said, skimming the chart.

“Where is he?!” Elderane cried, his tears returning. Aaron squinted and eyed the small writing.

“Looks like…basement level 3.” He said, pointing to the chart again. Right as he said it, Elderane took off in a sprint towards where he saw stairs, the others in tow.

“Agh, guys I have the key!” Aaron yelled, tossing the journal over his shoulder as he ran after his friends towards the stairs.

~

The group quickly ran down the cold stairwell, their hearts skipping when they saw a B3 sign above a set of doors. Aaron quickly used the keycard to open them, the group walking in slowly as they took in the scene.

“This entire building is just boring hallways, I swear to god…” Scarecrow yelled, eying the plain white hall.

“But this one is different…” Elderane said, noting how while the doors on the upper levels were normal sized…these were much larger. Big enough for Gabriel to fit in no issue.

“He has to be here somewhere…” Aaron muttered, peering into each door he passed, though each room was empty. He was a bit unnerved as each room was solid white, though he could see various empty cages or chains scattered in each empty room.

“I don’t like this place…” Enty said, holding his arms closer to himself. This was a really bad place.

“And that’s why we gotta get Gabe home…” Scarecrow said, eyeing another empty room, his heart dropping. They were running out of doors.

“OVER HERE!!!” Elderane cried, his tears flowing freely once more as the group ran over to him, the elf peering into one of the rooms.

“Oh, Jesus…” Scarecrow muttered, his terror skyrocketing when he looked in. He saw it was another large white room, and to the back was a much larger metal cage, one with a giant brown wolf inside, the creature laying down.

“Oh, oh, no, oh…” Aaron franted, almost dropping the keycard in fright as he opened the door.

Elderane immediately sped past the group, reaching the large cage as his eyes opened wide in horror. Gabriel was seemingly still unconscious, as he was laying down, and the only comfort he had was a single large white sheet bunched up in the corner, not even on him as he laid on the cold bars of the cage.

But the thing that caused Elderane’s heart to shatter more was that they had put what looked like a large leather collar on Gabriel, the thing strapped visibly much too tight as a heavy silver chain weighed it down. He also had a series of leather straps around his mouth and face, muzzling him as they wrapped around his head.

“Oh…oh, Gabriel…” Elderane cried, his tears not stopping as he lost feeling in his legs.

“That’s it…we see that bitch, I’m killing her, I don’t care…” Scarecrow sneered, gripping the bars of the cage tighter as his anger began to flare. They had Gabriel restrained like some dangerous animal. They had no idea who he really was.

“G-Gabriel…” Enty cried, his branches flickering when he saw how inhumanely his friend was being held. There wasn’t even food or water in here, and Gabriel was just lying on the cold open bars.

“Oh, Christ…” Aaron said, guilt stabbing his heart as he used one of his finer tools to pick the padlock around the door of the cage. He got it open and before he could do anything, Elderane rushed into the giant cage, quickly grabbing Gabriel.

“G-Gabriel?!” He cried, shaking him slightly.

“He’s frozen in time like everything else, Eld.” Scarecrow said, eying Aaron as he also climbed in.

“Eld, here, let me in…” Aaron said, swapping places with him. “You get the muzzle…” He said, earning a nod from Elderane as the elf quickly unstrapped the tight restraint.

Aaron worked on the collar, picking the lock securing it to the heavy chains. He got it undone and tossed the chains aside with a heavy metallic clank. He quickly unstrapped the collar, his heart dropping when he saw how tight it was around his friend’s neck.

Elderane fiddled with the muzzle, unstrapping it with Aaron’s help as they freed their friend.

“Alright…alright, back up…” Aaron said, backing out of the cage after Elderane. “Now here’s the tricky part…” He said, eying the two devices in his hands.

“What now?” Scarecrow said, eager to get this over with.

“I need time to be moving so I can turn Gabe back.” He said, facing his friends. “So…Crow, you take my tools here…” He said, handing the bag to Scarecrow. “Go take out the security cameras, and go make sure the door on the other side of the hall can’t be opened.”

“What about the one we came through?”

“We need an escape. Enty, you and Eld take the key and use stuff from the other rooms to barricade it. We may be fine, but I need a few minutes…” Aaron said, handing the keycard to Elderane.

“It’s probably best we aren’t in here when he does it…” Scarecrow said, recalling how painful it was for Gabriel.

“Yeah, it’s for the best. Just keep the room clear, I need just five minutes!” Aaron said, standing before the entrance to the cage. “I’ll come get you once it’s done so I can freeze time again.”

“Alright…come on, let’s get to work…” Scarecrow said, a sly smile on his face.

“Bang on the door when the cameras are out!” Aaron yelled, earning a nod from Enty.

Aaron heard the door shut. It was quiet again. He looked ahead and stepped closer to Gabriel, his guilt threatening to break him. Aaron reached a hand forward and petted Gabriel’s head slightly, his tears returning when he eyed the discarded collar and muzzle.

“I’m so sorry, Gabe…” Aaron cried, his hand on his frozen friend’s head. He had to make this right.

Aaron flinched at the sound of a loud bang. When he turned to eye the door, he heard a knock. They were ready to go.

“Alright, Gabe…come back to us…” He said, hitting the time device, the loud ringing returning.

~

Aaron shook his head, his dizziness fading as the sounds of the world came back to him. He looked to the door and could hear his friends calmly outside. No commotion yet. Good.

He turned back to Gabriel, though his heart dropped when he saw how slowly and deeply he was breathing.

“G-Gabe?” Aaron said fearfully, nudging his friend with a shaking hand. Gabriel’s head just limply lolled to the side a bit; the wolf completely unresponsive. “Oh…oh, they must have drugged you more…” Aaron said, taking a step back.

He had to change him back now, though. He just prayed the drugs in his system wouldn’t hurt Gabriel when he was back to human.

“Ok, Gabe…” Aaron said, pointing the remote at the giant wolf before him. “Time to set things right…”

Aaron flinched when he hit the final button on the remote, the device sputtering to life as a faint blue glow covered Gabriel. Aaron let out a surprised cry when a few blue bolts of electricity hit his friend, though Aaron’s heart dropped when Gabriel hardly responded at all.

Scarecrow had told him the process was excruciatingly painful for Gabriel, and the reverse would have been the same. It should be. Aaron cringed when he heard a small cracking that he guessed were Gabriel’s bones and joints reshaping themselves back to normal.

But Gabriel wasn’t reacting at all.

He was whimpering a bit; Aaron could hear it. And Gabriel looked like he was trembling, but he wasn’t reacting more.

They must have drugged him badly.

Aaron watched in anticipating agonizing silence as Gabriel began to shrink down, the fur covering his body fading as the cracking sound continued. Aaron could see normal skin appear on Gabriel. He was going back to normal.

Eventually, after a few minutes, even Gabriel’s whimpering began to fade, the now human man laying on the ground, unresponsive.

Aaron switched the machine off and slid forward, his heart beating out of his chest as he reached Gabriel. His mind blanking, Aaron quickly grabbed the white sheet that was crumbled to the side, and he gently placed it over the clothes-less Gabriel like a blanket, knowing Gabriel wouldn’t want to be seen like this.

Once done, Aaron reached a shaky hand up and turned Gabriel onto his back, quickly checking for a pulse. Aaron let out a breath of relief. He felt it. And it felt normal. Aaron leaned down and gently lifted one of Gabriel’s eyelids, examining his pupils. They were heavily dilatated.

He was still drugged. But at least he was alive. He was alive and he was human again. He looked just the same as before, long hair and all. He was back. Aaron’s heart did drop a bit when he saw a faint red mark circling Gabriel’s neck. The collar had been much too tight…

Aaron turned with a jolt when heard the door open, though his heart calmed when he saw it was just the others.

“Is he back?” Enty asked, peering into the room. Aaron smiled and nodded, moving over a bit so they could see.

“Oh…oh, Gabriel…” Elderane muttered, going right to Gabriel’s side. He placed his hand on his unconscious friend’s chest, taking in the sound of his gentle breathing. His human breathing.

He smiled when he looked at his calm face. His Gabriel was back.

“Why is he still out?” Scarecrow said, peering through the cage bars at Gabriel.

“The stuff they drugged him with went with him, I’m afraid…” Aaron said fearfully. “He could be out for an entire day with how much they put in his system…”

“Well, we must get him home then…” Elderane said firmly, earning a nod from Aaron.

“Right. Everyone over here.” He said, putting the remote away as he pulled out the deice that stops time. Once everyone was huddled close and holding on to him. He activated the device, the ringing returning.

Once it faded after a moment, the group looked around, the deafening silence once more covering the universe.

“This went…really smoothly…” Scarecrow said, stepping back out of the cage, a small smile on his face. It was about time they caught a break.

“How do we carry him back?” Elderane said, not wanting to carry Gabriel in a way that left him more exposed and vulnerable than he already was.

“I…I am not sure, ah, I didn’t bring extra clothes…” Aaron said sadly, eying his backpack. Elderane looked Gabriel over, an idea coming to him.

“Ok…help me wrap him a bit more securely…” Elderane said, earning a nod from Aaron as the duo layered the sheet around Gabriel, securing it so nothing could be seen and it wouldn’t fall away, his arms wrapped inside. “Help me get him up…” Elderane said, motioning for Enty to help.

Enty and Aaron worked to carefully lift the unconscious Gabriel, easing him into Elderane’s arms. The elf honed his strength as he held his friend in the bridal-style, with Gabriel’s head lolling against Elderane’s chest.

“You sure you can carry him like that, pointy?” Scarecrow said, impressed as Elderane stepped out of the cage, the human Gabriel in his arms. He nodded firmly with a smile.

“He is not too heavy.” He said, holding Gabriel tighter against him as he slowly walked across the room Scarecrow shook his head with a smile and followed the group.

“Alright…lets go home…” Aaron said, using the keycard to open the door they had come through.

“AAHHH!!!” Enty screamed in fear, staggering back when he saw Eleanor was right in front of the door, reaching for the handle. A bunch of armed guards were behind her, her expression furious.

“Oh…oh, this was much too close…” Elderane said, carefully sliding around the frozen woman and guards. They had been right about to find them.

“Ok, let me at her…” Scarecrow growled, reaching clawed hands towards the woman’s throat.

“Crow, n-no, you can’t kill her…” Enty said, pulling his friend back.

“Are you kidding?! After what she did to you and Gabe?! I’m gonna break every bone in her body…” Scarecrow sneered, marching forward as he dragged Enty with him, his feet sliding on the smooth floor.

“Crow…”

Scarecrow looked up and saw Aaron looking at him, his gaze sad. Scarecrow motioned to the woman again, making a strangling motion with his hands.

“Crow, please…” Aaron said again, his voice soft. Scarecrow blinked a moment, looking between the woman and Aaron.

“GAH. FINE. Gimme a marker, though…” He said, digging through Aaron’s bag that Enty was holding.

“Crow, why do you need a marker…” Aaron said tiredly as Scarecrow smiled, pulling one out.

“I’m gonna write ‘KICK ME’ on her forehead…” He said, snickering to himself as he began working.

“Crow, that is…oh, whatever, I don’t care, just hurry up!” Aaron said, following Elderane out and down the hall.

Scarecrow laughed, adding a drawing of some glasses around her eyes and a mustache as well. He stood back, admiring his work.

“Crow, are you satisfied?” Enty said, amused by the petty revenge. Scarecrow smiled with a huff.

“No.” He said lightly, lowering himself to the floor. Happy the woman was wearing shoes with laces on them, he quickly tied them together as tight as he could, standing back up as he smiled.

“How about now?”

“Hmm…” He said, looking the woman over. “Wait, I got an idea…” He said, grabbing the marker again. He hummed to himself lightly as he followed Enty out of the hall, pulling the door closed.

He grinned as he reached the marker up and began writing on the door window in as big letters as he could.

“What are you writing now?” Enty asked, hoping Scarecrow hurried up.

“I’m putting ’Eleanor fucking sucks’ and next to it I’m drawing a di-”

“CROW! Hurry up, we need to get Gabe home!” Aaron yelled, his voice reverberating down the stairwell.

Scarecrow snickered to himself as he eyed his work, nodding to himself proudly.

“Ok, now I’m satisfied.” He said, throwing the marker and laughing when it hit Eleanor’s head dead on.

The duo ran up the stairs and found Aaron and Elderane, the two waiting by the door.

“You’re unbelievable…” Aaron said, holding the door open for the group.

“So are you, clockwork, O God of time.” Scarecrow said, sauntering out of the front doors behind Elderane as Aaron stood back, flustered.

“It’s just, it uh…it’s just science…”

“It’s fucking insane and you know it…” Scarecrow said, his voice tired. He smiled and slowed his walking, patting Aaron on the back. “But damn if it didn’t save Gabriel’s life. We owe you one, clockwork.” He said, reveling in the flustered look in Aaron’s eyes as he walked beside him.

“Oh, no, no, this is me just…trying to make up for what I did to Gabe…” He said sadly, eying the unconscious younger man in Elderane’s arms. “He’s gonna be so shaken…”

“Yeah, but he’s got us to help him out, alright?” Scarecrow said, lightly hitting Aaron’s shoulder as the scientist gave a small smile.

“Yeah! We’re gonna look after him!” Enty said, his heart warming knowing Gabriel was himself again and safe.

“Yes…yes, we are…” Aaron said, smiling as he watched his friends climb into the car. They had done it. It was time to go home.

~

“Alright, set him in the bed…” Aaron said, watching as Elderane gently laid Gabriel on his bed, the elf smiling as he ran his hand through Gabriel’s hair. He was home.

“What do we do, now?” Scarecrow said, standing beside Enty in the doorway. Aaron looked the group over.

“Well…I don’t think Gabe would want to wake up wrapped up in some rough sheets that smell like a doctor’s office, so I’m gonna get him set up in here, help him change, and help him get comfortable.” He said, taking a step back closer to Gabriel. “It’s the least I can do…”

“And us?” Elderane said, fully ok with Aaron helping Gabriel as Elderane couldn’t bring himself to do it like this.

“Well, there’s a lot that needs done, I guess…” Aaron said, wracking his mind. “The back door needs to be cleaned and replaced, the rest of the downstairs is a mess, we need to find something for Gabe to eat when he wakes up, and…” Aaron said, pausing as he eyed his friend. “And we could stand to do some things to make him more comfortable when he wakes up…he’s going to be so scared…” Aaron muttered almost to himself, his guilt returning.

“I can make him his favorite cookies!” Enty said excitedly, knowing Gabriel loved his cookies. Aaron smiled with a nod.

“Yes, that’s perfect.” He said, hoping some small things like that would help Gabriel. “Right, let’s just start with that and see how it goes. I’ll be down to help with the door in a bit.” Aaron said, watching the others file out the door.

“I just hope he’s not too shaken…” Elderane said with a sigh, pulling the door closed behind him, leaving Aaron and Gabriel alone.

“So do I…” Aaron muttered, turning to face Gabriel. The scientist sat on the edge of the bed placing his hand on Gabriel’s head, stroking his hair gently. The younger man didn’t react at all. “I’m so sorry, Gabe…” Aaron whispered, his tears returning. “I am just…so sorry…”

Gabriel didn’t react, his breathing still slow and deep. He was still out cold and would be for hours, if not more. Aaron closed his eyes, a few tears sliding down his face when he thought of the image of Gabriel surrounded by the guards with their guns. He was so scared. But…he still tried to scare them away. He tried to be intimidating to defend the others, even when he knew he was outnumbered. Aaron smiled to himself, his hand still on Gabriel’s head.

He was brave. He was strong. And he’d get through this. It would be rough, but…Aaron won’t let Gabriel go through this alone. They’d all be right here by his side, and Aaron would do anything he could to make up for what he did to his friend.

They’d be here for him until the end. Through anything.

~

Aaron hummed softly to himself as he sat in a chair by Gabriel’s bed, a journal in his hand as wrote. He had gotten Gabriel in one of his nightgowns, and he got him in bed and under the covers. He was home, dressed, warm, and safe.

It was the next day, and Aaron had been right. Gabriel hadn’t stirred at all. He was a bit worried, but knowing how heavy a dosage of the tranquilizers was going through Gabriel’s system, it wasn’t need for concert quite yet. Aaron was giving him till later tonight to wake up before they take him to a doctor. He wanted Gabriel to wake up at home in his room. Somewhere familiar and safe.

He sighed, eying his sleeping friend. Aaron’s guilt was becoming unbearable. He needed to talk with Gabriel, but he just wasn’t waking up yet. But Aaron deserved the pain. This was his fault. He shook his head, going back to his journal. He would give Gabriel time and rest. He needed it badly.

After another few hours, Aaron was beginning to doze off, his head lolling a bit as he held his journal on his lap. They had taken shifts watching Gabriel, and Aaron requested the longest one. He needed to know he was ok.

Aaron’s breath hitched in his throat as a small noise made his heart skip, and immediately Aaron jolted awake. He felt the journal fall from his hands and clatter to the floor as he turned, eying his young friend.

Gabriel was waking up.

“Oh, oh, Gabriel…” Aaron said, his tears immedetly returning as he edged closer to the bedside. Gabriel was turning his head slightly, whimpering a bit as he seemingly tried to pull himself out of the darkness that the drugs were drowning him in.

Aaron wiped his tears away in a fruitless attempt as more soon came after. He let out a laugh when he saw Gabriel’s eyes flutter open. They were tired and dazed, but no longer as dilatated. Aaron heard Gabriel’s breathing quicken and he quickly grabbed Gabriel’s hand, holding it tight. He was here by his side.

“Gabriel?” Aaron said softly, his voice small when Gabriel spent a minute just staring ahead blankly, breathing labored as he tried to crawl back to reality. “Gabriel, you’re home…” Aaron reassured, hoping to help guide Gabriel back.

He felt a sob escape him when Gabriel’s head slowly turned his way, his eyes locking on him. Aaron smiled wide and squeezed Gabriel’s limp hand tighter, his tears not stopping as Gabriel blinked.

“A-Aaron…” Gabriel whispered; his voice hoarse. His eyes widened a bit when he heard himself. Gabriel’s breathing picked up and he tried to push himself up, though his arms wouldn’t let him. Everything felt heavy.

“Hey, Gabe, it’s ok, you still got some of the drugs in your system…just rest…” Aaron said, pushing Gabriel’s chest back as he fell back into the pillow, his eyes still on Aaron.

“Aaron…I…I…” He said, blinking as his senses slowly came back to him. His mouth…felt normal. It was shaped right. He could talk again. “Am…am I…dreaming?” Gabriel asked, a slight tremor in his voice. Aaron let out another sob and held Gabriel’s hand tighter.

“No, Gabe, no…you’re awake…and you’re home, see?” He said, looking up. Gabriel’s eyes looked up a bit as well, eying his room. He was home. He saw his desk. His books. He felt his blanket over him. He was in his bed. It felt right.

“But…but I was…wolf…”

“We turned you back, Gabe…you’re human again, I promise. It’s all over.” Aaron reassured, holding Gabriel’s hand with both of his. Gabriel looked back at him; his expression still tired.

“You…turned me back?” He said wearily. Aaron nodded, his heart not being able to take any more.

“I did, Gabe…and…and, Gabe, oh…I am so sorry for what I did…I didn’t know you would, I…I never would have…oh, G-Gabe…” Aaron said, words failing him as his tears prevented him from speaking further. He flinched in shock when he felt Gabriel’s hand close tighter around his own. He looked up through blurry vision and saw Gabriel was…smiling at him calmly.

“I…I forgive you…Aaron…” Gabriel said, his voice small. “You’re my friend and…and you…came for me…” Gabriel said, recalling how he was in the process of being taken by those government people before he blacked out.

“I would have never left you in that state, and I would have never let those idiots take you from us…” Aaron said firmly, his guilt fading away. “We love you, Gabe…you’re family…” He said through tears, smiling wider when Gabriel smiled back.

“I…couldn’t have asked for a…better one…” He said, closing his eyes again.

“You go back to sleep, Gabe…we can explain everything later…you need rest…” Aaron said, pulling Gabriel’s blanket up higher as the man began to drift off again.

“I…I shall…thank you…” Gabriel whispered, his voice fading off as he went back under.

Aaron was still sobbing, but his heart was light. Gabriel forgave him. He was alright. He was himself. And he’d be shaken for a long time, but…but they’d all be there to help him through it. They’re a family. They help each other through anything.

~

“So, you…froze time…for me?” Gabriel said, a hot cup of tea in his hands and his fleece blanket over his shoulders as he sat on the couch between Elderane and Scarecrow. Elderane was holding Gabriel’s free hand and Scarecrow had his arm around Gabriel’s shoulder. Aaron was in the chair beside the couch, nodding with a smile.

“Damn right he did! Lunatic snapped like a glowstick and was dead set on saving you.” Scarecrow said proudly, eying the flustered Aaron. “You were in that place for maybe an hour.” He said, pulling Gabriel a bit closer. He had missed his Gabriel. Young Gabriel who was smaller than him. Scarecrow smiled. All was right with the world.

“Despite him making the grave error in the first place, I have never seen anyone so determined to set things right…” Elderane said calmly with a smile. “I still wish to punch you again, but I can wait.”

“Th-thanks, Eld…means a lot…” Aaron said with a small laugh, shaking his head.

“Well…thank you Aaron…I…oh…” Gabriel said, his tears returning.

“Ah, Gabe, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you…” Aaron said with worry, though he sat back in confusion as Gabriel laughed, a smile on his face.

“No, no…I just…you just did all that for me, and…I don’t know what to say…” He said with a teary laugh, wiping his eyes.

“Well…” Aaron said, his nerves finally easing. “Just say you don’t hate me, and…and that’s all I need.” He said with a small laugh. Gabriel smiled at him, his own nerves fading as he took in the comfort of his friends around him.

“Aaron, I…I could never hate you…you saved my life…” He said firmly, his mind made up.

“But I-”

“Made a mistake…but you didn’t know…it’s alright, Aaron…it’s alright.” Gabriel said, his heart warm. Aaron smiled back, taking in a deep breath as his tears finally faded. Things were finally ok.

“I got the cookies!” Enty said, entering the living room with a tray in his hands. Gabriel smiled wider, happily taking one from his friend.

“Right, wanna start the movie, Crow?” Elderane said, holding Gabriel’s hand tighter, taking in the feeling of his normal-sized human hand.

“Yeah, yeah…four hours of bible junk coming up…” He grumbled, hitting play on the remote as the movie started.

“You will like it, Crow, I’m sure…” Gabriel said, glancing to the side. Scarecrow scoffed, smirking as he reached up and ruffled Gabriel’s hair. “H-hey!”

“Bah, long as I get to sit next to fluffy here, I’ll be fine.” He said, smiling as Gabriel swatted his hand away.

“Har, har, har…” Gabriel said, unable to hide his smile.

He took in a long breath, taking in the feeling of everything familiar around him. He felt Scarecrow’s arm around his shoulder, his embrace safe. He felt Elderane beside him, his presence calming. Gabriel looked over and saw Enty smiling brightly, a cookie in his hand as he watched the movie, his smile reassuring. He glanced over and saw Aaron, the man looking at the movie, his mind finding peace for the first time all day. Gabriel smiled, taking in his safe and comforting presence.

Aaron may do these unholy things, but…but Gabriel can never stay mad at him. Aaron looks out for all of them and is always there to keep them safe. And when he does make mistakes, he works himself nearly dead to try and fix them. Gabriel can always count on him.

And after all they did to save Gabriel. They care so much, and Gabriel loves his misfit family more than anything. He looked around, not even watching the movie as he took in the presence of his friends. He thought back to when he was being captured. It wasn’t what they were going to do to him that scared Gabriel most, no…it was the fact he’d be alone. It was the fact he wouldn’t have his family there.

And the thought scared him more than anything.

Gabriel shook his head, pushing the memories away for the moment. They didn’t matter now. He was home, he was human, and his family was by his side. Gabriel closed his eyes, taking in the feel of Scarecrow and Elderane beside him. Of Enty and Aaron nearby. Of his family.

He thought of them and felt his fear fade away. At the moment…all was right with the world.

And Gabriel was happy.