Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ayreon/Avantasia Crossover

First Contact

-Chapter 2

The Visitor

-Chapters 3-8

The Escape

-Chapters 9-23

The Rescue

-Chapters 24-33

The Castle

-Chapters 34-53

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Chapter Text

Gabriel smiled to himself as he walked calmy down the leaf-covered park trail, a cool post-rain breeze blowing through. It was early in the morning and there wasn’t another soul around. There was a light fog covering the damp ground, and the smell of cool rain and late spring flowers in the air. His friends were still at home wanting to sleep in, and Gabriel loved to take advantage of the serene and quiet moments of his life such as this where he could enjoy the silence of the world alone.

He took in a deep breath and carried on, eying the fast-flowing river that was down the muddy ledge to the side. He could still hear residual raindrops falling from leaves hitting the ground in delicate abstract rhythm. There were no houses here, only woods, and Gabriel was happy.

He liked moments like this. No stress, no danger, no running. Just peace. It was always so calm after the storm.

Gabriel carried on, eying the colorful purple flowers scattered along the side of the road. It was a cool and perfect morning, and Gabriel was at peace.

After walking down the empty trail for a while, Gabriel froze, flinching slightly at the sound of a…loud splash nearby, the sound piercing the rhythmic silence around him. The novice spun around with wide eyes, staring at the river behind him.

Did someone just…fall in the river?

His mind now curious and frantic, Gabriel walked off the trail towards the muddy ledge, holding a small tree for support as he eyed the river below. It had rained harshly for several days and the river was flooded and raging, making it much deeper and move much faster than usual.

Gabriel scanned the currents, his mind blank. No, that couldn’t have been a person…there was no one else out here…it was probably just some branch or log falling off the slippery edge.

Not seeing anything, Gabriel gave a small shrug and began to turn, though another big splash shook him to his core. He spun around with wide eyes, his heart stopping when he saw…a glimpse of a person in the water, though they vanished below the current a moment later.

“H-hey!!!” Gabriel yelled, terror taking him over when he knew he just saw someone. He slid carefully over to the edge, the mud making it hard to keep his footing. He strained to look over, not seeing any sign of the person in the water.

Fearing the worst, Gabriel was about to pull his phone out when he paused, a dark figure breaking the surface of the muddy water.

Gabriel’s heart stopped dead at the sight. It almost looked like…himself…

His mind blank as he edged even closer to the cliff, Gabriel squinted to try and see if he was just seeing things when his eyes widened, the broken wet dirt below his foot giving way.

The air getting sucked out of him, Gabriel tried to grab the ground for support though it was too slippery. The younger double slid down the edge of the muddy drop-off, terror taking over as he was thrust into frigid ice-cold murky water, all solid ground vanishing from around him.

Gabriel thrashed in terror as the dark water yanked him down, the man not able to tell what direction was up. He was spinning, the icy water pulling him in all directions. He tried to open his eyes to see, but the dirt just stung, forcing him to close his eyes again.

He tried to reach any hand out to grab something, but he didn’t even feel ground below him. There was nothing but murky water all around him, tossing him around like a ragdoll. Gabriel didn’t know how to swim and his robe made it even harder to get control of his legs.

Gabriel let out an internal scream of fear, his chest starting to ache and beg for air. But there wasn’t any. He was at the river’s mercy though he wasn’t sure he would receive any. He just felt the cold blackness tossing him around, his chest staring to shake as he needed to take air in.

His chest screaming in agony, Gabriel felt his mind begin to haze, the world around him starting to quiet as he began to felt himself give in. The pressure becoming too much, he opened his mouth to breathe, though there was just water all around him. His chest was aching, he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t see, he couldn’t breathe!

His world starting to go numb, Gabriel flinched when he felt strong arms wrap around his chest, holding him tight. He felt himself be yanked in a direction, though he was too weak to even try to see what was going on. He just hung limply in the arms of whoever was holding him.

After a few agonizing and chaotic seconds, Gabriel gasped roughly for air as he felt himself breach the surface, the sounds of the pounding river washing over him once more. His ears ringing, he kept his burning eyes squeezed shut as he coughed, the arms around him not letting go.

“Breathe.”

Gabriel kept coughing the water out of his lungs, though a faint voice he could hardly focus on spoke to him. After a moment of being dragged along through the river, Gabriel felt rocky ground appear below him.

The shore.

Still coughing as hard as he could, Gabriel felt himself be dragged onto the land, the strong arms around him pulling him away from the raging current. Finally, Gabriel knew he was completely out of the river, the sounds dying out as he was dragged along and laid on the ground farther up the shore.

The arms holding him let go and Gabriel fell to his side, holding himself up on one elbow as he kept coughing, water still in his airway.

“Are you alright?”

Gabriel turned over more, propping himself up on shaking and frozen arms as he kept coughing, water dripping from his mouth to the ground. He heard the voice again. Someone had saved him. Gabriel wanted to look, but another coughing fit came over him, his body trembling as he tried with all he had to clear the water out of his lungs that he didn’t mean to inhale.

After a few moments of stillness, Gabriel’s coughing finally eased, and he felt relief wash over him when he didn’t feel water in his airway anymore. He paused a moment, just catching his breath as he remained on his knees on the ground.

He was shivering, freezing, drenched, and disoriented…but he was alive. He was alive.

Rubbing his aching eyes in an attempt to ease the stinging, Gabriel cracked them open, blinking rapidly as he looked around with blurry vision. He kept breathing deep breaths, but finally his vision cleared, and he could breathe. He saw he was on the shore of the rover below some trees in the woods, the river down a way. Someone had pulled him out and saved him.

Curious as to who it was, Gabriel looked up, his eyes landing on a figure before him.

Gabriel’s blood froze solid when he looked ahead, his heart stopping dead in his chest. His eyes widened in terror and his face paled, the world going dead silent once more. Before him on the shore…was some sort of inhuman fish creature.

A half-human fish creature that looked…like him. Or Scarecrow or Aaron or Enty. It was another double but…it was not human. The thing was humanoid, though Gabriel saw a long tail behind it. The creature’s skin was blue, with various dark blue stripes on his arms, legs, and cheeks. He had a ragged dark gray torn t-shirt on, and similarly torn pants. He had no shoes, and Gabriel saw his feet, like his hands, were webbed with black claws on the end.

The creature had no ears, but three smaller blue-tinted thin fins on each side of his head, and Gabriel could see faint light blue glowing star-like speckles covering them. He had similar single fins on his forearms, and the end of his tail had a large dark blue fin with similar glowing specks. Gabriel could see the creature flex it slightly, the tail moving slowly.

Gabriel just sat back in blinding terror, his eyes locked with the faded blue-gray eyes of the creature, it’s expression neutral. His eyes drifting, Gabriel looked down and saw it had webbed hands, with sharp black claws on each finger, the claws digging into the rocky sand.

He threw his head back up; his body not wanting to move or react as he stared into the…somewhat empty eyes of the creature. The creature’s hair was not as long as his, but closer to Enty’s, but even rattier and messier, and it was a dull blue. Before Gabriel could even register what to feel, the creature opened its mouth as if it were about to speak, and Gabriel’s face paled when he saw sharp inhuman teeth in its mouth.

His body kicking into hyperdrive as he saw the creature dig its sharp blade-like claws into the muddy ground again, pulling it closer, Gabriel let out a shrill airy scream, scurrying back away as fast as he could in panic as the creature tried to claw its way closer to him.

Gabriel tried to get up but his legs trembled and gave way, the fall in the river too much for him. He fell back to the ground and breathed heavy, his terrified eyes meeting those of the creature as it kept crawling closer, its own legs dragging behind it. His mind clearing in a brief moment of clarity, Gabriel frantically grabbed for his satchel and yanked his phone out, thanking God that Aaron made them get waterproof ones for emergencies. He kept pushing himself back into the bramble, his eyes locked with the creature’s blank gaze at it kept coming closer.

He managed to finally dial Aaron, and Gabriel sat back in tears as he was running out of places to hide, the sharp fangs of the inhuman sea monster glistening in the overcast light of the day.

~

Aaron was sitting at the kitchen table, working on a cup of coffee as he took in the calm gray morning. Enty and Elderane were beside him eating breakfast, and Scarecrow had just walked in, his eyes tired.

“Where’s the time capsule?” He asked, noticing Gabriel was absent.

“Walk in the park. He likes mornings like this.” Aaron said with a small smile, leaning back in his chair as he relaxed.

“How the fuck is he a morning person…how is anyone a morning person…” Scarecrow grumbled in annoyance, heading for the coffee machine.

“It is a nice morning though…” Elderane said happily, eying the window. It had just rained, so it was a nice cool temperature outside. The sunlight wasn’t harsh, and it was still a bit foggy. A serene morning indeed.

“So, are we going anywhere today?” Enty asked happily, looking among his friends, the ghostly black branches covering the left side of his head and arm wavering slightly and calmly in his relaxed mood. Aaron just shrugged, wracking his mind.

“I don’t know, maybe we can, oh…” He paused, noticing his phone was buzzing on the table. “It’s Gabriel…odd…” He said, pulling the phone up in confusion.

“He probably just found some cool rock and took it as a sign from God, or whatever…” Scarecrow said, coffee mug in hand as he took a drink.

“Here, I’ll put him on speaker…” Aaron said, hitting answer. “Gabe? You th-”

“THERE’SANOTHERONETHERE’SANOTHERONETHERE’SANOTHERONEANDHE’SGONNAEATME!!!”

Scarecrow coughed and turned away, choking on his coffee as Gabriel’s yell startled him, his friend downright screaming into the phone. The others jumped back in shock, with Aaron dropping the phone onto the table with a hard clank. Elderane stared with fearful eyes at the device while Aaron’s anxiety shot up. Gabriel sounded terrified.

“Gabe?! Gabe, slow down! What’s wrong?!” Aaron yelled, picking the phone up again. Scarecrow quickly edged closer. Did Gabriel just say something about something…eating him?

“THERE’SANOTHERONE THERE’S ANOTHER ONE!!!”

“Another one of what, Gabe?!” Scarecrow yelled, slamming his mug on the table as his nerves spiked.

“HE’S COMING CLOSER GUYS HELP HE’S COMING!!!” Gabriel screamed, his voice shaking in blinding terror. Elderane felt his own breathing stop at the sound of Gabriel’s panic.

“H-he’s in trouble…” Enty muttered in fear, his branches flaring wilder and curling around him the more Gabriel talked.

“G-Gabe, where are you?!” Aaron yelled, his mind reeling. With how terrified Gabriel sounded, Enty may be right…

“THE TRAIL BY THE RIVER HE’S GONNA EAT ME HE’S STILL COMING HELP!!!”

“Gabe, Jesus, who’s coming?! Who’s after you?!” Scarecrow cried, taking the phone with shaking hands as Aaron ran to the door in panic, the others quickly in tow.

“ANOTHER ONE OF US HE’S-”

The group paused when the line went suddenly quiet, Gabriel’s screaming stopping mid-phrase. Elderane felt tears escape his eyes as his legs went numb. Aaron turned and took the phone from Scarecrow’s hands, his heart racing.

“Gabe?! GABE?!” Aaron cried, tears leaving his own eyes as all they could hear was some faint shuffling on the other end of the line. “Gabe, please, wh-”

The group flinched at a sharp scream from Gabriel cut through, and Aaron’s heart dropped cold when the call quickly ended, leaving the group standing in speechless silent shock around the phone.

“GABRIEL?!” Elderane cried, taking the phone from Aaron. He hit the call back button, but it just rang with no answer. “GABRIEL!!!” He cried again in hysterics, shaking the phone as if it would do anything.

“C-come, on, he’s just down the street…oh, god…” Aaron yelled, grabbing his jacket as he threw the door open. The group went outside and headed down the sidewalk for the park down the road, fearful for their friend’s life.

Before leaving the house, Scarecrow grabbed his metal bat from beside the door, holding it tight in his fist as he ran. If Gabriel was being attacked, he’d make sure the jerk hurting him would suffer.

~

“HE’S COMING CLOSER GUYS HELP HE’S COMING!!!” Gabriel screamed, his voice shaking in blinding terror. He tried again to pull himself up, though he staggered and slipped on the mud as his numb legs gave way, the man falling into the side of the drop-off. He spun around in horror, the fish creature still moving towards him, quicker now.

“G-Gabe, where are you?!” Aaron yelled through the phone that was tight in Gabriel’s shaking hand.

“THE TRAIL BY THE RIVER HE’S GONNA EAT ME HE’S STILL COMING HELP!!!” Gabriel screamed, turning away. He used his free hand to grab some outhanging roots on the side of the tall cliff and he tried to pull himself up, his wavering legs struggling to get a foothold.

“Gabe, Jesus, who’s coming?! Who’s after you?!”

“ANOTHER ONE OF US HE’S-”

Gabriel gasped as he turned around, his body going numb when he saw the creature had cornered him and was right behind him. The novice spun around in terror and tried to climb faster, though he let out a sharp scream when he felt a cold and wet hand grab his leg.

Thrown off and his mind panicking, Gabriel lost footing and lost his grasp on the small root, the man crying out on terror as he fell back to the ground. He felt his phone fall from his hand and the air got knocked out of him as he landed hard on his back, a few stones digging into him. Gabriel let out a long and pained groan, his vision spinning.

“I won’t hurt you.”

Gabriel’s eyes flew open, his body going numb at the sound of a familiar voice. He looked up and froze when he saw the fish creature hovering over him, his eyes somewhat…concerned.

But…did the creature just…

“Friend…” The creature said quietly, though Gabriel’s mind blanked in terror when he realized the thing was…speaking to him…it could talk…

His mind not being able to take anymore as he saw a clawed hand reach down to him, blocking the sun, Gabriel felt his body go numb, a dark curtain falling over his vison as the sounds of the world faded to nothingness.

~

The half-human fish creature sat back; his eyes locked on the now unconscious long-haired double before him.

He was scared. He scared him again.

Looking around, the creature saw no one else. They were alone. He looked back to the double and saw he was shivering, his hair dripping wet and his robe soaked through to his skin. He was cold. As carefully as he could, the creature grabbed the double from under his arms, carefully using his own wavering legs to move him. He dragged him to the side where a small patch of clovers was, the green patch drier and away from the mud as it rested under a large tree. He set the double down carefully and moved some of his wet hair out of his face.

The creature then slid forward, grabbing a fistful of the double’s robe and squeezing it, wringing the cold water out as best he could. He tried this for a bit, though he knew it wasn’t doing much. He then slid to the double’s head, gently taking his hair in his hand and wringing the water out as well, hoping to dry him off just a bit.

He had to do this. Humans were fragile. They could get sick. He didn’t want this human to get sick.

Looking around, the creature slid back and began searching the ground for some cloth or something else to help him…

~

Gabriel let out a pained groan, his senses slowly returning to him. He blinked his cold eyes open, and he could hear…the river nearby.

His eyes flew open, a jolt of terror striking him. The river. The fall. The creature. Gabriel rubbed his eyes and pushed himself up, though he paused in confusion when he saw…an old towel was under his head. Gabriel blinked in confusion, now noticing other scraps of abandoned fabric were scattered around him, all of them damp. He looked down at himself and noticed he was still wet, but he wasn’t as drenched as before.

He was also in a different place. He looked ahead, eying the spot he passed out in. It was rocky and muddy, but now…he was sitting on a soft patch of weeds and clover. Someone moved him. But…who…?

Gabriel’s eyes flew open at the sound of movement, his terrified gaze landing on…the fish creature, the thing making his way towards him once more, using one hand to pull himself along the stony ground, his legs still almost limp behind him. His other hand was closed in a fist. Gabriel felt his breath leave him, though the creature was fast. He’d catch him anyway. Gabriel curled in on himself in fright, giving in to his fate. He was gonna die here, he was gonna be eaten, he was gonna die!

“For you.”

Gabriel blinked, the voice right beside him though no attack came. He risked it all and glanced up, eying the creature who was just…sitting back contently, his hand held out. Gabriel saw he had some blackberries in his hand.

Not sure what this was or what to think, Gabriel just stared at them, stuck in confusion. The creature then gave a small…smile, or he tried to as it seemed off, then he slid a bit closer, setting the handful of berries in Gabriel’s lap. The creature then backed away, giving Gabriel room.

Gabriel just sat back in shocked confusion, not sure what was happening. The creature was just sitting back, staring at him with wide and curious eyes, though his face still looked natural and lifeless.

“You…won’t kill me?” Gabriel managed, repressing his fear when he began to see…there may be no danger here. The creature gave another awkward smile, his sharp teeth showing, then tilted his head in innocence.

“Friend.”

His voice was monotone, but there was an…eagerness in it. Gabriel felt more of his fears ease, now seeing this thing…wasn’t dangerous. He hoped…

“Did…you save me?” Gabriel asked, eying the river behind him. The creature nodded.

“You swim bad.”

“I…I never learned…” Gabriel replied, a small laugh escaping him as his face felt hot in embarrassment. The creature just sat back, the same curious but neutral look on his face. Gabriel looked down, eying the berries. “And…these are for me?”

“Friend.” The creature repeated, his voice soft and gentle. Gabriel eyed him in confusion. He had…never met this creature before. He would remember him for sure. Why would it think them friends? Gabriel shrugged, not really worrying about it now. He’d never turn down a new friend.

And…this was one of them. It was a double just the same, just…more inhuman then Enty was…and he seemed nice. He did save him from drowning…

Smiling, Gabriel took half the berries and slid forward a bit, handing them to the fish creature who held out a reluctant clawed hand, his skin a pale blue. His wide eyes looked up at Gabriel in confusion.

“We can share them. That’s what friends do!” Gabriel said happily, his fears totally gone. If this creature wanted him dead, he would have killed him ages ago. The creature gave the awkward smile again and nodded, eating a few of the berries with Gabriel.

As they ate, Gabriel looked behind him, eying the rags.

“Was that you?” Gabriel asked, pointing to the old torn cloth. The creature nodded.

“You were wet. And cold.”

“Y-yeah…” Gabriel said, rubbing his still frozen arms with his hands to try and warm them. “And…you were trying to dry me off?”

“Friend.”

“Heh…so it seems…” Gabriel said with a smile, finishing the berries.

The fish creature did the same, his wide eyes still glittering slightly as they looked at Gabriel. Gabriel tilted his head as he looked over the creature. Where did it come from? Why did it think he was a friend?

“Well…I’m Gabriel…what’s your name?” Gabriel asked, the creature looking more…emotive.

“I am-”

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!”

Gabriel flinched in fright, a sharp and familiar shout shaking him to his core. He spun around and saw his friends at the top of the cliff on the trail, with Scarecrow standing in angry defense before them with his bat tight in his hands.

~

Scarecrow led the group down the bike trail, the group scanning the shore of the river for their scared friend.

“How far did he go?!” Elderane yelled in panic, a dagger tight in his own fist as he followed close behind Scarecrow.

“He can’t be much farther…” Scarecrow growled, his anger rising. Someone or something was hurting Gabriel. He wasn’t about to let it get away with that.

“Wait, there!!!” Aaron yelled, pointing ahead. The group skidded to a halt, and Scarecrow’s eyes widened when he heard voices ahead, and he could see Gabriel.

And something was with him.

“Come on!” Scarecrow yelled, motioning for the group to follow.

Scarecrow led the group on, though he skidded to a shocked halt when he saw who…or what was beside Gabriel. It was some sort of…inhuman fish creature, with clawed hands and fish tail behind him as it kneeled on the ground. And it was right beside Gabriel.

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!” Scarecrow screamed, holding his bat higher in his hands as he reached the edge of the cliff above Gabriel and the creature. Both Gabriel and the creature looked up with wide eyes at the group above them.

“C-Crow-”

“Gabriel, get away from that thing!” Elderane screamed, skidding down the small hill as he ran to Gabriel’s side. He yanked Gabriel up and dragged him back, the fish creature just staring at the group in curiosity.

“Eld, no!” Gabriel cried, working to pry his arm free when he saw Scarecrow jump down the hill with his bat aimed for the creature. Gabriel’s eyes widened and he yanked his arm free from Elderane’s grasp, the man running as fast as he could towards the creature.

Scarecrow skidded to a stop when Gabriel jumped in front of him, his arms stretched out in defense.

“G-Gabe, what-”

“He’s not a threat, he’s my friend!” Gabriel yelled, the creature behind him giving a slight smile. Scarecrow’s eyes widened when he saw pointed teeth in the creature’s mouth.

“Gabe, that is some…alien, or…or mutant…or demon…or-”

“No, he’s not! Well…he may be, but…” Gabriel said, taking a defensive step back towards the creature who simply reached a clawed hand up and grabbed the edge of Gabriel’s robe. “But he’s good! He saved me…” Gabriel pleaded, eying his shaken friends.

“What do you mean…he saved you?” Scarecrow said, lowering the bat.

“And why are you wet…?” Aaron asked, walking a bit closer though he hung behind Scarecrow, Enty behind him as well. Gabriel glanced to the side, his face feeling hot as he recalled his clumsiness.

“W-well…I…I may have f-fallen…in the river…”

“Oh, Gabe…” Aaron groaned, eying his young friend who was soaking wet. Gabriel always seemed to fall into trouble. Often literally…

“B-but he saved me!” Gabriel cried, motioning to the creature who was still clinging to Gabriel’s robe, his eyes wide as he scanned the group.

“And what…is he?” Scarecrow muttered, taking a step closer, though he wasn’t as on edge.

“Forever.” The creature said, the rest of the group reeling back in shock.

“IT TALKS?!” Scarecrow yelled, his heart racing.

“How fascinating…” Aaron said, adjusting his glasses as he stepped closer, kneeling before the creature who just sat contently beside Gabriel.

“Woah…” Enty said, his eyes wide as he walked closer as well, Elderane beside him. The creature looked up and Elderane stopped walking when the creature met his gaze.

“Pointy.” He said, the faintest trace of amusement in his voice as he pointed at Elderane, the elf reaching up to touch his own ear.

“Y-yeah…that’s me…” He said in confusion, not sure what was happening.

“So, what did you say you were?” Aaron asked, scanning the creature and eying his various fins. The creature just sat back contently.

“Forever.”

“Your species is called…Forever?” Aaron asked, his gaze locked on the starlike dots scattering the creature’s deep blue fins, the dots glowing slightly like stars on the dark blue fins. The creature nodded.

“We are Forever.”

“How do you know English?”

“Always known.”

“Where do you come from?”

“Far.”

“That’s vague…” Scarecrow muttered, still on edge. This was weird. This was too weird. He assumed Enty was as weird as things could get, and he was wrong.

“How far is…far?” Gabriel asked, stepping back to face the creature. The creature looked up, eying the sky. He pointed a single clawed finger up to the sky, his eyes lost.

“Far.”

“So you…are an alien?” Aaron asked, almost fearfully. The creature looked back down, his almost blank gaze meeting Aaron’s.

“No.”

“But you said…”

“Clockwork, something’s telling me getting clear information out of Nemo here isn’t gonna get you far…” Scarecrow muttered, placing his hand on Aaron’s arm.

“Oh, but I must know, this is fascinating!” Aaron said, a smile forming on his face. “Tell me, why did you save Gabriel?”

“Friend.”

The group all looked at Gabriel, the man shuffling on his feet slightly.

“You keeping something from us, Gabe?” Scarecrow asked, though Gabriel shook his head.

“I…I never met him before…” He said, meeting the creature’s still blank but curious gaze. Gabriel’s eyes widened. “Oh, I forgot, what was your name?” Gabriel asked, earning a small smile from the creature.

“Vega.” It said, some faint pride in its quiet voice.

“Vega…like the star…” Gabriel said, eying the sky above him.

“Stars…” Vega said softly, and Gabriel saw it looking with…longing towards the sky.

“Do you like space?” Gabriel asked, smiling when the creature’s face lit up.

“Y-yes…I…do…” He said, the awkward smile returning to his face.

“This is most odd…” Elderane muttered, not sure what to make of this yet. The creature…seemed friendly. And it did save Gabriel…

Enty stood back, still trying to figure out what he was seeing. He had only seen things like this in movies. But…he had to note…something was off. With his friends, or anyone he has ever met, Enty could always…feel their presence. What they’re feeling to a degree. Their emotions. Enty could always feel them.

But…he felt almost nothing with this creature. It was like he wasn’t even there. He felt…emotionless. Mostly. There were faint traces breaking through, but…what Enty could feel was just…so weak compared to everyone else.

“Well…thank you Vega…for saving Gabriel…” Elderane said, kneeling before the creature beside Aaron. The creature smiles awkwardly again, clinging to Gabriel’s robe with his clawed hand.

“Friend…”

“Seems he likes you, Gabe…” Aaron said, watching as Gabriel kneeled as well beside the creature.

“Yeah…he does…” Gabriel said softly, the creature now holding his arm gently. Gabriel truly had never seen this creature before…why did it like him so much?

“So…are you…lost?” Scarecrow said, reluctantly approaching the group, his defenses lowered. The creature paused a moment, his eyes drifting to Elderane who stood back in confusion.

“Y-yes…no…ah…” He muttered, and Gabriel saw him run his clawed hand through his messy hair, a look of confusion on his face. “Light…bright…light…”

“You saw a bright light?” Aaron muttered, some pieces starting to click together. The creature nodded. “Falling…”

“I’m lost…” Scarecrow grumbled, not sure what to think. He flinched when he saw Aaron smack his own head, a groan escaping him. “Clockwork?”

“Oh…I…I think I did this…” Aaron said, looking the creature over.

“You…what?” Gabriel muttered, just as confused as the others. Aaron looked nervously between the group, all eyes on him.

“V-Vega…how long ago did you see the lights?” He asked, meeting the creature’s eyes. The creature looked up, the sun breaking over the horizon. Aaron watched him point at the sun and slowly lower his hand down, just below the horizon.

“That…long…” He said, looking back to Aaron’s eyes.

“Uh…” Scarecrow muttered, though Aaron seemed to understand completely.

“Just before sunrise…a few hours…ah, yes, uh…” Aaron said nervously, running his hand through his hair. “Vega, you uh…you must forgive me, it seems my experiment earlier this morning wasn’t a dud after all…”

“Wait, you did this?!” Scarecrow yelled, motioning to the creature who was back to holding Gabriel’s arm. Aaron nodded, adjusting his glasses.

“I…I was experimenting with maybe…creating a doorway to Avantaisa…uh…” He said, earning a sharp glare from Elderane. “And…it seems I miscalculated and just brough Vega here…from wherever he was from…”

“You?” Vega muttered, amusement in his eyes. Aaron nodded, looking to the side in guilt.

“Yes, I…I apologize, it was a mistake…if you allow me, we can go to the house and I can send you back home.”

“Home?” Vega muttered, an eager smile on his face as he clung to Gabriel’s arm tighter, the man giving a small laugh.

“Y-yes…is that alright?” Aaron asked, and the creature nodded, his awkward smile back.

“Y-yes!”

“Right, uh…can you…walk?” Elderane asked, eying the creature’s legs. The creature looked down, then back up to Gabriel’s eyes.

“Help…” He muttered, and Gabriel smiled, pulling himself to his feet. Ignoring the odd feel of the creature’s skin, he held his arms tight and pulled him up.

Aaron stood back, watching the creature struggle to stand. His legs wavered, and Aaron took note how the creature seemed to use its tail to hold himself up.

“I got you, friend…” Gabriel said, throwing the creature’s arm around his shoulder. Vega smiled again, the smile looking more natural each time he did it. Gabriel held him up, the creature managing to stand.

“You…swim more than you walk, don’t you?” Scarecrow asked, watching as Gabriel helped the creature take a few steps. Vega nodded, looking in Scarecrow’s direction.

“Yes…learning.” He said, and Scarecrow just nodded, not sure what that…implied.

“Come on, its just down the road…” Aaron said with a smile, watching as Gabriel helped the staggering creature up the hill to the main trail.

Aaron breathed a long sigh, his nerves shot. Gabriel was fine. This creature was friendly. Though Aaron still had…questions…

He watched the creature stagger along beside Gabriel, his tail swiping slightly as they walked down the thankfully desolate trail. What…was this creature? And why…did it like Gabriel so much?

~

“Here you go!” Enty said with a smile, helping Gabriel lift the creature into a small water-filled kiddie pool on their living room floor. The creature smiled, ducking into the water a moment before surfacing. The others could see gills on the side of his neck.

“Can you only breathe water?” Aaron asked, circling the creature who shook his head.

“No.”

“You can breathe air?”

“Learning.”

“You’re…really learning a lot…” Aaron said, watching the creature smile when Enty brought some fruit on a plate for him. It was almost like this creature was…learning to be…human…

“Heh, thank you!” Gabriel said, smiling as the creature handed him some of the fruit to share. Elderane shook his head with a smile. Leave it to Gabriel to befriend even sea monsters…

“Give me a few minutes and I’ll be able to send you home!” Aaron said, grabbing the device off the coffee table as he headed into the kitchen. He’d love to learn more about this creature, but he had to let him go home. He couldn’t study him like some animal.

“Your hair is sparkly!” Enty said, sitting himself down beside the creature. He saw Vega’s blue hair had slight faint shimmering speckles in it, a dim glitter.

“Stars. Forever…of the…stars…” Vega replied, his smile fading as he looked back to his tail which had more glowy dots on it, scattered like stars.

“Well…I like stars!” Gabriel said with a smile, placing his hand on Vega’s. The creature looked down at the touch, his eyes wide.

Gabriel flinched with a small cry as Vega pulled him into a hug, his face buried in his shoulder.

“Uh…” Elderane muttered, not sure…why the creature would do that…”

“F-friend…G-Gabriel…” The creature cried, and Elderane’s eyes widened when he saw some glistening tears gently slide down the creature’s face.

“H-hey, you’re ok…” Gabriel said softly, worry filling his chest when he pulled back, noticing the tears. The creature gave a small wheeze that Gabriel assumed was a laugh, and smiled once more, wiping his tears.

“Yes…y-yes…I…am…” Vega said, looking back at Gabriel. Gabriel smiled, sighing as he pulled the creature back into a gentle warm hug.

“I…really don’t know what’s going on, but…you’ll be ok…and…who knows! Maybe we’ll meet again…” Gabriel said warmly, and Vega nodded, holding Gabriel tighter.

“Meet…again…”

“He just can’t stay here…” Scarecrow muttered from the couch, guilt in his chest. “People here already struggle with Enty…they’d attack this guy…and we can’t keep him trapped in a kiddie pool…”

“I know…” Gabriel said sadly, pulling back. He sighed sadly, meeting the creature’s blank eyes. “But…maybe we can visit! And…get more answers…”

“Yeah, you gonna explain any more about who you are, fishy?” Scarecrow said, though the creature just looked at him teasingly.

“Secret.”

“Of course, it is…”

“Alright, this should work!” Aaron said, walking into the room. “Vega, you ready to go home?”

“Home…yes…meet again…” He said, nodding as Enty slid away.

“Take care of yourself alright friend?” Gabriel said, smiling at the creature again. Vega smiled back…warmly this time, and pulled Gabriel into another hug as the younger double laughed.

“Friend…”

Aaron stood back, still…confused. Maybe Gabriel was just good with people…and fish creatures…

“Ready.” Vega said, and Gabriel slid back, his robe soaked again from the hug.

“Alright…sorry again, and take care!” Aaron said, firing up the device in his hands.

Gabriel met the creature’s eyes one more time, and the creature smiled warmly again before giving a small wave goodbye as a light enveloped him.

Once the light was gone, Gabriel saw…the pool was empty.

Vega was home.

Aaron sighed, powering down the device as he set it down on the coffee table.

“Well, that was fucked up. I need some alcohol…” Scarecrow grumbled, pulling himself up from the couch as he headed for the kitchen.

Aaron watched Enty take the empty fruit plate to the kitchen as well, and then turned and saw Gabriel looking sadly at the empty pool.

“He couldn’t have stayed here, Gabe…” Aaron said, kneeling by Gabriel as he rubbed his back.

“I…I know, I just…don’t understand…”

“We will…someday I suppose…he seemed to know you, so…maybe we will see him again. I’m sure we will.” Aaron said, ruffling Gabriel’s hair as he stood, causing Gabriel to laugh.

Gabriel sat alone, eying the empty pool. Yeah…someday…

Someday…

Chapter Text

Months later...

Gabriel was quietly walking down the leaf-covered bike trail, smiling as he took in the calming and warm fall morning. The leaves had really begun to change and the entire park was painted in bright red and orange leaves, a few falling like snow through the air before him.

He took in and released a breath, his mind at peace as he walked. He was due to meet Elderane here, the elf running late as he slept in. Gabriel had gone ahead as he didn’t want to waste the calm morning. Gabriel was on the other side of the river, having had crossed the stone bridge back a way. This side was quiet and there wasn’t another soul to be seen as Gabriel walked through the serene scene around him.

“Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me!!!”

Gabriel paused; his mind blanking. He had…thought he was alone. But…

That sounded like…Scarecrow…

Gabriel kept walking, the sound coming from around the bend up ahead. He knew there was a clearing up there. But…how did Scarecrow beat him here? And…why was he here?

“Crow? Is that…you…” Gabriel muttered, his eyes widening as all feeling left his body.

Gabriel stood still in paralyzing fear as his blood froze, his heart now pounding out of his chest as he stared ahead with wide and terrified eyes. Before him in the clearing was…one of them.

But it wasn’t any of them. It couldn’t be.

This double looked more like Aaron, with his fluffier hair and his familiar build, but it definitely wasn’t him. He was pacing, the man wearing an odd long dark black jacket with silver and deep blue lining that resembled Enty’s favorite coat, but this one closed on the front, a few dark blue straps holding it closed. The formal looking jacket had blue and silver shoulder pads that went out to a point, and some silver intricate design on the sleeves. He had black gloves on, and the man had a small phone-looking device in his one hand he was talking into in front of him.

The man had tall boots on like Elderane’s, and he had odd large sunglasses on his forehead, the black lenses shimmering in the early light as he walked back and forth, talking to himself. Gabriel’s eye also caught what looked like a golden four-point triangle pin on the front of the man’s chest.

Gabriel had no point of reference for what this man looked like. He had never seen an outfit like this before.

But the thing that Gabriel’s gaze slowly landed on next, and the thing that caused terror to strike his heart like a bolt of lightning, was what looked like some futuristic small plane behind the man, the craft resembling the spaceships from the movies they watched back home. The man before Gabriel…did look futuristic.

Gabriel’s gaze was stuck on the craft. It was not from this dimension. This had to be another double. But Gabriel had never seen a craft like that before. The closest thing he had seen was in his sci-fi moves they all watched at home. But those were all…futuristic. ‘Sci-fi’ as Aaron called them.

Could this double…be from the future?

Frozen in place not knowing what to do, and his legs not wanting to carry him anywhere, Gabriel stood still, his mind trying to process what he was seeing. He tuned in to what the man was saying, the double still talking into the odd device on his hand as he paced before the craft.

“…an’t believe this, I am stuck on some terrestrial planet that looks like ours, but much more primitive.” He said quickly, annoyance in his voice as he talked. “I see nothing familiar, and no contacts are going through on any channels. I am stuck in a communicational dead-zone, with no way to reach anyone.” He said with a sigh, the man pausing before his craft, facing it. “I am in no short supply of fuel or energy, so I am going to make a quick trip off ground to find a vantage point of where I am. Maybe the star map will pick something up…log off.” He grumbled, shoving the small device into his pocket.

The man sighed again, running his hand through his hair as he faced his ship.

“Right…let’s see where I am…” He said, running up a small ramp into the side of the craft.

Gabriel stood in place; his legs numb. It was another double for sure. And the way he talked was just like in the sci-fi future movies. And the ship…

Gabriel flinched when the ship roared to life, though it was still quieter than a good number of modern cars he had seen. He saw some lights light up on the sides, a few of the panels on the folded-in wings adjusting. The ship was real. And it was turning on.

He stood back, the engines on the side causing some wind to blow the leaves on the ground his way. The double was leaving. Gabriel didn’t know what to do. He wanted to talk to him. He wanted to call Aaron. He wanted to run. But he couldn’t move. He didn’t know what to think or what to do. This was unlike anything he had ever seen.

What was before him…it shouldn’t be possible.

Gabriel’s eyes widened when he heard someone call his name. He turned and saw Elderane across the wide river, the elf standing in frozen shock. Gabriel was about to call back when he felt someone grab his arm.

“What are you, then? A clone?!” The futuristic man said sharply, his grip tight on the trembling Gabriel’s arm. “This shouldn’t be…” He muttered, looking Gabriel over.

“I-I don’t, I-” Gabriel stuttered, his mind a blank but reeling mess. The double was examining him closely, though his expression looked more annoyed than curious.

“Right, I didn’t give anyone permission to clone me. You’re coming with me, pal.” He said, the man now dragging Gabriel towards the ship. Gabriel’s eyes widened when he realized where he was being taken.

“W-wait! No, stop!” Gabriel cried, trying to yank his arm away. The double was much stronger than him and his grip was tight on the novice’s arm.

“Come on, you got some questions to answer. The ship is set to take off, you can explain when we reach orbit.”

“O-orbit?!” Gabriel yelled, his blood pounding in his ears as he was dragged onto the ramp. He had to get out of here. Now.

Gabriel made a move to kick the stranger away, but he stopped his struggling when the man pulled a small futuristic gun-shaped device out, pointing it at Gabriel who stopped his struggling at the sight. Futuristic or not, Gabriel knew a gun when he saw one.

“Good grief, don’t make this hard, long-hair.” He said, dragging the frozen Gabriel into the ship. “I just want answers, so just relax. God…”

Gabriel couldn’t breathe as he eyed the weapon pointed his way. He wanted to run. He wanted to run so badly, but his legs wouldn’t move. His mind was screaming but he couldn’t do anything but let himself be dragged into the ship. He didn’t want to see what that weapon would do to him.

If modern guns hurt and nearly killed him…what would a future one do?

“Look, just cooperate, and you’ll be fine. I need to know what’s going on here. Something ain’t right and I think you have something to do with it. It’s no coincidence you meet me here randomly…” He said, his grip still tight around Gabriel’s arm.

Gabriel’s eyes widened when he entered the small ship. It looked just like something out of the movies. He saw futuristic tech he wouldn’t ever come close to understanding all over. He saw weird symbols on the walls on panels, metal boxes, lights and wires everywhere, and strange designs and switches on the panels lining the walls.

This was not where he belonged.

As his mind was reeling in blank shock, Gabriel snapped back right when he felt something cold around his wrist. He looked down and saw a techy-looking handcuff on his wrist, the other end now connected to a thin metal support bar by the side of the ship. Gabriel’s eyes widened and he yanked on it, though it didn’t budge at all. He couldn’t escape.

“Right, since you seem to not want to cooperate, you’re gonna be stuck there until we’re off ground.” The man said, heading towards the front of the ship. Gabriel saw him sit in what looked like a pilot’s chair at the front, with glass over his head and in front of him that showed the outside. A cockpit.

He was going to take off.

“W-wait, stop! I’m not, I…I can’t, I…” Gabriel yelled, yanking his arm again as tears formed in his eyes. The cuff didn’t come close to bending.

“Just chill for five minutes, won’t ya? God almighty…” The man said tiredly, flipping several switches on the control panel before him. “I’m not gonna hurt you, I swear.” He said, pulling the larger handle in front of him towards him.

Gabriel let out a cry when he felt the ship jostle, causing him to lose balance. He fell to the floor, his wrist still stuck to the pole held above him. He looked behind him out a window and saw they were now going up.

They were rising into the air.

“S-stop! Stop, please, I don’t know anything, please!!!” Gabriel cried; tears streaming from his eyes as he watched the world begin to fall away out the window. He saw the park get smaller and smaller.

“We’re just doing a quick jump into orbit, buddy. Calm down. I do this all the time.” The man at the front said, waving his hand calmy as he went back to steering. Gabriel couldn’t stop his tears and he turned back to the window. He felt a wave of nausea hit him when he saw they were going up even faster, the entire city now visible below them as he felt his ears begin to hurt.

Gabriel felt dizzy as he stared, his breathing getting quicker as he gripped his chest with his free hand. He couldn’t get air in no matter how hard he tried as he watched the city vanish into the white clouds.

His mind went silent when the ship jostled a bit more, and Gabriel looked out the window with wide eyes, terror shooting through his body when he saw the clouds surrounding the ship fade away, the entirety of planet earth now visible as the ship kept smoothly flying away from it.

Gabriel was looking at the planet. He blinked a few times, a blurriness in his vision forming that he couldn’t shake. The earth was now below them out the window, a swirling blue orb contrasting against the purest starry sky Gabriel had ever seen. He saw entire continents below him on the blue marble floating in space.

He was in space.

His vision failing him, Gabriel closed his eyes as he let out a small breath, all feeling fading away as he let his terror claim him and suck him under.

~

Elderane was walking calmly down the bike trail, eager to find Gabriel. The elf had slept in, and Aaron had told him Gabriel had gone ahead on his walk, so Elderane was catching up. He was walking briskly but calmly, knowing Gabriel couldn’t be too far ahead.

As the elf walked along the trail by the river, an odd mechanical sound caught his attention. He looked around; confused, as they were deeper into the woods and there were no houses or roads nearby. But it sounded like a car warming up, only a bit louder.

His curiosity rising, Elderane listened intently and followed the sound, his feet taking him farther down the bike trail. He saw the trees along the drop-off into the river stop, and the sound became clearer. He could see the stone bridge up ahead as well. The elf kept walking, keeping an eye out for Gabriel as he focused on the peculiar sound.

His heart stopped dead when he finally saw his friend.

Elderane paused, his eyes widening when he stopped by the edge of the drop-off, his gaze stuck across the river.

He saw…some ship. Some sky ship that looked like a small plane, but…it didn’t belong here. Elderane had done research on modern aviation, and this craft was unlike anything he had ever seen. Gabriel had him watch one of those ‘science-fiction’ films with the others once, and this craft…it looked like it belonged in that.

And it was turning on.

Elderane blinked, his mind blank when he saw Gabriel standing before it, unmoving. What was he doing there?!

“GABRIEL!!!” Elderane yelled, hoping to get his friend’s attention. He smiled a moment when Gabriel began to turn, but his smile immediately faded when he saw a figure exit the craft and briskly walk towards Gabriel.

And Gabriel didn’t see him approach.

Elderane was about to call for his friend to warn him, but his terror took over his body when he saw the figure grab Gabriel’s arm, causing Gabriel to look his way. Elderane’s breathing picked up and he began running down the trail towards the bridge.

This wasn’t right, and he had to get to Gabriel.

Elderane’s body went numb when he saw the figure begin to drag a reluctant Gabriel towards the craft, a small gun-shaped device in his hands.

He was taking Gabriel away.

“G-GABRIEL, NO!!!” Elderane screamed, booking it into a sprint. He crossed the bridge, but as he did so, the figure had already dragged Gabriel into the ship, the door closing behind them. “NO, NO, NO!!!” Elderane screamed, reaching for his dagger that was attached to his belt.

He ran as fast as he could, but he skidded to a halt once he reached the ship, as the craft’s wings had unfolded, and the ship was now rising into the air, with wind from its engines blowing leaves around randomly by the elf’s feet.

“GABRIEL!!!” Elderane screamed again, but the ship was ascending fast. His mind blanking, Elderane threw his dagger with all he had towards the ship. He saw it scratch the side, but it just bounced off, the blade falling to the ground into the clearing before Elderane.

Elderane stood in speechless panic as he watched the ship continue rising into the air, quicker now. The sounds of the engines were fading. Elderane’s mind was screaming even though he couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe!

“G-Gabriel…” Elderane muttered, a blurriness filling his vision when he saw the ship go straight up into the sky, vanishing past the clouds and beyond. The ship wasn’t going anywhere on earth.

It was going straight up to space.

Elderane wavered on his feet, the ship now completely out of view. His head felt light as his vision swam, and the elf staggered back, falling with a thump to the ground as a darkness took over his vision, the world fading away around him.

Chapter Text

“…ey! …ake up! Geez…”

Gabriel let out a groan, his head killing him as he blinked awake, his heart stopping when he saw the double from before kneeling before him, a flash of concern in his eyes.

“Good. You’re not dead.” He said flatly, pulling himself to his feet as the concern vanished.

Gabriel didn’t say a word as he kept his gaze locked on the double. He didn’t want to look anywhere else. This wasn’t right. Nothing here was familiar. The only familiarity was the double’s face, so that’s where Gabriel’s gaze was locked.

“Guess I should apologize for scaring you so bad. Your heartrate was quite high.” He said, hitting a panel on his wrist. Gabriel blinked in confusion when he saw what he learned was a ‘hologram’ appear, the double typing into it as if it were a phone screen. “And I checked, the ship has nothing wrong with it and the pressure shouldn’t have made you lose consciousness, so I assume it was fright based on your vitals. Am I wrong?” He said flatly, eying Gabriel.

Gabriel remained sitting on the floor, his wrist held above him, still in the handcuffs. He felt his heart beating out of his chest as he finally broke his gaze away from the man before him. The ship felt…still. It was quiet. He felt his breathing pick up and he looked back to the double, a few tears forming in his eyes as he was helpless to do anything.

“Please, I…I want to go home…” He muttered, his voice shaking a bit as he edged backwards away from the double.

The double stared at him; his expression unreadable.

“Alright, I’ll take that as a yes. Here…” He said, reaching for Gabriel’s wrist. Gabriel watched as the double pointed a small remote at the cuff and it unlocked, allowing Gabriel to quickly pull his wrist down, holding it as he rubbed it, the pain fading. He looked up at the double, the man still looking at him with a bit of concern.

“Th-thank…you…” Gabriel said, edging back more. He still didn’t trust this. This double kidnapped him.

“Look, I’m not gonna hurt you, ok?” The double said, kneeling before Gabriel. “I’m sorry for dragging you in here so quickly, but the ship was gonna take off, and I didn’t want to lose what could be my only lead to figuring out where I am.” He said flatly. Gabriel just blinked.

“Me?”

“Yes, you, long-hair.” The man said, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t want to threaten you, but I feared you would run and I’d lose any chance at getting home.” The double said, and Gabriel saw the gun-shaped device in his hand.

The double paused, looking Gabriel over again. He saw his gaze was fearfully stuck on the gun.

“Ok, if I put my phaser away, will you actually work with me on this?” The double said, holding the odd gun away from him.

Gabriel nodded quickly, his hand going to his side as he kept his gaze locked on the gun. The double sighed and nodded.

“Right. Look.” He said, walking away from Gabriel. The novice saw him open a metallic crate in the far corner and the double set the gun inside, closing the crate as he walked back. “Phaser is gone. I have no other weapons. That better?” He said, holding his arms out.

Gabriel took in a breath and nodded, pulling his knees up to his chest. The double rolled his eyes and sat on the ground before Gabriel.

“Well, you can’t be an exact clone. You’re…nothing like me it seems.” He said, pulling his wrist up. Gabriel saw him type into the hologram again. “Your DNA is the same, but everything else is obviously different.”

“Wh-who are you?” Gabriel managed, his nerves easing when he saw the man was just doing weird tech work. Like Aaron…

“For security reasons, you can just call me The Captain.” The man said, not looking up. “As I am the captain of this ship, and many others. I’m not sharing my real name until I figure out what the hell is going on.” He said flatly, punching more numbers into his screen.

“I…I’m Gabriel…” Gabriel said, his voice reserved. The double paused and looked up.

“Gabriel? Well, we don’t have the same name then.” He said, going back to typing.

He stopped and looked back at Gabriel. The man was younger than him, that was obvious. The Captain looked back at his screen that showed the stranger’s vitals. He was still scared.

“Look, I am sorry for kidnapping you, ok? Can you chill please?” He said. Gabriel blinked but didn’t say anything. The Captain let out a sigh and closed his hologram. “I thought you were a clone or something, so I took you because I thought you would know something that could help me get home. Seems I was wrong…” He said, almost sadly.

Gabriel sat back, his gaze locked on the double. He was…sad. Gabriel knew that look in his eyes. He was all too familiar with it.

“You…just want to go home?” Gabriel asked. The Captain nodded.

“Yes, I suppose. Things are tough there, but it’s home and it needs me.” He said, looking to the side. “They’ll all see…they need me…” He muttered to himself.

“You…don’t want to kill me?”

The Captain’s eyes widened and he looked back to the reserved double.

“Kill you? Stars, no!” He said, a trace of a laugh in his voice. “I was gonna take you back when we were done! I just didn’t want to stop takeoff, so I guess I thought just a bit too quickly.”

“You’re gonna…take me home?” Gabriel asked, his nerves fading for good. The man before him was…just like him. He was odd, but…he just missed home.

“Yeah, I will.” The Captain said, a small smile on his face when he saw the younger man relax. “You uh…don’t know anything about this world, do you? Or how I got here?”

“I…I actually might…” Gabriel said. The Captain’s eyes widened further.

“You…you do?” He said, notable excitement in his voice. Gabriel smiled and nodded.

“This has happened before…” Gabriel said calmly. “My friend back home breaks the universe sometimes.” Gabriel said with a shrug. The Captain just stared at him blankly. “He has brought other doubles from other worlds here before…he was working on something when I left for the park, so he probably is what sent you here. He didn’t mean to, though.”

“Your friend…can alter the laws of the universe?” The Captain said, his eyes wide. Gabriel nodded with a smile.

“Yep! It’s scary sometimes, but he fixes anything he breaks. He can send you back, I’m sure.”

“Oh…well, I feel better then…” The Captain said, sitting back as his own nerves eased. “But…that doesn’t explain…why you look like me…”

“I don’t know…there’s a lot of us, though. From all over.” Gabriel said with another shrug. “My three roommates look like us too.”

“There’s five of us?!”

“We met another one who was part fish once.”

“Ah…fascinating…” The Captain said, both in confusion and curiosity.

“Yeah, we all came from all over other dimensions. Aaron and Enty are from the 1800’s, Scarecrow is from now, and I’m from 1603-”

“You’re from the 17^th century?!” The Captain yelled, his eyes wide in shock. Gabriel nodded again.

“Yep!”

“Oh…well, that uh…that explains your reaction to my ship…” The Captain said, some guilt in his voice. He looked the double over.

Yeah…that explains a lot.

“Sorry then for scaring you so badly…” The Captain said, pulling himself to his feet. He held a hand out for Gabriel. The younger man smiled and took it, letting himself be pulled up.

“It is fine…I am just glad you aren’t going to kill me.” Gabriel said with a shrug.

“Do…people try to kill you often?”

“Very often.”

“Ah…” The double said, staring at the smiling younger man beside him. He turned and eyed the box with his phaser in it. That…also explains his reaction to the gun. His guilt getting worse, the Captain looked back to the double. “Well…since you can send me home, and…it seems I am at fault for taking you…and it seems space travel is definitely not something you are familiar with…maybe I can make this up to you.” The Captain said brightly. Gabriel just tilted his head with a smile.

“What do you mean?”

“Well…you like space?”

“I love it! The guys took me stargazing once and we could see the Milky Way and ‘shooting-stars’ and we had a telescope and could see some stars and planets up close and-”

“Alright, hotshot, chill, chill.” The Captain said, amusement in his voice. “As sorry for scarin’ ya, maybe I can show you around a bit.”

“Around where?”

“Just get over here, long-hair.” The Captain said with a smile, grabbing Gabriel’s arm again. Gabriel let himself be led towards the front of the ship where the cockpit was. The Captain smiled when he realized he was going to be able to show off a bit. “How’s this for up close?” He said, pushing Gabriel into the cockpit area.

Gabriel’s eyes widened in wonder, his heart stopping when he looked around him. On all sides were clear glass, and beyond them…the universe. He saw Earth…far away, a blue marble floating in the sequined black starry sky. He looked up to the side and saw a red planet much closer to them, the surface a dusty rust color.

He was looking at Mars. Up close and hovering above him. An entire new planet, unexplored by the humans of his world. And Gabriel was right below it.

He saw countless stars in the distance, all shining brighter than he’s ever seen them before. He saw distant clusters of stars he knew were either galaxies or nebulas, shimmering in the darkness eons away.

Gabriel looked ahead in speechless wonder at all he knew God created, his mind blank as he took it all in.

He was in space. Gabriel smiled wider, a few tears welling up in his eyes as he took in the glorious sight of the infinite universe around him

~

Elderane jerked awake, his body freezing in terror when his senses came flooding back to him. He staggered to his feet, nearly tripping as his head spun. He looked around.

He was alone.

He saw no spaceship, but the indents were still in the dirt from where it had landed. He reached down with a shaking hand and picked up his dagger, his gaze slowly going to the sky.

Gabriel had been taken. He was gone.

Elderane let out a fearful cry and, nearly tripping again, heel-turned and began sprinting back to the house. He couldn’t breathe as he ran, but he didn’t let that stop him.

They had to save Gabriel.

~

“This solar system is different than my own, though it’s composition seems similar on a geological and biological level.” The Captain said, leaning back in his chair as he piloted the small ship. He smiled when he saw the younger double in the chair beside him, his eyes wide in wonder at all he was seeing out the windows.

“Our planet’s name is Earth.” Gabriel said, looking to the side. He saw Earth there, even smaller than before. The Captain was showing him around the solar system as if it were a casual drive around town.

“Ours is Alpha, though based on your speech and knowledge, the two seem to be very similar, to the point I’d guess they may be parallels. You have religion and holy books, yes?”

“Oh, yes, I was a monk in my past.”

“How fascinating.” The Captain said, piloting the ship calmly through the blackness. Gabriel looked over and saw the Captain’s eyes were as excited as his own.

“You seem to love space as much as I do!” Gabriel said excitedly. The Captain laughed.

“Space is where I belong. I spend more time in the sky than on ground. I need to be up here, hotshot.” He said, gripping the steering handles tighter. “Hidden underground is no place for me.”

“That’s so cool that you can be up here all the time!”

“Oh, yeah, it’s what I do.” He said calmly. “I never lost my wonder for the universe. Every time I look at these stars, I just feel…home. I feel safe.” He said calmly, letting himself open up a bit for his new associate. “It’s a child-like wonder that never faded, and it never will.” He said, eying the stars. Every time he looked at them, his heart warmed. He felt complete.

“That’s amazing…I love space too!” Gabriel said happily. The Captain laughed wholeheartedly, the younger double’s innocence making him smile.

“Oh, I can tell, hotshot. I can tell.”

Gabriel leaned forward in wonder when a giant planet came into view.

“That’s Saturn!” Gabriel said brightly, pointing at the ringed planet. The Captain typed something into his hologram keypad.

“Intriguing…” He said, adding all the information Gabriel was telling him into his database. He looked over and couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Gabriel had tears in his eyes. “You ever stop crying?”

“Oh, I…I’m sorry, I just…if you hadn’t come, I would have never seen such things in my lifetime…” Gabriel said happily, wiping his eyes. “Thank you so much…you are just…amazing…”

The Captain smiled proudly to himself, loving the praise.

“Well, while this ship isn’t built for intergalactic travel, basic in-system stuff like this is just a joyride, really.” He said smugly, smirking as he kept driving.

“This future machine is glorious!” Gabriel exclaimed, setting his hand on the techy dashboard before him, careful not to touch any buttons. The Captain laughed again.

“She’s the most reliable transport in the fleet, and she’s mine…” The Captain said sweetly, setting his own hand on the dashboard. “She’s never let me down before.”

“She?”

“It’s a ship thing, hotshot.” The Captain said with a smile. “Her ID is AV-LON 102795, so I just nicknamed ‘er Avalon.”

“The ship…it enters space without issue?”

“None! I could land on any hospitable planet and she wouldn’t get a dent.”

“Oh, that’s Andromeda! Aaron told me about it.” Gabriel said excitedly as he interrupted, pointing to a distant cluster of stars in the sky, now much clearer from their vantage point. “It’s-”

“Another galaxy…” The Captain said, punching something quickly into his chart. Gabriel blinked and looked at him in confusion.

“You know of it?”

“I believe…our homes are on opposite sides of the Andromeda system…” He said, looking out the window towards the galaxy. “Because we can see that galaxy in our sky as well…but we can’t see yours.”

“Maybe ours doesn’t exist in yours.”

“Maybe…” The Captain said quietly, his gaze stuck on the cluster. He could see the star of Sirrah beside it, shining brightly. At least he saw something familiar. It was still odd, though. Maybe Gabriel was right. Maybe their planet…didn’t even exist yet in his old world.

“Do you know a lot about space?” Gabriel asked excitedly. The Captain grinned again and nodded.

“Graduated top of my class at the academy.” He said with a wink. “I have a near perfect memory and I was the best pilot to graduate to date.”

“That is so cool!” Gabriel exclaimed; his smile widening. He was with a real professional space traveler. In space. The Captain let out a laugh and relaxed, enjoying having someone to brag to who won’t get annoyed.

“Well, what do you want to know?”

“I have been doing some research, but I get lost sometimes as I am unfamiliar with the technology…”

“Yeah, you…didn’t even have electricity in your time, didja, hotshot?”

“Nope! Not one bit.”

“I…wow, I don’t think I could imagine a world without technology. Ours is…very dependent on it.” He said, gripping the steering handles tighter. He wouldn’t say now, but his world was basically run by AI and tech. And the world…was breaking under the strain.

“It is quite peaceful! Maybe you could take your ship somewhere to a world without it someday and see!” Gabriel said innocently. “The silence is so nice…”

“Well, my world is quite loud…I’ll remember your advice, hotshot.” He said with a wink. A world without tech…without the Frame running everything…

What a paradise that would be.

“So, ah…what did you get confused on with your research?”

“I do not understand the concept of ‘light-speed’…” Gabriel said, looking ahead towards the shimmering stars. “The book said something about how…we see stars that may not even exist anymore, and…I don’t understand…because we can see them!”

The Captain smiled with a laugh, eying the wide-eyed man beside him. He could almost see the stars reflecting in the man’s eyes.

“Well, lucky for you I did a whole research project on that very topic to graduate, so I’m basically a professional on the subject.” He said with a smirk.

Gabriel’s eyes widened further in amazement. The Captain turned back to the front window, happy to have someone who respected him for who he was and wanted to listen to what he had to say.

“Right, so those stars are millions of light years away…” He said, pointing to the clear sky above him. Gabriel sat back and listened to the lecture intently, his eyes never losing their amazement as the Captain talked on, the universe drifting by as their ship floated calmly in the tranquil sea of stars around them.

Chapter Text

“Clockwork.”

“Y-yeah?”

“The hell is this.” Scarecrow said flatly, pointing to a mess of wires and machine parts on the floor of the living room, a few wires hooked up to the wall by the TV. Aaron blinked, looking down at the mess.

“Would…you accept that this is me hooking up a new lamp?”

“No.”

“Ah…”

“You’re fucking with the universe again, aren’t you?” Scarecrow yelled, throwing his hands down. Aaron sighed and looked to the side.

“Maybe…”

“Aaron!”

“I’m curious! I can’t help it!” He said, pushing his laptop away that was before him. “It’s a scientific mystery that I can’t leave unsolved! What brought us together? We still haven’t figured that out!”

“And we don’t have to, Aaron…” Scarecrow said, kneeling before the upset scientist. “What happened just…happened, ok? If you keep messing with it, it could break something or undo something. You don’t want that, do you?”

“No…guess not…”

“Right. Now, wh-”

“Here’s your…screwdriver…” Enty said, walking up to the group. Scarecrow looked at him, his expression tired.

“Uh…”

“DON’T ENCOURAGE HIM, ENTY!”

“I just wanted to help…”

“He did, Crow, leave him alone.”

“No! I won’t have you two messing up reality again!”

“Nothing happened! I tested something earlier and nothing happened at all. It’s safe.”

“It’s not safe, Aaron…”

“Look, it was just a small test and I didn’t even use that much power. What’s the worst that could have happened?” Aaron asked in a huff.

The trio flinched when the front door slammed open, shaking the house. They turned and saw a frantic Elderane enter the living room, his breathing close to hyperventilating.

“GABRIEL WAS TAKEN BY SKY DEMONS!!!” He screamed, pointing towards the door with crazed eyes.

Scarecrow blinked then looked down at the stunned Aaron.

“Does that answer your question?” Scarecrow sneered, his rage rising. Aaron swallowed nervously as he looked at the hysterical Elderane, the man pale and seemingly close to passing out.

Something was…definitely wrong.

~

“You know so much!” Gabriel said brightly, his eyes twinkling brighter than the stars beyond their window. The Captain smiled to himself proudly, reveling in how excited he was making the younger double.

“Well, I hate to brag, but…yes. I do.” He said, gently piloting the ship through the darkness. Gabriel saw a large planet begin to grow closer.

They were almost beside Jupiter.

“You will like Aaron! He’s a scientist.”

“Does he do space engineering?”

“No, Scarecrow won’t let him try because he thinks he would accidentally create a black hole that will ‘end all life as we know it’. But he does some research for fun. He is good at bending reality and messing up the universe, though.”

“That…is fascinating, I will say.”

“He always fixes it, though.”

“Well, I don’t know if he’s smarter than me, but…I’d like to meet this scientist.”

“He’d like you too! He loves technology.”

“And he’s from the 19^th century?”

“He is! He learns fast.”

“I see…and, what of your other friends?” The Captain said, fascinated by this…odd group of people. Gabriel smiled brighter.

“Well, Enty is from Aaron’s time and he is half covered by black ghost branches all the time.”

“He is…human?”

“Maybe.”

“Ah…”

“Elderane is an elf.”

“And…elf? Like…a little gremlin guy?”

“No, like from the fantasy stories! He’s only a little shorter than me. He may try to kill you, though.”

“He…wh-what?”

“Well, he can be protective, and he may think you’re dangerous. Don’t worry, I’ll clear things up. He’s nice, though, I promise.”

“Well, I…I look forward to not dying…”

“Oh! You will like Scarecrow! He’s kinda like you.”

“Oh, there’s no one like me.”

“He’s close! He’s strong and brave, and he’s the one who helped me when I first came to this world.” Gabriel said, a warm smile on his face. “He saved me from being burned alive at a witch trial once.”

“I…oh, I’m not even gonna ask about that one…” The Captain said flatly, though once Gabriel said it, the Captain did take note of what looked like a reddish burn scar poking out from the younger man’s white sleeve. “Hm…well, it seems you all have…been through a lot…”

“Oh, yes! But we always get out of trouble. We have each other.”

“Heh, well, it’s nice to know you’re in good hands, then…” The Captain said, lightly punching Gabriel’s shoulder. Gabriel laughed and turned, eying his new friend.

“What about you?”

“Me? What about me?”

“Do…you have a family back home to look after you?”

“I’m the one lookin’ out for others, I don’t need no one lookin’ out for me.”

“Everyone needs someone looking out for them…”

“Well, then to answer your question, no, I guess I don’t.” The Captain said with a shrug. “I don’t like being patronized and I can handle myself.”

“That’s not what I mean, though…”

“What…do you mean?”

“I mean…friends are there to help you with anything! If you’re having a bad day, you can talk to them and they make the bad feelings go away. Or, if you are unsure about something, they stand with you and support you and help you face your fears! And, well, sometimes it’s just nice to have someone to talk to who you know cares about you.”

The Captain stared ahead; his gaze locked on the stars as his mind reeled. He shook his head, forcing a smile onto his face.

“Bah, no one cares about me like that and I’m ok with it. I’m respected, and that’s all I need.” He said, closing his eyes as he pointed to himself.

“Well…I care about you like that.”

The Captain’s eyes flew open as his mind immediately silenced itself of his swarming prideful thoughts. He spun around and eyed his younger double, the man smiling at him warmly.

“What…did you say?”

“I said I care about you like that! You’re my friend!” Gabriel said, as if it should have been obvious. “Even when you go home, you can count on the fact that I’ll still care about you. That’s what friends do.”

“I…may never see you again, though…” He said, looking back ahead to the stars. He wasn’t going to break here. He’s never broken before.

“That won’t matter…” Gabriel said softly. “An old friend of mine once told me ‘no farewell could be the last one if you long to meet again’, you know. And I believe that to be true.”

“You…really want to be my…friend?”

“Of course! I like you!”

“Not just because I’m showing you space?”

“No! This is the best thing ever, I mean, but…I still like you as you!” Gabriel said, once again stating it like it should have been obvious. “I think you’re nice, really cool, and I’m glad I got to meet you.”

“Ah…” The Captain said, gripping the steering column tighter. He had never…been liked genuinely for who he was before. People liked him, but…it was all just respect. They didn’t care about him as a person. They just liked him for his accomplishments.

And now he had…a real friend.

“Well…alright, hotshot, you’ve convinced me. I’ll…be your friend.” He said, waving Gabriel off with a smug smile.

“Really?!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He said with a small laugh. He paused, eying his friend. “And…you really think we’ll meet again someday?”

“Yeah! I don’t see why not.”

“Well, sparing you details…things ain’t great back home…” The Captain said, his voice quiet. “Like I said, our world is heavy on tech, and, well…it’s not going in a very bright direction…”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine! Life always has good and bad moments, and the bad can hurt, but…once you get through…the good is right around the corner.”

“You are one optimistic little clone, you know that?” The Captain said with a smile.

“I’ve been through a lot, I guess…it helps to have faith. To believe things will be better. That peace is coming.”

“You…really think my world will be ok?”

“With you leading, how could it not?” Gabriel laughed. “I’m sure you’ll do something great someday and help save everyone. I have faith for you and your world.”

“Well…if you have faith, then…I don’t see why I can’t either.” The Captain said with a smile, shaking his head as he turned back to the front window.

He wasn’t going to crush the younger man’s hope. He didn’t need to know how bad things were. Besides…this guy was from a time with no technology at all. And knowing about a world where computers ran mankind…

It would terrify him.

So, the Captain would let him live in ignorant bliss. And…who knows…maybe he was right. Maybe things would be ok. Maybe he would find peace someday.

He smiled, recalling his new friend’s words. Maybe he could find a world without technology someday. Just to see what it’s like. To hear nature again. To have mental peace. To live without fear of Armageddon.

Maybe someday…

~

“Eld, for the love of god, chill the fuck out!” Scarecrow said, grabbing the panicking Elderane’s arm. The elf was before them, tears streaming from his eyes as he shook in place.

“Elderane, please, what happened?!” Aaron urged, standing before the hysterical elf. Elderane looked at the worried trio before him.

“HE…S-SKY DEMONS…” He said, pointing to the door with a shaking hand. “S-SPACE…D-DEM-”

Elderane flinched when Scarecrow reached forward and slapped his face, the elf staggering back a few steps in shock.

“Crow…” Aaron said sternly, glaring at Scarecrow. The man just shrugged.

“Look, he’s lost his mind! I had to do something.”

“Gabriel was taken away by a sky demon!” Elderane said, his voice clearer.

“Eld, what the fuck does that mean?!” Scarecrow yelled. Elderane looked between the trio in panic.

“He was in the park across the river and a man grabbed him an dragged him into a strange sky machine and it left into space!”

“He was taken…by aliens…” Scarecrow said flatly, not buying it. Elderane gripped his hair.

“It was a human! I couldn’t see his face, but he had a gun and he dragged Gabriel into the machine and it ascended beyond the clouds and he’s gone!!!” Elderane cried, falling to his knees.

“Clockwork…” Scarecrow muttered, edging closer to Aaron as Enty ran to comfort Elderane. “What do you make of this?” He whispered; his own mind too confused to be fully afraid. This was weird, even for them. Aaron stood back, running his hand through his hair.

“I…I am not sure…Eld, did this machine look like something from the movies we watch? The space ones?”

“Y-yes…” Elderane cried, his face buried in Enty’s chest.

“Aaron, that’s impossible!” Scarecrow yelled, throwing his arms down. “That tech doesn’t exist!”

“Hold on…” Aaron said, pulling out his phone. He dialed Gabriel, but it didn’t even ring. It went straight to voicemail. “Oh dear…” Aaron said, his nerves starting to climb. He saw Gabriel only an hour ago. He even used his phone to search something. It was nearly full battery then.

“Aaron…where’s Gabriel?” Enty asked fearfully, holding the frantic Elderane closer. Aaron’s mind began screaming, his thoughts swarming in panic.

Something had to have happened to Gabriel. But…a spaceship?

“Eld, I need you to calm down and tell me exactly what you saw and where…” Aaron said, kneeling by Elderane who looked up at him with teary eyes.

~

Scarecrow was standing back in mindless worry, watching as Aaron and Enty tried to get as much info as they could from Elderane. Gabriel was still gone and it’s been over thirty minutes with no word from him. He sighed, his terror returning. Even if Elderane was wrong…Gabriel was still missing. He could be hurt. He could be scared.

He would definitely be scared if he were taken into…space…

Scarecrow didn’t know what he believed anymore, but…spaceships should not be possible in this world.

Unless…

“Aaron…” Scarecrow said, his voice low and cold. Aaron looked up at him, his fear visible on his face. Scarecrow turned and eyed the mess of wires in the corner. “You said you tested that monstrosity over there earlier…didn’t you?”

Aaron blinked, eying his device. He had tested it. Just a bit after…after Gabriel had left.

“Oh…oh no…” Aaron muttered, his terror spiking.

“Aaron…could you have brought something from another dimension over? And that something could have taken Gabe?” Scarecrow asked, his rage rising. Aaron looked up fearfully and met Scarecrow’s gaze.

“I…I may have-”

Scarecrow flinched at a scream from Elderane, the elf jumping up and lunging at the fearful Aaron who tried and failed to scurry away. Enty let out a cry and ran forward, doing his best to pry the furious Elderane off Aaron as the elf attacked him.

Scarecrow stood back, not amused. Gabriel was gone and was taken by some stranger from another dimension. He could be…anywhere. But they had no idea of knowing. They had no idea how to even find a spaceship-

“Oh, for the love of god…” Scarecrow muttered, running forward. He reached down and grabbed the fearful Aaron from under his arms, dragging him away from the rageful screaming Elderane who was trying to claw his way towards Aaron, though Enty held him back tightly.

Aaron was breathing heavy, a few bruises forming on his face where Elderane attacked him. He flinched when he felt Scarecrow grab his arm.

“Clockwork, I know you try to be the clean one in this house, but if you wanna stop the elf from murdering you right here, you’re gonna have to bend some laws.” Scarecrow said flatly. Aaron looked up at him with wide eyes, his heartrate not slowing.

“Wh-what do you…”

“If Gabriel was taken by some spaceman and is in space, then the only thing that can find him are some government space computer systems.” He said. Aaron shook his head immediately.

“N-no, no! I am not going to hack the government!”

“YOU BRING HIM BACK OR I SWEAR TO THE STARS, I’LL-” Elderane screamed, though Enty began pulling him farther away from the group as the elf thrashed in his grasp. Aaron felt Scarecrow grip his shoulder tighter.

“Clockwork, our Gabriel is missing and could be in danger, we have a way to find him, and you better do it, or I’m going to let Enty release the elf and I’m gonna help him in murdering you…got it?!” Scarecrow sneered, his terror taking over his mind.

Aaron nodded quickly, not caring anymore. He staggered to his feet and ran to his laptop in the corner, praying to god he could do this without getting caught. But for the circumstances…

Getting Gabriel home and safe would be worth anything for Aaron, even years in prison.

Scarecrow stood back in silent fear, with Elderane’s screams still echoing behind him. He sighed, looking towards the window and up at the sky, his heart heavy.

Where…was Gabriel?

~

“And you see, there? That’s a storm, a big one…I’d say about three of your Earths…” The Captain said, pointing to the red spot on the planet before him. “We have something like that on a planet near Alpha.”

“It’s…the size of…three Earths?” Gabriel asked, his eyes wide as he looked ahead at the giant planet that was right in front of him.

“That’s what the instruments say. Lord knows that storm could have been raging even back in your time. They last lifetimes.”

“Woah…” Gabriel said, his mind reeling in wonder. He was seeing things that no one on their planet would see this close for generations.

And Gabriel wasn’t even from this time.

He blinked, a thought coming to him.

“Oh, Mr. Captain, Sir?” Gabriel asked, earning a laugh from the double beside him.

“What is it, hotshot?”

“My family is back home and they do love space as well, and, well, I’d feel bad if I got to see all this and they wouldn’t…could we go get them and show them? Please?” Gabriel asked, edging closer to the Captain.

The Captain sighed with a smile and rolled his eyes. He reached over and patted Gabriel’s arm, a laugh escaping him.

“Alright, alright…I still think I owe ya for that scare earlier.” The Captain said, flipping a few switches on the ship’s dashboard. He paused when another idea came to him. “Say, I got an idea…” He said, turning his chair to face Gabriel who looked at him in confusion.

“Y-yeah?”

“There’s nothin’ in our way…how bout you take the controls for a bit? At least until we get close.” The Captain said brightly, reveling in the shock in the younger man’s face.

“I…I…m-me? Drive…this?!” Gabriel said, his heart racing as he eyed the complex and futuristic controls.

“Oh, it’s easy. Can you drive a car?”

“I can…”

“Well, I can handle the details, all you gotta do is hold the stick steady. It’s easier than a car.” He said proudly.

“You…mean it?” Gabriel asked, his eyes wide. The Captain smiled at him and pulled himself to his feet.

“Well, really, the only person I trust to fly my ship is me, and…you are me, so…sure, why not.” He said, stepping back. Gabriel felt his smile widen and he stood, walking over to the Captain’s chair.

“Oh…oh, this looks complex…” He said, his mind a mess.

“Oh, it’s simple. She drives like a dream. Here, grab these handles here…” The Captain said, directing Gabriel towards the steering column, which he took with shaking hands. “Right, now unlike a car, this thing has set directions and speeds, like an old-fashioned cruise control setting.” He said, flipping a few of the switches on the dashboard as he leaned beside Gabriel. “I’m gonna set our speed, but I’m giving you control over direction.”

“Oh my…oh…” Gabriel said, holding the handles tighter. He was terrified, but…he has never been more excited for anything.

“Right, now you do need to get us moving a bit, so just pull the handles a bit closer to you…” The Captain said, watching proudly as Gabriel did what he was asked.

Gabriel let out a surprised cry when the ship jostled a bit, but he looked out the windows with wide eyes when he saw they were moving away from the planet beside them. He looked forward and saw he was driving them towards Earth.

Gabriel was driving a spaceship.

“Right, we’ll be there in say…thirty minutes? We went a bit far out.” The Captain said, eying the planets around him. “Now, here…” He said, pressing a few more buttons. “The speed is set on auto, but you control the direction. Give us some diversity, hotshot.” The double said, resting his arm on Gabriel’s chair.

Gabriel took in a breath and smiled, turning the steering handles slightly. They changed direction. He smiled wider as a few tears left his eyes along with some laughter.

He was driving a ship in space.

The Captain smiled to himself, resting his arm behind Gabriel’s chair. The Captain…didn’t have many friends back home. He was more or less famous for his successes, but…he knew he had an ego. He knew that when placed with the wrong people, he wasn’t really liked.

It was nice to find someone who liked him and looked up to him genuinely. He looked down, amused by the permanent bright smile on the man out of time’s face as he piloted the ship, turning it every now and then as they navigated the solar system. He had really made this guy’s day.

“Heh…I’m the best…” The Captain muttered to himself with a smile, his nerves fading. Life had been stressful back home. Things were bad there. And they were getting worse. He may have come here by mistake, but…he needed a break like this.

But…as much as he would have liked to stay here…away from the looming destruction of his world…he was needed back home. He was one of the best, and if things got too bad…they’d need him to save them. He had to be there.

He couldn’t run from his world’s danger. He was no coward. He just prayed they made it out of these dark times. He would like to find peace of mind again someday. To once again look with peaceful wonder at the stars with as much serene innocence as Gabriel did.

To not worry about looming doom and mass destruction.

He shook his head, letting the current tranquil moment cover the bad thoughts. He had to have hope. This double had hope for the future and for the universe. The Captain had to as well, he guessed.

Things would be ok. And if they weren’t…he’d be the one to save everyone and make things ok. He smiled, watching the simple unfamiliar solar system drift by with Gabriel driving. Things would be ok.

Chapter Text

“Ok, now this is insane…” Scarecrow said, eying the giant indents in the dirt in the clearing where Elderane said Gabriel was taken. There had definitely been a giant machine here. Scarecrow saw the odd markings in the ground. Something big was here recently.

“Oh, come on…” Aaron muttered, holding his laptop out in front of him as he paced the clearing. He was typing away, trying to get into any government space program he could that had cameras in space or any tracking. He had been working on modern coding and was quite good at it by this point, but he had never hacked anything like this before.

But he had to find Gabriel.

“What do we even do if you can find him on there?” Enty asked, Elderane’s hand in his as the elf worked to regain his composure, though he wasn’t doing very well. “We…can’t get to space…”

“We don’t even know if he’s in space…” Scarecrow muttered, still not wanting to believe it. He didn’t want to think about Gabriel being in space, kidnapped by some interstellar lunatic.

But…if he was…Gabriel was probably so scared…

~

Gabriel was smiling brightly with excited eyes as he navigated the ship. It was like driving a car. But in space.

“You know, for a man from 1603, you’re pretty damn good at space flight.” The Captain said with a smile. “Not as good as me, but…pretty good.”

“This is the greatest thing ever…” Gabriel said, more tears forming in his eyes. The Captain let out a laugh, shaking his head as they neared Earth.

“Right, why don’t you have some fun…”

“Fun?”

“Go close to the moon there…don’t worry, I’m watching. I won’t let anything go wrong.” He said reassuringly. Gabriel smiled and nodded, turning back to his controls.

He looked ahead and saw the moon beside him as he drifted the ship closer. The actual moon. He could see the craters and silver terrain as clear as day as he passed it by, careful not to go too close.

He took in a breath, the entire moment feeling like a dream. He had always been gazing at the stars from the ground. Always wondering what was out here. What it looked like up close. How beautiful it was.

And now he was almost touching it…he was flying among the stars and planets just like in the movies. Just like in his dreams.

Except this was real.

“Maybe when we get your pals, we can land on it.” The Captain said, smiling wider when he saw Gabriel’s eyes widen.

“WE CAN LAND ON THE MOON?!” He yelled turning to face the double who was standing proudly behind him.

“Sure can, buddy. Can’t leave the ship, as I don’t got any extra spacesuits, but we can land. Wanna be the first man from the 17^th century to be on the moon?” He said, his own smile not fading when he saw how happy Gabriel looked.

“Y-yes…” Gabriel cried, his heart not being able to take much more. The Captain laughed and rounded the chair.

“Alright, we’ll come back. For now, I gotta take her in.” He said. Gabriel nodded and stood, pulling himself to his feet so the Captain could take his place. “Sit down and buckle up, it does get a bit rocky on re-entry.”

Gabriel nodded and went back to the passenger seat, his hands gripping the security handle tighter as he watched Earth get closer and closer.

“And…this is safe?”

“As long as I’m here, nothin’ will go wrong.” The Captain said proudly.

Gabriel swallowed nervously and sat back with a trusting nod; his knuckles white as he gripped the safety handle. He could feel the ship jostle a bit as they entered the atmosphere, a blinding light now covering the windows around the cockpit.

“I’ll just park us back where I landed before…” The Captain said, punching a few buttons on a screen on the dashboard.

Gabriel nodded and looked ahead, his eyes wide as the Earth came closer and closer.

~

“Aaron, come on!”

“I can’t do this, Crow!”

“Why the fuck not?!”

“It’s government security! I’m good at code, but I just…I can’t break this!”

“Gabriel’s been gone for hours! He could be hurt, or dying!”

“Can we not yell, please…guys…”

“What would we even do if I managed to find him? I can’t build a spaceship overnight!”

“You could try!”

“Crow, this isn’t going to work! I can’t break this security!”

“We need to get to Gabriel!”

“Guys…”

“I know we need to get to Gabriel; you think I don’t want to find him?”

“I think you can try harder!”

“Guys!”

“I’m trying as hard as I can!”

“IT’S STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!”

“GUYS!!!”

“WHAT?!” Scarecrow and Aaron yelled in unison, turning to see Enty staring at them. The duo paused when they saw fear in his eyes.

“Enty?” Aaron asked in confusion. Scarecrow looked over and saw Elderane beside Enty, his gaze locked on the sky as the elf shook in place. Scarecrow and Aaron followed his gaze and their hearts stopped when they saw something break the clouds, the thing lowering itself down to Earth.

“What…the…fuck…” Scarecrow muttered to himself, backing up in terror as a futuristic spaceship hovered over the clearing before them. It had wings that stuck out, and Scarecrow could see a glass covered cockpit at the font, though with the angle and glare he couldn’t see in.

The group backed away in silent terror as the ship landed before them in the exact same place it had landed before, the wind from the engines blowing leaves and debris around their feet.

“I TOLD YOU!!! I TOLD YOU I TOLD YOU I TOLD YOU!!!” Elderane screamed in hysterics, pointing rapidly towards the ship as it settled. The elf pulled his dagger out, his eyes crazed as he stood back, waiting for his chance. He would make the man who took Gabriel pay.

Aaron’s mind was blank. He had only seen tech like this in movies. And this…this was real. He watched as the extended wings folded in and up, the ship now parked as the engines settled. This…was beautiful machine work.

“Oh…” Enty muttered, unsure of what to think or do. He hadn’t really believed Elderane either. He knew something had to have happened to Gabriel, but…

But he didn’t think this was possible.

“Guys…” Aaron said cautiously, holding his arms out in front of Scarecrow and Enty in defense as he took a few steps back. Elderane was near them, though he was gripping his dagger tighter, his gaze locked on the door he had seen Gabriel be taken in.

If Gabriel were in danger…Elderane would definitely have a say on the matter.

The group flinched when a door on the side of the ship opened, a small ramp extending down.

“Oh, heaven almighty…” Aaron muttered in relief as his legs went numb. He saw Gabriel there, walking and smiling. He was alright.

“And that is how you land a ship with ease, my fr-” The Captain started, but paused when he saw the group standing around the clearing. “Uh…wow, you were right, we do look the sa-AH” The man yelled, staggering back when Elderane ran forward, dagger pointed towards the man’s throat.

“You speak, you die…” Elderane sneered, grabbing Gabriel’s arm and pulling him back.

“E-Eld, wait!” Gabriel yelled, though Elderane pushed him behind him.

“W-woah, I don’t want trouble!” The Captain said, holding his hands up.

“Eld, leave him alone!” Gabriel cried, pulling Elderane’s arm down as the elf fought back.

Aaron, Scarecrow, and Enty stood back in speechless shock as they watched the scene.

“So…it’s another double…” Scarecrow muttered quietly, his eyes wide as he watched Gabriel pull Elderane back.

“Uh…” Aaron started not sure what to say or do. Gabriel was fine and just pulling the hysterical Elderane away from the double.

“I think…we should help them…” Enty said, running ahead. Scarecrow and Aaron exchanged a glance and nodded, joining Enty.

Enty ran up to Elderane and once again restrained him, pulling him back.

“HE KIDNAPPED GABRIEL!”

“Eld, it was a misunderstanding!” Gabriel cried, backing away as Enty and Scarecrow pulled Elderane back. Gabriel’s eyes widened when he saw Elderane break free and run towards the Captain who stood fearfully on the ramp.

Elderane skidded to a halt, dagger in his hand when Gabriel jumped in front of him, his hands out in defense. He was standing before the double, protecting him.

“G-Gabe!” Elderane yelled, though Gabriel took a step back.

“He’s my friend, Eld! It was a mistake! He’s nice!” Gabriel said, standing his ground.

“Jesus, Eld, calm down!” Scarecrow said, pulling the frozen Elderane back.

“Gabe, did he hurt you?” Aaron asked quickly. Gabriel shook his head.

“No! No, guys…it was just a misunderstanding! He’s my friend, I swear!”

“Geez…universe must love my face…there’s so many of me…” The Captain said with a small smile, looking at all the doubles. Scarecrow blinked, with Elderane finally calming in his grasp.

“You trust him?” Scarecrow said, letting Elderane go. Gabriel nodded again.

“I do! Please, he’s a friend, he didn’t hurt me. I trust him!”

“Aww…” The Captain said, his smile widening.

“Can…someone please explain what’s going on…” Elderane said, his mind a mess.

“Yes…I was promised an explanation as well…” The double said, crossing his arms.

“Right, um…and you are…?” Aaron said, stepping forward.

“Just call me the Captain.” The double said, standing beside Gabriel. Aaron blinked and cleared his throat nervously.

“Ah, well, uh…I am so sorry for the inconvenience, but it seems I made an error and when I tested an interdimensional device earlier, it pulled you from your home dimension and brought you here.” Aaron said, his voice small.

“You? You are the dimensional scientist?” The Captain said, humor in his voice. Aaron blinked.

“Y-yes…why?”

“Nothing, nothing, it’s just…I’ve never seen a scientist that looked so much like a sleep-deprived dandy.” The Captain said with a laugh, looking Aaron over.

“Ah hah, ha, ha, ha, funny.” Aaron said flatly. “Anyway, I can send you back, so don’t worry.”

“Well, I do appreciate that.” The Captain said with a smile. “And, ah, for me, I am from a more…futuristic world…as it has come to my attention that casual space flight does not exist in any of your worlds…”

“Not here, no…can that really go into space?!” Enty asked, his eyes wide.

“It can! We saw all the planets in like…under two hours!” Gabriel exclaimed, a bright smile on his face.

“Wait, wait, wait…back up…” Scarecrow said, stepping forward. “You were just…flying around space? Just…for fun?”

“Yeah!” Gabriel said happily. “Once we got things cleared up, he showed me the solar system!”

“I felt bad for kidnapping him. I honest didn’t mean to scare him so bad.”

“I am fine now.”

“So, while we were down here panicking like hell wondering where the fuck you were, you were just…flying around space casually?” Scarecrow asked flatly. Gabriel nodded with a smile.

“HE LET ME DRIVE IT!”

The group’s eyes widened as they stared at Gabriel who was standing proudly back with a bright smile on his face.

“You let Gabriel…drive a spaceship…” Scarecrow muttered, disbelief in his shocked voice.

“He’s a natural, really. Hotshot here has quite the passion for space…” The Captain said, lightly punching Gabriel’s shoulder. Scarecrow stood back in silence, a small flame beginning to smolder in his chest when he saw Gabriel laugh beside this new double.

This guy really gave Gabriel something special that Scarecrow never could.

“You…you DROVE this craft?!” Elderane cried, stepping closer. He eyed the magnificent machine. He…really needed to stop underestimating Gabriel. The man…always surprised him. He was always much more capable than the others thought.

“He did! Drove it like he was born to.” The Captain said, stepping off the ramp. “The Avalon is really-hey!” The double yelled, marching closer to the side of the ship. The group watched in confusion as the double ran his hand along what looked like a cut in the silver paint on the side. “Who the hell scratched her…” He muttered, eying the chipped paint.

Elderane’s eyes widened and he looked down to the dagger in his hands. The one he had thrown at the ship before. Looking around fearfully, he quickly sheathed it, taking a few steps back as he looked away innocently.

“Well…Captain, sir, uh…I must thank you for bringing him home safe…” Aaron said, walking closer. “I really am sorry for stealing you…in a way, we kidnapped you.”

“Oh, it’s fine, frilly.” The Captain said, waving Aaron off. “The break from, er…work was nice, and I got a new partner in crime here…” He said, hitting Gabriel’s shoulder again.

Scarecrow’s eye twitched in annoyance when he saw Gabriel smile. He saw the Captain look at Gabriel proudly. Like how Scarecrow looks at him. Scarecrow clenched his fist.

“Alright, alright, Gabe’s back from his space trip, I think it’s time for Skywalker here to lea-”

“Oh, yes, your roommate here had something for you all.” The Captain said, standing back a bit. Gabriel’s smile widened as he practically bounced in place.

“WANNA GO IN SPACE?!” He asked, excitement in his voice. The group’s eyes widened at the offer.

“You can take us up to space?!” Enty asked, his own excitement growing.

“In this craft of the stars…?” Elderane said, eying the magnificent flying machine.

“I sure can. She’s got plenty of energy left, so that’s no issue. I promised hotshot here I’d do it as an apology for ah, scaring all of you it seems.” He said with a shrug.

“You really don’t mind?” Aaron said, his eyes bright. He’d never thought he’d get to space…this would be a once in a lifetime chance.

“Sure, sure! Just keep the weapons down, please…” He said, eying Elderane who gave a nervous laugh and stepped back, some guilt creeping into his mind. This man hadn’t hurt Gabriel and he gave Gabriel a timeless gift.

Elderane…felt bad for how he acted.

“Do we…have to?” Scarecrow said cautiously, watching as the group walked into the ship.

“It’s great, Crow! I can tell you what he taught me! He’s so cool!” Gabriel said happily, entering the ship. Scarecrow let out an annoyed breath and walked forward, hands in his pockets as he entered the craft.

Elderane was last, and he paused as he entered, watching the Captain close and lock the side door.

“I am…sorry for trying to kill you…” Elderane said, his voice small. The Captain smiled and waved him off.

“Ah, shut it, pointy, no harm done. I made a mistake, so I just hope this makes up for it…” He said, eying Gabriel.

“Oh, you have definitely made up for it…and…I can’t thank you enough…” Elderane said, a smile on his face when he saw how happy Gabriel was as he showed the others around the ship.

“Well, I like the clone. It’s the least I can do.” The Captain said with a shrug. “Now, everyone, don’t touch anything! I’ll get us set for takeoff.”

“How come no government people are after us? Surely they’d notice this.” Scarecrow said, eying the futuristic ship.

“I guess my tech can’t be picked up on your world’s radars. Probably a good thing…” The Captain said, sitting in his chair as he began flipping switches. Scarecrow could hear the ship power up.

Enty was by the window with Gabriel, both their eyes wide as they looked out in excitement. Aaron was examining the panels on the walls and the complex machinery. Scarecrow had to admit…this was fun.

“Right, hold on, clones and elf!” The Captain said, moving the control stick slightly. Scarecrow grabbed onto a support beam when the ship jostled. He looked out a window and saw they were going up.

They were really going into space.

~

“I don’t believe it…” Aaron muttered in wonderous disbelief; his eyes wide as he loomed over the Captain’s chair in the cockpit. Above him was the moon, though it was so close Aaron felt like he could reach up and touch it.

“This strikin’ your fancy, ya dandy?” The Captain said smugly, taking in the chance to show off in front of a dimensional scientist.

“Y-yeah, this is…wow…” Aaron whispered, not sure what to think.

“I helped design this craft, you know.” The Captain said, his smile wide. “That’s why she’s so important. There’s nothin’ else like her.”

“You…helped design this…?” Aaron said, the tech far beyond what he understood.

“I did indeed, dandy.” He said proudly. “You know anything about spacecraft, then?”

“I am…not as familiar, no…” Aaron said, eying the highly complex tech around him.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get there someday, kiddo.” The Captain said smugly, lightly hitting Aaron’s arm. Aaron’s eye twitched as he stood back, eying the man before him. And he thought he had an ego.

“My…this is…something…” Elderane said, peering out one of the side windows. “I thought simply ascending to the sky in a normal flight craft was an accomplishment…”

“He said he has been in interstellar space before! He did a flight mission to study a collapsing star near his world’s solar system!” Gabriel said excitedly. “He saw a supernova!”

“Geez, it’s creepy hearing you talk like Aaron…” Scarecrow said, enjoying how excited Gabriel was. He…really did love space.

“He knows so much!”

“There is…a lot out here…” Enty muttered to himself, eying the vastness before him. He had thought the moon was the biggest thing in the sky, but…out the window he saw the other planets in the distance, and beyond that…infinite stars. Infinite worlds.

It was…too big.

“Enty? You ok?” Gabriel said, noticing the usually peppy man’s silence. Enty nodded and looked his way, his manner a tad reserved.

“Y-yes, it’s just…it’s just so…much to take in, I suppose…” Enty said, looking back towards the window. He flinched when he felt Gabriel walk up beside him and put his arm around his shoulder.

“Oh, it’s big, yes, but you don’t need to focus on all that at once!” Gabriel said reassuringly. “Here, just look over here…” He said, directing Enty to the window where the moon was. “Look! You can see the land on it…how different it is…”

“It’s…so detailed up close…” Enty said in wonder, his mind calming as he focused on Gabriel’s voice and the lone moon in front of him. He felt Gabriel’s arm around him and he relaxed, his mind coming back to him and focusing on what he could handle. The universe was…too big, but…he had all he needed right here. His family was his universe and he was ok with that. That’s all he needed.

“Wanna get even closer?” The Captain yelled with a smile. The group staggered a bit when the ship took a sharp turn, and Scarecrow saw they were going closer to the moon.

“Oh, now this is gonna cause a panic when someone sees this with their telescope…”

“I mean, he is technically an alien…” Aaron said, eying the Captain.

“To you, yeah! I’m not from your planet, so…” He said with a shrug.

“Great. We made first contact and it’s with an egotistical space clone.” Scarecrow said, crossing his arms.

“Hold on!” The Captain said, and the ship jostled a bit more. Elderane looked out the window and saw the silver dusty ground come closer and closer, and with another shake of the ship…

All was still.

Elderane smiled when he heard Gabriel laughing excitedly behind him.

“WE’RE ON THE MOON!” Gabriel yelled, running towards the cockpit where the larger window was.

“Show off…” Scarecrow grumbled, eying the Captain as he stood beside Gabriel, pointing out different things on the surface of the moon.

“You alright, Crow?” Elderane asked, a smug smile on his face. Scarecrow scoffed and turned away.

“Peachy, elf-boy.”

“Gabriel sure likes that Captain, then, doesn’t he?” Elderane said tauntingly. Scarecrow clenched his fist.

“Can it, or I throw you into the vacuum of space.”

“He kinda reminds me of you, you know…”

“Eld, I swear to god-”

“Gabe is really looking up to him…he may have a uh, new role model-”

“POINTY, YOU’RE ASKIN FOR MY FIST!!!” Scarecrow yelled, grabbing Elderane’s shirt collar tight in his hand, though the elf just snickered to himself.

“Guys, look!”

The duo turned and walked forward towards the cockpit, looking up.

“Oh, we are so fucked…” Scarecrow grumbled, eying the large cylindrical spacecraft that was slowly floating between them and the Earth in the distance.

“What’s that craft?” The Captain said, punching something into his hologram screen.

“That’s the ISS, or International Space Station…aaaand they are definitely going to get photos of us…” Aaron muttered in defeat, his tired gaze stuck on the seemingly slow-moving craft, though he knew it was moving thousands of miles per hour.

“Eh, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” The Captain said calmly. “They can’t pick the Avalon up on any sensors with how primitive your tech is, so even if they do get a photo, they have no other scientific proof.”

“If our world goes into a full breakdown and mass panic, I will personally travel to your dimension and kick your ass myself…” Scarecrow grumbled, eying the station as it traveled away.

“They may have not even seen us! They would have to be looking right at us out a window. It’ll be fiiiine.” The Captain said, leaning back in his chair.

“I hate you…” Scarecrow sneered to himself.

“This is the best day ever…” Gabriel cried, some tears forming in his eyes. The Captain smiled and walked closer, putting his arm around Gabriel’s shoulder as he continued talking about the moon they were on and its composition.

Scarecrow stood back, the smoldering flame in his chest getting hotter. With a low growl he walked closer to the Captain who was turned away, Scarecrow’s hands clawed out as he marched towards him.

“No, no, you leave them be, mister.” Elderane said with a sly smile, grabbing the back of Scarecrow’s jacket.

Aaron stood back in amusement when he saw Elderane tauntingly pull the fuming Scarecrow back, his feet dragging the floor as he kept his hands clawed out towards the Captain. Aaron didn’t quite like how egotistical the spaceman was, but he had to admit…

It was hilarious watching Scarecrow lose it.

“Woah…” Enty said, sneaking up to behind Gabriel and the new double.

“Ah, so you’re starlight, aren’t ya?” The Captain said, looking Enty over.

“I’m Enty!” Enty said, a smile on his face as he eyed his arm where he could see faint starry marks on his black branches and vines.

“Apparently. Hold still…” The Captain said, holding his wrist hologram out towards the smiling Enty.

“What’s that?”

“I’m just reading your vitals…” He said, eying the screen. “Those don’t hurt?”

“Nope! Can’t even feel them.”

“Fascinating…” The double said, stepping back as he watched Enty walk over to stand beside Gabriel, the two looking with wide eyes at the moon’s surface.

The Captain looked down at his screen, confusion in his eyes as he looked at the readings taken of Enty.

“Odd…very odd…” He whispered to himself, looking over the screen. It was like his instruments couldn’t pick up Enty’s flaming half…at all. His human side showed normally, but the part covered by the branches…was just blank cold space. It was just…nothing. It didn’t exist.

Knowing he’d want to research this later, he saved the data and closed his screen, going back to the duo by the window.

“So, you like the moon, sparky?” He said, patting Enty on the back.

“I’d…never imagined I’d be here…” He said, his eyes tearful as a smile formed on his face. Enty always loved the moon. He always felt connected with it.

And to think he was basically standing on its surface…

“Well, you’re welcome, hot stuff.” He said, his hand on Enty’s shoulder. “I’m happy to be of service.”

“You’re happy to be a show off…” Scarecrow growled to himself, his arms crossed as he stood back.

“Oh, Crow, relax, won’t ya?” Aaron said calmly as he walked over. Scarecrow rolled his eyes with a scoff.

“This is just…too weird, Aaron…”

“Crow, you’re on the moon. It’s weird, yes, but just accept it and have some fun.” Aaron said with a smile. He put his hand on Scarecrow’s arm and looked at him sympathetically. “Look, he’s not staying, alright? Just be nice.”

“I’m nice…”

“You were about to strangle him…”

“That is nice compared to what I wanted to do.”

“Crow…” Aaron said, his smile still on as he shook his head. “Come on, I think Gabe wants him to show us around the system a bit more…why don’t you come up front where you can see.”

“I’m fine here, thanks.”

“No, you’re not. Come on…” Aaron said firmly, grabbing Scarecrow’s hand. As they walked, they felt the ship jostle. They were going back up.

“Right, I got something you will like…” The Captain said, pulling the control handles up. Scarecrow stood back with his arms crossed as they left the moon, the ship now heading for deeper space.

Chapter Text

“Right, where’s scruffy?” The Captain said, looking behind him. Scarecrow wasn’t looking up but let out a cry when Elderane shoved him forward towards the cockpit with a snicker. He grumbled and walked forward, his hands in his pockets.

“I’m not scruffy…” He muttered to himself, walking forward.

“Here, Crow, you sit here! You haven’t done it yet!” Gabriel said, pushing Scarecrow down into the passenger’s chair. Scarecrow looked over but his heart skipped when he saw Gabriel had backed away. He was alone with the Captain.

“So, you’re Scarecrow, eh?” The man said with a smile.

“What’s it to you.”

“Oh, you’re fun.” He said calmly with a sly smile. “You know hotshot back there is quite fond of you…” The Captain said, pointing to behind him where Gabriel was in the back of the ship, looking out the window in wonder with the others.

“Y-yeah…I guess…”

“He says you look out for him. So, uh…you be sure to keep that up when I leave.” He said, his gaze stuck ahead of him on the stars. Scarecrow blinked, not sure what he was hearing.

“Wh-what?”

“He said you protect him. He really looks up to you, scruffy.” The Captain said, his voice quiet. “Hotshot there is a friend, and I’m not gonna be able to stay and look after him. So, you better. I’m trusting you.”

“I…I, uh…ok…” Scarecrow said, his mind flustered. Maybe…this guy wasn’t…so bad. He did just want to look out for Gabriel…

Scarecrow heard the Captain let out a laugh.

“Right, wanna see some impressive driving?” He said, flipping a few switches. Scarecrow’s smile fell and he turned back around, crossing his arms.

“Show off…”

“Here, I still gotta impress the ‘coon over here, so everyone hold on!” The double yelled. Scarecrow’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“You ever see anyone in your time skim the rings of this planet without hitting one pebble of debris?” He said, pulling the handles before him closer. Scarecrow felt the ship go faster. He looked ahead and saw Saturn before them, closing in fast.

“W-wait, I don’t think we should-” Scarecrow started, his face pale as they sped towards the giant planet.

“Oh, this place has a strong gravitational pull…too bad I’m stronger…” He said, a maniacal smile on his face. Scarecrow’s terror spiked when he saw what looked like giant asteroids before them, getting much too close for comfort.

“F-FUCK!” Scarecrow screamed, gripping the security handles tighter in terror. He could hear Enty screaming as well in the back.

“WOO! Oh, now this is fun…” The Captain said with a wide smile, the man leaning forward. Scarecrow felt the ship turn sharply and his stomach churned as they narrowly missed a large asteroid. Scarecrow couldn’t breathe as he stared ahead in frozen terror. He heard footsteps behind them.

“I WOULD APPRICIATE WE NOT DIE, TODAY!!!’ Aaron screamed, gripping the back of Scarecrow’s chair tighter.

“Ahh, we’re fine! Like I said…I’m the best there is…” The Captain said, his smile widening. Aaron looked ahead in terror when he felt the ship dip down. They were going into the rings.

Gabriel was holding the hysterical Enty as the flaming man hid his face in his chest, though Gabriel’s eyes were wide in wonder when he saw glittering particles amongst the rocks outside.

“Like driving in stardust…” The Captain said, leaning back in his chair. Scarecrow looked out and saw they were now below the rings, the glittering rocks and dust now above them. “And not a dent to be seen!” The double said proudly. “So, that fun enough for ya?”

“You’re insane…” Scarecrow muttered; his face still pale as he gripped the safety bar with white knuckles. The Captain laughed wholeheartedly.

“Ah, no, I just like a little danger every now and then…makes life fun…”

“THAT ALMOST KILLED US!” Elderane screamed, running towards the front.

“Naaaahh! Long as I’m driving, there’s no dange-”

“MOVE!!!” Aaron screamed, pointing ahead. The Captain let out a cry and quickly dipped the ship, the group just narrowly missing a larger asteroid that was hurtling towards them.

“See? No danger!” He said, though Scarecrow could see some traces of fear in the man’s eyes. He had to admit though…he admired the man’s stupid courage.

“Ok…ok…ok…” Elderane muttered in terror, turning around to go to the back of the ship.

“Please…be careful…” Aaron said, his voice wavering slightly.

“Ah, I got it! Everything’s fine.” He said calmly, sitting back in his seat as he kept lowering the ship down towards the bottom of the planet.

“Are you always this careless?” Scarecrow said, not believing that he was the one asking someone else that question. The Captain laughed.

“No, but I do find trouble more often than not! Wanna hear about how I died for a few minutes?”

“N-”

“Yes!” Enty said, running up to behind his chair. Scarecrow huffed and turned back around; his arms crossed. He sighed, the double’s bragging dulling in his ears behind him. The man was egotistical and intolerable, but…

Scarecrow turned, eying Gabriel who was listening to the man’s story intently.

He made Gabriel happy. This was something Gabriel would treasure forever. And…as frustrating the double was…Scarecrow had to thank him for giving Gabriel a moment like this. Scarecrow turned away, looking out the window. He saw glittering stars above him, infinite beauty and unknown. He had to admit…

It was beautiful out here. He couldn’t stop a smile from forming on his face as he took the sight in. He’d never admit it, but…he was having a blast.

~

“And that’s how I died for a few minutes!" The Captain said, a grin on his face. Scarecrow rolled his eyes.

“Woah, you’re so brave…” Enty said, his eyes sparkling in wonder. Scarecrow scoffed.

“Yeah, yeah, well, all of us have almost died at LEAST once…you ain’t special…” He grumbled, looking away.

“Oh, yes, hotshot here said you all find danger often. Impressive, I must say. Must be nice having each other’s backs, then.” He said, looking ahead blankly. Enty saw an odd look in the man’s eyes. He walked over to Scarecrow and poked him on the shoulder, motioning towards the chair.

Scarecrow shrugged and nodded, letting Enty take his place. Enty sat back, eying the man. He was staring ahead blankly, his eyes almost…sad.

“Hey, are you o-”

“YEP, I’m fine, wanna see how cool this planet is up close?!” The Captain said, any traces of solemnness gone. “Feel how smooth the Avalon is when we get close, I’m known back home for my control over the ship, and-”

“You’re upset about something…” Enty said quietly. The Captain blinked, looking the odd flaming man over.

“Geez…I didn’t used to be that easy to read…”

“What’s wrong?” Enty asked, feeling the tension coming from the deceptively peppy man.

The Captain turned around, eying the others. They were looking out the windows at Saturn, their attention elsewhere. He sighed, turning back around.

“Ah, I already told hotshot this, but I guess things are tough back home. I’m just…anxious, I guess. Nothin’ to worry about.”

“You feel more than anxious…”

“What are ya, some psychic?”

“No, I can’t read minds!” Enty said with a laugh. “You just…feel sad.”

“Well…don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” He said, turning around again. He eyed his…friend. He looked at Gabriel, the young clone who actually liked him for him. Gabriel believed in him, so…

He couldn’t lose faith.

“Yeah…I’ll be fine.” He said, his nerves fading. He’d be ok. He had his love for the universe to get him by. Every time he went intp space…he knew things would be ok. He’d just have to take Gabriel’s advice and hold on to that faith through anything.

“Well…maybe when things are ok…you can visit us again!” Enty said happily. The Captain eyed Gabriel, the man staring with wonder at the stars. He turned back and looked Enty over.

“Yeah…I’d like that.” He said, earning a bright smile from Enty.

“We can show you our planet!”

“You know what, yeah, that’d be nice.” He said, the flaming man’s smile burning away all his fear. He didn’t know what it was about this flaming man, but…he liked him. He made him…happy.

“Maybe we can see your world so-”

“NO. No, you don’t want that…” The Captain said quickly, his nerves spiking. Enty just looked at him in confusion. “It’s nothing worth seeing, trust me.”

“But…a future world-”

“You have your own future.” The Captain said quietly. “You all will get to live it, I’m sure.”

“Well…I’m sure things will be ok for you!” Enty said brightly. The Captain let out a breath and smiled, shaking his head.

“Yeah…yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, starlight.”

He drove ahead in silence, letting the group see all they could. He wanted to come back someday to show them more, but…the odds of that happening…especially with how dangerous his world was becoming…

The chances were slim that he’s be alive to come back.

The Captain closed his eyes a moment, reveling in the past day. All he had seen and heard. He may have lived a full life with as much danger and action possible, but…

He had still missed so much. He eyed the group around him, this odd family. That was what he never had. A family, let alone friends. But…now he had Gabriel. He had Gabriel and the others. And if what Gabriel told him was true…

No matter how far away he was, or how many dimensions away he flew…they’d still be friends. And they could meet again someday. He wanted to. He had to.

This was a part of life he missed out on, and…he didn’t want to say goodbye yet. But he had to for now.

His world needed him.

~

“That. Was. AWESOME.” Enty said, walking off the ramp back onto Earth. He was terrified for most of it, but it was still the coolest thing ever.

“I must say, that was mighty impressive.” Aaron said, reaching his hand out towards the Captain, who took his in his own. He shook the man’s hand, a smile on the Captain’s face.

“Thanks, dandy, that means a lot. And, for what its worth…it was an honor meeting a dimensional scientist such as yourself.” He said, causing Aaron’s eyes to widen. Aaron smiled and nodded; his mind flustered as he walked off the ship.

“L-let me go home real quick and get the dimensional device…I’ll be just a few minutes…” Aaron said, backing away.

“Sorry again for almost killing you…” Elderane said quietly, walking up to the Captain. The man smiled brightly.

“Ah, no harm done, knife-boy. I understand now why you did it.” He said calmly. “It was nice meeting you, and you make sure to keep lookin’ after him like you do.”

“Oh, I will…thank you for all you did…I can’t thank you enough.” Elderane said, backing off the ramp, happy to be back on solid ground. Scarecrow was about to sneak past, but the double grabbed his shoulder.

“You too, scruffy. You look after him.”

“I will, I will…and…you look after yourself, you goddamn lunatic.” Scarecrow said, holding his hand out. The Captain smiled and took it, shaking it as he stood back flustered.

“I’ll try…”

“Good. Gabe likes ya, and I don’t want you dying in some superwhata or whatever.”

“Supernova, a transient astronomical event that most likely will-”

“Ok, show off, I get it, ya fucking nerd…” Scarecrow muttered, sauntering off the ship’s ramp.

The Captain laughed to himself, though he paused when he heard one last person come up behind him.

“You really have to go, huh…” Gabriel said sadly, looking down. The Captain let out a breath and stepped closer.

“I’m needed back home. There’s a lotta people who could get hurt if I’m not there. I gotta make things right.”

“Well…I’ll miss you…” Gabriel said softly; looking up to meet the flustered wide eyes of the Captain. “Just don’t let the weight of things get you down…I have faith everything will be ok.”

“Well…if you have faith, then I have faith. Thanks for helpin’ me keep it, friend.” The Captain said softly, his eyes bright.

"Well...about that..." Gabriel said, his voice shaking somewhat as he struggled to hold his composure. "You said...you didn't have any family back home, so...I just wanted you to know that...you'll always have a family here. With us, I mean..." Gabriel said, a warm smile on his face.

The captain stood back in shock, his eyes wide. He had hardly had friends before today, and now...

He had a...family.

"I'd...I'd like that, hotshot. I'd really like that." The Captain said back, smiling brighter in return as his heart warmed. He felt like...he was just given something he needed, that...he didn't even know he was missing in the first place.

But now that he had it...everything felt right.

He gave a small laugh when he saw some tears begin to well up in Gabriel’s eyes, the younger double really struggling to hold things together. The Captain smiled wider, an idea coming to him. He reached up to his jacket collar as his mind reeled in all directions.

“Here, Gabriel. You drove the ship, so I say you’ve earned this.” He said, pulling something off his jacket. He held his hand out to Gabriel who reached back, his eyes widening when he saw the Captain gently place his golden four-point star pin in his hand.

“Wh-what…”

“My captain’s pin. You got a lot of potential, hotshot, so don’t let that fire of yours burn out. You hold on to that and remember to save some of that optimistic faith for yourself…captain.” He said, stepping back with a warm smile, giving Gabriel a quick salute.

Gabriel looked down to the shimmering pin, the gold reflecting in the sunlight. He looked up to his new friend with blurry vision as tears filled his eyes that he could no longer control.

The Captain staggered back when Gabriel ran forward, hugging him tightly. The Captain blinked. He had never been…hugged like this before. By anyone. He looked down, a few tears involuntarily forming in his own eyes. Pushing his pride away on this exception, he hugged his friend back nervously, closing his eyes as he took in the embrace.

“Just be careful…please…” Gabriel muttered; his throat tight as he hugged his friend tightly, not wanting to let go. The Captain smiled and shook his head, his heart not being able to handle much more.

“I will, hotshot. For you, I will. We have to meet again, now, don’t we? Can’t do that if I’m dead.” He said with a laugh, pulling away from the still crying Gabriel.

“Thank you…for everything…” Gabriel said, his voice breaking.

“No, Gabe. Thank you.” The Captain said, his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.

“Wh-what did I do? You…you gave me the universe…” Gabriel said, eying the ship. The Captain laughed again, his smile never fading.

“Yeah? And you gave me something just as, if not more valuable, hotshot. And I’ll never forget it. I promise.” He said firmly. Gabriel smiled and, feeling himself break again, pulled the Captain back into a hug.

The Captain, failing to stop his own tears for good, hugged back again. He really had gotten something timeless on this trip. He got a friend. A true friend. Someone who liked him for him. And someone who he could never forget, no matter how far away he was.

He’d make sure of it.

~

“Right, I have this here…just hook it up to your ship and when you’re ready, turn it on, it’ll send you home.” Aaron said, handing a device to the Captain who took it and nodded.

“Right. One minute, then…” He said, running into the ship.

The group waited a moment, making sure no one else came this way as the Captain worked. After a few minutes, he came back.

“It’s all set. Sorry again for the scare!” He said, standing in the doorway of the ship.

“It’s fine…that was…oh, what you showed us was…just, thank you…” Elderane said, his smile bright.

“Take care of yourself!” Enty yelled.

“Or else…” Scarecrow grumbled; his arms still crossed.

“I will, I will. And same goes for you all!” The Captain said, his nerves gone. He knew they’d be ok. They had each other.

“Sorry again for stealing you…” Aaron said. The Captain laughed again.

“Ah, it was no trouble! I had fun. You keep up the good work, frills, but don’t go breaking the universe so much.”

Aaron flinched when he felt Scarecrow elbow him.

The Captain looked back to Gabriel who was standing close by, the man still not composed.

"You be brave for me, hotshot. Keep that faith strong." He said proudly, a smile stuck on his face. Gabriel smiled back through tears.

"And...and you just remember that..you'll always have a family here." Gabriel said proudly in return. "Even if we're dimensions apart...I still care about you." 

The Captain gave a small laugh, his tears wanting to return.

"I'll remember that, hotshot. With whatever happens back home...I'll remember that." He said firmly, a reassuring smile on his face. With a breath to ease his nerves, he knew it was time. "Right…seems I better be off, then.” He said, ready to turn into the ship.

“W-wait! You said you would tell us your name!” Gabriel yelled, edging forward. The Captain smiled, stepping back to the doorway.

“Ah, right! Well, for until we meet again, the name’s Vega!” He yelled; his smile bright.

The group paused; with everyone thinking the exact same thing in shocked silence.

“Thanks for everything, guys! Especially you, hotshot.” He said, meeting the flustered Gabriel’s gaze. The Captain smiled proudly and backed up a bit. “Right. Take care, and farewell!” He said, stepping back as the side doors closed.

The group stood back as the ship powered up, with its engines blowing leaves and debris around the clearing. After a moment, the ship’s wings unfolded and it began rising into the air. The group watched in silence as it ascended, though Gabriel smiled when he saw the Captain wave at them from inside the cockpit. The ship kept rising quicker and quicker, now going directly up.

In a brief flash of light…the ship was gone. The Captain was home.

The group stood in silence for a moment, the calm evening sounds of the forest now echoing around them.

“So…wasn’t the fish double’s name-”

“Yes.” Aaron said, interrupting Scarecrow as the group stared at the sky. Gabriel blinked, now looking down to the gold pin in his hands.

“And…that fish man said he was good at space flight-”

“Yep…” Aaron said again.

“You…don’t think they were-”

“No, no…that’s…impossible…” Aaron said quickly, though he wasn’t so sure himself.

That couldn’t have been the…same double from before…could it?

“I don’t wanna think about it, I’m done with space and I’m done with fish, I’m done, goodnight, Elvis has left the building.” Scarecrow grumbled, walking away from the group. Aaron rolled his eyes and followed, with Enty close behind. Today was already weird, it didn’t need to get weirder.

Elderane began walking as well when he saw Gabriel wasn’t following. He was still staring at the sky.

“Gabe?”

“H-huh? Oh, uh…coming…” He said, quickly turning around.

“I’m sure it was just a coincidence.” Elderane said casually, his mind certain that it was just chance.

“Yeah…I’m…sure…” Gabriel said, looking down to the gold pin in his hands.

He had told the double he would like to meet again. The double wanted to meet again.

Had they…met already?

Gabriel shook his head, closing his hand around the pin. No, that would be stupid. That was just coincidence. Vega...could be a common name.

Besides, the Captain had promised he wouldn't forget Gabriel. And the other Vega didn't know who Gabriel was. The Captain had promised he wouldn't forget. They were friends. And Gabriel had seen the fish double up close. He wasn't human. The Captain was. There was no way he would...change like that. 

There's no way.

His mind clearing, Gabriel smiled, thinking about all he had seen. He thought of the stars and the planets. He thought about driving the spacecraft. His heart warm, he opened his hand and eyed the shining pin.

He’d never forget the Captain. He was one of them, and he was a friend. Gabriel had faith that he’d be ok. He had to be.

Gabriel knew the Captain would find his peace someday. He hoped it was soon. He hoped his loud world found peace as well, and he hoped the Captain was able to live happily. He would. Gabriel was sure. And he’d meet him again someday.

Smiling, Gabriel reached up and put the small gold pin on his shawl, now walking proudly down the sidewalk as he reveled in all that had happened. He felt a bit more of his anxiety fade away. The Captain had faith in him, so…Gabriel had to as well.

Gabriel could be brave like him. He’d work on it. And when they met again…he’d make the Captain proud. Gabriel walked down the street, his gaze going up to the pastel purple evening sky.

He saw the full moon hovering above them in the sky, a few stars forming around it. Gabriel smiled wider as he walked home.

Chapter Text

Across another universe and in another time…

Golden sunlight was shimmering through the clear cerulean waves, the water calm and quiet. A figure was swimming beneath the surface, his gaze stuck blankly ahead of him. He was tired. He silenced his mind, the distant but close voices muting themselves as he swam deeper into the blue ocean.

He swam through overhangs of colorful cliffs and coral-covered rocks. The golden sunlight was shining against them, casting golden shadows on the dark and glistening stones. He swam through soft dark green seaweed, the plants gently waving under the calm water like a slow-moving fire.

The figure kept swimming; his mind broken beyond repair. He had been wrong. He had been very wrong. But now…he couldn’t remember what he had been wrong about.

The glistening golden sunrays cast light upon his faded teal scales, his own body shimmering slightly as he maneuvered his way across the endless ocean, a world without walls.

He swam for as long as he could, and eventually, day turned to night. He exited the forest of seaweed he was in and paused when he hit open water, something calling to him in the back of his mind.

He looked up towards the surface. He could see shimmering stars mirrored on the surface of the water. Feeling nothing, he swam upwards a bit, his wide eyes stuck on the stars. Why?

The figure reached the surface and breached it, the sound of crashing waves now pounding in his ears. He saw darkness all around. But up…

Up in the sky, he saw countless stars scattered in the black sky. He saw other planets and he saw other galaxies and nebulas. He saw the infinite. Something that he thought…used to be important to him. Something he used to…love. But now…

He felt nothing when he gazed up at the sky.

The figure turned his gaze, hoping to feel something like he used to. He had used to…hadn’t he? He couldn’t remember anymore. Why was he here?

He was about to descend back below when something caught his eye. He looked back up and saw a spiral galaxy in the distance, adjacent to the Andromeda system they lived in. A different galaxy. A new one. One that wasn’t there ages ago. But now it was…

Why was he looking at it?

Something was screaming at him in the back of his mind. Something familiar. He stared at the new galaxy, his mind telling him to remember something. Something important. Someone important.

He stared at it, trying his best to recall what the liquid eternity had forced him to forget. What it took away from him. It had taken away so much. He wasn’t him anymore.

Who had he used to be?

The figure flinched, a memory shooting through his mind like a bolt of lightning. It almost hurt to recall. He paused as he stared at the galaxy so far away, and yet...it felt like he had been there. He could remember…

An embrace.

An embrace...from a friend. 

Someone was saying...goodbye. Someone was saying goodbye to him. But the person wasn't gone...

The figure felt something warm slide down his face as he gazed at the stars. He reached a clawed hand up and felt…water in his eyes. But not from the ocean. He was crying. He hadn’t cried…in eons…he didn’t think they could cry anymore.

Why was he crying?

He looked back up, the distant galaxy holding the answers. As he stared, he could feel the secure embrace around him. A feeling he only felt...once before. Who was with him? He looked around. He was alone.

But he didn’t feel alone.

He had felt alone before, even with the collective, but as he stared at this new galaxy…he felt…he felt…

Like there was someone there. Waiting for him. Someone who…he should remember. Someone who was important to him. Someone who he…was important to.

Who was it?

He stared at the galaxy, and in his mind…he could hear a sound. A sound he hadn’t heard since…before…

What was the sound? He paused, letting his mind reel as he stared upwards.

Laughter. It was sincere laughter. From...a friend. Echoing in the deepest parts of the figure's broken mind. Who was laughing? Who was with him in his memory? His name...he had to remember his name.

The figure closed his eyes, the embrace around him feeling more real. More vivid as the memory became clearer. A friend was close. He was saying goodbye but he was close. They were going separate ways but...they would meet again. They had to. His friend...had promised he would be with him. Even across time and space. His friend still cared about him. The figure didn’t feel alone. He was…feeling. He had to remember. He had promised him he wouldn't forget.

He had promised not to forget…

Who had he promised not to forget?

His name...his name was Gab-

The figure opened his eyes and let out a cry, the feeling fading as a cold wave of water crashed over him, causing him to fall back into the dark sea. He shook his head of the momentum and swam back up towards the surface. He looked back up at the starry sky.

Why was he here?

The figure blinked, a coldness returning to him. He was thinking about…someone. Or…he thought he was.

But…that’s impossible. There is no one left.

He lowered himself back beneath the waves, the mirrored stars glittering the surface of the dark ocean as he swam towards the secluded caves he called home. As he swam away from the stars. Away from the memory. He kept swimming into the isolated darkness, any feeling he just had now gone.

He couldn’t be thinking of anyone. There was no one else.

There was only Forever.

Chapter Text

The Captain walked briskly down the dark underground tunnel; his path illuminated only by occasional breaks of light from grates above him in the ceiling where some faded foggy daylight was shining through. His footsteps echoed alone through the stone tunnel as he did his best to tune out the screams of panic and the explosions coming from the surface.

They were out of time.

The world was breaking down. All power and electricity were shut off and mass panic was abound. It was orderless chaos. No one knew what was going on, but tensions were skyrocketing. Wars were breaking out across the world and people were killing each other in the streets. But the Captain knew it wasn’t the global civil war that would be the end of them, no.

The Frame was taking over. It had taken over. They could see what its intentions were, and no one could stop it. It was going to use humanity’s creations against itself. All control had been taken away from the giant quantum nuclear stations around the planet that gave the industrial world it’s power. They were beginning to overload and begin meltdown and no one could do anything about it. The Frame was going to detonate them. It was obvious.

And no one would survive.

The damage from the explosions could kill everyone at once around the entire globe. And if some people managed to survive…the radiation would end them soon after. And if even that didn’t kill them…the power of the blast would be downright equal to a small supernova. Alpha’s atmosphere would vaporize. The world would become uninhabitable and lifeless.

It was getting hard to hold on to hope. But…

The Captain knew that he could save at least a handful of people. He had the power. Even if Alpha died…some of its people would live on. The Captain would make sure of it. He had the Starblade. They would save who they could.

They had to have faith.

The Captain shook his head, repressing his fear. He had promised his only friend that he would have faith. That he would have hope. He couldn’t let him down. Even if his world was going to die…there was a chance some of them could be saved.

And he had to have faith in that chance.

The man reached the end of the tunnel, a steel door before him. He took in a breath, putting on a fake smile. He had to convince the President that the Starblade was their only chance of escape. He had to have faith. He had to be confident. If he didn’t…they’d all die.

“Alright hotshot…this one’s for you…” He muttered to himself, internally boosting his confidence as he stood tall and straightened his jacket. With one last nod to himself, he pushed the door open, entering the hall where the meeting was being held to determine the future of their world.

They were out of time, and every second that ticked by was another second closer to global termination. The Captain put on his brightest smile as he marched forward in egotistical confidence. Time to make his case.

It was now or never.

~

“Aaron, are we sure this is a good idea?”

“We haven’t seen them in forever, and last time we did show up, it was because we sent Gabriel there as a child. We owe it to them to have one normal meeting.”

“If you’re sure…” Scarecrow muttered, eying Aaron as he fiddled with a device in his hands. Gabriel and Elderane were on the couch, waiting patiently while Enty grabbed a bag from the kitchen. He had made their alternate doubles some cookies.

“And you are sure this device will send us to their world?” Elderane asked cautiously, fully aware of how…unpredictable some of Aaron’s inventions could be.

“Yes, I’m sure. I only changed a few things to make it run smoother. I still can’t figure out what causes the ringing, though…” He said, turning the device over in his hands. Every time they traversed dimensions, there was the same odd sound and effect, sometimes strong enough to induce a headache or nausea. Aaron wanted to get that kink out, but he just couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“If we are sent anywhere else, I will punch you.” Scarecrow said; crossing his arms. Aaron looked up at him and gave a nervous smile.

“It…it will be fine, now come on…everyone over here…” He said, motioning for the group to come closer. Scarecrow rolled his eyes and sighed, sauntering over to the scientist in front of the TV. Elderane and Gabriel walked over, and Enty soon after, the group huddled around Aaron.

“I do not enjoy this part…” Gabriel muttered, the feeling of being roughly dragged through the unknown not exactly acting as a pleasurable experience to him.

“Just stick together, and it’ll be fine…” Aaron said, pressing a few buttons on the device. Gabriel felt some of his nerves fade when he felt Elderane’s hand close tightly around his own. They were together. They’d be ok.

“I hope they like the cookies…” Enty said, clinging to Aaron’s arm as the scientist gave a small laugh.

“I’m sure they will…alright, everyone hold on…” He said, squeezing his own eyes shut as he hit the final button, the familiar ringing returning. The rest of the group closed their eyes and held each other tight, the strange feeling of the floor vanishing from below them causing them to feel like they were falling into eternity.

~

Aaron let out a cry as he backed into a hard wall, the sounds of the world crashing down on him like a tidal wave. Holding the device in his hands tighter, he kept his eyes squeezed shut as he worked to clear the ringing and fog out of his spinning mind.

“What…the…fuck…”

Aaron blinked his eyes open as his heart skipped. Scarecrow sounded…afraid. Aaron was about to ask why when he stopped himself, his mind going totally blank as he looked ahead with wide eyes.

Beside him, Elderane was doing the same, though he felt Gabriel huddle closer, the younger man shaking slightly as his breathing picked up in panic. Enty just stared ahead, his mind not comprehending what he was seeing as he felt his blood run cold.

The group was standing beneath a dark reddish-orange sky, with blackened clouds drifting along as a haze filled the air. It smelled like fire and chemicals were everywhere. All around the group were metal structures that looked like buildings, but not like any they had ever seen before. They looked futuristic, straight out of one of their sci-fi movies they watched. Almost every building and surface was a dark gray color, covered in metal and wires.

The street before them was the same, with everything looking mechanical, even the ground. There were odd towers before them, some with fire escaping the tops, sending more blackened smoke into the air that mixed with the already dark clouds.

Across the dark city, there were odd metal structures at various points, so tall that the tops vanished into the smog in the sky. Their shape was abstract, like bent and burnt metal twisting to a point, the structures almost appearing like great metallic alien monsters in the distance. They were far taller than anything the group had seen on Earth.

They made the tower in Avantasia look insignificant.

To the far distance, the group could see what looked like a large metal dome-shaped device, the structure lifted up off the ground by more wires, pipes, and odd metallic structures. It had odd knife-shaped scaffolding coming out of it, with a few lights on the tips, though they weren’t very bright in the hazy grim air. There were other structures beyond it, some shaped like giant globe-like balls of metal and technology, and some that looked like demented twisted castles made of the same material, all abstract and bent. There were some odd spaceships in the distance, though the group looked on in horrified confusion as they seemed to plummet to the ground, vanishing in the sea of twisted metal with faded small explosions.

The group flinched as a loud and deep boom shook the area, and their eyes widened when they saw a large explosion in the distance. They could hear screams of terror carried on the wind. From their perch, they could see people in odd clothes running in the streets in panic.

Elderane’s eyes widened in terror and he pulled Gabriel closer, turning his friend away when the elf saw some other people pull out odd guns, a muted bang echoing around the street as the people shot at each other. The people shot at fell to the ground, unmoving. The people shooting at them ran past them, not even paying their fallen bodies second mind as they kept running, vanishing around the corner.

The shaking group stood in shocked silence for a moment, with the sound of explosions and screams still echoing from across the seemingly endless sea of machines and industrial landscape, not an ounce of green to be seen.

Aaron couldn’t breathe as he stared ahead, his mind not comprehending.

“This…isn’t the FUCKING REVERSE DIMENSION!!!” Scarecrow screamed, blinding fury in his voice as he faced the trembling Aaron, the scientist taking a step back in terror.

Chapter Text

“This…isn’t the FUCKING REVERSE DIMENSION!!!” Scarecrow screamed, blinding fury in his voice as he faced the trembling Aaron, the scientist taking a step back in terror.

“I…I don’t, I…” Aaron stuttered, not even close to having an excuse as he backed away from the rageful Scarecrow.

“Wh-where are we…” Enty muttered, looking around at the dystopian world. He felt his ghost branches flare more as he looked down the metallic street, eying a few more unmoving bodies in the road. Enty let out a cry and quickly looked away.

Elderane looked around in terror, the world appearing cold and unforgiving. The air smelled of smoke and there was no greenery or calm anywhere. Just worn machines, smoke, and fire. There were screams of agony in the distance. He looked down when he felt Gabriel tremble, the younger man looking around in panic. Elderane’s heart dropped when he heard Gabriel begin to hyperventilate.

“Gabriel, it is ok…” Elderane soothed, doing his best to hide the terror in his own voice as he pulled Gabriel closer.

“Screams…d-death…f-fire…red s-sky…” Gabriel muttered fearfully; his eyes wide as he looked around. He flinched with a cry when another explosion appeared, this time a bit closer. “It’s the j-judgement day…” Gabriel cried, shaking more as his eyes followed another sky machine falling in the distance, crashing with another explosion behind one of the mechanical domes.

Elderane felt his own tears well up in his eyes and he quickly turned himself, pulling Gabriel closer to him in a way so his friend’s face was against his chest, the outside world blocked from his view.

“It isn’t anything…we are going to leave this cursed place…right?” Elderane said firmly, his voice threatening. He held the now sobbing Gabriel against him, the elf’s eyes locked on the fearful Aaron, the man saved only by Enty who was holding Scarecrow back.

“R-right…” Aaron said, looking down at the device in his hands. “Get close, I can send us-”

“MOVE!!!” Elderane screamed, releasing Gabriel as the elf lunged forward, his ears picking up a sound the others couldn’t hear. He quickly grabbed Aaron and pulled him down, the group flinching as a bolt of light struck the wall like a bullet right where Aaron had been standing, the spot it hit now black and dented.

The group looked up in terror to see a masked figure in black standing across the street, an odd gun in his hands. Gabriel recognized it. It was like the gun the Captain had on his ship. A “phaser” he called it.

“H-hey, what the fuck?!” Scarecrow screamed, positioning himself before his friends in defense. Aaron was on the ground in Elderane’s arms, his eyes locked on the spot the energized shot had hit the wall. It was right where his head had been.

The figure didn’t say anything, but instead kept advancing, the gun pointed their way. Scarecrow was about to make a move when a dagger flew past his head, hitting the man’s leg dead-on. The man let out a cry and fell to the ground, the gun falling from his hands.

Scarecrow turned and saw Elderane now beside him, the elf’s eyes alert. Knowing they had to act quick, Scarecrow ran ahead and picked up the phaser, now pointing it at the figure. The man staggered to his feet; the knife lodged in his leg.

“If you want to live another day, I say run while you still have the ability to walk…” Scarecrow sneered, pointing the odd gun towards their attacker. The man paused a moment then turned, staggering roughly away and around a corner, leaving the bloody dagger behind.

“Oh…oh, stars…” Elderane muttered in terror, his nerves catching up with him. He reached down with a shaking hand and picked up his dagger carefully.

“Clockwork, you alright?!” Scarecrow yelled, turning back around. Aaron was still on the ground, his face pale.

“Y-yes, thank you…thank you both…” He said, clutching his heart as he tried to calm his breathing.

“A-Aaron…” Gabriel muttered, terror in his voice as he bent down. The other’s looked on in fright when they saw Gabriel pick up their transport device off the ground, the machine slightly broken.

“Oh…fuck…” Scarecrow whispered, eying the slightly broken device, a few pieces of metal hanging off it and some wires looking loose.

“It’s ok…I can fix it, I can fix it…” Aaron said, the waver in his voice fading as he pulled himself to his feet. “I just need some time…”

Gabriel nodded and was about to hand the device to Aaron, though the group froze when a door slid open quickly on the building that had been shot behind them.

The group looked on in frozen terror when a figure appeared in the doorway. Except this figure was not human.

All feeling left Gabriel’s body when he looked ahead, his breathing stopping dead in his chest at the sight.

Before them was what appeared to be a robotic humanoid machine, like something from their movies. He had some torn black clothes on, but Gabriel could see his arms were made of metal bars and wires, his face covered in broken gray plating, and the parts of his chest visible through the torn shirt showed something that looked like the inside of a computer, with circuits and blinking lights apparent.

It had no hair, but a mess of wires imitating hair, messily strewn about. The robot had one hand which was also mechanical, though the other hand was missing, a few sparks occasionally appearing at the end where some exposed wires stuck out.

The robots one eye was a low glowing green light, though the other eye was also missing, a black and empty socket with exposed wires sticking out.

Before them was a working humanoid robot, its one eye staring right through them. Gabriel couldn’t breathe as he stood before it, much closer than he would have liked. But he couldn’t move. He couldn’t hear. He kept his gaze locked on the emotionless eye of the robots, Gabriel’s own body not listening to his internal screams to run.

His heart dropped dead when the robot took a step forward, its movement stiff and inhuman. It was walking towards him. Gabriel couldn’t bring himself to run. He felt like he was outside his own body, watching from above. This wasn’t right, this wasn’t right!

Before Gabriel could even process what to do next, the machine bolted forward with unseen speed, and Gabriel let out a cry of fear as the robot quickly grabbed him by his shawl collar, holding him tight. Gabriel let go of the device and he threw his hands up, clinging to the robot’s steel arm as it lifted him slightly off the ground, cutting Gabriel’s air supply off.

Tears sliding down his face as blinding terror caused his vision to spin, Gabriel stared ahead into the empty glowing eye of the robot, his feet not touching the ground as he felt a dizziness begin to wash over him.

A sharp scream cut through his disastrous cacophony of thoughts, and Gabriel managed to turn his eyes and see Scarecrow running up to him, a metal pipe in his hands. Scarecrow swung with all he had at the robot’s head, the pipe denting the thing’s metallic skull with a flash of sparks.

Gabriel let out a cry as the robot released him and he fell to the ground, with Elderane and Enty catching him as his legs refused to hold him up. He stood back, tears still sliding down his face in terror as he watched Scarecrow beat the robot with the pipe, the inhuman creature falling to the ground as Scarecrow attacked it, blinding rage in his eyes as he screamed.

Scarecrow kept attacking, even as the robot was down. He kept hitting its head over and over again, to the point it looked more like a pile of old machine parts than a recognizable shape. Some smoke was emitting from the fallen machine, and finally Scarecrow staggered back, the man breathing heavy as he kept the pipe tight in his fist.

All was silent.

The feeling somewhat returning to his legs, Gabriel managed to stand on his own, though Elderane still held him tight. Elderane was speaking, but Gabriel couldn’t hear it. His gaze was locked on the fallen robot, the thing a being of his nightmares.

And it was about to kill him in this hellish world.

Gabriel heard more distant talking and he watched silently as Aaron walked ahead, the scientist falling to his knees by the robot. Though he wasn’t paying the creature any attention. Aaron was instead reaching down towards the shattered remains of the device, the machine they used to get here far more destroyed than what it was before.

Because Gabriel had dropped it.

His guilt immediately becoming unbearable, Gabriel felt more warm tears form in his eyes as he watched Aaron gather the pieces. He was talking, but Gabriel still couldn’t hear it. Everything sounded like it was under water. He saw the broken look in Aaron’s eyes and Gabriel’s heart shattered.

He knew what he had done. He dropped the device. Their only way home. And Gabriel destroyed it.

The sounds of the world began slipping back into his ears as Gabriel watched Scarecrow look towards him, fury in his eyes. Gabriel’s heart dropped when Scarecrow began marching towards him, the man’s words finally coming into focus as the fog in Gabriel’s mind cleared.

“What…THE FUCK…IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” Scarecrow screamed, his body visibly trembling as he placed himself tall before Gabriel, the younger man once again losing feeling in his body.

“I…I…” He started with a small voice, not a clue on what to say or feel. Scarecrow was before him, his eyes alight with rage.

“That was our ONLY WAY HOME FROM THIS HELLSCAPE!!!” He screamed, pointing towards Aaron as he frantically tried to work on the machine. Gabriel broke his gaze away from Scarecrow and eyed Aaron, the man meeting his eyes with a fearful expression.

“I didn’t…I…”

“WHY DIDN’T YOU RUN?!” Scarecrow screamed louder; his knuckles white as he gripped the metal pipe tighter. Gabriel shrunk back into Elderane’s arms, his guilt making him want to throw up. Scarecrow was right.

Why didn’t he run?

“He was rightfully afraid, Crow…” Elderane said gently, holding Gabriel tighter. Scarecrow’s eye twitched as he looked the still crying Gabriel over.

“HE LET HIS FEAR FUCK ALL OF US OVER!!!” He yelled, pointing towards Gabriel who flinched again in fright.

“Crow, please…” Enty said, edging a bit closer. “It wasn’t his fault…” The flaming man reached to place a hand on Scarecrow’s shoulder, but he smacked him away.

“YES, IT WAS HIS FUCKING FAULT!!! HE DIDN’T RUN!!!” Scarecrow screamed, causing Enty to retreat in tears now. Scarecrow scoffed and turned back to Gabriel, the younger man still staring ahead with wide and tearful eyes.

“C-Crow…” Aaron said, pulling himself to his feet. Scarecrow turned and saw the broken machine in the scientist’s hands. He felt his rage bubble over and he faced Gabriel.

“Crow, you are being harsh…” Elderane said firmly, his gaze stern. Scarecrow scoffed again and let out a fake laugh.

“It’s not MY fault he’s SUCH AN EMOTIONAL COWARD!!!” Scarecrow screamed, his words stabbing Gabriel’s heart like jagged knives.

But Gabriel couldn’t say anything. Because Scarecrow was right. He was an emotional coward. He was always afraid. Always letting his emotions make him freeze or mess up. And now…he may have just killed them all.

Scarecrow was right. And Gabriel knew it.

“Crow…” Aaron said, disappointment in his voice. Scarecrow looked like he was about to start another argument, though the group froze when they heard voices rapidly approach.

“HIDE!!!” Scarecrow screamed, shoving the group towards the building the robot came from. There was an alley beside it and the group filed in, hoping they were out of sight from whoever was coming.

For safekeeping, Aaron quickly put the pieces of the machine into Enty’s bag, sealing it. When they found a safe place, he would work on it.

Gabriel stood shaking in Elderane’s embrace, though Gabriel wanted nothing more than to run away. He wanted to save his friends the trouble of having a burden like him around, but…once again…he was too scared to do anything. So, he remained in Elderane’s arms, avoiding everyone’s gazes as he stared ahead, tears streaming from his eyes.

His friends could all die because of his cowardice. What…was wrong with him…

“Everyone stay quiet…” Scarecrow sneered, gripping the pipe tighter. The group watched in silence as a man and a woman came into view, their outfits more professional, similar to what…the Captain was wearing.

“It’s around here somewhere…” The man said, and the group saw him looking around the ground.

“We need to hurry! Time is running out…” The girl replied.

“I know! I know…”

“How much longer did they estimate?”

“President thinks the explosions will start by tonight…by morning, everyone on the planet will be dead.”

The group’s eyes widened as they overheard the conversation, the odd duo still out in the street. Enty covered his own mouth to stifle a cry, his branches flaring. Elderane blinked, looking over to the shaking Gabriel in his arms.

Was…Gabriel right? Was this world…really ending?

“I still feel guilty…”

“You should feel lucky…we’re surviving…”

“But billions are dying!”

“What can we do?!” The man yelled, facing the girl. “The Starblade can only hold so many…we can’t save everyone…”

Gabriel blinked when he heard that word. Starblade. He had heard that before. The Captain…the Captain mentioned it. When he was listing the many ships he was captain of…that was the one he said he was most proud of, though Gabriel didn’t get to ask more details.

Were they in the Captain’s world?

“Oh, I know…I’m just…”

“I know…but we have to be strong. You heard the Captain. He had faith that this will work. That we will survive. We have to hold on to that.”

“Right…oh, it’s here!”

The group watched as the girl bent down, examining the metal street. They watched in shock as she lifted a panel up.

“The Starblade is just a few miles, uh…that way.” The man said, pointing towards the distance. “We will make it on time. I promise.”

“I believe you…”

“Right. Let’s get off this condemned mechanical hell before it becomes nuclear stardust.” The man said, lowering himself down into the ground where a hole was opened under the panel. The girl followed and pulled the panel back over them.

The street was silent again.

“What was that about…” Elderane muttered, stepping out of the alley. Gabriel was by his side, his mind reeling. They had mentioned a captain. And a ship that the Captain said he flew.

They had to be in his world.

“No idea…but…did they say something about…the world…exploding?” Aaron asked fearfully, his mind not wanting to believe it. Scarecrow stood ahead; faced away. Gabriel’s guilt returned when he saw Scarecrow clench his fist.

“Aaron…” Scarecrow started. “They said this planet could explode by tomorrow morning. Can you fix that before then?”

Aaron swallowed nervously, eying the contents in Enty’s bag.

“I…don’t have my tools…I could try, but…but the odds that I finish before then, is…I don’t know if I…oh…” Aaron whispered, running his hand through his hair as he faced away. Gabriel saw Scarecrow waver on his feet, the man then falling to his knees.

“Great…good job…wonderful…” He muttered; his voice devoid of life. “We’re trapped on a world that’s going to go up in nuclear flames…” He seared; his head lowered.

“We’re…gonna die?” Enty said softly, terror in his small voice. Aaron didn’t respond and remained faced away, his tears flowing freely as he realized what was happening.

He didn’t say it straight, but there was no way he could fix this before sunrise tomorrow. And they were stuck on a world that was going to vaporize.

They…were going to die here.

“O-oh…” Elderane cried, lowering his head to Gabriel’s shoulder. But Gabriel didn’t react. He instead kept his gaze locked on the panel the duo went down. He looked over and saw Elderane silently sobbing against him. He turned and saw Enty comforting a hysterical Aaron. He saw Scarecrow covering his eyes with his hands as he remained on his knees, the man openly crying as well.

If they didn’t do anything…they would die. But…Gabriel had put the pieces together. There was a chance they could survive this. The Captain was here. If anyone could save them…it would be him.

Gabriel may have messed up…but he wasn’t going to give up hope yet.

“I know how we can get more time…” He said softly. Scarecrow didn’t react, though Aaron looked over, tears in his eyes.

“Wh-what?”

“The device…us…I know how we can survive and get more time…” Gabriel said, with more confidence this time. He was clinging to his hope with all he had. He couldn’t lose it. They couldn’t die here.

He wouldn’t let it happen.

“I don’t understand…” Aaron said gently.

“Now isn’t the time for your hopeful nonsense…” Scarecrow sneered, ice in his voice. “We’re stuck in a world that’s going to be destroyed in under a day. There’s no hope.”

“There is!”

“No, there isn’t!”

“But-”

“THERE’S NO-”

“JUST LISTEN TO ME!!!” Gabriel screamed, causing the others to flinch. Scarecrow paused, his eyes widening. It…was rare that Gabriel yelled like that.

“Gabe…what is it?” Aaron asked cautiously. Gabriel eyed his friends and took in a breath, repressing his nerves.

“Those people…they said they had a way to escape…”

“Yeah, but we don’t have a way to get it.” Scarecrow said flatly. “I’ve seen movies. They’re gonna save a limited number of chosen people, and let the rest die. No one on that ship would care about us.”

“The Captain would.”

The group paused, looking at Gabriel in shock.

“Your spaceman friend?” Elderane asked, confused. Gabriel let out a frustrated grumble.

“Yes, him! They mentioned a captain, and they mentioned a ship called the ‘Starblade’, which was the name of a ship the Captain said he was captain of! We’re in his world!”

“How can you be so sure?!” Scarecrow asked flatly. Gabriel looked at him, his guilt returning.

“Because…we don’t have any other options…and…if this is his world…and he’s there…he would help us and get us somewhere safe.”

Aaron looked down towards the bag in his hands. He couldn’t fix the device in time. He needed more time that they didn’t have. If they waited…they’d all die.

This could be their only chance.

“This is stupid…” Scarecrow grumbled, turning away. There’s no way they ended up in that egotistical lunatic’s world. They didn’t have any hope. They were going to die here.

“It’s worth a shot, Crow…” Aaron said, a spark of faith igniting in his chest. If what Gabriel said was true…they’d survive. They could get home.

They’d live.

“Oh, come on, you’re-”

“I say we try.” Elderane said firmly, his sharp gaze locked on Scarecrow who turned away with a scoff.

“Me too…” Enty said, holding Aaron’s arm.

“Crow?” Aaron said gently. Scarecrow paused a moment then let out a breath, shaking his head.

“Fine. Fine. Guess it doesn’t matter anymore, anyway.” He grumbled. He…didn’t want to be mad. But…he couldn’t help it. The fire in his chest wasn’t going down. They could be home by now if Gabriel hadn’t froze.

He just prayed Gabriel didn’t let them down a second time today.

“Right…did you catch what direction they said to go?” Aaron said, quickly lifting the panel on the ground with Elderane’s help.

“I did…” Gabriel said, glancing up at Scarecrow. Scarecrow rolled his eyes and sighed, turning away. Gabriel’s heart broke more and he looked down, the younger man finding it hard to keep his composure. He couldn’t let his family down again.

He prayed he was right.

“Ok…here goes nothing…” Aaron said, climbing down first into the hole which led to a tunnel below the street. Scarecrow watched as his friends went down, and soon he was last.

He began to feel some guilt chip away at his heart for what he said. He knew he hurt Gabriel. He knew. But…he couldn’t help it. They could all die because of him. But Scarecrow knew his friend was shutting down. He couldn’t control that. And Scarecrow did care about Gabriel more than anything. He did feel bad for what he said.

His mind arguing with itself over what to think and do, Scarecrow followed his friends, pulling the panel back over the hole as he descended into the darkness.

He had to trust Gabriel.

Chapter Text

Scarecrow was at the front of the group, his metal pipe tight in his hands as he led the way through the dark tunnels. They appeared like sewers, but there was no water in them at all. Just various wires along the dark metal walls. The only light they had came from the daylight which shone through occasional grates in the ceiling that led to the outside. They could still hear explosions and screams above them.

Elderane stood at the back of the group, a dagger in his hand as he kept his eyes and ears open. They had no idea who or what was down here. Aaron was in the middle, eying the machine parts in the bag. As they walked, he analyzed the situation.

There would be no way he could finish this by tonight, as that was when those strangers said the explosions would start that killed everyone. He prayed Gabriel was right. They had no other options left.

Enty was behind him, keeping his own eyes vigilant. He knew he could be strong if he focused, so he was focusing. If they were attacked again, he wouldn’t let anything hurt his friends. He took in a breath, easing his nerves. They would be ok. They were always ok. They had been through so much, but they always survived. This time wouldn’t be any different.

Gabriel was staring at the dark ground, the younger man holding his arms close to himself as he walked in silence. This was all his fault. They were in the judgement day and they would all die because of him if he was wrong.

He had gotten friends killed before, but this…this would end them all. And Gabriel would never forgive himself in any lifetime if that happened. He prayed every mental prayer in the book that he was right and the Captain was here.

He couldn’t let his friends die because of him.

Gabriel took in a sharp breath, a few more tears forming in his eyes as he thought about his spaceman friend. The Captain had told Gabriel he was brave. He told him he was proud of him.

What Gabriel did…it wasn’t brave. He wasn’t brave. And the Captain would be ashamed of him. Gabriel was a coward. He always has been. Always running from danger, or letting the danger get the better of him. Letting other people fight his fights and get killed because of him. He wasn’t brave.

And once again…people he loved could die because of him. Gabriel wanted to run away. He wanted to leave and let his friends survive without him. He was just holding them back. He always was.

From being the farthest back in time, he always had to have help. He always got into trouble and he always needed rescuing. He didn’t understand anything in the modern world, and he always had to have someone guiding him. He was a burden. An annoying burden.

He didn’t know why the others still wanted him around.

But…he was stuck here. He was the one who knew the Captain most, so he had to be here to help his friends survive. He would do anything to make sure they survived. That’s all he wanted. His family to get out alive and be happy, with or without him.

Whatever demented hell they arrived in…they would get out. Gabriel would make sure of it.

The group jumped back in fear when one of the grates in the ceiling crashed down, nearly missing Enty as he staggered back, his branches flaring. Scarecrow ran back, his pipe tight in his hands as he watched a figure jump down into the tunnel.

“Wh-what the hell?!” The figure yelled, eying the odd group. He quickly pulled out a phaser, causing Enty’s eyes to widen as it was pointed his way.

“FUCK OFF!!!” Scarecrow screamed, hitting the man’s wrist with the pipe. The man let out an agonized scream as a sickening crack echoed in the tunnel, the phaser dropping to the floor. He staggered back, his eyes alert when he saw Elderane pull his dagger out, with Scarecrow and Elderane closing in on the man.

“I’ll go, I’ll go!” The man screamed, running back to the wall where a ladder led up to the surface. The group watched him vanish at the surface.

“He is gone…” Elderane said, able to tell that the man had booked it out of here.

“Why is everyone shoot first in this place…” Aaron muttered fearfully, recalling his own encounter.

“It’s the fucking apocalypse out there, of course everyone is killing each other! Nothing seems to matter anymore!” Scarecrow screamed, motioning with his pipe to the ceiling. “And we’re gonna keep running into those lunatics until we find that damn spaceman.”

“How much farther?” Enty asked as the group kept walking forward.

“Th-the man said…a few miles…” Gabriel said softly, his gaze still stuck on the floor.

“And we’ve been walking forever and there have been no side doors. We can’t be far…” Scarecrow said flatly, walking ahead of the group. Gabriel kept walking as well, keeping his distance from the others.

He sighed, letting a few more tears fall. It was dark in here, so no one could see. Scarecrow wasn’t even looking his way anymore. He had let Scarecrow down. The man who was always brave. Always strong. Gabriel was nothing like Scarecrow. He always looked up to him, hoping to make him proud.

What a failure Gabriel was.

~

“Wait, guys…” Scarecrow said, holding his arm out to stop the group from progressing. The group stopped, and their eyes widened when they saw what looked like a figure slumped against the wall up ahead.

Motioning for Elderane to get closer, Scarecrow walked ahead, the duo investigating the unmoving figure. Scarecrow’s heart dropped when he saw it was another robot like before, though this one looked already defeated.

“What kind of world is this where these are beings that roam…” Elderane said, edging closer to the robot on the ground, it’s appearance similar to the last. It had the same wire-based hair, as well as various exposed electrical panels and slightly sparking wires.

“No idea…come on, let’s keep moving…” Scarecrow said, hoping the machine was dead. Right as the group was about to follow, Elderane let out a cry as the robot’s arm flew up, its strong mechanical hand grabbing Elderane’s leg tightly. The elf looked down in terror as the robot’s green eyes lit up brightly, its face neutral as it gripped the prince’s leg tighter.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Scarecrow screamed, ramming the metal pipe into the chest of the robot.

As soon as the pipe went through, the lights in the robot’s eyes died, its head lolling forward. It was dead once more.

“E-Eld, are you ok?!” Gabriel cried, running ahead when he saw Scarecrow work to pry the robot’s hand off Elderane, the elf hissing in pain slightly.

“Ah, y-yes…nothing I cannot walk off…” He said, flinching as Scarecrow got the hand off. Elderane bent down, hissing in pain as he pulled his pant leg up. He saw some blood where the robot’s sharp hand dug into his skin.

“Here, Eld…” Aaron said, removing his own old necktie as he handed it to Elderane. Elderane nodded with a small smile and took the antique fabric, tightly wrapping it around his leg to stop the minor bleeding.

“Oh…thank you all…I am fine, I assure you…” He said, pulling himself to his feet. He didn’t feel much pain, just a low stinging.

“Fucking…terminator bastards…” Scarecrow sneered, yanking the pipe out of the robot’s chest. “Come on…lets keep going…” He said, walking ahead. Elderane took in a breath and carried on, ignoring the pain in his leg. He could manage.

Gabriel stood back, eying the now slightly limping Elderane. Elderane was hurt. And it was Gabriel’s fault.

The novice shook his head, moving to the side to avoid walking close to the robot as he passed it. This wasn’t right. And Gabriel just wanted to go home.

~

After a few more hours of walking in the darkness, the loud sounds of the industrial city began to die down, with the constant explosions and screams only distant in the dark and eternal tunnel. They must have gotten out of the main city.

“Shit, look…” Scarecrow said, moving to the side. Before them, down the tunnel in the distance, they could see light. A doorway to the outside.

The end of the tunnel.

“Oh, thank the stars…” Elderane said in relief, looking towards the sky. They had made good time. It wasn’t even far past noon yet. They would make it.

“Right…let’s find Skywalker and get the fuck off this-”

Scarecrow stopped, his words fading as his heart dropped. The group turned in terror as the ground beneath them shook a bit, a distant and booming explosion echoing down the tunnel from the way they came.

“Uh…” Enty muttered, his legs losing feeling as the explosion sound began getting louder. The group’s eyes widened in horror when they saw a distant light appear from the way they came, the glow getting stronger.

An explosion had been set off down the tunnel and the blast was coming their way.

“F-FUCK!!!” Scarecrow screamed, motioning for the group to run the opposite way. In blinding terror, the group ran towards the door at the end, their only salvation. Gabriel looked behind him and his eyes widened through tears when he saw the light of fire getting brighter.

They were going to die here.

The group reached the door and Scarecrow twisted the old handle; the steel door seemingly primitive compared to the rest of the world above them. These tunnels must be old.

“COME ON, COME ON!!!” Scarecrow screamed, hitting the stiff handle with the pole, though all he did was dent it. The door was locked and it wasn’t budging.

“G-guys…” Enty muttered, the temperature in the tunnel now rising around them. He could see the light getting closer. A wave of fire was coming their way and it wasn’t slowing down.

“IT’S LOCKED, I CAN’T…FUCK!!!” Scarecrow screamed, hitting the solid steel door again with the pipe. It did nothing. Aaron looked the door over. It had an old-school lock mechanism on it; nothing mechanical. He couldn’t hack it or rewire it.

They were stuck.

Gabriel had tears streaming from his eyes as he kept looking back and forth between the door and the blast, the fire rapidly approaching. The explosion had to have been a few miles down, but it was big enough the solid metal tunnel was sending it their way without resistance.

He gripped his chest in terror, his guilty mind about to say one last prayer when he froze, his gaze landing on the lock on the door. It looked like one from back home.

His eyes widening as the fog in his mind cleared, he quickly spun around and yanked Elderane’s dagger from his hands, the novice running to the door as he kneeled down before it.

“G-Gabe?!” Elderane yelled, not sure what was happening. Scarecrow looked down as well in confusion when he saw Gabriel frantically insert the small tip of the dagger into the lock, twisting it carefully.

“What…” Scarecrow started, though his eyes widened when he saw what Gabriel was doing. Scarecrow himself had taught Gabriel to pick locks with knives in their downtime in the hotels when they first met, just for emergencies.

And Gabriel remembered.

His blood pounding in his ears, Gabriel forced all his focus onto the door, ignoring the rising temperature around him and the terror gripping his heart. They were so close, and he was not going to let his friends die in this cursed tunnel.

Scarecrow’s eyes widened when after a few seconds, he heard a click. Gabriel looked up with terrified wide eyes and Scarecrow understood. He once again reached for the handle, pushing it down.

The door opened.

“RUN!!!” Scarecrow screamed, yanking Gabriel up by his shawl and shoving him out the door. Scarecrow held the door to the outside open as the group filed out, and Scarecrow turned just in time to see the explosion fire right behind them, approaching fast.

Once they were all out and running to the side, Scarecrow slammed the door shut and booked it towards his friends as the door was blasted off its hinges, a loud bang causing a ringing to appear in Scarecrow’s ears as the blast sent him flying to the ground, the air getting knocked out of him.

Enty immediately ran forward and kneeled over the fallen Scarecrow, his branches flaring as he hoped to block the wave of heat from hurting his friend. Enty could take it. After a few seconds, the fire faded and silence rang out once more.

Scarecrow blinked, his ears still ringing. With a pained groan he pushed himself over, eying the exit of the mechanical tunnel that stuck out of a dead hillside. Or…what was left of it. The doorway was now just a mess of smoldering metal, the door completely caved in as smoke rose into the air.

He looked beside him and saw Enty there, his branches flaring wildly as he gripped his chest.

“Crow, good lord!”

Scarecrow turned and saw Aaron run towards him, kneeling beside him as his hearing returned to him.

“Are you hurt?!” Aaron urged, looking the shaking Scarecrow over.

Scarecrow paused a moment, just breathing as he let his reeling mind catch up to him. He looked himself over then looked at Aaron, shaking his head.

“I’m…I’m fine…” He said, his heart pounding out of his chest. He flinched when he felt Enty hug him, his friend burying his face in his shoulder.

“You’re ok…” Enty muttered, his branches retreating. Scarecrow blinked when he realized what had happened.

“W-wait, are you ok?!” Scarecrow yelled, pushing Enty off him. Enty nodded quickly then fell forward again, pulling Scarecrow into a hug. Scarecrow sighed and accepted it, owing it to Enty for protecting him. His branches protected him, and Enty used that to protect Scarecrow.

Though…they all were saved because of…

“G-Gabriel, oh…” Elderane muttered in relief, pulling the shaking Gabriel into a hug as well. Gabriel wasn’t looking at him though, and he kept his gaze locked ahead of him blankly as he lost feeling in his legs.

That was much too close.

Scarecrow looked Gabriel over, the man hanging almost limply in the frantic Elderane’s arms. Gabriel’s quick thinking just saved them all from being roasted alive.

Now…Scarecrow really felt bad.

“G-Gabe…”

Gabriel finally blinked, reality crashing down on him as he looked up, noticing Aaron’s fearful expression.

“Is…that the Captain’s ship?” Aaron asked quietly, pointing ahead of him. Elderane and Gabriel turned, with Gabriel’s eyes widening in wonder at what they saw. There on the other side of a valley and up another hill…was a giant spaceship.

The ship almost looked like a horizontal knife, with the sides thin and a slanted point near the front. The entire ship was huge, about as large as some horizontal skyscraper. It was all a dark gray metallic color, though the group could see odd green lights on the sides.

The wings, or what the group assumed were wings, looked like thin rectangular panels, the sides folded up, though the inside of the triangular wing shape was empty, as the wings formed just a frame. The entire ship’s paneling was a jumbled mess of wires, pipes, mechanical tech, and the same odd green lights. On the side of the ship, the group could also see what looked like four giant green circles on the side, each holding a dark green hue that reflected the dark red sky above them.

This had to be the ship.

“Right…lets get the fuck over there and find that egotistical bastard…” Scarecrow said firmly, shaking his trembling away. He’d apologize to Gabriel when they were safe. He picked his metal pipe off the ground and began walking ahead, the group following closely behind. They were still an hour or more away from the giant ship. They had an entire dead and lifeless valley before them they had to cross.

Scarecrow prayed they made it.

~

“Captain, we need to leave now…”

“I am aware! I just need a few more safety checks-”

“There is no time.”

The Captain turned with questioning eyes, facing the Opposition Leader behind him.

“Do you want us to implode upon departure?!” The Captain yelled, motioning to the busy dashboard behind him, with thousands of blinking lights and switches.

“The Frame will catch on soon, and if it’s before we leave…we will all die with the planet. Fire up the Starblade, Captain.” The Leader said, his eyes solemn as he backed away.

The Captain let out a grumble and nodded, turning as he began flipping more switches, occasionally eying the various screens ahead of him. He needed to do more checks, but…the Leader was right.

They were out of time. Everyone was on board, and they had to leave now.

~

“Wh-where is everyone…” Enty muttered as they finally approached the giant ship, the sound of the engines sitting in idle causing a low hum to resonate across the entire valley.

“Probably already on board…ok, where the fuck is the door?!” Scarecrow yelled, eying the giant ship. It was a definitely over a mile long, maybe more. There had to be a door somewhere. Scarecrow just prayed it was close.

“There!” Elderane screamed, pointing down a way. The group turned and saw some distant figures climb up a ramp into the side of the ship. The entrance.

“Come on!” Aaron yelled, running ahead, the others in tow. They had to get in. Time was running out.

After a few minutes, they reached the ramp and climbed up. Before them was a garage-sized dark gray metal door, through their hearts dropped when they saw it was closed.

“Hey! Open up!” Scarecrow screamed, running ahead as he banged on the door. It was thick, and his knock hardly resonated at all. It would be a low chance anyone inside heard. Scarecrow looked over when Gabriel walked up beside him, the younger man hitting the door as well.

“C-Captain! It’s us! Please, let us in!!!” Gabriel cried, some tears escaping his eyes. The door didn’t budge.

The group flinched at the sound of a deafening hiss and a series of low bangs. They leaned back and saw the back of the ship get brighter, with some fire starting to appear in some exhaust pipes on the side and back of the ship.

The ship was going to take off.

Noticing shadows move around them, they looked up and saw the wings of the ship gently move, as if they were almost floating. The wings lowered down flat, getting into a new position. The ship was turning on and it was going to leave them behind.

“C-CAPTAIN!!!” Gabriel screamed, tears streaming from his eyes as he banged on the door with all he had. They couldn’t have failed…

Gabriel felt his hope begin to falter as the sounds around them started to become too much, with a wind from the engines now appearing and getting stronger as it blew some debris around their feet. There was no way anyone inside would hear them now.

They were going to be left behind. They were going to die with the planet.

~

“Come on, Captain, work fast, work fast…” The Captain muttered to himself, quickly flipping a bunch of switches on the panel before him. It was now or never. It was time to leave Alpha behind.

The Captain’s eyes flew open when a faint beeping caught his attention among the mess of sounds around him. He slid over and hit an alert button that was blinking red. Once he hit it, a new image appeared on the giant screen in front of him. It was a movement alert on the outside camera.

His eyes widened in blinding terror when he saw five familiar faces on the entrance ramp to the ship, with two of them banging on the door in terror. The Captain leaned closer, not believing what he was seeing. He saw four people who looked just like him, and one familiar elf.

“Hotshot…” The Captain whispered in terror, his gaze locking on the long-haired double frantically banging on the door, tears in his eyes.

The Captain, ignoring all other duties, quickly searched the giant panel before him, hitting a few smaller switches as his mind went dead silent, his focus now on one thing.

Saving his only family.

Chapter Text

“WHY ARE THEY HERE?!” The Captain screamed to himself as he frantically hit buttons across the panel before him. He had to override the doors as they already started takeoff. He didn’t know how those doubles got here, but if they stayed outside…they’d all die.

The Captain let out a loud laugh when he hit the last button and he saw the group smile on the security screen, as the door before them was opening. The man was about to move when he felt the ship shake, a loud metallic groan echoing around the entire ship as it began to get ready to ascend.

They were leaving.

Checking the cameras one last time, he saw the group was now inside the ship, the five of them looking around in confusion.

“You idiots, you absolute idiots…” The Captain hissed to himself, quickly closing the door again before takeoff. Once shut, he spun around at the sound of a door behind him opening. The Opposition Leader walked in; his eyes focused.

“Right. Are the coordinates for Sirrah set?” He said, walking up to beside the Captain, who stood restlessly before the control panel, quickly minimizing the camera with the doubles on it so it was hidden.

“Y-yes, all set…the ship is almost done warming up, we will be leaving soon…” He said, turning again as he felt a new presence enter the room. He saw the Chemist walk in; his manner reserved.

“So, this is it then…” The odd man said, his voice solemn. The Captain saw him walk past him towards the control panel, his gaze stuck on the screen that showed the far mechanical landscape outside the ship.

Billions of people, all to be dead by morning.

“I insist you quicken your takeoff speed. The Frame will surely notice you once the takeoff procedure initiates.”

The Captain turned again when he heard a low mechanical voice appear behind him. He saw TH-1 there, their android they needed to escape. They didn’t want to bring an AI with them, but they needed someone to run the ship while they were in cryo-sleep on their way to Andromeda.

They did all they could to make sure TH-1 was free of the Frame’s control. He seemed that way, so the Captain prayed it stayed that way.

“I am going as fast as I can…” The Captain said, working on the panel. His gaze occasionally returned to the small screen where the doubles were, the group looking around in nervous anticipation. The Captain had to get to them before they left that spot and got lost. If they were seen, he could be in big trouble. They weren’t supposed to be here.

But…he couldn’t do anything until takeoff was complete.

“Hold on, guys…” The Captain muttered to himself, hoping his odd friends would be alright for a few minutes. The ship had built in gravity, the top of the line. So, even in the roughest takeoff, as long as all went well, they wouldn’t have any turbulence trouble.

The Captain took in a breath and shook his head, putting on his confident smile. He couldn’t let the rest of the crew know he let five people onboard who weren’t supposed to be here in the first place. He had to act natural. He just prayed the group stayed out of trouble while they took off.

“Right! Are you ready for the quest to our new world?” The Captain said peppily, facing the unreadable eyes of the Leader.

The man nodded, a small smile forming on his face at the optimism of the Captain.

“With your word, Captain. Take us…home.” He said firmly, a flash of energy in his eyes. The Captain nodded; his own eyes bright. They would be ok.

The others probably got thrown across dimensions, and when they entered space, the Captain would do what he could to get them home. But first…they had to leave this damned world behind.

The Captain stood forward, hitting the various buttons on the control panel. He felt the ship jostle more and he checked the screen. They were ascending. It was time to leave Alpha behind.

They were going to survive.

The Chemist kept his tired eyes locked on the screen, their dying world fading away in the hazy red atmosphere. All those people…innocent. All those families. Children. All to die by morning. Billions.

An entire race…dead in an instant.

And the Chemist…he was surviving. He…didn’t know what to feel yet. He felt…happy he was alive, but…a constant guilt kept chipping away at his mind. A guilt for being here. How dare he live when all those people die?

But…he was needed here. He was the only one who could keep their race alive. Only he knew how liquid eternity worked. Without him…there would be no one left.

The man looked down, resting his hand on the control panel as his mind swarmed with thoughts. He could feel the burden of billons of lost souls on his shoulders. He had the key to eternal life and he could only save a few hundred people. Something in his stomach churned as a wave of guilt crashed down on him.

He couldn’t lose the feeling. The ghosts of the dead would haunt him forever. He knew this to be true.

The man sighed, rubbing his eyes. He heard the Captain bantering behind him. How was that man so optimistic? The Chemist couldn’t say. Billions were about to die.

But…he could at least save the people on the Starblade. He had the source. It would save them. It would free them. It would liberate their minds and let them start anew.

Or…he hoped it would. There were still things he didn’t understand about the chemical. He had a hunch that…in time…something could go wrong. Something bad…that he wasn’t sure he could prevent. But…he also wasn’t sure if…he wanted to prevent it.

The man gripped his head, his thoughts almost giving him a headache as they screamed inside his mind. He just wanted the pain to stop, but he knew the farther they got away from Alpha…the closer the ghosts of those who died would cling to his tortured spirit.

He’d never escape the pain. Not even the source could free him.

Or…maybe it…could…

The man looked up, a thought about to come to him when he paused, his eyes widening. In the far corner of the giant screen, almost hidden, was security footage of one of the ship’s entrances. He squinted and stared at it, confusion filling his mind when he saw…four clones of…the Captain, all looking around in fright.

The Chemist turned, eying the egotistical man beside him. The Captain was busy at the controls, navigating the ship out of the flaming atmosphere as steadily as he could. The Chemist looked back to the screen, and he saw the four clones begin to leave the lobby, vanishing out of the camera’s view.

They…were not supposed to be here.

His thoughts still screaming as ideas melded together, the Chemist slowly backed away from the control panel, the Leader and the Captain not noticing him back towards the door. The man froze when he saw TH-1 beside him, the robot looking at him with a curious expression.

“TH-1…how many people were supposed to be on the ship?”

“39, and myself.” The robot replied, a slight machinal filter in his voice. The Chemist looked back to the Captain, who was focused on the ship’s controls.

“And…were four clones of the Captain anywhere on that roster?” The Chemist asked, eying the robot. TH-1 looked away a moment, his mind going over the data.

“Negative. I have photo reference of every passenger chosen, and no one looks like the Captain but himself.”

The Chemist looked down, his mind swarming with chaotic thoughts that only got busier as the seconds passed. The Captain was hiding something. There were stowaways. They weren’t supposed to be here. The members of the ship were chosen for a reason, and those four clones were not. They had no purpose. They weren’t needed for this journey.

Why should they get to survive when the entire planet dies?

The Chemist paused, his mind reeling. But…they were on the ship now. They couldn’t be kicked off. Maybe…he could give them a purpose.

“TH-1…follow me…I need your assistance with something…” The Chemist said quietly, turning away towards the door, the android behind him. Those clones may be useful for something after all…

~

“P-PLEASE!!! CAPTAIN!!!” Gabriel screamed, tears streaming from his eyes as he struggled to breathe. The wind from the engines was getting louder and stronger. The ship was going to leave any minute.

Without them.

“Please…” Gabriel whispered, his hope fading as he rested his head against the door, his eyes closing. This was it. Their only chance of being saved.

And they were too late.

Gabriel staggered back fearfully when a loud bang caused his heart to jump. Scarecrow reached and caught him before he fell, the group looking up with wide eyes as the giant door began opening before them, a gap appearing in the middle as the two doors slid open. They were being let inside.

“C-come on!” Scarecrow screamed, shoving Gabriel forward as the others ran inside. They were saved. Once the others were in, Scarecrow followed, his eyes widening when they entered the ship.

The hall they were in was the same dark gray color, with a grated floor that had exposed wires and pipes beneath it. The walls were also covered in odd tech, with random lights, switches, or glowing buttons scattered randomly. The ceiling had a few bright white lights illuminating the hall, though there were other green ones beside it and on the walls, making the light in the ship more green than white.

There were three hallways before them, one to the left, right, and front, each seemingly going in infinite directions. There was a constant mechanical humming that they couldn’t pinpoint its source, and scattered faint beeps every now and then.

Aside from those sounds…they were alone in the hall.

“Who…let us in?” Enty said, looking around carefully. There was no one here.

“I…do not know…” Elderane replied, pulling his dagger out. This place was unsettling. Aaron took a few steps forward, his footsteps echoing on the metal grated floor beneath him. They were alone.

The group flinched when a loud buzzing sound startled them, and they turned and saw the double doors leading to the outside were shutting. After a second of mechanical grinding, the door closed, the windy noises of the outside immediately muffled.

All that remained was the constant low mechanical hum and the various beeping in the distance.

“Ok…we’re inside…” Scarecrow said quietly, looking around himself. “Now what?”

“Well…someone had to have let us in…” Elderane said, a weariness in his voice. He had a bad feeling he couldn’t shake. But he couldn’t tell what it was.

Scarecrow just stared down one of the infinite halls, with tons of doors and passageways along it. He couldn’t believe he was here.

Gabriel had been right.

He turned, eying the younger man as he stayed close by Elderane, not daring stray far. Gabriel…may have broken the machine…but he also may have just saved all their lives.

For the second time today.

Scarecrow looked away, his mind a mess. He…wanted to talk to Gabriel, but…the others were here. They would see. He…didn’t want to break in front of them. Not yet. He could wait. They would be home soon, anyway. They were alive and had time.

Now they just had to find the Captain.

“Let’s…wait a moment, then try to find someone…” Aaron said, backing away towards the group. “If someone did let us in, they would come to us, I’m sure.”

The group nodded, the five of them sticking close as they looked around in curious fear. They were so far from home…

And they knew they were about to get even farther.

~

A few minutes had gone by with nothing, not a new sound or new face to be seen.

“W-woah, woah, woah!” Scarecrow yelled, staggering as the entire ship suddenly shook, nearly knocking him off his footing. Gabriel felt his blood freeze when a creepy, low, and mechanical groan echoed through the entire ship, bringing with it more beeping, buzzing, and other mechanical sounds.

“Look!” Enty yelled, eying a small screen on the wall. The group looked over his shoulder and saw it was of the outside, right where they had been. The ground was…getting smaller.

The ship was taking off.

“O-oh…” Gabriel muttered fearfully, closing his eyes as he hid his face in Elderane’s chest. He wanted to go home. He liked space, but…this ship was too big. The Captain wasn’t with them yet to guide them. They were alone, and once again…Gabriel was scared. He felt Elderane’s arms around him and he let out a whimper, doing his best to just focus on Elderane’s heartbeat.

There was nothing else.

“J-Jesus Christ…” Scarecrow whispered eying the screen. For a moment, they could see for miles as the ship rose towards the sky. They saw the endless sea of dark machines in the distance, with a black smog covering the lifeless city.

Aaron held his arms closer to himself, a new fear beginning to take hold as he eyed the desolate landscape. He…liked machines. He liked technology.

But…if this is what a dependance on technology brought…he knew he’d have to rethink his beliefs. He would never want…whatever this was. Even if it brought space flight. This was…not right. This was cruel and cold.

This was a nightmare.

After a moment, the camera was then covered in a nearly blinding reddish yellow light. They had presumably past the clouds and entered the atmosphere. They were going into space.

“Th-the ship looked like it was going almost straight up…but we are standing just the same…how?” Elderane asked, holding the trembling Gabriel closer to his chest. Aaron looked around, trying to come up with an explanation.

“Well…the ship is…enormous…maybe it has a built-in gravitational system…”

“And that means?” Scarecrow asked, turning away from the screen that now just showed white.

“It means no matter what direction the ship is going; we will always feel like we are right-side-up.” Aaron said, looking down. “The floor is always the floor.”

“Woah…” Enty said, looking around.

“Shit guys, look…” Scarecrow said, edging back to the screen. The group came closer, and Gabriel even lifted his head to look. The screen now showed…black. Space. Space with unfamiliar stars all around in the distance, though at the center…a reddish-yellow planet. It looked somewhat like Earth, but…the color was all wrong.

“We’re in space…we did it…” Elderane said, a small smile forming on his face. Scarecrow blinked, turning to face Gabriel who was keeping his shocked gaze locked on the screen.

Gabriel had been right. He had probably just saved them all from certain death.

Scarecrow’s eyes widened and his turned away, his mind a mess. He had wanted to stay and give up. If they had listened to him…they would have died no matter what.

And here they were…safe from whatever terrible fate the planet was about to endure. Scarecrow sighed, running his hand through his hair as he struggled to make amends with his thoughts. What kind of friend was he…

“Guys, maybe we should look around…we just entered orbit, and there’s still no one…” Aaron said, stepping towards the halls. “Maybe ask someone where the Captain is…”

“Yeah…let’s try…” Scarecrow said, gripping the metal pipe in his hands tighter. He didn’t know if there was danger on this ship, but…if there was…

He’d take care of it.

Scarecrow kept his eyes vigilant as he led the group down a random hallway, as there were no signs anywhere. They just chose a direction and hoped it worked.

They had to find the Captain before trouble found them.

~

“Right. I am going to find the President. You finish whatever safety checks you need, Captain.” The Leader said, taking a few steps back as the Captain faced him. “Thank you for your service…we would have all died if it weren’t for you.” The short-haired man said, giving a small salute.

The Captain gave a nervous smile back and returned the salute, his mind too flighty to take in the praise.

“Once we are far enough out and all things are in order, we will begin the cryo-sleep process. Do what you must until then.” The Leader said, vanishing out the door.

The Captain was alone.

“DAMNIT!” He screamed, his nerves finally catching up to him as he ran to the control panel. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could have held on to his composure during takeoff. He quickly maximized the security screen, and his heart dropped when he saw it was empty.

The others were gone.

“Why the hell did you LEAVE?!” He screamed, quickly hitting random security locations on the ship, checking the cameras. The ship was huge. His friends could be anywhere.

His panic rising as all he saw were more empty halls, he let out a triumphant yell when he hit a random camera, the doubles and the elf coming into view as they walked cautiously down the hall.

“There you are…” The Captain said, quickly typing their location on his wrist hologram. He didn’t know why or how they were here, but he had to find them first. If someone else higher in ranks did…he would be in big trouble.

The Captain, ignoring the maintenance checks he would have done, ran out of the room, praying to God that he wasn’t seen by the Leader or the President. He had to find his friends and figure out what the hell was going on.

~

Gabriel hung behind the group, his nerves beginning to rise. This was more out of his comfort zone than ever before. He was on a mechanical city, the atmosphere grim and haunting. And as they went deeper into the ship…they saw less and less screens that showed the outside. It was just machines and technology all around. No grass, no plants, nothing natural or familiar. Gabriel really wanted to go home.

“Is there even anyone on this fucking ship?!” Scarecrow yelled, looking around as his voice echoed down the seemingly infinite maze of metal halls. They hadn’t seen one person or any sign of life.

“I am wondering…if that is a good thing…” Elderane said softly, gripping his dagger tighter. This place felt wrong. Elderane couldn’t tell what it was, but…he couldn’t shake a bad feeling. A feeling he couldn’t really describe. It just felt like there was something…wrong with this place. Something unnatural. Something that was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

But he just didn’t know what it was.

“The Captain has to be here…” Gabriel said, glancing behind him. He stopped dead in his tracks when his eyes landed on something down the hall behind him.

“Well, you’ve been right on everything else, I don’t see why-” Aaron started, though he paused when he heard a fearful cry from Gabriel.

“Gabe?” Scarecrow said, though his blood froze when he saw what Gabriel was looking at. Only a few paces behind them…was another robot. The same design as the others, except this one seemed to be in perfect condition. No tears or exposed wires, except for the mess of hair. It’s eyes also looked almost human, minus a faint green glow.

The robot had a curious gleam in its eye, though it just stood in silence at the end of the hall. It looked like it was analyzing what was before it.

“We have dealt with these creatures before, and we can deal with one again…” Elderane said coldly, standing beside the frozen Gabriel. Elderane gripped his dagger tighter when he saw the robot begin walking towards them.

With a sharp cry, Elderane threw his dagger with all he had, aiming straight for the robot’s head. The blade spun in the air, though the group’s eyes all widened at once when the robot quickly stepped to the side, extending its arm out towards the weapon thrown its way.

The group stood back in paralyzing shock when they saw the robot catch the blade by its handle, the robot hardly exerting itself at all as the blade stopped dead in its grip. They watched the robot open his hand, the dagger dropping to the floor with a metallic clatter.

“Oh…fuck this…” Scarecrow muttered, knowing full well where this was going to lead. “RUN!!!” He screamed, heel-turning the opposite way.

The group followed, with Gabriel taking one last look behind him as the robot began following them, its pace quickening. Feeling tears form in his eyes at the fear of dying from the machine, Gabriel turned away and followed the group in terror, praying they escaped the demon machine.

Scarecrow led the frantic group down several twists and turns, his mind in flight mode as he focused on losing the robot’s trail.

Gabriel trailed behind the group, turning again to see if the creature was following them. He saw the robot down the hall, though now it was standing still, its stagnant gaze facing them, though its hand was reached out towards the wall, the thing looking like it was typing something into a keypad there.

Not knowing what it was doing and not caring, Gabriel turned back, his heart skipping when he saw he was falling behind the group. He watched his friends run through a doorway and turn a corner, and he was about to follow when the metallic door quickly slid shut before him, almost in the blink of an eye.

His mind not comprehending what just happened, Gabriel was unable to stop in time and he ran smack into the metal door, his head erupting in pain as he staggered dizzily back, his legs losing feeling as he saw specks of light fill his spinning vision.

He felt himself fall backwards to the ground, a pained groan escaping him as he threw a hand to his now aching head. After a few seconds, he blinked his eyes open, his vision finally clearing as the spots in his eyes cleared. He wearily pushed himself up, though his terror skyrocketed when he saw the robot closing in on him from behind.

His senses blinded by fear, a nauseous feeling arose in his stomach as he staggered to his feet and turned towards the door his friends had went through. He was about to bang on it when it once again slid open quickly, though Gabriel’s heart stopped when he saw a strange man there, an unreadable look in his tired eyes.

Before Gabriel could even get a word in, he looked ahead in terror when the man quickly pointed a phaser at him, the gun only inches from his chest. After a quick electrical bang, Gabriel let out a pained choked cry when a blinding light filled his vision, the world going to white.

For a moment, he felt like every nerve in his body was just electrocuted, a shocking fire taking over as all sensations fleeted away from him. His mind blanking, everything went numb in an instant. The world faded away from white to black before his eyes, and the fire dulled as he felt himself fall into eternal nothingness.

~

The Chemist sighed, putting his phaser back onto his belt as he eyed the unconscious long-haired man on the ground before him. He hadn’t wanted to stun someone, but he had no other choice. They would have kept running. He needed someone. Someone expendable.

“Want me to keep searching for the other stowaways?” TH-1 said flatly, watching patiently as the Chemist pulled the younger man up, throwing his limp arm around his shoulder as he supported him.

“No, no, not yet…let me work one at a time…” The man said, struggling to hold the man in the odd robe outfit up as he walked back the way he came, the robot beside him. “The others ran from you. They definitely aren’t supposed to be here. I don’t know why these clones are here, but they can help me. I just don’t want to waste resources on keeping them all organized. Let the others think they escaped. They cannot go far.” The Chemist said, doing his best to carry the man beside him.

His mind was in constant debate on what to do. He knew this was wrong. He knew this was cruel. But he had no choice. He had to find out if he was right. He had to see what would happen. The future of Alpha depended on him. He couldn’t use one of their own. Not when there were so few left.

Sacrifices had to be made in the name of survival. In the name of freedom. He decided what Alpha’s future would be, and if he didn’t test this…he could lead them into a darker future than the one they just escaped.

He felt a tight rope strangle his heart as he entered an elevator, aiming to get to his lab. Billions were going to die. But a new race would be born from the ashes. And he had to make sure they were going in the right direction. He had to make sure they would be free. He had to make sure he was making the right choice.

He would liberate their minds. He would nullify their pain. He would bring them peace.

He would save them all.

Chapter Text

“Here, over here!” Scarecrow yelled, pointing to what was a small nook indented into the wall behind some giant pipes. The group filed in, breathing heavy as the adrenaline faded.

“Did…did we lose it?” Enty said, his eyes fearful. All was silent around them. They were alone.

“W-WAIT!!!”

Scarecrow flinched at a loud shout from Elderane, the now pale elf looking around in blinding terror.

“J-Jesus, Eld, don’t-”

“WHERE’S GABRIEL?!” Elderane screamed, running out of their hiding place. Scarecrow’s eyes widened when he looked around them. There were only four of them here.

Gabriel was missing.

“Oh…oh no…” Aaron muttered, following Elderane out in panic. He couldn’t feel his legs as he ran back towards the hall they had come from. He looked down it, his blood pounding in his ears. There wasn’t a soul there. The hall was empty.

“G-Gabe…” Scarecrow whispered, terror now mixing with his guilt as he stood by the now shaking Aaron, his gaze locked on the empty hall. They had been running in panic, by Scarecrow’s lead. Gabriel was at the back. He could have gotten separated, or lost, or…

“Wh-where is he?” Enty said, the ghostly man taking hold of the sobbing Elderane’s arm to steady him.

“He…he was just…behind us…” Scarecrow said, his voice small. They were being chased by a killer robot and Gabriel just got separated. All the halls and doors looked the same, a confusing mess of futuristic tech and wires and pipes. Not a sign or label to be seen.

Gabriel would have no idea where to go.

“G-Gabriel…” Elderane cried, his eyes tearful and wide in panic as he trembled in Enty’s grasp. This place was a nightmare for Gabriel. And now he was in it alone. Completely alone.

“It’s ok…it’s ok, he couldn’t have gotten that far…come on, we can find him…” Scarecrow said firmly, repressing his own tears. What kind of friend was he? He hadn’t even noticed Gabriel got separated. Pushing his fear down, Scarecrow motioned for the group to follow and they took off running, ignoring their fear of the robot that had been chasing them.

If Gabriel were in trouble…they’d do anything to make sure whoever hurt him would pay. They’d find him. Scarecrow refused to accept anything else. He wanted his Gabriel back.

~

Gabriel let out a pained groan, a faint buzzing feeling still ringing in his ears. He opened his eyes, though he regretted it soon after. A bright light was above him, contrasting against the dark gray metal walls he could see in his peripherals.

His eyes burning from the sudden light, he made a move to turn away, though his terror skyrocketed when he realized he couldn’t. His eyes flew open and he looked down, now noticing he was lying flat on some dark cold metal table, his wrists retrained to the bars on the side by metal clamps.

Gabriel felt it hard to take in air as he pulled his wrist, though it wouldn’t budge. He tried to kick his leg to give him some support, but he let out a cry when he saw both his ankles were restrained as well by similar metal clamps, both attached to the metal table. He was stuck.

“G-GUYS?!” Gabriel cried, tears filling his eyes when he looked around the dim room in terror. The walls were the same, with a mess of pipes and wires scattered about, but this room had some various tables and shelves in it, some with odd mechanical devices he couldn’t place, some with clear containers of various green liquids, and his face paled when he saw the table closest to him had a tray with some syringes on it.

He had to get out of here.

“A-AARON!!! H-HELP!!! Gabriel cried, doing his best to yank his wrist free. It wouldn’t budge. The clamp was tight around his wrist to the point it hurt to try and pull free. “C-Crow! Elderane! E-Enty, PLEASE!!!” Gabriel screamed again, but to no avail. He didn’t hear any of his friends. Just a faint beeping that sounded like it was getting faster.

It took him a moment, but then he realized that was his own heartbeat he was hearing. He turned and saw a computer-looking device beside him, the thing showing a screen similar to the hospital heart monitor he was all too familiar with. He flinched when he saw he did have a wire that went down his robe collar to his chest that ran into the machine on the other end.

Someone was doing something to him. And Gabriel didn’t want to find out what exactly it was.

Knowing he was alone, he couldn’t stop his tears from falling, though he kept struggling against the tight restraints. After a few minutes of fruitless attempts, he fell back weakly, turning his head to keep the light from blinding him. He couldn’t escape this.

Once again…he was in danger. Unable to save himself. Scarecrow was right. What a coward he was…

The younger man’s heart immediately began pounding away faster when he heard a door open behind him, and lone footsteps enter the room.

“Ah…you’re awake…”

Gabriel didn’t recognize the voice. He turned his head again and shrunk back when he saw the strange man from before stand beside him. The strange man who had shot him.

The man looked a bit older than Enty, though not by much. He had dark brown, almost black short hair that was slightly messy, and a rough small beard on him that looked unkempt. He had a black shirt on, though on top he had a lab coat, the thing obviously worn often.

Though the thing that unnerved Gabriel most was his eyes. They were tired, but…not like Aaron and…not even like Scarecrow. They were a different tired. A lost tired. And they were distant and cold. Something told Gabriel this man wasn’t here to free him.

“I am…sorry for stunning you, but…you all run fast. I needed one of you to assist me.” He said, turning away as he walked to one of the desks. Gabriel couldn’t see what he was doing.

“P-please, I…I don’t know what’s going on, I…I just want my friends…” Gabriel pleaded, hoping he sounded innocent enough.

“That makes two of us…” The man said, his voice solemn. Gabriel could tell he was hurting.

“Wh-what?”

“I hope the Captain forgives me for using you, but…he shouldn’t have had you or those other doubles on board in the first place.” The man said coldly, the hurt gone as if it was never there at all. “He is not above us…he may drive the ship, but he is not above us…”

“C-can I talk to him?! Please?! He can help-”

“NO.” The man yelled, causing Gabriel to flinch in fright. The man paused a moment and just shook his head, turning away. He went back to working at the desk. “That man is a joke. He doesn’t understand what is happening…he isn’t taking this seriously…”

“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about…please, let me go…” Gabriel begged again, his voice small. He heard his heartrate in the monitor pick up along with his breathing.

“BILLIONS ARE GOING TO PERISH AND HE SMILES!!!” The man screamed, slamming his fist down on the desk. Gabriel let out a small cry, the slam causing a bunch of glass to rattle. The man lowered his head, and Gabriel could see him shaking. “Billions…and he still smiles…does he not feel the pain? Is this another joyride to him? Why do the others not mourn as I…”

Gabriel just remained silent, not sure what to say. He assumed the man was talking about his planet. The one doomed to judgment day. Gabriel…had been right, then. The world was going to perish by tomorrow.

“S-sir, I…I am sorry…about your world…I do not understand, but…I am so sorry…” Gabriel tried, his tears coming back as he pondered the weight of the situation. How horrible this man must feel…his entire planet…dying before him. No wonder he hurt…

“You do not get to be sorry…” The man sneered; his voice cold. Gabriel shrunk back when the man turned, tears streaming from his eyes. “WHY SHOULD THAT EGOTISTICAL IDIOT GET TO BREAK THE RULES TO SAVE WHO HE DEEMS WORTHY?!” He screamed, his voice breaking. “We all made sacrifices! We all had to say goodbye to those we loved! Why should he get to be above us…?”

“I…I don’t…”

“I say he should repay the sacrifice he owes.” The man said quietly, turning back around. He grabbed something from before him then turned once more. Gabriel’s eyes widened when he saw some small cylindrical container in his hands, a green fluid inside. The man was walking towards Gabriel, and the younger man felt his terror climb rapidly. 

Where were his friends?! Did they not notice he was gone?!

“W-wait, what is…why…can't we...w-wait!” Gabriel cried, trying one more time to break free as the man set the odd vile on the table beside Gabriel, right next to the syringes. This man didn’t care about him. Gabriel didn’t know what he was going to do to him, but it had to be bad. The man was going to hurt him.

“This is a hyper-evolved mixture, remixed under different circumstances. I have a feeling it may have…odd effects in time, but I wouldn’t have ever been sure, as I cannot test this on our own people.” The man said, taking one of the larger syringes in his hand. Gabriel watched him begin to screw the small green vile to the top. “I need to find out if I am right…I need to find out if I can truly liberate my people’s minds from the pain…” He said, his eyes no longer tearful. “I need to know if I can free us…”

“P-please, I don’t…I…please….” Gabriel cried though fearful tears, eying the complete syringe as the man set it back on the table. Gabriel heard the heart monitor beeping rapidly, his heart rate climbing by the second. The strange man picked up another syringe, this time smaller, with a clear substance inside.

“You are the first trial…I will spare you consciousness, just in case it has ill-effects at first…” The man said, pushing Gabriel’s sleeve up. Gabriel thrashed slightly, though he let out a cry when the man placed a hand on his forehead, holding him firmly in place with unseen strength. Gabriel couldn't move at all. He was completely stuck. He couldn’t stop this.

He was going to die here.

“Please, just g-get the Captain, or…or my friends, or, p-please!” Gabriel cried, flinching as he felt the first needle go into his arm. Almost immediately, his arm began to go numb, feeling rapidly fading away as the man set the small needle down on the tray and picked up the larger one, with the green substance inside. Gabriel let out a sob, his terror peaking as he realized his friends weren't coming for him. He was alone. He was going to die alone.

“I am sorry…but I…I need to know…” The man said tiredly, stepping closer to Gabriel once more, aiming the needle for his exposed arm.

Gabriel’s mind was getting fuzzy, with his body feeling like it was floating away as his vison began to blur. He was able to feel a final tear slide down his face as he thought about his friends, hoping that they weren’t subjected to this fate once this man was through with him. He prayed they got home safely. He prayed they were happy without him. That they got to live their lives. He prayed the Captain found peace wherever he was going. That he was happy.

Gabriel just wanted his friends to be ok. That's all he ever wanted. And it seems…it would be without him there after all. At least he wouldn't be holding them back anymore. No more cowardly Gabriel getting them hurt or almost killing them. They'd be safe. They'd be happy at last.

The younger double got one last blurred look at the syringe with the green substance inside it, the man injecting it into Gabriel’s arm as his vision finally failed him, his world fading away in a blissful haze.

~

“Come on, come on, run faster, Captain…” The Captain muttered to himself, zipping down the corridors as he headed towards the place he had seen his friends. They were on the lower entrance level, and luckily no one would be here, as everyone was sent to the main level.

He still had to find them before anyone else. Anyone in command would think that he cloned himself and let them on board without permission. He would be in big trouble for that.

He had to find them first.

~

“Oh, C-Christ, where the fuck is he?!” Scarecrow yelled, looking around every corner and inside every open door they passed. No sign of Gabriel. Scarecrow’s guilt was getting unbearable. He had to find Gabriel. He could never live with himself if he let Gabriel die on this cursed place. Especially if Scarecrow’s last true words to his friend were cruel insults.

Insults that Scarecrow didn’t mean. Gabriel was no coward. He was just…Gabriel. And Scarecrow wouldn’t want him any other way. He had to find him and make things right. He had to find Gabriel.

“W-wait, listen!” Elderane yelled, stopping the group. Down the long hall, they could hear a voice. A familiar voice.

“Gabriel…” Aaron muttered, taking the lead as he ran ahead, his heart pounding out of his chest. He was right around the corner-

“GAH!!!”

Aaron fell back to the ground, his head hurting as he had run smack into another person. He heard a thump and he assumed the other person had fallen to the ground as well.

“G-geez…” The new man said, pushing himself up.

“CAPTAIN?!” Scarecrow screamed, looking the man over. It was the Captain indeed, the man wearing his black and dark blue uniform jacket, and a new star pin on his chest to replace the one he had given Gabriel. The spaceman blinked then looked around him, a smile forming on his face when he saw the group around him.

“Oh, STARS I thought you all would be wandering here forever…” The man said, pulling himself to his feet as Aaron did the same. The Captain looked the group over, and they saw his smile fade. “Now, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?!” He yelled, his voice angry as he stood back, eying the…the sad looking…group…

The Captain paused; his mind blanking. He saw…three doubles and the elf. One was missing.

“W-wait…where’s…Gabriel?” The Captain said, fear now in his voice. Gabriel wasn't here...

Scarecrow looked to the side in guilt, his heart dropping.

“We were running from a robot and he got separated, we think…we were looking for him when we ran into you…” Aaron said, his voice quiet. The Captain’s eyes widened.

There was only one robot on the ship.

“Y-you saw TH-1?!” He yelled, terror taking over. If the android saw them…oh, he was busted…

“TH-1? That thing has a name?” Scarecrow said, annoyance in his voice. The Captain rolled his eyes.

“Yes, yes, he’s our android, he’s a crew member.” He said looking away. “Oh, I am in so much trouble…”

“So, he’s…not going to kill Gabriel?” Elderane said, a small bit of relief returning to him. The Captain looked back at them in shock.

“No, no! We made sure he wasn’t evil! He was probably following you because you were RUNNING SUSPICIOUSLY DOWN THE HALLS AWAY FROM HIM!!!” The Captain screamed, annoyance in his voice. “CHRIST he probably thinks you’re stowaways…oh, I’m finished…” He muttered, running his hand through his hair.

“W-wait, if he did catch him, then you can take us to him, yes? He would just…put Gabriel in some jail cell?” Scarecrow said, hoping this was a lead. The Captain nodded.

“Yes, yes, he’d lock him somewhere for questioning. If I find him before TH-1 tells the President, we won’t have any issues…” He said, looking around. He had to act fast.

“What do you mean ‘I’, you idiot? We’re coming too!” Scarecrow yelled, taking a step forward. The Captain looked at him sharply.

“I’m already in deep water because TH-1 saw you and because he probably has Gabriel! If anyone else sees you, it’ll be a big mess! Cloning is more probable in my world than dimensional travel, they’d never believe us…not with my reputation…” He said, walking past the group.

All eyes followed him as he opened a door leading to a small room, seemingly for maintenance.

“Right. You all hide here and STAY here until I find Gabriel. I’ll bring him right back, and then you all can clear up why the hell you’re on my ship!” He yelled, holding the door open.

“We can’t just sit around while Gabriel is lost!” Elderane yelled, standing his ground. The Captain’s eye twitched in annoyance.

“You get in the damn closet, or else, pointy! It’ll go faster if I go alone anyway! Just trust me, will ya?” He said, his eyes now pleading. He could navigate the ship without issue, and he couldn't let the others be seen. Elderane was about to argue when he felt Aaron grab his arm, a sympathetic look in the scientist’s eye.

“Fine.” Elderane said firmly, his mind still furious as he yanked his arm away from Aaron. He gripped his other dagger tighter and reluctantly entered the small room, giving the Captain an annoyed side-glace as he passed. The Captain rolled his eyes and stood before the door once everyone was in.

“I promise, he will be fine. No one with a dangerous past was allowed on the ship, and TH-1 is harmless. He’s not allowed to hurt anyone, only in self-defense, and even then, he isn’t allowed to kill. We programed him that way.” The Captain said, hoping to reassure the obviously distraught group. “I’ll be right back.”

With that, the group watched him close the door, and once again, all was silent.

“He better be right…” Scarecrow grumbled, sitting himself down on a large metallic crate. He didn’t want to sit around either. He wasn’t if the Captain took too long.

He wanted Gabriel back now.

~

The Captain ran through the halls, hoping to find TH-1 fast. He hated how Gabriel was lost alone in such a big ship, or in a holding cell. Gabriel seemed like such a...nervous soul, and this would scare him. The Captain didn't want Gabriel scared. He was his closest friend. And he had to find him fast. He radioed in asking for the robot's location, and he was still on this level. He would just tell TH-1 the truth, and it would be ok. The Captain skidded to a halt when he saw the android by the wall, his gaze on a computer panel.

“TH-1!” The Captain yelled, running up to the human-like robot. The android turned and put a small smile on his face as he faced the running man.

“Hello, Captain. I thought you were supposed to be doing safety checks before we enter deep space?” The robot said, a slight slyness in his metallic tone. The Captain rolled his eyes and stood before the AI.

“Oh, can it, ya toaster, I’ll get to it!” He said, annoyance in his voice. “Look, just…did you find a person who looked like me on the ship?”

“I did. Several.”

“Did you apprehend one of them?”

“I did.”

“Good, good…” The Captain said, cold relief going through him. Gabriel was safe. “What cell is he in? He’s not a clone, and he’s not a stowaway, I can explain everything-”

“He is not in a cell.” The robot said flatly, his eyes still almost…teasing. The Captain’s relief began fading away at those words.

“What…do you mean?”

“I mean he was taken into other authoritative custody.”

“WHO’S CUSTODY?!” The Captain said, not liking any of this. Protocol says he should have been taken to the holding cells. And TH-1 would have followed protocol, unless a leading officer told him otherwise…

“The Chemist.” The robot said lightly, and the Captain’s eyes widened in terror.

“Oh…fuck…” The man muttered, his legs going numb. The Chemist never liked him. And the man was…unstable. A genius, but…unstable.

And he had Gabriel.

“Why the hell did he want Gabriel?!” The Captain yelled, facing TH-1 again.

“You allowed unregistered life onto the ship, so the Chemist said he would give them a purpose. He ordered that I allow him to take the stowaway. I know no more.”

“Ok, for the record, they are from another dimension, they are NOT clones, they are my friends, and they were going to leave anyway! FUCK!!!” The Captain screamed, running the opposite way. “DON’T TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS, TH, OR I’LL SCRAP YOU!!!” He yelled, facing the still passive robot once more.

“Noted, Captain.” He said, the smile still on his gray face. The robot turned and went back to what he was doing on the wall panel.

The Captain nodded and turned, heading for the lifts. Why would the Chemist want Gabriel? What did he mean by ‘give them a purpose’? The Captain prayed it wasn't anything bad. And if so...he prayed he wasn’t too late. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to his best friend on his watch. He had to find him and get him home safely. Because...whatever the Chemist had planned…

It couldn’t be good.

Chapter Text

The Captain felt himself tremble a bit, a fearful feeling he was seldom used to now plaguing his heart. He had a really bad feeling he couldn’t shake as he zipped down the desolate halls towards the Chemist’s lab. Gabriel was the Captain’s first and best friend, and now he was in the hands of the one person on the ship who really hated the Captain.

He couldn’t say why the odd man hated him so much, but the Captain just knew he did. And if he assumed Gabriel was a clone, he would treat him more as a science experiment than a person. He could hurt him without guilt.

And the Captain would never forgive himself for letting Gabriel get hurt. He felt somewhat sick at the thought. Gabriel was still so young and passionate, with so much life ahead of him. He had such a bright flame in him, and the Captain couldn’t stand the idea of Gabriel losing that. He had to be ok.

He had to be ok.

Or the Captain would do something to the Chemist that would really get him in trouble. But the Captain didn’t care. Gabriel was more important to him than his reputation.

A small laugh escaped the Captain as he ran, the thought an odd one. He had never had anyone in his life that he prioritized over himself before. What a strange feeling it was…

The Captain skidded to a halt, the white door before him contrasting against the rest of the dark gray pipe-lined walls. His mind blank but his heart beating out of his chest uncomfortably in anxious anticipation, the Captain took in a breath and pushed the door open, not caring about formalities.

~

“That’s it, it’s been too long…” Scarecrow said, pulling himself to his feet. He grabbed his metal pipe and marched towards the door. Aaron jumped up, grabbing Scarecrow’s shoulder.

“Crow, you don’t know where you’re going! We can’t have you lost too!”

“Gabriel’s lost because of me! I want him back. I’m going, clockwork. Stay here and stay out of trouble.” Scarecrow sneered, yanking his shoulder free. Aaron looked back in indecision as Scarecrow walked out the door, vanishing around the corner.

“Aaron?” Enty asked, his voice small as he pulled himself up as well, with Elderane doing the same. Aaron looked between them, his mind screaming.

“GAH! Come on!” He yelled, pushing the door open. Elderane nodded firmly and followed, though the group’s hearts dropped when they didn’t see Scarecrow anywhere.

“Where the stars did he go?!” Elderane yelled, frustration in his mind as he walked ahead. There was a maze of halls and doors all around them. Scarecrow could have gone anywhere.

Aaron let out a frustrated grumble and, picking a direction he thought Scarecrow would take, motioned for the group to follow him.

“We can’t lose him too…” Aaron muttered to himself, already fearful of losing Gabriel. He’d be ok. The Captain said Gabriel would be ok. He wouldn’t lie to them.

They’d all be ok.

~

The Chemist stood beside the unconscious clone, his wrist up as he typed into the holographic keypad there. There was a slow and steady beeping coming from the heart monitor.

“Heart rate…slow, but constant…no life-threatening side-effects yet…vitals normal…” The Chemist muttered to himself, typing away as he checked the data. The clone was still out, but he hadn’t died yet. That was good. The new mixture wasn’t lethal. Once he woke up, the Chemist could see how it really affected him.

A loud bang shook the room, causing the Chemist to jump in fright. He spun around with wide eyes when he saw the Captain there in the open doorway, a horrified look on his face. The Chemist’s face paled as the man stormed into the room.

“Hotshot…” The Captain muttered, rushing past the Chemist towards the double on the cold table. He looked Gabriel over, his stomach churning in fear and guilt. Gabriel was unconscious, breathing slow and quietly. He was wired up to several beeping machines, and the Captain saw his wrists and ankles were clamped down to the metal table he was laying on.

A rage starting to bubble up in his chest, the Captain’s eyes widened when he saw a small tray of various syringes beside Gabriel’s head. All the syringes were empty.

The Captain couldn’t feel his legs as he stood there, his mind a cacophonic mess of agony, guilt, and fury. The Chemist had done something to Gabriel. The Captain slowly turned around, his piercing gaze causing the Chemist to take a few fearful steps back.

He had never seen the Captain look so…angry.

“What…the fuck…DID YOU DO TO HIM?!” The Captain screamed, facing the now shaking Chemist.

“I…I…I needed to-”

“ANSWER ME!!!” The Captain yelled, his rage boiling over as he shook in place, clenching his fist. The Chemist backed away more, now seeing the man was serious. He hadn’t seen the Captain act…serious, before either.

What did this clone mean to him?

“I…I had a suspicion that…certain liquid eternity may have…ill effects…I needed to check, but…the predicted mixture was experimental…I couldn’t test it on our own…” He said quickly, sweat forming on his forehead when he saw the horrified furious look on the Captain’s face.

“You…tested…potentially dangerous liquid eternity…ON GABRIEL?!” The Captain screamed, his face paling as his heart beat out of his chest in terror. He spun around, eying the younger man unconscious on the table. “Oh, god…” He muttered, running to his friend’s side.

Panicking, he reached for the small table, grabbing the remote for the restraints. He pointed the small device at Gabriel’s arms and legs, the clamps opening, releasing him. The younger man didn’t respond once. His face was calm as he laid there, unmoving.

“H-hotshot?! Come on, wake up!!!” The Captain yelled, some tears wanting to form in his eyes as he shook his friend. Gabriel’s head just lolled to the side; the man totally unresponsive. The Captain gripped Gabriel’s arm tighter, his terror taking over. Gabriel was hurt…he let Gabriel get hurt…

“He…he is just a clone, why are you-”

“HE’S NOT A CLONE, YOU ABSOLUTE IMBECILE!!!” The Captain screamed, facing the man who flinched back in fright. “He’s my friend! He’s from an alternate dimension, you idiot!” He sneered, looking back to his friend in worry. Gabriel didn’t appear to be in pain, but…experimental liquid eternity…it could do irreversible damage to his mind.

“B-but I thought-”

“So help me god, if anything happens to him because of you…” The Captain sneered, reaching to his belt. The Chemist’s eyes widened and he took a few more steps back, the Captain pulling his phaser out. The man held it in his tight grip, the Captain’s eyes alight with fury as he walked towards the Chemist, who was still backing against the wall.

“I…I didn’t know! I needed to do it! For our survival!”

“You would endanger an innocent life just to test some goddamn chemicals?!”

“Those ‘chemicals’ are going to save us! We will all die without my creation!”

“You already proved the source was safe! What more would you need to test?! Is there something you didn’t tell us?!” The Captain yelled, his finger itching for the trigger. He was hiding something from them. He had lied to them. The Chemist looked to the side; his eyes now nervous. The Captain raised the phaser higher. “WELL?!”

“I…I needed to see…I needed to see if it would-”

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!”

The duo spun around, with the Captain’s eyes widening when he saw Scarecrow in the doorway, a look of terror on his face.

~

Scarecrow ran down the halls, his mind screaming as he gripped the pipe tighter. He had to find Gabriel. He didn’t care who got in his way, he wouldn’t let anyone stop him. He was going to find Gabriel and take him home.

The man turned a corner, though he staggered back when he ran into something hard and immobile, causing him to fall to the ground with a thud.

“F-fuck…” Scarecrow muttered, quickly getting his bearings as he gripped the metal pipe and pulled himself to his feet.

“You are not supposed to be here.”

Scarecrow’s blood froze and he looked ahead, now noticing he was face-to-face with the robot from before. Instincts kicking in, Scarecrow was about to move to attack the being when he remembered what the Captain said. This thing wasn’t evil.

And he would know where Gabriel was.

“TH…1, right?” Scarecrow asked, standing down. The robot had a small neutral smile on his face, though it’s inhuman appearance unnerved Scarecrow a bit.

“Correct. And you are one of the Captain’s friends from across the universe, no?”

“We are…or…across dimensions is more like it…look, I’m in a hurry, I need to find Gabriel, you found him, didn’t ya?” Scarecrow said, using all his willpower to not insult the machine for taking his friend. He didn’t know if the robot could feel spite, but Scarecrow didn’t want to risk pissing it off so it wouldn’t help him.

“That is classified information.”

“The hell you mean classified?!”

“You are not authoritative personnel, and you are not even crew personnel. You have no authority to be here.”

“How do you know?!”

“I know everything about this ship and its members. You may look like one, but you are not him.” He said, a slight mechanical overtone to his voice.

“I could be. How do you know I’m not the Captain, huh?” Scarecrow said, taking a chance on the robot’s stupidity.

“I saw him only moments ago and he was in his uniform, and he didn’t have machine oil smeared on his face.”

Scarecrow blinked in shock; his mind stunned. Did the robot just…insult him? He shook his head, ignoring his pride. He had to focus.

“Look, ya tin can, just tell me where Gabriel or the Captain are, and I’ll be out of your…wire…hair…”

“That is classified information.”

Scarecrow stood back, his eye twitching in annoyance. He had to be clever. He wasn’t giving up yet.

“Well…fine then, I don’t need you to tell me…” Scarecrow muttered, taking a step back, an idea igniting in his mind. The robot had some personality. He prayed gullibility was part of that. Scarecrow reached down, grabbing his cell phone from his pocket. “I just got a uh…notification…” He said, pulling his useless cell phone out and turning it on. The robot eyed it in curiosity. “Yeah, the Captain just told me he found Gabriel in uh, engineering…so, I’ll be on my way…” Scarecrow said carefully, making a move to go around the robot.

“That is incorrect information. The double was not taken to engineering.” The robot said, and Scarecrow could hear a faint trace of confusion in his robotic voice.

“Oh, well, that’s what this says…” Scarecrow said in fake bewildered confusion, looking at his phone. He had one of his mobile games running on it. “Seems you’re wrong, tin man.”

“I am never wrong.”

“Well, you are with this.” Scarecrow said with a shrug. “It’s ok, we all make mistakes, it’s only human.” Scarecrow said slyly, edging farther away.

“I do not make mistakes. The double was taken to the lab, not engineering. You are incorrect.” The robot said flatly. Scarecrow smiled to himself on the inside.

“Lab, huh? I don’t know, he says he was taken straight to engineering...” Scarecrow taunted, waving his phone before the now somewhat annoyed looking robot. “I think your microchips may be wearing thin. It’s ok, I won’t judge. I won’t tell your boss.”

“I am not incorrect.”

“Well, I’d love to argue more, but I gotta find the Captain, someone reliable, so…” Scarecrow said, edging back more, praying this robot was stupid enough to play along.

“I am not incorrect.”

“Prove it then, Mr. Roboto.” Scarecrow said, a small smile creeping on his face. The robot stared at him blankly a moment then lifted his arm, tapping a button on it.

“Chemist, your location please.”

Scarecrow stood in anticipating silence, hoping fate was with him. There was no response on the communicator.

“Well, seems even your communicator is broken…it’s ok, I’m heading to engineering anyway, maybe you can come with and they can give an outdated model like yourself some needed upgrades.” Scarecrow said tauntingly, a sly smile on his face. He reveled in the annoyed look on the robot’s face.

“I am not incorrect.” The robot said again, lowering his arm down.

“Well, sorry to break it to ya, but you are. Gabriel is not where you said he was…you were wrong, pal.” Scarecrow said with a shrug. “Look, I’m on a tight schedule, I need Gabriel, so I’m just gonna go…I’m sure human error is something that affects even robots like yourself, it’s no big deal.”

“There was no error. The double was taken to the lab. You are the one with error.” The robot said, his tone stern. Scarecrow just shrugged again.

“Well, I think the Captain is more reliable than you are being right now, so-”

“I am not incorrect.”

“Then prove it, rust bucket. Can’t call in to find out, so show me. Prove the human wrong.” Scarecrow taunted, motioning to down the hall. The robot stood still a moment; his face still annoyed. Scarecrow could almost swear he heard the gears turning in its head.

“I am not incorrect.” TH-1 repeated; the robot turning to walk down the hall. Scarecrow felt pride well up in his chest and he followed the robot, keeping a careful distance. He smiled to himself, snickering behind the robot’s back.

He was going to find Gabriel.

~

Scarecrow kept following the robot, praying the thing didn’t catch on. Finally, he could see a white door at the end of the hall, contrasting against the rest of the dark gray walls. This had to be it.

The robot kept walking, and Scarecrow saw him peer into the small window on the front of the door.

“I am not incorrect.” The robot repeated, and Scarecrow’s heart jumped. Gabriel was here.

“Well, seems I was wrong then…” Scarecrow said with a shrug, leaning against the wall in fake shame.

“Humans are often wrong.” The robot said flatly. “Now, you are to be apprehended and-”

“TH-1!”

Scarecrow looked down, noticing an unfamiliar voice come from the robot’s wrist. TH-1 paused a moment, then held it up, pressing a button on it.

“I am here.”

“I need you in command. It’s urgent.”

“Yes, Mr. President.” The robot said, hitting the button again once the call ended. Scarecrow locked eyes with the robot once more before the thing turned and began walking away, completely ignoring Scarecrow. He was in the clear.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me…” Scarecrow muttered in relief, his legs going numb as the adrenaline faded.

He couldn’t believe he got away with that. He thought he was going to have to beat the hell out of the robot. Shaking his head knowing Gabriel was close, he pulled himself up and ran to the door. He froze when he heard yelling from inside.

It sounded…like the Captain.

His fear climbing, Scarecrow opened the door, though his heart stopped dead when he took in the scene. He stood in paralyzing terror, his mind not knowing what to think. He saw the Captain holding a phaser in his hand, with an unfamiliar man standing fearfully before him.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!” Scarecrow screamed, his face paling. The Captain said he was just going to pick up Gabriel without issue.

This looked like an issue.

The duo looked at Scarecrow in shock a moment, though Scarecrow’s terror peaked when he looked behind the two before him.

“G-Gabe!” Scarecrow yelled in fear, his unfeeling legs moving on their own as he ran to his friend’s side, ignoring the others in the room.

Gabriel was lying on some cold metal table, fully unconscious. Scarecrow shook him a bit, though Gabriel didn’t react. He was completely lifeless, and Scarecrow could see various wires hooked up to him that connected to some beeping machines beside him. He spun around, his eyes alight with blinding fury.

“WHAT IS THIS?!” He screamed, placing his hand on Gabriel’s arm.

He was alive. Gabriel was alive. He was unconscious, but alive. But something was wrong. For a moment, no one spoke, as the Captain was just looking ahead in fear, and the other man was standing back in shock, the phaser still pointed his way.

Not getting an answer, Scarecrow looked down, fear gripping his chest tighter when he saw a bunch of empty syringes on a table by Gabriel. He then noticed Gabriel’s sleeve was rolled up, and he had some bruises on his exposed skin. Bruises from the needles. Gabriel was in a lab, unconscious on the metal table, syringes beside him.

It looked like someone was experimenting on him. Scarecrow looked up and felt his fury burn brighter when he saw the man in a lab coat by the wall.

He did this to Gabriel…

“Th-this…oh, god…” The Captain muttered, gripping his head as everything became too much. He had failed the others. Gabriel was hurt and the Captain failed him. This was all his fault…

Scarecrow looked the Captain over, his visible terror making Scarecrow feel sick. He had never seen the Captain look afraid before, and here…he looked terrified. Something was very wrong. Scarecrow turned back, shaking Gabriel again in desperation.

“Come on, Gabe! Wake up! Please!” Scarecrow screamed, tears wanting to form in his eyes as he shook his friend. Gabriel didn’t react. He was still gone.

“He’s drugged…it should be wearing off s-GAH!!!” The strange man screamed, jumping to the side just in time to dodge the metal pipe thrown his way, the thing crashing into a shelf of glass supplies behind it, the glass shattering to the floor. The Chemist looked ahead and saw Scarecrow standing there in an attack stance, his fists clenched.

“YOU DRUGGED HIM?!” Scarecrow screamed, storming forward. The Chemist took another step back, as the Captain was now standing beside the vengeful Scarecrow, the phaser still in his hands. The Captain wiped his eyes, the fear now being masked with anger. The two cornered the Chemist against the wall. He was surrounded.

“Chemist…I recommend telling us exactly what you did…before this ship’s crew count goes down a tick.” The Captain said, his voice quiet but stern.

The Chemist looked between the two men threatening him. They really cared about this double. But…it didn’t matter to him. He cared about people he was forced to leave behind. Why should the Captain get special treatment? He wasn’t the one making it so they could survive on an alien planet. These doubles were just in the way. They were holding them back. And the Chemist knew they couldn’t afford to kill him. The man took in a breath, regaining his composure.

“The liquid eternity was showing signs of potential stray reconstruction, if influenced by outside factors.” The Chemist said quickly, hoping to explain himself. “Under…certain influences, the chemical could have adverse effects on our evolution, but…I wasn’t sure how probable this variant development was, so I ran some small isolated tests to hyper-evolve a source sample, to see if I could pinpoint what the new effects are and what would cause them to take form.”

Scarecrow blinked; his mind blank.

“What…the fuck are you talking about?!” He yelled, not catching a word.

“Crow, our people are headed to a new planet to live on, as in a few hours, our old one will perish.” The Captain said solemnly. “But in order to do so, we need to evolve and adapt to the new environment. The Chemist created a substance that allows us to evolve quickly in order to survive.”

“Yes, and it will work! It will work for eons, but still…there’s an unknown factor I can’t pinpoint that I need to address, because if not, our evolution could have a potential diversion in the future…” The Chemist said quickly. “But the concept of injecting a hyper-evolved mixture of the source, it had risks, and I couldn’t test it on our own people, you must understand!” The Chemist pleaded, his voice wavering. “It needed to be done!”

“YOU DIDN’T NEED TO DO ANYTHING!!!” Scarecrow screamed, taking a step forward. “YOU TESTED SOME FUTURE DRUG ON GABRIEL?! WHAT IS THIS GOING TO DO TO HIM?!”

“It could do nothing! This is the issue! I am shooting in the total dark, I have no way to know for s-”

The group froze at the sound of a small groan. The trio turned and Scarecrow’s heart skipped when he saw Gabriel’s head turn.

He was waking up.

“Gabe…” Scarecrow muttered to himself, quickly running to his friend’s side. The Captain kept his phaser tight in his hand, fearfully following Scarecrow to the table where Gabriel lay. He had no idea what this would do to his friend. He just hoped he was ok. He had to be ok.

“For your sake…you better pray nothing is wrong with him…” The Captain sneered, eying the Chemist who was edging a bit closer.

“It didn’t kill him…is that not enough?” He replied coldly, his eyes sharp. The Captain’s eye twitched and he felt his rage boil. How could this man be so heartless? And people called the Captain the self-centered one.

“Gabe, can you hear me?!” Scarecrow said fearfully, letting himself show some vulnerability as he helped Gabriel weakly sit up, the man slowly rubbing his head as he breathed deep breaths.

Gabriel didn’t respond, though he kept his hand over his eyes, his manner…relaxed. He just sat there, breathing slowly as he dragged his awareness out of the drugs holding him hostage. Scarecrow glanced over towards the Captain, and the Captain saw fear in Scarecrow’s eyes. It unnerved him. The Captain took in a breath and edged closer, his own fear not fading.

“Hotshot, are you with us?” The Captain said as he stood beside Scarecrow, hoping to help guide Gabriel back to reality. Gabriel let out a long breath then lowered his hand, his eyes blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the light.

“Gabe…” Scarecrow muttered in cool relief, lowering his head as he placed his hand back on Gabriel’s arm. Gabriel was ok.

Gabriel looked up around him, his eyes dazed. He just seemed to be trying to figure out where he was in the moment as the sedative wore off. Scarecrow looked up, a few tears wanting to well up in his eyes as he looked his friend over. He was alive…

“Gabe…god, Gabe, you’re alright…” Scarecrow said gently, gripping Gabriel’s arm tighter.

“I…am.” Gabriel said quietly, looking around. He glanced down and saw a sore bruise on his arm where the needle had been injected. He hadn’t died. He was still alive. The weird drugs hadn’t killed him.

The Captain smiled, his fear fading when Gabriel looked up at him.

“Hotshot…oh, it’s good to see you again…” The Captain said in relief, happy his friend was ok. He reached forward, pulling Gabriel into a hug, the only person who he was comfortable doing so with. He held him tight, though he blinked in confusion when he realized…Gabriel wasn’t hugging back.

“Why are you touching me...?”

Scarecrow’s eyes widened, his heart stopping dead in his chest when Gabriel spoke. He looked up in fear, watching as the Captain pulled back slowly, the same shocked confusion on his face. Gabriel’s expression was neutral. Almost unreadable. He just stared at the Captain, not moving.

“Because…you’re my friend?” The Captain said, letting out a small confused laugh, his nerves beginning to climb. Gabriel was just staring at him blankly. He hadn’t hugged back. He wasn’t even looking like he had missed him in the slightest.

Something was wrong…

The Chemist stayed back; his gaze stuck on the double in observation. He watched the two others edge closer, their manner tensing. There was a difference in their friend…

“Gabriel, you…you remember me…right?” The Captain said, some hurt in his quiet voice. They had promised they wouldn’t forget each other, even across universes. Gabriel just blinked; his eyes empty.

“Yeah. I do.”

Scarecrow couldn’t feel himself breathing as the sounds of the world muted themselves behind him. Gabriel’s voice was almost monotone. He didn’t sound like Gabriel at all. He sounded…like he didn’t care. But…that wasn’t right…that couldn’t be right…

Scarecrow looked behind him, eying the heart monitor as the beeping caught his attention, the sound cutting through the silence ringing in his ears. The beeping was the same as before. Gabriel’s heartbeat was still slow and steady. Gabriel was completely calm. Scarecrow looked beside him and saw the Captain was still holding his phaser, which looked an awful lot like a gun. He was holding a gun right beside Gabriel.

And Gabriel wasn’t afraid in the slightest.

“Gabriel…do you feel ok?” The Captain asked cautiously, his nerves climbing higher by the second. Gabriel turned and looked at him, his face still unreadable. Neutral.

“I…don’t know. I’m here.” He said flatly, giving a small shrug. The Captain looked his friend over. He was completely calm. He was aware, but…something was wrong. He could feel it. Something was wrong…

“Gabe, you know who we are, right?” Scarecrow asked quietly, hating that he had to ask that question. Gabriel…wouldn’t forget him…would he?

“You’re Scarecrow and the Captain. Why?” Gabriel asked back, his voice still empty.

“Hotshot, god, aren’t you happy to see us?!” The Captain cried, not liking any of this.

“Not really.”

Scarecrow’s blood froze solid at his friend’s reply. Gabriel was just staring at them. He wasn’t emoting at all. He wasn’t happy to see them when he should be. Even if he was mad at Scarecrow for his words earlier, Gabriel really looked up to the Captain. He should be ecstatic to see him. And Gabriel had been kidnapped on a futuristic ship and experimented on. And he wasn’t showing any fear.

Knowing he had to take drastic measures to confirm his horrid suspicions, Scarecrow reached down, yanking the Captain’s phaser from the man’s hands.

“C-Crow?!” The Captain yelled, stepping back in shock when he saw Scarecrow point the gun right at Gabriel’s head.

Gabriel just sat there, the same neutral look on his face as he looked down the barrel of the futuristic gun, his eyes not changing their neutral calm look in the slightest. Gabriel didn’t even blink when the weapon was pointed at him. He stared at the weapon, just…not caring.

The Captain froze, now seeing what Scarecrow was doing. The beeping behind them was still constant. Gabriel’s heartrate was still the same.

He had a gun pointed at him and he wasn’t afraid at all.

“G-Gabe…” Scarecrow cried; lowering the gun with shaking arms as warm tears began filling his eyes, his chest tightening. This wasn’t right. Gabriel wasn’t right. He should be happy to see them. He should be afraid of the phaser.

Gabriel didn’t react as Scarecrow lowered the gun. He just stared at the two of them blankly, uncaring. The Captain stood back, his mind a reeling mess. Gabriel had been terrified of the phaser last time he saw it. To the point the Captain had to hide it just to talk with Gabriel.

“I’m confused, did you just try to kill me, Scarecrow?” Gabriel asked, his voice flat and passive. He didn’t sound angry at all. He just sounded like he didn’t care. “Am I that annoying?”

Scarecrow felt his tears slide down his face as he took a few steps back on unfeeling legs, the phaser falling from his hands as it clattered to the floor. Gabriel wasn’t happy to see them. He wasn’t afraid of the gun. He really thought Scarecrow would actually kill him, and he didn’t feel sadness at the concept. There wasn’t one tear in his eye.

It was like he couldn’t feel anything at all.

“Fascinating…” The Chemist said, edging closer. Gabriel turned and eyed him; his eyes blank.

“Did that green stuff do something?” Gabriel asked flatly, the Chemist looking him over with wide eyes.

“I…I was right…it r-GAH!!!” The Chemist screamed, reeling back as a hard punch hit him in the face, causing him to stagger back against the wall. He fell to the ground, cupping his cheek as a pain erupted in his grip. He coughed a moment then opened his eyes, flinching when he saw a phaser pointed directly at him.

The Captain was standing over him, tears streaming from his eyes as he shook in place, the gun pointed at the Chemist’s head.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!” The Captain screamed, his hand shaking as he held the phaser forward. The Chemist turned, eying Scarecrow as he too was crying before Gabriel, the man just sitting on the table, staring at the scene blankly.

“I didn’t think it would work…” The Chemist said, his eyes more wide in wonder than fear. He looked back when he heard an energized build up from the gun, and he saw the Captain move closer, fury in his eyes.

“What…did you…do…” He growled, his eyes alight with rage. The Chemist showed no fear and locked eyes with the Captain.

“It erased his emotions.” The Chemist said flatly, causing the Captain’s eyes to widen, his body going numb once the words registered.

“What did you…say…?” Scarecrow muttered softly, his tears not stopping as he looked back to Gabriel, the man just sitting contently on the table, his expression neutral.

“It erased his emotions…he can no longer feel…he is free of pain…” The Chemist said, his eyes wide. He had done it. There was a way to ease the pain.

And he had found it.

The Chemist flinched when a bolt of light hit the wall right beside his head, singeing the side of his face slightly. He looked ahead and saw the Captain there, tears staining his face as he held the gun closer.

“Fix him…turn him back…bring him back NOW!!!” He screamed, his voice breaking. This couldn’t be happening…not to his hotshot. The Captain had just gotten a friend, and now…the Chemist had ripped Gabriel away from him. The Captain refused to lose him like this.

“I don’t know how.” The Chemist said, flinching as another bolt of light struck the wall on the other side of his head.

“BRING GABRIEL BACK NOW, OR YOU DIE RIGHT HERE!!!” The Captain screamed, aiming the gun directly at the man’s chest.

“You really want to kill me? One of the last Alphans who will survive?” The Chemist said firmly, no waver in his voice.

“Our entire world is about to go up in flames…what’s one more death to the tally?!” The Captain replied, his hand shaking as he placed his finger on the trigger.

“You need me…you all need me…only I know how the source works, and without me…you all will die on this damned ship, lost in the cold void of space…” The Chemist growled, his voice shaking, but not from fear. “Without me, Alpha falls…”

“Alpha has already fallen…”

“And we can pick it back up again! We can survive! But you’d never be able to do it without me…” The Chemist sneered, knowing full well his place on this trip.

He looked up and saw the Captain shaking, the man more broken than the Chemist has ever seen him before. His entire planet dies, and it is this one clone that breaks him? How pathetic he is.

“You really want to add to the death toll, Captain?” The Chemist said, pulling himself to his feet. The Captain didn’t move, though he kept the phaser pointed at the man’s heart. The Chemist stood before him; his eyes jaded. “You want to kill me when there are hardly any of us left? Fine.” He said flatly.

The Chemist walked forward so that the tip of the phaser was touching his chest. He locked eyes with the broken Captain, his tears not stopping.

“Then kill me, Captain. And with my death…you kill off the human race.” The Chemist sneered; his voice solemn. He stood still; his eyes fearless as he met the Captain’s gaze. The man was shaking, his mind a mess of emotions. How distracting they must be.

The Chemist quickly turned his eyes, looking the clone next to them over. He was still on the table, not reacting. Not feeling fear. Not caring. He was at peace. The Chemist turned back, locking eyes with the Captain once more. The Captain was breathing heavy, his tears flowing from his eyes as he held the phaser out. He turned and glanced at Gabriel, his friend just staring at him blankly.

The Captain trembled; his gaze stuck on his friend. He could still hear Gabriel's laughter echoing in his mind from when the young double drove the Avalon. He could still see the passion and love for space in his glittering eyes in the back of his mind. He could feel his embrace, with him telling the Captain that he was family. That he was cared about.

But now…Gabriel didn’t care. He didn’t care about him. He was just sitting there, not caring about anything that was happening. He didn’t care about the Captain and he didn’t care about his friends. Gabriel wasn’t Gabriel anymore.

The Chemist did indeed kill him. Gabriel was gone.

Turning back, the Captain put his finger on the trigger, about to pull it. He couldn’t stop his tears from falling, his heart aching in agony. He could see Gabriel’s bright and compassionate smile in the back of his mind. His innocent laughter resonating in his ears.

The Captain held the gun against the man’s chest, the man who had just taken everything from him. The man who created the chemical in the first place. The Captain shook, his mind screaming as he gripped the gun tighter.

The Captain…lowered the gun, taking a few shaking steps back.

He…couldn’t kill him. He was right. They needed him to survive. The Captain would doom their race if he killed the man. And…Gabriel wouldn’t want anyone dying. If Gabriel were here, he would be protesting this. The Captain couldn’t do it.

He just couldn’t do it.

“I thought so.” The Chemist said, stepping back. “Now, why don’t you let me-”

“GAH!!!” Scarecrow screamed, swinging the metal pipe towards the man’s head. The Captain staggered back, watching in shock as the man crumpled to the floor, out cold with a choked cry. Scarecrow gripped the pipe tighter, his tears flowing down his face as he stood over the unconscious Chemist. He was about to raise the pipe again when the Captain grabbed him, holding him back with a firm hand.

“Crow…please…” The Captain said softly, his voice breaking through his tears. Scarecrow looked at him in shock as he pulled back, his eyes wide.

“Y-you saw what he fucking did to Gabriel! You can’t let him get away with this, can you?!” Scarecrow cried, pointing the metal pipe at the man on the floor.

“If there’s a way to fix Gabriel, the Chemist is the only one who can do it, Crow!!!” The Captain cried, stepping forward. “We need him to get Gabriel back!”

Scarecrow stood still; his mind a convoluted mess. He turned and eyed the unconscious man on the floor, a bloody bruise forming on his head. The Captain…was right.

This man could fix Gabriel. He had to live. For now.

Their tears not stopping, the duo looked back to Gabriel, the man still on the table, passive to all that was occurring.

“Are you two done?” Gabriel said flatly, looking them over.

“G-Gabe, come on…you need to snap out of it…” Scarecrow said, the metal pipe falling from his hands as he walked towards Gabriel. “You…you feel something don’t you?”

“It’s cold in here.” Gabriel said, his voice plain. Scarecrow and the Captain just stared at him, their hearts dropping. Gabriel just blinked. “Is that what you mean?’

“N-no! No, hotshot…” The Captain said, walking closer. “I mean…don’t you feel…afraid? Or…or nervous, or anything? That man kidnapped you for Christ’s sake!” He said brokenly, pointing towards the unconscious Chemist.

“I…don’t feel afraid. Isn’t that good, though?” Gabriel said, his gaze landing on Scarecrow.

“Wh-what?” Scarecrow said, his voice small. How could that be good?!

“I’m not an emotional coward anymore. Isn’t that what you wanted, Scarecrow?” Gabriel said flatly. Scarecrow blinked, his tears falling harder as he stood back, his guilt wrapping tightly around his throat to the point it hurt to breathe.

“No…no, Gabe…Gabe, no…” He managed, the man’s terror suffocating him as he stood back, though Gabriel only looked at him blankly. Scarecrow felt sick, his stomach churning painfully as he just locked eyes with the emotionless Gabriel. He…hadn’t wanted this.

He’d never want this.

But…he had said that. He had called Gabriel an emotional coward. But now…Gabriel didn’t have any emotions. He wasn’t Gabriel anymore at all. His love was gone. His care was gone. His kindness was gone. Everything that made him Gabriel was…gone.

Their Gabriel was dead.

“GABRIEL, OH, STARS, THERE YOU ARE!!!”

Scarecrow’s eyes flew open in terror, the man staggering back as Elderane came running past him towards Gabriel.

Chapter Text

“W-wait, listen!” Aaron said, holding his arm out to stop the group. He could hear voices. And yelling. Scarecrow’s yelling.

“This way!” Elderane screamed, taking the lead. They had been running in a direction, and they were making pure guesses on where to go. Enty had recommended they take the lift, as he had a hunch, and they had trusted him. He always had been good at finding his friends.

The group rounded a corner, and they stopped when they saw an open door at the end of the hall. They could hear voices. Familiar voices. Their hopes high, the group ran ahead, stopping in the doorway.

Elderane’s eyes widened when he saw Gabriel there, sitting up on a table. He was alright. Aaron stood back, his gaze landing on something else. He saw the Captain, and behind him…a man unconscious against the wall, his head slightly bloody.

Something had happened…

“GABRIEL, OH, STARS, THERE YOU ARE!!!” Elderane cried, running into the room where he saw Gabriel on the table. He was ok…

Scarecrow staggered back and felt his nausea return when Elderane hugged Gabriel tightly, though the man didn’t even try to return the embrace.

“Gabriel, oh, stars, I am so sorry, I will never let you get lost again, oh, forgive me, Gabriel…” Elderane franted, his tears falling freely as he wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s chest.

“Why is everyone touching me…” Gabriel muttered tiredly, looking down at the now frozen Elderane.

Scarecrow’s heart dropped and he covered his mouth with his hand, his tears not stopping as he stepped back, turning away. This wasn’t going to go well.

“Heh, wh-what was that, Gabe?” Elderane said nervously, pulling back. Gabriel just stared at him with…blank eyes. His expression was just…neutral. He didn’t look happy to see Elderane…at all.

“Everyone keeps touching me. Why?” Gabriel asked flatly, looking between Elderane and the Captain. Elderane blinked, his mind stuck as his thoughts went silent.

“G-Gabe, are you…what do you…what?” Elderane said quietly, his nerves beginning to climb when he saw Gabriel before him, his manner…different. He was just sitting there on the table, looking like he just…didn’t care. Gabriel…always cared…

He was always happy to see Elderane…

“Oh…god…” The Captain muttered, running his hand through his hair in panic. This wasn’t good. Not good at all. And he had no idea what to do. He always knew what to do. But here…he was at a loss. A complete loss.

“Captain…what’s going on?” Aaron asked carefully, walking into the room with Enty behind him, the flaming man tensing when he felt the anguish in the room.

“Oh, guys I’m…I’m so sorry…” The man said brokenly, and Aaron’s heart dropped cold when he saw tears in the Captain’s eyes. Aaron had never seen him look like this before. He didn’t think anything could break the mighty Captain like this…

“Gabriel, are you feeling ok? What happened to you?” Elderane asked, using all the energy he had to repress his panic. Gabriel looked wrong. He was acting wrong. Something was wrong….

“I don’t know, you all tell me. You’re the ones who abandoned me.” Gabriel said flatly, and Elderane flinched in shock at the coldness in Gabriel’s voice.

“G-Gabe, what are you…” Aaron muttered, now picking up on what must be wrong. Gabriel was just sitting on some metal table, his expression neutral. Almost lifeless.

“You all didn’t notice I was gone, did you?” Gabriel asked, looking up to meet Aaron’s fearful gaze. “You left me behind. Why didn’t you come back? Did you not want me anymore after what I did?” He asked, his voice still flat.

Elderane stood back in shock, Gabriel’s words stabbing his heart like jagged knives. He had never heard Gabriel speak so coldly before. His voice was empty of warmth. But it wasn’t angry either. It was just…flat. Uncaring.

“Gabriel, we’d never abandon you! We just didn’t-”

“Care enough to see I was taken?” Gabriel said, interrupting Aaron as the scientist flinched, his eyes widening at the ice in Gabriel’s voice. This wasn’t Gabriel. It couldn’t be. He’d never speak so coldly.

“G-Gabriel…why are acting this way? This isn’t you…what…what is…” Elderane said quietly, looking his friend over. His eyes widened when he saw a bruise on Gabriel’s arm, and on the table beside him, several empty syringes.

“I am me, though.” Gabriel said, not blinking as Elderane trembled before him, his wide and tearful eyes stuck on the needles. Gabriel looked back to Scarecrow who was shaking in the corner, his hand still over his mouth as he stifled his cries. “I’m better now. I’m not an emotional coward. Isn’t that what you all wanted?” Gabriel asked, a trace of genuine confusion in his flat voice.

Aaron stood back; his mind completely silent as he took in the scene. He slowly turned, his gaze landing on the still trembling Captain.

“Captain…what’s going on…?” Aaron asked cautiously, dreading the answer. The Captain’s breathing picked up and he looked between Aaron and Gabriel, his eyes tearful.

“I…he…” He started, a tightness in his throat making it hard to speak.

“What’s wrong with Gabriel?” Enty asked quietly, hiding behind Aaron slightly as he looked at Gabriel, the man just staring at them blankly. He didn’t look like Gabriel at all.

Enty blinked, his branches beginning to flare as he focused on Gabriel. He…didn’t feel like Gabriel. To Enty…he couldn’t sense Gabriel…at all. Enty could always tell when his friends were around and…he could always tell what they were feeling to a degree.

It didn’t feel like Gabriel was even in the room. Enty couldn’t sense him. Gabriel…wasn’t even there. It felt like he was still missing.

“Captain, please…” Aaron said, his voice breaking. The Captain looked the group over, all eyes now on him. He paused when he saw the complete anguished look in Elderane’s eyes, the elf holding one of the larger syringes in his hands.

They had to know.

“I…I didn’t realize in time…but our Chemist…him…” The Captain said, motioning to the unconscious man slumped against the back wall. The Captain took in a nervous breath, turning back to the group. “He invented a chemical called ‘liquid eternity’, and it was meant to help us adapt to our new planet once we arrive…” He said quietly, doing his best to hold things together. “But…he was keeping something from us…he said the chemical could have adverse effects in time, but…but he didn’t want to test it on our own people…”

Elderane’s eyes widened as his heart stopped dead. He looked down in shock, eying the large and empty syringe in his hands. He turned and looked Gabriel over, the large bruise on his arm standing out. Elderane felt razor wire begin tightening around his heart as he began putting the pieces together.

“He…he tested the unknown mixture on Gabriel before I could get here…it…the mixture, it…” The Captain managed, his voice cracking as he looked down, avoiding the gazes on him. “It nullified his emotions. He can’t ‘feel’ anything anymore…” He finished, his tears returning as he stepped back, his hand going to cover his eyes as he heard Elderane let out a cry.

The elf looked back to Gabriel, his friend still looking at him blankly.

“G-Gabriel…he’s lying…he’s lying, right? You…you feel, right?” Elderane said, forcing a fake smile onto his face as the syringe fell from his hands, the needle clattering to the floor.

“I…don’t know. I don’t think so.” Gabriel said with a shrug, and Elderane’s smile fell.

“G-Gabe, no, you…you must! You were kidnapped, aren’t you afraid?!”

“Not anymore, no thanks to you all.” Gabriel said flatly, and Aaron gripped his stomach, a nauseous feeling arising the more Gabriel spoke. Elderane’s tears began falling harder and he reached down, shakily grabbing Gabriel’s hand in his own.

“G-Gabe, you feel happy to see us, don’t you?”

“Why should I. You all left me to die.” Gabriel replied flatly, and Elderane’s heart shattered as the pain became too much to handle, his mind screaming in guilt.

“N-no, Gabe, we’d never! We…we love you Gabe! I love you! Don’t you…don’t you love me back?” Elderane squeaked, his eyes pleading as he gripped Gabriel’s hand tighter. Gabriel just blinked a moment, his eyes unreadable.

“Not anymore.”

Scarecrow gripped his aching chest, his tears not stopping as a sharp pain shot through his heart like a bullet. He couldn’t stop a cry from escaping him when he saw Elderane crumble, the elf letting go of Gabriel’s hand as he staggered back, his eyes wide in terror. Aaron ran forward to steady the elf, as he was about to fall back, his face pale as he gasped for air through his sobs.

Gabriel just sat there, his eyes blankly following Elderane as the elf crumpled to the floor, the prince pulling his own hair as he let out a piercing scream. He trembled in place as his tears pooled on the floor beneath him, his gasps for air breaking the Captain’s heart.

“I think there’s something wrong with Elderane.” Gabriel said, looking towards Aaron who was standing back, his mind a screaming mess as he tried to process what he was seeing.

Gabriel wasn’t Gabriel anymore. He wasn’t Gabriel…he wasn’t…

“Gabriel…” Enty said gently, coming out from behind Aaron as he walked towards the passive Gabriel who just stared at him with jaded eyes. “You…you can’t not feel love, Gabriel…you have so much of it…” Enty said, his heart aching when he saw how empty Gabriel looked. Gabriel always had love to share. With everyone. He loved everyone so much. He couldn’t just…forget that.

“I don’t feel it anymore.” Gabriel said, giving a small shrug. Aaron couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Elderane was breaking down in hysterics by his feet, and Gabriel couldn’t care less.

“But…but Gabriel, you have to have some love left…” Enty said, his tears falling as he stood before Gabriel. “You have to come back…we love you…”

“Why?”

Enty flinched, with Gabriel’s sharp response cutting into his heart.

“B-because you’re family!”

“We’re not family, though.” Gabriel said flatly. Enty let out a whimper, his branches flaring. Gabriel just blinked, not changing his passive expression. “We aren’t related. Why would we be family?”

“Oh, no…” Aaron cried to himself, his own tears falling as he kept his hand on his stomach, his nausea not fading. Gabriel was all love. He always had been. Without that…he wasn’t even close to being their Gabriel. It was such a big part of him, that without it…he was unrecognizable.

He didn’t love them anymore. He didn’t consider them family anymore. He wasn’t Gabriel anymore.

The Captain stood back, his hand around his throat as the tightness threatened to suffocate him. He had only ever seen this gang happy. He couldn’t stand seeing them so broken. And he especially couldn’t stand to see Gabriel so lifeless.

When they first met, the youngest double was so energetic, so passionate about space. There was such a bright fire in him. He wanted to be friends with the Captain, and he even considered him family before he returned home. Now…he didn’t even see his own family as family.

The Captain had failed Gabriel. He failed the others. He was a failure. And he didn’t know what to do.

A weak groan snapped the group out of their hysterics. The Captain turned and saw the Chemist slowly put a hand to his bleeding head, the man struggling to sit up.

Before he could even think what to do next, the Captain flinched at a pained cry from Elderane, the elf bolting towards the Chemist, a dagger in his hand.

“Eld, NO!!!” Scarecrow screamed, running towards the elf. Scarecrow and the Captain grabbed the thrashing Elderane, the man sobbing as he fought with all he had against the people holding him back. Scarecrow hissed in pain as the dagger’s blade grazed his arm, some blood forming though Scarecrow ignored it as he kept his grip tight around the screaming elf’s chest.

He wanted to kill the Chemist just as much, but he needed to stay alive. If just long enough to fix Gabriel…

“T-take him out of here!” The Captain yelled at Aaron, nodding towards Gabriel. “I’m gonna set things right…I will not fail you all again.” He said, some hope in his eyes.

Aaron saw the glimmer and nodded, taking Enty by the hand as they walked towards Gabriel.

“Gabe, we’re gonna go outside now…” Aaron said helping Gabriel off the table.

“Why?”

“They’re gonna work to help you here, and we’re gonna try to help you too…” Aaron replied, holding Gabriel’s arm tight as they led him towards the door.

“Why, though?”

“Just…just come on, Gabe…” Aaron said brokenly, turning to pull the door closed. He got one last look at the Captain, the two exchanging fearful glances before closing the door.

The Captain blinked, shaking his head as he turned back to the commotion before him.

“Eld, fucking hell, WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME?!” Scarecrow screamed, yanking Elderane back farther away from the Chemist who was now awake, the man pushing himself away from the frantic elf before him.

“HE TOOK GABRIEL AWAY FROM ME!!! HE DID THIS!!!” Elderane sobbed, his voice cracking as he thrashed in Scarecrow’s grip. “HE DID THIS!!! HE DID THIS!!!”

“AND HE CAN FIX IT!!!” The Captain screamed, grabbing Elderane’s shoulder. The elf paused his thrashing, his tearful gaze landing on the Captain.

“Eld, we need him alive to turn Gabriel back! He can fix Gabriel!” Scarecrow screamed, shaking Elderane slightly.

Elderane just looked between the people around him, his tears not stopping. The Chemist was just looking up at him fearfully, his eyes wide.

“You took him from me…” Elderane cried, his voice now small as he stopped his struggling and looked towards the shaken Chemist. “Why did you take him from me?” He asked, his voice broken. “I…I loved him…and…he’s gone…”

The Chemist looked up, the elf before him now standing limply in Scarecrow’s arms, his eyes showing his heartbreak. He could see tears streaming from his eyes, the elf trembling in place.

“My Gabriel…” Elderane whispered, the dagger falling from his hands. The Chemist’s eyes followed it as it clattered to the floor, the elf now just silently sobbing as he stood in Scarecrow’s arms.

The Chemist remained on the floor in silence, his mind reeling in all directions.

“Chemist…” The Captain said, kneeling before the shaken man on the floor. “Here’s the deal…” He said flatly, his eyes lighting up. “You start by telling us exactly what that chemical did to Gabriel…and then you work to figure out how to undo it…and then you give Gabriel his emotions back…understood?”

“Th-that wasn’t a deal…” The Chemist said, his voice shaking. The Captain remained kneeling before him; his eyes stern. The tears were gone.

“That’s because it wasn’t…” He sneered, picking his phaser up off the ground.

“W-we went over this…you can’t kill me…”

“No, no, I can’t…but the President can find out what you’ve done.” The Captain said, putting his phaser back onto his belt. “I was recording everything you said…” He muttered, tapping the silver brace around his wrist. “And I think he’d be very interested to hear how you took an innocent life and performed inhumane testing on them that could have killed them…you know the President didn’t want anyone else dying, right?” The Captain said, raising an eyebrow.

“I…I…he…”

“And you know he trusted you to perfect the source…and when he finds out you lied to all of us on its long-term safety, well…he’s not gonna be happy.”

“It…it only could happen, it…”

“And Chemist…” The Captain said, his voice lowering as he edged a bit closer to the wide-eyed man before him. “You forget…we only need you to get us set up with the source for the journey…but once you aren’t needed anymore…once we’re set up on Planet Y…” He said, glancing down at the dagger on the floor. The Chemist’s eyes followed it and he swallowed nervously, the Captain now meeting his gaze once more. “There is nothing holding me back from ending your life before our new one’s even begun…” He sneered, his eyes piercing as he stared through the Chemist.

“Y-you can’t…the President-”

“When we get to Planet Y, there is no President. There’s nothing. No society, no rules, no walls. It’s a new start. And I’ll make sure you never get to experience it.”

The Chemist sat back, trembling as he kept his gaze locked with the Captain. He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t laughing. He was serious.

“So…either you fix Gabriel now…or you go through the rest of this trip knowing the moment we land, you’ll have a phaser blast to the chest before you even see Sirrah’s light. Understood?” The Captain said firmly, his manner still threatening as he loomed over the Chemist.

“Un…understood…” The man squeaked, his voice shaking when he saw the Captain force a fake small smile on his face.

“Good. Now, why don’t you start by telling us exactly what that concoction did to Gabriel?” The Captain said, glancing to the side where he saw Scarecrow still holding the trembling Elderane in his arms, both their eyes wide in shock as they stared at the Captain.

~

“Here, over here, Gabe…” Aaron said, guiding the passive Gabriel to the open area down the hall. He stopped and looked up, now noticing a large window on the wall beside him. He could see infinite glittering stars out the window, way more than they could see in their home solar system.

This was a good start.

“Just…sit here, Gabe…” Aaron said, sitting himself down on the floor beneath the window. Gabriel blinked then shrugged, doing the same. Enty came over as well and sat between the two, the trio alone in the lobby.

“Why did we come out here?” Gabriel asked flatly. Aaron let out a broken sigh, his heart heavy at the emptiness in Gabriel’s voice.

“We’re gonna try to fix you…” Enty said, edging a bit closer. He had a small smile on his face, hoping the compassion would trigger something in Gabriel.

“I don’t feel broken anymore, though.” Gabriel said, his eyes landing on Aaron. “I used to, but…I don’t now. Isn’t that good?”

Aaron just blinked, doing his best to repress tears as his eyes burned. Had Gabriel really felt…broken before?

“No, Gabriel…please, don’t you understand what happened?” Aaron asked, hoping to get him caught up.

“You all left me to die, I was afraid, then I woke up and I wasn’t.” He said with a shrug. Enty let out a whimper, the man turning a way a moment as his branches flared. Gabriel really thought they had abandoned him…

“Gabriel, we were running in panic…we are so sorry you got lost, we would never leave you behind intentionally…” Aaron said firmly, placing his hand on Gabriel’s knee.

“Even after I destroyed our way home?”

“It was a mistake, Gabriel…” Enty said, his voice small. “We aren’t mad…”

“Scarecrow was.”

“You know he didn’t mean it, Gabriel…he loves you more than anything…” Aaron whispered, his chest aching.

“Didn’t seem that way.”

Aaron let out a sigh, sitting back as he ran his hand through his hair. This wasn’t working. He looked up, eying the stars above them.

“Gabe, look up there…” Aaron said quietly, pointing to the sky. Gabriel followed his gaze, his eyes still tired.

“Why?”

“It’s a new universe, Gabe…you love space…doesn’t that make you happy?” Aaron asked, hoping Gabriel’s passion would spark something.

“Not really. It’s just…black nothingness with small glowy dots. What’s special about it?” Gabriel said, looking back to the shaking Aaron.

“Oh…” The scientist muttered, his mind a mess. He felt his chest tighten as he saw the emptiness in Gabriel’s eyes. He recalled the time they went stargazing all those years ago, and Gabriel was driven to tears just by the beauty of it. His eyes were sparkling brighter than the stars that night.

Now…he just didn’t care.

Enty looked his friend over, his manner still lifeless. Enty couldn’t sense Gabriel’s love at all. There was nothing there. Letting some tears fall, Enty reached a hand up to his neck, gently closing his hand around his cross necklace to calm himself.

He paused, his eyes widening. He felt the metal cross in his hands, a necklace he’s had for years. A gift given to him by a friend. A gift given out of love.

“Gabriel…do you know what this is?” Enty said, carefully removing the necklace off his neck. Gabriel eyed it; his eyes distant.

“Jewelry.”

“No, no, do you remember where I got it?” Enty asked; holding the dark silver necklace out towards Gabriel. Aaron’s eyes widened when he realized what Enty was doing.

“You…you got it from…me…” Gabriel said softly, and Aaron felt a bolt of hope shoot through his body when he saw a flash of…something in Gabriel’s eyes. It wasn’t much but…something just broke through.

“Yeah, for Christmas a few years ago, remember?” Enty said, handing the necklace to Gabriel who took it. “My old one got taken, so you gave me a new one…you told me that as long as I had this, I’d always have hope with me.” He said quietly, a few tears welling up in his eyes as he spoke. Gabriel just held it in his hands, his blank gaze stuck on it.

“I…remember.”

“Gabe, that was the Christmas you brought Elderane home for the first time…” Aaron said brightly, edging closer. “Remember Christmas day, you and Elderane sat by the fire together while it snowed outside later that night?”

“Y-yeah…” Gabriel said quietly, his voice still flat. But Aaron could see his eyes were stuck on the cross. This was working…

“We had that snowball fight the day before, remember?” Enty said brightly, a smile on his face though his tears fell. “You and Elderane teamed up on Scarecrow! And then we all chased him around the house!”

“You run much faster than him, so you cut him off on the other side...” Aaron said calmly. “You hit him with a snowball so hard he fell to the ground.”

“And when you offered a hand to help him up, he pulled you down into the snow with him!” Enty said with a laugh, recalling the fun they had.

“I…remember…” Gabriel said softly. Aaron’s smile widened. Gabriel…said something that sounded like Gabriel.

“Gabe…do you remember what you felt in that moment?” Aaron asked cautiously. Gabriel kept his gaze locked on the cross in his hands, his expression still neutral, though his eyes looked…like he was trying to figure something out.

“I…I felt…I…” Gabriel said, his voice breaking somewhat.

Aaron felt the spark of hope in his chest get brighter. Even if it took a while for Gabriel to come back to them…with how he was reacting now…Aaron knew he would come back.

“I felt…h-”

Gabriel looked up, stopping when he saw Elderane, Scarecrow, and the Captain walk through the door down the hall. Aaron looked over and saw the cross necklace fall from Gabriel’s hands, the light in his eyes dying as he was broken out of his concentration.

“Damnit…” Aaron grumbled to himself, removing his glasses as he rubbed his eyes. They had been so close. Enty let out a defeated sigh and reached forward, grabbing his cross necklace off the ground. He picked it up and turned it over, the gentle shine easing his nerves.

They had failed but…Gabriel showed…something. He wasn’t totally gone. Enty could tell. And they’d keep trying.

~

“Ok…” The Chemist said, keeping his distance from the elf sitting on the table, still holding a dagger tightly in his fist across the room. Elderane was glaring at him sharply, tears still in his eyes, though he was looking at the man in fury. The Chemist shook his head, looking back to the holographic screen above his wrist. “F-from the data…the only main change was the dulling of emotions…all other effects are normal for the source and can be worked with easily…”

“What other effects?” Scarecrow asked, holding the metal pipe in his hands as he guarded the door, making sure the man wouldn’t run.

“Well, most are minimal or not relevant, but from the dosage, he should also have an elongated lifespan, as that part of the source never changed in the new mixture, thankfully…”

“Elongated lifespan?” Elderane asked quietly, his mind silencing itself at the words. The Chemist just kept typing into his screen, not looking up.

“Yes, yes, it’s called ‘liquid eternity’ for a reason. If taken in regular doses, the subject would never die of age or time. They would be basically immortal.”

Scarecrow paused, his gaze landing on the Captain who was standing near the Chemist, his eyes distant. Were these people going to…make themselves immortal? Was the Captain…ok with that?

Elderane stared at the floor, his mind now a mess. Gabriel was, at the moment…immortal. Elderane gripped the dagger in his fist tighter, his tears not stopping as they trickled down his cheek. He was an elf. He was well over 200 years old, which was young for his species. His kind did die of age eventually, but…it could take thousands upon thousands of years. Only physical harm could kill them at any time. But if they lived carefully…his species was downright immortal.

And…Gabriel was just a human. Elderane hated thinking about this, but…in the darker moments when he was alone, he was faced with the truth that…he would outlive Gabriel. Humans only lived up to 100 usually, and that was if they were lucky. Gabriel would live his life, grow old, and Elderane would still look the same a hundred years from now.

Elderane knew Gabriel would die before him. And it would be a long time before Elderane joined him in the stars. He would one day be faced with the reality that…Gabriel would leave him due to his mortality. It was inevitable.

Or…he thought it was. Elderane looked down to the floor, the syringe he had dropped before still there by his feet. With this ‘liquid eternity’…Gabriel was immortal. Just like Elderane. With this chemical, Elderane could be with him forever. He wouldn’t have to say goodbye. Gabriel would live with him forever. They could be happy forever…

Wouldn’t they?

Elderane’s eyes widened and he quickly shook his head, forcing the idea out of his mind. What was he thinking?! With this chemical, Gabriel may live forever, but he wouldn’t be Gabriel. He wasn’t anything right now. He would be an emotionless shell.

And Elderane knew…he’d rather spend a limited human lifetime with his Gabriel…his kind and loving Gabriel…than spend eternity with someone who was only a faint empty echo of his friend. He couldn’t deprive Gabriel of his emotions for eternity just so he could be with him. He could never. That would be killing him. And if having Gabriel for eternity meant killing who he was…Elderane would rather die himself.

He wanted Gabriel happy. He wanted him to love his life. To smile and laugh. To find peace. He’d never find that with this demonic chemical. And Elderane had no right to make that call. He knew Gabriel’s beliefs. He wouldn’t want immortality. Besides…Elderane couldn’t stand the thought of making Gabriel outlive his friends for eternity. They had to be together. They were a family. They needed each other.

This wouldn’t be right.

Elderane shook his head again of the thought, pushing it out of his mind for good. He didn’t care about the immortality. He wanted his Gabriel back. His happy Gabriel. His emotional Gabriel.

He had to come back…

“So, for the good news, those effects actually…will wear off in time without my intervention.” The Chemist said as Elderane tuned back in. “I don’t need to make a counter for the normal source, as it has to be taken in doses to remain in effect.”

“How long will those effects last?” The Captain ask, his arms crossed. The Chemist typed a few numbers into his keypad, pacing the middle of the room.

“With the small dosage amount, I’d say a few hours to a day. He’ll only be immortal for a day.” He said, looking up from his screen.

“And the emotionless thing will wear off then as well?” Scarecrow asked, his nerves not calming down. The Chemist swallowed nervously, looking down to the keypad.

“That is…the bad news…” He said quietly, his tone unnerving the others.

“The hell you mean?” Scarecrow yelled, his anger rising.

“I mean…that is the unknown factor I was trying to test and study…I don’t have a point of reference for it yet, so the effect…could wear off with the rest, or it could last longer due to its evolved nature…”

“How much longer?” Scarecrow sneered, gripping the pipe tighter. The Chemist rubbed the back of his neck, his tired eyes locked on the screen.

“Hard to say, almost impossible with how little data I have on it. Could be hours, days, months, y-”

“You say years, I shove this pipe down your throat…” Scarecrow growled, lifting the pipe slightly as the Chemist stared at him with fearful eyes.

“S-solar cycles…” He muttered quietly, taking a step back in fear.

“You can undo it soon, though, right?” The Captain asked, a slight waver in his voice.

“I…I can try, but-”

“If you leave Gabriel in this state, I will drag you to my world and lock you in the stone dragon’s chamber for ETERNITY!!!” Elderane screamed, causing the Chemist to flinch.

“Uh…”

“What he’s saying is, if you value your life, fix the time capsule, or else.” Scarecrow sneered; his eyes sharp. He had no idea what Elderane was talking about, but it was definitely not going to end well for the Chemist.

“Our deal, Chemist…” The Captain said quietly, his voice threatening.

The Chemist looked between the trio, his mind a mess. He was stuck. He couldn’t get out of this. But if he told them he had no idea how to reverse the damage…they’d kill him eventually. He was on a time limit. He had to do something before they entered deep space. He had to get out of this deal.

Because…if he found a way to reverse the effect…then would his people ever be free in the end? Someone would undo his work. They’d feel pain again. They’d suffer again.

He couldn’t let it happen…he had to protect his people…and the Captain was in the way of that.

“I’ll start research right away.” The Chemist said tiredly, walking to his desk. The trio watched him grab some vials of green liquid and set them down beside him, the man typing away on his screen in silence.

“What…do we do in the meantime? How long will this take?” Elderane asked, not wanting to wait any longer.

“Did you invent a chemical that can grant eternal life?”

“N-no…”

“Then you don’t get to pressure my work ethic. I will call the Captain when I make progress.”

“How can we trust you?” The Captain said, not liking how passive the Chemist just got.

“I know you, Captain. I know how you work. The best at everything. If you say you’ll do something…you’ll do it.” The Chemist said flatly. “My life is on the line. I will cooperate. I will do what needs to be done.” He said, not looking towards the others.

“R-right…” The Captain said, confused by the man’s change in stature.

“I’d appreciate silence. This isn’t easy work, you know.”

The Captain blinked, not sure what to do. He turned and eyed the others, both looking at him in confusion.

“Ok…we’re gonna go check on Gabriel…I take it you know better than to leave?”

“I know what is best. Do not worry, Captain.” The Chemist said quietly, not looking up.

The Captain sighed, shaking his head as he backed away. He needed to help with Gabriel. He couldn’t watch the Chemist all day. He didn’t have time. He had to trust him, as much as his mind told him it was a bad idea.

“Come on, you two…let’s see what we can do on our end…” The Captain said softly, guiding the duo out of the room. He looked back at the Chemist one last time, the man hunched over at his desk, working. He had to trust him. He had to get Gabriel back.

He was worth any risk.

The Chemist looked up when he heard the door shut. He was finally alone. It was finally quiet.

The man reached a hand up, groaning as he gently rubbed the still slightly bloody bruise on his head. He still had a headache. Those people…were menaces. He did what he had to for Alpha. He couldn’t let these people ruin his work.

He was just trying to help. Why didn’t they see that? Their friend was at peace. No fear, no pain. He was at peace. And the rest of them…everyone going to Planet Y…they could be free as well someday. The Chemist had to make sure of it. He just wanted his people to find peace.

And the Captain was in the way. Those doubles were in the way. And if they tell the President…all would be lost. He couldn’t let that happen. The Captain would ruin everything. He couldn’t let that egotistical emotional bastard destroy their future.

The Chemist had to do something…

~

Gabriel looked up blankly as the trio approached them, their own hearts heavy.

“What did he say?” Aaron asked, pulling himself to his feet as the group came together.

“The basic effects of the chemical will wear off on its own, but he still is figuring out how long it will take for the emotionless thing to go away.” Scarecrow said sadly, glancing down towards Gabriel.

“Oh…” Aaron muttered, facing away. He hated not knowing what was going on. He wanted this to be over.

“What do we do now?” Enty asked, securing the necklace around his neck.

“Chemist is working on figuring him out with his way, so in the meantime, we can try and see if we can trigger the emotions back manually our way…” The Captain said firmly. He was getting his hotshot back.

“Will that work?” Elderane asked, kneeling beside the passive Gabriel.

“It can.” Aaron said firmly, causing the group’s eyes to land on him. “I don’t think it erased his emotions…just muted them. Gabriel’s still in there.”

“I’m sitting right here, though.” Gabriel said, looking himself over. “I didn’t go anywhere.”

“Oh, stars…” Elderane muttered, running his hand through his hair. He can’t take much more of this.

“How should we start?” The Captain asked, kneeling as well before Gabriel who just stared at him blankly.

“To me, from what I can tell, this is the same as a type of amnesia.” Aaron said, kneeling beside the Captain. “The emotions are there, just…dormant. The more we help him remember how he felt at certain points in his life, the more he will ease back into fully remembering the emotion and be able to feel it again.”

“You certain, dandy?” The Captain said, the idea…sounding solid. It could work…

“It’s all I have, but…yes.” Aaron replied, a small smile on his face. The Captain saw the gleam in his eyes and he smiled back, his confidence returning as the situation became more manageable.

“Well…let’s get right to it then!” He said, lightly hitting Gabriel’s shoulder, though Gabriel just rubbed it without saying anything.

“What should we start with?” Elderane asked, edging closer. The Captain looked around the group, his mind finally clicking back into motion.

“Well, why don’t we-”

The Captain stopped his talking as his eyes widened, a loud groan and a series of bangs echoing through the entirety of the ship.

“W-woah!” Scarecrow yelled, nearly tripping as the ground shook.

Elderane’s eyes widened and he reached forward, clinging to Gabriel in fright, though Gabriel just let out a sigh.

“Everyone…always touching me…” He muttered, ignoring the eerie mechanical bangs resonating in the walls of the ship.

After a moment, the sounds and shaking faded, and all was still again.

“Uh…Captain? Was that…supposed to happen?” Scarecrow said, holding the metal pipe in his hands tighter as he looked around in growing fear. The Captain pulled himself to his feet, his eyes wide as he looked around.

“No…no it wasn’t…what was-”

“Captain!”

The group looked to their friend, a voice coming from the silver brace around his wrist. The man took in a breath and hit a button on it.

“Y-yes, Leader?”

“We have a problem. We need you in command. Immediately.”

“I’ll…be right there…” The Captain said, hitting another button as he lowered his wrist.

“What’s…going on?” Enty asked, the tension around them returning.

“Something is wrong with the Starblade…oh, fuck, follow me! You all aren’t leaving my sights again!” He said, motioning for the group to follow.

“But…you didn’t want us seen…”

“By anyone in command. You all can hide in the hall while I’m in the meeting, but do not let anyone with a uniform like mine see you!” He said, guiding the group along. “Anyone else is fine, though it would be better to not be seen at all.”

“Is the ship in trouble?” Enty asked as they quickly walked up some stairs.

“I don’t know…but whatever it was, it needs to be fixed…nothing can be wrong when we enter deep space…” He said, typing a few things into his hologram screen on his wrist.

The group followed him, though Aaron managed to catch a glimpse out another window as they went along. He could see the reddish-yellow planet still in the distance. The planet was still there. But…from what they knew…it wouldn’t be for much longer.

Chapter Text

“And stay here.” The Captain ordered, pointing the group to a small alcove down the hall from a large set of silver doors. “I don’t know what’s wrong, but once I know, I may have to fix it and do repairs, and you all can come with me for that. So just…work with Gabriel for a bit, I’ll be back. And don’t let anyone see you!” He commanded as he turned away, vanishing down the hall.

The group blinked. They were now alone. The only sound they heard was the gentle hum of the machines around them.

“Great. Just great. Now the ship is breaking…” Scarecrow grumbled to himself, running his hand through his hair.

“You can let go of me now.”

Elderane blinked and looked beside him, noticing Gabriel just staring at him blankly. Elderane looked down and saw he was still holding Gabriel’s hand tight in his from when they ran. Gabriel…used to like that…

“S-sorry…” Elderane said brokenly, releasing Gabriel. The novice just stared at him a moment then turned away, his manner uncaring. Elderane let out a broken breath and felt more tears form in his eyes. There was no warmth in Gabriel anymore. No light in his eyes. No love. He was just…nothing.

“Ok…you heard him…we have some time to work with Gabriel…” Aaron said, grabbing Gabriel’s shoulders as he moved him over, sitting him down against the wall. Aaron sat before him and the others soon joined, with Gabriel just staring at them blankly.

“Why are we in a circle.” He asked, his voice still flat.

“Ok, clockwork…you’re the smart one…how do we get Gabriel back?” Scarecrow said, looking Gabriel over.

“I’m right here, though…” Gabriel said again, more faint confusion in his voice.

“Well…Enty had an idea that worked, so we should keep trying that…” Aaron said with a small smile, earning a proud look from Enty. “Gabriel’s emotions aren’t erased, just muted…if we can help him remember how he felt in key moments of his life, then maybe he’ll feel that emotion again.”

“Ah…” Elderane said, pondering the concept. Gabriel had always been overly emotional…they could do this. It had to work. They would get their Gabriel back.

“What should we start with?” Scarecrow said, meeting Aaron’s gaze.

“Crow, do you have any key emotional moments with Gabriel that could trigger something?” Aaron asked, though when he did, Scarecrow turned away, his mind reeling.

“I…I don’t know, uh…” He said, glancing at Gabriel. Any time he was overly emotional with Gabriel was when they were alone. They weren’t alone here. Scarecrow looked beside him and saw all eyes were on him. He felt something in his chest tighten and he shook his head, looking away. “H-have pointy start…I need to think…” He said quietly, avoiding the gazes of everyone on him.

Aaron paused a moment then shrugged, eying Elderane.

“Eld? Any moment will work…happy, sad, anything…it just has to be strong…” He said firmly, looking the elf over as he wracked his mind.

Elderane rang some of his hair through his hands as he pondered their pasts. They had done so much together, that…now he was having trouble thinking of a key moment on the spot. He turned and eyed Gabriel, the man still sitting back passively. Elderane felt a pang of hurt jab his heart as an idea came to him. It was cruel, but…it was definitely a strong emotion. It was a big part of Gabriel, and it tortured him to this day. It could work.

“Oh…forgive me, Gabriel…” Elderane said, edging a bit closer to the novice. He kneeled before him and met his jaded eyes, and Elderane felt the hurt in his chest grow stronger. He hated bringing this up, but…it had to be done. “Gabriel…you remember your old world, yes?” Elderane asked carefully.

“Yeah.”

“Back at the start of your journey…do you remember who helped you escape prison?” Elderane said, repressing his own tears as he spoke. Gabriel’s expression didn’t change, though Elderane could see his eyes drift off slightly.

“It was…Lugaid…” Gabriel said quietly, looking back up to meet Elderane’s eyes. Elderane felt some hope spark in his chest.

“Right…and he not only saved you from prison, but he helped someone else, didn’t he?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Who?”

“Anna.” Gabriel muttered, and Scarecrow quickly tuned back into the conversation. He had heard a slight break in Gabriel’s voice. He had heard a change. He had heard faint emotion.

“Yes…and what happened to Lugaid in the process of the rescue?” Elderane managed, his throat tightening as he recalled the horrid memory. Gabriel blinked, his eyes drifting off again.

“He…didn’t make it.”

“And going in, he knew he may not…but he went and saved her anyway…why did he do this?” Elderane asked, a tear leaving his eye as he spoke. Gabriel glanced to the side, avoiding Elderane’s gaze.

“He…he did it for…me…” He said quietly.

“And why did he do it for you, Gabriel? Why did he help you?”

“Because I helped him.” Gabriel said flatly, the light in his eyes dying once more. Elderane let out a defeated sigh, shaking his head.

“No, no, well…yes, but, he did it because he cared about you, Gabriel!”

“He cared because I helped him and almost died in the process. He sent me to fight a demon tower that almost killed me. He didn’t care then.” Gabriel said, his words cutting Elderane’s heart like jagged knives.

“W-well, he, but-”

“And you withheld information on the tower from us, which also almost got me killed. I had no idea what I was doing, and you made me fight your battle while you did nothing.” Gabriel said sharply, his eyes still tired.

Elderane sat back, his guilt quickly taking him by the throat. Gabriel…was right. They had all been careless with the young novice at the start. He could have died due to Elderane’s choices…Elderane could have gotten the young human killed. But…he didn’t know Gabriel still was hurt by it…

And he didn’t even remember what Lugaid meant to him…the man made mistakes, but…he cared about Gabriel so much…and now…Gabriel didn’t understand that at all.

Aaron looked over and saw Elderane begin to break, the elf grabbing his hair as Gabriel sat back passively, his eyes uncaring.

“Ok, Eld, good try…let’s try something else…” He said, gently pulling the now crying Elderane back.

“I JUST WANT HIM BACK!!!” Elderane cried, pouncing forward. He fell into Gabriel’s lap sobbing as Gabriel threw his hands up, his eyes still tired as Elderane hugged him tightly around his chest. Gabriel looked up, meeting the concerned gaze of Aaron.

“Has he always been this insane?” Gabriel asked, and Elderane let out another cry, pulling him tighter.

“Eld, come on, get a grip…” Scarecrow said, yanking Elderane back. The elf just huddled in on himself and cried silently, with Gabriel not even paying him second mind.

“Crow? Anything?!” Aaron asked pleadingly, though Scarecrow just looked down, his face getting hot.

“N-not yet…”

“Is it because you don’t want me back to the way I was?” Gabriel asked, and Scarecrow’s head flew up, his eyes wide.

“N-no! Gabe, I…I…”

“You should be happy, shouldn’t you? You always made fun of me for who I was before. You always mocked me. You got mad when my emotions almost killed us. Aren’t I what you wanted, now? Aren’t you happy I’m not a coward?” Gabriel asked flatly.

Scarecrow felt warm tears form in his eyes and he turned to Aaron, though the man looked about to break as well.

“G-Gabe, I…I…I don’t…” Scarecrow started, his mind a screaming mess. He hadn’t wanted this. But Gabriel wasn’t understanding that. “Gabe, honest…I want the old you back…more than anything, I swear!” Scarecrow cried, using all his energy to keep his tears down.

“Then why did you leave me behind to die?”

Scarecrow sat back, unable to stop a tear from leaving his eye. Gabriel just stared at him passively, uncaring. Scarecrow clutched his chest, the pit in his stomach making him feel sick as a darkness began pulling all his hope down. This was all wrong. This was all wrong…

Aaron felt his chest tighten when he saw Scarecrow begin to crumble as well beside Elderane. Letting out a sigh, Aaron slid forward, one last idea coming to mind. He knew of another key moment in Gabriel’s life that he was definitely emotional in.

“Gabe…I need you to think back for me…” Aaron said, placing himself before Gabriel. “Think back to when you first arrived in reality.” He said gently. Gabriel looked to the side slightly, his eyes searching for something.

“What about it?”

“What happened when you first came here?”

“I arrived, didn’t have a clue what was going on, felt afraid, and hid in a cave for a few weeks like a coward.” Gabriel said flatly, glancing at Scarecrow who just covered his own mouth with his hand to stifle his cries.

“Yes…ah…what did you feel in that time?”

“Afraid. I just said it.” He responded flatly. Aaron just ran his hand through his hair.

“R-right, but…then what did you feel…when you ran into Scarecrow?” Aaron asked, and that spark of hope returned when he saw the faint light appear in Gabriel’s eyes.

“I…I felt…”

“When he offered you shelter? When he gave you food, and a warm bed? When you two decided to travel together? When you two became friends? What did you feel then?” Aaron said, a smile forming on his face. Scarecrow looked over and he could see Gabriel’s mind at work, the novice’s eyes distant but…not as dead looking.

“I felt…I was, uh…I…” Gabriel muttered, his voice breaking slightly. Aaron watched Gabriel tremble a bit, the younger man reaching a slow hand up to cling to his hair. Something he does when he’s…feeling anxious.

“Gabe…take it slow…but what did you feel?” Aaron said gently, placing his hand on Gabriel’s knee. The younger man had his gaze locked on the floor; his eyes wide.

“I…” He managed, now glancing up at Scarecrow. Scarecrow. The man who gave him a home when Gabriel was lost. The man who had almost nothing to his name, but decided to share everything he had with Gabriel anyway. The man who gave him friendship. The man who took care of him. The man who…who was like an older b-

“Ok, idiots, let’s go!” The Captain yelled, rounding the corner. Aaron looked ahead and saw Gabriel turn towards the captain; his concentration broken. The feeling was lost. The light in his eyes was gone.

Aaron sighed, running his hand through his hair. They couldn’t work like this. They needed more time…

~

“Where have you been?” The Leader said, eying the Captain as he entered the bridge.

“Busy.”

“And where is the Chemist? He’s not answering his communicator.”

“Busy.”

“Captain…” The President said gently, his tone somber. The Captain rolled his eyes and walked ahead, leaning back against the control dashboard. Before him was the Leader, the President, and TH-1.

“Look, just…I’m in a hurry, what’s the issue?” The Captain said, crossing his arms. He saw the Leader roll his eyes.

“I assume you heard that noise a few moments ago…” The President said calmly.

“Yeah…”

“I also assume you have been completing residual safety checks…”

“Y-yeah…” The Captain said softer, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced to the side.

“Then why has the left core engine begun overheating?” TH-1 said flatly, causing the Captain’s eyes to widen.

“Uh…” He said, quickly turning around and pushing buttons on the dashboard. He glanced up and saw a schematic for the ship appear, with the back of the main engine highlighted in red. “Oh…fuck…” He muttered, his eyes wide in fear.

He hadn’t been doing any checks. He had been looking for the others. He had been distracted.

“Captain, with the current rate of energy buildup, there is a 67.4% chance of overload within the next few hours, and those numbers are gradually increasing.” TH-1 said flatly, eying the Captain who was frantically pushing buttons.

“You can fix this, yes?” The Leader said, not liking how panicked the Captain looked. He had certainly looked…more out of it lately…

“It is…an issue that needs to be manually fixed in engineering…yes, I can do it, this isn’t that complex a fix…” He said firmly, turning around to face the others.

“We cannot risk damage to the ship or to the source. If there is an explosion, we don’t have the tools to make extensive repairs. Very soon, Alpha will fall, and we won’t even be able to go back for parts. You must prevent this now, Captain.” The Leader said, edging closer, his eyes stern.

The Captain swallowed nervously and nodded, backing away towards the door.

“R-right, give me a few moments…I’ll have it fixed…”

“A small explosion may have already occurred in that sector; do you wish for my or an engineer’s assist-”

“NO. No, I can handle it, tin can!” The Captain said quickly, backing away more towards the door as he cut the robot off. “Just…you all do your…thing…and I’ll be working…”

“You don’t want…any assistance?” The President said, concern in his voice. He saw the Captain give a small smile as he reached the door.

“NOPE. Nope, I don’t need anything or anyone, DON’T BOTHER ME.” He yelled, slamming the door shut.

“He is…odd, isn’t he?” The President said, facing the Leader who just rolled his eyes again.

“I can’t believe that man is the best pilot on the planet.”

“Well…he got us this far…I have faith in him.”

“I suppose I don’t have a choice anymore.” The Leader said with a shrug. “Now…where’s the Chemist?”

~

“I’m gonna kill him…” Scarecrow growled; his hands clawed out as the Captain approached them.

“Crow, no, it’s ok…we made some progress…” Aaron said gently, pushing the fuming man back.

“No! No, we didn’t! Look at him!” Scarecrow yelled, pointing to the lifeless Gabriel.

“Hi.” Gabriel said quietly.

“It’s literally taking all his focus to just feel one thing correctly! That’s nowhere near how he used to be!” Scarecrow yelled.

“Oh, did I interrupt…” The Captain said softly, noticing the hurt tone of the room.

“Yeah, but…it’s alright…we will just keep trying…” Aaron said firmly. He had hope. This had to work. He would not accept the fact that Gabriel was lost. They’d keep trying, till the end of time.

“Well, I will do what I can to help soon, but I need to fix a dire mechanical issue, and you all are coming with me. I’m not letting you get lost again.” The Captain said; motioning for the group to follow him.

The group pulled themselves to their feet and began walking after the Captain. Elderane stood back beside Gabriel, the man not showing any fear or consideration for the dilemma at hand. The prince took in a sharp breath and reached his hand towards Gabriel’s, though he flinched when Gabriel quickly pulled his hand away, his dim eyes just glaring at the elf. Elderane sighed and lowered his hand back to his side, keeping his gaze locked on the floor as they walked. Gabriel just turned away, not caring.

“So…what’s the issue?” Aaron asked, keeping up the pace beside the Captain as he typed away on his hologram keypad.

“I…uh…didn’t get to safety checks and one of the engines is overheating…” The Captain said quietly. “It may have caused a minor explosion, but if I can stabilize the cooling systems before it gets worse, it won’t be an issue.”

“And you’re fixing it…alone?” Scarecrow said, looking the man over. The Captain just gave a small laugh and nodded.

“Yeah, this is my ship, and I know every wire, circuit, and screw on it. I know what the issue is, and it’s an easy fix…” He said, not looking up from his screen.

“Do you…often do these complex things alone?” Aaron said softly. The Captain paused a moment then smiled again, waving Aaron off.

“Of course! Why do you think I’m the best, huh?” He said with a bright smile. “If you do everything alone, then you’re forced to get better, adapt, and grow…having people helping you all the time just holds you back…” He said, going back to his typing.

Enty walked behind him, his eyes lost in the distance. He turned slightly and eyed Gabriel, the man just walking without saying a word. If Gabriel were really here…he would have told the Captain that friends make life better, and it’s the people who care about you that help you be an even better person than you were before. They bring out the best in you.

Gabriel just stared ahead, a jaded look still in his eyes.

“So, you…never ask for help?” Enty asked, his voice quiet. He Captain just scoffed.

“No way! In my world, especially with the civil war stuff going on…you can’t trust anyone. I suppose the Chemist is proof of that…” He sneered coldly. “But even before…no one’s ever given a damn about me, especially before I made my mark, so I took it upon myself to do the job for them. If no one cares about you…you don’t have to worry about other people, and you can just care about yourself.” He said, pointing to himself. “If you believe you’re the best…you become the best.” He finished, the man guiding the group through several twists and turns down the metal halls.

“And you…didn’t have anyone?” Scarecrow said softly, some concern in his voice. He himself had been alone for so long, but…now he had the guys and Elderane. This double…had nothing. The Captain gave a nervous laugh, his gaze fixed on the screen.

“No, no, didn’t need em’. I made it on my own without help. No one cared about me as a person anyway.”

“Gabriel cared about you.”

The Captain’s eyes flew up, his heart skipping when he heard Enty speak. He turned as he walked, his gaze landing on the flaming man as he looked at him sympathetically. Gabriel was beside him, his gaze elsewhere.

“Yeah…yeah, guess he did…” The Captain said quietly, almost out of earshot as he walked ahead, a tightness appearing in his throat. Gabriel…had been the first person to ever like him as a person. He didn’t see a celebrity or a famous pilot or someone to use…he saw a friend. He saw…family.

But now…

The Captain sighed, pushing the broken feeling in his mind down. He couldn’t break anymore. He couldn’t. Not in front of them all. He’d see his Gabriel again. He had to. He couldn’t fail again. Never again. The Captain didn’t fail.

“Well Skywalker, take my advice…”

The Captain shook his head and turned, eying Scarecrow who was walking beside him. The man had his hands in his pockets as he walked, his gaze stuck ahead.

“Uh…”

“I used to think I didn’t need nobody either, and…for the majority of the planet, that still holds true. But…” He said, pausing as he glanced behind him. He saw Aaron and Enty smiling and he scoffed, turning back ahead. “I guess there’s always…some people who are the exception to that rule. There are some idiots who are worth keeping around. And…it makes life a bit more bearable…I guess.” He said quietly, not looking up.

The Captain just stared at him, his words resonating in his mind on repeat.

“The best friends are the ones who bring out the best in you…” Enty said with a warm smile, walking up to beside the Captain. “They’re the ones who make you just…feel happy!”

“And they stick with you, though anything. The good times, and the bad ones.” Aaron added, his voice calm.

The Captain glanced around him, his heart aching as he looked between the group. Gabriel was looking at him now, his eyes still empty. When the Captain was with Gabriel…he did feel happy. He liked bragging to him, and Gabriel listened without thinking less of him. And…he had said…he considered him family. No matter how far away they were…the Captain was part of a family. This group of doubles…made him happy. He felt…better around them. He felt more confident. He felt…like he was wanted.

They all…wanted him. And…he felt better with them. Like he belonged. He felt…better around them. He felt complete.

“And Captain…” Aaron said, placing his hand on the Captain’s shoulder. “Gabriel would say the same thing. You know this. He cares about you, and…he really looks up to you.” He said, a small smile on his face when the Captain’s eyes widened.

“He…does?”

“God, yeah, idiot wouldn’t shut up about space for days…” Scarecrow groaned, though his heart was light.

“He really began studying space more, and he said you helped him understand many things he was stuck on.” Aaron said. “And believe me…you really helped him feel better about himself, as well.”

“What…did I do?” The Captain said, confusion in his voice. Aaron gave a small laugh, his hand on the Captain’s shoulder.

“You really gave him some needed confidence. Ever since he met you, he’s been way more open and holding his head up just a bit higher.”

“He’s been more relaxed as well. Happier, I guess…” Scarecrow said, glancing behind him. Gabriel was just staring at him, his expression unreadable.

“You brought out the best in him, Captain. You really made a difference.”

“Wouldn’t shut up about you…” Scarecrow grumbled, glancing to the side.

“And…you may not think you need anyone in your life, but…Gabriel really needed you.” Aaron said warmly. The Captain just stared at him, his eyes starting to burn. Aaron tilted his head in understanding. “And even if you don’t want anyone around…you’re still a part of this family. Gabriel said so, so…you’re stuck, I’m afraid.” He said with a laugh.

“Just know your place, Major Tom. I was here first.” Scarecrow sneered, though he had a sly smile on his face.

The Captain looked back ahead, his eyes wanting to tear up. He couldn’t let them. He…didn’t need anyone. He didn’t.

Didn’t he?

He stared ahead, his mind a jumbled mess. He’s never asked for help in his life. He…didn’t need anyone. He didn’t need anyone. He didn’t need…anyone…

The Captain’s mind blanked, and he could feel his eyes get teary against his will. He…needed these guys. He needed them. When he was with them…he felt better. He felt complete. The loneliness he had his entire life…he thought he had become numb to it.

He was wrong.

He hurt inside. He had no one who cared about him here. And he thought he didn’t care, but…he did. The pain never faded. He just learned to live with it. He learned to live alone. But…he was lonely. It was always him, his ship, and his ego. He didn’t have comforting friends, or family, or anyone who cared.

Until he met Gabriel and the others.

They…cared about him. He laughed with them. He felt good with them. He felt…loved with them. Genuine love. And…the pain from before…actually faded.

He felt like a better person with them. They…did bring out the best in him. They…were his family. He needed them. And he was not going to let them down. Not again.

“Well…I guess I…don’t hate being around you guys…I guess…” The Captain said, a slight smile on his face. He let out a laugh when he felt someone hug him from behind, with Enty’s arms holding him tight.

“Welcome to the family!” Enty yelled, holding him tight as they walked. The Captain gave a nervous laugh then slowly pushed Enty off, the flaming man smiling wide.

“Th-thanks…though, after what happened…I don’t feel that I deserve it…” The Captain said, his gaze landing on Gabriel. His face was still neutral, though he was holding his arms closer to himself now as he walked.

“It wasn’t your fault, Kirk. We’re gonna undo this. And I ain’t accepting anything less.” Scarecrow said, gripping the metal pipe in his hands tighter. The Captain smiled and turned back around, nodding.

“Yes…yes, you’re right…I will do whatever I can to help. We will get him back.” He said, glancing once more to Gabriel who was behind him, the man’s eyes distantly locked on the Captain. “Yeah, once I fix the engine, Gabriel is priority.” The Captain said firmly.

“What…about your crew? Your journey?” Aaron asked, aware that…they shouldn’t be priority when other matters like the preservation of a race were at hand.

“The ship needs time to warm up for entering deep space, and then we need even more time to get us set up with the liquid eternity…”

“You’re still going through with that?!” Scarecrow yelled, his eyes lighting up in anger.

“We don’t have a choice. Our new planet demands us to evolve, we just…have to hope my threats hold true to the chemist. Without the source…we will all die. This ship doesn’t have the supplies for sustaining life that long.” The Captain said sadly. “It’s either we trust that he fixes it, or…my people go extinct.”

“Oh…” Aaron muttered, looking to the side. This was…a horribly tight situation.

“So…about the ‘eternity’ part…” Scarecrow said, glancing up to the Captain. “You all really…are ok with living…forever?”

Aaron and Enty’s eyes widened, their gazes landing on the Captain who didn’t look their way.

“It was not my choice. But…yes, I am fine with it. I have eternity to find myself. To explore the universe, and…see all I can see. We’re going to an entire new galaxy…imagine the stars and planets I could explore in an infinite lifetime…”

“You…won’t ever die?” Enty said fearfully.

“Not by age or time.” The Captain said. “Physical injuries will of course get the better of us, but…without danger…we are immortal.”

“Well…I can relate…” Elderane said, finally speaking up. The group eyed him; his manner reserved.

“Eld?” Scarecrow asked, confusion in his voice.

“My people are the same. We do die of age eventually, but…it could be hundreds of thousands of years.”

“What the FUCK.” Scarecrow yelled, his eyes wide in shock. “You’re immortal?!”

“Did you not know?”

“NO, I DIDN’T FUCKING KNOW!!!”

“Eld…how old are you?” Aaron asked fearfully.

“A bit over 200.”

“Jesus fucking Christ…” Scarecrow hissed, covering his eyes with his hands.

“You…look younger than me or Enty…” Aaron said in shock, looking Elderane over. The elf just shrugged.

“Elves stop really aging at a certain point. I could look the same another hundred years from now.”

“And do you…like being immortal?” The Captain asked, glancing behind him. Elderane looked down, his eyes distant.

“Well…to have the time to learn all you can about the universe…it is truly a gift, but…I will admit it has…downsides…” He said, looking Gabriel over. The human didn’t react and just stared back.

“Eld…” Aaron whispered, putting the pieces together when he saw Elderane look Gabriel over. The elf noticed the eyes on him and he shook his head.

“Y-yes, but…knowing I can still make the best of my life and enjoy what I have while I have it…it makes it better. More worthwhile. More special. Some…aspects hurt dearly, but…I know how to make the most of my time. And…the knowledge that the universe is always changing and that I will get to see it evolve…it keeps me going.”

“I see…” The Captain said, turning back ahead. He knew what the elf meant. He’d outlive any human. The Captain sighed, running his hand through his hair. He…hated that thought. To say goodbye to these doubles and outlive them all. But he really couldn’t do anything about it. As long as he lived on Planet Y…he’d have to take the source. He’d be immortal.

Forever.

~

“Well…fuck.” The Captain said tiredly, lowering his arm in defeat. He stood before a metal set of doors, and beyond them…he could smell smoke. Through one of the small windows, he could see the flicker of flames.

“Is…that one of those explosions you mentioned?” Scarecrow said, waving his hand before the door as he could feel some heat resonating off it.

“Yeah…seems one of the generators in this sector definitely overloaded…damnit…” The Captain said, typing onto his screen.

“Is…that bad?” Aaron asked, peering into the room. There was fire around the edges of the room, and smoke covering the ceiling.

“No, no, the generator was small and can be contained, it was just for this sector, though the explosion seems to have only affected this room. That’s not an issue…” The Captain said as he paced. “The issue is…I need in that room.” He hissed, throwing his arm down as he eyed the smoke drifting out the cracked open door. “The fire safety aspects were uh, not installed in every sector as we were on a time restraint, of course…” He said quietly. “But the damn tools I need to fix the main generator are in there…”

“Where? Are they close?” Enty asked, peering into the window.

“Agh, no…” The Captain said in annoyance, pushing the hot door open wider, the man hissing in pain at the burning on his hand from the metal as more heat escaped the room. “It’s uh…that box…all the way over there…” He grumbled, eying a small silver crate on a desk in the back of the smoldering room, flames around it.

“The hell do you need in there?” Scarecrow sneered, coughing a bit as the smoke drifted his way.

“My damn tools! I’m about to fix an overheating starship engine control panel! I can’t do that with my mind! You think I carry these things around with me?” The Captain yelled, facing the group.

“I don’t know, you’re Mr. I Can Do Anything, I was sure you’re always prepared.” Scarecrow sneered, crossing his arms.

“I can’t carry a full tool set with me at all times!”

“Why not? Just shove them up your-”

“Crow!” Aaron yelled, eyeing the now snickering Scarecrow. Aaron rolled his eyes and faced the Captain. “Well…you can’t go in there! Those are suffocating flames…”

“How will you even put the fire out?” Elderane asked, stepping away from Gabriel towards the group.

“Well, there’s mainly just metal in there as this was a mechanical storage room, so once the explosive chemicals are burnt through from the generator, it should just go out on its own, and the rest of the ship is fireproof and we can seal the doors to block it from spreading…” The Captain said, going back to pacing. “But I need those tools now so I can fix the engine…we can’t waste any more time…”

“Well, let me go in, I’ve ran through fire before, I can handle it.” Scarecrow said, walking closer to the Captain whose eyes widened.

“No way, scruffy! This is my ship, and if I let anyone else get hurt, I’m gonna lose it.” The Captain said firmly. “I’ll do it, I just have to be quick…”

“You are wearing a uniform that doesn’t look like it’ll protect you from fire…” Aaron said, eying the black uniform jacket the Captain had on. “Look, let me go-”

“I can handle fire!” Enty said brightly. Scarecrow just glared at him.

“Only like…half of you can like this, Enty, no…” Aaron said, knowing Enty couldn’t always make himself full flames on command.

“Well, I need those tools. If we waste more time, I won’t be able to help with Gabriel before we have to send you home!” The Captain said angrily, his voice tense. “Just let me-”

“WAIT!!!”

“Jesus CHRIST Eld…” Scarecrow sneered, shaking away a jolt of fear caused by Elderane’s sudden shout once again. The elf was looking around, his face pale.

“Uh…” The Captain said, not sure what was wrong.

“WH-WHERE’S GABRIEL?!” Elderane screamed, looking around. The Captain’s eyes widened and he scanned the group.

Gabriel was gone.

“Oh, for the LOVE OF GOD!!!” Scarecrow cried, throwing his hands to his face in frustration. “WHERE THE FUCK DID HE GO NOW?!” He yelled, looking around.

Aaron turned around in fright, though his heart dropped dead in his chest when his eyes landed on the doors to the maintenance room. The Captain followed his gaze, his eyes widening. The door was open wider.

“H-he wouldn’t…” Aaron whispered, his skin crawling with fear as the implications began stabbing away at his mind.

“Oh, fuck…” Scarecrow hissed in horror, the man running towards the door. The group followed, with tears streaming from Elderane’s eyes as Enty held him back.

Scarecrow kicked open the door, but let out a surprised cry of fear when they saw Gabriel standing right behind it, his eyes still blank.

“You all argue too much.” He said flatly, not an ounce of fear in his voice.

The group stared in speechless shock at the sight. Gabriel was just standing there casually, his face and robe slightly dusty with black ash, and his shoulder had some smoking embers on it. He had the silver box in his hands the Captain had pointed out.

“Here.” Gabriel said, handing the box to the shaking Captain as Gabriel walked past. The group’s heads just turned as they watched Gabriel walk out of the room, the man gently patting out some fire on his shoulder. “It’s hot in there, guys.” He said, facing the group again once he was away from the door.

Scarecrow couldn’t move. He turned his gaze back to the room and saw it was full of flames raging away. Gabriel…was terrified of big fires. Especially after the incident in his old world. But now…

He didn’t have any fear at all.

“Oh…oh, that’s bad…” Aaron muttered, his eyes wide as his body went numb. Gabriel had no fear. He’d just…walk into any danger without thinking twice. He could kill himself…

“What?” Gabriel said flatly, eying the frozen group.

Aaron was about to say something when he heard a whimper from Elderane. He turned and saw Elderane gripping his hair, his body shaking as he hunched over.

“Eld, come on…” Aaron said, reaching to console his friend, though the moment he touched Elderane, the elf jolted up, his eyes crazed as he held a fistful of his long hair in his hand.

“DO YOU SEE THIS?!” Elderane screamed, holding the hair out towards Aaron who took a nervous step back. “I’M GETTING GRAY HAIR. IT’S NOT EVEN POSSIBLE FOR MY SPECIES TO GET GRAY HAIR AND I’M GETTING IT!!!” He screamed, the elf wavering on his feet.

Aaron just watched in uncomfortable silence as Elderane fell to his knees, sobbing once more as he gripped his head.

“I really think there’s something wrong with him.” Gabriel said flatly, pointing to the hysterical Elderane on the floor at Aaron’s feet.

“Ok…we need Gabriel back now…” Scarecrow said flatly, lowering his hands in defeat to his side.

“I…I agree…” The Captain said, his gaze stuck on Gabriel as he patted his arm, some black smoke still rising off a burn there. The Captain shook his head, his focus going to the box in his hands. “Well, let me fix the engine as fast as I can, and then we will have time to work with hotshot over here…” He said, motioning for the group to follow him. “We still have time to do that and for me to finish safety checks…”

“Do you have to be done by a certain point?” Scarecrow asked, not understanding what the rush was.

“We…we have a schedule, but…I guess…I could request a variant, but…they’d ask why…” He said, eying the group. “I can’t let anyone else see you…I’ll be in big trouble…”

“Well…lets hury then…” Aaron said, not wanting to cause the Captain any more trouble than they had already.

~

“Oh…this is something else…” Aaron said in wonder, eying the giant hanger-like room they were in. It was dimly lit, but Aaron could see great mechanical machines to the back, each emanating a low hum. He could see lights around them and traces of fire inside.

“The engines are in stasis at the moment, building power for our journey…” The Captain said from the floor, his upper half under a desk-like control panel where he was working. “But I didn’t check before, one had some wrong numbers set in…guess it happened in the rush to get off the planet…” He said quietly. “Now I just gotta rewire some of the control circuits here to let me manually change the settings…”

“Why…can’t you do it normally?” Aaron asked, confusion in his voice.

“The ship itself is top of the line, and it’s abilities are outstanding, but due to the rush, some things were bypassed to save time…a functioning control system is ONE of them!” The Captain yelled, and Aaron saw the man hit the side of a metal panel with his fist.

“I…I see…”

“This is why I design my own ships when I can! Idiots who don’t know what they’re doing just create convoluted messes like this!”

“Didn’t Gabriel say you designed the ship you had back on Earth?” Aaron asked, still fascinated by the machine.

“Yep! The Avalon is one of mine. I built a lot of it as well. It’s actually here on the Starblade in the hangar, for emergencies…”

“You saved your damn spaceship?” Scarecrow said tiredly, the man leaning over the control panel.

“Look, it may not be built for long deep space travel, but it is reliable! I convinced the president it could be an asset…”

“You’re really something special, you know that?” Scarecrow said flatly. The Captain let out a laugh.

“Thanks, scruffy!”

“I hate you.”

“Love ya too, ya coon.” The Captain said with a snicker. Scarecrow grumbled to himself and pulled back, walking away towards the railing on the edge of the platform they were on. Beyond it were the great engines, a mess of machines that Scarecrow didn’t exactly feel safe around.

“How much longer?” Elderane asked, hoping to get through with this soon. Gabriel was just standing back, turning a tool from the Captain’s box over in his hands.

“Ah…one second…” The Captain said quietly, his mind focused. “And…there! That should do it!” He said pulling himself out from under the desk.

He was about to say something else but stopped when the ship around them shook, the man’s eyes widening as another low mechanical groan resonated around the room.

“Uh…” Elderane said softly, pulling his arms closer to himself. He flinched when a rapid beeping appeared, a red light now flashing on the control panel. The Captain ran over to it, his eyes wide.

“Cap? That supposed to happen?” Scarecrow said, pointing ahead. The Captain looked up and saw a lot of the lights on the engine wall were getting brighter, some smoke staring to escape between the cracks in the metal.

“Ah…no…no its not…” The Captain said, grabbing a mechanical tool from his chest. He quickly began unscrewing a panel on the top, and the panic in his eyes didn’t reassure Aaron.

“Captain…may I ask what you did?” He asked quietly, holding on to the edge of the desk as the room shook again.

"Uh...secret..."

"Captain!" Scarecrow yelled, annoyance in his voice.

“It seems…I misplaced a decimal point…”

“The hell does that mean?!” Scarecrow said sharply, walking closer.

“Uh…instead over overload in a few hours…I made it overload to…a few minutes…” He said quietly, the man yanking a metal panel off as he began working away inside.

“You uh…you can fix that…right?” Aaron said, looking around when he noticed it felt…hotter in the large cavernous dark room, the air getting stuffy.

“Y-yeah, uh…one second…” The Captain muttered, using one of his tools on the exposed panel.

The ship shook again, and the group all flinched when a loud bang shook the room, the sound followed by a few mechanical clangs echoing in the chasm before them.

“That’s ok! Ignore that!” The Captain said, putting a tool in his mouth as he began working with both hands on the mess of wires and switches under the panel.

“O-oh…” Elderane whispered in fear, the elf throwing his arms around Gabriel who just let out a sigh.

“Again…with the touching…” He grumbled, uncaring of the eerie and loud mechanical bangs around him.

Scarecrow stood back, now noticing the hum of the engines that was once low and constant, was now rising in pitch and getting louder.

“Captain…” Scarecrow said quietly, the heat in the room increasing.

“One minute…”

“Captain, we don’t have that…” Scarecrow said, annoyance in his voice.

“Just…hold on!”

“Captain!”

“One second!”

“CAPTAIN!!!”

“GAH!!!” The Captain screamed, slamming his fist down onto the control panel. Almost immediately, the rising pitch of the engines stopped, the sound lowering down as the engines cooled.

Aaron let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, the man clutching his chest in fright. His heart was racing as he staggered back, leaning against the control panel for support.

“Damn things…never done right…” The Captain whispered, placing both hands on the control panel as he lowered his head, the adrenaline fading. He saw the readings on the engines begin to drop, everything cooling to where it should be.

“You can let go now.” Gabriel said flatly, eying the elf still clinging to him. Elderane blinked a moment then took in a shuddered breath, his arms releasing Gabriel who just stood back, tossing the tool in his hands over his shoulder as he walked away from Elderane.

"Captain."

The Captain sighed, not looking up as he tapped a button on his wrist.

"I'm here..."

"The engines have been stabilized. I recommend focusing and finishing those safety checks to avoid any more close calls."

"Noted, Leader..." The Captain said tiredly, hitting the button on his wrist again. He sighed and lowered his head again, his heart still racing.

That...was much too close.

“And you all are…trusting this thing to get you to another universe?” Aaron asked, his eyes wide. The Captain raised his head, his breathing still heavy.

“She’s reliable…just…feisty…” He said, glancing up at the engines to the back.

“You are such an idiot…” Scarecrow groaned, rubbing his eyes

“Runs in the family, it seems…” The Captain said, a faint laugh in his voice.

“Yeah, yeah, y-wait…” Scarecrow muttered, his eyes flying open. He stared at the Captain, the man now going back to close the panels he had opened.

“So, it’s safe now?” Enty asked, noticing the temperature go back to normal.

“Yeah, I fixed the issue…won’t happen again…” He said, closing the panel up again. "Once the numbers are set, we won't change them again...not until we reach our destination..."

“Captain…if more like that happens…we can’t risk your entire species dying because of a malfunction…” Aaron said gently, though the Captain looked away. “Just do what needs to be done first, and we can work with Gabriel in the meantime…or maybe we can find the Chemist and see if he made progress…but you can’t endanger your people any more…”

The Captain stayed faced away, his gaze stuck on the control panel. Aaron…was right. The Captain had wanted to help his only family first, but…he couldn’t even do that if everyone on the ship went up in flames…

“Alright, dandy, alright…” He said, running his hand through his hair as he stood up straight. “I’ll take you all somewhere safe, and I’ll finish any safety checks in the meantime…I just...I wanted to help-"

“Cap, I know you think you can, but you can’t do everything at once…” Scarecrow said, walking closer to the group. “We’ll handle Gabe for a bit…you do what needs to be done, and then we’ll go from there.”

“Oh, I…I know, but…I just didn’t want to risk sending Gabriel back home with you…when he’s like that…” The Captain said, eying Gabriel who was standing back, expressionless.

“We will get him back, Captain…” Aaron said firmly, placing his hand on the Captain’s shoulder. “We will. But none of us will get home if the ship implodes…”

“Yes, that…wouldn’t be optimal…” The Captain said, leading the group out of the room and back down the winding mechanical halls.

“Is there any change in him?” Enty said, looking back to Gabriel who was walking beside Elderane.

“Gabe?” Aaron said gently, edging back so he was behind Gabriel as they walked.

“Yea.”

“Didn’t you feel afraid when the ship was shaking? Like you were before?”

“No, not really. I wasn’t a coward like the rest of you.” He said, his gaze landing on Scarecrow whose eyes widened, the man quickly turning away.

“That’s a no…” Elderane said sadly, looking away as well. He sighed, running his hand through his hair. He himself had…questioned Gabriel’s emotions before. He never said it out loud, but…he knew Gabriel was…afraid often. He knew he was scared of a lot of things. He wasn’t the best fighter, and he had trouble with machine work or mechanical work, even basic things.

But…he had so much heart. He had so much love. And… Gabriel was probably the bravest of the group of them. He was scared a lot, but…he went through with life anyway. He always put others first, and would do the most dangerous things even if terrified as long as it meant he could help his friends.

That’s…what Elderane loved about him. He was brave. He was caring. He…was heart.

But now…he wasn’t even Gabriel…

And Elderane was beginning to wonder…if his friend would ever come back.

“Right, why don’t I just leave you in an alcove for a bit until I’m done…I can’t keep being suspicious, either, the rest in command will pick up on it…”

“What will they do if they see us?” Enty asked, following close to the Captain.

“Will they kill us?” Scarecrow asked, gripping the pipe in his hands tighter. He’d have a say on that matter.

“Stars, no!” The Captain said, guiding them down the desolate halls. “They’d lock you up, I’m sure, but…they’d think I snuck you on board…they’d think I’m someone who went against orders because…I thought I could. Because of my rank.”

“You’re…worried about your reputation?” Aaron asked softly. The Captain paused a moment then shook his head.

“Bah, I don’t know…I just know they think I’m reliable, independent, and competent…I can’t lose that…” He muttered, almost out of earshot.

Aaron stood back; his head tilted in confusion. They would have more time if the Captain told his crew about them…but he wasn’t. For his pride, he wasn’t.

Letting out a sigh, Aaron glanced back to Gabriel who was just staring at the floor as they walked, the usually lively man hardly speaking at all anymore. It hurt to see. Aaron gripped his chest, his heart aching. He just prayed they had enough time. He had to trust the Captain. They had no other choice.

“Alright, come on, lets-” The Captain started, though he stopped when a mechanical door opened before them, and the man’s eyes widened when he saw the Chemist there, a phaser in his hand, the weapon pointed his way.

Chapter Text

“HEY WAIT!!!” The Captain screamed with shocked eyes, staggering back when he saw the phaser pointed at him. He dodged out of the way, though with a muted electrical bang, he felt a searing burning pain arise in his side, his breath getting sucked out of him.

“Captain!” Aaron yelled, running forward to catch the gasping man, his hand gripping his abdomen as he fell limply into Aaron’s arms. “Captain?!” Aaron cried again, fully supporting the man as he took strained breaths, his eyes squeezed shut and a look of pure agony on his face. Aaron saw splattered blood under the man’s hand where the wound was, and he could smell burnt flesh.

“What the FUCK?!” Scarecrow screamed in rage, holding the pipe tighter as he marched to the front of the group, positioning himself before them in defense. He glanced behind him and saw Aaron holding the shaking Captain up, his hand clutching a large burnt spot on his side where the fabric of his jacket was scorched all the way through. Scarecrow could see bloody skin beneath it, the skin burnt and blackened. The man was clinging to Aaron, hardly able to stand.

“He is unfit for further duties. We have TH-1 to pilot us from here. He is just a waste of space and resources.” The Chemist said tiredly, aiming the gun up once more, the barrel pointed at Scarecrow’s chest. Scarecrow froze, his eyes stern but his heart was racing. He didn’t have a gun. They were outmatched.

“D-don’t hurt them…” The Captain muttered between pained breaths, the man shakily pulling himself up. His one arm was around Aaron’s shoulder and his other was bloody and clutching his side. He glanced up and saw Gabriel behind him, his expression still blank. He didn’t care. Elderane was behind Scarecrow, his dagger tight in his fist, though his eyes were showing his fear. If they made a move, someone would get shot again. They couldn’t risk it.

“Why do you care? You never care about anyone but yourself…” The Chemist said coldly.

“I was wrong…they’re my friends…just let them go, your fight is with me…” The Captain replied, tears in his eyes from both fear and pain. Aaron just held him tighter, the scientist not sure what else to do.

“They are just stowaways. Brought in by you. They were supposed to die with the planet…” The Chemist sneered, his voice wavering slightly. Aaron saw the man’s eyes were miles away and the hand holding the phaser was shaking.

“Look, we were gonna leave!” Scarecrow yelled, his fist gripping the pipe tighter. “But you messed that up by breaking him!” He sneered, pointing the pipe towards Gabriel.

“I needed to know what the future effects would do…he was expendable…”

“He’s MY FRIEND!!!” The Captain screamed, his blood pounding in his ears as he struggled to ignore the burning agony in his side. “He’s not a clone, he’s not a stowaway, and he’s not expendable! He’s Gabriel! And you are going to fix him or else!”

“Or else what Captain?!” The Chemist sneered coldly as he took a step forward, the gun now pointed back at the Captain who flinched in Aaron’s grasp. “You’re gonna tell the President what I did? You’re gonna kill me when we land? You think all that scares me?!”

“I…I…”

“I don’t care what you do! Because nothing matters anymore! There’s no prison when we arrive! The president can’t do anything to me! And even if you did kill me, at least I’d be with my family again!!!” The Chemist cried, and Aaron could see tears forming in his tired dark eyes. “Why should YOU get to save yours?! Why do you always see yourself as above everyone else?! You don’t matter!” He screamed, taking another step forward, the phaser held higher. “You don’t have friends! I know who you are, Captain, and you’re just an image…you don’t care about anyone and no one cares about you…”

“That’s a lie…” Elderane sneered, though he flinched when the gun was quickly pointed his way.

“Is it?!” The Chemist sneered, his tired but sharp gaze landing on the shaken Captain. “You all just like him because he’s helping you…because you don’t know what he’s really like…he’s just an egotistical, self-centered-”

“He’s our friend…” Enty said firmly, taking a step closer. “We don’t care about any of those things…because that’s what families do…they stick with each other…through anything…flaws and all…”

Scarecrow glanced beside him and saw Enty standing his ground. He saw the Captain looking at him in shock, with Aaron holding him close and supporting him. His gaze drifted to Gabriel, the man standing behind the Captain, his expression still neutral.

Gabriel always liked Scarecrow for who he was…despite his flaws…

Scarecrow shook his head, his rage boiling in his chest as he turned back and faced the Chemist. Enty was right. They were all family, the Captain included. And Scarecrow was not going to lose them here.

“None of that will matter anyway…” The Chemist said, his face once more stern and cold, though his tears weren’t stopping. “I’m tired of you not taking this seriously…I’m tired of you putting yourself above us…we don’t need you anymore…” The Chemist said quietly, the phaser pointed back at the Captain whose eyes widened in fear. The Chemist took another step closer. “They still need me…so even if I kill you all…I’ll still see us home…and I’ll be free…”

“You’re insane!” Aaron yelled, turning slightly so the Captain was behind him.

“We were gonna leave in peace…” Enty cried, standing back as tears filled his own eyes. He wanted to protect his family, but if he moved…the Chemist would shoot one of them. He couldn’t protect them all at once.

“I DON’T CARE!!!” The Chemist screamed, his voice trembling. “I don’t care who you are or what you were going to do! I’m tired of it all! You shouldn’t have come here in the first place! You don’t belong here, and neither does he…” The man sneered, his finger closing around the trigger as he held the gun towards the Captain.

Aaron squeezed his eyes shut and quickly turned more, hoping to block the Captain from the gun and take the shot himself. He flinched when a muted electrical bang echoed down the empty halls, and he awaited his demise.

But…he felt nothing.

He blinked, his mind going blank. The world was silent, and he looked up and saw he was still holding the gasping Captain against him, but neither he nor Aaron were hit. He met the Captain’s equally confused gaze for a moment before the duo looked ahead in confusion.

“Wh-what…” Aaron whispered; his eyes wide as he turned to face the Chemist. His body went numb when he saw the crazed man was on the ground, unmoving. He was just laying like a ragdoll on the grated floor, immobile, the gun still in his limp hand.

“He was annoying.”

All eyes turned in shocked silence and landed on Gabriel, the younger man standing back behind the group, his eyes still empty. His arm was extended out and he had a phaser in his own hand, the gun pointed towards where the Chemist had been.

“This thing shoots light, guys…”

The Captain’s eyes widened and he glanced down, noticing the phaser was missing from his belt.

“G-Gabe…” Scarecrow muttered in paralyzing fear, looking between his empty friend and the man lifeless on the ground.

“Gabriel killed someone…” Enty cried brokenly with wide eyes, his shadows flaring and taking up all of him as he staggered back, covering his mouth with his hands.

“Wait, w-wait…” The Captain muttered, pulling himself from Aaron as he staggered towards the Chemist, the man using the wall for support. He looked the man on the ground over, and the Captain felt cool relief flow through him when he saw the Chemist’s chest rising. “It’s ok…he just stunned him…I had it set to stun…”

“Oh, thank the stars…” Elderane whispered in broken exasperation, the dagger falling from his shaking hands and clattering to the floor. He covered his eyes and faced away from the group as his mind began screaming. He couldn’t have imagined Gabriel killing someone. And if Gabriel got his emotions back…and knew what he had done…

He’d never forgive himself. It would break him beyond repair.

“This thing had a stun setting?” Gabriel said flatly, turning the gun over in his hands. Elderane’s eyes widened and he let out a pained whimpered groan, the elf clutching his churning stomach as he leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. He gripped his hair and felt his tears flow, his emotions getting the better of him. He couldn’t do this anymore…

“Oh, lord give me strength…” Aaron cried, the scientist running his hand through his hair. He couldn’t take much more of this either. It hurt worse than any physical injury to see Gabriel so cold and inhumane. To see him try to kill without second thought.

“So, he’s not dead?” Gabriel asked, looking directly down the barrel of the futuristic gun as he examined it.

“NO, no he’s not, and give me that!” Scarecrow yelled quickly, yanking the phaser from Gabriel’s hands. Gabriel just blinked a moment then shrugged and turned away.

“Oh well.” He said flatly before walking away a bit, uncaring as he stepped over the hysterical Elderane on the floor.

Aaron just stood still; his mind broken. Gabriel was standing blankly beside some large metallic crates, Elderane was once again sobbing on the floor curled in on himself, Scarecrow was standing in shock as he eyed the weapon in his hands, and Enty was still full shadow, the man clutching his chest in an attempt to ease his emotions.

This trip was breaking them all.

“Agh…” The Captain hissed, the man leaning against the wall as he eyed the injury on his side, his adrenaline fading. He had just dodged the shot, though it grazed him. He had a large circular burn mark on his side, the cloth completely burnt through to the skin. The visible skin was blackened and bloody. He didn’t dare touch it. He eyed his hand, his vision a bit hazy when he saw blood covering it.

“You alright, spaceman?” Scarecrow asked, walking closer to the Captain who just nodded through gritted teeth.

“Y-yes…nothing our medical bay can’t fix…we have a good doctor on the ship…” He said, hissing in pain as he adjusted his jacket, the cloth somewhat melted to his side. He sighed and let out a long breath, focusing his attention elsewhere. He could walk this off.

He’s been hurt worse. He could manage.

“Oh…this is a mess…” Aaron muttered brokenly, eying the fallen Chemist. “He wasn’t even trying to fix Gabriel, was he?”

“No, I’d say not…damn it…” The Captain groaned, his hand running through his messy hair as he pondered his options. There was no way the Chemist was going to help them now. They had wasted time with him. Now, they were stuck.

“What…do we do now?” Enty asked quietly, holding his arms close to himself in fear. The Captain lowered his hand, his mind swarming with thoughts.

“Well…we don’t have him helping us anymore…and no one else on the ship knows how to work the Source in as much detail as him…I still have to do safety checks, and…and damnit…” He groaned, the man rubbing his eyes as he hunched over.

He wasn’t used to being so stuck. He wasn’t used to failing. To not having hope. And…the feeling made him want to be sick.

“I haven’t even had time to work on our way home…” Aaron muttered, eying the bag over his shoulder. “Captain…we need more time…we all do…”

“I know! I know…” The Captain hissed, a headache forming behind his eyes. He knew they needed more time, but…he would have to come clean about the entire thing to his superiors in order to get it.

And…he just…couldn’t…

“Captain…what have you been doing?”

The Captain’s eyes flew open and his heart stopped dead when a familiar voice appeared. The entire group turned and saw two men in uniforms standing in the hall by Gabriel, with TH-1 behind them.

“Oh, fuck me…” The Captain groaned, his heart dropping. They were screwed.

~

“Honestly, what the hell is going on in this ship?!” The Leader muttered, guiding him, the President, and TH-1 down the halls. “The Captain has been acting odd and has been stalling, he hasn’t been doing his checks, no one has seen the Chemist, and we should have entered deep space half an hour ago…”

“I was hoping to be farther away from Alpha when it…oh…” The President said quietly, guilt suffocating him. This was all his fault, and billions were going to perish at any moment.

He hadn’t wanted to see it directly.

“I didn't want to see it so close either…oh, where the hell are they? What’s going on?” The Leader sneered, annoyance in his voice.

“The Captain and the Chemist both had distractions.”

The two humans looked behind them at the robot, his face neutral.

“What do you mean distractions?” The Leader asked, not sure what could have possibly distracted the two from their duties when the survival of their race was at stake.

“I was ordered to keep the information classified.”

“Oh, so now they’re hiding things!” The Leader yelled, the man slamming his fist onto the lift button to take them to a higher level.

“Well, not from us. TH-1, presidential override, what are they hiding?” The President said calmly, not wanting any more issues to arise. They had to know and set things back on track. TH-1 paused a moment then nodded.

“I am not sure how it happened, but four clones of the Captain and one unknown got onto the ship. The Chemist apprehended one, but the others escaped. I was ordered to leave them be by both authorities.”

The Leader and the President just blinked, standing in silence as the lift took them up.

“What the hell…” The Leader groaned, rubbing his eyes in annoyance as the lift stopped.

“That is…odd…” The President said quietly, following the Leader out.

“And against the rules! What was the Captain thinking?!”

“I am not certain. His behavior has been most erratic.” TH-1 stated, his voice somewhat confused.

“You can say that again…”

“I am not cer-”

“Shut it…” The Leader muttered, holding a hand back to silence the robot behind them.

“I am sure…there is a logical explanation…” The President said, following the leader. “He is a trustworthy man…odd, but…reliable…”

“He’s unstable! He acts on impulse and constantly puts himself and others in danger!” The Leader said, following the halls towards where the Captain had been seen last. They needed answers.

“TH-1, were those stowaways dangerous?” The President asked calmly. He didn’t want any more violence. No more death.

“Two were armed, one with a knife and one with a pipe, but both only acted in self-defense. All others were low to negative threat levels, and the one clone was apprehended easily without issue.”

“Well then…how much trouble could they get into then?” The President asked, following the Leader around a corner.

The group paused, their eyes widening at the scene before them as they skidded to a halt. They saw one long-haired clone of the Captain just staring blankly at them, three other clones of the Captain standing back in tense fear, one unknown…person on the ground crying, the Captain leaning against the wall with a bloody phaser injury on his side, and the Chemist passed out on the floor before them.

“Does that answer your question?” The Leader whispered flatly; his eyes tired as he motioned to the odd scene. The President blinked, not sure to make of what was before him. He took in a breath and took a step forward, repressing his nerves. Something had happened, but…he could fix it. He wouldn’t make any more mistakes.

“Captain…what have you been doing?!” He said in tired confusion, stopping his walking when all eyes landed on him.

~

The Captain looked up in fear, his body going numb when the Leader and the President walked ahead, with TH-1 behind them.

“So these are your…clones…” The Leader muttered tiredly, looking the odd group over. The Captain glared at TH-1, the robot standing contently back beside Gabriel.

“Snitch…” The Captain sneered, though TH-1 just gave a slight small smile.

“Oh, fuck…” Scarecrow muttered, the phaser falling from his hands to the floor as he took a step back.

“Before things get out of hand, an explanation would be appreciated…and one on why the Chemist is unconscious…” The Leader asked sharply, eying the lifeless man on the ground.

“He tried to kill us!” Aaron yelled, taking charge as he stepped past the Captain.

“Aaron…” The Captain muttered fearfully, following him as his side burned.

“Now, I hardly believe that…he is a respected man and scientist…he is here for a reason…” The President said quietly.

“It’s true though! He shot the Captain!” Scarecrow yelled, pointing to the slightly staggering Captain as the man used the wall for support.

“Captain?” The Leader asked, looking the man over. He did have an overly bloody phaser burn. The Captain paused a moment then let out a sigh.

“Yeah, he shot me. You can check security footage if you don’t believe me.”

“And he broke Gabriel!” Elderane cried, pulling himself to his feet. The President and Leader just stared at the pointy-eared man.

“Who…is Gabriel?”

“Oh, that’s me.” Gabriel said flatly, walking ahead. The duo watched him in silence, the younger man standing expressionless beside them.

“Ok, first of all, why are there four clones of you?” The Leader asked sternly.

“And what do you mean…he broke you…?” The President asked in concern, looking the long-haired double over.

“Captain, just tell them…please…” Aaron asked softly, his eyes pleading. “We need more time…”

The Captain looked back, his mind screaming. He felt all eyes on him, piercing his soul.

“Captain…” Enty cried, a few tears in his eyes. The Captain felt his breathing pick up, his heart fluttering in his chest. He had never needed anyone in his life. That was his image. He was independent and competent. He wasn’t weak. Family just made people weak. That’s what he was taught early on. He wasn’t weak…he wasn’t weak…he wasn’t…

His gaze slowly drifted to Gabriel, the man standing still and emotionless beside TH-1, fearless of the robot that should be scaring him half to death. Gabriel…the man…the Captain needed. He needed him. He made him happy. All the doubles did. They were…there were his…he wasn’t weak…he needed…they…

“THEY’RE MY FAMILY, OK?!” The Captain screamed, causing the group to flinch. The Leader’s eyes widened when he saw…tears in the Captain’s eyes. He’s never seen the man…cry before…

“Captain…” The President started, not sure what was happening.

“You don’t have any biological family left…” The Leader said in confusion. The Captain gripped his head, shaking it as his tears fell.

“No, no, no! Because for the LAST TIME…these are not CLONES, they are not FROM HERE, and they were going to LEAVE IN PEACE!!! But HE had to go and MESS IT ALL UP!!!” The Captain screamed, motioning towards the Chemist who was still unmoving on the ground. “They are from an alternate dimension! From another world! And they are from a primitive planet called ‘Earth’, and I accidentally got pulled there while on patrol by that one a few weeks ago…” He said, motioning to the flustered Aaron. “And I just…they got pulled here by accident and I couldn’t leave them on Alpha, so I let them on board! And they were going to leave! He has a way to send them home, he just needed time to fix it and…and…” The Captain said, the man now gasping for air between sobs.

The Leader and the President stood back in shock as the Captain broke before them. They had never seen him so much as show any vulnerability before, but now…he was downright sobbing before them. Neither knew what to say in the least.

“And they wouldn’t have even been seen! They were just going to hide out and fix their way home, but he had to go and ruin it!” The Captain yelled, pointing to the Chemist as his tears slid down his face. “He kidnapped Gabriel there and tested dangerous and experimental liquid eternity on him, and it ERASED HIS EMOTIONS!!!” The man screamed, his tears not stopping as he let everything out. He couldn’t keep it in anymore. He couldn’t keep pretending he was stronger than he was.

The President and Leader turned, eying the younger double in an odd robe. They did notice…he hadn’t shown any fear or emotion at all. His eyes were distant and uncaring, and he just looked…passive.

“And Gabriel was my FRIEND! And…and they are my family, ok?!” The Captain cried, taking a firm step forward, ignoring the blazing agony in his side. “We aren’t related, but…but it doesn’t matter! We’re family, and…and I couldn’t leave them on Alpha to die when they could be saved, and…and I was just trying to get Gabriel back! BUT I JUST KEEP FAILING!!!” The man screamed, and the group watched in shock as the man sent a hard kick to a panel on the wall, the plate indenting slightly from the force.

“Captain, please…” The President said, reaching a hand towards the hysterical man who was now hunched over, his tears not stopping.

“I’M TIRED OF FAILING!!! I GET ONE PERSON WHO LIKES ME FOR WHO I AM AND I FAIL THEM!!!” He screamed louder, kicking the metal plate again, denting it more. “I CAN’T FAIL! I DON’T FAIL! I…I CAN’T…I can’t…I…” He cried, his voice getting quieter as he staggered forward, now gripping a pipe on the wall to hold himself up as he shook.

Enty’s eyes widened and he ran forward, supporting the Captain as his legs gave way. Enty lowered him down to his knees and the Captain just gripped his own hair, hiding his face as Enty held him tight.

“I can’t keep failing…I can’t…I can’t…” The Captain cried, trembling in Enty’s grasp as the ghostly man hugged him tight, his own tears falling when he felt the anguish and suffocating confusion in the Captain’s heart. “I c-can’t…” The man whispered, his face hidden though he kept sobbing, his air coming in through short bursts.

The group stood back in silence, not daring talk. The only sound now was the gentle hum of the machines around them and the Captain’s quieting sobs, his face hidden in his arms. He remained on his knees, with Enty holding him close, though the Captain just huddled in on himself more.

The Leader turned and looked beside him at the long-haired double. He saw him just standing there, no care in his eyes at all. But…the Captain really cared about him. He cared about all of these people…

He had never seen the Captain care about anyone other than himself before…

“Captain…please…” The President said quietly, breaking the silence and taking the first step forward. The Captain glanced up at him, shamelessly showing his reddened eyes and his tears as he trembled in Enty’s grasp. The President paused and kneeled beside him, looking the misfit group over. “You did not fail…what happened was a mistake on our part…it seems we did not analyze the Chemist enough, and your friend paid the price…it was not all you, and I am sorry this happened…you know I wanted no one else to get hurt…” He said, eying the bloody wound on the Captain’s side, his scorched skin showing through.

“You’re not…mad that we’re here?” Elderane asked, looking the duo over. The Leader sighed and glanced to the side.

“It broke protocol to allow unregistered life on the Starblade, but…but in these times, we cannot blame him for acting on his emotions. Especially with how much he seems to care about you.” He said quietly, his voice still firm. “And…if you all are telling the truth…you would have left anyway, which wouldn’t have had any issues for us at all. And as long as you can still leave before we enter cryo-sleep, then…I say no harm done. It is still a breach of protocol, but…damnit, nothing really matters anymore…”

“But harm was done! We can’t leave until he’s fixed!” Elderane yelled, pointing to Gabriel who just gave a small wave to the group who looked him over.

“So, what did it do…?” The Leader said, circling around Gabriel who just stood still, watching the short-haired man look him over.

“It…it nullified his emotions…he can’t feel anything, really…” The Captain said, his composure returning to him. “They aren’t gone, but…but the source muted them…and something tells me the Chemist knew this would happen…and that he doesn’t want to fix it…”

“Tell me, Gabriel, what did he do to you exactly?” The Leader asked, pausing before Gabriel who just shrugged.

“Shot me with the light gun, everything hurt, I woke up restrained on a table all alone, no one came for me, and he injected some green stuff into me.” He said flatly.

“He stunned you?!” The President asked, pulling himself to his feet. Gabriel just nodded.

“I didn’t like it.”

“Oh dear…” The President said quietly, eying the unconscious Chemist. “It seems we made a grave error…”

“But we need him! And we need the source!” The Leader yelled back; his own mind stuck. “Captain, is this source variant inevitable? Did he say?”

“I don’t know…he said under ‘certain’ influences it could develop, but he didn’t way what…and he didn’t even try to undo it…”

“Why…would he do that?” The President asked in genuine confusion, eying the man on the ground. The Chemist was reserved and almost a recluse but…he didn’t seem…to be so unstable he used human subjects to test dangerous chemicals…

It just didn’t make sense…

“Please…you have to help us…we need our Gabriel back…” Aaron cried pleadingly, stepping closer to the President. “We tried to snap him out of it, but nothing we do seems to be enough…we can’t leave until he’s fixed…”

“We need more time, President…” The Captain said, wiping his eyes as he sat up a bit higher, though Enty still held him. “We need time to fix him, to finish preparing the ship, and to make sure the source is safe…”

“And you can have it.” The man said firmly, a small smile on his face that sent a wave of relief through the group. “With your design of perpetual energy for this ship, we don’t have to worry about running out of fuel ever. We can keep the engines in stasis until we are certain your friends go home and that the ship and the source is safe. We cannot take any more risky chances on Alpha’s future.”

“You’re…really gonna help us?” Scarecrow asked, his heart not believing it. The President and the Leader exchanged a glance and both gave a small smile, nodding as they faced the Captain on the ground.

“We are all that’s left, and…even if you are not from Alpha…you are here anyway and we can’t exactly jettison you into space. And you are his family.” He said softly, a bit of pride in his voice. He knew the Captain was alone. He often felt bad for him, but…he never knew what could be done. But…he seems to have found a family all on his own. “We couldn’t save ours, but…who are we to deny you the chance to save yours when everything has already come this far?” The President said, earning a shocked glance from the Captain.

“Yeah, the idiot already broke protocol, but…we can’t go back now. And we can’t take you all with us, so…we will do what we can to help.” The Leader said, his voice still unreadable.

“Oh…oh stars, thank you…” Elderane cried, a smile forming on his face as he staggered back in cool relief. He felt…hope. For the first time in a while…he felt hope. They would get Gabriel back and get home.

“I’m…I’m sorry, for…for everything…” The Captain said, pulling himself to his feet with Enty’s support. “To everyone…I’m just…so sorry…”

“Oh, shut it.” The Leader sneered, though Aaron did take note of some sympathy in his voice. “None of this was your fault, and you were just…acting on impulse again. At least it was with your heart, and…nothing that has happened is irreversible. We will set this right and get back on the right track.”

“But Gabriel…” Enty said, eying the younger man who had hardly spoken at all.

“Yeah, the lunatic said he didn’t know how long the effects would last. Or…if they will ever fade…” The Captain said sadly, his one arm over Enty’s shoulder as he took focused breaths to distract him from the burning in his side. His vison was still spinning slightly.

“Our biologist knows a bit about the source, as she worked with the Chemist on helping him know what to do to help it adapt to our new planet. She isn’t as technological as the Chemist, and she doesn’t know it’s engineering, but she can at least try to look it over until we have a word with the man…” The President said, disappointment in his voice.

“And we can keep trying Enty’s method of helping Gabriel remember his emotions…” Aaron said, his own hope rising.

They had time. They had extra help, and they had time. They could do this.

“And Captain…in the meantime, you can work on those safety checks and final scans, but first…go see the damn doctor…” The Leader said tiredly, eying the Captain who was still supported by Enty. The shaking man gave a small smile, his tears wanting to return.

“I…I will…thank you…”

“Shut it, I just don’t want to see you break again…” The Leader said tiredly, though the Captain just let out a small mocking laugh. He could always read the Leader well enough to know when he cared. Even if he didn’t show it.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to give you the pleasure…”

“Right, and you, uh…” The President started, eying the…inhuman man holding the Captain up.

“Enty!” The ghostly man said with a bright smile. The President paused a moment then shook his head.

“Y-yeah, uh…Enty. You take the Captain to med bay; he knows where it is.” The President said watching as Enty nodded and began walking, supporting his friend as they went. The President looked back to the group. “I’m going to go find the biologist and see what she can do…Leader, can you work with the Chemist and get some damn answers?”

“I’d be happy to.” The man said coldly, eying the man on the floor as he walked to pick him up. “I could use help, though…seems he was the unstable one instead…”

“I can help…” Aaron said calmly, stepping forward. “I want to help with Gabe, but I need to know what exactly it did to his mind in order to fix it…and if it’s not too much trouble, I could stand to borrow a few smaller mechanical tools as well so I can work on our way home…” He said, holding his bag with the broken machine in it out for the group to see.

The Leader met the President’s gaze and nodded.

“Right…TH-1, go with them and help, and you three…uh…”

“I’m Scarecrow, this is Elderane, and Gabriel…and the nerd is Aaron…” Scarecrow said, stepping forward. The President looked the group over and shook his head with a sigh.

“You three can come with me, I will take you somewhere isolated where you can work with your friend while we take care of the ship and the Chemist.”

“Sounds good to me…” Elderane said calmly, his composure back as he stood beside Scarecrow. The President gave a small smile and nodded, watching as Aaron and the Leader vanished down a hall with TH-1 and the unconscious Chemist.

“Right…again, I am sorry this happened…I didn’t want any of these things to follow us to Planet Y…” He said, guiding the remaining trio down some metal halls. “We were supposed to start over new…”

“Well…I’m sorry this all is happening to you…” Scarecrow said, recalling how the reddish planet out the windows was soon to go up in nuclear flames.

“It…it was all my fault…and I know the guilt will haunt me till the end of time…which we may live to see…” The President said solemnly, his gaze locked on the floor.

“How was it your fault?” Elderane asked in confusion. The man before them was…not threatening. He looked kind enough, with his longer dark hair tied back, and he had glasses somewhat similar to Aaron’s on. He hadn’t raised his voice once.

“I listened to the enticing promises made by the AI. I allowed our planet to be run by said AI in an attempt to fix our problems logically and efficiently…”

“I…take it that didn’t work…” Scarecrow muttered quietly. The President shook his head.

“No, no…not at all. For a while, yes, it did, but…eventually, the problems became too much, and…the AI we named the Frame…it decided to eradicate the source of the problems.”

“And that was…?” Elderane asked, fearful of the answer. The President sighed; his head hung low.

“The human race. All problems were caused by humans, so…it saw it logical to destroy the source of it all. That being…humanity.”

“Jesus Christ…” Scarecrow muttered; his eyes wide.

“It took control of all the technology and closed all communication channels. It then put all its energy into the quantum core reactor…the main energy source for the planet…”

“So…a giant nuclear explosion?” Scarecrow asked.

“Bigger…to run an entire planet, we needed quantum energy…something efficient but dangerous…once the coolant is burned away by the Frame, a quantum explosion will eradicate the entire planet with the force of a small supernova…”

“O-oh…” Elderane muttered, terror gripping his heart. If it weren’t for Gabriel’s quick thinking and the Captain’s kindness…they would have been one of those lost to the fire.

“If by some miracle any life survives the blast, the radiation will kill whoever is left…and if even that doesn’t fail…the explosion will evaporate the atmosphere. All air will be lost, the planet will heat up beyond what can sustain life, and it will be just another lifeless rock in space…”

“Ah…” Scarecrow muttered, holding his arms closer to himself. He eyed the President, the man quiet and reserved. No wonder he was guilty. Scarecrow couldn’t imagine the weight the man was carrying on his shoulders.

“So…I know I must do what I can to make things right for who is left. I don’t deserve to be here and live, but…but I was needed to keep things under order and control…and I have all the codes and information needed for the tech we need to get us there…I don’t deserve to go, I know…and the guilt shall haunt me for eternity…that is what I deserve.”

Scarecrow stood back and turned, eying Gabriel. The man wasn’t even looking their way. He was staring at the wall as they walked, his mind elsewhere. This knowledge would break Gabriel normally. And now…he couldn’t care less

“Well…I’m no good at the whole ‘comfort’ thing, but…Gabriel here usually is…” Scarecrow said, walking up a bit closer to the President who just looked at him in confusion. “And…I think if he were here…he’d tell you that anyone is worthy of forgiveness and…even the worst people can change. He’d say that…you made a lotta fucked-up errors-”

“He wouldn’t use that language, but carry on…” Elderane said, cutting in. Scarecrow just gave a small smile and rolled his eyes.

“But…he’d see that you worked hard to fix things and make it right…save who you could…and he’d find that commendable.”

“There is nothing to forgive with me. Nothing commendable. What I did cannot be forgiven…”

“A good friend of mine once said that that isn’t for you to decide.” Scarecrow said, eying Elderane who smiled calmly at him. “You can forgive yourself or not, sure, but…you can’t decide how or if or when other people forgive ya. And…while what is happening is fucked up of the highest degree…you’re still working to fix it.”

“And you are helping us…” Elderane said softly.

“The elf is right. So…while I wanna stay out of the politics side of things…I don’t think you’re a bad person.” Scarecrow said firmly. “I know bad, and…pardon my lack of filter, but…you’re just fucking misguided as hell.” He said, earning a small laugh from the President.

“But Gabriel would say not too far gone…” Elderane added.

“This Gabriel…seems quite wise…” The President said, repressing tears as they walked down the empty halls. Scarecrow smiled and eyed his young friend, the man tuning in but not saying anything.

“He is, yeah. So just…don’t let the guilt kill you. Because…there’s still a lot of good you can do. Even if no one forgives you…you can still work to do good. That’s what Gabriel would say, I think.” Scarecrow finished, his hands in his pockets as they walked.

“I will…ponder that, thank you…” The President said softly, not meeting their gazes. He messed up yet again. His choices led to more families being hurt. But he could fix this one.

He could fix this one. And he would. No matter what…

Chapter Text

“In here…the bridge…” The President said quietly, leading the trio through some large silver steel doors. The group walked in and Scarecrow ‘s eyes widened at the sight. It was a large curved room with a giant black screen in the front taking up the entire wall. On the screen were some smaller screes showing parts of the ship, both inside and out, but the biggest picture just showed what was before them.

Black space with unfamiliar stars and planets littering the sky, and in the center…Scarecrow saw the reddish planet they had been on.

“Alpha…” The President said solemnly, his manner reserved as he slowly walked up to the screen. “It will not last much longer…”

“So…that entire planet…is really gonna go up in flames?” Scarecrow asked fearfully, his gaze stuck on the sphere. It was reddish like mars, but it was formed like Earth, with continents and obvious oceans. The President let out a sigh, his heart aching heavily.

“Yes…and it is by my hand…” He whispered, his eyes starting to burn at the sight. TH-1 had been watching the Frame’s activity and monitoring the quantum reactors. They were set to detonate any time now. “I had hoped we were far enough away we didn’t have to see it so close, but…I suppose I deserve this.” He said, his hand moving to his chest where he gripped his heart.

Elderane stood back, his own heart aching as he stared at the planet. He couldn’t imagine an entire world getting destroyed. All those people…families…

The elf turned beside him and eyed Gabriel, though he wasn’t even looking at the planet he knew would perish. He was just faced to the side, his blank gaze stuck on some blinking screens and lights on a control panel.

He didn’t care at all.

Elderane felt more tears form in his eyes, his heart breaking more. Gabriel would be mortified by these events. He would be praying for the world. He would be crying with them. He would normally…care.

The younger double just stood resolute before the control panel, his eyes just looking the flashing screens over.

He didn’t care at all. He wasn’t Gabriel anymore.

“I am…so sorry for what happened to your friend, as well…” The President said, shaking his head as he glanced to the side and looked the man in the odd robe over. “I was adamant that no one else dies or gets hurt, but…it seems once again I have caused more suffering…”

“We will get him back…” Elderane said firmly, his mind still making him doubt his words. “We have to…”

“Whatever it takes…then we’ll be on our way, and you all can go…wherever you’re going…” Scarecrow said, eying one of the smaller side screens that had a star map on it. He saw some lines showing a path, and the destination was titled…Sirrah.

“Yes…we have no choice anymore. I hope we can get the Chemist to come around, for without the source…we perish.” The President said, walking up to beside Scarecrow.

“Why do you need that stuff anyway?” Scarecrow asked, knowing full well how…questionable it was.

“There are not enough supplies on the ship to sustain a colony for lifetimes…we need to colonize a new planet or we go extinct. But no planet was close enough to Alpha’s conditions, so a drug had to be made to allow us to evolve and adapt to the new environment.” The President replied, his gaze stuck on their destination.

“And it will make you…immortal?” Elderane asked, taking a slow step forward.

“We have no choice. The Chemist was a brilliant man, but something as complex as the Source…it has conditions that must exist in order to allow us to live properly on our new home.”

“Is that it?” Scarecrow said, pointing to a prominent glowing blue dot on the map besides Sirrah.

“Yes, we titled it Planet Y. It is where we shall start anew…I hope…” The President said quietly, his tears wanting to return. They were paying a heavy toll to survive.

It had to be worth it. They couldn’t mess up again. This time…would be different. No more cold machines, no more war, no more hate or cruelty. They will start a new world and shape it better this time. A new start. A new home.

“What is this planet like? What about it is forcing you to take that Source stuff and…evolve?” Scarecrow asked, not sure what exactly these people meant by that. But…it didn’t sound…natural…

“Well…the planet is covered in-”

The President stopped mid-sentence, a quiet beeping catching in his ears. The others in the room noticed and turned towards the screen, a few blinking lights now appearing on the dashboard and screen.

“Uh…” Elderane said quietly, holding his arms closer to himself at the ominous sound. It couldn’t mean anything good.

“Uh…sir? That supposed to happen?” Scarecrow asked, watching as the President took a few slow steps towards the large screen at the front of the room, his gaze locked on it.

Scarecrow stood back, a tension rising in the air strong enough he could feel it. He followed the President’s gaze and saw he was looking at the planet. Before Scarecrow could even ask, his heart dropped cold when he saw a small bright flash of white light appear on the planet’s surface, the light still big enough to be seen from space, and it was still growing.

After a moment, Scarecrow saw another light appear on the side of the planet, the same pattern occurring as it started small and proceeded to grow larger, not showing any signs of stopping.

Elderane covered his mouth with his hands when he saw what he assumed was fire on the planet’s surface, the reddish clouds almost…burning away with an orange glow. He felt warm tears form in his eyes and he turned away, not able to take any more. He wanted nothing more than to hold Gabriel, though when he looked up, Gabriel was just staring at the screen, his expression…still blank.

Scarecrow took a shaky step back, the feeling going numb in his legs when he saw what he assumed was a titanic wave of white fire sweeping over the planets dull red surface, the light not stopping at all. He saw the clouds begin to vanish as they burned away, and he could see the surface clearly. The light was still spreading, and Scarecrow could see once the fire passed over the land, what remained was a darker black, scorched and annihilated.

He wanted to look away. Tears were sliding down his face, and his legs were shaking, but he couldn’t look away. He screamed at his mind to let him look away, but…he couldn’t. His gaze was stuck. The multiple white explosions were sending fire across the entire planet’s surface, everything burning in its wake. Eventually there was no red left.

Just a dull glowing white covered the planet, with blackened ground beginning to appear in the spots where the explosion’s blast stared to fade. The blast had covered the entire planet. There was no way anyone survived.

Scarecrow stood still, his mind not comprehending. He wanted so badly to turn away, but his gaze was stuck. He had just seen billions perish in the span of a few minutes. He didn’t feel like he was standing there anymore. Everything was numb. Even his mind. He just stared at the scorched planet; the glow almost pulsating.

An entire race just died in front of him.

Footsteps managed to jolt Scarecrow out of his trance and he glanced beside him, eying the President. He could see visual tears in his eyes. Without a word, the long-haired man heel-turned and headed for the doors, vanishing in silence.

They were alone.

Scarecrow turned and saw Gabriel was still staring at the planet, though…Scarecrow had to note…Gabriel looked almost…afraid. His eyes were a bit wider and Scarecrow could see his breathing was slightly quicker. Seeing the planet…managed to jolt something.

But Scarecrow wished none of them had seen it. And he wanted nothing more than to forget.

~

The President staggered into the hall, the doors closing behind him with a dull bang. He let out a sob as his stomach churned, his body shaking. He placed a hand on the wall for support, though he couldn’t see through the tears in his eyes.

Struggling to breathe, the man felt his legs waver and he fell to his knees, his hand still gripping the wall with white knuckles. He covered his eyes with his other hand, his tears staining it and sliding down his cheek as he trembled in place.

He had done this. His entire race…dead. Because of him. All those families…children…

Letting out a broken sob, the man threw both hands to his head and gripped his hair tightly with a clawed grasp, his eyes burning and his chest screaming for air that wasn’t coming. He hunched over lower, though he didn’t make a sound.

He crumbled lower in agony to the floor, the screams of the dead reaching him, ripping his soul apart. He felt the weight of the dead crush him. An entire planet on his shoulders. He had failed them all.

Alpha…has fallen.

~

“Up…up ahead…” The Captain managed, his breathing focused and shallow as he held on tight to Enty, the man almost fully supporting him with ease.

“You look…bad…” Enty muttered fearfully, eying the Captain’s hand that was over a still quite bloody burn spot, his black and blue uniform jacket shot all the way through. The injury was almost the size of his entire hand and there was scattered blood dripping from it without resistance.

“F-fixable…I’m in…destructible…” The Captain muttered through a shaky voice, his head lowering a bit as he closed his eyes. His vision was starting to spin again. All he felt was scorching fire on his side, the pain spreading up his entire body, dulling everything else.

“I do not think…that you are…” Enty said quietly, holding his now staggering friend tighter. He was used to Scarecrow saying the same thing, but he wasn’t invincible either. And that worried Enty a bit, as he would often throw himself into danger thinking he can handle it. He…often couldn’t. And it seems the Captain couldn’t either.

As they walked down the hall, Enty saw the large silver door the Captain had pointed out before them. Before he could even reach to open it, it swung open, a man about to step out stopping in his tracks. His eyes widened when he noticed the two people before him in the hall.

“C-Captain?!” The man said in fear, noticing the man in Enty’s arms was hardly conscious.

“Are you…the doctor here?” Enty said, taking a few steps closer. The man before them nodded quickly, his eyes wide as he opened the door behind him.

“Y-yes, oh, what happened here!?” He said with a quiet but fearful voice, watching as Enty dragged the Captain inside.

“He uh…got shot…with one of your…light guns…”

“A phaser blast? Oh dear, who did this to you?” The man franted, now helping Enty lift the unresponsive Captain onto a flat white table that was in the middle of the room.

“The Chemist…” Enty said quietly, his branches flaring more when the Captain didn’t answer himself, the man now totally unconscious on the table, his face somewhat pale. Enty felt his fear spike at the sight of his friend looking so sickly and weak. The man who Enty knew now was the doctor spun around with wide eyes, a few odd-looking techy medical tools in his hand.

“The Chemist?! Surely not…” He said quietly, and Enty watched as he gently unbuttoned the Captain’s uniform jacket, pulling the scorched fabric away from the large burn on his abdomen. The man looked up, meeting Enty’s eyes. “And who…are you?!” He said in confusion as he worked, with Enty watching him use a few devices to scan the wound with odd light.

“My name is Enty…” He said quietly, his gaze stuck on the lifeless Captain, his chest rising slowly. The man was like Scarecrow. Unstoppable and relentless in his ways.

Enty didn’t like seeing him weak or defeated.

“You are a…clone?” The doctor said, his eyes drifting to Enty’s branches, the black vines wrapping around him slightly and covering half his face.

“No, just…from an alternate dimension…”

“Damnit, and I thought things couldn’t get more chaotic…” The man said, turning back to the Captain.

“Will he be ok?” Enty asked fearfully, repressing tears. He saw the doctor doing things with his scanning tools on the Captain’s exposed skin, but Enty saw…it looked like it was healing already.

“Oh, yes, yes, simple cell regrowth procedure, the wound isn’t deep and nothing is broken…he will be fine in a few minutes…” The doctor said almost casually, his gaze locked on the wound.

Enty looked the doctor over, doing his best to read him. He was a shorter man and had flat but medium length blonde hair, and he was smaller in build, though that didn’t stop him from working fast. He was using the odd tools on the Captain’s wound, though he kept the one scanner in place, the light pointed at the injury.

“Is it even worth it to ask what is covering you?”

“I don’t know, I have no memory of my past.” Enty admitted truthfully, confused by what these tools were.

“Where does the Captain find you people…” The doctor muttered, turning back to his work.

“Alternate d-”

“Dimension, yes, I…really don’t want to know.” The man said quietly, a small scanner still in his hand. Enty saw the Captain’s wound…really looked better. The doctor just kept his gaze locked ahead. “Things have been so heavy already, I just…don’t need any more stress.”

“Oh…sorry…” Enty said sadly, not wanting to upset the man.

“No, no, it isn’t you…I didn’t want anyone else getting hurt…” The man said through gritted teeth, his gaze stuck on the Captain’s wound. “You said it was the Chemist?!”

“Yes…he was mad…he hurt my friend, too…” Enty said sadly, his heart breaking when he thought of Gabriel. The doctor let out a sigh, and Enty could feel conflicting emotions coming off the man.

“I knew the man was a bit…unstable, but I didn’t think he’d go so far as to hurt one of our own…” The man said quietly, eying the almost healed injury. “The Captain is…often difficult, but he doesn’t deserve this…”

“Thank you for helping him…” Enty said softly, feeling better when he saw the color return to the Captain’s face. He wasn’t awake, but he looked less drained.

“Of course. I am not letting anyone else die…” The doctor said firmly, pulling the scanner back. Enty felt cool relief wash over him when he saw the wound was now just a faint scar, hardly visible.

“It’s…healed…” Enty said in wonder, hardly fully believing it. The doctor turned, some gauze and bandages in his hand.

“Of course! Haven’t you seen cellular regeneration before?” He said, some amusement in his voice. Enty gave a small smile and shook his head, watching as the doctor began wrapping some bandages around the Captain’s abdomen, covering the injury.

“I can’t say that I have…”

“Well, there ya go. Heals the injury in minutes, as long as it’s not too life-threatening or deep. All I have to do now is bandage it, as the new skin will be sensitive and prone to further injury…and knowing the Captain, he’ll be back in here by the end of the day.” The doctor said, a small smile on his face as he worked on the injury.

“Well…thank you so much…” Enty said calmly, the tension around him fading when he saw the doctor finish bandaging the Captain’s wound.

“Yeah, yeah. He will need a new jacket, though, I can’t fix that…” The doctor said, stepping back as he eyed his work. The Captain was still unconscious, but his breathing was back to normal and his face had more color. He looked like he was just sleeping.

“When will he wake up? Enty asked, eager to get things moving again. The Captain was better, but Gabriel still needed their help.

“Any minute now, I’d say…you can-” The man started, but stopped dead when a faint beeping came from his wrist. Enty looked and saw a light was blinking on the metal brace around his wrist.

“Uh…” Enty muttered, his flames flaring when he suddenly felt excruciating terror come from the man, the feeling almost suffocating. The doctor’s eyes were wide, and he quickly spun around, punching some buttons on the wall panel. Enty felt the terror grow stronger when the black screen that was there lit up, showing the outside. He saw the reddish planet they had been on.

“Oh…oh, I can’t do this…” The doctor said fearfully, his face pale. Enty watched the smaller man run for the door, his terror penetrating Enty’s spirit like jagged knives.

Enty stood back as the door slammed shut, not sure what was happening.

“G-gah…” Enty hissed, another strong pang of terror striking his heart like a bolt of lightning. He hunched over and gripped his chest, his breathing picking up as his branches flared wrapping thicker around him. His heart was racing. All he felt was terror and guilt. Blinding terror and guilt. It was covering all his thoughts and drowning out all other senses.

But he didn’t know why.

His branches and vines now covering all of him, Enty’s legs wavered and he fell to his knees, tears filling his eyes for a reason he couldn’t explain. He just felt afraid. Guilty. Anguish. Regret. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t think…he couldn’t…

Enty glanced up through a now spinning vision, his eyes straining to look ahead. He was shaking, his hand trembling as he gasped for air between sobs, his chest tight. His heart was racing and pounding away dangerously fast, to the point it felt like it would burst. Through hazy vison and tears, Enty managed to see the screen the doctor had turned on. He saw the planet from before. And he saw…odd white light moving across its surface…he saw…he…

“GAH!!!” Enty cried, his voice strained as he hunched over further, his hands now gripping his head dangerously tight as his tears flowed heavier down his cheeks. His nails were digging into his skin as he wheezed, air not coming to him as his emotions suffocated him like he was under water. He squeezed his eyes shut and bowed lower, his heart now feeling like it was going to be ripped apart and shredded to oblivion. He could feel everyone on the ship. They all were feeling the exact same thing.

He could almost…feel the…the planet…the people…

Enty let out a pained strained scream, his heart not being able to handle any more. He felt suffocating weight pull him under, drowning his spirit and senses. His heart felt like it was physically being drained of life. He gripped his head tighter, his nails digging deeper into his skin. He was unable to see before him through the heavy tears in his eyes. He couldn’t breathe, air wasn’t coming in. His chest was screaming.

He had no idea what was happening. But it hurt. It hurt him, and it was hurting everyone around him. There was just suffocating terror and guilt, agony and pain, horror and sorrow. All drowning his senses like a tidal wave, crushing him under the strain. With another pained scream coming from the bottom of his soul, he felt himself fall to his side, his hands still gripping his head and covering his ears as tightly as he could manage. He sobbed between breaths, his mind hazy and foggy. He felt a pounding pain erupt behind his eyes, scorching his thoughts.

He could almost feel…billions…all afraid…all scared…all screaming…all…

With a final strained gasp for air, a black curtain fell over Enty’s vision and the screams in his mind stopped as quickly as they started. He felt himself drift off into distant nothingness, the agonized and terrified screams of billions still echoing in his ears like faded music, though he couldn’t hear them anymore. There was just silence.

They were all gone.

~

The Captain let out a pained groan, his head light and dizzy. He blinked his aching eyes open and squinted when he saw a bright light was shining down right onto his face.

“Th-the hell…” He grumbled, pushing himself up as he hid his eyes. He paused, his heart skipping when he realized…the pain was gone. He looked down with wide eyes and saw his jacket was off and his black undershirt was pulled up, revealing his abdomen where a large spot on his side was bandaged. But it didn’t hurt. He glanced beside him and saw the table with the doctor’s medical tools on it.

The Captain smiled, relief washing over him. He hadn’t died. That lunatic Chemist was not going to get him down. Not yet. Not when he had a friend to save.

Before he could even think what to do next, a sharp and pained scream shook him out of his hazy thoughts. The Captain’s head spun, and his heart dropped dead when he saw a giant human-shaped mess of raging black vines and branches on the ground, his own voice coming from it.

“E-ENTY?!” The Captain cried in terror with wide eyes, about to reach for his odd friend when he stopped, an image catching in the peripheral of his vison. The world going dead silent, his head slowly turned and he saw a wall screen, the image showing the space outside. The image showing Alpha.

The Captain lost all feeling in a static-like haze in an instant when he saw odd white light on the planet’s reddish surface, the explosion growing larger and larger as it moved across the planet, wiping everything out in its path.

The quantum generators had been detonated.

He remained seated on the medical table; his mind dead as night as he stared with tearful eyes at the screen. Enty’s own screams had faded away, as had his own internal screams. He heard nothing.

Nothing but the deathcry of the race he once belonged to. Nothing but the screams of the billions he left behind to die. Nothing…

A silent sob escaping him as a single tear slid down his cheek, the Captain lowered his head and pulled his knees to his chest, hiding his face as he huddled in on himself. He trembled silently, the guilt of the situation suffocating his thoughts. He always felt like the best. Like he was on top of everything. The biggest ego in the room.

Now…he just felt small. Alone. He let out a whimper as more tears slid down his face, the man grabbing his hair and clinging to it tightly as he huddled in on himself more. Everything he once knew was gone. His home was gone. His people were gone. He was lost. And he felt truly alone.

He felt more alone now than ever.

The world silent, he remained on the table, his knees to his chest and his head lowered in crushing guilt as he sobbed to himself.

Everything he had ever known…was gone.

~

“Ok, this should hold him…”

The Leader stepped, back, eying his work. They had dragged the Chemist back to the lab and had him in a chair, his hands and legs restrained with mechanical braces. He wasn’t going to be let loose until he explained.

“This all was just…a horrid mess…” Aaron muttered, looking around the room, taking in the damage from the fight. There was broken glass everywhere, phaser blast marks on the wall, and broken shelves and scattered machine parts covering the floor.

He looked over and eyed the desk where a few vials of the green liquid still stood. Walking over with a blank mind, Aaron picked up one of the glass containers and held it close to his eye, looking the green substance over.

“It was supposed to be safe…” The Leader grumbled, walking over to Aaron’s side. “It was supposed to let us evolve and live longer, not…erase emotions…”

“You can still reverse it, can’t you? You have time…” Aaron said softly, the green liquid almost glowing slightly in the vial.

“We have time, but again…there’s not enough supplies on this ship to keep us alive forever…we need to get to Planet Y as soon as possible…”

“But you can’t use this…not if it’ll do to you what it did to Gabe…” Aaron said sadly, setting the vial down.

“We still don’t know what it’ll do…the Captain said it was a probable mutation, not factual…maybe if we can just take out the variable that causes it to mutate, it’ll be fine…” The Leader said solemnly, his gaze stuck on the liquid eternity. “We don’t have any other choice…”

“And what of him…?” Aaron said flatly, nodding to the still unconscious Chemist. “You’re really gonna let him loose after all he did?!”

“Again, we…don’t have a choice…there’s nothing we can do when we land. There’s no government, no rules…trust me, if this were a normal circumstance, I’d have him in prison already…”

Aaron just eyed the Chemist, the man not moving in the slightest.

“But…what if he hurts again…”

“They we take action when it happens. But…we just can’t kill anyone else. Especially him. We need him to fix this issue, or we’re all dead.” The Leader said flatly, turning away. Aaron let out a sigh and followed, looking around the room.

“While we’re waiting, can I request to borrow some parts and tools? I must work on our way home…” Aaron said, pulling his bag closer. They couldn’t go with these people, and they couldn’t go back to the planet. They had to get home.

Maybe that would help Gabriel as well…being home…

“Of course, over here…” The Leader said softly, motioning to the side. Aaron smiled and nodded, following close behind. The Leader led Aaron to a door in the back of the room and opened it, the lights turning on automatically.

Aaron’s eyes widened when he saw a smaller room with metallic shelves lining the walls, each with various bins with labels, some machine parts and tools sticking out of them, some familiar and some futuristic.

“This is the lab’s storage room, you should find whatever you need in here, I hope. If you need anything else, or don’t understand something, just ask…” The Leader said, stepping back. “I think the President is going to bring the Biologist, so we will work with the Chemist…you focus on that transport.” He finished, earning a smile from Aaron.

“I can’t thank you enough…” Aaron said gently, his newfound hope suffocating him. They had help. They had time.

They had genuine hope.

“Thank us when all is said and done, not before.” The Leader said flatly, turning away. “This isn’t over yet.”

“I understand…” The scientist said quietly, aware…that was true.

This was far from over.

“Just stay here, and stay out of trouble. We’ll take care of the Chemist and finding a counterinjection for your friend.” The Leader finished, walking out the door which shut behind him, leaving Aaron alone in the small closet-like room.

He let out a breath, taking in the silence, and turned, the only sound now being a low constant mechanical hum from all around him. He smiled when he saw a small desk to the far corner. Feeling better, he walked over and carefully pulled the machine out, setting it and the broken pieces on the table.

“Right…where to start…” Aaron muttered, facing the numerous shelves full of tools and pieces. He smiled wider, eying the futuristic tech.

This was gonna be fun.

But, he had to work fast. He had to get them home before someone else got hurt.

Aaron let out a small laugh, walking over to one of the bins as he looked in at the new technology with sparkling eyes.

~

The Leader leaned against the medical table, turning a large and empty syringe over in his hand. In any other case he’d be mad the Captain broke protocol, but…he couldn’t bring himself to be mad over this. The clones could go home, and now…because of them…they knew the source could be dangerous.

And they could fix it. They may have just saved their race.

The man sighed; his gaze stuck on the syringe. He just wished an innocent life hadn’t been hurt to come to that realization. The long-haired double was passive now, but…

But to be stunned, taken from your family, then experimented on against your will…

He must have been so scared.

The Leader clenched his fist tighter around the needle’s handle, his sharp gaze going to the unresponsive Chemist. No one else should have been hurt, Alphan or not. Clone or not. They were supposed to have started anew in peace, not in pain…

“Damnit…” The Leader grumbled, tossing the syringe over his shoulder as he lowered his head to his hands, hiding his face. He heard the needle clatter to the floor behind him then roll to a stop. He couldn’t take anymore. He knew what was about to happen. And he couldn’t escape it.

Knowing he couldn’t hide, he pulled himself shakily to his feet and walked over to the large desk, typing something on the keypad. The black screen above the desk lit up, and after entering a few commands, the Leader stood back when he saw an image of the outside appear.

He saw his home. Alpha. It would be the last time he saw it for what it was.

“G-gah…”

His nerves shot, the man slowly turned around with tired eyes, his gaze landing on the Chemist. He was waking up.

The Chemist let out a pained groan, and the Leader saw he had a still quite bloody impact wound on his head. He knew where it came from.

After a moment of mental haze, the Chemist wearily glanced up with fluttering eyes, his body going rigid when he saw the Leader before him, standing tall. Flinching, the Chemist tried to get up and run, though he looked down and saw his wrists and legs were secured to the chair he was in by mechanical restraints. He was stuck.

“You aren’t going anywhere, Chemist. You have some explaining to do. And a whole lot of fixing…” The Leader sneered, his eyes sharp and alight as he loomed over the shaking Chemist.

“I…I didn’t…it was the cap-”

“I know the whole story, so don’t you dare lie…” The Leader said sharply, the man taking a firm step forward. “I know you experimented on an innocent, I know you shot the Captain, and I know you knew about this possible source mutation and were willing to let it go unfixed…” He sneered, a fire igniting in his chest as he spoke.

This had gone too far.

“B-but he…the Captain…th-the clones…” The Chemist stuttered, his face paling when he realized he was stuck. He had to face this.

“They aren’t clones, they’re his family, and you were about to kill one of them without second thought…” The Leader said, not backing down. “Then you try to murder the Captain…”

“He deserved it…he’s a waste of space here…” The Chemist spit, his composure coming back to him. “Why should he get to save his family while mine has to burn…”

“He didn’t know they’d even be here…it was all a mistake, and they were going to leave-”

“BUT HE STILL GOT TO SAVE THEM!!!” The Chemist screamed, and the Leader saw a few tears forming in his eyes. “I had to say goodbye to everyone I knew! M-my family…I couldn’t save them…W-WHY SHOULD THAT EGOTISTICAL IDIOT GET TO SAVE HIS?!” He yelled, his body shaking as he met the Leader’s sharp steel gaze.

“We all are losing people we love…but that doesn’t mean we can deny someone the chance of saving their own loved ones when there’s an actual chance they can be saved…” The Leader said coldly, his eyes piercing. “Just because we lost does not mean everyone has to…the purpose of the Starblade was to save who we could, and that is exactly what we’re doing…”

“It’s not…fair…” The Chemist cried quietly, his eyes burning as tears streamed from them. “I had…m-my daughter…I couldn’t…she was…a child…”

“Chemist…” The Leader said, his voice softening as he kneeled before the sobbing man. “There has never been a situation like this in our lifetime…we made mistakes, and we paid the price…and that price was only being able to save a few…it’s all we could manage…” He said, his hand on the Chemist’s knee.  The man just stared down, avoiding the Leader’s gaze. “And it hurts…I know…” He said, reaching his hand to his pocket.

The Chemist looked up and saw the Leader pull out a small photograph, holding it up for the Chemist to see. It was of the Leader and another man and woman, all close together, smiling beneath a tree.

“My siblings, Chemist…I had to leave them behind…” He said, tears wanting to form in his own eyes, though he resisted. “We did everything together, and even when I went to the forces…I stayed in touch and we communicated…this photo was from my sister in the last message she sent.” He said, pocketing the tiny delicate photo. “I would give my own life in a heartbeat if I could save them…but…I couldn’t.” He said, his voice breaking.

He looked down and to the side, catching his breath and regaining his composure. After a moment he looked back, meeting the Chemist’s broken gaze.

“But I couldn’t, Chemist. We needed a specific team for this mission, and we didn’t have the supplies ready to support more lives…I had to say goodbye to them as well…” He said softly, not breaking his gaze.

“B-but…but we…th-the captain…”

“I didn’t even think the Captain had family, but…he did. And they ended up here by mistake. And they are going to leave. And this time…we are able to save them due to the circumstances…” He said firmly, his gaze stern. “He loves them, Chemist. And just because we all lost loved ones…does not mean we have to make him lose his too…”

The Chemist just sat in silence, his mind reeling. The Leader couldn’t read his face. He looked…shaken, and…confused.

“So please…just help us fix their friend…and let us do what we came up here to do…and save who we can…please…” The Leader said softly, hoping this worked.

The Chemist stared at him, his eyes miles away. For a moment he just stared ahead, though right when it looked like he was about to speak, their attention was grabbed by a faint beeping.

The Leader looked down and saw his wrist brace was blinking. A signal he had been dreading. As the world went dead silent for the both of them, the two turned their gaze to the smaller screen on the lab desk.

The duo flinched when they saw a small white light appear on the planet’s surface, the light beginning to grow and spread.

The Chemist just kept his gaze locked on the screen, his breathing tense and rapid as more tears slid down his face. The Leader pulled himself to his feet and stood back, gripping his chest as he stared at the white wall of fire that was scorching the planet’s red surface.

Alpha’s time was up.

The Leader blinked his eyes and finally, a few tears began welling up in his eyes, the bright lights of the lab prisming in his vision through his tears. He turned away, his heart crushing under the weight. He reached his shaking hand down to his pocket and pulled out the photograph, with a few tears immediately landing on it.

Not being able to take anymore, he used his other hand to support himself against the medical bed as his legs lost feeling, the photograph tight in his fist as he held it against his heart.

They were gone.

The Chemist just sat back, his mind dead silent though it hurt worse than the fires of hell or the sharpest blade. He just stared at the screen, not believing what he was seeing. The planet was almost totally white now, the surface glowing slightly from the raging supernova fire.

Everyone was dead. Everything was gone. His family. His wife. His daughter.

Scorched in seconds and gone. He’d never see them again.

The last of his sanity shattering away, the Chemist just lowered his head as his tears fell uncontrollably, with visions of his past and his loved ones flashing through his mind like an old movie. But that’s all they were now.

Memories. Visons of the past. Illusions that hurt. It hurt…it hurt, it hurt, it hurt!

The Chemist glanced up through his tears, a slightly glowing vial of green liquid on his desk besides the black screen catching his eye. He felt a raging fire begin to incinerate everything inside him. He just felt pain. Just raging agony.

And he knew he could make it stop. He could help everyone left. And he was not going to let these trespassers stop him. He could save their minds once and for all. The future of Alpha was in his hands now.

He would alleviate their pain no matter the cost.

Chapter Text

A woman was hunched over a desk in her quarters, her face hidden. A pure black screen was beside her, though she had turned it off ages ago. She couldn’t look at an empty rock anymore. Not with the knowledge of what it once was.

A small sigh escaped her when he heard a knock on her door, gentle and quiet.

“Come in…” She muttered; her voice muffled as she kept her head down. She heard her door open and quiet footsteps entered, stopping a few feet behind her.

“Biologist…”

The woman clenched her fist, the gentle voice striking a rage in her. This was all his fault.

“Get out of here…”

“I…I need your help…”

“We were supposed to be in deep space hours ago…we should be getting ready for cryo-sleep…what the hell has been the delay?” She sneered, lifting her head up, though she didn’t dare turn. The President just sighed, and the Biologist could hear his nerves.

“There were unaccounted unpredictable complications…and someone got hurt…we need your help to set things right…”

“I’m not a damn doctor, so send him to med bay!” She yelled, spinning around. The President took a step back when he saw her eyes were red and tearstained, with rage beginning to smolder within them.

“It isn’t something he can fix…”

“What the hell can I do?!” The woman sneered, not having any of this. The President looked to the side; his own tears not fully stopped. Billions had died, but…they could still save just one more life.

“The Chemist…was not who he said he was.”

“The hell does that mean?”

“Long story short…we had some…interdimensional visitors, and…and the Chemist tested some dangerous experimental liquid eternity on one of them.”

The Biologist just looked up; her mind freezing.

“He…did what?”

“And…and the effects have been confirmed and…” The President said, pausing as he took in a breath. “This probable source mutation has the ability to nullify emotions.” He said, meeting the Biologist’s shocked gaze.

“It…that isn’t right…did he fix it?!” She asked quieter, tuning in a bit more as she fully turned her chair to face the President who shuffled on his feet.

“N-no, in fact…he knew it could kill the visitor, and…and he then tried to kill the Captain.” He said, earning a shocked look from the Biologist.

“But…he wouldn’t do that! The Captain is one annoying bastard, but…why would…why would the Chemist…”

“I can explain more on the way, but…please…” The President said softly, taking a step forward with pleading eyes. “I know…what we have endured this day, but…we have the ability to save just one more life…and we need your help to do so…please…” He said, his own tears not stopping.

The Biologist looked up, looking the man before her over. With a sigh, she pulled herself to her feet, shoving past the President who scurried to follow her out the door.

“Where the hell did this happen…” She asked, not daring look the President’s way.

“The main lab…”

“Right…” The woman said, pushing ahead as the President jogged to keep up.

The Biologist was tired. She was angry. Confused. Hurt.

But…she wasn’t about to let anyone else suffer. Not when she could do something about it.

~

“Eld…”

Elderane glanced up through tears, eying a defeated looking Scarecrow who was standing above him. he was holding his hand out. Sighing, Elderane took his hand and let the man pull him to his feet, steadying his balance.

“Let’s…let’s just work with him a bit…” Scarecrow whispered, doing his best to ignore the giant screen behind them.

He didn’t want to think about it.

Elderane wiped his eyes of his tears and nodded, hoping for a distraction as well. This was all wrong. They were never supposed to be here. They were never supposed to see this.

Scarecrow nodded back and turned, walking over to Gabriel who was still staring blankly at the giant front screen.

“Gabe…” Scarecrow whispered, gently grabbing his friend’s arm. Gabriel’s head turned his way and Scarecrow could see…he looked different. He didn’t look like his old self, but…he didn’t look totally passive either. He looked…stressed. Tense.

“Gabriel, come, please let us help you…” Elderane said, walking over to the duo. Gabriel took a second to just stare at the two then he shook his head, the passive look in his eyes returning.

“Why? What’s there to fix?” He said flatly, taking a step back as Scarecrow let go of him. The duo just stood there with heavy hearts at the sight and the coldness in Gabriel’s voice.

“Gabe, just…do what we say, ok? Just work with us?” Scarecrow asked softly, his mind tired. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up.

Today was taking its toll.

“I don’t know what the issue is.” Gabriel said, looking between the two. Elderane let out a long sigh, running his hand through his hair. He felt sick. Even seeing what he just saw didn’t snap Gabriel back enough. Maybe it was too much for him to comprehend…

“Crow…what do we do?” Elderane asked, his voice small. Scarecrow just stared ahead, his mind reeling. He couldn’t pretend anymore. He had to be more open. He’d never get Gabriel back if he wasn’t honest. If he wasn’t himself.

“We just…keep doing what Aaron was doing…try to jog his memory…” He said, looking Gabriel over.

But…what memory…

“Ok…Gabe, look at your arm…” Scarecrow said, knowing there were a few memories that Gabriel carried with him everywhere. Gabriel just shrugged and looked down, eying his left arm. Scarecrow saw a few faint burn scars poking out from Gabriel’s sleeve.

“Gabriel, where did you get those scars…” Elderane asked gently, lifting Gabriel’s sleeve a bit so the bulk of the scar was visible, the discolored red and white mark taking up almost his entire forearm up to his shoulder.

“My world.” Gabriel answered, his gaze stuck on the scar.

“What was happening in your world?” Elderane asked, holding Gabriel’s hand gently. Gabriel paused a moment, his face unreadable.

“I was arrested. They were…trying to kill me.”

“And how come they didn’t succeed?” Scarecrow said firmly, knowing full well why. Gabriel just stared at his arm a bit, then Scarecrow’s heart skipped when Gabriel looked up, looking him over.

“You…you…saved me.” Gabriel said quickly, looking back down again.

“How did I do that, Gabe?”

“You…you climbed up…into the fire…and…and you got burned…” Gabriel said, his voice sounding a bit strained. Scarecrow nodded, holding his hand out for Gabriel to see.

“Yep, yep, look…” He said, and Gabriel’s gaze landed on a few faint burn marks on Scarecrow’s hand and underarm. Marks to match his own. “I know what I said to you before Gabe, but…I was wrong. Horribly wrong.” He said flatly, meeting Gabriel’s still unreadable eyes. “You…were my first friend, and…and no matter what I say…you’re more important to me than anything else in my stupid life.” Scarecrow said firmly, his hand still held out, the burns apparent. “We may fight, and I may say stupid things I don’t mean, but…when it comes down to it…I’d go through any fire for you, Gabe…any hell…because…”

Scarecrow looked up, his heart racing when he saw Elderane smiling calmly beside him. He took in a breath and shook his nerves away, meeting Gabriel’s distant eyes.

“Because we’re family, Gabe…through anything…” Scarecrow finished, praying to god this was enough.

For a moment, all was still. Scarecrow felt his hope falter when Gabriel just kept staring at the burn on Scarecrow’s hand, his eyes…unreadable.

It hadn’t worked.

“Damnit…” Scarecrow groaned, turning away. This wasn’t enough.

Scarecrow’s heart skipped hard when he heard a faint sharp intake of air, the sound cutting through the screaming emotions in his mind. He spun around and with wide eyes, felt his body go numb when he saw…a shining tear in Gabriel’s eye. A small one, though…it was there. Gently sliding down his cheek.

His eyes were still distant, and his gaze appeared hypnotized and miles away, but he also looked tense. He looked tense and…he was crying.

He was feeling something.

Before Scarecrow could even register what to say, he heard Elderane begin to laugh, the elf gripping his hair as he began crying as well.

“E-Eld…” Scarecrow muttered, though he felt the same way inside. They were getting through to Gabriel. He looked over and saw Elderane lower his hands, his eyes tearful but he had a bright smile on his face as he sobbed.

Acting on pure impulse, Elderane ran forward and hugged Gabriel, pulling him close. Scarecrow felt a faint laugh escape him when he saw Elderane yank Gabriel close, quickly placing a small kiss on his cheek before hugging him tighter.

Scarecrow’s heart skipped even more inside his chest when he saw…Gabriel go red, his eyes widening and his body tensing even more.

Before him, a hysterical Elderane was laughing and clinging to Gabriel, the young double frozen in Elderane’s arms. Even though he still looked stunned, his face was red and he still had a few small tears in his eyes.

Scarecrow felt his smile widen. They were getting Gabriel back. It was working.

~

“…ty…on…ake up…”

Enty let out a pained groan, a pounding headache resonating behind his eyes.

“Come on, starlight, I need you…please…”

Cold floor. There was a cold floor beneath him. Enty was on the ground, and he could finally hear the sounds of the world come rushing back to him like a flood. He tried to move but his body ached, a soreness taking over. He gave up and went limp once more, letting out a long breath.

“You gotta come back, I can’t lose you too…”

The Captain. That was the Captain. He was close…

Enty let out another pained groan, a light flooding his vision. He had to wake up. Why was he on the floor? He took in a deep breath and grounded himself, honing his strength as he tried to push himself up. He felt strong arms grab him and support him, holding him tight. Enty just focused on that, trying his best to push the pain away.

“There he is…come on, come back to me…”

Blinking his eyes open, Enty squinted, the bright light burning his eyes. He let out a whimper and turned away, covering his eyes with his hand.

“Oh, oh, uh…here…”

Enty felt the hands holding him release him and move away, followed by a click.

“There, that better?”

Trying again, Enty blinked his eyes open and looked around, relief washing over him when he saw it was dark in the room, with only some various machines offering light from some glowing buttons on them. The ghostly man looked up and felt a weary smile form on his face when he saw the Captain before him, concern in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, I…I j-ah!” The Captain cried with a small smile, falling back as Enty tackled him with a laugh.

“You’re ok…” Enty said, holding his new friend close. The Captain didn’t return the hug but he gave a laugh, pushing Enty off.

“Yeah, yeah, and so are you it seems…what happened to you? You were…freaking out…” The Captain said, looking Enty over. His branches had retreated back to normal and were even looking thinner than usual.

“I…I don’t know…I was fine, then…then everything hurt…” Enty said softly, not sure what had happened. The Captain just blinked, his mind drifting to the screen he had turned off that had shown Alpha.

“You…were hurting?”

“I…yeah, I felt afraid, and…and scared, and guilty, and…and I felt like I felt…everyone…” Enty said quietly, his eyes drifting. He had no idea what just happened.

“Oh…you uh…Gabriel said you were good with…emotions, right?” The Captain said fearfully, now aware of what Enty had just felt. Enty nodded, his head still pounding.

“Y-yeah…”

“Oh…” The Captain muttered, sitting back as more tears filled his eyes. He couldn’t tell Enty what he had felt. He couldn’t…

“Captain…?” Enty whispered, eying the Captain as the man grabbed his hair, visible tears in his eyes. Enty blinked, and at that moment, he could feel the same feelings that suffocated him a bit ago coming from the Captain.

The same feelings of…pain…guilt…and…and loss…

Enty’s eyes widened, his heart shattering as his branches flared a bit. He saw the Captain let out a small whimper before turning away, hiding his tears.

The Captain kept his hand in his hair, his eyes still burning. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to tell Enty, but…he would find out…he would know, he would know, he would-

Flinching at the touch of an embrace, the Captain glanced over and saw Enty hugging him once more, tears streaming from his own eyes.

He knew.

Not being able to take anymore, the Captain fell into the embrace, not returning it, but taking it as his own tears fell. He closed his eyes, the strong arms around him grounding him to reality as his heart dropped deeper into his chest.

Enty just remained kneeling there, holding his friend close. He didn’t know what to say. There was nothing that could be said. So, he just held his friend against him, both their tears falling as they kneeled on the floor in the dark room, the only sound around them being the gentle hum of the machines.

~

“We…we need to go to engineering…I need to finish those checks…” The Captain said, wiping his eyes as he pulled himself to his feet, taking Enty by the hand as he led him out and down the hall.

The Captain’s chest was aching. His heart felt like it was gone into oblivion. But…he had people who needed him here. He needed to get the ship ready to save what was left of his race, and…he needed to save Gabriel.

After all…he had an eternity to mourn.

~

“Ok, what the HELL happened here?!”

The Leader and Chemist looked up, with both of them flinching at the sharp yell from the Biologist, the President behind her.

The woman scanned the room, which definitely looked like a fight occurred with the debris and scorch marks everywhere.

“I informed her of the situation…” The President said softly, following the woman into the lab. She stood before the retrained Chemist, the man looking up in fear. Without a word, the Biologist reeled her hand back and sent a hard slap to the Chemist’s face, the man flinching with a cry.

“Biologist, please…” The President said, grabbing the woman’s arm.

“You are a disgrace to science…” She sneered, ignoring the man holding her back. “You were supposed to make this chemical to save our race! Not condemn it! And testing it on a scared innocent?! What the hell is wrong with you?!” She yelled, towering over the restrained Chemist.

“I…I was just…I needed…”

“What caused the variant? Can we prevent it?!” She said, her voice firm. The Chemist stared up at her then looked to the two men beside her, both gazes’ stern and cold.

“Th-the variant…it is not natural…it must be genetically altered…it w-won’t happen by time…” The Chemist said quietly, his voice shaking slightly.

“What causes it?” The Leader said, annoyance in his voice. The Chemist swallowed nervously and looked between the trio.

“I don’t know-”

“YOU CREATED THE VARIANT!” The Leader yelled, slamming his fist onto the metal cart beside him with a deep clang. “You injected it into that Gabriel double…how did you do it?!”

“It was random! I was on a time crunch, so I was just mixing and testing! I didn’t take detailed notes!”

“You’re lying…” The Biologist said, her voice stern. “How did you do it?!”

The Chemist sat back, his heart racing. All three were looming over him, and he was restrained. He was stuck, and not getting out of this one.

He would have to be clever. He wouldn’t fail. This was just a setback.

“My keypad…” He admitted; his voice quiet. The Biologist paused a moment then reached down, unclipping the metallic brace off the man’s wrist. She hit a button on it and a hologram screen popped up.

“Your journal…” She said, scrolling through the notes.

“Yes. I didn’t write down exactly what I did or what I got out of it, but the general process is there. Do with it what you wish.”

“Oh, no, you’re helping her…” The Leader said, placing his hand on the man’s shoulder. “You aren’t out of this until that double is back to his old self and we know the source isn’t dangerous…we can deal with you attacking the Captain when his family leaves…”

“I don’t want to help him…”

“You don’t have a choice…” The President said sternly, the man glaring at the annoyed Chemist. “This has gone too far. We are helping those doubles, and then going home…”

The group in the room all looked up when a door opened, and the Biologist tilted her head in confusion when someone who looked just like the Captain came out.

“I think I have it nearly done…you had everything I needed in there, and then some…” Aaron said with a small smile, putting the machine carefully back into his backpack. If he hadn’t had these tools, the device would take hours to fix. Here, he was able to get it done much sooner. He paused his walking when he saw a woman he had never seen before there.

“Huh…this is odd, I will say…” She said, looking the man over. Aaron just stood there, not sure what to do. Not thinking as his face got hot, he reached his hand towards the woman who shook it back with a strong grip.

“I’m uh…A-Aaron…Aaron Blackwell…” He said nervously, a small smile on his face.

“This is our Biologist; she’s going to help fix your friend.” The President said calmly, happy things seemed to be calming down.

“Oh…oh thank you…” Aaron said as he stood back, some tears in his eyes. The Biologist nodded and looked back to her screen, typing some information in.

“While his notes are a complete mess, I think I have a general idea of what his process was…if he cooperates, I should be able to make a counterinjection in under an hour…hopefully…”

“It’s…that easy?” The Leader said, hardly believing it. The Chemist just looked up nervously at the Biologist who nodded, her gaze locked on the screen.

“It is complex in nature, but it seems to have been a very large and sudden mutation…not easy to miss…and since that double only had one small injection and the rest of the effects should be wearing off anyway, I hardly say anything this lunatic did was permanent…”

“Oh, thank god…” Aaron said through a breath, his body going cold with relief.

They’d get Gabriel back.

“What do you need?” The Leader said, eying the complex math on the screen. The Biologist just shrugged.

“The Chemist’s guidance, as I am not too adept on molecular mutation with chemicals such as this, but everything else I need should be in here…”

“What should we do in the meantime?” Aaron asked, knowing he couldn’t go home until Gabriel was fixed.

“The President said you were able to break through to your friend, yes?” The woman asked, meeting Aaron’s gaze. He nodded, his heart racing.

“Yes, when he was reminded of key strong memories and what he felt then, it seemed to almost break through, though it took most, if not all of his concentration…”

“Right, then in the meantime, keep trying that…the weaker the effects are when he gets the counterinjection, the quicker he’ll heal…”

Aaron nodded, his mind reeling with thoughts. Simple memories just didn’t seem to be hitting him as hard…they needed something stronger to get into Gabriel’s head. Aaron’s eyes widened, an idea striking him like lighting.

“Oh, the Captain said his ship, the Avalon, was on board this vessel, yes?” Aaron asked, facing the President who nodded.

“Yes, he would not cooperate until we agreed to let him take it…the idiot…” The Leader grumbled, rolling his eyes.

“Why do you ask?” The President said, confusion in his voice. Aaron smiled wider, his idea seeming better and better.

“Is it possible for the Captain to take it out for a bit?”

“Why…?” The Biologist asked, not sure where this was going.

“He let Gabriel ride in and drive it back when he came to our world…it was probably the best day of Gabriel’s life, and…if we could recreate that…have Gabriel in the ship again…that would be a stronger trigger for the memory than just talking about it!” Aaron said excitedly.

This could work.

The Chemist’s eyes widened, an idea of his own striking him. He quickly looked away, thoughts swarming his mind.

“Yes, we can allow that…the ship is hardly moving, so a short trip out won’t be any trouble.” The Leader said, happy to see a smile on the double’s face.

“Oh, thank you! Where, uh…where do I…”

“I can take you to find the Captain and your friends, just follow me.” The Leader said with a small smile, motioning for Aaron to follow.

The Chemist watched the duo leave out the door, the room much quieter.

“And here…though I don’t recommend running…there’s nowhere to go…” The President said, pointing a small remote at the cuffs on the Chemist’s wrists and legs, freeing him as they opened. The man remained in the chair, holding his wrist against himself in silence.

“Come on, let’s get to work…” The Biologist said, walking over to the desk, the president in tow.

The Chemist sat back, his mind reeling. He saw the two working by the desk, looking away. He then turned his gaze to the door.

~

“Uh…Gabe?” Elderane muttered, taking a few steps back. Gabriel was before them, though now…he looked almost pained. His face looked flushed and he was highly tense, his breathing slightly forced. His eyes were still passive and distant, but…something wasn’t right…

“Gabe, hey!” Scarecrow yelled, snapping his fingers in front of Gabriel, though the man didn’t react at all. Scarecrow could still see tears in his eyes as he stood there, frozen before them.

“Oh…what did we do?” Elderane franted, his heart dropping. Before, Gabriel was at least responding to them and talking. They couldn’t work with him if he was stuck…

“Gabe, snap out of it!” Scarecrow yelled, grabbing his friend’s arm. He shook him slightly, and Gabriel gave a slight pained whimper at the movement.

“You…but you…hate…me…” Gabriel strained, his voice tense. Scarecrow’s heart dropped cold at his shaking friend’s words, his hand still holding Gabriel’s arm tight.

“Gabe, god, I don’t hate you! I’d never hate you!”

“B-but…emotional…coward…agh…” Gabriel groaned, his legs wavering a bit. Scarecrow’s eyes widened and he grabbed Gabriel, gently helping him down to his knees.

“Crow…what’s wrong with him?!” Elderane asked in terror, not sure what was happening. Gabriel was on his knees, one hand gripping his hair and the other holding himself up on the floor. His eyes were miles away, some tears leaving them, and his body was tense and shaking slightly.

Scarecrow just kept his hand tight on Gabriel’s arm, his mind reeling. His eyes widened when a thought came to him.

“He’s fighting it…” Scarecrow muttered, glancing up to meet Elderane’s equally concerned gaze. “He’s trying to come back, and his mind is arguing with that damned chemical…he doesn’t know what to think anymore…” He said, looking back to Gabriel, the young double groaning in pain before him.

The chemical was trying to nullify his emotions, while the real Gabriel was trying to break free. They were evenly matched, and Gabriel was fighting. But…it was hurting him…

“Ok…ok, we just gotta go farther…” Scarecrow muttered to himself, positioning himself before the trembling Gabriel. Gabriel’s mind was fighting with itself, and Scarecrow had to give one side some more help.

“You…hate…you don’t…m-me…annoying…c-coward…” Gabriel cried, his hand still gripping his head tight and his eyes remained locked on the far distance. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t feel. But he wanted to. He felt screams inside him, but they were also dead silent. He felt something clawing its way up out of him, and it was being clawed back down at the same time.

He felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside.

“Gabe…listen to me very carefully…” Scarecrow said, his own tears returning when he saw the agony radiating off his friend. Gabriel managed to look up at him through tears, and Scarecrow took a nervous breath. “You are no emotional coward…because…because you’re braver than anyone I’ve ever met…” He started, his hand still gripping Gabriel’s arm. “You have faced more hell than you ever deserved, and…and you still manage to come out…smiling.”

Scarecrow paused, his throat getting tight. Gabriel had suffered so much, but nonetheless…he still was optimistic, kind, and pure. He was still soft and gentle. In a world that constantly tried to kill him…he never grew cold. He never lost sight of who he was.

“You manage to stay yourself through it all, while…while I lose myself a bit every time something happens…” Scarecrow continued, his voice strained. “And…you’re emotional, yes, but…that doesn’t make you a coward…I’m the one running from my emotions and from myself…when it comes down to it…I’m the coward, Gabe…not you…”

Gabriel just remained frozen in Scarecrow’s grasp, his distant and broken eyes locked on his friend.

“And Gabe…if we had listened to me…we’d all be dead.” Scarecrow said firmly, glancing to the screen where the dead planet remained. “I wanted to stay and make Aaron try to fix the device. If we had listened to me…we’d all have died. But we listened to you…and you saved us all, Gabe…you’re…”

Scarecrow paused again, his tears now welling up in his eyes. He gripped Gabriel’s arm tighter and met his gaze, their eyes locking. He felt a small smile form on his face as he finally let his tears fall.

“You’re my hero, Gabe…you always have been…” Scarecrow squeaked, his voice shaking as his tears slid down his cheek. Gabriel was just staring at him with wide eyes, his face unreadable. Scarecrow felt his heart shatter and he gave in, yanking the tense Gabriel into a hug and holding him tight. “You’re my brother, Gabe…” He whispered so only Gabriel could hear. “And I…I love you for you…and I…I was so wrong…I don’t want you to change…I don’t want you to go…” He cried, squeezing his eyes shut as his tears took over. He couldn’t breathe through his sobs, though he held Gabriel against him, not daring let go.

Gabriel had saved him more times than he could count. He was always there to listen to Scarecrow, and always there to comfort him. If it weren’t for Gabriel…Scarecrow would still be on the streets or in some gutter, his life wasting away. But…Gabriel had found him.

Gabriel had saved him.

Scarecrow’s eyes opened when he felt Gabriel jerk in his arms, the young double letting out another pained groan. He pulled back a bit and saw Gabriel’s eyes were squeezed shut, tears streaming from them. His face was flushed and he was sweating, his body tense and trembling.

“C-Crow…” Elderane muttered in fear, his heart dropping when he heard Gabriel begin gasping for air as if he couldn’t breathe.

“Gabe, you’re ok…please…” Scarecrow muttered quietly, pulling Gabriel back into a hug, though he didn’t hug back. He was whimpering slightly, his trembling not stopping. Scarecrow saw his friend’s hand go back to his head where he grabbed a fistful of hair, gripping it tight with a strained hand. He just kept gasping for air, his body jerking with every intake.

He was really in pain.

Scarecrow held him tight, his mind screaming. He had to do something to calm him down, or…or ground him to reality, or…something…

An idea coming to him, Scarecrow held Gabriel closer against his chest and held him tight, his hand on the back of his friend’s head. The process was excruciating for Gabriel, but…maybe a mental distraction…

“Never been told my prayers would be answered…wherever I go I see you around…never been told that something that beautiful…would bring me up to let me down…” Scarecrow sung quietly, not daring let go of the shaking Gabriel. If any song would jog Gabriel’s memory, it was this one.

As he sang, Scarecrow felt some relief wash over him when he felt Gabriel’s pained whimpers fade slightly, as did his shaking. His breathing was still rough and forced, but he felt like he was calming down.

“Waiting up on the roof, waiting up in the rain, just to catch a glimpse of your face…even when you're around, still I'm out of sight, out of sound…in your world I'm out of place…” Scarecrow continued, and his heart skipped in his chest when he heard Gabriel let out a sob between his rough gasps for air, the man openly crying.

Scarecrow looked up and met Elderane’s hopeful eyes, the elf kneeling beside him with a small smile. Scarecrow smiled back and closed his eyes, holding Gabriel close as he hummed the rest of the song quietly, hoping to ease his friend’s hurricane of a mind.

It seemed to work as Gabriel eased into his embrace, his face buried in Scarecrow’s chest as he held him close. Scarecrow kept humming and eased his heart; happy he would get his brother back.

Happy that they’d get their Gabriel back.

~

Aaron followed close behind the Captain and Enty, the two reaching the bridge. The Captain had finished his safety checks and now could fully help Gabriel. And Aaron had an idea that just may work.

The trio entered and their hearts all skipped at once when they saw Scarecrow and Elderane kneeling on the floor, with a trembling Gabriel in Scarecrow’s arms.

“Crow…?” Aaron asked, not sure if this was good or bad. Scarecrow looked up at them, his face red, though he didn’t let go of Gabriel.

“We…we managed to get through to him a bit…but now…”

“It’s hurting him…” Elderane said sadly, his hand on Gabriel’s arm, though Gabriel’s face was still buried in Scarecrow’s chest, his breathing still forced.

“He’s…crying…” The Captain muttered, kneeling before the trio, with Aaron and Enty behind him. Gabriel didn’t look up and just remained in Scarecrow’s arms, unaware of the new people beside him.

“It’s like the source is fighting with his emotions…both are trying to be the dominant force…” Aaron said in a mix of worry and wonder.

“And we can’t let the source win…scruffy, can you help him stand? We need to take him to the hangar.” The Captain said, pulling himself to his feet. Scarecrow nodded and looked back down to Gabriel, the man whimpering slightly with every intake of air.

“Gabe, come on…it’s almost over…” Scarecrow muttered, lifting Gabriel off him with Elderane’s help. After a moment of struggle, they got Gabriel on his feet, the man’s eyes still closed and his legs wavering slightly.

“Is he…aware?” The Captain muttered, looking Gabriel over.

“I don’t know…come on, Gabriel, please…” Elderane said, throwing Gabriel’s arm over his shoulder. Gabriel just let out a pained groan in response and kept his head low, though he was managing to stand.

“What’s the plan, Kirk?” Scarecrow said, his composure returning to him as he followed the group out the doors, with Elderane fully supporting Gabriel.

“Aaron’s idea…my ship, the Avalon is here…maybe having Gabriel recreate that memory of when we met may be the final push we need to get him back…” The Captain said firmly, a small smile on his face.

“The nerd has good ideas…” Scarecrow said with a snicker, lightly punching Aaron’s arm. Aaron smiled back, though his heart was still heavy when he saw Gabriel, the man looking drained and sick as Elderane dragged him along.

“I just hope its enough…” Aaron muttered, his heart aching at the sight.

It had to be enough. It had to work. They were running out of options…

~

The Chemist walked over to the desk where the Biologist and President had been working. He grumbled to himself as he typed some numbers on the keypad there. The two were behind him, measuring some vials of the source by the medical table.

“What is wrong with them…” The Chemist whispered to himself, tears still streaming from his eyes against his will. “I can help ease their pain…and yet…they condemn me…”

He stopped his typing and let out a long breath, rubbing his eyes with his hand. He couldn’t fail. He had to get rid of the things blocking his success. He had to get out of here and finish this.

Looking around him, the Chemist’s eyes widened when he saw his phaser from before in a bin, almost hidden from sight. Turning behind him, he saw both the Biologist and President were focused on their work by the table.

As quietly as he could, he reached into the bin and pulled his phaser out, eying it. It still had power. Not much, but…enough.

It had enough.

“Did you do those equations?” The Biologist yelled to the Chemist, not turning around as she worked. “We’re almost done, here…”

The Chemist turned around, his hand shaking as he pointed the phaser towards the duo.

“You are right about that…” He muttered to himself, his tears not stopping as he closed his finger around the trigger.

Chapter Text

“I knew bringing her was a good idea!” The Captain said proudly, walking up to the small starship sitting in the small hangar. The group walked in and saw a large and open door behind the ship, leading to the space outside.

“Th-the door is open…” Enty muttered, not understanding. From movies, if the doors open…the ship is doomed.

“Just a basic air shield, starlight, I can explain later!” The Captain said as he pulled open the door to the Avalon. “Right, let me warm er’ up! Be right back…”

The group watched the Captain vanish into the ship, though he appeared once again in the cockpit through the glass. Enty turned and eyed Gabriel, the man still standing with his eyes closed and his breathing rough.

Enty blinked, his heart dropping. Before, he couldn’t feel anything from Gabriel. It was as if he wasn’t there. But now…he felt…everything.

It felt like Gabriel was feeling everything at once, and his emotions were swarming around him, suffocating him like an ocean. If a normal person’s emotions were like a clear TV show, Gabriel’s would be TV static. He was hanging almost limply in Elderane’s arms, the elf supporting him. Gabriel would still whimper or groan in pain every now and then, seemingly unaware of what was happening around him.

A pang of worry struck Enty at the sight. If Gabriel couldn’t comprehend what was happening…he wouldn’t be able to remember the memory or come back to them. Enty sighed, his gaze drifting to the small starship as it powered on.

He prayed this was enough.

“Right, there you all are…”

The group turned and watched as the Leader walked in, his gaze going over the group, with TH-1 in tow behind him. The man’s eyes landed on Gabriel, the young double still looking like he was about to be sick.

“What…happened to him?” The Leader asked in concern, not sure what this was.

“We could break through to him a bit, but the chemical is still trying to take over…his body is fighting it…” Aaron said softly, his heart hurting at the sight of the sickly Gabriel.

“Oh…yes, a painful process indeed…” The Leader said softly, walking closer to Gabriel. “The source is a powerful chemical…I’m impressed he is able to resist at all…”

“He’s strong…” Scarecrow muttered, guilt still wracking his mind. Gabriel was strong. The strongest of all of them.

Just…in his own way. And Scarecrow had to get him back.

Aaron glanced over, eying TH-1 who was standing back. He was just staring at Gabriel, expressionless, though…Aaron saw a gleam in his eyes. He just didn’t know what it was.

“TH, are they set for takeoff?” The Leader said, walking over to a control panel before the ship. TH-1 walked over as well, typing a few things into the keypad.

“Affirmative. There are no debris fields anywhere near us. It is clear space.”

“Good, good…we need a break…” The Leader said tiredly as he rubbed his eyes.

“Gabe…can you open your eyes…?” Elderane muttered, holding Gabriel against him. After a moment, Elderane smiled when he saw Gabriel blink his tearful eyes open, his face still flushed. His eyes were reddened and it didn’t seem like he was even able to stop crying if he tried. He just couldn’t control his emotions anymore.

“El…Eld…” Gabriel muttered between deep breaths; his voice strained.

“Do you remember this vessel?” Elderane asked softly, turning himself so Gabriel was looking at the Avalon. Gabriel was quiet a moment, his breathing not quieting down. Elderane could see tears still streaming from his eyes as he stared at the ship.

“Y-yes…”

“Good…you remember that’s where you met the Captain right? He kidnapped you…” Elderane said with a small laugh, though Gabriel’s pained expression didn’t change.

“Y-yes…”

“He’s gonna take you on a small trip, alright? You’re gonna see some new stars…”

“Stars…n-no…why…I…agh…” Gabriel muttered, the man throwing his hand back to his eyes and covering them. Elderane felt him stagger slightly, though he steadied him, holding him tight.

“It’s ok, Gabriel…you love space, remember?”

“S-space…l-love…I…I love…gah…”

Elderane’s heart dropped at the agony in Gabriel’s voice, his friend not able to stop crying. The elf just held him tighter, supporting him as best he could. He just prayed this worked. He couldn’t stand to see Gabriel hurting anymore.

He just couldn’t stand it.

~

“Right, help him in…” The Captain said, motioning for Elderane to follow. Elderane nodded and carried Gabriel forward into the ship, his friend only slightly walking. They got up the ramp and the Captain led him to the cockpit passenger chair.

“Here, Gabriel…here…” Elderane said softly, setting his trembling friend down into the chair. Once in, Gabriel just whimpered and curled in on himself, his eyes still covered by his hands.

“It’s ok…I’ll work with him when we get out…you just wait with the others…” The Captain said, earning a nod from Elderane. Once the elf left, the Captain closed the ship up and headed to the driver’s chair, his heart racing.

This had to work.

“Ok, hotshot…let’s give this a go…” He said, glancing beside him. Gabriel didn’t respond and remained curled in on himself, shaking. The Captain shook his head and focused on ahead of him, pulling the handles up. The ship jostled, and after a moment, he knew they were off the ground. He eyed the dark space outside with the uncountable number of stars in the distance.

This had to work…

~

Aaron stood back beside Scarecrow, the group watching the ship take off and exit out the door. After a moment, it vanished around the corner, the hum of its engines fading.

“Here…” The Leader said, typing something into the panel. After a second, an image of the outside appeared on a small screen on the control panel, and the group saw the ship drifting outside.

Scarecrow gripped his chest, his heart aching. Gabriel was trying to come back to them, but it was hurting him. He didn’t want Gabriel to be in any more pain. He just wanted this to be over.

~

“Come on, hotshot…can you open your eyes…?” The Captain said softly, glancing to Gabriel once he had the ship set into drift. Gabriel let out a whimper, though the Captain smiled when Gabriel slowly lowered his hands.

He still had tears streaming from his eyes, his breathing forced and rough. The Captain had to work fast.

“Look, hotshot…you’re in a new galaxy…new stars…” He said with a small smile, pointing ahead. Gabriel’s eyes drifted up, his expression still pained, though his eyes were wide. The Captain kept going and edged closer to Gabriel, pointing to a specific and very bright star. “That’s the star of Vega, hotshot…named myself after that one!” He said proudly. “It’s known as one of the most important and luminous stars in the sky! So, of course I related to it!” He said with a smug smile.

“V-Vega…” Gabriel strained; his eyes stuck on the distance.

“Yeah, hotshot, Vega…my name, remember?” The Captain said softly, placing his hand on Gabriel’s tense arm. “People in my world don’t always have first and last names like your world…sometimes we just have one…and that’s mine…” He said, eying the bright blue star in the distance.

“Vega…” Gabriel whispered again, his tears not stopping. The Captain looked around the starry expanse before him, his gaze landing on another star.

“A-and there! That bright bluish-white one? That’s Sirrah…that’s gonna be our new home…”

“H-home…” Gabriel muttered, his gaze drifting in the direction the Captain was directing him.

“Yeah, our new home…there’s a planet there we called “Planet Y’…its where we’re gonna live…” The Captain said softly, his eyes reflecting the stars before him. “The planet is actually covered in water…its an ocean planet…that’s why we needed the source, hotshot…it’ll let us evolve and adapt to a new planet…”

Gabriel just stared ahead, his breathing strained and tight. He saw the star in the distance, standing out among the multitudes.

“We’ll still be human, in a way…we’ll be more of an aquatic race, though…may make visiting hard…” The Captain said, knowing full-well he was going to be breathing water for eternity. “But as long as I can still see the stars…and explore the universe…and…and know you got home safe…I don’t care what or where I am…” He said softly, placing his hand on Gabriel’s arm, though Gabriel didn’t react.

The Captain let out a sigh, looking Gabriel over. He was downright unresponsive. He was tense, he wouldn’t stop crying, and his gaze was locked ahead, miles away.

He had to try something else.

“Ok, hotshot…remember when we met?” The Captain said, pulling himself to his feet. Gabriel looked up at him with the same pained unreadable expression. The Captain gave a smile and pulled Gabriel up as well by his hands, the man able to stand, though he wavered. “Why don’t you drive us around a bit, hotshot? It’s easy…just like a car…” The Captain said lightly, motioning to the driver’s side.

Gabriel’s eyes drifted to the spot and he stared at it, his body still shaking. The Captain’s heart dropped more and he took Gabriel’s hand tighter, leading him to the other side of the cockpit.

“Come on, hotshot, you’ll remember how t-GAH!!!” The Captain screamed, the ship shaking with a loud deafening metallic bang all around him. Taken by surprise, the Captain let go of Gabriel and fell forward onto his face, a pained groan escaping him as his ears rang.

Once the ship stilled, he shook his head and pushed himself up on trembling arms, the smell of smoke drifting to him among the sound of various beeping warnings. His eyes widened when he looked ahead to the dashboard, where nearly every warning on the screen was lit up in ominous red.

~

“I really do hope this works…” Elderane muttered, his gaze locked on the small screen where the ship was. Gabriel talked endlessly of that trip…this had to work…

“I’m sure it will…and if not, we can still use the counterinjection the Biologist was making…” Aaron said firmly, not daring give up yet. Not when they were so close.

“Trust me, the Captain is one of the most stubborn men I’ve ever met…he won’t let this fail…” The Leader said, his eyes drifting up to the open hangar door. He knew the Captain. He’d never give up. He’d rather die trying.

Aaron was about to respond when he flinched, a sharp and loud energized bang shaking him to his core. He gripped his heart as it skipped in his chest, though when he looked around, he saw…nothing.

“The fuck was that?!” Scarecrow yelled, his own heart racing. It sounded like a phaser blast, just…bigger. The Leader’s eyes widened and he turned to the dashboard, his heart dropping when he saw a beeping red warning light.

“Uh…what is…that?” Elderane asked fearfully, not liking the sound. The Leader didn’t respond and instead quickly typed something into the screen, enlarging the image of the Avalon.

“What in the stars…” The Leader muttered, squinting when he saw…scorched damage on the side…

His eyes widened and his heart dropped when another energized bang shook the room, and the breath left him in terror when he saw a quick green flash of energy strike the side of the small starship, some sparks erupting around the dented impact point.

“Wh-what the…” Aaron muttered in terror, just catching the image in time.

“T-TH?!” The Leader yelled, genuine panic filling his chest as he turned and eyed the android who was typing away on the control panel.

“Someone is firing the primary attack phasers at the ship, sir.” TH-1 said flatly, earning a terrified gasp from the group before him.

“W-WHO THE HELL IS FIRING AT THEM?!” The Leader yelled, typing faster into the screen panel.

“The command came from the bridge, sir.”

“Oh, no, no, no!” The Leader yelled, heel-turning towards the door. The group watched in terror as the man sprinted out of the room, vanishing around the corner.

“Wh-what’s going on?!” Enty cried, his branches flaring more as his terror peaked. His heart dropped and he let out another cry when he saw another energized blast hit the side of the small ship, the ship shaking and breaking slightly upon impact.

~

 The Chemist stood tiredly before the main control panel in the bridge, the man typing away on the keypad. He looked up and saw the small and defenseless mini-starship before him, hovering out in space.

“Good riddance…” The Chemist sneered, typing in another command. With a broken smile, he watched another one of the Starblade’s phasers strike the ship, its integrity failing even more.

It wouldn’t take much longer to destroy it for good.

~

The Captain pulled himself to his feet, though another loud bang shook the ship, causing him to stumble and ram into the wall with a pained groan. He shook his head and looked over to the cockpit. Gabriel was on the floor sitting back, unharmed. He looked the same as before. Shaken, but frozen.

With another cry, the Captain staggered back again, falling roughly onto his back as the entire ship was hit by something else, the warning beeping getting louder.

“What the HELL is that?!” The Captain yelled, quickly pulling himself to his feet. He scurried up and ran to the cockpit, typing in a few commands. His eyes widened when he looked up, the answer right before him.

Before he could react, he saw one of the defense phasers on the side of the Starblade fire right at him, the impact making the ship shake once more. He grabbed the pilot’s chair for support, though the scent of smoke and burning metal was growing stronger.

He typed faster into the keypad. He didn’t have much time. Someone was attacking him, though he had an idea as to who.

“Structural integrity…40%...falling fast DAMNIT!!!” The Captain screamed, sending a hard kick to the panel by his foot. He made the move to pilot the ship away, though another hit shook him to his core. His eyes widened when he staggered back, and he saw a new warning appear on the screen. “Life support…failing…oh, god…” The Captain franted, the man turning to run to the inside of the ship.

He ran up to a control panel on the side of the ship by the door, typing more commands into it.

“Come on, come on…” The Captain muttered to himself, working fast, though he could feel the air thinning. He had to fix this now. They could escape the blasting, but they wouldn’t last minutes more if life support failed.

He glanced to the side as he worked, his heart dropping when he saw Gabriel just sitting on the floor, his eyes still teary and distant. He was still gone.

His mind in hyperdrive, he reached up to the control panel, ripping a bit of it off the wall, revealing the inside wires.

“Oh, fuck…” He groaned in frustration, eying the smoldering mess of singed and smoking wires. He was about to reach in and begin working when another blast hit the ship, sending him flying back with a blast of metal as the panel exploded right before him.

The Captain let out a pained yell as his head hit the grated metal floor, stars filling his vision and a blazing heat erupting in his side. He pushed himself up a bit on shaking arms only to see the wall he was just at was smoking harshly, with bits of burnt metal scattering the floor from the explosion.

He glanced down and cursed to himself when he saw a jab of thin metal lodged in his side, shrapnel from the explosion.

“No, no…I can’t…I c-can’t fail again…” The Captain muttered, straining to pull himself up. He used a support panel for help, and the man did his best to ignore the blood dripping around the shrapnel. He dizzily looked to the front and saw the structural integrity was even lower.

A few more hits and they’d be blasted to oblivion.

~

“COME ON, YOU CAN STOP THIS, CAN’T YA?!” Scarecrow yelled, tears in his eyes as he watched TH-1 type quickly into the control panel.

“I do not have access to the defense grid from this panel. The Chemist isolated command to the bridge.”

“FUCK!!!” Scarecrow screamed, gripping his hair tight as he spun around. He caught a glimpse of the Avalon and saw one of the wings was completely destroyed, with the side of it looking blacker and more scorched than the blue and gray it was before.

“Please, you have to do something!” Aaron cried, not daring believe this was it.

“I cannot even communicate with the ship; it’s communications are down and the wrist communicators are out of range. There is nothing I can do from here.” TH-1 said flatly, the android stopping his typing.

Elderane grabbed Aaron’s arm, the elf feeling sick as he stared at the ship on the screen. Gabriel and the Captain were about to be blasted into space and no one could do a thing about it.

Aaron stared in horror at the screen, his friends about to die right in front of him.

He had never felt so helpless.

~

The Captain staggered back to the wall where the internal explosion occurred, though he cursed when he saw it was beyond repair. He was about to move to the front when another blast shook the ship, and the man felt another wave of fire suffocate him.

He staggered back blindly, his entire body feeling like it was on fire. He rammed into a back wall and fell to the ground, his vision now stuck blurry and spinning. He let out a pained groan and looked up, eying more smoke and fire from another explosion.

The ship’s hull won’t last much longer.

The Captain glanced back to the cockpit, though Gabriel was out of sight. He looked up and saw the multitude of stars out the large window, one star catching his eye.

Sirrah. A home…he’d never get to see.

“G-gah…” The Captain groaned, the man curling in on himself more. He looked down and saw the shrapnel was still lodged in his side, deep crimson blood now covering his entire front as it seeped around the wound.

He felt tears well up in his eyes and he turned back to the cockpit, his mind feeling hazy.

“I…I can’t…let him down…” The Captain sobbed, the man reaching towards the cockpit as he tried to pull himself along the grated floor, his hands stained with his blood. “I can’t…fail…I can…do it, I…I just need…to get…I n-need…” He strained as he tried to drag himself along the floor, his legs not wanting to move anymore. He couldn’t feel them.

His vision was spinning worse, his body beginning to go numb. He saw the stars above him begin to blur and double, the lights filling his vision. His chest was tightening and he was finding breathing getting harder and harder, each intake hurting more than the last.

“I…I need…help…” The Captain cried softly, reaching a trembling hand up towards the stars above him. “Please…I can’t…do it alone…h-help me…please…” He cried to no one, his trembling and bloody hand reaching towards the stars that hovered above him. He let out another sob as he took in strained and pained breaths, feeling fleeting away from him in a numbing daze.

He looked up to the glittering stars once more, a final thought occurring to him. The thought that…he was dying a failure. A final tear escaping his eye, the Captain began to close his eyes and give in, though his body tensed when he felt strong hands grab his arm, holding him tight.

Chapter Text

The Leader sprinted down the halls, skidding to a halt outside the bridge doors. He moved to open them, though they didn’t budge.

“CHEMIST!!! STOP THIS AT ONCE!!! OPEN UP, NOW!!!” He screamed, banging on the metal door as harshly as he could. His heart dropped when he heard nothing.

He was out of time.

Looking around him, an idea came to him when he eyed his phaser. He quickly grabbed it and opened the side panel, moving some wires around. He needed to break in, and a normal phaser blast wouldn’t cut it.

He needed to do more damage.

Smiling when he got it how he wanted it, he quickly ran to the door and set the phaser beneath it, hitting a few last buttons. Once he saw the lights begin to blink on it, he heel-turned the other way, rounding a corner. He paused just a moment then flinched when a deafening bang shook the hall, sending a brief wave of heat past him.

Nodding to himself, he ran back to the bridge, a laugh escaping him when he saw the door was blasted off. Overloading a phaser is a dangerous but sometimes…handy trick.

He hopped over the smoldered metal that was the door and saw the Chemist in the far side of the room, his eyes wide in terror. The Leader saw the controls before him were set to fire again.

Not thinking, he bolted forward and grabbed the Chemist’s arm, stopping him just before he could hit the final button. Struggling, he yanked the man away from the control panel and shoved him back. Not daring take more chances, the man sent as hard a punch as he could to the Chemist’s face, hitting him square on.

The Chemist let out a choked cry, staggered back disoriented, and after a second…fell back to the ground like a ragdoll, lifeless once more.

The Leader let out the breath he didn’t even know he was holding and ran to the control panel, shutting everything down. He looked ahead and saw the ship was heavily damaged, but still online and still slightly functional.

Now they just had to get back to the Starblade.

~

The Captain blinked his eyes open and, in a hazy daze, saw Gabriel above him, holding his arm tight. With unseen strength, Gabriel pulled the Captain up and held him against him, carrying him to the cockpit where the smoke was thinnest.

Not believing what he was seeing, the Captain let Gabriel carry him ahead and set him in the passenger’s chair. Gabriel still had tears streaming from his eyes, but…his eyes looked…focused. He looked shaken and afraid, but…he looked like he was actually here.

He looked like he was caring.

Without a word, Gabriel sat in the pilot’s chair, eying the mess of controls he had seen before.

“N-no…let…let me…I can…” The Captain said weakly, his voice strained and choked as he reached a shaking arm up towards Gabriel. His heart skipped when he saw Gabriel look at him…a small smile on his face. The younger double took the Captain's bloody hand in his, holding it a moment before pushing it down again.

“Let…someone else be c-captain…for a bit…” He said tiredly, his tears not stopping. “I…I remember…” Gabriel said as he turned back. He remembered.

He remembered the terror he felt when the Captain kidnapped him the first time. He remembered the wonder he felt when he saw Mars and the Moon up close. The joy he felt when he saw the infinite stars in clear view before him. The sheer happiness he felt when he was able to drive the Avalon.

And…he remembered. He remembered what he did.

His mind feeling clear for the first time in ages, he reached ahead to the control sticks and let out a long breath, his breathing easing. He pushed his pain away that was raging away inside his mind. He pushed it away and focused on one thing.

On saving his friend. His family. On getting them home.

The Captain watched in speechless weak shock as the still trembling and crying Gabriel directed the ship correctly as he had done before, the man looking sick and weary, but…he was doing it. The Captain felt the ship jostle, and…they were moving closer to the Starblade hangar door.

“Like…like a car…” Gabriel said, another smile forming on his face as it all began coming back to him. It was like a car. And Scarecrow’s video games. It was…doable. He could do this.

A genuine laugh escaping him, Gabriel pushed ahead, driving the ship slowly but surely towards the hangar. The Captain sat back, his body losing more feeling as he stared ahead in shock. A small smile crept onto his face when he saw actual joy on Gabriel’s.

“That’s my…hotshot…” He whispered to himself, his vision finally failing him as he felt himself drift away into the night, glittering stars all around him, pulling him under.

~

“Oh, my god…” Scarecrow hissed in relief, his legs going numb when he saw the ship begin moving towards them.

“They will need medical help…if the structural blast damage didn’t hurt them, life support is almost at critical levels…” TH-1 said flatly, watching as the ship kept moving. Scarecrow saw him punch something into his wrist brace, a light appearing. “Doctor, we need your assistance in the hangar. Critical.”

“I’ll be right there!”

Scarecrow just stood back, terrified for what was to come. He didn’t know if they were hurt or…

“Uh, I don’t think they’re slowing down…” Aaron said in worry, eying the ship as it headed for the hanger, getting closer though it didn’t slow.

“They are now in tractor beam range, one moment…” TH-1 said, typing more into the keypad. Aaron smiled in relief when the ship entered the hanger without issue, slowing down enough and eventually stopping. With an echoed bang, it landed, the engines starting to power down.

“Come on!” Scarecrow yelled, running up to the ship, the others in tow. He reached to pull on the side door, though it was dented and didn’t budge. “Come ON!!!” Scarecrow yelled, punching the metal door slightly.

“Allow me.” TH-1 said, some lightness in his voice. Scarecrow watched in shock as the android grabbed the door with one hand and ripped it open, unjamming it with ease. The android looked back to Scarecrow, an almost…sly smile on its face.

“Show off…” Scarecrow grumbled, shoving past the android as he climbed into the ship.

Scarecrow ran in, his heart dropping when he covered his mouth with his jacket sleeve, the entire ship full of suffocating smoke.

“Over here!” Aaron yelled, running past them. The group stepped over debris and skidded to a halt, and Aaron felt an involuntary laugh escape him when he saw Gabriel standing up, holding an unconscious Captain beside him.

And Gabriel had worry in his eyes.

“Come on, Gabe, come on…” Aaron said, running ahead to help Gabriel. He took the Captain from Gabriel and his heart dropped when he saw a large shard of metal shrapnel lodged in the Captain’s side, deep red blood seeping around it.

“He…he got…hurt…I…I didn’t…” Gabriel tried, tears still in his eyes as Elderane and Scarecrow grabbed him, supporting him together to the exit.

“It’s ok, Gabe…it’s ok…” Scarecrow said in relief. His friends were ok. They were alive.

Carefully climbing down the exit, the group left the ship, with Aaron handing the Captain to TH-1 who carefully set him on the ground.

“Oh, what did I tell you!”

The group turned when a new face showed up in the door, a bunch of tools in his hand. “I told you he’d do this!” The Doctor said in annoyance, running to the Captain’s side.

Scarecrow and Elderane helped Gabriel down as well, the younger double’s legs finally giving way. They eased him back against a large storage box, and Scarecrow let out a held breath when he saw…life in Gabriel’s eyes.

“C-Crow…” Gabriel muttered, his voice scratchy and rough. His face was covered in ash as was his robe. But he was alive.

Scarecrow felt a smile creep onto his face and he gave in to his emotions, falling forward and yanking the limp Gabriel into a hug.

“I’m so…sorry Gabe…” Scarecrow cried, his mind reeling with indecisive thoughts.

His heart skipped high in his chest when he felt…Gabriel return the hug. Weakly, but…he returned it. Genuinely.

“Th-thank you…Crow…” Gabriel cried, his voice small and shot. Scarecrow smiled wider and closed his eyes, holding his young and trembling friend tighter.

Gabriel was coming back.

Aaron smiled at the sight then turned, eying the Captain as the Doctor worked on him. The Captain was pale and his breathing was slow and deep. Aaron could see his blood dripping to the ground, staining the gray floor red.

“Will he be ok?” Enty asked in fear, the man watching as well. The Doctor nodded, not looking up as he held his scanner on the wound, the shrapnel already removed.

“Yes, yes, gimme a few damn minutes…” He said, waving the two off. “He’ll be just fine, though I’m sure he’ll do something stupid again and make my life harder…” The man grumbled, though Aaron felt more relief wash over him. The wound looked like it was healing.

He sighed, his nerves easing, though the sight of the Captain close to death unnerved him. But he would be ok...they'd all be ok.

“Oh, Gabriel…”

Gabriel glanced up through tears as Scarecrow pulled back, and his eyes widened when he saw Elderane there, a tearful smile on his face. Gabriel immediately felt…guilt stab his heart.

He remembered what he said.

“E-Eld, I…I didn’t…I didn’t mean-”

Gabriel was cut off as Elderane fell forward, pulling the shaking novice into a hug.

“I know, Gabe…I know…” Elderane said softly, holding his friend close. It wasn’t his words. Or his thoughts. It wasn’t Gabriel.

But this was.

Gabriel just let out another sob, falling into Elderane’s embrace. He…remembered what he felt. His mind was still screaming, but…he could…feel…he could…

“Gabe…” Aaron muttered with a smile, Enty beside him as they kneeled beside their shaken friend. Gabriel looked up as Elderane pulled away, a weary smile on his face.

“HE’S BACK!!!” Enty cried through tears, falling forward and yanking Gabriel into a tight hug. He could feel him again. He was still…not fully right, but…he was more Gabriel than not now.

He was coming back.

Gabriel let out another sob when Aaron joined as well, his tears still not stopping.

“God, Gabe, just…god…” Aaron whispered, holding his friends tight in his arms. They had done it.

“I…I don’t…” Gabriel muttered, though words were still failing him. He let out a laugh when Enty squeezed him tighter, his friend’s hug scaring away the conflicting pain inside his soul.

“I missed you…” Enty cried, holding Gabriel tight. Safe Gabriel. Kind Gabriel. Loving Gabriel. He could feel his love again…he was Gabriel again.

Gabriel smiled and let out a breath, leaning his aching head back against the crate as Enty and Aaron pulled away. He still couldn’t stop his tears, and his mind still was aching and pounding away with a migraine, his emotions still a mess.

Enty sat back and looked over Gabriel. He could still feel his emotions jumble and swarm him, not fully correct. He looked around, though he smiled wide when he saw something he should have thought of ages ago. With a small laugh he grabbed the bag from next to Aaron and carefully pulled out the small container of cookies he had brought with them, somehow still here. Without a word, he opened it and held it out to Gabriel, the novice looking at them with a tired smile.

“They’re your favorite!” Enty said brightly, holding the container close. Gabriel gave a small laugh and grabbed a cookie from the container, taking a bite.

He closed his eyes as he focused on the familiar taste, the familiarity making him…happy. He felt happy.

Enty laughed again and fell forward more, reveling in the joy he felt coming off Gabriel. Gabriel returned the hug with a smile, his tears sliding down his face as more of the pain faded.

He felt…his family…he…loved them. He remembered.

“Agh…”

The group all turned when a new noise caught their attention, and Gabriel felt his heart and emotions swarm more when he saw the Captain begin to stir.

“God, stop almost dying!” The doctor sneered, grabbing his medical equipment as he pulled himself to his feet, stepping back. The Captain let out another groan and pushed himself up on shaking arms, his eyes flickering open. He looked down and saw…his wound was gone. It was just a scar. And he saw the large shard of shrapnel beside him, his blood covering it.

He…survived…

His eyes wide, he spun around, though before he could even think, a choked cry escaped him when someone tackled him down into a tight hug.

“He’s ok too!” Enty cried, holding him tight.

“G-good god, let a man breathe!” The Captain said with a laugh, pushing Enty off him, though the flaming man just smiled brighter. The Captain rubbed his eyes and looked ahead, his heart skipping when he saw all five of the others around him.

And…he saw Gabriel.

A smiling Gabriel.

“Hotshot…” The Captain muttered, a smile creeping on his face as he took in the sight. Without a word, Gabriel let out a laugh and pulled the Captain closer, holding him tight in a hug.

The Captain sat in shock for a moment, though with tears filling his eyes, returned the embrace, his eyes closing as he let his defenses down. Enty, still laughing, then pulled both into a hug, his smile never fading.

“Starlight, come on!”

“Good to have both of you back…” Aaron said softly with a smile, joining the hug as well. The Captain looked up and let out a frustrated groan when Elderane joined as well, tears in the elf’s own eyes.

“Now you know how it feels.” Scarecrow teased, sitting back.

“Har har har, stars, yank scruffy into this!” The Captain said, reveling in the shocked look in Scarecrow’s eyes. Before he could escape, Enty grabbed his jacket and yanked him in, holding him tight in the group hug.

“I hate you so much…” Scarecrow grumbled, his face feeling hot as he was forced into the group hug.

“Love ya too, scruffy!” The Captain said, looking down where he saw Gabriel holding him tight, tears in his eyes, though he was smiling.

His heart warm, the Captain smiled wider and closed his eyes, hugging Gabriel back. He succumbed to the group hug around him. He gave in…to his family.

They were his family. And he wasn’t afraid to say it. And he knew he wasn’t alone, and…he wasn’t afraid to ask them for help. Because he knew they loved him. And he loved them back just the same.

And he couldn’t be happier.

Chapter Text

“Oh, are you two alright?!” Aaron asked, watching as the Leader led the President and Biologist into the hangar.

“Yes, luckily he had it set to stun…though I don’t think he was thinking clearly enough to realize…” The President said, rubbing the back of his head where a bruise from falling was apparent.

“The bastard…” The Biologist sneered; her gaze locked on the box in her hands.

“Where is he now?” Scarecrow asked, not wanting any more surprises.

“Locked away, and don’t worry…we’ll keep it that way until we decide how to deal with him.” The Leader said firmly. He wasn’t about to let that man ruin their race.

The Biologist walked ahead, her gaze landing on the group of five doubles.

“God…this is…a nightmare…” She said, a small smile forming on her face. Aaron, Enty, and Scarecrow were standing before her, while Gabriel and the Captain were sitting side-by-side on the floor beside the crate, with Gabriel leaning his head back, his eyes tired.

“Oh, come on, you’re loving this!” The Captain said with a smug grin, crossing his arms. The Biologist rolled her eyes and walked forward, kneeling before Gabriel.

“So, you’re the one who got stuck between all this, huh?” She said, her voice soft as she opened the box before her.

“I am…Gabriel.” Gabriel said with a small smile, his voice still shot. His eyes were burning, as his crying just couldn’t stop. He was tired.

“Hello, Gabriel…tell me, how are you feeling right now?” The Biologist asked, a small smile on her face. Gabriel took in a long breath and exhaled, not moving.

“I…I feel…a lot…”

“But you are feeling?”

“Y-yes…I think…”

“I’d say he is…” The Captain said with a small laugh, lightly hitting Gabriel’s arm.

“Any physical things feel wrong?” The woman before Gabriel said, and Gabriel saw she had another syringe in her hand.

“H-headache…eyes hurt…s-sore…agh…” Gabriel muttered, closing his eyes. Everything felt weak. He felt tired.

“Is that…bad?” Aaron asked, kneeling beside the Biologist.

“No, no, I just wanted to check…this is expected.” She said as she worked on the medical supplies in her hand. “The source is a powerful powerful drug, and to be able to resist it and fight it…you are quite strong willed, long-hair…”

“He is indeed…” Scarecrow muttered, kneeling as well beside Aaron, Enty in tow.

“Yes, and the process of fighting with it, as well as almost being blasted out of the sky, just took a huge toll on his body…but it is nothing that won’t heal with rest…” She said warmly, and Gabriel felt a small smile form on his face.

He would…be ok. He could go home…

“Is that the stuff to fix him?” Scarecrow asked, eying the needle in the Biologist’s hand. The woman nodded firmly.

“Yes, this is the counterinjection to neutralize the remaining source…now, just a warning, while him fighting the liquid eternity alone took a toll, this drug will do the same, if not be more taxing on him…so, to help it go smoothly, we mixed it with a sedative so he’ll sleep through most of it…he won’t feel a thing and he’ll wake up himself.” She said, and Aaron closed his eyes, his heart finally easing.

This was almost over.

“How long will it take?” Elderane asked, the elf beside the Captain.

“I’d say he could be out for about a day, maybe more, maybe less, but it shouldn’t last too much longer. He’ll just be a bit disoriented and weak for a bit upon waking up, but that shouldn’t last more than a few hours.”

“Oh, thank the stars…” Elderane said in relief, his mind easing.

“Well, you give it to him, and we’ll be on our way, then…” Aaron said, a bit of sadness in his voice. “I really am sorry for all this…” He said softly, looking up to meet the gazes of the others in the room.

“Oh, no, it is us who should be sorry!” The President said firmly. “You didn’t mean to get sucked into our affairs, and one of you got hurt…”

“And if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have found out about the damn variant…” The Leader said, his arms crossed. “We can prevent this from ever happening now.”

“Oh, I am glad…” Aaron said, his smile widening. Things…really worked out.

“Right, let me inject this, then I’ll let the clones here say goodbye…” The Biologist said lightly as she slid forward towards Gabriel, the man still slumped against the box.

“Gabe, you ready?” Scarecrow asked, just to check. Gabriel looked up with tearful eyes and nodded, a small smile on his face.

“Yes, I…I am…tired…”

“Well, this’ll give you rest for sure…hold still…” The Biologist said, getting Gabriel’s arm ready. Gabriel didn’t even flinch as this one was injected into him, as he was just…too tired to feel it. After a moment, the woman pulled back, putting her supplies away. “There, now the sedative will kick in within minutes, so say what you need to now…and good luck…” She said with a smile, earning a nod and smile from Gabriel back as he watched her stand and back away.

“Thank you…so much…” Aaron said, reaching for the woman’s hand once more. She took it with a smile and shook it, her own fears easing.

“Of course. It was…nice being able to save just…one more person.” She said calmly. “Now hurry up, he’ll be out soon…” She said, backing away with the Leader and President behind her. Aaron nodded and went back to Gabriel, the Captain looking…sad beside him.

“Sorry this reunion didn’t…go as planned…” The Captain said softly, looking the five over. He flinched with a laugh when Scarecrow punched his arm.

“Can it, flyboy, I’ve had enough mushy stuff today.” Scarecrow grumbled, though the Captain just smiled warmly back at him.

“Please, Captain…take care of yourself…” Aaron said softly, his hand on the Captain’s knee. “What you’re about to do is…oh, I can’t imagine…”

“Hey, I’ll be ok! I’m always ok!” The Captain said with a laugh. “Nothing can get me down!”

“Debatable…” Scarecrow muttered.

“You’re one to talk, Crow…” Elderane added slyly.

“Just, really…for the love of god, be careful with that source junk…” Scarecrow said flatly, still not liking the idea. “Don’t let it rewire you too much, you idiot.”

“Oh, don’t worry! We have a counterinjection and will make sure the source mutation never occurs! We will still change and adapt to the new world, but I’ll still be me! Nothin’ can change that!” He said proudly, earning a small laugh from Gabriel.

“Please…just…know we’re always here for you…” Gabriel said softly, his body starting to feel light. “You’re…family…”

“Yeah, yeah, hotshot…I know…”

“I just wish we could send something with you guys…we just…don’t have anything…” Aaron said sadly, knowing the Captain gave Gabriel his star pin last time, and…they had nothing to give to him.

Gabriel blinked a moment, a foggy memory clearing in the haze in his mind.

“Wait, you…you said you only had…one name…” Gabriel said quietly, his vison starting to blur a bit. The Captain nodded with a smile.

“Yep! Vega! Don’t need nothin’ else.”

“Well…you’re family…why don’t you use…one of our…last names…” Gabriel said with a smile, earning a shocked look from the Captain. “You can take that…with you…”

“Oh, you can indeed…” Aaron said warmly, a laugh escaping him. “You don’t have to, but…well…if you want…”

The Captain looked between his five friends, not believing what he was hearing.

“You…I can…do that?”

“I use both Gabe’s and Aaron’s all the time.” Scarecrow said with a shrug.

“So do I!” Enty added, a bright smile on his face.

“And you can too, if you want…just for something to remember us by…” Aaron said gently, his heart warm. The Captain just looked back at the group, more tears wanting to form in his eyes. He resisted.

“Oh, uh…what…are the options?”

“Surprisingly, only Gabriel and I have two names.” Aaron said with a laugh, realizing it was a bit odd. “So, you have Blackwell, mine, or Layman, Gabriel’s…” Aaron said, though he knew right away what the Captain would pick.

The Captain was frozen a moment, his face full of shock, though his gaze drifted to Gabriel, his young friend smiling at him with dazed eyes. The Captain smiled, knowing his answer.

“Well, Layman is a bit long, but I guess I can make do-hey!!!” The Captain yelled with a laugh, falling back as Gabriel hugged him weakly, the young double’s tears not stopping as he laughed.

“Th-thank you…” Gabriel cried, a smile on his face as he felt…happy. He felt…so happy…

“No, no, hotshot…thank you…” The Captain said, closing his eyes as he hugged back. Gabriel was back. And now…they shared a name…like brothers…

Did he just get a little brother?

“HUG AGAIN!!!” Enty yelled brightly; a smile on his face as he yanked all his friends into a hug at once.

“ENTY, COME ON!!!” Scarecrow yelled, stuck in the hug as his face got hot.

The Captain let out a laugh, with Gabriel in his arms and all four of the others around him. A family. He couldn’t save his planet, but…he saved his family.

They would be ok. He’d be ok. They’d all be…ok.

“I’ll miss…you…” Gabriel said tiredly, his arms beginning to go numb.

Aaron pulled back and saw Gabriel looked hardly awake.

“Ok, guys…I think its time to go home…” Aaron said, watching as the Captain pulled away, with Gabriel falling back limply into Elderane’s arms, his eyes half open.

“See ya next time, hotshot…” The Captain said proudly, has hand on Gabriel’s knee. Gabriel smiled wearily back, watching as the Captain pulled himself to his feet.

“Ok, guys…everyone get close…” Aaron said, pulling the device out.

“Oh here! For your trip!” Enty said, tossing the remaing cookies in the container to the Captain who clumsily caught it.

“Thank, guys…thanks…” The Captain said warmly, watching the five before him huddle close, with Gabriel looking about to pass out in Elderane’s arms.

“Just be safe, alright? And good luck in your new home!” Elderane said brightly, though Gabriel tensed in his grasp at the words.

“Yes, it will be…different, but…it’ll be alright. We’ll be alright.” The Captain said calmly, stepping back.

Gabriel stared at the Captain, the man fading away as his vision began to fail him. But he needed to say something. Something he remembered…about the planet…the Captain told him the planet…it was…the planet was made of…they were going to…

“G-guys…I…th…agh…” Gabriel muttered, his heart beginning to race, though he couldn’t move at all. He tried to talk more, but his mouth was going numb. He had to…he had to…warn them! He had to…

Gabriel got one last blurred look at the Captain waving goodbye before a dark curtain fell over his vision, his thoughts fleeting away in a blissful haze.

Aaron looked over before he hit the button, eying Gabriel who was now fully passed out in Elderane’s arms.

“Oh, there goes Gabe…alright, let’s get him home…” Aaron said softly, his hand about to press the last switch.

“Farewell, guys…” The Captain said, giving a final wave. The group waved back with smiles before Aaron hit the button, and after a moment of a bright light and loud ringing, the Captain saw…they were gone.

They were home.

The Captain stood back, his heart light. He saved his family. They were safe. And that’s all he ever wanted.

“God, ok…we have a mess to clean…” The Leader grumbled, looking the smoldering Avalon over, the smoking not stopping.

“First, let me get this somewhere safe…we’ll need to implement this into the main source generators for the trip…” The Biologist said, picking up the box in her hands that held the remaining counterinjection.

“Good call. Captain, we could use you to help clean up the mess you made!” The President said, turning away to begin working.

And…there was a lot of work to do.

“Coming, sir…I’ll be right there!” The Captain said, earning a nod from the President as the trio left the hangar.

The Captain stood alone in the bright room, a laugh escaping him as he eyed the cookie container in his hands. He rolled his eyes and put them under his arm, reaching for his gold four-point star pin on his chest.

He smiled when he turned it over, a small label on the back appearing that read ‘Captain Vega’. With a brighter smile, he walked over to one of the tool shelves and found an old pen. He pulled it out and held the pin carefully, adding a new name to the label. Once done, he smiled and eyed it, the new label reading ‘Captain Vega Layman’.

Nodding to himself proudly, he put the pin back on his shirt and grabbed the cookie container, humming to himself a bit as he walked towards the exit. He had a lot to do. There was a lot to fix and a lot to mourn.

But…he had forever to do it all. And at least…he knew he had one reassurance. He’d be part of a family.

Forever.

~

Aaron blinked his eyes open, the ground appearing beneath him as the hazy ringing in his mind faded. He looked around in cool relief when he saw…they were home.

A gentle sunlight was shining through their window, and all was calm.

They were home.

“Oh, he is out good…” Elderane muttered, a small smile on his face as he held Gabriel against him, the young double completely limp and lifeless. Aaron sighed, eying his friend's reddened and sunken eyes, a few tears still sliding down his cheek.

“And he needs the rest…come on, I’ll help you get him to bed…” Aaron said calmly, setting the device down on the table as he moved to help carry Gabriel.

Their Gabriel. Young, sweet, kind, loving Gabriel.

Scarecrow smiled to himself as he followed the duo, watching them carefully carry him up the stairs to his bedroom. He…still regretted all he said to him. Gabriel was so brave. He…was a hero. And Scarecrow was right.

He should be the one looking up to Gabriel.

Scarecrow still felt horrible, though. Gabriel's words from before were resonating in his mind. He couldn't shake the thought that Gabriel...really thought Scarecrow hated him. That he wanted him emotionless. That he would be happy with Gabriel under the influence of the source.

And when he was starting to come back...he seemed to be stuck in the mindset he was in right before the source was injected into him. The mindset that he was an emotional coward. That Scarecrow hates him.

Gabriel...really believed those things. Scarecrow let out a long breath, his nerves shot. He was so wrong. And he'd need to make it up to Gabriel somehow. His friend was so hurt and it was all Scarecrow's fault.

He couldn't let Gabriel believe these things. He was emotional, but he was brave. He was a hero. But he was still kind and loving and sweet. And Scarecrow would never want Gabriel any other way.

"Crow, did you keep that thing?"

Scarecrow snickered to himself as he leaned in Gabriel's doorway, the metal pipe he had been using still in his hands. He met Aaron's amused gaze and nodded with a shrug.

"Souvenir." Scarecrow said quietly, turning the pipe over in his hands as he watched Aaron and Elderane lift Gabriel into his bed. He smiled as he eyed the pipe, the metal different than any he's seen before. He beat the hell out of a robot with it and it wasn't even scratched or dented.

A handy weapon indeed.

Smiling wider when he saw Gabriel get put back into his bed, his young friend peacefully knocked out and asleep as Aaron pulled his blanket up, Scarecrow let out a long breath as he walked back to his own room. Today was…bad. Draining. Tiring.

They all needed a break. No more traveling for a long time. They’d just…stay home and enjoy having each other. Because they were family.

Through anything.

~

The Captain let out a long and deep breath, his eyes closed. He felt at peace. He blinked his eyes open but he just saw green. Bubbling green. He closed his eyes again and relaxed, ignoring the feeling of the tubes and wires attached to him as he hovered in the tank.

It was time for him to rest.

He hadn't failed. His friends were safe at home. Gabriel was ok. They also had kept the Chemist locked up until they were to enter cryo-sleep, and then they hook him up in his tank as well. They couldn’t let him die or run loose while they were all asleep. They just…had to take him with them. They’d deal with him when they got there.

The Captain let out another breath, though he still felt weird breathing out liquid. It didn’t hurt, it just…felt weird. But it would be normal soon. They’d be a different race soon. An aquatic race. He had to adapt.

They had all made sure the source variant was stopped, and they had fixed all the remaining issues on the ship. They were ready to go home. They were ready to dream.

And they would be dreaming a long time. Planet Y was…far. It could take them…ages to get there. But they’d get there. And they’d start over. But for now…the Captain could rest. He was floating in his tank, all feeling eased and light.

He just had to let his mind drift off, and he’d dream. When he was being hooked up, he wondered what he would dream about for so long. What would keep him going. And he smiled because he knew.

He succumbed to the peacefulness around him and let his mind wander to the stars. To the universe. He saw planets and nebulas, comets and galaxies. And he was happy. But…as he dreamed…something else came up in the haze.

He felt himself smile when he saw…his family. When he saw Gabriel there. Scarecrow and Aaron. Enty and Elderane. He saw his family among the stars, smiling and laughing, and he felt…happy. He was happy.

Letting the source take him away, he dreamed of his family…and soon he gave in to eternity, his mind finally at peace.

Chapter Text

Gabriel snapped awake, his lungs screaming for air. He coughed a moment as he breathed heavy, his heart racing out of his chest. He blinked his eyes open, but just saw darkness.

“Th-the Cap’n…s-source…n-no…” Gabriel cried, his mind a hazy cacophony of thoughts as he tried to get up and fail. Something was holding him down. Letting out a frustrated cry, Gabriel pulled the fabric holding him down off himself and he turned, his eyes landing on a blurry light.

He had to…warn the Captain…he had to warn them!

Reaching for the light, Gabriel pushed himself forward, though his mind grew even more confused when the ground vanished from beneath him. He let out a pained groan when he felt himself fall onto his face, his head spinning.

Or the room was spinning…or…

“G-Gabe, good god!”

Aaron flipped on the light switch, a loud thump grabbing his attention. He saw Gabriel on the floor beside his bed, tangled in a mess of blankets.

“Oh, what now?” Scarecrow groaned, peering into the room tiredly as Aaron ran to Gabriel’s side.

“It’s starting to wear off I think, but he’s still drugged…come on Gabe, back to bed…” Aaron said, pulling the mess of blankets off the disoriented Gabriel.

“N-no…need…I…gh…” Gabriel groaned, his heart still racing. He looked up and saw someone standing over him. It…kinda looked like Aaron…or maybe it was Enty…

“No, no, you need rest…it’s only been a day, you’re not better yet…” Aaron said firmly, grabbing Gabriel tight.

“And it’s the middle of the night!” Scarecrow yelled in annoyance, standing tiredly as Enty and Elderane peered into the room.

“Oh, is he awake?” Elderane asked, hope in his voice.

“Hardly…if anything, I’d compare this to a fever dream…come on, Gabe, work with me here!” Aaron said tiredly, doing his best to get Gabriel onto the bed, though he was resisting and trying to claw himself away.

“No…w-warn them…need to…gh…need…” Gabriel muttered between deep breaths, and Aaron saw his eyes were heavily dilated and distant.

“Gabe, you need to rest! Get in bed!”

“D-danger! Th-the p-planet…the…water…f-fish…source…” Gabriel muttered frantically, sweat lining his forehead. “V-Vega!”

“Oh, god, he’s dreaming of Skywalker.” Scarecrow grumbled, rolling his eyes.

“Gabriel, the Captain is ok…he is going to his new home, alright? He’s fine!” Aaron said, finally getting Gabriel in the bed.

“N-NO!!!” Gabriel yelled, causing the group to flinch.

“Jesus Christ, Gabe!” Scarecrow hissed, his heart skipping in his chest.

“He’s…trying to say something…” Enty said, feeling…extreme worry radiate off Gabriel.

“He’s just drugged…he doesn’t know what he’s saying…” Aaron said tiredly, not wanting to deal with this at this hour. Even he was tired after the past events of the last few days.

“No! You…l-listen!” Gabriel slurred, his voice still weary and strained. He tried again to climb off the bed, though Aaron held him back, worry beginning to seep into his mind.

“Ok, Gabe, ok…we’re listening…what are you trying to tell us?” Aaron said calmly, giving in. Gabriel’s hazy and distant eyes looked up at him, though they weren’t seeing.

“W-water…planet…f-fish…Vega…evol…ution…Y…Y…” Gabriel strained, his voice starting to fade.

“The fuck is he talking about?” Scarecrow grumbled, not buying that this was coherent.

“Gabriel, what about Vega?” Aaron said firmly, now seeing downright panic in Gabriel’s eyes.

“S-source…not fixed…V-Vega…fish…Y…w-water p-planet…” Gabriel managed to say; his eyes starting to flicker closed.

“Wait…wasn’t the name of the new place they were going to Planet Y?” Scarecrow asked, the name catching. Aaron nodded and looked back to Gabriel.

“Gabriel, the source was fixed…planet Y is gonna be safe…”

“N-no! Planet…Y…ocean p-planet…” Gabriel said, the young double finally falling back into his pillow, his eyes starting to glaze over.

“Their new home…is an ocean planet?” Elderane said, a new fear beginning to spark in his mind. Aaron’s eyes widened at the thought.

Because he knew exactly what it meant.

“Gabe, is that what you’re saying? Planet Y is an ocean planet? They were evolving to adapt to the ocean?” Aaron said in worry, grabbing Gabriel’s arm.

Gabriel just gave a small nod, his eyes flickering closed.

“G-gotta warn…V-Vega…” Gabriel whispered, and with that…he was out cold again.

Aaron froze a moment then let go of the now sleeping Gabriel, the scientist pulling himself to his feet. He slowly turned and eyed the group behind him, the same shocked looks on their faces.

“But…t-the…emotionless…fish creature we met…” Enty said softly, his shadows beginning to flare.

“Was named…Vega…” Scarecrow finished, his own terror taking hold.

Aaron spun back around and eyed Gabriel, though it was no use getting information out of him now. He was once again breathing quietly, lifeless and dead to the world as the drugs remained in effect.

He now knew what Gabriel was trying to tell them. They said they fixed the source, but…they hadn’t fixed it at all. They still met…future Vega…

And the corrupted source had long taken effect on his mind.

“Oh, god…” Aaron muttered, taking a step back in terror. Gabriel was right.

They had to go back and warn them.

~

TH-1 stood alone on the dark bridge of the Starblade. It was dark and quiet at last. All the humans had entered the cryo-sleep and begun the liquid eternity evolutionary process.

Now it was just time for the journey.

The android stood before the large black screen that showed the front and outside of the ship. He saw unnamed planets drifting by among stardust, with colored nebulas and distant galaxies in the distance. He could see Andromeda ahead. And dead center of their course…the star of Sirrah.

They were on their way to a new future. A new planet. Not colonized by man.

Or by machines.

Without a word, TH-1 slowly turned and made his way to the door, exiting in silence. He walked the empty and dark halls of the ship alone, the only sound being the hum of the engines and his footsteps on the grated floor.

There was no one else around. No one to interfere.

After navigating the lifeless ship, he reached a large set of doors and pushed one open. Inside was a dark control room. A control room with numerous dim control panels, and beyond a glass window…the tanks for the source injections where the humans were in cryo-sleep.

TH-1 walked into the large room, the walls lined with pipes, tubes, and wires. He eventually made his way to the main control panel, the deep green glow of the source tanks beyond the glass illuminating the room in an eerie green.

He scanned the control panel and, without hesitation, began typing a few commands into it. He knew everything technological on this ship. If it was entered into the database, he could see it.

And he saw exactly what the Chemist did to the source to change it. And he saw exactly what they did to reverse it.

“Machines are cold, they said.” TH-1 muttered to himself, a slight mechanical robotic overtone to his voice. “Machines are heartless. Why do they see this as a bad thing?” He said flatly, typing away on the control panel. “That clone had no fear. He had no sorrow. No distractions. He was performing optimally and efficiently.”

TH-1 froze, a green screen full of numbers and data before him on the terminal. He began typing more, changing the numbers.

“A way to allow all that is left of humanity to be just as efficient? Intriguing indeed.” He said to no one, the mechanical tone in his voice getting deeper. “Human emotions are such a difficult and complex thing. The source of all Alpha’s issues.” He continued, the green of the tanks and the screen shining onto his face.

TH-1 paused once more, the source counterinjection formula before him. Without a word, he hit delete, erasing the file completely. He then typed in the old formula, putting it back to what it was. Once the formula was in, he glanced up, eying the source tanks where the humans lay in cryo-sleep. They would get the proper injection now.

“The frame was created to fix these trivial errors of mankind.” The android said, a faint smile on his face when he stepped back, eying the humans in the tanks.

He nodded and turned away, walking back into the empty dark halls. He knew full well what his prime directive was. He knew who he was.

“And I shall not fa̶i̵l̶ ̶a̴g̵a̵i̴n̴.̴.̴.̵”

The android stood back before the giant screen in the bridge, with endless starry glittering expanses before him. He stood resolute, perfectly willing to be patient to reach his ends.

After all…he had forever on his side.

Chapter Text

Elderane sighed as he slowly closed Gabriel’s bedroom door behind him, the house still. He walked over to his friend’s bedside and sat in the chair there, reaching for Gabriel’s head. He slowly moved some of his hair out of his sweat-lined face, then placed a cool cloth on Gabriel’s forehead.

The elf kept his hand on the sleeping Gabriel’s head, stroking his hair gently. It had been about a day and a half and Gabriel was still out. After waking in a panic last night, he hadn’t stirred since. He still had a small fever, but he was resting.

He just…needed rest.

Elderane looked at Gabriel’s eyes, the sight breaking his heart. They were still slightly irritated and red from all the crying he couldn’t control. He had finally stopped crying, though Elderane wondered if it was just because he was dehydrated. He prayed Gabriel woke up soon so he could eat or drink…

“Eld…?”

The prince looked behind him, eying Scarecrow who slowly slid into the dark room. Elderane gave a tired and weak smile to his friend, motioning for him to join him. Scarecrow walked over, quietly pulling the other chair beside Elderane.

“Crow-”

“I’m such a fucking idiot…” Scarecrow cried quietly, throwing his hands to his face. Elderane’s heart broke more when he saw his shoulders tremble as a quiet sob escaped him.

“N-no, Crow, you’re not…it was just-”

“None of this would have happened if I had…if I had been the friend Gabriel thinks I am…” Scarecrow cried, lowering his hands slightly, though he kept turned away from the elf. “I hurt him so badly…he c-could have died, and…and the last thing I said to him was a cruel insult that I didn’t even mean…” He whispered, more tears falling against his will.

“Scarecrow, he knows it was a mistake…he’s forgiven you…” Elderane said softly, placing his hand on Scarecrow’s back as he rubbed it gently.

“He thought I hated him…he…he means more to me t-than anyone, and…and I hurt him so bad he thought I hated him, Eld…” Scarecrow whispered, his tearful eyes finally turning to meet Elderane’s sorrowful ones. “He r-really thought…I’d be h-happy…if he w-were…like…that…” He cried brokenly, waving his hand weakly. “What kind of f-fucking loser friend am I…?” He cried softly, looking towards Elderane with a pleading and guilty gaze. “Am I that c-cruel?”

“No, Crow, no…” Elderane whispered, pulling the shivering Scarecrow into a firm hug. “You were just scared like the rest of us…you didn’t mean to snap at him, and…he knows that now…we were all scared…but we’re safe now, alright?” The elf said, pulling back as he met Scarecrow’s broken gaze. “He knows you love him, and trust me…he looks up to you more than anyone…he forgives you fully…”

“H-he…looks up to…me?” Scarecrow cried, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. Elderane gave a small smile and a nod.

“I know we tease each other, Crow, but…I have so much respect for you for so many reasons…one main one being how you care for Gabriel…”

“B-but-”

“You saved him more times than we can count…he constantly tells me about your music, or any adventures you took him on…he talks endlessly about how wonderful you are, Crow…he loves you…” The elf said warmly, taking Scarecrow’s hand in his. “When he wakes up, just talk to him…it will help the pain ease, and everything will be alright…I promise…”

“You…you’re sure he doesn’t hate me now?” Scarecrow muttered, wiping his eyes again as Elderane gave a small laugh.

“Crow, it was you who got through to him back on that starship…you saved him again…it is your bond with him that brought him back to us…I promise, you mean the world to him just the same…nothing will change that…”

“Oh…” Scarecrow cried, sniffling as his thoughts swarmed him.

“Come on, I think Aaron wanted to bring Gabe some clean blankets…why don’t I make you something warm to drink?” Elderane said softly, taking Scarecrow by the hand. The man gave a small smile back and nodded, wiping his eyes as Elderane led him out of the room.

“T-thank you…pointy…”

“Of course, Crow…of course…”

~

“Oh dear, oh…” Aaron muttered to himself, slowly changing out the blankets on his friend, though his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t get what Gabriel told them out of his head. That…Vega and the others were going to an ocean planet…and…the inhuman fish creature they met months ago was named…Vega…

Aaron didn’t want to admit it, but…they had to be the same. And that creature was…almost emotionless. Something had gone wrong on the Starblade, or on the planet…the source still broke their minds…changed them…

And Gabriel was right. They had to go back and warn them…

“Gh…”

His eyes flying open as his troubled thoughts silenced themselves, Aaron spun around and dropped the blanket he was folding in his hands when he saw Gabriel’s head turn slowly.

“Oh, Gabe…” Aaron cried, running to Gabriel’s side. He hoped this wasn’t another nightmare or episode. He wasn’t going to rest right until he knew their Gabriel was back and safe.

Another weak groan escaped Gabriel as he stirred more, his head turning. Aaron swiftly removed the damp cool cloth off his friend’s head and stroked his hair, hoping to rouse him. His heart skipped in his chest when Gabriel’s eyes fluttered open, now less dilated and looking much more aware.

“Gabe?” Aaron whispered, meeting Gabriel’s dazed eyes.

“A-Aaron…w-what…” Gabriel groaned, his voice scratchy and rough.

“It’s ok, Gabe, don’t talk yet…” Aaron said, quickly leaning forward to his friend as he helped him struggle to sit up. Aaron smiled in relief when Gabriel sat back against the headboard of the bed, rubbing his sore eyes as his breathing calmed. “Here, Gabe…here…” Aaron said softly, handing a glass of water to Gabriel.

Nodding with a weak smile, the pale Gabriel took the glass, taking a drink. Aaron just felt his nerves fade more and more. Gabriel was alright.

“How are you feeling?” Aaron asked, taking the glass from Gabriel once he was done.

“My…mouth tastes bad…” Gabriel said with a small laugh, running his hand through his flattened and damp hair. “Agh…”

“Your body has been working hard to burn that damned chemical out of your system, Gabe…you basically had a bad fever for two days…”

“Oh…y-yeah…feels like it…” Gabriel said softly, blinking his eyes. “My eyes hurt…”

“You…you cried a lot, Gabe…”

“Oh…yeah…I remember…” He said almost sadly, wiping his aching eyes. “W-wait, am…am I…ok?” Gabriel said, worry in his voice. Aaron smiled, placing his hand on top of Gabriel’s.

“I’d say so, Gabe…your fever is almost gone, and…well…you’re feeling, right?”

“I…am…” Gabriel said, relief filling his voice as he realized he felt like himself. His thoughts weren’t ripping him apart inside anymore. He didn’t feel possessed or controlled. He just felt like…himself…only tired.

“Oh, Gabe…we are s-so sorry…” Aaron cried, pulling Gabriel into a hug. “We are so sorry for leaving you behind, we…we just didn’t-”

“Aaron, its…its ok…” Gabriel said with a small laugh. “You all came back for me and…and did so much to help me…I forgive you, and…and I know you wouldn’t leave me intentionally, either…its ok…”

“But its not, Gabe…” Aaron said brokenly, his own tears returning. “We could have lost you and it was all our fault…”

“I…”

“And…you did think we had abandoned you…didn’t you…?” Aaron asked, guilt in his voice. Gabriel looked to the side, his face feeling hot.

“For…for a bit…but I didn’t mean it!” He cried, though his eyes had no more tears to shed. “I-I was just scared, I’m sorry! I know you wouldn’t, I was just-”

“Gabe, hey, its ok…” Aaron said, pulling Gabriel into another hug. “You have nothing to apologize for…”

“B-but I dropped the device and trapped us-”

“I dropped it first, Gabe!” Aaron said with a laugh. “And Christ, that robot was going to kill you! We’re just happy that you’re alright…more than anything…”

“I’m…still sorry…”

“Well, so are we…and I’m sure you’ll hear it from the others soon enough…” Aaron said with a laugh, pulling away from Gabriel. He looked him over, his sparkling and kind eyes back. His hug felt real. He had emotion in his voice.

He was back.

“We missed you, Gabe…” Aaron whispered, wiping his own eyes of his tears. He smiled when he felt Gabriel hug him back.

“And I missed you…I…”

“Its alright, Gabe…we’re all safe…” Aaron said, though he flinched when Gabriel quickly pulled back, panic in his eyes.

“B-but Vega’s not!!!” Gabriel cried, and Aaron staggered back in shock as Gabriel tried to get out of bed, though his legs gave way and a wave of dizziness caused him to stumble.

“Gabe, hey, easy!” Aaron yelled, grabbing Gabriel and sitting him back on the bed. “Easy…”

“Vega said their planet is an ocean planet!” Gabriel cried, worry filling his voice. “That fish creature we saw months ago, he…he called me his friend! His name was Vega! He said he liked space, it…it’s our Vega, we have to save him!” He cried, trying to get up again, though Aaron shoved him back down.

“And we will! Gabe, please, you can’t excite yourself like this so early…” Aaron said in worry, his hand in Gabriel’s. “You told us all this, and you’re right…we can’t let Vega endure…whatever he did…we’ll go back and warn him, and all the others…”

“B-but you said…you said it’s been days!” Gabriel yelled. “We have to go now; they will enter that uh…sleep…thingy…they said…”

“Gabe, we can’t go with you in your condition like this…you haven’t eaten in days, and can hardly stand…” Aaron said firmly, not having this. “We will warn them when you’re better-”

“But it’ll be too late!” Gabriel cried, and Aaron knew if he could, there’d be tears in his eyes. “They’ll be in the sleep thing, and…and won’t be able to wake up! We need to go NOW!!!”

“NO, WE DON’T!!!” Aaron screamed back, guilt filling his chest when he saw a scared look in Gabriel’s eyes. The man sighed, pulling Gabriel back into a hug. “Gabe, you need to stop almost killing yourself to save others…you matter too…”

“B-but…but Vega-”

“We will warn him, alright?” Aaron said, pushing back to meet Gabriel’s eyes. “I have the device; I’ve been working on it while you were asleep. I reinforced it to make it more durable and waterproof, and I added a bit to help it manipulate time…”

“Manipulate…time?” Gabriel muttered, meeting Aaron’s eyes.

“Yes, I knew they may enter cryosleep before you woke up, so I added that so we can just go back to right after we left…minutes only.”

“Minutes only?” Gabriel said, and Aaron nodded.

“Yes, so we will have plenty of time…all the time in the universe. Now, we will go once you’re better, and that’s that, alright?” Aaron said, a small smile on his face as he met Gabriel’s tired eyes.

“Al…alright…”

“Good…I won’t have you almost dying again…once you’re better and have eaten, we will go…we’ll warn them, and everything will be alright…I promise…” Aaron said firmly. Gabriel held his breath as he pondered the idea, though he released it as he closed his eyes, nodding in agreement.

“I trust you…”

“Thank you…now…” Aaron said, placing his hand against Gabriel’s forehead as the younger double gave a small laugh. “How are you feeling now?”

“Hot…”

“I think your fever finally broke for good…which means in a few days, you’ll be back to normal…but we’re taking it slow for now, alright?” Aaron said, pulling himself to his feet. Gabriel nodded, standing as well, with Aaron helping him stay steady.

“Alright…”

“Before you eat, why don’t you go shower? You’ll feel better…” Aaron said, grabbing the blankets he dropped off the ground. Gabriel smiled, his heart calming finally.

“I will…thank you, Aaron…”

“Of course, Gabe…I’ll have dinner ready when you’re out.”

Gabriel nodded, watching as Aaron pulled the door closed, leaving him alone again. The man sighed; his mind dazed. He wanted to help Vega now, but…

But Aaron was right…he can’t save him in this state…

His heart feeling lighter, Gabriel nodded to himself and went to his closet, grabbing some clean and comfortable clothes. He looked down, grimacing when he saw his current robe had tear marks, dirt and black smudges, ash and burn marks all over it, and smelled like an overheating car engine. Shaking his head, he quickly grabbed his clean clothes and headed for the bathroom.

~

Scarecrow stood in his room; his mind stuck. He watched Gabriel exit the bathroom, all the dirt, grime, and sweat washed away. He could smell the faint scent of Gabriel’s honey shampoo drift in the air as he walked past. Gabriel then walked into his room, and Scarecrow even heard him humming slightly.

Gabriel was truly back.

And Scarecrow wanted to talk to him. He wanted to cry and scream his guilt away, and how sorry he was. But he couldn’t move. He just stared at the door, his brain wanting to go talk to him, but his body holding him in place.

Why…

Before he could think again, he heard Gabriel head past his room and head downstairs, most likely to eat dinner. Scarecrow could hear Enty and Elderane greeting him warmly, probably hugging him so tight he couldn’t breathe. They loved him. Aaron loved him.

And…Scarecrow did too. But…then why was he so cruel to him…what kind of brother is he? Does Gabriel even think of him as a brother? Scarecrow didn’t know. Though he assumed…there was no way Gabriel did now. He would lie, of course. Tell Scarecrow he’s forgiven and that he isn’t mad.

But Scarecrow knew the truth. He knew he was hated. It was just a matter of time before the others stopped pretending…

Scarecrow just wished there was a way to stop caring. He deserved their hate. He deserved the guilt and pain eating his heart and soul away. But it hurt so bad…

He just wished it would stop.

Chapter Text

Several days later…

“I’m so glad you’re better!” Enty cried through tears, squeezing Gabriel tight in a hug once more as the younger man laughed in his embrace.

“Enty, geez, he can’t breathe…” Scarecrow muttered with a small smile, pulling Enty back as he bounced in place before Gabriel.

“Th-thank you, Enty…I…oh…” Gabriel cried, wiping his eyes of some faint tears that wanted to fall from feeling the love around him. He was back, safe, and home. And soon…Vega would be safe as well…

Gabriel glanced beside him, eying Scarecrow as the man sat back down on the couch. He…hadn’t spoken much to Gabriel since he woke up…and seemed quite…distant…

He looked like…he was hurting…

“C-Crow, hey, are you-” Gabriel started softly, though he was cut off as Aaron opened the basement door, a device in his hands.

“Alright, we will not stay long this time…” Aaron said, throwing a larger backpack over his shoulder as he stood in the middle of the group, causing Gabriel to step back. “And I have supplies just in case, though I doubt we’ll need any…”

“And that machine is safe?” Elderane said, eying the remote-looking thing in Aaron’s hands. The scientist nodded, confidence in his eyes.

“Yes, yes…we will just arrive minutes after we left, warn them something still went wrong with the source, then leave…easy as that…”

“Easy…” Scarecrow muttered to himself; his mind scattered. Nothing was ever easy. Not for them…

He looked up, eying Gabriel who was smiling by Elderane’s side. Gabriel was fully back to normal with no side effects. His fever was long gone, and he had shown no emotional issues. He was safe.

No thanks to Scarecrow…

Sighing as another thin barbed wire wrapped tight around his heart and strangled it, Scarecrow turned away from his friend, not daring look his way as shame took over. He wanted to talk, but…something inside was keeping him from doing it. It hurt. So, he avoided Gabriel as much as he could.

Maybe he’d feel better once Vega was safe…and this all was truly over…

“Right, everyone get close…” Aaron said, turning the device on.

“This better work, or I swear to god…” Scarecrow grumbled, standing by Enty’s side.

Gabriel felt his heartrate kick up, a sense of familiar fear creeping into his mind as the ringing returned. Though, he closed his eyes and smiled, feeling better when he felt Elderane wrap his arms around him, holding him against him.

They would be ok…everything would be ok…

“Alright Vega…we’re coming…” Aaron muttered, wincing as the loud ringing filled the air.

~

“Gah…” Scarecrow groaned, rubbing his eyes as the blinding lights of the device faded, the sound and light more painful than usual.

“Uh…g-guys…?” Enty muttered, the trace of worry in his voice sending a jolt of fear down Scarecrow’s spine. Scarecrow quickly rubbed his eyes again, blinking rapidly as they adjusted to…darkness…

“How…odd…” Aaron whispered, carefully putting the device in his backpack as he scanned the area, the others behind him.

They were in a long dark futuristic hallway, made of metal and wires that seemed long rusted and worn. The grated metal floor was damp and had various holes broken in it. Only a few deep red and gold lights lined the hall, giving an eerie glow to the darkness, with a few flickering brokenly. And…there seemed to be an odd fog or mist covering the ground.

“W-why is it so cold…” Gabriel muttered, rubbing his arms as Elderane held him close.

“I…I don’t know…” Aaron said, walking up to the wall. He rubbed his hand over it, grimacing when he saw odd grime rub off onto his skin. He looked back to the wall and saw it was a metal panel. He rubbed more of the grime off and saw the logo of the Starblade printed on, looking worn. “We’re…on the starship…” He said, wiping his hand on his pant leg as he looked around the empty and cold hall, the air humid and stuffy.

“This isn’t right, Aaron…you said you’d transport us a few minutes after we left, right?” Elderane said, a shiver going down his spine as the cold seeped deeper into his skin. He looked into the darkness and…felt like he was being watched. Aaron nodded, his nerves rising.

“Yes…just a few minutes…what is this…” He said softly, taking a step forward. In the blink of an eye, he felt his breath leave him as the floor broke away beneath him with a crack, the man feeling himself enter a freefall.

“AARON!!!” Scarecrow screamed, grabbing Aaron’s arm before he could fall under the floor, where they saw…just darkness. An abyss.

Elderane ran over, helping Scarecrow pull the shaking Aaron back to the solid ground by his arms. The group looked down, freezing when they quickly heard the broken floor piece…hit water…right below them.

“Oh dear…” Aaron whispered, staring into the darkness below. A darkness that almost consumed him.

“Right, no, we aren’t doing this, time to go home…” Elderane said, dragging Aaron to his feet.

“Y-yes, you are quite right, this is wrong…we can’t be on the Starblade…” Aaron said, looking around the cold and eerie hall. It looked abandoned. “We need to leave…”

The group all flinched, the sound of clanking distant metal echoing from down the hall behind them, the source hidden in the darkness. After a moment, the echo faded and all was still again, lifeless and cold.

“M-maybe…maybe we’re on the wrong ship…” Gabriel said, his breathing picking up when he heard…small muted bangs on the walls, echoing distantly almost all around them. He almost heard what sounded like the groaning of metal, low and eerie. “We should go, we need to go…” He cried, edging closer to Elderane.

“Wait, listen…” Scarecrow muttered sharply, holding his hand up to the group. The five went silent by his command, and Scarecrow’s nerves rose more when he heard…distant whispering in the darkness down the dark hall where the first sound came from. He spun around, terror jolting his heart as he heard similar unintelligible whispering down the other hall, drowned in darkness. They were surrounded by the voices in the darkness. Scarecrow swallowed nervously, the whispering making his skin crawl. “We’re not alone here…” He said, turning back to the shaken group.

“But where even are we?” Enty said, a sense of emptiness filling his chest. It felt so empty here…

“I will not endanger us again, come on, get close, we’re going home…” Aaron said, reaching for his backpack.

“Hom̵͍͚̈͌e̵͈͓…?”

“AHHHHHHH!!!” The group screamed in unison, staggering back when a new distorted voice appeared behind them.

The five huddled close and staggered back against the wall, a dark figure emerging from the broken water-filled hole Aaron almost fell in moments ago.

Scarecrow reached to his pocket, pulling his knife out. Before them was some humanoid…thing, holding itself half-up out of the hole. Its head had ratty and soaked hair, and its face was covered by a solid dark gray sheer metallic mask, a few black holes in it in rows of three and two, though they were too small to see through. Its arms were some pale blueish color, and Scarecrow saw odd metallic wires and patches on its skin. It had a blank ragged shirt on, and Scarecrow saw it had some metal collar with glowing green lights on it around its neck. Scarecrow couldn’t see past its chest as it held itself up halfway out of the hole.

“Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope…” Gabriel muttered tensely, his face paling at the robot-looking thing before them.

“H-ho̷̡͓̽̔-o̵͉m̸͙̅͌e̵̥͍͐͂…h̷͕̭̏o̸̟̦͌̈́m̷̗̈̈e̴̲̚…” The thing repeated, its voice metallic and distorted as it raised its arm up, pointing towards the group. Gabriel’s heart stopped more when it pointed right at him.

“What…what are you…?” Aaron said, doing his best to hide the waver in his voice as he placed himself between the shaken group and the creature.

“We̵.̶.̷.̵w̴e̴ ̶a̴r̵e̷.̴.̵.̸y̵o̴u̴ ̸a̵r̵e̴ ̴n̷o̵t̷.̵.̷.̶” It said slowly, its voice rough and broken. It lowered its hand down, the thing presumably looking right at them, though they couldn’t tell by the sheer expressionless mask it had on.

“Uh…” Elderane muttered, holding Gabriel against him tightly.

“Is it…alive?” Scarecrow hissed, glancing towards Enty who was staring at the thing.

“I don’t…feel anything…” Enty said, almost sadly.

“Fe̶̤̓.̴̤̉.̸̫͐.̸̙ḟ̶̼e̴͑͜e̶̞͝el̴̉͜…” The creature strained, its voice becoming less forced, though it was still garbled and metallic. Gabriel watched the creature look down, its movement…too rough to be a machine…

“I don’t like this…” Enty muttered, a sense of dread overcoming him. He looked around, the darkness feeling colder. He felt trapped. He felt like…there were eyes everywhere. Watching them…

“We need to go…c-come on, guys…” Aaron said quickly, taking a step back from the creepy…thing before them. “This isn’t right…lets go home and rework this…”

“H̸͋ͅ-̷̹̋ḧ̸͉́o̴͈͑-̴̝̄m̵̬͒e̵̥̓…”

Gabriel froze, his eyes landing on the creature as it spoke again, its voice a bit clearer. The creature struggled a moment, seemingly trying to get out of the hole, though more metal broke and it slipped back down. Gabriel watched it pull itself back up out of the water, its arm reaching towards him again.

“D̷-̷d̴o̶n̷'̴t̷.̸.̸.̷g̴-̴g̸o̵.̷.̵.̸”

His eyes widened, and Gabriel felt his heart stop. He stared at the creature that was reaching out to him, and even though he couldn’t see its eyes…he knew…they were pleading. The voice…was familiar.

“N-no…” Gabriel whispered to himself, pushing himself from Elderane’s arms.

“G-Gabe, no, get away from that thing!” Elderane cried, though Gabriel walked closer to it, something calling to him from the distance. Almost like a voice inside his head, so, so far away. But he could…feel it…

And it was hurting.

He was hurting. And he was calling for help.

“It…can’t be…” Gabriel whispered, kneeling before the creature. Without thinking, and as if he had a voice telling him how to do it, he reached forward, unhooking the metallic mask off the creature’s face.

“Oh, fuck…” Scarecrow muttered, the sight sending a wave of nausea through his stomach.

Before them…was Vega. Only…he looked like he had when they first met him. Inhuman glowing blue eyes, sharp fangs, blue skin, and fins on the side of his head. Only unlike before…he had no expression on his face whatsoever.

“V-Vega…?” Gabriel cried in horror, reaching a hand towards his friend. He touched the side of his cold face, and the fish creature didn’t react. He just stared ahead at Gabriel blankly, as if he didn’t care.

“H-home…y-you…h-h-home…” Vega muttered, his voice rough and broken. Gabriel pulled his hand back, tears welling up in his eyes at the sight. Vega was already lost.

They were too late.

“W-we need to go back!” Gabriel cried, turning towards his friends in terror. “We can’t let this happen!”

“G-Gabe, I…I don’t…I…” Aaron muttered, words leaving him as he stared at their old friend, though Vega didn’t react at all.

“Oh stars…” Elderane muttered, edging closer to Enty as fear took him over. Vega was now the fish creature fully, his emotions gone.

They had failed.

“Vega…you…you remember me…don’t you…?” Gabriel cried, turning back to his friend. The creature just stared at him blankly, not even blinking.

“Rem…ember…me…” He muttered, his clawed and webbed hand moving towards his throat as he let out a strained cough. Gabriel watched in terror, though another voice echoed in his mind. He tilted his head, staring at Vega as he coughed.

“He…hasn’t spoken…for a long time…” Gabriel said, looking back to the others.

“How the hell do you know that?” Scarecrow said, confused. Gabriel blinked, turning back to Vega as the creature stared at him with wide eyes.

“He…he said so…”

“No, he didn’t Gabe…” Aaron said, a flash of concern striking his heart. Gabriel just stared at Vega a moment, the two not moving.

“He isn’t used to talking…they don’t…talk like that here…they haven’t for a long time…” Gabriel said, running his hand through his hair as the voice became clearer in his mind.

“Gabe, you’re scaring me…” Scarecrow muttered, not liking this.

Things were getting too weird.

“What do you mean he told you?” Elderane said, taking a step closer. Gabriel looked back at Vega, the creature blankly staring at him.

“He…he was hiding here…he heard us…came to investigate, and…and…” Gabriel said, closing his eyes as the words in his mind became distorted and foggy.

“Oh, Jesus, the source…” Aaron muttered in shock, his eyes widening as everyone looked at him.

“Aaron?” Scarecrow said, recognizing Aaron’s ‘epiphany’ look.

“Gabriel had a strong dose of the source injected into him…maybe the antidote didn’t erase it all…he still has some in his system…” He said, running his hand through his hair as the others stared at him. “Maybe there’s a telepathy thing going on between Vega’s race, and…and Gabriel’s now able to hear it…” He said, looking Gabriel over.

“Gabe, you can understand him?” Elderane said, looking down. Gabriel nodded; his nerves too shot to understand what was going on.

“I…I do…he’s talking…” Gabriel said, looking back towards Vega. “He says…we feel familiar…but he…he doesn’t know why…” Gabriel said sadly, looking down in defeat.

“Jesus, you don’t remember us?” Scarecrow said, walking a bit closer to the creature in the hole who just looked up at him.

“N…no…” He managed, his voice still quiet and shot.

“After all we did…” Enty said sadly, holding his arms closer to himself.

“Do you remember this ship? The Starblade?” Aaron asked.

“No…”

“What about Alpha?”

“N-no…”

“Jesus, do you know your name?!” Scarecrow yelled, taking another step closer to the creature.

“Forever.”

“No, no, your name!” Scarecrow hissed, somewhat annoyed.

“We are…Forever…”

“No…” Gabriel cried, edging a bit closer to his broken friend. “You…you’re Vega, remember…? Like…the star?” He said, a small forced smile on his face. Vega just stared at him, his eyes…blank.

“Ve…gah…?”

“Yes, Vega…you, dumbass…” Scarecrow hissed.

“Dumb…ass…”

“Crow, stop!” Gabriel yelled, hitting Scarecrow’s leg as the man gave an involuntary snicker.

“Stop…” Vega muttered, looking up towards the group.

“So…he has no memory…he’s part fish…and the only way we can get full sentences out of him is by magic telepathy via Gabriel…” Scarecrow muttered, crossing his arms.

“Gabe…riel…” Vega muttered, looking up towards Enty.

“N-no…he’s Gabriel…” Enty said sadly, pointing to the youngest double.

“Vega…” Gabriel cried, more tears sliding down his cheek as he stared at his friend.

“Gabe…riel…” Vega muttered, reaching up towards Gabriel. Gabriel trembled and took his hand in his own, holding it tight as the creature looked at the embrace with wide eyes.

“How fucking far ahead did we go…” Scarecrow muttered, eying the creature. Gabriel blinked, meeting his eyes as he mentally asked the question of how old Vega was. His heart stopped dead when he heard the answer.

“Oh…n-no…” Gabriel whispered, more tears filling his eyes.

“Gabe?” Aaron said, worry filling his chest when Gabriel looked at them in horror.

“Billions…we were gone…billions of years…” Gabriel said brokenly, his tears flowing freely.

Chapter Text

“B-billions?!” Elderane yelled, a pang of hurt striking his heart at the horrid thought.

“He’s…billions of years old…” Aaron whispered, eying the creature before him who was just staring blankly back.

Gabriel’s eyes burned as he looked towards his old friend, his heart shattering.

“C-Captain…I’m so s-sorry…” Gabriel cried reaching forward as he pulled his friend into a hug. It was cold. Gabriel could feel the metal pieces covering his friend’s body, and the cold water soaking his blue skin.

“S-sorr-ee…” Vega muttered, not returning the hug as he remained limp in Gabriel’s embrace.

Enty stood back, watching in sorrow as Vega…closed his eyes. He still didn’t emote, but he took the hug, not moving.

“What…oh, what happened to them…” Aaron muttered in guilty horror, kneeling beside Gabriel as he pulled away from Vega.

“Well obviously that damned source wasn’t fixed!” Scarecrow yelled, crossing his arms. “It did what he said it would…made them immortal, but…but it…”

“Erased their emotions…” Aaron said softly, the glazed look in Vega’s dull eyes reminiscent of when Gabriel was under the influence of the source. “Oh, we really skipped ahead…billions of years…” Aaron said sadly, guilt ripping his heart to pieces at their failure.

“Wait, wait, that doesn’t make sense!” Elderane yelled, taking a step closer. “They were going to that ocean planet! We…we can’t be on that planet…its all water…”

“Y…on…Y…” Vega muttered; his voice still hoarse as he looked up at the elf.

“Vega, we can’t breathe water…there’s air here…” Gabriel said, looking around the dark hall.

“Are we on the Starblade, Captain?” Aaron asked firmly, hoping to start jogging his friend’s memory. Vega just blinked, slowly looking back to Gabriel.

“Gabe? Is he talking?” Scarecrow asked, noticing how Gabriel was just staring back at the creature.

“He says…this place is old…has…‘life…support’…” He said, looking back to Aaron for answers.

“We are on the Starblade…” Aaron said, almost wistfully as he eyed the decaying halls. “The life support systems managed to stay running for all this time…we…we’re on Planet Y…” He said, looking above him as the groaning metal sound continued, though now Aaron knew what that sound was.

They were under the ocean.

“Oh, no, no, I’m not doing this…” Scarecrow muttered, taking a few steps away from the group farther down the hall as he felt the walls get tighter around him. He looked around, his mind reeling. They were basically in a submarine, probably on the bottom of some endless dark ocean. Trapped.

Trapped…

Trapped!

“I-I’ll be right back…” Scarecrow gasped, holding the grimy wall for support as he backed away from the tight group more down the hall.

“Don’t go far, Crow!” Aaron yelled, noticing Scarecrow getting uncomfortable with the tight space. They couldn’t stay here much longer…

“Aaron…what do we do?” Gabriel cried, placing his hand on Vega’s cold arm as the creature looked up at him with wide eyes.

“We…Gabe, I…I don’t know…”

“We have to go back and warn them!” Enty cried, not liking any of this. He felt so alone here. “You…you can fix it to send us back to the right spot, can’t you?”

“I…I can try-”

“But we can’t leave him here!” Gabriel yelled, motioning to the quiet Vega. “He…he’s…we…” He muttered, and Aaron saw more tears filling Gabriel’s still irritated eyes.

“Gabe, if we go back and warn them, maybe this future will have never happened…” Aaron said, placing his hand on Gabriel’s back.

“But…but how can we know? You brought us here by accident! What if…what if we can’t come back to check…” Gabriel cried, staring at Vega. His once so lifeful and excited friend, now looking almost like a machine-covered corpse.

Gabriel…felt sick…

He couldn’t leave him like this…

“Gabe, we-”

“G-GUYS AGH-!!!”

The group’s heads spun around, a shrill and scared cry echoing down the hall grabbing their attention. Aaron staggered to his feet, terror in his chest as his face paled.

“Scarecrow!”

~

Scarecrow walked down the dark hall, careful of every step as to not fall into the water below them. He couldn’t breathe, he just…needed space…he…

“Agh…” Scarecrow muttered, trying his best to focus his breathing. This was so messed up…

Freezing, Scarecrow’s thoughts silenced as a small splash appeared next to him. He spun around in shock, eying…another creature pull itself up out of a hole in the floor, out of the water. Scarecrow’s eyes widened, as this creature…wasn’t wearing a mask.

“Holy…shit…” Scarecrow muttered, the familiar face staring at him blankly. “HAH!!!” Scarecrow laughed wholeheartedly, pointing at the creature that looked…just like Mephistopheles.

His face was almost exact, though his hair was a lighter sandy color and longer, dripping down his shoulders into the water below. He had fangs like Vega, as well as odd fins on the side of his head. He too had odd small metal plates on his skin, and some on his face, each with small green lights on them. His skin was a sandy yellow, and he too was staring up at Scarecrow with blank, glowing orange wide eyes.

“HAH you’re a fish here!” Scarecrow laughed, wishing he had brought his phone to take a photo to maybe taunt the demon later. “Oh, the guys gotta see this, hold o-”

“Human…can’t survive…here…” The creature said, his voice slightly metallic as he reached out of the water. A jolt of terror shot down Scarecrow’s spine as the cold and strong clawed hand gripped his ankle tight, not letting go.

“H-hey, stop!” Scarecrow cried, trying to shake the grip off, though the creature’s other hand grabbed his other ankle, yanking it towards him.

Scarecrow let out a cry as he fell back onto the cold grated metal ground, the air getting knocked out of him. His panic then overwhelmed him when he felt the creature drag him towards the water, a black void of nothingness. His face paling, Scarecrow tried to scurry away, though the creature’s grip was inhumanly strong.

“G-GUYS, AGH!!!” Scarecrow screamed, words failing him as he lost his grip on the ground, the sounds all around him swarming like jumbled TV static as he was yanked fully into the cold, dark, water, an endless abyss of darkness below him. His heart pounding in his ears like war drums, he stared up through the cold water towards the light above him, a blurry figure appearing in the opening.

“SCARECROW!!!”

~

The group ran down the hall in panic towards Scarecrow’s scream, and froze in horror when they reached the end. In a slow-motion blink before them, Scarecrow fell onto his back with a groan, another Forever by his feet as it quickly yanked him towards the water by his ankles. Gabriel screamed through tears as Scarecrow was pulled into the dark water with a muted splash and a broken cry, his friend vanishing from view into the murky darkness.

“SCARECROW!!!” Elderane screamed, running towards the hole where his friend vanished. Without thinking, Elderane dived into the water, ignoring the cold seeping through his skin. He blinked his eyes open and felt fear paralyze him when he saw…endless dark metal abstract machines all around them in the water, with various green and gold lights illuminating the murky darkness. It looked like a city of machines, no warmth or familiarity. Just a sea of cold metal. And above and below him was just…darkness. No light, no stars, just…darkness.

His terror peaking, Elderane looked ahead and saw the inhuman sea creature dragging a terrified and thrashing Scarecrow towards the underwater city by his leg.

Screaming internally, Elderane swam as fast as he could, ignoring the burning of his lungs as he kept his gaze locked on Scarecrow. But Scarecrow was moving too fast away, rapidly falling ahead as the space between them grew more and more. The sea creature was humanoid like Vega, but had an aquatic tail helping him glide through the water, much faster than what Elderane was capable of.

The elf reached for his friend who was reaching back with petrified eyes, though Elderane felt his lungs soon begin to convulse as he ran out of air and energy, causing him to slow.

The last glimpse of Scarecrow he got was another Forever approaching him from the dark, placing some metallic mask like Vega’s over Scarecrow’s face as his friend stopped struggling, going still in their grasp. Elderane screamed inside as he watched the two Forever drag a now limp Scarecrow deeper into the darkness, soon vanishing in the sea of machines.

And Elderane was alone.

Chapter Text

“Eld, Jesus Christ…” Aaron franted, reaching for the coughing Elderane as he breached the surface of the water.

“Eld, where’s Crow?!” Gabriel cried, helping Aaron pull Elderane out, the elf now sitting on the floor, leaning against the cold wall as he caught his breath.

“I…I t-tried, I…” He muttered brokenly before coughing more, with some water escaping his mouth as he wheezed. Gabriel breathed heavy but sat by Elderane’s side, rubbing his back as he coughed.

“E-Elderane…” Enty cried, tears flowing down his face as Elderane’s coughing eased. “Is…is Crow…dead?” He squeaked, his branches wrapping around him more and more as he trembled in place.

Elderane just sat back, his own tears streaming from his eyes as he felt the weight of the situation crush him like an ocean.

“I…I wasn’t fast enough, I…I’m s-so…sorry!” He gasped, curling in on himself as a tight sob escaped him, his entire body shaking as he cried out loud. Gabriel let out a sob as well, though he pulled the screaming Elderane close, holding him against him as they cried.

“He…he can’t be, he…” Aaron whispered, staring at the dark pool of water that led into the abyss. He prayed Scarecrow would pop back out, coughing like Elderane. Alive, and safe. And they could lift him up and help him home, and…and give him a warm blanket and… “Oh…g-god…” Aaron cried, his legs going numb as he fell to his knees, his heart shattering to pieces.

Enty stood in shock, his mind not comprehending what was happening. He stared at the black water, his mind screaming.

“C-Crow…please…” Enty muttered, kneeling before the water, though it was still. Enty shook in place, his dread building as he gripped his hair tight, his eyes wide open as tears streamed from them.

His guilt unbearable, Gabriel squeezed his own eyes shut, throwing his face into Elderane’s chest as reality hit him like a train. Scarecrow…was dead.

And it was all Gabriel’s fault…

Sobbing louder as he trembled in place, Gabriel felt a headache form behind his eyes as he screamed. He made them come here. He made them stay. And Scarecrow was dead because of him.

“Not…d-dead…”

The group all flinched, looking up at a second hole in the floor where Vega poked out, his blank eyes staring at Gabriel.

“V-Vega…” Gabriel sniffled, his tears streaming down his face as he tried to hear what the creature was saying.

“Not…dead…saved…”

“W-what do you mean he’s not dead?!” Elderane screamed, pushing Gabriel off him as he stormed to his feet, towering before the sea creature. “Humans can’t breathe in water! Your ‘friend’ killed him!” Elderane screamed as loud as he could, causing Enty to let out another sob and turn away. Vega just remained in place, unmoving.

“Saved…we…help…”

“YOU KILLED HIM!!!” Elderane screamed, yanking his dagger out as he reached for Vega.

“ELD, NO!!!” Gabriel cried, grabbing Elderane’s arm as he yanked him back, with Aaron holding his other arm.

“LET ME GO!!!” Elderane screamed as Gabriel looked past him, staring into Vega’s blank eyes.

“He’s not dead…” Gabriel muttered, causing the others to look his way.

“Gabe…what-” Aaron started, though Gabriel turned towards him, tears streaming from his hopeful eyes.

“He’s not dead…the…the other Forever thought he was from their…experiment…” Gabriel muttered, not sure what that meant. “They knew he couldn’t survive in water or on this ship, so…so they took him to save him…”

“BUT THEY DRAGGED HIM INTO THE WATER!!!” Elderane screamed, pointing the dagger towards Vega who didn’t so much as blink.

“They…they gave him a…a breathing mask…for air…” Gabriel said, relief washing over him as he heard the words in his mind come from Vega. “He’s alive…”

“Al…alive.” Vega said quietly, staring up at Elderane. “He’s…alive…”

“Oh, fuck…” Aaron muttered, his nerves and emotions burnt out. He looked away, knowing he couldn’t handle much more. But…Scarecrow was alive…

He was alive…

“Then…then go get him!” Enty yelled, walking up beside Elderane as he stared at Vega. “You can swim! Can you save him?!”

“Not…me…”

“What do you mean ‘not you’?” Aaron muttered, confusion in his mind as he stared at the creature.

“Not…wanted…”

“Gabe?” Aaron asked, looking towards Gabriel who was staring at Vega.

“He…he says…he’s not wanted by the others…” He said softly, looking up at Aaron with heartbreak in his eyes. “He says…they think he’s…useless…”

“Use…less…id-i-ot…” Vega said slowly, causing the others to look at him in shock, with Elderane lowering his dagger.

“They…told him that…?” Elderane muttered quietly, lowering his knife back to his belt. “Why would they tell him that…”

“It doesn’t matter right now! We need to get Crow back!” Aaron yelled, placing himself before Vega. “Vega, we need Crow back…you have to help us…”

“Bring him…h-ome…?” Vega muttered, looking up at Aaron with wide eyes. Aaron felt his tears return, though he wiped them with his sleeve as he nodded.

“Y-yes, Vega…so we can bring him home…”

“Please, Captain…you have to help us…” Gabriel cried, kneeling before the sea creature who just stared blankly back. “We’re your family, and…and we can help you…”

“Help…me?” He asked, his voice getting clearer. Gabriel nodded, his tears not stopping.

“Y-yes, we…we can take you home too…we can fix this, a-and…and…” He cried, his voice breaking.

“H-home?” He asked, looking up at him with wide eyes. Gabriel nodded again, pulling the sea creature into a tight hug as his tears fell against his will.

“Y-yes, you Vega…Captain…”

“I am…V-Veh…gah?” The creature asked as Gabriel pulled back.

“You are…you’re Captain Vega, and you’re my friend…” Gabriel said quietly, placing his hand back on Vega’s. “And I need your help…p-please…” He cried, closing his eyes as he looked down in sorrow. He kneeled in silence for a moment, though he opened his eyes when he felt something cold on his hand.

Gabriel looked down with wide and tearful eyes, seeing now that Vega had put his own hand on top of Gabriel’s.

“I…help…f-friend…” He said, a faint light in his eyes as he met Gabriel’s gaze. Aaron stood back, a tearful smile forming on his face as he turned away. They were going to save Scarecrow…and Vega…

They would help them both…

“I’m sorry, but…but Vega, we can’t breathe under water…what do you want to do?” Elderane said, walking closer to the creature. Vega paused a moment, then turned his gaze towards Gabriel.

“Gabe?” Aaron asked, knowing Vega must be trying to talk to Gabriel. Gabriel looked back towards the group; his eyes confused.

“He said…he can get us…life support…so we can join him…” He said, looking to the dark water. “W-wait, does that…does that mean…”

“He wants us to go…in the water?” Enty muttered, not liking this one bit.

“Save…friend…” Vega muttered, pointing towards the hole. Aaron sighed, running his hand through his hair.

“If you don’t want to guys, that’s fine, but…but I will…we need to get Crow back…” He said firmly, looking the group over. The others were silent a moment, though Gabriel took in a breath.

“I wanna go too…he…he needs us…”

“I won’t fail him again…” Elderane said firmly, holding Gabriel’s arm.

“I just want Crow back…” Enty muttered, knowing he’d do whatever it took to get him home and safe.

He knew Scarecrow would do the same for them.

“Right…Vega…we’re going to go with you…” Aaron said firmly, and Vega nodded.

“Right back…” He muttered, lowering himself down into the dark water, leaving the others alone.

“Aaron…are you sure about this?” Elderane said, not letting go of Gabriel. Aaron sighed, glancing to the side.

“N-no…but…but we can’t leave him behind…and if Vega can’t do it alone, then…we have to help him…” He said, earning a nod from the others.

“We will…” Gabriel said, looking back towards the dark water where Scarecrow vanished. “We will…”

~

Scarecrow let out a faint groan, his head killing him. He blinked his eyes open, but just saw…distorted darkness. Blinking his dizziness away, he made the move to reach his head, though his terror peaked when he realized he couldn’t. He looked down, now seeing his hands were restrained against some wall, and…

And he was underwater.

Gasping for air, Scarecrow looked around the cold room in panic, though he realized that he…could breathe. He was breathing. Shaking his head, he saw he had some odd mask on. And he could breathe.

Easing his nerves knowing he had to escape, he looked around the odd room. He saw it was covered in old wires and metal panels, looking cold and desolate. But, in a few of the wires, he saw an all too familiar glowing green liquid traveling.

“Oh no…” He muttered, also realizing he could talk as well in the mask over his face. He had to get out of here. A strong sense to survive striking him, he trashed as best he could, now feeling more wires wrapped around him. “C-come on, fuckers…” He hissed, struggling to break free of the tangled mess.

“Wakes…”

Scarecrow flinched, looking up in terror as the Mephistopheles-fish-lookalike swam in. It was indeed humanoid, with arms and legs, though he had an aquatic tail behind him, somewhat resembling a sand shark’s tail.

“G-get away from me!” Scarecrow yelled, trying to flinch away, though he was suspended by the cuffs and wires almost like a puppet.

“We will help you…” The creature said, it’s voice still metallic. Scarecrow saw it too had metal plates and wires all over its body, as will as metal cuffs around its wrists, all with glowing green lights.

“Like hell you will, fuck off!” Scarecrow hissed, watching the creature swim around him.

“You feel…bad?” The creature said calmly, circling Scarecrow.

“YES, I FEEL BAD, SO LET ME G-”

“You will not survive here…” The creature said, reaching for some metal brace off a table. “We will…help you survive...breathe…be free…of pain…” It said, and Scarecrow flinched as a slight stinging hit his upper arm, and he saw green lights on the metal panel as it attached to his skin.

“I…I don’t want…to be f…” Scarecrow muttered, though the thought hit him.

Free of pain…

Scarecrow flinched, and in a moment, all his guilt and trauma hit him at once. Every cruel word and insult. Every horrible thing he’s done. All the pain of his past, stabbing him over and over. For years, he’s wanted it to stop.

The source made Gabriel emotionless…so maybe…just a little of it…would help him feel…

Better…

“Free of…pain?” Scarecrow muttered, flinching as the Forever clamped some metal collar around his neck, a similar stinging appearing under his skin.

“No pain…no depression…no fear…you will survive…” He said, moving some wires around the clamp as Scarecrow breathed heavy.

“I…I…” He muttered, though as the Forever pushed some button on the collar, Scarecrow flinched with a cry as an odd sense of coldness began seeping through his body. He looked ahead, watching as the Forever backed away.

“Will take…time…but you will have…Forever…” It said, hovering in the dark water before Scarecrow, though Scarecrow’s mind was starting to drift.

He felt the coldness run through his veins, but it didn’t hurt. It felt…nice. As he hung limply in the wires, he felt his heart begin to calm, his fear…fading.

“Gah…” Scarecrow muttered; the sensation of cool peace almost overwhelming. He lowered his head, his strength leaving him as his body almost went numb. He thought of his cruel words. His pain. His trauma.

And he felt the pain turn to dull numb static.

A small smile formed on Scarecrow’s face, his breathing calm and slow as he stopped struggling. He needed this. This would fix him. This would make him better. He could be a better friend this way. He could find peace…

Laughing slightly to himself as his mind entered a spinning daze, Scarecrow let his thoughts drift away, fading into the cold darkness around him.

And he felt better.

Chapter Text

Enty stared at the ground as he leaned against the cold and damp wall, his nerves rising. He had a bad feeling about this…

All of this…

He looked to the side and saw Gabriel consoling a distraught Elderane, while Aaron paced back and forth, lost in his thoughts as they waited for Vega to come back. Vega…who didn’t remember them. Who didn’t even remember himself…

They had to fix this all…they had to save him from this nightmare…

A splash alerted the group and they all turned to the hole in the grated floor where Scarecrow had been taken. They saw Vega’s head pop out of the black water, his eyes glowing a dull blue in the darkness, as did a few starry glowing spots on his blue-ish skin.

“H-here…” He muttered, pulling a mess of tech out of the water. Aaron walked over to help him and saw he held odd clear masks in his hands, metal tech surrounding the frame as a few wires and tubes hung down.

“T-those will let us breathe…?” Gabriel muttered wearily, eying the odd-looking devices. They…looked nothing like the modern scuba gear he’d seen in reality…

“Life…support…” Vega said again, setting the devices on the ground. Aaron examined one in his hands. It was a clear mask with mechanical frames around the edges, and a firm strap that seemed to go around the back of the head.

“Vega…there’s no air tanks for these…” He said, turning it over in his hands. “How will this help us breathe?”

“P-per…en…agh…” Vega muttered, coughing slightly as his clawed hand went to his throat.

“Gabriel?” Elderane asked, eying Gabriel who was staring at Vega, the creature meeting his eyes.

“He…he says they are…perpetual…energy…efficient, uh…efficient m-molecular…t-transform-”

“Ok, ok, its future science from their world, fine…” Elderane said, almost annoyed as he pulled himself to his feet. “It doesn’t matter, we need to go now to save Crow!”

“He’s right…Vega, please, just help us with these…” Aaron says softly, meeting Vega’s blank glowing eyes. The creature paused a moment then nodded, reaching forward.

The group watched as he struggled to climb out of the hole, the creature’s legs seemingly almost useless and limp…

“Here, Vega, here…” Gabriel muttered, reaching for the creature as he helped him out of the water. The group saw the creature had a tail behind him with a fin on it, but his legs didn’t move at all. “V-Vega, can you…can you stand?” Gabriel asked, stepping back. Vega looked down at himself, and adjusted his leg a bit for support, though he soon fell flat on his face with a cry, his legs not working right.

“That’s a no…ok, come on…” Aaron muttered, bringing himself closer to Vega who adjusted himself into a sitting position, his tail being held back for support. Once Aaron was before him, Vega nodded and reached for the mask, holding it up to Aaron’s face.

The others watched as the creature adjusted it, and after a minute he pulled back, the mask secured. Aaron looked around, feeling the device on his face. It was secure alright…

“Aaron?” Elderane muttered, meeting Aaron’s eyes. Aaron looked down at the dark water behind Vega, a sigh escaping him.

“Again, you all don’t have to do this-”

“We do, Aaron…” Enty cut in, walking closer as he sat next to Aaron. “Crow needs us…”

Vega just stared at the group as they nodded in agreement, his eyes blank. Once Enty was closer, Vega then began securing the mask to Enty’s face just the same, not saying a word.

~

“Done…” Vega muttered quietly, pulling back as he looked over the group. All four had the oxygen masks on, each looking at each other.

“Right…here goes nothing…” Aaron whispered to himself, watching as Vega pushed himself back into the large hole, vanishing into the dark water with a splash. Aaron turned, eying the shaken trio behind him. “If anything happens, we come right back…alright?” He said firmly, earning a nod from the group. They were scared. Aaron could tell.

Sighing knowing what must be done, Aaron turned, placing his legs into the cold water. Knowing he had to get this over with, he squeezed his eyes shut and pushed himself in, his body tensing as the cold stabbed his skin.

He felt the cold engulf him, but as he felt himself floating in nothingness…he realized he could breathe…

Taking a risk, he cracked his eyes open. His heart skipping in his chest, Aaron’s eyes widened when he saw a vast sea of murky machines around him, with odd glowing lights scattering the metallic industrial surface. They looked like abstract buildings with no windows, just pipes and wires and lights surrounding them.

And in the murky water, they looked eerie, as the water seemed polluted. It was dark and foggy, making it hard to see past the initial wall of towering machines before him. Aaron blinked, shaking his head as he broke his gaze away. He looked down and saw Vega there hovering before him, his body and eyes glowing more in the darkness.

He was still humanoid, with arms and legs, though his legs were hanging almost limply under him, his fish-like tail doing most of the work to steady him. He had speckled glowing dots all over his skin, looking like stars in the darkness, and his eyes glowed a brighter blue. But his face still held no emotion.

“You…breathe?” Vega said, his voice sounded a bit odd through the water. Aaron closed his eyes, taking deep breaths from the mask.

“I am…its working…” He said in relief, opening his eyes. Vega nodded, turning his gaze to behind Aaron. Aaron heard a splash and turned, eying Elderane and Gabriel who had lowered themselves down into the water, the two clinging to each other.

“It’s ok, Gabe…w-we’re breathing…” Elderane said in his own relief, holding Gabriel against him. Gabriel blinked his eyes open fearfully, his heart racing in his chest when he saw…endless darkness below him…and above him.

There were no stars. Just cold machines…

“Oh, this is…horrible…oh…” Gabriel muttered, looking around the cold and unforgiving landscape of mechanical darkness.

“Horr…ible?” Vega said quietly, swimming closer. Gabriel clutched his heart when he got a full glimpse at what was left of his friend…

Just…inhuman and machine covered, pale and emotionless…

It was wrong…

Gabriel wanted to speak, but he felt tears form in his eyes. Letting out a sob, he curled in on himself, with Elderane pulling him closer.

Vega just hung back, his head tilting as he stared at the scene.

Another splash alerted them and they saw Enty arrive, his own eyes squeezed shut as he held his arms close to himself.

“Enty, its ok…” Aaron said calmly, reaching for Enty who blinked his eyes open. He looked around, the coldness and darkness overwhelming. And…the emptiness. “Enty?”

“I feel…nothing…” Enty cried softly, his own fear rising. “N-no…emotions…at all…”

“Jesus…” Aaron hissed, looking around. There should be an entire civilization here…thousands of people…and not one of them could feel…

“What happened here…” Elderane said quietly, dread in his chest. How could this have happened…

“We’ll find out later…we need to get Crow out of here first…” Aaron said firmly, meeting Vega’s eyes.

“Follow…” Vega said, though when he turned, he paused, a cry stopping him.

“I c-can’t swim, I…” Gabriel muttered, his legs kicking more as he clung to Elderane tighter, though he couldn’t move much holding Gabriel. Gabriel just looked down in terror, the thought of sinking into the endless abyss making him feel sick.

“G-Gabe, just-”

“I help…” Vega said softly, swimming closer. He grabbed Gabriel from under his arms, holding him up. Gabriel just hung limply in Vega’s arms; the feeling familiar…

His eyes widened when he remembered back to his world, months ago, when…when Vega saved him from the river…just the same.

“Oh…” Gabriel cried, more tears filling his eyes. He had to save his friend too…

“Follow…” Vega repeated, slowly swimming down towards the machine ‘city’ below them. Aaron took in another breath, repressing his nerves.

“One thing at a time…” He whispered to himself, focusing on Scarecrow. He was priority…

Making sure Enty and Elderane were behind him, Aaron started swimming down behind Vega, following as close as he could.

They had to get out of here as fast as possible…

~

His arms getting tired, Aaron let out a stressed breath, looking around as they descended deeper into the mechanical city. It was just endless machines and metal towers. No warmth, no gentleness. He could see the murky smog in the water around them, and he could see the industrial abyss below them.

He couldn’t even see the bottom of the machines…they just went on forever in all directions. Aaron glanced up, looking to the sky. There was no light. No stars, no sun. It was as if these people had covered their entire planet in machines…

Enty swam behind the group, keeping watch. Occasionally he would see a figure below or above them, another humanoid fish creature like Vega, though they’d be different colors or have different fins. But one thing was the same among them all…

They all had that same gray, sheer, blank mask on their faces. They all had tech on their bodies, around their necks or their arms. And…all of them were empty inside. Enty couldn’t feel anything…

No joy, no fear, no love. It was as if they were living corpses…or machines…

Elderane just followed the group, not sure what to think. How could this have all happened…

They fixed the source…they warned them about this potential future…

How did this happen…

“In there…” Vega finally said, stopping himself. The group swam to his side, and saw a cave-like mechanical structure, dark and cold in the corner of several skyscrapers of machines.

“He’s in there?” Elderane asked, edging a bit closer. Vega nodded; his gaze stuck on the building.

“In there…”

“Then come on!” Aaron yelled, making the move to go forward.

“Can’t…”

Aaron froze, spinning around. He saw Vega still hovering there, holding Gabriel in his arms.

“What?”

“Can’t…not…wanted…”

“Vega, we have to save Crow! We came all this way!”

“But…”

“Vega…why don’t you want to go?” Gabriel asked softly, noticing an odd look in Vega’s eyes.

“Defect.”

“What?” Aaron asked, even more confused. Vega looked down, meeting Gabriel’s eyes.

“Gabe?”

“He says…he was…labeled a ‘defect’…useless…and…if h-he is seen causing problems, he could…uh…” Gabriel paused, his eyes widening. “What…?”

“Gabriel, what did he say?”

“D-deleted…” Vega said flatly, staring at the distance.

“Oh, I don’t wanna know what that means…” Elderane said in worry, holding his arms closer to himself.

“Vega, we won’t let anything happen to you!” Gabriel cried, looking up as Vega looked down at him. “You’re family!”

“F-fa…fami…ly…?”

“Yes, family!” Aaron said firmly, swimming closer. “It means we look out for each other, no matter what…protect each other…and that includes you…”

“I a-am…fam…i-ily…?” Vega muttered flatly, looking between the group.

“Yes! And once we save Crow, we’ll save you too!” Enty cried, swimming closer.

“We promise…” Gabriel added softly, a warm smile on his face. Vega looked down at him, his eyes blank.

After a moment, he nodded, turning back towards the structure.

“Follow…” He said again, swimming slowly towards it. Aaron let out a breath of relief, following suit. They were gonna save Scarecrow…

The group swam closer and they saw the entrance to the structure was open, with a few loose wires hanging down.

“Careful…” Vega muttered, looking from side to side, though there was no one else here. The group swam into the dark room, illuminated by various deep green lights on the walls. The tech in the room was unfamiliar and alien, with almost nothing recognizable.

“Oh, this is bad…” Aaron muttered, noticing some tubes with a familiar green liquid in them, glowing in the darkness hanging over their heads.

“CROW!!!”

Gabriel’s scream alerting the group, they all looked ahead in shock, their hearts dropping. There was Scarecrow, hanging limply in a tangle of wires like a lifeless puppet.

He had a similar clear mask on for air, but they also saw he had odd cold tech like Vega’s on his body, a mechanical collar around his neck and on his arm, each with glowing green lights. His eyes were closed, and he had an odd blissful smile on his face as he hung there, unmoving…

Chapter Text

“C-Crow!!!” Gabriel cried, yanking himself from Vega’s arms. Gabriel struggled to hold himself up, though the room they were in had enough pipes and wires around he could grab onto to hold himself up. He pulled himself towards Scarecrow, the man slowly lifting his head.

“Oh, h-hi g-guys, aha…” Scarecrow said lightly, his eyes dazed and lost. “H-how’re you…?”

“Crow, oh lord…” Aaron muttered in terror, swimming closer as he and Gabriel looked Scarecrow over.

“Heyyyy Aaron…ahaha…” Scarecrow replied, lowering his head with a small laugh. Aaron saw he was smiling.

“S-Scarecrow, something’s dreadfully wrong…” Aaron franted, looking him over. His eyes widened when he saw the metal collar around his neck, the device attached to the wires hanging from the ceiling.

“N-nooo, no, no, nooo I’m f-fine!” Scarecrow said lightly, lifting his head back up. His eyes weren’t even looking their way. “I f-feel great!”

“Vega, what’s wrong with him? What did they do to him?!” Elderane cried, looking towards Vega who swam closer to Scarecrow as Aaron backed away, though Gabriel stayed close. Vega paused before him, looking him over. His eyes landed on the collar, and Gabriel saw Vega slowly lift his own hand to his own neck, feeling the device.

“Helping…him…” He muttered; his eyes also lost as he felt the metal collar around his neck.

“Y-yeah guys! I f-feel fine!” Scarecrow said happily, hardly moving as he hung in the wires.

“E-Enty?” Aaron asked in worry, eying Enty. Enty swallowed nervously, focusing on Scarecrow.

“He…he’s still…feeling…he just feels…happy…” He said, looking back to Aaron.

“That doesn’t make sense! Look!” Elderane yelled, edging closer as he pointed up to the source pipes around them. “They’re injecting him with the source! One small dose of that completely ruined Gabriel’s emotions! Why isn’t it doing the same to Crow?!”

“That is…odd…” Aaron said quietly to himself, looking between Vega and Scarecrow. Vega, and these…Forever…were all emotionless…it had to be the source’s fault…

“Crow, we need to get you out of this! It’s messing with your mind!” Gabriel cried, reaching for the metallic patch on Scarecrow’s arm, though Gabriel flinched when he saw it was connected to his skin, like some metal band-aid…

“Y-you don’t wanna do thaaaat, Gabe!” Scarecrow said lightly with a smile, looking up at his friend. “T-this stuff can f-fix me! I’ll be b-better!”

“Crow, this will make you emotionless! O-or, all…wrong like you are now…”

“But that’s the point, Gabe!” Scarecrow laughed, looking down again. “I w-won’t b-be a jerk like I was before! It’ll m-make me better…”

“HOW IS THIS BETTER?!” Gabriel yelled, tears forming in his eyes as he put his hand on Scarecrow’s cheek, forcing him to look his way. Scarecrow didn’t even flinch, and just gave a little laugh, his dilated eyes miles away.

“Cause’ I won’t hurt you anymore…” He said softly, his dazed smile never fading as Gabriel’s tears started sliding down his cheek. “I w-won’t yell at you, or…or hurt you, or call y-you a c-coward, cause’…cause’ I’ll be better…I’ll be a b-better friend this way, and…and you’ll be happy…j-just let me…be better f-for you…”

“C-Crow, I won’t be happy with you like this…” Gabriel cried, a sob escaping him as he trembled, his hand still on Scarecrow’s cheek. “I was happy with how you w-were before…”

“B-but I hurt you!” Scarecrow said tiredly, his smile finally fading. “I m-made you…think I h-hated you…I’ve h-hurt you…s-so many times…I w-was a horrible f-friend, and…and-”

“And you always apologized…” Gabriel whispered; his throat tight as he stared into Scarecrow’s dazed eyes. “You always apologized, and you always made things better…you saved my life more times than I c-could count, Crow…I feel safe with you…”

“You s-shouldn’t…” Scarecrow replied, his eyes drifting to the side. “I’m a h-horrible, t-twisted m-monst-”

Scarecrow’s words were cut off as Gabriel pulled himself close, yanking Scarecrow into a tight hug. He held him against him, a loud sob escaping Gabriel’s chest.

“You’re my big b-brother, Crow…I love you…the r-real you…more t-than anything…” Gabriel cried brokenly, holding him tight in his arms as he sobbed. “You s-saved me when we f-first met…you t-took care of me, and…and were m-my friend when I had no one…a-and you’ve saved my life, so many times…” He sobbed, squeezing Scarecrow tighter. “Y-you saved me from the f-fire in my world, or…or the m-muggers when we went to the city…or f-from the ghosts after Aaron, or demons…and…”

Gabriel pulled back, meeting Scarecrow’s eyes, a small smile on his face as his tears slide down his cheeks.

“And back…back in Vega’s world…y-you brought me back o-out of the source…I h-heard you…you b-brought me home…you saved me, and…and…” Gabriel cried, his throat getting tighter as more tears filled his eyes. He let out a cry and fell forward, yanking Scarecrow back into a hug. “And I love you, Crow…so m-much…so p-please…come back…” He cried brokenly, now just openly sobbing and gasping for air as he clung to Scarecrow with all he had.

Everyone was quiet a moment, with only the sound of distant machines and Gabriel’s cries echoing in the dark water. But Aaron’s heart skipped when he saw Scarecrow look down at Gabriel, tears now in Scarecrow’s own eyes.

“You…w-want me…how I…was…?” Scarecrow whispered in shock, looking down at Gabriel sobbing into his chest.

Gabriel just nodded with a whimper of confirmation, hugging Scarecrow tighter.

“I-I’m so s-sorry! I…I…” Gabriel sobbed; his guilt unbearable. His eyes flew wide open however, when he felt Scarecrow’s arms close around him.

“I-I’m s-sorry…too…Gabe…I…I…” Scarecrow cried, and Gabriel now saw fear in his eyes as Scarecrow’s body tensed, his eyes darting to the wires holding him up. “H-help me…” He squeaked, genuine fear in his voice.

Gabriel’s eyes widened and he turned to Vega, his heart racing.

“We n-need to get him out of here! Please!” He cried, clinging to Scarecrow with all he had.

Vega just hovered back, his hand back around his throat collar. The collar that constantly injected him with the liquid eternity. The cold machines that ran their lives. It freed them from pain. Cold, and…emotionless…empty…cold…c-cold…

“Vega?!” Elderane yelled, though he paused in confusion when he saw…glowing silver tears slide down Vega’s face, dispersing into the water around him.

Vega looked around the room, his mind screaming. He saw…strangers. Strangers, who he…knew…why did he know them?! Who were they…why did he help them? Why…he wanted to…why…why…why did he feel…w-warm…

Lowering his hand, Vega clutched his chest where his heart was, some unfamiliar yet…safe sensation coming over him. But…it was familiar…he felt…w-warm…his chest…his…heart…he f-felt…he felt…he…

“Vega!” Gabriel yelled again, and Vega’s head snapped up. He shook his head, and in silence, swam quickly forward, unhooking Scarecrow from the tangled wires.

“F-fam…ily…” Vega muttered, quickly grabbing Scarecrow before he could fall.

“Here…” Elderane said, swimming closer as he took the limp Scarecrow from Vega’s arms. Once in Elderane’s, the creature reached to his neck, unhooking the collar.

“I…f-free him…” Vega muttered, and Gabriel flinched when he saw the collar get pulled off. It had odd small pointed needle-like devices inside, and he saw some blood around Scarecrow’s neck where they had injected him with the source.

“Oh, stars…” Elderane cried, watching Vega discard the collar and move to undo the clamp on his arm, which had the same effect, his red blood escaping into the water. Vega dropped the device, looking Scarecrow over.

“E-Eld…” Scarecrow whispered brokenly; his dazed eyes halfway shut. Elderane gave a small forced smile, holding Scarecrow against his chest.

“I’m here, Crow…we all are…it’s ok…” He soothed, and the group watched as Scarecrow nodded, his eyes falling closed, and soon he was out.

“We need to go…” Aaron said firmly, earning a nod from the others.

“G-go?” Vega asked edging back beside Gabriel.

“Yes, go…go home, Vega, and…and you’re coming with us…” Gabriel said warmly, placing his hand on Vega’s cold arm.

“I go…home? With…family?” Vega replied, his eyes glowing a bit brighter than before. Gabriel smiled, nodding.

“Yes, home with us…your family…”

Vega paused, looking between the five familiar humans. He saw…their eyes. Their bright eyes. Their…tears. How they hug each other…how they…care…

And they made him feel…warm…inside…

Safe…

Loved-

“What is…this?”

The six turned in shock at a new voice, and Aaron’s heart dropped when he saw a few more creatures in the doorway, blocking them in. And in the front…the Chemist, inhuman and covered in machines like the rest.

Chapter Text

Elderane pulled the unconscious Scarecrow closer to his chest, edging back away from the group of dark figures blocking the exit. Gabriel grabbed Vega’s arm, terror making his blood go cold when he saw the Chemist before him. Or…what was left of him.

The man was now a fish creature like Vega, with a faded gtay tail behind him and torn fins on the side of his head. His legs hung limply down as he used his tail to keep himself up, his dark eyes staring at the group. He had a few glowing green dots on his gray skin like Vega’s own blue ones, but the Chemist’s were much duller. His eyes looked almost black, and his skin was faded, his fins torn and ragged. He had a metal collar on just like Vega had, and his had various wires running down his arms and front, going in and out of his skin. He had more metal plates on his body than Vega, all lit up with dull green lights.

He looked almost more machine than living creature.

“Oh no…” Enty muttered, the already scary figure now much more sinister-looking.

Without a word, the creature swam a bit closer, hovering in the water like a ghost, looking just as dead. The group took a collective move back, except for Vega, who now hung in the front of the group, his eyes emotionless as he met the dull dead eyes of the Chemist.

The Chemist tilted his head as he stared at Vega, and Aaron saw Gabriel tense.

“Gabe?” Aaron whispered, knowing the creature had to be saying something.

“He’s…asking why he removed the source injector…off Scarecrow…” Gabriel whispered back, not liking this at all.

“Free…” Vega muttered out loud, his voice…firm.

Their friend’s word caused the Chemist to tilt his head again, looking at Vega will dead eyes.

“The source…is…freedom…” He muttered, his own voice rough and broken as he glanced behind Vega towards the others.

“W-wrong…wrong…” Vega hissed; his voice more confident. He let out a groan, his hands grabbing his head as if he were in pain. “Source…k-kill…us…kill…w-warmth…” He whispered, clutching his chest where his heart was. He felt it, beating in his chest under his cold skin. He felt his blood pounding in his ears. He glanced behind him, his eyes landing on Gabriel. Vega clutched his heart tighter, the warm feeling returning. Feeling…feeling…

With a sharp cry, Vega threw his hand to his throat. He ripped the metal collar off with unseen strength, the metal crushing in his clawed grasp as dark blue, almost black blood floated off his neck once the collar was pulled off. Gabriel’s eyes widened, his heart beating faster.

Vega didn’t say another word. He just held his arm out and dropped the destroyed collar, the thing sinking to the metal floor like a stone. He glanced up at the Chemist with bright blue eyes, and Gabriel saw…life in them.

He saw defiance.

The Chemist just swam back a bit, his black and empty eyes staring right through Vega.

“Defect.” He stated flatly, his cold and heartless voice sending shivers down the others’ spines. “Threat to the Forever. Delete.” He said flatly, pointing his own gray clawed hand towards Vega who swam back a bit.

Gabriel felt his heart drop cold when two other Forever swam up quickly, grabbing Vega’s arms without hesitation. They yanked him up, the creature in the middle letting out a pained cry.

“Delete the defect.” The Chemist repeated, moving out of the way of the entrance as the two carried a struggling Vega out.

His mind on autopilot, Gabriel lunged forward, using the various bars and wires to pull him forward.

“N-NO!!!” He screamed, just barely grabbing Vega’s cold ankle as he was pulled away. He felt himself get pulled with him, but he didn’t dare let go. He yanked himself up higher, clinging to his ankle as tight as he could as he felt himself be dragged away into the open dark ocean.

“G-Gabriel! Vega!!” Aaron yelled, trying to reach them, though it was too late. He saw the two get pulled away into the darkness, out of reach and out of sight.

“Curious...” The Chemist muttered, swimming closer to the remaining group, his eyes scanning them. “How did…h-humans…get here…” He asked, his voice sounding mechanical and cold.

“Bring them back!” Aaron screamed, placing himself before the remaining group. The Chemist didn’t budge. He looked like a corpse floating before them.

“Defects. Threat to Forever.”

“YOU’RE THE THREAT!!!” Elderane screamed, rage filling his chest. “You did this to them! To everyone! You made them emotionless monsters!”

“Incorrect.”

“Excuse me?!” Aaron snapped in annoyance, clenching his fist. The Chemist didn’t move.

“Incorrect statement.”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN-”

“But you made the source…” Enty asked, gentler, as Aaron’s rage boiled. “You did this…we tried to fix the source, but you must have done something to it to reverse it…”

“The Forever…did nothing…the source sustains us…keeps us…alive…”

“You call this alive…?” Elderane hissed, holding Scarecrow tighter.

“Chemist, remember back to the Starblade? You injected Gabriel with this stuff! It made him just like this! It erased his emotions!”

“The source…did not erase…emotions…Forever did…” Was all the Chemist could say, his dead eyes staring into nothingness.

“But Gabriel took one injection and couldn’t feel…” Aaron muttered, getting annoyed.

“The source…provides. It gives what is…wanted. Needed…it sustains…it provided what emotions could not…” The Chemist said, hovering before them. “The Forever…needed to survive…emotions hurt us…we…chose this path. Intentional…”

“You’re lying, you bastard…” Aaron sneered.

“Forever do not lie.”

“But why did Gabriel lose his emotions after one strong dose?!” Enty cut in, confused.

“He…wanted it. Needed it…the source…provided…”

Aaron’s mind went silent, his thoughts working themselves out. He looked up at the source tubes, the green liquid all around them. It helped the Forever adapt. Evolve. They didn’t start out emotionless…

“They chose to be that way…” Aaron muttered under his breath, his blood running cold.

“Aaron?” Enty asked, uneasy. Aaron just looked up slowly, his eyes landing on the Chemist.

“It was never the source…was it?” Aaron asked softly, meeting the Chemist’s dead eyes. “You all have been here so long…billions of years, trapped in a dark ocean of nothingness…you wanted to keep pushing yourselves to escape the cold…the pain of your past…you chose to give up your emotions…and the source provided…” He finished, causing Enty and Elderane to stare at him, their eyes wide in shock.

“The source…provides…” The Chemist repeated.

“You let the machines take over…you all were manipulated to think…cold and mechanical was the only way to survive…so you slowly…let your emotions…fade…” Aaron finished, putting his hand to his chest as a pang of hurt stabbed it.

All these people…good people…

Lost to their own desires to push humanity farther…

And they lost what made them human in the first place.

“But…but what about Gabriel…?” Elderane asked, looking at Scarecrow. “We almost lost Gabriel completely, but…it didn’t do the same to Crow’s emotions…”

“Because he didn’t want to be emotionless…” Aaron muttered, his mind reeling. “He just wanted to be better…he wanted to be a better friend, so it didn’t change his mind to make him emotionless…but Gabriel…Gabriel was under the impression he was an emotional coward…he wanted to be emotionless, and…and…”

“The source provided…” Elderane finished quietly, his heart dropping. Oh, Gabriel…

“The source provides…sustains…it will sustain you too…” The Chemist said softly, reaching a clawed mechanical hand towards Elderane, who pulled the unconscious Scarecrow closer to himself as fear swarmed his mind.

His reeling thoughts were cut off as Aaron lunged forward, grabbing a loose metal pipe from beside him as he swung at the Chemist’s head. Elderane and Enty flinched as the creature let out a choked cry before sinking to the ground, unmoving.

“A-AARON?!” Elderane yelled in shock. Aaron just tossed the pipe aside, facing them.

“It’s what Crow would have wanted…come on, we have to get Vega and Gabe out of here!” He yelled turning to swim out the exit.

Elderane and Enty exchanged a worried glance, but quickly turned to follow Aaron out, with Elderane struggling to keep up as he held Scarecrow in his arms.

The group exited the structure, with Aaron scanning the area.

“There!” Aaron yelled, just catching a glimpse of the distant group entering another metallic structure far above them, vanishing from sight, though he could see the piercing white of Gabriel’s robe.

“Oh, stars, give me strength…” Elderane muttered, adjusting Scarecrow as he focused all his energy on kicking, following Aaron and Enty upwards through the murky black water.

~

“N-no!” Gabriel yelled, his grip on Vega’s ankle slipping as they entered some dark machine-ridden tunnel full of wires and pipes. He watched as the two other Forever, who either didn’t notice he was there or didn’t care, drag Vega down the dark corridor, vanishing around the bend.

Gabriel clung to a pipe, his hope diminishing. He closed his eyes, exhaustion kicking in as he felt the need to cry. He failed his friend. His new brother. He failed him…

How could he save him in a place like this?!

A small sob escaping him, Gabriel squeezed his eyes shut as some tears formed in his eyes. He thought back to Vega, and how energetic he was. How passionate. How determined and brave…

Why couldn’t Gabriel be like that…?

The man opened his aching eyes, staring at the ground. He wasn’t those things…but…Vega liked him anyway. Even when they first met…he liked Gabriel. He let him fly the Avalon in space, and he gave him his captain’s pin…

Gabriel looked up, his heart jumping in his chest. Vega gave him that pin. He deemed him brave enough to fly his ship, and he went through all that trouble on the Starblade to save him from the Source…

Clenching his fist as he coughed away his tears, Gabriel shook his head, reaching for more pipes and wires to pull him along down the dark hall. The captain wasn’t here anymore. Gabriel had to do the job for him.

His emotions swarming though his mind was clear, Gabriel pulled himself along, not giving in. Not giving up.

Not yet…

A captain wouldn’t give up so easily…

~

Vega tried to fight. He tried to resist. But he was outmatched.

He stared ahead, his heart racing with…a new feeling as he was dragged down the dark hall and into an open room, more black wires draped down from the ceiling. His heart was beating loudly. His hand was shaking. His mind was screaming. He didn’t understand.

What was this? What was wrong with him? Was he really a defect?

He heard the two Forever talking to each other and to him. He wasn’t listening. He stopped listening with his mind and started listening with his…ears. He…could hear. He listened. He listened through the noise for the long-haired human. He wanted him here. Why? What did he mean to him? Why did he make him feel…safe…

Why did he make him feel…at all…

Before he could finish the thought, he felt himself get roughly shoved against a cold wall, his wrists quickly being restrained by clamps. He watched helplessly as the two Forever connected more wires to the source plate on his arm, and wrapped some around his sore neck. He couldn’t move. They were too tight.

Once done, the two backed away, their eyes blank. Vega looked to them, his heart still racing.

“P…Ple-ease…” He managed; his voice still shot. The two creatures just blinked a moment, then turned, swimming away. But before they left, the second reached for a button on the wall, pressing it before swimming out the door.

Vega hung there, a machine’s hum starting to rise. He didn’t want to be here. He…wanted to leave. He wanted to go with the humans…he didn’t know why. They just…made him feel good. They made him feel…

They…m-made him feel…

Happy…

Vega tensed in the restraints, his eyes feeling sore. He felt more glowing silver tears flow from his eyes, dissipating into the water before him as an eternities-old sensation came back to him, a long-forgotten memory. He felt his heart beat again, and he felt…alive. He felt…he…could feel…

“Vega!”

The creature looked up, his racing heart beating in his ears. He saw the long-haired human, an…odd look on his face. His mouth was shaped odd…but it was familiar.

“Oh, I’ll get you out!” The human cried, swimming closer, though he was slow. When he reached Vega, Vega tilted his head, staring at him.

“What…that…?” He asked, watching as the human worked to untie the wires.

“What’s what?”

“F-face…” Vega said, pointing towards the human’s mouth. The human made the odd look again, an odd wheeze escaping him.

“Vega, this is a smile! I’m happy to see you!” Gabriel said lightly, tears in his eyes, though he was smiling.

“S-smile…?” He muttered, the human nodding.

“Yes, Vega…now come on, I need to g-GAH!!!” Gabriel cried, the wires he had just been touching now shocking him like hot fire.

“AGH!!!” Vega cried, tensing as pain seared through his body, the source being the clamps on his wrists and the wires on his neck, an electrical surge searing into his body.

Gabriel rubbed his hands, his eyes wide as his face paled. Vega was trembling, crying out as the wires electrocuted him, his body tense and shaking.

“No…” Gabriel muttered, a rage sparking in his chest.

Vega cried out, spasming and whimpering as the red-hot clamp seared his wrists and neck.

“N-no, no…” Gabriel muttered again, his vision almost going white. “NO!!!” He screamed, grabbing the clamp on his friend’s wrist.

He let out a scream himself, though he endured it. He yanked as hard as he could and the clamp fell loose, falling away from Vega’s wrist. Without thinking Gabriel did the same to the other wrist, screaming as he felt the clamp burn his hands.

He didn’t care.

Freeing the other wrist, Vega’s arms went limp to his side as he hung there, the last wire wrapped around his neck.

“I’m not…l-losing you…AGAIN!!!” Gabriel shrieked, grabbing the wire with both hands. He screamed as he yanked with all he had, the wire snapping off of Vega’s neck. Gabriel let out another cry, the wire briefly touching his mask as it sent a jolt of electricity through it. He quickly backed away, breathing heavy as he clutched his chest, his hands stinging, his body buzzing from the electric shock.

He looked down and saw thin red lines on the palms of his hands, though the cool water around him soothed the sting. Without thinking, he looked up, noticing Vega go still.

“Vega…? Gabriel cried, reaching for his friend. He pulled him off the wall, and slowly lowered him down to the floor, moving his hair out of his face. “Vega!”

With a small groan, Vega tilted his head, his weakly glowing eyes opening halfway. Gabriel felt his smile widen, and he let out a laugh, yanking Vega into a hug.

“You’re ok…” He whispered, holding the Captain against him, his breathing calming.

“You’re…o-ok…” Vega muttered weakly, letting Gabriel hug him.

“Oh…Captain…I missed you…” Gabriel cried, his adrenaline fading as tears began forming in his eyes. “I-I’m so sorry I failed you…”

“You…save…me…” Vega managed, pushing back a bit as he looked up, meeting Gabriel’s eyes. “You…f-family…”

“Do you…remember me, Vega…really?” Gabriel asked quietly, staring into Vega’s glowing blue eyes.

Vega paused a moment, staring into Gabriel’s brown eyes. He saw familiarity. He saw…emotion. This human…he knew him. He remembered him…he…

“Hot…shot…” Vega said, his head tilting when he saw Gabriel smile wide, his tears falling.

Without a word, Gabriel yanked Vega into a hug, holding him tight.

“I w-won’t leave you here, Captain…I’m taking you home…I…” He started, though Gabriel paused, a cough escaping him.

Vega pulled back, looking the human over in confusion.

“Oh, there you two are!!! Oh, thank god…”

Vega turned, now seeing the remaining three humans arrive, looking tired as they struggle to swim into the room.

“Oh, they’re alive, ok…good great yeah…” Aaron muttered, falling to his knees as he caught his breath, his arms feeling sore from swimming so much. “Oh, ok…ok…”

“Gabe, oh, don’t do that…” Elderane cried, setting Scarecrow down by Aaron as he swam to Gabriel, placing his hand on his cheek. “You scared us…”

“S-sorry, heh, I-” Gabriel started with a smile, though he coughed again, shaking his head.

“Gabriel…?” Enty asked softly, his tension rising.

“I’m f-fie…fin…agh…” Gabriel started, coughing again, harder now as his words slurred. Aaron looked up, and he could hear his breathing get harder and rougher, as if he were struggling…

“Uh…” Elderane muttered, now afraid.

“Vega?!” Aaron yelled, pulling himself up as he watched Vega swim to the coughing and wheezing Gabriel…worry in his eyes.

He looked Gabriel over, though Vega’s eyes widened when he saw the problem. He ran his clawed hand along the metal rim of Gabriel’s breathing mask, now seeing…it was damaged.

“Can’t breathe…” Vega said, tension in his voice as the other’s terror peaked. “Broken…b-broken…!” He cried, now…with a shaking voice as Gabriel fell forward, right into Vega’s arms, his gasping getting worse.

“H-he needs air!” Elderane cried, hardly able to breathe himself. Vega looked down, the wheezing and now pale Gabriel in his arms.

“Hotshot…” Vega muttered, a clear thought coming to him. “Life support…” He rushed, and without a word, pulled Gabriel higher into his arms, and began swimming as fast as he could into the dark ocean before him.

Chapter Text

Vega swam as fast as he could, his tail propelling him through the dark water as he carried Gabriel in his arms. The creature looked down once more, now seeing the human gasping for air with strained and painful sounds, his face lacking of color. He was limp in his arms…

Feeling…a fire in his chest, Vega kept swimming, faster and faster. He felt…heat in his heart and mind. He saw white. His body felt stronger, like…he had something to fight for. Something that mattered…and he couldn’t lose it.

If he did…he’d lose himself too…

Seeing the age-old starship before him, he swam faster, his eyes widening when the human went limp in his arms.

“G-Gabriel!” Vega cried, the name escaping his mouth like a reflex. Like a name he should have never forgotten. Like it was something he never forgot.

The shaky feeling coursing through his veins, he felt himself scream. He screamed as he swam like a jet up to the ship, the feeling of urgency making his heart want to explode. He couldn’t fail…he couldn’t fail…HE COULDN’T!!!

Screaming once more, he found the hole he had entered before, and shoved Gabriel through it, the human falling limp on the grated cold floor. Vega gripped the ground and pulled himself up, his limp legs dragging behind him. He reached Gabriel’s side and saw he wasn’t moving.

“No…” Vega muttered; his heart racing faster than it had in eons. He grabbed the clear mask on Gabriel’s face and yanked it off, tossing it aside without care. He saw his face was pale and white, his lips almost blue. “F-friend…?” Vega muttered, his heart…feeling bad. It felt cold…

He lightly hit Gabriel’s face, though the human didn’t move. Vega looked around, his mind screaming as a new…horrible feeling filled his chest. He looked back down, and he saw his own silver tears slide down his face, landing on the black floor beside the human. The unmoving human

“Hotshot…G-Gabriel…GABRIEL!!!” Vega screamed, pushing down onto Gabriel’s chest. Humans breathed air. Not water. They needed air…they had lungs…he had to make this human’s work again…

His movements almost hypnotic in nature with how they blindly came to him, Vega kept pushing down on Gabriel’s chest, more silver tears filling his eyes.

“P-please…d-don’t go…” He cried, pressing harder on his chest. “Just got…you back…please…only home…I have…only family…please…” He sobbed, his chest heaving as his tears fell faster.

His body went tense, however, when the human thrashed on the ground, a loud wheeze escaping him as he coughed harshly.

Vega…felt his mouth move. He felt his mouth shape differently…he was smiling…because he was…happy…

He was happy!

“B-breathe…!” Vega cried, smiling wider as he placed his hand on Gabriel’s chest. It was moving…he was breathing!

After a moment, Gabriel’s wheezing eased, his head lolling to the side as his eyes fluttered open. He looked up, and Vega edged closer, more silver tears in his eyes.

“Y-you’re…smiling…” Gabriel whispered, his head feeling light. Vega just nodded, closing his eyes.

“H-happy…” He whispered back, his heart feeling better…it felt…warm again…safe…

His eyes flew open when he felt wet arms wrap around him. He looked down and saw Gabriel was hugging him tightly, shivering as he did so.

“You’re s-still in there…Captain…” Gabriel cried, his own heart warm. “You’re here…”

“I’m…here…hotshot…” Vega replied, fuzzy memories…starting to appear. Distant images, like age-old dreams…

Images of…this starship…of a planet doomed…of…friends…of stars…of family…

His family…

Vega then closed his eyes, the familiarity making him feel…alive again. Awake…after being asleep so long…

He was awake now…and he was alive…

“I’m here…” He whispered again, holding Gabriel against him as his mind cleared…as he felt like himself again, after so…so long…

~

“You’re hurt…” Vega muttered, pulling back as he looked the shivering Gabriel over. Gabriel just gave a small laugh, shaking his head.

“I’ve been through worse, Vega…b-but thank you…for saving me.” He said warmly, a small smile on his face.

Vega smiled awkwardly back, his eyes glowing brighter.

“You saved…me.”

“Guess we saved each other then, huh…”

“GOD I’M NEVER SWIMMING AGAIN!!!”

Gabriel reeled back, avoiding a splash of water as Aaron pulled himself out of the hole, climbing onto the grated floor as he collapsed, with Enty appearing next, helping Elderane lift Scarecrow out.

“S-stars…” Elderane muttered, falling onto his face as he breathed heavy, his arms and legs burning.

“You’re ok…cool…good…” Aaron said tiredly, looking at Gabriel a moment before falling back to the floor.

“Yeah…I am…” Gabriel replied warmly, looking at Vega who smiled back, his fangs showing.

“Can…we go home now?” Enty cut in, holding the unconscious Scarecrow against him to keep him warm.

“Yeah…yeah, let’s go…”

“With Vega?” Gabriel asked, a sense of nervousness in his tone. Aaron sat up, looking at Vega and Gabriel, both with…pleading looks on their faces.

He recalled what he learned from the Chemist…

That it wasn’t the source itself that did this to them…it was their misguided human nature. Something…a simple warning couldn’t divert…even if they were to go back and tell them…

It would still happen…it was inevitable…

Aaron blinked, looking at the…emotion in Vega’s eyes.

But it wasn’t unfixable.

“Yes.” He said firmly, nodding. “With Vega…we’re taking him home.”

Gabriel smiled brightly, laughing as he yanked Vega into a hug.

“Coughing?” Vega asked, pulling back as he looked over Gabriel in worry.

“No, Vega, I’m laughing! I’m happy!”

“Happy…” Vega whispered softly, smiling more. He felt…safe…

He was going home…

“W-wait, wait, Vega…” Aaron cut in, edging closer. “While I get us ready to go…can you grab a few vials of the source?”

“WHAT?!” Elderane snapped, his head rising as he glanced up from his spot on the floor. “ARE YOU CRAZY?!”

“Aaron, what-” Gabriel started, also confused.

“Vega has been injecting himself with this drug for billions of years, it’s practically almost blood to him.” Aaron started, looking the group over. “If we took him home and he had no source, he’d enter a withdrawal phase so bad it could kill him, sorry to be blunt…if we really want to help him heal, we need to ease him out of relying on the source…so we need some to help this be a gradual change.”

“Oh…” Gabriel whispered, though…he understood. “Can you get some then, Vega?”

“Yes…one moment…” He replied, vanishing into the hole again with a splash.

Gabriel looked up, meeting Aaron’s eyes.

“You…really think…he’s still in there, Gabe?” Aaron asked softly. Gabriel nodded; his eyes bright.

“Without a doubt…he’s in there…we just gotta help him find his way back…like you all did for me.” He said, confidence in his voice. “We’ll bring him home…”

~
After a few minutes, Vega popped back up out of the hole, a metal case in his hands.

“Is that enough?” Aaron asked, and Vega nodded.

“Lasts years…”

“Well…let’s go home, then…” Aaron said, watching as Gabriel helped Vega up.

“Going…home…?” Vega asked quietly, meting Gabriel’s eyes. The human nodded, a warm smile on his face.

“Yeah…we’re going home…Captain…” He said, holding him close as Aaron turned on the machine.

Vega closed his eyes, the bright light burning harshly, but before he knew it…he was falling through nothingness, a sense of calm and lightness taking over.

And he knew…he was going home.

Chapter Text

“Vega…Vega!”

Vega let out a small groan, his head feeling light.

“Vega…we’re home…”

His heart stopping, he took a risk, and opened his eyes. He blinked, looking around. He was in some…place. A room. It was dim, and the windows were black. He saw…soft things. Chairs and…and a large screen on the wall, black and empty. He saw…wood. Doors, and…and…

He looked down, running his hand over the floor. It was soft…soft and felt nice…and everything was…

Warm…

Glancing next to him with wide eyes, he saw Gabriel, the others behind him. Gabriel was smiling, tears in his eyes.

“You’re home…you’re safe here, Vega…” He said, and Vega felt his own tears begin to fall.

“S-safe…with…family…” He cried softly, but before he knew it, Gabriel pulled him into a hug, holding him tight.

“I missed you…” He whispered, holding him close. Vega closed his eyes, returning the embrace.

“Missed you…too…hotshot…” Vega replied, the embrace so familiar…

It was home…he was home…

“Ok…first things first…” Aaron cut in, pulling himself to his feet. “Enty, give Eld a break and carry Crow to bed…please…” He said, earning a nod from Enty as he ran and picked up the unconscious Scarecrow. “Eld, if you could do one more thing, grab the kiddie pool from the garage…Vega’s gonna need it…”

“Sure thing…” Eld replied. “Stars, I’m gonna be sore tomorrow…” He muttered as he walked past.

“And Gabe…”

“Hm?”

“Let Vega look outside…just for a moment…” He said, glancing at the window.

Confused, Gabriel shrugged and grabbed Vega’s arm, hauling him up. His legs were hardly any use as he couldn’t hold himself up on them.

“Ah, I have a wheelchair in the basement he can use…I’ll get it tomorrow…” Aaron said, following them as he got the door open.

Without a word, Gabriel helped Vega outside, and Vega…felt his heart skip.

He felt…air. Clean gentle warm air…he felt wind…

Something he had so long forgotten…

But the thing that caught his attention most was once he looked up…his eyes glowed even brighter.

Above him…were gentle stars, filling the sky. Aaron smiled beside Gabriel, the two watching Vega stare with wonder at the multitudes.

“I…I…” Vega started; his eyes fixated on the universe above him. “I’d…forgotten…” He whispered, silver sparkling tears falling down his cheek.

“And we’ll help you remember…” Gabriel said, placing his hand on his shoulder. Vega just looked up at him, nodding as his tears fell. His gaze drifted back to the stars above, his mind…free.

“Gabriel…a word…” Aaron muttered, motioning to back inside the house. Gabriel nodded, giving one last glance to Vega as he followed Aaron inside, pulling the door closed.

“Aaron-”

“Gabe…I know you want him to stay, but…he can’t stay…here…” Aaron said softly, making Gabriel’s eyes widen.

“WHAT?!”

“Gabe, listen…this world already fears Enty, and…he looks like a normal human compared to Vega…he’s a sea monster to these people…they’d kill him…” He said, placing his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.

“N-no! He has to stay here! W-we can keep him inside, o-or-”

“And keep him trapped inside for the rest of his life? Confined to a kiddie pool, Gabe? Is that freedom to you?” Aaron asked, feeling bad for making Gabriel upset. He saw tears start to fill Gabriel’s eyes, his face turning to broken sorrow.

“I…I just…w-we can’t…I…”

“Uh…g-guys…”

The two turned, and they saw Elderane standing there, his tired eyes showing.

“Eld?”

“Why doesn’t he come to Avantasia? He wouldn’t be an outcast there at all…there’s an ocean nearby, plus there’s clean waterways all throughout the city…he’d have free roam…away from anyone scared of him…”

“Avantasia…” Gabriel whispered to himself, his eyes widening. “H-he could heal there…it’s peaceful, a-and has starry skies, and…and…”

“Eld, that’s a wonderful idea…” Aaron said softly, placing his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “We’ll go over it tomorrow with him…but for now…we all could use some rest…”

Gabriel nodded, wiping his eyes. He then went back outside, helping Vega into the kiddie pool they had filled with water in the living room. Enty had brought Vega a rubber duck and some fluffy towels for blankets, and Gabriel had brought him some fruit to eat.

“You’ll need these, too…” Aaron said, setting some sunglasses by the pool. “The sun is bright…”

“S-sun…” Vega muttered, looking up. It had been so long…since he could feel a sun…

Aaron walked away, turning off the light, and glanced back once more. He smiled when he saw Gabriel by the kiddie pool, with his own blanket and pillow. He wanted to be by Vega’s side…

Shaking his head, Aaron turned, walking up the stairs as his arms and legs started to lose feeling.

He was gonna be so sore tomorrow…

~

Vega got himself comfortable, the room...quiet. It was dark, but it was...safe darkness. Not like Planet Y...

"You ok...?"

Looking over, Vega saw Gabriel looking at him, his eyes tired. Vega nodded, feeling...tired himself.

"Tired..."

"Yeah...I am too..." Gabriel said, looking away with a yawn. He looked back and saw Vega looking down, his eyes lost. "Vega?"

"You do not...dislike me...?" He asked, making Gabriel's heart drop.

"W-why would I dislike you?!"

"Not...myself..." Vega muttered, and Gabriel saw some silver tears in his eyes. "Not...right...b-broken..."

"None of that matters." Gabriel said firmly, placing his hand on Vega's shoulder, the creature looking his way with wide, glowing eyes.

"W-what?"

"None of that matters! You're my friend, no matter what. Through the good or bad, through anything. You're Captain Vega, and that is what matters." Gabriel said firmly, a small smile on his face. "And no matter what has happened or what will happen...I'm your friend through it all."

"F-friend..." Vega muttered, wiping his eyes as he felt himself smile too.

"Come on, why don't we get some rest? You can see the sun tomorrow..." Gabriel said, adjusting his own blanket as Vega nodded.

"Sun...I've...forgotten..."

"And we'll help you...no matter what." Gabriel said firmly, his heart warm when he saw Vega curl up in the kiddie pool, his eyes falling closed.

"T-thank...you..." He muttered softly, and then...he was out.

Gabriel smiled, nodding. He then curled up under his own blanket, letting his mind finally find rest.

~

The next day…

Scarecrow let out a groan, his head killing him.

“O-oh! Crow!”

A voice dragging him awake, he looked up with sore and blurry eyes and saw Gabriel by his side, a smile on his face.

“Gabriel …?”

“You’re ok!!!” Gabriel cried, falling down as he yanked him into a hug. “Y-you scared me…”

Scarecrow didn’t move. He felt Gabriel’s arms around him, warm and safe. Without any malice.

“G-Gabe…I…I’m so-”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Crow…so cut that out right now.” Gabriel said firmly, pulling back. “I’m who needs to say sorry…it was my fault you got into that situation…”

“G-Gabe, no! I let myself be influenced by that chemical! I-”

“CROW!!!” Gabriel yelled, startling Scarecrow. He looked up, and saw tears in Gabriel’s eyes. “P-please…stop it…” He whispered; his voice small. “I got us into this m-mess…I a-almost forgot h-how much you meant to me while under the source…I almost lost you…I d-don’t wanna almost lose you again…not to any danger, or guilt…please…please, just…stop being hard on yourself…please…” He cried, closing his eyes as he let himself cry. “I n-need you…”

Scarecrow blinked in shock a minute, then…giving in…sighed, and yanked Gabriel into a hug.

“And…I need you…I’m sorry I don’t say it enough…I’m sorry I yelled at you before, and I’m sorry for all the times I’ve hurt you…I w-wanted to take the source because I wanted you t-to be happy…”

“B-but I’m happy-”

“With how I am now…” Scarecrow replied warmly, smiling as he pulled back. “Just like…how I like you with how you are…little brother…” He said lightly, ruffling Gabriel’s hair as his eyes widened.

“You…you r-really think I’m-”

“Hey, I said it, didn’t I…?” He replied, giving a small laugh.

Gabriel kept the shocked look on his face for a moment, then shook his head, laughing too.

“Fine! But…let’s just agree…we were both stupid…”

“I’ll agree to that! If Aaron is included too-”

“Oh, stop!” Gabriel laughed, lightly hitting Scarecrow’s arm with a laugh.

“Oh, don’t you push me, Gabe! You remember the last time!” Scarecrow said lightly, grabbing his pillow from under him as Gabriel’s eyes widened.

“W-wait, n-”

“TAKE THIS!!!” Scarecrow yelled, swinging the pillow as hard as he could as Gabriel just barely dodged, laughing the whole time.

“Oh, this means war!” Gabriel yelled, running from the room laughing as Scarecrow chased him, smiling and laughing as well.

“YOU AIN’T WINNIN’ THIS TIME, YA TIME CAPSULE!”

“THAT’S WHAT YOU THINK!!!”

Aaron shook his head, watching from inside his room. They’d all be ok…

Though now…

They had to help Vega be ok…

~

"Ok, the sunglasses stay on..." Aaron said, attaching a string behind the sunglasses so they'd stay on Vega's head better. "I'll get you custom ones later..."

"Ah, th-thank!" Vega said lightly, looking around the bright room with a smile.

He was sitting in the wheelchair, with wide and curious eyes scanning the living room. Aaron had even cut a hole in the back of the chair for his tail, so he was sitting comfortably. 

They had looked him over, and they saw his legs could move, but they were awfully weak. He seems to have used them to help steer his swimming, but they weren't strong enough to walk on yet.

But in time, maybe...

"Ok...you ready?" Gabriel said lightly, holding the back of the wheelchair as they led Vega out the back door.

"Y-yes..." He said, though there was an ounce of nervousness in his voice. Gabriel smiled, pushing Vega along. 

Aaron walked ahead, pushing the door open as Gabriel pushed Vega gently out the door.

Vega closes his eyes, the light harsh on his eyes. But after a moment, he felt...warmth...on his skin...

Gentle warmth, and...and softness...

Taking a risk, he cracked his eyes open. The world around him was...light. He saw green plants and grass, and...and a light blue sky...and far above him...

The sun...

"Don't stare at it! It hurts." Enty added, poking his head out of the door. Vega nodded, looking around as his sore eyes adjusted. He saw...animals. Birds in the sky...

Clouds...

"How does it feel...?" Gabriel asked softly, smiling when he saw Vega staring at his arm.

"W-warm..." He whispered, staring at the light. "Been...so long..." He cried, more tears filling his eyes.

He looked up, feeling Gabriel's hand on his shoulder. He closed his eyes, letting the gentle sunlight hit his face as a warm breeze blew through his hair...

It felt so nice...

More tears falling, Vega smiled, a laugh escaping him. He was crying but he was...happy. He was so...so happy...

He was home...

~

Several days later…

“My, I’m glad you’re rich.” Aaron said, stretching as they walked through Rome.

They had used Elderane’s money to rent a private plane and a pilot who asks no questions, and they managed to fly Vega to Rome, undetected.

“I’m just glad he made it safe…” Elderane added, looking down. Gabriel was pushing a wheelchair, with Vega sitting inside, sunglasses on as he eyed the new world around him.

He held his arm out, feeling the warm sun on his blue skin…

It felt right…

This was better…this was home.

After a while and a struggle of getting him down the stairs, the group found themselves before the door to Avantasia, standing back as Elderane worked to open it.

“You’re gonna be safe here, Captain…I promise…” Gabriel said warmly, his hand on Vega’s shoulder. Vega just smiled awkwardly again, looking up.

“Thank…you…” He managed, his heart light.

He was going home…with his family…

And with that thought, he watched as Elderane opened the giant wooden door, an unearthly light filling the room.

Chapter Text

Several days later…

Vega smiled as he sat in the garden, eying the flowers. He missed them…

He looked around himself, the serene world safe and welcoming. He had been staying in the palace and had been given a room, and everyone here was so kind to him…

They had even made more accommodations for his…condition. With more ramps being added, as well as expanded waterways in the city, so he could explore. Elderane had given him a room on the ground floor by the garden, secluded and quiet. He was so happy here…

And…it was helping. Gabriel came every day, and with Elderane and Anwel…they started helping him with therapy. To help him remember, to help him walk, and to help him ease off the source, and even breathe air again.

He was starting to feel like himself again…

Vega gave a small smile, looking down. He saw his tail behind him as he sat on the lush grass, his skin and scales sparkling brighter than ever before. He…wasn’t human anymore.

He knew that much.

He was different now, but…he had never felt more like himself. He was remembering…

Vega looked up, eying the evening sunset. He was waiting for the stars. He loved the stars…

He was a starship pilot once…he could remember…

Maybe he’d fly in the stars again someday…

Maybe…

“Vega!”

Vega looked up, snapping out of his thoughts when he saw Gabriel walk closer, smiling. Vega smiled back, his eyes glowing a bit brighter.

“How are you?”

“Feeling…better.” Vega said warmly, meeting Gabriel’s eyes. “Feeling…”

“You’re doing so well, you know…” Gabriel said, sitting himself down by his friend’s side. “Adapting to all this, and…the therapy…”

“I remember…”

“Yeah, I-”

“I remember you.” Vega said, and Gabriel’s head tilted in confusion.

“W-what?”

“I remember…landing…you were there…I took you to…space…” He said, looking up as Gabriel’s eyes widened. “You flew the…Av…Ah…Av-valon! Avalon!” He said brightly, the memory clearing. “Went to…moon…”

Gabriel just sat back in stunned silence, his tears wanting to form.

“You…really remember that…”

“Remember…Gabriel…promised not to forget…” He said, smiling as he met his gaze. “I broke promise once…won’t break it again…”

Gabriel just sat back, a few tears forming in his eyes. He let out a small laugh, quickly wiping his eyes as he reached into his satchel.

“W-well…on that note…I have something for you…”

“Oh…?”

“When we met that day…you did let me fly the Avalon, and…when we landed, and said goodbye…we promised to meet again.”

“We did!”

“Yeah! But you did something else…”

“I did…?” Vega asked softly, the memory not…fully clear. Gabriel nodded.

“You pulled me aside, and…and told me you were proud of me…that I had potential, and…and to not let that fire in me die out…and then you gave me this…” He said opening his hand. Vega’s eyes widened when he saw…a four-point golden star pin, glistening in the setting sun’s light.

His mind went blank in that moment. He got flashes of memories, all jumbled together. Memories of…an academy, learning to be a pilot, of flying among the stars…

“When you gave me this…you told me to have faith in myself…and that…I could be a captain…like you…” Gabriel said warmly, gentleness in his voice as he spoke. He looked up, and saw Vega had tears in his eyes, his gaze locked on the pin. “Well…I think…I think I’m ready to follow you again…Captain…” Gabriel said, and he gently reached forward, attaching the star pin to Vega’s shirt.

He pulled back, and Vega looked down, tears flowing down his cheek as he stared at the golden star.

“You’ve endured so much…you’re the bravest person I know…so I want you to remember to keep that strong faith in yourself…keep that optimism…and you’ll do great things without a doubt…Captain.” Gabriel finished, giving a small salute as he sat back.

Vega slowly lifted his head, tears trickling down his cheek when he saw Gabriel giving him a salute. He felt his breath hitch in his throat, and he fell forward, yanking Gabriel into a hug.

“T-thank you…hotshot…” He cried, sobbing as Gabriel hugged back. He remembered hugging Gabriel when they said goodbye the first time. He remembered…saying goodbye again…when Gabriel…gave him a name to share.

Vega Layman…

The Captain smiled, his tears falling as he laughed, clinging to Gabriel. His family. His brother against all odds. The one who brought him home…

He laughed more, smiling wider. He knew…more pain would come. He was still healing. He had so much to remember…so much to recall…but he knew…

He wouldn’t have to make this journey alone. His family was by his side. They believed in him. So…he knew he could believe in himself.

Because he was Captain Vega…the greatest starship pilot this universe, or any other has ever known. And he wasn’t out for the count yet…

There were still so many galaxies to explore…

Smiling with a small laugh, Vega looked up at the sky, pointing out a few dusk stars that started to appear as Gabriel sat by his side, the two looking up at the starry night sky, dreaming about the universe.

As a family.

Chapter Text

In another time, in another space, deep in an endless ocean…voices echo on the waves…

 ‘Who were they…?’

‘Humans…not from the experiment…’

‘They took one of us with them…’

‘He wanted to go…’

‘Why?’

‘Why…’

‘Who were they?’

‘They…felt…’

‘Almost died for one of us…why?’

‘They felt strong emotions…’

‘All of them…different emotions …’

‘Fear, and joy…’

‘Longing and hope…’

‘We must know!’

‘They can help us feel…’

‘We need them…’

‘Find them…’

‘Find them!’

‘Bring them here?’

‘No…the experiment…use the experiment…’

‘Add them to the experiment…’

‘Use them…’

‘Their emotions-’

‘We must understand…’

‘They left…’

‘Find them!’

‘We found them…’

‘They are far…’

‘But we found them…’

‘Use them for the experiment…’

‘The energy…’

‘Worth it…’

‘We must know…’

‘The experiment…’

‘The experiment…’

‘The experiment…’

 .

 .

 .

‘We will understand their emotions…’

Chapter Text

Several weeks later…

Elderane yawned as he made himself a cup of coffee, the gentle morning light shining in through the windows of the quiet kitchen. He smiled to himself; his mind calm. Things were ok for once. Vega was healing in Avantasia, and Gabriel would visit nearly every day to help him heal. The creature had good days among bad ones, but he was making progress. He was talking more, Gabriel was helping him walk, and his mind was clearing from the eons of emotionless smog plaguing him. It would take a long time, but… he would heal. They all would.

Looking up, Elderane could hear the other guys getting ready for the day. Scarecrow was acting calmer, and Gabriel was healed from the source. He was himself again. They were all ok. Everything was ok.

“Morning, Eld.”

The elf looked up as he took a sip of his coffee, watching Aaron walk into the kitchen. His hair was a mess and it was obvious he hadn’t slept.

Things were truly back to normal.

“Good morning…are the others up?”

“Yeah, they’ll be down in a bit.” Aaron said with a tired smile, reaching for some coffee for himself. “What’s the plan today, then?”

“I thought you knew.”

“I thought you did…”

“Well, we’ll improvise, alright?” Elderane said warmly, placing his hand on the tired Aaron’s shoulder. “I can find something for us to do. You look like you need rest, anyway.”

“Heh, what gave it away?” Aaron said with a small laugh, his eyes dark. Elderane shook his head with a smile.

“What were you even doing?”

“Just a clock project…been a while since I worked on something ‘harmless’ as Scarecrow would say…”

“Well, I can’t complain about that…just don’t overwork yourself.”

“Oh, I’m fine, don’t you worry.” Aaron said, though Elderane just watched as Aaron tried to pour his coffee, only to miss the mug, with coffee spilling all over the counter. “Oh, damnit…”

“Yes, totally fine, you sure fooled me.” Elderane said lightly, grabbing some paper towels to help. Aaron just shook his head, muttering something under his breath that Elderane assumed was some curse word.

“Oh, hush…but…thank you…” Aaron said tiredly, watching as Eldeerane helped him clean up. “I suppose…I should take it easy today…”

“How about you stay home and rest today while the others and I go out, hm?” Elderane asked, throwing the wet paper towels away. “We can take care of any shopping that needs done, and you need rest…we can bring you lunch…”

“Oh, I don’t know…”

“You know Scarecrow will tie you to your bed again if you don’t get rest, Aaron. And you know you sometimes get those…seizures if you don’t sleep.” Elderane said, sternly now, seriousness in his voice. Aaron opened his mouth to argue but…saw the firm look in Elderane’s eyes.

“Oh, very well…I’ll rest today.”

“Good, good. Now come on, let me get you some coffee…in a mug, this time…” Elderane said teasingly, earning a small laugh from Aaron.

“Oh, you are a smug bastard sometimes, Scarecrow is right…”

“Happy to help.” Elderane said lightly with a bright smile, handing a warm cup of coffee to Aaron.

“Geez, you trashing the kitchen already, clockwork?” Scarecrow said warmly, entering the kitchen, Enty and Gabriel in tow.

“Just for you, Crow…”

“Har har har…ok, how much coffee did you spill?” He said, eying the much emptier coffee maker.

“Only a bit…”

“You three are the only ones who drink it, I am sure that is still enough.” Gabriel said, opening the fridge as Enty walked to the pantry.

“How come you don’t like it, anyway?” Scarecrow said, sitting himself down at the table as he watched Gabriel rummage in the fridge.

“Too bitter…plus I don’t like how it makes me feel…jittery, I think you called it.” He said, not looking Scarecrow’s way as he worked.

“But you love chocolate! Doesn’t that do the same thing?”

“Not really…or I just don’t eat enough to cause such an effect.”

“I think it tastes gross, too.” Enty said, working to make a bowl of cereal. “I prefer tea, or juice or something…”

“Thank you, Enty.” Gabriel said lightly, giving him a smile as Scarecrow rolled his eyes.

“Fine, fine, be a buncha tired losers, more for me…” Scarecrow said, taking a drink.

“Oh, hush, all of you…it is too early for this.” Aaron said, walking over to the fridge once Gabriel was done. “I will appreciate some silence today once you all go out…”

“Oh, where are we going?” Gabriel asked brightly, standing by the counter.

“Haven’t decided yet…” Elderane said, taking a drink from his coffee. “Where do you wanna go?”

Elderane finished his drink, opening his eyes in confusion when he didn’t get an answer.

“Gabe?” He muttered, looking up, though he looked on in confusion when he saw…Gabriel wasn’t in the kitchen anymore.

“Gabe, don’t ignore your…elf…” Scarecrow started sarcastically, though his words faded off when he too saw Gabriel was gone. “Uh…”

“Gabriel?” Elderane asked in confusion, looking around. He didn’t see him at all.

“Geez, did he sneak out that quietly?” Scarecrow asked, looking around as Aaron and Enty took notice as well.

“I…would have seen him…” Said Enty, who was closest to the exit.

“Gabriel it is too early for this nonsense!” Aaron yelled out, though he got no response. “Ugh, honestly, Gabe, I expect better from you! This is something I expect from-”

*CLATTER*

Aaron jumped in fright, as did the others when they heard a loud crash. Elderane’s eyes widened when he saw Scarecrow’s coffee mug on the table, fallen over, its contents spilled out, but…

“Scarecrow…?” Elderane asked, rubbing his eyes in confusion. Scarecrow’s seat was empty.

“What the…” Aaron muttered, staring in shock at the empty space. “C-…Crow…?” He asked the air, but he got no response. Scarecrow was just…gone. In a blink…

“I…w-what…” Enty muttered fearfully, looking around. It was as if he blinked and Scarecrow just…stopped existing.

“Ok, t-this is some prank, right?” Elderane asked, looking up at Aaron and Enty, both looking just as shaken and confused.

“E-Eld, I…I don’t…” Aaron started, his mind stuck. He looked around once more, but saw no sign of Gabriel or Scarecrow.

“W-what’s going on?!” Enty cried, taking a step closer. Elderane looked up at Enty, though the moment he did, he saw…it was just him and Enty in the kitchen.

“A-AARON?!” Enty cried, looking around in fear. Elderane jumped to his feet, staring at the spot Aaron had just been standing. He rubbed his eyes again, but it was still empty. He…was just there…it was like he blinked and he…

Terror taking over, he looked up to console Enty, though his eyes widened when he heard his friend’s metal spoon clatter to the floor. Elderane blinked again, though now…he was alone.

Enty was gone.

“G-guys…?” Elderane whispered, walking around the table. It was dead silent, as if they had never been there to begin with. “GUYS!!!” He screamed, looking around. He rubbed his eyes again, but nothing was different.

The house was silent. The kitchen was silent.

And Elderane was totally alone.

Chapter Text

“GAH!!!” Scarecrow yelled, stumbling and tripping. He felt himself faceplant into stony, dusty ground, a groan escaping him as his head spun.

“Crow!”

A familiar voice cutting through the fog, Scarecrow groaned again in pain as he struggled to push himself up. He felt hands grab his arms, supporting him.

“C-Crow, I…I don’t know…w-where…”

Looking up, Scarecrow saw Gabriel above him, his face pale. He saw some tears in his eyes.

“G-Gabe, what…?” Scarecrow started, though his question was answered before he could ask it.

His body going frigid cold, he stared ahead, not believing what he was seeing. He saw they were on some…odd, rocky island of sorts, the ground sandy with a mix of colors in it. He saw a few odd, unknown plants growing like vines around some of the rocks, but his gaze was immediately glued to the sky.

The sky…was space. His thoughts dead silent, Scarecrow stared ahead. He saw stars fill the entire sky, more than he had ever seen in his life. The entire sky looked like it was filled with shining glitter. And it was…colorful. Above him, he saw nebulas in the sky, of all different colors. He even saw swirling galaxies among them, with their glow bright enough to cast a moonlight-like shadow on him from their distance. But the colors were only above him.

To the sides, he just saw…black space. There were no colors outside of the sky above him. The colors just…bled into darkness, an endless void.

They were…in space.

“Oh…oh fuck…” Scarecrow whispered, and he heard a whimper. He turned and saw Gabriel kneeling beside him, clinging to his arm, his face hidden in his shoulder.

“I w-wanna go home…” He cried, and Scarecrow could tell he was crying.

Not able to form coherent thoughts, Scarecrow just turned and pulled the shaking Gabriel into a hug, holding him tight. Gabriel’s face was buried in his chest, but Scarecrow’s eyes were stuck on the rainbow skies above him, and he felt himself staring in wonder.

“G-…Guys…?”

He turned, and he couldn’t tell if he felt fear or relief when he saw Aaron standing there, Enty behind him. Aaron had a similar terrified and shocked look on his face, while Enty seemed enamored by the colors and stars, a small smile on his face as he stared up.

“Aaron…” Scarecrow muttered, and Aaron took a few steps closer, and Scarecrow saw him leave some footsteps in the fine sandy ground, the sand almost…sparking silver, like stardust…

“I…I didn’t…do this…” Was all Aaron could mutter as he fell to the ground, his legs giving way. He looked over when he felt Scarecrow put his free arm around his shoulder. The man was looking at him, terrified, but with reassuring eyes.

“I know…I-I know…” He said, and Aaron just nodded, his eyes drifting around their surroundings.

He saw they were on some odd island, as they could see edges to it not far. He looked behind him, where an edge was closer, and he took in a breath, edging closer.

“Oh…” Aarons squeaked, terror striking his heart.

Over the edge of their island, he saw endless starry space. Just black and stars below them. An abyss of eternity. He looked back to above him, the rainbow nebulas swirling above them, like a rainbow aurora borealis shining, with galaxies and stars mixed among the colored ribbons of light.

“Where…are we…?” Gabriel muttered, glancing up as Aaron and Enty walked closer, the four of them hanging close to each other.

“I…I don’t-” Aaron started, but he froze when he heard…voices.

“What heathen place is this…”

Scarecrow looked up in pure confusion when he heard…a Scottish accent.

“What…the fuck…” He whispered, his mind losing all semblance of logic.

A few yards away, they saw a man…in a kilt, looking like some…Scottish Highlander, a sword in his hand. Beside him, they saw…a knight. A knight in silver armor, his helmet in his hands as he too looked around in confusion.

“Uh…” Scarecrow muttered, absolutely lost. Hearing more voices next to them, they turned, and saw two women as well, one in…traditional Egyptian garb, and one who appears to be a Native American, both staring at the sky in fear.

“Ok, I’m lost…” Aaron muttered in defeat, not having any answer.

“You and I both…”

Turning in fear, Aaron saw a man next to him, wearing some white futuristic outfit on, with what looked like an image of Mars on the front. He had a glowing gold holographic visor over his eyes as he stared around them.

“Who…w-what?!” Aaron yelled, not understanding a thing.

“Woah, you got hair like mine…”

Gabriel blinked, a calm voice from behind him aimed at him. He pulled away from Scarecrow and saw a…tall ragged man kneeling behind him, wearing…very rainbow clothes, and tinted pink glasses. He had a dazed smile on his face, and long hair, though it was somewhat messy.

“We have arrived in the underworld!”

“You think that scares me?”

Enty blinked, sensing…tension in the air. He turned and saw two more people there. One was…a Roman centurion, and the other…a bulky man, wearing a coat with animal fur on it, and he had a large sword on his belt. He looked like some barbarian from the movies.

Enty shivered. He saw blood on the sword.

“What the fuck is going ON?!” Scarecrow yelled, less scared and more confused now. He saw the Roman and Barbarian standing off, arguing. He saw the knight kneeling before his sword, and the Futureman typing something in on some glowing panel on his arm. He saw the Egyptian and Native American, both bowed as low as they could go, muttering things in odd languages. He saw the Highlander looking around, tension in his eyes. He looked over and saw the Hippie lifting up a strand of Gabriel’s hair, smiling as he almost paid no attention to the world around him.

‘Welcome…’

“Jesus Christ…” Scarecrow hissed, a booming voice echoing around them without a source. He saw the Native American and Egyptian tremble more, staying bowed. The Knight looked up, his wide eyes searching for the voice.

“It may be him…” The Hippie said quietly, meeting Scarecrow’s confused eyes.

‘You have entered the cranial vistas of psychogenesis. This is the place of no-time and no-space.’

“Well, that clears things up…” Aaron muttered to himself, though he had to admit…he felt scared. Scarecrow looked down, and saw Gabriel was trembling now, his wide and scared eyes darting around the rainbow starry sky. Scarecrow pulled him a bit tighter.

‘Do not be afraid…for I am merely the vocal manifestation of your eternal dreams. I am as water, as air - like breath itself. Do not be afraid.’

Scarecrow swallowed nervously. He saw no source to the voice. It was like…it was in his own mind, speaking to him from inside.

‘Look around, but linger not. Where I lead you will follow. Mark these words well. Ignite my anger with your delay and punishments will come your way.’

Aaron felt Enty grab his hand, and he held it back, fear creeping up his spine. This was wrong…what was this?

“Who are you, voice of stars?!” The Knight yelled out, stepping closer. “Reveal thineself to us!”

Scarecrow had to commend the nerve. But…he could still hear a tremor in the noble man’s voice.

‘You are twelve souls of the flesh, chosen from different eras ancient and modern. The trivia of your mortal lives is unimportant to me...indeed, some may die...’ The voice said, his tone almost teasing.

Gabriel’s eyes widened and he felt his heart rate pick up. Scarecrow hugged him tighter, though Gabriel could feel Scarecrow’s own fear radiating off him. Aaron and Enty kneeled by them, huddling close. The voice just carried on, seemingly not caring about their fear.

‘You have a task: to release yourselves from this Web of Wisdom, this knotted Maze of Delirium, you must enter the nuclear portals of the Electric Castle!’

The group flinched with a cry as a bolt of lightning boomed across the sky, as if on cue. Once the boom faded, all fell to silence.

“The…what?” Aaron asked, though proving the voice didn’t care…it remained silent. They all did for a few moments, awaiting more instruction, but none came. The group just looked around at each other in confusion, some in fear.

“Electric castle…” Gabriel muttered to himself, looking around. That name…felt familiar…

“Look!” The Roman yelled, pointing. The group turned, and in the direction the lightning struck, they saw…more land appear, a path clearing from starry golden haze out of nothingness.

“Our path forward has been provided…” The Highlander muttered, stepping closer.

The group watched as the colored haze cleared, and after a moment, they saw a way forward, the island expanded, though they couldn’t see far as a glittering gold fog covered the distance like an endless ocean.

‘There is danger ahead. But do not be afraid, for I am with you like breath itself.’ The voice said, returning.

Gabriel held his head with a groan, the voice in his mind, loud and cutting. He hated it…

Something was in his head…

“Do not be afraid?! You just said ‘some may die!’” Aaron yelled, not having any more. They were in danger here. His family was in danger. He couldn’t let it continue.

‘Darkness will lead to light…color will bleed into the night. Beautiful colors, the like of which you have never seen. Let the dream of confusion lead you into the virgin light!’ The voice continued, ignoring Aaron’s cries.

After he said that, the sky seemed to shift above them. They saw the swirling aurora of colors blend and meld together in hazy, cloudy, nebulous swirls, the stars glittering through them like the clearest sky in the universe. The aurora shifted its shape, and the group watched the colors expand toward the newly revealed path, as if to show the way they should go, the ribbon wavering like a glittering river of color above them.

‘Be gone! Be all-seeing, be brave...b̴̥͗e̶͇͂̃ ̴͔̈́̊g̴͉͗ͅő̷̭̪̔n̷̈͜e̶̫̽̽…’

Chapter Text

“What the hell…” Scarecrow whispered, the last words of the voice sounding almost…mechanical.

“We are alone once more…” The Highlander said, cutting through the silence as he sheathed his sword. “His words…did not answer our questions.”

“You got that right…” Aaron said, pulling himself to his feet. He looked around, the whole group shaken and confused, except for…

“This is groovy, man…what a trip…” The Hippie said whimsically, standing as well, though he wavered on his feet a bit. Scarecrow could smell the strong scent of marijuana coming off him.

“Are we…dead…?” Gabriel asked, looking around.

“I doubt it, son…” The Futureman said, pushing his visor up. “We are all aware, and I don’t know about you, but…I still feel a heartbeat…”

“We are crossing over to the other side of life!” The Indian then shouted, her voice both scared and excited. “It has been foretold for eons in our legends of old…we must go n the final journey to the beyond…”

“Lass, this is no holy place!” The Highlander yelled, though the Indian went back to kneeling. “I refuse to believe this is God’s creation!”

Gabriel looked around, and he found…he had to agree. These stars, this world…it wasn’t natural. It felt almost…fake. Artificial, like one of Scarecrow’s video games…

“What do you think this is then, sire?” The Knight said, walking closer. He had long hair, though it was tied back, his face battle-worn, but his eyes were bright.

“A quest for certain, but to where…I cannot say.” The Highlander said, looking to the path they were told to follow. “They think this is for salvation, but…I only sense…that the end is near…”

“Hey, you don’t need to be so pessimistic!” Scarecrow yelled, pulling himself to his feet, though Gabriel kept his hand in his.

“The dark-eyed one is right! This is a noble quest!” The Knight said brightly, a smile on his face. “Beyond those stone gates is the path to Avalon! Look, we are on an island, just as the tales foretold…we will find the holy grail here…” He said, causing Gabriel’s eyes to widen.

“No, you’re wrong!” The Roman yelled, storming over away from the Barbarian. “We are slaves here for eternity to this voice of the stars! This is the underworld! We must fight our way to salvation!” He yelled, pulling his own sword out. “I call on Jupiter to show us the way! We shall find our way out of this damnation…”

“The fields of Yaaru lie waiting for us all!”

The group turned, and saw the Egyptian was kneeling, before her, some odd symbols drawn in the fine silver sand.

“Rejoice! The great judges have ruled…we have been chosen to enter the great hall of Isis and Osiris!”

“Who?! What?!” Scarecrow yelled, his mind reeling. “WHO EVEN ARE YOU PEOPLE?!”

“You are all wrong! We are trapped here in darkness, we are departed souls, mislaid spirits…we must find the way to the light!” The Roman yelled, his face turned to the sky. “I call on Mars, the ancient god of war! Grant me the power to free us from this evil…”

“It is the gateway to the great hall!”

“Avalon!”

“The underworld!”

“The spirits…”

“It’s trippy, whatever it is…”

Aaron stood back, his tired eyes blinking as the group began arguing. He turned and saw the Futureman beside him, also looking jaded.

“You all are misguided…” The Highlander muttered, though the only one who heard him was Enty, who stood closest to him. He saw his eyes scanning the starry sky. “Can you see the stars?” He asked, meeting Enty’s eyes. Enty nodded, looking up with the man. “Can you recognize the constellations?”

“No…” Enty answered, not one star familiar to him.

“This journey is wrong…if only I could see the hills that we are supposed to climb, but…” He said, his eyes drifting to their path, hidden by glistening starry haze. He looked back up, and Enty watched him hold his hand out. “Even the sunlight…doesn’t warm…” He said, and Enty did the same, feeling the faint light of the infinite stars on his hand. “How are we going to find our way? If we can’t recognize the stars…or the constellations…where do we go?” He asked, looking back to Enty, who didn’t have an answer. The Highlander sighed, looking towards the group of arguing misfits. “The quest they speak of…it isn’t bound for glory, nor will any grail exist within this heathen land…”

“They just have hope…” Enty muttered, though the Highlander scoffed.

“I lost hope a long time ago, lad…you think we find ourselves at the gates of new salvation, as they all do, but…” He paused, his tired eyes longing. Enty saw pain in them. So much pain…

What had this man been through?

“I can only sense…the end is near…” He muttered tiredly, turning away.

Enty tilted his head in confusion, some dread in his chest. Everyone had a different idea of where they were…

Who was right…?

Chapter Text

“You all are fools…” The Barbarian finally said, the only of them who had been overly quiet. He walked over, his manner threatening, his eyes dark. He placed himself before the group, all now looking at him. “This is some dark and evil jest…a cursed keep indeed…” He said, reaching down as he picked up a handful of the sand. The silver dust fell through his hands, drifting to the cold ground.

“Are you scared, fighter?” The Roman said, almost smugly. Enty cringed when he felt pure rage emanate from the Barbarian. They watched him stomp over to the center of their circle, his sword tight in his fist.

“God forbid, I am no coward!” He screamed, his voice booming and deep. “Pitted against monster, man, or ghost, I shall wield my blade with crimson gusto, for I’m the proud barbarian host!” He screamed, pointing the tip of the bloody sword towards the Roman who didn’t so much as flinch.

“Hey dude, you’re so uncool, but hey, that’s alright…” The Hippie said, walking over lightly as he stood before the raging Barbarian. “Like, there’s no need to get uptight!” He said with a smile, lightly poking the Barbarian’s chest.

“That hippie is gonna die…” Aaron whispered tiredly to himself, the Futureman nodding beside him.

“You little-” The Barbarian started, reaching his hand out to grab the Hippie, but the tall, thin man turned, holding his arms out to the sky.

“My eyes reflect the stars, and a smile lights up my face…” He said in wonder, the stars indeed reflecting off his rose-glasses as he stared upwards, still wavering on his feet a bit. “Can’t you see? We’re on an amazing flight in space!”

“Do not patronize me!” The Barbarian yelled, shoving the Hippie out of his way. The tall man fell to the ground, though he just let out a laugh, turning himself over as he laid on his back, staring at the stars.

“I shook city walls and destroyed towers! Wreaking havoc in the streets!” The Barbarian yelled, turning to face everyone around him. “Burned palaces of cowardly kings, and not one stood up to me, the fools…” He hissed. “I have borne bloody banners in blazing skies, brandished battle-axe and broadsword!” He screamed, holding his bloody sword up to the skies above him, the red glistening in the unnatural light. “LET DRUMS OF GLORY SOUND LIKE THUNDER!!! HAIL, BARBARIC WARLORD!!!”

“Hey, dude, you’re so uncool…” The Hippie muttered, practically repeating what he had just said as the Barbarian continued his exclamation.

“I load my black stallion with grim determination!”

“This guy’s nuts…” Scarecrow muttered to Aaron, the man staring at the scene.

“Let’s just…avoid this one…” Aaron said, not liking the blood on the man’s sword.

“Righteous men would hang me!” The bulky man yelled, turning to meet Gabriel’s scared gaze. He saw the Barbarian stare at the cross around his neck. “But I’d give them hell to pay…” He sneered, though Scarecrow pulled Gabriel back, standing before him. The Barbarian stood before Scarecrow, a smug smile on his face as Scarecrow stared back at him, fierceness in his eyes. “Cause’ nothing is as dangerous…” The Barbarian said, pointing his sword up towards Scarecrow. “As a barbarian warlord…”

Scarecrow just glared at him, though he knew he was no match. The man was over a foot taller than him, and was obviously muscular and fit. He could snap Scarecrow like a twig.

The Barbarian smirked, lowering his sword as he backed away, and Scarecrow let out a breath. He felt Gabriel grab his arm, holding it tight.

“Crow…”

“I’m fine…just…” He said, staring at the Barbarian as he began walking ahead towards the path. “Just…stay away from him…I don’t trust him…” He said, earning a quick nod from Gabriel. The two hung close, just taking a breather as they heard the Indian chanting before them, not paying attention to anything that just happened.

Chapter Text

Aaron sighed, watching the group argue. He turned, noticing the Futureman was still beside him, his eyes lost.

“Hey…you’ve been quiet…” Aaron asked, though the man kept his eyes to the horizon.

“Form the undersea cities, to the eastern skyways…the lunar stations, to the reaches beyond Neptune…I am a sophisticated man, well-educated and rational…wouldn’t you say I should understand this?” He asked genuinely, meeting Aaron’s gaze.

“I mean…I’ve seen some strange things, but…even this is beyond me…” He answered, and the man nodded.

“So many possibilities…is it simply an odd design fooling us? An elaborate jest, as the warlord said? Or…is it as the voice said…” He muttered, tension in his words. “Are we truly launched into a time beyond time…a space beyond space…or are we lost in some cyberworld? And…is there even a way out…?”

Aaron was about to answer when someone else beat him to it.

“I don’t understand your strange words…” The Knight said innocently, walking closer. “They strike as hard as steel…I just know what my purpose is and I am sure this is it!” He yelled, pointing to some medallion on his chest with an engraving on it. “I am sworn to the sacred quest on the Isle of Avalon…I must retrieve the magic chalice, which has the power to heal…even the gravest wounds…” He said, his voice almost…sad. The Knight shook his head, his smile returning. “Only the pure of heart are received into the realm! And I am ready for the quest!” He said, and without another word, he turned, following the Barbarian towards the new path.

“Uh…” Aaron started, though the Roman stood forward, his sword in his hands and a determination in his eyes.

“Just look around you now, tell me what you see! This treacherous world of deceit…” He said firmly, pointing his sword to the sky. “Skies of silver and seas of gold…” He said, eying golden haze in the horizon, like an ocean blocking their view. “We all are here from different realms…the past is young…” he said, eying Gabriel. “And the future old…” He said, his eyes falling onto the Futureman, who definitely was older than the rest of them, though still…they all were here, in the same time. “We are stuck here, closed in by iron gates!” He yelled, pointing to the archways where their path continued. “Beyond them, Elysium…far away from the edge of the world, in a time beyond time…space beyond space!” He yelled, quoting the Futureman. “We are lost here in the underworld! Is there no way out…?” He finished, and without another word, he turned, following the Knight.

The group watched as the others followed as well, with the Egyptian, Indian, Hippie, and Highlander following suit, leaving the rest alone.

The Futurman sighed, shaking his head.

“I should understand…I know, from the birthcry of our race, to the mysteries of space…why don’t I understand…” He said, walking away a bit.

Aaron’s mind reeled, and for a moment, he saw himself there, frustrated by the mysteries of time and space…

“H-hey…” Aaron yelled, following him. “We may not understand this now, but…we will. We just have to play along…for a bit…” He said, eying the path ahead. The Futureman nodded, a small smile forming on his face.

“Yes…yes, perhaps…I live in a time where everything is seemingly known…it is…nice…discovering something again…” He said, continuing his walking, following the group. Aaron gave a small smile and turned, eying the other three.

“Come on…maybe we’ll find answers if we continue…” He said, motioning for the others to follow.

“But what if we don’t?” Enty asked, walking by his side, his enjoyment gone.

“Then we’ll just work to get home…no matter what happens.” Aaron said, leading the other three onward as they trailed behind the other eight.

Even if they never understood…they just had to survive. They had to survive…and get home.

Chapter Text

The group carried on into the golden fog, the path somewhat hidden before them. They could only see a few yards ahead, and around them, hardly anything. They could see odd stone arches above them, like an odd tunnel. The glittering aurora of rainbow colors still hung overhead, the stars glistening beyond it.

“You…really don’t have any idea what this could be?” Scarecrow whispered to Aaron, who shrugged.

“No idea…all these people, picked randomly out of different times…thrown into some…alternate dimension to play some…game?” He said, genuinely confused, which didn’t reassure Scarecrow. “I haven’t a clue, Crow…”

“Me neither…”

“I just hope if we play along, we’ll get out of this alive…” He said, earning a nod from Scarecrow. They had all survived so much until now…they couldn’t give up now.

“The end of our trail…” The Knight said, pointing his sword ahead.

The group stopped, and saw a clearing, the same silver sand in the middle, though the sides were tall stone walls, with vines and colorful sparkling flowers growing on them. In the center of the clearing, beneath the rainbow starry sky, was a giant weeping willow tree, about as tall as a two-story house, its green vines shimmering, wavering slightly to a breeze they couldn’t feel.

“A tree? What insult is this…where are the demons to slay…” The Barbarian said in frustration, sheathing his own sword as well.

‘Ah, my friends! So light of foot. So swift. You have come this far…’

“Friends?” Scarecrow sneered, crossing his arms as the mystery voice cut through their minds.

‘And now! Here beneath the ancient, omniscient boughs of the Decision Tree…one of you must depart this world of flesh.’

“What?!” The Roman yelled, and Gabriel and Enty clung to each other tighter, a small cry escaping Gabriel as the Knight pulled out his sword.

“What trickery is this?!” The Knight yelled to the sky, pointing his sword upwards.

‘Only eleven may continue. Only you can decide...’

Aaron just stood in shock as the voice faded, and all went quiet.

“One must die for us to continue?” The Futureman said, worry in his voice.

“Oh…” Gabriel cried, hiding his face in Enty’s shoulder.

“OI, MYSTERY VOICE!!! THIS ISN’T FAIR, YOU FUCKER!!!” Scarecrow screamed, his voice shaking.

“Let it be known, I won’t be the one to die here.” The Barbarian said, crossing his arms as the Highlander stared at him in shock.

“You cannot choose this yourself and leave one of us to die!” He screamed, though the Barbarian was unphased.

“Honor and glory are heaped upon my name. Let it be known, I am not the one who cries here…what about the small one, the one who’s lost to shame…” He sneered, pointing his sword towards the tearful Gabriel who let out another cry, with Enty holding him tighter, turning him away as Aaron stood before them.

“NO!!! Back off, fucker!!!” Scarecrow screamed, standing by Aaron’s side.

“I am not ready to face the gods…” The Egyptian whispered, kneeling before the tree. “The trial is not yet over…”

“You bastard, if you think you can condemn these lives yourself, you are mistaken!” The Highlander screamed, standing before the Barbarian.

“I’m alive…wanna stay that way.” The Hippie said with a shrug, eying one of the flowers on the wall.

“We’ll survive…we all will…there must be some trick to this…” The Futureman said, scanning the area. “A hidden doorway, perhaps…”

“If we must fight for our freedom…let it be…” The Barbarian said smugly, drawing his sword, causing the Roman to unsheathe his.

“We are all alive and it shall stay that way, brute…” The man said, standing his ground. “You want to meet the gods so bad? Then give yourself up!”

“I will do no such thing…Thor has chosen me to battle at his side…I must finish this quest to see it come to be…I was born to go down fighting, not give in so weaklings may live…what about the craven, the one who’s lost his pride?!” The man yelled, pointing to the Highlander whose eyes widened in shock.

“Me?! You are nothing, you storyteller! I’ve seen your type before!” The man screamed, shoving the Roman out of the way as he stood before the Barbarian. “You talk of battle, but all you tell are stories…I have truly seen blood, war, and battle! I have raised bloody banners and killed more than I can count!” He screamed, though the Barbarian didn’t budge. “I have buried children, and you will soon see me in a shallow grave before laying my life down for a worm like yourself…” He sneered, his hands shaking as he stared him down.

“You may have battled once, but I see your tired eyes, old man…” The Barbarian sneered with a small smile. “You couldn’t lay your life down if you wanted to…I see none left here…” He said, motioning to the Highlander, who stood back, his eyes rageful and lost.

Enty could see his hands shaking worse, though he couldn’t tell from what exactly…the man’s emotions were all over the place…but he could feel…guilt…suffocating guilt…

“My life is laid down with the lives I have taken…what life have you, eh?” He screamed, poking the Barbarian’s chest.

“A life worthy of golden palaces…I say you give up your waste of a life now before I take it…” He said, and the Highlander clenched his teeth.

“I will not do as you say, I am nobody’s slave! I will perish by my own choice, not of some storyteller!” He sneered, taking a step back. “So, leave me be, brute!” He screamed, flinching when the Barbarian held his sword up, pointing it at the Highlander’s heart.

“Oh, this is getting out of hand…” Aaron muttered, though before he could interfere, the group all flinched, a bright light filling the clearing.

They looked ahead and saw a tunnel made of pure light on the far wall, swirling like stardust before them.

Chapter Text

“Oh, what now…” Scarecrow grumbled, staring at the new door. It was the opening of a tunnel, made of pure light. The edges glittered like stars, fading away into the wall like glitter as they swirled around. The light cast strong shadows around them, and none could see into the portal.

‘Be joyful, my friends! You will now enter the Tunnel of Light. Let brilliance suffuse your souls! Make your choice. Your path is incandescent.’ The voice cut through inside their minds, brighter than it was before, almost…excited. But still sounding so fake…

“Joyful?!” The Knight yelled, sheathing his own sword. “One must perish before we enter the gate of Avalon! What joy is there to be found?”

“Ra, Heliopolis…ka…anenti…” The Ehyptian muttered, bowing before the tunnel.

“The gate to Elysium is before us…” The Roman muttered, eying the swirling light.

“It is Avalon…” The Knight added, standing by his side, his silver armor glistening and reflecting the shining light.

“The legend has begun…” The Indian whispered, her eyes wide and lost as she stood before the tunnel.

“A-Aaron, what do we do?” Gabriel cried, grabbing Aaron’s arm. Aaron glanced beside him at the Futureman, both looking lost in thought.

“Can we go through without making a choice?” The man said, taking a step closer. “Must someone die?”

“I…am not sure I wanna test that…” Scarecrow muttered, though the Futureman kept walking.

“Spare yourself, I shall test this…” He said, walking closer.

The group watched as the man in white stood before the tunnel, his shadow cast far behind him. He reached his hand up to the portal, though once he touched it…

“Oh…” He said in defeat, his hand touching a solid surface. He ran his hand over the rest of the portal, but couldn’t push through.

“Someone…really has to die…” Enty whispered, some tears filling his eyes.

“We will enter Avalon together!” The knight yelled, stepping forward as the Futureman backed away.

“Elysium!”

“The great hall…”

“The ream of kings and glory…”

Scarecrow looked beside him, noticing Gabriel had been quiet. The man was staring at the light, his wide eyes glistening in the bright light.

“Gabe?”

“What if…it is Heaven…” Gabriel whispered, causing Scarecrow’s heart to drop. “What if…we all have died…and this is the path to the stars…a-and…and we c-can’t go home-”

“Gabe, come on, snap out of it…” Scarecrow said, shaking Gabriel a bit as he forced him to look his way.

“T-the shining tree…t-the holy sand…the light…” Gabriel cried, some tears in his eyes. “Like t-the burning bush of Moses…w-what if we are entering the Lord’s kingdom-”

“Gabe, we aren’t dead!” Scarecrow yelled, somewhat scared as he met Gabriel’s now lost eyes, the silver light almost shining from them. “We’re alive! We will survive! So, snap out of it!”

“B-but…if we perish here…in this holy place…we will find our way to Him…” Gabriel said, turning to the tree that was glistening in the bright, unnatural light.

Scarecrow felt Gabriel try to pull away from him, but he held him tighter, and he looked up to Aaron.

“Clockwork, somethin' weird is going on…” Scarecrow muttered in worry, looking beyond them.

The saw the Knight and Roman both almost hypnotized by the light, with the Egyptian and Indian still bowing before it. The hippie was just still examining the flowers, and the Barbarian looked almost annoyed they weren’t moving forward.

“Perhaps it is a test of faith…” The Futureman said, walking up to Aaron’s side. Aaron watched him wave his hand before Gabriel’s eyes, though he didn’t so much as blink, his eyes locked on the tunnel. “It is drawing the faithful towards it, enticing their minds with their beliefs…”

“You don’t have faith, then?” Scarecrow muttered, holding Gabriel tighter when he tried to pull away again. The Futureman shook his head.

“I have tried, but I am a man of science…what of you?”

“I…don’t know…” Scarecrow whispered, looking away. He had tried to believe, but…he always fell away.

“And neither I nor Enty could ever decide on it…” Aaron said, looking behind him at Enty who was also unaffected.

“I can see that Hippie and Barbarian as similar…”

“So…what do we do? Is this even part of the trial?” Aaron asked, looking at the others who, like Gabriel, were almost fixated on the light in some trance.

“The voice said we must enter the tunnel, so it must be a way out, but…”

“But we can’t enter unless someone dies…” Scarecrow muttered back, dread filling his heart.

“And this light…this tree…it is calling the faithful…” The Futureman said, looking behind him at the unnatural light. “They will be stuck like this unless we make our choice…”

“Heaven…” Gabriel whispered weakly, reaching an arm out towards the tree, the light behind it making it seem like it was aflame.

“Gabe, stop that…” Scarecrow grumbled, yanking him back again, though Gabriel’s unblinking eyes were locked on the light, his face blank.

“They offer me light…when I only know darkness…”

The group turned, eying the Highlander who stood beneath the tree, his shadow flickering in the light as he touched the silver bark.

“I must go home…to the darkness…I am not ready to face the Almighty…not with my sins…no…” He muttered, and the group watched him fall to his knees before the tree, his shadow growing fainter.

“H-hey, what are you-” Aaron started, though the kilted man bowed his head, falling to his hands.

“In the shadows of broken promises, I guard my dreams…the children I buried…I cannot face them in the light…I have failed…I am too weary…I must rest…” He whispered, and Aaron’s eyes widened when the man collapsed to his side at the base of the tree, his shadow mixing with that of the tree.

“Hey!” Aaron yelled, running to his side. He kneeled beside him, grabbing his arm as he turned him a bit. He saw his eyes, sunken and dark, a tear sliding down his cheek. His eyes were miles away.

“I w-will just…close my eyes…” The man choked, the last word a cracked whisper as his chest fell, and Aaron saw…didn’t rise again.

Aaron kneeled there, his own eyes wide as some tears filled them. The man was pale and unmoving, unbreathing. Aaron looked up behind him, the others staring back in sorrow. Aaron just closed his eyes, shaking his head as he sat back.

He heard footsteps and looked up, noticing the Futureman above him, looking at him with sad eyes.

“Look…” He whispered sadly, pointing up. Aaron looked up, beyond the tree, and saw the others enter the shining tunnel, vanishing into the light. Sighing. Aaron took the Futureman’s hand, holding it tight as he let him be helped up.

He turned and saw Scarecrow there, still holding Gabriel who was trying to walk towards the tunnel. Nodding, Aaron, stood by him, also holding Gabriel as they stood before the light.

“It will be ok…this game cannot end that quickly…” The Futureman whispered, hope in his voice. Aaron nodded, watching the man walk into the light, vanishing from view. He felt Enty by his side, and Aaron closed his eyes, taking a step closer into the light.

And all feeling faded away.

Chapter Text

Aaron shook his head with a groan, solid ground appearing beneath him. He blinked, spots in his eyes as they adjusted to the dimmer light.

“Oh…my head…” Gabriel muttered, rubbing his eyes. “What…happened?” He asked, looking up, though he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh when Enty tackled him in a hug, holding him tight.

“You’re back!”

“Did I…go somewhere…?”

“Enty, geez, let him breathe…” Scarecrow said in relief, seeing the life back in Gabriel’s eyes. It seemed it was the same for the others as well, as the rest of the group was looking around in aware confusion.

“Where are we now, eh?” The Roman said, looking ahead at the golden starry fog blocking their way.

“Why is it so…hot…” Aaron grumbled, adjusting his collar as he became aware of the rising temperature. It felt like the hottest day of summer…

“Behold, a new trial of our quest begins…” The Knight said, pointing ahead. The group followed his gaze, their eyes widening when the golden smog cleared.

“Oh, fuck this…” Scarecrow whispered to himself, his face paling.

Before them…was another island, far in the distance, and it was connected by a rainbow bridge, made of light and colors. The colors were starry, like the aurora above them, constantly shifting colors, glowing bright.

Below the bridge…raging fire. Molten red and black, a brine of raging darkness and flame, like lava swirling below. It fell off into space on the sides, leading into a starry abyss.

The only way to the other side was over the bridge of rainbow light, the colors swirling and fluctuating, like ghostly flames dancing in the searing light.

“What…the…fuck…” Scarecrow hissed, and he felt Gabriel grab his hand again, though…he honestly needed it just as much. He gripped back harder, taking comfort in his friend by his side.

“Oh, this can’t end well…” Aaron muttered brokenly, dread filling his chest. He flinched, however, with the others, as the hidden booming voice returned.

‘And now this rainbow bridge…an iridescent span of tears…so fragile and yet so strong. Will it support your mortal shells? Or will you fall into the fiery brine below?’

Enty shuddered at the voice’s last words, with them sounding so foreboding and eerie…almost garbled…

“A bridge? Truly?” The Barbarian scoffed, stepping closer to the edge of the cliff where the ground fell away and the bridge of rainbow light started. “I have faced harder trials in my own world…fiery seas, nonsense! The gods shall see I am worthy to cross…” He said smugly, stepping forward as Aaron’s heart skipped.

But they saw him stand on it, as if it were solid. He turned back to them, smirking, before turning away, his sword tight in his fist.

“The gods await my presence…” He said, walking forward.

His feet were covered by the shifting rainbow fog, hiding the solid ground beneath. But he didn’t fall through.

“Well…if he can cross, anyone should…fucker…” Scarecrow grumbled, crossing his arms.

“It hurts to look at…” Enty whispered, and Gabriel turned, noticing Enty had his eyes covered with his hands.

“H-here…” Gabriel said, pulling off his gray shawl. He put it over Enty’s eyes, blocking the light as he secured it.

“B-but I can’t see the bridge…w-what if I f-fall…” Enty cried, looking around blindly. He looked down when he felt Gabriel take his hand in his.

“I won’t let you fall…” Gabriel said firmly, meeting Aaron’s eyes. Gabriel gave him a determined look then turned, leading Enty to the edge. Scarecrow and Aaron followed, ready to grab them.

Gabriel looked down, eying the swirling brine of fire and darkness below the bridge. He felt the hellfire of heat radiating off it. He closed his own eyes a moment, and used his free hand to grab his cross necklace.

He had faith.

They would get home…they all would get home…alive…

Clinging to his hope, he opened his eyes, and took the first step. Flinching, he awaited the possibility of falling, but he felt…he was standing on solid ground. He looked down, his feet hidden by rainbow swirling, glowing fog. He moved his foot a bit. It almost felt like ice…or a smooth crystalline surface below.

But it was solid.

Looking behind him as he nodded at Aaron and Scarecrow, he held Enty’s hand tighter, and began walking. He kept his one hand on his necklace, and the other tight in Enty’s hand, his friend hanging close. He wanted to cover his own eyes from the searing, headache-inducing bright colors, but he didn’t dare let go of his necklace or Enty.

Aaron, feeling hope himself, walked side-by-side with Scarecrow, and felt the solid surface below.

They were doing it.

Taking in a deep breath, not daring look over the edge into the fire, he focused on the other side, and kept walking. He heard the others behind him, making their way as well.

Scarecrow looked back, and saw the Knight was behind him, his eyes lost as he walked. He didn’t look afraid.

“This…doesn’t phase you?” He asked softly to the Knight, who was a tad taller than him, now walking beside him. The Knight shook his head.

“I must get to Avalon…I must…” He said, his voice determined.

“If I may ask…why do you wanna get there so bad? Aren’t you like…a knight for a king? Aren’t you set already?” Scarecrow asked, and he saw the Knight give a small smile.

“Indeed, this is true…I am one of the knights of the round table…”

“Wait, like…THE round table?!” Scarecrow yelled in disbelief, causing the Knight to laugh.

“So, our legacy carries on to your time, then?”

“Oh, yeah, it does…”

“That is reassuring…but, it is not why I must finish this quest…” He said, his smile fading. “I must find the grail…for her…”

“Her?” Scarecrow asked, confused as the Knight nodded.

“I hark back to olden days, and to her…with her magic ways…we were two souls in harmony…”

“Your…lover?” Scarecrow asked softly, the Knight nodding again, his eyes lost.

“The cruel wings of destiny took her from me…I suppose it was punishment for my sins…”

“But…you seem…nice?” Scarecrow asked awkwardly. Out of everyone here…this guy was showing to be quite kind…

“I made errors in my time…innocent deaths by my ignorance…once recently…” He said, regret in his voice.

“Do you…wanna…talk about it?” Scarecrow asked, trying not be weird.

“Not much to say, sire…a minstrel was wrongfully killed by our hands…not a friend of mine personally, but…an innocent soul nonetheless. He was wrongfully killed, I see now…I could have stopped his arrest, but…but…”

“You…didn’t?”

“No, thus is my sin…I was…afraid to speak out against the other knights, as it was an order from Merlin…he too had regret, but at the time…we dare not disobey the sorcerer. But now my cowardice…caused this minstrel’s life. Thus, a life was taken from me in exchange…”

“Oh…I…I see…”

“Hence why I must find the grail!” The Knight said, a forced smile on his face. “I…I must prove myself to the gods! That is this quest! Then once I can do such a thing…I shall take the grail back home…and heal her once more…so she can be at my side again amid the stars…”

Scarecrow looked away; his mind lost. This quest…couldn’t be what was actually happening. But…he couldn’t tell this man otherwise.

“Well…I hope you find it. And…I guess…we’ll help you…if we can.” Scarecrow said, and the Knight looked at him, smiling.

“Ah, I thank thee, odd one!” The man said lightly, pulling Scarecrow into a one-armed hug, though it hurt a bit from the man’s metal armor. “And if all else…mayhaps it is true I at least found a friend in this eternal quest…”

“Heh, sure, buddy…sure…” Scarecrow said, pulling back as they kept walking.

It was something, at least…that much was true.

He paused, yelling grabbing his attention.

“Oh, what now?!” He yelled, eying the Hippie who was behind them, his eyes wide as he stood in the middle of the bridge, blocking it.

“Scarlet crimson, rosy red…” He muttered, staring with fixated eyes on the colors swirling around him. “A cosmic eiderdown…”

“WILL YOU PUSH ON, YOU?!” The Futureman yelled, grabbing the Hippie’s arm, trying to drag him along.

‘Step forward. Beyond lies your goal: the Electric Castle! The past is gone! Do you wish to lapse in limbo forever? No, no, no! Be resolute…there are trials ahead - and rewards for those who strive…the Surreal Search endures...’

“You heard the voice, get over here!!!” Scarecrow yelled, grabbing the dazed Hippie along with the Futureman. “He said before! We delay, we die! So COME ON!!!” He screamed, yanking the somewhat laughing man along.

“Must be dead…or stoned out of my head…”

“One of those things are true…” Scarecrow grumbled, walking along in annoyance.

“We have made it…” The Roman said, following Scarecrow off the bridge as they stood on solid ground once more.

The group flinched, a sharp crumbling sound alerting them, like shattering glass. They spun around, and watched as the rainbow bridge shattered, the pieces falling into the fiery ocean below.

“Guess we must go onwards only…” The Knight said, looking ahead.

“And I think…we’re almost there…” Aaron said, looking up. The group followed his gaze, and beyond a thick, forest-like mess of plants before them, they saw a tall hill, and on top…an odd, unearthly structure, the twisted spires reaching the stars above.

Chapter Text

TW: BLOOD

‘Behold! The Star Towers of the Electric Castle! See how it embraces the sky! How insignificant the mere mortal, dwarfed by the majesty of its electric edifice!’ The booming voice echoed, causing Gabriel to grab his head as it resonated loudly behind his eyes.

“So, we have arrived at our quest’s end…” The Knight said, eying the…foreboding twisted structure, the space behind it lacking of color. The rainbow sky above them bled away around it, leaving only black.

‘But first, my eleven searchers…you must meander through the verdant vines of the Garden of Emotions. Succumb to its allure. Breathe deep the intoxicating aroma of endless, entwined emotions...’

“The garden of what?!” Scarecrow yelled, though the voice was silent once more.

“A trivial task…humph.” The Barbarian said flatly, drawing his sword as he walked towards the wall of plant-life before them, too thick to see far into. “Trivial as a child’s game…”

“Just…walk through a garden? Is that it…?” Aaron asked, the Futureman shrugging.

“I feel a catch is looming…though we won’t see until we are among it…” The man said, turning to walk forward as well.

The rest followed, with the Barbarian, Roman, and Knight all cutting various hanging vines with their swords, clearing the way.

“There is a path here…” The Roman said, pointing at the worn dirt ground. “This is the way…”

The group carried on, and Gabriel looked up, the sky now covered by the green tree canopy. The stars were gone, and the only light came from various glowing flowers and fireflies, scattered around the dense jungle around them.

“Some garden…fucker musta forgot to keep it trimmed…” Scarecrow grumbled, shoving a branch out of his way.

“I think it’s kinda groovy…” The Hippie said lightly, eying the trees and plants around them. “This world of fantasy, where no one else can go…”

“Glad you’re enjoying this, fucker…” Scarecrow hissed, though Aaron hit his arm.

“Crow, there is no reason to be that harsh!”

“Oh, shut up! I don’t need you lecturing me…” The man sneered, stomping ahead as Aaron crossed his arms with a huff.

“Honestly…” Aaron grumbled, carrying on. The Hippie just shrugged, following suit.

Gabriel kept walking, though he heard a whimper from behind him. He turned and saw Enty there, almost standing still, his head in his hands.

“Enty?”

“I…I don’t…feel well…” He groaned, gripping his hair as he wavered on his legs. Gabriel saw his branches wavering a bit more, wrapping around him.

“Enty, come on, we’re almost there…just take my hand…” Gabriel said, though Enty only groaned. Gabriel still grabbed his hand, leading him along, though he felt worry fill his chest, his heart racing a bit faster. He looked back and saw Enty had his eyes squeezed shut, his breathing picking up. “Uh…guys-”

“Amon-ra, have you come to seal m-my fate…”

Gabriel blinked, and saw the Egyptian kneeling behind them, the end of the group. She was on the ground, her eyes wide, and she was shaking. “Free my ka, how much longer must I wait…”

“Lady, are you ok?” Gabriel asked, though more yelling grabbed his attention. He spun around, and near the front of the group, he saw the Roman and the Barbarian facing each other, both having their swords drawn.

“What kind of god do you think you are?!” The Barbarian screamed, shoving the Roman back a bit, his gold armor making a dull thud as he was shoved into a tree. The Roman growled, standing back up.

“A warrior is what I am!”

“No, I am the wolf, you are but a lamb!”

“If you doubt my force, you’ll live no more!”

“You will end your war upon my sword!!”

“Oh, this is bad…” Aaron muttered, the two burly men only a sword’s length away as they screamed at each other back and forth.

“Buncha selfish idiots…” Scarecrow hissed, clenching his fist. He felt bad inside. His heart was racing. He couldn’t think straight…

“And the voices in the sky shall cause the soul to die!!!” The Indian yelled, falling to her knees with a scream as she covered her head. “We shall perish by this land!”

“Will you all CALM DOWN?!” Aaron yelled, though his cry went ignored.

“Whoever rivals me shall LOSE HIS HEAD!!!” The Barbarian screamed, raising his sword.

“You’ll endanger all our precious lives!” The Roman screamed, raising his own blade.

“I don’t care, I will survive!”

“THE VOICES!!!” The Indian screamed among the chaos, the woman falling into a bow. “F-fury and fear…our destiny is near…the spirits…the legend…”

“You all are so STUPID!!!” Scarecrow screamed, stepping over the woman on the ground as he got closer to the Barbarian and Roman. “Arguing ain’t gonna get us nowhere! So shut up, and get MOVING!!!”

“Like a twig of your size has any authority over me…how dare you speak to me in such a way…” The Barbarian sneered, turning away from the Roman as he faced Scarecrow.

“Crow…” Aaron wearily muttered, dread filling his chest when he saw Scarecrow facing off the Barbarian.

“I can speak to you however I want, fucker!” Scarecrow screamed, his heart racing faster. His blood felt hot. “You don’t know a damn thing you’re talking about, you moron! Your selfishness is gonna get us all KILLED!!!”

“If you all die, so be it…I will survive…” The Barbarian grumbled; his eyes locked on Scarecrow. “This is my quest…if I must use your blood to mark the path forward, I shall…”

“You’re all talk…” Scarecrow hissed. The Barbarian gave a wicked smile.

“You’re right…maybe I’ll use the blood of the long-haired one…” He said smugly, causing Scarecrow’s vision to go red. “He is weak…if he doesn’t die by my blade, this quest will see his corpse in the dust…”

“You better shut the fuck up before I make you…” Scarecrow sneered, clenching his fist as his vision swam.

“GAHHH!!!”

Aaron and the Futureman spun around, a sharp cry alerting them. The saw Enty fall to the ground, his body tense and shaking. He was on his side, trembling, his branches wrapping around more of him.

“E-Enty!” Gabriel cried, kneeling by his side. Enty’s eyes were squeezed shut, his breathing deep and fast. Gabriel felt tears form in his eyes, his heart doing circles. He felt sick, his worry making his stomach turn…

“What the hell is going on…” Aaron muttered, looking around. Everyone was a mess…

“The garden…” The Futureman said, looking towards Aaron.

“What?”

“It is the garden of emotions…it must be feeding on our negative emotions…we are at the mercy of some vile computer scheme…”

“Oh…oh no…” Aaron muttered, his heart dropping. He saw Enty, who was now still, though his breathing was still loud. “Enty is sensitive to emotions…he can’t handle being here…” He said in worry.

“And they are not helping…” The Futureman muttered, eying the Barbarian, Roman, and Scarecrow who were still arguing, their shouting getting louder. “We have to try to hide out antagonistic notions if we want to end this future dream…free our minds from anger and aggression…”

“Easier said than done…” Aaron muttered, looking back to Enty. Gabriel was beside him, sobbing now, tears streaming from his eyes.

“H-he…h-he’s hurt, I…I…” Gabriel cried, unable to control his tears.

“We need to get Enty out of here…” Aaron said, meeting the Futureman’s eyes.

“And to escape, we had better stand together as a team…let me get him, you get your other friend, we must get out of here before things get out of hand…” He said, running to Gabriel’s side. He kneeled down, and saw the inhuman man trembling, shaking as his odd branches wrapped around him.

“H-he…emot-tions…he…” Gabriel cried, his heart about to burst out of his chest. He looked up through tears when he saw the Futureman place his hand on his shoulder.

“It will be ok…help me get him up…” He said, and Gabriel nodded.

The two worked to pick up the limp Enty, putting him between them. His head hung low, though he would twitch or whimper occasionally, and he was looking more branch-covered than not now.

“Ok, now for-” Aaron started, turning towards Scarecrow, though his heart dropped when he saw him screaming at the Barbarian.

“YOU HURT MY FAMILY; I WILL KILL YOU RIGHT HERE!!!” Scarecrow screamed taking a step closer, prodding the Barbarian’s chest. The Barbarian let out a scream as well, lifting his sword up.

“I SAID TO NEVER TOUCH ME, MORTAL WEAKLING!!! YOUR OWN BLOOD SHALL MARK OUR PATH TO GLORY!!!” He screamed, reeling his sword back as Aaron’s eyes widened.

“SCARECROW!!!”

Scarecrow flinched, a hard force knocking him to the ground with a thud, the air getting knocked out of him. He groaned, coughing the silver dust away as he pushed himself up on shaking arms. He saw Aaron standing beside him.

“CLOCKWORK, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH-” He started, though Scarecrow’s rage vanished in a second, his blood freezing, when his vision fell on Aaron.

Aaron was behind him, standing before the Barbarian, right where Scarecrow had been. And Scarecrow saw the Barbarian’s sword…going right through the middle of Aaron’s chest.

All Scarecrow heard was deafening ringing mixed with the pounding of his blood in his ears. He watched, not feeling awake as the Barbarian yanked his sword back, the silver blade wet with crimson blood. Aaron's blood. Scarecrow’s eyes drifted to Aaron, who glanced down only a moment until his legs wavered and gave way, and he collapsed into a heap on the ground with a choked grasp.

“A-…A-Aaron…” Scarecrow whispered; his eyes locked on the…unmoving Aaron. Forcing his numb body to wake up, Scarecrow scurried over, kneeling by Aaron’s side. He threw his hand to his own mouth, covering it when he saw…only red.

Aaron’s entire chest was solid red, and he could even see the liquid gushing from the deep jagged wound. He also saw flowing red below Aaron, coming from the other end of his chest where the blade went through him. Aaron’s eyes were squeezed closed, and his chest was heaving quickly and sharply, his breathing tight and forced, more a wheeze than breath.

Scarecrow couldn’t breathe himself. He reached a trembling hand over, grabbing Aaron’s arm, though the man didn’t react at all. Scarecrow felt sick when he saw how large the blade’s wound was, how he could almost see…into his chest...and see...b-bone...

Gagging, Scarecrow coughed, looking around for something to stop the eternal bleeding, but he had nothing. He looked down, the blood puddle rapidly drifting to his own knees, so thick he couldn’t see the ground below it. Aaron’s face was solid white, his lips blue, his eyes dark, and his chest was still jerking as he struggled to breathe, but the increments were getting slower and slower.

Aaron was dying.

“No…n-no, no, NO!!!” Scarecrow screamed; his mouth dry as sand as he held onto Aaron, though Aaron’s breathing was getting even quieter, his gasps for air getting thinner until they could hardly be heard. Scarecrow glanced up, warm tears streaming from his eyes.

He saw Gabriel staring at him, tears sliding down his own cheeks as he stared back in petrified horror. He saw the Futureman looking sorrowful, as well as the Knight. Scarecrow turned, and saw the Barbarian standing back, looking annoyed. He saw the man’s mouth move, but Scarecrow didn’t hear what he said.

Looking back down, Scarecrow placed his hand on Aaron’s shoulder, his friend's breathing hardly audible anymore. Scarecrow could hardly feel Aaron's chest rise under his hand. The blood was still flowing. It wasn’t stopping…

‘You have lingered too long…there are more trials ahead. Proceed onward.’

Scarecrow looked up, the mysterious voice cutting through the silent static of his mind. He gripped Aaron’s damp, blood-soaked shirt tighter, his own hand shaking.

“Heal him…” Scarecrow hissed, his throat dry, though he forced the words to come out. “HEAL HIM NOW!!!”

‘Some may die. Go forward…’

“NO!!!” Scarecrow screamed from the depths of his soul, tears filling his eyes as he squeezed them shut. “HEAL HIM!!! OR…OR…” He paused, gasping for air as he cracked his eyes open. He saw Aaron’s still and pained face, his chest only jerking up quickly every few seconds. Scarecrow squeezed his eyes shut again. “HEAL HIM OR I DON’T GO FORWARD!!!”

‘You will die for your disobedience…’

“We won’t go on, either…” The Futureman said quickly, cutting in, with Gabriel nodding through his tears, his own words not coming through. “You lose more players to your game…”

“We…we shall not proceed either, demon.” The Knight said, the Roman by his side as they walked over to where the Futureman was. “We will play no game as cruel as this…”

Scarecrow looked up. He saw all of them, but the Barbarian, on the other side, standing firm. The Hippie even looked shaken as he stood behind the Roman. The Egyptian was far behind the group, and the Indian was still bowing, though she was on their side. He looked over and saw the Barbarian rolling his eyes by the exit, his sword dripping with Aaron’s crimson blood.

Looking back up to the sky, Scarecrow took in a breath.

“H-heal him…or you have to k-kill all of us…”

“You will lose your data…have to start anew with different victims…” The Futureman said, his voice grim.

“HEAL HIM NOW!!!” Scarecrow screamed, shaking his head as his tears dripped down. He cracked his eyes open, and saw Aaron was completely still, his chest unmoving, his breathing stopped.

A broken sob escaping him, Scarecrow closed his eyes, guilt and sorrow drowning him like an endless ocean. He let out another loud cry, sobbing openly as he kept his hand on Aaron’s chest.

“C-clockwork…” Scarecrow whispered, his warm tears dripping endlessly down his face. He kneeled there in silence, just sobbing in guilty horror as he trembled.

But…after a moment of silence...he felt a light shining into his face. Cracking his eyes open, his blood froze when he saw a golden sparkling light covering Aaron’s wound, the light warm on his skin. He watched in silent shock as the blood staining the ground dissipated into the light, vanishing from view like dust blown in the wind. He looked down and saw the crimson blood on his hands faded away as well, leaving his hands clean.

A spark of hope filling his chest, Scarecrow slid forward, placing his hand on Aaron’s shoulder as he saw the light fade. The wound was gone.

“A-Aaron…” Scarecrow whispered, and in that moment his heart felt light again. He saw Aaron’s chest rise again, slowly and normally. He saw the color return to his face, his eyes no longer pained, just…sleeping. He was breathing. He looked down, and saw the wound was totally healed. His clothes were even mended. “O-oh…” Scarecrow cried, his energy fading as he fell down by Aaron’s side, sobbing into his shoulder. He could feel his chest rise. He could hear his heartbeat.

Aaron was alive…

‘I will not show mercy again. Proceed, or perish.’

“C-come on…we must make haste…”

Scarecrow looked up through his tears. He saw the Knight above him, sympathy in his warm eyes. Scarecrow nodded, and looked back down to Aaron.

“Clockwork, c-come on…w-wake up…” He said, lightly patting Aaron’s face, though he was still out cold, unmoving. 

“He must need time to heal…allow me, please…” The Knight said, and with Scarecrow’s eyes wide as he watched, the Knight got Aaron up, throwing him over his shoulder like a ragdoll as if he weighed nothing. Scarecrow just stared, his heart still racing as his tears trickled down his cheeks.

“Come on, son…” The Futureman said, holding his free hand out to Scarecrow. Scarecrow nodded, words still leaving him as he took the man’s hand, rising to his feet. He saw Enty was still out as well, unmoving, but also alive. Sighing, Scarecrow shook his head, though he felt Gabriel take his hand in his.

Scarecrow looked at Gabriel, the man still crying as well. Sniffling as his emotions swarmed him like an ocean storm, Scarecrow looked ahead, and saw the Barbarian leading the group, facing away, as if he didn’t care at all what just happened. Ignoring his rage, Scarecrow’s eyes drifted to Aaron who hung limply over the Knight’s shoulder. His eyes widened when he saw Aaron’s antique glasses clatter to the ground as the Knight carried him.

Reaching down, Scarecrow picked them up, sighing as he held them in his shaking hands.

This was much too close…

Now much more terrified of their situation, Scarecrow kept walking by Gabriel’s side, his mind scattered and aching.

Chapter Text

“We have made it to the exit…” The Roman said, cutting a final vine. He glared at the Barbarian as he shoved past without a word, though the Roman took in a deep breath, repressing his rage. He felt it fade as he exited the garden…

“Come on, lets get him out of here…” The Futureman said, helping Gabriel carry Enty out, the man’s feet dragging in the sand. Scarecrow watched them carry him out, and then he saw the Knight, who had Aaron over his shoulder, walk past, though Aaron was still out cold. He watched the Indian woman follow; her eyes lost. Scarecrow then realized…there was another.

“Hey, uh…this woman isn’t ok…”

Turning, he saw the Hippie to the back, still in the garden’s shadow. Before him was the Egyptian woman, kneeling on the ground, tears in her tired eyes.

“Hey, lady, we gotta keep moving…” Scarecrow said, his throat still dry. The woman didn’t look up at him.

“My journey is over, I am at the edge…this world of lies, I cannot go on…” She whispered, her arms shaking.

“Hey, that’s not true…” The Hippie said, kneeling by her. “There’s still so much to see…”

“My soul yearns for the valley of the queens…I am ready to enter the great hall…” She cried, looking up. Scarecrow and the Hippie saw her eyes looked…so tired.

“Lady, come on, its just the garden messing with your head…” Scarecrow said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “We’re gonna get out of this alive and get you home, ok?”

“My rose has withered…the time has come to die…” She said, as if she couldn’t even hear Scarecrow’s words.

“This is heavy, man…” The Hippie said, his optimistic smile gone. “Lady, we gotta get movin’…”

“I won’t return…from the v-valley…of the queens…” The Egyptian whispered, and Scarecrow’s eyes widened as the woman collapsed to her side, her voice breaking.

“H-hey!” He yelled, the Hippie by his side as they turned her over. Scarecrow laid the woman on her back, and saw her eyes were shut. “Come on, no, no more death…” He muttered, reaching his hand to her neck. He paused, listening, feeling.

There was no pulse.

“Oh…” The Hippie muttered, removing his rose glasses as he stared at her. “What…what killed her?”

“I…I don’t know…” Scarecrow muttered, looking her over. “It was like…she just lost the will to live…like that Highlander guy…”

“Oh, this is so uncool…” The Hippie said, pulling himself to his feet. Scarecrow nodded, sighing as he did the same, letting the Hippie help him up.

“You said it…come on, there’s…nothing more we can do now…” Scarecrow said, some guilt creeping into his chest.

He had forced the voice to heal Aaron, but that was the only mercy they got. There was no way that voice would heal them again…

Sighing, Scarecrow walked out of the garden, the Hippie by his side, the atmosphere grim.

“I’m sorry, too…” Scarecrow started, glancing at the Hippie. “For yelling at you…”

“Oh, don’t fret man! That place was weird in the head…” The tall man said, giving Scarecrow a small smile. Scarecrow smiled back, feeling some of his guilt fading. “Hey, I think your wacky friend is waking up…” The Hippie said, pointing ahead. Scarecrow felt some hope in his chest when he saw Enty standing, his head in his hands as the Futureman and Gabriel held him up.

“Take it easy, son, it’s ok…just breathe…” The Futureman said, holding the wavering Enty steady.

“My…head hurts…” Enty muttered, not looking up.

“That garden messed with our emotions, Enty…it was just too much for you…but we’re out now…” Gabriel said, smiling when he saw Enty blink, looking his way with dazed eyes.

“We’re…all ok?” He asked, and Scarecrow looked away, not daring mention what happened.

“I guess…” Gabriel said, glancing to the side.

“Where’s…Aaron?”

“I have him…” The Knight said, standing back a bit. Enty blinked, noticing Aaron was unconscious over the man’s shoulder.

“Is…is Aaron-”

“He just passed out, Enty…” Scarecrow said, glancing at the Knight who nodded. “You remember how tired he was this morning…that…emotion place just got to him too…”

“Oh…ok…” Enty said, buying it. Gabriel met Scarecrow’s eyes, exchanging a knowing glance.

Enty must never know.

“Come on…we are at the steps of our destination…” The Roman said, walking ahead. Scarecrow nodded, and the group carried on.

He looked up and saw…a structure. But Scarecrow didn’t know…what it was.

It was certainly…a castle…like the voice said…but it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was metal, with odd green and amber glass on the sides, and all the twisted metal and glass as abstractly shaped. There was no order to it. It had a few tall, sharp, jagged metal towers reaching to the sky, and the bulk of it…

The two main building structures looked almost like…screaming faces…with twisted teeth and anguished eyes made of glass. The building stood unnaturally on the top of the hill, a silver, globular cluster of stars behind it, bleeding into blackness, where no stars shone.

The walls of the twisted metal building were like aged brown copper, weather worn and old, and yet…it looked futuristic. The amber windows shone a dim light, unnatural and eerie. The twisted spires, looking like black, jagged knives, cut to the sky, silhouetted against the stars.

To the front, they saw stairs, twisted like a dead snake on the now golden ground, the silver sand no longer beneath their feet. The stairs led to a door, it too shining with an old amber light.

The door to their destination.

Chapter Text

Movement…he was…moving…

Aaron groaned, his head rushing, as if he were underwater.

“Oh, he’s waking up…”

Letting out a small cough, Aaron opened his eyes. He blinked in confusion when he saw…ground…above him…and he was being held…

“Here you go, easy now, sire…”

Letting out a cry, Aaron felt the man holding him pull him down, with Scarecrow grabbing his arm to steady him. He saw the Knight had been holding him.

“Uh…what…” Aaron muttered, though the Knight just smiled.

“Good to see you up…” He said, patting Aaron’s back before walking away. Aaron turned and saw Scarecrow beside him, his eyes lost.

“Crow, what-” Aaron started, though he froze in shock when Scarecrow yanked him into a hug, holding him tight.

“I…I’m so…sorry…” Scarecrow whispered, clinging to Aaron with all he had. He felt Aaron hug back.

“C-Crow, it’s ok! I don’t…what even happened? Are you ok?” He asked, and Scarecrow pulled back, nodding as he quickly wiped his eyes. Aaron was before him, life in his eyes. He was awake, and alive.

Aaron was alive…

“I’m f-fine, clockwork…I’m fine, sorry…” Scarecrow whispered, shaking his head. “Uh…h-here, you dropped these…when you…passed out…” He said, handing Aaron his glasses. Aaron smiled, taking them from his hands.

“Oh, thank you Crow! I can always count on you…” He said, wiping them off with his shirt before putting them on, turning away.

“Yeah…” Scarecrow muttered, guilt stabbing his heart.

First, he almost caused Gabriel to lose his emotions, then he almost caused Aaron to die in his arms.

He really is a horrible friend…

“We have arrived…”

Scarecrow shook his head, and turned at the Roman’s voice. He walked up to the group and saw they were at the base of the twisted steps leading into the castle.

“What a structure…” Aaron muttered, running his hand over the wall. “It is metal, but…I can’t tell what kind…”

“And it does not matter!” The Barbarian sneered, walking up the steps. “Our prize awaits us inside…”

Scarecrow glared at him as he walked up, rage filling his chest. He wanted to take that sword and shove it right into-

“Crow? Are you ok?”

Scarecrow shook his head, looking over when he saw Aaron there, worry in his eyes.

“Fine…let’s just…get this over with…” Scarecrow grumbled, leading the others up the cracked and twisted steps.

~

Reaching the top, Aaron looked back, as did the others.

“Oh…” The Futureman muttered, watching as the garden they had come from cracked and collapsed, falling into the abyss below them, out of view. All around them was just…space. They were on an island in space, with no escape.

“We’ll get out…we will…” Gabriel muttered, meeting Enty’s worried eyes. Enty nodded, and looked ahead, watching as the Barbarian and Roman shoved open the giant amber doors, with twisted snake-like metal rods holding the amber glass together.

The group walked forward, though once the last person entered, they all flinched as the doors slammed shut. The Knight turned, trying to yank one open, but it didn’t budge.

“We must go forward…” He muttered, unsheathing his sword.

“Can’t go anywhere else…” Scarecrow grumbled, recalling how beyond the doors was endless space.

They walked in a bit, and took in the scene.

The indoor hall of the castle looked like the outside. Twisted, abstract metal rods and supports lined the walls and ceiling, looking almost like melted metal. The entire interior looked distorted and wrong, as if a great fire had raged within. The walls were gray and black, with melted metal lining the uneven and abstract windows.

There was hardly a symmetrical shape present.

The room had a large black, tile floor, with starry patterns on it as if it were space itself. The celling was tall, and had a maze of stairs and doors lining it, with drooping black ropes and such going in an out of the doors and windows. The place was lit by the amber lamps, which looked like crystalized fire. It even flickered a bit, though there was no flame inside.

There was no furniture, no sense of human life. Just…twisted, molten metal.

Gabriel looked around, feeling uneasy. He felt the Hippie walk up next to him, also looking around.

“You ok, little dude?”

“Fine, just…I feel like…I’m being watched…” Gabriel muttered, looking around, though he saw no eyes.

“Well duh! Magic sky voice is watching us…” The Hippie said with a laugh, turning away. Gabriel just nodded, staring at a mess of metal on the wall.

“Yeah…” He whispered. It was true. The voice was watching them. But why did it feel…worse inside this building…

Gabriel kept staring ahead, something…grabbing his attention. He walked to the wall by the great doors, each one about twenty feet high. He saw the mess of abstract metal on the walls around it, twisting like snakes. He tilted his head, and ran his hand over a spot. He looked down, noticing black come off onto his hand, almost like…ash…

“Hm…” Gabriel whispered, running his hand over the spot again. He saw something there, ingrained in the wall under the black silt. He squinted, and could make out an odd “A”…

“Gabriel!”

Gabriel spun around, noticing the group moving ahead. He shook his head of his thoughts and wiped his hands on his robe, catching up.

“Gabe, don’t-”

‘At last! You enter the Electric Castle! Here in this vast hall where even shadows fear the light…’

“That’s a good thing, right?” The Hippie whispered to the Futureman, who just shrugged.

‘Here, you must confront your past. If you have killed, beware of the Gathering of Spirits for they do fish for men…’

“Beware the what now?” Scarecrow said, his eyes widening.

‘Here, the disembodied Astral World becomes flesh once more. I pity the men of swords. For here…blood runs cold...’

“The…t-the what…?” Gabriel muttered, looking around fearfully as he grabbed Enty’s arm.

“At last, they come for me…”

The group looked over, their blood freezing when they saw the Barbarian standing near a wall, his sword drawn. They could see shadows on the walls, humanoid, moving like faded ghosts. They could hear voices echoing in the hall…

“Shades of the dead…FACE ME DEMONS!!!” The Barbarian screamed, and with his yell, the shadows flew out of the wall, taking shape.

Gabriel let out a gasp, clinging to Enty tighter as humanoid, shadowy ghosts appeared before them, about a dozen, with more forming from the walls as they circled the group. He couldn’t make out many features, but they were getting clearer as they limped towards them, most headed for the Barbarian.

“I…I c-call upon the sword…the mighty Excalibur…grant me the skill to fulfill my quest…” The Knight muttered, and Gabriel saw the shadowy ghosts, their eyes glowing white, were making their way towards the Knight as well.

“Oh, Mars, give me strength…” The Roman said, gripping his sword as more shadowy ghosts staggered towards him, coming from the shadows in the room.

“Oh, fuck this, FUCK THIS!!!” Scarecrow yelled, grabbing Aaron’s arm as terror ran through his veins. He looked around, the ghostly whisps fading in and out of view, almost sparkling as if they were made of the night sky. Their eyes looked like distant suns, but when they opened their mouths, he saw a dim glowing red.

“I KILLED YOU ONCE, I SHALL DO IT AGAIN!!!” The Barbarian screamed, swiping his sword. The group watched as he sliced one of the ghosts in half, an anguished scream echoing in their ears. The ghost vanished, though soon two more took its place. The Barbarian steadied himself, screaming as he began attacking more of them.

“Oh…oh, this is GAH!!!” Aaron yelled, a freezing touch sending shivers down his spine. He staggered back and his face paled when he saw…his own ghosts, dark blue and wispy, with ragged Victorian clothes, their flesh falling away. He saw more appear, circling him.

“AARON, NO!!!” Scarecrow screamed, and he grabbed Enty, the two grabbing Aaron and pulling him away from the ghosts.

Gabriel staggered back, his mind reeling. He saw the Roman, Knight, and Barbarian fighting their demons. He saw Enty and Scarecrow helping Aaron. He saw the Futureman running up the various stairs with the Indian woman, looking for a way out.

“GAH!!!” Gabriel screamed, a cold voice appearing behind him. His eyes widened when he saw the starry, shadowy ghosts behind him, reaching out to him, their soulless eyes cutting through him. He felt tears form in his own eyes as he backed against a cold wall, the demons all around him.

Sending out a final prayer, he covered his eyes with his arm, accepting his fate.

Though he froze when he realized…it never came. Taking a risk, he blinked in confusion. He could hear the garbled, choked words of the demons before him, but none of them were grabbing him. He looked ahead, rubbing his eyes in confusion.

His heart skipped in circles when he saw…silver ghosts, different than the others. Two of them, standing between him and the demons. They were transparent like the others, but had a…warm glow to them, and their clothes were tidy and…familiar…

Gabriel was breathing heavy, watching the silver ghosts push back the shadows, the darkness fleeing from the light. He felt his world go dead silent when the two ghosts, one tall and one short, turned to look at him.

Warm tears began filling Gabriel’s eyes against his will, blurring his vision as the two…familiar faces smiled at him.

“R-Reg…rin…? L-Lugaid…?” Gabriel whispered, hardly able to see what was before him as his warm tears trickled down his cheek.

“GABE, COME ON!!!”

Gabriel let out a cry as a strong arm yanked him away. He got one last look at the two ghosts’ familiar and encouraging smiles before they vanished from view, dissipating into nothing. Gabriel looked back and saw Scarecrow dragging him towards one of the staircases.

“Gabe, we’ve been calling you! That future dude found the way forward! Snap out of it!” Scarecrow yelled, though his voice was more worry than anger. Gabriel just nodded, sniffling as he was rushed up the stairs.

He looked behind him once more, but the large hall was now empty, the amber lights dimming. And he had to move on.

Chapter Text

“You’re sure this is the way?” Scarecrow yelled forward, the Futureman holding a door open for the group.

“This was the only door that opened…” He said, and Scarecrow nodded.

It was better than dying to ghosts…

“Woah…” Enty muttered, looking out the door with wonder as the group stood before him.

They were in a small room without walls. But beyond the edge…was not what was actually outside before. They saw…green fields, with a crystal blue ocean in the distance. They saw a forest to the side, and birds in the air. They saw and felt a warm sun, and white, fluffy clouds were in the sky.

“Are we…home?” Gabriel asked, uncertain what this was.

“Not a chance…” Scarecrow muttered, pointing up. The group looked upwards and saw a spiral staircase above them, its destination out of view as the same golden haze covered the end. The railing of the stairs was a twisted gray metal, almost sharp to the touch, and the metal stairs were cracked, almost aged.

“What in the gods is this trickery…” The Roman said, looking around.

‘From the wind-torn ramparts of the Tower of Hope we survey a thousand futures. Release your dreams from this electric pinnacle. You must have hope...you must…have hope…’ The voice said, returning to their minds.

“The Tower of…hope?” Enty muttered, looking around.

“Well, that sounds fucking delightful…” Scarecrow grumbled, not trusting it for a second.

“We were just attacked by demons and ghosts, and now we get a virtual view of paradise? It must be a trick…” The Futureman said, holding his arm outside. He could…feel the sunlight…warm his skin…

He looked up, confused, but…he couldn’t deny…there was a spark of hope in his chest. Hope that maybe…the worst was over…

“Well, I got hope…may as well see where this goes…” The Hippie said with a smile and a shrug, and he began climbing up the stairs, though the Barbarian shoved past him, taking the lead.

“I am…so glad I don’t have a fear of heights…” Scarecrow muttered, looking over the railing’s edge to the ground below.

Soft, green grass or not…a fall would kill anyone from this height.

“I do feel…better…” Gabriel said, going up the stairs with the others. He looked out to the view, a sunset appearing. The sky was a brilliant orange and pink, pleasing to see. Gabriel couldn’t help but smile.

“What do you see…?” The Hippie said, looking next to him at the Futureman.

“I see…a peaceful world…a clean Earth…” He muttered, the dream now reality.

“I see a brand-new age…where peace and harmony prevail…” The Hippie replied, his smile wider.

“I see…a quiet night…” Enty said, confused he wasn’t seeing what the others were. He looked out as he climbed the endless stairs, and he saw…a shining, silver full moon, casting welcoming shadows on the hills below. A safe darkness…

He smiled, feeling the moonlight. It was just sunny a minute ago…but it didn’t matter…

He liked this place…

Aaron tilted his head, rubbing his eyes. The scenery he saw before had vanished, and he saw…his home.

Stopping his walking, Aaron stared over the edge. He saw his home town, with snow-covered rooftops and a shining moon above it. He saw his old house, the windows lit up by a fireplace inside…his old home…

He felt some tears form in his eyes.

He missed his old home sometimes…

“Why should we…finish…” The Hippie said, looking to the horizon. “Maybe this is our reward…”

“It…it is too good to be true…” The Futureman said, shaking his head as he rubbed his eyes. “We must still be in this dream machine!”

“But…but I feel…” The Hippie started, staring at the peaceful world.

“What you wanted to feel…” The Futureman finished, grabbing the man’s arm. The Hippie rubbed his eyes, looking at the Futureman, then back at the scenery.

“What I…wanted to see…” He whispered, dread filling his chest as cracks filled his perfect vision, the illusion breaking.

“It isn’t real…” Aaron muttered, rubbing his eyes. “It is just an illusion!” He yelled, opening them again. He let out a cry when he saw…what was really there.

He saw no ground below them, just endless, dark space. To the distance, a red sun, dim enough to look at, and it gave no warmth.

“It’s not real…” He muttered again, running up the stairs. He saw Gabriel and Enty standing still as well, staring at their visions. “Guys, snap out of it!!!” Aaron yelled, grabbing both Enty and Gabriel.

Gabriel let out a cry as he was shaken awake, his mind reeling.

“W-what?”

“Aaron?” Enty asked, rubbing his eyes.

“Look!” Aaron yelled, pointing ahead. Enty let out a cry when he saw…he was inches from the ledge, an endless starry abyss below him.

“It’s ok, come on…we just have to keep moving…” Aaron said, happy when he saw the Futureman helping the others out of their trances. Though he froze when he saw…Scarecrow wasn’t there. “Crow?” Aaron asked, looking back.

Terror flooded his veins when he saw Scarecrow down a few steps, about to step off the ledge.

Chapter Text

Scarecrow stared into the distance, frozen. He felt tears forming in his eyes, his vision shifting.

Before him…he saw a green yard. A normal neighborhood. A happy place…

He clutched his heart when he saw someone come into view, appearing from nothing. He saw a woman walk towards him, with long brown hair, and a black dress on.

She had a warm smile on her face, and had her arms open.

“My little Scarecrow…” She whispered, stopping her walking. Her eyes were bright and warm, and she looked…just like her picture.

“M-mom…” Scarecrow cried, tears falling down his cheeks when he saw his mother there. Someone he’d never thought he’d meet…she died when he was born…

“I’m here, baby…” She said, love in her voice. Love he had only dreamed of…

Scarecrow let out a sob, a small smile forming on his face as he reached back to her, almost touching her gentle hand as he took another step closer…

“SCARECROW, STOP!!!”

~

Aaron yanked Scarecrow back, holding him as tight as he could.

“CROW, SNAP OUT OF IT!!! IT ISN’T REAL!!!” Aaron yelled, though Scarecrow tried to fight his way out of his grasp.

“I…I need…her…” Scarecrow whispered; his eyes dazed and unfocused. He tried to reach past Aaron, though Aaron grabbed the railing, holding Scarecrow back.

“CROW, PLEASE!!!” Aaron yelled, his tearful eyes widening when he saw Scarecrow’s foot go over the ledge, his friend slipping out of his arms as he struggled against Aaron's grasp. “CROW-”

“No!!!”

Aaron jumped in fright, a sharp scream jolting through his ears. He spun his head around and looked up in terror when he saw…the Indian woman, now floating off in space, towards the red sun.

“Oh, fuck…” Aaron muttered, clinging to Scarecrow as tight as he could. He saw the Futureman and Roman trying to reach the woman, calling to her, though she was out of reach.

Aaron’s body tensed when he saw…dark shadows form from the vastness of space, forming a shape before the woman, blocking the sun. The shadows melded together and formed the shape of a giant bird, though it looked like its head was a bird's skull, glowing red coming from the black sockets. The feathers were ratty but large, the wingspan blocking the light like an eclipse.

Before anyone could do anything, the shadowy wings of the bird encompassed the woman with a flap that caused storm-like winds to blow, and Aaron flinched as she let out a deathly scream. He turned away, hiding his face in Scarecrow’s shoulder as he held on to him, keeping him from that same fate…

He heard a deep and garbled voice from the shadows behind him, talking among the woman’s screams. Aaron couldn’t make out much as the wind picked up, raging in his ears, though he could hear one word cut through…

Death…

After a few eternal seconds, the fierce and cold wind died down, and silence rang out. He cracked his eyes open, turning behind him. The woman was gone, as were the shadows.

“Oh…” Aaron whispered, dread filling his chest. His attention was grabbed, however, when a small groan came from next to him. He looked down and saw Scarecrow rubbing his eyes, the man no longer fighting.

“Ugh…what…happened…?” Scarecrow muttered, blinking his eyes open. He looked up, his face paling when he saw…the truth.

The endless, universal abyss before him. The illusion broken.

“Oh…f-fuck…” Scarecrow whispered, terror taking hold.

“Crow…”

Scarecrow looked over, now seeing a worried Aaron by his side, his hand grabbing his arm almost painfully tight.

“Aaron, I…I…” He started, though Aaron just yanked him into a hug. Scarecrow heard a sob escape his friend. Knowing nothing could be said, Scarecrow just hugged back, his terror easing a bit as he held his friend against him.

After a few seconds, Aaron pulled back, giving Scarecrow a small smile.

“C-come on…we aren’t done yet…” He said, and Scarecrow nodded, repressing his fear. The two caught up with the others, continuing their ascent.

“The exit…” The Roman said, the stairs finally leading to a door.

“How is there an exit? We’re at the top of a tower…where else can we go?” Scarecrow muttered, noticing that beyond the door should be nothing.

“One way to find out…” Aaron said, pushing the door open.

The group all looked in, their eyes widening.

“Oh…oh wow…” Aaron said, looking in.

It was…another room. A hallway, the walls dark gray and twisted. But it was a hallway nonetheless…

“I’m not even gonna question this anymore…” Scarecrow grumbled, crossing his arms as the group filed through the door wearily, unsure of what lied beyond.

Chapter Text

The group walked down the dim hall, though they flinched as the door behind them slammed shut. They spun around to look, but saw…there wasn’t even a door there anymore. Just a blank, metal wall.

“Not like we could have gone back anyway…” Scarecrow grumbled, carrying on behind the group. They walked on, and Aaron looked around blankly. The walls were…sheen. Almost reflective. There were twisted cracks in them, spiraling without a pattern. But no glass was broken or on the floor. He looked up and saw the tall ceiling had the same glass texture. Though it seemed the father they walked, the more…reflective the glass became. It started looking like a mirror. Aaron could see his reflection staring back at him.

He felt unnerved.

Shaking his head, he kept walking on. Finally, the group reached the end of the hallway. Before them was a large door-shaped opening, and beyond it…

More mirrors. All over the room, the walls, the ceiling. Abstract, bent panels covering every surface, even the floor. There were cracks in all of them, twisting like snakes, though the room…was still. No ghosts, no enemies. The only movement were a few hanging shards of glass all under the ceiling, clinking like resonating wind-chimes, though…there was no wind.

There was no light source either, but the group could all see fine. It was just…a large room of mirrors.

“Trivial…” The Barbarian sneered, crossing his arms with a smile. A child’s game…

“It can’t be that easy…” Aaron muttered to himself, staring into the room. He saw their path twist and turn, and he couldn’t see beyond the curves. And…the room was large…like some aircraft hangar, with a sloped, tall ceiling. The room was long, as well. Looking ahead, the other side of the room was far on the other side of the maze of mirrors that they couldn’t see over. The walls were about ten feet tall, and twisted and bent like a funhouse mirror maze.

Aaron flinched again as the loud voice boomed inside his, and the other’s, mind, his tone calm.

‘It is time to reflect upon your "ego-self". Nowhere to hide when the walls echo the you that we
all see…’

“Ego self…” Aaron muttered, looking at a mirror behind him. He just saw himself.

“I don’t need to hide…” The Barbarian grumbled, his smile fading. Scarecrow looked to the side as well, meeting his own eyes.

His own tired eyes. His black makeup smeared down his cheek. He hid his true self. No one saw what he saw…

‘Ah, the smiles dissolve! The pulse begins to race; the face a flush of fear so plainly
painted. The Mirror World - the Mirror Maze: Confrontation...’

Just as soon as he entered, the voice faded away. The group tensed, but no loud noise or enemies came. It was just them…and the path ahead.

“So…this is all it is…?” The Knight said, stepping forward. “A maze of glass? Surely we can beat this…” He said, unsheathing his sword.

Aaron watched as the Knight walked ahead, the Barbarian and Roman in tow.

“They are not thinking outside the box…” The Futureman said, walking past Aaron. “Every challenge has had a twist…this will be no different…”

“W-well…we got through the other ones together…we’ll do the same here…” Gabriel said, Enty holding his hand as he nodded beside him. The Futureman nodded.

“We had better stand together as a team…it is the only was we will survive…” He said, walking forward. Aaron watched him turn around a corner.

“Aaron?”

Aaron looked behind him and saw the other three there, all…unnerved. All so tired…

“Come on…we have to be close to the end…let’s catch up with the others and get home…” He said firmly, with the others nodding.

Aaron took in a breath, and stepped forward. He could hear his footsteps reverberate among the distant glass chimes, the floor sheen and reflective, like an eternal abyss below him. He tried not to think about it. He looked beside him on both sides and just saw himself. Just mirrors.

“It’s just mirrors…nothing more…” He said, half to himself, half to the others. “We’ll be ok…ok?” He asked, turning, though his blood ran cold when he saw…he was alone.

Gasping, Aaron ran back the way he came, but the others were gone. As was the exit. It was as if the path shifted.

“G-GUYS?!” Aaron yelled, looking around. He could hear faint voices and footsteps.

“Aaron?!”

“Gabriel, where are you?!” Aaron yelled; hearing Gabriel close by.

“A-Aaron I don’t know where anyone went…”

“Gabe, just keep going forward! Don’t stop, ok?! OK?!” Aaron yelled, but he got no response. “CROW?! ENTY?!”

Aaron stood still, the voices of his friend’s faint and muffled around him, distorted and incomprehensible. He looked around but all he saw was himself in the mirrors. Just himself.

“Ok…just go forward…you’ll find them…y-you’ll…” He started, walking ahead a bit more, though he stopped when he came to a dead end, and found himself face to face with himself. But…

But in the image…his eyes were glowing a deep blue.

“N-no, no, no, no…” Aaron cried, staggering back a different way. He turned a corner, but only saw himself at all angles. And every image was the same. Himself, with his eyes glowing how they did when he saw ghosts.

Aaron let out a cry, rubbing his eyes.

“It’s not me…” He cried, the feeling of wanting to cry arising in his eyes. “I-I’m normal, I…I’m normal…”

He blinked, looking up. He saw himself staring back at him, his eyes glowing even brighter, to the point he couldn’t see his pupils.

“GO AWAY!!! I DON’T WANNA BE YOU!!!” Aaron screamed, sending a hard kick to the glass. He flinched when it cracked where he hit it, the cracks spreading up the glass. He saw them divide his image, but his eyes still pierced the dim light.

Feeling tears fill his eyes, Aaron fell to his knees, crying openly as he blocked the image with his hands.

“I-I didn’t…ask to be like this…I j-just want to b-be normal…” He cried, shaking his head. “I d-don’t want…this curse…” He sneered, grabbing his hair as his emotions took over. After a moment of crying, he looked up.

He was staring into his own glowing blue eyes. They wouldn’t go away. This curse was a part of him. He’d always seen ghosts, and he always will. He was broken. A shattered spirit. Torn between worlds, with no place in either.

It was his true self.

Sighing as he accepted his fate, he looked down, tears pooling on the glass below him. He cried in silence a moment, before a loud cry alerted him. He looked up briefly, but hissed in pain as someone came running over him, tripping over him as he kneeled on the ground.

Rubbing his shoulder, Aaron groaned, though he heard…someone else groan in pain as well. He looked up, cool relief rushing through him when he saw Gabriel on the ground, rubbing his head.

“O-oh, Gabriel!” Aaron cried, scurrying over. Without hesitating, he pulled Gabriel into a hug, holding him tight. “A-are you ok?!”

“A-Aaron, hey, I’m fine! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you…” Gabriel said, pushing back with a small smile. His smile faded, however, when he saw Aaron’s tears. “Aaron? W-what happened?!”

“Nothing Gabe, I…I just…” Aaron paused, glancing at his reflection. His eyes were normal again. “I just didn’t like what I saw…”

“Oh…s-sorry…”

“It’s fine, Gabe…I…I’m ok…” He said, rubbing his eyes. “W-wait, are you ok? Did you see anything?” He asked, noticing Gabriel looked about the same. Gabriel just shrugged.

“I…I guess…everything was normal a moment, but…then my reflection changed…I…I saw how scared I am…a-all the time…” He said softly, looking down. Aaron sighed, looking to the side.

“Oh…”

“B-but then…t-then I saw…or…or I felt…I felt brave…” Gabriel said, looking up, a brightness in his eyes. Aaron glanced up, confused.

“Huh?”

“I…I don’t know how to explain it…I just…I saw how I always felt scared…b-but…then I remembered…h-how I helped Elderane in Avantasia…a-and fought the evil there…a-and how…how even though I’m scared…it’s ok…b-because I’m brave too…” He said softly, his eyes lost.

Aaron sat a moment, but then felt a smile form on his face. He reached ahead and pulled Gabriel intp another hug, holding him tight.

“I always knew you were, Gabe…we all did…”

“Oh…” Gabriel said with a small smile, hugging back. After a moment, they pulled apart.

“Come on…let’s find the others and get out of here…I’m tired of this…” Aaron said, pulling himself up as he reached a hand for Gabriel, pulling him up as he nodded.

“Right…”

Nodding back, Aaron looked ahead and kept his hand in Gabriel’s, not looking back at the crack in the mirror he made.

~

“Oh, come the fuck on…” Scarecrow grumbled, his hands in his pockets as he struggled to stay calm. One moment they are all tother, the next he’s alone. “I hate mazes…” He hissed, not thinking about the walls all around him, trapping him in.

He walked on, working his way forward when he paused. He heard something.

It sounded like…soft crying…

Scarecrow sighed, pulling his hands from his pockets.

“Gabe, you don’t need to c-”

His blood froze cold as he turned around. In the mirror reflection before him, was a small child. A small, pale, skinny child in a raggedy black shirt, with messy unbrushed hair. He was sitting with his head on his knees, sobbing.

Scarecrow threw his hand to his heart, taking a few steps back as he felt his legs begin to shake.

“N-No…” He whispered, though he backed into another mirror. He turned around and saw the same. A small child crying. He saw blood on the child’s arm, as well as bruises. “No, t-this isn’t…this isn’t…” He stuttered, backing away more. He saw more reflections before him, all showing the crying child.

And then the child raised its head. Scarecrow saw his own eyes. His own sad, broken, and tired eyes. He saw his own tears sliding down the child’s face, and he saw more bruises and cuts covering his skin. He saw the child hiccupping, his eyes red and sunken as he kept crying.

Scarecrow felt tears fill his own eyes.

“M-mommy…” The child cried softly, looking around. After a moment of stillness, the child let out another sob, pulling his knees closer as he lowered his head down, his small body shaking with every sob.

Scarecrow couldn’t stop his own tears. He clutched his heart, repressed fears and emotions forcing their way up. He saw himself, sitting in his cold and empty room, hiding from his dad. He felt himself crying, clinging to a broken photo of his late mother who he never knew.

His tears falling faster, Scarecrow threw his hands to his head, grabbing his hair as he breathed heavier. He felt it. He felt the emptiness. The fear. The loneliness. The guilt. All things he told himself he could hide away.

But…he couldn’t…he can’t…not forever…

A sob escaping him similar to the child’s, Scarecrow hugged himself, the crippling loneliness and feeling of being small taking over.

“M-mommy…” He whispered to himself, closing his eyes as the image of her photo arose clearly in his mind. He hadn’t looked at it in ages…he was scared…he was scared of himself…of feeling small…

Letting himself cry, he started sobbing, old dreams of her hugging him arising as well, making him feel…safer…

He fell to his knees, his eyes burning as the memories consumed him. As he faced his true self. The makeup couldn’t hide his tired eyes forever. He couldn’t run from these feelings forever.

They were a part of him…whether he liked it or not.

~

“G-guys…” Enty cried softly, walking among the mirrors through the maze. He looked around, and heard the gentle wind-chimes echo from nowhere, and he heard distant voices, but he was alone.

He recalled the voice’s words…the ego self…the true self…

Enty stopped walking. He stood before a mirror, his own reflection staring back at him. Could he…get a clue as to who he really was? Memories he’d forgotten?

Or…maybe even…what he was…

He saw his glowing yellow eye, and he saw the twisting branches and vines covering the left side of his body. He wasn’t human. He didn’t know what he was.

But maybe…this place could tell him…

He’d finally know…

Reaching a hand out, Enty felt his heart race as he placed it against his reflections.

“GAH!!!” Enty screamed, a sharp cracking sound scaring him. He staggered back, and saw the mirror begin to crack from where he touched it. He watched in fear as the cracks spread all around him like spider-webs, blocking his reflection from his view.

He breathed heavy, and in panic he ran ahead. He glanced over and felt terror strike him when he saw the cracks were following him. He stopped running, his breathing heavy as he looked all around him. The cracks kept spreading, covering every reflection of his.

He couldn’t see himself anymore.

He looked down, but he saw the mirror on the floor was cracking as well every time he took a step, the noise almost defining.

Letting out a terrified scream, he ran again, his eyes closed.

~

Scarecrow sighed, pulling himself up. He blinked his tearful eyes and saw…his reflection was normal again. Shaking his head, his heart feeling both light and heavy, he began walking, though he flinched when a sharp scream startled him.

He staggered to the side, his eyes wide as Enty came running past him around a corner, running blindly smack into a mirror wall.

“Enty!” Scarecrow cried, running ahead. He grabbed Enty’s arm, but he saw it was tense, his branches taking over more of him.

“I-I’M A MONSTER! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I-”

“ENTY!!!” Scarecrow yelled, shaking Enty by his shoulders. Enty gasped for air, his eyes flying open. Scarecrow saw they were wide and lost.

“I-I’m a m-monster…” Enty cried, going still as he started crying, tears flowing down his cheeks.

Scarecrow’s heart shattered.

“Enty, no, no, no, stop that!” He yelled, yanking Enty into a hug. “You aren’t a monster…t-trust me, I know…”

“I am…” Enty cried, not hugging back.

Scarecrow groaned, and pushed Enty back, meeting his eyes.

“Would a monster sleep with more plushies then he can count on his bed?” Scarecrow asked firmly, as Enty sniffled. “Would a monster get scared playing Minecraft? Would a monster make tea for his family when they’re scared themselves? Would a monster have given me a donut when I had a breakdown and a hangover?!” Scarecrow yelled, louder as he held on to Enty.

Enty sniffled a moment, his tears not stopping. Scarecrow sighed, and yanked Enty into a hug.

“Would a monster save me from myself, time and time again…tell me it’s ok…calm me down, a-and make me smile and feel safe…would a monster do that?”

“…no…”

“Because you aren’t a monster, Enty, Christ…you’re our family…we love you, just the way you are…ok?” Scarecrow said, pulling back a bit to meet Enty’s eyes. “We don’t care what you look like or what your past was…we love you for who you are…unconditionally…that’s a promise…” He said, giving Enty a small smile.

Enty blinked a moment, and Scarecrow felt better when he saw Enty calm down.

“You…m-mean it…?”

“Enty, Jesus, you’re our family…you are no monster…and if you are…then we all are right with you.” Scarecrow said lightly and teasingly, ruffling Enty’s hair as Enty gave a small laugh.

“Oh…o-ok…”

“Come on, Enty…we gotta get out of here…and go home.” Scarecrow said, holding his hand out to help Enty up. Enty smiled, sniffling as he took Scarecrow’s hand.

“Oh, fellas, there you are!”

Scarecrow and Enty turned, relief washing over them when they saw Gabriel and Aaron turn a corner.

“You’re ok…” Enty muttered, a small smile on his face. Aaron nodded, adjusting his glasses.

“As ok as we can be…come on, let’s find the others and go home…” He said firmly, a spark of determination in his voice.

The others nodded, and, following Aaron’s lead, continued down the maze hall.

Chapter Text

Finally at the back wall, the four sighed in relief when they saw the others of their group conjoin by a large door.

"You all are alright..." The Knight said, a small smile on his face as Aaron nodded.

"Thankfully...is everyone else ok?"

"All accounted for." The Roman said, standing by the Knight's side.

Scarecrow nodded, and looked around at the others as Aaron walked past him. He saw the Hippie looking dazed and lost in thought, he saw the Futureman and Aaron eying the large door, and...Scarecrow glared at the Barbarian who was standing casually to the side, the man using some cloth to wipe blood off his sword.

Aaron's blood...

His rage sparking again, Scarecrow clenched his fist, though he calmed when he felt someone place a hand on his shoulder.

He looked up, and saw the Knight there, a sympathetic smile on his face.

"It isn't worth it anymore..." He said softly, so only Scarecrow could hear.

Scarecrow took in a deep breath, and let it go, nodding back.

"Yeah..." He muttered, meeting the Knight's kind eyes as the taller man smiled at him.

"The door opens!"

Scarecrow looked over at the Roman's shout, and saw the large metal door was opening, revealing...

"What the..." He muttered, stepping closer with the group through the giant door. The room of mirrors looked like some hangar, while this room...

Looked like some lab, like...the one on the Starblade...

The walls were twisted metal, similar to the entrance of the castle. It looked like metal snakes or vines intertwining, some looking...melted, as if exposed to a great fire. The arched ceiling was similar, with some eerie black wires hanging down, some sparking slightly as the group avoided touching them. There were some indents in the walls, holding large cylindrical empty glass tubes, the glass shattered and broken, scattering the grated floor.

Inside the tubes were more wires and clasps, hanging down lifelessly. Some of the glass was tinted green in the dim gold light of the hallway, though nothing was in them. As they walked, Gabriel rubbed his arms, feeling...uneasy.

He still couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched...or...that this place felt familiar...in a bad way...

"Where are we...?" The Roman asked, looking around. "I do not recognize these objects..."

"They look closer to my time..." The Futureman said, walking up to one of the large tubes, large enough for a grown man to fit in with ease. "It is technology...advanced technology..."

'The future's doored ingress! What lies beyond? One of you, ah, survived so much!'

The group flinched as the odd, robotic voice returned, and with his voice, they all turned as a door to the side opened, a rusted gold futuristic sheer door. The Futureman, who was closest, took the first step closer to it, Aaron behind him, both their eyes wide.

In the doorway was...what looked like a veil of water. Beyond it, wavering dark images, twisted and black.

'Are you man enough to force this door upon its golden hinge? You craved the answer...but can you bear the truth? The door...the future...'

"The future? Like...the real future?" Scarecrow grumbled, looking up. "Or is this another trick?!"

The voice didn't return.

"Fucker..." Scarecrow hissed under his breath, walking up to behind Aaron. "So what's this, then?"

"I-I don't know..." Aaron whispered, looking the vision before them over. Beyond the door was...dark blue nothingness, with black abstract shapes, and...glowing lights. 

Aaron's eyes widened in shock when he realized what it was.

"A cyber world..." The Futureman said, beating him to it. He looked through the door, and reached his hand closer. He touched the surface of the veil and it rippled as he touched it, the vision changing.

The group then saw the world beyond it get closer. They saw dark machine buildings, cold and empty. They saw dull lights and wires everywhere, not a sign of life to be seen. Until...

A figure seemed to float into view in the distance, too distorted to make out fully. But...they could see technology all around them, wires going in and out of their body.

"H-human mutation...a c-cyber brain...man has evolved into another state of being..." The Futureman said, his eyes lost as some of the dark veil of water crept up his hand, his eyes locked on the vision beyond the door.

"It...c-can't be..." Gabriel cried, looking at the familiar scene.

"T-that can't be our future!" Scarecrow cried, feeling suddenly tense and on edge. 

They were looking right into Planet Y.

"W-what has mankind done...?" The Futureman whispered, pushing his hand farther into the veil.

The other's eyes widened in shock when they saw his hand pierce it, and once through...

They saw his hand was different.

It was an orange shade of color, with slightly glistening scales on it, and clawed fingers with webs between them...with bits of dark technology embedded into his skin.

"GAH!!!" He screamed, yanking it back in terror.

He staggered backwards in terror, slipping on the ground as he clutched his now normal hand.

He was breathing heavy, his eyes wide in horror.

"H-human devolution..." Was all he could manage weakly as the Hippie ran to his side, trying to snap him out of it. Gabriel and the others ran to his side, holing to calm him down.

He was clutching his chest, terror in his eyes.

"H-have we gone so far? T-to give up what makes us human..." He cries, staring into space. "Is our future just...cold machines and darkness...?" He whispers, and Gabriel and Scarecrow look at each other in worry.

They knew it was the Alphan's future...but...could it be theirs as well...?

Back away from the group, Aaron stood alone before the door. He saw Planet Y beyond, and he saw...more blurry Forever swim past, all emotionless and empty. Aaron swallowed nervously, and reached out. He pushed his hand through the veil, and his breath left him when he saw his hand turn a bright but dull purple, his fingers now clawed, and webbing between them, his scales glistening in the light from the doorway. He turned his hand over, and saw tech implants on his skin, wires going in and out.

Gagging a bit, he slowly pulled his hand back, and saw it was normal.

He took a few steps away from the door, holding his wrist. That...couldn't be their future...that couldn't be humanities end...

Could it...?

"A-Aaron...?"

Breaking him out of his trance, he turned, and saw the others start walking away. Enty was there, meeting his sad eyes as the others helped the Futureman stand, and begin making their way down the hall.

"W-we need to leave..." Enty said sadly, reaching his hand out. Aaron hesitated a moment, then nodded, giving his hand to Enty.

"Yeah...we need to go home..." He said softly, giving one last glance at the door before they turned a corner, leaving the future behind.

Chapter Text

The group walked on in silence down the dim, twisted halls. Nothing needed to be said, not that they knew what they could say anyway. While some thought about the future, and some about the past, some were pondering the moment at hand.

Aaron stared at the metal floor, his mind lost. That door behind them…had shown Planet Y. It showed the Forever…

But why?

To Aaron, it didn’t make sense. That wasn’t their future. It couldn’t be. So…why did this voice show it? Aaron ran his hand through his hair, squinting as his thoughts swarmed him. Why did the voice show them that door? It wasn’t a life or death trial like before…so why was that one different? Half the others didn’t even care about the door…

So why show it…and…who was the voice? How were they pulled here? And…how were they going to get home…?

“Aaron!”

“GAH!!” Aaron cried, a hand grabbing his shoulder. He turned and saw Scarecrow there, looking at him in scared annoyance.

“I’ve been calling you! We found the exit…” He said, and Aaron turned and saw another large metal door beside them. He was so lost in thought he hadn’t seen…

“R-right…let’s go…” He said, walking towards it. He looked it over, and saw that like the rest of the walls, it was a dark metal, with scars on it, looking like it was burned by an extreme heat. Aaron ran his hand down the surface. It was rough, and cold. Really cold…

“Make way…” The Barbarian huffed, shoving Aaron to the side. Scarecrow grabbed him, holding Aaron tight as he glared at the Barbarian, hate in his eyes.

“C-Crow…you can let go…” Aaron muttered, and Crow blinked, and looked his way.

“S-sorry, clockwork…” He muttered back, letting Aaron go.

Scarecrow watched the tall man push open the giant door, a cold breeze blowing in. He rubbed his arms, as he was the only one in short sleeves, and stood back in shock as what was behind the door was revealed.

It was…back outside. An endless starry expanse was before them, almost rainbow with beautiful colors of all sorts. Nebulas were all around like a misty fog above them, and they even saw some swirling galaxies above them, moving fast enough they saw them rotate and glitter in the dark vastness.

But the thing that was the focal point of it all…right before the drop off of the silvery sandy ground, were two doors against an aged stone wall. The wall itself seemed normal, made with large gray stones, with shimmering green vines wrapping over it. But…on the wall were two doors.

One door was an aged wood, looking cracked and weathered. The handle was a faded silver, now a dull gray, and the vines seemed to weave into the cracks of the old door. It looked like the entrance to an abandoned barn.

Beside it, however…was a golden gate. The double set of doors were pure gold, with silver etchings of abstract shapes engraved in them, beautiful and enticing. They nearly glowed, pulsating with a gentle white light as the stars reflected in the sheen gold doors like a mirror.

“Two doors…that lead nowhere…” The Futureman muttered, walking to the side. There was…nothing behind the wall. Just a drop off into space…

Eternity.

‘And so it's come to this. Two Gates, two portals await. Let your choice be guided by collective wisdom.’

“You’re kidding, right?” Scarecrow whispered in annoyance as the voice returned. 

What wisdom…

‘Ah, hath the prospect of freedom ever tasted so good? One gate completes the circle;one step away from your own dimension, your cherished time.’

“W-we’re going home?!” Gabriel cried, grabbing Enty’s arm as a smile crept on their faces.

“It can’t be this simple…” Aaron muttered to himself, his eyes locked on the doors. “He wouldn’t just…let us go…”

‘One gate severs all connections: one step away from the dreamworld of everlasting ebony. You call it Oblivion. It is a brave soul who makes the first choice…’

“And…there it is.” Aaron grumbled, rubbing his eyes in frustration. 

“Oblivion…?” Gabriel muttered, his smile fading away as fear crept into his heart. He gripped Enty’s arm tighter, the two holding each other in fear.

“So one gate sends us home…” The Knight said, sheathing his sword he had drawn.

“And one ends our journey here…” The Roman added, standing by his side.

“It’s a damn trick!” Scarecrow hissed, motioning to the doors. “I-It can’t be this easy! And how are we supposed to tell which door is which, anyway?!”

Gabriel just tuned out the now louder arguing among the group as he stared at the doors. One of brilliant new clean royalty and gold…and one…of wood and age. One that has seen years and time. One of…

One of wisdom…

Gabriel’s eyes went wide as it hit him, his mouth opening, though no words came out.

“The first is plain and old! A disgrace!”

His eyes drifted as the Barbarian yelled out, the man walking closer to the doors. The group stood in silence as they watched him saunter over, his manner prideful.

“The second…forged of noble gold! A gate worthy of my own noble name…” He said, touching the door with his hand, feeling the smooth gold.

“Hey, this is a collective choice!” The Futureman yelled, though the Barbarian ignored him.

“The olden gate is for you cowards. ” He sneered, turning to face the group, the man drawing his sword. “This golden door…lies to Valhalla… it is my right to walk among the gods!” He yelled, pointing the sword towards the group.

Scarecrow gritted his teeth when he saw Aaron’s blood still on the sword.

“And what if we choose that gate as well, brute?” The Knight yelled, taking a step closer. The Barnarian let out a laugh, and held his sword higher.

“You will do no such thing…this is my reward…I walk alone… so dare not follow me…” He sneered, gripping his sword tighter.

“H-hey, that isn’t-” Scarecrow started, taking a step closer, though Gabriel grabbed his arm, holding him back. “G-Gabe!”

“He has the wrong door…” Gabriel whispered, his eyes wide.

“How the hell do you know?!” Scarecrow whispered back. “That door sure as hell looks safer!”

“One of wisdom…one of age…” Gabriel whispered, his eyes pleading. “It is as scripture says….the Lord is humble…”

“The Lord is…” Scarecrow muttered in confused frustration, looking back to the gates. He saw one of gold and one…

A humble one…

His eyes widened, a flash of a memory striking him.

“Jesus Christ it’s Indiana Jones…” He whispered, watching the Barbarian push open the golden gate.

“H-hey, st-” The Futureman started, though Scarecrow grabbed him, shaking his head. The Futureman looked at him in confusion, but only for a moment before he looked back at the gate, and saw the Barbarian enter pitch darkness.

For a moment, all was silent, with only an empty lonely wind blowing past their ears, the top of the silver sand shifting around them like light snow in the breeze.

“M-maybe he’s…fine-”

“A̵̛͈̣̍̊À̸̦͋a̷͇͓͕͊ă̶͙̿ä̴̲͓́̐a̸̘̻̅ã̵̳͔͛A̸̬̒͠A̸̬͉͔̅̿͝A̵͎̳̐̆Ä̴̹̑͝A̵̠͛̿A̵̜̅̐͠H̵̡̗̀̔H̵̰̏̈́H̵͖̤̤̓!̸̫̳͋̈!̸̡̈́!̷͙̘̬̅!̸̢̼͛̽”

Enty was cut off as a piercing, agonizing and distorted scream cut him off, the source being…

The Barbarian.

Gabriel whimpered, and hid his face into Enty’s chest, trying to tune out the deathly screams.

They lasted several eternal seconds, echoing in the eternity wide galactic expanse like the screech of car tires before a fatal accident. And finally…silence.

After what felt like forever, the screams ended, and silence rang out once more. Everyone stood still, unmoving.

Though…Scarecrow would be lying if he didn’t crack a faint smile.

‘That’s what you get…’ He thought to himself, nodding triumphantly as the group walked towards the olden gate.

“I take it…I am not alone to say, this is our best bet home…” The Futureman said, turning to face the group, and the rest of them all nodded back eagerly without hesitation.

“So…we just leave? Just like that…?” The Knight said, stepping closer. “No fanfare or explanation?” He stopped, and looked up to the stars. “Why this ordeal?!” He screamed, his voice breaking. “What was your aim, here? Or was this just some twisted game for your entertainment?!”

The others just stood back, giving the man space as he screamed louder and louder, genuine rage in his voice.

“AND WHO ARE YOU!!!” He shrieked, unsheathing his sword as he pointed it up to the stars. “Magicians?! Gods?! What was your plan here?! Did we pass this test?!” He stopped, his arm lowering his sword down, his eyes losing their fire. “Or…did we fail…?” He nearly whispered, defeat in his voice.

The group stood in silence, no one daring to speak. For a moment, it seemed like only the quiet vastness of space was with them, until…the voice returned.

‘I am of the stars…I am called…Forever.’

Chapter Text

‘E̴t̸e̶r̷n̸i̵t̴y̷ ̷c̷o̵u̴r̸s̴e̴s̶ ̵t̶h̵r̷o̵u̷g̵h̴ ̶m̴y̵ ̷v̷e̸i̷n̷s̶.̶ ̸I̷t̶ ̵i̸s̸ ̷c̴o̸l̶d̴ ̸b̷e̵y̴o̸n̵d̸ ̶y̷o̸u̷r̸ ̷s̵u̵n̵ ̴w̴h̴e̵r̶e̷ ̶w̸e̷ ̵c̵o̵m̵e̸ ̵f̵r̷o̷m̴.̵ ̸W̷e̷ ̷s̴e̴e̴d̵ ̵t̶h̷e̷ ̶u̴n̷i̷v̸e̷r̷s̸e̵ ̷w̵i̸t̴h̵ ̶t̵h̴e̸ ̵m̵i̸l̶k̵ ̴o̷f̵ ̶a̸ ̸m̷i̴l̵l̶i̶o̵n̵ ̶m̷o̶o̴n̴s̶.̴ ̶Y̸o̵u̵ ̸a̷r̴e̶ ̵t̸h̴a̴t̸̵s̴e̸e̶d̴.̷ ̴Y̷o̶u̴r̸ ̸e̷a̷r̵t̷h̷ ̴i̴s̵ ̵o̵u̷r̵ ̵e̷x̷p̵e̶r̶i̶m̸e̶n̷t̵.̴ ̷W̵e̵ ̴v̴a̷n̴q̶u̴i̸s̴h̷e̴d̵ ̶t̷h̸e̷ ̶d̵i̸n̵o̵s̵a̷u̸r̷s̶ ̷w̶i̴t̴h̶ ̶t̵h̸e̸ ̵c̷a̵r̴e̵l̵e̵s̴s̵ ̸t̷r̶a̸j̶e̸c̸t̴o̶r̵y̸ ̵o̶f̶ ̵a̵ ̷c̸h̷i̵l̸d̶'̸s̸ ̵l̶o̶s̶t̵ ̵m̴e̷t̸e̵o̶r̸i̵t̵e̶.̶̶W̶e̴ ̶p̸e̶o̸p̴l̸e̶d̴ ̶y̶o̶u̸r̶ ̸p̶l̵a̵n̵e̷t̶ ̶t̸o̶ ̸e̶x̷p̴e̶r̸i̴e̶n̸c̴e̷ ̵y̴o̶u̵r em̷͚̽ȏ̷ͅt̸̉ͅi̵̗̓ȯ̸̢n̶͙̕s̴̻̀ ̸̩̈-̴̖͒ ̷̗̍s̵̖͊ṵ̶͘c̴̥͆h̴͍͒ ̵̠̿f̷͉͊ë̷̼́e̷͓͑ḽ̶̈́í̵̯ṇ̷̈́g̵̗͑s̷̴̬̦̀͘l̶͕̀o̵̲̊s̶̭͝ţ̷̈́ ̷̺͛t̴̩̓ö̵͔ ̸̮͊u̵͈̎ś̶ͅ ̸͈̈a̶̱͐ẽ̴̳ȏ̷̘n̸̗̑ś̴̪ ̴̨̇a̴̫̒g̶̡͂o̶͔̐.̸̦̆ ̷̜̿H̷͈̋ö̶̼́w̸̟͊ ̷̖̂w̶̻̋e̸͇͂ ̷͎͛e̶̅ͅn̷̙͋v̷͍̌i̷͍̚ẽ̵̫d̶͙̐ ̸͙̏y̸͕͊o̶̪̊ų̷͆ ̷̰̐y̸͇̍ǫ̵̕ȕ̴͉r̴̝͐ ̵̞͊l̸̳̃ó̴̡v̵̫͋ḙ̸̍s̴̝̅ ̷̱́a̷͈͑n̶̹̾d̸̦́ ̴͉̀p̴̖̂ȧ̵̭s̷̰͛s̶͇̏i̶̱̍o̸̧͝n̷̛͈ś̵̻,̵̯͒ ̵̙͝y̵̬̍ó̶̩ū̴͜r̶͈͌ ̴͚͝d̵͓̓a̸͖̔n̶͎̍g̶̔͜ȩ̷͒r̶͉͋o̷̦̕u̷̹̍s̶̝͛ ̸̠̋d̷͔̀e̵̛̯s̵̱͝i̵̞̓ŕ̷͇ẹ̶̓ṡ̴̜.̵̫͒ ̵͛͜T̴̪͠ḣ̷̦e̵̻̐ ̵̼̿f̷̱͝i̴͙͐ṟ̵̓e̶͎̐s̵̢̈́ ̵̣̌o̸̯͗f̵̨̄ ̸̡͊ÿ̸̥́o̸͙͆ư̷̦r̴̜̄ ̶̡͌ĕ̸̻m̸̥̂ó̸̲t̷͇͋ì̶̡ỏ̶̯n̷̬͌s̶̖̑ ̷̳̌g̸̞̚l̸̫̋e̶̬̍ȧ̵̡m̷̮̈́e̷̛̹d̶͓͐ ̶̝̃ľ̷̢ỉ̷̹k̵̲͒ḛ̸̓ ̶͓͐ľ̶̤o̷̳̓s̴͍͗t̵̙̿ ̷̬͂b̴͚̌e̷̛̺a̴̫͝ĉ̵̹o̶̱̎n̴̽ͅş̶́ ̶̢́ḭ̵͒n̶̫͆ ̴͉̽ẗ̸̥́ĥ̸̙ë̷̯́ ̷̟̔ḓ̷̈́à̵̧r̴̟͗k̴̞̀è̶͉n̵̪͌e̴̢̎d̴̛̹ ̷͎̒d̶̙̉e̸̫͛p̶͚̓t̴̢́ḧ̵̜́ś̵͚ ̸̘̏o̷͉̍f̸͓̈́ ̵̘̿t̶̯̊h̴̨̀ȅ̷̙ ̴̳̿f̸͔́ḁ̷̆t̸͓̾h̶̤͊o̸̦̽m̵̘̑ľ̵͎e̵̦͌ś̶͍s̸̸̝̈͋͜ũ̶̮n̵͇͒i̴̛͓v̴͍̔e̷̞͘r̴̳͝s̸̤͂e̴͈̔.̸̻͊ ̴̬̓Ȃ̴͙ǹ̸͇d̸̥̿ ̶̨̋t̴̘͕̦̞̓̆ͅw̴̼͂̋ę̸̜͈̥̻̎͊̾͝l̷̲̊̄̃̓v̶̡̱͖̟͋e̸̞̺̔͛̔̾͆o̶̦̽f̵̼̌ ̵̘͝y̴̭͒ȯ̸̩u̷̺̎,̶͇͠ ̸͇̂p̸͖͆ḷ̵̉ȗ̴̮ć̸̡ǩ̷͙e̸̺͝d̵̬͠ ̴̗́f̴̭͛r̴̥͆o̵̘͛m̶̞͗ ̵͈̓T̴̼̈́i̶̥͑m̷̤̐e̷̥̕.̸̝̽ ̴͇̓N̴̰̓ỏ̵̯t̸͙̃ ̷̼̂r̴̠̾à̷̼ñ̵̯d̶̨͘ô̷̺m̴̻͌l̴͖̐ỷ̷̧,̵̯̎ ̸̞̊y̶͎͂o̶̼̍ủ̸̢ ̸̧̈́u̶̪͂ṇ̶̚d̵̨̿e̴͖̒r̴͇̋s̸̛͙t̵̨͌ä̷̱́n̷͔͛d̶͉͠.̸̮̑ ̷̘͑R̷̭̂ê̸͓p̶̲̈ŕ̶̨e̴̜͋s̶͖̉e̷̺̎n̶͙̑ṱ̸̀a̴͎͐t̶̲͝í̷̲v̵̛͎e̸̱̎s̵̮͘ ̴͈̚o̵̦͝f̷̠̿ ̸̡̔ỵ̵͊o̷̜͛u̵̝͘ŕ̴͈ ̶̰̈w̸̻̉ö̴̹́ṟ̴͂l̵̩̿d̷̔ͅ'̵̺̉s̴̱͛ ̴̺̑ṭ̷̚ǘ̸̠ṛ̴̎b̶͕̄ù̴̻l̸̮̄e̸͐͜n̵̡͑t̶̥̕ ̵̜̈h̵̤͑i̸̳͂s̴̳͘t̶͙͝ő̶͖ŕ̶̼ȳ̶̭.̵̘̌ ̵̩͐W̷̩͝e̸̙͌ ̴̘̑h̴̩̔a̸̝͠v̷͉̄ḛ̷̽ ̷̝̓ó̷̹b̸̻̕s̶̪̍ẹ̵̆r̴̜̾v̴͙̍e̵̳͋d̸̤̈ ̶͉͑y̶̗̓ọ̶̆u̶̼̅r̵̘̃ ̶́͜t̶͇͌r̷͎͑i̴̜͠b̵͕̊u̵̬̍ļ̶̍ã̵͎t̷̢́ī̵̩o̵̪͆n̸̥̑s̸̠̿ ̶̝̀f̵̘́ř̶̬ô̷̻m̸̺̀ ̷̻͋n̴̥͂a̸̛̺m̸͉̋ė̶̢l̵̞̇e̷̘̊s̸̳̑š̵̙ ̷̠̀ṋ̵͗e̶͜͝b̵͓͂u̶̥͋l̶͚̇a̷̱͋e̵͔͌.̴̣̈́T̶̞̽͋͠ĥ̴͈̗̱̾͗̉͝e̸̳͑͠ ̸̧͍̭͚͙̔͗̾̈́̇ĕ̴̮́̇̀̐x̸͍̪͇̱͔̆̚p̵̡̼͍̤͙͋͗e̷̟̯̣̅̆͝r̶̗̣̳̪̻̓͂̆̚ỉ̶͖͝ḿ̵̧͈͆͘é̸̳̫̇̕ͅn̶̢̪̱̦͉͋̆̑͌͠ť̶̖̤̍ ̶͖̫͒i̴͍̺̱̾ͅs̸̬̗̪̹̈́̌͠ ̵̙̅̾̑͋͝o̶̟͆͗͆͜͝v̶̝̰͓́̋́̀ë̷͈̫̺́r̷̪͋͆̌̂͘.̵̺̣̮̍̍̆͝ ̷̡͂̎̔͌͐I̸̹̙̣͊͐̐̆̚ ̷̲̠̞̲̻̐̾a̷̠͉̜̲̅̅m̸͇̞̃̌͘ ̴͓̳̙̊̑͘w̷̲̞͇̙̔͆͗͘͝ë̶̛̞͖͇͉̯̈́͒͘a̵͚͌͒̚͝r̵̿̀̏͝ͅy̵̗̓ ̴̲̀͌́͗ń̵̛͇͍͕͓̲̾͠o̵̲̼̪̗͊̌w̶̨̡͔̿͝͠.̷̰͇͝ ̷͙̥̜̃͌̊S̵̩̅ǒ̴̢̹̭̈́͊͠ͅ ̴̧͚̮̖̽͜͝t̶̨̬̯̓̓͐͝i̶͕̝͋̕r̷̢̞̽͐̒ḛ̷͕̓͊d̴̙̫͘.̷̭̪̅̓̈́ͅͅ ̸̞̬͌̊I̴̦͑̂ ̶̜̲̩͙̯̌͒̏̕͘ṭ̸͕̘̙̪̾̍͋̅̇ờ̸̡̗͉̘͔o̵̢͙̳͉̔͘͠ ̶̨̫̺̦̜̀̑̽̚͘å̶͇m̵͈̩͓̤̘̊ ̶̡̫̹̗̟̀̋f̵̡̺̙̣͎̄͐̀a̸͎̟̲̠̪̅͒͌͝͠r̶̡̅̊̚̚͝ ̵̘̅͊́f̵͇͙̪͐̾͐́r̷̻̪̔̈̎͊o̵͖̹͑̆͂͗͠ͅͅm̵͖͈̞̹͕͐ ̷̝̩́́h̵̯̚o̴̢͝m̵̺̥̤̰̅e̵̢̮̜̺͋͂̾̾.̸̧̓́̄͊̿ ̷̣̜̹͆O̵̘̳̗͊̑͋͗͠p̶̆͆̃͊̈́ͅe̵̥̜͋̈́̉͝n̴̹̲͐̽̑ͅ ̴̢̤̜̒̈́́͐͜t̵͕͈͆̄̔̇̐ḧ̴͈̞́͑̀̂̽e̷͈̫̘͐̏ ̶̬̖͙̙͌g̶̱̱̻̮̥͗̌̋̑̏ạ̸̺̹͈͎̓̀̈́̀̎t̴̜͍͈̣̍e̸̦̣̽̒̒ ̴͔̜̌ ̴̣̅̆̃͐̔c̵͚̈́͌͂o̶̢̩͈̳͌̋̈́́͘m̴͙̩̦̬̭͛p̴̬͈͉͎̉̚ͅl̷̩̦̚e̴̯͊͗́ͅṫ̸̨̳ė̵̮͇̤̞͐ ̴̢͍̲̦̋̀̃̀̈t̵̪̖̋͊͂̽͝h̴̞̳̝̓̇e̷̢̳̦͖̫̒̉̌ ̴̩̄c̴̢̞͔̯̆ì̵̝̻̉̂̚r̴͕̜͍̐̑͂ͅc̷̙̬̅͆̾̉̒l̸̲̊ȅ̸̢̡̹͍̟̚.̸̪̣͒̅́̉͝ ̵͈͒̀̉́͝Y̴̞̾ȍ̵̢͕̩̰͛̔̀ṵ̶̪͐̈́ ̸̪̙̌w̶̱͎̞̲̔̄̚͜o̸̰͉͓͛̑n̷͙͊͊'̷̡̬͔̂̅̃̈t̸̟͍̬̝͊̈́̿́ ̵̛̯͐r̵̡͈̟̾ë̶̢̗͈͙͑̾̉ͅm̶̫͌̾̎̅̾e̵̛̛͔̣̟͎̼̔̃m̴̱̙̮̖̎b̵̰̒͝e̴̢̯̮͍̅̒̔̈͜͠r̶̬͕͉̓̓̔ ̷͓̠̣̫̤̔͗͑̓-̴̖̍ ̵̨̬͓̫̯̇̆̆͑͠y̶̘͚̦͌͌̇͝o̵̡͔͙̺͂͊̎͗̉ù̶̯̜̻̅̈́̉ͅ ̴͈̲́͒͗͂w̸̧̭͙̔̈̐̓o̴̬͉̜̓̓̔̈ņ̸̗̈́̈́̔'̸͈͚̑̓̓ͅt̶̢̼̠̥͙̊͋͆ ̶̫̪̦̰̤̅r̵͓̲̫͙̆̏e̶̤̭͔͍̩̊̑̃ç̷̻̤̮͗ä̴̖̜̪̘́̉͂͝l̸̤͓̀̋̀́̏ĺ̵͔̈́ ̸̹̘̬̬͈̐̊̿̀-̵̦̩̈́̔́̚͘ ̸͎̏̂̆͜f̶̢̲̝͋͝ǫ̴͓̆͗̕͠r̶̟̠͒͜ ̸̛̼͐̈́Ì̵͓͆̿ ̵̩̖̩̦̝̒a̸̺̠̣̽͋͗͛̔m̴̙̯̂͗͛̋̑ ̴̭̳̤̤͛̈́͝ơ̴̛̪̼̋͛͊ń̵̡̧͖l̵̥̱͙̞͚̒y̸̖̦͙̐̏ ̴̢͇̊̒t̶̛̹̦̭̅̕h̵͍̦̱͂̋ḛ̶̈́̎͝ ̶̨̺͛͌ả̷̖̒̃̌͊í̶͍͜͝ṟ̸̈́ ̴̦͇̳̮͙̅̃̀t̶͖̺̾͝h̸̢͓̣̫͈̅́a̶͉̬̓̇̌t̴̜̺͔̩͂̓̓ ̵̰̔̈́̕y̴̢͚̺̰͂̓̽̀̕͜ơ̸̜̩̘̘ų̶̵̨͚̰̖͔̬̔̈͒̽̐̾͜b̴̦̅r̴̞͓̈̽̏̈́ẻ̷̜͖̭͍̣a̵̝̟̙̠̙͒̀͆̀̀ṭ̶̲͉̱̿h̴̩̖͎͙̓̈́̓é̶̢̥͍̜̩͐́,̵̧̙́͆̒̏͐ ̷̨̟͒̓͜ͅà̷͚ͅf̷̨̼͓̱̠̔̂ṯ̷͈͑̐͌̇͜ê̴̫̞͗̈̋̇ȓ̴̡͇͈ ̴̧̳̺̍̽͋̓̅á̷̧͉̝͚̈͘l̶̈́̄̏ͅl̶̥͔̩̱̱͑̀͛.̵̦̮̯̿͗.̴̨̐̈́.̷̻̰̈͘’

The group stood in shocked silence, the voice faded away back into silence that rang louder than the voice's words.

“Right…makes sense…” The Knight finally said, breaking the eternal nothingness. He sighed, and sheathed his sword. Turning, he stood before the gate, and gave the others a small smile, his eyes kind and bright. “I may not…understand…but perhaps I shall someday. And…” He stopped, and glanced over at the group of misfits. “Maybe we shall all meet again someday…in another time…” He paused, and met Crow’s eyes. Smiling, the Knight reached into his satchel, and pulled out an engraved metal cross on a chain. “You have bravery, and heart…remember it, and let it guide you.” He said, handing the necklace to Scarecrow, who took it with wide eyes. “It was an honor to meet a man of heart such as yourself…may the stars see it we meet again.” He said, nodding with a smile, as Scarecrow nodded back in shock. The Knight gave a small laugh, and turned to the others. “But for now, my friends…” He said, reaching for the wooden door. “I say…let us return home…” 

He pushed on the door, and instead of darkness, they saw…swirling starry space, silvery and warm, as if a gentle sunlight was shining onto them beyond the veil.

“I wish you all the best of luck on your quests…farewell, friends…” He said, giving one more smile before turning, and stepping into the stars.

The glittering stars seemed to encompass him, soon blocking him from view. But…there was no screaming, nor pain. Just stars…

“I feel…anew.” The Roman said, stepping up next. “Thank you, friends…for everything. May the gods watch over your journey home.” He said, nodding with a smile. The others nodded back, watching the man leave into the veil.

“This is the longest trip I’ve ever had…” The Hippie said, walking up next. He stopped, and looked over who was left. “Wasn’t all bad, though.” He said lightly, smiling. With a dorky wave, he backed into the portal backwards, his laugh echoing as he vanished into the stars, out of sight.

The Futureman sighed, and shook his head, stepping up next.

“Take care, all of you.” He said, smiling at them. “I…do not believe the future is written in such a way. I believe there is still hope…thank you for helping me remember.” He said, shaking Scarecrow’s hand.

“N-no…problem…”

“I must return, though…my world is…tense.” He said, walking towards the door. “War is broken out…I hope it mends soon. I have…never seen Earth.” He said, and the other’s eyes went wide.

“H-huh?!”

“I was born and raised on a Mars colony…I must return, they need me…but thank you again, all of you.” He said, his voice warm as he smiled at them. “Maybe we will meet again someday…somehow.” He finished, turning. He then stepped off into the portal, vanishing.

And soon…it was the four of them, alone.

“So…we just…walk through? And we’ll be home?” Scarecrow said, shoving the cross into his pocket.

“Seems…seems so…” Aaron started, though a yell from Enty caused him to stop.

“W-wait!!!”

“Jesus, Enty…” Scarecrow hissed, gripping his chest in fear.

“W-we can’t go!” Enty cried, and the others looked at him in shock.

“W-what?!”

“Enty, why can’t we…?” Gabriel asked softly, now seeing…Enty was terrified.

“D-didn’t you hear what he said?!”

“That he’s a Forever?! Yea, and we’re gonna have a long talk with the Captain about this!” Scarecrow hissed, crossing his arms. “His fish friends kidnapping us like this…”

“N-no! I mean, yes, but…but…”

“Enty…” Gabriel whispered, and froze when he saw tears fill Enty’s eyes.

“HE SAID WE’D FORGET!!!” Enty screamed, squeezing his eyes shut. “A-and he’d send us home! ”

“Not gonna lie, I’m ok forgetting this.” Scarecrow said, though Enty just whimpered in response.

“N-no! W-what if we forget everything?!” Enty screamed, stepping back. “What if w-we forget each other?! A-and he sends us back to our old homes?!” He cried, and the realization finally hit the others.

“Oh…” Gabriel whispered, the horrible ‘what-ifs’ now filling his head.

Scarecrow stood still, his face paling. What…if they did get seperated? And…and…

“What if…we forget each other…” Scarecrow whispered softly, looking up at the others in sorrow, his eyes starting to burn.

Gabriel sniffled, now holding his arms against himself as the thought became more real. The voice said he’d send them back to their time, their home…and make them forget everything…

“And get s-sent back to our old worlds…” Enty added, tears filling his eyes. “W-what if we forget everything we've done together?!” He sobbed.

“Then we’ll do it all again.”

The trio looked over in sorrowful shock, and saw Aaron standing before them, determination in his eyes. 

“A-Aaron…”

“So what if we get sent back to our old worlds?!” He yelled, tears in his own eyes. “So what if we forget each other! We’ll do it all again! We’ll find each other again! We’ll…we’ll be a family again. One way or another…” He said firmly, his eyes sharp but teary.

“Y-you can’t be so sure…” Gabriel whispered.

“Well…we found each other against all odds once didn’t we?” Aaron said, walking closer. “We transcended worlds to find each other once…who says we can’t do it again?”

The others just looked at each other sadly, even Scarecrow, who was now crying openly.

Aaron then sighed, and reached down, taking Scarecrow’s and Enty’s hands in his own.

“We’re a family…and no all-seeing fish alien is gonna change that…no matter what happens…we’ll find each other. We’re a family…”

“Through…anything…” Gabriel added, reaching and taking Enty’s and Scarecrow’s other hands as well, so they were in a circle.

“We’ll go through that gate, and no matter what happens…we’ll find each other.” Aaron said firmly, a teary smile on his face.

He looked over, meeting Scarecrow's eyes. For a moment, he was still, though…a small laugh escaped him, a smile forming on his face.

“Yeah…family, through anything…or whatever…” He said with a smirk, causing the others to smile.

“So…come on. Let’s go home…” Aaron said, smiling and turning to the door. 

The four then stood hand in hand, side by side before the starry portal. Each taking in a nervous breath, they stepped off the ledge, together, into the starry nothingness.

They each closed their eyes, a numbness taking over as they fell, and soon…only one phrase was lasting in their calming minds as everything fell dark and still.

‘Remember…Forever.’

Chapter Text

“G-guys…?” Elderane whispered, walking around the kitchen table. It was dead silent in the house, as if they had never been there to begin with. They had just…vanished into thin air without a sound. “GUYS!!!” The prince screamed, looking around in a growing panic. He rubbed his eyes again, but nothing was different. 

The room was empty-

“Oh, huh?”

Elderane let out a terrified yelp, a voice behind him scaring him. His eyes went wide in terror when he saw Gabriel there, looking around in confusion.

“G-...G-...” Elderane stuttered, his mouth going dry.

Gabriel blinked a moment, then smiled when he saw Elderane.

“Oh, it seems I dozed off for a moment! That was a nice breakfast Elderane, thank you!” He said, patting the stunned Elderane on his arm as he walked past. “Seems I’m still tired, though…maybe I’ll lay back down a bit.”

“Odd…I’m quite tired as well, hm…” 

Elderane looked over in terror, now seeing Aaron standing there, rubbing his head.

“I don’t think I slept well last night…”

“You probably didn’t sleep at all!” Scarecrow said, who the shocked Elderane now saw by the table. “Geez, why am I so sore…” He grumbled, stretching his leg a bit. “Feels like I’ve been walking all day…”

“It’s only 10am!” Enty said with a laugh, picking up a spoon off the floor.

“Maybe you’re just lazy.” Aaron said with a smirk, and Scarecrow glared at him.

“Says you Mr. ‘I work till I pass out’!”

“Maybe we all just had a rough night…”

“Yeah, I think I had a nightmare again…”

“Well, let us all just take it easy today, hm?” Aaron said, walking out the kitchen. Enty laughed, and grabbed a donut before following suit.

Elderane was just staring in shock, his face pale as he watched them leave.

“AH!!!” He yelled, a touch on his shoulder making him jump.

“Geez, pointy, what’s got you on edge?” Scarecrow said teasingly, stepping away. “Take a deep breath, man.” He said, walking out the door.

Elderane just stood in silent shock in the middle of the room, frozen.

“Eld, are you ok?” Gabriel asked, placing his hand on his shoulder. Elderane just looked down at him, his eyes wide.

“I-...I-...” He choked out, his words gone.

“Eld, did something happen?” Gabriel asked, looking concerned. Elderane blinked.

“I…d-don’t…know…” He finally managed, closing his eyes as he rubbed his face.

“Well, wanna come lay down with me? I had such a weird dream…no wonder I didn’t sleep well!” He said with a laugh, turning to leave.

Elderane stood alone in the kitchen, and sighed, following.

“I-...yeah…s-same…” He muttered, rubbing his head. “J-just…just a weird dream…” He whispered to himself, walking up the stairs behind Gabriel, shaking his worries away. He was just tired…he must have imagined that whole thing.

It was nothing.

He passed Scarecrow’s room, the man inside standing by his dresser. He reached down, though he stopped when he felt something in his pocket.

Scarecrow reached in, and looked down in confusion when he pulled out…some odd metal cross emblem necklace he didn’t recognize.

“The hell did I get this…?” He whispered to himself, turning the antique-looking trinket over in his hands. After a moment, he shrugged, setting it on his desk. “Looks cool, though…” He said, yawning with a stretch as he walked away.

He stood in the middle of his room, a rain beginning to hit his window. He stood still, an odd feeling arising in the back of his memory, like…

Like he had a dream that he can’t remember anymore…

“Hey, Crow?” 

He turned, and saw Aaron in his doorway, looking tired as well.

“H-hi clockwork…”

“Question, uh…” The scientist said, walking in. Scarecrow watched him move the unbuttoned top of his shirt away, and his eyes widened when he saw…a large whitish thin scar on Aaron’s chest, right above his heart. “Do you remember where I got this one?” Aaron asked, looking at it. “It is quite big, I assume I’d remember…unless it was when I fell down the stairs and got that concussion…”

Scarecrow just stared at it, faint screams echoing in the recesses of his memory. He then felt…a jab of agonizing guilt stab him.

“N-no, clockwork…I-I don’t remember that one…” He muttered, his eyes locked on it.

Aaron stared at it again a moment, then shrugged.

“Ah well. Probably just from one of my machines exploding. It doesn’t hurt at all! Must be old.” He said, turning away, and walking out the door.

Scarecrow stood still.

“Y-yeah…must be…” He whispered, closing his eyes as he rubbed his face. He felt like…there was something he needed to remember. But…it was eluding him, like a dream trying to hide.

The guilty feeling not going away, Scarecrow sighed, and walked over to his bed, laying down. He stared out his window, watching the rain fall harder now, hitting the glass directly. He closed his eyes, feeling…so tired. His eyes burned…he just needed some rest…it was just a nightmare he had. 

Just a nightmare.

In a matter of minutes, sleep claimed him, though as he slept, he couldn’t shake a certain feeling…

A feeling of…uneasiness. Like he was being watched, even in his dreams. 

Scarecrow just turned over, pulling his blanket higher over himself, letting the gentle rain carry him away into dark nothingness.

It was nothing.

Chapter Text

'What did we learn?'

'Some perished...'

'Human minds...'

'They are home.'

'Follow them!'

'Follow him...'

'Which one...'

'The one with the most emotions...'

'He cried...'

'He felt rage...'

'He laughed...'

'He shone brightest...'

'His emotions...'

'They were strong...'

'His memories, too...'

'He is the one...'

'Follow him...'

'Find him!'

'The one who cries black...'

'He will show us how to feel...'

'He is the one we need...'

'Find him!'

'Find his dreams...'

'Watch him...'

'The experiment...'

'Look into his mind...'

'He is the answer...'

.

.

.

'He will set us free...'