Chapter Text
Mystery woke up laying in red. Blood. He was laying in his own blood. That would explain the stabbing pain in his lower abdomen. His vision was spotty and his head felt heavy. He could barely let out a grunt in pain. In his daze he could hear soft sniffling. Or what would be loud wailing if his ears would work properly. His white fur was being pulled on by human hands. He didn’t need to turn his head to know who she was. Mystery wished he could tell her he’s awake but she seemed lost in her own grief to notice him.
From what he could see, his blood was spilling alarmingly fast onto the pavement. The now mystical fox could not recall how he got the injury. If he last remembered the only other time he ended up this injured was when—
The kitsune’s head shot up. Looking around the car repair shop’s parking lot. Half set on fire and half littered in burnt vines. She was here. Her plant life was all over the place. Yet she was no where to be seen. Surely in his vulnerable state, Shiromori would’ve quickly taken advantage of him.
A small gasp caught his attention. He achingly moved his head towards his mistress. Vivi, sporting a concerning gash in her stomach, gazed up at him. With tears rolling down her face she choked out,
”You-you’re alright!”
Vivi all but leaped onto his furry neck. Nuzzling his face and crying happy tears.
In her crying fit Vivi then asked, “Where did Arthur go?”
Arthur didn’t know what the hell was going on. He was run off the road by the same freaky pink ghost from the haunted mansion and it somehow has a goddamn truck, even though he is very sure there wasn’t a truck parked outside.
The ghost then throws him in the truck that had a freaking cave in it. With more of those pink blob things scaring him into the path with a very long drop.
Skipping forward to finding out the ghost was Lewis and right as Arthur is about to fall to his painful death, he landed in some boxes and not an stalagmites.
Arthur gets out of the boxes and grabs the ghost’s heart thing which pisses off Lewis again but then it—he starts crying.
Arthur just stared in disbelief at his would be murderer sobbing on the floor because something’s wrong with it’s heart he guessed.
And then the truck explodes. No idea how he fucking survived that but he’s survived this long and he needs to get moving. Vines then grew out of nowhere and he was hauled his unconscious uncle back inside.
Arthur dumped his still unconscious uncle on the couch in the break room. Shotgun placed right under him. Just in case.
Arthur needed to breathe. Even though his lungs weren’t agreeing with him at the moment and what ever strength he had was spent carrying his uncle and himself to safety.
Arthur remembered that it wasn’t just the…ghost that ran them off the road. A weird woman that held on to the front of the van. White hair, blue skin, freakishly large teeth. Carrying garden shears that shattered his windshield.
Arthur shook his head. That thing should be gone by now. Even if she wasn’t, it’s not like he would do much good against it. He only hoped that Vivi will know what to—!
”Oh shit, Vivi!” He shouted. Before he ran out the door he pointed at his uncle. “Stay here!” He got no response.
Bursting through the door of the shop, he looked left and right for either the blue lady or his blue friend. In the distance, he spotted a large patch of white, black, and red fur. Arthur didn’t believe what he was seeing. He could make out a fox like muzzle and far too many tails for an animal to have. His tension was slightly eased however, when he saw his feminine friend hugging the creature’s neck while sobbing hysterically. Arthur ran towards them, calling out Vivi’s name.
She turned and ran towards him. A relieved smile on her face. They met at the middle with a strong embrace. Strong on Vivi’s part. So strong that she knocked him off his feet.
“Arthur! Where the hell did you go? Did you see that blue freak with the scissors? She-“
“Yes Vivi! That’s why I ran out here!”
Arthur couldn’t stop the flow of questions. “Where did she go? How’d you get that gash? What the hell is that?!” He said last question while pointing at the fox in question.
Mystery winced at the hand pointing at him. Mystery didn’t know if he was saddened of relieved that Arthur didn’t recognize his true form. Either way, there’s nothing he could do but speak his case. “Arthur—.”
The mechanic stood up, surprised. “It can talk!”
Vivi stood up, trying to real in her friend’s rising panic. “Arthur. I know how this looks but he’s not gonna hurt us!”
She moved to fox’s head as if to prove that. Petting him and rubbing his ears much to the fox’s enjoyment. Arthur still didn’t look convinced.
”Do you seriously not recognize him? Look at his collar!”
Arthur couldn’t do anything but comply and moved a bit to get a view of the collar. Most of it was covered by fur. He was struck still when he saw the familiar dog tag. Mystery’s dog tag.
”What the..Mystery?!” He yelled. Mystery had the good graces to look sheepish.
”She tried to tell you Artie.”
Again he was struck at the use of his nickname. Not only can his friend’s dog talk but he was a giant fox too?? This night was too much on his psyche. He just wanted to forget this night happened.
“I need a smoke.” Arthur wheezed out. He moved towards Vivi again and became serious. Seriously worried that is. “We need to get that gash checked out. Did the that lady do this?” He asked.
She nodded.
”Is she still here?”
She shook her head. “We got rid of her. Well I did. The lady got Mystery pretty good.”
Arthur was surprised at that. Only then did he notice the massive amount of blood on the pavement. And the matching slash wound on his lower abdomen. He couldn’t tell how big it was since the fox was laying down but he was worried nonetheless.
”Oh geez Mystery! That looks really really bad! Do we need to go to the hospital or—?”
“Mystery?”
Mystery and Vivi’s head shot up at the new voice while Arthur let out a shriek. Arthur ran and hid behind his blue friend and wearily stared towards the ghost.
The ghost in question looked. Well it looked better he supposed. His suit was wrinkled and tie loosened. Arthur could even see faint black streaks running down his eye sockets.
Vivi immediately was on defense and raised the bat Arthur forgot she had on hand.
“Back off fancy boy. I have a magic bat and I know how to use it.” The bat glue a light blue. As if the bat itself challenged the pink specter.
The ghost raised his hands in defense. His bony face changed to one of grief and slight remorse.
“Vivi get away from that thing!” Suddenly magenta fire lit up in its hands. Ready in case Mystery tried anything.
“The only one who needs to get away is you! I don’t know how you know my name, but I’m not gonna let you hurt me or my friends!” She raised her bat over her head and screamed, “Do you hear me?!”
This was getting out of hand and Mystery new it.
“You don’t know? Vivi it’s me!” Lewis was shocked. How could she not recognize him?
Mystery was now trying to stand up. Things were escalating and Arthur wasn’t doing anything to stop it. His body was shaking as his injury flared up and stung.
Lewis glared at mystery again and yelled at him, “Get away from her!” He ran at Mystery with protective fury. In turn, Vivi ran towards the ghost bat ready to strike.
“I warned you!”
The distance between them shortened as Vivi ran at him with all her might. This guy has terrorized them all night and now he was trying to play knight in shining armor? Yeah right! She glared at his dark and broken heart not caring how it wasn’t the radiant yellow it was before.
Her experience with spirits showed that that is likely his only anchor to this world. All she needed to do was strike his heart like she did with the lady and he’ll be gone! If not she could always break the damn thing.
Vivi’s path was blocked by a blur of yellow and orange.
”Guys STOP!”
Both immediately halted. Both never have heard this loud, demanding voice out of Arthur. The mechanic actually outran Vivi in time to get in front of her and block her target.
”Just. stop.” Arthur’s voice came out as a whimper. Tired and afraid of what’s about to happen.
Lewis quickly came out of his stupor and became annoyed at the blond boy.
“Out of my way traitor.” His voice was dark and dangerous. His large arms, still on fire moved Arthur’s face before making his next point. “Or I’ll take you instead.”
Arthur was slightly shaking now but his face wasn’t all that afraid anymore.
“No..no way. I-I’m not gonna let you hurt them. Or m-me.” His stutter was showing. He hadn’t stuttered all night until now.
“Be-besides” Arthur smirked ever so slightly. “After that show, I’m not sure you would hurt us anyways.”
Lewis sputtered and rubbed at his eye sockets. Only the two know what happened in the truck and he hoped to keep it that way.
“I. I know who are now.”
Lewis cut him off. “You should know! You’re the one that did this to me!” The fire was spreading and growing hotter. Arthur had to step away from him to prevent being burned. His arm sparked and malfunctioned as the fire grew. The thrashing irritated the port connected to his skin.
Vivi stepped beside Arthur and moved her bat to his chest.
“Did what to you? Your the one that’s been chasing us all night.”
The fire reached past to the ghost’s shoulders His projection of hair loosing shape as it matched the growing flames. “Arthur” He stepped closer and bellowed, “KILLED ME!”
“Lewis no!” Mystery shouted. With a rush of strength he bolted and put himself between his humans and the enraged specter.
“Lewis you don’t understand! You don’t have the whole truth!”
Aggravated, Lewis turns his rage on Mystery.
“Yes I do! I know how it happened! Arthur waited until I was at the edge of the cliff. And he pushed me. To. My. Death!” He shouted, glaring and fuming at the cowering mechanic.
”That’s absurd. Why would Arthur kill you? He doesn’t even know you!” Vivi shouted back. She was so confused how this Lewis could mistake Arthur as his killer.
“We were best friends once…why? Why did you kill me Arthur?!”
“Artie you were friends with this nut?”
Arthur didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know if saying anything mattered now. Arthur knew what the ghost was capable of. The ghost wanted to kill him, he almost did. Arthur couldn’t wrap his head around the thought that his murderer could’ve been Lewis.
He looked for Lewis. His best friend for so long. Arthur couldn’t believe that he was not only gone but Lewis hated him. Lewis wanted him dead.
“Lewis what are you talking about? I didn’t kill you! I would never!” Arthur tried to reason with Lewis to no avail.
“Playing dumb now are you? Was it because of her? Did you kill me so you could get with her?!”
Vivi again was shocked. Get with her? Like in a romantic way? She’s never felt romantic with Arthur or anyone! And she’s surer than anyone that Arthur feels the same way!
Even then, why the hell did this ghost care if they got together or not? None of what this guy was saying lined up.
“Who do you think are? Arthur doesn’t love me and I don’t love him!” She turned to Arthur. “No offense.” He raised a hand meaning to say ‘none taken’. “And why do you care if we do?” She swore she saw him blushing at that.
“Vivi you. Do you really not remember me? Remember us?” The ghost sounded so heartbroken it almost made Vivi pity him. Once again he grasped his heart. Lewis looked at it and to her before he offered it to her.
Vivi remembered he did something like this back at the mansion. He even had the same saddened look on his face. Back then, Arthur pulled her away and bolted but now he was hiding behind her. She looked to him and then up at Mystery.
Mystery stared at her back. Then slowly moved out of her way. Letting the spirit come closer to her.
Vivi still held her bat in a defensive stance, not trusting the ghost one bit.
The ghost offered the blackened, broken heart to her. Vivi knew he wanted her to take it. With a sigh, she lowered her bat and gave it to Arthur. For protection. He took it.
Vivi reached out and the heart floated to her open palm. In awe but still weary, she carefully opened his heart. What she saw she made her heart stop.
The picture had her in it. Based on her pose, she was taking the picture. As well as Arthur holding both flesh arms in peace signs. And Mystery as a dog again. Something was off. She doesn’t remember taking this picture and there was another man there. He looked down at her, a good head or more taller than Vivi.
Purple eyes. Loving smile…
The man in the picture faded into a pink silhouette. Until the entire picture was a solid pink. Vivi was confused until a pink fire shot out with a crackle. The magic reached her eyes, engulfing them in same pink magic.
She grunted as her head felt like it was splitting open and she lost her balance.
The rest of them jumped back as the magic did it’s work.
“Vivi!” Human, Kitsune and ghost shouted, as she fell backwards.
She fell onto 7 large and soft tails that cushioned her fall. Vivi twitched and turned as one face swarmed her vision.
Pink ascot, purple eyes, large build. More specific things. Kind smiles, goofy grins.
She knew these faces these eyes. They belonged to one person. She was friends with him. She. She loved him.
The last shreds of conciseness slipped as she croaked out a broken whisper. All three faces looked down at her, worried sick. She focused on the ghost of her lost memories. The ghost now didn’t look that skeletal anymore.
Before she finally fell asleep, she whispered
“Lewis Pepper”.