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The Night can’t help the twisted grin that finds itself on its vessel’s face. A thick, black smoke has enveloped “Los Angeles” and soon the entirety of Earth will be under its hellish reign. After a thousand years of being stuck in that wretched basement, it’s goal is finally being realized.
It skips along the sidewalk like a young school girl, occasionally twirling throughout the destruction. Yet it’s chaotic waltzing is interrupted by a tiny sound.
Bp!
The Night instinctively turns to the noise and spots an abandoned tank. It curiously walks over and notices a tiny, greenish creature swimming about. After a moment it swims up to the top of tank and briefly pokes its head above the water.
Bp!
Once it hears the noise clearly things begin to fall into place for the machine.
An Earth axolotl? It’s so tiny though.
“Hello.” It decides to try probing it for a response.
The creature still continues moseying about in its tank.
Is it incapable of speech? I suppose we can’t be great in every world.
The Night takes a few steps forward, but it’s mind is plagued by the pitiful creature. It can’t help but wonder what will happen to the tiny version of it. Is being in the glass prison like being stuck in the basement? Should it even be in there in the first place?
It ponders this last question for a moment before sighing and turning around. The creature seems content enough, but the Night can’t help think the worst.
Well we have plenty of room in the palace…
As if on cue, two robots hit the ground behind it, leaving a crater in their wake.
“Incoming call from Andrias.”
It scoffs to itself. What does he want now?
“Anne Boonchuy is pushing back our forces my lord. What is our next course of action?” The salamander seems to be cowering from the battle in the background. Typical.
“ Make your retreat now, there isn’t much more we can do at the present moment. I’ll follow behind you.”
The former king bows and excuses himself to follow his master’s orders. The Night turns to both robots behind it.
“ Scan this creature. I want to know everything humans have documented about it and how it works. Acquire enough resources to ensure its fulfillment for as long as possible.”
The robots eyes turn to question marks for a brief moment, but eventually they comply.
“Scan completed. Acquiring resources now.”
“Oh and you.”
The right robot turns to it expectantly.
“Pack it around for me.”
The robot manages to gently grip the tank, despite the razor-sharp claws and teleports itself and the Night back to castle.
In the ruined throne room a giant blue salamander bounces on his feet expectantly. He can’t help but wonder what the Night was up to. Maybe he initiated the false peace talks early? Perhaps he decided to get rid of Boonchuy permanently? His mind continues supplying hypotheticals until the familiar glow of a portal appearing shakes him of his worrying.
“Ah my lord I’m glad you have returned. Our attack went exactly according to your plans and-“ the salamander stops and stares at the robot next to the Night.
“May I ask what that is my lord?”
“It’s an Earth axolotl. It will be staying in the castle, so I suggest you get used to its presence.”
Andrias blinks because this was honestly the last thing he was expecting.
“Of course my lord…may I inquire as to why it will be staying with us? I can’t understand why you would take it in.” Andrias hasn’t been to Earth in many years, but he’s prettyyyyy certain that salamanders of any type are incapable of speech. His master’s actions have always had a purpose, showing him the truth about his former “friends”, or getting Newtopia back to its proper state. The Earth axolotl? He’s completely clueless.
“Andrias.” It’s voice is grave, like being scolded by all of your disappointed ancestors as it gives its warning.
“Be mindful of who you are talking to. You are lucky that I will let this transgression go unpunished because of your success today. Remember. Your. Place.”
Andrias gapes at his master before bumbling out an apology and excusing himself. Once he’s out of what’s left of the throne room the Night glances over to his right and notices the Earth axolotl is now situated in a tank five times bigger than it’s previous one.
“Does it need anything? Are there any adjustments that should be made?” T he Night’s mechanical voice sounds almost motherly.
“STATUS REPORT: EARTH AXOLOTL
The tank is much larger than recommended, the room has appropriate lighting, but the creature should be fed within the next hour. Human studies indicate that the insects and worms we grabbed should be suffice.”
“Hand me the worms then get back to scouting duty.” The robot complies, then happily bounces outside one of many broken windows.
After slowly approaching the tank, the Night lingers with the worms in its hand. It hesitantly drops the worms into the tank and the creature happily gobbles them down. The little axolotl swims over towards the Night and taps it’s head against its tank, which does not make the Night almost cry motherly tears of joy what are you talking about. It holds its hand above the tank for a moment. It slowly swims up and brushes itself against the Night’s hand. It notices the smaller axolotl gills are flowing freely and tears actually start falling after this.
After the little axolotl is done with it tucks itself under one of the rocks and drifts off to sleep. The Night can’t help smiling to itself for a job well done, though it still has some lingering questions that probably wouldn’t be answered in scientific sources. Luckily for it, it happens to be sharing a body with someone from Earth that may help.
The throne room fades into an empty static white void, save for the teenager curled up within themself.
”Hello, Marcy.” The teen only rolls their eyes at the greeting.
”We’ve already been over this. I’m not telling you about the “weak points” of Earth, so save us both the time.”
”I want to know more about axolotls from Earth.”
Marcy’s head perks up at this and they stare at it blankly.
”Uh I don’t know everything about them, but you’re gonna have to be more specific. Wait no this is probably for something evil isn’t it-“
”I took one from Earth. It was abandoned and I was…curious. That’s all.”
Marcy raises a brow at that last bit, yet their thoughts go unsaid.
”Can they speak? Should they be held? How can I ensure it grows up to be a great conqueror-“ It stares at Marcy like it’s embarrassed by it’s own behavior.
”First, no I don’t think they can speak. Secondly, you probably should just see if they initiate, but I’m not sure. Lastly, I have no idea. I’m not sure if it could even do that-”
“IT CAN DO WHATEVER IT PUTS ITS MIND TO!” It cups it’s hands over it’s mouth and just sheepishly looks away from Marcy.
“Jesus maternal much.” At that revelation, Marcy just smirks.
”Oh my god you’ve gotten so attached to it! Does it have a name?” They coo.
”No I have not! It didn’t feel right to name it, but I guess if it can’t name itself…”
Now it’s the Night’s turn to smirk.
”I’m gonna name it Marcy Junior.”
Marcy chortles at this, but then looks up to see it’s being serious.
”You wouldn’t.”
“Now I have to because you hate it so much. I’ve left it alone for too long. Goodbye Marceline.”
”GET BACK HERE YOU MOTHERF-“
The throne room had completely appeared before Marcy could finish, or start, their angry rant. The Night takes one final look at the newly dubbed “Marcy Jr.” and smiles at its sleeping form.
”Good night, Marcy Junior.” It chuckles to itself.