Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After all the campaigning that's been happening, it's time to figure out who's the mayor is this season. Scar was for sure thinking that it was him. There was a reason he and Bdubs did a lot of marketing, it would only make sense right?

Wrong.

He was so wrong.

Once the votes were counted, Mumbo actually won. Shocking right? Scar was absolutely stunned. Mumbo won, of all competitors? Where did it go wrong? Scar wondered.

Letting out a soft, yet hurt sigh, he congratulated his friend on winning, before flying back to his little snail home. He didn't necessarily want to, but it was time to call him in.

Scar was, safe to say, doubting his whole entire plan of the season at this moment.

Sure, Scar loved Mumbo! He was one of his best friends! But what he didn't love was losing.

Especially something he had worked really hard for, what he spent days and days of sweat, hard work, and worries about everything being perfect.

Nevertheless, he lost
There was nothing Scar could do about it.

Well, he could and he wasn't exactly pleased to do this but the return of the one and only is coming.

Scar started gathering the stuff from the list, the list he remembered very vividly. Five wither roses, two blue dyed candles, black concrete powder, and one last thing.

Scar's own vex powers.

He wasn't very keen on using his powers constantly unlike Cub, for example, did. Scar was only a half Vex and had only a few of the abilities like Vexes did. Few of his powers were merely lifting heavy things (telekinesis), being able to see other people's auras (some Hermits had very bright auras, Like Grian or Xisuma, so he tried to not use his powers in their presence so he doesn't become blind, figuratively. Sure, there were hybrids like Iskall, Pearl, Bdubs and surprisingly but not really, Joe who also had kind of bright shines to themselves)

And one of the other of Scar's "lame" powers is possessing people. He didn't use it at all since he didn't find the enjoyment in it as 'he' did.

Scar began setting everything up, putting things in their correct order. Blue dyed candles on top of a few books, wither roses that were potted this same morning were now hanging from the top of roof, black concrete was placed as a podium with black carpet placed on top.
(Scar never understood why concrete powder was needed for 'his' summoning and 'he' never bothered explaining really...)

Scar took a small step back to make sure everything was right. Just one last thing. Scar always hated this part only because it stung like hell. He stepped into the middle and sliced his hand open, warm blood easily escaped the wound as Scar pressed his hand against the floor as he focused his energy.

Things were bright before quickly returning to normal. Scar stood up and cleaned off the wound before wrapping it.

"It's a shock that you summoned me~" The voice spoke, it was way too similar to Scar's own voice, except this voice had a bit of static in the voice.

Scar sighed. "Listen, X'athir, I only want you to mess with Mumbo. Do not kill him, clear?" He asked, looking up at his brother.

The Vex like being grinned and gave a nod. "Crystal." He replied before disappearing.

Scar sighed and flopped down onto the bed. The thing interesting about BadTimes was that he was a full Vex, which makes absolutely no sense when you consider that Scar is only half. So where did the other half come from? Neither Cub nor Scar were able to figure that out yet. And BadTimes would not give that information out willingly.

This is going to be a wild ride, huh?

Well now all Scar had to do was clean this mess of a summoning ritual.

While Scar was stuck in his base, other Hermits were having a little bit of fun celebrating Mumbo's new mayoral-ship. Few of the hermits like Xisuma, Cub, Grian, Ren and few of the others were present in the Shopping district.

Ren and Doc were making some bbq (or rather, Doc was taking care of it since last time Ren was cooking it, he almost burnt the meat to ashes), Grian brought salad and a rather weird mix of seeds which was understandable, since he was an Avian and they can't eat meat or any heavy food.
Xisuma was talking with Mumbo, probably asking about his plans since he was now the mayor.

Other hermits were scattered across the shopping district playing different games, just chatting about everything and anything possible, and overall just having a great time!

They really needed this, the calm.
After the last season, so many things happened and don't get them wrong! It was one of the best and coolest seasons yet! Grian arriving, the original tag, Ren's "who can kill him quickest and in the most creative way" game, but then there were also wars.

Sure, Hippies and Area 77 happen, which was pretty cool seeing different teams plotting against each other while also being great friends in their free time.

But it was exhausting.

Mentally and physically, it was just too much and this-? This was what they needed.

A little get together and just have fun, no worries about builds, filling up shops with materials... Just a little bit of calm.

But well. That's what they thought at least.

They really can't have a break, huh?

Nobody was expecting it. Nobody knew. Everything was gonna go downhill. BadTimes appeared a bit from the others, hand gliding down to the knife that was strapped to his side. He waited just a few minutes before there was an opening. He made sure nobody was around.

And once Mumbo was away from Xisuma. He acted quickly and plunged the knife into Mumbo's back. He grinned slightly and pulled the knife out before disappearing quickly.

Grian let out a panicked caw as he dashed forward, catching his friend. He knew he'd respawn, but it was still such a fright. He glanced around quickly, feathers ruffled.

Mumbo yelped as he fell to his knees, immediately when the knife left his back he tried putting his hand onto it but the wound was just a tad bit too far for him to reach.

Xisuma took a sheet that was on the table and put it straight onto the wound, not very efficient but it'll work until someone brings first aid.

Blood, so much blood and others were shocked at what the hell just happened.
Grian and Xisuma were trying to help Mumbo, patching up the wound while wondering why someone would try to assassinate Mumbo?! Why?

Mumbo was one of the sweetest, if not the sweetest person in the Hermitcraft! But now he was on his knees, holding onto his dear life as he continued to bleed out.

The wound didn't seem as if it was too deep to actually kill him, the person that tried to assassinate Mumbo didn't hit any vital parts of his body nor did they aim for the neck.

So either this person was a professional and was only aiming to harm him and not to kill Mumbo, or they were in a hurry and missed.

Nonetheless, Mumbo was losing blood quickly and they were just waiting.

Grian was ready to throw hands when they find out who did it. Nobody did that to one of his friends. Nobody.

Tango came over with a first aid kit and healing potions. "Here. I have potions and first aid." He spoke rather quickly.

The shadows moved, a grayish blue light moved around. Cub narrowed his eyes and looked around, ears twitching. He knew another Vex was around, but where?

Tsk. "Come out while you still can, Vex." Cub yelled as he looked around, catching people's attention as to see who he was calling for.

But
Something was off about Cub though, his eyes had a blue tint to them and his hands were clenched in frustration.

It's normal that he was angry, his Friend was just stabbed for void sake! But it was weird seeing him like this, as he was one of the laid back hermits on the server.

"Show yourself now or I'll make you." he spoke again, this time it worked.

A Dark, mysterious, Vex appeared as if it was a cloud before. Said Vex had one hand on his hip, leaning to the side a bit with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Aww Cub! What a pleasant surprise to see you again." The Vex replied, a bit of static in his voice. Keeping his back against the wall, he looked...familiar. Like another hermit who wasn't here right now.

"BadTimes. I should've known." Cub huffed, fists clenching.

By now, either most of the Hermits had fled to check on Mumbo or they decided to stick around but hide.

BadTimes was very much in a relaxed position, even with his guard up. He watched Cub carefully, eyes narrowed.

Xisuma was staring between Cub and The smiling Vex.

His face was bewildered by this situation, he has heard of BadTimes or otherwise known as BadTimesWithScar, like Xisuma had Evil Xisuma or EX that's how Scar got BadTimes.

He's no good.

But why was he here? If Xisuma's knowledge on Vexes was correct, they had to be summoned by a specific ritual connected by the one you're summoning. Maybe it's different with him?

Otherwise, this cannot end well for anyone here.

Xisuma was too busy keeping his attention at the two talking that he almost forgot about the bleeding hermit that's laying on him, fighting to stay conscious.

Grian was holding his best's friends hand, concern highlighted on his face as he was making sure his friend stays conscious by talking to him and assuring Mumbo that everything will be alright.

They weren't on hardcore, so why was he so concerned? It was normal that one would be concerned about their friend being stabbed and bleeding out, but they were on Hermitcraft and that meant that Mumbo would just despawn and wake up in his bed.

But...Why wasn't he despawning already? Something was not correct here-

Xisuma was pulled out of that thought as he heard wind talk to him.

"He won't respawn, our dear Admin."

X was more than confused when he heard the wind talking to him. But it couldn't be them right? There was no way.

"And what do you mean he won't respawn?" He asked.

Grian's ears twitched as a shiver went down his spine. His neck was tingling in a burning passion, which meant that the symbol was acting up. Which meant that they were close.

BadTimes stared Cub down with narrowed eyes, tail swaying behind him. He licked his lips with a grin. "Now if you really want to know why I'm here. Then you can ask the one who summoned me. Otherwise, I'm gonna leave now." He replied. "See ya!" He replied before flying off and disappearing.

"... The one who summoned me?" Cub repeated, he stood in the same place for a good few seconds before his eyes went wide at the realization.

Cub turned around to look at Mumbo but was met instead with really pale Mumbo, frozen Grian, and Xisuma who even though he was wearing a helmet, you could see his eyes wide and clear fear in them.

Oh no... Scar didn't- surely he didn't.

Xisuma turned his head to look Cub straight in the eyes before nodding at him.
That's what he feared, and Xisuma just confirmed it.

Scar was the one who summoned BadTimes.

Why?

"Cub go. We've got Mumbo, go ask Scar." Grian replied, glancing over at Xisuma before looking down at Mumbo, continuing to talk to him to keep himself busy.

Scar was...okay? He had turned off his own game chat to focus on his books. He had no idea what BadTimes did. Jellie meowed softly, basically telling him to take a break. Cause Scar's been at this for...hours now? Who knows. Time goes by when you deal with magic.

Sure, Scar was a bit exhausted when he used his magic to summon the so-called evil vex but otherwise he was...alright.

Well he was a moment beforehand, before Cub broke his door opened and woke him up from his calm.

"SCAR WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"

Oh no, he was angry-

Scar yelped in surprise, panting quickly. Once he caught his breath, he tilted his head slightly at Cub's question.

Cub huffed and pinned Scar down. He certainly wasn't having it today. "Scar. What did you do? Tell me. Now."

Jellie meowed and went to hide. Though she kept her head poked out to hear the conversation between the two vexes.

Scar stared at Cub with a bewildered expression as he started to stutter in a way to find an excuse- spoilers it didn’t work.
"Cub, n-nice to see you bud!" Scar stuttered.

Cub hummed at that and took a good look at Scar, he looked tired. Sure he always looked that way but something was off.

"Scar, why the hell would you summon BadTimes?" He demanded an answer, and Scar wasn’t getting out of this one.

"I- um.."

Shoot. What was he supposed to say?! 'Oh hey! Yeah I summoned my Bad vex so called brother because I was salty that I didn’t win the campaign and that it was all for The Council?’

Scar however wasn't finding a way to get out of this conversation. He swallowed hard. "So...say hypothetically..if you were salty about something, wouldn't you want a little revenge??" He chuckled nervously.

Cub scanned Scar's face slightly. "Scar. Give me the real answer. You know this. You already backed yourself into a corner."

Shit. Cub was right. Scar was in a corner. He couldn't wiggle out of this even if he tried...and he tried. Scar avoided gazes.

Scar let out a sigh, he can't avoid it now could he?

Cub raised his eyebrow in a question as he sent a signal-

Worried

"Alright, fine, how much do you want to know?" Scar asked, annoyance, fine.

"Everything and stop please, I'll know if you lie." Cub warned, and it was true. No matter what, Cub and Scar's linked connection made it so they could feel if the other's using magic, vague signals that they send to each other about how they're feeling, and most importantly if they lied.

Scar was more prone to little white lies than Cub, he on the other hand had this whole thing about only telling the truth and only can lie in special situations.

And Cub's not gonna be very happy about this... Oh dear void, what did Scar get himself into?

"Well, You know how I lost the mayoralship- is that the word? Anyways, Mumbo won and..."

Pause...

"...I got salty and scared "what would The Council think about it" so I summoned BadTimes to help me with getting it back- WAIT- it's harmless, please don't kill him or anything I told him specifically to not cause anything major."

Scar stopped stuttering and rumbling his words, as he looked up at Cub that had his eyes frowned and he looked... Disappointed.

Shit

Scar sent a signal: Worried Safe?

Cub looked at Scar. He pinged. Worried annoyance he let out a sigh. "Scar..you know how much the Council likes to run you into the ground. So why?" He asked before he stopped.

Scar didn't know.

Fuck

"So you haven't felt it?" Cub asked. "Scar. He lied to you." He replied.

…Pause

"What, what do you mean he lied to me?" Scar asked, ping confusion

"You really don't know? Scar, Mumbo got stabbed by that evil son of a- Vex." Cub answer him, pinging back alright alright worried

"WHAT- no- I'm- I told him to not kill anyone or harm- why?!" Scar yelled, trying to stand up from his chair but to no avail, he fell back down with a yelp.

Cub caught him. "Now he's roaming around, freely. How have you not felt it? Or see it! It probably showed up in the chat. Scar, he was dangerous to begin with."

Scar couldn't help the panic that squeezed it's way through. Panic panic. He pinged. Mumbo was injured.

Because of him.

He was such a fool! Damn it!

Scar tried breathing but his breath was cut short with lack of oxygen- he felt like he was drowning, actually better like someone put their hands on his neck and started choking him and blocking him out of breath.

Scar was laid down by Cub, as his breaths became shorter and he could sort of feel his eyes water and the tears starting to roll down his face, a gasp escaped his throat, and the next line came out warbled.
"I- Mumbo's hurt? Because of me?" Hurt? Sad, exhausted.

Cub pinged back alright fine fine and even if Scar couldn't see clearly though his eyes now from his tears, he knew Cub's face softened and relaxed a bit from anger but his eyebrows were probably frowned from worry.

"I- Yes Mumbo was hurt but not because of you, alright? It was his fault and shouldn't cry about it, alright?" Cub replied back.

"But it is my fault, Cub! I summoned him!" Scar replied, the fresh droplets of tears rolled down his cheeks as his eyes squeezed shut. God, it hurts to breathe.

Comfort comefort Cub pinged back as he gently used his thumb to wipe away the tears. "You said it was for the Council? Right? But why? They love to drag you through the mud. They love to run you into the ground." Cub asked, trying to soothe Scar again.

Jellie gently padded her way over to the two, gently meowing and hopped up onto the bed.

Scar lowered his head away from Cub, looking at the wooden floor, carefully choosing his next words.

His breath was very unregulated and he could feel his heart beat in his ears, trying to calm his head from the new pounding headache.

"It's fine just remember what X taught you." Cub reminded him.

"1,2,3,4,5... Count to five, hold your breath, hold it for four seconds and at five let it out. " Scar muttered is a shaky voice back, it's alright it will be fine just breathe Scar-

He bit inside of his lower lip and took a deep breath, slowly steadying his heart to calm down.

"That's it…just like that." Cub murmured, lightly petting his back.

Scar calmed a bit as he let out a whisper "... I don't know." uncertain worry

"What don't you know, Scar? Talk to me, yeah?" Cub replied, pinging back alright

Scar looked up into Cub just to immediately put his head in his head and continued. "I just... I want to make them understand and accept me."

Cub frowned softly and stayed by Scar the entire time. He gently rubbed the other's back as he listened to him. Calm

"Scar...you don't need the Council to accept you...You've done a lot of good without the Council..why start now? You don't need them hounding you down every five minutes."

"I was getting sick and tired of not being appreciated Cub...you know how they look at me when I use my cane or wheelchair. They think I'm some weak link. I wanted to prove them wrong..." He said softly

Jellie gently curled up in Scar's lap to help calm him down, she purred gently.

"I just-"

Cub cut him off with a simple no and held out his hand, wanting to prove him wrong and there was only one way to do it.

If there's a way to show him that he's worth anything one person can show and that some stupid group of old people can't argue with him that he's worthless and good for nothing, is showing him directly.

Scar held out his hand, hesitated at first. His hand trembled with shame and misery, sadness with the possibility that he was most likely to blame for his best friend's wound.

He was the one who summoned that demon from his so-called brother, certainly. The pain he feels now is probably nowhere near what Mumbo suffered because of him.

He could only imagine the faces of everyone present there, the pure horror and worry all because Scar was selfish and did something just to try and satisfy the fuel of wanted respect deep in his heart.

Jellie gently hopped down so Scar could get up.

Cub gently pulled Scar up to his feet and gently pulled him into a hug, blueish grey wings gently wrapped around them as to fortify the hug.

The comfort of Cub's embrace, Scar felt some kind of relief from his chest.
Meowing from Jellie ruined their little bittersweet moment, it was fine.

They're gonna get through this, somehow…

Cub held Scar close to him. "It'll be okay..I promise.." He whispered gently, running his fingers through Scar's hair gently.

After a moment in pleasant silence, Scar was the first one to move.
Even if this was somewhat unpleasant, but even after everything he believed that it could be better.
The next thing they need to do is just find that Vex mangup, find him and have Scar put him back where he's rotting, where he came from in the first place.

But again, that's earlier said than done.

That's easier said than done. They need to first make sure that everyone is okay and that he hasn't done anything terrible, again.

But it also means that it should appear in front of everyone, in front of everyone and after everything that has happened. Scar hates himself and blames himself for Mumbo's accident.

What, is he supposed to just walk in there, acting like nothing happened and be like 'oh yes, I let out my evil brother-like who's evil as voie and all that because I was jealous and salty'?

Not. A. Chance.

Cub gently watched Scar and could tell that he was thinking hard about facing everyone.

But damn, he wouldn't let anyone hurt Scar. Sure he could understand where the others are coming from, but at the same time Scar doesn't deserve to be hurt for it.

Cub relaxed his wings a bit. "Are you...ready?" He asked Scar gently, not wanting to step on boundaries with how easy it tended to be.

Scar snapped out of his thoughts and cleared his throat.
"Yes, yeah I'm alright let's just deal with this already. " Scar replied. Uncertainty fine

Oh, it was very obvious that Scar was not well. I mean who would be in this case? Cub will do whatever it takes to help and make it easier at this moment. Worry Cub pinged continuously for a second.

Of course Cub was not happy at all when he saw BadTimes and found out that the reason he was even there was because Scar summoned him in the first place. But could you really blame him? What would one even do in this moment and if Cub had a word in this, he'd say that it was understandable why Scar did.

What he didn't understand was why was Scar still in that void forsaken Council? After everything they did to them? After what they did to him?!

All they did was berate and order Scar around like he was a dog and not one of them.

And that couldn't go unnoticed by Cub nor Grian, who was concerned as much as he was (if that even was possible).

And Cub already had a plan under his sleeve, an ace card.

Firstly, before he starts with anything, they have a Vex on loose to catch and Cub will do anything in his powers to put that vex in his place.

"C'mon, we had a Vex to catch Scar." Cub replied with as much enthusiasm as he could bother.

And surprisingly, Scar nodded and without another word, Cub texted Xisuma to give him coordinates of where they took Mumbo, saying he's coming back with Scar.

Cub gently squeezed Scar's hand. As soon as he got coords, he gently brought Scar with him. Calm he pinged.

Worry scared, Scar pinged back. He gently touched down on the ground, keeping close to Cub, still not trusting himself to face anyone right now.

Xisuma met them outside, he gently waved to Scar, his eyes softened behind the purple visor of his helmet.

It was now or never.

"Come on, you can't avoid the inevitable Scar." Cub said, pushing him slightly onwards. Calm

Scar looked at him and simply just nodded, walking towards Xisuma.
Xisuma, even if it wasn't apparent due to his mask, had a soft smile as he spoke.

"Hi mate, you alright?"

Scar just kept nodding, his eyes were red from crying earlier and his hands were still shaking slightly as he fidget with his ring.

"Don't feel like talking huh? That's alright no worries, let's go see the others yeah?" Xisuma spoke with that oh so fatherly voice that he uses whenever someone's in trouble or clearly upset.

Oh, he's in trouble isn't he? It was all his fault after all- calm Cub pinged, knowing that he's most likely over thinking everything in that moment, a vex thing probably. Who knows?

Scar mentally shrugged at that thought and nodded again as pinging back to Cub fine, soft but weak smile appeared on his face as the other two smiled back.

Scar swallowed hard as he followed X. He was still so uncertain about this. He was tense. It was obvious. He bit the inside of his cheek.

Calm calm Cub pinged, giving a gentle squeeze to his hand.

Scar looked at Cub uncertainty scared he pinged with a frown. His chest tightened slightly upon seeing Grian.

Grian was curled up around Mumbo protectively, feathers were ruffled, wings were blocking anyone's view of Mumbo. Grian's hair looked like a mess. God, Grian just wasn't looking right.

And that was...concerning.

Oh, he was probably so, so worried about his flock that his brain immediately went into birb mode. Poor Grian.

"So, can you tell us who or what hurt Mumbo?"

And that fully brought him back from his thoughts, oh shoot.

He turned to look at her, a confusing expression.
"False- Yes of course, I-I'm just really sorry for what happened I didn't think it would escalate that quickly and I strictly told him to not hurt anyone a-and that small pranks would be alright but by no means killing anyone and-" Scar muttered, rolling over his words as he was cut off by excessive pinging from Cub: Calm fine worried calm calm calm calm. Calm

Was False there? He did not want to anger False, she's always so nice to him.

"Scar- Calm down, I'm not angry or anything, just worried. And who's he you mentioned, can you explain it to us?" False replied, hushin' him down to calm him but alas.

Scar's legs felt weak as he felt like he was being choked out. It was getting hard to breathe all of sudden, all eyes were on him. Cub easily reached out to help Scar steady him and catch him again. Scar pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes as he could feel the tears roll down his cheeks and a sob wanting to tear through his throat. Worry worry worry he pinged back. Panic He couldn't help it.

Xisuma followed after Cub and tried to help Scar calm down enough for him to be able to explain further. "Would...would it be easier to talk one on one? Just you and me?" He asked, worry laced in his voice, he glanced up at Cub for some sort of confirmation or guidance. Cub knew Scar better than anyone.

Cub nodded back as assurance, and with that Scar, along with Cub and Xisuma, went to a separate room.

They were in a H.E.P Tower, and in this current room they were in it was clear that they weren't done with designing, as the room was fully blank with nothing but gray concrete walls.

And that made Scar calm a bit, there was something reassuring in this room, no clue what.

Next thing he knew, he was telling Xisuma about everything.

Of course he did, how couldn't he? He was always so, so nice to everyone, no matter if they did something wrong. And that confuses Scar, because how could he forgive him? Look at him with those soft eyes that just stared at him in full understanding, ready to help however he could?

How could he be everything The Vex Council never was, to Scar? Like family? Heh.

Scar spilt everything to Xisuma, voice wavering as he fumbled over words, leg bouncing from anxiety as he fidgeted with the ring on his hand, he still however, couldn't make eye contact with the fatherly figure. He just couldn't.

He spilled everything. The Council, why he ran for mayor, what happened to Mumbo, he explained BadTimes. He explained how he specifically told him not to kill Mumbo.

X gently placed a firm but gentle hand over Scar's hand, giving it a gentle but comforting squeeze. He knew what it was like. He had Ex and sometimes, it was like that. He had Ex and the Watchers on his back growing up. It was hell. He knew where Scar was coming from, and he made sure that Scar knew that too.

"Scar, I hope you understand that I'm not angry at you and I just want to help you as much as I want to help Mumbo regenerate and everyone else, okay?" Xisuma spoke after a moment of silence, and Scar just nodded at that, looking away.

Xisuma sighed as he continued "Thank you so much and please know that I'm really proud of you for opening up to me about everything, yeah?"

"...Thank you, X" Scar whispered out, a soft smile on his face.

"But I need to know one thing, What is this...individual let's say capable of? Like I need to know their strengths and weaknesses to get them out, since for some reason I can't seem to take them out. " X spoke a bit more firmly, but reassuring nonetheless.

Scar took a shaky breath and swallowed a bit. "I appreciate it X, but I-I need to get rid of him..I brought him in, I need to get rid of him." He spoke softly

Cub placed a gentle, but reassuring hand on Scar's shoulder. Breathe he pinged gently.

"Are you completely sure you want to get rid of him alone? Won't it be better to at least take Cub with you or someone else?" X asked, uncertain. Sure he kinda didn't believe that Scar could take care of a vex alone since he didn't know what abilities he had but it can do no good, that's certain.

He just wanted to be sure that Scar would return back in pieces and to not get another hermit back hurt, or worse.

"X, I'm certain but you're probably right..." Scar replied back, he turned to look at Cub once again with an uncertain look on his face as Cub just nodded and smiled.

His smile showed all of his sharp teeth and his eyes were now glowing yet again that light-ish blue hue in them. And oh, that definitely meant he was more than ready to put the other Vex in place.

X let out a sigh before playfully shaking his head and saying,"Very well then, you two be careful alright? Please, call me if you need any help."

"I-I will.." Scar replied, breath caught in his throat for a moment before he swallowed dryly. "H-How is he?..I know Grian probably won't let anyone near him.." Scar asked, voice barely above a whisper.

X frowned softly as he let out a soft sigh. "Grian went into bird mode almost immediately after it happened. He's...stable at the moment but I'm keeping a close eye on it as we speak."

Oh, so he was right. He also hurt Grian with his damned choices.

Oh. So he really was selfish, he should've just stayed quiet and ignored the council and nothing of this would've happened in the first place! Why can't he make a single step right?!

Cub tapped his shoulder twice and continuously pinged alright worry worry worry as Scar just gave him a soft smile and pinged back a one fine.

Which, probably- no definitely Cub knew was a lie but let it slide.

X reached over, gently taking Scar's hand in his own and giving a gentle reaffirming squeeze. "He'll be okay, Scar. I promise you he'll be okay." He said and let a few minutes of silence pass before speaking again. "Okay...you and Cub have a vex to catch. If there's anything we can do, please let us know, okay?" He spoke.

Scar gave a nod and rubbed his eyes with his free hand, taking a breath and letting it out slowly. "Thank you X." He said, getting up carefully.

And with that, Xisuma left to check up on Grian and Mumbo, leaving the two alone to make a strategy.

They surely cannot just go find BadTimes (who's most likely playing with Jellie at Scar's starter base) and tell him to get lost, no. They needed a plan and they needed a plan quickly.

But what's there to do, at this point it's either performing the spell he did and sending the evil Vex back and having a whole Vex Council rage rain upon him and everyone.

Or

Letting him stay here on the server, which also meant more chaos and more people dying. More of his family dying.

Which he can't do.

But again he doesn't have a choice here, they have to stop the evil one and lock him up yet again.

"Surely you're not changing your mind on destroying BadTimes, right? Scar? I know he's your brother- or well your evil side or whatever but I'm also your brother and these people that got hurt are your family." Cub stated as the matter of fact, pinging worry he left no room for Scar to object to differ really.

Not like he was going to anyway, he pinged certainly and took a deep breath and spoke more clearly, his tears long dried and his eyes burned a little but he was calming down, slowly but surely.

"No, we're going to send him back and we're not gonna kill him Cub, alright? I can't do that to him." he stopped in his tracks for a second before continuing
"I'm not gonna drop to his level, or worse."

Cub gave a small nod. "Right." He replied and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do you know where he would be?" He asked.

Scar took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "He's probably back at my starter base with Jellie." He said, looking up and meeting Cub's gaze. A gentle light blue haze reflected back in his own eyes as he swallowed.

"So I'm guessing we're going there then, you're almost full of your power so you better eat something before we get there so you recharge fully, we're gonna need anything for any situation possible." Cub said, letting go of Scar's shoulder and mentioning towards his heart in the middle of his chest.

Scar felt so confused in a moment trying to get how Cub knew about his power being almost fully recovered and just continued to stare at him.

Until it came to him that they literally shared a bond with each other and Scar chuckled and took a bite of a golden carrot, eating it slowly before taking a bite of a golden apple to change faster.

Cub nodded and looked at his watch before looking back at Scar.

"Alright then, let's catch this filthy Vex." He said with a wide smile and the two walked out of the door and towards Scar's starter base.

Scar gave a nod and followed Cub out of the tower and back home. He'd check on Grian and Mumbo later. Right now? It was time to send BadTimes back to depths in which he crawled from.

Speaking of BadTimes, the other Vex was watching the two very carefully from a distance, a wide grin on his face. He kept himself hidden so the two wouldn't sense him.

"Let the games begin."

----------

After the long way of walking through the Nether portals and getting through the wrong portal, spawning on top of a tall jungle tree next to Grian's mega base, they finally reached Scar's starter base.

Scar's base was a silly, stupid, but adorable project. One would think that living in a giant snail would be weird and unusual, and you'd be right! But again, Unusual and Weird are two main traits of Scar's but in the most affectionate way possible.

He even named his starter base! Larry the Snail, funny name, really. Adorable even.

And this would be a perfect time for the two to talk about what came to his mind when Scar built this snail, if they aren't literally hunting down a Vex that literally tried to assassinate their friend and a server-mate.

Scar unlocked the door to the base and peaked his head in, but nothing seemed...off. Nothing seemed out of the blue.

"I don't...sense anything.." Scar said, looking over at Cub.

Cub carefully stepped in the room and looked around, keeping his eyes narrowed, but he wasn't sensing anything either. Just Scar...and Jellie.

Something wasn't right.

No, something was dangerously wrong. Jellie was in distress, hiding away in her bed that was placed right next to Scar's own bed.

But no sign of the evil Vex, where was he?

They were now both standing in the middle of the room feeling very confused, when the door and windows that were previously opened, closed with a power shock shooting through them.

Scar whipped his head around as he looked around. It was a trap he had guessed.

The sound of a sword being drawn caught Scar's attention, the sword ended up against Cub's neck, but not breaking skin...or at least not yet, a soft gentle fire cackled in the distance.

A knight in black armor?

Scar was lost in thought for a moment before he was slammed into the wall suddenly. He coughed and tried to find his footing.

A wicked smile came into view. "Nice of you to join the party...brother." The deep voice spoke, hissing at the end.

And in a flash of bluish grey smoke, the other evil Vex stood in front of Scar.

Scar gulped and looked back at Cub who was frozen in his steps.

"Na-ah, you can't help him now dear goody-two-shoes pay your attention to me as I'm gonna be the last thing you see, dear brother." BadTimes laughed at him with bitterness in his voice as he stood in front of Scar with his left hand pointed at him.

"One more step and it's all over, Scar! You know, you could've joined me but you choose that shitty Vex Council over me, I mean that dude that's your so called brother thinks the same about the Council, and yet you're still with them and I want..." he walked closer to Scar, who tried to walk backwards just to remember that he's against the wall already, and out his foot on his chest and continued "To know why."

Scar let out a yelp of pain as the other put his foot on his chest, trying to move it with both of his hands but alas, BadTimes was in a better position than Scar right now.

He has to think of something, quickly.
Scar looked everywhere before yet again landing his eyes on Cub. Why hasn't Cub done anything yet? He was much stronger with his vex powers than Hels is with his enchanted sword!

BadTimes grinned and pressed his foot into Scar's chest, putting weight on his foot, sharp teeth poked through his wicked smile. "Tell me...Scar..why did you choose the Council over your dear ol brother? Hm? Don't you think...that's hurtful? To not only yourself? To your so-called family?" He asked, hissing slightly, voice dripping with venom.

Hels watched carefully, almost like he was an unmoving statue, but he watched, gaze blank. For any sudden movement. If Cub moved, Hels was quick. Oh. And not to mention they had Evil X too.

This wasn't looking good at all.

Well…this didn't go according to plan.

Either Scar stays silent and doesn't answer the question and Hels can permanently kill Cub with one movement of his sword.
Or
He can answer and say something stupid (the truth) and hope they let them go.

And there's no way Scar was gonna endanger Cub or anyone more than he already did, so the latter it is.

"I- fine. You want the answer? I'd rather be with The Council than closer to you anytime." Scar spat at him, and this was the stupidest thing he has ever done but it... Worked?!

BadTimes removed his leg from Scar's chest with a grin on his face as he spoke "Alrighty then, if that's how you're gonna play."
He signaled back to Hels and Hels nodded, pulling out a needle out of his pocket and plunging it into Cubs leg.

Cub immediately fell down unconscious before Scar could even think to move from where he was sitting.

"CUB-WHAT DID YOU DO?!" he screamed at Hels.

Hels just shrugged and slightly hit Cub to turn his face to the side as if he was mocking him.

"Don't worry, that pathetic scientist is just asleep, for now... Now sing little Vex of mine, or maybe you want to try his medicine?"

Hels twirled his sword up, letting the blade rest on his shoulder, he huffed slightly, smoke coming from his nose. He watched BadTimes and Scar closely.

Scar swallowed dryly. His eyes darted back between BadTimes and Cub's unmoving figure. It was clear he was panicking, but he tried to keep himself calm.

"Tick tock, ol brother of mine...give me what I want." BadTimes hissed, imitating the sound of a ticking clock afterwards.

Scar tried pinging Cub one more with multiple worry and scared but there were no call backs from the other.

And that was terrifying.

—

"So you're choosing silence? Fine, since you clearly don't care enough about this one I may just send Evil X to grab that little Watcher-avian thingy you're so obsessed over and tell xem to kill him."

And oh. That definitely pulled Scar back from thinking as he just stared at BadTimes with such disgust and fear.

"Or- Or! I can make you kill him! Oh that's a good one you know, you'd be even! I'm literally doing you and him a favour at this point. You should thank me."

BadTimes grinned wickedly as Hels tossed a syringe over to him. BadTimes caught it and pinned Scar to the wall once again. "Last call, little brother~ You either spill the truth or no one is gonna trust you again." He hissed.

Scar whimpered softly as he averted gaze with BadTimes. None of his options were good. His eyes darted around until he spotted Jellie.

If there's anything Scar's more thankful than anything to The Council, it would be for Jellie.

One thing that not many people knew and it wasn't as apparent that Jellie was Scar's familiar. She was given to him by The Council when he first joined. She, by herself, was a magical being, honestly it's surprising no one has commented about how she's always there with Scar, no matter if they switch the world. She's always with him as his protector and his friend.

Jellie seems to understand every look Scar gave her without even having to say a word and that helps a lot.

Jellie hissed at Hels and ran away through the door, if lucky enough someone will follow her back to here to save them.

"Eh. A scardy cat you got." Hels spoke for the first time.

Well now all Scar had to do was pray and hope for the best.

BadTimes snorted. "She's a smart cat, I'll give her that." He replied before looking back at Scar. "You know..I could kill you and your pathetic scientific excuse for a brother right here right now." He replied and grinned, his grip held firm, he wasn't gonna let go of Scar anytime soon.

-----

Her little paws carried her as fast as she could to the shopping district. She let out a meow to get anyone's attention. Anyone's attention at all.

Grian's ears perked up slightly, but he barely made any effort to move right now.

Meowing didn't work but her running and jumping on top of the table that Xisuma fell asleep on and hissed at it.

And that definitely woke X up from it's sleep.

"Wha... Jellie aren't you with Scar and Cub? What's up little one?" He whispered to her, not wanting to wake Grian and Mumbo up.

She meowed back at him louder and scratched the table with her paw, which made him even more confused.

"Jellie I don't speak cat like Scar does, is anything wrong?" It asked, now even more confused than before. Is she trying to say anything? Probably. Will Xisuma understand? No, but it's worth a shot and get his attention to follow her.

She hissed at him again and tried to bite it's armor but to no avail for her, the armor is made out of hard material where the sleeves should be.

Her tail swished side to side out of frustration before motioning with her tail the direction she came from. She let out a meow again, a desperation meow. Hoping to get across that Scar needed help and that X should follow her back.

It took X a few minutes before it hit. "Oh! Is Scar in trouble?? You need me to follow you??" He asked, silently getting up, ready to follow her back

-----------------------

And now all Scar could hope was that Jellie did what he asked for, for her to come back quickly as she can with help or they're done for.

Especially with a netherite sword set against his neck, the swords poking at the skin of his throat. That exact sword could slash his skin and end him for good.

Scar wasn't sure how he wasn't in full on blown panic attack while having a sharp object literally pointed at him and Cub is unconscious.

He seriously didn't understand how that monster of a brother could just sit there, clearly waiting for someone or something to happen.

Hels was just standing there with no expression on his face, whatsoever.

BadTimes grinned. "Let's see...who killed you in Third Life? It was that feathered bastard wasn't it?" He replied, licking his lips. "Ah yes. Cactus ring, you and him.." He chuckled

Scar whined softly. "H-Hey! Get Grian's name out of your mouth!" He replied.

Scar for a second forgot there was a sword pointed at him and when he tried to move ahead, he was met with a new sharp pain on his neck.

BadTimes snickered and crossed his legs as he laid comfortably back on the sofa.

"Calm down. So dramatic, you're." Hels told him, his voice monotone, yet it still sounded like a threat.

Scar held a hand over his newer cut on his throat. It slightly burnt but that's not what he was scared of.

No, he was scared of the fact that that cut was right over where his surgery scar was and that... That scared him.

Quite ironic, right? Heh.

BadTimes grinned and looked at his claws, thinking. "Say...I haven't eaten yet..and boy does the unconscious scientist look a bit...appetizing~" he hummed, getting up and going over to Cub, kneeling down and poked Cub, grinning when there was no movement.

Scar held the wound on his neck. "No...please no.." He whimpered, ears pressed back. He was silently begging for anyone to stop them.

After a while of silence, Scar heard new footsteps but didn't dare turn his head to see who it was.

That person started talking to others in the room but he couldn't pay attention to the voices because of the buzzing in his head from nervousness and fear.

All he could think about was how it all went wrong?

His friend, who is now unconscious and lying on the floor, went through every possible situation and measure to make sure this went as it should, but it turns out they were wrong. And now Cub is suffering because of his inability to do something right.

"... very well... an't have that..."

Scar tried to focus on other people's voices and to recognize that unknown person who had now arrived and who was talking to his other, evil, half, but he couldn't understand a word until he felt someone grab him by his arms and pull him up on his legs.

Scar yelped at sudden movements, He tried to understand what was happening right now but he almost cried when someone pulled his hair back and made him look forward to only being met by a sight of a new person... Wait.

Scar knew them, that was EX! He remembers xem! Well... Kinda. His memory is not the best but Scar thinks he knows them from season 4? Or was it season 5? He wasn't sure but he knew they weren't good news.

And the person who was holding him was Hels, of course it was. His evil double wouldn't get his own hands dirty, huh.

"Change of plans, you think you're so smart, huh? Sending your familiar to get help? Well this is what I have to say to that, brother." BadTimes spat out, now standing and signaling to EX with his hands, drawing a figurative line over his own throat.

And at that Scar's eyes widened.

Evil X took out his pocket knife and made a slash over Cub's neck before dropping him back on the floor and licking the blood off of the knife before placing it back in his pocket, all done very quickly with a smile on his face.

After a second of bleeding, Cub's body disappeared.

Scar whimpered, feeling all sorts of emotions. Cub was now dead...permanently because of his selfishness. Because of that, Mumbo was suffering too.

Maybe...he shouldn't be allowed here anymore.

No...no..all of this would be fixed, right? It can be fixed...right?

"You monster!" Scar hissed at BadTimes, who was grinning.

"Take a look at yourself, Scar. You're the monster who summoned me." BadTimes snapped back, ear twitched.

Scar's own ears twitched, he could faintly hear Jellie on her way, with another Hermit.

"Now that he's dead...I think that Watcher avian is next." BadTimes spat, grabbing his sword.

Oh and what now?

There's no point in trying to do anything, is there?

Pathetic pathetic pathetic PATHETIC.
He failed. He failed as a friend, he failed as a partner, what's even worse... He failed as a brother.

And where did all of this get him?! Well it got his brother dead and him in a deeply bad situation.

Scar was ready to accept death at this point. There was no point of living anymore.

However, his familiar let out a ferocious yowl as she scurried into the room.

Ex let out a low growl, spotting his opposite, not too far behind the cat. His eyes narrowed behind the red visor, hand going to the sword that was strapped to his side.

"Evil X..."

"Hello brother."

'Help is here! Oh gosh they are safe now.' Scar thought as he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Well this is now interesting for sure. Two set of brothers. BadTimes and GoodTimes, Evil X and Xisuma Void.

The battle between good and evil, who's gonna win this fight and who's gonna win the war?

Well that's how it seemed to Scar, at least.

EX laughed...cheerfully at Xisuma's arrival.

What. was going on.

"Why did it take you so long to arrive big brother? The fun has already started!" EX exclaimed, spinning around with his arms wide open as if this was all just a show or a play for him to show off.

Jellie hopped up onto Scar's shoulder and gently nuzzled his cheek, purring gently.

Scar smiled softly. "Thank you, Jellie." He whispered gently.

Xisuma narrowed its eyes as he watched carefully. "Let him go." He replied.

BadTimes let out a cackle. "Oh we're not letting him go that easily." He replied with a grin.

A sword was summoned to Xisuma's hand as to appear more threatening to the others it considered enemies.

But X didn't summon its normal sword but a specific one made for him.

As an Admin, his fate was inevitable when it came to protecting everyone on his server no matter what. Doing what was needed to keep others safe, the Uppers, who others decided to call Prime Admins, gave everyone a permission to choose a weapon of choice with a special twist to the gear.

Depending on what rank you are, be that from Tier Candidus (lowest rank of Admin you could be considered) all the way to Prime Tier of Aurum.

On that scale, there were 10 ranks and Xisuma was considered to be a tier Purpura (number 3 on rank board) on the way to becoming tier Argentum, which was number two on rank board.

He was yet to go and do a test to prove itself that it is worth it of leveling to the next level.

While being a level 3, tier Purpura, his weapon of choice was a sword made out of pure, enchanted, obsidian.

His sword had everything personally enchanted by one of the Prime Admins so it could cut straight through anything and kill its opponent. The only way to destroy the sword was if a replica was made and the two of the same swords clashed together in a fight with pure interest in killing the other who held one of two of the same swords.

Xisuma walked straight before his brother and it pointed the sword at xe.

"Come on Evil X, if you go and return to my base without any further action, I'll take a reconsideration in putting you back into the void…and that's something both of us want to avoid."

Xisuma pointed at his sword, he could instaban them all if it all goes wrong... Probably.

Evil X let out a twisted chuckle. "Oh X...you seem to forget..." He replied while another sword appeared into the twins' hands. The blade was carved out of crying obsidian, galactic/voidwalker language marked up the blade. A gift from the Watchers so long ago.

"And if you want him alive then you'd back off." Evil X replied. "I already killed one of your precious little hermits. I won't hesitate to do it again." Evil X hissed, twirling the blade up before pointing it at Xisuma.

BadTimes summoned his own blade. A blue gray blade appeared in his hands. One meant for killing Vexes.

Scar swallowed slightly upon seeing the blade. He remembered seeing many of the council members having one and in their bloodthirsty games.

Oh no.

Oh no

How did they even manage to gather those?!

This won't end well for either of them.

WAIT- Scar had one didn't he?! Where did he even out it!

Scar's brain wandered as he tried to remember where he set his sword. He wasn't certain where the other Vex got his sword but Scar Inherited his own.

He wasn't completely certain how his father got one of the swords made for killing his own kind but he dared never ask.

When his father died, The Council gave Scar the sword for keeping. Scar wasn't sure why they trusted him with it but he couldn't just say no...right?

He just had to get Jellie to give it to him.

Somehow Jellie knew what Scar was thinking and hopped down, running off to gather the weapon.

Scar narrowed his eyes at BadTimes. "How did you get your hands on one of those? Only Council members have them!" Scar asked.

BadTimes chuckled. "Oh Scar. So naive as usual. There's more than one way of getting these." He replied with a grin, fangs poking his bottom lip slightly.

But that's impossible...

No. Nothing is possible for a monster like him. Probably? Yes.

"The dance, Brother! You don't remember?" the Vex laughed.

The... Dance? Scar doesn't remember doing a single dance in his long term of life! What is he talking about?!

Currently, if another person dared to walk into this cramped space of a base in the shape of a snail, they would be met with the Admin and its opposite pointing swords at each other in supreme hatred for each other.

A dark Knight in black enchanted armor with a sword layed boringly on his right shoulder, just observing the inevitable war that's about to either finish...or has it just begun? He had no clue.

But he knew who was gonna finish it.

The Time twins are staring at each other, standing about 3 meters from each other. Eyes to eyes, one looking at the other with such amusement and lust for blood and the other staring at the other Vex he dared call his brother a long time ago once with his eyes filled with determination to possibly kill the other and fear at the same time.

Confusion clear in Scar's eyes, he wanted- no he needed to know how the evil one gathered that cursed forsaken sword.

"Did you forget?? Oh how could you." BadTimes replied, grinning like crazy. He twirled the sword up, before pointing the sword at Scar. "Yes. Council Members have them, and only are given to their best warriors. But those are the most....common ways of getting these." He hissed.

Scar narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'dance'?" He replied. He just needed to buy Jellie some time.

Hels tapped his sword once, the blade going up in flames. He watched the two sets of twins with a bored gaze before finally speaking. "Arena?" He asked, glancing at BadTimes and Ex.

Evil X grinned behind his helmet. "I'm for it if you two are." He replied, smirking, his gaze never left Xisuma's however.

BadTimes clapped his hands and teleported Scar, Xisuma, Ex, Hels, and himself into an imaginary battle arena.

"Gents and others, you're in my world now, not your server! And I got friends from the other side!" BadTimes half sang as he motioned towards Ex and Hels.

Scar gasped in offense dramatically as he put his hand on his heart.

"You dare make Disney references? In this worst case situation?! Monster!"

BadTimes ignored the comment his brother made as he grinned. "Try to survive. If you can."

Scar looked around before looking back at BadTimes. His hand ached for a sword to hold. "You still have to answer my question, Bad! What do you mean 'dance'?"

Jellie appeared, dropping the sword gently at Scar's feet before disappearing again, not wanting to get injured. She would return when Scar needed her

Ex grinned as Hels lit the surrounding torches. Xe watched X carefully.

Who would make the first move?

Imaginary world of his, his rules.

But Scar believed the evil one forgot about something, he wasn't the only vex here who can manipulate the surroundings and matter with their mind.

Scar is scared to the core but they shouldn't underestimate him, he may be low on his magic and emotionally and physically exhausted from seeing Cub die right in front of his eyes but he is still half a vex and has some magic still.

Scar concentrated the last of his mana into the original cursed sword in his hand and ignited it with turquoise, almost blinding, shine.

The dark Vex just snickered and smiled even more brightly at that and launched straight at him, after three steps he disappeared and Scar could feel his presence behind his back and turned just right in time to block his opponent's sword.

BadTimes grinned, once their swords clashed, he disappeared and appeared again, catching his footing before lunging at Scar again.

Scar glanced around and caught his blade again, narrowing his eyes at BadTimes, growling at him.

Ex grinned and lunged for Xisuma, placing his foot down before swinging the sword at Xisuma, grinning at him. "Hi X~" he replied with a grin.

A moment of silence overtook the Void twins.

The only thing that was loud and clear was the laughter in the air. But it wasn't out of humor or otherwise it would have to break the silence and the sound of swords clashing.

Xisuma swung back with full force back at the other "Believe me you do not want to do this!" he yelled.

Ex grinned wickedly and caught the blade, pushing Xisuma back. "Oh trust me brother~ You are not winning this!" He replied.

Xisuma huffed from the push back. "You really don't want to do this, Xanthus." He replied.

Ex twirled his daggers. "Ah. I haven't heard that name in years." He replied. "It's funny you use it now." He lunged again at him, slicing at him with the daggers.

The sudden yelp from Xisuma scared Scar so badly that for a second he forgot he had to fight against the evil one for a second, turning around to see what happened to his Admin, just to be found with Xisuma losing balance and flying down to the dirty floor of this imaginary arena.

Just as Scar was about to turn fully and run directly at Evil X to protect Xisuma but he was pulled back by his arm by BadTimes.

"Not so fast! You are fighting against me brother, not xem!" BadTimes half yelled at him with excitement and rage in his voice.
Scar quickly got back on his legs, trying to defend himself from his "brother", having to forget about getting to help Xisuma.

BadTimes grinned and lunged for Scar, slicing at him with the weapon, giving him no time to breathe. He was dishing out heavy blows.

Scar threw a shield up to try and block some of the blows, trying to find his footing, which was proven to be difficult

Ex knocked the sword out of his brothers hand and shoved them into the ground, stepping onto the arm that held the commands. "So why now with that name huh? Sure it's my actual name, but why now of all times?"

Xisuma yelped at the sudden pain shooting throughout his arm to his shoulder. Trying to take its brothers foot off its arm with his left arm but Ex set his whole weight on it.

"B-Because that is your name! Damnit!" Xisuma groaned at the pain, he had to escape and end this for once and for all.

And that was true, that was Xanthus's real name.

But after the situation with them back in season 2, when xe killed Xisuma repeatedly and caused chaos to other hermits.

It did not end well for anyone, specifically since it was the first season when Mumbo joined and if Xisuma didn't know better, it would say that Xanthus wanted to take Mumbo fully out for whatever reason...

It started from basic pranking, xirs possessing their own brother, making him kill himself over and over again from fun, to fully on destroying other members builds, changing them fully to only one block design, blowing them up, obliterating and summoning piglins to help him destroy the server... So many more.

And if one could see, They failed. Xanthus's failed with destroying the server and it only came out with Xisuma banning him in the void for a really, really long time.

Although, other hermits at that time knew that it wasn't their Admin who did all the unnecessary mischief but the one who looked exactly like its!

So, they needed a name for this mysterious evil being.

And Xisuma wasn't doing that, he won't say anything about this mysterious person... So they just made up their own.

"Evil X"

They looked almost the same.
Same face features, same but different coloured armor! Everything but their hair and eyes.

While their Admins hair was brown...

Xanthus's was completely white while having ruby red eyes that made everyone shiver when looking at them.

Xanthus narrowed their eyes, putting more pressure on the trapped arm. "Yes. I know it's my name. But you never damned used it before. Until now. Were you...scared of telling the Hermits who I really am?? That's pathetic of you really. You know..I never really understood why you praised Grian...while I'm the exact. Same. Thing." He hissed out.

Xisuma yelped from the more pressure. If he had to guess, his arm was most likely broken. He glanced up at Xanthus. "What...do you mean?" He breathed out, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Before Xanthus could answer, he was knocked off of Xisuma and xe stumbled back a little.

"You will NOT say what I think you're about to say!" Scar yelled, holding onto his own left hand as it life depended on it.

"Tsk. Did that stupid twin of yours already perish? Always knew he never had enough will to actually destroy you once and for all, and what will you do?! Huh? What, don't want me to out your 'boyfriend' as a Watcher...?" xe snickered, xeir smile becoming much darker and proud.

Xisuma stood up from the ground as quickly as it could.
Moving his head, looking at both Scar and Xanthus at the same time, confused all together.

"What...do you mean?" he asked hesitantly.

Sure he could now ask about how did Scar even defeat BadTimes, or he could ask what in the world did they mean "Out Grian as a Watcher"?!

Xanthus cackled at the confusion. "So he never did tell you! Perfect! I can spill all of his secrets~" xe replied, a set of dragon-like wings sprawled from xe's back, despite xe's armor. Stretching the wings a bit before tucking them behind xe's back. "Oh where to start~" xe replied and grinned wickedly.

Xisuma held its broken arm with its other hand. It glared at Xanthus, glancing at Scar at his side.

"They are his secrets to begin with, not yours!" Xisuma spoke.

"Yet Grian had said nothing about them, so I might as well fill in!" Xanthus snapped back.

"He probably didn't tell us because he's protecting us." Scar replied

"Can't protect what's already broken~" Xanthus said in a sing-song voice. Xe was so ready to spill secrets.

Silence was loud, nothing heard after Xanthus's giggles.

Was he gonna spill all the secrets that a Grian kept for... Who knows for how long? How does he even know, is xe telling lies? What did EX exactly mean by "Watchers"??

Xanthus stomped on his feet as if he was having a tantrum, being sure to catch both's attention because he starts dramatically telling the story about "The Watcher Academy" and how Grian and xem met there since young and became really good friends.

But that didn't last long before they realised what danger they were in.
Alas, they continued studying there, becoming stronger and stronger by each training.

Years passed. Years passed before they were finally finished with that hell forsaken place.

And Grian was supposed to Watch on his old home. But he didn't.

He went to Hermitcraft and left EX, leaving him and everything behind for his brother's server.

Scar and Xisuma only stared at xem with bewildered and in disbelief as Xanthus continued talking before he just stopped.

A silence overtook them for a moment before Xisuma said with such softness in his voice, the same voice it used on Scar earlier...

"He...you thought he left you for my server?"

Xanthus twirled his daggers as he let out a huff. "Don't need to rub it in." He spat, examining the blades of his daggers, still as sharp as ever.

"For years..years! We held that promise." Xe replied before grinning and cackling a bit. "I am shocked that you couldn't feel the raw power with each step Grian took. He is very powerful, I'm surprised that you didn't ban him on the spot. But no. Of course not."

"Grian isn't stupid- he probably concealed it-" Scar interjected, but was immediately shut down.

"GRIAN IS MORE POWERFUL THAN ANY ONE OF YOU. FOR GOODNESS SAKE, HE'S A PRIME AFTER ALL!" Xanthus snapped, causing Scar to flinch. "YES HE IS A WATCHER, BUT THE GOLD MAGIC HE HARBORS?? THAT'S PRIME ENERGY!"

...

"WHAT. You're lying there's no absolute way-!" Xisuma exclaimed, almost yelling. It's soft voice turning close to aggressive and defensive.

There's no way in hell that Grian, of all people, is a Watcher nonetheless a Prime of all!

Grian, his Grian?

Sure this server was known for being a dysfunctional family or whatever... But a Watcher Prime on the server? That's a shame thrown on this server!

And if the other found out and if this information got to outsiders...It could be really bad.

And really? Grian? He was literally the sunshine of the server! Literally brought smiles to everyone's faces.

"I'm not lying to you, Xisuma. Not about this. I've seen his power, I've felt it. It's real. All too real." Ex replied.

Scar wasn't sure how to deal with this information. Grian? His Grian? A Watcher and a Prime?? From what he knew of the Council, Watchers were bad, sure. But Primes?? They're powerful.

"Once you're back on Hermitcraft, find him and ask him. Trust me." Xanthus replied, looking between the vex and his brother.

Xanthus turned around and disappeared into the unknown after that, leaving the two in absolute disbelief and mixed emotions.

The arena around them evaporated into particles, leading them back to staying in the middle of Snail's living room.

And before either one of them could say anything they heard steps behind them, making them quickly turn around and raise their weapons at the mystery person.

"Cub...?"

Hels disappeared after Xanthus, not saying a word to the Hermits.

Jellie had perched herself onto Cub's shoulder, meowing gently and purring before gently hopping down.

Scar immediately tossed the blade to the side before scrambling and tackling Cub into a hug. "Oh thank goodness you're alright!!" He replied, he couldn't help the small tears that escaped.

After all, he had thought that Cub was dead...permanently. So seeing him back was a good sight to see.

"I-I thought you died! I saw them stab you in front of me!?" Scar worriedly looked him up and down while holding his shoulders.

He was alive! Oh well, so Scar thought. At least.

Cub giggled and moved a step back, making Scar drop his arm off of his shoulders.

"Well...he is."

Scar looked confused for a moment, looking back over his shoulder at Xisuma who just shrugged and raised his eyebrow in a question.

Scar looked back at Cub, who's face skin started shedding...

His eyes widened as he realized who this actually was.

BadTimes, who masked himself as Cub, swung a knife that spawned in his hand and he plunged it into Scar's chest.

Scar yelped in pain, looking down at the knife in his chest before looking at his brother, his twisted twin fucked with his emotions.

"Y-You...." He managed to say, blood trickling from his mouth as his hand tried to stop his wound, so much for his wizard outfit- he really liked that outfit too.

"Scar!!" Xisuma replied, scrambling around to catch Scar. Jellie raced beside Xisuma to get to her owner to help comfort him and maybe heal him....with whatever magic she held.

BadTimes grinned as he pulled the knife out of his chest. "You're so naive, brother. You really thought you defeated me and see your precious friend? Pathetic really." He replied and twirled the knife up slightly, licking up the blood from the blade.

"You can't wake up, this is not a dream, this is reality!" BadTimes laughed like a maniac at Xisuma, the old skin that once looked like Cub peeling away slowly.

His eyes radiated a blue light that just screamed predator, oh what did they get themselves into?

With that, with one last giggle, he turned and disappeared with pixels evaporating into the day.

Leaving Xisuma to grieve for the unfortunate fallen elf, holding him in his arm tightly as if he was afraid that he might just...disappear.

Oh please let this all be just a dream, he probably begged the void.

Alas…

Jellie pressed her nose into the elf's cheek, using any magic she could give into healing her owner..

Scar weakly reached up and weakly pets Jellie, he was fading away quickly, the bright green eyes now dull, weak small tears rolled down his cheeks at the fear that...

He may never wake up again.

No more Hermitcraft, no more Life series, no more silliness.

He feared that this was perma-death for him. It hurts to know that he may never see his friends again.

It...scared him, to be honest.

Chapter Text

Probably being unaware of your surroundings isn't the best idea.

Sure, having a nice and a cheerful afternoon with your fellow hermits is supposed to be all fun and games, talking and listening to music and dance but knowing fully well who- or rather what you are isn't something to forget that easily.

Forgetting that you're a powerful entity (even if you still wouldn't accept what you're one after all those years) with a long history of violence and on a constant run, with forgetting in what sort of danger you're to your friends and yourself at all times maybe isn't the best idea.

Well he forgot so. And now Grian was holding his best friend for dear life as he bled out fast but surely by the second, was this his fault? Oh he definitely thought it was.

What was he supposed to do now?! Mumbo was stabbed with a knife by someone or- rather whatever that being was and Grian couldn't do anything to stop that, maybe if he was aware of his surroundings and paid attention and not just drinking and laughing his worries away.

This! This is what happens when he just chooses a singular day to have a break from all his worries that something might happen and that it will cost him everything. One day! One day he chooses to stop using his powers to regenerate it all back at its fullest and someone slipped past his eyes and now it was his fault Mumbo was dying…

The avian couldn't help but panic, holding on to Mumbo with his dear life and the one day he decided to not use his powers. That was the day everything went to shit!

Said being still slightly conscious, he kept his eyes focused on Grian. It was becoming difficult though with a stab wound on your back and blood dripping out of it.

Stress immediately went over to her avian friend. She wanted to help in any way she could. "Grian?" She asked softly, carefully going over. "Please..I want to help him.."

Grian moved over slightly, giving her space to work. He was that aware of Stress being here to help and very thankful of Ren, Xisuma, and Stress who were here and helping stop the bleeding of the very ugly wound.

Grian wasn't sure what upset him more, the fact that he could've done something to stop this from happening or the fact that he wasn't even aware of who even could do such a thing.

Ren handed Xisuma a rag from the table for it to bandage till Stress returns back with Doc with proper medical aid.

He didn't know when they left nor when they exactly returned. All that Grian knew was, one second they were here hysterically running around the server and holding onto Mumbo for dear life.

Stress returned with Doc with the medical aid, as she knelt down by Grian and gently took a look at the wound. She frowned softly and carefully started to cut the fabric away so they could see the wound a bit better. She motioned Doc forward so he could take a look at the wound himself.

Grian let them do what they needed to do, he held onto Mumbo's hand and gently and carefully talked with him to keep not only Mumbo conscience, but to keep his own mind busy.

Grian wasn't sure when Xisuma and Cub disappeared. They were here seconds ago, he is sure he heard some talking but wasn't really paying attention.

He was still very much shaken by the possibility of the murder by whoever it could be. Grian was pulled out of his thoughts by Ren.

"C'mon dude, we gotta move him to somewhere safe... You think you could, you know?" Ren asked him, the last part went a bit quiet but still manageable to hear. Ren was one of the few people that knew about his so-called "powers", mostly from the last season when they were together as hippies.

Grian saw a white rabbit with red eyes right in the middle of the hippie commune and had a panic attack, where he lost control of his protection spell that hid his purple wings and eyes. Ren saw it through the window and immediately got out to calm him down, he still didn't know what exactly happened but apparently Grian fell unconscious and teleported both of them into the enemy's building close by.

Ren, thankfully, didn't press further but said he won't ask nor tell anyone if Grian doesn't want him to.

Doc and Stress, on the other hand, had no idea what he was talking about.

Grian nodded slightly and helped Ren move Mumbo inside. Once that was done, he stepped back slightly. "I-I'm gonna step outside.." He replied and quickly stepped outside. He was on the verge of another panic attack. I mean, could you blame him??

The memories of the past incidents from his high school days are spiraling in his head, how could it not?

Grian hasn't really witnessed a perma-death on this server and definitely not after his The Valour Kingdom time. No, he had to stop thinking about it.

Thinking of that time wouldn't bring anything but panic attacks and him crying and that's not something he could afford now. Especially when there's a Mumbo freaking Jumbo bleeding on the table inside.

Grian shook his hands and cracked his neck slightly before returning back inside.

Right when he found the room that Mumbo was placed in, he was met with the sight of blood everywhere on the same table Mumbo was laying on. The smell of burnt was all in the air, the burning skin smelt...awful.

Grian looked and got closer to the table, just to see that Doc was the one who was burning and sewing Mumbos wound up.

Doc looked up at Grian, who was now next to him, and raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you gonna ask what I'm doing?" Doc asked him.

Grian took a second to respond, how was he gonna explain to this mad scientist that he already did this? On himself, in the past?

He knew why he was doing that, which also meant he had no medical devices and tools to operate on Mumbo but with gunpowder and a little bit of flame he can just burn the wound and close it a bit.

It's not a good technique, but it was something.

Something that's keeping Mumbo alive and in one piece. Because either way, the wound could get infected with so many parasites and heinous viruses that Grian couldn't even remember.

At least Doc will sew it up and top it all with a bandage or something. Or Grian hoped he would, at least.

"No, I know don't worry..." he more sort of mumbled it than actually saying it for Doc to hear.

Doc frowned slightly but made no comment. Not wanting to push Grian even more if he was already stressed. His ear flickered and carefully went back to doing what he was doing, which was closing Mumbo's wound.

Grian couldn't help but scratch at his own scar on his arm, sure to others it looked like he was just scratching an itch or something, but Grian knew the truth and he couldn't help but dive into that rabbit hole. He got up and started to pace, feathers puffed up out of stress. The poor avian was stressed as all hell.

"Uh, are you... Alright, bird?" Doc asked him, he knew he sounded awkward.

Doc wasn't really a person to be very direct when it came to comforting someone, it's not like he was emotionless or whatnot... He just wasn't good at them.

Grian stopped to look at Doc for a second before letting out a sigh and nodding his head. But Doc knew better, was he gonna press him to say no?

Of course not, he was gonna leave that to Xisuma or someone who knew him better.

Their relationship wasn't really the best one, and yes. While they were in a war in last season, that didn't mean it was anything special- for Doc it wasn't, at least.

He cared for each Hermit and would go to the end of the world if it meant saving them, that now includes Grian.

But again, they weren't the closest. At least not how Grian and Mumbo were, Doc admired that. Caring so much for someone one knew for years after not seeing the other.

Doc will make sure Mumbo recovers quickly enough so Grian calms down.

Mumbo was stable now, his wound closed- well, burned and not bleeding anymore. His breathing was more leveled now and he should, if Stress was correct, wake up in the next 4 or so hours.

Till then, what were they gonna do against the one who did all this?

Grian's ears twitched as, to get his mind off of things, he went over to the window and peeked out, looking over the lands. It was 4 hours to kill. His bird brain begged him to stay, but for his own sanity, Stress would agree, that maybe he should get some fresh air, maybe find any clues.

Asking Stress to alert him when Mumbo woke up, he took off once again, swooping down gently and carefully landed at the scene of the crime.

He glanced around, making sure no one was around, before kneeling down by the spot he caught Mumbo, dried blood on the path.

Oh how he hated this. Never did he ever want to use his Prime energy. He was supposed to keep it a secret after all, the only other one who knows was the other Prime. And if someone caught wind that he was all powerful-

Well let's just say it wouldn't be good-

To make this quick, he placed his hand on the ground near the spot, closing his eyes, he focused on trying to see if he could make out on at least who-

There was a zap and Grian fell back, he rubbed his eyes as the gold faded for now. The avian let out a groan. All he saw was a blueish gray shadow.

"Vex energy??" Grian asked himself quietly. "That can't be- Cub would never-" he mumbled to himself. "Scar wouldn't either- right?"

Right?

There's no way- it can't be Scar.

'There's got to be a clear explanation' Grian thought to himself, over-thinking on what would happen and what would he do even if it turned out that it was actually Scar of all people...

It's fine, maybe there's a clear explanation.

Grian turned back and headed back inside where he was met with X, might as well ask him if he knew anything.

"Hey 'Suma?" he half yelled at its.

The Admin turned around and looked up from his comm to look at Grian, who probably looked half-dead himself to them.

X wasn't looking the best either, and it hasn't been even a full day since the incident.

Eyebags are very much visible on its face, more than usual that is.

"Oh, hey G! How are you holding up? We all know you two were the closest here..."

"Are....you okay?" Grian asked, stopping Xisuma mid sentence. "You look exhausted- it hasn't even been a full day!" Grian replied, momentarily forgetting what he wanted to ask the admin himself, feathers poofing. Xisuma looked exhausted. Something just seemed...off.

X stopped in his tracks for a moment, debating if he should tell the winged one or not.

X took a deep breath and-

"Mumbo's awake!"

And Grian didn't have to be told twice.

Grian ran past Xisuma, incidentally pushing him aside a bit, yelling sorry at him but not really caring enough to look back.

Running inside, past Doc who's washing his hands from excess...whatever that pinkish substance was.

Mumbo's awake. Mumbo's awake. Mumbo's awake!

Grian’s silent prayers to everything and anything he didn't even believe in finally answered his damn prayers. His best friend was well and alive

Mumbo was alive.

And his confirmation was true when he slammed the door open, the same darn room Mumbo was in, the same room that Mumbo was currently look around confused and still with that stupid smile on his face.

Grian just stared at the mustache man who was now paying his full attention at the winged one, too. No words spoken.

The two just stared at one another for a solid minute before Mumbo coughed awkwardly, finally breaking eye contact, Grian ran from the door and hugged him.

"You're okay..." Grian whispered, tears he thought he didn't have anything to cry were slipping down his cheek again.

Mumbo half laughed and hugged Grian back while tapping his back in comfort.

Silly, really, Mumbo was the one that needed comfort after what happened to him and there he was hugging Grian till he stopped crying.

Mumbo hugged the other one back in a tight embrace he could muster. "I'm here Grian. I'm here now. It's okay...it's gonna be okay.." He whispered softly, rubbing his back slightly.

"I was scared of losing you Mumbo Jumbo! I can't- I was so worried!" Grian sobbed out, slowly calming down, rubbing his wet eyes. He shifted around to give Mumbo some breathing space, he couldn't help the little chirp that escaped him when Mumbo gently placed his hand on his cheek, wiping away the tears.

"I'm alright, friend."

Everything will be alright, it's true if Mumbo says so.

He's always right, so why would he not be now?

Grian just nodded slowly as he sat at the end of Mumbo's bed.

"But... What happened? I don't really remember" Mumbo chuckled at his statement, but Grian did not.

"What do you mean you don't remember?!" He yelled, his eye widening at that.

Why doesn't he remember?!

"That's because of the trauma he experienced." Doc said behind them, standing at the previous open door that was now closed.

When did he enter? How didn't Grian hear him coming?

Was he losing his abilities? Was he...losing it?

Why's this happening now, oh Gosh.

"Trauma?" Mumbo asked him, one eyebrow raised in question as both of them stared at the mad scientist.

"Yes, when a person experiences something that hurts them or whatnot it forms trauma, and depending on how the brain chooses to deal with it, it can form some sorts of imaginary clouds that hide the experience that happened.

In Mumbo's situation, getting stabbed by a Vex twin."

Mumbo frowned softly and looked at Doc before looking at Grian. "Vex Twin?.." He asked softly before his eyes widened. "No! Scar wouldn't- He wouldn't would he?" He asked quickly. "S-Scar's too nice- He doesn't-" He replied, breathing quickening slightly.

Grian placed his hands on Mumbo's shoulders. "Breathe! Breathe Mumbo! We don't know if it is Scar but we can't rule him out of the equation." He replied, getting Mumbo to calm down slowly. His wings twitched. He was worried. What if it was Scar? What would they do? Needless to say he was scared, but he didn't let it show. Not at this current moment.

Doc signed at their clear stupidity, how could they even think of Scar betraying them?

Can't blame them, not really.

"Not Scar, you spoons! His Twin, you know? BadTimes?"

That caught their attention, certainly.

"SCAR HAS A TWIN?!"

Both of them looked at Doc with a bewildered and shocked look on their faces.

Since when did Scar have an evil Twin?! Sure he heard something about X having one but Scar? How, what, when??!

Most importantly, why didn't he tell them? Why didn't Scar tell Grian?

"WHAT!?" Grian replied as his feathers poofed up. "When!? How!?" He was certainly shocked by that fact. Sure he knew X had one but Scar??

Mumbo was also confused about this. Was there just so much more than the loveable goof Scar was?? What else was he hiding?? What's next?? The fact that he's a cannibal?

"I don't know how you two didn't know, I thought you spoons knew Scar the best out of everyone?"

Yeah, that would be the situation and Grian thought that too. But it seems like that wasn't the case.

Sure, Grian and Mumbo weren't the ones who would pry for someone's background check, like for their traumatic pasts and families.

Especially if that person didn't mention them firstly, then who were they to ask?

But a twin? You would've thought you knew someone, someone that you thought was your partner in crime.

"Grian..?"

He looked up from the floor he didn't know he was looking at.

Oh. He must've dozen off again...

"Yeah, yeah... I'm fine don't worry" he answered, trying to sound confident but how would that be the case?

It's fine, Mumbo's awake and he'll focus on Scar later.

His best friend is here right now and Scar is god knows where.

"You need to rest Mumbo, I'll be here if you need me" He tried changing the subject and thankfully, it worked.

Doc looked suspiciously at the two but didn't pry.

He just nodded and left the room to do whatever.

Grian jumped off the bed and walked towards a chair that was next to the hospital-like bed Mumbo was laying in.

"I-i guess you're right, I'm tired haha-" awkward, Of course Mumbo was trying to lighten up the mood even after whatever they just heard.

"But- umm, never mind" he continued before stopping, voice soft and almost quiet.

And that sure got Grian's attention, turning his head to look at the flustered Mumbo who was now fictionally trying to soften his own pillow.

"No no no- what did you want? Need water or something to eat?" Grian asked him, only Mumbo would be shy and embarrassed enough to not ask for such little things.

"I-I um- aren't you uncomfortable sleeping on that chair?" Mumbo asked while avoiding eye contact, now that's weird.

"I mean yes but it's fine really" Grian answered him, but it came out more like a question at the start than an answer really.

Mumbo nodded slightly, worried still, but said nothing. "Maybe message Scar?" He whispered quietly, laying back down so he could rest again.

Grian bit the inside of his cheek but nodded. "Okay..Okay I will...you just rest now Mumbo." He replied, wings twitching as he watched Mumbo doze off. He let out a sigh. He grabbed his communicator and debated on contacting Scar.

He opened his and Scar's chat, he stared at their old messages before closing it off.

He took a deep breath before returning his gaze at Mumbo who was struggling to find a right position to sleep in, as he couldn't sleep on his back from pain that's slowly but surely returning as the regen potion was starting to run out.

Grian stood up from his chair and tapped Mumbo on his right shoulder to grab his attention for quick.

"Psst, can you move to the side for a bit?" Grian asked him, he wasn't sure why he was whispering but he didn't want to be too loud.

The bed wasn't the smallest but wasn't exactly the biggest either, it can fit two people but it would be a bit tight and if one lf them (if not both) weren't quite sleepers, other would fall of the bed for certain.

"Huh, what? Sure" Mumbo with half-closed lids looked at Grian, slightly confused. But again? When wasn't he.

Mumbo moved to the side, just enough for Grian to lay next to him and wrap one of his wings around him and another one around himself, like a blanket.

Now that's more comfortable than it looks like.

And with that, both fell sound asleep.

.

.

.

It was a peaceful dream, a nice wheat field, a gentle breeze in the air, leaves rustling in the air. The wizard let out a soft groan, shifting around before waking up and sitting up, a hand to his head. "Mmm...." He mumbled.

The wizard rubbed his eyes looking around. "Where?...am I?..." He asked.

"Hello??" He called out gently, voice seeming to echo a bit, but not a word was spoken back to him.

Scar carefully got up onto his feet. "Jellie?...Cub?.." He asked out, but still nothing.

He was standing in the middle of the field, pretty pink mint flowers getting lightly blown by the breeze, the calm sound of the wind passing through the leaves from the trees that weren't there a second ago or perhaps it was Scar who was just too tired to notice them beforehand.

He was tired, true to be told. He hasn't slept in a while but there's things to be done! He can't be lazy now!

Scar bent over slightly to pick out a few of the mint green, he could make tea out of these. Scar thought.

Thought? He didn't think of that, it just came to him like words being splashed in his face.

Didn't matter.

Scar continued picking out the mint and putting them in a basket that hung around his left arm. It was getting quite full!

He can make some tea out of these, he thought!

He finally straightened his back and walked a few steps back before turning around and entering his house, he liked his house.

It was really pretty, a tree house in the shape of a snail. Really imaginative!

Scar looked down at the basket that was supposed to be hanging on his left arm before noticing it was gone.

Oh, how could he forget! He forgot the basket in the field.

He turned around and walked through the front door, the only door there was.

He opened it, just to be met with a person who was wearing a cloak in the shade that Scar thought was something between purple and blue.

The shade changed to bright, neon almost blue, when he touched the mystery person who was indeed standing in the middle of the field, they were holding Scar's basket!

"Hey-" and before Scar could even ask them, the thing in a cloak evaporated and the cloak fell to the ground alongside the basket full of mint flowers.

Such grief for flowers.

Scar bent down again to pick what's left of the flowers but before he could even reach them, they melted.

They started to melt as if they were plastic and ugly fire-smoke started going out of them.

Scar felt a tight sensation around his left leg, a snake was trying to climb his leg and up his body.

Scar looked that snake directly in its eyes as he released that they were shining the same bright blue that the cloak the person was wearing.

His eyes widened as he tried to shake it away off his leg but he just couldn't.

He couldn't move, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't blink.

He for a millisecond looked away from that snake and realized that it was night now and somehow it was starting to get darker.

Pitch black almost. If not too quickly becoming black.

Scar couldn't see anything, he couldn't think, he couldn't breathe.

"Brother, are you there? I miss you"

A child-like voice echoed.

Brother? He had a brother? Surly not. He would've remembered if he did.

He would never forget and leave his family.

"S-Scar?"

Scar couldn't help but to stay fully silent, not because he couldn't speak. No, it was all from fear.

Why was he scared? Who was this child that called him his brother? Scar would've known if he had one.

"Oooh Scar~ look what a cat dragged in! What, Jellie bit your tongue?"

That's a voice he remembers.

"I'm hurt~ How dare you forget me~"

Scar couldn't dare turn around right now. "You ruined my life..I think I deserve to forget you." he replied.

The figure grinned and appeared in front of him, cupping Scar's face. "Oh I think I made it better!" He replied.

Scar felt frozen to the ground, a large black snake slithered up his leg, locking him in place.

"Better!? You call this better!? You injured Mumbo when I told you specifically to just mess around with him. You killed Cub for a sick joke! And you killed me. Erasing me from the game. You call that better?" Scar hissed, voice cracking ever so slightly.

BadTimes couldn't help but grin. "But the blood is on your hands. You were the one who summoned me. You put me in play. You should've trusted your gut. You can't trust me. Stick with whatever orders the Council gave you."

Scar felt sick to his stomach. None of this would've happened if he just followed what the Council gave him.

"I thought we could trust you Scar? How could you?" A voice said, it being very familiar to a certain avian.

"N-No...no he wouldn't.." Scar replied.

"I, XisumaVoid, admin of the Hermitcraft server hereby.." A voice that belonged to X started.

Scar tried to struggle. To run. But the snake held him in place. "Get off of me BadTimes!" He yelled. He had the feeling that his brother was fucking with his mind.

"Ban GoodTimesWithScar on the account of.."

"No...nononono-" Scar replied, gripping his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Murder, playing of dark arts, attempted cover up, cannibalism, summoning evil ones." the voice of X sounded and a misty figure pressed a button on the communicator.

Scar felt dizzy all of a sudden, bright green eyes dulling. He shoved BadTimes away, eyes returning to their bright green state. "T-They wouldn't do that.." He panted.

"Would they? I don't know..with everything you've been doing. Everything you caused." BadTimes hissed back, humming.

"If they continue to let you live. You still have the account of this all happening. Burning away, eating away at your subconscious. You'd wish they had banned you." BadTimes hissed.

Scar felt his chest tighten. It was getting hard to breathe. He needed to get out of this sickening nightmare.

But how?

BadTimes grinned as he looked up at another hooded figure that appeared. "He's all yours~" he replied, flicking his wrist.

The snake sank its fangs into Scar's leg, causing him to yell out in pain. The snake slithered away and curled around BadTimes' arm. Scar slumped onto his side, breathing weakly.

The hooded figure grinned behind in shadow. "Thank you X'athir. He will be quite useful indeed."

Darkness overtook Scar's vision, and before he knew it, he was unconscious.

.

.

.

After a long deserved break, Grian was first to wake up.

Grian was always a light sleeper so it wasn't really weird for him to wake up before Mumbo.

He opened his eyes to be met with, thankfully, dip lights so they weren't much of an annoyance to his eyes. It took him a second before fully getting aware of his surroundings, what caught his attention was that Scar was talking with Xisuma... Who looked rather perplexed and worried.

Grian yawned softly and carefully sat up, getting down from the bed he carefully walked over to better hear the conversation, though considering he was still waking up, he didn't hear much.

The avian leaned against the pillar that was nearby, ears twitching slightly as he let himself relax a bit. Though he was a bit worried for Scar- the wizard looked scared.

"... appreciate it X, but I-I need to get rid of him..I brought him in, I need to get rid of him."

Get rid of who? Grian thought.

So was he right? It wasn't Scar who did this to Mumbo? But he did say that it was him who brought him back, so was it him or...

" -How is he?..I know Grian probably won't let anyone near him.." Grian heard Scar speak again, voice barely above a whisper.

Scar cares? Of course he would... This was Scar they were talking about. Kind, caring, clumsy, but loveable, smart, funny, and a really talented person.

And that was all Grian needed, before slowly and quietly returning to Mumbo who was seemingly starting to open his eyes.

Grian glanced yet again at where Xisuma and Scar were but they weren't there anymore.

Mumbo let out a small groan as he rubbed his eyes, sitting up a bit. "Hey...you're up a bit." He replied and yawned a bit, stretching a bit. "So what's up..?" He replied.

Grian stared at the mustache man for a moment before letting out a nervous giggle, maybe it will be fine after all..

.

.

.

The sharp pain Scar felt on the right side of his stomach was that that woke him up.

He let out a bloody cough as he tried opening his eyes to look around. He was met with the same hooded person from before, but this time they were holding a knife... One that's covered in blood, at that.

Scar's blood.

Scar coughed a bit as his eyes widened, seeing the knife and....his blood. "Who...who are you? What do you want with me?" Scar asked before going into a coughing fit. He held his side and tried to sit up a bit. His head was swimming but he pushed past it.

The laugh- was it a laugh? It was so distorted from what one would consider a voice even. The laugh echoed into multiple layers of laughter that if listened to for long enough, would definitely make one's ear bleed.

"Who? Did your winged friend forget to tell you about me? Fun." a reply came from the distorted echo.

'Grian? Grian knows this…person? Is it even a person at this point?' Scar thought, while it was hard to think due to his quick blood loss, it came to Scar that he was somehow healing himself. Scar had that ability for a bit now, while it wasn't perfect and Cub helped him unlock it just recently, it was still weak and slow progress. Painfully slow at that, but he will Survive.

"Nothing? What, birdy got your tongue? Honestly I thought Greeon would've told you about his best friend~ such sadness and sorrow."

Again, the low but pitch laugh echoed through his brain that made Scar shut his eyes in try to stop it.

"Now, I can continue doing this over... And over... And over again... And you'll keep healing! That's the fun of it!! I stab you, you heal, i stab you again, you heal... You know that anime Naruto? Well you'd know that scene when Itachi used whatever he did to torture Kakashi? I don't remember clearly but-"

"OH MY GOSH SHUT UP ALREADY MY EARS A-RE BURNING!" Scar half yelled as his voice cracked mid every other word, not even pressing and covering his ears helped from such screeching doubling voices.

It felt like Scar could feel the vibrations in his brain and felt like if he didn't escape... Whatever the hell this was, his brain will cause internal bleeding from it.

"My my~!! Your twin wasn't wrong after all! You are half vex!"

Unbeknown to Scar, when he tried screaming, his eyes started shining a barely visible teal shine that was blinking before it stopped the moment after. Along with the eyes shining, there was small air like push on the floor.

Everyone knew that mana and powers mostly act on emotions but like this? Different…

Scar panted heavily from the sudden use of heavy heavy magic. This was somehow worse than-

He couldn't remember. Why would he?? So much has happened, his mind couldn't keep up.

The figure couldn't help but giggle at the struggle the person put up below them. "It's such a shame Greeon didn't tell you about me!" The figure replied. "Such a friend he is." He replied. "No matter! He'll notice soon enough!~" he replied, twirling his knife a bit. "Soon enough indeed!~"

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.

.

It's been a bit since Mumbo woke up, to them, it looked like Mumbo was doing just fine. Doc suggested to Grian, as much as he was worried for Mumbo, that he needed to stop being such a mother-hen and let him be alone for a bit to see how he would do alone.

Grian wasn't really fond of that idea but he can't really argue with him on that since he was right.

What he could do was check what in the world were X and Scar talking about, and since he couldn't reach out both of them and other Hermits were either busy themselves or distracted by other things.

So the only person it left for Grian to talk about all this was Cub.

While Cub was probably also busy with whatever he was, he was also one of the and if not the only person- or rather the only vexling that knew Scar the best on this.

Grian sighed softly and gently flew out to the pyramid that Cub based this season. He hoped he could get Cub to talk to Scar about things, not gonna lie..he was worried as all hell for them.

Crossing over into the sandy hills of the desert, he carefully landed at the pyramid, looking around, he carefully made his way inside. "Cub?" He called out, he could feel the linger of vex magic, indicating that there was the use of magic.

Grian frowned when he got no answer. "Cub??" He tried again. "Please..it's important." He replied, ears twitching just slightly.

Safe to say Grian was both getting irritated and worried.

Cub's base was huge, it would take Grian a lot of time to actually find Cub, he could be anywhere! But is that stopping him?

Definitely not.

Grian looked around the whole pyramid, admiring it as he passed what he thought were corridors, searching for him.

"CUB, COME OUT PLEASE-" the avian yelled for Cub as he entered one of the many rooms.

Right when he entered it, he saw Cub on the bed sleeping, well that at least explained why he didn't answer.

Grian walked toward Cub who looked like he was laying on his back with a blanket covering him just high enough to cover his eyes.

"Cu-" the blonde started as he took the blanket off of Cub just to be met with the horror view.

He was dead.

Blood that leaked from both ends of the other's mouth was dry but clearly recent.

Even in shock, Grian looked around at the body of his friend and it was clear that the body had been falling apart for at least a few hours.

Flies were just about starting to gather around the body and the smell... How did Grian miss the awful smell that made his lungs shrink from disgust.

"Oh my gosh…"

Grian wanted to throw up at the sight. He took a few trembling steps back before his back came in contact with a post, sliding down it. He knew the stench of a rotting corpse all too well. Feathers puffed out in fear and worry. Tears couldn't help but prick his eyes and slowly roll down his face. Taking a breath he shakily reached for his communicator and immediately sent an S.O.S to Doc.

In the meantime while he waited for Doc however, he tried to force himself to breath and get himself back under control. With him being a Prime and a Watcher, his power was dependent on his emotions. If his emotions were strong, so were his powers and he couldn't let the others see. See the powerful being he was.

Grian was going to act as if he wasn't starting to feel how few of his eyes were starting to open on his wings and how the fade on them was starting to turn purple.

Because he couldn't let anyone see, and especially not Doc! It wasn't that he didn't trust Doc... It was more that he was slightly afraid of him from last season's turf war.

Grian slowly but surely started calming his breathing and got his hands to not shake as much. That helped just in time as he heard Doc flying over with his elytra wings. Quickly enough, the eyes dissappeared but the purple fade on his wings didn't.

It's fine, this wasn't the first time actually this happened. Back in season 6, something triggered Grian's memories and similar to this, he managed to hide most of his traits before someone found him.

He explained the purple fade at the end of his wings as "trying to dye his wings but didn't work well"

So he might as well do that again, since Doc hasn't seen it the last time so might as well be it.

Grian steadied his steps as he walked away out of Cubs room and closed the doors.

It wasn't the first time Grian saw a dead body. Especially not a dead body from his friend.

He even buried lots of them back in his teenage years. Not by choice but it was what it was, huh?

Grian took a calming breath and forced down anything that wanted to come up or appear. Once his nerves were calm, he met up with Doc in the corridor and explained what he saw. Doc asked Grian to stay there for now while he went to check it out. So Grian did, pacing a bit in the little area to keep himself busy.

While Grian was taking it slow outside, Doc was standing in the middle of the room looking at the slowly rotting corpse of his friend.

The smell of a dead body was becoming quite clear and it was really disturbing.

Good idea from him for calling Doc, of course there are more likely real doctors than he is, but it's also good that Grian invited him.

If anyone other than him saw the dead body of their friend and acquaintance, it wouldn't end up being the best.

Grian could have called False for example or Stress, especially Stress, she's the one who has medical aid and so, while Doc also knows himself some of medicine, he doesn't know as she knows.

Doc let out a sigh. Even if his body was rotting, the earring he wore was still glowing, dim sure, but it was there. He stepped out to meet up with Grian.

"You know how he and Scar have earrings that glow when around each other?" He asked.

Grian gave a small nod. "Yeah?" He asked.

"Despite his body rotting, Cub's earring is glowing, sure it's dim, but it's there." He replied.

That gave some little comfort to Grian, his feathers laying flat. Scar would have to be nearby then right??

Right??

That meant Scar was okay but where was he?

As a matter of fact, he hasn't seen anyone but Mumbo and Doc for a bit now...what was going on?

"So, he's alright?" Grian asked him back, he had to. He needed to be certain because he can not imagine the weight of him having to explain to his boyfriend that his brother was dead.

Doc wasn't looking as confident as he did in the morning, he too was looking really stressed and struggling. Which was understandable, since he just saw a corpse.

"He's...alive, not well enough to be awake and aware, but alive nonetheless."

Grian let out a small sigh of relief. "Okay..do you know where Scar might be?" He asked.

"Not a clue, maybe check his starter base. The snail?" Doc replied, leaning against a pillar.

Grian gave a small nod and glided off and towards the vast jungle forest, hoping to find the snail house in quick time.

He knew it wouldn't take him long to get there, it was pretty close to his own base so just taking a quick run to the nether and out his portal would be really efficient.

He flew down from the tree that the portal was on towards Scar's magical forest and adored it for a few moments.

He remembers the vex's rant about how he used his mana to make this place more lively and magical, which now that he took a better look, was dissappearing second by second.

You could still feel the light, very light, spark of the forest trying to live to its full potential but with Scar not around to secure it and to take care of it everyday, it clearly took a toll on this whole place.

Larry rested in his spot, not really moving much. He looked down at Grian and let him enter the base.

Grian knew something was wrong just by how little the vex magic wasn't keeping the forest pretty. He carefully stepped up to the door. "Scar?.." He called.

No word. That wasn't worrying at all.

Well it was now or never.

Grian walked into the one of the only rooms here and just stopped himself in his tracks.

There was blood, *everywhere*.

There was some stuff broken but that wasn't what spooked Grian, no, it was the fact that there's two signs of different blood from different bodies.

'Was this where Cub died…? If yes then where's Scar?'
Grian thought to himself, because there's no absolute way Scar's also the one that died.

Was he injured? Where was he even? Who did this?

Million questions went through the avian's head in a second before he realized that he hadn't moved from the door frame.

Grian slowly and while shaking took a step inside to look around to see something, anything that would help him find Scar and save the other vex.

There was a meow that spooked Grian, causing him to jump. He looked down and noticed Jellie run over to him and jump into his arms. She meowed frantically.

"Jellie!?" Grian replied and held the cat. "W...where's Scar?" He asked, but his throat tightened. If Jellie was here...then where was…?

Another annoyed meow came from here as she nuzzled against his chest for a few before jumping down again and running off.

It took Grian a second before he started running outside of Scar's base and followed Jellie.

It took them a bit of running before they stopped in front of the clinic where Mumbo and Cub were held.

Which, frankly, confused Grian even more as Jellie stopped to look at him, meowed and ran inside.

Grian yet again followed her and watched her jump at Cub's barely breathing body. Liking at her own paw, she nudged one of Cub's shiny crystals that Doc mentioned earlier and meowed at Grian again.

As if to say something, and Grian listened. Or so he tried.

"Are you trying to tell me that I can find Scar with Cub's...that?" Grian asked her, he was talking to a cat, he was asking a cat for help.

Did he fall that low? No, but this was Jellie, Scar's cat.

Jellie meowed again and pawed at the crystal gently, trying to get Grian to use the crystal.

Grian let out a soft sigh and went over, picking up the crystal and focused his energy into the crystal to find Scar, spreading his wings out a bit. He trusted Jellie.

Chapter Text

Scar stirred, only slightly as he felt the void take his energy from him.

He wanted this all to be already over. To just give up. Say his brother won the battle.

Scar let out a hefty sigh as he pressed his hand against his side, carefully forcing himself to sit up. Though one question never left his mind.

Who was that person that mentioned Grian?

Sure, they said that they were an old friend, but that did not really help Scar at all. He never dared push Grian into talking about his past.
Mostly because when he tried, Grian would look away, fly off, or shut the conversation down faster than an enderman teleporting.

Scar's ears twitched as the echo of that laughter rang throughout the void like a school bell. He had company, and he was fairly sure who it was. Scar let out a breath he did not know he was holding.

That laugh taunted him, for hours and already weeks on the end.
But unlike the other times, this was not just a taunt, he was here.

"Wh-what do you want!" Scar managed to let out with a groan of pain not long after that.
He heard some muffled voice echo his name, before Scar had a moment to recognize the voice, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He barely opened his eyes to be met with none other than... Grian?!

"Oh my gosh." Scar whispered under his breath, tears already forming in his eyes, jumping slightly forward to try and hug his partner.

But Scar went straight through him.
"Grian...please..."

There was another laugher, pure of evil and wishing for nothing but for the others' pain. BadTimes was it.

Of course, he was.
He was the only one of the three Vexes that could make illusions.
A soft tune was soon heard, easily echoing off the area as the laughter died down, soft thuds hitting the ground with each step.

The glint of a blood-stained knife reflected any light.
Scar's ears perked up a bit, he looked towards the noise, but instantly flinched back. "You again."

Bunny ears twitching, high and alert as the person grinned. "Hi again! Yes, it is me. Upset that it wasn't actually Greeon?~" the other teased.

Scar still had no idea who this person was or what their name was. Who knew that there was a psychotic bunny around?

"What do you want." Scar simply said, no real emotions showing through his voice but slight hurt and boredom.

"Aww, I'm here to visit you! Now, we can do this peacefully or I can call your brother again." the red eyed bunny said, it kind of reminded Scar of that old legend Cub used to tell him about, the Killer Rabbit.

These two are too similar...

Scar's silence clearly was good enough of an answer for him because he smiled with those sharp teeth from ear to ear, and not his human ears, to his bunny ones.
And if that didn’t send shivers down Scar’s spine, it would have clearly creeped him out.

"So, I have a few questions and you will answer them for me or otherwise..." the other stopped in his tracks to summon a knife with some clear old, dried up, blood covering it

"You get the treatment Taurtis did! My best friend, really! He just did not listen and-"

While the crazy one rambles about this random person, he previously named his best friend, Scar could not help but to wonder...

Who was that blood, was it that Taurtis guy? Who even was this, is this the end of him?
If he was really his best friend, why did he... Hurt him?

What is going on?

"Anyways~ first question!"

"How well do you know Greeon?" The rabbit asked, twirling the knife between his fingers, earrings jingled as his bunny ears twitched.

Scar looked at him. Where did he even start?? "I've known him for a few years now. I know he wouldn't hurt anyone." He replied.

Sam grinned. "Did you know that Greeon did a lot of bad things?" He asked, eyes flickering to the bloodied knife, ears twitching as he heard Scar's breath quickened.

Ignoring the blood splattered on the knife, Scar could see his reflection on the side of the blade. It was blurry but there.

Scar knew there was something about Grian's background that he did not enjoy talking about, sure his partner was an outgoing person and an exceedingly kind one at that but, even Scar knew there was something. Something that made him think twice whenever there was pvp involved, think twice whenever he was going to talk about something even closely referencing his past.

"I- no, he wouldn't do anything like you would!" Scar snapped at him, maybe- no that was a wrong thing to do he realized seconds later.
Wrong answer, clear as a sun as the knife was put into his forearm and pulled out right seconds after.
Sam grinned as he plunged the knife into Scar's forearm.

"Wrong answer. Want to try again? I would be happy to tell you!" He replied with a giggle.

Scar yelped in pain and held his arm. "B-But Grian wouldn't do anything like that! He is too sweet to do anything like that!"

"Kindness only got him so far." Sam spat.
"He turned a blind eye." He replied. His ears twitching.

Scar coughed out blood as he felt another stab in his left upper abdomen, the pain was unbearable at this point. He usually could just heal himself but in this void of nothingness, he could not do anything. He barely kept his eyes open during his time in this limbo.

"Next question, it's up to you if you'll answer it but I'd advise you to~ did you know that Grian was a Watcher." Sam smiled widely as he left his knife in Scar’s wound.

That was not a good thing, even though it does keep him from bleeding out, it also keeps him from trying to heal himself even to some degree.
Scar rocked back and forward on this. Despite losing blood quickly, he somehow kept himself calm...enough anyway.

"Tick tock. Are you going to answer or are you going to just rock in and out of consciousness?" Sam asked, already growing bored from the lack of answers, bunny ears twitched as he twirled the knife in his hand.
"I-I've heard very little of them..." Scar replied slowly. Sure, him being on the Council, he is heard the term being tossed around, usually in a negative light, though he never really bothered on why that was the case.

The Vex Council was never the one to show weakness, and Scar personally knew how they dealt with members who were weaklings. According to them, that is.
But Watchers? They were something else. Those mysterious entities who viewed themselves as God-like and thought they were superior to anyone else.

They somehow brought fear among lower clans of vexes.

Scar, being on the top (not for long that is...) heard a few things here and there, the question was what did this rabbit know?

Sam giggled. "Oh, you don't know??" He asked.
"Shame. Such a shame really." He replied as he twirled the knife.

Scar narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why do you know?" He asked.
Sam giggled.
"Why special little parrot boy of course!" He replied, looking at Scar's reaction on the blade of the knife. "Greeon always panicked about them even though he was one himself! I am surprised he survived it all. But hey. He survived with what I placed him in."

Now, don't get Scar wrong. He knew Grian was one of them and knew that he was a runaway but never knew the whole story.

The blonde was always uncomfortable when the topic of God's and specially Watchers came on and always tried to be vague when asked what he knew.

It wasn't that he was afraid of other Hermits disowning him if they found out, after all, Xisuma and Doc themselves also knew about Grian being the Admin of Evolution server.

The first server to be overtaken by The Watchers, who now used it as their hideout of sorts.
"You what...?" Scar asked him wrongly, what could he ever do to Grian?

Sam just looked at him and started laughing.

"Oh, you actually have no idea? Oh my, that is hilarious! He doesn't trust you? What kind of a boyfriend is Greeon if he doesn't trust you, I wonder if he was the same with Taurtis.”

Scar's ears twitched.
"I'm sure Grian had a perfectly good reason for him not to say anything!" He shot back.

"And the good reason was to not to trust you? Or your friends? That's a low blow, even for him." Sam replied, grinning like the maniac he was.

"Or maybe he wanted to protect us!" Scar replied. He was not going to have all this Grian slander, especially not from this bunny hybrid.

"Or maybe he's just waiting for the perfect moment to strike." Sam snapped.
"I-" Scar stumbled over his words, there is no way this was true. His Grian, turning against him?

What if...

Surly not, what was Scar thinking! He knew Grian for ages, he would not do anything like that to him nor to other Hermits.

Would he?

"Next and last question...choose your way to die, Wizard!" Sam laughed as he watched upon Scar, whose face turned from confusion to pure fear. "No- no no..." he muttered repeatedly as he tried backing away from Sam, without success.

"C'mon, make this easier for me and choose or I'll gladly!" Sam smiled, that creepy smile on his face that never left after he took his hood off, who knew how many hours ago that was.

As if it was printed on his face.
Scar's eyes trailed everywhere but to look at Sam, trying to summon any bits of magic he had, knowing very well that there's none. His wound and cuts still bleeding, Scar's face pale like a ghost and his green, usually shiny eyes, bland and full of fear and loath.

Grian was pacing the floor. So many things were going through his head. Scar was dead, Cub was on the brink of death himself, and Jellie had brought him just to see Cub's earring glowing. He flapped his wings out of frustration as his talons tapped the floor with each step. He had to save Scar somehow.

Grian hated feeling like this, and it seemed like there was only one thing for him to do.
Use his Watcher powers.

The sworn thing he refused to do.

But....he doesn't have much of a choice anymore-
Does he?

Grian has made a promise to himself a long time ago, from day one.

He would use his Watcher powers for anything, waiting for them to weaken after time until they disappear fully. But that did not happen, to his fortune.

Instead, they got more unstable the more he avoided using them.

They were destroying him from inside and he just couldn't bear it, so he did what he had to do when season 7 started. Grian made an extra security system that was unable to be broken.
Everything he had in him went to that border, the only person who could decide to take it off or on, was Xisuma.

Now Grian had to use those same powers to save Scar.

Grian let out a soft sigh. He would only do this to save his boyfriend. He really didn't want to but....
He had to...

"Grian? Are you doing, okay?" The redstoner asked, making Grian jump.
"Mumbo!! Don't scare me like that." Grian jumped.

The Redstoner rubbed his neck. "Sorry...didn't mean to."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it..." Grian said softly and sighed.

Mumbo hummed, as he carefully lifted himself off the medical bed.
Seriously, that bed is more like a metal board than anything.

"What are you thinking about, mate?" he questioned Grian, speaking softly and quiet. It is night already, Grian noticed, did he really spend hours sitting in this comfortable chair just thinking of ways to save Scar and Cub? Is the last choice he really had was to use powers he promised he would never even think of?

Grian opened his mouth before shutting it closed the same second, thinking of a right response. Mumbo seems to have noticed that, though.
"You don't have to tell me, but is everything alright? Grian?"
Grian stayed silent for a good while. "I...." he said softly before letting out a small sigh. He should tell Mumbo, I mean, they have been through everything together, right?

"Grian? Mumbo called out to him.

"I'm...not human...not...completely, anyway." Grian replied.

"Grian...I knew that. You have parrot wings for crying out loud." Mumbo said gently.
"Mumbo. You're not understanding." Grian said more sternly.

'God this is a bad idea...' He thought.
Grian felt his thoughts mix between if he should tell Mumbo or if he should just shulk himself in again and pretend nothing of this was happening.

Many different fears and ways of this going wrongly spiralled in his brain.
Deciding to just speak before he thought this out though. They don't have time to think, lives are on the line for Faith's sake!

"How about I just show you...?" Grian stopped thinking and just pulled the necklace that previously hung on his neck, such a pretty crystal finally coming to some use.

Grian held it in his hand, slowly closing it before squishing it into pieces. Strange but strong aura surrounded them both. The sudden shock of power surprised Mumbo but Grian stood there with his face with no expression at all.

Mumbo just stared at Grian as his previously plain black eyes now changed colours to many different shades of purple and pinks.
Mumbo thought he was dreaming as he watched his best friend's wings change to almost void black and purple, eyes splattered on both wings.

Too many eyes

Grian held no expression in his face as he looked at Mumbo, once blue eyes, now glittering pink and purple.

"Do you see now, Mumbo? I am not human! I never was once! I have been nothing but a monster!"
Grian, voice echoing a bit of habit and well...since he was in this form. It did not help. Starry tears rolled down his cheeks as he absolutely hated this form and well...he feared Mumbo would despise him.

"Grian..." too quietly before taking a half a step closer. "Grian you're not a monster..." He said softly.

Grian wasn't sure how to feel about this.

He was one of Them, he spent hours contemplating whether he should or should not just take a knife and cut his wings off the instant he ran and arrived at Hermitcraft back when.
(The same knife Sam used to clip his wings when he first saw them. A mistake Grian made by walking around his room trying to find a shirt, binder he wore at the time to press his wings to his back safely as possible now off on the bed. He wasn't aware anyone was home, a stupid mistake.)

So why was Mumbo looking at him with soft, comforting eyes. No pity, just welcome.
Mumbo gently and carefully stepped over to him and gently placed his hand on Grian's shoulder.

"Grian...you're not a monster, you could never be a monster. Nobody here would think that. You're so kind and there's goodness in your heart...and you know this." Mumbo said as if matter of fact.

Grian flinched when Mumbo placed his hand on his shoulder. Years and Years of being tortured and abused caused him to flinch away from Mumbo's touch. Even if he so desperately needed it to calm down. "Why? why show me welcome when I'm just..." Other part going un-said.

Mumbo sighed as he hugged Grian "I-I may not be the best when it comes to comforting but you're enough, alright? You are not a freak or whatnot, you're Grian, y-you are our friend, okay?" Stumbling over his words as he talked, patting Grian's back awkwardly.

Sooner than later, Grian finally stopped crying. Calming down a bit before moving away from Mumbo's grasp and moving back a bit.

Taking a big breath before speaking.

"I need you to help me return Scar from his limbo."

"Hold my hand, I know it's not much but if anything, at least a bit of your life energy should work when combined with mine..." Grian explained, his hand hovering above Scar lighting slightly, magic and energy clear in the air.

Mumbo looked confused for a second before taking Grains other hand in his. Not sure what would happen, he gripped it slightly to feel secure, hoping this will work.

Grian took a deep breath before chanting in another language that Mumbo recognised as the same one on the enchanting table. The same one that always echoed whenever anyone used it.

"f𝙹∷ 𝙹リᒷ ∴⍑𝙹 ᓭ⍑ᔑꖎꖎ ꖎ╎⍊ᒷ, ᓵᔑᓭℸ ̣ ᔑ ᓭ! ¡ᒷꖎꖎ ⎓𝙹∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑||,
sᒷᒷ ᒲ𝙹ᒲᒷリℸ ̣ ᓭ ╎リ ᓭ! ¡ᔑᓵᒷ, ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⍑ᒷꖎ!¡ ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ ᔑ ᓭ╎⊣⍑.
t⍑∷𝙹⚍⊣⍑! ¡ᔑᓭℸ ̣ ∴ᒷ ∴ᔑリ↸ᒷ∷, リ𝙹 リᒷᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᔑᓭꖌ ∴⍑||,
iリ 𝙹⚍∷ ᓭ⍑ᔑ∷ᒷ↸ ꖎ╎ᒲʖ𝙹, ℸ ̣ 𝙹⊣ᒷℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ∷ ∴ᒷ'ꖎꖎ ⎓ꖎ||"

("for one who shall live, cast a spell for thy,

see moments in space, to help with a sigh.

through past we wander, no need to ask why,

in our shared limbo, together we will fly")

Grian spoke aloud, chanting the rhythm of what the second time before there was a purple eye hovering and opening over his forehead, his hands shining bright purple, mixing with light red to match Mumbo's.

Mumbo was very confused about what was happening but did not let it spook him as he focused on Grian.

When he opened his eyes, he was....

Well, he was not sure. He looked around curiously before looking around for Grian who should appear next to him right?

Grian did it, he successfully got Mumbo and him in Scar's limbo!
But it did take a toll on him and his energy, he wasn't used to doing this and not connecting two magics together.

But he still had it, he still felt magic in his necklace radiate the comforting but yet dangerous hum. The spark is there.

He still had some control over it and can be certain it will not rage against his will.
Now, Grian's first mission is to find and teleport over to Mumbo. Collecting some of his energy, he used the same sense he had just few moments ago when Mumbo held his hand.

Grian felt bad knowing he needed contort from a human being to collect himself and his magic he oh so swore to not use ever again. Even if Mumbo was a part of his flock, he still felt bad he had to sink his and Mumbo's life energy to do this. Teleportation to another dimension that is not even made by you is hard, especially when it is two people doing so.

He knew it didn't hurt Mumbo, he personally made sure of that. Knowing well that if Mumbo was to get even pushed, his human body could give up on him and his stitches from earlier could very well break the same second, causing him to die from bleeding.

Just walking was a big deal and a problem, but Grian just hoped that his magic was strong enough to keep Mumbo going here, just a few minutes so they get Scar back to the world of living.
Mumbo walked around a bit, a bit worried.

He wasn't scared. Just a bit...lost.

He squeaked when he saw Grian teleport in front of him. He looked at Grian. "Where....are we?" He asked Grian quietly.
His ears twitching a bit as he took another glance around. It felt...empty…

"We're in Scar's limbo, or void that is. Sometimes limbos are full of stuff people are scared of, as it is supposed to be their nightmares coming to reality to make them suffer but Scar's not dead yet..." Grian explained, anxiously playing with the ends of his red sweater.

"Yet? W-we can't let him die Grian!" Mumbo half yelled, scared that his best friend might die.
Not under Grian's watch. Not today.

"I won't let him die Mumbo, I promise."

"A heavy promise, for someone who can't keep them." A loud obnoxious but yet broken laugh echoed in front of them.

Both Grian and Mumbo turned quickly with wide eyes to see who it was.
Grian's purple omniscient eyes caught a figure coming towards them from the shadows of the void.
Turquoise blue eyes staring right back at them.

"So, you are the one that caused all this..." Grian mumbled, making Mumbo look at him hysterically, scared, confused.

Grian took his sword and attacked the other, which BadTimes defended easily.

"You're on the right track! But I'm not completely the reason." The Vex replied. "Also look at you! Talking about how I'm the reason for shit. YOU HAVEN'T TOLD SCAR ANYTHING! HOW DO YOU THINK HE FEELS??" The Vex creature snapped, kicking Grian back.

"Xelqua...boy he'll get a kick once he realizes that you're here." He replied, sparks in his hands, sword at his side.

Mumbo squeaked and was so confused on what was happening right now. Who was he??? Was he somehow related to Scar?

Grian wasn't in a situation to fight, hell! He wasn't sure if he could pull two other people out of here again.

He can't act careless and dare fight another at this moment, seeing at how exhausted he is after just one teleportation.
Sure, he didn't use this much of his power in a long time, but that still didn't mean that he wasn't weak.

"Okay, I'll see you next time, I have a fiancé to save and you're in my way, so why don't you go to sleep for now" Grian said strictly, with his right hand hitting BadTimes who dropped his guard for just a second, which gave the avian just enough space to hit him with the palm of his hand to his chin.
Making the other fall down, knocking the vex out as quickly as they started fighting.

Grian turned towards Mumbo and gently grabbed his hand. "I know you're probably confused as all hell, but we don't have time to explain everything, just follow me!" He responded and led Mumbo over to where he assumed they were keeping Scar.

And when they got there, they were horrified with what they saw.

Scar was pressed against the wall, each hand and foot were chained to the corners, much like an X. Scar was heaving if anything for breath as blood stained and most likely ruined the wizards outfit. Blood trickled very slowly out of the wounds and the wizard's mouth, puddling slightly underneath him.
If Grian wasn't in a situation he was currently, he would've possibly throw up his whole insides at the sight.

This wasn't good.

"SCAR- Scar come on stay with us! We're getting you out of here!" Grian yelled urgently, rushing towards him in full speed, his previously scrapped wings itching a bit as he flapped them in hurry. Mumbo, not far behind him, meeting him next to the tied up vex.

"What happened to him?" Mumbo muttered to no one in particular, looking and checking his wounds to be sure Scar was not bleeding a lot, which unfortunately was a situation, but they still had some time.
Or so he hoped.

"Not sure...Limbos aren't supposed to have anyone here, it's supposed to be a place where your worst nightmares come to reality but Scar's...It's just empty and he's bleeding worse than he is back home!" The blonde exclaimed, his eyes threatening to start bleeding tears from all stress and pressure.

'Scar will be alright…' Grian kept repeating to himself, because that had to be true.

He was supposed to propose to Scar that same night, but everything just seems to go to hell. Literally.
Scar felt very light to the touch, very weak. He very tiredly and weakly cracked his eyes open. "Mm...." He spoke quietly.

"Scar..." Grian spoke softly, gently cupping his cheek. "Don't say anything...we're going to get you out. I promise." He said and worked on undoing the chains.

Mumbo stayed close and kept an eye on anything, ears twitching as he could feel his heartbeat speed up from just the sheer sight of his friend. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a small white bunny. "Uh...dude?" He asked Grian, stepping closer to the bunny.

Mumbo's call was ignored by Grian, who was frantically looking and checking over Scar.
Mumbo tried calling over once more, as he picked up the white rabbit, gently petting it over on its silky smooth and shiny fur.

"Gria-" Mumbo tried speaking again before he was interrupted by a very annoyed and scared Grian.
"WHAT MUMBO!?" the other yelled, before turning around and looking him in the eyes, just slowly turning his gaze on the almost bloody like red-eyes that were staring at him.

The rabbit grinned wickedly as Mumbo dropped him out of surprise from the shout. Soon enough the rabbit wasn't a rabbit anymore.

He was human. He twirled the knife in between his fingers.

"Welcome to your hell, Greeon!! I'm surprised to even see your face again." The bunny male replied as he started to walk closer to Grian and circle around him. He reached a hand out and touched the wings, pulling a handful of feathers out.

Grian shivered and yelped underneath the others touch, ignoring the strike of pain and pulling his wings as close as he could to his back.

Grian at once took his plan into action, maybe he didn't predict that a literal nightmare from his childhood would return as nothing more but wraith but if it was what it took to save Scar, killing Sam again? Then Grian will gladly take it

Anything to save and get Mumbo and Scar out of here.

Grian pushed and ignored the pain in his left wing and shoulder, kicking and sliding Sam onto the floor with just one move with his leg, taking the split second to take Scar into his arms and move away a few steps. He placed the mayor right next to Mumbo, who was already bent to look at his injuries, eyes filled with worry, confusion, fury- at whoever or whatever did this to him.

Mumbo the thick silence with a surprised yell to alert Grian at the running target behind him. The other being fully aware of it, moved quickly to the side just in time for the other to clumsily step pass Grian's body and almost falling face-down at the void of nothing, Sam took that as a chance to yet again wave and try to harm Grian with his knife, now managing to slice a thin cut on his cheek but nothing else.

Sam hissed when he hit the floor. He staggered up and whistled for back up before he lunged for them again. He tackled Mumbo down and stabbed a knife into his shoulder.
Mumbo yelped and pushed Sam off, pulling the knife out of his shoulder. "Fuck…" he hissed and scrambled towards something to keep hidden.

Grian lunged for Scar to protect him from Sam, spreading his wings out in a protective manner. He flinched when he heard Mumbo. "Mumbo!" He called out and tried to make his way over to him with Scar.

Now, Mumbo may have an advantage in height but that doesn't equal his fighting skills. He's a redstoner, not a pvp-er after all.
Just now realizing that maybe, just maybe, removing a knife from an extremely bleeding wound wasn't the smartest idea he had , dizziness came over him as he stumbled over but catching himself.
Grian comes over to his side with Scar barely standing.
"Dude- are you okay?!" Grian said, frantically looking over at him and Scar at the same time.
The problem is that their time was ticking out. All four of them were already dried from their energy and three of them were bleeding, except Grian.

Grian grumbled as he thought over his plans on what to do, he was limited with his powers after not using them for so long- constant burden on his chest as an infection spread quickly, anxiety thick, making his heart run fast.

He had to teleport Scar, Mumbo, and himself now or he won't be able to. Teleporting himself only is easy but two other people? Now that's going to be a painful ride.
Teleportation wasn't as easy as everyone makes it. Particles of one's body falling and disintegrating to come through time and space isn't easy and physically possible. But with magic breaking everything humankind knows, it doesn't matter.

What does matter, is that to make that happen and work is collecting your own mana or magic, depending on a being, in one place in quick motion to another place, takes a lot of energy.
But going from one technically non-existent world to a real living and breathing space? That's near to impossible but Grian made it work once, he has to make it work the second time, even if it kills him.
Sam chuckled wickedly as he watched them struggle.

"Little birdie is running out of options” he replied as he twirled his knife. "It's like the Taurtis situation all those years ago!" He replied, ears twitching.

"Take his name out of your mouth Sam!" Grian replied with a hiss. He had to get out of there with Scar and Mumbo like right now but that was hard with your power zapped. He just needed a small bit of power. Something to get him and the other 2 home.

"Aww did I hit the sore spot? C'mon you're still on about that, you did kill him after all!" Sam laughed, sounding maniacally.

'He didn't- Grian did not do anything of that!' Mumbo kept repeating to himself, he knew the story. He was there when Grian crashed on Mumbo's private server.

The pain he felt after he saw the avian after years of disappearance, in all of that Grian was hurt, bleeding, and hyperventilating from whatever happened.

Grian told him everything, or at least most of the things he went through, after years and years of not seeing each other, it was almost hilarious how they almost at once went back to how they were all those times ago.
Grian hissed. "That was YOUR doing, Sam! And you know damn well." He snapped.
"Oh yeah! AND YOU DISAPPEARING FOR YEARS DIDN'T TEAR HIM APART?" Sam snapped back. "I mean just look at you! You're the very being that you hated years ago." He hissed, laughing like the mad man he was.

Grian stared in shock, trembling slightly as he stared with widened eyes at the rabbit hybrid.
"NO- no! You won't get into my head again Sam, not anymore- I didn't leave him! He disappeared from Evo before I got taken! I didn't- I'm not- '' Grian stumbled over his words, frustration and anger fuelling the dark magic in him as he lets his emotions get shaken.

At that moment, the other two didn't know what to do. Scar looked like he's on the verge of giving up, bleeding all over from smaller and bigger wounds, Mumbo looked as if he just saw death herself... Which wasn't too far off when you think of it.

Sam grinned and lunged at Grian, tackling him and pinning him down, hand on his throat, squeezing ever so slightly. Sure, they knocked into Mumbo and Scar in the process, but Sam couldn't care any less. He had Grian right there, why not...prolong the time they had left?

"You became the very thing you hated. And yet you can't even get yourself out of the situation you dug yourself in. How very pathetic of you honestly. No wonder Taurtis left, hell, no wonder Ellen left." He hissed, squeezing his throat more

Not even a second later Mumbo rushed to Grians aid pulled, pulling Sam away from him.
Sam falling back, Mumbo helped Grian stand up quickly. It would be fine if Sam didn't charge yet again at them, with a clear fire of frustration shining in his eyes.

"W-Why don't you die alre-" Sam yelled at the top of his lungs as he raised his sharp blade at Mumbo.
Mumbo raised his arms in front of him in an X formation to protect himself, closing his eyes waiting for an impact, before he realized there wasn't one. Putting them down slightly, trembling in fear as he does so, shivers passed through his spine as he saw Sam floating in the air, millimetres away from Mumbo.

What surprised Mumbo was that Sam's whole body was coated in dark, cherry red, magic. The shine that went through the magic reminded him of the enchantments...
But this wasn't Grian's nor Scar's magic, or mana. Grian's magic is purple, and Scar's is two coloured, yellow and green.

Then who…

Grian panted heavily for air. He used Mumbo as a brace as he got up on his own two feet. He noticed the magic, his mind taking a minute before it clicked who it was.
"Xanthus..." He spoke softly, rubbing his throat.

Xanthus stepped into the light and tossed Sam to the side. "A pity we have to see each other like this." He replied, his voice monotone from the helmet.

They looked at Grian for a second before stepping away to stand in the middle between the two. Their expression hidden by the mask xe was wearing.

"Sam... The contract is no more." Xanthus spoke, xeir voice levelled and strong in command, but something was clearly holding them back.
At least, it was clear to Grian. To Sam? Not that much, it seems, as he at once started screaming at them.
"No! You're supposed to help me get rid of him and his stupid friends! Taurtis is going to pay for it!" Sam all but shrieked at xem.

Xanthus, on the other hand, ignored the, at this moment, useless bunny and continued talking to Grian
"Listen, your admin will explain everything later but for now I need you to combine your Watcher magic with mine and teleport us out of here, no time for waiting!"

Grian gave a small nod. "Xanthus..." He said softly. He wasn't expecting it but wasn't going to argue. Gathering enough energy, he could, he gave all of his Watcher abilities to xeir. Focusing as hard as he could.

Mumbo had of hold of Scar as he placed his free hand on Grian's shoulder to help stabilize him too
It's not like Grian thought this wasn't going to work, he had some confidence in his abilities... It's more so that if he did this, Sam is going out with them and that's dangerous.
But X and others were on the other side, too. He believes that they would save them.

"Okay... Hold tight!" Grian mumbled, mostly to himself but as he felt the other two of his friends hold tightens a bit, he's sure they heard him, too.

For a moment, Grian just let his powers go. Making them roam freely around, surrounding the others with a powerful but yet dangerous hold. The power not yet visible to a naked eye but just the feeling of power that Grian holds, as his and Xanthus's magic combines, it's almost too much.
The magic that was now floating everywhere was now starting to form a light coat over everyone, and just as it did, Grian pulled onto it and suddenly felt a strong hint of dizziness as everyone in the void just disappeared, just seconds before he did.

It took a little bit, but soon enough the group was back into the real world. Mumbo grasped onto the nearest thing to prevent himself and Scar from falling over. It's...weird to see everyone's faces again after being in a void for so long.

Ex appeared after Mumbo and Scar and sure they were okay for the most part, and after a minute, he caught Grian when he appeared, knowing that the former watcher would probably collapse the moment his feet touched ground

The good thing was that they were in the room from where Grian and Mumbo left, exactly in the same room where the chair Grian sat in, and the bed Mumbo was resting in for last... How long has it been?
Sure, time flows differently in the real world and in The Between. How exactly has it passed since they left?

They haven't even alerted anyone, Grian remembered.

They just left with no explanation in why or where.

Ex helped Grian sit down. "How are you holding up G?" He asked. Mumbo had laid Scar on the bed he was using, before sitting down in a chair nearby.
Grian rubbed his head and sighed. "I'm here in one piece." He replied, wings folding up as the Watcher features disappeared.

Ex nodded. "Rest while I go fetch X." He replied and went to do so.
Finally sitting in a chair, Grian took a deep breath. It was fine. They were back. They were alive, Scar was alive, Mumbo was-

Wait.

"Mumbo!" Grian stood from his chair again as he watched Mumbo stumble over his own two feet, blood seeping through the dress-shirt that was once white, now shoulder dripping in crimson.
Snatching gauze that was placed on the table, the same one Grian forgot to use to change Mumbo's that was already old and as it seemed, the earlier wound made by a knife got reopening while being in the void.

Gosh, did Grian feel awful for not noticing this sooner- he should've never brought Mumbo with him! What was he thinking!

Mumbo sat down in a chair and looked up at Grian. "Thanks G... but go rest yourself. At the very least sit in a chair." He said, gently taking the gauze from Grian.
Grian let out a small huff in protest and helped him undo the old bandages, removing his shirt so they could wrap the wound properly.

Xanthus flew himself over to X's base. Easily just walking in without knocking. "X, Grian and them need you." he responded, glancing around slightly.

Now, it's not that the two Void siblings haven't talked over and fixed all of their problems, the opposite actually. They have talked.

It may have ended in a near death experience to both of them but that was a story for another time.
But so, to say, they were at least on speaking terms...when Ex isn't actively trying to kill him, that is.
Xisuma, who was standing in the middle of his base...which if you ask Xanthus, had too much honey attached to it. Seriously, what was his brother's problem with honey blocks?

Xisuma stopped doing what he was doing, which by the expression he had, was probably looking over the firewalls for the hundredth of times already.

"Not going to respond?" Xanthus replied as he leaned against the nearby wall. Sure, there'd be honey everywhere but that was the least of his problems, hands fidgeting with a coin.
"I'm kind of busy at the moment, Xanthus." He replied, switching to the voidwalker language. He did that enough that it was easy to tell he was stressed.

"Why'd you switch languages?" Xanthus asked with a raised eyebrow. "It's not like anyone else is going to hear." He replied.

Hm.
It's not like it was weird to hear it speak their mother language, it's just that Xanthus noticed that his sibling will only speak it when he's stressed. Like really stressed that it's concerning, not only for its but for everyone.

Not that xe will mention it, they were aware X knew about xem knowing. Weird sentence but it's true.
"Alright... Xel- Grian and Mustache man are back with Scar-" and before xe could even finish the sentence, X shot around and looked in with surprise.

Usually even in his own base, Xisuma is used to wearing his helmet, as it helps the two of them breathe. But recently xe noticed that, also, he wears it in his base even when it is literally oxygen proof.

"Oh, thanks gosh- sorry I'm a derp and I've barely slept, I'm so glad he's back in one piece..." Xisuma took a deep breath and tried calming itself down, which is a relief.
Xanthus spared one glare at their brother, before turning xeir head to the side, coughing slightly in nervousness.

"... He's alright, right?"

Xanthus glanced down at the floor slightly, crossing his arms over his chest slightly.
"Xanthus?" Xisuma asked. "Tell me Scar is safe." He replied.
"It's uh...better if you see in person." Xanthus replied and reached over, grabbing Xisuma's arm and took him to the building the three others were at.

Xisuma couldn't help but let out a startled squeak and caught his footing as he followed his brother.
Grian's ears twitched as he looked towards the door and gave a small wave to the brothers.
Walking through the door... Well. More so if there was one, the frame lacking what would be a sliding iron door but missing it.

Xisuma, for the lack of words, ran through the hall towards the room Cub and Scar were in earlier.
Its brother not far behind, with both Grian and Mumbo following right after.
In the sickly pale white room, it looked as if it was made to keep deadly viruses away from the living, with pvc windows that were shut close with tinted glass.

Xisuma stared with almost widen eyes, as much as one could see through the tiny dark visor on his helmet, staring at Cub who was sitting on his bed, his eyes clear with dizziness and slightly cloudy as if he wasn't certain where he was even, his legs dangling in the air not far from the floor.
Something was not right.

"Scar...? Why isn't he awake, X- Why didn't Scar awake we got him back!" Grian, who pushed past everyone to stand between Cub's and Scar's beds. And he was right- they brought him back, why wasn't he awake, in his wheelchair while being scolded by Cub and everyone?

Xisuma stayed silent as Doc started to examine Scar, Stress, whose face perfectly described her face, standing in front of Cub, checking his pulse and for any reflexes being damaged or not working, which- thankfully was all good.

Cub on the other hand, his brain starting to come to reality, eyes flickering onto Scar who looked paler than ever.

"D-Doc, it won't w-ork" Cub tried calling and warning him, his voice unstable and harsh after being in coma for God knows how long... It surely couldn't be longer than two weeks... Right?

Thankfully Doc heard him and turned around nodding and handing him a bottle of water to drink.
Mumbo was worried as all hell. Scar wasn't waking up when they were back, and it scared him that Scar wouldn't return to them.

Cub gently took it and carefully drank some of the water. He rubbed his eyes weakly as his eyes darted over to Scar's unmoving body, a bit worried himself.

Ex frowned. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked in general. He felt bad even if this wasn't all his fault. He wanted to help in any way possible.

It wasn't their fault... Completely, after all.

Xe got the orders, and fulfilled what they were paid for by BadTimes- and it wasn't like he couldn't have declined, they could've but wanted to cause chaos and problems as usual against his own brother- Xanthus didn't know all this would turn into something as complicated as it is.
And xe knew there was absolutely nothing xey could do but... They were going to at least ask for their younger brother.

Cub cleared his throat once more, before slowly sliding down onto his feet, Stress holding on to his arm to ease the pain- after all, he did technically die and came back- nodding to her to let him go, he slowly but surely walked over to Grian's side, putting a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

The other trying so hard not to simply break down and start crying, Cub was slightly surprised he didn't already.

"Grian you're something else, right?" Cub asked, his voice cutting slightly at the end, but he managed.
Confused- or rather shocked, Grian and Xanthus made contact before nodding back, probably not trusting his own voice.

Xanthus gently placed his hand on Grian's other shoulder and gave a small nod. "It's...worth a shot." He said softly, hoping to give some sort of comfort.

Grian only nodded, wings twitching slightly as his body shook slightly.

He was so scared.
Scared of losing a friend...
Scared of losing a partner.
Scared of losing Scar

Grian took a small gasp for air and wiped his eyes even if there were no tears at the moment.
With Xisuma, Xanthus, Mumbo, Cub, and Stress in the room alongside Grian- who was on the verge of breaking down, showing his powers, for the lack of words, was something he wasn't exactly happy to do.

But his boyfriend- his maybe future fiancé, at this point Grian wasn't even sure if Scar would be with him because of what happened. Did he blame Grian? He couldn't have had really asked because even in Scar's void- limbo, what even in hell they were in to save him, he was barely breathing and now he was completely unconscious and-

Get yourself in check, not the time to overthink! Grian shook his head, breathing in shakily and out.
Grian nodded to the red masked twin beside him, not even fully looking at him, as he yet again reached deep down into the core- long ago if you asked Grian if he believed in gods, he would've just said no and moved on with his day.

Even in his high school, Grian never believed that Gods were real because after so many useless, failed attempts to find any comfort while being surrounded by horrible, psychopaths, sociopaths- hell whatever ghost and witches were there that made it even worse, he just gave up on everything, with one determination.

To escape, and he did. That's how Evo was made and Grian was oh so happy.
The warm, fuzzy, familiar but yet unnatural feeling forming and growing in his chest as he sets his right hand to float just millimetres away from Scar's heart. The room has fallen quiet long ago and Grian didn't even realize it, all eyes were on him. Pity, worry, confusion- maybe even some aggregation?
Watchers took a toll on Grian. If there was anything he could do, at least one little thing to do right, he would save Scar's life even if it kills him.

Purple glow lighting up previously barely lighted up room, shadow and shine mixing. Powerful, insanely fearful taking over the room.

Light pink swirls that are visibly coming out of Grian's palm, tears now running down his face, but he couldn't even care.

The sound of swirls and mysterious, the one that vaguely reminded of The Nether Portal, echoing the room. If you looked close enough, you could see how Grian was trembling, trying so hard to keep himself in check while also performing the very much forbidden magic he heard and read off only once, not even completely certain he was doing it correctly, but it had to work.

It had to.

What felt like forever, probably lasted for maybe a minute or two, the spell seemingly finally came to an end. Bright shine of it ceased, Scar's eyes fluttered for a second before his own failed and succumbed to the world of darkness.

Ex caught him quickly before Grian collapsed under his own feet, carefully getting a chair and gently setting him down, gently placing Grian's hand over Scar's so he had some sort of grounding when he woke up.

Mumbo frowned and gently knelt down beside the bed, ignoring his own wounds, but he wanted to be there for Scar and Grian.

Mumbo felt a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him.
"It will be alright, love." Stress spoke softly.

She, herself, wasn't sure how to go with this. This incident wasn't anything she has ever seen before, and as much as she'd like to help them, there's only so much she can do.
Mumbo just looked at her for a second before nodding and standing up, following her out of this room to his own room to rest.

Then there were four.

With Mumbo and Stress leaving the room, now there were only Doc, Xanthus, Xisuma, and the unconscious Grian.
Cub is still standing on the other side of the bed alongside Doc, who seemed to be confused- or rather shocked by what just happened. He didn't know how to feel or how to even explain what just happened with Grian.

The void tweens were just as shocked but more so Xisuma than the other. Given the fact that Xanthus somehow knew about Grian being... A Watcher? Still shocked a bit just by the strength of the blonde's power.

Xanthus shifted over and leaned towards X a bit. "See. I told you he was a Watcher and Prime." He whispered quietly to his twin. "You didn't know cause he's really good at keeping it locked up behind closed doors." He spoke.

X was still a bit shocked. "I..." he replied. How did he not know!? He was an admin!! He should've known about this a bit! He shook his head a bit just to shake off the feeling of doubt.
It felt like weeks, maybe it even was weeks? Who knew? Everyone was still on edge.

Who could blame them?

One tiny movement, the unconscious twin slowly started to open his eyes, letting out a tiny noise, well more like a groan. "Huh...what..." He whispered, squinting his eyes in the bright light.

At this point everyone seems to have left. Everyone but Xisuma and Ex, and of course the unconscious Grian who probably should've been also placed on a tight, warm, bed, to rest for whatever had happened to him just moments before.

The movement has startled both of them out of their weirdly calm conversation, the groan of pain and confusion leaving the wizard's mouth as he tried to lift himself from the bed, unsuccessfully though.

Xisuma, after a moment of shock, quickly moved slightly forward to his side, putting one arm to the metal edge of the bed frame and his right one to his back, helping him lay back down slowly. It was clear Scar was dazed and confused- hell anyone would be if they woke up from the dead-but-also-not-exactly.

Coughing slightly, Xisuma handed Scar a glass of water that was sitting on the little table by the side of his bed, sparing a glance at the newly discovered Watcher, just for a second before bringing the glass to Scar's mouth for him to drink it.
Jellie gently meowed and carefully hopped up onto the bed and carefully nudged her face into Scar's cheek, being light on her feet.

Scar whined softly but gently drank the water the best he could and carefully pets Jellie, glad to have some sort of comfort for him. "X-Xis...umra...?" He asked softly, he was so dazed and out of it.

Xisuma everything but sighed in relief.

Scar was awake, whatever Grian has done seemed to work and it will be forever grateful for him. While he's doubting a bit over him being a Primes Watcher literal apprentice... Or whatever it was.

"Scar...how are you feeling?" X tried calmly, as if it didn't just see the shocks of the world.
Scar looked dead. Pale, lips light and cracked up, his face regaining just a very pale shade of pink after drinking water. He looked as if he could pass out any seconds.

They should really get Stress here to check on him and his vitals.

Scar couldn't manage a word out at the moment. He was just...so dead. His hand, while petting Jellie, was shaking.
Ex quietly excused himself to go and get Stress so she could check his vitals to make sure everything was alright for the...most part.

Grian was still out cold, might be for a while considering how much energy he had used. He had a feeling though that he'd have to answer questions later.

"I- don't know..." he managed.
It was dawning on him faster than a bullet that he was on fault for all of this, everything. Nothing would've happened if he just controlled his jealousy towards one of his friends.

Mumbo didn't deserve this, Grian didn't deserve this...hell no one did but himself. He was to blame for everything.
The toxic thinking was sure getting him nowhere, Scar was very aware of the situation and when Xisuma eventually asks in the future why the evil twin of Scar's was even summoned on the server in the first place, Scar knew he couldn't lie to them.
The butterfly effect was too real in this moment for them all, if Scar just ignored his anger and did something else like decorating…

It wasn't long before Ex came back with Stress and a Mumbo who staggered a bit behind the two.

"Scar sweetie it's good to see you back." Stress said gently as she went over to the cabinets to get what she needed so she can check on his vitals.
Mumbo staggered over the best he could, gently taking Scar's free hand in his own. "Hey buddy..." He said softly.

When Mumbo's words hit his ears, Scar could feel the silent tears that welled up and rolled down his pale cheeks. He couldn't tell if they were happy tears or distraught…
As Stress returned with the supplies, Scar noticed she was holding a needle, some bandages, and a potion.

"Okay, I'll need to take a bit of your blood for Doc here to test it for any possible antigens or anything we should be worried about, you are looking a bit pale still so you should probably eat something right immediately, alright?" Stress explained, her voice soft as she placed her equipment down onto the bed next to him.

She was talking to him like he was a child. A hurt, traumatized, poor restless child that she was afraid would run away the second he got the chance to.
And that...hurt Scar. He wasn't weak, he was just acknowledging what had happened was entirely his fault and no one else's.

Mumbo gently reached over to gently wipe away the tears from Scar. "It's going to be okay. I promise." He said softly. "I'm here...Grian's here...we're all safe." He replied softly.

Stress gently got Scar's arm. "Here we go, okay? Three...two...one." She said and gently poked the needle into Scar's arm, getting what she needed before pulling the needle out, setting it down and gently bandaged his arm. She checked her inventory and carefully placed some bread in Scar's lap.

"Scar... I know it's probably bit too soon since you have just woken up and Grian is unconscious but-" Xisuma started.

Scar knew what he wanted, needed to know. And hell, who's he to lie to his own admin no more than he already has?

"You want to know who summoned my Vex of a brother? Honestly Cub is more so my brother than he is... But yes, I did. But you already knew that" he deadpanned, a soft smile that didn't mean anything but self-pity and forced.

Xisuma looked at him for a bit before nodding.
The others were slightly confused but didn't say anything to refrain from this conversation, they all knew if Scar refused to talk Xisuma wouldn't say anything further and wait for him to come to it instead.

Safe, was the word Xisuma used for them all when they joined.
"BadTimes... I won't use his name, no- I don't want to summon him again by mistake." Scar started, knowing very well that saying his name alone would do nothing but let the other know he was talking about him.

“He's an irascible person, as every vex is really- I don't know why I turned to him since I promised I would never since. Well, you know Xisuma, Xanthus- I don't have to explain it to you but to others...ask Cub when he feels better, I would suggest..." ever so dramatic, waving his hand dismissively as he looks around the room at everyone.

The bread was very much still sitting on his lap, he did feel dizzy just like Stress said but he just couldn't let himself do anything before he explained, even if it meant him passing out again.

"Scar...please eat before you pass out again." Mumbo said softly. "I know you want to explain things, I know you want to get it all off your chest, but you can't do that if you're unconscious again." Mumbo said softly trying to coax the other into eating, if anything nibbled, on the bread that was in the other's lap. He couldn't help but worry about the other.

Scar gave a small quiet huff but took small bites of the bread. Jellie meowed softly and nuzzled Scar carefully. He glanced over at Mumbo, before his eyes settled on the avian in the chair. He wondered if the parrot hybrid would wake up soon. He wanted to see his face and apologize over and over and over again.

"Scar if you don't want to continue-" Xisuma suggested, even though it was clear this was getting somewhere, somewhere important.

Scar wasn't sure when it came to Stress, Doc, and Cub leaving the room, leaving only Scar with his Admin and his sibling? Evil half? Xanthus was surprisingly calm during all this.

Which was weird since xey were the reason Cub almost bled to death. Perhaps it was something to do with Xisuma carefully listening to Scar talk about how everything started and the spare glances it spared at the other void twin when Scar mentioned Ex and Hels... But Xisuma has there at some point itself, so they skimmed through that and continued at the battle between BadTimes and waking up in pitch black nothingness.

Plus, Xisuma clarified that what he said here will strictly stay between them and Grian for when he wakes up, saying how he deserved to know as much as Mumbo does when they were healthy enough.
Scar gently took some pieces off the bread and ate it carefully, talking in between breaks.

He talked about what he saw and what happened. This went on for a while, but his attention fully went to the Avian, and he noticed small movements from the other, the twitching of wings, the steady rise and fall of his chest, hearing him take small breaths.

"Grian?" He asked softly and quietly
Light groaning of pain could be heard from the other on the chair, Grians eyes opened slightly as he tried to adjust his eyes to now dimmed lights on the ceiling.
His eyes were almost blurry and unfocused. Xanthus at once rushed to his side, also giving him a glass of water to calm down a bit.

It was weird, watching someone who tried to kill you literally take care of your partner.

"G....Grian?" Scar asked softly, gently squeezing his hand. "Are you with me?" He asked softly again.
Grian's ears twitched a bit as he carefully drank the water, not hearing Scar the first time though when Scar asked the second time. He was immediately alert, finishing his drink he looked over at the wizard on the bed.

"S-Scar? You're awake!?" He asked, relief overtaking him as he gently moved to hug him.
Grian immediately stood up to hug him tightly, finally happy that they were safe. Together after all the chaos that happened in just a week.

Together at last.

"Yeah- of course... Thanks to you mister!" Scar returned, his voice full of emotions and main one being happiness. Relief washed through all of them, but the story isn't done just yet.
Scar finally broke the hug, upset slightly at that so he lifted himself slowly to not hurt himself, and gently held his beloved's head in his hands, gently caressing his cheek with his thumb.
For that moment, oh so lovely moments, the world around the two disappeared.

They were finally together, safe, hurt but safe.

Grian's ears twitched as he leaned against Scar's hands. The story may not be done, but he was glad that Scar was awake and doing alright now. Though, there were the gentle tears that rolled down his cheeks. Happy tears sure, but tears, nonetheless. He sniffed softly, rubbing his nose slightly.
Scar hummed and gently wiped the tears away with his thumb.

"Thanks to you...I'm here with you again." He said softly. "I'm going to be okay. I promise." He spoke softly. "I'm just glad you're okay. Your energy levels were low..." He said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his nose.

Scar giggled slightly “You missed. " He muttered as the two started each other with relief in their eyes, more so the stars and love filling them.

Grian sighed in fake annoyance as he gave a peck to the scarred man, before yet again kissing his nose, making Scar giggle again.

Sad to say, their lovely moment was cut short as there was a cough behind them- and ah. They forgot they weren't alone.

Grian's ears twitched. "You big goof." he replied before hearing the cough from behind. He shifted to look at the Void twins before he averted his gaze from embarrassment.

Ex let a small chuckle. "Glad you guys got your little moment but we aren't done yet." Ex reminded them, glancing between the avian and wizard.
Right. They got so occupied with one another they forgot they weren't exactly alone.
Scar let hold of Grian, resting back onto the bed frame.

Blonde doing the same as he sits back down.
Grian spared one last glance to his boyfriend before he spoke.

"So, what now?" signing as he rests against the cushion behind him.
This all moved too fast, they were safe at least.

"We, erm- I would like to first apologize to you... Scar" Xanthus started, their voice a bit unsure but quickly fixed as Xisuma set its hand on his shoulder for comfort.
"You were just following orders...I can't blame you for that." Scar replied, sure! He could not completely forgive EX now but Scar’s sure maybe in the future...

"But I should've realized..." Xanthus replied with a half laugh.
"I was following orders that ultimately hurt you. All of you. Sure, I'm the "evil twin" but that's not how I wanted things to go..." Xanthus replied.

Xisuma gently comforted its brother as he spoke. It couldn't say much. All it could do is be there for xe.

After all, the fighting, the sadness, the tears... They're finally together. It could have been worse, but in the end, they're happy. Every story starts like that it just so happened that it could have been worse, but in the end, they're happy.

Every now and then, every story starts like that. Every story needs a criminal, and it just so happened that it was Scars twin.
Who knows, maybe one small decision could have changed everything, and we wouldn't be here to say the tale.

Scar was with Grian again, Mumbo was alive and well, Cub... It will take him a while to forgive him, but Scar was sure he'll, they're brothers after all.
Xisuma and Xanthus are in peace again, the trust between the two voidlings will take a while to mend between themselves.

And to think of Scar just didn't wish to become a stupid mayor, nothing like this wouldn't have happened.