Chapter Text
The summer sun bathed Stark's Pond in a warm glow as Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman played by its tranquil shores. They were only allowed to play in Kyle's backyard, but the allure of the pond proved too tempting to resist. To execute their grand escape plan, they stuffed plushies under their blankets in the treehouse, mimicking sleeping figures. Giggles filled the air as the four rebellious five-year-olds toyed around at the edge of the water, tiny hands throwing pebbles and making ripples in the pond. The mischievous sparkle in their eyes betrayed the innocence of their disobedience. As the afternoon sun dipped lower, casting a golden hue over the scene, the boys decided to take a swim.
Though all four boys could swim, the current that day proved stronger than they anticipated. In the blink of an eye, their playful excursion turned perilous. Cartman and Kyle barely managed to save themselves, but the relentless pull of the water proved too much for Kenny. Panic seized the air as the boys realized their friend was in trouble. Desperation etched on their faces, Kenny struggled to stay afloat, his tiny arms flailing. It was Stan, risking his own safety, who darted forward to help. With remarkable courage, Stan managed to push Kenny towards the shore, but as he did, exhaustion took its toll. Stan's body sank beneath the water, unresponsive.
The three boys on the shore watched in horror, tears streaming down their faces, as Stan's limp form drifted. Kenny, his voice choked with fear, begged for help. To their amazement, tendrils emerged from the lake, wrapping around Stan's still form. A soft light enveloped him, leaving the boys in awe. The tendrils retracted, returning to the lake, and Stan woke up, coughing and gasping for air. Relief flooded the boys, their tears now transformed into cries of joy. They hugged Stan tightly, grateful for his miraculous recovery.
But just as the boys began to celebrate, a sudden crash shattered the moment. A massive tree, uprooted by the strong winds, tumbled towards them. In a flash, Kenny pushed his friends out of harm's way but took the brunt of the impact himself.
Silence hung heavy over the pond as the realization sunk in. Kenny lay there, fatally injured, his tiny body motionless.
“Oh my god, they killed Kenny!” Stan exclaimed in shock.
Kyle covered his mouth and sobbed. “That…that bastard…”
The boys, devastated, cried desperately, their young hearts unable to understand the abrupt shift from joy to despair.
The next day, however, they awoke in the treehouse, their memories wiped clean of the traumatic events due to Kenny's death. They played in the backyard as if nothing had happened, their laughter echoing the innocence of childhood. Little did they know, the pond held secrets, and Kenny's miraculous return and Stan’s inexplicable resurrection would forever be etched into its mystical waters, a tale known only to the currents that whispered of extraordinary happenings on that fateful day.
-Present day-
The hallways of South Park High felt so much emptier. Kenny, Kyle, and Cartman tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy, attending classes and engaging in conversations, but the void left by Stan's absence was hard to ignore. The three friends returned to school, their grief hidden beneath forced smiles.
In their history class, the teacher, Ms. Thompson, noticed the vacant seat that once belonged to Stan. With genuine concern in her eyes, she addressed the trio. "Where's Stan today, boys?"
Kyle's eyes welled up with tears, and he struggled to find the words. Kenny shot a quick glance at Cartman, silently urging him to answer. Cartman, maintaining a calm facade, cleared his throat. "Uh, he had to move to Alaska suddenly. His aunt is sick, and he wanted to help take care of her."
"That's unfortunate," their teacher nodded sympathetically. "Make sure to let him know we're thinking of him. Now, let's continue with today's lesson."
When the class resumed, Leopold "Butters" Stotch, who sat behind the three boys, grew suspicious. He had overheard their explanation and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about their story. After all, he knew Stan well enough to doubt the sudden relocation story. Besides, Kyle being that upset didn't make any sense. They could still videochat and call each other, it's not like Stan was living on another planet now.
After a few minutes, Kyle's composure crumbled, and tears streamed down his face. His shoulders were trembling and he buried his face in his hands, breaking down completely. The weight of losing not only his best friend but also the one he loved just became too much to bear. Sobbing, he couldn't hold back his emotions any longer.
"Kyle, what's wrong? You can tell me." Ms. Thompson approached her student with concern.
"It's Stan. He's not in Alaska. He's... he's gone, and I can't handle it," Kyle choked out between sobs.
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the emotional revelation. Kenny felt a surge of panic. They couldn't reveal the truth about what happened to Stan! Who knew what that would mean for their friend? They needed to keep the secret, no matter what. So he stood up abruptly, catching Ms. Thompson's attention.
"Ma'am, Kyle is just upset about Stan leaving. We're all going through a tough time. Can we go to the restroom for a moment?"
Ms. Thompson, compassionate yet unaware of the real circumstances, allowed them to leave. Kenny guided Kyle out of the classroom, and once in the hallway, Kyle collapsed against the lockers, overcome by grief.
"Kenny, it just hurts so much," Kyle whispered faintly, tears were staining his cheeks, and his eyes were swollen and red. The poor guy must have cried all night too.
"I know, buddy. I can't even imagine what you must be going through. But I promise, we'll get through this together," Kenny reassured him, aware that their journey was far from over.
In the bathroom, Kenny continued to rub Kyle’s back while Kyle kept weeping. Butters was passing by the bathroom when he caught snippets of their conversation. Intrigued and concerned, he decided to investigate. Finally, Kyle left the restroom, wiping away the remnants of his tears, leaving Kenny alone with his thoughts. While Butters approached the sinks, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more to the story. The moment Butters stood next to him, Kenny looked up in surprise.
"Hey, Buttercup," Kenny greeted, attempting to compose himself.
Butters looked at him with a furrowed brow. "What was t-that about? Why is Kyle so upset, and why did Stan really leave?"
Kenny hesitated, torn between the loyalty he felt for Stan's secret and the close friendship with Butters. "Look, Leo, it's complicated. Stan had to leave because of family issues. Kyle is taking it hard because they were really close. We all are."
Butters, however, wasn't easily swayed. " I know you're not telling me the whole truth. There's something else going on, a-and I can feel it. What are you not telling me?"
Honestly, Kenny hated this. He hated that he had to lie to Leo to protect Stan. He hated that Stan wasn't here with them anymore. He hated this new reality.
So he sighed, struggling with the burden of the lies he had to tell to protect his friends. "I wish I could tell you, Butters, but I... just can't. Just trust me; it's better if you don't know, okay?"
For a while, Butters scrutinized the other boy. "Fine, if that's how it has to be. But, Ken, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. Always."
The sincerity in Butters' voice tugged at Kenny's emotions. "Thanks, Leo. I really appreciate that." He didn't deserve a sweetheart like his Buttercup.
The moment Butters left the restroom, Kenny's facade crumbled. The weight of the lies, the burden of his own immortality he bore, and the pain of Stan's departure overwhelmed him. He sank to the cold bathroom floor, allowing his emotions to break free for once. His shoulders were trembling, and tears streamed down his face as he grappled with the isolation imposed by the secrecy and the guilt of deceiving a close friend. Why did his life have to be such a shitshow lately?
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
The once lively and flirty Kenny had turned into a somber figure, a shell of his former self. Even though Kenny had begged him to trust him, Butters just couldn't ignore the change in his friend's demeanor any longer. It was time for him to take action. Concerned for Kenny, he decided to investigate the root of this sudden shift. He suspected that Stan's unexplained departure played a significant role, and despite his reluctance to pry into others' affairs, he felt an undeniable urge to help his friend.
After school, he drove to the outskirts of town and arrived at the farm where Stan's parents lived. Determined, he knocked on the front door, unsure of what to expect.
Sharon opened the door, obviously surprised to see him. "Leopold, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?"
Butters offered a small smile. "Hey, Mrs Marsh. I was in the area, and I thought I'd drop by. Is Mr Marsh around too?"
Just at that moment, Randy joined his wife at the door, a warm welcome in his eyes. "Butters, good to see you. Come on in, kid."
When Butters entered, the aroma of fresh tea filled the air, and the Marshes invited him to sit in the cozy living room. Small talk ensued, with Sharon and Randy sharing stories of the farm and the rumors about South Park.
While the conversation flowed, Butters seized an opportune moment to steer it towards Stan. "Speaking of changes, how's Stan doing in Alaska? I heard he had to move to help his sick aunt."
"Yes, that's right," confirmed Sharon, a sympathetic expression on her face. "He's with his aunt. It's been tough on all of us, especially his friends."
For some reason, Butters couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Too bad he had no filter and immediately voiced his thoughts.
"Funny thing, though. I've known Stan since childhood, and I didn't know about that aunt. When did that happen?"
He didn't notice how Randy exchanged a glance with Sharon, their demeanor shifting slightly. "Well, you know, family matters can sometimes be private. It's recent. Stan's aunt needed him, so he made the decision to move."
Even though Butters didn't mean to pry, that following sentence just stumbled out of his mouth. "I just find it odd. I know Stan well, and he never mentioned an aunt in Alaska before. Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Butters, we appreciate your concern, but some things are better left private. Stan is where he needs to be right now." Sharon's tone had become strained.
But Butters, innocent as ever and not getting the hint, pressed on. "I g-get that, but I care about Kenny. He's been acting so differently since Stan left. Is there somethin' more you're not telling me? I just want to help."
Suddenly, Randy's expression hardened. "Kid, we understand you're trying to be a good friend, but we've already shared what we can. We'd appreciate it if you respect our privacy and leave."
"I'm sorry if I overstepped. I just want to help my friends."
When he left the farm, Butters couldn't shake the feeling that Mrs and Mr Marsh were hiding something more about Stan's sudden disappearance. His blind loyalty to Kenny drove him to seek the truth, even if it meant delving into secrets that others wanted to keep buried for some reason.
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
The rhythmic hum of the engine and the open road stretched ahead when Kenny embarked on a ten-hour road trip to the nearest coast. The rusty pick-up truck, borrowed from his older brother Kevin, rumbled along, its worn exterior a testament to the many journeys it had endured. As the miles passed beneath the wheels, Kenny's mind drifted to the complexities of his immortality.
The deaths, the rebirths, the solitude that accompanied his unique condition – it all played like a haunting melody in the background of his thoughts. How he would navigate the rest of his eternal life, what would he do if he eventually outlived everyone he cared about? While others were scared of dying one day, Kenny was scared of the solitude that eventually awaited him once everyone else was dead.
And then, Kenny's thoughts drifted back to Stan.
In Stan, he'd found a kindred spirit, someone who deviated from the norm just as he did. All his life, he thought he was the only one who was different, but knowing that this wasn't the case was oddly reassuring. As the miles rolled on, Kenny allowed himself a fleeting sense of contentment, a reminder that even in the strangest circumstances, he wasn't entirely alone.
After a few hours on the road, Kenny pulled into a gas station, the weathered sign creaking in the breeze. He parked the truck and, with a stretch, made his way to the fuel pump. While the gas flowed into the tank, he pondered the complexities of his relationships, particularly with Butters.
The thought of revealing his immortality to Butters lingered in Kenny's mind like a tempting whisper. The desire to tell someone else about his curse, to share the truth that had been a heavy burden on his shoulders, was almost overwhelming. However, the fear that no one would believe him (again) and the potential consequences held him back. Butters, he reasoned, would likely dismiss such a revelation as absurd, just like everyone else did.
While munching on a bland sandwich and sipping on his can of Mountain Dew at the gas station, Kenny weighed the pros and cons of disclosing his secret. He also felt the weight of guilt for perpetuating the web of lies that shrouded his existence. The more he deceived Butters, the heavier the burden on their friendship became. When Kenny got back into the car, he sighed deeply and leaned his head against the steering wheel. Should he trust Butters with the truth, risking disbelief and potential alienation? Or should he continue the charade, and protect his friend from the bizarre reality that defined his existence?
With the engine roaring back to life, Kenny merged back onto the highway, the endless expanse of the road was stretching before him. The miles blurred together, mirroring the complexities of his immortal journey. While he navigated the twists and turns, Kenny wrestled with the decisions that lay ahead, unsure of how the road, both literal and metaphorical, would unfold.
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
The coastal breeze carried the scent of the sea when Kenny drove to the secluded spot by the beach close to the border of California. Excitement bubbled within him, eager to see his friend again. As he reached the spot, he spotted Stan, sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the waves.
"Stan!" Kenny called out, rushing towards his friend. They hugged tightly, a mix of relief and joy washed over them. "You look great, man."
Stan smiled, his cerulean eyes were reflecting the silvery depths of the ocean. "Thanks, Kenny. It's different down there, but I'm getting used to it."
Curiosity gleamed in Kenny's eyes, and he took a seat on a rock next to his friend. "Tell me about it. What's it like? Living beneath the waves?"
At that, Stan leaned back, looking out at the endless expanse of the ocean. "It's... something else. It's peaceful, and I feel connected to the water in a way I never imagined. But there are moments when I miss the world above."
"I'm just glad you're okay with it," Kenny said.
Stan looked to the horizon pensively, then grinned. "You know, it's really not that bad. I think I'm rocking this tail, don't you?"
"Absolutely. It's... mesmerizing." He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can I touch it?"
His friend nodded, a playful glint in his eyes. "Go ahead."
As Kenny reached out to touch the silvery scales of Stan's tail, he was awestruck by the otherworldly texture. It was a moment of connection, a bridge between the normal and the extraordinary.
After a while, Stan's expression grew serious. "Hey, how's Kyle doing? The last time he visited, he pretended everything was fine. But I know he was lying."
Shit, Kyle really had to work on his poker face. Kenny sighed. "He's not doing so well. Losing you hit him hard, and he's having a tough time coping."
Stan's expression softened with concern. "I hate to see him hurting. Promise me, Kenny, promise me you'll be there for him. Now that I can't return, he needs you more than ever."
Without hesitation, Kenny nodded. "I promise, dude. I'll be there for Kyle, just like I'll be here for you."
Stan's eyes conveyed gratitude. "Thanks. It means the world to me knowing you'll take care of him. We're all bound by something bigger now, and I trust you to keep our circle strong."
As Kenny and Stan sat by the beach, the sun casting a warm glow on the horizon, a nostalgic mood settled between them. Deciding to stir their conversation towards more lighthearted topics, Kenny couldn't help but reminisce about their shared childhood, prompting a series of anecdotes.
"Remember that time we tried to build that treehouse, and it collapsed the moment we stepped on it?"
"Oh, how could I forget? We were convinced it was the coolest fortress until reality hit." Stan grinned. "We were so stupid, weren't we?"
Their laughter echoed along the shore, weaving a tapestry of memories. In the middle of the lighthearted banter, Kenny felt a pang of vulnerability and decided to share the secret he had guarded for so long.
"Uh... there's something I want to tell you," Kenny began, his tone shifting. "I'm immortal."
After he'd dropped the bomb, Stan's eyes widened in surprise. "Immortal? Like, you can't die?"
He nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, but here's the catch. Every time I die, I wake up in my bed, and everyone just forgets about it. It's like it never happened. No one ever believes me."
Stan's face softened, his gaze empathetic. "That's... intense, dude. I mean, I remember when you told us when we were kids, but I thought you were fucking with us."
"I know it sounds crazy," Kenny admitted, "but it's been happening since I was little. It's a lonely existence, not being able to share this with anyone."
A thoughtful silence lingered between them before Stan spoke. "You see, after what I've become, I find it easier to believe in extraordinary things. I believe you."
Huh. He didn't think it would be that easy. Kenny's eyes widened in surprise. "You do?"
Stan nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "Yeah, I mean, look at me, dude. I'm not exactly a poster child for normalcy anymore."
Gratitude filled Kenny's eyes. "Thanks, buddy. It means more than you know."
Encouraged by Stan's acceptance, the two boys began swapping stories of when they first noticed they were different. Kenny shared tales of his childhood deaths, the confusion and fear he experienced waking up each time. Stan, in turn, recounted how, as a little boy, he could hold his breath underwater for abnormally long periods without realizing it was anything unusual.
"I always thought it was just a weird talent," Stan admitted with a laugh. "Never gave it much thought until, well, you know."
Kenny joined in the laughter. "We're both something else, huh?"
His friend grimaced. "Guess the two of us really are the freaks among us four."
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
The trunk of Kenny's rusty pickup truck was a cramped, uncomfortable hiding spot for Butters. Regret gnawed at him as the hours on the road stretched on endlessly. He had sneaked into the car to unravel the mysteries behind Kenny's secretive journey and try to help him, but the discomfort and monotony of the trip had worn down his initial enthusiasm.
After ten hours, the weariness reached its peak, and Butters could take no more. He didn't care that his cover would be blown. He needed to get out, now. So he stumbled out of the trunk, limbs stiff and sore. As he regained his footing, he found himself standing on a sandy beach, the sound of crashing waves were replacing the rhythmic hum of the engine. It was a surreal and unexpected sight, especially considering South Park, and all of Colorado, was landlocked.
Confused and disheveled, Butters couldn't fathom how they had arrived at a beach. While he tried to make sense of his surroundings, he tripped and fell, disoriented and slightly dazed.
Before Butters could make sense of the situation, his eyes widened in disbelief as he spotted Kenny and Stan. Their expressions shifted from confusion to astonishment at the sight of a disheveled Butters emerging from the trunk.
"Butters, what the hell?" Kenny gasped, surprise etched on his face.
Stan, equally taken aback, added, "Did you sneak into the trunk?"
Butters was visibly struggling to find words, but managed a sheepish nod. "I... I needed t-to know, Kenny. You've been so secretive, and I was worried."
"You could've just asked, man. Sneaking into the trunk is a bit extreme," Kenny said, trying to suppress his laughter. Butters as a blind passenger was just too hilarious.
"I tried to, but you didn't give me any answers." Still bewildered, Butters tried to make sense of the surroundings. "But why are we at the beach? We're landlocked."
Before Kenny or Stan could answer, Butters caught sight of Stan – the same Stan who was supposedly in Alaska. Confusion etched across his face, Butters stammered, "Stan? What... what are you doing here? I thought you were in Alaska."
Stan exchanged a knowing glance with Kenny, and a mischievous smile played on his lips. "Well, I guess we have some explaining to do."
Only now, Butters averted his gaze. His eyes widened almost comically as he saw Stan's tail in the water. Speechless, he gaped at the sight. He opened his mouth - and closed it again.
Kenny, trying to break the tension, chuckled. "Leo, don't freak out, okay?"
"Yeah, we promise it's not as crazy as it seems," Stan added, slightly amused about Butters' reaction.
Butters' eyes widened, his gaze stayed fixed on the surreal sight before him.
"Buttercup, meet the new Stan. He's, uh, different now."
But Butters, too stunned to formulate a coherent response, stared at Stan's tail with wide-eyed amazement.
"Hey, at least you didn't pass out like the fatass did when he first saw this," Kenny teased his flabbergasted friend.
"Yep, you're holding up better than expected," Stan chuckled.
Attempting to find his voice, Butters managed a weak chuckle. "You guys... you're serious?"
Kenny nodded, a mixture of relief and amusement in his eyes. "Dead serious. Stan's got a new address underwater."
As the waves whispered tales of the extraordinary, Butters grappled with the surreal revelation unfolding before him. The beach, the transformed Stan, and the unexpected journey had pushed him into a world beyond his imagination. When he finally found his voice, he uttered a single word that encapsulated the strange beauty of the moment:
"Wow."