Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Pomni’s POV)

I tugged my hood over my black hair, adjusting my backpack straps a final time as I eyed my door. Then, slowly, I cracked it open, glancing outside, searching thoroughly for any sign of Caine. After a couple moments, I swung it open, making a mad dash for the spot I knew the portal would be. I screeched to a stop right in front of it, heart pounding in my ears. It was just starting to flicker and close, and I was almost mesmerized by the brilliant swirls of color for a moment. Snapping out of it, I gave one last backwards glance, sucked in a breath, and jumped.

In a blink of an eye, the crisp, static air turned to cool breeze, and the manufactured darkness was replaced with a genuine night feel. I glanced around, trying to make sure I was in the right place, and relaxed when I was met with the familiar sight of the kingdom, albeit empty. 

“Hello?” I tensed from a voice, and looked up to the balcony of the castle, my eyes met with Princess Loolilalu. “Oh! It’s you! One of our brave adventurers from before, are you alright?” She asked, hurrying down the stairs towards me. I nodded, clearing my throat, not expecting anyone to be awake at this hour. “Uh, yes, I’m alright.” I responded slowly, trying my best to look her in the eyes. 

“Then you best be going back to your “circus”, it looks like your doorway is closing.” She advised, still seeming concerned. I gave the portal a backwards glance. “It’s ok, I don’t think I’m going back there anytime soon.” I muttered. She raised an eyebrow. “Oh. Alright. Then if you’re staying here, would you like to stay in the castle with me and the queen?” I blinked, a little stunned by the sudden offer. “No, no, it’s ok, I- uh- wouldn’t want to be a bother.” “Nonsense! It would be our honor to host a traveler from the realm of our god.” I sneak a glance up at the stained glass painting of Caine, still finding it hilarious he programmed them to worship him. 

“…Ok. If you're sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble then I’d love a place to stay the night.” Her face lit up from my answer. “Wonderful! Come with me.” She turned, her gummy hair staying perfectly in place as she hurried back up the stairs. I followed, my stomach still swirling with nerves.

Behind us, the portal flickered out of existence.

We walked through neat, glimmeringly clean halls, each seeming identical to the last until we reached one with doors. “That’s my room,” She pointed to the first door, “That’s my mom’s,” The next door, “And that’s the guest bedroom!” The last. I nodded tentatively and we shuffled over to mine. The room inside was just as pristine as the rest of the castle, the bed made and the floor so clean I could see my face in it. Other than the bed, was a door leading to a small room I assumed to be a bathroom, a closet, a window and a mirror. “It’s…a little minimalistic but…” “It’s perfect, thank you.” I gave her a small smile, which she returned, before slowly walking out of the room. “Come get me if you need anything!” She called, closing the door. 

My stance relaxed and a puffed out a sigh, as nice as she was, it was relieving to be alone. I stepped over to the mirror, examining myself. I had a slight darkness under my eyes, and my hair looked messy. Deciding I should process everything in the morning, I yanked off my hoodie and sweatpants and slipped under the covers of the bed, sighing once more at the softness of the sheets and closing my eyes.

Maybe it was the soft breeze blowing in through the open window, maybe it was the natural feel of the darkness, maybe it was just exhaustion, but I fell into slumber almost immediately, met with a calm, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Text

(Gangle’s POV)

“What do you mean they’re just gone!?” Ragatha shouted, stamping the heel of her shoe against the floor. I don’t think I’d ever seen her that angry at anyone other than Jax, and it was starting to scare me. “R-Ragatha, please, c-calm down..” I wrapped a ribbon loosely around her arm, looking up at her with pleading eyes. 

She paid me no mind, yanking away her arm to jab a finger to Caine’s chest. “You’re the one who [HONK]ing created this place! FIND THEM!” Caine’s gaze kept darting around the room, and he was fidgeting with his cane a bit. “Now now, Ragatha. I understand you’re upset but I’m sure our dear Pomni is…somewhere. I’m, uh, just not sure exactly where.” The last sentence was much quieter than the first, and I noticed a bit of cartoonishly exaggerated sweat drip down the gaping jaw that was supposedly his head. 

“Jeez, ragdoll, why ya’ getting so worked up over it? ‘S not like you two were friends.~” Jax’s grin was ever present, if not a bit wider than usual. “Besides, maybe they just found that fabled exit.~” He giggled, and Zooble shot him a glare. “Shut up, Jax.” “Make me.~” “I just might if you keep [HONK]ing around.” I whimpered, my anxiety peaking from all the conflict. “G-guys please c-can’t we just..!” 

I flinched when I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. “I think we should give everyone some space.” Kinger advised me, already turning towards his pillow fort. With a quiet nod, I followed him. 

—

“So, where do you think they ran off to?” Kinger asked me after a while of calming silence sept for the sound of tape. I looked up at him with a puzzled expression. “R-ran off to?” I repeated questioningly. “Well yeah, I mean, it’s not like they can die.” He states, a little matter-of-fact-ly, “I personally think they’re back in that Candy dimension.” I sit back, leaning against the plush pillow wall, abandoning my attempt at taping my comedy mask back together. “Y-yeah, probably, I- I guess. They d-did seem pretty attached t-to Gummigoo.” Kinger nodded in agreement, and we resumed silence. 

—

“I’m just- just worried. I mean, what if they abstracted or they- they got trapped in the cellar or something and we can’t find them until it’s too late and—“ Zooble cut her panicked ranting off, rubbing her back comfortingly. “Deep breath, Rags.” Ragatha nodded faintly and took a long, shaky breath. “Thanks..” “Of course. They're gonna be ok, Caine’ll find them and fix any damage that happened to them wherever they ended up, alright?” Ragatha gave a more pronounced nod, wiping tears from her one good eye. 

“Oh my god you’re so dramatic.” Jax groaned, leaning back in the beanbag he had propped up against Zooble’s bed, where the two others where sitting. “You can [HONK]ing leave anytime y’know.” Zooble spat back, glaring down at him. “Nah, it’s entertaining.~” Rolling her eyes, the genderqueer returned to comforting her friend, trying their best to ignore Jax’s comments.

—

[That night…]

“Pomni…Pom-niii…” Caine muttered, looking through his eyes’ views around The Grounds. “Where are you…?” He squinted, rubbing the underside of his lower jaw in thought. “Hey idiot!” Caine blinked, spinning around, finding Jax looking up at him, glaring. He floated down to eye-level, curious. It was unlike Jax to come talk to him. “Yes?” “I wanna help you find the newbie.” 

Caine blinked, taken aback. “What?” Jax huffed. “Are you deaf? I want. To. Help. Look. For. Them.” Caine perked up, excited at the sudden change of heart. “Well that’s wonderful, Jax! I’m glad your little relationship with Zooble is finally getting you to improve your attitude!” The rabbit’s face flushed, but they both decided to ignore it. “Don’t get used to it. I just want Rags to shut up.” Caine chuckled. “Yes, yes, of course. I suppose you can help me search the other dimensions, alright? Just don’t get any ideas, I’ll be sending Bubble with you.” Jax nodded. “K. Cya tomorrow then.” He then spun on his heel and stomped out without another word.

(Had no idea how to end this chapter but I just wanted to publish it already, so take this :/ the next chapter will probably come out sooner, but I’m also working on a boatload of art commissions and personal projects, so it’ll still take a while.)