Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had all been going so well that day.

The knight had defeated lots of creatures and had amassed a small fortune: enough to buy the umbrella. Suddenly things like falling acid drops didn’t seem that scary anymore.

Then it came: The giant floating red skull. The knight tried moving as fast as it could (which amounted to a slow shuffle) to escape it, but it hadn’t been enough. As soon as the skull touched it, the knight felt its body wither, and decay, and…

Soon enough, the knight found itself by the start.

Let’s try this again, shall we?

Chapter Text

“Don’t let eggs hatch!”

Those words had been drilled into you by your superiors. It was important. It was necessary. The moon’s survival depended on it. Your survival depended on it.

But you couldn’t do anything about this scenario. There were two eggs you couldn’t reach. One was on top of a ledge you couldn’t get to.

But you noticed the energy cube. With good timing via your lob module…

You took the chance and it exploded, shattering the egg.

It wasn’t enough.

The second Dragonfloosh egg cracked, a thousand baby Dragonflooshes swarming the ground. You had failed your mission.

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This was unforgivable.

They had been enjoying a nice picnic all to themselves. But that squid had to ruin everything!

The ninja was so consumed in his fury he didn’t notice the enemy creeping up behind him. With a single strike, the ninja yelped in pain as his first life was consumed.

From the heavens his spirit descended, still fuming. He reformed his body, rapidly firing his shurikens towards the pigs.

I mean, why would a squid steal a sandwich? Squids don’t get nutrition from sandwiches, much less giant ones, I mean-

The ninja was struck from behind once more.

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You and the other drivers were neck-and-neck now. They were plentiful, but they were also really, really dumb. Which gave you the perfect advantage. All you had to do was keep steady and keep driving.

Turn the corner. Bash into the guy. Paint over the strip he painted.

You glanced at the clock on your dashboard. Not good. Time was running out, and your paint spread looked even with the other competitors.

But what if…

Racing to the side of the track, you saw it. The stopwatch. All that was left to do was grab it and turn the tide.

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“See, Cloverana? It’s just as easy as that.”

The girl steadily guided Cloverana’s hands into the pot as she placed the flower into the dirt.

“Ugh, I got dirt on my fingernails.” Cloverana grimaced as she looked over her hands.

“Cloverana, a little bit of dirt is nothing to be afraid of.”

“I know, I just have a thing about personal hygiene. So, are you going to teach me the next step?” Cloverana looked at the girl with a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Sure!” The girl stood up and walked back. “Let me fetch the Oppies to show you.”

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“Father? What is it you want from me?”

“My son… You’ve finally come of age. It is time I teach you the tradition of our people.”

“Really?!”

“Yes, really.”

The father had taken his son to the temple, where the rituals of their people were outlined: The rituals of Bomb, Stone and Arrow. The boy took the rituals to heart.

Years had passed. The boy was now a man. He was ready to save Mortolia. Just three little words...

“Ritual of Bomb!”

From the plane, the pilot could see a small explosion, clearing the way.

Welp, onto the next guy.

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“Don’t get greedy.”

It was a phrase Alpha had heard a lot in her missions as a space pirate. Be wary, be cautious, don’t bite off more than you can chew. After all, her line of work was extremely dangerous.

But she needed those coins a whole lot. The shopkeeper had a triple jump upgrade waiting for her! And there were a crap ton of coin blocks just across the horizon.

The spiked floor of Velgress ominously creaked below as Alpha lept from one block to the next. She’d get those coins no matter what, even if it killed her.

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It wasn’t a bad thing. It was just a necessity. He needed to do this to survive. He’d be in and out before they knew it.

Those aliens didn’t know squat. They were just bitter and weird. Pilot wasn’t doing it to be mean. He was doing it because he had to.

So what if he took their resources? He was putting them to better use. He had a home and a sister and an arch-enemy. He needed the supplies. He needed treasure.

Pilot tried to push down his thoughts and continued the trek. He needed to find the trader.

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The general stepped up to the plate, addressing the soldiers clad in red. “Alright, men! You’re here because you’re the best of the best!”

That earned a raucous cry from the soldiers.

“Settle down, now. Those filthy lowlives aren’t going to take our home. Because you fine fellows are willing to lay your lives down for the cause! For ours is a noble one, unlike those stupid barbarians!”

The assembled soldiers cheered heartily.

On the other side of the battlefield, a general began to address soldiers clad in blue.

“Alright, men! You’re here because you’re the best of the best…”

Chapter Text

“Are you sure you have this under control?”

“Of course I do.”

The trap went like this: Once the firework rose, it would destroy the frog and the devils surrounding it. The frog would lay waste to the devils to its right, and then the cannon would go off and destroy the remaining devils. A genius plan!

“Alright, here I go.”

The trap went off. The firework soared high into the air, majestically taking flight. Everyone watched with bated breath as it hit the target…

It took out the frog and the two devils to its right. Nothing else.

“Whoops.”

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“Isn’t it weird?”

“Is what weird?”

“That we’re playing soccer and working out, but the enemies drop snack foods when they die? Seriously, french fries? We’re not supposed to be eating french fries, we’re supposed to be eating healthy stuff like fruit or veggies! Or like, protein bars!”

“Dude, we’re playing against giant sentient sports equipment. Sometimes if we aren’t on time, a ghost referee chases us. You want to talk about realism in a situation like this?”

“...Sorry.”

“Just pass me the ball, okay?”

“You got it!”

The ball soared straight to the head of the football helmet monster.

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“Someday I wonder if we will ever know peace.”

The Priest’s head swiveled to the Archer, her body not moving an inch. “Someday we will. We may not live to see it, but it will happen.”

“Don’t talk like that.” the Archer muttered.

“It’s true, you know. There may come a day where we die in battle. No one lives forever.”

“...I don’t want to think about that.”

“You may not, but we all have to confront truths. I do not want to die either, but there is a possibility I may.”

The two stared at the battlefield in silence.

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The creature wobbled on its legs, stumbling like a newborn. It crouched in anticipation and then jumped, its jellylike legs landing on the cliffside with a “thump.” Its sausage-like body then turned to the mushrooms that lay above it. It jumped once on the mushroom, its body hurtling toward the next. It jumped twice, did a somersault, and landed back on the top of the platform.

Its legs jittered. Its body twitched.

The creature then hopped down to where it started. It jumped up, hopped to the two mushrooms. But it did not do the midair somersault.

It twitched again.

Chapter Text

“Kotaro.”

Tomoe approached Kotaro, an embarrassed look on her face. “I need your help.”

“Help?” Kotaro smiled slyly. “I thought it was gonna be you and me against each other, not together!”

“Ah, well… I want to win the tournament. But there’s one player who’s been standing in my way.”

“And that would be?”

“Yamada.”

“Oh, that armored guy. Has he been giving you trouble?”

“I hate to say it, but yes. And since I respect you, I thought we could take him on together.”

Kotaro grinned. “You’re on, just as long as you save the last match for me.”

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“Koala Kid, are you frustrated?”

Koalarana was at her brother’s side, eyes crinkled with worry.

“A little. I really don’t understand this puzzle, and it’s frustrating me. Like, how am I supposed to wrap my head around this? I feel so stupid!”

Koalarana blinked. “You’re not dumb just because you didn’t get it on the first try.”

“...I know. I think I’m just mad.”

Koalarana smiled sympathetically. “You know, maybe you could take a little break. You’ve been solving these puzzles like a pro, and I want to take a crack at it.”

Koala Kid smiled. “That would be nice.”

Chapter Text

Lizard heard a small cry just as it was about to head into the burrowing hole. Looking over, it saw the noise was from a lizard baby, left out in the open. The frogs hadn’t noticed it yet.

Lizard wasn’t going to let this one be prey for the frogs. Crawling over and avoiding detection, it came face to face with the baby.

“What are you doing here?”

“I lost my way while going to the burrow… I’m scared.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Follow my lead, and remember to camouflage.”

And so they headed back together.

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Soaring through space in the Campanella was fun, was what Pilot thought. Strike down the obstacles, proceed to the next area, and so on.

But what Pilot was most concerned about was the fact that he had found no coffee so far on his journey. To pilots like… Pilot, coffee was the fuel that gave them life, in the way that the fuel that piloted their ships gave them life. The fact that he hadn’t found any was a little concerning.

“Oh, coffee, I need you, please come into my arms…”

Making up a song was a sign of desperation.

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The worst thing in the world is being stuck. Because it leads to the worst emotion: Helplessness.

Stuck in a sandpit. Completely stagnant. That was where you were, desperately wiggling around for any sort of freedom.

"Won’t somebody please help me?" You wanted to cry out. But there was nobody who could answer. The feeling of helplessness only deepened.

You had only one stroke left. Even if you escaped the sandpit, there was nothing you could do.

But it was worth trying.

You wound yourself up and jumped as far as you could go.

You landed back into the sandpit.

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Through the corner of her eye, Isabell couldn’t help but notice her brother was not participating in the race. Instead, the Campanella was stuck jittering in a corner. Isabell wanted to ask what the heck was up, but she couldn’t do that. She had a race to finish.

But it was really weird how the Campanella was still jittering even as she ran another lap around the track. Was it stuck? Did Pilot fall asleep at the controls?

By the time she had made the eighth lap around the track, the Campanella had gotten unstuck, but was in sixth place.

Chapter Text

Sometimes people repeat cycles and make the same mistakes again. Sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes out of stupidity, and sometimes out of stubbornness.

The Warptank was in the latter at the moment. It was trying to destroy a little nest so the bugs would stop attacking it. There was something in the area the Warptank wanted, but it couldn’t seem to get it. That was mainly because it kept using temporary platforms as a method of hanging on. But the platforms would eventually disappear before it could get off them in time, leading the Warptank to a fiery, explosive demise.

Chapter Text

Waldorf dreamt of a world where he could fly, and the fish were plentiful, and the shells were legitimate currency and not just useless shiny things. It was a beautiful dream.

But Waldorf could sense something. Something cutting into the dream. Messages from afar. Messages from someone who seemed so familiar and yet so distant. Warnings.

“There is a dark shape on the horizon.”

“They’re coming for your teeth.”

“There is time to do something. If you can reach me.”

Something was building on the horizon. Someone was coming for him, and that someone was about to change his world.

Chapter Text

Vishmi shuddered as she looked at the radar. That huge shark was certainly more than a little scary. Luckily, Porgy was far away enough that it didn’t attract her presence. Still, it was scary to have her so close.

“Hey, Porgy…” Vishmi called. “Do you see anything we can take back?”

Porgy blipped curtly. Nothing.

“Ah, then we might have to go back to refuel.”

Another blip, this one low and sad.

“Aw, don’t be sad, Porgy! You know, I could sing a song for you if that’d help. Ahem. We all live in a yellow submarine…”

Porgy blipped happily.

Chapter Text

Other cars obeyed traffic laws and the speed limit.

Woogy was under no such obligation to obey them.

“HEY, I’M DRIVING HERE!”

“AAAAH! Watch where you’re going, jerkface!”

“Waaaaagh! Slow down!”

No time to slow down.

Woogy raced by the other drivers, who were shouting words too obscene to be printed. He couldn’t afford to be late. He had a delivery, after all.

One of the many reasons he couldn’t afford to be late (besides a potential fiery demise) was that a giant onion on legs was chasing Woogy’s car.

“GRAAAAAHHH!!!”

Yep, just another average day working for Onion & Sons.

Chapter Text

“Gee, this new camera of yours is so fancy, Melon!”

“I know, Pluron! Probably my best purchase yet.”

“You know, I was wondering if you could maybe take a picture of me. I wanna see how I turn out!”

“Of course!!! Just stay right there and smile, okay?”

“Okay! Cheese!”

*SNAP*

“Wow, it came out great? Don’t you think so, Pluron?”

“Melon…?”

“Yeah?”

“Melon, I can’t move my body.”

“You can’t? Not even a little bit of it?”

“Not even a little bit of it.”

“Hm. Have you checked your motor recently?”

“...Ngh… Okay, I can move it again.”

“...Weird.”

Chapter Text

“Dude, did you go to Amy’s house last night?”

“Of course I did! Man, she throws the best parties in town!”

“I don’t know how she got that bartender in, but man did he make a fine cocktail. Yum-my.”

“You said it! Not to mention how she got The Fantabulous Thunder himself to join! I love wrestling, so it’s crazy her party attracted his attention.”

“At the last party she held, an alien was there! Not to mention a friggin’ unicorn! A UNICORN!”

“Also, I saw Patrick from middle school!”

“No way, dude, you saw Patrick?”

“Yeah! Best party ever.”

Chapter Text

“Hey, look out!”

Yoka tossed two beanbags in Jerry and Benjy’s direction. Thanks to Benjy’s warning, the two were able to jump over her shots.

“Jerry! Pass it here!”

“You got it, Benjy!”

Benjy tossed Jerry one of the beanbags, who in turn tossed it to Yoka’s partner Amy at the other end of the field. It hit her square in the chest, causing her to (very briefly) go down.

“Nice shot!”

“Thanks!”

The coach blew his whistle. “Looks like Jerry and Benjy win this time!”

The two boys grinned at each other. Their friendship was going to last forever.

Chapter Text

The deeper the trio went, the more fierce the enemies became.

And the deeper they went, the more pressure they felt.

But the deeper they went, the more interesting discoveries they found.

Dylan, Orlok and Thyme stared at the rock formations to the side. They looked like… faces. But the faces weren’t right. They were flat, and had strange nasal protrusions. They were certainly an interesting sight.

Orlok brushed his hand against the rock formations. The stone was smooth on his skin.

Dylan pushed his hand away. Thyme stared, confused.

Dylan gestured for the lizards to move. And they did.

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It was a simple plan. But the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry.

She got in undetected, and she now had the money. It was easy to get in, but the problem was she had to get out. And there were lawmen on all sides.

Just then, she noticed there was a chicken’s coop above her.

One of the lawmen heard a funny sound. It kinda sounded like…

Suddenly, a flood of chickens burst through the door.

“Gah! They got loose again!”

Maria chuckled as she hopped on Mr. Blue. Distracting them had been too easy.

Chapter Text

The R-Vainger was an elite combat unit. It was specialized to dish out the hurting, and take it just as well.

However, the R-Vainger was not perfect in every area. It had faults and flaws, like everyone in the galaxy. Chalk it up to human error.

The R-Vainger’s biggest flaw was its faulty navigation chip.

It would sometimes enter unnecessary rooms or flip and take the wrong direction. Sometimes, and this most likely was a glitch in its programming, it would continuously look at the map from the recharge stations.

But human error wouldn’t stop it from accomplishing its mission.

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Zola was getting fatigued from defending the cave.

Ah, what kind of leader am I if I can’t defend my community?

Zola tried to think of what her mother would say. Instantly she returned to a time where she had been a little smaller, and she was in the warm embrace of her mother.

“Zola, just try and think outside the box. We all depend on each other as a community, but you need to be strong, too.”

Zola got an idea. Returning to the caves, she grabbed some sticks.

It was time to make some modifications to her club.

Chapter Text

Custard was fierce. Custard was bold. Custard considered herself one of the best cyborg bounty hunters the galaxy had to offer.

And that was why Custard was not going to lose the UFO Invitational.

She had been doing well so far. She was in the top three, with only Alpha and Sammo in front of her. Now, it was only a matter of timing her hits to sink the ball.

The reason she needed to time it was because there were two trapezists flying above her, potentially blocking her shot.

Custard tensed as she wound up.

Ready... set... and... fire!

Chapter Text

“Our leaders do not value us.”

This was quite apparent, staring at the path leading to Castle Nilpis. The resistance had gathered outside, trying to psych themselves up for the task they were about to undertake.

The group’s leader (a Scout, who had spent a couple of days surveying the territory of Nilpis) stepped in front to talk.

“Citizens of Mortolia, I hope you are ready. Because this time, we can’t build our numbers. If we die, that’s it.”

A Bomber in the crowd smiled. “I’m more than willing to die for this cause!”

The citizens of Mortolia all cheered.

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Jay prided himself on his strength, but he wasn’t sure if he could handle the crowd in front of him. Zombies were swarming him from all angles, groaning mindlessly.

He blocked one, and threw a punch at the other. No good. They were overwhelming him.

Suddenly, a fat zombie’s body was tossed at the ones in front of him, decimating the horde!

“Hey, Jay! Noticed you were having some trouble!” It was Amy!

“Amy! Thank God you’re here.”

Amy twirled her hair nonchalantly. “No prob. How’s about you and I go to town on these chumps?”

Jay grinned. “With pleasure.”

Chapter Text

Alpha stared at the betting screen. If she bet 500 credits, she’d have enough to buy the Drone upgrade. But if she bet even more, she could also buy enough to buy the Bounce Shot. And maybe if she had funds left over, she could buy an upgrade for her bombs.

Mulling it over, Alpha increased the odds. She was going in for 600 credits now.

As she stood in the pit waiting for the next round, she remembered the warnings given to her.

Be wary, be cautious, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Well, screw that noise!

Chapter Text

The room Isabell entered was empty, with only some platforms. No sign of her brother.

Just as she turned to leave, she heard a strange slithering noise.

Turning back, she saw several eyes staring back at her. It was a trap!

Readying her blaster, Isabell turned back and shot, firing at the creatures. The first shot vaporized one of the first creatures, it screeching in pain as it disintegrated.

Through the corner of her eye, she saw another one snaking behind her. Flipping into the air, she fired three shots. Her aim was dead on.

Four down, four to go.

Chapter Text

For years, Yogo couldn’t help but hate it every time they looked in the mirror. Their weak fleshy body made them shudder. Their reflection was something to be avoided at all costs.

When they became a teenager, they ran away from home. Started participating in fights for money. Those credits bought food, but they also bought body enhancements.

When Yogo bought their first enhancement, it was like stepping into the sunlight after a long winter.

A few years later, they learned of Phogon and its culture of fighting for money. Credits in hand, Yogo set out to become a contender.

Chapter Text

Nothing is ever as it seems in this world. Sometimes, fair maidens are horrific dragons. Sometimes, poor beggars are powerful sorcerers in disguise.

You understood this. And yet, you were always tempted by the treasures that lay around corners. So imagine your surprise when you tried to open a treasure chest, only for it to nearly bite your fingers off!

You always promised it’d be the last time you got fooled. But you never really seemed to learn.

The villagers liked to joke that no matter what happened to you, you’d always come back for more. Maybe it was true.

Chapter Text

Dying was unpleasant. The act of your soul leaving the mortal coil was a burning, indescribable pain.

But Jangi wouldn’t let it stop him.

His body was on the ground, but his soul floated high above it. And as his soul grabbed the rings that would aid his resurrection, he thought of the children of the village and their happy smiles, of the men and the women that had been his friends and truest companions, and then of the snarling demons that took their lives.

No matter how many deaths Jangi died, nothing was going to stop him from revenge.

Chapter Text

Insects buzzed outside the cockpit, zipping to and fro in precise lines. No matter how much you shot, it seemed like they wouldn’t stop coming.

It was all because of that stupid flower.

What good would eternal life give you, anyway? Wouldn’t you get bored? After a billion years, wouldn’t you have experienced everything? What if you met someone without the eternal lifespan granted by the blue flower? What if you wanted to go somewhere without the flower?

Besides, you understood nothing was sustainable forever.

So why fight for their cause?

Well, because it paid well. Shallow? Maybe a little.

Chapter Text

“I can’t say I’ve ever really believed in Biggan’s words.”

Pearl started. “Maria, don’t tell me-!”

Maria held a hand up before Pearl could finish talking. “I don’t mingle with any of Malus’ followers either. That’d just be unthinkable.”

“But the angels surround us! How can you say you don’t believe?”

Anne shrugged. “I mean, I do my daily prayers, but I don’t know if I’ve ever really believed Biggan influenced my daily life.”

Pearl frowned. “What about you, Umbra? You look mighty spiritual.”

The mystic did not look up from her cactus juice drink. “I’m spiritual in other ways.”

Chapter Text

The sky was all they could see most of the time.

Out of the corners of their eyes they could see the ground sometimes. And the trees.

But the sky was a constant in their lives.

Someday, the ogre wondered what it would be like if he could… just stand up. See the grass, see their towns, see more than just the sky. Maybe he could roll in the grass or pet a bunny.

But with the way the people of the Land of Disks lived, it wouldn’t really be possible.

Still, maybe someday it wouldn’t hurt to just try.

Chapter Text

“I don’t know why he thinks his dumb tea will help. I feel worse, not better.” Becky coughed violently. Clutching the bucket at the side of her bed, it only took two more coughs before she puked into the bucket. She groaned. “I… I want daddy to take us to the hospital...”

“I’m tired, Becky.” said Charlie, lethargy lacing his voice. “I can’t stay awake anymore and talk. If you puke in your sleep and drown in your vomit, I’ll call mom.”

“...Okay...” Becky yawned, closing her eyes. “Goodnight, Charlie…”

“Night, Becky.”

The next day, Charlie awoke.

His sister didn’t.

Chapter Text

“You have been cordially invited to the bonus stage!”

A woman stood in front of Rabbit and Pigeon, who were a little puzzled. Her stageshow attire reminded them of Elfazar, only this woman seemed friendlier.

Rabbit perked up. “Ah, does it have anything to do with this ticket we picked up?”

Fishing the little golden slip of paper out of her pocket, the woman snatched it up and inspected it. “Yep! Right this way, you two! Just collect enough coins, and you’ll earn a continue!”

Pigeon turned to Rabbit. “What’s a continue?”

Rabbit shrugged. “Maybe it’s… ‘the will to continue?’”

Chapter Text

On his journey through Zoldath, Pilot found a cave he decided to enter.

The cave was small, and only inhabited by a woman. As Pilot approached, she held up a finger. “One Zoldnak per game.”

Pilot liked games. “Sure.”

Six treasure chests appeared in the room. Ah, so it was one of those.

Pilot opened the chest, jumping back in surprise when one of those small blue slimes jumped out in the woman’s direction.

“Gah, watch out!”

Pilot’s yo-yo sailed in the direction of the enemy and the woman, hitting both.

The woman glared at Pilot. “No more games today.”

Chapter Text

“Max! Check it out!”

Max perked up. “What did you find, Mini?”

Mini grinned. “There’s a secret cache of shinies by the plants!”

Holding out her hands, Mini grinned as the shinies twinkled in her palm. “There were about seventy up there!”

Mini closed her palm in triumph before her expression twisted in pain. “Oww!” Max jumped in concern.

The shinies dropped on the ground. Mini gripped her palm with her other hand, which had a small cut. Tears pricked from her eyes. “The shinies cut me!”

“Well, they are made of glass…” said Max. He licked his owner’s palm.

Chapter Text

The ant asked her comrade, “Why must we work for someone who will give us nothing in return?”

The other ant replied, “We work as hard as we can and face all sorts of challenges. For when the day work is abolished, we can play forever.”

“Who told you this?” The ant was skeptical.

“A wise grasshopper. I’ve internalized his philosophy ever since that day.”

“But what will it do for us? The queen has all the leisure time in the world, and we-”

The ant slapped her comrade. “Don’t question the queen! We remain loyal to the end.”

“...Sorry.”

Chapter Text

A short man and a tall woman entered the betting room. Upon seeing each other, their faces twisted into false grins.

“Hi, Pilot. Wasn’t expecting to see you at the races.”

“What can I say, Alpha? I just keep coming back.”

“Aha, yeah.”

Alpha went all in. Pilot betted significantly less money.

As the two exited the room, their smiles became sadistic.

What Pilot doesn’t know is that I poisoned his stupid Quibble! thought Alpha.

What Alpha doesn’t know is that I poisoned her Quibble! thought Pilot.

Their opponent Brazz made a tidy profit from having the only living Quibble.

Chapter Text

The moon was high in the sky tonight. The light it shone was pitiful compared to your car’s headlights.

You weren’t afraid of the night. You loved it. The cool evening breeze through your hair, the lack of people on the road…

And of course, who could forget the creepy skulls and ghosts that were attempting to attack your car. You lived for the danger.

As you drifted, all of the foes were taken out. You looked up to the sky…

There were two moons now.

No, those weren’t moons. They’re eyes. And they’re looking right at you.

Uh oh.

Chapter Text

“Isabell, I… I don’t know if we’re coming back from this one!”

It was getting harder to hear Isabell’s voice crackling over the communicator. “Pilot! Don’t say that! We can–aagh! We can pull through!”

The siblings were desperately trying to gain control of their saucers, but their ships were low on fuel.

“Isabell, if anything happens, I love you!”

“No, Pilot! Don’t say things like that! We’re going to make it, I know we will!”

The ground was getting closer, and closer, until–

There was a booming crash as the Big Belle and the Campanella landed for the last time.

Chapter Text

“Cyber Owls! Come in, Cyber Owls! We have another mission for you!”

Guin was the first to answer her comms. “What is it, Wells?”

“It looks like H.A.W.K. is up to one of their dirty tricks again. They’ve stolen several thousand snakes from the zoo!”

Everyone at the table was puzzled. “Snakes?”

“Yes, snakes. Who knows what they have planned, but we need you on the case!”

Octavio smiled. “You can count on us!”

Huxley groaned. “I just wish we could have finished our dim sum.”

“Later.” said Engle.

“Alright, everyone!” exclaimed Guin. “Cyber Owls are go!”

Chapter Text

It had been over thirty years. But they finally found it. Everyone’s hard work. Your hard work, too.

The collection.

Available everywhere on the internet. An idea that seemed so foreign thirty-five years ago. But the Recovery Team made it work.

In-between the various posts about how Party House ruled and how Combatants sucked (ha!), you found out the internet had discovered your little side project. The world knew about Miasma Tower.

You didn’t know where Tao was now. He could be dead for all you cared. But at least the world would know the truth about his actions.