Chapter Text
KARKAT: YOU STAY THE HELL PUT. DO YOU HEAR ME YOU UGLY, PEEJAY PACKING, FLAPSNIFFING SHIT INFANT
JOHN: bye dude!
Ignoring the angry little tantrum the grey troll is throwing, John zaps himself away. Karkat's lengthy tirade continues for a moment as Kanaya and Sollux look on with utter confusion.
KANAYA: I Cant Believe That Just Happened
SOLLUX: tell me ab0ut it.
Behind them, Terezi is tending over an unconscious Vriska, who has only just begun to awaken to a stupor.
VRISKA: ...John?
TEREZI: H3S GON3 >:]
TEREZI: BOY D1D H3 P4CK 4 PUNCH HUH??
VRISKA: Terezi...
VRISKA: I'm... not dead?
Terezi looks onto Vriska with a gentle smile. Both of them knew. Both of them knew the other knew, that either Vriska would be let off to challenge Jack, or she would not, staying at the asteroid through lethal intervention of Redglare.
TEREZI: S33MS L1K3 TH3R3 W4S 4 TH1RD OPT1ON 4FT3R 4LL!!
TEREZI: TH3 M3T4PHOR1C4L CO1N H4S F4LL3N ON 1TS 3DG3 >:]
Despite the gravity of the confrontation minutes earlier, Vriska could not help herself but laugh. A hoarse noise, yet full of catharsis.
VRISKA: I can't 8elieve it! With all my luck in the world, even I could not have rolled such an outcome.
TEREZI: TH4T M4K3S TWO OF US
TEREZI: 3V3N TH3 W1LD3ST DR34MS OF 4 S33R COULD N3V3R H4V3 PR3D1CT3D TH4T JOHN WOULD P3RSON4LLY SHOW UP 4ND SOCK YOUR F4C3!
Giggling together at the absurdity of the situation, the Scourge sisters enjoyed the comfortable company of each other, just like old times, before petty revenge and the looming destruction of their world drove them apart.
TEREZI: W3LL WH4T DO YOU S4Y
TEREZI: SH4LL W3 CH3CK-ON NUBS MCSHOUTY OV3R TH3R3??
Terezi flashes a grin, and Vriska reciprocates, patting the blind troll's arm to let her know
VRISKA: A8out time, if he doesn’t shut his gaper soon I might regret not 8eing dead after all.
The two strut over to Karkat, with Vriska holding onto Terezi for support, not quite balanced yet after John’s knuckle sandwich.
KARKAT: LOOK WHO IT IS! THE PRIMADONNA OF OUR COLLECTIVE MISERY HAS AWOKEN FROM HER NAP, READY TO MAKE EVERYTHING ABOUT HERSELF AGAIN!
KARKAT: I DON’T SUPPOSE YOU HAVE ANY FUCKING IDEA ON THE ZIP-ZAPPY JOHN’S INTENTIONS AND MOTIVES?
VRISKA: Aw, stop that, you can’t 8e 8lack flirting in front of everyone like that!
KARKAT: THAT WAS NOT ANYTHING REMOTELY CLOSE TO BLACK-ROM I JUST FUCKING HATE YOU.
VRISKA: Relax shouty, and no, whatever John is doing is as much a mystery to me as it is to you!
VRISKA: If I were to guess though, something compelled him to intervene, may8e the pro8a8ility of death and destruction if he had not!
VRISKA: Oh, and I would have pro8a8ly 8een dead.
VRISKA: May8e he wanted to save me, how adora8le!
Her speculations are met with grumbles from Karkat. Having worked up a real fright from the dreadful murders of his friends and the rampage of a psycho juggalo best friend (honk :o)), he was not particularly in the mood for Serket antics.
TEREZI: JOHN S41D SOM3TH1NG 4BOUT 4 W4LL3T?
TEREZI: 4ND HOW H3 D1DNT H4V3 1T?
TEREZI: H3 W4S S3NT BY M3 R1GHT?
KARKAT: SUPPOSEDLY, ON A TEAL-BLOODY SCARF, NO LESS.
KARKAT: THOUGH THE FUCKWAD'S INTENTION IS ANYONE'S GUESS.
TEREZI: SH1T
TEREZI: HOW FUCK3D UP W4S TH3 T1M3L1N3 TO G3T TO TH1S??
As his anger subsided, he slowly recalls the catalyst that drove him to seek out his friends in terror. His fury slowly ebbed out, replaced by a certain dejection. Taking a deep breath, trying his best to ignore the arrogant winged blue-blood by her side,
KARKAT: TEREZI, I…
KARKAT: ABOUT UH, THE THING. IN THE LAB.
KARKAT: FUCK, I'M…
KARKAT: I'M SORRY. FUCK, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WAS THAT HARD FOR ME.
KARKAT: THERE I GO AGAIN, PUTTING MY STUPID WANTS BEFORE YOURS.
KARKAT: I DIDN'T HAVE ANY FUCKING RIGHT TO INTRUDE. I DON'T DESERVE ANY SEMBLANCE PITY FROM ANYONE.
His sincere tone took Terezi by surprise, albeit infuriatingly self-loathing as usual. Having told no one about John's previous visits, especially the one to the previous moment of tenderness on the rooftop, a menagerie of feelings of discordance has been eating her up. Though her pride forbids her from admitting it verbally, she guesses her ambivalence has played a part in their confusing vacillation, too.
Yet, displays of unguardedness from Karkat are few in-between, making them all the more precious. Sure, she should be mad at him for being such a nook-sniffer, but, pushing conflicting emotions aside momentarily, to hell if she would squander this moment of emotional vulnerability, from both him and her.
Instead of exploding at him as he had hoped, Terezi only gave him a kindly smile, which only served to make his bloodpusher seize up even further.
TEREZI: 1… 1TS OK4Y
TEREZI: 1 4PPR3C14T3 1T
TEREZI: R34LLY 1 DO
TEREZI: 1 JUST W1SH YOULL STOP…
A wave of sharp, biting peppermint overwhelms Terezi's senses. Karkat and Vriska join Kanaya and Sollux in looking up, and sure enough, the vibrant, distinctive flash of neon green punctuates the black void up above.
KANAYA: Roses Signal Has Come To Light
KANAYA: Sollux
KANAYA: Could You Propel Us?
KANAYA: Um
KANAYA: Do You Know Where It Is?
Terezi hastily grabs Sollux’s hand, pointing vaguely towards the direction of the newly birthed Sun. Recognising the irony of the blind leading the blind, Karkat awkwardly shuffles over and adjusts Terezi’s point stump more precisely, the latter flushing slightly with her mistake and his familiar touch.
With a cursory “g0tcha,” Sollux hunches over, straining, as he taps into his well of immense psychic powers. The acceleration forces the others to collapse onto the floor, Kanaya kneeling silently, Vriska against the floor, grinning maniacally, while Terezi and Karkat grasp onto each other for support, struggling to keep Sollux’s hand in the right direction.
As they near relativistic speeds, Sollux feels veins pop, mustard blood oozing out of his blank eyes. Groaning under the exertion, he pushes through, ignoring the blistering pain jostling in his nugbone.
Finally, coasting into constant speed, Sollux blacks out and keels over, held limply by Terezi. The other trolls slowly shake off their nausea, coming to the realisation of what had just transpired.
KARKAT: OH GODS, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT
KARKAT: SOLLUX, WAKE THE FUCK UP NOW! YOU’RE NOT DYING ON ME TWICE!
Karkat shook him gently, though a tentative hand on Sollux’s body confirms his worst fears: Sollux’s bloodpusher exhibits no recognisable pressure.
Unable to face yet another death - how could he be so callous to let this happen, he berates himself - Karkat drops the psychic’s body and turns away, dismay fluid welling up and soaking into his sleeve as he covers his face.
He jolts as he feels arms slither from behind him, wrapping around his midsection, and feels the sharp features of Terezi Pyrope console him, her chin resting on his shoulder. Internal conflicts poke from within him, fighting to accept her comfort or to push her away yet again, fearing his uselessness may harm another loved one. In the end, he relents, melting into her embrace.
Having just risen up, Kanaya lets herself fall back onto her rear, tucking into her knees dejectedly as she looks on. Another gone, another flame of a candle extinguished, brushing the little imaginary hope she has had since the loss of the Matriorb. Vriska kneels reluctantly next to her with a hand on her shoulder, her guilt of murdering Tavros still fresh.
~~~
ARADIA: that's them!
Half-Dead Sollux, Rose and Dave follow the direction of Aradia's finger, spotting a pulsating streak of yellow.
ROSE: Aradia and Sollux, I believe their pilot is out of commission.
ROSE: The meteor will probably require your assistance.
ROSE: Unless you would like to treat our friends to a fiery, green death.
Nodding, the two trolls concentrated, reaching out, feeling the space for disturbances in energy, and began to dissipate away the meteor's velocity. A bead of sweat trickled down both of their foreheads, but as the work was split across the two, the effort was far less strenuous. Eventually, the meteor came to a safe stop in front of the Green Sun party.
Vriska was the first to notice them. Smirking, she waves as the 3 god-tiers and the half-ghost land on the meteor with them.
VRISKA: Nice for you to finally join us. What took you so long?
DAVE: so youre johns bitchy patron troll
DAVE: shoulda guessed youre as full of sass in the flesh
VRISKA: If you weren't Terezi's little pet human I would've had my way with you already.
VRISKA: 8e grateful Dave, I have powers far more terrifying than your pan can ever hope to comprehend.
DAVE: lame
One by one, the meteor crew turned around and met the eyes of the newcomers with widened eyes and slack jaws. Karkat's eyes swivel to his best friend's body on the ground, and locks back at the same best friend, yet standing with the slightest smirk played on his lips.
SOLLUX: have you been crying?
KARKAT: FUCK YOU UNIVERSE. FUCK ANY GODS OUT THERE. FUCK EVERYTHING.
KARKAT: HAHAHA, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN! CONGRATUFUCKINGLATIONS! MY LIFE IS JUST ONE BIG SHITTY JOKE!
KANAYA: Dont Worry Sollux
KANAYA: Thats How He Normally Exhibits Overwhelming Exuberance
SOLLUX: i'm well aware, yes.
KARKAT: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Wiping her nose on the sleeve of Karkat's shirt, Terezi, whose olfactory is still singed with intense mint, wrinkles with the addition of intense heat radiating from the spectral body. Yet in between the harsh rays, she can pick out a delicious cherry and mandarin smell.
TEREZI: COOLK1D?
DAVE: sup
Detaching herself from Karkat, Terezi saunters over the pair of humans, smiling. She holds out her hands expectantly, asking for permission to get a better feel of his face.
DAVE: hell no
DAVE: sorry ladies dave strider is a smell dont touch exhibit
DAVE: mad exclusive yo
TEREZI: OH COME OOOON!
TEREZI: OUR F1RST M33T1NG 4ND TH1S 1S HOW YOU L3T 4 L4DY DOWN?
TEREZI: TH4TS NOT V3RY COOL OF YOU >:]
TEREZI: H1 ROS3 HUM4N
ROSE: Hello, Terezi troll.
ROSE: I must say, I have never had the chance to express my admiration in your competence, with your whole “not seeing” ordeal going on.
TEREZI: 4WWW TH4NKS!!
TEREZI: 4R3 HUM4NS TH1S SICKLY S3NT1M3NT4L 4LL TH3 T1M3 1N TH3 FL3SH
DAVE: are you serious
DAVE: no like really have you learnt nothing from our conversations
DAVE: we are the stoicest of badasses youll ever lay your eyeglasses
DAVE: on we aint some obama lookin drama hookin sapiens
ROSE: Of course not Terezi.
ROSE: Your insinuation that we are anything but the "stoicest of badasses" is deeply insulting.
ROSE: You merely caught me in good spirits.
ROSE: Unless the humans you happen to be conversing with are John or Jade, I won't stand for such slander towards our kind.
ROSE: Actually, now that you've mentioned it, I concede that the human race is now comprised of equal parts derp and badassery, with us four being the only ones left.
VRISKA: I see you have stolen my Light getup, Rose!
VRISKA: How ruuuuuuuude, I'll have you know plundering is my territory!
ROSE: Nice to meet you too, Vriska.
VRISKA: :::;)
VRISKA: Actually, we had a quite perplexing event occurring just now on the meteor.
VRISKA: It may concern a particular dorky mem8er of your species.
ROSE: Oh? I'm fond of a good mystery myself.
ROSE: Please do tell.
VRISKA: You wouldn't happen to know where John is at the moment?
DAVE: sorry any make out requests with egbert is strictly forbidden
DAVE: especially from stuck up aliens with a ridiculous fascination with 8
VRISKA: Oh my god shut the fuck up!!!!!!!!
VRISKA: Pathetic comments from misera8le pyjama-clad humans aside,
VRISKA: I don't suppose you two are aware of a time-travelling zip-zappy John?
Rose's eyebrows creep up slightly, whereas Dave's remain thoroughly uncreeped.
DAVE: now thats just low
DAVE: i get that you know im too cool to be the flashy protagonist sure thats egberts domain
DAVE: stealing my aspect are you serious im so mad
DAVE: so mad to point that it loops back to not giving a shit
ROSE: I'm quite sure that was sarcastic, because I myself am giving quite a bit of shit.
ROSE: That is admittedly quite bizarre, we are not aware of that.
ROSE: Would you care to explain?
Terezi grins, any restless misgivings of the confrontation plaguing her heart long since replaced by soothing relief.
TEREZI: VR1SK4 H3R3 W4S GO1NG TO FLY OFF TO CONFRONT B3C NO1R
TEREZI: QU1T3 4 R3T4RD3D PL4N 1 M1GHT 4DD
At this, Vriska rolls her 8 pupils.
TEREZI: OUT OF NOWH3R3 JOHN 4PP34RS OUT OF TH1N 41R!!
TEREZI: R3COGN1S1NG TH3 R3T4RD4T1ON OF TH3 PL4N H3 L4NDS 4 H4YM4K3R ON H3R
TEREZI: TH4T W4S 3NOUGH TO KO D34R VR1SK4
TEREZI: TH3N H3 ST4RT3D R4MBL1NG 4BOUT B31NG TOLD TO DO SO BY SOM3 BLOODY T34L M3SS4G3S ON 4 SC4RF
TEREZI: :?
DAVE: how the fuck are you doing that
TEREZI: TH3N H3 4BSCOND3D TH3 H3CK OUT OF H3R3
TEREZI: TH3 3ND!!
TEREZI: OH 4ND H3 W4S SUPPOS3D TO G1V3 US H1S W4LL3T BUT H3 D1DNT H4V3 1T 1 TH1NK
VRISKA: Don't act like your plan of 8ackstab8ing me was any less retarded!
VRISKA: Not only would you have taken out the light of the story, you pro8a8ly would've destroyed yourself, rumin8ting on your guilt of the situation!
TEREZI: …
Terezi shifts uncomfortably. Pleased by her continued proficiency in reading others, Vriska allows herself a smirk.
ROSE: I would assign a high degree of certainty that whatever instance of John you've encountered is not the one with Jade currently.
ROSE: In fact, we will be joined by a correspondence from John very soon.
ROSE: Which may or may not disprove our theories.
DAVE: how soon
Rose smiles mischievously.
ROSE: You'll know when it happens.
Sure enough, a distinctive yell from a certain mutant troll pierces the air, causing the conversing group to turn to survey the stirring commotion. At the clang of the pail hitting the floor, every troll present who has not been conked in the head by the offending item collectively cringe in embarrassment.
TEREZI: YUCK >:[
VRISKA: Hahahahahahahaha!
VRISKA: Karkat got pailed in the head!
TEREZI: 3WWWW STOP TH4T!
The four of them traipsed over to the crime scene, Scourge sisters playfully jabbing at each other's shoulders. Beaming in anticipation of her first real-life encounter with her patron troll, Rose nudges the glowing rainbow-drinker gently.
ROSE: Hey Kanaya.
KANAYA: Hello There Rose
KANAYA: Its A Pleasure To Finally Be Your Interlocutor Unhindered By A Screen
ROSE: The feeling is mutual.
ROSE: Though the circumstances are admittedly less than ideal, may I spare a moment to compliment your wardrobe?
ROSE: I love the way your sign contrasts on the lovely red dress. It looks stunning on you.
Kanaya smiles bashfully, a faint jade rising on her cheeks.
KANAYA: You Have My Sincere Gratitude
KANAYA: Seldom Do I Chance Upon Another With An Interest In Fashion
KANAYA: Your Sun Sari Is Also Quite Divine If I Do Say So Myself
ROSE: Of course, I'd be offended by anything less, with being a goddess and all.
Vriska huffed loudly, cutting in between the two's dialogue.
VRISKA: Excuse me gals!
VRISKA: There's a page of 8lue text itching to be read and dissected!
Averting his eyes, Karkat had hurriedly snatched the defaced movie poster out of the bucket, and began agitatedly murmuring the text under his breath.
hey everybody!
this is john. actually, it is john, jade, and dave sprite. we all contributed to the contents of this bucket! (*SCANDALISED GASPS) we have to make it quick because apparently you're about to go on a long journey, just like us. i'm sorry we can't be there for the big meetup. karkat, i deeply regret that i will not be present for these highly touted "TROLL/HUMAN SLOPPY MAKEOUTS" (OH JEGUS OH JEGUS), ha ha. maybe in three years, assuming you all aren't totally smooched out by then!!! (i am just kidding around, btw.)
At this, Karkat began hyperventilating to such a severe degree, Vriska took it upon herself to snatch the letter and relieve Karkat of narration duties.
rose and dave, you both look totally sweet! i can't believe you're both god tiers now. did you know jade is too? also, she has dog ears. she looks fantastic. how cool is it that we're all god tiers? it's like we're a super hero team, or some kind of anime squad. like the sailor moons, i guess, but not as lame, or as sexy. i'm going to miss the hell out of you both for the next few years. i'm already looking forward to this new session so hard. it was a fun adventure we had today, wasn't it? i'll even miss talking to the trolls too. say hi to them for me, even though i didn't get to know many. except karkat obviously, and oh yeah, vriska too. vriska, if you read this, thanks again for all your help. i don't think i'd have made it this far if not for you! i just thought you should know that.
A fuzzy warmth bloomed within the Spidertroll. Despite herself, she allows an unconscious grin.
jade and dave sprite both say hi and send their best wishes. but now jade says i have to finish quickly! she wants me to throw this bucket and its heartfelt payload through her mysterious portal. so here i go.
see you all in 3 years!!!
~john
ROSE: I believe this solidifies the distinctiveness of the two Johns.
ROSE: Our John seems to have no knowledge of the other's escapades in the slightest.
ROSE: That, or he is being infuriatingly coy about it.
ROSE: I wouldn't put that past him, actually.
DAVE: hey jades an actual furry now
DAVE: harley must be yiffing in utter delight
DAVE: like urf urf urf hehe look at my cute fluffy ears
DAVE: now i can be like those weirdos on the internet who want to fuck animals
ROSE: Ignoring your adorable infatuation with furry Jade in spite of the gravity of the situation-
DAVE: what no
DAVE: dont lie lalonde youre curious as hell aswell
DAVE: probably due to the fact we both miss our friends something fierce
DAVE: ironically
ROSE: I concur.
KARKAT: *WHEEZE
KANAYA: Karkat Have You Been Holding Your Breath The Whole Time
KARKAT: CAN ONE OF YOU BLITHERING IDIOTS TELL ME,
KARKAT: ANYONE OF YOU, IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER,
KARKAT: HOW YOU CAN BE ALL SO FUCKING CHEERFUL AND STUPIDLY CLUELESS ON HOW SCREWED OVER WE ARE?
KARKAT: FIRST, THE WHOLE RAMPAGING MURDERER CLOWN, SPIDERBITCH AND WANNABE WIZARD
KARKAT: HALF OUR FRIENDS ARE FUCKING DEAD.
KARKAT: THEN JOHN SHOWS UP, INTERRUPTS TEREZI FROM KILLING THE VRISKA,
KARKAT: WHICH I MUST SAY, SOUNDS LIKE A HORRIBLE FUCKING DECISION.
KARKAT: COULD'VE SAVED US A WHOLE LOT TROUBLE
KARKAT: WE SEE THE SIGNAL THAT THE GREEN SUN HAS BLOWN UP,
KARKAT: I'M THINKING THANK GOD, THE BLOODHOUND THAT'S NOIR IS FINALLY OFF OUR FUCKING ASSES.
KARKAT: SOLLUX FUCKING POPS LIKE A MUSTARD PACKET TRYING TO GET US THE FUCK HERE.
SOLLUX: yuck, not co0l dude.
KARKAT: AND WHAT DO I SEE?
KARKAT: THE GREEN SUN, DECIDEDLY NOT BLOWN THE FUCK UP!
KARKAT: AND APPARENTLY, NO ONE GIVES A SHIT! SEEMS LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC AT HAND IS JADE'S PAWBEAST HEAR NUBS!
DAVE: i agree
DAVE: welcome to the harley furry appreciation club kat
KARKAT: SHUT THE FUCK UP
KARKAT: DO NOT CALL ME FUCKING KAT YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A HUMAN WIGGLER
ROSE: You are correct, Karkat.
ROSE: It seems that we've been hornswoggled by Doc Scratch.
ROSE: The Tumor was meant to create the Sun all along, not destroy it.
KARKAT: DON'T FUCKING KID YOURSELF.
KARKAT: THERE IS NO "WE" IN THIS.
KARKAT: YOU HAVE SOME NERVE, LALONDE-
ROSE: Please, Rose is fine.
KARKAT: -PRANCING ROGUE AROUND THE SESSION, CONSPIRING WITH SHADY FUCKING ENTITIES.
KARKAT: BECAUSE OF YOU, WE'RE STILL BEING HUNTED BY A BLOODTHIRSTY OMNIPOTENT FUCKING DEMON!
TEREZI: DONT B3 SUCH 4 W3T R4G K4TK4T >:[
Fist bump from Dave. Unintelligible sounds of distress from Karkat.
TEREZI: W3V3 4LL M3SS3D UP
TEREZI: 4T L34ST TH3 CONS3QU3NC3S TH1S T1M3 4R3 NOT TOO SH4BBY!!
TEREZI: TH3 1N4UGUR4L M33T1NG OF TROLLS 4ND HUM4NS W1LL SUR3LY GO DOWN 4S TH3 R4DD3ST OF 3V3NTS 1N TH3 BOOKS!!
KARKAT: WE'RE FUCKING NOOKS-DEEP IN IMMINENT DANGER.
KARKAT: FUCK, WHAT DO WE DO?
KARKAT: I'M THE MOST USELESS SACK OF SHIT EVER IN THE HISTORIES OF LEADERS WE'RE ALL GOING TO FUCKING DIE AREN'T WE.
VRISKA: Agreed! It's a miracle more than one troll is alive under your leadership!
VRISKA: Rose, do you have a plan?
ROSE: Indeed I do.
ROSE: In fact, it is the exact same course of action, regardless of the Green Sun's state of existence.
ROSE: We will travel to the post-scratch universe, and work out all the kinks in the fabric along the way.
ROSE: Admittedly, in our case, there is a rather large wrinkle in the form of Jack.
ROSE: In any case, I foresee this as the best course of action.
ROSE: Unless my fellow Seer harbours any objections?
TEREZI: NOP3 >:]
ARADIA: actually i will be staying behind!
Heads are swung to direct attention towards the rust-blood.
KANAYA: Youre Not Coming?
ARADIA: i envy y0ur upc0ming adventures as much as the next tr0ll
ARADIA: but i still have s0me matters t0 tend t0 here. O_O
VRISKA: Gone so soon already?
VRISKA: I'd expect nothing less from Ms. Dead Fangirl.
Aradia shoots Vriska a look mixed between contempt and amusement.
ARADIA: n0 matter
ARADIA: 0ur paths may cr0ss in bubbles al0ng y0ur j0urney anyway!
TEREZI: TH4TD B3 N1C3
TEREZI: W3 H4RDLY G3T 4NY T1M3 TO H4NG OUT NORM4LLY
ARADIA: hehe :p
SOLLUX: speaking of which, i hardly bel0ng with the living now.
SOLLUX: half-dead and all.
SOLLUX: if y0u guys don't mind i'll stay and hang with aa t0 catch a break from this adventure bullshit.
KARKAT: WAIT, WHAT?
KARKAT: ARE YOU SERIOUS?
KARKAT: EVEN AFTER I EXPENDED DISMAY FLUID OVER YOUR DEAD BODY, YOU'RE JUST LEAVING?
SOLLUX: s0rry kk.
SOLLUX: when sgurb wasn't actively molesting us it was fun hearing y0u sho0t your gaper 0ff.
SOLLUX: but i'm so d0ne with this.
SOLLUX: besides, like aa said we might meet again during your travels.
KARKAT: I GUESS
KARKAT: THOUGH I'D HAVE YOU KNOW I WOULDN'T BE SO OFF MY SWAYCHAIR IF YOU WEREN'T BEING SUCH A STUCK-UP PRICK.
SOLLUX: w0uldn't have it any other way.
KANAYA: Perhaps I Should Stay Too
ROSE: Why?
KANAYA: What Use Am I Now To The Crew
KANAYA: Besides Being A Traipsing Incandescent Bulb
KANAYA: The Sun Is Also Quite Comforting
KANAYA: It Reminds Me Of Home
Vriska pouts, wings beating unconsciously at the image of Kanaya looking all femme fatale, covered in Eridan's blood. No, she cannot allow herself to be distracted by such thoughts right now.
VRISKA: Come now Kanaya!
VRISKA: May8e your lipstick,
VRISKA: I mean,
VRISKA: Chainsaw prowess could 8e particularly useful!
VRISKA: In case calls to clown hunting come up ::::)
ROSE: Please Kanaya, Your company would be greatly valued aboard this journey.
ROSE: I mean, we haven’t even had the chance to properly bond over shared interest in fashion and luminescence.
ARADIA: besides, kanaya, have y0u already f0rg0tten y0ur resp0nsibility?
KANAYA: What
ARADIA: the rep0pulati0n 0f 0ur species, silly!
ARADIA: y0u are pr0bably the last h0pe in reviving 0ur nearly extinct species!
KANAYA: That Hope Has Since Been Vanquished Due To A Certain Unfittingly Christened Prince Of Hope
KANAYA: The Matriorb Is Gone
ARADIA: y0u never kn0w!
ARADIA: at the very least, y0u have a gr0up 0f friends helping y0u al0ng the way.
KANAYA: I Suppose
KANAYA: Rose
KANAYA: Wouldnt You Be Able To Perceive The Most Favourable Course Of Action?
ROSE: It's hard to say.
ROSE: The matter is quite too grand and vague for any useful discerning.
ROSE: Yet, while this may seem strange coming from a Seer, my gut feeling advises me your stay would be most welcomed.
ROSE: Perhaps we may even be able to procure a new Matriorb from the new session.
ROSE: Speaking personally, I would love to spend time with the particularly fashionable troll who has guided me through my entire journey.
VRISKA: Oh my god, could you can it with the flirting?
VRISKA: At this r8, Karkat's stupid troll-human make-out prophecy might even come true!
ROSE: I'd appreciate it if you divert your efforts into productive dialogue instead of, for a lack of a better term, cockblocking.
Kanaya thoughtfully mulls over her options. Her past blunders have driven her to consider resignation, yet Rose's warm encouragement is enough to rekindle a strange feeling of purpose.
KANAYA: Alright
KANAYA: I Suppose I Can Hang Around
Rose beams, ignoring Vriska's background raspberry.
ROSE: Excellent.
ROSE: We will need to depart quite shortly, still keeping our pursuers in mind.
DAVE: what pursuers
Rose gestures to a space far in the distance. Sure enough, two faint streaks of pulsating colours could be seen, heading alarmingly fast towards the party.
DAVE: all i see are two particularly epileptic comets
DAVE: yo that strobey shit aint gonna fly at all what if some sensitive blorbo falls into a nasty case of seizures
DAVE: i mean i guess were pretty well equipped
DAVE: two half blinds and an actual blind
DAVE: wait tz can you even see the thingies
TEREZI: 1 C4NT S33 DUMMY
TEREZI: COOLK1D FORGOT 4BOUT MY D1S4B1L1TY
DAVE: i was being ironic obviously
DAVE: use your supreme fuckin deductive reasoning
DAVE: obviously you cant lick em
DAVE: though if you could maybe theyll taste like those sour nuclear warheads
DAVE: except instead of being the candy type theyre actually just fuckin nukes that blow your shit clean
ROSE: I will interrupt this lovely sensory description to confer information with regards to their identity.
ROSE: I believe those two are Bec Noir and a white Bec Noir.
KARKAT: WAIT, HOLD ON
KARKAT: YOU'RE TELLING ME
KARKAT: WE NOW HAVE TWO UNKILLABLE DEMON DOGS ON OUR TAIL
KARKAT: THANK GOD! I WORRIED I WAS FINALLY GOING TO GIVE IN TO ANY SEMBLANCE OF TRUST IN YOUR LEADERSHIP!
KANAYA: Karkat Take A Sopor Pill
KANAYA: Im Sure-
VRISKA: Can all of you guys shut the fuck up?
VRISKA: So we can listen to what our 8eloved Seer has to say so can we get the heck out of dodge?
VRISKA: I swear you guys have no sense of fucking urgency at all!
Rose bristles slightly, was this some sort of mind game, getting on her good side for her to lower her guard? Perhaps it's a particularly crude method of reverse psychology, she wonders.
ROSE: Very well.
ROSE: After we receive our final passenger, with help from our two lovely psychic trolls, we shall be off.
ROSE: I would make an estimation of 3 years until we arrive at our destination, where we will-
DAVE: woah woah timeout timeout
DAVE: 3 fuckin years
DAVE: that sounds miserable are you sure we cant just yknow fight jack
DAVE: heck we got a team of
Dave mumbles under his breath, pointing at each person while counting,
DAVE: 8 strong
DAVE: with 2 kickass god tier time players
DAVE: aradia didnt you hold him up for a good bit
ARADIA: i did!
ARADIA: but eventually he was b0und t0 break thr0ugh.
DAVE: surely double the time power means double the kickassery
DAVE: oh hell yeah jade combined can send him into some 4th spacetime squiddles dimension
DAVE: fuck jades not here kanaya youre up
KARKAT: WE'RE DEALING WITH DOUBLE THE INVULNERABILITY JACKASS.
KARKAT: HOW LONG IS 3 YEARS EVEN WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU CONSIDERING THIS.
KANAYA: That Would Come To One And A Half Sweeps If Im Not Mistaken
KARKAT: FUCKKKKKK
TEREZI: 1 WOULD NOT M1ND SOM3 DOWNT1M3 4CTU4LLY
VRISKA: I would! That sounds reaaaaaaaally boring. I thought we were going to get some action str8 away!
VRISKA: 8esides, you guys are one sad 8unch, I'm not even sure you can survive that long without losing your minds!
Frowning, Rose internally gives Kanaya credit for showing reluctance in the journey ahead. This will be a long 3 years.
ROSE: Okay bottom line we stay we die.
ROSE: There, are you happy?
DAVE: jeez why didnt you start with that instead of being a lousy party pooper
ROSE: Shhh
An abrupt crackle and flash jolts the group from their squabbles. After each blinking away spots, the corpse of a black carapacian presents itself, adorned with a mayoral sash.
KARKAT: WHO THE FUCK IS THIS?
ROSE: That would be our passenger.
KARKAT: GREAT, MORE DEAD WEIGHT. JUST WHAT WE NEED.
ROSE: Potentially not for long.
ROSE: Did your team have a Life player?
KARKAT: YEAH WE DID, BUT THAT'S ABOUT AS USELESS AS A SOPOR-LESS RECUPERACOON CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT FEFERI'S-
Karkat chokes on her name, annoyance replaced by shame in an instant. Karkat guiltily glances next to him at Sollux, who offers him a reassuring pat.
SOLLUX: feferi is dead.
SOLLUX: though i'm guessing y0u're hoping t0 run into her in a bubble?
ROSE: Precisely.
SOLLUX: th0ught so.
SOLLUX: i was h0ping to catch up with s0me dead buddies myself.
ROSE: I wish you well on your search.
ROSE: Now, I have one last favour to ask, you too Aradia.
ARADIA: d0n't mention it!
ARADIA: this will be farewell then :)
TEREZI: HOP3FULLY NOT FOR3V3R >:]
ARADIA: i really h0pe s0!
Melancholic smiles were exchanged as everyone displayed their form of goodbye to the staying pair. Dave gave crisp dap-ups, while hugs were given by Terezi, Rose and Kanaya, and given to an apologetic Karkat by Sollux and Aradia. While he still could, Sollux whispered words of encouragement into Karkat's ear, to which he answered with a slight grumble and "SHUT UP". Vriska opted for an amiable wave, making a show of tapping her foot impatiently at the sentimental parting.
At last, while the meteor crew stood, giving their final waves and after a nod from Rose, Sollux and Aradia ascended off the meteor. Revving up, their eyes glowed neon hues of crimson and golden as they strained to direct immense psychic energy to the rock. Eventually, the meteor got up to a respectable speed, shooting off into the distance.
Relaxing, the two remaining trolls gazed on, momentarily at peace. As much as one can be while bathed in rays from a solar body, that is.
ARADIA: g0dspeed t0 them.
SOLLUX: mhm.
Enjoying the warmth of each other's company and solar radiation, the pair interwove fingers, comfortable silence setting in. No matter what transpires next, the certainty of having a tender soul reside beside their own is as if all the darkness had been blown away, for just a moment.