Title: Of Broken Time Streams
Rating: K
Warning/Spoilers: Takes place in the doomed timeline that Davesprite originates from.
Summary: Traversing a doomed timeline is easier with a friend. Two-shot featuring doomed!Rose and doomed!Dave.
A/N: Recently read through Homestuck and had written these two one-shots before I'd even gotten through it all. Dialogue is in proper Homestuck style, albeit without text colours. (If you would like to see the fic in all the glory of coloured dialogue, feel free to head over to my LJ - link on my profile.)
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part one: broken
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The broken end of his blade is sharp enough to cut the tip of his finger, sharp enough that it doesn't even hurt when it slides through the skin. Dave pulls his hand away and sucks at the bead of blood. Once, he'd begrudged the fact that his Strife Syllabus was only 1/2 Swordkind. Not anymore. It feels right to wield a broken sword in a broken timeline. Kinda cool, in a subtle, sort-of ironic way.
He's standing on the edge of a disk overlooking the lake of lava. Above him hovers the faint impression of his second gate. It looks like an afterimage that comes from staring at a bright light for too long. He'd tried it before, back when Rose believed there might still be a way to advance through the gates even though Jade hadn't made it through. It didn't work.
Rose's pesterlog icon is blinking in the corner of his custom iphone-sunglasses, giving him a headache. He opens the chat.
TT: I'm still unsure about this so-called plan you've come up with.
TG: so you've said
TG: have you come up with a different plan yet?
TG: i think not.
She doesn't answer right away. Dave hears the scratching of claws-on-metal and whirls around to dispatch the unfortunate imp. Three pieces of grist clink on the ground.
TT: If we're going to do this, then, we'll have to do it properly.
TG: what's proper about time travel?
TT: Seriously?
TT: Well, for one, we should know exactly when we're aiming for.
TG: obviously
Another imp. Again, so easy to deal with. Dave feels as though he's been doing nothing but fight these things since he got here.
TT: I mean, we should put some thought into deciding exactly when would be the most suitable destination for changing events.
TG: oh yeah
TG: that's actually a good idea
TT: I do have those occasionally.
There's another disk-ledge jutting out from beneath the one he's currently on. Dave peers over the side and, unable to spot any imps, jumps down. The metal rings on impact and his ankle hurts a little but he ignores it.
TT: I also realize you wish to travel back as soon as possible.
TG: don't say it
TG: don't
TG: no no nonono
The disk is just far enough below the first that he can walk beneath without hitting his head, although it is close. There isn't a sign of the imps here, but he holds his half sword to the ready, in any case. No sense getting caught off guard.
TT: I just mean that perhaps it would be wise if we advanced in our echeladders and learned as much as possible about the Medium before travelling back.
TG: arrrrgggg
TT: I hate to admit it but our sprites are really too fond of riddles to be of much use.
Interesting. There seems to be another disk beneath this one that juts out on the other side so it would be hidden from sight when standing on the top platform.
TG: arrrg noooo
TG: but
TG: i guess
TG: there are still some things we can learn here
He prepares to jump down to the next ledge, wondering if it leads anywhere in particular or if he's simply going to have a difficult time making his way back up.
TG: enjoy it while it lasts
He lands with a roll to avoid his sore ankle. As he comes up, the first thing Dave sees is a grinning imp.
TT: Enjoy what? This doomed timeline we occupy?
He cuts the imp down without a second thought. Really, they're not even a threat anymore. Just annoying little obstacles in his quest from point A to point B.
TG: that i'm agreeing to one of your plans duh
He really shouldn't have thought that. Almost as soon as he's picked up the last of the grist, the entire disk shudders. A giant hand has appeared on the edge of the platform and appears to be pulling up an equally massive body. Dave rolls his eyes and tests the end of his trusty half-sword. The sight of his blood makes him wince. He really needs to stop doing that.