Rose and Kanaya had called everyone to a meeting in one of the common rooms on the meteor. "Hello everyone, since we have been indulging in trading cultural traditions with each other I thought it would be a good idea to gather everyone for Hedum Homicidium Day." Kanaya said.
"We're not really going to do that are we? I mean I'm all for it, but the humans have thinner skins and seems kind of brutal. Plus with your whole desire to repopulate our species, it seems like something you'd want to avoid." Vriska chimed in.
"Yes well, thanks to Rose we have come up with a system that holds onto the spirit of the day without actually endangering anyone's lives."
Dave had to chime in here. "Okay, what the hell are you guys talking about?"
Kanaya responded "Hedum Homicidium Day is a day created by our ruler to in order to weed out the weak and the unworthy. It forced every troll to participate in, what you would call, a battle royal. Fighting until you can't fight anymore. There would be some moderators to prevent ones of higher blood or those that put up a superb fight from getting killed. All others though would most likely parish."
"That's not quite a battle royal, but I get it."
"I'M NOT FUCKING DOING THAT SHIT! I HATED IT ON ALTERNIA AND I HATE IT NOW!"
Vriska interjected "I have to agree with nubby horns-"
"FUCK YOU!"
"-over there. It was a nice holiday for me, I got to take victims back to my lusus, but it serves no purpose for me now. I've fought enough to last me until we fight Lord English. Count me out."
"M3 T00."
"Well, in that case, I guess we won't celebrate. Very well." Kanaya sounded a little relieved, Rose seemed indifferent. They thought they heard some shuffling from the vents, seems like Gamzee was against it too.
And nothing more was discussed, everyone separated Dave and Karkat went to check on the Mayor and helped him with Can Town for a bit. "…honk…honk…"
"You hear that?" Asked Dave.
"Hear what?"
"honk….honk…."
"THAT."
"Happy HH day motherfuckers! =O)"
"OH SHIT!" Karkat leaped up, but wasn't fast enough. Gamzee grabbed him and threw him against the wall. Dave was faster and was able to avoid the clown, shit the Mayor was still there.
"MAYOR GO GET VRISKA NOW!" The Mayor looked panicked, but ran as ordered. Please let him find Vriska quickly. He was the only one, other than Terezi that could get her off her ass immediately.
Dave flash-stepped over to Karkat. The troll was groaning, shit I hope he's okay. Gamzee was almost on them again. Dave grabbed the troll, slung him over his shoulder and tried to get away. Unfortunately, he tripped on one of Gamzee's clubs, bastard was smarter than he looked when it came to murder. Karkat succeeded in getting farther as the momentum forced to fly off Dave's shoulder, a little further ahead. He groaned again, dizzy, but getting his bearings.
Gamzee was nearly on Dave, the knight was scrambling, shit where'd his sword go? He was reaching blindly, afraid to take his eyes off the crazed clown. He didn't think he could get up and get Karkat before the clown was on him, What to do? What is he supposed to do? Logically, he could use his time powers, but he'd never been in a situation where he wanted to protect another like this. All he could think of was protecting Karkat, his mind wasn't thinking as logically as it normally did. He was panicking. Seeing no other option in that moment, he threw himself on Karkat, protecting the dazed troll.
A feeling of crushing weight and force was felt on his back, he cried out in pain. This is what snapped Karkat out of his daze. No one fucking hurt his fucking matesprit. As Gamzee raised his club for another blow Karkat caught it with his sickle. Fury coursing through him. Gamzee was a little dumbstruck by the look in the mutant's eyes. And Karkat let out a series of powerful slashes and strikes. Rage fueling him.
Dave regained his rationality and thought of using his time powers, if he rewound time now though, it would delay Vriska getting here and helping them. She seemed to be able to control the clown somewhat. He seemed a little afraid of her. Karkat missed a strike on Gamzee and the rage player took full advantage of it, throwing him once more against the wall. Dave couldn't let Karkat suffer.
The time player used his ability to freeze time. It took an extraordinary amount of effort, will, strength and stamina, but this clown was really fucking fast. He walked over to Karkat, it was a bit of a struggle, given that every step made his back throb. He hoped nothing was broken. Given that he could stand and walk easily enough, even with the pain, it was more likely he would just have a nasty bruise, thank god.
As he reached his matesprit he kneeled down, cupping his face. The strain of his powers making it very hard for him to stay upright. Karkat could see the struggle. Dave face was pallid, with a sheen of sweat coating his skin with a translucent paint. The boy was laboring very hard, panting, shaking. The powers were causing too great a strain. Karkat took his hand pulling the human into his body and lifting him with what strength he could. They were absconding as fast as they could. Dave passed out, too much. The powers had overtaxed his frail human body. God, Karkat hoped he was alright. Gamzee was coming after them again, he didn't reach though.
He didn't get far though. Vriska knocked him out, whether it was with her powers or a blow to the head, Karkat didn't know, as his vision was fading, tunnel vision taking over and then complete darkness.
Notes: This was one of those chapters that I thought about so clearly in my head and just wouldn't come out as I wanted on paper. Still, big thanks to Rainbow Ginger From ao3) for holiday name! The chapter would have turned out for worse without her suggestion, because the name wouldn't have been nearly as cool.
Also, anyone who has read my Dirk/Jake fic, there is a song fic up that is going to bridge the that story and the sequel together. You can read it here: s/11441678/1/Echo