Zephyr was indeed a long way. Specially when Rose made you guide Maplehoof while she carried two unconscious bodies, one of them the guy that beat Dave. War Prisoner, Rose called him. But you honestly didn't mind one bit. In fact, maybe you were a little too excited at the idea of having met the Commander.

Dave was trailing behind, helped along by John who kept Vriska along. She'd somehow come loose, but you doubted she would try to run, even she couldn't be that crazy. The Neophyte had shown up with a few scrapes and more rope to make sure the swordsman didn't try anything funny when he came to. You were annoyed at him, wondering how only a few months ago he had offered you and your friends help. Mindfang was nearly tied to the horse.

You were just quietly leading Maplehoof as Aradia and Tavros chattered on with Rose. Mostly, they were questions to what you could tell. Vriska kept shifting her spot, trying to find any place where people may want to talk to her but she went ignored for a relatively long time until she dragged Tavros a bit back and hung a few steps behind the commander. He didn't look the least bit happy and you were partially tempted to tell Vriska to go elsewhere but you were stopped by the tall girl.

"Leave them," Kanaya stated. You looked up at her. "You were thinking about stopping her from hindering Tavros, weren't you?"

"Tavros can take care of himself," you scoffed. Kanaya smiled wryly. "Sometimes. What's her deal anyway?"

"Vriska is a bit...overwhelming," Kanaya grumbled. "I would know. Maybe keep a close eye, but I will worry about that."

"She's not your responsibility, you know?" you stated. She shrugged, petting Maplehoof. She glanced at the unconscious woman on the horse.

"According to Mistress, she is," Kanaya sighed, "Or was. I do not understand. Will I remain under her terrible foot or am I now forced to serve this commander of yours?"

"What, like a slave?" You frowned. She nodded. "Gross. No. The Commander wouldn't stand for it. At least, I don't think she would. You already suffered enough with this hag. You deserve to be free."

"But that is not for you to decide."

"Yeah well, I'll fight for your freedom if I have to then!" you announced before you realized what you said. Kanaya was just smirking at you.

"Is that so? You don't even know me all that well, Karkat."

"Well, yeah. You were watching over me and you didn't know me. You didn't have to do that. So I kind of owe it to you. And you look like a pretty upstanding person."

"That's very sweet of you to say," she smiled. "Then suppose, if I am allowed to choose for myself, that I willingly decide to join this army."

"That would be really cool!" you blurted loud enough to earn a neigh from Maplehoof. Kanaya patted her once more, soothing her. Then she looked up as the chatter began to die down.

Rose stood perfectly still, looking around the dimming desert. Some Carapacians had stepped forward from the huge groups that trailed even further behind.

You had passed through Zephyr or at least, seen it from a distance, but it had seemed so dead. Now it looked alive with new lights and bustling people. As you got closer, there was music. Such beautiful music that you had never heard before.

Kanaya let out a little squeal, quickly covering her mouth as you glanced at her. She looked like she was about to cry. You pat her arm, and she looked down, a joyful smile on her face. You returned the smile as she whispered what Rose announced loudly. "Welcome to Zephyr."

You quickly found that the reason the Carapacians were celebrating was because they had defeated the invading Easterners and kept them at bay from the slowly growing Zephyr. How the Empress didn't know about this, you couldn't fathom and it kind of got under your skin. But at the same time...you were glad Zephyr was so unique.

"They live underground," Kanaya told you as you walked down the busy streets with her. "They only come out during the nigh time to guard every and all entrances. That's why they have been so secretive. They are mixed customs of the South."

You looked around at the crowd and could see what Kanaya was talking about. While most citizens possessed darkened skin much like Kanaya's, there were definitely different tones to them. Their heights varied from giants like Gamzee to people even shorter than you. Their features had their own story as Kanaya told you, though try as she might, she found no one like her. She didn't seem surprised.

"So not everyone in the South died?" you asked, a rather stupid way to phrase it but Kanaya didn't look offended.

"No, we did not all perish," she went on. "Some were enslaved, some ran further South and as you can see, some decided to hide."

You nodded and looked around, catching a glimpse of Aradia in what appeared to be a long red cloth. She showed her clothing off excitedly, asking questions that even the Carapacians seemed overwhelmed about. She looked happy. She deserved to be happy.

"Someone is enjoying her culture shock," Kanaya chuckled. "What about yourself Karkat? Wish to try anything?"

"No, I think I'm good," you sighed as you found a stone bench to sit on. You were absolutely exhausted and you couldn't imagine what Dave felt like as he sat with Rose and the carapacians in charge, discoursing the next form of action. "I'd rather stay sitting down. But you can go if you like," you shrugged. Kanaya smiled at you but leaned her back against the wall.

"I've been meaning to ask, if it is no bother, what exactly is your story, Karkat?" Kanaya inquired. You glanced up at her and considered telling her to leave you rest, but tired as your body was, your mind wasn't. Besides, it wasn't a secret or anything though Terezi knew more about you than anyone else in your opinion. It wouldn't hurt to tell Kanaya, she was on your side after all. Still, it seemed like an odd question.

"Why do you wanna know?" you replied. She shrugged.

"I was a slave, Karkat, my only source of entertainment were stories. Vriska used to share those with me plenty enough, but hearing the same teller gets dull. Mindfang would also tell me a few tales, but she likes to spin them for a bit too long. She enjoys telling stories and whenever I asked her for one, it was like she became a different person altogether."

"Please do not think that I only wish to hear your story to entertain myself. Rather, I am very interested in where you came from and how you became what you are today. Being a warrior of any kind is a rather peculiar choice."

You considered all of that for a moment. Then you snorted with laughter. Boy, that was oddly specific and apologetic for Kanaya. She blinked at you confused as to why you were laughing, but didn't press any further, just waited.

"You're something, you know that Kanaya?" you scoffed. She looked confused but you carried on anyway. "Look, there's really, not much to tell. At least stuff that I know. I got adopted by a bunch of thugs when I was four, grew up with Aradia, Sollux and Tavros, and didn't know how to write at all or read much other than memorized words. I knew I wanted to be a knight since the day I saw them patrolling a town. Slick said I had to avoid them, and I was pretty impressionable at six, so I figured, if this guy, the one who will not hesitate to use a knife to open a door, is afraid of them, they gotta be some insanely good people. I think that's how I took it. And now that I think about it, its pretty dumb. Though I did have this sort of blind admiration for the Empress which I think I'm not supposed to have cause she killed my actual dad and stuff, but I never really knew him, so does it matter?"

"I suppose it would not," Kanaya answered the rhetorical question. "But it appears you have much more to tell. If you did not know your father, how did you know who he was?"

"Oh, I met my mom," you shrugged. "She's a bit of a crazy lady who lives in a cave. Though she was part of the rebellion so I guess I would hide out in a cave too. I'm not crazy about the woman so I don't know all that much. Haven't seen her in months, don't care too either. I think Gamzee would flip, I'm surprised he didn't the first time."

"I think I understand that," Kanaya murmured. You turned your attention to her, hoping she would say more. She only smiled, facing the floor. "Karkat, you're going to be fine, you know that right? You made it this far. But you don't have to be angry about everything all the time. It is not something that is necessary."

You stared at Kanaya, open mouthed and ready to retort to her. She wasn't looking at your expression, not even a side glance. She just lifted her view and looked forward to the crowd. Just how were you suppose to reply to that? Kanaya's smile faded and you thought maybe you had disappointed her, but she remained silent, her eyes fixing on a particular person. You followed her gaze and found two blue clad figures, neither of which you felt too comfortable with.

"Hey Kanaya, can I borrow you for a second?" came Vriska's sickeningly sweet voice. You didn't know much about her, but you knew you weren't a big fan, though even you had to admit, you had some begrudging respect for people like her. Kanaya didn't seem to share that opinion as she faced the teen.

"Well, I was actually spending time with Karkat," Kanaya stated, looking at you for support. "Is that not true, Karkat?"

"It is a most definite truth," you declared. "And the bitch boss can go do whatever she pleases so long as she can keep it inconsequential and benign."

"Oh, cute," she purred, "But I really need to borrow Kanaya. So let's go fussypants."

Vriska reached for Kanaya's arm, beginning to pull her up from the bench. You growled and smacked her arm away making her let go of Kanaya and glaring down at you. You didn't flinch at her gaze, though she didn't seem much bothered by it either. Then she smiled.

"How rude of me, you'd be lonely," she laughed. "Well here, you can have my buddy."

That said, she shoved the other blue clad person at you, who seemed equally surprised about the matter. With the momentary daze, Vriska dragged Kanaya away, who by the point, looked somewhat compliant. You glared after them as they got lost in the crowd and knew then you had two options. Talk to the blue boy or try to get away.

He smiled at you, and offered you a hand.

"Hi, I'm John."

==Be Rose:

The celebrations ended late into the night, as did the meeting with the officers. However, it was not far into the night for you yet, even though your eyelids wish it were. The Mayor was a nervous fellow, though very likeable. He seemed to know what he wanted for his people, but at the same time, wasn't too sure about what your arrival meant for him and the Carapacians. He offered you snacks which you refused politely.

The Neophyte sat cross legged in a cushion, looking out of place as one of the tallest in the room, and looking absolutely immersed and concerned with the issues of this secret society. While you had earned the trust and alliance of this people despite being a Western Kingdom authority figure, it was clear that the Neophyte was far more intimidating with her piercing black eyes and unusual uniform. Still, you only hoped she was weighing their concerns justly and not just siding automatically with the Western Kingdom. Secret diplomacy was a delicate subject.

Dave sat beside you for moral support, and because you told him he had to apologize to the Mayor. Which he did and the affable fellow was already making jokes with your stepbrother. He wasn't much moral support, so much as comic relief and making you feel like at least one person in the room needed you at all times. Also kept you on your toes in case Dave wanted to put his foot in his mouth.

The Mayor declared a small break in the matter, most of which was spent talking with Dave about the forces he had lead before. Dave was giving him his full attention, and reacting to the grandiose storytelling. You on the other hand, were preoccupied with the unsettling quiet Neophyte.

"May I know of your judgement on the matter?" you inquired, which got her to look at you a bit surprised. "You know, about the Carapacians?"

"Oh, them," she mused in a low voice. "Well, I believe them to be nice fellows and appreciate their impromptu assistance, but I have little else to care for them. I was unaware of anyone's existence in the South aside from some well hidden outlaws. These guys, are not exactly scheming anything nefarious."

"So will you report them to the Empress?" you asked nonchalantly.

"Well, she should be aware of a potential conquest for new soldiers, given our current situation," she went on. You clenched your hands in frustration. So that's how the Neophyte saw the survivors of the Empress's own destruction. A number, that's all they were. And that was assuming the Empress didn't want to just finish the job. It wasn't the least bit fair, and you knew you would have to persuade her otherwise from such a thing.

"Of course, that would be stupid," the Neophyte scoffed. "These poor souls have been through more than enough and don't need our noses here. No, we won't tell her or anyone about the Carapacians. It would risk their way of life and I feel that is the most proper thanks we can give them. Is that understood, Rose?"

You had to suppress a smile at that. It had taken nothing on your part to convince her. Truth be told, you felt it would have been unfair to disrupt the life of those hidden merely for your selfish need.

"Thank you, Redglare," you sighed. She gave you a sidelong smile.

"Although," she muttered. "I wonder how they could elude us for so long. I never thought anything could get past us. Well, I suppose it doesn't matter now. All that matters is that we've got Mindfang tied and ready to go!"

You wanted to congratulate her based on how proud she looked. You knew that capturing Mindfang had been a long standing goal of the Neophyte, one that many of even higher standing officers had long given up on.

Then Kanaya ran in breathless.

"Mindfang and Vriska are gone!"


A/N: I WAAAAAAAS supposed to upload this a week ago but things happened.
Anyway! Hey! Homestuck is over! I've been in this fandom for four years and wow, that was a ride! So if you haven't read the update, you go do that, I won't spoil anything, I don't even think I have references to anything that happened there in these chapters?

Now I'm sure we all question what will happen with this story?

Well, I'm gonna finish it of course! We're just not...quite there yet. I wanted to avoid a time skip of any sort but that is not viable for me nor do I know what to write for you guys to fill in the gaps for those years as for the most part they are uneventful or would ruin the swing of things if that make sense.

So, we'll be doing a time skip soon and for to day you will have a TWO chapter update, like the good old days.

Anyway, I'm writing as fast as I can and I hope you guys are still reading! I will actually be polishing this story and all of its redundancies, spelling errors, syntactical errors and all that fun stuff before I post this story on my AO3 which will be my first fic over there! Wowie!

Like always, feel free to request a character perspective or even ask about interactions between certain characters! The story is mostly shaped up by now, and you will be getting a great many of "Ancestor" backstories pretty soon (I'm super excited about Mindfang's but that one's gonna have to wait a while yet!)

Thanks guys! I adore all of you lovely readers!
-Saiven