Heheh, I am back. This actually didn't take too long. I was mainly working on a different one-shot, which I will post in the future when I think the time is right for it. Any way, I've got The Harsh Truth finished, so I'm super excited.
Believe it or not, my rough draft didn't have the flashback/quote thingies. I totally didn't go overboard with them.
This was suggested by CJ. Yeah, this is a rewrite of something in Grayson's perspective. I'd tell you what it is, but it is more fun this way ;)
Oh, I need to tell you guys something. I will be on vacation between the 23rd and the 27th. What that means is that I will miss 4 days of writing. Basically, my next chapter will take longer unless if I magically become a fast typist. The one I plan on doing next *might* be on the long side. I'm not saying that it will compete for the title of longest one-shot ever (which is currently held by Unforgiving), but you won't be disappointed.
In addition to the vacation, I'll also be spending time working on my secret project that I am super excited about. Let me just say that it will be amazing.
So I am continuing the music *woop woop* Not all of the music will be from The Haunted, but I'm making it a priority to always include something.
-"Winter Dawn" from Machinimasound.
-"Lord of the Land" by Kevin Macleod
-"Lily's Theme" by Alexandre Desplat (first soundtrack heard in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2)
-"Harry's Sacrifice" by Alexandre Desplat (also from that movie)
-"Samwise the Brave" by Howard Shore (LOTR The Twin Towers)
I chose the music because it fit the mood. I think these are fantastic choices of music to listen to.
Lesson learned. Save your progress. You have to. Trust me because when the laptop you're using acts up, and you lose everything, you're going to wish that you saved. Nothing further.
Let's Go On An Adventure
The Harsh Truth
Grayson's POV
I opened my eyes. Snow was everywhere. I felt lucky that I had my jacket, but it didn't exactly help too much. Really, it was all the time I spent at the Arctic base that made me able to stand these icy temperatures.
I whipped out my map. Snow immediately started trying to cover it up. I hastily brushed it off and looked at the map.
I laughed out loud. "We're here, I think."
Mia's eyes brightened up. "We are? Yes!"
I pointed ahead towards a cave deep within the mountain. This must be the location of the library.
I prepared myself for the sense of glory for finally reaching my destination. Instead, I saw nothing but a cave.
Mia looked at me uncertainly. "Where is it? Grayson, are you sure that this is the right place? Because I don't see the Magical Library. Actually, I don't see anything."
"No, no, no, that's impossible. This is the only mountain that could have it. It has to be here. There is no other way." I glanced around in hopes of finding it. There was nothing.
"Well, maybe it is invisible," Mia suggested. I remembered the old ruins close to my old home and how you could only see the books if you were actually in the room, not if you were looking through the windows.
Drake got down on his hands and knees and started digging around in the dirt with his hands. "Look around for any clues. Maybe the map was meant to lead us to our next sign to where it was."
"Right." Mia mumbled as she did the same. I joined them in digging around desperately. This was all that kept me going. If it was gone...
"Guys, something is over here!" Drake was shining a torch in front of him.
"What? Seriously?" Mia rushed over. I followed her.
I knew the smell as I came closer to him. I've smelled it so many times before. No...
"Grayson, do you have a pickaxe?" Drake asked me.
"Yeah. Here you go." I gave him a spare stone pickaxe I had, which he accepted gratefully.
"Where is it? It is supposed to be right here!"
"Grayson, it's not here. There's nothing here. It's gone."
I couldn't accept the truth. Finding the Magic Library was supposed to fix everything. If the Magic Library was long gone, then everything that I've been trying to do has failed. I needed to find the library, and since it was destroyed, I am afraid that I couldn't avenge my family.
Mia asked me, "Well, what should we do now? Everything is destroyed. There is nothing we can do about it."
I didn't answer. I thought about my egg. The way to hatch it was supposed to be here. I needed to hatch it, but from what it looked like, there wasn't any other way.
I thought back to when I stole it. Few truly understood its capabilities. Even Drake and Mia don't know. But I knew. That's why I had to hatch it. It was the only way to save us all.
Mia pulled a sheet of parchment from one of the creases in the wall and dragged Drake over. "Drake, there's something here. I think it is a spell."
He took it from her hands. "Let me see that."
"What, HEY! I found it!" Mia snapped.
"Well, I am the mage, so I am more likely to understand it."
"Touche."
He started reading it. At first, his face lit up. Then it darkened. I was confused, but I trust him enough to tell us if it was important.
Finally he stopped reading it. "Guys, what Mia found is a spell that can help us but at a great cost."
"Really? What does it do?" I interrogated.
He sighed. "The spell can remove Herobrine's evil influence from Armen's body, but the consequence is far too great."
He's hiding something. "How does it work, and what happens?"
"It involves the hatching of your egg, Grayson." I can hatch my egg after all? Maybe there was still a chance.
He continued, "When it hatches, a dragon will come out and shoot out a single fireball as strong as the Fiery Sword. It can destroy anything, really, including Him. What the spell does is remove any demon and place it on the egg. The dragon's powers will merge with Him and shoot it towards the first person it sees. Then Herobrine will die along with, sadly, one of us."
Mia jumped back in shock. "But there has to be another way! We can't just die after all we've been through!"
It had to be me. I was sure of it. I turned to her and stated, "This is our only option, Mia. In order to save Armen, one of us must sacrifice him or herself."
To my dismay, Drake added, "Yeah, it must be me."
I turned around to face him with a plea for him to reconsider. "What, no, Drake! I can't let you do this, man! I don't want to lose someone anymore!" I thought that I just implied that it had to be me.
Drake argued patiently, "But it must be me. He was my friend for longer than both of you have known me. It started with us, so it must finish with us. I owe him that much."
"We both owe him, Drake, but we must think about this decision before we rush into it."
"My decision is final. I have to save Armen. I promised him that I would."
Why was Drake so set on letting himself die? He thinks that everything will be okay if he saved Armen by killing himself. I could never let him do it. It had to be me who did it. I had nothing else to lose besides my friends.
Drake would never let me do it, though. He wanted it to be him who saved Armen. He would not let me sacrifice myself. I was stuck.
Then I came up with a fantastic plan. If he wants it to be him, then I'll pretend to let him. Once it comes down to it, however, I will take the fall. Armen will be alive, and I'll be with my family. No one of importance will have died.
I had to play along with Drake. I can't tell either of them what I was going to do, or else they'll stop me. I just had to keep up my act and pretend to accept what Drake was trying to do.
I said convincingly, "I may not like it, but I will help you. If it is what you want, Drake, then it is better to do it." He didn't suspect a thing, and neither did Mia.
Mia gave me a look of horror and disbelief. "So you are saying that it is okay for him to kill himself?"
I needed to pretend that I was willing to go along with it. "If that is what he really wants, then it is Drake's choice. We all owe Armen, even you."
"But-"
I cut her off. "No. We will go along with it for Armen."
We exited the cave. Before we left, I retrieved the artifact that has caused me so much hurt and pain from my bag. I sacrificed everything for it. Now I plan on sacrificing my life to hatch it and save my friends.
At the spur of the moment, I decided to make a throne for it just as a joke against the Empire. I wanted to keep my sense of humor before I died.
Mia said to Drake, "Are you positive that you really want to do this, Drake?"
He smiled at us, which I only half-heartedly returned. "Yeah. Just stay behind the rocks. It was nice knowing you guys, and I wouldn't give that up for the world."
Carefully, I said. "It was an honor knowing you as well. Just remember that, got it?" I hope that they didn't figure out my plan. When I said "you," I was talking to both of them, but I made it sound like I was only talking to Drake.
"Understood. Mia, I hope you will understand someday."
"Drake, you can't die on me! Come back, Drake's senses! Where did they go? Dude, do not do it."
I led a protesting Mia behind the rocks as Drake started chanting some spell. A crack appeared on the surface of my dragon egg. A struggling Armenbrine appeared against His will. The dark power of the egg will combine with Him. The dragon will release it onto supposedly Drake, but instead it will be me.
Since Drake was focused on the egg, I took my chance. "Mia, stay here," I ordered.
Dazed, she asked, "Grayson, what are you planning?"
"I'm going to save Drake. Just stay back." I stood up and positioned myself to jump. Armen collapsed, and the dark shadow form headed towards the egg.
It hatched.
"My name is Grayson."
"Um, hi guys?"
"This can't be a coincidence."
"First, don't call me that. I told you that my name is Grayson."
"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? Where are you guys? Guys?"
"Who are you?"
"There's no one else here. Just me."
"Well, the story goes...He chooses very few, and then He stalks them, follows them. Eventually, He'll just take them."
"It's just a legend. It's not true."
"He does look familiar."
"I believe you."
The baby dragon opened its eyes and narrowed them at Drake.
"Who... Who is that?"
"This isn't snow. This is ash."
"Give it to me. I'll try."
"Guys? Where are you?"
"Armen? Drake?"
"Long time, no see, huh?"
"I've been here for a year."
"I saw you a year ago."
"That's new."
"He's here."
"It's nice to see you guys again."
"He's definitely watching us. He knows something we don't."
"Can I see your dagger? It looks like it will fit."
"Is that a heart? It kind of looks like a heart."
Herobrine combined with the dragon.
"Maybe a toy?"
"Guys, there is a dragon head in here."
"Looks like this place was looted."
"Should we call it a key now because apparently it is helping us open up everything?"
"I feel a lot happier in here."
"It says your name, Armen."
"It has all our names in it."
"It says here that one of us is going to suffer, and the rest of us will feel great pain."
"We need to keep going."
"Oh, god, there's blood everywhere."
"He can't get in here! We've found a safe haven!"
"That's it. That's what it looks like in the book."
"Armen, take it."
"Hey, guys. Look! Diamonds!"
"Stay back, stay back."
"No use going back."
"I think He's gone."
"He gave me his helmet."
"Armen."
"Step away from the ledge."
"How you holding up?"
"It's fine, but won't the helmet count as a reminder?"
"Yeah. Be safe, okay?"
"Maybe."
Drake stopped speaking and closed his eyes.
"It seems too good to be true."
"You won't believe me if I told you. I came a long way."
"It won't work."
"I can get us out of here, but you'll have to trust me."
"You're not kidding. You will?"
"I do."
"We can't stay like this."
"Get up! We need to move, like, now!"
"Come and get me."
"You have nothing against me."
"Let them go!"
"I... I promise."
"I won't let you down."
"I trusted you! Why?"
"This doesn't change anything!"
"I swear... I swear to god that I'll kill you. Just you wait."
"All legends have some element of truth to them. I believe that it exists."
"I've sacrificed so much. I already know what is at stake."
"This sword will end his life. I know it will. It will cause everyone to die unless if I can control it."
"I kinda have to. Don't want my position to be broadcasted to the entire Empire."
"If he's alive, wouldn't that mean that Herobrine is too?"
"I can join them."
The dragon started to shoot the darkness at Drake.
"Huh? Hello?"
"Drake?"
"They're pretty great."
"Uh, if you... Before this place fell, let's just say..."
"I rather not."
"I thought that magic died out a long time ago along with something else."
"Yeah, I could trust you, come with me."
"This is the Magical Library."
"I need to, uh, hatch something."
"Uh, I've...I've said too much."
"It's the last dragon egg."
"But they're hunting me down!"
"I'm tired of the bloodshed...the fighting."
"I'll go with you."
"What? Show me."
"Oh dear god."
"As I said, Drake, Armen's more important than a dragon."
"I have a fractured soul now. Life is unbearable."
"Uh, shouldn't I be leading the way since I know where the crypt is?"
"Oh, that's it! I think."
"It's not a good place. Neither is Alduin's Keep. Too many bad memories."
"You might want to see this."
"Yeah, sorry, sorry. Just thinking. Sorry."
I jumped as high as I could.
"There it is. The Red Keep."
"So, what should we do to save Armen?"
"Guns aren't the greatest thing anymore. Destructive, horrible weapons."
"We gotta get out of here."
"It's Armen!"
"Yes, I stayed there!"
"That's not exactly true."
"I think Slimey found a way out!"
"We survived."
"They can't get this close to the Red Keep."
"Hello?"
"Where did that person go?"
"Uh, I just stood on it?"
"Now give me my bottle back."
"That's a computer!"
"Uh, Drake. There's something here. Look."
"Blood."
"Drake, run. Run. Run run run."
"I guess I'll take my chances."
"Yeah, it's cold. Try it."
"And it's night."
"So I've been thinking, are we in the future?"
"I'll have to go with Herobrine?"
"Oh, these are gallows."
"I think we'll have to go around."
"Well, it's a long story."
"Was that magic?"
"Let's just get you inside. There's a house I can take you to."
"No, I don't."
"No matter what, we're staying here. You're hurt. You can't go anywhere."
"Then you stay put by the fire, all right?"
"This is a good time to tell you something."
"I should tell you something. That was an assassin that tried to kill us."
"Drake, when we came to these lands, I made a family here."
"I lost the sword and armor I got from the Hall of Heroes."
"If I could redo my past, Drake, I would so that I could see my family again."
"Tomorrow I'll tell you something else."
"Why is... Why is your white eye glowing?"
It came closer to me.
"I know that it wasn't you; it was Him. I'll be back with a way to help you. I promise."
"Just leave me alone. I have nothing to say to you."
"It was your fault. You know that."
"Your strongest potions, please."
"Oh, hey Drake! How's your leg; how are you feeling."
"They're digging for something outside the walls."
"Looks familiar."
"Reminds me of elves."
"Oh, hey!"
"How much are we talking here?"
"I'll tell you later."
"We've been followed, so..."
"If that's it, I'm keeping this."
"Give it to Drake."
I took the hit for my friend.
"How old are you?"
"He's not a myth."
"When you watch your friend die with Him..."
"He sacrificed himself to save us."
"I could say my side."
"When I took it, they took my family."
"A close friend that a served it."
"They never found me. Hmph."
"When I get my chance, I'm going to kill the Emperor."
"I do."
"You almost killed me."
"Maybe it's growing."
"No. It can't be."
"Are we still in the Badlands?"
"You must embrace pain as your feel, Drake."
"Stick together, guys."
"Slimey? Slimey?"
"This is definitely a tomb."
"Mia, imagine buildings made of steel extending upwards into the sky."
"I rather not try."
"Uh, where did that go?"
"I have an idea. It's probably really stupid, and you're going to hate it, Drake, but..."
"I feel bad for defiling a grave...er, tomb, but..."
"Get in! Get in!"
"Go Drake, I've got this!"
"No risk, no glory!"
"The map... It's just a mountain."
"Wait, the door just opened."
"I know it's an ent, but they've been being killed all over the Badlands."
"I recognize them."
"I need to know why they're here."
"Here, this is what I'm looking for."
"They found me."
"They've been here for me before."
"GO! DRAKE, TRUST ME!"
"No, I have to burn the place to the ground."
"I need you to go through the secret passageway so that I can get the egg."
"Don't wait for me."
"At least it's safe."
"You're more important."
"I'm used to this."
"Don't do it, Armen."
"It's mine. It's mine."
"But we can't just leave him!"
I fell to the ground in pain, dying.
Drake cracked open his eyes. He saw me on the ground by his feet and figured out what I did. He crouched down. "What, no, Grayson! Why did you do that?"
I smiled peacefully, attempting to ignore the pain in my stomach. "I couldn't let you do it, man. I just wouldn't have been able to live with myself."
He started to cry on me. Normally I would be disgusted, but I was just relieved that I was able to save him and Armen from a horrible life of torture.
Mia peeked out from behind the boulder where I left her and saw me. Startled, she came over.
Mia tearfully asked, "But why? You could have just shoved him away."
I revealed, "Then it would have not worked. It was better if I did it. I did not want to lose anyone else like that. Besides, I will see my family again. Trust me, guys. This was what I wanted."
I laughed as my dragon sadly nuzzled its head against me. "I guess it was good that I took that egg after all. You guys will take care of him, right? Herobrine may be gone, but the Empire is still out there."
Drake just nodded in despair.
Talking to both of them this time, I said, "Drake, listen to me. Both of you, actually. Don't waste time mourning for me. Please. I know you can move on. I am not that important."
"But you are, Grayson. I don't know how I can go on," Drake said.
I was running out of breath. I wouldn't be on this world much longer. "Don't worry about it. Tell…Tell Luke that I… I forgive him."
"Okay, I guess." He had no clue who I was talking about. I know that. I just had to say it out loud for the guy who's been following us since forever.
Now I needed to tell Mia something. "Hey Mia, there's something I need to tell you. Something important."
The elf glanced into his eyes with her reddened green eyes. "What could you say that would make me feel better?"
"I…I…I…" I felt my eyes start to close.
"Come on, please say it!" Mia urged, "Stay with me Grayson!"
"I… I lo…lo…love y…you."
"Say that again."
Panting, I continued, "I love y…you. I have ev…ever sin…sin…since we me...t you. Ple…ease remember me, Mia."
"I will. I promise. I love you too."
I had one more thing to say before I died. "Please for…forgive me for this, Drake. Someday you will understand."
I felt my eyes shut, and I smiled as I prepared to see my family again. I didn't regret anything. I was finally at peace with myself and the world.
That was fun. Just another day of breaking da feels XD
My next one-shot will be called "Bred to Hate." Come to think of it, I've never done the POV of this character. You'd think that after 28 chapters, I'd have done something for them, but apparently not. How did I manage that? TELL ME!
I love how on days when I plan on updating, I end up with a bunch of reviews. You guys know...
CJ: Somewhere...over the rainbow. No, in all seriousness, they are in progress. There is just that lazy part of me who wants to wait. I've never seen a soap opera. I know, I'm weird. I feel like I overdone it on the apologies, but I felt like they were necessary. Thanks for the review, and I hope you liked the chapter!
Firelover123: Are you getting possessed by Herobrine? Sorry, I always ask that when my brother and sister claim to have a headache. Yeah, all three of them deserve to be slapped. I already started on the idea. I must say that it changed my perspective of some things whenever I go back to rewatch part of the series. I've been trying to do something like this for months, but it wasn't until I saw your suggestion that I could figure out what they would fight about. Thanks :D
Guest: Tis assigned. Don't worry!
cookiemonster09: I know just how to use the suggestion *smirks* I felt like that there were possibly other breeds at one point. Off the top of my head, there are Norwegian Ridgebacks, Hungarian Horntails, Kairos Dragons, and Smaugs. Dragon eggs are pretty rare. Who knows? Maybe there are more? You already saw Death and Eternal Punishment. I plan on doing so much with it. Thanks!
Oneandonly: Hello. I already know where I will answer the question. It just fits in with another suggestion I was given. Thanks!
Fixedflower80: It's hard to make me cry, too. The last time I think was with the aftermath of Beth's death on the Walking Dead, which was almost a year ago (November I think). I'm happy that you're getting an account, and I hope to see you around some time. Meanwhile, *shifts nervously*, I sorta am doing something like that, only different. I can't say anything right now, but you'll know eventually. Trust me, you'll like it. I get the ads a lot since I listen to music while writing. It's both annoying and amusing at the same time. I am continuing the music. During the road trip of 10ish hours, I plan on figuring out music for the other one-shots. I can't wait for the next series, too. That ending to episode 13... It's the wait for The Haunted to start all over again XD
Ananymous: That would be interesting to see. Gee, I wonder if Grayson would still go with Drake if he has his family to worry about. TO THE WORD DOCUMENT! Thanks!
Admin fan girl: I wanted to stay somewhat true to The Haunted, so I couldn't have him actually reunite with them, and I couldn't keep him away, either. So I chose that. Thanks for the review!
Pixel gun pro: That is honestly my favorite theory about The Haunted. I came up with it just after episode 9 came out, and I still believe it's possible that it's true. I blame Fellowship of the Ring. Yay for feelsbreaking!
You know what? I'm glad that I lost some of my progress. My responses are way better XD
Like I said at the top, I'll be on vacation for a few days. Wish me luck for nationals. *horrible puppet voice* Good luck, Lya200.
I am super hyped for all the things I have in store for you guys. When I get back, I'll be alternating between "Bred to Hate" and *insert name of special project here*. Hopefully I'll get "Bred to Hate" out before too long. I intend on making it break the feels, but then again, most of my stuff these days do. See you next time!
~Lya200~
