Chapter 30: It's Rising Up (Weights)

…

(Lucas)

…

T:W - Violence

"I'm sick of it," Elmore huffs, after only 5 minutes of hunting. "Sick of this."

"We've not caught anything yet, we can't stop," Reggie sighs. "Roy, c'mon, you said you've done survival stuff before - what are we doing wrong?"

"I've never actually hunted before," Roy admits. "Me and my Wilderness Survival Week Partner, Marth, we saved up food from school meals and snuck it along with us."

Pusher stops, turning on his heel. "Ugh, are you good for anything?" I can see the hunger is getting to him.

"What I do know," Roy continues, assertively, "is that we definitely won't catch anything if you keep making all of this noise."

"We could attempt to do some spear-fishing," Caroline suggests.

Reggie sighs. "The river is a day's walk away, and besides, does anyone here know how to spear-fish?"

There's a collective shaking of heads.

"There!" Ollie whispers suddenly, and we all stop, looking around to see what Ollie might have spotted.

"I don't see anything," Angie frowns, studying the landscape carefully.

"No - in that thicket, that's a deer!"

I frown, looking closely - I think he's right. There's definitely something there.

"Alright! Let's go get it!" Pusher cries out joyfully, but the deer looks up at the sudden noise; upon noticing us, it bolts away into the forest.

"Well done!" Reggie sighs exasperatedly. "Look - this isn't working. We can't hunt in such a big group. We have to split up."

"I'm going with Caroline," Tessie says instantly, and the pair high five.

"I'm going with Angie," Ollie also declares.

"Well, there's 10 of us," Roy reasons. "If we go as two groups of 3, and one group of 4, we can meet back here later. So, Duster, Steven and I can be one group, Caroline, Tessie, Ollie and Angie can be in another, and the last group can be Pusher, Elmore and Reggie. We can reconvene here, by this tree," he marks the tree with a stone. "When the first stars come out, okay?"

...

Everyone splits off, and Duster, Roy and I are left alone.

"I put all of the problem people in the same group," Reggie explains, "so us others can actually have a shot at finding something. Now, the first thing we'll want to do is look for signs that animals have been here, tracks…"

"Like these?" Duster points to a trampled hedge.

"Yeah, that sort of thing. If we find anything else like that, we can follow a sort of direction where there might be something."

I point to another trampled hedge. "How about that?"

Roy grins. "We've got ourselves a trail."

(Lucas)

A nap will be good, I promise myself. Maybe I'll feel okay, when I wake up. Maybe. Possibly... ...Hopefully?

It's been a rough day, and I've not been letting on. Well, I have, a bit, but not to quite the extent that I could've. So many hurt feelings are swimming through me, thoughts of Claus, thoughts of Porky murdering mother... Thoughts of myself, thoughts of the mystery, thoughts of being attacked in the shower. But worst of all are the thoughts of Geldegarde and the streets - thoughts and memories that I've tried so hard to purge from my mind. The man with the jagged, claw-like nails. The man who bit and scraped and scratched. Bigger men. Smaller men. Sometimes even women.

Amalgamated into a dull ache, I want nothing more than to lay my head down and sleep, for forever and a day. But there's things happening later. Wilderness survival training. Bayonetta's party. Orchestra. Ness has a maths competition. Rosalina's therapy.

I'm supposed to be the sensible, rational one. There's no hope of me thinking normally in this state.

"Lucas…" Ness mumbles, as we walk away from our English classroom. A few days ago, I would've said that I face my problems, but now here I am, running away from them. Taking a nap instead of attending the English lesson.

Ness knows what I'm feeling. We're so in-tune to each other's moods, there's no need for him to ask 'are you okay?' or 'how are you?'

I also know that he's felt like this himself. A lot. With Buttercup - the voice in his head - telling him unpleasant things, feeding him with negativity, and with all his Father has done to him… there's no doubt that he's felt more than his fair share of bad emotions. I just wish that I could do more about it.

We enter our dorm. I'm exhausted, and so I yawn deeply, collapsing onto my bed. Ness crashes down besides me.

"How are we gonna be sure to wake up in time for Rosalina's therapy thing?" Ness asks.

I shrug. "Don't know."

"Oh - the clock will chime when the lessons are over, so that'll wake us."

"Oh yeah."

It doesn't take long for me to drift off to sleep.

...

...

...

...I'm lying face-up, somewhere - somewhere dark. Somewhere alone. Chills course through me instantaneously - I put my hands out, but they meet only a solid wall. I try to sit up, but I instantly hit my head. I can't see anything! Panic starts to build - I hate tight spaces! What is this?! I try to shift myself forwards, but I can barely lift my legs, I can barely move my feet. The taste of raw earth is in the air, and I spit out a clump of dirt from my mouth, as I try, unsuccessfully, to turn myself over. Is there any oxygen!? I can't see anything - it's all black, all dark. The wall around me is rough, the ground beneath me solid stone. I bash at it, but all it does is make my knuckles raw-

I'm trapped.

I'm trapped!

"HELP!" I scream. "HELP!"

But there's no reply - where am I?! It's almost as if I'm underground. Buried. Have I been buried alive, or something-?! I scream, again and again - I think the earth is caving in-!

But suddenly, there's things.

Small things, but I can clearly feel them, moving up my legs, moving along my arms - what the hell?! I try to shake them off, but there's so many - wriggling, almost like, like worms, or maggots, or something nasty - but they keep going up my legs, delving under my shorts, under my shirt - I scream again, but they're on my face, slithering hungrily, consuming me - I slam my mouth shut, and I make to sweep them all off my face, but my hands are stuck - and they crawl in my nose, and everywhere - and - and it's hell, it's hell, I-I scream and shout!

Desperation courses through me, my chest compressing, my breaths short and heavy - everything fading, everything is red- and- and-

...

And I sit up in bed, screaming and yelling, and I can still feel them, they're wriggling, and they're in my hair, and they're in my mouth, and they're all over me- and- and!

"Lucas!?" Ness cries out in alarm, and suddenly all of the things vanish - but - but hot tears are pouring down my face, replacing them, and it's dark, and I'm still underground, and - and -

Something grabs me near, but I can't make out what they're saying, all I can think about is the feeling of emptiness, the movement, slowly taking me, slowly destroying… me!

"Lucas, it was just a nightmare - Lucas -"

But I don't hear - it felt so real. All - all of the creatures - and - and being so hopelessly trapped - and- and- and all alone, I sob, I sob helplessly, trying to understand, to comprehend, to convince myself that it's okay! I open my eyes, fearing the worst, and - and the room is light, it's big, it's empty, Ness is here. Ness has got me. It's okay. It'll be okay! It has to be okay. I check my body in a mad panic for any things - I can still feel them there, but, but there's nothing- and-

A soothing voice. "Lucas, Lucas, I'm here, it's okay, I promise, it's okay."

I gasp for air. "But- but the creatures- and- and-!"

"Lucas, there's no creatures. Just me. It's alright."

I plunge my face into Ness's chest, still sobbing, and he holds me near. It's okay. It'll be okay. It wasn't real. It was a nightmare. Just a silly nightmare.

"I've got you Lucas. It's all okay."

"S-Sorry," I gasp for breath, "I'm- I'm sorry, I-"

"Lucas, it's okay."

I try frantically to explain. "A-A nightmare- trapped- trapped underground- pitch black- and- and things, creatures- all-all over me- I-"

"That sounds awful - but it's okay now, Lucas. You're not trapped. You're here. No creatures. No darkness, see?"

I wipe my eyes, still trembling. "Y-Yeah-"

He holds me tight. "Everything is okay."

I sniffle. "I know. Just a stupid nightmare."

"Just a stupid nightmare."

Ness rubs my back as I calm down, and I apologise profusely. That was my worst nightmare yet. That was the most horrible one, by far. I'm prone to them - but, that, that, was...

It could easily have been real.

The clock chimes once - but it sounds like I'm underwater. I thought sleep would help. I thought sleep would heal me. I feel worse than ever. Worse than ever before.

I ground myself. It's Wednesday- we've got a party to go to, we've got a million other things we're supposed to be doing. I try not to let that control me. I won't worry about all of that now. Breathe, Lucas. Stop being a cowardly child, and be the courageous man that you should be.

"I didn't get to sleep at all," Ness admits. "I was lying awake."

I wrap my arms around him. "That's bad luck."

"I was thinking."

"What were you thinking about?"

"You."

I'm caught by surprise. "...Me?"

"Sorry, that probably sounds really creepy-"

"It's - no, it's okay," I reassure him. "What were your… thoughts about me?"

"You've been feeling down today. Really down."

I nod sadly.

"I want to help," Ness continues. "I want to do something to fix that."

I furrow my eyebrows. "...Oh?"

He looks as if he's biting something back. I frown. "Ness?"

He rubs his cheek. "Uh, well, the thing is-"

Complete silence fills the room.

Ness clears his throat. "Sorry - uh, what was I saying?"

"You wanted to help," I prompt.

"What you need," Ness pronounces suddenly, "is some motivation! So I'm going to tell you everything that's good about yourself, until you feel happy!"

I blush. "Ness, you don't have to-"

"Number 1. You're really funny, and you're one of the only people to make me laugh. Number 2, you're the best painter I've ever met-"

I flush deeply. "Ness!"

"Number 3, you keep fighting through, even through the darkest times. Number 4, you're braver than me, so I get you protecting me-"

"Ness-"

"Number 5, you're a brilliant piano player. Number 6, you make me smile every single damn day. Number 7, your hair is still really cool-"

"Ness-"

"Number 8, you're sensible and you keep me from doing stupid things. Number 9, you put up with me being a massive goof-"

"Ness-"

"Number 10, you're the most empathetic person ever. Number 11, you're super huggable, and number 12, number 12, you're the best person in the entire world.

I feel a sudden rush of warmth. "Ness-!"

"Lucas, what I'm trying to say is," Ness breathes slowly, his hands trembling. "What I'm really trying to say is…"

I glance giddily up at his face. "Yeah?"

"..."

"...?"

"That you're the most awesome friend that anyone could ever ask for."

Beaming, I hug him tight. "Aw! You're the most awesome friend ever as well."

"...I hope that helps you feel better," Ness grins awkwardly.

I nod. "It did, it really did."

And it does - I suddenly feel so wanted, in a way that I've not quite felt before. Ness is my best friend for life, and nothing will ever change that.

I'm a sap. I don't care.

"We should go down to Professor Rosalina," Ness suggests, still shaking slightly.

"Yeah," I agree, uncurling myself from around him. "Thank you, Ness."

Ness blushes pinker. "No problem."

Neither of us notice the glimmer of movement, as we leave the room.

...

We knock on Rosalina's door, and she lets us in with a smile. "I'd almost forgotten - of course, what with everything that happened."

I nod awkwardly. I'm not sure that this is going to be much help, but I'll keep my mind open.

"Take a seat - wherever you like."

I relish in the luxury of Rosalina's soft chairs. Ness positions himself right besides me.

Rosalina folds her hands. "Okay, so, first of all, how have both of your days been?"

"Dull," I admit, honestly. I'm not sure how much to open up.

"What do you think is making it dull?"

Ness speaks up. "I guess, compared to everything else, school seems really normal."

"Are you worried about everything else?"

"Well, yeah..."

"That's good. It would be concerning if you weren't worried. Now, is there anything you want to talk about in particular?"

Ness nods slowly. "I guess there is. Uh, Professor Ryu-"

"Professor Ryu?"

"Yes," I say patiently, understanding what Ness is going to ask. "We've been thinking - trying to rule out who it could be for definite, and we were wondering… how well do you know him?"

Rosalina frowns. "Are you suggesting that he might be behind the Future Humans?"

"It could be anyone, really," Ness adds hurriedly.

Rosalina thinks. "Well, I don't think he'd ever do a thing like this. I've known him since I was your age, and he's always been kind, even if… eccentric, heh. But I promise you, I do not think it's him."

"We think it's Professor Wario," I say boldly.

She frowns. "Funny you should mention that - Professor Wario has actually gone missing."

Ness and I exchange a rapid glance. "Missing?"

"He didn't turn up for any of his lessons this afternoon. HeadMaster Hand was also going to ask him a few questions, but he was nowhere to be found."

"He must've figured out we're onto him!" Ness realises. "He's probably hiding down in his underground room, right now!"

"That's what HeadMaster Hand reckons too. On Saturday, he's planning to get a load of people down there to investigate the passages."

My eyes widen. "Why Saturday? That's three whole days away!"

Rosalina nods. "He thought it best to investigate whilst all the students are away and out of danger, on the Wilderness Survival Week, lest anything dangerous happens down there."

I nod, understanding. "Oh. Makes sense."

"But enough about that terrible business," Rosalina continues. "Back to your emotions, your feelings…"

...

A while later, Ness and I are released from the room, and we walk swiftly to our dorm, because all of a sudden, there's a lot of stuff to talk about.

Ness sits on my bed. "All that talk about emotions didn't really help."

"I agree," I nod sadly. "Rosalina means well, but it was all kind of… condescending."

Ness explodes. "But, but Wario - Wario's down in that room, right now! Ha! He's going to be dealt with at last!"

I lean back against a pillow, the realisation of what this could mean washing over me. "I... actually feel a lot better now. Wario is losing. We've got him."

Ness beams. "After Saturday, him and all of his Future Humans will be gone for good."

I turn to Ness. "Why is that so weird to think about? All this being over?"

Ness shrugs. "Dunno."

"Maybe… because we've become so adapted to all of the chaos that's going on."

Ness hugs me. "I'm looking forward to being safe though!"

"This is the best news ever," I smile.

"Yeah!"

I grin slightly. "But some bad news: you've got your maths competition now."

Ness's face falls. "Yeah. I'd better go."

I hug him. "Good luck."

Ness stands wearily. "Thanks. See you soon."

"See ya."

Ness leaves, and I'm alone with my thoughts.

...

It's good news. It's great news that Wario has retreated, but there's a niggling feeling at the back of my mind, suggesting that it might not all be over yet. There's still three whole days until Saturday, and anything could happen before then! I try to think more positively: This is a huge turn around! HeadMaster Hand and all of the professors are sorting everything out. Plus, we know who the villain is! We'd be very foolish to suggest that it's anyone but Wario at this point - I've been over it in my mind, countless times.

I lie back. I should probably go and find the others, but I want to relish in the good feelings a little while more. I find myself… looking forward to Bayonetta's party. I don't usually like parties at all, but I have a strange feeling, that being with my friends, it'll be a good time. A release from all of the tension...

I exhale. Bowser is still up to something. That's one thing that we need to also figure out. But then maybe, maybe… maybe otherwise, it'll all be good.

Perfect.

...

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I sit up slightly, confused. Who'd knock on the door?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A dark chill courses through me. Something's not right. Something's wrong. Images of the creatures crawling over me cause sickness to rise in my throat-

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Wh-Who's there?" I cry out, uncertainty seeping into my voice.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I stand quickly, grabbing the golden egg, hiding it in the wardrobe, just in case. I look frantically around for anything I might be able to use to defend myself - but the best I can find is a metal clothes hanger.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I approach the door, treading with trepidation. All of my senses are screaming at me - something's wrong. A vague idea to run away through the trapdoor in the wardrobe hits me, but I realise that would probably end up worse. My breathing quickens.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Silently, I rest my hand on the doorknob, willing it to be Toon Link on the other side, playing some sort of prank. I force down the choking feeling.

But suddenly - the door is thrown open, and I'm thrown back against the floor-! The clothes hanger skitters underneath the bed, and my eyes mist up - who's here?! I try frantically to right myself, adrenaline kicking in - and I make out the two figures in front of me. Meta Knight and Olimar.

It's almost a relief, until I realise this cannot be good.

Meta Knight breaks into a malicious grin. "Oh, excellent."

I quiver, shuffling back, my hair standing on end. "E-Excellent?"

Meta Knight slams the door shut behind him, trapping us all inside, before a twisted smile takes form on his visage. "Ness isn't here to protect you. You're ours."

Oh no - oh no no - my heart rate quickens, as I try to pick myself up off the floor, but I slip, and fall-! "W-What does that mean?"

Olimar sniggers. "Aw. I think he's scared."

Meta Knight makes a face. "Baby Lewkas is scared? Is he going to wet his nappy? Boo hoo!"

I manage to stand myself up, retreating against the wardrobe, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. "Wh-Why are you here?!"

Meta Knight snarls. "We need to teach you a lesson, for grassing us up to Rosalina, for telling her we were behind all this stuff!"

"And, we're bored," Olimar snickers.

I panic. A lesson can't involve anything good. "That- that was over a week ago, it was just a misunderstanding-!"

"Yeah, well, HeadMaster Hand is questioning us, thanks to you!"

I try my best to be brave, to be strong. I muster up some courage: "I-I'll tell the HeadMaster about the opium!"

Meta Knight cracks his knuckles. "And we'll show you what we'll do to you if you do!"

I gulp, terrified. "Please - I don't mean any harm-"

Meta Knight brings his face slowly up against mine - his putrid breath snakes up my nostrils, causing a tang of nausea to envelope my throat. He sneers, relishing the moment. "Too bad. We do."

I quake, moving to the left. "Just - just leave!"

"But that would be such a shame! We waited so long outside your door for Ness to go away... and he won't be back for quite a while now, will he?"

I screw my eyes tight, desperately calling out in my mind, praying that somehow, somehow Ness might hear - 'Help! Danger! Help!'

"Aw... Little Lucas... So frightened..." Olimar leers.

"P-P-Please, just don't!" I stammer, but there's nothing I can do.

I'm at their mercy.

"Olimar, pick him up."

Olimar grabs me, lifting me off of the ground - I struggle, frantic, but Meta Knight lands a fist to my chest, and I feel the air rush out of my lungs, causing me to double over, wheezing. Meta Knight mutters something to Olimar who snickers, throwing me down, striking me ruthlessly in the side. I try to scramble away, but Meta Knight blocks my path, and I dodge a kick to the face.

"Pl-Please!" I cry out, but Meta Knight clamps a hand to my mouth, and I find myself unable to breathe.

"You don't even make a sound, you fucking baby."

I gasp for air. "Pl-Please-!"

"NOT A SOUND!"

I'm thrown against the wall, my head spins, and I desperately gasp for breath. Suddenly there's a glimmer of silver-? Confused, I try to focus on it, but stars fill my eyes as there's another knock to the head-

"We could kill him!"

"Not our problem, is it?"

"But-"

"Just, slash him up a bit. Teach him a goddamn lesson."

My mind convulses as I realise Meta Knight has a blade - and suddenly, my shirt is torn from me, and the blade rests against the crook of my neck. Where the hell did that come from?! Absolute panic takes over - oh God - they're going to, they're going to kill me - they're going to goddamn kill me!

"Please-" I gasp, my eyes wide and horrified, but Meta Knight only leers, disgusting teeth on full display.

"Please!" I moan with terror, trembling from head to foot, like an animal for the slaughter. "Please - p-please, stop - d-don't!"

There's a blinding slash at my cheek. I hiss from the sudden pain, and Meta Knight grabs me forcefully by the scalp. "What did we fucking say about making noise?"

I desperately try to shut my mouth, but I'm met with another slash to the bicep, that causes a crimson red to seep into my vision, and tears to leak down, and my head to throb with sudden revulsion - a stream of cold air clashes with the wound, and my eyes burn.

Meta Knight moves his face painfully close to my own. "How does it feel to be so helpless, without your Ness?"

"I-I-"

"HOW DOES IT FEEL!?"

I shake, sobbing helplessly, reduced to torn pieces. "Pl-Please-! Stop this, I'll, I'll do - anything!"

I'm dragged like a carcass to the floor - there's a violent kick to my face, that I fail to dodge, and everything starts to darken.

Meta Knight leers at me from above. "You've got a price to pay. You deserve all of this."

I fold up on the ground, curled up like a terrified child - how, how can they have a blade - how - how -

Another kick to the head. "You gonna fucking answer me?"

"I'm - I'm-!"

Slash.

"No TALKING!"

I scream inside of my mind. I silently shout for all I'm worth - terror bursting through my veins - blood painting my naked arms.

"Look at him. Look at him cry."

"Isn't it hilarious."

"Is this too far?"

"He deserves it, Olimar. He deserves everything coming to him."

I deserve it.

Slash.

Darkness starts to take over. I see myself in that dark, underground place again.

Slash.

How much longer?

Slash.

Pain.

Help me.

Please help.

Placet Auxilium.

Suddenly my door is thrown open - Ness.

There's a moment of terrified pause.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?"

My senses heighten - I move to cry out in warning, but I can't, as Meta Knight slams another hand over my mouth, and I keel over backwards.

I faintly make out another voice - Villager's: "What the - What's all this!?"

Olimar turns towards them, sneering distastefully. "Why are you here?"

"You think I wouldn't know when my best friend is in danger?" Ness growls. "What the hell are you doing to him?!"

"Ness - they've got a blade!" I manage to call, but I'm punished for speaking out - and it's all I can do, not to scream with agony - I crumple into the floor, unable to take it, biting hard onto my tongue, probably drawing blood.

"Ness, Ness, stay back," Villager says cautiously.

"NO! Don't you tell me to stay back! Look what they're DOING!"

"Ness, they'll hurt you-"

"Do I CARE? THEY'RE. HURTING. LUCAS!"

There's another strike to my head, and I hear movement to the right, as I taste the stone floor beneath me. There's a scuffling noise - and another, as presumably Villager joins the fray too - oh no, oh no - There's grunts, shouts, growls - I close my eyes, not even daring to look. This is hell. This is what hell is like. There's an awful trickling feeling slowly moving down my arm, and my thoughts are dragged back to the creatures, to the darkness underground.

I sob uselessly into the floor.

This is all my fault.

There's a frantic noise and the sound of a punch - a thudding near the wardrobe, noises of movement, of fighting, and I don't know what to do - I -

There's footsteps that ring loud, near the exit, and there's a scream - I can't tell whose, all I can see is the dark - and suddenly, there's hands on me, but they're warm, they're comforting, and I dare to open my eyes-

It's over. It's all over so quickly. Meta Knight and Olimar are gone.

Villager and Ness carry me quickly to my bed, laying me down in it.

Ness grips Villager's shoulder. "Villager, get a professor."

"Which?"

"IT DOESN'T MATTER!"

Villager rushes frightenedly out of the room, and Ness grabs my hand.

"I - I heard your call, I came as quick as I could, Lucas, I-I'm sorry, I was too slow-"

"You heard-?" I force, hoarsely.

Ness tears at his hair. "Yeah - oh - Lucas, oh God! They've - they - they've messed you up bad, Lucas - oh God-!"

I can hardly process what's happened. I dare to examine my arms - multiple slashed wounds, blood - my head strikes my pillow, and I feel sick. So sick.

"Are you okay?" I manage to whisper.

"Yeah - yeah, Villager, he grabbed the - the knife off of them - they ran-"

I try to exhale. It's all over. It's fine. But it hurts, it hurts.

"They had a knife?" I croak.

Ness thumbs my palm gently. "I never thought, I'd never thought they'd go this low - they're evil, Lucas, evil!"

"What about - maths?" I ask.

Ness breathes. "There never was a maths competition. Professor Marth knew I made up that answer - and he made up the maths tournament to fool me - and on the way back, I met Villager, who was coming to bolt down the trapdoor, but never mind that, Lucas - you're hurt bad - and -"

"Ness, I'm scared."

"I know."

"...They would've killed me."

"I couldn't let them do that."

"...You saved… me."

Ness puts a tentative hand to my cheek. I wince - but I let him move gentle fingers over my skin.

I swallow down the rising vomit. "Are you sure you're okay?

"I'm fine - but Lucas - Lucas, you're the injured one!"

I look sadly over my body, unable to reply.

"I left you alone. I could've prevented this," Ness mutters.

"No - Ness -"

"Sorry. You're right. Not helping."

I'm no stranger to pain, to being used. I shouldn't be surprised, but…

Villager rushes back into the room, flanked by Professor Ryu, Toon Link, Pit, Red and HeadMaster Hand.

HeadMaster Hand's face flashes with horrified anger. "Who did this?"

"Meta Knight and Olimar," Ness replies.

His face displays only fury. "They're going to be expelled. For good. And I'll be contacting the police. This is beyond simple bullying. Excuse me, whilst I go and find them."

HeadMaster Hand leaves the room swiftly, and the others come to my bedside.

Professor Ryu leads the action. "Red, go and get some bandages from the medical ward."

"Absolutely, Professor."

He leaves, whilst Toon Link hops nervously on one foot. "I can't believe they'd do this to you. I can't - I - Lucas-"

"I'm grateful to still be alive," I admit, honestly. "Ness and Villager probably saved me."

Toon Link hugs Villager. "You hero."

There's a pause.

Red comes back with the bandages, and my wounds are swiftly wrapped. A large plaster is placed over my damaged cheek, meanwhile.

Nobody seems sure what to say.

"I'll be fine," I conclude after some time, after some of the fog has lifted from my mind. "The wounds aren't too deep. You can all... go, if you want."

"No way!" Ness cries out. "After all that? I'm never leaving your side again!"

Ryu stands. "I, however, must resume my patrol duty. Stay safe, everybody."

"What exactly happened?" Pit prompts, as soon as Ryu has left the room.

I bite my lip. "They waited for Ness to go off to the maths competition, then they came in, and, well, did all this. But, there, there won't be any lasting damage." I stand up to prove it. My head spins.

"...I should get on and bolt down the trapdoor. If things like this are happening... and I think your room needs a lock, too," Villager decides.

"I'll help!" Toon Link announces. "Villager, you can show me how to do it."

"Sounds good to me."

Red gives Villager an odd glare, before leaving the room.

I shake myself off. If anything good has come out of this, Meta Knight and Olimar are going to be expelled, and we won't have to see them again! Though, my other side wonders… what will happen to them? Will they be okay?

But I'm distracted, as Ness slips a T-shirt over my head, before quietly taking my hand. "You need to get cleaned up."

...

One shower later, I think I'm fine. The warm water eases the pain slightly, and it eases the shock too. I tell myself that I'm okay, which is the best I can ever do. It hurts like hell, but who am I to complain?

Ness won't leave my side. I have the notion that he's going to become very protective in the coming weeks, and quite frankly, that's fine by me. Defending myself hasn't worked, it's gotten me attacked, multiple times, so I guess I can't deal with anything on my own.

Claus would have been able to stand up for himself.

Ness has always said that I never stand up for my wellbeing, but I simply can't - I don't know how to fight - I'm a massive pacifist, and anybody can walk over me as they please. This attack is just another reminder that I'm powerless.

And I hate it.

"Teach me to fight, Ness," I mumble. "Teach me."

Ness turns in surprise. "You, fight?"

"Yes."

"Well - well, maybe you should rest up a bit first-"

I pull a face. "And be traumatised by another nightmare? No thanks."

"Lucas…"

"What?!" My words come out with remarkable force.

Ness winces. "I don't know what to say."

I glare at the ground sullenly. "Neither do I."

We walk in silence for a while longer. I'm not even sure where we're going - Villager will still be working on fixing the bolt onto the trapdoor. My arms sting. I try not to think about the blade too hard. I guess I'm systematically experiencing all of my fears this afternoon, hah. Blades, darkness, tight spaces, what next? Heights? Poison?

It turns out we're headed for the lounge on the third floor - Ness is sure to shut the door behind us when we enter, and he takes a seat on the nearest couch.

He glances up at me. "C'mon. What you need is a lot of hugs."

"Hugs don't solve everything," I mutter.

"They take the edge off of it, though."

I shrug, giving in. "Fair enough." I settle myself down, and he wraps his arms around me - I wince, as he accidentally makes contact with a sore spot. It's somehow comfortable just sitting there - relaxing, even. I'm not sure I've felt relaxed all day.

I sigh. "If Wario's gonna be sorted out on Saturday, what does that mean with the grave? The Face? The golden egg?"

"Maybe we'll never know the answers to all that stuff."

"That's better," I decide.

Ness smiles. "Yeah."

"Maybe we can stop getting so many injuries-"

"That'd be nice," Ness laughs faintly.

"You've seemed better in the last few dats," I note. "Less, well, sad."

Ness rubs his forehead. "Well, I guess, after getting through that coma… I dunno. I don't understand emotions and all that."

"Neither do I," I admit. "They're such a mess."

"Yeah."

I think, and my forehead creases. "I feel like I'm… missing something."

"Hm?"

"Something big. Not to do with the mystery. Something else."

"Do you have any idea what it could be?"

"Not a clue."

Ness squeezes me gently. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."

I stare up at his dark, obsidian eyes, and despite it all, I smile. "Yeah."

He smiles back. "Yeah."

There's a relaxed pause, before I yawn. I know not to close my eyes though - I know of the horrors that are at bay, ready to return into my mind as they please. I don't know what to do about all that - what about when it becomes time to sleep? What if I have more nightmares, in the middle of the night? It surely can't be much worse than being buried alive and consumed by horrible squirming creatures. I'd like to think so, anyway. My mind has a thing with constantly causing me problems and storing away unresolved traumas to come back in the form of flashbacks and terrifying dreams.

"When have we got that wilderness survival stuff with Shulk?" Ness asks.

I think. "I don't think he gave an exact time."

"Oh."

"He's full of ideas, but never full of any specifics," I shrug.

"I guess we should go see him now, then."

I wince. I'm certainly not ready to see any other people. "...Do we have to?"

Ness softens. "Nah."

I lean back against him, eyes heavy. I'm not sure what to say.

Ness, again, puts a nervous hand to my cheek, which I don't mind. "You don't blame yourself, do you?"

"No," I lie.

"You can't possibly blame yourself! They - they slashed you up! That's despicable!"

"...I can't stand up for myself."

"Nobody in their right mind would stand up against anyone with a knife."

"B-but-"

"The bravest flower seeds when the birds are leaving, Lucas."

I stare across the room. "...They said… that I deserved it."

"They were just trying to upset you."

I whimper into Ness's shirt, and he holds me near. There's no need for words.

…

It takes some time for me to gain the courage to get up, to face everything again. That feeling - utter helplessness - it lingers, hanging heavily in my stomach.

We manage to stand and leave the room - but we instantly collide with HeadMaster Hand.

"Oh - Sorry-" HeadMaster Hand manages, before noticing who we are. "Oh - Lucas, how are you doing?"

I simply nod, my voice coming out as a quiver. "Fine, I guess."

"I've expelled Olimar and Meta Knight. They're already on the train back to Onett."

I frown. "I thought nobody was allowed in or out of Onett's gates?"

"I've sent a letter with them that will explain to the police and border patrol why they have to come in. I've got good contacts - they'll be lenient."

Ness shifts slightly. "So they're… gone?"

"Gone."

"Gone," I repeat, timidly.

"Indeed. Well, I'll leave you to wherever you're going. Have a nice day."

Ness nods. "You too, HeadMaster."

He leaves, and I turn to face Ness. He turns to face me too.

"This should be great news-" he falters.

"...Yeah," I gulp, uncertainly. "...They deserved to be expelled."

"Yeah… but…" Ness wavers. "Why aren't we jumping for joy at this news? We should be - but…"

"Will they be okay?" I speak my thoughts out loud.

"They will be, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, they will be."

I rub my cheek. "Why do I feel so bad?"

"I dunno - but come on. We should go see Shulk. Let's not think about them."

"Yeah," I conclude. "Let's not."

It's a short walk to the art classroom, but Shulk is not surprised to see us - in fact, he's prepared the room, ready for what looks like a lot of survival training. Toon Link, Pit, Red and Villager are here too though - I frown. I thought it was just us?

"Hello!" Shulk greets happily. "I caught the others in the hall - they missed the session too, you see, and I figured it would be sort of awkward with only us three, so I invited them along-"

Toon Link gives us a quick grin and a quick exasperated look towards Shulk from across the room, whilst the others stand about awkwardly. We join them. I try just to focus on this.

"Okay!" Shulk puts his hands together. "Right then, so since you all missed the session, I figured I'd better teach you all of the survival stuff now, lest HeadMaster Hand fire me, even though you've done the same training session for the last few years, but never mind that!"

I register that Toon Link's gaze is focused on Villager, instead of Shulk. Of course.

"Right, first off, gonna need you to pair up, because in the real thing, you'll be in pairs too. Oh - and, I gotta put your pairs down on the sign-up sheet, so, uh-"

"Lucas and I are a pair," Ness announces.

Toon Link turns to Villager, and I notice the former twitch, almost nervously. "D'you wanna-?"

Villager smiles. "Sure, sounds good to me."

Red and Pit eye each other, as Shulk writes the pairs down. Realising his mistake, Toon Link mouths sorry at Pit, who shrugs and winks back at him.

Shulk claps his hands. "Okay, right, the first thing is - Wait, Lucas, why are your arms bandaged up?"

"I was attacked," I tremor.

"Oh - gosh! Who did it? Are you okay? Can you still paint?"

"I-I'm alright - I'll be able to paint just fine, don't worry, Professor…"

"If you're sure. Uh, anyways - well, the first thing, is to stock up on food from lunches and dinners, and to smuggle it along with you on the week, because, let me tell you, there was a year when I didn't do that, back when I was younger, and it was a disaster. Now, water is less of a worry, because everyone gets put near the big river in the forest - I can't remember what it's called, come to think of it. But, practical skills, shelter."

He talks us through the basics of building a shelter - I've heard it all before, we have already done 5 of these Wilderness Survival Weeks in previous years. It's a weird week, a weird idea that's been school tradition for even longer than HeadMaster Hand has been in office. I remember way back when I first heard about it in my first year, I was terrified. I thought I was gonna die. But it was surprisingly well managed, and there were always plenty of edible things, and it had turned out to be a welcome break from the pressures of exams.

Shulk presents a bundle of small sticks: "You're gonna have to practice by constructing mini-shelters, as if they're for ants, but it's the best that we can do for now."

We do the exercise with ease, and Shulk nods, contented with our efforts. "Okay, now, fire-starting, that's the only other thing I'm supposed to teach you. We aren't gonna be starting a fire in my art room, thank you very much, so - well, who knows how to start a fire?"

We all raise our hands.

"Alright, in that case, we're done here. Uh, you're free to go."

Mildly bemused, we thank him, and leave the room.

"Strange man," Toon Link comments.

Ness shrugs. "He's nice, but yeah. He does talk a lot."

Toon Link grins. "To be fair to him, I'm guilty of that too."

"You bet," Villager agrees, earning himself a light shove.

"Did you bolt down the trapdoor?" Ness asks.

"Yeah - though Toon Link was less of a help, and more of a hindrance."

"I smashed my thumb," Toon Link complains. "Look - it's all purple!" He waves it in my face and I laugh slightly, just as the clock chimes for dinner.

Ness perks up instantly. "I have been waiting all afternoon to hear that. Food!"

But his face falls, as soon as we enter the canteen - it's sausages (again) but this time accompanied by Ness and I's worst enemy - mashed potato.

"This is an outrage!" Ness gasps, horrified. "It's - I can't believe it!"

"We had sausages recently," Red notes.

"We had 'em yesterday," Villager chips in, to Red's disdain. "They must have bought a lot of them by mistake."

"But mashed potato…" Ness complains.

"All the more for me!" Toon Link crows, delighted.

We get our plates and sit down. Ness pokes miserably at the fluffy mountain with his fork. I don't even feel hungry.

...

Blade.

Punishment.

...

I don't know what it is. Mashed potato is seriously disgusting. I don't know if it's the texture, or the taste, or what, but something about it makes me - and apparently Ness too - physically sick. No other food does that to me. Everyone else tucks in happily, and I reluctantly eat a sausage.

"So, it looks like Red and I are gonna be together for the Wilderness Survival week," Pit says, nervously.

"Yes," Red grumbles. "Thanks a lot, Villager."

Villager frowns. "Hey, you know Toon Link never has anyone to go with-"

Toon Link makes a face. "Yeah."

"He could've gone with Pit though!" Red protests.

Villager sighs. "Red-"

Red's expression darkens. "You've been changing, recently, Villager."

"Changing? How do you mean?"

"You used to be my best friend. But now…"

"But now?"

Red bites viciously at his sausage. "You've been changing for the worse. I don't agree with some of the decisions you've been making, lately."

I pale, alarmed at the scene unfolding in front of me. Ness slips a hand into mine.

Villager stops eating. "Huh?"

"You're almost becoming - toxic!"

"Red-"

"You're not the Villager I once knew. I don't know if I even want to hang out anymore."

"Red, what? Where did all this come from?"

"Forget it!"

Red gets up off the table - and he storms away, out of the room, to the surprise of a lot of people. What the hell?! There's an alarmed pause, as we look around at one another.

Villager stares at his plate in shock. "Where did all that-? Where did all that come from?"

"That was pretty sudden," Pit agrees.

"B-But toxic? Do you think he's right? Do you think I am changing?"

"No - it's okay, Villager," Toon Link steps in. "You're still just as awesome as you always have been - if not, better."

"But - but, I don't even know what to say! He's never really been angry at me like that before-"

"I think he's jealous," I theorise quietly.

Villager shakes, clearly unnerved. "But all that - about changing-"

"He's just villainising you, because maybe that's easier for him."

Villager looks up. "Do you think I have been neglecting him?"

"No, you've not been."

"You've been talking to him more than any of us," Ness agrees.

My head throbs slightly, confused. That really was out of nowhere.

Villager glances around hastily. "Am I doing something wrong?!"

"No," Ness states. "It's like - it's like he's built up an idea of what you should be, and what you should do and the very idea of you doing something different challenges that."

"Yeah!" Toon Link agrees. "Ness is right - just because you don't fit his agenda, he's gotten mad."

"But he's a good guy," Villager counters. "He wouldn't think of me like that, surely?"

"He doesn't like change," Pit adds darkly.

"Maybe he's the one changing… He's been different, lately. More self centred..." Villager wonders aloud. "But - I feel like it's my fault."

Toon Link puts an arm around him. "Villy, he's just getting jealous over nothing. You've always been nice to him."

"What was that about decisions he doesn't agree with? Does he mean the graffiti?"

"It's like with his agenda - it's like he thinks that everything you do has to be, well, something he approves of."

"But that was out of nowhere. I should go apologise to him."

Toon Link thinks. "You've done nothing wrong - and since he is a decent guy, he'll realise that, and apologise to you."

"But- I-"

"C'mon, let's enjoy dinner."

I reluctantly finish my sausages, leaving all of the mashed potatoes alone, haunted by the new troubles brought to light.

Toon Link glances at his plate. "I am sorry though, Pit, that you have to go with Red-"

"Oh, it's fine."

"I should've gone with you- Villager could've gone with him-"

Villager bites his lip. "I'd much rather spend a week with you than Red," he admits. "Nothing against him, just…"

We all know what he means. Pit nods. "I'll be okay."

Ness finishes his sausages. "Anyone want my mash?"

But he's interrupted, as suddenly, a sausage comes flying over from the other side of the room - hitting Villager square in the face.

Someone calls out: "Haha! The gay loves a good sausage, after all!"

Villager groans, cleaning himself off. "For goodness sake."

"HEY!" Toon Link stands, calling back. "Not cool!"

There's laughter. "Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?"

Villager tenses. "Toon Link, please just sit down. I don't want to have to deal with any of this right now."

Most of the people in the room are looking between Toon Link and the perpetrator - some guy I don't recognise - wondering if anything will come of the stand off. I glance around for professors, but to my dismay, there are none.

Toon Link waves. "Don't worry, Villager, I-"

"Toon Link, just sit down!" Villager hisses, but Toon Link doesn't move a muscle.

He instead glares across the room. "You better not do that again, yeah?"

But the boy grins, grabbing another sausage from their friend's plate, hurling it with alarming accuracy, striking Villager square on the nose.

"You-!" Toon Link picks up one of his own sausages, throwing it back, and pandemonium breaks out. Sausages fly everywhere - mash everywhere - absolute carnage, as everyone tries to cause as much mess as possible - taking the opportunity, Ness smears my face with potato, and I get my revenge by doing exactly the same to him. Toon Link rules the battle by grabbing Ness and I's discarded plates launching volleys of mash over towards a group of people - until all of a sudden, Bowser bursts in, with an almighty look of fury upon his face, before a plateful of food paints him a snowy white-!

Instant silence falls, as Bowser seethes.

"WHO. THREW. THA-"

Rosalina rushes in. "Thank you, professor Bowser - everyone, settle down! This is really quite unacceptable-"

I shrivel up, suddenly nervous that we're all going to get in trouble, and HeadMaster Hand enters the scene.

He looks around - potato is smeared over the walls, the ceiling. Discarded sausages lay on the floor.

Nobody dares speak.

But suddenly, HeadMaster Hand laughs - and everyone looks around in surprise. He laughs and laughs - and it's infectious, and quite a few people end up joining in. Rosalina and Bowser stare as if the Headmaster has gone mad - which he quite possibly has.

"Everyone is dismissed-" he manages to say, through tears of mirth. "Everyone is dismissed."

Taken aback, we stand - but to my sudden dismay, I notice Villager staring directly at the floor, covered in potato. It looks like he was a prime target for a lot of people.

People walk by, some giving Villager a slap on the cheek, most of them seeming to be in high spirits. Villager, on the contrary, looks downright depressed.

"Thanks a lot, Toon Link," he mutters miserably, and Toon Link's smile vanishes.

"Villager, I-"

But Villager shakes his head, covering his eyes as he runs abruptly out of the hall, leaving a crestfallen Toon Link in his wake.

A/N

Ok, sorry this took so long. Huge writer's block! Also, learning some other skills. Drawing people is hard. I'll stick to landscapes, I think.

But hopefully you enjoyed-? A pretty pivotal chapter if I do say so myself. A lot happened! That's always pretty good.

I did actually plan the maths challenge to be fake from early on, but that definitely didn't end up being a major reveal-

Also, mashed potato does suck.

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed reading! Catch you next time,

~ReadyForTeddy