Chapter 38 - Hard Truths

(Lucas)


Prologue: Headmaster Hand


After our failed escape, I resign to brooding in silence, underneath today's tree, considering what the hell we do now.

Frankly, Pusher is a liability. Elmore is a liability. If I'm going to save as many people as possible, then I need to seriously consider what to do about them. Because, with them, it's impossible to escape. It's impossible to get to Onett. And that means we all die.

But leaving them behind seems so wrong.

It's hard! Bloody hard - but the more days we trek along the course of this river, the closer we get to Tazmily, the closer we get to terror and disaster. And it's impossible to see a way out of this one, if we are to be delayed at every turn by, frankly, the most incompetent people I have ever met.

Ike has been put on probation. It would've been a complete dismissal - but he'd convinced them that he was trying to stop the rest of us escaping, luckily. Yet, his superiors remained suspicious, and they dropped his rank lower. As a result, Ike has been even colder with me than usual, and he only occasionally seems to talk to Roy now. It's so damn unfair - it was a perfect chance, and it's not my fault that Pusher had to ruin it.

I shake my head. I have no idea what to do. We need a miracle - a saving grace - anything. Just one piece of good news.

But, it seems it's never going to come.


(Lucas)


An hour ago, my best friend admitted to having feelings for me. I admitted to having feelings for him. We kissed. We sat up in a tree, and cuddled, and watched the sunset.

And hell, it felt good.

I shouldn't be surprised! Of course, this is where we've been going, the whole time. We've been so dependent on one another for ages. These feelings within me - how could I not have fallen for him? He's perfect, he's funny, he's protective, he's cuddly, he's everything and more. Ness. Ness. Such a wonderful name.

It's weird, being all sappy. It's weird, being in love. It's… crazy. Like Ness said - surreal. And that kiss! Ah - it sent butterflies through me, sent such warmth, such crazy feelings, it was absurd. Nothing like I've ever felt. I want to kiss him again. And again. And then again.

There's just one obstacle left: We're both guys.

For goodness sake, it shouldn't bother me. It really shouldn't bother me. Since when did I care about what other people thought? Isn't it me and Ness against the world? Who gives a damn if I'm dating a guy? I'm a nobody, after all. Yet, to be dating, it'd put us on the radar. In danger, even. It's still illegal - thought to be the root of all sorts of unholy acts and deeds. Obviously it's not, but, I'd still rather not be given the death penalty, because of who I love.

With no exception though, Ness takes priority. I wouldn't leave him for the world. All these worries are merely secondary. What my father thinks is not as nearly as important as the way I feel about Ness - the need for us to be together. I resolve to discuss all this later, but for now, we've got a bigger issue.

...

Ness screams with alarm, as the Face steps out from behind the tree.

"RUN!" I scream - Ness grabs my hand, turning and darting back the way we came. We plow through foliage, scattering birds, throwing up the dirt beneath our shoes, not entirely sure where we're actually running to. The familiar terror that the Face induces fills me though, raw fear of the deep unknown, the strong sense of wrongness, and everything that comes with it.

We stick to the left, by the cliff, hoping we'll reach the waterfall. I glance behind, and see the Face in hot pursuit - in fact, it's gaining! With a yelp, I accelerate, and Ness nearly stumbles, slowing us down further - but there's the waterfall, up ahead!

"In here!" Ness shouts, tugging me towards the cave.

"Ness! That's gonna be a dead end!" I exclaim, but it's no good, because Ness already has us running down - we collide with the falling stream of water, and it's so cold-! Yet, as soon as we're under, we're out, dripping, in the cave. But, Ness stops completely!

I grip his hand tighter, a swell of fear running through me. "Ness! What are you doing?"

"Wait," Ness whispers. "Watch."

I look behind - the Face comes - no, runs, ever closer, mangled hair flying behind its head, determination written all over every move, and-

"Ness!" I yell desperately. "Come on! We need to go further in!"

Ness doesn't move, he just watches the Face advance. "Lucas, Lucas, it's alright!"

Only the curtain of water separates us and it now - I screw my eyes up tight, certain that we are about to die, be brutally mutilated, tortured, destroyed, but…

We're not. I open my eyes. The Face stands completely rigid, on the other side of the waterfall.

"It can't go through the water," Ness explains.

I turn. "What?! How do you know?"

He points. "Look, its arm."

I look. It seems the arm is mostly composed of metal, but there's loose wires everywhere - in fact, there's a small segment of its face and its leg that is the same.

I revel in the fact that this is the first good view I've had of the Face's - well - body. And it's pretty much exactly like any ordinary body. A nude body though, I notice suddenly, and I turn away, alarmed. If anything, now I know it's male-

"It can't come through the water," Ness explains. "See? All the loose wires and stuff - it'd probably kill it."

"So - so we're safe?" I ask.

Ness nods. "Yeah. Though, we're kinda trapped here."

My eyes widen with alarm. "Well - let's splash it with water, or something!"

Ness shakes his head. "I think we should try talking to it first."

"Talking to it?!" I exclaim. The very concept terrifies me. It's awful! It's clearly an awful thing!

"What's to lose?"

I shudder. "I guess you're right - but…"

Ness takes my hand. "It can't hurt us, from over there. C'mon. We can finally find out what it is."

I nod shakily. "Okay. Okay then, let's do it."

Steadily, we approach. The Face looks surprised at our boldness, yet it still stands still, on the other side of the waterfall. It waits patiently, remarkably composed. Expressionless. I try to look anywhere but at it though. I know it's wrong to judge on appearance, but…

There's a tense pause, as we eye it, and it eyes us.

"You've been following us," Ness accuses.

It nods, almost as if it's nervous.

Ness continues. "What do you want?"

The Face opens its mouth, before hesitating. "L-Lucas." Its voice is a strained croak.

Ness's expression grows darker. "Well, you can't have him. What do you want with him?"

The Face slowly shakes its head, evidently in pain. "N-No. Not - what - I meant."

"Not what you meant?"

It nods stiffly.

I look up, frowning, more mystified if anything now. "What are you?"

Pain flashes across its face, as our eyes meet. I feel a shiver travel all the way down my spine, down my legs, and to my toes.

It looks… I don't know. Expectant, if anything. "L-Lucas…"

"Are you human, or machine, or monster?" Ness asks firmly. "And don't try coming over here - we know you can't make contact with the water!"

"H-Human," it rasps. "But - metal. Also metal." There's regret in its - no, his eyes.

Ness steps forwards, taking more courage. They're inches away - only separated by the waterfall. "Are you a Future Human? Are you working for Porky?"

The Face shakes its head. "No."

Ness rubs his neck, puzzled. "Then what are you? Why have you been following us around? Do you want to hurt us?"

It looks over to me again, evidently upset. "L-Lucas-"

"What about him?" Ness demands, harshly.

It looks down, staring resolutely at the floor. "...D-Don't you know?"

I shake my head, unsure what it's talking about.

"Please, just tell us what you are!" Ness exclaims. "We won't hurt you or anything. Just, explain, why on Earth you're here, and you're following us!"

It looks up, pleadingly, and our eyes meet again. Another jolt travels down me, and my hands ball up in discomfort.

"L-Lucas, it's me!" it wheezes, more insistently.

Completely lost, I shake my head. "I-I don't-"

"C-Claus!"

My jaw becomes slack, hanging open. I stagger backwards, my heel catching against a protruding rock, toppling me down into Ness. Claus!? No. No! No, that's absolutely ridiculous. It can't be. My skin tingles - I grab Ness's arm, a sudden coldness at my core.

"Claus is dead!" I shout angrily, my voice tremoring. "Don't you pretend to- to-"

But as I look closer, I swallow, stiffening. Those same blue eyes. The hair - perhaps once bright orange, stained a dark brown with mud. That same face. The same body. Even through the strain - the same voice.

It's too much.

The Face is Claus.

My long though dead brother. Who disappeared, 8 years ago. Is The Face.

I completely break down.

Tears overflow out of me, as Ness holds me close, like rivers erupting over a dam. Deep waves of pain stir within me - I don't know where I am! I don't understand! How can this be possible? How? Emotions combine with the icy water, clinging my shirt to my torso, as ribbons of fire burn my cheeks. Each new wave of feeling is a new burst of agony - I'm vaguely aware of Ness caressing me like a broken child, but there's shame - and anger, burning just under my skin, and a deep sense of primal feeling fills my heart.

I hyperventilate, sudden weakness overrunning through me. I feel sick. I'm going to throw up. Claus. It can't - it can't be! My breathing begins to grow staggered, as I slump into Ness - feeling as if I'm crying myself to death.

"C-Claus? You left him!" Ness shouts, anger erupting out of his mouth. I can practically feel its heat, through our psychic link. "You-You left him all alone for 8 years! How - how dare you show your face, now, after so LONG!"

Claus recoils, flinching, fear on his face. "I - can say why! I'm - sorry! I-"

"Sorry doesn't cut it! Do you know how much your absence hurt Lucas? Do you know!?" His eyes bulge, as he tremors with absolute indignation.

"Ness," I whimper, just scraping myself together enough to speak. "Don't."

He instantly stops, but his posture is rigid. "Well, sorry, but-"

I rub my upper arms. "I know, but, please-"

Claus tries to come forwards, but the water is still in the way. Every word sounds like such an effort. "I - I've been trying to find you. But you ran... I tried to go home, but Father - didn't know me."

Ness turns harshly. "Well, you've got a lot of explaining to do."

He nods, his sunken face dark. "I - know."

Ness looks back to me. I merely twitch, unsure what to think. He looks back at Claus.

"Can we have a minute?" Ness asks, his tone still sharp.

"Y-Yes," Claus utters quietly.

Ness protectively leans my head against his shoulder, one arm around my middle, and another tracing soothing lines on my back. Claus is most likely waiting outside the cave for us - and hell if I know what to think about that.

"Is it really him?" Ness asks quietly.

I hesitate, but I nod. I'm absolutely sure of it. I'm appalled that I didn't recognise him sooner.

"Wow… how are you feeling about it?"

I bury my head into his chest.

Ness pulls me up onto his lap - an unfamiliar position, but still a comforting one. "I can't believe that all along-"

"Yeah," I mumble.

Ness shakes his head in disbelief. "There must be so much going through your mind."

I look up, and our eyes meet. I avert my gaze though, getting nervous. "I thought he was gone, Ness. I got over it - I accepted it, and… now, he's suddenly back - I don't understand!"

Ness continues to rub my back. "It's good news though, right?"

I move to nod my head, but I hesitate. "I don't know… it should be, but, he looks… messed up. What could've happened to him?"

"I suppose that's what he's here to say," Ness says grimly. He picks a rock up off the cave floor, throwing it into the waterfall, watching it move away.

I run a tense hand through my hair. "But what if it's all a trick?"

Ness grimaces. "I swear, if it is, I might damage somebody."

"I guess we should go out and see him then."

"...What about us?" Ness asks, quietly. "Do we tell him about us?"

I bite my lip. "I… dunno. I don't think so. We'll just say we're best friends."

Ness smiles faintly. He takes my hand, standing up. "Alright. Best friends. Let's do this."

Claus turns out to be waiting a little way off from the waterfall, but he stands up and comes over as quick as he can, after we've been showered with another icy torrent. "Are you - ready-?"

Ness nods sharply. "Yes, but you better watch your back, alright?"

Claus fiddles with his hands. "Yes."

"Maybe we should walk - walk back to our spot from before-" I suggest, trying to ease the tension.

Ness frowns. "But what about Toon Link and Villager?"

I shift. "They'll be fine - they're just late because of the waterfall being in the way, right? So, they're okay."

Ness nods slightly. "Alright."

We begin walking, back down the river, away from the waterfall.

I look at the haggard figure next to me, swallowing. "So-"

"L-Lucas…" he stammers, evidently nervous.

I scratch my cheek, willing myself to look anywhere but at that damaged, damaged face. "So, you're C-Claus, then?"

He nods. "Yes."

I bite my lip, opening my mouth multiple times, but finding myself at a complete loss for words.

He turns to Ness, fidgeting with his hands. "You're... Ness. I'm - Claus - Lucas's - brother."

Ness frowns. "I gathered. But, how do you know my name? We never met."

Claus turns back to me. "It is a big story."

My lips part slightly. "How can you be here?"

"Big - very big - story."

"Right…" I frown, gulping. He sounds so… childlike.

He coughs. Each word continues to sound like it's costing him a day of his life. "Lucas - you've - grown - really tall!"

I nod nervously. "Yeah - uh, so have you."

Claus looks down. "I look ugly, though."

I bite my lip. "What happened?"

"Well," Claus says, flinching. "I-I will begin from the start. Do you remember - when we went to Onett-?"

"Y-Yeah?"

"After mummy died. Father was sad. I was stupid - then."

"I-I don't think-"

"I was stupid," Claus repeats, firmly. "I was coming back from school - I heard a man named Porky-"

"We know him," Ness grimaces.

"-I heard him - paying a police officer… to keep quiet, about mummy. Porky - killed her!"

I nod again, slower this time. "I know."

Claus wrings his damaged hands. "So - I had to do something! I - knew what had happened! I needed to go out, to do revenge. To tell the police! But - I left you. I left you alone - Lucas - I'm really sorry. I didn't think - I thought it would all be okay, but, but, no, and then - we weren't together, and-"

"What happened?" I whisper.

His eyes dart around. "Porky found me - I was going to the police station - I was very very angry - I tried to hit him - for what he did, b-but, he - hit me first. He took me. I have thought about it many times. I don't know - how much I've thought - thought about that night," his voice gains more clarity. "How much I - regret it! I was worried! I knew you were quiet, and nervous, and, that you'd be lonely on your own - and I should've been there to look after you..."

I feel Ness silently slip his hand into mine.

Claus sighs, clearly very weighed down. "Porky took me - into a big building. I don't know where… He - He fed me - he kept me alive, but I was... trapped. For a very long time. I - I hoped someone would come and find me, but…" his voice trails off.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, tearing up. "I'm so sorry."

"Then, we left. He took me into his new city - New Pork City. It was - a secret. He put me - in a prison. I was to be his... toy. I was the only one there. Alone." He looks down at the ground, through his shaggy mane. "Lonely."

He continues. "I was h-his... plaything. That's what he called me. He did what he wanted. Bad things. He - he said I made him think of y-you, Lucas."

I shudder, dreading to imagine what Porky could've done.

Claus sighs heavily. "He - He began - ex- ex- expe- ri- men- ment- ting." He has to sound the word out. It's a dismal sight. "On me." He lifts his metallic arm. "It hurt."

He twitches. "And then there were more people. Other people started coming. Porky brought them - they wanted to - to come - but they became ex-experi-ments too. He - tried to convert them - i-into big, big horrible monsters. But - I was his… favourite. He kept me safe from them. He fed me - he didn't feed - others. But still, he…"

Claus shakes himself off. "I became... this. Ugly." He holds his arms out. "I - couldn't wash. My hair - grew. I-I don't know how I got through. I-I wanted to die - I wanted just to die, so badly." He speaks without emotion, like it's a simple fact, recited, and it tears me apart.

"Claus-"

He continues, hurriedly. "I-I tried not eating, but he'd force the food into me. But then, there was - someone else. Someone else who Porky kept - in my prison. A girl - Inkling."

My breath hitches. "I-Inkling?"

"Yeah." Claus's eyes shine, voice becoming clearer again. "She was - amazing. She told me all about you - how you'd met Ness, Lucas, how you were doing - well! Growing more - more con-confident - how you were going to start big school, soon."

Ness turns nervously. "Porky took her too?"

He looks down. "Yes. He did. We - were kept there - for a very long time. Other people came in. Came out. More exp- peri- ments. Me and Inkling - kept each other…" he waves his arms around, as if trying to think of a word. "Alive."

"What happened to Inkling?" I ask fearfully, though I expect I already know.

"Wait. I will - later. But - I - I don't know why Porky kept us - h-he never cared about anyone else. But I lived for - Lucas, he'd tell me about you. How you were. He promised I'd see you again soon."

"I should've kept searching," I murmur, my voice impossibly small. "I stopped looking - I thought you'd died - I thought you'd fallen in the river and drowned - I didn't know."

"It's - okay, Lucas," Claus says, with more conviction than anything he's said yet. "But - it was bad. He did - a lot to us - hurt us - but, one day, he got angry. He-He was angry about something. He did killing. He put a sharp knife in Inkling."

I let out a gasp of horror. "No!"

"Yes." Claus tremors. "And - it got worse. Everything felt so... dark. Bad. I didn't think I'd ever get away. I had no hope."

I'm stunned to silence. So is Ness. There's so much to say, but I don't know how to word any of it.

Claus continues. "So - I was there. Didn't know my name. Broken. Like - like a broken… toy. I didn't want to eat, or move. Porky did the same - same as before. Until one day."

"One day?"

He nods. "One day. A man came up into my prison, where I was. He said that Porky was away, and that he was there to help - help as many people as he could. I didn't thing he was telling the truth - but in the end, I came down with him, and I left."

I bite my lip.

"This - man - took us to Onett, in a big, big wagon." Claus mimes with his hands. "Me and some others. But we were left - there - at the edge - told to go and find our... families."

Ness and I listen, in morose silence.

"Most of all - I wanted to find you," Claus sighs. "I wanted - to come and say hello - to you, Lucas. But - father said no - people would scream - when they saw me - I became - became… ash-ashamed."

"Father knew you were alive, and he didn't tell me?" I whisper, horrified.

Claus weakly shakes his head. "No. Didn't believe me. He thought I was - a demon. So - I ran away. South. Below Onett. Farmlands. Fields. I ate crops, and I did stealing. I had no - no choice, and I-I did not know what to do."

"Claus," I choke. "Claus."

But his eyes light up. "Then - your train stopped near where I was! There - there was - snow, and it was on - on the railway - and I figured out it was your train - to go to big school - and, Lucas, I knew you were there! It made me happy - I could see you - you'd see me - but when I found you, at the window, I scared you both, by accident. You didn't see me."

I look down. "I'm sorry - we thought you were some monster. I should've known."

"No," Claus says. "No - I should have been more clever. I climbed on the roof - I tried to get in! But... that must've scared you! In the end - I had a ride on the roof - all the way to your school, because I really wanted to see you. Talk to you."

I well up. I realise that he's talking like a child, because he doesn't know any different. He's not been taught otherwise. This is my brother… but it's as if he's still 8 years old. "We - we called you The Face," I try to explain. "I had no idea - Claus-"

Claus shifts. "Oh…"

Ness tightens his grip on my hand.

Claus continues to speak. "I went - into the big forest. I lived there. I ate fish. From the river. Then - saw you both."

"I remember that," I say miserably.

"You both ran away, but… it was good to see you." There's a renewed heaviness to his tone. "Then - I saw you again. During the day. I was too slow. You ran - I didn't know what to do. But I heard some people - in the forest - two men talking, about some…" he screws up his brow. "Dis - a - ppear - ances. I got really really worried - I realised I needed to try harder, and, I heard about the Wilderness Survival Week - so I got on the roof of the train again, and I got off - where you did. I followed you - and now, I am here. And - and... that is what happened," he finishes lamely.

"Claus…" I whisper, after a pause.

"Lucas…" His resolve breaks, and he chokes down a muffled sob. I'm not sure what to do, or what to say.

He looks up, eyes wet. "But tell me all about you! What - did I miss? What did I miss, L-Lucas?"

"Uh - well, not, not much," I mumble.

"Boney - how is Boney?" Claus pushes.

I shrug forlornly. "I don't know. We left him with Duster, remember?"

"Oh…"

Ness cocks his head to the side. "Boney?"

"Our dog," I explain. "We had to leave him in Tazmily, though, when we came to Onett. The journey wouldn't have been safe."

"Aw… you never mentioned that."

I look down. "I honestly forgot."

Claus stares, sadness in his eyes. "Forgot? You forgot Boney?"

I shake my head. "I forgot most of what happened in Tazmily."

Claus hesitates. "Did you forget… me?"

"No."

He seems reassured by this. "I was worried - that you would."

"How could I?' I say, with more sharpness than intended. "How could I forget you?"

Claus averts his gaze. "I am sorry."

"It's okay," I whisper.

We arrive back at our spot, with the crocuses, and the long bank. Hearing everything Claus has been through - well, suddenly, my problems seem a lot less significant.

I think I'm still in shock. Part of me still hasn't connected the fact that this is Claus. Part of me still hasn't processed it. Claus. My brother. My twin brother. He looks like this, now. And he talks like a child. The most disconcerting thing, I decide, is trying to connect the flame-haired, lively, happy boy to this sunken, diminished figure.

All three of us sit down. I sense Ness's caution - I'm fairly sure that he doesn't know what to say either. And why would he? He's never met this guy before. He knows next to nothing about him, but suddenly he's here.

"Tell me more about you,' Claus urges nervously, this time towards us both, once we're sat down. "Your friends? School? Wh-what's big school like? I really want to know."

Ness and I exchange a glance, caught off guard. "It's… huge," I begin. "Like - like a big castle, though, you probably saw… but, but we have lessons, 4 lessons per day, and one of them is double."

Claus's eyes light up slightly. "I liked school… everyone there was… nice. What lessons? Do you still… have to do maths?"

I nod. "Yeah. Maths, science, English…"

"What is that? Science?" Claus asks, his sunken eyes curious.

"It's plants, animals, space, that kind of thing," Ness explains.

Claus stares around. "Woah… that's cool."

"I want to be a scientist when I'm older," I say. "But, we also have History, we have Sport, Music and Art."

For the first time, a vague semblance of a smile appears on Claus's face. "Art? Do you - still paint? I really really liked your paintings."

I nod, nervously. "Yes. I've - I've got better at it, since then."

"He has," Ness chips in. "He's so good. They look so real…"

I flush, looking at a blade of grass. "They're not that good…"

"That's really cool," Claus grins, for what looks like the first time in years. "And - music?"

I nod. "Music is good. I play the piano."

Claus's expression shifts to a thoughtful one. "You mean, like in… Tessie's inn? I remember a big, big thing, it made nice sounds."

"That sounds right," I say.

"A-And - friends?" Claus asks, growing in confidence.

I look to Ness.

"Well," Ness says clearly, picking a daisy, and twirling it in his hands. "There's Toon Link, who's loud, funny…"

"Inkling said about him," Claus sighs, expression melting again.

"...and Villager, he's calm, and sensible. Red, who likes studying, and Pit, who's quiet."

"They sound really nice," Claus murmurs. "And Lucas - do you - have a… girlfriend?"

I blush uncomfortably. "Uh, no."

"D-Do you remember - when - I used to have a new girlfriend, every week?"

"Yeah..."

Claus sighs. "That was good."

I awkwardly sweep the hair out of my eyes. "Good times..."

Ness carefully threads an arm around me. I gratefully shift up next to him, still feeling the jittery nerves, still lacking comprehension of how, but also, starting to fill up with anger, for what Porky has done. What Porky has done to my brother. The childhood he stole - the experiences, of school, of growing up, everything that could've been. The potential. Leaving him behind. The mind of an 8 year old, trapped in the tortured body of a teenager.

A toy. Something for Porky to use, for his own pleasure. A spectacle. It makes me sick - who knows how many others Porky has ruined? How many other futures have been lost? Not just how many people - but how many families, left in ruin like my own? How many tears, shed? How much misery? How much heartbreak?

I bite down the tears. Crying would do nobody any good.

"School sounds really really nice," Claus smiles, though it's distant.

"It was," Ness says, now studying his leg.

Claus's face falls. "Was?"

We explain the events of the last couple of weeks.

Claus nods, but he doesn't seem too surprised. "Wow."

I grimace. "Yeah."

He scratches his head. "I'm sorry - that Porky has been so mean - to you."

"I don't get what it is about us," I admit. "I don't know why we're mixed up in his plan."

"I think it must be to do with our powers," Ness theorizes. "I mean, it has to be, right?"

Claus raises an eyebrow. "P-Powers?"

We tell him.

"You must've had a lot of adventures…" marvels Claus, though there's still pain in his voice. "So many…"

"We're going to Onett soon," Ness explains. "We're waiting for our friends to come around here - and then we'll walk down to Onett. We can get you… cleaned up, there. Get you some clothes. A haircut."

Claus looks up in surprise. "R-Really? Onett?"

"Yeah," I nod, trying to sound soothing. "Ness is right - and, and then, you can be more yourself, again."

"I'd like that," Claus smiles. "But, I-I think I've forgotten what I was like, before..." his expression grows vacant.

There's a beat of silence.

Nervously, I shift forwards, taking his non-robotic hand. "Claus… it's okay. You can form a new identity. You can… find peace."

His face becomes ancient, in a matter of seconds. "That sounds really hard," he croaks. "Really, really hard. I don't remember… what it's like, what normal life is like..."

I want to hug him, but I'm not sure how good an idea that is. "Y-you've been through a lot, Claus. It's okay. You can learn again, right?"

He nods, unconvincingly. "Yeah..."

I rub my arm. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what we're going to do, now he's suddenly shown up - I'm not even sure how to talk to him! It feels wrong. And weird. So, so weird. Like he shouldn't be here - like he isn't alive - like he's an apparition, but, here, right before our eyes. In flesh and metal, naked, bare before us, physically and mentally.

But this is hardly my brother. It's a shadow, of what once was - where are his bright eyes? His laugh? Is there hope for him? Now that he's been changed, experimented on? I find myself wondering exactly what experimentation that Porky has done. I already have sickening ideas about what else Porky could've been doing to him - but... the experimentation. The metal arm. Does it function, like a normal arm? Is Claus in control of it? And the metal sections of his left leg, and his left cheek? It's so bizarre. Unholy comes to mind, but that's not the right word at all - I can't think. I don't know.

"Tell me about Father," Claus mumbles. "What's - he like? Is he happy?"

I scratch my head. "Oh, he's, he's a coal miner still, he works for Ness's father. But I don't think he's over everything that happened. And then Porky put us in debt, and… I don't know."

"And he's neglectful," Ness grumbles. "He doesn't look after Lucas properly."

I wince. Claus didn't need to know that.

"Oh..." Claus says miserably. "S-Sorry."

"It's okay, I get by," I say, trying and failing to sound upbeat.

The dismal silence is broken by a flurry of birds chasing each other in a nearby tree.

"We're not actually sure where the others are," Ness explains. "They were supposed to arrive today, but they haven't."

"Oh," says Claus.

"Perhaps, perhaps we should sleep?" I suggest, with a sideways look at Ness. "I think I need time to… process."

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Ness agrees.

"Yes," murmurs Claus, emptily, though he is a million miles away. "Sorry."

"No, no, it's okay," I insist. "I - Claus, I missed you. So, so much. I'm, it's amazing, it's amazing that you're back! It's just, after so long…"

He nods. "So long. But yes, sleep. I am really really happy to see you again, Lucas!"

I smile at him, and I hope it doesn't look forced. "Goodnight, Claus."

"Goodnight, little brother."

I bite my lip, hoping I haven't upset him, already. But, he obediently makes his way into the outskirts of the forest, he lies down on one side, and within a couple of minutes his eyes are closed.

I exhale, not realising how tense I was, not realising how much I've been holding my breath. I've thought about it so much, and I'm beating a dead horse here, but this really is crazy. Forget Headmaster Hand being Porky. Forget Red being controlled. Forget all that. This is the craziest thing yet - and what's going to be next? Ness turns out to be a creature from another galaxy? The grave turns out to be an illusion? New Pork City turns out to be a giant spaceship? I'm not sure I'm ever going to be ready for whatever is coming up.

"I think he's asleep," Ness observes. "Wow."

"Yeah, wow is the word," I grimace. "Wow."

He puts his arms around me. "How are you feeling?"

"Overwhelmed."

"You're doing really well," Ness reassures me. "You're so strong."

I look at him, questioning. "Strong?"

"Yeah," Ness smiles. "It's mad, but you're keeping your head. You're calm."

I blush, warmed by the compliment. "Thanks… I'm freaking out inside, though."

"I mean, anyone probably would be, in this situation. It is pretty crazy. The monster of your nightmares, turning out to be your long lost brother."

I wince. "You couldn't have been much more blunt with that."

"Sorry."

"It's alright," I reassure him, yet I still feel infinitely small. "You could write a book about this kind of thing."

He rubs my back. "You could. You're the one who's a writer."

I frown. "I haven't written anything in a long time…"

"I await the day when you do."

I force a smile. But I can't help but glance, over at the sleeping, broken Claus. Curled up in a protective ball, metal arm just twitching slightly.

"He looks so messed up."

Ness shifts, rubbing his face. "Yeah, it sounds like Porky… hurt him. A lot."

"Will he be able to get better?

It's more a plea, than a question, but Ness answers anyway. "Hopefully."

There's another pause.

"The Face is Claus," I whisper, still stunned.

"And you're my boyfriend," Ness whispers back.

But even that can't cheer me up. "Yeah."

He smiles. "See, everything's crazy, but we still got each other, right?"

"You bet."

To my surprise, Ness pulls me up into his lap, but it's a comfortable position. I lean my head against Ness's chest - I can just about make out his heartbeat, beating surprisingly fast. He wraps his arms around me, and it's warm, and wonderful. It takes me away from my worrying.

A bit.

I speak into his ribcage. "I feel guilty, though."

"Guilty? Why?"

"...Maybe if I'd gone out looking more, if I hadn't given up…"

Ness lays tender hands on my shoulders. "Hey. It's not your fault, ok? And even if you had found him - Porky would've hurt you. Badly."

I breathe in. Ness's scent catches my nostrils. "Maybe."

To my surprise, Ness's soft hands start massaging my shoulders. He runs them round, kneading the stiffest bits, loosening me up, easing some of the tension.

"It'll be okay," he soothes.

"Promise?"

He smiles. "Yeah."

It's hard to disagree, over the newfound pleasure in my shoulders. Heaven knows where Ness learnt to do this - but it's incredible. I sigh, smiling into Ness's chest, my worries halted for now.

"This relationship thing is easy," Ness speaks, upon seeing my contentment. "We've got this in the bag."

I nuzzle him. "Maybe I haven't started being difficult yet. Demanding constant affection. Infinite hugs."

Ness laughs, clearly relieved. "Nah. You're perfect. I don't know what you mean."

"Then I demand cuddles, or I'll go and start talking to other guys," I wink, without any shame whatsoever.

"Wow," starts Ness, his eyes wide. "That's a new side of you. Not gonna lie, kinda turning me on."

I blush deeply. "Ness!"

He prods me, moving to massage my back instead. "I'm kidding, you goof."

"Y-You're the goof!" I exclaim, still very much flustered.

Ness smiles innocently. "1-0 to me."

He ruffles my hair, and I pout. "That's not fair."

"All's fair in love and war."

"And this is both!" I exclaim, flipping him over and pinning him down against the grass.

"Hey!" Ness pouts. "Guess that's the end of the massage then, so ha."

I find myself blushing, again. "1-1."

I let him sit back up. Since when did I feel like this, with Ness? Yet, I can't remember a time that I wasn't head over heels for him. Him and his stupid grin. Him and his silly black hair.

"Should we kiss again?" Ness asks, reddening profusely.

"If you want to," I squeak, and so Ness comes near, and he puts his lips on mine, but it's all a bit messy again, and we end up sprawled all over the grass, laughing our heads off.

"Maybe we're still yet to master that," I smile.

"Yeah," Ness chortles. "Ah, Lucas…"

I snuggle up to him. "Ness…"

He smiles. "I really do love you, you know?"

Oh heavens - those words. Ah, they're like honey, sweet, so warm. So deliciously warm and engrossing. I run my hand through my hair, hoping that the ridiculous expression I'm wearing isn't too obvious.

"And I love you. Even though you're a goof."

"This got sappy," Ness notes, grinning nonchalantly.

"It always does," I shrug, brushing the grass off my shorts.

Ness leans back, looking up at the numerous stars. "Maybe we should sleep…"

"It's 6pm," I disagree. "It's so early…"

But Ness yawns. "I'm really tired though…"

I smile lightly, poking the goof in the chest. "It's okay, boyfriend. You can have a nap."

"I might just do that…" he grins, stretching his arms. "Yeah…"

"If you're tired, then you'd better," I say, seriously. "We're going to need all the strength we can get, for whatever life has got in store for us next."

Ness leans back, easily picking at the grass. "Relax, Luke-"

"Luke?"

"Yeah, Luke? Isn't it a nice name?"

I stand back, physically repulsed. "Never call me Luke, ever again, or you might happen to become a target for a rogue PK Fire."

Ness snorts. "Well, Lucas, point is, we'll be fine. We got each other, right?"

"Our powers aren't unlimited," I remind him. "We still need to be careful."

"I guess." He flops down, onto his back, and as he looks up at the stars, I can't help but worry, if he's taking all this quite as seriously as I am.

"Well, sleep well, okay?" I whisper. "No nightmares. I'm gonna stay up, in case the others show up, but…"

Ness fingerguns, sleepily. "Got it, king Lucas."

I shake my head, as he closes his eyes.

It turns out the best place to sit and wait is on a plump boulder, that just juts up from the riverbank. Not only is there the continued delightful view of the river, but it gives me vision down both the left and right routes. Lest anything terrible decides to show up, and cause calamity. Which is highly likely.

I breathe. The cold night air is nice. Serene, floating languidly over my exposed fingertips, and cheeks, but it's not cold enough to be painful. I turn my head skywards, facing the moon's silver glow, lustrous in its frequent beauty, in its perfect unmoved stillness. The sky is once again cloudless, once again shimmering with pinpricks of light, alive with all kinds of strange forces and chemical reactions, all happening simultaneously.

There's my analytical mind again.

For some reason, a question comes to mind.

What am I?

Well, how ridiculously vague! How am I supposed to know something like that? I'm Lucas, a human, I live in Onett. But who will I become? When all this is over, how will I come out, on the other side?

"Remember what is real, and what is not," Ryu had always told us. Even now I hear his voice - prickling at the back of my mind, knocking at the door, wanting to come in, to talk to me. His words, bleeding into my thoughts. His dying breath, in my own lungs.

I will keep his memory alive, in my actions. That will be part of what I am, what I become. Because he deserves that much. He deserves to live.

But what will that mean for me? I kick at the dirt, in discontentment. I exhale, my breath a cloud of mist, swiftly dissipating. There, and then not there. Alive, and then dead. Like Ryu. Like Mother. Like Claus, except… alive, again.

Maybe it's weird seeing my biggest role model like this. Even subconsciously, I would ask myself what would Claus do in the most trialling of situations. I'd always imagined Claus as brave, strong, if he were still alive today. Not this. Not this half-alive hybrid. Which throws a spanner into my grasp on reality - maybe if mother were still alive, she'd be deeply depressed? Maybe if Ryu were alive, he'd be tortured, and converted? Maybe the typical human idyllic view of the dead is wrong. It's presumptuous.

The cold air starts to nip at my skin, even through my coat. Perhaps this wasn't the best place to sit, after all.

Thinking about Ness always warms me up, though. Whatever I become, he'll be a part of it. He'll always be a part of my life. He always has been. Since our fateful meeting - it was only natural, that we'd end up here. If I'd woken this morning, and I'd known that by the end of the day, we'd be together… I wouldn't have ever believed it. Yet, I'm surprised it took me so long to realise that this is right.

I brush a finger underneath my left eye, and it comes back wet.

But I'm happy.


A/N

I'm not crying, you are.

I have a Twitter now! On it I'll post regular updates for this fic, about progress on each chapter, and maybe some other stuff. It's just called ReadyforTeddy-

Claus is The Face! Claus is The Face! Man, I've been excited about revealing this for ages. Writing him is hard though, hah.

And heartbreaking. It is so, so heartbreaking.

Ness and Lucas being together warms my heart a little. Juxtaposing them and Claus, that's what I call a literary power move.

It's gonna be a little while before they break out of the awkward, nervous blushy stage I think… but it's about time they got together!

Hope you enjoyed, and sorry this took a while. School sucks. But my summer holidays begin after Friday! So I'll probably write more, until I'm on vacation, when I will almost certainly write less!

Notes:

Boney is canonically the family dog.

Some allusions to the plot of mother 3 that I won't specify because spoilers

Hope you enjoyed!

~ReadyForTeddy