Hello!
Been a while, but I'm literally dying with school and various other life things.

This chapter is messy af, a bit sparse, mainly me crushing on Wrecker now, and a bit of a vent at one point, but I hope you enjoy nevertheless!

Warnings:
Slight suggestive material, talk of emotional trauma from past relationships (because I was writing while in a bitter mood), and ominous warnings.

I didn't know what Trevor had told Hunter, but I could definitely tell whatever it was had unnerved the sergeant. Badly.

Since Trevor had gone off to do who knows what, Hunter and I were alone on the elevator ride down which I noticed now was quite loud. I could hear gears and servos faintly screeching, a sound which made my ears twitch.

My back felt quite a bit stronger, probably to help hold my tail up. The thing was admittedly heavy.

"Hey, Hunter."

Hunter glanced my way. Since his helmet was tucked under his arm, I could see his eyes drift to my ears before coming back.

"What exactly did Trevor tell you?"

The man was silent for a moment before he replied, "Something about the ability to see the future being a nightmare."

Oh he did not. "Ah."

"Is there something I should know?"

I contemplated telling him about my dreams occasionally revealing possible future events like some twisted Christmas Carol gone wrong, but ultimately decided against it. Too hard to explain. "No, he's just being Trevor."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Hunter's eyes went once more to my ears and now my tail. "You should have stayed in that other form. Your ears and tail give you away now."

Shit.

The doors whooshed open, giving me an escape route… which Hunter quickly blocked by pressing the button to hold the doors closed.

"Shadow, what did he mean by that?"

"Sarge," I said, tail bristling uneasily. "It's a really bad idea to corner me in a confined space like this. Open the door."

"I'll open it once you tell me."

A faint grating sound filled the elevator as my claws slid out and scraped the floor. "I'll tell you once you open the door," I countered.

Deep brown eyes held mine for a moment before the sergeant lifted his finger from the button and allowed the doors to open back up.

I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly exited the elevator. That was… unpleasant. But at least I learned something new. Hunter had flecks of gold in his eyes. Cliché as it was, I still appreciated the distinction.

How I didn't see it before, I have no idea. Maybe the elevator lighting was just right. I was also closer to his eyes, having gained six inches in height.

Boy was Tech in for a shock when I stood taller than him. Did his eyes have the same gold fleck trait? I couldn't really tell with the goggle-glasses thing he had going on.

Hunter's hand on my shoulder pulling me back reminded me I had other issues.

Years of training were hard to shake, and a strike to the bundle of nerves at his wrist as I jerked into a backstance caused Hunter to abruptly draw his hand back.

My ears flattened. "Boy, don't do that when I'm on edge!"

"Nice block," he grunted, rolling his wrist.

My cheeks, annoyingly, grew warm. "Er, thanks."

"Right, you… what was it? Short circuit from compliments?"

Your little smirk ain't helping matters! "You may be one of the few men who isn't one of my martial arts instructors who actually compliments me when I hit him."

"I appreciate skill, no matter the circumstance."

"Ah ha, I see," I said in mock annoyance. "You're tryin' to make my short circuit to the point I slip and tell you what you want to know, huh, Shaggy?"

A brow raised. "Depends."

"On?"

"Is it working?"

I smiled dryly. "Hunter used Compliment. It was very effective!"

Another faint grin. "Ha."

I paused, gathering my thoughts, before replying, "Look, sometimes… my dreams… well Trevor ain't the only one who can see the future around here."

Hunter's brows lifted. "You're prophetic too?!"

"No," I corrected. "He's able to see the actual future. I see the possible future. But only for bad stuff."

"And this happens in your nightmares?" Hunter asked. He sounded a bit… sympathetic?

"They are my nightmares. It's sucky."

Hunter made to respond, but Scooter approaching caused the sergeant to rethink and abandon his response.

"Hey Shads, there you are! Two of the clones headed into the armory, the big fella and the graveyard wraith."

"Is just a common trait of this outpost to call people anything but their name?" Hunter groaned.

"Now where's the fun in that?" I snorted.

Hunter rolled his eyes and muttered, "If Wrecker's found his way into the armory… well hope you didn't need your explosives because he's probably already stolen them."

"I certainly ain't gonna stop him!" Scooter laughed. "The small fry went into the library again."

Hunter turned his focus to me. "I'll get Cross and Wrecker. You get Tech. We'll meet you there."

"Roger that." I immediately winced. "Ah, fuck. That… I wasn't… that wasn't a droid reference."

Hunter shook his head. "It's fine. We'll see you in a few."

"Gotcha."

As Hunter walked away, Scooter nudged me with a grin. "Handsome trooper. I see why he's your second favorite."

"He can hear you," I growled, flicking Scooter in the forehead.

The ginger just grinned before departing to cause chaos elsewhere. Shaking my head, I headed towards the library. I was glad the self insert had already gotten me instinctively accustomed to the tail thing, or something like that, because figuring out how to work in this form would be way too much effort.

Oh that was probably why. It was too much to add me getting used to this form and struggle hiding my lack of familiarity with it from the Bad Batch. Hell, I'd probably do the same. Self inserts were often for the sole sake of fun.

I walked in to see Tech, helmet on the table, standing over a pile of books, thoroughly engrossed in whatever he was deciphering. I came up beside him, but he still didn't acknowledge me.

Wow… I really was taller than him. I knew I would be but… wow it was weird. It did give me enough height to notice that his hair was a bit spiky. Kinda like Crosshair's.

Get your mind off the twig and focus on the cinnamon roll. "Hey nerd," I greeted.

"Hello, Shad-" Tech turned his head. "Oh!" His eyes flew wide. "Your ears!" He gasped and darted behind me. "You have a tail! And your lower legs!"

I blinked in mild shock as the technician dropped to the floor to examine them.

"Why, your feet are plantigrade!"

"Easier to balance my upright weight," I said, tail swishing back and forth.

Tech immediately reached for the fluffy extension of my spine, only to give a slight pout as I moved it out of his reach. "Just one fur sample?"

"What is it with you and yoinkin' bits of me?" I grumbled, ears flattening.

Still sitting on the floor, enviously eyeing my tail, Tech protested, "The scientific value you posses-"

"I'm my own person, not some lab specimen," I reminded him.

"I did not mean…" His eyes drifted higher up. "How does your tail attach to your spine?"

You, sir, are staring straight at my ass. "My eyes are up here."

Tech looked up, and sprung from the floor. "Your eyes changed! The sclera now-" He took a step back and looked me up and down. "You… grew."

"She certainly did!"

I couldn't help the smile that tugged the corners of my mouth at Wrecker's excited yell. He may have broken my plate and woke me up early but… I just couldn't stay mad at him. I looked over to see the demolition expert jogging over, Hunter and Crosshair lagging behind at a walk. The enthusiastic smile on Wrecker's face stretching ear to ear…

My gut was a butterfly garden again. It was always the big goofy strong ones that I fell head over heels for.

Now… I could swear Tech is pouting. Don't look at him, you'll make it worse! "Howdy, Wreck," I laughed. "Find anything good in the armory?"

"Oh yeah!" he grinned. "Gonna need it too! Sarge told us about that bastard and his clankers!"

I matched his grin. "I see someone's ready to cause some chaos!"

"It's what we do best!" Wrecker boasted, beating his chest with a fist as he flashed me a feral smile.

I laughed and shook my head. "Doubt I can match you, but I got my own fireworks here in my pack."

"Can't wait to see what you're capable of in battle, Haran'ika!" Wrecker laughed, nudging me in the shoulder before looking at Tech. "Hey! She's taller than you now, squirt!"

It took all I had not to laugh at Tech's disgruntled face. Poor guy was just having a bad day. I glanced towards Crosshair. The sniper had been staring at me with narrowed eyes, but a look of challenge spread across his face when I met his gaze.

Slowly making his way up to me, he looked me up and down before removing his toothpick and pointing it at me. "Someone's in a cheery mood."

"Yeah, well Wrecker sparks joy." I flicked my tail to indicate the large clone. "Unlike your grim reaper knockoff looking ass."

Wrecker's booming laugh echoed through the library. Slinging an arm over my shoulder, he teased Crosshair, "See, she likes me best!"

"You're both children. Makes sense you two get along," Crosshair snorted, rolling his eyes as he settled the toothpick back between his teeth.

"Wow, child and brat are all really you can think of?" I shot back.

Dark brown eyes slowly looked me up and down, inspecting me. Analyzing me. "Oh, I could come up with much more," he said with a small smirk.

I did not appreciate the chill that decided to slide down my spine.

Fire back! Return fire! Return fire!

"Considering how many steps ahead I am in that regard, you've got a lot of catchin' up to do." I paused. "Ram'ser."

The only movement from Crosshair was the twitch of the toothpick as it went still.

Hunter raised an eyebrow at me. "Thought you only knew insults in Mando'a."

"I'm full of surprises," I said, not moving my eyes from Crosshair's.

What are you thinkin', Cross? Huh? What's going on in that sniper brain of yours?

"I suppose you are, furball," Crosshair remarked after a long pause. He didn't look shocked, exactly. But his exact mood was a mystery. His slip up this morning must have caused him to put up his shields even more to avoid being caught out like that again.

"You kiddin'?" Wrecker laughed, causing me to look up at him. "I'll bet she's always got something up her sleeve!"

"She isn't wearing sleeves right now," Tech pointed out.

"Metaphor, Tech," Hunter said, shaking his head. He glanced at me, a small "Gotta love him" smile spreading across his face.

"I know what a metaphor is!" Tech protested, stepping up to Hunter.

The sergeant raised his hands in mock surrender while keeping his helmet tucked under his arm.

I'd be a liar if I said their back and forth wasn't heartwarming.

This is what they deserved. To be just… brothers. Not worrying about dying in a war for a Republic who cared little about their lives, their hopes, dreams, personalities, fears…

It took me a moment to notice the men were looking at me funny. Or rather my... backside?

I looked back.

Oh, not my backside. Rather my furiously bristling tail that had begun to twitch at the tip again.

"Shadow? Everything ok?" Tech asked cautiously.

"Yeah! Just… thinkin'," I mumbled.

"What about?" Hunter asked.

How fucking unfair it all is. You risk your lives, day after day, and why? For what? Where's your reward? You fight for the freedom of billions while the same is denied to you. No thank you. No recognition. No respect. It's not fair! Where does it get you in the end? What happens after you spend all these years fighting? You become a mindless drone. All you have is your personalities and in the end even that is ripped away. You give it all… and get nothing.

"Nothin'," I said softly, shaking my head. Before they could ask another question, I cleared my throat and straightened up. "So!" I forced a smile. "Let's go grab some food and be on the way! Shall we?"

"Alright! Food!" Wrecker cheered, punching the air excitedly.

Tech on the other hand was not as enthusiastic. "B-But I just got these books out! I was scanning the pages for information about this world and the possible fauna we will encounter..."

Hunter seemed to ponder that. "Wrecker, you go with Shadow. We will meet you at the entrance to the building in T-minus ten minutes."

More splitting up? Odd. We just got back together. But hey, get to hang with Wrecker alone a little bit! That alone lifted my spirits. "Copy that! C'mon big guy, let's get some vittles!"

Another grin from the big guy further drove away the sadness.

Oh I was a goner. Between him and Hunter? Prepare for trouble and make it double.

"Hey, Cross! Decided to come too?"

That is not what I had in mind!

"Makin' sure she doesn't try to jump you."

"I could never hurt Wrecker," I huffed. "Both because he's my favorite, and uh look at the size of him. I'm not beatin' that."

"It's muscle!" Wrecker protested, but the pout he gave me barely hid the grin.

"Of course it is, big fella," I teased.

Look, I couldn't resist bantering with him. His joy and energy were contagious.

"I'll prove it!"

I wasn't surprised when my feet left the ground. But my retaliation was swift as I snatched the helmet off his head. "Mine now."

Wrecker cocked his head to the side. "Put it on! I wanna see how it looks on ya!"

Crosshair rolled his eyes. "She's already tried Hunter's helmet. Don't encourage her."

"C'mon, Haran'ika!" Wrecker encouraged. "I wanna see!"

Taking off my hat, I slid the helmet on and it predictably hit my shoulders. It squished my ears and really smelled like Wrecker. "Your helmet just swallowed my head."

"Changed my mind."

Both Wrecker and I looked to Crosshair in surprise.

"It's an improvement."

"You really are a sour puss, Twiggy," I snorted, slipping the helmet back off and setting it on Wrecker's head. "There's your hat back."

"Thanks, Haran'ika!" Wrecker laughed. "Let's get the food!"

I expected him to put me down, but instead he continued to carry me towards the cafeteria. "Yo, Wreck, I got legs!"

"They're nice legs too!"

My face better not be red. "Uh huh, put me down."

"But I like carryin' ya! And ya don't weigh nothin'!"

"I get you're a strong boy, but I like my feet on the ground. Besides, we'll need to store the food in my pack!"

"Aw, ok," Wrecker groaned, letting me slip from his arms back down to the floor.

"Thanks, Wreck."

Back on the floor, I led the way as we went and collected some food for the trail. Bringing it back, we stopped at a table and spread it out.

"Ya can't carry all this, Haran'ika!"

"Are you sure about that?" I said with a grin, setting down my pack. "Gentleman, and Crosshair."

The sniper just glared at me.

"Behold, my magical backpack." I unzipped it and held it open for them to see. "Empty, right?"

"Just like the space between your ears," Crosshair remarked.

"And the space in your chest," I retorted before continuing, "Looks are deceiving, for it is not empty at all! Rather, what's inside is kept hidden away until it's needed! For example." I reached in. "Food storage."

Something plastic materialized in my hand and I pulled out a tupperware container. Except… "Tupperware, more like tupper-where the fuck is the lid?" Reaching back in, I said, "Lid."

I pulled out a hat. Glaring at it, I tossed it onto the table beside the tupperware container. "Tupperware lid."

That time, I got what I needed. "Finally."

"Woah! That's awesome!" Wrecker exclaimed. Even Crosshair looked surprised. Wrecker continued, "How does it do that? Where'd ya get it?"

"Not sure, Trevor gave it to me."

"He your partner or somethin'?" Crosshair snorted.

"In crime, yes. Romantically, no. He swings the other way. Tried to flirt with Hunter actually."

Wrecker laughed. "Hunter's got his sights on someone else!"

Now what in the Sam Hill does that mean?

"I don't doubt it. Y'all been out causin' chaos for six months, probably met a lot of girls."

He probably means you, idiot.

Ha. Funny. Guys don't like me, I'm just a practice girl. There's always a better option. Just look at the history of guys we've dealt with.

"You're crushin' on my brother, aren't you?"

I glared at Crosshair. "I know where crushin' on people gets me." I couldn't help but laugh. "Ironically, that's how I feel when it's all over. Crushed!"

"Surely one time it went well!" Wrecker protested.

"Yeah, then towards the end when it got rocky and I mentioned splittin' up the guy asked if he could date my friend who I knew he had a crush on before me. Proving what I knew all along."

"What's that?"

I couldn't meet Crosshair's no doubt taunting gaze. "I was always Plan B."

The silence stretched way too long for my comfort. Damnit, couldn't one of them say something? Instead of just staring at me? This is why I didn't open up about why the fuck I hated any type of romance. It'd taken me three years to not associate romance as a fate worse than death. I hadn't liked romantic shit to begin with, never did, but that shit certainly didn't help at all.

A hand rested lightly across my upper back."That pile of bantha-shit was a di'kut shabuir," Wrecker growled.

A soft laugh rose from my chest. "Shabuir… good way to to put it."

Wrecker patted me on the back. "I'm sorry he did that, Shads."

My ears twitched at the name, but I gave him a weak but grateful smile. "Thank, Wrecker." Another soft laugh escaped me. "But I'll tell you what, me and my friend got one hell of a laugh out of him askin' that! Me and her had known each other since we were… three? So I had a good support system to fall back on. And I'm emotionally strong. I got through it. Just got a bit of bitterness and trust issues left over, but don't we all?"

"Doesn't make it right."

To my surprise, the comment didn't come from Wrecker. Crosshair looked even less happy than usual, a look akin to disgust on his face.

You're more complex than people give you credit for, Cross. There's a kind soul in there somewhere. Maybe not kind, but at least understanding.

My tail flicked side to side. "Tell me about it."

"We should get back to Hunter, it's been around ten minutes."

I nodded. "Right. Let's pack up and head out."

After storing all the food in various tupperware containers, we shoved them into my pack, in which they would be kept fresh, and headed to meet the others. Crosshair remained quieter than usual, while Wrecker seemed to walk closer.

Funny how your brain can split in two and be simultaneously grateful for the sympathy yet at the same time loath it. Couldn't I get one minute to myself without my two cranial hemispheres going to war?

Reaching Hunter and Tech by the door, I saw Trevor had joined them. Oh great.

Seeing me, he shot a sympathetic look my way. Right, he always knew when stuff like this happened. But Hunter took notice and raised an eyebrow as he looked from Trevor to me. I swear I saw the man's nose twitch as he looked me over.

Luckily for me, my sadness had dissipated on the walk back so the man couldn't smell it at least. But he obviously knew something was up, which wasn't helpful.

"No issues getting the grub?"

Crosshair was the one who responded. "No, all good."

Define good. But he hadn't been an ass for a bit so I was grateful for that at least.

"Right," Hunter said with a nod, but sent another glance my way.

I shook my head as subtly as I could. Unfortunately… Tech saw it.

"Shadow, what happened? Your tail is drooping.!"

"I did wake her up early."

I couldn't believe it, but I sent a silent thanks Crosshair's way. "Yeah, Tech, I'm just tired."

"Can you lead us through the mountains, then? If you're tired? What if you get us lost?"

"Then I'll sleep and find my way back. Been out there enough."

"Plus there's your Icespitter form if you need to do an aerial check," Trevor added.

Oh yeah… I was a feline type. Granted I allowed feline types to access that form with Scarlett in mind, and her power was ice. Kinda like her lizard type grandfather Hannibal with his fire powers and him shifting into a Molten Maw. What would happen if I had the power of earth and shifted into that. Would I still spit ice?

It's your world, you decide canon.

Don't give me that power.

"Thought you were an Earth elemental," Hunter commented.

"I am."

"Then what's an Icespitter?" Tech asked.

Do they have dragons? There's the Kyrat or whatever dragon. Don't risk it. "Large winged feline that can spit ice. Hence the name Deadly Icespitter."

"Oh!" Wrecker exclaimed. "Like a dragon!"

Welp. "Exactly like that, actually. Well sorta. I'll explain on the way, let's get movin'."

As we started walking towards the trailhead, Wrecker asked, "What does the dragon look like?"

"It's a polar dweller. Feathered wings, thick fur, fluffy feet, tail like mine, saber teeth, and the front paws actually have a thumb."

"That's awesome! How big do ya get? Big as that form from last night?"

"Bigger. Icespitters aren't True Dragons, rather False Dragons, but they do get pretty big."

"What's the difference?" Tech asked, edging closer as we walked.

"False Dragons eat like you and me. Or any natural creature. They're more along the lines of mortal beings. True Dragons however… they're immense and feed not off organic matter, but magic itself."

"Magic is big on your world then?" Tech asked.

"You could say that. The True Dragons have fewer species, and fewer individuals. They're ancient beings, and very wise. There's a species for each major biome, and they have alliterative names. Lava Lurker, Mysterian Magi, Abyssal Annihilator, and so on. False Dragons are more numerous with more individuals, and reproduce organically. Deadly Icespitter, Molten Maw, Mystic Skywing, Deathsummoners, Tree Leapers, etcetera."

"You know so much about your world and its species!" Tech exclaimed, smiling.

Oh buddy you have no idea.

In no time we had reached the trailhead, Tech asking me various questions about different species.

Stopping at the trailhead, Trevor asked, "Alright, got everything?"

"Think so," I said, adjusting my pack. "You packed the thing."

"This is true. Oh! Wait, one more thing!" Trevor said, grinning at me as he pulled something out of his pocket. "Close your eyes and hold out your hands."

I squinted at him.

"Don't worry, not a trick! You'll like this, I know it." The Halfblood's smile turned sincere.

Sighing, I did as he said. Something was dropped into my hands. A… switchblade?

Opening my eyes, I nearly dropped it.

No way…

How… how did he…?

Where...?

But the fandoms didn't connect!

"Well?" Trevor prompted softly.

Running my fingers over the crudely scratched 'From T to S', I looked up at him. "But… this is…"

"Figured it would bring you luck. Plus… a little reminder of better times for when you're feeling down."

A heartfelt smile spread across my face. "Trevor… thank you. Seriously… thank you." I paused, then stepped forward and embraced the Halfblood.

Chuckling, he returned it. "Stay safe, Shadow." He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.

I returned the Rageryan goodbye, pressing my forehead back against his before stepping back.

He smiled. "I'll check in. See how you're doin' on this next big adventure!"

"See ya, Trev," I said, shoving him goodnaturedly.

"One more thing!" His grin grew. "May the Forest be with you!"

"Hardy har, go back and bother Scooter," I teased. Turning to the boys, I asked, "We all ready?"

"Tech's already gone," Crosshair snorted as he settled his helmet on his head, indicating the patch of white and red in the green foliage up ahead.

"Guess we better catch up." I waved on last time to Trevor and set out on the trail.

I had no idea this would be the last time I saw the outpost.

Not sure when the next chapter will be out, but thank you for sticking with me!

Keep watch on tumblr for updates!