Here's another installment in the chaos! Seems the team has a new member! Crosshair got a child! Was talking with one of the Dragneel twins like back in 2020 and it evolved into Crosshair being imprinted on so. Ta da XD

CW: Self doubt, self loathing, Trust Shattered callbacks, Alphian female anatomy mention.

Of all the creatures to bring back… they found a Night Hunter? The unholy cross between a gator, praying mantis, scorpion, angler fish, and that freaky ass mud demon in Riddick? Why were those damn things even on the planet?

The one in Crosshair's arms was clearly a baby, no bigger than a 2-day old lab puppy, but I knew it'd reach the size of a small pony in a few months. Venomous, vicious, and highly territorial, they were not to be messed with.

Where'd he'd even find it?!

Crosshair looked startled at my reaction, holding the lethal animal closer. "Furball, what-"

"That is a Night Hunter! Evil!" I hissed, tail pushed and lashing back and forth. "Put it back!"

"Evil?" he echoed, helmet tilting down. "It looks like a baby."

The spawn in his arms looked up and chittered, lightly tapping its mantis-like forelimbs against the lower edge of the helmet.

"Doesn't look evil," Wrecker ventured, scratching his head.

"That's how they get you!" I spat.

"It does not appear to be acting evil, either. Do Night Hunters grasp the dichotomy of good versus evil?" Tech asked, wandering over. Wiggling his fingers at it, a small smile ghosted his face when the Night Hunter waved its forelimbs back.

I squinted at the action. Hold up. There was one, and only one, way for a Night Hunter to not have attacked a trespasser on sight. And only one reason why it would be so docile.

"Did you… find it in an egg?" I asked slowly.

"Found its parent torn apart and this little guy came out from under some oak roots," Crosshair said, carefully scratching its back.

"Any other eggs?" I asked, forcing my fur to lie flat as the Night Hunter happily chittered at Crosshair's touch.

"All smashed."

Oh boy.

"So there were zero living parents, it was alone, and you found recently broken eggs?"

"Yes?"

A laugh bubbled in my throat. "Oh. Oh hell. That's… that's why-" Snickers cut me off and I fought to repress them.

"What's so funny?" Crosshair growled.

"Well, Cross, congrats!"

"Why?"

"Because that thing imprinted on you. You're a mother!"

"I'm a what?!"

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

That had… certainly been an unusual reaction from Shadow. Here he thought they loved all animals, but apparently not. Despite creating the animal itself. At least they didn't skip over unpleasant species as some did when writing fiction. Instead, they took all aspects of a biosphere into their worldbuilding.

Tech could appreciate that.

Having finished off what little rations were left, save for some rather unappetizing bars, they were all on their way back to Sarah's. Of course, that meant having to go through that odd tropical swamp climate manifested by the magic leak again, but Tech didn't mind. Dangerous or not, encountering anything new brought him endless joy.

What species would he see? What cultures would he encounter? What new lands would he be able to explore?

He couldn't wait to get to Shadow's planet and see their imagination at work full force.

A smile spread across his face. While yes, they would be mission oriented and not able to fully explore, some exploration was better than none. It would certainly take some time to travel there, so he had plenty of time to ask specifics about the world then, but for now there was one main question on his mind.

Where exactly on the planet would they go?

Would it be terrestrial or aquatic? Mountainous or lowland? Jungle or desert? Lush or scrubland? Would it be a singular region or many?

He needed to know.

As they emerged from the tree line and onto the bare hillside of lush, knee high grass, Tech cleared his throat. "Shadow."

Shadow glanced back at him from the front of the pack. "Aye?"

He pushed his way to the front. "Do you know where we will be getting the Kelusyte?"

They frowned, tail flicking. "That's the tricky part. Ain't just lyin' around." They gestured vaguely. "See, there was a bit of a war between Alphians and humans, called the War of Shadows, where the humans used Kelusyte to pretty much cut the total planetside Alphian population in half. After the Alphians won, all mines were seized and closed to prevent it from happening again."

"War of Shadows?" Hunter asked.

"Was fought more or less in the shadows with lethal gas being used to infect and kill the Alphians."

"Isn't there anything to help negate the symptoms?" Tech asked. "Surely you know something for it?"

Shadow shook their head. "There's no cure, aside from very rare magic, for Kelusyte."

Hunter tilted his head. "What magic is that?"

"Magic I ain't thought up yet," Shadow replied dryly.

So, they hadn't thought of everything then. What else would they encounter that Shadow hadn't thought out or hadn't given a full form?

"So where would we get it?" Tech asked again.

"There's… one place. But it might not be the easiest place to get the crystal from," Shadow admitted.

"Where is that?"

"It's on the northern continent of Mysteria. Place called the Heart. It's very… wacky. Above another magic leak so fun surprises around every corner."

Another magic leak? Delightful! Despite the accompanying chaos and potential for bodily harm, Tech yearned for a chance to experience this magic up close. No one from his universe had ever been able to study it. And he would be the first.

"Oh goodie," Crosshair grumbled. The strange alien had taken up residence on his pack and fallen asleep.

"What? Not up for another crazy adventure?" Shadow teased, flicking their tail against his arm.

Crosshair snorted. "Consider me adventured out."

"I'm ready for one!" Wrecker shouted eagerly, punching the air.

Shadow laughed, the sound ringing through the trees. "That's the spirit!"

"If it's all the same," Hunter interrupted before Wrecker and Shadow could start another friendly wrestling match. "I'd be happy with minimum crazy for at least a few days."

"What's this? Y'all are the chaos boys! Clone Force 99! You live on crazy!" Shadow exclaimed in mock disappointment.

It was nice to see them back to their normal energetic and snarky self, especially after seeing them so broken the night before. While Tech admittedly held some resentment towards them, he couldn't blame Shadow personally. They hadn't known, and when they did know, they were more apologetic than he'd ever seen. Taking his leg wound and bearing it themselves, they'd earned his forgiveness.

And more.

"Yeah, but a manageable dose of crazy," Hunter retorted, yet Tech could hear the laugh in his voice.

Shadow grinned at him, baring their teeth. "Manageable is a matter of perspective. Y'all know how we fans got introduced to your unit? You came back from a mission on Yalbec Prime where Wrecker cut the queen's stinger off while she was still alive."

Cut the Queen's stinger off? "But that would make the males attempt to mate with us instead," Tech said, puzzled.

"Exactly!" Shadow broke down in a fit of laughter. "Hunter tried to keep it quiet and just said they were tryin' to eat y'all, but you spilled the beans about what really happened!"

"Sounds like something Tech would do!" Wrecker agreed, also laughing hard.

Wheezing and occasionally snorting now, Shadow looked two seconds from collapsing onto the ground. "Oh man, and the regs faces! Gold! Poor Kix looked so confused!"

"Kix?" Tech asked. "The 501st's medic? Why was he there?"

"Cody called you in!" Shadow gasped, red faced as they leaned against Hunter. Cackling for a moment more, they swallowed and managed to get out, "And what an entrance!"

Frowning as Shadow fully slipped to the ground, gripped by another wild fit of hysterical laughter, Tech asked, "Are you alright?"

Shadow nodded, still laughing as they rolled into the edge of the grass.

"Maker, Ice, breathe!" Hunter exclaimed, kneeling down beside the Alphian.

Shadow wheezed in reply, lying on their back with their tail waving in the air.

"They've lost it," Crosshair commented, looking down at Shadow.

Wrecker wasn't doing much better, Shadow's fit proving contagious as he also collapsed to the ground and howled with laughter.

"Not you too," Crosshair groaned, shaking his head.

Trying to gather Shadow in his arms but failing as the half-cat did what cats do and became half liquid, Hunter sighed. "Ice, are you going to be ok? Or do I need to carry you?"

Breathing hard, Shadow shook their head and managed to sit up. "Sorry, sorry, just… y'all were chaotic bastards from the start and I was an instant fan."

Someone instantly liked them? He knew Shadow had been a fan of them for a while, but to instantly like them?

That's never happened before.

Partially recovering, Wrecker managed to sit up. "How did Crosshair act?"

"Canon Cross?" Shadow snickered. "Mouthed off to Jesse and Rex then tried to beat up Kix."

"He what?" Hunter exclaimed as Wrecker erupted into another fit of laughter.

"You would try to beat up a medic," Tech said, rolling his eyes at Crosshair.

"Only if they deserved it," Crosshair grumbled, crossing his arms.

That sent Shadow into another fit of cackles.

"Good grief, Shadow, what's gotten into you?" Hunter exclaimed. "You're worse than Wrecker on pain meds!"

"Aw, c'mon, Tatts! You love my chaoticness!" Shadow teased, headbutting his stomach and sending the sergeant onto his ass.

"Tech, did you do anything to the food to cause this?" Hunter demanded, now trying to wrestle Shadow into a sitting position as the Alphian rolled around with him.

"No, but I do believe this grass may be causing the reaction," he replied, kneeling down to inspect the stalks. Pinching off some, he squinted at it. "Perhaps they can smell some chemical that we cannot."

Finally getting Shadow in a somewhat upright position, Hunter panted, "Then we need to get them out of here before they get high or something."

"Avengers!" Shadow yelled, startling them all. "Roll out!"

And off they went down the grassy hillside.

"They're gonna roll themselves right off the crater edge," Crosshair sighed as Hunter chased after the Alphian followed quickly by Wrecker.

That would be less than favorable.

Nevertheless, Tech shrugged, withholding a wince. "I prefer them in this state than last night's."

Crosshair's shoulders dropped. "Yeah…" he agreed, voice barely above a whisper.

Tech didn't pity him. The man knew Shadow's sore spot and still attacked it. Last night was his fault, plain and simple. He attacked Shadow, and Shadow's overactive imagination, spurred on by their volition emotions, retaliated.

To the engineer, his brother dug his own grave and nearly dug the rest of the squad's while he was at it.

Tech didn't blame Shadow for his injuries.

But he did blame Crosshair.

"At least you finally saw the way your words hurt others," Tech replied unsympathetically.

Crosshair stiffened and turned to face him, jabbing a finger at him. "Don't start with me, Shorty. Shadow forgave me."

"But I do not."

"Not your call."

"Considering I have you to thank for this." Tech gestured to his arm. "I'd say it is my 'call'."

"Watch it, Four Eyes."

"I did not give someone nightmares."

"I'll turn into a nightmare if you don't check that tone," Crosshair growled, taking a step forward.

Tech didn't flinch. "And risk upsetting Shadow again? I doubt it."

With that he turned away, leaving Crosshair and heading down to help the others.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

"I did not give someone nightmares."

Did that insufferable engineer think he didn't know what he did? Didn't hate himself for it? Didn't regret it with every fiber of his being?

Didn't replay those horrible words over and over in his head?

"So, the grand architect of this nightmare has come to see the fruits of his labor?"

"I'm done playin' the part of a lovestruck fool."

"Since when has the sniper kept his promises?"

"Now you're going to know exactly how it feels to be torn apart by someone you thought you could trust."

"And what makes you think you know me?"

"And so, the truth is revealed."

"No. It was his."

That last one, coupled with Shadow's icy glare, probably haunted him the most. That anger… that hate.

Every time it flashed through his mind, a scream nearly ripped itself from his throat.

Something tapped on the side of his helmet. Flinching and whipping his head around, he nearly sent his new companion flying off his shoulder.

Or his… child?

That felt weird to even think about. He didn't mind kids as long as they stayed away from him and left him alone, so being a father never really appealed to him, but now here he was with an imprinted predator who, apparently, saw him as its parental unit.

A Night Hunter, Shadow called it?

"What do you want?" he hissed at it.

Really should give it a name.

Blinking at him, it lightly drummed its forelimbs against his helmet again and chittered at him. Almost as if it were… trying to comfort him?

"Least someone cares," he muttered.

It stood straighter before waving its forelimbs side to side and jumping up and down.

"Can you understand me?"

It stopped jumping and tipped its head to the side before doing another odd dance.

No, of course it couldn't. It was a baby.

But it could detect emotions apparently. And feel empathy. So that was a start.

Carefully reaching up and avoiding the weird central antennae, he lightly petted the top of its head with a finger. Leaning into his touch, the Night Hunter chittered again and mimicked the gesture on Crosshair's helmet.

Fangs aside… it really was kinda cute.

"Not half bad."

Another happy chitter.

"Hey! Cross! C'mon!" Wrecker yelled from the bottom of the hill.

Shadow had stopped rolling down the hill, but now happily writhed side to side on their back in the grass.

They're going to get grass stains on their clothes, he thought, rolling his eyes.

But at least they were happy.

That's what mattered now. He was going to change. He was going to make it up to them.

He promised.

Meeting up with the others, he couldn't help but smile beneath his helmet as loud purring reached his ears. They really did look like they were in pure bliss, smile stretching ear to ear as they rolled around with their eyes closed.

Cute, if not a bit odd.

Hunter, sitting beside them with his helmet off, sighed. "Ice, you sane?"

"Mhm," they hummed.

"Cause you're rolling around in grass."

Shadow paused and looked up at Hunter. "Astute observation." They went back to rolling.

"We do have a mission."

"Indeed." They jumped up, shook themselves off, and grinned. "But ain't gonna fault me for having a wee bit of fun before we enter the hell-pit, are ya?"

Their accent's thicker again.

"No, but we should get moving before it gets too late and hot." A faint grin. "And… humid."

Shadow ears pinned as their face dropped into a comical scowl. "Ugh, right. Air soup." Brushing themselves off, they pulled Hunter to his feet and jerked their head towards the trail which vanished into the swamp. "Onward!"

As they descended back into hell, Hunter hung back with Crosshair.

"Hey, what's eatin' you?"

Crosshair hated how gentle Hunter's voice was as it came through his private comm. "Nothing."

The creature chittered unhappily, whacking the side of his helmet with its tail.

How could they hear him anyways? The external speaker was off!

"Cross," Hunter scolded. "I know you. What's up?"

"Shadow's happy again, it's fine."

"Did Tech say somethin'?"

Of course Hunter figured it out; he always did. "Only the truth. What happened was my fault."

"Shadow forgave you."

"They shouldn't."

"Leave that to them," Hunter said. "You know, they blame themselves for everything that happened too."

No. No, they shouldn't!

"They just reacted to me."

"Well, they didn't exactly help clear the confusion with you after the cave separation," Hunter remarked, glancing down the trail.

Panic lanced through him at the mention of that cave. His fault. All his. He was the one who couldn't keep his mouth shut and slipped up when Shadow was in a drugged state. "Don't defend me."

Hunter looked back at him. "You're both at fault is what I'm tryin' to get at. But you both agreed to move past it, right?"

"Yes, but-"

"That's all that matters," the man interrupted. He rested a hand on Crosshair's shoulder. "It'll be tough for all of us, this adjustment, but you gotta be open to workin' through rough spots without givin' up."

Give up on Shadow? Never. They wouldn't give up on him, how could he give up on them?

"But you do blame me too," he accused.

"You did explode. But blamin' won't help. Would rather not throw it all away because the edges are rough. Shadow's worth it to you, right?"

"Of course they are."

"Then stop feelin' sorry for yourself and make steps to change."

Didn't he think he was trying? "It's not that easy."

He shrugged. "Love never is."

Crosshair had to snort. "Why are you talkin' like some scarred ex-lover?" he asked, crossing his arms and tilting his head. "You've never even had a partner besides Shadow."

Hunter, thankfully, caught the teasing tone. "Insubordination," he snorted, shoving Crosshair.

The sniper punched him back, allowing that buried cadet-like playfulness to peek through.

Would Shadow like that side of him? Could he trust them with that side of him? They liked Wrecker's well enough, but that was Wrecker. He wanted to show that side to Shadow, but Cadet Crosshair was shy, uncertain, and, worst of all, wounded. Wounded by one too many harsh remarks, scathing comments, and malicious judgments.

Yet… so desperately wanting to be loved.

Shadow loved him, or at least they said they did, so… maybe they could love that wounded cadet?

There was, unfortunately, only one way to find out.

He had to show Shadow that cadet.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Was everything alright? Did something happen while I was spaced out? Hunter didn't usually pull anyone aside unless he noticed something wrong, then he'd get them alone where they'd be more likely to talk. I should know; he pulled me aside enough times.

Should I hang back and walk with Cross? Should I call him up here? Or should I just not say anything and avoid calling attention to it?

Decisions decisions… all of them wrong.

"How's your child, Cross?" I tried.

The man shrugged. "Fine."

"Is it a female or male?" Tech chirped.

"Both," I replied, pushing some vines out of my way. "Night Hunters got both organs."

"Hermaphrodites?"

"Her-what?" Wrecker echoed.

"Hermaphroditism is a phenomenon where an organism has both male and female reproductive organs," Tech said, doing his little pointing thing. "It is quite rare in humans, but when it occurs the person can have both testes and ovaries." He glanced at me. "Do Alphians experience hermaphroditism?"

"Aye, they do. It's a bit rarer, but possible."

"I have another question on Alphian biology."

"Shoot."

"Your chest. It's… shrunk."

"Tech!" Hunter exclaimed.

"What? It has," Tech retorted.

"Alphians don't display 'em all the time. Only when nursing or ovulating." I shrugged. "No use for 'em otherwise."

"I see! Are your cycles human like or more animalistic?"

"Alphians aren't fertile year round if that's what you're askin-"

"Can we not talk about this right now?" Hunter interrupted.

My nose twitched. "Sorry, Sarge."

"Hunter, it is a simple-"

"Not now, Tech. We need to get out of this jungle."

"We are quite capable of walking and talking at the same time," Tech retorted. "It's not our fault you are incapable-"

"Sshhh!" Crosshair hissed suddenly, holding up a hand.

Tech glared at him. "Don't shush me-"

"Wait," Hunter said, looking around now too.

Then I heard it. Humming. Indecipherable, yet audible. Light hearted, a bit mischievous, but overall not threatening. But the tune… it was familiar.

As was the voice.

"It's that Ancient," Crosshair growled.

"Yeah, but where?" Hunter retorted.

Good question. Because the humming sounded like it was coming from nowhere, yet… everywhere.

"'Twas Brillig. And the slithy toves…"

"I know that tune," I said, glancing around. Flashes of color in the distant, dark canopy caught my eye. Greens, golds, purples, blues. Reflected by the mist, not overly vivid yet barely diluted by the dense shadows.

"You do?" Wrecker asked as Hunter and Crosshair both went for their pistols.

"Did gyre and gimble in the wabe. All mimsy were the borogoves…"

I nodded. "Yeah, but from where…?"

"And the mome raths outgrabe."

My ears flattened. "Ohhhh… that's where."

"Where?" Hunter demanded.

"From a movie. Alice in Wonderland. Acid trip through and through."

Please no Mad Hatter or March Hare…

That hardly soothed Hunter. "Why is that god singing it? And where is he?"

I eyed the flashing colors. "How should I know? There's no figurin' Maxy out."

"Isn't he your character?" Crosshair asked.

I flicked my tail. "They take on a life of their own. As I'm sure you've noticed with Trevor."

"Should we be worried, Squeaky?" Wrecker asked, guarding our rear.

I thought for a moment as Maxolyn began the song again. "No. There's no drums. Just be ready for him to appear out of nowhere."

"Copy that," Hunter said, hand resting on his pistol as we ventured deeper.

We made it not five minutes before Hunter stopped.

"Sense somethin'?" I asked.

"Yeah." He looked around. "Just don't know where from."

"I'm takin' a break!" Wrecker announced, moving to sit on a long.

"Not on me, thanks."

We all screamed as a rather immense vine shifted and revealed itself to be not a vine, but the dark scaled body of a massive serpent with thick moss growing along its back. Eventually the head, roughly the size of Wrecker's chest, came into view a few feet above us.

"Max!" I exclaimed. "What the actual hell?"

"Snakes… why did it have to be snakes?" Crosshair hissed, backing away. The Night Hunter angrily waved its tail at Max.

"What in the Outer Rim is that?" Hunter demanded.

"A serpent," Tech began. "What kind I do not know-"

"Can it, Shorty!"

"I do not mean to alarm," Max said, head upside down.

"Shadow, he can shapeshift?" Hunter demanded.

"Yeah. He's an Ancient," I said, flicking my tail. "Could look like me or you if he wanted."

"Not comfortin'."

"Why's he in that form?" Crosshair spat, still backing away.

"Yvaokin? Good question."

"A what?"

"Uh… Bless you?" Wrecker said.

"Dream Tooth. Their venom is used in rituals since it's got very hallucinogenic properties and can make your dreams go wild." I looked back at Max. "But we don't need drugs, so why he's in that form I don't know.

"Best way to blend," Max said, turning his head rightside up.

"Why are you here though, Maxy?"

His eyes flashed multiple colors. "Just came to congratulate you on your new team, Shadow."

"No thanks to you!" Hunter snapped. "Your spawn knew what would happen but did nothin to help!"

"There is only so much we can interfere with. There's been things far worse that have happened that I couldn't do anything about." He looked at me. "Isn't that right?"

I laughed nervously, knowing exactly what he was referring to. "About the Caroline…"

A laugh. "Thatch is goin' to have some stern words for you."

My head jerked in surprise. "Thatch?"

Thatcher? Really? I was gonna meet him? The man would kill me! Rightfully so, but still!

"Let's just say your little adventure is far from over when you leave this planet. If anything, it's just beginning." With that he started laughing again and the jungle faded away, leaving us at the very edge of the crater near the chasm, dead Clickers still strewn about.

What in tarnation…