I don't own anything of the Mortal Kombat universe except my own creations. All credits go towards Netherrealm Studios.

Act I, Chapter V

Long Night of Solace

His feet couldn't stop tapping, his fingers kept fidgeting, his muscles tensed as he sat in the infirmary's courtyard. He'd been here for about an hour, pondering on the actions that had to be taken. From the distance, in one of the halls, he could hear someone calling his name. He looked around to see Aszara, surprisingly modest in her choice of outfit, and Tau'Gir, who he didn't even expect to show up.

"Holy hell, Kilamon," the woman said as Kilamon rose from his seat, "what happened out there? Looked like a damn beatdown."

Kilamon's eyes barely shone through his oversized skull, but it did tell enough.

"Both Ariana and Jade have been severely injured," he started, "and whatever the boy did, it worsened their wounds."

"How bad is it?" Tau'Gir asked.

"Jade might be in a coma, and Ariana's right arm seems to have been paralysed," he said, and the other overseers eyed each other, "but I'll live."

"And the Princess?" Aszara asked.

"She's doing fine," Kilamon scoffed, "a few small bruises and a minor concussion is all she suffered."

"You don't sound elated," the male overseer noticed his colleague's tone, "did something go awry?"

"I've been disallowed from entering the rooms they're kept in," he started, "in order for both victims to heal properly. Of course, I suspect another reason."

"Perhaps the Princess fears your retaliation," Tau'Gir theorised, "after all, your word carries enough weight to change the tide."

"I don't think that's going to be be enough this time around," Aszara said, turning to her male companion, "royalty wounded, tournament sabotaged and cancelled. Let's be real, there's a lot more consequences than just Chronos getting screwed out of his victory."

She looked back at Kilamon.

"Look, do you know what the fuck happened with him?" she asked, "He tore up supporting pillars and seriously battered you lot, and I would jest if I didn't say I'm worried."

"They're interrogating him now," he said, "They're trying to probe his memory."

"Why probe his memory?" she asked.

"I was around for a short while during the interrogation, and he says he has no recollection of what he did," Kilamon explained, "but they didn't tell him what happened."

"They still didn't," a voice called from behind Aszara and Tau'Gir, rumbling through their ribcage. They looked back to see him dressed up in a fairly modest purple cloak, "I'd hoped you people could tell me."

"You're looking pretty good for someone who got flung around by the Queen," Aszara said, "except your right eye. Looks awful," she put two and two together fairly fast, "Shit, are you..? "

Chronos nodded at her question.

"Apologies for your eye," Tau'Gir said, "could the other priests not restore it?"

"They mentioned that the wound had already turned into scar tissue, nothing they could do about it," the burly man started, "and that the rest of the wounds I suffered were easy to heal. I suspected they were just telling me that out of spite, but if they healed the rest of me up just fine, I'd see no reason to keep me blind."

"You're lucky," the mammoth said, "because others didn't come off with a minor injury."

"Look, can you tell me what I did, who I disembowelled?" Chronos asked, "Because everyone I came across either said that they couldn't or didn't want to help me."

"Are you certain you don't remember anything?" Tau'Gir asked.

"I'm pretty sure," the tattooed man replied, "they found a big gap in my memory when the telepaths showed up. They also found someone else looming inside, but the energy was dormant."

"I was afraid you were going to say that," Kilamon said, with Chronos' eyes pointing downward, "I don't know whether you can stay at the Academy. What you did in the arena was damning evidence for some of the Royal family to banish you from the capitol."

"Well, at least we have the telepaths and priests and whatnot to provide evidence, right?" the marked man said, "Or am I going to get screwed over no matter what?"

"That might be the case," Aszara chimed in, "both the Princess and King have been sceptical about your presence in the Academy, and I'm very sure they'll use this event as justification to boot you out there without a second thought."

"I hope not," Chronos said, "because if that happens, I'd have to resort to less savoury means to live."

"Might actually have more unnecessary consequences if they do banish you," Kilamon added, "if they banish you."

"Yeah," Chronos said, mildly grazing the mark under his cloak and his face fell uncharacteristically grim, before returning back to his standard pained grimace, "Can I at least see what I did? Or is that off the table as well?"

"Currently, the Royal Family has occupied the room the Emerald Guardian is located in," Tau'Gir stated, "I doubt even a witless harlequin would let you in."

"Can't know if you don't try, and I'm royally screwed either way," Chronos said, "Kilamon, where is Jade? And where's that other girl?"

"Jade is up two flights of stairs, right hallway, third door to your right, and Ariana's in the fourth room," Kilamon said, and the other overseers gazed at him, "I like your style. Nothing to lose, much to gain. Haven't had a good laugh in a while too."

Chronos only huffed at the remark before leaving for the room, with the overseers in tow. If they couldn't sway the royalty, they could at least protect him from getting tossed out a window. Chronos caught up to what happened to everyone involved. He didn't react to anything in particular, more concerned about the very close future than worrying about the wounds inflicted by his hand. They reached the second floor, where he expected a pair of guards to stand watch in front of the room. The hallway was empty instead, and there were no sounds to be heard nearby. The quartet came up to the door of the room where the emerald guardian laid, but now they heard voices from Ariana's room. Chronos opened the door to Jade's room in silence, but the room was occupied by two.

"You dare show your face here, mongrel?" she began, her brows furrowed sharp, "After what you've done to my friend? You disgust me, you-"

Chronos wasn't even paying attention to her shrieking, his eyes fixated on the ebony looking like she was drop-kicked into a ravine. Several wells, swollen eye, deep cuts, what looked like bandages around her entire torso. The big man brushed beside the Princess, who had gotten up to berate him perpetually, now fuming from neglect. Her next deriding tirade was cut short by a half-sober woman.

"Come on, Your Highness," Aszara started, putting her hand on the blue-clad woman's shoulder, "we've got a wee bit more serious issues to attend than this."

"My apologies, but did I allow you to speak?" Kitana said, and Kilamon eyes rolled back so far in his sockets his head gave with, "If you are allotted time to speak, you speak."

Aszara walked away while muttering something under her breath, an insult to be sure. Kitana barely caught it.

"I'm sorry, did you dare mock me?" the Princess asked, "At the least have the courtesy to tell me."

"She said you were a frigid bitch," a very weak voice whispered, and it came from Jade, "and to be honest now, she's not wrong."

"Jade!" Kitana screeched as she ran up to the empty side of the bed, "Thank the Gods, I feared much worse had befallen you."

"Could be worse still," the ebony whimpered, cringing in discomfort, "and I'm happy it isn't."

"Everyone, vacate the room!" Kitana commanded, "I wish to talk to my friend in private."

"Kitana, I'd like to ask something of you," Jade began, and Kitana nodded, "I'd like you to leave as well," she turned her head to the silent man, who was gripping her hand tightly, "and for you to stay."

The room almost exploded from the sheer tension and pressure building up.

"Excuse me?!" Kitana just barely managed to not bellow.

"Pretty please?" the woman asked, big puppy eyes now drilling into the Princess' soul. She did eventually stand up and leave, the rest of the overseers following suit. Once everyone was gone, the ebony turned to Chronos, still gripping her hand tightly, "You can let go of me now."

"Apologies," he said, and he released her hand. She expected him to say more, but he didn't look like he wanted to say more.

"You've been informed of the events, I presume?" Jade asked, and he nodded in acknowledgement, "I'm terribly sorry you have been treated this way. I wish I could do more to help you, but I fear my own opinion will be brushed aside."

"You don't have to apologise," he said, his grimace cracking, "it is my fault, my burden to bear. I'll suffer whatever consequences will follow."

"Hah, so brave," she said, "but that will not be necessary."

Chronos looked up with oddly gleeful eyes, something astoundingly rare from the big lug to show.

"You understand the position I am in now?" she began, and he nodded, "At the moment, this precarious condition leaves me inept to perform my duties at the Academy. Which means I require a replacement to exercise my duties for me."

"Jade, I'm terribly sorry, but is that the best idea?" he asked, and the ebony raised an eyebrow.

"Quick to assume you will be granted the position?" she inquired.

"The probability is high," he answered, "and after all, I remember the reason why the Queen didn't toss me in a pit the moment she laid eyes on me. And besides, none can match my expertise."

"A humble and astute observation," the emerald guardian chuckled, "but nevertheless, I suppose there is nothing left but to give you my badge."

"You had a badge?" Chronos asked, "Haven't exactly seen it plastered on your chest."

"I don't have the space," she joked, and he blushed mildly, "so I keep it tied to my waist most of the time. Right now, it's on the cupboard behind you."

The big man stood up and grabbed the badge, a shiny gold one with violet trim and a small emerald laid in the middle. He could only think it's what he should have expected.

"Take it with you, and show it to the others," she explained, "they'll understand what it means."

He nodded in silence, and Jade couldn't help herself but ask another question.

"You don't talk too much outside of my little inquiries," she said, "Most of your more outrageous actions are physical. Why?"

"Just happens," he replied, "nothing more, nothing less."

An odd glow appeared in Chronos' eyes and Jade just barely caught a glimpse of it. However, at the moment, she had grown to weary to ask any further, so she let him off the hook, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before dozing off into dreamland. The tattooed man only stared at the badge for a short while, eventually getting up and leaving the room. He closed the door behind him carefully, only to see almost all the overseers and member of the royal family waiting outside.

"I surmise you entered my adoptive daughter's room with a reason?" Jerrod asked, although his tone implied it was a rhetorical question.

"More or less making sure she's not dead," Chronos answered. He could see Kitana almost blowing up in the corner of his eye, "But I did get this."

He lifted up the badge, and while the royal family stared at it in confusion at it, the overseers behind them smiled. At least, the ones he could see, for Kilamon's posture did not change a bit.

"What is that?" the sapphire princess asked, and Kilamon took the opportunity to answer for Chronos.

"It is the badge that all overseers carry to indicate their position," he explained, "This particular one belonged to Jade. It appears that, in her absence, someone else must do her duties for her. And I can safely gather that the man in front of you has been elected to do so."

Not one second after he had said that, Kitana stormed to Jade's room, and the moment the door was shut, a very loud and angry princess began voicing her opinion to the ebony, who was at that point so fast asleep even the dragon's rant could not ruse her from slumber. Chronos turned back to the King and Queen, who stood silent, although for different reasons.

"My dear, what do you say?" Sindel spoke up at last, "Are we to ignore the judgement of Kitana's best friend?"

Jerrod could do nothing but sigh, slowly approaching the much bigger man, his hands clasped behind his back. The King had never stepped so close to him, and the sheer bulk of man did unease him a tad.

"It appears that you have been absolved of your transgressions by my third most treasured person in the entirety of the realms," Jerrod remarked, "You would do well to remember that in the future."

"Will do, your Highness," Chronos replied, the emphasis almost putting Jerrod on edge. Sindel disapprovingly shook her head, but the minor grin did indicate she thought nothing more of it that a joke in poor taste.

"Let us depart, Jerrod," she said, "we have business to attend to."

With a very small pause, Jerrod turned around and left alongside his wife, leaving the overseers to themselves.

"Well, I suppose there's nothing left to do but return to the Academy, colleagues," Tau'Gir said, "Come, I'll show you the ropes. Wouldn't want to leave you in the dark now on the first day of the job."

"I'll make you a drink or two," Aszara offered, "Can't give students a drink, but now, I can get you hammered so you can have fun."

"I thank you for your offer, Tau'Gir," he said, and he turned to Azsara, "and as for your offer, it's going to take a lot to get me down and out."

"I bet fifty gold koins on it I beat you clean," she challenged.

"Deal," he accepted, "When do I take you up on it?"

"Tonight," she said, "And don't worry, drinks are on me for the challenge. Going to get myself a boatload of cheap ale to make sure we have plenty."

He gave a sly nod and smile before both Aszara and Tau'Gir left, leaving only the mammoth and dragon in the corridor, aside a couple of nurses. The took a slower pace, only a few seconds after the others had left.

"Surprising to see you hold the badge," he started, "I'd expected little more than her word, to be honest."

"She assumed the same," Chronos replied, "and that's probably why she handed it over to me."

"Smart option," he said, "I hope her faith isn't misplaced."

"I hope I can trust you lot to help me with all this," Chronos said, "this isn't exactly my cup of tea."

"Don't worry too much about it," Kilamon replied, "We'll make sure you don't look like an idiot on your first day."

Both shared a quick chuckle before heading outside. On the stairs to the infirmary, Kilamon looked back and poked Chronos in the side with his elbow. He turned around to see a woman storming at them, red and blue for various reasons.

"You're on your own for this," Kilamon said, "I wish you luck."

They gave each other a quick nod before the mammoth took a hike, just in time to avoid the red hot princess stomping towards the dragon.

"I do not understand why she would even allow you to take the reigns over the prestigious Academy," she began, "but I suppose the quality of your peers has decreased enough to make you excel, apparently."

"I admire your backhanded compliment, but I would've thought you value your friend's opinion more than anything else?" he asked.

"Clearly, as of your arrival, she considers my input less valuable than ever before," she explained, "so I can attach as much value to her advice as she does to mine."

"Maybe that has a reason," he said, and Kitana vigorous fury was set ablaze again.

"Excuse me, but my advice holds as much weight as hers," she became awfully defensive, "as royalty, I have been educated by Edenia's finest and most respected scholars, while, excuse my crass remarks, my friend has not had such exceptional education."

"It didn't stick regardless," he sneered, and Kitana's eyes managed to stay in their sockets somehow, "You know, I don't get your issue with me. So I beat you up while you were buzzed, big whoop. I don't like being in this position, and I don't like having the axeman's blade hanging over my head all the time," he pointed at the mark underneath his cloak, "so why don't you get over it so you and I can live our happy lives without bothering each other."

"My problem with you is your lack of respect and decency towards your superiors," she began, and he barely managed to contain his chuckle, "and consistently, you have avoided punishment and have been exalted above our laws to keep you within the Academy's walls," she took a deep breath before continuing, "that despite your despicable actions and heinous crimes, you walk freely among innocents. I will not stand for it."

"So what exactly are you going to do?" he asked, more taunting than anything, "Every time you enact one of your genius schemes, it leads to collateral damage and to unnecessary complications in the future."

"One, my genius schemes have been few and far between," she said, conveniently omitting the results of said schemes, "and second, said damage and complications are yours to blame."

"As. I. Said," he started, his face now a hair's breadth away from hers, "What'cha gonna do?"

"Let's settle our little dispute then the same way you started it," she offered, "a bout between you and me, no restraints, no crutches, nothing of the sort. Just you and me. What do you say?"

"And what's on the line?" he asked.

"If you win, I'll leave you to lead your own live as you please," she said.

"And if I lose?" he inquired.

"You will become my servant for as long as both of us live," she stated, and she saw a twinge of doubt for half a second.

"Skewed risk-result, but I like my odds," he said, his hidden insult deeply piercing through the Edenian's soul, "I'll take you up on the challenge."

"Excellent," Kitana said, "My palace training ground, two weeks from now, at dusk. Don't make me wait."

"Trust me, I won't," Chronos assured her. She decided to leave in a rush, with him just standing on the stairs, aimless at this point. For now, he'd take up Aszara on her challenge a bit earlier than expected.

Ariana could barely scale the stairs to the palace with her busted ankle, the pain too much to bear, the fear of falling backwards too high to consider it. She appeared to be in luck however as Kilamon agreed to help her up the stairs. It'd bee two weeks since the incident, and sometime unknown, the pincess and the massive bear of a man had agreed to a duel. With rumours circulating around, everyone at the Academy had placed their bet on Chronos.

Ariana was invited to watch the event unfold, to her own surprise too. She'd barely recovered when the news came through, and even the other overseers hadn't seen it coming. The dragon hadn't even bothered checking who was coming to watch or not; he was too busy practising his strikes to care.

After an agonising several minutes, they arrived at the bridge spanning the ravine between the stairs and the palace, with both Tau'Gir and Azsara on the bridge. Tau'Gir stood as straight as ever, while the female overseer could barely stand, leaning on the edge of the bridge for support. As they approached them, Tau'Gir reciprocated the action.

"It looks like I'm not alone in helping disabled women up the stairs," he joked, with Aszara mouthing him off in a very husky voice, "How are you feeling?"

"Better. Not good, but better," she said, "I still have a pounding headache."

"Caine is to handle that issue," he assured her, with her eyes squinting just a bit, "Oh, you haven't met him, I suppose? My best description of him is spooky, but exceptionally good at his job."

"Thanks for the heads up," she said, now staring at the woman in the back, "what's up with her?"

"We can ask," Kilamon suggested before the other overseer could answer. A small walk later, they found themselves next to Azsara, who looked like she was about to throw up, "Had a good night's sleep, dear?"

"Fuck you, Kilamon," she swore, "I fucking hate being alive right now."

"A bit prickly?" Ariana asked, and the female overseer shot her a look that would make her step back if she could, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it-"

"Just, don't talk so loud," she interrupted her, and the mammoth laughed.

"Looked too deep into the glass with the new guy again?" he asked, "This is the third time, if I recall correctly."

"I just…" she began, her fists balling together, "I just want to win once for the Gods' sake. The guy can hold his liquor, I'll give him that."

"How much did you have to drink even?" he asked.

"I drank a bunch of ale, he downed so many shots of our most alcohol-filled wine that it would have downed me three times over. For fuck's sake, I hate that guy."

"Yesterday?" Kilamon inquired, "And he's able to fight?"

"Yeah, I saw him walking up the stairs I front of me," she explained, "Suffice to say, he beat me to the top."

"Looks like we can have a little chat with him," Kilamon said, and with Ariana's arm slung around his shoulder, he was about to leave before Azsara stopped them to tell them something, "Look, you do know Kitana is going to get her fine ass planted into the ground, right? Like, she won't be able to walk for several days."

"How come?" Ariana asked, "He's that strong?"

"You see girl, I've had people follow him off the grounds to see what he was up to," she said, which Kilamon questioned just mildly, "and he's been doubling down on his powers. Looks like he's going to turn our lovely heir of the throne into a heap of mush by the time he's done with her. Eh, like, not in the fun, giddy way, but in the absolutely terrifying way."

"Why exactly did you want him to get drunk?" Kilamon asked, "You don't talk like this when he's around. In fact, you don't talk like this at all."

"I just want to bang him, alright?" she admitted bluntly, "I haven't had goddamn sex in several months, because I'm stuck teaching a bunch of morons! A bunch of apes with the ability to stand up is the best I can say for them!"

She took a calming swig of air before continuing.

"Look, if he was too wasted to rationally think, I might be able to talk him out of his pants," she explained, "Unfortunately, all the alcohol he ingests disappears into the void for some reason, which makes it really hard for me to actually succeed."

"Why would you want to, uh, bang him?" Ariana asked, a bit hesitant on the subject.

"So, the general showers for the pupils are unisex," she began, "and some of the gals there talk about his, uh, weapon not fitting their… sheath."

"Tasteful," Kilamon said, "something you didn't have to elaborate on so thoroughly."

"Look, she asked about it," Azsara said, pointing at the girl hanging onto Kilamon's shoulder, "you should blame her for it."

"I'll consider that later. Azsara," Kilamon said before leaving the hungover woman to wait out her ill state. With Ariana still around his shoulder, he arrived at the training courtyard, which was bustling with nobles as well as prominent fighters from other cities. Even the King and Queen attended this fight, although their faces seemed to indicate they were exceptionally unhappy to have to watch this bout unfold.

Chronos was practising in the courtyard, his body enveloped in a white glow, its aura warping the air around him, his blind eye now a ghoulish red. It was clear he intended to win by a landslide to settle the dispute once and for all. Kitana was nowhere to be seen, possibly preparing as much as possible. Kilamon approached one of the nobles, who was enjoying a warm cup of swell tea by the looks of it.

"Excuse me, sir?" he asked, and the noble turned around. His visage seemed to imply he knew Kilamon at least somewhat, "Ah, the overseer from the city's Academy. Can I assist you?"

"I want to know what the mood is around here," the mammoth asked, "Most of all, who is speculated to win this skirmish."

The tea drinker looked hesitant to speak up, but did eventually say what was on his mind.

"My boy, I have utmost faith in the combat prowess of the heir," he began, "but rumours had spread around the continent of a beastly warrior with the fury of a thousand stars residing in your city."

"An over-exaggeration, I feel," Kilamon replied, "but one I'm not going to dispute. I surmise then you fancy the man's odds?"

"Just for your information, bets have been placed," the noble continued, "and the odds are 1 to 52 in favour of the boy."

"I'd expected something akin to that," he said, "I suppose I've got nothing left to say but to thank you."

The noble nodded and resumed drinking his tea, which had grown lukewarm at that point. Kilamon shuffled to the front of the crowd, while Ariana began asking some questions.

"What're your thoughts, Kilamon?" she asked, and his head turned slightly at her question, "Who'd you place your bets on?"

Kilamon didn't answer the question in the slightest, and Ariana decided it'd be best to not prod any further. Now with front seats, they could inspect the courtyard more proficiently, and not all too unexpected, the floor had several mosaics embedded in it. The pillars on the edge of the courtyard were well-crafted, with engravings adorning them. Even the fairly small stairs were designed thoughtfully, the marble pristine and nearly reflective.

It was a stark contrast to the rugged, muscled man practising inside of the courtyard to be sure.

After an uneventful few minutes passing by, the fight was to commence at last. A man, short in stature, dressed in a fine suit made a path trough the spectators, and he straightened his collar before speaking up.

"Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, our beloved and respected heir to King Jerrod's throne, princess Kitana!"

Naturally, an applause was given as she appeared at the courtyard.

"Dear spectators, friends, family, I am honoured to have you witness my glory in person. It truly warms my heart," she began, "Naturally, I suppose you would be interested to know why you have been summoned here."

Chronos rolled his eyes. At least, he rolled an eye; the other one was too red to discern eye movement.

"This man that stands before you has not been held responsible for his reprehensible actions, for too long he has walked unscathed, while others suffer the consequences of his actions. Today, I stand to correct that error and exert justice."

The dragon did nothing but stare absent-mindedly.

"Have you nothing to say, coward?" Kitana taunted, perhaps emboldened by the presence of people equal to her status. Mistaken, Kilamon knew, but understandable.

"Are you done?" he asked, and the sapphire heir assumed her stance as a response. He took his stance as well, stark white bolts dancing over his body, his aura intensifying. Neither made the first move for several seconds, with the princess finally breaking the tension, tossing one of her fans to her opponent. It clashed with his fireball, the fan bouncing away, and the dragon dashed through the fire into her face. Quick wit allowed her to duck his fist and land a blow of her own, but it seemed to barely dent him.

A vicious knee to her chin sent her stumbling backward, stabilising herself quickly before Chronos landed another hit. She attempted to sweep his feet from underneath him, but he managed to catch it and crush her ankle under his heel. A swift elbow to her face made her stumble over again, once more having to regain her footing. The marked one's offence was unrelenting however, as he dashed back into her face with a volley of fists aimed at her torso.

She blocked them with difficulty, her forearms struggling to defend against the brutal force. She was grappled by the straps of her top after her arms fell, and before she could act, the dragon performed a headbutt that sent her slamming into one of the pillars, and several ows could be heard from the crowd. She gasped for air, but she didn't even have time to suffer from pain for the man didn't let up his ruthless whirlwind of strikes. She managed to slip underneath his endless torrent of knuckles, and she sneaked in a tap to his kidney to try and slow down his onslaught.

It didn't bother him in the slightest, and he just redirected his fists back to her position, while she was desperately trying to create space and catch a breath. The princess did catch a lucky break with a chop to his throat, a chop that did stop the big man in his tracks for a second or two. She created a tremendous amount of space in that time, but the woman was followed by a powerful shockwave from his position, which she had to awkwardly sidestep because of its size. Through the fires of the shockwave, she'd lost sight of him, but from behind, the princess heard him speak, and she couldn't react in time to stop what he was about to do.

"You loser."

What followed was a barrage of shin-crushing, torso-breaking, head-spinning kicks and punches, each wearing her down bit by bit, until she crumpled from exhaustion. Chronos seemed to prepare ffinishing the job with a double open palm strike, but the princess wasn't able to recover from her crumpled position. Rays of solar energy gathered at his hands, creating a globe of intense energy. Several of the spectators already moved out of the projected trajectory. Once the actual marble started to disconnect from the floor, Chronos unleashed his devastating move, planting his feet into the ground so hard it cracked.

"Deadly Rave!"

It struck Kitana full force, sending her flying towards the wall. She collided with so much force the wall cracked, her body embedded into the cold stone. Even her flight path had carved out the marble underneath it, the air reshaping the floor. The princess eventually dislodged from the wall, falling face first to the floor. She was out cold, no doubt. Some rushed over, including the Queen, but many could only stand and stare at the ordeal.

Chronos moved away, and anyone who was in his path stepped aside. Kilamon and his companion stared at the destruction, missing chunks and debris littering the courtyard. After several minutes of worried voices and hurried tapping, Ariana could only manage to mutter a few words.

"Fucking hell."

"In recent news, a new sea lion has been born at the Central Park Zoo! Currently, the little guy has no name, but even then, many have come to visit the little pupper to look at him."

Aaron was staring into is empty glass, the burning sensation of scotch fresh in his memory. A knock at the door roused him from trance, and he stood up and stumbled to the door. He'd ordered some pizza a half hour ago, a rather large one at that. He peered through the peep hole to see, indeed, the delivery guy, which made him wonder how he got in without ringing the doorbell first. He opened the door to see someone else next to the delivery guy.

"Hey, Alex," he greeted, with her awkwardly smiling and waving at him, "get inside, I have to pay the guy."

She shuffled past him while he grasped in his pockets. She could see the rather messy apartment he lived in. It wasn't too gross, but it definitely showed he wasn't bothering to clean up as much as he used to. She took a seat on the couch, looking at the cute sea lion on the television. After a minute, Adam showed up with a big pizza. He wasn't wearing much, a plain black shirt and some baggy pants, and his hair was ragged and messy.

"What's up?" he asked, offering her a slice of pizza. She politely refused, "Didn't expect you to show up this late."

Alex could barely breathe at this point, but did manage to face him, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Alex?" he asked, worry slowly settling in, but before she could speak, the news caster did it for her.

"In other news, the current search for the young man who disappeared several months ago has been cancelled. After exhausting all options, the NYPD are regretful to inform the loss of a promising young man. We have been requested to keep any names anonymous as to minimise public attention."

Aaron could barely process those words. They'd cancelled the search for his brother. They'd fucking stopped.

"Aaron, I…," Alex started, but he was too busy panicking.

"No, no, I must've misheard," Adam began denying this nightmarish reality.

"Aaron…," Alex tried again.

"I refuse to believe he's gone. No, no, I-" Aaron began breathing heavier, faster.

"Aaron, please, listen to me," she begged him, but his response was sharper than expected.

"No," he fell down on the couch, "I, I refuse…"

He buried his face in his hands, taking a deep breath before facing Alex again, whose mascara had ran out over her cheeks.

"Did, did you…," he began, but he couldn't find the words to remotely express any sense of feeling.

"For three days," she said, and his face turned from saddened to furious, "I, I didn't know how'd you respond. I wasn't feeling too well either."

"What were you exactly doing that whole time, huh?!" he shouted, rising from the couch, a fury burning in his eyes, "Just doing your job, living your daily life? You couldn't even be assed to tell me?"

"I was shitfaced for three days straight, shut the fuck up!" she screamed at him, and Aaron was taken aback by her response, "You think I didn't give two shits about him or something? About how? You dense son of a fucking bitch!" she yelled, shoving him into the closet behind him.

"Don't take that tone with me," he threatened her, walking up into her face, but she didn't budge.

"Screw you, Aaron," she said teary-eyed, and he could barely contain his anger, but it regressed back into sorrow again. He slumped back into the couch.

"I'm sorry, but…," she could barely get the words over her quivering lips, "He's gone. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," he said, almost breathed, "It's not your fault."

He couldn't believe it. It was a nightmare.

"It's not your fault."

YOU EAT ALL MY BEANS NIBBA

Back from my eternal sleep, bringing you a 5/7 chapter with fun, happy times all around. I'll probably start looking for inonsistencies all around the story at this point to make sure it's not jarring and whatnot. Don't forget to give me a good Yelp review or I'll find you.

- The Frostiest Man to have ever lived