REALITYSTUCK
Disclaimer: I do not own Homestuck. Homestuck rightfully belongs to Mr. Andrew Hussie, not me for I am not Andrew Hussie. I only own the plot, anything unfamiliar or not in the comic, and some OCs. Other OCs belong to my friends. I also apologize if there are any errors/mistakes. I tried to fix them all to the best of my ability.
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ACT 1: THE BEGINNING OF THE END
CHAPTER THREE
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} Deep within the Alternian forest...
A pearl-white creature flew over the tops of the forest, its teal eyes scanning the trees. Its long, graceful serpentine body swayed as it flew, despite having no wings or anything to help it fly. It was as if by magic, though magic wasn't real. Well...to most it wasn't. Sharp, dagger-like claws graced over the tree tops, shredding the pastel pink leaves. Its scales shimmered like opals in the moonlight, making the serpentine look as if it was glowing. A wild, snowy mane surrounded the serpentine's head, going down its back all the way to the tip of its tail. Two, large horns jutted out from the sides of its head, near the eyes. Whisker-like strands of hair stuck to the sides of its long snout, attached to each side of its nose. The creature was a dragon, a Chinese dragon to be exact.
The dragon paused, glancing down at the woods. Its silhouette covered the green moon, causing a shadow to fall over one spot. This one spot was a small meadow, where a large hive was nestled. Leaves floated down from the towering branches of the trees, falling all around the building. Topiaries and stone lanterns decorated the front yard, along with a red torii gate standing in the middle. The hive looked more like a traditional Japanese home than a normal hive, since the the walls were made of paper and wood, with stone-titled roof and windows with no glass. It was still a beautiful hive, nonetheless.
The dragon dove down, and landed underneath the torii gate. It laid its head on the ground, and letting out a puff of smoke as it fell asleep.
} == == ==}
Inside in the hive, the respiteblock sat in the very middle of it. The spacious, four-wall respiteblock was mostly made up of paper sliding-doors, called shoji. The shoji doors were made of white paper, decorated with paintings of cherry blossom trees and mountainous landscapes. The red wood that also made up the room had golden dragons carved into the wood. Colorful, paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting the room in a warm glow. The redwood floor was covered in scrolls and books, along with some dragon and owl plushies. A husktop sat in the corner on top of a pile of books, with a simple black cane laying in front of it. Much like a certain troll, there was no recuperacoon located in the room. Instead, there was a pile of soft pillows and fuzzy blankets sitting in the middle, covered by a red-and-teal veil made of sheer silk that hangs from the ceiling.
A female troll sat on top of the pile, sitting in lotus position. Her chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm, and her eyes were closed. She was slim and flat-chest, with an athletic figure. Her straight, layered hair went down to her shoulder blades, with short, neatly cut bangs swept to one side. She had large horns shaped like Maleficent's, except they were more curved and smoother. The young lady wore a long-sleeved, white shirt underneath a teal vest, a black blazer, black-and-teal plaid miniskirt, knee-high white socks, and black Mary Jane flats. Around her right wrist was a silver bracelet, with sun-shaped charms. A simple, teal headband was placed on her head. Located underneath the right lapel of her blazer, there was a teal, scale-shaped symbol sewn onto there. To humans, these were the scales of justice. But, to this young troll, this was her symbol she rightfully inherited from her ancestor.
Now, pray tell, who is this young lady?
} Enter name
Your name is Atsuko Makoto and you are far too busy at the moment. So, you will have to cut to the chase and keep this introduction a bit brief.
You are enthusiastic about animals of wisdom, mainly the dragon and the owl. Both had appearances that were aesthetically pleasing to your eyes. The dragons were graceful serpentines, and owls were cunning birds of prey. You even have a small collection of owl and dragon plushies you have sewn together during your leisure. And when you say leisure, you really mean during the time between writing and roleplaying. You dabble in literature, finding that writing really helps you with your stress and anxiety. As does roleplaying, which always keeps your mind off the things that bother you every day. The kind of roleplaying you do takes a cunning mind and a clear head. You meditate and muse a lot, which will always lead you daydream and fall asleep. But ever since the accident, and you have been trying to keep yourself from sleeping for too long.
You are deeply interested in justice and karma, as well as inevitability and fate. You like to orchestrate the fall of the wicked and corrupt while spreading karma, both good and bad. In those time while trying to fit off your zoning out episodes, you take time and study Alternian law. You strive to join the high ranks of the legislacerators and become one of the greats, just like your ancestors. But, of course, you know that dream is foolish and won't matter anymore. However, you just like your kid yourself so you can be ignorant of the coming events. It's...better that you, you decided.
Your trolltag is "calibratorsSincerity" and you "spe4k w1th some of the numer4ls the bl1nd prophets once used". You have been planning for this particular day, this particular day being your wriggling day. If you cared, you would be excited about turning six sweeps. But, you did not care about your age because it was just a silly number. You are poised to begin a game you have been warned about some sweeps ago.
What will you do?
} Atsuko: Get your cane
Oh good, something practical.
You get up and walked over to the corner, legs shaking and limping all the way. You picked up the cane, holding in both hands. It was a simple cane, really. It was pitch black with no decorations and a simple gold handle. You only used it to help you walk, since you are pretty weak in the legs and could easily fall over. You always had to limp, and it only had gotten worse ever since the accident. Unfortunately, your cane is much too old and brittle. It could instantly break if you choose to use it as a weapon.
A real shame, really. It would be a really cool weapon to use.
} Atsuko: Go back to recruiting teammates
You also grab your husktop and go back to your "bed". You go back into lotus position and open up your husktop. Trollian conveniently pops up, much to your delight. Your eyes scan your chumproll, deciding who you should choose. There is a fine selection of strong trolls to recruit. It may be hard to decide who will join the ranks of Team Alpha, especially since you have only met five of these trolls face-to-face. Unbeknownst to all your friends, you knew that seven of them were...different. You don't like talking about it, but you have this unsettling hunch that they weren't normal trolls. You decide not to dwell on it too much, since it would surely hurt your head.
Now...who to choose?
Not her. Your moirail has already told you she would be a part of Team Beta. Not him, he's much too aggressive. Besides, he will join his moirail on Team Beta. Oh, definitely not him.
Hmm, perhaps this boy? You and him have chatted before in the past. He seems like a good troll, despite his "episodes". He's a mage of unequal power, yet he can control it very well. He will be a good choice for your team.
} Atsuko: Troll twofoldSchizophrenic
—calibratorsSincerity [CS] began trolling inconspicuousInevitability [II]—
CS: Greet1ngs.
II: whatt tthe fuck do wantt?
CS: Blunt, 4re we not?
II: yeah yeah, whatt fuckiing ever. ju2tt cutt tto tthe cha2e, makotto. iim a bu2y guy.
CS: So you s4y...
II: fuck off, you dontt know whatt ii gott.
CS: Ok4y.
CS: 4nyw4ys, do you w4nt to be p4rt of my te4m for th1s g4me we 4re pl4y1ng?
II: whatt2 tthe cattch?
CS: 1 do not know.
II: eh...
II: 2ure, why fuckiing nott? ii can pu2h a2iide tthe very iimporttantt tthiing2 ii had planned.
CS: You me4n sett1ng 4s1de m4k1ng more of those progr4ms th4t could c4use m4ss destruct1on th4t you m4ke for the hell of 1t?
II: well when you putt iitt liike tthatt, you make iitt 2ound liike iim a p2ychopatth.
CS: 1 4m just be1ng honest.
II: beeiing hone2tt my a22. you're alway2 hone2tt.
II: ttrutth2 laced wiitth 2arca2m 2piill outt of your liip2 liike cri2p, pouriing raiin. your word2 driip and ooze wiitth 2hitty 2iinceriitty, and your eye2 only 2how tthe bluntt ttrutth you preach.
II: make2 me fuckiing wonder iif youve ever ttold a liie before.
CS: ...
II: waiitt, youve ttold a liie before?
CS: Yes.
II: ooooooooohhhhhhh
CS: Oh, shut your tr4p.
II: whatt wa2 tthe liie and who diid you liie tto?
CS: 1 do not w1sh to talk 4bout 1t. 1t's...too person4l.
II: 8/
II: eh, alriightt
CS: W41t...
CS: You're...*not* go1ng to press me for more det41ls?
II: iif iitts per2onal 2hiitt you dontt wantt tto ttalk aboutt, tthen ii aiintt gonna pre22 you
CS: "41n't" 1s not 4 word.
II: ii know tthatt
CS: Oh.
II: 2o, ii probably 2hould go. gott 2ome 2hiitt tto deal wiitth.
CS: Of course.
II: ttalk tto you latter?
CS: Uh...l4ter, you me4n?
II: yeah, 2orry.
CS: Don't 4polog1ze. Your qu1rk 1s somet1mes h4rd to dec1pher.
II: ha ha, whattever.
CS: Goodbye, then.
II: yeah, 2ee ya.
—calibratorsSincerity [CS] ceased trolling inconspicuousInevitability [II]—
} == == ==}
Okay, that was...surprisingly easily. You managed a patient smile. Maybe this was going to be better than you had previously anticipated.
Perhaps it was time to speak with the spider, AKA your moirail. You had some things to discuss, anyways.
} == == ==}
A certain spidery manipulator's trolltag starts flashing. Oh speak of the devil. You wonder what she wants.
} Atsuko: Answer the spider
—sardonicallyCharmed [SC] began trolling calibratorsSincerity [CS]—
SC: Heeeeeeeello there, my dear owlette. ::::)
CS: Greet1ngs, my d4rl1ng sp1der. How 4re you?
SC: I'm positively wonderful, owlette. I just got AV on our team!
CS: Excellent. TS h4s been recru1ted.
SC: Primus? ::::/
CS: Wh4t?
SC: Not to 8e a 8itch, 8ut Primus is sort of...cr8zy.
CS: He just h4s some 1ssues, N1l1m4. He 1s not cr4zy.
SC: He seems like it most of the time!
CS: N1l1m4...
SC: Ugh! Fine, whatever.
SC: So...a8out this g8me...
CS: Wh4t 4bout it?
SC: I feel like...m8king these teams are going to 8e...pretty pointless.
CS: Oh, 1 4lre4dy know th4t.
SC: W8, you did?!
CS: Oh yes, 1 just w4nted to m4ke these te4ms to...keep our fr1ends 1gnor4nt unt1l 1t w4s t1me to know the b1tter truth.
SC: That's sorta...wrong.
CS: 1 h4ve le4rned th4t 1t's best to st4y 4s obl1v1ous 4s poss1ble, even 1f you h4ve 4 feel1ng of the 1nev1t4ble com1ng.
SC: I mean...I get where you're coming from. Too much knowledge can 8e a really bad thing, 8ut...
CS: But wh4t?
SC: Siiiiiiiigh...
SC: 8ut, 8eing o8livious can 8e a very 8ad thing. Especially...especially when there is something that you really need to know and can't avoid not knowing.
SC: It's like...uh...
SC: S8ying you have complete confidence, when really you don't and you're only s8ying that 8ecause someone put it in your mind that 8eing confident is all a8out the opposite of what confidence is.
SC: Or like, hiding your supposed "flaws" will m8ke you cooler or more heroic.
SC: It's just not...right.
CS: Wh4t do you know 4bout wh4t's "r1ght"? You're the one th4t's respons1ble 4bout my current st4te, of K4tsuo's current st4te.
SC: ...
SC: I thought...you said...that you wouldn't 8ring up that matter ever again.
CS: 1 know more 4bout our f4te 4nd wh4t w1ll h4ppen to us th4n you. 1've seen th1ngs you w1sh you could see, but don't bec4use you're sc4red of wh4t you'll see.
SC: I have a good reason for that, D8MM8T.
CS: C4lm yourself, d4rl1ng sp1der. Your 4nger 1s show1ng.
SC: DON'T. Ok8y, don't even FUCKING start with that 8ullshit!
CS: 1t's not bullsh1t.
SC: Well, to me it IS. How many fucking times do I have to s8y I'm sorry? HOW MANY FUCKING TIMES DO I HAVE TO S8Y SORRY FOR 8EING A FUCKING IDIOT WITH FUCKING PRO8LEMS? SORRY THAT I AM NOT AS IN TUNE WITH MY EMOTIONS AS YOU ARE, MS. OPEN 8OOK. FUCKING SORRY A8OUT THE SHIT I M8DE YOU GO THROUGH 8ECAUSE I WAS JEALOUS OF HOW CLOSE YOU AND ERE8US WERE.
SC: FUCKING SORRY A8OUT NOT 8EING A GOOD LISTENER 8ECAUSE NO ONE HAS EVER GIVEN ME A SECOND LOOK 8UT MY LUSUS AND REGINA. FUCKING SORRY THAT I GOT POSSESSIVE AND SHIT.
SC: MOTHER
SC: FUCKING
SC: SORRY
CS: ...
CS: 1...N1l1m4...
SC: Oh, forget it.
CS: N1l1m4...you re4lly shouldn't...you know...
SC: Shut it.
SC: Gotta go. 8ye.
—sardonicallyCharmed [SC] ceased trolling calibratorsSincerity [CS]—
} == == ==}
You frown, slamming your husktop shut. Dammit, it was really hard talking to your moirail in a civil manner. At this point, you're really not sure if she's your moirail anymore. You really wish that you two had reconciled after the accident, but alas, you haven't. Your rivalry and jealousy of one another had gotten worse since then, and you still held a grudge against her. You really couldn't help it, but goddammit, she was the reason you ended up like this. It was all her fault. You wanted to make her pay, you really did, but you couldn't let yourself do it. It was just against your nature, you supposed.
Although, you had a feeling you already did make her pay...
} Atsuko: Get down to business
Placing aside your husktop, you stood up and walked out the opened shoji in front of you.
} == == ==}
You walked out of your hive into the yard. The moons were still out, shining softly in the darkness. Your lusus, Doragon, was napping under the torii gate in front of you. Faint wisps of smoke floated up from his nostrils and up into the skies. He always took naps after long days of flying in the skies and keeping trolls from entering your territory. You always tell him to stop, that this place wasn't your territory nor were these trolls "invading" it, but Doragon never listens. He was a free spirit, so you just let him do his thing.
} Atsuko: Look up
You stared up at the sky, seeing the stars glittering in the darkness. The breeze swirled around you, causing some tresses of your hair to flutter about. A relaxed breath puff out of your mouth as you eased up. All was well.
} == == ==}
A rustle echoed, causing you to flinch. You look around, listening carefully.
What was that?
} Atsuko: Arm yourself
Your grip on your cane tightened, sensing something wrong in the air. Your cane may be a bad choice to use as a weapon, but you had no other option. It was either that, or use your "special" abilities. And there was no way in hell you were going to do that.
} Atsuko: Find threat
You take another look around. Your gaze stopped at one point, causing you to snort. Doragon had woken up, and he had something in his mouth. It was a cane made of white wood, with silver dragon-like patterns carved into the shaft. The carvings looked effortless and downright gorgeous. A silk, teal ribbon was wrapped around the collar of the cane. It felt soft between your fingers, and was as smooth as a pearl's surface. The silver handle was shaped like the head of a barn owl, and the tip of the cane was shaped like an owl's talon.
You stared in shock, gobsmacked by how breath-taking the cane was. You dropped your cane as you walked towards your lusus, long forgetting you even had it.
} Atsuko: Take the cane
Doragon bowed his head, opening his mouth. You caught it with ease, smiling brightly. You twirled your cane, laughing a little. Your lusus smiled, nodded his head in amusement.
"This is perfect," you said, your voice showing a hint of an Asian accent. "Leonce did a fantastic job." You pause. "Although...it doesn't really look like my ancestor's cane..."
You shrug your shoulders. Nobody was perfect, and he still did a brilliant job overall.
} == == ==}
You held the cane in both hands, feeling butterflies in your stomach. This felt familiar, holding a cane like this one, like it was deja vu. But, you have never had a cane like this before. Perhaps this deja vu feeling was just another one of those odd feelings you get at random times. It probably means nothing.
} == == ==}
You looked over at Doragon, who was staring at you patiently.
"Stand guard," you said as you tapped the side of your headband. "I must go now, Doragon. There is business to be done."
} == == ==}
A pair of teal glasses sprouted from the headband and went over your eyes. This headband was made by Leonce and your other friend, archersVoid. You used these glasses for roleplaying, when you had to communicate with your friends or had to deal with any dumbasses. Now, you had to use them to ensure everything was going according to plan.
Oh great, what now?
} Atsuko: Answer Katsuo
—ghostlyPariah [GP] began trolling calibratorsSincerity [CS]—
GP: Where the fuck issssss leonce?
GP: Hessssss not ansssssswer any of my messssssa9essssss.
CS: He has entered and 1s st4rt1ng the sess1on.
GP: FUCKIN9 WHAT
CS: Soon, more w1ll follow.
GP: IM FUCKIN9 SSSSSSORRY, BUT WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKIN9 ABOUT
CS: K4tsuo, c4lm down. 1t's me. You don't...you don't h4ve to keep up th1s ruse.
GP: I
GP: ...
GP: I
GP: ...
GP: alri9ht. im sorry.
CS: 1 don't underst4nd why you p1cked up 4 new qu1rk 4fter the 4cc1dent. 1t confuses me gre4tly.
GP: well...i needed somethin9 to trick people into thinkin9 im alri9ht, when in reality im not alri9ht.
CS: Well, 4t le4st you kept the n1ne b1t of your qu1rk.
GP: yeah...
CS: Wh4t's 1t l1ke, be1ng...you know...
GP: i can barely feel anythin9. its like, im livin9, but at the same time, im not.
CS: C4n you st1ll touch th1ngs?
GP: yeah, but i really have to concentrate if i need to grab somethin9. 9ood thin9 ive been masterin9 my abilities for quite some time.
CS: 1'm sorry th1s h4d to h4ppen to you.
GP: like i said to sc, its fine. im...kinda okay with a lot of thin9s. i can still feel shit...but most of the time, i feel so hallow and...numb.
CS: H4s she...4polog1zed to you?
GP: a bunch of times, yeah. i keep tellin9 her its fine, but i can sense she still feels pretty awful about it.
GP: damn, its so hard to type the way i use to type. like, goddammit.
CS: You forgot 4 n1ne.
GP: i know, that was my point.
CS: Oh.
CS: Well, 1f you feel l1ke you c4nnot keep 1t go1ng, then 1 suggest you do wh4tever feels natural.
GP: well, the snake thing doesn't work out for me. i dont even like snakes. and...and replacing "g" with 9 makes me remember the days before the accident, and i dont like thinking about those days, even though im okay with what happened.
GP: i just...want to speak in a way that reflects my state of mind.
CS: Then, type 1n the w4y you 4re typ1ng now.
GP: with...no emotions? no replacing anything? just...type like this?
CS: 1t's 4 qu1rk, 1s 1t not?
GP: i...suppose...
CS: Everyone else w1ll le4rn 4bout wh4t h4ppened to us sooner or l4ter. Why not g1ve them h1nts?
GP: but how will leonce react?
GP: he was there when it happened, but he doesn't know what really happened.
CS: He's your mo1r41l. Tell h1m. You love h1m, don't you?
GP: love is a strong word, suko. i prefer...care.
CS: Then, you c4re 4bout h1m, r1ght?
GP: yes.
CS: Then tell h1m when you see h1m 4g41n.
GP: i supposed.
GP: im...going to the temple.
CS: Wh4t?
GP: well, first i need to find the relic that will summon the temple, so yeah. need to find that first.
CS: 1...don't underst4nd.
GP: this is how you play the game, atsuko. you find an ancient relic that will summon your temple.
GP: all temples will take us to a planet in the medium, where we shall slumber while we solve puzzles in the dreamscape in order for us to awaken and learn of our titles.
CS: ...
GP: i know what i know because of what the voices have told me, and my lusus. i would say dreams too...but my dreams have been pretty vague and meaningless.
CS: K4tsuo, you're k1nd of sc4r1ng me r1ght now.
GP: you would know so much more than i do if you listen to doragon and go back to letting your visions showing you the way.
CS: But...
GP: but what?
CS: K4tsuo, 1'm 4fr41d of wh4t 1'm go1ng to see 1f 1 do go b4ck there. 1t seems...my m1nd 1s sh4ttered.
GP: no, the only shattered minds are ii's and cd's. maybe a few others, but those are the only ones that come to mind.
CS: How c4n you st4nd h4v1ng a mut4t1on th4t m4kes you w4nt scre4m?
GP: i dunno, its just blood. i mean, yeah it gives me creepy ass powers and such, but its blood. nothing to cry or whine about.
GP: im okay with it. im okay with a lot of things, i guess.
CS: 1...don't know.
GP: youll know. i have faith in you.
CS: 1f you s4y so.
GP: i know so.
CS: So, 4re you off to f1nd the temple?
GP: yeah
CS: Then 1 guess 1'll...see you l4ter?
GP: you will, just not in the way you want it to be.
GP: and...i guess not "later", but some time after we all enter and wake up.
GP: so, youll see me in the near future...?
CS: Oh...ok4y.
CS: So, 1 guess th1s 1s 1t.
GP: yep. the world is ending and theres no way to stop it.
CS: But we w1ll surv1ve, r1ght?
CS: 4nd...we 4re not the re4son 1t's ending, r1ght?
GP: no
GP: its someone elses fault, actually.
CS: W41t, who?
GP: no one important until the near future.
CS: Uh...wh4t does th4t me4n?
GP: youll see, soon enough.
GP: you should hurry now. the forest will start to burn and you must be transported quickly. luckily, the temple will send you and your hive to the medium. all temples do that, i suppose.
CS: Th4t's...somewh4t re4ssur1ng.
GP: i shall help sc and bh get the other teams settled, even though they are pretty pointless and really stupid.
CS: How d1d you...?
CS: You know wh4t, 1gnore th4t. The Vo1ces must tell you everyth1ng.
GP: that is somewhat true.
CS: Goodbye, 1 guess.
GP: bye
—ghostlyPariah [GP] ceased trolling calibratorsSincerity [CS]—
} Atsuko: Be Katsuo
You are now Katsuo.
You stood deep within the forest, staring at the tree in front of you. It was a tall, pale white poplar tree, with bare branches that swayed in the wind. Sparkling rubies and silver chains hung from the branches, while obsidian ropes wrapped around the tree's thin trunk. It was a strange plant, you thought to yourself. Your orange eyes flickered, turning white.
If it wasn't obvious, you were half-dead. Ever since that accident involving FLARPing and meddling and lying, you have been walking between the lines of the dead and the living. Changing your quirk was the first step to hiding the hard truth, but Atsuko and her moirail saw through your lies. Atsuko tried to convince you to stop pretending, but you told her time and time again that she was acting like a hypocrite. The accident had left her in a state of disbelief and denial. The only ones that were left somewhat unharmed was her moirail, Leonce, and that indigo-blooded weirdo (AKA archersVoid). You sometimes wonder if any of them suffered as much as you and Atsuko did. The spider might have been harmed, considering the fact that you never see her leave her hive anymore.
} == == ==}
You pull out your weapon from your satchel. To any smart person, they would know that your weapon was called kusarigama. But, for the sake of those less educated, your weapons were sickles with long chains attached to them. They were greating for wall climbing and attacking enemies from afar.
You twirl one of the sickles and toss it, sending it flying through the air. It wrapped around the trunk, its sharp curved blade digging into the bark. You tugged at the chain, causing the tree to be pulled out of the ground. It began floating, coming towards you. You simply blinked and began walking towards the east. The Temple was close, you could feel it. It was so close that, for the time being, you decide to be someone who was also relevant to the chain of events that will lead to your team's escape from doom.
Who shall you be?
} Katsuo: Be the spider