Displaced

Strong Bad awoke slowly, his head spinning. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was a puff of white breath coming from his mouth and nose. If not for the fire magic he would be freezing to death, where ever he was.

It suddenly rushed to him, memories of what occurred before he blacked out. His brother taking him and Homestar through a dark doorway after capturing them with shadows. He could hardly believe it was possible, something as intangible as shadows being used like puppets, solid and strong. He got up as quickly as her could, wrapping his cape tightly around himself. He had to find Homestar and somehow get them out of here, especially if he and the fairy were going to defeat Trogdor.

***

"... But I can't do this." Strong Sad moaned, turning his back to his companion. "I'm not a monster like them, I can't hurt my brother, even if he hurt me time and again!"

His companion remained quiet, a vacant look on his stout round face. He disappeared and reappeared in front of the sorrow prince, tilting his head. "Ay-ai-ai-ma not goin ta lie to you. Do-o-oom before cows, Rhinoceros."

"I know, Homsar... " Strong Sad walked over to the knife. "But its obvious, this just might be the truest friend my brother has ever had. I saw their friendship grow and..."

"Dove to da bear, Resy-stance is fungal." Homsars normally annoying voice warbled into a lower tone as he pointed this out.

"I know, I know." The prince's voice whined in frustration. "But playing with a fairy's emotions like that... its kinda sick. He can't possibly understand."

"It was a dark and sunny Tuesday night."

"Alright... For the family." With that Strong Sad picked up a ceremonial knife, perfect for chopping things with one hit. "But don't bring any harm to my brother."

***

Homestar lulled his head forward. He had been awake for a while now, but it was so cold he could barely move at all. His wings felt like sheets of glass against his back, and he was pretty sure the one was out of place again. If it wasn't so cold he'd think it was awesome to see his breath, but it kinda hurt when he inhaled, which in no way was awesome.

"Stwong Bad?" He finally managed to whisper. "Whewe awe we?" He was answered with silence. Even the string that bound his arms and legs felt frozen. That and Homestar could swear his butt was stuck to glass surface he was on.

***

Strong Bad search every part of the room he was in for a exit. He finally returned to the chair with a huff. There was one closed door in the whole room, and it was upside down, with its base on the ceiling. That wouldn't have been a problem, if not for the fact that this room had a very high ceiling.

Except for the stiff velvety chair he was sitting in the floor was empty. Everything was on the ceiling, including more chairs, a table with a tea set, and an elegant piano. Although normal Strong Bad hated tea, the fact it there was obviously some sort of hot liquid above his head was tempting. Steam and the warm smell of honey and cinnamon wafted from the tea pot down to the grumpy prince.

All he could do was grumble and glare upwards.

He was there for some time before his brother walked through the door above his head. He was quick on his feet again as Strong Sad walked over and helped himself to a cup of tea.

"Hey! Where's my fairy Dumpwad?" Strong Bad called upwards, shaking his fist.

With a snap of his pale fingers, Strong Sad called forth his shadows, pulling his older brother through the floor and onto his level. A slightly disoriented fire prince ended up at his feet.

"Would you care for some tea before I reunited you?" Strong Sad asked as non chalantly as his falsetto would allow him.

Strong Bad got to his feet and poured himself a cup. He chugged down the steaming liquid, then tossed the cup across the room, it shattering against a far wall. "Pleasentries aside, Saddy. Its time for you to take me to Homestar and let us go."

The sorrow prince just sighed and led the way out. The door closed as they both left. Once they were gone the cup reformed and returned to the table.

Strong Sad led his older brother through the halls, which didn't make much sense. At one point Strong Bad could have sworn he saw some sort of a pale beardless dwarf scuttling along the ceiling above him. "Who the crap?..."

His little brother just made a quick glance up before continuing on his way. "My friend, Homsar..."

"Wait..." Strong Bad slowed slightly. "Homsar the Displacer? The crazy little midget time mage?"

"One and the same." Strong Sad finally stopped in front of a door.

"Why are you hanging with the only loon stupid enough to mess with time and space?"

"I have my reasons..." With that the sorrow prince turned sharply. "Within this room the fairy awaits. I call it my jewel room. It is a special cerimony room designed to enhance spells and cerimonies. In there you will do the fairy tail amulet cerimony."

Strong Bad stiffened, looking at his brothers strangely ferosious expression. Then he growled powering up his magic. "No way! There's no way in hell I'm going through with killing Homestar. He's powerful enough to do the job alive!"

"You do not understand, brother. You have to do it." Came the calm retort. "We need you to do this."

"That's bull honkey! That's crap! There is no we. It was my stupid idea and I'll go about it the way I want to!" Strong Bad took a few steps back before rushing at his brother, flaming fists blazing. "I promised I'd protect him!"

"Promises are broken all the time," Strong Sad disapeared in the shadows, leaving Strong Bad no choice but to slow down or hit a wall. Strong Sad re faded into existance and wrapped his fingers around his older brother's wrist, smother the fires with cold darkness. "Especially by you. If you don't come willingly you leave me no other choice but to make you."

Strong Bad pulled against his brother's grip. "There's nothing you can do against me, wimp."

He had just about pulled himself out the grip when he noticed Strong Sad's eyes glowing. His brother shook his head as he muttered some strange words. He finally let go, leaving behind a black marking along one of Strong Bad's wrists. The fire prince pulled back, clutching his arm in a sudden sharp pain.

"I wish you weren't so stubborn. Fortunetly I perfected this spell."

Strong Bad cried out, trying to summon fire. It fizzled out and burned him in turn. He seethed, cringing at the feeling.

"What is this?" He hissed through clenched teeth.

"I'm sorry, but you didn't leave me a choice. Its a control band. As long as its there anything I command of you you'll obey."

"Damn you..." The elder of the two croaked. "I'm not doing this."

"Strong Bad, you will come with me." Strong Sad turned back to the room and opened the door. The fire prince felt all self control leave him with his brother words. His eyes darkened until they were overcome with black and he followed close behind.