(Prologue: ?)
As the first day of walking draws to a close, the shadows grow longer, and the sound of birdsong fades from the air. The trees dissolve into darkness, becoming no more than mere shadows, the sheer cold of the winter night creeping under our skin.
I'm hungry. Everyone's hungry. So far, there has been no evidence of the fabled river, and I know it's only a matter of time before someone turns around and points that out. I'll become the scapegoat again, the source of all our problems, and I'm not sure I could talk my way out of another disaster.
The mood is bleak as we sit down to get some rest. Even Tessie and Caroline have stopped laughing. Instead, Caroline has been making sure Angie is okay every few minutes, which is driving Angie round the bend. Even worse, Pusher has been attempting to assert his dominance as a leader, which means he's quite possibly led us off-course.
Clunk.
The noise echoes through the forest. I stand at once, peering through the gloom. It sounded metallic. But how can there be metal here?
"Everyone, quiet," I command, creeping forward. Echoes ring from all around, hidden amidst the shadows. We're not alone.
"What is it?" Tessie asks fearfully.
"Listen," I hiss.
"Why?"
"Listen!"
Clunk.
"A monster!" Matt shouts, and I groan.
Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.
"It's coming!" Sebastian exclaims. "What do we do?"
"Get behind me," I order.
"But, Steven-"
"Behind me! I led you into this, I'm getting you out!"
Metal glints through the trees, shining from all sides. My heart enters my throat as Porky's guards appear, dressed head to toe in steel, spears in each of their hands. They form a circle, stamping in place, imprisoning us with their bodies.
We're surrounded.
My pulse rises like a firecracker. Without thinking, I push the others back, drawing my only weapon: a large stick. My mind swims for a plan, but there is nothing. There are too many of them.
"Come with us," one says, advancing. His spear is pointer than the others, I realise. He must be the leader.
"No," I say fiercely, raising my stick. "We refuse."
"Come with us," repeats another. He speaks as if the words have been recited many times before. "Porky commands it."
"I don't know how you found us," I say, taking courage and stepping forward. "I acknowledge your skill in doing so. However, we refuse. We are not coming with you."
"You must," the leader says. "You left the carriages. You must come back."
"Or what?"
"Or…"
A guard surges forward. I move to block it, but I'm too slow. They grab Matt by his shirt - pulling him back - and it's so fast - he screams-
Snap.
The guard tosses Matt's body to the ground.
"Death," the leader smiles. "Death for you all."
The effect is immediate. Caroline shrieks, grabbing onto Angie's arm. Ollie breaks into a gibbering mess, blinking as if he can't believe what he's seen. Reggie doesn't speak, but he's all too quick to hide behind Pusher, while Elmore drags Sebastian in front of her body.
"That was murder," I growl, furious. "He did nothing wrong."
"Come with us," the leader says again.
"No!" I step forward. "I know what happens in New Pork City."
"It is coming." The guard speaks without emotion, but with sheer force. "The wild wave is coming, and you will be swept away. It will happen to everyone you love, everyone you hold dear, because it is inevitable. Porky Minch is inevitable. We are inevitable."
"Is 'inevitable' the longest word you know?"
"My linguistic abilities are irrelevant whilst Porky is supreme."
"What's he done to you?" I frown, upset. "How has he convinced you of these lies?"
There's a tepid quiet. The leader surveys me, but before he can reply, Roy stands.
"I remember."
In the darkness, he looks ancient. He pushes through the others, coming forward to stand beside me.
"After the torture, Porky placed something onto my neck. Then, I'd hear his voice in my mind. I was compelled to do as he wished. He was in complete control."
Something glimmers in the leader's eyes.
"You hear that?" I say, a little more confident. "Your thoughts are not your own. There are chips on your necks, controlling your every move. Listen to what you're saying, remember your family, your life, your friends-"
"ENOUGH!" He cuts me off with a mighty stomp. It sends a tremor through the ground, and I can hear his breathing, laboursome and enraged. "You are too late, Steven. I am a disciple of Porky. Whatever is left of me - him - is gone! This body is a mere vessel of Porky's power."
"What I don't understand," I say, unfazed. "How does he control you all at once? That must be - what - thirty people?"
"Correct," the leader glowers, still furious. "Porky whispers to us one at a time. The rest run on standing orders. We are programmed to attack, should you foolishly defy us."
"Is Porky whispering to you right now?" I ask. "Am I speaking directly to him?"
"Yes," he spits. "I must say, it is brave of you not to be kneeling."
"I will never kneel to a man like you."
"You fear divinity," he says, raising his spear. The moonlight glimmers on his armour. "Are you afraid of the future?"
"How is all of this possible?" I ask, ignoring the question. "How can you transmit a signal from so far away?"
"Porky is a great inventor, Steven. You know this already."
"Vividly," I say. The others shift behind me, looking nervous. "And yet, he is an inventor of abominations. He has wasted an innocent human life just so he can speak through you. Where do all these people come from?"
"They volunteered."
"As if."
"He asked them if they wanted to stretch the boundaries of science. They said yes."
I grit my teeth. "In other words, you lied to them. You're bringing even more people into your city. How does it feel to be hurting so many, to have ruined so many lives?"
"It feels spectacular." The leader smiles, several teeth on display. "In the name of the New Pork Empire, sacrifices must be made. But, is this news? You heard it all in your cell. Is your memory that feeble?"
"It is not news to me," I agree. "It is news to my friends here. Thanks for proving what I've been telling them all along."
All at once, the guards around me open their mouths. I brace for impact, but instead, they laugh, a resonant and intimidating laugh.
"I've seen your trials," the leader says. "You and ten people - escaping for what? Why do you waste your time on such foolish pursuits?"
"Because it's right."
"Is that so? In my world, there will be no need for right or wrong."
"In your world?" I raise my eyebrows. "I don't think so. You've got another thing coming, Pork Man."
"Don't call me Pork Man."
"The world won't let it happen," I say. "The world will never let you do what you intend. They would sooner die."
"Then die they shall! Porky is unstoppable. Ordinary men can do nothing against me!"
The villagers shudder, but I stand firm. The guard advances, and I raise my arms.
"Unstoppable? All of you - you guards - you're so… feeble . Roy's chip fell off his neck! How do you expect to take over the world if you can't even apply glue?"
"They're not the permanent solution. There is much more to be done. My victory will be joyous!"
"Naturally," I say. "But that's not all. You see, Porky, there is a major flaw in your design."
"Is that right?" The leader steps forward, raising his spear. "Enlighten me."
"Your chips are too modern," I say. "The chips are using electricity, right? Electricity plus water isn't a good combination."
"Where do you plan to get water before dying a slow and excruciating death?"
"Well, have you heard of magic?"
The guard recoils suddenly. I smile, feeling the balance of power shifting.
"But you're not - you're not magical-"
"How do you think I got out of that cell?"
"You - but you can't!" The leader growls, brandishing his spear. "We will attack! We will-"
But what else he's going to do, I don't want to know. I raise my arms in triumph, ready to say the words that will rain hell upon these guards.
Literally.
"E.M. RAIN!"
"NO!" Porky bellows. "I will be back - I will bring terror - you will-"
The clouds burst. Porky's voice explodes into static, torrents of rain pouring down on the advancing guards. Sparks fly, wails of pain ring out, and I hold my position, feeling like a god. The guards fold, spears clattering to the ground, collapsing into the mud underfoot. I watch as the chips explode, little bursts of flame tearing them from their captives. In a few hours, thirty men will wake, very confused about where they are.
I throw my hands to my side. At once, the rain stops, just as the last guard falls with a mangled cry. Porky's right.
Victory tastes sweet.
But I must be pragmatic. Porky will be angry now, and he'll be on his way. The rain won't work again - it takes considerable time for these powers to recharge. I whirl around to face the others, ready to take action.
"We need to get moving," I say. "We won't have long."
But nobody replies.
"Hello?" I try, and then Reggie surges forward, pushing me to the ground.
There is no joy in his eyes. No gratitude. The Tazmily Villagers stare at me, horrified by what they've seen.
"Matt is dead," Reggie snarls, pushing me down when I try to get up. "He was one of us!"
"But-"
"One of us!" Reggie shouts.
"I'm sorry!"
"Sorry?" Reggie's lip curls. "Sorry enough to prance around like a lunatic for fifteen minutes? Magic, Steven! Magic that you could've used right away!"
"We needed water!" Elmore yells. "We're thirsty! We haven't had a drink all day!"
"I saved your lives!" I exclaim, covered from head to toe in mud and beginning to shake. "They would have killed you all!"
"Couldn't be bothered to save Matt, though? Surplus to requirements?"
"No, I-"
"If you're such a hero, then prove it. Prove it!" Reggie spits, wild with fury. "Summon us some water, Steven! If you really had our best interests at heart, you would've done it long ago!"
"Reggie, I can't," I say miserably. "It takes time for the power to recharge."
"That's all I needed to hear." He turns his back, facing the scared-looking villagers. "From now on, I shall lead this group. Steven cannot be trusted. Steven has brought the death of one of our own."
Just like that, he strides into the forest. After a moment, the others pick up their things, none of them daring to make eye contact with me. They follow despite my protests, clasping their satchels and their bags. I can only watch from the ground, soaked through with mud, shivering from the sudden bitter cold. Reggie barks an order, and the villagers look to him in hope, hope that they never had in me.
I crawl to my feet, bitterness flooding through my system. If Reggie wants to get everyone killed, that's his call. I haven't got anything left to live for. I'm unimportant, just an ordinary man, trying to save as many lives as possible.
I follow behind the others, a lone pariah.
.
.
.
~~o00o~~
Chapter 25: Alone Aboard the Ark (Part 2)
(Lucas & Toon Link)
~~o00o~~
.
.
.
The sun rises slower than could ever be imagined, tiny rays of orange light painstakingly brightening the medical ward.
Despite my worst fears, nothing awful came last night. Nothing hurt me, and nothing hurt Ness. Other than the usual hospital terrors, that is; Ness's sheets are spotted with blood that's not his own, and I'm fairly sure the beds are rife with lice.
It's not the first time I've had to pull an all-nighter. Searching for Claus took all night sometimes - I'd collapse in bed the second I got home, sometimes crying from exhaustion. It was by choice, it was achingly necessary to do it, looking amongst every alleyway and every building which Onett had to offer. It was something to do, I think. It meant I thought about it less, the reality that he wasn't coming back. I wish I had somewhere to go last night; even the forest would've kept me busier than sitting here alone. I needed to stay awake in case anything came and hurt us, because if I'd been lazing about in bed, and something had come and taken Ness away…
It doesn't bear thinking about. I couldn't let it happen.
The nurse bustles in their office, readying themself for the day. As punishment for my overprotectiveness, I'm spent, and I keep catching my eyes trying to close themselves. It's fine for now, just me and Ness in the lonely ward, but as the minutes continue to pass and the horizon continues to brighten, I'm soon left staring out the window to keep myself awake. From the dizzying heights of the first floor, a great chunk of the forest is visible; tall, stretching trees, giant arms arcing in long sweeps, some reaching to the clouds. They're pretty, but I can't help but remember the dark secret of mine and Ness's gravestone contained within. I don't understand it, even though I really want to. I want to understand how all of this can make sense. All I've ever studied, all I've ever known about science, has gone out of the window in the space of a week. Seven days ago I was normal, I woke up on a doorstep, I travelled to the station, I boarded the train. Then we saw The Face. That's when it started.
Now I'm here, sitting in the hospital with my damaged Ness, worrying, wondering how any of this can be possible. I want to cry. But I can't cry again; I can't be weak again, because Ness needs me, and I will be here. I will hold on hope, waiting, praying to all the gods I've never known.
I look out again at the forest. It looks so natural, and yet it cloaks such terror inside. The school is the same, hiding a villain amongst its crumbing walls and creeping ivy. Onett as well, full of malice underneath a suit and tie. Like Porky, for example. Or…
I instantly block the thought out. I am not going to think about him.
For the millionth time, I trawl through my main suspects. Wario, Ryu, and Headmaster Hand. But, for one reason or another, each of them doesn't make sense, because ultimately, it could be anyone. What looks to be a Professor, a trusted adult, could be the Dreamlord. What looks to be Ness's head wound could signify permanent brain damage or full-body paralysis. What looks to be a forest is a prison of trees, containing a gravestone of demise, and a strange mechanical chimney.
The chimney.
The thought wakes me up a little bit. It led down to an underground room, didn't it? There was light down below, a glowing fireplace…
The revelation strikes me at once. There's only one other underground room that we know of.
Where Dark Pit had disappeared - the Dreamlord's base of operations - it must lead down there! But then, does that mean there's a way down? Does that mean we can get in there and end this?
No.
We'd be killed on sight. There wouldn't be a way back up. Besides, I need Ness, and he's out of action.
I look up again; time has passed. The morning's lessons are imminent, but then the door opens, and Bayonetta hurries in.
"Hey, Lucas!" She rushes to Ness's bedside. "Damn - I heard - Ness got injured?"
"Yeah," I mumble. "Fell down the stairs."
"Shame. He's a good guy, respects women and all that." She tosses a clumsily wrapped box onto the pile, which is now beginning to teeter. "But, say, Lucas, Ness was right!"
"About what?" I ask warily.
"You are pretty cute, ain'tcha? What do you say to some fooling around? I take cash…"
"H-Huh?" I balk, sickened by the thought. "I don't - I'm not interested, sorry-"
"Only teasing!" Bayonetta laughs, clapping me uncomfortably on the shoulder. "I'm into girls, everyone knows that. C'mon, loosen up, Lucas! Say, are you coming to my party Wednesday?"
"N-Ness invited me," I stammer.
"Excellent!" Bayonetta beams. "In that case, I'll see you there!" With that, she bounces out of the room, leaving me feeling extremely awkward. But no sooner has she left than Ryu strides into the room, full of purpose. I internally groan, suddenly wishing that Bayonetta had stayed.
"Hello, Professor," I say.
"Lucas," Ryu says, stopping by Ness's bedside. "I have very unfortunate news. Headmaster Hand has informed me that you cannot miss your classes, nor the Wilderness survival week."
"He told me last night," I say tightly.
"Oh." He stops. "I wrote to Ness's family, as well, I don't know if-"
"I did that already."
"Well!" Ryu laughs, though it's a little forced. "No harm in some extra mail. But, Lucas, you seem stressed, what's going on?"
I sigh, reaching for Ness's hand. Even though it's limp, it's a little warmer now, and a little bit comforting.
"I'm worried that something will get him when I'm in class."
"Oh, no matter." Ryu waves a hand. "Rosalina and I shall stand guard. He will come to no harm."
"And if he wakes up," I continue, reddening slightly, "I don't want him to think he's alone."
"Why are you worried about that?" Ryu chuckles. "I think all those cards and presents suggest otherwise."
"I guess," I say, looking over at them with embarrassment. At least thirty of the cards were written by me. I might get rid of them before Ness wakes. I don't say what I'm thinking: I don't want him to wake up without me.
The clocktower rings.
"Lesson time," Ryu says seriously, and I sigh, resigned to my fate. It's time to face the day.
…
(Toon Link)
…
Music lessons either go badly, terribly, or catastrophically. It's a relief, therefore, that I have it first, whilst extremely sleep deprived and alone.
It was another night of very limited rest for me, though it was admittedly nice to have a pleasant roommate. Link's nighttime Zelda fantasies didn't disturb the peace, although I'm pretty sure that late into the night, I heard Pit crying.
That's none of my business, though. I won't fault him for it, nor will I bring it up. We've agreed to go through Dark Pit's stuff together later today, because we got the news of confirmation at breakfast - the search in the passages proved unsuccessful. At this point, there's no chance that Dark Pit is still alive.
I still feel awful about it all. In the passages, in the rockfall, I ran. Lucas stayed back, he tried to save the others, like a true hero. He rescued Pit. I ran.
I need to smash some drums. Violently. Perhaps with an enormous mallet. With that resolve, I enter the music room, and Lucas appears behind me.
"Hey, uh, what do we do?"
Of course, I forgot he dropped Business Studies. "Sit by your ivories, and we'll play whatever obscure musical score Tute has dug out."
"Okay," Lucas says, looking wistfully at the harp, which is where Ness should be standing. He's pining, and it's extremely gay. I love it.
Professor Sebastian Tute hops into the room. He's a ridiculously small man, with massive 1700s-classical-composer hair, all the frilly grey curls included. He usually carries his conducting baton in his shirt pocket wherever he goes, often to commit acts of violence. He's a strange, strange character, but he's alright really, even if he's a little particular about, well, everything.
"Everybody!" Tute chirrups. "We have two new students joining us today! They are Ness and Lucas!"
"Erm," Lucas says nervously. "Ness is unconscious in the medical ward-"
"That is a shame," Tute squeaks. "He should put music first, even before his health. Music is an art form that only the very best of humanity can cultivate, extracting the most beautiful harmonies, combining them to create divinity. Do remind him of that, Lucas."
"Of course," Lucas nods, bemused.
Tute continues twittering, and I turn, distracted by my instruments. In my opinion, the percussion section is everything that sounds good when hit with a big stick. The school is pretty well stocked - I've got a double timpani, my good friend the giant gong, cymbals, and best of all, a triangle.
"Class!" Tute squawks, standing mightily on his pedestal. "Today we will be playing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, written by mister Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart in 1787! I taught him myself, you know, and I taught him the very feature that introduces the piece: an anacrusis!" He passes around the sheet music, which is disappointingly huge, pages and pages of endless notes, and very little percussion…
"...So, that's Music," I grimace, as we file out of the door. "How did you find it?"
"Better than Business," Lucas shrugs. "I didn't lose any money or brain cells."
I laugh. "Anything's better than that awful man."
But Wario steps from his office as we walk past. He sneers at Lucas's worried expression. "Aha! Where were you this morning?"
"I've stopped taking Business." Lucas flinches nervously, seeing Wario's raising hand. "I was in my music class."
"Music? Music?! You have decided to stop taking the masterful subject of business, for music? Your family will be extremely disappointed in you, Lucas!"
"I-"
"Music is a useless, useless subject. Who would ever listen to music? Anyone who does must be an idiot!"
"Uh-"
Professor Sebastian Tute steps out from behind him, his baton raised in menace.
"What did you just say about the fine art of music?"
"I said it's useless," Wario sneers.
"Useless! I - I am flabbergasted! Music is - music is art, music is divinity-"
"Music is a load of old sods playing instruments," Wario growls, making a ridiculous face while miming someone playing the trumpet.
Tute reaches up and strikes Wario on the nose with his baton. "How dare you blaspheme against the great arts! How dare, how dare, how dare!"
Wario fake-cries. "Oh, boo-hoo! Let me play you a very sad song on the world's smallest violin!"
"How dare! How dare! How dare!"
"Time to leave?" I glance at Lucas.
"Yeah, definitely."
"Are you defying the mighty Wario?!" Wario yells as we leave, but my thoughts drift away pretty quickly. It's time for Sport, or in other words, time to make a fool of myself in front of Villager. Even worse, we have to change into our sports kit alongside all the other apes in our year.
"My kit got burnt by the fire," Lucas realises. "Have you got a spare?"
"Yeah," I say. "But you're going to a sports lesson? You're not sneaking off to the art block?"
"It wouldn't be the same without Ness." Lucas puts a sheepish hand to his neck. "And, well, Headmaster Hand, Ryu and Rosalina would be on my case about missing a lesson."
Fortunately, Lucas and I are equally small, so my spare kit fits him perfectly. I try not to stare at Villager while he changes, and believe me, it's tempting, but I do try to exercise restraint occasionally. Pit joins us, and we finish changing in good time, making our way outside to join Wii Fit Trainer on the field.
"Who's ready to get fit?" Wii Fit Trainer asks, jogging on the spot.
"Not me," Pit says gloomily.
"Well, that's not the right attitude to have!" Wii Fit Trainer reprimands. Popo laughs, and Pit stares at the ground. For whatever reason, it must all be hitting harder than usual today. Lucas's lip is quivering as well, he always pairs up with Ness for the few sports lessons he attends, although it could just be because of the cold. Villager is cold too, his legs have goosebumps all down them. I'm sure I'd be able to warm them up.
"Contact," Wii Fit Trainer says, interrupting my perversion. "Today's rugby lesson is all about contact."
My homosexual self is both pleased and disappointed.
"My favourite!" Popo exclaims. Everyone looks around in alarm. I laugh, but I notice the class seems slightly diminished, what with Ness's absence and the disappearances. The idea makes me shiver.
"First of all, everyone needs to pair up!" Wii Fit Trainer orders. Remembering how I got put with Wii Fit Trainer last time, I spend a split second deciding between lust and friendship, and I end up turning to Pit. He gratefully agrees to go with me, whilst Red swiftly takes Villager, Meta Knight and Olimar team up with an intense high five, and Link pairs up with another jock-type guy. Pretty soon, only two people remain, and to Lucas's chagrin, those people are him and Popo.
"Alright," says Wii Fit Trainer. "We're going to work on tackling today. You shall take it in turns to tackle your partner. But first, I'll need someone to demonstrate with."
"I volunteer!" Link announces proudly, moving over and flexing his biceps as he walks. I think back to yesterday where he revealed he was Found, and where he also revealed he was twenty, three years older than the rest of us.
"So, first," Wii Fit Trainer says, but Link is way ahead of him. In a sudden movement, he grips around Wii Fit Trainer's waist, dragging him straight to the ground. There are cheers and whoops from some of the popular guys, and even I have to laugh a little bit. Link smiles, standing tall, before returning to the rest of us with a swagger.
"Thank you for that, Link." Wii Fit Trainer picks himself off the floor, laughing off the blow. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go and practice!"
Pit and I take our space on the field. Pit smiles weakly, "You wouldn't mind going easy, would you?"
I glance over at Wii Fit Trainer, who's busy checking his newfound bruises from Link's attack. "Would you rather not do this exercise at all? He's not looking."
"Definitely." Pit breathes a sigh of relief.
We move further away from Wii Fit Trainer, sitting on the ground. I turn to Pit. "So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm not sure." Pit shrugs, eyes fixated on a particular blade of grass. "I dunno. I guess I should've expected the letter this morning."
"It's okay," I assure him. "It's okay to take it easy."
"I just…" He rubs his forehead. "Yeah. Emotions."
I laugh softly. "Emotions."
"Sorry."
"No - really, it's okay."
"Thanks."
We sit in a comfortable silence. I glance over at Lucas, who Popo is repeatedly taking down. Even before Lucas gets up again, Popo launches another onslaught, sending him to the ground with a yelp. Behind them, Villager and Red take it in turns to tackle each other in a very ordered manner, Red apologising every time he succeeds. They're funny, really, the idiosyncrasies of our group. If only Ness was here, then the balance would be perfect.
He'll be okay, like Lucas keeps insisting. Ness will wake up from his coma. I never thought that Ness would ever end up in a coma, but then again, I never thought anything that's happened this term would happen. I've found that thinking too hard about it overloads my mind - it's impossible to process all of this at once. Maybe one day, when I'm fifty, it'll make more sense.
"Boys!" Wii Fit Trainer exclaims, and I jump, alarmed. "What are you doing? Put in more effort, okay?"
"Yes, Professor," I groan, wearily getting to my feet. Pit stands too as Wii Fit Trainer walks away.
"Send in the squirrel army?" I suggest, watching distastefully, and Pit smiles.
"Squirrel army."
The exercise ends soon enough, and we gather around Wii Fit Trainer again. He looks around.
"Some good work there. Some of you, you know who you are, should pick up the pace instead of sitting around. Now, rugby is a team sport, so I'd like each pair to find another pair. The pair that tackles the other pair to the ground first wins. Off you go!"
The pairs scramble around. I wouldn't mind tackling Villager to the ground, but sadly, Mega Man manages to capture Villager's pair first. So, Lucas and… oh hell, Popo, come over to us, and I realise, suddenly, that I need to write my last will and testament.
"Alright, Toon Link?" Popo hits me on the shoulder with a grin.
I'm a goner.
…
After what feels like an eternity, the lesson ends, and I'm covered head to toe in swathes of dark, sticky mud. Popo must've floored me hundreds upon hundreds of times, while Pit and Lucas escaped free of any dirt, both of the wallflowers too timid to attempt any tackles.
Grinning as we head back to the changing rooms, Villager runs up alongside me. "Alright there, Toon Link of the Bog?"
"Shut up," I grumble.
"Enjoy getting intimate with Popo?"
"Again, shut up."
"Behold, Toon Link, the great swamp monster-"
"That's it." I grab a chunk of mud from my hair, smothering it across Villager's face. "Alright, Villager of the bog?"
Villager spits and splutters. "Ugh! I'm gonna have to wash off now, you dick!"
"Must've slipped," I say sweetly. "I suppose we'd better find the bucket."
Whenever we get muddy in Sports, we're supposed to fill up a bucket of cold water, and dunk it over our heads. Headmaster Hand doesn't allow us to use the showers to clean, as they'd get clogged up, so instead we have the next best thing: a medieval torture method.
Begrudgingly, Villager and I make our way behind the changing rooms, all while Lucas, Red and Pit happily enter the warm and dry. I grumble as I run the cold tap, stripping off most of my clothes, thankfully too modest to go full commando. Villager does the same, complaining under his breath.
"I'm not pleased with you," he says, as I stare exclusively at the water filling the bucket. I definitely do not stare anywhere else.
"Too bad," I grin.
"I hate the cold water bucket!"
"I hate Popo covering me in mud!"
"That's your problem, you menace."
"A problem shared is a problem halved."
"Screw you," Villager grumbles. "You know, they should call in pest control to exterminate your sorry self."
"Aren't friends supposed to share in each other's suffering?"
"Not like this! Not, like, dying of hypothermia together!"
"You're right." The bucket fills, and I pick it up, staring directly into Villager's eyes. "You should die of hypothermia alone. Enjoy."
I chuck the whole thing over his head, and the squeal that he emits is quite spectacular. The water soaks the ground, turning the dirt into mud, and Villager emerges, sopping wet, freezing, and very, very angry.
"You! Y-You! I am g-getting my revenge for that!"
"Is that so?"
"Y-Yeah!" True to his word, he hurries over to the cold tap, but he slips in the mud and topples to the floor. I cackle, but Villager grabs me by the foot, and I tumble down beside him with a yelp. Dirt splatters everywhere. I laugh, smearing some on his cheek, grabbing the hosepipe and shoving it into his grimy face. Villager shrieks, but then he's leaping on me, and soon we're wrestling like schoolboys, laughing and swearing, slowly getting muddier and muddier–
…
"You look a mess," Red assesses, when we both arrive at lunch a while later, freezing cold and red in the face. I'm too embarrassed to comment, having only considered the connotations of the situation at about the same time that Villager had me pinned to the ground. We'd separated fast after that, getting clean with only a few awful jokes to pierce the silence, very unsure how to process the awkward situation. Well, Villager was very unsure, my mind was shouting gay! gay! gay! which, in my opinion, is fairly conclusive.
"Thanks," Villager says weakly. "Where's Lucas?"
"He went with Pit to check on Ness."
Ah, yes. Our critically ill friend. I take a hungry bite out of today's lunch, chicken salad.
"Didn't you want to go with them?" Villager asks.
"Bringing food into a medical environment is unsanitary," he replies, as though it's common sense.
The rest of lunch is awkward, and there's definitely something new hanging between me and Villager. I have the worrying feeling that we're not going to talk about it, that it'll just be brushed off as bein' friends, and our silence is only broken when we agree to visit Ness. Ness - I'm still worried about him, I'll admit. I'm very, very worried, actually. He's strong, he's always been strong, but whenever I find my mind wandering, I find the image of that beast - that Future Human - crushing him tight in its steely arms. It was just as well I'd gotten there when I had, but imagine if I'd been too slow? What if he'd landed with brain damage, or worse? I feel dizzy suddenly, and I have to grab onto Villager's shoulder to avoid falling over.
"Alright?" Villager asks, concerned.
"Fine." I breathe deeply. "Yes. He'll be fine."
"Toon Link…" Villager's eyes soften with sympathy. "He'll be okay. He'll get out of there."
"What if I didn't get outside in time? What if the Future Human did permanent damage?"
"If it wasn't for you," Villager says, lowering his voice. "Ness would be dead."
"I guess." I shiver. "Yeah."
He smiles at me, and it makes me feel a little bit better. "Come on, Toon Link. Chances are, he's woken up during the morning."
But Villager is wrong. When we make our way into the medical ward, Lucas greets us in floods of tears. My heart sinks to the floor.
"What's happened? Is he - Ness-"
Lucas shakes his head, unable to reply. I look instead to Pit, who hurriedly beckons us over. Ness is rising and falling in bed, breathing like normal, but…
"Ness's heartbeat has slowed," Pit explains. "Twenty beats a minute."
"He's - he's not-"
"He's not dead," Pit assures me. "But it's not looking good. He's slipping away."
"Oh God," I mumble. "Oh God, Ness…"
"Lucas is in shock," Pit says, looking at the ground. "He's not coping well."
My chest feels like it's going to explode. Ness is just lying there, and suddenly this feels like a funeral. The stupid posters around the room are mocking us, the get well soon! and the smile for the dentist! in bright neon colours. I grab Villager's hand because fuck whatever happened outside, I suddenly need an anchor.
Ryu rushes in with Rosalina, brandishing three plates of chicken salad. Without a word, one plate is handed to Lucas, the other two plates are set down, and the two professors hurry to Ness's side.
"What are you going to do?" Lucas chokes, gripping Ness's hand like a vice.
"We're going to try and increase his heartrate," Ryu says, getting out a packet. "Methamphetamine should do the trick."
"Metham - what?"
Rosalina prepares a crucible, quickly diluting the powder with a liquid. Lucas is brushed aside as a needle is procured, the resultant fluid being drawn up into it.
"Quick - roll up his sleeve - there we go…"
As all this unfolds, it hits me all at once that I'm a bystander. I can't do anything but watch, afraid, scared, utterly powerless. Ryu jams the needle into Ness's bicep, and as the needle goes in, I feel Villager's hand tighten suddenly around my own. I look up at him, surprised, and he nods, a very scared expression on his face.
"Is it working?" Lucas asks frantically.
"Give it time to get into the bloodstream," Ryu says.
"We haven't got time!"
Rosalina puts on a stethoscope, tearing away Ness's shirt and pressing the end to his chest. She listens for a moment, and tears begin rolling down Lucas's face, a tense silence in the air.
"It's working," Rosalina announces, and as quickly as the chaos began, it's over. It's calm.
Ness will be okay.
We still ourselves, gathering around Ness's body. He's as docile as anything, breathing normally, with a blank expression on his face. He seems to be fine, a little feverish perhaps, but ultimately, fine.
"He'll be okay," I say, pulling Lucas into a very wet hug. "I promise."
Lucas only sniffles in response, and Villager ruffles his hair. "Whatever that stuff was, it worked."
Lucas clings onto my shirt when we come apart, and I wonder momentarily if this is what it's like to be Ness. Then I wonder if this is what it's like to be loved, and I quickly have to push the thought down.
"Get some food into you," Red says, putting the chicken salad back into Lucas's hands. Lucas nibbles at the meat, still shaky. I take the opportunity to look at his painting, almost complete now, and I'm fairly sure I know what it is.
If that doesn't make Ness confess, I don't know what will.
The clocktower rings.
"Lessons," Ryu says impassively. "We'll stand guard, don't worry."
"Quite right," Rosalina agrees, and she opens up the door to the ward.
"What does he mean, stand guard?" I mutter as we're guided gently out of the room.
"In case the Future Humans come back," Lucas says, his cheeks still tear-stained. "We think they might try to finish him off."
I notice significant bags under his eyes. "Lucas, how much did you sleep last night?"
"I didn't," he says.
There's a worried pause.
"You didn't sleep?" Villager asks, concerned.
"I had to keep watch - keep guard - just in case-"
"Ness would want you to look after yourself," I say, but Lucas only sniffles.
"Lucas, is there anything we can do?" Villager asks eventually, a touch of uncertainty in his voice. "Like, we're happy to keep guard, work on anything to do with this big mystery, whatever you need. Just, don't shoulder it all by yourself, okay?"
Lucas is quiet for a moment, before he pauses, looking up and wiping his eyes. "Well, there is something."
"Anything."
"Olimar and Meta Knight," Lucas says. "They're up to no good, we think. In fact, we know, they said so themselves. Could you follow them for a bit? See what they're doing? Just in case it's something to do with all of this."
"Of course," I say softly.
"What if Ness dies?" Red asks abruptly, and Villager scowls, seeing Lucas's expression break.
"Red, don't say that. He's not going to die."
"It feels weird without him with us," Red says. "It's not right."
Nothing more is said, and as Red leaves to go to his class, Villager, Pit, Lucas and I opt to walk in silence. Pit has been quiet today, even quieter than usual, and I worry that something's up. That something else has happened.
But as we walk into the classroom, my mind is not on Pit, but on Villager again. The way he held my hand… the way our hands sort of fitted together, and then the way he looked at me afterwards as if to ask is this okay? makes a strange warm fuzz travel through me. It was the smallest gesture, but one that meant a lot.
Slipping out of my fantasies, I sit down near the back of the classroom. Lucas and Pit sit in their usual places, and to my surprise, Villager comes to join me. I feel another little burst of happiness, and I inwardly curse myself for taking everything as a sign.
"Not sitting with Zelda?" I joke, because I love it when Villager says he doesn't like her.
"You have got to be kidding," Villager sighs. "I sat there last time because that was the only space left."
"And you have a crush on her," I tease, which makes Villager shoves me.
"Not in a million years."
"She's a perfectly nice girl!"
"She's dating Link!"
"And she's twenty," I add. "Didn't know you liked older women."
"What? Twenty?"
I explain what Link said yesterday, and Villager pulls a face.
"He was joking. He must've been. Right?"
I laugh, but I'm interrupted by Bowser entering the room and slamming a textbook on his desk. "SILENCE in my LESSON!"
Villager and I give one another a look. Bowser's in a full-on bad mood today. That means that I'll almost certainly be receiving a beating at some point during the next hour.
"Where's the dark-haired one?" Bowser roars, pointing a cane at Lucas.
"H-He's in the medical ward," Lucas stammers.
"Yeah, right," Bowser growls. "I still owe him a caning for last week. But another one for you wouldn't hurt!"
"That is the point of canings," I interrupt. "They are supposed to hurt."
"SILENCE!" he roars, pointing the cane at my head. He points at Pit next, narrowly avoiding hitting him in the nose. "You. Where is your twin?"
Before Pit has to answer, I scrunch a piece of paper into a ball, throwing it into Bowser's face. Several people gasp, as Bowser roars, storming over and picking me up by the shirt.
"Are you DISRESPECTING ME?"
"Yes, sir," I manage, trying not to choke in his grip.
"PERISH," he roars, hitting me like a pinata before throwing me down to my seat. I shiver, sore, and Villager pats me on the shoulder.
"You did good, Toon Link."
"The cost of good is suffering," I mumble, but it's worth it when Pit turns around to give me a grateful smile.
"Today's POEM!" Bowser yells, hitting the blackboard with the cane, "Is another LOAD OF NONSENSE!"
Ignoring the verse, I remember our mission, looking over to Meta Knight and Olimar. Meta Knight hands something to his counterpart, and they exchange a suspicious grin.
"TOON LINK!" Bowser yells. "You will read, if you know how!"
I sigh exaggeratedly, my eyes torn away from the bullies.
"Love seeketh not Itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care;
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair.
So sang a little Clod of Clay,
Trodden with the cattle's feet;
But a Pebble of the brook,
Warbled out these metres meet.
Love seeketh only Self to please,
To bind another to Its delight:
Joys in another's loss of ease,
And builds a Hell in Heavens despite."
I finish, and there's a long pause.
"Oh, it stopped," Bowser realises, after some time. "Well, WHO can tell me why this thing talks about binding? I didn't realise these poems were KINKY!"
"It's a metaphor!" Nana interrupts hurriedly.
Bowser growls. "A what!?"
"A metaphor."
"You've hit the menopause? That's quite young!"
"Not the menopause," Nana flushes. "A metaphor. It's where you say something that means something else."
"I've never heard of it!"
"You've never heard of a metaphor?" Nana's forehead creases. "But you're an English teacher!"
"You must be making it up to make me look stupid!" Bowser withdraws the cane suddenly, and-
"Stop!" Lucas calls out, frightened. Everyone looks at him, and Lucas instantly recoils. "I - I mean-!"
Bowser slams the cane into the floor, and it splinters, breaking into two pieces. "I have just about HAD it with all of you! Silent writing for the rest of the lesson. NOW!"
And so, the lesson passes by in miserable silence, as seems to always happen in English. I copy what Villager writes about the merits of overcapitalisation, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. Meta Knight and Olimar continue to pass suspicious items between them, but I can't make out exactly what they're passing, and I vow to investigate them later on…
...And so, after what feels like an eternity, I meet Villager and Pit in the main hall. Lucas is with Ness in the medical ward and Red has opted out of the mission, but we have been set this task and I intend to complete it. If it helps stop some of the craziness going on, even better.
"So, you said you had a plan?" Villager arches his eyebrows.
"You bet," I nod assuredly. "We follow them everywhere they go."
"What - that's your plan?"
"Yeah! Great, right? Come on, they're in here."
Pit and Villager begrudgingly follow me into the games room, where Meta Knight and Olimar look up in alarm, shoving something into their pockets. I sit down breezily, producing my most charismatic and charming smile.
"Alright, boys?"
"What are you doing here?" Olimar snarls, unsubtly shoving more items into his pocket.
"It's the games room," I beam. "Public place, isn't it?"
"Come on," Meta Knight grumbles, giving Olimar a severe look. "Let's go."
Excellent. They swiftly leave the room, and I stand up, rubbing my hands together.
"What now?" Villager asks.
"We follow, of course," I grin. "Come on, spies, let's find out how they operate!"
"Only if you stop calling us spies."
"Fine," I groan. "Come on!"
We follow after the bullies, me taking the lead and the others lagging behind. We keep behind them as they make their way up the dorm stairs and, to my chagrin, into their dormitory.
"This isn't ideal," I admit, wringing my hands.
"What now, spymaster Toon Link?" Villager asks.
"We listen, obviously," I say, pressing my ear to the door.
Villager and Pit do the same, and for a moment I feel like we're in one of those superhero books. But then voices come from inside, and I forget all of that at once.
"We can't keep hiding this for long," Meta Knight hisses. "They homos are onto us."
"What's wrong with homos?" Olimar asks, and there's a sound as Meta Knight presumably slaps him.
"Don't be dense. You know I only let you kiss me for practice. Now, more to the point, we're running out of people. This is our only way to get any money, and the boss wouldn't be pleased if we fluffed it."
"There are plenty of people…" Olimar grumbles, and there's a shuffle. "Or we could take the big job."
"We'll do that anyway," Meta Knight growls.
"It's mean, though-"
"We'll do that anyway. Now, quickly, put the goods in the sock drawer-"
"Which sock?" Olimar asks.
"Does it matter?"
"I need to know!"
"Fine," Meta Knight hisses, and there's another slam. "The red and black one. Now, come on, there's kids who still have their lunch money…"
At once, I feel myself being torn from the wood. I yelp as a door swings open, and I'm shoved through, Pit tumbling in behind me. Villager slams the door shut behind us, and Pit looks up, bruised, from the floor.
"What the hell, mate?"
We're in Villager's dorm. I stand up, wincing as I rub the new scuffs on my arm.
"They were coming," Villager says sheepishly. "Sorry."
"It's fine," Pit manages. "What now, Toon Link?"
"Erm." I peel my eyes away from Villager's behind. "We're going to break into their dorm, aren't we?"
"Must we?" Villager groans.
"Yes," I say. "If our friends' lives are at stake, we must do what it takes to ensure their safety."
Thankfully, the others can't think of a refute, so we listen until we're certain the bullies have moved on. Their arguing continues down the hall until we finally hear their footsteps fading down the stairs, and Villager pushes open his door with a tentative air.
"You look suspicious," I say, and Villager glares at me.
"Not helpful. Come on, let's go."
"This is risky," Pit mumbles, but I ignore him, pushing their door open and stepping inside.
It's a mess. Clothes are strewn all over the floor, the beds unmade, the drawers hanging open. Paintings of bare-chested girls cover one side of the wall, leering in disgustingly erotic positions, and I notice distinct pinkness settling on both Villager and Pit's faces.
"Gross," I emphasise, pushing through swathes of dirty underwear. The others realise themselves, looking away from the paintings and hurrying over to the drawers.
"The red and black sock," Villager reminds me, looking over my shoulder. I pull open the drawer, bringing out the pair, quickly emptying them into my hand. Several packets fall out, full of a thick black powder.
The powder is strange, solid in places, but it crumbles under pressure. I hold it up for the others to give their verdicts.
"Opium," Villager says, after gazing at it for nearly a second.
"Huh?"
"It's opium. It's a drug."
"Is it illegal?" I ask hopefully.
"No," Villager frowns. "It's very expensive, though. I wonder how they got this?"
"How do you know so much about opium?" I ask, and Villager shrugs.
"My primary school teacher got busted for stealing it. The police arrived during a maths lesson and found that he'd hidden a load of it in his desk."
"Things were uncultured in Anville," I say, and Villager jabs me in the side.
"What does this mean?" Pit asks. "Are they using it or selling it?"
"Who's buying it?" Villager wonders. "Where does it come from?"
"And why are you in our room?" Meta Knight growls, slamming open the door and storming inside.
Ah.
I shove the others behind me. Better to die a hero than a coward.
"We were just browsing," I say, holding up a packet. "Is this for sale?"
"Get out," Meta Knight snarls, yanking it from my hands. "Now!"
"Really? Not even a quality discount? Buy one get one free? What have you got them for, anyway?"
"Selling," Olimar says, and Meta Knight hits him.
"Shut up! What Olimar meant to say is none of your business! Now, stop dirtying our room before we make you!"
"Dirtying your room? It's filthy enough as it is-"
Olimar surges forward with fists. I ready myself for a fight, gathering my nerve and my wit. No more will they terrorise my friends! No more will they commit crimes! But then, I catch sight of Pit's expression, and all resolve trickles away through my fingertips.
He's scared.
"We'll go," I say quickly, and Meta Knight pulls Olimar back. "But if you keep causing harm to my friends, I'll tell Headmaster Hand about the opium."
"Very well," Meta Knight agrees, disgruntled. "Not a word, though, or we will beat you up. Twice."
"Understood," I bow, pushing out of the door. "Have a nice day!"
Once we're finally in the hallway, my spirit feels a lot lighter. But then, a little bit of shame settles in.
Pit never used to be scared of fights.
"Toon Link, that was stupid," Villager says sharply, once we're finally back in my room. Guilt swims within me, and I look down at my toes.
"We did what Lucas asked, though," Pit says hopefully, and some of my guilt lifts away.
"Yeah," I agree. "Opium. Are they dealing it?"
But Villager still looks stern. He sits down next to me, his hands in his pockets.
"They caught us, Toon Link."
"And? We escaped."
"Can we just, I don't know, never talk to them again?" Villager asks. "Can we leave them be? They can do what they want. Let's just stay out of their way. I don't want Red - or you - getting beaten up."
"Beaten up twice," I remind him, and Villager gives me a look.
"Please, Toon Link. I mean it."
I sigh. "Okay."
Villager stands, awkwardly looking out the window. I was right; something has definitely shifted, something is definitely off. It's the same with Pit, who seems unsure what to say. I wonder if there's something on my face.
"I'd better go," Villager says. "Got to, uh, check on Ness. See you later."
"See you," I say, as he leaves. It's a concerning statement. Usually he'd ask if we want to come with him, which makes me think Villager wants me to understand that he doesn't want me around right now. Pit stands, rubbing his arm and drifting towards the door handle.
"I should go as well. Uh - bathroom. I'll be back."
"Have fun," I say, not really listening.
I fall back upon my bed, my face hitting the pillow. What kind of a friend am I? Villager is right, I led us into a potentially troublesome situation, and I simply wasn't careful enough. Today has been stressful, and I am tired, still so incredibly tired. When will things get easier? When will this life become less of a mess?
I think I'm being melodramatic again. It's a bad trait of mine, one of many, risen from a desire to be someone I'm not. All my life I've wanted someone to lean on, something personal, but also something exclusive. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I really want someone warm, someone who can spend their energy on me without me feeling guilty about it. I want the Lucas to my Ness, the Achilles to my Patroclus, and I don't know if that's too much to ask, or if that kind of thing simply doesn't happen to me, because the closest I have to that is Villager, but even that is off and on. Sometimes I feel it, sometimes I wonder if he feels the same, but then other times he withdraws, distant.
Perhaps he doesn't even know how he feels.
I roll over, clutching onto my pillow like an absolute loser. On Pit's bed, there is an unfolded piece of paper, lying there, absolutely none of my business. But curiosity and the need for a distraction get the better of me, so I pick it up.
It's a letter, written in neat, cursive handwriting, with blotches blemishing the page. Too far into it to go back, I begin to read.
~~o00o~~
Dear Pit,
This is the letter I hoped I would never have to write. Before you read any further, I would like you to know that I love you very much, and that so many others love you too.
This morning, at 8:47 a.m., your father passed away. The sickness had overtaken his liver completely, and unfortunately, the surgical procedure that he underwent was unsuccessful.
I'm sorry to bring you this news, especially during a time in which you are already mourning. I know this is now going to be an even trickier time for you, but I urge you to stay strong. You are an incredibly strong person, full of overflowing love and joyfulness. I hope you are keeping well, and that there are friends at the school who are giving you the love you deserve.
Your Father wanted to remind you, before he passed, to follow your dreams, to make it big in theatre, to enjoy your life to the fullest. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. The funeral is being arranged, and I will be in contact to give you more information when I have it.
Stay strong, Pit. I love you more than you could know.
~ Mother.
~~o00o~~
…
…
…
My heart feels like it's beating ten times faster.
I fold up the letter, my breaths coming harder and harder. I hold it tight, unable to process the injustice of it all. Pit enters, my throat constricts, and his face falls.
"I'm - sorry-" I splutter, throwing the letter down. "I didn't - I didn't know-"
"It's okay."
"I'm - it's not fair - he's your-"
"I know."
Guilt overtakes me. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine," Pit says wearily, coming to sit down beside me. "I, uh. I left it there on purpose. I wondered if you'd see it."
"B-But…"
"It was easier that way," he says.
"Easier?"
"Easier than saying anything in person."
Silence falls, and I look at the carpet in utter shame. Now that I look back, I remember; Wednesday morning, Pit and Dark Pit were selling stuff to make money for a cure for their father. It's not fair, not fair at all. I feel my eyes growing wet, and I blink rapidly. "You deserve better, Pit."
"I got the letter this morning," Pit mumbles. "That's why I've been… I don't know. I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologise."
"It's weird," Pit laughs, but he sounds so broken, so hollow. "In just a few days, I've been left with one remaining family member."
I can't bring myself to meet his eyes.
I couldn't imagine losing my mother, father, or little baby brother. I can't imagine the feeling of loss, I can't imagine something so familiar being taken away from me so fast. I want to give Pit a hug, to tell him that I'm here for him, but I don't know if he'd appreciate that. He doesn't like physical contact.
But, to my surprise, he lets me put a comforting arm around his shoulder. He lets me hold him, while he cries into his hands. And that's okay, because he deserves comfort. He deserves all of that and more.
He wipes his eyes. "Sorry - I'm really sorry -"
"Pit, don't be sorry."
"This isn't me. I'm not like this. I don't cry."
"It's okay to cry. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
He breathes a shaky breath, and I rub his back, just slightly, just gently. I think he's okay with it. I'm not used to such closeness. I'm not used to people trusting me this much. I'm just the quiet kid who turned loud. I'm just… me.
"You don't have to go through all this by yourself," I mumble.
"Neither do you," Pit replies softly, and I put a hand to my cheek, feeling moisture.
"I'm - at least it was, a peaceful death," I mumble, because I'm not sure what else I can say.
"I - I - yeah," Pit agrees lamely, and I feel the stretch of his arms wrapping around me, holding on. Hanging tight.
We stay there until the clocktower chimes for dinner.
By the time it does, the room has darkened significantly, the sun disappearing beneath the horizon. The gas lamps provide a small glow, but it's not enough for me to avoid getting a papercut when I move the letter aside.
"Thanks," Pit murmurs, rubbing his eyes.
"What for?"
"Everything. Come on. I'm hungry."
We get our dinner, joined by Villager and Red. We're sure to get an extra portion as, predictably, Lucas is up in the medical ward with Ness. I breathe in, and out. It will all be fine. Ness will be okay. Pit will get through it all. Smile. Brave face: on. Humour: on. Breathe.
I feel Villager's hand just brush against mine, when we sit down. I look up at him, curious, and he smiles a little bit in return. I stare at him with glistening eyes, and I know that he understands.
Once we've eaten, we make our way to the medical ward in silence, without any idea of what we'll find there. The methamphetamine will hopefully have done its job, Ness will hopefully have a normal heart rate again, but all of us know that anything is possible. It's a relief that when we enter the room, we see Lucas painting calmly, Ness lying down, and an even larger pile of presents.
"Hey," I say, cautiously heading over to Lucas.
"Hey," he smiles. "Welcome back."
"How's Ness?"
"Back to a normal heartrate." He yawns suddenly, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. "He's okay for now."
"How much longer will it be?" Villager asks.
Lucas shrugs weakly, gesturing as if he's not sure where he is. "I don't know… It could be any length of time, but I hope he's awake soon. I miss him."
"You're tired," I observe.
"I'm fine."
"The painting's looking good."
"Thanks."
I glance over at the others. Pit shrugs. Red brings Lucas his plate of dinner, which he takes with gratitude and begins to wolf down. For a moment, I imagine how it must feel to be Ness, trapped, unconscious, alone aboard the ark.
I shudder, turning back to Lucas. "We found out what Meta Knight and Olimar are up to."
"Oh?" Lucas looks up. "What are they doing?"
"Selling opium," Villager replies, and Lucas's shoulders slump with disappointment.
"I guess I was wrong. Someone else is behind all this, then."
"Sorry, Lucas," I say, patting him on the back. "We'll find out who it is soon, and then when we do, we'll send him to hell, okay?"
"Yes, we will," Pit says suddenly. "He took my brother. He's not getting away with that."
And as the nurse makes us leave, catching sight of Lucas and Pit's expressions, I wonder if hell might be a mercy.
…
Later on, I'm standing in the hallway, as Pit opens the door to his and Dark Pit's dorm. The air is thick with tension, dark and foreboding. It's as if whatever we'll find inside is going to kill us.
"Here we go," Pit says quietly.
"You know," I murmur, fiddling with my shirt. "We don't have to do this now."
"We do," Pit says simply, stepping inside. "Thanks, though. I'm not sure I could have done this alone."
"It's no problem at all," I say, following him into the darkened room. "Like I said - you don't have to carry the emotional baggage alone."
Once the gas lamps have been lit, it's easier to see what we have to deal with. The walls are a lot less crudely decorated than in Meta Knight and Olimar's, one side painted in a myriad of swirling pastel colours, and the other painted in a spiral of murkier tones. It wouldn't take a genius to figure out whose side is whose.
"How about the literal baggage?" Pit asks, looking at the overflowing wardrobe. His side of the room is messier, kept unkempt from days of unhappy living.
"Not a problem," I say, looking at a painting on the wall. It hangs where the colours meet, full of smiling faces and innocent expressions. Pit takes it down at once.
"Two down, two to go."
"You're keeping that, right?" I gulp.
"Definitely," Pit agrees.
Once we've got our heads around the obstacles in our way, we start with the easy bit. We take some time to collect a load of Pit's clothes and possessions, carrying them down the corridor and into our dormitory. Pit's surprisingly neat once we get there; he folds all his clothes away, putting them into our wardrobe, where Link's stuff (and that crying Future Human) was once located.
But, once Pit's stuff is conquered, the difficult bit rears its ugly head. Dark Pit's side of the room.
It takes some time, an hour or two, and it takes a few tears, but we get through it all together. Dark Pit's possessions are very similar to Pit's, so there's a lot that gets thrown out. Several books and other random articles of clothing are packed up in a bag to be mailed to a charity organisation, but clothes that match Pit's, and a few certain trinkets get to stay for safekeeping. Once the room seems empty, I take the liberty of double-checking it all, each and every drawer, under the bed, on the windowsill. It's all gone.
We're done.
The room is bare, devoid of any sign that once upon a time, two twin brothers inhabited this space, sharing jokes and sharing laughs, the best of times.
But times shift, I suppose. I can visibly see the weight release from Pit's shoulders as he shuts the door behind him. Maybe the next occupants of the room will have it better in life. Maybe they will use the room well, without any knowledge of those who once resided within: Pit, brave Pit, and his twin brother, Dark Pit.
Poor Dark Pit.
Our dorm, meanwhile, is a lot more characterful with the painting on the wall, with Pit's possessions filling spaces, filling gaps that Link left behind. It's especially nice to be free of Link's strong odour of masculinity.
"I feel better now," Pit says.
"Better. That's good."
"Closure feels… really nice, actually. Well, not nice. I guess, maybe, more… peaceful. But, the fact is, Dark Pit is gone. It's happened. I accept it."
"And your father?" I test the waters.
Pit's shoulders slump down again. "I haven't even begun to process that yet."
"I'm sorry. I won't talk about it anymore."
Pit studies me. "Toon Link."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you, so much. For everything you've done for me."
I feel my face grow warm. "Aw, Pit, you don't have to-"
"Yes, I do. I didn't even know you before this term, but you've been there for me through thick and thin. You're an incredible friend, and I don't think people tell you that often enough."
"It's no problem," I say, grinning like a maniac. "It's my pleasure."
"You're awesome, mate. You really are."
I don't even have a response for that, and Pit smiles, putting his hands together.
"You look tired. I think we should get some sleep."
"Yeah," I nod, still grinning. "For sure."
It's late. Moonlight streams unrestrained through the window, illuminating Pit's side of the room in a milky-white arc. We change into pyjamas, and I lie in my bed, gazing outside at the skyline. The tree is just about visible, a dark shape in the brightness. Along the branches, little silhouettes hop. I smile.
The squirrels.
It's been a strange day, but ultimately a good one. I draw the covers over my body, leaving space to breathe, and as my eyes shut, the memory of Villager holding my hand shoots through me. His hand in mine felt warm, so perfect, so simple. Even in that moment of peril - Ness could've lived or died - it was right. It was absolute. It was provision. I don't know how Villager feels about me, but I know, I really do know, that even past all the casual flirting, past the fact that he really does have a spectacular behind, I really, really like him.
I snuggle deeper into my covers. This is what always happens. Thoughts overtake me. Even if some things come and go, this insomnia will be sticking with me for a very long time. Gentle snoring tells me that Pit's entered the sleep realm, and I sigh, staring up at the ceiling.
I suppose I don't have too much to worry about at the moment. Well, aside from Ness, lying unconscious, comatose, in the medical room. But he has Lucas to keep him safe, Lucas cares about him to the world and back, he'd do anything, and I can't quite understand how they don't see it - how obvious it is! They're in love! Ness distancing himself cannot last, because they gravitate towards each other. They need each other so badly that it hurts everyone around them. I feel a pang for Lucas's loneliness during this time, for the way that he aches when he looks at Ness's fragile form. I hope he's sleeping soundly tonight.
My mind drifts to the strange creatures and all of the fantastical lore of the magical world. Five random people, finding out they had magical powers, writing them down in a journal. Passing the journals down through the ages, transferring the knowledge onwards to a future generation. It all sounds so fictional, made-up, like a fairytale written to make people feel special, but I'm one of the few who know better. It's real.
It's something to do with these Future Human creatures. I've seen two, the one crying in the wardrobe, and the one that attacked Ness outside. I know Ness and Lucas have seen more, though, but I suppose they're keeping that to themselves.
It's not my place to worry.
I still do.
I need to sleep. I try counting sheep, but I lose count after fifty. I try closing my eyes and visualising a story, but it plays out strangely, Villager's face replacing most of the characters. I try tensing each muscle in turn, a trick someone mentioned once, but I keep getting distracted by thoughts, more and more thoughts, piling up, and up, and up-
I sigh. It's hopeless.
It's only hours later that sleep accepts me into its arms.
A/N
This was the longest chapter yet! Clocking in at over 10k words, and it wasn't even from the perspective of Ness or Lucas…
But hey, writing Toon Link is fun.
Notes:
Opium is a recreational drug that is now highly illegal. At the time, it was legal, but highly expensive.
It goes without saying that you should never use meth to try and increase someone's heartrate! There are several side effects! Thanks to this manic chapter, my search history now contains Meth and Opium, so I expect a visit from the police momentarily.
Thanks for reading,
~ ReadyforTeddy