(Prologue: ?)
"I'm sick of this," Elmore huffs, after only five minutes of hunting. "We're not getting anywhere. Let's give up."
"We've barely started," Tessie says. "We still don't have any food, so we have to keep going. Roy, you said you've done survival stuff before. What are we doing wrong?"
"I've... never hunted for animals," Roy admits, averting his eyes. "In the Wilderness Survival Week, Marth and I just snuck along leftover school meals."
"You what?" Pusher stops, turning on his heel. "You mean our supposed expert is a fraud? All that clap-trap about us being too loud, and you don't even know what you're doing?"
"I wasn't wrong," Roy says firmly. "Any old idiot knows that loud noises scare off animals. It'd probably be helpful if you used some common sense instead of complaining. Then we might catch something."
"We could attempt some spear-fishing," Caroline suggests.
"Oh, come on!" Reggie groans. "The river is a day's walk away, and besides, does anyone actually know how to spear-fish?"
There's a collective shaking of heads.
"There!" Ollie says suddenly, and we fall silent, looking around to see what Ollie might have spotted.
"I don't see anything," Angie says, frowning, carefully studying the view.
"Shush," Ollie whispers, crouching down and inching forward. "Right behind that branch. In that thicket."
I squint, observing closely. Amongst a bundle of brambles and hedges, there is certainly something. But what? Unease prickles through me. I can't face the thought of meeting more Onetian troops.
"Food at last!" Pusher cries out joyfully, but there's a sudden rustle. The creature rises at the noise, antlers bristling. It takes one look at us, and bolts into the forest.
"Well done, Pusher!" Reggie exclaims. "That would have fed us all!"
"Don't look at me," Pusher grumbles, uncomfortable under everyone's glares. "It's not my fault it was so easily scared."
"Okay, that's enough," Roy says firmly, taking the lead again. "This isn't working. We're too loud in such a big group. We'll have to split up."
Arguing breaks out at once, everybody shouting and complaining over one another. I stay silent with Duster, listening to the noise.
"I'm going with Caroline," Tessie announces, and the pair move closer together.
"I'm going with Angie," Ollie says, walking over to her.
"We can't split up," Elmore complains, and for once I agree with her. "We'll never find one another again!"
"There are ten of us," Roy says. "We can split into three groups, keep each other safe, and increase our chances of getting a catch. We can meet by this tree, and as long as we keep our bearings, we should be just fine."
"But-"
"Duster, Steven and I can be one group," Roy continues, raising his voice over the complaints. "Pusher, Elmore and Reggie can be the next, and then Caroline, Tessie, Ollie and Angie can be the last. Don't stray too far, alright? We can reconvene here," he marks the tree with a stone, "When the first stars come out."
Roy speaks so commandingly that any disagreements fall short, and so, just like that, the groups split off. Duster, Roy and I are left alone, and we opt to travel North.
"I put all of the naysayers in the same group," Roy explains as we walk. "Now, we need to look for signs that animals have been here, things like tracks…"
"Like these?" Duster points to a trampled hedge.
"Yes," Roy says, nodding appreciatively. "Exactly like those."
"How about that?" I nod towards a narrow, trodden path, and Roy looks happier than he has in days.
"Isn't that convenient? We've got ourselves a trail!"
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~~o00o~~
Chapter 30: Weights
(Lucas)
~~o00o~~
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CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains scenes of graphic violence. Reader discretion is advised.
It's Wednesday afternoon, and instead of attending English class with Bowser, Ness and I are sneaking off to take a nap.
Anyone would think I learnt better after the caning I received last time, but I'm a creature of habit. And I'm exhausted. A nap will be good, I promise myself. Maybe I'll feel better when I wake up.
Maybe.
It's been a rough day, and I've not been letting on. Well, I have, a bit, but not to quite the extent that I could've. It's at that steady point where only Ness has noticed that something's wrong, and he always notices, so I'm not entirely surprised. But so many hurt feelings are swimming through me, searing at times, digging at my insecurities. Thoughts of Claus. Thoughts of Porky. Thoughts of myself, ineffectual, a weakling.
Worst of all are the thoughts of Geldegarde and the streets. Images surround my peripheral vision, memories that I've tried so hard to purge from my mind. The man with the jagged, claw-like nails. The man who bit and scraped and scratched. Bigger men. Smaller men. Sometimes even women. I'm supposed to be sensible, rational, but there's no hope of me thinking normally in this state.
Amalgamated into a dull ache, I want nothing more than to lay my head down and sleep until this is all over. But there are things happening later. Tasks I must complete. Obligations I must fulfil. Wilderness Survival training. Bayonetta's party. Orchestra. Ness's maths competition. Rosalina's therapy.
I can't do this.
"I don't believe you," Ness says, grinning. "We're actually skipping a lesson? Aren't you supposed to be, like, a massive nerd?"
"Yep," I say flatly, not meeting his eyes. He mumbles something apologetic, taking my hand. A few days ago, I would've said that I face my problems, but here I am, running away. Running away from Bowser in favour of sleep.
"Some rest will do you a lot of good," Ness says assuredly, and he gives my hand a squeeze when I don't respond. He always knows what I'm feeling. We've recently been so in-tune to each other's moods that there's no need for him to ask 'are you okay?' or 'how are you?'
I also feel like he knows, like he empathises with these feelings. He has to deal with Buttercup and his father telling him awful things, poisoning him with a constant feed of negativity. With all the homosexuality stuff piled on, there's no doubt he's felt plenty of bad emotions.
All the homosexuality stuff. That's another thought that's started to gurgle in my mind, but for now, I shove it down.
We enter our dorm, and I collapse on my bed. Ness moves towards his, but I beckon him over, and he tumbles down next to me with a yawn.
"Just a short nap," I promise, already feeling my eyes beginning to close.
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When I wake again, the room is darker.
"Hey," Ness says almost immediately. I rub my eyes, trying to take everything in. It's late, the curtains have been closed, and the distant noise of students downstairs has loudened a little. Lessons must be over.
"Hey," I reply, yawning. I'm glad to be next to him, his arms gently wrapped around my middle. There's a funny jolt in my chest as I feel his breath against my neck, and I try to savour it, because that's the funny feeling I've been getting a lot recently.
I'm not sure what it means.
Ness has never felt like another person. Other people feel different, far removed with their lives, their secrets and their jobs. No matter how I might try to get to know them, I can never understand the full picture of what they've experienced, of how they are. With Ness, it feels like he's a part of me, like we're both parts of something much bigger, something vital that ties us together. It wouldn't surprise me if Ness was a part of me, something that my mind invented to cope with everyone I've lost, and the thought is momentarily terrifying, but I know that it's wrong. I know that it's wrong, because Ness feels right.
"How did you know you were homosexual?" I ask, yawning, rolling over to face him. He's right there, his hair messy from our rest. It takes some restraint not to straighten it up.
"That's... erm," Ness rubs the back of his neck, which is reddening slightly. "Good question. I just felt it, I guess. Like how we agreed about not feeling very attracted to girls. I suppose I thought more about how much nicer guys seem to be, you know? Does that make sense?"
"That makes sense," I say, my mind whirring. Guys are nicer. They seem less fragile, more easy-going and amicable. I'd always assumed that was just a friendship thing... but they're nice to look at, too. Their faces are prettier, formed from interesting shapes, and their bodies are built broad. Hugs from Ness are always great, because he's that little bit bigger than me. He makes me feel protected.
"Why do you ask?" Ness asks, though he probably knows the answer.
"Just curious," I say. "Did you get much rest?"
His reply is interrupted by the chime of the clock. It sounds distant, an echoing, melancholic toll. My head stings a little at the noise, but Ness winces harder. It reminds me of his injuries, and he lets me lift his shirt to check on them. The bruising has moved from a murky purple to some sort of reddish-brown. I'm not sure if it's progress.
"I didn't sleep at all," Ness says as I fold his shirt back down. "I couldn't close my eyes."
"Howcome?"
"I was just thinking, I guess."
"About what?" I ask, when he doesn't elaborate.
"You," Ness says. My eyes widen a little.
"Me?"
"Not in a creepy way," he adds hurriedly. "Just, like, you in general. Everything you're going through."
"Don't think about that," I say, worried, taking his hand. I don't want our good memories to somehow be tarnished. "Focus on yourself."
"Ugh, that reminds me..." Ness groans, rolling out of bed. "Rosalina's therapy. Right now. We gotta go."
He's right. I get the sense that there's more to be said between us, but Rosalina will be waiting, so I dust myself off and rub the sleep from my eyes. Ness gives me a tired smile when I'm ready, and he straightens my hair a little. It feels better than usual.
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"Boys!" Rosalina says, smiling warmly as we enter. "I thought you weren't going to come - do sit down, do sit down! Now, I'm not sure what you're expecting from these meetings, but I'd like to say that you can say anything you want in here, and that nothing will leave this office."
Ness and I exchange a minuscule glance. We've heard this kind of thing before.
"But first, cake!" she says. To my surprise, she gets out a tin. A Victoria sponge is inside, and Ness looks at it excitedly. We're each handed a slice.
"Thankth yew," Ness says, immediately stuffing a forkful into his mouth, and Rosalina smiles.
"No problem. Now, first of all, how have both of your days been?"
"Dull," I say, deciding that honesty might be the best tactic.
"What do you think is making it dull?" She's got a clipboard out, one of those big ones with space for two sheets of paper. I wonder if she has a checklist.
"School seems too normal," Ness says. "It's like, we have all this crazy stuff happening, and then we're being told to revise for exams."
"This is to be expected," Rosalina says. "Are you worried about anything else?"
"Well, yeah..." Ness trails off, giving me an uncertain look. "A lot is happening."
"Good," Rosalina says pragmatically, checking something off. "If you weren't worried, that would be a lot more concerning. Anything in particular?"
"Professor Ryu," Ness says, and Rosalina looks up in surprise.
"Professor Ryu?"
"Yes," I say, understanding what Ness is getting at. "We've been trying to determine who's behind all this, and we were wondering… how well do you know him?"
"I know him better than anyone," Rosalina says, looking vexed. It's clear that the conversation is straying from where she hoped it would go. "Are you suggesting that he might be behind the Future Humans?"
"It could be anyone," Ness says. "We just want to make sure."
"You're students," Rosalina says uncomfortably. "You shouldn't really be poking around. Ryu is kind, he's always meant well, even if he can be a little eccentric."
"Would he do a thing like this?"
"No," Rosalina says. "I do not think he would."
"Alright. We think it's Professor Wario," I say, and Rosalina frowns.
"You do? I never thought Wario was clever enough for this... but it's funny you should mention him, because he's actually gone missing."
"Missing?" I say sharply.
"I probably shouldn't say..." Rosalina glances at the door. "I'm not sure if it's public knowledge yet, but he didn't turn up for any of his lessons this afternoon. Headmaster Hand spoke to him in the staff room at lunch, said he'd be asking him a few questions, and now he's gone."
"He's done a runner," Ness says. "He must be in the underground room!"
"Indeed," Rosalina agrees. "Headmaster Hand believes the same. On Saturday, he's bringing in as many people as he can to investigate."
"Saturday? But that's three days away."
Rosalina shrugs. "He thinks it's wise to investigate while everyone is on the Wilderness Survival Week. He's probably right."
"I suppose that makes sense..." I look at Ness, who seems to be thinking something similar to me.
"But enough about that terrible business," Rosalina says before either of us can comment. "Back to the purpose of this meeting, your emotions, your feelings…"
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After an eternity of being thoroughly and awkwardly psychoanalysed, Ness and I are released from Rosalina's office, and we walk swiftly to our dorm. There are things to discuss that are far more important than our dreadful mental health.
"That wasn't very helpful," Ness says. "I think Rosalina looks down on us, a bit."
"Maybe," I say, although Ness seems to have a bigger problem with it than me. Perhaps that's because his mother is still alive.
"But - Lucas!" Ness says, gripping my arm. "Wario's down there, right now! And he's going to be dealt with!"
"In three days," I remind him, but the relief of what this could mean is already spreading through me. If the Future Humans are gone, if Wario is gone, that will leave so much space for me to get my thoughts in order. We can continue as normal. I can start thinking about university choices, and student accommodation, and where Ness and I will buy our groceries, what routes we'd take to classes. Of course, university placements are only reserved for the richest and cleverest students, but I think I could do it. If I tried hard enough.
"This is so weird to think about," Ness says, leaning back against his bed. "Why is that so strange? The idea that it could all be over?"
"Humans adapt fast," I say. "We've gotten used to fighting for our lives."
"Bleak," Ness says, and I laugh, sitting down beside him. Three more days, then perhaps we're free. Three more days, then perhaps I can understand why Ness makes me feel like the most important person in the world. But first, task number two of this hectic evening, Wilderness Survival training with Shulk. We quickly head to the art room, where the others are waiting, and where Shulk is brandishing a large coil of rope.
"Boys!" Shulk enthuses when he sees us. "Good to see you, and good to see you looking well, Ness!"
"Thanks," Ness says, despite the swelling on his head. Toon Link grins at us from across the room.
"Lots to teach you," Shulk says, putting his hands together. "I caught the others in the hall, they missed the session too, you see, and I figured it would be sort of awkward with only us three, so I invited them along, but first, sign-ups! Who's pairing with who?"
"Me and Lucas," Ness says, and I nod my agreement.
"Erm." Toon Link hesitates. "Villager, do you wanna pair up?"
"Sounds good to me," Villager says, but Red and Pit eye each other with trepidation. Realising his mistake, Toon Link mouths a sorry at Pit, but Pit grins back, giving a knowing wink.
"Okay!" Shulk puts the sign-up sheet on a teetering tower of paperwork. "Right, so, since you all missed the initial session, I thought I'd better teach you all of the survival stuff now, lest Headmaster Hand fires me, even though you've done the same training session for the last few years, but never mind that, those are just the rules..."
I blink, trying to decipher his rambles. If my sentences had that many clauses, it'd be like having my brother back.
Shulk continues to meander. "The first thing to remember is to stock up on food from your school meals, and to smuggle it along with you on the week, because, let me tell you, there was a year when I didn't do that, back when I was younger, and it was a disaster, because we didn't have any food and I was so, so hungry. Now, water is less of a worry, because everyone gets put near the big river in the forest, I can't remember what it's called, come to think of it, something like the Great River? Which isn't a very good name, but, uh, onto practical skills..."
He talks us through the basics of building an A-frame structure and the strength of geometry, which I've heard before. We've already done five of these Wilderness Survival Weeks throughout our school career. It's a weird week, a strange idea that's apparently been a tradition for even longer than Headmaster Hand has been in office. I thought I was going to die when I heard about it in my first year, but it was surprisingly well managed, and it had turned out to be a welcome break from the pressures of exams. Shulk eventually dismisses us after we've learnt about the fire triangle, constructed triangular shelters out of twigs, and been told how to triangulate our position using the sun. All in all, survival seems rather two-dimensional.
"He talks a lot," Toon Link says when we're out of earshot. "Then again, so do I."
"You bet," Villager says, earning himself a shove.
"We found out that Wario's gone missing," Ness says, deciding that now is the time to drop that bombshell. "He must've figured out that everyone thinks it's him. He's gone and hidden in his underground room, and Headmaster Hand and the other professors are going to get him on Saturday."
"Are we certain it's him?" Red asks sharply. He doesn't seem to be in a good mood.
"Yeah," I say, although his words make me doubt this. "It's going to be so good to go back to normal again."
"Yeah, back to the normality of lessons and maths competitions," Ness groans, reaching the science corridor. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck," I say, smirking. Ness's maths competition is the least taxing of all of tonight's tasks, at least for me. Ness's absence means that I'll have an hour to myself, which I register that I haven't really had for a few weeks. We've been so closely strung together throughout all this that we've practically become joined at the hip.
Ness disappears into the room where the competition is being held, and the rest of us fall into an easy silence, walking along the main corridor. Perhaps I'll have even some time to practice some piano; my bad mood from earlier seems to have lifted, and I'm better creatively when I'm feeling good.
"I can't believe it," Villager says. "You reckon we've finally got the villain? You think this is all going to be over?"
"Yeah," I say. "Except…"
"Except?" Villager's face falls.
Except I can't put it into words. It's good news. It's fantastic news. Yet I still feel on edge. There's a niggling feeling at the back of my mind, one that's telling me that it's not quite over. There are still three whole days until Saturday, and anything could still happen.
"I don't know," I say in lieu of being bleak. "I mean, Bowser's still up to something."
"We'll catch him," Toon Link says, grinning.
"Yeah, he's not exactly subtle," Pit adds.
"I hope so," I say, and we fall into another silence as we walk.
The corridors are weirdly quiet at this time of evening, no younger students doffing their flatcaps to professors, no lamplighters, no older students making plans for the weekend. The usual bustles of activity are kept to dormitories and common rooms, especially after 8 p.m. when the scattered dorm parties tend to kick in, alive with strong whiskey and slurred conversations. I've never drank before, mostly owing to my father, but also owing to cowardice. I don't like the idea of my actions being out of my control, and I hate the idea of looking like an idiot. I'll hopefully be able to avoid the peer pressure at Bayonetta's gathering, but I'll have to wait and see.
"Alright," Villager says, once we've reached the stairs. "I'm going to grab a lock for that trapdoor. Lucas, would you mind clearing out your wardrobe to make it a bit easier?"
"Oh - yeah, no problem."
"Cool. I'll be up in a bit. See you soon."
"See you."
Sorting through our clothes turns out to be a quick job, since most of them are borrowed from Villager or Toon Link post-fire. I dump them in a pile on the floor, for once not minding the untidiness, and I lie back in bed, feeling reassured. Nothing bad will happen. Bowser will easily be figured out. My funny feeling is just that, a funny feeling. Ideas of the party don't even seem that bad anymore, because being with my friends has to be a good time, right? A release from all of the tension.
It'll be perfect.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in," I say.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I sit up, confused. Didn't Villager hear me?
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Hello?" I call. "Villager? I said you can come in."
There's a pause.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
All at once, a sense of foreboding courses through me. Something's not right. Something's very, very wrong. Outside that door, something is lurking, something dark and maleficent. It waited for me to be alone, and now it's coming.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Who's there?" I cry out, obvious fear in my voice. "Whoever you are - I'm armed!"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
What would Claus do? Take action. My pulse racing, I shove the golden egg into the wardrobe, grabbing a fallen clothes hanger I find along the way. I twist it into some sort of shape that's vaguely sharp, edging forward, my breathing accelerating with every step.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I approach the door, treading with trepidation. All of my senses are screaming at me to run and hide, but I can't. Silently, I rest my hand on the doorknob, willing it to be Toon Link and Villager on the other side, just playing some sort of prank. Willing it to be someone, anyone friendly. I force down the choking feeling.
But suddenly, before I can steel my nerve, the door is thrown open and I'm sent tumbling to the floor. The clothes hanger skitters underneath the bed, and my eyes sting, blurred. I scramble, frantically trying to right myself, making out the two figures in front of me.
It's Meta Knight and Olimar. They cackle, rubbing their hands together in glee. I'm almost relieved, until I realise this cannot be good.
Not in the slightest.
"Oh, excellent," Meta Knight says, his smile twisting into a malicious sneer. "Nice to see you, Lukey."
Remember what Ness said. Defend myself.
"What do you want?" I ask, edging back towards the wardrobe. Meta Knight laughs at that, slamming the door shut and surging forward.
"A spot of revenge, I think. You grassed us up to Rosalina - don't think we've forgotten."
"I haven't told her about the drugs," I say. "So you can turn around and leave me alone."
But Meta Knight cackles. "Leave us alone? Don't talk to me like that, you pathetic bitch. Ness isn't here for you to cry to. I'd consider which one of us is stronger."
Me, I think desperately, but I can't use the magic. It would destroy the room.
"What are you going to do?" I ask, trying to sound firm, but my voice has a giveaway quaver.
"Aww," Olimar says, sniggering. "I think he's scared of us."
"Baby Lewkas is scared?" Meta Knight asks, making a revolting face. "Is he going to wet his nappy? Is Ness going to need to change him?"
"Shut the fuck up," I manage to snarl. I'm not a crybaby, not anymore, no matter what anyone thinks.
"Oh dear!" Meta Knight says, and he's grinning again, inching closer. With my back against the wardrobe, I'm running out of options. "What did I say to you, Lucas? What did I say about respecting your superiors?"
I close my eyes. This is it.
"Get out!" I exclaim, and I swing, kicking him in the stomach. He doubles over, wheezing, then all hell breaks loose.
In an instant, my legs are swept from under my feet. I clatter to the floor, my head thumping against the wardrobe. Olimar appears, leering with menace, looming over my body. Something hits my side - I've failed, I've made a huge mistake - then Meta Knight is there as well, yelling in my face, I close my eyes-
"You think you can attack me? You're nothing! You're finished! Take this, and this-"
"Please don't," I say, shaking on the ground. "Please, I don't mean any harm-"
"Too bad!"
"I'll tell Headmaster Hand against the opium!" I exclaim. It's my last hope.
"And we'll show you what we'll do to you if you do!"
A kick flies into my side. I groan, tumbling over, and then there's another, and another. Olimar yanks me up by my shirt, and I force my eyes closed, praying for something, anything. Ness. I need Ness. Tears threatens to overwhelm me, spilling over the edges, pouring down the sides.
"Little Lucas," Olimar cackles, relishing the moment. "So frightened..." I struggle, frantic, but Meta Knight lands a fist to my chest, and I feel the air rushing out of my lungs. Then I'm being thrown down, my face striking the wardrobe. I try to scramble up, but Meta Knight blocks my path and I dodge a kick to the head.
"Please," I moan, but Meta Knight clamps a hand over my mouth.
"You don't even make a sound, understood?"
"Please," I repeat, muffled, desperately trying to tear away his hand. "Please, you don't have to -"
Wham.
"NOT A SOUND!"
I'm thrown against the wall, and I feel a burst of impact. My head spins, and I desperately gasp for breath, but suddenly there's a glimmer of silver, and I'm slipping. I tumble down, pathetically trying to struggle, but it's no use, because they come again, laughing.
"We could kill him."
"Not our problem, is it?"
"But-"
"Slash him up a bit. Do what the boss asked. Teach him a goddamn lesson."
My shirt is torn from me, and something sharp is pressed against the crook of my neck. Panic takes over, and I yell, but then the hand is back over my mouth - and I can't breathe - oh God - they're going to kill me - they're going to kill me!
"Please," I gasp, my eyes wide and horrified, but Meta Knight only leers, disgusting teeth on full display. "Please!" I moan with terror, trembling from head to foot like an animal for the slaughter. "Please - p-please, stop - d-don't!"
There's a blinding slash at my cheek. I scream from the sudden pain, and Meta Knight grabs me forcefully by the scalp. "What the fuck did we say about making noise?"
I desperately try to shut my mouth, but I'm met with another slash. I cry out, red seeping into my vision, wetness on my cheek. My head throbs, my eyes burning, and Olimar grabs me in a headlock.
"How does it feel to be so helpless, Lucas?" He's whispering, a sick, hungry whisper. "All alone, without your Ness? We could kill you, leave your body for him to find..."
I gasp for air. "I-I-"
"HOW DOES IT FEEL!?"
"Please - please -"
But I'm dragged like a carcass to the floor, and there's another kick to my face. I can't dodge it, and everything starts to darken, everything blending into one. I swim through darkness, trying to retreat, trying to hide inside my mind, but there's nowhere to go. It's all so horribly real.
"You've got a price to pay," Meta Knight hisses. "You deserve all of this. Are you scared?"
I fold up like a terrified child. I can't think. I can't reply. I am so, so weak. So, so pathetic. It hurts so much.
"You gonna fucking answer me?"
"Please," I croak, forcing my mouth open, and blood spills out onto the floor.
Slash.
"No TALKING!"
Redness paints my naked arms. The punches come again and again, each hit more distant than the last. They've won. I've lost. Magic is useless. I'm going to die here.
"Look at him. Look at him cry."
"Isn't it hilarious?"
"He deserves it."
I deserve it.
Slash.
Blackness starts to take over. I see myself somewhere dark, somewhere underground. A door is open, something new beyond.
Slash.
How much longer? I scream inside my mind, begging for someone to come.
Slash.
Pain.
Slash.
It's coming.
Slash.
I look up.
Help me.
Placet Auxilium.
When my door flies open, I don't even need to look around. I can feel his anger, red hot and furious. It's like nothing I've ever experienced, and it's going to save my life.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?"
My senses heighten as Ness surges forwards. I move to cry out in warning, but I can't. I keel over backwards, my vision swimming.
"YOU'RE DEAD!" Ness screams. It's cacophonous, ear-splitting. "LET HIM GO! I WILL SEND YOU TO HELL AND BACK FOR DARING TO LAY A FUCKING FINGER ON HIM!"
"Ness, stay back," Villager says worriedly.
"STAY BACK? STAY BACK? LOOK AT THEM, THEY'RE-"
"Ness-"
"THEY'RE. HURTING. LUCAS!"
And then, everything explodes.
My body crumples, white-hot heat searing through my chest. Ness's anger rages like a mountain lion, tearing across the room, sending bodies to the floor, blades clattering to the ground. Someone yells, someone's screaming, there are shouts, growls, bellows. I can only see darkness, whirling darkness, coated in an awful trickling feeling, something dreadful, something visceral. There's a frantic noise and the sound of a punch, a thudding near the wardrobe, noises of movement, of fighting, and I don't know what to do.
"TAKE THIS! AND THIS! AND-"
I cover my ears, shaking, shaking so much, just shaking.
Then, suddenly, the room is quiet, and someone is carrying me, the most delicate hands running through my hair, thumbing my cheek. Something soft is put beneath me, someone whispering gentle words, cradling me like a baby, and I'm sobbing uselessly into the folds of their arms. Footsteps thunder near the exit, and then they're quiet. It's over. It's all over, so quickly.
"Get a professor."
"Which one?"
"It doesn't matter. GO!"
Villager vanishes. Ness's fire dies all at once, and he holds me, blossoming comfort through his hands, spiralling yellow flecks of warmth. The world is murky, his face an inconceivable puddle of flesh. I wonder if I'll remember this later, or if this is all just some faraway dream. Maybe nothing was ever real in the first place.
I'm swallowed by the darkness.
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Can you hear me?
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It's me. Do you read me?
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.
.
.
When I wake, the light is blinding. Ness is there immediately, whispering by my side. His face comes sharply into focus, and I reach for it, trying to bring it closer.
"Lucas," he whispers. His hand is gripping mine. I register that I'm in bed, folded up, my arms bound. Except, they're not bound, they're covered in some sort of bandages.
"Ness," I manage, everything coming back to me at once. The room is bright with colour, a radiant orange sunset outside. I can feel myself, my form, broken, shattered.
"I heard your call," Ness says, shaking. "I heard it - in my head - I came as quick as I could - oh, God, Lucas-"
"My - my call?"
"Yeah - it's - like, a psychic thing - Lucas, there was no maths competition, it was fake, Marth knew I made up the answer-"
He's rambling. I try to sit up, but there's a dart of pain that shocks me in place. I can hardly process what's happened. I dare to observe my body, bloody, beaten and battered. My head strikes my pillow. I feel sick.
"Are you okay?" I ask, my voice feeble. "Did they get you?"
"I got rid of them," Ness says. "They ran away once I started using magic - but Lucas - Lucas - where does it hurt? What can I do-"
"Just stay," I whisper, gripping tighter onto his hand. "Please stay."
"Of course," he murmurs, hugging me a little closer, stroking my back. I wince at the contact, but I let him move gentle fingers over my skin. There isn't any need to speak.
Villager rushes back into the room, flanked by several others. Headmaster Hand hurries forward amongst them, taking one look at my broken form.
"Who did this?"
"Meta Knight and Olimar," Ness says. He sounds like he's about to cry. The headmaster's face fills with barely suppressed fury.
"They're going to be expelled. For good. And I'll be contacting the police. This is beyond simple bullying."
He swiftly leaves. The others come to my bedside.
"Lucas..." Pit murmurs, shifting nearer. "I can't believe - I can't believe they'd do this to you."
"I can," Ness says, shaking. "I shouldn't have left - Lucas, I'm so, so sorry, I should've known, I should've protected you-"
The door flies open. It's Professor Ryu. The thought of more people makes my head spin.
"Red, get more bandages from the medical ward," he says.
"Of course, Professor."
Red leaves, while Toon Link hops nervously on one foot. "Why do you have to get hurt so often?"
"I'm lucky to be alive," I say faintly. "All of you have saved my life this term."
Lucas? Is that you?
My head spins, momentary agony cutting through. Ness catches me, and then Red is back with the bandages, and they're wrapped around me. People are speaking, but I'm not sure what they're saying.
"I must report this to the other professors," Ryu says. "I'd send you to the medical ward, but after seeing the nurse's incompetence with Ness, I don't think that'd be best. Heal well, Lucas. Rest assured, Meta Knight and Olimar will be duly punished."
I just about make out the opening and closing of the door. Figures come near again.
"What happened?" Pit asks, as soon as Ryu has gone.
"They attacked him," Ness says. "Meta Knight and Olimar. They waited for me to be gone, because they're fucking cowards - they hurt him!"
Villager shifts. "Then I'm going to get on and bolt down that trapdoor. Especially if things like this are happening. I think your room needs a lock, too."
"I'll help," Toon Link says.
"Sounds good to me. Ness, you're good with staying by Lucas, yeah?"
"Of course."
Villager nods. "And Red, Pit, you can do what you want, I guess."
"I see," Red says, folding his arms.
"Unless you can think of anything…?"
"Forget it." Red surges from the room, but not before giving Villager a lengthy glare.
"I'm not sure what his problem is," Villager murmurs, uneasy. "Never mind. Uh, Toon Link, can you pass over that screw…"
His voice fades into noise. I dissolve again.
.
.
.
I miss you.
.
.
.
It's been so long.
.
.
.
Do you read me?
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.
A dull ache hangs over my head as I drift in and out of consciousness. The night darkens significantly, and there's a constant faint hammering as Villager and Toon Link work.
On the other side of the room, Ness converses with Rosalina, looking more serious than I've ever seen him. The bandages around my arms seem tighter now, and a lot heavier. I feel like a corpse.
Do you read me?
That voice...
My head stings.
You're not listening to me.
"Lucas?"
Momentarily pulled out of my daze, I look up, rubbing my eyes. Ness is by my bedside again.
"Hey." He takes my hand. "You awake?"
"Yeah," I say, but the stinging in my arms comes sharply into focus, and I let out a hiss of pain.
"Lucas? Thank goodness, you're conscious." Rosalina's voice. "You've lost a lot of blood, we were really worried, and-"
"How are you?" Ness interrupts. "Are you okay?"
Are you there?
I wince. "No."
"You need to get cleaned up," Rosalina tells me. "The wounds are fairly surface-level, but we don't want them getting infected. Are you okay to do that? Or do you need more time?"
The thought is agonising, but I find myself agreeing. However bad it is, it can't be worse than Ness's bruising was. At least I can still walk.
Ness reaches out a hand, and it's a blur, but I'm eventually on my feet. There's an alarming rush of blood to my head, and I stagger.
"I've got you," Ness says, from a million miles away.
I'm vaguely aware of his hand in mine, guiding me towards the door. I follow as though in a dream, my mind swimming in a cloud of murky thoughts.
I miss you.
"There we go," Ness says, leading me into the room of showers. "Uh, I guess you'll be alright to-?"
Lucas!
I stare, hardly hearing him.
"Will you be alright to shower yourself?" Ness asks louder.
I shakily nod.
"Okay," he says. "I'll be outside if you need me."
.
.
.
.
.
I painstakingly undress, drifting into a cubicle. The cold water wakes me up a little, splashing down my back, soaking my hair. I peel the bandages back a bit, but what's underneath makes me feel sick, so I hastily fold them back over again.
I think I'm in shock. I was pushed, kicked around at primary school, but never like this. Never to the extent that - I don't even know. I don't know how it happened. Meta Knight and Olimar are going to be expelled, and we won't have to see them again. What will happen to them now? Is it even worth worrying about that? I move to lift a hand to my forehead, but my arms are heavy, the bandages dripping with water.
After some time, I step out, towelling myself off as much as I can. I think I'm a little better, the fog cleared away by the shock of the chilling shower. It's going to be okay, I tell myself, because it's the best I can do, even though my arms hurt like hell.
I greet Ness outside, and he quickly bundles me into a hug, whispering something into my hair. I have the notion that he's going to become very protective in the coming weeks, and quite frankly, that's fine by me. Defending myself hasn't worked. It's gotten me attacked, multiple times, proving that I can't deal with anything on my own. I need a guardian.
Claus would have been able to stand up for himself.
But I'm not Claus, am I? I'm not the brave one, and I never have been. Ness always said that I never fight for my own wellbeing, but I can't, because I'm powerless. I don't know how to kick, or punch. I'm a massive pacifist, and anybody can walk over me as they please.
I hate it.
I wish I could say it was new. I wish I could say that I've never been hurt before, but that would be a lie. The streets were dangerous places for a young boy to make money. The playground was a battlefield before I met Ness, a game of who-can-kick-Lucas-the-hardest. It hurts that this school was where I felt safest, where I felt stronger. This is where I felt okay.
Everything I know is falling apart.
"Teach me to fight," I mumble. "Teach me."
"What?" Ness turns in surprise. "You, fight? Are you out of your mind?"
"I need to know. I can't keep getting hurt."
But Ness looks incredulous. "You think I can fight? Remember when they hung you upside-down? They battered me!"
"Then let's practice our powers. Our magic. I'm serious, Ness." I turn to him, a pleading look in my eyes. "This can't keep happening."
"Well - well, maybe then, but you should rest up a bit first-"
"I can't," I say, because the images are already starting to seep in. If I rest, I know a nightmare is waiting. "Besides, we have other things to do, don't we? Bayonetta's party. Orchestra."
"We missed Orchestra already - but, Jesus, Lucas, you can't go to a party, you've been sliced up-"
"Yes I can," I say, my words coming out with remarkable force. "I can, and I will."
"Lucas." Ness stops in his tracks, and I turn to stare at him.
"What?"
"Nothing, just..." He puts a hand to his neck, grinning a little. "I've never seen you this determined before. It's kind of hot."
"Shut up," I say, blushing a furious red. I determinedly move forwards, but my mouth twitches. Maybe it's not so bad. Maybe things aren't as different as they seem.
"Look," Ness says as we tumble into our dorm. The sheets have already been changed on my bed. "What you need is a lot of hugs."
"Hugs don't solve everything," I say.
"But they take the edge away."
I give in, letting him wrap his arms around me. My emotions are a mix, a tangle of good and bad, but I feel like I can let them out when Ness is here. It's somehow comfortable just to be with him. I'm not sure I've felt comfortable all day.
"You've seemed better recently," I say, tilting my head to look up at him. "Less, well, sad."
"Possibly..." Ness rubs his forehead. "After getting through that coma… I don't know. I don't understand feelings."
"Neither do I," I say. "They're such a mess."
"Yeah."
There's a fragile pause. Ness puts his palm to my face, a gentle thumb trailing over my cheek. I nudge a little nearer to him, and then his hand is moving to my hair, straightening it down, curling it around his fingers.
"I feel like I'm missing something," I say, closing my eyes.
"Hm? What are you missing?"
"Something big. Not to do with the mystery. Something else."
"Do you have any idea what it could be?" Ness looks weirdly innocent, and I stare down at my hands.
"No. Sorry."
"Don't worry," Ness says, surrounding me with a hug. A tiny noise escapes my throat, and Ness lays his hand over mine. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
I stare up at him, so close, so warm. I think I'm inches away from understanding, seconds away from something important, but before I can reach it, the clocktower sharply rings.
"Excellent!" Ness unwraps himself from around me, and the cold air rushes in. "I've been waiting all day to hear that, I'm starving-"
"Do we have to?" I ask, wincing. The idea of seeing other people, especially like this, is nauseating. Ness softens immediately, sitting back down.
"Of course we don't. We'll stay here. I wasn't that hungry anyway."
"You should go," I say. "Get us a portion?"
"Sure." Ness smiles, standing, walking over to the door. He rests his hand on the handle, but then he pauses, frowning, turning back to me. "You don't blame yourself, though? For what's happened? Because I know you. You have a tendency for that."
"Oh, uh." I fall short, suddenly not sure what to say. "I don't know. Maybe?"
"Lucas! They slashed you up. That's despicable."
"But I can't stand up for myself..."
"Nobody in their right mind would stand up against anyone with a knife! Jesus, Lucas, your thought processes are insane."
"Thanks," I say, giving him a withering look, and he falters.
"I didn't mean-"
"I know."
There's an uncomfortable pause.
"I'm... going to get the food," he says, sheepish.
"See you soon."
But before he can go anywhere, the door swings open, and Headmaster Hand strides in. He looks exhausted, his tie done up tighter than usual, his top hat teetering a little from his head. His presence feels weirdly unnatural in our dormitory, and it's only now that I notice the glint of a new lock on our door.
"Lucas," he says, breathing a massive sigh of relief. "I thought you'd gone missing again - not in the medical ward, not asleep - what are you doing here?"
"Professor Ryu said I shouldn't go to the medical ward," I say. "The Nurse was dreadful when they were trying to treat Ness."
"Doctor Mario is back," Headmaster Hand says. He sounds exasperated, but stern, like a chronically concerned parent. "Come on, those injuries won't heal themselves."
"What happened to Meta Knight and Olimar?" I ask, choosing to change the subject. I don't want to be berated about my lack of self-care.
"Gone," Headmaster Hand says. "I expelled them. They are already on the train back to Onett."
"Gone?" I repeat, but Ness frowns.
"I thought nobody was allowed in or out of Onett's gates?"
"I've sent a letter along with them," Headmaster Hand explains. "It will inform the police and the border patrol of the situation. I've got good contacts. They'll be lenient."
"So they're going to jail?" I ask.
"Quite possibly."
I gulp. The idea doesn't sit well with me. The Onett County Jail is a big, dirty place, with cramped cells of prisoners, usually ones who've defied the Onett Council. Or psycho killers like Crazy Hand. When the prisons run out of space, inmates are often 'relocated' to make room.
"Well," Headmaster Hand says. "I'd once again advise going to the medical ward, but I suppose you'd better get some dinner first. I must fill in a few police reports, and then I'll do the same. Heal well, Lucas."
"Thanks," I say, still worrying about the prison as he leaves. Even if they escape a sentence, what then? Do they have families they can go to?
"Lucas," Ness says, seeing my expression. "It's not our concern. They attacked you. They had this coming."
"I know," I mumble. "But they could have changed. Their futures are completely ruined."
Ness pulls a face. "I mean, that's kind of their fault-"
"They're not going to join the Sharks, right? Or be kidnapped? Or get addicted to drugs?"
"Lucas-"
"The street life," I say, forcefully looking up at him. "Nobody should have to live through that. Not even them."
"Oh, Lucas." Ness's expression softens, and he comes nearer, taking my hand in his. "They'll be okay. Really. They're fighters. And they have each other, right?"
"Right," I say, unconvinced.
"Come on. You need some food. You need to see the others. And besides, I smell steak. I'm not missing out on that!"
But Ness's excitement vanishes as soon as we enter the canteen. Not only is he wrong about the steak, but greasy dollops of mashed potato sit on our plates, joined by yesterday's leftover sausages. Thoroughly disgruntled, we sit down, ignoring the strange looks coming my way.
"This is an outrage," Ness complains, prodding the mashed potato with his fork. It wobbles like jelly.
"There are bigger concerns than that," Villager says darkly, spotting some younger students laughing at him. In all the mayhem, I'd forgotten about the graffiti. "We still have the Future Humans to contend with."
"Not anymore!" Toon Link says. "Two premium locks, one for your door, one for your trapdoor, all work owed to me. And they're smooth, man. No bad guy or beastie is getting in to have a feastie."
A lot of people give our area a funny look. Surprisingly, Red flips them off, looking in an even worse mood than usual. In fact, Toon Link's the only one on our table who doesn't look like he wants to die.
"It was a slow process," Villager says. "Toon Link was less of a help, and more of a hindrance."
"Hey! Passing you your tools required an intense amount of skill!"
"And yet, you didn't know the difference between a hammer and a spanner."
"You're the one who smashed my thumb!" Toon Link complains. "Look - it's all purple!" He waves it in my face, and I force a laugh.
Ness eats his sausages with speed, setting up a large quarantine between his food and the potato. I don't know what it is about mashed potato, but it makes me feel physically sick. I had to have a lot of it on the streets, since there wasn't much else, and potatoes were such a cheap source of carbohydrates. It took guts not to hurl it right back out into the river.
"So," Pit says, sounding uncharacteristically nervous. "Looks like Red and I will be together for the Wilderness Survival Week."
"Yeah," Red grumbles. "Thanks a lot."
Villager frowns. "Hey, you know Toon Link never has anyone to go with-"
"I was with Popo last time," Toon Link says, shuddering.
"He could have gone with Pit!" Red exclaims. "I thought we were friends, Villager."
Villager sighs. "Red-"
"You know, you've been changing lately."
"Changing?" Villager asks, worried. "What do you mean?"
"You used to be my best friend. But now…"
"But now?"
Red takes a vicious bite from his sausage. "But now you're different. You've been changing for the worse. I don't agree with some of the decisions you've been making."
I pale, alarmed at the scene unfolding in front of me. Ness slips a subtle hand into mine.
"You what?" Villager puts down his fork. "You don't agree with the - Red, what are you talking about?"
"You're almost becoming... toxic! That's the word."
"Toxic?"
"Yes." Red folds his arms, glaring across the table. "You're not the Villager I once knew. I don't know if I want to be friends anymore."
"Red, what? You're talking nonsense. Where did all this come from?"
"Forget it!"
In a sudden burst of fury, Red slams his hands on the table. He leaps up, his cutlery clattering to the floor. Giving Villager one last glare, he turns, surging from the scene, leaving a shocked silence in his wake.
We stare around at each other. Nobody knows what to say.
"That was weird," Toon Link murmurs, looking worriedly towards where Red disappeared.
"I - I don't..." Villager falls short, staring at his plate in shock. "Where did all that come from?"
"That was pretty sudden," Pit says.
"B-But toxic?" Villager shivers. "Do you think he's right? Do you think I'm changing?"
"No!" Toon Link exclaims, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "He's talking rubbish. You're just as great as always, if not better."
"But - but, I don't even know what to say! He's never really been angry at me before. I - I must have done something wrong..."
"I think he's jealous," I say quietly.
"Jealous?" Villager repeats, vexed. "But what about all that - all that about changing-"
"He's villainising you," Pit says. "Maybe that's easier for him, or something."
"But why would he be jealous?" Villager asks, incredulous, staring around at us like a lost sheep. "What on earth would he be jealous of?"
"Well," Pit murmurs. "You have been spending more time with Toon Link…"
"Well, yeah, but that's, like, different! I don't know..." Villager looks up, troubled. "Do you think I've been neglecting him?"
"No," Pit says, holding his fork with confidence. "Definitely not."
"Yeah," Ness agrees.
"Then, I don't understand," Villager says. "I don't get it - just - why?"
"Here's what I think," Ness says, leaning forwards. "It's like he's built up an idea of what you should be, right? And all of the things that he thinks you should do. The idea of you doing something different challenges that, and messes with what he's come to know."
"Yeah!" Toon Link agrees. "Well put, Ness. Just because you don't fit his agenda, he's gotten angry at you."
"But he's a good guy," Villager says, worried. "Surely he wouldn't think of me like that?"
"He doesn't like change," Pit mutters.
"Maybe he's the one changing," Villager groans, folding his head into his hands. "Ugh. He's been different, I knew it. More self-centred. Anxious. I should've spoken to him sooner. It's because of the mystery, I bet it."
"Don't beat yourself up," Toon Link says, patting him on the back. "He's getting jealous over nothing. You've always been nice to him."
"But what was that about decisions he doesn't agree with?" Villager asks. "Does he mean me changing the graffiti?"
"It's like with his agenda," Toon Link says. "It's as if he thinks he has to approve everything you do. And that's plain wrong."
"It was out of nowhere," Villager says, pained. "I should apologise. I'm gonna-"
But Toon Link stops him. "Look, you've done nothing wrong, okay? And if he's a good friend, he'll realise that, and then he'll be the one to apologise."
"But - I -"
"Come on," Toon Link says. "Let him cool down. Enjoy your dinner."
"...Okay. Yeah. Okay."
There's another quiet, and I dig into a sausage. It doesn't taste good. I doubt that it contains any actual meat.
"By the way," Toon Link continues. "Pit, I'm sorry that you have to go with Red-"
Pit shrugs. "It's fine. No big deal."
"I should've gone with you. Red was right, he could've gone with Villager."
"I'd much rather spend a week with you, Toon Link," Villager says, pained. "Nothing against Red, it's just…"
He trails off, but we all know what he means.
"Anyone want my mashed potato?" Ness asks, pushing the grey lump away, but he's interrupted. A sausage flies through the room, striking Villager squarely in the face.
"HAh!" someone squawks. "The homosexual loves a good porking!" There's laughter around the room, and Villager groans, cleaning himself off.
"HEY!" Toon Link shouts, getting up. "Not cool!"
"Oh yeah?" The perpetrator laughs. "What are you going to do about it, midget boy?"
"Toon Link," Villager hisses. "Please sit down. I don't want to have to deal with this right now."
But Toon Link stays standing, watching the aggressor in challenge. They stand as well; it's Diddy Kong, cackling like a hyena, surrounded by his laddish mates. I glance around for professors, but to my dismay, there are none.
"Leave him alone," Toon Link says warningly. "And that goes for everyone. I'm sick and tired of watching my friend suffer."
"He's a homosexual," Diddy Kong sneers. "You're just as bad for sitting with him. He's lucky we don't contact the police."
"He's not a homosexual," Toon Link says, his fist tremoring. "Just because some idiot wrote it on the wall doesn't mean it's true."
"Oh yeah?" Diddy Kong picks something up. "Then why does he like sausage so much?"
He hurls the meat across the room. It strikes Villager on the jaw. Villager closes his eyes momentarily, but he doesn't react.
"You gonna do that again?" Toon Link asks, stepping forward.
The tension is palpable. Diddy Kong picks up another sausage. He smears it with gravy, waving it lewdly in the air.
"You gonna keep defending your faggot friend?"
Toon Link reaches down, picking up Ness's plate of mashed potato.
"Always, bitch."
He throws.
Suddenly, it's pandemonium. Potato explodes all over Diddy Kong, and then plates are flying, sausages everywhere, mash coating the walls. Diddy Kong yells, but everyone else is getting involved, a group of first-years shouting as they hurl spoonfuls, trying to create as much mess as possible. Toon Link grabs his meal, throwing it across the room, plate and all. Ness laughs, smearing my face with gravy, and I grin, getting him back with the peas, but then Bowser storms in, and Toon Link's plate is headed right for him, and -
Wham.
The room falls still.
Bowser lifts a finger, slowly dragging it over his potato-covered forehead. He holds it out in front of him, giving it one look, and then his eyes meet mine.
"YOU."
"Stop!" Rosalina exclaims, appearing from nowhere. Bowser whirls around, flecks of potato flying onto the floor.
"SILENCE, WOMAN!"
"This is quite unacceptable!" Rosalina tries to say, but Bowser is already lifting a plate, and Rosalina has no time to dodge -
Splat.
Silence falls. Bowser roars with victory. Rosalina takes one breath in, and one breath out.
Then, she snaps.
"That's it!" she screams, stamping her foot, covered from head to toe in gravy. "That. Is. IT! I have had it with you! You are a no-good, immature, hate-filled man with no brain, no dignity, and no integrity! It's a wonder that Headmaster Hand keeps you on when your classes fail, your teaching is horrendous, and your social skills are so abysmal! I am tired of your anger, tired of your rudeness, because you know what you are? A parasitic piece of shit!"
Gasps ring out. But Bowser roars with laughter, looking over Rosalina's shoulder. "Hello, Headmaster."
Rosalina whirls around, enraged. Headmaster Hand stands gravely behind her, observing the potato on her dress, the peas in her hair. He looks up at the ceiling, where globules of potato have congealed, a direct result of the first-years. He looks at the splattered sausages coating the floor, pressed into the stone.
For a moment, he looks like he's going to explode. But then, he opens his mouth, and to everyone's surprise, he begins to laugh. He laughs and laughs, bending double over the nearby table, clutching his sides - and it's infectious, and quite a few people end up joining in. Rosalina and Bowser stare as if the headmaster has gone mad, which he quite possibly has.
"This is - this is unacceptable!" he chokes, through tears of mirth. "Everyone is dismissed! Dismissed! Go - go, at once, at once!"
"Headmaster-" Rosalina begins.
"Go," he guffaws, waving a hand. "Just - just go!"
Ness beams at me, as Toon Link chortles along with Headmaster Hand. I laugh, happy to see the headmaster smiling, especially after his Crazy Hand outburst last night. Motion breaks out, noises of joy, laughter and relief. Students walk past, some slapping Villager on the cheek, most of them in high spirits. Villager, on the contrary, looks downright depressed.
"Thanks a lot, Toon Link," he mutters, and Toon Link's smile vanishes.
"Villager, I-"
But Villager shakes his head, covering his eyes as he runs. He leaves a trail of potato behind him, little tuffets falling from his head, crushed under the feet of the stampeding crowd. Toon Link tries to follow, but he's gone, lost amidst the chaos.
A/N
Rewriting this chapter was mayhem, to say the least. Absolute insanity everywhere. Might move the rating up for that, uh, violent scene... poor Lucas.
I did plan the maths challenge to be fake from early on, but that didn't end up being as important as I thought-
Also, mashed potato is the worst food ever.
Thank you for reading!
~ReadyForTeddy