Author's Notes: So, Camp Camp Season 5 is official, huh? I want to be excited, but I found the Season 4 Finale kind of… underwhelming in comparison to past seasons. I'm also really going to miss the old voice actors. But alas, what happens happens. At least if the fandom wiki notes are true and the writers' plans haven't changed, there'll be more Harrison and Quartermaster shenanigans in Season 5.
Although not going to lie, I was really hoping I could call this fanfic canon-compliant. We'll see what happens though. I'm decently confident I can get this done before 2024 hits. And then once Season 5 comes I might be able to edit here and there. Luckily, there's always the canon-divergence tag to look forward to! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Camp Camp, that belongs to Rooster Teeth.
—
Chapter 4
DnD (Dummies and Dummies)
*Flashback* Two years ago…
According to his parents, they'd been blessed by God. To have been given not just the one, but two beautiful and perfect children that were Harrison and Erich. They were everything they could've ever asked for in sons: genial, obedient, and brighter than the golden sun. The boys' parents prayed that Harrison would also be a prodigal older sibling to his little brother, only one year his junior.
"Happy birthday, Harrison!" His parents joyfully clapped as he blew out the candles. Next to them, Erich wiggled in his seat. But his little brother beamed along since the rest of his family were celebrating.
"Cake! Cake!" The two boys chanted, hungry for their sugary dessert. His parents bought Harrison's favourite, strawberry shortcake for his eighth birthday! The candles were a sunny yellow and sky-blue frosting coated the cake's top.
After eating and sorting through presents, the family travelled into town for a movie. Harrison and Erich weren't let out of the house often. Something about the outside world being a dangerous and scary hell. But, they'd relish the rare treat while they could. It would also be Erich's first time seeing a movie in an actual, huge, cinema! Although they owned home movies and DVDs, Harrison could attest from halcyon memories that it wasn't the same.
"Someone's excited." His Mother softly noted, her hand enclosed in Harrison's. His Mother had a really nice smile. Apparently, when he was younger and restless, she'd been able to calm him down just with a gentle grin.
"I am! I am! Movie time!" Harrison dizzily babbled, unable to keep the spring from his step. Next to them, his Father cheerfully carried Erich on his back.
The sun had begun to fall along the tree line, painting the sky with warm pinks and oranges. The clouds looked like tantalizing cotton candy. And while they strolled through the streets, Harrison and Erich called out the different animals they could see above. They both still wore their vibrant party cone hats after refusing to take them off at home.
"Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen! Come and see the best show in town from the one and only, Harry The Great!" A man dressed in a velvet suit and top hat announced in front of a lurid tent. An ostentatious sign with The Great Harry was plastered in front.
"Mommy, what's that?" Harrison stopped to point at the tent. "His name's Harry! Like me!"
His Father paused to stand next to them, scrutinizing the man and his area. "It's one of those ridiculous… magicians." He curled his lips in distaste. "You wouldn't like what they do, son." His Father tried to dissuade.
"Magic?!" Harrison excitedly blurted out, eyes growing as big as saucers. "I want to see! I want to see! Please, Mommy! Please, Daddy!" The boy begged animatedly, tugging on his Mother's hand. He practically had stars in his eyes.
"Harrison…" His Mother quietly chastised, sharing an unsure look with her husband.
"It's my birthday…" Harrison slightly pouted, already sensing rejection. His parents had a wordless debate between them. He hoped they wouldn't take too long. If they didn't act soon, it'd be Erich's birthday by the time they made a decision. Finally, his Mother sighed and acquiesced. They knew if they really insisted Harrison would listen. But, the adults agreed only because it was his birthday.
The next forty-five minutes would forever influence Harrison's life.
Stars morphed into full-blown galaxies. When the family returned home, all the eight-year-old would prattle on about was magic and magicians and incredible tricks. Come the following morning, he stole his Father's tall black hat and suit jacket. The boy knew that one day he'd be just like Harry The Great. No, he'd be more than great. Harrison would be amazing.
His first-ever trick was pulling a coin from behind Erich's ear. He'd practised until it appeared just as Harry The Great performed it. Yet Harrison only needed to visualize the result in his mind and it'd happen as he'd go. Later, the boy would discover magic books that had those long tedious steps. However, the little magician assumed they existed merely to supplement magicians if they weren't feeling well.
Surely, Harrison's way was how it was supposed to work.
*Flashback End*
—
"There's no way most magicians only use the books?!" Harrison incredulously thought as he sat backstage. He was mulling over what Quartermaster had told him the previous night. That magic - arcane arts sounded like something Nerris would say - was meant for more beyond tricks. The concept was alien in his mind. What else would one use magic for? It would explain Neil's insistence he was a fraud though…
Memories of using his flames for light and the coin-popping filled his mind. Harrison frowned.
"Abracadabra!" He cast. "Now return, tada!" He lifted the tablecloth to find a broken egg as expected. Unfortunately, despite hanging out with Quartermaster for more than a week, Harrison's attempts at the disappearing trick hadn't visibly improved. His brain retrieved the image of the large nickel boulder for him.
Was it possible that the 'tarp' was just invisible and intangible? No, that made zero sense! Plus Harrison had never pulled the 'tarp' away which he usually needed to do. But, if there hadn't been a tarp… then did he even need a tablecloth? The idea made his head pound.
"Would it be worth it to try without the tablecloth?" Harrison mentally debated, starting to feel like a clown. He'd only used five of his eggs. So, the magician technically had the supplies to spare for a quick experiment. It just felt… wrong to go against his performance tradition. Then again, wouldn't it dazzle more spectators if they could see the magic underneath the cloth? Well, it would probably impress Erich at least. He set another egg down. "Okay… Abra-"
"Harrison?" David's voice interrupted his trial, causing him to yelp and nearly scramble the egg.
"D-David! What are you doing here?" The magician scrambled to say, using his foot to hide the egg cartons. He didn't really want to explain how he had more eggs than the camp.
"Why it's breakfast, silly! You were absent and Preston told me I could find you here." The tall counsellor cheerfully explained. "I know you're eager to get started on today's activities! But, you have to remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!" He lightly chided while pointing his finger upwards.
"Oh… Yeah. I just… lost track of time while practising my tricks." Harrison rapidly excused with a nod, stepping into the sunshine.
David laughed good-heartedly. "Oh, I understand, Harrison! Why when I was just a camper myself, I always got up hours before role call to go on hikes and enjoy this wonderful nature around us!" He dramatically regaled as they walked to the Mess Hall. Harrison focused on his feet. Don't laugh. Don't laugh. Don't laugh. "… Don't make a habit of it." David nervously reminded with a strained grin.
"Got it. Great advice. Thanks, David!" The magician hurried to escape and scurried to Preston's table.
The theatre boy was clearly waiting for him, resting his chin on clasped hands with narrowed eyes. "HARRISON!" Preston shouted, causing Harrison to stagger backwards. "Oh, right. My apologies!" His friend winced whilst simultaneously not lowering his volume in the slightest.
"Morning Preston…" The magician quietly replied, massaging his aching eardrums.
"Salutations to you as well! Except I awoke at the crack of dawn to discover you'd vanished, which begs the question! Where were you?!" Preston incessantly pressed, leaning far too closely into his personal space. Right, Harrison usually returned to their tent before he woke up. Weirdly he'd been forgetting to do that lately.
"I was practicing my tricks early. I thought you knew since you ratted me out to David." The magician simply said.
"Excuse you! I did not rat you out! I merely proclaimed my concern for your general well-being and then pondered aloud your whereabouts in David's close proximity." Preston passionately denied.
"Yes, ratting me out." Harrison sagely nodded, proceeding to shove a carrot into his own mouth. He let the crunch speak for itself. Sputtering, Preston was quick to continue the argument. Harrison would rather eat his breakfast in relative peace and so tuned his friend out.
—
After finishing breakfast, the two boys moved to leave. However, Harrison recalled the jumbo pack he'd bought for Nerris at the last moment and spun around. He quickly abandoned Preston's side to locate her, who was eating with Erid at the other end of the Mess Hall.
Harrison overheard snippets of other conversations as he trotted over. "By the way, Quartermaster, I just want to express Camp Campbell's heartfelt thanks to you for cooking today's breakfast again!" David blithely went, swinging his elbow to the side.
"I'm just glad it wasn't expired or rotten this time." Gwen added in a dispassionate tone.
"Oh… I guess that's why Quartermaster wanted me to do the grocery shopping…" The magician hummed as he reached Nerris' table. "Hi, Nerris, Erid." Harrison tentatively greeted with a wave.
"What's up?" Erid cooly nodded.
"Greetings, Harrison. Is there anything you require of Nerris the Cute?" Nerris asked in a sing-song voice. In other words, typical Nerris things. He slowly blinked before shaking himself awake. Weird, the magician was sure he'd got enough sleep the previous night. Did Harrison need to adjust his sleep schedule again? It'd been working so well too…
"Would you like to see a real magic trick? Because Nerris, your dumb game is not real magic." The real magician snarked, hands behind his back.
Nerris took the bait hook, line, and sinker. "We don't want to see your cheap party tricks, Harrison!" She hissed out, venom emanating from her voice. Erid appeared apathetic next to her, rather studying her nails. But, Harrison caught the tiniest narrowing of her eyes at him. Okay, seriously, how did uncool Nerris become friends with the very cool Erid? All he got was Preston! And they both got bullied by Nurf every other day!
"Oh, really?" Harrison smirked, leaning on his heels. Before they could react, he jumped back and wiggled his fingers. "Abracadabra!" The magician cast and watched with satisfaction as Nerris felt something plummet underneath her hat and flail. He was confident that the trick would work. The boy would rather jump off a cliff than have a repeat of the egg fiasco. Fortunately, Harrison had practiced until he could do the summoning trick half-dead!
"What did you do, Harrison-" Nerris furiously grumbled, grabbing at her hat and stupid fake ears. However, the insult died on her tongue when she found the jumbo pack in her hands. "Wait… this is…"
"Tada! One of those dumb expansion packs to your equally dumb game. It was hidden under my stage for some reason." The lie rolled easily off his tongue. It wasn't like he'd practiced it or anything! He had better things to do! Nerris was silent for a long moment, merely fixating on the pack. Wait, that wasn't supposed to happen. Did he break her?! "Nerris…?"
"Thank you!" Before he could react, the girl had entrapped Harrison in a taut hug.
"Nerris?!" The magician squeaked, taken off guard. His breathing was suddenly constricted by the embrace's ferocity. Harrison's shoulders instinctively tensed up. And he belatedly realized that he… hadn't had a hug since Erich… His parents avoided making physical contact at all costs with him for a while after the incident. It wore off eventually. But, hugs had been out of the question… Not like Harrison blamed them…
"Um…" He shyly mumbled.
"GASP." An unfortunately familiar voice shouted and Harrison felt his earlier gloom dissipate. The two instantly broke the hug off and turned to stare at a gaping Preston. The magician was relieved to see Nerris look about as exasperated as he felt.
"Preston!" He spoke first, crossing his arms. It didn't help that Harrison could view the counsellors in the corner of his vision. Which meant that he could clearly see Gwen with her full attention glued on them. There were practically glittering hearts in her eyes. That was never good. Never.
"Don't mind ME! CARRY ON!" The theatre kid howled before hiding behind one of the benches to spy on them. They collectively covered their ears at his volume. It was high even for Preston, which was screaming something.
"Okay…?" Harrison tilted his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed at the whole debacle. "You're welcome, Nerris… I think…"
"Err…" She went, still staring at a glowering Preston.
The magician had about enough of that awkwardness. Fire rumbled beneath his skin. "I'm going to go… practice… bye…" Harrison decided to end whatever Preston thought was going on. He automatically stalked toward the exit, not listening to whatever Nerris or Erid or Gwen or Preston had to say.
The magician needed to hide. Yes, hiding sounded like a brilliant idea. Better than any plot Preston could ever create in his entire career. Because Preston sucked. Also, he didn't feel like getting teased that day. It had been a nice day. Very nice until Nerris hugged him and Preston made it weird. Harrison had weird friends.
"HARRISON!" Unfortunately, Preston didn't get the memo. The theatre boy tackled him right outside of the different camps. He tried to mutely communicate with his tent mate that he was not happy to no avail. "That was brilliant! Incredible! Astounding! Tony-worthy performances from both of you! This will be great inspiration for my new play-"
"Preston." Harrison's eye twitched, and a spark of fire escaped from his fingers. "If you say anything else about what just happened. I will make you vomit scarves until you can't say anything. Tada." Preston would know he was being serious. He'd done it before. It had been the quietest week by far at Camp Campbell. Even though the magician privately acknowledged he'd missed the racket.
Fortunately, Preston finally got the memo with a yelp and sprinted away.
—
Once he was surrounded by the privacy backstage, Harrison buried his face in his knees and screamed. He didn't know how long he'd remained in that position. Except when the magician deigned to move, his muscles were sore. Anyway, Harrison decided the best way to confront his emotions was to throw himself in magic practice.
"Abracadabra!" The magician angrily called and watched the sacrificial egg explode. He pondered imagining Preston's face in lieu of the eggs to vent. However, Harrison thought better of it. Exploding eggs were probably just because of his rampant anger. So, he'd have to try the disappearing trick without the tablecloth again later. But boy, was it satisfying!
After murdering six innocent eggs, Harrison found himself with nothing to do.
There was a spare carton of eggs available. However, the magician wished to save it for the rest of the week's practice. So, Harrison settled to get comfortable and play solitaire by himself. Solitaire gradually evolved into building card houses. And building card houses smoothly evolved into mindless card shuffling. And mindless card shuffling swiftly evolved into nail-biting boredom.
"I wish I knew more card games I could play by myself…" Harrison bemoaned, pulling his hands down his cheeks. "Why do most games need two players…?Two players… Wait." An idea floated into his mind like a sparking lightbulb.
Once he was sure the coast was clear, Harrison carefully spied the immediate vicinity and tiptoed to his singular dummy. When the magician first arrived at camp, the milky plastic figure had intrigued him, as his parents had forbidden him from ever getting his own. Admittedly, Harrison had attempted the sawing-in-half trick once. And had quickly lost interest soon after. It hadn't been particularly challenging.
"Hello, new friend!" The boy proudly whistled, tapping the dummy's forehead. Granted, his last venture in creating life didn't exactly work out! And sure, Harrison had been a little traumatized by said creation's existential crisis. But, he was learning! "You will just… not know about basic biology! Tada!"
The boy proceeded to charm his top hat and place it on the dummy's head. And waited…
And waited…
… And waited…
And waited…
"This is not working." The magician grumbled, flicking the side of the dummy's head for good measure. If his snowman's frenzy was anything to go by, it should've sprang to life instantaneously. But, the plastic remained as still as… well plastic. Was it not human-like enough for the spell to succeed? Oh! What if he drew a face on the dummy?! He had a marker inside backstage somewhere…
Harrison turned and hopped behind the curtains. "Marker… marker… Where is it?" He dug through his supply box before a memory hit him. "Oh, right. I gave it to Preston… Preston…" The magician felt another pang of irritation and heard wind rustle the curtains outside. Harrison supposed pencil would have to do.
Pencil in hand, he exited once more. However, the sight he was beholden to caused his grip to go slack. The pencil pathetically crashed into the grass. Although it hardly mattered when… when…
The dummy was gone.
Harrison slowly pivoted his sight left and right… and not a trace of the dummy could be seen. He nervously gulped. "Um…"
—
The next hour featured Harrison frantically searching the entire campground whilst trying to appear inconspicuous. He still failed to understand how the dummy managed to just come to life and then flee without making a sound. Let alone seemingly vanish immediately afterwards. There weren't any footprints. Was it light enough to avoid leaving tracks in the ground? And he wasn't sure if it could speak since it had no mouth. The magician could only hope its sentience was more akin to a newborn than… something more sinister.
Harrison really did not want to be responsible for creating a genocidal world-ending terminator dummy!
Finally, the boy glimpsed Quartermaster approaching the Mess Hall. "Quartermaster!" He caught the old man's attention. "Have you seen a… a walking white dummy anywhere?" Harrison fervently questioned while panting.
Quartermaster blinked hard before slowly staring at a humming David nearby. "Found one."
"… Not to say that David is dumb, but not that kind of dummy! The one from Magic Camp that I sawed in half!" The magician huffed, crossing his arms. "I was… practising-" Trying to supernaturally create a companion since he was peeved off at his actual friends. "-Bringing dummies to life. And when I turned around it was gone!" He quickly recapped, relieved that at least Quartermaster would get the magical aspect.
"… It didn't immediately start begging for the sweet mercy of death?" The elder curiously asked.
"Um, no…?" It came out as more of a question. "It did not do anything really." Quartermaster seemed to finally notice his distinct lack of top hat. Honestly, Harrison's head felt kind of naked without his signature accessory.
Quartermaster squinted his eyes at him, making the magician squirm on the spot. "Did you want to fuck it?"
"What?! NO-" Harrison furiously protested.
"Good. They're always too energetic." Quartermaster sighed in disappointment.
"Did you see one or not?!" The magician maniacally pushed, eager to move on from that entire topic. Slowly, the old man shook his head with a shrug. "Okay, if you see one please let me know!" Harrison shouted, channeling his inner Preston. And he was gone before Quartermaster could cover his ears.
—
The boy practically ransacked the rest of the grounds before returning to the camps. So invested in his pursuit, Harrison failed to register Nerris' encroaching presence. "Harrison!" She bubbly greeted, waving her hand.
"Nerris!" He yelped antecedent to regaining his composure. "Have you seen a dummy anymore?" The girl gained a mischievous glint in her eyes, which he swiftly put a stop to. Harrison held up his palm. "Before you say yes and then call me a dummy, have you seen an actual white plastic dummy?" He pled, chopping the air in between them to make his point.
"The good lady has seen naught I'm afraid. Why do you ask?" Nerris inquired in a farcical voice.
"I lost mine…" Harrison hesitantly admitted, averting his eyes.
Nerris cracked up laughing, tears spilling from her eyes as she cradled her ribs. He stared unimpressed and felt a timid urge to knock her hat off. "How do you lose a dummy? Did it stand up and walk away or something?" She mercilessly teased. Because Nerris was mean and sucked like that.
"It did!" Harrison insisted.
"You saw it leave?" Nerris dubiously pressed, raising an eyebrow.
"Um… no…" He bashfully unveiled, shoving his arms behind his back. "But, it's not where I left it! And I was trying to bring it to life before that. So what else could it be?" The magician spelled out in turn.
"Well, maybe someone stole it!" Nerris confidently proclaimed, tilting her chin up. "Oh! Like the Sacred Dark Elves! They probably mistook it for one of us, thought it was paralyzed, and kidnapped it while we seemed weak!" She rambled, excitement shoving away scorn. "We must go on a quest to rescue the dummy!" Nerris suggested, grinning. Harrison was instantly about to respond with dejection - he did NOT consider her proposal for a second.
However, a shrill scream from Preston's stage caught their shared attention.
It was promptly ignored. Preston screamed a commonly concerning amount of times per day considering his scripts and rehearsals. "Wait… I didn't check the inside of Preston's stage…" Harrison realized with a scowl. He'd tried to avoid going inside everyone's camps since that definitely would've attracted far too much interest. And the magician had particularly stayed clear of the theatre kid's vicinity. But… "I swear if that dummy likes Preston…" He grumbled.
If it did then Harrison would have created something worse than a genocidal world-ending terminator dummy: a permanent audience to Preston's plays. The theatre kid would be insufferable. He'd never get another wink of sleep again!
Harrison started sprinting toward Preston's stage, uncaring that an indignant Nerris followed right after.
Preston yelled again, terror clear in his tone. "He's been practicing the same scene for ages…" The magician thought, sneakily prying the velvet curtains apart. Unfortunately, he had to immediately slap a pale hand over his mouth.
"Harrison!" Nerris piped up. And the boy anxiously shushed her, carefully curling the curtains further to show her why. "Merlin's beard…" She whimpered.
The missing dummy had Preston raised high within its plastic claws. Despite its blank expression, the dummy blatantly reeked of murderous intent. Preston wiggled in its grip, face paper-white and icy blue. His eyes bulged out of their sockets. Around them, the boy's props and scripts were haphazardly scattered about, as if he'd tried to flee before being dragged back.
"I AM BEING ATTACKED! HELP! HELP!" Preston screamed, scratching at the dummy's arms to no avail. Before either Harrison or Nerris could hide, his eyes fixated on their forms. "HARRISON! NERRIS! HELP ME!"
"U-Um!" Harrison stammered, taking an instinctive step back as the dummy turned. "Preston, knock the top hat off!" He loudly guided, shakily pointing at the said item of clothing.
The theatre boy hastened to follow through before the dummy could prevent him. Could the dummy understand human speech? Moving on, Preston slapped the top hat off and it gently floated to the floor. It was in juxtaposition with Preston's rough fall to the floor as the dummy went slack. He scrambled backwards away from the dummy's prone form.
"Preston, how many points of damage did you incur?" Nerris fired off, crouching down to meet the boy's eyes.
"Just look at the state of my production! Ruined! How do you think I am?!" Preston wailed, waving his arms around. He nearly hit Harrison's face in the process. Basically, he was fine. Hopefully, the dummy was just messing with him before the actual choking started. "YOU!" The theatre boy suddenly yelled, pointing a finger in Harrison's direction.
"What?!" The magician defended, holding up his hands.
"Why was that thing wearing your top hat?!" Preston accused, firmly planting his fists on his hips.
"Uh…" Harrison panicked, glancing from his friend to the dummy, searching for an explanation that would placate him. "Well-" He started before a rattling interrupted him. Turning, the trio observed as the dummy hurled itself forward and contorted into a dog position. The sound of its plastic limbs slamming the wooden planks reverberated in the small space. Drawing its leg back, it yanked the top hat upwards to land on its head. It had no eyes, but it glowered at them like a hunter to its prey.
Harrison gulped.
"RETREAT!" Nerris shouted.
—
"Is that your missing dummy?!" She shouted in a frenzy as they ran into the forest's depths. The dummy was hot on their heels. Snapping branches and torn leaves trailed them relentlessly.
"Yes!" Harrison yelled back, nearly tripping on a loose tree root in the ground.
"And why did it attempt to take my life?!" Preston screeched while jumping over a small ditch.
"I don't know!" The magician defended himself. "I was just trying to create a magical friend to play cards with! Not some murderous friend-hunting dummy!" He carried on, fatigue weighed into his bones. Screw nature! Would it be worthwhile to burn the forest down if the dummy went with it? David would be sad. But, he'd probably be a lot worse if they died!
"You could have come to me! The person who you share a tent with!" Preston shot back in a similar state of exhaustion.
"I was angry at you!" Harrison heatedly replied. However, he inexplicably slowed when a sudden realization overcame him. "Oh no, what if my anger manifested in the dummy and that's why it tried to kill you…" The magician blanched, nausea penetrating his mind.
"Don't be stupid!" Nerris urged, grabbing his arm to pull him forward. "Your dumb party tricks can't do that!"
"They're not dumb!" Harrison's face twisted.
Preston clapped his hands in front of them both. "I love the dramatic tension! But, we do not have the time for squabbling right now!" The theatre kid warned just as the dummy leaped from a bush like some kind of feral creature. The three campers screamed and returned to fleeing.
"Who has the highest dexterity? Maybe we can trap it somewhere?" Nerris suggested, out of breath as they crashed into a small valley.
"I don't know how strong it is…" Harrison puffed beside her, leaning on his knees.
"If it had Herculean strength, I do not believe it would have taken so long to asphyxiate me." Preston brought up, collapsing onto the grass. "… It's after me?" He repeated in a small voice.
"Yeah uh, I think so…" Harrison awkwardly affirmed. "Sorry Preston…" He tried to apologize, guilt-wracking his features. "Um, what if I tried to burn it alive?" The magician suggested, lighting a small flame in his palm that flickered in the wind.
"Plastic takes too long to burn. Do you even have enough stamina to pull it off?" Nerris shook her head, fixing her elf ears. "We also don't know if fire would stop it." She added with a shiver. The image of a charred dummy still trying to fight them while on fire invaded his head, and Harrison couldn't help but agree. Plus, it would probably set the forest on fire with them far too deep to escape. "What about stunning?"
"Um, I don't know how to stun people…" Harrison sadly noted, staring at his hands in his lap.
"Lightning Lure isn't a hard spell to do! And you only need to do it once! It's just lightning shooting out from your hand!" Nerris rapidly instructed. The magician dwelled on the possibility. He might be able to do it if he concentrated enough.
Fortunate thing that he figured it out right then. Since the dummy bombarded the valley in the next second and barrelled toward them.
"If you're going to stun it do it now!" Preston pushed, already running away.
"Okay, okay!" Harrison nodded, unfurling his fists as he stared at the approaching dummy. Lightning. Fast. Blinding. Crackling. Sparks. Lightning. Electricity. Fiery amber embers leaped from his fingers before popping a dazzling blue. "Come on…" He whispered as the dummy came closer and closer.
His stomach suddenly emptied itself as a massive ball of energy built. The energy shot through his spine and into his arms. Finally, Harrison could feel it flee from his body and a blinding light hogged his vision. Lightning. "I got it!" He victoriously shouted, a wide smile growing across his face.
And then the dummy swerved right… opposite of Harrison.
"Hey!" The magician protested, bending his head away from the unstable power in his hands. The dummy had changed direction to chase Preston around the valley. Harrison grimaced, trying to inch his way closer to the moving pair and stun the dummy. However, the boy found himself unable to direct the frenetic lightning in his body. "I can't aim! Stay still!" He shouted over the crackling.
"You must be kidding me!" Preston whined as he ran in circles. A brief contemplative look flitted across his face before unwavering resolve took over. "If I die tell them my story!"
"Preston, what are you doing?" Nerris shouted, backing away as the theatre kid turned toward Harrison's spot. Preston stopped a few feet in front of the magician before jumping and spreading his arms wide open. "Come and get me you dummy!"
Harrison realized what his friend planned when the dummy didn't even hesitate.
It charged toward the boys.
Right before the dummy could wrap its outstretched hands around Preston's neck, Harrison stumbled forward and grabbed its torso. Lightning coursed through plastic flesh. The dummy convulsed. The two boys rushed to add distance between themselves and their hunter. However, it was for naught as the dummy fell to the grass. Harrison's top hat toppled away from its head.
A beat passed.
"Is it…?" Preston questioned.
"I think it's just immobilized." Harrison carefully answered, inspecting the dummy's body. There was an occasional twitch here and there. But, for all intents and purposes, it was down. They were safe. He released a long breath and retrieved his remarkably undamaged top hat. "… Sorry again for causing my dummy to go after you, Preston. My anger… I overreacted…" Harrison frowned, arms behind his back.
"Apology accepted!" The theatre boy grinned before he too grimaced. "And… I am also sorry about this morning." Preston shrugged to him and Nerris. "You know how I get about…" He wisely stopped talking as Harrison levied a glare against him. "Drama! I love drama! I am a dramatic person! Ha!" The three exchanged cheeky grins.
"So… Harrison!" Nerris alerted. "Do you want to try out the new expansion pack with me? I wanted to ask this morning… but ah…" She had an earnest look in her eyes. Weird, he didn't feel like she was making fun of him for once. It was actually kind of-
"Oh…" Harrison paused. Well, it would be nice to have something to do other than attend Preston's rehearsals. "Sure." He nodded.
"Can I participate?" Preston pressed, leaning in.
"Yes! We might even be able to do a tournament now! I just have to ask Neil and maybe Erid…. Excelsior!" Nerris cheered, punching the air. Before the three began the trek back to camp, Nerris glanced back at the dummy. "What should we do about… it?" She pondered.
—
"Then I said I had an idea, which is why I came to you. So, that's basically what happened." Harrison summarized as he and Quartermaster stared at the stunned dummy. Night had long fallen with the stars illuminating the valley. Quartermaster had another bucket of pig blood with him.
"Using reanimated puppets for revenge… Why didn't I think of that?" The old man hummed before throwing a shovel at him. "We need to bury it, boy."
"Got it." Harrison nodded, beginning to dig a dummy-sized hole as Quartermaster dipped his hook in the pig's blood. Honestly, the magician was surprised the dummy had been immobilized for hours. He knew lightning was intense. But, not that intense. Besides him, the old man kicked the dummy when it started to twitch. "How… conscience is it?" He hesitantly asked, inklings of doubt creeping in.
The dummy had attempted to murder his friend. However, Harrison didn't know how to feel about burying a sentient being alive.
"Depends. How sentient did you make it?" Quartermaster blandly parried as he drew symbols on the dummy. Harrison looked away, returning to digging. He'd just wanted someone to play cards with. Why did it have to end up wanting to murder Preston? Either way, the magician supposed he'd just avoid playing with the world's natural order. Harrison comforted himself with the fact that he never once imagined the dummy to have feelings. So, hopefully, it wasn't really alive.
Hopefully.
Once he finished digging the hole, he returned to Quartermaster's side and observed his work. "What are you writing?" The boy quizzed. "The symbols look like the one in his book…" Harrison privately noted.
"Something to make sure this fucker stays down." The old man explained. A silence ensued where Harrison watched and Quartermaster drew. The boy shoved his arms behind his back as he built the courage to speak.
"Do you think you could show me how?" Harrison requested and observed him pause. He inwardly panicked, thinking he'd annoyed the older man. Yet Quartermaster simply murmured something unintelligible.
"You're broadening your horizons… Good." The old man nodded. "Keep watching." And Harrison hurried to crouch down next to him.
—
Author's Notes: I was surprised at how long this took to write and the overall chapter length. Like, I got a good 40% of it done the day after I updated this fanfic. And then I got roped into starting a Minecraft Realm with my sister and just got distracted every day. I'm satisfied with how it came out though, especially that ending. Although, the bit I was going to move in the last chapter got shifted once more. I'm hoping to include it next chapter but at this rate we shall see!
Please tell me your thoughts below and have a great day! Until next time!