Beware of the Beasts

Hello, and welcome to @altered-and-broken​, a Just Shapes and Beats AU blog dedicated to show you what would have happened if: instead of a fun energetic magical place, Paradise was a decrepid and on the ruins hell hole.

Thus, introducing, Altered...

The serpent is still frantically trying to talk down the beast, but at this point, it's clear she's not having any of it...

"Prism!! Please just- listen to me!!!

Stop this! These shapes do not want to hurt you!!"

He only gets a growl in response, as she continues to bite down on the supposed "Guardian" of the shapes.

"Stop! Don't do this!!"

"I know you're mad! And I know you're hurting because of him!!

But these other shapes are NOT at fault!! They do NOT want to hurt you!!"

The snake stuggles, trying to keep the large dinosaur still, even for a moment.

"Just stop moving! Please!!

I promise I'll help you, it'll all be okay, but stop moving! You're losing a lot of blood, and it's getting to you!!

You'll die if you continue doing this!!!"

"MY GOD!

And here I actually believed that he could actually do something right, without causing a ruckus, this time!"

The Tree gets up, handing Boat to Heli carefully. She kneels down to lay him back carefully, while looking up at the Tree, flabbergasted.

"W-wait! What are you going to do!?"

"I'm going to try and save them, if I even can...

Scalene! Hang on!"

"Prism stop!

Please! Stop!!"

"Oh shit... PRISM! No!!"

The snake turns, trying to deter the situation, while still holding into the massive dinosaur for dear life.

"EVERYONE! STOP and LISTEN to me for once! Don't attack her!! You're just making things worse, please-!"

"AAGH!"

"I-I know what I'm doing-! I saw her doing this before I swear-!!"

"... I'msorry...-"

"... Is he going to be okay..?" Wave asks, as the Tree sighs.

"I don't know... I could barely close the wound... He's still alive, but agonizing, as he lost a lot of blood, and is very weak...

If the other pieces were here we could definitely heal him completely... But for now, it's just me...

And this is as far as I can help..."

"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRYYY!!"

"Prism! Prism, please calm down!

He didn't mean to do that, he probably didn't even realize it was that stuck!!-"

The large dinosaur roars, ignoring him, and trying to catch a bite of the smaller shape.

"UGH!

Look at what you did, you idiot!!"

"I ALREADY SAID I WAS SORRY!!!"

"W-what happened!? What the hell is that!?"

"It's... Boat..."

"Boat!? What the hell happened to him!?"

"No time for that! He was attacked and is dying, quickly!

Cube, Square! Get the box with the medicines as close to me as you can!"

"Everyone else, stay back!

Don't get too close!

God... I just hope I can save you..."

Meanwhile...

"Just, breathe... In, out... In... Out...

Yeah, that's it... See? It's all good..."

"Just lay down, you're okay... It's just the bloodloss getting to you...

You're going to be okay... Okay?"

"What are you-" Barracuda tries to whisper, not really wanting to agitate Prism any longer.

"Idiot-!

"What the hell happened to him!?"

"H-he messed with the wrong shape-! B-but he's still alive! I-I heard him!!"

Scalene lets Boat down as the Tree and Heli rush to his aid, completely mortified by his condition. The Tree bends over, trying to search for a pulse...

"Don't leave me... D-don't- Come on, just- look at me, please!... You can't die... We still had so much left to do here...

So many places to see, to rebuild, to finally settle down... C-come on, y-you can't do this to me... Not like this..." Heli hiccups.

"You're my only comfort in this sad, empty land... Please, if you're still listening, hang on a bit more... Y-you hard-headed, lousy sailor!.."

"... Heli... I'm sorry... H-heli..."

Boat can barely speak, his mouth and organs filling with blood and his body growing colder. Heli simply holds her lover close, as the Tree stares at the two, a pained expression on their face.

"... Prepare everything and let's get him inside."

"? B-but... You said-"

"I said I could heal him... As whether or not it'll be as powerful as what I could do when I was whole once, it's another story...

But I made a promise, and I will do whatever it's necessary to keep all of you safe.

And that includes him."

The Tree gets up, holding Boat.

"P-Prism..."

"I-it's just for now... Just for now..."

"Come here big girl...

It's okay, you're gonna be okay..."

"Look at me, it's okay...

It's okay now... I'm not, ever, going to hurt you...

It's okay..."

"I'm sorry... I should have been there...

"B-boat-?"

Scalene carefully, and as quiatly as he can, scurries out of the bushes.

"Boat!!"

"Don't move, man! I'm gonna get you back with the Tree and they're gonna help you, okay? They're gonna patch you up!! You just don't gotta move! Okay?

Scalene struggles to lift and carry the larger, and bulkier, shape with him. The two going back to the bushes.

We're gonna go and everything's gonna be fine, they- they'll fix you up! We just have to go, now..-"

"Come on!-"

"P-Prism, it's- it's okay...

I know, it hurts, I know... But it's okay, you're okay, you just have to lay down and let me help you-"

"O-okay! Okay!!

There's no need to- do so much damage!-"

The large saurian gets closer, and closer. Looking more and more pissed each time. The snake backing up as she did.

"Prism! C-come on, it's me! You don't have to act like this, YOU know me!!

Can you hear me!?"

"Look at me..."

"Prism!... It's me again, it's Barracuda...

Come on out, please... I know you're very angry, and hurt, so please come out so I can help you...

I'm right here, it's just me now and I'm not going to hurt you, the rest of these shapes don't want to hurt you either, so... Please...

Please come out..."

The forest is completely still, no sounds except for the rain and thunder. Something bad had happened...

"Prism!? Prismmmm!!"

Scalene scurries in the bushes, whisper-shouting for the larger beast to come out.

"Prismmm!!! Where are you!?"

"Prism?-"

"C-cuda... Cuda-! Cuda!!... Barracuda!!!-"

"B-boat... He's- S-she-"

"What!? Stop blabbering so much and spit it out already!!"

"S-SHE'S RIGHT THERE!!!"

The smaller triangle immediately dives into the bushes. The snake is confused, until he hears a large sound from behind him, grabbing his attention.

"Wh- Prism..?

Prism!

Over here, it's me!!"

The corrupted snake is clearly shocked, he didn't believe she was actually going to kill him that easily and without hesitation. He tries to move, but he was terrified, yet still needed to calm her down.

"O-oh... Oh Prism it's-

It's okay-"

*GROWL.*

"!- I know, I know-

I know, h-he is a bad guy, and- he hurt you, a lot...

B-but, please, please let him go... I'll get that thing off you and we can go back home, away from shapes like him, okay? How does that sound..?

Just- let him go, and you can finally take some rest, okay?

How about a nap near the pond, like the old times? Doesn't that sound good..?"

The dinosaur seems to calm down, although more from the blood loss than by seeing him, and stares at the snake intently.

"H-hey... Big girl...

"It's the only sensible thing to do! Even if everyone doesn't really like him!"

"Young man, what the hell do you think you're doing!?"

"Sorry big guy! But I have something to do!"

"Something, like!?"

"Something that I just though up in the spot! That I don't know if I even can do without probably dying!"

Scalene scurries over to a bush.

"I'm practically a SPECK compared to her! She hates me, will probably snap me like a twig if I get close... And with the scuffle with the flying friend she probably hates me twice as much- Buuuut!-"

"Come on! You aren't REALLY going to let him DIE over a small hustle, arent you!?"

"It was MUCH worse than just a ""small"" hustle...

That idiot HURT me, MY feelings and now Prism as well!"

"And just because of that you're going to let him get eaten alive in the most gruesome and painful way possible!?"

The snake stays silent, hesitant but not wanting to change his mind.

"I SAW her eating a moose before I got here man! And those things are scary!! She's twice the scary man!!! Look- I don't know what he exactly said before to you, but you don't look like the type of guy who willingly lets someone die just because, and you DON'T have to keep tolerating or even forgive that guy if we do get him back alive after this! But I'm sure boat man here also has someone he really cares about, and you are NOT going to let that someone suffer for a long time, without the possibility of ever seeing him back either, because you know what that feels like, right?"

"... I.... I...

No..."

"Well then, follow after her! If anyone can do something about this it's you! Because I can't, these people definitely can't...

"... Fine...

I-I'm going there, Prism..."

"S-shit... Fuck!...

G-get..."

"Oh god... No...

Please, n-no..!"

"Please! Make it stop!

Oh god!.. S-someone please make it stop!... Please...!

"If you all CANNOT understand that, then I am sorry you had to find out the harsh way." Boat prepares more rope, as he tries to retrieve the harpoon.

"THIS, is how it's done in this world. So don't come crying to me about it..."

"You... Idiot."

"What was that!?"

"YOU attacked someone who is smart, not even that, MALICIOUSLY smart if I even dare call her that.

Prism is a GIANT of the forest! A true predator! The top, of the TOP, of the food chain in this isle!

And you don't get like that just from doing absolutely NOTHING, she is STRONG enough to tear down trees, BREAK bones, probably KILL ME, and even EAT others of her species if she REALLY wanted to, but she DIDN'T because she is just NOT that type of shape.

Even then, she fully COULD, and definitely WOULD, if she decides she has had ENOUGH of everything around her, do you understand that!?"

Boat pauses "H-huh?"

"You. Decided to fuck around and find out with an APEX predator. A WILD, and very feral, animal as far as I'm concerned!"

"Okay! Okay! Change of plans! Let me go, I have to retrieve him before he gets disemboweled and skinned alive!"

"And what are YOU supposed to do against her if I may ask!?"

"I-I don't know! Uh- Something???"

"It's Barracuda...

I-I...- It's- *sigh*

It's been so long that I don't even know if you still remember me... But I remember you.

And it was the happiest time of my life..."

The snake gets closer and closer to the dense foliage.

"Do you remember when we'd sit by the pond, looking at the fish? O-or when we would go walking by the river, foraging, and you would tell me about the plants you could use for medicines?-"

"Are you... Do you... Blame me for-?"

Another tree is knocked down, this one with more force than the others.

"! I-I...!

I... I'm...

I'm sorry, Prism... For everything..."

There is a loud, rumbling growl from the trees.

"I know, I look different, I'm more... Confident and strong than when you last saw me...

I know I should have came back for you when I realized I could help with the villagers, I know... But I couldn't... And I am SO sorry I never did. I never knew you were still alive and, now that I find you, you're the same as I last saw you...

Hurt, and- alone, and... And I'm sorry I left you here to endure both that and the harsh nature, I'm sorry you waited there for so long, you always hated the snow...

I would never leave you if it was by my own accord, I wouldn't have ever, and you know that as well as I do..."

The snake tries to get closer, only to get a distresed, and pissed off, hiss as he quickly pulls back. She really was just broody and unhappy.

"!... I know... Scalene told me and- I know..."

"NO!

NO NO NO NO NO!!

"... P-Prism..." "Y-yeah! She's been tearing out trees left and right, eating like crazy and killing everything in her path for a while. It was barely managable, but she got REALLY agressive about it these last nights and I don't know what to do anymore, man...

Worst part, is that the way I see her I think she's either very broody or just- uh- generally not very happy, heheh...-"

Another tree falls, with more force this time. Like if it was thrown into the earth with such rage and spite. Leaving the two triangles more that concerned, and honeslty afraid for their health.

"... Come on, you gotta do something!"

"Like what!? I am NOT going to hurt her."

"Well I don't know! Talk to her pretty, calm her down, restrain her, anything! Because the way she is right now, she's either: A. Going to kill someone, or B. Get herself hurt and we don't want that!"

"C-come on man! She's 14 tons heavier than me! I literally CAN'T do anything against her, even if I wanted to!"

"It's not about that."

"T-Tree! What's going on outside!?-"

The others try to peek out, before being pushed back by the Tree. All except Boat who wanted to check on Heli.

"Wave! Everyone!

Stay. Inside.

And DON'T COME OUT!"

"That is no ordinary beast...

Whatever you brought here Heli, I'm NOT going to let it hurt you."

"Boat, what do you think you're doing!?

Boat!!"

Boat however, did not listen, and instead went ahead to rummage through his ship to find a certain trinket he used a lot in his voyages to the deep seas. He knows it's only for marine monsters, but it still was functional enough to work.

"Boat! What are you-!"

Heli's cries were silenced once he resurfaced from his ship, a cold, harsh gaze fixed on the thick foliage...

"Don't worry Heli."

"Okay! Okay! That came out very wrong! I mean that in a sense of, there's a greater danger we should be worrying about-"

Scalene only gets more and more constricted as he keeps talking.

"Hhh- And I kinda need your help for that, man-"

"YOU, ask ME, for HELP!?

DO YOU THINK I'M DUMB ENOUGH TO TRUST YOU AGAIN!? I don't have anything to lose this time, so let me ask you this...

Do you want to fucking try me? Because if you so much as breath at me I SWEAR TO GOD, I WILL KILL YOU!!"

"Barracuda!

That's enough!"

The Tree gets in-between them.

"We we're happy when it was just the two of us at the pond, but this IDIOT had to come here and ruin MY life! HER life!...

OUR LIVES!

Did you even care that we actually seemed HAPPY before THEY came to try and kill her!?" Barracuda tries to compose himself.

"Eight years... EIGHT YEARS I had spent alone on a dark and crummy castle, isolated from everything and EVERYONE, without knowing about ANYTHING that had happened to her! And HOPING she was alive after THEY had tried to kill US!?

I was corrupted because of YOU! I lost my home and Prism because of YOU!! And all because you decided to be a good for nothing SNITCH!!!"

The Tree looks at him, before something clicks inmediately after that. Gasping at the realization.

"B-but come on! There's nothing a good, heartfelt apology can't fix-! AOUGH-!!"

"DON'T TRY AND DOWNPLAY WHAT HAPPENED!

I swear I should have KILLED you when I had the chance."

"B-but you didn't!... Can't say the villagers were that lucky either-"

The trees rumble loudly behind them.

"O-oh shit- Cuda-"

"Quiet you.

I don't care about anything you have to say to me."

"It's- kinda important-"

"Oh, how IMPORTANT is this now, huh!?

Do you still think this is funny? Or are you still going to be a smartass!?"

"... I-I was kinda hoping you could talk to her, man..."

We are being serious right now, Boat…. We all saw it with our own eyes

"Quiet all of you!

Ya'll are just making things worse and stressing us out even further! And all because some baseless claims you don't even know are true!"

"You're just blaming ME because it's the easy thing for you to do! You don't even know half of the things you're saying!"

"I am an experienced sailor, I have seen THINGS you wouldn't imagine, of course I know what I am talking about!

I know enough to see that YOU are the hysterical one, telling tales of old so people will be on your side and try to deter the BAD from coming OUR way!"

"Just listen to yourself. You're blaming Prism, knowing nothing about her, and now is stressing everyone out thanks to YOUR baseless claims that she's out there trying to murder shapes!

Tell me, Boat... What proof do you have to tell me that's true?"

"What the...-

H-heli? Is that you!?"

"... Wait, who is that-"

"H-HEY CUDA, BYE CUDA!- I'LL JUST BE LEAVING NOW!-"

"Calm down!? YOU are asking ME. TO CALM DOWN!?"

Barracuda squeezes tighter, wanting to break him in half.

"After what you pulled the last time, YOU expect ME TO JUST CALM DOWN!?"

"Okay! Honestly- I am not the right person to say that, but- come on! There's nothing an honest apology can't fix-!"

"IT'S EIGHT YEARS TOO LATE TO GIVE ME AN APOLOGY, TREE-BOY!

"Wait, don't tell me this is still about Barracuda's fairytale again... Ugh.

You know, it was kind of amusing at first, but all of you guys are stepping on thin ice with me right now." Boat gets up.

"Heli is out there, on a storm, in the middle of the night, and without any type of weapon to protect herself except her flight!

And now you're here, trying to get HIS lies roped on me to pretend she's in danger from something that doesn't exist!?

That's low!"

"Some of us are trying to sleep here...

Which, is already difficult thanks to the storm outside. And to make things worse, your voice is already unpleasant to listen to."

"Quiet, you!

Did you see what you caused!? Now everyone thinks your so called "Prism" is out there terrorising people! Specially, HELI!"

"Oh, hush up, captain all-nighter, I did not cause anything bad and she's NOT out there killing shapes just because.

Now, why don't you just actually do something useful, and shut up so we can sleep."

Boat huffs, marching torwards him before being stopped by Wave.

"You're the one lucky I am tired, because it finally gives me an excuse to not listen to your voice anymore."

Barracuda hisses, now both extremely tired and pissed off, coiling up more in his little patch of the cave.

"Now, do us all a favor and let us sleep.

"MY GOD, you guys are unbelievable!

But yes!"

"Can't you fly any faster!?"

"I'm trying, man! I'm trying!! The rain's already making this hell to me, don't remind me I also have a psycho dinosaur to worry about!"

Heli's flight gets lower and lower each time, as the furious stomps grow louder and louder.

"O-oh god! Do we have a plan B, or anything of the sort!?"

Heli looks around, spotting a large gap in between this island and the next filled with corrupted water, and gets and idea. She makes a b-line straight for it.

"It's something really mean, but yeah! I do!

We're cutting her off!!"

"Wh- How!?"

"Like THIS!"

"Owwww..."

"No kidding... That was really mean on my face-"

*sigh* "Good god!... Is she always that spiteful?"

"Nah... Well- not always at least... She is really nice once you get to meet her..."

Scalene huffs as he gets up, helping Heli as well.

"Now. Back on track- where can we safely go into that cave-?"

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?"

"FORGET WHAT I SAID EARLIER, SHE, REALLY IS, THAT SPITEFUL!!"

"NO. SHIT!"

Heli picks up her flight again, this time more anxious and terrified than ever.

Meanwhile...

"Hmm... I don't like the sound of that storm...

"OH MY GOD! You people are really not helping us here!"

Scalene runs faster, large footsteps following after the two.

"Why is she so mad like that!?"

"I already told you! She doesn't like people in her territory! Specially not after the last time!.."

"What!? Why? What happened last time?"

"Okay, so very brief summary-! There were once villagers around here that REALLY didn't like her and decided to point and stab at her with lances until she decided she had enough and literally KILLED most, if not, everyone in the village-!"

"Oh man! Is that related to the thing she said earlier on!?"

"Actually, yes! Because she had just threatened, in her native tongue, to. DISEMBOWEL. US. ALIVE!"

A very loud, and pissed off roar could be heard behind them.

"What's left of the village is literally unusable, destroyed rubble, and she knows this forest by sheer memory and instinct alone! There's no way we could stay away for long! She's even got our scent now! What could we possibly do to escape!?"

"... Something very risky, and very stupid-"

Heli mutters the last part as she starts to hover in the air to the best of her ability (and the awful weather)

"Holy shit dude! How heavy ARE you actually!?

You look as thin as a toothpick!!"