This is a bit rushed cause I got classes and finals to do, but someone in the walking on a star unknown discord mentioned an evil Owul sibs au and it was such a good idea I wanted to try!
TW: blood, knives, murder
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There was an unidentified spaceship on Calpucca.
It landed smoothly in the forest, quiet as a mouse, but it was so large Toph couldn’t believe whoever manned the ship thought they were silent. It stood, grey and tall, stark contrasts to the yellows and oranges of town or the greens and purples of the kingdom’s forest. He felt unsettled. Like something was in the shadows watching him, waiting.
He couldn’t tell whoever landed on his people’s planet off, for it was the Gourmate festival and his people and goddess would have his head. But there was something about the ship that felt wrong. His feathers ruffled, and his mood soured, the young king continued down the steps of his castle to meet his people in celebration. The only thing he could do now was wait and pray to the goddess the aliens were here with good intentions.
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The aliens, against all odds, seemed peaceful. Two siblings, the older named Eddie and the younger Fukuro, were entered into the Gourmate competition, along with that alien Desmond. They said they had to land because something very precious in their ship was broken, and they needed to get the wish to repair it so they could be on their way. His suspicion of the two fell to the back of his mind with the presence of the alien that caused his planet so much strife, and they managed to worm their way into his heart with their relentless efforts to befriend him through food.
They also gave him a notecard with notes from all his guards and helped save his sister by attacking her kidnappers with steel blades and minds, so maybe they really weren’t all bad.
They also helped all around the kingdom, freeing the Requium Maiden, saving Sirene, and more. How they fended off thieves in the castle with skill unseen with weaponry, how they got rid of whatever was haunting in the forests. All he heard from his guards were their good deeds, and how they and Desmond were neck and neck in the competition. So how could he not trust them? They were helping his people, and proving to them and himself that maybe aliens weren’t so bad after all.
His planet was healing. And he couldn’t be happier.
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They won the competition!
The siblings smiled bashfully and accepted the wish, asking the goddess to fix their reactor in the ship. She did, and the two went around to say their goodbyes. Toph watched as they smiled and laughed, charming everyone who talked to them. So when they came to him and asked to stay just a while longer, how could he ever say no to these friends of his?
He was but a young king, and these were people who helped him and made him feel better. After all they did for Calpucca, it was the least he could do for them.
And so his people and the aliens celebrated all night, merriment following in the footsteps of everybody present.
It was the most fun the planet had partaken in since the war.
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Toph needed to speak with her, about some policies he wanted to implement around aliens and immigration, but she was nowhere to be found. He searched high and low around the castle but couldn’t seem to find her anywhere.
On one of the terraces, he saw the siblings. They stood looking out across the landscape, and he couldn’t blame them. It was supposed to be their final night on Calpucca.
“Hello you two. How is your night going?”
They didn’t turn around to face him, but Fukuro answered nonetheless.
“Well King, we’re just sitting in the glow of our time here and admiring your scenery. What has you up so late though?”
He wanted to walk up to join them, but the feeling was back. Chills ran down his spine at the sister’s words, warm like they had always been but hollow somehow. Something was wrong.
“Oh I’m just looking for someone. Is everything alright with you two?”
“Never better king! Who were you looking for?”
Something was very very wrong. Toph couldn’t put his finger on it, but something in his instincts was screaming at him to run and hide. To find others. But why would he ever want to run from his friends? Surely he was just being paranoid in the night.
“Oh the goddess. Have either of you seen her?”
They began laughing, hysterically. Toph’s instincts were now a clamoring of noise, screaming to run. But he couldn’t, he felt paralyzed. Why were they laughing?
“Oh, King you haven’t heard? Your little goddess is dead, a very fun kill if I had to say so myself. She was so brave, right up to the end. And the look in that sister of hers face was simply delicious.”
Toph's mind was whirling, watching as they turned around to reveal their coats and faces were covered in blood. Blades in their hands, eyes glinting, what was happening?
“But, but how? You’re just mortals and weak ones at that! How could you possibly kill a goddess?” Toph could barely believe it, his goddess bright as the sun, was dead.
“Oh little crow, didn’t you know? Owuls are predators, even to other birds.” Fukuro sneered.
Ah. Toph thought. Of course, their species struck silent, and only ever aimed for the throat. His instincts were right all along.
His planet was dying, and so was he.
