Fairy of the Aurora Icefield

BEEN A WHILE I'd say

and I'm also saying, I'm completely archiving this blog. Toxic people ruined the muse for me, but I want to reclaim him, so I'll be resetting him, and moving over to a new blog that will be low activity.

If you're interested in refollowing, let me know by DM, I'll look back on this blog on occasion for maybe a week or so. I plan on making his pages much better on the new blog, as well as making him more AU because he will not have a Nack or Bean. Total loner.

Splish. Splish. Splish. 

That was the sound of the footsteps made by Ryuko as she wandered through the wet, rainy area. What was she doing here, you may ask? Easy; she had gotten lost while on one of her little explorations. And what sucked was that her phone had died not too long ago, leaving her and Senketsu no choice but to look around to ask for directions. 

This absolutely sucked on so many levels.

It was freaking freezing, and the hoodie she wore overtop of Senketsu wasn’t exactly waterproof… at least, not as much as her sneakers. And while Senketsu wouldn’t exactly have to worry about being wet and cold due to being perfectly dry under her sweater, Ryuko wasn’t exactly as lucky as him and was getting a bit… chilly, for lack of a better term. Hopefully they could find the fastest way back home ASAP.

Wait… what was that? Ryuko could have sworn she heard someone walking behind her and Senketsu, given how they were being followed by much louder footsteps. A chill immediately ran down the human’s spine and the kamui’s… well, nonexistent one, so the human finally stopped walking after a few minutes and turned around to see the large polar bear behind her and Senketsu. 

‘Huh… I didn’t think Mobians could be that big.’ Senketsu thought to himself, blinking once which could be seen if one were to look towards him (which was highly unlikely). 

And as for Ryuko… well, she just stared at Bark for a minute before finally speaking to him. 

“Uh… can I help you?”

Awkward, but at least it was something.

Whoops. It seems he’s been spotted.

But she didn’t immediately seem afraid of him. So she either didn’t know who he was, or she could take care of herself, or both. Either way spelled good news. He definitely wasn’t in the mood for a fight right now, though he did love the rain dearly. The world was cooled off because of the precious water than fell from the sky.

“You.”

He speaks. Which wasn’t one of his strengths, so he’d have to think for a moment to figure out the correct words. How was one supposed to convey concern? All he did was stare for a few seconds after saying that, trying to figure out what to say to keep from coming off as a bad person. Even though he technically was a bad person, he didn’t want to be. But it was the life he’d chosen all those years ago, he couldn’t go back now.

“Shouldn’t be out. In this weather.”

Humans were not equipped the way he was for the rain.

He walks closer. But not too close. And he steps slowly, as to keep from making any sudden movements. Things he knew were less likely to startle someone. Lord knew, as big as he was, he had a tendency to make loud steps. He’d trained himself to step lightly, but that was made even harder in the rain, due to all the water everywhere making noise.

     {➹} – ONCE FREED THE GORILLA made a beeline for the remainder of the badniks, shouting incoherent orders before climbing onto the back of a winged machine and holding on as it took off. Maybe it was foolish to let them go but the hedgehog certainly didn’t look like someone who was letting an enemy get away. After all, he had destroyed quite a few of the initial badniks and one thing he knew for certain was that they were all connected in one way or another.

     He would find the annoyance again, on his own time, and take care of them then. When there weren’t children to be tended to.

     Still, he had been ripping a part of one badnik out when the bear came up to him. The small part in question was tucked away in his quills before he reached out to take the remote. It was something he had seen plenty of times before, something he was all too familiar with and the fact he actually scoffed at it was a good sign.

     "You would think, after so much time, that they would upgrade these things,“ he said, more to himself than the bear, but he gave the other a reassuring look before turning the remote to its side and flipping a small, almost hidden switch up. Afterwards, the main button on the front was pressed before there was a hiss of air and the sound of grinding metal from the Egg Prison.

     As the main portion opened up, lifting from the ground and letting loose a thin cloud of some fog, several smaller figures could be seen huddle up in the very center of the metal monstrosity. Fear had them, the children, stuck in place but they were free. Safe.

Was it really that simple? Well now he felt a little silly for needing help with such a thing.

But all that really mattered was the children. He watches as the strange device lifts, and as the children get their freedom. But it seemed they were too afraid to make use of that freedom. He could understand it, it must have been terrifying to be kidnapped from a loving family. Or, what he hoped were loving families. The bear takes a few steps closer.

Honestly, he was afraid of scaring them even worse.

Bark approaches cautiously. Nervously. But his concern for the children was stronger than anything else. He had to make sure they were okay. So he continues, until he’s near the group of children. Being in front of crowds made him nervous too. Bark had never really been a people person. Wasn’t sure he ever would be. But he had to say something.

“...You’re. Uh. Safe now.”

    {➹} – AS HE WATCHED CAREFULLY from the sidelines, too cautious at the moment to approach on the off chance it caused the gorilla to panic and do something they all would regret, Arrow had to wonder if the phrase ‘poking the bear’ had ever occurred to their enemy. Or, rather, if the consequences had ever crossed their mind.

     Or if they even cared.

     He himself couldn’t help but wonder what in the world the gorilla had to gain from all this, especially now that they were caught red-handed, but the hedgehog supposed that was a mystery for another time. He was far more concerned with the smile that had spread over the other’s face, the harsh laugh that followed as he looked the bear straight in the eye.

     "People will always suffer. Ya really think ya can save 'em all?“

     The question was widely rhetorical, the look in the primate’s eyes livid and curious all at once. His sense of survival, it seemed, outweighed them all because he had reached for a small, two-button remote in his shirt pocket and threw it at Bark’s feet.

     "Free 'em yourself. They’re your problem now.”

He knew all too well that people would always suffer. He was a reason why people suffered. But that was business, and it was too late to get out of that business. Not unless he pulled up stake and ran back off to the ice fields where he was from. Bark hadn’t seen anything as beautiful, but the southern regions had their own version of the ocean.

And he enjoyed that.

Very carefully, the polar bear grabs the remote. And he lets go of who he deemed to be a major annoyance. A deal was a deal. He wouldn’t break his legs if he gave him the remote. Turning towards Sonic, he walks, and offers the remote, as he didn’t want to risk breaking it. Sonic would know more about how one of those things worked than he would.

Words rang out in his ears.

He may not have been strong enough to save everyone, but he could still do his best to keep people safe.

“Just because I can’t swim doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the view.”

*It was true. He wasn’t a fan of being in the water, but the view was still beautiful enough to appreciate. Even with the larger polar bear nearby, he could still enjoy some peace around here. After all, who knows what will happen next for him.*

“So, what brings you around here anyways? Trying to get away from life or are you out here looking for something in specific?”

*He knew Bark was a Mercenary, at least from past interactions with others. Some friendly, some not so much, but this one seems friendly enough for now. But he also knew some jobs for a mercenary weren’t very appealing in his eyes.*

He shrugs.

When wasn’t he trying to get away from life? The life of a mercenary came with a hefty sum of money, but not much else. He was always running away from something, he was unbelievably strong, but even he could be overrun with officers should they catch him in an enclosed space. Nature was all he ever really wanted in life.

And it didn’t get much prettier than his home zone. He’d never seen anywhere compare.

The hedgehog thanked him softly before eagerly digging into the cooked fish not caring that it was hot or it burned his tongue a little bit. It did not take very long for the young one to strip the fish completely clean licking his lips that stubby tail continued to wag. “ delicious! The spices really bring out the fish’s flavor thank you very much!” The hedgehog managed to sit himself up turning towards bark looking like a curious child. “ I hope this isn’t rude of me to ask but are you a polar bear?

 those big bears that live all the way up where it super duper cold and stuff? I don’t see many big predator mobians around this zone but maybe i am just not looking hard enough.. Do you got sharp teeth and a huge bear roar too? sorry if I am asking too many questions..”

Someone must have been hungry. Good thing there was plenty of fish.

To the question, he nods his head. He was indeed a polar bear. Built for the weather like this. Built for extreme colds, the coldest regions on the entire planet. Built to dive into frigid waters to catch prey. To the question, he shows off his teeth. They were sharp, as the hedgehog had mentioned. Very clean, perfectliy white. Bark took great care of himself.

But then he shakes his head, he did not roar. He was very quiet by nature. He’d learned from a young age not to speak.

     {➹} – UNSURPRISINGLY, IT HAD BEEN the gorilla’s plan to put as much distance between him and the bear as he could the moment he was released. He didn’t think he would get that far, not with the hedgehog taking care of the last of the machines he had brought along (everyone knew running from the hero was wasted effort) but Sonic was much more favorable than the larger bear. 

     Just when he thought his plan had worked, he felt the grip on his leg and fell into the dirt facefirst. Maybe it was for the best, it meant the bear wouldn’t see the fear that had crept into the gorilla’s eyes until they looked up at the threat, the tightened grip causing a surge of panic and for the criminal to realize one very important thing. The bear? He wasn’t joking. 

     This mission? It was a failure, but that didn’t mean the gorilla couldn’t learn from it. 

     It was hard to look smug when one was prostate and upside down but the gorilla sure gave it his best try, scoffing sharply with intense eyes. He would attack again if he saw the chance but he was also curious about this bear. 

     “Why do ya care ‘bout a few brats anyway? You’re just one of the ‘hog’s lackeys. What do ya get out of all this?”

      Meanwhile, in the background, there was a distinct lack of noise. The wave of machines that had seemed so intimidating had either been torn to shreds or remained suddenly docile, hesitant, where the hedgehog stood in the clearing. He had noticed the standoff between the bigger males, but whatever concern he had held towards it had been diminished when Bark got the upper hand. Quite literally. 

    Yet, still, the hero’s attention was divided between the remaining robots and the other pair, ready to jump in if need be. Or stop the machines from trying to help their boss. 

“You are nothing.”

He squeezed just a little harder. Maybe he was right, maybe Bark was just working under the hedgehog’s word. But Sonic had proved to be more of a friend to him than really, anyone. So he was proud to be able to do some good, and if that made him a ‘hedgehog lackey’, so be it. If that was what it took to do some good, that was exactly what he’d do.

“I get the knowledge. That more children. Won’t suffer.”

The way he did.

All of this was about the children first. Everything else came second, including punishing this worthless excuse for a person. Nobody had the right to harm a child. Not the parents, not the relatives, not the friends, and certainly not some monster that wanted to use them for his own gain. Memories of his own childhood flashed. The pain. The sadness. The same thing these children would be experiencing if he didn’t get them out.

“Release them. And I will consider letting you leave. With your leg.”

He’s enjoying the rainy night.

The hedgehog blinked before he stopped what he was doing slowly coming over he settled himself by the fire to get himself warm and watched the bear working his magic on the fish. He was in awe watching the other cook the stubby little tail he had was wagging gently behind him as he spoke finally his voice soft and almost unhearable. “ Thank you…very much.. My name is Storm the hedgehog…” The hedgehog licked his lips smelling the fish as it cooked which in turn made his stomach growl loudly making him blush a little.

 “ I don’t need much honest.. just enough to fill my belly up…Haven’t eaten in three days…” The hedgehog set his head down now enjoying the warmth of the fire his ears twitching to the sizzling noise of the fish and the gentle nature noises all around them. The blue hedgehog looked so tiny even by normal mobian standards looking more like a child then anything else. The real question was why was a little guy like him out here all by himself and how long had he been out here without any adult supervision or help?

“Bark.”

It was the name he’d assumed ever since running away. For the way he could strike fear into any arctic creature, with his growl alone. It seemed to work pretty well down south, too, not that he had to use it too often these days. His hands spoke for themselves. As much as he didn’t like hurting people, a bear had to make his money somehow. Living in the southern regions wasn’t free, unless you lived out in the woods.

Which was what he did sometimes.

The scent of baked fish could be easily picked up, as he worked with the fish above the fire. He tossed a few things into the pan to mix with the fish itself, herbs and spices. And once it was done, he plated it on a clean rock, and placed it in front of the hedgehog.

“I don’t mind at all, it’s sort of a habit of mine,” she let out a small laugh. Sprint chuckled lightly as well. The rain cleared the dust and pollen away and was cleaning the sir. The smell of the rain had always been calming if there’s no thunder and lightning. 

“My species are built for the weather.”

But he wouldn’t object, either. She was so tiny compared to him, it must have looked amusing to see a young woman shielding a big fat polar bear from the rain. Maybe he could do something in return, though he wasn’t sure what. It was getting warmer in the southern regions, so there was no need for warm clothing. What else could he do?

When he really thought about it, what was he good for? To other people, at least. Maybe this is why he was a loner. He didn’t really have anything to offer anyone.

    {➹} – IT WAS THE ANSWER THE HERO had been expecting and all he needed to jump into action. He trusted that the bear wouldn’t let him, or the children, down and that meant the hero only had one job: to keep the robots at bay. Fortunately, he happened to be quite good at that. He didn’t know who the gorilla was or what their plan was, but he would leave that for Bark to find out.

     All of the hedgehog’s attention was on the machines. He was a periodic blur as he moved from one group to the next and the next, leaving metal scraps and abandoned weapons in his wake. The lances couldn’t touch him, he weaved in and out of them so effortlessly in a silent song and dance that it was almost mesmerizing. 

     All the more reason the gorilla had a look of scorn on his face, and watching the bear barrel towards him? There may have been a glimmer of fear until he realized one thing. That he was the one in control here. He had what they wanted and he knew, thought, that as long as he held that over their heads he would live to see another day. 

     That wasn’t to say Bark’s intimidation didn’t have some effect because it certainly did. That stare, the red eyes, had shocked the villian to silence, at least for a moment before he scoffed. 

     "I’d like ta see ya try,“ he grinned, somehow both nervous and confident as a gold tooth shimmered in the sun even as he was nearly lifted off the ground. "Hurt me and you’ll never find out how ta release those brats. Besides, we’ve got plans for them and we’re not going ta let anyone ruin them.”

     The next action was quick, betraying the gorilla’s size with the swiftness as a fist was launched at the bear’s stomach. He wasn’t going down without a fight. 

Damn it.

He was right. If he killed him, what if the children were impossible to safely release? What if just punching the thing would damage them, as well? He was angry, but there was also little he could do. In the end, all that mattered was the children. He had to protect them first and foremost. And if that meant not immediately ending this worthless scrap of waste, then he wouldn’t. Bark wasn’t a fan of killing, but it was the nature of his work.

Then of course, came the punch to one of his most sensitive areas. He’d left it wide open, and it brought him to his knees, dropping the gorilla in the process. It was going to take him a moment to recover, but he wasn’t going to let that beast get away. Bark grabbed his leg, and squeezed.

Hard.

Breathing heavily, his voice is low.

“I tried. To be nice. And let you go.”

His squeeze becomes even tighter. It wouldn’t be hard for him to shatter someone’s bone.

“I can break. Every bone in your body. Without killing you.”

The pain in his stomach was intense, but he’d been through worse. Pain came with the job. He normally protected his middle, and nose, as they were his most sensitive areas. Now recovered, Bark’s able to stand up, holding the gorilla by the leg. Looking at him, upside down.

“Release them. Or you will wish I killed you.”

The hedgehog perked his head up at the offered fish before gently taking it retreating into the bush he had been settled down since it had started raining but he still was quite soaked and he was shivering quite badly from the coldness of the day. He murmured a soft thank you to the bear before deciding to come out fully from the bushes so he could try to get even a small fire started to cook the fish upon. The hedgehog was extremely skinny most of his ribs showing with scars that littered the young mobian’s body some more visible then others but the most shocking part was that he was missing a good chunk of his right leg just above the kneeline is where his right leg began. The child in vain was trying to get a fire going but was growing more frustrated with every moment he couldn’t get it lit up but everything was wet .

Well, that was sad.

Setting the fishing rod down, he starts up a fire on his own. Bark was much more accustomed to working with wettened wood, as it rained quite frequently in the spring and autumn time down south. All it took was a little ingenuity. A little knowledge of how working with something wet worked. And of course, a good, long stemmed match to keep him from burning himself while he started it. Bark always kept those matches around when he was planning on cooking fish.

So he holds up a hand, as to tell the other to stop. Then points to himself, before pointing back towards the hedgehog. It was his way of saying that he’d take care of the cooking, and that the other was free to stick around for the end result. With Bark being as heavy as he was, he felt bad to see someone so incredibly skinny. Weight was a sign of status where he was from.

Into a pan, and onto the fire. Bark was a master at cooking fish. Even brought some seasonings to bring out the essence of flavor.

Oh. It seems he’s not alone.

Bark had been fishing in the rain, he’d collected quite a catch. One thing the southern regions had over the northern, were that there were more species of fish. More tastes to try out, he hadn’t met a fish he didn’t love. But it was raining, what was this little guy doing out in the rain? Bark wasn’t a very good judge of whether it was cold or not. No natural chill could penetrate his natural defenses against the weather.