A Small Hybrid Family

Hello, all- Writer here (read it like it's Zuko-). I was not planning to really scream about my commissions into the abyss™, but events today have made it so that I must. To explain,...:

I left my previous job last week due to improper management, a lack of proper training, stress, and a worry that I would be on the hook for thousands of dollars in lost product if something went wrong. I thought I had enough funds to last me over a year, until I could find a new job that actually fits me.

My car's repair costs have run higher than what I can afford ($100 higher- without taxes-, even with all of my savings scrounged together- every. Last. Scrap). My parents have offered to cover the excess, and give me some funds so that I at least have gas/grocery money for a while- but I know from the past that they will keep track of the money they give me, and they will expect me to pay them back in the future- which means I would essentially be going into the red (and deeper into it) the longer I am without a job.

As such, if anyone is willing- I do have commissions open on Ko-Fi. Donations are also appreciated, but please, please, if you are also struggling- do not put yourself in jeopardy to help me. I'll be okay, one way or another. I would just- rather not be indebted to my folks any more than absolutely necessary.

I am increasing my commission slots count from six to ten for the time being. Please contact me before buying something if you would like to commission me for a drawing, or Google Doc design.

If you can, please, share this post.- Whether you donate, order something, or no.

The prices for everything I sell will also be under the cut- alongside explanations for a few things. But for now,...some of my work/what I'm capable of.

He was doomed. Between his other and Light's daughter, the mech was veritably doomed. Millenia of battle and experience in war had nothing on the requests of the two small organics trying to goad him to action.

Ash returned Gibbous' chin-nuzzle with a brief brush of her hair, feeling their wayward smile grow into a grin. Oh, this was gonna be fun. Their gaze slid to follow as the youth jumped. They fell (rather dramatically if I might add), letting out a play-cry of defeat.

"Avenge meeeee!" Honestly, they were debating hopping up in a minute or two and joining in. Probably join in, once they were done with their play-rendition of 'dying'.

His helm tipped down. She was zooming closer. He didn't dare take a step back for fear Gibbous might run clear under a ped. His gaze remained locked, right up until she was so close he was practically poking his head just over his chassis to look down at her.

An ancient leader, a warrior, the last Prime of Cybertron...slowly shifted down, servos outstretched. He'd lost a battle of wills, this day. As each servo snapped to one side, trying to figure out the formation she was going to run with...

"Are you so certain, little one?" One of his servos clicked as the digits tapped gently against his palm.

"Yeh!" A challenge had been set. Gibbous spun herself in a quick circle, looking as if she was chasing her tail before charging forward. Dust kicked up as her paws stamped across the ground.

Much like her time playing with Bumblebee, she ran towards one hand before shifting direction and trying to squeeze herself around the other or between his legs. Those same tactics were being put to use with Optimus.

Thankfully, it wasn't too hard to catch her. The magnet on her vest would make it easy to lift her from the ground if he got close enough with a finger.

"Y'didn't know." What's done is done was more in line with what they wanted to say, but they weren't certain that would be polite enough. Void started in on properly devouring their mac n' cheese. Even if they felt off about it now, the feeling would disippate soon enough.

Fold's interest in his food dwindled as the keyboard popped- and then the display. Three eyes regarded the photos that flickered to life above the table.

"At least you still have times where you can travel with him." The papernoid's gaze flickered over the Inn. It looked pleasant,...quaint. Like something from a farming world, or one of those casual 'slice of life' planets. It would be a lie to say he'd not immediately started mentally trying to figure out what the 'win' condition for such a planet would be- but that thought was swiftly derailed. He wasn't on the clock, one, and two...that world- didn't function like anywhere else he'd ever known.

The thought he could actually be somewhere and not be on-edge about a mission, or about being tackled for his faction...it- was pleasant.

"I suppose he has a wide array of customers. He looks rather happy, there." He picked up another onigiri. "I suppose it means little to think of his world in terms of 'farm simulator', or 'slice of life', but it does look the part- from this photograph, at least."

"I suppose running such a place would prevent him from being able to run off as he wished..." Void commented quietly. "I guess you just came back from something when this photo was taken? Do you- help him around the inn, sometimes?" Spoken before kidnapping another helping of mac n' cheese. Now that their thoughts weren't...elsewhere- their food was disappearing at-speed.

Fold, for his part, paused briefly. A thought crossed his mind- one he didn't want to forget before it wandered too far away.

"Ya could think o' it like a farm sim. My dad's got a huge garden out back where he gets a lot o' the veggies for the food he cooks sometimes for guests." Around bites of food, the teen switched up the picture of the garden in full bloom last year. It had been right before the first harvest and everything was damn near stuffed to the brim with a variety of fruits, berries, and veg.

There were even rows of beautiful flowers that were full of pollinators. The only thing that stood out was the large feline sprawled out in the middle of the grass to snooze in the sun.

"So that's Fafo. We found him as a baby and bottle raised him. He's a good mouser." A soft raspberry next to her ear caused it to flick and got a giggle as she reached up to offer a piece of the meat from the skewer to a black mouth that opened. "He's a better mouser than Blep here, but he's a lazy bones."

Another raspberry before the snake's head completely disappeared back into her quills. She polished off the last skewer with a single bite and nodded. The next picture was one of the teen with three other young Mobians and colorful creatures floating around the beige wolf. All four of them had bright smiles. As if they'd just accomplished something new.

"Yeh. I'd just come back from a campin' trip with my teammates, but when I ain't trainin' or on a mission, I help him and the village. Kinda like I did today for you guys." She paused and glanced at Void. "Um.. Ya don't mind me usin' guys do ya? I know it ain't always seen as gender neutral."

Another pause at the question. A good way to get her attention elsewhere after she set the empty plate to the side. Before the teen would get up and grab another round of food, she reached into her pouch and set down what looked like gold rings, as well as a few pieces of colored papers with different Mobian faces on them. "We use Rings and sometime Mobiums. 'Cept if ya visit my village. We like t' barter more if we can."

Wonder and awe in those eyes, far as he could tell. Bless wasn't unaccustomed to the look, though it had certainly been some time.

"That's definitely one way to describe me!" Apt, if a hint on the simpler side. His attention fell from Gibbous to her outstretched paw. Small. It would have been small even in his base form, but as a werehog? Dwarfed. He reached out his hand, fingers spread- dark, nearly inky blue, pads only a touch lighter. He didn't quite move to press his to the toddler's- but he did hold it close. "I'll bet you grow up to be as big as me, one day!" He grinned. "And twice as fierce."

The fox gave a nod. As big as the multiverse was, it did tend to feel like variants were more likely to run into each other's friends. Maybe it was a quirk of how the multiverse chose to work.

They made no comment, feeling the harsh edge of metal. They weren't sure it was okay to ask- and even if it was...a holiday celebration sure didn't seem the place for it. An ear flicked at the pseudo-familiar name. An alternate's friend...speak (or think?) of the devil.

He stepped in, offering his final farewell in conversation to another of the party-goers- a creature that seemed to be made entirely of floating bone. His gaze was gentle, an inquisitive hum rumbling from his throat as he turned his attention fully to those now around him. That hum only briefly stuttered in his chest as he spotted an alternate of one he'd really rather not see.

A slow breath, gathering himself...it would be alright. This was a holiday,...Sonic's...weren't like that.

"Hello,...I take it you all are friends of Light and Gibbous'?" The pseudo-hog tilted his head, gaze flitting between each member of the crew. A cream-yellow fox (with eyes that, while not the color he recalled, rang familiar), a dark-blue werehog (who was presently having fun comparing paws with Gibbous), a copy of Light that looked entirely organic (and, potentially, a few years older- and far less harmed), an older Gibbous with the faintest touch darker fur, and a bright smile- and a red mobian wearing spectacles. "It is a pleasure." He offered a small bow- the faintest dip of his head.

"Murk." Node gave a small one of their own in turn. "How've you been?" He shuffled his feet.

The very beginnings of a tail wag started before she was handed off, and Light actually moved back over so that the toddler could continue to take in the larger Mobian. It was safe to say that she was completely enamored by him.

He was even willing to bet that if he put her down, she'd be trying to get Bless to pick her up. One way to find out. Down she went, set on her paws, and she dropped to all fours to close the space. In a matter of seconds, her arms raised while she balanced on her haunches.

"Up!" Light left her to her own devices and focused on the others now that Murk had joined them. A glance was given to Node. Just a subtle quirk of an eyebrow, then he removed the black gloves from his hands. If they were close to Volt and Harmony, they already knew what cybernetics were.

Volt glanced over, then focused back on Murk. A hand was offered. "We have a mutual friend in the multiverse. If the name Arrow rings any bells, you know who we're talking about."

Harmony was next to offer up a hand, then Buddy. The two teens were as polite as could be while also just watching the way Gibbous was all but obsessed with Bless. A giggle followed the pup trying to sniff the lighter blue chest fluff, only to end up letting out a sneeze.

Especially since she went right back into it. All of her curiosity and excitement came in the form of chattering away in her native language while running her small hands all over his fur. Despite her best effort, Harmony could only translate some of it.

Most of which was 'big, fluffy, soft, and comfy'.

He seemed to space out for a few moments, brought back only by Harmony's laugh. He hadn't made a joke, so he looked at her puzzled just in time to see that gold ring pulled from her waistband. It looked like nothing special, but he had learned not to judge a book by its cover.

"Well, I've only visited like two or three, so the competition isn't very steep," he admitted with a chuckle, taking the offered ring with a curious look. He turned it over, this way and that, and still had no idea how it looked so unassuming. If it did what she said, surely there was something serious to its inner workings.

Whether that was true or now, he wouldn't find out.

"Meetin' and helpin' ya was a... Happy accident?" Clearly not the teen's first rodeo when it came to helping someone. Even someone from another Zone who just happened to get a bit lost. At least they were safe now.

Harmony had already made up her mind that she would make sure Ekko got home safely before she either went back in to ensure the factory wouldn't come back online, or went home herself.

But first, she had to show him the way out. A few steps were taken down the walkway that was off to the side of the large ventilation fans. She gestured for him to follow.

Most of said incidents had been outside of Green Hill. One thing the village could be proud of, was the fact that its permanent residents were friendly and welcoming, most children included. It was no wonder where Arrow had gotten it from.

But Motley looked ten times more relaxed with the squeeze of his and Volt's fingers. A promise like that may not have meant much to others, but to him it did. Whatmore, he knew he could hold the adult to it, as promises weren't a thing often, if ever, broken in the household. He had no reason to think that would be changing with him.

Mood uplifted, the boy gave a laugh as he was spun around and one might just dare say that his smile was enough to brighten the room as he was set back down. At Volt's question, there was a feigned thoughtfulness. Complete with a finger tapping a chin and everything.

"Hmmm..." He really milked it too, even if his smile was still present as the sun itself. Before too long, he nodded. "Okay for now, but maybe tonight you and Dad can tell me a cool story before bed?"

Especially when it had been his partner to answer before he could. One of the perks of being able to sense chaos energy was that he 'usually' knew where the hero was or at least when he was getting close.

Motley may have jumped, but Volt just grinned as violet eyes met with emerald.

"I'm sure between the two o' us, we can come up with a good one." He gently set a hand on Motley's head, ruffling the fur between his ears before gesturing towards the living room. "Your sister should be back soon, so why don't ya wait for her in the other room. I'm gonna fill Sonic in on what we were talkin' 'bout."

Or at least fill him in on what he hadn't caught upon entering the kitchen. First things first, he wanted to get in a small bit of affection with a kiss. They had some things to discuss and plan to make sure their youngest's presentation went off without a hitch.

An odd turn of events. Rya couldn't help but think of things that way at times. How close she and Volt had gotten in what seemed like such a short amount of time, all of that had accumulated here, at this moment. It didn't matter, of course, and she didn't care what others might have thought, but it was a funny fortune nonetheless.

Her smile grew at the simple but kind gesture to her hand, and her tail gave a squeeze as a sign of appreciation. This was exciting, and her glow pulsed in time with her excitement, a ethereal glow there down in the depths. In the depths, with Volt. A fine place to be.

Because of it, her smile was clear. Just like the look in her eyes at Volt's statement. Moving, and she couldn't help but tease a little.

"Only if you will have me. Not everyone is suited to love a monster, after all. But you have proven yourself quite worthy." There was a hint of pride to her voice, and with it was that sense of awe that always seemed affiliated with Volt. She knew that it didn't matter what she was, or what he was for that matter. There was something here and she planned to follow it, wherever it might take them.

He saw the way she had looked at him.

That alone made his heart flutter, his glow to pulse for a moment or two before it settled again. His smile was full and genuine as he brought them into another slow form of dancing in the inky darkness around them.

And although they had begun to float back towards the surface, the hybrid's attention was wholly on Rya's face and the way the glowing moonlight, as it began to filter into the water, gleamed off her skin. He twirled and spun them gently until their heads came back above the waves, and the sky above them danced with the colors of the borealis.

He laughed.

"I can see that!" She was fast. Graceful and flowing, nearly like a river. Thinking about it, he'd really lucked out. With someone like Harmony to train with, his skills were sure to improve in no time. Less time Luigi would be on his own in the Dark Lands. An eyebrow slid down, briefly regarding his new ally with a degree of incredulity. Best not to test that. He wanted to stay in Peach's good graces- or at least, out of the bad. "Probably not. But we can probably warp somewhere you can show me later, if you want!"

Fast approaching. The near-cliff face of the castle's mountain was coming up on them. Pipes and platforms littered its surface- buildings carved into rock, accessible only by flying platforms...or roads that seemed to start- and end- partway up the mountain.

It was too much fun not to.

"Maybe." Not a complete promise to show off her skills, but not a decline either. The teen would base what they got up to after sparring for a bit together, once their little race was complete. Teal eyes watched where he was heading before she went for her own route.

Still wary of the Warp Pipes and the potential static her fur would accumulate, Harmony went to the cliff face proper. With enough speed and momentum, she jumped against the wall and ran up the vertical surface for a ways before pushing off and catching one of the higher floating platforms passed the pipes.

It was there she stopped, just long enough to look back and stick out her tongue playfully. Then she was right back to launching from platform to platform until she could find another road to get a bit further.

"Some say nuclear war would be the end. For us, it was just the beginning."

Fandomless | Independent | Multi-Muse Semi-Selective | OC & Fandoms Welcome Side-blog (follows from @familylightfox) 18+ | Penned by Dusk (30+)

Set in a post-apocalyptic world. After the world's major countries launched nuclear missiles to every major continent, the residents of the planet thought it would be the end. Instead, the explosions broke the barrier between their world and that beyond.

Some called it the veil. Some called it the astral plane. Some still think it's some hallucination from kicking the bucket.

If only they were so lucky.

Rules & About

Rules & About Google Site by Noahresources

It was always just a tiny odd to travel that way, but it only took the younger hedgehog a small shake of his body before he was alright again. His eyes already glancing around at his new surroundings and taking it in.

Of course all of that concentration on where they were went out the window as soon as a race was involved. "Hey!" There was a laugh of his own as he made sure his sketchbook was secure in his grip as he begun to run after his sister. He was definitely getting faster the longer he stayed with his new family.

Probably because he had actually had room to run in.

They were also used to her antics of racing off without a single care of the wildlife she startled out of the tall grass. While they didn't recognize Andie, they weren't worried when the boy chased after her. If anything, there was a soft bit of laughter that was dwarfed by the teens.

"If I wanted t' cheat. I wouldn't've warned ya first." She blew him a raspberry and allowed him to match pace with her as the hill the HQ came into view. It looked so inconspicuous on the outside, but once the pair reached the door and Harmony opened it...

The inside was cozy. A large sofa sat in front of a large TV with game systems beneath. The nearby kitchenette was stocked with all forms of snacks and supplies to cook basic meals in a pinch. But none of that was where Harmony was heading. She walked to a hallway off to the side that lead into what was called the 'War Room' after the fight with Eggman only a few years ago.

Inside was a Chipmunk, typing away on a small handheld computer. Her long red hair hung loosely over her light blue vest. And she all but jumped when Harmony spoke.

"Some say nuclear war would be the end. For us, it was just the beginning."

Fandomless | Independent | Multi-Muse Semi-Selective | OC & Fandoms Welcome Side-blog (follows from @familylightfox) 18+ | Penned by Dusk (30+)

Set in a post-apocalyptic world. After the world's major countries launched nuclear missiles to every major continent, the residents of the planet thought it would be the end. Instead, the explosions broke the barrier between their world and that beyond.

Some called it the veil. Some called it the astral plane. Some still think it's some hallucination from kicking the bucket.

If only they were so lucky.

Rules & About

Rules & About Google Site by Noahresources

"Some say nuclear war would be the end. For us, it was just the beginning."

Fandomless | Independent | Multi-Muse Semi-Selective | OC & Fandoms Welcome Side-blog (follows from @familylightfox) 18+ | Penned by Dusk (30+)

Set in a post-apocalyptic world. After the world's major countries launched nuclear missiles to every major continent, the residents of the planet thought it would be the end. Instead, the explosions broke the barrier between their world and that beyond.

Some called it the veil. Some called it the astral plane. Some still think it's some hallucination from kicking the bucket.

If only they were so lucky.

Rules & About

Rules & About Google Site by Noahresources

The dragon didn't even have the time to squeal before she was being sent into the wall. Her back collided, the wind slammed out of her tiny lungs. Another monster- a new monster, this one felt so much more like flesh and blood as opposed to felt. Stars burst in her vision- trying desperately to maintain consciousness, a weak groan escaping the synthesizer she hated so much.

Proto wanted a warm body or two, yes- but that didn't stop him from tearing through the plushes that had dared cause this whole disaster. Fabric and flesh was torn and ripped in equal measure. Screams died to choked gurgles, tiny bones and plastic frames alike crushed under the weight of his rage. A few of them would survive this ordeal, but the fate he had in mind for them was far from kind.

At least he would not have to ask any of the residents to step forward. It was a small solace, as the hall around him devolved into a bloodbath.

The plush that Harmony had managed to shove into a wall cried out. Pain burst from where the metal had cut clear through, feeling material- both organic and plush- ripped away and snapped out of her periphery of existence. Everything was white-hot fire as nub hands reached blindly to try to rip the damn thing out.

Nub hands weren't exactly good at that.

All her struggles failed her as purple tendrils burst from the ground. Piercing into the incoming onslaught- destroying them. Any that didn't fall to the blue one's tendrils were swiftly slashed by the Prototype. Those long, thin digits may have seemed only good at puncturing, but it looked like they could be used side-long, too. The plush slowly fell limp. Her eyes couldn't leave the scene; she was too lost in the terror of it.

The toys that tried to cling to Proto would swiftly find themselves thwarted. Between Cove (who'd just arrived) and his own arcing slashes, their numbers were falling. Their broken and cut bodies went spiraling, crashing to the floor a distance away and forgotten. The last few weren't allowed a chance to escape. Not before Cove was on them, pulling them back into the bloodied mess of a hall to face their judgement.

By the end of it,...the hallway was a disaster. Littered in bodies and organs and blood, splattered in areas with Poppy Gel- though the amounts were relatively small.

"Sounds like a plan." Two survivors...they had no doubt about where those two were going to end up, as their gaze surveyed the carnage. It drifted back towards the teen, her last statement earning a small blink. Wait- how much had she...? "...gotcha. We've got some bunk beds in Home Sweet Home, if y'want one..." They'd also seen her sleeping on the green in one of the Playcares before, to be fair.

Proto reached, gently plucking one of the few survivors up from the wreckage.

"De-!" A single, quick motion had the plush's synthesizer shorting out into a snap of static.

"Whatever the case, we should move. This hall is not the best place to discuss further action."

But as the adrenaline leveled out, so too did the energy wafting off Harmony's body. The wave of nausea hit her full force, and she had to bite back the urge to gag.

Her head was pounding even harder now, just as bad as her heart.

The smell of blood, rot, and death wasn't helping.

"At this point... I'll take a pillow and the floor." Her usual cheerful tone was missing, replaced by the contained pain and general feeling of ick that came with using the ability she just had. Yet while it was mostly annoying to the teen, it was another story for the Deluded, who were still being strung up by four of them.

The tendrils were almost of their own mind. Any amount of struggle only made them tighten their grip. Where their surface touched, it was like thousands of defending fire ants biting and stinging. Only once Proto took the plush in hand did the last four tendrils slip themselves into Harmony's shadow.

It was as if they had never been, save for the massive holes that had been punched into the ones who tried to attack her.

"So there's that one, and the one I pinned t' the wall." She could only vaguely gesture at where she last remembered the one. They hadn't made a sound since, and she didn't dare open her eyes yet.