The Otterverse Incident
My name is Jasper, and this is Casper. 80 years ago, our third sibling went missing on D.A. Non's train, his pride and joy, when it dissapeared into the night. Now, that train has finally arrived, and we've been sent to investigate the wreckage. It's going to be quite the journey- why don't you join us?
notes: OTTERVERSE/BIFROST INCIDENT CROSSOVER ANYONE??? yeah this is mainly for my friends but i'm posting it here since that's the easiest for me to share. to the meowdy crew, hello, enjoy, please liveblog it in my dms i love you.
[JASPER] Eighty years is a long, long time to be missing a sibling.
Most ordinary people would have given up on finding them long ago, concluding that it would be best for everyone to simply move on. But we’re not exactly ordinary. Nor are we people, but that’s hardly relevant. My name is Jasper E. Goggles, and I, along with my sibling, Casper, have been searching for our third sibling for a long, long time.
You see, Zasper isn’t the type to die that easily. It survived a rain of arrows unscathed in Moscow, a poison dart that should have killed it on a heist gone wrong in Seattle, and multiple kidnappings, including being held hostage in Sydney for five years.
Last we heard, zip was the lead engineer on D.A. Non’s favorite toy; a train, one that would travel through the big pride flag-colored tear in reality. The one he created years ago, perhaps for this very purpose. The train was supposed to be a breakthrough invention-
[CASPER] Literally, a breakthrough! Through space!
[JASPER] Thank you, Cat. A breakthrough invention that would put Asgard on track to become the galaxy’s number one tourist destination, and connect it to every known world this side of Eldevard.
It left the station right on schedule, passing inspection with quite literal flying colors. I can only assume that was in no small part due to the amazing technologic genius of our third sibling. That train was D.A. Non’s pride and joy, meant to prove to the galaxy that he was to be feared. I don’t doubt it would have come in very handy when he inevitably started a war with anyone who didn’t comply to his rules.
That train was carrying anyone and everyone in Asgard with enough money to make a name for themselves, since D.A. Non wanted everyone of any note to be on the maiden voyage. And they complied, mostly because few dared risk the wrath of D.A. Non, threatening as he is.
Which, of course, made things all the more complicated when the train never arrived, and every one of Asgard’s politicians, rulers and wealthiest citizens vanished without a trace. But it’s unclear if we’ll ever know for sure, given what happened to it. To… To…
[CASPER] D’you need me to narrate, ‘Lijah? Gumy told me I’m very good at it! That I bring enthusiasm to the job!
[JASPER] I… y-yeah. It’s-
[CASPER] Emotional? Talking about the very likely horrible and tragic death of our sibling? Yep! But no need to worry, I can package it all up and keep going, forever! Cool, right?
[JASPER] Cat, we talked-
[CASPER] Don’t worry about me, ‘Lijah, I’m all good. Where were you…? Oh! Right!
The train left the station right on schedule, for a journey meant to take three days. As you likely know, eighty years is a lot longer than three days! So we can only assume something went horribly, horribly wrong. Nobody knows what happened to it, and no one who was on it is left to tell us. So we’ve been in the dark.. until now.
You see, the search just got a whole lot brighter. Because the train that set off eighty years ago has just arrived, bringing with it new clues, and we’ve been sent to figure out what happened to it. Unfortunately, not much is left of its passengers besides a couple of skeletons and the train’s black box.
[JASPER] The first recording on it is of D.A. Non’s historic speech about the thing, which as expected provides no help in finding any reason for the train’s disappearance. You’d think he’d want to gush about his pet project, but in typical dictator fashion, all he wanted to talk about were his plans for galaxy-wide conquest.
[D.A NON] Friends, machines, and hostages. I welcome the world tonight to watch the beginnings of a new era. This train is the start of the revolution, a spark to light the flame that’s sure to grow and fuel the mechanisms of a new world. And from the womb of my workshops this great train has been birthed, putting us on track to speed forward into this great new world.
Don’t worry, my dear Asgardians. I’ll ensure this grand new era will serve Asgard. There’s no one better than I to lead you in this exciting new time. I am, of course, the modern major general, so to speak, of this great conquest, and who else to nominate? No one! None can serve you as well as I.
I shall ensure that the great Void that is, and the great creation that will be shall serve to benefit Asgard and only Asgard. Their love for us shall be infinite. They will Know you, and so they shall Watch and guide us through this new revolution. Oh, the Watcher with a thousand eyes is merciful, my people, and the stars themselves love Asgard. This I know with certainty.
Thank you all, for coming to this monumentous occasion. The birth of a new world in the name of Asgard, how exciting. And it shall all be because of the great advancements in technology, helped by each and every one of you, that have allowed this train to exist. So, thank you, truly. You do not know how much this will change Asgard.
I’ll see you all on the other side of the wormhole- and on the other side of history.
[CASPER] Three, two, one, and liftoff! Boom!!
[JASPER] It’s not a rocket, Casp, it’s a train. Well- actually, this train might fly. I wasn’t paying attention to the speech. Too boring. Bleh!
[CASPER] O h, don’t worry, there was nothing useful in it.
[JASPER] Thanks, love you! Anyways, the train blasted off- hey maybe it was a rocket ship- into the the rainbow night at 400,000 kilometers an hour-
[CASPER] Wha’d’ya say?
[JASPER] The train blasted off into the rainbow-
[CASPER] No, four hundred thousand kilometers? Speak English?
[JASPER] THAT IS ENGLISH. You Americans and your-
[CASPER] Meters and mental illness both start with M. Coincidence? I think not!
[JASPER] Oh, fuck you. Moving on-
[CASPER] You insult Casper? You insult kit like the discourse? Oh, jail for Jasper! Jail for one million years!
[JASPER]C AN WE PLEASE GET ON WITH THE NARRATION!?!
Oh. Sorry. I- I didn’t mean to- to snap.
[CASPER] It’s okay. I’m sorry.
[JASPER] No, you don’t need to- I’m sorry. Let’s just move on. Okay?
[CASPER] Okay!
[JASPER] -at 250,000 miles an hour, carrying all of D.A. Non’s hopes and dreams- and also Asgard’s wealthiest. The footage is quite stunning, even if it’s monochrome. Can’t believe the Bifrost invented pride flags. Crazy, amiright?
[CASPER] Hehehe.
[JASPER] Nothing here seems out of the ordinary, except for the odometer. It’s odd, the thing can’t seem to decide if the train is moving slowly, faster than light… or not at all? But regardless, now the train is off, carrying all of Asgard’s wealthy among all the colors of the rainbow. The journey is meant to take 72 hours, but as we know, it took a lot longer than that.
The footage is quite corrupted, and it’s hard to pick out anything specific, really, but we scan the first day intently, looking for anything out of the ordinary. There’s nothing too out of place; many of the guests seem unhappy to be making the journey, but that isn’t surprising. Even D.A. Non seems a bit nervous, sitting pretty in his big fancy chair and staring out at the shifting colors of the wormhole from the comfort of his observation deck.
Everything is as mundane as it can be, considering we’re looking at a space train flying through a wormhole. It’s possible the second day will provide more clues-
[CASPER] Hey, Jazz! Look at this!
[JASPER] Huh- what?
[CASPER] I don’t quite know- they seem quite odd though. Maybe a clue?
[JASPER] Okay, I’ll come look.
Oh, that is odd.
Standing in a corner of the train, away from all the other passengers, a figure stands clutching their head in pain. They look thin, unhealthily so, and the bags under their eyes tell an unfortunate story. Their long, disheveled hair fades slightly at the ends, like… maybe long-faded hair dye? A tail shifts distortedly, like it isn’t sure whether to be a cat tail or a fox tail. Furry ears shift slightly, and it’s impossible to tell what species they are, or even their details. They look sort of like bear ears, but they could almost be fox ears, too, like…
[CASPER] Zasper.
[JASPER] But Zasper didn’t have long hair, and this… uh. Creature on the video doesn’t have wings… or antennae.
[CASPER] Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Still odd, though. And they don’t appear to be registered as a passenger.
[JASPER] No, not as a passenger.
Oh, here!
[CASPER] Orion Fox. They/them. Gender unknown. Species… unclear. That data’s been… corrupted. Like someone doesn’t want anyone knowing what- or who- they are. They’re listed as an engineer on the train. And… that’s it.
[JASPER] Odd. Were there any other engineers onboard?
[CASPER] Uhm… yeah. Yeah, there were two more. A crew of three. Evidently D.A. Non didn’t think he needed any more staff than that. The train was supposedly mostly self-sufficient. And their files are all in order. Not like Orion’s.
[JASPER] Odd. We’ll keep an eye on them.
[CASPER] They don’t look like much of a threat.
[ORION] My head….
I can’t think through the pain. I don’t remember who I am, or why I’m here. All I remember is fire… and blood…
There are too many colors. El… Ely… We’re in danger. She’s in danger!
AAUGH!!
My mind, broken like I’m a puzzle missing pieces! With everything I recall, my confusion increases. Dreams and memories are all mixed in my brain; Who am I, and what is this train!?
Water and light and rainbows, and hope; All of these things I think that I broke; All I recall with certainty is warm love and affection; But whose voice was it, whose voice to my ears is utter perfection?
Memories like water drops fall through my mind! Stories and people I can’t seem to find! She’s screaming a name I don’t recall; And who was I, to earn such a fall!?
Emotions are blurry, but I know clearly the guilt! At an unknown promise that was left unfulfill’t; Why would I hurt her, when she’s all I love? With a fire so bright, and a voice like a dove?
I don’t… My head…
[JASPER] Whoever Orion is, their head seems messed up pretty bad.
[CASPER] Look, someone’s coming.
[DAISY] Hey? Kid?
[ORION] Who-?
[DAISY] Oh. My. Word. Are you who I think you are?
[ORION] I’m… not quite sure myself.
[DAISY] That sick bastard. That sick, sick bastard.
[ORION] Care to explain..?
[DAISY] No. CARMIN!!!
[CARMIN] Coming, darling! Oh, the kid-
[ORION] I’m-
Well. I don’t know how old I am, but I’m not a kid!
[DAISY] You’re a kid to us. Now, Carmin, I think we need to go have some words with a certain someone.
[CARMIN] Of course! Stay right here, kid. We'll be right back.
[ORION] Still not a kid!
[CASPER] I like them!! Sad that they're probably dead, along with everyone else.
[JASPER] Hey, Zaz is stubborn! We'll find kit, I'm sure.
[CASPER] Yeah. Yeah, you're right.
Now, those two were Daisy Cabiosas and Carmin Aloys, owners of Asgard’s most famous restaurant, Wine and D’s. D.A. Non’s been trying to get them shut down for years. He says it’s because of “public health concerns,” but everyone knows it’s really because of their politics. More specifically, they’re very against his rule, and aren’t afraid to say so. But still, he invited them on the train, so evidently he tolerates them, at least.
They don’t appear to be tolerating him, though. Not sure what their history with Orion is, but Carmin and Daisy appear to know them, and don’t seem happy about whatever’s happened to them.
The couple make their way to D.A. Non’s quarters and burst, absolutely unafraid of anything, through his door. The footage isn’t clear, but it’s clear enough to tell that their discussion is heated.
[CARMIN] WALLACE!
[D.A. NON] The name is D.A, my dear. I’d appreciate you learning it.
[DAISY] We aren’t here about your name. We’re here about “Orion.” What did you do to them?
[D.A. NON] Oh, I didn’t do anything! I just gave them a place on my train. I’m being nice to them!
[CARMIN] You tell us why their memories are messed up, or I’ll expose your true plans.
[DAISY] We know about Ely’Woowoth.. And we know that you’re planning to release it on the world.
[D.A. NON] Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I believe those… those childrens’ tales?
[CARMIN] You think Ely’Woowoth will help you conquer the people of the other realms. And when they’re ravaged from the attack of… whatever it is, you can spread your ‘new world’ to every planet in the galaxy.
[D.A. NON] You flatter me. No. No, I don’t worship the gods.
They worship me.
[DAISY] D’you really believe that?
[D.A. NON] No, obviously not. I’m not a child, nor am I naive enough to think gods will help me in my conquest. No, I intend to win this galaxy myself.
[DAISY] I’m still not seeing what Orion has to do with this.
[D.A. NON] Oh, you don’t see? Orion is very special, very special indeed. They just don’t know it… anymore? Yet? Time is odd, with that one. Very unique. Can’t imagine what they must have done to piss the gods off that badly.
[DAISY] Explain, now, or we’ll kill you.
[D.A. NON] Killing me won’t stop the train from arriving at the station.
[CARMIN] No, but it might make me feel better.
[D.A. NON] As amusing as it would be to watch you try to kill me, I think you’ll find I don’t die quite so easily. And nor will the train.
[DAISY] Fuck you, and fuck your train! You’ll be sorry, when I tear that smug smile off your face!
You bastard, time to shut up and hear what I say! You’ve ruined enough lives, now it’s time for you to pay! You won’t be smiling when we derail your train! I’ll make you know nothing but bloodshed and pain!
I don’t know what you want with Orion! But it’s clear to me when someone is lyin’! I want justice for them, and for all the galaxy! That’s what will make me happy!
You will regret making an enemy of me, D.A.
[CARMIN] You’re very cute when you’re bloodthirsty, honey.
[JASPER] Well, I think we have our culprits. Hard to argue with that evidence, when Carmin and Daisy had such a clear motive. As if getting rid of their main political opponent wasn’t motive enough, they now have an even better one in the form of Orion. I’m about prepared to write them up as the cause of the delay.
[CASPER] Not so fast. Look at the dining car.
[JASPER] Oh. My. Wings. Is that who I think it is?
[CASPER] The chief attendant catches the eye, with beautiful golden-orange wings in place of her ears and massive, feathered wings of the same color held tight against xyr back. Mid-length ginger hair is braided neatly down her back, out of xyr way. There’s no one that this could be besides the amazing Felix P. Nix.
[JASPER] Zasper’s girlfriend.
[CASPER} And the former wife of noted politician Paci C. Otter, who died in a strange theater accident that eyewitnesses swear D.A. Non was present for.
[JASPER] Cat? Look at the staff.
[CASPER] Oh.
[JASPER] Every one of the attendants is a member of the Disc Core, a covert group of individuals dedicated to taking down D.A. Non.
They were planning a takeover. One that would turn the train from D.A. Non’s weapon into his prison. Even through the muffled footage, I can hear Felix plotting with the attendants.
[FELIX] D.A. has ruled for far too long, Spent his whole rule doing unspeakable wrong, Yet still he sits, upon that throne; Now he wants the galaxy for his own!
Go now my friends! Bring him to his ends! In the name of my wife; We will take his life!
[JASPER] Felix walks down the hallway, away from the other attendants. Her eyes get slightly misty, and xyr ears wilt. In the next car, Orion is still leaning wearily against the wall.
[FELIX] My most darling, my moon, I never planned to lose you so soon, Now I’m all alone, And D.A. is still on the throne.
…Paci?
[ORION] I don’t-
[FELIX] My sweet foxbride, beloved star! It matters not to me who you are, You’re here with me now, and I won’t lose you! Never again, no matter what I must do!
[ORION] Who is she, this beautiful queen? Whom I’ve never met, but could swear that I’ve seen? She sings to me of undying love; Is this the one I have been dreaming of?
[FELIX & ORION] My darling, my dear… (Do I know you?) Your eyes are filled with fear… (How badly I want to….) I swear to you I won’t let you die. (I don’t recall, my life at all) And if you do, then so shall I! (Did I deserve so great a fall?)
[JASPER] With that, Felix, teary-eyed, turns and leaves. From here the footage is quite messy and distorted. There’s a few clips of Orion wandering the ship, passengers staring at them confusedly and muttering amongst themselves. Felix runs into Carmin and Daisy, and they talk about unlocking something. Then there are six painfully long minutes of D.A. Non smugly smiling into the camera.
And… that’s it. Five suspects, and we have no idea which one caused the train’s disappearance. There’s no further clues, and no real incriminating evidence. The rest of the footage is corrupted. Gone, or at least further damaged than we can recover.
[CASPER] Does that mean we get to visit-
[JASPER] Oh, skies, no. Please. Anything but them.
Don’t give me puppy eyes! Deer eyes? Whatever you are! Don’t-
No. I’m not giving in.
[CASPER] Pwwwweaaasssseeeeeee??
[JASPER] OH-
Fine. But only to get the footage! That’s it!
God. Americans.
[DAISY] It’s time.
[CARMIN] Dinner time?
[DAISY] You’re hilarious, truly. No, time to put an end to a corrupt ruler.
[FELIX] And Disc Core will be right there with you.
[D.A. NON] What. You want me to sing? Absolutely not.
Fuck you. You might have a thousand eyes but that does not mean I’ll give into puppy eyes. From a god. Stars above, you’d think an immortal being would have some dignity!
[DAISY] It’s time to sharpen the knife!
[CARMIN] Of course, my wonderful wife.
[FELIX] I’ll make us a new life!
[ORION] Why is my mind filled with strife?
[DAISY] Take revenge for the kid!
[CARMIN] And stop D.A’s plan. Heaven forbid!
[FELIX] Of all our fears we will be rid!
[ORION] From me my own memories are hid!
[DAISY] D.A!
[D.A. NON] Oh, you’re back. How fun.
[DAISY] And we’re here to stop you.
[CARMIN] For too long, we’ve let you go unchecked! Now Asgard will pay the price of our neglect! But I will not give in to any preordained fate. I do not believe it is too late!
[D.A. NON] Really. Singing?
[DAISY] Curses to you for acting this way! You’re too corrupt, obsessed with this train! Conquest is not something I’ll stand for. And your death may prevent a needless war!
[D.A. NON] One does not simply stop a birth. And especially not one of a god!
[ORION and FELIX] Memories like water drops fall through my mind! (My sweet foxbride, my beloved star!) Stories and people I can’t seem to find! (It matters not to me who you are!) She’s screaming a name I don’t recall; (You’re here with me now, and I won’t lose you!) And who was I, to earn such a fall? (Never again, no matter what I must do!)
[DAISY&CARMIN, ORION, FELIX, ALL] For too long, we’ve let you go unchecked! (Memories like water drops fall through my mind!) (My sweet foxbride, my beloved star!) Now Asgard will pay the price of our own neglect. (Stories and people I can’t seem to find!) (It matters not to me who you are!) But we will not give in to any preordained fate. (She’s screaming a name I don’t recall;) (You’re here with me now, and I won’t lose you!) I do not believe it is too late! (And who was I, to earn such a fall?) (Never again, no matter what I must do!)
[JASPER] Casper and I are here at the prison, officially about to make this the worst day of my life, and now I think some backstory is needed here. We’re about to visit a group of criminals in the prison they’ve been in for sixty years. When the train didn’t arrive eighty years ago, they appeared to profit off of the chaos. It took twenty years to track them through seven thousand, three hundred, and sixty-three fake identities, three thousand and twenty-two secret hideouts, and seven hundred forty-five fake businesses.
[CASPER] My idols.
[JASPER] Casper, I know we’re also wanted by the police, but we’re not going to be like them. I hate them.
[CASPER] Awwwh.
[GMA. GUMY] Oh, hello dears. Care for a cookie?
[JASPER] Where the fuck did you get cooking supplies in prison.
[GMA. GUMY] Oh, a grandma has her secrets!
[CASPER] I WANT A COOKIE!!!
[JASPER] CASPER! They’re probably poisoned.
[GMA. GUMY] Only a teensy bit! Can’t you let an old woman have her fun?
[VASH] Train finally arrived?
[JASPER] A few days ago, actually. How did you know?
[WALI] Don’t concern yourself with it, you wouldn’t like the answer.
[GMA. GUMY] Oh, Wali, be nice to our guests! Having guests is really a skill, I can teach you if you-
[WALI] I can barely tolerate you and the crew, don’t test my patience on anyone else.
[GMA. GUMY] Don’t mind him! Gore’s always like this. It’s simply the only event with a greater than twenty percent chance of bringing you here to see us!
[ELYS] Oh, hey gamers. D’we have guests?
[JASPER] Look, all we need is to see this footage. It’s been corrupted and you’re our best chance at recovering it
[ELYS] Hrm, is that it?
[JASPER] Yes.
[ELYS] Swag, swag. Gimme a minute, I’ll have it back to you.
[GMA. GUMY] In the meantime, would you like some of my galaxy-renowned tea?
[CASPER] Ooh, yes, I would love-
[JASPER] It’s-
[CASPER] It’s fine! I’m immune to most poisons. Sccchlurp!
That’s delicious! I can see why it’s so loved.
[GMA. GUMY] Why thank you, dear! It’s been so long since I’ve had someone new to give my cooking to.
[ELYS] An angel and a dragon, come knocking on our door! The story of the Bifrost, that’s what they’re-
[JASPER] Shut up! Stop singing! No singing!
[ELYS] So mean to me. Can’t believe this. Can’t have shit in prison.
[VASH] I think that’s kind of the point, but sure.
[ELYS] Restored your footage. Here ya are.
[JASPER] Oh, that was quick. Thanks.
[ELYS] ‘Course, ‘course.
[GMA. GUMY] Oh, dears, would you like some cookies to take with you?
[ELYS] They’re very good.
[CASPER] Yeah!!!
[JASPER] I- oh, never mind.
[GMA. GUMY] Here you are!
[CASPER] Thank you! We’ll be on our way now.
[JASPER] The recordings are clear now, I can see everything. The view that matters is the engine room, where Carmin, Daisy, and Felix stand staring at where the engine would be. But there is no engine, only a body, wires and tubes hooked to him, glyphs and sigils and blood flowing through them.
The body is Josh, a founding member of the Disc Core, who’d gone missing several years ago; not a surprising occurrence when your work is in an underground movement meant to piss off the people in charge. They were presumed dead, but now it’s clear whatever happened to them is far worse than death.
Felix rushes over and yanks his body away from the wires. Blood bubbles up and begins oozing from his countless wounds, dying Felix’s grey pants a deep red.
Xe don’t notice it though, too busy looking up and watching, along with Daisy and Carmin, as the glyphs warp and change. They all stand frozen, sensing something has gone very, very wrong.
[VOID] Y'AI'NG'NGAH, ELY'WOOWOTH H'EE-L'GEB F'AI THRODOG UAAAH OGTHROD AI'F GEB'L-EE'H ELY'WOOWOTH 'NGAH'NG AI'Y ZHRO Y'AI, Y'AI Y'AI ELY'WOOWOTH Y'AI'NG'NGAH ELY'WOOWOTH H'EE-L'GEB F'AI THRODOG UAAAH OGTHROD AI'F GEB'L-EE'H ELY'WOOWOTH 'NGAH'NG AI'Y ZHRO Y'AI, Y'AI Y'AI ELY'WOOWOTH Y'AI'NG'NGAH ELY'WOOWOTH H'EE-L'GEB F'AI THRODOG UAAAH OGTHROD AI'F GREEBLE NEEBLE ELY'WOOWOTH 'NGAH'NG AI'Y ZHRO Y'AI, Y'AI, Y'AI Y'AI ELY'WOOWOTH
[VOID, SPOKEN] And the walls begin to tear. Not the walls of the train, but those of a false and hollow reality, twisting in its thrall to Ely’Woowth, the key and the gate through whose dark rainbow being the train has passed. Ely’Woowoth who is the Bifrost, and whose dread invocation now shattered, drags them towards the roiling nuclear chaos of the mad demon sultan at the center of reality. A billion watching, wriggling things approach, recording and observing through the shattered tatters of a sane world. All its eyes are open now.
[VOID, VERSE] Shadows spinning tall and dark As the walls begin to tear apart A thousand eyes crack open now Seeing, watching, observing how Its victims all dissolve in screams As the Watcher looks, invading dreams A world unknown this thing now finds! A world of fresh, unguarded minds!
[JASPER] The three rebels watch in silent horror as the glyphs and symbols protecting the train drain away, leaving them all unprotected from the dread gaze of Ely’Woowoth. Before them, Josh’s blood continues to flow, washing the walls with red. Screams ring out from the carriages behind them. Carmin and Daisy turn and head towards the observation deck to complete the task they boarded the train to complete.
On the deck, D.A. Non sits, wearing his unchanging grin, while Orion looks at him, betrayed.
[ORION] I… I remember…
His folly I did clearly find; For that he took away my mind! A thousand eyes ever watching me The whole universe, now its to see!
[D.A. NON] That knowledge would have my train destroyed; I could not risk it stopping me from entering the void! A shame it left your mind so broken and confused, But your expertise and talent was too great to lose!
[ORION] Memories like a rising flood rush through my mind! Dreams, faces, people whom I left behind! All my faults, all my mistakes I can recall; Now I fin’lly know why I took such a fall!
[D.A. NON] You’ve lost the fight, my plan you have fulfilled! It matters not now whether I am killed. The Void sings to me its whispering refrain. You cannot now stop the coming of this train!
[ORION] Fuck you, and fuck your train!
[JASPER] Orion turns and leaves. They don’t stop to watch as D.A. Non laughs. They don’t see as he leans back in his chair towards the wall, upon which a gooey black substance drips, drips, drips. But Carmin and Daisy do.
They burst through the door, weapons in hand, back to back as they fend off millions of tiny, squirming things, in time to watch as the black slime drips onto D.A. Non, coating his entire body and crawling unnaturally over him, encasing him in an oozing mass. It molds itself into a vaguely humanoid shape, with two thrashing tails and wavy, flowing hair topped with a pirate hat.
Then a thousand glowing green eyes open from the slime, across every part of its body, and it laughs.
[CARMIN] What have you done!?
[D.A. NON] I’ve birthed a new world!! I’ve allowed our people to feel the love of the One Of A Thousand Eyes!
[DAISY] This was your plan all along!
[D.A. NON] I have created a new world for the people of Asgard!! All shall know the name of D.A. Non, and they shall worship me for bringing to them the undying care and gaze of Ely’Woowoth, The Watcher With A Thousand Eyes! It will be our apotheosis! Some may die, but that is a price I’m willing to pay. The Phoenix does not rise from nothing! Rebirth requires first a great death!
[JASPER] D.A. laughs. Carmin and Daisy exchange a look, and nod.
[D.A. NON] Killing me will change nothing, now!
[DAISY] But it will be very, very satisfying.
[CASPER] His tails are so fast!
[JASPER] Very cool movement, I agree. They’re bleeding whatever that black goop is, too. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it almost looks like ink.
[CASPER] What, he’s rewriting history with a giant ink monster or something?
[JASPER] …Wouldn’t be the strangest thing we’ve seen.
[CASPER] Carmin and Daisy are quite good fighters.
[JASPER] The ink monster is so fast, it’s almost like they’re fighting two monsters at once, with its tails whipping around to attack them.
[CARMIN] We may not be able to defeat you-
[DAISY] But even you still need to breathe.
[JASPER] The shattering of the window is deafening. The air rushes out of the room, taking the three of them with it, and the stars claim them all.
[CASPER] At least they died for a cause they cared about, I guess.
[JASPER] Casp, look. Look there.
[CASPER] Orion. They’re going towards the engine room. All the creepy, dripping blobs of black goop avoid them, and the green eyes shut when they walk by. Ely’Woowoth must know something about them.
There in the engine room, Felix weeps for Josh and the failed revolution, and at the apocalypse. The tips of xyr wings are dyed the color of sunset.
Oh, here comes Orion! They step in the door and make their way over to Felix. They don’t seem worried about the blood on their shoes. Oh, we know that look. Of someone who’s seen too much blood in their life.
[ORION] Felix?
[FELIX] You- you remember?
[ORION] All of it, sparkfire.
[FELIX] Agh! I love you!!
[CASPER] Awww, I always cry at reunions!
[JASPER] They’re drenched in blood and about to die?
[CASPER] But they’re in love, okay? Just. Let me have this.
[JASPER] This is why I’ve been narrating.
[CASPER] So meansies to me. Cruelty.
[JASPER] Yeah, I love you too, Cat.
Orion and Felix embrace in the middle of a shallow tide of blood, and Orion guides Felix towards the altar at the center of the engine. Orion plants a kiss into Felix’s hair, looking a bit conflicted even at that, before lying upon the altar.
[FELIX] No!
[ORION] Memories like a great sea, now clear in my brain. The story is plain now, I must stop this train! My love, I must ask you to give in to your fears; But we’ll meet again even if it takes years.
[FELIX] My sweetest moonflower, the love of my life! You cannot ask me to do this to my wife! I’ve vowed to you I won’t let you die! I won’t be left alone to weep and to cry!
[ORION] Darling, it was never meant to be! It’s not yet time for our great symphony! In another life, we will love again; But my time in this one must come to an end.
[FELIX] Oh, when will this pain just leave me be? Am I doomed to grieve for eternity? I get you back just to lose you once more; Am I doomed to fight an eternal war?
[ORION] Love…
[FELIX] You don’t get to ask me to do this.
[ORION] I’m so sorry, for everything I’ve done to you.
[FELIX]N o, I- I don’t know. I love you.
[ORION] I love you too, my wildfire.
[JASPER] Casper?
[CASPER] Yeah?
[JASPER] Isn’t- isn’t that what Zasper used to call Felix?
[CASPER] Oh, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence!
[JASPER] …Okay.
[FELIX] Oh, shush, you sly fox.
[ORION] Not that life anymore, I’m afraid.
[FELIX] Ah, but that was fun.
[ORION] I hope Jasper and Casper have ended up far, far away from all this.
[JASPER] No-
[FELIX] Ah, I wish I could fly far, far away from all this.
[ORION] It’s too late for either of us, probably.
Well, in honor of our last life, could I steal one more thing from you?
[JASPER] No! No. It’s not kit. It can’t be.
[CASPER] I’m sorry, Jazz.
[FELIX] Oh, what is it this time, Paci?
[ORION] One last kiss.
[FELIX] Ahhhh, you’re such a flirt! You may.
[CASPER] I guess. I should narrate this last bit.
Orion- Zasper- Paci and Felix share one last kiss, before Felix inhales sharply and plunges a single, thin line into xyr wife’s heart. When Paci’s blood is gone, the train will arrive, but until then, they are together, and the train is far away from anyone else it can hurt.
[JASPER] No! I don’t understand!
[CASPER] We need to go.
[JASPER] They’re both- they’re both- they can’t be-
[CASPER] Jasper, we need to leave, now.
[JASPER] Okay.
[CASPER] Sorry. But we’re gonna go now, far far away from here, as fast as we can. If anyone’s listening to us, you should do the same. Things are about to get colorful around here, and it might be pretty, but it won’t be fun being around for that.
I guess we solved the mystery of our missing sibling.
[JASPER can be heard sobbing in the background]
I’ll miss kit, but just another day in my life, right? I’ll be fine. I still have Jasper!
Goodbye. Casper C. Googles signing off, along with my sibling, Jasper Goggles. Good luck, and may the stars watch over you.
[The ending lines of the transmission can be heard, but muffled, as if through a cheap radio. Then, static, and an odd sound, like water- or something heavier- dripping onto a wooden floor. A floorboard creaks, and a guitar begins to play an upbeat tune]
[ELYS] And there they were lost among the stars; Eighty years that couple spent trapped in those train cars! No need to fret, they’ll forget every ounce of pain, One day they’ll die hand in hand and leave that cursed train!
Felix born again in flames as bright as lightning’s strike, Doomed to chase her wife through love and war alike! Paci thrust through time and space to take another name, The poor unknowing victim of the universe’s twisted game!
Someday they’ll be free upon a ship with crewmates bold, And for their love they will ascend, another legend to be told! Here I’ll sit and tell their tale, as I do so many more. After all, what else is this curse of endless life good for?
Thank you so much for reading! And now, everyone mentioned! D.A. Non (Divorce Anon), Carmin Aloys, and Wali - @shroom-guy Elys and Ely'Woowoth - @wolfwoodbignaturals Daisy Cabiosas and Gma. Gumy - @gumy-shark Felix - @felicityphoenix5 Casper - @cats-thoughts Jasper - @urlocalqueer0846
Featuring @999999rats as Josh
And yours truly as c!Paci/Zasper/Orion <3
