#gremlin anon

He’d just returned from a tale, cursing the fact that the host of the masquerade he’d just attended was a piglin and tried to eat him when he first showed and before the end, shaking his ears out as he began writing the book. It was a version of Techno, it had to be since he’s the only piglin he knows. Of course, there were others there but even their hybrids were fuzzy; Perhaps it was because they had not tried to eat him alive. This time, he shook his head, slamming the book down on the lectern so that he could leave. He may have missed a few details, but he got the gist and included the egg, and that in itself was good enough for him.

He needed to wipe the memory from his head.

Fortunately, his friend George had been awake when he exited the library, collapsing on the sofa beside him. Karl was a good quarter of the man’s height, being a bunny, but they’d grown close regardless, to the point where the two even lived together. “Georgeee..” he whined. The cat hybrid’s ears twitched, tail stopping all movement as he looked at the other. “What?” “Distract me.” “Distract you? Why?” “I had a bad t- er, dream. Had a nightmare.” If he were paying more attention, perhaps he would have seen the other’s pupils beginning to dilate behind his goggles. “Hm. You know what scares away most threats?”

He shouldn’t. He knows he shouldn’t, but the hybrid was scared, he could smell it. His brain was starting to feel fuzzy, and he wasn’t quite aware of his actions. His stomach growled lowly, but not loud enough to alert the rabbit. The poor, poor rabbit. “What?” George leaned forward, invading the other’s space and causing him to lean back, ultimately getting him pinned to the sofa. “Uh.. George?” The tale lingered in the back of his mind, and his heart began to race. “A good hiding spot.” The larger grinned and he could feel his veins running cold. He’d never distrusted his friends before, he really wanted to think George had good intentions-

The other’s maw opened wide above his head and he screamed, slamming his feet into the other’s waist to knock him off. “George, no! Get off- please don’t-“ if his veins were cold before, they were ice now, and he finally got enough leverage to slam himself to the floor and out of the cat’s reach. Scampering to his feet, he made a mad dash to the door, slamming it behind him to get a head start.

“Come back!” George damn near ripped the door from the hinges, and Karl’s feet only went faster, sending him right out of the kingdom. As soon as the bunny was out of sight, it was like a switch flipped, and George’s ears dropped as he blinked. What… just happened?

~ ~ ~

For his part, Quackity tried his best to console the bunny. Despite their falling out, he couldn’t just turn him away when he was so clearly terrified. “Tell me what happened, from the top.” He set a glass of water down softly, wincing when it still pulled a flinch from the poor hybrid. “George- I, I had a nightmare and I wanted a distraction, but when I was talking to George he.. he just snapped! He tried to eat me! I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared…” tears flooded the man’s eyes again, and the duck was quick to wrap an arm around his shoulders, resting his chin atop the other’s hair.

“Shh.. it’s okay. Surely George can’t track you all the way here. And if he does I’ll kick him out myself.” “I’m sorry-“ “It’s not your fault, Karl.” He pulled back, smiling down at him. “Now drink some water, yeah? I’ll put a word out to security.” With a sniffle, the brunette nodded, grabbing the cup. “You’re the best, Q.” “Damn right I am.” He already had his communicator out, typing rapidly onto it. “Now, you can stay in the office to calm down as long as you need, but I’m sure you don’t really want to be here.”

Karl winced at the reminder of their fight, looking down. He still didn’t remember it, or what caused it, but he did know how badly it hurt the other. Even if Quackity was upset, he still put that aside to help a fellow small hybrid, and it was stuff like that that made Karl upset that he couldn’t remember anything. He couldn’t apologize for what he didn’t know. “I won’t take up too much of your time.. but can I hang out in your country for a bit? I don’t think I can go back to Kinoko yet…” “Yeah, that’s fine. Security’s aware you’re here, and the staff shouldn’t try to stop you. You’ve got free reign as long as you don’t break anything.”

“Thank you so much, Quackity, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t found me..” “It’s not a problem, Karl. Oh! Hang on, let me message Sapnap, that way when he’s done with whatever the fuck he’s doing he can come get you so you have protection.” He waved a hand out with an eye roll as he spoke about the fireborn, and Karl couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.”

~ ~ ~

He’d felt confident that he’d be safe in Las Nevadas, his heart finally beginning to calm as he wandered around the city. The various shops and casinos kept his attention, and the incident was even starting to recede to the back of his mind. Walking around the streets, he admired the lights and colors, a smile coming to his face as something akin to pride filled his chest. Quackity had made all of this. He made this country, and he did one hell of a job.

Though, as he continued walking, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. No matter how fast he walked, he couldn’t shake it, and every time he looked around, there was nothing. A dark tendril of dread settled into his stomach, breaths growing shakier as his feet moved faster than before. Something made him freeze, and then he heard it. Unmistakably, a second set of footfalls were right behind him.

He whipped around and came face to face with Fundy. His shoulders dropped and he heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh, you scared the life out of me!” “Oh, sorry about that.” The fox sheepishly smiled down at him. “I was just curious, y’know. Quackity told us that you were banned from the country, so..” “Oh, yea. Uh, he gave me permission to walk around because I’m trying to hide from George.” “Hide? What happened?” He retold his story to the fox, who’s ears dropped back in sympathy. Or.. he hoped it was sympathy. A strange feeling of deja vu was beginning to seep into his bones, and he felt the urge to bolt. “That’s strange, George has never acted out like that before. Wonder what happened.” “I wish I knew too..” “Well, maybe I can show you some of the games here? That ought to distract you.” “Sure, that sounds fun.” He smiled, trying to give the Fox the benefit of the doubt.

The second his back had turned, walking towards the casino he was pointed towards, he felt hot air against the nape of his neck. Jerking forwards, he turned to face the other only to find his eyes dark, drool dripping from his mouth. “Uh.. Fundy? What are you doing?” It was like a trance, the other blinking and shaking his head. “Huh? What happened?” “You- Uh, maybe I should go, actually. Maybe go visit Tubbo, you know?” “Yeah! Yeah, no biggie. See ya around.” He waved as the bunny walked away, forcing his steps slow so as to not trigger the fox’s instincts.

What was going on with everyone!?

~ ~ ~

Wilbur was leaning against his burger van, a cigarette hanging from his fingers as he watched the bunny walk to the exit sign of Las Nevadas before sprinting towards the van. Curiosity peaking, he dragged the lit end against the van, putting it out for the time being. Karl damn near face planted in front of him, and as he went to catch him, the strong scent of fear caught him off guard. His feathers ruffled under his coat, but he paid it no mind, helping the other steady himself. “Thanks, I don’t know how I tripped-“ “It’s fine. Did something happen?”

He’s heard the tale from Quackity many a time, so to see the bunny running from Las Nevadas made him wonder if he should pay the duck a visit. It would explain the fear scent, as well. “Well, Quackity gave me permission to walk around, and-“ Karl rambled the tale of George and then Fundy attempting to eat him, and suddenly there was a strange mix of anticipation and horror building within the eagle. The pred hybrids that had targeted the bunny so far did not have the ability to do so safely, they would have killed the poor man.

Perhaps he should store him. It would keep him safe from the other predators, apparently.

He hissed a breath through his teeth, trying to dispel the thought. Karl wasn’t his family, nor were the two even that close; He couldn’t possibly be having nesting instincts for him. Karl mistaked the reaction to be for his own tale, in which he blew a sigh. “I know. I feel like I have to be on high alert now, I don’t even know what’s causing it..” Wilbur hummed, dropping his shoulders as he decided the best course of action for him to take.

“It’s likely because of your fear.” “Huh?” “I imagine for most predator hybrids, they get a strong reaction to the scent of fear from prey animals, hybrid or otherwise. Were you afraid when you spoke to George?” Karl froze, realizing that the man was right. “I was…” “And with Fundy?” “He scared me, he was creeping up on me.” “That’s what I figured. And I won’t lie to you either, Karl. That fear you still have is also setting my instincts off.” “Oh…” the brunette breathed, and Wilbur could tell he was on the verge of running.

“Granted, I believe my death’s messed with my instincts a little bit, dulled them down, so to speak. But I’m not going to lie to you and try to pull you into a false sense of security. I believe for your circumstances, the best idea is to stick by yourself or with other prey animals. What’s the chance of Big Q letting you back in?” “Uh…” he looked back towards the entrance, a shiver running down his spine at the thought of walking by Fundy once more.

“I take it that’s a no.” Wilbur winced when the scent of fear grew stronger, the urge to store the other overtaking him for a moment. “Well, I’d probably just head home and hunker down for a while. It’ll likely save you some trouble.” Wilbur tried not to make it obvious, already digging into his pocket for his cigarette pack to distract himself, but Karl had watched his pupils dilate. “Yea, I probably will. Thanks, Wilbur.” He nodded in response, shaky hands lighting his lighter as the bunny walked away.

When he was far enough away that he deemed himself safe for a bit, his shoulders dropped and he let out a large huff of breath. At least he had a bit of an explanation now, and at least Wilbur hadn’t fully tried to eat him. But.. like he said, his death could have dulled his instincts. He still said he wanted to. He needed to get home- well, Sapnap’s home, have a cup of hot tea to try and settle his nerves, and hopefully calm down enough that everyone stopped getting the urge to eat him.

~ ~ ~

Sapnap was in his house when Karl tried to sneak in. Thanks to his enhanced senses being a blazeborn, he caught onto the scent of his fiancé first, then the scent of fear radiating off of him. Frowning, he set the knife down, leaving the carrots on the cutting board as he went to find the bunny. Right when he rounded the corner to find him, the man stepped out from behind it, and ran directly into his leg.

“Oh!” “There you are.” He smiled down at his fiancé, getting a nervous smile back. “Hey, Sap.” “Are you okay?” He crouched down to be closer to the bunny’s height, watching his ears droop. “I wish I was…” Sapnap held his arms out, an unspoken question, and the other launched himself into them, desperate to have some kind of comfort after everything that had happened. “I just..” “Did someone hurt you?” He felt the smaller shake his head, almost shaking in his arms. He bit back a growl, trying to be comforting.

“No, but they tried to…” he buried his face further into the larger’s neck, as if trying to hide with him. Hide with him… He hadn’t even realized when he’d picked the other up in his hands, nor the fear that was coming back to his bunny’s features. All he could think about was getting him safe.

“Um.. Sapnap? Normally I’d be okay with being picked up, but I’d really like to be put down right now-“ the fireborn’s maw opened before him, fangs glistening in the light, and he went rigid for only a moment before thrashing as wildly as he could, only making the grip on his torso tighten almost painfully. He tried to squirm still, but it didn’t get him anywhere but his head and shoulders entering the man’s mouth, hot, humid air brushing against his face and making him shiver.

“Sap, please, let me out, don’t do this!” He tried to push himself back out, but his hands were slick with saliva and only fumbled against the small space around him before they were ensnared by something and yanked down. He yelped when it finally occurred to him what had happened, and by the time it hit him his face was nearing the blackette’s ravenous throat.

His feet could do nothing for him as his head was tugged into the blazeborn’s throat, but he had to try, do something, anything..! His foot made contact with a hand upon kicking out, and he felt a small victory at the pained hiss it pulled from the larger. But victories never last for the losing side, as he now lost his last line of defense to the blaze’s dangerously hot hands.

Tears filled his eyes, already dripping off his face as another swallow tugged him in to his waist, trying to wriggle back out. He’d escaped several different predators that wanted to eat him today, only to lose to his own fiancé. This was really how he was going to go.. He hadn’t even realized he’d stopped squirming, now just trying not to sob. It was difficult, barely able to breathe or stop his tears as it were. He could tell no part of his body was in the other’s mouth any longer; He was well and truly caught.

As quickly as the muscles yanked him down, they stopped, and he was shoved into a hollow organ barely his size. A soft purr was already rattling his surroundings, and it was too hot, too dark, too close- a sob ripped out of his throat, making everything still around him. Unfortunately, he was too lost in his own panic in sorrow to notice, beginning to wail loudly for his awful twist of fate.

Sapnap promised. He promised he wouldn’t turn on him. He promised he wouldn’t hurt him.

“-rl? Karl!? Hey, hey, you gotta calm down.” He only cried harder when he registered the voice, knowing Sapnap just wanted him quiet to be an easy meal. He should have never trusted any of them. Maybe that’s what XD was trying to show him. His surroundings pressed more into him, cradling him more than they had before.

“Karl, talk to me. What’s wrong?” You betrayed me. You’re literally getting ready to murder me. “I don’t want to die..” Everything froze, the muscles around him tensing as he curled up further, trying to muffle his cries. “You’re not gonna die.” The larger breathed, shock and concern in every word. “Did you think I- oh no, Karl did you really think I was going to kill you?” The bunny froze, taking the words in.

“You ate me!” He pulled his feet back, slamming him into the walls around him. “You can’t even lie your way out of this, Sapnap! What else do you call this!?” There was a gasp for air, the kick having knocked the wind out of the other. He reeled back to do it again before the walls collapsed around him, rendering him immobile. “I didn’t eat you. Why would I ever do that to you? I swallowed you, yea, but you’re safe.” “Please, just stop. Stop lying, stop trying to trick me.” He sobbed, still tense against the warmth surrounding him.

“Karl, Blazeborns have two stomachs. All creatures born in the Nether do. We have a storage stomach, brood pouch, whatever people call it. We put our kids in it until they’re fireproof, we hide our treasure there because the lava melts it.” He let that information sink in before continuing, knowing he was overwhelming the poor bunny’s already frazzled mind. “We get instincts surrounding it. You were walking towards me, smelling like nothing but fear- it set my instincts off. I’m sorry you didn’t know before, but I would never hurt you.”

The brunette stayed quiet for a long while, letting the words process. That, and what he could tell. He’d been sitting in there long enough that something should have changed, something to make him easier to.. he sighed, looking down. There was no change in the air, no smell of acid, no tingling or burning anywhere on his body. Finally, with a shuddery breath, his body untensed against the wall, the organ loosening up around him to allow him the space to relax. “You scared me so bad, Sap..” “I’m sorry, Karl. I’m so sorry, I should have told you about this before any of this happened.” “It’s… okay.” “It isn’t. Anything you want after I let you out is yours. Promise.” “How about some golden carrots to make up for the scare?” “I can do that.” He laughed, relaxing into the comfort.

Now that he wasn’t scared for his life, it was… nice. He genuinely could not get any closer to the man he loved than this, hearing his heart beating steadily around him. He was warm, it was a soothing dark that surrounded him, and the walls around him were softer than most blankets he’d slept with. Yea, it was a little wet thanks to all the saliva (he wrinkled his nose at the reminder), but all in all, he was actually surprised to find he liked it.

“Is.. there a reason you were so afraid?” He sighed at the reminder, tugging his knees up to his chest. “Everyone’s been trying to eat me, Sapnap. I don’t- I don’t know what I did, but every time I’m near a pred hybrid they just try eating me, and every time I barely get away fast enough.” “Hold up, what? Who all have you come across?” “You’re the only Netherborn, Sap.” “Still. I could try to talk to the others, figure out why they thought they needed to do that.” “Well.. It started with George..” He retold his story to the other, hesitant to include running to Quackity but doing so anyway. If anything, Sapnap may appreciate the fact that the two had spoken without trying to kill the other.

“Alright, I’m gonna go talk to them, hopefully their instincts have calmed down by now. What do you wanna do?” “Sleep.” “That’s fair. In or out?” He blinked in surprise, not expecting the option. But… He snuggled closer to the walls around him. “I think I’ll stay in.” “Oh, okay. Cool, uh-“ He was trying to cut the purring threatening to escape off, and Karl laughed when he inevitably failed to. “It’s okay, Sap. Now that you explained it, I don’t mind. I think it’s cute.”

“…Go to bed, Karl.” It felt like the temperature in the pouch had increased, Karl noted with a sense of pride. That, and the fact that Sapnap stopped trying to hide his purrs. He relaxed fully against the vibrations of them, letting the background noise and his surroundings lull him to sleep.

“No. But they’re acting weird, don’t you think? They walk around asking people a bunch of random information about their days and then they write it down? That’s some sort of sketchy.” Quackity shook his head, continuing down towards the community house. Why there were heading there, no one knew, but you always tended to be around their, one way or another.

Eventually, the crew did see the person they were trying to find, and Quackity almost punched Charlie hard enough to send him back into the ground because he couldn’t shut up. You seemingly didn’t notice as you walked in the direction of Snowchester.

They followed you through the nether highway and hid once you stepped out outside of the mansion. Tubbo was waiting, holding Micheal in his arms.

Quackity was half hidden behind a tree, Fundy and Charlie down in a small valley behind him. He didn't seem to realize that they weren't paying attention to what was going on in front of them.

"Hello, Tubbo! And hello to you too, Micheal!" You smiled and waved as Tubbo put his son down, who then proceeded to run at you and attach himself to your leg. Tubbo shook his head, but his smile indicated that this was a normal thing.

"Here, I had a lot of fun writing these! Some of them are based off of what Tommy's told me about the rest of the server, and Ghostbur's antics from.... Before. I think he'll enjoy them!" He takes the leather bound book from your hands as his son detaches himself from your shin.

"Thank you. We'll see you later, c'mon Micheal." Tubbo leads his son away as you wave goodbye, and hop back into the nether portal.

"That... Was weird. What did they give him?" Quackity looks towards Fundy and Charlie, who were currently finishing off decorating a snow golem.

"Were you two not paying attention at all?" He asks, incredulously, and they both shrug, following you through the back of the nether portal.

"Ughhhhh, you two are the WORST spies ever to be on this server. Even Tommy was better than you guys!" Charlie just sticks his tongue out at Quackity. Little did they know, you were absolutely aware of them following you. They weren't exactly quiet, after all.

Quackity and Charlie bickered the entire way as they followed you in the direction of Techno's base. Fundy was the only one focused enough to wonder why you were heading towards the blood god?

"Guys... we're right near Techno's base. Maybe we shouldn't follow them through?" Fundy stood furthest from the glowing purple portal, the only real light near them. Quackity shook his head, stepping within the frame with Charlie.

"We need to find out what they're up to! C'mon, Fundy, hurry up!" And with that, the portal warped as Charlie and Quackity vanished. Fundy sighed, stepping within the frame as well.

"Is Tommy here, too?" You asked Techno as he stood in the snow in front of you. The Las Nevadas crew couldn't understand how you weren't even slightly intimidated by the piglin hybrid in front of you. You seemed perfectly at home, despite his history on the server.

"Yes, he made his house in my basement, remember?" As if the blond was summoned by sheer will, Tommy was at the door and smiling at you.

"Tommy! Here you go, it took a tiny bit, but I got a lot of inspiration from Niki and her house! There's one that's a tad bit personal to you, but the rest should be okay to read to Micheal, so you shouldn't need to worry!" You beamed at him, and he took the book with a smile, waving goodbye as he yelled his thanks, running back into the small house.

"And for you, Techno, a few reimagined pieces from Greek mythology, and some original ones too! I hope you like them, I've gotta head back though, I need inspiration somehow!" You waved goodbye to the blood god, and the Las Nevadas crew hurried back into the portal before being spotted.

"I knew you three were following me!" Your arms were crossed as you stepped out of the portal behind them, and Quackity turned to glare at you.

"We thought you were doing something wrong-" He started, and Charlie interrupted, peaking around Quackity to look at you.

"What were you doing, by the way?" You tilted your head slightly. They didn't know about your hobby?

"I'm a writer? I thought everyone here knew that. I get inspiration from other people, and a few even have me write a few stories for them regularly, like Tubbo." You explain, walking past them down towards the portal at Las Nevadas, figuring you might as well make sure they stop following you around.

"Oh... is that really what you do?" Quackity ran up beside you, with Fundy and Charlie tailing behind. You rolled your eyes at him, nodding slowly.

"Why would I even lie about it? It's common knowledge. Ask Techno, or Tommy, or Tubbo, or Sam and Purpled for that matter. they've known for awhile now, actually."

------------

"You knew and still let us follow them?!?!" Quackity yelled from across the casino, and he could hear Purpled laugh from somewhere as he hunted down Sam.

"I thought it would be easier to just let you find out yourself." Sam shrugged, completely ignoring the angry Quackity in front of him. "I mean, you were going to make a fool of yourself either way."