#regressed phantom

"Oh Satanas...he finally calmed down." Swiss thinks, letting out a sigh of relief as he watches the young water ghoul build lego birds.

Rain was too excited last night to go to bed early so he took the opportunity to play a good part of the night secretly in his room. No one noticed obviously until early in the morning when Dewdrop caught him sleeping on the floor. He was only wearing his shark pajamas and several toys were spread out all around him.

The fire ghoul then woke him up and wrapped him in a blanket to try to warm him. But in vain. Rain didn't have many hours of sleep, he hurt everywhere and was cold because of the frozen parquet floors of the ministry's rooms. He was definitely moody and grumpy. As proof, he took the blanket off his shoulders and threw it on the ground, grunting. He came out of his own room, slamming the door loudly behind him. Leaving Dew in the center of the room, speechless and trying to figure out what he had done wrong.

He was especially surprised because it is not in the temperament of water ghouls to get angry. Even more so if it's Rain. He had to find him because he could do damage in this state...

The little one hadn't gone far, he was in the kitchen. Specifically sitting on a chair with his arms crossed, frowning and pouting. His hood covering his head, the shark's teeth coming to his forehead. Dewdrop can't help but find him so cute in this pajamas onesie. It was Cirrus who gave it to him for his last birthday, she had chosen very well.

The fire ghoul had prepared breakfast for the two of them. He ate quietly but it was not the same case for the other. Rain to chew and eat a few pieces but without much conviction. He pushed the plate to the other end of the table, grunting. Dewdrop had made him drink a large glass of juice to keep him hydrated but what he got in return discouraged him. Obviously the little one drank his juice but with a murderous look and another grunt.

The little ghoul then went into the playroom. Swiss arrived shortly after accompanied by Phantom who was holding his hand. He takes over watching the little ones by greeting Dew. The latter nevertheless warned him before leaving that Rain is in a very bad mood and that he should be left alone.

The multi-ghoul spent a good part of the morning playing with the quint little ghoul, creating stories that were as magical as they were eccentric. For his part, the water ghoul plays alone in a corner of the room. He had started by playing with his little sea creature figurines but ended up throwing them across the room for some unknown reason.

A few minutes later, Swiss sits on the sofa to watch the little ones but above all hang out a little on his phone to relax and keep himself busy. Rain had been focused on building lego birds. He seemed to have calmed down a little as he concentrated on stacking the small bricks on top of each other.

"Swiss, look. This bird looks like the one that hides in the greenhouse all the time." The little water ghoul said shyly, showing off his latest construction. A small brown and white bird held in the palms of his hands.

The multi-ghoul looks up from his screen and smiles tenderly when he sees the little bricks animal. "He's very cute and he actually looks a lot like him. You did a great job. I'm proud of you, love."

Rain smiled slightly at the nickname. He refocuses on his constructions and the multi-ghoul on his phone. No one had noticed that Phantom had his eyes glued to the birds since his friend pointed one out. His pupils enlarge and his tail wags rapidly, he wants to hunt.

The quintessence ghoul gets on all fours and runs at full speed towards the small animals. He pretends to devour the birds and tries to catch them. Obviously most end up broken and the little colored bricks fly all over the room. Rain screams and cries as he sees his little plastic friends being destroyed.

It's too much for him.

He jumps on Phantom and bites one of his arms while he slaps his back with the palms of his hands. The other little ghoul also begins to cry while struggling and squeal. The multi-ghoul rushes to separate them while trying to understand the source of the conflict.

Seeing that Rain clearly hasn't finished and wants to fight, he holds him back and calls Dewdrop to the rescue knowing very well that he is in one of the next rooms. The latter quickly arrives in the games room and witnesses the scene. Rain's arms are held tightly by Swiss to hold him back while Phantom is curled up on the ground crying.

"I hate you Phantom! You're a m-monster! You're so s-stupid!" Said the little water ghoul, struggling and kicking in the air to try to reach the other little ghoul.

The quintessence ghoul cries more, putting his hands over his ears to try not to hear the mean things his friend says to him. Swiss goes to him to comfort him and see if he is hurt while Dew takes over to take care of Rain.

"Hey! Why are you being mean to him? Calm down and tell me what happened." The fire ghoul said, holding his friend's arm tightly and speaking in a firm tone.

"He killed my b-birds! He attacked t-them to e-eat them!" Rain cries as tears still fall down his pink cheeks.

Dewdrop quickly looks around the room to figure out what birds he's talking about then notices colorful Lego bricks spread out everywhere. He sighs then turns his attention to his friend to speak calmly. "Phantom is smaller than you so he doesn't always understand everything. You're bigger, you can explain to him that they're not real birds. I understand that it might annoy you but it's quickly rebuilt."

"But I spent time building them and he k-killed them..." He said, sniffling and wiping his cheeks.

"I know honey...but he just wanted to play with you I think. He didn't think he was doing anything wrong. It was you who hurt him. You bit him, hit him and you said mean words to him. He's sad now, you hurt his heart." He said calmly to explain to him.

"Okay I understand. I should go apologize then." He said with his head lowered, sad for having hurt his friend.

The water ghoul slowly approaches the sniffing quintessence ghoul who is snuggled up against the multi-ghoul. He looks at him for a short moment, feeling guilty, then crouches in front of him, lowering his head.

"I'm sorry Phantom. I was just angry and I didn't understand that you wanted to play. Sorry for hurting you. Forgive me for hurting your heart. You're not a monster, you're my friend. I love my friends so I love you. Sorry, bug." Rain says in an almost solemn tone, looking at his feet encased in the fabric of his shark onesie pajamas while he has his hands behind his back. Its tail gently swayed from side to side and its ears lowered.

He slowly approaches his friend and gives him a small kiss on the cheek before stepping back. He thinks for a moment while the quint ghoul watches him out of the corner of his eye.

The grand hall buzzed with anticipation. Rows upon rows of velvet seats were filled with eager spectators, all waiting for Ghost's performance. The stage was set, the lights perfectly dimmed to create an air of mystery that surrounded the audience. Backstage, however, tension hung thick in the air.

“Phantom, we need you out there in five.” the stage manager called, her voice tinged with urgency.

In the bustling backstage area, Phantom stood surrounded by his bandmates, each clad in their distinct attire. Papa IV stood at Phantom’s side, his eyes scanning the room with concern.

“Phantom,” Copia said, his voice calm but urgent, “we need to get you ready. The audience is waiting.”

Phantom, usually the epitome of confidence, looked up at Papa with wide eyes, his demeanour fragile and uncertain. “I... I don’t know if I can do this.” he admitted softly, his hands trembling.

“Phantom, what’s wrong?” Aurora cocked her head at his shaking being, noticing how he was anxiously flickering his tail back and forth like a worried cat.

The concern in her voice mirrored that of the other bandmates—Rain, Cumulus, Dewdrop, Cirrus, Swiss,  Mountain—who gathered around, their eyes filled with worry.

“I feel... small,” Phantom responded, his voice barely above a whisper. The pre-ritual ritual he had performed, meant to centre and empower him, had backfired. Instead of feeling grand and imposing, he felt as vulnerable as a child.

Papa IV quickly moved to his side, his presence calming. “Okay, okay. We’ll figure this out. Maybe we can reverse it.”

“I tried everything I could think of,” Phantom said, his small hands trembling. “There’s no time.”

Papa bit his lip, thinking quickly. “Alright, if we can’t reverse it, we’ll work with it. We’ll adjust the performance. You still have your talent, Phantom, no matter your state.”

Phantom looked up at him, his eyes reflecting a mix of fear and hope. “But the audience…”

“Will see a new side of you. You’ve always been mysterious. Tonight, you’ll be mysterious in a different way.”

With that, Papa IV helped Phantom into his costume, adjusting it for his smaller frame. Despite his younger mindset, the essence of Phantom remained. He adjusted his mask, ensuring it fit snugly, and gave him a reassuring nod.

Papa placed a reassuring hand on Phantom’s shoulder. “You can, and you will. We’re all here with you, every step of the way.”

Despite his apprehension, Phantom drew strength from the supportive presence of his bandmates. They had faced challenges together before, but tonight’s unexpected twist tested their resilience in a new way.

“Phantom,” Rain spoke up, his voice a soothing melody, “remember why you’re here. Let the music guide you.”

Mountain nodded in agreement, his drumsticks now tapping a reassuring rhythm. “We’ve got your back, Phantom. Just focus on the music.”

Phantom took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Thank you, everyone,” he said sincerely, meeting each gaze with gratitude. “Let’s do this.”

With renewed determination, Phantom allowed Papa IV to guide him towards the stage entrance. As they walked, the cacophony of backstage noise faded into the background, replaced by the distant hum of the expectant crowd and the melody of the upcoming performance echoing in his mind.

Papa’s grip tightened slightly on Phantom’s shoulder, a silent gesture of reassurance. “Remember,” he murmured, “the stage is your domain. Own it.”

Phantom nodded, his jaw set with determination. As they reached the stage entrance, a hush fell over the backstage area. The heavy velvet curtain loomed before them, the barrier between anticipation and revelation.

With a final deep breath, Phantom stepped onto the stage. The dimmed lights momentarily blinded him, but he could feel the electricity in the air, the audience’s collective breath held in anticipation.

“KAISARION!”

The opening notes of the haunting melody surged through him, igniting a fire within despite his regressed state. The music wrapped around him like a familiar embrace, guiding his movements with a blend of vulnerability and strength. His steps were graceful, each gesture deliberate and filled with emotion.

Those closest to the stage, in the front rows of velvet seats, might have caught the subtle quiver in Phantom's hands as he adjusted his mask. His usually confident demeanor was tempered by a vulnerability that spoke volumes, even from a distance. His gaze, typically sharp and commanding, now held a hint of uncertainty, reflecting the inner turmoil he grappled with backstage.

As the ritual reached its crescendo, Phantom poured his heart into the final notes. The haunting melody lingered in the air, holding the audience in a collective moment of silence before erupting into thunderous applause. Yet, beneath the mask and the applause, Phantom’s mind was a tumultuous sea of fear and doubt.

His heart raced, not with the exhilaration of performance, but with a gnawing anxiety. The cheers of the audience felt distant, almost surreal, as if they were applauding someone else entirely. Phantom’s hands trembled, the reality of his regressed state sinking in with every passing second. He felt exposed, vulnerable, a far cry from the commanding presence he usually exuded on stage.

“You did it,” Cirrus said with a grin, her voice filled with admiration. “You really did it.”

Aurora’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears of joy. “Phantom,” she murmured, “you were incredible.”

Mountain, usually stoic, nodded approvingly. “Impressive,” he acknowledged, his voice deep and resonant.

Papa watched Phantom with a mixture of pride and concern. He knew the toll the performance had taken, but also recognized the triumph in overcoming adversity.

As Phantom stepped off the stage, the thunderous applause still ringing in his ears, he felt a wave of emotions crash over him. The adrenaline that had fueled his performance began to ebb, leaving behind a raw vulnerability he couldn't contain any longer.

His bandmates gathered around him, their faces a mix of relief and admiration, but Phantom couldn't meet their eyes. He walked past them, his steps faltering, until he found a secluded corner backstage. There, away from the prying eyes of the crew and the lingering cheers of the audience, he sank to the floor, his back against the cool concrete wall.

Copia, ever watchful, noticed Phantom's retreat. Without a word, he followed him, his presence a silent comfort in the dimly lit corridor. He sat down beside Phantom, giving him the space to unravel the emotions that had been tightly wound within him.

Phantom buried his face in his hands, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The weight of the evening, the unexpected regression, and the overwhelming pressure to perform had taken their toll. He had pushed through, driven by determination and the unwavering support of his bandmates, but now the floodgates opened.

Copia placed a gentle hand on the trembling shoulder, a silent gesture of solidarity. He didn't rush him to speak or to explain. Instead, he waited, allowing the younger ghoul the time he needed to gather himself.

After what felt like an eternity, Phantom's sobs subsided into quiet sniffles. He lifted his head slowly, tear-streaked face illuminated by the faint glow of backstage lights. His eyes, usually sharp and perceptive, now held a vulnerability that tugged at Papa IV's heart.

"I... I'm sorry," Phantom managed to say, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I couldn't... I couldn't control it. I tried..."

Copia shook his head gently, his own voice soft but firm. "Phantom, listen to me. What you did out there tonight was extraordinary. You faced an unexpected challenge with courage and grace. You moved an entire audience with your talent and your heart."

Phantom wiped away tears with the back of his hand, trying to steady his breathing. "But I... I wasn't myself. I let everyone down."

Copia’s expression softened with understanding. "Phantom, you are more than just the persona you portray on stage. You are part of the pack, with vulnerabilities and moments of doubt. Tonight, you showed a different side of yourself, and that's okay."

Phantom looked up at Copia, searching his eyes for reassurance. "Do you think they noticed? The audience..."

"Some might have," Papa IV admitted gently. "But what they witnessed was a powerful performance, driven by passion and resilience. You reached them in ways that go beyond appearance."

A small, hesitant smile tugged at the corners of Phantom's lips. "I just... I wanted to give them something unforgettable."

"And you did," Papa IV affirmed, his voice filled with conviction. "You gave them an experience that transcended any expectations. Your talent shines through, no matter the circumstances."

Phantom nodded slowly, absorbing Papa IV's words. He felt a weight lift from his chest, replaced by a sense of pride in what he had accomplished despite the odds. The support of his bandmates, their unwavering belief in him, anchored him in that moment of vulnerability.

"Thank you, Papa," Phantom murmured gratefully, his voice steadier now. "For being here. For understanding."

Copia squeezed Phantom's shoulder gently. "Always, my dear Phantom. We are a family, through every triumph and every challenge."