#tw:cult

"Join the cause Pomni. The Brightest Star awaits you."

The Circus Town has been a long running village, all members looking inhuman, led by a man who lacks all features but a set of teeth and two eyes. It seems that those who move into the town have a special connection to a deity only referred to as "The Brightest Star" who granted them such forms.

Pomni was a police officer investigating the village disappearances when she was ambushed by an unknown entity and forced to seek refuge within The Circus Town. Almost as soon as she woke up her first morning, all the current residents visited her. Her uniform had been removed in her sleep, as Ragatha (the one housing her) had dressed her in proper attire while she rest.

Then she met him.

He was like a monster that only the depths of hell could produce, a being that has never known of humanity. His voice was gentle and soothing, like a serpent readying itself for the strike.

Pomni became his next unwilling subject, convinced that because they helped her heal through her injuries, at the very least she could watch a "ceremony." This ceremony was the ritual that bound Pomni to her new, inhuman form.

Meeting The Brightest Star, the deity gives Pomni a new identity as a jester, seeing through her mask and discovering the person she really is beneath the cop persona. It is also a prophecy that The Brightest Star gives to her, insinuating that Pomni will be the one that will bring The Circus Town to its knees.

This isn't without it's trials though.

In order to become one of them, Pomni has a tough process of attempted brainwashing as Caine's hands. She endures the verbal assault of Jax, the body dysmorphia that Zooble would wish upon nobody, and above all, the constant reminders that there is no way back to her previous form, and that she'd become an outcast if she left.

It was only two months later that Caine saw Pomni unfit for the town, and tried to have her sacrificed to The Brightest Star.

“So what are we looking at here?” You asked the M.E.

“This is a bit unorthodox, all things considered. You probably get that a lot though.” You waited patiently for him to continue. “It looks like there are no signs of sexual assault, but there is some..unique physical mutilation.”

“Unique how?” Spencer asked.

The M.E. moved towards the bodies. “See these cuts here? The marks make up a pattern. These weren’t done to kill. They’re more ritualistic in nature. The cause of death was actually a stab wound to the chest with acute pericardial tamponade. Or in other words, they were stabbed in the heart with a very long, very sharp knife.”

“What is this here, on the left shoulderblade?” Spencer asked, looking up from where he was bent over the body of the newest victim.

“It looks like...a tattoo of a turtle. Do the other victims have these?”

You examined the other two bodies, finding the same markings. They were surprisingly artistic, all things considered.

“These weren’t done by an amateur,” you mumbled.

“No. These were definitely ritualistic killings. We should have been called in sooner.”

You headed back to the team with your information, Know that you knew more about the bodies, it was becoming very clear what kind of unsub you were dealing with. Now there was a new question.

“Is it possible we’re dealing with multiple unsubs here?” Morgan asked.

“It could be. Given the ritualistic nature of these killings, this could be some kind of cult. Reid, what do you think the significance of the turtle is?” Hotch asked.

“Well, turtles popularly represent longevity, given their own lifespans, so it’s entirely possible that our unsub or unsubs think that they can achieve immortality with these killings.”

“What about the cuts on the body? You said those were in a pattern?” Emily asked.

“Yeah. Nothing decipherable, but we’re still working on it,” you said.

“Well, keep working. Morgan, I want you and JJ to work with Garcia and see what you can come up with on the tattoo angle. See if you can find anyway who would be able to do work like this. Garcia, I also want you looking into any local cults or societies. Anything you find that sends up red flags, send it to Prentiss. Prentiss, Rossi, you two can check out whatever Garcia sends you. Got it?”

Everyone hummed their assent, and you had the unfortunate job of getting to go back to the pictures sent from the M.E. It had been hours of staring at the carvings on the children’s stomach and backs and several cups of coffee before you started to get an idea. Concerned it might be half-hallucination, you called Spencer over from his own space.

“Is it just me, or do these marks kind of look like a tree? Long and straight on the bottom and then they curve up and out, like branches. Are you seeing that too?”

Spencer tilted his head, staring at them. “Actually...that might make sense. On the one hand, there’s a correlation to the tree of life. But on the other hand, turtles were also historically a symbol of mother nature. Which means...”

“Which means we might not be dealing with a bunch of Nicolas Flamel groupies after all. This could be the work of a group of eco-terrorists.”

“We have to tell Hotch.”

You made short work of the case once you realized the people you were actually after. Between the tattoo artist connection and the fact that your town did not have that many cults (though definitely more than you would have liked), it didn’t take you long to find your group. Apparently, they thought that if they sacrificed 8 people, children specifically for their purity, they could cleanse the Earth and...eliminate global warming or something. You had sort of stopped listening after the, “Yeah, we definitely did it,” part.

“Is Y/N not coming?” JJ asked, slinging her go-bag over her shoulder.

“Nope, afraid not. I have to have a family dinner.” you shrugged, hoping that if you played casual they would just...forget about it.

“You forgot to tell everyone?” Spencer spoke up, and you froze. “Y/N told me she wanted everyone to come to dinner tonight. Figured it would be fun to have a team dinner and a family dinner all at once.”

“Awww, little mama, you shouldn’t have.” 

Derek smiled, and you mustered a smile back. On the one hand, you were grateful to Spencer. You had certainly not been looking forward to dinner with your family. However...you also weren’t sure you wanted your family anywhere near the team. 

“Well, I know the best places to eat in town, so whoever is down...”

“Count me in,” Rossi said.

“I’m always available for good food.” That was Prentiss, giving you a knowing look that you would probably have to deal with later.

“Will and the boys weren’t actually expecting me home until tomorrow, and I just can’t miss a one time opportunity like this.” JJ smiled at you.

“Looks like you have the whole team.”

“Awesome!” Oh, this could go so badly for you.

On the way to the restaurant, you texted your parents to let them know there would be company. The place you had chosen to eat was a little hole in the wall diner with great burgers and a cute 50′s theme, and lucky for you, it was never very busy. You might have to push a few tables together, but there would be space for you.

You had all stopped off at the hotel beforehand, and you were nervous now that someone would comment on your appearance like they had all obviously wanted to when they first saw you. You didn’t look like your normal self. You looked...muted. Like someone had washed out all the color and replaced it with a solid layer of the most boring shade of beige. Rossi had saved you though with an elegant compliment, saying that you looked as lovely as ever. The man certainly had tact.

Hotch held the door open as you all entered the diner, and it didn’t take you long to find your parents. 2 people sitting at a table for 9. They stuck out like a sore thumb.

“Sweetheart!” 

Your mother smiled warmly, getting up to hug you. You father followed shortly after, and you introduced your team.

“It’s nice to meet all of you. Y/N talks about you a lot,” your father said.

“When she calls.” 

There was a hint of sincere bitterness to your mother’s joke, and you forced a brighter smile in an effort to fight it off.

“Oh, Mom, you know how it is. Busy all the time,” you said, letting Spencer pull out your chair for you before you both sat down.

The poor boy had, of course, no idea what he’d done. Now your Dad was staring at him skeptically, like Spencer was trying to get into your pants. Heaven forbid he have manners.

“So, Mr. Reid, what’s your role on the team?” your Dad asked.

“He’s a Dr., Dad. It’s Dr. Reid. And he’s our resident genius.” 

You couldn’t help yourself. You didn’t mean to speak over Spencer like that, and you knew it was rude, but the urge to defend him had risen up so strong that it had just come out. You hoped he would forgive you, and you guessed by the soft smile he gave you that he did.

“What are you a doctor in, then?” your Dad grumbled.

“I actually have 3 PhD’s, sir. In mathematics, chemistry and engineering.”

Maybe you had no right to look so proud, but you did anyway.

Your mother’s eyebrows shot up. “Impressive! And how old are you?”

You nearly groaned. In sharp contrast to your father, your mother was now trying to play the matchmaker. Joy.

“I’m 29.”

“Our boy wonder here is pretty impressive.” Morgan looked just as proud as you when he said it, giving you a smirk you didn’t understand.

Your Dad did not look happy about this development, so you spoke before he could.

“I mean, the whole team is impressive really. It’s crazy getting to work with all of you.” You laughed a little bit.

The conversation continued easier after that, steering away from work and into more mundane things like your childhood. In fact, everything was going fine. Or it was until your dear old Dad brought up your brother.

“You know, my only regret is that your brother couldn’t be here tonight. It’s a shame he’s away on business. He works hard though. Does important work.”

You did your best fake of a pleasant smile. “Of course.”

Your brother’s work was far from important. He worked as an insurance guy, for Pete’s sake. Your parents would never forgive you for being absent so often, but your brother? Oh, he could do no wrong.

“What? Do you disagree, Y/N?” The confrontation in your father’s tone was thinly veiled.

“No, of course not,” you said blandly. “I’m sure whatever he’s doing tonight is important. Pass the ketchup?”

Your mother gave it to you, leaving your father free to engage in his favorite activity. Picking a fight.

“I mean, can’t really get mad at him, can we? He calls home all the time, comes by for dinner frequently. He’s a good kid. Very successful.” You could practically taste the implication that you weren’t.

You refused to rise to the bait.

“Yeah, yeah. He’s definitely got the time for all that.” You nodded, unable to resist a subtle dig.

“Oh, and you don’t? Not 5 minutes to phone your mother?”

You kept your voice tranquil and cool. “I called her last week, Dad.”

“Didn’t call to let us know you were in town. Had to find out from that friend of yours, what was her name? The blonde?”

Gosh, did he have to do this now?

“Sorry. I’ll try to give you a better heads-up next time. This case was-”

“Oh, forget the case.” Your Dad rolled his eyes. “It’s always about the cases with you. Are your cases more important than your family?”

You grit your teeth. Fine then, if you were going to do this...

“No more important, I’m sure, then whatever the golden child is up to tonight.” You kept your tone even, but your voice was icy cool.

“Don’t give me that lip young lady! Your brother is a man, doing important work to provide-”

“Provide for who, Dad?” You interrupted, letting some of your frustration through. “He doesn’t have a wife or kids or a girlfriend. He’s certainly not sending money home to you. So tell me, Dad, who is providing for himself such a noble pursuit? Or was the more notable part of that statement that he’s a man? Which means it’s okay that he’s married to his work?”

“You know what? You’re not exactly getting hitched either, so don’t criticize your brother’s relationships. You have no right. And secondly, he’s a man doing good, honest work, and that’s the more notable part. If he’s married to his work right now, so what? He has time.”

“Oh yes, all the time in the world. Me, on the other hand, I should count my days. Sucks to be the oldest, huh? You just waste away before everyone’s eyes.” You sighed dramatically.

“Listen here-”

“Darling, please. We have guests.” Finally, your mother interrupted.

Your Dad gave you a glare that said this wasn’t over but settled back down, going back to his french fries.

The rest of dinner was awkward, to say the least. The conversation never quite returned to what it was, and you were glad when they brought the check. You were also glad when, under the table, Spencer squeezed your hand. A comforting gesture, a moment to say that he was with you, even if he wasn’t about to openly get involved in your family business without your consent. You appreciated that.

You were all more than relieved when the night was over, bidding your parents goodbye and watching them get into their car and drive away. You gave them a final wave as a send-off, despite your Dad only affording you a stormy glare.

JJ broke the silence. “So...your Dad’s kind of sexist, huh?” 

You snorted. “Yeah, something like that. You guys want ice cream? I know an awesome place, and we still have time...”

“Pretty girl, when am I ever going to turn down an ice cream cone?” Derek grinned at you.

“Sweet. Let’s go!”

The rest of the night had a much different tone than the one you’d started with, and you had to admit it. You just might have to thank Spencer Reid for this night after all. He could be a bit of a genius.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

daddy dearest with his wicked mind. mommy darling how could you be so BLIND. with great power comes great responsibility, yet neither understood the consequence of forcing heaven and hell upon the M I G H T Y. greed and power planted the seed of destruction. humanity fading, soul corrupted, creating the hollow shell of a meat suit.once your mind was set, the DARKNESS tainted your goals. while they bowed in your honor of the mighty lord above, they never understood they prayed for a false god, S A T A N himself.

crimson stained the sheets, month after month. offers brought, sacred grounds tarnished, experiments done. moving HEAVEN and H E L L in the wake of our birth. one born in the brightest light, one born in the darkest shadows. greatness was bestowed upon them. their existence UNIQUE to mankind brought followers from far away lands.blessed by the gods, tainted by the devil. twisted views, contorted upbringing. stacy lovely you never knew.

mommy taught you KINDNESS, true compassion for the human kind. daddy C O R R U P T E D him, created evil without any bounds. the greater the leader, so high on his pedestal, how bigger the fall from grace once the truth came out. his primal nature, ROTTEN and polluted, created the spark that lighted the F I R E. the eery smell of human flesh melting at the bones this haunts her. he did it all for you. he did it all in the name of the LORD. how could a kind god be as cruel as he.

once you doubted your faith, you unraveled the TRUTH. ran away a thousand miles to get away. the harder you ran, the easier it became to cope. but even your nightmares felt like reality. a new life given by time got you started. it turned all the tides. but hush baby do you hear the whispers in the wind? he will come for you and this time you can’t hide away.

EXPLANATION:

stacy is the experimental child of cult leaders who worshiped the deadmore monster. she was born as a twins together with her brother. stacy was mostly brought up by her mother who was a golden hearted woman who was highly religious and didn’t knew of the experiments her husband performed of her unborn children. she had several miscarriages before she gave birth to the twins. it is one of the reasons she was blinded from the truth. her brother was raised by their cruel and wicked father. at a young age he was confronted with a hard and cruel world and was forced to do the biding of his father. in the process he got beaten and abused whenever he didn’t listen nor did the biding of his father.

while both raised to worship the deadmore beast and most of all their father, the twin were used for more sinister purposes. they were the children to reunite the members and bind them to the cult forever. while stacy was kept in the dark about the truth, she lived her life in the image of pure goodness. she was the child that was more concerned with the well being of others over own, who always helped out voluntarily and did good for her family as well as the town. she organized fundraisers, read to the elderly and was nothing but a saint to say the least. yet in the shadow of her kindness stood her brother who could never live up to the goodness that was his sister. in his eyes she was an angel that walked the earth and no one was ever going to be worthy of her

during the begin of their twenties, her brother figured out the truth about their father, the cult and the offerings to the deadmore beast. in order to safe his sister from the evil that was called their parents, he murdered his parents, make it appear like a house fire. while the house was on fire, he came to pick up stacy to make her see what he did for her. he wanted her to know he was the one that ‘saved’ stacy from a worse faith. 

stacy was incapable of doing anything and was at last confronted with the cruel truth about their existence and the wicked world they had been living in. little did stacy and her brother know that their family had been watched by the cops for the last several years. it was the undercover agent that saved her from her brother. to keep stacy’s reputation from any harm, he brought her brother to the asylum where he has been kept away deep down in the dungeons, away from her and the town for years now.