written by Tangyfighter - originally published on 2022-10-15 - 121553 words
37 chapters - rated: Mature - content warnings: none
After so many moons of traveling Bugaria to seek out the answers to his encounter with Team Snakemouth’s mercy, Astotheles is unconvinced but remains troubled by his moral compass left skewed by the trio. Returning home to continue his synthetic peace within the inhospitable world of nature and new law, he comes across another bug that may have the answers he sought after during his long leave.
Will he learn what it means to show mercy? And will his family accept such a contradicting notion?
score: 5/5 ★★★★★
Writing is fucking hard. Writing OCs as more than just character designs with fun facts is harder. Writing OCs as characters with heft intertwined with canon is even harder. Writing a project double the size of an average young adult novel containing all of these factors is EVEN harder. And then, doing all of this, while having it be good, and then sticking the landing after the dust has settled, is almost impossible: at least, from what I've read before.
After having dedicated a month to this work, I can say that The Merciful Bandit stands alone as what I consider to be one of the best stories out on the tag right now. A lot of the strengths are given benefits of a longer-form work: the wordcount allows a lot of these characters to really get the chance to breathe out and expand that wouldn't be possible in a more typical one-shot or shorter work. There's not a single word wasted in this entire fanfic, with every moment important in its own right to the overarching storyline. There's details introduced in the first couple of chapters that pay off at the very end, a phenomenon that repeats over and over again. Every new detail helps recontextualize the story before it, and this fic is one of those kinds of stories that is really fun to just sit down and think about.
You want characters? We got fucking characters. The Merciful Bandit is a rare case in which I think both the canon characters and OCs are given tons of room to shine, rather than one particular faction getting most of the love. Astotheles and Isau are interesting enough in the game already, but are given even more layers of complexity in The Merciful Bandit that were extremely enjoyable to chew into. Astotheles is forced to confront all of these things about himself and his bandit family that go against everything he's ever known and experienced, a journey that spurs from his interactions with Isau in the beginning.
Outside of canon, the new additions are absolutely wonderful. There's a bit of a stereotype in fandom spaces in general where OC x Canon is, to put it kindly, just a little bit rough around the edges. When you mash two completely contrasting characters together, it is often that you find that the two are incompatible, and it can especially go wrong when said focus is on the OC. Using Asto's bandits as a place to put said OCs is honestly brilliant, and is such a natural extension of what's already in game that it hardly feels out of place at all. I appreciate the fact that Astotheles is kept as the main focus in the story, with these OCs kept mostly as supplementary characters to his plight, of which helps solve the aforementioned issues of an OC feeling shoved into a narrative. The focus is lazer-tight, and most forays outside of Astotheles's perspective are intentional and add to the story instead of taking away.
I love all of the new characters. Not all of them are super deep or complex, but the ones that are REALLY stand out and were easily the most fun to read. One of Astotheles's lieutenants, Venx, and his entire contrast with Astotheles was one of the core hooks that kept me reading in the latter half of the story. Tento's entire arc with his mentorship under Isau was really entertaining, and I was audibly popping off whenever Grash showed up on the page. Shoutout Grash, by the way, that's the best character in the entire fic bar Astotheles or Isau.
And best of all, there's actual plot and character development and fucking THEMES in this work. I know people saying "themes and such" is like, a meme, but give me a second.
I don't mean this as a dig against the medium. Fanfiction is fucking awesome. But like, a good portion of the stuff I read is character interaction. Too short to be fully realized. Even some of the works I herald as being pretty good fall into this category: like, I fucking loved Matters Of Will And Testament, but there's just not enough room in 4000 words to fit a full character arc in there.
But this work? Astotheles goes through shit, man. I can't speak on my favorite parts without spoiling it outright, but just know that Chapter 16 was un-fucking-believably good. I think this work tackles generational trauma and the cycle of violence in so many different ways and forms and the way the bandits and Defiant Root meld and interact together over the course of the story is something that I really enjoyed reading.
So yeah. This work's so damn good. Go read it. If you start now, a chapter a day will let you finish it within a month and some change. If you like Astotheles as a character, you will love him even more after reading this story.
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Lolol hiyo! So I've been following @anomaletix progress through my story with Astotheles and I'm really happy to see him having a pretty good time! One thing that made me a sad though was seeing him get so excited for an event and writing how geeked he was only for it to not live up to it...I felt like I should fulfill his expectation as I probly could've done more. So presenting this, as an alternate scenario, and cuz I can cuz im the dummy author so hehehehehe.
Disclaimer: I made this scene somewhat graphic! Please be advised!
Context and change: Chapter 35, beginning chapter. The scorpion that erupts from the world is not Venku's but another wild scorpion. Maybe a mate of the other one, now wanting revenge?
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"ISSSSAUUUUU!!!"
A blood-curdling cry erupted from his lymph filled throat. His body and mind simultaneously screamed to stop his hopeless defense, but his steeled soul refused to listen to their selfish commands. As before, any outcome from this horrible attack would end in tragedy; a dear loved one being slain in front of his very eyes. Grash being cut in half from head to abdomen, Venx's mighty form being minced into something unrecognizable, or Isau, his newfound angel, being torn to pieces with her lifeless, innocent eyes looking back at him as her head was separated from her body...
If fate ordained such a tragedy...
Never. He was in control of fate.
Astotheles felt his extremities pulse and leak lymph, his eyes locked on to the beast and its terrible form. It was triple the size of Venx alone, and their strategy from before would be crushed. Its claws still seemed to wrap around him and aimed at Isau who would've absorbed the killing blow to protect Astotheles.
It would only take half a second to kill them. But Astotheles required only a quarter of that measly second.
"BOSS! YOU'RE GOING TO-"
In his strike, the pinpoint of the sword produced an antennae-ringing sound of metal impacting on hardened carapace. But as it seemed like the weapon would harmlessly bounce off, it continued. Astotheles' arm was beginning to contort from the pressure behind his strike, but it continued. Flesh and matter bent the sword to the point of shattering, yet it continued. Down to the hilt, Astotheles converted his suicide charge into a singular attack that would ironically defend everything that mattered. His honor, his pride, his family, his love and joy. Memories turned to strength as his arm dove deeper into the monster. This creature was in the way of finally making his ideals true; Its threats would no longer be entertained.
At last, as he felt his body's momentum carry foward into the enemy, he cried out for the only blood brother he had.
"FOR. SHALEUS!"
One he couldn't protect.
In the blink of many eyes, the onlookers saw their lives flash many times before them. What they didn't expect to see, in that flash, was the standing soon-to-be corpse of their cricket leader; his gnarled weapon stuck deep into the deceased beast charging at them only moments ago. Somehow, his body remained tall and stoic, his eyes were a different glimmer and a menacing aura caused antennae to spike in the room. Yet, in that murderous air made by his soul, they still felt...protected. It was as if, as long as he stood, no one by his side would perish under his watch.
Even if alone, against an army of scorpions, he would forge a path and let the bodies create a path to their hopes.
"Woah." Said Grash. (Not a part of it but I just like ruining things xD)
Isau, Astotheles and the crew of Grash's mates are relaxing under an overcast sky, perfect for a healthy snack without being burnt to a crisp from the sun. Isau is sitting with Astotheles, and they seem to be having a good time chatting about their day's events and plans when the weather becomes cooler. Isau has to leave, and bids an uplifting goodbye to her friends. Astotheles continues to watch her as she goes away, prompting a comment from Zag:
"She's neat, ain't she boss?"
"I wouldn't deny it."
"Yeah...pretty cute too, huh?"
"..."
"W-what?"
"...You find her cute?"
"Uhh...yeah?"
"Zag!" Elnren snaps quietly at him.
Astotheles shakes his head, but looks reluctant. "No no...he's...erm..."
"Boss, you good?" Zag asks.
"It's just...you are correct...but I feel uneasy."
"Wait why!? What did I say that was weird? Was it how I said it?"
"Hey, weevil-brain. Ya just can't compliment the boss' girl like that!"
"I meant it in a nice way!"
"Stop you two...I'm the one being odd."
"No, sir. You are correct to feel that way! They say that bugs in the kingdoms who love each other tend to be pretty defensive when someone comments a flirtatious word to their love interest. You know, like you with us, sir!"
"...Buddy, you had me there until the end."
"Oh C'mon! I mean the defensive part, not the-"
"Hey buddies...something crossed my mind." Shrim sways his body from side to side as he processes the thought in his head. "We're Isau and Astotheles supporters to the end, so the boss don't have to worry! But...what if someone outside our group finds her cute?"
"..."
"..."
"Like reeeaaally cute?"
"..."
"Boss?"
"...I have the intense urge to stand by her clinic, draw my sword..."
"...A-and?"
The cricket stares forward. Unflinching. His mind seems to be racing in contradiction to his stoic expression. The possibilities of another bug taking a liking to his desert rose...
He breathes in without blinking. "...And wait."
Then it clicked for his fellow former outlaws.
"You know what? I'm in. Let's crack some heads."
"Y-Yeah! We should follow the boss' lead!"
"Yes, sir! We'll defend your lady till the end!"
That night, as temperature fell, the squad of "protectors" had been productive in their endeavors. 3 "civilian" arrests of criminals in the wrong place at the wrong time, along with the many glares and death stares on innocents, the four bugs managed to only receive a single menacing charge by the guards. It seemed like only one veteran bee guard had the courage to reign the squad in for the night. Yet after all of that...?
She wasn't home. The butterfly had gone to a medical demonstration in Termite Kingdom. Astotheles would have known, if he was listening during lunch. Not at all was he admiring his adorable petal.
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Gonna do these little thought things sporadically on here for BF since it reminds everyone I'm still alive while sharing dumb stuff.
Imagine
A little dragonfly bandit needing help with homework, goes up to a taller Asto and stretches out his entire body to hand him the leaf for him to look at. After solving it, Tento runs up and asks the same thing, which he helps and gets a hug of appreciation. Then Venx walks up intimidatingly, as if wanting a duel and puts Asto on guard, but then hands him homework.
"This is a rectangle. But, so is that one, aye?"
"...That's a trapezoid."
"Lies! It has four corners."
"So does a square."
"A square!? Pah, you mean box. Stop making things up."
"...I...you..."
"Confusing you with my smarts, eh brother?"
"...How'd you break out of Rubber Prison, anyways?"
"I rode a box boat."
"A square boat."
"...Box. Boat."
Silence
"Anyways, I'm bored. Wanna fight to the death, 'ol friend?"
"...Your intelligence is a more worthy foe at this level."
That's all, dunno if I will keep doing this but if it makes someone laugh, worth hehe.
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Since CV woke me up hehe, I thought I should give a fun little lore dump I always imagined. In prison, Venx still holds Asto's dream of the bandits receiving fair treatment and a place among the kingdoms as a waste of time and power. If given the chance to back in time, he'd probably do his crime again to try and make his boys the reigning power of all Bugaria. But if there's anything stopping him, it's his troop. He loves his banditos, he loves the boss when he was a no nonsense marauder. Ultimately, he doesn't want to hurt them if he could. Grash's injury was not intentional, and he wavered in his conviction in that moment.
Also for Venx, Asto's eye for an eye mentality is reasonable and he is a strict believer in that sense. Isau's treatment of his wounds and those of his fellow bandits earned his respect for her. So for instance, if Asto asked him for any help with his ideal dream, he'd get the equivalent of the middle finger as a response along with the indescribable scribbles of a cricket who made and drank prison hooch out of smuggled berries.
But instead, if Asto wrote to him...knowing the guards were reading them as security...
Venx,
Isau and Tento's clinic was set on fire by an arsonist. Bastard smirked at me when he realized I couldn't get to him after being caught by the guards. Dear brother, as furious as I was in that position, I believe Rubber Prison will rehabilitate this poor soul and light his heart ablaze with righteousness. Could you help him see this light?
His reply letter, in perfect writing:
Asto,
He will see the light that burns within him. So bright, it will dance along his carapace.
Picture the prison ants just staring wide-eyed at the letters, unsure if maybe they really were just that passionate about rehab, or if a fire alarm was going to go off in a few nights.
Im back with the random q's about your bandit bug boys (+ Grash lol),,
Whats their ages? :D (or like if you have anything planned for them /estimate XD)
(Please bear with me, I enjoy having the most little info on basically everything XD)
Hey Hey! Long time no see, no worries I been in the process of moving out and such and headed back home soon! Finally done with my big boy education stuff lol.
Hmm ages ages...this is in terms of our human lives in respect to their lifespan
Venx - 28
Zimmlerken - 31 (haha old but not really)
Grash - 26
Elnren - 25
Shrim - 22
Zag - 25
Tento -22
No plans as of now, maybe some dumb shenanigans while I write Swan Song (whenever I can get back to it) I can probly write whole chapters just on the boys planning heist style set ups on getting Asto to interact with his number one embarrassment source lol
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