Chapter Text
God, even just standing on the outskirts of Subcon, you could feel the change in the air. The heat burned from where the forest was, an orange glow around the trees as the flames danced off them. Anger filled the air, anger, and pride. It was almost too much to even be near. Just a few days ago it was the oddly charming haunting forest the toppats had come to know. Now, it was on the road to becoming unrecognizable too anyway. It would become a wasteland if nothing was done. The magic protecting the forest could only last so long...
Right-Hand Man had to adjust the charm he now wore on his neck. Snatcher had done some research into Ice Magic before, back when his kingdom fell to Vanessa's cursed blizzard and ice. He couldn't find any way to reverse it, but he did find a few ways of recreating it. Some of the magic now resided in the charm. Right would most likely die of a heatstroke without it. The fans built into his cybernetics wouldn't have time to kick on and cool him back down. Right couldn't risk losing it.
He approached the edge of the forest, still trying to form a plan in the back of his head. Snatch, Randy, and Macbeth had told him where exactly Legends could be located. He still wasn't exactly sure how he was going to manage to bring a state back to the station himself. For a brief moment he thought about asking Hat Girl to help with her super strength, but he quickly shot that down. He'd figure it out. She was still a kid. She shouldn't even have to be worrying about all this...
It was too late for that, he supposed. Hat Girl quickly learned what had happened to Snatcher in the forest the day following the phantom's sudden arrival. She had stayed by the ghost's side, made sure he wasn't doing anything that could hurt his wounds more. She also sent a message to the other groups of the planet. Warning them in case Ezra got impatient and decided to attack other places. The whole world felt a lot colder since then, except for Subcon. And it wasn't just because of winter's chill.
Right began to step into the forest, only to pause when he stepped on something, getting a whine. He quickly transformed his hand into a blaster and pointed down, only to hold back from firing. A bushcat was right by his feet, one paw stuck under it. It had two bush kittens beside it, both whining quietly, one coughing a bit from the smoke that came from the fire around. Their leaves looked withered. If Right didn't know better, he'd say he saw these before. Back when the the forest was showing signs of healing from the fire...
"Oh, the poor things." A voice called from behind Right, He quickly turned around. "Oh- Right. S-Sorry."
"Autiomma?" Right looked to the side. "Jaques? W'ot are ya two doin'? Haven't you seen w'ot 'happened 'ere?" He asked as he looked between the two. He noticed Jaques was wearing another one of those charms. Snatcher had made a few, too many considering his weakened state. He wanted the best protection for Right going into the lion's den, he kept making them until he made one that was 'strong enough'. Right thought Snatcher's face couldn't get paler. "T'is is an imporinat misson-"
"And we're here to help. Autiomaa can use their magic to get Legends back and I'm more than willing to play lookout." Jaques cut the cyborg off as he adjusted his charm faintly. Right was about to object but, when he thought about it, he suppose that would be useful. Besides, Autiomaa and Legends were technically related. "Also Reginald asked us too."
"I do think I heard footsteps..." Autiomaa stated as they glanced behind them, their cloak pulling closer to themselves. The gains of sand they were made of shook in place, enough for Right to take notice. It was odd how scared sand could look once life was breathed into it... He shook his head and sighed, turning his sight back down to the Bushcat who was trying to pick itself up. "Oh, let me help you.." Autiomaa whispered as she got to the ground, applying a gentle healing spell to the feline.
"Ya said ya thought ya 'heard footsteps, correct?" Right asked, getting a nod from the figure. He looked to the bushes they came from, him heading over. The last thing he wanted to risk was a surprise attack from one of the 'creations' Snatcher had told him about. However, a figure quickly appeared hands in the air. Right rose a brow. "W'y are ya 'ere?"
"To start to believe the Reginald excuse works on me too," Mu mumbled as she looked at them. She still had her red cloak on, but she had changed her usual wear to one of the spear uniforms. Her usual outfit was starting to get torn and it needed time to be repaired properly. She lowered her arms as she placed them behind her back, walking past them and facing Subcon's new glow. "It's... not fair." She said as she looked over at them. "For the ghost. I want to help in any way I can once I'm here."
"Mu, yer a kid still. Ya, shouldn't be out 'ere risking yer life when there's a safer option." Right stated as he went up to her, Mu simply looking at the ground. She had been quiet since she came to stay at the station. Some days they almost forgot she was there at all. Right, and the others had opened she was shaking off the need to be everyone's hero. "T'ere's other ways ya could 'help."
Mu took a breath. "Right. My childhood is almost over. And I spent all of it fighting for a cause no one cared for." She said as she turned around, looking at him. Right noticed the faintest traces of tears building in her eyes, even if her face remained neutral. "If I don't genuinely help at least once, the past decade will have been for nothing.." She looked down, fidgeting with her fingers a little. "Please, just... let me have this. Let me do one good thing so none of it was a complete waste."
Right was quiet for a second, turning his gaze to Autiomaa and Jaques. Autiomaa was still focused on the bush cat, mainly healing the wounds of the kittens. Jaqeus frowned at the girl, and Right saw that look in his eyes. It was a look of recognition... "Fine." Right mumbled as he turned his attention fully back to Mu, who had her gaze still fixed on his face. "Just don't get yourself killed. The second you get inquired yer goin' straight back, understand?"
Mu gave a nod as she looked forward at the forest. "Kid, wait," Jaques said as he headed in front of her, reaching into his suit's pocket to pull out a spear charm. "Wear this, Snatcher said it should help you with the heat. He gave me a spear because he thought I would lose mine, for some reason." Jaques mumbled the last part as Mu took the charm, attaching it to her hood. She let out a small shiver as she felt a rush of cold go through her, nodding to confirm it was working.
"There we go.." Autiomaa turned back, seeing Mu. "Oh, I didn't know you would be joining us." They said the bush cats they were helping started to head into the normal woods that surrounded Subcon, the cat holding one kitten in its maw while the other stumbled behind. Autiomaa watched for a moment, before floating back up. They looked into the subcon, their body leaning back as if holding a breath. "...I was always told to fear the fire. A-And here I am, about to walk right into its waiting jaws..."
"Just stay behind me Autiomaa. I can take a few hits if they spot us." A complete lie but neither Mu nor Right were about to speak up about it. Right took a moment to rub his eyes, truth be told he just wanted this mess over. Especially now he wasn't just risking his life here. Autiomaa floated behind Jaquws, shrinking their from down a bit to hide behind his silhouette. "There, you got it." Jaques smiled as he stretched his arms for a moment, before making sure he held his gun in his pocket.
"Alright, let's move. We don't 'ave time to waste." Right stated as he took a breath and finally moved into the orange glow they had been standing there, coughing a bit. The heat was soaking through him as expected, the charm glowing brighter to apply more magic to fight it. The smoke that was coming from the flames was a bigger issue. Suddenly, he felt some cloth enter his hand, seeing a mask. He turned to Mu who was putting one on. "W'ere did ya get t'is?"
"Made it myself, in case I ever had to deal with some sickness like Apline's." She said, adjusting the mask in place before getting one last one out of her pocket and throwing it over to Jaques. "Sorry if it's tight, fitted them to my face and we don't have time to adjust.."
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What should have only been a half-an-hour walk felt like it was taking years. Even with the charms preventing their bodies from getting too hot, it still was burning. Right was able to adjust slightly better thanks to his cybernetic fans but Jaques and Mu were both struggling despite how much they pushed to keep going. Mu had to take her hood off and tie it around her waist, moving the charm to the tie of the outfit she wore. The only reason Autiomaa was moving well was because their body was more resistant to heat.
That wasn't the main thing that was slowing them. They hadn't thought about how much being on fire would change how the forest looked. Right and Mu had been in it enough times that they had the place somewhat memorized, and even they struggled to find the usual landmarks. The noses were burnt to crisp with only a faint glow. Signs were completely gone. Bushes were torn and burnt, and the trees were only still alive because of the forest cover. Not to mention the fire just, in general hurting their eyes.
"I think I see Snatcher's tree," Mu called after what felt like a week of travel, pointing to what at first glance looked like a pillar of fire. The group approached, seeing the tree being burnt, along with scratches and other signs of the place purposely being trashed. There was even less covering on it compared to the trees around, so there was actual damage being done by the fire. "It's like they knew this was Snatcher's... Can't they give that annoying phantom a break?"
"The ghost's village should be nearby if I recall correctly..." Autiomaa began to float down a path nearby, the group following close behind. It didn't take them long to get to the burning pillars that used to be the ghost's home, the group ducking behind a rock as they saw one of the spiked night's nature had mentioned moving around the area on patrol. Autiomaa peaked their head out, only to quickly duck back down. "H-He's there."
The group didn't get to ask who, not that they needed the answer. "I still don't know what with this one clearing." Right poked his head above, closing his human eye and zooming in with his cybernetic one to see Ezra looking over a map placed on a table. The demon was glaring at an area marked in black marker as it owed him money, before turning to where Vanessa was resting nearby. "Are you sure you sent fross that way? My flames should have followed it if you had, yet my spells say this area is untouched."
"I told you, it should have covered everything by now," Vanessa spoke as she looked over, her resting in the water.
Right narrowed his eyes. Of course, they treat themselves while they ruin the space around them... Ezra let out a sigh as he rolled his eyes. "It's like there's some magic that's making that one area more resistant to everything we try." Ezra ranted as he paced back and forth, his footsteps melting into the ice that Vanessa had groaned around her to keep the water cool. "It can't be the Prince's, otherwise he'd be here to fight already. So what on earth could it be? Why that one random spot."
"It's probably nothing. You might be overacting." Vanessa spoke with a deep look on what little you could see of her face like she had any room to talk. Ezra was taking some breaths, but it was clear he was becoming more anxious. This wasn't going how he pictured it in his head. He clearly must've thought 'Moonjumper' would have shown up by now. Vanessa let out a sign. "I can go manually cover it myself."
"Please," Ezra said as he sat down in a chair, looking up at the sky. The only part of Subcon that couldn't be affected by the duo's magic. The moon stayed there, tauntingly. Like it knew what he wanted, knew what he needed to do, and yet refused to speak. His fists were shaking. He had to try and stay focused. He had to. Moonjumper would show up any minute now, knowing his luck. "He could hide anywhere that isn't affected... We need to give him no option other than to face us."
Vanessa got out of the water, and Ezra eventually went to rest near the cliffside. Right began to climb out of that spot, his eyes locked on his target, only for Jaques to grab his arm. "Don't. He'll just drag you down with him." Right was about to remind him he could fly, but suddenly the man stopped. His eyes seemed to catch onto something in the distance. A single painting loosely hung on a tree branch where Ezra was. Just barely safe from the fire's reach. "That painting."
"It's a nice picture, yeah." Right rolled his eyes. "W'ot about it?"
"Remember how I was stuck in a painting?" Jaques asked, Autiomaa tilting their head to the side while Right nodded. "I can't explain it but... That painting. I think it's a similar case. Snatcher did say he had paintings with trapped souls if I remember right.." Jaques rubbed his eyes. He only faintly recalled from the last day he was stuck in that cursed painting. He tried not to think about that part of his 'life' anymore. It wasn't living anyway. Just existing. A nightmare he couldn't wake from.
"I thought Snatcher stopped doing that," Mu mumbled as she looked at the painting. Although even then, she had a sense of unease. She saw the paintings that had people trapped in them before. The picture was always them trapped in their last second of fear, in that dark forest. The person in the painting seemed happy, the forest behind her alive and green... "So I guess we got two people to save now, great." She began to lower down. "I'll see if I can walk up and garb Ms. Painting without Ezra seeing me..." She shook her head. "No, wait. That's a bad idea."
"I mean... shouldn't we get to Legends.." Autiomaa asked quietly. "The part of the forest they spoke of is clearly where he is, and it sounds like we don't have much longer until they come across him.." Right gave a nod, but looked at the painting. He couldn't just leave the girl stuck to her fate, especially so close to two forms of demise. Autiomaa looked at the group. "Maybe we should split up? I-I heard that's usually a bad thing to do but, I don't know if we'll have time otherwise.."
"It's t'e best s'ot we got." Right nodded as he stood up. "Autiomaa, ya come with me to get Legends. Jaques, ya and Mu work on tryin' to get t'e painting girl to safety." Both of them nodded, although Jaques did start to rub his hand. His breaths were slow like he was trying to stay calm. Like the mere idea of the situation was going to send him spiraling. "Keep yer 'ead clear, Jaques." The man nodded, slowly. "We'll meet up back at Snatc'er's tree. If anythin' 'happens, go there."
"We'll be ok," Mu said as she looked over at where the painting was. It was just a little too close to Ezra for her liking. And she didn't want to risk her being the one to fall the cliffside before she could get her timepiece to reset. They were going to have to wait a bit. She bends down to the ground. Her hands gripping faintly on the grass under her. "We just need to play the waiting game. Make sure you two don't run into Vanessa. She's faster than she looks with reflexes."
"Trust me, I'm aware." Right-Hand Man mumbled as he reached for his eye. It was almost funny to think it was almost a year ago since the incident he and Reginald first went into her manor... Right shook his head. He needed to focus on the task. Couldn't let his mind wander. He climbed up on the rock to get a scan of the area, before sliding back down and beginning to walk in a direction. "It should be t'is way if the directions I was given are right."
Jaques managed to calm his nerves enough for a cheeky smile. "Are you?"
Right groaned as he rolled his eyes as he just began to head forward. He paused once he sensed Autiomaa's lack of presence behind him, and turned around. The figure looked up from where they were down, taking what sounded like a few breaths before slowly floating over to him. Right just nodded and went forward again, his hand already transformed and ready to fight.
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Vanessa must have gotten lazy. There was some frost on the ground once Autiomaa and Right got to where Legends should be waiting, but it disappeared after about ten feet. Leaving only the untouched forest. The only part of the forest's completely untouched grounds. There were some more bushcats around. Trying to recover from the wounds. Right had to steer Autiomaa's attention away from a dead one, he didn't know how the sandy souls would react and he didn't want to risk that being what got them caught.
It was oddly painful to go through the clearing. Right never had an emotional tie to Subcon. Or at least, he never thought he did. But he had gone in and out so many times over the last year it started to feel closer to a home than just a place near it. The last few times he was here were positive, for the most part...
He shook his head, he needed to focus. "So, are we any closer?" Right asked, Autiomaa nodding as they started to float ahead. The clearing began to come into view. It felt untouched, as weird as it was to describe. It was like it was covered in some protective blanket of magic. Right squinted his eyes a bit, and soon he saw the statue of Moonjumper come into view. "T'ere." He said as he began to walk over to it, a hint of caution in his steps. He didn't know what might happen.
"Legends," Autiomaa called gently, and there seemed to be a faint shift in the air. Like something beginning to awake. Made right pause for a moment. The flame in the statue's lantern faded a little. Right, could hear a faint hum in the air as Autiomaa rested by the base of the statue, floating from their figure and starting to surround the base. "I don't have time to explain, but we need to get you out of here."
"What? What do you mean?" Legends spoke. His voice was calm and collected, as it has always been, but it was covered in confusion. Right looked around the clearing. You could only see the faintest hints of the orange glow from where they were standing. That was the only thing Right could think of for why Legends didn't notice. Autiomaa just focused on the spell. "You cannot move me, I'm afraid. I need to stay." Legends spoke. "What if someone loses their way in the forest? I must lead them back."
"Legends, t'e forest is on fire because of Ezra. It isn't safe for anyone anymore." Right stated as he gestured to the area beyond what could be seen. It got quiet then, almost too quiet. Right, could swear he could see fear enter the eyes of the stone despite them staying perfectly in place. "Ezra crawled out of 'ell and now 'e is makin' it everyone's issue."
"He's going to find you sooner or later if we don't leave..." Autiomaa said as they looked up at Legends. They paused their magic as they floated up, some of their sand forming a hand and reaching for the one that didn't hold the lantern. They held it for a moment as they sighed, glancing around the clearing. The night sky was pretty right now... It was a shame to leave it. "I... know the fear of leaving the only place you've ever known." They sighed. "But sadly, you don't have a choice..."
"I... I need to stay.." Legends spoke in a whisper. "If someone gets hurt or worse because I wasn't here to guide them. I don't know if it would be possible to forgive myself." Autiomaa looked at Right, who just quietly gestured to the sand. They didn't have a choice here, they had to keep going. Autiomaa nodded and looked down, focusing on the spell again. "It's my purpose to watch over those of Subcon..."
"Well, there's not exactly anyone in t'e forest to watch over right now." Right stated with a small sigh. He didn't even know why they were talking. Autiomaa could finish the spell and they could have been on their way to Snatcher's tree by now. He looked at the statue and walked in front of him, looking into his eyes. They stared back. Cold. Right just shook his head. "All t'e ghost 'ave already evacuated. Are ya goin' to stay 'ere until yer found 'and destroyed, or are ya goin' to live to die another day?"
"...If it's what must be done." Legends let out a sigh. Right, could have sworn he could feel the spirit's head shaking, as odd as that was to phrase. "Let us go... Just... Promise you'll return me when it is safe."
"Of course," Autiomaa said as they began to lift off the ground again. The sand that was around the statue's base had grown a faint glow around them, and now the glow spread over the rest of Legends. It stayed that way for a second before the magic began to gently tug on the earth, lifting the statute ever so slightly. Autiomaa paused as they heard Legend let out a hiss of pain. "I-I'm sorry. I never used a spell like this before. I don't want to hurt you..." They stated.
"We don't 'ave time to waste." Right stated as his legs turn into the boosters, him flying above Legends and garbing his shoulders, being mindful to use less force with his cybernetic hand to not risk breaking the shoulder. From there he pulled up, slowly tugging the state out of the earth with he magic's help. Although it was clear this might take a while. "Could speed t'is up, but it might result in more pain."
"Do what you must." Legends spoke, even if there was a hint of hesitation in his voice. Right could tell just from what he was saying that the feeling of danger was new... Right boosted the speed of his boosters and started to pull up more, Autiomaa watching with some hesitation as they gently pulled the statute further from the earth, the ground below starting to crack up a bit. "Aploziges. I'm just not used to any form of pain." Legends stated as Right tug again, the statue's base being freed from the earth.
"Finally." Right huffed as he let go of the shoulder, Autiomaa focusing their magic on making sure Legends stayed afoot. Right took a glance down where the statue lay, seeing was looked to be the faintest hints of some sort of sparkling dust. Because nothing in this forest could make sense... Or at least, nothing in the true forest. "Jaques 'and Mu should 'ave gotten t'e paintin' by now."
"I hope they're ok.." Autiomaa said as they began to float forward, constantly looking back to check on Legends. Like he was going to float away from them despite that being impossible to their knowledge. Right took charge and walked ahead of the two, in case Vanessa did decide to show herself. She could still be nearby based on the frost. It was hard to say for sure. "Hey... You'll like it at the station." Autiomaa said as they moved. "They're not too far from the ocean, and the toppats are fun to watch."
"Perhaps." Legends sighed. Their voice was barely above a whisper. Coated in sorrow. Right shook his head, Legends knew why they were doing this. Did he have to make a fit about it without actually making a fit... Or was Right just not seeing the bigger picture? How was he supposed to know if he wasn't? "I just hope no one gets lost while I'm gone."
"If t'ey walked into t'e forest while it was set ablaze and got lost, that's not yer fault." Right stated as he rolled his eyes. It should be most people's instinct to go away from the fire after all. Only go in if it was necessary, which Right couldn't think of a single reason why it would be. All the ghosts were at the station and no other person on the planet should have a reason to go into Subcon. "We'll get it wrapped up, I promise. It's just goin' to take time."
"Well, at least you and Hat Girl have a lot of that?" Autiomaa asked, tilting their head. Right gave a small nod as he briefly thought about it. He did have 'Bottled Time' with him, and it has been a while since he made good use of it. Although he didn't like the fact Hat Girl was brought up. "Sorry.." Autiomaa stated. "I wanted to try and lighten the mood?"
Right-Hand Man just sighed and focused on the path ahead, then started to approach the flames. He could feel a shift in
the air, and somehow he knew it came from Legends. Maybe now Right's words were starting to sink in. Or maybe he was just upset at seeing his home being ruined in vain...
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Was Ezra ever going to move from that spot? It felt like an hour for the duo, just waiting for the demon to get far enough from the painting to go and grab it. They should already be at Snatcher's tree waiting, but no. Here they were instead. Every time the demon got up to move, he always found a new spot that was too close to the painting for comfort. It was like he knew and was purposely camping around the painting, making them either have to leave it or force them to get closer...
Which they did end up doing after a while, still staying out of Ezra's sight. Mu wanted to dash over and garb the painting that very second, but she knew that was a death sentence. Ezra had his fire magic and neither one of them had any proper magic to fight it back with. They also couldn't risk breaking their charms, there was no way they could get out before collapsing otherwise. Just one more thing on this pile of issues of the task. But they couldn't leave the picture behind.
If Jaques was right and there was a soul trapped in that painting, then it would be wrong to leave them for death. They likely did nothing wrong. Vanessa and Ezra just had a habit of doing what they thought was best.
"At this point, we need some sort of distraction, Right's probably waiting for us by now," Mu whispered as she looked at where the demon was resting, reading a book while his hand opened in close. He was on the urge of snapping, Mu couldn't risk him just hearing her footsteps, even with him facing away from the painting right now. Mu looked over at Jaques. "You got your gun, right?" She asked, the man nodding with a faint look of concern in his eyes. "Can you shoot near him, force him to move?"
"I could... But we would need to be quick. Cover your ears." He said as he began to sneak away from the current hiding spot, heading over to the bus lines nearby. He had to close his eyes as the fire threatened to blind him, he wasn't sure how much longer they could stay here. He looked over at where Ezra was reading, aiming the gun right above his head. "If I'm lucky, it'll miss and kill him." He mumbled before he quickly slam his finger on the trigger, the area roaring.
Ezra dropped the books as the sound made him shut up, his tail stirring up like a frightened cat. "What the!?" He shouted as he looked around, his hand ablaze. It sounded like when a potion was mixed incorrectly but, loaded. More… prepared. He turned to the direction he was sure the sound came from, beginning to would over, him hissing as he bore his fangs. "Vanessa, I swear if that was you.." He mumbled, before calling out. "Just come on out, 'friend'. I'm sure we can talk about this."
Mu waited until Ezra had just left her sight. "Stay there." She whispered before she rushed to where the painting was. She had to balance herself on one of those glowing mushrooms, trying to be gentle enough so it didn't spring her up into the air. She looked at the painting as she carefully grabbed it from the tree, at the picture of the women. She could have sworn she had seen her somewhere before... "Were you in one of Hattie's storybooks?" She whispered, before shaking her head.
"Mu!" Jaqeus called out as he began to rush over. "You got it, good! Let's go now!"
"Why did you just shout that out, Ezra could still be in hearing range!" Mu called before she began to rush forward. She had to stop when she almost tripped, looking back down at the painting. She couldn't risk doing damage to it, who knows what that might do to the person inside. She went to some of the buildings nearby and began to use them like the cover, her back turned away to protect the painting from the flames. "We just need to get back to the tree and then it will all be alright..."
"Who's there?!" Ezra's voice suddenly called, sounding a lot closer than Jaques or Mu wanted to hear. Jaques went ahead and poked his head around the corner, seeing Ezra had walked back into the area, his eyes darting around like a cat searching for a mouse. Jaques tried to sneak further, but the flames on one of the bushes suddenly dashed near him due to the wind, making him shout as he stumbled back. "What the" Ezra glared at the two. "What do you two think you're doing in my forest!"
"It isn't yours!" Mu called out before quickly passing the painting to Jaques. "Get to the tree, I can handle this better." She said as she got out her timepiece.
"Oh no you don't!" Ezra slammed his hand into the ground, sending the crack of flames rushing to Mu. Mu quickly got out of the way, Jaques rushing to a spot for cover. She quickly raced up to Ezra and kicked at him. He was only knocked back half a foot, and he went to slash her... only to blink and find himself in the position he was in moments ago. He blinked before he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. "Peck!" He shouted as he garbed it, only to feel another sharp pain in his side as something slashed through it.
"Jaqeus!" Mu called she slammed the branch further into Ezra's shoulder, the man aiming down and shooting the demon in the foot. Ezra's body took on a redder tone as Mu quickly backed away, a blush of fire coming from the beast's form. Mu waited for the blast to go away, and then paused when she noticed the man just standing there, taking a few breaths. She quickly threw a nearby stone to knock him back some more, then began to dash away. "Come on, let's move!" She called to Jaques.
"Don't you dare think of getting away!" Ezra breathed out as he began to form a fireball, throwing it quickly.
"Keep Running!" Jaques said as he turned around, firing his gun at the fireball. Making it break just enough for its pieces to miss them. And they had managed to go far enough in that time that Ezra decided it wasn't worth it. Jaques took some breaths as he looked at Mu. "You didn't have to risk getting hurt..." He sighed as he looked at the painting he placed under his arms. "But I suppose we got our goal in the end... Sorry mam. You'll be out soon enough."
He said.
"W'ot 'appen?" Right-Hand Man's voice cut them off guard, the two looking forward as the cyborg came up to them. Autiomaa was behind him with the Moonjumper statute, making Mu sigh in relief as she wiped her brow. They got all they came here for, good. She started to walk back in the direction of the orbital station, Right following behind with a hint of concern in his eyes. "We got to t'e tree first and got worried. Did Ezra stay by that paintin' all that time or somethin'?" He rose a brow as he tilted his head.
"If I had a penny for every time Ezra was about to leave only to move an inch, I'd be richer than you," Mu mumbled tiredly, sighing as she rubbed her eyes. She looked back at Jaques, mainly at the painting he had, and a tiny smile formed on her face. Sure, it was annoying and risky near the end. But she did it. She helped someone... right? She took a breath and continued to head forward. "Snatcher better still have that spell to get them out. Otherwise, I'm going to make fighting Ezra look easy."
"Did 'e not throw ya into t'e swamp a half dozen times?" Right-Hand Man asked, Mu giving a small shrug in response. The right was scanning what he could see of her with his eyes, and it didn't look like she had any inquiries besides a few scratches and a faint red burn on her hand. Still wanted to make sure she got looked at properly, but he could do that later, once they were all back at the station. "So, I see ya let 'er do most of t'e work." Right-eyed Jaques.
Jaques rolled his eyes. "I didn't have much time to react. Besides, I think I did well."
Right just sighed as he wiped some sweat off his brow. He was starting to get used to the heat, even a little worried they might freeze up once they got back to the station and the snow around it... Oh well. At least they wouldn't have to go back in until they had their plan.
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Snatcher was waiting with Hat Girl and the Moonjumper pieces just outside the airship for the group to get back. Snatcher wasn't fully sure why he was there if he was honest. Maybe he just wanted to rest knowing Legends was out, but he could easily do that from the warmth of the orbital station. He didn't have to know the second they came into few, freezing his tail off in the process... Although in some odd way, the cold felt like it was being kinder to him. Maybe because it wasn't Vanessa's crushed snow?
Eventually, the group appeared in their vision, the state of legends floating behind them. Snatcher could let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. Badge Seller got up and started to walk down as Autiomaa placed Legends on the ground, Hydartic leaning as close as the screen he was on would let him see with his own eyes. Mu went up to Hat Girl and gave a small smile, Hat Girl sighing once she took note of Mu's faintly burnt hand. Snatcher rolled his eyes at that, hers weren't that bad... But at least things were over now. He didn't have to worry about this again.
"Oh, Snatcher!" Jaques called just as the ghost started to float up to head back inside. Snatcher let out a groan as he looked down at him, about to ask him what he was thinking when he paused. His eyes widen slightly at the painting. He… knew that face. It had been ingrained in his memory ever since his last day of life. The last person he spoke with before he walked right into Vanessa's waiting maw. "Vanessa and Ezra had this in the town... There's a soul in here, right?"
"Grace," Snatcher said as they gestured for Jaques to stand back, taking the painting and leaning it against the station's wall. She looked just like how she did that day all those years ago. She was even smiling... Vanessa must have found the same spell he used and modified it. Because he couldn't sense fear or, anything from the painting's soul. Just a cloud of unconsciousness, like a coma... He took a breath. "You have been in there long enough." He said as he reached out his hand. "Let's hope I don't screw this up."
Hydartic noticed from where he was and looked over, raising a brow. "Snacher, what are you-"
He didn't get to finish that statement. Snatcher's hand took a glow as an aura surrounded the painting. The show around the painting began to lift slowly as the picture started to desert, a faint swirl coming off of it. Snatcher was waiting, his breath shaky. She should be crawling out by now. Right? Did he do something wrong?
He couldn't wait any longer and reached his hand into the painting. He felt an arm and garbed, pulling back and catching her head when she flopped from the painting. He took a breath and gently pulled the rest of her out, the painting becoming an empty frame as the magic faded... He took a breath. It was done.
"...Ya couldn't 'ave brought 'er inside first?" Right asked, his face blank with his brows slightly raised. Hat Girl and Jaques went up to Snatcher, watching the Florist breathe slowly. "'ow Long 'as she has been in there anyway?"
"Too long.." Snatcher sighed as he shook his head. He paused as he felt movement, a groan coming from the women. He quickly led her on the ramp to the station, placing her on a blanket legends had laid out. He floated back a bit, biting his tongue.
The woman would groan as she slowly opened her eyes, sitting up. "My queen?" She dazesly whispered as she rubbed her eyes, before looking up slightly. Her gaze met Snatcher's, and she let out a scream as she looked around, her eyes widened as she glanced around. She eyed the unfamiliar creatures and people in fear. "S-Stay back! Who are you, where am I!"
Badge Seller watched for a moment, humming before stepping over... She looked at him, her hand raised, shaking but fisted. He stopped and tilted his head. "...You have their eyes..."
"Badge, please don't frighten her." Legends spoke. "She doesn't know what has happened."
Grace locked onto the statute of Moonjumper, pausing. It was the only thing here she recognized, despite this clearing being far from where the statue was supposed to rest. That voice... it came from it. "Moonjumper?" She asked in hesitation.
"Partly," Hydaric called up from the station, using the speakers to make his voice heard. "Hey, can one of you bring up something electrical I can get into? I need to see this."
Mu sighed as she rolled her eyes as she headed up the station's ramp. Legends looked at Grace with a sigh. "It is a long story, young one. But it is not as important as yours." Grace tilted her head to the side. "You... were trapped in a painting. Cruse to live among the paint. And during the centuries that past, Subcon has fallen into a state you would not recognize anymore..."
Grace's eyes widen as she listens. "Cent... Centuries?" She asked, shaking her head. A single tear fell as she took a few breaths, the implications clear. "Oh... Oh God... They're gone. My friends, my family. My queen-"
"Oh, that old drama queen is still kicking, for some pecking reason," Snatcher mumbled as he rolled his eyes, Grace jumping a bit as she turned back to face him. "She's the reason Subcon fell in the first place. All because she saw me buy flowers from you..." His tone softens at the end.
Grace looked at the phantom beast. "Bought flowers from me? I would remember if I sold flowers to a..." She didn't finish, slowly the pieces were falling into place in her brain. Underneath the echo of the ghost's voice, he sounded familiar... And the last person she remembered selling flowers to was the prince. Just got back and want to give his finance a nice gift... She looked up at the ghost again. The man looked oddly familiar. "Prince AJ?" She whispered.
Snatcher bit his tongue for a moment, before sighing. "It's Snatcher now... but yes..." He gave a dry chuckle. "I rather not get into it all now but... it's just us. We and the kids left. Phantoms of a time forgotten..." He shook his head. "I'm sorry... If I known you were like this I would have found you sooner..."
"What... happened to Subcon?" Grave asked after a moment.
"Let's discuss that inside... the exact situation is complicated..." Jaques said as he walked by the two. Grace eyed the man, who offered her a small smile. "Don't worry, I was stuck in a painting for a long time too. You'll get used to everything, eventually."
"Well. You were also aware while in the painting. So you had an idea." Hat Girl stated. She began to head up. "I'll go see if Burt is making coffee or something to warm you all."
"As if we need warmth after that..." Autiomaa looked at Legends. "Are you going to be fine out here?"
"I have been through the cold months before. I can survive." Legends spoke. "Go and warm yourself... You'll all need to be ready."
-------
"What do you mean you lost the painting?!" Vanessa roared as she looked at Ezra, who was rubbing where his wound was wrapped. She had just gotten back from frosting the clearing, having taken a nap in the middle of the process, and now the trapped soul was just gone.
"In my desire, they acted quickly for two normal humans," Ezra mumbled as he adjusted his spot on the bridge that lay on top of two of the ghost's houses. He had been working on plains to put spiked fences along these upper areas. Try and limit how close Moonjumper can get while still being in the air. Gave him something to look busy for when she got back because he knew this was coming.
"Ugh!" Vanessa shouted as she slammed her hand into one of her spike knights walking by, shattering the figure's head before it walked off as part of its partial. She looked at her hands, spikes of ice coming from them with only a single thought. "I should have just struck that soul down when I had the chance."
"You should have," Ezra mumbled. Save his ears.
Vanessa sat by the water again, taking a few breaths. She looked at her left hand. It should be ringed. It should have been ringed long ago. It was what was promised to her. Why must her prince have everything work in his favor? Why him, when he was the one who betrayed her...
The next time she saw Florsit, she was going to kill her in one attack. String her crops up as a decoration, and a warning to her prince about what happens when anyone falls out on line in her kingdom.
"...How long til my prince returns?"
Ezra was quiet for a moment, summoning a blade from his flames and looking it over. They didn't have much more time. Moonjumper was going to show his face. And when that happened, Ezra couldn't afford to let the chance slip. He needed to drain his magic and kill him. Before Vanessa could react to the betrayal. He can kill her in one shot after that.
"Soon."