Sailorstuck! Collision Of Fates

You walk down the hallway from the side door, cautious with a strange new sense of confidence. It must be...the suit or the transformation or something, because you're sure you wouldn't feel like this otherwise. In fact, normal you wouldn't even be here, you'd have nope'd the fuck out if it wasn't for shitty talking cats invading your life and convincing you to do otherwise.

You can hear someone talking, and around the corner is another door. It gets louder the closer you get, so you assume that must be your next destination. They definitely sound evil, if that's what the whole criteria of what you're looking for consists of.

"--didn't expect this many from one day, but that's more than enough! Now go, turn your havoc upon the town! I'll gift that youthful, rebellious energy you'll create to my master."

Bingo.

"What 'rebellious' energy? You've just taken people who've had nothing to do with you, and turned them into those who are inconsiderate and think nothing of the feelings of others!! Causing pain and torment, hurting people, none of that has anything to do with 'rebellion', you're all just being assholes!!" Your shouting from behind the door, still very loud, eliciting confused murmurs and one angry response.

"Who's there!? Show yourself!!?"

All too willingly you kick the door open-- relief when it doesn't swing back at your face, that would have been a horrible and embarrassing blow to your intimidation factor --and stride right the fuck in.

"Guided by Blood," Huh, that's not part of what you said the last time, but now that the word flow has started it can't really stop, you moving ever forward as if this was your stride of glory, uncaring of the attention you're bringing on yourself, "Soldier of Romance and Passion, Sailor Cancer!!"

"Sailor Cancer??"

"In the name of the previous world before us, let the weight of the Irons drag you back to where you belong!!"

Then you feel yourself immediately drop, new reflexes kicking in and in your place where you were standing are some cards (well damn, must be some strong sharp-ass cards) stuck in the wall at the level where you're sure your head would have been. You look around for your attacker,"HEY!! Watch it, fuckin' cheat..."

"You don't have time to worry about that, stand up!!"

Right. You rise and get a better look at your opponent, seeing for yourself their own terrible transformation. One second there's an unrealistically beautiful lady standing there, the next her face, her skin, it all just seems to rot, greening, curling, and sagging in on itself. Her hair does the same, becoming coarse and cragged, and her legs disappear and now it seems like she's floating. A distorted grin widens on her face as she points at you with a shriveled hand, "Get them!"

You didn't really take into account the small fucking army gathered around her, Equius being spotted among the numbers. Their skin takes on the same sickly hue and it's like you're watching a-- another --3D zombie movie, except for the part where they are actually after you.

"Not again with the zombie-mind-control."

"Okay! New plan, how about-- RUN."

Except that new plan has already failed, seeing as some of them were smart enough to go for the door, block off your exits. Again, you are being cornered, a situation you are liking less and less, nor are you confident you can jump high enough to reach the conveniently open window. So what can you do right now? What does the lead role of any action movie do? You take down as many as you can like a beserker in an MMORPG party; throwing fists and kicks and putting all you can into knocking people down. Don't give a damn who they are right now, just try to dodge and weave, and push back the throng of controlled people. Heck, you think you're getting a high from it, is this like a runner's high but with fighting?? You know what, this is a little bit enjoyable even, maybe you can use this to work out some of your excessive agression-- that is, those are your thoughts before your energy starts winding down and you start to feel tired, not able to hold out against so many for too long. And then there's Equius, like there's not enough of a problem. You glare meaningfully at John, emphasizing your threat from earlier.

It's when the big brute throws off your rhythm by smashing his fists down in the spot where you used to be standing, dodging with good timing too as there's a massive crack on the ground. He rears up quickly, and you don't know what stupidity possesses, possibly that you wanted to get Equius back for saying such idiotic things, but you try to smash your fist under his chin. By how your knuckles suddenly ache and throb in pain, it didn't work and you're too close to simply just move out of the way, staring up at your once-friend, expression slack under the monster's control as his body is already in motion to slam his own fists down on you, waiting with wide eyes it to make impact.

Suddenly there's a scream of pain, and your assailant freeze in place. As a matter of fact all of them are frozen in place. The monster lady scrabbles with crooked fingers at a long black needle stuck in her body, piercing through a glowing piece of something. While frozen, from the group of people also have glowing shapes on their respective persons. There's no reaction from them whatsoever when you move freely, and closer inspection of the objects reveals them all to be about the same size and shape and you realize they're all cards.

"RRRRrrrraaaghh!! Another!? Who else is here!!?"

"Of course it would happen that I'm fashionably late for a date. Yo, long time no see, gorgeous."

You know that voice. You both look up at the same time for the voice, immediately drawn to the shape in that conveniently open window. Ugh, it's that guy again. The moonlight glints off his stupid fairy hair and it sparkles in such a cheesy way you can't bear to look at it for much longer. The rest of him is still as classy as last time, fancy hat, fancy waistcoat, fancy shoes, fancy sword cane, and stupid fancy visor shades.

(You're not going to believe in coincidences, twice is too much already, he's got to be following you.)

"Oh, great," you deadpan, slipping away from the cornering mass-- if only you had a camera, you would so put that shit on ShutterPile --and recollect yourself. Tuxedo (you're not going to bother with his full name because it's stupid) drops from the window, landing on his feet and saunters to join you.

"I had a feeling you were in trouble," the git smarts at you, seeming to radiate a self-satisfied smugness.

"Oh, sure."

"Really, I had to change from my pj's on the way over. Do you know how hard it is to fix a bowtie on the run?"

"That's assuming it's not a clip-on."

"Ooh, ouch. What a burn, how scorching. And here I was worried about your cute lil' face getting pummeled by all these nasties," Oh, sure he was. Though the false tone of his voice doesn't stop Karkat from blushing any less.

"Q-quit worrying about that, there's still this mess to deal with," you gesture to the monster as a distraction, who has realized that she's not getting that needle out anytime soon and has taken a more aggressive position.

"If you say so. At least she can't use her card tricks anymore."

Right after he says that she lunges forward, swinging her head around and sending her hair straight at the two of you. The strands tangle together into claws (??? How the fuck???) and you manage to dodge away, thankful for magically implemented reflexes.

"I'd say now while we some advantage and she can't use her crony-card-control anymore, you should do your thing."

"What?" What thi-- ah, oh. Right, you have a magical tiara-circlet-thingy on your forehead. That seems to be your one-hit move, but why the tiara? Couldn't you use something else? You guess you'll take it up with John.

As soon as she unsticks from the ground she strikes again, hitting the wall as you move out of the way, "Jeez, give me a moment!"

You balance your footing and feel that great weight of energy surging forth, "Carcino Tiara Action!!"

You throw your circlet and it arcs in a stream of red light, this time with perhaps a tad more control than before, smoothly slicing into the hair. Still not well-practiced, you try to focus yourself a bit more, the tiara gliding not as smooth but still airborne. Finally, that imaginary red string materializes, a direct line between the monster and your tiara. As soon as you see the line, the tiara zooms to follow its absolute direction, slicing through the card and finally its true target.

"NNAAUuuughh--!!"

It screeches until the body turns dark and falls apart into ash, something glittering in the dust, tinkling as it drops. Again John darts in for whatever it is and moves back to the safety of a wall. There's a sense of dissipation, something leaving the air. The rest of the cards disintegrate and the bodies behind you start dropping, the people unconscious.

Tuxedo steps forward, clicking his pocket watch, "Hm, that went much faster than our last meeting."

You sigh, "Huh, guess I'm getting the hang of this," more than you would like to, to be honest.

The other exhales, tilting his head wistfully, "I'd have liked for this to last a little longer, but I'm afraid we'll have to cut this date short."

You snort, "Right, because this is so my idea of a romantic outing."

"Hah, glad you feel the same," he moves away toward the window, "Let us meet again, Lovely Knight!" With that he bounds upward, nearly scaling the wall and then he's outside.

"'Lovely Knight'?" you repeat. 

"How smooth thy flirtations are, O Knight."

"Oh c'mon, I was not flirting," you deny, "It was friendly, casual banter, casting aside that I'm not sure if he's either friend or foe or just here to annoy me."

"Sure, whatever you say, 'Lovely Knight'."

"Stop that, that was corny as heck, and I will throw up if I hear it again, goddamn shady asshole..."

"Aw that's sweet, you're on the cute nickname stage," John teases in that dumb sing-song voice.

"Enough!! A-anyway, what was that thing you picked up? You got one last time, too," you attempt to throw him off, though you are actually curious about what it is John's collecting from the monsters.

John rolls his eyes, "Spoilsport," he shakes his head, jingling the bell at his neck until something sparkly comes out, "This is a piece of Gristgrain."

"...It...looks like one of those candies--"

"It's not a candy. You try to eat this, and then.....well, it's not good, so don't try it!" He swipes it and re-absorbs (??) it into his bell.

You give him a skeptic look and move away, heading for the front door.

"Wait! Don't you wanna go out the side? So that no one sees you?"

Oh yeah, that's a thing, you can't just walk out in costume.

Someone from the amongst the bodies stirs, "Urghh....fiddlesticks, my head..."

Only one person you know uses that word. 

"W-who's there...?"

"Uhhh...," shiiiiit, you've got to think of a cover. You make your voice as even and businesslike as possible, "... I-I have put an end to the wrongdoers causing havoc. T-take care of yourself, friend!!"

"Wait!" 

But you don't wait, nope, you make a mad dash for the side door, down that hallway, and outside to the alley. You glance around for any possible passerby and run across the street to find another alley to change in.

"Ohmigod, I cannot believe that was your cover!" laughs John, almost wheezing and bounding along on the side of you.

"S-shut up! I had to think fast!"

"It's not like he would've recognized you."

"You don't know that for sure!"

He teases you the whole way home and it's hard to think about not kicking him like a sports ball.

.

✮☆★♋★☆✮

.

"How dare--!!?" You have to clamp your hand over her mouth and physically restrain her, lest she give your positions away and your abilities are compromised.

"I know, I know, but just calm down," you try to soothe, but wow is she persistent, peeling your hand off enough to speak.

"She fucking copied me!! That's one of MY things--"

"Look, how can they have copied you when they don't even know we technically exist? And look anyway, it's dead."

Sure enough, after seeing the newest fodder monster die in a curtain of ash, she quiets to some extent.

"....I'm still mad, though."

"Okay, alright. I understand you're still upset about the fact of, but it has already been dealt with, so it should no longer be a problem. Hey, weren't you the one who said that we couldn't reveal ourselves to fight?"

She pouts, and it's so endearing of an expression, your smile grows that much more, "...Fine. I'm sorry, I was being irrational. You're right."

"And anyway, your ability is tons better, they only wish they can copy the level of perfection that you've trained it up to."

"That's only because--" She stops herself, and you probably should have stopped yourself too. She doesn't like to be reminded of...well, of then.

"I'm sorry--"

"No, you're fine. Let's drop it, please."

She composes herself and stands calmly, "We've got to go anyway. They'll send out another to take the place of this one."

You rise too, take her hand as she readies a dimensional hole within the shadows. You wish that there was something, anything, that you could do to help her feel better, help her forget. But, it's just not the purpose for why you exist.

"...Let's go, then."

Both of you fall into the shade.

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✮☆★♋★☆✮

.

"'Lovely Knight'? Aww, how sappy, Mr. Berry-Beet face!"

"Ugh, can you let it go? I didn't know what to say, it just came out!"

"Yeah, like your boner!"

"Hey, that's a low blow."

"Below the belt."

"Ohmigod, stop."

You roll your eyes and start walking away to go home because you shouldn't have to endure this much teasing, you mean, you get it enough from your sibs plus your adoptive ones, inclusive to Crocker-berts and Harleys.

She cackles, "Just having fun, don't let it get to you too much. I'm done anyway, see?" Some more giggles, then you hear her click-clack next to you, clapping a hand on your shoulder, "Later, my good acquainted friend," and she pretty much free dives off the ledge, using whatever part of the alley's terrain to stick a perfect landing. All the cool points to her, all of them.

You head home yourself, home being an entire apartment complex owned by Roxy's mom, which you have no doubt there was some sort of unapproved scientific researchification going on because Roxy's mom is socool, her coolness furthering to where she lets you guys just crash there whenever you want, on the basis of she no longer needed the building for mentioned researchification. You don't know whether it was a fail or success, and it's been hinted that you don't want to find out.

Unironically entering through your own window, because you forgot the door key and have found only the window key, you are almost surprised to find Rose sitting at your desk. Almost because on the one hand, you should have expected it, this is fucking Rose your sister that you're talking about. And on the other...well, to be honest, you were totally not expecting her to be there.

"[Welcome back home]," Rose greets you, using another language-- one that's easy to learn when you grow up with your weeb older brother and the country next to yours is an entirely different culture that used to be on the other side of the world.

"Rose, I thought we already learned that we can't turn life into an anime," you muse, remembering when the both of you were mere innocent children and you had asked Aunt Rom about it; needless to say the scientist put those dreams to rest. You flash into your closet, safely clicking the lock and de-transformatizing (you don't know what fancy word there is to un-transform, so there you go, folks), aka undressing.

"Oh come now, David. You can't fault me for the attempt. Just think of the many possibilities available to us then."

"Way ahead of you there. Except where senpai finally notices me and we spend the rest of our school days courting and flaunting it in front of everybody, doing all the cutesy-pukesy dating things that dating people do," you grunt-drawl through a hastily thrown on shirt. The chair squeaks as it's turned, and just beyond the closet door you sense a body (nah, you just see Rose's shadow under the door).

"Usually when senpai notices you, that's supposed to be the end, not counting for holiday specials and event released OVA's. I don't think that will be happening for quite some time."

Oh? You open the door and walk out in your mismatched pj's and leap spread-eagle on your bed, "What, you see something else, great and powerful Overseer?"

Rose says nothing, walking over to claim a spot on the bed next to you. You don't like this open silence, especially from her. Yet, she sighs, one of the fakest sighs you've ever heard, "Well, to be honest, it's not entirely important now. What did you find?" Dammit, she's changed the subject back on you!

"Shenanigans. Shenanigans all the way through."

"...And?" She prompts you for more, and you might as well, she'll get it out of you one way or another.

"...Essentially the same trap as last time, just a different guise. Same tricks, same fix. They were there again, Sailor Cancer."

Your sister hums, rises and crosses to the door, "They are a sudden variant, but useful all the same...," Rose opens the door to leave, "Goodnight, brother."

The door clicks, and you're finally left alone. You get the feeling that Rose already knows you can transform, there are very few secrets that can be kept from her if she's set on finding them out. In any case, you'd like to give yourself the benefit of the doubt that there are some things that you can keep from her. A lie, but it'd be just said if your older twin knew every one of your secrets. There is always the off chance she doesn't know some, since she seems to always play it off like she does, and she's very good at it.

Your eyes sting, goddamn you're tired.

(Seven hours, thirty-eight minutes, twenty-two seconds until you supposedly have to wake up, since you're technically not required to do anything on your break. How long until you meet them again?)

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✮☆★♋★☆✮

.

If there is anything to be glad about, it's that Equius is back to normal. Albeit he's absolutely appalled upon hearing about his reckless and asshole-ish behavior, Sollux recounting to him in great detail about the ordeal and even playing the video for him.

"I'm done for. All that's left for me is misery and a blemished record. Of course she doesn't want to talk to me," he despairs, perfect posture slumping on himself. Turning to you and dropping his head low in his shame, "Vantas, I'm so unbelievably sorry. I truly have no memory or recollection of anything I said or did yesterday. I..I can't even believe that's me..," he's absolutely miserable, but that's enough for a bit of revenge for you.

You clear your throat, "I'll consider your apology, since you're my friend, I guess. Better than apologizing to me, you'd better go say sorry to Nepeta, like right now, since you seem back to yourself. She was very adamant that you speak to her when you regained your senses," as a side thought, you wonder if he remembers being kneed in the face, but you'll leave that between them, it's not really your--

"Look, look. She totally got you right there," Sollux, the insensible friend he is, continues showing Equius the rest of the video, apparently having recorded all the way up to the part where his nose is bleeding. Welp.

Equius groans into his hands, rightfully horrified, embarrassed and angry with himself, "I said all those disgraceful things..What a mess this is....," he starts to leave, "I have to fix this."

"Damn right you do," you strongly reaffirm this (they've been together since elementary, you're not ready to go down with this ship).

★♋★

You and Sollux watch from the window like a pair of dweebs, observing the exchange. Nepeta and Equius stand face to face, with his head hanging down in his guilt and shame and her sternly folding her arms and fierce, businesslike gaze.

"I can't hear, open the window!"

"Push out, not up!"

When you finally get it open, missing most of the conversation, you're just in time to see a tacklepounce, Equius on the ground, and Nepeta throwing the classroom door open.

"GOOD MORNING!! Didja hear!? Sailor Cancer appeared again last night!! It wasn't a dream! Cos' Equius saw them!!"

You throw a glare at Sollux and turn back to Nepeta, "Okay that's great and all, but how about you and Equius?"

"Hmmmm...well, he apologized, and tried to explain himself, but I don't think he could do it furry well...but that's okay, he didn't even remember any of it. Weird! I kinda...want to investigate," her expression turns to something between critical and skeptic-- a scary look on Nepeta --and she thinks aloud,"Curiosity killed the cat, they say...," before switching back to excited and animated, "Whatefur, point is he apologized and meant it, which is what I wanted, so I have no reason to be mad anymore!"

You expected as much, but dammit you wanted to hear what they said (though the following applies: It's none of your business)!!

"Well that's good," Sollux says, unzipping his bag and pulling out his laptop. "So now all that's left is what happened to Gamzee?"

"Holyshit I forgot!!" You pull out your phone like you're going to dial his number, but you don't have it, go figure.

Nepeta's lip curls up into a victorious smirk, like she's found some small helpless animal and she's about to pounce, "I have Gamzee's number, if you want to call him Karkitty~."

You flush immediately, "N-no thanks! I'm sure he's fine! It's not like I'm his lusus or anything!" You spit defensively. (You fool! Stop digging yourself a deeper hole!)

She makes that one stupid face, putting her hand over her mouth and giving you that condescending-pity look, "Eheh, are mew sure?? It's nyat a purroblem at all~." Nepeta turns to give Equius the same look, giggling none too innocently behind her hand, "And you're taking me on a date, wherever I want and whatever I want."

You spend until Mr. Spades comes in sputtering your denial upon deaf ears, and eventually Sollux joins in on teasing you. You swear, after all you go through for these people, this is how they repay you?

(You hate to admit it, but you love your friends.)

.

✮☆★♋★☆✮

.

"Equiusssh~ Whatcha doin'?"

He answers while turning the page, "Reading," It's a bland, flat sort of answer, the kind when he's paying attention but not really. You want nothing more than to swipe the offending book out of his hands, that will at least alleviate some of your boredom.

You try again, "E-quiu-hisssss~ c'mon, let's go do something. I wanna explore!"

"Why don't you explore the wonderful world of books and such with me. I will be the guideman."

You hiss, "Bleh, no, that's not what I meant. I meant the castle, outside, the city!!"

"Goodness, no. Much safer to stay put where there are eyes on us and where we will do the least amount of harm."

"Nrrr...you're no fun. Fine then, I'll go find Aradia, she'll want to go with me!"

That was a low blow, if the undignified choke was anything to go by, but he's been reading for DAYS!! He doesn't even work on any of his tinker toys or nothing, just sits there all day, in the library, reading the same book for the past week. You mean it was fine the first couple of days, but now it's just ridiculous! He could take a break for once, can't he!? You head straight for the exit, not bothering to spare a backward glance. He can come join you when he stops being a silly fuddy-duddy moirail.

But now that you've said it....you don't know how you're going to find her. Megido tends to turn up in the strangest of places. One of the many times you were in the library, something had brushed past the top of your head, come to find out it was Aradia, floating past you upside down. Her answer was she wanted to see how long it took for her to get dizzy doing such a thing. Yes, Aradia was weird, but it was the best kind of weird, it showed there was always entertainment to be had in something.

Further down one of many hallways, you find the main garden enclosure. It's huge. Perfect for solitary exploration. And you're still in the castle, so how's them fruity bits?

There's so many colors and smells, you wonder if you can trace them back to the originator? It would be good practice, considering it's an alien terrain you're using (it reminds you a lot of Terezi's forest, except probably less deadly, a miracle). You wonder around the area, linking scents to various flowers, fruits and trees. You find one in particular, a small section of little white bloom clusters, that after inquiring one of the caretakers what it was, is now your favorite (it's named after you, you have your own flower!!).

You continue on one of the strolling paths, stopping a few times to enjoy the view and let your sensitive nose get used to the blast of flora, lest you be overwhelmed and possibly pass out. Can't have none of that, no siree~! Terezi would love this, so many new smells and all the pretty colors. Even Kanaya, she used to have a garden before the war, maybe she'd like to come and visit around here, get some new ideas for her own, new garden plot. Feferi too, she's only got a kelp and coral botanic aquarium, maybe she'd like some land-dwelling flowers as well.

Maybe you also stop because you happen to catch a bit of chatter somewhere off to the side. You're not usually one to spy....aw who are you kidding? Besides, someone just giggled, you gotta see who it is now. You listen around for a bit longer, trying to find the closest spot without being detected and maneuver yourself up a tree like the expert huntress you are. 

And oh goodie, what a treat you've found.

A little ways away and below is Miss Maryam, who has already found her way to this garden paradise, talking away with one of the princesses. Smooth, Maryam, smooth.

You find yourself excitably invested as you spot their hands touching (!!CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE!! PHYSICAL CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE!!) oh so slightly and Maryam covering her lips as another little ladylike laugh tumbles out.

How quickly, and quietly, can you get your sketchbook and come back? You can't risk it, they definitely would notice you now, and this is too good to pass up on.

There's a slight rustling beside you, someone's discovered your hiding spot!?

Instead, somebody lands just barely quiet on one of the thick branches next to you. covered head to toe in dark, dull colors, the only giveaway is the bright platinum sway of hair: it's the other princess. When she finally notices you, with eyes wide and totally surprised, she pulls off the face cover and whispers, "Well, I won't tell if you don't."

Immediately you whisper back, "Deal," and you both settle as quietly as you can to watch your prey together, giggling amongst yourselves and trying to keep from squirming too much.