...Someone order a crapload of drabbles?
Man, the comm's been pretty quiet recently. I hope people are still checking in or at least playing massive amounts of Mother 3 now that it's been fanslated (and I totally didn't make up a word just now shh) *cough*
Anyway, I come bearing gifts! I'm ridin' in on Puri's coattails and doing that drabble challenge thing. Mostly EarthBound/Mother 2; Mother 3 drabbles will be labeled. All drabbles are G-rated unless otherwise stated. Consult your doctor if side-effects occur. Hope you enjoy!
Title: eros, eyesore
Prompt: Trapped
Characters/Pairings: Poo, Paula
Rating: G
Song: Billy Squier - Everybody Wants You (3:47)
“I just don’t think I can take this anymore,” Paula declared. “I mean, it was nice when Ness bought me that teddy bear-- ‘To protect you’, he told me-- and when Jeff made me that charm bracelet out of some old discarded chain links, I thought it was very sweet. But now I can tell there’s all this tension between them, and I think it’s because of me.”
“Yes, I have noticed that lately the two of them seem to be... on edge,” Poo admitted, “but why do you think you’re the cause of it?”
“I don’t know... maybe I’m blowing things out of proportion,” Paula replied. “But I couldn’t help noticing Ness glaring when I complimented Jeff on his bottle rocket aim, and when Ness rushed to heal me after I got scratched by that bear, Jeff was looking at his gun like he was seriously considering using it-- and not on anything that we encountered in the caves. It’s like they’re fighting over me or something and it’s driving me crazy! I... I’m sorry to dump all of this on you, but--”
“It’s quite all right. I actually understand perfectly,” Poo said, looking as if he wished he didn’t. “But is it really so horrible that the two of them seem infatuated with you?”
Paula shrugged. “I mean, I am flattered-- don’t get me wrong. But after all of the publicity at home and getting kidnapped twice, I just wish I could do without all of this attention for once.”
“Well, is there any wonder that you’ve garnered so much of it?” he asked. “After all, you are as kind and clever as you are beautiful, and-- ah... th-that is to say...” Paula glanced upward at the sudden odd change in the prince’s tone. Poo was purposefully avoiding her eyes, his cheeks high with color. Paula actually felt her heart thud into the pit of her stomach.
Oh no...
Her words came out in a rush--“Uh... thanks for listening I’ve gotta go bye!”-- and she rose from her seat and made for the door as casually as she could muster. Once outside, she leaned against the doorframe, feeling the beginnings of a very bad headache.
“Why do I suddenly get the feeling I was better off with Carpainter...?”
Title: Cheater
Prompt: Change
Characters/Pairings: Pokey
Rating: G
Song: Metallica - No Leaf Clover (5:44)
It wasn’t fair.
This wasn’t how the game was supposed to play out. The little goody-two-shoes wasn’t supposed to be actually winning.
The once pristine glass dome of his spider-mech was now marred with hairline cracks and dents from the foursome’s attacks, and that only served to make him angrier. Shouting with rage, he began to beat his fists on the console of his mech, not caring that it was childish, not caring that Ness was watching, not caring about anything except that it wasn’t fair it wasn’t fair IT WAS NOT FAIR
He suddenly stopped his tantrum as an idea began to form in his mind. Ness hadn’t won, no-- if anything he had sealed his fate by growing too cocky. Pokey’s grin nearly split his face in two. He glanced at the small switch near the top of his console, the one he was instructed to never ever touch. But when had he ever done what he was told?
Pokey reached for the switch, feeling excited and anxious chills travel up his spine. “Try and stop this, Ness...” he murmured. “I double-dog-dare you.”
Title: Smiles and Tears
Prompt: Because I Love You
Characters/Pairings: Poo
Rating: G
Song: The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony (5:56)
He told himself that it was better to leave them this way.
He told himself it was better that they remember him like this-- the stoic prince returning victoriously to his country after bidding a final farewell to the allies that had aided him in saving the world. There would be no need to tell them how dearly he would miss their company, no need to tell them how much he had grown to depend on them; no need to tell them how he’d cried like a child in the privacy of his room after leaving behind the most loyal friends he would ever have.
He told himself that it was better left unsaid.
Title: Checkmate
Prompt: Game Over
Characters/Pairings: Pokey
Rating: G
Song: Muse - Megalomania (4:36)
There was no emotion in Ness’s inhuman metallic features, but Pokey could sense it just the same; could imagine the look of blind terror on the stupid moron’s face and it was absolutely beautiful.
He had to give Giygas credit-- he really knew how to shake up a person. Heck, he was on the alien’s side and his heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
“This is it, Ness...” Pokey murmured. “Thought you were some bigshot hero, huh? Thought you were just gonna walk on in and save the world, just like that? Well, guess what?” He offered his former neighbor an ingratiating smile, suddenly feeling an incredible urge to giggle like a schoolgirl. How long had it been since he felt this good? “You're gonna lose...” He felt his heart clench in terror as Giygas gave an unearthly moan behind him, but that was all right. It would make it so much worse for Ness if he knew that even Giygas’s most dedicated little sycophant was terrified of him. Pokey didn’t bother to hide his shaking as he raised his hand to wipe away an imaginary tear.
“Ah, Ness buddy...” he sighed, and his voice held a mixture of insincere sympathy and psychotic glee. “I hope he makes it quick.”
Title: Faith
Prompt: Prayer
Characters/Pairings: Paula
Rating: G
Song: Mono - Halcyon (Beautiful Days) (8:09)
The voices hummed inside her.
Paula was completely unaware that she had fallen to her knees; completely unaware that she was so still and silent that Ness glanced at her more than a few times to make sure she was all right. All she was aware of were the voices that echoed out inside her head, voices that murmured and shouted and cried to be heard, completely drowning out the horrible cries of Giygas. And though they were from all parts of the world and speaking different languages, their prayers remained the same.
Please be safe...
Please come home...
Don’t give up, please don’t give up.
If Paula had the ability, she would have shed tears. All of the fear she had felt in that moment; all of the terror and pain and grief seemed to fade into nothing, leaving only warmth behind. As the voices grew louder and louder, Paula felt the hearts of everyone they had met in their travels resound with hers.
And even before Giygas’s wails turned into shrill, agonized shrieks, she knew that everything would turn out all right. Because one last voice came to her, unfamiliar and yet strangely intimate, speaking four simple words that somehow made all the difference in the world:
You are not alone.
Title: Not Like You
Prompt: Different
Characters/Pairings: Pokey
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Dark, disturbing themes
Song: Hocico - Not Like You (5:27)
It had been a lot harder than he’d anticipated, but it was finally over.
Pokey coaxed his spider mech over to the pile of demolished steel that had once been his former neighbor. Around him lay the dented and scratched remnants of his friends, but Pokey wasn’t interested in them. He slipped one long claw underneath Ness’s broken metallic body and lifted it up, cradling it in a way that was almost tender. “You thought I’d see reason...” he murmured. “You thought that if you fought hard enough, if you believed in me enough, I’d stop what I was doing and come to my senses.” Slowly he brought another claw out to touch his neighbor’s face.
“You saw good in me. I know you did. I could see it in your eyes. And you were good. You were good and kind and tried to see that same goodness in everyone. Even me. Especially me.” With a sudden childish savagery, Pokey sliced the claw downward, tearing through metal and wires to the gleaming silver skull that lay beneath. For a moment, he could imagine what Ness’s face would have looked like if he had been inhabiting his own body-- how the blood would have flowed and the muscles writhed around the sudden appalling wound, muscles that did not yet know they were dead.
“But you’re nothing but useless garbage now. And I was never like you.”
Title: Point Taken
Prompt: Love
Characters/Pairings: Jeff/Paula
Rating: G
Song: VAST - You (4:53)
Jeff didn’t regret what he’d said to her.
Even now, if anyone had asked him, he wouldn’t have taken those words back for all the world. It didn’t matter if she didn’t see things the way he did. He was content with just her knowing what he had been keeping inside him all these months.
He wiped a sleeve across his brow and continued work on the Sky Runner. Remaining in Saturn Valley with Dr. Ando-- his father-- had been a personal choice on his part, but in the event that they wanted to travel back to Winters, he wanted to have easy transportation ready to go.
Well, that and he wanted to impress his father. That too.
Jeff was suddenly aware of a shadow across his back. “Hey Dad, can you hand me that screwdriver over there?” The hand that presented him with the tool was not his father’s hand. Jeff glanced up in shock.
Paula’s hands were on her hips, her eyes narrowed in mock irritation. “You know...” she said, “when you tell a girl something that earth-shattering and then just run away, you probably should make sure that she can’t follow you.”
Jeff reddened and jumped to his feet. “I... I didn’t run away! I just...” He cleared his throat. “It’s called making a dramatic exit.”
The corner of Paula’s mouth twitched. “It was pretty fast for a dramatic exit, as I recall. Whatever it was, it was mean. You didn’t even give me a chance to respond.”
“Respond? Wh--”
He was rendered momentarily speechless by the feeling of soft lips brushing against his.
Once in a while, Paula enjoyed having the last word.
Title: Last Scene of All
Prompt: Power
Characters/Pairings: To tell you would be a spoiler.
Rating: G
Warning: Spoilers for Mother 3. Vague, but it’s pretty obvious whose point of view it is. (Also, forgive the title-- I was in a Shakespearean mood.)
Song: VAST - That’s My Boy (3:54)
The stage has been set.
The interfering little upstarts have finally made it to the apex of the tower, and he wants to receive them with all of the formality that is befitting of a king. Even now, if he listens very closely, he imagines that he can hear the soft pattering of their footsteps as they race to the room where he currently resides. He finds that he can barely sit still or hold a thought in his head, and a sudden heart palpitation makes his breath come short. No, not a palpitation-- is his heart actually racing? He can’t remember ever feeling this anxious; this eager-- not since a long time ago, when he faced down a foursome very much like these. But he wasn’t king then, just a mere hanger-on hoping to achieve his own ends. He didn’t have the power he possesses now-- couldn’t possibly dream of ever making it this big. He hears their footsteps approaching the door and feels his heart move strangely in his chest again. Every nerve in his body seems alert; electrified.
Is this joy I’m feeling?
He can barely contain his laughter-- his soldiers sound taken aback at the amount of glee in his voice as he issues his orders to them. Within seconds, the room below is filled with his beloved creations, milling about as they await the arrival of their honored guests.
The props are in position; the players all at their places. A cruel smile twists the corners of his mouth, and he feels something that is almost... nostalgic. It seems disappointing that his fun with these idiots will end soon. He’ll just have to draw out the enjoyment as much as possible.
A thud at the door signals their arrival. It’s time.
“Let’s play.”
Title: Mood Killer
Prompt: Kiss
Characters/Pairings: Tracy/Picky
Rating: G
Song: VAST - Be With Me (3:53)
“Do you ever miss him?” Tracy asked.
Picky shrugged. “I dunno. I don’t really think about it that much anymore.”
“I can’t even think about what that must be like,” she said. “I mean, Ness was gone a lot last year, but he still checked in on us from time to time. I can’t imagine not hearing from your brother at all.”
Picky leaned back in his chair. “Well, you have to admit Ness is a lot cooler than Pokey. It sounds mean, but sometimes I wish Ness was my brother instead. I’d probably have more toys. More non-broken ones, anyway.”
Tracy giggled, but her face grew serious as his words registered. “So you’re saying you don’t miss him at all?”
Picky was quiet for a long time. “...yeah,” he said finally. “I do, actually. A little. Sometimes.” He seemed encouraged by her smile.
“It sounds weird, doesn’t it? Missing someone like that? I mean, he wasn’t exactly the ideal brother. He picked on me a lot, called me names, stole all the snacks before I got a chance to get any; plus one time he broke a window and actually blamed me for it--”
Before she even knew she was going to do it, Tracy leaned over and kissed him on the lips. When she pulled away, he was staring at her, his mouth slightly agape. Her heart gave a shudder as she realized what she’d just done. She hid her reddened face from him. “Oh god I’m so sorry Picky I don’t know what came over me I just oh god I’m so sorry--”
His hand suddenly closed over hers, stopping the flow of her words. “It’s okay, Tracy,” he said. “I-I just didn’t know you felt that way about me.” His smile was warm and endearingly shy. “You... you can kiss me again, y’know. I mean, if you want to.”
Tracy’s heart soared. Slowly Picky leaned over and gave her a swift peck on the cheek.
“Can I ask you a favor, though?” Now his grin was more impish. “Next time... try not to mention my brother beforehand.”
Title: Mercy
Prompt: Mother
Characters/Pairings: To tell you would be a spoiler.
Rating: G
Warning: Spoilers for Mother 3
Song: VAST - I’m Dying (4:00)
There was nothing to see outside of his capsule-- only utter darkness.
Pokey had heard the rumblings outside; had seen the earth leap up in front of him, and knew that the final Needle had been pulled. Figuring out who it had been pulled by was a different story-- had it been that blond kid or his own little pet who had succeeded in awakening the Dragon? The darkness didn’t tell him either way, and he supposed that it wouldn’t matter to him anyway. Nothing could touch him now.
A sudden flash of light stabbed into his eyes and he shut them tightly, wincing in pain. When he was able to open them again, he was startled to see a woman standing before him. She was looking unsmilingly at him through the window of the capsule. They stared into each other’s eyes for a few minutes in silence. After a few minutes, Pokey was able to get over the shock of seeing her there. “Well? Who are you? What do you want?”
The woman was quiet. “I thought you’d be a monster,” she said. “I thought that whoever put my sons through so much anguish couldn’t possibly be human. But now I see you for what you really are. You’re just a child.”
Something in the way she said the word “child” raised Pokey’s hackles. He barked out a harsh laugh. “A child? Look around, lady. I own this place. Do you think if I was some sniveling kid I’d be capable of this?”
“I think anyone is capable of anything given the proper circumstances,” the woman replied. “You must have felt such anger-- such pain.”
Pokey sneered at her. “Wrong again,” he shot back. “I didn’t do this out of some stupid act of revenge. I did this for me. I wanted it.”
“And look where it’s gotten you,” she said, without an ounce of rancor in her voice, though Pokey was expecting rancor. “I should hate you for what you’ve done to my sons-- for what you’ve done to this world... but when I look at you, I can’t.” She raised her eyes to his once again, and Pokey was startled to see that they were filled with sorrow. “I feel so sorry for you.”
Something snapped inside him when he heard her say this. He shut his eyes tightly against her, wishing that he had enough strength to throw something; wishing that he wasn’t stuck in this stupid thing so that he could make her pay. “Shut up!” he screamed. “Do you have any idea who I am? I rule this city! It’s mine! Mine, do you hear me?!” The realization that he was throwing a tantrum like a spineless little wimp only fueled his rage. “I don’t need your pity! I’m king here, so go away and leave me alone!!”
He broke off his tirade, gasping for breath. His fury abated from him, leaving him feeling dizzy and sick. He opened his eyes and noted with relief that she was gone. But her words hung in the air like a bad smell, and he couldn’t shake the unfamiliar feeling that was creeping over him.
As he stewed inside his capsule, struggling to make sense of it all, he was struck by a sudden, decisive thought-- he’d be happy if he never saw her again.
This one’s outside the challenge-- ‘cause I kinda cheated and went on after the song was over. ^^;
Title: Dementia
Prompt: Nightmare
Characters/Pairings: To tell you would be a spoiler.
Rating: PG-13 to R
Warning: Very disturbing themes; gore. Spoilers for Mother 3.
Song: Rhianna - Disturbia (4:00)
For the fifth time, Lucas dearly wished he’d trusted his instincts.
He felt confused and disoriented, and everything seemed strange and unfamiliar. Judging by the blank, fearful expressions on both Kumatora and Duster, they shared the same sentiment. Lucas tried to talk himself down. He was merely hallucinating, that was all-- they were all hallucinating. There was no way that trees could glow like that, no way that mailboxes could scream or umbrellas could talk or that everyone he loved wanted him to die or oh God his head--
He called out for his father, and his voice warped into the screams of a dog in agony.
He started to cry, and his cries looped back on themselves until they sounded like deranged laughter. And through his tears, even though he knew it was impossible, he saw Claus.
His brother was leaning casually against a tree as if he’d never been lost in the first place, and Lucas took two steps toward him before he caught himself. Claus smiled at him, and it was the same smile that Lucas had always known. “Hey, Lucas...” he said, and his voice was his own. “I finally found you.”
Lucas took a step backward, and Claus’s expression melted into confusion. “What’s wrong?”
The younger boy shook his head. “No,” he said. “You’re not here. You’re not real.”
Claus let out a good-natured laugh. “Of course I’m real, silly! Stop kidding around! Look, feel my heart.” And before Lucas could react, Claus had taken his hand and pressed it against his chest. Lucas tried to break free of his grip until he realized that Claus was warm. “Can you feel it?” Claus asked, and Lucas closed his eyes and concentrated. There it was, the strong and steady beat of his brother’s heart. He felt fresh tears coming to his eyes, and looked away to hide them.
Something suddenly gave beneath his hand, and he felt something hot and wet slide up his arm. He glanced back, and his eyes widened in horror. His hand had sunk deep into his brother’s chest. Blood rapidly stained Claus’s shirt a dark, arterial red, and yet he still smiled. “What’s the matter?” he asked, looking down at Lucas’s hand embedded in his chest. He laughed. “Can’t you feel my heart?” Lucas let out a strangled sob and tried to pull away, but Claus held him fast. Claus’s smile faded as a teardrop of blood bloomed out of the corner of his eye and trickled down his cheek. “What’s... what’s going on...?” he said. “Why isn’t my heart beating? I... I don’t understand. Lucas.... what did you do?!”
A hand suddenly alighted on the younger boy’s shoulder, and that was enough to snap Lucas out of it. He sucked in a long, shuddering breath and screamed. He screamed. He felt himself yanked backwards, propelled out of Claus’s grasp and against something soft and yielding. Still screaming, he writhed and fought against the body until he heard a familiar voice. “Take it easy, kid! It’s me!” It was Kumatora.
It was so much more than one small boy could take. Lucas sagged against her and began to cry in earnest. Kumatora held him close and said nothing. Eventually he felt a hand awkwardly rest on his head and knew that Duster was attempting to comfort him as well. Boney whined, anxious for his master’s well-being. Lucas knew that it had all been just a bad dream, just another effect of the mushrooms they had eaten. Still, he couldn’t shake the awful feeling that Claus, wherever he was, wasn’t doing so well. Just the thought alone felt like an arrow through his heart.
It was a long time before any of them found the strength to continue on.
Anyway, I come bearing gifts! I'm ridin' in on Puri's coattails and doing that drabble challenge thing. Mostly EarthBound/Mother 2; Mother 3 drabbles will be labeled. All drabbles are G-rated unless otherwise stated. Consult your doctor if side-effects occur. Hope you enjoy!
Title: eros, eyesore
Prompt: Trapped
Characters/Pairings: Poo, Paula
Rating: G
Song: Billy Squier - Everybody Wants You (3:47)
“I just don’t think I can take this anymore,” Paula declared. “I mean, it was nice when Ness bought me that teddy bear-- ‘To protect you’, he told me-- and when Jeff made me that charm bracelet out of some old discarded chain links, I thought it was very sweet. But now I can tell there’s all this tension between them, and I think it’s because of me.”
“Yes, I have noticed that lately the two of them seem to be... on edge,” Poo admitted, “but why do you think you’re the cause of it?”
“I don’t know... maybe I’m blowing things out of proportion,” Paula replied. “But I couldn’t help noticing Ness glaring when I complimented Jeff on his bottle rocket aim, and when Ness rushed to heal me after I got scratched by that bear, Jeff was looking at his gun like he was seriously considering using it-- and not on anything that we encountered in the caves. It’s like they’re fighting over me or something and it’s driving me crazy! I... I’m sorry to dump all of this on you, but--”
“It’s quite all right. I actually understand perfectly,” Poo said, looking as if he wished he didn’t. “But is it really so horrible that the two of them seem infatuated with you?”
Paula shrugged. “I mean, I am flattered-- don’t get me wrong. But after all of the publicity at home and getting kidnapped twice, I just wish I could do without all of this attention for once.”
“Well, is there any wonder that you’ve garnered so much of it?” he asked. “After all, you are as kind and clever as you are beautiful, and-- ah... th-that is to say...” Paula glanced upward at the sudden odd change in the prince’s tone. Poo was purposefully avoiding her eyes, his cheeks high with color. Paula actually felt her heart thud into the pit of her stomach.
Oh no...
Her words came out in a rush--“Uh... thanks for listening I’ve gotta go bye!”-- and she rose from her seat and made for the door as casually as she could muster. Once outside, she leaned against the doorframe, feeling the beginnings of a very bad headache.
“Why do I suddenly get the feeling I was better off with Carpainter...?”
Title: Cheater
Prompt: Change
Characters/Pairings: Pokey
Rating: G
Song: Metallica - No Leaf Clover (5:44)
It wasn’t fair.
This wasn’t how the game was supposed to play out. The little goody-two-shoes wasn’t supposed to be actually winning.
The once pristine glass dome of his spider-mech was now marred with hairline cracks and dents from the foursome’s attacks, and that only served to make him angrier. Shouting with rage, he began to beat his fists on the console of his mech, not caring that it was childish, not caring that Ness was watching, not caring about anything except that it wasn’t fair it wasn’t fair IT WAS NOT FAIR
He suddenly stopped his tantrum as an idea began to form in his mind. Ness hadn’t won, no-- if anything he had sealed his fate by growing too cocky. Pokey’s grin nearly split his face in two. He glanced at the small switch near the top of his console, the one he was instructed to never ever touch. But when had he ever done what he was told?
Pokey reached for the switch, feeling excited and anxious chills travel up his spine. “Try and stop this, Ness...” he murmured. “I double-dog-dare you.”
Title: Smiles and Tears
Prompt: Because I Love You
Characters/Pairings: Poo
Rating: G
Song: The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony (5:56)
He told himself that it was better to leave them this way.
He told himself it was better that they remember him like this-- the stoic prince returning victoriously to his country after bidding a final farewell to the allies that had aided him in saving the world. There would be no need to tell them how dearly he would miss their company, no need to tell them how much he had grown to depend on them; no need to tell them how he’d cried like a child in the privacy of his room after leaving behind the most loyal friends he would ever have.
He told himself that it was better left unsaid.
Title: Checkmate
Prompt: Game Over
Characters/Pairings: Pokey
Rating: G
Song: Muse - Megalomania (4:36)
There was no emotion in Ness’s inhuman metallic features, but Pokey could sense it just the same; could imagine the look of blind terror on the stupid moron’s face and it was absolutely beautiful.
He had to give Giygas credit-- he really knew how to shake up a person. Heck, he was on the alien’s side and his heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
“This is it, Ness...” Pokey murmured. “Thought you were some bigshot hero, huh? Thought you were just gonna walk on in and save the world, just like that? Well, guess what?” He offered his former neighbor an ingratiating smile, suddenly feeling an incredible urge to giggle like a schoolgirl. How long had it been since he felt this good? “You're gonna lose...” He felt his heart clench in terror as Giygas gave an unearthly moan behind him, but that was all right. It would make it so much worse for Ness if he knew that even Giygas’s most dedicated little sycophant was terrified of him. Pokey didn’t bother to hide his shaking as he raised his hand to wipe away an imaginary tear.
“Ah, Ness buddy...” he sighed, and his voice held a mixture of insincere sympathy and psychotic glee. “I hope he makes it quick.”
Title: Faith
Prompt: Prayer
Characters/Pairings: Paula
Rating: G
Song: Mono - Halcyon (Beautiful Days) (8:09)
The voices hummed inside her.
Paula was completely unaware that she had fallen to her knees; completely unaware that she was so still and silent that Ness glanced at her more than a few times to make sure she was all right. All she was aware of were the voices that echoed out inside her head, voices that murmured and shouted and cried to be heard, completely drowning out the horrible cries of Giygas. And though they were from all parts of the world and speaking different languages, their prayers remained the same.
Please be safe...
Please come home...
Don’t give up, please don’t give up.
If Paula had the ability, she would have shed tears. All of the fear she had felt in that moment; all of the terror and pain and grief seemed to fade into nothing, leaving only warmth behind. As the voices grew louder and louder, Paula felt the hearts of everyone they had met in their travels resound with hers.
And even before Giygas’s wails turned into shrill, agonized shrieks, she knew that everything would turn out all right. Because one last voice came to her, unfamiliar and yet strangely intimate, speaking four simple words that somehow made all the difference in the world:
You are not alone.
Title: Not Like You
Prompt: Different
Characters/Pairings: Pokey
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Dark, disturbing themes
Song: Hocico - Not Like You (5:27)
It had been a lot harder than he’d anticipated, but it was finally over.
Pokey coaxed his spider mech over to the pile of demolished steel that had once been his former neighbor. Around him lay the dented and scratched remnants of his friends, but Pokey wasn’t interested in them. He slipped one long claw underneath Ness’s broken metallic body and lifted it up, cradling it in a way that was almost tender. “You thought I’d see reason...” he murmured. “You thought that if you fought hard enough, if you believed in me enough, I’d stop what I was doing and come to my senses.” Slowly he brought another claw out to touch his neighbor’s face.
“You saw good in me. I know you did. I could see it in your eyes. And you were good. You were good and kind and tried to see that same goodness in everyone. Even me. Especially me.” With a sudden childish savagery, Pokey sliced the claw downward, tearing through metal and wires to the gleaming silver skull that lay beneath. For a moment, he could imagine what Ness’s face would have looked like if he had been inhabiting his own body-- how the blood would have flowed and the muscles writhed around the sudden appalling wound, muscles that did not yet know they were dead.
“But you’re nothing but useless garbage now. And I was never like you.”
Title: Point Taken
Prompt: Love
Characters/Pairings: Jeff/Paula
Rating: G
Song: VAST - You (4:53)
Jeff didn’t regret what he’d said to her.
Even now, if anyone had asked him, he wouldn’t have taken those words back for all the world. It didn’t matter if she didn’t see things the way he did. He was content with just her knowing what he had been keeping inside him all these months.
He wiped a sleeve across his brow and continued work on the Sky Runner. Remaining in Saturn Valley with Dr. Ando-- his father-- had been a personal choice on his part, but in the event that they wanted to travel back to Winters, he wanted to have easy transportation ready to go.
Well, that and he wanted to impress his father. That too.
Jeff was suddenly aware of a shadow across his back. “Hey Dad, can you hand me that screwdriver over there?” The hand that presented him with the tool was not his father’s hand. Jeff glanced up in shock.
Paula’s hands were on her hips, her eyes narrowed in mock irritation. “You know...” she said, “when you tell a girl something that earth-shattering and then just run away, you probably should make sure that she can’t follow you.”
Jeff reddened and jumped to his feet. “I... I didn’t run away! I just...” He cleared his throat. “It’s called making a dramatic exit.”
The corner of Paula’s mouth twitched. “It was pretty fast for a dramatic exit, as I recall. Whatever it was, it was mean. You didn’t even give me a chance to respond.”
“Respond? Wh--”
He was rendered momentarily speechless by the feeling of soft lips brushing against his.
Once in a while, Paula enjoyed having the last word.
Title: Last Scene of All
Prompt: Power
Characters/Pairings: To tell you would be a spoiler.
Rating: G
Warning: Spoilers for Mother 3. Vague, but it’s pretty obvious whose point of view it is. (Also, forgive the title-- I was in a Shakespearean mood.)
Song: VAST - That’s My Boy (3:54)
The stage has been set.
The interfering little upstarts have finally made it to the apex of the tower, and he wants to receive them with all of the formality that is befitting of a king. Even now, if he listens very closely, he imagines that he can hear the soft pattering of their footsteps as they race to the room where he currently resides. He finds that he can barely sit still or hold a thought in his head, and a sudden heart palpitation makes his breath come short. No, not a palpitation-- is his heart actually racing? He can’t remember ever feeling this anxious; this eager-- not since a long time ago, when he faced down a foursome very much like these. But he wasn’t king then, just a mere hanger-on hoping to achieve his own ends. He didn’t have the power he possesses now-- couldn’t possibly dream of ever making it this big. He hears their footsteps approaching the door and feels his heart move strangely in his chest again. Every nerve in his body seems alert; electrified.
Is this joy I’m feeling?
He can barely contain his laughter-- his soldiers sound taken aback at the amount of glee in his voice as he issues his orders to them. Within seconds, the room below is filled with his beloved creations, milling about as they await the arrival of their honored guests.
The props are in position; the players all at their places. A cruel smile twists the corners of his mouth, and he feels something that is almost... nostalgic. It seems disappointing that his fun with these idiots will end soon. He’ll just have to draw out the enjoyment as much as possible.
A thud at the door signals their arrival. It’s time.
“Let’s play.”
Title: Mood Killer
Prompt: Kiss
Characters/Pairings: Tracy/Picky
Rating: G
Song: VAST - Be With Me (3:53)
“Do you ever miss him?” Tracy asked.
Picky shrugged. “I dunno. I don’t really think about it that much anymore.”
“I can’t even think about what that must be like,” she said. “I mean, Ness was gone a lot last year, but he still checked in on us from time to time. I can’t imagine not hearing from your brother at all.”
Picky leaned back in his chair. “Well, you have to admit Ness is a lot cooler than Pokey. It sounds mean, but sometimes I wish Ness was my brother instead. I’d probably have more toys. More non-broken ones, anyway.”
Tracy giggled, but her face grew serious as his words registered. “So you’re saying you don’t miss him at all?”
Picky was quiet for a long time. “...yeah,” he said finally. “I do, actually. A little. Sometimes.” He seemed encouraged by her smile.
“It sounds weird, doesn’t it? Missing someone like that? I mean, he wasn’t exactly the ideal brother. He picked on me a lot, called me names, stole all the snacks before I got a chance to get any; plus one time he broke a window and actually blamed me for it--”
Before she even knew she was going to do it, Tracy leaned over and kissed him on the lips. When she pulled away, he was staring at her, his mouth slightly agape. Her heart gave a shudder as she realized what she’d just done. She hid her reddened face from him. “Oh god I’m so sorry Picky I don’t know what came over me I just oh god I’m so sorry--”
His hand suddenly closed over hers, stopping the flow of her words. “It’s okay, Tracy,” he said. “I-I just didn’t know you felt that way about me.” His smile was warm and endearingly shy. “You... you can kiss me again, y’know. I mean, if you want to.”
Tracy’s heart soared. Slowly Picky leaned over and gave her a swift peck on the cheek.
“Can I ask you a favor, though?” Now his grin was more impish. “Next time... try not to mention my brother beforehand.”
Title: Mercy
Prompt: Mother
Characters/Pairings: To tell you would be a spoiler.
Rating: G
Warning: Spoilers for Mother 3
Song: VAST - I’m Dying (4:00)
There was nothing to see outside of his capsule-- only utter darkness.
Pokey had heard the rumblings outside; had seen the earth leap up in front of him, and knew that the final Needle had been pulled. Figuring out who it had been pulled by was a different story-- had it been that blond kid or his own little pet who had succeeded in awakening the Dragon? The darkness didn’t tell him either way, and he supposed that it wouldn’t matter to him anyway. Nothing could touch him now.
A sudden flash of light stabbed into his eyes and he shut them tightly, wincing in pain. When he was able to open them again, he was startled to see a woman standing before him. She was looking unsmilingly at him through the window of the capsule. They stared into each other’s eyes for a few minutes in silence. After a few minutes, Pokey was able to get over the shock of seeing her there. “Well? Who are you? What do you want?”
The woman was quiet. “I thought you’d be a monster,” she said. “I thought that whoever put my sons through so much anguish couldn’t possibly be human. But now I see you for what you really are. You’re just a child.”
Something in the way she said the word “child” raised Pokey’s hackles. He barked out a harsh laugh. “A child? Look around, lady. I own this place. Do you think if I was some sniveling kid I’d be capable of this?”
“I think anyone is capable of anything given the proper circumstances,” the woman replied. “You must have felt such anger-- such pain.”
Pokey sneered at her. “Wrong again,” he shot back. “I didn’t do this out of some stupid act of revenge. I did this for me. I wanted it.”
“And look where it’s gotten you,” she said, without an ounce of rancor in her voice, though Pokey was expecting rancor. “I should hate you for what you’ve done to my sons-- for what you’ve done to this world... but when I look at you, I can’t.” She raised her eyes to his once again, and Pokey was startled to see that they were filled with sorrow. “I feel so sorry for you.”
Something snapped inside him when he heard her say this. He shut his eyes tightly against her, wishing that he had enough strength to throw something; wishing that he wasn’t stuck in this stupid thing so that he could make her pay. “Shut up!” he screamed. “Do you have any idea who I am? I rule this city! It’s mine! Mine, do you hear me?!” The realization that he was throwing a tantrum like a spineless little wimp only fueled his rage. “I don’t need your pity! I’m king here, so go away and leave me alone!!”
He broke off his tirade, gasping for breath. His fury abated from him, leaving him feeling dizzy and sick. He opened his eyes and noted with relief that she was gone. But her words hung in the air like a bad smell, and he couldn’t shake the unfamiliar feeling that was creeping over him.
As he stewed inside his capsule, struggling to make sense of it all, he was struck by a sudden, decisive thought-- he’d be happy if he never saw her again.
This one’s outside the challenge-- ‘cause I kinda cheated and went on after the song was over. ^^;
Title: Dementia
Prompt: Nightmare
Characters/Pairings: To tell you would be a spoiler.
Rating: PG-13 to R
Warning: Very disturbing themes; gore. Spoilers for Mother 3.
Song: Rhianna - Disturbia (4:00)
For the fifth time, Lucas dearly wished he’d trusted his instincts.
He felt confused and disoriented, and everything seemed strange and unfamiliar. Judging by the blank, fearful expressions on both Kumatora and Duster, they shared the same sentiment. Lucas tried to talk himself down. He was merely hallucinating, that was all-- they were all hallucinating. There was no way that trees could glow like that, no way that mailboxes could scream or umbrellas could talk or that everyone he loved wanted him to die or oh God his head--
He called out for his father, and his voice warped into the screams of a dog in agony.
He started to cry, and his cries looped back on themselves until they sounded like deranged laughter. And through his tears, even though he knew it was impossible, he saw Claus.
His brother was leaning casually against a tree as if he’d never been lost in the first place, and Lucas took two steps toward him before he caught himself. Claus smiled at him, and it was the same smile that Lucas had always known. “Hey, Lucas...” he said, and his voice was his own. “I finally found you.”
Lucas took a step backward, and Claus’s expression melted into confusion. “What’s wrong?”
The younger boy shook his head. “No,” he said. “You’re not here. You’re not real.”
Claus let out a good-natured laugh. “Of course I’m real, silly! Stop kidding around! Look, feel my heart.” And before Lucas could react, Claus had taken his hand and pressed it against his chest. Lucas tried to break free of his grip until he realized that Claus was warm. “Can you feel it?” Claus asked, and Lucas closed his eyes and concentrated. There it was, the strong and steady beat of his brother’s heart. He felt fresh tears coming to his eyes, and looked away to hide them.
Something suddenly gave beneath his hand, and he felt something hot and wet slide up his arm. He glanced back, and his eyes widened in horror. His hand had sunk deep into his brother’s chest. Blood rapidly stained Claus’s shirt a dark, arterial red, and yet he still smiled. “What’s the matter?” he asked, looking down at Lucas’s hand embedded in his chest. He laughed. “Can’t you feel my heart?” Lucas let out a strangled sob and tried to pull away, but Claus held him fast. Claus’s smile faded as a teardrop of blood bloomed out of the corner of his eye and trickled down his cheek. “What’s... what’s going on...?” he said. “Why isn’t my heart beating? I... I don’t understand. Lucas.... what did you do?!”
A hand suddenly alighted on the younger boy’s shoulder, and that was enough to snap Lucas out of it. He sucked in a long, shuddering breath and screamed. He screamed. He felt himself yanked backwards, propelled out of Claus’s grasp and against something soft and yielding. Still screaming, he writhed and fought against the body until he heard a familiar voice. “Take it easy, kid! It’s me!” It was Kumatora.
It was so much more than one small boy could take. Lucas sagged against her and began to cry in earnest. Kumatora held him close and said nothing. Eventually he felt a hand awkwardly rest on his head and knew that Duster was attempting to comfort him as well. Boney whined, anxious for his master’s well-being. Lucas knew that it had all been just a bad dream, just another effect of the mushrooms they had eaten. Still, he couldn’t shake the awful feeling that Claus, wherever he was, wasn’t doing so well. Just the thought alone felt like an arrow through his heart.
It was a long time before any of them found the strength to continue on.