Stranded [6/12]
Title: Stranded [6/12]
Author: ixjaydee
Rating: PG - 13
Pairing: Jongyu (Jonghyun/Onew), 2minkey (Taemin/Minho/Key), onesided!JongTae
Genre: Comedy, Action/Aventure, Romance
AU!sky pirates
Summary: Kim Jonghyun, son of a rich merchant, was notorious for getting what he wanted, when he wanted it, however he wanted it. After many flings and one night stands, Fate decided to get back at him in the form of getting him drunk and signing his soul away to a crew of pirates on the Lucifer. After finding out bizarre facts about the Lucifer, one escape attempt that almost ended his life, and realizing how insane the crew is, he comes to the conclusion that maybe this was where he was meant to be.
Disclaimer: DO WANT. CAN’T ALWAYS GET WANT. DO NOT OWN.
A/N;; *rolls around* I have reached the halfway point. Oh my lord. Finally. How do I know I’m halfway? Because it feels like it. Likewise, I’m debating on either nine or ten chapters for CHB. Then I’m going to extend that Jongyu twoshot into another chaptered story after these are done, and squeeze in those requested oneshots/drabbles.
I’m so excited. I’ve already come up with the ideas for the story to replace both of these. And one is an OnTae, and the other is a TaeKey and Jongyu *coughancienteqyptcough*. You guys will never be rid of me.
So basically, if you didn’t want to read all that up there. My next fic rotations will be between OnTae and a Taekey/Jongyu with the mafia Jongyu updated on the side every day until it’s over, then it’ll just be the main fic rotation. Now stop reading this and go to the story.
--
Entry Six - A Full Circle
--
The five of them entered the temple gingerly. Jonghyun immediately pulled his monocular on. It was like his vision was split. One in normal view, and one in night vision. Key was indeed a genius. Taemin was looked around furiously, flying over to a pedestal at the entrance. He examined the marking on it and flipped through his book again.
“Interesting.” Key walked up to him and tried to read over his shoulder but Taemin snapped the book shut and adjusted his monocle again. “What?”
“It’s a warp pedestal. An old fashioned way of warping around the temple. But it doesn’t look like it works right now.” Onew looked into the main entrance and shivered. It had been so long since he was here. And the last time he entered the temple was with Jaebeom... He shook his head again.
“Let’s go guys. This might take a while.” They walked into the entrance, Taemin and Onew in front, Key in the middle, and Jonghyun and Minho in the back. When they entered, a chill immediately shot up Jonghyun’s spin. Something bad was definitely going to happen.
He heard Roo squeal below him at his feet, bringing his thoughts back to reality. Roo looked nervous too. “It’s okay Roo. We’ll be okay.”
Everything about this temple seemed to want to crumble under their touch, the ground especially. The staircase leading down was full of cracks and vines, and very dangerous looking plants. Jonghyun saw one snatch a bat out of the air.
“We’re not looking for treasure here. Just find the piece of the bracelet and get out of here.”
--
The Heartbeat docked, and its crew currently stood at the foot of the ruined city of Velspar. Taecyeon chuckled darkly to himself. All the riches in an untouched land, all of them were his. The legends of the Velsparian jewelry and weapons were right at his finger tips.
“After we’re done with the city, head into the temple. I want to know what they’re looking for.”
“Yes sir.”
--
“Oh crap.” Onew tripped over another crack in the floor, causing it to give way, leaving him to hang on the edge. The pieces disappeared into the dark abyss. Onew didn’t even hear the impact of them hitting the ground. Jonghyun reached down and pulled the captain up again.
“This is the fourth time already. And we’re barely even a fourth of the way through.” The amount of monster fights they’d gotten into were infinitely more than the last temple they were in. Jonghyun was absolutely terrified of the skeleton knights, skeletons that moved and fought, some of them even casting magic against them. He was near useless against them.
Taemin’s head and eyes never stopped moving, recording everything he could lay his eyes on. He was going to have a bit to look through whenever they were done with this. The hallways were long and twisted, lined with the same biting plants that Jonghyun saw earlier.
“Be careful. They’re poisonous.” Jonghyun and Onew shifted away from the walls, both of them prone to get injured somehow. Minho suddenly stopped moving. “I hear something.” They turned around and suddenly saw the staircase they just came from crumble and fall.
“Well then. Looks like we won’t be taking that way back out.” Roo suddenly started to squeal frantically. He was sniffing the air, and pointing in front of them squealing. “Calm down Roo. What is it?” The sound of thundering footsteps reached their ears.
“Oh... god.” They hurried towards the edge, and saw the large body of the Guardian coming towards them, dragging the club behind it. “Go, go, go!” Taemin ran down a winding path, followed by Key and Minho and Roo. Jonghyun ran at the back with Onew, who kept glancing over his shoulder with confused looks. “Captain. Eyes forward please!” Onew snapped out of his daze and grinned.
Suddenly, there was a furious roar followed by a crashing noise. The Guardian had slammed its club onto the ground, causing a lightning fissure to make its way toward the crew. It reached Jonghyun and Onew first, ground giving away underneath, causing them to fall with wide eyes. “Well fuck!” Key reached for his hook again, throwing it up, hooking it into the wall as he tried to stop him and Minho from plummeting to their deaths.
Onew pushed off of a wall in the air and managed to grab onto Key’s rope, seeing the others fall above him. He couldn’t find Jonghyun in the darkness though. “Jonghyun! Jonghyun! Where are you?!” Taemin was casting light barriers under his feet again, letting him step down lightly on invisible steps in the darkness until he heard loud thuds beneath him. Key and Minho landed safely. He knew Onew as okay when he heard Key yell something about him needing to go on a diet.
But where was Jonghyun? “Jonghyun? Jonghyun!” Taemin illuminated a spell and saw Jonghyun laying in a heap next to the wall. He put Roo down as he squealed worriedly and ran over to his master. He was breathing hard, covered in dirt, clutching his leg. “I think it’s broken,” he gasped out. “You think? You think?!” Key asked running over to him. His leg was splintered.
Taemin sat down next to him and held his hand over Jonghyun’s leg, muttering a few words before Jonghyun felt the sicking crunch of his bone healing. Taemin reached into his pouch and pulled out a bandage to wrap his bloody leg. “I only healed the bone and the muscle. Wrap it so it doesn’t get infected.”
Jonghyun saw the tired look on Taemin’s face as he finished bandaging him up. Onew stood in the back looking incredibly guilty. “It’s not your fault captain.” That was all Jonghyun said as he stood up, brushing some dirt off of his clothes.
“Let’s keep going. There’s an exit over here.”
“That was one hell of a fall. I’m surprised the only thing you broke was your leg,” Key said as he looked up, straining to see the top of the hole they fell in. They heard another growl and the thundering footsteps faded away again.
--
Taecyeon led his men deeper into the temple. The cut down everything in their path, and took as much as they could, per the orders of their captain. As they explored deeper and deeper, the feeling of suffocation began to overwhelm them. They didn’t usually do the exploring in the temples, only waiting outside for those who were and taking their hard earned spoils.
“What do you have against this guy, Captain?” Nickhun asked as he fumbled around behind him. Taecyeon destroyed another skeleton night with a swift blow of his sword. “Nothing. He just possesses something I want. Something priceless.” Nickhun sunk back with the others, completely quiet.
None of them felt like they had a moment’s freedom since Taecyeon took over. But their old captain’s name was almost taboo now. Wooyoung patted the other boy on the shoulder before turning his eyes back to the front.
“We should be getting closer to the bottom... Wait. I hear voices.” They pressed themselves to the side of the wall as Taecyeon took a peek. “Found them,” he said with a slight smile. He watched the five of them enter a room that they were previously in, knowing very well that it didn’t lead to anywhere.
He waited Onew stand in the doorway, looking around cautiously as the other went in before walking in himself. They followed them quietly against the wall.
“Aish. There’s nothing in here Taemin.”
“There should be a path here though...” He glanced around the walls confused. They all heard muffled yells behind them. Minho whipped around. “Captain!” Taecyeon had a wicked smile on his face as he dragged Onew, kicking and yelling into his hands. “Chansung.”
Another large boy appeared, gathering his strength before sending a shockwave through the room, causing it to shake and rumble, pieces of debris falling from the ceiling. Jonghyun saw pieces of the floor starting to crumble too.
“Nickhun.” Nickhun hesitated for a moment before sending a spell at the others, blasting them back tot he end of the room, and sealing that half with a temporary barrier. “Captain!” Key and Minho ran towards him but were bumped back by the barrier. Suddenly there was a cry from behind them. Minho paled.
“Taemin! Taemin!” His legs were trapped underneath a large boulder that fell through the collapsing ceiling. The others froze and ran towards them as the crew of the Heartbeat disappeared into the hallway.
“NO! Save the captain! He’s more important than me!” Minho growled in frustration as the room started to shake.
“We can’t just leave you here Taemin!” Key screamed, clearing the falling debris from the other boy. “Just go! Go before you get buried in here with me!”
“Fuck this shit!” Jonghyun grabbed Taemin’s arm, and Minho grabbed the other. “This is going to hurt like hell.” And they pulled as hard as they could. The boulder on Taemin’s legs rolled and started to fall into the empy pit below them. The ground started to give way as Minho whipped Taemin onto his back.
“You won’t make it with my extra weight Minho!” What was up with these temples and crumbling floors? Minho didn’t say anything but ran silently. Taemin sighed and made up his mind.
“I’m sorry love.” He struggled against Minho’s back, and with the blast of a spell, sent him flying into the hallway as the rocks sealed up the doorway.
“TAEMIN!”
“NO!” Minho shook, pounding his fists on the rocks that sealed away his first love.
--
Taemin fell, he didn’t know how long he fell, but it was quite a while. He knew he couldn’t use his barrier trick now, his legs were crushed underneath the boulder, and he knew they wouldn’t be able to support his weight.
Flashes of his life played before his eyes. His mother picking him up and swinging him around. His father carrying him on his shoulders. His parents falling ill with nothing he could do. Fate’s offer. his first few days on the Lucifer. Falling in love with Minho. Sharing with Key. The feeling of belonging somewhere. He closed his eyes as the wind whipped around him.
“Not yet Taemin... not yet...” A woman’s voice whispered. Taemin’s eyes snapped open. He only needed her words for a second. He wasn’t ready to leave them yet. He struggled to get himself upright on the air, and started the words for the teleportation chant. If it worked the way he hoped... he could only hope.
He could see the ground rushing up at him. “Here goes everything...” He hit the floor as soon as the spell finished and disappeared.
--
Minho and Key stood there at the sealed door in complete shock. Neither of them wanted to move. Jonghyun was slumped against the wall, head buried in his hands. The captain was gone. Taemin was... He tried not to let tears sting his eyes. Key and Minho were letting them stream freely down their faces.
“Guys, we can’t stay here... We have to... go find the captain. We’ll come back and find Taemin. We’ll find him.” The other two didn’t say anything for a moment before Minho wiped his face, turning away and walking down the corridor without another word. Key followed, pulling Jonghyun up to his feet along the way.
Jonghyun glanced back at the closed door once before turning and leaving.
--
Onew was fuming. They tied his arms together and had various weapons pointed at him as they walked deeper and deeper into the tunnel. He knew the crew of the Heartbeat quite well. He and the former captain were good friends. He knew that Wooyoung, Junho, and Nickhun were sympathetic to him, seeing the guilty looks on their faces as they stole glances at him. The others were without remorse, especially Taecyeon.
They went deeper, the air turned moist. Then Onew heard the familiar musical note. The bracelet was calling to him, responding to his Velsparian blood. Taecyeon signaled for everyone to stop, watching as Onew suddenly turn towards a wall and press his ear to it. He was suddenly pulled back, then the wall was destroyed, revealing the altar on which the piece was resting.
Chansung held Onew back as Taecyeon walked inside and picked up the small gleaming piece. The square. He examined it in his hands for a moment, smirk crawling onto his face. That smirk was short lived, as a gunshot rang through the air, causing him to drop the piece and hold his shoulder.
“NO!” Onew shouted as the piece fell. He needed it. He needed it. The other rushed in to help their captain, leaving him behind. Onew felt a hand cover his mouth and pull him back into the shadows. Minho cut away his ropes without another word, signaling for the captain to follow him silently. “But the piece...” Minho just shook his head.
“Get him! GET HIM!” Taecyeon yelled. Jonghyun slid down the slanted wall and started to make a run for it, dodging spells and weapons that flew at him. A squeal in the room caught their attention. “OW! WHAT THE HELL?!” Taecyeon roared as something bit him. There was a small dinosaur clamped down on his leg.
Key swooped in on his rope and called Roo to him, who immediately let go and ran over to Key with happy squeals, clearly asking if he did well. “Why you-” Taecyeon was cut off as his body slumped to the ground. “For once... you were useful.” Key petted Roo as it wagged its tail. Key searched the ground for the fallen piece but before he could find it, Roo already had it on his tail, handing it to Key.
“Good job. Good Roo. Who’s a good dinosaur?” Roo jumped up and down happily. “I don’t know how you got down here. But now we have to go save your master.” Key walked by Taecyeon and couldn’t help but place a well aimed kick to his chest.
--
Jonghyun ran for his life. It was a bit scary to have five men chasing you all at once while blasting spells and aiming to kill you. Who’s idea was it to keep putting him into these life threatening situations? He rounded a corner, then suddenly felt a hand grab his shoulder and pull him off to the side into a dark corridor.
Minho held his finger to his lips as the other blew past them. “Where is he?” He heard a noise come from one side of the tunnel. “That way!” And they disappeared. Moments later, Onew’s face appeared. “Where’s Taemin?”
Minho stiffened. “It’s a long story captain... we have to go meet up with Key. He should have your piece by now.”
--
They back tracked into the altar room where Taecyeon was still laying immobile on the floor, hatred burning in his eyes. “He’s supposed to be in here I don’t...” Suddenly, a few blurs ran by them. “Run! RUN!” There was another mighty roar, and the sounds of crashing.
The Guardian plowed through walls, not caring what was in its way, swinging its club at anything and everything its way. Not even the so called Hunters dared to get closer to it. Onew met eyes with Wooyoung, Nickhun, and Junho. “Does he seem familiar?” Onew yelled from the other side. The others nodded slightly before jumping out of the way of a club.
A wall was smashed between rooms, revealing Key and Roo standing at a warp pedestal, just like the one they saw at the entrance. “Come on! I figured out how to make it work!” The four plus the three from the Heartbeat made a break for it, and as soon as they reached the pedestal, the Guardian blocked the entrance, leaving half of the Heartbeat behind.
Key slammed the device, and there was a whirling as air blew around and a pop.
--
They fell in a tangled heap of limbs at the entrance of the temple. Everyone groaned, trying to pull themselves apart from one another. They tried to avoid each others weapons as well, Roo hopped up and down on Nickhun’s stomach.
“Taemin! TAEMIN!” Minho pulled himself out of the pile, cutting himself on some weapon somewhere, but he didn’t care. He dashed over to the boy sitting next to the pedestal. He looked so fragile and so broken. Minho stroked his face and planted a kiss on his forehead.
“How... How... are you okay?” Taemin coughed and smiled weakly. “I could be better. Besides,” he said groaning as he shifted, “I am an escape artist.” Minho buried his face in the boy’s neck, Key joining him shortly. He winced as pain shot through his legs.
Jonghyun wandered over while the others shifted uncomfortably while taking glances at each other. “Can’t... you heal yourself Taemin?” Taemin laughed bitterly.
“It doesn’t work that way Jonghyun.” Jonghyun sank to his knees. What good was having healing powers if you couldn’t use them on yourself? And what good was it if you were killing yourself to use it? Jonghyun looked at his legs and laid a hand on them gently. Taemin winced slightly. Onew appeared over his shoulder.
“If only I could use white magic. If only I could...” He felt the captain sink beside him.” Suddenly, a bright white light appeared from Jonghyun’s hand. He felt like something was squeezing his chest tighter, the brighter it got.
Key gasped. “No way...” Taemin shifted again, trying to push Jonghyun’s hand away, but he was stiff like that, frozen in place. “He doesn’t know how to use it! He could kill himself!” Nickhun shoved his way over and sat next to Jonghyun, putting an arm on his shoulder. “I can help...” He closed his eyes, and started to redirect Jonghyun’s energy.
Taemin felt uncomfortable pricks in his legs as the shattered bones started to heal. The overflowing magic from his legs traveling through his body and healing the small injuries as well. Then Nickhum opened his eyes, pulling Jonghyun out of his trance.
Jonghyun fell back, clutching his chest as he tried to catch his breath. It hurt, it hurt so much. Onew watched him, concerned. Taemin stretched his legs and stood up, holding onto Key and Minho for support. “Hurts, doesn’t it?”
Jonghyun couldn’t answer, just nodding his head. Onew couldn’t help himself. He wrapped his arms around the other boy and rested his head on top of his. “Thank you so much...” He looked up at Nickhun. “And thank you.”
“We’re not bad people by choice.” Wooyoung and Junho looked between each other, unable to meet the curious glances of the others.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over them. Everyone froze. The Guardian. They stood there, watching each other until Onew let go of Jonghyun, who tried to grab his arm. Onew took a few steps towards the Guardian until he was standing in front of him.
The Guardian kneeled down, eyes boring into Onew’s. “Is this what happened to you... When they stranded you here?” Onew reached out and laid a hand on the Guardian’s chest. Nickhun squinted his eyes for a moment.
“... Captain Jay?” The Guardian spoke in a deep voice.
“The magic here... has turned feral. The longer you stay here, the more it transforms you. Until there is no going back.” His voice was slow and deep. Onew felt the deepest remorse for his friend.
“We’re so sorry Captain! We didn’t... we didn’t...” The Guardian shook his head. “You must leave. I have called off the monsters. I did not wish for you to enter, which is why I was so hostile. Please leave this place.”
--
Minho carried Taemin on his back all the way to the ship with Key holding Taemin’s hand on the side. Onew stood with the crew of the Heartbeat. “What are you going to do? You only have half of your crew now.” They boys looked at each other. “I think we’ll be fine.”
“We have Time on our side. He’s been meaning to look for new recruits anyway.” Onew bid them all a good bye before heading back into his own ship. They left in record speed, flying away as fast as they could from Velspar. Onew sighed, watching his home disappear into the clouds.
Key handed off the piece of the bracelet to Jonghyun. “Give this to the captain will you? I’m going to see how Taemin is...” Minho was back behind the steering wheel with Roo sitting at his feet, looking quite accomplished.
Jonghyun looked at the piece. It was so small. All it was, was a piece of a chain, and a square charm attached. He walked towards the captain, piece in hand. Onew could hear the resounding note as he turned around to see Jonghyun walking towards him.
“Here. For you.” Their skin made brief contact for a moment and images flashed through Onew’s mind. Images of him holding Jonghyun, images of him defending him, protecting him, images of them brushing light touches on each other, images of them kissing. Onew snapped out of his daze while Jonghyun looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Are you okay?” Onew nodded frantically for a moment. “Yeah... I’m fine.” Jonghyun opened his mouth to ask another question but was cut off by Key.
“Yah! Jonghyun! Taemin wants to see you.” Onew waved him off before turning back to the railing. Jonghyun glanced over his shoulder for a moment, eyes full of concern before disappearing below deck.
The breeze blew around his body. Did that answer your question?
His head turned back to the entrance to the galley. Jonghyun... was something he needed?
--
Prev | Next
Author: ixjaydee
Rating: PG - 13
Pairing: Jongyu (Jonghyun/Onew), 2minkey (Taemin/Minho/Key), onesided!JongTae
Genre: Comedy, Action/Aventure, Romance
AU!sky pirates
Summary: Kim Jonghyun, son of a rich merchant, was notorious for getting what he wanted, when he wanted it, however he wanted it. After many flings and one night stands, Fate decided to get back at him in the form of getting him drunk and signing his soul away to a crew of pirates on the Lucifer. After finding out bizarre facts about the Lucifer, one escape attempt that almost ended his life, and realizing how insane the crew is, he comes to the conclusion that maybe this was where he was meant to be.
Disclaimer: DO WANT. CAN’T ALWAYS GET WANT. DO NOT OWN.
A/N;; *rolls around* I have reached the halfway point. Oh my lord. Finally. How do I know I’m halfway? Because it feels like it. Likewise, I’m debating on either nine or ten chapters for CHB. Then I’m going to extend that Jongyu twoshot into another chaptered story after these are done, and squeeze in those requested oneshots/drabbles.
I’m so excited. I’ve already come up with the ideas for the story to replace both of these. And one is an OnTae, and the other is a TaeKey and Jongyu *coughancienteqyptcough*. You guys will never be rid of me.
So basically, if you didn’t want to read all that up there. My next fic rotations will be between OnTae and a Taekey/Jongyu with the mafia Jongyu updated on the side every day until it’s over, then it’ll just be the main fic rotation. Now stop reading this and go to the story.
--
Entry Six - A Full Circle
--
The five of them entered the temple gingerly. Jonghyun immediately pulled his monocular on. It was like his vision was split. One in normal view, and one in night vision. Key was indeed a genius. Taemin was looked around furiously, flying over to a pedestal at the entrance. He examined the marking on it and flipped through his book again.
“Interesting.” Key walked up to him and tried to read over his shoulder but Taemin snapped the book shut and adjusted his monocle again. “What?”
“It’s a warp pedestal. An old fashioned way of warping around the temple. But it doesn’t look like it works right now.” Onew looked into the main entrance and shivered. It had been so long since he was here. And the last time he entered the temple was with Jaebeom... He shook his head again.
“Let’s go guys. This might take a while.” They walked into the entrance, Taemin and Onew in front, Key in the middle, and Jonghyun and Minho in the back. When they entered, a chill immediately shot up Jonghyun’s spin. Something bad was definitely going to happen.
He heard Roo squeal below him at his feet, bringing his thoughts back to reality. Roo looked nervous too. “It’s okay Roo. We’ll be okay.”
Everything about this temple seemed to want to crumble under their touch, the ground especially. The staircase leading down was full of cracks and vines, and very dangerous looking plants. Jonghyun saw one snatch a bat out of the air.
“We’re not looking for treasure here. Just find the piece of the bracelet and get out of here.”
--
The Heartbeat docked, and its crew currently stood at the foot of the ruined city of Velspar. Taecyeon chuckled darkly to himself. All the riches in an untouched land, all of them were his. The legends of the Velsparian jewelry and weapons were right at his finger tips.
“After we’re done with the city, head into the temple. I want to know what they’re looking for.”
“Yes sir.”
--
“Oh crap.” Onew tripped over another crack in the floor, causing it to give way, leaving him to hang on the edge. The pieces disappeared into the dark abyss. Onew didn’t even hear the impact of them hitting the ground. Jonghyun reached down and pulled the captain up again.
“This is the fourth time already. And we’re barely even a fourth of the way through.” The amount of monster fights they’d gotten into were infinitely more than the last temple they were in. Jonghyun was absolutely terrified of the skeleton knights, skeletons that moved and fought, some of them even casting magic against them. He was near useless against them.
Taemin’s head and eyes never stopped moving, recording everything he could lay his eyes on. He was going to have a bit to look through whenever they were done with this. The hallways were long and twisted, lined with the same biting plants that Jonghyun saw earlier.
“Be careful. They’re poisonous.” Jonghyun and Onew shifted away from the walls, both of them prone to get injured somehow. Minho suddenly stopped moving. “I hear something.” They turned around and suddenly saw the staircase they just came from crumble and fall.
“Well then. Looks like we won’t be taking that way back out.” Roo suddenly started to squeal frantically. He was sniffing the air, and pointing in front of them squealing. “Calm down Roo. What is it?” The sound of thundering footsteps reached their ears.
“Oh... god.” They hurried towards the edge, and saw the large body of the Guardian coming towards them, dragging the club behind it. “Go, go, go!” Taemin ran down a winding path, followed by Key and Minho and Roo. Jonghyun ran at the back with Onew, who kept glancing over his shoulder with confused looks. “Captain. Eyes forward please!” Onew snapped out of his daze and grinned.
Suddenly, there was a furious roar followed by a crashing noise. The Guardian had slammed its club onto the ground, causing a lightning fissure to make its way toward the crew. It reached Jonghyun and Onew first, ground giving away underneath, causing them to fall with wide eyes. “Well fuck!” Key reached for his hook again, throwing it up, hooking it into the wall as he tried to stop him and Minho from plummeting to their deaths.
Onew pushed off of a wall in the air and managed to grab onto Key’s rope, seeing the others fall above him. He couldn’t find Jonghyun in the darkness though. “Jonghyun! Jonghyun! Where are you?!” Taemin was casting light barriers under his feet again, letting him step down lightly on invisible steps in the darkness until he heard loud thuds beneath him. Key and Minho landed safely. He knew Onew as okay when he heard Key yell something about him needing to go on a diet.
But where was Jonghyun? “Jonghyun? Jonghyun!” Taemin illuminated a spell and saw Jonghyun laying in a heap next to the wall. He put Roo down as he squealed worriedly and ran over to his master. He was breathing hard, covered in dirt, clutching his leg. “I think it’s broken,” he gasped out. “You think? You think?!” Key asked running over to him. His leg was splintered.
Taemin sat down next to him and held his hand over Jonghyun’s leg, muttering a few words before Jonghyun felt the sicking crunch of his bone healing. Taemin reached into his pouch and pulled out a bandage to wrap his bloody leg. “I only healed the bone and the muscle. Wrap it so it doesn’t get infected.”
Jonghyun saw the tired look on Taemin’s face as he finished bandaging him up. Onew stood in the back looking incredibly guilty. “It’s not your fault captain.” That was all Jonghyun said as he stood up, brushing some dirt off of his clothes.
“Let’s keep going. There’s an exit over here.”
“That was one hell of a fall. I’m surprised the only thing you broke was your leg,” Key said as he looked up, straining to see the top of the hole they fell in. They heard another growl and the thundering footsteps faded away again.
--
Taecyeon led his men deeper into the temple. The cut down everything in their path, and took as much as they could, per the orders of their captain. As they explored deeper and deeper, the feeling of suffocation began to overwhelm them. They didn’t usually do the exploring in the temples, only waiting outside for those who were and taking their hard earned spoils.
“What do you have against this guy, Captain?” Nickhun asked as he fumbled around behind him. Taecyeon destroyed another skeleton night with a swift blow of his sword. “Nothing. He just possesses something I want. Something priceless.” Nickhun sunk back with the others, completely quiet.
None of them felt like they had a moment’s freedom since Taecyeon took over. But their old captain’s name was almost taboo now. Wooyoung patted the other boy on the shoulder before turning his eyes back to the front.
“We should be getting closer to the bottom... Wait. I hear voices.” They pressed themselves to the side of the wall as Taecyeon took a peek. “Found them,” he said with a slight smile. He watched the five of them enter a room that they were previously in, knowing very well that it didn’t lead to anywhere.
He waited Onew stand in the doorway, looking around cautiously as the other went in before walking in himself. They followed them quietly against the wall.
“Aish. There’s nothing in here Taemin.”
“There should be a path here though...” He glanced around the walls confused. They all heard muffled yells behind them. Minho whipped around. “Captain!” Taecyeon had a wicked smile on his face as he dragged Onew, kicking and yelling into his hands. “Chansung.”
Another large boy appeared, gathering his strength before sending a shockwave through the room, causing it to shake and rumble, pieces of debris falling from the ceiling. Jonghyun saw pieces of the floor starting to crumble too.
“Nickhun.” Nickhun hesitated for a moment before sending a spell at the others, blasting them back tot he end of the room, and sealing that half with a temporary barrier. “Captain!” Key and Minho ran towards him but were bumped back by the barrier. Suddenly there was a cry from behind them. Minho paled.
“Taemin! Taemin!” His legs were trapped underneath a large boulder that fell through the collapsing ceiling. The others froze and ran towards them as the crew of the Heartbeat disappeared into the hallway.
“NO! Save the captain! He’s more important than me!” Minho growled in frustration as the room started to shake.
“We can’t just leave you here Taemin!” Key screamed, clearing the falling debris from the other boy. “Just go! Go before you get buried in here with me!”
“Fuck this shit!” Jonghyun grabbed Taemin’s arm, and Minho grabbed the other. “This is going to hurt like hell.” And they pulled as hard as they could. The boulder on Taemin’s legs rolled and started to fall into the empy pit below them. The ground started to give way as Minho whipped Taemin onto his back.
“You won’t make it with my extra weight Minho!” What was up with these temples and crumbling floors? Minho didn’t say anything but ran silently. Taemin sighed and made up his mind.
“I’m sorry love.” He struggled against Minho’s back, and with the blast of a spell, sent him flying into the hallway as the rocks sealed up the doorway.
“TAEMIN!”
“NO!” Minho shook, pounding his fists on the rocks that sealed away his first love.
--
Taemin fell, he didn’t know how long he fell, but it was quite a while. He knew he couldn’t use his barrier trick now, his legs were crushed underneath the boulder, and he knew they wouldn’t be able to support his weight.
Flashes of his life played before his eyes. His mother picking him up and swinging him around. His father carrying him on his shoulders. His parents falling ill with nothing he could do. Fate’s offer. his first few days on the Lucifer. Falling in love with Minho. Sharing with Key. The feeling of belonging somewhere. He closed his eyes as the wind whipped around him.
“Not yet Taemin... not yet...” A woman’s voice whispered. Taemin’s eyes snapped open. He only needed her words for a second. He wasn’t ready to leave them yet. He struggled to get himself upright on the air, and started the words for the teleportation chant. If it worked the way he hoped... he could only hope.
He could see the ground rushing up at him. “Here goes everything...” He hit the floor as soon as the spell finished and disappeared.
--
Minho and Key stood there at the sealed door in complete shock. Neither of them wanted to move. Jonghyun was slumped against the wall, head buried in his hands. The captain was gone. Taemin was... He tried not to let tears sting his eyes. Key and Minho were letting them stream freely down their faces.
“Guys, we can’t stay here... We have to... go find the captain. We’ll come back and find Taemin. We’ll find him.” The other two didn’t say anything for a moment before Minho wiped his face, turning away and walking down the corridor without another word. Key followed, pulling Jonghyun up to his feet along the way.
Jonghyun glanced back at the closed door once before turning and leaving.
--
Onew was fuming. They tied his arms together and had various weapons pointed at him as they walked deeper and deeper into the tunnel. He knew the crew of the Heartbeat quite well. He and the former captain were good friends. He knew that Wooyoung, Junho, and Nickhun were sympathetic to him, seeing the guilty looks on their faces as they stole glances at him. The others were without remorse, especially Taecyeon.
They went deeper, the air turned moist. Then Onew heard the familiar musical note. The bracelet was calling to him, responding to his Velsparian blood. Taecyeon signaled for everyone to stop, watching as Onew suddenly turn towards a wall and press his ear to it. He was suddenly pulled back, then the wall was destroyed, revealing the altar on which the piece was resting.
Chansung held Onew back as Taecyeon walked inside and picked up the small gleaming piece. The square. He examined it in his hands for a moment, smirk crawling onto his face. That smirk was short lived, as a gunshot rang through the air, causing him to drop the piece and hold his shoulder.
“NO!” Onew shouted as the piece fell. He needed it. He needed it. The other rushed in to help their captain, leaving him behind. Onew felt a hand cover his mouth and pull him back into the shadows. Minho cut away his ropes without another word, signaling for the captain to follow him silently. “But the piece...” Minho just shook his head.
“Get him! GET HIM!” Taecyeon yelled. Jonghyun slid down the slanted wall and started to make a run for it, dodging spells and weapons that flew at him. A squeal in the room caught their attention. “OW! WHAT THE HELL?!” Taecyeon roared as something bit him. There was a small dinosaur clamped down on his leg.
Key swooped in on his rope and called Roo to him, who immediately let go and ran over to Key with happy squeals, clearly asking if he did well. “Why you-” Taecyeon was cut off as his body slumped to the ground. “For once... you were useful.” Key petted Roo as it wagged its tail. Key searched the ground for the fallen piece but before he could find it, Roo already had it on his tail, handing it to Key.
“Good job. Good Roo. Who’s a good dinosaur?” Roo jumped up and down happily. “I don’t know how you got down here. But now we have to go save your master.” Key walked by Taecyeon and couldn’t help but place a well aimed kick to his chest.
--
Jonghyun ran for his life. It was a bit scary to have five men chasing you all at once while blasting spells and aiming to kill you. Who’s idea was it to keep putting him into these life threatening situations? He rounded a corner, then suddenly felt a hand grab his shoulder and pull him off to the side into a dark corridor.
Minho held his finger to his lips as the other blew past them. “Where is he?” He heard a noise come from one side of the tunnel. “That way!” And they disappeared. Moments later, Onew’s face appeared. “Where’s Taemin?”
Minho stiffened. “It’s a long story captain... we have to go meet up with Key. He should have your piece by now.”
--
They back tracked into the altar room where Taecyeon was still laying immobile on the floor, hatred burning in his eyes. “He’s supposed to be in here I don’t...” Suddenly, a few blurs ran by them. “Run! RUN!” There was another mighty roar, and the sounds of crashing.
The Guardian plowed through walls, not caring what was in its way, swinging its club at anything and everything its way. Not even the so called Hunters dared to get closer to it. Onew met eyes with Wooyoung, Nickhun, and Junho. “Does he seem familiar?” Onew yelled from the other side. The others nodded slightly before jumping out of the way of a club.
A wall was smashed between rooms, revealing Key and Roo standing at a warp pedestal, just like the one they saw at the entrance. “Come on! I figured out how to make it work!” The four plus the three from the Heartbeat made a break for it, and as soon as they reached the pedestal, the Guardian blocked the entrance, leaving half of the Heartbeat behind.
Key slammed the device, and there was a whirling as air blew around and a pop.
--
They fell in a tangled heap of limbs at the entrance of the temple. Everyone groaned, trying to pull themselves apart from one another. They tried to avoid each others weapons as well, Roo hopped up and down on Nickhun’s stomach.
“Taemin! TAEMIN!” Minho pulled himself out of the pile, cutting himself on some weapon somewhere, but he didn’t care. He dashed over to the boy sitting next to the pedestal. He looked so fragile and so broken. Minho stroked his face and planted a kiss on his forehead.
“How... How... are you okay?” Taemin coughed and smiled weakly. “I could be better. Besides,” he said groaning as he shifted, “I am an escape artist.” Minho buried his face in the boy’s neck, Key joining him shortly. He winced as pain shot through his legs.
Jonghyun wandered over while the others shifted uncomfortably while taking glances at each other. “Can’t... you heal yourself Taemin?” Taemin laughed bitterly.
“It doesn’t work that way Jonghyun.” Jonghyun sank to his knees. What good was having healing powers if you couldn’t use them on yourself? And what good was it if you were killing yourself to use it? Jonghyun looked at his legs and laid a hand on them gently. Taemin winced slightly. Onew appeared over his shoulder.
“If only I could use white magic. If only I could...” He felt the captain sink beside him.” Suddenly, a bright white light appeared from Jonghyun’s hand. He felt like something was squeezing his chest tighter, the brighter it got.
Key gasped. “No way...” Taemin shifted again, trying to push Jonghyun’s hand away, but he was stiff like that, frozen in place. “He doesn’t know how to use it! He could kill himself!” Nickhun shoved his way over and sat next to Jonghyun, putting an arm on his shoulder. “I can help...” He closed his eyes, and started to redirect Jonghyun’s energy.
Taemin felt uncomfortable pricks in his legs as the shattered bones started to heal. The overflowing magic from his legs traveling through his body and healing the small injuries as well. Then Nickhum opened his eyes, pulling Jonghyun out of his trance.
Jonghyun fell back, clutching his chest as he tried to catch his breath. It hurt, it hurt so much. Onew watched him, concerned. Taemin stretched his legs and stood up, holding onto Key and Minho for support. “Hurts, doesn’t it?”
Jonghyun couldn’t answer, just nodding his head. Onew couldn’t help himself. He wrapped his arms around the other boy and rested his head on top of his. “Thank you so much...” He looked up at Nickhun. “And thank you.”
“We’re not bad people by choice.” Wooyoung and Junho looked between each other, unable to meet the curious glances of the others.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over them. Everyone froze. The Guardian. They stood there, watching each other until Onew let go of Jonghyun, who tried to grab his arm. Onew took a few steps towards the Guardian until he was standing in front of him.
The Guardian kneeled down, eyes boring into Onew’s. “Is this what happened to you... When they stranded you here?” Onew reached out and laid a hand on the Guardian’s chest. Nickhun squinted his eyes for a moment.
“... Captain Jay?” The Guardian spoke in a deep voice.
“The magic here... has turned feral. The longer you stay here, the more it transforms you. Until there is no going back.” His voice was slow and deep. Onew felt the deepest remorse for his friend.
“We’re so sorry Captain! We didn’t... we didn’t...” The Guardian shook his head. “You must leave. I have called off the monsters. I did not wish for you to enter, which is why I was so hostile. Please leave this place.”
--
Minho carried Taemin on his back all the way to the ship with Key holding Taemin’s hand on the side. Onew stood with the crew of the Heartbeat. “What are you going to do? You only have half of your crew now.” They boys looked at each other. “I think we’ll be fine.”
“We have Time on our side. He’s been meaning to look for new recruits anyway.” Onew bid them all a good bye before heading back into his own ship. They left in record speed, flying away as fast as they could from Velspar. Onew sighed, watching his home disappear into the clouds.
Key handed off the piece of the bracelet to Jonghyun. “Give this to the captain will you? I’m going to see how Taemin is...” Minho was back behind the steering wheel with Roo sitting at his feet, looking quite accomplished.
Jonghyun looked at the piece. It was so small. All it was, was a piece of a chain, and a square charm attached. He walked towards the captain, piece in hand. Onew could hear the resounding note as he turned around to see Jonghyun walking towards him.
“Here. For you.” Their skin made brief contact for a moment and images flashed through Onew’s mind. Images of him holding Jonghyun, images of him defending him, protecting him, images of them brushing light touches on each other, images of them kissing. Onew snapped out of his daze while Jonghyun looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Are you okay?” Onew nodded frantically for a moment. “Yeah... I’m fine.” Jonghyun opened his mouth to ask another question but was cut off by Key.
“Yah! Jonghyun! Taemin wants to see you.” Onew waved him off before turning back to the railing. Jonghyun glanced over his shoulder for a moment, eyes full of concern before disappearing below deck.
The breeze blew around his body. Did that answer your question?
His head turned back to the entrance to the galley. Jonghyun... was something he needed?
--
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