Life Of A High School Vampire One-Shots 5 The Bite

The Flame and the Dragon Ch4

Chapter 4: The Duke

Kai sighed in relief as he dropped the bags at his feet and plopped down next to the equally exhausted Lloyd on the side of the town square fountain. The large, glistening fountain outside of city hall in the dead center of the entire city. Built only a handful of years ago, this fountain at the old town center was there to represent the importance of all generations, both young and old, and what they have to offer. Its position within the city was meant to represent the strong mind and balanced way of life the city strived for.

It was designed by Nya.

She had wonderfully captured the natural beauty of the region and used a personal style to convey her vision in this piece of art. Every element was crafted and created with deluxe materials from local suppliers, ensuring this monument will remain an important aspect of the community spirit for many more years.

"Think we got enough food?" He teased.

"Well, we got everything on Nya's list." Lloyd smiled. "You remembered the chocolate right?"

"Yes, I remembered the chocolate." Kai rolled his eyes playfully. Lloyd smiled and dug into his big brother's bag before pulling out a folder and opened. He thumbed through the pages until he found a small back of stapled pages and pulled out the top one, smiling before placing the pack in Kai's lap.

"Care to show your favorite little brother what you've been working on?" He flashed a bright smile and his infamous pleading look.

"Maybe later," Kai replied calmly, earning him a look of pure shock from the blond boy. Kai could never resist Lloyd's babyface when he wanted something. Kai just laughed and scooped his collection of papers in his hands before looking at the one Lloyd picked out. The poem was written in his hand above the image of a field of roses. At the heart was an ancient castle that dated back to the early 18th century. The only difference was this castle was pure white, each stone chiseled from stabs of pristine marble.

Lloyd leaned over his brother's shoulder, immediately engrossed in the detailed sketch of his big brother's.

"Jeez Kai, you could give Nya a run for her money."

"It's just a sketch."

"It's still awesome! Now, can I see the poem or not?" Lloyd pleaded with a whine in his voice.

"No!"

"But it's amazing!" He begged and giggled as Kai blushed.

"You think everything I write is amazing." He smiled, rolling his eyes.

"Because they are!" He insisted, kneeling over the side of the fountain to dig through Kai's folder. "Didn't you say that one goes with another poem or passage? Here it is!" He cheered in victory pulling out another passage Kai wrote and placed in his lap. "This one! I remember cuz when you were reading you had this really dreamy look on your face." His smile almost split in half at the dark blush suddenly covering Kai's face. He snatched both things away and stuffed them back in his folder.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, green bean." Kai insisted with a small smirk. It would have convinced anyone else despite the faint scarlet dusting Kai's cheeks, but not to Lloyd and Nya.

"Yes, you do! You wrote that about the Dragon Lord didn't you?" He smirked playfully. The brunette's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull at Lloyd's innocently smirking face.

"How do you know that?!" He spluttered, completely flabbergasted. The youngest Smith almost burst out laughing at his older brother's panic.

"I didn't, but it's written all over your face!" He gasped in between laughs. Growling in defeat, Kai ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"Yes, they were inspired by the fairy tale, but no it's not about him, I wrote them after I had a dream." He explained as Lloyd blinked in bewilderment. "I know silly, right?"

"No! I wanna hear it!" He insisted widening his eyes. Rolling his eyes again, knowing Lloyd wouldn't let the subject drop, he continued.

"Alright, well, every night, I dream I'm in a field of flowers outside the castle and while I'm there, I hear a song playing and I follow it; then I see a man standing there holding the most beautiful music box I'd ever seen."

"Is he handsome?" Lloyd asked, teasingly, but Kai chose to ignore that question.

"The music was so lovely; it reminded me of the songs Mom and Dad used to sing to us, but in the most amazing voice I've ever heard." He sighed in awe. "The second I woke up, I just wrote the poem down and then I just couldn't get that man out of my head; I kept dreaming about him more and more." He explained unwittingly, letting his hidden passions seep into his voice; something that didn't go unnoticed by Lloyd. His smile only widened until it nearly split his face in half.

"You're in love~" He sang and Kai almost fell off the fountain. "You're in love with your dream prince!" He teased, with a smirk that put even his siblings to shame as he leaned over his older brother. "And don't try and deny it either, that might work on someone else, but not someone who's known you as long as I have!"

"The Dragon Lord is only a fairy tale, he's not real." Kai sighed, saddened, looking heavenward for assistance to his dilemma.

"Don't worry, bro; I'm sure you'll find your true love." Lloyd encouraged, leaning against the brunette's shoulder. Kai chuckled and ran his fingers through Lloyd's blond hair.

"You're a hopeless romantic, green bean."

"Hopeful." He corrected mischievously. Both boys broke into a fit of laughter until they were interrupted by the sound of a carriage and horses pulling to a stop. Just like that, everyone in town stopped to carry out the weekly ritual that was as practiced and routine as everything else in Ignacia. Everyone was more than happy to greet the two people that were exiting the carriage. The first to exit the expensive, flamboyant carriage was a middle-aged woman wearing a simple but expensive pale green dress.

Her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail by a pretty dark green ribbon, while her toxic green eyes glowed against her deathly-pale skin.

She was a noble maiden without a doubt, but she was not the reason everyone had stopped to stare. The man she turned and bowed her head to was. The brothers recognized his walk before he even stepped out of the carriage. He looked nobler than the woman. The man stepped out of the carriage adorned in a black suit that looked like the most expensive embroidery anyone had ever seen and a necklace of the finest craftsmanship. The outfit was only a simple outing suit but it was still the most expensive thing either brother had ever seen.

The pants alone probably cost more than their entre combined wardrobes.

His white gloves were molded the man's perfect hand and the suit hugged his muscles tightly. The newly polished shoes shined as he stepped down from the carriage. Men and women became lovestruck at his appearance and some people were instantly struck with jealousy or admiration. That combined with perfectly smooth, unblemished white skin, a perfect face, long jet black hair with a green streak in it, and ghostly green eyes, Duke Morro Vento was in every inch a fairy tale prince.

After all, Morro's family had founded the town and still owned it to this day.

Kai never realized how rehearsed Morro's walk was. It was coy and arrogant, just like his glances and his audacious smile. Morro must have returned from a successful trip because he seemed more arrogant today. Kai's gaze turned to Lloyd who nodded in understanding. Both boys picked up their books and the groceries, ready to leave. But a second too late, the duke's gaze found them and he smiled, a seductive smirk that Kai hated more than anything else.

Again he strolled over, cutting off their only exit before the two boys could sneak away.

"Hello, Kai." He smiled sweetly, but the teen saw right through it.

"That's Mr. Smith, your grace." He retorted with a hard gaze. At one point he may have been allowed Morro to call him by his first name, but he had lost that right years ago. Morro's predatory gaze immediately hardened when the brunette used his title instead of his name, though he'd told him time and time again he was allowed to. Kai simply refused to. It was so hard to believe that this arrogant and pompous man obsessed with luxury and social position was the same sweet and free-spirited kid the Smiths knew as children.

Morro's grandfather and their father Ray had been close friends for years.

It was solely because of Morro's grandfather the family moved to this town in the first place. Morro's grandfather had been Duke of the city and the peasants for almost sixty years. He had made it perfectly clear he was just as much a citizen of the town as the rest of the valley. He never cared for social status or reform and only for the well-being of the town and the citizens. As a result, the two families had been quite close. Morro was only two or three years older than Kai.

Sometimes their parents joked about the two of them getting married one day.

This was something Morro's parents took to heart for the future, especially as the children entered adulthood. Ray never considered the idea, especially since he knew none of the children seemed to like Morro in that manner. But once Morro's grandfather died and Ray fell ill, everything changed. Once Morro and his family took the role of Duke and Duchess, and delighted in the royal lifestyle, the Smiths saw less and less of Morro. He'd become too comfortable in the position of his family.

"How many times must I ask you to call me Morro, Kai?" The Duke smiled sweetly, hoping for a romantic response. The brunette just rolled his eyes and gathered his papers together before tying his folder closed. He lifted it to put it away but Morro suddenly snatched it.

"What are these, beautiful?" He asked with mock curiosity, flipping through the papers.

"Your grace, please return my property." He said and it took every ounce of Kai's willpower to remain civil. It was for the sake of his family's good name that he didn't snatch it from his hands and scold him like a child.

"Did you write all these, darling? You must have way too much time on your hands if you waste it scribbling away and reading books." He laughed and Kai growled at the mockery in Morro's voice.

"That's not true!" Lloyd exclaimed and was on his feet faster than anyone expected of the young boy. "Kai's an amazing writer, if you even bothered to read them instead of spending all your time in that stupid shack you call a palace, you'd recognize some good writing." He growled at the duke. A few eyes widened and jaws dropped at Lloyd's comment, but Morro paid the boy no mind and snapped the folder closed, holding it as if it were a discarded garment.

"Oh darling, you have so much promise; don't you think it is about time you got your head out of those silly stories and started paying attention to more important things?" He asked and his voice held a seductive purr that made Kai shiver in aggravation. "I mean, the whole town is talking about it! You spend all your time working at that little shop or reading, it is such a shame." He spoke in such a dreary tone as if Kai's life was that of an unfortunate pauper.

Kai closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair.

He let the duke rant, knowing full well he wouldn't care if he was paying attention to him or not. It had been this way since Morro became the Duke. He accepted the position with a smile and had since turned his ambitions to accustoming Kai to the royal life. The trio lost touch with him as a result, especially Kai, who rejected the idea of the rich and nobility; preferring a life of freedom away from petty, materialistic things. After all, he was perfectly happy living with his siblings where the three could carry out their dreams.

Of course, Morro didn't notice or even care.

"Of course, if you were married to a more... privileged person you wouldn't have to work a day in your life." Morro grinned as his emerald eyes fixed in a cruel seductive glint and met Kai's amber orbs.

"Marriage?" Kai repeated as his eyes widened. "I don't think so Morro, I like working and besides, I don't want to marry just anyone; now, please return my folder." He ordered, attempting to mask the hostility in his voice, holding out his hand.

"Oh, but it wouldn't be just anyone." Morro continued, ignoring the brunette, and held the folder out of his reach so Kai's gaze was fixed on him. "You of all people deserve far more than just anyone; you deserve someone beautiful, wealthy, well-respected-"

"Those are all material things, Morro, not what you should be looking for in marriage." Lloyd cut him off, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

"Give me my folder back, Duke Vento."

"You need someone who's known you since you arrived in this town, who's courted you for years." He smirked as he leaned closer to the brunette, irritation marring the seductive charm.

"I won't ask you again Morro, now stop acting childish and give me my stuff back!" Kai thundered in a harsh tone. Taken aback by the scolding and the looks of the townsmen, he regained his composure and with as much dignity as he could muster returned the folder to Kai.

"Very well, we'll talk later than; come along, Bansha, let us return home." He smiled as he gestured to the raven-haired girl, who followed obediently. Kai's amber eyes were almost red with rage until Lloyd pulled on his arm a bit. Kai's gaze turned to his little brother's curious stare.

"Is he really so naïve that he can't tell you're ignoring his flirting on purpose, or is he just acting?" He asked as he cocked his head cutely, making Morro suddenly freeze in his tracks and Kai burst into laughter, his anger forgotten. Morro turned around with a mortified look on his face. Did Kai's brother just insult him? Without even trying?

"How dare you!" He snapped, pointing accusingly, his composure shattered.

"Now, now, my lord." Kai chuckled. "He's only joking, come on Lloyd, let's get home before Nya wonders where we've been." He smirked and Lloyd smiled as the two scooped up the groceries and books and strolled past the duke and the noblewoman and down the street towards home. Once they were out of earshot of town and Morro, Kai turned to his smiling little brother.

"Thank you for that, green bean; I swear I would have beat the crap outta him if he called me 'darling' one more time."

"I don't know why you put up with him!" Lloyd asked with a snort. "You'd think it would finally penetrate that thick skull of his that you're not interested!"

"I doubt that." Kai sighed, annoyed. "Morro never was one to give up." He added and he knew that was true from experience. Morro had waited and tried for years to coax him to his side. "Hopefully when Nya wins this year, we'll finally have enough money to leave this miserable place." He smiled, confidently.

"I hope so!" Lloyd cheered. "Even I'm getting sick of this town, but I'd miss Dr. Saunders and Brad." He admitted. Kai hummed in understanding as he looked at the large clock tower and his eyes widened.

"Oh shit! Look what time it is!"

"We didn't even make dinner yet and you know what happened last time we got home late?" The youngest Smith groaned as he turned to his middle sibling with concern.

"Don't worry, Nya's a smart girl; she's not dumb enough to repeat her mistakes," Kai assured him. No sooner had Kai said those words, however, an explosion erupted from the Smith home, and thick black smoke pooled from the chimney and kitchen windows...

Fear.

Pg. 1 of 4

For @fraymotiif and @painted-arachnid

for spy kai au: maybe kai getting the tattoo or recovering from it? actually did he even have time to fully recover from the tattoo before the tournament

Ignore the Anacondrai cultist's arm, its a little wonky hgkdfh

Anywho, I drew Kai getting his tattoo and the aftermath of it 😌

As for your question, I've been imagining that he was recruited 1-3 weeks before the tournament started (might stick with 3 weeks for his back's sake), so the scabs that would've formed after he got his tattoo are long gone.

Although, 3 weeks probably isn't enough time for the residual pain to go away with a tattoo that big, so he's probably still really sore.

Anyways Kai probably suffers a lot more than he did in canon during the roller derby with the amount of times he falls onto his back.

Past Lives Chapter 4

I held in a growl as I glared all the hell and fury I could muster towards the beagle across the room. That drooly face asshole was always taunting me, I'm sure of it, and no, it's not just because I'm a cat now. With more effort than I wanted, I managed to tear my gaze from that mangy mutt and turned my attention to Bella and her husband Harry as they did their work around the pet store. During my time here, I learned that I was reborn as a Maine Coon kitten.

I was part of a litter of twelve to a mother cat called Audrey and we were all just over eight weeks old now.

We were living in Bella and Harry's family pet store called Animal Crackers. It was a pretty small store but was almost bursting at the seams with stuff. They sold tons of pet supplies like bowls, toys, beds, and offered pet grooming. They even sold their own homemade pet treats. Bella gave us some and, even though I would never openly admitted, they tasted like tiny pieces of heaven in biscuits. They also sold almost a dozen different pets here.

Most were small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, budgies, and a few large tanks filled with many colorful fishes.

There were two other cat families in the store and that fucking beagle was the only dog here. Now we were eight weeks old, the lovely couple was putting me and the other kittens up for sale. Four of the other kittens had already been sold, so now there were only eight of us left, but the cage was still pretty cramped. Not that I didn't care about my new brothers and sisters, though. We all got on really well and played together all day, every day.

I almost laughed as I recalled some of the other pets yelling about us to our momma cat for chasing and playing with balls of yarn and loud squeaky toys.

But I knew it wouldn't last forever. The litter was growing smaller and smaller every day. I vividly remembered Bella taking pictures of us to put on the company website in hopes it would help us get adopted faster and she forgot to turn the flash off on the first three times. My eyes still hurt remembering it.

"HEY!" I cried as one of my new siblings suddenly tackled me. I quickly regained my senses and wished I still had my fire powers. It was the demon spawn I had the misfortune of calling my sister. Unlike Nya, this blonde, blue-eyed bitch was a monster. She stole everyone's food, destroyed all our toys, and attacked anyone she wanted. She was probably the only thing I hated more than that stupid beagle. Apparently, I was her new target for today.

"PISS OFF YOU PEST!" I hissed as I tried swatting her.

"MAKE ME!" She meowed loudly before she tried to bite me. As we rolled around and fought, neither of us heard the cage opening until a pair of hands picked us up and separated us. I looked up and saw Harry had picked us up.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked her husband as she approached them.

"These two were scrapping again and I had to intervene." He replied and Bella sighed as she took me from Harry. Good, the further away from that bitch of a sister the better. I missed Nya.

"I wonder what they were fighting about." She said as she stroked my head with her finger. I couldn't help purring, it was so relaxing.

"They were probably just play fighting and it got a bit rough," Harry suggested and I could swear my cat sister was smirking. She was the only blond kitten in our litter, the rest of us were dark brown, and Harry loved to spoil her. "Why didn't Audrey stop them?"

"To be fair Harry, she has got six other kittens to care for, that's why we had to hand rear some of them," Bella replied. Before either of them could say anything else, the bell rang as the door suddenly opened, signaling a new customer had entered the store. Both humans turned, allowing me to see a person wearing a conical straw hat walking over to the owners. For a split second, I thought it was Master Wu. Then the person lifted their head and disappointment filling my tiny, fluffy body when I saw it was Mystake.

She eyed me for a few seconds, before looking up at Bella.

"Can we help you, Miss?" Bella asked in her best customer service voice.

"Yes, I would like to adopt this kitten." She said and pointed at me. Does she know who I am?

"Are you sure? Wouldn't you like to have a look at the other kittens?" Harry suggested but Mystake shook her head.

"No, I must have this one please." She repeated. Bella and Harry shared a look before Bella sighed as she took my sister from her husband and placed us both back in the cage. After making sure the cage was properly locked, she led Mystake to the office to fill out the necessary paperwork and payment while Harry did his rounds around the store. That blond pest hissed at me one last time before wandering off to annoy our other brothers and sisters.

"Well done my kitten, I'm so happy that you're going to your forever home." My momma cat, Audrey, purred as she started my head and back. I purred as I leaned into her touch.

"Momma, how come you don't give us names?" I suddenly asked. All my time as a kitten, I had never heard her call any of us by a name. Audrey paused to think for a moment before she finally answered.

"It's not my place to give you a name, that is for your humans to decide." She said and I frowned. What about stray cats? Before I could ask her, however, Bella returned with Mystake. The old tea lady had a shopping bag that was filled with cat stuff for me. Bella unlocked the cage and I was quickly picked up. I gave my cat family one last look before I was gently placed in a plastic pet carrier. A blanket was placed over the carrier, covering me in total darkness.

I heard Bella gave Mystake some last-minute advice about how to help a kitten adjust to a new home.

Then I felt Mystake begin to walk and soon I heard the loud noises of the outside world. Even though I had a strong feeling Mystake knew something and was hopefully taking me back to my real family, a part of me would miss the pet store and my cat family, mainly my momma cat. Except for my kitten sister. She was literally the worst...

ninjago aesthetics: trans kai smith❤

requests are open!

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 35

Chapter 35: The Blizzard

Scorched needles, scarps of wood blackened by rage, and bits of ash and charcoal scattered across the burnt snow where the proud pine tree once stood. Specks of blood and splinters dropped from the Sorcerer's scraped and roughened fingertips like someone had scattered rubies. His nails were shredded and his cuticles were split from clawing at the bark in a fit of rage. His fury had reduced the aged pine to a pile of ashes. All while, the raven remained still on its perch in the snow, completely unfazed by his master's wrath.

The Sorcerer's growl was dangerous and low before he suddenly screamed and spun around delivering a powerful blow to the young sapling unfortunate enough to be in the path of his wrath.

It made no effort to protests the Sorcerer's rage. Blinded by his rage, all he could see were the images his spy had shown. Images of that disgustingly repulsive beast, not even a beast but a half-beast, dancing with the Occulti, his Occulti. He clenching his fists causing his fingers to scream in pain but he was numb to all but his rage. He could forgive Kai for that. Surely the Dragon was becoming desperate and would use any kindness to trick the youth into saying the words needed to break his curse and deny him his greatest triumph.

He could forgive the youth for his naivety and his defenselessness.

He was merciful, but not after treachery. His wrath erupted, sending the curling shadows at his feet exploding in all directions. They shattered and pierced whatever they came in contact with until the clearing was a hollow circle of scorched earth.

"He's dirty! That damned whore! Damn him for giving away his purity, and damn me for thinking any one of their kind was redeemable!" He screamed and stomped his foot and tore at his hair and clothes until he panted like a beast after a hunt. But no matter how loud he screamed or how much he destroyed, it could never destroy that last scene from his mind. That beautiful boy, who should have been his consort and ruling at his side, wantonly giving his virginity to that monster and enjoying it.

He wanted to scream again, but someone else beat him to it.

"Lloyd! Where are you?!" A woman cried and the weak call was followed by a loud stumble against the carpet of snow. Bewildered, the Sorcerer quickly shielded himself among the trees careful not to let a spot of his red clothing betray his location. He watched a young woman rise stumbling from the muddy earth, and choke loudly on air. Like a shadow, the Sorcerer swooped closer and gasped. It was easy to miss from a distance but beneath the thick winter clock and the leaves and mud matting the sister of his Occulti.

The girl bulldozed through the woods and threw herself forward through the snow.

The action caused her heavy cloak to fall open revealing a shower of black hair, shiny even in the shadows of the winter forest. The girl immediately stumbled and almost fell over, but she was able to remain standing by leaning against a nearby tree. She was clearly sick as a dog and should be going home, but she had to keep going. She tried to scream, but instead choked on her own words and coughed in a way that made even the Sorcerer's skin crawl.

"I have... to find... Lloyd," She wheezed, shoving herself off the tree with surprising strength and half stumbled in her haste. She didn't get far before exhaustion and the brutal cold forced her to her knees. "I have to find them! I have to find Lloyd then we can save Kai! I have to get them back!" She spoke passionately to no one, but it was laced with the madness of grief. Again she shoved herself forward but instead her hands clenched her head and formed fists against her hair.

"I have to protect them! I promised I would! I promised them! Mom and Dad, I promised, and look what I've done! Lloyd's probably dead and I can't even think of what Kai's going through!" She screamed and tore at her hands and clothes with the rage and madness that only grief could drive a sane man to. She slammed her fists against the ground and punched at anything she could. All of a sudden, she was suddenly filled with new determination and charged into the blizzard, not aware she was being watched.

A triumphant smile split the Sorcerer's face.

Perhaps, there was some hope left after all. He smirked cunningly and called his pet. The bird abandoned its statue state and flew to its master's wrist.

"Tell me, my pet is he the one? The one our little Occulti spoke off?" He asked, but even though the bird said nothing a flash of its eyes and the Sorcerer had his answer. "And this 'Lloyd' she searches for, is he the other?" He questioned and again the bird was like a prop, only its glowing eyes gave an indication that it was alive. The Sorcerer snickered to conceal his glee, not wishing to betray his location to the still wandering mage. He spun in delight, thinking this was fantastic. It seemed that the Fates favored him after all.

"Follow her, when you've reached them both, alert me; now go!" He ordered as a grin curled wickedly on his face. The bird was off without another word, vanishing in the darkness while its Master laughed at his fortune. "Oh don't worry, girl, you shall see your little brother again soon!" He cackled like a flock of crows taking to wing and threw his bloody cloak over his shoulder...

****************

It had been two weeks since he ran away from home to find the castle where his beloved brother was being held prisoner by that beast. Two weeks he had been living in the woods surviving only because of the warming weather of the upcoming spring and because years of living a nomadic life had taught him to pack and prepare for the worst of situations. Two weeks since he had begun his search for Kai and he had found nothing. He thought it would be easy, with Spring fast approaching, that is until a blizzard appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

It had caught Lloyd completely off-guard and forced him to stop his search and find shelter.

Lloyd whimpered as he bunched his knees to his chest, shivering but not from the cold. The multiple fires he had started to keep the cave air warm, and the thick clothing he had packed had taken care of that. He covered his mouth to silence the heavy, haggard coughs fighting to escape. Quickly, he unpacked the bag containing a herbal blend and dumped it into the pot of water that had been boiling over the fire. He inhaled a sharp, large breathe and exhaled contently.

Immediately, he felt his throat soothe and his chest became less constricted.

He hadn't needed to use the herbal vapors so much before, but the cold weather wasn't doing his weak chest any good. He knew he would have been fine if he stayed in that warm house at night like a good boy. But how could he when Kai had been missing for almost five months, and the castle where the dragon kept him prisoner seemed to completely vanish? The thought made Lloyd's eyes prick with tears, but he managed not to cry. His fingers trembled, he clenched his arms and knees tighter in an attempt to feel some form of comfort.

But there was none. Nothing he did could replace the warmth and security he felt when he, Nya, and Kai were all together at home.

He knew he couldn't go home. Nya would never let him leave the house again until he was eighty. Lloyd didn't blame her, he ran away after all, but he couldn't keep waiting. He couldn't keep sitting around and doing nothing while his older sister worked and searched diligently for their missing sibling. He had traveled deeper and deeper into the woods. No matter how many times he found himself back at the path where they got lost in the storm, however, he couldn't find any trace of the huge castle.

Had it been sheer dumb luck that Kai found it the first time?

Or that they found it at all? Lloyd shook his head, forcing himself to dry his sleepy eyes. He then sat up with new determination, mentally forcing the tears and shivering down deep. If Kai could find the castle to save him and Nya then he could do the same thing to save Kai. He removed himself from the warmth of his fires and carefully approached the edge of the cave entrance, where he could hear the blizzard howling and blowing. The cold air bit angrily against his lukewarm skin, as if punishing him for daring to defy it.

Over the woods, he could see the setting sun was nothing more than a yellow sliver above the trees and the night had gone a deep grayish purple of twilight that bled into the dark blue and black of night.

Seeing that there was no point in traveling in the dark, Lloyd slid back into the crevice in the rocks and carefully covered it with a thick net of branches to keep out the cold. He had found this cave by sheer accident when he had slipped and fallen into the entrance. Through that, he discovered a fairly large-sized cave, hollowed out of the dirt and lined with rocks like a fox den. Lloyd had decided it would be the perfect place to camp while he explored the woods by day.

That proved to be true when the underground and rocks blocked out much of the night's cold.

The small opening allowed just enough air so that he wouldn't suffocate from the smoke of the fires. Sometimes, when he felt really weak and his medicine wasn't helping. He would have to spend all day curled up in his makeshift tent under the thick blankets he had brought until his shivering stopped and he could move again. Tonight had been one of his rare nights where he had just enough energy to go exploring again, but he regretted it when he had received an unwanted follower.

Lloyd shivered and blew air into his gloved hands, and rubbed them together before returning to the fire.

Outside a loud crunch of the snow made him scream, the sound echoing off the cave walls forcing Lloyd to cover his ears until it faded out.

"LLOYD!" Nya's voice suddenly screeched, coming closer to the cave. Before he could say anything, she pulled away from the cover and started sobbing tears of joy when she saw her little brother huddled in the dark. Lloyd didn't get a chance to react before she suddenly hugged the air out of his lungs. They stayed like that for a few seconds, before a look of rage fell over her face and she started shaking the little boy. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING LLOYD?! I'VE ALREADY LOST KAI, DO YOU THINK I WANT TO LOSE YOU?! WELL, DO YOU?!" She screamed, still sobbing through clenched teeth.

However, her rage suddenly vanished when Lloyd finally released all the tears he had been holding in and started sobbing loudly.

Nya sighed and hugged her little brother again, letting him sob into her shoulder until he eventually tired himself out and fell asleep. As soon as she was sure he was out cold, Nya packed up his things and lifted him up in her arms. Once he was secure and safe, she left the cave and began to head home. However, it only took a few seconds to discover that she couldn't find the trail leading back to the village in this monstrous blizzard. She tried turning around and heading back to the cave.

But her face paled when she realized that the blizzard had covered her footprints in fresh snow.

She was now stranded in the middle of a blizzard in the forest with one brother sick in her arms and the other being held prisoner by a monster...

****************

Kai screamed for his siblings in his sleep as he thrashed around in the bed, only to find himself restrained. His eyes suddenly flew open and he found himself being held in place by Cole, the man's green eyes fixed on him with a mixture of fear and concern. A cold stab of fear pierced him, completely unaware of where he was. He recognized Cole's room, but the bedsheets were twisted and half flung off. One of Kai's arms raised over his head the other clenched the pillow in a fierce death grip, with Cole holding both his wrists.

Cole's tail was wrapped firmly around Kai's waist to keep from thrashing about.

Slowly, so as not to scare him further, Cole unwound himself and looked him over for any sign of injury.

"Kai? Are you alright?" He asked, carefully and tenderly. The details of his nightmare came back to him like a cold knife twisting into his heart. A sudden stab of guilt and terror knifed through him, making Kai flip over and smother his face in a pillow and burst into tears. "Kai? Talk to me!" Cole pleaded as he kept shaking him, his voice sterner, but not losing an ounce of concern.

"I'm fine," Kai lied wiping his eyes. "I just had a nightmare."

"I can see that, you don't wake up crying and screaming if you've had a good dream," Cole said bluntly, lying down next to him and pulling Kai into his arms. Despite Cole's attempt at light humor, Kai said nothing. He just looked at the pillow beneath his face. A tear he hadn't noticed ran down his face and he found himself shaking again. He tried to speak but the only coherent thoughts in his head were the pleading, effusing eyes of his two brothers.

Determined to relieve his precious flame of his distress, Cole wrapped tentative arms around Kai.

He then pulled the brunette into his lap and brought him down with him against the pillows. Kai resisted the embrace and tried to protest but regretted it when Cole looked him straight in the eye. His face was a mask that betrayed no emotion, but his serious eyes held unspoken trust.

"You saw your siblings, didn't you? You're worried about them." He said and Kai's flinch of shock was the only answer Cole needed. "Don't look so surprised, you screamed both their names; I've had nightmares about my sister and parents for years after they vanished, so you don't have to hide your worry, and I don't want you thinking you can't come to me when you're upset like this." He promised as he tucked one of Kai's loose bangs behind his ear.

"It's not that," Kai admitted, feeling his chest stir at the words. He paused, guilt shaking him to the core. "I don't know if that was a nightmare or another premonition, but... it made me realize just how selfish I've been; here I am, happier than I've ever been in my entire life, surrounded by people who adore me, wearing the most expensive things I've ever owned! I'm practically living a fairy tale and they think I'm starving to death in some cold, dark tower, being tortured."

"Oh," Cole muttered as Kai covered his head with his arms and buried it in Cole's chest.

"They probably think I'm dead, Cole!" Kai cried as tears streamed down his face. He had never stopped thinking of his siblings, not since the day he had arrived at the castle. It seemed wrong to do anything else. Even when he started to like his confinement, and enjoy the company of the Dragon Lord, he still remembered his brother and sister and was comforted in the thought that they were both safe and hopefully happy. He never stopped to consider that his sacrifice might have the opposite effect of what he intended.

Or that his disappearance had destroyed their lives in a way he never considered.

But he had been so happy. The last few days were like a dream come true and he wanted nothing more than to pretend that it could last forever, and he dared, for once, to be selfish and think of nothing but his own happiness. Of course, that decision would come back to haunt him. Guilt pooled in Cole's gut and he cursed his own helplessness as he watched Kai weep. He hated seeing Kai like this. The brunette deserved to be happy and content, not feel like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and be consumed by guilt and shame for wanting to forget that and enjoy life for once.

Especially since it was his fault Kai's family was separated from him.

Looking back at the darkest and earliest days of when he and Kai met when he had unleashed his bitterness and rage against Nya and Lloyd. Kai's siblings had every right to be afraid of him. He had only agreed to Kai's proposal because the boy fascinated him and not because he cared at all about their fates, even if Lloyd's health had concerned him. It had filled him with shame and he knew he had to make up for it. None of them deserved to be separated from one another.

Especially not because of him.

They deserved better than that ridiculous town trapped in time, and he knew just how to do it. Cole stroked Kai's back and gently shook him. When Kai raised his head, eyes red-rimmed and cheeks damp with tears, Cole comforted him with caring words pressed with butterfly kisses along his neck and temples.

"If you're that concerned about them, then you can always invite them to stay here." He said with a soft smile and Kai shot up.

"What?" He croaked in a weak voice forced through a constricted throat.

"There's more than enough room here, the staff will adore them; you already said you three planned on leaving your town anyway, and I don't think they'll argue if you ask them, and I can bear the bulk of their hatred for your sake."

"Why would they hate you?" Kai blurted, too stunned to think clearly, and Cole raised an eyebrow of annoyed obviousness.

"Given the fact that I locked them in a tower and technically kidnapped you, I doubt they'd be happy to see me or be comfortable with the fact that you're now my lover, but as I said, I can bear the bulk of their hatred until they see I'm not as cold as I act."

"You'd do that for me?"

"I'd do anything for you," Cole replied, pressing their foreheads together. Overcome by emotion, Kai launched himself into Cole's chest and held him tight with such force he nearly knocked Cole over. Tears rained down his cheeks but this time they were happy tears.

"Thank you, Cole! Thank you so much! I don't deserve you!" Kai cried as he buried himself in Cole's torso grateful for the man's comfort and support and his understanding more than anything else.

"Don't ever say that again, don't even think it." Cole scolded but there was little force behind it. Cole pulled the comforter up to Kai's shoulders as they fell back asleep. "We'll talk more about it in the morning."

"Thank you, Cole, thank you for everything." Kai yawned as he dried his eyes.

"You have nothing to thank me for, it's the least I can do since you saved my soul." Cole smiled as he sensed Kai's lingering uncertainty, he continued to hold his lover close and comfort him until they finally fell back into a peaceful sleep. Cole continued to hold Kai, keeping a careful watch for the rest of the night, treasuring the feeling of holding Kai close. When the nightmares bothered him again, Cole was quick to chase them away and coaxed Kai back to sleep with soothing touches and caring words until Kai quieted...

More bizarro au 😔👊

Crystoons AU scene #2

Spongebob: *inhales deeply, about to eat food* (The raccoon attacks him, takes his food, and hops off the train again.) Aah! Aah! The raccoon is back! *panting* Um, Timmy? Can I have some of your food? Timmy: *dumps all of her food into his mouth* *munching* Oh, uh, sorry dude. Spongebob: My bindle couldn’t fit enough food for me and a raccoon. Timmy: Why didn’t you bring your backpack? Spongebob: It wouldn’t fit in my bindle? *climbs onto a hay stack* Maybe I can just sleep this hunger off. Just like the no home boys. *looks at the hay stack above him* You know, I feel like I’ve been misled about hay. It always looks so soft in those illustrations, but it’s actually really scratchy. *banging* (The hay stack falls on top of him.) Timmy, I want to go home now. (He watches as Timmy sits in front of the doorway of the train, ignoring him.) Timmy? *sits next to him* I’m done pretending to be a no home boy. Timmy: Not me. Spongebob: I’m sure Danny and Jimmy are worried sick about us. Wondering when we’re coming home. Timmy: That’s not my home.

Spongebob: But— Oh, that’s right. You’re from Homeworld.

Timmy: *angrily* That’s not my home either! Spongebob: Then where are you from? Timmy: I’ll show you. [Trans. ext. Kindergarten] Timmy: Here we are! *chuckles* Welcome to the Kindergarten! What do you think? Spongebob: Uh… It’s great! Timmy: Sure is! *chuckles while he grabs his arm* Come on! [Trans. int. Kindergarten] Spongebob: What is this place? Timmy: It’s kinda where I’m from. Spongebob: But I thought Gems were from space? Timmy: Jimmy and Danny are, but I was made here on Earth, *smiles* like you! *gasps* Check it out! *runs to a giant rock* *laughing* Oh, man. I missed this guy. Aww! It’s my climbing rock. Spongebob: *to the climbing rock* Uh, hello! Timmy: *points to slightly smaller rock* And over there— That’s the sitting rock. *points to offscreen rocks* And that was the one rock that I kicked into two rocks! *climbs the climbing rock and sits atop it* Spongebob: Uh, how long did you live here? Timmy: For a while, I guess, um, at least until I met your mom and the others. *flops off of rock* *laughs and runs further into the Kindergarten* Spongebob: *notices Injector* Woah! What is that thing? Timmy: Eh, it’s just some old Gem junk, from a long time ago. It’s probably busted by now. *walks to the right while Spongebob looks worriedly at the machines* *chuckles* *motions to a hole in the side of the cliff* Hey, Spongebob. Look. Here’s the hole I came out of! Spongebob: Hang on. What? Timmy: It’s my hole. *chuckles* *slides into the entrance of the hole* Look— It’s me-siiiiiized. *slides into the hole and sits* *sighs* Still got that good hole smell. Spongebob: You came out of this hole? Timmy: This is where I was made, dude. One day just… *makes pop sound* … Right outta this hole. Spongebob: *glances up at holes higher up on the cliffside* So, what about the other holes? [Whirring from warp pad] Jimmy: There you are. Timmy: Great. *exits hole* Here comes the fun police. Jimmy: Danny said you’d be here, but I didn’t want to believe it. Timmy, what were you thinking bringing Spongebob to a *whispers* Kindergarten!? Timmy: I don’t know. *kicks pebble* We were in the neighborhood. Spongebob: Jimmy? Was Timmy really made here? Jimmy: How much did you tell him? Timmy: What? You mean about the bad thing? How this bad place is where bad Gems came to grow more bad Gems? Is that what you’re talking about? Spongebob: They grew other Gems here?! Jimmy: Timmy, he’s not ready! Timmy: Oh, but don’t worry, Spongebob. Everything’s just fine now. Jimmy: Timmy. Timmy: It all worked out. We won! Jimmy: Stop. Timmy: And we shut this place down so the Earth would be safe from parasites like me! Jimmy: Timmy! That’s enough! Spongebob: Jimmy? Jimmy: Spongebob, I’m sorry. I never wanted you to see this horrible place. Timmy: Then why don’t you just leave!? (He summons his weapon, wrapping the whip around Jimmy and tosses him against an Injector.) Admit it. *swings whip towards Jimmy, who dodges, causing the whip to slice through the leg of the machine* I’m just an embarrassment to you! Spongebob: Timmy! *is picked up and thrown by him* *gasps* Wait! Jimmy: *summons his weapon* I don’t want to fight you. Timmy: I wouldn’t want to fight me neither! *spin-dashes towards Pearl, who dodges* (Jimmy blasts energy-spheres from his spear at him. Timmy jumps into the air, smashing his whip downwards. Jimmy steps on it and slices part of it off with his spear.) Spongebob: *running towards them* You guys, stop it! Timmy: Stay out of this! *tosses his whip at Spongebob, which wraps around his legs and causes him to fall*

(Jimmy jumps towards Timmy and Timmy tries to hit him with his whip. Jimmy dodges each swing and kicks Timmy away.) Jimmy: Timmy, stop this! You can’t beat me. Timmy: I… don’t… CARE! *summons two whips and wraps the ends of both around Jimmy’s spear* I’m not gonna let you stand there and remind me of everything I hate about myself! (Timmy sends magenta beams of energy down the whips, which cause a huge explosion that slams Jimmy against the Injector. Jimmy lays on the ground.) Jimmy: *whimpers* Timmy: I never asked for it to be this way. *tears fall down his face* I never asked to be made! Jimmy: Timmy… Spongebob: *stands in front of Jimmy, holding his arms out with tears on his eyes* Timmy, please, no more! I know you’re upset, but, I can’t bear to watch you two hurt each other. (They all gasp upon hearing a creaking and rattling, and look up to see the Injector about to collapse on all three of them. Spongebob summons his bubble, which only manages to cover Jimmy and himself.) Spongebob: Timmy! Timmy, Timmy, TIMMY! (Timmy begins to run and there’s a crashing noise as the machine finally smashes down, assuming that it fell onto Timmy.)

AU belongs to @nicktoonsunite

Be sure to read the update before this too, I’m posting two on tumblr today!

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MO rating goes by the content of series #goodomens itself + some blood, minor character death, and dark themes🩸 blood will be tagged on posts containing it. Via DM I can answer questions about any specific TWs. Other ways to read and even purchase merch can be found through this linktree link!

Life of a High School Vampire One-Shots 7 Planned Parenthood

WARNING! This chapter will include talks of violence, abortions, and explosives. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

****************

SUMMARY: A rabid protester outside a health clinic draws Kai into providing some clarification into what Hell's tortures might really be... ****************

Kai groaned in frustration as the hot noon sun shined brightly above him as he sulked down the street. After Lloyd and Jay found out about his little one-night stand with the Cole person, his roommates insisted that he should get checked out at a health clinic just to be certain that he hadn't caught anything, especially since Kai couldn't remember whether or not they had used protection. He knew they spoke from a place of concern, but that didn't ease Kai's anger.

It got even worse when he found out that they had booked him an appointment at a nearby health clinic behind his back when they figured out he wasn't going to do it.

Kai wanted to tell them that thanks to his power he didn't contract any human diseases. But he also knew that he had to keep the secret. He was also a little grateful that when his parents sent him to Ninjago they crafted an entire medical history for him. It was to explain away any oddities the doctors would find thanks to his vampiric genes. As the brunette was about to round the corner to the clinic, he noticed a small RV parked awkwardly on the curve.

Kai was immediately suspicious of the vehicle.

It was fairly plain with the exception of a brightly colored bumper sticker beaming up at him. The street the RV was parked on had no stores or anything that would make a driver of an RV and possibly their passengers' park and get out. Kai was curious, but he also knew he needed to get to his appointment or he wouldn't hear the end of it. As he rounded the corner, however, he saw a sight that both amused and irritated the vampire.

"Sinners! Sinner! You're a sinner!" Shouted a middle-aged man with a checkered shirt and khaki shorts was standing next to the door holding a large homemade sign damning abortions and promoting pro-life. Kai had heard about these types of people and they made him mad. He didn't understand why these people thought it was perfectly ok to harass women who were already going through a bad time. He was also livid when he realized that these pro-life people were all for pregnancy.

But then as soon as that baby was born then they didn't give a fuck what happened.

Kai might not be the most sensitive person but knew that even one had a right to choose and if they choose to abort a fetus he couldn't give a damn.

"Yeah, you're a sinner! Have fun with your abortion! I hope you're wearing sunscreen, 'cause it's hot as hell in hell!" The man shouted at a woman who was much older than him walking into the clinic. Kai seriously doubted she was able to get pregnant anymore. This clinic did offer abortions, but they also provided other services such as testing and treatment for STIs, advice about sexual health, contraception, pregnancy testing, HIV testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and help for people who have been sexually assaulted.

The brunette barely managed to suppress a growl.

This was the last thing he needed to deal with today of all days. He was thankful that he was wearing sunglasses because he was certain his eyes were glowing red with his burning rage. Kai knew that he had to get to his appointment and he wasn't about to let a hippie stop him. As the brunette was about to walk into the clinic and ignore the man, he noticed the man's slightly opened rucksack and saw something shining poking out ever so slightly.

Kai quickly realized what it was and a million thoughts ran through his head.

But they all came to a stop when he saw a sticker for the exact same music band as the bumper sticker. Kai connected the dots rather quickly and a sickening grin spread across his face. This was going to be fun...

****************

Once everything was set for his plan, Kai approached the clinic again and saw the man crouched in the car park, hiding in between the cars as he rummaged through his bag and glancing back at the building. He had to get rid of that monstrosity. He pulled out the explosion device but cursed when he saw that somehow the wires attached to the device had been cut. The tools were to fix it were back in his RV parked around the corner. The man really didn't want to risk rushing back to the RV in case anyone saw him or, more importantly, the device in his backpack.

But he couldn't stay in between the cars either.

He had already avoided a couple of people by the skin of his teeth and he knew his lucky hiding place couldn't last forever. If they did he would be shipped off to prison, never to see the light of day again. He couldn't let that happen. Not while abortions were still happening every day.

"You need at least six more ounces of kerosene for that to work right." Kai suddenly announced his presence with a cocky smirk. He could already tell this was going to be fun. The man let out a yelp as he bolted up and attempted to hide the evidence, but he knew the teen had seen the device.

"That is none of your business!" He snarled, terrified at being discovered, but he refused to back down. "Sir, I suggest that you turn around and walk away because THAT is a BABY! MURDERING! FACTORY!" He all but screamed as he gestured to the health center.

"Don't be ignorant; Romania shut down its last baby incinerator back in 87." Kai rolled his eyes and tried to walk past the man, only to have his path blocked.

"They are everywhere!" The man cried out, only for his eyes to widen in horror. "Sir, are planning on assisting in murdering an unborn child today?!" He exclaimed and Kai almost burst out laughing at the ridiculous statement, but he held it in.

"That's not on my schedule, but it is my day off." The brunette shrugged casually, catching the man off-guard. With that said, Kai tried once again to enter the health center, only for the man to block his path again. It took all of Kai's restraint not to tear this man's throat out.

"Just so you know, if you walk through those doors you are entering into the devil's playground." The man warned, trying to persuade the teen to walk away. Instead, Kai had had enough of this guy and shoved past the protester without another word. "YOU LIBERAL HEATHENS WOULDN'T KNOW SATAN'S HANDIWORK IF SMACKED THE RAINBOW STICKERS OFF YOUR UKULELE!" The man screamed and just like that, the leash on Kai's temper snapped.

This rabid protester needed some clarification into what Hell's tortures might really be like.

"I know it." The brunette hissed as he turned around and removed his sunglasses, unveiling his crimson red eyes. "Satan lived in Charles Manson; giving him the charm to form a cult of reckless murderers," Kai smirked as he began to circle the man like a hungry shark. "Satan lived in Ted Bundy; providing him the good looks to lure his targets into his trap, where he would strangle his subjects and sleep with the corpses." He added as he listened in on the man's thundering heartbeat.

The man himself was frozen in terror as his eyes followed the teen casually, yet slowly, walking around him like a predator.

"Satan lived in Jeffrey Dahmer; bidding him invite unsuspecting victims into his basement only to be dismembered and eaten." Kai finally finished and that was when the man finally found his voice again.

"H-H-He... h-... he ate... the bodies?" He managed to stammer out, his throat suddenly very dry as his skin turned cold and pale.

"If Satan really is providing me a dose of plan B, he has really lost his edge." Kai all but purred in satisfaction, knowing he had won this little fight. With that said he turned and walked to the entrance.

"Well, I hope you have fun in hell." The man shot weakly.

"I will, save me a seat." Kai grinned as he put his sunglasses back on and walked inside without even giving the man another glance. The man took a deep breath to calm his nerves before rushing back to his RV to repair the device. Kai couldn't get rid of the smile on his face as he felt the gas canister and the wire cutters poking him from his bag. Or when he heard a small explosion in the distance and the sound of a car alarm ringing. He simply sighed contently as he approached the front desk and rang the bell.

"I'm here for my appointment."...