Out Of Time

Day 351/365: “The Truth of Unus Annus”

It was always going to end.

Tomorrow: Acceptance

Quiet

Slow breaths.

He kept his eyes shut tight. His chest rose and fell slowly. His breathing sounded too loud, no matter how much he tried to quiet it.

Stay quiet.

His heartbeat thundered in his ears. 

Bum bum, bum bum, bum bum. 

Too loud. Too loud!

“Wh̶e͝r̛e͘ ar͜e y͟o͠u̶…͟”

He squeezed his eyes shut tighter and tried to keep his breathing steady. His heartbeat sped up, making his task near impossible.

Bum bum bumbum bumbumbumbumbumbum

 Do ̷y̷o͢u̴ t͡hi̴nk t͝ḩere'͞s̢ an̨y̶ poi͝nt҉ ̸i͞n hįding͏?̕”

Slow breaths. Stay quiet. Slow breaths, stay quiet.

“I̡'̕m g͢oi͘n҉g̡ t̡ǫ ͜f̶i͠nd you͠.” 

Playful. That’s what that tone was. This was a game.

Slow breaths, stay quiet. 

“I ̀c͏a̴n̡ s̛eńse҉ y͏o͠ur͠ f̶eaŗ.”

Slow breaths stay quiet.

“I ̷c̀an̡ ̢ḩea͡r y̨o̸ur ra͠cin̡g he̷a̢r̴tb͘ęa͡t͘.̷”

Slowbreaths stayquiet.

“P͟o̵or̡ ͡l͜it͞t́lę p͡u͡p̢pet̕.̵..͟”

Slowbreathsstayquiet.

“Y͡o̕ư'̧r̶e ͏sơ ba͢d͝ at t҉h̡i͘s ̸ga̡m҉e̷.”

The door burst open. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out. No sound ever came out.

Yet he still hadn’t been quiet enough.

(Well, I tried to write a fic. Easing back into it.) 

Taglist: @victory-cookies @sadcat5555 @beerecordings @septic-dr-schneep @starlightxnightmare @miishae

Ack sorry I've been out all night but could I get a nose boop with, say, JJ and Marv? ❤️ - Vic

“May I ask you to explain this trick one more?”

Marvin didn’t look up from his book as he answered. “I found a tome on transfiguration and I want to test it out. I need you to hold the can so that if I do turn it into a puppy, it won’t be able to run away.”

JJ wrung his hands nervously. “Why choose me? Surely one of the others would suffice!” 

Marvin looked at JJ and realized just how nervous the young ego was. “Hey, it’ll be okay. No need to be scared,” he said softly. “I’ve got good control over my magic.”

“I know. It’s simply the fact that it’s magic at all! I trust you completely, good sir, but I trust the magic as much as I trust air travel, which is to say not at all!”

Marvin shrugged. “Fair enough, I guess. But this spell has no chance of being harmful! At worst, it makes the can grow a tail. I have some reversal spells ready just in case, if that makes you feel better. Just hold still, and it will all be fine.” He held up his hands, ready to preform the spell. JJ looked like he wanted to protest some more, but instead he held the can out at arms length and closed his eyes. 

Marvin read the spell, and softly glowing green mist began to surround his fingers. As he went on it was joined by a pale blue mist, and then the two combined. They formed a ball in Marvin’s hand, glittering with teal and turquoise. He lightly tossed the ball at the can.

Metal is a very good conductor when it comes to electricity. As it turned out, it was a conductor for certain spells as well.

There was a small flash of light. The can fell to the ground, right next to the brown puppy with the black mustache print under his nose. The puppy opened his mouth to yelp, but no sound came out. He crouched low to the ground, trembling.

“Oh my-JJ!” Marvin moved closer and picked the puppy up. he was a little Boston Terrier. Marvin held him close to his chest and pet him, trying to get him to calm down. Eventually JJ stopped shaking, and Marvin set him down on the ground again. He sat down on the ground as well. 

As guilty as he felt about turning JJ into a dog, he couldn’t help but grin and giggle. JJ padded up closer to Marvin, with his little puppy paws, and settled down in his lap. Marvin booped his nose and laughed when JJ tried to bite his finger playfully, his tiny puppy teeth not even hurting. From what Marvin could tell, based on what was the dog equivalent of a mortified expression after the fact, JJ still had his human mind but also had puppy instincts.

“Don’t worry JJ, I’ll get you turned back in no time,” he said. He pet JJ on the head. “But first…JACKIE! CHASE! SCHNEEP! GET IN HERE!”

JJ looked at him with puppy anger. “I just want to let them see you! You’re adorable!” JJ growled. “Please? Just for a minute?”

JJ stared at him. Then he started wagging his tail as a way of saying, “Fine.” 

Deep, for Marvin, Jameson, and Anti?

He didn’t want to be doing this. Every fiber of instinct in him was trying to fight, but the hands clasped around his wrists burned, weakening him, leeching more and more of his magic to put into the spell. “Stop…” Marvin choked out as Anti forced his hands back and forth. “Stop…!”

“Wh͏y ̨g̸o ͟to the e͞f͡f́o̴ŕt of ͏mák̶in̛g̢ ̷mý ͡o̡w̸ņ p͜u҉p̛pȩts…” Anti hissed, his breath hot in Marvin’s ear. “…wh̶ęn ̕yoưr ma͘g̕ic can͡ m̕ake ́t̵h͞e͘m for̨ ͜m͡e?” He tightened his grip, nails tearing into Marvin’s skin, drawing rivulets of blood and a pained whine from him. “Ta̕ke͏ ͞h̵im ͜deepe͢r͏.”

“N – No!” He tried to thrash, tried to extinguish the energy pouring out of him, but the static seeping into his skin was paralyzing. “F-Fight it, Jays!”

Slumping to his knees in front of them, Jameson remained fixated on the swirling lights in front of him, letting them envelop his senses. It was Marvin’s magic. Why would he fight it? He trusted Marvin’s magic…It would never hurt him…It felt…good…

headcannons for darkpuppet

Oh, my boys! Oh, my new comfort ship!

-JJ will drag Dark away from paperwork to cuddle. 

- They’ll go into the library and pick a book to read together. 

- JJ will help Dark with paperwork if it gets to be too much. 

- I often use Anti as the bad guy while writing this ship because it really gives it a purpose. Dark saw JJ tied to the ceiling with puppet strings. He was a broken moustached man. So Dark saved him. Something he couldn’t do for someone else before.

- JJ followed Dark around for the first week trying to be helpful. Dark got upset and yelled at him. 

- He went and apologized to JJ after nearly all the Iplier egos yelled at him too. 

- Dark slowly fell in love with JJ when he spent time with the other ego. 

- JJ fell in love with Dark the moment he woke up in Darks arms as he walked him to the doctors. 

- Dark will get anything for JJ. JJ doesn’t want much but cuddles and love and the occasional chocolate. 

- JJ made quick friends with the Iplier egos. 

They will cuddle whenever they can. 

- Dark has a reputation and needs to uphold it but if JJ walks into a meeting asking him where he put his book Dark will drop everything to get it himself. 

- Dark often has problems with his back to the point of now being able to move in the morning. JJ gets him tea and whatever he wants.

- JJ sometimes helps Dark spy on people. 

- They would get married in a small reception with the Iplier egos. 

- JJ loves Dark Chica. Dark thought he would be scared of her but JJ loves her. 

- They go for walks in the woods that surround the mansion. 

- JJ isn’t allowed out of the house without Dark or Wilford because Anti might hurt him. 

- Wilford and JJ are friends and like to talk about the past and dealing with Dark. 

- Dark refuses to talk about the past but sometimes he slips up and mentions a memory. JJ tries not to get him to talk more about it. 

- The Iplier egos have found Dark doing paperwork in his office with JJ asleep on his lap. 

- They have a smilier grey tone/aura. Dark’s is more powerful and controlling. JJ’s aura makes people relaxed. 

- Dark only really knows how to flirt like in the movies. With a flower and chocolates. He gets flustered though and JJ finds it adorable. 

Been awhile since I have written/posted something here, mostly cause I get scared to and being busy-- but! Here!

No Escape

Warnings: anxiety, possession of sorts, paranoia

Characters: Jameson, Anti

______

A cold night, breeze that chills one to the bone and a mute enter this scene. What a fine scene this is. The silent one brings his arms to his sides to rub against himself, maybe that'll get him warm. He hopes so.

It's not too long of trip left to his small little home, it's just a horrid night out. Especially without a proper coat or ride home.

This would have been just a task to get through, that is until a voice interrupts the air.

Oh Jameson~! I need ta chat with ya', some business you and I have. A shame we haven't had the time ta do this sooner. Hurry up and get home now.

Jameson froze in his steps, eyes wide with fear for the return of the demon. He was supposed to be gone! Not messing with him again- Nonono!

No! JJ feels the cold air choking him, wrapping its icy fingers around his grey tinted throat. Stealing his already sparse breath. He reaches up at his neck, grabbing the hands to-- Grabbing his throat to remind himself his throat is not being choked.

I have to get home- There's no where else.

With that, he rushes to his home. Hoping what he heard was just an awful trick of the mind, and that he can just focus on getting warm.

The dapper man enters his home, closing the door behind him with a turn of the lock. It's quiet here.. No usual weird noises that come from being tormented. No noise from his tv, he remembered to not leave it on this time.

He almost forgets that he was told to hurry home.

Well well... You did hurry home. I'm glad you still cooperate nicely with me. Like a pair you and I.

Oh God no.

Jameson shakes in his spot. There it is. The sound of static, leeching energy from all the other sounds of life and killing it. The only sound now is static. The fucking static!

Go away! I have no business with you, demon! You're supposed to be gone.

Ahahah! You really think you could keep me away? I will never be away from you. No more.

He can't! No. . . The puppeteer heads into the living room, where the tv is there. On, because he forgot to turn it off and playing a static channel. Jameson turns the tv off, he could've sworn he remembered this time.

You will leave! You're not welcome here.

A low chuckle seeps into the dark corners of Jameson's mind. Then the black fills his vision, just before he collapses.

I meant it when I said I will never be away from you. I'm inside your head.

Oh Ja! Mal sehen wie viele Ihre Sprache reden werden und wie viele Google Übersetzer nehmen werden ich frage mich wie viele deutsche hier sind OwO

now that tumblr's banned the english language we should all just start communicating in our native languages, getting to decipher what everything means will be half the fun

rip to the monolingual english speakers though yall will be missed

The Calm and the Storm

Fantasy Masks AU: Chapter Nine

A JSE Fanfic

Finally, we reach the action! Henrik, Chase, and the others are here to rescue Marvin! Will everything go smoothly? Either way, I’m excited to show you guys :D I’ve been planning this for a while now, and it’s nice to finally have another actiony part in this AU. And, yeah, I have nothing else to say. Short author’s note. Hope you guys enjoy ^-^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Chase woke up to someone shaking him. He rolled over, and looked up to see Henrik. “Hhrm?”

“Ah, sorry to wake you,” Henrik said apologetically. “But we are about to start planning. I thought you would want to join.”

“Oh. Right.” Chase sat up, and looked around. It didn’t really feel like any time had passed since he’d laid down to take a nap. And it didn’t look like it had, either, since the windows to the inn room were thick, blocking out all light when they were drawn. “Of course.”

“Great. We are meeting in the other room. Follow me.”

They were planning in another inn room, which was rather small with about fifteen people crowded into it. By the time Henrik and Chase arrived, all available sitting areas had been taken, including on top of the beds. Chase closed the door behind him as they entered, and awkwardly leaned against the nearby wall.

Keep reading

Poor JJ :(

Curiosity Killed the Cat (Part 4)

Changing Minds

Part 3: [x] CKTC tag: [x]

As Marvin walked out of the shop, he huddled his arms against himself, mulling over Celine’s words.

“Something… from my past…” Marvin mused out loud as he wandered down the street lost in thought. He shivered as a cold wind blew right through him. He looked down and remembered he was still barefoot and in the clothes from his capture from Anti. He growled slightly at the thought, looking at his ruined pair of jeans and ratty shirt.

He looked on the street he had wandered down to see it lined with shops. Marvin’s face lit up slightly as he jogged to the front of a shop window, looking at the displays. He quickly saw a mannequin that caught his eye. It was sporting a snappy outfit, with a bright blue collared shirt, slick silver vest, black slacks and a thick jacket, as well as nice leather shoes. Marvin shivered again at the wind and huddled closer to the window, staring at the display.

He knew what he was thinking was wrong. But some dark part in his head whispered to him It doesn’t matter really, does it? They’ll never stop you. You’re blessed with power beyond their capabilities.

Marvin stares before a smirk comes over his face. He eyes the outfit, then snaps. In a small poof of purple and green smoke, Marvin’s ruined clothes take their place on the mannequin and Marvin now dons the outfit in the shop. He grins to himself and admires the outfit, feeling some tension leave his body. He steps over and attempts to adjust the outfit in the glass’s reflection only to be jolted by another sight in the shop.

A red and black outfit sits before him. A red collared shirt, black vest, and white slacks. Marvin looks at the reflection to see his startled face over the mannequin’s shoulders as if he was wearing the outfit. He remembers being forced to wear an outfit just like that.

“Phantom…” Marvin breathes, staring at it. Then it hits him.

Phantom’s book. That strange pitch black tome he remembered reading when he was first learning magic. That must be what Celine was hinting at. Marvin swallows shakily at the thought of being anywhere near Phantom. But what better way to get back at him than to steal something from the con man?

Marvin’s hesitant expression morphs into one of confidence as he snaps once more. His mask appears in his open palm and Marvin quickly puts it on and adjusts how it looks in the reflection before turning around. He catches a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of the shopkeeper behind him finding the new strange ensemble on his mannequin, then seeing the cheeky magician walking away with his merchandise. He tries to shout after Marvin, but the magician simply turns around and gives them shopkeep a shit-eating grin before cockily saluting at him and disappearing in a cloud of green smoke.

In a blink of an eye, Marvin is at the door of Phantom’s Dream Emporium. A shiver runs up his spine at the sight but he pushes past the feeling and raises a hand to try to blast through the door. But instead his magic flares and before he even has a chance to react there’s a pull in his gut and suddenly he’s inside the parlor. He blinks and looks down at his slightly glowing hands.

“How… How did I do that?” He whispers. Marvin is not usually able to teleport so easily or teleport so soon after already doing so. He shakes his head and moves over to focus on the task at hand.

Marvin tiptoes quietly across the red velvet floor, making his way to the bookshelf in the back. The magician seems almost drawn directly to where the black book rests, exactly where he remembers it being. A grin crosses his face and he grabs the book and flips it open. A surge of power seems to tickle at his fingertips as his eyes glow purple.

Then Marvin’s head snaps up at the sound of movement in the hall.

“Someone’s in the shop-!” A muffled voice shouts as rapid footsteps race down the steps. Soon past the curtain, a black haired man with purple streaks running down his face bursts into view. His eyes widen as he locks eyes with the magician.

“Marvin?” The man asks, looking surprised. Marvin sneers slightly and takes a step back, holding the book close to his chest. The action catches the man’s eyes and he tries to stride forward.

“Hey! Put that down!”

Suddenly the lights flare a soft red as another figure stumbles past the curtains.

“Mare, what the hell is that racket?” Phantom asks, stumbling into the parlor. Even though it has been over a month since their last encounter, Phantom still looks pale and spent. He leans and uses his scepter to walk and he has dark purple bags under his eyes. As he finishes stumbling into the room, his eyes spark red in slight fear as he sees Marvin.

“M-Marvin…” The con man breathes, stumbling backward slightly. Marvin can see the dark-haired man’s shoulders shaking and a rush of some kind of feeling he can’t explain grips his gut. Another smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. It felt good to see his enemy trembling before him.

“Gentlemen!” Marvin sings sightly, opening up his arms and holding up the book for all to see, “How good to see you both again.”

Phantom’s eyes snap up to the book in dumbfounded disbelief as he shakily tries to take a step forward, arm outstretched.

“Marvin, drop that now!” Phantom stumbles on the edge of the carpet and nearly faceplants but Mare sprints and manages to catch him before he falls completely. Phantom pushes himself up in the other ego’s arm. “You don’t know what that book can do. Trust me! You don’t want to mess with that kind of magic!” He sounds almost desperate.

Marvin chuckles as he leans back and casually flips through the book, “Oh I’m fully aware of what it’s capable of.” He looks up over the edge of the book and gives Phantom a playful frown, “And here I was thinking you’d be gracious enough to let me take a gift like this for all the torture you put me through.” Marvin’s eyes flash green in anger as he says this. Phantom sinks slightly back into Mare’s arms as his brother grips him tighter and glares at Marvin.

“Isn’t that your thing Phantom? Equal exchange? A deal has to have a reward, no?” Marvin sneers.

“Marvin, listen i-” The con man stammers.

“You tortured me. Took away my magic. Who I was. You tore my family apart. Then, you tortured them!” Marvin finds himself yelling, a rocket of green flame catching parts of the shop on fire. They fizzle down and die as Marvin takes another step forward.

“This is but a small price you’ll pay for your sins, Phantom.”

Phantom gulps and sets his face in a determined expression as he raises his cane at the cat-masked magician. “I can’t let you take that book, Marvin. I-i can give you whatever else you want, but you can’t have that. It will destroy you, and everyone around you.”

Marvin glowers down at the pathetic sight in front of him. He strides forward and knocks Phantom’s scepter away from him.

“I don’t believe you’re in the position to be making deals, Phantom,” Marvin comments lightly as he rests his foot on top of the staff. He hums in thought and flips through the book and quickly finds the spell he was looking for. Almost as if the book was responding to him.

“But if you’re only to get in my way… I suppose this is a great chance to invoke some… “ He hums again and looks towards the ceiling as he tries to think of the word.

“Justice.”

Marvin snaps his fingers and a blast of purple and green light blinds the two figments huddled on the ground. When they next open their eyes, they see the world through red tinted glass. Phantom gasps and scrambles to his feet only to realize him and Mare are now trapped in one of his crystal balls.

Marvin chuckles and reaches down to grab the ball, admiring it in the light. “Or that’s what Jackie would say,” He laughs.

“No!” Phantom screams, cracking his hands against the glass, “Marvin! You can’t do this!” Mare tries to quietly get the younger brother to calm down, but the purple streaked ego looks just as freaked.

Marvin scoffs and tosses the ball onto the plush couch in the middle of the parlor. He relishes the sounds of distress coming from the ball as the other egos are tossed about.

“I’m sure you’ll figure out a way out of there Phantom,” Marvin smugly calls behind him as he tucks the book under his arm. “Your magic is stronger than mine, isn’t it?” He looks back then kicks the scepter he still had underneath him near the bottom of the couch.

“Oh,” He winces in false sympathy, “Gonna be kinda hard without that though.” He then shrugs and waves goodbye to the trapped figments even as they scream at him from the ball, “Goodbye boys! Hope you enjoy your stay~!” He then grins almost sinisterly as he snaps his fingers and disappears.

Marvin appears in Jackie’s apartment, grinning to himself, feeling better than he had in days. He strides forward and nearly collides into Jameson.

Jameson bumps lightly into Marvin’s torso and lightly rubs his nose in a playful manner. The mute man has a navy blue uniform and what looks like one of Jackie’s old masks huddled in his arms that he quickly throws behind him onto the back of the couch.

“Marvin!” He signs, grinning brightly, yet he looks somewhat guilty. “Good to see you, old chap! You were quite in a rush there, huh?”

Anger burns in the magician’s stomach as he looks down at Jamie. The little traitor.

“Hello Jameson,” Marvin replied somewhat coldly.

JJ doesn’t seem to notice though as he gives a silent whistle and looks Marvin up and down.

“My! What a grand outfit you’ve found, friend!” He circles the magician and marvels at the fabric. “Wherever did you find it?” He cocks his head up at Marvin and wiggles his mustache in glee.

Marvin gives him a small smirk, “In town.”

Jamie claps in excitement. “Oh you’ll have to show me sometime!” he signs quickly, “We need inspiration for our next impromptu fashion show!”  The mute man claps Marvin on the arm good-naturedly and wiggles his mustache in laughter, “If we can get the others to agree this time, that is!”

Marvin tenses away slightly but forces out a smile to the teal haired gentlemen, “Indeed…”

Jamie smiles at Marvin and signs a little more slowly, “Well I should let you get back to whatever had you rushing so!” He tips his hat to Marvin and turns back around to grab the items he threw onto the couch.

Marvin frowns and begins to pull the black book out of his jacket, preparing to look for a spell. Then suddenly he feels a spark across his fingertips and his eyes glow and he suddenly knows exactly what spell to use without even looking for it. He smiles. That’s convenient.

He tucks the books away and turns back around to Jamie as the man cleans up the mess he made.

“I see you have a new outfit as well, Jameson,” Marvin calls out smoothly as he pads his way over to the other figment. Jamie seems to tense slightly and he peeks behind him at Marvin. He looks like a child caught doing something they weren’t supposed to do.

Marvin gives Jamie a look and the gentlemen sighs and sets the clothing down and adjusts his vest self consciously. “So… you noticed then..” He signs, looking downcast.

“I did,” Marvin nearly spits but he tries to keep his voice level and calm, “Care to explain, friend?”

Jamie’s shoulders tense as he looks away. Eventually, he sighs and looks up at Marvin, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes.

“Jackie…Jackie needed someone to help him while you were… taken. He was so distraught he didn’t think he could do it alone… He… He thought I had potential as a sidekick and…” Jamie’s hands still as he tries to find the words, “I… I wanted to try being like you. Brave, wonderful and c-confident you.” Marvin’s heart seems to stop for a second. But anger quickly swallows any other emotions stirring inside him.

“I know I could never replace you,” Jamie continues, “But I wanted to help where I could. I thought… Practicing with Jackie while you were gone might help me prepare for our next encounter.” Jameson squeezes his eyes shut and breathes shakily, “You have every right to be angry with me. But I only wanted to find a way to be strong like you and Jackie…”

Jameson lifts his head with a small shaky smile back towards Marvin, “It’s a crazy idea but maybe… maybe we three could all work together-” JJ’s next words are cut off however by Marvin appearing in front of him and slapping his hand over the mute man’s face. Jamie stumbles backward slightly and blinks frightened at the cat masked magician. His eyes… they were wrong. They glowed with a dark and terrifying purple light.

Jamie squeaks slightly as Marvin grabs his arm and moves him to slam against the wall. Jameson blinks stars out of his eyes and shakily tries to reach up to get Marvin’s hands off of him but he’s too strong. Marvin growls and presses a thumb against Jameson’s forehead. The mute man feels a spark in his brain and the world seems to fade into swirls and spirals. His eyes glaze over. The only thing JJ can see clearly is Marvin.

Marvin sneers quietly, “Listen to me, Jameson. You don’t want to be a hero. You were never cut out to be a hero.” Marvin tilts his head as he watches Jameson take in his influence, “Jackie doesn’t want to fight by someone as weak as you. He needs someone with real power. You are nothing!”

A small tear falls from Jameson’s eye even though his expression doesn’t change. Marvin pushes onward.

“I want you to stay away from Jackie. You don’t need to fill your thoughts with such silly fantasies. Leave the heroing to me, and him.” Marvin then lets go of Jamie’s face altogether, letting the man drop heavily to the floor. Jameson stares up blankly for a second before the light seems to come back to his eyes. He blinks slowly, then rubs at his head.

He stands up and unsteadily signs, “Marvin? Did.. did I fall asleep?” He grips his head slightly and blinks stars out of his eyes. Marvin puts on a smile and helps the mute man up.

“Yeah, gave me a scare!” Marvin laughs slightly and leads Jamie towards the couch, “I guess all that work with Jackie must have tired you out.”

Jameson stops in front of the couch and stares at the uniform. Stares at the mask, a gift from Jackie. He swallows a heavy lump in his throat. He picks up the mask and touches it softly, lost in thought.

“I… I suppose so…” Jamie signs. “Perhaps… perhaps I should hang up this silly costume…”

Marvin smiles more and lightly wraps an arm around the other ego and rubs his shoulder, “Jackie will understand if it’s too much for you, Jamie.”

Jameson sniffs some and tiredly hangs his head. “Yes… I think I just need some time…” He turns and brushes past Marvin, quickly heading back towards the front door.

But a red blur stops Jameson before he can leave.

“JJ!” Jackie exclaims as he draws Jamie into a big bear hug, “You were fantastic out there! Crime fighters aren’t gonna stand a chance against us once-” He pauses and lets go of Jamie as he sees Marvin standing in the living room. “Marvin…joins us” He breathes.

Jameson quickly elbows himself out of Jackie’s grip and tries to head out of the apartment again. Jackie stops him by grabbing his shoulder.

“Hey J, what’s wrong?” Jackie asks, concern coloring his whole face. Jameson stares away from him, not wanting to look the hero in the eye. Finally, he grabs the hero’s hand and places something in it. The mask.

JJ stares at the ground as he slowly signs, “I can’t do this anymore.” He then turns heel and quickly heads out the door, leaving behind a confused Jackie.

Jackie stares down at the mask in his hand with a sad expression.

“What was that all about…?” Jackie muses out loud, “He… he was so happy earlier…”

Marvin shrugs, “Heroing might have just been too much for him.”

Jackie’s head snaps up and he too looks guilty, “You knew?”

Marvin gives a fake smile towards Jackie to hide his anger, “You guys aren’t exactly subtle. But, don’t worry, I’m not mad.”

Jackie winces slightly, “You’re not?”

“Not anymore.” Marvin smiles and looks past Jackie towards the door, “Such a shame. A third addition might have been nice.” He then turns to head back to his room, “Lucky we got the original team back though.” He gives a cheeky wave to Jackie as he heads inside.

Jackie frowns and stares down at the mask, not able to push past a strange pit in his stomach.

“They won’t take you away from me ever again.” -Puppet Master

His heart hammered against his chest, fury unleashing as the man in front of him went limp after a crack resonated within the room. Anyone else would’ve found it strange that someone screaming and begging for their life would go silent out of nowhere.

Yet... if you looked closely, a web of royal blue strings stretched through the space, some of the thin strings wrapped tightly around their limbs and twisted necks. Seeing their panic as they fought the invisible force that his strings carried was amusing. The men dancing like mindless puppets while the thread sliced their limbs. One false move and the steel-like strings would swiftly slice of heads and limbs.

Disgusting pests.

The dapper moved his fingers though as he moved them, the bodies started falling to the ground one by one, emitting a dull thud as they made contact with the ground. He took slow steps, the web of strings slowly dissolving as he got closer to what he was looking for. The coldness in his sapphire eyes melts away as he sees Henrik slumped against the wall and worry is quick to strikes his heart. Jameson runs, soon letting himself fall to his knees as he cradles Henrik in his arms.

Thankfully Henrik hadn’t witnessed any of that. Jameson wouldn’t know what measures he’d have to take in order to make Henrik forget. At the end... He wouldn’t want to scare him away. He wouldn’t want to think he’s that glitch—

But Jameson is nothing like Anti. He uses this new found power to protect the one he cares about.

“{You are safe now... Know that no one will dare lay another finger on you.}” The dapper whispered in Henrik’s mind. However, anger is quick to return. It’s all his fault... That idiotic hero. Good for nothing... What kind of hero would put someone in danger like that? If Henrik wasn’t as selfless as he is towards Jackie then this wouldn’t had happen. Jackie is the one to blame here, him and him alone.

“{They won’t take you away from me ever again...}” Jameson vowed. “{I will make sure that hero answer for his crimes...}”